Explanation of hand, foot, and mouth disease cases in Japan using Google Trends before and during the COVID-19: infodemiology study.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic affects common diseases, but its impact on hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is unclear. Google Trends data is beneficial for approximate real-time statistics and because of ease in access, is expected to be used for infection explanation from an information-seeking behavior perspective. We aimed to explain HFMD cases before and during COVID-19 using Google Trends. METHODS: HFMD cases were obtained from the National Institute of Infectious Diseases, and Google search data from 2009 to 2021 in Japan were downloaded from Google Trends. Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated between HFMD cases and the search topic "HFMD" from 2009 to 2021. Japanese tweets containing "HFMD" were retrieved to select search terms for further analysis. Search terms with counts larger than 1000 and belonging to ranges of infection sources, susceptible sites, susceptible populations, symptoms, treatment, preventive measures, and identified diseases were retained. Cross-correlation analyses were conducted to detect lag changes between HFMD cases and search terms before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Multiple linear regressions with backward elimination processing were used to identify the most significant terms for HFMD explanation. RESULTS: HFMD cases and Google search volume peaked around July in most years, excluding 2020 and 2021. The search topic "HFMD" presented strong correlations with HFMD cases, except in 2020 when the COVID-19 outbreak occurred. In addition, the differences in lags for 73 (72.3%) search terms were negative, which might indicate increasing public awareness of HFMD infections during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results of multiple linear regression demonstrated that significant search terms contained the same meanings but expanded informative search content during the COVID-19 pandemic. CONCLUSIONS: The significant terms for the explanation of HFMD cases before and during COVID-19 were different. Awareness of HFMD infections in Japan may have improved during the COVID-19 pandemic. Continuous monitoring is important to promote public health and prevent resurgence. The public interest reflected in information-seeking behavior can be helpful for public health surveillance.

Immediate effect of neuromuscular electrical stimulation on the abductor hallucis muscle: A randomized controlled trial.

Hallux valgus (HV) is a foot deformity with deviation of the greater toe and the first metatarsal. There is little evidence on training the abductor hallucis muscle (AbdH) to treat HV because of the difficulty in implementing the necessary interventions. Although neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) has been used to induce voluntary exercise, there is currently no study on NMES for AbdH. We aimed to verify the immediate effect of NMES on the AbdH muscle function. For the NMES group (n = 15), electrical stimulation was applied for 20 min. In the sham group (n = 15), the stimulating device was set but not turned on. Electromyogram, HV angle (HVA) at rest and during abduction of the big toe, and strength of the AbdH were evaluated. Analysis of covariance was used to investigate differences within groups using the baseline as the covariate. NMES significantly improved the maximal voluntary isometric contractions (%MVIC), HVA at exercise, and muscle strength (%MVIC: p = .00, HVA exercise: p = .00, AbdH strength: p = .00). HVA at rest showed no change (p = .12). Application of NMES on the AbdH muscle immediately improved its activity output, muscle strength, and HVA during exercise.

The shape of the transverse arch in high heels while standing.

INTRODUCTION: High heeled shoes have long been worn in society and they are known to cause biomechanical imbalances to not only the foot, but the whole musculoskeletal system. This study aims to show the detailed changes that happen to the shape of the transverse arch of the foot in high heels, using two different inclination degrees. METHODS: 68 women participated in this study. Two custom-made high heels were made with inclinations of 15 degrees and 30 degrees (cm). A weight-bearing ultrasound was used to assess the coronal view of the transverse arch in standing. ANOVA and Tuckey tests were used to compare the results between 0 degrees, 15 degrees and 30 degrees inclinations. RESULTS: The transverse arch height was slightly increased as the heel height increased (0DI-15DI: p = 0.5852 / 15DI-30DI: p = 0.395 / 0DI-30DI: p = 0.0593). The transverse arch length (0DI-15DI: p = 0.0486 / 15DI-30DI: p = 0.0004 / 0DI-30DI: p = 0.1105) and the area under the metatarsal heads (0DI-15DI: p = 0.0422 / 15DI-30DI: p = 0.0180 / 0DI-30DI: p = 0.9463) significantly decreased as the heel height increased. DISCUSSION: The main changes were viewed in the 30 degrees inclinations compared to 0 degrees inclination. When the toes are dorsiflexed in high heels, it stimulates the Windlass mechanism which in turn stiffens the plantar fascia and adducts the metatarsal heads, while the soft tissues shrink in response to loads. CONCLUSION: High heels affected the shape of the transverse arch even in short term standing, and these effects increased as the height of the heel increased.

Effects of deep thermotherapy on chest wall mobility of healthy elderly women.

Chest wall mobility decreases with age in community-dwelling women aged 65 years or older. Thermotherapy is used to improve soft-tissue extensibility. However, its effects on chest wall mobility are unclear. This study aimed to examine the effect of thermotherapy on chest wall mobility in healthy elderly women. Twenty-eight elderly women participated in this study. Chest wall mobility at three levels (axillary, xiphoid, and tenth rib), respiratory function (forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume), and tissue temperature (skin temperature (ST)) and deep temperature (DT) with 10 mm and 20 mm depth from the skin (10 mm DT and 20 mm DT)) were measured before and after 15 minutes of thermotherapy. The subjects randomly received one of the three interventions (capacitive and resistive electric transfer (CRet), hot pack (HP), and sham CRet (sham)). Chest wall mobility at all levels significantly increased after CRet intervention. Hot pack significantly increased tenth rib excursion; it also significantly increased ST, 10 mm DT, and 20 mm DT, whereas CRet significantly increased 10 mm DT and 20 mm DT. There were significant differences between CRet, HP, and sham in ST, 10 mm DT, and 20 mm DT. Furthermore, 20 mm DT had increased more in CRet than in HP. CRet improved chest wall mobility at all levels and HP improved at the tenth rib level. This implies that CRet can be one of the approaches to improve chest wall mobility.

Detailed analysis of the transverse arch of hallux valgus feet with and without pain using weightbearing ultrasound imaging and precise force sensors.

BACKGROUND: Hallux valgus is the most common forefoot deformity and affects the transverse arch structure and its force loading patterns. This study aims to clarify the differences in the transverse arch structure and the force under the metatarsal heads individually, between normal feet and hallux valgus feet, and between hallux valgus feet with pain and without pain. We further test the association between the parameters of the transverse arch and hallux valgus angle and between the parameters and pain in hallux valgus. METHODS: Women's feet (105 feet) were divided into normal group (NORM) and hallux valgus group (HVG); and further into subgroups: hallux valgus without pain (HV Pain (-)) and hallux valgus with pain (HV Pain (+)). Transverse arch height and metatarsal heads height were measured using weight-bearing ultrasound imaging. Force under the metatarsal heads was measured using force sensors attached directly on the skin surface of the metatarsal heads. The measurements were taken in three loading positions: sitting, quiet standing and 90% weight shift on the tested foot. Differences between the groups were compared using Student t-test and Wilcoxon Exact test. Multivariate logistic analysis with adjustment for physical characteristics was also conducted. RESULTS: Transverse arch height was significantly higher in HVG than in NORM in all positions; there were no significant differences between HV Pain (+) and HV pain (-). Lateral sesamoid was significantly higher in HVG and HV Pain (+) than in NORM and HV Pain (-) respectively when bearing 90% of the body weight unilaterally. There was a trend of higher forces under the medial forefoot without significant difference. Transverse arch height and lateral sesamoid height were associated with the hallux valgus angle, while lateral sesamoid height was associated with forefoot pain in hallux valgus deformity. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows the differences in the transverse arch structure between normal feet and feet with hallux valgus, and between hallux valgus feet with and without pain. This finding is noteworthy when considering future treatments of painful feet, notably the height of the lateral sesamoid which seems to play a role in forefoot pain.

Risk factors of low back pain and the relationship with sagittal vertebral alignment in Tanzania.

BACKGROUND: LBP is a common and serious problem affecting vast populations of the world. However, only few studies on LBP in sub-Saharan Africa have been conducted. Studies report that LBP and pelvic angle are interrelated, and African residents have a high pelvic tilt. The strategy to prevent LBP should focus on activities that promote holistic health. For that purpose, it is important to grasp the state of LBP and how it affects people's lifestyle in Tanzania to clarify the direction of implementation of physiotherapy treatment and reduce the incidences of LBP among adults. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and presentation of low back pain (LBP) and the relationship between anthropometric measurements and LBP among people in Moshi city, Kilimanjaro region Tanzania. METHODS: Following signing consent forms, participants were given questionnaires regarding LBP and then grouped accordingly into either asymptomatic or symptomatic cohorts. Anthropometric measurements of participants' height, weight, curvature of the spine, and pelvic angle were obtained. RESULTS: A Mann-Whitney U test analysis showed a significant difference in pelvic angle, body mass index (BMI), and thoracic kyphosis angle between the asymptomatic group and the symptomatic group. No significant differences in lumbar lordosis angle or abdominal muscle strength were found between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: A person with symptomatic LBP in Tanzania has a large anteversion of the pelvic tilt and a thoracic kyphotic posture. This study shows a relationship between sagittal spinal alignment and LBP in Tanzania, which could allow for prospective identification of subjects prone to developing LBP in the future.

Disruption of ptsG gene and manXYZ operon of ethanol-producing Escherichia coli KO11: Effects on glucose and xylose utilization and ethanol production.

Ethanol-producing Escherichia coli strain KO11 consumed 99% of the glucose and only 13% of the xylose in a mixture of glucose (60g/L) and xylose (40g/L) during the 72-h fermentation at 30°C. The deletion mutants ΔptsG, ΔmanXYZ, and ΔptsG/manXYZ utilized 42%, 78%, and 35% of the glucose and 50%, 32%, and 32% of the xylose, respectively.

Hydroxyapatite particle characteristics influence the enhancement of the mechanical and chemical properties of conventional restorative glass ionomer cement.

The aims of this study were to improve the mechanical and chemical properties of conventional restorative glass ionomer cement (GIC) by adding hydroxyapatite (HAp) preparations with different characteristics, and to investigate the underlying reaction mechanisms. Fuji IX GP® was used as the control GIC. The experimental GICs consisted of four HAp-particles with different characteristics added at 8 mass% to Fuji IX-powder. All cements were prepared by mixing with Fuji IX-liquid (P/L=3.6). Four HAp-particles were analyzed, and then the mechanical strengths and the fluoride-ion- release-recharge-behaviors of five GIC groups were evaluated. The results of this study demonstrate that the addition of HAp particles with highly reactive properties such as high specific surface area can enhance the flexural strength and fluoride ion release properties of conventional restorative GIC. Our results further indicate that HAp functions as an adsorbent and an ion exchangeable agent, resulting in improved mechanical and chemical properties of GIC.