Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) represents a panel of conditions that begin during the developmental period and result in impairments of personal, social, academic, or occupational functioning. Early diagnosis is directly related to a better prognosis. Unfortunately, the diagnosis of ASD requires a long and exhausting subjective process. We aimed to review the state of the art for automated autism diagnosis and recognition in this research. In February 2022, we searched multiple databases and sources of gray literature for eligible studies. We used an adapted version of the QUADAS-2 tool to assess the risk of bias in the studies. A brief report of the methods and results of each study is presented. Data were synthesized for each modality separately using the Split Component Synthesis (SCS) method. We assessed heterogeneity using the I ² statistics and evaluated publication bias using trim and fill tests combined with ln DOR. Confidence in cumulative evidence was assessed using the GRADE approach for diagnostic studies. We included 344 studies from 186,020 participants (51,129 are estimated to be unique) for nine different modalities in this review, from which 232 reported sufficient data for meta-analysis. The area under the curve was in the range of 0.71–0.90 for all the modalities. The studies on EEG data provided the best accuracy, with the area under the curve ranging between 0.85 and 0.93. We found that the literature is rife with bias and methodological/reporting flaws. Recommendations are provided for future research to provide better studies and fill in the current knowledge gaps.

Background. Postural instability is a prevalent issue among individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) that affects the development of their perceptual-motor skills and social functioning. Visual and somatosensory processing deficits, hypotonia, basal ganglia dysfunction, and anxiety are some of the concurrent disorders in individuals with ASD. Nevertheless, a definite management protocol for postural instability in ASD has not been introduced yet. Hence, we aim to shed light on the available intervention strategies for postural instability in individuals with ASD. Methods. Even though several studies have been conducted on the effects of various interventions for balance control in individuals with ASD, no study has compared their efficacy, limitations, and clinical implications. Results. This review discusses diverse proposed interventions contributing to ASD postural instability, including martial arts, water-based interventions, animal-assisted therapies, trampoline, balance training, vestibular therapy, transcranial direct current stimulation, sports, play, and active recreation for kids (SPARK), and square-stepping exercise (SSE). Conclusion. Enhancing motor skills, cerebellum function, and sensory input integration were some of the main mechanisms of these interventions to improve balance control in ASD. Some interventions, such as water-based exercises and video games, were enjoyable for children with ASD and could raise their treatment adherence. In most studies, small sample sizes and the lack of a control group represented their major limitations. Therefore, future well-designed randomized controlled trials are required to assess the effects of available interventions on postural control in ASD.

Studies on the burden and epidemiological aspects of substance-use disorders in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) are limited. To evaluate the burden and epidemiology of substance-use disorders in MENA countries during 1990-2019. Ecological study. Data from the global burden of disease study were used in the current study. The incidence, prevalence, mortality, years of life lost from mortality, years of healthy life lost due to disability, and disability-adjusted life years (DALY) rates attributable to each group of disorders across age groups, genders, years, and countries were retrieved along with their corresponding age-standardized values. Age-standardized DALYs rates of alcohol-use disorders, drug-use disorders, and substanceuse disorders associated with sociodemographic index across MENA countries and over 30 years were examined. The age-standardized DALY rate of substance-use disorders in MENA had risen from 190.1 in 1990 to 234.93 per 100,000 in 2019, indicating a 23.57% increase. In both genders, the DALY rate was highest in the 25-29-years age group in 2019 (440.81 per 100,000 in females and 645.97 per 100,000 in males). In addition, in 2019, age-standardized DALY rates of alcohol-use disorder were the highest in the United Arab Emirates (77.08 per 100,000), Afghanistan (67.77 per 100,000), and Bahrain (60.35 per 100,000). In almost all these countries, opioid-use disorder had the highest age-standardized DALY rate in 2019. The burden of substance-use disorders has increased from 1990 to 2019 in the MENA region in contrast to the global trend. This study findings highlight that the current interventions and laws implemented in this region to address drug trafficking and substance-use disorders may be insufficient and ineffective, warranting further international collaboration and implementation of more effective strategies to reduce the overall burden of substance-use disorders.

In December 2019, the coronavirus ((COVID-19) outbreak related to severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV2) originated in China and expanded exponentially as a public health pandemic to over 200 countries. Over 8 million validated cases and approximately 800 000 deaths. The main type is cardiac and respiratory but neurological symptoms are further mentioned as case series and case records in the research. The most frequent manifestations have been reported to include dizziness and headache followed by delirium and encephalopathy. Gillian barre syndrome, acute transversal myelitis, cerebrovascular accident, and encephalitis are among the complications noted. The most prominent occurrence at the periphery was hyposmia. This is also known that neurological demonstrations will also lead to regular features such as cough and fever, which evolve in these cases later on normal manifestations. For the timely diagnosis and separation of cases, therefore, a great suspicion guide is needed to arrest spread in neurology departments. This research provides a narrative study of COVID-19’s neurological symptoms and complexities. Our goal is to inform the neurologists and clinicians who work amidst potential COVID-19 patients regarding potential neurological symptoms, and likely neurological problems arising from the aforementioned new virus.

Purpose: We conducted a systematic review of all proposed classifications of tibial plateau fractures (TPFs) to facilitate comparison and identify the most effective reduction methods. Methods: PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science and Cochrane Library databases were searched for all the articles involving the suggestion of a new method of TPF classification. The descriptions of classifications, along with their suggested management strategies, were recorded. Results: Out of the 2,712 identified records, 69 were included in the study. Schatzker’s and Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen/Orthopaedic Trauma Association (AO/OTA) classifications were the most frequently mentioned in the literature. The concept of a ‘column’ and posterior column fractures were introduced in 2010. Following this, posterior plateau fractures were further divided into posteromedial and posterolateral fractures. Proposed treatment approaches in most studies were based on the involved region and degree of displacement, while others considered fracture plane, deformity direction and type of fracture. The latest developments include the subclassification of the posterolateral column and consideration of associated injuries to the fibular head, eminentia, extensor mechanism and mechanical derangements along with the concept of the main deformity direction. Conclusion: The understanding of TPF patterns, associated injuries, surgical approaches and fixation methods has evolved in a compelling stepwise manner. Currently, there is no gold standard classification that addresses fracture configuration, soft-tissue injuries, principal direction of deformity, central eminence avulsions, extensor mechanism disruptions and mechanical derangements, while maintaining a simple and reliable categorization. Therefore, employing individualized classification systems remains the most logical approach at present. This study offers invaluable assistance in this regard.