ABSTRACT
One of the important effects of exercise on human body is on the metabolic system especially on lipids; elevated lipids and lipoprotein are risk factors for coronary heart disease. This case-control study was conducted to compare the lipid profile and apo-protein B levels in sedentary workers and subjects involved in regular exercise. The study was conducted at Women Medical College Abbottabad, from July 2004 to January 2005. Subjects were civilians and army men involved in regular exercise for more than 6 months duration [test group] and sedentary workers [control group]. The age, body weight, height, waist hip ratio and other related findings were recorded on a special proforma. Fasting blood samples were taken and were analyzed for lipid profile and apoprotein B levels. Statistical analysis was done by the Chi square and the Student t tests and level of significance was recorded. The subjects comprised 29 army men, 24 civilians and 39 sedentary workers. Significant differences were found between the control and test groups for WHR, total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, Triglycerides, Apo B, and Cholesterol/HDL ratio; in addition the civilian group also showed significant differences from the control group in BMI values. Although LDL levels were lower in army than sedentary group, the difference was statistically nonsignificant. Significant differences were found between the army and civilian groups in age, HDL, Triglycerides and Apo B values. Long term aerobic exercise has beneficial effects in decreasing Apo- protein B levels, LDL levels and total cholesterol /HDL ratio. Exercise habits should be encouraged in general population to decrease the cardiovascular disease risk
ABSTRACT
Intussusception is the commonest cause of intestinal obstruction in children. We reviewed 130 cases over a period of 10 years at DHQ hospital, Abbottabad to assess their mode of presentation, methods of investigation, management and out come. A retrospective review was performed of the case notes of presentation, investigation, management and subsequent out come. Although majority of patients presented with the classical triad of abdominal pain 88%, vomiting 82% and rectal bleeding 54%. There were some who varied in their mode of presentation. A presumptive initial diagnosis of infective diarrhoea or colitis and referral for a medical rather than surgical opinion was made in 86 [69%] cases. Hydrostatic reduction was done in 79% of cases, 29 being successful. Laparotomy was done in 101 cases. In 6 patients [6%] spontaneous reduction occurred between barium enema reduction and subsequent laparotomy. Simple manual reduction after laparotomy was done in 45 cases. Resection of the gangrenous intestine was done in 13 patients. In the rest of 37 patients, various operations like right hemicolectomy and appendectomy were done. The male to female ratio in our series was almost equal. No variation in the relationship between incidence and season or type of feeding was found. Ilecocolic intussusception was found to be the commonest type at the laparotomy in our series
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Intussusception/therapy , Infant , ChildABSTRACT
To investigate the relationship of TNF alpha levels to Plasmodium falciparum [PF] infection, plasma TNF alpha concentrations were measured in Pakistani adults and children with mild, severe, cerebral and chronic falciparum malaria and healthy [control] subjects. The initial geometric mean plasma concentrations of TNF alpha in adult patients with severe malaria [187.6 pg/mL] were significantly higher than mild malaria patients [87.1 pg/mL, P < 0.001]. TNF alpha levels were not correlated to parasite density, cerebral malaria, young age, hypoglycemia or fatal outcome; however, they were associated with severe anemia, and hepatic and kidney dysfunction. TNF alpha levels were not significantly increased in 16 patients with hyperparasitemia and were significantly elevated [P < 0.02] in chronic malaria patients as compared to control subjects. TNF alpha levels were elevated independently in patients with anemia, hypoglycemia [P < 0.001, P < 0.05], and hepatic and kidney [P < 0.001 each] dysfunction. In this study, high TNF alpha levels were associated with several manifestations of severe malaria and were not specific to cerebral malaria and hyperparasitemia