[ effect of 6-week submaximal training with and without external loading on cardiovascular fitness, balance, cortisol, and lipid profiles in osteoporotic postmenopausal women]

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to compare submaximal aerobic exercise with and without external loading on physical fitness, balance and blood lipids in osteoporotic postmenopausal women

Materials and Methods: Twenty-seven volunteer osteoporotic postmenopausal women were randomly divided into three groups: aerobic [n=8], weighted vest [n=9], and control [n=10]. Training consisted of 18 sessions of submaximal aerobic walking on the treadmill 30 min daily for 3 times a week. [3 min warm-up, 24 min training with 50-60% Heart rate reserve [HRR], and 3 min cool down]. In the weighted vest group, subjects wore a weighted vest [4-8% of body weight]. Body composition, balance and, cardiovascular fitness parameters were measured before and after training and blood lipids and cortisol hormone levels were also assessed

Results: Fat decreased and lean mass increased significantly in the weighted vest group [P=0.027 and P=0.005 respectively]. HRrest and BPrest significantly decreased in the weighted vest and aerobic groups, respectively. After training, balance criteria increased significantly in the weighted vest and aerobic groups, but decreased in the control group. Cortisol levels showed a significant decrease in training groups. Lipid level changes were not significant

Conclusion: Results of this study showed the weighted vest training is better to improve physical fitness and balance in osteoporotic postmenopausal women. Cortisol depression after submaximal aerobic exercise may be effective in maintenance of bone mass in postmenoposal women

Falciparum malaria in children

Forty three cases of Falciparum Malaria in children are reported to draw attention to the second resurgence of malaria since the start of the malaria eradication [currently control] programme in Pakistan. The clinical features, laboratory findings and response to treatment are discussed. Clinical features are varied but fever with anaemia, splenomegaly, dark coloured urine and meningeal or intracranial irritation signs are highly suggestive of falciparum malaria in children. The study has shown clinical resistance of plasmodium falciparum to amodiaquine, chloroquine and Fansidar a combination of chloroquine and pyrimethamine

Value of C-reactive protein in the diagnosis of meningitis in children

To study its value in the diagnosis of meningitis, levels of C-reactive protein were studied in 72 confirmed cases of meningitis. C-reactive protein levels were raised in 22.7% cases of septic meningitis and 25.8% of cases of bacterial meningitis. In five cases [22.7%] the test was false positive. This study did not show any definite value of C-reactive protein level in differentiating septic and tubercular meningitis

Comparative trial of amoxicillin and chloramphenicol in the treatment of typhoid fever in children

This paper describes a study of 100 children suffering from enteric fever admitted in the Deptt. Of paediatrics Hayat Shaheed Teaching Hospital Peshawar from 19-4-1976 to 30-11-1977 the effect of chloramphenicol and amoxicillin [amoxil] was evaluated in this disease. It was noticed that amoxicillin [amoxil] was as effective as chloramphenicol in the treatment of enteric fever. Out of 50 [group A] treated with amoxicillin [Amoxil] 10 cases [20%] had good response 33 [66%] had fair and 7 cases [14%] had no response to this antibiotic. See table no.4. in 50 cases [group B] treated with chloramphenicol the response was good in 3 cases [6%] fair in 31 cases [62%] and 16 cases [32%] had no response to this antibiotic