Modulation of cardiovascular autonomic functions in obese persons in response to short-term isometric skeletal muscle contraction

This study was designed to investigate the modulation of cardiovascular autonomic functions in obese persons in response to short-term isometric skeletal muscle contraction by monitoring heart rate variability [HRV]. Fifty male non-smoker medical students were divided into two groups: control and obese according to body mass index [BMI] and the waist measurement. Parameters of heart rate variability were recorded by Power Lab instrument at rest and after two-minute sustained isometric contraction. Our results revealed signifi cant relations between HRV and obesity indices [BMI and waist circumference]. Higher values of obesity indices were signifi cantly associated with autonomic alteration i.e. lower sympathetic and parasympathetic activities

Physical education and activity in preparatory and secondary schools: a descriptive study in Mansoura city

The knowledge and practice of the students and teachers regarding physical education and activity at schools, and the obstacles that may affect its appropriate application were studied among a random sample of students and teachers using two forms of self-administrated questionnaire. The students sample included 1000 second grade preparatory and secondary, male and female students. The teachers sample included 200 male and female teachers. This study revealed that, although many students agreed on the importance of practicing physical activity [88.6%6], physical education classes [PEC] at school [84.6%], and practicing physical exercises during morning queue [MO] [69%6], only 52.8% of them agreed that school helps to acquire knowledge and skills necessary to practice physical activity, 49.2% of them had regular physical exercises during MQ, 27.6 % of them regularly participate in these exercises, and 50.6% of them regularly practice physical exercises in PEC. All these percentages were significantly higher among male compared to female students. In addition, many of the students did not meet the minimal weekly requirement of the necessary moderate [22%] or vigorous [37.4%] physical activity in the past week prior to the study. On the other hand, on average school day, 44.6% of the students watched TV for 1-2 hours, 19% for 3-4 hours, and 6.1% for 5 hours or more. Among teachers, 89.5% of them mentioned the presence of a definite physical education curriculum, and many of them reported that physical education in schools is suitable for the age of the students [94.5%], has different activities [92%], aim to improve physical fitness [73%], and includes necessary knowledge and skills [72%]. Although 89% of teachers reported the arrangement of physical activity competitions within their schools, only 67% of them reported that school environment is suitable for practicing physical activities. In addition, 65.5% of them reported practice physical activities regularly, and 33% of them reported that teachers received training courses in leading physical activities. The obstacles that affect school physical education and reported by teachers were insufficient physical education teachers [31.5%], insufficient place at school for physical activities [26.5%], students are not interested in physical activities [15.5%], and School administration is not interested in physical activities [12%] and absence of definite physical education curriculum [10.5 %]

Proinflammatory cytokines [IL-12 and IL-18] in immune rheumatic diseases: relation with disease activity and autoantibodies production

lnterleukin-18 [IL-18] and its inducer IL-12 have multiple biological activities that are important in generating Th1 responses and inflammatory tissue damage. We investigated serum concentration of the novel pro-inflammatory Th1 cytokine; IL-18, and its inducer IL-12 in patients with immune rheumatic diseases. Group I comprised 32 patients of systemic lupus erythmatosus [SLE], Group II comprised 36 patients of rheumatoid arthritis [RA]. Group III comprised 9 patients [2 patients of Behcet, 2 patients of Dermatomyositis, 2 patients of Sicca syndrome, one patient of Scleroderma, and 2 patients of Mixed connective tissue disease]. Group IV is a control group consists of 21 sex and age matched healthy subjects and correlated their levels with autoantibody concentration [ANA and ds-DNA], clinical grades and SLE disease activity index [SLEDAI]. Serum IL-18, IL-12 ,ANA and ds-DNA were measured by enzyme immune sorbent assay. IL-18, IL-12 and ANA were significantly higher in the three studied groups than in the control group [IL-18; P<0.001 in the three groups, IL-12; P=0.019, P=0.002, and P= 0.006, and ANA; PO.001, P=0.002,and P=0.006, respectively].ds-DNA was significantly higher in SLE patients than in control group [P<0.001].There were significant positive correlations between; A] levels of IL-18,and both ANA and ds-DNA in SLE patient [r=0.41,P=0.001, r= 0.58 and P=0.001 respectively]; and B] IL-18 and ANA in both RA and group III patients [r= 0.32, P=0.005,r=0.61 and P= 0.022 respectively]. Also, there were significant positive correlation between the levels of IL-18 and clinical grades of the three groups [r=0.60, P=0.001, r=0.79, P=0.001, r=0.78 and P= 0.001 respectively]. In SLE patients ,IL-18 concentration shows significant positive correlation with SLEDAI score [r= 0.76 ,P=0.001]. In conclusion, the elevation of proinflammatory cytokines [IL-18 and IL-12] may trigger the inflammatory process in immune rheumatic diseases and IL-18 is correlated with disease activity