ABSTRACT
Background and objectives: Optimal physical activity is important in attaining a peak bone mass. Physically active women have better bone mineral density and reduce fracture risk as compared to females living a sedentary life. The objective of this study was to compare parameters of bone profile and serum homocysteine levels in physically active and non-active postmenopausal females
Methods:In this cross sectional study postmenopausal females between 50-70 years of age were recruited and divided into two groups: Physically inactive [n=133] performing light physical activity and Physically active [n=34] performing moderate physical activity. Physical activity [in metabolic equivalents], bone mineral density and serum homocysteine levels were assessed. Spearman's rho correlation was applied to observe correlations. Two independent sample t test and Mann Whitney U test were applied to compare groups. P-value
Results:Parameters of bone profile were significantly higher and serum homocysteine levels were significantly lower in postmenopausal females performing moderate physical activity as compared to females performing light physical activity. Homocysteine was not significantly related to T-score and Z-score in both groups
Conclusion:Improving physical activity could be beneficial for improving the quality of bone, decreasing fracture risk and decreasing serum homocysteine levels
ABSTRACT
The present study was designed to determine the serum vitamin D levels and their relation with demographic features and life style factors in young adults. It was an analytical cross-sectional study on 88 subjects aged 18-40 years. Relevant information about physical activity, job place, duration of sun exposure, educational status and socioeconomic conditions was obtained.Serum levels of 25-OH vitamin D were measured by ELISA. Data was analyzed using SPSS 20. Mean serum vitamin D level was 8.44+/-0.49 [Range: 1.00-21.08] ng/ml in participants. Vitamin D deficiency was found in 98.86% of the population. Mean vitamin D levels were significantly lower in females [p=0.0001], physically less active [p=0.006], indoor job holders [p=0.0001], less sun exposed [p=0.001], highly educated [p=0.020] and high socioeconomic status [p=0.007] bearing and in subjects having relatively fair skin complexion [p=0.041]. Serum vitamin D levels of study population were below normal and were associated with female gender, less physical activity, indoor jobs, less sun exposure, higher education and higher socioeconomic class and relatively fair skin complexion
ABSTRACT
To identify the anatomical variations in cerebral arterial circle of Willis. Descriptive study. Department of Anatomy, University of Health Sciences, Lahore, from February 2009 to January 2010. Human brains were removed from fifty-one consecutive cadavers at the time of autopsy from Forensic Department, King Edward Medical University, Lahore, to observe anatomical variations in the cerebral arterial circle regarding its completeness, pattern and symmetry. The individual cerebral vessels were also noted for the presence, origin, caliber and symmetry. Pictures from each dissection, showing the complete circle were taken. The variations of the circle as whole and segmental variations were studied and described in percentage. Thirty-seven [72.5%] of the 51 [100%] cerebral arterial circles were complete; 15 subjects [29.4%] had typical configuration; 25 [49%] had symmetrical arrangement and 39 subjects [76.4%] had different types of variations in their component vessels. Variations were most common in the posterior communicating artery followed by anterior communicating artery, pre-communicating segments of the posterior cerebral and pre-communicating segments of anterior cerebral arteries. No circle was found with aneurysm. Different variations in the formation of circle of Willis and in its component vessels are common in the local adult population of Pakistan. These should be taken into consideration during angiographic evaluation and neurosurgical procedures on the anterior circulation