Comparison of physical fitness between rural and urban physical therapy students studying in Lahore, Pakistan

Objective: The main Purpose of this study was determine and compare the level of physical fitness among physical therapy students of rural and urban areas. The basic purpose is to find a difference in measured physical fitness of these students in Lahore [Punjab, Pakistan]

Duration: The study was completed in six months

Setting: The students of physical therapy from public and private sector institutions of Lahore were taken including AzraNaheed Medical College and Children school of Allied health sciences

Methodology: It was a cross sectional study. The sample size was 156. Participants were divided into two groups'. Sampling: Simple convenient sampling technique was used. Only undergraduate students having age limit 21-28, both male and females were included and the students with any trauma, surgical history or musculoskeletal diseases were excluded. Physical fitness was assessed by common clinical tests: Harvard step test, Push- up test, Squat test, flexibility test, Touch toe test. The Body Mass Index was evaluated in order to determine their body composition. All the data was evaluated in SPSS version 21

Results: The results of the study indicated that while performing push up test for physical fitness, in urban population only 1[1.2 percent] were good in physical fitness while in Rural Population 6[8.1 percent] were good. While performing Touch- Toe Test, in rural population 46[62.2 percent] were flexible and in Urban population 55[67.1 percent] were flexible. In squat test, in rural population 23[31.1 percent] and in urban population 50[61.0 percent] were considered poor in terms of physical fitness. in rural population 14[18.9 percent] and in urban population 22[26.8 percent] were considered to have poor strength

Conclusion: The results of the study showed that the rural physical therapy students were physically fit as compared to urban physical therapy students. Moreover, obesity is more common in urban students as the Body Mass Index was high in urban physical therapy students

Effect of leaf extracts of Taraxacum officinale on CCl[4] induced Hepatotoxicity in rats, in vivo study

Taraxacum officinale L is a medicinal plant, which has enormous medicinal values against various types of liver disorders and it has traditionally been used for the treatment of liver problems by people from the South East Asia. Previously we have screened the crude methanolic extract of T. officinale against cytotoxicity induced by CCl[4].Present study was designed to compare the protective effect of ethanolic and n-hexane extract of leaves in carbon tetrachloride [CCl[4]] induced liver toxicity in rats. The extract [200 mg/kg and 400mg/kg body weight] along with silymarin [100 mg/kg] a standard drug was administered to experimental animals. It was observed that ethanolic plant extract has significantly reduced the negative effect of CCl[4] as compared to n-hexane extract and effect of extract was increased with increasing dose level. Although both leaf extracts decreased the concentration of TBARS, H[2]O[2] and nitrite contents which enhance due to CCl[4] toxicity but effect was higher in ethanolic extract. The results clearly indicated that Taraxacum officinale ethanolic leaves extract has better protective effect against CCl[4] induced liver tissues toxicity. This claim was also supported by histopathological results obtained during this study and this might be due to presence of various polar phytochemicals that might be more prevent in this extract

Role of intravenous magnesium therapy in short term risk factors of acute myocardial infarction

Acute Myocardial Infarction [AMI] continues to be a major health problem in the developed and underdeveloped countries. A deficient intake of magnesium [Mg[++]] is suspected to be involved in the pathogenesis of ischaemic heart disease and sudden death. A large proportion of deaths among patients with myocardial infarction occur within the first 24 hours due to arrhythmias, re-infarction and sudden cardiac death. The aim of study was to evaluate the role of intravenous magnesium therapy in the short term risk factors of AMI i.e. arrhythmias, re-infarction and sudden cardiac death within first 24 hours of the incidence of AMI. The study was conducted in Punjab Institute of Cardiology, Lahore. The study group [comprising 75 patients of AMI] was given intravenous magnesium in standard doses along with conventional therapy of AMI. The control group [comprising 75 patients of AMI] was given only conventional therapy. Both groups were compared for occurrence of short term risk factors of AMI during the next 24 hours of their stay in the hospital. The results indicated that patients getting magnesium therapy along with conventional treatment of AMI, only 02 patients [2.67%] developed complications i.e. arrhythmias [1.33%], sudden cardiac death [1.33%], while those patients who were not given intravenous magnesium[control group]. 12 out of 75 patients [16%] developed complications i.e. arrhythmias [10.67%], and sudden cardiac deaths [5.33%]. The number of patients who developed post-infarct short term complications in the control group was statistically significant. In conclusion, it seems that intravenous magnesium therapy may have anti-arrhythmic effects and may prevent re-infarction and sudden cardiac death