Applications of Body Imaging Techniques in Clinical Practice and Biomedical Research: An Overview

Background: Applications of imaging technology modalities have accumulated evidence that individual components of body composition (BC) have significant influences on chronic disease onset, disease progression, treatment responses and health outcomes. Objective: To analyse the currently available body imaging techniques and their applications in clinical practice and medical research. Methods: To review the various body imaging techniques and their applications in clinical practice and medical research, Medline, PubMed, Google scholar, ResearchGate and other databases were searched. Furthermore, references of selected studies and documents available in different libraries were also searched. Findings: Imaging modalities have provided a systematic method for differentiating phenotypes of BC that diverge from normal, i.e. having low bone mass (osteopenia/osteoporosis), low muscle mass (sarcopenia), high fat mass (obesity), or high fat with low muscle mass (sarcopenic obesity). Tremendous advances were made over the past decades in the sensitivity and quality of imaging techniques such as Duel-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry (DXA), Computed Axial Tomography (CT), Ultrasound (US), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS), Positron Emission Tomography (PET), Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) etc. These imaging techniques have been useful to differentiate layers or depots within tissues and cells enhancing our understanding of distinct mechanistic, metabolic and functional roles of BC within human phenotypes. Conclusion: In the present overview, we focused on DXA, CT and US for the use in clinical practice and biomedical research relevant to future investigation of human BC and how they may be applied to remedy the pandemic of obesity, diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Bangladesh Med Res Counc Bull 2021; 47(2): 103-109</jats:p

Risk Factors of Tendo-Achilles Injury in Football, Cricket and Badminton Players at Dhaka, Bangladesh

Achilles tendon is the tendon connecting the heel with the calf muscles. Tendo-achilles injury (TAI) in players is common in games. The frequency of TAI is unknown and aetiology is controversial. The present descriptive cross-sectional study was done to determine the prevalence of TAI and associated factors contributing to it in football, cricket and badminton. From January to June 2012, male players (n=131), age 17-35 years, were selected by purposive sampling technique from renowned sporting clubs at Dhaka, Bangladesh. TAI was diagnosed through structured questionnaire and interviewing the respondents. The analysis by Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) programme revealed that 11.5% players suffered from TAI, i.e. prevalence was 115 per 1000 respondents. Most injuries (70/131; 53.4%) occurred in the playground and (59/131; 45.3%) happened in practice field. Injuries among the players of third division were higher, i.e. about 36% (p=0.000). TAI was significantly dependent on occupation (p=0.046), BMI (p=0.008), divisional status (p=0.023), game type (p=0.043), ground condition (p=0.05) and injury severity (p=0.000). The injured players referred for treatment to the physiotherapist was highest (9/15, i.e. 60%) followed by the physicians (5/15, i.e. 33%) (p=0.000). The associations of TAI with various factors were discussed suggesting effective measures be taken and treatment, particularly physiotherapy, be given to injured players. However, there is a need of team work with sports medicine specialist also to enable the injured players to continue their professional games. </jats:p

Immunopathogenesis and Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis: Recent Developments

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease occurring three times more in females throughout the world affecting 1-2% of the adult population in all ethnic groups, usually in the age group of 25-60 years. Although the role of CD4 + T helper lymphocytes in the aetiopathogenesis has been studied for more than three decades, the focus on CD4 + T helper type 17 (Th17) lymphocytes and its associated cytokines is much more recent. The cytokines such as IL-17 and IFN-g induce secondary cytokines such as IL-1, TNF-a , etc which possibly cause inflammation in joints. This cytokine cascade, therefore, offers a number of points and opportunities for immunointervention in RA. The present review article highlights some of the major aspects of the immunopathogenesis that involve Th17 cells and their association relevant to recent developments in the treatment of RA. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjmb.v7i2.22415 Bangladesh J Med Biochem 2014; 7(2): 62-67</jats:p