Relationship between Weight, Body Mass Index, and Bone Mineral Density in Men Referred for Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry Scan in Isfahan, Iran

Objective. Although several studies have investigated the association between body mass index (BMI) and bone mineral density (BMD), the results are inconsistent. The aim of this study was to further investigate the relation between BMI, weight and BMD in an Iranian men population. Methods. A total of 230 men 50-79 years old were examined. All men underwent a standard BMD scans of hip (total hip, femoral neck, trochanter, and femoral shaft) and lumbar vertebrae (L2-L4) using a Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) scan and examination of body size. Participants were categorised in two BMI group: normal weight <25.0 kg/m2 and overweight and obese, BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2. Results. Compared to men with BMI ≥ 25, the age-adjusted odds ratio of osteopenia was 2.2 (95% CI 0.85, 5.93) and for osteoporosis was 4.4 (1.51, 12.87) for men with BMI < 25. It was noted that BMI and weight was associated with a high BMD, compatible with a diagnosis of osteoporosis. Conclusions. These data indicate that both BMI and weight are associated with BMD of hip and vertebrae and overweight and obesity decreased the risk for osteoporosis. The results of this study highlight the need for osteoporosis prevention strategies in elderly men as well as postmenopausal women

Alendronate improves fasting plasma glucose and insulin sensitivity and decreases insulin resistance in prediabetic osteopenic postmenopausal women: a randomized triple-blind clinical trial

Aims Postmenopausal women receive bisphosphonates for osteoporosis treatment. The effect of these medications on developing diabetes mellitus (DM) in prediabetic patients is yet to be investigated. We aimed to determine the effect of alendronate on plasma glucose, insulin indices of postmenopausal women with prediabetes and osteopenia. Methods This triple‐blind randomized controlled clinical trial included 60 postmenopausal women, aged 45–60 years. All patients were vitamin D sufficient. They were randomly enrolled in intervention (70 mg/week alendronate for 12 week) and control (placebo tablet per week for 12 weeks) groups. The morning 8 hour fasting blood samples were collected at the baseline and follow–up visits to measure the fasting plasma glucose (FPG) (mg/dl), insulin and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c). Plasma glucose and insulin concentration were measured 30, 60, and 120 minutes after glucose tolerance test. Matsuda index, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA–IR), homeostasis model assessment of beta–cell function (HOMA–B) and the area under the curves (AUC) of glucose and insulin were calculated. Results Mean (SD) FPG (102.43 (1.46) mg/dl vs. 94.23)1.17) mg/dl, P=0.001), 120‐minutes insulin concentration (101.86)15.70) mU/l vs. 72.60 (11.36), P=0.026), HbA1c (5.60 (0.06) % vs. 5.40 (0.05)%, P=0.001), HOMA‐IR (3.57 (0.45) vs. 2.62 (0.24), P=0.021) and Matsuda index (7.7 (0.41) vs. 9.2 (0.4), P=0.001) significantly improved in the alendronate‐treated group. There was statistically significant more reductions in FPG (‐8.2 (8.63) mg/dl vs. ‐2.5 (14.26) mg/dl, P=0.002) and HbA1c (‐0.2 (0.23) % vs. ‐0.09 (0.26) %, P=0.015) were observed in alendronate‐treated group than placebo group during the study course, respectively. Conclusions Administration of 70 mg/week alendronate improves fasting plasma glucose, HbA1c and insulin indices in postmenopausal women

Marked increase in breast cancer incidence in young women : A 10-year study from Northern Iran, 2004-2013

Introduction: Breast cancer is the most frequent cancer among women worldwide. Breast cancer incidence in young women is a health issue of concern, especially in middle-income countries such as Iran. The aim of this study is to report the breast cancer incidence variations in Golestan province, Iran, over a 10-year period (2004-2013). Methods: We analyzed data from the Golestan Population-based Cancer Registry (GPCR), which is a high-quality cancer registry collecting data on primary cancers based on standard protocols throughout the Golestan province. Age-standardized incidence rates (ASRs) and age-specific incidence rates per 100,000 person-years were calculated. Time trends in ASRs and age-specific rates were evaluated using Joinpoint regressions. The average annual percentage change (AAPC) with correspondence 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs) were calculated. Results: A total of 2106 new breast cancer cases were diagnosed during the study period. Most cases occurred in women living in urban areas: 1449 cases (68%) versus 657 cases (31%) in rural areas. Statistically significant increasing trends were observed over the 10-year study period amongst women of all ages (AAPC = 4.4; 95%CI: 1.2-7.8) as well as amongst women in the age groups 20-29 years (AAPC = 10.0; 95%CI: 1.7-19.0) and 30-39 years (AAPC = 5.1; 95%CI: 1.4-9.0). Conclusion: The incidence of breast cancer increased between 2004 and 2013 in Golestan province amongst all age groups, and in particular amongst women aged 20-39 years. Breast cancer should be considered a high priority for health policy making in our community.Peer reviewe

Association between Obesity and Bone Mineral Density by Gender and Menopausal Status

BackgroundWe investigated whether there were gender differences in the effect of obesity on bone mineral density (BMD) based on menopausal status.MethodsWe assessed 5,892 consecutive patients 20 to 91 years old who were referred for dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans. All subjects underwent a standard BMD scan of the hip (total hip and femoral neck) and lumbar spine (L1 to L4) using a DXA scan and body size assessment. Body mass index was used to categorize the subjects as normal weight, overweight, and obese.ResultsBMD was higher in obese and overweight versus normal weight men, premenopausal women, and postmenopausal women. Compared to men ≥50 years and postmenopausal women with normal weight, the age-adjusted odds ratio of osteopenia was 0.19 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.07 to 0.56) and 0.38 (95% CI, 0.29 to 0.51) for obese men ≥50 years and postmenopausal women. Corresponding summaries for osteoporosis were 0.26 (95% CI, 0.11 to 0.64) and 0.15 (95% CI, 0.11 to 0.20), respectively. Compared to men <50 years and premenopausal women with normal weight, the age-adjusted odds ratio of low bone mass was 0.22 (95% CI, 0.11 to 0.45) and 0.16 (95% CI, 0.10 to 0.26) for obese men <50 years and premenopausal women, respectively.ConclusionObesity is associated with BMD of the hip and lumbar spine and overweight and obese individuals have similar degrees of osteoporosis. This result was not significantly different based on gender and menopausal status, which could be an important issue for further investigation

Anthropometric predictive equations for estimating body composition

Background: Precise and accurate measurements of body composition are useful in achieving a greater understanding of human energy metabolism in physiology and in different clinical conditions, such as, cardiovascular disease and overall mortality. Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) can be used to measure body composition, but the easiest method to assess body composition is the use of anthropometric indices. This study has been designed to evaluate the accuracy and precision of body composition prediction equations by various anthropometric measures instead of a whole body DXA scan. Materials and Methods: We identified 143 adult patients underwent DXA evaluation of the whole body. The anthropometric indices were also measured. Datasets were split randomly into two parts. Multiple regression analysis with a backward stepwise elimination procedure was used as the derivation set and then the estimates were compared with the actual measurements from the whole-body scans for a validation set. The SPSS version 20 for Windows software was used in multiple regression and data analysis. Results: Using multiple linear regression analyses, the best equation for predicting the whole-body fat mass (R 2 = 0.808) included the body mass index (BMI) and gender; the best equation for predicting whole-body lean mass (R 2 = 0.780) included BMI, WC, gender, and age; and the best equation for predicting trunk fat mass (R 2 = 0.759) included BMI, WC, and gender. Conclusions: Combinations of anthropometric measurements predict whole-body lean mass and trunk fat mass better than any of these single anthropometric indices. Therefore, the findings of the present study may be used to verify the results in patients with various diseases or diets

Utility of the Visceral Adiposity Index and Hypertriglyceridemic Waist Phenotype for Predicting Incident Hypertension

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to assess the utility of the visceral adiposity index (VAI) and the hypertriglyceridemic waist (HTGW) phenotype as possible hypertension (HTN) predictors in a high-risk population without diabetes and HTN.MethodsIncident HTN over a 7-year follow-up was assessed among 1,375 first-degree non-diabetic and non-hypertensive relatives of consecutive patients with type 2 diabetes who were 30 to 70 years of age. HTN was defined as a blood pressure reading ≥140/90 mm Hg or the use of antihypertensive medications. We examined the incidence of HTN across VAI quintiles and four groups defined according to baseline fasting serum triglyceride (TG) levels and waist circumference (WC).ResultsThe VAI and the HTGW phenotype at baseline were related to an increased risk for HTN. In comparison with the lowest VAI quintile, the highest VAI quintile showed a significant associated with HTN in an age- and gender-adjusted model (odds ratio [OR], 1.65; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.07 to 2.55). Those with HTGW were 2.3 times (OR, 2.27; 95% CI, 1.54 to 3.35) more likely to develop HTN than those with a normal WC and normal TG levels.ConclusionGreater VAI values weakly predicted HTN, whereas the HTGW phenotype was a stronger predictor of incident HTN in an Iranian high-risk population

Distribution and Structure of Purkinje Fibers in the Heart of Ostrich (Struthio camelus) with the Special References on the Ultrastructure

Purkinje fibers or Purkinje cardiomyocytes are part of the whole complex of the cardiac conduction system, which is today classified as specific heart muscle tissue responsible for the generation of the heart impulses. From the point of view of their distribution, structure and ultrastructural composition of the cardiac conduction system in the ostrich heart were studied by light and electron microscopy. These cells were distributed in cardiac conducting system including SA node, AV node, His bundle and branches as well as endocardium, pericardium, myocardium around the coronary arteries, moderator bands, white fibrous sheet in right atrium, and left septal attachment of AV valve. The great part of the Purkinje fiber is composed of clear, structure less sarcoplasm, and the myofibrils tend to be confined to a thin ring around the periphery of the cells. They have one or more large nuclei centrally located within the fiber. Ultrastructurally, they are easily distinguished. The main distinction feature is the lack of electron density and having a light appearance, due to the absence of organized myofibrils. P-cells usually have two nuclei with a mass of short, delicate microfilaments scattered randomly in the cytoplasm; they contain short sarcomeres and myofibrillar insertion plaque. They do not have T-tubules

Effects of a selected exercises program on quality of life in elderly women

Introduction: Osteoporosis is the most common type of bone disease that affects the skeletal system especially in older people. In elderly population, reduction in bone mineral density (osteoporosis) is often associated with a reduced health-related Quality of Life. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of a selected exercises program on quality of life in elderly women with osteoporosis. Materials and Methods: Twenty- seven women with osteoporosis (Mean age ± SD, 58 ± 6 years) who were referred to Isfahan osteoporosis diagnostic center divided into two groups: intervention (n = 14) and control (n = 13) groups. The experimental group received the following intervention: balance, strength training and range of motion exercises for 8- weeks (three sessions per week) .Control group did not receive any intervention. Quality of life was measured using the QUALEFFO-41 questionnaire just before and after exercise program. Independent and paired sample t-test were used to analyze the data. Results: In experimental group, a significant difference (P 0/05) in household activities and ADLs. Also, no significant difference was observed in control group (P > 0/05). Although, in pre test, the observed difference was not statically significant between control and experimental groups (P > 0/05), but significant difference was found in post test (P < 0/05). Conclusion: It seems that an exercise program could improve health-related quality of life in elderly women with osteoporosis, therefore this exercise program can be considered as an appropriate treatment regimen for such patients. Keywords: Elderly woman, Osteoporosis, Quality of life, QUALEFFO-41 questionnaire, Regular exercises progra