Comparing the Cardio Stress Index of a training population with university students

Results obtained from the study indicate that the Cardio Stress Index (CSI) readings of both male and female university students were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than that of the training population. University students were found to have a 50.31% population risk, whilst 31.50% of the recruit population indicated risk.This paper was initially delivered at the Annual Congress of the Biological Sciences Division of the South African Academy for Science and Art, ARC-Plant Protection Research Institute, Roodeplaat, Pretoria, South Africa on 01 October 2010.http://www.satnt.ac.zaam2014ay201

Cardiovascular health screening among South African students

Stress is an unavoidable part of everyday life due to the demands and stressors associated with modern lifestyle. Health risks provoked by this increasingly prevalent condition lead to cardiovascular disease, which ultimately results in a poor health status. Studies have confirmed that there is a correlation between a person’s lifestyle and stress levels: sedentary lifestyles increase the risk of developing various cardiovascular conditions. Improved physical fitness is one of the lifestyle modifications proven to benefit heart health by reducing the effects of stress and its associated threats. The purpose of this study was to compare the heart health of subjects from two further education and training institutes. Institution 1 is a traditional tertiary institution that focuses on lectures, while Institution 2 provides an organised, daily physical training programme in addition to its academic programme. Subjects underwent a non-invasive ViportTM test which measures the cardio stress index (CSI), heart rate (HR), and QRS duration. Additional variables measured included: age, gender, perceived stress level, systolic and diastolic blood pressure and body mass index. Results obtained from the study indicate that students from Institution 1 (n=158) had significantly higher readings (p<0.001) than those from Institution 2 (n=128) on CSI and HR, but significantly lower readings on blood pressure (systolic and diastolic). In theory, this finding may be attributed to the fact that individuals from Institution 1 (training population) follow a set daily physical routine which improves their heart health and decreases stress- related risk.http://www.ajol.info/journal_index.php?jid=153&ab=ajpher

Global patient outcomes after elective surgery: prospective cohort study in 27 low-, middle- and high-income countries.

BACKGROUND: As global initiatives increase patient access to surgical treatments, there remains a need to understand the adverse effects of surgery and define appropriate levels of perioperative care. METHODS: We designed a prospective international 7-day cohort study of outcomes following elective adult inpatient surgery in 27 countries. The primary outcome was in-hospital complications. Secondary outcomes were death following a complication (failure to rescue) and death in hospital. Process measures were admission to critical care immediately after surgery or to treat a complication and duration of hospital stay. A single definition of critical care was used for all countries. RESULTS: A total of 474 hospitals in 19 high-, 7 middle- and 1 low-income country were included in the primary analysis. Data included 44 814 patients with a median hospital stay of 4 (range 2-7) days. A total of 7508 patients (16.8%) developed one or more postoperative complication and 207 died (0.5%). The overall mortality among patients who developed complications was 2.8%. Mortality following complications ranged from 2.4% for pulmonary embolism to 43.9% for cardiac arrest. A total of 4360 (9.7%) patients were admitted to a critical care unit as routine immediately after surgery, of whom 2198 (50.4%) developed a complication, with 105 (2.4%) deaths. A total of 1233 patients (16.4%) were admitted to a critical care unit to treat complications, with 119 (9.7%) deaths. Despite lower baseline risk, outcomes were similar in low- and middle-income compared with high-income countries. CONCLUSIONS: Poor patient outcomes are common after inpatient surgery. Global initiatives to increase access to surgical treatments should also address the need for safe perioperative care. STUDY REGISTRATION: ISRCTN5181700

High prevalence of the CYS282TYR HFE mutation facilitates an improved diagnostic service for hereditary haemochromatosis in South Africa

No Abstract

Effect of rapamycin on hepatic osteodystrophy in rats with portasystemic shunting

Please refer to abstract in articlehttp://www.wjgnet.com/1007-9327/12/4504.as

Effect of rapamycin on hepatic osteodystrophy in rats with portasystemic shunting

To study if T-cell activation related to portasystemic shunting causes osteoclast-mediated bone loss through RANKL-dependent pathways. We also investigated if T-cell inhibition using rapamycin would protect against bone loss in rats. Portasystemic shunting was performed in male Sprague-Dawley rats and rapamycin 0.1 mg/kg was administered for 15 wk by gavage. Rats received powderized chow and supplemental feeds to prevent the effects of malnutrition on bone composition. Weight gain and growth was restored after surgery in shunted animals. At termination, biochemical parameters of bone turnover and quantitative bone histology were assessed. Markers of T-cell activation, inflammatory cytokine production, and RANKL-dependent pathways were measured. In addition, the roles of IGF-1 and hypogonadism were investigated. Portasystemic shunting caused low turnover osteoporosis that was RANKL independent. Bone resorbing cytokine levels, including IL-1, IL-6 and TNFalpha, were not increased in serum and TNFalpha and RANKL expression were not upregulated in PBMC. Portasystemic shunting increased the circulating CD8+ T-cell population. Rapamycin decreased the circulating CD8+ T-cell population, increased CD8+ CD25+ T-regulatory cell population and improved all parameters of bone turnover. Osteoporosis caused by portasystemic shunting may be partially ameliorated by rapamycin in the rat model of hepatic osteodystroph