Effects of Daily Exercise on Cholesterol and Hypertension in Diabetes and Non Diabetes Patients

Elsayed A. M. Shokr

The present study revealed that the relationship between HDL and CHD stresses the importance of finding ways to increase HDL. The majority of the exercise intervention studies that have been conducted in relation to lipoproteins have tried to uncover how exercise changes the blood lipid profile. The role of lipoproteins has been a major area of interest in relation to coronary heart disease (CHD) risk. It is evident that there exists a relationship between CHD risk and physical exercise. Possible alterations in lipoprotein fractionation due to exercise might be an important change that could explain the relationship between exercise and reduced CHD risk. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is considered a major CHD risk factor and a low level of this lipoprotein is associated with increased CHD risk. Highly exercises exhibit higher levels of HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) than their low exercises therefore it is plausible to suggest that exercise induces these beneficial changes. Exercise training also improves cholesterol homeostasis. To examine this, we measured circulating levels of glucose, uric acid creatinine, AST, ALT ALP , whole blood CBC and lipids profile and hypertentiom systoloic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure in 150 persons (average age 50 years; with at least one metabolic syndrome risk factor) before and after 6 months of exercise training. The blood glucose showed that high significant deccrease on blood glucose with increasing exercise. Also, there were significant decreases in blood elements (Na, K, Cl and Ca) in the population that increase exercise than other one. On the other hand there were a significant decrease on blood urea, creatinine and uricacid in the population that increase exercise than other one.The liver enzymes AST, ALT and ALP were a significant decrease in blood of human in the population that increase exercise than other one. Concerning lipid profile, we noted that variety induced low significant variation of different lipid parameters in the population that increase exercise than other one. Resuults generally showed that increase in exercise were always high significant decrease in their blood elements Na, K, Cl and Ca. Also, there is high significant decrease in liver functions and kidney functions in the population that increase exercise than other one and high significant variation of different lipid parameters in the population that increase exercise than other one.We suggest that ionic disturbance might be the missing link responsible for the frequent clinical coexistence of hypertension, atherosclerosis and metabolic disorders.
These data indicate that exercise training reduces plasma cholesterol, glucose, uric acid creatinine, AST, ALT ALP and and hypertentiom systoloic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure in patients with metabolic syndrome risk factors.  

Cannabis Consumption and the Kidney: Caveat Emptor!

Donald E. Greydanus *, Marisha Agana , Vimal Master, Sankar Raj 

The growing popularity and emerging legalization of cannabis in various parts of the world should encourage clinicians to carefully consider the evidence of known adverse cannabis effects in contrast to proposed marijuana medicinal merits. Though more research is needed, it is known that smoking cannabis can lead to renal toxic effects in some that is considerably increased by the use of synthetic cannabis (spice drugs). The studies in this regard are noted and our conclusions include the critical maxim that clinicians should consider potential renal toxic effects of these substances in their patients especially when confronted with acute kidney injury of unknown etiology in adolescents and young adults.

Is any high Incidence of Kidney and Urinary Stones during the Ramadan Fasting? : A Review study

Sartaj Ahmad*, Bhawana Pant, Arvind Kumar Shukla 

Fasting is considered as one of the most important religious and social practices of Islam, Numerous biological and behavioral changes occur in some people who observe the fast in Ramadan and some researchers believe that urinary stone increases during this month. Some believe that increased incidence of urinary stones in Ramadan is not related to fasting, but to the rise of weather temperature in hot months, and an increase in humidity. After reviewing some studies about the relationship of urinary stones and their incidence in Ramadan are not alike and are even sometimes contradictory. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of fasting on kidney and urinary stones.

Assessment of Serum Testosterone and Estradiol Levels in a Sample of Arab

Pediatric Patients with Chronic Renal Failure

Mohamed A.El-Gamasy*

Background: The Testosterone and Estradiol sex hormones are susceptible to significant pathophysiological alterations in children withchronic renal failure under regular hemodialysis, leading to delayed pubertal maturation.

NPHS2 Mutations in Familial Steroid Resistant Nephrotic Syndrome in Gaza

Fadel A. Sharif *, Mustafa El-Aila, Mohammed J. Ashour, Shadi J. Al-Ashi, Ata J. Deif Allah

Background: Nephrotic syndrome (NS) is characterized by edema, massive proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia, hyperlipidemia, and may progress to end stage renal disease. Based on the response to steroid therapy, NS is categorized as steroid-sensitive or steroid-resistant (SRNS). SRNS is inherited as an autosomal recessive disorder with NPHS2 being the most frequently mutated gene. NPHS2 encodes the glomerular protein podocin, which has an important role in controlling slit membrane permeability and glomerular ultrafiltration.
Objective: The spectrum and frequency of NPHS2 mutations in Palestine have not been explored before. The aim of this study is to identify NPHS2 pathogenic mutations associated with SRNS in Palestinian families.
Methods: Twenty SRNS-diagnosed patients were recruited from The Rantisi Children Hospital of Gaza. All the eight exons of the NPHS2 gene were PCR-amplified from patients genomic DNAs using primers located on the intron-exon boundaries. Direct sequencing of the purified PCR fragments was then ensued by automated Sanger sequencing method. Nucleotide changes were verified by comparing obtained sequences with the reference gene sequence stored in the NCBI database.
Results: Analysis of the obtained sequences identified previously known mutations in 3 (15%) of the patients. Two of the mutations, p.G130K and p.R229Q were missense mutations and the third, p.R138X was a nonsense mutation. All mutations were present in homozygous form.
Conclusions: The current study reports the identification of p.G130K, p.R138X, and p.R229Q NPHS2 mutations in SRNS patients in Gaza-Palestinian. The mutations thus identified would spare patients from the unnecessary and harmful immunosuppressive steroids and help physicians and patients’ families take proper decisions regarding patient management and their future offspring.

Spontaneous/Catamenial Pneumothorax due to Thoracic Endometriosis

Syndrome A case series

Carina Aguilar, Ashton Ramsundar, Fidel Rampersad*, Aaron Baldeosingh

Introduction: The presence of endometrial deposits in the thorax can lead to Thoracic Endometrial Syndrome.These patients can present with a spontaneous or catamenial pneumothorax, and less likely with haemoptysis
Case Presentation: We report three cases of women presenting with spontaneous pneumothoraces (two of which presented with catamenial pneumothoraces, as they were menstruating at the time of presentation). Cross sectional imaging with CT, confirmed the presence of pneumothoraces and/or haemothoraces on the right side, with cystic or soft-tissue density pleural deposits noted on the right hemidiaphragm. Diagnosis was confirmed by various methods including cytology of the pleural fluid, CT guided biopsy of the endometrial deposit and VATS.                                                           
Conclusion: Thoracic Endometriosis Syndrome is an uncommon condition, but is an important consideration for women presenting with spontaneous or catamenial pneumothorax. CT chest is useful in its diagnosis, especially when faced with the typical clinical scenario.