We investigated whether an eight week, light resistance program could increase the muscular strength of the knee and elbow extensors and flexors in a group of hospitalized anorexic patients compared to anorexic controls (AC) who did not participate in the training program, but received the same caloric intake, and non-anorexic exercisers (NAE) who undertook the resistance training program. After the resistance training program, the seven anorexic exercisers (AE) significantly increased the peak torque (PT) of their knee extensors (p < 0.001), flexors (p < 0.0001) and elbow flexors (p < 0.01). In comparison, the seven anorexic non-exercisers (anorexic controls, AC) and seven non-anorexic exercisers (NAE), who performed the same program, showed no significant increase in peak torque after the program (p > 0.05). The study has demonstrated that an eight week, light resistance program increases the knee and elbow strength of the hospitalized anorexic patients.

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In order to assess the relationship between CD4 cell count, habitual physical activity levels and functional independence in a South African adult population positive for HIV, we administered a questionnaire concerning lifestyle and physical activity. Data collection took place at an antiretroviral (ARV) roll-out site at Helen Joseph Hospital, Johannesburg. The study involved 186 HIV-positive outpatients (47 male and 139 female), with a mean age of 35.2 years, who were either taking (n = 121) or not taking (n = 65) ARV medication. We compared CD4 cell count, habitual physical activity levels (metabolic intensity in MET hours per month) and functional independence as assessed from the responses to the questionnaire. There was a positive and significant correlation between the patients' length of time on ARV medication and CD4 cell counts (p < 0.0001, r = 0.45), and between CD4 cell counts and total habitual physical activity levels (p = 0.0067, r = 0.20). Patients considering themselves functionally independent also had significantly higher CD4 cell counts (p = 0.0031). The use of ARV medication, despite the related side-effects, was associated with a higher CD4 cell count, which in this population was also associated with increased habitual physical activity levels and a greater sense of functional independence.

Objective: To identify the most common diseases and age of corticosteroid use in women over 50, dosage in last year, duration of oral corticosteroid use, prescription for fracture prevention (drug used), and referrals for bone densitometry. Methods: General practice records from 41 practices in Shropshire identified 62 230 women aged >50 from a population of 80 082. Data on fractures, duration of corticosteroid use, dose in the study year

TNFalpha does not affect muscle soreness associated with unaccustomed exercise, but may improve the recovery of muscle function.

Rofecoxib and diclofenac potassium, when taken in recommended doses, were equally effective in alleviating pain associated with primary dysmenorrhea.

We investigated endometrial response to low (25 microg through the skin estradiol plus 700 microg norethindrone) and standard dose (2 mg oral estradiol plus 1 mg norethindrone acetate or 700 microg norethindrone) continuous combined therapy in postmenopausal women with time and bone mineral density response. Endometrial thickness was distributed logarithmically, with the means after use of 25 microg estradiol (4.3 mm) and 2 mg estradiol (3.8 mm) being similar. Subjects studied 15.4 +/‐ 7.0 months apart showed a difference of endometrial thickness of ‐0.55 +/‐ 1.3 mm. Neither pretreatment bone mineral density nor change correlated with endometrial thickness. Age, estrogen dose, bone mineral density, weight, and time on treatment do not relate to endometrial thickness. A commonly regarded cutoff point for biopsy, an endometrial thickness of 8 mm, is about 1 SD greater than the mean.