Health benefits of Kung Fu: a systematic review

The Chinese martial arts (Kung Fu) have existed for centuries and are generally accepted as being beneficial for health without much empirical data. The aim of this systematic review was to assess the health effects of "hard" Kung Fu styles by performing electronic and manual searches of the literature. The aspects of health and the Kung Fu style examined varied between most studies; in some cases, the martial art group consisted of practitioners of other martial art styles also. Of 2103 references identified, only nine papers were eligible and reviewed. All were observational studies, observing a range of health aspects possibly related to Kung Fu training or performance. Our findings suggest that there is no evidence that Kung Fu practice is associated with the prevention or treatment of any health condition. However, as a moderate- to high-intensity form of aerobic exercise, it may confer benefits similar to those attributed to other aerobic training modalities. However, this hypothesis remains to be tested in clinical trials. Physiological benefits (e.g., aerobic capacity and bone density) may be associated with long-term Kung Fu practice. Future research in this area should adopt experimental designs, clearly identifying eligibility criteria, testing and training protocols, and include health-related outcomes and documentation of adverse events, to advance knowledge in this field.     

Applying systems-based thinking to build better IEP relationships: a case for relational coordination

This paper explores methods by which the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) development process can be improved through the use of systems-based thinking, specifically through the use of Gittell’s (2016) Relational Coordination Model. IEP development meetings have been described as meaningless rituals where parents often leave feeling ostracized from their child’s academic experience due to an overemphasis on academic jargon and procedure (Rock, 2000; Salas, 2004). Systems-based thinking would encourage administrators to empower parents as equal partners in the IEP development process, as originally intended by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 1994. Furthermore, using Relational Coordination as a framework for work-group structure would also allow school officials to create meaningful relationships with parents based on trust, thus resulting in a more positive IEP development experience and more robust educational plans.     

Quality Assurance in Open and Distance, Education： a Case Study of Kota Open University

After a brief analysis of the concept of quality in open and distance education, information technology for quality assurance and Indian initiative for quality improvement, the paper examines the quality assurance measures at Kota Open University under the following areas ： planning academic programmes ; developing academic programmes ; producing learning materials ; implementing programmes ; reviewing courses/programmes ; and ing human resources.     

Creating the KM mindset: why is it so difficult?

Knowledge Management Research & Practice - The knowledge management (KM) mindset is a precursor to a knowledge-sharing culture. It is often assumed that developing a KM mindset is somewhat...     

Association between insulin resistance and hypothyroidism in females attending a tertiary care hospital

The effect of thyroid status on insulin sensitivity is of great interest but despite various studies there is conflicting data on this subject. The study group comprised of 25 female subjects each with subclinical hypothyroidism, overt hypothyroidism and euthyroid controls. Serum samples of all the patients were assayed for thyroid profile, Insulin and lipid profile. Homeostasis model of assessment (HOMA-IR) was employed to assess the level of insulin resistance. Patients with hypothyroidism demonstrated insulin resistance and dyslipidemia as observed by the higher HOMA-IR and cholesterol and triglyceride levels respectively as compared to the controls. A significantly positive correlation between TSH and HOMA-IR level was also observed in the hypothyroidism group. Thyroid dysfunction leads to alterations in glucose and lipid metabolism which is an important risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. The dyslipidemia and insulin resistance should be managed aggressively to reduce the impending risk.     

Effect of Metformin on Hormonal and Biochemical Profile in PCOS Before and After Therapy

Insulin resistance and the resultant hyperinsulinemia exacerbate the reproductive abnormalities of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome by increasing ovarian androgen productions and decreasing serum sex hormone binding globulin. The present study was conducted to estimate serum insulin and testosterone level in 44 PCOS cases and 32 control patients. Simultaneously the role of metformin (an insulin sensitizing agent) in modulating insulin resistance and serum androgen level was also analyzed. A significant rise in serum insulin and testosterone (P < 0.001) was observed in cases in comparison to control. Fasting Plasma Glucose to insulin ratio, a marker of insulin resistance revealed a significant fall in PCOS group. Follow up of cases with metformin for 3 months revealed a significant fall in serum insulin (P < 0.05) with improvement in insulin resistance along with a nonsignificant fall in testosterone level. Serum insulin registered a significant positive correlation (P < 0.05) with serum testosterone revealing its etiological association. Thus administration of drugs ameliorating insulin levels is expected to provide new therapeutic modality for PCOS.     

Evaluation of plasma hormone concentrations using Enzyme-Immunoassay/Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent assay in healthy Indian men: Effect of ethnicity

The study involved three ethnic groups of India; Rajputs, Gorkhas and South-Indians. Each group consisted of ∼40 healthy, male soldiers between 20–50 years. The reference ranges for cortisol, testosterone, prolactin, arginine vasopressin and proAtrial natriuretic peptide_1–98 were determined using Enzyme-Immunoassay (EIA) while plasma levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone, triiodothyronine, free-triiodothyronine, thyroxine and freethyroxine were measured using Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The results indicated that plasma hormone concentrations were within physiological range and inter-ethnic differences were most prominent between north- (Rajputs and Gorkhas) and south- Indians. In comparison to Radioimmunoassay, the EIA method for prolactin, thyroid-stimulating hormone, free-thyroxine gave higher values while the ELISA method for triiodothyronine, free-triiodothyronine, and thyroxine gave lower values. These differences are due to differences in assay standards and design.     

Modification of Jaffe’s kinetic method decreases bilirubin interference: A preliminary report

The negative interference of bilirubin on serum creatinine determined by the kinetic alkaline picrate (Jaffe) reaction is the unresolved problem. Though high performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography with mass spectroscopy have been proposed to be gold standards for creatinine estimation but they are not readily available in most of the clinical chemistry laboratories due to economic and technical constraints. Most of the present day analyzers use Jaffe’s kinetic method without deproteinization. Though enzymatic methods are now routinely used as most accurate method but they are not acceptable due to cost constraints. Hence this study was planned to find out a possible solution to the problem of bilirubin interference by a minor modification in the commonly used Jaffe method so that it is amenable for use on the currently used analyzers.