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Introduction The interplay of vitamin D and glucose metabolism is an area of ongoing research. The need for vitamin D supplementation trials in individuals with prediabetes and hypovitaminosis D has been stressed by earlier research studies. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of vitamin D3 supplementation on oral glucose insulin sensitivity (OGIS) index in patients with prediabetes and hypovitaminosis D. Methods We enrolled 120 individuals with prediabetes (ADA definition) and hypovitaminosis D (vitamin D < 30 ng/mL) and randomized them into the vitamin D supplementation (60,000 IU weekly) group and the placebo group. Primary outcome measure (i.e., 2-hour OGIS index) and secondary outcome measures (i.e., fasting and postprandial blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, body mass index, and insulin sensitivity indices, i.e., quantitative insulin sensitivity check index [QUICKI] and homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance [HOMA-IR]) were analyzed for change with the 12 weeks of intervention. Results A total of 52 subjects in the vitamin D group and 49 in the placebo group completed the study. Serum vitamin D levels (10.11 ± 2.73 to 52.2 ± 13.14 ng/mL; p < 0.0001) and OGIS index (376.4 ± 39.7 to 391.7 ± 40.7 mL/min/m2; p = 0.011) increased significantly on per-protocol analysis in the vitamin D group. There was no significant change observed in vitamin D levels and OGIS index in the placebo group. Between-group comparison showed a rise in OGIS index (15.3 ± 47.1 mL/min/m2) in the vitamin D group and decrease in OGIS index (-10.4 ± 44.7 mL/min/m2) in the placebo group, and the difference was statistically significant (p = 0.0029). The inter-group comparison showed relative fall in fasting glucose levels in the vitamin D group, with no significant change observed in the other secondary outcome measures. Conclusions The correction of hypovitaminosis D in subjects with prediabetes led to improved insulin sensitivity as assessed by OGIS index at 120 minutes, signifying the role of vitamin D in glucose homeostasis.

Introduction: India is among the countries reporting regular outbreaks of Dengue infections. The clinical & epidemiological profile of Dengue infection changes from time to time. Present study describes clinical & laboratory manifestations of dengue cases from a tertiary care centre. Methods: It is a descriptive observational study. Study duration was two years from Sep 2011 to Aug 2013. All the dengue patients admitted during this period were included and classified as per new WHO-2009 classification into: Dengue Fever without warning signs (DFWOWS), Dengue Fever with warning signs (DFWWS) and Severe Dengue (SD). The clinical & laboratory parameters were studied and described. Results: From the total of 150 cases, 128 cases (85.33%) were DFWWS, 15 cases (10%) were SD and 7cases (4.67%) were DFWOWS. The commonest age group affected (34 %) was between 11- 15 years. The male: female ratio of cases was 1.73:1. Clinical manifestations were fever (100%), rash (85.33%), arthralgia & myalgia (65.33%), vomiting (64.67%), pain in abdomen (54%), retro orbital pain (43.33%) & convulsions (6.67%). On examination 52% cases had hepatomegaly, 46.67% cases had hemorrhagic manifestations and Tourniquet test was positive in 34.67% of cases. In our study, 54.67% of total cases were positive for NS1 antigen, 28.67% cases were IgM positive and 16.66% cases were positive for both. Maximum number of patients had platelet counts between 40,000 to 1,00,000 (56%). Commonest complication was Encephalitis followed by ARDS. During study period, there was a single death and it was due to ARDS.

Background: There are a lot of sports supplements marketed around the globe. The research is not conclusive regarding the various energy drinks and products in the field of sports. The objective of the present study was to estimate the prevalence of energy drink usage among football players from Aurangabad district of Maharashtra, India. The study evaluated energy drink usage patterns, types of energy drinks commonly consumed, frequency of consumption and motives of athletes behind consuming energy drinks. Methods: A total number of 150 football players participated in the study. They completed a questionnaire which was administered during a football tournament involving various football clubs of Aurangabad. The energy drinks usage statistics were compiled and analysed. Results: About 30% football players reported consuming at least one serving of energy drink in a week. Around 37.77% of respondents who consumed energy drinks mentioned that energy drinks helped them to regain energy after training or a tournament. Other reasons given for consuming energy drinks were replacement of body water (33.33%), to enhance performance (22.22%) and to prevent fatigue (6.66%). Conclusion: There was a very low level of awareness regarding content, benefits and proper methods of utilizing energy drinks among the football players evaluated. There is a need for campaigns and educational interventions to educate football players regarding the rationale for consuming energy drinks.

Background Volleyball is considered a physically demanding athletic sport; characterized by rapid acceleration, deceleration, and sudden changes of direction. It has been highlighted that aerobic capacity (VO2 max) which indicates cardiorespiratory fitness has a significant effect on the performance of athletes and is an important element of success in sports. Aim and objective The objective of this study was to compare aerobic capacity of university volleyball players from the region with that of matched sedentary controls. The secondary objective was to compare the findings with the aerobic capacity data reported in literature for the volleyball players and sedentary population. Materials and methods Sample size was calculated for detecting a large effect size (Cohen's d = 0.8) with α as 0.05 and power of study as 80% for two tailed hypothesis testing. By using Queen's college step test, VO2 max was measured in 30 male volleyball players in the age group of 20 to25 years and was compared with 30 age and socio-economic status matched controls with sedentary lifestyle. Results The mean predicted VO2 max was 52.99 ± 5.13 ml/kg/min in volleyball players and 37.01 ± 3.94 ml/kg/min in controls. The difference in mean values of VO2 max (ml/kg/min) in volleyball players and controls was statistically highly significant with p-value less than 0.001. Conclusion The volleyball players showed a superior aerobic capacity compared with age and socio-economic status matched controls with sedentary lifestyle.

Introduction: The occupational hazards reported in jewellery workers are due to the exposure to chemicals during jewellery making like cyanide, lead, zinc, cadmium, palladium, iridium, sulphuric acid, nitric acid, chalk moulds containing high percentage of silica, etc. Spirometry lung functions were assessed in goldsmith workers and compared with the control group. Methods: Twenty males working as goldsmith workers since last 10 years and above with period of exposure to chemical fumes > 5 hours/day were tested for spirometry lung function parameters of Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), Forced Expiratory Volume at the end of one second (FEV1) and Maximum Voluntary Ventilation (MVV). The results were compared with matched controls. Results:The Mean ± Standard Deviation (SD) of FVC was 63.95±9.77% in cases and 76.95±8.1 in controls. The Mean ± Standard Deviation (SD) of FEV1 was 67.25±7.65% in cases and 73.3±8.31in controls. The Mean ± Standard Deviation (SD) of MVV was 61.8±10.54% in cases and 81±5.04in controls. All the parameters studied were significantly less in goldsmith workers. Conclusions: The spirometry lung function parameters were found to be significantly lesser in goldsmith workers when compared to the matched controls.

Context: Overweight / obese people are prone to develop cardiovascular, respiratory and other chronic diseases at young age because of abnormal weight. Aerobic capacity (VO 2 max) is an accepted index of cardio respiratory fitness. Decrease in VO 2 max can be an early marker for altered cardiovascular physiology. Objectives: The present study was carried out with the objective of evaluating aerobic capacity in overweight young females and comparing it with that of normal weight females. Materials and Methods: Twenty-three female subjects aged 18-20 years were enrolled in each group. Group 1 comprised overweight subjects and group 2 comprised normal weight subjects. Analysis to assess the difference in VO 2 max between the groups was done by unpaired t-test. Results: Mean age of group 1 and 2 was 18.91 ± 0.67 years and 18.83 ± 0.78 years, respectively. Mean BMI in group 1 and 2 was 26.18 ± 1.06 kg/m 2 and 20.65 ± 1.5 kg/m 2 respectively. VO 2 max in groups 1 and 2 was 34.52 ± 3.26 ml/min/kg and 37.51 ± 2.88 ml/min/kg respectively. The difference in VO 2 max found in overweight girls was statistically significant with P value of 0.002. Conclusion: Overweight girls had significantly reduced, cardio-respiratory fitness when compared to normal weight young females.