Indian J Med Res
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Slow breathing increases parasympathetic activity and baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) in healthy individuals, also similarly observed in yoga practitioners. Pranayama which is an important component of yoga when practiced at a slow pace was at a respiratory frequency of around 0.1 Hz (6 breaths/min). Therefore, it was hypothesized that yoga practitioners might have adapted to slow breathing. This study was aimed to decipher the role of yoga on cardiovascular variability during slow breathing (0.1 Hz) in yoga practitioners. ⋯ The present study indicated higher parasympathetic activity and BRS with lower SBP variability at rest and during slow breathing in yoga practitioners compared to naive group. Findings indicate that the short-term practice of slow breathing complements the augmented parasympathetic activity and BRS in the yoga group.
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Cardiovascular disease (CVD), the leading cause of death worldwide is responsible for over 17 million deaths globally, of which 10 per cent deaths have been expected due to consumption of tobacco. The association between CVD and chewing of tobacco is limited and remains arguable. The aim of this study was to find out the correlation between urinary cotinine level and cardiovascular autonomic function tests of tobacco chewers. ⋯ Correlation between urinary cotinine levels and autonomic function tests elucidates the linkage involving autonomic nervous system damage which can be considered as an important associated relationship for early diagnosis of CVD health risk factors among smokeless tobacco (ST) users.
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Cognitive and other neurodegenerative conditions related to ageing have become public health priorities in low- and middle-income countries. However, contextually based, applied research to support the development of awareness, diagnosis and care pathways for people with dementia in South Asia is still largely undeveloped. This study was aimed to use applied research studies for dementia in South Asia as exemplars of how individual-level capacity and capability building for dementia research can be achieved. ⋯ Embedding capacity and capability building in applied dementia research in South Asia fosters the sustainability of dementia research, which is essential in developing diagnostic and care pathways.
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Gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) is a chemosensitive malignancy with an excellent cure rate. The primary objective of the present study was to determine the predictors of chemoresistance and disease relapse, and the secondary objective was to appraise the WHO/FIGO risk scoring and course of disease in women with GTN. ⋯ WHO risk score and presence of metastatic disease predict the probability of developing chemotherapy resistance and disease relapse. Risk of chemotherapy resistance was higher in women with intermediate-risk score (5-6), and risk of relapse was more in those with ultra-high risk score (≥13).
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Due to limited information available on the frequency and spectrum of cystic fibrosis (CF) transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene mutations in congenital bilateral absence of vas deferens (CBAVD) in Indian population, it is difficult to provide accurate genetic counselling to couples. The present study was undertaken to investigate the spectrum and frequency of CFTR gene mutations in Indian men with CBAVD and to determine the female CF carrier status. ⋯ The heterogeneous spectrum of CFTR gene in Indian population suggests the necessity of screening CBAVD men and female partners for accurate genetic counselling prior to undergoing ICSI.