Effects of Cynodon dactylon on Stress-Induced Infertility in Male Rats

Cynodon dactylon (Family: Poaceae) is known to be a tackler in Indian mythology and is offered to Lord Ganesha. It is found everywhere, even on waste land, road side, dry places, and spreads vigorously on cultivated ground. This study was carried out with an objective to test if the constituents of this plant are useful in coping stress-induced sexual In this study, we considered immobilization stress to induce male infertility and the effect of C. dactylon in restoration of the dysfunction was evaluated by considering sexual behavioral observations, sexual performance, fructose content of the seminal vesicles, epididymal sperm concentration and histopathological examinations as parameters. Treatment of rats under stress with methanolic extract of C. dactylon has shown a promising effect in overcoming stress-induced sexual dysfunction, sexual performance, fructose content, sperm concentration and its effect on accessory sexual organs and body weight. We conclude that active constituents of C. dactylon present in methanolic extract have a potent aphrodisiac and male fertility activity

Protocol for a randomized controlled study of Iyengar yoga for youth with irritable bowel syndrome

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Irritable bowel syndrome affects as many as 14% of high school-aged students. Symptoms include discomfort in the abdomen, along with diarrhea and/or constipation and other gastroenterological symptoms that can significantly impact quality of life and daily functioning. Emotional stress appears to exacerbate irritable bowel syndrome symptoms suggesting that mind-body interventions reducing arousal may prove beneficial. For many sufferers, symptoms can be traced to childhood and adolescence, making the early manifestation of irritable bowel syndrome important to understand. The current study will focus on young people aged 14-26 years with irritable bowel syndrome. The study will test the potential benefits of Iyengar yoga on clinical symptoms, psychospiritual functioning and visceral sensitivity. Yoga is thought to bring physical, psychological and spiritual benefits to practitioners and has been associated with reduced stress and pain. Through its focus on restoration and use of props, Iyengar yoga is especially designed to decrease arousal and promote psychospiritual resources in physically compromised individuals. An extensive and standardized teacher-training program support Iyengar yoga's reliability and safety. It is hypothesized that yoga will be feasible with less than 20% attrition; and the yoga group will demonstrate significantly improved outcomes compared to controls, with physiological and psychospiritual mechanisms contributing to improvements.</p> <p>Methods/Design</p> <p>Sixty irritable bowel syndrome patients aged 14-26 will be randomly assigned to a standardized 6-week twice weekly Iyengar yoga group-based program or a wait-list usual care control group. The groups will be compared on the primary clinical outcomes of irritable bowel syndrome symptoms, quality of life and global improvement at post-treatment and 2-month follow-up. Secondary outcomes will include visceral pain sensitivity assessed with a standardized laboratory task (water load task), functional disability and psychospiritual variables including catastrophizing, self-efficacy, mood, acceptance and mindfulness. Mechanisms of action involved in the proposed beneficial effects of yoga upon clinical outcomes will be explored, and include the mediating effects of visceral sensitivity, increased psychospiritual resources, regulated autonomic nervous system responses and regulated hormonal stress response assessed via salivary cortisol.</p> <p>Trial registration</p> <p>ClinicalTrials.gov <a href="http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01107977">NCT01107977</a>.</p

Study of body composition and systemic effects in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease&nbsp; is&nbsp; a common preventable and treatable disease characterized by persistent airflow limitation that is usually progressive. Airflow obstruction in main feature of COPD . Body mass is divided into two compartments, fat mass and fat free mass. Fat free mass mainly contain metabolically active organs particularly skeletal muscle mass. &nbsp;Aim of study was to study spirometry in COPD patients &amp; assess disease severity by GOLD criteria and to study the parameters of body composition in COPD patients The present study was a cross sectional study carried out in 100 stable male COPD patients with the aim of evaluating body composition and systemic effects in different stages (I-IV] of the disease according to GOLD criteria. Anthropometric parameters Weight&nbsp; , Standing height&nbsp; ,Waist circumference&nbsp; , Hip circumference&nbsp; , Body mass index (BMI]&nbsp; were recorded . Parameters of spirometry (FEV1], (FVC] , FEV1/FVC were included . Body composition parameters were Body Mass Index (BMI], Fat Free Mass Index (FFMI] , Fat Mass Index (FMI]. In our study most of the COPD patients were in severe stage which mainly included elderly people of &gt;60 years of age. Both BMI and FFMI was significantly decreasing&nbsp; as the severity of disease increased according to GOLD criteria. FMI decreased with higher COPD stages. Six-minute walking distance test&nbsp; was significantly decreasing&nbsp; as the disease severity increases. In patients of COPD there is loss of fat free mass&nbsp; thereby decreasing exercise capacity. High risked individuals must be regularly screened with spirometry for mild COPD so that necessary preventive measures can delay the onset of progression of disease.&nbsp; Key words : COPD , Spirometry ,&nbsp; Fat Mass Index (FMI], Fat Free Mass Index&nbsp

Immunity and Mental Health: Towards COVID-19

Introduction: The Corona virus that originated in China in December 2019, has now spread rapidly globally. It is highly contagious &amp; to date no cure in form of vaccine or medicines is available.&#x0D;  COVID-19 and Immunity: Enhancing body’s natural defense system plays an important role in maintaining optimum health. The serum levels of IL2R and IL-6 in patients with COVID-19 are positively correlated with the severity of the disease . studies have found that, compared with COVID-19 patients from general wards, patients in the intensive care unit [ICU] display increased serum levels of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, IP-10, MCP-1, macrophage inflammatory protein-1A, and TNF-α.&#x0D; COVID-19 and Mental Health: Patients who had positive COVID-19 diagnosis reported significantly elevated levels of corona virus anxiety compared to their non-infected, but anxious peers, this highlights the clinical utility of the Corona Anxiety Scores [CAS]&amp;the importance of assessing, treating the psychological needs of those infected with the virus. The need to formulate psychological interventions to improve mental health and psychological resilience during COVID-19 pandemic is the need of the hour. We need to tackle and fight the stigma, fear &amp;anxiety related to the virus that is greater than the disease itself. Governments have provided mental health services to their citizens by varied channel including hotline, online consultation &amp; course and outpatient consultation, but have indicated that more attention should be paid to depression and anxiety. As India’s cases increase, the importance of following the government laid precautions becomes all the more important.  </jats:p

Effect of Yoga on Pulse rate and Oxygen Saturation: Analysis of Psychophysiological Parameters

Introdução: A respiração pranayâmica é um processo contínuo e regular de inspiração, retenção da respiração e expiração. Todo o sangue venoso é convertido em sangue oxigenado. No entanto, a respiração profunda, na qual o oxigênio é inalado em grandes quantidades, aumenta a saturação de oxigênio ou a saturação diminui devido ao metabolismo anaeróbico associado à ioga? Os parâmetros psicofisiológicos de índice de estresse, potência, índice vegetativo e regulação, regulação neuro-humoral, estado psicoemocional, recursos energéticos, índice complexo, harmonização, idade biológica e energias na coluna são afetados após uma intervenção yogue? Métodos: 52 indivíduos de 15 a 70 anos realizaram o “Módulo de Yoga para o Coração Saudável” por 45 minutos na AYUSH, AIIMS, Bhopal. A frequência de pulso e a saturação de oxigênio foram medidas por oxímetro de pulso após o descanso inicial de dez minutos e após 45 minutos de ioga. Um estudo piloto foi conduzido usando o DINAMIKA HRV para dez praticantes de ioga que eram regulares em sua prática nos últimos 10-15 anos. Seus parâmetros psicofisiológicos foram medidos antes e depois de sua rotina de ioga de 35 a 40 minutos pelo instrumento Dinamika Heart rate variability (HRV). Resultados: As leituras foram analisadas por meio do teste t pareado. A taxa de pulso caiu de 81,98 ± 13,05 para 74,98 ± 11,64 em valor de p <0,0001 indicando uma mudança em direção à dominância parassimpática. A saturação de oxigênio caiu de 97,40 +/- 1,11 para 97,21 +/- 1,30 no valor p de 0,2736, indicando uma mudança para o metabolismo anaeróbico durante a prática de ioga. Os parâmetros psicofisiológicos da pulsação, índice de estresse, potência, índice vegetativo e regulação, regulação neuro-humoral, estado psicoemocional, recursos energéticos, índice complexo, harmonização, idade biológica e energias na coluna foram estatisticamente significativas na intervenção pós-ioga. Pela força da vontade, o praticante de ioga é capaz de atrair energia cósmica para a coluna, o que ajuda a renová-la. A mente é capaz de superar fortes distrações físicas, o corpo está relaxado e calmo. O relaxamento é alcançado acalmando os músculos, acalmando e diminuindo a atividade do coração, respiração e circulação. Introduction Pranayamic breathing is a process of continuous, regularity of inhalation, holding of breath and exhalation. All venous blood is converted to oxygenated blood . However, does deep breathing in which oxygen is inhaled in large amounts increase oxygen saturation or does the saturation decrease due to anaerobic metabolism associated with yoga? Does the psycho-physiological parameters of stress index, power, vegetative index & regulation, neurohumoral regulation, psycho-emotional state, energy resources, complex index, harmonization, biological age and energies in the spine get affected a"er a yogic intervention? Methods 52 subjects of age range from 15-70 years performed “Yoga module for the Healthy Heart” for 45 minutes at AYUSH, AIIMS, Bhopal. Pulse rate and oxygen saturation was measured by pulse oximeter a"er initial rest of ten minutes and a"er 45 minutes of yoga. A pilot study was conducted using the DINAMIKA HRV for ten yogic practitioner who were regular in their practice for last 10-15 years. #eir psycho-physiological parameters were measured before and a"er their yogicroutine of 35 to 40 minutes by Dinamika Heart rate variability (HRV) instrument. Results #e readings were analysed using paired t test. #epulse rate dropped from 81.98 ± 13.05 to is 74.98 ± 11.64 at p value <0.0001 indicating a shi" towards parasympathetic dominance. Oxygen saturation dropped from 97.40 +/- 1.11 to 97.21 +/- 1.30 at p value of 0.2736, indicating a shi" to anaerobic metabolism during yoga practice #e psychophysiological parameters of pulse rate, stress index, power, vegetative index & regulation, neurohumoral regulation, psycho-emotional state, energy resources, complex index, harmonization, biological age and energies in the spine were statistically significant post yogic intervention. By the power of will the yogic practitioner is able to draw cosmic energy in the spine which helps to renew it. #e mind is able to overcome strong physical distractions, the body is relaxed and calm. Relaxation is achieved by stilling of muscles, calming and slowing down the activity of heart, respiration and circulation

Effect of Yoga on Pulse rate and Oxygen Saturation: Analysis of Psychophysiological Parameters

Introduction Pranayamic breathing is a process of continuous, regularity of inhalation, holding of breath and exhalation. All venous blood is converted to oxygenated blood . However, does deep breathing in which oxygen is inhaled in large amounts increase oxygen saturation or does the saturation decrease due to anaerobic metabolism associated with yoga? Does the psycho-physiological parameters of stress index, power, vegetative index &amp; regulation, neurohumoral regulation, psycho-emotional state, energy resources, complex index, harmonization, biological age and energies in the spine get affected a"er a yogic intervention? Methods 52 subjects of age range from 15-70 years performed “Yoga module for the Healthy Heart” for 45 minutes at AYUSH, AIIMS, Bhopal. Pulse rate and oxygen saturation was measured by pulse oximeter a"er initial rest of ten minutes and a"er 45 minutes of yoga. A pilot study was conducted using the DINAMIKA HRV for ten yogic practitioner who were regular in their practice for last 10-15 years. #eir psycho-physiological parameters were measured before and a"er their yogicroutine of 35 to 40 minutes by Dinamika Heart rate variability (HRV) instrument. Results #e readings were analysed using paired t test. #epulse rate dropped from 81.98 ± 13.05 to is 74.98 ± 11.64 at p value &lt;0.0001 indicating a shi" towards parasympathetic dominance. Oxygen saturation dropped from 97.40 +/- 1.11 to 97.21 +/- 1.30 at p value of 0.2736, indicating a shi" to anaerobic metabolism during yoga practice #e psychophysiological parameters of pulse rate, stress index, power, vegetative index &amp; regulation, neurohumoral regulation, psycho-emotional state, energy resources, complex index, harmonization, biological age and energies in the spine were statistically significant post yogic intervention. By the power of will the yogic practitioner is able to draw cosmic energy in the spine which helps to renew it. #e mind is able to overcome strong physical distractions, the body is relaxed and calm. Relaxation is achieved by stilling of muscles, calming and slowing down the activity of heart, respiration and circulation.</jats:p

The Resurgence of 3D printing: As a tool in advance medical education: 3D printing tool in advance medical education

The purpose of this paper is to provide a comprehensive understanding of how to take the best advantage of three-dimensional (3D) printing in medical education in favor to increase the medical student's ability to provide out-of-the-box medical care for unexpected challenges in clinical competencies. Is there a need to purchase a 3D printer in each medical college? With changing needs, educational advancements, and technological revolutions, we need to update the method of imparting knowledge and skills to medical students.3D printing is one of them, a strategy to facilitate active learning. Studying the literature by searching articles in PubMed related to the implementation of 3D printed models in different subjects of the MBBS undergraduate curriculum, we found that there has been the creation of multiple models in every field of medical science. The designing of a 3D model allows the student to study from multiple angles and find the solution to medical problems, cut down operating time, surgical planning, enhancing motor skill, no ethical issue, decreasing the cadaveric dissection, help in understanding the physiological process, etc. Concerning the limited use of the living cells as a material in bioprinting is a challenging but promising area to continue to explore. (Total words -193