Low-dose radiation research insights in experimental animals: A gateway to therapeutic implications

In recent years, a significant research effort has been underway to explore the effects of low-dose radiation (LDR). Animal models play a key role in various fields of research, including biomedicine, pharmaceutical, environmental, and behavioral studies. The use of animal models has been an invaluable tool in radiation research for understanding radiation biology, assessing radiation risks, and developing strategies for radiation protection and medical management. In the present review, the initial part focuses on the deleterious effects of high-dose radiation, and in correlation to that, in the later part of the review, the emphasis has been given to experimental approaches to explore the beneficial effects of LDR using animal models. This review could help explore the innovative approach for future research targeting the therapeutic role of LDR in various diseases, including depression, Cancer, Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer’s disease

INTERNET BEHAVIOUR PATTERN IN UNDERGRADUATE MEDICAL STUDENTS IN MANGALORE

Abstract: Considering the explosive growth in internet use among medical students in India, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of internet addiction in undergraduate medical students.This cross-sectional study involved 90 subjects (18-20 years of age) selected by random sampling from the first year undergraduate medical student population at Kasturba Medical College Mangalore. Young's Internet addiction test questionnaire was administered. Based on the scoring, subjects were classified into normal users (score <20), mild (score 20-49), moderate (score 50-79) and severe (score >79) internet addiction groups.The prevalence of internet addiction (moderate and severe) was determined to be 18.88%. Majority (57.77%) conformed to mild addiction. The most common purpose for internet use was found to be social networking (97.8%), followed closely by e mailing (87.8%).The prevalence of moderate to severe internet addiction appeared to be low, a significant number of students conform to mild addiction

Influence of regular exercise on cardiac autonomic activity in. healthy young women during the normal menstrual cycle

ABSTRACT Regular physical exercise leads to considerable changes demonstrated in the increase of health related fitness. Heart rate variability is a measure of autonomic nervous system function. Gonadotropin hormones affect autonomic nervous system function. Regular exercise is thought to modulate the sympathovagal control of the heart leading to an enhancement of the vegetative control of the heart. The present study aims to describe the heart rate variability and assesses its association with regular exercise and menstrual cycle in healthy young women in frequency domain method in different phases of menstrual cycle. A total of 54 female students were selected. The selected students were divided into two groups namely Group I consisted of subjects doing regular physical exercise for 30 minute each day and Group II consisted of individuals who were non exercisers the ECG recording were taken during the 3 phases of menstrual cycle. The analog ECG signal were conveyed through an A/D converter to PC and were analyzed .The frequency domain analysis was done in which the LF, HF and LF/HF components were studied. Results showed that a significant increase in the LF/HF ratio in the luteal phase of menstrual cycle in the non exercisers group when compared to other phases of the menstrual cycle (P<0.001) . Regular exercisers had more parasympathetic activity than non exercisers. Detection of sympatho vagal inbalance at an early age based on regular exercising with necessary life style modification could decrease the incidence of cardiovascular diseases as age advances

Impact of quality of life between old age homes and family households in geriatric population

Introduction and Aim: Life satisfaction is a key aspect of psycho-social study of aging. Social relationships and involvement in activities are key protective factors in maintaining cognitive and functional ability in elderly. The aim of this study is to compare the quality of life (1) among the elderly people living in old age homes and those living with their family, (2) among elderly men and women in Mangalore.&#x0D;  &#x0D; Materials and Methods: Study group consists of 160 elderly subjects above the age of 60 years, selected from old-agehomes and urban families in Mangalore. The quality of life is assessed using the questionnaires from the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL).&#x0D;  &#x0D; Results: The elderly persons living with their family had a better social relationship and social participation than those living at old age homes (p&lt;0.001). The elderly at old age homes had a better personal and intimate relationship than those living with their family (p&lt;0.001). The elderly men had a better social relationship compared to elderly women (p&lt;0.05).The social participation and intimate relationship was not significantly different for elderly men and women.&#x0D;  &#x0D; Conclusion: Lack of support from family degrades quality of life of elderly. The elderly who experiences social isolation and loneliness are at a greater risk for morbidity, depression and cognitivedecline. Hence, it is the responsibility of every individual to work towards the improvement of quality of life in the elderly population.</jats:p

Value Chain Analysis for Tobacco in Karnataka

In this paper, an attempt has been made to analyze the value chain of Bidi and FCV tobacco in Karnataka as it is one of the important states producing Bidi tobacco and FCV tobacco. The analysis is mainly based on the primary data collected from various actors along the value chain of tobacco using the semi-structured schedules in Nippani and Mysore regions for Bidi tobacco and FCV tobacco crops respectively. The paper identifies the need for improving the performance of weak actors, namely farmers, and controlling dominant actors (manufacturers) along the value chain through institutional interventions keeping in view the larger societal need to control tobacco consumption

EFFECT OF VARIOUS VEGETABLE OILS ON THE LIPID PROFILE AND ANTIOXIDANT STATUS IN HYPERCHOLESTEROLAEMIC WISTAR RATS- A COMPARATIVE STUDY

BACKGROUND Various vegetable oils are used for cooking foods in India. Controversies have been created that consumption of certain vegetable oils cause atherogenesis. A little is known about the effect of vegetable oils in hypercholesterolaemic conditions. Hypercholesterolaemia, mainly the increased plasma Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels and Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) has been implicated in the early development and progression of atherosclerosis and Coronary Heart Diseases (CHD). Current study is designed to assess the effect of various vegetable oils such as coconut, sunflower, palm, olive oil and vanaspati on lipid profile and oxidative stress parameters in rats fed on a high-cholesterol diet. MATERIALS AND METHODS Hypercholesterolaemia is induced by supplementing cholesterol with the basal diet. Reference dose of various vegetable oils were administered once daily for 90 days. After the treatment period of 90 days, triacylglycerol, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, VLDL cholesterol and oxidative stress parameters are estimated and analysed. RESULTS In the present study, we observed the lipid-lowering effect of various vegetable oils in rats fed with high-cholesterol diet. Administration of cholesterol showed increased level of lipid profile. Concurrent administration of various vegetable oils with high-cholesterol diet caused a significant decrease in serum total cholesterol, LDL and VLDL cholesterol. This conclusion is made based on the observation that the vegetable oils were able to restore, at least partially, the lipid profile of hypercholesterolaemic rats. A decline of antioxidant status associated with an increase in lipid peroxidation was observed in all the vegetable oil treated groups. Among the oils, coconut oil showed a mild increase in High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) and least increase in lipid peroxidation compared to other vegetable oils treated groups. CONCLUSION Results suggest that the addition of vegetable oils showed a positive influence on lipid metabolism in hypercholesterolaemic rats. Among the vegetable oils, coconut oil was found to be beneficial as it has more antioxidant property. These findings can provide useful information regarding the choice of vegetable oils in hypercholesterolaemic patients in future

Antihyperlipedemic activity of Cynodon dactylon extract in high-cholesterol diet fed Wistar rats

AbstractThe aim of the present study was to investigate the potential role of an ethanolic extract of the entire plant of Cynodon dactylon in lowering the plasma lipid parameters in rats fed a high cholesterol diet. Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into four groups of six and for 45 days were administered either: 0.5ml water (negative controls); 30mg cholesterol (hypercholesterolemic animals); C dactylon extract at 400mg/kg body weight (positive control); or the same doses of both cholesterol and the extract (test animals). The effects of C dactylon on the lipid profile were assessed by measuring the plasma concentrations of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), and very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-c). Administration of cholesterol showed significant elevation (p<0.001) of TC, LDL-c, VLDL-c, and TG concentrations, and of the TC:HDL-c ratio (p<0.05). Concurrent administration of C dactylon extract caused a significant decrease (p<0.001) in the concentrations of serum TC, LDL, HDL, VLDL TGs when compared with cholesterol fed control rats. The TC:HDL-c ratio was also declined significantly (p<0.001). These results suggest lipid-lowering effects of C dactylon, which serves as a new potential natural product for preventing hyperlipidemia