Effect of Nadi Shodhana Pranayama on Respiratory Parameters in School Students

Background: Yogic breathing techniques are very important for inducing relaxation. It is thought by many cultures that the process of breathing is the essence of being. The ultimate goal is to relax quickly and to improve the respiratory efficiency. It’s important for children to practice yogic breathing techniques on a daily basis. Breathing techniques help to change subtle energies within the body for health and well being. Modern human is the victim of stress and now a days yoga is widely used among adult population to relive stress but leastly concentrated in children inspite of its vast effects. Aim: Current study was undertaken to create awareness in the health benefits  of pranayama and to inculcate yoga in school students so that they can gain a healthy life in future. Methods: This study was designed to evaluate the effects of a 45 days daily practice of  Nadi Shodhana Pranayama yoga practice on peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiatory volume in 1 sec (FEV1) and respiratory rate (RR) in school students of both sexes. 115 school students aged 8 – 14 years studying in Visa Nursery & primary school, Chennai were recruited for the study. Healthy student with no history of present and past illness were selected. The participants were trained to perform Nadi Shodhana Pranayama and the study was done for 45 days . The respiratory parameters PEFR, FVC, FEV1 & RR were measured before and after practice of Pranayama. Results: The results of this study showed significant increase in PEFR, FVC, FEV1. The RR declined  after the practice of Nadi Shodhana Pranayama. Conclusion: The positive results found in the present study can be  applied to all schools to improve the pulmonary functions of the students . A few minutes practice daily may help in setting the mind better on works and studies. The daily practice could maintain better physical and mental health to have a better future

Preparedness for Internship: A Survey of New Interns at a Tertiary Care Hospital, Telangana

INTRODUCTION An internship orientation program is conducted in most of the medical colleges before the beginning of internship program to facilitate the transition between medical student and intern. The present study was initiated to assess the preparedness of interns for the internship program and identifying the areas that require additional training and education. MATERIALS AND METHODS A cross sectional study was carried out among 2014 batch interns of Malla Reddy Medical College for Women, Suraram, Hyderabad. Hard copies of the study questionnaire prepared and validated by expert panel was administered to the interns before and after the two-day internship orientation program. The outcomes were measured on 5-point quantitative scale. The raw scores obtained by each student were converted to percentages.The scores less than or equal to 49% were considered low, the scores between 50% to 70% were considered as average and scores above 71% were considered high with respect to level of preparedness for internship. Two open ended questions were asked – additional topics to be included in the program and other suggestions. RESULTS A total of 110 students completed the study. Only 2% of the interns were highly prepared for hospital practice before the orientation program while this number increased to 78% after the program. Interns expressed their desire to learn new topics like basic first aid to minor injuries, management of trauma cases and Road Traffic Accidents and handling of medical emergencies during the orientation program. They also suggested that there should more focus on practical demonstrations and hands on training in skill lab during this program. CONCLUSION here is significant improvement in the preparedness of interns after the orientation program indicated the program helped to boost the confidence of the interns for hospital practic

A Review of Hepatoprotective Natural Products

The maintenance of a healthy liver is essential for the overall well being of an individual.  Liver injury induced by toxins is more common nowadays. Herbal remedies are focused in the pharmaceutical industry to evolve a safe route for liver disorders. Therefore, hepatoprotective natural products such as Jatropha curcas, Foeniculum vulgare, Trigonella foenum graecum, Eclipta alba, Garcinia mangostana Linn is reviewed

Antidiabetic Activity of the Alcoholic Extract of the Arial Part of Boerhaavia diffusa in Rats

This study indicates that Boerhaavia diffusa alcoholic extracts have good antidiabetic activity. Methanolic and ethanolic extracts of Boerhaavia diffusa at a dose level of 200 mg/kg/p.o exhibited significant anti-hyperglycemic activities in alloxan induced as well as in streptazotocin induced hyperglycemic rats. They can also improve the condition of diabetes as indicated by parameters like body weight along with serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels. The extracts of the plant Boerhaavia diffusa was tested for oral hypoglycaemic and anti-diabetic activity, by glucose oral tolerance test, alloxan induced and streptozotocin induced diabetic rats respectively. The extracts of Boerhaavia diffusa have shown significant (

Study of prevalence of underlying congenital heart disease in children with recurrent respiratory tract infections

Background: Recurrent respiratory tract infections are common cause of morbidity globally.Some congenital heart diseases that cause increased pulmonary blood flow is a common predisposing factor for a recurrent Respiratory tract infection (RTI) ,the rate of recurrent RTI is estimated to be 1.3 episodes per child per year Objectives: The present study helps to determine the underlying congenital heart disease in children with recurrent respiratory tract infections in children seen in a tertiary hospital. Materials & Methods: The present study was conducted in Prathima Institute of Medical Sciences, over a 6 months period. Children diagnosed as recurrent respiratory tract infections were evaluated echocardiographically for Congenital Heart Disease. Certain features in children with recurrent RTI and Congenital Heart Disease were compared to those without Congenital Heart Disease. Results: Out of 370 admissions in PICU from June 2016 to December 2016, a total of 40 children presented with recurrent RTI of which 28(72.5%) were males,12(27.5%) were females, 4 cases had Congenital heart disease which are acyanotic , out of these 2 cases are large size Atrial Septal Defect,one case is Patent Ductus Arteriosus, one case is perimembranous Ventricular Septal Defect. The prevalence of Congenital Heart Disease was 10%. Most of the patients 25 (62.5%) were in the low socio economic class, 13 (32.5%) were in the middle class, 2(5%) were in the high socio economic class. Out of the 4 children with Congenital Heart disease, one child(25%) born out of consanguinous marriage. Conclusion: The children with congenital heart disease were more likely to have murmur and heart failure compared to those without congenital heart disease.Prevalence of Congenital Heart Disease in children with recurrent RTI in this study is high,evaluation of children with recurrent RTI for\ud Congenital Heart Disease is therefore recommended

Clinical profile and outcome of Diabetic ketoacidosis in children

Introduction: Diabetic ketoacidosis is a potentially life threatening acute complication of type 1 diabetes mellitus,characterised by triad of hyperglycemia,ketosis and acidemia,accounting for a majority of deaths related to diabetes in children. Diabetic ketoacidosis is a fatal acute metabolic complication of diabetes mellitus with heterogeneous clinical presentation . Poor compliance was associated with severity of Diabetic Ketoacidosis and infection precipitate the Diabetic Ketoacidosis easily. Aims and objectives: The present study helps to determine clinical profile and outcome of diabetic ketoacidosis in children. Materials & Methods: It is a retrospective clinical study of children under 15years of age admitted in PICU at tertiary care center, for a period of one year 2016 January to 2017 January.Children are evaluated through detailed clinical history and laboratory investigations.Among all children admitted 10 children have diabetic ketoacidosis.We selected all children admitted in pediatric intensive care unit of 565 admissions out of 10 cases were diabetic ketoacidosis,in which 9 out of 10 cases were newly diagnosed.90% cases were newly diagnosed and 10% due to omission of insulin resulting in diabetic keto acidosis. We describe the clinical profile and outcome of diabetic ketoacidosis in children seen in tertiary care centre over a 1-year period. All subjects admitted in pediatric intensive care were reviewed for type 1 diabetes.Data retrieved include age, sex, family history, clinical features, and anthropometry studied about presenting complaints,precipitating factors,course of illness in the hospital, management,outcome of diabetic ketoacidosis cases by using standard protocols for treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis. Diagnosis was made by the presence of hyperglycemia (Blood sugar >250 mg), acidosis (Arterial pH=7.3) serum carbonate (=15 mEq) and ketonemia. All relevant investigations were performed and patients were treated with the aim to achieve ketone free condition and euglycemia. Original Article Results : Out of 565 pediatric intensive care unit admissions from January 2016 to January 2017, a total of 10 children presented with DKA (a prevalence of 1 in 56 hospital admissions). The median age at presentation was 7.6years (range: 9 months to 14 years) with a male:female ratio of 1:4; the mean duration of symptoms before hospitalization was 11.6 days (range: 1– 30 days).9 out of 10 cases were newly diagnosed DM.9 out of 10 cases presented with respiratory distress, acidotic breathing. Fever was the precipitating factor in 6 children (60%) and in 1 child with type 1 diabetes, the omission of insulin led to DKA. The most common presenting complaints were polyuria and polydipsia in 7, loss of weight in 2, polyphagia and fever in 7 each, and vomiting and abdominal pain in 5. A majority (7) presented with severe DKA, 3 with moderate DKA. Conclusion: There is need among physicians to educate patients regarding need for regular follow up, proper adherence to treatment and management during an intercurrent illness, as DKA is potentially preventable complication.The outcome of active management using standard protocols of diabetic ketoacidosis in children is excellent . The use of a standard protocol for management was associated with no complications and with zero mortality in this stud

Pharmacognostical standardization and in vitro pediculocidal activity of Datura innoxia and Cyclea peltata

Datura innoxia and Cyclea peltata are two medicinally important plants with multiple medicinal values. The folklore of India uses these two plants for pediculocidal activity. Hence we have initiated to standardize both the plant parts pharmacognostically and then evaluate its pediculocidal potency. The micro anatomical studies of seeds of D.innoxia and leaves of C.peltata were studied. The proximate analysis, fluorescence analysis, preliminary chemical tests were performed for the both plant parts. Fixed oils were isolated from seeds of D.innoxia and the GC-MS studies were performed. The selected crude extract of C.peltata and the fixed oil of D.innoxia were evaluated for pediculocidal activity by filter paper diffusion bioassay. Permethrin(1%) was used as the standard and water as control. Lignified sclerenchyma was identified as tissue of diagnostic importance for D.innoxia seed and lignified unicellular covering trichomes was found to be the most important tissue of diagnostic importance for the leaves of C.peltata. Both the plants showed the presence of alkaloids as one of the major chemical constituents. GC-MS report of fixed oils from D.innoxia revealed the presence of different types of fatty acids. Both the plants showed potent pediculocidal activity. Among the two plants Datura innoxia seed oil was found to be best. It showed almost same activity as that of standard drug used. Further investigations have to be carried out on the isolated compounds which can set a base for the development of lead compounds with potent pediculocidal activity

Socio-Economi Study Of Trawl Fisheries In Samar Sea, Philippines

Samar Sea is one of the major fishing grounds in Northwestern Samar with abundant pelagic and demersal fishery resources. In order to holistically manage the area, the Alliance of Local Government Units in Samar Sea planned to collectively manage the fishery resources using the concept of Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM). However, the absence of socio-economic data as baseline for assessing and monitoring socio-economic impacts of proposed management actions is one of the important missing information. Therefore, a socio-economic study of trawl fisheries in the Samar Sea was conducted to gather baseline information for the formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation purposes of the proposed fishery management measures and contribute to the Samar Sea Fisheries Management Plan (SSFMP) to address its impact on affected fisher folks. The socio-economic survey covered both commercial trawls (fish and shrimp trawls) and smaller-scale municipal trawls (shrimp and squid trawls) with a total of 517 respondents and examined age composition, participation of female fishers, and also education. Majority of the respondents were male (99% in commercial fish trawls and 92.5% in commercial shrimp trawls). Most of the fishermen were between 25 to 44 years of age. In general, fishers’ education was inadequate with many only with elementary level education.. Most respondents were not members of any organization but those that were listed as part of an organization were members of fisherfolk association which is the most common type. Extended families exist among the respondents. In all types of trawling households, both commercial and municipal, the son, daughter and wife are the primary household members who stay with the respondents. Fishing was the most dominant source of livelihood of household members. Farming, teaching, carpentry, overseas work, fish processing, aquaculture, livestock rearing, fish brokering and ancillary fishing related occupations were among the household members’ livelihood sources. Access to credit is very low and correspond with the low membership in associations. There is a need for training on basic safety at sea as in general very minimal life-saving equipment and materials are onboard. The municipal trawler with a 10-16 hp engine seems to be operate more profitably than the municipal trawler with a 80 hp engine, considering operational costs vs. net profit derived from their operations as well as the income for fishermen

Genetic Screening of Anderson-Fabry Disease in Probands Referred From Multispecialty Clinics.

BACKGROUND: Anderson-Fabry disease (AFD) is a rare X-linked lysosomal storage disease, caused by defects of the alpha-galactosidase A (GLA) gene. AFD can affect the heart, brain, kidney, eye, skin, peripheral nerves, and gastrointestinal tract. Cardiology (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy), neurology (cryptogenic stroke), and nephrology (end-stage renal failure) screening studies suggest the prevalence of GLA variants is 0.62%, with diagnosis confirmation in 0.12%. OBJECTIVES: This study sought to expand screening from these settings to include ophthalmology, dermatology, gastroenterology, internal medicine, pediatrics, and medical genetics to increase diagnostic yield and comprehensively evaluate organ involvement in AFD patients. METHODS: In a 10-year prospective multidisciplinary, multicenter study, we expanded clinical, genetic, and biochemical screening to consecutive patients enrolled from all aforementioned clinical settings. We tested the GLA gene and α-galactosidase A activity in plasma and leukocytes. Inclusion criteria comprised phenotypical traits and absence of male-to-male transmission. Screening was extended to relatives of probands harboring GLA mutations. RESULTS: Of 2,034 probands fulfilling inclusion criteria, 37 (1.8%) were carriers of GLA mutations. Cascade family screening identified 60 affected relatives; clinical data were available for 4 affected obligate carriers. Activity of α-galactosidase A in plasma and leukocytes was diagnostic in male subjects, but not in female subjects. Of the 101 family members harboring mutations, 86 were affected, 10 were young healthy carriers, and 5 refused clinical evaluation. In the 86 patients, involved organs or organ systems included the heart (69%), peripheral nerves (46%), kidney (45%), eye (37%), brain (34%), skin (32%), gastrointestinal tract (31%), and auditory system (19%). Globotriaosylceramide accumulated in organ-specific and non-organ-specific cells in atypical and classic variants, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Screening probands with clinically suspected AFD significantly increased diagnostic yield. The heart was the organ most commonly involved, independent of the clinical setting in which the patient was first evaluated