Tagging Efficiency of 99m Tc-SC Radiolabeled Alternative Gastric Emptying Meals: A Quantitative Study.

Objective The aim of this study was to know the tagging efficiencies of technetium-99m labeled sulfur colloid (99mTc-SC) with different meals. Materials and Methods Egg white sandwiches are the gold standard for gastric-emptying scan (GES); thus, an egg white omelet labeled with 99m Tc-SC is taken as a standard meal. For evaluation, we included four meals, bread and butter, instant oatmeal, idli, and chapatti, and all meals were prepared by labeling them with 99m Tc-SC. After preparation, food articles were chopped with the help of a metal fork and mixed in simulated gastric fluid. Four samples were taken simultaneously from each food article and analyzed for 1 to 4hours after agitation within the centrifuge. The samples were filtered and separated from the sediments and supernatants. We analyzed the activity in each sample before and after filtration. Results The mean values of labeling efficiency in per cent of various meals were obtained. There was no significant difference in labeling stability for egg whites, chapatti, and idli meals labeled with 99m Tc-SC from 1 to 4hours as their p -value (p>0.05) was insignificant. Conclusion Radiolabeled chapatti and idli with 99m Tc-SC show higher labeling stability, while oatmeal and bread and butter samples show relatively low stability. Thus, for GES, chapatti and idli labeled with 99m Tc-SC can be used as alternatives to eggs for vegetarian people or for those allergic to eggs.

Motivators, Preferences, and Aspirations of University Students about Studying Yoga: A Survey from India.

Introduction: University students' motivators and preferences for yoga as their course of study can influence their future as yoga instructors and therapists. Materials and Methods: Six hundred and thirty-six students of both genders (251:385, male: female) from four North Indian universities offering graduate and postgraduate courses in yoga were the respondents to a convenience sampling survey about their preferences and motivators. Results: The three most common reasons why students chose to study yoga were (i) "I can help many people through knowledge of yoga" (32.2%), (ii) "I will become a better person by studying yoga" (21.9%), and (iii) "I find yoga interesting" (18.9%). After completion of the course, most students wished (i) "to study another course in yoga" (28.8%), (ii) "to work in yoga and education in a university" (17.5%), and (iii) "to work in yoga and research" (14.3%). Students appreciated positive effects which they attributed to yoga (e.g. good health, feeling peaceful, and positive behavior changes). Conclusion: Students did not like regulations such as early wakening and dietary restrictions. The available information about the scope, benefits, safety considerations, and requirements of yoga can help student aspirants make an informed choice about their future careers. Students of yoga can be further motivated by evidence informed interactive sessions.

Yoga as a Preventive Intervention for Cardiovascular Diseases and Associated Comorbidities: Open-Label Single Arm Study.

Aim: Common Yoga Protocol (CYP) is a standardized yoga protocol authored by experts from all over the world under the aegis of the Ministry of AYUSH, Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa Rigpa and Homeopathy (AYUSH). The potential of CYP can be determined as a cost-effective lifestyle modification to prevent the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Methods: In this prospective trial, we compared the effect of CYP at baseline and after 1 month. A total of 374 yoga-naïve participants performed CYP under the supervision of experienced trainers. Physiological [body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, percent oxygen saturation], biochemical (fasting blood glucose and lipid profile), and neurocognitive parameters were measured before and after the intervention. Results: At day 30 of yoga practice, serum levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), total cholesterol (TC), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) were found significantly improved as compared to the baseline levels observed at the time of enrollment. Similarly, the lipid profile was also obtained from experienced trainers and found to be significantly different from those of yoga-naïve volunteers. When the intervention was compared between the healthy yoga-naïve participants with yoga-naïve participants suffering from medical issues, it was found that cholesterol profile improved significantly in the healthy-naive group as compared to the diseased group (hypertension, diabetes, underwent surgery, and CVD). Conclusion: These results highlight the need for further research to better understand the effects of yoga on the primary prevention of CVD.

Prevalence of prediabetes, and diabetes in Chandigarh and Panchkula region based on glycated haemoglobin and Indian diabetes risk score.

There is a rapid increase in the prevalence of diabetes in India. We wanted to review the status of prediabetes and diabetes in the combined population of Chandigarh and Panchkula region based on both Indian Diabetes Risk Score (IDRS) and Glycated Haemoglobin (HbA1c). A total of 1215 subjects were recruited during the screening process, out of which 444 i subjects have been analysed for the current study on the basis of high risk for IDRS (≥60) and their known diabetes status. This study included 431 subjects having high risk for IDRS (≥60) and 13 known subjects with diabetes (IDRS < 60) which were further analysed for biochemical and anthropometric parameters. The prevalence of diabetes was found to be 12.67% and prediabetes 11.69% in the combined population of Chandigarh and Panchkula. There was an increased level of fasting blood glucose (183.12 ± 68.61), postprandial blood glucose (262.57 ± 96.92), triglyceride (193.84 ± 119.88), very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) (34.87 ± 15.42) and High Density Lipoprotein(HDL) (4.61 ± 1.39) in the said diabetes population. Mean HDL was found to be decreased in subjects having diabetes. Glucose-induced lipid intolerance study revealed significant alteration in triglyceride, HDL and VLDL. The study has revealed that high prevalence of diabetes in the sampled population when compared with the national average of 8.8%.

The impact of yoga on teachers' self-rated emotions.

OBJECTIVES: To assess (i) if teachers' age or gender could predict their baseline levels of mental well-being and anxiety and any change after yoga. (ii) Whether mental well-being or anxiety changed following 15 days of yoga in primary school teachers. Primary school teachers took part in this single group longitudinal trial (n = 302, group mean age ± SD; 41.8 ± 5.90 years). They received 240 min of yoga practice and 120 min of yoga theory each day. At baseline and after 15 days of yoga the assessments were (i) mental well-being (Warwick-Edinburgh scale) and (ii) state anxiety (Spielberger's State Trait Anxiety Inventory). RESULTS: Gender acted as a significant predictor for mental well-being scores (P = 0.001) and state anxiety (P = 0.005) in the group at baseline. Females showed higher anxiety scores and lower mental well-being scores. Following yoga the teachers showed a significant increase in mental well-being by 5.84% and a decrease in state anxiety by 4.48%. Trial registration The trial was registered retrospectively (August 15, 2019; Trial Registration Number: ISRCTN90253431).

Guinness world record attempt as a method to pivot the role of Yoga in Diabetes management.

BACKGROUND: Attempts for Guinness world record have continued worldwide but these attempts were rarely aimed to promote public health. Diabetes is one of the rapidly growing lifestyle disorders in India which requires awareness reinforcements among the local population. In recent studies, Yoga has proved to be useful in lifestyle modification and Diabetes management. However, most individuals from rural and urban localities in the country are unaware of this fact. PURPOSE: The purpose was to organizing a nationwide attempt under the Niyantrit Madhumeh Bharat (NMB) programme to break the world record to be the largest Diabetes lesson, to spread awareness among general population. METHODS: Present article represents the perspective of the Chandigarh chapter of NMB programme and its experience in Guinness world record attempt. Diabetes awareness lesson was organized in the city as per the standards defined by the Guinness Book and outcomes of the entire campaign were assessed at the end of the campaign. RESULT: Total 498 individuals participated in the campaign. Among them, 268 participants were questioned at the end of the campaign about the role of Yoga in Diabetes. 247 participants (92%) were agreed that Diabetes can be modified by Yoga and 9 participants (3%) disagreed. The remaining 12 participants (5%) did not give any response. CONCLUSION: We noticed that most of the participants became aware of the role of Yoga in Diabetes.

Creating a role model for "Academicians" Social Responsibility (ASR) synergizing with Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan: A campus hygiene initiative by PGIMER, Chandigarh.

BACKGROUND: The state of disarray from unhygienic conditions and excessive litter throughout urban highways, alleyways, and byways across rural and urban localities of India is abysmal. Such unsanitary conditions impinge upon the future health and welfare of its citizens, tourists and economic development. PURPOSE: The NRL volunteered PGIMER's campus hygiene initiative" is a pioneering effort spearheaded in compliance with Indian Prime Minister's call that citizens of India work together to establish a cleaner and healthier environment. METHODS: A group of 15 highly motivated students in the Neuroscience Division of the PGIMER, worked together vigorously 2 hours a week to affect a cleaner urban environment in the city. RESULT: The results were national Kayakalp and Skoch award to PGIMER as the cleanest hospital in the country, the vendors or patients no longer litter around the campus, the pot holes have been converted into greener patches, signs board adorn the campus. CONCLUSION: To inspire citizens through faculty- student led sanitation programs.

Increased Mental Well-Being and Reduced State Anxiety in Teachers After Participation in a Residential Yoga Program.

BACKGROUND Reducing stress in the workplace improves mental health. Teaching is of social importance, but it may receive inadequate recognition and rewards. The present study compared mental well-being and state anxiety in primary school teachers who practiced 15 days of yoga in a residential setting with those who continued their usual routine. MATERIAL AND METHODS We enrolled 236 primary school teachers to participate in the study. We assigned 118 primary school teachers (group mean ±S.D., age 41.5±6.0 years, 74 females) to the experimental group; they underwent 15 days of yoga training for 6 hours/day) in a residential yoga center. The non-yoga control group (group mean ±S.D., age 42.3±6.0 years, 79 females) consisted of 118 teachers who continued with their normal teaching routine. RESULTS After 15 days in the residential yoga program, there was an increase in overall mental well-being (p<.001) and lower state anxiety (p<.01) (repeated-measures ANOVA, followed by post hoc multiple comparison tests). At baseline, the non-yoga control group had higher levels of state anxiety, presumably related to their remaining in the workplace. CONCLUSIONS The study was a 15-day, comparative, controlled trial. The results show that after 15 days of participation in the residential yoga program, primary school teachers increased all aspects of mental well-being and had reduced state anxiety.