Cardiac hemodynamic profile and its correlates by Impedance plethysmography in normal individuals of Central India.

Evaluation of hemodynamic profile by impedance plethysmography (IPG) provides functional expression of cardiovascular performance with efficacy of treatment. Objective of this study was to establish normative hemodynamic parameters by IPG. In this cross-sectional study hemodynamic parameters including cardiac output (CO), Stroke volume (SV), left ventricular ejection time (LVET), impedance (Zo) Cardiac index (CI) and Stroke index (SI) of 50 normal individuals in mean age 38.9±15.2 years were evaluated. Mean CO and CI were 4.9±0.8L/min and 3.3±0.7 L/min/m2 respectively. A negative linear co-relation of CI with increasing age and body fat mass was observed. Mean LVET was 336±33ms with a significant positive linear correlation (r = 0.46) with advancing age and body fat mass while a negative linear correlation with BSA. To conclude preliminary normative data of cardiac parameters using IPG, in subjects of central India of different age groups has been presented.

Usefulness of blink reflex in hypothyroid patients with or without polyneuropathy: a case control study.

Central nervous system (CNS) dysfunction is an important consequence of thyroid deficiency. Cranial nerves are frequently affected in hypothyroid process. On routine nerve conduction studies, symptomatic peripheral and cranial neuropathy can be detected, however, diagnosing subclinical cranial neuropathy pose the major problem. Blink reflex (BR), has been shown to be an effective method for revealing subclinical involvement of cranial nerves in generalized neuropathies. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of BR as a method for early diagnosis of subclinical cranial neuropathy in hypothyroid patients with or without overt peripheral polyneuropathy. A case control study was conducted on 150 subjects aged 18 years and above (100 controls, 50 cases). A routine nerve conduction study and BR evaluation was done in all the subjects. We found abnormal BR response in 50% of hypothyroid patients studied. In hypothyroid patient without polyneuropathy R1 latency was significantly prolonged (P < 0.05 Vs control). Ipsilateral and contralateral R2 latencies were significantly prolonged in hypothyroid cases with or without polyneuropathy on bilateral stimulation. Magnitude of prolongation was greater in with polyneuropathy group. In conclusion, study suggests that BR is a useful non-invasive method for the detection of clinically silent cranial nerve compromise in hypothyroid patients.

Association of pattern reversal VEP parameters with the mean defect of Humphrey visual field in patients of primary open angle glaucoma.

Glaucoma is a chronic, progressive bilateral optic neuropathy which disturbs the structural or functional integrity of the optic nerve that causes characteristic atrophic changes in it, which leads to specific visual field defects over time with loss of visual function. Primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) is the most common form of glaucoma in India and is fast emerging as a major cause of bilateral blindness. This rural hospital based study was conducted to evaluate whether glaucomatous visual field defects particularly the mean defect of Humphrey visual field could be related to VEP parameters of patients having POAG. Visual field by Humphrey perimeter and simultaneous recordings of pattern reversal visual evoked potential (PRVEP) were assessed in 100 patients with POAG. There was a significant (P < 0.05) negative correlation of P100 latency, N155 latency and P100 duration and a highly significant (P < 0.001) positive correlation of P100 amplitude with mean deviation (index of global visual field damage, MD) of Humphrey visual field in the subjects of POAG in various age groups. N70 latency showed a non-significant positive correlation with MD. The VEP changes observed by us in POAG patients were consistent with the progressing mean defect quantitatively. Therefore, it can be concluded that the VEP parameters can be useful quantitative indices in the evaluation of glaucomatous visual function damage.

Assessment of nerve conduction study to establish most common electrophysiological predictor of lumbosacral radiculopathy among radiologically diagnosed L5S1 neural foramina compression cases.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and electromyography (EMG) are complimentary investigations in diagnosis of lumbosacral radiculopathy (LSR). With changing pattern of S1 electrodiagnosis by H-reflex study measures, electrophysiological studies were conducted to establish most common electrophysiological predictors of LSR in MRI diagnosed L5S1 neural foramina compression subjects. Fifty subjects, with definite L5S1 neural foramina compression underwent electrophysiological evaluation and the data was analyzed using established electrodiagnostic criteria. Reduced H/M ratio in combination with absent H response was evident in 74 nerves. H-reflex study was abnormal in 88% subjects. Study concluded that, H/M ratio if used with other H-reflex study variables may be most common predictor of LSR.

Association of obesity and leptin with insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes mellitus in Indian population.

Obesity and diabetes mellitus are two modern epidemics. But their interrelationship is debated. Here we explored the probable association among obesity, leptin and insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes mellitus. 60 recent onset (< 5 years) diabetics and age-sex matched 33 non diabetic controls were assessed for physical and chemical parameters like Body Mass Index, abdominal circumference, waist/hip ratio, fasting blood glucose, insulin and leptin. Degree of insulin resistance was calculated by HOMA-IR method (Homeostatic Model Assessment). All the physical parameters showed positive correlation with leptin and the HOMA-IR score, strength of association being highest between insulin resistance and abdominal circumference. Leptin and insulin resistance showed no correlation. Findings were lower in controls. Study concluded that, obesity mainly central type might be responsible for insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes mellitus where as leptin, a potential marker for obesity, may not. This perhaps points towards the multifactorial causation of insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Characterization of terminal flowering cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) mutants obtained by induced mutagenesis digs out the loss-of-function of phosphatidylethanolamine-binding protein.

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) is one of the major food legume crops grown extensively in arid and semi-arid regions of the world. The determinate habit of cowpea has many advantages over the indeterminate and is well adapted to modern farming systems. Mutation breeding is an active research area to develop the determinate habit of cowpea. The present study aimed to develop new determinate habit mutants with terminal flowering (TFL) in locally well-adapted genetic backgrounds. Consequently, the seeds of popular cowpea cv P152 were irradiated with doses of gamma rays (200, 250, and, 300 Gy), and the M1 populations were grown. The M2 populations were produced from the M1 progenies and selected determinate mutants (TFLCM-1 and TFLCM-2) from the M2 generation (200 Gy) were forwarded up to the M5 generation to characterize the mutants and simultaneously they were crossed with P152 to develop a MutMap population. In the M5 generation, determinate mutants (80-81 days) were characterized by evaluating the TFL growth habit, longer peduncles (30.75-31.45 cm), erect pods (160°- 200°), number of pods per cluster (4-5 nos.), and early maturity. Further, sequencing analysis of the VuTFL1 gene in the determinate mutants and MutMap population revealed a single nucleotide transversion (A-T at 1196 bp) in the fourth exon and asparagine (N) to tyrosine (Y) amino acid change at the 143rd position of phosphatidylethanolamine-binding protein (PEBP). Notably, the loss of function PEPB with a higher confidence level modification of anti-parallel beta-sheets and destabilization of the protein secondary structure was observed in the mutant lines. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis showed that the VuTFL1 gene was downregulated at the flowering stage in TFL mutants. Collectively, the insights garnered from this study affirm the effectiveness of induced mutation in modifying the plant's ideotype. The TFL mutants developed during this investigation have the potential to serve as a valuable resource for fostering determinate traits in future cowpea breeding programs and pave the way for mechanical harvesting.

Implementation of Pediatric Allergic Rhinitis Module as a Part of AETCOM among First-Year Medical Undergraduates: Mixed Methods Evaluation.

Background: Children suffering from allergic rhinitis (AR) in their earlier days of life, not receiving proper treatment, subsequently develop asthma. To sensitize the first-year medical undergraduates about AR by implementing pediatric allergic rhinitis (PAR) module as a part of their attitude, ethics, and communication (AETCOM) curriculum. Materials and Methods: Triangulation type of mixed method study was conducted from January 2021 to June 2021 among 125 first-year medical undergraduate students. The PAR module communication checklist was developed and validated by an interprofessional (IP) team. Twenty multiple-choice questions (MCQs) were framed for both pretest and posttest cognitive assessment of the students. The pretest assessment was done (first 15 min) followed by the teaching of the PAR module (30 min), and lastly the posttest assessment along with open-ended feedback (last 15 min). Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) communication checklist along with the guidelines was given to the observer during the student-patient encounter to score the learner and to assess the communication skill. Apart from descriptive analysis, paired t-test and content analysis were done. Results: A statistically significant difference in the mean scores before and after the PAR module and communication checklist (P < 0.001). Majority (78/81, 96%) of the students favored this module, while (28/81) 34.6% suggested modifications. Most of the parent's feedback was good about the student's communication skill in terms of empathy (118), behavior (107), and greet (125); however, 33 parents were about the opinion of difficulties in closing the session, 17 parents commented about student's language problem and 27 about feedback. Conclusion: The PAR module should be taught in the current medical curriculum as a part of AETCOM in the foundation course as early clinical exposure with some modifications in the existing module.

Effect of gender on antisperm antibodies in infertile couples in central India.

The presence of antisperm antibodies in serum may impair sperm function leading to immunological infertility. The aim of study was to determine the presence of antisperm antibodies in the circulating blood of infertile couples. This cross sectional study included 109 couples suffering from infertility for more than one-year duration. Serum antisperm antibodies were determined by Varelisa Sperm Antibodies Enzyme Immunoassay kit. The percentage incidence of antisperm antibodies in infertile men was 30.27% was statistically not significant from the 33.03% incidence in infertile women (P Value > 0.05). In the nineteen (15.59%) couples both the husband as well as wife was positive for sperm antibodies. The presence of antisperm antibodies may impair fertilizing ability therefore its assessment should be consideredas an essential part of infertility management.

Effect of body mass index on parameters of nerve conduction study in Indian population.

As the adipose tissue in epineurium is related to some extent to amount of body fat, it is possible that the amount of such fat may affect the nerve conduction. In this study, we have analyzed effect of Body Mass Index (BMI) on various parameters of nerve conduction study in one hundred seventy five healthy volunteers between ages of 18 and 66 years. BMI was determined and nerve conduction studies were performed prospectively in all the subjects using standardized techniques. Prolongation of distal motor latency (DML) was observed with increasing BMI except in motor Peroneal nerve. (In Median Nerve, P<005). F-Wave minimum latency was also found to be significantly prolonged in (P<0.05) in motor Tibial nerve. Higher BMI was found to be non-significantly associated with lower amplitude (both sensory and motor) except for peroneal nerve. Motor as well as sensory conduction velocity showed non-significant slowing along increasing BMI except sural and motor-sensory ulnar nerve in younger age group. This study demonstrated that various parameters of nerve conduction study can be affected by BMI. So, this biological factor has to be taken into consideration while interpreting nerve conduction studies.

Role of Confined Optical Phonons in Exciton Generation in Spherical Quantum Dot.

Optical control of excitonic states in semiconducting quantum dots has enabled it to be deployed as a qubit for quantum information processing. For self-assembled quantum dots, these excitonic states couple with phonons in the barrier material, for which the previous studies have shown that such exciton-phonon coupling can also lead to the generation of exciton, paving the way for their deployment in qubit-state preparation. Previous studies on self-assembled quantum dots comprising polar materials have considered exciton-phonon coupling by treating phonon modes as bulk acoustic modes only, owing to nearly the same acoustic property of the dot and barrier material. However, the dimensional confinement leads to significant modification phonon modes, even though acoustic confinement is weak but optical confinement cannot be overlooked. In this paper, we investigate for the first time the exciton-optical phonon coupling using dielectric continuum model duly accounting for the dimensional confinement leading to exciton generation. We report that at low temperatures (below 10 K), the exciton creation rate attributed to confined optical phonon is approximately 5.7 times (~6) slower than bulk acoustic phonons, which cannot be ignored, and it should be accounted for in determining the effective phonon assisted exciton creation rate.

Normative data of upper limb nerve conduction in Central India.

Nerve conduction study is an important tool to evaluate peripheral nerve abnormality. The primary purpose of this study was to provide normative electrophysiological data for commonly tested upper limb nerves in normal healthy adults. Nerve conduction studies were performed prospectively in upper limbs of 175 carefully screened healthy volunteers between the ages of 18 and 66 years using standardized techniques. There was no statistically significant difference found in conduction velocity and amplitude of motor median and ulnar nerves as well as sensory conduction velocity of median nerve. However, distal and F-minimum latencies of motor nerves, sensory amplitudes and conduction velocity of ulnar nerve was found to be significantly influenced by gender (P < 0.05). This study established normative conduction parameters of the commonly tested nerves of upper limb for our clinical neurophysiology laboratory in Central India. This can be of use to evaluate the patients with peripheral nerve abnormalities who reside in this particular geographic set-up. Gender was shown to have an influence on sensory amplitude, distal motor and F-minimum latencies of median and ulnar nerves.

Thornber-Feynman carrier-optical-phonon scattering rates in wurtzite crystals.

It is well known that the carrier-optical-phonon scattering rates dominate the carrier-acoustic-phonon scattering rates in many polar materials of interest in electronic and optoelectronic applications. Furthermore, it is known that the Fröhlich coupling constants for carrier-optical-phonon in many materials is close to or great than unity, calling into question the validity of scattering rates based on the Fermi golden rule. In a celebrated paper by Thornber and Feynman it was shown that that the large Fröhlich coupling constant in polar materials does indeed lead to substantial corrections to the Fermi golden rule scattering rates. These large corrections are due to the fact that for strong coupling constants, the first-order perturbative approach underlying the Fermi golden rule does not take into account the presence of many phonons interacting simultaneous with the carrier. In this paper, the Thornber-Feymnan scattering rates for carrier-optical-phonon interactions are derived for several technologically important wurtzite semiconductors-BN, ZnO, CdS, CdSe, ZnS, InN, and SiC- and it is shown that the commonly used Fermi golden rule scattering rates must be corrected by factors ranging up to an order-of-magnitude. The corrections to the Fermi golden rule reported herein have widespread impact on carrier transport for materials with large Fröhlich coupling constants.

Auditory evaluation of the microcephalic children with brain stem evoked response audiometry (BERA).

Microcephaly implies a reduced occipito-frontal circumference (< 2 Standard Deviation of normal) and therefore a small brain size, which is usually associated with different neurodeficit. Intactness of the auditory pathway in microcephalic as well as normal children was assessed by Brain stem Evoked Response Audiometry (BERA) to locate the exact site of lesion resulting in the auditory impairment, so that appropriate early rehabilitative measures can be taken. The study revealed that absolute peak latency of wave V, inter peak latencies of III-V and I-V were significantly higher (P- value < 0.05 in each case) in microcephalics than the normal children. Auditory impairment in microcephaly is a common neurodeficit that can be authentically assessed by BERA. The hearing impairment in microcephalics is mostly due to insufficiency of central components of auditory pathway at the level of brainstem, function of peripheral structures being almost within normal limit.

Assessment of nerve conduction in evaluation of radiculopathy among chronic low back pain patients without clinical neurodeficit.

The diagnostic evaluation of chronic low back pain (CLBP) is difficult, as its primary causes are multiple. Clinical, radiological and electrophysiological findings are of limited value in diagnosing radiculopathy as the cause of CLBP in early cases. Current study was undertaken on 50 controls and 50 CLBP patients without clinical neurological deficit to evaluate the potential of nerve conduction studies, particularly H-reflex study for diagnosis of radiculopathy in these cases. We observed that routine nerve conductions in CLBP without clinical neurodeficit showed no significant differences; whereas all the H-reflex parameters, H-threshold, H latency, H amplitude and H/M ratio were significantly different when compared with that of control (P value < 0.0001 in each case). We concluded that subclinical cases might not have only partial conduction block but also secondary axonal loss due to compression of nerve roots. We further suggest inclusion of Soleus H-reflex study in evaluation of radiculopathy among early CLBP cases without clinical neurodeficit.

Auditory and Visual P300 Responses in Early Cognitive Assessment of Children and Adolescents with Epilepsy.

BACKGROUND: The event-related potential P300 has been suggested to be valuable in the assessment of cognitive dysfunctions. Not a great deal of neurophysiological assessment has been performed at early stages in patients with epilepsy involving visual and auditory P300 measures. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess the cognitive status in patients with epilepsy earlier by visual and auditory P300 and to find their correlation with various risk factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: P300 was recorded in 60 children with epilepsy in the age-group of 5-18 years and 60 age- and sex-matched controls by a rare-frequent (oddball) paradigm. Mean auditory and visual P300 latencies and amplitudes were compared among patients with epilepsy and controls and among patients with generalized and focal epilepsy by unpaired t-test. Pearson's correlation coefficient test was computed for studying the correlation between risk factors and P300 responses. A value of P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Statistically significant delay in P300 latencies and reduction in amplitudes (both visual and auditory) was found in patients with epilepsy as compared to controls and also among patients with generalized and focal epilepsy. In generalized epilepsy, both visual and auditory P300 revealed significant delay, whereas only auditory P300 delay was found in focal form. No significant correlation was obtained with risk factors. No significant difference was found in P300 responses among patients with and without antiepileptic treatment. CONCLUSION: Visual and auditory P300 latencies have an important role in the evaluation of early cognitive dysfunctions in children with epilepsy. P300 potentials are not influenced by antiepileptic treatment, whereas the type of epilepsy alters them.

Anharmonic decay of high-frequency LA modes in quasi-isotropic III-nitrides.

We report for the first time an estimation of the spontaneous decay rates at room temperature in a selection of nitride-based nanostructures that are quasi-isotropic. We numerically calculate the phonon distribution functions and the decay rates and find that the decay channel LA → TA + TA dominates over the decay channel LA → LA + TA, which confirms Klemens' prediction [1] that LA phonon will primarily split into two doubly degenerate TA phonons through a greater variety of decay channels compared to the decay of LA into two modes, one belonging to the longitudinal acoustic and the other to the transverse acoustic branch.

Crouzon Syndrome in a Ten-week-old Infant: A Case Report.

Crouzon syndrome is a rare genetic disorder. We report a rare case of Crouzon syndrome in a very young infant with distinct features of craniofacial malformations. A 10-week-old male child presented with features of craniofacial dysostosis with abnormal shape of the skull, proptosis, hypertelorism, curved nose and frontal bossing. Radiological findings revealed a predominant premature fusion of sagittal sutures. The infant had airway obstruction. Features of hydrocephalus, papilledema and optic atrophy were not evident. We chose to manage the symptoms and prevent complications, and the surgery was deferred for later, depending on the degree of malformation and psychological needs. Diagnosis of this rare condition at an early stage can help in preventing the development of complications. A careful follow-up and appropriate surgical intervention can improve the prognosis of this condition, which carries the risk of respiratory complications, poor vision and, in some cases, mental retardation as the age advances.

Correlation among routine semen parameters, sperm viabilty and malondialdehyde levels in human subjects with different fertility potential.

Percentage of viable sperms has good potential to reflect male fertilizing potential. In the present study, an attempt was made to find out the percentage of viable sperms in normal and abnormal ejaculates and influence of reactive oxygen species in affecting the viability of sperm. Malondialdehyde (MDA) in seminal plasma of normal and abnormal ejaculates was measured by Thiobarbituric Acid method and percentage of viable sperms was assessed by Eosin-Nigrosin staining. The results revealed that the abnormal semen samples have significantly lower number of viable spermatozoa (59.06 +/- 9.63% vs. 68.33 +/- 5.46%, P < 0.05) and higher levels of MDA (2.53 +/- 0.66 vs. 1.66 +/- 0.37 nmol/ml, P < 0.05) as compared to normal. A significant negative correlation was found between seminal MDA level and sperm viability. Based on the results obtained from the present study, we suggest that viability of sperm is an authentic parameter to assess male fertility potential and it can be affected significantly by oxidative stress.

Role of ascorbic acid in human seminal plasma against the oxidative damage to the sperms.

This study evaluated the extent of oxidative stress by measuring malondialdehyde and ascorbic acid in the seminal plasma of human subjects with different fertility potential. Semen samples from 148 subjects were evaluated (48 normozoospermics, 34 oligoasthenoteratozoospermics, 34 asthenoteratozoospermics and 32 azoospermics). malondialdehyde level was found to be significantly higher in the abnormal groups (oligoasthenoterato and asthenoterato-zoospermics) than normozoospermics (P < 0.01). Negative correlation was also found between malondialdehyde level, sperm concentration, sperm motility and sperm morphology. Level of ascorbic acid was found to be significantly higher in normozoospermics than other abnormal groups (P < 0.01). It was found to be correlated positively with all seminogram parameters and negatively with malondialdehyde level. The study revealed that, excess lipid peroxidation reflected by high malondialdehyde level with reduced ascorbic acid in human seminal plasma is associated with poor semen quality where as ascorbic acid content has positive correlation with fertility potential.

Effect of music of specific frequency upon the sleep architecture and electroencephalographic pattern of individuals with delayed sleep latency: A daytime nap study.

INTRODUCTION: Sleep is normal human behaviour. However, the stress in daily life leads to altered sleep behaviour like insomnia, parasomnia, etc. Owing to possible side effects, mind-body interventions like music, yoga and meditation could be a better alternative intervention to pharmacological interventions for the condition. It is known that 432 Hz music to have some effect on the overall sleep quality though some knowledge gap does exist. The present study aims to find the effects of 432 Hz on sleep quality and sleep latency in a daytime nap among subjects with history of delayed sleep latency. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Fifteen healthy male volunteers aged 18 to 40 years with history of delayed sleep latency were recruited for the study from a cohort of working staff and students at the institute, after due ethical clearance following the inclusion and exclusion criteria. All the subjects were subjected to sleep study with and without music intervention at the gap of 1 week. Sleep parameters recorded include sleep stages, electroencephalogram (EEG), electrocardiogram (ECG), electromyography (EMG), nasal airflow, thoracic movement, nasal saturation etc. RESULT: Outcome of the study shows some decrease in the mean sleep latency (P > 0.05) with significant increase in the energy of alpha waves (P < 0.01) at the sleep onset. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that 432 Hz music has some significant calming effect as reflected by increased alpha activities without any significant effect upon the sleep latency in the daytime naps.