Effect of yoga on bio-physiological parameters among overweight and obese adolescents: a case series study

The number of overweight and obese children in India was 19.3% (NFHS-5), which was a big jump from the previous number of 6.3% (NFHS-4). A school-based case-series design was conducted to assess the effect of yoga on biophysiological parameters among overweight and obese adolescents (11-13 years) at selected schools in Puducherry. The census method was used to screen 286 adolescents, aged 11 to 13, for height and weight. The study included 18 overweight boys and girls. Bio-physiological parameters were measured at baseline, three months, and six months after yoga practice. The results of the study showed that a significant difference was found after yoga practice. The mean difference in weight reduction was 4.0, the BMI was 1.7, the waist circumference was 4.6, the hip circumference was 6.2, the triceps skin fold thickness was 4.9, and the sub capsular skin fold thickness was 5.7. The mean difference in pulse reduction was 8.8, the systolic blood pressure was 11.0, and the diastolic pressure was 6.9. In terms of body composition, the decrease in fat (%) was 3.4, water (%) was 2.4, extracellular volume (ECW) (%) was 1.1, intracellular volume (ICW) (%) was 2.0, and the body fat mass index (BFMI) was 1.7. The study concluded that yoga is effective in managing obesity and building healthy citizens in future adolescents.

Effect of Homoharringtonine as a Combined Regimen for Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Homoharringtonine (HHT), a cephalotaxus alkaloid has shown promising results in the treatment of several hematological disorders such as chronic myeloid leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and myelodysplastic syndrome. It is known for its unique mechanism of action by which it prevents the initial elongation step of protein biosynthesis. Hence, it is used in hematological malignancies where it synergistically potentiates the action of other drugs and induces apoptosis. The relevant studies published were searched using an electronic database from 2002 to 2019. The articles published in English were only considered. Search engines such as PubMed, MEDLINE, Google Scholar, and Semantic scholar were used. In this review, we have discussed the effect of HHT in combination with other chemotherapeutic agents for AML with or without genetic mutation specification and the future perspective of these regimens. Although standard treatment options exist for most of these diseases, still cure rates are low with reported morbidity and the drug resistance emergence is pervasive. Thus, novel treatment approaches are crucial for better outcome. Alternative regimens together with HHT have not been a standard practice, although they have shown a very good potential in AML patients. Many of the combinations were also proved to be safe and effective with very low toxic potential. All these data outcomes of various combinations under different scenarios exhibit that HHT has promising results in the treatment of AML which may lead to its approval in the upcoming years.

Refractory seizures with global developmental delay: A rare cause.

Aicardi syndrome is a genetic disorder characterized by the triad of infantile spasm in flexion, callosal agenesis and ocular abnormalities (chorioretinal lacunae, coloboma of optic disc). We report a typical case of Aicardi syndrome with all the classical features.