Assessment of Cardiac Autonomic Function in Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Through Ewing's Battery, Heart Rate Variability Analysis, and Composite Autonomic Symptom Score-31 Scale.

Introduction Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a frequently occurring endocrine condition prevalent in women of reproductive age characterized by chronic anovulation, hyperandrogenism, insulin resistance, and a low-grade inflammatory state. Patients with PCOS are more vulnerable to developing cardiac and metabolic co-morbidities. Sympathetic overactivity is also reported in PCOS patients. Objective This study aimed to assess cardiac autonomic function in PCOS by Heart Rate Variability Analysis, Ewing's Test, and Composite Autonomic Symptom Scale-31 (COMPASS-31). Methods Thirty female PCOS patients and 30 age-matched control females were enrolled in the study. Both cases and controls were subdivided into sub-groups based on body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR). The cardiac autonomic functions were assessed by the COMPASS-31 questionnaire, Ewing's battery tests, and short-term heart rate variability analysis. Results There was no significant difference in age, BMI, and WHR of both groups. Additionally, cases had a significantly higher low frequency to high frequency (LF/HF) ratio and COMPASS-31 score and also reported more derangement in Ewing's battery test, indicating cardiac autonomic dysfunction in PCOS patients. Conclusion Patients with PCOS are more prone to developing cardiac and metabolic co-morbidities. Early assessment of cardiac autonomic function can prevent future complications with timely interventions. Altered autonomic function in PCOS patients can be due to hyperandrogenism and insulin resistance.

Comparative Analysis of Heart Rate Variability Parameters between Surya Namaskar and Stationary Bike Exercise Groups.

Background: Yoga practice has multiple health benefits. Surya Namaskar (SN) also known as sun salutation presents mental and physical health benefits equivalent to physical exercise. It consists of a sequence of 12 Hatha yoga postures with coordinated breathing. Aims: This study evaluated the effect of SN against mild intensity stationary cycling exercise (SCE) on parameters of heart rate variability (HRV). Methodology: This study was conducted in the department of physiology of a nationally important institute after obtaining ethics approval. A total of 40 healthy participants (males aged 46 ± 2.3 years) were enrolled in the study and divided into two groups, namely SN group and exercise group (SG and EG). The allocation on the group was based on subjects' choice and interest in performing SN or SCE. Baseline HRV, anthropometric measurement, and blood pressure were assessed. SG was subjected to 14 rounds of SN in about 20 min and EG to a 20-min mild-intensity stationary cycling session (30%-50% maximal heart rate). Assessments were conducted preexercise and postexercise recovery. HRV was assessed with the NeuralChek device. Results: SN led to increased SDNN, pNN50, RMSSD, and total power, indicating improved autonomic balance, cardiovascular health, and parasympathetic dominance. Conversely, SCE decreased SDNN, pNN50, and RMSSD, suggesting immediate postexercise sympathetic dominance. Spectral analysis of HRV highlighted autonomic balance differences, with SN increasing low frequency (LF%) reflecting both sympathetic and parasympathetic dominance, whereas exercise reduced LF% due to sympathetic activation. Minimal changes were observed in high-frequency percentage. SN combines flexibility, strength, and balance, providing a balanced physical activity. This balance results in a mixed autonomic response, with sympathetic activity for the physical effort and parasympathetic activity for the relaxation components. Conclusions: SN positively impacted HRV, promoting parasympathetic dominance and cardiovascular health, whereas exercise induced sympathetic activation with potential recovery benefits. Monitoring HRV offers insights into cardiovascular fitness and well-being. The study underscores the merits of incorporating yoga such as SN into daily activity routines.

Assessing Neurocognition (P300) and Correlating Them to Depression Rating Scales in Patients With Major Depressive Disorder.

BACKGROUND: Major depression is a chronic condition that may affect cognition. Cognitive disturbances may affect clinical scales used to assess the severity of depression. AIMS: To find an association between cognitive disturbance as objectively recorded using event-related potentials (P300) with the Hamilton rating scale for depression (HAM-D) and Montgomery-Asberg depression rating scale (MADRS) in newly diagnosed cases of major depression. METHODS AND MATERIAL: A cross-sectional study with a sample size of 46 diagnosed cases of major depression. The assessment was done using the HAM-D and MADRS. The P300 assessment was done with the auditory oddball paradigm using the Nihon Kohden NCV-SMG-EP system (Tokyo, Japan). STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Pearson correlation analysis was used to study the association between various parameters of P300 and the HAM-D and MADRS depression rating scales. RESULTS: A significant correlation was found between A21- P300 amplitude Cz and the MADRS score. No significant correlation was seen between other P300 parameters and HAM-D and MADRS scales. CONCLUSIONS: As the results were objectively recorded using various parameters of event-related potentials (P300), cognitive impairment was not significantly associated with depression rating scales i.e., the HAM-D and MADRS scores.

Assessment of Alternative Body Points for Temperature Screening As Precautionary Screening During the Pandemic Using Infrared Thermometry.

BACKGROUND: The recent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, which swept across the globe in a short period, demonstrated that disease transmission management is a critical step in preventing an outbreak, as is good viral infectious disease screening. Infrared thermography (IRT) has long been considered ideal for screening body temperatures during pandemics. METHODS: Single-centre cross-sectional study with 159 participants. Using infrared thermometry, participants were subjected to temperature measurement twice daily on various sites. This was compared to oral temperature. RESULTS: The findings of the study revealed that infrared thermometry could be utilised as a proxy approach for screening by both individuals and medical professionals when employed at the glabella, cubits, or axillae. CONCLUSION:  Temperature screening is implied as a prophylactic method during pandemics. Owing to contact limitations, oral thermometry cannot be used for mass screening during the pandemic. Infrared thermometry is a noncontact method of temperature screening that can readily be applied for mass temperature screening in congested venues such as airports, shopping malls, places of public convenience, and other similar locations.