Olfactory Dysfunction as a Marker for Essential Hypertension in a Drug-Naive Adult Population: A Hospital-Based Study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:  Essential hypertension is a leading cause of cardiovascular morbidity worldwide, but its precise etiology remains unclear. Although its prevalence is high, there is no established predictor for the condition at an early age. Recent research has suggested that olfactory function may be associated with blood pressure regulation. This study sought to explore the association between olfactory function and essential hypertension. METHODS:  Thirty middle-aged volunteers of both sexes with essential hypertension were recruited for the study along with 30 healthy control subjects matched for age and demographic characteristics. Participants completed a demographic questionnaire and then underwent olfactory function tests to assess odor threshold and identification using the Indian Smell Identification Test (InSIT). The researchers calculated a combined threshold-identification score for both groups and performed the statistical analysis. RESULTS:  The study group showed significant olfactory scores in comparison to the control group participants. Control group showed a significantly higher mean combined olfactory score than the study population (p = 0.03). Significant negative correlation between systolic blood pressure and olfactory function (Pearson's coefficient = -0.329, p = 0.011) and a similar significant negative correlation between diastolic blood pressure and olfactory function (Pearson's coefficient = -0.252, p = 0.052) were the other observations. Gender differences did not account for any difference in the smell sense. CONCLUSIONS:  There may be a connection between olfactory function and blood pressure regulation in individuals with essential hypertension. However, further research is needed to better understand this association and to determine whether olfactory function could be used as a predictor or marker for hypertension.

The Effect of Age on Semen Quality Among Male Partners of Infertile Couples: An Observational Study in a Tertiary Care Center in Eastern India.

INTRODUCTION: Male infertility contributes to a significant proportion of infertility cases, and advanced paternal age has been suggested to affect semen quality and fertility. However, the relationship between age and semen quality remains inconclusive, with conflicting findings reported in the literature. This study aimed to investigate the effect of age on semen quality among male partners of infertile couples in a tertiary care center in eastern India. METHODS: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted, involving 390 male participants aged 21-50 years, who were referred to the andrology laboratory for semen analysis between January 2019 and December 2022. Participants were categorized into three age groups (21-30, 31-40, and 41-50 years). Semen parameters, including sperm concentration, semen volume, motility, and morphology, were assessed according to the World Health Organization guidelines. RESULTS: Among the participants, no significant differences were observed in semen volume, motility, and morphology across different age groups. However, a statistically significant difference in sperm concentration among the three age groups was observed (p = 0.022). Spearman correlation analysis revealed a positive correlation between age and sperm concentration (r = 0.124, p = 0.013) as well as total sperm count (r = 0.10, p = 0.049). CONCLUSION: In this study, no significant decline in semen quality with age was found among male partners of infertile couples aged 21-50 years. These findings highlight the complex relationship between age and semen quality and emphasize the need for further research to better understand the underlying mechanisms and provide more conclusive evidence regarding the impact of age on male fertility.

Role of cystatin C and calprotectin as potential early prognostic biomarkers in COVID-19 patients admitted to a dedicated COVID care facility.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has claimed millions of lives. A tool for early prediction of severity and mortality risk is desirable for better utilization of health care facilities. Several biomarkers like D-dimer, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), C-reactive protein (CRP) and some recently explored biomarkers like serum cystatin C and serum calprotectin have been proposed as prognostic markers of COVID-19, but their role as prognostic markers is so far undefined. The present work attempted to investigate the possible role of serum cystatin C and serum calprotectin as prognostic tools to predict severity and outcome ahead of time. Material and Methods: This observational cohort study was carried out on 95 COVID-19 patients admitted to a dedicated COVID care facility from mid-October 2020 to January 2021. Serial estimations of serum cystatin C and serum calprotectin levels were done and assessed for significant difference between severe (NEWS 2 score ≥5) and non-severe (NEWS 2 score <5) groups, survivors and deceased and on the basis of comorbidities at each time points. Survival analysis was done based on the optimal thresholds for severity and mortality, calculated from the receiver operating characteristic (ROC). Result: The results showed that median cystatin C levels were significantly higher on the first day in the severe group (P < 0.001) and in patients with cardiovascular disease (P < 0.05), chronic lung disease (P = 0.009) and among patients who died (P < 0.05). It remained raised on day 3 in severe (P < 0.05) and deceased (P < 0.05) group. Serum calprotectin levels were significantly higher in patients with chronic lung disease (P = 0.008) and in those who died (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Serum cystatin C could be used as a tool for early prognosis and therapeutic decision-making for COVID-19 patients. Serum calprotectin seems to be a better marker of critical illness.

Neurophysiological parameters of sensory perception and cognition among different modalities of learners.

INTRODUCTION: Different types of learners based on sensory modalities are observed. Cognition or physiological alterations in the sensory pathways might play its role in different modalities of visual, auditory, read and write, and kinesthetic learners which are based on different sensory modalities of perception. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to ascertain an objective parameter (neurophysiological parameters) for the classification of learners based on their preferred sensory modality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An experimental cross-sectional study was conducted among 100 medical students. Learners were classified into visual, auditory, read-write, and kinesthetic learners based on the interpretation drawn on the basis of the VARK questionnaire. Sensory-evoked potentials (SEPs), including pattern shift visual (PSVEPs), brain stem auditory (BAEPs), short-latency somatosensory (SSEP), and event-related potentials (P300) were measured. SEPs measured in microvolts were recorded from the scalp with the help of active and reference electrodes. Multiple responses to sensory stimuli (using NIHON KOHDEN Corporation Neuropack X1, Tokyo, Japan) were recored and averaged using the computerized signal averging technique. RESULTS: No statistically significant difference was observed in conduction velocities (in terms of latency and amplitude) of SEP among different type of learners, except latency N145 wave form in VEP (P < 0.05). A characteristic pattern of minimal comparative latency was observed among the majority of visual learners. Similary, P300 has shown a characteristic pattern of decreased comparative latency among majority of read and write learners. CONCLUSION: Study findings suggested that among existing teaching and learning modalities, visual modalities were observed faster but to retain it in memory and for abstract thinking, students should utilize read and writing skills which are lacking in the era of digitalization and overuse of electronic devices.

Effect of meditation on autonomic function in healthy individuals: A longitudinal study.

CONTEXT: Meditation is very useful to relieve stress via hypothalamo-pituitory axis. Meditation is considered to be useful to relieve stress and cardio-respiratory health. AIMS: To compare the effect of meditation on autonomic function including heart rate variability (HRV) over a period of 3 months of meditation. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Longitudinal study conducted at Physiology Department, AIIMS Bhopal. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Thirty healthy volunteers doing meditation were evaluated for autonomic function using autonomic function test battery (Ewing's battery) and HRV using Power lab (Ad instrument) and digital electrocardiograph (MARKS). STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Statistical analysis was done using statistical software. Wilcoxon signed rank test was used. RESULTS: Significant change was seen in Valsalva ratio and lying to standing 30:15 ratio. There was no significant change in other parameters studied with 3 months of meditation. CONCLUSIONS: Three months of meditation does not have any significant effect on major parameters of autonomic functions.