ABSTRACT
Background: Awareness of hypertension and blood pressure (BP) control rates are still low in India. Home blood pressure monitoring (HBPM) is recognized as a valuable tool to diagnose and support hypertension treatment including the prevention of cardiovascular diseases(CVD) and target organ damage. We explored the prevailing knowledge and current recommendation of HBPM in daily practice by physicians in India. Materials and methods: As part of Asia HBPM Survey 2020, a cross-sectional survey was conducted among healthcare providers from India between June 2020 to June 2021. The questionnaire consisted of 37 questions and sub-questions related to HBPM awareness and recommendations to patients. Results: A total of 832 physicians participated in the survey. Almost 83% were male, whereas age, specialty and workplace were well distributed. 31.3% of physicians instruct their patients to measure their BP before taking antihypertensive drugs, while around 30% of physicians gave no instructions. The reference value of hypertension diagnosis amongst the physicians was substantially low based on clinic BP (34.4%) and home BP (15.1%). Among physicians who manage hypertensive patients, nearly 88% recommend HBPM to their patients, however, only 34.9% of their patients own HBPM device and 30.4% of the patients measure their own BP at home. Conclusion: The survey reveals that HBPM instructions to the patients are either lacking or not well aligned with the local hypertension guidelines which may have led to the low HBPM use among patients. Clear and practical educational material and sessions are needed to improve the understanding of HBPM amongst physicians
ABSTRACT
According to the report of a global survey of the omega-3 fatty acids. majorities of countries in the world are facing the deficiency of essential fatty acids specially of omega 3, this very low level of essential fatty acid leads to increase global risk for chronic disease. Many reports are published about the role of omega 3 on the immune system in health and in diseases, especially those caused by the excessive inflammatory response. Numerous studies have shown that these compounds are immunoregulatory and immunosuppressive and thus may increase susceptibility to infection. They also manipulate the functions of antigen-presenting cells and lymphocytes, including T and B cells, NK cells, LAK cells and also T regulatory cells. In this article, we made a simple attempt to elucidate the effect of omega-3 deficiency in our immune system, especially during the virus and other infections. In this period of severe virus infections studies on omega3 and its role in immune is of great Interest.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Peak expiratory flow (PEF), exhibit a 24 hour circadian rhythm with nadir in the early morningand peak in the evening. This diurnal variability gets accentuated in asthmatics. Rhythm characteristics ofsuch time series data can be better explained using Cosinor analysis by fitting a cosine curve. Also itmakes easier to compare data even when there is a difference in sampling time points. Data of PEFcircadian rhythms in Indian population with Cosinor analysis is lacking making it difficult to frame guidelineto diagnose asthma.Methods: PEF was recorded from 249 subjects using Wright’s portable Peak Flow Rate meter at 5:00, 8:00,11:00, 14:00, 17:00, 20:00, and 23:00 hours for one day. Cosinor analysis was done and rhythm characteristicswere determined for individual subjects.Results: The mean PEF values after a minimum in morning at 05:00 hours tend to increase throughout theday peaking in afternoon and there is a regular fall in PEF levels after 17:00 hours till 05:00 hours. Meandiurnal variation expressed as amplitude percent mean (A%M)is 8.81±4.8. With Cosinor analysis significantrhythms were detectable in 64% of subjects. For this population MESOR (Midline Estimate Statistic ofRhythm) is 528.49 L/min, Amplitude is 8.2% and acrophase is 15.49 Hours.Conclusion: Results are comparable with the data published in other studies for other populations. Thevariability (amplitude) in normal subjects is lesser than that of smokers and asthmatics. Amplitude andacrophase characteristics will help unifying the data and guide in deciding the cut-off values for diagnosingasthma
ABSTRACT
Background: Night shift workers have altered circadian pattern of blood pressure/heart rate and hormones like melatonin and cortisol. Due to this variation, night shift worker suffers from various cardiovascular disorders and hormonal disturbances. Methods: The Present study was aimed to investigate the effects of rotating night shift on 24 hours chronomics of BP/HR and its relation with 6-sulfatoxy melatonin levels. 62 healthy nursing professionals, aged 20-40 year, performing day and night shift duties were recruited. Each month scheduled to continuous 9 days night shift (12 hours in regular 9 nights, from 20:00 to 08:00); after 9 days night shift they perform remaining duties in day shift and 4 days off in each month. Results: Ambulatory BP and HR were recorded at every 30 min intervals in day time and each hour in night time synchronically with circadian pattern of 6 sulfatoxy melatonin during shift duties. Highly Significant difference was found in double amplitude (2DA) of blood pressure between night and day shift (p<0.001). In night shift, hyperbaric index (HBI) of mean systolic blood pressure was found to be increased at 00-03 am (midnight) while during day shift, peak was found at 06-09 am. Peak melatonin was to be found in early morning as compared to mid night in both the shift. Conclusions: The present study concluded that the desynchronization was appeared during night shift and entrainment of circadian rhythm in the day shift.
ABSTRACT
Background: Type 2 diabetes has become a global epidemic. Tinospora cordifolia is being used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes since ancient times. It is a common misconception that Ayurvedic medicines are always safe. In fact, they also pose serious health risks either in the form of adverse reactions or in the form of drug interactions. Hence this study was undertaken to study the efficacy and safety of Tc on human subjects. Methods: We recruited 40 type 2 diabetic patients who were on oral hypoglycaemic agents. These patients were then randomly divided into two groups, A and B. Patients in group A continued with their anti-diabetic medications while in group B Tc was given at a dose of 500 mg three times daily along with their conventional medications. The fasting and post prandial blood glucose levels, renal function tests and liver function tests were recorded at baseline, 3 months and 6 months. Results: During the course of study we observed a decrease in the fasting and post prandial blood glucose levels of the patients. No significant change was observed in the renal function tests and liver function tests and no other event of any adverse drug reactions were recorded. Conclusion: Tinospora cordifolia (Tc) is effective as an add-on therapy in patients with type-2 diabetes. There is no negative impact of Tc on the renal as well as liver function tests.
ABSTRACT
Background: Type 2 diabetes is a fast growing epidemic affecting people globally. Good glycemic control helps in reducing the risk of macro and microvascular complications in diabetics. Alternative medicines have been used since ancient times in India to achieve good glycemic control. Tinospora cordifolia (Tc) is a well reported plant possessing anti-diabetic property. Therefore, we undertook this study to evaluate the effectivity of Tc in reducing the blood glucose levels of Type 2 diabetic patients in the form of add-on therapy. Methods: In the present study, we enrolled 100 Type 2 diabetic patients who met our inclusion criteria. These patients were then randomly divided into two Groups, A and B. Patients in Group A were treated as controls and they continued with their anti-diabetic medications. In Group B, Tc was added to the conventional treatment at a dose of 500 mg 3 times daily along with meals. The fasting and postprandial blood glucose levels and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were recorded baseline and after 6 months. Results: During the course of study, we observed a decrease in the fasting, postprandial, and HbA1c levels of the patients. However, this decrease was found to be more statistically significant (p≤0.005) in Group B. Conclusion: The results obtained from the present study conclude that Tc, when given in the form of add-on therapy, was found to be synergistic and effective in the better management of Type 2 diabetes. The drug was well tolerated by the patients and no adverse drug event was recorded.
ABSTRACT
Background: Gokshuradi Yog used from for strengthening and functioning of genitourinary tract. The study aims to study the role of this Ayurvedic medicine along with antibiotic in early response to treatment of urinary tract infection in children. Methods: This study was conducted on 52 children (32 girls and 20 boys). They had symptomatic and culture proven urinary tract infection. They were randomly allotted the treatment group and control group. Patents in control were given the antibiotics for seven days and were evaluated every alternate day for symptomatic relief. Similarly the patients in treatment group were started the antibiotics along with preparation of ‘Gokshuradi Yog’ for seven days and were evaluated every alternate days. Repeat culture was performed on seventh day of treatment and the final result was evaluated. Results: The most common organism grown on culture was Escherichia coli in 39 patients (22 girls and 17 boys). Of the 28 children in treatment group 26 were asymptomatic in 2 days however they continued to be on therapy for seven days. Two patients were symptomatic even after four days, one of whom was culture positive even after 7 days of treatment and was put on intravenous antibiotics. Six out of 24 patients in control group were asymptomatic in two days; the 18 remaining patients were symptomatic even till day seven of treatment out of which two patients were culture positive. Conclusion: Patients when treated with ‘Gokshuradi Yog’ along with the antibiotics brings early symptomatic relief in children suffering from culture proven UTI.
ABSTRACT
Objective: Diabetes is a syndrome that affects all the physiological systems of the body, therefore this study was undertaken to compare the seminogram parameters in diabetics and non- diabetics. Study design: The study was carried out at Male Infertility and Reproductive Physiology unit in the Department of Physiology, MGIMS, Sevagram, Wardha. 25 normozoospermic subjects with type 2 diabetes and 25 normozoospermic non diabetic subjects were recruited in the study. The semen samples were analyzed for sperm concentration, motility and morphology. Results: In diabetic group the sperm concentration was 24.6 millions/ml with the motility of 52.3% and normal morphology 31.5%, while in non-diabetic group the sperm concentration was 42.7 millions/ml with 63.1% motility and 47.2% normal morphology. Conclusion: Thus our observations indicate that there is a detrimental effect of type 2 diabetes mellitus on semen parameters.