Study of Blood Pressure and Heart Rate Variability in Office Clerks.

Background: hypertension is prevalent worldwide especially in young generation is a significant.it is associated with the development of autonomic and metabolic disorders. Hypertension is often found in high stress work situations. The present study was undertaken to compare the arterial blood pressure (BP) and Heart Rate Variability (HRV) in office clerks. Methods: Seventy four male clerks of various offices in Bareilly, U.P., India. The age group of subjects was 21–50 years. They were divided into two groups based on their BP recordings. 21 were normotensives and 53 hypertensive. Anthropometric measurements and their BP in supine position were recorded. Deep breathing HRV test was conducted. HRV levels were compared statistically between the two groups. Results: The Hypertensive had significantly lesser HRV (p=0.027) compared to normotensives. Conclusion: Hypertensive office clerks have lower heart rate variability. Blood pressure is inversely proportional to heart rate variability.

Effect of Pranayama on Respiratory Parameters in Aged Person.

Background: Body and mind work perfectly after yoga. To find out the effect of yoga (pranayama) on respiratory parameter a cross sectional study was conducted. Methods: Subjects selected are people (male and female) aged from 50-70 year without any active medical complain. Study is conducted in RMCH Bareilly U.P. Results: Respiratory parameters measured are FVC, FEV1, ratio of FVC/FEV1 and PEFR. These parameters are taken before and after 12 week of pranayama. Conclusion: 12 weeks of regular yogic training in elderly individuals showed definite improvement in their ventilatory functions, as observed from improvement in their FVC, FEV1 FEV1/FVC RATIO and PEFR.

Ambient air pollution and impairment of lung volumes and capacities in young inhabitants of industrial area of Kanpur.

Background: Air pollution is one of the major problem faced in developing countries like India. Chronic exposure to air pollutants can leads to hampered day today activity and increased visit to clinics. The pollutant PM10 (particulate matter size less than 10 μ) especially a risk factor associated with decreased lung functions and lung growth. The effect of particulate pollution on lung functions in young ones is still lacking in India especially in Kanpur, a highly polluted city of U.P., India. Aims and Objective: The present study was conducted to evaluate the impact of chronic exposure of air pollution on lung functions in subjects of the polluted area of the city. Material and methods: One hundred twenty male subjects, in age group of 18 to 30 years from polluted and non-polluted area of Kanpur, India were participated in the study. Anthropometric data were taken. Pulmonary function test was conducted in standing position. Pollution data of study period was taken from Central pollution control board and compared with the National ambient air quality standard. Statistics: All data presented as mean ± SD and analysed by independent sample t test by using SPSS version 15. Results: The anthropometric data were statistically not significant in two areas. The Forced Vital Capacity, Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 sec, Forced Expiratory Flow 25-75% and Peak Expiratory Flow were reduced except the FEV1/FVC ratio which was not statistically significant between the groups. Conclusion: The long term exposure of pollutant PM10 could reduce the lung function. By reducing the pollution level a change in lung function and lung growth could be obtained. Thus every attempt should be made towards lowering air pollution like car pool concept, alternate fuels such as CNG or hybrid technology.

Acute and sub-acute toxicity studies of Passiflora nepalensis in rats

This study was designed to elucidate the toxicity of widely used plant Passiflora nepalensis Walp. (Passifloraceae) in rats. We have taken methanolic extract isolated from whole plant of Passiflora nepalensis and studied their toxic effects. Acute, sub-acute toxicities and LD50 values were determined in experimental rats. The external appearance of the dead animals, the appearance of the viscera, heart, lungs, stomach, intestine, liver, kidney, spleen and brain were carefully noted and any apparent and significant features or differences from the normal were recorded after acute treatment with methanolic extract of whole plant of Passiflora nepalensis (MPN). Following the sub-acute administration of MPN for fourteen days, the vital organ such as liver, kidney and heart were carefully evaluated by histopathological and biochemical studies and any apparent and significant changes or differences from the normal were recorded. Pathologically, neither gross abnormalities nor histopathological changes were observed. Oral administration of MPN at the doses of 40, 80, 160 and 320 mg/kg body wt for fourteen consecutive days to male and female rats did not induce any short term toxicity. Collectively, these data demonstrate that the methanolic extract of Passiflora nepalensis have a high margin of safety.

Correlation of clinical and laboratory surrogate markers of immunodepletion with T cell subsets (CD4 & CD8) determined flow cytometrically in HIV infected patients: a hospital based study.

CD4 count is established in HIV medicine as a marker of immune depletion. However, due to financial constraints this facility is not readily available in India. Therefore, this cross sectional study in the setting of a government hospital in Pune evaluated 72 HIV infected patients for the surrogate markers of CD4 count by correlating CD counts with clinical and easily available laboratory parameters. Using a data extraction Performa, the epidemiological and clinical data of these patients was noted. Routine hematological parameters were determined. T cell subsets were studied by 2-color flow cytometry. These included CD4 counts, CD4 percentage, CD8 counts, CD8 percentage and CD4/CD8 ratio. Status of cell-mediated immunity was determined using a Multi test CMI device and Mantoux reactivity. beta2 microglobulin levels were determined in 50 of the patients. Immunological parameters were correlated with the clinical profile and other simple laboratory markers. Statistical analysis was done using regression coefficients and paired t tests. Patients who had lesser weights had lower CD4 and CD8 counts, ALC (absolute lymphocyte counts) and CD4%. Fall in hemoglobin was associated with low CD4 count, low ALC and low CD8. ALC levels correlated well with CD4 counts below 500 cells / cmm. Patients with anergic skin response to Mantoux testing and impaired cell mediated immunity had lower CD4 counts than those who had intact cell mediated immunity. beta2 microglobulin levels did not correlate well with declining immune dysfunction. However a significant inverse correlation was established between beta2 microglobulin and CD4%.