Effect of Yarcha Gumba (O sinensis) on Male Reproductive System in Rat.

The present study was undertaken to assess the aphrodisiac effect of O sinensis. It was a pre-clinical experimental case-control study performed in the Department of Pharmacology, RG Kar Medical College, Kolkata, India; from February 2019 to March 2019 using Wister rat model. One group of rats was given the test drug suspension (10mg/kg body weight) and the control group animals received the same volume of vehicle devoid of drug orally for 10 days. Sexual behaviour of individual rats was studied on 9th day of treatment with oestrogenized female Wister rats. On 10th day of treatment the animals were sacrificed by decapitation. After collection of blood sera from each animal; serum LH, FSH, testosterone and nitric oxide were assessed. Histological assessment of testes was done. Improved sexual behaviour, hypertrophy of Leydig cells, significant increase in serum LH (1.248 vs. 1.448mIU/ml), FSH (0.324 vs. 0.413mIU/ml) testosterone (3.120 vs. 4.498ng/ml) and nitric oxide (0.01757 vs. 0.02690nM/ml) were noted. Elevated NO titre in animals treated with O sinensis extract might be the cause of good erection capacity and increased libido in them. Nevertheless, result of the present study points that the active principle of O sinensis also acts on LHRH receptors present in pituitary gonadotrophs evidenced by significant increase in serum LH and FSH and indicating great aphrodisiac property.

Immediate Effect of Slow Deep Breathing Exercise on Blood Pressure and Reaction Time.

Blood pressure in our body is finely regulated through autonomic nervous system and cardiac centers and studies established that parasympathetic dominance exerted by slow deep breathing decreases blood pressure. Reaction time is an estimate of the subject's capacity for inhibiting pre-potent motor responses. Decreased reaction time indicates greater alertness, faster information processing and less distractibility. Nevertheless, there has been conflicting results about the effect of deep slow breathing on reaction time The present research targeted a community based cross sectional observational study (n=80, age=17-70 years) performed in Lalitpur Municipality, Ward number-14, Nepal from May 2019 to June 2019, to observe the immediate effect of slow deep breathing exercise on blood pressure and reaction time by using online visual reaction time test. Volunteers performed the slow breathing exercise (approximately 4seconds inhalation and 6 seconds exhalation) in Sukhasana for 5 minutes. Base-line and post-slow-breathing blood pressure and visual reaction time was recorded and compared. Decrease in systolic and diastolic pressure was recorded in all, but statistically insignificant. Among the whole study population, significant decrease (p<0.001) in reaction time was noted (90.35±13.96 msVs 76.68±9.90 ms). Among male subjects of age-group 17-28 years, and 50-70 years, significant decrease in reaction time was noted (p<0.05) whereas, among the female subjects of all age groups, reaction time decreased significantly (p<0.05). Decrease in reaction time signifies improved central neuronal processing activity. This may be due to greater arousal, faster information processing, and ability to ignore or inhibit extraneous stimuli. Hence, regular practice of slow deep breathing exercise may be beneficial to lower blood pressure and to improve concentration.

Serum uric acid level in normal pregnant and preeclamptic ladies: a comparative study.

Preeclampsia is a serious pregnancy complication characterized by hypertension, proteinuria with or without pathological edema. According to some studies, serum uric acid lacks sensitivity and specificity as a diagnostic tool whereas another group of the researchers indicated uricemia as a predictor of preeclampsia in pregnant ladies. The present study was designed to assess whether serum uric acid can be used as a biochemical indicator or not in preeclamptic patients. Pre-eclamptic patients admitted in Nepal Medical College Teaching Hospital from June 2012 to June 2013 were included in this study. Age matched normal healthy pregnant ladies served as control. The record of their blood pressure and serum uric acid level was evaluated. Results showed significantly high blood pressure [SBP 149.42±12.35 vs 109.00±7.93 mm Hg; DBP 96.85±8.32 vs 72.5±7.10 mm Hg], and serum uric acid level [6.27±1.37 vs 4.27±0.61 mg/dl] in pre-eclamptic patients compared to their healthy counterparts. Uric acid is a terminal metabolite of the degradation of nucleotides, which increases their blood levels in patients with preeclampsia increasing its synthesis by damage and death of trophoblastic cells and proliferation. Uricemia in preeclampsia likely results from reduced uric acid clearance from diminished glomerular filtration, increased tubular reabsorption and decreased secretion. Results of the present study indicated association of elevated serum uric acid level with preeclampsia which could be used as a biochemical indicator of preeclampsia in pregnant women.

Fine-grained lower limit of entropic uncertainty in the presence of quantum memory.

The limitation on obtaining precise outcomes of measurements performed on two noncommuting observables of a particle as set by the uncertainty principle in its entropic form can be reduced in the presence of quantum memory. We derive a new entropic uncertainty relation based on fine graining, which leads to an ultimate limit on the precision achievable in measurements performed on two incompatible observables in the presence of quantum memory. We show that our derived uncertainty relation tightens the lower bound set by entropic uncertainty for members of the class of two-qubit states with maximally mixed marginals, while accounting for the recent experimental results using maximally entangled pure states and mixed Bell-diagonal states. An implication of our uncertainty relation on the security of quantum key generation protocols is pointed out.

Efficacy of isometric exercise full knee extension horizontally (FKEH)--a new and simple maneuver to predict early onset of hypertension.

Hypertension is recognized as one of the risk factors for cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. Early identification of persons at increased risk for developing hypertension is a priority, which help them, to live a healthy life by altering lifestyle. Persons having predisposing factors of hypertension (e.g., family history of hypertension) show blood pressure hyper-responsiveness to stress. Elevated blood pressure due to sympathetic stimulation prevailed longer time in susceptible persons. In previous studies some instruments (e.g., hand immersion in cold (4 degrees C) water or isometric exercise by handgrip dynamometer) were required to elicit sympathetic stimulation. In the present study a simple maneuver Full Knee Extension Horizontally (FKEH) has been introduced--a stressor that caused full isometric contraction of quadriceps femoris muscles of both sides. The test was conducted in normotensive, non-smoker males (n = 150) of age group 18-25 years. Among them some (n = 100) were from families having no history of familial hypertension and others (n = 50) were from the families with history of hypertension. The causal blood pressure and heart rate of the participants were recorded. Then the volunteers were requested to perform FKEH maneuver for one minute. Both blood pressure and heart rate were recorded immediately after and 3 minutes following FKEH. The data analyzed using t-test showed that, diastolic blood pressure didn't return and stabilized to pre-exercise level even after 3 minutes following FKEH in volunteers who were mostly from hypertensive family (P< 0.05) i.e., having predisposing factors of hypertension. This indicated those people are prone to early onset of hypertension as their Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) is not competent enough to stabilize their blood pressure to pre-exercise level. Hence, stress in the form of FKEH for one minute may be used as a bedside test to assess the competence of ANS and the proneness of developing early hypertension.

Internet addiction in a group of medical students: a cross sectional study.

The use of Internet for education, recreation and communication is increasing day by day. Nevertheless, the possibility of exploitation and addiction leading to impairment in academic performance and emotional balance cannot be denied, especially among young population. The study was aimed to measure the degree of Internet addiction among a group of medical students. Internet addiction test questionnaire developed by Young was used to assess mild, moderate and severe addiction. Amongst the study population (n=130, age 19-23 years), 40% had mild addiction. Moderate and severe addiction was found in 41.53% and 3.07% of the participants respectively. The study revealed that 24% often and 19.2% always found themselves using Internet longer than they had planned or thought. Late night Internet surfing leading to sleep deprivation was found in 31.53% of the participants. Almost one fourth of them (25.38%) occasionally tried to cut down the time they spent on the Internet but failed and 31.53% sometimes experienced restlessness when deprived of Internet access. Results reflected that a significant number of participants suffered from mild to moderate addiction. The role of counseling and education should be emphasized for prevention of Internet addiction.

Color vision deficiency among a group of students of health sciences.

Color vision deficiency, most of the time remains an unnoticed problem; even many doctors/health professionals do not know the severity of their color vision deficiency and their disability. Some common difficulties reported by medical practitioners and students of health sciences were in recognizing- widespread body color changes (pallor, cyanosis, icterus, rashes, erythema of skin), colorful charts, slides, test-strips of blood and urine, body products: blood or bile in urine, faeces, sputum, vomitus, microscopy, oral and throat lesions, titration end-points, tissue identification (surgery) etc. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the presence of congenital color vision deficiency among the students of health sciences. The study was carried out among the medical and dental male students of Nepal Medical College and Teaching Hospital (n = 215) from November 2, 2012 to December 4, 2012 with the help of Ishihara chart which was shown to all male participants and were asked to read the impressions in the color chart. The impressions perceived by a person with normal color vision were different from the impressions perceived by a person with color vision deficiency. After careful screening, it was noted that among the study population (n = 215), 12 were color deficient (5.58% of our study population). Among them, one could not appreciate color (total color blindness according to the chart used), protanomaly was detected in 1, deuteranomaly in 3 and deuteranopia in 7 volunteers. Students of health sciences must be made aware of their congenital color vision deficiency and its effects on their work. Screening enables the students and later the health professionals to become aware of limitations in their powers of observation and devise ways of overcoming them. The patient is protected from harm and legal action may be avoided when the health professional have adapted their practice to their deficiency. Medical/ dental students and health professionals must be screened for color vision deficiency and advised about it, so that they can take special care in clinical practice.

Prediction of individuals prone to suffer from early onset of hypertension.

The present study was undertaken to predict the persons prone to suffer from early onset of hypertension. Healthy sedentary volunteers (age 18-25 years) having normal blood pressure were asked about their history of familial hypertension, smoking-habit, alcohol consumption, existing worries/anxieties; these being the predisposing factors of hypertension. The blood pressure of them was recorded (casual baseline blood pressure). Maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) was noted as maximum pressure (in Kg) sustained during 3 sec of handgrip using a handgrip dynamometer. Thereafter, the participant was asked to sustain isometric handgrip at one third of MVC for one minute with the same instrument (isometric handgrip-test). Then, blood pressure was measured and the subject was allowed to rest. Three minutes after the handgrip test, the blood pressure was noted again (recovery blood pressure). Handgrip-test produced a rise in systolic blood pressure in all male volunteers. Amongst them, with predisposing factors of hypertension, diastolic blood pressure remained significantly higher than casual baseline diastolic blood pressure even after 3 minutes of withdrawal of stressor. Whereas, in males with no predisposing factors of hypertension, the diastolic blood pressure approached almost the baseline casual blood pressure. In all female participants, no significant difference was noted between the casual baseline blood pressure and blood pressure after recovery. Results indicated that the young men who presented prolonged elevated diastolic blood pressure, in response to handgrip test would be at high risk of early onset of hypertension, as sympathetic over-activity prevails in them for longer time.

In health--vital capacity is maximum in supine position.

Vital capacity, frequently measured clinically as an index of pulmonary function, gives useful information about the strength of respiratory muscles and other aspects of lung functions. It is generally noted in sitting position. As in the supine position, respiratory excursions of diaphragm is highest in normal breathing, this study was planned to note whether there occurred any alteration in vital capacity in supine position in comparison to that noted in sitting position. Young sedentary non smoker healthy medial students (n = 100, age 19-22 years) of Nepal Medical College participated as volunteers in this study. Body mass index (BMI) of each of them was calculated. Vital capacity was noted in sitting position and in supine position with the help of a spirometer, following the standard procedure. Result exhibited greater vital capacity in supine posture than in sitting position in the same individual. Diaphragm is the major muscle of inspiration, responsible for some two-thirds of the vital capacity. Naturally, in supine posture the scope of diaphragmatic movements increased and as a result, vital capacity exhibited greater value in comparison to that recorded in sitting posture.

A retrospective study of cases presenting with chilblains (Perniosis) in Out Patient Department Of Dermatology, Nepal Medical College and Teaching Hospital (NMCTH).

Chilblains (Perniosis/Pernio) is characterized by painful red-to-purple papular lesions involving the fingers or toes due to non-freezing damp cold that resolves with symptomatic treatment. As in winters, cold is moderate to severe in Kathmandu, this retrospective study was undertaken to find out the incidence of chilblains cases, seeking health care in the Out Patient Department of Dermatology, Nepal Medical College and Teaching Hospital. Cases of chilblains were noted in the months of October to December 2009, January to March 2010, October to December 2010 and January to March 2011. Out of total 49 cases maximum patients (n=25; male 10, female 15) were in the age group of 7-20 years. Rest of them (n=18; male 7, female 11) were in the age group of 21-40 years and only 6 (male 2, female 4) were in the age group of 41-65 years. Amongst all the cases 30 patients were females (61.2%) and 19 were males (38.8%). Most of (79.6%) the chilblain victims sought health care during the months of December to February -- coldest time of the years. The patients were advised to protect their acral parts from cold exposure as far as practicable by wearing shocks and gloves. They were advised not to warm their extremities all on a sudden, after exposure to cold, as this causes vasospasm and makes the condition worse. Extremities should be warmed gradually. Assessing the severity of the condition topical allocation of steroid ointment and/or anti allergic drugs was prescribed, when felt needed.

Spirometric evaluation of pulmonary function tests in clinically diagnosed patients of bronchial asthma.

The present study was undertaken to assess the difference between the normal predicted value and observed value of pulmonary function test (PFT) amongst the asthmatic patients and also to compare the aforesaid observed values between male and female asthmatic patients. Clinically diagnosed cases (male 62, female 75) of bronchial asthma attending medical out patient department of Nepal Medical College Teaching Hospital were assessed. All the pulmonary parameters showed significantly less observed values than the normal predicted values except PEFR in female and FVC in male asthmatic patients. Hence, PEFR in female and FVC in male asthmatic patients might not be considered as a valid parameter to indicate bronchial asthma. Present study also revealed that all the pulmonary variables were significantly higher in males than in females.

Color vison deficiency among medical students: an unnoticed problem.

Color vision deficiency, most of the time remains an unnoticed problem; although it is not very rare. The faculty of appreciation of color is essential for our smooth daily activities. Unfortunately, even many doctors do not know the severity of their color vision deficiency and tend to assume it as slight, and a few, as in the general population, do not know about their disability. Some common difficulties reported by medical practitioners and medical students were in recognizing- widespread body color changes (pallor, cyanosis, jaundice, rashes, erythema of skin), colorful charts, slides, test-strips for blood and urine, body products: blood or bile in urine, faeces, sputum, vomit, microscopy, mouth and throat conditions, impressions presented in the Ishihara chart, titration end-points, tissue identification (surgery) etc. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the presence of congenital color vision deficiencies among the medical students. The study was carried out among the 1st and 2nd year medical students of Nepal Medical College and Teaching Hospital (n= 120) with the help of Ishihara chart, that was shown to all participants. They were asked to read the impressions in the color chart. The impression perceived by a person with normal color vision was different from the impression perceived by a person with color vision deficiency. It was noted that, among the study population (n=120) 5.83% of the volunteers were color weak. Amongst the color-deficient volunteers, 57.0% were protanopic while 43.0% were deuteranopic. Medical students must be made aware of their congenital color vision deficiency and its effects on their work. Screening will enable the student and later the doctor to become aware of limitations in their powers of observation and devise ways of overcoming them; the patient will be protected from harm and litigation may be avoided when doctors have adapted their practice to their deficiency. Medical students and physicians must be screened for color vision deficiency and advised about it so they can take special care in clinical practice.

Immediate effect of a slow pace breathing exercise Bhramari pranayama on blood pressure and heart rate.

The study was carried out to evaluate the immediate effect Bhramari pranayama, a slow breathing exercise for 5 minutes on heart rate and blood pressure. Heart rate and blood pressure of volunteers were recorded. The subject was directed to inhale slowly up to the maximum for about 5 seconds and then to exhale slowly up to the maximum for about 15 sec keeping two thumbs on two external auditory canal, index and middle finger together on two closed eyes and ring finger on the two sides of the nose. During exhalation the subject must chant the word "O-U-Mmmma" with a humming nasal sound mimicking the sound of a humming wasp, so that the laryngeal walls and the inner walls of the nostril mildly vibrate (Bhramari pranayama, respiratory rate 3/min). After 5 minutes of this exercise, the blood pressure and heart rate were recorded again. Both the systolic and diastolic blood pressure were found to be'decreased with a slight fall in heart rate. Fall of diastolic pressure and mean pressure were significant. The result indicated that slow pace Bhramari pranayama for 5 minutes, induced parasympathetic dominance on cardiovascular system.

Salivation induced better lacrimal gland function in dry eyes.

The dry eye syndrome is a common eye symptom causing blurry vision. To meet the demand of the modem world students and professionals are compelled to expose themselves to the computer screen for long stretch of time, which is one of the causes of dry eye. It is not always feasible to instil eyes with artificial tears time to time to protect them from dryness. Rather to adopt any simple physiological process associated with optimum lacrimation is a better option to keep eyes moist during computer works. Volunteers (n = 22) having mild dry eyes participated in this study. Tear production was assessed by Schirmer test by keeping Schirmer strip on ocular surface for 5 minutes and recording the length of the moistened area. Then the subject was allowed to keep a piece of lopsy candy (a sour fruit pulp mixed with sugar that is sweet and sour in taste) in mouth for 5 minutes that caused salivation. During salivation, again tear production was assessed. [It was standardized in such a way that, the length of the moistened strip will be 25 - 30 mm for normal eyes, 15 - 10 mm for dry eye, 06 - 10 mm for mild dry eye, 02 - 05 mm for moderate dryness and 00 - 01 mm for severe dry eye.] Tear production was found to be increased significantly (supported by increased length of moistened area of Schirmer strip) during salivation especially in dry eye in all volunteers. The lacrimal gland is the major contributor to the aqueous layer of the tear film which consists of water, electrolytes and proteins; secretion of which are under tight neural control. Anticholinergic agents play an important role in ocular dryness because of hypo-secretion. The sensory root of facial nucleus contains efferent preganglionic parasympathetic fibers for submandibular and sublingual salivary gland and lacrimal gland. The sensory root conveys gustatory fibers from the presulcul area (anterior two-third) of the tongue via the chorda tympani and via the palatine and greater petrosal nerve, taste fibers from the soft palate; it also carries preganglionic (secretomotor) innervations of the submandibular and sublingual salivary gland, lacrimal gland and gland of nasal and palatine mucosa. The taste sensation from the anterior two-third of the tongue, carried by the seventh cranial nerve, a nerve, parasympathetic in nature that contains efferent preganglionic fibers to lacrimal gland. Being stimulated, seventh cranial nerve helps in secretion of tear from the lacrimal glands and gives a sense of relief to the persons facing the problem of mild dryness of eyes.

Assessment of some pulmonary parameters and cardiorespiratory fitness status in Nepalese medical students.

Some pulmonary function tests along with cardio respiratory fitness test were performed to assess the health status of the young (19-21 years) non-smokers Nepalese medical students. Results revealed that the vital capacity was 3.46 liters and 2.40 liters among the boys and girls respectively. PEFR was found to be 597.98 l/min among the boys and 456.53 l/min among the girls. Likewise, VO2 max among the boys and girls were 54.32 ml/kg/min and 44.88 ml/kg/min respectively. It was evident from the result that the health status of the Nepalese medical students ill the present study group was fairly well. It might be due to their health awareness, balanced-nutritious diet and the habits of occasional physical exercise.

Detection of individuals prone to develop hypertension in their future life.

Hypertension is a global burning health problem. Early detection of proneness to hypertension may help an individual to lead a healthy life by altering the life style (by diet restriction, exercise etc.). Subjects at high risk of future hypertension e.g. the persons of hypertensive family and/or having high resting heart rate etc. show blood pressure hyper-responsiveness to stress. Elevated blood pressure due to sympathetic stimulation prevailed longer time in susceptible persons. In the present study sympathetic stimulation exerted through cold pressor test (hand immersion up to the wrist in 4 degrees C water) resulted in elevation of blood pressure and heart rate in all young male normotensive individuals (age 18-35 years, n=72). Nevertheless, blood pressure and heart rate returned to baseline, following 5 minutes of withdrawal of the stressor, in case of volunteers from normotensive families. On the other hand, the subjects whose parents, either or both were reported to be hypertensive showed elevated diastolic blood pressure even after 5 minutes of withdrawal of the said stressor- indicating that the autonomic nervous system in them was not competent enough for lowering the diastolic pressure quickly to baseline as observed in the volunteers from the normotensive families. The present study revealed that the young subjects who showed greater and prolonged responsiveness to diastolic blood pressure due to sympathetic stimulation through cold pressor test are prone to develop hypertension in future.

Evaluation of postural hypotensive subjects by handgrip test.

Postural syncope may be noticed in otherwise normal persons with defective postural reflexes. Vasoconstrictor reserve--the extent to which total peripheral resistance can be increased from baseline condition is an important determinant of orthostatic tolerance. Women showed low autonomic support of blood pressure. The case of neurally mediated syncope is known to be greater in females in comparison to males. The present study was designed to compare vasoconstrictor reserve in male and female participants having no complaint of postural hypotension and the vasoconstrictor reserve in female volunteers having complaints of occasional postural hypotension. Vasoconstrictor reserve was determined by asking the subjects to sustain isometric handgrip at one third of maximum handgrip contraction for one minute using a handgrip dynamometer. Vasoconstrictor reserve was noted as difference between the maximum diastolic pressures at the end of one minute of sustained isometric handgrip minus baseline diastolic pressure. Results of the present study indicated less vasoconstrictor reserve in females compared to their male counterparts. When compared, the vasoconstrictor reserve of female participants experiencing occasional postural hypotension with that of the normal female volunteers, it was noticed that the same in them was much lower than that in normal female volunteers. This less vasoconstrictor reserve might be one of the causes of postural hypotension among the women participants experiencing it in our study population.

Relationship between blood group and epistaxis among Nepalese.

The relationship between blood group and epistaxis among the patients coming to Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Kathmandu with idiopathic epistaxis was studied. A total of 235 patients coming to the Emergency Department or Department of Otorhinolaryngology with active nose bleeding in were included. ABO blood group was performed. Nearly half (45.5%) of the patients belonged to O-group followed by A-group others. O-group people were also had longer bleeding time compared to other blood groups.

Number, maturity and phagocytic activity of neutrophils in the three trimesters of pregnancy.

Specific immunity decreases markedly in pregnancy. This study was designed to determine whether the non-specific immunity mediated by neutrophils plays any role in coping with this immunosuppressed condition. The number of leukocytes and neutrophils, especially the number of young band neutrophils, increased gradually with the advancement of pregnancy. The phagocytic activity of neutrophils increased in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters. Neutrophils may compensate in part for the weakened specific immunity of pregnant women.

Apparently less value of blood pressure among healthy people: is the cuff width responsible?

Blood pressure in normal adults in the present study population in Nepal is found to be less in comparison to that recorded in Framingham study, USA. To find out the cause of variation of blood pressure values, this study was designed. Blood pressures of healthy young subjects were recorded by mercury sphygmomanometer having standard Riva-Rocci cuff. The mid-arm-circumference of the same subjects were measured by a measuring tape. Blood pressure for male and female subjects was found to be 115/77 mmHg and 107/73 mmHg respectively. Mid-arm-circumferences of male and female volunteers were recorded approximately 25 cm and 23 cm respectively. As per rule, width of the cuff should be 40% of the mid-arm-circumference. Nevertheless, the calculated value of 40% of the mid-arm-circumference was found to be less than 12 cm. The calculated value of 40% of mid-arm-circumference for male and female volunteers was found to be approximately 10 cm and 9 cm respectively in this study population. So, the width of the cuff is relatively more than what it should be, for this study population. This may be the cause of less value of blood pressure in normotensive population in this study. Cuff size should be considered carefully to avoid misinterpretation of borderline hypertensives as normotensives.