Parental History of Hypertension: A Risk for Autonomic Dysfunction and Metabolic and Vascular Derangement in Normotensive Male Offspring.

Background: Children of hypertensive parents have an increased propensity of developing hypertension, at an age very much prior to their parents. Understanding the pathophysiology of hypertension in such young individuals, especially baroreflex sensitivity (BRS), is necessary. Reduced heart rate variability (HRV), insulin resistance (IR), dyslipidemia, and decreased vasodilatory adipokines, namely, apelin and relaxin, in normotensives may predispose to the onset of hypertension.

Assessment of Cutaneous Parameters and Sympathetic Skin Response as a Non-Invasive Complementary Diagnostic Tool in Psoriasis: An Exploratory Study.

Background: Various diagnostic tools are used to assess cutaneous psoriasis, but most of it were subjective. Sympathetic skin response (SSR), skin PH and temperature objectively measure the skin barrier functions that could aid clinicians to evaluate accurately and predict skin disease incidence even before the onset of clinical symptoms.

Aim And Objectives: The study's objective was to assess the utility of cutaneous parameters (skin temperature and pH) and SSRs influencing psoriatic patients' diagnosis management and treatment compared to controls.

Closing the green gap of photosystem I with synthetic fluorophores for enhanced photocurrent generation in photobiocathodes.

One restriction for biohybrid photovoltaics is the limited conversion of green light by most natural photoactive components. The present study aims to fill the green gap of photosystem I (PSI) with covalently linked fluorophores, ATTO 590 and ATTO 532. Photobiocathodes are prepared by combining a 20 μm thick 3D indium tin oxide (ITO) structure with these constructs to enhance the photocurrent density compared to setups based on native PSI.

Altered baroreflex sensitivity at rest and during Valsalva maneuver in healthy male offspring of hypertensive patients.

Introduction: A family history of hypertension puts young adults at a higher risk of developing hypertension, that too, at an earlier age than their parents. Recent studies suggest that the baroreflex mechanism, which takes care of the short-term regulation of blood pressure (BP), also plays a role in the long-term regulation of BP. Studies have reported decreased baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) in hypertensives.

Bio-inorganic hybrid structures for direct electron transfer to photosystem I in photobioelectrodes.

Synthetic materials can be combined with biological components in many ways. One example that provides scientists with multiple challenges is a photobioelectrode that converts sunlight into electrons in a biohybrid approach. In the present study several key parameters are evaluated concerning their influence on the direct electron transfer from a 3D indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode material to photosystem I (PSI) as a light-harvesting biomolecule.

Comparison of cardiac autonomic function across complete glycaemic spectrum.

Objectives: Autonomic imbalance is attributed as key mechanism altering metabolic regulation in diabetes mellitus. In view of controversial reports on autonomic function in FDRD and prediabetes, we aimed to assess and compare the autonomic function across the complete glycaemic spectrum in Indian population.

Methods: Short term heart rate variability and cardiac autonomic reactivity tests - blood pressure and heart rate response to orthostatic tolerance and deep breathing exercise, and diastolic response to isometric handgrip exercise were recorded in normoglycemic apparently healthy individual, normoglycemic first degree relatives of diabetes, prediabetes and diabetes individuals.

Room temperature XFEL crystallography reveals asymmetry in the vicinity of the two phylloquinones in photosystem I.

Photosystem I (PS I) has a symmetric structure with two highly similar branches of pigments at the center that are involved in electron transfer, but shows very different efficiency along the two branches. We have determined the structure of cyanobacterial PS I at room temperature (RT) using femtosecond X-ray pulses from an X-ray free electron laser (XFEL) that shows a clear expansion of the entire protein complex in the direction of the membrane plane, when compared to previous cryogenic structures. This trend was observed by complementary datasets taken at multiple XFEL beamlines.

Assessment of vascular function in complete glycaemic spectrum.

The present study was conceived to delineate the point of vascular dysfunction along the glycemic spectrum (normoglycemic individuals with no family history of diabetes, normoglycemic individuals with family history of diabetes, prediabetic individuals, and diabetic individuals). In this cross-sectional comparative study, we enrolled 252 participants of both gender in the age group of 30-50 years. They were classified based on their family history of diabetes and glycemic status into four groups along the glycemic spectrum as mentioned above.

Scalable Three-Dimensional Photobioelectrodes Made of Reduced Graphene Oxide Combined with Photosystem I.

Photobioelectrodes represent one of the examples where artificial materials are combined with biological entities to undertake semi-artificial photosynthesis. Here, an approach is described that uses reduced graphene oxide (rGO) as an electrode material. This classical 2D material is used to construct a three-dimensional structure by a template-based approach combined with a simple spin-coating process during preparation.

Comparison of cognitive auditory event related potentials and executive functions in adolescent athletes and non-athletes - A cross sectional study.

There is strong evidence for the positive physical health outcomes of physical conditioning (athletic training. But there is a dearth of data on the impact of exercise on cognition, particularly in the adolescent age group. Further, most of the studies done on this topic are mainly acute in nature, and few that have seen long term effect of exercise have very rarely used objective measures such as event-related potentials.

Comparison of Baroreflex Sensitivity and Cardiac Autonomic Function Between Adolescent Athlete and Non-athlete Boys - A Cross-Sectional Study.

It is well known that regular physical activity improves cardiovascular health, and higher baroreflex sensitivity and heart rate variability are associated with cardiovascular health. Adolescence is the age when an individual's behavior is easily modified; early intervention at this stage in terms of physical conditioning or training prevents future cardiovascular risk. Hence, we conceived the present study to assess and compare the baroreflex sensitivity and autonomic function between adolescent athletes and non-athletes.

Assessment of autonomic functions and its association with telomerase level, oxidative stress and inflammation in complete glycemic spectrum- an exploratory study.

Aims: In the present study we intended to study autonomic functions and its association with telomerase level, oxidative stress and inflammation in complete glycemic spectrum.

Materials And Methods: Age, gender and BMI matched 28 subjects in the age group of 25-50 years were recruited across complete glycemic spectrum as follows: 1) Normoglycemics (controls) 2) Prediabetics and 3) Frank diabetics. We assessed heart rate variability, cardiac autonomic function, lipid profile, adiponectin, malondialdehyde and telomerase level.

Comparison of anthropometric, cardiovascular, autonomic, baroreflex sensitivity, aerobic fitness, inflammatory markers and oxidative stress parameters between first degree relatives of diabetes and controls.

Aim: We aimed at assessing cardiovascular risk of first degree relatives of diabetes (FDRD).

Methods: A cross sectional study involving 90 apparently healthy normoglycemic volunteers aged between 15 and 50 years (45 FDRD and 45 FDRs of non-diabetics). We measured anthropometric parameters, baroreflex sensitivity, heart rate variability, cardiac autonomic function tests, and aerobic capacity, fasting blood glucose and insulin, lipid profile, inflammatory markers, nitric oxide and oxidative stress markers.

Assessment of heart rate variability for different somatotype category among adolescents.

Background Somatotype is a quantified expression of the morphological conformation of a person in terms of three-numeral rating each representing one component; fat (endomorphy), muscle mass (mesomorphy) and bone length (ectomorphy) in the same order. Certain somatotypes are more prone to develop the particular disease. Obesity and overweight are already epidemic among Indian adolescents and are increasing at an alarming rate, and obesity is linked to cardiovascular (CV) risk in this age group.

Comparison of structured and unstructured physical activity training on predicted VO2max and heart rate variability in adolescents - a randomized control trial.

Background: Physical inactivity contributes to many health issues. The WHO-recommended physical activity for adolescents encompasses aerobic, resistance, and bone strengthening exercises aimed at achieving health-related physical fitness. Heart rate variability (HRV) and maximal aerobic capacity (VO2max) are considered as noninvasive measures of cardiovascular health.

Assessment of Abdominal Muscle's Maximal Force of Contraction Using Surface EMG in Inguinal Hernia Patients.

Introduction: Reduction in abdominal muscle's strength has been implicated in the development of inguinal hernia. Patients with inguinal hernia on one side are shown to be at higher risk of developing inguinal hernia on the other side.

Aim: To assess the abdominal muscle strength in inguinal hernia subjects using surface Electromyography (EMG) and compare it with healthy controls.

Assessment of Cardiovascular Autonomic Functions and Baroreceptor Reactivity in Women with Premenstrual Syndrome.

Objectives: The study was conducted to assess the autonomic status of women with mild PMS using short-term heart rate variability (HRV) analysis and conventional autonomic function tests (CAFT).

Methods: Sixty females in the age group 17-25 years with mild premenstrual syndrome were identified using a self-report questionnaire, the shortened premenstrual assessment form. HRV and CAFTs were recorded 1- 5 days prior and 8-10 days after menstruation.

Effect of Structured and Unstructured Physical Activity Training on Cognitive Functions in Adolescents - A Randomized Control Trial.

Background: Regular physical activity in children and adolescents promotes not only their physical health but also improves their cognition. Paper and pencil Neurocognitive tests (NCT) are commonly used to assess the various cognitive domains of a person and can be used as simple tests to assess improvements, if any, in the cognitive abilities of growing adolescents who practice regular physical activity.

Aim: To study the effect of six months of structured and unstructured physical activity on cognitive functions in adolescents.

Auditory and visual reaction times in school going adolescents: effect of structured and unstructured physical training - a randomized control trial.

Background: Cognitive development of adolescents is influenced by their physical activity status. Exercises requiring greater cognitive engagement are likely to have a stronger effect on their executive cognitive functions than simpler exercises.

Materials And Methods: In our randomized, single blinded, parallel group, active controlled trial (CTRI/ 2013/08/003897) the recruited healthy student volunteers, aged 12-17 years (n=439), were allocated into structured physical activity (SPA) and unstructured physical activity (USPA) groups by age and gender stratified block randomization.

Heart Rate Variability in Adolescents - Normative Data Stratified by Sex and Physical Activity.

Background: Heart rate variability (HRV) refers to the beat-to-beat fluctuations in the cardiac rhythm occurring due to modulation of the pacemaker (sinoatrial node) activity of the heart by the sympathetic and parasympathetic branches of the autonomic nervous system. Nowadays, cardiovascular diseases and their risk factors are increasingly occurring at a younger age (children and adolescents) and recording of HRV in them will help us to identify cardiovascular autonomic derangement earlier. However, to be used clinically, normative data has to be established in this age group considering other major factors that can influence HRV such as sex, physical activity, and BMI.

Study the effect of age and gender related differences on common paper and pencil neurocognitive tests in adolescents.

Background: Neurocognitive tests are routinely used to assess cognitive domains in the adolescents for assessing cognitive deficits and for therapeutic interventions. Now they are being used to assess their mental abilities in athletics too.

Aim: To study the effect of age and gender differences on routinely used common paper and pencil neuro-cognitive tests in adolescents and present the trends of normative data of Indian adolescent population.

Additional benefit of yoga to standard lifestyle modification on blood pressure in prehypertensive subjects: a randomized controlled study.

High blood pressure (BP) is a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease morbidity. Considering the growing evidence of nonpharmacological interventions in the management of high BP, we designed a randomized, parallel active-controlled study on the effect of yoga and standard lifestyle modification (LSM) on BP and heart rate in individuals with prehypertension (systolic BP 120-139 mm Hg and/or diastolic BP 80-89 mm Hg). Volunteers (20-60 years) of both genders without any known cardiovascular disease were randomized into either LSM group (n = 92) or LSM+yoga group (n = 92).

Evaluation of body composition and its association with cardio respiratory fitness in south Indian adolescents.

Anthropometry is generally considered as the single most easily obtainable, inexpensive, and noninvasive method that reflects body composition and VO2(max) is an indication of the physical fitness of the subject. There is a paucity of data on t3he age related changes in the body composition parameters and VO2(max), and the association between them in the Indian adolescent population. Hence, the present study was conceived to assess and find the association between these parameters in the students in the age group of 12-17 years.

Effect of fast and slow pranayama practice on cognitive functions in healthy volunteers.

Objectives: To compare the cumulative effect of commonly practised slow and fast pranayama on cognitive functions in healthy volunteers.

Settings And Design: 84 participants who were in self-reported good health, who were in the age group of 18-25 years, who were randomized to fast pranayama, slow pranayama and control group with 28 participants in each group.

Material And Methods: Fast pranayama included kapalabhati, bhastrika and kukkuriya.