Background: Auditory brainstem response is an objective electrophysiological method for assessing the auditory pathways from the auditory nerve to the brainstem. The aim of this study was to correlate and to assess the degree of involvement of peripheral and central regions of brainstem auditory pathways with increasing severity of hypertension, among the patients of essential hypertension. Method: This study was conducted on 50 healthy age and sex matched controls (Group I) and 50 hypertensive patients (Group II). Later group was further subdivided into-Group IIa (Grade 1 hypertension), Group IIb (Grade 2 hypertension), and Group IIc (Grade 3 hypertension), as per WHO guidelines. These responses/ potentials were recorded by using electroencephalogram electrodes on a root-mean-square electromyography, EP MARC II (PC-based) machine and data were statistically compared between the various groups by way of one-way ANOVA. The parameters used for analysis were the absolute latencies of Waves I through V, interpeak latencies (IPLs) and amplitude ratio of Wave V/I. Result: The absolute latency of Wave I was observed to be signifi cantly increased in Group IIa and IIb hypertensives, while Wave V absolute latency was highly signifi cantly prolonged among Group IIb and IIc, as compared to that of normal control group. All the hypertensives, that is, Group IIa, IIb, and IIc patients were found to have highly signifi cant prolonged III-V IPL as compared to that of normal healthy controls. Further, intergroup comparison among hypertensive patients revealed a signifi cant prolongation of Wave V absolute latency and III-V IPL in Group IIb and IIc patients as compared to Group IIa patients. These fi ndings suggest a sensory defi cit along with synaptic delays, across the auditory pathways in all the hypertensives, the defi cit being more markedly affecting the auditory processing time at pons to midbrain (IPL III-V) region of auditory pathways among Grade 2 and 3 hypertensives. Conclusion: Hence, we conclude there has been greater involvement of pontomesenchymal region with the increasing severity of the disease.

Background: Low hemoglobin concentration and unfeasible body mass index adversely affect the health of people, consequently increasing morbidity and mortality among them. Hemoglobin concentration among individuals is associated with their body mass index. The prevalence of iron deficiency anemia is higher among underweight and overweight/obese people compared to those with normal BMI. Thus, the present study aimed to determine the correlation between hemoglobin concentration and BMI of undergraduate medical students.Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 210 undergraduate medical students. Body mass index was calculated and hemoglobin estimation was done by Sahli's hemoglobinometer. Correlation between hemoglobin concentration and body mass index of subjects was assessed by Pearson’s correlation coefficient.Results: Underweight students had lowest mean hemoglobin concentration and the mean hemoglobin concentrations increased significantly (p<0.001) with increase in the BMI of subjects. A highly significant positive correlation (r=0.307, p<0.001) between BMI and hemoglobin concentration was observed. Further, significant positive correlation was observed among males (r=0.268, p=0.013), students with normal BMI (r=0.283, p=0.003) and overweight students (r=0.415, p=0.035) only.Conclusions: Hemoglobin concentration and BMI show a positive correlation, however this correlation tends to become negative in obese individuals. As both low hemoglobin concentration and unfeasible body mass index have detrimental effects on the health, diligent screening and management of both is essential for better outcome.

A B S T R A C T BACKGROUNDThe blazing feature of female reproductive system is the shedding of uterine epithelium at regular intervals with bleeding, termed as menstruation. The dynamic endocrine interplay reflecting rhythmic changes in the rate of secretion of ovarian hormones during different phases of menstrual cycle are known to affect the physiological functioning of various systems of the body which include the reproductive system and the other non-reproductive system. Pulmonary functions show such variations during the different phases of menstrual cycle. So, the present study was carried out to study the pulmonary functions in different phases of menstrual cycle. METHODSThis is a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in the Department of Physiology of Maharishi Markandeshwar Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (MMIMSR), Mullana, Ambala (Haryana). 100 female subjects in their reproductive age having regular menstrual cycles were studied. Pulmonary function parameters were assessed during pre-and post-ovulatory phase of menstrual cycle. All anthropometric parameters such as age, weight in Kgs., Height in cms., were recorded and BMI was calculated. Data was analysed by paired T test to obtain statistical significance (p value) between pre-ovulatory and post-ovulatory phases of menstrual cycle. RESULTSOur study shows a highly significant increase in FEV1 parameter during post ovulatory phase having mean values of 2.55±0.26 as compared to pre-ovulatory phase with the mean values of 2.22±0.15. We found a significant increase in FVC (L), during post ovulatory phase as compared to pre ovulatory phase of menstrual cycle. CONCLUSIONSThe results obtained could be attributed to the role of Progesterone acting as a bronchodilator by causing relaxation of smooth muscles lining the bronchial walls resulting an increase in the ventilatory capacity of the individuals. Further the present study may find its clinical application in suggesting the clinicians to supplement progesterone hormone to the females affected with inflammatory lung diseases such as asthma, COPD and cystic fibrosis.

BACKGROUND A reconstruction of anatomical features of normal bone is important in the light of not only the frequency with which surgery is performed for distal radial fractures but also for prosthesis designs of radial head. The fractures of distal end of the radius are significantly related to age and stress related changes. Colles' fracture is common in postmenopausal women usually accompanied by damage to ulnar collateral ligament or the ulnar styloid process. The morphometry of distal end radius has an important role in the surgical reduction of unstable fractures. The quality of reduction is assessed mainly by degree of radiological restoration of radial angle and palmar tilt. Distal radius morphometry is an important parameter in the evaluation and treatment of distal end fractures in which anatomical alignment must be corrected. The primary goal of the study is to reduce surgical complications of Distal Radial Fracture by proper anatomical alignment. METHODS The present study has been undertaken on a series of 100 adult radii (R: L=50:50) obtained from the Department of Anatomy, Government Medical College, Amritsar and different parameters were studied. RESULTS The mean length in bones was seen to be 239 ± 16 mm on right and 238 ± 15.1 mm on left side. Length of the styloid process was 12.2±1.6 on right side and 12.5 ± 1.8 on left side. Depth of the ulnar notch was 1.82± 3.9 on right side and 1.71± 5.2 on left side. The sagittal diameter was 16-7 ± 1.9 mm on right side and 16.2 ± 2.1 mm on left side and length of ulnar notch was 6.6 ± 1.3 mm on right side and 6.8 ± 1.2 mm on left side. The distance of dorsal tubercle from tip of styloid process was 19.4 ± 2.7 mm on right side and 19.8 ± 2.2 mm on left side and the mean value of distance of dorsal tubercle from posterior border of ulnar notch on right side was 15.9 ± 1.7 mm and 16.4 ± 1.7 mm on left side. SADE was found to be 21.1±3.4 on right side and 21.2 ± 3.3 on left side while FADE was 24.1±3.4 on right and 23.3 ± 3.1 on left side. CONCLUSIONS It has been observed that morphometric parameters of distal radius are important to reduce surgical complications of distal radius fractures by proper anatomical alignment. A thorough understanding of angulation of distal end radius plays an important role to render appropriate treatment of distal radius fractures.

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