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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:Many studies show a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency across various populations the world over. There is relative lack of prevalence data in Punjab, India. This cross-sectional study was carried out to assess the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in the north-west Punjab population.Aim:To study the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in the north-west Punjab population across various population characteristics such as gender, education, locality, occupation, and dietary habits.Materials and Methods:Healthy volunteers (N = 150) of either sex were enrolled and their fasting plasma samples tested for 25-hydroxy vitamin D [25(OH) D] levels. Data were compiled as percentages and means across different population characteristics. Statistical analysis was done using Chi-square test and Fisher's exact test.Results:A high overall prevalence (90%) of vitamin D deficiency was observed in the study subjects. There was a significant difference in the prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency between rural and urban subjects (P < 0.05) and among the subjects pursuing different occupations (P < 0.001). A significant gender-specific difference was also recorded at the cut-off level of 25 (OH) D, with women showing higher prevalence of deficiency compared to men (P < 0.05).Conclusions:There is a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in the population of Punjab. Lower prevalence is displayed by those subjects who have greater opportunities for sunlight exposure, such as like rural individuals, farmers, and housewives.

Background: Post-menopausal women suffer from various complications like autonomic dysfunction which predisposes them to cardiovascular morbidity. Decline in estrogen levels after menopause is associated with increased cardiovascular risks. Timely evaluation of such derangements and active intervention can play an important role in the prevention of cardiovascular morbidity. Aims and Objective: The aim is to compare the sympathetic autonomic nervous system activity in pre-menopausal and age-matched post-menopausal women. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted on two groups of 40 women each. Group I included pre-menopausal women and Group II included post-menopausal women. Sympathetic nervous system assessment was done using cold pressor test (CPT), handgrip test (HGT), and blood pressure (BP) response to standing. Statistical analysis was performed using Student's t-test. Results: Evaluation of sympathetic functions between the two groups showed that the mean rise in systolic BP (SBP) in response to CPT was lower in Group I than in Group II (P < 0.01). Mean rise in the diastolic BP (DBP) in response to HGT was also lower in Group I as compared to Group II (P < 0.01). Fall in SBP on standing in Group I was more than in Group II (P < 0.01). Conclusion: Sympathetic nervous system evaluation showed sympathetic hyperactivity in the post-menopausal group as compared to the premenopausal group.