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ObjectivesHectic, late-night lifestyle has reduced 90 min sleep in 20% adults resulting in insomnia and excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS). We assess the scope of Sudarshan Kriya Yoga (SKY), a 4-component, breathing process in reducing EDS, generally and situationally.MethodsThis is a prospective, controlled study involving randomized subjects without any sleep-wake cycle anomalies and prior experience in SKY. Subjects (n=52) performed 30 min of SKY for 6 days/week for 8 weeks, while controls (n=53) performed sitting activity and Suryanamaskar for 4-weeks each. Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) was used to measure EDS at 0, 4, and 8 weeks.ResultsSKY group showed significant ESS score improvements between 0–4 weeks and 4–8 weeks of 1.22 (p=0.0001) and 1.66 (p=0.001) respectively. Controls however failed to improve with score differences of 0.02 (p=0.892) and 0.02 (p=0.8212) respectively. SKY group showed significant ESS score improvement over controls at 4-weeks (difference=1.74; p=0.013) and 8-weeks (difference eight; p=0.0001). Improvement was most for obese people and those sitting in a halted car.ConclusionsImprovement in subjects’ nighttime sleep and daytime wakefulness in SKY practitioners can be attributed to polyvagal theory. Increased heart rate variability (HRV) alterations and sympathetic hyperarousal in chronic insomnia; and cholinergic and GABAergic dysregulation in anxiety disorders are countered by regulated vagal nerve stimulation post SKY. Our study establishes effectivity of SKY in reducing EDS (total and situational), provides a clinical correlation for prior polysomnographic evidence and paves way for larger trials directed towards SKY prescriptions for insomnia.

Non-motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD), such as insomnia and restless legs syndrome (RLS), tend to worsen and become refractory as neurodegeneration progresses. We report the case of a 72-year-old female with a six-year history of PD and two-and-half-year history of insomnia and refractory RLS. We added a neuroprotective agent, Withania somnifera, to the existing treatment regimen for her insomnia. Besides the partial remission of her insomnia and motor symptoms of PD, there was a complete reversal of the RLS symptoms. Withania somnifera has been shown to improve PD symptoms by preventing oxidative damage of the nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons and improving dopamine levels in the midbrain and corpus striatum. Our case provides the first-time evidence where Withania somnifera added for insomnia caused a complete remission of refractory RLS, possibly due to its anti-apoptotic and pro-dopaminergic actions. Withania somnifera could prove beneficial in cases where the disease advances but further addition of dopamine agonists for refractory RLS is not possible due to the risk of dopamine augmentation.

This work aims at the preparation of oxidation-resistant copper (Cu) nanoparticles using biocompatible and naturally available polymers such as polyacrylamide and xanthan gum for their possible application in nanofluid and nanohydrogels. Cu nanoparticles as powder were successfully synthesized using a simple chemical reduction technique followed by centrifugation and drying under inert gas environment. The optical properties and morphology of synthesized Cu nanoparticles were characterized using UV-Vis spectrophotometer and transmission electron microscope. TEM images show that the particles are well isolated and vary between 10 and 25 nm in size for both polyacrylamide-and xanthan gum-stabilized Cu nanoparticles. X-ray diffraction studies were also successfully performed to confirm the phase purity of synthesized Cu nanoparticles in terms of surface oxidation. Moreover, nanofluids and nanohydrogels were prepared from the as-synthesized Cu nanoparticles powder and thermophysical and rheological properties were explored successfully. Both polyacrylamideand xanthan gum-capped Cu nanofluids exhibit high stability in terms of aggregation and oxidation for at least 6 months. Approximately 33% enhancement in thermal conductivity was observed for both the nanofluids and the results were consistent with modified Maxwell model. Rheological behaviour of nanofluids and hydrogel was measured and the results suggest that the nanofluid exhibits shear thinning behaviour whereas the nanohydrogel shows viscoelastic behaviour with a gel time of ~2.5 h.

Janusandhivata is a Vataj disorder in which Vata resides in Janu sandhi (Vimarga gaman) and produces various signs and symptoms according to its Gunas. In modern sciences Janusandhivata is correlated with osteoarthritis. In the present study integrative measures like allopathy medicines, Ayurvedic medicines and Karmas, yoga, naturopathy and exercises are studied for the effective relief of symptoms of Janu sandhigata vata i.e., OA. Integrative measures are studied to provide effective and fast relief to the patient. Modern treatment provides instant relief while on the other hand Ayurveda heals by curing the disease from root and is considered Apunarbhav chikitsa which means it prevents recurrence of the disease. Other measures aid in achieving the ultimate goal of cure from the disease.