Background: Most people with stroke in India have no access to organised

No abstract

There is much evidence regarding autonomic dysfunction in obesity in adults, but information on autonomic status in obese children is scant. In the present study autonomic function tests were conducted in 30 normal and 30 obese children aged between 5 and 10 years. We performed tests for parasympathetic function (resting heart rate, S:L ratio (standing to lying ratio), 30:15 ratio and Valsalva ratio) and tests to assess sympathetic function (blood pressure response to hand grip test and cold pressor response). The children were classified as normal and obese on the basis of BMI (body mass index). Children with BMI between 20 to 24.9 were classified as normal and those with BMI > 30 as obese. The mean values of hand grip test and cold pressor response were significantly lower in the study group compared with controls (P < 0.05), however the Valsalva ratio was higher in the obese compared with normal children. Hence, our study showed compromised autonomic nervous system functions in the obese group compared with controls

There has been a manifold increase in the number of mobile phone users throughout the world with the current number of users exceeding 2 billion. However this advancement in technology like many others is accompanied by a progressive increase in the frequency and intensity of electromagnetic waves without consideration of the health consequences. The aim of our study was to advance our understanding of the potential adverse effects of GSM mobile phones on auditory brainstem responses (ABRs). 60 subjects were selected for the study and divided into three groups of 20 each based on their usage of mobile phones. Their ABRs were recorded and analysed for latency of waves I-V as well as interpeak latencies I-III, I-V and III-V (in ms). Results revealed no significant difference in the ABR parameters between group A (control group) and group B (subjects using mobile phones for maximum 30 min/day for 5 years). However the latency of waves was significantly prolonged in group C (subjects using mobile phones for 10 years for a maximum of 30 min/day) as compared to the control group. Based on our findings we concluded that long term exposure to mobile phones may affect conduction in the peripheral portion of the auditory pathway. However more research needs to be done to study the long term effects of mobile phones particularly of newer technologies like smart phones and 3G.

Auditory Brainstem Responses (ABRs) is an electrophysiologic technique that represents the synchronized activity of the brainstem and the auditory nerve. Nerve conduction velocity (NCV) is part of electrodiagnostic procedures that help in evaluating the type and degree of abnormalities of the peripheral nerves. The aim of our study was to assess whether central or peripheral nerves are involved in hypertensive patients. 20 patients of primary hypertension were selected between the ages of 40-60 years of either sex along with 20 age-and sex-matched normotensives. ABRs along with NCV, both sensory and motor components of the median nerve were performed using standard techniques. Auditory threshold increased significantly in the hypertensive group compared with controls (p < 0.05). There was a significant prolongation of absolute peak latencies of waves I, II and V and interpeak latency III-V. However, no significant difference was observed in the NCV between the hypertensives and controls. We conclude that there was a significant correlation of rise in systolic and diastolic blood pressure with absolute peak latencies of ABRs in hypertensive patients. However, no significant difference in nerve conduction velocity was seen.