BACKGROUND Different blood groups may have their own characteristics personality traits. For instance, people with blood group A tend to be more ambitious, restless and are referred to as type A personality. The ABO blood types are also found to be associated with multiple medical conditions, such as cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, and various cancers. Significant association of ABO groups with the prevalence of preeclampsia has also been reported. We wanted to examine if ABO blood group has any influence on pain perception in healthy volunteers induced by cold pressor test. METHODS The study procedure included a blood group test of the 80 students who were then subjected to undergo cold pressor test. The blood group test was done by using anti-sera A, B and D (Tulip Diagnostics Pvt Ltd). A cold pressor test was done by immersing the dominant hand up to the wrist in chilled water (4 0 C ± 1 0 C). Statistical Analysis was done by using independent t-test and one-way ANOVA, and all the values were expressed as mean (±SD) and p less than 0.05 was taken as significant. RESULTS The average pain threshold of males was 25.49 ± 7.62 seconds as compared to 17.58 ± 5.02 seconds of females which was statistically significant. The mean pain tolerance for male and female students were 28.69 ± 9.07 seconds and 18.08 ± 7.09 seconds respectively which was significant. Students having blood group B have highest pain threshold (22.85 ± 7.03 seconds), followed by blood group O (22.48 ± 7.64 seconds), blood group A (17.90 ± 7.53 seconds) and blood group AB have the least pain threshold (16.60 ± 1.67 seconds). Students with blood group B (26.96 ± 7.64) have the maximum pain tolerance while the students with blood group A (20.33 ± 11.43) have the least pain tolerance in response to CPT. CONCLUSIONS Students with blood group B are found to have highest pain threshold and pain tolerance while blood group AB showed least pain threshold and blood group A showed least pain tolerance.

BACKGROUND Several studies have shown contradictory results as some of the studies reported the association between stress score and menstrual function-related abnormalities while some have failed to show any relationship between stress score and menstrual function-related abnormalities. Hence, this study was conducted with an aim to see whether there is any relationship between psychosocial stress as measured by Inventory to Measure Psychosocial Stress (IMPS) and menstrual function-related abnormalities among the female undergraduate medical students. MATERIALS AND METHODS This study was conducted on 81 female undergraduate students of a Medical college. A questionnaire along with the IMPS was provided to the students. The questionnaire dealt with anthropometric data, menstrual history and menstrual health status. RESULTS Fifty-three percent (53%) of students have stress score ranging from 20-39 while 47% have stress score 10-19. A majority of students (80%) reported premenstrual symptoms. The proportion of students who reported irregular menstrual cycles and heavy menstrual flow were 67% and 62% respectively. Most of the students (80%) also reported menstrual pain. The students who have premenstrual symptoms have significantly higher stress score than those who do not (p<0.001). Those students who reported menstrual pain (p<0.001) and irregular menstrual cycle (p<0.001) also have significantly higher stress score than those who do not. Logistic regression showed that stress was the significant predictor of premenstrual symptoms (p=0.001) and menstrual pain (p=0.001). Both stress score (p=001) and body mass index (p=0.01) were found to be predictors for experiencing irregular menstrual cycle. CONCLUSION Our study showed that students who reported menstrual-related abnormalities had higher stress score than those who did not. Also stress score is an independent predictor of menstrual-related abnormalities.

Background: Stress is body's response to danger or perceived threat. M.B.B.S. students, particularly, the 1 st year students are more prone to stress due to hectic schedule, academic pressure, cultural and environmental change, and a large number of uncertainties. These factors make them ideal population to study stress. Aims and Objectives: The study was done to see if there is any relationship between the inventory to measure psychosocial stress (IMPS)-measured psychosocial stress score and gender, exercise, and body mass index (BMI) among the 1 st year medical students. Materials and Methods: The study included 50 female and 44 male students aged 18-22 years. A questionnaire along with the IMPS was provided to them. The questionnaire dealt with anthropometric data and performance of exercise in terms of number of days per week. The data analyses used Unpaired t-tests, and χ

Background: Fatty liver disease has been associated with increased levels of various circulating inflammatory markers. Difference in the level of increased inflammatory markers between patients with AFLD and NAFLD is still unclear. Aim & Objectives: The aim of the present study was to compare the inflammatory markers between patients with alcoholic-fatty liver disease (AFLD) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and also to see if any correlation exists between inflammatory markers and liver enzymes. Materials & Methods: This study was conducted on 70 patients with fatty liver disease (35 AFLD and 35 NAFLD) and 35 healthy controls. Venous blood samples were taken and the required blood parameters (total leukocyte count, neutrophil count, lymphocyte count, ESR) and liver function test were determined. Statistical analysis was done by using Student’s t test and Pearson correlation test. Results: The TLC, Neutrophil count, N/L ratio and ESR were significantly higher while the lymphocyte count was significantly lower in patients with fatty liver disease when compared with the controls. The TLC, Neutrophil count, lymphocyte count, Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio and ESR of patients with AFLD when compared to patients with NAFLD showed no statistically significant differences. There was a significant positive correlation between the value of ALT with TLC in patients with AFLD. Conclusion: Fatty liver disease is associated with increased inflammatory markers. Since increased inflammatory marker in fatty liver disease is indicative of liver injury, due importance should be given to assessment of inflammatory markers in the management of patients with fatty liver disease. Keywords: Fatty liver disease, Total leukocyte count, Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio, Erythrocyte sedimentation rate, Alanine aminotransferase

Inflammation has been implicated in the pathophysiology of hypertension; and total leucocyte count as well as C-reactive protein is elevated in patients with hypertension. Reduced vagal activity has been reported to predict cardiovascular events such as mortality in patients with hypertension. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible correlation between cardiac vagal function and total leucocyte count in the patients with hypertension. Thirty-five patients with hypertension and 35 age-and sex-matched healthy controls were examined. Vagal function was estimated by resting heart rate variability (HRV), expiratory: inspiratory ratio (E: I ratio) and basal heart rate from lead II of ECG using Student's physiograph. The total leucocyte count (TLC) was counted in the improved Neubauer's chamber under light microscope. Statistical analysis was done using Student's unpaired t test for comparisons and Pearson correlation for significant association. The results show a statistically significant reduction in the resting HRV (p<0.01), E: I ratio (p<0.05), increased TLC (p<0.01) and increased resting minimum heart rate (p<0.01) in patients with hypertension as compared to controls. The resting maximum heart rate showed no statistical differences between the patients and the controls. An inverse relation between TLC and vagal function (resting HRV, p<0.05; E:I ratio, p<0.05) in patients with hypertension was observed. Our result indicates that an increased TLC level is significantly associated with reduced basal HRV and E:I ratio in patients with hypertension. It is possible that the vagus function and inflammation could interact with each other resulting in the progression of hypertension.