BACKGROUND Practice of Yoga causes several changes in normal physiology. Meditation has positive short and longterm rewards which include a balance of the parasympathetic and sympathetic functions. Cardiovascular autonomic functions are quantified by changes in the heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP) in response to some of the physiological stimuli and different types of Pranayamas is known to alter the autonomic function. OBJECTIVES To assess the effects of Sukha Pranayama and Bhastrika Pranayama on cardiovascular autonomic functions in normal healthy medical students. MATERIALS AND METHODS 50 male and female young healthy volunteers studying at PES Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Kuppam belonging to age group of 17-22 years were included for the study. Parasympathetic activity was assessed by observing the heart rate changes to immediate standing from lying down position, heart rate changes during deep breathing and heart rate changes during Valsalva manoeuvre using Biopac Student Lab MP30 device. Sympathetic activity was assessed by observing blood pressure changes on immediate standing from lying down position and blood pressure changes during sustained hand grip using sphygmomanometer before and after yoga.

BACKGROUND Thyroid dysfunction is very common in India. Among the thyroid disorders, it has been found that there is an increase in prevalence of Subclinical Hypothyroidism rather than Hypothyroidism in India. Although it has been three decades since universal salt iodization program was introduced in our country and a transition from iodine deficient to iodine sufficient state was considered to be attained in our country, the prevalence of thyroid disorders is still found to be increasing. Therefore, we aim to find the prevalence of various thyroid dysfunctions among the young adults so that early intervention can prevent the complications associated with thyroid disorders. MATERIALS AND METHODS This study was done on 100 first year medical students of PES institute of medical Sciences and research who were willing to participate in the study. Ethical clearance was taken from the institutional ethical committee. Written consent from the subjects was taken and 5 ml venous blood sample was collected from each subject after an overnight fasting. Free T4 (FT4) and Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels were estimated by Enzyme linked immuno-fluorescent assay (ELFA) using Biomeriex VIDAS instrument. Based on the levels of TSH and FT4 the students were categorized as Euthyroid, Hypothyroid, Subclinical Hypothyroid, Hyperthyroid or Subclinical Hyperthyroid. RESULTS Among 100 students involved in our study, 22 were males and 78 were females. 89% of the participants were found to be euthyroid. Prevalence of Subclinical Hypothyroidism was 8% and Prevalence of Subclinical Hyperthyroidism was 3%. It was found that all the cases of Subclinical Hypothyroidism and Subclinical Hyperthyroidism were females. CONCLUSION Early detection of thyroid disorders especially Subclinical Hypothyroidism and Subclinical Hyperthyroidism can prevent the complications associated with it.

BACKGROUNDDiabetes mellitus over a period produces autonomic dysfunction. It is usually associated with poor prognosis. Reaction time is a simple noninvasive test for peripheral as well as central nervous system. Neurological deficit in patients with diabetes mellitus can be diagnosed by measurement of reaction time before it is clinically evident. Few studies have been done on the effect of type 2 diabetes mellitus on reaction time. Thus, this study was undertaken to determine the effect of type 2 diabetes mellitus on auditory and visual reaction time. MATERIALS AND METHODS25 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and 25 healthy, age-matched control group were enrolled based on detailed questionnaire and informed consent was taken from all the subjects. The mean age of type 2 diabetic subjects was 48.8 years and that of control was 48 years. The subjects with type 2 diabetes were on oral medication and of more than 5 years duration. Subjects with history of alcoholism, smoking, history of hypertension, subjects on insulin, complicated cases of diabetes, subjects with visual and auditory disturbances, history of any recent illness, history of peripheral neuropathy, history of muscle weakness, severe anaemia, history of psychological disorders & neurovascular complications are excluded from the study.PC1000Hz reaction timer was used to measure auditory and visual reaction time. RESULTSAuditory and visual reaction times of type 2 diabetes mellitus patients were significantly higher as compared to those of nondiabetic control group. The p value for visual reaction time was 0.001 and that for auditory reaction time was 0.003. CONCLUSIONReaction time measurement can be used for early diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus before it is clinically manifested. Hence it can be considered as a simple non-invasive method for the early diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy in type 2 diabetes patients.Financial or Other, Competing Interest: None.

BACKGROUNDSubclinical thyroid disorders with altered Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) level, yet normal circulating levels of free thyroid hormones (FT4) include subclinical hypothyroidism and subclinical hyperthyroidism. The prevalence of subclinical thyroid disorders is found to be increasing in our country and subclinical hypothyroidism is known to be linked with hypercholesterolemia. Hence, we intend to find the prevalence of subclinical thyroid diseases and its association with lipid profile. MATERIALS AND METHODSThis study was done on 253 female medical students of PES institute of medical Sciences and research who were willing to participate in the study. Free T4 (FT4) and Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) levels were estimated by Enzyme Linked Immuno-Fluorescent Assay (ELFA). Lipid Profile of the subjects including total cholesterol, serum triglyceride, HDL, LDL, VLDL was estimated using VITROS instrument. Based on the levels of TSH and FT4 the students were categorized as euthyroid, subclinical hypothyroid and subclinical hyperthyroid. RESULTSThe prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism and subclinical hyperthyroidism was found to be 8.3% and 1.58% respectively among the study population. A statistically significant decrease in FT4 levels as the TSH levels increased was seen. As the TSH value increased, HDL levels significantly decreased, and the LDL levels were found to be increased significantly.

BACKGROUND The cells of the haematopoietic system are highly radiosensitive and the medical radiographers who are exposed to chronic ionizing radiation are more prone to get haematological disorders later in life. A change in haematological profile is a warning sign for development of haematological diseases later. Even though the effect of acute radiation is well known, the effect of chronic low dose radiation on haematopoietic tissue is less known. Hence this study was undertaken to find out the effect of chronic low dose radiation among radiographers, to initiate awareness among them about the radiation effects and the importance of regular screening to prevent the ill effects of radiation. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study was conducted on 20 healthy radiographers and 20 healthy, age and sex matched control group. The subjects were enrolled based on detailed questionnaire and informed consent was taken from all the subjects. The mean age of radiographers was 37.4 years and that of control was 39.4 years. The radiographers were exposed to low dose radiation for more than 5 years and the radiation dose of radiographers who participated in the study were in the range of Annual Average Effective Dose (AAED) of 0.29-1.91 mSv. Subjects with anaemia, cardiopulmonary diseases, acute and chronic infections, history of diabetes mellitus, auto immune disease, malignancy, and history of smoking and drug addiction were excluded from the study. Control subjects who were exposed to medical or diagnostic radiation recently were also excluded from the study. The blood cell count was performed on Beckman coulter counter. The haematological parameters measured were RBC count,