International Physiology

 About two decades ago, it was discovered that some neurons in F5 area of ventral premotor cortex of the macaques monkeys discharged not only when the monkeys performed a motor act, but also when they saw the same act being done by another monkey. The accidental discovery of these fascinating neurons, named the Mirror Neurons, urged the scientists to think of presence of such kind of neurons in humans because the same area, the premotor cortex, exists in the human brain. In this article, we review first the basic properties of these neurons in monkeys. We then describe the Mirror Neuron System (MNS) in humans; we also compare the MNS of monkeys with that of humans. The aim of this review is to provide an account of the basic concepts &functionalproperties of the system formed by mirror neurons.

Keywords: Mirror Neurons; Imitation; Action Understanding.

 The use of chemotherapeutic agents to treat cancersis associated with several adverse effects, one of the debilitating and often dose-limiting side effect is peripheral neuropathy, manifested with different clinical signs and symptoms. Most common being sensory neuropathy, followed by motor; presenting with loss of sensation, paraesthesia in the limbs, motor symptoms like weakness in the limbs, difficulty in walking, difficulty in carrying out fine motor movements; the effect on autonomic nerves have not been studied in detail. Numerous mechanisms are proposed by different researchers to explain the basis of neuropathy associated with the use of anti-cancer drugs. The chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) often requires dose-reduction and drug withdrawal, hampering the effectiveness of the drug and compromising survival outcomes. Various life modification strategies like mindfulness, exercise, occupational therapy etc. are being used to reduce the intensity of side effects and to tolerate the drugs better. In addition, various neuroprotective agents have been tried as adjunct therapy but according to published systematic reviews and meta-analysis, none of these agents have robustly proven their efficacy in treating CIPN. Anti-oxidants, anti-convulsants, anti-depressants, calcium and magnesium etc. are some of the drugs being used for reducing the intensity of CIPN. Out of these, topical pain relievers and duloxetine are considered as the first line of treatment for CIPN. Well planned clinical trials are required to establish the clinical utility of others. The current review briefly focusses on the mechanisms involved in the genesis of CIPN and treatment strategies available for the same.

Keywords: Anti-Neoplastic Agents; Chemotherapy; Neuroprotective Agents; Peripheral Neuropathy.

 Stress is major problem faced by most of the people in the present environment. This phenomenon is more pronounced in young adults. Stress adversely affects the learning capacity of the student and stress induced headache is most commonly seen as immediate adverse effect of stress. Persistent stress also harms almost all the systems of the body including cardiovascular system predisposing the individual at higher risk for development of hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases. Pranava Yoga is one of the most popular techniques of yoga which involves Aum chanting. Pranava yoga is very simple yogic exercise and might be beneficial in relieving stress. One hundred asymptomatic healthy male medical students, aged 17-25 years, participated voluntarily. Acute stress was produced experimentally by using cold water of 80 C as per protocol of cold pressor test which is autonomic function test and produces marked stimulation sympathetic nervous system. Subjects were exposed to acute stress by standard procedure of CPT. Cardiovascular parameters were recorded using Impedance Cardiovasograph (Nivomon) and automatic digital sphygmomanometer. All the parameters were recorded before CPT, immediately after CPT and finally 5 minutes after CPT. All the above steps were repeated with a modification that subjects performed Pranava Yoga during cold pressor test and continued performing Pranava Yoga for next 5 minutes. All the parameters were recorded before CPT, immediately after CPT and 5 minutes after CPT. Statistical analysis was done by One-Way ANOVA and Tukey post Hoc tests using the window SPSS Statistics 17.0 version. Results showed that there was significant increase in all cardiovascular parameters immediately after exposure to cold stress for two minutes while all the cardiovascular parameters returned back to normal baseline after 5 minutes. In second stage subjects were performing Pranava Yoga during CPT and in recovery phase after CPT. All cardiovascular parameters increased significantly immediately after CPT nullifying the effect of Pranava Yoga but all the cardiovascular parameters recorded 5 minutes after CPT was significantly lower in comparison to parameters recorded before CPT nullifying the effect of cold stress. These results suggest that Pranava Yoga might not prevent appearance of stress induced adverse changes in the cardiovascular system and other parts of body but Pranava Yoga not only abolishes the stress induced changes but also produces marked relaxation even more than basal state before exposure to stress.

Keywords: Pranava Yoga; Acute Stress; Impedance Cardiovasograph.

 Background: Smoking is the most important factor contributing to the development of COPD and is one of the health risks in modern time. The purpose of the present study was to determine the relationship between cigarette/biri smoking and PEFR between various groups of smokers and non smokers. Methods: The study was carried out in 100 male subjects between 19-52 years of age. The subjects were drawn from the community such that they could be grouped as non smokers 25, mild smokers 25, moderate smokers 25, and chronic smokers 25 according to their questionnaire response. Equipment used computerized spirometer. Results: PEFR is decreased in cigarette smokers and magnitude of decline was higher in chronic smokers. Conclusion: The intensity of cigarette smoking [pack years] emerged as the main variable to influence airway obstruction in smokers that caused reduction in PEFR.

Keywords: Smoking; PEFR.

 The present study is the result of a scientific research in which the relationship between two important variables, namely Gender Differences in big five Personality Traits are determined in the research framework. Many statisticians have incorporated the five-factor model and the NEO Personality Inventory, both describing various aspects of personality including the five domains of personality—neuroticism, extraversion, openness, agreeableness, and conscientiousness—into determining whether there is gender difference in big five personality traits.. In this study, about 150 undergraduate medical students , were asked to rate various aspects of their personality by using personality inventory questionnaire of Buchanan (2001) based on FiveFactor Modality (FFM).then we calculated the gender difference for five personalities. In our study the Women were higher on Neuroticism (p < .001, d = .54) as compare to men and no significant gender difference has typically been found in Extraversion, Openness, Agreeableness, and Conscientiousness, (P<.05) at the Big Five trait level. So it is concluded that there is gender difference in big five personality traits. However, the study showed weakness such as small sample sizes , unequal sample size and we have not considered the sub-facetes of big five personalities. More accurate studies should be performed in the future to confirm or reject the results of this study.

Keywords: Personality Traits; Gender; Five-Factor Modality (FFM); Neuroticism.

 Introduction: Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common systemic diseases in the world. Diabetic patients are exposed to increased oxidative stress. However very few studies have measured and compared oxidative stress, antioxidant status in patient of diabetes with hypertension. Hence present study was conducted, which was aimed to measure antioxidant levels (Vitamin C, vitamin E) and oxidative stress (Malondialdehyde-MDA level) in type 2 diabetic patients, in type 2 diabetic patients with hypertension and to compare them with age and gender matched healthy controls. Male volunteers of 40-60 years were divided into Group I - 30 normal healthy controls, Group II - 30 patients having type II diabetes mellitus since 3 to 6 years, Group III - 30 patients having type 2 diabetes mellitus along with hypertension since 3 to 6 years. Serum levels of MDA were estimated by method described by Buege and Aust. serum levels of Vitamin C and vitamin E were estimated by method described by Ayekyaw and Baker respectively. Serum MDA levels, serum Vitamin C and vitamin E levels compared by applying appropriate statistical test. We found statistically highly significant increase (<0.001) in serum MDA levels and significant decrease (<0.05) in both serum Vitamin C levels and serum vitamin E levels in patients of diabetes with hypertension as compared to patients having only diabetes. Conclusion: Our study showed that patients having both diabetes and hypertension have increased oxidative stress than patients having only diabetes. So, these patients will be more susceptible for developing complication related to oxidative stress. So proper precaution in the form for antioxidant supplementation to these patients can help them to live better quality of life.

Keywords: Hypertension; Malondialdehyde; Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus; Vitamin C; Vitamin E.

 Introduction: Obesity is progressively important health problem worldwide as well as in developing countries like India. Recent genetic studies have suggested that obesity associated FTO genetic variants are associated to obesity risk. Aim: To evaluate the association of FTO genetic variants towards obesity risk. Subjects and Methods: North Indian individuals categorized as non-obese (BMI<25 kg/m2 ) and obese (BMI30 kg/m2 ) were selected. FTO rs1421085, rs9939609 were genotyped by validated Taqman allelic discrimination. Their association with obesity was evaluated by means of single locus logistic regression by SPSS ver. 19. Results: In single locus analysis, significant association with obesity risk was revealed by FTO rs9939609 [CA (P=0.0001, OR=2.6(1.7-3.9); AA (P=0.0001, OR=3.0(1.7-5.3)], rs1421085 [TA (P=0.0001, OR=2.6(1.7- 3.9); AA (P=0.0001, OR=2.8(1.6-5.2)]. Conclusion: This study to reveals that genetic variants of FTO are associated with obesity risk in North Indians.

Keywords: BMI; FTO; Obesity.