Comparative Analysis of Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potential Patterns between Menstruating and Menopausal North Indian Females.

Introduction: Various studies suggest a significant impact of gonadal hormones on many neuronal functions, including auditory processing. Although a few researchers have independently investigated the brainstem auditory evoked potential (BAEP) patterns during various phases of menstrual cycle and also during menopause, there is an acute paucity of comparative data between their BAEP patterns. This study was conducted to compare the BAEP patterns between normally menstruating females and menopausal females from North India.

Depression affects autonomic system of the body? Yes, it does!

Background: Depression is a disorder of the brain, a state of low mood and aversion to activity that can affect a person's thoughts, behavior, feelings, and sense of well-being and can cause alteration in sympathetic activity of the body, thus affecting heart rate variability (HRV).

Aim: The study was conducted to determine the effects of depression on HRV parameters in clinically known cases of depression.

Materials And Methods: A cross-sectional (observational) study was conducted on fifty known patients of depression, aged 18-65 years, and fifty healthy, age-matched, normal controls.

Normative Data for Median Nerve Conduction in Healthy Young Adults from Punjab, India.

Background: Nerve conduction studies (NCSs) are essential for diagnosing various kinds of focal and diffuse neuropathies. Due to the paucity of local NCS data, electrodiagnostic laboratories in Punjab rely on values from Western and other Indian studies.

Aim: This study was conducted to provide normative data for median nerve conduction parameters (motor and sensory) in Punjabi populace.

Analysis of gender based differences in auditory evoked potentials among healthy elderly population.

Background: Influence of gender on auditory evoked potentials is contentious. Although there are quite a few studies documenting the gender as an influencing factor on auditory evoked potentials in younger subjects, but there is a lack of similar studies among elderly population. The present study was conducted to find out the pattern of gender based differences in auditory evoked potentials among healthy elderly subjects.

Self Assessment of Hearing Quality and Noise-Related Attitudes among Traffic Policemen of Patiala, India.

The study was conducted on a group of 90 traffic policemen aged 20-50 years and working in and around Patiala district to assess their knowledge, attitude, and practices toward the ill effects caused by traffic noise on health. The subjects were required to fill up a questionnaire regarding their self-assessment of hearing ability, noise-related attitudes, and the use of personal protective equipment such as earplugs. The mean age of subjects was 39.

Changes in brainstem auditory evoked potentials among North Indian females with Type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a complex metabolic disorder whose detrimental effects on various organ systems, including the nervous system are well known.

Aim: This study was conducted to determine the changes in the brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEP) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Materials And Methods: In this case-control study, 116 females with type 2 diabetes and 100 age matched, healthy female volunteers were selected.

Regression equations for peak expiratory flow in healthy children aged 7 to 14 years from Punjab, India.

Background: Measurement of peak expiratory flow (PEF) is imperative for management and evaluation of asthmatic children. It is well-known that lung function parameters show wide variations with respect to regional, racial, and genetic factors.

Aim: This study was conducted to measure PEF in healthy Punjabi children aged 7-14 years as only a few studies have evaluated the lung functions in North Indian children.

Peak expiratory flow rate of healthy school children living at high altitude.

Background: Anthropometric and socioeconomic factors are known to influence peak expiratory flow rate, but the effect of altitude has not been established decisively, due to conflicting results of various studies.

Aim: This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of altitude on peak expiratory flow rate of healthy school children.

Materials And Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in which the peak expiratory flow rate of a group of 290 school children (140 male and 150 female), aged 7-14 years, residing in Shimla (altitude 2150 meters), were compared with the results obtained in an age- and sex-matched control group, consisting of 280 school children (138 male and 142 female), residing in Patiala (altitude 278 meters).

Brainstem auditory evoked potential abnormalities in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Background: Diabetes mellitus represents a syndrome complex in which multiple organ systems, including the central nervous system, are affected.

Aim: The study was conducted to determine the changes in the brainstem auditory evoked potentials in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Materials And Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted on 126 diabetic males, aged 35-50 years, and 106 age-matched, healthy male volunteers.

Respiratory effects of air pollutants among nonsmoking traffic policemen of Patiala, India.

Background: Air pollution due to road traffic is a serious health hazard and thus the persons who are continuously exposed, may be at an increased risk. Although several studies have confirmed the ill effects of air pollutants on the lung function of traffic policemen, only a few have investigated the relationship between respiratory health and duration of exposure in this category of occupationally exposed persons.

Aim: The study was carried out with the aim of evaluating the extent of impairment in lung function in traffic policemen in respect to an unexposed control group having the same age group.