Comparison of Cognitive Functions among Bilinguals and Multilinguals.

Background: Language is one of the most fundamental aspects of any society. It is how individuals communicate with one another, form relationships and foster a feeling of community. Language processing is one of the most common, yet complex, tasks we perform regularly.

P300 event-related potential in children with hypothyroidism.

Background: Hypothyroidism is a common endocrine disorder, which adversely affects the developing central nervous system in the pediatric population. Despite treatment, patients may continue to experience neurological impairments such as cognitive dysfunction. P300 is an event-related potential (ERP) which is often considered as a marker for cognition.

Polysomnographic evaluation of sleep quality and quantitative variables in patients of hypothyroidism.

Background: Poor sleep quality is observed in patients of hypothyroidism. The patient complains of sleeplessness, excessive day-time sleepiness, snoring, arousals and breathlessness. The decrease in quantity and quality of sleep occurs in various degrees of severity in patients of hypothyroidism.

Effect of Yoga on Pulmonary Function Tests and Arterial Stiffness in Post-COVID-19 Mild Moderate Cases.

COVID-19 caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 has resulted in significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. Long term respiratory complications secondary to COVID-19 have been described, which were not fully explored. The severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) directly infects endothelial cells, with inducing marked endothelial damage and inflammation contributing to increased arterial stiffness.

Neuroplasticity in Action: Transforming Brain Function through Neurorehabilitation.

The capability of the human brain to redeploy in accordance to the activities and experiences is deemed as neuroplasticity. As a result, neuroplasticity can be visualized as a required adaptation to all brain processes. Broadly classified into structural, functional, biochemical and behavioural neuroplasticity, structural neuroplasticity includes neurogenesis and synaptogenesis.

Bi-peaked R wave in HRV: A technical pitfall or ventricular pathology.

During routine heart rate variability recording in an elderly male, bi-peaked R waves were recorded consistently. Initially, it was thought to be because of technical issues, which were ruled out systematically; next, it was believed to have been caused by cardiac pathology, which was evaluated using ECG and echocardiography.

Cognitive skills assessment in deaf and hard of hearing school children.

Introduction: Globally, 466 million (5%) are having hearing disability of which 34 million are children. In India, 63 million people (6.3%) suffer from significant auditory loss.

An Evaluation of Cognitive Abilities in Vestibular Disorders.

Background: Research evidence suggests the role of the vestibular system in cognitive functions like visuospatial memory, objective memory, spatial navigation, etc. Vestibular cortices send projection to the hippocampus and to the medial entorhinal cortex (MEC); the latter houses place cells, grid cells, and head direction cells, which play a major role in the formation of a cognitive map based on inputs from the vestibular apparatus. So, the present study aimed to assess cognitive functions in vestibular disorder patients.

Inter-trial Variation in the Sensitivity of Thermal Threshold Testing for the Diagnosis of Neuropathy in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Background: Thermal threshold testing (TTT) is a simple non-invasive approach for diagnosing diabetic neuropathy earlier. Conventionally the TTT is done in all four limbs and at least 6 trials are done to obtain the mean threshold, which is time consuming.

Aim: We propose to assess the validity and reliability of reduced number of trials of TTT in the lower limbs.

Arterial stiffness as a screening tool for cardiovascular risk in health and disease.

Background: Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) account for approximately one-third of all deaths worldwide. The incidence of cardiovascular events such as myocardial infraction has been reported to be progressively increasing with age, especially with existing comorbidities such as hypertension, diabetes and obesity. Assessing arterial stiffness indices may serve as a screening tool in identification of population at risk of cardiovascular diseases and assist in implementation of preventive measures and early treatment in this population.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and other neurotrophic factors in type 2 diabetes mellitus and their association with neuropathy.

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is associated with increased risk of morbidity and premature mortality due to its various complications. In an Indian study, the prevalence of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) in type 2 diabetic subjects was shown to be 29.2%.

Impact of smartphone on mental health among medical undergraduates: A cross-sectional study.

Background: Smartphones have become an indispensable part of almost everyone's life. India has now become the leading and second-largest Smartphone market in the world. It has been noted that the purpose of Smartphone usage has exceptionally changed over the past few years, especially among students, professionals, and the common man.

JN.1 variant in enduring COVID-19 pandemic: is it a variety of interest (VoI) or variety of concern (VoC)?

The emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant, classified as a Variant of Concern (VoC) in November 2021, marked a significant shift in the COVID-19 landscape. This study investigates the subsequent development of a novel Omicron sublineage, JN.1, which displays distinctive mutations in the spike protein.

Assessment of Neuropathy by Temperature Threshold Testing in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Introduction: Diagnosing diabetic neuropathy is a challenge at times as it is asymptomatic. Diagnosing diabetic neuropathy involves the use of quantitative sensory testing, nerve conduction study, and autonomic testing. Tempearture threshold testing (TTT) can aid in diagnosing small fiber neuropathy at early stages.

Comprehensive, continuous, and compulsory monitoring of frailty in elderly.

Background: The increasing elderly population makes frailty an increasing concern in society with vulnerability to stress and functional decline. Unrecognised comorbidities are common among the elderly due to lack of mention by the patients. Physicians should be equipped with effective interviewing skills along with the use of screening tools to assess any impairments in activities of daily living, cognition and signs of depression.

Impact of COVID-19 on thyroid gland functions with reference to Graves' disease: A systematic review.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused due to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Both immediate and long-term adverse effects arise out of this disease's aftermath. It involves various organs, which include endocrine glands, nervous system, musculoskeletal system, and other organs.

Arterial Stiffness and COVID-19: Potential Association with Diabetes, Hypertension and Obesity: a Cross Sectional Study.

Cardiovascular diseases account for one-third of deaths worldwide. Arterial stiffness is considered as useful predictor of cardiovascular events as measured by pulse wave velocity. Hypertension promotes collagen production causing increase in vascular thickness and arterial stiffness.

Yoganidra to Alleviate Anxiety: An Interventional Study.

Introduction: Anxiety and stress are challenging conditions that result in perturbation of the body's homeostasis. It disturbs one's physical and mental state of equilibrium. There are many ways to overcome anxiety and stress, however, the best among many remedies is yoganidra, as it achieves optimum functioning of not only our body but also our mind.

Impact of Air Conditioners on Sick Building Syndrome, Sickness Absenteeism, and Lung Functions.

Introduction: Modernization has led to greater usage of Air Conditioners (ACs) in our daily lives. It is observed that the occupants of office buildings with ACs consistently report on average more symptoms than do occupants of office buildings with natural ventilation referred to as Sick Building Syndrome (SBS). The appearance of symptoms reduces work efficiency and increases absenteeism due to sickness (sickness absenteeism).

Implications of lifestyle medicine in medical practice.

Globally, we are seeing a rise in non-communicable diseases such as obesity, hypertension, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, chronic respiratory diseases, cancer, etc., due to stressful lifestyle in this competitive world. Most of the non-communicable diseases are associated with lifestyle behavior.

Metabolic syndrome - cardiac structure and functional analysis by echocardiography; a cross sectional comparative study.

Objectives: Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a collection of metabolic disorders including hyperglycemia, hypertension and dyslipidemia. The outcome of metabolic syndrome depends on structural changes in heart like increased left atrial size or increased left ventricular mass. This study was done to determine the echocardiography abnormalities in metabolic syndrome.

Diagnosis of Pleural Fluid Effusions by Cell Block and Pleural Biopsy - A Comparative Study.

Background: Cytological smear and cell block are commonly used to diagnose pleural fluid effusion. However, there is a paucity of information in the literature where a comparison between a cytological smear and a cell block with corresponding pleural biopsy has been done. This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of cytological smears, cell blocks, and pleural biopsy for the diagnosis of malignant tumors.

Impact of Visual Imagery of Coloured Rose Flower on Heart Rate Variability.

Background: Viewing of visual imagery of forest or nature is known for producing physiological and psychological relaxation of mind and body. Nature surroundings are colourful and vary from green of plants, blue of water and red, orange, yellow and violet of flowers. These coloured imageries also known to affect our emotion; may lead to joy, sorrow, happiness grief etc.

Omicron variant in COVID-19 current pandemic: a reason for apprehension.

COVID-19 emerged in Wuhan, China, but was caused by the original coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome associated coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV2). In early 2020, there was a widespread breakout of cases well over world, resulting in an epidemic that rapidly escalated to become a pandemic. This abruptly shook the global healthcare system.