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To examine the molecular effects of mindful activities such as yoga and meditation DESIGN: This was an open label single arm exploratory yoga intervention study.64 healthy individuals within the age of 18-60 years were recruited for this one month yoga intervention study.Common Yoga Protocol (CYP) is a standardized yoga protocol released by Ministry of AYUSH, India for International Yoga Day. It includes all aspects of yoga i.e. asanas, pranayama and meditation. It is designed for adoption by all age groups for the health of community.The participants were assessed for biochemical parameters including Fasting Sugar and Lipid profile. The molecular markers of neurogenesis (i.e. Brain derived Neurotropic Factor, BDNF) and Angiogenesis (i.e. Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor, VEGF and Angiogenin) along with Amyloid β (marker related to neuro-degenerative diseases) were assessed. All the assessments were made at baseline and after one month of the intervention.After one month of CYP practice High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) levels increased significantly (p0.001), although other biochemical parameters i.e. fasting sugar and other lipid assessments were found to be unaltered. Angiogenesis marker, angiogenin was increased significantly (p0.002), other angiogenesis marker VEGF did not show any change along with BDNF, marker of neurogenesis. Amyloid β levels were also unaltered. Even though individual levels of VEGF and Amyloid β did not show any change, proportion of VEGF to Amyloid β showed a significant increase (p0.001) after one month of CYP intervention indicating that the change in VEGF levels was significantly higher than the change in Amyloid β levels.CYP practice may influence cell survival pathways mediated by angiogenic and neurogenic cross talk. Hence, CYP can be considered as a preventive measure for diseases associated with impaired angiogenic and neurogenic mechanism. This is the first study to examine the effects of CYP at the molecular level.

Background: Neuropathic pain (NP) is a debilitating condition that may result from spinal cord injury (SCI). Nearly 75% of all SCIs result in NP affecting 17,000 new individuals in the United States every year, and an estimated 7-10% of people worldwide. It is caused by damaged or dysfunctional nerve fibers sending aberrant signals to pain centers in the central nervous system causing severe pain that affects daily life and routine. The mechanisms underlying NP are not fully understood, making treatment difficult. Identification of specific molecular pathways that are involved in pain syndromes and finding effective treatments has become a major priority in current SCI research. Yoga has therapeutic applications that may prove beneficial in treating subjects suffering chronically from SCI-induced NP, chronic back and associated pain if necessary experimental data are generated. Summary: This review aims to discuss the implications of various mechanistic approaches of yoga which can be tested by new study designs around various nociceptive molecules including matrix metalloproteinases, cation-dependent chloride transporter (NKCC1), etc. in SCI-induced NP patients. Key Messages: Yogic practices could be used in managing SCI-induced NP pain by regulating the action of various mechanisms and its associated molecules. Modern prescriptive treatment strategies combined with alternative approaches like yoga should be used in rehabilitation centers and clinics in order to ameliorate chronic NP. We recommend practical considerations of careful yoga practice as part of an integrative medicine approach for NP associated with SCI.

Background The state of disarray from unhygienic conditions and excessive litter throughout urban highways, alleyways, and byways across rural and urban localities of India is abysmal. Such unsanitary conditions impinge upon the future health and welfare of its citizens, tourists and economic development. Purpose The NRL volunteered PGIMER's campus hygiene initiative" is a pioneering effort spearheaded in compliance with Indian Prime Minister's call that citizens of India work together to establish a cleaner and healthier environment. Methods A group of 15 highly motivated students in the Neuroscience Division of the PGIMER, worked together vigorously 2 hours a week to affect a cleaner urban environment in the city. Result The results were national Kayakalp and Skoch award to PGIMER as the cleanest hospital in the country, the vendors or patients no longer litter around the campus, the pot holes have been converted into greener patches, signs board adorn the campus. Conclusion To inspire citizens through faculty- student led sanitation programs.

Mind-body therapies, which include Yoga, Tai chi, Qigong etc. are reemerging as beneficial tools for providing solutions to the postmodern healthcare challenges. These therapies are believed to address the mind-body interaction by either inducing parasympathetic systems or molecular mechanisms hitherto undeciphered. Among these mind-body therapies, yoga is considered as a fast growing and popular system of asanas and breathing practices which allow seamless integration of physical exercises with meditative postures. On the eve of International Yoga Day on June 21, Indian Prime Minister Sh Narendra Modi decided to perform yoga along with 35,000 citizens of Chandigarh at its Capitol complex. This has led the local administration into a series of activities, which included Yoga for good life conclave and a call to analyse the changes in health parameters resulting from AYUSH common Yoga protocol, as thousands thronged to join the PM in performing yoga on June 21, 2016.