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Introduction: Obesity, a major health hazard in both developed and developing countries, is greatly influenced by an individual’s eating behaviour or appetitive trait. While eating disorders are known to be associated with abnormal body composition and cardio-metabolic risks, on par with metabolic syndrome, knowledge regarding the relationship between appetitive traits and body composition and anthropometric indices is very limited. Aim: To assess the appetitive traits of young and middle-aged individuals and correlate them with their body composition, anthropometric indices, and appearance anxiety. Materials and Methods: Sixty-eight healthy volunteers aged 19-45 years were included in this cross-sectional study. The appetitive traits, appearance anxiety, and perceived body shape of the study participants were assessed using the Adult Eating Behaviour Questionnaire (AEBQ), Appearance Anxiety Inventory (AAI), and Contour Drawing Rating Scale (CDRS). Body composition was assessed using Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA). The correlation between appetitive trait scores and the study parameters was assessed using the Pearson or Spearman correlation coefficient test. Comparison of appetitive traits between males and females was done using the Independent t-test or Mann-Whitney U test. A p-value

Background: The major membrane currents responsible for sinoatrial (SA) rhythm generation are generally studied in isolated cardiac cells using electrophysiological tools. Such studies are resource and labor-intensive. Materials and Methods: Here, we have studied four major currents in isolated rat heart preparations, perfused in Langendorff mode, and demonstrate that this is a good preparation for such studies. Heart rates of isolated perfused rat hearts were recorded using surface electrocardiogram before and after perfusion with drugs and solutions that affect the four major currents responsible for SA rhythm generation. Results: The rates of whole isolated hearts beating with SA rhythm decreased with cesium and decreased by about half with ivabradine, both blockers of the funny current (If). Importantly, the rhythm was not abolished even with a high dose of ivabradine at which total blockade of If is expected. The rate was not affected by nickel, a blocker of T-type calcium current. The SA rhythm was abolished by the reduction or removal of sodium from the perfusate (interventions that inhibit the calcium-extrusive mode of the sodium-calcium exchanger) or by nifedipine, the L-type calcium channel blocker. Discussion: The inferences made based on these observations are (a) If contributes significantly to pacemaking, (b) ICaT does not play a role and (c) INCX and ICaL are obligatory rhythm-generating currents in the SA node. Cyclical calcium release from SR during diastole (the calcium clock), responsible for driving INCX in its forward mode is probably a phenomenon independent of membrane events, as total If blockade did not abolish rhythm generation. These results corroborate with published literature where most studies were done on single cells.

Background: Smartphone addiction among young adults is a growing concern that is often underestimated despite its significant health hazards. The objective of this study was to assess the extent of smartphone addiction and its association with physical activity level, anthropometric indices, and quality of sleep in young adults. Material and Methods:This cross-sectional study was conducted among 138 allied health sciences undergraduates of a tertiary care medical school in Puducherry, South India. The participants' extent of smartphone addiction, physical activity, and sleep quality were assessed using the Smartphone Addiction Scale (SAS), International Physical Activity Questionnaire, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), respectively. Anthropometric indices (body mass index [BMI], waist-to-hip [W: H] ratio, waist-to-height [W: Ht] ratio, Conicity Index, and A Body Shape Index [ABSI]) were also measured following standardized procedures. Correlations between smartphone addiction, physical activity, anthropometric indices, and sleep quality were evaluated using Pearson's/Spearman's rank correlation coefficient. P

Introduction: Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL), a major heath concern due to constant exposure to loud noise is on the rising trend in today’s world. The bus drivers are more vulnerable to the auditory and non-auditory ill effects of noise pollution. Aim: The aim of this study was to assess and compare the hearing level, blood pressure and peak expiratory flow rate of bus drivers and individuals employed in office jobs. Materials and Methods: Fifty male bus drivers aged 30-50 years and fifty males of the same group employed in office jobs were recruited as the test and control groups respectively. The hearing level of the individuals in both the groups was assessed using the Hearing Deterioration Index (HDI). The lung function and cardiovascular status of the study participants were assessed by measuring their Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR) and Blood Pressure (BP) respectively. The mean HDI, PEFR and BP values of both the groups were compared using the unpaired t-test and the extent of correlation between HDI, service years, exposure level, systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) was determined using Pearson correlation coefficient test. Results: HDI, SBP and DBP were significantly higher among the bus drivers when compared to the controls. However, there was no significant difference in the PEFR values between the test and the control groups. There was a highly significant positive correlation between HDI and service years and exposure level. Similarly, there was a significant positive correlation between exposure level and systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Conclusion: Prolonged exposure to high intensity of sound results in deterioration of hearing capacity and increase in blood pressure among the bus drivers.

Introduction: The ill-health effects of inadequate sleep and sleep-related disorders are usually underestimated by the general population. Recent studies have reported a declining trend in the quality of sleep among young adults due to the extensive use of electronic media. However, data regarding the quality of sleep and its association with Body Mass Index (BMI) and psychological status of young adults is very limited. Aim: To assess the quality of sleep among young adults using simple self-reported pre-validated questionnaires and to measure the extent of its correlation with BMI and psychological status of the individuals. Materials and Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted between August 2016 and December 2016 in the Department of Physiology, Indira Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute, Puducherry, India. Four hundred young adults (20-23 years, both genders) were recruited in the study and their BMI was calculated using the Quetelet's index. Quality of sleep, daytime sleepiness and symptoms pertaining to depression, anxiety and stress of the study participants were assessed using Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score, Epworth Sleepiness Scale score (ESS score) and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale Score (DASS score) respectively. The correlation between the study variables (PSQI scores, ESS scores, DASS scores, sleep hours and BMI) was determined using the Spearman correlation coefficient test. Results: Statistically significant positive correlation was observed between: a) PSQI scores and BMI (r=0.852, p<0.001); b) ESS scores and BMI (r=0.657, p<0.001); c) DASS scores and BMI (r=0.814, 0.929, 0.946 for Depression, Anxiety and Stress scores respectively, p<0.001); and d) PSQI scores and DASS scores (r=0.761, 0.838, 0.836 for Depression, Anxiety and Stress scores respectively, p<0.001). Duration of sleep hours showed a significant negative correlation with BMI (r=-0.533, p<0.001), PSQI scores (r=-0.714, p<0.001), ESS scores (r=-0.431, p<0.001) and DASS scores (r=-0.478, -0.532, -0.522 for Depression, Anxiety and Stress scores respectively, p<0.001). Conclusion: Poor quality of sleep predisposes to increased daytime sleepiness, increased BMIand mood changes in young adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]