Endurance vs. strength exercise

No abstract available.

Variation of bleeding time and clotting time in the ABO blood groups

Introduction: Blood grouping, bleeding time (BT) and clotting time (CT) are important hematological parameters investigated before any surgical procedure. The association of blood groups with many diseases are established, such as epistaxis with blood group “O”. This study aimed to assess the relationship of BT and CT among different blood groups and to find any gender difference in these parameters. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted among healthy medical students. Blood grouping was done by agglutination method, BT by Duke’s method, and CT by capillary tube method. Mean bleeding and clotting times (seconds) were compared among groups. Results: The study was completed in 351 students (160 males, 191 females), with age ranging from 19-23 years. Both BT and CT values were highest in the blood type O, BT was lowest in type B, and CT was lowest in type AB, although the differences were statistically not significant (p>0.15). Females had higher values of BT as well as CT than males (p values <0.001). A very highly significant correlation between the bleeding and clotting times was also noticed (Pearson’s correlation coefficient, P = 0.495, p<0.001). Conclusions: The study hinted a tendency for higher risk for hemorrhagic condition and lower risk for thrombotic event in blood group O compared to groups A, B or AB. Multicentric study including larger population with the emphasis on finding plasma vWF level may be helpful to verify findings, identify the risk groups, and take prior preventive measures.

Relationship between body mass index and simple visual reaction time in students of a medical college of Nepal

Introduction: Obesity is a chronic condition with an increase in adipose tissues. It is known to affect various systems of body including the central nervous system. Reaction time is a measure of the integrity of the central nervous system which is an integrated voluntary response to a stimulus that includes receiving and processing of stimulus, drawing inference, and generating a motor response. This study was conducted with the objective of finding a relationship between body mass index, a measure of obesity and simple visual reaction time. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional analytical study was conducted on 60 participants aged 18-25 years. The body mass index of participants was calculated using Quetelet’s index, calculated by weight in kilograms divided by square of height in meter. Deary-Liewald reaction time task software version 3.10 was used to analyze their simple visual reaction time. Correlation of reaction time and body mass index was assessed using Pearson’s correlation test. Results: A weak positive correlation (r= 0.17) was observed between body mass index and simple visual reaction time but the correlation coefficient was not statistically significant (p=0.19). Conclusions: Slower visual reaction time with an increase in body mass index was noted. But the findings of current study were inadequate to deduce if any linear relationship exists between simple visual reaction time and body mass index.

On the way to COVID-19 vaccine development: tireless efforts and outcomes

Novel corona virus disease (COVID-19), since its emergence in November 2019, took the toll of a huge number of human lives. It is a β-corona-virus also known as SARS-CoV2. The safest and most effective way to prevent the disease is definitely vaccination amongst the large population. To the best of our knowledge, more than 200 vaccine candidates for COVID-19 were developed by the scientists of research institutions and pharmaceutical companies and nearly 52 candidates were in human trials. Till now, only 15 vaccines are being offered to the general population in the world, out of which 2 vaccines are RNA, 6 are conventional inactivated, 5 viral vector and 2 protein subunit. Here, we tried to unfold the events and efforts behind the successes of new innovations of COVID-19 vaccines, the world has achieved yet.

A genderwise comparison of sleep habits of a sample adult population of Kathmandu

Introduction: A consolidated sleep of 7-9 hours has recuperative effect and improves cognitive function. Relating to their differences in sociodemograpic roles and physiological responses, men and women have different sleep characteristics. Gender differences in Nepalese population has not been reported. The knowledge could be helpful in addressing their sleep disorders. Materials and methods: Sleep-related information was collected by means of questionnaires from randomly selected adults visiting a blood donation center in Kathmandu. Results: Complete response was obtained from 442 participants - 317 males and 125 females, with comparable mean age. Most (83.26%) participants had 7-9 hours of sleep. Women went to bed earlier (9.43 pm ±57 min vs 10.05 pm ±77 min in men, p=0.006) as well as woke up earlier (5.37 am ±48 min vs 6.04 am ±91 min in men, p<0.001). Total duration of sleep was comparable between the groups (nearly 8 hours ±1 hour). Age correlated inversely with sleep duration in men (p=0.003) but not in women. Conclusions: Most participants have adequate sleep duration. Women go to bed earlier and wake up earlier than men, but have about equal duration of sleep.

Launching of the Journal of the Physiological Society of Nepal (JPSN)

No abstract available.

Visual reaction time of drivers versus healthy adults: a comparative study

Introduction: Driving is a highly demanding profession requiring heightened alertness while remaining in an ergonomically constrained position and also associated with exposure to vehicular pollution and whole body vibration. We explored whether drivers’ reaction time is different to student group who also remain in sitting position for long hours but not exposed to other factors. Materials and methods: Drivers with at least one year of occupational history and under/post-graduate students were randomly selected. Their reaction time in seconds (RT) was measured by the ruler drop method (RDM) and compared with independent t test. Right vs left hand RTs were compared within groups by paired t test. Results: Thirty students (21.8±2.25 years) and 37 drivers (33.73±9.77 years) participated in the study. The drivers had RT of 2.03±0.2s on both the hands; students’ RT were 2.01±0.16s on right and 2.02±0.17s on left hands. For both hands, the differences were not significant between drivers and students (p>0.5). Right and left RT were also comparable for both groups (p>0.5). Conclusions: Bus drivers with at least one year occupational exposure have reaction times ruler drop stimulus not significantly different from controls (students).

Inter-arm blood pressure difference in healthy young adults: a cross-sectional study

Introduction: Inter-arm difference (IAD) in blood pressure is the difference in the systolic and the diastolic blood pressure between arms of an individual. Studies regarding IAD among elderly, pregnant women, patients with cardiovascular disease and diabetes have been conducted but there are very limited studies carried out among young healthy adults. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the inter-arm blood pressure difference and its association with age, sex, BMI and family history of hypertension among Nepalese healthy young adults. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 230 students of Kantipur Dental College, Kathmandu, Nepal. Blood pressure was measured using a mercurial sphygmomanometer. Statistical analysis was done using paired t test, chi-square and Pearson’s correlation test using SPSS 16. Results: The absolute mean IAD for SBP was 5.03±3.88 mm Hg and for DBP was 3.84±3.77 mm Hg. There is significant inter-arm difference for SBP (t=4.882, p<0.001) but not for DBP. Inter-arm SBP difference was significantly associated with family history of hypertension (χ2 = 6.41, p=0.01) and positive but weakly correlated with age (r = +0.135, p=0.04). There is no significant association of inter-arm SBP difference with sex and BMI. Meanwhile, there is no statistically significant association of sex, family history of hypertension, age and BMI with inter-arm DBP. Conclusions: There is a significant inter-arm systolic blood pressure difference among the healthy young Nepalese adults and it is associated with the positive family history of hypertension and age.

Determinants and prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity in pre-school children of Duwakot, Bhaktapur

Introduction: Adverse dietary patterns and sedentary lifestyle predispose to overweight-related non-communicable diseases both in children and in adults. In Nepal, childhood overweight is one rapidly growing public health concern in the urban areas. Many studies have focused on the relationship between overweight and its associated risk factors. We aimed to find the prevalence of overweight including obesity and its determinants in pre-school children aged 2 to 4 years in Duwakot community, Bhaktapur.. Materials and methods: In a community-based cross-sectional survey, total 122 pre-school children both males and females of age between 2-4 years were studied. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain information on socioeconomic characteristics and life style factors of children. WHO Anthro Software Version 3.2.2 was used for analyzing anthropometric parameters of the children. Results: The prevalence of overweight in pre-school children was 13.9%. The prevalence of overweight including obesity was significantly higher among male children (17.7%) than female children (10%). The study revealed that overweight was significantly associated with sedentary lifestyles of children and higher socio-economic status of the family. Conclusions: The magnitude of overweight is big and increasing rapidly in Nepal due to sedentary lifestyles and improper dietary habits among pre-school children, especially in the cities. Proper interventions should be implemented to minimize the overweight among pre-school children in order to avoid further health ailments in future.

Dye inhibition of phosphate transport in everted duodenal sacs of mice

Phenol Red has been widely used to test kidney function in man. Using the simple, everted gut sac technique has been observed to inhibit the phosphate transport by phenol red in the mouse intestine. We wanted to see if other similar organic anions are able to inhibit the phosphate transport across the mouse intestine. Both uptake and release of phosphate by the everted duodenal sacs of mice are inhibited by phenol red, bromocresol green and bromophenol blue. At the highest dose all the dyes were able to inhibit both influx and efflux significantly. Loss of phosphate from bathing solution is taken as influx and the gain of phosphate by the solution within the sac is taken efflux. At higher dosages a trend of increase in E/I% was noted. At the highest dose all the dyes were able to increase this parameter significantly over the control. Influx appears to be the primary process to be affected. Possible use of phenol red, on account of its safety in humans, as a hypophosphatemic agent is suggested.