Introduction: Hypertension is one of the important causes of coronary heart disease and cerebrovascular disease. The autonomic nervous system has a significant role in the circulatory system and blood pressure regulation. Analysis of heart rate variability (HRV) is a non-invasive tool that is widely used to assess autonomic nervous function. Aims & Objectives: The study aimed to analyze HRV in Hypertensive individuals. Materials & Methods: An analytical study was conducted on 50 normotensives and 50 hypertensives in the age group of 40–60 years. Blood pressure was measured by using a sphygmomanometer in sitting position. According to JNC VII criteria, normotensives are those with SBP ≤ 120 mmHg and DBP ≤ 80 mmHg. Hypertensives are those with SBP ≥ 140 mmHg and DBP ≥ 90 mmHg. HRV is measured for 2min using Polar H10 chest strap and data is analyzed using Elite HRV software. In Time-domain methods Mean RR, SDNN, RMSSD, and PNN50 were assessed. In Frequency domain methods LF, HF, and LF/HF were assessed. The data was entered into Excel 2016 and SPSS version 21 was used for analysis. An unpaired “t” test was used to compare the HRV values between normotensive and hypertensive groups. Results: Mean HR, SDNN, RMSSD, PNN50, and HF were found to be decreased and LF, LF/HF were increased in hypertensives suggesting increased sympathetic activity and reduced parasympathetic activity in hypertensives. All the values were statistically significant (p<0.01). Conclusion: There is increased sympathetic activity and a decreased vagal tone associated with hypertension. Thus HRV can be used as a routine screening test to predict the future risk of hypertension at an earlier stage and also for a better prognosis during treatment.

Background: Vision is the primary means of integration between individual and external environment. Childhood visual impairment due to refractive errors is a significant problem in school children. School children constitute a special group as uncorrected refractive errors cause a vulnerable impact on student routine school work, physical, mental, behavioral development as well as day to day activities. This warrants early detection and treatment to prevent permanent disability. Objectives: To study the prevalence of refractive errors in secondary school children and to associate factors affecting reduced vision in school children. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted on school children of a Zilla Parishad High School. Visual acuity test was performed using Snellen’s E Chart and, subjects with VA≤6/9 were examined for refractive error by an optometrist using a trial lens set. A Pretested questionnaire was administered. Parental consent was obtained and assent was taken before the examination, children whose parents did not give consent were excluded. A total of 314 students participated. Data were entered in Microsoft excel sheet and analyzed using SPSS version 21. Results were expressed as proportions for different study variables. Results: Out of 314 students, the majority 161(51.27%) of study participants were girls. The highest number of students (68%) was between 14-15yrs. Among 314 students examined, 40 (12.74%) students were suffering from refractive errors, myopia being the commonest (10.2%), Astigmatism-affected in 8 (2.54%) children. Most of the students (60.5%) were in the lower middle socio-economic class. The percentage of the population with 2-4hrs/day screen exposure duration is 42.35%. But there is no statistical significance of reduced vision was observed with taken study variables, considering a p-value<0.05 was taken as a significant association. Conclusions: The prevalence of refractive errors was 12.74% in this study. Children should be educated regarding ocular hygiene, early correction of refractive errors, limited screen time. Recommended planning appropriate eye care programmes to reduce the burden of visual impairment among the younger population.

Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) and diabetic mellitus (DM) are two public health issues that have a significant financial impact on health-care systems. Hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular cancer are all symptoms of HCV infections. They've also been linked to the pathogenesis of extrahepatic symptoms, such as metabolic illnesses like diabetes mellitus. Longitudinal and cross-sectional studies have found that people with chronic HCV infections had a greater incidence and prevalence of diabetes than those of HBV sufferers. Chronic HCV infections are accelerated histologically and clinically and lead to Diabetes mellitus. With the development of novel treatments like as direct-acting antiviral agents that enhance glycemic control in these individuals, therapy has recently progressed.

Background: Medical students are constantly exposed to stress which when present in a small amount is beneficial as it brings out the potential of the student; but a lot of stress is injurious to the well being of the student as it exerts a negative effect on the mental health, physical health and academics of the student. Objective: To study stress, anxiety, and depression levels perceived by the 1st year M.B.B.S students. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was done at Andhra Medical College from November 2020 to December 2020. This Study included 1st year M.B.B.S Students who satisfied the inclusion and exclusion criteria and were willing to give consent. Information regarding Age, Gender, Place of residence (hostel/day scholar), Motivation to take M.B.B.S course (Self-interest / Family pressure), Socioeconomic status using Kuppuswamy’s socioeconomic status scale were collected. DASS -42 questionnaire was given to the students which was used to assess the stress, anxiety, and depression levels. The data was entered into Excel 2016 and SPSS version 21 was used for analysis. Independent t-test and ANOVA tests were used to find the association between socio-demographic characteristics and DASS scores. Results: A total of 108 1st year M.B.B.S students participated in the study, belonging to the age group 18 – 20 years. The percentage of females was 55.6%. 95.4% of the students took the course with self–interest. 57.4% of students were residents of the hostel. The mean stress, anxiety and depression score was found to be 12.45 ± 5.92, 4.98 ± 2.81, 5.31 ± 3.42 respectively in this study. In this study, 49% of students were found to be in the mild stress category. Conclusion: This study showed a high prevalence of stress and a considerable amount of anxiety and depression among 1st year M.B.BS students. A student help desk comprising of a psychologist, psychiatrist, parent representative and a senior faculty member can be formed who will help the students in addressing their negative emotional states.

The external covering of egg is called eggshell. Chicken eggshell is composed of calcified egg shell as well as shell membrane. Its total weight is 10-11 % as compared to whole egg weight. Eggshell is an important structure for two reasons. Firstly, it act as an embryonic chamber during development of chick, secondly it act as a container and provide protection to the contents of egg and a unique container for the market egg. Despite its remarkable properties it is very often discarded from homes, restaurants, farms and factories. This review article aims to summarize the recent reports utilizing eggshell as calcium source in chicks, stressing the need to use a egg shell as a calcium source instead to use other sources. Hen eggshell is chemically composed of 65.6 % water, 11.8 % proteins, 11% fat and 11.7 % Ash. The shell consists of 97% calcium carbonate, and this is provided to the hen in the diet. However, the chemical must be broken down in the digestive system and then re-synthesized in the shell gland to form the shell. The shell of egg is the best sources of calcium then other sources like limestone. Calcium has an important role in formation of hard eggshell in hens. The calcium played a role in eggs quality as well as bone mineralization. Deficiency of calcium leads to minimize bone strength, egg weight and egg production.

This study investigated the histological and biochemical effects of G. kola and T.conophorum extracts, in diabetic Wistar rats. Phytochemical and LD50 of the extracts were determined. Thirty-six (36) adult male Wistar rats weighing 180 – 200 g were divided into 6 groups (n =6). Group 1 served as normal control, group 2 served as diabetic control while groups 3 – 6 were diabetic rats treated with glibenclamide (5 mg/kg body weight (bw)), G. kola (548 mg/kg bw), T. conophorum (524 mg/kg bw) and combined (G. kola and T. conophorum) respectively. At the end of the experiment, the animals were anaesthesized and with cardiac puncture, blood was obtained for biochemical studies while the kidneys were harvested for the histological analysis. Glibenclamide significantly (p < 0.05) reduced FBG from 22.10 ± 1.65 mmol/L to 4.48 ± 0.29 mmol/L, G. kola from 22.04 ± 4.06 mmol/L to 7.40 ± 2.41 mmol/L, T. conophorum from 14.26 ± 2.38 mmol/L to 5.98 ± 0.57 mmol/L, and combined from 17.54 ± 1.72 mmol/L to 11.58 ± 2.11 mmol/L. G. kola significantly (p < 0.05) lowered the urea and raised the chloride and creatinine levels. T. conophorum significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the urea and increased the sodium and chloride levels, while the combined treatment significantly lowered the urea and raised the sodium levels. The plant extracts significantly attenuated the alterations in the kidneys. It may be concluded that the combined administration of G. kola and T. conophorum extracts and their single treatments showed hypoglycaemic and nephroprotective effects.