Unusual presentation of ocular trauma in sickle cell trait

Sickle cell trait is usually considered as a benign condition. However under certain adverse circumstances, it can give rise to vaso-occlusive features as in sickle cell disease. We present here two cases, both involving healthy young males, who developed retinal vaso-occlusive features following blunt ocular trauma. There was a rapid progression of the retinopathy with the development of proliferative changes in both patients and also vitreous hemorrhage in one patient, within 2 months of the trauma. The development of retinopathy was independent of raised intraocular pressure. Both patients were found to have sickle cell trait.     

Assessment of computer game as a psychological stressor

To simulate the effects of acute psychological stress, the effects of stressful computer game in young adult subjects were assessed by various physiological, psychological and biochemical parameters. The results showed a significant increase in the physiological and psychological markers of stress. It is concluded from these results that computer game can be used as an acute laboratory psychological stressor for future studies on physiological effects of stress.     

Dynamic, equilibrium and human studies of adsorption of 201Tl by Prussian blue

Prussian blue is the recommended but infrequently required antidote for radiocesium and thallium chemical poisoning. Conceivably, its most frequent application will be the decontamination of radiothallium (thallous chloride) from human body following myocardial scintigraphy. Dosage schedule and physicochemical parameters of interaction with radiothallium, however, need to be defined, as the known data is inadequate on this account. The objective of the present study is to create physiologically relevant and mathematically rigorous data on interaction of Prussian blue with Tl, to estimate dosage schedule of Prussian blue suitable for myocardial scintigraphy, and to perform preliminary human studies to evaluate the efficacy of the antidote in reducing the considerable radiation burden imparted by this radiotracer. Adsorption efficacy of Prussian blue for radiothallium was found to be more than 95% at basic (intestinal) pH even at low concentrations and in presence of the physiological cations, potassium and sodium. Isotherm analysis and derivations using Langmuir, Bajpai, Lagergreen, and Freundlich equations suggest a favorable adsorption of Tl on Prussian blue with qmax being 5,000 MBq g. Based on these findings and clinical considerations, particularly preferential gall bladder excretion and enterohepatic recycling of radioactive thallous chloride, a dose of 100 mg Prussian blue with every major meal for 3 days was considered adequate for the purpose. Our experience with the first two patients (serving as their own self-controls) suggests that Prussian blue therapy is a safe and effective method to significantly reduce radiation burden imparted by thallium myocardial scintigraphy.     

Influence of alternate nostril breathing on cardiorespiratory and autonomic functions in healthy young adults

Alternate nostril breathing (ANB) may modulate cardio-respiratory and autonomic functions. However, the studies are scarce and results highly conflicting. The present study was conducted in healthy young volunteers comprising of males (n=20) and females (n=20) in range of 17-22 years. In both groups respiratory rate (RR/min), heart rate (HR/ min), systolic blood pressure (SBP; mm Hg), diastolic blood pressure (DBP; mm Hg), peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR; L/min) and galvanic skin resistance (GSR; microV) were recorded thrice; once as control and then after 15 min (acute exposure) and following 8 wks of training in ANB (15 min daily). In males the control RR was 16.60 +/- 2.01, HR 75.75 +/- 11.07, SBP-115.9 +/- 7.33, DBP 70.4 +/- 6.28 and PEFR 550.00 +/- 51.50. After 15 min of ANB-RR (14.75 +/- 1.41, P<0.001), HR (68.45 +/- 12.41, P<0.01) and SBP (113.6 +/- 6.04, P<0.05) fell significantly. After 8 wks of ANB training RR (12.35 +/- 1.35, P<0.0001), HR (63.20 +/- 11.11, P<0.001), SBP (109.5 +/- 5.61, P<0.001), declined to much greater extent and PEFR (571.50 +/- 46.26, P<0.01) rose significantly. In females the control RR was 17.25 +/- 1.89, HR-74.90 +/- 12.85, SBP-106.70 +/- 6.91, DBP-68.70 +/- 5.52 and PEFR-394.50 +/- 44.89. After 15 min of ANB RR (15.05 +/- 1.54, P<0.001) and HR (64.75 +/- 9.80, P<0.001) showed significant decline with concomitant rise in PEFR (407.00 +/- 2.31, P<0.05). Following 8 wks training the decrement in RR (12.60 +/-1.50, P<0.0001) and HR (63.30 +/- 8.65, P<0.001) was maintained. SBP (103.10 +/- 4.92, P<0.001) and DBP (65.8 +/- 5.54, P<0.001) decreased further and PEFR (421.00 +/- 38.51 P<0.001) rose, GSR was unaffected by ANB in both males and females. These results suggest that in general there is a tilt towards parasympathetic dominance by alternate nostril breathing. This breathing may be a useful adjuvant to medical therapy of hypertension and COPD.