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Beneficial Effects of Yoga on Memory and Cognition Associated to Stress
Sudeep Mitra,
Mousumi Mitra,
Mantu Saha,
Dilip Kumar Nandi
Issue:
Volume 5, Issue 2, December 2020
Pages:
12-18
Received:
30 May 2020
Accepted:
22 June 2020
Published:
13 July 2020
Abstract: Stress generally occurs due to the organism’s non-specific response against some kind of demand imposed on them. The compensatory responses to these stresses are known as stress response. The stressful stimuli can advance the physiological and psychological effects on the body which includes executive functions of the brain. The prefrontal cortex shows an important connection between the circuits that are linked with emotions, memory and planning. Due to this activation of stressful condition or situation damage occurs in the prefrontal cortex because of the catecholaminergic nature of its innervating afferents in the other parts of the brain. Along with hippocampus, the amygdala and prefrontal cortex define the aspects of memory and visual processing within brain. The decrease in PNS and GABAergic activity that causes stress related disorders can be corrected by yoga practice resulting in amelioration of disease system in the brain such as reduction in anxiety and improvement in cognitive function. Depression, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) that are elevated by stress shows low heart rate variability (HRV) and GABAergic activity which can be improved in response to yoga based interventions. Yoga practices show increase in the proportion of gray matter and escalation in activation of amygdala and frontal cortex of the brain. It was concluded that breathing, meditation and posture based yoga increased overall brain function and activity.
Abstract: Stress generally occurs due to the organism’s non-specific response against some kind of demand imposed on them. The compensatory responses to these stresses are known as stress response. The stressful stimuli can advance the physiological and psychological effects on the body which includes executive functions of the brain. The prefrontal cortex s...
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Subjective vs. Objective Urine Color: Effect of Hydration Status
Tory Edwards,
Rebekah Belasco,
Alfonso Joaquin Munoz,
Vernon Rayo,
Michael Buono
Issue:
Volume 5, Issue 2, December 2020
Pages:
19-23
Received:
5 August 2020
Accepted:
24 August 2020
Published:
3 September 2020
Abstract: Purpose: To investigate the validity of urine color as a metric of hydration status using CIE L*a*b* color space, as compared to the commonly used subjective 8-point scale. Methods: A total of 151 urine samples were collected from subjects (N=28) in various states of hydration. Urine osmolality and urine specific gravity (USG) were measured in each sample. Urine color was assessed by the subjective 8-point urine color scale and quantified using CIE L*a*b* color space. RESULTS: The correlation between the CIE b*-value and urine osmolality (rs=0.89) was determined to be significantly (p=0.004) greater than the correlation between the subjective 8-point urine color scale and urine osmolality (rs=0.85). The correlation between the CIE b*-value and USG (rs=0.90) was also determined to be significantly (p < 0.001) greater than the correlation between the urine color chart and USG (rs=0.84). Lastly, the correlation between urine color as determined by the 8-point subjective urine color chart and the CIE b*-value had a strong relationship (rs=0.92). Conclusions: The correlations of the quantitative CIE b*-value with urine osmolality and USG were significantly greater than the correlations with the 8-point subjective urine color scale. This suggests that a quantitative measurement of urine color via spectrophotometry is a better measure for assessing hydration status vs. subjective determination of urine color. The results of the current study raise the possibility of spectrophotometry as an additional non-invasive method of determining hydration status.
Abstract: Purpose: To investigate the validity of urine color as a metric of hydration status using CIE L*a*b* color space, as compared to the commonly used subjective 8-point scale. Methods: A total of 151 urine samples were collected from subjects (N=28) in various states of hydration. Urine osmolality and urine specific gravity (USG) were measured in each...
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RNA Interference: Antiviral Defense Mechanism and Immune Memory
Muratkhodjaev Javdat,
Aripova Tamara
Issue:
Volume 5, Issue 2, December 2020
Pages:
24-29
Received:
14 July 2020
Accepted:
5 August 2020
Published:
7 September 2020
Abstract: A review of the mechanisms of the generation of antiviral immunity in bacteria, plants, invertebrates, and vertebrates directly indicates the leading role of innate immunity. Bornovirus infections in mammals have been proven to be inhibited by the RNA interference mechanism. Authors propose a possible role of innate human immunity in combating viral infections, including SARS-Cov2. This hypothesis is based on the notion that antiviral response involves a molecular mechanism of RNA interference stemming from the specific viral patterns incorporated into host cells’ DNA. Innate immunity plays an important role not only at the first encounter with a viral infection, but also fully participates in the formation of specific immune memory. RNA-interference along with interferon system is integral parts of human anti-viral defense system. The joint work of these systems is considered. Caution is warranted in both PCR testing interpretation and in assessing prospective vaccines. False positive result without any clinical presentation of the disease in some people might mean that PCR test was picking up any specific SARS-Cov2 sequences that already had incorporated into asymptomatic person’s cellular DNA due to the possible RNA-interference based anti-viral immunity. Future vaccines aimed at producing specific antibodies can cause the phenomenon of antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) of the infection. In ADE virus not only infects susceptible cells through appropriate receptor, but is able to highjack virus-specific antibodies to easily traffic virus bodies inside the monocytes/macrophages, granulocytes, platelets, mast and many more host cells through interaction with Fc and/or complement receptors. It is necessary to draw the attention of medical community, especially practitioners to the role of innate immunity, which is especially important in the current COVID-19 pandemic.
Abstract: A review of the mechanisms of the generation of antiviral immunity in bacteria, plants, invertebrates, and vertebrates directly indicates the leading role of innate immunity. Bornovirus infections in mammals have been proven to be inhibited by the RNA interference mechanism. Authors propose a possible role of innate human immunity in combating vira...
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Effects of High Intensity Interval Training on Physiological Variables of University Students
Issue:
Volume 5, Issue 2, December 2020
Pages:
30-36
Received:
18 September 2020
Accepted:
5 October 2020
Published:
13 October 2020
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on university students’ physiological variables. 40 male sports science students with an age range between 18-25 years were randomly assigned to the HIIT group (n=20) and control (C) group (n=20). The experiment group underwent eight weeks of HIIT, whereas, C group do not. Pre and posttest measurements of physiological variables like resting heart rate (RHR), respiratory rate (RR), recovery heart rate (RcHR), breath holding time (BHT), VO2 max and blood pressure BP) were made for all subjects before and after the intervention. To compare the mean physiological variables between the experiment and control groups, an independent sample t-test was employed. The statistical significance was set at p<0.05. Following the exercise intervention, the experiment group shows significantly better improvements than the control group in, RHR, RR, BHT, VO2 max, and systolic blood pressure (p<0.05). Thus, it was concluded that eight weeks of HIIT show a significant improvement in the physiological variables of university students.
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on university students’ physiological variables. 40 male sports science students with an age range between 18-25 years were randomly assigned to the HIIT group (n=20) and control (C) group (n=20). The experiment group underwent eight weeks of HIIT, wher...
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Impact of Royal Jelly Supplement on Ewe's Milk Fat Content and Fatty Acid Profile During the Early Stage of Lactation
Akram Abdel Sattar El-Tarabany,
Omar Abdel Hamid Ahmed-Farid,
Sana Sayed Emara,
Mahmoud Salah El-Tarabany
Issue:
Volume 5, Issue 2, December 2020
Pages:
37-41
Received:
21 September 2020
Accepted:
12 October 2020
Published:
21 October 2020
Abstract: The aim was to study the possible effects of royal jelly (RJ) supplementation on milk fat content and fatty acids (FA) profile of ewes during the early stage of lactation. Randomly, thirty-six Ossimi ewes were divided into two groups (18 animals each). The first group was offered the basal diet which was considered as a control group, whereas the second group was fed the basal diet, in addition to a supplement of a single bolus of RJ (1000 mg/head) every two days as a treated group. Regardless the effect of time, the RJ-supplemented group recorded a non-significant increase in daily milk yield (1.22 kg) when compared with the control (1.08 kg) group (P<0.063). While, the RJ-supplemented ewes showed significantly increase in milk fat percentage (P<0.008) as compared to control group. Lactating ewes in the control group produced significantly higher contents of milk C14:0 (P<0.036) and C18:0 (P<0.027) saturated FA than that in the RJ group. However, the contents of milk C6:0 and C17:0 in the RJ group were significantly greater than that estimated in the control (P<0.050 and 0.041, respectively). Furthermore, Lactating ewes supplemented with RJ produced significantly higher contents of milk C16:1 (P<0.001), C18:1 (P<0.001) and C18:2 (P<0.046) unsaturated FA than the control group. It can be concluded that supplementation of ewes during the early stage of lactation with RJ can improve the nutritive value of milk fat, and appears to be an opportunity to modify the concentrations of certain milk fatty acids.
Abstract: The aim was to study the possible effects of royal jelly (RJ) supplementation on milk fat content and fatty acids (FA) profile of ewes during the early stage of lactation. Randomly, thirty-six Ossimi ewes were divided into two groups (18 animals each). The first group was offered the basal diet which was considered as a control group, whereas the s...
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Spatial and Temporal Properties of Gaze Return Fixations While Viewing Affective Images
Lubov Podladchikova,
Dmitry Shaposhnikov,
Tatiana Koltunova,
Dmitry Lazurenko,
Valery Kiroy
Issue:
Volume 5, Issue 2, December 2020
Pages:
42-47
Received:
23 October 2020
Accepted:
7 November 2020
Published:
24 November 2020
Abstract: Spatial and temporal properties of gaze return fixations on recently viewed regions during free viewing of affective images from The International Affective System (IAPS) image database are considered. In each test, 10 positive, 10 negative, and 10 neutral images were presented for each Subject (n=20). It was revealed that the probability of the return fixations varied from 0,04 up to 0,42 for different Subjects and images (the average probability for negative, neutral and positive images was equal to 0,090±0,009, 0,079±0,012 and 0,076±0,009). It was shown that the distributions of return fixations duration and preceding (returning) saccades amplitude had a bimodal character. Besides, a tendency to increase the return fixation duration with a decrease in amplitude of the preceding saccades was revealed. Return fixations which located inside the areas of interest determined by analysis of the spatial distribution of all fixations (both regular and return ones) had maximal density and duration as compared with the other image regions. Finally, the volunteers with dominant focal viewing scan-paths had a higher probability of return fixations than those with scanning trajectories (0,09±0,003 and 0,05±0,006). On the base of the obtained results, the opportunity to estimate the dominant component of visual attention during the current stage of the dynamic process of image viewing and prospective studies of return fixations have been discussed.
Abstract: Spatial and temporal properties of gaze return fixations on recently viewed regions during free viewing of affective images from The International Affective System (IAPS) image database are considered. In each test, 10 positive, 10 negative, and 10 neutral images were presented for each Subject (n=20). It was revealed that the probability of the re...
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An Approach Study for Reducing the Early Embryonic Loss in Egyptian Buffalo-cows
Mohamed Abd El-Fattah Abo-Farw,
Osama Mostafa Elmalky,
Emad Fawzy Elmaghraby,
Hassab Allah Abdul Gwad Abu Elghait,
Maged Ahmed Aboul-Omran
Issue:
Volume 5, Issue 2, December 2020
Pages:
48-57
Received:
28 October 2020
Accepted:
13 November 2020
Published:
30 November 2020
Abstract: This study evaluated the efficacy of a single gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist on day 12 or human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) on day 7 post-mating on pregnancy rate (PR) of repeat breeder buffaloes. Buffaloes (n=21) in heat were naturally mated, and divided into three groups (7 in each). Animals in the 1st group (G1) were i.m. injected with 5 ml GnRH on 12-day post-mating, while those in G2 were i.m. injected with 1500 IU of hCG on day 7 post-mating. In G3, animals were kept as control. Results show that PR was higher (P<0.05) in G1 (71.428) and G2 (57.142) than G3 (28.571). The peak of serum P4 was recorded (P<0.05) on day 15 in G2, and day 18 in G1 and G3. On days 21 and 24 post-mating, P4 was the highest (P<0.05) in G1, followed by G2, and the lowest in G3. Average CL diameter increased (P<0.05) CL in G1and G2 compared with G3 on days 15 and 18 post-mating. The concentration of P4 was higher in pregnant than in non-pregnant animals on different post-mating days, regardless of treatment. The concentration of P4 was the highest in pregnant of G2, and the lowest in non-pregnants of G3, being more obvious from 18 to 24-day post-mating. Injection of repeat breeder lactating buffaloes with 5 ml GnRH or 1500 IU hCG on day 12 and 7 post-mating, respectively, improved P4 production and pregnancy rate. GnRH treatment reduced the early embryonic loss showing the highest pregnancy rate to increase the farmer economy.
Abstract: This study evaluated the efficacy of a single gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist on day 12 or human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) on day 7 post-mating on pregnancy rate (PR) of repeat breeder buffaloes. Buffaloes (n=21) in heat were naturally mated, and divided into three groups (7 in each). Animals in the 1st group (G1) were i.m. injecte...
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A Possible Way to Improve the Quality of Speech Perception by Increasing the Number of Electrodes in a Cochlear Implant from 8 to 22
Issue:
Volume 5, Issue 2, December 2020
Pages:
58-69
Received:
21 November 2020
Accepted:
8 December 2020
Published:
31 December 2020
Abstract: A cochlear implant (CI) helps a person with auditory receptor pathology restore the ability to hear and understand speech. The partial loss of the information about the frequency and loudness of the audio signal is the main difference from the natural sound perception. CIs of various types differ in the number of stimulated electrodes: 12, 16, 20, or 22. The quality of speech perception is significantly improved by increasing the number of stimulated electrodes from 4 to 7 and almost does not change with a further increase in the number of electrodes from 8 to 22. When speech is perceived in all types of CI, 3 to 6 adjacent electrodes are usually stimulated simultaneously. When a single electrode is stimulated, the CI user hears a sound with a single pitch. When two adjacent electrodes E(n) and E(n+1) are simultaneously stimulated, a virtual frequency channel (VFC) is formed, and the CI user hears a sound with an intermediate pitch {Z(n)+Z(n+1)}/2, provided that the adjacent electrodes on the right and left are not stimulated. When three or more adjacent electrodes are simultaneously stimulated, the CI user hears a sound with the same pitch, which depends on the distance from the electrode with the largest amplitude of stimulating pulses to the apex of the cochlea. There was no suggestion as to why the quality of speech perception does not improve when the number of electrodes increases from 8 to 22 in the scientific literature for the period from 1997 to 2019. This article proposes a method for adjusting the mode electrodes stimulation, which creates conditions for the formation of virtual frequency channels. The CI user will be able to hear a greater number of sounds of various pitch. A method for correcting the algorithm for controlling the stimulation of electrodes, which can be used in any type of CI, is proposed.
Abstract: A cochlear implant (CI) helps a person with auditory receptor pathology restore the ability to hear and understand speech. The partial loss of the information about the frequency and loudness of the audio signal is the main difference from the natural sound perception. CIs of various types differ in the number of stimulated electrodes: 12, 16, 20, ...
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