Toxic metals, including excessive levels of essential metals tend to change biological structures and systems into either reversible or irreversible conformations, leading to the derangement of organ functions or ultimate death. Nickel, a known heavy metal is found at very low levels in the environment. Nickel is available in all soil types and meteorites and also erupts from volcanic emissions. In the environment, nickel is principally bound with oxygen or sulfur and forms oxides or sulfides in earth crust. The vast industrial use of nickel during its production, recycling and disposal has led to widespread environmental pollution. Nickel is discharged into the atmosphere either by nickel mining or by various industrial processes, such as power plants or incinerators, rubber and plastic industries, nickel-cadmium battery industries and electroplating industries. The extensive use of nickel in various industries or its occupational exposure is definitely a matter of serious impact on human health. Heavy metals like nickel can produce free radicals from diatomic molecule through the double step process and generate superoxide anion. Further, these superoxide anions come together with protons and facilitate dismutation to form hydrogen peroxide, which is the most important reason behind the nickel-induced pathophysiological changes in living systems. In this review, we address the acute, subchronic and chronic nickel toxicities in both human and experimental animals. We have also discussed nickel-induced genotoxicity, carcinogenicity, immunotoxicity and toxicity in various other metabolically active tissues. This review specifically highlighted nickel-induced oxidative stress and possible cell signaling mechanisms as well.

Background and Objective: Yoga attracts people primarily as an easy way to good health. Yogic techniques are known to improve one's overall performance and working capacity. So, our study aimed to evaluate the pulmonary functions in healthy individuals aged 20 to 65 years before and after short duration yoga training and to evaluate the differential effects between young and middle aged individuals. Methods and Material: A comparative prospective study involving 52 healthy individuals aged 20 to 65 years. The study group was divided into two according to age Group I (age=20-40 yrs, young adults) and Group II (age=40-65 yrs, middle aged). Pulmonary function parameters like Breath Holding Time, 40 mmHg Endurance Test, Vital Capacity, FEV1% and PEFR were recorded before and after two weeks yoga training. The mean values of parameters were compared within and between groups before and after yoga training. Results: We found statistically significant higher values of 40 mmHg Endurance Test and PEFR in Group I compared to Group II before yoga training. Also found statistically significant improvements of the pulmonary function parameters in Group I as well as Group II after short term yoga training but the effects were more prominent in Group I. There is statistically significant higher values of PEFR in Group I compared to Group II after yoga training. Conclusion: This study showed beneficial effects of short term yoga on pulmonary function parameters in healthy subjects aged 20 to 65 years, particularly in young adults.

Objectives: There are aging associated alterations in cardiac structure, metabolism, function. Evidence suggests alterations in myocardial metabolism contribute to the development, progression of heart failure. Hence it is essential to be aware of the impact of healthy aging on myocardial oxygen consumption. Rate-Pressure Product (RPP) is simple, non-invasive, easily measurable index of MVO₂. Seeking the effect of aging, we measured RPP, in apparently healthy men and women of different age groups. To know the influence of gender we compared the RPP in men and women in each age group.

Methods: A total 152 healthy subjects (91 men, 61 women) were classified by age into four groups. Studies included recording of anthropometric parameters, physiological parameters, brachial systolic and diastolic blood pressure and ECG. Rate-Pressure Product was calculated.

Results: Subjects of both genders showed an age related (18-65 years) decline of resting heart rate. Healthy men showed a gradual decline of rate pressure product from 18-65 years. Healthy young women between 20-35 years showed higher rate pressure product compared to men. Below 20 years RPP was lower in women compared to men. Between 35-54 years the gender differences in RPP diminished. Beyond 55 years RPP was higher in women compared to men.

Conclusion: Varying influence of aging on myocardial oxygen consumption observed in men and women. Healthy aging is associated with decline in myocardial oxygen consumption in men. In women no significant variation observed. In each age group gender differences in myocardial oxygen consumption observed.

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Background and Objective: Stress and anxiety influences physical and mental health. There is a need for simple and cost effective treatment for anxiety to alleviate the burden on the health caused by anxiety. All over the world the scientists have extensively studied about yoga and claimed that it increases longevity and has therapeutic and rehabilitative effects. This study was undertaken seeking the specific effects of yoga therapy on anxiety. This study was undertaken to determine and compare the effects of Yoga on anxiety levels of apparently healthy female subjects. Methods and Material: Study was conducted on 50 apparently healthy female individuals aged 20-50 years who attended one month Yoga camp. Hamilton Anxiety (HAMA) Scale was used to evaluate anxiety levels before and at the end of the yoga camp. Results: Before yoga subjects having mild moderate and severe anxiety were 12.12%, 24.24% and 63.63% respectively. After yoga training subjects having mild, moderate and severe anxiety were 24.24%, 33.33% and 42.42% respectively. There was highly significant (p=0.001) difference in the mean values of total score before (32.0+6.10) and after (28.54+6.0) yoga. These results indicate that there was a reduction in the severity of anxiety from severe to moderate and mild indicating improvement in general well being following yoga. Conclusion: Based on the results of our study, one may conclude that regular yogic practice and adapting and implementing the principals and philosophies of yoga in day to day life reduces the anxiety level and improve the subjective feeling of well being.

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Background and Objective: Maximal oxygen consumption (VO 2 max in ml/kg/min) reflects the physical fitness of an individual. Physical fitness acquired in school children provides healthy impact on cardio respiratory system. So, our study aimed to find out the role of regular exercise and nutrition on VO 2 max and physiological parameters among Residential and Non-Residential school children of Bijapur. Methods and Material: A cross sectional study involving 200 healthy school children aged 12 to 16 years. The study group was divided into two i.e Group I (n=100, Residential school children) and Group II (n=100, Nonresidential school children). VO 2 max was determined by Harvard Step Test and physiological parameters like pulse rate (PR), respiratory rate (RR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were recorded by using the standard techniques. Statistical analysis done by using SPSS version 9.0. Results: We found statistically significant higher values of VO 2 max in Group I compared to Group II. The physiological parameters have been compared between Groups I and II. Excepting for PR and RR, all other physiological parameters such as SBP, DBP and MAP have been significantly increased in Group I compared to Group II. Conclusion: Possibly, regular physical exercise in residential school children responsible for increase in the VO 2 max, decrease in the PR and RR and increase in SBP, DBP, MAP.

Background and Objective: Nowadays Obesity is considered as global epidemic. It exacerbates a large number of health problems. Obese people are at risk of impaired cardiac performance, commonly seen in women. So our study aimed to assess the Rate pressure product in obese women and to compare the same with non obese women aged 35-55years. As above mentioned parameters are associated with increased risk for cardiovascular diseases Methods and Material: Study A comparative cross sectional study including 140 women (70-obese , 70-non obese) of age 35-55years. The study group was divided into four according to BMI Group I ( BMI 25-29.9 kg/m2), Group II( BMI 30-34.9 kg/m2) , Group III( BMI 35 -39.9 kg/m2) , Group IV (BMI > 40 kg/m2) including Control( BMI < 25 kg / m 2 ) . Anthropometric parameters like height (cm), weight (Kg), WHR, BMI were recorded. After 20 mins of rest in supine position ECG and brachial SBP, DBP were recorded. HR was calculated by using formula 1500/R-R. The rate pressure product was calculated as = SBP X HR. As RPP is an index of myocardial oxygen consumption. Results: We found statistically significant higher values of RPP in group IV when compared to control group. Also found statistically insignificant increase in values of RPP in groups I, II, III. Conclusion: obesity is a significant predictor of increased MVO 2 and decreased efficiency. This may cause increase in fatty acid metabolism & decrease in cardiac efficiency in obese women.