We studied the role of viruses and atypical bacteria in children hospitalized with exacerbated asthma by a prospective study of children with acute asthma admitted to the Department of Pediatrics in Lille, and to 15 hospitals in the Nord-Pas de Calais region, from October 1, 1998-June 30, 1999. We included children aged 2-16 years with active asthma, defined as three or more recurrent episodes of reversible wheezing. The severity of asthma and of asthmatic exacerbations was recorded. Immunofluorescence assays (IFA) on nasopharyngeal secretions (NPS), serological tests, or both, were used for detection of influenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), adenovirus, parainfluenza virus, and coronavirus. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays on NPS were used for rhinovirus and enterovirus. Serological tests for Chlamydia pneumoniae and Mycoplasma pneumoniae were performed. A control group of asymptomatic asthmatic outpatients was examined for respiratory viruses (using IFA and PCR). Eighty-two symptomatic children (mean age, 7.9 years) were examined. Viruses were detected in 38% (enterovirus, 15.8%; rhinovirus, 12%; RSV, 7.3%). Serological tests for atypical bacteria were positive in 10% of patients (C. pneumoniae, 5%; M. pneumoniae, 5%). Among the 27 control subjects (mean age, 7.9 years), one PCR was positive for enterovirus. There was no correlation between severity of chronic asthma or asthmatic exacerbations and the diagnosis of infection. Atypical bacterial pathogen infections were linked with prolonged asthmatic symptoms. In conclusion, we confirmed the high incidence of viral infection in acute exacerbations of asthma, especially enteroviruses or rhinoviruses. Persistent clinical features were more frequently associated with atypical bacterial infections, suggesting that these infections should be investigated and treated in cases of persistent asthmatic symptoms.

The purpose of the study was to assess whether the point of deflection from linearity of heart rate (HRD) could be used as an alternative method to determine the ventilatory threshold (VT) in Indian (Bengali) boys that represents the determination of the anaerobic threshold (AT), and also to standardize an exercise test to be effective in eliciting AT in Indian (Bengali) boys by using HRD. Twenty six (26) boys with a mean age of 12.8 (+/-1.18) years performed a graded maximal exercise test on a treadmill to determine peak VO(2), HRD and VT. The mean peak VO(2), weight related peak VO(2), peak pulmonary ventilation, and peak heart rate of the boys were found to be 1.75 l/min, 47.1 ml/kg/min, 66.9 l/min and 200.2 beats/min respectively. There were no significant differences between mean VO(2), weight related VO(2), pulmonary ventilation (VE), heart rate and respiratory exchange ratio (RER) that were measured at VT and HRD. The mean VO(2) measured at VT and HRD was found to be 1.46 and 1.45 l/min, which were about 84% and 83% of their respective peak values. Linear regression analysis revealed a correlation of 0.94 (p<0.01) between VO(2) measured at VT and VO(2) measured at HRD, so the present study indicates that the point of deflection from linearity of heart rate (HRD) may be an accurate predictor of VT in most but not all boys.

Peak expiratory fl ow rate (PEFR) measurement is the easiest and cheapest method to evaluaterespiratory functions. So, the study was carried out to evaluate PEFR of healthy Nepalese adults andcompare their values with healthy Indian counterparts to know whether Indian prediction equationsfor PEFR can be used for Nepalese adult population or not.One hundred twenty-three healthy, young, non smoker adult Indian (64: 28 Males, 36 Females) andNepalese (59: 32 Males, 27 Females) medical students of 18 to 20 years of age participated in the study.The mean PEFR of Indian (male: 490.4 liter/min, female: 386.0 liter/min) and Nepalese (male: 485.9liter/min, Female: 365.2 liter/min) young adults were found to have no signifi cant differences.As there is no signifi cant difference in the mean PEFR of Indian and Nepalese young adults, predictionequations made for Indian adults can be used to predict PEFR of Nepalese subjects. Therefore, anattempt has been made to formulate a regression equation from the combined Indian and Nepalesesubjects. A stepwise, multiple, linear, regression analysis was performed for this purpose. The analysisshowed that height is the best predictor for PEFR in the present study. The regression equation basedon height for the combined Indian and Nepalese young adults is calculated as: PEFR = 5.687 × Height(cm) – 495.787. However, a stepwise, multiple, linear, regression equation with residual analysisfor the best fi t model was performed to formulate prediction equation for PEFR and this showed achange of the earlier regression equation to PEFR = 5.930 × Height (cm) – 536.131.Keywords: Peak expiratory fl ow rate, peak fl ow meter, prediction equation, spirometry, youngadults

Introduction:A beneficial influence of exercise on cognitive and brain functions has been established. Exercise is drawing increasing research attention for improving neurocognitive functions. Aim: The aim of the present study is to examine the effect of step up exercise on mental attention with strop test in Bengali male college students. Methodology: Twenty eight (28) apparently healthy male sedentary college students from the same socio-economic background, having mean age of 22.4 ± 1.02 years, body height of 165.3 ± 6.34 cm and body weight of 55.5 ± 9.01 kg were recruited for the present study on the basis of random sampling from the undergraduate students of the NS Mahavidyalaya of Tripura. A computer based modified 'Stroop color word' test based on the original Stroop test (Stroop, 1935) to identify cognitive performance. After completion of stroop test in resting sitting condition participants were asked to complete Queen College Step Test to measure VO 2 max. After completion of 3 mins step up exercise a recovery time of 5-15 seconds were taken for VO 2 measurement and immediately after taking recovery pulse participants were asked to perform stroop III subtask to see the effect of exercise on the cognitive performance of the college students of Tripura. Results: The mean VO 2 max to be found 49.1 ± 6.25 ml.kg -1 .min -1 . The mean time to complete Stroop sub task Tasks III was found 194.3 (±46.34) sec. After 3 minutes step-up exercise it has been shown that the mean stroop III score was improved from 194.3 (±46.34) to 160.4 (± 31.42) sec. Conclusion: It is observed in the present study that the speed of performance (i.e., stoop tasks) is improved after short term moderate exercise.

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