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Introduction: Elderly age is associated with decline in cognitive functions. Attention and working memory are significantly affected during this phase of life. Aim and Objective: To study the effect of mindfulness meditation (MM) on elderly age induced decline in attention and working memory. Materials and Methods: 100 elderly participants were randomly divided in meditator group (n= 50) and control group (n = 50). Meditator group followed the MM schedule during 45 days study period. Digit Span test (DST) was used for pre- & post- study evaluation of attention & working memory. Result: There was significant improvement (p < .05) in scores of DST for Meditator group participant. In control group, there were no significant changes in DST scores. Conclusion: MM practice counters the elderly age induced decline in attention & working memory. Keywords: Elderly, Mindfulness, Meditation, Attention, Working memory.

Background: Fructose is the major carbohydrate source of energy for the sperm motility. Aim and Objective: This study was designed to reevaluate the correlation between sperm motility and semen fructose level in male infertile subjects due to non-obstructive causes. Materials and Methods: It was a cross-sectional study. As the study sample population, 150 male subjects, with age (mean ± SD) 29.02 ± 5.86 years, were randomly selected from the referred cases from different infertile clinics of Udaipur. Sperm count, sperm motility, and qualitative and quantitative analysis of semen fructose were done. On the basis of sperm count, the sample population was divided into following three groups – Group A (azoospermic), Group B (oligozoospermic), and Group C (normozoospermic). One-way ANOVA was done to compare the sperm count and seminal fructose levels among A, B, and C groups. Kruskal–Wallis test was done to compare the sperm motility. Statistical analysis of result was performed using SPSS-17. P < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results: There was a significant difference in the sperm concentration among three groups (P < 0.001). Groups were significantly differing in seminal fructose level (P < 0.001). Conclusion: This study showed a significant negative correlation between seminal fructose level and sperm motility.

Background: In a typical problem-based learning (PBL), the learning objectives are not shared with the learner when the PBL exercise is given to them. This student’s unawareness of predefined objectives might be a significant hindrance in directing the student’s effort in the appropriate direction. Aim and Objective: The present study was designed with an aim to develop and validate a modification in existing PBL in the form of pre-directed PBL (PD-PBL), where the learning objectives and outcomes are shared with the learner at the time of giving the exercise. Materials and Methods: The present study was designed as a prospective observational study in the Department of Physiology of Geetanjali Medical College and Hospital. One hundred forty-three students from 1st-year MBBS participated in the study. A PBL session was planned for a clinical problem of respiratory physiology. The learning objectives and the questions to determine the learning outcome were prepared. Students were given 1-week time for analysis of the problem. At the end of 1 week, a large group presentation and discussion session were planned. The faculty members and a respiratory physician were assigned the task of being observers. Later, students and faculty feedback were taken. Results: Analysis of feedback pointed that PD-PBL session was helpful in understanding the clinical condition with the help of basic physiology. Conclusion: PD-PBL would be helpful in correlating the knowledge of basic subject with the clinical scenario. Further studies are needed to evaluate the effectiveness of PD-PBL sessions in other subjects.

Background: World population is aging. Elderly age is associated with decline in cognitive functions. Aims and Objectives: This study aims to study the effect of mindfulness meditation (MM) on elderly age-induced decline in attention and visual scanning. Materials and Methods: A total of 100 elderly participants were randomly divided into meditation group (MG; n = 50) and control group (CG; n = 50). MG participants followed 45 days of MM schedule. Six letter cancellation test (SLCT) was used for pre- and post-study evaluation of attention and visual scanning. Results: There was a significant improvement (P < 0.05) in scores of SLCT for MG participant. There was no significant change in SLCT scores of CG participants. Conclusion: MM practice counters the elderly age-induced decline in attention and visual scanning.

Background: Tobacco and its byproducts have hazardous effect on multiple organs of our body including nerves. Long-term exposure to the chemicals found in tobacco smoke results in demyelination of nerve fibers affecting the nerve conduction. F-wave study is a reliable tool to assess the proximal segment of peripheral nerve and has not been studied much. Aim and Objective: The aim of the study is to measure F-wave latencies in nerve conduction studies in the median nerve in smokers (S) and nonsmokers (NS). Materials and Methods: The present study recruited normal healthy participants (18–50 years) divided in two groups, namely Group S and Group NS. It was designed to be a cross-sectional case–control study. Median nerve was examined for motor and sensory nerve conduction velocities. The detailed late responses, for example, F-wave latencies including F-minimum latency, F-maximum latency, and F-mean latency were studied, and data are analyzed using descriptive statistics and Mann–Whitney test. Result: A statistically significant increase (P < 0.0001) was found in all F-wave latencies in S as compared to NS. Conclusion: The present study suggested that long-term exposure to tobacco results in compromised nerve conduction velocities and increases latencies in peripheral nerves. The increased latencies could be attributed to peripheral demyelination or radiculopathy.

Background: The auditory and visual pathways are complex multi-synaptic neuronal circuits prone to alteration in conductivity under the influence of various neuro-hormonal modulators. The female sex steroids have shown significant effect on these circuits during different phases on menstrual cycle and pregnancy.Methods: The present study was designed with an aim to find out the auditory and visual reaction time variations during different trimesters of pregnancy. The healthy non pregnant women, in premenstrual phase were grouped as controls (Group NP; n=30) whereas the cases were further divided into 3 groups depending on the duration of pregnancy as Groups T1,T2and T3 with 30 volunteers in each.Results: The ART and VRT were measured using RTM-608 (Medicaid) in the Obstetrics and Gynaecology department of our hospital. The observations were recorded and analysed using one way ANOVA and post hoc Tukey test. A significant increase (p