Swami Rama Himalayan University

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is an idiopathic, fatal, and rapidly progressive neurodegenerative disease. At present, neurofilament light (NFL) and phosphorylated neurofilament heavy (pNfH) proteins in biological fluids are commonly known prognostic biomarkers, but their levels stabilize over time. Thus, there is a critical gap in the field to identify unique biomarkers that can aid disease diagnosis, progression and monitoring the therapy response.

To evaluate the presence of extracellular domain of p75 (p75ecd) in urine of ALS patients and healthy control volunteers in the North American cohort.

An enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) and creatinine assay was used to determine the levels of p75ecd and creatinine in the urine of ALS patients and healthy control volunteers respectively. This assay demonstrated clear discrimination in the levels of the p75ecd in the urine samples of ALS patients as compared to healthy individuals.

It was found that the concentration of p75ecd in ALS samples was significantly higher than that of healthy controls group. Additionally, high p75ecd levels were segregated with respect to age, sex, family history, occupation and drug treatment, medication status. Moreover, we observed differential expression patterns among the different stages of the disease. Our results followed the pattern that was observed in the Chinese, and Australian cohort.

Altogether, our results indicate that the development of an efficient system for the detection of elevated levels of p75ecd in the urine could serve as a useful modality for early ALS diagnosis, disease progression, and monitoring the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions.

Pulmonary invasive fungal infections (IFIs), particularly among immunocompromised individuals, are associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical profile, underlying risk factors, and diagnostic performance of the galactomannan (GM) antigen assay in the diagnosis of Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis (IPA).

A cross-sectional observational study was conducted over 12 months at the Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences, Dehradun, India. A total of 224 patients with suspected pulmonary IFIs were enrolled. Cases were classified as Proven, Probable, Possible, or No IFI based on the EORTC/MSG, Invasive Fungal Diseases in Adult Patients in Intensive Care Unit (FUNDICU) criteria. Respiratory and serum samples were analysed using direct potassium hydroxide (KOH) microscopy, fungal culture, and GM antigen detection via lateral flow assay. Diagnostic accuracy was determined using standard statistical analyses.

Of the 224 patients, 46.4 % were classified as Proven or Probable IFI, 34.8 % as Possible, and 18.8 % as No IFI. dyspnoea (p = 0.002) was the most strongly associated symptom. Significant risk factors included asthma/COPD (52.9 %, p = 0.001), diabetes mellitus (36.5 %, p = 0.028), immunosuppression (37.5 %, p < 0.001). Fungal culture was positive in 30.3 % of cases, with Aspergillus flavus and A. fumigatus as the predominant isolates. A bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) GM optical density index (ODI) cut-off of ≥1.0 achieved balanced sensitivity (55.56 %) and specificity (75.86 %).

The GM assay in BALF at an ODI threshold of ≥1.0 showsmodest discriminative ability for the early detection of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA). Incorporating GM testing alongside conventional diagnostics enhances early identification and facilitates prompt antifungal therapy.

Yoga, a holistic mind-body practice, has gained recognition for its potential health benefits, including improvements in pulmonary function. However, limited research has focused on the immediate effects of a single yoga session on pulmonary parameters. This study aims to investigate the immediate impact of a 60-minute yoga session on pulmonary function in healthy adults.

A total of 20 healthy adults from Amity University participated in a single-group pretest-posttest design study. Participants, with a mean age of 19.58±1.45 years, engaged in a 60-minute yoga session focused on pranayama techniques. Pulmonary function assessments, including Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), Forced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV1), and Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR), were conducted using a spirometer before and immediately after the yoga session. Paired t-tests were employed to compare pretest and posttest values of pulmonary function parameters.

The analysis revealed a significant increase in all three pulmonary function parameters following the yoga session. Mean FVC increased from 2.77 ± 1.62 L to 3.46 ± 2.18 L (P = .004), FEV1 from 1.82 ± 1.09 L to 2.31 ± 1.35 L (P = .007), and PEFR increased from 2.33 ± 1.45 L to 3.62 ± 2.58 L (P = .013). These findings indicate an immediate positive effect of yoga on pulmonary function.

The observed improvements in pulmonary function parameters suggest that a single 60-minute yoga session can have immediate beneficial effects on respiratory health in healthy adults. Integrating yoga into daily routines may offer a simple yet effective approach to promote respiratory health. Further research should explore the long-term effects of yoga on pulmonary function and its efficacy as an adjunct therapy for respiratory disorders.

yoga, Pranayama, spirometer, respiratory muscle strength, pulmonary function.