Abstract

Introduction: Bronchiectasis is a chronic respiratory condition. Pediatric patients with bronchiectasis often experience exacerbations that significantly impact their quality of life and overall health. Conventional treatments primarily focus on managing symptoms and preventing infections, but there is a growing interest in complementary therapies that can enhance these outcomes.
Pediatric bronchiectasis, previously thought to be irreversible and progressive, can actually be halted and even reversed with optimized clinical management. Antibiotics and chest physiotherapy are mainstays for managing bronchiectasis exacerbations. The guidelines by ERS aim to optimize bronchiectasis management by focusing on key aspects such as lung growth, preserved lung function, improved quality of life, reduced exacerbations, minimal complications, and, if feasible, the reversal of lung injury. Yoga has demonstrated positive effects on pulmonary function and quality of life, making it a valuable adjunct therapy. Specifically, yoga practices have been associated with reduced dyspnea-related distress, and enhanced self-reported functional performance in COPD. Respiratory muscle strength training exercises (RMST) are used as a rehabilitation tool or treatment in case of patients with respiratory diseases such as asthma, COPD, respiratory weakness to improve the clinical outcomes. RMST is designed with exercises to enhance strength and endurance of inspiratory and expiratory muscles. Studies show that respiratory muscle training (RMT) interventions improve sputum clearance and respiratory muscle weakness in bronchiectasis.
Aim: The aim of the current trial is to explore the efficacy of yoga based intervention exacerbation related adverse events, inflammatory biomarkers and quality of life among children with BC when compared to the standard care provided at a tertiary care hospital over 6 months.
Objectives- Primary objective:
• Efficacy of yoga-based intervention on frequency of acute exacerbations, hospitalization and need of emergency
medication among children with bronchiectasis over a period of 06 months.
Secondary objective:
● Evaluate quality of life (QoL)
● Lung function assessment
● Inflammatory biomarkers (IL-6, TNF-α)
Materials and methods: –
Study design setting:
Its a two-arm prospective, randomized open labeled blinded endpoint trial with 1:1 allocation ratio. Patients will be randomized into intervention arm and control arm. The study was conducted in collaboration with two departments, i.e. dept. of Pediatric Pulmonary medicine and AYUSH, AIIMS, Rishikesh.
Participants: Patients attending the pediatric medicine and diagnosed case of bronchiectasis were screened for preset inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Description of exposure and follow-up: The intervention group was taught additional yoga practices (as per the protocol enclosed) by institutionally trained yoga therapist over a period of 6 months. Standard medical care were continued for all the patients during the study. There was a minimum of 6 contact classes of 45 minutes each during the study period. The first three supervised sessions were conducted within the first week following the randomization followed by 3 sessions at 3rd month. During the intervention period; i.e. 3 months, the subjects were provided with two online sessions every week. During the noncontact period, the subjects were encouraged and motivated to practice the yoga protocol for 30 min/day daily.
Data Collection: Assessment were taken at 3 points during the study i.e, Baseline, 12 & 24 weeks. And they were encouraged to practice Yoga at home for 6 months. A logbook was maintained by the patient to record the number of home- based practices.
Sample size estimation: There was no study available in the literature in which yoga has been given as an intervention among pediatric BC patients. For the sample size calculation, considering the trial as a pilot explorative trial. 20 subjects in each group is were taken.
Review of literature: Yoga has demonstrated positive effects on pulmonary function and quality of life, making it a valuable adjunct therapy (1,2). Upon practice of Yoga patient’s symptom control and respiratory function values improved and quality of life increased (3). Specifically, yoga practices have been associated with reduced dyspnea-related distress and enhanced self-reported functional performance in COPD (4). Respiratory muscle strength training exercises (RMST) are used as a rehabilitation tool or treatment in the case of patients with respiratory diseases such as asthma, COPD, respiratory weakness to improve clinical outcomes. RMST is designed with exercises to enhance strength and endurance of inspiratory and expiratory muscles (5).
Relevant references in Vancouver style: 1.Yadav A, Singh S, Singh K, Pai P. Effect of yoga regimen on lung functions including diffusion capacity in coronary artery disease patients: A randomized controlled study. Int J Yoga. 2015 Jan;8(1):62–7.
2.Gunjiganvi M, Mathur P, Kumari M, Madan K, Kumar A, Sagar R, et al. Yoga-An Alternative Form of Therapy in
Patients with Blunt Chest Trauma: A Randomized Controlled Trial. World J Surg. 2021 Jul;45(7):2015–26.

Biography

I Dr Vyas Kumar Rathaur is currently working as Assistant professor in the department of pediatrics at one of the most prestigious institute of INDIA, that is AIIMS Rishikesh. I have more than 15 years of post PG research, teaching and clinical experience from various institutes and has more than 50 publications in indexed and pubmed journals.

Abstract

SKY is increasingly gaining recognition as a means to relieve occupational stress and burnout especially in high-stress environments. The controlled breathing patterns of SKY are meant to bring about the relaxing effect, emotional regulation, and general improvement in employees’ mental well-being.
Research has shown that SKY can significantly reduce the levels of stress and elevate psychological well-being among professionals. For example, a randomized control trial with medical doctors showed a significant decrease in psychological distress and burnout among participants participating in a SKY program against those who just received standard training on stress management (Korkmaz, 2024). This is specifically relevant because doctors and other professionals in the healthcare line experience high rates of stress and burnout and this can worsen their effectiveness and well-being (Korkmaz, 2024). The study demonstrates the viability of applying SKY as a non-pharmacological intervention in boosting resilience and coping in high-stress occupations.
Additionally, the physiological aspects of SKY contribute to its effectiveness in handling workplace stress. The exercise is known to enhance vagal tone, associated with improved emotional regulation and decreased reactivity to stress (Parimala & Kanchibhotla, 2020; Goldstein et al., 2016). This physiological response is essential for individuals working in stressful work environments, as it may result in effective stress management and reduced anxiety levels (Parimala & Kanchibhotla, 2020). SKY has also been associated with enhanced cognitive functioning and attention, which are necessary for keeping one’s productivity and concentration in the workplace (Chandra et al., 2016; Kopańska et al., 2022).
Besides these, the effectiveness of SKY in reducing burnout is complemented by the fact that it instills a feeling of community and social support in practitioners. Practice in group sessions of SKY can enhance the sense of social connection, a protective factor for burnout, as indicated by Vasudev et al. (2022). This sense of community provides both emotional support and stimulates the sharing of coping strategies at work, therefore creating a work environment that fosters support.
There is a potential positive effect of integrating SKY into workplace wellness programs. Organizations that adopt SKY as part of their employee wellness initiatives have reported improvement in employee satisfaction, reduced absenteeism, and overall workplace morale (Bhaskar et al., 2020). These outcomes suggest the potential for SKY as a holistic approach to managing workplace stress and preventing burnout.
In conclusion, Sudarshan Kriya Yoga offers a multifaceted approach to addressing workplace stress and burnout. Its effectiveness in reducing psychological distress, enhancing emotional regulation, and fostering social support makes it a valuable intervention for individuals in high-stress occupations. Continued research and implementation of SKY in workplace settings could provide significant benefits for employee well-being and organizational health.

Biography

Dr. Monika Pathania is an accomplished medical professional serving as an Additional Professor in the Department of Medicine at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Rishikesh, Uttarakhand. She has also held key administrative roles as Ex-Associate Dean (Research) and Ex-Assistant Dean (Student Welfare) at the institute. With a distinguished academic background, including an MD in Internal Medicine and certifications in Lifestyle Medicine (IBLM, ASLM, ISLM), Dr. Pathania has significantly contributed to healthcare innovation. She pioneered the institute’s first “Lifestyle Disease Clinic” and later expanded it into an Integrative Medicine Clinic and a Professional Burnout and Well-Being Clinic. Her research portfolio includes 112 publications and 18 projects. She is a DFID fellow in diabetes from CMC Vellore and a board-certified lifestyle medicine physician. Additionally, she is a certified yoga instructor under AYUSH (200 hours) and SSY. Dr. Pathania’s excellence has been recognized with several prestigious awards, including the Outstanding Woman Researcher in Internal Medicine Award (VIWA 2024), Excellence in Research of the Year Award (DISTF-2023), and Best Teacher Award (2018). She has also received accolades for her presentations at national conferences and achievements in yoga competitions.

Abstract

Hydrogels, characterized by their three-dimensional crosslinked polymeric structure and remarkable water retention capability, have become a cornerstone in the development of advanced drug delivery systems. These materials exhibit unique physicochemical properties, including high porosity, biocompatibility and tunable mechanical strength, which make them ideal candidates for delivering a broad spectrum of therapeutic agents. The water content of hydrogels, which can exceed 90%, not only provides an aqueous environment conducive to the stabilization of hydrophilic drugs but also mimics biological tissues, enhancing their potential for in vivo applications. One of the most compelling advantages of hydrogels in drug delivery lies in their tunability. Through careful modification of their polymer composition, crosslinking density and degradation profile, hydrogels can be engineered to achieve controlled, sustained, or pulsatile release of drugs over prolonged periods. This adaptability enables the formulation of
personalized treatments, especially for chronic conditions requiring consistent drug dosing, such as diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, hydrogels can be designed to respond to external or internal stimuli—such as changes in pH, temperature, light, or the presence of specific enzymes—allowing for smart, site-specific drug delivery. For example, pH-sensitive hydrogels are advantageous for delivering drugs to acidic
environments, such as tumor tissues, ensuring targeted release and reducing systemic side effects. Recent advances in hydrogel technology have led to the development of sophisticated systems that integrate nanotechnology and bioengineering. Nanocomposite hydrogels, which incorporate nanoparticles, nanofibers, or nanocapsules, offer enhanced mechanical properties and multifunctionality. These systems can encapsulate drugs within nanocarriers that provide additional control over release rates, improve drug solubility, or protect drugs from premature
degradation. Similarly, injectable hydrogels have gained significant attention for their minimally invasive application. These hydrogels can be administered through simple injection, where they gel in situ upon exposure to physiological conditions, making them ideal for localized drug delivery in tissue repair and regenerative medicine. Another area of innovation is the use of hydrogels for the delivery of biologically active molecules, such as proteins, peptides, and nucleic acids, which are highly sensitive to degradation. Hydrogels provide a protective matrix that preserves the bioactivity of these molecules, facilitating their controlled release and improving therapeutic efficacy. This has broad implications for gene therapy, immunotherapy, and the treatment of complex diseases, where precise dosing and controlled spatial and temporal release are critical. In conclusion, hydrogels represent a transformative platform in drug delivery, offering unparalleled versatility, biocompatibility, and functionality. Their ability to provide controlled, localized, and responsive drug release, coupled with recent advancements in nanotechnology and biomaterials, positions them as key players in the next generation of therapeutic delivery systems. Hydrogels are poised to revolutionize the treatment of diseases across multiple fields, from cancer and chronic illnesses to regenerative medicine, offering promising avenues for personalized and precision medicine.
Keywords: Hydrogels, Medicine, Nanotechnology, Drugs and Environment.

Abstract

Different thermo-processing methods, including smoking, grilling, barbecuing, roasting, and frying, which use heated fuels and unusually high temperatures, produce PAHs in our environment. The production of these extremely hazardous and persistent carbonaceous compounds with two or more cyclic benzene rings is facilitated by poor thermal processing methods, tainted raw materials, and environmental contamination. To avoid safety and public health hazards, it is vital to concentrate on the prevention and control of PAH development in the environment using a variety of techniques. In order to prevent or lessen the negative effects of PAHs, a number of strategies have been employed, including the employment of biological procedures, safe processing systems, innocuous cooking techniques, marinating with natural plant components, etc. In this paper we will discuss reduction of PAHs from our environment by different blending technique, green diesel technique, photochemical and bioremediation methods.
Keywords: Petrodiesel Engine; Green Diesel; Biodiesel; Carcinogenic PAHs; photochemical.

Abstract

Anuloma Viloma Pranayama (AVP), also known as Alternate Nostril Breathing (ANB), is a widely practiced pranayama technique known for its regulatory effects on cardiovascular and brain activity. This study aimed to explore the simultaneous effects of AVP on heart rate variability (HRV) and brain wave activity in a cohort of 30 healthy volunteers practicing kriya yoga for over 15 years. The study was conducted from October to December 2021. ECG for HRV analysis and EEG recordings for brain wave spectrum analysis were collected during three phases: pre-AVP, during AVP, and post-AVP, each lasting five minutes.
Statistical analysis using repeated measures of analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Bonferroni and Holm’s post-hoc comparisons showed significant increases in time-domain HRV parameters (SDNN and RMSSD) during AVP compared to pre- and post-AVP. In frequency-domain analysis, total power, LF power, HF power, and LF/HF ratio also showed significant increases during AVP, with the LF/HF ratio remaining elevated post-AVP. EEG recordings revealed a significant rise in Alpha, Beta, and Gamma wave power during AVP compared to baseline and post-AVP phases. These findings suggest that the lungs, heart, and brain act as coupled oscillators, and AVP induces an aroused, attentive state without significantly affecting heart rate, while enhancing overall HRV.

Biography

Dr. Varun, MD, DNB, MNAMS, holds a diploma in Naturopathy and Yoga and has been a regular faculty member at several institutions. He previously served as a Professor and Head of the Department at Santosh Medical College and is currently an Additional Professor in the Department of Physiology at AIIMS Bhopal. With 22 years of experience, his research interests include Medical Education and Mind-Body Medicine. Dr. Varun conducts yoga and meditation sessions for students and staff and enjoys sharing his passion for physiology. He has received multiple awards, including the prestigious Shri Ram Murthy, VIHA, and ISSN awards.

Abstract

Unrelenting neuropathic pain presents challenges in diagnoses and treatment. The International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) defines neuropathic pain as “pain caused by a lesion or disease of the somatosensory nervous system.” The injury or disease may occur in the peripheral or central nervous system giving rise to painful conditions such as post herpetic neuralgia, painful diabetic neuropathy, post amputation pain, complex regional pain syndrome, trigeminal neuralgia, post stroke pain, and pain after spinal cord injury, to name a few. These patients are frequently disabled from severe pain, have poor quality of life, and suffer from anxiety, depression and sleep problems. They often strain the healthcare system with frequent visits. Treatment of neuropathic pain can be challenging, often exhausting conventional approaches. A multimodal approach integrating pharmacological, interventional and integrative modalities may be helpful. This talk will cover a brief review on the pathophysiology of pain and focus on interventions that specifically target neuropathic pain, such as neuromodulation, including peripheral nerve stimulation and infusions using ketamine.

Biography

Dr. Chin is Professor Emeritus of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine at the George Washington (GW) University, Washington DC. She served as Director of the GW Pain Medicine Fellowship Program and Co Director of the GW Spine and Pain Center. Dr. Chin earned her medical degree at the University of Melbourne, Australia. Her interests include innovative pharmacological, interventional and neuromodulatory techniques for management of chronic neuropathic pain. She has published on topics in pain medicine including pain in women, written numerous articles and authored book chapters on both acute and chronic pain. She served on the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Pain Medicine Committee, the American Medical Association (AMA) advisory board for pain, the Anesthesia and Analgesia (A&A) Editorial board as a reviewer, and the American Board of Anesthesiologists (ABA) as an associate board examiner. She has presented and lectured on acute and chronic pain at national meetings including the ASA, the American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine and the American Academy of Pain Medicine. For the past twenty years she was consistently listed in Washington Top Docs for Pain Medicine and was recently awarded the Trailblazer Award from ASRA.

Abstract

Cardiovascular diseases are the most common reason for morbidity and mortality worldwide. HK01, the result of the Sao Thai Duong R&D herbal medicine project, consists of traditional medicinal herbs. The main purpose of HK.01 is to serve as an effective traditional medicine in the management of cardiovascular diseases in general, and myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, and peripheral arterial diseases in particular.

Several studies on the toxicities and potential cardiovascular protective effects of HK01. Firstly, the acute and sub-chronic toxicities in experimental animals were assessed. No toxicities were observed in either study. Additionally, the effect of HK01 on blood coagulation fibrinolysis in experimental animals was also evaluated. The model of thrombosis was induced by thrombin injection in rabbits. The lipopolysaccharide-induced thrombosis model was developed in rats. Prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, fibrinogen concentration, platelet count, and value of D-dimer were determined. We observed that HK01 exerted fibrinolysis effects on the thrombin-induced thrombosis model in rabbits. In terms of determining the potential cardiovascular effects of HK01 in experimental research, a non-invasive method was used to induce myocardial infarction in rats, preceded by oral administration of HK01 for 30 consecutive days. Our results showed that HK01 did attenuate the myocardial infarction, and ameliorate the antioxidant capacity and endothelial function. The first results of the studies indicated that HK01 might serve as an effective traditional medicine in managing cardiovascular diseases, which would pave the way for conducting clinical trials about the effectiveness and safety evaluation.

Biography

Msc.Pharm. Nguyen Thi Hong Van currently holds the position of Deputy General Director in charge of Regulatory and Research Collaboration at Sao Thai Duong Joint Stock Company. After graduating as a pharmacist from Hanoi University of Pharmacy, she went on to study for two master’s degrees in Pharmacognosy and Traditional Medicine, at Hanoi University of Pharmacy and majored in Pharmacochemistry – Quality Assurance of Healthcare Product, Faculty of Pharmacy, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France.

After graduating and returning to Vietnam, she started working in Sao Thai Duong JSC. to continue her passion for developing products from Vietnamese medicinal herbs. With her contribution,  hundreds of products have been successfully researched and registered in Vietnam and foreign. She contributed to bringing good quality products from Vietnamese medicinal herbs to serve domestic and international people. Among those research projects is the Sunkovir project, Sunkovir is a product that has been conducted in 3 clinical studies according to GCP guidelines in the Covid-19 pandemic. Three articles were published in Pubmed. Sunkovir is licensed as an herbal medicine for the treatment of influenza, COVID-19, and respiratory viruses in Vietnam and is interested by many international partners.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36751127/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36357349/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35695687/

Abstract

Patients who have infections, mold toxins, environmental toxins, metal exposures, not enough activity, and poor dietary choices will have higher interleukin 6, 12, and TNF A. At high levels, these will cause autoimmunity in those genetically predisposed to HLA-B27 diseases, such as Rheumatoid Arthritis, Ankylosing Spondylitis, and Psoriatic Arthritis. When these factors are mitigated, anti-cytokine cytokines will increase, controlling the inflammatory modulators and rendering the patients free of disease.

Biography

Dr. Jay Goodbinder, ND, DCDABCI, stands as the proprietor and leading clinician at The Epigenetics Healing Center in Kansas City, MO. Here, he has guided countless individuals from across the globe in overcoming autoimmune and life-altering illnesses. Dr. Goodbinder’s expertise is the culmination of four years of intensive post-doctoral training in functional medicine, endocrinology, immunology, biochemistry, physiology, and epigenetics. Notably, he is a bestselling author, celebrated for his book “Defending Your Life.” Dr. Goodbinder has graced prestigious platforms including appearances on CNN alongside luminaries such as Dr. Oz and Dr. Drew, engagements at the Harvard Faculty Club alongside Suzanne Somers, as well as presentations at the NASDAQ and the New York Academy of Medicine.

Abstract

Objective: Acupuncture, a widely employed traditional therapeutic modality known for its efficacy in pain alleviation and diverse condition management, may inadvertently result in mechanical nerve injury due to its invasive nature. This research aimed to ascertain the incidence of nerve injuries post-acupuncture, identify associated risk factors, and map the distribution of nerve injury sites.

Methods: A case-control study nested in the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) 2000-2018 two million cohort was conducted. Patients previously diagnosed with nerve injury, surgery, or degeneration before acupuncture were excluded. Cases were defined as patients receiving acupuncture and seeking medical attention for nerve injury (ICD9-CM code 950-957) within 14 days post-procedure, while control groups comprised patients undergoing acupuncture without subsequent adverse events. Invasive treatments prior to adverse events and adverse events occurring more than 14 days post-acupuncture were excluded. To ensure case-control comparability, factors such as age, gender, socioeconomic status, and medical facility environment were controlled using propensity score matching.

Results: The study encompassed 14,507,847 acupuncture treatments administered to 886,753 patients, with 8361 instances of post-acupuncture nerve injury identified, representing an incidence rate of approximately 5.76 per 10,000 procedures. Age emerged as a significant risk factor, with the adjusted odds ratios escalating with age. Several comorbidities including diabetes, hypothyroidism, liver cirrhosis, chronic kidney disease, herpes zoster, hepatitis virus, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, dementia, and cerebrovascular accidents were associated with an elevated risk of nerve injury post-acupuncture.

Conclusion: This study underscores the importance of meticulous patient profiling and cautious therapeutic approach in acupuncture, considering the evident influence of various demographic, systemic, and treatment-related factors on the incidence of nerve injuries.

Keywords: Acupuncture; Distribution of nerve injury, sites; Incidence rate; Nerve injury; Risk factors.

Biography

Chia-Lin Lin is a traditional Chinese physician who currently practices at the Renai Branch of the Taipei city hospital, where she completed her medical training after earning her degree at the Post-baccalaureate School of Chinese Medicine, Tzu-Chi university. Dr. Lin specializes in all forms acupuncture, management of osteoarthritis and tendinopathy and management of patients with metabolic syndrome. Dr. Lin is particularly adept at facial acupuncture, for which she received intensive training and is certified by the Taiwan facial acupuncture society. Facial acupuncture can be applied to patients with various neurological facial disorders including Bell’s palsy, post stroke facial asymmetry, trigeminal neuropathy and other similar diseases for symptom relief. Dr. Lin often collaborates with numerous neurologists, whom regularly refer patients following resolution of acute neurological episodes for long term symptom relief. Dr. Lin has also cooperated with neurologists to treat numerous patients seeking her advice due to nerve injury following acupuncture at various clinics. Dr. Lin’s numerous encounters with such patients prompted her to investigate and identify the most vulnerable patients, which resulted in this study.