National Journal of Medical and Allied Sciences

1-5

Authors: Dr. Anurag Srivastava

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11-18

Authors: Subrata Dutta, Soudeep K Sau, Prakash C Dhara

This study represents the results of an anthropometric survey conducted on Bengalee primary school boys with age range 6-9 years in the remote area of the city of Midnapore in Paschim Medinipur District, West Bengal. Anthropometric body dimensions were taken based on international standards. The sample consisted of 410 primary school boys. Means, standard deviations (SD), 5th, 50th and 95th percentiles were computed by using statistical package. It was observed from the results that all anthropometric dimensions of the primary school children were increased with their age. Moreover, there were little deviations between mean values of different anthropometric dimensions between the boys of 6 and 7 years ranges from 3.3-6.9 and only 3.3% to 7.6%. So, in the present study, the required anthropometric dimensions were collected from primary school boys having age range 6-9 years, and the suitable percentile values (5th, 50th and 95th) of anthropometric measures were computed and taken on account for designing a writing desk during sitting on the floor. The anthropometric databases of the present study may be helpful for designing school furniture and layout design of the classroom for the primary school children Key Words: Anthropometric dimensions, primary school boys, percentile values, writing desk

25-28

Authors: Sudhir modala, Qazi Rais Ahmed, Soudeep Kumar Sau

Smoking is one of the most ancient and wide spread human activities. Tobacco is a major cause of death worldwide. Cigarette smoke components are mainly carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, ammonia, volatile nitrosamines, hydrogen cyanide, volatile sulphur containing compounds, volatile hydrocarbons, alcohols, aldehydes and ketones. Some of these compounds affect ciliary movement in the lungs and autonomic nervous system. Habitual cigarette smoking affects respiratory system and cardio vascular system through autonomic nervous system. So we conducted a study to compare the smoking effect on autonomic nervous system in smokers and non-smokers. We found that Pulse Pressure, Systolic and Diastolic BP (Hg) was significantly higher in smokers as compared to non smokers. Respiratory Rate (RR) and Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR) were lower in smokers as compared to non smokers, the difference being statistically significant. Significant increase in diastolic blood pressure in habitual smokers with isometric hand grip exercise test was found indicating movement of sympathetic nervous system. The RR and PEFR were lower in smokers than the non smokers indicating Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Key Words: Autonomic nervous system, smoking, respiratory rate, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases.