Dr. Hanjabam Barun, Medical-Clinical & Interventional Physiologist

24/05/2026

Neuropathic pain describes a range of unpleasant sensations caused by a lesion or disease of the somatosensory nervous system. The sensations caused by neuropathic pain are debilitating and improved treatment regimens are sought in order to improve the quality of life of patients. One proposed treatment for neuropathic pain is vitamin B12, which is thought to alleviate pain by a number of mechanisms including promoting myelination, increasing nerve regeneration and decreasing ectopic nerve firing. In this paper, the evidence for B12 as a drug treatment for neuropathic pain is reviewed. Twenty four published articles were eligible for inclusion in this systematic review in which a range of treatment regimens were evaluated including both B12 monotherapy and B12 in combination with other vitamins or conventional treatments, such as gabapentinoids. Overall, this systematic review demonstrates that there is currently some evidence for the therapeutic effect of B12 in the treatment of post-herpetic neuralgia (level II evidence) and the treatment of painful peripheral neuropathy (level III evidence).

Neuropathic pain describes a range of unpleasant sensations caused by a lesion or disease of the somatosensory nervous system. The sensations caused by neuropathic pain are debilitating and improved treatment regimens are sought in order to improve the quality of life of patients. One proposed treat...

24/05/2026

24/05/2026

45% of the Human Genome Is Made of Transposable Elements — "Jumping Genes" Mostly Derived From Ancient Viral Infections. 8% of Our Genome Is Confirmed Ancient Viral DNA. Less Than 2% Codes for Proteins.

You are less than 2% protein blueprint. The rest is history.

The human genome contains approximately 3.2 billion base pairs. Of these:
— ~1.5% codes for proteins (the genes that make the biological machinery of cells)
— ~8% is confirmed ancient retroviral DNA — sequences inserted by retroviruses that infected human ancestors millions of years ago, integrated into the genome, and were inherited ever since
— ~45% consists of transposable elements (TEs) — "jumping genes" — sequences that can copy themselves and insert at new positions in the genome

Transposable elements were dismissed as "junk DNA" for decades. Current understanding: they are active drivers of evolution.

TEs contribute to genome evolution by: creating new gene regulatory sequences (altering when and where genes are expressed), generating genetic diversity through insertion events, and occasionally being co-opted into new functions. The placenta — one of the most critical mammalian structures — incorporates syncytin proteins derived from ancient retroviral envelope proteins. The immune system uses recombination mechanisms first developed by TEs.

The 8% confirmed ancient viral DNA: these are endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) — the integrated remnants of retroviruses that infected mammalian ancestors. Some are 100 million years old. Some are still partially active. Some have been co-opted by the genome to serve host functions.

You are built partly from the ruins of ancient epidemics.

If 8% of your DNA is the remnant of viral infections in your ancestors — and some of those viral sequences now serve essential functions in your immune system and reproduction — at what point does a "virus" become "you"?

24/05/2026

23/05/2026

https://link.springer.com/article/10.2165/11319670-000000000-00000

Recommendations for Processing Data from Indirect Calorimetry
Based on the prior content, we are now ready to recommend strategies for processing data acquired from indirect calorimetry.

If a time-averaged system has to be used, we recommend no longer than a 30-second time average where the data are aligned to the central time of the interval period, which is 15 seconds, and thereby require time representation of 0, 0.25, 0.75, 1.25, 1.75, 2.25 minutes, etc. We also recommend that exercise physiologists who currently use expired mixing chamber systems, with no choice of other sampling and processing options, strive to equip themselves with software that will support acquisition and data processing as breath averages. While a 30-second average provides reasonable reductions in data variability, it provides unreasonable decreases in data frequency, which will detract from how the data can be used to assess important physiology measurements and trends.

For breath-by-breath systems and averaging systems suited to breath averages, we recommend a 15-breath running average, aligned to the time of the central breath, which is the eighth breath. Although we identified several theoretical problems with a breath average, the alternative of a digital filter requires a degree of mathematical computation and software dependence that simply does not exist in software of all commercial systems of indirect calorimetry. Furthermore, given that the 15-breath average induces minimal data loss (lose initial seven and last seven datapoints), has no data and trend distortion, can be accomplished with the software of many commercial indirect calorimetry systems, and, if not, can be easily applied to datasets with post-acquisition spreadsheet computation, it is a reasonable expectation that all scientists and practitioners can do this data processing.

For scientists able to implement digital filters in their data processing, we recommend a low cut-off frequency digital filter of 0.04 Hz.

Recommendations for Detecting the Highest Value Datapoint
Once the recommended data processing strategies are used, then the task of detecting the peak or maximal value of any variable is simple. The highest, peak or maximal value becomes the highest processed datapoint. Thus, for time-averaged systems, V̇O2max or V̇O2 peak would be the highest 30-second V̇O2 average for the test. For breath-by-breath data, V̇O2max or V̇O2 peak would be the highest 15-breath V̇O2 average for the test. For exercise physiologists who can apply a 0.04 Hz low frequency cut-off digital filter, the largest single datapoint is V̇O2max or V̇O2 peak.

Paper Abstrat given below:

Recommendations for Improved Data Processing from Expired Gas Analysis Indirect Calorimetry
There is currently no universally recommended and accepted method of data processing within the science of indirect calorimetry for either mixing chamber or breath-by-breath systems of expired gas analysis. Exercise physiologists were first surveyed to determine methods used to process oxygen consumption (V̇O2) data, and current attitudes to data processing within the science of indirect calorimetry. Breath-by-breath datasets obtained from indirect calorimetry during incremental exercise were then used to demonstrate the consequences of commonly used time, breath and digital filter post-acquisition data processing strategies. Assessment of the variability in breath-by-breath data was determined using multiple regression based on the independent variables ventilation (VE), and the expired gas fractions for oxygen and carbon dioxide, FEO2 and FECO2, respectively. Based on the results of explanation of variance of the breath-by-breath V̇O2 data, methods of processing to remove variability were proposed for time-averaged, breath averaged and digital filter applications. Among exercise physiologists, the strategy used to remove the variability in sequential V̇O2 measurements varied widely, and consisted of time averages (30 sec [38%], 60 sec [18%], 20 sec [11%], 15 sec [8%]), a moving average of five to 11 breaths (10%), and the middle five of seven breaths (7%). Most respondents indicated that they used multiple criteria to establish maximum V̇O2 (V̇O2max) including: the attainment of age-predicted maximum heart rate (HRmax) [53%], respiratory exchange ratio (RER) >1.10 (49%) or RER >1.15 (27%) and a rating of perceived exertion (RPE) of >17, 18 or 19 (20%). The reasons stated for these strategies included their own beliefs (32%), what they were taught (26%), what they read in research articles (22%), tradition (13%) and the influence of their colleagues (7%). The combination of VE, FEO2 and FECO2 removed 96–98% of V̇O2 breath-by-breath variability in incremental and steady-state exercise V̇O2 data sets, respectively. Correction of residual error in V̇O2 datasets to 10% of the raw variability results from application of a 30-second time average, 15-breath running average, or a 0.04 Hz low cut-off digital filter. Thus, we recommend that once these data processing strategies are used, the peak or maximal value becomes the highest processed datapoint. Exercise physiologists need to agree on, and continually refine through empirical research, a consistent process for analysing data from indirect calorimetry.

There is currently no universally recommended and accepted method of data processing within the science of indirect calorimetry for either mixing chamber or breath-by-breath systems of expired gas analysis. Exercise physiologists were first surveyed to determine methods used to process oxygen consum...

14/05/2026

💡 ACL injury management is more nuanced than “physiotherapy vs surgery.”

Great point this decision is not simply about comparing outcomes, but about aligning treatment with individual patient factors: activity demands, expectations, and personal goals.

📊 Findings from a recent systematic review highlight that:

* Long-term pain outcomes are similar between exercise-based rehabilitation and ACL reconstruction
* Differences in function are small and often not clinically meaningful
* No guidelines exist for the conservative management of ACL injuries.
* Tai Chi, Pilates, Perturbation training can be beneficial versus no treatment.
* No specific exercise was likely more beneficial than another.
* Surgery is likely beneficial over exercises with no clinically relevant effect.
* Exercise can be considered as a useful and cost-effective intervention.

👉 This shifts the conversation.

It’s not about “which is better” in isolation
but about who benefits from what, and when.

✅ The current evidence supports:
* A rehabilitation-first approach for many patients
* Shared decision-making, not protocol-driven care
* And critically, improving how we design and deliver exercise interventions

Disclaimer:
👉 Sharing a study is NOT an endorsement.
👉 You should read the original research yourself and be critical.

13/05/2026

Nearly half of American adults have high blood pressure and many don’t know it. Getting your blood pressure checked is the first step to protecting your heart and brain. Use this chart to see where your numbers fall and talk with your health care professional.

13/05/2026

This is not motivation talk.
It is neurobiology.

Trauma is not just a story stored in memory.
It is a survival pattern encoded in neural circuitry.

When the amygdala remains hyperactive, the brain keeps tagging the past as a present threat. The body reacts before logic has a chance to intervene.

Consistent exercise changes that circuitry.

Regular movement increases BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor), a protein that supports neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to rewire itself. It also reduces baseline amygdala reactivity while strengthening prefrontal regulation.

Over time, the memory does not disappear.

But its emotional intensity decreases.

The brain stops responding to yesterday as if it is happening today.

This is why movement is not just physical training.
It is nervous system recalibration.

You are not broken.
Your nervous system adapted to survive.

And it can adapt again.

Sources:
Erickson, K. I. et al. (2011). Exercise training increases size of hippocampus and improves memory. PNAS, 108(7), 3017–3022.
Furtado, M. et al. (2019). The role of BDNF in the neurobiological mechanisms of exercise. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 104, 1–14.

Hötting, K., & Röder, B. (2013). Beneficial effects of physical exercise on neuroplasticity and cognition. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 37(9).

Disclaimer:
This content is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical or psychological treatment. Exercise can support mental health, but it is not a standalone treatment for trauma or PTSD. If you are struggling with trauma-related symptoms, seek support from a qualified healthcare professional.

13/05/2026

13/05/2026

Deaths on Everest 2026. 😔

May their souls rest in eternal peace, and their memories be a blessing.