ABSTRACT
Background & objectives: For improved male contraception, a new polymeric drug molecule – Reversible Inhibition of Sperm under Guidance (RISUG) has been synthesized and has been found to be effective, safe and reversible in various animal species. Phase-I and phase-II clinical trials have confirmed its safety and contraceptive efficacy. The present study was undertaken as a multicentric-limited phase-III clinical trial to test the efficacy and safety of RISUG in human volunteers. Methods: One hundred and thirty nine young males each having at least two children and living with wife were given 120 ?l of RISUG as bilateral vas intraluminal injection. After the single-dose administration, the individuals were followed in respect of general health and semen parameters. Their wives were also followed particularly to determine onset of pregnancy. Results: During the six month follow up, the health of male volunteers and their wives was normal with no significant adverse effects. Temporary scrotal enlargement and mild scrotal and inguinal region pain were manifested in most individuals and resolved within one month without any routine activity impairment. In six individuals, there was injection procedure failure and azoospermia was not achieved. The other 133 individuals had either severe oligozoospermia or azoospermia at the first semen examination one month following RISUG injection; 82.7 per cent individuals had continued azoospermia in the month following first semen examination onwards and the rest 17.3 per cent manifested azoospermia within three to six months. Interpretation & conclusions: RISUG intravasal injection appears to be a safe clinical procedure with no significant adverse effects and has high sustained contraceptive efficacy. The localized intervention and continued contraceptive action on single-dose administration were significant features of the RISUG technology.
ABSTRACT
Female reproductive tract cancers (FRCs) are considered as one of the most frequently occurring malignancies and a foremost cause of death among women. The late-stage diagnosis and limited clinical effectiveness of currently available mainstay therapies, primarily due to the developed drug resistance properties of tumour cells, further increase disease severity. In the past decade, dendritic cell (DC)-based immunotherapy has shown remarkable success and appeared as a feasible therapeutic alternative to treat several malignancies, including FRCs. Importantly, the clinical efficacy of this therapy is shown to be restricted by the established immunosuppressive tumour microenvironment. However, combining nanoengineered approaches can significantly assist DCs to overcome this tumour-induced immune tolerance. The prolonged release of nanoencapsulated tumour antigens helps improve the ability of DC-based therapeutics to selectively target and remove residual tumour cells. Incorporation of surface ligands and co-adjuvants may further aid DC targeting (in vivo) to overcome the issues associated with the short DC lifespan, immunosuppression and imprecise uptake. We herein briefly discuss the necessity and progress of DC-based therapeutics in FRCs. The review also sheds lights on the future challenges to design and develop clinically effective nanoparticles-DC combinations that can induce efficient anti-tumour immune responses and prolong patients' survival.
ABSTRACT
Infertility has always been considered as a social stigma and has often been treated as socially, mentally and physically damaging experience for the childless women rather than man. Fatherhood was more a social rather than biological concept, thereby making childlessness a legitimate ground for divorce and a matter of disgrace for women. Every country has its own set of customs and traditional beliefs for the relief of childlessness. While introducing a second wife was one way to overcome the predicament of childlessness, divorce was also an available choice. There were several myths that contemplated the human concerns and their needs during ancient times. It is evident that types of the infertility and their treatment in the modern era have some historical background and different representations in the ancient civilizations. The present review discusses the historical and modern perspectives of infertility and assisted reproduction and their importance in different cultures.
ABSTRACT
The development of cellular phone system has greatly increased the extent and magnitude of radiofrequency radiation (RFR) exposure. The RFR emitted from mobile phone and mobile phone base stations exerts thermal and non-thermal effects. The short-term and long-term exposure to RFR may have adverse effect on humans as well as animals. Most laboratory studies have indicated a direct link between exposure to RFR and adverse biological effects. Several in vitro studies have reported that RFR induces various types of cancer and DNA or chromosomal damage. On the other hand, some animal studies have not reported adverse effects of this radiation. The present review summarizes information available on the possible effects of RFR on the reproductive health.
ABSTRACT
Anaemia is a health problem that caused most disability in India over a decade (2005-2016) according to the Global Burden of Disease study(1). India has the maximum number of anaemic women and children in the world(2). As per the recent National Family Health Survey-4 (2015-16), about 58% children (6-59 months), 53% women (15-49 y) and 23% men were suffering from various degrees of anaemia(3). Aanaemia affects the general health of the total population taking toll for high mortality as well as morbidity and attenuating the optimal expression of the potentials of both physical and mental capacity of our population. Improving nutritional status of the vulnerable sections of the population and reducing anaemia is of paramount importance for improving health and the human capital development in the country(4).