Impact of antioxidants in improving semen parameters like count, motility and DNA fragmentation in sub-fertile males: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

Male infertility is solely responsible for 20-30% of infertility cases. Oxidative damage of sperm DNA is positively linked with oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (OAT), and male infertility. The antioxidants are being explored worldwide to combat OAT, sperm DNA fragmentation and reactive oxygen species. The objective of the study was to assess the effectiveness of an antioxidant blend in improving sperm count, semen parameters and reducing DNA fragmentation index (DFI) in sub-fertile males. A prospective, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial was conducted in 300 sub-fertile males (25-45 years) from ten study sites in India. Subjects were randomized in either the antioxidant blend treatment group or placebo group. We assessed changes in sperm count, motility, normal morphology, semen volume, and percent DFI before and after treatment (90 days). To further stratify data on different criteria post hoc analysis was performed. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 10.0 software. There were improvements in sperm count, semen volume, sperm motility, and sperm normal morphology in the treatment group. There was improvement in sperm count in severe oligospermia subjects (sperm count < 5 million/mL, 5-10 million/mL, 10.1-15 million/mL), and high-extremely higher baseline DFI (20-30%, 31-40% and above 40%), as per post hoc analysis. There was no premature discontinuation and adverse events were reported during the study, indicating safety and well-tolerability of treatment. Study results confirmed the well-researched fact of antioxidants being effective to reduce oxidative stress and thus improve sperm DNA integrity and also improved semen parameters in males aged 40 and above. Trial Registration: Clinical Trials Registry-India Identifier: CTRI/2020/12/029590.

Mesenchymal Chondrosarcoma-A Retrospective study.

INTRODUCTION: Mesenchymal chondrosarcoma is a rare high grade malignant neoplasm that accounts for 3-10% of all chondrosarcomas. Histopathologically, it shows biphasic population composed of small round to ovoid with occasional spindle cells and islands of well differentiated cartilage. The study aimed at retrospectively analysing the clinical, pathological, radiological features of these cases in our institution. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective descriptional study. All the cases of mesenchymal chondrosarcomas were retrieved from our archives of pathology over a period of 10 years .The demographic details including the age, clinical presentation including skeletal/extraskeletal along with radiology were noted for all these cases. The treatment details along with the follow up of the patients were archived from the medical records. RESULTS: A total of 13 cases of mesenchymal chondrosarcoma were retrieved for our study. The mean age of presentation was 33 years with a slight male predilection. Extra skeletal soft tissue origin was noted in 3 of our cases (3/13), one case in forearm, another in pelvis. The third case was intracranial origin which presented as a dural based parieto-occipital mass and rest all had bony origin .The radiological and clinical correlation was done for all these cases. CONCLUSION: Mesenchymal chondrosarcoma presents multiple diagnostic challenges, most common include inadequate biopsy samples which may result in errors in diagnosis, namely with small blue round cell tumours .A better understanding of this entity may help the pathologists in conferring an accurate diagnosis to the clinicians.

Mixed Germ Cell Tumour in a Case of Pure Gonadal Dysgenesis (Swyer Syndrome) - A Case Report.

Swyer syndrome or pure gonadal dysgenesis 46, XY is a medical condition associated with 46 XY karyotype and primary amenorrhea in a phenotypic female. In this syndrome, there is an abnormality in testicular differentiation. Patients with disorders in sexual differentiation have an increased risk for development of genital malignancies. A 14-year-old female admitted with abdominal pain was diagnosed to have Swyer syndrome and a pelvic tumor after clinical and laboratory investigations. She underwent surgery, and the histology report revealed a mixed germ cell tumor in a dysgenetic gonad. She recurred three months later and was successfully treated with chemotherapy and a second surgery to remove the differentiated teratoma. The early diagnosis of patients with Swyer syndrome is important because of the increased risk for the development of malignancy. Early surgical treatment is required. Recurrent and metastatic disease respond well to chemotherapy.

Effect of trichloromethane on the bond strengths between acrylic teeth and different heat-cured denture bases: a comparative study.

AIM: This study is to evaluate the role of 1:1 v/v 30% trichloromethane and monomer solvent in enhancing the durability of bonding between cross-linked acrylic teeth and different heatcured denture bases with or without mechanical preparations made on ridge lap portion of the artificial teeth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two high impact denture base resin materials (Trevalon HI, DeTrey, UK, and DPI Tuff, Mumbai) and one nonhigh impact denture base resin material (DPI Quick Set, Mumbai) were selected to form three groups. Each group contains 30 specimens prepared by five different methods. A mixture of 30% trichloromethane and monomer, mixed in the ratio of 1:1 and applied for 1 minute on the ridge lap area of experimental specimens of methods--B, C, D and E (Specimens of method--A being control group, where no alterations were made at the ridge lap portion of acrylic teeth) before curing. Hounsfield universal testing machine is employed to evaluate the comparative bond strengths. RESULTS: No significant difference was seen in bond strengths between specimens of experimental methods in all groups. When each group was assessed separately method B specimens in group 1 (739.2 N), group 2 (758 N) and method D specimens in group 3 (729 N) showed highest mean bond strengths. Control group specimens showed the least bond strength (400-460 N) in all groups with more adhesive failures. CONCLUSION: Ridge lap portion of the specimens treated with chemical solvent as in method B showed increased bond strength in groups 1 and 2. Hence, this is a preferred method. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Evaluation of effect of different chemical and mechanical preparations at the ridge lap areas of acrylic teeth before acrylization helps the clinician and technician to overcome the problem of debonding of teeth from denture bases and in turn provides better quality prosthesis to the patient.