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Monday, September 30, 2024

NEWS TODAY 30.09.2024

Junk food can lead to fertility issues in women, say experts

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 30.09.2024

Lucknow : A growing number of women are facing infertility issues, primarily due to tuberculosis of the female reproductive system, endocrine disruptors in food, delayed marriages, and rising stress levels. These factors were highlighted in a CME on ‘Cutting Edge Innovations in ART and HighRisk Pregnancy,’ organised by the Ajanta Hope Society of Human Reproduction on Sunday.

Dr Malvika Mishra, a fertility and IVF specialist, emphasised that 15% of female infertility cases are attributed to tuberculosis of the female genitalia. This condition can damage the fallopian tubes, leading to tubal blockage and infertility. It can also affect the endometrial lining, hindering endometrial receptivity and causing chronic inflammation that depletes the ovarian reserve. Additionally, tuberculosis can result in intrauterine adhesions, making it difficult for the endometrium to be receptive.

“If a female has a history of anyone in family with TB, or has irregular periods or is having difficulty conceiving, she should consult a gynaecologist,” she added. Dr Geeta Khanna, organiser and secretary-general of the Indian Fertility Society, highlighted the adverse impact of endocrine- disrupting foods like junk food on the reproductive system. Chronic exposure to these substances can lead to endocrine dysfunction and adversely affect structure and function of female reproductive tissues and organs, leading to fertility issues.

Dr Pankaj Talwar, president of the IFS, noted that these foods can also cause weight gain, which is another factor contributing to infertility. Dr Mishra stressed that losing just 5 kg can significantly improve the chances of pregnancy for obese women. The CME was inaugurated by Prof Soniya Nityanand, vice chancellor of KGMU. Reproductive specialists who gave deliberations included Prof KD Nayar, Prof Meera Agnihotri, Prof Chandrawati, Prof Kuldeep Jain, Prof Abha Majoomdar, Dr Jayesh, and Dr Surveen Ghuman, among others.

How these twin brothers masked their sinister bond

New Delhi : In the bustling streets of north Delhi, a tale of twin brothers, Vikas and Akash, unfolded like a gripping thriller. Born just 10 minutes apart, their faces shared an uncanny 60% resemblance, masking a sinister bond. Unemployed and adrift, they slipped into a world of crime.

Vikas, the younger brother, had already earned notoriety at Burari Police Station, with 20 cases against him. Robbery, snatching and house theft — his rap sheet read like a catalogue of desperation. But what drew his elder brother, Akash, into this dark orbit? Their family's humble existence — a security guard father, housewife mother, two labourer brothers and two sisters — seemed worlds away from the twins' nefarious activities. Yet, it was within these walls that Vikas's addiction to drugs sparked a chain reaction, dragging Akash down with him five years ago.

As the brothers' crimes escalated, their cunning tactics fooled even the most seasoned cops. They exploited their twinship, switching names and alibis to evade capture. If Vikas committed a snatching, Akash would provide a fake alibi, claiming to be at a familiar location. When they worked together, the motorcycle rider would conceal his face. Their bike, registered in their father's name, became an instrument of crime. With no discernible pattern, they struck whenever their drug supply dwindled. Vikas's girlfriend proved another motivator — snatching to support her financial requirements. As police closed in, the twins attempted to conceal their twinship, hoping to preserve their anonymity.

But police eventually unravelled their web of deceit, linking five cases to the duo. Now, cops are probing whether the twins drew inspiration from movies or other external influences. One thing is certain: the bond between Vikas and Akash has become a toxic force, driving them deeper into the shadows. “They had two methods of operation: if one was committing a snatching, the other would be at a shop so that if one was spotted on a CCTV, he could claim to have been elsewhere,” said DCP (north) Manoj Meena. TNN

Dozen generic drugs blacklisted in TN Will Be Barred From Supply For Two Years

Pushpa.Narayan@timesofindia.com 30.09.2024

Chennai : At least 15 generic drugs, including tablets and injectables, have been blacklisted since Jan by TN Medical Services Corporation (TNMSC), a govt agency that supplies medicines and medical equipment to govt hospitals. The quality control department found adozen of these medications, prescribed for conditions such as diabetes, cancer, and thyroid disorders, “not of standard quality”, and the purchase department blacklisted three others for not following tender norms. “None of the drugs reached the hospital wards,” said TNMSC MD MArvind.

“As soon as drugs reach warehouses, they go into quarantine for at least two weeks. During this time, samples from every batch are sent to any of the 12 accredited labs across India for quality checks,” he said. Drugs that don’t pass quality tests will be blacklisted and barred from supply for nearly two years. Additionally, samples from drugs that are sent to district warehouses and govt hospitals are also drawn periodically for quality tests to ensure the quality has not come down over time. Samples that fail quality tests this time must be replaced by the company within a specific period without additional charge.

“Our system ensures that on most occasions, drugs that are spurious or those that don’t have the right dosage of active ingredients are caught at the entry level,” he said. Earlier this week, Maharashtra reported supply of spurious drugs that contained starch and talcum powder to govt hospitals. CDCSO also reported that at least 50 batches of medicines including those given for acid reflux, sexual dysfunction, hypertension, antibiotics and paracetamol were spurious. Data shows TNMSC has blacklisted 45 drugs — essential and speciality drugs — including antibiotics. While both “not of standard quality” and “substandard” drugs are deviations from the expected quality, substandard drugs pose a more significant threat to patient health.

Substandard drugs often involve adulteration, contamination, or the presence of harmful substances.Not of standard quality drugs are those that fail to meet the specified quality standards set by regulatory authorities. Over the past three years, percentage of drugs that failed quality tests has been around 0.5% of the total purchase. “We have managed to bring it down over a period of time. Generic drug manufacturers participating in the TN tender system now know they wont be able pass quality test with substandard drugs,” Arvind said.