Sexual Dysfunction in Neurological Disorders with Special Emphasis on Parkinson’s Disease: Insights from Clinical Studies and Animal Models

Epidemiological studies illustrate that sexual dysfunction (SD) is common among the majority of patients suffering from neurological disorders (NLDs). However, our understanding of the SD in NLDs is in its infancy. Our effort in this review article reveals how the clinical studies illustrate different phenotypes relating to SD in both men and women suffering from NLDs, with special reference to PD, and how the development of animal models will provide a fantastic opportunity to decipher mechanistic insights into the biological and molecular processes of SD, understanding of which is critical to figure out the causes of SD and to develop therapeutic strategies either by targeting molecular players or altering and/or regulating the profiles of involved genetic targets. Specific emphasis is placed on dopamine-dependent and independent mechanism(s) of SD among PD patients, which is important because certain critical dopamine-independent phenotypes are yet to be characterized and understood in order to decipher the comprehensive pathophysiology of PD. Synergic efforts of both clinicians and bench scientists in this critical direction would significantly improve the quality of life of sufferers of NLDs who are already burdened. This knowledge relating to SD will help us to make one more step in reducing the burden of disease

Cancer is a Preventable Disease that Requires Major Lifestyle Changes

This year, more than 1 million Americans and more than 10 million people worldwide are expected to be diagnosed with cancer, a disease commonly believed to be preventable. Only 5–10% of all cancer cases can be attributed to genetic defects, whereas the remaining 90–95% have their roots in the environment and lifestyle. The lifestyle factors include cigarette smoking, diet (fried foods, red meat), alcohol, sun exposure, environmental pollutants, infections, stress, obesity, and physical inactivity. The evidence indicates that of all cancer-related deaths, almost 25–30% are due to tobacco, as many as 30–35% are linked to diet, about 15–20% are due to infections, and the remaining percentage are due to other factors like radiation, stress, physical activity, environmental pollutants etc. Therefore, cancer prevention requires smoking cessation, increased ingestion of fruits and vegetables, moderate use of alcohol, caloric restriction, exercise, avoidance of direct exposure to sunlight, minimal meat consumption, use of whole grains, use of vaccinations, and regular check-ups. In this review, we present evidence that inflammation is the link between the agents/factors that cause cancer and the agents that prevent it. In addition, we provide evidence that cancer is a preventable disease that requires major lifestyle changes

Management of recurrent cancer of the uterine cervix

In developing countries, cervical cancer is the most common cause of cancer deaths in women, due in large part to lack of screening and patient education. Screening results in earlier diagnosis and intervention, but local recurrences still happen and are difficult to treat. Early-stage (IB and IIA) cervical cancer can be cured on an average rate of 80% with either radical surgery or definitive radiation; on the other hand, 30–50% of patients with stage IIB to IV will ultimately fail. The prognosis of recurrent cervical carcinoma is grim regardless of the mode of primary treatment except those with isolated small vaginal or cervical relapse for which a 5-year survival of 35–50% has been reported. These patients constitute less than 10% of all patients with recurrent cervical cancer. In the remaining patients, 5-year survival rates are between 3.2 and 13%. The treatment of this condition has a high morbidity and risk versus benefit of the treatment offered has to be weighed. Refinement in surgical techniques, addition of intraoperative radiation therapy and regional chemotherapy, has improved the outcomes in these patients. There is a lack of randomized trials in this field and the treatment is chosen according to the extent of disease, patients’ general condition and expectation and availability of surgical expertise and treatment facilities