The recognition of vitamin C is associated with a history of an unrelenting search for the cause of the ancient haemorrhagic disease scurvy. Isolated in 1928, vitamin C is essential for the development and maintenance of connective tissues. It plays an important role in bone formation, wound healing and the maintenance of healthy gums. Vitamin C plays an important role in a number of metabolic functions including the activation of the B vitamin, folic acid, the conversion of cholesterol to bile acids and the conversion of the amino acid, tryptophan, to the neurotransmitter, serotonin. It is an antioxidant that protects body from free radical damage. It is used as therapeutic agent in many diseases and disorders. Vitamin C protects the immune system, reduces the severity of allergic reactions and helps to fight off infections. However the significance and beneficial effect of vitamin C in respect to human disease such as cancer, atherosclerosis, diabetes, neurodegenerative disease and metal toxicity however remains equivocal. Thus further continuous uninterrupted efforts may open new vistas to understand its significance in disease management.

The aim of this study was to describe the features of patients with brain metastasis from cervical cancer. Twelve patients with brain metastasis from cervical cancer were identified. Information regarding symptoms, treatment, and survival was analyzed. The incidence of brain metastasis in our population was 0.77%. Median patient age at initial diagnosis of cervical cancer was 43.5 years (range 29-57 years) compared with 44.5 years (range 31-58 years) at identification of brain metastasis. Six patients had FIGO stage IB disease; three had stage IIB disease; and one each had stage IIIA, IIIB, and IVB disease. The median interval from diagnosis of cervical cancer to identification of brain metastasis was 17.5 months (range 1.1-96.1 months). All but one patient presented with neurologic symptoms. Eight patients received whole-brain irradiation and steroids, three received steroids alone, and one underwent surgery, followed by irradiation. All the patients who received whole-brain irradiation experienced improvement in their symptoms. Median survival from diagnosis of brain metastasis to death was 2.3 months (range 0.3-7.9 months). Five patients who received chemotherapy after brain irradiation had a median survival of 4.4 months compared to 0.9 months for those who received no additional treatment after brain irradiation (P= .016). Most patients with brain metastasis from cervical cancer presented with neurologic sequelae. Brain irradiation improved these symptoms. Survival after diagnosis of brain metastasis was poor; however, patients who received chemotherapy after brain irradiation appeared to have improved survival.

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Stress has been reported to be a causative factor for male infertility. Withania somnifera has been documented in Ayurveda and Unani medicine system for its stress-combating properties. However, limited scientific literature is available on this aspect of W. somnifera. We undertook the present study to understand the role of stress in male infertility, and to test the ability of W. somnifera to combat stress and treat male infertility. We selected normozoospermic but infertile individuals (N = 60), further categorized in three groups: normozoospermic heavy smokers (N = 20), normozoospermics under psychological stress (N = 20) and normozoospermics with infertility of unknown etiology (N = 20). Normozoospermic fertile men (N = 60) were recruited as controls. The subjects were given root powder of W. somnifera at a rate of 5 g/day for 3 months. Measuring various biochemical and stress parameters before and after treatment, suggested a definite role of stress in male infertility and the ability of W. somnifera to treat stress-related infertility. Treatment resulted in a decrease in stress, improved the level of anti-oxidants and improved overall semen quality in a significant number of individuals. The treatment resulted in pregnancy in the partners of 14% of the patients.