Deteriorated male reproductive health has been connected to overexposure to estrogens or to imbalanced androgen-estrogen ratio. Transgenic male mice expressing human aromatase (AROM ϩ mice) serve as an apt model for the study of the consequences of an altered androgenestrogen ratio. Our previous studies with AROM ϩ mice showed that low androgen levels together with high estrogen levels result in cryptorchidism and infertility. In the present study, the AROM ϩ mice were shown to have severe abnormalities in the structure and function of Leydig cells before the appearance of spermatogenic failure. Decreased expression of adult-type Leydig cell markers (Ptgds, Vcam1, Insl3, Klk21, Star, Cyp17a1, and Hsd17b3) indicated an immature developmental stage of the Leydig cells, which appears to be the first estrogen-dependent alteration. Genes involved in steroidogenesis (Star, Cyp17a1, and Hsd17b3) were suppressed despite normal LH levels. The low expression level of kallikreins 21, 24, and 27 potentially further inhibited Leydig cell function via remodeling extracellular matrix composition. In connection with disrupted steroidogenesis, Leydig cells showed enlarged mitochondria, a reduced amount of smooth endoplasmic reticulum, and an accumulation of cholesterol and precursors for cholesterol synthesis. The results of studies with AROM ϩ mice crossed with estrogen receptor ␣ or ␤ (ER␣ and ER␤, respectively) knockout mice lead to the conclusion that the structural and functional disorders caused by estrogen exposure were mediated via ER␣, whereas ER␤ was not involved. (Endocrinology 150: [2865][2866][2867][2868][2869][2870][2871][2872] 2009)

Background: Epidemiological data are limited regarding clinical characteristic of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in India. Aim: The aim was to assess ADRs with reference to the causative drugs, seriousness and their other clinical characteristics in Indian tertiary care teaching hospital. Methods: A spontaneous reporting based ADR monitoring study was conducted over a period of 2 years. The World Health Organization (WHO) definition of an ADR and its seriousness was adopted. The organ system involvement was labeled by WHO-ADR terminology. ADRs were analyzed for causality by Naranjo's algorithm, preventability by modified Schumock and Thornton's criteria and types of reactions by Rawlins and Thompson classification. Subgroup analysis was performed between serious and non-serious reactions. Results: Of the total of 135 reactions reported 111 reactions from 97 patients were included for analysis. The incidences of overall and serious ADRs were 0.25 and 0.06 per 1000 patients, respectively. The most commonly implicated organ systems were skin and appendages (52.25%). The major causative drug classes were antimicrobials (40.28%), central nervous system (23.61%) and autacoids (15.97%). About twothirds of the reactions (65.77%) were classified as probable and one-tenth (8.10%) as preventable. The factors significantly associated with serious reactions were age group 40-60 years (odds ratio [OR]: 5.51), parenteral drugs (OR: 2.96), central and peripheral nervous system disorders (OR: 5.06), body as a whole -general disorders (OR: 9.05) and acute onset reactions (OR: 52.62). Conclusion: Antimicrobials are common causative agents. Cohort study is recommended to confirm the risk factors of serious ADRs in Indian population.

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BACKGROUND:Worldwide, studies show negative attitude among medical students toward psychiatry and mental illness. The knowledge of the attitude and awareness of the undergraduate medical students toward psychiatry, mental health, and psychiatric disorders are most important as they are going to be involved in the care of these patients either directly or indirectly during the later years of their careers.AIM:This study aims to assess attitude toward psychiatry and mental illness among undergraduate medical students.METHODOLOGY:The responses of 67 medical students from the 6th semester (third professional year) batch who completed their 2-week clinical posting of psychiatry in 4th semester (i.e., second professional year) were collected using validated questionnaires, attitude towards mental illness (AMI), and attitude towards psychiatry (ATP) that assessed their attitudes to psychiatry and mental illness. Double data entry and validation were done using EpiData and analysis using Epi Info software.RESULTS:Median AMI score was 54 (out of maximum 100) showing a neutral AMI. Median ATP score was 82 (out of maximum 150) also showing a neutral ATP. The theme-wise analysis showed that the attitude of students toward psychiatrist and psychiatry branch was relatively better compared to their AMI.CONCLUSION:Undergraduate students have a neutral attitude to psychiatry and mental illness. More efforts are needed to change the attitude to favorable side.

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