Rajdeb Banerjee

Bio: Rajdeb Banerjee is an academic researcher from University of Calcutta. The author has contributed to research in topics: Nanocomposite & Active packaging. The author has an hindex of 7, co-authored 7 publications receiving 217 citations.

Environmental toxins: Alarming impacts of pesticides on male fertility

Abstract: This review comprehensively summarizes the effects of more than 15 mostly used pesticides on male reproductive physiology, as recent experimental and epidemiological research have indicated their alarming impact on overall human health. Mechanisms have described that pesticide exposure damages spermatozoa, alter Sertoli or Leydig cell function, both in vitro and in vivo and thus affects semen quality. But, the literature suggests a need for more intricate research in those pesticides that are defined as mutagens or carcinogens and directly affect the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. This literature review also proposes specific solutions to overcome these health effects.

Metals and female reproductive toxicity.

Abstract: Research into occupational exposure of metals and consequences of reproductive systems has made imperative scientific offerings in the preceding few decades. Early research works focused on possible effects on the reproductive functions rather than the complete reproductive health of the woman. Later, it was realized that metals, as reproductive toxins, may also induce hormonal changes affecting other facets of reproductive health such as the menstrual cycle, ovulation, and fertility. Concern is now shifting from considerations for the pregnant woman to the entire spectrum of occupational health threats and thus reproductive health among women.

Nanocomposite films based on cellulose acetate/polyethylene glycol/modified montmorillonite as nontoxic active packaging material

Abstract: Packaging film that possess antimicrobial activity is one of the ground-breaking concepts in food packaging. The main object of this work was to develop nontoxic nanocomposite films with good antimicrobial properties. Cellulose acetate (CA), polyethylene glycol (PEG) and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) modified montmorillonite (OMMT) were used to prepare the nanocomposite films. OMMT is characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared analysis. The films composed of 20 wt% PEG in a CA matrix (CP20) gave optimum results in terms of mechanical properties. OMMT (1, 3 and 5 wt%) was incorporated into the CP20 matrix to prepare the nanocomposites. XRD and transmission electron microscopy analysis showed that the nanocomposites are intercalated in nature. 3 wt% OMMT loaded nanocomposite gave the best results in terms of mechanical and barrier properties. The storage modulus and thermal stability of the nanocomposites increase with the increasing concentration of OMMT from 1–5 wt%. Optical clarity of the nanocomposites is not much affected in the visible region with different loadings of OMMT. These nanocomposites possess good antimicrobial activity as well as showing no toxicity towards human blood, so can be used as active packaging material.

An ex situ approach to fabricating nanosilica reinforced polyacrylamide grafted guar gum nanocomposites as an efficient biomaterial for transdermal drug delivery application

Abstract: Recently transdermal drug delivery systems (TDDS) based on polymeric nanocomposites have been widely researched by polymer and biomedical scientists for the remedy of various diseases. Thus to develop an efficient patch, we have synthesized guar gum-g-polyacrylamide by free radical polymerization using potassium persulphate as an initiator. The transdermal membranes were fabricated via solution casting, by incorporating different wt% of nanosilica and diltiazem hydrochloride to the synthesized copolymer. The resulting copolymer and the nanocomposite membranes were characterized using solid state 13C nuclear magnetic resonance, Fourier transform infrared spectra, thermo-gravimetric analysis, electron microscopy and viscometry. A hydro-swelling study and surface contact angle measurement showed that the membrane containing 1 wt% nanosilica was the most hydrophobic. The in vitro drug release patterns of all the transdermal membranes showed that the nanocomposite containing 1 wt% nanosilica provides the best result with 8.58 and 24.76% drug release after 5 and 20 h, respectively. Furthermore, the nanocomposite formulation exhibited good cyto-compatibility and non-irritant behaviour, which are primary requirements for an efficient transdermal drug delivery system.

Exposure to endocrine disruptors during adulthood: consequences for female fertility

Abstract: Endocrine disrupting chemicals are ubiquitous chemicals that exhibit endocrine disrupting properties in both humans and animals. Female reproduction is an important process, which is regulated by hormones and is susceptible to the effects of exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals. Disruptions in female reproductive functions by endocrine disrupting chemicals may result in subfertility, infertility, improper hormone production, estrous and menstrual cycle abnormalities, anovulation, and early reproductive senescence. This review summarizes the effects of a variety of synthetic endocrine disrupting chemicals on fertility during adult life. The chemicals covered in this review are pesticides (organochlorines, organophosphates, carbamates, pyrethroids, and triazines), heavy metals (arsenic, lead, and mercury), diethylstilbesterol, plasticizer alternatives (di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate and bisphenol A alternatives), 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, nonylphenol, polychlorinated biphenyls, triclosan, and parabens. This review focuses on the hypothalamus, pituitary, ovary, and uterus because together they regulate normal female fertility and the onset of reproductive senescence. The literature shows that several endocrine disrupting chemicals have endocrine disrupting abilities in females during adult life, causing fertility abnormalities in both humans and animals.

Reactive oxygen species and male reproductive hormones

Abstract: Reports of the increasing incidence of male infertility paired with decreasing semen quality have triggered studies on the effects of lifestyle and environmental factors on the male reproductive potential There are numerous exogenous and endogenous factors that are able to induce excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) beyond that of cellular antioxidant capacity, thus causing oxidative stress In turn, oxidative stress negatively affects male reproductive functions and may induce infertility either directly or indirectly by affecting the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis and/or disrupting its crosstalk with other hormonal axes This review discusses the important exogenous and endogenous factors leading to the generation of ROS in different parts of the male reproductive tract It also highlights the negative impact of oxidative stress on the regulation and cross-talk between the reproductive hormones It further describes the mechanism of ROS-induced derangement of male reproductive hormonal profiles that could ultimately lead to male infertility An understanding of the disruptive effects of ROS on male reproductive hormones would encourage further investigations directed towards the prevention of ROS-mediated hormonal imbalances, which in turn could help in the management of male infertility

Decline in sperm count in European men during the past 50 years.

Abstract: Purpose:To investigate whether the sperm concentration of European men is deteriorating over the past 50 years of time.Materials and Methods:We analysed the data published in English language artic...