Alterations of PSA, CA15.3, CA125, Cyfra21-1, CEA, CA19.9, AFP and Tag72 tumor markers in human blood serum due to long term exposure to high levels of natural background radiation in Ramsar, Iran

Ramsar [Mazandran province] is known for its extremely high levels of natural background radiation. Although no excess cancer rate is reported in these areas by epidemiological studies, the study of tumor markers in the inhabitants of these areas may shed some light on the impact of high levels of background radiation on cancer induction. The level of background gamma radiation as well as indoor radon was determined using RDS-110 and CR-39 dosimeters. Thirty five individuals from a high background radiation area [HBRA] and 53 individuals from a normal background radiation area [NBRA] were randomly selected to participate in the study. Commercial ELISA kits [sandwich type ELISA tests] were used to measure the serum levels of PSA, CA15.3, CA125, Cyfra21-1, CEA, CA19.9, AFP and Tag72 tumor markers. Among the eight biomarkers investigated, the means of PSA, CA15.3, CA125, CA19.9 and AFP concentrations between the HBRAs and NBRAs were not significantly different. However, Cyfra21, CEA and Tag72 in HBRA group revealed statistically significant increases compared to those of NBRA group [P<0.05]. Furthermore, a statistically significant correlation between the external gamma dose as well as indoor radon level and the concentration of CEA [P<0.001], Cyfra-21[P<0.001] and TAG 72 [P<0.001 and 0.01 respectively] biomarkers were observed. Chronic exposure to high background radiation induces significant alterations in Cyfra21, CEA and Tag72 levels. We believe that studies with other relevant tumor markers might overcome the limitations of epidemiological studies on cancer incidence in high background radiation areas

AIDS a real public health threat for Pakistan

AIDS is a lethal disorder characterised by break down of body defences against diseases giving rise to skin cancers and a wide range of opportunistic infections. The disease is now seen all over the world. Largest number of cases are seen in U.S.A., France, U.K. and other European and African countries. In Asia, the most affected areas are Thailand, Singapore, Bankock and India. In Pakistan the number of cases are on the increase. Most of these patients are concentrated in Karachi and N.W.F.P. mainly due to the influx of immigrants and visitors. It is high time to take effective measures now to check the spread of the disease and other parts of the country. The purpose of this paper is to highlight salient features of the disease and create a public awareness about the seriousness of the problem

Oral bacteriological findings testing the sensitivity and resistance of bacteria to antimicrobial agents

Micro biological investigations were carried out on oral infective diseases, reporting to Department of Dental Public Health Research Unit, College of Community Medicine, Lahore. The study is based on total sample of 650 cases. The range of the age was 20 to 40 years belonging to well to do socio-economic class study included 344 male, 316 female from November 1974 to November 1979. Bacteriologically positive cases of periodontal disease had the following distribution of the micro-organisms. Pus cells were found only in 38% of cases, gram positive cocci 95, 44.61% gram negative cocci in 2.61% fusiform bacilli and spirochaetes were detected in 30.30% cases respectively. Culture reports revealed: Staphylococcus pyogenes, 55.00% non-haemolytic streptococci, 17.68%, haemolyticus streptococci 7.38%, alpha haemolyticus streptococci 4.76%, beta haemolytic streptococci 3.07%; streptococcus viridans, 1.23%; streptococcus pneumoniaie, 0.30%; Escherichia coli, 9.69%; pseudomonas aeruginosa, 0.15% Klebsiella pneumoniae 0.46%; proteus vulgaris, 0.61% and haemophilus influenza, 0.61%. The sensitivity and resistance reports have shown very interesting results. Pencillin is being observed as the most resistant drug to oral bacteria, whereas chloramphenicol has proved to be excellent sensitive for positive cases. The other antibiotics have also indicated their trend of resistance. The study has been further split up to each bacteria and its sensitivity and resistance to each antibiotic. Similar resistance has been observed in tetracycline group. The utility of this study is of great importance for those who seek help of anti-biotics in their practice

Pilot study for smokers and non-smokers

A pilot study was conducted on 2549 people in which 22.55 were male and 294 female with the help of the prepared questionnaire sent to the various undergraduate institutions and professional circles in two provinces of Pakistan. The total smokers were found 78% and non-smokers were 21%. However number of smokers among the labourers was more than 75.14% whereas the senior doctors were found smokers 20%. Girls smokers were found 21.62%. The other high range of smokers were the patients who were suffering from the bleeding of gums and they were 65.45%. Medical students and students of undergraduate colleges including girls students were observed having this habit in similarity