ABSTRACT
Background: Amino acid racemisation is a reliable method to estimate age in developed countries. This pilot study was designed to determine the coefficient of amino acid racemisation [AAR] with reference to age in our population. Also as no such study has been conducted in our setting, the study also aims to discuss reproducibility of this study on a larger scale
Objectives: To determine the coefficient of amino acid racemisation [AAR] with reference to age; To measure the mean error in calculating age using this method; To identify any differences from earlier observation and discuss the reproducibility in our setting
Methods: Teeth were obtained from subjects between the age of 15 and 60 years who had come for routine extraction procedure or for orthodontic procedures. Incisors, canines, premolars and, first and second molars were included. Carious tooth and third molar were excluded. Samples were stored, dried, de-mineralised, hydrolysed, and derivatised. High-Pressure Liquid Chromatography [HPLC] was performed to quantify the L- and D- forms of aspartic acid in dentin. Correlation and regression was then tabulated based on the quantification, and was compared with data from other studies
Results: Based on the analysis of selected samples, a strong positive correlation of 0.93 was observed between co-efficient of racemisation and chronological age. The regression line derived was Age = 200 [KR] + 17.306 [where KR= coefficient of racemisation].The computed regression line was tested by using coefficient of racemisation for 8 samples selected during the study and the mean error [difference between actual and calibrated age] determined came out to be 3.99 +/- 5.77
Conclusion: The correlation coefficient was strongly positive. The results strongly suggests that aspartic acid racemisation of human dentine is a precise method for estimation of chronological age in living and in dead. The methodology should be standardized to make the results more accurate and prevent fallacies. However it remains an expensive procedure, especially the laboratory equipment that would not be available in most cities of Pakistan
ABSTRACT
In Pakistan, tobacco consumption is at an all-time high with the tobacco industry witnessing a boom. According to the Pakistan Tobacco Company, production and sale has taken a sharp leap from Rs.1,000 million rupees to Rs.1, 750 million in 2008. The youth remain particularly vulnerable as massive antismoking ad campaigns have failed to drill in the health hazards. The aim of this study is to assess the attitude, perception and practices of youth regarding cigarette smoking. Comparative cross-sectional study was conducted in Ziauddin University and Bahria University. Sample was taken from all years of teaching. Data was collected through self-administered structured questionnaire that was developed in English. It comprised of questions pertaining to their year of study, smoking history, and perception and practices regarding smoking. A total of 450 students were surveyed, medicine [n=260] and engineering [n=190]. One-fourth of the survey sample admitted to have tried to smoke at least once in their lifetime [p=0.001], and at least 20% medical students [n=53] and 35% of engineering students [n=66] surveyed had smoked a cigarette [p=0.001]. While students studying medicine were better aware of the risks associated with smoking and tobacco consumption, however compared to engineering students their overall knowledge of the health risks was unsatisfactory. A significant number of medical students were unable to list and hence effectively counsel about long and short term health benefits. Peer pressure and media played a large role in students picking up the habit