Evaluation of smoking genotoxicity in Turkish young adults.

BACKGROUND: For the past few decades, it has been widely known in developed countries that tobacco is dangerous, but it is still insufficiently realized how big these dangers really are. AIMS: To determine and evaluate micronuclei (MN) frequencies of young smokers and nonsmokers in three different tissues (peripheric blood lymphoctes, buccal mucosa, and exfoliative urothelial cells) at the same time. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MN assay was performed on buccal mucosa, urothelial cells, and peripheric blood lymphocyte samples obtained from 15 healthy male smokers (>5 pack-years) and 15 healthy male nonsmoker controls who had not been exposed to any known genotoxic agent. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: The statistical differences between smoker and nonsmoker groups were calculated by using student t test. The differences between smoker-group tissues were compared by ANOVA. RESULTS: It was found that MN frequency (mean value ± standard deviation) in oral mucosa cells from smokers and controls were 1.20 ± 0.22% and 0.26 ± 0.10%; in urothelial exfoliative cells, 1.29 ± 0.28% and 0.12 ± 0.08%; in peripheric blood lymphocytes, 1.53 ± 0.23% and 0.38 ± 0.12%, respectively. The mean MN frequencies in buccal mucosa, urothelial exfoliative cells, and peripheric blood lymphocytes were significantly higher in smokers than in those of controls (P<0.05). All tissues were affected from smoking, but the most destructive effect was seen in urothelial cells of smokers (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our data showed that cigarette smoke is a DNA damage causitive agent on exfoliative buccal mucosa and urothelial cells and peripheric blood lymphocytes of young smokers, but it has most destructive effect on urothelial cells.

Age related epithelial changes of the larynx

One hundred larynges of non smokers of different ages were examined by Alcian blue-Ploxine stain and by light microscopy to detect changes in the type and distribution of the covering epithelium. Squamous metaplasia was found in 77% of the larynges. It was found on the epiglottis in 71% of cases, on the vestibular folds in 59% of cases and on the subglottis in 54%. No dysplastic changes were detected in the metaplastic areas. There was a tendency of greater increase in the incidence of metaplasia in males more than females. Also, the surface area of squamous metaplasia was found to increase with age in both sexes. It was found that the surface areas of supraglottis and subglottis were larger in males than females. With increasing age, the surface area increased in males and decreased in females

Erythrocyte sedimentation rate in smokers, hypertensives and in patients of ischaemic heart disease

To see the levels of ESR in clinically healthy Smokers and compare it with clinically healthy controls. To show the ESR in IHD and hypertension and compare it with controls. To correlate ESR with fibrinogen and haematocrit. Design: ESR measured according to the method recommended by International Committee for Standardization in Haematology to see its levels in clinically healthy controls, smokers, patients of IHD and hypertensives. Setting: epartment of Physiology, Dow Medical College, CHK and BMSI, JPMC, Karachi. Subjects: 148 adults [43 IHD patients] none of whom had diabetes mellitus, liver disease, CCF, malignancy, bleeding disorders and respiratory disease. Main outcome Measures: To study the effects of persistently raised ESR as a risk factor for IHD. ESR was found to be 7.93 +/- 0.63 [mean +/- sem] in controls, 1 1.63 +/- 0.41 in smokers, 20.4 +/- 1.4 in hypertensives and 22.5 +/- 2.00 in IHD patients with P < 0.001 when compared to control group. Correlation of ESR / fibrinogen and ESR/haematocrit were r = 0.7 and r = -0.2 in controls while these correlations were found to be r = 0.45 and r = -0.16 in 118 cases. ESR is found to be higher in clinically healthy smokers so there is a need to compile a laboratory data for healthy persons excluding smokers. ESR is also found higher in hypertensives and is highest in IHD patients than controls. Persistently raised ESR may be regarded as a risk factor for IHD. ESR still is a useful test if performed with strict precautions and keeping in view the factors affecting its results

Analysis of known risk factors for bladder cancer in pakistani population

The association of aetiological agents incriminated for bladder cancer are well recognized. They are divided into two groups, occupational and non-occupational. The commonest occupational agents are 2-naphlthylamine, benzidine, aminobiphenyl, dichlorobenzidine, orthodianisidine and orthotolidine. Recognized non-occupational agents include tobacco, recurrent chronic bladder infection/infestation, coffee and drugs. This study was conduced to evaluate these factors in patients with bladder cancer in our population. Of 250 cases studied, 203 were males and 47 females with a male to female ratio of 4.3:1. In 13.6% cases occupational factors were established with an average duration of exposure of 12 years. Majority [68%] of patients had smoking as the predominant non-occupational factor. In this group average cigarettes smoked per day was 23 with a range of 15 to 90. The duration of smoking ranged between 5 to 55 years with an average of 26 years. Sixty patients [24%] were neither smokers nor had any associated high risk occupation

Development implementation and evaluation of a smoking cessation program for students and employees

An equal number of student and employee smokers [total = 34] participated in the study. Baseline assessment and one month and three months later follow-up of smoking behavior and blood carboxyhemoglobin level, in response to the program, were undertaken. Program sessions lasted for 5 days in groups of 5-7 smokers. Counseling and program booklets were provided. Results showed that significant differences were elicited between groups, regarding some studied variables. Significant changes in number of cigarettes smoked per day, smoking status and blood carboxyhemoglobin levels were detected in both groups, after program. Discussion, implications and recommendations were displayed

prospective study of risk factors analysis in patients with acute myocardial infarction

Coronary atherosclerosis is multifactorial in its aetiology. The Framingham Study has shown a clear correlation between certain identifiable risk factors and the subsequent development of cardiovascular events in predisposed individuals. A prospective study was carried out to document and analyse the presence of all the major risk factors in a population of patients with an acute myocardial infarction. One hundred and three patients were included in the study comprising of 84 males and 19 females with an average age of 57.6 years. Overall hypercholesterolemia was found in 42%, cigarette smoking in 52% of males, hypertension in 16% and hypertriglyceridemia in 31% of the patients. Obesity was present in 29%, diabetes mellitus in 13%, and a family history of Coronary Artery Disease [CAD] was detected on 10% of the patients studied. At least 82% of the patients had at least one identifiable risk factor. This confirms the significant presence of conventional risk factors in this prospectively studied population of patients with myocardial infarction

Prospective controlled study of the acute effect of nicotine smoking on pharmaco erection tests

To detect the effect of nicotine smoking on pharmacoerection test, patients complaining of erectile dysfunction were screened. Those complaining from organic impotence were excluded from the study. Only those with data and signs suggesting of psychogenic or situational impotence, most likely to respond to pharmacologically induced erection, were included. One hundred forty nine patients were categorized into 4 groups: non smokers, smokers, smokers prohibited from smoking and the smokers not prohibited from smoking who repeated the test after with holding smoking. Each patient was injected intra- cavernouslly with a vaso-active drug mixture and the response was assessed up to two hours afterwards. Non smokers showed more significant response [94.64%] than those who smoked immediately prior to the test [41.67%] [p <0.0001], also, smokers prohibited from smoking showed more significant response [86.67/0] than the later [p <0.0001]. On the other hand, smokers who repeated the test after withdrawing smoking for 24 hours showed significant difference in response. Non smokers and smoker subjects with holding smoking did not show any statistically significant difference in results [p >0.05]. This is probably due to the initial selection of subjects who excluded from the start the nicotine chronically affected patients. These findings confirm that nicotine smoking interferes with the erectile response of vaso-active drugs and that nicotine withdrawal for 24 hours increases the test reliability

Cardiovascular disease: a major future problem for Oman

Studies of village populations by medical students in oman have indicated moderately high prevalence rates of hypertension and obesity. With the known high prevalence of diabetes and an increasing trend towards cigarette smoking, attention is drawn to the likelihood of a future epidemic of cardiovascular disease in oman. A suggested strategy of transferring the responsibility for identification and management of risk factors for cardiovascular disease prevention from specialist to primary health care is suggested in an attempt to prevent this potential epidemic

Risk factors for coronary artery disease [an epidemiologic sudy]

Coronary risk profile screening was performed in 251 patients with myocardial infarction and unstable angina admitted to the Sheikh Zayed Hospital, C.C.V. during consecutive 15 months. Mean age was 56.3 years [male: 55.6 years, female: 89years]. Male patients were absolutely greater in number almost 5 times of female patients. moreover males began to suffer the disease at younger age. 60.8% were in the group of 40-60 years, whereas 81.6% female cases were 50 and above. Sedentary life style [62.2%], low HDL cholesterol [< 35 mg/dl], [58.1%] total cholesterol/HDL-C ratio more than 5 [59.7%] were the most common risk factors for both sexes. A large number of males gave the history of current smoking [56.9%] whereas only 2.3% females were smokers. In women the prevalence of hypercholesterolemia [57.1%] hypertension [57%] and diabetes mellitus [38%] was higher compared with men [28%, 14.3%, 18.2% respectively. [fig 4]. Family history of ischemic heart disease was reported by 30.6% of patients. 43.4% reported stressful life style. Of the cases [60.9%] belonged to low to middle class. and were urban dwellers. Hypertriglyceridemia and hyperuricemia were found in 16.7% and 37% cases respectively. 11% patients were free of the major risk factors reviewed. This study shows that hypercholesterolemia, hypertension and diabetes mellitus are not the most common predisposing factors of IHD in our patients. instead low HDL-C, total cholesterol/HDL-C>5 and sedentary life style appear more important. The high prevalence of smokers in our patients population indicates the need for a more effective antismoking campaign in Pakistan