ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to predict the number and trends of cancer cases for radiotherapy up to the year 2015 in Manipal Teaching Hospital, Pokhara, Nepal. METHODS: A retrospective study was carried out on data retrieved from the radiotherapy treatment records of patients treated at Manipal Teaching Hospital between 28 September 2000 and 31 December 2008. Different statistical programmes were used for statistical modelling and prediction. Using curve-fitting methods, Linear, Logarithmic, Inverse, Quadratic, Cubic, Compound, Power, Exponential, and Growth models were tested. RESULTS: Including constant term, none of the models were best fitted. However, excluding the constant term, the cubic model was best fitted; R2=0. 95, p=0.001 for total cancer cases, R2=0. 94, p=0.001 for female cancer cases and R2=0. 95, p=0.001 for male cancer cases. The cancer cases estimated using cubic model showed a steady increase in the total frequency of cancers (including male and female cancer cases) following the year 2010. The three most common cancers reported were head and neck 24.2% (CI 21.6 - 27.0), lung 20.9% (CI 18.4 -23.6), cervix 15.9% (CI 13.7-18.3) respectively. CONCLUSION: The cancer cases in need of radiotherapy will increase in future years. The curve fitting method could be an effective exploratory modelling technique for predicting cancer frequency and trends over the years.
Subject(s)
Models, Statistical , Mortality/trends , Neoplasms/epidemiology , Neoplasms/mortality , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Hospitals , Humans , Infant , Male , Middle Aged , Models, Biological , Nepal/epidemiology , Prognosis , Retrospective Studies , Risk Factors , Young AdultABSTRACT
The interaction of metal-substituted hemoglobin (MHb), where M = Ni and Cu (T-state with no O2 and CO binding capability) and Fe (R-state when CO is bound), with cationic cityl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) and anionic (sodium dodecyl sulfate-SDS) surfactants has been studied using spectroscopic techniques-UV-visible, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), and Fourier transform-Raman-with additional supportive evidence coming from conductivity measurements. We observed the loss of 5-coordination in all three hemoglobins below the critical micelle concentration (CMC) of surfactant, with noticeable differences, suggesting differing mechanisms involved in this process. In addition, above the CMC, Ni- and Cu-hemes were found to leave their proteins more easily than Fe-heme, presumably due to weaker or no bond with the proximal histidine in the former. The released heme is stabilized by micellar media through a hydrophobic interaction process. Of the two surfactants, CTAB seems to be capable of releasing the heme better than SDS and it is attributed to the greater hydrophobicity of CTAB though the charge of the surfactant plays an important role.
Subject(s)
Heme/analysis , Hemoglobins/chemistry , Carboxyhemoglobin/chemistry , Electric Conductivity , Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy , Humans , Indicators and Reagents , Metals , Nickel , Spectrophotometry , Surface-Active AgentsABSTRACT
A comprehensive survey of the population exposed to high-level natural radiation is presented. The population living in Karunagappally taluk in Kerala, India, presents a unique opportunity for studies on the health effects of chronic exposure to low-level radiation. The environmental radiation emanates largely from the thorium deposited mostly along coastal areas. In certain locations on the coast, it is as high as 70 mGy/year and on average is 7.5 times the level seen in interior areas. Using portable scintillometers, radiation levels in more than 66,306 houses were measured; outside levels were also measured in the same house compound. Of the total population of 400,000, 100,000 lived in areas with high natural radiation. Information on lifestyle, socio-demographic features, occupation, housing, residence history, and tobacco and alcohol use was obtained by house-to-house visits and enumeration of every resident individual. A population cancer registry system has been established to obtain cancer incidence rates. In this preliminary analysis, there is no evidence that cancer occurrence is consistently higher because of the levels of external gamma-radiation exposure in the area. Further dosimetry-level studies are needed along with biological studies. Studies of soil, thoron-in-breath, and the radon-thoron levels in houses are ongoing, and further case-control analyses are continuing.
