Identification of Differentially Expressed Proteins from Smokeless Tobacco Addicted Patients Suffering from Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the eight most common malignancy worldwide with an incidence rate of 40% in south-east Asia. Lack of effective diagnostic tools at early stage and disease recurrence despite extensive treatments are main reasons for high mortality and low survival rates. The aim of current study was to identify differentially expressed proteins to explore potential candidate biomarkers having diagnostic significance. We performed comparative proteomic analysis of paired protein samples (cancerous buccal mucosa and adjacent normal tissue) from OSCC patients using a combination of two dimensional gel electrophoresis and Mass spectrometric analysis. On the basis of spot intensity, seventeen proteins were found to be consistently differentially expressed among most of the samples which were identified through mass spectrometry. For validation of identified proteins, expression level of stratifin was determined using immuno-histochemistry and Western blot analysis. All identified proteins were analyzed by STRING to explore their interaction. Among uniquely identified proteins in this study, at least two candidate markers (Ig Kappa chain C region and Isoform 2 of fructose bisphosphate aldolase A) were found to be novel with respect to OSCC which can be explored further. Results presented in current study are likely to contribute in understanding the involvement of these molecules in carcinogenesis apart from their plausible role as diagnostic/prognostic markers.

Consequences of traffic noise in residents of Karachi, Pakistan.

OBJECTIVE: To find out effect of road traffic noise on human beings in busy places of Karachi, working at these places and to compare its results with the previously done studies on this subject. METHODS: This prospective epidemiological study was designed to evaluate effects of Noise induced hearing Loss due to road traffic at different places (Gurumander, Tibet Centre, Marry Weather Tower) of Karachi. A sample of 125 cases were randomly selected who had noise exposure of 90 dB or above of their surroundings for more than 6 months. The study was conducted from October 1(st) 2013 to January 1(st) 2013. RESULTS: The minimum age was 18 years while maximum age was 47 years. The age group found most affected was from 23 years to 27 years. The males were 84% and females 16%. Subjects exposed to noise for more than 12 hours per day were 36.8%. Varying degree of hearing loss was evaluated in subjects where 17.6% were normal, 33.6% had mild hearing loss, 45.6% had moderate and 3.2% had moderately severe hearing loss. Traffic noise was found to bother 55.2% of subjects. CONCLUSION: Analysis of data indicates an enormous increase in noise levels as compared to previous studies. This study establishes that there exists a concrete direct link between NIHL and duration of exposure to noise above permissible levels. Traffic authorities should initiate measures to reduce the noise levels in the city particularly at more noisy places.

Measurement of serum paraoxonase activity and MDA concentrations in patients suffering with oral squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Oxidative stress is associated with many diseases including cancer. Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a prevalent cancer involving oral cavity. We evaluate the activity of paraoxonase 1 (PON1) in serum samples of subjects suffering from OSCC along with malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, a marker for oxidative stress. Antioxidant status in OSCC may reflect the role of oxidative imbalance in the disease. METHODS: Forty-five patients suffering with OSCC and 30 healthy controls were selected for the study. Serum paraoxonase (PON) and arylesterase (ARE) activities were measured in subjects suffering from OSCC and their healthy counterparts. To examine the status of lipid peroxidation, MDA concentrations were estimated and a correlation was determined between PON activities and MDA concentrations. MDA expression in cancer and normal adjacent tissue was studied through immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis. Total reactive oxygen species (ROS) level was determined in serum from normal and diseased subjects. Our results revealed that both PON and ARE activities of PON1 were significantly decreased in OSCC patients. Serum MDA concentrations were inversely correlated to PON activity. Immunohistochemical analysis showed a higher expression of MDA in cancerous tissue. Total ROS levels were found to be significantly elevated in cancer subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Along with other antioxidants, PON levels may act as an indicator of oxidative stress in cancer.