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Background The polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), characterized by hyperandrogenism and chronic anovulation, is a common endocrine disorder in women. PCOS, which is associated with polycystic ovaries, hirsutism, obesity and insulin resistance, is a leading cause of female infertility. In this condition there is an imbalance in female sex hormones. All the sequelae symptoms of PCOS gradually lead to cancer in the course of time. It is heterogeneous disorder of unknown etiology so it is essential to find the exact cause. Materials and methods In this study both invasive and non-invasive techniques were employed to establish the etiology. Diagnosis was based on Rotterdam criteria (hyperandrogenism, ovulatory dysfunction, PCOM) and multiparameters using buccal samples and dermatoglypic analysis and cytogenetic study for 10 cases and four age and sex matched controls. Results In clinical analysis we have observed the mean value of total testosterone level was 23.6nmol/L, total hirsutism score was from 12-24, facial acne was found in in 70% patients with 7-12 subcapsular follicular cysts, each measuring 2-8 mm in diameter. In dermatoglypic analysis we observed increases in mean value (45.9°) of ATD angle when compared with control group and also found increased frequency (38%) of Ulnar loops on both fingers (UU), (18%) whorls on the right finger and Ulnar loop on left finger (WU) and (16%) arches on right and left fingers (AA) were observed in PCOS patients when compared with control subjects. Features which could be applied as markers for PCOS patients are the presence of Ulnar loops in middle and little fingers of right and left hand. The buccal micronucleus cytome assay in exfoliated buccal cells, we found decrease in frequency of micronuclei and significant increases in frequency of karyolysed nuclei in polycystic ovarian syndrome patients. Chromosome aberration analysis revealed a significant increase in frequency of chromosome aberrations (CAs) in PCOS patients when compared with controls. Conclusions From this present work it can be concluded that non-invasive technique like dermatoglypics analysis and buccal micronucleus cytome assays with exfoliated buccal cell can also be effective biomarkers for PCOS, along with increased CAs in lymphocytes as a sign of genetic instability. There is a hypothesis that micronuclei and chromosomal aberrations could have a predictive value for cancer. From this present work it can be concluded to some extent that non-invasive technique like dermatoglypics and buccal cell analysis can also be effective for diagnosis.

To determine the effects of passive maternal smoking on birthweight.Cohort of consecutive singleton live births.Teaching hospital in South India.994 infants and their mothers.Birthweight.All the women were themselves non-smokers; 520 (52%) were passive smokers while the remainder were not exposed to tobacco smoke. Infants born to passive smokers were on the average 55 g lighter than those born to non-smokers. Passive smoking was associated with a decrease in birthweight of 63 g (95% CI 12-114 g) even after adjusting for other variables known to affect birthweight.Physicians compared the birth weight of 520 singleton newborns whose mothers were passive smokers with that of 474 singleton newborns whose mothers were nonsmokers to examine the effects of passive smoking on birth weight. All the women delivered at the Christian Medical College Hospital in Vellore, India between January-May 1990. None of the mothers actually smoked themselves. Passive smokers were more likely to have more than 3 children (p=.007) and be from the lower social classes than nonsmokers (p.0001). In addition, nonsmokers tended to be vegetarians (p.0001). Infants born to passive smokers weighed a mean of 55 g lighter than those born to nonpassive smokers (2890 kg vs. 2945 kg). Further, passive smoking was significantly related to a fall of 63 g in birth weight after adjusting for maternal age, height, diet, parity, social class, gestation at birth and its square, sex of the infant (p=.015). In fact, passive smoking explained 15.5% of the variation in birth weight. Researchers were not able to estimate a dose response relationship since the mothers could not quantify their exposure to tobacco smoke. This study was the 1st ever reported on the effects of passive maternal smoking on birth wright from a population in which women rarely smoke. Based on these results, the researchers recommend that until the scientific community can prove that passive smoking does not harm fetuses, parents should avoid exposure to tobacco smoke during pregnancy.