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Gender determination in forensic investigation is of immense medico legal importance especially in mass disaster. Teeth are excellent tools for identification as they are resistant to physical and chemical agents. The aim of the present study was to investigate gender dimorphism by measuring the linear dimensions of mandibular canine width and inter canine width among Kashmiri population. The study consists of 125 subjects selected from outpatient clinic of oral medicine and radiology, 64 were males and 61 were females. The age groups selected were in range from 18-24 years. There was statistically significant difference in canine width on right and left sides and inter canine distance between males and females (p value less than 0.05). These parameters can be helpful in determining the gender of the unknown deceased person in forensic investigations among Kashmiri population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To find the association of various risk factors with breast cancer. Study Design: It was a case-control study. Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in NORI Hospital Islamabad and Combined Military Hospital Rawalpindi between August, 2013 and February, 2014. Material and Methods: Two hundred breast cancer patients and 200 control subjects were inducted. A short approved and planned questionnaire was used to collect data regarding basic demographic, menstrual and reproductive characteristics of participating females. Cases and controls were then interviewed after taking written consent. Results: Breast cancer patients and control subjects did not differ regarding age (p = 0.15), early menarche (OR for menarche at <13 years vs. ≥13=1.3, 95% CI = 0.84 -- 2.02), and history of breast cancer in 1st degree relatives did not increase breast cancer risk (OR = 1.0, 95% CI = 0.57 -- 1.74). Nulliparous women had significantly higher risk than parous women (OR = 2.43, 95% CI = 1.22 -- 4.84) and women with late menopause compared to women with early onset of menopause were also at higher risk for breast cancer (OR for menopause at ≥ 50 vs. < 50 = 5.16, 95% CI = 2.59 -- 10.29). Conclusion: Nulliparity and menopausal age of more than 50 years was associated with increased breast cancer risk. Breastfeeding and age less than 25 years at first live birth was not protective against breast cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the frequency of the C3435T; a single nucleotide polymorphism of the ABCB1 gene for the first time in Pakistani population and compare it with the data available from other populations. Study Design: A cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Sampling was carried out at Combined Military Hospital, Rawalpindi from August 2012 to May 2013 and institute of Biomedical and Genetic Engineering (IBGE). Material and Methods: The genotype frequency of C3435T polymorphism of ABCB1 gene was investigated in 491 Pakistani subjects. This frequency observed in our population was also compared with the published data on Asians and Caucasians. Results: The distribution of frequencies of C3435T genotypes in our study population were; CC 7.1%, CT 59.1% and TT 33.8%. The Pakistanis differed significantly from Asian populations in the distribution of the TT genotype of C3435T ABCB1 (p<0.05). The study population also differ significantly in the distribution of CC genotype from rest of the populations compared (p<0.05). The data obtained may give the basis for predicting effects of drugs that are substrates for ABCB1 in Pakistani population and may be useful for individualized therapy of some diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the frequency of CYP2D6*4 in Pakistani breast cancer patients for the first time and also investigate its association with tamoxifen induced hot flashes. Methodology: A retrospective study carried out in Nuclear Medicine, Oncology and Radiotherapy Institute (NORI) Islamabad and Combined Military Hospital Rawalpindi (CMH). Pre and postmenopausal breast cancer women who were advised 20mg/day of tamoxifen as adjuvant therapy were recruited for the study. The data from January 2000 to September 2013 was collected from the medical records of the outpatient breast cancer clinics. 232 women who fulfilled the eligibility criteria were initially recruited and their peripheral whole blood samples were taken. CYP2D6*4 was determined by using PCRRFLP, allele*4 was not identified in 9 women and study was conducted on 223 women. None of the women died during the study period. Results: Data of 223 women was analysed and the allele frequency of CYP2D6* 1 was 86% and that of CYP2D6*4 was14 %. Women with CYP2D6*4/*4 did not experience mild to moderate or severe hot flashes as compared to women heterozygous or homozygous for wild type allele *1. Conclusion: The frequency of CYP2D6*4 allele in Pakistani breast cancer women is 14% which is comparable to the Caucasians moreover CYP2D6*4/*4 genotypes have lower incidence of hot flashes, but the results are not statistically significant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]