Background: Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC) is commonly associated with tobacco and alcohol consumption. The aim of this study is to find the association between the risk factors with HNSCC in a small tribal population of Mizoram, North-East India. Methods: Data were obtained through consented questionnaires and Logistic Regression was used to calculate the Odds Ratio (OR) between the parameters and HNSCC. Result: Significant association was observed for smoking and alcohol with an OR of 6.703 and 4.527, respectively. The OR was found to increase with increase in smoking and alcohol consumption. Majority of the patients consumed local made alcohol and smoked the local made cigarettes known as Zozial. Moreover, the First-Degree Family History of Cancer showed a significant OR of 1.921 (95% CI: 1.040-3.547). Conclusion: Regardless of the duration of smoking or alcohol consumption, Family History of Cancer might influence the risk of HNSCC. Further screening is essential to evaluate the potential role of germline mutational effect on development of HNSCC in the population.

A microbial study was conducted from wastewater soils of hospitals in Aizawl, Mizoram, India which were in existence for a longtime. The isolated bacteria from the wastewater soils were found to be mainly of Morganella morganii and Bacillus cereus and these isolated bacteria were found to be very resistant to a wide range of antibiotics and heavy metals. Antibiotics that were used for treating infections caused by these bacteria like chloramphenicol and ciprofloxacin were also found to be insensitive. The degree of resistance was also very high when compared to earlier reports of antibiotic resistance observed in the corresponding bacteria. Our results suggested that the high degree of resistance is probably conferred by the continued exposure to antibiotics from hospital waste leading to a selected population of highly antibiotics-resistant bacteria.

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