Chandigarh, October 22
Popularly known as PET, the Positron Emission Tomography has not only enhanced the imaging ability but also increased the efficacy in nuclear cardiology, said PS Soni, Head, Medical Cyclotron Facility, Board of Radiation and Isotope Technology and Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, at the fifth Biennial Conference of Nuclear Cardiology Society of India being organised at the PGI here.

Talking to The Tribune about PET as a diagnostic technique, Soni explained that it was a minimally invasive method of nuclear medicine imaging which used short lived radio pharmaceuticals to detect and assess perfusion ad metabolic activity in various organ systems.

With a very few centers in India equipped with PET, Soni informed that the technique will be available at the PGI in the coming days. At present PET is available at a few hospitals in Mumbai, AIIMS and INMAS, New Delhi and at Apollo Hospital in Hyderabad.

According to Soni, a large number of patients from the neighbouring countries, specially Gulf countries, come to these centers for PET diagnosis. He added that not only was the technique more accurate but was largely used for oncology diagnosis, cardiac evaluation, neurological disorders, including dementia, schizophrenia and psychiatry cases.

Explaining the various advantages of PET over other techniques, Soni informed that PET enabled a person to know about the viable tissues of the heart which in turn helped them to decide whether they should opt for a surgery or not. Besides PET also helps in cancer staging. Soni added that this imaging may not be possible through other techniques which failed to diagnose the viable tissues.

The advent of PET technology will also provide new possibilities for clinical applications as well as research, added Soni. A PET test may cost anything between Rs 10,000 and Rs 15,000 as compared to Rs 3000 to Rs 4000 for an MRI test.

Chandigarh, October 22
A continued medical education (CME) on “AIDS — an update” was organised today by Command Hospital (Western Command) at Chandi-mandir.

The CME was inaugurated by the Chief of Staff, Western Command Headquarters, Lieut-Gen P.K. Grover, who stressed upon the need to create awareness among the civilians and the armed forces about the disease. A large number of doctors attended the CME.

Delivering the guest lecture on the epidemiology of HIV infection in India and about NACO activities, Dr (Col retd) I.B. Sareen, Consultant, NACO, said that the number of people affected with HIV virus were increasing day by day. Col R. Ranga Rao, Professor and Senior Adviser in Medicine and Medical Oncology Army Hospital, R&R, Delhi Cantonment, was also present on the occasion. Col Rao informed that HIV patients were at an increased risk of acquiring cancer.

Suggesting a common strategy that could be developed at the broader level, Lieut-Col Pushkar Singh, CO SHO, Jalandhar Cantonment said the prevention of HIV/AIDS was determined by the social and sexual behaviour of the population.

Chandigarh, October 22
Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh, won the football match by 3-0 in the first Inter-Engineering Deemed University Football Tournament, played at PEC grounds, here today.

A total of three teams, NIT, Hamirpur, NIT, Jalandhar and the host PEC Chandigarh, participated in the event. The match between Hamirpur and NIT, Jalandhar, ended up in a draw. Tomorrow, the final league match will be held between NIT, Jalandhar, and PEC, Chandigarh.

Chandigarh, October 22
Yudhvir, a student of Class X was adjudged best sportsman of the year and his classmate Jasvir was declared best batsman at the sports day observed at Air Force School, 3 BRD, AF Station, here, today.

The chief guest on the occasion, Air Commodore R.K. Srivastava, AOC 3 BRD declared the meet open. Scouts and guide contingents, took out an impressive march past.

It was indeed spectacular to watch the synchronisation among children performing various yoga and taek won do exercises. Later, Ms Reema Srivastava, president, AFWWA, Chandigarh, distributed the prizes to the winners of 200 m, 400 m race and relay race events and skipping, slow cycling and fast cycling events also. Trophies of excellence were awarded to the following: Man of the match: T S Seshadri (Class X); Best player of (kho kho): Geetu (Class IX); Best powler: Rajender Naunihal (Class X); Best house in sports: Ashoka House; and Best house in march past: Tagore House.