Chemopreventive action of benzylisothiocyanate on epithelial changes induced in hamster cheek pouch with DMBA

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of benzylisothiocyanate [BIT] on epithelial changes induced by DMBA in the hamster cheek pouch. Eighty male Syrian golden hamsters were divided into four equal groups. Group I received painting of the right buccal pouch with mineral oil three times per week. Group II received painting of the right buccal pouch with BIT three times per week. Group III was treated as Group II and the treated site was painted with DMBA twice per week. Group IV received painting of the right buccal pouch with DMBA twice per week. The findings of this study showed that the most common gross epithelial changes were the formation of polyps. The average number of polyps among Group IV was 7 polyps per animal compared to 3.9 polyps in Group III. Forty-three percent of all the involved animals showed microscopic changes. Forty-two percent of the animals treated with DMBA alone showed invasive carcinoma compared to 26% in the animals treated with DMBA and BIT. Although the statistical analysis did not detect significant difference among the treated groups of animals, the numerical values of this study are in support for the chemopreventive action of BIT against the carcinogenicity of DMBA in the hamster cheek pouch

Caries prevalence among secondary school children in Riyadh and Qassim

The aim of this study was to describe the caries prevalence and severity in secondary school children in Riyadh and Qaseem regions and, to correlate caries experience with fluoride levels in the drinking water. A total of 734. 15- to 19-year-old [Mean 16.4, SD 1.2 years] secondary school children from areas of various water fluoride levels were examined in Riyadh [236 male and 193 female] and Qaseem [163 male and 142 female], utilizing the World Health Organization [WHO] criteria for the diagnosis of dental caries. Results showed the prevalence of dental caries as 91.1% in Riyadh and 90.5% in Qaseem. The mean DMFT score In Riyadh was 7.35 [SD 4.99], with D component of 6.28, M component of 0.32 and F component 010.75. The mean DMFT score in Qaseem was 7.05 [SD 4.58] with D component of 6.02, M component of 0.46 and F component of 0.56. The overall data showed no significant difference [P> 0.05] in mean DMFT scores at various fluoride levels. However, low values of DMFT were found in two fluoride zones [0.61 -0.80 ppm and 0.81 - 1.50 ppm]. It was concluded that the caries prevalence was very high among the students studied in Riyadh and Qaseem regions. However, there was no linear correlation between the caries experience and water fluoride level in both Riyadh and Qaseem regions

Preliminary study of oral cancer in Saudi Arabia

At the central histopathological laboratory in Riyadh central hospital, 206 cases of neoplastic oral lesions were reviewed to show the relative incidence of malignant lesions in different sites of the oral cavity, among Saudi patients. Squamous cell carcinoma was the predominant lesion [74.27%] in the oral cavity the site most frequently affected by squamous cell carcinoma was found to be the tongue [39.22%]. Generally males were affected more than females with 3:2 ratio. Below 40 years of age females were found to be equally affected with 29 female and 28 male cases. The peak age incidence in females was from 40 to 60 years and in males from 50 to 60 years. No data were available regarding oral habits or any other possible causative agents