Effect of sodium fluoride with and without ginseng on the submandibular gland of adult male albino rat: a histological and immunohistochemical study

Fluoride has long been recognized as one of the best health measures in the prevention of dental caries. Excessive exposure to fluoride may induce undesirable effects on various body organs. Ginseng is one of the most commonly used herbal medicines with a wide range of beneficial therapeutic effects. To evaluate the histological changes in rat submandibular gland that might result from exposure to sodium fluoride and the possible protective role of ginseng. Forty adult male albino rats were divided into four equal groups: control group, ginsengtreated group, fluoride-treated group, and the fourth group was concomitantly treated with both ginseng and fluoride. The animals were treated orally once daily for 4 weeks. Specimens from the submandibular glands were processed for light and electron microscopy. The myoepithelial cells were demonstrated immunohistochemically using alpha-smooth muscle actin antibody and the results were statistically analyzed. Specimens from fluoride-treated animals showed disarrangement of acinar cells, cytoplasmic vacuolation, and nuclear irregularity. The intralobular ducts showed disorganization of the lining epithelial cells with vacuolated cytoplasm and pyknotic nuclei. Ultrastructurally, focal separation of some acinar cells, disarrangement of rough endoplasmic reticulum, huge secondary lysosomes, swollen mitochondria, and coalescence of secretory granules were observed in some cells. Immunohistochemical study showed a highly significant increase in the immunoreaction at the periphery of the acini, intercalated ducts, and striated ducts. In contrast, minimal changes were observed in rats concomitantly treated by both ginseng and fluoride with a nonsignificant increase in the immunoreaction. Long-term exposure to fluoride could induce structural changes in rat submandibular gland, which could be partially minimized by concomitant treatment with ginseng

Diarrhea due to parasites particularly cryptosporidium parvum in great Cairo, Egypt

A total of 110 stool samples from out and in-patients from different areas in Great Cairo suffering from diarrhea were examined for parasitic causes. Stool samples were subjected to the direct wet smear method and Sheathers sugar flotation and stained with Giemsa and/or modified Ziehl-Neelsen. Also, stool samples were cultured on agar plates for strongyloidiasis. The overall parasitic infection rate was 60.9% and non parasitic cause was 39.1%. The parasitic infection rate in a descending order was 31.1% for Cryptosporidium parvum, 19.8% for Giardia lamblia, 9.9% for Entamaeba histolytica and lastly 1.8% for Strongyloides stercoralis. The main clinical presentation of diarrheic patients in a descending order was vomiting [31.3%], dehydration [29.86%], abdominal pain [29.86%], flatulence [26.86%], anorexia [23.89%], tenesmus [17.9%] and lastly fever [4.47%]. The risk factors were living in rural areas, education level, contact with farm animals and/or pet animals. However, most of these risk factors although showed high percent, yet they occurred in patients with other causes of diarrheas. Artificial breast feeding was not evaluated as only 3 infants had C. parvum compared to non parasitic cause in 1 on the breast feeding

Effect of immobilization in treatment planning of pelvic malignancies

This study was carried out on 14 adult patients treated by radiotherapy from different types of pelvic malignancies. Most of the recorded craniocaudal and lateral set up deviations were less in immobilized patients than those in non immobilized patients. Difference in lateral deviations was found to be statistically significant with no significant difference in the craniocaudal deviations. Concerning the effect of treatment position on the set up variation, there was a significant difference between craniocaudal deviations in non immobilized and mobilized patients treated in the supine and prone positions, while for the lateral set up deviations, there was no statistically significant difference between supine and prone positions. The effect of different deviations on the dose distribution to the target volume was calculated using the computerized planning unit. A deviation above 15 mm was noted to affect the mean dose by more than 5%, which is less than the accuracy level recommended by the ICRU

superiority of high dose chemotherapeutic regimens in the treatment of pediatric Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma: results of a retrospective non randomized study of 103 evaluable cases

This retrospective study reviewed 160 previously untreated cases of pediatric Non Hodgkin's lymphoma referred to NEMPOCK between Jan. 1985-Dec. 1993. The treatment protocol adopted for these patients were the COMP regimen for undifferentiated, [small non cleaved], diffuse mixed and large cell subtypes while lymphoblastic lymphoma and T cell immunoblastic subtypes were treated by a modification of the CHOP regimen. During the study period 2 different dose levels of the treatment regimens were used: low dose regimens [1965-1989] and high dose regimens [1990-1993]. The response rate achieved among the 103 evaluable cases was significantly infavour of the high dose regimens being 85% and 86% for the COMP and CHOP respectively versus 57% and 60% [p< 0.05] for their low dose counter parts. C.N.S. relapse was seen in 10% with no significant benefit observed in patients received prophylactic cranial irradiation compared to those who received intrathecal chemotherapy alone. Relapse was reported in 9 out of the 70 cases who achieved complete remission [41%]. The relapse rate was reduced significantly [p=0.05] in patients treated by the high dose regimens compared to those treated by the low dose regimens [32% and 49% respectively]. A median follow up period of 64 months [range 24-129 months], the overall survival was significantly superior in patients treated by the high dose regimens compared to those treated by the low dose regimens being 59% and 31% respectively [p=0.03]. The following prognostic factors were significantly associated with poor prognosis: presence of bulky disease [p=0.0001], low dose regimens [p=0.007], stage IV disease [p=0.01] and initial CNS involvement [p=0.05]