Ethnomedicinal uses of plants for various diseases in the remote areas of Changa Manga Forest, Pakistan / Usos etnomedicinais de plantas para várias doenças nas áreas remotas da Floresta Changa Manga, Paquistão

This study aims at reporting the indigenous knowledge of the medicinal flora from the inhabitants of surroundings of the World's largest artificial planted forest "Changa Manga", Pakistan. Data were collected by direct interviews and group meetings from 81 inhabitants including 32 local healers having information regarding the use of indigenous medicinal plants over a period of one year. Different statistical tools were applied to analyze the data including Frequency citation (FC), Relative frequency citation (RFC), Use Value, Factor of informants consensus and fidelity level. This study reported 73 plant species belonging to 37 plant families and 46 genera. The majority of plant species belong to compositae family. The most commonly used medicinal plants were P. hysterophorus L., P. dactylifera L., S. indicum L, P. harmala L., P. emblica L., and A. indica A.Juss. The greatest number of species was used to cure gastrointestinal disorders. The highest fidelity level (68.18%) was of E. helioscopia to cure gastrointestinal disorders. Maximum fresh uses (17) were reported by C. dactylon (L.) Pars. While the highest number of species reporting fresh uses in similar number was 13. In this study, five novel plants are being reported for the first time in Pakistan for their ethnomedicinal worth. Our data reflect unique usage of the medicinal plants in the study area. The statistical tools used in the study proved useful in pointing the most important and disease category specific plants. High use value plant and the new reported medicinal plants might prove an important source of the isolation of pharmacologically active compounds.

Este estudo tem como objetivo relatar o conhecimento indígena sobre a flora medicinal dos habitantes do entorno da maior floresta artificial plantada do mundo, a Changa Manga, no Paquistão. Os dados foram coletados por meio de entrevistas diretas e reuniões em grupo de 81 habitantes, incluindo 32 curandeiros locais, com informações sobre o uso de plantas medicinais indígenas durante o período de um ano. Diferentes ferramentas estatísticas foram aplicadas para analisar os dados, incluindo citação de frequência (FC), citação de frequência relativa (RFC), valor de uso, fator de consenso dos informantes e nível de fidelidade. Este estudo relatou 73 espécies de plantas pertencentes a 37 famílias de plantas e 46 gêneros. A maioria das espécies de plantas pertence à família Compositae. As plantas medicinais mais utilizadas foram P. hysterophorus L., P. dactylifera L., S. indicum L., P. harmala L., P. emblica L. e A. indica A. Juss. O maior número de espécies foi usado para curar distúrbios gastrointestinais. O maior nível de fidelidade (68,18%) foi de E. helioscopia para cura de distúrbios gastrointestinais. Os usos máximos em fresco (17) foram relatados por C. dactylon (L.) Pars. enquanto o maior número de espécies relatando usos frescos em número semelhante foi de 13. Neste estudo, cinco novas plantas estão sendo relatadas pela primeira vez no Paquistão por seu valor etnomedicinal. Nossos dados refletem o uso exclusivo das plantas medicinais na área de estudo. As ferramentas estatísticas utilizadas no estudo mostraram-se úteis para apontar as plantas mais importantes e específicas da categoria de doença. Plantas de alto valor de uso e as novas plantas medicinais relatadas podem ser uma importante fonte de isolamento de compostos farmacologicamente ativos.

Traditional knowledge about medicinal plant in the remote areas of Wari Tehsil, Dir Upper, Pakistan / Conhecimento tradicional sobre plantas medicinais nas áreas remotas de Wari Tehsil, Dir Upper, Paquistão

Abstract Traditional medicine is cheaper and easily available to local people, to care for most frequent diseases in the Northern parts of Pakistan. Our study aimed at inventorying medicine from local plants, documenting their uses, and assessing their market value in 2015-2018 during spring, summer, and winter seasons. A total of 15 trips were made, 5 in each season. Semi-structured interviews with 165 inhabitant's age range between 20-80 years were conducted, analyzed the data is analyzed using Relative frequency of citation(RFC), Use Value(UV), Fidelity Level(FL), Informants consensus factor(ICF), and Jaccard index(JI) to find the most frequent and well-known used species in the area. A total of 86 species belonging to 39 vascular plant families, 33 genera were documented as medicinally important. Family Asteraceae was observed as the dominant family among all the families with 10 species, the leaf was the most used parts and decoction 36% was the most preferred preparation type. Herb was the predominant life form (67%). The maximum UV (0.92) was demonstrated by J. adhatoda L. species, while A. sativum L. shows maximum RFC (0.58), the highest ICF value represented by diarrhea and dermatitis 0.92, and high FL value is recorded 100%. According to our collections, wild species were 45%, invasive species were 38% and cultivated 17% recorded, dicots species were recorded more 81%. Seven 7 medicinal species is being economically important and export to the local and international market of the world, whereas P. integrima L. species were the most exported species according to the local dealers. The investigated area is rural and the local people depend on the area's plants for their health needs, and other uses like a vegetable, fuelwood, fodder, etc. The current result of RFC, UV, ICF, FL, and JI shows that medicinal flora needs to be pharmacologically and phytochemically investigated to prove their efficacy. The documentation of medicinal knowledge is important to preserve this precious old knowledge before it is lost forever, due to technological and environmental changes in the world.

Resumo A medicina tradicional é mais barata e facilmente disponível à população local para cuidar das doenças mais frequentes nas áreas do norte do Paquistão. Nosso estudo teve como objetivo inventariar medicamentos de plantas locais, documentar seus usos e avaliar seu valor de mercado em 2015-2018 durante as temporadas de primavera, verão e inverno. Foram feitas 15 viagens, 5 em cada temporada. Foram realizadas entrevistas semiestruturadas com 165 moradores na faixa etária de 20 a 80 anos, com dados analisados ​​por meio de frequência relativa de citação (RFC), valor de uso (UV), nível de fidelidade (FL), fator de consenso de informantes (CIF), e o índice de Jaccard (JI) para encontrar as espécies utilizadas mais frequentes e conhecidas na área. Um total de 86 espécies pertencentes a 39 famílias de plantas vasculares, 33 gêneros foram documentados como medicamente importantes. A família Asteraceae foi observada como a família dominante entre todas as famílias com 10 espécies, a folha foi a parte mais utilizada e a decocção 36% foi o tipo de preparação mais preferido. A erva foi a forma de vida predominante (67%). O UV máximo (0,92) foi demonstrado pelas espécies de J. adhatoda L., enquanto A. sativum L. mostra RFC máximo (0,58), o maior valor de ICF representado por diarreia e dermatite 0,92, e alto valor de FL é registrado 100%. De acordo com nossas coleções, as espécies selvagens foram 45%, as espécies invasoras 38% e as cultivadas 17% registradas, as espécies dicotiledôneas foram registradas mais 81%. Sete espécies medicinais estão sendo economicamente importantes e exportadas para o mercado local e internacional do mundo, enquanto as espécies de P. integrima L. foram as espécies mais exportadas de acordo com os comerciantes locais. A área investigada é rural e a população local depende das plantas da área para suas necessidades de saúde e outros usos como vegetal, lenha, forragem etc. O resultado atual de RFC, UV, ICF, FL e JI mostra que a flora medicinal precisa ser investigada farmacológica e fitoquimicamente para comprovar sua eficácia. A documentação do conhecimento medicinal é importante para preservar esse precioso conhecimento antigo antes que se perca para sempre, devido às mudanças tecnológicas e ambientais do mundo.

Traditional knowledge about medicinal plant in the remote areas of Wari Tehsil, Dir Upper, Pakistan / Conhecimento tradicional sobre plantas medicinais nas áreas remotas de Wari Tehsil, Dir Upper, Paquistão

Traditional medicine is cheaper and easily available to local people, to care for most frequent diseases in the Northern parts of Pakistan. Our study aimed at inventorying medicine from local plants, documenting their uses, and assessing their market value in 2015-2018 during spring, summer, and winter seasons. A total of 15 trips were made, 5 in each season. Semi-structured interviews with 165 inhabitant's age range between 20-80 years were conducted, analyzed the data is analyzed using Relative frequency of citation(RFC), Use Value(UV), Fidelity Level(FL), Informants consensus factor(ICF), and Jaccard index(JI) to find the most frequent and well-known used species in the area. A total of 86 species belonging to 39 vascular plant families, 33 genera were documented as medicinally important. Family Asteraceae was observed as the dominant family among all the families with 10 species, the leaf was the most used parts and decoction 36% was the most preferred preparation type. Herb was the predominant life form (67%). The maximum UV (0.92) was demonstrated by J. adhatoda L. species, while A. sativum L. shows maximum RFC (0.58), the highest ICF value represented by diarrhea and dermatitis 0.92, and high FL value is recorded 100%. According to our collections, wild species were 45%, invasive species were 38% and cultivated 17% recorded, dicots species were recorded more 81%. Seven 7 medicinal species is being economically important and export to the local and international market of the world, whereas P. integrima L. species were the most exported species according to the local dealers. The investigated area is rural and the local people depend on the area's plants for their health needs, and other uses like a vegetable, fuelwood, fodder, etc. The current result of [...].

A medicina tradicional é mais barata e facilmente disponível à população local para cuidar das doenças mais frequentes nas áreas do norte do Paquistão. Nosso estudo teve como objetivo inventariar medicamentos de plantas locais, documentar seus usos e avaliar seu valor de mercado em 2015-2018 durante as temporadas de primavera, verão e inverno. Foram feitas 15 viagens, 5 em cada temporada. Foram realizadas entrevistas semiestruturadas com 165 moradores na faixa etária de 20 a 80 anos, com dados analisados por meio de frequência relativa de citação (RFC), valor de uso (UV), nível de fidelidade (FL), fator de consenso de informantes (CIF), e o índice de Jaccard (JI) para encontrar as espécies utilizadas mais frequentes e conhecidas na área. Um total de 86 espécies pertencentes a 39 famílias de plantas vasculares, 33 gêneros foram documentados como medicamente importantes. A família Asteraceae foi observada como a família dominante entre todas as famílias com 10 espécies, a folha foi a parte mais utilizada e a decocção 36% foi o tipo de preparação mais preferido. A erva foi a forma de vida predominante (67%). O UV máximo (0,92) foi demonstrado pelas espécies de J. adhatoda L., enquanto A. sativum L. mostra RFC máximo (0,58), o maior valor de ICF representado por diarreia e dermatite 0,92, e alto valor de FL é registrado 100%. De acordo com nossas coleções, as espécies selvagens foram 45%, as espécies invasoras 38% e as cultivadas 17% registradas, as espécies dicotiledôneas foram registradas mais 81%. Sete espécies medicinais estão sendo economicamente importantes e exportadas para o mercado local e internacional do mundo, enquanto as espécies de P. integrima L. foram as espécies mais exportadas de acordo com os comerciantes locais. A área investigada é rural e a população local depende das [...].

Traditional knowledge about medicinal plant in the remote areas of Wari Tehsil, Dir Upper, Pakistan

Abstract Traditional medicine is cheaper and easily available to local people, to care for most frequent diseases in the Northern parts of Pakistan. Our study aimed at inventorying medicine from local plants, documenting their uses, and assessing their market value in 2015-2018 during spring, summer, and winter seasons. A total of 15 trips were made, 5 in each season. Semi-structured interviews with 165 inhabitants age range between 20-80 years were conducted, analyzed the data is analyzed using Relative frequency of citation(RFC), Use Value(UV), Fidelity Level(FL), Informants consensus factor(ICF), and Jaccard index(JI) to find the most frequent and well-known used species in the area. A total of 86 species belonging to 39 vascular plant families, 33 genera were documented as medicinally important. Family Asteraceae was observed as the dominant family among all the families with 10 species, the leaf was the most used parts and decoction 36% was the most preferred preparation type. Herb was the predominant life form (67%). The maximum UV (0.92) was demonstrated by J. adhatoda L. species, while A. sativum L. shows maximum RFC (0.58), the highest ICF value represented by diarrhea and dermatitis 0.92, and high FL value is recorded 100%. According to our collections, wild species were 45%, invasive species were 38% and cultivated 17% recorded, dicots species were recorded more 81%. Seven 7 medicinal species is being economically important and export to the local and international market of the world, whereas P. integrima L. species were the most exported species according to the local dealers. The investigated area is rural and the local people depend on the area's plants for their health needs, and other uses like a vegetable, fuelwood, fodder, etc. The current result of RFC, UV, ICF, FL, and JI shows that medicinal flora needs to be pharmacologically and phytochemically investigated to prove their efficacy. The documentation of medicinal knowledge is important to preserve this precious old knowledge before it is lost forever, due to technological and environmental changes in the world.

Resumo A medicina tradicional é mais barata e facilmente disponível à população local para cuidar das doenças mais frequentes nas áreas do norte do Paquistão. Nosso estudo teve como objetivo inventariar medicamentos de plantas locais, documentar seus usos e avaliar seu valor de mercado em 2015-2018 durante as temporadas de primavera, verão e inverno. Foram feitas 15 viagens, 5 em cada temporada. Foram realizadas entrevistas semiestruturadas com 165 moradores na faixa etária de 20 a 80 anos, com dados analisados por meio de frequência relativa de citação (RFC), valor de uso (UV), nível de fidelidade (FL), fator de consenso de informantes (CIF), e o índice de Jaccard (JI) para encontrar as espécies utilizadas mais frequentes e conhecidas na área. Um total de 86 espécies pertencentes a 39 famílias de plantas vasculares, 33 gêneros foram documentados como medicamente importantes. A família Asteraceae foi observada como a família dominante entre todas as famílias com 10 espécies, a folha foi a parte mais utilizada e a decocção 36% foi o tipo de preparação mais preferido. A erva foi a forma de vida predominante (67%). O UV máximo (0,92) foi demonstrado pelas espécies de J. adhatoda L., enquanto A. sativum L. mostra RFC máximo (0,58), o maior valor de ICF representado por diarreia e dermatite 0,92, e alto valor de FL é registrado 100%. De acordo com nossas coleções, as espécies selvagens foram 45%, as espécies invasoras 38% e as cultivadas 17% registradas, as espécies dicotiledôneas foram registradas mais 81%. Sete espécies medicinais estão sendo economicamente importantes e exportadas para o mercado local e internacional do mundo, enquanto as espécies de P. integrima L. foram as espécies mais exportadas de acordo com os comerciantes locais. A área investigada é rural e a população local depende das plantas da área para suas necessidades de saúde e outros usos como vegetal, lenha, forragem etc. O resultado atual de RFC, UV, ICF, FL e JI mostra que a flora medicinal precisa ser investigada farmacológica e fitoquimicamente para comprovar sua eficácia. A documentação do conhecimento medicinal é importante para preservar esse precioso conhecimento antigo antes que se perca para sempre, devido às mudanças tecnológicas e ambientais do mundo.

Cleaning Efficiency of Root Canals using Differ ent Rotary Instrumentation Systems: A Comparative In vitro Study

Background: Smear layer is always formed during the instrumentation process due to the action of endodontic instruments during the shaping process and it should be removed as it might decrease the overall success of endodontic therapy. Aim of the study: To compare the cleaning efficiency of different rotary Ni-Ti systems: ProTaper Next, Xpendo Shaper and WaveOne Gold by assessing their ability to remove the smear layer from root canals walls. Methods and materials: A total of 24 palatal roots of maxillary molars were used in this study and randomly assigned into 3 groups (n=8) as follows: Group 1: instrumentation with ProTaper Next system (Dentsply Maillefer, Switzerland), Group 2: instrumentation with Xp-endo Shaper system (FKG Dentaire, Switzerland) and Group 3: instrumentation with WaveOne Gold system (Dentsply Maillefer, Switzerland). The samples were irrigated with 5.25% NaOCl. All samples were then examined by scanning electron microscope (SEM) at the center of the coronal, middle and apical thirds. The data was statistically analyzed using Kruskal Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests. Results: ProTaper Next files showed a lower average mean of smear layer when compared to WaveOne Gold and Xp-endo Shaper files at the coronal third. No significant differences between the average means of smear layer were found at the middle and apical thirds. Conclusion: None of the tested groups showed a completely smear layer free root canal walls. In general, ProTaper Next files showed the best performance at the coronal third. All the files showed comparable performance at the middle and apical thirds.

Plasma protein glycation status in Pakistan type 2 diabetic patients with or without nephropathy.

Background: Amadori-modified glycated plasma proteins play an important role in diabetic microangiopathy. Many of the pathogenic changes that occur in diabetic nephropathy (DN) may be induced by non-enzymatic glycation (NEG). Objective: The aim of this study was to determine prevalence of DN and non-enzymatic glycation levels in diabetic population. Methodology: One hundred patients with type 2 diabetes and forty healthy control subjects were recruited after consent. Case participants were further divided into two groups as type 2 diabetics with nephropathy (n = 22) and type 2 diabetics without nephropathy (n = 78). Non-fasting plasma glucose (Trinder GOD-PAP method), total plasma proteins (biuret method), Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (Westergren’s method), HbA1c (glycohemoglobin spectrophotometry A1c Kit) and non-enzymatic glycation (TBA colorimetric technique) were assayed. Results: Diabetic patients with nephropathy had higher ESR (55.33 ± 24.68 mm/1st hour vs. 46.88 ± 23.95 mm/1st hour vs.12.73 ± 2.34 mm/1st hour), total proteins (15.71 ± 4 g/dL vs.14.01 ± 4 g/dL vs 6.18 ± 1.16 g/dL) and non-enzymatic glycation (1.73 ± 0.48 mol./mol. vs.1.47 ± 0.58 mol./mol. vs. 0.48 ± 0.18 mol./mol.) measurements as compared to those without any similar renal complications and controls. Appreciable correlation existed between hyperglycemia and non-enzymatic glycation. Conclusion: Although the clinical consequences of NEG of circulating proteins remain ambiguous. In diabetic patients, however, extensively glycated species could exhibit significant alterations in function. Present study suggests DN as a frequently prevalent secondary complication of diabetes with a potential link with elevated NEG and glycemic control.

Trace elements status in type 2 diabetes.

Background: The metabolism of several trace elements has been reported to alter in diabetes mellitus and these elements might have specific roles in the pathogenesis and progress of this disease. Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate serum levels of copper, zinc, chromium, magnesium and manganese in type 2 diabetic patients and their possible association with age, glycemic status and duration of diabetes. Methodology: The comparative study included 116 type 2 diabetic patients and 40 non-diabetic subjects. Fasting plasma glucose and HbA1c were determined by the glucose oxidase method and affinity chromatography respectively. The element concentrations were measured by means of an atomic absorption spectrophotometer after microwave-induced acid digestion. Results: Mean (±SD) Mg and Zn levels were significantly reduced in blood samples of diabetic patients as compared to control subjects (p<0.0001-<0.05). The alterations observed in serum levels of copper and manganese was not significant among diabetic and normal subjects. Glycemic status, duration of diabetes and age did not effect the trace elements concentrations. Conclusion: The results confirm that deficiency and efficiency of some essential trace metals may play a role in the development of diabetes mellitus.

Childhood meningitis in Kuwait: epidemiology of etiologic agents and the need for pneumococcal disease prevention

To investigate the epidemiology of the etiologic agents causing bacterial meningitis in Kuwait. This is a retrospective analysis of the medical records of children 1 month to 12 years old who had cerebrospinal fluid [CSF] findings consistent with meningitis. Patients were identified from the records of the Departments of Microbiology and Communicable Diseases in six regional hospitals during 2001. They were divided into bacterial and viral infective groups. Ninety children had CSF findings consistent with meningitis, 44 bacterial [23 culture proven, 21 probable] and 46 viral. Streptococcus pneumoniae and Neisseria meningitidis were the most frequently isolated organisms [44 and 30%, respectively]. A 2-month-old child had Haemophilus influenzae and was the only mortality of this series. S. pneumoniae is the leading bacterial agent causing meningitis in children under the age of 1 year; 61% had bacterial meningitis compared to 37% with viral meningitis. Sequelae were encountered in 23% of bacterial cases. The results indicate that S. pneumoniae is the leading bacterial agent causing meningitis, indicating a need for the introduction of polyvalent pneumococcal vaccine

Recent updates of management of endometrial carcinoma.

Endometrial carcinoma is a low grade curable malignancy and most patients present with early disease with excellent survival. Of all female pelvic malignancies, it seems to have more advocates for different treatment plans than any other. Total extrafascial hysterectomy and bilateral salphingo-oophorectomy is the primary operative procedure. Pelvic lymhadenectomy is performed in most centres on therapeutic and prognostic grounds and to individualize adjuvant treatment. Postoperative irradiation are used to reduce pelvic and vaginal recurrences in high risk cases. Treatment planning are conservative in order to reduce patients morbidity and overtreatment while maintaining acceptable recurrence and survival rates.

Assessment of obesity, lifestyle, and reproductive health needs of female citizens of Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.

This study was conducted to determine the reproductive and lifestyle characteristics in a representative sample (n = 535) of women in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates, to guide the development of health programmes for this population with rising affluence. A cross-sectional survey was carried out using the stratified two-stage sampling technique. Although most women were young, were pre-menopausal, did not smoke, reported good health status, and 84% (95% confidence interval [CI] 81-87%) reported being sufficiently active to meet expert recommendations, the prevalence of obesity (defined by body mass index > or = 30) was very high (35%; 95% CI 31-39%) and many (28%; 95% CI 24-32%) reported having a chronic disease. The prevalence of obesity was associated positively with age and negatively with education (p < 0.001 for both). Postmenopausal women had significantly more chronic diseases, reported poor health more often, were less physically active (p < 0.001 for all), and had a higher percentage of body fat (p = 0.002) compared to premenopausal women. Health services should emphasize the prevention and treatment of obesity and improving the general health status of postmenopausal women.

Verbal autopsy for maternal death.

This cross sectional study was done in Gopalganj district from September 1997 to August 1998. To ascertain the magnitude and causes of maternal deaths and perinatal and neonatal outcome of the babies. Two hundred five in maternal deaths occurring from 1994 to 1997 were investigated by verbal autopsy. Teenager mothers had more deaths in first pregnancy. Maternal deaths increased with gravidity above 30 years. Haemorrhage and eclampsia were common causes of death. Eclampsia was prominent in primigravids <20 years while haemorrhage occurred more in multigravidas between 25-35 years of age (P = 0.029 for age, P = <0.001 for gravidity). Nearly 64% of maternal deaths occurred in postpartum period. Among live births, 45.6% babies died before their first birth day. The findings support the need of increasing the age of marriage and first childbirth, through strengthened family planning programme and ensuring skilled birth attendance during delivery. It also stresses need for communication on danger signs of pregnancy and childbirth.

Pulmonary metastases in recurrent cervical carcinoma--a report of four cases and review of issues specific to the treatment.

Postoperative extrapelvic distant metastasis of cervical carcinomas are usually difficult to diagnose and to treat, and their prognoses are rather poor. We present 4 cases of recurrent cervical carcinomas metastatic to the lung. The prognostic factors and effective therapeutic modalities were elucidated. In addition, the literature on postoperative pulmonary metastasis of uterine cervical carcinomas was reviewed and discussed.

Lymphoscintigraphy in staging and management of breast cancer.

Internal mammary lymphoscintigraphy (IML) is a simple non-invasive and reproducible technique to determine the extent of the parasternal node invasion in patients suffering from breast cancer. A total forty four patients--37 before surgery or any sort of treatment and seven patients after having undergone surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy were included in this study to assess the potential role of lymphoscintigraphy in the context of the present 'state of the art' of staging and management of breast cancer patients in Bangladesh. The scintigraphic test was done using Technetium 99m (Tc-99m) Antimony sulfide colloid in a dose of 500 microCi injected interstitially into the sub-costal space. Images were obtained after two to three hours on a Gamma Camera and the study findings were then interpreted as normal, abnormal and equivocal. The scintigraphic images obtained in patients who had undergone surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy were difficult and more challenging to interpret than those images obtained from patients before surgery or other therapy. This was evidenced by the high number (71%) equivocal cases of IML findings in patients after treatment as compared to only 22% equivocal cases in patients studied before surgery or other therapy. Parasternal lymph node involvement was found to occur regardless of the site or size of the primary tumour. Thirty three percent of tumours located in the outer quadrant showed abnormal nodes on IML. When the size was considered, IML was found abnormal in 22.20% patients with tumour size less than 2 cm in diameter. Correlation of IML with clinically palpable lymph nodes showed abnormal scan findings in 18% patients without clinically demonstrable axillary lymph nodes. These findings are in agreement with previously published data and suggests that conventionally classified stage I patients may in effect be in stage II or even in stage III of the disease. In conclusion, when the technique of lymphoscintigraphy is done with a comprehensive overview of the patient, and when the interstitial injection site is correct, it will generally lead to a logical and clinically useful interpretation of the data for more efficient management of the patient with breast cancer.

one year evaluation of microleakage of cavity varnishes

The study was conduced to evaluate the effect of storage of amalgam restorations [from 1 week up to 1 year] lined by different types of varnish. Sixty freshly extracted human teeth were selected and stored in normal saline. Black's class V cavity preparations were made in the middle third of both lingual and buccal surfaces of each tooth. The teeth were randomly divided into three groups of twenty teeth each [40 restorations]: Group I with no liner, Group II with Copal varnish and Group III with Silver varnish [Amalgam Liner, VOCO Germany]. The teeth were restored with a high copper dental amalgam, then the restored teeth were aged in normal physiological saline at 37 C. each group was further divided into 4 subgroups according to the time of aging [1 week, 3 months, 6 months and 1 year]. The teeth in subgroup A of each group were aged for one week, for subgroup B the teeth were aged for 3 months, subgroup C for 6 months and finally subgroup D for one year. The teeth were then thermocycled, longitudinally sectioned and dye penetration was recorded by a steriomicroscope. Microleakage, in general, significantly decreased with aging between the one- week and the one-year intervals for all groups. The silver varnish groups demonstrated significantly less microleakage when compared with the copal varnish and no varnish groups at the one-week groups. This decrease in dye penetration was insignificant in the 3 month, 6 month and one year group

effect of trituration time on the compressive strength of an Iraqi amalgam alloy

In order to evaluate the effect of Trituration time on the compressive strength and working time in Iraqi amalgam, twenty one specimens were divided into three groups of seven specimens per group. Group I was triturated for 25 second, group II was under triturated for 15 sec, and group III was over triturated for 35sec. The compressive strength was tested after 1 and 24 hr. after mixing. The under triturated specimens exhibited inferior compressive strength than for the other 2 groups. The working time was more than the other groups. To seek for an optimum triturated time it seems that triturating for 25sec offers an amalgam mass of optimum compressive strength and at the same time acceptable working time

Effect of dietary methionine and inorganic sulfate with and without calcium supplementation, on urinary calcium excretion of guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus).

Supplementation of sodium sulfate and DL-methionine along with the standard diet to guinea pigs nearly doubled the urinary calcium in 6 weeks. This was probably due to decreased tubular reabsorption of calcium which was complexed with sulfate in the tubular lumen. A mild calcium load didn't further enhance calcium excretion in sodium sulfate supplemented group, but did so in methionine supplemented group. It may be due to methionine which might have increased the intestinal absorption of calcium. Both of these compounds increased citric acid excretion and decreased magnesium excretion.

Effect of dietary salt (NaCl) supplementation on urinary profile of guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus).

Sodium chloride supplementation (120 mg/kg of body weight/day) for 12 days increased the urinary excretion of calcium from 91.6 +/- 9.0 to 159.4 +/- 16.0 mumol/day and of sulphate from 266.8 +/- 24.5 to 1176.9 +/- 87.2 mumol/day in guinea pigs. The stone risk due to increased urinary calcium excretion could possibly be counterbalanced by increasing urinary sulphate excretion. High salt intake, thus, could not increase the risk of stone formation.