Safe injection practices among health care workers at Ain-Shams university hospitals

Injection safety of is an important health issue affecting millions of individuals worldwide. In absence of safety, the risk of transmission of blood-borne diseases increases. To assess safe injection practices among healthcare workers at Ain Shams university hospitals. A descriptive study was conducted and 382 healthcare workers were observed using a checklist based on the World Health Organization definitions. The logistic supply of disposable syringes is provided through the health administration of the hospital in about 90% of the observed cases. Most of the observed healthcare workers used a new syringe and needle from sterile sealed packet for each injection [92.4%] and for each reconstitution [85.6%]. Injection practices less commonly performed were hand washing [44.2%], skin cleaning before injection [40%], use of antiseptic before injection [30.9%], use of protective gloves during injection [20.4%], proper needle handling prior to disposal [12.8%], safe needle disposal [41.6%], and safe syringe disposal [43.2%]. Physicians were adherent to some safe injection practices more than nurses. These practices are cleaning of skin before injection, the use of antiseptic for cleaning the skin before injection, the use of protective gloves during injection, and proper needle handling prior to disposal. The study reflects some areas of compliance to the international safe injection practices. On the other hand, it has documented various practices in Ain-Shams University hospitals which do not meet safe injection standards. Thus, attention should be given to training and regular supervision of health care workers

Lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzymes in diabetic retinopathy

Purpose: To investigate the role of oxidative stress in the development of diabetic retinopathy. The serum malondialdehyde [MDA] as an index of lipid peroxidation, the erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase [GPX] and superoxide dismutase [SOD] activity, were measured in 15 healthy control subjects and 30 diabetic patients [15 without retinopathy and 15 with diabetic retinopathy]. Serum MDA levels, erythrocytes GPX and SOD activity were estimated by specific colourimetric assays. Serum MDA levels were significantly elevated in diabetic patients compared with those in control subjects. Significant reduction in the activity of GPX was detected in diabetic patients when compared with control subjects. Patients with diabetic retinopathy showed a significant higher MDA level and lower GPX activity when compared with diabetics without retinopathy. Significant reduction in SOD activity was detected only in diabetic patients with retinopathy when compared with control subjects. Free radicals formation in diabetes mellitus which increases over time may play a role in the development of diabetic retinopathy, which is an important complication of the disease

role of orcien alcian blue in the discrimination between dysplasia and reactive hyperplasia in ulcerative colitis

30 cases of different stages of ulcerative colitis were stained by Hx and E and orcien alcian blue to study the mucin changes in cases of dysplasia and reactive hyperplasia. 6 out of the 8 villous patterns encountered, although no morphologic evidence of dysplasia is encountered, yet the histochemical results were markedly deviated from normal. All 8 cases with adenomatous patterns proved to reveal mucin changes in the form of sialomucins predominance. The lining mucosa away in cases of ulcerative colitis revealed a predominance of sialomucins and it is called transitional mucosa which must be regarded with great caution

Primary extranodal lymphoma of the mandible and maxilla

12 cases with maxillary and mandibular manifestations of non Hodgkin's lymphoma have been studied with reference to age, sex, location of the lesion and the histologic type. There were 3 children ranging in age from 2 to 5 years and 9 adults ranging from 20 to 75 years. There is a male preponderance M/F ratio 10/2. All cases examined were of B cell origin. Different histological patterns were detected 4 cases [33.4%] showed Burkitt's Lymphoma, 3 cases [25%] showed small lymphocytic lymphoma and [25%] showed mixed cell pattern. 2 cases [16.6%] showed large cell type. No cases of Hodgkin's lymphoma nor nodular type of non Hodgkin's lymphoma were detected