Intestinal parasitic infection among sewage workers in Alexandria, Egypt.

This research was conducted to study the risk of intestinal parasitic infections among sewage workers. A hundred sewage workers in Alexandria and another hundred as control group not exposed to sewage were selected for this research. The results indicated that sewage workers were at a higher risk of developing intestinal parasitic infection especially Ascariasis and Amoebiasis. Nail examination revealed that sewage workers were at a higher risk of infection by Entrobius vermicularis.

Prosthetic feeding aids for infants with cleft lip and palate.

A brief review of the literature concerning infants with cleft lip and/or palate has been presented. Twenty-five infants from 15 days to 1 year of age were classified from the prosthetic treatment plan into three groups. The method of approach for each group and the reasons for the changes were described. Two retaining methods were compared. Based on our results, the use of a cloth head-cap as a retaining device is not recommended; a tension-adjustable-side-arm prosthesis is preferred. Attention was also given to the various modifications that can be made on this prosthesis to meet the individual needs of the patient.

Assessment of tissue conditioning materials for functional impressions.

The validity of two types of tissue conditioning materials was studied and compared with that of two commonly used impression materials. The effect of three important factors on the accuracy of the impressions was observed. These factors were thickness of the impression material, time of compression of the impression, and the time interval before pouring the impression. A chrome-cobalt master cast was specially designed and 500 impressions were made and poured, resulting in 900 casts. Conclusions reached from this investigation were that: 1. Visco-Gel and Coe-Comfort tissue conditioning materials can be used as impression materials. 2. The dimensional accuracy of Visco-Gel is better than that of the Coe-Comfort impressions. 3. There is no significant difference between using a tray with a space of 1.5 mm or 3.0 mm for the impression material. 4. The less bulky the impression, the less time is required for compression with fewer inaccuracies. 5. It is preferable to pour the cast in the impression immediately or within 2 hours. 6. Both kinds of materials tested can be used as duplicating materials under certain conditions.

Histochemical and histopathologic studies of alveolar mucosa under complete dentures.

An investigation was made of the enzymatic, histochemical, and histopathologic characteristics of clinically healthy edentulous mucosae of non-denture wearers. The effects of dentures on the oral mucosa were examined and related to the length of time that dentures were worn. Succinodehydrogenase, acid phosphatase, and alkaline phosphatase enzymes were used along with periodic acid Schiff's stain. Hematoxylin and eosin stain was used for the histopathologic study. The results indicated that a denture stimulates the underlying mucosa for the first 3 years. A healthy mucosa results, showing slight hyperkeratinization and increased enzymatic activity. After 3 years there are atrophic changes which can lead to inflammatory changes. There is also a reduction in enzyme activity associated with wearing dentures for more than 3 years. Remaking the dentures after 3 years increases the enzymatic activity of the alveolar mucosa.