Background & Objectives: The diagnosis�of Helicobacter pylori infection is based on invasive and non-invasive methods. The present study was carried out to evaluate the accuracy of three non-invasive and one invasive methods either separately or in combination for detection of Helicobacter pylori.

  Methods: A total of 108 dyspeptic patients older than 12 years who had not previously been treated for H. pylori infection were selected for upper GI-endoscopy. Histology was considered as a gold standard diagnostic test. Urea breath test, histologic examination and rapid urease test were done in endoscopy unit. Serology and stool anigen detection test were done in hematology unit of Nour Laboratory using ELISA Method.

  Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values were calculated. The tests results were compared using the McNemar test.

  Results: According to histologic method, 56 patients had H. pylori infection. Sensitivities and specificities were 89% and 71% for the rapid urease test, 94% and 52% for serology, 90% and 82% for the urea breath test, and 46% and 80% for the stool test respectively. The most accurate combination test was rapid urease test and urea breath test.

  Conclusion: Rapid urease test and urea breath test in combination showed excellent diagnostic reliability.

Background & objectives: Cyclophosphamide is one of the common drugs used for cancer treatment. Cyclophosphamide affects the placenta and it is teratogenic in pregnant women. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the protective effects of Mesna and Galbanum essential oil concurrent administration against cyclophosphamide toxicity in rat placenta tissue.

Methods: 22 pregnant female rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: (1) control (normal saline, n=7 rats), (2) cyclophosphamide (15mg/kg, n=7 rats), (3) cyclophosphamide (15mg/kg), Mesna (100mg/kg) and Galbanum (200mg/kg, n=8 rats). Medications were administered intraperitoneally on the 13th day of pregnancy. Then, rats were sacrificed on the 20^th day of pregnancy. The placenta was separated and fixed after macroscopic evaluation. 5 µm tissue sections were prepared, stained and studied by light microscopy.

Results: Cyclophosphamide reduced the placental weight, thickness and the length of the small and large diameters. Histologically, it reduced the thickness of the labyrinth and basal layers, caused necrosis and congestion in these layers, reduced giant cells numbers and caused their nuclear shrinkage (p<0.05). Mesna and Galbanum oil had no effect on placental morphometry rather than cyclophosphamide (p>0.05) but histologically it could increase the labyrinth and basal layers thickness and also the giant cells numbers (p<0.05). It could also prevent nuclear shrinkage, giant cells and spongiotrophoblasts necrosis in the basal layer and reduce congestion in the labyrinth layer (p<0.05).

Conclusion: Mesna and Galbanum oil preserved the placenta of pregnant rat against toxic effects of cyclophosphamide probably by its antioxidant features and free radicals deletion.