Background: Tumor associated tissue eosinophilia (TATE) is believed to play a significant role in biological behavior of the carcinoma. Eosinophils are involved in immune reaction. Various studies have been carried out regarding their role in tumor progression or regulation. In oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), eosinophils are associated with favourable or unfavourable prognosis and hence their role is yet unclear. To compare the tissue eosinophils in OSCC and normal tissue and to correlate the expression of TATE in different grades of OSCC. Method: Study comprised 30 cases, 6 normal and 24 histopathologically diagnosed with OSCC. 4 micron thick sections were stained using 1% congo red solution. The sections were examined under high power (×40) and 10 consecutive microscopic fields were studied. The average number of eosinophils were statistically analysed. Results: The tabulated results showed that the median value of tissue eosinophils, increased in OSCC compared to normal mucosa. Analysis on different grades of carcinoma showed a higher TATE in Well differentiated squamous cell carcinoma as compared to other grades. Conclusion: The higher eosinophil count in OSCC compare to normal tissue might have a role in stromal invasion and infiltration. TATE can be used as an indicator of favourable prognosis in OSCC.

BACKGROUND:Diagnostic imaging is an integral aspect of care that is often insufficient, if not altogether absent, in rural and remote regions of low to middle income countries (LMICs) such as Tanzania. The introduction of ultrasound can significantly impact treatment in these countries due to its portability, low cost, safety, and usefulness in various medical assessments. This study reviews the implementation of a four-week ultrasound course administered annually from 2013–2016 in a healthcare professional school in Mwanza, Tanzania by first-year allopathic US medical students. METHODS:Participants (n=582, over 4 years) were recruited from the Tandabui Institute of Health Sciences and Technology to take the ultrasound course. Subjects were predominantly clinical officer students, but other participants included other healthcare professional students, practicing healthcare professionals, and school employees. Data collected includes pre-course examination scores, post-course examination scores, course quiz scores, demographic surveys, and post-course feedback surveys. Data was analyzed using two-tailed t-tests and the single factor analysis of variance (ANOVA). RESULTS:For all participants who completed both the pre- and post-course examinations (n=229, 39.1％ of the total recruited), there was a significant mean improvement in their ultrasound knowledge of 42.5％, P<0.01. CONCLUSION:Our data suggests that trained first-year medical students can effectively teach a point of care ultrasound course to healthcare professional students within four weeks in Tanzania. Future investigation into the level of long-term knowledge retention, impact of ultrasound training on knowledge of human anatomy and diagnostic capabilities, and how expansion of an ultrasound curriculum has impacted access to care in rural Tanzania is warranted.