histological and immunohistochemical study on the possible protective effect of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on isoprenaline induced myocardial fibrosis in rats

Preclinical and clinical studies have demonstrated that omega-3-polyunsaturated fatty acids [omega-3-PUFAs] play a significant role in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. This study aimed to investigate the possible protective effect of omega-3-PUFAs on isoprenaline [ISP]-induced myocardial fibrosis. Thirty-two adult male albino rats were divided into five groups. Group I represented the control group [eight rats]. In group II, six rats were given omega-3-PUFAs [40 mg/kg/day] orally for 8 weeks. In group III, six rats were injected subcutaneously with ISP [5 mg/kg/day] for 4 consecutive days and sacrificed 2 days later. In group IV, six rats were injected with ISP [5 mg/kg/day] for 4 consecutive days and sacrificed after 2 weeks. In group V, six rats were given omega-3-PUFAs [40 mg/kg/day] for 8 weeks, following which they were injected with ISP [5 mg/kg/day] for 4 consecutive days, and sacrificed 2 days later. Serum creatine phosphokinase-MB [CPK-MB] was measured. Myocardial sections were subjected to H and E, Masson's trichrome stain, and alpha-smooth muscle actin [alpha-SMA] immunohistochemical stain. Group II showed nonsignificant difference in the mean CPK-MB level compared with the control. Myocardial sections revealed a histological architecture similar to that of the control. The mean area% of collagen and alpha-SMA immunoreactivity was nonsignificant when compared with the control. Group III showed significant increase in mean CPK-MB compared with the control. Myocardial sections showed disorganization, inflammation, exudation, and fibrosis with significant increase in the mean area% of collagen and alpha-SMA immunoreactivity compared with the control. Group IV showed significant increase in mean CPK-MB, area% of collagen, and alpha-SMA immunoreactivity compared with the control, with progression in the myocardial histological alterations. Group V showed significant decrease in the mean CPK-MB with decrease in histological changes, and there was significant decrease in the mean area% of collagen and alpha-SMA immunoreactivity compared with the ISP groups. omega-3-PUFAs exert cardioprotective effects against ISP-induced myocardial fibrosis

role of videokimography in evaluation of vocal fold vibrations in functional dysphonia

15 patients with different types of functional dysphonia were examined using the newly developed videokymographic system. This high speed imaging technique produces a time history representing successive glottal cycles within one image, which allows direct observation of vocal fold motion. All patients underwent indirect laryngo-videostroboscopic examination, which revealed mild stroboscopic deviations in only 2 patients. Videokymographic examination revealed variable vibratory pattern deviations in all of the patients, in the form of asymmetry in phase, asymmetry in amplitude, phase differences between the right and left vocal folds and aperiodicity. This study concluded that videokymography is a powerful tool which enables the precise evaluation of vocal fold vibration patterns in functional dysphonia patients, providing a more accurate diagnosis of this voice entity, while it is not costly or time consuming

Dysphasia

The aim of this article was to provide a review study for the problem of dysphasia regarding its glossary etiology, the protocol of assessment and the different approaches of its rehabilitation. The investigated and the control groups were evaluated by the same quasiobjective scheme. There was a strong evidence that the rehabilitation program used in this study led to a significant improvement of the scores in the investigated group in comparison with the control. No significant correlation was detected between the age of the patient, the premorbid educational level and the time post onset of dysphasia. On the other hand, the degree of recovery was more noticeable in less severe forms of dysphasia and in posterior lesions than the anterior lesions

Effect of the addition of herbs on sensory quality of selected bakery products

Ground powder and purified ether extract of marjoram, spearmint, peppermint and basil were used as flavoring materials in bakery products. Addition of marjoram powder at a concentration of 0.5% caused no deterioration to the pan bread in general while showing significant improvement in the toasted bread taste and cracker biscuit taste and odour. Basil and the mixture powder of the four plants at concentration of 0.5% caused significant deterioration in color and appearance of the soda cracker biscuit. All the purified ether extracts of herbs caused no significant changes in all measured sensory properties of the soda cracker biscuit