OBJECTIVETo study the role of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) in aged rats' hippocampal delayed neuronal death (DND) following brain ischemia.

METHODSModels of incomplete brain ischemia were induced by clipping common carotid artery. A total of 46 aged SD rats were divided into 8 groups: normal control group (Group A, n=5), sham-operation group (Group B, n=5), reperfusion 1, 6, 12, 24, 48, and 96 hours groups after brain ischemia for 30 minutes (Group C, D, E, F, G, and H, n=6/group). The expression of nNOS was examined by immunohistochemistry and neuronal ultrastructural changes were observed by the transmission electron microscopy (TEM) at different time points after reperfusion.

RESULTSImmunohistochemistry showed that nNOS expression in the hippocampal neurons was high in Group E, low expression in Group D, moderate expression in Group F and G. There was nearly no expression of nNOS in Group A, B, C, and H. Ultrastructure of hippocampal neurons was damaged more severely in reperfusion over 24 hours groups.

CONCLUSIONSNitric oxide (NO) may be one of the important factors in inducing DND after ischemia/reperfusion.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Brain Ischemia ; enzymology ; Female ; Hippocampus ; enzymology ; pathology ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Microscopy, Electron ; Neurons ; enzymology ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reperfusion Injury ; enzymology

Objective To discuss the extent and characteristics of symptoms and symptom distress, and find the individualized management for patients undergoing bladder perfusion chemotherapy after transurethral bladder resection of bladder tumor. Methods The general information questionnaire, M. D. Anderson Symptom Inventory ( MDASI) and additional entries were used to investigate 84 patients undergoing bladder perfusion chemotherapy after transurethral bladder resection of bladder tumor. After individualized treatment, scores of symptoms were observed. Results Symptom score of patients in this group was (3. 12 ± 1. 02), which was at the mild level. Symptoms subscale score entries sorted successively as poor appetite, fatigue, disturbed sleep, nausea, and vomiting. Symptom distress score was (2. 85 ± 2. 02), which was at the mild level. Distress subscale score in the order of entries were work, mood and general activity, enjoyment of life, walking and relationship. Added entries score in the order were burning sensation in the bladder, bladder irritation and gastrointestinal reactions. Scores of some symptoms were significantly lower than before ( P < 0. 05 ). Conclusions Symptom distress is prevalent in patients undergoing bladder perfusion chemotherapy after transurethral bladder resection of bladder tumor, prompting that the intervention should be individualized according to the patient′s symptom distress features to alleviate their symptoms distress.

In this paper, a design space approach was applied to optimize the dropping process of Ginkgo biloba dropping pills. Firstly, potential critical process parameters and potential process critical quality attributes were determined through literature research and pre-experiments. Secondly, experiments were carried out according to Box-Behnken design. Then the critical process parameters and critical quality attributes were determined based on the experimental results. Thirdly, second-order polynomial models were used to describe the quantitative relationships between critical process parameters and critical quality attributes. Finally, a probability-based design space was calculated and verified. The verification results showed that efficient production of Ginkgo biloba dropping pills can be guaranteed by operating within the design space parameters. The recommended operation ranges for the critical dropping process parameters of Ginkgo biloba dropping pills were as follows: dropping distance of 5.5-6.7 cm, and dropping speed of 59-60 drops per minute, providing a reference for industrial production of Ginkgo biloba dropping pills.