[Effect of highway transportation on the quality of red blood cells].

This study was purposed to investigate the effect of highway transportation on the quality of blood components so as to provide experimental basis to meet the needs of military operations. The transport condition was simulated by random vibration test. The red blood cells, leukocyte-reduced red blood cells, washed red blood cells were randomly vibrated (C Road) for 4 hours. Then, these blood components were stored in refrigerator for 15 days (4 degrees C). Six milliliters of blood were collected before vibration, after vibration, and at day 15 days of storage after vibration, respectively. The suspension was isolated. The free hemoglobin (FHb), routine hematological parameters, and biochemical indexes were determined. The results showed that FHb, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), K(+) of red blood cells and leukocyte-reduced red blood cells did not significantly change after vibration and storage. However, FHb, LDH and K(+) of washed red blood cells increased significantly after simulated transportation (p < 0.05). The levels of these parameters at day 15 of storage after vibration were also significantly higher than those after vibration (p < 0.01). The changes of other hematological parameters were not significant in three blood components after vibration (C Road) and storage for 15 day. In conclusion, red blood cells and leukocyte-reduced red blood cells were qualified for clinic transfusion even after transportation within 4 hours for 15 day storage later, if they were kept in proper blood container and protected from damping. However, the washed red blood cells could not be used for clinic after similar transport in the military operations.

Intranasal bFGF-induced progenitor cell proliferation and neuroprotection after transient focal cerebral ischemia.

Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is a neurotrophic and vasoactive factor, and has therapeutic potential for some central nervous system (CNS) disorders. In this study, we used the intranasal pathway to administer bFGF in adult rats, and evaluated its neuroprotective benefits and effects on endogenous neural stem cells. The bFGF levels after intranasal administration in normal rats were determined by western blot. Transient focal ischemia was achieved by occlusion of the right middle cerebral artery for 2 h. bFGF was given intranasally 2 h after reperfusion and daily thereafter on 3 successive days. Dividing progenitor cells were labeled with bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) on day 3 of reperfusion. Rats were killed the next day after BrdU labeling. bFGF levels were significantly raised in the olfactory bulb (OB) and striatum following intranasal administration. Intranasal bFGF treatment improved neurological function and reduced infarct volume after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion, while no influence was observed on the blood pressure. And the BrdU incorporation was enhanced in the ipsilateral subventricular zone (SVZ) and striatum following intranasal administration of bFGF. These results demonstrated that bFGF can be directly delivered into brain following intranasal administration, and protects against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion. The protective effects may be attributed to the reduction of infarct volume and enhancement of endogenous progenitors in brain. Therefore, intranasal administration of bFGF may provide an alternative treatment for brain ischemia and some other CNS disorders.