Diagnosis and treatment of gastric bronchogenic cyst attaching to lesser curvature / 中华消化外科杂志

Gastric bronchogenic cysts （GBCs） is uncommon with atypical clinical features. It is difficult to diagnose by preoperative imaging examinations. Therefore , postoperative histopatho-logical examination is regarded as the golden bacteria in ultimate diagnosis. The treatment of GBCs：ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration and endoscopic mucosal resection is only used for small GBCs with intra-cavity growth pattern. However , GBCs with extra-cavity growth pattern is featured with deeply anatomical position , large size , and prone on attaching to vital blood vessels and organs , which makes laparoscopic resection is the first choice in treatment. The authors introduce the diagnosis and treatment of a case of GBCs attaching to lesser curvature , in order to provide references for clinical diagnosis of GBCs.

Primary cystic lymphangioma in pancreatic tail: a rare case and its literature review / 中华内分泌外科杂志

We will retrieve a rare case of primary cystic lymphangioma in pancreatic tail that admitted to our hospital in March 2020. By reviewing the clinical courses of this case and its relevant literatures we hope to supply a new idea of diagnosis and treatment in the future.

Biotransformation and antitumor activity of triterpenoid derivatives from Ardisia gigantifolia / 中草药

Objective: To study the chemical constituents of transformed products by Sphingomonas yabuuchiae GTC 868T (AB071955) and Pectinex Ultra AFP from the saponin of Ardisia gigantifolia. Methods: Transformation products separated by the process of silica gel column, compounds were identified and elucidated by spectral and chemical methods. Their cytotoxicity activities were tested by Cell Counting Kit 8 colorimetric assay. Results: Five triterpenoid saponins were obtained, including 3β-O-{α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→3)-[β-D-xylopyranosyl-(1→2)]-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-α-L-arabinopyranosyl}-cyclamiretin A (1), 3β-O-{β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-[β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)]-α-L-arabinopyranoside}-cyclamiretin A (2), 3β-O-{β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-α-L-arabinopyranoside}-cyclamiretin A (3), 3-O-α-L-arabinopyranosyl cyclamiretin A (4), and cyclamiretin A (5). Conclusion: Compounds 2-5 are obtained by biotransformation for the first time. Some of the compounds showed certain antitumor activity, among them, compound 2 shows more cytotoxicity activity than Ag3 and positive control.

Clinical and pathological features and the misdiagnosis of childhood Alport syndrome: a retrospective analysis of 91 cases / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the clinical and pathological features and the diagnosis of childhood Alport syndrome (AS).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A retrospective analysis was performed on clinical data of 91 children with AS.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Hematuria was observed in all 91 patients, of whom 86 were accompanied with proteinuria. Sixty-one children with X-Linked AS (XL-AS) had positive family history. Renal biopsy was performed on 82 children. Mild to moderate mesangial proliferation was observed in 74 cases. Small amounts of immune complexes deposits in the glomerular mesangial area were observed in 48 cases. Glomerular basement membrane (GBM) attenuation, thickening and layering were observed in 53 cases by electron microscopy (EM). In 63 cases receiving renal tissue type IV collagen α3 and α5 chain immunofluorescence detection, 58 were diagnosed with AS, including 53 cases of XL-AS and 5 cases of autosomal recessive AS. In 91 cases of AS, 58 were diagnosed as AS by renal tissue type IV collagen α3 and α5 chain immunofluorescence, 21 were diagnosed by EM, one was diagnosed by skin biopsy, and 12 were diagnosed by gene detection. Six novel mutations of COL4A5 gene were found. Forty-five cases were misdiagnosed before the diagnosis of AS. Forty-one of the 45 cases received steroids and/or immunosuppressant therapy.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The clinical manifestations and pathological changes are not specific in children with AS, resulting in a higher rate of misdiagnosis. Typical lesions of GBM under EM are only observed in a part of patients. There is a high novel mutation rate of COL4A5 in the detected AS children.</p>

Study on the Effect and Its Mechanism of Carvedilol on Leptin-induced Activation and Proliferation of Hu-man Hepatic Stellate Cells / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE:To study the effect and its mechanism of carvedilol on leptin-induced activation and proliferation of LX2 human hepatic stellate cells(HSC-LX2). METHODS:HSC-LX2 with logarithmic growth periods were divided into blank con-trol group,leptin-stimulated group and carvedilol low-concentration,medium-concentration,high-concentration groups(5,10,20μmol/L). Except for the blank control group,other groups were added 0.1 g/L leptin and corresponding concentration of carvedilol. After 24 h,MTT method was used to detect the optical density(OD)value of cells and calculate the proliferation rate. Flow cytom-etry was used to detect the cell cycle and apoptosis. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction method was used to detect the α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA),matrix metalloproteinase inhibition factor 1 (TIMP-1),leptin,leptin receptor mRNA expressions. Western blot method was used to detect phosphorylated Janus kinase 2(p-JAK2),phosphorylated signal trans-duction and transcriptional activator 3 (p-STAT3) protein expressions. RESULTS:Compared with blank control group,OD value of cell was increased in leptin-stimulated group;apoptotic rate was decreased;cells of G0/G1 were decreased;α-SMA,TIMP-1, leptin,leptin receptor mRNA expressions and p-JAK2,p-STAT3 protein expressions were increased (P<0.05). Compared with leptin-stimulated group,OD values of cells were decreased in carvedilol concentration groups;apoptotic rate was increased,and the cells were mainly blocked in G0/G1 phase;α-SMA,TIMP-1,leptin,leptin receptor mRNA expressions and p-JAK2,p-STAT3 protein expressions were decreased(P<0.05)and was concentration-depended(P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS:Carvedilol can inhibit the activation and proliferation of leptin-induced HSC-LX2,promote its apoptosis. The mechanism may associate with down-regulat-ing leptin,leptin receptor gene expression and blocking JAK2/STAT3 signal pathway activation by leptin in cells.

Rapid Quantitative Detection and Model Optimization of Trans Fatty Acids in Edible Vegetable Oils by Near Infrared Spectroscopy / 分析化学

Near infrared spectroscopy (NIR) was used to detect trans fatty acids (TFA) in edible vegetable oils quantitatively. And prediction model of TFA was optimized through band selection, pretreatment method, variable selection and modeling method. NIR spectra of 98 edible vegetable oil samples were collected in spectral range of 4000-10000 cm-1 using an Antaris Ⅱ Fourier transform near infrared spectrometer, and the true content of TFA was measured by gas chromatography. First, optimization of waveband and pretreatment method was conducted on original spectra. On this basis, competitive adaptive reweighted sampling (CARS) was used to select important variables that related to TFA. Finally, the prediction models of TFA content in edible vegetable oils were established using principal component regression ( PCR), partial least square (PLS) and least square support vector machine (LS-SVM). The results indicated that NIR spectroscopy was feasible for detecting TFA content in edible vegetable oils, R2 of the best prediction model after optimized in calibration and prediction sets were 0. 992 and 0. 989, and root mean square error of calibration (RMSEC) and root mean square error of prediction ( RMSEP) were 0. 071% and 0. 075% , respectively. Only 26 variables were used in the best prediction model, accounting for 0. 854% of the whole waveband variables. In addition, compared with the full waveband PLS prediction model, the R2 in prediction set increased from 0. 904 to 0. 989, and RMSEP decreased from 0. 230% to 0. 075% . It shows that model optimization is very necessary, CARS method can select important variables related to TFA effectively and immensely reduce the number of modeling variables, so it can simplify the prediction model, and greatly improve the accuracy and stability of prediction model.

Clinical comparative observation of SMlLE operation design of different thickness of corneal cap / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AlM: To compare the impact of different thickness of corneal cap design on small incision lenticule extraction ( SMlLE) operation.METHODS: Forty-six cases of myopia patients ( 92 eyes) intends to SMlLE operation in our hospital were collected , and were randomly divided into 2 groups:corneal cap thickness design for 110μm in group A and 120μm in group B. Other operation parameters designs were consistent. All patients were surgeried by the same surgeon. The incidence of opaque bubble layer ( OBL ) , the ratio of difficult separation of lens, uncorrected visual acuity ( UCVA ) of each time points, and spherical equivalent ( SE) were compared.RESULTS: lntraoperative OBL incidence rate of 110μm group was higher than that of 120μm group with significant difference between the two group (P0. 05). SE were compared at 7d and 6mo after operation, showed no significant difference (P>0. 05)CONCLUSlON: Compared with 120μm group, corneal cap design SMlLE operation in 110μm group are more prone to OBL and difficult separation of lens, thus affects UCVA and postoperative recovery rate. There is no significant difference in long-term UCVA.

Identification of the metabolites of Dingzhi Xiaowan extract in depressive rat plasma, urine, feces and bile after intragastric administration / 中国中药杂志

Dingzhi Xiaowan is a widely used traditional Chinese medicine in treating depression, which is a similar formula of Kaixinsan. In this research, a rapid ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF/MS(E)) method was established to analyze the metabolites of Dingzhi Xiaowan in depressive model rat plasma, bile, urine and feces. After we established Chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) model rats and orally administrated Dingzhi Xiaowan, rat plasma, bile, urine and feces samples were collected and prepared. Using Waters Cortects UPLC C18 column (2.1 mm x 50 mm, 1.6 μm), acetonitrile-0.1% formic acid mobile phase gradient, these samples were analyzed and 33 metabolites of nine bioactive compounds were detected and tentatively identified by Metabolynx. Among the 33 metabolites, three metabolites were identified from plasma sample, three came from bile sample, and 27 metabolites were identified from urine and feces samples. This approach provided a rapid method for characterizing the metabolites of Dingzhi Xiaowan and gave the truly active structures and the action mechanism of their antidepressant effects.

Digital evaluation of breast symmetry with 3D scanning technique / 中华整形外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To establish a standard method for digital evaluation of breast symmetry with 3D scanning technique.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From January 2009 to July 2010, 167 patients received 3D scanning before breast augmentation. The coordinate system was established and the 3D reconstructed breast models were analyzed by software. The discrepancy of nipple level, the distance between nipple to midline, inferior mammary fold location, breast width, breast projection, breast volume and anterior chest wall projection were measured.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The mean discrepancy of nipple level, the distance between nipple to midline, IMF level, breast width, breast projection and anterior chest wall projection were (4. 8 +/- 3.9) mm, (4.5 +/- 3.4) mm, (4.6 +/- 3.7) mm, (4.8 +/- 2.9) mm, (5.4 +/- 3.9) mm and (4.8 +/- 3.3) mm, respectively. The mean difference of breast volume was (51 +/- 44) ml. The incidence of significant asymmetry was 73% (122/167)in nipple position, 95% (159/167)in breast shape, 38% (63/167)in anterior chest wall projection.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>3D scanning technique can provide an accurate 3D measurement of breast. A thorough and objective evaluation of breast symmetry can be achieved.</p>

Functional annotation of the microRNA-mediated network in gigantomastia by integrating microRNA and mRNA expression profiling / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Gigantomastia is the overdevelopment of the female mammary gland, and it causes great physiological and psychological burdens to patients. A better understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in gigantomastia is needed to develop less invasive and more effective medical treatments. MicroRNA (miRNA) is a class of small noncoding RNAs that play an important regulatory role at the post-transcriptional level. These miRNAs are known to be involved in many diseases, including breast cancer; however, the relationship between miRNA and gigantomastia is largely unknown.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Whole genome-wide expression of miRNA and mRNA in gigantomastia was detected using microarray and functional annotation was performed based on the altered expression of miRNAs and mRNAs.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>We found many miRNAs and mRNAs to be significantly differentially expressed in gigantomastia compared with normal breast tissues. Functional annotation analysis indicated that APK, Wnt, and Neurotrophin signaling pathways may participate in gigantomastia.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>This study addresses the need for better diagnosis and treatment of gigantomastia by providing new insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying this disease.</p>

Application of MDCT angiography for breast reconstruction with deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flaps / 中华整形外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the significance of preoperative MDCT angiography for breast reconstruction with abdominal flap.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Preoperative MDCT angiography scans were performed on 34 patients who underwent breast reconstruction with abdominal flaps during December 2006 to June 2009. The operation was designed based on the MDCT results. Then the MDCT results were proved intraoperatively. Another 22 cases who underwent breast reconstruction with abdominal flap without preoperative MDCT were selected as controls. The rate of operative method change, the operation time and the flap necrosis were compared between the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The preoperative design changed in 23.53% of the patients, based on the MDCT results. No one had any method change intraoperatively in the group with MDCT. The operative method was changed intraoperatively in 13.64% of the patients in the control group. The mean time spending on flap harvesting was (2.51 +/- 0.64) h in the experimental group and (4.42 +/- 0.21) h in the controlled group (P < 0.05). The rate of complication was 6.12% in the experimental group and 12.5% in the control group (P = 0.017).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Preoperative MDCT angiography is an easy and reliable method for breast reconstruction with abdominal flap. The preoperative design can be more reasonable. It helps to save the operation time and reduce the risk.</p>

Nipple-areolar reconstruction with the modified arrow flap / 中华整形外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To introduce the clinical experience of nipple-areolar reconstruction with the modified arrow flap.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The arrow flaps were modified for nipple-areolar reconstruction in 12 cases. Among them, 2 cases were treated with combined thin split-thickness skin graft; 4 cases with autologous rib implant and tattoo; 6 cases with tattoo.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All the reconstructed nipples were survived. The reconstructed nipples lost projection 1 month after operation in 2 cases. The other 10 cases retained 50% of the nipple projection 3 months after operation. The results were maintained with satisfactory symmetry during the follow-up period of 6 months to one year.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The modified flap is easily performed with reasonable design and no need of donor site. The nipple projection can be maintained with good long-term effect.</p>

Repeated operation for removement of polyacrylamide hydrogel from breast / 中华整形外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the technique of repeated operation for removement of polyacrylamide hydrogel from breast.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>17 cases after uncomplete removement of PHG were reoperated through inferior periareolar incision. The PHG and affected denatured muscle and gland tissue were removed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Preoperative MRI or CT showed PHG distributed diffusely in muscle and gland. There was only minimal residual PHG after operation. Histological examination showed PHG distributed in the denatured and proliferative fibrous tissue, including giant cells, many neutrophilic cells infiltration, and foreign body granuloma. The symptoms, such as intramammary pump or nodule, chest and back pain, infection, were relieved after operation.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Blinded suction technique can not remove PHG completely and can also result in malposition of PHG and make the tissue denaturation worse. We suggest open approach to remove the PHG and denatured tissue completely through periareolar incision.</p>

Relationship between abdominal obesity and left ventricular weight/function / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the relationship between abdominal obesity and left ventricular weight/function.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 495 patients [265 males, mean age (55 +/- 12) years] with hypertension (139), diabetes (65), metabolic syndrome (285), diabetes complicated with hypertension (11) were enrolled in this study. Visceral adipose area (VA), the subcutaneous adipose (SA), the total abdominal adipose (TA) were measured by computerized tomography (CT) and left ventricular weight and function were obtained by echocardiography. Patients were divided into three groups according to the VA (I. VA<75 cm(2), n=173, II. VA>75 and < 110 cm(2), n=153, III. VA >or= 110 cm(2), n=169).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Left ventricular mass (LVM) and LVM index (LVMI) increased and LVEF and E/A decreased in proportion to increasing VA. Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) rate was significantly higher in group II and III compared to group I and LVEF was significantly reduced in group III compared to group I and II. There are significant correlation between LVMI and VA, SA, TA as well as between LVEF and VA after adjusting gender, age and blood pressure. Logistic regression analysis showed that VA is an independent predictor for LVH.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The abdominal adipose accumulation is closely related to the left ventricular weight and function.</p>

Retrospective analysis of complications of breast augmentation with injected polyacrylamide hydrophilic gel in 90 cases / 中华整形外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To discuss the complications of breast augmentation with injected polyacrylamide hydrophilic gel (PAHG) in order to avoid further injury by taking treatment at the right moment.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>90 patients with some side-effects after breast augmentation with injected polyacrylamide hydrophilic gel had been undergone the treatment in our hospital from 1999 to 2006. Their clinical data were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The major complaints of the patients were feeling pain, multiple indurations, secondary deformity, PAHG displacement, low-grade fever of unknown reason, limitation of upper limb activity, spillage of milk and blood, ulceration and sinus tract of breast, inversion of nipple, infection. All patients were treated by surgical operations to remove the injected PAHG.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The complications are might not only related to the injected material but also caused by incorrect manipulation during operation. To do suction several times may cause the injected material distributed diffusely and the tissue was badly injured. Operation can remove the PAHG as completely as possible. It is a better treatment for the complications of PAHG injection for augmentation mammaplasty.</p>

Breast reconstruction with a combined skin flap of DIEP and TRAM / 中华整形外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate breast reconstruction with a combined skin flap of the deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) and the transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (TRAM).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The DIEP and TRAM united flap was elevated with the vessel pedicle of the deep inferior epigastric perforator on the affected side and the rectus abdominis muscle pedicle on the intact side. The reconstructive breast was shaped after the deep inferior epigastric vessels were anastomosed to the internal mammary vessels or the thoracodorsal vessels ipsilaterally.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>We have used the DIEP and TRAM united flaps for breast reconstruction in 17 cases. All of the flaps survived, and the reconstructed breasts were well-shaped with the follow-up of 6-18 months.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The DIEP and TRAM united flap possesses of advantages such as rich blood supply, abundant tissue volume and easy shaping. It is especially applicable to the cases who have large chest defect and need large volume tissue.</p>

Studies on chemical constituents of Cercis chinensis / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the chemical constituents from the aerial part of Cercis chinensis.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The constituents of C. chinensis were separated with various chromatographic techniques and their structures were elucidated by means of spectral analysis and physico-chemical properties.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Nine compounds were isolated from C. chinensis. They were identified as 3-O-methylquercetin (1), quercetin (2), (2R,3R)-3, 5, 7, 3', 5'-pentahydroxyflavan (3), 3', 5, 5', 7-tetrahydroxyflavanone (4), [+]-taxifolin (5), (2R)-naringenin (6), friedelin (7), beta-sitosterol (8), daucosterin (9).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>compounds 1 and 3-7 were isolated from the genus Cercis for the first time.</p>

A study of incision pattern and pedicles in reduction mammaplasty / 中华整形外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the efficacy, indication, advantage and disadvantage of methods for reduction mammaplasty.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty one cases with breast hypertrophy received reduction mammaplasty using various incisions and pedicles. Based on the follow-up of the cases, the appearance, nipple-areola complex sensory function and scars were evaluated.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Among the skin incision pattern, inverted T, short-horizontal invert T and vertical incision got excellent breast contour (100%), otherwise, periareolar incision got the less scar (100%). The postoperative result of lateral pedicle, lateral inferior pedicle and mammary gland pedicle were satisfactory in terms of the nipple-areola sensation and the amount of mammary tissue removed.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Breast contour and scar formation postoperative are related to incision design, Invert T incision or short-horizontal invert T incision is a good alternative to moderate and large hypertrophies, Periareolar incision is suitable to small hypertrophies. There is a relationship existing between pedicle location and retention of sensation or amount of mammary tissue removed. The inferior pedicle and lateral-inferior pedicle allows better shaping as well as maintaining good sensation.</p>

Anatomy study of superior and inferior gluteal artery perforator flap / 中华整形外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To find anatomic basis for clinically modifying technique of harvesting superior and inferior gluteal artery perforator flap, in order to avoid muscle lossing in conventional superior and inferior myocutaneous flaps, keep the advantage such as large rich supplied volume soft tissue.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>5 cases 10 sides adult cadaver were used to study the numbers, position, Course of superior and inferior gluteal artery perforators. The position of perforators was located by ultrasound Doppler in 6 cases and 12 sides in patient's superior and inferior gluteal area.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Superior and inferior gluteal artery originated from internal iliac artery. Several main perforators of large caliber were found in the paraischia and central portions of the gluteal muscle, its number was 10 - 15. The length of the vessels varies from 3 to 8 cm and their diameter from 1 - 1.5 mm. These significant perforators pass through the muscle itself and the fascial portion of the muscle to the overlying skin on the gluteal region. The dorsal branches of nervorum lumbalium perforate the deep fascia just above the iliac crest, lateral to the posterior superior iliac spine. If a nerve branch with a substantial diameter crosses the incision line, the nerve can be harvested within the flap. This nerve can be anastomosed to the anterior ramus of the lateral branch of the 4th intercostals nerve. In adult female, 3 - 5 perforators were located by ultrasound Doppler. They distributed in the triangle area among posterior superior iliac crest, the great trochanter and the coccyx.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The area and diameter of perforators of superior gluteal artery were relatively confirmed. It's possible to harvest the perforator flap without any muscle. It has the advantage of conventional myocutaneous flap with out of its disadvantages. It's easy to detect those perforator by ultrasound Doppler clinically. The nerve can be harvested and anastomosed simultaneously. Because the inferior gluteal area is a weight loading area, we suggested to use superior gluteal artery perforator flap. This flap can be transferred pedicled to treat sacral pressure sores or to be transferred freely for the breast reconstruction.</p>

Localization and expression of three nitric oxide synthase isoforms in the cochlea of guinea pigs and the effects in the hearing process of inner ear / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: Nitric oxide (NO) is synthesized by catalysis of nitric oxide synthase (NOS). Three distinct isoforms of NOS have been detected in different structures of the guinea pig cochlea. However, there are still rather controversies about the definite localization and expression of NOS isoforms in guinea pig cochlea.OBJECTIVE: To investigate localization and expression of three NOS isoforms in the cochlea of guinea pigs, and to explore the effect of NO on auditory physiology and pathophysiology of inner ear.DESIGN: An observed and controlled study.SETTING: Department of Physiology, Jinzhou Medical College; Department of Orthopedics, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou; Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Jinzhou Central Hospital.MATERIALS: The study was performed in Hearing Research Laboratory of China Medical University from May to November 2000. Ten healthy male albino guinea pigs, with body mass of 250-300 g, with sensitive Preyer's reflexes and normal drum membrane and external auditory canal,were selected.METHODS: After anesthesia, guinea pigs were decapitated and the temporal bones were removed immediately. The round and oval windows were opened, perfused with 40 g/L paraformaldehyde, and the specimens were immersed in the same fixative solution for 2 hours. Decalcification of the cochleae was performed in 100 g/L EDTA solution for 1 week. Then the specimens were placed in 250 g/L sucrose solution overnight and embedded in OCT. Cryostat (20 μm) sections were prepared for immunohistochemistry.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Localization and expression of three NOS isoforms in the cochlea of guinea pigs.RESULTS: All data of ten guinea pigs was entered the final analysis without any loss. [1] Neuronal-type nNOS and endothelial-type eNOS immunoreactivity were localized in inner and outer hair cells of the organ of Corti, as well as in spiral ganglion cells. In addition, staining for nNOS and eNOS were also seen in the marginal cells of stria vascularis, spiral ligament cells, and in nerve fibers. [2] Inducible-type iNOS immunoreactivity was also detected in above each structure of the guinea pig cochlea under physiological conditions.CONCLUSION:NO may play an important role in neurotransmission,blood flow regulation, and cytotoxicity.