Transient middle cerebral artery occlusion in rats as an experimental model of brain ischemia.

Purpose: To assess a rat model of cerebral ischemia induced by occlusion of the middle cerebral artery and its effect on the area of cerebral infarction.

Methods: Brain ischemia was induced in 52 male Wistar rats by introduction of a 3-0 nylon suture into the middle cerebral artery for either 90 (n=28) or 120 (n=24) minutes. Ischemic injury volume was determined by TTC staining, digital photography and analysis with the Image J software.

Portuguese version of the Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire: a validation study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to demonstrate the validity and reliability of the Portuguese version of the Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire (Q-LES-Q) among substance users in southern Brazil.

Methods: The original English version of the Q-LES-Q was translated into Portuguese taking into account semantic and conceptual equivalence. The Portuguese versions of the Q-LES-Q and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument (WHOQOL-BREF) were used to assess quality of life among crack cocaine and inhalant users.