5.3. Statistical analysis
All vital parameters are presented as the mean ± SD. After verifying that the results were normally distributed using a Smirnov test, a student t-test was performed to compare group effects. A p value≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. The stainings were computer-assisted semi-quantitative analyzed using ImageJ software (http:/rsbweb.nih.gov/ij/). Therefore, 3 alternating slices per animal and staining (MAP2, GFAP, IBA1) were scanned in with a Plan-Neofluar objective (×5.0/0.16) getting an image (1388×1040 pixels) representing the complete hippocampal CA1 region, being the most sensitive to/damaged by ischemia brain area, with its adjacent parts. The microscopic settings and the exposure time of the fluorescence channels were set on the basis of control slices and kept equal for the corresponding preparation. The immunostaining intensities were measured in a standard evaluation window (1380×540 pixels) which was placed manually and included the complete CA1 region with all strata. Data are given as mean ± SD. The 3 slices per animal were analyzed individually. The mean was calculated and used as one value for the statistical analyses. Per staining, corresponding sham and ACA animals were compared directly using a paired T. Esser et al. Brain Research 1652 (2016) 144–150 149 Student's t-test (GraphPad Software, La Jolla, USA). A p value ≤0.05 was considered statistically significant.