Changes in arterial blood vessels and VEGF and Ang-1 expression in pregnant and non-pregnant yak uterine caruncle.

We investigated the structural features of arterial blood vessels in yak uterine caruncle and the effects of the expression of vascular regulation-related factors on angiogenesis in pregnant and non-pregnant yak uterus. Three-dimensional specimens of the uterine artery of non-pregnant and pregnant yaks were produced to observe and measure the distribution characteristics and number of arterial vessels in the uterus and caruncle in the two periods. The uterine caruncle structure was observed and analysed by haematoxylin-eosin staining. The expression features of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1) in the uterine caruncle were detected with immunohistochemistry, quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and western blotting. The length and number of blood vessels in the caruncle were increased, the degree of curvature was decreased, and the folding was more complicated during pregnancy as compared with that during non-pregnancy. The immunohistochemical results demonstrated that VEGF and Ang-1 were mainly expressed strongly in the mucosal epithelial cytoplasm. The glandular lumen of the uterine gland, lymphocytes and the media and adventitia of blood vessels are widely distributed, and they are all positive. VEGF and Ang-1 mRNA and protein levels were highest in pregnancy, followed by that in the luteal phase and in the follicular phase, and three stages were significantly different (p < .05). These findings provide an anatomical reference and theoretical basis for improving the diagnosis and treatment of yak reproductive disorders and other diseases in high-altitude and low-oxygen environments.

Induction of Type 2 Diabetes in Mice to Understand Vascular Changes That Drive Diabetic Retinopathy.

Diabetic retinopathy is a common complication of type 2 diabetes. Research into this comorbidity is challenging due to the slow progression of pathological changes and the limited transgenic models available to study disease progression and mechanistic changes. Here, we describe a non-transgenic mouse model of accelerated type 2 diabetes using a high-fat diet in combination with streptozotocin delivered via osmotic mini pump. This model, when subjected to fluorescent gelatin vascular casting, can be used to study vascular changes in type 2 diabetic retinopathy.

Establishment of a new animal model for ischemic lumbar vertebrae.

Degeneration and ischemia of lumbar intervertebral disc has become a more and more important issue for elder people. However the mechanism for this is still known, largely due to a lack of a suitable animal model. In this study, we constructed a new animal model for the study of ischemic lumbar vertebrae. 42 New Zealand white rabbits were chosen for the study. For each rabbit, two vertebrae were used. L5 was set as the experimental group and L4 was set as the control group. Percutaneous lumbar puncture needles were applied in vertebrae adjacent to endplate for L5 and L4. For L4 1 ml saline was injected and for L5 1 ml pingyangmycin (2 mg/mL) was used. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 weeks; 2 and 3 months after surgery, 6 rabbits at each time point were randomly chosen and underwent MRI, pathological test. The results in L5 and L4 were compared. Another 6 rabbits were used for DSA (Digital Subtraction Angiography) and vascular cast to study the length and diameters of the branches of lumbar artery. It was identified that since the third week, slightly hyperintense signal on T2-weighted image (T2WI) and fat-suppression T2-weighted image (FS T2WI) were detected. Lumbar vertebrae damage could be identified since the fourth week. Results of MRI and the size of pathological area were positively related (r=0.965, P<0.05). DSA and vascular cast could both clearly show the third level branches of lumbar artery. Our study suggested that injection of pingyangmycin via percutaneous lumbar needle could successfully induce ischemia in lumbar endplate. This method had little trauma, required a simple operation process and is highly repetitive. Besides, by vascular cast, the most important source of blood supply is the media branch of the lumbar artery. This branch could be a new therapy pathway for the degeneration of lumbar vertebrae.

Pulmonary embolism following 2-octyl-cyanoacrylate/lipiodol injection for obliteration of gastric varices: an imaging perspective.

Bleeding from esophageal and gastric varices remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality for patients with liver cirrhosis. Currently, therapeutic strategies for gastric variceal bleeding include transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt, cyanoacrylate sclerotherapy and hepatic transplantation. Though relatively safe and efficacious, endoscopic sclerotherapy using cyanoacrylate has known complications including infection, bleeding, and distal embolization. This case report describes a patient who became febrile and tachycardic following sclerotherapy and subsequently had an abnormal chest radiograph that prompted further evaluation for pulmonary embolization of the sclerosant. The focuses of this report are the computed tomographic and radiographic findings associated with 2-octyl-cyanoacrylate/lipiodol pulmonary embolization.