Freehand ultrasound-guided femoral arterial catheterization in dogs

Objective: To demonstrate that ultrasound‐guided femoral artery catheterization is feasible and practical in dogs. Case series summary: Four female mixed breed dogs weighing 14–23 kg were used following a terminal junior surgery laboratory and had been anesthetized before the ultrasound study. Dogs were positioned in lateral recumbency with the upper limb abducted and immobilized. The dependent limb was extended and shaved and isopropyl alcohol was applied. An ultrasound transducer was oriented transverse to the axis of the limb and, following ultrasonographic identification, the femoral artery was cannulated and a catheter was placed using the Seldinger technique. Ultrasound‐guided catheterization was successful in 9 of 10 attempts; cannulization was successful in 10 of 10 attempts. Procedure time improved from 10 minutes to 1 minute during practice. Each of the 2 investigators was able to simultaneously ultrasound and cannulate the vessel. The major complication was hematoma formation, which occurred regardless of success. Information provided: Ultrasound‐guided femoral artery catheterization is feasible and relatively easy to master in medium‐size, anesthetized dogs.     

Effects of long-term cigarette smoke exposure on pulmonary vascular remodeling and TGF-β1 expression in rat pulmonary vessels

AIM: To observe the effects of long-term cigarette smoke exposure on pulmonary vascular remodeling and the protein expression of transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1) in the rats, and to explore the mechanism.METHODS: SD rats(n=36) were randomly divided into control group, 2-week smoke exposure(S-2W) group and 12-week smoke exposure(S-12W) groups. HE staining and α-smooth muscle actin staining were performed to observe the pulmonary vascular remodeling.The protein expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA) and TGF-β1 in the pulmonary arteries was determined by the method of immunohistochemistry. The mRNA expression of TGF-β1 in the pulmonary arteries was evaluated by RT-qPCR.RESULTS: Compared with control group, ratio of pulmonary vessel wall thickness to vessel diameter(WT%) and percentage of muscularized vessels were significantly increased in S-2W group and S-12W group(P<0.01). Significant increases in the protein expression of PCNA and TGF-β1 in smoke exposure groups were observed compared with control group. There was significant difference between 2 model groups(P<0.01). Compared with control group, the mRNA expression of TGF-β1 in pulmonary artery walls obviously increased in smoke exposure groups. There was significantly difference between S-2W and S-12W groups(P<0.05). The mRNA expression of TGF-β1 was positively correlated with pulmonary vascular muscularization, WT% and the protein expression of PCNA. CONCLUSION: Long-term cigarette smoke exposure results in pulmonary artery remodeling in rats. The possible mechanism is that cigarette smoking exposure induces the over-expression of TGF-β1 at mRNA level in pulmonary vessels and promotes the proliferation of pulmonary vascular smooth muscle cells in rats.     

不同类型玉米品种果穗维管束结构的差异研究

［目的］研究不同类型玉米品种果穗维管束结构的差异。［方法］选用不同株型和穗型的3个玉米高产杂交种掖单4号、掖单13和沈单7号，利用徒手切片技术观察测定穗柄和穗轴内维管束的数目和面积，比较不同类型品种间果穗维管束的结构差异。［结果］在穗柄（轴）大维管束数、总维管束数、单个大维管束的平均面积、大维管束总面积、维管束总面积上，大穗型品种掖单13和沈单7号显著优于小穗型品种掖单4号；在维管束密度及维管束相对面积上，紧凑型品种掖单4号和掖单13大于平展型品种沈单7号；在维管束的输送效率上，掖单13略占优势，但品种间差异不显著。［结论］为今后玉米的高产栽培和品种选育提供理论依据。     

低温诱发肉鸡腹水综合征过程中肺动脉平滑肌细胞增殖的变化

本试验旨在研究低温诱发肉鸡腹水综合征(AS)过程中平滑肌细胞增殖在肺血管重塑过程中的动态变化,初步探讨肺血管重塑的机制。160只15日龄雄性AA商品代肉鸡随机分为对照组(22℃±1.5℃)和低温组(11℃±2℃)。试验持续至50日龄,期间每周每组随机取6只,取肺组织做石蜡切片,Weigert-间苯二酚复红染色,观察并测定血管重塑情况;采用免疫组织化学方法检测肺动脉增殖细胞核抗原(PCNA)蛋白表达,并对其半定量化,分析平滑肌细胞增殖情况。50日龄时统计整个饲养过程中AS发生率。结果显示:(1)低温组肉鸡AS发生率(18.75%)极显著高于对照组(1.25%)(P<0.01);(2)低温组肉鸡直径20-50μm和50-150μm肺动脉结构从36日龄开始较对照组发生了明显的重塑(P<0.01或P<0.05);(3)低温组肉鸡直径20-50μm和50-150μm的肺动脉平滑肌细胞增殖指数分别从22日龄和36日龄开始极显著高于对照组(P<0.01)。结果表明:低温诱发肉鸡AS过程中肺动脉结构发生了明显的重塑,肺动脉平滑肌细胞发生了明显的增殖,并且平滑肌细胞增殖促进了肺血管重塑,在肉鸡AS发生发展过程中起着重要的作用。     

Partial aneurysmectomy and autologous patch venoplasty in a horse diagnosed with pseudoaneurysm of the jugular vein

Experience with vascular pathology and vascular surgery, especially with the use of grafts, is limited in horses. Only one case of a venous aneurysm has been described in the horse, but without successful surgical correction. This case report describes the treatment of a 3-year-old female pony presented with an intermittent localised swelling of the left jugular vein after a previous thrombophlebitis. Ultrasonographic examination revealed a large jugular vein pseudoaneurysm. Treatment consisted of a partial aneurysmectomy preserving the healthy medial wall of the jugular vein. An autologous saphenous vein patch technique was used to reconstruct the vein with the largest possible lumen to minimise thrombus formation. Anticoagulants, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory drugs were administered pre- and post-operatively. Follow-up ultrasound examinations initially showed local narrowing of the graft. At 2 and 8 months post-operatively, no external deformation of the jugular vein was visible and ultrasonography revealed patent blood flow with only a slight difference in lumen diameter. The patch venoplasty proved a viable surgical technique for jugular vein reconstruction resulting in a sufficient lumen, no thrombus formation and a good cosmetic and functional outcome.     

Venous aneurysm of the jugular vein in horses

Venous anomalies of the jugular vein are uncommon in the horse. Jugular venous aneurysms (congenital or pseudoaneurysm) in horses usually present as a compressible asymptomatic cervical mass enlarging on manual congestion of the jugular vein. They can be classified into primary (congenital) and acquired lesions. Primary venous aneurysms are true venous aneurysms because in these lesions the venous wall is intact, whereas false or pseudoaneurysm has a disruption of the inner layers of the venous wall. Two types of jugular vein aneurysm can be identified, fusiform or saccular, the former being the most common in people. Doppler ultrasound imaging confirms the diagnosis. Surgical treatment, aneurysmectomy with venorraphy or venoplasty is indicated in case of progressive aneurysmal expansion. This clinical commentary describes a 4-month-old foal presented with a primary aneurysm of the right jugular vein in the midcervial region. Treatment consisted of partial aneurysmectomy and venorraphy. Four years later, the horse had a patent jugular vein with a normal diameter and was trained without clinical signs of venous distension.     

NFATc1 promotes vascular generation of epithelial ovarian cancer transplanted tumor by regulating CXCR2, FGF-2 and PDGF-BB

AIM: To investigate the role of NFATc1 in vascular generation in the nude mice transplanted with human ovarian cancer SKOV3 cells. METHODS: NFATc1 expression was silenced by siRNA in SKOV3 cells. Human ovarian cancer transplantation nude mouse model was established by transplanting with SKOV3 cells in which the NFATc1 gene was silenced by siRNA technique. The expression of NFATc1, CXCR2, FGF-2 and PDGF-BB at mRNA and protein levels was determined by RT-PCR, Western blotting and immunohistochemical staining. The tumor growth, angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis were also observed. RESULTS: Over-expression of NFATc1 was observed in human ovarian cancer tissues. The silencing of NFATc1 expression by siRNA decreased tumorigenesis of transplanted ovarian cancer cells in the nude mice, reduced tumor vascular generation and inhibited the expression of CXCR2, FGF-2 and PDGF-BB at mRNA and protein levels. CONCLUSION: NFATc1 is overexpressed in ovarian cancer. NFATc1 silencing regulates the tumor vascular generation. NFATc1 thus has potential as a therapeutic target and for use in the diagnosis and evaluating prognosis of epithelial ovarian cancer.     

甘肃头二三滩自然保护区维管植物多样性调查

采用线路调查和样线调查结合法对甘肃头二三滩自然保护区的维管植物进行了综合调查研究,结果表明:本区分布有维管植物1 314种,隶属138科590属,其中蕨类植物56种,隶属15科29属,种子植物1 258种,隶属123科561属;国家保护植物14种;从属的分布来看,温带性属是保护区植物区系的主要成分;植被类型可划分为4个植被型组,11个植被型,16个植被亚型和28个群系。     

Use of computed tomography angiography for the evaluation of a cutaneous haemangioma in a Standardbred horse

Cutaneous haeangiomas are benign vascular neoplasms that arise from endothelial cells of blood vessels. Haemangiomas account for 0.6%–4% of all equine cutaneous neoplasms and the fetlock is the most commonly affected site. We describe the use of computed tomography angiography (CTA) for the evaluation of a cutaneous haemangioma located on the plantarolateral aspect of the left hindlimb fetlock of a 9-month-old Standardbred colt. Computed tomography angiography of the affected fetlock was performed under general anaesthesia. The medial plantar artery was catheterised and a total volume of 50 ml of iodinated non-ionic contrast medium (Iopamidol, 300 mg I/ml, Bracco Imaging Canada) was injected at a rate of 2 ml/s. Following contrast medium administration, the dorsal metatarsal artery and branches including the lateral and medial digital arteries were well demarcated. Two smaller lateral and medial arteries were also identified, forming the vascular network of the metatarsophalangeal joint. At the level of the haemangioma, two tortuous arteries arising from the lateral digital artery were identified, in addition to multiple small branches from nearby cutaneous arteries. These vessels supplied the homogeneously strongly contrast-enhancing cutaneous mass. The initial goal of the CTA study was to map the vascular anatomy for arterial embolisation in conjunction with pharmacological therapy. Considering the involvement of multiple small arterial branches, complete surgical excision along with ligation of the two main supplying arteries was alternatively elected, resulting in a successful long-term outcome.     

天津八仙山自然保护区维管束植物分析

天津八仙山自然保护区共有维管束植物413种(含16个变种),隶属于92科2、70属。其中蕨类植物10科、11属、19种(含3个变种),裸子植物2科、2属、2种;双子叶植物72科2、07属3、21种(含8个变种);单子叶植物8科5、0属7、1种(含5个变种)。种子植物有82科,分别属于9个分布类型,其中泛热带分布类型占的比例最大,占总科数的37.80%。通过对该地区科、属、种的统计表明种类最多的科为菊科、禾本科,同时也有一些少种科、单种属。种子植物259属,分别属于15个分布类型,其中北温带分布类型占绝对优势,占总属数的32.43%,表明八仙山具有典型的北温带性质。