Damage To Blood Vessels Research Articles

GAN-Based Approach for Diabetic Retinopathy Retinal Vasculature Segmentation.

Most diabetes patients develop a condition known as diabetic retinopathy after having diabetes for a prolonged period. Due to this ailment, damaged blood vessels may occur behind the retina, which can even progress to a stage of losing vision. Hence, doctors advise diabetes patients to screen their retinas regularly. Examining the fundus for this requires a long time and there are few ophthalmologists available to check the ever-increasing number of diabetes patients. To address this issue, several computer-aided automated systems are being developed with the help of many techniques like deep learning. Extracting the retinal vasculature is a significant step that aids in developing such systems. This paper presents a GAN-based model to perform retinal vasculature segmentation. The model achieves good results on the ARIA, DRIVE, and HRF datasets.

Beta-Amyloid Enhances Vessel Formation in Organotypic Brain Slices Connected to Microcontact Prints.

In Alzheimer's disease, the blood-brain barrier breakdown, blood vessel damage and re-organization are early events. Deposits of the small toxic peptide beta-amyloid (Aβ) cause the formation of extracellular plaques and accumulate in vessels disrupting the blood flow but may also play a role in blood clotting. In the present study, we aim to explore the impact of Aβ on the migration of endothelial cells and subsequent vessel formation. We use organotypic brain slices of postnatal day 10 wildtype mice (C57BL/6) and connect them to small microcontact prints (µCPs) of collagen. Our data show that laminin-positive endothelial cells migrate onto collagen µCPs, but without any vessel formation after 4 weeks. When the µCPs are loaded with human Aβ40, (aggregated) human Aβ42 and mouse Aβ42 peptides, the number and migration distance of endothelial cells are significantly reduced, but with a more pronounced subsequent vessel formation. The vessel formation is verified by zonula occludens (ZO)-1 and -2 stainings and confocal microscopy. In addition, the vessel formation is accompanied by a stronger GFAP-positive astroglial formation. Finally, we show that vessels can grow towards convergence when two opposed slices are connected via microcontact-printed lanes. In conclusion, our data show that Aβ promotes vessel formation, and organotypic brain slices connected to collagen µCPs provide a potent tool to study vessel formation.

Effect of neutrophil extracellular traps (NET) on thrombosis: A literature review

Neutrophils are used by the innate immune system to form thrombi during many types of thrombosis. The inactivation of endogenous anticoagulants results in increased intravascular coagulation by increasing factor XII activation, decreasing plasmin production, or boosting the tissue factor-dependent extrinsic pathway. The creation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NET) by the externalization of decondensed nucleosomes and granule proteins supports neutrophil-dependent prothrombotic processes. Experimental thrombosis has been demonstrated to be caused by these traps, whether intact or fragmented, since they provide the means to enhance microvascular thrombosis. The von Willebrand factor increases platelet adhesion when neutrophils and activated platelets combine to form NET. Thus, neutrophils and externalized nucleosomes promote intravascular blood coagulation and thrombosis during infections and during conditions resulting from blood vessel damage.

Особливості артеріальної гіпертензії при ожирінні

Hypertension in obesity is a fairly common problem, and it has its own characteristics. Obesity promotes inflammation in the body, which can damage blood vessels and lead to atherosclerosis, which also contributes to increased blood pressure. Obesity can lead to increased resistance to blood flow in vessels through various mechanisms, including atherosclerosis, inflammation, and other physiological changes. The main direct physiological mechanism of the development and maintenance of arterial hypertension is endothelial dysfunction, which leads to an increase in vascular tone and further remodeling of the vascular wall, and this is a general result of the influence of known external factors.

Relationship between COVID-19 and Neurological Disorder

Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a socially isolating way of life, and dementia patients are among those who are most affected. Lockdown procedures and the inability to monitor illnesses have led to a rapid decline in cognitive function in these individuals, with neuropsychiatric symptoms, such as agitation, delirium, and impaired motor performance being prevalent. However, the use of antipsychotics in treating these symptoms can increase the risk of death during COVID-19. Effective pain therapy can be used as an alternative to reduce or avoid the use of antipsychotics, given the consistent relationship between agitation and pain in dementia patients. The importance of properly assessing and managing pain in dementia patients is highlighted. Additionally, the article discusses how COVID-19 can affect brain health through inflammation, blood clotting, and blood vessel damage, leading to potential long-term effects on cognitive function. Healthcare professionals must be aware of the increased risk of neuropsychiatric symptoms in dementia patients during the pandemic and prioritize pain management as a viable alternative to antipsychotics. Proper care and attention are necessary to prevent cognitive decline and potential long-term effects on brain health in these vulnerable individuals.

TMIC-74. SPATIAL LANDSCAPE OF MELANOMA BRAIN METASTASES WITH AND WITHOUT PRE-SURGICAL IMMUNE CHECKPOINT BLOCKADE

Abstract We recently characterized the immune populations of brain metastases samples with or without immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) treatment. In that study, we utilized single cell RNAseq (scRNAseq) and multiplex immunofluorescence (mIF) to demonstrate that ICB induced T cell infiltration and the migration of a unique MRC1+ macrophage subset from the perivascular space into the tumor parenchyma. However, scRNAseq’s tissue dissociation step loses spatial information of cells while mIF has low dimensionality, covering only a few markers for each tissue section. Thus, we applied sequencing-based Visium spatial transcriptomics (ST) to study the spatial architecture of melanoma brain metastases with/without ICB treatment and developed a pipeline that leverages public scRNAseq data as a reference to resolve fine-grained cell types on each Visium spot. ICB was associated with an increased CXCL13+ terminally exhausted T cell subset in close spatial proximity to tumor cells, suggestive of tumor specificity. ICB also reduced multiple MRC1+ macrophage subtypes in the blood vessel regions, supporting our mIF observation. Furthermore, we discovered that MRC1+ macrophages in close proximity to blood vessels expressed elevated TIMP1. TIMP1 is a known inhibitor of MMP9 that prevents ECM degradation and blood vessel damage, thus limiting T cell extravasation. In contrast, MRC1+ macrophages that migrated into the tumor had higher interferon activation and expressed CXCL9 and CXCL12 chemokines, which could recruit T cells via CXCR3 and CXCR4. Such findings could explain the increased T cell infiltration with ICB even in metastatic brain tumors. However, these MRC1+ macrophages also had an M2 signature and expressed multiple immune checkpoint ligands. Such data suggest these cells might also increase immunosuppressive interactions with T cells. In summary, our study reveals how ICB affects the spatial architecture and crosstalk of different cell types within melanoma brain metastases and will provide insights into new therapeutic strategies for brain metastases patients.

MORPHOLOGICAL AND MECHANICAL ASSESSMENT OF ELECTROSPUN PLGA VASCULAR SCAFFOLDS

Cardiovascular disorders are the leading cause of global mortality and typically necessitate bypass surgery to replace the damaged blood vessel. Currently used grafts are insufficient to replace small-diameter blood vessels due to the scarcity and harsh harvesting procedure of autologous vessels and the shortcomings in the clinical performance of synthetic grafts, which might result in intimal hyperplasia, thrombosis, and compliance mismatch. Therefore, there is a critical need for tissue-engineered vascular grafts that can meet morphological, mechanical, and biological characteristics. In this study, poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) tubular scaffolds with randomly distributed or radially oriented fibers were produced by electrospinning, and the effect of fiber orientation on morphological and mechanical properties was investigated. The findings demonstrate that, while the successful implementation of radial fiber orientation with high rotational speed production enhanced burst strength and radial tensile strength values, it was unfavorable for compliance.

Diabetic Prediction Using Hybrid Smote-Tree Big Data Classification with Artificial Neural Network

Diabetes is one of the worst illnesses now plaguing humanity. The condition is caused by the body's abnormal reaction to insulin, a vital hormone that transforms sugar into the energy required for the normal functioning of daily living. In addition to increasing the chance of developing kidney disease, heart disease, and retinal eye disease, nerve damage, and blood vessel damage, diabetes causes serious consequences in the body. This research provides diabetes prognosis based on hybrid SMOTE-TREE large data categorization utilizing Artificial Neural networks (ANN). Artificial Neural Networks deliver promising results for nonlinear data. Hence ANN is picked for creating the model to predict diabetes among numerous ML (machine learning) techniques. The goal is to develop a decision support system to predict and diagnose diabetes with maximum accuracy, given the parameters. The parameters are set such that the best accuracy is obtained.

Expression of Tie2 (angiopoietin receptor) on the monocyte subpopulations from ischemic stroke patients: Histological and flowcytometric studies.

Different subpopulations of monocytes play roles in phagocytosis, inflammation, and angiogenic processes e.g., Tie2-expressing monocytes (TEMs). The brain is flooded with macrophages that are derived from monocytes within 3-7 days after a stroke. This study aimed to determine the expression level of Tie2 (an angiopoietin receptor) on monocytes and their subpopulations in ischemic stroke patients using the histological and immunohistological study of bone marrow biopsies and blood flow cytometry examination. Ischemic stroke patients within two days were selected. Participants in the control group were healthy volunteers of matched age and gender. Sample collection was performed within 24 to 48 hours after medical consultants confirmed the stroke diagnosis. An iliac crest bone marrow biopsy was obtained and fixed for histological and immunohistological staining with antiCD14 and antiCD68. Flow cytometry was used to determine the total monocyte population, monocyte subpopulations, and TEMs after staining with monoclonal antibodies to CD45, CD14, CD16, and Tie2. Post-stroke patients' bone marrow cells were hypercellular. There was an apparent increase in CD68 and CD14-positive cells. Ischemic stroke patients exhibited low percentages of nonclassical monocytes CD14lowCD16++, with an increase in intermediate monocytes CD14highCD16+. Moreover, ischemic stroke patients had significantly higher levels of TEMs than control group. The results of this study demonstrate dysregulation of angiogenesis in monocyte subsets in ischemic stroke patients, which could be used as an early diagnostic marker of neurovascular damage and may need angiogenic therapy or improved medications to prevent further damage of blood vessels.

Adverse neurological effects after exposure to copper, manganese, and mercury mixtures in a Spraque-Dawley rat model: an ultrastructural investigation

ABSTRACT Exposure to environmental metal pollutants is linked to oxidative stress and the subsequent development of neurological disease. In this study, the effects of copper, manganese, and mercury, were evaluated at X100 the World Health Organization safety limits for drinking water. Using a Sprague-Dawley rat model, following exposure for 28 days, the effects of these metals on biochemical blood parameters and tissue and cellular structure of the brain were determined. Biochemical analysis revealed no hepatocellular injury with minor changes associated with the hepatobiliary system. Minimal changes were found for renal function and the Na+/K+ ratio was reduced in the copper and manganese (Cu + Mn) and copper, manganese, and mercury (Cu, Mn + Hg) groups that could affect neurological function. Light microscopy of the brain revealed abnormal histopathology of Purkinje cells in the cerebellum and pyramidal cells in the cerebrum as well as tissue damage and fibrosis of the surface blood vessels. Transmission electron microscopy of the cerebral neurons showed microscopic signs of axonal damage, chromatin condensation, the presence of indistinct nucleoli and mitochondrial damage. Together these cellular features suggest the presence and influence of oxidative stress. Exposure to these metals at X100 the safety limits, as part of mixtures, induces changes to neurological tissue that could adversely influence neurological functioning in the central nervous system.

Rheumatoid Vasculitis and Blepharitis Caused By Rheumatoid Arthritis In 6 Years Old Boy: A Case Report

Link of Video Abstract: https://youtu.be/4Guk_6foSxw Introduction: Rheumatoid Vasculitis (RV) is a rare complication affecting approximately 1% of patients with severe rheumatoid arthritis. This condition is an extra-articular manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis that affects the small and medium arteries in the body. Vasculitis is an inflammatory necrotizing vascular wall disease that can occur in autoimmune disease. This inflammation leads to damage in blood vessels due to stenosis or occlusion and thrombosis, resulting in pain, necrosis, and aneurysm. Inflammation can be primary or secondary. Skin, fingers, peripheral nerves, eyes and the heart are the most commonly affected areas. Case description: We report a case of a 6-year-old boy who presented RV and blepharitis. The patient subsequently experienced nail fold infarcts and gangrene of his left finger. He was found to fulfill Jones Criteria, and treatment with aspirin and corticosteroids significantly improved his symptoms. This rare case describes the early onset of rheumatoid vasculitis in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid vasculitis is a systemic disease that develops from rheumatoid arthritis with rheumatoid autoantibodies and extra-articular manifestations characterized by tissue damage or ischemia involving the skin and peripheral nerves. The incidence of rheumatoid vasculitis in children is less than 1%, with 12 to 53 cases per 100,000 children under 17 years old. Conclusion: Rheumatoid vasculitis is a rare complication of rheumatoid. This condition occurs in patients who have rheumatoid arthritis for a long period. The patient will prevent further complications with early diagnostic and proper treatment.

Microvascular Complications Associated with Advanced Glycation End Products in Diabetes

Diabetes is a frequent metabolic complaint associated with increasing blood sugar levels, it also has a connection to long- term vascular problems that can damage blood vessels, urinary tract, sight, and neurons. By adding amino acid breakdown and ultimately accumulating complex end products of glycation in the organs, hyperglycemia is a crucial factor in the progression of complications related to diabetes. The breakdown process, which entails free of enzymes couplings of polysaccharides to lipids, proteins, or inheritable material, produces miscellaneous motes known to be sophisticated glycation end products. The root cause of diabetes-related difficulties such as atherosclerosis, retinopathy, nephropathy, and nephropathy are greatly impacted by the development of complex end products of glycation and the glycation of proteins. Glycation of proteins hinders molecules from behaving as anticipated by altering the functioning of enzymes, altering the structure of molecules, and impeding sensory interaction. In order to aid in the development of diabetes problems. Recent research suggests that AGEs interact with RAGEs on the plasma membrane to change gene expression, intracellular signaling, and the release of free radicals and pro-inflammatory chemicals. The formation of several AGE types from the glycation of plasma proteins is covered in the current review. The pathogenesis of diabetes sequelae such as retinal degeneration, glaucoma nerve damage, kidney failure, and myocardium are also discussed in relation to AGEs. This study includes an update on the disease's vascular consequences, underlying causes, and available therapeutic options. A summary of illness management techniques is also provided in this article.

Morphological changes in the cerebral cortex under conditions of DMH-induced colon adenocarcinoma and the corrective effect of the Au/Ag/Fe nanoparticle composition

This article investigates the corrective influence of the composition of Au/Ag/Fe nanoparticles on the morphology in the cerebral cortex under the conditions of DMG-induced adenocarcinoma in situ.Objective of the study was to explore the potential use of metal nanoparticle composition to correct morphological disturbances in the cerebral cortex under the conditions of DMH-induced neoplastic lesions of the colon.Material and methods. The study involved 105 sexually mature male white rats. All animals were divided into three groups: group I - 35 intact animals, group II - 70 animals with DMG-induced adenocarcinoma, group III - 20 animals with a simulated adenocarcinoma of the colon to which the Au/Ag/Fe nanoparticle composition was administered. Experimental carcinogenesis was induced by weekly administration of N,N-dimethylhydrazine hydrochloride over 30 weeks. Animals with DMG-induced carcinogenesis were treated with an intragastric administration of an aqueous dispersion of Au/Ag/Fe nanoparticles once a day for 21 days. Histological specimens were prepared following widely accepted methods. A MICROmed SEO SCAN light microscope and a Vision CCD Camera were used for studying and photodocumenting the specimens. Results. The application of Au/Ag/Fe nanoparticles led to the regeneration of structural elements in the cerebral cortex compared to the group of animals with DMG-induced carcinogenesis. The corrective effect of the nanoparticle composition was characterized by the restoration of structural elements in the cerebral hemispheres, a reduction in pathological changes in neurons, and the regeneration of damaged blood vessels in the organ. Conclusions. The obtained results indicate the effectiveness of Au/Ag/Fe nanoparticles in reducing the consequences of the development and progression of DMG-induced adenocarcinoma in situ in the cerebral cortex.

Retinal vessel segmentation to diagnose diabetic retinopathy using fundus images: A survey

AbstractDiabetes can cause damage to the retina's blood vessels in the eye leading to diabetic retinopathy (DR). The images captured using a fundus camera are used to segment and study the blood vessel damage. Once the retina is damaged, it cannot be repaired. Therefore, early detection of blood vessel damage is the only way to control the progression of the disease. It allows physicians to provide timely and appropriate treatment to patients. The ophthalmologist can manually recognize and mark these vessels based on some clinical and geometrical features; however, it is time‐consuming. Extraction and segmentation play a significant role in showing the difference between healthy and newly developed abnormal vessels. Due to the increased diabetes population, automated systems have been designed to detect retinal blood vessels and assist ophthalmologists. Identifying, extracting, and examining blood vessels are intricate processes, specifically identifying new vessels in the retina. In medical image analysis, artificial intelligence and deep learning techniques have become widely used practices for automatic retinal blood vessel segmentation. We reviewed articles from 1989 to 2023, including handcrafted segmentation to recent deep‐learning techniques with available public datasets. We have concluded this article with an overview of observed parameters, calculations, and future directions for the analysis of retinal images. We believe this review article will help researchers identify research gaps in the field of DR.

Embryonic blood vessel damage and embryotoxicity induced by electronic cigarettes vape juice

Embryonic blood vessel damage and embryotoxicity induced by electronic cigarettes vape juice

Microenvironment responsive nanocomposite hydrogel with NIR photothermal therapy, vascularization and anti-inflammation for diabetic infected wound healing.

Bacterial infection, excessive inflammation and damaging blood vessels network are the major factors to delay the healing of diabetic ulcer. At present, most of wound repair materials are passive and can't response to the wound microenvironment, resulting in a low utilization of bioactive substances and hence a poor therapeutic effect. Therefore, it's essential to design an intelligent wound dressing responsive to the wound microenvironment to achieve the release of drugs on-demand on the basis of multifunctionality. In this work, metformin-laden CuPDA NPs composite hydrogel (Met@ CuPDA NPs/HG) was fabricated by dynamic phenylborate bonding of gelatin modified by dopamine (Gel-DA), Cu-loaded polydopamine nanoparticles (CuPDA NPs) with hyaluronic acid modified by phenyl boronate acid (HA-PBA), which possessed good injectability, self-healing, adhesive and DPPH scavenging performance. The slow release of metformin was achieved by the interaction with CuPDA NPs, boric groups (B-N coordination) and the constraint of hydrogel network. Metformin had a pH and glucose responsive release behavior to treat different wound microenvironment intelligently. Moreover, CuPDA NPs endowed the hydrogel excellent photothermal responsiveness to kill bacteria of >95% within 10min and also the slow release of Cu2+ to protect wound from infection for a long time. Met@ CuPDA NPs/HG also recruited cells to a certain direction and promoted vascularization by releasing Cu2+. More importantly, Met@CuPDA NPs/HG effectively decreased the inflammation by eliminating ROS and inhibiting the activation of NF-κB pathway. Animal experiments demonstrated that Met@CuPDA NPs/HG significantly promoted wound healing of diabetic SD rats by killing bacteria, inhibiting inflammation, improving angiogenesis and accelerating the deposition of ECM and collagen. Therefore, Met@CuPDA NPs/HG had a great application potential for diabetic wound healing.

Sinonasal and Orbital Imaging Findings in COVID-Associated Rhino-Orbito-Cerebral Mucormycosis During the Second Wave of COVID-19: A Retrospective Cohort Study in a Tertiary Hospital in Central India.

Background Mucormycosis is a consequence of the angioinvasive disease caused by filamentous fungi that belong to the order Mucorales, particularly Mucor, Rhizopus, and Rhizomucor. Rhizopus oryzae is the most prevalent form. The invading hyphae lead to damage of blood vessels leading to thrombosis and consequent tissue necrosis. The incidence of this disease entity witnessed a significant rise during the second wave of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Timely diagnosis and prompt treatment are crucial to diminish both the mortality and morbidity associated with this disease. Imaging plays a pivotal role in diagnosing the ailment, evaluating its extent, identifying complications such as thrombosis, and facilitating surgical planning. It demonstrates exceptional sensitivity in detecting the disease at its early stages, often before symptoms manifest. Due to the angioinvasive nature of Mucor, early detection assumes utmost importance as it necessitates intensive antifungal therapy and the removal of devitalized tissue through debridement. Methodology We conducted a retrospective cohort study to analyze computed tomography (CT) imaging findings in patients with COVID-associated rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis (ROCM) confirmed by histopathological examination. We compared these findings with CT findings of the nose and paranasal sinuses in patients without mucor following COVID-19 sinusitis (non-ROCM). Results All 16 cases in the non-ROCM group were in stage 1 disease. In contrast, in the ROCM group, three patients had stage 1 disease, five patients had stage 2 disease, and 10 patients had stage 3 disease (p = 0.0001). The pterygopalatine fossa was significantly affected in 10 of 18 ROCM patients and in none of the non-ROCM patients. Conclusions Imaging plays a crucial role in the early detection of mucormycosis. It assists treating physicians in initiating prompt and aggressive treatment, thereby improving the prognosis of this frequently fatal disease.

Daidzein Inhibits Human Platelet Activation by Downregulating Thromboxane A2 Production and Granule Release, Regardless of COX-1 Activity.

Platelets play crucial roles in cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) by regulating hemostasis and blood coagulation at sites of blood vessel damage. Accumulating evidence indicates daidzein inhibits platelet activation, but the mechanism involved has not been elucidated. Thus, in this study, we investigated the mechanism responsible for the inhibition of collagen-induced platelet aggregation by daidzein. We found that in collagen-induced platelets, daidzein suppressed the production of thromboxane A2 (TXA2), a molecule involved in platelet activation and aggregation, by inhibiting the cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) signaling pathway. However, daidzein did not affect cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1). Furthermore, daidzein attenuated the PI3K/PDK1/Akt/GSK3αβ and MAPK (p38, ERK) signaling pathways, increased the phosphorylation of inositol trisphosphate receptor1 (IP3R1) and vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP), and increased the level of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). These results suggest that daidzein inhibits granule release (ATP, serotonin, P-selectin), integrin αIIbβ3 activation, and clot retraction. Taken together, our study demonstrates that daidzein inhibits collagen-induced platelet aggregation and suggests that daidzein has therapeutic potential for the treatment of platelet aggregation-related diseases such as atherosclerosis and thrombosis.

Contemporary Interpretations of Ophthalmological Manifestations of Chronic Myeloproliferative Neoplasms

The course of chronic myeloproliferative neoplasms (CMPN), a group of systemic hematological diseases, can be accompanied by various complications and changes in tissues and organs of the whole organism. The eye is the only organ where damage of nerve fibers and blood vessels can be directly observed and examined, and ocular symptoms can be the initial, manifest of systemic pathology, the toxic effects of modern targeted therapy, or the first manifestation of a relapse of the disease after treatment. The most frequently described manifestations are caused by hematological anomalies that cause microvascular disorders. Such changes today remain insufficiently studied in terms of the using new research methods and contemporary targeted therapy. In addition, ocular symptoms may precede more serious extraocular complications. Combined ophthalmological and hematological examination of patients with CMPN can become a preventive approach for early diagnosis and timely treatment.

Undiagnosed Behçet Syndrome Presenting with Abdominal Wall Ulceration: A Case Report

Behçet syndrome (BS) is a chronic inflammatory disease that damages blood vessels and affects multiple systems, including the skin, mucosa, joints, eyes, nervous system, and gastrointestinal tract. The disease follows a relapsing course, characterized by recurrent episodes of inflammation. Cutaneous lesions are a common manifestation of BS, presenting as ulcerations exhibiting the pathergy response, posing a challenge for healing. We report an unusual case of abdominal wall ulceration in a female patient with previously undiagnosed BS. The atypical characteristics and course of the ulcerations, as well as the data obtained from the patient’s medical history and laboratory findings, prompted a multidisciplinary approach. The findings, in conjunction with the clinical suspicion, resulted in a diagnosis of BS. Following the diagnosis, the patient received appropriate management, including local wound care and medical treatment for BS, resulting in rapid wound epithelialization within a few days of treatment initiation. The patient was referred to a rheumatologist for further evaluation and long-term management of BS. This case underscores the significance of including BS in the differential diagnosis of unusual ulcerations.