Neovascularization of the cornea is characterized by the growth of blood vessels caused by imbalances between angiogenic and anti-angiogenic factors. We investigated whether the expression of Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGF), Vascular endothelial growth inhibitor (VEGI) receptors, as well as topical drug treatments, participate in regulating corneal neovascularization after corneal damage and remodeling. We used 72 mature male New Zealand rabbits. Corneal burns were induced by hydrofluoric acid under general anesthesia. The rabbits then were treated with indomethacin or dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). The animals were euthanized on days 2, 7 and 14 after injury. Each cornea was fixed with 10% neutral formalin. On days 2, 7 and 14, VEGF, flk1/KDR and flt1/fms were strongly expressed in the epithelial, stromal and inflammatory cells, but not in the corneal endothelial cells. On day 7, newly formed blood vessels were observed growing toward the center of the cornea. In the control, indomethacin treated, DMSO–treated, and indomethacin + DMSO–treated animals, VEGI, VEGF, and the receptors, flk1/KDR, flt1/fms and flt4, were expressed at different densities in the neovascular regions. This was particularly evident in the indomethacin- and indomethacin + DMSO–treated groups on days 7 and 14, compared to day 2. Treatment with VEGF and DMSO stimulated repair of corneal damage. We suggest that VEGI in the endothelial cells of neovascularized cornea may act as a signaling protein that promotes balance between cell proliferation and apoptosis. Topical administration of DMSO inhibited corneal neovascularization more effectively than indomethacin.

Diaphragm hernia is still a severe problem in cats exposed to trauma. This study aimed to contribute to clinical practice and colleagues by notifying clinical observations on traumatic diaphragm rupture in cats and factors effective on survival. In this study, 24 cats with traumatic diaphragm hernia were presented. Contrast radiography has provided great convenience in diagnosing suspicious cases. 20 out of 24 cats (83%) remained alive, but four died. The localization of the diaphragm of these cats in 3 cats was in the left half, which was relatively high (50%) in the left tears. In the defects on the right, the herniated organs were the liver, small intestine, and omentum, while the stomach, small intestine, and spleen in the defects on the left. As a result, survival in 83% is important, and this is a good prognosis for aperture hernia. Despite many negative stress factors, good operation management and postoperative maintenance can increase survival.