Molecular identification of venous progenitors in the dorsal aorta reveals an aortic origin for the cardinal vein in mammals.

Coordinated arterial-venous differentiation is crucial for vascular development and function. The origin of the cardinal vein (CV) in mammals is unknown, while conflicting theories have been reported in chick and zebrafish. Here, we provide the first molecular characterization of endothelial cells (ECs) expressing venous molecular markers, or venous-fated ECs, within the emergent dorsal aorta (DA).

Magnamosis III: delivery of a magnetic compression anastomosis device using minimally invasive endoscopic techniques.

Purpose: Magnamosis creates a secure sutureless anastomosis through magnetic compression. In this study, we further develop and test delivery devices capable of creating a secure duodeno-colonic anastomosis using available minimally invasive endoscopic techniques.

Methods: Eight pigs underwent general anesthesia.

Dynamic tracheal occlusion improves lung morphometrics and function in the fetal lamb model of congenital diaphragmatic hernia.

Background: Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is associated with significant neonatal morbidity and mortality. Although prenatal complete tracheal occlusion (cTO) causes hypoplastic CDH lungs to enlarge, improved lung function has not been demonstrated. Furthermore, cTO interferes with the dynamic pressure change and fluid flow associated with fetal breathing.

Perinatal outcome of conservative management versus fetal intervention for twin reversed arterial perfusion sequence with a small acardiac twin.

Objective: To examine the outcomes of patients with twin reversed arterial perfusion (TRAP) sequence in which the acardiac twin was
Methods: This was a retrospective study conducted with institutional review board approval. The records of all patients referred to UCSF for suspected diagnosis of TRAP between 1994 and 2009 were reviewed (n = 76).

Artery and vein size is balanced by Notch and ephrin B2/EphB4 during angiogenesis.

A mutual coordination of size between developing arteries and veins is essential for establishing proper connections between these vessels and, ultimately, a functional vasculature; however, the cellular and molecular regulation of this parity is not understood. Here, we demonstrate that the size of the developing dorsal aorta and cardinal vein is reciprocally balanced. Mouse embryos carrying gain-of-function Notch alleles show enlarged aortae and underdeveloped cardinal veins, whereas those with loss-of-function mutations show small aortae and large cardinal veins.