Fluid

The growing number of people suffering from Alzheimer's disease (AD) represents a major public health problem. The diagnosis of AD is multidisciplinary and involves the use of amyloid and tau biomarkers measured in cerebrospinal fluid. Recent advances in analytical techniques now allow us to measure these biomarkers in blood. Blood biomarkers offer particularly promising potential for early, minimally invasive detection of AD, as well as for differential diagnosis of dementia and patient follow-up. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of current and candidate blood biomarkers for AD, their informative value, and their potential to be integrated into clinical practice in the near future...

This work seeks to generate new knowledge about the mechanisms underlying the protective effects of cranberry against urinary tract infections (UTI). Using Caco-2 cells grown in Transwell inserts as an intestinal barrier model, we found that a cranberry-derived digestive fluid (containing 135 ± 5 mg of phenolic compounds/L) increased transepithelial electrical resistance with respect to control (ΔTEER = 54.5 Ω cm2 ) and decreased FITC-dextran paracellular transport by about 30%, which was related to the upregulation of the gene expression of tight junction (TJ) proteins (i...

Evaluating the heterogeneity of extracellular vesicles (EVs) is crucial for unraveling their complex actions and biodistribution. Here, we identify consistent architectural heterogeneity of EVs using cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM), which has an inherent ability to image biological samples without harsh labeling methods while preserving their native conformation. Imaging EVs isolated using different methodologies from distinct sources, such as cancer cells, normal cells, immortalized cells, and body fluids, we identify a structural atlas of their dominantly consistent shapes...

Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) disease is a multisystem disorder characterized by bilateral granulomatous panuveitis resulting in serous retinal detachments, disk edema, and a sunset glow fundus development. Furthermore, it is associated with various extraocular findings, such as tinnitus, hearing loss, vertigo, poliosis, and vitiligo (1). VKH is considered to be an autoimmune disease mediated by T-cells targeting melanocyte antigen tyrosinase peptide (2). Moreover, VKH more often occurs in individuals with a genetic predisposition to the disease, including those of Asian and Hispanic heritage (3)...

The rotational relaxation of CO2 by inelastic collisions has been studied in three supersonic jets. The jets were probed by means of Raman spectroscopy with high spectral and spatial resolutions, measuring the rotational populations and the total number density. The time evolution of the rotational populations was analyzed by means of a kinetic master equation, with the help of the energy-corrected sudden power law to relate the numerous state-to-state rate (STS rates) coefficients. In the thermal range investigated, 60-260 K, the STS rates decrease with increasing temperature and with increasing change in the rotational quantum number...

Measurements of local density fluctuations are crucial to characterizing the interfacial properties of equilibrium fluids. A specific case that has been well-explored involves the heightened compressibility of water near hydrophobic entities. Commonly, a spatial profile of local fluctuation strength is constructed from the measurements of the mean and variance of solvent particle number fluctuations in a set of contiguous subvolumes of the system adjacent to the solvo-/hydrophobe. An alternative measure proposed by Evans and Stewart [J...

A 78-year-old woman with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma was referred for an 18F-FDG PET/CT to evaluate therapy response after 6 cycles of R-mini-CHOP. A new 18F-FDG accumulation was noticed medial in the upper part of the right lower leg, spreading along the medial head of the gastrocnemius muscle. The shaft-bow-looking curvature, arch sign, of 18F-FDG revealed a fluid collection on CT. This typical pattern and its specific location are indicative of a ruptured Baker's cyst. It can manifest in 1 or both legs...

A 55-year-old male with acute pericarditis presented with low-pressure cardiac tamponade (LPCT) unresponsive to volume infusion. Subsequent pericardiocentesis resulted in hemodynamic improvement and unmasking of pericardial constriction. This case provides illustrative hemodynamic tracings of LPCT. Additionally, the presence of concurrent pericardial constriction that may indicate a plausible underlying mechanism for the blunted responsiveness to fluid expansion in LPCT. The underlying physiologic processes and the associated hemodynamic tracings are discussed...

We investigate the effects of uniform viscosity gradients on the spontaneous oscillations of an elastic, active filament in viscous fluids. Combining numerical simulations and linear stability analysis, we demonstrate that a viscosity gradient increasing from the filament's base to tip destabilises the system, facilitating its self-oscillation. This effect is elucidated through a reduced-order model, highlighting the delicate balance between destabilising active forces and stabilising viscous forces. Additionally, we reveal that while a perpendicular viscosity gradient to the filament's orientation minimally affects instability, it induces asymmetric ciliary beating, thus generating a net flow along the gradient...

BACKGROUND: Transvenous embolization is a recent treatment strategy for cerebrospinal fluid-venous fistulas (CSFVF), which are associated with spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH). METHODS: Participants were selected from a prospective database on patients with CSFVF that received transvenous Onyx embolization. All patients underwent a brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) before and after embolization with MRI follow-up performed at least 3 months after treatment...

BACKGROUND: Advances in blood biomarker discovery have enabled the improved diagnosis and prognosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Most branched-chain amino acids, except isoleucine (Ile), are correlated with both mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and AD. Therefore, this study investigated the association between serum Ile levels and MCI/AD. METHODS: This study stratified 700 participants from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative database into four diagnostic groups: cognitively normal, stable MCI, progressive MCI, and AD...

There is a need to develop new and versatile fabrication methods to achieve efficient mixing of fluids in microfluidic channels using microstructures. This work presents a new technique that combines stereolithography (SLA) and pulsed laser ablation (PLA) to manufacture a straight micromixer for uniform mixing of two samples. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation is performed to deeply understand the physical mechanisms of the process. The results suggest that this new optical technique holds the potential to become a versatile hybrid technique for manufacturing remarkable mixing microfluidic devices...

BACKGROUND: There is growing evidence that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) or COVID-19 infection is associated with the development of immune mediated neuropathies like chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP), but the impact of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and COVID-19 infection on genetic disorders such as Charcot-MarieTooth (CMT) remains unclear. CASE PRESENTATION: A 42-year-old male with occulted CMT neuropathy type lA (CMT1A) who developed limb numbness and weakness after the second SARS-CoV-2-vaccination was confirmed by identifying characteristic repeats in the p11...

The glymphatic system, a macroscopic waste clearance system in the brain, is crucial for maintaining neural health. It facilitates the exchange of cerebrospinal and interstitial fluid, aiding the clearance of soluble proteins and metabolites and distributing essential nutrients and signaling molecules. Emerging evidence suggests a link between glymphatic dysfunction and the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's disease. These disorders are characterized by the accumulation and propagation of misfolded or mutant proteins, a process in which the glymphatic system is likely involved...

Wound healing is an intricate process of tissue regeneration that depends on the simultaneous presence of immunological and microenvironmental factors. The significant role of platelets and their granules in the wound-healing process has led to extensive research on their potential as a therapeutic intervention in different areas, including chronic wounds and aesthetic therapies. Saltwater aids in purification and promotes healing by utilizing osmosis. Sodium chloride, the chemical component present in salt, induces the extrusion of fluids from cells upon contact...

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects motor function and is often accompanied by secondary musculoskeletal issues. Severe scoliosis, a lateral curvature of the spine over 40 degrees, poses a significant challenge for individuals with CP, impacting their mobility and overall well-being. While the association between scoliosis and gastrointestinal complications is acknowledged, the occurrence of colonic volvulus with necrosis in the context of CP and severe scoliosis is rare and complex...

We conducted a retrospective observational cohort study between 2020 and 2023 in 26 patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) who were using 3-4 injections per day of insulin and were monitored by continuous glucose monitoring (CGM). The goal of this retrospective observational cohort study is to compare these two metrics in an internal medicine community primary care residency clinic. We used CGM devices, Dexcom G6 and G7, and Freestyle Libre 3. The goal was to compare the patient's hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) taken during their clinic visit by phlebotomy as a marker for diabetic control with an estimated HbA1c glucose management indicator (GMI) derived from the 30-day CGM readings...

INTRODUCTION: The Lifei Decoction (LD) is a commonly utilized Chinese medicine for the treatment of sepsis and bronchial inflammation. However, its therapeutic potential in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) remains unknown. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the therapeutic efficacy and underlying mechanism of LD in a mouse model of COPD induced by cigarette smoke (CS) combined with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). METHODS: Hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining was employed to observe the pathological alterations in lung tissue, while ELISA was utilized for the detection of levels of inflammatory factors in both lung tissue and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF)...

The severe respiratory effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic have necessitated the immediate development of novel treatments. The majority of COVID-19-related fatalities are due to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Consequently, this virus causes massive and aberrant inflammatory conditions, which must be promptly managed. Severe respiratory disorders, notably ARDS and acute lung injury (ALI), may be treated safely and effectively using cell-based treatments, mostly employing mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)...

INTRODUCTION: The term "obstructive defecation syndrome" (ODS) describes a complex condition characterized by defecatory disorders. Such a condition represents a significant proportion of patients, which is estimated to be up to 30% of patients affected by chronic constipation. Presently, a broad agreement has been reached on diagnostic studies, whereas the choice of treatment that aims to improve the quality of life and/or correct the prevalent abnormalities or all anatomical abnormalities remains controversial...