No abstract available.
Extracellular Fluid ; Glucose ; Plasma

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are membrane-bound particles actively released by cells. In prokaryotes and eukaryotes, EVs are effective bridges for communication between cells. EVs carry biological macromolecules, including proteins, lipids and nucleic acid, which affects different physiological functions of parent cells and recipient cells. Among them, the microRNA carried by EVs is the most reported and plays an important role in physiological function of organisms. During the development of follicles, only a few follicles can fully develop and ovulate, whereas most of them undergo atresia at different stages of development. In the whole process of follicular development, the changes at each stage and the regulation mechanism of follicular atresia are not completely understood. In this paper, we introduced the types, characteristics, isolation methods and uses of EVs, and emphasized how microRNA carried by EVs in follicular fluid regulated follicular atresia from the aspects of different cytokines and hormones. Additionally, the application prospect of microRNA carried by EVs in follicular fluid in reproductive regulation and reproductive disease diagnosis was discussed. This paper is significant for studying the regulation of follicular development and the effective utilization of oocytes.
Animals ; Extracellular Vesicles/metabolism* ; Female ; Follicular Atresia ; Follicular Fluid ; MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; Oocytes

This study was designed to observe the expression of perlecan in the normal and degenerative arthritic synovial membrane. By using the immunohistochemical staining and immuno -electron microscopical gold labeling techniques, we observed five materials of normal and degenerative arthritic synovia each. The results were as follows. 1. By the immunohistochemical methods, perlecan -positive staining was seen on the 1 ~2 cell layers of the normal synovial membrane. But, a weaker staining compared to that seen in the normal synovial membrane was found in the degenerative arthritic synovial membrane. 2. Under the electron microscopic observation, perlecan was largely distributed in the rough endoplasmic reticulum of the secretory synovial cell, and in the vacuoles of the phagocytic synovial cell on the normal synovium of the human knee joint. It was also found in the extracellular matrix of the synovial membrane. 3. Perlecan -positive cells were also identified on the degenerative arthritic synovium of the human knee joint. However, fewer perlecan was observed here than that found in the normal synovium. In conclusion, perlecan is synthesized by the secretory synovial cells and degraded by the phagocytic synovial cells. And it, known as a major component of the basement membrane, also proven to exist in the extracellular matrix of the synovial membrane having no basement membrane. From the fact that less perlecan was observed in the degenerative arthritis, perlecan is might to play a major role in the degenerative process.
Basement Membrane ; Endoplasmic Reticulum, Rough ; Extracellular Matrix ; Humans ; Knee Joint ; Knee* ; Osteoarthritis* ; Synovial Fluid ; Synovial Membrane* ; Vacuoles

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical manifestations and causes of upper limb edema in 8 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. METHODS: Eight patients with upper limb edema in association with rheumatoid arthritis were investigated for their clinical manifestations and assessment of lymphatic function with lymphoscintigrphy. In lymphoscintigraphy, 99mTc-Human serum albumin((0.3ml, 1.0mci) was injected subcutaneously into the second web space of each hand. Images were obtained over injetion site and both axillary regions at Ohr and 2hr post-injection. The visualization of axillary lymph node and the percentage uptake of isotope in the axillary regions were evaluated. RESULTS: All patients except one have unilateral upper limb edema and showed no relation between lymphedema and either activity or duration of arthritis. Six of eight cases were found to have impaired lymph drainage and two cases showed normal lymphatic function. CONCLUSION: This study describes lymphedema in patients with rheumatoid arthritis due to impaired lymphatic function and a relatively rapid production of interstitial fluid.
Arthritis ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid* ; Drainage ; Edema ; Extracellular Fluid ; Hand ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Lymphedema* ; Lymphoscintigraphy ; Upper Extremity

PURPOSE: To determine if the tumor intersitial fluid pressure (TIFP) and/or its change in patients with metastatic lymph node in head and neck area can predict radiotherapy outcome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 26 biopsy proven metastatic lymph node patients in head and neck area with accessible by direct inspection and palpation, and of sufficient thickness (>1 cm) to permit accurate needle placement, we measured TIFP at cervical lymph node before and during radiotherapy. Tumor size was measured clinically and radiologically. RESULTS: The mean preradiotherapy TIFP was 24.7 mmHg. Preradiotherapy TIFP had marginally significant relationship with tumor size ( p=0.06). Preradiotherapy TIFP significantly decreased when tumor size decreased ( p=0.009). Preradiotherapy TIFP was not different between complete response group and group with partial or less respone ( p=0.75). Radiotherapy outcome was not different between group with above and group with below than average TIFP ( p=0.229). TIFP decreased 36 mmHg in complete response group and 29.7 mmHg in group with partial or less respone. CONCLUSION: The mean TIFP was elevated with 24.7 mmHg. Preradiotherapy TIFP had marginally significant relationship with tumor size ( p=0.06). TIFP decreased 36 mmHg in complete response group and 29.7 mmHg in group with partial or less respone but there was no statistically significant relationship in two groups.
Biopsy ; Extracellular Fluid* ; Head and Neck Neoplasms ; Head* ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes* ; Neck* ; Needles ; Palpation ; Radiotherapy

Gout is a medical condition usually characterized by recurrent attacks of acute inflammatory arthritis involving, most commonly, the big toe, ankle, or other joints of the foot resulting from responses to the deposition of urate crystals from extracellular fluids supersaturated with urate. Middle aged men who are obese and drink alcohol regularly are the most susceptible. It is considered a chronic and progressive disease. Chronic gout can also lead to deposits of hard lumps of uric acid in the tissues, particularly in and around the joints, and may cause joint destruction, decreased kidney function, and kidney stones. It is associated with metabolic syndrome including dyslipidemia, hypertension, hyperglycemia, and obesity. Gout is suspected when a patient reports a history of attacks of painful arthritis, particularly at the base of the toes. A confirmative diagnosis of gout requires demonstration of monosodium urate crystals in the synovial fluid, tophi, or tissues.
Animals ; Ankle ; Arthritis ; Dyslipidemias ; Extracellular Fluid ; Foot ; Gout ; Humans ; Hyperglycemia ; Hypertension ; Joints ; Kidney ; Kidney Calculi ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Obesity ; Renal Insufficiency ; Synovial Fluid ; Toes ; Uric Acid

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease (AD) could be misleading in idiopathic normal-pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH). We therefore investigated the CSF biomarkers in 18F-florbetaben amyloid-negative positron-emission tomography (PET) [amyloid PET(−)] iNPH, amyloid-positive PET [amyloid PET(+)] AD, and cognitively normal (CN) subjects. METHODS: Ten amyloid PET(+) AD patients (56.7±5.6 years old, mean±standard deviation), 10 amyloid PET(−) iNPH patients (72.8±4.5 years old), and 8 CN subjects (61.2±6.5 years old) were included. We measured the levels of β-amyloid (Aβ)40, Aβ42, total tau (t-tau) protein, and phosphorylated tau (p-tau) protein in the CSF using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. RESULTS: The level of Aβ42 and the Aβ42/Aβ40 ratio in the CSF were significantly lower in AD than in iNPH or CN subjects. The Aβ40 level did not differ significantly between AD and iNPH (p=1.000), but it did between AD and CN subjects (p=0.032). The levels of both t-tau and p-tau were higher in AD than in iNPH or CN subjects. The levels of Aβ42, Aβ40, t-tau, and p-tau were lower in iNPH than in CN subjects, but there was no significant difference after controlling for age. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the mechanism underlying low CSF Aβ levels differs between amyloid PET(−) iNPH and amyloid PET(+) AD subjects. The lower levels of all CSF biomarkers in iNPH patients might be due to reduced clearances from extracellular fluid and decreased brain metabolism of the periventricular zone in iNPH resulting from glymphatic dysfunction.
Alzheimer Disease ; Amyloid ; Biomarkers ; Brain ; Cerebrospinal Fluid ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Extracellular Fluid ; Humans ; Hydrocephalus ; Metabolism ; Positron-Emission Tomography

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) refer to bilayer membrane transport vesicles secreted by cells. EVs can take macromolecules from cells and transfer them to receptor cells. Among these macromolecular substances, the most studied are microRNAs (miRNAs). miRNA is non-coding RNA involved in the regulation of gene expression. It has been confirmed that there are different non-coding RNAs in mammalian follicular fluid EVs. EVs carrying miRNA can act as an alternative mechanism for autocrine and paracrine, affecting follicular development. This paper systematically introduced the kinds, characteristics and methods of isolation and identification of EVs, focusing on the effects of EVs and miRNAs on follicular development, including early follicular development, oocyte maturation, follicular dominance and effects on granulosa cell function. At the same time, the authors prospected the future research of EVs and microRNAs in follicular fluid, and provided ideas and directions for the research and application of EVs and miRNA functions in follicular fluid.
Animals ; Extracellular Vesicles ; metabolism ; Female ; Follicular Fluid ; chemistry ; Granulosa Cells ; drug effects ; MicroRNAs ; pharmacology ; Oogenesis ; drug effects

BACKGROUND: Distribution and elimination of crystalloid or colloid solutions during inhalational anesthesia have not been adequately investigated. Hemoglobin dilution and fluid kinetic model have been shown to reveal the distribution and elimination of various kinds of fluids. Therefore, we assessed fluid space changes after Hartmann's solution or hydroxyethyl starch solution (HES) infusion during desflurane anesthesia. METHODS: We infused 20 ml/kg of Hartmann's solution, 8.5 ml/kg of Hextend(R) and 8.5 ml/kg of Voluven(R) during 20 min, after anesthesia induction and before surgical incision, and measured the hemoglobin changes. We used mass balance equations and a fluid kinetic model to evaluate the changes of fluid space. In the fluid kinetic model, we used one volume model, which allows estimation of the size of the body fluid space expanded by the fluid (V) and the elimination rate constant (kr). RESULTS: The expanded plasma volume of three different fluids, calculated using mass balance equations, showed a similar degree of expansion during infusion, however, after finishing infusion, the dilution effect of Hartmann's solution decreased rapidly and lasted less than HES. Fluid kinetic model shows the mean size of V of 12.3 +/-5.9 L for Hartmann' solution, 5.2 +/- 1.6 L for Hextend, and 4.5 +/- 1.6 L for Voluven. Corresponding kr values were 263.0 +/- 161.8, 36.5 +/- 31.8, and 34.1 +/- 21.3 ml/min, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The distribution volume of intravenous fluids analyzed by kinetic model showed that crystalloid fluid has a similar volume distribution compared to extracellular fluid and HES distributed to a volume larger than blood volume. Analysis and simulation of plasma volume expansion using this model provide a helpful tool for anesthesiologists planning fluid therapy.
Anesthesia ; Anesthesia, General ; Blood Volume ; Body Fluids ; Colloids ; Extracellular Fluid ; Fluid Therapy ; Hemoglobins ; Hetastarch ; Isoflurane ; Isotonic Solutions ; Plasma Volume ; Starch

The lymphatic vasculature has been regarded as a passive conduit for interstitial fluid and responsible for the absorption of macromolecules such as proteins or lipids and transport of nutrients from food. However, emerging data show that the lymphatic vasculature system plays an important role in immune modulation. One of its major roles is to coordinate antigen transport and immune-cell trafficking from peripheral tissues to secondary lymphoid organs, lymph nodes. This perspective was recently updated with the notion that the interaction between lymphatic endothelial cells and leukocytes controls the immune-cell migration and immune responses by regulating lymphatic flow and various secreted molecules such as chemokines and cytokines. In this review, we introduce the lymphatic vasculature networks and genetic transgenic models for research on the lymphatic vasculature system. Next, we discuss the contribution of lymphatic endothelial cells to the control of immune-cell trafficking and to maintenance of peripheral tolerance. Finally, the physiological roles and features of the lymphatic vasculature system are further discussed regarding inflammation-induced lymphangiogenesis in a pathological condition, especially in mucosal tissues such as the gastrointestinal tract and respiratory tract.
Absorption ; Chemokines ; Cytokines ; Endothelial Cells ; Endothelium ; Extracellular Fluid ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Leukocytes ; Lymph Nodes ; Lymphangiogenesis ; Mucous Membrane ; Peripheral Tolerance ; Respiratory System