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Concomitant with the rupture of the cloacal membrane in the 6th week of development, the intermediate layer of the perineal‐skin epithelium thickens. We investigated its distribution and the development of the corresponding subcutaneous compartments in serial sections of female human embryos and foetuses and prepared 3D reconstructions to establish topographic relations. The thick‐skin area becomes restricted to the outlets of the genital and intestinal tracts. The clitoris and labia majora become identifiable at ~7 weeks. The mesenchymal mass inside the clitoris soon divides into the glans and the cavernous bodies. The clitoral hood forms between 10 and 14 weeks as a fold of tissue that extends from proximal to distal over the glans. Due to the caudal bending of the clitoral shaft, the labia majora gradually cover the clitoris after ~14 weeks. The labia minora form at ~8 weeks from the ridges of thick‐skin epithelium that flank the genital exit. They are continuous ventrolaterally with the clitoral hood and ventromedially with the apex of the cavernous body. Dorsally, their dense subcutaneous mesenchymal core extends to the anal canal. Between 8 and 14 weeks, the urethra lengthens axially, while the vaginal vestibule extends ventrally. In this period, the urethral plate of female embryos is mitotically active but does not increase in volume, which suggests that it contributes to vestibular growth. In conclusion, we observed a temporal correlation between the development of the thick‐skin epithelium and that of the external genitals, with a distribution that is reminiscent of the dihydrotestosterone‐sensitive skin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A thorough understanding of the airway anatomy, as well as the differences that exist between the paediatric and the adult airway is crucial for one to safely manage it. The human airway originates from the primitive foregut at 4 weeks' gestation and fully matures at 36 weeks' gestation. At birth, the term neonate has a relatively large head, flat occiput, short neck, small mouth opening and a small mandible; features which make them prone to upper airway obstruction as well as a difficult laryngoscopy. Neonates are obligate nasal breathers; allowing them to breathe and suckle simultaneously. The Hagen–Poiseuille equation explains how nasal congestion causes obstruction in neonates which can lead to the development of significant respiratory distress. The subglottic area of the airway is the most susceptible area to damage from intubation or instrumentation of the airway resulting in subglottic stenosis. Correct endotracheal tube sizing and meticulous attention to detail with respect to cuff pressure are essential to prevent damage to the airway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract [Objective] Trifolium ambiguum Bieb. is an excellent nectar source plant, and understanding the morphological characteristics, tissue structure, and development are critical for proper utilization of T . ambiguum resources. [Methods] Nectar glands of T . ambiguum were collected from five developmental periods and cellular structures were observed in paraffin sections, while the nectar volume and sugar content were determined by capillary method and physiological kits. [Results] (1) Nectar glands were found in the medial base of the filament of nine connate stamens. Distribution of starch grains in nectar production process changed dynamically, belonging to the starch-type nectar gland. (2) The nectar volume of a single floret was (0.394±0.095) μL, and the nectar volume per square meter of grass was (4536.93 ±1319.34) μL. (3) Soluble sugar was the highest in full flowering, 7.978 mg/g. Fructose accounted for the largest proportion of soluble sugar components, more than 50%, and showed a gradual decreasing trend throughout the development of florets. Starch accounted for 81%-82% of the total sugar content, with the highest in full flower, 35.173 mg/g. [Conclusion] The nectar glands of T . ambiguum belong to the androecium nectar glands, consisting of secretory epithelium and nectar-secreting tissues. The raw nectar is supplied by the vascular bundle of the receptacle, processed into nectar by the nectary tissue, and then exits through the stomata of the epidermis. Soluble sugar of the florets is the highest at full flowering, with fructose accounting for the largest proportion.

Research has suggested that changing one's answer on multiple-choice examinations is more likely to lead to positive academic outcomes. This study aimed to further understand the relationship between changing answer selections and item attributes, student performance, and time within a population of 158 first-year medical students enrolled in a gross and developmental anatomy course at an academic medical institution in the United States. For each student, answer changes, overall exam performance, and individual item performance data were retrieved from an online testing software for a single block exam. Researchers determined how many times students changed their answers, the associated outcomes, and time spent on each item and the entire exam in relation to item performance. Students in the highest performing quartiles were more likely to keep their initial answer selection, spent more time choosing their initial answer selection, and averaged a higher total exam time than each of the lowest two performance quartiles. Time on individual items and answer changes had a statistically significant relationship, with more time relating to the presence of an answer change. Changing an answer selection was more likely to result in a negative outcome. The content subject was significant in relation to answer changes and time spent per item. This study provides a deeper understanding into which factors, such as item attributes, time, and performance of the student, showed statistically significant relationships to answer changing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Small for gestational age (SGA) infants affected by placental insufficiency are exposed to the risk of stillbirth and long-term complications. Based on RNA-seq and mass spectrometry, we identified dysregulated RNAs and proteins from the comparisons of SGA placental tissues and controls. We revealed two SGA-relevant co-expression modules (SRMs) that also significantly distinguished SGA from controls. Then we performed an integrated analysis of transcriptomic and proteomic profiles to trace their links to SGA as well as their significant correlations. For the core functional molecules we screened, we revealed their potential upstream regulators and validated them experimentally in an independent cohort. Overall, we pointed out insights into different molecular pathways for the pathological mechanisms of SGA and indicated potential target molecules that may be drivers of placental aberrations in the SGA infants.

Abstract Background The greater omentum is derived from the foregut, and the right hemicolon is derived from the midgut based on developmental anatomy. This study aimed to investigate whether the greater omentum should be resected in laparoscopic complete mesocolic excision based on developmental anatomy for right-sided colon cancer. Methods A total of 183 consecutive patients with right-sided colon cancer were recruited in this study between February 2020 and July 2022. Ninety-eight patients underwent standard laparoscopic complete mesocolic excision surgery (CME group). The presence of isolated tumor cells and micrometastases was detected in resected greater omentum by the HE staining and immunohistochemistry analysis. Based on developmental anatomy, laparoscopic CME surgery with greater omentum preservation (DACME group) was proposed and performed on 85 right-sided colon cancer patients. To overcome selection bias, we performed a 1:1 match between two groups using four variables: age, sex, BMI, and ASA scores. Results No isolated tumor cells and micrometastases were found in the resected greater omentum specimen in the CME group. After the propensity score, 81 pairs were balanced and analyzed. Patients in the DACME group showed shorter operative time (194.9 ± 16.4 min vs.201.5 ± 11.5 min, p = 0.002), less blood loss (23.5 ± 24.7 ml vs.33.6 ± 26.3 ml, p = 0.013), and the shorter hospital stays (9.6 ± 1.7 days vs.10.3 ± 2.0 days, p = 0.010) compared with patients in the CME group. In addition, patients in the DACME group had a lower incidence of postoperative complications (4.9% vs.14.8%, p = 0.035) than patients in the CME group. Conclusion The greater omentum should be preserved during right-sided colon cancer surgery, laparoscopic CME surgery based on developmental anatomy is technically safe and feasible for right-sided colon cancer.

Background: The greater omentum is derived from the foregut, and the right hemicolon is derived from the midgut based on developmental anatomy. This study aimed to investigate whether the greater omentum should be resected in laparoscopic complete mesocolic excision based on developmental anatomy for right-sided colon cancer. Methods: A total of 183 consecutive patients with right-sided colon cancer were recruited in this study between February 2020 and July 2022. Ninety-eight patients underwent standard laparoscopic complete mesocolic excision surgery (CME group). The presence of isolated tumor cells and micrometastases was detected in resected greater omentum by the HE staining and immunohistochemistry analysis. Based on developmental anatomy, laparoscopic CME surgery with greater omentum preservation (DACME group) was proposed and performed on 85 right-sided colon cancer patients. To overcome selection bias, we performed a 1:1 match between two groups using four variables: age, sex, BMI, and ASA scores. Results: No isolated tumor cells and micrometastases were found in the resected greater omentum specimen in the CME group. After the propensity score, 81 pairs were balanced and analyzed. Patients in the DACME group showed shorter operative time (194.9 ± 16.4 min vs.201.5 ± 11.5 min, p = 0.002), less blood loss (23.5 ± 24.7 ml vs.33.6 ± 26.3 ml, p = 0.013), and the shorter hospital stays (9.6 ± 1.7 days vs.10.3 ± 2.0 days, p = 0.010) compared with patients in the CME group. In addition, patients in the DACME group had a lower incidence of postoperative complications (4.9% vs.14.8%, p = 0.035) than patients in the CME group. Conclusion: The greater omentum should be preserved during right-sided colon cancer surgery, laparoscopic CME surgery based on developmental anatomy is technically safe and feasible for right-sided colon cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Monochorionic-diamniotic twin pregnancies are susceptible to unique complications arising from a single placenta shared by two fetuses. Twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) is a constellation of disturbances caused by unequal blood flow within the shared placenta giving rise to a major hemodynamic imbalance between the twins. Here, we applied TTTS as a model to uncover fetal metabolic adaptations to cardiovascular stress. We compared untargeted metabolomic analyses of amniotic fluid samples from severe TTTS cases vs. singleton controls. Amniotic fluid metabolites demonstrated alterations in fatty acid, glucose, and steroid hormone metabolism in TTTS. Among TTTS cases, unsupervised principal component analysis revealed two distinct clusters of disease defined by levels of glucose metabolites, amino acids, urea, and redox status. Our results suggest that the human fetal heart can adapt to hemodynamic stress by modulating its glucose metabolism and identify potential differences in the ability of individual fetuses to respond to cardiovascular stress.

Aim: Determination of the axon numbers of nerve fibers and evaluation of the parenchyma/stroma ratios to indicate the density of the periaxonal tissue (myelin sheath and periaxonal connective tissue) were aimed by using stereological methods on the histological sections obtained from the sciatic and tibial nerves of the human fetuses. Materials and Methods: This histomorphometric study was carried out on 20 aborted human fetuses (14 males, 6 females, between 12 and 38 gestational weeks) with no external anomalies or malformation. Peripheral nervous tissue specimens harvested from the three levels [proximal (sciatic nerve), middle (first part of the tibial nerve), and distal (distal part of the tibial nerve) levels] through the lower extremities, by anatomical dissection, on either side. Histological sections were prepared. Digital images of the sections were used for the stereological study. Results: The results showed (I) the axon number of peripheral nerves increases as the fetal period progresses; (II) the axon number of peripheral nerves do not change from proximal to the distal specimen levels; (III) the axon number of peripheral nerves increases at the same rate throughout the nerve; (IV) the parenchyma/stroma ratio of peripheral nerves does not change along with the nerve, during the fetal period; (V) the parenchyma/stroma ratio of the peripheral nerves does not vary between specimen levels. Conclusion: Our results may contribute to the experimental and clinical research primarily related to sciatic and tibial nerves and the histological interpretation of fetal autopsy materials in fields such as fetopathology and forensic medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Trabecular myocardium makes up most of the ventricular wall of the human embryo. A process of compaction in the fetal period presumably changes ventricular wall morphology by converting ostensibly weaker trabecular myocardium into stronger compact myocardium. Using developmental series of embryonic and fetal humans, mice and chickens, we show ventricular morphogenesis is driven by differential rates of growth of trabecular and compact layers rather than a process of compaction. In mouse, fetal cardiomyocytes are relatively weak but adult cardiomyocytes from the trabecular and compact layer show an equally large force generating capacity. In fetal and adult humans, trabecular and compact myocardium are not different in abundance of immunohistochemically detected vascular, mitochondrial and sarcomeric proteins. Similar findings are made in human excessive trabeculation, a congenital malformation. In conclusion, trabecular and compact myocardium is equally equipped for force production and their proportions are determined by differential growth rates rather than by compaction.

To understand the morphological and structural characteristics of root nodules in Podocarpus macrophyllus and their development, this study prepared P. macrophyllus root nodule samples at the young, mature and senescent stages. Optical microscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed that new nodules can be formed on roots and senescent nodules; new nodules formed on the roots are nearly spherical and have an internal structure similar to finite nodules; new nodules on senescent nodules are formed by extension and differentiation of the vascular cylinder of the original nodules; and these new nodules are nested at the base of the original nodules, which create growth space for new nodules by dissociating the cortical tissue; clusters of nodules are formed after extensive accumulation, and the growth pattern is similar to that of infinite nodules; the symbiotic bacteria of P. macrophyllus root nodules mainly invade from the epidermal intercellular space of the roots and migrate along the intercellular space of the nodule cortex; infected nodule cortex cells have a well‐developed inner membrane system and enlarged and loose nuclei; and unique Frankia vesicles, and rhizobia cysts, and bacteriophages can all develop. Compared with common leguminous and nonleguminous plant nodules, P. macrophyllus root nodules are more complex in morphology, structure and composition. From the perspective of plant system evolution, the nodules in P. macrophyllus most likely represent two evolutionary patterns inlcuding the Rhizobium nodules in leguminous angiosperms and Frankia nodules in nonleguminous angiosperms. The conclusion of this study provides a theoretical basis for the developmental biology of P. macrophyllus root nodules and the evolutionary pattern of plant symbionts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To describe the developmental anatomy of the eustachian tube (ET) and its relationship to surrounding structures on computed tomography. Study Design: Case series with chart review. Setting: A tertiary care hospital. Methods: ET anatomy was assessed with reformatted high-resolution computed tomography scans from 2010 to 2018. Scans (n = 78) were randomly selected from the following age groups: <4, 5 to 7, 8 to 18, and >18 years. The following were measured and compared between groups: ET length, angles, and relationship between its bony cartilaginous junction and the internal carotid artery and between its nasopharyngeal opening and the nasal floor. Results: The distance between the bony cartilaginous junction and internal carotid artery decreased with age between the <4-year-olds (2.4 ± 0.6 mm) and the 5- to 7-year-olds (2.0 ± 0.3 mm, P =.001). The ET length increased among the <4-year-olds (32 mm), 5- to 7-year-olds (36 mm), and 8- to 18-year-olds (41 mm, P <.0001). The cartilaginous ET increased among the <4-year-olds (20 mm), 5- to 7-year-olds (25 mm), and 8- to 18-year-olds (28 mm, P <.0001). The ET horizontal angle increased among the <4-year-olds (17°), 5- to 7-year-olds (21°), and 8- to 18-year-olds (23°, P ≤.003), but the ET sagittal angle did not statistically change after 5 years of age. The height difference between the nasopharyngeal opening of the ET and the nasal floor increased among the <4-year-olds (4 mm), 5- to 7-year-olds (7 mm), and 8- to 18-year-olds (11 mm, P <.0001). Conclusion: The ET elongates with age, and its angles and relationship to the nasal floor increase. Although some parameters mature faster, more than half of the ET growth occurs by 8 years of age, and adult morphology is achieved by early adolescence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY: The developmental transition from a fertilized ovule to a dispersed diaspore (seed or fruit) involves complex differentiation processes of the ovule's integuments leading to the diversity in mature seed coat structures in angiosperms. In this study, comparative imaging and transcriptome analysis were combined to investigate the morph‐specific developmental differences during outer seed coat differentiation and mucilage production in Aethionema arabicum, the Brassicaceae model for diaspore dimorphism. One of the intriguing adaptations of this species is the production and dispersal of morphologically distinct, mucilaginous and non‐mucilaginous diaspores from the same plant (dimorphism). The dehiscent fruit morph programme producing multiple mucilaginous seed diaspores was used as the default trait combination, similar to Arabidopsis thaliana, and was compared with the indehiscent fruit morph programme leading to non‐mucilaginous diaspores. Synchrotron‐based radiation X‐ray tomographic microscopy revealed a co‐ordinated framework of morph‐specific early changes in internal anatomy of developing A. arabicum gynoecia including seed abortion in the indehiscent programme and mucilage production by the mucilaginous seed coat. The associated comparative analysis of the gene expression patterns revealed that the unique seed coat dimorphism of Ae. arabicum provides an excellent model system for comparative study of the control of epidermal cell differentiation and mucilage biosynthesis by the mucilage transcription factor cascade and their downstream cell wall and mucilage remodelling genes. Elucidating the underlying molecular framework of the dimorphic diaspore syndrome is key to understanding differential regulation of bet‐hedging survival strategies in challenging environments, timely in the face of global climatic change. Significance Statement: The crucifer Aethionema arabicum is an excellent model system for the comparative analysis of dimorphic diaspore (fruit and seed) development and its underpinning molecular mechanisms. Morph‐specific expression of transcription factor cascades drive distinct cell‐wall remodelling protein expression patterns to provide morph‐specific pathways of seed coat epidermis development and differentiation in mucilage production. This diaspore dimorphism is a blend of phenotypic plasticity and bet‐hedging, which evolved as an adaptation to climatic change and variable environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the effects of mint (Mentha spicata L.) tea consumed during pregnancy on prenatal maternal weight, length of pregnancy and morphometric development of pups in postnatal period. Twelve female (7 in mint tea group and 5 controls) and 6 male (used for mating) Wistar albino rats weighing 190-210 g were used in the study. Throughout the pregnancy, the mint tea group was given 4 ml of mint (Mentha spicata L.) tea at the same time every day and the control group was given 4 ml of commercial drinking water by gavage. Weights of pregnant rats in both groups were measured three times a week throughout the pregnancy. After the pups were born, morphometric growth parameters pertaining to the body, cranium, thorax and limbs were measured during newborn and lactation periods and adulthood. Pregnant rats in the MT group gained less weight during gestation than the control rats. Morphometric parameters were measured on a total of 66 pups born to rats in both groups (46 pups in the MT group; 20 pups in the control group and measurements of pups born to rats in the MT group were smaller than the control group (p

In this conclusion to the volumes celebrating the contributions of Gar W. Rothwell, students reflect on his influence on their intellectual development; an interdisciplinary coauthor on working with him; and colleagues on his contributions to paleobotany, morphology, and the broader plant phylogenetic and scientific world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dental development and eruption sequences have prevailed as the gold standard in age estimations of previously unidentified immature individuals within a legal context. However, in the absence of the dentition, skeletal assessments have served as a frequently applied alternative. While various cranial and postcranial skeletal elements have been used in estimating age of the immature skeleton, little is known about the anthropometric value of the pars basilaris, pars lateralis and femur as skeletal age estimation tools. Thus, this study aimed to assess if these bones of the immature human skeleton were useful elements in estimating the age of prenatal and postnatal individuals. These bones were excised from the remains of 74 unclaimed human immature individuals and evaluated using traditional anthropometric methods. The study sample was sourced from the Johannesburg Forensic Pathology Services (JFPS) and the Johannesburg Forensic Paediatric Collection (JFPC), University of the Witwatersrand and subdivided into an early prenatal (younger than 30 gestational weeks); late prenatal (30 to 40 gestational weeks) and postnatal (birth to 7.5 months) age ranges. Statistically significant differences (p ≤ 0.05) were found when assessing the maximum length, sagittal length, maximum width and distal width of the bones across each of the age ranges (30 gestational weeks to 7 postnatal months). The cranial and postcranial skeletal elements investigated in this study provide a valuable contribution to skeletal ageing in African individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We apply an information‐theoretic measure to anatomical models of the Edinburgh Mouse Atlas Project. Our goal is to quantify the anatomical complexity of the embryo and to understand how this quantity changes as the organism develops through time. Our measure, Structural Entropy, takes into account the geometrical character of the intermingling of tissue types in the embryo. It does this by a mathematical process that effectively imagines a point‐like explorer that starts at an arbitrary place in the 3D structure of the embryo and takes a random path through the embryo, recording the sequence of tissues through which it passes. Consideration of a large number of such paths yields a probability distribution of paths making connections between specific tissue types, and Structural Entropy is calculated from this (mathematical details are given in the main text). We find that Structural Entropy generally decreases (order increases) almost linearly throughout developmental time (4–18 days). There is one 'blip' of increased Structural Entropy across days 7–8: this corresponds to gastrulation. Our results highlight the potential for mathematical techniques to provide insight into the development of anatomical structure, and also the need for further sources of accurate 3D anatomical data to support analyses of this kind. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To review developmental surgical anatomy and technical nuances related to pediatric skull base surgery. Design: Retrospective, single-center case series with literature review. Setting: MD Anderson Cancer Center. Participants: Patients undergoing pediatric skull base surgery. Main Outcome Measures: Review developmental anatomy of the pediatric skull base as it relates to technical nuance of various surgical approaches and insight gained from a 25-year institutional experience with this unique patient population. Results: Thirty-nine patients meeting these criteria were identified over a 13-year period from 2003 to 2016 and compared to a previously reported earlier cohort from 1992 to 2002. The most common benign pathologies included nerve sheath tumors (11%), juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibromas (9.5%), and craniopharyngiomas (4.8%). Themost common malignancies were chondrosarcoma (11%), chordoma (11%), and rabdomyosarcoma (11%). Varied surgical approaches were utilized and were similar between the two cohorts save for the increased use of endoscopic surgical techniques in themost recent cohort. The most common sites of tumor origin were the infratemporal fossa, sinonasal cavities, clivus, temporal bone, and parasellar region. Gross total resection and postoperative complication rates were similar between the two patient cohorts. Conclusions: Pediatric skull base tumors, while rare, often are treated surgically, necessitating an in depth understanding of the anatomy of the developing skull base. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The core of systemic racism and sexism is not merely an emphasis about human differences and thinking that another group of people is inferior to one's own. Rather, the institutional nature of racism or sexism establishes a permanent group hierarchy that is believed to reflect the laws of nature or the decrees of God. It thus becomes the norm of a culture to think and behave according to these rules. Notions of hierarchy became solidified into the Great Chain of Being during the Middle Ages, as did views concerning hereditary racial and gender superiority. During the Enlightenment, such classifications became established by philosophy and science. Starting in the 1800s, embryology and anthropology were used to provide evidence for the unilinear progression of species and races. The first evolutionary schemes were not "branching trees." In these schemes, women and nonwhite races were seen as embryonic or juvenile forms of the adult white male, and they were often depicted as intermediaries between the fully human and the animals. Such linear schemes of evolution remain part of popular culture and even some science, promoting the racism and sexism associated with them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives of the present paper were to review ultrasonographic foetometry in sheep and to present detailed data regarding sheep embryo development by using real-time B-mode ultrasonographic examination. Publications pertaining to use of ultrasonography in embryological studies in sheep are reviewed. Further, work including ultrasonographic observations and measurements regarding sequential events of embryonic or foetal development throughout gestation are presented. It is concluded that, in general, ultrasonographic evaluation of sheep embryos/foetuses can be used (among others) for estimation of their intrauterine age, for prediction of bodyweight at forthcoming birth and for diagnosis of foetal growth retardation. The findings of the present work provide reference values for various parametres through the intrauterine period of ovine conceptuses, which may be employed in research or clinical studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cascade of biochemical changes occurring at sites of gall development seems to involve a group of common metabolites in plants, namely, the phenolics. Phenolic accumulation has been commonly related to chemical defence, but their primary role seems to be the regulation of cell hypertrophy in galls. Such regulation implies phenolics-auxin (IAA) association at some cell re-differentiation sites, and determines final gall shapes. Herein, we investigated phenolic and auxin accumulation in four gall systems, grouped in two morphotypes, namely lenticular and globoid, induced on pinnulas of Piptadenia gonoacantha (Mart.) J.F.Macbr. Changes in the direction and type of cell expansion between non-galled pinnula and galls were also evaluated. Galling insects associated to lenticular and globoid gall morphotypes promoted changes in host plant cells, leading to the development of different cell sizes, different degrees of anisotropy, and different directions of cell expansion. The accumulation of IAA-phenolics compartmentalised on the basis of gall morphotype, i.e. in the cells of superior and lateral inferior cortices in the lenticular gall morphotypes, and throughout the outer cortex in the globoid gall morphotypes. The sites of accumulation of IAA and phenolics coincided with the most hypertrophied regions, influencing on the determination of the final gall shape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monochorionic-diamniotic twin pregnancies are susceptible to unique complications arising from a single placenta shared by two fetuses. Twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) is a constellation of disturbances caused by unequal blood flow within the shared placenta giving rise to a major hemodynamic imbalance between the twins. Here, we applied TTTS as a model to uncover fetal metabolic adaptations to cardiovascular stress. We compared untargeted metabolomic analyses of amniotic fluid samples from severe TTTS cases vs. singleton controls. Amniotic fluid metabolites demonstrated alterations in fatty acid, glucose, and steroid hormone metabolism in TTTS. Among TTTS cases, unsupervised principal component analysis revealed two distinct clusters of disease defined by levels of glucose metabolites, amino acids, urea, and redox status. Our results suggest that the human fetal heart can adapt to hemodynamic stress by modulating its glucose metabolism and identify potential differences in the ability of individual fetuses to respond to cardiovascular stress., Competing Interests: Dr. Papanna reported receiving personal fees from UpToDate., (© 2023 The Authors.)

Objective: To determine the effects of dimenhydrinate (DMH) and ondansetron, used as antiemetics during pregnancy, on the length of gestation, maternal weight gain during gestation and postnatal morphometric parameters of pups.Material and Methods: Thirty female Wistar albino rats were used in the study. Three groups comprising 10 rats each were studied: Group 1: control group; Group 2: DMH group; and Group 3: ondansetron group. Rats were impregnated and administered 115 mg/kg/day intramuscular, DMH group, or 10 mg/kg/day intraperitoneal, ondansetron group. The parameters pertaining to the cranium, thorax and limbs were measured between newborn and adulthood.Results: The increase in mean morphometric parameters during the postnatal period in the DMH group was less than the control group,whereas that in the ondansetron group exceeded the controls (p

Key message: Cork oak has buds protected by the full thickness of its substantial phellem, thus explaining why it is the only European tree that can epicormically resprout after higher intensity fire. Abstract: Epicormic resprouting has various ecological advantages over basal resprouting. However, after higher intensity fires epicormic resprouting is rare as it is difficult for trees and shrubs to keep both their buds and vascular cambia alive. Quercus suber (cork oak) is the only European tree that can resprout epicormically after higher intensity fires. Q. suber develops very thick bark and it has been assumed, without anatomical evidence, that the bark protects the epicormic buds. We investigated if developmental anatomy could explain why Q. suber is an excellent post-fire epicormic resprouter. We examined buds from mature Q. suber trees, macroscopically using a stereo microscope and microscopically using semi-thin microtome sections. Q. suber produced buds in the foliage leaf axils and the bud scale axils. With the commencement of extensive phellem (cork) production the base of the epicormic buds remained at, or just below, the level of the phellogen and thus cork began to bury the buds, although a narrow tube connected each bud to the bark surface. Q. suber epicormic buds became deeply buried in the phellem and would be protected from heat by the full phellem thickness. With its rapid and substantial development of phellem Q. suber had well-protected epicormic buds even in relatively small diameter stems. These results provide the anatomical evidence to show why Q. suber is a noted epicormic resprouter after crown fire. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]