To investigate the prevalence of qualitative abnormal umbilical artery Doppler waveforms (Abnormal UA) during the early second trimester and the subsequent variation of waveforms in monochorionic diamniotic (MCDA) twin pregnancies.
 
  This prospective cohort study included 153 MCDA twin pregnancies. Pulsed Doppler examinations for UA were performed at four points, including the free-loop (FL) and near the placental cord insertion site (CI) of each UA, between 16 and 17 weeks' gestation.  https://www.selleckchem.com/products/dmx-5084.html  Cases were classified into positive diastolic waveforms (Type I), persistent Abnormal UA (Type II), and intermittent Abnormal UA (Type III). When the diastolic velocity in UA Doppler was positive twice after different sequential recordings, the cases were determined to have achieved normalization. Follow-up Doppler examinations of the UA were performed at 24, 28, and 32 weeks' gestation.
 
  Of all 153 cases, 38 (25%; 19 Type II and 19 Type III cases) showed Abnormal UA at the first examination. Abnormal UA was detectable at FL in all selective intrauterine growth restriction (sIUGR) cases, whereas it was noted only at CI site in some non-sIUGR cases. Abnormal UA normalized in 12 (63%) Type II and 15 (79%) Type III cases.
 
  A quarter of MCDA twin pregnancies in the early second trimester demonstrated Abnormal UA. In MCDA twins with Abnormal UA between 16 and 17 weeks' gestation, it is preferable to follow them up to consider the possibility of normalization of Abnormal UA as well as features of UA waveforms specific to FL and CI.
 A quarter of MCDA twin pregnancies in the early second trimester demonstrated Abnormal UA. In MCDA twins with Abnormal UA between 16 and 17 weeks' gestation, it is preferable to follow them up to consider the possibility of normalization of Abnormal UA as well as features of UA waveforms specific to FL and CI.We previously demonstrated that small mammals impact plant recruitment globally via size-dependent seed predation, generating a unimodal pattern across ecosystems. Chen et al. (2021) critiqued our seed removal analysis, advocating corrections for exposure time. We show such manipulations are unwarranted and argue for increased emphasis on plant recruitment metrics.Chronic respiratory diseases are part of accumulating health problems partly due to worldwide increase in air pollution. By their antimicrobial and immunomodulatory properties, some probiotics constitute promising alternatives for the prevention and treatment of chronic respiratory diseases. We have isolated Bacillus strains from Korean fermented foods and selected three potentially probiotic strains (two Bacillus subtilis and one Bacillus amyloliquefaciens) based on safety, antimicrobial efficacy, activity against airborne pathogens and their immunomodulatory properties in vivo. Safety evaluation included in silico analysis for confirming absence of virulence genes. Safety for the respiratory tract was confirmed by an in vivo pathogenicity test using a murine model. Antimicrobial activity was displayed against several airborne pathogens. Potential antimicrobial metabolites such as 2,3-butanediol and propylene glycol were identified as possible antagonistic agents. Immunomodulatory properties in vitro were confirmed by upregulation of IL-10 expression in a macrophage cell line. Intranasal instillation and inhalation in an ovalbumin (OVA)-induced lung inflammation murine model reduced T helper type 2 (Th2) cytokines at transcriptional and protein levels in the lungs. The safety and potentially beneficial role of these Bacillus strains could be demonstrated for the respiratory tract of a murine model.
  Deciphering how ectodermal tissues form, and how they maintain their integrity, is crucial for understanding epidermal development and pathogenesis. However, lack of simple and rapid gene manipulation techniques limits genetic studies to elucidate mechanisms underlying these events.
 
  Here we describe an easy method for electroporation of chick limb bud ectoderm enabling gene manipulation during ectoderm development and wound healing. Taking advantage of a small parafilm well that constrains DNA plasmids locally and the fact that the limb ectoderm arises from a defined site, we target the limb ectoderm forming region by in ovo electroporation. This approach results in focal and efficient transgenesis of the limb ectodermal cells. Further, using a previously described Msx2 promoter, gene manipulation can be specifically targeted to the apical ectodermal ridge (AER), a signaling center regulating limb development. Using the electroporation technique to deliver a fluorescent marker into the embryonic limb ectoderm, we show its utility in performing time-lapse imaging during wound healing. This analysis revealed previously unrecognized dynamic remodeling of the actin cytoskeleton and lamellipodia formation at the edges of the wound. We find that the lamellipodia formation requires activity of Rac1 GTPase, suggesting its necessity for wound closure.
 
  Our method is simple and easy. Thus, it would permit high throughput tests for gene function during limb ectodermal development and wound healing.
 Our method is simple and easy. Thus, it would permit high throughput tests for gene function during limb ectodermal development and wound healing.
  To use medical record adjudication and predictive modeling methods to develop and validate an algorithm to identify anaphylaxis among adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D) in administrative claims.
 
  A conventional screening algorithm that prioritized sensitivity to identify potential anaphylaxis cases was developed and consisted of diagnosis codes for anaphylaxis or relevant signs and symptoms. This algorithm was applied to adults with T2D in the HealthCore Integrated Research Database (HIRD) from 2016 to 2018. Clinical experts adjudicated anaphylaxis case status from redacted medical records. We used confirmed case status as an outcome for predictive models developed using lasso regression with 10-fold cross-validation to identify predictors and estimate the probability of confirmed anaphylaxis.
 
  Clinical adjudicators reviewed medical records with sufficient information from 272 adults identified by the anaphylaxis screening algorithm, which had an estimated Positive Predictive Value (PPV) of 65% (95% confidence interval [CI] 60%-71%).