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This prospective cohort study aimed to evaluate the performance of Flora select™ (FS), a newly developed real-time PCR test, for the assessment of the vaginal microbiome during early pregnancy. Five hundred and fifty-six pregnant women underwent examinations of FS, Nugent score—a Gram-staining scoring system for the diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis (BV)—and conventional bacterial culture between 8 weeks and 12 gestational weeks. Nugent scores of 0–3, 4–6, and ≥7 were found in 469 (84.2%), 41 (7.4%), and 47 (8.5%) of the women, respectively. Relative dominance rates of Lactobacillus species of high (≥80% medium (50%≤, <80%), and low (0.1≤, <50%), and no detection (<0.1%) were 63.0%, 8.8%, 17.1%, and 11.2%, respectively. Gardnerella, Prevotella, Atopobium, Streptococcus, Ureaplasma, and Mycoplasma species were detected in 23.9%, 17.6%, 17.1%, 7.0%, 23.0%, and 4.9% of the women, respectively. Gardnerella species were detected in all women with Nugent scores ≥7 and Ureaplasma were detected in 40.4% of them. BV-associated bacterial species were also detected in 70.7% of women with Nugent scores of 4–6. Gardnerella, Prevotella, Atopobium, Streptococcus, Ureaplasma, and Mycoplasma species were highly prevalent in women with Nugent scores ≥4 or Lactobacillus species <50%. FS detected Gardnerella, Prevotella, and Atopobium species more effectively than conventional bacterial culture. FS could determine relative dominance rates of Lactobacillus species in the vaginal microbiome, and simultaneously detect four kinds of BV-associated bacteria, Ureaplasma and Mycoplasma species. Therefore, FS may be clinically useful for the screening of the vaginal microbiome during pregnancy to prevent preterm birth and for the assessment of the vaginal microbiome after BV treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This prospective study evaluated whether endometriosis is associated with chronic endometritis (CE) and affects the uterine endometrium microbiome (UEM) in women with repeated implantation failure (RIF). Methods: Forty-three women with RIF were divided into 12 with endometriosis (EM) and 31 without endometriosis (non-EM). The UEM was examined by 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) sequencing, and CE was determined by CD 138 staining (plasma cells > 5.15/10 mm2) simultaneously. Results: The EM group had a higher bacterial number (EM vs. non-EM; median [range], 6.5 vs. 3 [3–11, 1–16], p = 0.009), while the frequency of Lactobacillus species did not change. The rates of presence of Dialister (41.7% [5/12] vs. 3.3% [1/31], p = 0.004) and Streptococcus species (58.3% [7/12] vs. 16.1% [5/31], p = 0.017) were higher in the EM group. The prevalence of CE did not differ between the two groups. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that the presence of Dialister species (odds ratio, 10.97, 95% confidence interval, 1.17–249.37, p = 0.036) was associated with endometriosis. In the EM group, five women with Dialister species had a higher number of bacterial species (10 vs. 5 [6–11, 3–7], p = 0.021) and higher Shannon diversity index (0.50 vs. 0.20 [0.19–1.39, 0.03–0.46], p = 0.026) than seven without Dialister species. Conclusions: Dialister and Streptococcus species, and the increased number of bacterial species in UEM may be related to the pathogenesis of RIF complicated by endometriosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether chronic endometritis (CE) and uterine endometrium microbiota were associated with repeated implantation failures (RIFs) and recurrent pregnancy losses (RPLs). In this prospective study, uterine endometrial specimens were obtained from 24 women with RIF, 27 with RPL, and 29 fertile control women. Immunohistochemical staining of CD138 for CE and 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) sequencing analysis for uterine endometrium microbiota were performed simultaneously. To assess CE, Liu's method, McQueen scores and plasma cell count/10 mm2 were used. The frequency of CE (plasma cells > 5.15/10 mm2) was higher in women with RPL (29.6%) than in fertile controls (6.8%, p < 0.05). The plasma cell count/10 mm2 in women with RPL (median 1.53, range 0–252.6, p < 0.01) and women with RIF (median 0.6, range 0–6.98, p < 0.05) was higher than in fertile controls (median 0, range 0–29). The uterine endometrium microbiota in women with RPL or RIF was not significantly different from that in fertile controls. However, the relative dominance rate of Lactobacillus iners (median 4.7%, range 0–99.9 vs. median 0%, range 0–100, p < 0.001) and the positive rate of Ureaplasma species (36.3% vs. 8.6%, p < 0.05) were higher in 11 women with CE than in 69 women without CE. The results suggest that CE may be involved in the pathophysiology of RPL and RIF. Lactobacillus iners and Ureaplasma species may be associated with the etiology of CE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anti-β2-glycoprotein I/HLA-DR (anti-β2GPI/HLA-DR) antibody has been reported to be associated with antiphospholipid syndrome and recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). We conducted a prospective multicenter cross-sectional study aimed at evaluating whether the anti-β2GPI/HLA-DR antibody is associated with adverse obstetric outcomes and RPL. From 2019 to 2021, serum anti-β2GPI/HLA-DR antibody levels (normal, <73.3 U) were measured in 462 women with RPL, 124 with fetal growth restriction (FGR), 138 with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP), 71 with preterm delivery before 34 gestational weeks (preterm delivery (PD) ≤ 34 GWs), and 488 control women who experienced normal delivery, by flow cytometry analysis. The adjusted odds ratios (aORs) of anti-β2GPI/HLA-DR antibody positivity for adverse obstetric outcomes and RPL were evaluated on the basis of comparisons between the control and each patient group, using multivariable logistic regression analysis. The following were the positivity rates for the anti-β2GPI/HLA-DR antibody in the patient and control groups: RPL, 16.9%; FGR, 15.3%; HDP, 17.4%; PD ≤ 34 GWs, 11.3%; and the control, 5.5%. It was demonstrated that anti-β2GPI/HLA-DR antibody positivity was a significant risk factor for RPL (aOR, 3.3 [95% confidence interval {CI} 1.9–5.6], p < 0.001), FGR (2.7 [1.3–5.3], p < 0.01), and HDP (2.7 [1.4–5.3], p < 0.01) although not for PD ≤ 34 GWs. For the first time, our study demonstrated that the anti-β2GPI/HLA-DR antibody is involved in the pathophysiology underlying FGR and HDP, as well as RPL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study sought to explore whether the experience level of the first assistant surgeon influences perioperative organ injuries (ureteral, bladder, and intestinal injuries) in patients undergoing total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH) for benign diseases. We defined an experienced surgeon as a surgeon certified by the Skill Qualification Committee of the Japan Society of Gynecologic and Obstetric Endoscopy and Minimally Invasive Therapy or a surgeon with equivalent surgical skills. Methods: We reviewed our surgical registry database of TLH for benign indications between 2014 and 2020 and only selected cases performed by an experienced primary surgeon. Patients were divided into two groups based on the experience level of the first assistant. Inverse probability of treatment weighting by propensity score, which was adjusted for patient and procedure characteristics, was used to examine differences in perioperative organ injuries according to the experience level of the first assistant. Results: Among 1682 patients who underwent TLH, 18 organ injuries were found (0.83%). In the propensity score inverse probability of treatment weighting models, less experience of the first assistant had no significant impact on the occurrence of perioperative organ injuries (p = 0.348). Conclusion: In TLH for benign indications at our hospital, given an experienced primary surgeon, the inclusion of a less experienced first assistant does not negatively affect the occurrence of perioperative organ injuries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Retained products of conception (RPOC) is a condition in which trophoblastic tissue remains in the uterus after pregnancy, causing massive hemorrhage in some cases. Though RPOC is commonly treated by intrauterine curettage or hysteroscopic resection uterine artery embolization or hysterectomy may be performed in case of massive bleeding. We experienced two cases of RPOC after surgery for missed abortion that failed to respond to conservative treatment and required surgical treatment. They were treated by hysteroscopic resection with temporary balloon catheter occlusion of bilateral internal iliac arteries for fertility preservation. After the balloon catheters were inflated, the reduction of blood flow to RPOC was observed under transvaginal ultrasound. In both cases, good visualization was maintained throughout the surgery with minimal bleeding. They were discharged the next day and resumed menstruation 1 month after surgery. This paper demonstrates the usefulness of this procedure as a minimally invasive and fertility‐preserving surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Milk-derived microRNAs (miRNAs), including hsa-miR-148a-3p (miR-148a) and hsa-miR-125b-5p (miR-125b), have been shown to be beneficial to the gastrointestinal function in infants. Here, we investigated their expression during lactation in humans and determined whether the infant formulae available in Japan contain these miRNAs. Methods: Healthy Japanese women (n = 16) who gave birth vaginally or by cesarean section at the Teine Keijinkai Hospital between 1 September 2020, and 31 April 2021 were included in this study. Breast milk was collected by nurses on days 4 or 5 after delivery (hereinafter, transition milk) and on day 30 of postpartum (hereinafter, mature milk). The levels of miR-148a and miR-125b in breastmilk and six commercially available infant formulae were compared and evaluated using quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Results: In all participants, the miR-148a level in mature breastmilk was significantly lower than that in the transition milk. The changes in miR-125b expression during lactation showed similar trends to the changes in miR-148a expression. The miR-148a and miR-125b levels in all analyzed infant formulae were lower than 1/500th and 1/100th of those in mature breastmilk, respectively. Conclusions: The levels of both miR-148a and miR-125b in human breast milk decreased on day 30 postpartum compared with those in the transition milk. Additionally, the expression of these miRNAs in infant formulae available in Japan was very low. Further studies with larger populations are required to understand precisely the lactational changes in the expression of miR148a and miR-125b in breast milk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: It is unknown whether surgery for endometriosis or recurrence of endometriosis affects obstetric outcomes. Methods: A total of 208 pregnant women with a history of endometriosis were analyzed. Patients who had endometriomas >3 cm and no history of laparoscopic surgery for endometriosis were defined as non‐surgery group (n = 60), while those who had a history of surgery for endometriosis (n = 148) were defined as surgery group. We investigated the obstetric outcomes in 208 patients according to with or without postoperative recurrence of endometriosis and the time from surgery to pregnancy. Results: Among 177 cases of on‐going pregnancy, in surgery group, there were lower prevalence of placenta previa compared with non‐surgery group (8.5% vs. 23.4%; p = 0.020). Subgroup analysis revealed a decreased prevalence of placenta previa in postoperative non‐recurrence group (6.0%: p = 0.007) compared with non‐surgery (23.4%) and postoperative recurrence group (28.6%). Placenta previa was more prevalent in the patients who got pregnant more than 2 years after surgery (20.0%) than the patients who got pregnant within 2 years (2.4%: p = 0.002). Multivariate analysis revealed that the surgery was associated with a reduction in placenta previa (OR: 0.32, 95% CI [0.11–0.90]; p = 0.032). Conclusions: Pregnancy within two years after laparoscopic surgery for endometriosis may reduce placenta previa.We conducted a retrospective study to investigate the impact of laparoscopic surgery for endometriosis and postoperative recurrence of endometriosis on subsequent pregnancy outcomes. For severe endometriosis patients (revised American Society for Reproductive Medicine classification; stage III or IV), we found that the surgery for endometriosis significantly decreased the prevalence of placenta previa, but it increased again when the time between surgery and pregnancy was more than 2 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This study aimed to identify the risk factors for vaginal cuff infection after laparoscopic hysterectomy for benign gynecological diseases. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study among 1559 Japanese women who underwent total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH) for benign indications between 2014 and 2018 at Teine Keijinkai Hospital in Sapporo, Japan. All patients received preoperative antibiotics based on appropriate timing, choice, and weight‐based dosing. We assessed the risk factors of vaginal cuff infection after TLH, including demographic and clinical variables, and patient‐ and surgery‐related factors, using univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses. Results: Among all the patients who underwent TLH, 71 cases of vaginal cuff infections (4.6%) were recorded. Univariate analyses showed that current smoking, pathological result of adenomyosis, use of Seprafilm as an antiadhesive material, white blood cell counts on postoperative day (POD) 2, C‐reactive protein (CRP) level on POD2 and postoperative vaginal cuff hematoma were significantly associated with an increased risk of vaginal cuff infection. In multivariate analysis, current smoking, use of seprafilm, CRP level on POD2 and vaginal cuff hematoma were significantly associated with an increased risk of vaginal cuff infection. Conclusion: Current smoking, use of seprafilm, CRP level on POD2 and vaginal cuff hematoma were identified as significant risk factors of vaginal cuff infection in the 30 days after surgery in Japanese women who underwent TLH for benign indications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In endometriosis, M2 MΦs are dominant in endometriotic lesions, but the actual role of M2 MΦ is unclear. CD206 positive (+) MΦ is classified in one of M2 type MΦs and are known to produce cytokines and chemokines. In the present study, we used CD206 diphtheria toxin receptor mice, which enable to deplete CD206+ cells with diphtheria toxin (DT) in an endometriosis mouse model. The depletion of CD206+ MΦ decreased the total weight of endometriotic-like lesions significantly (p < 0.05). In the endometriotic-like lesions in the DT group, a lower proliferation of endometriotic cells and the decrease of angiogenesis were observed. In the lesions, the mRNA levels of VEGFA and TGFβ1, angiogenic factors, in the DT group significantly decreased to approximately 50% and 30% of control, respectively. Immunohistochemical study revealed the expressions of VEGFA and an endothelial cell marker CD31 in lesions of the DT group, were dim compared to those in control. Also, the number of TGFβ1 expressing MΦ was significantly reduced compared to control. These data suggest that CD206+ MΦ promotes the formation of endometriotic-like lesions by inducing angiogenesis around the lesions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Macrophages (MΦs) play important roles in implantation. Depletion of CD11b+ pan-MΦs in CD11b-diphtheria-toxin-receptor (DTR) mice is reported to cause implantation failure due to decreased progesterone production in the corpus luteum. However, of the M1 and M2, the type of MΦs that is important for implantation is unknown. In this study, we investigated the role of M2 MΦ in implantation using CD206-DTR mice. To deplete M2-MΦ, female CD206-DTR C57/BL6 mice were injected with DT before implantation. These M2-MΦ depleted mice (M2(-)) were naturally mated with Balb/C mice. As the control group, female C57/BL6 wild type (WT) mice injected with DT were mated with male Balb/C mice. The number of implantation sites and plasma progesterone levels at implantation were examined. Implantation-related molecule expression was determined using quantitative-PCR and immunohistochemistry of uterine tissues. The mRNA expression in the endometrial tissues of 38 patients with implantation failure was examined during the implantation window. In WT mice, CD206+M2-like MΦs accumulated in the endometrium at the implantation period, on embryonic (E) 4.5. In M2(-), the implantation number was significantly lower than that in control (p < 0.001, 7.8 ± 0.8 vs. 0.2 ± 0.4), although the plasma progesterone levels were not changed. Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) and CD206 mRNA expression was significantly reduced (p < 0.01), whereas the levels of TNFα were increased on E4.5 (p < 0.05). In M2(-), the number of Ki-67+ epithelial cells was higher than that in control at the pre-implantation period. Accelerated epithelial cell proliferation was confirmed by significantly upregulated uterine fibroblast growth factor (FGF)18 mRNA (P < 0.05), and strong FGF18 protein expression in M2(-) endometrial epithelial cells. Further, M2(-) showed upregulated uterine Wnt/β-catenin signals at the mRNA and protein levels. In the non-pregnant group, the proportion of M2-like MΦ to pan MΦ, CD206/CD68, was significantly reduced (p < 0.05) and the TNFα mRNA expression was significantly increased (p < 0.05) in the endometrial tissues compared to those in the pregnant group. CD206+ M2-like MΦs may be essential for embryo implantation through the regulation of endometrial proliferation via Wnt/β-catenin signaling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In endometriosis, M2 macrophages (MΦ) are dominant and promote the development of endometriosis lesions. However, the factor(s) which induces M2 MΦ are unknown. In the present study, we focused on interleukin (IL)-33, known as an alarmin and investigated its expression and its role in endometriosis, especially from the point of the relevance with MΦ. The expression of IL-33 in endometriosis lesions was examined by immunohistochemistry. The cystic fluid of ovarian cysts/tumors was obtained and used to measure IL-33 concentration. Endometriotic stromal cells (ESC) and MΦ derived from patients were used for in vitro experiments. IL-33 was detected in the epithelium and stromal cells of endometriotic lesions. The mean IL-33 concentration in the cystic fluid of endometriomas was significantly higher than that in non-endometriomas (2.2 ng/ml vs. 0.02 ng/ml, P < 0.01). IL-1β induced IL-33 mRNA expression in ESC via p38 MAPK activation. With IL-33 stimulation, peritoneal MΦ polarized to M2 MΦ and produced IL-1β mRNA with a 2.2-fold increase, which was negated with soluble ST2, a decoy receptor of IL-33. IL-33, derived from endometriotic lesions, stimulated MΦ to produce IL-1β, which results in increasing IL-33 production in ESC. This cycle may continue to exacerbate the endometriotic lesions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Postlaparoscopic shoulder pain (SP), mainly caused by pneumoperitoneum with CO2, sometimes suffers patients. This study was aimed to analyze the backgrounds of SP after gynecologic laparoscopy to clarify the risk of SP. Methods: We analyzed answers of questionnaire about the degree of SP from 696 patients undergoing gynecologic laparoscopic surgery since 2014–2018. The questionnaire asks the degree of SP with numeric rating scale from 0 to 10, before and 3 days after operation. We defined cases in which postoperative score elevated more than three compared to preoperative score as SP(+). Analyzed backgrounds were age, parity, body mass index, operative method, operative duration and amount of hemorrhage. Statistics was performed by Fisher exact analysis as univariate analysis, and with logistic regression as multivariate analysis. All laparoscopic surgeries were performed under 10–12 mmHg in pressure of pneumoperitoneum with CO2. Results: Univariate analysis revealed categories 'less than 50 years old', and 'over 2 h' and 'over 3 h' in operative duration resulted significant high rate of SP(+). For these three factors, multivariate analysis resulted that "less than 50 years old' and 'over 3 h in operative duration' were significantly high. Conclusion: This study suggests that 'less than 50 years' old and 'over 3 h in operative duration' were risk factors of postlaparoscopic SP. To protect from SP after laparoscopy, some countermeasures should be necessary especially for these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: It is commonly thought that laparoscopic surgery leads to faster postoperative recovery for its low invasiveness. We evaluated postoperative quality of life (QOL) after laparoscopic myomectomy (LM) by using the Euro‐QOL 5 dimension (EQ‐5D) score and analyzed its relationship to surgical factors. Methods: Between 2014 and 2016, 541 patients underwent LM at our institution. We included 86 patients in the final analysis (16% response rate) who replied to the EQ‐5D questionnaire, in order to investigate postoperative QOL. We evaluated patients' EQ‐5D score before the operation and on the 3rd, 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th postoperative day (POD). We investigated the degree of correlation between the EQ‐5D score and four surgical characteristics (operation time, intraoperative bleeding, number of resected myomas and weight of specimen). We examined correlation between EQ‐5D scores and chief complaints such as hypermenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, other pain, myoma enlargement, palpable tumor and desire for childbearing. We also examined correlation between EQ‐5D scores and other factors such as patient's age, infertility, history of abdominal surgery, marriage and body mass index. Results: Full recovery, defined as an EQ‐5D score of 1.0, was reported 2.3% of patients by POD3, 18.6% by POD7, 58.1% by POD14, 73.3% by POD21 and 86.0% by POD28. Longer duration of operation correlated weakly with poor recovery on POD3. Intraoperative bleeding, number of resected myomas and weight of the specimen did not significantly influence EQ‐5D score. There was no correlation between chief complaints or other factors mentioned above and EQ‐5D score. Conclusions: More than a half of the patients undergoing LM included in our study reported full recovery of QOL after 2 weeks. The time to recover QOL was slightly influenced by the operation time. However, when LM was finished without any complications, postoperative QOL eventually seemed to improve regardless of the surgical characteristics such as operation time, intraoperative bleeding, number of resected myomas and weight of specimen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surgical strategies for the treatment of uterine artery pseudoaneurysm (UAP) include transarterial embolization and ultrasound-guided low-dose thrombin injection. Such strategies, however, have limitations and include the risk of ischemic damage to the uterus. We report a case of UAP treated with a new hysteroscopic and laparoscopic technique. A 29-year-old G1P0 woman with spontaneous abortion was transferred to the present institution because of hemorrhagic shock. We diagnosed ruptured UAP on transvaginal ultrasound with color Doppler. Emergency laparoscopic temporary clamping of the bilateral uterine arteries was done to reduce the bleeding, and transcervical resection to stop the hemorrhaging and to collect the pseudoaneurysm tissue. After surgery, blood flow to the myometrium was monitored on ultrasound. By postoperative day 48, normal menstruation had restarted, and no intrauterine adhesions were observed. On pathology of the UAP, a dilated spiral artery without its characteristic elastic fibers was identified. This surgical approach may help preserve fertility and allow for pathological diagnosis of UAP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phenotypic divergence is often unrelated to genotypic divergence. An extreme example is rapid phenotypic differentiation despite genetic similarity. Another extreme is morphological stasis despite substantial genetic divergence. These opposite patterns have been viewed as reflecting opposite properties of the lineages. In this study, phenotypic radiation accompanied by both rapid divergence and long-term conservatism is documented in the inferred molecular phylogeny of the micro land snails Cavernacmella ( Assimineidae) on the Ogasawara Islands. The populations of Cavernacmella on the Sekimon limestone outcrop of Hahajima Island showed marked divergence in shell morphology. Within this area, one lineage diversified into types with elongated turret shells, conical shells and flat disc-like shells without substantial genetic differentiation. Additionally, a co-occurring species with these types developed a much larger shell size. Moreover, a lineage adapted to live inside caves in this area. In contrast, populations in the other areas exhibited no morphological differences despite high genetic divergence among populations. Accordingly, the phenotypic evolution of Cavernacmella in Ogasawara is characterized by a pattern of long-term stasis and periodic bursts of change. This pattern suggests that even lineages with phenotypic conservatism could shift to an alternative state allowing rapid phenotypic divergence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-performance p-channel lateral double-diffused MOS (LDMOS) transistors designed to operate in a wide voltage range from 35 to 200 V and built using silicon-on-insulator LDMOS platform technology were studied. A novel channel structure was applied, and consequently, a high saturation drain current of 172 \mu\A/\mu\m in the 200-V p-channel LDMOS transistor was achieved, which is comparable to that of an n-channel LDMOS transistor. A low on -resistance of 3470 \m\Omega \cdot \mm^2 was obtained while maintaining high on- and off-state breakdown voltages of -240 and -284 V. The 35–200-V LDMOS transistors with low on-resistance were also demonstrated by optimizing the layout, i.e., the reduced surface field structure and field plates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Novel 300-V Field-MOS FETs were developed for high-voltage analog switch circuits. The breakdown voltages of the Field-NMOS/PMOS FETs were 410 V/370 V with the specific on-resistance of 1850/11 000 \m\Omega \cdot \mm^^2 . The vertical and lateral electric fields were both optimized to maximize the breakdown voltage over a wide range of substrate voltages; the device layout optimization included adjusting the silicon-on-insulator thickness and the use of a deep well and a field plate. A low specific on-resistance was obtained as a result of using an extended-drain layer, in addition to the potential linearity of the current pathway in the drift region. This technology can be applied to 300-V analog switch ICs that need to have a low leakage current and a low switching resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Defense against a single predatory attack strategy may best be achieved not by a single trait but by a combination of different traits. We tested this hypothesis experimentally by examining the unique shell traits (the protruded aperture and the denticles within the aperture) of the micro land snail Bensonella plicidens. We artificially altered shell characteristics by removing the denticles and/or cutting the protruded aperture. These snails were offered to the carnivorous micro land snail Indoennea bicolor, which preys on the snails by gaining entry to their shell. B. plicidens exhibited the best defence when both of the traits studied were present; the defensive ability of B. plicidens decreased if either trait was removed and was further reduced if both traits were removed. These results suggest that a combination of different traits provides more effective defence against attack by the predator than either single trait by itself. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim Predation is generally viewed as a factor that limits the distribution of animal prey species. However, in certain instances, such as seed dispersal, predation may enhance the dispersal capability of prey species. In a prior study, we found that land snails are preyed upon by the Japanese white-eye ( Zosterops japonicus) and the brown-eared bulbul ( Hypsipetes amaurotis) in the Ogasawara Islands. In this paper we provide experimental and field evidence indicating that land snails could potentially be dispersed through bird predation. Location Hahajima Island of the Ogasawara Islands in the western Pacific. Methods Experimentation was first performed to test whether the land snail Tornatellides boeningi could remain alive after being swallowed and passed through the bird digestive system. Next, in order to investigate the potential role of internal bird transport and dispersal of this snail, we investigated the relationship between the distribution of population genetic diversity in the snail and the regional geographical abundance of predatory birds. The population genetic structure of T. boeningi and isolation by distance were inferred with A rlequin. The association between nucleotide diversity in T. boeningi populations and population density of predators was examined using a generalized linear mixed model. We conducted a likelihood ratio test for the full model and for another model that removed the fixed effect. Results Of the 119 snails fed to Japanese white-eyes and 55 snails fed to brown-eared bulbuls, 14.3% and 16.4% of the snails, respectively, passed through the gut alive. Additionally, one snail gave birth to juveniles after emerging from a bird's gut. Significant heterogeneity among the populations of T. boeningi on Hahajima was indicated using AMOVA; however, there was no evidence of isolation by distance. A positive correlation was found between levels of mitochondrial DNA variation among and within T. boeningi populations and the density of Japanese white-eyes in the wild. Main conclusions Bird predation appears to be a method of dispersal for T. boeningi, and our results suggest that bird-mediated dispersal plays a role in land snail population structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Because land snails inhabiting the seashore are most likely to be carried by ocean currents or by attaching to seabirds, land snail fauna on oceanic islands include species derived from the mainland ancestors inhabiting the seashore. If habitat use of the island descendants is constrained by the ecology of the mainland ancestor, the island species that moved from the coastal habitat to the inland habitat may still be restricted to relatively exposed microhabitats with high pH, calcium carbonate-rich substrates, and poor litter cover. We tested this hypothesis by investigating the association between environmental conditions and species diversity of seashore-derived species of the endemic land snails on the oceanic Hahajima Island (Ogasawara Islands). Seashore-derived species showed higher species richness on limestone outcrops than non-limestone areas, whereas the other species showed no significant increase in species richness in limestone outcrops. There was a higher proportion of seashore-derived species on the limestone ridges than on the soil of dolines, even in the limestone area. Accordingly, the species derived from the seashore of the mainland are restricted to microhabitats with poor vegetation cover, poor litter cover, high pH, and calcium carbonate-rich substrates, which supports the hypothesis that the inland species on an island derived from the mainland seashore still prefer environments similar to the seashore. In addition, the seashore-derived species on the limestone outcrop include cave-dwellers lacking functional eyes. This suggests that the probability of colonizing a cave environment is restricted to seashore-derived species. The findings obtained in the present study suggest that habitat use of the ancestral lineages can constrain habitat use of the descendants, even in the oceanic islands with depauperate fauna. This bias in the species composition on the limestone outcrop constrains lineages that can colonize and adapt to the inside of caves, and therefore, habitat use of the ancestral lineages affects the ability of descendant lineages to colonize novel habitats. © 2011 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2011, , 686-693. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim Local-scale diversity patterns are not necessarily regulated by contemporary processes, but may be the result of historical events such as habitat changes and selective extinctions that occurred in the past. We test this hypothesis by examining species-richness patterns of the land snail fauna on an oceanic island where forest was once destroyed but subsequently recovered. Location Hahajima Island of the Ogasawara Islands in the western Pacific. Methods Species richness of land snails was examined in 217 0.25 × 0.25 km squares during 1990–91 and 2005–07. Associations of species richness with elevation, current habitat quality (proportion of habitat composed of indigenous trees and uncultivated areas), number of alien snail species, and proportion of forest loss before 1945 in each area were examined using a randomization test and simultaneous autoregressive (SAR) models. Extinctions in each area and on the entire island were detected by comparing 2005–07 records with 1990–91 records and previously published records from surveys in 1987–91 and 1901–07. The association of species extinction with snail ecotype and the above environmental factors was examined using a spatial generalized linear mixed model (GLMM). Results The level of habitat loss before 1945 explained the greatest proportion of variation in the geographical patterns of species richness. Current species richness was positively correlated with elevation in the arboreal species, whereas it was negatively correlated with elevation in the ground-dwelling species. However, no or a positive correlation was found between elevation and richness of the ground-dwelling species in 1987–91. The change of the association with elevation in the ground-dwelling species was caused by greater recent extinction at higher elevation, possibly as a result of predation by malacophagous flatworms. In contrast, very minor extinction levels have occurred in arboreal species since 1987–91, and their original patterns have remained unaltered, mainly because flatworms do not climb trees. Main conclusions The species-richness patterns of the land snails on Hahajima Island are mosaics shaped by extinction resulting from habitat loss more than 60 years ago, recent selective extinction, and original faunal patterns. The effects of habitat destruction have remained long after habitat recovery. Different factors have operated during different periods and at different time-scales. These findings suggest that historical processes should be taken into account when considering local-scale diversity patterns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P), an inflammatory mediator, is abundantly contained in red blood cells and platelets. We hypothesized that the S1P concentration in the peritoneal cavity would increase especially during the menstrual phase due to the reflux of menstrual blood, and investigated the S1P concentration in the human peritoneal fluid (PF) from 14 non-endometriosis and 19 endometriosis patients. Although the relatively small number of samples requires caution in interpreting the results, S1P concentration in the PF during the menstrual phase was predominantly increased compared to the non-menstrual phase, regardless of the presence or absence of endometriosis. During the non-menstrual phase, patients with endometriosis showed a significant increase in S1P concentration compared to controls. In vitro experiments using human intra-peritoneal macrophages (MΦ) showed that S1P stimulation biased them toward an M2MΦ-dominant condition and increased the expression of IL-6 and COX-2. An in vivo study showed that administration of S1P increased the size of the endometriotic-like lesion in a mouse model of endometriosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Relaxin (RLX)-2, produced by the corpus luteum and placenta, is known to be potentially effective in fibrotic diseases of the heart, lungs, kidneys, and bladder; however, its effectiveness in endometriosis has not yet been investigated. In the present study, we conducted a comprehensive study on the effect of RLX-2 on endometriosis. We checked the expressions of LGR-7, a primary receptor of RLX-2, in endometriomas using immunohistochemistry. Endometriotic stromal cells (ESCs) purified from surgical specimens were used in in vitro experiments. The effects of RLX-2 on ESCs were evaluated by quantitative-PCR, ELISA, and Western blotting. Gel contraction assay was used to assess the contraction suppressive effect of RLX-2. The effect of RLX-2 was also examined in the endometriosis mouse model. LGR-7 was expressed in endometriotic lesions. In ESCs, RLX-2 increased the production of cAMP and suppressed the secretion of interleukin-8, an inflammatory cytokine, by 15% and mRNA expression of fibrosis-related molecules, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), and collagen-I by approximately 50% (p < 0.05). In the gel contraction assay, RLX-2 significantly suppressed the contraction of ESCs, which was cancelled by removing RLX-2 from the medium or by adding H89, a Protein Kinase A (PKA) inhibitor. In ESCs stimulated with RLX-2, p38 MAPK phosphorylation was significantly suppressed. In the endometriosis mouse model, administration of RLX-2 significantly decreased the area of the endometriotic-like lesion with decreasing fibrotic component compared to non-treated control (p = 0.01). RLX-2 may contribute to the control of endometriotic lesion by suppressing fibrosis, scar formation, and inflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]