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The NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome triggers the maturation of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and is implicated in the pathogenesis of various inflammatory diseases. Urolithin A, a gut microbial metabolite of ellagic acid, reportedly exerts antiinflammatory effects in vitr o and in vivo. However, whether urolithin A suppresses NLRP3 inflammasome activation is unclear. In this study, urolithin A inhibited the cleavage of NLRP3 inflammasome agonist-induced caspase-1, maturation of IL-1β, and activation of pyroptosis in lipopolysaccharide-primed mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages. Urolithin A reduced generation of intracellular and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) and restricted the interaction between thioredoxin-interacting protein and NLRP3, which attenuated NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Urolithin A administration prevented monosodium urate-induced peritonitis in mice. Collectively, these findings indicate that urolithin A suppresses NLRP3 inflammasome activation, at least partially, by repressing the generation of intracellular and mitochondrial ROS. [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]

Pregnant women presumably gather information about the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) from various sources. However, it is difficult for pregnant women who are not medical professionals to source the appropriate information because of the infodemic related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, the objective of our study was to investigate how pregnant women gathered information about COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccination. To address this issue, we conducted an online questionnaire survey between 5 October and 22 November 2021, which was approved by the Ethics Committee of Nihon University School of Medicine. We received 4962 responses after excluding 1179 insufficient answers. Our study found that age, occupation, and infection-risk anxiety influenced the selection of media for obtaining information. Pregnant women who were older, medical professionals, public servants, or educators tended to rely on specialized medical websites, whereas housewives tended to use mass media, social media, and sources with uncertain scientific evidence. Additionally, the number of weeks of gestation and the method of conception (natural or assisted reproductive conception) affected the selection of media. The accessibility of COVID-19 information for pregnant women was determined by their social background and pregnancy status. We need to continue making efforts to ensure that appropriate information is readily available to pregnant women and their families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Little is known about the association between maternal use of heated tobacco products (HTPs) during pregnancy and the onset of allergy among offspring. This study aimed to determine whether maternal HTP smoking is associated with allergy in their offspring and to evaluate the potential dose–response association. Methods: In this web‐based, cross‐sectional survey conducted in July and August 2021 in Japan, we investigated 5688 pairs of postpartum women and infants (<3 years). Clinical diagnoses of infant asthma, rhinitis, conjunctivitis, or atopic dermatitis were reported. Using multilevel Poisson regression, we estimated the prevalence ratios (PRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of allergy in infants with HTP smoking categories cross‐classified by pregnancy periods, and adjusted for potential covariates including maternal cigarette smoking and partner's smoking status. Non‐smokers served as the reference group. Results: In total, 2.4% women smoked HTPs during pregnancy. Allergy occurred in 7.8% of the infants. The prevalence of allergy increased among the offspring of current HTP smokers during pregnancy at 15.2% (PR = 1.98, 95% CI 1.28–3.05); this association was the most pronounced during the first trimester but attenuated before pregnancy and postpartum. Dose–response associations were observed, for example a one‐unit increase in daily maternal HTP use during pregnancy was associated with a 5% increase in allergy onset. Sub‐group analyses excluding cigarette smokers during pregnancy and sensitivity analyses using the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood questionnaire showed a similar pattern. Conclusions: Maternal HTP smoking during pregnancy is associated with allergy in the offspring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated VEGF expression in the uterus during the estrous cycle in the golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus). Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction of genes expressed in the uterus revealed the presence of at least three different VEGF isoforms (hamster VEGF188, VEGF164, and VEGF120). They were highly homologous to the respective mouse and human isoforms. Furthermore, VEGF164 and VEGF120 were predominantly expressed in the hamster uterus during the estrous cycle. In situ hybridization revealed that VEGF is expressed only in the luminal and glandular epithelium of the endometrium but not in the stromal cells or myometrium. The positive reaction of luminal and glandular epithelial cells on day 4 of the estrous cycle (day 1 = day of ovulation) was a little stronger than that of other days of the cycle. These findings suggest that VEGF molecules are secreted by endometrial epithelial cells and play an important role in the maintenance of blood vessels in the endometrial stroma. These results also suggest that uterine changes, such as edema, observed from day 4 to day 1 of the estrous cycle, are expected to occur primarily through the action of VEGF secreted by the uterine endometrial epithelium in preparation for subsequent embryo implantation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the vaccination status and adverse reactions to the COVID‐19 vaccine among pregnant women in Japan, we conducted an online questionnaire survey from October 5 to November 22, 2021. The number of participants in the online survey was 6576. Of the participants, 4840 (73.6%) were vaccinated twice, and 557 (8.5%) were vaccinated once. A total of 1179 (17.9%) responders had never been vaccinated against COVID‐19. The most frequent adverse reaction was local pain at the injection site. The incidence of local adverse reactions was almost identical after the first and the second vaccinations, while systemic reactions, such as fever and fatigue/malaise, and adverse reactions outside the vaccination site such as headache and arthralgia, were more frequent after the second vaccination than after the first vaccination. Regarding the obstetrical complications, uterine tension and/or contraction was observed in 1.65% of the pregnant women after the first vaccination and in 2.98% after the second vaccination, and uterine pain appeared in 1.06% of the pregnant women after the second vaccination. However, serious symptoms, such as hemorrhage, decreased fetal movement, edema, increased blood pressure, and amniorrhexis, were seen in less than 1% of vaccinated women after both the first and second vaccinations. This study clarified the characteristics of vaccination, adverse reactions, and obstetrical symptoms in pregnant women in Japan who had the COVID‐19 vaccine up to the second dose. As a booster vaccination is currently underway, further study is needed to improve the management of pregnant women during the current pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: We sought to examine occupational disparities in tumor grade and cytosolic expression of high‐mobility group box‐1 (HMGB1) among renal cell cancer (RCC) patients. Methods: This retrospective study included 318 RCC patients with complete information on occupation and pathology in Kanagawa Cancer Registry (KCR). Longest‐held occupations were grouped into manual workers (e.g., manufacturing, construction) versus "others." Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for high‐grade histology were estimated by logistic regression, adjusted for age and sex. We also examined a sub‐sample of 74 low‐grade RCC inpatients to estimate the OR for positive cytosolic HMGB1 expression in manual workers, adjusting for age, sex, and other available covariates. Results: High‐grade tumors were more prevalent in manual workers compared to other occupations: 23.0% (14/61) versus 10.9% (28/257, p =.01) with an adjusted OR of 2.28 (95% CI, 1.11–4.69). In the sub‐sample of low‐grade RCCs, positive cytosolic HMGB1 expression was more prevalent in manual workers compared to other occupations: 71.4% (10/14) versus 38.3% (23/60, p =.03) with a sex‐ and age‐adjusted OR of 3.76 (95% CI, 1.03–13.7). Conclusions: Manual workers are associated with increased risks of high‐grade renal cell tumors and cytosolic HMGB1 expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) is a form of chemical intolerance in which various systemic symptoms are triggered by exposure to a variety of chemical substances. Although migraine has been associated with central sensitivity syndrome, the relationship between MCS and migraine has not been studied. We assessed the frequency of MCS and its related factors in patients with migraine. Methods: We performed a cross‐sectional study that included 95 patients (14 M/81 F; age, 45.4 ± 12.4 years) out of 100 consecutive patients with migraine from our outpatient headache clinic. MCS was defined as having a combination of Q1 ≥ 30, Q3 ≥ 13, and Q5 ≥ 17 on the quick environment exposure sensitivity inventory (QEESI; Japanese version). Central sensitization inventory‐A scores >40 were considered an indication of central sensitization. Headache‐related disability and psychological distress were evaluated with the Migraine Disability Assessment score (MIDAS) and Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6), respectively. Results: MCS was identified in 20% of patients with migraine; however, none had previously been diagnosed with MCS. The MCS‐positive group had higher rates of photophobia, osmophobia, visual aura, sensory aura, and central sensitization and higher MIDAS and K6 scores than the MCS‐negative group. A logistic regression analysis showed that osmophobia, sensory aura, and central sensitization were significant contributors to MCS. Conclusion: We showed that MCS was observed in 20% of patients with migraine, and our study results may indicate a possible association of MCS with central sensitization and hypersensitivity‐related symptoms in patients with migraine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]