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Objective: This study aimed to investigate the obstetric outcomes of transabdominal cerclage (TAC) in Japan. Methods: Questionnaires on TAC were sent to 183 institutions performing high‐quality perinatal management in Japan. As a first‐step questionnaire, we asked whether TAC was performed between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2022. In the second step of the questionnaire, the characteristics of all cases were asked from all institutions in which TAC was performed. Results: The response rate for the first survey was 59% (108/183). Of the 108 institutions, 27 performed TAC (25%) in 133 pregnancies. Of these 27 institutions, 19 responded to the second survey. One hundred twenty‐five pregnancies were included in this study, five of which were aborted (gestational weeks <22 weeks), and 69 babies were born after 37 gestational weeks (55%). Eighty‐two open abdominal cerclages were performed at 17 institutions and 43 laparoscopic TACs at three institutions. There were no differences in the age at TAC, gestational weeks at TAC, operative time of TAC, gestational weeks at delivery, incidence rate of second‐trimester loss, or preterm delivery (before 37 gestational weeks) rate between the two groups. However, blood loss during open TAC was greater than that during laparoscopic TAC. Conclusion: TAC is a rare surgery for cervical insufficiency in Japan. TAC may be a safe and useful method for preventing second‐trimester loss and preterm delivery in high‐risk patients. TAC may also be a key option in Japan to improve perinatal outcomes in patients with cervical insufficiency. Transabdominal cerclage is a rare surgery for cervical insufficiency. Transabdominal cerclage may also be a key option in Japan to improve perinatal outcomes in high‐risk patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aimed to clarify the relationship between fluctuations in uterine stiffness during the third stage of labor and blood loss upon placenta delivery using shear wave elastography. Methods: This prospective cohort study enrolled consecutive singleton pregnant women above 37 weeks of gestation who delivered infants transvaginally at a single perinatal center. Shear wave velocities (SWV) were continuously measured during the third stage of transvaginal labor using transabdominal ultrasound and these values were compared between groups with large (≥500 g) and small amounts of bleeding during this stage. Results: In total, 8 cases of large bleeding and 47 cases of small bleeding were compared. The large amount of bleeding group had a significantly lower median of minimum SWV values (0.97 [0.52–1.01] m/s than the small amount of bleeding group (1.25 [1.04–1.48] m/s p = 0.02). However, no significant differences were observed between the two groups in terms of median, mean, and maximum SWV values. The time from delivery of the infant to placental delivery was significantly longer in the large amount of bleeding group (median time: 370.5 s vs. 274 s, p < 0.05). Conclusion: Ultrasound quantification of uterine stiffness using shear wave elastography demonstrated that uterine contractions may influence the biological hemostasis of the uterus during the third stage of labor. Baseline uterine stiffness was weak and a longer duration of placental separation might be associated with cases of large amounts of bleeding during this stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To compare the prophylactic efficacy of ampicillin and clindamycin against vertical transmission of group B Streptococcus from mothers to their infants by evaluating the rates of group B Streptococcus colonisation. Methods: We retrospectively extracted data for mothers who delivered at Showa University Northern Yokohama Hospital between 1 October 2017 and 31 March 2021 and tested positive for antepartum group B Streptococcus, and their infants. The chi‐square test was used to compare the rates of group B Streptococcus colonisation, sepsis, and meningitis. We conducted a multivariate logistic regression analysis, including the time interval between membrane rupture and delivery, chorioamnionitis, and maternal intrapartum fever (≥38.0°C). Results: Two hundred fifty‐nine mothers and their infants were eligible. Ampicillin and clindamycin were administered to 150 and 109 mothers, respectively. In the ampicillin and clindamycin groups, 12.0% (18/150) and 37.6% (41/109) infants were group B Streptococcus positive, respectively. The rate of group B Streptococcus colonisation among infants was significantly lower in the ampicillin group (p < 0.001). Multivariate regression analysis showed similar results (p < 0.001). No sepsis or meningitis cases were observed in either group. Conclusion: Prophylactic efficacy of clindamycin against the vertical transmission of group B Streptococcus is lower than that of ampicillin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of biopesticides has expanded rapidly in recent years; however, their use in weed control is less advanced. Herein, we describe the development of a weed control agent by screening 208 plant extracts (104 species) for their plant growth-inhibition activities, which resulted in 142 active samples (from 89 plant species). Verbascoside, isolated from the shoots of Verbena incompta , was identified as a growth inhibitor against rice root (EC50, 1.75 m  m), and its root growth-inhibition activity was also confirmed in radish, tomato, and Lotus japonicus. Verbascoside is composed of hydroxytyrosol (EC50,12.51 m  m) and caffeic acid (EC50, 4.08 m  m), 2 poorly water-soluble phenolic components with weak growth-inhibition activities, and 2 sugars, which are more soluble but inactive. The plant apparently developed a more active and highly soluble compound by condensing these 4 components. We conclude that a biopesticide containing verbascoside may be useful for weed-control purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Streptococcus agalactiae, also known as group B Streptococcus, is a species of bacteria occasionally detected in the vagina and/or rectum of pregnant women. This report describes the case of a 33‐year‐old woman who developed infective endocarditis on puerperal day 17, owing to group B Streptococcus, and required lifesaving surgery. The patient was rushed to our hospital with chief complaints of fever and fatigue. After hospitalization, antibiotics were administered; however, the symptoms did not improve. Following a detailed examination, vegetation was found in the heart, suggestive of infective endocarditis. Surgical removal of the vegetation improved the patient's condition. The development of group B Streptococcus infection and infective endocarditis in a pregnant woman with no risk factors is rare. This case confirms that this patient's life was saved by a timely diagnosis and appropriate therapeutic intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modified laparoscopic cerclage was developed as an easy laparoscopic approach during pregnancy, with sutures placed lateral to the uterine vessels. To the best of our knowledge, its successful use in the first trimester has not been reported in Japan. Additionally, there are no published data on chronological assessment of feto‐placental circulation using Doppler. Here, we present the case of a 31‐year‐old Japanese woman (gravida 2, para 1) with refractory cervical incompetence who had a history of preterm birth at 32 weeks of gestation and cervical conization. Modified laparoscopic cervicoisthmic cerclage was performed. Doppler findings showed normal feto‐placental circulation before and after the procedure. Her pregnancy progressed uneventfully with no significant feto‐placental circulation or obstetric complications, and the baby showed normal growth. Elective cesarean section was performed at 37 + 0 weeks' gestation. Modified laparoscopic cervicoisthmic cerclage is suggested as one of the treatment methods for pregnant women with refractory cervical incompetence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim of the study is to analyze the impact of the geriatric nutritional risk index (a patient nutritional assessment item) on the prognoses of epithelial ovarian cancer patients., Methods: In this retrospective study conducted at a single hospital, we retrospectively analyzed 75 epithelial ovarian cancer patients who underwent surgical treatment at our hospital from 2010 to 2015. The geriatric nutritional risk index cut-off value was calculated using the receiver operating characteristic curve. Patients were divided into two groups on the basis of the calculated value. Kaplan-Meier curves were prepared for each group, and the difference in survival rates was calculated using the log-rank test. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to compare other factors that affect prognosis., Results: The geriatric nutritional risk index was calculated to be 97.3. The survival rate was 61.9% for the group of patients with an index value > 97.3, and 39.4% for patients with an index value < 97.3 at 48 months (P < 0.001). A univariate analysis was performed with the following variables: age > 60 years, albumin level < 3.5 g/dL, body mass index < 22, presence of ascites, cancer antigen 125 level > 35 U/mL, type of tumor tissue, residual lesion, and geriatric nutritional risk index < 97.3. Albumin level, residual lesion, and geriatric nutritional risk index showed significant differences. A multivariate analysis was also performed, and only the geriatric nutritional risk index showed a significant difference (P = 0.0481)., Conclusions: The geriatric nutritional risk index may have a strong influence on the prognoses of epithelial ovarian cancer patients. We recommend utilizing these findings in daily clinical practice and incorporating them into treatment strategies for epithelial ovarian cancer., Competing Interests: None to declare., (Copyright 2022, Ogura et al.)

Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest.