Search

This article discusses the prenatal diagnosis and outcomes of meso/dextrocardia, a cardiac axis abnormality. The study reviewed 29 cases of fetal meso/dextrocardia diagnosed in a single hospital between January 2014 and February 2024. The results showed that there were eight cases of mesocardia and 21 cases of dextrocardia, with different complications associated with each. The study emphasizes the importance of evaluating the entire fetal body for anomalies when meso/dextrocardia is detected. [Extracted from the article]

Aim: The induction of labor before due date has recently been proved to reduce the rate of cesarean sections and is not associated with increased risk of adverse perinatal outcomes as compared to expectant management. Controlled-release dinoprostone (PGE 2 ) vaginal insert has recently been approved for use in Japan. However, evidence regarding its efficacy in cervical ripening and labor induction before due date remains limited. We aimed to compare the efficacy of PGE 2 vaginal inserts and mechanical dilation for labor induction before due date., Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 206 mothers at 37, 38, and 39 weeks' gestation delivered at our institution between January 2021 and October 2022. Perinatal outcomes, including the success rate of vaginal delivery, were compared between the PGE 2 (n = 46) and metreurynter/laminaria tent (non-PGE 2 ) (n = 160) groups. The success rate of vaginal delivery was defined as the proportion of women who delivered vaginally within 48 h of initiating oxytocin augmentation., Results: The success rate of vaginal delivery was significantly higher in the PGE 2 group (37/49, 80.4%) than in the non-PGE 2 group (106/177, 66.2%). Emergency cesarean section related to non-reassuring fetal status was performed with none in the PGE 2 group and with eight (5.0%) in the non-PGE 2 group., Conclusions: The rate of vaginal delivery was significantly higher in the PGE 2 group for elective labor induction between 37 and 39 weeks. The PGE 2 vaginal insert could increase the success rate of vaginal delivery for elective induction of labor at 39 weeks., (© 2024 Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology.)

Birth weight is an important predictor of perinatal complications and long-term health outcomes of offspring. Fetal programming influenced by maternal obesity, overnutrition, and hyperglycemia has been proposed as the fuel overload hypothesis. Recent investigations related with fetal body composition have revealed that neonatal adiposity can be predicted by fetal fat mass, and that maternal insulin resistance and serum leptin level are indicators of fetal adiposity. Based on the current evidence, the origins of obesity can partly be traced back into the fetal life. Further clarification of the determinants of fetal fat mass may lead to the clinical interventions and treatment strategies for fetal growth and development. This effort potentially leads to the elucidation of pathological conditions related with long-term health outcomes and the primary prevention of childhood obesity and early onset metabolic syndrome., (© 2024 Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology.)

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., (© 2024 The Author(s). Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology.)

Aims/introduction: This study evaluated the risk factors for insulin therapy before 24 gestational weeks (early insulin therapy) in pregnant women with gestational diabetes diagnosed before 24 gestational weeks (E-GDM)., Materials and Methods: This study included 530 singleton mothers with E-GDM who underwent a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in the first trimester at Keio University Hospital between January 2013 and December 2021. E-GDM can be classified according to its management into only diet therapy until delivery (Diet E-GDM), insulin therapy started before 24 gestational weeks (EarlyIns E-GDM), and insulin therapy started after 24 gestational weeks (LateIns E-GDM). We analyzed the risk factors for EarlyIns E-GDM., Results: Patients with EarlyIns E-GDM had a significantly higher maternal age at delivery, pre-pregnancy BMI, first trimester hemoglobin A1c, 1 h plasma glucose levels (1 h-PG), and 2 h-PG, as well as a more pronounced initial increase and subsequent decrease, compared with those in the Diet E-GDM group. However, the Apgar scores at both 1 and 5 min were significantly lower in patients with EarlyIns E-GDM than in those with Diet E-GDM. The number of abnormal values in the OGTT showed the largest area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) for predicting EarlyIns E-GDM (0.83, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.79-0.86), followed by the 1 h-PG value (AUC: 0.81, 95% CI: 0.77-0.85). The initial increase showed the third largest AUC (0.78, 95% CI: 0.74-0.82)., Conclusions: Although further research is needed, our data suggest the importance of early insulin therapy in cases of E-GDM with multiple abnormal OGTT values, especially with high 1 h-PG levels and initial increase., (© 2024 The Author(s). Journal of Diabetes Investigation published by Asian Association for the Study of Diabetes (AASD) and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.)

Aim: Some concerns exist that diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) may be missed when the simplified diagnostic criteria of the Japanese Society of Diabetes and Pregnancy (JSDP) for GDM (published during the COVID-19 pandemic) are used. Moreover, limited data is available regarding how widespread these diagnostic criteria are used when managing GDM during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, this study aimed to determine how GDM diagnosis has changed during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan., Methods: The changes in GDM diagnosis during the COVID-19 pandemic were investigated using an online questionnaire to 2159 obstetric facilities in Japan. The questionnaire collected data on facility type, awareness of Japanese GDM diagnostic strategies, modifications to diagnostic methods for early and late GDM, and opinions on GDM management, with the pandemic divided into seven periods., Results: We received responses from 593 facilities (27%). Approximately 90% of the facilities did not change their diagnostic process for early GDM or late GDM (occurring after 24 weeks gestation). However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, 19 facilities discontinued the use of 75-g oral glucose tolerance tests before 24 weeks of gestation, and 17 facilities discontinued it after 24 weeks of gestation, instead using the aforementioned Japanese GDM diagnostic strategy., Conclusions: Although a limited number of facilities modified their diagnostic method in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, this study demonstrated that those that adjusted their diagnostic method primarily used the Japanese COVID-19 GDM strategy by the JSDP., (© 2024 The Authors. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology.)

To evaluate perinatal outcomes and risk factors for large for gestational age (LGA; birth weight over 90 percentile) in gestational diabetes diagnosed before 24 gestational weeks and treated with diet therapy alone until delivery (Diet Early gestational diabetes mellitus (Diet Early GDM)), we assessed the maternal characteristics and perinatal outcomes of patients with early GDM ( n = 309) and normal glucose tolerance (NGT; n = 309) at Keio University Hospital. The gestational weight gain (GWG) expected at 40 weeks was significantly lower in the Diet Early GDM group than in the NGT group. The Diet Early GDM group exhibited a significantly lower incidence of low birth weight (<2500 g) and higher Apgar score at 5 min than the NGT group. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that the pre-pregnancy body mass index and GWG expected at 40 weeks were significantly associated with LGA for Diet Early GDM. No differences were observed in random plasma glucose levels in the first trimester, 75 g oral glucose tolerance test values, and initial increase or subsequent decrease between the two groups. Dietary early GDM did not exhibit a worse prognosis than NGT. To prevent LGA, it might be important to control maternal body weight not only during pregnancy but also before conception.

Antigen presentation to CD8+ T cells by MHC class I molecules is essential for host defense against viral infections. Various mechanisms have evolved in multiple viruses to escape immune surveillance and defense to support viral proliferation in host cells. Through in vitro SARS-CoV-2 infection studies and analysis of COVID-19 patient samples, we found that SARS-CoV-2 suppresses the induction of the MHC class I pathway by inhibiting the expression and function of NLRC5, a major transcriptional regulator of MHC class I genes. In this review, we discuss the molecular mechanisms for suppression of the MHC class I pathway and clinical implications for COVID-19., (© 2024 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Background: Maternal obesity influences birth weight and newborn adiposity. Fetal fractional limb volume has recently been introduced as a useful parameter for the proxy of fetal adiposity. However, the association between maternal adiposity and the growth of fetal fractional limb volume has not been examined., Aims: To investigate the association of maternal pre-pregnancy BMI with the growth of fetal fractional limb volume., Study Design: Prospective cohort study., Subjects: Women with singleton uncomplicated pregnancies enrolled between July 2017 and June 2020., Outcome Measures: Fetal fractional limb volume was assessed between 20 and 40 weeks' gestation, measured as cylindrical limb volume based on 50 % of the total diaphysis length. The measured fractional limb volume at each gestational week were converted to z-scores based on a previous report. The association between pre-pregnancy BMI and fetal fractional limb volume was examined. Maternal age, parity, gestational weight gain and fetal sex were considered as potential confounding variables., Results: Ultrasound scans of 455 fractional arm volume and thigh volume were obtained. Fractional limb volume increased linearly until the second trimester of gestation, then increased exponentially in the third trimester. Maternal pre-pregnancy BMI was significantly correlated with z-scores of fractional arm volume and thigh volume across gestation. The post-hoc analysis showed the association between pre-pregnancy BMI and fractional arm volume was significant especially between 34 and 40 weeks., Conclusions: Maternal obesity influences the growth pattern of fetal fractional limb volume. Fractional arm volume may potentially provide a useful surrogate marker of fetal nutritional status in late gestation., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors report no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background/purpose: Temperature-dependent phase compositional changes influence the mechanical properties of heat-treated nickel-titanium (NiTi) rotary instruments. This study evaluated the phase composition, bending properties, and cyclic fatigue resistance of HyFlex EDM NiTi rotary instruments against differently heat-treated and non-heat-treated NiTi instruments at body temperature (BT)., Materials and Methods: HyFlex EDM OneFile (EDM) instruments, heat-treated HyFlex CM (CM) and Twisted File (TF) instruments, and non-heat-treated K3 instruments (size #25/.08) were subjected to differential scanning calorimetry, and the martensitic, R-phase, and reverse transformation starting and finishing temperatures were determined. A cantilever bending test and a cyclic fatigue test were conducted at BT (37 °C ± 1.0 °C), and the bending load and number of cycles to failure (NCF) were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed using Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests (α = 0.05)., Results: TF and K3 had reverse transformation finishing temperatures lower than BT, while those for EDM and CM were higher than BT. The bending loads at a 0.5 mm deflection were in the order of EDM < TF < CM < K3 ( P  < 0.05), and those at a 2.0 mm deflection were EDM < CM and TF < K3 (P < 0.05). EDM had the highest NCF among the four instruments ( P  < 0.05)., Conclusion: The EDM instrument had a reverse transformation finishing temperature higher than BT indicating its martensite/R-phase composition at BT. The EDM instrument had superior flexibility and greater resistance to cyclic fatigue than the CM, TF, and K3 instruments at BT., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (© 2023 Association for Dental Sciences of the Republic of China. Publishing services by Elsevier B.V.)

Background: Canine atopic dermatitis (CAD) is caused by skin barrier dysfunction due to allergen exposure. Excessive glutamate release in the skin is associated with delayed skin barrier function recovery and epidermal thickening and lichenification. Treatment with Yokukansan (YKS), a traditional Japanese medicine, reduces dermatitis severity and scratching behavior in NC/Nga mice by decreasing epidermal glutamate levels. However, the association between canine keratinocytes and glutamate and the mechanism by which YKS inhibits glutamate release from keratinocytes remains unknown., Aim: We aimed to investigate glutamate release from canine progenitor epidermal keratinocytes (CPEKs) and the inhibitory effect of YKS on this release. We also explored the underlying mechanism of YKS to enable its application in CAD treatment., Methods: Glutamate produced from CPEKs in the medium at 24 hours was measured. The measurement conditions varied in terms of cell density and YKS concentration. CPEKs were treated with a glutamate receptor antagonist (MK-801), a glutamate transporter antagonist (THA), and a glutamate dehydrogenase inhibitor (epigallocatechin gallate; EGCG), and the inhibitory effect of YKS, YKS + THA, MK-801, and EGCG on this release was determined. MK-801 and glutamate dehydrogenase inhibitor were tested alone, and THA was tested in combination with YKS. Finally, glutamine incorporated into CPEKs at 24 hours was measured using radioisotope labeling., Results: CPEKs released glutamate in a cell density-dependent manner, inhibited by YKS in a concentration-dependent manner. Moreover, YKS reduced the intracellular uptake of radioisotope-labeled glutamine in a concentration-dependent manner. No involvement of glutamate receptor antagonism or activation of glutamate transporters was found, as suggested by previous studies. In addition, EGCG could inhibit glutamate release from CPEKs., Conclusion: Our findings indicated that glutamate release from CPEKs could be effectively inhibited by YKS, suggesting the utility of YKS in maintaining skin barrier function during CAD. In addition, CPEKs are appropriate for analyzing the mechanism of YKS. However, we found that the mechanism of action of YKS differs from that reported in previous studies, suggesting that it may have had a similar effect to EGCG in this study. Further research is warranted to understand the exact mechanism and clinical efficacy in treating CAD., Competing Interests: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

Objective: The authors aimed to investigate the prevalence of pregnancy and obstetric outcomes in patients who underwent radical trachelectomy (RT) for early-stage cervical cancer in the Kanto area, Japan., Method: A survey among 113 perinatal centers affiliated with the Kanto Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology was conducted to investigate their experience in managing pregnancies following RT, between 2010 and 2020. The association between preterm delivery (before 34 gestational weeks) and a midtrimester short cervix (<13 mm) was evaluated., Results: The authors retrospectively collected maternal and perinatal data from 13 hospitals. There were 135 pregnancies among 115 women following RT. Of the 135 pregnancies, 32 were miscarriages (<12 gestational weeks: n = 22; >12 gestational weeks: n = 10), and 103 were delivered after 22 gestational weeks. The incidences of preterm delivery before 28 and 34 gestational weeks were 8.7% and 30.1%, respectively. A midtrimester short residual cervix was associated with preterm delivery (P = 0.046)., Conclusion: Since more than 100 pregnancies were recorded after RT in the Kanto area, many physicians had more opportunities to manage pregnancy after RT. Pregnancy following RT is associated with increased risk of preterm delivery, and midtrimester short residual cervix is a good predictor of preterm delivery., (© 2023 The Authors. International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics.)