Clinical Significance of miR-4535 and miR-191-5p in Maternal Serum as Independent Biomarkers for Severe Chorioamnionitis.

Introduction: Chorioamnionitis, a perinatal condition caused by fetal membrane inflammation, results in preterm birth, neonatal sepsis, necrotizing enterocolitis, and brain disease in infants. However, predicting maternal and fetal prognoses is challenging. We aimed to assess the relationship between fetal infection induced by severe chorioamnionitis or morbidity and the expression levels　of serum miR-4535, miR-1915-5p, and miR-191-5p levels, which are promising biomarkers for chorioamnionitis, in pregnant women with chorioamnionitis.

A Case of OHVIRA (Obstructed Hemivagina and Ipsilateral Renal Anomaly) Syndrome Diagnosed After Signs of Infection During Pregnancy.

Obstructed hemivagina and ipsilateral renal anomaly (OHVIRA) syndrome is a rare group of disorders that affects women at all stages of life. These disorders can elicit symptoms such as menstrual molimina and dysmenorrhea during puberty; miscarriage, premature birth, and infertility during childbearing age; and purulent discharge during menopause and old age. In this study, we report our experience with OHVIRA syndrome, which was diagnosed during childbearing age when the patient showed signs of infection during pregnancy.

Adipose-derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation Improves Ovarian Function and Oocyte Quality in Aged Mice.

Background/aim: Age-related decline in the number of ovulations and ovum quality are major causes of female infertility, and stem cells have been reported to be effective in tissue regeneration. However, current therapeutic modalities are inadequate. This study investigated the effects of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) on ovarian functions in aged mice.

Transwell Culture with Adipose Tissue-Derived Stem Cells and Fertilized Eggs Mimics the In Vivo Development of Fertilized Eggs to Blastocysts in the Fallopian Tube: An Animal Study.

Many countries, including Japan, are experiencing declining birth rates. Assisted reproductive technologies have consistently demonstrated good results in resolving infertility. Although the development of fertilized eggs into blastocysts has been recognized as a crucial step in assisted reproductive technologies, the involved mechanisms are currently unclear.

Safety and Potential Effect of Intrauterine Infusion of Autologous Adipose Tissue-Derived Regenerative Cells in Patients With Implantation Failure: A Pilot Study.

Background: Implantation failure due to thin endometrium has emerged as a major cause of infertility. In this study, we aimed to assess the safety and preliminary efficacy of adipose tissue-derived regenerative cells (ADRCs), a source of adipose-derived stem cells, in infertility patients with implantation failure.

Methods: Five infertile women with implantation failure despite artificial reproductive technology were enrolled in this study and treated with ADRCs via the intrauterine route.

Cumulative Summation Analysis of Learning Curve for Robotic-assisted Hysterectomy in Patients With Gynecologic Tumors.

Background/aim: This study aimed to evaluate the learning curve and perioperative outcomes of robot-assisted hysterectomy (RAH).

Patients And Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data from 45 patients who underwent RAH using the da Vinci Xi surgical system. The learning curve was evaluated using the cumulative summation method.

Trophic and immunomodulatory effects of adipose tissue derived stem cells in a preclinical murine model of endometriosis.

Endometriosis, which exhibits enigmatic pathological features such as stromal fibrosis and proliferation of ectopic epithelial cells, is known as a refractory disease. Mesenchymal stem cells modulate the fibrosis in stromal tissues through their trophic and immunomodulatory properties. To investigate the potential of stem cells in treating endometriosis, we examined the secondary morphology and molecular alterations in endometriosis-like lesions after the administration of adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ASCs) to an experimental murine model of endometriosis.

MicroRNAs miR-4535 and miR-1915-5p in amniotic fluid as predictive biomarkers for chorioamnionitis.

Background: This study was performed to investigate the clinical significance of miR-4535 and miR-1915-5p in severe chorioamnionitis.

Materials & Methods: Amniotic fluid samples from 37 patients with severe chorioamnionitis were subjected to miRNA array analysis and ddPCR™. Diagnostic values were assessed using the receiver operating characteristic curve.

Adipose tissue-derived regenerative cells improve implantation of fertilized eggs in thin endometrium.

Embryo implantation and subsequent pregnancy depends on endometrial thickness. To investigate potential fertility strategies for women with thin endometrium, we explored the efficacy of adipose tissue-derived regenerative cells (ADRCs) on thin endometrium and embryo implantation in a mouse model. ADRCs isolated from mouse subcutaneous fat were characterized by flow cytometry.

Clinical Features of Recurrence in Patients Without Residual Tumour in Endometrial Cancer.

Background/aim: Initial treatment of endometrial cancer with surgery and platinum and taxane-based chemotherapy is often successful, but it remains unclear as to whether certain types of the disease relapse. The aim of this study was to identify the clinical features of recurrence in patients without residual tumour in endometrial cancer.

Patients And Methods: Clinical features, histological type, and time to recurrence were analyzed in 640 endometrial cancer patients without residual tumours.

The combination of maternal blood and amniotic fluid biomarkers improves the predictive accuracy of histologic chorioamnionitis.

Introduction: This study was performed to determine whether the combination of maternal blood and amniotic fluid biomarkers can improve the predictive accuracy of histologic chorioamnionitis (HC).

Methods: This retrospective study included 80 singleton pregnant women who were suspected to have intrauterine infection and underwent measurement of two maternal blood biomarkers [maternal white blood cell count (mWBC) and maternal C-reactive protein level (mCRP)] and three amniotic fluid biomarkers [amniotic white blood cell count (aCell), amniotic glucose level (aGlucose), and amniotic lactate dehydrogenase level (aLDH)]. We divided the patients into two groups based on the presence or absence of HC and assessed the predictors of HC using logistic regression models: Model 1, combination of mWBC and mCRP; Model 2, combination of Model 1 and aGlucose; and Model 3, combination of Model 2, aCell, and aLDH.

A partial supernumerary umbilical vein: a case report.

Background: Abnormalities in the number of vessels can be found for both the umbilical artery and vein. We sometimes encounter cases of a decreased number of umbilical cord vessels, such as a single umbilical artery. In contrast, there may be an increase from three to four vessels within the umbilical cord.

Association of Serum HB-EGF Value and Response to Chemotherapy in Patients with Recurrent Ovarian Cancer.

Background/aim: Many anticancer agents including molecularly-targeted drugs have been developed for ovarian cancer. However, the prognosis of recurrent ovarian cancer remains extremely poor. Heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor (HB-EGF) is reported as a rational target for ovarian cancer therapy.

Microbiome profile of the amniotic fluid as a predictive biomarker of perinatal outcome.

Chorioamnionitis (CAM), an inflammation of the foetal membranes due to infection, is associated with preterm birth and poor perinatal prognosis. The present study aimed to determine whether CAM can be diagnosed prior to delivery based on the bacterial composition of the amniotic fluid (AF). AF samples from 79 patients were classified according to placental inflammation: Stage III (n = 32), CAM; Stage II (n = 27), chorionitis; Stage 0-I (n = 20), sub-chorionitis or no neutrophil infiltration; and normal AF in early pregnancy (n = 18).

Serum Heparin-binding Epidermal Growth Factor-like Growth Factor (HB-EGF) as a Biomarker for Primary Ovarian Cancer.

Ovarian cancer is the most lethal malignancy among gynaecological cancers. Although many anticancer agents have been developed for the treatment of ovarian cancer, it continues to have an extremely poor prognosis. Heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like grown factor (HB-EGF) has been reported to be a rational therapeutic target for ovarian cancer.

Antitumour Effects of Intravenous Administration of BK-UM, a Novel Inhibitor of HB-EGF, in Ovarian Cancer Therapy.

Background: Patients with ovarian cancer with high levels of heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor have a poor prognosis. Here we assessed the pharmacokinetics and tumour-inhibiting effects of cross-reacting material 197, produced commercially as BK-UM, and examined the efficacy and safety of its intravenous (i.v.

HB-EGF Is a Promising Therapeutic Target for Lung Cancer with Secondary Mutation of .

Advanced lung cancer is one of the most lethal malignancies. Many anticancer agents have been developed for lung cancer with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations, but its prognosis remains extremely poor. The development of molecularly-targeted therapies is required for patients with lung cancer with secondary mutation of the EGFR gene.

MicroRNA-135a-3p as a promising biomarker and nucleic acid therapeutic agent for ovarian cancer.

Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecologic malignancy. Recently, several molecularly targeted anticancer agents have been developed for ovarian cancer; however, its prognosis remains extremely poor. The development of molecularly targeted therapy, as well as companion diagnostics, is required to improve outcomes for patients with ovarian cancer.

BK-UM in patients with recurrent ovarian cancer or peritoneal cancer: a first-in-human phase-I study.

Background: BK-UM (CRM197) is a mutant form of diphtheria toxin and a specific inhibitor of heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor (HB-EGF). We assessed the safety, pharmacokinetics, recommended dose, and efficacy of BK-UM in patients with recurrent ovarian cancer (OC) or peritoneal cancer (PC), and measured HB-EGF levels in serum and abdominal fluid after BK-UM administration.

Methods: Eleven patients with advanced or recurrent OC or PC were enrolled and treated with BK-UM via the intraperitoneal route.

Safety and Anti-tumor Effects of Docetaxel Plus Cisplatin in Intermediate- and High-risk Endometrial Cancer.

Background: Endometrial cancer (EC) has a poor prognosis due to drug resistance.

Patients And Methods: We evaluated the safety and efficacy of adjuvant combination chemotherapy with docetaxel plus cisplatin ((DP) docetaxel, 70 mg/m(2); cisplatin, 60 mg/m(2); every 28 days) in EC patients at intermediate-risk (IR) or high-risk (HR) for recurrence.

Results: Sixty-four patients diagnosed with EC were enrolled.

Anti-tumor Effect of Intravenous Administration of CRM197 for Triple-negative Breast Cancer Therapy.

Background/aim: Heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor (HB-EGF), which belongs to the epidermal growth factor family, is a rational therapeutic target for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). This study aimed to assess the anti-tumor efficacy of intravenous (i.v.