Publications by authors named "Itakura A"

Article Synopsis
  • Group B streptococcus (GBS) is a significant cause of infections in neonates and pregnant women, with Japan implementing guidelines for screening and antibiotic use, yet infections have not decreased significantly.
  • Approximately 15% of pregnant women lack GBS screening, and issues like intermittent colonization lead to early-onset disease; current preventative measures don't address increasing cases of late-onset disease.
  • This study found that using polymerase chain reaction for GBS detection was more effective than culture methods, highlighted the risk of horizontal transmission, and emphasized the need for better diagnostic tools and potential maternal vaccination for prevention.
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We report a case of placental site trophoblastic tumor (PSTT) with transient hyperthyroidism. A 29-year-old gravida 2 para 2 woman presented with abnormal genital bleeding 6 months after delivery. Endometrial histology suggested PSTT.

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Mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) predominantly affects women in their reproductive age (30-40 years). This study is aimed to analyze a case series of MCTD-complicated pregnancies. The study design utilized a combined case-series and case-control approach.

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Background: Leukocytes are induced to migrate into the uterus at parturition, releasing cytokines and chemokines that activate it for delivery. A specific chemotactic signal is required for these actions, and published evidence suggests that it comes from the human fetal membranes and has a time-dependent component (ie, cells obtained at term in labor migrate more than cells obtained at term not yet in labor). The hypothesis that the fetal membrane chemoattractants activate the leukocytes to become responsive for migration was tested.

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CEP55 encodes centrosomal protein 55 kDa, which plays a crucial role in mitosis, particularly cytokinesis. Biallelic CEP55 variants cause MARCH syndrome (multinucleated neurons, anhydramnios, renal dysplasia, cerebellar hypoplasia and hydranencephaly). Here, we describe a Japanese family with two affected siblings harboring novel compound heterozygous CEP55 variants, NM_001127182: c.

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  • An unguarded mitral valve orifice is a rare heart condition seen in fetuses, identified by a weak left ventricle during ultrasound exams.
  • This report is the first of its kind to link an unguarded mitral valve orifice with a double-outlet right ventricle while having a normal ventricular septum.
  • The diagnosis was made prenatally based on specific ultrasound characteristics.
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Aim: Studies on parasitic myomas after laparoscopic morcellation are mainly limited to case reports, and the incidence and risk factors have not yet been well-understood. We aimed to clarify the actual incidence and risk factors of parasitic myoma after laparoscopic myomectomy using uncontained power morcellation by reviewing cases with subsequent laparoscopic surgery.

Methods: This retrospective study included 87 patients who had laparoscopic myomectomy using uncontained power morcellation, followed by subsequent second laparoscopic surgery for gynecological disease between 2008 and 2021.

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Psoriatic disease (PsD) is a chronic disease affecting skin (psoriasis) and joints (psoriatic arthritis, PsA) that has a significant impact on patients' quality of life (QOL). We report findings from the Japanese subgroup of patients included in Psoriasis and Beyond: The Global Psoriatic Disease Survey, a cross-sectional, quantitative online survey of patients with self-reported, healthcare professional (HCP)-diagnosed, moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis, with or without PsA. Eligible patients who were recruited online completed a 25-min internet-based survey in Japanese.

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  • The study aimed to evaluate the hemodynamics of twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) by measuring intraventricular pressure difference (IVPD) using fetal echocardiography in monochorionic diamniotic twins.
  • Twenty-eight twins diagnosed with TTTS underwent fetoscopic laser photocoagulation (FLP), and their cardiac IVPD was assessed before and after the procedure, revealing significant increases in IVPD in both the recipient and donor twins' left ventricles.
  • The findings suggest that IVPD is a sensitive indicator of changes in myocardial function and could be valuable for monitoring heart issues in TTTS cases.
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  • * A study involved 212 women who experienced significant blood loss during delivery, revealing a notably higher occurrence of low fibrinogen levels and higher scores on previous criteria in the DIC group compared to controls.
  • * The results demonstrated that the new criteria are effective, reliable, and valid for diagnosing obstetrical DIC, as shown by strong statistical correlations with the previous diagnostic criteria.
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This study was to investigate the employment status of pregnant women in Japan and identify risk factors associated with resigning from work during pregnancy. We conducted a cross-sectional survey with 975 postpartum women in Tokyo and its suburbs, focusing on those who were employed during pregnancy. Women who were employed when they became pregnant were selected and divided into two groups: those who did not resign and those who resigned; the groups were analyzed separately.

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  • Fibrinogen concentrate (FC) became covered by public health insurance in Japan in September 2021 for treating critical obstetrical hemorrhage (COH) related to low fibrinogen levels.
  • A study reviewed the usage of FC before and after insurance coverage across 428 medical facilities, finding that its adoption increased significantly (from about 51.5% to 78.6%).
  • The increased use of FC correlated with a rise in COH cases treated with it and a decrease in the number of red blood cells transfused, along with a lower incidence of pulmonary edema and transfusion allergies, while other serious complications remained unchanged.
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Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of prophylactic laparoscopic surgery for avoiding adnexal torsion in pregnant women with benign adnexal masses.

Materials And Methods: This report contains two analyses, each for a different group of patients. Analysis 1: Surgical and pregnancy outcomes were examined among the 126 cases who underwent laparoscopic assisted cystectomy for adnexal masses during pregnancy in our hospital between January 2001 and December 2020.

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Aim: This study aimed to determine the weight gain during pregnancy that minimizes the predicted probability of various perinatal adverse events according to the pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) and make recommendations for optimal weight gain in Japan.

Methods: The Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology perinatal database for 2015-2017 was used. From the 719 723 deliveries included in this database, parturients with underlying diseases or missing data were excluded, and 419 114 deliveries were analyzed.

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Aims: To determine the association between drinking habits and social factors among women undergoing assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment in Japan.

Methods: The study participants who provided answers for the questionnaire concerning alcohol consumption were 1017 female patients undergoing ART treatment were enrolled in the Japan-Female Employment and Mental Health in assisted reproductive technology (J-FEMA) study between August and December 2018. Patient characteristics, including demographic, clinical, and socioeconomic status, were assessed using a self-administered questionnaire which was distributed only once during the period, regardless of their first or follow-up examination.

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A 41-year-old male consulted a local doctor with fever and left flank pain. He was introduced to our hospital for a left renal mass detected by ultrasonography. Blood analysis revealed elevated white blood cell count, C-reactive protein, bilirubin and aspartate transaminase.

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Psoriasis is a chronic, immune-mediated inflammatory skin disease with a high negative impact on patient's quality of life. Secukinumab, the first interleukin 17A inhibitor, has been used for the systemic treatment of psoriasis, but its long-term, real-world retention rates in Japan have not been fully investigated. In this multicenter, noninterventional, retrospective chart review study, the retention rate of secukinumab and its effectiveness among patients with psoriasis in Japan was evaluated up to 5 years.

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Introduction: Chronic endometritis (CE) is a persistent inflammatory condition of the endometrium characterized by the infiltration of plasma cells in the endometrial stroma. CD138 immunohistochemistry is considered to improve the CE diagnosis rate.

Methods: Using the number of CD138-positive cells equal or greater than five as a diagnostic criterion for CE, we identified 24 CE and 33 non-CE cases among women with infertility.

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Background: Although cervical cancer is often characterized as preventable, its incidence continues to increase in low- and middle-income countries, underscoring the need to develop novel therapeutics for this disease.This study assessed the distribution of fusion genes across cancer types and used an RNA-based classification to divide cervical cancer patients with a poor prognosis into subgroups.

Material And Methods: RNA sequencing of 116 patients with cervical cancer was conducted.

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Article Synopsis
  • A rare de novo variant (p.Tyr40His) was found in a male patient with severe congenital anomalies, leading to a fatal respiratory condition shortly after birth.
  • The study showed that this specific variant weakly interacts with the protein PAK1, hindering its activation and potentially disrupting important signaling pathways that could explain the patient's clinical issues.
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Aim: The intraventricular pressure difference (IVPD) is the pressure difference in early diastole from the base to the apex of the ventricle. It is a useful marker for evaluating diastolic function because of its role as a suction force. This study investigated the changes in total and segmental IVPDs in normal fetuses throughout gestation to obtain normative data equations.

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  • A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to determine the best timing for delivery in neonates with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) diagnosed before birth.
  • Six studies involving 1,614 neonates were analyzed, comparing outcomes of those delivered at early term (37-38 weeks) and full term (39 weeks or later).
  • Results showed no significant differences in survival rates or the need for oxygen therapy at discharge between the two groups, leaving the optimal delivery timing for CDH neonates uncertain.
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Background: Abnormal cardiotocogram (CTG) tracing may appear after induction of neuraxial labor analgesia. Non-reassuring fetal status (NRFS) indicated by severely abnormal tracings, such as prolonged deceleration (PD) or bradycardia, can necessitate immediate operative delivery. Combined spinal epidural analgesia (CSEA) is known to result in more frequent abnormal tracings than epidural analgesia (EA); however, the corresponding data related to dural puncture epidural (DPE) are unclear.

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  • The study evaluated a molecular classifier tool to predict prognosis in Japanese endometrial cancer patients, involving 1,029 individuals classified into four molecular subtype groups.
  • Patients with specific genetic mutations showed varied prognoses; those with DNA polymerase epsilon mutations had the best outcomes, while those with abnormal p53 expressions faced the worst.
  • The findings suggest that the molecular classifier can effectively determine prognosis and guide treatment options for endometrial cancer patients.
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