A case report of torsion of the gravid uterus caused by pelvic adhesion.

Key Clinical Message: In this case, a patient experienced rare uterine torsion during pregnancy, detected by MRI. Diagnosis before Cesarean is helpful to achieve better outcomes, highlighting the importance of attention in high-risk groups.

Abstract: Uterine torsion during pregnancy is a rare complication and its risk factors and diagnostic modalities have not yet been clearly defined.

High immunogenicity of virus-like particles (VLPs) decorated with VapA antigen in rainbow trout.

The Gram-negative bacterium is the causal agent of furunculosis and used to be one of the most loss-causing bacterial infections in the salmonid aquaculture industry with a mortality rate of about 90% until the 1990s, when an inactivated vaccine with mineral oil as adjuvant was successfully implemented to control the disease. However, the use of this vaccine is associated with inflammatory side effects in the peritoneal cavity as well as autoimmune reactions in Atlantic salmon, and incomplete protection has been reported in rainbow trout. We here aimed at developing and testing a recombinant alternative vaccine based on virus-like particles (VLPs) decorated with VapA, the key structural surface protein in the outer A-layer of .

Low-Level Expression of CD138 Marks Naturally Arising Anergic B Cells.

Autoreactive B cells are not entirely deleted, but some remain as immunocompetent or anergic B cells. Although the persistence of autoreactive B cells as anergic cells has been shown in transgenic mouse models with the expression of B cell receptor (BCR) reactive to engineered self-antigen, the characterization of naturally occurring anergic B cells is important to identify them and understand their contribution to immune regulation or autoimmune diseases. We report here that a low-level expression of CD138 in the splenic B cells marks naturally arising anergic B cells, not plasma cells.

Display of Streptococcus iniae α-Enolase on the Surface of Virus-Like Particles (VLPs) of Nervous Necrosis Virus (NNV) Using SpyTag/SpyCatcher.

Virus-like particle (VLP)-based vaccines are promising candidates for overcoming the safety problems of live vaccines and weak immunogenicity of subunit vaccines. VLPs can be used as a platform for the development of combined vaccines by expressing foreign antigens, and foreign antigens can be displayed on the surface of VLPs by conjugation. In the present study, to use nervous necrosis virus (NNV) VLPs as a delivery tool for Streptococcus iniae α-enolase by displaying on the VLP's surface, the split-intein (SpyTag/SpyCatcher) conjugation system was used.

Prediction of Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes Using Crown-Rump Length at 11 to 13 + 6 Weeks of Gestation.

Objectives: To assess the risk of a fetus with a smaller or larger than expected crown-rump length (CRL) for adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Methods: The data of 960 healthy singleton pregnancies conceived via in vitro fertilization were retrospectively collected. Fetal CRL was measured between 11 and 13 + 6 weeks of gestation, and small and large fetal CRLs were defined as fetuses below the 10th and above the 90th centiles, respectively.

Fusion of Streptococcus iniae α-enolase to IMX313 enhanced antibody titer and survival rate in olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus).

The polymerization of monomeric antigens can be a strategy to overcome the low immunogenicity of subunit vaccines. IMX313 is a hybrid oligomerization domain of chicken C4bp, and has been demonstrated to have potent activity as adjuvants for the fused antigens in mammals. In the present study, we investigated whether the oligomerization of α-enolase of Streptococcus iniae by fusion with IMX313 affected on antibody induction and on protection against S.

Upregulated endonuclease Regnase-1 suppresses osteoarthritis by forming a negative feedback loop of catabolic signaling in chondrocytes.

Background: Ribonucleases (RNases) play central roles in the post-transcriptional regulation of mRNA stability. Our preliminary results revealed that the endonuclease Regnase-1 is specifically upregulated in osteoarthritic chondrocytes. We herein explored the possible functions and regulatory mechanisms of Regnase-1 in a mouse model of osteoarthritis (OA).

ZIP8 exacerbates collagen-induced arthritis by increasing pathogenic T cell responses.

Zinc is a trace element that is essential for immune responses. Therefore, changes in cellular zinc levels in specific immune cells may influence inflammatory autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, the regulation of zinc mobilization in immune cells and its role in the pathogenesis of RA are not fully understood.

Lipopolysaccharide Binding Protein and CD14, Cofactors of Toll-like Receptors, Are Essential for Low-Grade Inflammation-Induced Exacerbation of Cartilage Damage in Mouse Models of Posttraumatic Osteoarthritis.

Objective: Osteoarthritis (OA) is initiated by pathogenic factors produced by multiple stimuli, including mechanical stress, metabolic stress, and/or inflammaging. This study was undertaken to identify novel low-grade inflammation-associated pathogenic mediators of OA.

Methods: Candidate pathogenic molecules were screened using microarray data obtained from chondrocytes exposed to OA-associated catabolic factors.

Summary of clinically diagnosed amniotic fluid embolism cases in Korea and disagreement with 4 criteria proposed for research purpose.

Objective: This study aimed 1) to investigate the clinical characteristics of amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) cases clinically diagnosed by maternal fetal medicine (MFM) specialists in Korea, 2) to check the disagreement with 4 recently proposed criteria by the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) for research purpose, and 3) to compare maternal outcomes between cases satisfying all 4 criteria and cases with at least 1 missing criterion.

Methods: This study included 12 patients clinically diagnosed with AFE from 7 referral hospitals in Korea. We collected information, including maternal age, symptoms of AFE, the amount of transfusion, and maternal mortality.

Maternal nutrition intervention focused on the adjustment of salt and sugar intake can improve pregnancy outcomes.

Due to the increasing age of pregnant women, maternal nutrition management is becoming more important. Since pregnant women are more likely to consume sodium and sugars than nonpregnant women of the same age, we investigated whether maternal nutrition intervention focused on the adjustment of salt and sugar intake can help pregnancy outcome. This randomized controlled trial was performed on 142 pregnant women within 22 weeks of gestational age for at least 16 weeks until childbirth.

Questionnaire survey on the management of pregnant women with preterm premature rupture of membranes.

Objective: The aim of this survey was to study the status of the actual practice in the management of preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) between 34.0 and 36.6 weeks of gestation.

Effects of a maternal role adjustment program for first time mothers who use postpartum care centers (Sanhujoriwon) in South Korea: a quasi-experimental study.

Background: Many South Korean women stay in specialized postpartum care centers called Sanhujoriwon for 2 weeks after childbirth, a time which is widely recognized as a critical period for maternal role adjustment. Mothers' time within the postpartum care center offers a unique opportunity for nursing intervention to promote a successful transition to motherhood, especially for first time mothers. This study aimed to develop a maternal role adjustment program within the Sanhujoriwon based on the ecological model, and to evaluate its effects on maternal role confidence and breastfeeding success.

CYTL1 regulates bone homeostasis in mice by modulating osteogenesis of mesenchymal stem cells and osteoclastogenesis of bone marrow-derived macrophages.

We previously showed that mice with knockout of Cytl1, a functionally uncharacterized cytokine candidate, exhibit normal endochondral ossification and long-bone development. Here, we investigated the potential functions of CYTL1 in bone homeostasis. We found that Cytl1 mice exhibited higher bone mass than wild-type littermates and resisted ovariectomy-induced bone resorption.

Critical role for arginase II in osteoarthritis pathogenesis.

Objective: Osteoarthritis (OA) appears to be associated with various metabolic disorders, but the potential contribution of amino acid metabolism to OA pathogenesis has not been clearly elucidated. Here, we explored whether alterations in the amino acid metabolism of chondrocytes could regulate OA pathogenesis.

Methods: Expression profiles of amino acid metabolism-regulating genes in primary-culture passage 0 mouse chondrocytes were examined by microarray analysis, and selected genes were further characterised in mouse OA chondrocytes and OA cartilage of human and mouse models.

Serosal Cavities Contain Two Populations of Innate-like integrin α4CD4 T Cells, Integrin α4β1α6β1α4β7 and α4β1α6β1α4β7 Cells.

We previously reported peritoneal innate-like integrin α4 (CD49d)CD4 T cells that provided help for B-1a cells. Here we analyzed the expression of various integrin chains on the peritoneal and pleural integrin α4CD4 T cells and investigated the functional heterogeneity of the subpopulations based on the integrin expression. Pleural cavity contained a lower ratio of integrin α4CD4 T cells to integrin α4CD4 T cells than peritoneal cavity, but the pleural integrin α4CD4 T cells have the same characteristics of the peritoneal integrin α4CD4 T cells.

Production of RNase III-knockout, auxotrophic Edwardsiella tarda mutant for delivery of long double-stranded RNA and evaluation of its immunostimulatory potential.

The artificially synthesized polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly IC) has been widely used to induce type I IFN responses in various vertebrates including fish. However, as poly IC is too expensive to use in aquaculture, the development of another economical long dsRNA producing method is needed to practically use long dsRNAs in aquaculture farms for the control of infectious diseases. In the present study, to produce long dsRNAs economically, we developed a novel long dsRNA production system based on the RNase III gene deleted auxotrophic mutant E.

Positive selection of type II collagen-reactive CD80 marginal zone B cells in DBA/1 mice.

To investigate whether dysregulated selection of autoreactive marginal zone (MZ) B cells is involved in autoimmune diseases, we examined MZ B cell profile in multiple strains of mice, and found that type II collagen (CII)-reactive autoreactive CD80 MZ B cells spontaneously developed in the DBA/1, but not in C57BL/6 mice. CD80 MZ B cells that were characteristically found in DBA/1 mice expressed higher levels of TACI, SLAM3, and SLAM6 than the usual CD80 MZ B cells. Notably, the CD80 MZ B cells were more sensitive to ibrutinib, a Bruton's tyrosine kinase inhibitor, than CD80 MZ or follicular B cells and their transient depletion via intravenous injection of ibrutinib significantly delayed the induction of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA).

The Proteomic Analysis of Human Placenta with Pre-eclampsia and Normal Pregnancy.

Preeclampsia is one of the most important and complexed disorders for women's health. Searching for novel proteins as biomarkers to reveal pathogenesis, proteomic approaches using 2DE has become a valuable tool to understanding of preeclampsia. To analyze the proteomic profiling of preclamptic placenta compared to that of normal pregnancy for better understanding of pathogenesis in preeclampsia, placentas from each group were handled by use of proteomics approach using 2DE combined with MALDI-TOF-MS.

Comparison of severe pelvic inflammatory disease, pyosalpinx and tubo-ovarian abscess.

Aim: Inflammation of the upper genital tract causes pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which may be complicated by pelvic abscesses, such as pyosalpinx and tubo-ovarian abscess (TOA). This study aimed to determine the clinical differences between pyosalpinx and TOA in patients with PID.

Material And Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 458 female patients who were admitted to Hallym University Kang Dong Sacred Heart Hospital for a clinical diagnosis of PID from 1 January 2007 to 30 April 2012.

Outcome of pelvic arterial embolization for postpartum hemorrhage: A retrospective review of 117 cases.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate indications, efficacy, and complications associated with pelvic arterial embolization (PAE) for postpartum hemorrhage (PPH).

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 117 consecutive patients who underwent PAE for PPH between January 2006 and June 2013.

Results: In our single-center study, 117 women underwent PAE to control PPH refractory to conservative management including uterine massage, use of uterotonic agents, surgical repair of genital tract lacerations, and removal of retained placental tissues.

Comparison of helmet therapy and counter positioning for deformational plagiocephaly.

Objective: To compare effectiveness on correcting cranial and ear asymmetry between helmet therapy and counter positioning for deformational plagiocephaly (DP).

Methods: Retrospective data of children diagnosed with DP who visited our clinic from November 2010 to October 2012 were reviewed. Subjects ≤10 months of age who showed ≥10 mm of diagonal difference were included for analysis.

Umbilical artery Doppler study as a predictive marker of perinatal outcome in preterm small for gestational age infants.

Purpose: To evaluate the merit of umbilical artery Doppler study as a predictive marker of perinatal outcome in preterm small for gestational age (SGA) infants.

Materials And Methods: A total of 218 patients at 27 - 36 weeks of gestational age (GA) who received antenatal umbilical artery Doppler velocimetry and delivered singleton infants with SGA. The ratio of peak-systolic to end-diastolic blood flow velocities (S/D) in the umbilical artery was measured in each patient.