Nationwide status of progestogen treatment to prevent spontaneous preterm birth: A questionnaire survey for childbirth healthcare facilities in Japan.

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the current status of progestogen treatment for pregnant women at a high risk for preterm birth (PTB) in childbirth healthcare facilities in Japan.

Methods: A web-based nationwide questionnaire survey regarding progestogen use for prevention of PTB was conducted among childbirth healthcare facilities from 2019 to 2021.

Results: Valid responses were obtained from 528 facilities (25.

Preeclampsia in a pregnant woman with severe aplastic anemia: A case report.

A pregnant woman with severe aplastic anemia was managed using biweekly red blood cell transfusion and oral eltrombopag olamine administration during pregnancy. She was diagnosed with preeclampsia at 35 weeks of gestation. The severity of aplastic anemia is very important for predicting the course of pregnancy.

Outcomes of 8 Years of Noninvasive Prenatal Testing at Nippon Medical School Hospital.

Background: Noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT) is used to screen for fetal chromosomal abnormalities, such as fetal aneuploidy, and has been offered at our hospital since 2013. We analyzed data from our center to determine if NIPT screenees could be given more-accurate information on NIPT outcomes.

Methods: This retrospective observational study included 819 pregnant women who requested NIPT at Nippon Medical School Hospital from November 2013 to October 2021.

Maternal cell contamination in embryonic chromosome analysis of missed abortions.

Aim: The fetal sample used for embryonic chromosome analysis is often contaminated with maternal cells, making it difficult to evaluate the fetal chromosomes. We examined on the rate of maternal cell contamination and its relationship with maternal information in the embryonic chromosome analysis of missed abortions using the Giemsabanding method.

Methods: Chromosome analysis was performed in 200 cases of delayed miscarriages in first trimester between July 1, 2000 and May 31, 2019.

Transabdominal amnioinfusion: An evaluation of its adverse events.

Objective: Transabdominal amnioinfusion is beneficial in oligohydramnios, which has high fetal mortality and does not improve with observation alone. However, there are few reports on the maternal adverse events of transabdominal amnioinfusion. This study aimed to evaluate the adverse events of amniocentesis with transabdominal amnioinfusion.

Effects of Thrombophilia and Antithrombotic Therapy on Embryonic Chromosomal Aberration Rates in Patients with Recurrent Pregnancy Loss.

Background: Miscarriage occurs in 10-15% of pregnancies and recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) occurs in 1% of couples hoping for a child. Various risk factors, such as thrombophilia, uterine malformation, and embryonic chromosomal aberration cause RPL. We hypothesized that antithrombotic therapy for RPL patients with thrombophilia would reduce miscarriage due to thrombophilia, which would reduce the total miscarriages and result in a relative increase in miscarriage due to embryonic chromosomal aberrations.

Three-dimensional quantification of magnetic resonance imaging artifacts associated with shape factors.

Differences in the volumes of artifacts caused by variously shaped titanium objects on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were evaluated. Spherical-, square cubic-, and regular tetrahedron-shaped isotropic, and elongated spherical-, elongated cubic-, and elongated tetrahedron-shaped anisotropic objects, with identical volumes, were prepared. Samples were placed on a nickel-doped agarose gel phantom and covered with nickel-nitrate hexahydrate solution.

Prenatal measurement of umbilical cord length using magnetic resonance imaging.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of prenatal measurement of umbilical cord length using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in comparison with that of postnatal visual measurement.

Study Design: Patients who underwent MRI pelvimetry to rule out cephalopelvic disproportion were recruited. We compared the umbilical cord length measured prenatally using the three-dimensional image of the umbilical cord constructed by AZE virtual place system (AZE, Japan) on MRI (M-length) and measured postnatally using the actual length (R-length).

Randomized trial of the efficacy of intravaginal ulinastatin administration for the prevention of preterm birth in women with a singleton pregnancy and both cervical shortening and inflammation of lower genital tract.

Aim: To assess the preventive effect on preterm birth of intravaginal ulinastatin (urinary trypsin inhibitor; UTI) administration during the mid-trimester in women with singleton pregnancy and both cervical shortening and lower genital infections.

Methods: Pregnant women with a short cervical length < 25 mm between 16 and 26 weeks of gestation and who had been diagnosed with a lower genital infection were randomly assigned for intravaginal UTI administration or placebo. All of the women were screened for infection or inflammation of the lower genital tract, and women with negative results were excluded.

An extended phase Ib study of epertinib, an orally active reversible dual EGFR/HER2 tyrosine kinase inhibitor, in patients with solid tumours.

Background: Dose-escalation of epertinib (S-222611), a new potent oral EGFR/HER2 inhibitor, has established a recommended daily dose of 800 mg in patients with solid tumours. In this study, we have recruited a larger number of patients to assess further the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics (PKs) and antitumour activity.

Patients And Methods: Patients with solid tumours expressing EGFR or HER2 received a single dose of epertinib at 800 mg on Day 1 to assess PK over 7 days, followed by continuous once-daily dosing from Day 8.

The presence of amniotic fluid sludge in pregnant women with a short cervix: an independent risk of preterm delivery.

: To examine whether the presence of amniotic fluid sludge (AFS) could increase the risk of preterm delivery in women with a cervical length (CL) of less than 25 mm. This is a retrospective cohort study of 110 women who were 14-30 weeks pregnant with a singleton gestation and a CL of less than 25 mm. The primary outcomes were defined as preterm delivery before 34 weeks and preterm delivery before 37 weeks.

Hypercoiled cord can cause a reversible abnormal Doppler in ductus venosus in cases of fetal growth restriction.

Aim: Although an absent or reversed a-wave in ductus venosus (DV-RAV) is reported to be the terminal finding of fetal growth restriction (FGR), we have seen DV-RAV that disappears within a short span of time in some FGR cases with a hypercoiled cord. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between hypercoiled cord and reversible DV-RAV in FGR.

Methods: This was a retrospective study of 499 FGR cases, including 14 with DV-RAV.

Ovarian function following targeted anti-angiogenic therapy with bevacizumab.

Improvements in cancer therapy have enabled further insight into the long-term effects of treatment, including the highly prevalent gonadal failure. The focus of treatment has been shifted to the preservation of fertility, which may be achieved by preventing ovarian toxicity. To this end, new molecular-targeted agents, including monoclonal antibodies, have been developed and used in a standard procedure for managing different cancers.

Ultrasonic identification of pump twin by dual-gate Doppler in a monochorionic-triamniotic triplet twin reversed arterial perfusion sequence before preventative radiofrequency ablation: a case report.

We performed a dual-gate Doppler examination for a twin reversed arterial perfusion (TRAP) sequence in a monochorionic-triamniotic triplet pregnancy at 16 weeks of gestation and were able to identify the pump twin by arterial pulse rate synchronicity. We performed radiofrequency ablation to coagulate blood flow in the acardius at 16 weeks of gestation without any postoperative complication. At 29 weeks of gestation, we performed a cesarean section due to preterm rupture of the membranes and the patient delivered 1167/1237-g female neonates and a macerated acardius.

Preliminary preventive protocol from first trimester of pregnancy to reduce preterm birth rate for dichorionic-diamniotic twins.

Objective: The preterm birth rate of twins is reportedly higher than that of single pregnancies. We performed preliminary preventive interventions at our center focused on evaluating the risk of each case before 14 weeks of gestation to reduce the spontaneous preterm birth rate.

Materials And Methods: The participants included 184 dichorionic-diamniotic twins delivered at our center during the 8 years from 2006.

Improving the Accuracy of Diagnosing Placenta Previa on Transvaginal Ultrasound by Distinguishing between the Uterine Isthmus and Cervix: A Prospective Multicenter Observational Study.

Objective: To clarify whether distinguishing between the uterine isthmus and cervix can improve the accuracy of diagnosing placenta previa at term.

Methods: A multicenter prospective observational study was conducted among pregnant women with suspected placenta previa at 20-24 weeks' gestation. Subjects were divided into the open isthmus group and closed isthmus group.

Randomized trial of ultrasound-indicated cerclage in singleton women without lower genital tract inflammation.

Aim: This is the first report of a randomized trial of cerclage on pure cervical shortening without vaginosis or cervicitis. The objective of our multicenter randomized controlled trial was to assess the benefits of ultrasound-indicated cervical cerclage in the mid-trimester to prevent preterm birth in women who have no signs of infection or inflammation of the lower genital tract.

Material And Methods: Women with a short cervical length < 25 mm between 16 and 26 weeks of gestation were randomly assigned to receive a Shirodkar cerclage, McDonald cerclage, or bedrest (no cerclage).

Risk assessment for neonatal RDS/TTN using gestational age and the amniotic lamellar body count in twin pregnancies.

Background: The amniotic lamellar body count (LBC) is useful for predicting respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN) in twin pregnancies. However, the risk of neonatal respiratory complications varies with gestational age (GA). We herein created a model to predict the risk for RDS and TTN using GA and the LBC in twin pregnancies.

Amniotic lamellar body count: predicting and distinguishing neonatal respiratory complications in twin pregnancies.

Background: Twin pregnancies have a higher rate of preterm births, making precise prediction of neonatal respiratory disorders essential. We herein examined the amniotic lamellar body count (LBC) and found it to be an accurate predictor of respiratory disorders in twin pregnancies.

Methods: Five hundred fourteen amniotic fluid samples, comprising 132 dichorionic twin (DCT) and 125 monochorionic twin (MCT) gestations, were obtained at cesarean section performed at 29 to 38 gestational weeks.

Phase 1 dose-escalation study of S-222611, an oral reversible dual tyrosine kinase inhibitor of EGFR and HER2, in patients with solid tumours.

Background: S-222611 is a reversible inhibitor of EGFR, HER2 and HER4 with preclinical activity in models expressing these proteins. We have performed a Phase 1 study to determine safety, maximum tolerated dose (MTD), pharmacokinetic profile (PK) and efficacy in patients with solid tumours expressing EGFR or HER2.

Patients And Methods: Subjects had advanced tumours not suitable for standard treatment, expressing EGFR or HER2, and/or with amplified HER2.

Amnioinfusion before 26 weeks' gestation for severe fetal growth restriction with oligohydramnios: preliminary pilot study.

Aim: The prognosis for severe fetal growth restriction (FGR) with severe oligohydramnios before 26 weeks' gestation (WG) is currently poor; furthermore, its management is controversial. We report the innovative new management of FGR, such as therapeutic amnioinfusion and tocolysis.

Material And Methods: For FGR and severe oligohydramnios before 26 WG complicated with absent or reversed umbilical artery end-diastolic flow velocity and/or deceleration by ultrasonography, we performed transabdominal amnioinfusion with tocolysis.

Type and location of placenta previa affect preterm delivery risk related to antepartum hemorrhage.

Purpose: To evaluate whether type and location of placenta previa affect risk of antepartum hemorrhage-related preterm delivery.

Methods: We retrospectively studied 162 women with singleton pregnancies presenting placenta previa. Through observation using transvaginal ultrasound the women were categorized into complete or incomplete placenta previa, and then assigned to anterior and posterior groups.

Morphological changes observed via fetal ultrasound in prenatally diagnosed and isolated congenital lymphangiomas: three case reports.

We illustrate three cases of isolated congenital lymphangioma (CL). Fetal ultrasound (US) demonstrated uniloculated cystic masses that changed to multiloculated, subcutaneous, hypoechoic, avascular cystic masses with thin septations without solid components. Case 1: CL of the right forearm; Case 2: CL of the right hypochondrium; and Case 3: CL of the left upper posterior back.