Postpartum hair loss is associated with anxiety.

Aim: This study examined the relationship between postpartum hair loss and psychological symptoms.

Methods: This questionnaire-based, cross-sectional study included postpartum women who had delivered at two facilities and completed the questionnaire 10-18 months after delivery. Study protocols were sent by mail in two parts.

Longitudinal hematological change in uncomplicated twin pregnancies: The white blood cell count decreases through pregnancy after the first trimester.

Objective: Longitudinal hematological changes throughout twin pregnancies have not been reported. This study aimed to reveal longitudinal changes in hematological indices in twin pregnancies.

Materials And Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of hematological changes in uncomplicated twin pregnancies delivered at ≥37 weeks of gestation between 2010 and 2013 and randomly selected uncomplicated singletons during the same period.

PCSK9 inhibitor use during pregnancy in a case of familial hypercholesterolemia complicated with coronary artery disease.

Limited data have been reported on the use of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK 9) inhibitors during pregnancy in women with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH). Here, we present the first case of initiating evolocumab (PCSK9 inhibitor) in a compound heterozygous FH mother. The patient was a 34-year-old primipara with severe dyslipidemia and a history of coronary artery bypass surgery.

COVID-19 mRNA vaccination status and concerns among pregnant women in Japan: a multicenter questionnaire survey.

Background: mRNA vaccination is an effective, safe, and widespread strategy for protecting pregnant women against infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. However, information on factors such as perinatal outcomes, safety, and coverage of mRNA vaccinations among pregnant women is limited in Japan. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the perinatal outcomes, coverage, adverse effects, and short-term safety of mRNA vaccination as well as vaccine hesitancy among pregnant women.

Placenta accrete after a frozen-thawed embryo transfer in a systemic lupus erythematosus patient treated with hydroxychloroquine.

Placenta accreta (PA) is a life-threatening disorder associated with decidual maldevelopment and a thin endometrium. Few cases of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) pregnancy complicated by PA have been reported, and the background pathophysiology remains elusive. Here, we report a case of PA in SLE pregnancy treated with hydroxychloroquine.

An ultrasonographic estimated fetal weight reference for Japanese twin pregnancies.

Purpose: The purpose was to establish an estimated fetal weight (EFW) reference for twin pregnancies in Japan and to compare the growth of twins with singletons.

Methods: We retrospectively investigated Japanese women who delivered live-born twins at our center during the period from 2010 to 2016. The main exclusion criteria were monoamniotic twins, fetal reduction, maternal complications, twin-twin transfusion syndrome, fetal congenital anomalies, and patients with their first visit after 16 weeks' gestation.

Dynamics of an ultra-discrete SIR epidemic model with time delay.

We propose an ultra-discretization for an SIR epidemic model with time delay. It is proven that the ultra-discrete model has a threshold property concerning global attractivity of equilibria as shown in differential and difference equation models. We also study an interesting convergence pattern of the solution, which is illustrated in a two-dimensional lattice.

Pregnancy outcomes in female childhood cancer survivors: Nationwide survey in Japan.

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the outcomes of pregnancy in female childhood cancer survivors (CCS) in Japan, to encourage greater attention to the reproductive health of CCS.

Methods: This was a retrospective nationwide questionnaire survey of delivery at ≥22 weeks of gestation in CCS at perinatal centers registered with the Japanese Perinatologists Association between 2010 and 2014. We evaluated the maternal characteristics, pregnancy and neonatal outcomes and the relationship between cancer treatment and these outcomes.

Clinical manifestation of a calyceal diverticular abscess in a pregnant woman.

Calyceal diverticula are congenital, nonsecretory abnormalities in which the transitional cell-lined cavity communicates with the renal collecting system. Here we present the case of a calyceal diverticular abscess during pregnancy. A 40-year-old primiparous woman developed the abscess at 23 weeks of gestation, with right flank pain and a 37.

The anti-phospholipid antibody-dependent and independent effects of periodontopathic bacteria on threatened preterm labor and preterm birth.

Purpose: Periodontal disease is considered to be a risk factor for threatened preterm labor (TPL) and preterm birth (PB), but pathogenic mechanisms have not yet been elucidated. We hypothesized that infection with periodontopathic bacteria may enhance thrombosis through molecular mimicry with TLRVYK peptides on beta-2 glycoprotein I, a target molecule in anti-phospholipid syndrome. This study aimed to examine the effects of periodontitis on TPL and PB.

Localization of the ATP-sensitive K(+) channel regulatory subunits SUR2A and SUR2B in the rat brain.

ATP-sensitive K(+) (K(ATP)) channel subunits SUR2A and SUR2B in the rat brain were investigated by RT-PCR assay, western blot analysis, in situ hybridization histochemistry, and immunohistochemical staining. The results show that the mRNA and protein of SUR2A and SUR2B are expressed in whole rat brain extracts and selected regions. SUR2 mRNA is widely expressed in many neurons and glial cells as revealed by in situ hybridization histochemistry.

Acute loss of DP1, but not DP2, induces p53 mRNA and augments p21Waf1/Cip1 and senescence.

The transcription factors DP1 and DP2 have been implicated in crucial gene regulation as heterodimer partners of E2F; however, the functional differences between DP1 and DP2 remain poorly understood. To gain insight into DPs in human somatic cells, we first suppressed endogenous DP1 and DP2 using RNA interference and examined the effect of their loss on gene expression changes in HeLa cervical cancer cells. A DNA microarray and gene pathway analysis revealed that the suppression of well-known E2F/DP-regulated pathways, including the G1 to S phase transition of the cell cycle and DNA replication, was manifested in accordance with the acute loss of DP1 and DP2.

Enforced expression of the transcription factor HOXD3 under the control of the Wnt1 regulatory element modulates cell adhesion properties in the developing mouse neural tube.

HOX genes expressed in a specific spatial and temporal manner play a crucial role in determining the body plan during the early development of vertebrates. In adult tissues, many HOX genes participate in normal hematopoiesis and carcinogenesis. We previously found that overexpression of the homeobox gene HOXD3 alters expression levels of cell adhesion molecules in human cancer cell lines.

Different localization of ATP sensitive K+ channel subunits in rat testis.

ATP sensitive K(+) (K(ATP) ) channels are important linkage of cell membrane excitability to its cellular bioenergetic state. These channels are composed of pore-forming subunits and regulatory subunits. The present study focused on the cellular expressions and localizations of these subunits in rat testis.

Localization of ATP-sensitive K+ channel subunits in rat submandibular gland.

ATP-sensitive K(+) (K(ATP)) channel subunits were investigated in rat submandibular gland (SMG). RT-PCR detected the presence of mRNA transcripts of the Kir6.1, Kir6.

[Effectiveness of combination learning of basic problem and free clinical topics in lecturing for lower grade students in pharmacy school].

To help pharmacy students develop applied knowledge concerning clinical diseases and the ability to communicate with patients (and medical staff), we have introduced a new improved program for first and second year pharmaceutical students. This new program involves a 10-20 minute presentation of a clinical disease and clinical case by the students after regular lectures. Our new program may be useful for a 6-year pharmacy education in order to produce pharmacy students who have: 1) wide clinical knowledge, 2) a better basis for understanding advanced subjects such as pharmacology, drug therapeutics and pathologic physiology that are taken in the upper grades, and 3) practical training at medical institutions.

Localization of the sulphonylurea receptor subunits, SUR2A and SUR2B, in rat renal tubular epithelium.

ATP-sensitive K+ (K(ATP)) channels in the kidney are considered to play roles in regulating membrane potential according to changes in the intracellular ATP concentration. They are composed of two types of subunits; the pore subunits (Kir6.1, Kir6.

Localization of sulfonylurea receptor subunits, SUR2A and SUR2B, in rat heart.

To understand the possible functions and subcellular localizations of sulfonylurea receptors (SURs) in cardiac muscle, polyclonal anti-SUR2A and anti-SUR2B antisera were raised. Immunoblots revealed both SUR2A and SUR2B expression in mitochondrial fractions of rat heart and other cellular fractions such as microsomes and cell membranes. Immunostaining detected ubiquitous expression of both SUR2A and SUR2B in rat heart in the atria, ventricles, interatrial and interventricular septa, and smooth muscles and endothelia of the coronary arteries.

[Introduction of active learning and student readership in teaching by the pharmaceutical faculty].

We have introduced improvements and new approaches into our teaching methods by exploiting 4 active learning methods for pharmacy students of first year. The 4 teaching methods for each lesson or take home assignment are follows: 1) problem-based learning (clinical case) including a student presentation of the clinical case, 2) schematic drawings of the human organs, one drawing done in 15-20 min during the week following a lecture and a second drawing done with reference to a professional textbook, 3) learning of professional themes in take home assignments, and 4) short test in order to confirm the understanding of technical terms by using paper or computer. These improvements and new methods provide active approaches for pharmacy students (as opposed to passive memorization of words and image study).

ATP-sensitive K+-channel subunits on the mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum of rat cardiomyocytes.

ATP-sensitive K(+) (K(ATP)) channel subunits on the subcellular structures of rat cardiomyocytes were studied with antibodies against Kir6.1 and Kir6.2.

Time course and sequence of pathological changes in the cerebellum of microsphere-embolized rats.

Ischemia is a major cause of damage to the central nervous system as a consequence of stroke or trauma. Here, we analyzed with high temporal resolution the time course of pathological changes in the neurons (granule and Purkinje cells) and glia (Bergmann and astroglia cells) in the cerebellar cortex and white matter. The period studied ranged from 30 min to 7 days after a microsphere-induced embolism used as a model of stroke and multi-infarct dementia.

Multiple organ dysfunction in congenital murine toxoplasmosis.

Infection of gravid Nya: NYLAR (NYLAR), C57BL/6J (C57), and BALB/c mice with Toxoplasma gondii, on gestation day 7, resulted in fetal resorptions, abortions, and stillbirths. Fetal wastage (estimated) was 35 and 40% in the NYLAR and C57 strains and 55% in the BALB/c strain. Postnatally, pups were cachectic and growth-retarded, with some developing hind limb weakness, petechial lesions on ears and tail, and a blood-tinged nasal exudate.