Publications by authors named "Rena Yamazaki"
Diagnostic utility of contrast-enhanced computed tomography for ectopic pregnancy.
Int J Gynaecol Obstet
October 2024
Introduction: Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) is an emergent diagnostic imaging modality to identify the bleeding site and survey the abdominal cavity. The diagnostic utility of CECT for ectopic pregnancy (EP) has not been well-investigated. The objective of this study was to evaluate the characteristics of CECT findings in patients with EP and extract specific findings that could contribute to the identification of implantation sites.
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- Human extravillous trophoblast (EVT) cells invade the maternal uterus and work with immune cells, avoiding rejection despite containing paternal antigens.
- A specific peptidase called laeverin (LVRN) on EVT interacts with monocytes to boost the production of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase-1 (IDO1), which plays a role in immune response.
- The research indicates that LVRN helps create an immunosuppressive environment at the maternal-fetal interface, promoting the healthy development of the fetus by allowing EVT to coexist with maternal immune cells.
Article Synopsis
- The study investigates how cytotrophoblast cells differentiate into extravillous trophoblast (EVT) and interact with maternal immune cells during early pregnancy, focusing on the role of chemokines in this process.
- Researchers used a three-dimensional culture model of Swan71 cells to analyze gene and protein expressions related to chemokines and EVT markers, discovering that certain chemokines were significantly upregulated compared to monolayer cultures.
- The findings suggest that the spheroid culture model enhances chemokine expression, which may facilitate the migration of immune cells, highlighting the importance of chemokines in the EVT's early development and interaction with the maternal immune system.
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- The expression of certain clock genes was found to be lower in the endometrium of women with recurrent spontaneous abortions, hinting at their importance in pregnancy.
- Researchers created mice with specific deletions of uterine clock genes (cKO mice), which could implant embryos but failed to maintain a pregnancy due to suppressed function of uterine NK cells and poor placental vascular formation.
- Progesterone treatment was able to sustain some pregnancies in cKO mice, promoting the recruitment of beneficial CD161-positive NK cells, but it did not fix the structural issues within the placenta, highlighting the role of the uterine clock system in maintaining pregnancy post-implantation.
Article Synopsis
- * Surveys from breast cancer and reproductive health clinics showed that 60% of pregnancies were spontaneous in women under 35, with fertility rates dropping significantly as age increased.
- * The findings suggest that younger women have better chances for spontaneous pregnancies post-treatment, while women 35 and older should consider assisted reproductive options sooner for better chances of conception.
Background: Amniotic band syndrome is a rare phenomenon, but it can result in serious complications. We report herein our experience of amniotic band syndrome in a monochorionic diamniotic twin pregnancy where rupture of the dividing membrane occurred early in the second trimester.
Case Presentation: A 29-year-old nulliparous woman was referred to us for management of her monochorionic diamniotic twin pregnancy at 10 weeks of gestation.
Article Synopsis
- The greater omentum is a peritoneal structure that can be identified via ultrasound in cases of fetal ascites, which is the accumulation of fluid in the fetal abdomen.
- A study analyzed ultrasound findings related to the greater omentum in 11 pregnancies with fetal ascites, confirming its presence in 8 cases associated with non-peritonitis conditions.
- The presence of the greater omentum during ultrasound can provide important insights into the cause of fetal ascites and guide postnatal management, suggesting it should be included in ultrasound examination protocols.
The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of breast cancer treatment on the reproductive potential. We conducted a nationwide survey of breast oncology and reproductive endocrinology and infertility (REI) departments using a questionnaire designed to assess the impact of breast cancer treatment on fertility. We received responses from 312 breast oncology departments (response rate, 31.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAim: Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) are serious conditions that occur in 5-10% of pregnancies. Maternal factors, such as maternal age, obesity, and renal disease, have been described as risk factors. In order to extract the background lifestyle and gynecological characteristics for HDP, we conducted a prospective cohort study.
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- Tamoxifen (TAM) treatment can lead to ovarian hyperstimulation (OHS) in premenopausal women with breast cancer, notably associated with high estradiol levels.
- A study categorized patients into four groups based on their treatment history and found significant differences in the incidence of OHS among them.
- Results showed that younger patients and those post-chemotherapy had a higher risk of OHS, emphasizing the need for combined treatment strategies to manage this risk effectively.
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- The study evaluates obstetric outcomes in pregnancies resulting from embryo transfer (ET) during hormone replacement therapy (HRT) using assisted reproductive technology (ART).
- Out of 118 singleton pregnancies analyzed, 87 had data on their HRT cycles, revealing a significant increase in adverse placental outcomes such as placenta accreta spectrum among those undergoing ET during HRT.
- The findings suggest that pregnancies conceived with ET during HRT have worse outcomes related to placental issues, indicating the need for further research on this potential connection.
The amniotic membrane plays an important role in the physiological maintenance and protection of the embryo. Indeed, dysfunction of the amniotic membrane is thought to have an adverse effect on the continuation of pregnancy. In this report, we examined the pathological changes in the amniotic epithelium in three cases of diffuse chorioamniotic hemosiderosis (DCH) and investigated the cause of necrosis of the amniotic epithelial cells and its relationship with oligohydramnios.
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- A case study discusses twin anemia-polycythemia sequence in monochorionic dizygotic twins, highlighting unique blood conditions where one twin had anemia and the other had polycythemia.
- Blood chimerism was confirmed through a technique called fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), indicating the sharing of blood between the twins.
- This case is notable as it's the first documented instance of twin anemia-polycythemia sequence in monochorionic dizygotic twins, emphasizing potential genetic and immunological risks involved.
Circulating tumor cells (CTC) are newly discovered biomarkers of cancers. Although many systems detect CTC, a gold standard has not yet been established. We analyzed CTC in uterine cervical cancer patients using an advanced version of conditionally replicative adenovirus targeting telomerase-positive cells, which was enabled to infect coxsackievirus-adenovirus receptor-negative cells and to reduce false-positive signals in myeloid cells.
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- - Persistent cloaca is a rare condition where the urethra, vagina, and rectum share a single opening, which can lead to fetal hydrometrocolpos if fluids back up in the common channel.
- - A 29-year-old woman gave birth via elective cesarean at 37 weeks due to a fetal abdominal mass, and the newborn exhibited respiratory distress and an imperforate anus.
- - After diagnosing persistent cloaca and draining the fluid buildup, the infant's breathing improved significantly, with imaging revealing some of the largest findings linked to this condition.
Article Synopsis
- This study focuses on a significant case of a large genital hematoma following delivery, linked to a genetic mutation known as fibrinogen Dorfen.
- Fibrinogen Dorfen involves a specific mutation in the fibrinogen protein that affects its structure and function, particularly impacting the polymerization process crucial for blood clotting.
- Despite both the patient and her mother carrying the same genetic mutation, their clinical outcomes varied significantly, highlighting the need to investigate how differences in fibrinogen function can lead to diverse perinatal results.
Macrophage with gold nanorod visualized by optical-resolution and acoustic-resolution photoacoustic microscopes.
Annu Int Conf IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc
September 2016
Macrophages play a key role in inflammation and they are frequently observed in vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque. In the present study, macrophages phagocytosing gold nanorod (AuNR) were observed by optical-resolution (OR) and acoustic-resolution (AR) photoacoustic microscope (PAM). The OR-PAM consisted of diode laser optically focused to 60 micron and planar ultrasonic transducer with the central frequency of 8 MHz placed under the object.
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- Tamoxifen is an anti-estrogen drug used to treat breast cancer, and its use in premenopausal women in Japan is increasing, prompting a study on its effects on ovarian function.
- The study analyzed 11 women with high serum estradiol levels during tamoxifen therapy, focusing on their serum Follicular Stimulating Hormone (FSH) levels and follicular development.
- Results showed that tamoxifen could stimulate ovarian function even after two years of treatment, with observed large follicles indicating potential adverse effects on the hormone regulation system.
The expansion of a polyQ repeat within the ataxin-2 protein causes spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 (SCA2). However, neither the precise pathological mechanism nor the physiological functions of ataxin-2 are known. Ataxin-2 contains 47 (S/T)P sequences, which are targeted by proline-directed protein kinases such as the cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: The transvaginal approach is being used for natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES), and reports of the clinical use of transvaginal NOTES have increased rapidly. However, hasty use of a transvaginal route may cause unexpected complications. Infertility or dyspareunia after transvaginal NOTES in young women is one of the most important issues to be resolved.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe objective was to introduce a new system for transvaginal removal of ovarian cyst and to evaluate its feasibility. With a new transvaginal system, ultrasound-assisted culdotomy, and laparoscopy supported cystectomy if vaginal procedure failed. The authors conducted a retrospective review in which 35 cases using new vaginal ovarian cystectomy were compared with 40 cases of laparoscopic cystectomy for the treatment of dermoid cyst.
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- A new method of removing ovarian cysts through the vagina, using an ultrasound-guided technique with a special umbrella needle, was tested on 36 patients.
- The surgery was quick, taking less than 10 minutes, with minimal blood loss and no complications reported.
- This ultrasound-assisted culdotomy is considered a simple and effective alternative to traditional laparoscopic approaches for cyst removal.
Use of laparoscopic support to avoid laparotomy in vaginal ovarian cystectomy.
J Minim Invasive Gynecol
August 2008
The objective of our study was to evaluate the use of a procedure for vaginal ovarian cystectomy that is supported by the option to convert to laparoscopy. The ovarian cystectomy was initially approached transvaginally, and then if impossible, completed laparoscopically. We applied this operation system to 38 patients with benign ovarian cysts.
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