Neurological outcomes and associated perinatal factors in infants born between 22 and 25 weeks with active care.

Objectives: To elucidate the outcomes of periviable infants receiving active care (AC) and explore perinatal factors associated with neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Methods: This is a single-center retrospective study on infants born at 22-25 weeks of gestation, all of whom received AC. A developmental quotient (DQ) ≥ 85 at corrected 18 months was judged as normal.

Host-derived protein profiles of human neonatal meconium across gestational ages.

Meconium, a non-invasive biomaterial reflecting prenatal substance accumulation, could provide valuable insights into neonatal health. However, the comprehensive protein profile of meconium across gestational ages remains unclear. Here, we conducted an extensive proteomic analysis of first meconium from 259 newborns across varied gestational ages to delineate protein composition and elucidate its relevance to neonatal diseases.

Infant Formula with 50% or More of Palmitic Acid Bound to the sn-2 Position of Triacylglycerols Eliminate the Association between Formula-Feeding and the Increase of Fecal Palmitic Acid Levels in Newborns: An Exploratory Study.

The binding ratio of palmitic acid (PA) at the sn-2 position of triacylglycerols in infant formulas is lower than that in breast milk, resulting in higher levels of fecal PA. Even if the ratio is increased to 40-50%, fecal PA levels in formula-fed infants remain higher than those in breast-fed infants. In Japan, infant formulas with 50% or more of PA bound to sn-2 (high sn-2 PA milk) are commercially available; however, their effects on PA excretion have not been investigated.

Congenital cytomegalovirus infection in a preterm infant with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome and immunological abnormalities.

The 22q11.2 deletion syndrome has many complications; one of them is immunodeficiency. However, the time of onset and the degree of immunodeficiency can vary.

Immunoglobulin for hemolytic jaundice in Japan: A retrospective survey.

Background: Intravenous immunoglobulin G (IVIG) is used to treat blood-type incompatibility hemolytic disease of newborns (BTHDN). Although IVIG's efficacy for treating BTHDN has been challenged, as an updated systematic review suggests, IVIG could significantly reduce exchange transfusions. We conducted a mail-in questionnaire survey to ascertain actual use of IVIG for BTHDN in Japan.

Case Report: Treatment of Extremely Preterm Infants With Birthweight Below 300 g: Case Series.

Reports on the birth of infants weighing <300 g are quite rare and little is known about the best practices in treating such micropreemies. Therefore, we report here on three cases of low birthweight infants weighing <300 g, of whom two infants survived. The birthweights and gestational ages were ranging 279-293 g and 22 + 6/7 - 23 + 6/7 weeks, respectively.

A Fetus with Imperforate Anus Developing Pulmonary Hypoplasia Triggered by Transient Urethral Obstruction.

Pulmonary hypoplasia is a rare entity in a fetus with imperforate anus. The fetus was diagnosed with high-type imperforate anus with rectourethral fistula based on the dilated fetal bowel and the presence of bowel calcification at 19 weeks of gestation. As gestation advanced, fetal ultrasonography demonstrated development of pulmonary hypoplasia, progressive bowel dilation, and persistent oligohydramnios from 28 weeks of gestation despite a fluid-filled bladder without hydroureter or hydronephrosis.

Critically Severe Case of Neonatal Herpes with High Viral Load and Hemophagocytic Syndrome.

Neonatal disseminated herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection is a severe disease with high mortality and morbidity; yet, the pathophysiology remains unclear. Here, we report a male infant with disseminated HSV type 1 (HSV-1) infection, complicated by hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) and multiple organ failure. The infant, born at 39 weeks of gestation by normal delivery, developed fever (38.

Isolation and characterization of Kabuto Mountain virus, a new tick-borne phlebovirus from Haemaphysalis flava ticks in Japan.

In Japan, indigenous tick-borne phleboviruses (TBPVs) and their associated diseases first became evident in 2013 by reported human cases of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS). In this study, we report a novel member of the genus Phlebovirus designated as Kabuto Mountain virus (KAMV), which was isolated from the ixodid tick Haemaphysalis flava in Hyogo, Japan. A complete viral genome sequencing and phylogenetic analyses showed that KAMV is a novel member of TBPVs, which is closely related to the Uukuniemi and Kaisodi group viruses.

Reduction of animal suffering in rabies vaccine potency testing by introduction of humane endpoints.

Potency controls of inactivated rabies vaccines for human use are confirmed by the National Institutes of Health challenge test in which lethal infection with severe neurological symptoms should be observed in approximately half of the mice inoculated with the rabies virus. Weight loss, decreased body temperature, and the presence of rabies-associated neurological signs have been proposed as humane endpoints. The potential for reduction of animal suffering by introducing humane endpoints in the potency test for inactivated rabies vaccine for human use was investigated.

A female newborn having mosaicism with near-tetraploidy and trisomy 18.

Tetraploidy is characterized by the presence of four complete sets of chromosomes in an individual. Full tetraploidy is usually considered lethal. To date, only ten live-births with the condition have been reported.

A sensitive in vitro assay for the detection of residual viable rabies virus in inactivated rabies vaccines.

Rabies is a viral disease transmitted through bites from rabid animals and can be prevented by vaccines. Clinically used rabies vaccines are prepared from inactivated rabies viruses grown in cell cultures or embryonated eggs. In Japan and across the world, tests that confirm complete inactivation, such as the in vivo suckling mouse assay, in which suckling mice are intracerebrally inoculated with vaccine products, are required for quality control.

Characterization of DNA polymerase-associated acyclovir-resistant herpes simplex virus type 1: mutations, sensitivity to antiviral compounds, neurovirulence, and in-vivo sensitivity to treatment.

Acyclovir (ACV)-resistant (ACV(r)) mutants were generated from plaque-purified ACV-sensitive herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) by culturing the virus in Vero cells in the presence of 2-amino-7-(1,3-dihydroxy-2-propoxymethyl) purine (S2242). Three DNA polymerase (DNApol)-associated ACV(r) HSV-1 generated under ACV selection in a previous study (Suzutani, T., Ishioka, K.

Neonatal herpes encephalitis caused by a virologically confirmed acyclovir-resistant herpes simplex virus 1 strain.

A neonate with herpes simplex virus 1 encephalitis was treated with intravenous acyclovir. During the course of therapy, the infection became intractable to the treatment and a mutation in the viral thymidine kinase gene (nucleotide G375T, amino acid Q125H) developed. This mutation was demonstrated in vitro to confer acyclovir resistance.