Predicting preterm birth within 2 weeks in asymptomatic women with a short cervix: Combined effects of cervicovaginal fluid cytokine levels and fetal fibronectin test.

Aims: To predict preterm birth (PTB) accurately, we conducted a comprehensive cytokine assay using cervicovaginal fluid (CVF) and evaluated the additive effects of cytokine levels on the fetal fibronectin (fFN) test.

Methods: A total of 645 CVF samples were collected from 256 asymptomatic pregnant women between 24 and 35 weeks gestation, exhibiting short cervix. After selection based on specific criteria, 17 cytokines in 105 CVF samples were simultaneously measured using multiplex assay.

Molecular hydrogen has a positive impact on pregnancy maintenance through enhancement of mitochondrial function and immunomodulatory effects on T cells.

Aims: Molecular hydrogen (H) has attracted growing interest because of its implications in various diseases. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the remarkable effect of a small amount of H remain elusive. No knowledge has been available on the role of H in the etiology of pregnancy disorders or its direct influence on human immune cells.

The Possible Effects of Zinc Supplementation on Postpartum Depression and Anemia.

The effects of postpartum zinc supplementation are still unclear. Our purpose in this study is to investigate the association between Zn supplementation and postpartum depression, defined by an Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) score ≥ 9, and the effect on the hematological status of postpartum women. We first investigated whether zinc supplementation affected the perioperative levels of zinc, hemoglobin, and hematocrit in 197 cases who underwent cesarean section and had postpartum anemia.

Multiple cytokine analysis in gastroschisis: Association with adverse outcomes including fetal brain damage.

Objectives: To investigate the distribution of multiple cytokines in gastroschisis and reveal its association with clinical outcomes, including gastrointestinal disorders and fetal brain damage caused by chronic inflammation in gastroschisis.

Methods: We obtained amniotic fluid and arterial cord blood from 10 patients with gastroschisis, and evaluated the profile of 40 cytokines via multiplex immunoassay. The possible relationship of the cytokines with the time taken to attain full enteral nutrition and cord S100B, a surrogate marker of brain damage, was estimated.