Masato Kantake

Postnatal epigenetic modification of glucocorticoid receptor gene in preterm infants: a prospective cohort study

Objective To examine the environmental effects on cytosine methylation of preterm infants DNA, because early life experiences are considered to influence the physiological and mental health of an individual through epigenetic modification of DNA. Design A prospective cohort study, comparison of epigenetic differences in the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) gene between healthy term and preterm infants. Setting Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in a Japanese University Hospital. Participants A cohort of 40 (20 term and 20 preterm) infants was recruited on the day of birth, and peripheral blood was obtained from each infant at birth and on postnatal day 4. Main outcome measures The methylation rates in the 1-F promoter region of the GR gene using the Mquant method. Results The methylation rate increased significantly between postnatal days 0 and 4 in preterm infants but remained stable in term infants. Thus, the methylation rate was significantly higher in preterm than in term infants at postnatal day 4. Several perinatal parameters were significantly correlated with this change in the methylation rate. Logistic regression analysis revealed that methylation rates at postnatal day 4 predicted the occurrence of later complications that required glucocorticoid administration during the neonatal period. No gene polymorphism was detected within the GR promoter region analysed. Conclusions Although further large-scale studies are needed to detect the environmental factors that explain the difference in epigenetic modification among infants after birth, our data show that the postnatal environment influences epigenetic programming of GR expression through methylation of the GR gene promoter in premature infants, which may result in relative glucocorticoid insufficiency during the postnatal period.

Effect of PMX‐DHP for sepsis due to ESBL‐producing E. coli in an extremely low‐birthweight infant

We report a case of early onset sepsis caused by (CTX for cefotaximase and M for Munich)‐type extended‐spectrum β‐lactamase‐producing Escherichia coli (ESBL E. coli) in a preterm infant weighing 601 g. He was given meropenem and treated for endotoxin absorption with polymyxin B‐immobilized fibers with only 8 mL of priming volume. The patient survived without any short‐term neurological or respiratory sequelae. The choice of antibiotics is particularly important in seriously ill neonates with sepsis due to ESBL‐producing organisms. Polymyxin B hemoperfusion might be an innovative therapy for severe neonatal sepsis and could improve outcome even in an extremely low‐birthweight infant.

Effect of insulin‐like growth factor‐I during the early postnatal period in intrauterine growth‐restricted rats

Insulin‐like growth factor‐I (IGF‐I) is essential for perinatal growth and development; low serum IGF‐I has been observed during intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). We investigated the effects of recombinant human (rh) IGF‐I in IUGR rats during the early postnatal period.

Association between the frequency of bedwetting and late preterm birth in children aged ≥5 years

We examined the associations between late preterm (LPT) birth children aged ≥5 years and the frequency of bedwetting. Moreover, those who were born full‐term/low birthweight (BW), LPT/low BW, LPT/normal BW and LPT/low BW were compared.

Transplantation of allogeneic adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells in a cerebral palsy patient

This article was retracted on 25/08/2017.

A case of congenital diaphragmatic hernia with intradiaphragmatic pulmonary sequestration: case report and literature review

Extralobar pulmonary sequestration (EPS) can occasionally be found incidentally in congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). Extralobar pulmonary sequestration usually arises in the chest or the abdomen; rarely in the diaphragm. We report a neonatal case of antenatally diagnosed CDH associated with intradiaphragmatic EPS.