Tamao Nakanishi

No association of C677T methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase and an endothelial nitric oxide synthase polymorphism with recurrent pregnancy loss

Problem:  It is controversial whether polymorphisms of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) and the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) are associated with recurrent pregnancy loss.

Uterine Cervical Inflammatory Cytokines, Interleukin-6 and -8, as Predictors of Miscarriage in Recurrent Cases

Inflammatory changes frequently occur in cases of second trimester miscarriage or pre‐term delivery, but little attention has been paid to this association with recurrent miscarriage. As interleukin‐6 and interleukin‐8 are inflammatory cytokines reported to be associated with bacterial vaginosis, intrauterine infections, and pre‐term delivery, we here investigated whether they might have predictive value for spontaneous abortion in recurrent cases.

Conservative treatment by angiographic artery embolization of an 11-week cervical pregnancy after a period of heavy bleeding

OBJECTIVE To describe a rare case of conservative treatment of an 11-week cervical pregnancy after a period of heavy bleeding. DESIGN Case report. SETTING A university hospital. PATIENT(S) A 33-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital for treatment of a cervical pregnancy. Two-and-a-half years thereafter, she gave birth to a healthy baby by vaginal delivery at 38 weeks of gestation. INTERVENTION(S) Systemic methotrexate treatment, ligation of descending branches of uterine arteries, cervical cerclage, and unilateral internal iliac artery embolization. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Transvaginal ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, and arteriography findings. RESULT(S) The patient was successfully treated with unilateral internal iliac artery embolization on the same side as the pregnancy in the 11th gestational week. CONCLUSION(S) After failed methotrexate and vessel ligation in cervical pregnancy, unilateral internal iliac artery embolization is an effective and conservative treatment that allows preservation of reproduction potential.

Occasional antiphospholipid antibody positive patients with recurrent pregnancy loss also merit aspirin therapy: a retrospective cohort-control study.

It is well known that treatment with aspirin plus heparin is effective for patients with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) to prevent pregnancy loss. However, it is unclear if occasional antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) are a risk factor and whether patients with aPL at one time point but not diagnosed as APS should be treated.

Elevated aldosterone in amniotic fluid and maternal blood has diagnostic potential in pregnancies complicated with a fetus of Bartter syndrome.

Pregnancies with fetuses affected with the Bartter syndrome, an autosomal recessive disorder of hyperreninism and hyperaldosteronism, are complicated by early onset of polyhydramnios which results in preterm deliveries. We have assessed biochemical changes in amniotic fluid and the mother’s blood with a view to early diagnosis. Aldosterone levels of both amniotic fluid and the mother’s blood were found to be increased at 27 weeks of gestation, while electrolyte levels did not differ significantly from those reported earlier for controls. After birth the baby suffered from polyuria with hyponatremia, hypomagnesemia and hypercalciuria which could be controlled by treatment with sodium chloride and magnesium. Elevated aldosterone thus might be a useful marker for early diagnostic purposes.

ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Occasional Antiphospholipid Antibody Positive Patients with Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Also Merit Aspirin Therapy: A Retrospective Cohort-Control Study

It is well known that treatment with aspirin plus heparin is effective for patients with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) to prevent pregnancy loss. However, it is unclear if occasional antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) are a risk factor and whether patients with aPL at one time point but not diagnosed as APS should be treated.

Pregnancy Outcome in Recurrent Aborters is Not Influenced by Chlamydia IgA and/or G

Problem:  It is unclear whether chlamydia infection influences the miscarriage rate and immunological factors in patients with recurrent miscarriage.

Role of mu-calpain in human decidua for recurrent miscarriage.

Problem  Earlier, we showed that calpain activated by increasing intracellular calcium ion concentration in endometrial cells, causes endometrial dysfunction for implantation and early pregnancy. In the present study, we investigated the existence and distribution of calpains, calpastatin, integrin β3 and α‐fodrin in decidua from patients with recurrent miscarriage.

Cleavage of integrin by mu-calpain during hypoxia in human endometrial cells

Problem:  The distribution and activation of μ‐calpain and possible cleavage of integrin in human endometrial cells under hypoxic condition were investigated.

ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Role of μ-Calpain in Human Decidua for Recurrent Miscarriage

Problem  Earlier, we showed that calpain activated by increasing intracellular calcium ion concentration in endometrial cells, causes endometrial dysfunction for implantation and early pregnancy. In the present study, we investigated the existence and distribution of calpains, calpastatin, integrin β3 and α‐fodrin in decidua from patients with recurrent miscarriage.