Yoshiko Komoto

A decrease of cell proliferation by hypothermia in the hippocampus of the neonatal rat

Hypothermia is a potential therapy for cerebral hypoxic ischemic injury of not only adults but also neonates. However, the side effects of hypothermia in the developing brain, where a massive amount of neurogenesis occurs, remain unclear. We investigated the proliferation of neural progenitor cells by systemic application of the thymidine analog 5-bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) in neonatal rats in a severe hypothermic environment. The rat pups were divided into two groups, a hypothermia group (30 degrees C: n=10) and a normothermia group (37 degrees C: n=10). After the pups were placed for 21 h in each environment, 100 mg/kg/day of BrdU was injected intraperitoneally to label dividing cells, and then the pups were sacrificed at 24 h. We examined the number of BrdU-labeled cells in the subventricular zone of the periventricle and the subgranular zone of the dentate gyrus. In the hypothermic environment, BrdU-labeled cells significantly decreased in number in the dentate gyrus, but not in the periventricular region. Thus, the severe hypothermic environment induced a decrease of neurogenesis in the neonatal rat. These observations are noteworthy regarding clinical hypothermia therapy following cerebral hypoxic ischemic injury during the perinatal period.

Relationship Between Human Tumor‐Associated Antigen RCAS1 and Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

The human tumor‐associated receptor‐binding cancer antigen expressed on SiSo cells (RCAS1) is considered to play a role in the inhibition of the maternal immune response during pregnancy. The aim of our study was to investigate the expression of RCAS1 protein in the placenta and to compare its concentration in maternal and cord blood sera between normal pregnancies and pregnancies complicated by gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

Is 38 weeks late enough for elective cesarean delivery

L1 and L2 compression fractures. the γ-globulin region that was identified as an IgGλ protein by immunoelectrophoresis. Bone marrow examination showed a remarkable increase in the number of plasma cells (50%). Serum β-microglobulin level was increased to 4.68 mg/L. The patient was diagnosed with multiple myeloma stage IIIa. Two weeks after surgery the patient began chemotherapy with 2 cycles of vincristine, doxorubicin (Adriamycin; Pfizer, New York, NY, USA), and dexamethasone. This caused leucopenia and general weakness; it was replaced by a secondary therapy with bortezomib (Velcade; JanssenCilag, High Wycombe, UK), thalidomide, and dexamethasone. The patient responded well with no aggravating signs of multiple myeloma. The prognosis for women with multiple myeloma is poor, with a relative survival rate of 25% and 9% for 5 and 10 years, respectively [2]. The offspring of patients appear to be unaffected by the maternal disease [3].

Spontaneous Uterine Perforation of Pyometra Presenting as Acute Abdomen

Pyometra is the accumulation of pus in the uterine cavity, and spontaneous perforation of pyometra resulting in generalized diffuse peritonitis is extremely uncommon. We report a rare case of diffuse peritonitis caused by spontaneous perforation of pyometra. A 66-year-old postmenopausal woman with diffuse abdominal pain and vomiting was admitted to our institution. She had a history of mixed connective-tissue disease and had been taking steroids for 20 years. Under a diagnosis of generalized peritonitis secondary to perforation of the gastrointestinal tract or uterus, supravaginal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy were performed. Unfortunately, wound dehiscence and infection occurred during the postoperative course, which were exacerbated by her immunocompromised state. Despite intensive care and a course of antibiotics, the patient died of multiple organ failure resulting from sepsis on the 36th postoperative day. Although correct diagnosis, early intervention, and proper treatment can reduce morbidity and mortality of spontaneous perforation of pyometra, if severe infection occurs, this disease can be life threatening for immunocompromised hosts.

Coexistent intramedullary spinal cord and choroidal metastases in ovarian cancer.

Involvement of intramedullary spinal cord and the choroid by ovarian cancer is rare, and coexistence of metastases at these sites is extremely rare and has never been reported. This condition rapidly progresses to a neurological emergency; however, an efficient standard treatment method is not available for this rare condition. The case presented herein is of a female patient with stage II, poorly differentiated serous cystadenocarcinoma of the ovary. She presented with blindness and other neurologic complaints during the course of treatment for a recurrence at 50 months after the primary surgical treatment for the tumor. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed intramedullary spinal cord metastasis and choroidal metastasis, coexisting with multiple brain metastases and intra‐abdominal lesions. Neurological emergency was prevented by administering whole‐brain irradiation therapy followed by systemic chemotherapy. Early diagnosis and multidisciplinary treatment, including radiotherapy and chemotherapy, may offer good palliation for such unusual metastases of ovarian cancer.

Level of S100B protein expression in the amnion at various gestational ages in the third trimester of normal pregnancies

Background. S100B protein is a unique calcium‐binding protein. Its biological role within the cell populations is not completely defined. Some pathological conditions that develop during pregnancy could affect S100B concentrations in the amniotic fluid, cord blood, and maternal serum. The aim of our study was to assess the correlation between S100B protein expression in the amnion, amniotic fluid and gestational age in the third trimester of uncomplicated pregnancies. Methods. Amnion, amniotic fluid, maternal peripheral and umbilical cord blood samples were collected from healthy women who delivered at 31–36 weeks (n = 17), 37–40 weeks (n = 22), and 41–42 weeks (n = 21). The expression of S100B in the amnion was assessed by immunohistochemistry and real‐time (RT)‐PCR, and its concentrations in amniotic fluid, maternal and cord blood sera were determined by ELISA. Results. The S100B protein expression in the amnion and its concentrations in amniotic fluid, maternal and cord blood sera of patients in the third trimester were not significantly different at various gestational ages. Conclusions. The S100B protein expression in the amnion and the S100B protein concentrations in amniotic fluid, maternal and cord blood do not vary significantly in the third trimester of uncomplicated pregnancies.