Effect of probiotics on mother-to-neonate vertical transmission of group B streptococci: A prospective open-label randomized study.

BACKGROUND: Group B Streptococci (GBS) are common vaginal bacteria found in 20-30% of pregnant women and a significant cause of invasive infections in newborns. Recently, attention has been focused on the efficacy of probiotics during the perinatal period. However, the effect of probiotic intake on the mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of GBS remains unknown. METHODS: Pregnant women with positive GBS results from vaginal and rectal swab cultures at 35-37 weeks of gestation were randomly assigned to the probiotic group or the control group in an open-label manner at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, San-ikukai Hospital, Tokyo, Japan. The probiotic group received Lactobacillus reuteri during antenatal checkups from 35 to 37-week gestation to 1 month after delivery. Rectal swabs were obtained from the newborns at 5 days and at 1 month of age. Whole-genome sequencing was performed to test for GBS strains in the mother, whose newborn carried GBS at the 1-month checkup. Multi-locus sequence typing and single nucleotide polymorphism analyses were performed to identify MTCT. RESULTS: Overall, 67 mother-infant pairs were included, with 31 in the probiotic group and 36 in the control group. The positivity rate of GBS in newborns at 1 month of age was 10% (n = 3) in the probiotic group and 28% (n = 10) in the control group. In newborns carrying GBS at 1 month of age, genetic analysis revealed that the MTCT rate was 6% in the probiotic group and 22% in the control group, although the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.0927). CONCLUSION: No statistically significant difference was found; however, the consumption of L. reuteri by women with GBS-positive pregnancies may inhibit the MTCT of GBS.

Phase II/III Clinical Trial of Sub-Tenon Injection of Triamcinolone Acetonide (WP-0508ST) for Diabetic Macular Edema.

PURPOSE: To assess the efficacy and safety of sub-Tenon injection of triamcinolone acetonide (WP-0508ST) for the patients with diabetic macular edema (DME). METHODS: This multicenter, randomized, double-masked, comparative, controlled study was performed in 95 patients with DME. The patients were randomly divided into 20 mg WP-0508ST, 40 mg WP-0508ST, and control groups. RESULTS: A significant improvement in central macular thickness (CMT) was observed (p < 0.001) at 12 weeks after a single sub-Tenon injection of 20 mg WP-0508ST. The 40 mg group also demonstrated improvement in CMT, but the difference was not significant. In addition, the best-corrected visual acuity was improved in both the 20 mg and 40 mg groups at 12 weeks. The major side effects were increased intraocular pressure (9.4% in the 20 mg group and 13.3% in the 40 mg group) and lenticular opacity (6.3% in the 20 mg group and 10.0% in the 40 mg group). However, none of the patients with increased intraocular pressure required surgery. CONCLUSION: The efficacy and tolerability of WP-0508ST in the treatment of DME were confirmed, and 20 mg was determined to be the optimal dose.

Temporal expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin and drebrin in septal interstitial cells during alveolar maturation.

In rat lung, the definitive alveoli are established during development by the outgrowth of secondary septa from the primary septa present in newborn; however, the mechanism of alveolar formation has not yet been fully clarified. In this study, we characterize the septal interstitial cells in developing alveoli. During the perinatal period, alpha-SMA-containing slender cells were found in the primitive alveolar septa. Alpha-SMA-containing cells were detected at the tips of the septa until postnatal day 21, when the alveolar formation was almost completed, but disappeared in adult. Immunoelectron microscopy demonstrated that alpha-SMA is localized mainly in the cellular protrusions, which are connected with the elastic fibers around the interstitial cells. Developmentally regulated brain protein (drebrin) is also located in the cell extensions containing alpha-SMA in immature alveolar interstitial cells. In adult lung, alpha-SMA-positive cells are located only at the alveolar ducts but are not found in the secondary septa. Desmin is expressed only in alpha-SMA-containing cells at the alveolar ducts but not in those at the tip of alveolar septa. These results suggest that a part of the septal interstitial cells are temporarily alpha-SMA- and drebrin-positive during maturation. Alpha-SMA- and drebrin-containing septal interstitial cells (termed septal myofibroblast-like cells) may play an important role in alveolar formation.

Effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on experimental allergic conjunctivitis in Guinea pigs.

The effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) on experimental allergic conjunctivitis, induced by ocular challenge with antigen in actively sensitized guinea pigs, were investigated. NSAIDs reduced the increase in prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) and E2 (PGE2) in the ocular lavage fluid. The inhibition of NSAIDs to these increases was approximately 90%-95%. NSAIDs also lowered itch-scratch response (ISR) to approximately one-third to one-half of the vehicle-treated group. However, these drugs scarcely affected plasma exudation in the conjunctiva. Ketotifen, an H1 histamine receptor antagonist, inhibited both pathophysiological changes (inhibition: 70%-80%). However, this drug was less efficacious than NSAIDs in reducing PGD2 and PGE2 levels. Moreover, topical administration of histamine induced ISR and plasma exudation; in contrast, PGD2 induced ISR exclusively. These results suggest that a part of antigen-induced ISR may be attributable to PGs. However, PGs may not play a key role in plasma exudation; other mediators such as histamine may be involved.