Novel Clean End-to-End Anastomosis Method, Without Opening the Stomach Lumen, in Totally Laparoscopic or Robotic Pylorus-Preserving Gastrectomy.

PURPOSE: Intra-abdominal infection is a common postoperative complication of laparoscopic pylorus-preserving gastrectomies (PPGs). Many studies have reported that intra-abdominal infectious complications after gastrectomy adversely affect patient survival outcomes. To prevent gastric fluid leakage into the abdominal cavity, we developed a novel anastomosis method in which the stomach lumen is not opened (termed the non-opened clean end-to-end anastomosis method [NoCEAM]) and evaluated its feasibility. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Subsequent to lymphadenectomy, the oral and anal resection lines were sutured using an intraoperative endoscope. After closing the stomach circumferentially with clips, the specimen was rolled outward like a "donut." We resected the specimen circumferentially using a linear stapler, and anastomosis was completed simultaneously. We examined the feasibility of this procedure ex vivo, using three porcine stomachs, and in vivo, using one pig. Subsequently, we applied the procedure to 13 consecutive patients with middle-third early gastric cancer utilizing laparotomic, laparoscopic, and robotic PPG. RESULTS: NoCEAM was completed in all porcine models and human cases. In the human cases, the mean operation time (±standard deviation) was 279±51 minutes, and mean blood loss volume was 22±45 mL. The mean number of linear staples used was 5.06±0.76. None of the patients had complications, and all were discharged on the eighth postoperative. The serum total protein, serum albumin, and hemoglobin levels did not change significantly after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: NoCEAM is feasible and safe for performing totally laparoscopic or robotic PPG. It may reduce postoperative complications, such as intra-abdominal infections.

Hepatic invasion of a gastric ulcer confirmed by endoscopy and surgery.

A 66-year-old woman who had been suffering from chronic anorexia for two years was transported to the hospital after being unable to consume food for three days. She had no hematemesis or abdominal pain and had no history of taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Blood tests showed marked anemia with hemoglobin of 3.3 g/dL, and esophagogastroduodenoscopy revealed a large ulcer lesion in the lesser curvature of the gastric body and a liver-like mass protruding from the ulcer base. Biopsy of the mass showed proliferation of cells showing irregular cord-like structures, suggestive of normal liver tissue or hepatocellular carcinoma. Computed tomography scan showed no obvious free air in the abdomen. Despite conservative treatment, the patient developed hematemesis and progressive anemia, and surgery was performed (total gastrectomy with partial hepatectomy). Surgical specimen showed an ulcer lesion with fibrosis and loss of wall structure in all layers of the stomach, and liver adhesion with fibrosis deep in the ulcer, but no malignant findings. With the advent of powerful gastric acid secretion inhibitors, gastric ulcer invasion into the liver is now very rare, and this case is thus a valuable example showing very clear images.

Primary hepatic neuroendocrine neoplasm presenting as a massive cystic liver tumor mimicking mucinous cystic neoplasm of the liver: A case report and literature review.

Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) preferentially arise in the bronchopulmonary tree or the gastrointestinal tract. Notably, primary hepatic NENs are extremely rare. The present study describes a case of hepatic NEN presenting as a giant hepatic cystic lesion. A 42-year-old woman presented with a large liver tumor. Contrast-enhanced abdominal computed tomography revealed a cystic tumor (18 cm) in their left liver. The tumor exhibited liquid components and mural solid nodules with enhanced effects. The lesion was diagnosed as mucinous cystic carcinoma (MCC) preoperatively. The patient underwent a left hepatectomy, and the postoperative course was uneventful. The patient has been alive without recurrence for 36 months postoperatively. The pathological diagnosis was NEN G2. This patient had ectopic pancreatic tissue in the liver and thus the ectopic pancreatic origin of the tumor was suspected. The present study describes a case of resected cystic primary NEN of the liver that was difficult to differentiate from mucinous cystic neoplasms. As primary liver NENs are extremely rare, further studies are needed to establish their diagnosis and treatment.

Endothelin-1 production via placental (pro)renin receptor in a mouse model of preeclampsia.

INTRODUCTION: Preeclampsia (PE) pathogenesis is explained by the two-stage disorder theory. However, mechanisms underlying hypertension and proteinuria in PE remain unclear. The role of (pro)renin receptor (PRR) in PE pathology has received special attention. We examined endothelin-1 (ET-1) production via placental PRR in a PE mouse model. METHODS: At 14.5 day-post-coitum (DPC), we performed a reduced uterine perfusion pressure (RUPP) operation, ligating the uterine arteriovenous vessels in female mice. We also infused these mice with a PRR inhibitor, decoy peptide in the handle region of prorenin (HRP) for mice (NH2-RIPLKKMPSV-COOH). At 18.5 DPC, blood, urine, and placenta were collected; fetus and placenta were weighed. We evaluated placental hypoxia using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR), with hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) as index. We also evaluated PRR, transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1), and ET-1 expression in the placenta using quantitative PCR and western blotting. ET-1 concentration in blood plasma was assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Blood pressure and proteinuria significantly increased, and fetal and placental weights decreased in RUPP mice. HIF-1α, PRR, TGF-ß1, and ET-1 expressions considerably increased in RUPP mice placentas. ET-1 concentration in RUPP mice blood plasma was markedly increased. PRR inhibitor suppressed these changes. DISCUSSION: In PE model mice that underwent RUPP treatment, placental hypoxia increased PRR and ET-1 expression suggesting a causative relationship between ET-1 and intracellular PRR signaling. RUPP treatment, when combined with HRP, reversed the effect of elevated ET-1 levels in the model. This study may help to elucidate the pathogenesis of PE considering PRR and ET-1.

Clinical utility of artificial intelligence assistance in histopathologic review of lymph node metastasis for gastric adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Advances in whole-slide image capture and computer image analyses using deep learning technologies have enabled the development of computer-assisted diagnostics in pathology. Herein, we built a deep learning algorithm to detect lymph node (LN) metastasis on whole-slide images of LNs retrieved from patients with gastric adenocarcinoma and evaluated its performance in clinical settings. METHODS: We randomly selected 18 patients with gastric adenocarcinoma who underwent surgery with curative intent and were positive for LN metastasis at Chiba University Hospital. A ResNet-152-based assistance system was established to detect LN metastases and to outline regions that are highly probable for metastasis in LN images. Reference standards comprising 70 LN images from two different institutions were reviewed by six pathologists with or without algorithm assistance, and their diagnostic performances were compared between the two settings. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were observed between these two settings regarding sensitivity, review time, or confidence levels in classifying macrometastases, isolated tumor cells, and metastasis-negative. Meanwhile, the sensitivity for detecting micrometastases significantly improved with algorithm assistance, although the review time was significantly longer than that without assistance. Analysis of the algorithm's sensitivity in detecting metastasis in the reference standard indicated an area under the curve of 0.869, whereas that for the detection of micrometastases was 0.785. CONCLUSIONS: A wide variety of histological types in gastric adenocarcinoma could account for these relatively low performances; however, this level of algorithm performance could suffice to help pathologists improve diagnostic accuracy.

Short stature in small-for-gestational-age offspring born to mothers with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the incidence and risk factors of small-for-gestational age (SGA) short stature at 2 and 3 years of age in SGA offspring born to women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP). METHODS: We examined 226 women with HDP whose respective SGA offspring were delivered. RESULTS: Eighty offspring (41.2%) were diagnosed with SGA short stature. The prematurity before 32 weeks of gestation was the most significant factor for catch-up growth failure. CONCLUSION: In SGA offspring born to women with HDP, SGA short stature incidence was high, and the risk factor was prematurity before 32 weeks of gestation.

Tumor Budding as a Predictive Marker of Relapse and Survival in Patients With Stage II Colon Cancer.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Tumor budding (TB) has recently been recognized worldwide as a prognostic predictor in several solid cancers. The objective of this study was to explore the relationship between TB and clinicopathological characteristics, postoperative relapse, and survival in patients with stage II colon cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 213 patients with stage II colon cancer were retrospectively enrolled at Saitama Medical Center, Dokkyo Medical University from 2010 to 2016. TB was evaluated in hotspot areas on hematoxylin and eosin-stained slides at the invasive front of the tumor to define a low-grade group (BD1) and a high-grade group (BD2 or BD3). RESULTS: High-grade TB was found in 38.3% of cases, and was associated with pT4, presence of lymphovascular invasion, and tumor relapse (p=0.02, p=0.03, p=0.002, respectively). Patients with highgrade TB showed worse relapse-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) rates than patients with low-grade TB (5-year RFS: High 75.6% vs. Low 92.1%, p=0.001; 5-year OS: High 93.7% vs. Low 93.7%, p=0.001). On multivariate analysis for predictors of RFS and OS, high-grade TB was significant for both RFS and OS (RFS, p=0.003; OS, p=0.005). Patients with high-grade TB experienced lung and liver relapses significantly more frequently than patients with low-grade TB (p=0.03 each). Among patients who received adjuvant chemotherapy (AC), no patients showed lung or liver relapse even in the presence of high-grade TB. CONCLUSION: TB may offer a useful predictor of relapse in patients with stage II colon cancer after surgery, and AC should be considered for patients with high-grade TB.

Surgical site infection after laparoscopic resection of colorectal cancer is associated with compromised long-term oncological outcome.

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the influence of infectious complications, particularly surgical site infection (SSI), on long-term oncological results after elective laparoscopic resection of colorectal cancer. METHODS: A total of 199 patients who underwent laparoscopic elective resection with negative resection margins for stage I-III colorectal cancer were retrospectively examined. The postoperative course was recorded based on hospital records, and cancer relapse was diagnosed based on radiological or pathological findings under a standardized follow-up program. The severity of complications was graded using Clavien-Dindo (CD) classification. RESULTS: SSI was found in 25 patients (12.6%), with 12 (6.0%) showing anastomotic leak. The postoperative relapse-free survival (RFS) rate was significantly lower in patients with SSI (49.2%) than in patients without SSI (87.2%, P<0.001). Differences in RFS were found after both colectomy and rectal resection (P<0.001 and P<0.001, respectively). RFS did not differ between patients who had major SSI CD (grade III) and those who had minor SSI CD (grades I or II). Multivariate Cox regression analysis identified the occurrence of SSI and pathological stage as independent co-factors for RFS (P<0.001 and P=0.003). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that postoperative SSI compromises long-term oncological results after laparoscopic colorectal resection. Further improvements in surgical technique and refinements in perioperative care may improve long-term oncological results.

Unique membranous gastrin receptor expression of parietal cells and its distribution pattern in the gastric oxyntic mucosa and fundic gland polyps.

The aim of this study was to clarify the correlation between gastrin receptor (GR) expression in the gastric oxyntic mucosa and fundic gland polyps (FGPs) and the histological and immunohistochemical findings of the mucosa as well as the history of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) administration. The unique membranous linear positivity of GR in parietal cells was reproducibly observed by immunohistochemistry, which was also validated by immunofluorescence. Further histological and immunohistochemical examination of 34 oxyntic mucosae and 43 FGPs revealed the following: 1) parietal cells (PCs) with membranous linear GR expression (mGR) were observed to be limited to the isthmus-neck region in the normal state; 2) appearance of PCs with mGR in the deep oxyntic gland regions was significantly related to the PPI medication history; 3) PCs with mGR were more frequently observed in the deep oxyntic gland regions when the oxyntic mucosa showed derangement of mucosal component cell compartmentalization revealed by MUC5AC and MUC6 immunohistochemistry, which was also significantly related to the PPI use; and 4) PCs with intense membranous linear positivity of GR were observed to be diffusely distributed in all of the cases of FGPs. In conclusion, the distribution of unique GR membranous linear expression in PCs of the oxyntic mucosa under PPI medication and FGPs could reflect the pathologic mucosal state characterized by derangement of the compartmentalization of mucosal component cells, which could be another basis for evaluating physiologic and/or pathophysiologic conditions of the gastric mucosa.

EG-VEGF Induces Invasion of a Human Trophoblast Cell Line via PROKR2.

Extravillous trophoblast (EVT) invasion is important for embryo implantation, placental development, and successful remodeling of the uterine spiral artery. Endocrine gland derived-vascular endothelial growth factor (EG-VEGF) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are implicated in EVT invasion; however, the high con-centrations found in pregnancy pathologies have not been investigated in non-tumor trophoblasts. The roles of EG-VEGF, prokineticin receptors (PROKR1/2), MMP-2, and MMP-9 in EVT invasion during spiral artery remodeling were evaluated using human EVT from HTR-8/SVneo cell lines. The expression of MMP-2, MMP-9, and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and Akt pathways in HTR-8/SVneo cells treated with recom-binant EG-VEGF alongside anti-PROKR1 and/or anti-PROKR2 antibodies was evaluated using quantitative reverse transcription-PCR and western blotting. Wound-healing and cell invasion assays were performed to assess the migration and invasion of these treated cells. Interestingly, 20 nM EG-VEGF activated ERK1/2 sig-naling and upregulated MMP-2 and MMP-9. This effect was suppressed by anti-PROKR2 antibody via ERK1/2 downregulation. Anti-PROKR2 antibody inhibited the migration and invasion of EG-VEGF-stimulated HTR-8/SVneo cells. Elevated concentrations of EG-VEGF enhance EVT invasion in a human trophoblast cell line by upregulating MMP-2 and MMP-9 via PROKR2. These new insights into the regulation of epithelial cell invasion may help in developing therapeutic interventions for placental-related diseases during pregnancy.

Clinical Course of 60 Cesarean Scar Pregnancies.

Early diagnosis and therapy are important in a cesarean scar pregnancy (CSP), which can cause uterine rupture with resultant massive bleeding. However, there are some reports of CSPs continued to term. The optimal management of CSPs remains unclear; therefore, we investigated the clinical courses of CSPs diagnosed and treated at perinatal institutions in the Chugoku and Shikoku regions of Japan. We enrolled 60 women diag-nosed with CSP at 21 institutions from January 2006 to December 2015. Of the 60 women diagnosed with CSP, 57 were treated. Pregnancy was terminated in 48 women and continued in 9. Thirteen women underwent transabdominal hysterectomy; they experienced no postoperative complications or allogeneic blood transfu-sion. Nine women received therapies such as dilation and curettage, and 26 received non-surgical therapies such as methotrexate and topical administration of potassium chloride. Among 9 women who chose to con-tinue with their CSP, 7 successfully delivered newborns, 2 had uterine ruptures in the second trimester, and all women required transabdominal hysterectomy. Diagnosis and therapy in the first trimester of pregnancy are important in the management strategy of a CSP. When continuing a CSP, the risk of uterine rupture and trans-abdominal hysterectomy must be considered.

Surgically treated genital chronic graft-versus-host disease in women: A report of three cases.

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a crucial treatment for hematological malignancy. Gonadal dysfunction occurs at an early stage after this treatment, and such patients may require hormone replacement therapy. Genital chronic graft-versus-host disease is a lesser-known complication of HSCT that begins with vulvar discomfort and dysuria and progresses to sexual dysfunction and retention of menstrual blood due to vaginal stenosis and obstruction; thus, significantly impairing the patient's quality of life. We describe three women who underwent vaginal reconstruction because of genital chronic graft-versus-host disease. We discuss the surgical techniques, including double cross plasty that were performed in each case. Surgical interventions enabled the continuation of HRT and facilitated sexual intercourse. In conclusion, gynecologists should be aware that genital chronic graft-versus-host disease can occur after HSCT, and that surgical treatment options are available to improve patients' symptoms and quality of life.

hCG values and gestational sac size as indicators of successful systemic methotrexate treatment in cesarean scar pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively investigate cesarean scar pregnancy (CSP) patients who received systemic methotrexate (MTX) and to clarify the criteria for administering systemic MTX to CSP patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifteen CSP patients who were initially treated with systemic MTX (50 mg/m2/week) were included. Nine patients, who needed a uterine artery embolization (UAE) or a laparotomy, including a transabdominal hysterectomy (TAH), were defined as the unsuccessful MTX group. Six patients who did not require UAE or a laparotomy were defined as the successful MTX group. Furthermore, the hCG cut-off value and the GS cut-off size at the time of CSP diagnosis, which differentiated successful and unsuccessful patients, were defined. MTX success rates were investigated by combining the hCG and gestational sac (GS) size cut-off values. RESULTS: The hCG cut-off value was 17757.0 mIU/mL, and the GS cut-off size was 10.4 mm. In patients with hCG values less than 17757.0 mIU/mL, the MTX success rate was 75.0%. Fewer patients needed UAE or a laparotomy compared to patients with hCG values higher than 17757.0 mIU/mL (P = 0.007). In patients with a GS size less than 10.4 mm, the MTX success rate was 80.0%. Fewer patients among them needed UAE or a laparotomy compared to those among patients with a GS size greater than 10.4 mm (P = 0.089). In patients with hCG values and GS sizes lower than the cut-off values, the MTX success rate was 80.0%. Fewer patients among them needed UAE or a laparotomy compared to those among patients with hCG values and/or GS sizes higher than the cut-off values, respectively (P = 0.010). CONCLUSION: Patients with hCG values less than 17757.0 mIU/mL and GS sizes less than 10.4 mm may have a greater chance of successful systemic MTX treatment when it is used as the first line of treatment for CSP.

Early detection of infectious complications using C-reactive protein and the procalcitonin levels after laparoscopic colorectal resection: a prospective cohort study.

PURPOSE: The predictive values of the C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT) levels for postoperative infectious complications were investigated in patients who underwent elective laparoscopic resection of colorectal cancer. METHODS: A total of 154 consecutive patients who underwent elective laparoscopic resection for colorectal cancer (CRC) were prospectively studied. The CRP and PCT levels on the first postoperative day (POD1) and the fourth postoperative day (POD4) were measured. Any correlations between the CRP and PCT levels on POD1 and POD4 with the occurrence of infectious complications were examined. RESULTS: Infectious complications occurred in 18 (11.7%) patients. CRP on POD1 and CRP and PCT on POD4 were significantly higher in patients who developed infectious complications than in those who did not. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves of CRP on POD1 and CRP and PCT on POD4 were 0.597, 0.763 and 0.768, respectively. The cut-off values of CRP and PCT levels on POD4 were 14.33 mg/dl and 0,264 ng/ml, respectively. Whereas the positive predictive value of an elevated CRP level was high, the negative predictive value of an elevated PCT was high. CONCLUSION: The CRP and PCT levels on POD4 are both considered to be useful for the early detection of infectious complications after laparoscopic resection of CRC.

Myxoid stroma is associated with postoperative relapse in patients with stage II colon cancer.

BACKGROUND: Fibrosis surrounding cancer cells has been shown to affect cancer cell metastatic behavior. The present study aimed to explore the utility of myxoid stroma as a predictive factor for postoperative relapse in patients with stage II colon cancer. METHODS: The present study retrospectively investigated 169 patients who underwent curative surgical resection of stage II colon cancer. The fibrotic stroma was classified according to Ueno's criteria, and the patients were divided into the myxoid (MY) group and the non-MY (NMY) group. We also recorded tumor budding (TB) and investigated the combination of MY and TB for postoperative relapse. Postoperative survival was also explored. RESULTS: Thirty-two (18.9%) patients had MY. MY was significantly associated with tumor budding (TB) and postoperative relapse (p <  0.001 and p <  0.001, respectively). The 5-year RFS rates in MY group and NMY group were 52.1 and 94.6% (p < 0.0001), and the 5-year OS rates in MY group and NMY group were 74.6 and 93.3% (p = 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that both MY and TB were significant risk factors for postoperative relapse (p < 0.001 and p = 0.02, respectively), and that only TB was a significant risk factor for OS (p = 0.043). Furthermore, compared with patients with either one of MY or TB, patients with both MY and TB had postoperative relapse more frequently (11.4% vs. 53.8%). CONCLUSIONS: The present study suggests that MY is a predictive marker for postoperative relapse in patients with stage II colon cancer.

The assessment of the fetal heart function using two-dimensional speckle tracking with a high frame rate.

BACKGROUND: Two-dimensional (2D) speckle tracking echography (STE) is a new diagnostic modality that allows for the assessment of myocardial deformation. The present study assessed the feasibility of fetal 2D-STE at a high frame rate and determined the reference values for left ventricular (LV)- and right ventricular (RV)- global longitudinal strain (GLS). METHODS: In this prospective study, 109 fetuses with gestational ages ranging from 18 to 38 weeks underwent 2D echocardiography between August 2018 and December 2019. All recordings were performed using the Aplio i800 (CANON Medical Systems Corporation, Tochigi, Japan) and a convex probe (4 MHz) for fetuses. RESULTS: Longitudinal peak systolic strain measurements were obtained in 98 of 109 healthy fetuses (90%). All ultrasound videos were recorded with a median frame rate of 172 (range, 100-274) frames/s. The LV-GLS was almost constant, regardless of the number of weeks since the second trimester (r = -0.0087, p = ns). The RV-GLS decreased significantly with gestational age (r = 0.39, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: STE may be useful for quantifying the systolic myocardial function in a fetus.

Comparison of postoperative plasma D-dimer levels between patients undergoing laparoscopic resection and conventional open resection for colorectal cancer.

INTRODUCTION: D-dimer is widely used in clinical pretests for venous thromboembolism exclusion, and its elevation suggests the presence of thrombus. The extent of hypercoagulability after colorectal surgery has not been systematically compared between patients who have undergone laparoscopic surgery and open surgery. The present study measured D-dimer levels sequentially in patients undergoing colorectal surgery and compared the extent of hypercoagulability between laparoscopic surgery and open surgery. METHODS: A prospective cohort study involving 169 patients who underwent resection of colorectal cancer at Saitama Medical Center, Dokkyo Medical University, was conducted between January 2013 and September 2014. To measure D-dimer level, peripheral blood was obtained on postoperative day (POD) 1, POD4, and POD7. Enoxaparin sodium was administered twice daily as the routine prophylactic anticoagulant therapy on POD2 to 7. RESULTS: D-dimer levels on POD1, POD4, and POD7 were significantly higher after open surgery than after laparoscopic surgery. Older age, pathologically advanced stage cancer, greater intraoperative blood loss and higher preoperative D-dimer levels were significantly associated with higher D-dimer levels on POD1, POD4, and POD7. Patients who completed the course of postoperative enoxaparin injections had significantly lower D-dimer levels on POD7 than those who did not receive postoperative enoxaparin injections. Multiple regression analyses of postoperative D-dimer level showed that laparoscopic surgery was a significant and independent factor affecting D-dimer level on POD4 and POD7. CONCLUSION: This study showed that postoperative D-dimer levels were lower after laparoscopic surgery than after open surgery. The limited invasiveness of laparoscopic surgery may be beneficial to reduce the risk of postoperative deep vein thrombosis.

A case of subclinical Cushing's syndrome in pregnancy with superimposed preeclampsia.

When we see preexistent hypertension in pregnancy, subclinical Cushing's syndrome should be considered in the differential diagnosis since this disorder can cause perinatal complications. MRI can be useful for identifying adrenal incidental tumors during pregnancy.

Relationship between Intracellular Signaling of the (Pro)renin Receptor and the Pathogenesis of Preeclampsia.

An association between preeclampsia and (pro)renin was recently reported. Intracellular signaling of the (pro) renin receptor [(P)RR] increases the expressions of TGF-ß and PAI-1. In this study we sought to clarify the involvement of (pro)renin in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia via the intracellular signaling of (P)RR on preeclampsia placentas. Activated (pro)renin plasma concentrations were compared between pregnant women with (n=15) and without (n=28) preeclampsia. The placentas were immunohistochemically evaluated with anti-HIF-1α and anti-(P)RR antibodies. HTR-8/SVneo cells were cultured under hypoxic conditions and treated with human recombinant (pro)renin. The mRNA expressions of HIF-1α, (P)RR, PAI-1, TGF-ß, and ET-1 were also examined by real-time RCR. The activated (pro)renin plasma concentration was significantly higher in the third vs. the second trimester in the preeclampsia patients. HIF-1α and (P)RR expressions were significantly increased in the preeclampsia placentas. The mRNA expressions of PAI-1, TGF-ß, and ET-1 were significantly increased in the experiments using recombinant (pro)renin vs. hypoxic conditions. (P)RR expression in preeclampsia placentas is increased by persistent hypoxia through the second and third trimesters, and PAI-1, TGF-ß, and ET-1 production is increased via (P)RR. Our results suggest that ET-1 production via the intracellular signaling of (P)RR is important in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.

Assessment of glucose kinetics with real-time continuous glucose monitoring during labor.

AIM: Changes in glucose levels during labor have not been sufficiently investigated in pregnant women. Using real-time continuous glucose monitoring, we aimed to assess glucose kinetics during labor among pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus (PwGDM), and those with normal glucose tolerance (PwNGT). METHODS: Japanese PwGDM and PwNGT who had planned a transvaginal delivery at Okayama University Hospital were enrolled. The correlation between changes in glucose levels during labor among the PwGDM and PwNGT groups at four time periods was assessed: (i) active phase of 1st stage of labor; (ii) 2nd stage of labor; (iii) postpartum 0-12 h; and (iv) postpartum 12-48 h. RESULTS: In total, 18 and 22 PwGDM and PwNGT, respectively, were enrolled. During labor, both groups had similar changes in glucose levels over time, which peaked during period 3. The main effect of glucose level changes was the labor period (P < 0.001), not the presence of gestational diabetes mellitus. Furthermore, differences in glucose levels in the PwGDM group were observed between periods 1 and 2 (P = 0.037), 1 and 3 (P = 0.024), 3 and 4 (P = 0.005); differences in glucose levels in the PwNGT group were observed between periods 3 and 4 (P = 0.024). CONCLUSION: During labor, both PwGDM and PwNGT groups showed similar changes in glucose levels over time. During delivery, the PwGDM who regularly measured their own glucose levels could be managed using the same nutritional management methods as those for PwNGT.