Author Correction: El Niño-Southern Oscillation complexity.

In this Review, the middle initial of author Kim M. Cobb was omitted. The original Review has been corrected online.

Pregnancy outcomes and vaccine effectiveness during the period of omicron as the variant of concern, INTERCOVID-2022: a multinational, observational study.

BACKGROUND: In 2021, we showed an increased risk associated with COVID-19 in pregnancy. Since then, the SARS-CoV-2 virus has undergone genetic mutations. We aimed to examine the effects on maternal and perinatal outcomes of COVID-19 during pregnancy, and evaluate vaccine effectiveness, when omicron (B.1.1.529) was the variant of concern. METHODS: INTERCOVID-2022 is a large, prospective, observational study, involving 41 hospitals across 18 countries. Each woman with real-time PCR or rapid test, laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 in pregnancy was compared with two unmatched women without a COVID-19 diagnosis who were recruited concomitantly and consecutively in pregnancy or at delivery. Mother and neonate dyads were followed until hospital discharge. Primary outcomes were maternal morbidity and mortality index (MMMI), severe neonatal morbidity index (SNMI), and severe perinatal morbidity and mortality index (SPMMI). Vaccine effectiveness was estimated, adjusted by maternal risk profile. FINDINGS: We enrolled 4618 pregnant women from Nov 27, 2021 (the day after WHO declared omicron a variant of concern), to June 30, 2022: 1545 (33%) women had a COVID-19 diagnosis (median gestation 36·7 weeks [IQR 29·0-38·9]) and 3073 (67%) women, with similar demographic characteristics, did not have a COVID-19 diagnosis. Overall, women with a diagnosis had an increased risk for MMMI (relative risk [RR] 1·16 [95% CI 1·03-1·31]) and SPMMI (RR 1·21 [95% CI 1·00-1·46]). Women with a diagnosis, compared with those without a diagnosis, also had increased risks of SNMI (RR 1·23 [95% CI 0·88-1·71]), although the lower bounds of the 95% CI crossed unity. Unvaccinated women with a COVID-19 diagnosis had a greater risk of MMMI (RR 1·36 [95% CI 1·12-1·65]). Severe COVID-19 symptoms in the total sample increased the risk of severe maternal complications (RR 2·51 [95% CI 1·84-3·43]), perinatal complications (RR 1·84 [95% CI 1·02-3·34]), and referral, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, or death (RR 11·83 [95% CI 6·67-20·97]). Severe COVID-19 symptoms in unvaccinated women increased the risk of MMMI (RR 2·88 [95% CI 2·02-4·12]) and referral, ICU admission, or death (RR 20·82 [95% CI 10·44-41·54]). 2886 (63%) of 4618 total participants had at least a single dose of any vaccine, and 2476 (54%) of 4618 had either complete or booster doses. Vaccine effectiveness (all vaccines combined) for severe complications of COVID-19 for all women with a complete regimen was 48% (95% CI 22-65) and 76% (47-89) after a booster dose. For women with a COVID-19 diagnosis, vaccine effectiveness of all vaccines combined for women with a complete regimen was 74% (95% CI 48-87) and 91% (65-98) after a booster dose. INTERPRETATION: COVID-19 in pregnancy, during the first 6 months of omicron as the variant of concern, was associated with increased risk of severe maternal morbidity and mortality, especially among symptomatic and unvaccinated women. Women with complete or boosted vaccine doses had reduced risk for severe symptoms, complications, and death. Vaccination coverage among pregnant women remains a priority. FUNDING: None.

Maternal vaccination against COVID-19 and neonatal outcomes during Omicron: INTERCOVID-2022 study.

BACKGROUND: In early 2023, when Omicron was the variant of concern, we showed that vaccinating pregnant women decreased the risk for severe COVID-19-related complications and maternal morbidity and mortality. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to analyze the impact of COVID-19 during pregnancy on newborns and the effects of maternal COVID-19 vaccination on neonatal outcomes when Omicron was the variant of concern. STUDY DESIGN: INTERCOVID-2022 was a large, prospective, observational study, conducted in 40 hospitals across 18 countries, from November 27, 2021 (the day after the World Health Organization declared Omicron the variant of concern) to June 30, 2022, to assess the effect of COVID-19 in pregnancy on maternal and neonatal outcomes and to assess vaccine effectiveness. Women diagnosed with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 during pregnancy were compared with 2 nondiagnosed, unmatched women recruited concomitantly and consecutively during pregnancy or at delivery. Mother-newborn dyads were followed until hospital discharge. The primary outcomes were a neonatal positive test for COVID-19, severe neonatal morbidity index, severe perinatal morbidity and mortality index, preterm birth, neonatal death, referral to neonatal intensive care unit, and diseases during the neonatal period. Vaccine effectiveness was estimated with adjustment for maternal risk profile. RESULTS: We enrolled 4707 neonates born to 1577 (33.5%) mothers diagnosed with COVID-19 and 3130 (66.5%) nondiagnosed mothers. Among the diagnosed mothers, 642 (40.7%) were not vaccinated, 147 (9.3%) were partially vaccinated, 551 (34.9%) were completely vaccinated, and 237 (15.0%) also had a booster vaccine. Neonates of booster-vaccinated mothers had less than half (relative risk, 0.46; 95% confidence interval, 0.23-0.91) the risk of being diagnosed with COVID-19 when compared with those of unvaccinated mothers; they also had the lowest rates of preterm birth, medically indicated preterm birth, respiratory distress syndrome, and number of days in the neonatal intensive care unit. Newborns of unvaccinated mothers had double the risk for neonatal death (relative risk, 2.06; 95% confidence interval, 1.06-4.00) when compared with those of nondiagnosed mothers. Vaccination was not associated with any congenital malformations. Although all vaccines provided protection against neonatal test positivity, newborns of booster-vaccinated mothers had the highest vaccine effectiveness (64%; 95% confidence interval, 10%-86%). Vaccine effectiveness was not as high for messenger RNA vaccines only. Vaccine effectiveness against moderate or severe neonatal outcomes was much lower, namely 13% in the booster-vaccinated group (all vaccines) and 25% and 28% in the completely and booster-vaccinated groups, respectively (messenger RNA vaccines only). Vaccines were fairly effective in protecting neonates when given to pregnant women ≤100 days (14 weeks) before birth; thereafter, the risk increased and was much higher after 200 days (29 weeks). Finally, none of the neonatal practices studied, including skin-to-skin contact and direct breastfeeding, increased the risk for infecting newborns. CONCLUSION: When Omicron was the variant of concern, newborns of unvaccinated mothers had an increased risk for neonatal death. Neonates of vaccinated mothers had a decreased risk for preterm birth and adverse neonatal outcomes. Because the protective effect of COVID-19 vaccination decreases with time, to ensure that newborns are maximally protected against COVID-19, mothers should receive a vaccine or booster dose no more than 14 weeks before the expected date of delivery.

Basal Coronary Microvascular Resistance Predicting Death and Heart Failure in Patients Without Functional Coronary Stenosis.

BACKGROUND: Abnormal coronary microcirculation is linked to poor patient prognosis, so the aim of the present study was to assess the prognostic relevance of basal microvascular resistance (b-IMR) in patients without functional coronary stenosis.Methods and Results: Analyses of 226 patients who underwent intracoronary physiological assessment of the left anterior descending artery included primary endpoints of all-cause death and heart failure, as well as secondary endpoints of cardiovascular death and atherosclerotic vascular events. During a median follow-up of 2 years, there were 12 (5.3%) primary and 21 (9.3 %) secondary endpoints. The optimal b-IMR cutoff for the primary endpoints was 47.1 U. Kaplan-Meier curve analysis demonstrated worse event-free survival of the primary endpoints in patients with a b-IMR below the cutoff (χ2=21.178, P<0.001). b-IMR was not significantly associated with the secondary endpoints (P=0.35). A low coronary flow reserve (CFR; <2.5) had prognostic value for both endpoints (primary endpoints: χ2=11.401, P=0.001; secondary endpoints: (χ2=6.015; P=0.014), and high hyperemic microvascular resistance (≥25) was associated only with the secondary endpoints (χ2=4.420; P=0.036). Incorporating b-IMR into a clinical model that included CFR improved the Net Reclassification Index and Integrated Discrimination Improvement for predicting the primary endpoints (P<0.001 and P=0.034, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: b-IMR may be a specific marker of the risk of death and heart failure in patients without functional coronary stenosis.

Increased variability of eastern Pacific El Niño under greenhouse warming.

The El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is the dominant and most consequential climate variation on Earth, and is characterized by warming of equatorial Pacific sea surface temperatures (SSTs) during the El Niño phase and cooling during the La Niña phase. ENSO events tend to have a centre-corresponding to the location of the maximum SST anomaly-in either the central equatorial Pacific (5° S-5° N, 160° E-150° W) or the eastern equatorial Pacific (5° S-5° N, 150°-90° W); these two distinct types of ENSO event are referred to as the CP-ENSO and EP-ENSO regimes, respectively. How the ENSO may change under future greenhouse warming is unknown, owing to a lack of inter-model agreement over the response of SSTs in the eastern equatorial Pacific to such warming. Here we find a robust increase in future EP-ENSO SST variability among CMIP5 climate models that simulate the two distinct ENSO regimes. We show that the EP-ENSO SST anomaly pattern and its centre differ greatly from one model to another, and therefore cannot be well represented by a single SST 'index' at the observed centre. However, although the locations of the anomaly centres differ in each model, we find a robust increase in SST variability at each anomaly centre across the majority of models considered. This increase in variability is largely due to greenhouse-warming-induced intensification of upper-ocean stratification in the equatorial Pacific, which enhances ocean-atmosphere coupling. An increase in SST variance implies an increase in the number of 'strong' EP-El Niño events (corresponding to large SST anomalies) and associated extreme weather events.

El Niño-Southern Oscillation complexity.

El Niño events are characterized by surface warming of the tropical Pacific Ocean and weakening of equatorial trade winds that occur every few years. Such conditions are accompanied by changes in atmospheric and oceanic circulation, affecting global climate, marine and terrestrial ecosystems, fisheries and human activities. The alternation of warm El Niño and cold La Niña conditions, referred to as the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), represents the strongest year-to-year fluctuation of the global climate system. Here we provide a synopsis of our current understanding of the spatio-temporal complexity of this important climate mode and its influence on the Earth system.

Assessment of anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity in childhood cancer survivors during long-term follow-up using strain analysis and intraventricular pressure gradient measurements.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac dysfunction due to cardiotoxicity from anthracycline chemotherapy is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in childhood cancer survivors (CCS), and the cumulative incidence of cardiac events has continued to increase. This study identifies an adequate indicator of cardiac dysfunction during long-term follow-up. PROCEDURE: In total, 116 patients (median age: 15.5 [range: 4.7-40.2] years) with childhood cancer who were treated with anthracycline were divided into three age groups for analysis (C1: 4-12 years of age, C2: 13-18 years of age, C3: 19-40 years of age), and 116 control patients of similar ages were divided into three corresponding groups (N1, N2, and N3). Layer-specific strains were assessed for longitudinal strain (LS) and circumferential strain (CS). The total and segmental intraventricular pressure gradients (IVPG) were also calculated based on Doppler imaging of the mitral inflow using Euler's equation. RESULTS: Conventional echocardiographic parameters were not significantly different between the patients and controls. All layers of the LS and inner and middle layers of the basal and papillary CS in all ages and all IVPGs in C2 and C3 decreased compared to those of corresponding age groups. Interestingly, basal CS and basal IVPG in CCS showed moderate correlation and both tended to rapidly decrease with aging. Furthermore, basal IVPG and anthracycline dose showed significant correlations. CONCLUSIONS: Basal CS and total and basal IVPGs may be particularly useful indicators of cardiotoxicity in long-term follow-up.

Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction Secondary to Eosinophilic Chronic Rhinosinusitis: A Case Report.

A 47-year-old Japanese woman presented with a 1-year history of right-sided epiphora. On initial consultation, the patient had a high right tear meniscus height. CT images revealed bilateral soft tissue opacification in the nasal cavity and maxillary, frontal, and ethmoid sinuses. The lesion in the right nasal cavity and maxillary sinus involved the right lacrimal sac and nasolacrimal duct. Blood test results showed elevated eosinophil count. Endoscopic sinus surgery and excisional biopsy of the nasolacrimal duct were performed. Histopathological examinations of the excised right nasolacrimal duct and nasal polyps from the nasal cavity and maxillary sinus showed high levels of eosinophilic inflammatory infiltrates. The definite diagnosis of eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis was made, based on clinical, radiological, and histopathological findings. At 1.5-year follow-up, tear meniscus height was normal, the lacrimal drainage system remained patent, and the rhinosinusitis did not recur.

UOEH International Symposium 2023 Wrap-Up Session: Digital Technology for Occupational Health.

In the wrap-up session, I synthesized insights from the conference presentations along with external references indicated by quotation marks (Reference: European Agency for Safety and Health at Work. Foresight on new and emerging occupational safety and health risks associated with digitalization by 2025. https://osha.europa.eu/sites/default/files/Foresight_new_OSH_risks_2025_summary.pdf).

Non-Invasive Myocardial Work Indices in Infants Born to Mothers With Diabetes in Pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: This study used echocardiography to investigate non-invasive myocardial work (MCW) indices in infants born to mothers with diabetes mellitus (DM) in pregnancy (gestational DM: GDM), including those diagnosed under novel classification criteria and those with pre-existing DM.Methods and Results: This single-centered, retrospective study included 25 infants born to mothers with GDM (termed "infant with GDM"), which was diagnosed by oral glucose tolerance test results during pregnancy or the presence of diabetes before the current pregnancy. We evaluated the relationship between the infant's MCW, such as global constructive work (GCW), global work index (GWI), global work efficiency (GWE), and global wasted work (GWW), and the mother's GDM maximal HbA1c during pregnancy. HbA1c level in GDM significantly negatively correlated with GWI* (r=-0.565) and GCW* (r=-0.641). In infants with GDM, GWI and GCW were significantly higher with <6.5% HbA1c than in those with >6.5% HbA1c GDM; however, the specific-layer global longitudinal strain analyses did not show any significant differences between the groups. The pressure-strain loop in infants with >6.5% HbA1c in GDM tended to be smaller than in those infants with <6.5% HbA1c GDM. CONCLUSIONS: The hyperglycemic environment of GDM leads to impaired MCW in the infants. MCW is useful for screening for cardiac illnesses among infants with GDM. Appropriate maternal blood glucose management while maintaining HbA1c <6.5% might be beneficial for the cardiac performance of infants with GDM.

Incidence and mortality from malignant mesothelioma 1982-2020 and relationship with asbestos exposure: the Australian Mesothelioma Registry.

OBJECTIVES: Malignant mesothelioma is an uncommon cancer associated with asbestos exposure, predominantly occupational. Asbestos has been banned in Australia since 2003 but mesothelioma has a long latency and incident cases continue to present. The Australian Mesothelioma Registry was incepted to collect systematic data about incidence and mortality alongside asbestos exposure. METHODS: Benefiting from the Australian national system of cancer notification, all incident cases of mesothelioma in all states and territories are fast-tracked and notified regularly. Notified patients are contacted asking for consent to collect exposure information, initially by postal questionnaire and subsequently by telephone interview. Age-standardised annual incidence rates and mortality rates were calculated. Asbestos exposure was categorised as occupational, non-occupational, neither or, both; and as low, or high, probability of exposure. RESULTS: Mesothelioma incidence appears to have peaked. The age-standardised incidence rates have declined steadily since the early 2000s (peaking in males at 5.9/100 000 and in all-persons at 3.2/100 000), driven by rates in males, who comprise the majority of diagnosed cases. Rates in women have remained fairly stable since that time. Age-standardised mortality rates have followed similar trends. Mesothelioma remains the most common in those aged over 80 years. Nearly all (94%) cases were linked with asbestos exposure (78% occupational in men; 6.8% in women). CONCLUSIONS: With effective control of occupational asbestos use, the decline in age-standardised incidence and death rates has occurred. Incidence rates among women, in whom occupational asbestos exposure is rarely detectable, remain unchanged, pointing to the role of household and /or environmental asbestos exposure.

COVID-19 mRNA vaccination status and concerns among pregnant women in Japan: a multicenter questionnaire survey.

BACKGROUND: mRNA vaccination is an effective, safe, and widespread strategy for protecting pregnant women against infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. However, information on factors such as perinatal outcomes, safety, and coverage of mRNA vaccinations among pregnant women is limited in Japan. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the perinatal outcomes, coverage, adverse effects, and short-term safety of mRNA vaccination as well as vaccine hesitancy among pregnant women. METHODS: We conducted a multicenter online survey of postpartum women who delivered their offspring at 15 institutions around Tokyo from October 2021 to March 2022. Postpartum women were divided into vaccinated and unvaccinated groups. Perinatal outcomes, COVID-19 prevalence, and disease severity were compared between the two groups. Adverse reactions in the vaccinated group and the reasons for being unvaccinated were also investigated retrospectively. RESULTS: A total of 1,051 eligible postpartum women were included. Of these, 834 (79.4%) had received an mRNA vaccine, while 217 (20.6%) had not, mainly due to concerns about the effect of vaccination on the fetus. Vaccination did not increase the incidence of adverse perinatal outcomes, including fetal morphological abnormalities. The vaccinated group demonstrated low COVID-19 morbidity and severity. In the vaccinated group, the preterm birth rate, cesarean section rate, and COVID-19 incidence were 7.2%, 33.2%, and 3.3%, respectively, compared with the 13.7%, 42.2%, and 7.8% in the unvaccinated group, respectively. Almost no serious adverse reactions were associated with vaccination. CONCLUSIONS: mRNA vaccines did not demonstrate any adverse effects pertaining to short-term perinatal outcomes and might have prevented SARS-CoV-2 infection or reduced COVID-19 severity. Concerns regarding the safety of the vaccine in relation to the fetus and the mother were the main reasons that prevented pregnant women from being vaccinated. To resolve concerns, it is necessary to conduct further research to confirm not only the short-term safety but also the long-term safety of mRNA vaccines.

Normative change with gestation in fetal intraventricular pressure difference with color M-mode Doppler echocardiography.

AIM: The intraventricular pressure difference (IVPD) is the pressure difference in early diastole from the base to the apex of the ventricle. It is a useful marker for evaluating diastolic function because of its role as a suction force. This study investigated the changes in total and segmental IVPDs in normal fetuses throughout gestation to obtain normative data equations. METHODS: One hundred thirty-seven healthy pregnant women at 12-40 weeks of gestation were prospectively enrolled to evaluate IVPD. The color M mode was performed, and the image was evaluated using our own code to calculate the IVPD. Segmental IVPD was divided into mid to apex and base. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to evaluate this relationship. RESULTS: There was a significant, positive relationship between IVPD and gestational age in both ventricles (right ventricle [RV]: r = 0.800, left ventricle [LV]: r = 0.818). As for segmental IVPD, basal and mid-apical IVPD also increased with gestation in both ventricles (RV: basal, r = 0.627; mid-apical, r = 0.705; LV: basal r = 0.758; mid-apical, r = 0.756). IVPG, which was calculated as IVPD/ventricular length, also showed a weak, positive relationship with gestation in both ventricles (RV r = 0.351, p < 0.001; LV r = 0.373, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The total and segmental IVPDs significantly increased linearly through time.

Comparison of the characteristics and factors influencing hospital visits among children with nocturnal enuresis in Japan: The Hirakata-Urayasu population-based cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare the demographic characteristics of school-aged children with nocturnal enuresis and factors influencing hospital visits between two regions in Japan. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Hirakata City, Osaka Prefecture, and Urayasu City, Chiba Prefecture. An anonymous online questionnaire was administered to all public elementary and junior high school students (aged 6-16 years) or their guardians. Questions included age, gender, perinatal history, frequency of nocturnal enuresis, frequency of bowel movements, comorbidities, and hospital visits for nocturnal enuresis. RESULTS: The survey response rates were 15.4% in Hirakata City and 37.0% in Urayasu City. In total, 426 children with nocturnal enuresis in Hirakata City and 270 in Urayasu City were included in the final analysis. In both cities, the boy-girl ratio was approximately 2:1, and the prevalence of nocturnal enuresis gradually decreased with age. Multivariate analysis revealed that children aged ≥11 years had a significantly higher proportion of hospital visits (OR, 2.61; 95% CI: 1.49-4.56; p = 0.001; OR, 2.72; 95% CI: 1.12-6.64; p = 0.027, respectively). However, the frequency of nocturnal enuresis did not affect hospital visits. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study suggest that parents with school-aged children have low awareness that nocturnal enuresis is a health problem and therefore subject to medical consultation. Although the proportion of hospital visits increases for children aged ≥11 years, children and families suffering from nocturnal enuresis should be encouraged to see a doctor instead of adopting a "wait and see attitude," even at a young age.

Emergency pacing via the umbilical vein of a neonate with congenital complete atrioventricular block: a report of two cases.

We report two cases of successful emergency pacing via the umbilical vein in neonates with congenital complete atrioventricular block. The first patient, a neonate with normal cardiac anatomy, underwent emergency temporary pacing via the umbilical vein under echocardiographic guidance. The patient underwent permanent pacemaker implantation on postnatal day 4. The second patient, a neonate with heterotaxy syndrome, underwent emergency temporary pacing through the umbilical vein under fluoroscopic guidance. The patient underwent permanent pacemaker implantation on postnatal day 17.

Effects of prenatal exposure to maternal COVID-19 and perinatal care on neonatal outcome: results from the INTERCOVID Multinational Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: The effect of COVID-19 in pregnancy on maternal outcomes and its association with preeclampsia and gestational diabetes mellitus have been reported; however, a detailed understanding of the effects of maternal positivity, delivery mode, and perinatal practices on fetal and neonatal outcomes is urgently needed. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on fetal and neonatal outcomes and the role of mode of delivery, breastfeeding, and early neonatal care practices on the risk of mother-to-child transmission. STUDY DESIGN: In this cohort study that took place from March 2020 to March 2021, involving 43 institutions in 18 countries, 2 unmatched, consecutive, unexposed women were concomitantly enrolled immediately after each infected woman was identified, at any stage of pregnancy or delivery, and at the same level of care to minimize bias. Women and neonates were followed up until hospital discharge. COVID-19 in pregnancy was determined by laboratory confirmation and/or radiological pulmonary findings or ≥2 predefined COVID-19 symptoms. The outcome measures were indices of neonatal and perinatal morbidity and mortality, neonatal positivity and its correlation with mode of delivery, breastfeeding, and hospital neonatal care practices. RESULTS: A total of 586 neonates born to women with COVID-19 diagnosis and 1535 neonates born to women without COVID-19 diagnosis were enrolled. Women with COVID-19 diagnosis had a higher rate of cesarean delivery (52.8% vs 38.5% for those without COVID-19 diagnosis, P<.01) and pregnancy-related complications, such as hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and fetal distress (all with P<.001), than women without COVID-19 diagnosis. Maternal diagnosis of COVID-19 carried an increased rate of preterm birth (P≤.001) and lower neonatal weight (P≤.001), length, and head circumference at birth. In mothers with COVID-19 diagnosis, the length of in utero exposure was significantly correlated to the risk of the neonate testing positive (odds ratio, 4.5; 95% confidence interval, 2.2-9.4 for length of in utero exposure >14 days). Among neonates born to mothers with COVID-19 diagnosis, birth via cesarean delivery was a risk factor for testing positive for COVID-19 (odds ratio, 2.4; 95% confidence interval, 1.2-4.7), even when severity of maternal conditions was considered and after multivariable logistic analysis. In the subgroup of neonates born to women with COVID-19 diagnosis, the outcomes worsened when the neonate also tested positive, with higher rates of neonatal intensive care unit admission, fever, gastrointestinal and respiratory symptoms, and death, even after adjusting for prematurity. Breastfeeding by mothers with COVID-19 diagnosis and hospital neonatal care practices, including immediate skin-to-skin contact and rooming-in, were not associated with an increased risk of newborn positivity. CONCLUSION: In this multinational cohort study, COVID-19 in pregnancy was associated with increased maternal and neonatal complications. Cesarean delivery was significantly associated with newborn COVID-19 diagnosis. Vaginal delivery should be considered the safest mode of delivery if obstetrical and health conditions allow it. Mother-to-child skin-to-skin contact, rooming-in, and direct breastfeeding were not risk factors for newborn COVID-19 diagnosis, thus well-established best practices can be continued among women with COVID-19 diagnosis.

Diabetes mellitus, maternal adiposity, and insulin-dependent gestational diabetes are associated with COVID-19 in pregnancy: the INTERCOVID study.

BACKGROUND: Among nonpregnant individuals, diabetes mellitus and high body mass index increase the risk of COVID-19 and its severity. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine whether diabetes mellitus and high body mass index are risk factors for COVID-19 in pregnancy and whether gestational diabetes mellitus is associated with COVID-19 diagnosis. STUDY DESIGN: INTERCOVID was a multinational study conducted between March 2020 and February 2021 in 43 institutions from 18 countries, enrolling 2184 pregnant women aged ≥18 years; a total of 2071 women were included in the analyses. For each woman diagnosed with COVID-19, 2 nondiagnosed women delivering or initiating antenatal care at the same institution were also enrolled. The main exposures were preexisting diabetes mellitus, high body mass index (overweight or obesity was defined as a body mass index ≥25 kg/m2), and gestational diabetes mellitus in pregnancy. The main outcome was a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 based on a real-time polymerase chain reaction test, antigen test, antibody test, radiological pulmonary findings, or ≥2 predefined COVID-19 symptoms at any time during pregnancy or delivery. Relationships of exposures and COVID-19 diagnosis were assessed using generalized linear models with a Poisson distribution and log link function, with robust standard errors to account for model misspecification. Furthermore, we conducted sensitivity analyses: (1) restricted to those with a real-time polymerase chain reaction test or an antigen test in the last week of pregnancy, (2) restricted to those with a real-time polymerase chain reaction test or an antigen test during the entire pregnancy, (3) generating values for missing data using multiple imputation, and (4) analyses controlling for month of enrollment. In addition, among women who were diagnosed with COVID-19, we examined whether having gestational diabetes mellitus, diabetes mellitus, or high body mass index increased the risk of having symptomatic vs asymptomatic COVID-19. RESULTS: COVID-19 was associated with preexisting diabetes mellitus (risk ratio, 1.94; 95% confidence interval, 1.55-2.42), overweight or obesity (risk ratio, 1.20; 95% confidence interval, 1.06-1.37), and gestational diabetes mellitus (risk ratio, 1.21; 95% confidence interval, 0.99-1.46). The gestational diabetes mellitus association was specifically among women requiring insulin, whether they were of normal weight (risk ratio, 1.79; 95% confidence interval, 1.06-3.01) or overweight or obese (risk ratio, 1.77; 95% confidence interval, 1.28-2.45). A somewhat stronger association with COVID-19 diagnosis was observed among women with preexisting diabetes mellitus, whether they were of normal weight (risk ratio, 1.93; 95% confidence interval, 1.18-3.17) or overweight or obese (risk ratio, 2.32; 95% confidence interval, 1.82-2.97). When the sample was restricted to those with a real-time polymerase chain reaction test or an antigen test in the week before delivery or during the entire pregnancy, including missing variables using imputation or controlling for month of enrollment, the observed associations were comparable. CONCLUSION: Diabetes mellitus and overweight or obesity were risk factors for COVID-19 diagnosis in pregnancy, and insulin-dependent gestational diabetes mellitus was associated with the disease. Therefore, it is essential that women with these comorbidities are vaccinated.

Ultrasound-guided polidocanol foam sclerotherapy for symptomatic giant hepatic cyst: A single-center experience.

AIM: Simple hepatic cysts are typically benign; however, when they are large and symptomatic, therapeutic intervention is required. We previously reported our initial experience with ultrasound (US)-guided polidocanol foam sclerotherapy in three patients with symptomatic giant hepatic cysts. In the present study, we examined the efficacy and safety of polidocanol foam sclerotherapy in a larger number of patients with long-term follow-up. METHODS: Between May 2016 and April 2021, 15 patients with symptomatic giant hepatic cysts were referred to our hospital. All patients were prospectively included in the study and underwent US-guided polidocanol foam sclerotherapy. RESULTS: The mean maximum diameter and estimated cyst volume were 128.4 mm (77-223 mm) and 922.3 ml (123.2-2797 ml), respectively. Polidocanol foam was successfully administered through an 8.5-Fr pigtail catheter in all patients. The percentages of cyst diameter/volume after 1-3 months, 3-6 months, 6 months-1 year, 1-2 years, and 2-4 years of sclerotherapy were 66.8%/36.5%, 48.1%/14.8%, 34.1%/6.9%, 28.2%/3.7%, and 26.2%/3.1%, respectively. During the follow-up period, there were no cases of symptom recurrence or need for additional treatment due to cyst re-growth. Six patients (40%) had fever, one had nausea, and one had right-sided chest pain, but none of these adverse events required prolonged hospitalization or readmission. CONCLUSIONS: US-guided polidocanol foam sclerotherapy may be an effective and safe method for the treatment of symptomatic giant hepatic cysts.

Unified polarizable electrode models for open and closed circuits: Revisiting the effects of electrode polarization and different circuit conditions on electrode-electrolyte interfaces.

A precise understanding of the interfacial structure and dynamics is essential for the optimal design of various electrochemical devices. Herein, we propose a method for classical molecular dynamics simulations to deal with electrochemical interfaces with polarizable electrodes under the open circuit condition. Less attention has been given to electrochemical circuit conditions in computation despite being often essential for a proper assessment, especially comparison between different models. The present method is based on the chemical potential equalization principle, as is a method developed previously to deal with systems under the closed circuit condition. These two methods can be interconverted through the Legendre transformation so that the difference in the circuit conditions can be compared on the same footing. Furthermore, the electrode polarization effect can be correctly studied by comparing the present method with conventional simulations with the electrodes represented by fixed charges, since both of the methods describe systems under the open circuit condition. The method is applied to a parallel-plate capacitor composed of platinum electrodes and an aqueous electrolyte solution. The electrode polarization effects have an impact on the interfacial structure of the electrolyte solution. We found that the difference in circuit conditions significantly affects the dynamics of the electrolyte solution. The electric field at the charged electrode surface is poorly screened by the nonequilibrium solution structure in the open circuit condition, which accelerates the motion of the electrolyte solution.

Accelerated constant-voltage quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical method for molecular systems at electrochemical interfaces.

The structure and electronic properties of a molecule at an electrochemical interface are changed by interactions with the electrode surface and the electrolyte solution, which can be significantly modulated by an applied voltage. We present an efficient self-consistent quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) approach to study a physisorbed molecule at a metal electrode-electrolyte interface under the constant-voltage condition. The approach employs a classical polarizable double electrode model, which enables us to study the QM/MM system in the constant-voltage ensemble. A mean-field embedding approximation is further introduced in order to overcome the difficulties associated with statistical sampling of the electrolyte configurations. The results of applying the method to a test system indicate that the adsorbed molecule is no less or slightly more polarized at the interface than in the bulk electrolyte solution. The geometry of the horizontally adsorbed molecule is modulated by their electrostatic interactions with the polarizable electrode surfaces and also the interactions with cations attracted toward the interface when the adsorbate is reduced. We also demonstrate that the approach can be used to quantitatively evaluate the reorganization energy of a one electron reduction reaction of a molecule in an electrochemical cell.