P-wave indices in Japanese patients with ischemic stroke: Implication of atrial myopathy in subtype of ischemic stroke.

BACKGROUND: P-wave indices have been not fully studied in subtypes of ischemic stroke. We compared P-wave indices among embolic stroke, lacunar stroke and the control. METHODS: P-wave duration, advanced interatrial block (aIAB) defined as P-wave duration ≥120 ms and biphasic (positive negative) morphology in inferior leads, and P-terminal force in lead V1 (PTFV1) were measured at the time of the first episode of cardioembolic stroke in 81 patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF), and in 64 patients with lacunar stroke, and compared with 100 control subjects. The latter two groups had no episode of PAF. RESULTS: The age of participants was 76 ± 11 years. Age, sex distribution, body mass index and CHADS2 score were comparable among three groups. Maximum P-wave duration, the longest across 12 leads, was significantly prolonged in cardioembolic and lacuna stroke compared to the control; 118 ± 12 ms and 118 ± 11 ms vs. 110 ± 11 ms, respectively (P < 0.0001). P-wave duration ≥120 ms and aIAB were more prevalent in ischemic stroke groups than the control, and associated with a higher Odds ratio for stroke, more so in cardioembolic stroke. However, PTFV1 value and the prevalence of PTFV1 ≥ 4.0 ms·mV were significantly not different among the three groups. Abnormal P-wave duration and aIAB indicating the presence of atrial myopathy were present in cardioembolic and lacuna stroke. CONCLUSION: Atrial myopathy was present in cardioembolic and lacunar stroke, but it can't be the direct cause of small vessel occlusion in lacunar stroke. Roles of atrial myopathy in each subtype of ischemic stroke should be studied.

Analysis of the therapeutic effects of hysteroscopic polypectomy with and without doxycycline treatment on chronic endometritis with endometrial polyps.

PROBLEM: We aimed to compare the therapeutic effects of hysteroscopic polypectomy with and without doxycycline treatment on chronic endometritis (CE) with endometrial polyps. METHOD OF STUDY: DESIGN: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 267 infertile patients, of whom 243 were recruited, who underwent hysteroscopic polypectomy between March 2019 and March 2020. During surgery, the endometrial specimens for the immunohistochemistry analysis of the plasma cell marker CD138 and for the intrauterine bacterial culture were obtained to diagnose CE, and the prevalence of CE was analyzed. Of the 222 women who were diagnosed with CE after polypectomy, we treated 62 women with doxycycline (antibiotic group) and did not provide antibiotics in 160 women (non-antibiotic group). RESULTS: Most of the infertile patients with endometrial polyps had CE (92.6%). The recovery rate from CE by hysteroscopic polypectomy was significantly higher in the non-antibiotic group than in the antibiotic group (88.8% and 58.1%, respectively, p < 0.0001). The duration of recovery from CE in the non-antibiotic group was shorter than that in the antibiotic group (42.6 ± 41.0 and 56.5 ± 32.3 days, respectively, p < 0.0001). The clinical pregnancy rate within 6 months in non-antibiotic group was higher than that in the antibiotic group (63.2% and 43.8%, respectively, p = 0.034). CONCLUSION: Endometrial polyps are significantly associated with CE. Most CE patients with endometrial polyps had been cured by polypectomy without doxycycline. Inappropriate antibiotic therapy may delay recovery from CE and decrease the efficacy of polypectomy on CE and pregnancy rates.

The Endometriosis Fertility Index Is Useful for Predicting the Ability to Conceive without Assisted Reproductive Technology Treatment after Laparoscopic Surgery, Regardless of Endometriosis.

OBJECTIVE: The endometriosis fertility index (EFI) is a novel index for predicting pregnancy after surgery. We investigated the utility of the EFI for predicting the ability to conceive without assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment after laparoscopic surgery. METHODS: From July 2011 through December 2012, we recruited 133 infertile patients who underwent laparoscopy, and the EFI was calculated. After surgery, 55 of 133 achieved pregnancy without ART treatment. We evaluated the factors that predicted a naturally successful pregnancy and compared them between the pregnant and non-pregnant subjects. RESULTS: On a univariate linear regression analysis, we found that a younger age, shorter duration of infertility, and higher EFI were positively associated with a successful pregnancy without ART after laparoscopic surgery (p < 0.05). According to 50th percentile EFI, the cutoff EFI predicting a successful pregnancy without ART was 7, the pregnancy rate in the high-EFI group (EFI; 8-10) was significantly higher than that in the low-EFI group (EFI ≤7; p < 0.05), but the duration to natural conception after surgery was similar between the 2 groups. CONCLUSION: The EFI possesses greater predictive power for a successful pregnancy with natural intercourse or intrauterine insemination in infertile patients, regardless of endometriosis, than the Revised-American Society of Reproductive Medicine classification.

Frequency of endometrial cancer and atypical hyperplasia in infertile women undergoing hysteroscopic polypectomy.

AIM: We aimed to determine the frequency of endometrial cancer in infertile women undergoing hysteroscopic endometrial polypectomy for endometrial polyps. METHODS: A total of 1035 infertile patients who underwent office-based hysteroscopic polypectomy at Sugiyama Clinic Marunouchi between July 2011 and October 2015 were eligible for this retrospective study. All patients had been diagnosed with endometrial polyps via hysterofiberscopy prior to operation, and they underwent hysteroscopic endometrial polypectomy using a resectoscope with monopolar resection. Surgical specimens were examined histopathologically. Characteristics of patients diagnosed with endometrial cancer on histopathological examination were evaluated retrospectively. RESULTS: The median age of patients was 32 years (range, 19-44 years). On histopathological examination, endometrial cancer was found in 10 patients (0.97%). Each histological type of endometrial cancer was represented as follows: three cases of endometrioid adenocarcinoma G1; one of endometrioid adenocarcinoma G2; two of endometrioid adenocarcinoma G3; and four of atypical endometrial hyperplasia. The median age of endometrial cancer patients was 34 years (range, 28-41 years), and the median body mass index was 21.2 kg/m2 (range, 16.7-29.9 kg/m2 ). Nine endometrial cancer patients were nulliparous, and all had undergone infertility treatment, with only one woman having delivered a healthy baby. An ovulation disorder was noted in four patients, with obesity (body mass index > 25 kg/m2 ) in just two. Polycystic ovary syndrome was concomitantly observed in one patient. However, abnormal vaginal bleeding was not noted in any of these patients. CONCLUSION: Hysteroscopic polypectomy should be performed when endometrial polyps are detected on investigational screening, and surgical specimens should be checked for the presence of malignancy.

Perinatal outcomes of patients who achieved pregnancy with a morphologically poor embryo via assisted reproductive technology.

PURPOSE: To learn more about the perinatal outcomes of conception via the use of low-grade embryos, we evaluated the relationship between the status of transferred embryos and the resultant perinatal outcomes. METHODS: A total of 340 patients who achieved pregnancy via ART treatment and consequently delivered in our clinic between April 2009 and March 2014 were recruited for this study. Patients were divided into two groups according to a morphological assessment of the transferred embryos, which relegated 79 patients into a poor-embryo group with the remainders (n = 261) placed into a good-embryo group. RESULTS: The mean maternal age for the poor-embryo group was 36.0 years, which was similar to the good-embryo group (36.8). In both groups, the percentages of fresh ET cycles were similar. The values for the mean birth weight and birth height of infants in the poor-embryo group were 3055 g and 50.3 cm, respectively, and there were no significant differences with the good-embryo group. The umbilical blood gas analysis in the poor-quality group was similar to that in the good-embryo group. There were no obvious major anomalies among the infants of either group. CONCLUSIONS: The perinatal outcomes of the poor-embryo group were comparable to those of the good-embryo group. Based on these results, we can provide qualified assurance for a normal perinatal outcome to patients who had no choice but to undergo embryo transfer with a poor-quality embryo.

The Effect of a Newly Designed Needle on the Pain and Bleeding of Patients During Oocyte Retrieval of a Single Follicle.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of needle type on pain and bleeding during oocyte pick-up (OPU). METHODS: From May through November 2013, patients undergoing OPU from a single follicle without any analgesic treatment were including this study. Eligible patients (n=75) were randomized 1:1 to undergo the procedure with either a reduced needle (17 gauge body, 20 gauge tip; RN group) or a standard needle (19 gauge; SN group). Overall pain was assessed by patients using a visual analogue scale (VAS), and vaginal bleeding after the procedure was recorded. Fisher exact, t-test or Wilcoxon test were used, and p<0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. RESULTS: The percentage of mature oocytes was 86.5% in the RN group and 91.7% in the SN group. Pain during OPU was significantly lower in the RN group than in the SN group (mean VAS score±SD: 3.2±2.0 cm vs. 4.9±2.2 cm, p<0.01; mean±SD). The frequency of vaginal bleeding was also significantly lower in the SN group (26.3% vs. 48.6%; p<0.05). The frequency of bleeding in the RN group was also significantly lower than that in the SN group (26.3% vs. 48.6%; p<0.05). No significant differences were found between the two groups with regard to fertilization and pregnancy rates. CONCLUSION: The newly designed needle significantly reduced pain and vaginal bleeding associated with single-follicle OPU in patients receiving no analgesic treatment, in comparison with a standard needle. The RN had no adverse effect on the quality of retrieved oocytes.

Clomiphene citrate affects the receptivity of the uterine endometrium.

Purpose: To investigate whether clomiphene citrate (CC) affects uterine receptivity or not, we evaluated pregnancy rates (PR) during the hormone replacement cycle (HRC) according to the period between the last day of CC administration and the day of embryo transfer (ET). Methods: From March 2008 through March 2010, a total of 378 treatment cycles among 378 patients who received CC and had to avoid fresh ET due to a thin uterine endometrium were recruited. All patients underwent thawed ET using HRC. PRs were evaluated according to the period between the last CC treatment and the day of ET. Results: PR for the groups in which the period between the last CC treatment and the day of ET increased to more than 91 days were significantly higher than that for group in which the period was less than 90 days (p < 0.05). Conclusions: A lower PR was shown by the patients who underwent thawed ET in the HRC within 90 days after their last CC treatment, which shows that CC affects the receptivity of the uterine endometrium.

Advanced scheduling for zygote intrafallopian transfer is possible via the use of a hormone replacement cycle for patients who have experienced repeated implantation failures.

PURPOSE: Zygote intrafallopian transfer (ZIFT) is an effective option for patients who have experienced repeated implantation failures (RIF) in assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment. However, advance planning for the day of the operation can be problematic. Using a hormone replacement cycle (HRC) makes it possible to plan for the day of ZIFT. In the present study, we evaluated whether HRC-ZIFT is useful for RIF patients who have experienced difficulties obtaining morphologically good embryos in vitro. METHODS: A total of 55 patients with a history of five or more unsuccessful transfers received HRC-ZIFT between June 2008 and June 2013. The oocyte pick-ups were performed and the oocytes showing two pronuclei (2PN) were cryopreserved. After receiving more than five 2PN oocytes, the operation day was scheduled in advance, and as a consequence, a HRC was started and ZIFT was performed. The clinical outcomes were evaluated. RESULTS: The average age of the patients was 39.3 years, and the previous OPU and ET attempts numbered 7.5 and 6.9, respectively. The number of previously transferred embryos was 11.8, and the number of morphologically good embryos (MGEs) was only 1.2. The number of transferred 2PN oocytes was 6.7, and the subsequent pregnancy rate was 23.6 %. No ectopic or multiple pregnancies were observed, but there were 6 cases of miscarriage. CONCLUSION: Among RIF patients, in particular those who have difficulty obtaining MGEs in vitro, ZIFT might be a useful option. The HRC allows patients and medical staff to plan for the operation day in advance.

The significance of serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels in patients over age 40 in first IVF treatment.

PURPOSE: Although studies of serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) in predicting ovarian reserve are numerous, many studies utilized patients under age 40. However, the assessment of ovarian reserve is especially critical in older infertile women. This study evaluates the significance of AMH level in patients over age 40 at the time of their first in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment. METHODS: Forty-nine women over age 40 were studied. Although serum samples were taken prior to their IVF treatments, the data of serum AMH of patients were not taken into consideration to determine the therapy strategy, including follicle induction in which clomiphene citrate and human menopausal gonadotropin were used. RESULT(S): Twelve out of 49 patients achieved a clinical pregnancy (24.4 %). There was a positive correlation between serum AMH levels and the number of oocytes retrieved (P < 0.0001). The ROC curve analysis for prediction of poor ovarian response, ≤3 retrieved oocytes, showed that the optimum cut-off level was < 1.0 ng/mL for AMH. The lower AMH group (AMH < 1.0 ng/ml) showed less chance of undergoing embryo transfer than the higher AMH group (AMH ≥1.0 ng/ml). There was no difference in pregnancy rate between the two groups. Five out of 12 pregnant women exhibited AMH levels of less than 0.4 ng/ml. CONCLUSION(S): Assessment of serum AMH concentration in older patients is useful for the prediction of oocytes numbers which may be obtained in IVF. A cut-off level of 1.0 ng/ml AMH can be used to predict poor ovarian response. This cut-off level of AMH of 1.0 ng/ml might be useful to predict whether patients could have an embryo transfer, but had no power to predict achieving pregnancy. On the other hand, our data also showed that patients over age 40 with extreme low levels of AMH still had a chance of pregnancy.

[Case of bilateral common carotid artery dissections due to localized dissection of the aortic arch].

We report a case of a 56-year-old man who had a localized dissection of the aortic arch presenting with left conjugate deviation, right homonymous hemianopsia, and right hemiparesis. Diffusion-weighted MRI revealed multiple fresh cerebral infarctions of the left cerebral hemisphere and the bilateral cerebellar hemispheres. The patient did not complain of chest pain, but thoracic computed tomography (CT) and three-dimensional CT angiography showed a localized dissection of the aortic arch at the bases of the brachiocephalic artery and left common carotid artery (CCA). He was diagnosed with embolic cerebral infarctions due to aortic dissection and treated with heparin and edaravone. However, without progressive symptoms and enlargement of the dissected aneurysm, we continued to follow the wait-and-scan policy for the aortic dissection. Neurological signs and symptoms gradually improved during his admission. The pseudolumen had yet to close and there has been no change in size and shape of the dissected aneurysm for about one year. It is necessary to carefully follow up the case and to keep in mind cerebral infarctions caused by aortic dissection.

Clinical outcome of frozen blastocyst transfer; single vs. double transfer.

PURPOSE: Frozen embryo transfer has been established as an indispensable ART procedure for both the effective use of surplus embryos and the prevention of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. The frequency of frozen embryo transfer is increasing in our clinic, and we report that frozen embryo transfer is effective for patients with repeat failures. We present our clinical outcome of frozen blastocyst transfer (FBT). METHODS: In 2006, 470 patients received FBT (562 cycles (IVF: 354 cycles; ICSI: 208 cycles)). One frozen blastocyst was transferred in 412 cycles (335 patients) and two blastocysts were transferred in 150 cycles (135 patients). Assisted hatching was performed in all cases. RESULTS: In 412 cycles (average age: 34.6 years) who received a single FBT, the rate of clinical pregnancy per cycle was 40.7%, the live birth rate was 29.1%, the abortion rate was 21.6%, the ectopic pregnancy rate was 1.2%, the frequency of monochorionic twins was 2.3%, and the cesarean section rate was 38.3%. In 150 cycles (average patient age 34.8 years) who received two FBTs, the clinical pregnancy rate was 46%, the live birth rate was 35.3%, the abortion rate was 16.3%, the ectopic pregnancy rate was 4.4%, the frequency of twins was 15.9% and the cesarean section rate was 39.6%. A significant difference in the ectopic pregnancy rate and the twinning rate was found between single transfers and double transfers (P < 0.05). When IVF and ICSI were compared, there was no statistically significant difference in the abortion rate, the ectopic pregnancy rate, and the cesarean section rate. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical pregnancy rate was similar for the transfer of one and two blastocysts. Single FBT decreases obstetrical risk without reducing the pregnancy rate.

The decrease of serum luteinizing hormone level by a gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist following the mild IVF stimulation protocol for IVF and its clinical outcome.

PURPOSE: While performing the mild ovarian stimulation protocol with a GnRH antagonist, the pregnancy rate was compared between the groups, which were divided by the degree that the luteinizing hormone (LH) level decreased. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients aged 27 to 42years (36.1 +/- 3.79) underwent 308 IVF cycles who opted for IVF via the mild ovarian stimulation protocol began clomiphene citrate on day 3 and recombinant FSH on day 5. A GnRH antagonist was administered when the dominant follicle reached 14mm. Serum LH was measured at the time of GnRH antagonist administration and at the time of hCG injection. The pregnancy rate and implantation rate were compared between 50 cycles in which the LH level dropped less than one-third and the control (LH level within 1/3). RESULT(S): The pregnancy rate for the group in which the LH level fell less than one third was 18%. Conversely, the pregnancy rate for the control group was 39%. The implantation rate was 18% for the less than one-third group and 26% for the control group. Both the pregnancy rate and the implantation rate for the group in which the LH level fell less than one-third were significantly lower than that of control (p < 0.02). CONCLUSION(S): When performing the mild ovarian stimulation protocol, serum LH should be followed. If the serum LH level is less than one-third at the time of hCG injection, both the pregnancy rate and implantation rate are significantly lower.

Location of endometrial polyp and pregnancy rate in infertility patients.

OBJECTIVE: To assess endometrial polyp location and abnormal endometrial findings and their impact on pregnancy rate. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: Reproductive clinic in Kanagawa, Japan. PATIENT(S): A retrospective study was conducted on 230 infertility patients who had an endometrial polyp, as suspected on the basis of ultrasound and as diagnosed by hysteroscopy. INTERVENTION(S): Polyps were excised by either polypectomy or curettage. All samples were examined for pathology. The endometrial cavity was subdivided into five area categories: uterotubal junction, anterior uterine wall, posterior uterine wall, lateral uterine wall, and multiple. The patients received < or =6 months of follow-up; pregnancy rates were compared between the five subdivisions. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Pregnancy rates. RESULT(S): The incidence of endometrial polyps was as follows, by location: uterotubal junction, 8.0%; posterior uterine wall, 32.0%; anterior uterine wall, 15.4%; lateral uterine wall, 9.2%; and multiple, 35.4%. The pregnancy rate after surgery was as follows, by location: uterotubal junction, 57.4%; posterior uterine wall, 28.5%; anterior uterine wall, 14.8%; lateral uterine wall, 18.8%; and multiple, 40.3%. Endometrial hyperplasia was found in 6.9% of the cases. The pregnancy rate after surgery at the uterotubal junction was significantly higher than that of other locations. CONCLUSION(S): Endometrial polyps are commonly found on the posterior wall of the uterus; however, excision of polyps that were located at the uterotubal junction significantly improved the pregnancy rate. Endometrial polyps should be categorized by both size and location.

Mild stimulation with clomiphene citrate in combination with recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone and gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist and its influence on serum estradiol level and pregnancy rate.

Aim: The mild ovarian stimulation protocol for in vitro fertilization (IVF) is carried out to minimize adverse side-effects as well as cost. While performing mild ovarian stimulation with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist, the pregnancy rate was examined in cases that exhibited a serum estradiol (E2) drop down. Methods: In this study, 174 patients who requested mild ovarian stimulation for IVF began clomiphene citrate on day 3 and recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) on day 5 of their menstrual cycles. A GnRH antagonist was administered when the dominant follicle reached a diameter of 14 mm. Serum luteinizing hormone and estradiol were measured at the time of GnRH antagonist administration and at the time of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) injection. Pregnancy rates and implantation rates were compared between 24 cycles in which the E2 level fell at the time of hCG injection and 150 cycles in which it did not fall. Results: The pregnancy rate in the cases in which the E2 level fell (25% decrease) at the time of hCG injection was significantly lower than it was in the cases in which it did not fall (16.7 vs 41.0%). The implantation rate for the cases in which the E2 level fell was also lower than that of the control group (7.0 vs 31.0%). There was no significant difference in the number of good-quality embryos between the two groups. Conclusion: When performing the mild ovarian stimulation protocol, serum E2 should be followed. It is prudent to avoid embryo transfer in the same cycle in cases that exhibit E2 drop down. (Reprod Med Biol 2008; 7: 85-89).

Monozygotic multiple gestation following in vitro fertilization: analysis of seven cases from Japan.

We present a series of monozygous multiple gestations achieved following in vitro fertilization (IVF): one case of monochorionic triplet pregnancy and six cases of dizygotic triplet pregnancy. From September 2000 to December 2006, all patients achieving clinical pregnancy by ART were reviewed (n = 2433). A 37 year-old woman who delivered a healthy singleton after IVF returned two years later for FET, and a single blastocyst was transferred. This also resulted in pregnancy, but TV-USG revealed a single gestational sac with three distinct amniotic sacs, each containing a distinct fetal pole with cardiac activity. This pregnancy was electively terminated at nine weeks' gestation. An additional six cases of dizygotic triplets established after fresh embryo transfer (no ICSI or assisted hatching) are also described. Of these, one resulted in a miscarriage at eight weeks' gestation and five patients have an ongoing pregnancy. This case series suggests the incidence of dizygotic/monochorionic triplets following IVF is approximately 10 times higher than the expected rate in unassisted conceptions, and underscores the importance of a conservative approach to lower the number of embryos at transfer. The role of embryo transfer technique and in vitro culture media in the twinning process requires further study.

Clinical outcomes of two different endometrial preparation methods for cryopreserved-thawed embryo transfer in patients with a normal menstrual cycle.

Aim: To compare the clinical outcomes of cryopreserved-thawed embryo transfer among patients with a normal menstrual cycle who had natural or hormone-replacement cycles. Methods: From January 2004 to June 2006, cryopreserved embryos following conventional in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) were thawed and transferred in a total of 720 natural cycles and 136 hormone-replacement cycles. Results: Cryopreserved-thawed embryo transfer in patients who had a natural or hormone-replacement cycle resulted in clinical pregnancy in 43.1% and 40.4%, respectively; a rate of miscarriage of 14.5% and 23.6%, respectively; and a rate of ongoing pregnancy and delivery of 36.5% and 30.9%, respectively. None of these differences were statistically significant. Conclusions: Patients with a normal menstrual cycle who have natural or hormone-replacement cycles can be expected to have comparable clinical outcomes with cryopreserved-thawed embryo transfer. (Reprod Med Biol 2007; 6: 53-57).

Analysis of the AhR, ARNT, and AhRR gene polymorphisms: genetic contribution to endometriosis susceptibility and severity.

OBJECTIVE: To explore whether polymorphisms in AhR, ARNT, and AhRR contribute to endometriosis susceptibility and severity. DESIGN: Case control study. SETTING: Hospital. PATIENT(S): One hundred thirty-eight Japanese women with or without endometriosis, diagnosed endoscopically. INTERVENTION(S): Endoscopic laparoscopy, with blood samples for genotyping obtained before the laparoscopic examination for genomic DNA extraction from peripheral leukocytes. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): AhR, ARNT, and AhRR polymorphisms were genotyped using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated for AhR, ARNT, and AhRR genotypes to evaluate the risk of endometriosis. Associations between these polymorphisms and stage of endometriosis were also examined. RESULT(S): The C/G + G/G genotypes at codon 185 of AhRR showed a statistically significant association with risk of endometriosis (adjusted odds ratio, 2.53; 95% confidence interval, 1.16-5.55). Furthermore, a statistically significant trend associated the C/G + G/G genotypes with the clinical stage of endometriosis. No statistically significant association was observed between AhR codon 554 or ARNT codon 189 polymorphisms and endometriosis. CONCLUSION(S): AhRR codon 185 polymorphism was associated with susceptibility to and severity of endometriosis in Japanese women.

Associations between serum levels of selected organochlorine compounds and endometriosis in infertile Japanese women.

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) have been proposed as risk factors for endometriosis. Persistent organochlorine compounds, a group of suspected EDCs, are present to some extent in almost all human adipose tissue and blood via the food chain. A few animal studies have confirmed that exposure to these compounds can increase the incidence of endometriosis. In this study, we examined the associations between endometriosis and exposure to selected organochlorine compounds, including 8 polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), 10 polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), 4 coplanar polychlorinated biphenyls (cPCBs), 36 ortho-substituted polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and 13 chlorinated pesticides or their metabolites. The participants were 139 infertile Japanese women who were examined by laparoscopy and diagnosed as either endometriosis cases (Stages II-IV) or controls (Stages 0-I). The serum levels (lipid adjusted) of the targeted organochlorine compounds were in both 58 cases and 81 controls. There were very few differences in the various levels between endometriosis cases and controls. The total serum toxic equivalency (TEQ) value of PCDDs was significantly higher in the controls than in the cases (P=0.02). No other total TEQ values differed between cases and controls. For PCDDs, PCDFs, cPCBs, and PCBs, the multivariate odds ratio was 0.38 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.12-1.17] and 0.41 (95% CI, 0.14-1.27) for the third and highest quartiles, respectively, compared to the lowest quartile of total TEQ values. A weak, negative dose-response relationship was evident for total TEQs (P for trend of 0.06). The results of this study provide some evidence that serum levels of these organochlorine compounds are not associated with an increased risk of endometriosis in infertile Japanese women.

[A case of rapidly progressing pulmonary aspergillosis presenting various forms of shadow].

A 66-year-old woman who had a history of bullous pemphigoid was admitted to our hospital with abnormal shadows on chest radiography. She was being treated with prednisolone, which suggested that she might be in an immunosuppressed state. The chest radiograph and CT scan disclosed an infiltrative opacity, rapidly progressive cavitation, subsequent mycetoma formation, and a nodular shadow with a clear margin. Histological examination revealed a fungus ball in the cavitary lesion and a small mass of hyphae in necrotic tissue. After transbronchoscopic infusion of fluconazole, the cavitary lesion showed a marked resolution on the chest CT scan, and the infiltrative shadow and the nodule disappeared. It is said that aspergillosis is a spectrum of conditions whose precise manifestation is determined by the state of the lung tissue and by the patient's immune status. We report this rare case of pulmonary aspergillosis presenting various forms of shadow.