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score (in the control group, 0.252 ± 0.0009, p  less then  0.0001). There was no difference found in the optical density of melatonin 1B receptors in the stromal cells of placental villi between the two groups in the experimental group, 0.109 ± 0.006 IHC image score, and in the control group, 0.114 ± 0.0011 (p = 0.65). Melatonin receptors 1A and 1B are significantly less expressed in the placental tissue in the case that pregnancy is complicated with placental insufficiency, manifested as the intrauterine growth restriction syndrome of the fetus.Physiological adaptations during heat exposure are critical in pregnancy. Maternal thermoregulation has to accommodate the increased metabolic load of the developing fetus. Here, we assess the consequences of intermittent heat exposure, as occurs in heat waves, for maternal adaptations during pregnancy, and chronic feto-placental outcomes. Following timed mating, C57BL/6J mice were allocated to either standard animal housing temperature conditions (SH) or housing at a temperature within the thermoneutral zone (TNZ). A subset of the TNZ group was exposed to 37 °C for 8 h a day from E15.5 to E17.5 to simulate a heat wave (HW). Maternal weight gain, food intake, rectal temperature, and nesting behaviors were measured across gestation. Fetal and placental tissues were collected at E18.5. ReACp53 in vivo With heat exposure, maternal rectal temperature increased while food intake and nest complexity decreased. Maternal daily weight gain initially decreased due to heat exposure, but on the last day of exposure, it was comparable to the other experimental groups. These maternal responses during heat exposure impacted on the fetus, with restrictions in placental and fetal development evident just before birth. Thus, the vascular portion of the placenta, and the relative fetal head size, was smaller. Furthermore, SH and TNZ animals demonstrated distinct differences in food intake and nesting behavior during pregnancy, reinforcing the need for caution in extrapolating from animal models to humans when housing occurs outside of thermoneutral zone conditions. This study highlights the direct effects of temperature conditions on health in pregnancy and provides a foundation for future studies to investigate fetal health consequences that are associated with intermittent heat exposure.Preterm birth is a leading cause of infant morbidity and mortality. Decorin and biglycan are proteoglycans that play key roles in maintaining the connective tissue matrix and tensile strength of human fetal membranes and have been previously linked to PPROM. Extracellular matrix proteins, such as matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2), matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9), TIMP metallopeptidase inhibitor 1 (TIMP-1), TIMP metallopeptidase inhibitor 2 (TIMP-2), and collagen VI (COL-6), have also been linked to PPROM and may have utility in a serum-based screening model for this condition. To define the natural course of serum decorin and biglycan expression throughout the duration of healthy pregnancy, to explore patterns of serum decorin and biglycan expression in serum of asymptomatic women who go on to develop spontaneous preterm labor, and to investigate the potential role for matrix metalloproteinases, their inhibitors, and collagen VI in a serum-based screening model to predict PPROM. Serum decorin level decreases less than 1% per week, and serum biglycan decreases by 2.9% per week over the duration of healthy pregnancy. Serum decorin and biglycan concentrations do not differ in spontaneous preterm labor cases compared with those in controls. Mean concentrations of MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1, TIMP-2, and COL-6 do not differ in PPROM cases compared with those in controls. We have demonstrated that serum decorin and biglycan concentrations remain stable throughout the duration of normal pregnancy and are not early indicators of preterm labor, while common MMPs, TIMPs, and collagen VI are not early indicators of PPROM.

Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) have been shown to increase during physiological pregnancy and are believed to play a fundamental role in the process of placentation. Reduced levels of EPCs during pregnancy have been associated with preeclampsia and miscarriage. Women with multiple sclerosis (MS) are not at increased risk of preeclampsia nor of general adverse obstetric outcome, in contrast with some other autoimmune diseases.

The aim of this study was to evaluate circulating EPCs levels in pregnant patients with MS.

CD34+ and CD133+ were longitudinally detected by flow cytometry in the maternal plasma of 29 healthy controls and 9 MS patients and in the cord blood of their newborns.

EPCs were affected by pregnancy with the same trend in both groups (CD34+ p= 0.0342; CD133+ p= 0.0347). EPCs during pregnancy were increased in MS (mean ± SD CD34+ cells 0.038 ± 0.010; CD133+ 0.024 ± 0.009) with respect to healthy controls (mean ± SD CD34+ cells 0.022 ± 0.006; CD133+ 0.016 ± 0.004), CD34+ p= 0.0004; CD133+ p= 0.0109. EPCs levels of the cord blood of MS patients’ newborns mild correlated with maternal EPC levels at delivery (CD34+ spearman’s Rho 0.658, p= 0.054; CD133+ spearman’s Rho 0.758, p= 0.018).

This work identified increased circulating EPC levels during pregnancy, following the same trend both in MS patients and healthy controls. Despite the similar trend, the levels of circulating EPCs were significantly higher in MS patients with respect to the control population. A correlation was also found in MS patients between cord blood EPCs and circulating EPCs at delivery.

This work identified increased circulating EPC levels during pregnancy, following the same trend both in MS patients and healthy controls. Despite the similar trend, the levels of circulating EPCs were significantly higher in MS patients with respect to the control population. A correlation was also found in MS patients between cord blood EPCs and circulating EPCs at delivery.

Esophagostomy is important in the treatment of esophageal cancer. However, esophagectomy has a higher risk of postoperative complications. Treatment for complications is often difficult, and in some cases, oral intake is no longer possible. Recently, magnetic compression anastomosis (MCA) was developed; it is a relatively safe method of anastomosis that does not require surgery in patients with stricture, obstruction, or dehiscence of the anastomosis after surgery.

The patient was a 76-year-old Japanese man. He underwent esophagectomy with a three-field dissection for esophageal cancer. A cervical esophagostomy and chest drainage were performed for necrosis of the gastric tube. Following infection control, colon interposition was performed. However, after the operation, the colon necrotized and formed an abscess. Drainage controlled the infection, but the colon was completely obstructed. The patient was referred to our hospital to restore oral ingestion. Contrast studies showed that the length of the occlusion was 10 mm.