MR Imaging of Umbilical Cord Variations, Abnormalities, and Associated Placental Findings.

The umbilical cord and placenta, classified as fetal appendages, play a crucial role in fetal growth and survival. While ultrasonography remains the primary modality for evaluation, MRI provides a more objective and comprehensive assessment, particularly for the placenta and fetus. Although MRI assessment of the umbilical cord is still emerging and not yet widely adopted by radiologists, MRI has the potential to support and complement ultrasound findings, thereby contributing to safer perinatal management.

A Clinical Investigation into the Long-term Use and Safety of Killed Escherichia coli Suspension-Hydrocortisone Combination Ointment for the Treatment of Hemorrhoids.

Objectives: Conservative treatment for hemorrhoids may be long-term, but there are only a few studies that have reported on the long-term use of corticosteroid-containing preparations. Therefore, the aim of this study was to conduct a clinical investigation into the long-term use and safety of Killed Escherichia coli suspension-hydrocortisone combination ointment for the treatment of hemorrhoids.

Methods: A review of 578 hemorrhoid patients who experienced an adverse reaction to Killed Escherichia coli suspension-hydrocortisone combination ointment at Coloproctology Center Takano Hospital between June 2019 and December 2019 was conducted.

Association between paternal physique and obesity in children at the age of 3 years: the Japan Environment and Children's Study.

Obesity during development has been reported to be a determinant factor in the future development of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Parental obesity is suggested to be a predictor of children's obesity, and it is important to consider parental factors to prevent NCDs in the progeny. Previously, we showed that paternal height had a stronger association with infant birth weight than paternal body mass index (BMI) in the Japanese population.

Impact of maternal smoking and secondhand smoke exposure during singleton pregnancy on placental abruption: analysis of a prospective cohort study (the Japan Environment and Children's Study).

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the association and population-attributable fraction (PAF) of maternal smoking and secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure during pregnancy with placental abruption.

Design: Prospective cohort study.

Setting: 15 regional centres in Japan.

Pregnancy and Postpartum Trends in Self-Measured Blood Pressure and Derived Indices: The BOSHI Study.

In this study, we aimed to reveal the trends of self-measured blood pressure (SMBP) and SMBP-derived indices during pregnancy and the postpartum period. The Babies and Their Parents Longitudinal Observation in Suzuki Memorial Hospital in the Intrauterine Period (BOSHI) Study is a prospective cohort study in Japan. Participants were instructed to measure SMBP daily during pregnancy and for 1 month after delivery.

Advanced maternal age is a risk factor for both early and late gestational diabetes mellitus: The Japan Environment and Children's Study.

Aims: This study investigated the association between maternal age and early and late gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

Methods: In total, 72,270 pregnant women were included in this prospective birth cohort study. Associations between maternal age and early GDM (diagnosed at <24 gestational weeks) and late GDM (diagnosed at ≥24 gestational weeks) were evaluated using a multinomial logistic regression model with possible confounding factors.

Association of Parity with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Japan.

This study investigates the association between parity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Japanese women, considering the clinical history of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and menopausal status, which are known risk factors for T2DM. Overall, 30,116 Japanese women (6,588 premenopausal and 23,528 postmenopausal) were included in this cross-sectional study. They were divided into two groups according to menopausal status (premenopausal and postmenopausal women), and the association between parity and T2DM was evaluated using a multiple logistic regression model with possible confounders, including a clinical history of GDM.

The paternal contribution to shaping the health of future generations.

Paternal health and exposure to adverse environments in the period prior to conception have a profound impact on future generations. Adversities such as stress, diet, and toxicants influence offspring health. Emerging evidence indicates that epigenetic mechanisms including noncoding RNA, DNA methylation, and chromatin remodelling mediate these effects.

Epigenetic dynamics of partially methylated domains in human placenta and trophoblast stem cells.

Background: The placenta is essential for nutrient exchange and hormone production between the mother and the developing fetus and serves as an invaluable model for epigenetic research. Most epigenetic studies of the human placenta have used whole placentas from term pregnancies and have identified the presence of partially methylated domains (PMDs). However, the origin of these domains, which are typically absent in most somatic cells, remains unclear in the placental context.

Associations of fasting plasma glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin levels at less than 24 weeks of gestation with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy: the BOSHI study.

This study aimed to evaluate the associations of fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels at <24 weeks of gestation with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) and compare the strengths of the associations of HDP with FPG and HbA1c levels. Totally, 1,178 participants were included in this prospective cohort study. HDP, FPG, HbA1c, and potential confounding factors were included in multiple logistic regression models.

Maternal birth weight is an indicator of preterm delivery: the Japan environment and children's study.

This study aimed to investigate the association between maternal birth weight (MBW) with preterm delivery (PTD) in the Japanese population. To this end, a total of 78,972 Japanese pregnant women were included in a prospective birth cohort study. Multiple logistic regression and multinominal logistic regression models were applied to investigate the associations of MBW with PTD (delivery from 22 to < 37 weeks of gestation), early PTD (delivery from 22 to < 34 weeks), and late PTD (delivery from 34 to < 37 weeks).

Relationship between parity and the prevalence of chronic kidney disease in Japan considering hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and body mass index.

Background: Global studies exploring the relationship between parity and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are scarce. Furthermore, no study has examined the relationship between parity and CKD in Japan. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the relationship between parity and the prevalence of CKD in a Japanese population, considering the clinical history of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) and current body mass index (BMI) based on menopausal status.

Risk Assessment of Critical Obstetric Bleeding With Low-Molecular-Weight Heparin.

Background: Use of unfractionated heparin (UFH) during the peripartum period is considered to be a higher risk of critical obstetric bleeding compared to low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH). However, the evidence for the safety of using LMWH during the peripartum period is currently lacking.

Methods: This study retrospectively investigated a nationwide medical database to clarify the safety of using LMWH during childbirth.

Transcatheter arterial embolization outperforms surgery in reducing blood transfusions for postpartum vulvovaginal hematoma.

Background: Postpartum vulvovaginal hematoma is a complication of vaginal delivery that may progress to life-threatening conditions. However, the management of hematomas, including conservative therapy, surgery, and arterial embolization, is yet to be standardized.

Objective: This study aimed to: (1) evaluate hematoma features that can be treated conservatively, and (2) determine whether surgery or transcatheter arterial embolization is superior in reducing blood transfusion.

Association between Maternal Birth Weight and Prevalence of Congenital Malformations in Offspring: The Japanese Environment and Children's Study.

Congenital malformations are functional and structural alterations in embryonic or foetal development resulting from a variety of factors including maternal health status. This study aimed to investigate the association between maternal birth weight (MBW) and the prevalence of congenital malformations in offspring using data from a nationwide birth cohort study in Japan including 103,060 pregnancies. A binary logistic regression model with adjustment for various covariates revealed that an MBW of <2500 g (low MBW) was associated with an increased risk of congenital heart disease (adjusted odds ratio: 1.

Modeling embryo-endometrial interface recapitulating human embryo implantation.

The initiation of human pregnancy is marked by the implantation of an embryo into the uterine environment; however, the underlying mechanisms remain largely elusive. To address this knowledge gap, we developed hormone-responsive endometrial organoids (EMO), termed apical-out (AO)-EMO, which emulate the in vivo architecture of endometrial tissue. The AO-EMO comprise an exposed apical epithelium surface, dense stromal cells, and a self-formed endothelial network.

Maternal birth weight as an indicator of early and late gestational diabetes mellitus: The Japan Environment and Children's Study.

Aims: This study aimed to investigate the association of maternal birth weight (MBW) with early and late gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

Methods: A total of 69318 pregnant Japanese women were included in this birth cohort study. The associations between maternal birth weight and early gestational diabetes mellitus (diagnosed at <24 gestational weeks) and late GDM (diagnosed at ≥24 gestational weeks) were investigated using a multinomial logistic regression model, with an maternal birth weight of 3000-3499 g as the reference category.

Prenatal maternal glucocorticoid exposure modifies sperm miRNA profiles across multiple generations in the guinea-pig.

Maternal stress and glucocorticoid exposure during pregnancy have multigenerational effects on neuroendocrine function and behaviours in offspring. Importantly, effects are transmitted through the paternal lineage. Altered phenotypes are associated with profound differences in transcription and DNA methylation in the brain.

Association of parity with the prevalence of hypertension in Japan: The Tohoku Medical Megabank Community-based cohort study.

This study investigated the association of parity with hypertension prevalence in Japanese women while considering a clinical history of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) and menopausal status. This cross-sectional study included 30,530 Japanese women (6700 premenopausal; 23 830 postmenopausal). The association between parity and the prevalence of hypertension was evaluated using a multiple logistic regression model with possible confounders.

Association between frequency of breakfast intake before and during pregnancy and developmental delays in children: the Tohoku Medical Megabank Project Birth and Three-Generation Cohort Study.

Background: Although an association between maternal nutritional intake and developmental delays in children has been demonstrated, the association of the timing of meal intake and development delays remains unclear. We examined the association between breakfast intake frequency before and during pregnancy and developmental delay in children.

Methods: Of the pregnant women who participated in the Tohoku Medical Megabank Project Three-Generation Cohort Study, 7491 answered the required questions and were analyzed.

Maternal birth weight as an indicator of early-onset and late-onset hypertensive disorders of pregnancy: The Japan Environment and Children's study.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the association between maternal birth weight (MBW) and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) according to the gestational age when HDP develops.

Study Design: A total of 77,345 subjects were included in this prospective birth cohort study. The association between MBW and HDP was investigated by a multinomial logistic regression model.

Factors associated with new onset of father-to-infant bonding failure from 1 to 6 months postpartum: an adjunct study of the Japan environment and children's study.

Purpose: This study aimed to determine the factors associated with new onset father-to-infant (paternal) bonding failure from 1 to 6 months postpartum.

Methods: This was a prospective birth-cohort study. Paternal bonding failure was evaluated using the Japanese version of the Mother-to-Infant Bonding Scale (MIBS-J) at 1 and 6 months postpartum.