Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

O Kurauchi

Publications and source records attributed to O Kurauchi.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

A prospective study on the relationship between intrapartum maternal group-B streptococcal concentration and signs of infection in neonates.

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to examine the effects of intrapartum vaginal Group-B streptococcal (GBS) colonization on neonatal signs of infection. STUDY DESIGN: We performed a quantitative GBS culture of vaginal specimens in 1,280 pregnancies within 24 hours before delivery and examined signs of neonatal infection within 48 hours after birth. Among them, 287 pregnant women had premature ruptures of membranes. RESULTS: The rate of vaginal GBS colonization in groups with and without ruptured membranes was 22.0% and 11.3%, respectively. The incidence of neonates with signs of infection born to GBS-carrier women in each group was 28.6% and 8.8%, respectively. There were significant differences between the groups with regard to both the rate of colonization and the incidence of infection. Signs of neonatal infection increased in proportion to the maternal GBS concentration only in women with ruptured membranes. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that there is an important association between maternal GBS concentration and mild neonatal infections after birth, especially in women with premature ruptures of membranes.

Female↗
PubMed1996

Trophoblast cell monolayers on polycarbonate membranes as a preparative approach for studies of transcellular transport.

To investigate mechanisms of transplacental transfer, the trophoblast-derived cells were cultured on a polycarbonate membrane with 0.4 micron pores and medium on each side. The cells could form microscopically continuous cellular sheets over Transwell polycarbonate membranes. Permeability studies suggested however that the cell layer possesses a significant leak that must be controlled for. The results indicate that the transfer of substances through lateral intercellular spaces must be considered when studies of trans-trophoblast transfer are performed using cell monolayers.

Biological Transport↗
PubMed1995

Initiating and responsible enzyme of arginine vasopressin degradation in human placenta and pregnancy serum.

The hydrolysis of arginine vasopressin (AVP) by human placental subcellular fractions and pregnancy sera was studied in the presence of selective inhibitors and the antibody against pregnancy serum oxytocinase (P-LAP) (EC 3.4.11.3) by measuring liberated amino acids by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). AVP degradation by placental subcellular fractions and pregnancy sera was inhibited by bestatin. The IC50 values of bestatin on AVP degradation by placental subcellular fractions and pregnancy sera were similar to that of this inhibitor on the P-LAP measured by L-Leu-p-nitroamnilide as a substrate (LAP activity), which we reported previously. Our immunotitration study clearly showed that the initiating and responsible protease in AVP degradation in human placenta and pregnancy serum is P-LAP. Since N-benzylcarbonyl-valyl-prolinal (Z-Val-prolinal), a selective inhibitor of post-proline endopeptidase, and phosphoramidon, a putative endopeptidase-24.11 inhibitor, could not significantly influence the degradation of AVP by placental microsomal fractions. Neither enzyme seems to be actively involved in AVP degradation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1995

Decrease in severity of intrauterine growth retardation in subsequent pregnancies.

OBJECTIVE: Intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) is likely to recur in a subsequent pregnancy. We investigated the obstetric features of recurrent cases and the severity of IUGR by comparing initial and subsequent deliveries. METHODS: From a total of 12,567 deliveries, 95 women who were delivered of small-for-gestational-age (SGA) infants and who became pregnant again within 5 years, were enrolled. A retrospective, comparative study of recurrent and non-recurrent groups was performed. RESULTS: Twenty-two of ninety-five women gave birth to SGA infants again, and a relatively high risk of recurrence was confirmed, but no single recurrence-associated features were revealed. Within the recurrent group, the degree of IUGR was more severe in only five cases in the subsequent pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: IUGR tends to recur, but does not increase in severity in most cases. We conclude that there is no need for excessive concern about the recurrence of IUGR.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Longitudinal monitoring of fetal behavior in twins when one is anencephalic.

BACKGROUND: To our knowledge, there has been no report on longitudinal monitoring of fetal behavior in the anencephalic fetus. CASE: A 30-year-old woman was diagnosed with a twin pregnancy at 8 weeks' gestation; at week 20, one of the twins was identified as anencephalic. From 25-36 weeks' gestation, the behavioral patterns of each fetus were recorded weekly on videotape for 60 minutes, then compared with morphologic findings after birth. CONCLUSION: Our data comparing normal and anencephalic fetuses indicate that the development of the central nervous system above the medulla oblongata plays an important role in the elimination of fetal movements, such as startle, jumping, and writhing, and in the commencement of breathing movements.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Umbilical plasma concentration of endothelin-1 in intrapartum fetal stress: effect of fetal heart rate abnormalities.

OBJECTIVE: To measure the umbilical plasma concentration of endothelin (ET)-1 in the presence of labor, fetal heart rate (FHR) abnormalities, and fetal hypoxia. METHODS: Umbilical and maternal plasma concentrations of ET-1 were measured in 100 pregnant women at full-term deliveries (60 with vaginal delivery without induction and 40 with elective cesarean delivery without labor). We assessed the FHR pattern, measured umbilical blood gases and plasma concentration of vasopressin, and investigated the relationships between the umbilical vein-artery ET-1 concentration difference and these variables. RESULTS: The concentration of ET-1 in the umbilical vein was higher than in the umbilical artery and the maternal vein in all cases. The umbilical vein-artery ET-1 concentration difference (mean +/- standard error of the mean) was significantly greater in the vaginal delivery group (4.5 +/- 2.0 pmol/L) than in those delivered by elective cesarean (1.7 +/- 1.5 pmol/L) (P < .05). The umbilical vein-artery ET-1 concentration difference was significantly greater when more than three episodes of severe variable decelerations occurred during the 30-minute period before delivery (7.0 +/- 2.0 pmol/L) than in the absence of any decelerations (1.6 +/- 1.5 pmol/L) (P < .05). The umbilical vein-artery ET-1 concentration difference correlated positively with the umbilical arterial concentration of vasopressin (r = 0.45, P < .05) and negatively with the umbilical arterial oxygen pressure (r = -0.47, P < .05). CONCLUSION: In cases of vaginal delivery with FHR abnormalities and with fetal hypoxia, the fetoplacental concentration of ET-1 was increased.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

The study of mitochondrial gene modifications in human placenta.

A quantitative study on the effects of placental senescence on mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) was carried out by measuring mitochondrial gene mutation, levels of mRNA for the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and of mtDNA in normal placental tissues at different stages. Deleted mtDNA, the expression of COI in mitochondria and the amounts of mtDNA per cell were examined by the polymerase chain reaction, northern blot analysis and southern blot analysis, respectively. No accumulation of mutant mtDNA with a 4977 base pair (bp) deletion was detected in the normal placenta during pregnancy. There appeared to be a gradual increase of COI mRNA as pregnancy progressed, while the ratio of mtDNA to total DNA in human placenta tended to decrease with gestation. These results indicate that placental ageing is not associated with the accumulation of mtDNA mutation with the 4977 bp deletion or markedly reduced expression of the mitochondrial genome.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1995

The concentration of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in human amniotic fluid at second trimester: relation to fetal birth weight.

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) was measured in 28 samples of amniotic fluid, 1 of fetal urine and 5 of first neonatal urine. The mean level of HGF was 12.4 +/- 4.5 ng/ml (second trimester) and 10.5 +/- 6.6 ng/ml (third trimester). These values were extremely high compared to that in plasma from normal subjects and greater than the plasma levels from patients with acute hepatitis. The concentration of amniotic HGF at second trimester showed a significant inverse correlation both with birth weight (r = 0.47; p < 0.05) and birth weight deviation (r = 0.54; p < 0.02). The level of HGF in fetal urine (0.10 ng/ml) and in the first neonatal urine (0.08 +/- 0.02 ng/ml) were much less than that in amniotic fluid. HGF stimulated DNA synthesis of human fetal liver cells in vitro. While the effect was dose dependent, a maximal response was reached with about 0.2 ng/ml, attaining a 1.3-fold stimulation. The presence of extremely high levels of HGF in the amniotic fluid may be involved not in fetal growth, but rather in maturation of fetal organs such as the lung and the digestive tract.

Amniotic Fluid↗
PubMed1995

Interaction between pregnancy-induced bioactive peptides and the placental proteases.

Studies have shown that placental proteases metabolize vasoactive peptides, possibly derived from the fetus, and protect the exchange of peptide hormones across the placenta in order to maintain feto-placental homeostasis. Changes in maternal serum protease activities were useful for monitoring pre-eclampsia and predicting the onset of labour. The study showed that possible role of oxytocinase in the maintenance of gestation and the possible involvement of angiotensinase in the attenuated pressor responses to angiotensin II during pregnancy, respectively. In addition, the ratio of peak systolic over least diastolic pressure (S/D) of uterine or umbilical artery assessed by the Doppler technique was closely correlated with the concentrations of maternal serum proteases in pre-eclampsia, which suggested that placental proteases might control utero-placental circulation via the regulation of concentrations of vasoactive peptides in uteroplacental circulation.

Cystinyl Aminopeptidase↗
PubMed1995

Purification and characterization of 1,25(OH)2D3 receptor from human placenta.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the receptor for 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol [1,25-(OH)2D3], we purified it from nuclear fractions of human placentae. METHODS: Human placental fractions were concentrated with ammonium sulfate, extracted from hydroxylapatite, and then chromatographed on Sepharcryl S-200 and DEAE-cellulose. RESULTS: The receptor for [1,25(OH)2D3] was purified approximately 1,500-fold. The molecular weight of the receptor was estimated to be 55 K dalton by gel filtration. The receptor fractions showed a dissociation constant (Kd) of 3.0 x 10(-10) mol/l, and adsorbed to the DNA cellulose column. D3 analogs, estradiol, and progesterone had almost no effect on 1,25(OH)2D3 binding. CONCLUSION: These properties of the 1,25(OH)2D3 receptor in human placenta are similar to those of the chicken intestinal 1,25(OH)2D3 receptor.

Female↗
PubMed1995

Establishment and characterization of human fetal liver epithelial cell line transfected with SV40 T antigen.

The aim of the present study was to establish a stable cell line useful for the study of growth and differentiation of human fetal liver cells. We have established an immortalized human fetal liver cell line (designated NFL/T) by transfection with simian virus 40 (SV40) large T antigen, without any culture crisis. The cells showed growth properties similar to normal cells, including density-dependent cell growth. Electron microscopy demonstrated liver-specific differentiated morphological properties. Moreover, positive albumin and cytokeratin 7 production was detected immunologically. Thus, the NFL/T cell line is less transformed than the other fetal liver cell lines established by this method, and might be useful to study the growth and differentiation of human fetal liver cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

[The levels of aztreonam in the cord bloods and tissues after administration to pregnant women].

The monobactam antibiotic aztreonam (AZT) was administered by intravenous drip infusion to women with intrauterine infections at 6-hour intervals and its concentrations in the maternal blood, umbilical blood, and umbilical tissue were determined at parturition to evaluate its transport to the umbilicus and fetus, and this accumulation in the tissue. Further, umbilical tissue was cultured to detect bacteria and examined histologically to evaluate the efficacy of AZT its treatment of omphalitis. Neither maternal nor umbilical blood showed any signs of drug accumulation, and there was a correlation between maternal and umbilical blood levels of AZT and time lapsed after most recent administration. Umbilical tissue levels of AZT tended to increase with time for about 12 hours after the start of administration, but showed no tendency to further rise thereafter. The umbilical tissue cultures were negative for causative pathogens 12 hours or more after the initial dosing. Histological examination of umbilical tissue was negative for omphalitis 12 hours or more after the start of administration in all but one patient. After the administration of AZT to pregnant women with intrauterine infections, it was detected in the umbilicus and fetus in high concentrations at parturition without appreciable tissue accumulation, newborn infection or adverse reaction. The overall results suggest that AZT is clinical effective when used in the treatment of omphalitis.

Aztreonam↗
PubMed1995

[Neonatal EEG findings soon after birth in the intrauterine growth retarded infant].

We performed electroencephalograms in 32 neonates of intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) within seven days of birth. EEG findings were compared with those observed in neonatal brain damage. Seven EEGs had a dysmature pattern which is seen in the subacute and chronic stages of prolonged and mild neonatal brain depression, and five had a disorganized pattern which is seen in the subacute and chronic stages of severe neonatal brain depression. The other EEGs had a normal neonatal pattern. Seven neonates who had a dysmature pattern were severe IUGR (< or = 2.5 SD). Their head circumference was retarded at birth, and the S/D ratio of the umbilical artery increased, suggesting chronic brain damage in utero. On the other hand, five neonates displaying a disorganized pattern were preterm IUGR (< 37 weeks). They had NST abnormalities. The abnormal EEG pattern observed in IUGR was similar to that observed in postnatally injured neonates. The abnormalities in EEGs are correlated with the degree of later neurological sequelae. The present study suggested that the EEG of IUGR recorded immediately after birth was useful in evaluating their intrauterine environments and postnatal neurological outcome.

Brain Diseases↗
PubMed1994

The value of Doppler ultrasound in the diagnosis and management of twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome.

To evaluate the efficiency of the Doppler examination of umbilical arterial blood flow for the antenatal diagnosis and the monitoring of fetal condition during intrauterine treatment of twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS), we studied 33 pairs of twins including 5 TTTS cases. In all cases umbilical arterial blood flow was examined by Doppler ultrasound and pulsatility index (PI) was calculated as umbilical arterial impedance. In twins with TTTS, PI of the recipient was outside the normal range and the difference of PI was greater than +0.5. In discordant twins without TTTS and concordant twins, the PI was within the normal range and the difference of PI ranged from -0.5 to +0.5. In 2 cases these findings were found before the appearance of fetal hydrops. In 2 TTTS cases transmaternal digitalization prevented the development of hydrops in the recipient. The difference of PI decreased with improvement in the fetal condition, and vice versa. Our data suggested that, in cases with TTTS, Doppler examination of umbilical arterial blood flow was effective in predicting fetal hydrops. Doppler was also very useful for monitoring the fetal condition during intrauterine treatment.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Effect of interleukin 2 on the production of progesterone and prostaglandin E2 in human fetal membranes and its consequences for preterm uterine contractions.

Our objective was to clarify the mechanism of uterine contraction induced in pregnant women by intrauterine bacterial infection. The concentration of interleukin 2 (IL-2) was measured in amniotic fluids that had been obtained by amniocentesis, transvaginal amniotomy or by transuterine amniocentesis performed at cesarean section in 50 pregnant women. The concentration of IL-2 in those cases with intrauterine infection was significantly higher than that of those without intrauterine infection at preterm. The same tendency was found at term. Scatchard analysis demonstrated the presence of an IL-2 receptor in the fetal membranes. We collected the fetal membranes aseptically for the measurement of progesterone and prostaglandin E2 by radioimmunoassay following incubation with various concentrations of interleukin 1 (IL-1) and IL-2 at 37 degrees C for 16 h. The production of progesterone was inhibited significantly by 10 pmol/l IL-2 but not by 10 pmol/l IL-1. The production of prostaglandin E2 was accelerated significantly by either IL-1 or IL-2 at a dose of 10 pmol/l. The inhibitory effect of IL-2 on the production of progesterone was unaffected by indomethacin, which inhibits the production of arachidonate cycloxygenase metabolites such as prostaglandin E2. Our present data suggest that the presence of intrauterine bacterial infection may stimulate the intrauterine production of IL-2, and that the stimulation of IL-2 and the reduction of progesterone caused by IL-2 may in part explain the mechanism of uterine contraction associated with intrauterine infection during pregnancy.

Amniotic Fluid↗