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• Relationship between the serum creatinine concentrations of preterm neonates within 24 h of birth and their mothers before delivery

  Shimabukuro, W; Nakada, S; Shimada, K; Tsukayama, M; Hamada, K; Goya, H; Kinjo, N; Yoshida, T; Mekaru, K; Nakanishi, K

  CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL NEPHROLOGY ( Clinical and Experimental Nephrology )  28 ( 4 ) 293 - 299   2024.04 [ Peer Review Accepted ]

  Type of publication: Research paper (scientific journal)

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• Evaluation of brain development and damage using magnetic resonance imaging of congenital diaphragmatic hernia survivors: An analysis using the global brain abnormality score.

  Yoshida T, Goya H, Tsukayama M, Kuda M, Yogi A, Mekaru K, Nakanishi K

  Pediatrics and neonatology ( Pediatrics and Neonatology )  65 ( 2 ) 127 - 132   2024.03 [ Peer Review Accepted ]

  Type of publication: Research paper (scientific journal)

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• Placenta Accreta Spectrum with Ureteral Invasion due to Progression of Cesarean Scar Pregnancy

  Yara, N; Kinjyo, Y; Chinen, Y; Kinjo, T; Mekaru, K

  CASE REPORTS IN OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY ( Case Reports in Obstetrics and Gynecology )  2023   9065978   2023.10 [ Peer Review Accepted ]

  Type of publication: Research paper (scientific journal)

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• Shift from Support of Female Doctors to Reform of Work Styles : Will Promoting Diversity Change Organizations?

  Mekaru K.

  Nihon Kikan Shokudoka Gakkai Kaiho ( The Japan Broncho-esophagological Society )  74 ( 2 ) 173 - 175   2023.04

  Type of publication: Research paper (scientific journal)

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• Vaginal Microbiota and Pregnancy Outcomes of Patients with Conization Histories.

  Hashiramoto S, Kinjo T, Tanaka SE, Arai W, Shimada M, Ashikawa K, Sakuraba Y, Yuji O, Yara N, Kinjyo Y, Chinen Y, Nagai Y, Mekaru K, Aoki Y

  Journal of women's health (2002) ( Journal of Women's Health )  32 ( 3 ) 375 - 384   2023.03 [ Peer Review Accepted ]

  Type of publication: Research paper (scientific journal)

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  Background: One of the major risks of preterm birth is a history of conization. However, the risk of infection due to this procedure is still not well known. Using next-generation sequencing, we aimed to reveal the influence of conization on vaginal microbiota in the following pregnancy, and their relationship between spontaneous preterm birth (sPTB). Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study including 133 pregnant patients, of whom 25 had conization histories and 108 did not. Vaginal microbiome samples were collected using swabs by an obstetrician upon inclusion in the first trimester and during delivery. V1-V2 of the 16S rRNA gene were amplified and analyzed to identify the bacteria. Results: The conization group had a significantly lower delivery week (34 weeks vs. 36 weeks, p = 0.003) and higher sPTB rate (64% vs. 8.3%, p ≤ 0.001) than the control group. In the conization group, alpha (Chao 1, p = 0.02; phylogenetic diversity whole tree, p = 0.04) and beta diversity (permutational multivariate analysis of variance test, p = 0.04) of the vaginal microbiota was significantly higher during delivery in patients who delivered preterm than in those who delivered term. Community-state type IV in the first trimester was significantly associated with sPTB (overall odds ratio 3.80, 95% confidence interval 1.33-10.8, p = 0.01). Conclusions: Conization is a risk factor for sPTB. Increased risk of sPTB in patients after conization may belong to the vulnerable defense mechanism, due to the shortened cervix and decreased cervical mucus.

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• Effects of polyunsaturated fatty acids on fertilization and embryonic development

  Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research(C)

  Project Year: 2016.04  -  2020.03 

  Investigator(s): Mekaru Keiko 

  Direct: 3,600,000 (YEN)  Overheads: 4,680,000 (YEN)  Total: 1,080,000 (YEN)

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  Objective is to clarify the concentration of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in the follicular fluid affect fertilization and the quality of embryos. A prospective study was conducted on 28 women eligible for in-vitro fertilization and embryo transfer between August 2016 and December 2017. Twenty-eight serum and 140 follicle fluid samples were collected and analysed. PUFAs fractions from the serum and follicular fluid were analysed using gas chromatography. Two milliliters of follicular fluid was collected from six consecutive follicles of each patient. Each individual follicle was aspirated independently and matched to an oocyte gr owing in this particular follicular milieu. Certain PUFAs showed significantly higher or lower levels depending on fertilization. There was no significant difference in the concentration of PUFAS in the follicular fluid between good and poor quality blastocyst. The concentration of PUFAs in the follicular fluid plays an important role in fertilization.

• Effects of polyunsaturated fatty acids on fertilization and embryonic development

  Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research(C)

  Project Year: 2016.04  -  2020.03 

  Investigator(s): Mekaru Keiko 

  Direct: 3,600,000 (YEN)  Overheads: 4,680,000 (YEN)  Total: 1,080,000 (YEN)

  　View Summary

  Objective is to clarify the concentration of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in the follicular fluid affect fertilization and the quality of embryos. A prospective study was conducted on 28 women eligible for in-vitro fertilization and embryo transfer between August 2016 and December 2017. Twenty-eight serum and 140 follicle fluid samples were collected and analysed. PUFAs fractions from the serum and follicular fluid were analysed using gas chromatography. Two milliliters of follicular fluid was collected from six consecutive follicles of each patient. Each individual follicle was aspirated independently and matched to an oocyte gr owing in this particular follicular milieu. Certain PUFAs showed significantly higher or lower levels depending on fertilization. There was no significant difference in the concentration of PUFAS in the follicular fluid between good and poor quality blastocyst. The concentration of PUFAs in the follicular fluid plays an important role in fertilization.

• Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research(C)

  Project Year: 2016.04  -  2019.03 

  Direct: 3,600,000 (YEN)  Overheads: 1,080,000 (YEN)  Total: 4,680,000 (YEN)

• Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists(B)

  Project Year: 2013.04  -  2016.03 

  Direct: 2,900,000 (YEN)  Overheads: 870,000 (YEN)  Total: 3,770,000 (YEN)

• Fatty Acid Concentration of Human Follicular Fluid and Fertilization Rate in Assisted Reproductive Techniques

  Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists(B)

  Project Year: 2013.04  -  2016.03 

  Investigator(s): MEKARU Keiko, CHIAKI Heshiki, KOZUE Akamine, HITOSHI Sugiyama, CHINATSU Nagata, KEIYA Gibo 

  Direct: 2,900,000 (YEN)  Overheads: 3,770,000 (YEN)  Total: 870,000 (YEN)

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  Polyunsaturated fatty acids(PUFA) are essential fatty acids that are utilized as an energy source for oocyte nuclear maturation to embryonic development; therefore, their concentrations in follicular fluid may be used as an indicator for determining the quality of eggs and embryos. The aim of this study was to clarify the relationship between fertility and embryonic quality and the concentration of each polyunsaturated fatty acid in follicular fluid using in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) procedure. Polyunsaturated fatty acid fractions (17 fatty acids) from the serum and follicular fluid during ovulation were analyzed using the gas chromatography method. n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid / n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid ratio indicates a positive correlation with fertility, it is suggested that eating fish, including EPA and DHA is related to fertilization.

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• 2024.07

  　

  　

  

• 2019.12

  　

  　

  

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• 産まれるいのちをどう守る？特定妊婦支援  TV or radio program

  NHK  ハートネットTV  2024.4

  Author： Other 

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  妊産婦等生活援助事業「おにわ」と琉球大学病院周産母子センターの連携について