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It is important to identify premature infants with prenatal inflammation as it contributes to short- and long-term complications. Our object was to study how prenatal inflammation affects the urinary [beta].sub.2-microglobulin ([beta].sub.2-MG) level. Preterm neonates were divided based on the presence of chorioamnionitis (CAM) into the CAM (n = 100) and non-CAM groups (n = 117). These were further subdivided into five groups each: 30 preterm neonates of 23-26; 42 neonates of 27-28; 54 neonates of 29-30; 51 neonates of 31-32; and 40 neonates of 33-34 weeks' gestation. The urinary [beta].sub.2-MG level within 48 h of birth was significantly higher in the CAM group than in the non-CAM group among the neonates of 23-26 weeks' gestation (18.3 ± 6.9 vs 10.0 ± 5.6 x 10.sup.4 [mu]g/gCr, p = 0.0018) and the neonates of 27-28 weeks' gestation (16.2 ± 10.8 vs 8.8 ± 3.3 x 10.sup.4 [mu]g/gCr, p = 0.0101). However, there was no difference in urinary [beta].sub.2-MG level between the CAM and the non-CAM group among the neonates [greater than or equal to] 29 weeks 'gestation. Moreover, the elevated urinary [beta].sub.2-MG level in the neonates [less than or equal to] 28 weeks ' gestation with CAM had disappeared by 1 week after birth. The reasons for the increase in urinary [beta].sub.2-MG level within 48 h of birth in very preterm neonates ([less than or equal to] 28 weeks' gestation) with CAM are believed to be not only prematurity, but also prenatal inflammation. It is suggested that the urinary [beta].sub.2-MG level during the early postnatal period can identify prenatal inflammation., Author(s): Shigeru Nishimaki [sup.1] , Yoshio Shima [sup.2] , Miho Sato [sup.1] , Hiromi An [sup.1] , Shujiro Fujita [sup.1] , Shiho Iwasaki [sup.1] , Haruko Horiguchi [sup.1] , Kazuo [...]

It is important to identify premature infants with prenatal inflammation as it contributes to short- and long-term complications. Our object was to study how prenatal inflammation affects the urinary [[beta].sub.2]-microglobulin ([[beta].sub.2]-MG) level. Preterm neonates were divided based on the presence of chorioamnionitis (CAM) into the CAM (n =100) and non-CAM groups (n =117). These were further subdivided into five groups each: 30 preterm neonates of 23-26; 42 neonates of 27-28; 54 neonates of 29-30; 51 neonates of 31-32; and 40 neonates of 33-34 weeks' gestation. The urinary [[beta].sub.2]-MG level within 48 h of birth was significantly higher in the CAM group than in the non-CAM group among the neonates of 23-26 weeks' gestation (18.3 [+ or -]6.9 vs 10.0[+ or -]5.6 x [10.sup.4] [micro]g/gCr, p=0.0018) and the neonates of 27-28 weeks' gestation (16.2[+ or -] 10.8 vs 8.8[+ or -]3.3x104 [micro]g/gCr, p=0.0101). However, there was no difference in urinary [[beta].sub.2]-MG level between the CAM and the non-CAM group among the neonates [greater than or equal to] 29 weeks 'gestation. Moreover, the elevated urinary [[beta].sub.2]-MG level in the neonates Keywords [[beta].sub.2]-microglobulin * Chorioamnionitis * Fetal inflammatory response syndrome (FIRS) * Preterm neonate, Introduction The outcome in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) has improved significantly in the last few decades. However, the development of chronic lung disease (CLD) in very prematurely born infants [...]

Voltage-dependent [Ca.sup.2+] channels (VDCCs), which consist of multiple subtypes, regulate vascular tone in developing arterial smooth muscle, including the ductus arteriosus (DA). First, we examined the expression of VDCC subunits in the Wistar rat DA during development. Among [[alpha].sub.1]-subunits, [[alpha].sub.1C] and [[alpha].sub.1G] were the most predominant isoforms. Maternal administration of vitamin A significantly increased [[alpha].sub.1C] and [[alpha].sub.1G]-transcripts. Second, we examined the effect of VDCC subunits on proliferation of DA smooth muscle cells. We found that 1 [micro]M nitrendipine (an L-type [Ca.sup.2+] channel blocker) and kurtoxin (a T-type [Ca.sup.2+] channel blocker) significantly decreased [[sup.3]H]thymidine incorporation and that 3 [micro]M efonidipine (an L- and T-type [Ca.sup.2+] channel blocker) further decreased [[sup.3]H]thymidine incorporation, suggesting that L- and T-type [Ca.sup.2+] channels are involved in smooth muscle cell proliferation in the DA. Third, we found that a novel alternatively spliced variant of the [[alpha].sub.1C]-isoform was highly expressed in the neointimal cushion of the DA, where proliferating and migrating smooth muscle cells are abundant. The basic channel properties of the spliced variant did not differ from those of the conventional [[alpha].sub.1C]-subunit. We conclude that multiple VDCC subunits were identified in the DA, and, in particular, [[alpha].sub.1C] and [[alpha].sub.1G],-subunits were predominant in the DA. A novel spliced variant of the [[alpha].sub.1C]-subunit gene may play a distinct role in neointimal cushion formation in the DA. alternative spliced: development: gene expression: fetal circulation