Difference in mRNA expression and occurrence of plasminogen activator inhibitors in intrauterine decidua of normal and ectopic human pregnancies.

The objective of this study was to elucidate the mechanisms involved in the formation of a functional decidua. The concentrations of plasminogen activators and plasminogen activator inhibitors in intrauterine decidua from normal and ectopic pregnancies were compared. Intrauterine decidua was obtained by curettage from 17 women with ectopic pregnancies and from five women with normal pregnancies.

Cardiotocography only versus cardiotocography plus ST analysis of fetal electrocardiogram for intrapartum fetal monitoring: a Swedish randomised controlled trial.

Background: Previous studies indicate that analysis of the ST waveform of the fetal electrocardiogram provides information on the fetal response to hypoxia. We did a multicentre randomised controlled trial to test the hypothesis that intrapartum monitoring with cardiotocography combined with automatic ST-waveform analysis results in an improved perinatal outcome compared with cardiotocography alone.

Methods: At three Swedish labour wards, 4966 women with term fetuses in the cephalic presentation entered the trial during labour after a clinical decision had been made to apply a fetal scalp electrode for internal cardiotocography.

Brain-specific NSE and S-100 proteins in umbilical blood after normal delivery.

Background: To determine normal blood levels of brain-specific proteins S-100 and neuron specific enolase (NSE) in healthy newborns and their mothers following uncomplicated birth.

Methods: Umbilical artery and vein blood and maternal venous blood was collected at 112 consecutive uncomplicated deliveries. Venous blood samples were taken from 18 of the neonates 3 days after birth.

Increased expression of interleukin 6 in term compared to the first trimester human placental villi.

Cytokines and their specific receptors expressed at the feto-maternal interface are known to play a critical role in regulating various placental functions. Interleukin 6 (IL-6) has been shown to be produced by both decidua and the trophoblast cells of the placenta. The aim of the present study was to examine the expression profile of placental IL-6 protein and mRNA at early and late stages of gestation.

Significance of the plasminogen activator inhibitor of placental type (PAI-2) in pregnancy.

Marked changes in the hemostasis system, especially increases in PAI-2, are observed during pregnancy and at delivery. This inhibitor is produced by placental trophoblasts and by macrophages. PAI-2 occurs in two forms, a LMW and a HMW form.