Matrix metalloproteinase-8 in cervical fluid in early and mid pregnancy: relation to spontaneous preterm delivery.

Objective: To evaluate whether matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8) concentrations in cervical fluid in early and mid pregnancy are associated with subsequent preterm delivery (PTD) preceded by premature preterm rupture of membranes (PPROMs) or preterm labour (PTL) with intact membranes.

Methods: Cervical swab samples were collected from 5180 women in early and mid pregnancy. MMP-8 was determined by immunofluorometric assay (IFMA).

Elevated levels of decidual insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 in cervical fluid in early and mid-pregnancy are associated with an increased risk of spontaneous preterm delivery.

Objective: To study whether elevated levels of decidual insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1) in the cervical fluid of unselected asymptomatic women in early or mid-pregnancy are associated with spontaneous preterm delivery (PTD).

Design: Prospective population-based cohort study.

Setting: Maternity Clinics, University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.

Factors affecting matrix metalloproteinase-8 levels in the vaginal and cervical fluids in the first and second trimester of pregnancy.

Background: Cervical ripening during pregnancy resembles an inflammatory process. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), particularly MMP-8, have been linked to inflammatory processes. We studied the concentrations of, and factors associated with, MMP-8 in the lower genital tract fluids in the first and second trimesters.

Cervical length measurement and cervical phosphorylated insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 testing in prediction of preterm birth in patients reporting uterine contractions.

Objectives: To evaluate the performance of cervical phosphorylated insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 (phIGFBP-1) testing and cervical length measurement separately and in combination with physician's clinical judgment in prediction of preterm birth among patients with self-reported uterine contractions and intact membranes.

Design: We enrolled a total of 246 women between 22 and 34 weeks of gestation.

Methods: The initial evaluation included cervical length measurement using transvaginal ultrasonography.

Factors affecting decidual IGFBP-1 levels in the vagina and cervix in the first and mid-second trimester of pregnancy.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the concentrations of and factors associated with decidual insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1) in the lower genital tract in early- and mid-gestation in singleton pregnancies.

Design: Prospective population-based cohort study.

Setting: Maternity Clinic, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.

Intrauterine release of progesterone antagonist ZK230211 is feasible and results in novel endometrial effects: a pilot study.

Background: Continuous administration of progesterone antagonists (PAs) results in endometrial suppression and amenorrhoea in several model systems. We compared the effects of intrauterine release of a highly specific PA, ZK230211, to those of a progestin using the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS).

Methods: Forty-two women were randomly fitted with an IUS releasing either ZK230211 at a rate 1, 4 or 8 microg/24 h (ZK-IUS) or LNG (at 20 microg/24 h, LNG-IUS) at 4-8 weeks before hysterectomy.

The insulin-like growth factor system and Type 1 diabetic retinopathy during pregnancy.

Aims/hypothesis: To find out whether the levels of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), IGF binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1), highly phosphorylated IGFBP-1 (hpIGFBP-1), and IGF binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) are related to the progression of diabetic retinopathy (DR) during pregnancy and postpartum.

Methods: In a prospective study of 42 pregnant women with Type 1 diabetes and 9 nondiabetic controls, DR was graded from fundus photographs. Levels of serum total IGF-I and two different phosphoisoform patterns of IGFBP-1 and IGFBP-3 were measured during the first and third trimester of pregnancy and 3 months postpartum.

Effect of maternal diabetes on phosphorylation of insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 in cord serum.

Aims: The insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system is considered important in the regulation of fetal growth. Binding of IGFs to specific binding proteins (IGFBPs) modifies their actions. In fetal blood, IGFBP-1 is the primary IGF binding protein whose phosphorylation generates proteins with different affinities for IGF-I.

Lack of effect of isoflavonoids on the vagina and endometrium in postmenopausal women.

Objective: To determine the effects of soy-derived isoflavones on vaginal epithelium and the endometrium.

Design: Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled crossover trial.

Setting: Outpatient clinic of a university hospital.

Effects of ospemifene, a novel SERM, on biochemical markers of bone turnover in healthy postmenopausal women.

Ospemifene is a novel selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM). Here we studied the effects of ospemifene on bone turnover in postmenopausal women. This was a randomized, double-blind study in which 159 healthy postmenopausal women received 30 (n = 40), 60 (n = 40) or 90 mg (n = 40) of ospemifene or placebo (n = 39) for 3 months.

Differential kinetics of serum and cervical insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-1 during mifepristone-misoprostol-induced medical termination of early pregnancy.

The kinetics of cervical and circulating phosphoisoforms of insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1) in normal and pathological early pregnancy are not well known. We investigated the profiles of IGFBP-1 in serum and in cervical secretion during medical termination of early pregnancy. Sixteen women requesting termination of pregnancy, with <63 days of amenorrhoea, received 200 mg of mifepristone on day 0, followed by either oral or vaginal administration of 0.

Effects of ospemifene, a novel SERM, on vascular markers and function in healthy, postmenopausal women.

Objective: Ospemifene, a novel selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM), shows promise for bone preservation in postmenopausal women. This study examined the effects of ospemifene on different vascular surrogate markers.

Design: A double-blinded study was conducted in 160 healthy, postmenopausal women who used, in a randomized order, ospemifene (at daily doses of 30, 60, or 90 mg) or placebo for 3 months.

Effects of ospemifene, a novel SERM, on hormones, genital tract, climacteric symptoms, and quality of life in postmenopausal women: a double-blind, randomized trial.

Objective: Ospemifene, a novel selective estrogen receptor modulator, shows a potential for prevention and treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. We studied the effects of ospemifene on hormone levels, genital tract organs, climacteric symptoms, and quality of life.

Design: A double-blinded study in which 160 postmenopausal women were randomly allocated to receive either ospemifene at three different daily doses (30, 60, or 90 mg) or placebo for 3 months.

IGF-I, IGF binding protein (IGFBP)-3, phosphoisoforms of IGFBP-1, and postnatal growth in very low birth weight infants.

Impaired postnatal growth in very low birth weight (VLBW, <1500 g) infants is per se a major clinical challenge and may also serve as a model in studying the mechanisms of growth retardation in general. This study was undertaken to characterize the role of IGFs and their binding proteins (IGFBPs), key regulators of fetal and infant growth, during the postnatal period in VLBW infants. Forty-eight VLBW infants (gestational age 27.

Combination of cervical interleukin-6 and -8, phosphorylated insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-1 and transvaginal cervical ultrasonography in assessment of the risk of preterm birth.

Objective: To determine the value of combinations of cervical interleukin-6 (IL-6), cervical interleukin-8 (IL-8), the phosphorylated isoform of insulin-like growth-factor binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1), and cervical ultrasonography in the prediction of preterm birth.

Design: Prospective follow up.

Setting: Oulu University Hospital maternity clinic from February 1997 to July 1998.