[The use of serum nitric oxide level and cyclic guanosine monophosphate level as predictors of preterm delivery].

Objective: To investigate the possibility of using nitric oxide and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) levels as predictors of preterm delivery.

Methods: Two hundred and thirty pregnant women were enrolled in this study; among them were 210 normal pregnant women (from 28 to 36(+6) gestational weeks) and 40 preterm pregnant women (from 36 to 36(+6) gestational weeks). The serum nitric oxide and cGMP levels were examined by oscillopolarography and radioimmunoassay, respectively.

[Influence of transforming growth factor-beta2 on production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interferon-gamma from placenta of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy].

Objective: To investigate the influence of transforming growth factor-beta2 (TGF-beta2) on production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) from placenta of patients with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP).

Methods: Villous explants from 10 ICP patients (ICP group) and 10 normal gravidae (control group) were cultured in vitro. The concentrations of TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma in the culture medium were determined by enzyme linked immunoadsorbent assay (ELISA) after incubation with different concentrations of TGF-beta2 for 1, 24 and 48 hours.

[Clinical characteristics of 1241 cases of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy].

Objective: To investigate the clinical characteristics of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP).

Methods: Totally 1241 cases of ICP during the 10 years from Jan 1991 to Dec 2000 in our hospital were retrospectively reviewed.

Results: Forty-four (3.

[Human leucocyte antigen-DPA1 polymorphism distribution in Chengdu Chinese families with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy].

Objective: To investigate the relationship between human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-DPA1 region gene polymorphism and intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP).

Methods: The HLA-DPA1 alleles of 25 ICP families and 25 normal control group families were analysed by polymerase chain reaction-sequence specific primers(PCR-SSP) method.

Results: The analysis of the frequencies and feto-maternal or couples sharing of the DPA1 alleles showed that no statistically significant difference was observed between the two study groups.

[Influence of placenta on fetal hypoxia in intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy].

Objective: To determine the influence of placenta on fetal hypoxia in intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP).

Methods: The transfer of oxygen across the placental membranes in ICP group (n = 7) was compared with that of controls (n = 8) by dual perfusion of the human placental lobule in vitro.

Results: The oxygen consumption and the volume loss of perfusate from the fetal circuit (< 5 ml/h) of placental lobule from women with ICP are similar to controls.

[Management of abnormal fetal heart rate in the second stage of labor].

Objective: We investigated the correlations between abnormal fetal heart rate (FHR) during the second stage of labor and delivery types and intrapartum maternal complications and fetal outcome.

Methods: The data of 232 nulliparas with single vertex in the second stage of labor (111 cases with normal FHR, 121 cases with abnormal FHR) were analyzed retrospectively.

Results: The incidence of abnormal FHR in the second stage of labor was 52.

[Study of relationship between T helper cell type-1 and type-2 cytokines and intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy].

Objective: To investigate the effect of T helper cell type-1 (TH(1)) cytokines [interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-alpha)] and T helper cell type-2 (TH(2)) cytokines [interleukin-4 (IL-4)] on pathogenesis of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP).

Methods: The peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from 20 cases of ICP patients (study group) and 20 cases of normal pregnant women (control group) were cultured with photohemglutinin stimulation. TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma and IL-4 were determined in the supernatant by enzyme- linked-immunoassay.