INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study was to identify predictive values of the soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase/placental growth factor (sFlt-1/PlGF) ratio and interleukin (IL)-6, assessed with a clinically available method in a large-volume biochemistry laboratory, in maternal blood, amniotic fluid, and umbilical cord blood for the presence of the placental lesions consistent with maternal vascular malperfusion (MVM) and acute histological chorioamnionitis (HCA), respectively. METHODS: This retrospective study included 92 women with preterm labor with intact membranes (PTL) delivered within 7 days of admission with gestational ages between 22+0 and 34+6 weeks. The sFlt-1/PlGF ratio and IL-6 were assessed in stored samples of maternal serum, amniotic fluid, and umbilical cord serum using Elecsys® sFlt-1, PlGF, and IL-6 immunoassays. RESULTS: Women with MVM had a higher sFlt-1/PlGF ratio in the maternal serum, compared to those without MVM (19.9 vs. 4.6; p < 0.0001), but not in the amniotic fluid or umbilical cord blood. A cut-off value of 8 for the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio in maternal serum was identified as optimal for predicting MVM in patients with PTL. Women with HCA had higher concentrations of IL-6 in maternal serum, compared to those without HCA (11.1 pg/mL vs. 8.4 pg/mL; p = 0.03), amniotic fluid (9,216 pg/mL vs. 1,423 pg/mL; p < 0.0001), and umbilical cord blood (20.7 pg/mL vs. 10.7 pg/mL, p = 0.002). Amniotic-fluid IL-6 showed the highest predictive value. A cut-off value of IL-6 concentration in the amniotic fluid of 5,000 pg/mL was found to be optimal for predicting HCA in PTL. CONCLUSION: Maternal serum sFlt-1/PlGF and amniotic fluid IL-6 concentrations can be used for liquid biopsy to predict placental lesions in women with PTL who deliver within 7 days.

• MeSH
• biologické markery krev   MeSH
• chorioamnionitida krev   diagnóza   MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• fetální krev metabolismus   MeSH
• interleukin-6 * krev   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• placenta metabolismus   MeSH
• placentární růstový faktor * krev   MeSH
• plodová voda metabolismus   MeSH
• předčasná porodní činnost * krev   MeSH
• prediktivní hodnota testů * MeSH
• receptor 1 pro vaskulární endoteliální růstový faktor * krev   MeSH
• retrospektivní studie MeSH
• těhotenství MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• těhotenství MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Chronic inflammation has been implicated as the underlying mechanism responsible for the pathophysiology of preterm labour. Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) plays a central role in the innate immune response and is thus an important component of the first line of defense. The aim of this study was to investigate whether serum concentrations of MBL correlated with the incidence of preterm birth and low birthweight in a cohort of women with signs of threatened preterm birth. A cohort of 60 patients who presented with regular contractions and/or short cervix (group A) between 24 and 32 weeks of gestation and 20 healthy controls (group B) who had no pregnancy complications and delivered at term were recruited into a prospective study. The following outcomes were recorded: presence of preterm labour and birthweight in all patients. MBL and high sensitivity C-reactive protein levels were measured in all serum samples. The serum concentrations of MBL were significantly reduced in patients with threatened preterm labour (Group A), compared to the control Group B. Furthermore, infants born to Group A mothers with MBL deficiency (n = 13, MBL ≤100 ng/mL) had significantly lower birthweights, compared to those born to Group A women with normal MBL serum concentrations (P < .0001). Our small cohort study demonstrated a strong association between MBL deficiency and preterm delivery, and associated low birthweight. MBL deficiency could thus be considered an important risk factor for preterm birth.

• MeSH
• biologické markery krev   MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• kohortové studie MeSH
• lektin vázající mannosu krev   nedostatek   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• porodní hmotnost MeSH
• předčasná porodní činnost krev   MeSH
• předčasný porod krev   MeSH
• prospektivní studie MeSH
• rizikové faktory MeSH
• těhotenství MeSH
• vrozené poruchy metabolismu komplikace   epidemiologie   MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• těhotenství MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Objective: To profile maternal plasma metabolome in spontaneous preterm birth. Method: In this retrospective case-control study, we have examined plasma of patient with preterm birth (between 22 and 36 weeks of pregnancy (n = 57)), with threatened preterm labor (between 23 and 36 weeks of pregnancy (n = 49)), and with term delivery (n = 25). Plasma samples were analysed using liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-Q-TOF-MS) in positive and negative polarity modes. Results: We found 168 differentially expressed metabolites that were significantly distinct between study groups. We determined 51 metabolites using publicly available databases that could be subdivided into one of the five groups: amino acids, fatty acids, lipids, hormones, and bile acids. PLS-DA models, verified by SVM classification accuracy, differentiated preterm birth and term delivery groups. Conclusions: Maternal plasma metabolites are different between term and preterm parturitions. Part of them may be related with preterm labor, while others may be affected by gestational age or the beginning of labor. Metabolite profile can classify preterm or term delivery groups raising the potential of metabolome as a biomarker to identify high-risk pregnancies. Metabolomic studies are also a tool to detect individual compounds that may be further tested in targeted researches.

• MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• gestační stáří MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• multivariační analýza MeSH
• předčasná porodní činnost krev   MeSH
• předčasný porod krev   MeSH
• retrospektivní studie MeSH
• studie případů a kontrol MeSH
• těhotenství MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• těhotenství MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

INTRODUCTION: The pathogenesis of preterm labor is fragmentarily explained. The most widely accepted theory points out to infection and inflammation as possible causes, which can be mediated by potentially different factors, including sphingolipid mediators. Sphingolipids are a class of lipids that have been shown as important mediators in various cell processes such as: proliferation, growth, apoptosis, stress response, necrosis and inflammation. The aim of the study was to assess plasma concentrations of selected sphingolipids in patients with preterm labor. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We used ultra-high performance liquid chromatography with triple mass spectrometry (UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS) to assess plasma concentrations of the 11 sphingolipids in patients presenting with symptoms of preterm labor (n=61) and threatened preterm labor (n=40). RESULTS: We observed a statistically significant increase (p-value<0.004) in plasma concentrations of C16-Cer in patients with preterm labor as compared to the control group. We also found C16-Cer to be the best predictor of preterm labor in the group of patients with symptoms occurring after 32 weeks of gestation. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings show a possible involvement of selected sphingolipids, especially C16-Cer, in the pathogenesis of preterm labor. Their role as predictors of preterm delivery needs to be validated in the future on larger group of patients.

• MeSH
• biologické markery krev   MeSH
• ceramidy krev   MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• gestační stáří MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• novorozenec nedonošený MeSH
• předčasná porodní činnost krev   diagnóza   patofyziologie   MeSH
• senzitivita a specificita MeSH
• studie případů a kontrol MeSH
• tandemová hmotnostní spektrometrie MeSH
• těhotenství MeSH
• vysokoúčinná kapalinová chromatografie MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• těhotenství MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated maternal C-reactive protein (CRP) as a predictor of microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity (MIAC) and histological chorioamnionitis (HCA) in women with preterm prelabor rupture of the membranes (PPROM) before and after 32 weeks of gestation. METHODS: This study was a prospective observational cohort study of 386 women. Maternal serum CRP concentrations were evaluated, and amniotic fluid samples were obtained via transabdominal amniocentesis at the time of admission. Placentas underwent histopathological examination after delivery. MIAC was defined based on a positive PCR for Ureaplasma species, Mycoplasma hominis and Chlamydia trachomatis and/or positive 16S rRNA gene amplification. HCA was defined based on the Salafia classification. RESULTS: Maternal CRP was significantly higher in women with MIAC and HCA (median 9.0 mg/l) than in women with HCA alone (median 6.9 mg/l), MIAC alone (median 7.4 mg/l) and without MIAC or HCA (median 4.5 mg/l) (p<0.0001). CRP was a weak predictor of the occurrence of MIAC and HCA before and after 32 weeks of gestation. Only the 95th percentile of CRP and PPROM before 32 weeks exhibited a false-positive rate of 1%, a positive predictive value of 90% and a positive likelihood ratio of 13.2 to predict MIAC and HCA. However, the low sensitivity of 15% limits the clinical utility of this detection. CONCLUSION: CRP is a poor predictor of the occurrence of MIAC and HCA, even at early gestational ages.

• MeSH
• bakteriální nálož MeSH
• biologické modely MeSH
• C-reaktivní protein metabolismus   MeSH
• chorioamnionitida krev   MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• novorozenec MeSH
• plodová voda mikrobiologie   MeSH
• porodní děj krev   MeSH
• předčasná porodní činnost krev   MeSH
• předčasný odtok plodové vody krev   MeSH
• těhotenství MeSH
• Ureaplasma fyziologie   MeSH
• věkové rozložení MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• novorozenec MeSH
• těhotenství MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• pozorovací studie MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

Visfatin (PBEF/Nampt) is an adipocytokine that exerts pleiotropic effects within the human body, particularly affecting its metabolism and immunity. Visfatin was originally identified as being secreted by peripheral blood lymphocytes acting as a pre-B-cell colony-enhancing factor (PBEF). However, it was subsequently reported to be expressed in almost every tissue of the human body, with visceral fat deposits being the main source of visfatin. In addition to its secreted form, visfatin may also be found intracellularly where it functions as a nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (Nampt). Visfatin maternal plasma concentrations increase during pregnancy, suggesting its important role in this complicated process. Alterations in visfatin level also take place in patients during pregnancy complications. This review focuses on the ones that most commonly occur in connection with visfatin: preterm labor, pre-eclampsia and gestational diabetes mellitus. The review aims to provide a better understanding of the role of visfatin during pregnancy and the causes of its alteration in maternal plasma, highlighting the potential use of visfatin as a diagnostic marker of pregnancy complications in the future.

• MeSH
• biologické markery krev   MeSH
• cytokiny krev   imunologie   MeSH
• gestační diabetes krev   imunologie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• nikotinamidfosforibosyltransferasa krev   imunologie   MeSH
• předčasná porodní činnost krev   imunologie   MeSH
• preeklampsie krev   imunologie   MeSH
• těhotenství MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• těhotenství MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• přehledy MeSH

Ultrazvukové měření děložního hrdla představuje dobře zavedenou metodu predikce předčasného porodu. Nicméně sensitivita a pozitivní predikční hodnota ultrazvukové cervikometrie zůstává stále relativně neuspokojivá. Proto je snaha upřesnit predikci předčasného porodu využitím dalších metod v kombinaci s ultrazvukovou cervikometrií. Jedna skupina výzkumných prací se zabývá hodnocením různých parametrů z cervikovaginálního sekretu – nejvýznamnější představuje fetální fibronektin (fFN). Pozitivní test na fFN ukazuje relativně nízkou pozitivní predikční hodnotu stran předčasného porodu, nicméně výhodou je vysoká negativní predikční hodnota – bezmála 95%. Data z posledních studií ukazují užitečnost hodnocení fFN spolu s cervikometrií. Nedávné objevy ukázaly, že T regulační lymfocyty (CD4+CD25+CD127 - dále zkráceně Treg lymfocyty) mohou hrát důležitou roli v patofyziologii předčasného porodu. Cílem výzkumu na našem pracovišti je vyhodnotit vztah mezi hladinou Treg lymfocytů a ultrazvukovou délkou děložního hrdla k riziku předčasného porodu. Pilotní data z naší práce ukazují, že kombinované hodnocení uvedených parametrů představuje mnohem lepší možnost predikce předčasného porodu než hodnocení obou parametrů samostatně. Je však potřeba dalšího výzkumu, který bude mít za cíl vyhodnotit korelaci mezi sníženými hladinami Treg lymfocytů a předčasným porodem.

Ultrasound measurement of the uterine cervix represents a well-established method in the prediction of preterm labour. However, the sensitivity and positive predictive value of ultrasound cervicometry still remain rather unsatisfactory. Hence, the effort to provide more specific predictions of premature labour using other applicable methods in combination with ultrasound cervicometry. One group of studies have focused on determining various parameters from cervicovaginal secretion - the most important one being fetal fibronectin (fFN). A positive fFN test in the birth canal shows a relatively low positive predictive value in terms of premature birth; however, it does provide the advantage of a high negative predictive value, which is about 95%. Data from latest studies show the usefulness of fFN in combination with cervicometry. Recent discoveries suggest that T regulatory lymphocytes (CD4+CD25+CD127 - Tregs) may play an important role in the pathophysiology of preterm labour. The purpose of our study was to assess the relationship between maternal circulating Tregs and the sonographically measured uterine cervix and the risk of preterm labour. We can show for the first time that the combined assessment of Treg cell count and cervical length provides a much better prediction of preterm delivery that either parameter used on its own. Further research is required to determine the correlation between reduced Treg count values and the timing of preterm labour.

• Klíčová slova
• inkompetence děložního hrdla, fetální fibronektin, ultrazvuková cervikometrie,
• MeSH
• biologické markery MeSH
• cervix uteri ultrasonografie   MeSH
• fibronektiny * analýza   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• měření délky hrdla děložního * MeSH
• předčasná porodní činnost diagnóza   krev   ultrasonografie   MeSH
• předčasný porod * diagnóza   krev   ultrasonografie   MeSH
• prediktivní hodnota testů MeSH
• protein 1 vázající insulinu podobné růstové faktory analýza   MeSH
• regulační T-lymfocyty * imunologie   MeSH
• těhotenství MeSH
• ultrasonografie prenatální MeSH
• vaginální stěr MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• těhotenství MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• přehledy MeSH

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the inflammatory pattern in maternal circulation, amniotic cavity, cervix and vagina from women with preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (PPROM) considering the occurrence of microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity (MIAC). METHODOLOGY: A prospective study was performed in 58 women with PPROM before 34+0 weeks of gestational age. Twenty-six proteins were analyzed by a multiple immunoassay in samples of amniotic fluid, serum, cervix and vagina. Association of an inflammatory response in the invasive and non-invasive samples with MIAC was investigated. RESULTS: The rate of MIAC was 36.2% (21/58). Both amniotic fluid IL-6 and cervical C-reactive protein (CRP) showed to be independent predictors of MIAC. A cut-off level of cervical CRP≥1836 pg/mL showed a detection rate of 75%, false positive rate of 19% and positive and negative predictive values to predict MIAC of 67% and 87%, respectively. There were no independent biomarkers of MIAC either in the serum or vaginal compartment. CONCLUSION: A cervical inflammatory response mediated by CRP was observed in PPROM women with MIAC. Evaluation of serum or vaginal samples did not add valuable information regarding the outcome evaluated.

• MeSH
• C-reaktivní protein metabolismus   MeSH
• cervix uteri chemie   mikrobiologie   MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• gestační stáří MeSH
• gramnegativní bakteriální infekce krev   mikrobiologie   MeSH
• grampozitivní bakteriální infekce krev   mikrobiologie   MeSH
• interleukin-6 krev   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mykózy krev   mikrobiologie   MeSH
• novorozenec MeSH
• plodová voda chemie   mikrobiologie   MeSH
• předčasná porodní činnost krev   mikrobiologie   MeSH
• předčasný odtok plodové vody krev   mikrobiologie   MeSH
• prospektivní studie MeSH
• těhotenství MeSH
• vagina chemie   mikrobiologie   MeSH
• zánět krev   mikrobiologie   MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• novorozenec MeSH
• těhotenství MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

OBJECTIVE: To determine the possible association between azurocidin in maternal serum in the first trimester of pregnancy and subsequent spontaneous preterm labor, preterm prelabor rupture of membranes, and iatrogenic preterm delivery. METHODS: Women who underwent first trimester screening for chromosomal abnormalities between January and November 2011 were included in the study, and a sample of maternal serum was obtained. In total, 1905 women were followed-up through the local record system, and 13 women with spontaneous preterm labor, 17 women with preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (PPROM), and 16 women with iatrogenic preterm delivery were identified. Twenty-two women with uncomplicated pregnancies who delivered at term were selected as controls. Maternal serum azurocidin levels in women were determined using ELISA. RESULT: Women with PPROM had lower azurocidin levels (median 0.91 ng/mL, range 0.2-2.07) than women who delivered at term (median 1.63 ng/mL, range 0.4-10.98; p = 0.02). No differences in azurocidin levels between women with labor at term and those with either spontaneous preterm labor (median 1.46 ng/mL, range 0.19-2.59; p = 0.42) or iatrogenic preterm delivery (median 1.60 ng/mL, range 0.66-7.96; p = 0.27) were found. CONCLUSIONS: Low levels of azurocidin in maternal serum in the first trimester were associated with subsequent PPROM.

• MeSH
• biologické markery krev   MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• kationické antimikrobiální peptidy krev   MeSH
• kohortové studie MeSH
• krevní proteiny MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• matky MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• předčasná porodní činnost krev   diagnóza   MeSH
• předčasný odtok plodové vody krev   diagnóza   MeSH
• prognóza MeSH
• průřezové studie MeSH
• první trimestr těhotenství krev   MeSH
• studie případů a kontrol MeSH
• těhotenství MeSH
• transportní proteiny krev   MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• těhotenství MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to analyze polymorphisms of receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) gene, and glyoxalase I gene and soluble RAGE, sRAGE, in physiological and pathological pregnancy. DESIGN AND METHODS: Polymorphisms of RAGE gene (-429 T/C, -374 T/A, 557 G/A, 2184 A/G) and glyoxalase I gene (A419C) and sRAGE serum levels were determined in 284 women with pathological and physiological pregnancy. RESULTS: No differences in distribution of genotype and allelic frequencies of studied polymorphisms were found. GA genotype of RAGE 557 G/A polymorphism (known as Gly82Ser) is associated with lower sRAGE serum levels in healthy pregnant women compared to GG genotype (483 ± 104 vs. 692 ± 262 pg/mL, p=0.008). sRAGE correlates negatively with ALT in patients with pregnancy intrahepatic cholestasis (r=-0.536, p=0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We did not show any association of RAGE and glyoxalase I gene polymorphisms with pathological pregnancy, however further studies are needed to confirm the results.

• MeSH
• alanintransaminasa krev   MeSH
• antigeny nádorové krev   genetika   MeSH
• biologické markery krev   MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• frekvence genu MeSH
• genetické asociační studie MeSH
• intrahepatální cholestáza krev   genetika   MeSH
• jednonukleotidový polymorfismus * MeSH
• komplikace těhotenství krev   genetika   MeSH
• laktoylglutathionlyasa genetika   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mitogenem aktivované proteinkinasy krev   genetika   MeSH
• předčasná porodní činnost krev   genetika   MeSH
• preeklampsie krev   genetika   MeSH
• růstová retardace plodu krev   genetika   MeSH
• sekvenční analýza DNA MeSH
• studie případů a kontrol MeSH
• těhotenství MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• těhotenství MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH