mmatory cytokines, prostaglandin E2 and F2a, metalloproteinase-9 and uterine activity ( P< .05). Fetal membranes and lung were uniformly positive for both microorganisms; fetal blood and cerebrospinal fluid cultures and PCR were more often positive for M hominis than U parvum. Histopathologic findings of chorioamnionitis, a systemic fetal inflammatory response and pneumonitis worsen with duration of in utero infection. U parvum or M hominis, as sole pathogens, elicit a robust proinflammatory response which contributes to preterm labor and fetal lung injury.

28:T4f1,

Recent findings implicate protein kinase C in regulation of contraction of uterine muscle (myometrium). However, the role of protein kinase C isoforms in myometrial contraction remains uncertain. Therefore, this study examined protein kinase Cα's role in regulation of contraction and intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca²⁺]_I) of myometrium from term pregnant women. The authors demonstrated that protein kinase Cα inhibitor Go6976 decreased the amplitude of potassium chloride—induced myometrial contractions in a time-dependent manner. The treatment of the myometrial strips with protein kinase Cα—specific antisense oligodeoxynucleotides decreased the potassium chloride—induced contraction and [Ca²⁺]_I response to 39.3% + 6.8% and 50.0% + 3.3%, respectively, compared to control. The sense oligonucleotides treatment did not significantly change the potassium chloride responses (89.8% + 6.8% and 93.9% + 4.5% of the control for the contraction and [Ca²⁺]_I, respectively). These data, coupled with the observation that protein kinase Cα levels are elevated in the pregnant myometrium, suggest the involvement of protein kinase Cα in regulation of human uterine contraction.

29:T45a,

Objective: We aimed to develop a simple clinically useful prediction rule for early-onset recurrent preeclampsia and/or HELLP syndrome. Methods: Women with previous early-onset preeclampsia and/or HELLP, enrolled between 1996 and 2007, and a subsequent ongoing pregnancy were included. Prepregnant cardiovascular, metabolic, renal, and clotting parameters were evaluated as potential predictors for recurrent disease by logistic regression analysis. Results: Early-onset preeclampsia and/or HELLP recurred in 16 (9%) of 186 next pregnancies. The prediction model included high-density lipoprotein (mmol/L) and 24-hour urinary total protein excretion (mg/mmol creatinine). The receiver operating characteristic area was 0.77 (95% confidence interval: 0.68-0.87). Predictive sensitivity and specificity were 94% (69%-99%) and 53% (45%-60%), respectively. Nearly 50% of the women could be classified as having <1% risk of recurrent early-onset disease. Conclusions: The prediction rule identified, with clinically relevant predictive capacity, those women at very low risk for recurrent early-onset disease.

2a:T410,

We designed experiments to allow direct measurement of amniotic fluid volume and continuous measurement of lung liquid production, swallowing, and urine production in fetal sheep. From these values, the rate of intramembranous absorption was calculated. Using this experimental design, the contribution of lung liquid to the control of amniotic fluid volume was examined. Fetuses were assigned to 1 of 4 protocols, each protocol lasting 3 days: control, isovolemic replacement of lung liquid, supplementation of amniotic fluid inflow by 4 L/day, and supplementation of amniotic inflow during isovolemic replacement of lung liquid. We found no effect of lung liquid replacement on any of the known flows into and out of the amniotic fluid. Although intramembranous absorption increased greatly during supplementation, the amniochorionic function curves were not altered by isovolemic lung liquid replacement. We conclude that lung liquid does not appear to contain a significant regulatory substance for amniotic fluid volume control.

2b:T6d3,