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Aim of the study was to assess the serum adhesion molecules concentration in patients at risk of preterm labour. Sixty-three patients were divided into two groups basing on cervical evaluation (Bishop's score > or = 6 and < 6). The assessment of sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 levels in serum were carried out by immunoenzymatic ELISA test utilizing monoclonal antibodies (moAb) against human sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 (ELISA system, R&Q, USA). Among the patients at risk of preterm labour and Bishop's score > or = 6 statistically higher serum levels of sICAM-1 were found. There were no statistically significant differences in sVCAM-1 levels between examined groups. We conclude that serum sICAM-1 determination might improve the prediction of preterm birth.

Unlabelled: The aim of the study was the evaluation of number and morphologic parameters of blood platelets and sodium-proton platelet exchangers in pregnant women in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy, healthy (155) and with preeclampsia (40)., Results: Blood platelet number was significantly lower in patients with preeclampsia than in healthy subjects (195,000 vs 222,000). Mean platelet volume was significantly higher in patients with preeclampsia (9.5 fl vs 8.6 fl). The activity of Na+/H+ was slightly higher in pregnants with preeclampsia.

A 43-year old gravida 4, para 3 woman in 22 weeks of gestation was admitted because of severe upper abdominal pain. On arrival at the hospital a complete blood cell count showed anemia with hemoglobin concentration of 9.3 g/dl. Other laboratory results including cancer markers, were normal. Ultrasound examination of abdomen showed tumor (diameter 7 cm) of heterogeneous echogenicity localized in lieno-renalis area. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed hyper intensive retroperitoneal masses in the left adrenal region not changing after contrast administration. Hormonal adrenal profile was normal. In 28 week of gestation ultrasound examination showed a significant decrease of tumor size and normal laboratory results. The patient was followed up on an outpatient basis without complication until readmission in 36 week of gestation for preterm labor. Three weeks later a cesarean section was performed. At the time of operation any retroperitoneal masses were not found. Clinical presentation, diagnostic procedures and the course of pregnancy let us to diagnose idiopathic retroperitoneal hematoma.

A novel alpha-addition of propiolates to urazoles followed by Michael addition of a variety of nucleophiles has been developed for rapid production and optimization of peptidomimetic drug leads. This technology has produced a number of highly potent and selective inhibitors of the serine protease, thrombin.

Objective: To compare the effect of misoprostol (PGE(1)) versus dinoprostone (PGE(2)) on blood flow in uteroplacental circulation during labor induction., Study Design: Eighty-four women with indications for induction of labor were assigned to receive either misoprostol 50 microg per vagina every 4 h as needed or 0.5 mg doses of dinoprostone given intra-cervically every 6 h by means of a randomization table generated by computer. Doppler velocimetry of umbilical, uterine and arcuate arteries was performed immediately before and 2-3 h after the administration of misoprostol or dinoprostone. The SAS system was used to perform statistical analysis., Results: There were no significant changes of pulsatility index (PI), resistance index (RI) and systolic/diastolic (S/D) ratio in umbilical arteries after both prostaglandin compounds. Vaginal application of misoprostol significantly increased all ratios in arcuate artery and S/D ratio in uterine artery. Intra-cervically dinoprostone significantly increased PI, RI and S/D ratio in arcuate and uterine arteries., Conclusions: Our results indicate that vaginal misoprostol and cervical dinoprostone administration increases uteroplacental resistance but does not affect umbilical blood flow. Misoprostol would be as safe and effective agent as dinoprostone for cervical ripening and labor induction.

The aim of the study was to determine the concentrations of TGF-beta, PDGF and VEGF growth factors in peripheral blood. The examinations were carried out in the group of pregnant women with preeclampsia. The results were compared to those obtained in a control group of healthy pregnant women. The statistically significant increase in all examined growth factors was observed in women with preeclampsia in comparison to healthy women. The results suggest that growth factors may play an important role in etiology and pathophysiology of preeclampsia.

Reticulocyte analysis using flow cytometry increases the precision of reticulocyte enumeration and can evaluate the maturation of reticulocytes. Reticulocytes count and their subtypes may reflect function of hematopoesis, especially during hypoxia. This study was aimed to establish reticulocyte count and reticulocyte maturation profile in cord blood during normal pregnancy and pregnancy complicated by chronic intrauterine hypoxia. For this purpose we analysed 233 cord blood specimens derived from uneventful pregnancy and 58 cord blood specimens from complicated pregnancy. The gestational age ranged from 26 to 42 weeks. The following measurements were obtained (mean +/- standard deviation): reticulocyte absolute count - 268 +/- 63 10(9)/l, reticulocyte percentage - 6.4 +/- 1.5; high fluorescence reticulocyte HFR - 11.3 +/- 3.8%; medium reticulocyte fraction MFR - 18.1 +/- 4.7%; low reticulocyte fraction LFR - 70.7 +/- 7%; immature reticulocyte fraction IFR - 29.3 +/- 7%. The percentage values of reticulocytes decreased in cord blood according to gestational age increase, but maturation subpopulations did not change significantly. Reticulocyte fractions in normal pregnancy were different compared to complicated pregnancy.