OBJECTIVES To clarify the pathophysiological role of endothelin-1 (ET-1) in the vascular injury associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) by investigating the effect of sera from patients with SLE on ET-1 release from cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells. METHODS Confluent monolayers of cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells were incubated with serum samples (dilu...

The initiating event in preeclampsia is thought be to reduced uteroplacental perfusion. Although we have reported previously that chronic reductions in uterine perfusion pressure (RUPP) in pregnant rats results in hypertension and enhanced endothelin production, the factors linking placental ischemia and endothelial cell activation remain unclear. The purpose of this study was to determine the ...

Background: The incidence of jaundice in first week of life is very common affecting about 55% of term and 82% of preterm neonates. There should be specific guidelines for the early prediction of neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia by different available techniques. This will not only decrease the social, financial and medical burden but will also help in minimising the extent of brain damage. The aim...

Pertussis is a vaccine-preventable disease that affects people of all ages. Young adults who have lost their immunity to pertussis are the major source of infection in infants. Given the steady increase of pertussis cases, new prevention strategies are required. Objective. To assess pertussis seroprevalence in adult blood donors, post-partum women, and umbilical cords. Metod. Measurement of tot...

PURPOSE To determine whether serum insulin and glucagon levels of umbilical cord blood correlate with subsequent postnatal hypoglycemia in appropriate for gestational age (AGA) - preterm infants at different gestational ages (GAs). METHODS The serum insulin and glucagon levels of umbilical cord blood were measured using magnetic bead based multiplex immunoassay in 69 AGA - premature infants, ...

INTRODUCTION In the search for biomarkers that allow the prediction of neonatal growth and development, placental growth hormone(PGH), pituitary growth hormone (GH1), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), and ghrelin concentrations were assessed in the amniotic fluid and in the umbilical cord blood of 92 neonates. MATERIAL AND METHODS The proteins were assayed by the ELISA method. Their conce...

OBJECTIVE To examine the relation of prenatal polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) exposure to child performance on neuropsychological tests of attention and information processing. Study design In this prospective, longitudinal study, assessment of prenatal PCB exposure was based on umbilical cord serum and maternal serum and milk concentrations. The children were tested in their homes at age 11 yea...