Preliminary analysis of the protein profile in saliva during physiological term and preterm delivery

From a clinical point of view, easily obtainable and useful markers of a particular pathological status are required for appropriate diagnosis and treatment. Analysis of the proteomic profile of saliva may allow for the selection of potential marker of preterm delivery in humans. Saliva samples were collected from 12 patients diagnosed with threatened preterm delivery and 10 controls with uncomplicated pregnancies at the same gestational age. Samples were analysed using 2D electrophoresis. Based on statistical analysis, spots of interest were selected and collected from gels. Subsequently, spots were decoloured and proteins were identified by mass spectrometry using the matrix assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight technique. The results of identification were compared with the Swiss-Prot database. A total of 1,393 spots were detected in the present study with 59 significantly different between control and preterm samples. Increased intensity of staining of 32 spots was observed in the premature delivery group compared with control patients and 27 spots were stained more intensely in the control group compared with the premature delivery group. A total of nine spots, which were significantly different between examined samples were identified and three of them exhibited increased intensity of staining in premature delivery group compared with controls, including dedicator of cytokinesis protein 1, metallothionein-2, guanylyl cyclase-activating protein 1. The six remaining spots included, epithelial-stromal interaction protein 1, serum albumin, tyrosine-tRNA ligase, cytoplasmic, protein chibby homolog 3, leukemia inhibitory factor receptor and adenosylhomocysteinase 3, and exhibited increased intensity of staining in healthy controls compared with premature delivery group. Further studies with an increased number of patients and identification of the complete protein profile are required to confirm the results of the present study and applicability of saliva as a source of disease biomarkers.

[Gestational diabetes in the light of current literature]

This paper presents current data on the pathophysiology of gestational diabetes mellitus, classification and new diagnostic methods. Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) is defined as carbohydrate intolerance first detected during pregnancy. It is the most common metabolic disorder of pregnant women. The frequency of its occurrence depends on inter alia body weight, belonging to a particular ethnic group and diagnostic methods. GDM reveals usually between 24 and 28 weeks of gestation. The development of diabetes in pregnancy poses a threat to both the mother and the fetus. It is associated with an increased incidence of birth defects in newborns, impaired intrauterine fetal growth, higher incidence of premature births and greater percentage of the intrauterine fetus death. Amongst women complicated by gestational diabetes arterial hypertension more often unfolds. In the development of gestational diabetes mellitus important role apart from maternal and fetal hyperinsulinemia play: antagonistic to insulin placental hormones, TNFα, placental pro-inflammatory cytokines, resistin, leptin ghrelin.

[Oxygen transfer and consumption in human placenta exposed to variable magnetic fields in vitro]

The initial investigations concerning the influence of variable magnetic fields (MF) on transfer and oxygen consumption in isolated human cotyledon in vitro were performed. Ten dual closed perfusion of the human cotyledon were conducted in each group. The control group was not exposed to magnetic fields. In studied groups cotyledons were exposed to magnetic field: in the group B1 (B = 2 mT, f = 50 Hz), and in the group B2 (B = 5 mT, f = 50 Hz) for 180 min. Obtained results may suggest that variable magnetic field (B = 5 mT, f = 50 Hz) cause decrease of oxygen consumption in human placenta in 120 and 150 min of experiment.

[Evaluation of the morphology of the human placental cotyledon following dual in vitro perfusion in variable magnetic field]

Objectives and the aim of the study was electron-microscopy morphological estimation of the human placental cotyledon after 180 minutes of dual closed perfusion in vitro.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In the experimental group the cotyledons were exposed to variable magnetic field of 2 mT magnetic induction and 50 Hz frequency. The control group K (10 perfusions) was not subjected to magnetic field while the experimental group B (10 perfusions) was influenced by magnetic field.

RESULTS

It was found that homogeneous variable magnetic field disturbs the ultrastructure of the nuclei and cytoplasma and it increases the density of the vascular-epithelial membrane of villi cells of human placenta in vitro.

CONCLUSION

Variable sinusoildal, magnetic field of 2 mT magnetic induction and 50 Hz frequency disturbs the ultrastructure of the nuclei and cytoplasma and it increases the density of the vascular-epithelial membrane of villi cells of human placenta in vitro after 180 minutes of dual closed perfusion in vitro.

[The dually perfused human placenta by Schneider method modified Miller. II. Changes of arterial and venous fetal blood pressure]

The study was carried out on 7 human placental cotyledons. Placental perfusions performed by Schneider method modified by Miller were conducted for 180 min. assessment of arterial and venous pressure in fetal blood was performed. There were no statistically significant differences between obtained values of perfusion pressure obtained the experiment. The range of vessels perfusion resistance was stable during the experiment. The results ot this study lead to conclusion that the method used can be valuable for assessment of other perfusion liquid parameters and introduced to subsequent experiments.

[The dually perfused human placenta by Schneider method modified by Miller. I. Changes of arterial and venous pH in material and fetal blood]

The study was carried out on 7 human placental cotyledons. Placental perfusions performed by Schneider method modified by Miller were conducted for 180 min. Assessment of arterial and venous pH in maternal and fetal blood was performed. There were no statistically significant differences between obtained parameters throughout the experiment. The results of this study point to the conclusion that the method can be used for assessment of other perfusion liquid parameters and introduced to subsequent experiments.