New biomarkers for the prediction of spontaneous preterm labour in symptomatic pregnant women: a comparison with fetal fibronectin

Objective To identify cervicovaginal fluid (CVF) biomarkers predictive of spontaneous preterm birth in women with symptoms of preterm labour

Forms, size and time in ontogeny of Amphibians and Reptiles

En la vida de un organismo (ontogenia) suceden cambios fenotípicos a lo largo del tiempo.Esta contribución es una revisión de: a) términos y definiciones usados en estudios de la ontogenia,b) la importancia de distinguir entre la variación de la forma (desarrollo) y del tamaño(crecimiento); y c) la necesidad de considerar el tiempo real (edad) en el que se organiza laontogenia. Sobre la base de información disponible de la ontogenia en tetrápodos con énfasisen anuros y saurópsidos no avianos, se destaca la necesidad de incrementar la informaciónsobre la ontogenia para estudios comparados. Enfatizamos en la relevancia y pertinencia decontar con tablas de desarrollo donde se describa la variación en trayectorias ontogenéticas yel estudio de los tres componentes fundamentales de las ontogenias (forma-tamaño-tiempo) ylos procesos que la edad organiza (desarrollo y crecimiento) para avanzar en el paradigma dela Evolución del Desarrollo.In the life of an organism (ontogeny), phenotypic changes happen throughout the time. This contribution is a review of: a) terms and definitions used in studies of the ontogeny, b) the importance to distinguish between shape variation (development) and size variation (growth); and c) the need to consider the real time (age) in which the ontogeny takes place. Based on available information about the ontogeny among tetrapods with emphasis in anurans and nonavian sauropsids, it is outlined the need to increase the information about the ontogeny for comparative studies. We denote the relevancy to get tables of development to identify ontogenetic variation, the study of three fundamental components of ontogenies (it forms - size-time), and the processes that the age organizes (development and growth) to contribute the paradigm of the Evolution of the Development.Asociación Herpetológica Argentina (AHA

Temporal investigation of matrix metalloproteinases and their inhibitors in human cervicovaginal fluid in late pregnancy and labor

Temporal expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, -2, -3, -7, -8, -9, -12, and -13, and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs)-1 and -2 in human cervicovaginal fluid (CVF) in term pregnancy and labor was investigated. Term parous women provided CVF samples that were grouped into labor, 1 to 3, 6 to 8, and 12 to 16 days before labor onset. Both MMPs and TIMPs (n = 60) were quantified using multiplex solution array and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, respectively. Further analysis of TIMP-1 (n = 180) was undertaken. All MMPs and TIMPs except MMP-12 and -13 were detected in the CVF. Matrix metalloproteinase 7, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2 were significantly increased in labor. Tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase 1 was significantly increased up to 7 days before spontaneous labor onset. The data suggest a role of MMP-7 in the remodeling and rupture of fetal membranes and may reflect the homeostatic regulation of extracellular matrix remodeling of MMP-7 by TIMP-1 and TIMP-2

Proteomic analysis of human cervico-vaginal fluid displays differential protein expression in association with labor onset at term

Human labor is characterized by dramatic physiological and structural alterations of the cervix and overlying fetal membranes, leading to myometrial activation and delivery. To investigate the potential mechanism of these changes, we performed 2D PAGE proteomic analysis on serial cervico-vaginal fluid samples obtained from women during late pregnancy and spontaneous labor. We identified 9 protein spots that were significantly altered (p < 0.05) in association with spontaneous term labor. Eight protein spots were definitively characterized by electrospray ion-trap mass spectrometry yielding 7 different proteins: cystatin-A, interleukin-1 receptor antagonist, glutathione S-transferase P, peroxiredoxin-2, thioredoxin, copper-zinc superoxide dismutase, and epidermal fatty-acid binding protein. These proteins are involved in protease inhibition, anti-inflammatory cytokine activity, and oxidative stress defense. These findings may provide an insight into the biochemical processes and timing associated with extracellular matrix remodelling of the cervix, supracervical fetal membranes, and myometrial activation in association with spontaneous term labor. Application of these findings may lead to development of predictive biomarkers of labor onset