The unique monoclonal antibodies and immunochemical assay for comprehensive determination of the cell-bound and soluble HER2 in different biological samples

The expression of the HER2 (human epidermal growth factor receptor 2) protein in cancer cells is a well-established cancer marker used for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes in modern treatment protocols, especially in breast cancer. The gold-standard immunohistochemical diagnostic methods with the specific anti-HER2 antibodies are utilized in the clinic to measure expression level of the membrane-bound receptor. However, a soluble extracellular domain (ECD) of HER2 is released to the extracellular matrix, thus the blood assays for HER2 measurements present an attractive way for HER2 level determination. There is a need for accurate and validated assays that can be used to correlate the concentration of the circulating HER2 protein with disease clinical manifestations. Here we describe two monoclonal antibodies binding HER2 with a unique sequence of the complementarity-determining regions that recognize HER2 ECD. Development and validation of the sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for quantification of the soluble HER2 in a variety of biological samples is also presented. The assay provides HER2 quantitation within a concentrations range from 1.56 to 100 ng/ml with sensitivity at the level of 0.5 ng/ml that meets the expectations for measurements of HER2 in the blood and tumor tissue samples. The method presents satisfactory intra- and inter-assay precision and accuracy for immunochemical quantification of biomarkers in biological samples. The utility of the generated monoclonal anti-HER2 antibodies has been confirmed for use in the precise measurement of HER2 (both cell-bound and soluble) in several types of biological material, including serum, solid tumor tissue, and cell culture medium. Additionally, the developed immunochemical tools have a potential for HER2 detection, not only in a wide range of sample types but also independently of the sample storage/pre-processing, allowing for comprehensive HER2 analysis in tissue (IHC), cultured cells (immunofluorescence) and blood (ELISA).

Effect of Modifier Form on Mechanical Properties of Hypoeutectic Silumin

Aluminum-silicon alloys require modification due to their coarse-grained microstructures and resulting low strength properties. So far, research into the modification process has focused on the use of various chemical components and technological processes, the tasks of which are to refine the microstructure and, thus, increase the mechanical properties of the alloy. In this paper, the answer to the question of whether the form of the modifier influences the modification effect of the hypoeutectic silumin will be found. The tests were carried out using the popular silumin AlSi7Mg. To answer our research question, the alloy was modified under comparable conditions using the following elements: Ti, B, and master alloys AlTi1.5 and AlB1.5. Modifiers in the form of Sr and master alloy AlSr1.5 were also used. All mentioned modifiers were produced and introduced into the liquid alloy in the form of a powder and a rod. Master alloys AlSr1.5 were also produced via cooling from the liquid state through cooling in air and the second variant at a speed of 200 °C/s (in the form of powder and a thin strip). The microstructure and mechanical properties were analyzed based on the following measures: tensile strength, elongation, and hardness of silumin. Based on the conducted research, it was found that the form of the modifier also affects the modification effect visible in the form of changes in the microstructure and mechanical properties. For the powder-modified alloy, greater fineness in the eutectic phase (α and B phases) and an increase in all analyzed mechanical properties were obtained.

Quality, Microstructure, and Properties of Metal Alloys

In the course of evolution, humankind has used many construction materials [...].

Influence of the Scatter Index of Non-Metallic Inclusions in Structural Steel on the Fatigue Resistance Coefficient

One of the main parameters characterizing steel is tensile strength. Conducting actual research is time consuming and expensive. For this reason, the technique uses simplified methods that allow one to quickly estimate the resistance of the material to fatigue. They are conducted mainly by computer methods. For the proper development of programs to determine the fatigue parameters of steel, solid data preparation is necessary. Unfortunately, some studies are performed on materials produced in laboratory conditions, which is only an approximation of the actual production conditions. Real alloys contain natural impurities which can affect their properties. Therefore, it is important to use real results obtained on an industrial scale for analysis including computer simulations. One of the important parameters that can be used to describe the properties of steel is the scatter index. It is the quotient of the average distance between the pollution and the average size of the pollution. This parameter makes it possible to take into account the fatigue strength of steel, taking into account the size of impurities and the distance between these impurities. The paper attempted to determine the scatter index and its impact on the fatigue resistance coefficient for steel melted in an industrial 140 ton electric furnace. The tests were carried out on structural steel with an average carbon content of 0.26%. The steel was hardened and tempered in all temperature tempering ranges (low, medium, and high). The fatigue resistance coefficient in the scatter index function was determined and discussed for each of the applied heat treatment parameters.

Pellino3 ligase negatively regulates influenza B dependent RIG-I signalling through downregulation of TRAF3-mediated induction of the transcription factor IRF3 and IFNβ production

Viral infection activates the innate immune system, which recognizes viral components by a variety of pattern recognition receptors and initiates signalling cascades leading to the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. To date, signalling cascades triggered after virus recognition are not fully characterized and are investigated by many research groups. The critical role of the E3 ubiquitin ligase Pellino3 in antibacterial and antiviral response is now widely accepted, but the precise mechanism remains elusive. In this study, we sought to explore Pellino3 role in the retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I)-dependent signalling pathway. In this work, the molecular mechanisms of the innate immune response, regulated by Pellino3, were investigated in lung epithelial cells during influenza B virus infection. We used wild-type and Pellino3-deficient A549 cells as model cell lines to examine the role of Pellino3 ligase in the type I interferon (IFN) signalling pathway. Our results indicate that Pellino3 is involved in direct ubiquitination and degradation of the TRAF3, suppressing interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) activation and interferon beta (IFNβ) production.

Influence of Non-Metallic Inclusions on Bending Fatigue Strength of High-Quality Carbon Constructional Steel Heated in an Industrial Electric Arc Furnace

Non-metallic inclusions are one of the many factors influencing the strength of materials operating under variable loads. Their influence on the strength of the material depends not only on the morphology of the impurities themselves, but it is also closely related to the microstructure of the material. This microstructure is the matrix for non-metallic inclusions. This article discusses the results of a study investigating the effect of non-metallic inclusions on the fatigue strength of structural steel during rotary bending. The study was performed at 12 heats produced in an industrial plant's 140-ton electric furnaces. Six heats were desulphurised, and six were refined with argon. This paper presents the bending fatigue strength of steel hardened and tempered at different temperatures, subject to the relative volume of inclusions. This paper also presents the dimensional structure of non-metallic inclusions divided by different two technologies. The research shows that the main fraction of non-metallic inclusions is Al₂O₃; the most numerous were impurities with a diameter of less than 2 µm; argon refining does not affect the proportion of non-metallic inclusions of large dimensions (with a diameter of over 15 µm); the influence of non-metallic inclusions on the strength of the steel is also related to the microstructure of the steel constituting the matrix of inclusions.

Absence of Mal/TIRAP Results in Abrogated Imidazoquinolinones-Dependent Activation of IRF7 and Suppressed IFNβ and IFN-I Activated Gene Production

Activation of TLR7 by small imidazoquinoline molecules such as R848 or R837 initiates signaling cascades leading to the activation of transcription factors, such as AP-1, NF-κB, and interferon regulatory factors (IRFs) and afterward to the induction of cytokines and anti-viral Type I IFNs. In general, TLRs mediate these effects by utilizing different intracellular signaling molecules, one of them is Mal. Mal is a protein closely related to the antibacterial response, and its role in the TLR7 pathways remains poorly understood. In this study, we show that Mal determines the expression and secretion of IFNβ following activation of TLR7, a receptor that recognizes ssRNA and imidazoquinolines. Moreover, we observed that R848 induces Mal-dependent IFNβ production via ERK1/2 activation as well as the transcription factor IRF7 activation. Although activation of TLR7 leads to NF-κB-dependent expression of IRF7, this process is independent of Mal. We also demonstrate that secretion of IFNβ regulated by TLR7 and Mal in macrophages and dendritic cells leads to the IP-10 chemokine expression. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that Mal is a critical regulator of the imidazoquinolinones-dependent IFNβ production via ERK1/2/IRF7 signaling cascade which brings us closer to understanding the molecular mechanism’s regulation of innate immune response.

Near-infrared excited luminescence and in vitro imaging of HeLa cells by using Mn2+ enhanced Tb3+ and Yb3+ cooperative upconversion in NaYF4 nanocrystals

Advanced biodetection and bioimaging require fluorescent labels which exhibit many, easily distinguishable colors to identify or study numerous biotargets in a single sample. Although numerous different colors have been demonstrated with lanthanide doped nanoparticles, these colors usually originate from various ratios of overlapping multiple emission bands from activators, which severely limits the number of available labels. As a consequence, different lanthanide doped labels cannot be easily distinguished from each other (e.g. Er³⁺ from Ho³⁺) in a quantitative way, when such labels are co-localized during microscopy wide-field imaging. It is therefore reasonable to expand the available choice of spectral signatures and not rely on just different colors. Other ions, such as Tb³⁺ or Eu³⁺, can offer new possibilities and unique spectral features in upconversion mode in this respect. For example, despite partial overlap with Er³⁺ or Ho³⁺ emission spectra, Tb³⁺ ions display also unique and easily distinguishable spectral features at 580 nm. Unfortunately, in terms of brightness, Tb³⁺ emission in upconversion mode is typically too weak to be useful. To improve the Tb³⁺ upconversion emission intensity, a new approach, i.e. Mn²⁺ co-doping, has been proposed and verified in this work. A versatile optimization of Tb³⁺, Yb³⁺ and Mn²⁺ ion concentrations has been performed based on luminescence spectra and lifetime studies. The most intense emission was achieved for nanoparticles doped with 10% Mn²⁺ ions, with over 30 times brighter intensity of Tb³⁺ ions compared to the emission of nanocrystals without the addition of Mn²⁺ ions. Additionally, as a proof of the concept, the surface of nanoparticles was coated with proteins and conjugated with folic acid, and such biofunctionalized nanoparticles were subsequently used for bioimaging of HeLa cells.

[The development of methods for obtaining monoclonal antibody-producing cells]

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are biomolecules of great scientific and practical significance. In contrast to polyclonal antibodies from immune sera, they are homogeneous and monospecific, since they are produced by hybridoma cells representing a clone arising from a single cell. The successful technology was described for the first time in 1975; the inventors were later awarded the Nobel Prize. Currently, mAbs are broadly used as a research tool, in diagnostics and medicine in particular for the treatment of cancer or in transplantology. About 47 therapeutics based on monoclonal antibodies are now available in the US and Europe, and the number is still growing. Production of monoclonal antibodies is a multistage, time-consuming and costly process. Growing demand for these molecules creates space for research focused on improvements in hybridoma technology. Lower costs, human labor, and time are important goals of these attempts. In this article, a brief review of current methods and their advances is given.

Antibodies against Escherichia coli O24 and O56 O-Specific Polysaccharides Recognize Epitopes in Human Glandular Epithelium and Nervous Tissue

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), the major component of the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria, contains the O-polysaccharide, which is important to classify bacteria into different O-serological types within species. The O-polysaccharides of serotypes O24 and O56 of E. coli contain sialic acid in their structures, already established in our previous studies. Here, we report the isolation of specific antibodies with affinity chromatography using immobilized lipopolysaccharides. Next, we evaluated the reactivity of anti-O24 and anti-O56 antibody on human tissues histologically. The study was conducted under the assumption that the sialic acid based molecular identity of bacterial and tissue structures provides not only an understanding of the mimicry-based bacterial pathogenicity. Cross-reacting antibodies could be used to recognize specific human tissues depending on their histogenesis and differentiation, which might be useful for diagnostic purposes. The results indicate that various human tissues are recognized by anti-O24 and anti-O56 antibodies. Interestingly, only a single specific reactivity could be found in the anti-O56 antibody preparation. Several tissues studied were not reactive with either antibody, thus proving that the presence of cross-reactive antigens was tissue specific. In general, O56 antibody performed better than O24 in staining epithelial and nervous tissues. Positive staining was observed for both normal (ganglia) and tumor tissue (ganglioneuroma). Epithelial tissue showed positive staining, but an epitope recognized by O56 antibody should be considered as a marker of glandular epithelium. The reason is that malignant glandular tumor and its metastasis are stained, and also epithelium of renal tubules and glandular structures of the thyroid gland are stained. Stratified epithelium such as that of skin is definitely not stained. Therefore, the most relevant observation is that the epitope recognized by anti-O56 antibodies is a new marker specific for glandular epithelium and nervous tissue. Further studies should be performed to determine the structure of the tissue epitope recognized.

Synthesis of glycinated glycoconjugates based on 1-thioglycosides and their preliminary studies as potential immunomodulatory factor

The biological importance of lipopolysaccharides (LPS), components of bacterial cell wall has not been explained sufficiently. The glycine present in these structures could play an important role in the immunological response after bacterial infections and during sepsis. In our studies we obtained synthetic and stable substituted glycinated 1-thioglycosides derivatives of monosaccharides, e.g., D-glucose or D-galactose as well as disaccharides, e.g., melibiose and lactose. The conditions of acylation reactions were validated and specific products were separated by using chromatography methods. Their structures were confirmed by NMR. These compounds were conjugated with carrier proteins e.g., bovine serum albumin and horse myoglobin. Prior to conjugation proteins were modified with glycidol to create the protein-diol intermediates and subsequent periodate oxidation of the glycol moieties to generate the reactive aldehyde functionalities. Modified and formylated carrier proteins were conjugated with acylated thioglycosides in the presence of sodium cyanoborohydride. Subsequently, the products obtained were analyzed in SDS-PAGE and separated by using HW-55S gel-filtration chromatography. The immunoreactivity of selected glycinated glycoconjugates were studied in ELISA assays with specific anti-aminoacylated glyconjugate antibodies obtained after rabbit immunization with Escherichia coli K12 C600 core oligosaccharide glycine-containing glycoconjugate. The differences in the immunoreactivity of different glycinated 1-thioglycosides were observed. The received glycine-acylated glycoconjugates could mimic the non-sugar substituents localized in various bacterial LPS. These synthetic compounds could be candidates for their use as glycoconjugate vaccines in protection against serious bacterial infections, e.g.. sepsis.

Structures of two O-polysaccharides of the lipopolysaccharide of Citrobacter youngae PCM 1538 (serogroup O9)

Mild acid degradation of the lipopolysaccharide of Citrobacter youngae O9, strain PCM 1538 released a homopolysaccharide of 4-acetamido-4,6-dideoxy-D-mannose (D-Rha4NAc, N-acetyl-D-perosamine). Studies by methylation analysis and (1)H and (13)C NMR spectroscopy, using two-dimensional (1)H,(1)H COSY, TOCSY, NOESY and H-detected (1)H,(13)C HSQC experiments showed the presence of two structurally different polysaccharides consisting of the following units: -->)-alpha-D-Rhap4NAc-(1 --> and --> 3)-alpha-D-Rhap4NAc-(1 --> 3)-beta-D-Rhap4NAc-(1 -->.

[Genetic amniocentesis in the II Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the Medical University of Warsaw]

OBJECTIVE

Characteristic of patients, indications, outcomes and complications of genetic amniocentesis.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Retrospective analysis of 420 women who underwent genetics amniocentesis from January 1999 to 2001. It was done by ultrasound-guided insertion of a 22-gauge needle from 12 to 19 week's gestation. From 9 ml to 24 ml of amniotic fluid were removed for cytogenic analysis.

RESULTS

The mean maternal age was 37.6 +/- 4 years. The mean gestational age of amniocentesis was 14.2 +/- 1.2 weeks. 416 (99%) women were in singleton pregnancy, 3 (0.7%) in twin pregnancy and one (0.2%) in triplet pregnancy. The most common indication for amniocentesis was maternal age over 35 years (366 cases - 87%). Chromosomal abnormalities were identified in 23 cases (5.5%). Any neural tube defects were observed. In 6 (1.4%) cases the cell culture of amniotic fluid was unsuccessful and procedure was repeated. 2 (0.4%) women lost pregnancy during 7 days after procedure. 4 patients (0.9%) had amniotic fluid leakage, of which no ended in fetal loss. 1 (0.2%) had pain in hypogastrium after amniocentesis, all delivered at term.

CONCLUSIONS

The pregnancy loss rate in women who underwent genetics amniocentesis was 0.4%. The most common indication for genetic amniocentesis was maternal age over 35 years. Chromosomal abnormalities were detected in 5.4% of the fetuses.

[Evaluation of fetal heart anatomy at the end of the first trimester and the beginning of the mid-trimester]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate fetal heart anatomy in the late first and in the early second trimester.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study included 75 fetuses between 11 and 19 weeks' gestation. Exams were performed using transabdominal or transvaginal probes.

RESULTS

The proportion of cases successfully visualized to all cases in particular week of pregnancy was following: 11 week--0/1 (0%), 12--1/1 (100%), 13 week--1/1 (100%), 14--18/23 (79%), 15--6/9 (67%), 16--23/27 (86%), 17--4/5 (80%), 18--6/6 (100%), 19--2/2 (100%). In 11 weeks' gestation two ventricles and two atrias could be imaged. Anatomy was seen from 12 weeks' gestation with transvaginal and from 13 weeks' gestation with transabdominal transducers. Two tricuspid regurgitations were detected. The interventricular septum was the most difficult structure to visualize in all cases. The grey scale alone was not sufficient for accurate examination of the heart and it was necessary to use colour Doppler to confirm normal forward flow to both ventricles and to identify outflow tracts.

CONCLUSIONS

1. Successful visualization of the heart in early pregnancy is possible from 12 weeks' gestation with transvaginal and from 13 weeks' gestation with transabdominal probe. 2. Fetal echocardiography between first and second trimester should lead to better understanding of fetal hemodynamics in normal and abnormal fetuses and help to introduce new therapeutic treatment in some cases.

[Genetic amniocentesis--characteristic of patients, indications, outcomes, complications]

The indications, outcomes and complications of genetic amniocentesis in a group of 358 women were undeped. The most frequent indication for amniocentesis was maternal age over 35 years. Chromosomal abnormalities were identified in 21 cases (5.8%)--most of them were chromosomal inversions. There were no neural tube defects. In 6 (1.6%) cases the cell culture of amniotic fluid was unsuccessful. The level of alpha-fetoprotein was lower in fetuses with chromosomal abnormalities. 2 (0.5%) patients lost pregnancy after procedure, 4 (1.1%) had amniotic fluid leakage and 1 (0.2%) had pain in hypogastrium after amniocentesis.

The identity of the O-specific polysaccharide structure of Citrobacter strains from serogroups O2, O20 and O25 and immunochemical characterisation of C. youngae PCM 1507 (O2a,1b) and related strains

Serological studies using SDS-PAGE and immunoblotting revealed that from five strains that are ascribed to Citrobacter serogroup O2, four strains, PCM 1494, PCM 1495, PCM 1496 and PCM 1507, are reactive with specific anti-Citrobacter O2 serum. In contrast, strain PCM 1573 did not react with anti-Citrobacter O2 serum and, hence, does not belong to serogroup O2. The LPS of Citrobacter youngae O2a,1b (strain PCM 1507) was degraded under mild acidic conditions and the O-specific polysaccharide (OPS) released was isolated by gel chromatography. Sugar and methylation analyses along with (1)H- and (13)C-NMR spectroscopy, including two-dimensional (1)H,(1)H COSY, TOCSY, NOESY and (1)H,(13)C HSQC experiments, showed that the repeating unit of the OPS has the following structure: [structure: see text]. NMR spectroscopic studies demonstrated that Citrobacter werkmanii O20 and C. youngae O25 have the same OPS structure as C. youngae O2. Sugar and methylation analyses of the core oligosaccharide fractions demonstrated structural differences in the lipopolysaccharide core regions of these strains, which may substantiate their classification in different serogroups.

Structural analysis of the Lactobacillus rhamnosus strain KL37C exopolysaccharide

The exopolysaccharide from the lactic acid bacterium Lactobacillus rhamnosus strain KL37C isolated from human intestinal flora was prepared by sonication of bacterial cell mass suspended in water followed by centrifugation and cold ethanol precipitation of the supernatant. The polysaccharide material was purified by gel permeation chromatography on an TSK HW-50 column and characterised using chemical and enzymatic methods. On the basis of sugar and methylation analysis and 1H, 13C, 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy the exopolysaccharide was shown to be composed of the following pentasaccharide repeating unit:-->3)-alpha-D-Glcp-(1-->2)-beta-D-Galf-(1-->6)-alpha-D-Galp-(1-->6)-alpha-D-Glcp-(1-->3)-beta-D-Galf-(1-->

[Glycine as an inherent component of bacterial lipopolysaccharides]

The amino-acylation of bacterial polysaccharide antigens and the biological role of this phenomenon are poorly understood, although it might be relevant in the processes of the infection and immunity. Due to the lability of ester linked substituents on glyco-conjugate antigens, usually such groups escaped detection during routine structural investigation. Among the only few data available, these on the occurrence of glycine in endotoxic lipopolysaccharides of Gram-negative bacteria are well documented. This work summarises these data on glycine as an integral constituent of bacterial LPS and also on some other amino acid esters in teichoic acids and phosphatidylglycerol of Gram-positive bacteria. The possible functions are discussed of such noncarbohydrate ester linked substituents in bacterial antigens.

Structures of two O-chain polysaccharides of Citrobacter gillenii O9a,9b lipopolysaccharide. A new homopolymer of 4-amino-4,6-dideoxy-D-mannose (perosamine)

Mild acid degradation of the lipopolysaccharide of Citro- bacter gillenii O9a,9b released a polysaccharide (PS), which was found to consist of a single monosaccharide, 4- acetamido-4,6-dideoxy-d-mannose (d-Rha4NAc, N-acetyl-d-perosamine). PS was studied by methylation analysis and (1)H-NMR and (13)C-NMR spectroscopy, using two-dimensional (1)H,(1)H COSY, TOCSY, NOESY, and H-detected (1)H,(13)C heteronuclear correlation experiments. It was found that PS includes two structurally different polysaccharides: an alpha1-->2-linked homopolymer of N-acetyl-d-perosamine [-->2)-alpha-d-Rhap4NAc-(1-->, PS2] and a polysaccharide composed of tetrasaccharide repeating units (PS1) with the following structure: -->3)-alpha-d-Rhap4NAc-(1-->2)-alpha-d-Rhap4NAc-(1-->2)-alpha-d-Rhap4NAc-(1-->3)-alpha-d-Rhap4 N Ac2Ac-(1--> where the degree of O-acetylation of a 3-substituted Rha4NAc residue at position 2 is approximately 70%. PS could be fractionated into PS1 and PS2 by gel-permeation chromatography on TSK HW-50S. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization MS data indicate sequential chain elongation of both PS1 and PS2 by a single sugar unit, with O-acetylation in PS1 beginning at a certain chain length. Anti-(C. gillenii O9a,9b) serum reacted with PS1 in double immunodiffusion and immunoblotting, whereas neither PS2 nor the lipopolysaccharide of Vibrio cholerae O1 with a structurally related O-chain polysaccharide were reactive.

Structure of the sialic acid-containing O-specific polysaccharide from Salmonella enterica serovar Toucra O48 lipopolysaccharide

Lipopolysaccharide was extracted from cells of Salmonella enterica serovar Toucra O48 and, after mild acid hydrolysis (1% AcOH, 1 h, 100 degrees C or 0.1 M NaOH-AcOH, pH 4.5, 5 h, 100 degrees C), the O-specific polysaccharide was isolated and characterized. The core and an oligosaccharide containing a fragment of the repeating unit linked to the core region were also obtained, depending on hydrolysis conditions. On the basis of sugar and methylation analyses and NMR spectroscopy of the hydrolysis products, the biological repeating unit of the O-specific polysaccharide was shown to be the following trisaccharide: -->4)-alpha-Neup5Ac(2-->3)-L-alpha-FucpNAc(1-->3)-D-beta-Glc pNAc(1--> The polysaccharide O-chain was substituted with a single molar equivalent of O-acetyl group, distributed between the Neu5Ac O-9 and O-7 positions, in an approximate ratio of 7 : 3.

Second trimester calcium-phosphorus-magnesium homeostasis in women with threatened preterm delivery

OBJECTIVE

The effect of threatened preterm delivery on calcium, phosphorus, magnesium homeostasis in the second trimester of pregnancy was investigated.

METHODS

Serum concentrations of total and ionized calcium, inorganic phosphorus, magnesium, total protein, albumin, total estrogens and human placental lactogen were determined in women with threatened preterm delivery at 23-28 weeks of gestation (the studied group) and in women with uncomplicated pregnancy of the same duration (the control group). Additionally activities of total alkaline phosphatase and heat-stable alkaline phosphatase fraction were measured.

RESULTS

Patients of the studied group compared to the control group showed decreased concentration of total calcium (2.15 +/- 0.073 vs. 2.25 +/- 0.11 mmol/l, P < 0.001), inorganic phosphorus (1.21 +/- 0.26 vs. 1.34 +/- 0.22 mmol/l, P < 0.01) and magnesium (0.63 +/- 0.053 vs. 0.71 +/- 0.12 mmol/l, P < 0.001), total protein (64.0 +/- 5.4 vs. 68.6 + 1.0 g/l, P < 0.001), albumin (546.3 +/- 55.1 vs. 579.6 +/- 49.3 micromol/l, P < 0.003) and placental lactogen (3664 +/- 1806 vs. 4651 +/- 1858 ng/ml, P < 0.02); they also demonstrated decreased activity of total alkaline phosphatase (42.17 +/- 16.99 vs. 50.66 +/- 6.56 IU/l, P < 0.001) and its heat stable fraction (22.65 +/- 7.89 vs. 31.89 +/- 9.09 IU/l, P < 0.001). Patients of the studied group showed normal values of ionized calcium and total estrogens.

CONCLUSIONS

Premature uterine contractility in women in the second trimester is accompanied by lowered serum concentrations of total calcium, inorganic phosphorus, magnesium, total protein and albumin. There is also decreased activity of total alkaline phosphatase, its heat-stable fraction and placental lactogen which may have diagnostic value. Premature uterine contractility in women in the second trimester may be related to the disturbances of calcium-phosphorus-magnesium homeostasis and calcium supplementation should be considered.