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Niels Uldbjerg

Publications and source records attributed to Niels Uldbjerg.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2026

Novel and High-Throughput Method of Isolating Single Fetal Cells Using FACS for NIPT.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS) as a method of single-cell isolation of rare circulating fetal cells from maternal blood for use in cell-based non-invasive prenatal testing (cbNIPT). METHOD: Blood samples (30 mL) were collected from 75 'low-risk' pregnant women (gestational age 10-15 weeks). Fetal cells were enriched and stained using magnetic activated cell sorting. Following enrichment, single fetal cells were sorted in individual PCR tubes by FACS. After cell lysis, verification of fetal cell origin was performed using short tandem repeat (STR) analysis with the GlobalFiler PCR Amplification kit. RESULTS: An average of 13.7 cells were sorted using FACS. STR analysis identified 8.2 fetal cells on average, representing 60.2% of the sorted cells. The four-step single-cell isolation procedure facilitated an overall enrichment of approximately 16-million-fold. One sample did not render any fetal cell, corresponding to 1.3% of the samples. CONCLUSION: FACS, which is typically used for segregation of large populations of cells, can be used for single-cell isolation of rare fetal cells in an automated setup. This not only helps in making cell isolation faster and high throughput but also provides fetal cells for a more comprehensive genetic analysis of the fetus.

Humans↗
PubMed2005

Prediction of preterm delivery using changes in serum relaxin in low risk pregnancies.

OBJECTIVE: To examine serum relaxin as a predictor of spontaneous preterm delivery. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective study of 2846 women with singleton pregnancies, from which a matched case-control study (84 cases of spontaneous preterm delivery before 37 weeks gestation and 175 controls) and a cohort (84 preterm and 399 term deliveries) were extracted. RESULTS: In the women with a subsequent preterm delivery the relaxin level decreased by 0.9% per week as compared to 1.9% per week (t-test, p=0.004) in the women with term deliveries. From the cohort the course of S-relaxin during pregnancy in both preterm and term deliveries were fitted and graphed. S-relaxin level was raised in women who were hormonally stimulated to obtain pregnancy (p=0.0001), and lower in women with pre-pregnancy overweight (BMI> or =25, p=0.01) as well as in women, who had previously been pregnant (p=0.008). A longitudinal adjusted model for the prediction of preterm delivery based on the change in S-relaxin was established. CONCLUSIONS: S-relaxin levels decrease less rapidly in women who subsequently deliver preterm; this results in elevated S-relaxin levels in the second and the third trimesters.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Immunoglobulin levels and phagocytes in the cervical mucus plug at term of pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: To characterize the potential for adaptive immune protection in cervical mucus plugs with respect to immunoglobulin isotypes and effector cells (phagocytes). METHODS: Thirty-one cervical mucus plugs were collected from healthy women in labor at term. The cervical mucus plugs were allocated either to analysis of immunoglobulins by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), gel chromatography and Western blotting (n = 20) or to microscopical, including immunocytochemical, analyses. The levels of immunoglobulin in the plugs were compared to the levels in 10 samples of ovulatory cervical mucus from nonpregnant women. RESULTS: In the cervical mucus plugs, levels of immunoglobulin G (IgG) [median 3270 microg/mL (100-14 500)] and IgA [540 (22-2820)], but not IgM [30.5 (1.0-160)], were significantly elevated compared to cervical mucus from nonpregnant women (p < 0.02 for IgG and IgA). The IgG : IgA ratio in the plugs was also elevated (p < 0.02). The proportion of secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA) relative to total IgA in the plugs ranged from 16 to 65% (n = 5). IgA and IgG were largely intact. Microscopically, the vagina-proximal part of the cervical mucus plugs contained bacteria and was rich in cells, mainly phagocytes. Conversely, the uterine part contained few cells. CONCLUSION: The high immunoglobulin levels in combination with the presence of phagocytes suggest a potential for adaptive immune defense in the cervical mucus plug, which, together with innate immune factors, may act as an immunological gatekeeper protecting the fetomaternal unit against infection from the vagina.

Blotting, Western↗
PubMed2005

Biomarkers for the prediction of preterm delivery.

This structured review discusses the current literature on selected biomarkers and their ability to predict preterm delivery (PTD). Among symptomatic women, the likelihood ratio (LR+) for the prediction of PTD was found to be greater than 10 using amniotic fluid (AF) interleukin-6 (IL-6), AF Ureaplasma urealyticum, as well as a multi-marker consisting of cervical IL-6, cervical IL-8, and cervical length (CL). The LR+ was found to be between 5 and 10 for serum C-reactive protein (CRP). An LR+ between 2.5 and 5 was recorded for serum corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), cervical fetal fibronectin (fFN), cervical IL-6, serum relaxin, and a multi-marker consisting of fFN and CL. CL and bacterial vaginosis (BV) both predicted PTD in women with preterm labor with an LR+ of less than 2.5. In asymptomatic women, AF U. urealyticum and a multimarker consisting of five individual markers [fFN, CL, serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), serum alkaline phosphatase, and serum granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF)] predicted PTD with an LR+ greater than 10. The LR+ was between 5 and 10 for serum relaxin and CL. LRs+ recorded for serum alkaline phosphatase, salivary estriol, serum CRH, serum G-CSF, cervical IL-6, AF IL-6, cervical fFN, AFP, and Chlamydia all ranged between 2.5 and 5. Finally, an LR+ below 2.5 has been documented for serum ferritin, serum CRP, BV, and cervical ferritin.

Amniotic Fluid↗
PubMed2005

Preterm delivery predicted by soluble CD163 and CRP in women with symptoms of preterm delivery.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether soluble CD163 (sCD163) and C-reactive protein (CRP) can predict spontaneous preterm delivery in women with symptoms of preterm delivery. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. Setting Labour ward at a tertiary university hospital. POPULATION: Ninety-three women with symptoms of preterm delivery before 34 weeks of gestation. METHODS: sCD163 and CRP were individually examined as predictors of preterm delivery. A model for prediction of preterm delivery was established using exact logistic regression for risk factors individually associated with preterm delivery. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Gestational age at delivery. RESULTS: In women with symptoms of preterm delivery, median sCD163 and CRP levels were significantly higher statistically in women delivering preterm (3.4 mg/L, and 62 nmol/L) compared with the women delivering at term (2.7 mg/L, and <48 nmol/L, Mann-Whitney U test, P < 0.01 and P < 0.001) for sCD163 and CRP, respectively. sCD163 above 5 mg/L was associated with an increased risk of preterm delivery (crude OR = 10, [95% CI 1.3-466], adjusted OR = 27, [0.7-infinity]). CRP above 47 mg/L was associated with an increased risk of preterm delivery (crude OR = 5 [1.8-14], adjusted OR = 5 [1.04-31]). Likelihood ratio of a positive test was 8.6 [2.8-14] and 2.8 [0-6.2] for sCD163 and CRP, respectively. The logistic regression model was able to predict 85% of preterm deliveries with 13% false positive, giving a likelihood ratio of 8 [2.2-13.5]. CONCLUSION: High levels of sCD163 or CRP are associated with an increased risk of preterm delivery in women with symptoms of delivery. Good prediction of preterm delivery before 34 weeks of gestation was obtained by a combination of preterm prelabour rupture of membranes (PPROM), overweight, relaxin, CRP and sCD163.

Antigens, CD↗
PubMed2004

Matrix metalloproteinases and their inhibitors in the cervical mucus plug at term of pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to evaluate the presence of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their inhibitors in the cervical mucus plug obtained during active labor at term. STUDY DESIGN: Cervical mucus plugs from 17 healthy women in normal active labor were homogenized, extracted, and analyzed by 4 different assays. RESULTS: Gelatin zymography revealed large amounts of MMP-2 and MMP-9, and triple-helical collagen degradation demonstrated collagenase activity (MMP-8). Reverse zymography showed that tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1) and TIMP-2 are detectable in the cervical mucus plug. Quantification by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay confirmed the presence of MMP-2, MMP-8, MMP-9, and TIMP-1. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that proteolytic or nonproteolytic effects of MMP and TIMP may play a part in the function of the cervical mucus plug of pregnancy.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

The influence of amphotericin B and neomycin on the effect of human relaxin-2 on foetal membranes and isolated myometrium.

In vitro studies have documented effects of relaxin on utero-placental tissues. Previously unpublished experiments indicate that neomycin and amphotericin B in vitro influences the effect of human relaxin-2 on the strength of human foetal membranes. The aim of the current study was to investigate the interaction between neomycin and amphotericin B and human relaxin-2 using human foetal membranes, human myometrium and rat myometrium. Chloramphenicol, erythromycin and penicillin were also examined. Human foetal membranes were stretched until rupture in a materials-testing machine while the contractility of rat and human myometrium were examined by myography. Human relaxin-2 (hrlx-2, 10(-9) M) induced a decreased strength in human foetal membranes, although this effect of hrlx-2 was inhibited after co-incubation with neomycin and amphotericin B. Hrlx-2 (10(-9) M) in combination with chloramphenicol induced a decreased strength of human foetal membranes. Hrlx-2 (10(-9) M) decreased myometrial contractility on amplitude and frequency in the rat myometrium, but had no effect on baseline tension. After exposure to amphotericin B, hrlx-2 induced a more pronounced decrease in amplitude, increased baseline tension and increased the frequency of contractions of the rat myometrium. Hrlx-2 (10(-9) M) had no effect on the human myometrium. However, after exposure to amphotericin B or neomycin+amphotericin B, hrlx-2 induced an increase in baseline tension and a decrease in amplitude. Amphotericin B and neomycin+amphotericin B increased the frequency of contractions and this effect was further enhanced by the addition of hrlx-2. We therefore conclude that amphotericin B and neomycin + amphotericin B may have an influence on relaxin's effect on isolated foetal membranes and myometrium.

Amphotericin B↗
PubMed2004

Dynamics of Streptococcus agalactiae colonization in women during and after pregnancy and in their infants.

The population dynamics of Streptococcus agalactiae (group B streptococci [GBS]) colonization of the vagina and anorectal area was investigated in a cohort of 77 Danish women during and after their pregnancy by a new sensitive method. The mean carriage rate among individual observations was 36%, and the cumulative carriage rate over the entire observation period was 54%. Examination of more than 1500 GBS isolates by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis demonstrated that the GBS population was remarkably homogeneous and stable in each carrier. Virtually all carriers were colonized by a single GBS clone on all occasions spanning up to 2 years. Repeated detection of the same clone even in women who were recorded as intermittent carriers suggests that the actual carrier rate exceeds 50% but that fluctuations in the GBS proportions of the flora occasionally preclude their detection. Newborns and young infants usually carried the same GBS clone as their mothers. However, only twice were identical clones of GBS detected in different women in contrast to the observed clonal relationships of clinical isolates. These observations strongly suggest differences in the properties and epidemiology of virulent GBS clones compared to clones commonly carried by healthy individuals.

Carrier State↗
PubMed2003

ADAM12: a novel first-trimester maternal serum marker for Down syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: The concentration of bioavailable insulin-like growth factor (IGF) I and II is important to foetal growth. It is regulated by insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBP) 1 through 6. Proteolytic cleavage of IGFBP-3 takes place in human pregnancy serum; accordingly, IGFBP-3 serum levels decrease markedly during pregnancy. ADAM12 (A disintegrin and metalloprotease) is an IGFBP-3 and IGFBP-5 protease and is present in human pregnancy serum. The goal of this study was to determine whether ADAM12 concentration in maternal serum is a useful indicator of foetal health. METHODS: We developed an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the quantification of ADAM12 in serum. The assay range was 42 to 667 micro g/L. Recombinant ADAM12 was used as the standard for calibration. RESULTS: We found that ADAM12 was highly stable in serum. Serum concentration increased from 180 micro g/L at week 8 of pregnancy to 670 micro g/L at 16 weeks, and reached 12 000 micro g/L at term. In 18 first-trimester Down syndrome pregnancies, the concentration of ADAM12 was decreased, thus the median multiple of mean (MoM) value was 0.14 (0.01-0.76). A detection rate for foetal Down syndrome of 82% for a screen-positive rate of 3.2% and a 1:400 risk cut-off was found by Monte Carlo estimation using ADAM12 and maternal age as screening markers. CONCLUSION: ADAM12 is a promising marker for Down syndrome.

ADAM Proteins↗
PubMed2002

Antimicrobial factors in the cervical mucus plug.

OBJECTIVE: The cervical mucus plug is positioned between the microbe-rich vagina and the normally sterile uterine cavity, which suggests a host defense function, but few relevant data are available. We analyzed the composition and antimicrobial activity of cervical mucus plugs. STUDY DESIGN: Cervical mucus plugs were collected from healthy women at delivery. Groups of plugs were randomly selected for electrolyte analysis, antimicrobial activity assays against group B Streptococcus, Escherichia coli, Candida albicans, and assays of known antimicrobial polypeptides. RESULTS: Both intact cervical mucus plugs and their aqueous extracts exhibited antimicrobial activity against aerobic microbes, in the order of potency: group B Streptococcus > E coli > C albicans. Semiquantitative Western blotting of extracts showed that secretory leukoprotease inhibitor, lysozyme, lactoferrin, and neutrophil defensins were present at concentrations that were sufficient for antimicrobial activity. CONCLUSION: The cervical mucus plug is not only a mechanical but also a chemical barrier to infection that ascends from the vagina.

Anti-Infective Agents↗
PubMed2002

S-relaxin as a predictor of preterm delivery in women with symptoms of preterm labour.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether serum relaxin (S-relaxin) can predict spontaneous delivery before 34 weeks of gestation in high risk pregnancies. DESIGN: A prospective cohort study. SETTING: Calculated sample size was reached over a two-year period, during which 9507 women gave birth. Of these, 157 healthy women were eligible for the study as they were admitted with symptoms of delivery before 34 weeks of gestation. Ninety-three women were included. Overall participation rate was 59%. POPULATION: Healthy women with singleton pregnancies with symptoms of delivery before 34 weeks of gestation. METHODS: S-relaxin was measured using a standard sandwich ELISA. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: End points were preterm delivery before 34 weeks of gestation and delivery within three days from initiation of symptoms. The best possible prediction of preterm delivery was established using logistic regression for risk factors individually associated with preterm delivery before 34 weeks of gestation. S-relaxin was dichotomised to obtain best possible fit and then entered into the model. The same analyses were done for delivery within three days. RESULTS: Median S-relaxin levels varied significantly in the women with preterm prelabour rupture of membranes (PPROM) (316 pg/mL), contractions (222 pg/mL) or ripe cervices (203 pg/mL) (P < 0.05). S-relaxin above the 80th centile (> or = 300 pg/mL) was associated with an increased risk of preterm delivery [crude OR = 4.8; (95% CI: 1.9-12)]. Likelihood ratio of a positive test is 2.6 (1.5-4.9) and S-relaxin resulted in a post-test probability of preterm delivery of 0.72, compared with a pre-test probability of 0.49. S-relaxin contributed to the identification of delivery within three days [adj. OR = 11 (95% CI: 1.8-64)]. CONCLUSION: S-relaxin may be a useful predictor in women with symptoms of delivery before 34 weeks of gestation.

Body Mass Index↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Serum 17 beta-estradiol in newborn and neonatal hip instability.

This study evaluates the association between the level of 17 beta-estradiol in the umbilical cord blood and neonatal hip instability (NHI) in a population-based prospective case-control study comprising 2,185 consecutively newborns. beta-Estradiol levels were measured with a standard fluoroimmunoassay kit. Neonatal hip instability was determined by the anterior dynamic ultrasound method. An increased risk of NHI was found after breech malposition and in girls. Levels of beta-estradiol were higher in boys without NHI than in girls. A negative association between beta-estradiol level and parity was found. A significant association between beta-estradiol level and NHI was shown in boys with low serum concentrations. High levels of beta-estradiol tended to be associated with an increased risk of NHI in girls. An association was found between gender, parity, and beta-estradiol level in cord blood. No firm conclusion on the association between NHI and beta-estradiol level can be made; the possible association may be gender-dependent.

Biomarkers↗