Showing papers by "Roberto Romero published in 1997"
TL;DR: The hypothesis that inflammatory cytokines released during the course of intrauterine infection play a role in the genesis of brain white matter lesions is supported.
717 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors found that infants who develop bronchopulmonary dysplasia have higher amniotic fluid concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines than those who do not develop it.
444 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors investigated the relationship between the local expression of cytokines and periventricular leukomalacia, a common neonatal brain white matter lesion, and determined whether high expression of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, and interleuxin-6 was observed in these lesions.
346 citations
TL;DR: Evidence is provided that infection is an important factor in the pathogenesis of these conditions, preterm parturition should be considered as a syndrome with multiple causes.
323 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a study was conducted to determine whether ascending intrauterine infection could cause brain white matter lesions in the fetal rabbit, which is a major risk factor for cerebral palsy.
269 citations
TL;DR: Human endocervix, endometrium, and chorion express defensin 5 at the level of transcription, suggesting that a previously unrecognized mechanism of protecting female reproductive tissues against infection by means of a natural antimicrobial system (defensins) may be present.
116 citations
TL;DR: The placenta is a highly selective barrier against the hematogenous dissemination of infectious agents, but despite the presence of seemingly intact physical and immunologic barriers, infections nonetheless occur.
Abstract: PROBLEM: The placenta is a highly selective barrier against the hematogenous dissemination of infectious agents Despite the presence of seemingly intact physical and immunologic barriers, infections nonetheless occur These observations prompted the examination of placental tissue, amnion, and chorion for previously unrecognized protective mechanisms METHOD OF STUDY: Messenger RNA from term placenta, amnion, and chorion were reverse transcribed using a 3' RACE adapter 3' rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE)-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was conducted on cDNA from these tissues to detect the presence of human defensins Southern analysis and partial sequence analysis were subsequently performed to confirm identity RESULTS: PCR amplification of placental, amnion, and chorion cDNA yielded a 468-bp product and a weakly detectable band of 300 bp Southern analysis demonstrated two corresponding hybridizing bands in the placenta, amnion, and chorion but not from a negative cDNA control Partial sequence analysis of the 468-bp product from placenta confirmed the presence of either defensin 1 or 3 in human placenta CONCLUSIONS: The human placenta, amnion, and chorion express defensins at the level of transcription These findings suggest that a novel and previously unrecognized mechanism of protecting the fetus against infection may be present within these tissues
61 citations
TL;DR: The anticytokine agents IL-1ra and sTNFR-Fc did not prevent preterm delivery or prolong pregnancy in endotoxin-induced preterm labor in mice.
Abstract: Objective
To determine whether the administration of anticytokine agents, the interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) and a soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor Fc fusion protein (sTNFR-Fc), prevents endotoxin-induced preterm delivery in mice.
53 citations
Journal Article•
Journal Article•