ObjectiveMuscles such as adductor magnus (AM), gluteus maximus (GM), rectus abdominis (RA), and abdominal external and internal oblique muscles are considered to play an important role in the treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI), and the relationship between contraction of these muscles and pelvic floor muscles (PFM) has been established in previous studies. Synergistic muscle activation intensifies a woman’s ability to contract the PFM. In some cases, even for continent women, it is not possible to fully contract their PFM without involving the synergistic muscles. The primary aim of this study was to assess the surface electromyographic activity of synergistic muscles to PFM (SPFM) during resting and functional PFM activation in postmenopausal women with and without SUI.Materials and methodsThis study was a preliminary, prospective, cross-sectional observational study and included volunteers and patients who visited the Department and Clinic of Urology, University Hospital in Wroclaw, Poland. Forty-two patients participated in the study and were screened for eligibility criteria. Thirty participants satisfied the criteria and were categorized into two groups: women with SUI (n=16) and continent women (n=14). The bioelectrical activity of PFM and SPFM (AM, RA, GM) was recorded with a surface electromyographic instrument in a standing position during resting and functional PFM activity.ResultsBioelectrical activity of RA was significantly higher in the incontinent group than in the continent group. These results concern the RA activity during resting and functional PFM activity. The results for other muscles showed no significant difference in bioelectrical activity between groups.ConclusionIn women with SUI, during the isolated activation of PFM, an increased synergistic activity of RA muscle was observed; however, this activity was not observed in asymptomatic women. This may indicate the important accessory contribution of these muscles in the mechanism of continence.

These results strongly suggest new vessel formation from recruited endothelial precursors as being involved mainly at the early stages of tumor progression.

Maternal endothelial dysfunction is one of the main features of pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH). It is generally accepted that circulating endothelial cells (CECs) and endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) reflect the state of the endothelium, its injury and/or repair possibilities. The objective of this study was to determine whether the CECs and EPCs numbers in the circulation of women with PIH reflect the presence of this pathology. Peripheral blood cells of PIH and normotensive pregnant women were labeled with specific monoclonal antibodies. For CECs evaluation, samples were labeled with anti-CD31 and anti-CD45 antibodies; for EPCs with anti-VEGFR2/KDR and anti-CD34 antibodies. Cells were quantified by flow cytometry. The levels of both CECs (CD31+, CD45−) and EPCs (CD34+, VEGFR2/KDR+) in the peripheral blood of women with PIH were significantly lower compared with those of control pregnant women with normal blood pressure level. Lowered accessibility of maternal CECs and EPCs may diminish general regenerative potential of the patient endothelia, contributing to PIH symptoms and to the risk of subsequent coronary and arterial disease.

Introduction. Family planning methods let one make an informed decision about having children at the right time. People have been trying to adopt the right family planning methods for centuries, mainly through using various contraceptives. These used to be very diverse over the time, yet the goal remained the same – preventing pregnancy. Aim. Assessment of the factors affecting the knowledge and prevalence of contraceptive methods, as well as the factors affecting sexual behavior of adolescents/young adults. Material and methods. 219 individuals (111 women and 108 men) between 17-21 years of age, attending secondary schools, participated in this voluntary and anonymous study. A survey questionnaire prepared by the authors was used as a study tool. Statistical analysis of the data obtained was performed using the SPSS 17.0 software. Results. 81% of the adolescents/young adults stated that their knowledge of contraception is sufficient for them to be in charge of their own sexual lives, whilst some 9% mentioned that they lacked such knowledge, 85% of the young people studied stated that they were interested in contraception. The main sources of knowledge about contraception are the Internet (35%) and peers (22%). The survey showed that 59% of the individuals correctly answered the question regarding the length of a woman’s menstrual cycle, 77% correctly defined the first day of the cycle, and 49% correctly determined the time of ovulation. The studied group of people had difficulties determining menstrual cycle phases; 23% considered them as fixed, 27% – that they are variable, and 29% gave the correct answer. The surveyed people thought that contraceptive method effectiveness (43%), availability (33%) and ease of administration (17%) are most important when choosing the method. Condoms are the most common (72%) contraceptive method among the surveyed people while hormonal contraceptives and interrupted intercourse are poorly known (12% and 11%, respectively). The respondents deemed the hormonal method (50%), and intrauterine contraceptive methods (21%) and condoms (21%) the most effective modes of contraception. They thought that interrupted intercourse (53%) and natural birth control methods (34%) are the least effective. The age at which most of the respondents started their sexual life ranged between 16 and 18; with the age of 16 being the most common (24.2%). Some 40% of the surveyed called their sexual intercourse occasional. Conclusions. Adolescents consider both the Internet and their peers the primary source of information about sexuality, family planning or birth control methods. The average age of the first sexual experiences has been gradually decreasing and the condom remains to be the most common method of contraception for adolescents/young adults. The knowledge concerning family is insufficient and frequently inaccurate. Education in the fields of sexuality, contraceptive and family planning methods should be included in primary school curriculum.

The increased number of trophoblast cells in maternal peripheral blood and higher levels of sVCAM-1 correlate with the presence of PIH. The differences of sVCAM levels were significantly higher than those observed for sICAM. The results indicate an association between circulating trophoblasts and vascular endothelium activation, during PIH.