Background: Nowadays, Pelvic Floor Muscle Training (PFMT) is a first line, level 1 evidence-based treatment for urinary incontinence (UI), but adherence to PFMT is often problematic. Today, there are several mobile applications (mApps) for PFMT, but many lack specific strategies for enhancing adherence. Aims: To review available mApps for improvement of adherence to PFMT, and to introduce a new App so called iPelvis.Methods: Review study all available mApps for PFMT and relevant literature regarding adherence by electronic search through the databases Pubmed, Embase, CINAHL, LILACS, PEDro, and Scielo. Based on these results, development of a mApp, called "iPelvis" for Apple™ and Android™ systems, implementing relevant strategies to improve adherence. Results: Based on the current adherence literature we were able to identify 12 variables helping to create the optimal mApp for PFMT. None of the identified 61 mApps found for Android™ and 16 for Apple™ has all these 12 variables. iPelvis mApp and websites were constructed taking into consideration those 12 variables and its construct is now being subject to ongoing validation studies. Conclusion: MApps for PFMT are an essential part of first-line, efficient interventions of UI and have potentials to improve adherence, in case these respect the principles of PFMT, motor learning and adherence to PFMT. iPelvis has been constructed respecting all essential variables related to adherence to PFMT and may enhance the effects of UI treatment. K E Y W O R D S adherence, internet, mobile phone application, pelvic floor dysfunction, pelvic floor muscle training, pelvic physiotherapy, urinary incontinence
The injection of bulking agents into the urethral submucosa is designed to create artificial urethral cushions that can improve urethral coaptation and hence restore continence. Ideally, a urethral bulking agent should be non-immunogenic and biocompatible, leading to minimal inflammatory and fibrotic response. The authors present a case report of a granulomatous reaction leading to urethral prolapse, 3 months after the transurethral injection of calcium hydroxylapatite. To our knowledge, this is the first granulomatous reaction described after calcium hydroxylapatite injection.
Polypropylene slings are monofilament and multifilament meshes. Their features can impact clinical outcomes. We analyzed tissue reaction, inflammation, and the density of collagen fibers elicited by polypropylene meshes in the subcutaneous tissue of female rats. Thirty female Wistar rats underwent the implantation of 8x4-mm polypropylene meshes (two monofilamentar and two multifilamentar). The rats were killed at 7, 60, and 120 days after implant. Stereology was used to analyze the collagen fiber density. Acute inflammation was more intense in the early post-implant period (p=0.006), except for intravaginal slingplasty (p=0.342). Lymphoplasmocytic reaction was more intense in multifilament samples, even after 60 days (p<0.001) and 120 days (p=0.001). The stereological analysis showed significant differences between mono- and multifilament meshes, considering that monofilament meshes induced more collagen deposition and a greater density of collagen fibers (p<0.001). Multifilament meshes produced a more granulomatous reaction. The collagen fiber density was greater in monofilament meshes, which induced more favorable biocompatibility assessed objectively.
To quantify, through stereological and morphometric analysis, spermatogenesis in rats undergoing the natural aging process. Methods: Seventy-two male Wistar rats were divided into 6 equal groups according to age at the time of killing: 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 months. All the rats were subjected orchiectomy and collection of testicular parenchymal fragments for histological and morphometric analysis. The numerical density of spermatids was calculated using a stereological study, and morphometric analysis was conducted to measure the height of the germinal epithelium and the area of the seminiferous tubules. Results: We found that the 18 and 24 months groups showed a significant reduction in the number of round spermatids. However, the height of the germinal epithelium was not significantly different between the groups. The area of seminiferous tubules was also significantly reduced in the elderly rats compared to that in the young ones. Conclusion: Aging of rats showed a significant reduction in the number of round spermatids and the area of the seminiferous tubules, more pronounced in the rats at 18 and 24 months of life.
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