Study on the Materials Formed by Self-Assembling Hydrophobic, Aromatic Peptides Dedicated to Be Used for Regenerative Medicine.

The aims of this study were to identify the short aromatic peptides which are able to form highly ordered amyloid-like structures in self-assembling processes, to test the influence of length of hydrophobic peptides on tendency to aggregation, and to check if aggregated peptides fulfill requirements expected for materials useful for scaffolding. All tested hydrophobic peptides were prepared on solid phase by using DMT/NMM/TsO- as a coupling reagent. The progress of aggregation was studied by set of independent tests. All aggregated peptides were found stable under in vitro conditions. All fibrous material formed by self-assembling of peptides does not show any cytotoxic effects on L929 fibroblast cells. Peptides containing tyrosine and tryptophan residues even effectively accelerated the proliferation and stimulated the activity of L929 fibroblasts.

Long-term impact of surgical repair for stress urinary incontinence on female sexual functions, distress and behaviours.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To evaluate sexual functions, distress and behaviours in women who underwent surgical repair of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in long-term follow-up. BACKGROUND: Contemporary management of SUI includes conservative therapy and surgical repair - the choice of treatment modality depends on the severity of symptoms. If conservative treatment fails, surgical correction is necessary. The outcomes of the surgery for SUI and their influence on sexual functions are satisfactory in short-term follow-up. DESIGN: A total of 50 women diagnosed with SUI according to International Continence Society standards were included in the study. The patients were qualified for surgical procedures such as: transobturator suburethral tape (TOT) (n = 35), Perigee (n = 6) or MiniArc (n = 9). METHODS: Sexual functions and behaviours were evaluated prior to the operation and 1-3 years postoperatively in all patient using Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and non-validated questions. RESULTS: The mean time after the operation was 1·96 ± 0·83 years. Postoperatively, all women reported significant reduction of urinary incontinence symptoms. According to DSM-IV criteria, female sexual dysfunctions were diagnosed in 12% of females after the urogenital operation. However, sexual complaints (FSFI scores equal or <26·55 points) without distress were reported by 62% of the patients. The comparison of sexual complaints declared prior to and after the operation showed significant differences in the prevalence of decreased desire, decreased arousal and decreased orgasm frequency. In addition, we documented significant improvement of sexual attractiveness and sexual life evaluation after the SUI operation. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical repair for SUI improves female sexual functions and reduces sexual distress, as observed in a long-term follow-up. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Sexual functions, distress and behaviours in women who underwent surgical repair of SUI; the impact of SUI female quality of life as well as on sexual functions.

[Risk factors of pelvic organ prolapsed in women qualified to reconstructive surgery--the Polish multicenter study]. / Czynniki ryzyka defektów dna miednicy u kobiet zakwalifikowanych do operacji rekonstrukcyjnych--polskie badanie wieloosrodkowe.

AIM OF STUDY: To evaluate the prevalence rate of various pelvic floor disorders among patients treated in 8 academic centers in Poland due to pelvic organ prolapse (POP). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study group consisted of 717 women scheduled for reconstructive surgery due to POP. Risk factors, functional abnormalities along with symptoms affecting quality of life, were assessed by means of disease specific questionnaire. The stage of the disease was assessed after gynecological examination using POP-Q score. RESULTS: The mean age of affected women with POP was 61,25 years (median 61), and mean BMI--27.62 (median--27.29). 80% of women were menopausal. Mean time of symptoms related to disease was 65,6 months; whereas the time relapsed from first doctor diagnosis of POP to hospital admission was 50.6 months. 97.4% affected women were multiparous. Only 1.21% women with POP were nulliparous. Family history of prolapse was found in 13.4% of patients, whereas familial positive history of urinary incontinence was 10%. Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) among the analyzed group were as follows: frequency--almost 50%, urgency 32.2%, feeling of improper voiding -29,6% and voiding difficulty -17.7%. Functional disorders of lower bowel were found in 43% of patients and the most prevalent symptom was constipation (31%), followed by empting difficulty (12%), dyschesia (9%), and urge stool empting (7.7%). Cardiovascular diseases were found among 43% of respondents, whereas pulmonary diseases with chronic coughing were present in 20% of the analyzed population. Subjective POP symptoms reported by women were as follows: feeling of heaviness in lower abdomen--378%, perineal pain--27.8%, lumbosacral pain-34.2%, and abdominal pain--28.4%. Female sexual disorders were reported by 9,8% women and dyspareunia was found in 7.6% of responders. POP was the main reason for sexual abstinence only in 1 out of 10 patients. More than 30% of patients from the study group underwent previously pelvic surgery due to various reasons. POP related quality of life measured by VAS (Visual Analogue Scale) was 61.4 points (median--60). The most common finding during gynecological examination was cystocele--96.5%, followed by rectoenterocele--92.7%, and central defect--79%. Mean POP quantification was stage III in POP-Q scale. LUTS symptoms (urinary incontinence, urgency and voiding difficulties) were present among 81% of patients whereas lower gastrointestinal disorders (constipation, fecal incontinence, dyschesia) were found in 43% of women affected by POP. CONCLUSIONS: Mean delay time from objective POP diagnosis until decision concerning surgical treatment was more than 5 years. The most common risk factors associated with POP were: multiparity with vaginal deliveries, obesity and aging. The most common defect found among patients with POP was cystocele, followed by rectoenterocele and central defect however most patients presented with advanced combined defects.