Immunohistochemical expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α in stromal cells of vaginal tissue in post-menopausal women with pelvic organ prolapse.

Background & Objectives: Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a common medical condition that affects adult women of different ages. The support of a normal pelvic floor is the result of complex interactions between ligaments, muscles, connective tissue and vaginal walls. Hypoxia and oxidative stress can reduce protein synthesis in the pelvic muscles that may contribute to muscular atrophy.

The value of ultrasound measurement of cervical length and parity in prediction of cesarean section risk in term premature rupture of membranes and unfavorable cervix.

Aim: To evaluate the influence of cervical length (CL) and parity as prediction factors for assessment of cesarean section (CS) risk in women with premature rupture of membranes (PROM) at term and unfavorable cervix, undergoing induction of labor (IOL) with dinoprostone intracervical gel.

Methods: A prospective study involved 50 nulliparous and 51 multiparous women admitted for IOL. Pre-induction CL was measured and delivery outcomes were recorded.

Is there difference in perinatal outcome of singleton and twin pregnancies after assisted conception: two-year experience.

The aim of the study was to compare perinatal outcome of singleton and twin pregnancies conceived after assisted reproductive technologies (ART). This retrospective study included singleton and twin pregnancies conceived after ART in the period from January 1, 2007 until December 31, 2008. The study variables were maternal age (years), parity, body mass index (BMI; kg/m2), week (< or =36 (6/7) and > or = 37) and mode of delivery (vaginal and cesarean section), birth weight (grams) and APGAR score (< or = 7; 8-10).

Estrogen replacement therapy improves pulmonary function in postmenopausal women with genital prolapse.

Objective: This study examined the impact of estrogen replacement therapy with spirometry on pulmonary function in surgically castrated (salpingo-oophorectomy) postmenopausal women with genital prolapse.

Methods: The study included 60 postmenopausal women with pelvic organ prolapse. The study received institutional Ethics Committee approval, and all subjects signed an informed consent.

Uterine artery embolization as nonsurgical treatment of uterine myomas.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate safety, efficacy or complications of uterine artery embolization (UAE). Patients with symptomatic uterine fibroids (n = 157) were treated by selective bilateral UAE using 350-500 μm sized polyvinyl alcohol particles. Bilateral UAE was successful in 152 (96.

Difference in expression of collagen type I and matrix metalloproteinase-1 in uterosacral ligaments of women with and without pelvic organ prolapse.

Objective: To compare the expression of collagen type I and matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) in uterosacral ligament biopsies from women with and without pelvic organ prolapse (POP).

Study Design: Uterosacral ligament biopsies were obtained from women with POP (n=46) and control subjects (n=49). Immunohistochemistry for collagen type I and MMP-1 was performed on formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded sections.

Increased expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1 in uterosacral ligament tissue from women with pelvic organ prolapse.

Mechanical stability of the urogenital tract depends on intact collagen fibers. Because of difficulties in quantitating collagen, some authors have investigated collagen breakdown by measuring matrix metalloproteinases expression. We biopsied 68 post-menopausal women during operation to evaluate matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) expression in uterosacral ligament biopsies from women with pelvic organ prolapse (POP) (n = 34) and controls with normal pelvic support (n = 34).

Matrix metalloproteinases-1, -2 expression in uterosacral ligaments from women with pelvic organ prolapse.

Objective: This study investigated matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) immunohistochemical expression in uterosacral ligament biopsies from women with pelvic organ prolapse (POP), and controls with normal pelvic support.

Design: Prospective observational experimental study.

Setting: A tertiary Urogynecology Unit and Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Split, Croatia.

Anthropological and clinical characteristics in adolescent women with dysmenorrhea.

The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of dysmenorrhea in female adolescents and the influence of anthropological characteristics and lifestyle factors on menstrual pain. Two hundred and ninety seven girls from several elementary and secondary schools were interviewed about the presence of the menstrual pain, their age, height and weight, menarcheal age, menstrual cycles quality, smoking and sexual activity. There were 164 (55%) subjects with and one hundred and thirty three (45%) without dysmenorrhea.