Pelvic floor muscle training: mechanisms of action for the improvement of genitourinary syndrome of menopause.

Objective: This study aims to investigate the mechanism of action of pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) for the improvement of the signs and symptoms of genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) in postmenopausal women with GSM and urinary incontinence (UI).Methods: Twenty-nine women were included in the secondary analysis of a single-arm feasibility study. Using color Doppler ultrasound, the peak systolic velocity, time-averaged maximum velocity, and pulsatility index of the internal pudendal and dorsal clitoral arteries were measured at rest and after a pelvic floor muscle (PFM) contraction task. PFM function was assessed by dynamometry, and vulvovaginal tissue elasticity was measured using the Vaginal Atrophy Index.Results: PFMT significantly improved blood flow parameters in both arteries (p < 0.05) and significantly increased the speed of PFM relaxation after a contraction (p = 0.003). After the intervention, a marginally significant decrease in PFM tone was observed, as well as an increase in PFM strength (p = 0.060 and p = 0.051, respectively). Finally, improvements in skin elasticity and introitus width were observed as measured by the Vaginal Atrophy Index (p < 0.007).Conclusion: Our findings suggest that PFMT improves blood flow in vulvovaginal tissues, PFM relaxation capacity, and vulvovaginal tissue elasticity in postmenopausal women with GSM and UI.

Comparative evaluation of microleakage among three different glass ionomer types.

OBJECTIVES: This study compared the microleakage and adaptation of Class V cavity preparations restored with three types of glass-ionomer materials as a function of time. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A total of 144 sound, freshly-extracted human premolars were used for the study. One clinician prepared all the teeth for Class V-type cavities on the buccal surface of each tooth. The preparations measured 3 mm long, 2 mm wide and 1.5 mm deep, with the gingival margin in dentin and the occlusal margin in enamel. All the prepared teeth were randomly divided into three groups of 48 teeth, according to the type of glass-ionomer material used: Group (A): Ketac N100 glass ionomer, Group (B): Vitremer glass ionomer and Group (C): Photac Fil Quick glass ionomer. The restorative materials were used according to their manufacturers' recommendations. The teeth were placed in one increment and photocured for 40 seconds. All of the restored teeth were then stored in artificial saliva. Each group was subdivided into three subgroups according to the testing periods (7, 30, 60 days). Next, they were thermocycled at 5°C­55°C for 100 cycles. The teeth used for the dye penetration test were immersed in 1%methylene blue solution for eight hours. They were then sectioned longitudinally in a bucco-lingual direction. The extent of dye penetration at the occlusal and gingival margins of each restoration was studied under a stereomicroscope at 25× magnification. Randomly selected samples from each group were prepared for scanning electron microscopic evaluation. Dye penetration scores were analyzed using the SAS program, cross tabulation and Chi square test. RESULTS: The difference among the three groups was significant after immersion for 30 days at the occlusal margin. Statistical analysis also revealed significant differences between group (A) and the other groups at the occlusal margin after immersion for 60 days (p<0.05). At the gingival margin, statistical analysis revealed significant differences between group (C) and the other groups at the gingival margin after immersion for 60 days (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The light-curing nanofilled glass ionomer (Ketac N100) showed the least microleakage.

Preliminary screening of some Egyptian weeds for antimicrobial activity.

Eleven Egyptian weeds collected from the Menoufeya district were screened for phytochemical compounds effective against several representatives of bacteria and yeasts. It was found that Soxhlet benzene extracts, especially those of Capsella bursa-pastoris (L.) Medik., were the most effective. Alkaloids and flavonoids of Capsella gave the highest antibiotic potencies and had the broadest antimicrobial spectra. It is suggested that these alkaloids might consist of yohimbine and ergocristine and the flavonoids included the flavone diosmin.

Proteins and acids from petroleum.

The wax distillate fraction (boiling range 300 up to 400 degrees C) from the crude oil "El-Alameen" was found to be a good substrate for the biosynthesis of proteins and/or amino acids by bacteria under special culture conditions. The fermentation processes were accompanied by a refining effect to the oil fraction, elevating its refraction index and lowering its melting point, giving dewaxing effect to the oil fraction.

Effect of antibiotics, non-ionic detergents, and vitamins on the osmotic barriers of Micrococcus glutamicus.

The production of amino acids by the mutant strain, homoserine methionine deficient, of Micrococcus glutamicus, was studied through the elucidation of the role of chemical agent affecting the osmotic barriers. Penicillin was found to affect the cell wall integrity and to increase greatly the total amino acid content, especially in presence of high biotin content. Non-ionic detergents were found to affect the integrity of cytoplasmic membrane. The effect was not similar with the different types of detergents and not proportional to the increase of its concentration.