Electromyographic activity of the pelvic floor muscles in the third trimester: comparison between primigravidae and secundigravidae.

OBJECTIVE: The objective was to compare the electromyographic activity of pelvic floor muscle (PFM) on third semester between primigravidae and secundigravidae who had previous vaginal delivery. DESIGN: Cross-sectional observational study. SAMPLE: Nineteen primigravidae and 21 secundigravidae between 34'h and 361 gestational weeks were evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data collection consisted in assessing the PFMs activity by surface electromyography. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The variables related to electromyographic assessment such peak and average on the rest, maximal voluntary contraction, and sustained contraction. RESULTS: There were no differences on electromyographic activity of PFMs between primigravidae and secondigravidae. However, a significant increase in body mass index and a negative correlation of the newborn weight with the peak value of electromyographic signal during maximal voluntary contraction were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The factors that can change the electromyographic activity pattern during pregnancy can be related to maternal body mass increased and newborn weight.

Efficient entry inhibition of human and nonhuman primate immunodeficiency virus by cell surface-expressed gp41-derived peptides.

Membrane-anchored C-peptides (for example, maC46) derived from human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) envelope glycoprotein gp41 effectively inhibit HIV-1 entry in cell lines and primary human CD4+ cells in vitro. Here we evaluated this gene therapy approach in animal models of AIDS. We adapted the HIV gp41-derived maC46 vector construct for use in rhesus monkeys. Simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV and SHIV) sequence-adapted maC46 peptides, and the original HIV-1-derived maC46 expressed on the surface of established cell lines blocked entry of HIV-1, SIVmac251 and SHIV89.6P. Furthermore, primary rhesus monkey CD4+ T cells expressing HIV sequence-based maC46 peptides were also protected from SIV entry. Depletion of CD8+ T cells from PBMCs enhanced the yield of maC46-transduced CD4+ T cells. Supplementation with interleukin-2 (IL-2) increased transduction efficiency, whereas IL-7 and/or IL-15 provided no additional benefit. Phenotypic analysis showed that maC46-transduced and expanded cells were predominantly central memory CD4+ T cells that expressed low levels of CCR5 and slightly elevated levels of CD62L, beta7-integrin and CXCR4. These findings show that maC46-based cell surface-expressed peptides can efficiently inhibit primate immunodeficiency virus infection, and therefore serve as the basis for evaluation of this gene therapy approach in an animal model for AIDS.

Combination of fractionated irradiation with nicotinamide and carbogen in R1H-tumours of the rat and its pulmonary metastases.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The combination of radiotherapy with nicotinamide and carbogen is a promising method to improve treatment outcome. The aim of the present study was to investigate its effect on rat lungs, the R1H-tumour and its pulmonary metastases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Subcutaneous tumours and artificially induced pulmonary metastases of the rhabdomyosarcoma R1H of the rat were treated either with fractionated irradiation alone or in combination with nicotinamide and carbogen. Local metastatic control, net growth delay and lethal lung damage were used as endpoints. RESULTS: Radiosensitivity of the lungs of WAG/Rij rats increased by a factor of 1.13, while no positive effect of the combined treatment either on subcutaneous R1H-tumours or on pulmonary metastases could be detected. This resulted in a therapeutic loss of 18% (P = 0.003). CONCLUSION: The results indicate that deleterious effects of the combination of radiotherapy with nicotinamide and carbogen cannot be excluded under all circumstances.

[The anatomical-functional characteristics of the pelvic floor and quality of life of women with stress urinary incontinence subjected to perineal exercises]. / Las características anatomofuncionales del suelo pélvico y la calidad de vida de mujeres con incontinencia urinaria de esfuerzo sometidas a ejercicios perineales.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of exercise in anatomic abnormalities of the pelvic floor (SP) and the quality of life (QOL) of women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI). METHOD: An experimental study with 50 women with SUI, distributed randomly into two groups, experimental (GE, 49.24±7.37 years) and control group (CG; 45.25±5.60 years). The groups performed ultrasound evaluation of the SP, evidence of pelvic floor muscle strength by palpation bidigital, surface EMG motor activity and replied to the CV before and after treatment. The GE had 16 sessions of pelvic floor exercises twice a week for 30min. RESULTS: Comparison between the GE and GC revealed significant differences in favor of GE, namely: mobility of the bladder neck (Δ=-0.79mm, p=0.00), thickness of pelvic floor muscle (Δ=-0.04mm, p=0.00), EMG (Δ=0.05.V, p=0.00), muscle strength by the AFA (Δ=0.05 level, p=0.00), DOMI1 (Δ%=5.67%, p=0.00), DOMI2 (Δ%=18.00%, p=0.00), DOMI3 (Δ%=18.22%, p=0.00), DOMI4 (Δ%=4.45%, p=0.00), DOMI5 (Δ%=0.22%, p=0.00), DOMI6 (Δ%=2.00%, p=0.00), DOMI7 (Δ%=3.78%, p=0, 00), DOMI8 (Δ%=6.33%, p=0.00), DOMI9 (Δ%=4.03%, p=0.00). CONCLUSION: It was modified and improved anatomic features of the pelvic floor of women from GE through perineal exercises, which will positively influence the CV of these women.