Pelvic organ prolapse: does the postoperative course of mesh-repair surgery differ in elderly women when compared with younger patients?

Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a common disease in elderly women. Among a wide range of possibilities in POP surgery, the use of partially absorbable meshes appears to be very promising. The problem concerning POP therapy in elderly patients has not yet been not sufficiently investigated. We enrolled 64 patients with POP stages 3 and 4. All patients underwent mesh-repair surgery and afterwards were stratified into two age groups. Data obtained from anamnesis, pelvic organ prolapse quantification (POP-Q) scale, dynamic MRI and prolapse quality of life (P-QoL) questionnaire were analysed and compared between both age groups. A total of 64 patients completed the study protocol. Outcome of the surgery was promising and comparable between both age groups. One recurrence of prolapse and one mesh erosion was reported. P-QoL showed a good overall satisfaction. Our data show that the surgical correction of POP with use of polypropylene mesh in elderly women appears to be a successful method with an acceptable morbidity, adverse events rate and high satisfaction of the patients.

The scent glands of the male south american locust Schistocerca cancellata, an electron microscope study.

The male South American locust, Schistocerca cancellata, emits a strong aromatic scent at the time of maturation. This aroma is characteristic of mature adult males living in crowded conditions. In isolated males and in females it is perceptible but faint, while nymphs emit no scent at all. Since dermal glands are numerous in the mature adult but much rarer in nymphs, young imagos and females, it seems likely that the scent is associated with these glands. The scent seems to be a maturation-pheromone, stored and released by these dermal glands. Each gland consists of a gland cell and a duct cell (type 3 gland in the classification of Noirot and Quennedey, (1974)). Each gland cell has a single end-apparatus consisting of an oblong cavity limited by the projecting tips of densely packed microvilli. A duct, dilated to form three successive bulbosities at its distal end, opens in the cavity from which it conveys the secretion to the outside. A network of fibrillar material anchors the duct to the cavity. Reproductive synchrony, beneficial in social insects, seems to be achieved in locusts by the aromatic pheromone released by the glands at the time of maturation.

Presence of intranuclear inclusions in the principal cells of the epididymis of the garden dormouse Eliomys quercinus L.

Globular inclusions are present in the nuclei of the columnar epithelial cells lining the ductus epididymidis in the garden dormouse, Eliomys quercinus L. Such inclusions have been reported in the dog where they are very abundant, in the stallion and in man. They have been found to be absent from sheep, cat, rabbit, guinea pig, rat and mouse. We have now found them in the garden dormouse, an ascrotal hibernator, but have been unable to detect them in another hibernator, the thirteen-lined ground squirrel Citellus tridecemlineatus, this time a scrotal mammal. The globular inclusions are first seen in the perinuclear space formed by the two membranes of the nuclear envelope; they are then invested by the inner membrane of the nuclear envelope and transferred into the nucleus. They later disintegrate and the vacuole is finally left with an electron-transparent content. The number of inclusions varies with the hormonal status of the animal: the granules are always present as soon as there is a rise in plasma testosterone. Electron energy-loss spectroscopy in the electron microscope (EELS) shows that inclusions contain C, N, O, Fe, Mg, P and S. This suggests that the intranuclear granules are made of protein cross-linked by disulphur bonds and contain iron, magnesium and phosphorus.

[Differences in health status of students from vocational education schools in the Katowice province]. / Zróznicowanie stanu zdrowia mlodziezy szkól zawodowych woj. katowickiego.

Based on secondary statistical data, an analysis was made of health condition of vocational schools students remaining under medical care of industrial physicians in the Katowice province. Twenty-six thousand students schooled in 1985/86 and 1986/87 were examined. Six groups of schools were distinguished: mechanical, chemical, metallurgical, building and food processing. It was observed that 59% of students from the Katowice province vocational schools were healthy, 23% showed certain health disorders, and 18% remained under special observation. In the particular kinds of vocational schools percentage of students who did not need continual medical care varied between 47% in mechanical schools and 68% in building schools. The greatest number of students with health problems was found in mechanical schools (28%) and the smallest (17%)--in building and food processing schools.

[Cholesterol level as related to physical constitution and lifestyle of vocational school students]. / Stezenie cholesterolu a konstytucja fizyczna i tryb zycia ucniów szkól zawodowych.

In a group of 153 vocational school students aged between 16 to 19 years, somatic tests and determinations of selected hemodynamic parameters (total cholesterol together with HDL fraction, physical efficiency) (Ruffier-Dickson test and the classic "step-test") were carried out. At a detailed interview it was attempted to establish the lifestyle of the tested students and also their parents state of health. J.P. Guilford's interpretation was applied to these factors.

Counseling the abortion patient: a pastoral perspective.

PIP: Unplanned pregnancies are common among women in every congregation. Ministers have an opportunity to offer pastoral abortion counseling to those who wish it that is different from secular problem pregnancy counseling. The minister can offer a value context and facilitate a deep investigation of the decision making process in a personal way. Concrete information regarding abortion procedures, situational factors important in problem pregnancy decisions, and emotions associated with problem pregnancies are discussed under the headings "healing," "guiding," and "reconciling."^ieng

American values and contraceptive acceptance.

A number of individual personality factors and social norms may be associated with reproductive confusion and/or irresponsibility. More specifically, the values underlying common American social norms may contribute to ineffective birth planning in the following ways: 1) The traditional roles of women in our society seem to encourage parenthood. The rule has been early marriage, closely spaced children, and few alternate sources of satisfaction or self-esteem. 2) Our culture strongly encourages family life. Children are a symbol of normalcy. 3) The importance of sexual enjoyment per se often conflicts with contraceptive use. Conversely, innocence is also valued and also contributes to unprotected sexual activity. 4) Religious reasons or adherence to concepts of natural law are almost always given by people opposed to contraception. 5) Health is important to Americans, and birth control methods negatively affect health in real and imagined ways. Social norms, though changing, remain essentially congruent with former contraceptive technology and former ideologies, customs, and dreams.

[Backache in adept teen-agers in occupations producing spinal strain--morbidity, predisposition]. / Bóle krzyza u mlodocianych adeptów do zawodów wywolujacych przeciazenie kregoslupa--zachorowalnosc, predyspozycje.

In total 1,149 pupils of the III class of the mechanical, metallurgical, building, power engineering and chemical vocational schools were examined. Backache was diagnosed in 50 cases while the same ailment in parents or siblings were diagnosed in 148 cases, i.e. 17.2%. Percentage of persons with congenital spine disorders (low intervertebral disc, narrow spinal channel, segmentation disorders spondylolysis, and asymmetry of intervertebral joints) was estimated as 30%. Such disorders predispose to backache. A risk of backache in the group under study was estimated however as 50% of pupils preparing for professions producing significant overload to the spine. Possibilities and difficulties of the proper classifications of candidates to such vocations are discussed.