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It has been reported that female sex hormones influence on allergic inflammation and ventilation parameters in asthma but conclusions drawn by different researchers are divergent. The aim of our study was to assess the impact of progesterone (Pg) and estradiol (E) on the dynamics of allergic inflammation and spirometry test results in regularly menstruating women with stable allergic asthma. 13 women (28 days menstrual cycle), aged 18-45, taking no hormonal contraceptives, with mild and moderate asthma, without reported exacerbations at the near-ovulation and/or menstruation time, were monitored during two consecutive menstrual cycles. They had 4 visits per cycle (the first day of menstruation was assumed to be day 1 of the cycle; visits were carried out on days: 3-4, 10-11, 13-14 and 23-24). At each visit asthma symptoms, asthma control test (ACT) results, asthma treatment, fractioned nitric oxide (FENO) levels, spirometry test results, Pg and E, levels were analyzed. As a result of the study, no essential variability in FENO values and ventilation parameters' values in the course of menstruation cycle were observed. Negative correlation between FENO values and Pg concentrations was demonstrated (r = 0.27), but no correlation between FENO values and E levels was shown. No relationship between the ACT values and ventilation parameters and the levels of the sex hormones under investigation was detected. We conclude that changing levels of estradiol and progesterone (regardless of the negative correlation of progesterone and FENO values) affect neither the dynamics of allergic inflammation nor pulmonary function in women with stable allergic mild/moderate asthma.

Purpose The aim of the study was to determine reference values for placental vascular indices and placental volume according to gestational age. Material/methods The assessment of placental vascular indices and placental volume using 3D Power Doppler and the Virtual Organ Computer-aided Analysis (VOCAL) technique was performed on 100 normal fetuses between 22 and 41 weeks of gestation. In this study the method of the individual setting of the power Doppler gain value was used. Only patients with entirely visualized placenta were included in the study. Results No statistically relevant difference in the values of placental vascular indices and placental volume between different localizations of the placenta was detected. No statistically significant changes to placental vascular indices depending on gestational age were found. It enabled to determine the 10th, 50th and 90th percentile values for the vascularization index (VI), flow index (FI), vascularization-flow index (VFI), which are independent of gestational age. No correlation was found between placental volume and placental vascular indices. Conclusions The values of placental vascular indices are constant between the 22nd and 41st week of a normal pregnancy. Placental volume measured with the use of the VOCAL program increases between 22nd and 41st week of a normal pregnancy. In a normal pregnancy the placental vasculature increases adequately to the increase of its volume. The method of the individual setting of the power Doppler gain value makes it possible to achieve comparable values of placental vascular indices regardless of the distance between the probe and the placenta.

Study Objective The aim of the study was to present the results of a new surgical technique used for the treatment of stage 3 and 4 Pelvic organ prolapse according to the POP-Q scale. Design Group of 36 women has been qualified for the procedure of suspending the cervix to the rectus abdominis (RA) fascia with the insoluble sutures guided through the fascia via the polypropylene mesh placed above the fascia. The effectiveness of the treatment was assessed both: objectively - on the basis of improvement in gynecological examination - and subjectively using the certified questionnaires: PFDI-20 and POP-QL- 12 months after the surgery. Further control is planned 3 and 5 years after the procedure. Setting The study was conducted within the 2nd Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Medical University in Wroclaw, Poland. Patients or Participants 36 women with the initial diagnosis of severe POP (3rd and 4th stage) has been qualified for the study Interventions The surgery was performed either by laparotomy (20) or laparoscopy (16). The insoluble monofilament suture was used to suspend cervix to the fascia of the RA. and additionally reinforced with polypropylene mesh placed above the fascia. The uterine body was either preserved, or in the case of any pathology, the suspension was preceded by supracervical hysterectomy. Measurements and Main Results Preliminary results are promising - 84.6% of objective and subjective improvement. Six women (16.6%) had a relapse and 4 women (11.1%) required reoperation. Conclusion Presented technique seems to be a safe and effective alternative to other POP treatment methods. It is associated with a negligible complications rate. Laparoscopic approach with it's superiority to laparotomy in some patients and a short learning curve, makes it even safer. Increasing the number of treated patients and continuing follow-up 3 and 5 years after the surgery is planned.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the risk factors and clinical symptoms related to the complete separation of the cesarean section (CS) scar in the nonpregnant uterus. DESIGN: Observational study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study group included twenty-five women with a history of low transverse CS in whom a complete separation of the CS scar was diagnosed using saline infusion sonohysterography (SIS) and hysteroscopy (HSC). The diagnosis of complete separation of the CS scar was made when at the site of the scar no myometrial tissue could be visualized. RESULTS: Fifteen women (60%) had a history of one CS, six (24%) had a history of two CSs and four women (16%) of three CSs. No statistically important difference was found between the number of previous CSs and complete separation of the CS scar (p>0.05). The type of the last CS before the diagnosis of the scar separation was as follows: in 8 cases (32%) elective CS, in 17 cases (68%) emergency intrapartal CS (p