BackgroundIn the last few years, the study of microparticles (MPs) - submicron vesicles released from cells upon activation or apoptosis - has gained growing interest in the field of inflammation and in infectious diseases. Their role in the human malaria parasite Plasmodium vivax remains unexplored. Because acute vivax malaria has been related to pro-inflammatory responses, the main hypothesis investigated in this study was that Plasmodium vivax infection is associated with elevated levels of circulating MPs, which may play a role during acute disease in non-immune patients.MethodsPlasma MPs were analysed among thirty-seven uncomplicated P. vivax infections from an area of unstable malaria transmission in the Brazilian Amazon. The MP phenotype was analysed by flow cytometry using the classical MP marker, annexin, and fluorochrome-labeled monoclonal antibodies against specific cell surface markers. The frequencies of plasma MPs in P. vivax patients (n = 37) were further compared to malaria-unexposed controls (n = 15) and ovarian carcinoma patients (n = 12), a known MPs-inducing disease non-related to malaria.ResultsThe frequencies of plasma circulating MPs were markedly increased in P. vivax patients, as compared to healthy age-matched malaria-unexposed controls. Although platelets, erythrocytes and leukocytes were the main cellular sources of MPs during vivax malaria, platelet derived-MPs (PMPs) increased in a linear fashion with the presence of fever at the time of blood collection (β = 0.06, p < 0.0001) and length of acute symptoms (β = 0.36, p < 0.0001). Finally, the results suggest that plasma levels of PMPs diminish as patient experience more episodes of clinical malaria (β = 0.07, p < 0.003).ConclusionsAbundant circulating MPs are present during acute P. vivax infection, and platelet derived-MPs may play a role on the acute inflammatory symptoms of malaria vivax.

Pelvic floor muscle (PFM) strength measurement provides useful information for the study of pelvic floor dysfunctions. Vaginal digital palpation, intravaginal pressure measurements, and the use of a dynamometric speculum represent currently available clinical methods for evaluating PFM strength. However, none of these methods provide a dynamic measurement of pelvic floor strength in multiple directions simultaneously. The aim of the present paper is to report the development and first measurement trial of a device that follows the vaginal canal morphology and is able to measure pelvic floor strength multidirectionally.

Age may influence the uniaxial mechanical behavior of the human female bladder.

HMB had significant repercussions in the social, medical and economic aspects of women. The impact on the QoL was associated with the hematimetric parameters.

The Brazilian Portuguese version of the WS is a reliable, consistent, and valid instrument.

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| This review aimed to assess the capabilities and effectiveness of pelvic floor rehabilitation in the treatment of genital prolapse and urinary incontinence. The research was conducted in MEDLINE/PubMed, LILACS/ SciELO and Cochrane Library. There were found 886 articles, of which were used 34 relevant clinical trials that answered the questions constructed by the authors. The studies analyzed showed that pelvic floor training can be used in prolapse treatment, but further randomized studies are necessary to support this evidence. For urinary incontinence pelvic floor, rehabilitation is effective and should be the treatment of first choice.Keywords | rehabilitation; pelvic floor; women; prolapse; urinary incontinence. RESUMO | Esta revisão teve como objetivo analisar os recursos e sua eficácia na reabilitação do assoalho pélvi-co no tratamento dos prolapsos genitais e incontinência urinária. ser usado no tratamento dos prolapsos, porém são necessários mais estudos randomizados para sustentar essa evidência. Para a incontinência urinária a reabilitação do assoalho pélvico é eficiente e deve ser o tratamento de primeira escolha.Descritores | reabilitação; diafragma da pelve; mulheres; prolapso; incontinência urinária. RESUMEN | Esta revisión tiene como objetivo analizar los recursos y su eficacia en la rehabilitación del suelo pélvico en el tratamiento de los prolapsos genitales y la incontinencia urinaria. Las búsquedas fueron realizadas en las bases de datos Medline/Pubmed, LILACS/SciELO y Cochrane. Fueron encontrados 886 artículos, de los cuales fueron utilizados 34 estudios clínicos relevantes y que respondían las preguntas construidas por los autores. Los estudios analizados mostraron que el entrenamiento del suelo pélvico puede ser usado en el tratamiento de los prolapsos, sin embargo, son necesarios más estudios randomizados para sustentar esta evidencia. Para la incontinencia urinaria la rehabilitación del suelo pélvico es eficiente y debe ser el tratamiento de primera opción.Palabras clave | rehabilitación; suelo pélvico; mujeres; prolapso; incontinencia urinaria. 91Silva Filho et al. Pelvic floor: prolapse and urinary incontinence

The value of the 24-h pad test established by the ICS was not valid for the investigated sample. Environmental conditions, menopausal status, and use of hormone therapy can interfere with the values of the pad test.