PurposeThe authors examined the number of interstitial cells of Cajal-like cells (ICC-LCs) in obstructed ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) in comparison with normal UPJ specimens and age-related changes.Materials and methodsA total of 20 human formalin fixed, paraffin-embedded specimens of intrinsic UPJO from children at the mean age of 8.1 years (age range: 8 months–16.8 years) and 5 control samples from children at the mean age of 2.3 years (range 2.4 months–7.4 years) were investigated immunohistochemically for the expression of c-kit proto-oncogene by light microscopy with computerized image analysis. The results were examined by Fisher’s exact test, Yates’ chi-square test, and t test for Pearson’s correlation coefficient. A P value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsThe number of ICC-LCs-dense fields was significantly higher in UPJO specimens in comparison with the normal group (P = 0.0004). The number of ICC-LCs-sparse fields was significantly lowered in UPJO specimens in comparison with the normal group (P = 0.0122). There was no significant difference in the number of ICC-LCs-medium fields in obstructed and normal UPJ specimens. The number of ICC-LCs was decreasing significantly with increasing age of the patients with UPJO (P = 0.0038).ConclusionsThe higher density of c-kit-positive ICC-LCs in UPJ may manifest the compensation of altered peristalsis in UPJO. The number of ICC-LCs-dense fields decreasing with age may show the failure of compensation and regression of the compensatory changes.

Nordic walking training is a valuable form of rehabilitation for peripheral arterial disease (PAD) patients with intermittent claudication (IC). Nordic walking has been shown to be as efficient as traditional treadmill training. It is however more cost-effective method of rehabilitation in PAD patients.

1. In subjects with IHD and ED, erection quality is significantly correlated with exercise tolerance. 2. Exercise training had a positive effect on both exercise tolerance and erection quality but the size of these two effects was different and they ran independently of each other.

IntroductionDue to the pathogenetic association between erectile disorders and cardiovascular diseases, cardiologists consult many patients with erectile dysfunction (ED). The aim of the study was to evaluate sexual function in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) and the use of sexual knowledge in cardiology practice, both current use and that expected by patients.Material and methodsOne thousand one hundred and thirty-six patients (average age: 60.73 ±9.20) underwent a dedicated survey which encompassed demographic data and the presence of modifiable ED risk factors. The presence of ED was assessed using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) Questionnaire.ResultsSexual problems were discussed by cardiologists with 45 (3.96%) patients. The frequency of initiating the topic was significantly associated with the respondents’ education level (p = 0.0031); however, it was not associated with the patients’ age, duration of CHD, presence of ED, or modifiable risk factors. Four hundred and sixteen (36.62%) respondents indicated that they expect their cardiologist to take an interest in their ED. Nine hundred and twenty-six (81.51%) patients claimed good sexual function to be important or very important to them. Attitude to sexual function was significantly associated with age (p < 0.0001), duration of CHD (p = 0.0018), education (p = 0.0011), presence of ED (p = 0.0041), diabetes (p = 0.0283) and hyperlipidaemia (p = 0.0014).ConclusionsThe low frequency with which cardiologists initiate the topic of ED is in contrast to the expectations of patients with CHD. The majority of these patients regard good sexual maintenance as an important part of their life.

Mean values of all force-velocity parameters and walk distance were significantly higher in the control group than in the peripheral arterial disease group. In the PAD group, in both men and women, the value of the agonist/antagonist ratio of both lower limbs are lower in men and women comparing to the control group. A rehabilitation program for patients with intermittent claudication must consider exercises improving strength, exercise capacity, and endurance in patients with PAD.

PurposeThe authors analysed the distribution of c-kit-positive interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) in obstructed ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) and its age-related changes.MethodsTwenty specimens were obtained from children with intrinsic ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO), at the average age of 8.1 years (8 months–16.8 years), fixed in formalin and embedded in paraffin. Five control samples were taken from children at the average age of 2.3 years (2.4 months–7.4 years). All specimens were analysed by the immunohistochemistry test with light microscopy with respect to c-kit expression. The distribution of c-kit-positive ICCs in the two groups was compared and the correlation between the distribution of c-kit-positive ICCs and the patients’ age in UPJO cases was analysed. The results were examined by Yates’ χ2 test, Mann–Whitney U test, and t test for Pearson’s correlation coefficient. A P value < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.ResultsNo statistically significant differences were found in the distribution of c-kit-positive ICCs between UPJO and the control group. No correlation was established between the age of patients with UPJO and the distribution of c-kit-positive ICCs.ConclusionNo distributional difference found in obstructed and unobstructed UPJ seems to indicate that UPJO is not associated with anomalous distribution of c-kit-positive ICCs. Age-related changes in the expression of c-kit-positive ICCs are equally distributed in obstructed UPJ.

Introduction A typical symptom of chronic lower-limb ischaemia is lower-limb pain, which occurs during walking forcing the patient to stop, intermittent claudication (IC). Exercise rehabilitation is the basic form of treatment for these patients. AimThe aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of three types of physical training programmes conducted over a 12-week period in patients with chronic lower-limb arterial insufficiency. Materials and Methods Ninety-five people qualified for the 3-month supervised motor rehabilitation programme, conducted three times a week. The respondents were assigned to three types of rehabilitation programmes using a pseudo-randomization method: Group I (TW), subjects undertaking treadmill walking training; Group II (NW), subjects undertaking Nordic walking training; Group III (RES+NW), subjects undertaking resistance and Nordic walking training. Treadmill test, 6 Minute Walk Test (6MWT), and isokinetic test were repeated after 3 months of rehabilitation, which 80 people completed. Results Combined training (RES+NW) is more effective than Nordic walking alone and supervised treadmill training alone for improving ankle force-velocity parameters (p<0.05) in patients with intermittent claudication. Each of the proposed exercise rehabilitation programmes increased walking distance of patients with intermittent claudication (p<0.05), especially in 6MWT (p=0.001). Significant relationships of force-velocity parameters are observed in the maximum distance obtained in 6MWT, both in Group III (RES + NW) and in Group II (NW) at the level of moderate and strong correlation strength, which indicates that if the lower limbs are stronger the walking distance achieved in 6MWT is longer. Conclusions Given both the force-velocity parameters and the covered distance, the training RES + NW gives the most beneficial changes compared to training TW alone and NW alone. All types of training increased walking distance, which is an important aspect of the everyday functioning of people with IC.

Cardiac patients with ED know more about risk factors for CVD than ED. It is necessary to include information about the negative impact of modifiable risk factors on sexual health into education programs promoting healthy lifestyles in men with cardiovascular diseases.