Tubal factor infertility occurs in 30–35% of infertile pairs and may be caused by impaired muscular contractility and ciliary beating as well as immunological imbalance and chronic inflammation. Newly discovered telocytes (TCs) have a wide palette of features, which play a role in oviduct physiology. We have observed tissue samples from human fallopian tubes in patients with and without uterine myoma by immunolabelling. According to the immunohistochemical co-expression of markers, it has been determined that TCs are engaged in a wide range of physiological processes, including local innervation, sensitivity to hypoxia, regulation of calcium, and sex steroid hormones balances. Due to the proximity of NOS- and ChAT-positive nerve fibers and the expression of ion channels markers, tubal TCs might be considered conductor cells. Additionally, their integration in contractions and cilia physiology in the context of fertility has been revealed. We have observed the difference in telocytes expression in the human oviduct between groups of patients and attempted to describe this population of cells specifically in the case of infertility development, a clinically relevant avenue for further studies.

Oxygen balance is crucial for angiogenesis, immunity, and tissue repair. The human oviduct is essential for reproductive function, and any imbalance in homeostasis leads to fertility disturbances and might be a reason for ectopic pregnancy development. Uterine myoma is a widespread benign tumour, which is often accompanied by infertility. Telocytes have been discussed in the contexts of motility, fibrosis development, and angiogenesis. We observed the oviducts from patients with and without uterine myoma, comparing the expression of HIF-1, HO, VEGF and its receptor, NOS, oestrogen, and progesterone receptors by immunolabeling. The myometrial and oviductal telocytes were also compared in both groups. Biochemical analyses were conducted for FSH, LH, AMH, sFlt, oestrogen, and progesterone in blood samples. Patients with uterine myoma have different expressions of sex steroid receptors and an increased number of telocytes. The decreasing VEFG expression was compensated by the rise in the HIF-1 and NOS expression. Blood biochemical analyses revealed a higher progesterone level and lower AMH in patients with uterine myoma. No differences in sFlt, FSH, and LF were observed. Uterine myoma impacts oviduct oxygen homeostasis and might cause fertility disturbances (uterine and oviductal infertility factors).

Background/Objectives: To investigate the utility of transperineal ultrasound in detecting stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and identify optimal anatomical and functional parameters. Methods: Thirty-four women presenting with SUI with or without pelvic organ prolapse between 2012 and 2016 were studied. The control group included patients without SUI who underwent surgery for mild gynecologic disorders or pelvic organ prolapse. The relationship between selected ultrasound parameters and SUI was determined. Results: Among the 20 variables measured in ultrasonography using 4 angles and the bladder–symphysis distance (BSD) values, we found that the difference in the BSD obtained at rest and during the Valsalva maneuver (odds ratio [OR]: 1.15, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.05–1.27, p = 0.004), the mean urethral diameter (UD; OR: 4.29, 95% CI: 2.07–8.83, p = 0.0001), and the occurrence of the funneling sign during the Valsalva maneuver (OR: 21; 95% CI: 6.1–71.9, p < 0.0001) were associated with urinary incontinence in the logistic regression analysis. The optimal cut-off point for BSD was >8 mm (area under the curve (AUC), 0.71; sensitivity, 91.2%; specificity, 56.8%; p = 0.001) and that for UD was >6 mm (AUC, 0.84; sensitivity, 82.1%; specificity, 73%; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Transperineal ultrasonography is a useful tool for detecting SUI. Our findings highlighted the utility of several sonographic parameters, mainly the urethral diameter, in the diagnosis of urinary incontinence.

Background: Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is the most fatal gynaecological malignancy treated with cytoreductive surgery followed by adjuvant taxane-platinum-based chemotherapy. It has been shown that the pretreatment systemic inflammatory reaction (SIR) in women with OC can be evaluated using the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (MLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and systemic inflammatory index (SII), depending on the stage of disease, and has prognostic value for overall survival. The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes in NLR, LMR, PLR and SII during chemotherapy. Methods: A total of 107 women with EOC (23 with type I and 84 with type II tumours) were included in a retrospective single-centre analysis. The Kologomorov−Smirnoff, Kruskal-Wallis or Friedman analysis of variance tests were used for data analysis, and a p value of 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A significant decrease in NLR, PLR and SII but not LMR was observed during adjuvant treatment. Pretreatment NLR, PLR and SII were dependent on disease stage and tumour grade; however, this association was lost during therapy. Additionally, strong and positive mutual correlations between NLR, LMR, PLR and SII were sustained during the whole course of chemotherapy. Conclusions: During first-line adjuvant chemotherapy in women with EOC, a decrease in SIR is confirmed.

Background: (1) Endometrial cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting women, with a growing incidence. To better understand the different behaviors associated with endometrial cancer, it is necessary to understand the changes that occur at a molecular level. CD133 is one of the factors that regulate tumor progression, which is primarily known as the transmembrane glycoprotein associated with tumor progression or cancer stem cells. The aim of our study was to assess the impact of subcellular CD133 expression on the clinical course of endometrial cancer. (2) Methods: CD133 expression in the plasma membrane, nucleus, and cytoplasm was assessed by immunohistochemical staining in a group of 64 patients with endometrial cancer representing FIGO I-IV stages, grades 1–3 and accounting for tumor angioinvasion. (3) Results: Nuclear localization of CD133 expression was increased in FIGO IB-IV stages compared to FIGO IA. Furthermore, CD133 expression in the nucleus and plasma membrane is positively and negatively associated with a higher grade of endometrial cancer and angioinvasion, respectively. (4) Conclusions: Our findings suggest that positive nuclear CD133 expression in the tumor may be related to a less favorable prognosis of endometrial carcinoma patients and has emerged as a useful biomarker of a high-risk group.