Folic acid - influence on male fertility, spermatogenesis, sperm DNA fragmentation and subsequent growth of the embryo and fetus

Introduction: Men's infertility is a multifactorial disorder. According to scientific literature, among men with reduced fertility, growing interest in folic acid is observed. This review describes the effect of folic acid on spermatogenesis, sperm concentration, sperm DNA fragmentation and the growth of the embryo and fetus. Material and methods: The work was based on the articles published in PubMed, medical books and websites. Results: Folic acid affects the trajectory of embryo growth in pregnancy conceived spontaneously, there is a negative correlation between the concentration of folic acid in the semen and the indicator of sperm DNA fragmentation and sperm concentration are statistically higher in folic acid supplements. Conclusions: The results suggest that the father's exposure to folic acid before conception may affect the health of his offspring, and therefore care before conception should be changed from an approach focused on a woman to a couple-based approach

TOT and TVT as surgical methods of treatment of stress urinary incontinence in women - meta-analysis

Introduction: Urinary incontinence can affect up to 50% of women in the world. The most common is stress incontinence, which consists in involuntary, uncontrolled urination when the pressure in the abdominal cavity increases. Among the most commonly used methods of treating stress urinary incontinence there are treatments using a synthetic tape - TOT and TVT. In this work, both methods were compared in terms of e.g. their effectiveness, the presence of complications, the safety of both procedures and the method of performing both procedures. Material and methods: The work was based on the articles published in PubMed, medical books and websites. Results: Both TOT and TVT in the treatment of stress urinary incontinence are highly effective. Both short-term and long-term treatment results of both methods are very good and very similar. In the case of TOT, the subjective cure <1 year is 62-98%, where with TVT - 71-97%. Subjective long-term cure (>5 years) was 43-92% with TOT and 51-88% with TVT. The incidence of complications after TOT is significantly lower, but there is a higher probability of having to perform a repeat procedure to treat stress urinary incontinence. TVT has a lower risk of reoperation in >5 years (1.1%) but has a higher risk of chronic perineal pain. Conclusions: The placement of a tension-free TVT or TOT tape should be the surgery of choice for women with simple stress urinary incontinence. However, there is a higher risk of chronic perineal pain 12 months after having a tape placed behind the symphysis. The technique of passing the tapes through the obturator holes is associated with a lower risk of bladder injury and less discomfort during bladder emptying compared to the TVT technique. After TOT surgery both pain in the inner thighs and inguinal area and vaginal damage are more common than after TVT

Anxiety disorders pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods of therapy

Introduction and purpose: Anxiety disorders are a heterogeneous cluster of common mental health disorders typically characterized by hyperarousal, excessive fear and worry. Unfortunately, a large portion of the world's population does not have access to traditional mental health care, this is influenced by the paucity of available psychiatric services, particularly in many low- and middle-income countries. This article will discuss how patients suffering from depression or anxiety disorders turn to non-pharmacological and unconventional interventions such as exercise, yoga, meditation, aromatherapy or music therapy. The aim of study: The purpose of this literature review was to assemble and analyse the available data about anxiety disorders. Material and method: Standard criteria were used to review the literature data. The search of articles in Pubmed database was carried out using following keywords: Anxiety disorders; depression; mental illness; alternative treatment methods. Description of the State of Knowledge: Pathologically increased anxiety is found not only in anxiety disorders per se, but also in most other types of mental illness. The first-line methods are pharmacotherapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Of particular interest is the use of physical activity and exercise in the treatment of anxiety disorders. This treatment is inexpensive and has few undesired effects. Exercises such as yoga, meditation, tai chi or qi gong are becoming more and more popular. Summary: Anxiety disorders can now be treated effectively. Current research focuses on individualized forms. We hope that even more effective methods of therapy will be developed than those currently available. Keywords: Anxiety disorders; depression; mental illness; alternative treatment methods