The Impact of COVID-19 Related Lockdown on the Prevalence of Spousal Violence Against Women in Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

There is increasing concern about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the lockdown's social and economic consequences on gender-based violence. This study aimed to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on gender-based violence by comparing the prevalence of spousal violence against women before and during the COVID-19 related lockdown periods. This study was conducted in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq using a self-administered online questionnaire survey after the COVID-19 lockdown period in June 2020. Data were collected from a sample of 346 married women about the occurrence, frequency, and forms of spousal violence before and during the lockdown period. Significant increases in violence were observed from the pre-lockdown period to the lockdown period for any violence (32.1% to 38.7%, p = .001), emotional abuse (29.5% to 35.0%, p = .005), and physical violence (12.7% to 17.6%, p = .002). Regarding emotional abuse, humiliation (24.6% to 28.3%, p = .041) and scaring or intimidation (14.2% to 21.4%, p < .001) significantly increased during the lockdown. For physical violence, twisting the arm or pulling hair (9.0% to 13.0%, p = .004) and hitting (5.2% to 9.2%, p = .003) significantly increased during the lockdown. Forcing to have sexual intercourse also significantly increased during lockdown (6.6% to 9.5%., p = .021). The concerned authorities and women's rights organizations should collaborate to enhance the prevention of violence against women. An effective prevention strategy should emphasize recognizing and acknowledging the extent of the problem, raising awareness about the problem and the available resources to address it, and ensuring social and economic stability. Lessons learned about the increased prevalence of spousal violence against women during the COVID-19 pandemic and the need to adopt appropriate strategies to prevent and address it will be valuable for similar future crises.

Prevalence of Reintubation Within 24 Hours of Extubation in Bronchiolitis: Retrospective Cohort Study Using the Virtual Pediatric Systems Database.

OBJECTIVES: High-flow nasal cannula and noninvasive positive pressure ventilation are used to support children following liberation from invasive mechanical ventilation. Evidence comparing extubation failure rates between patients randomized to high-flow nasal cannula and noninvasive positive pressure ventilation is available for adult and neonatal patients; however, similar pediatric trials are lacking. In this study, we employed a quality controlled, multicenter PICU database to test the hypothesis that high-flow nasal cannula is associated with higher prevalence of reintubation within 24 hours among patients with bronchiolitis. DESIGN: Secondary analysis of a prior study utilizing the Virtual Pediatric Systems database. SETTING: One-hundred twenty-four participating PICUs. PATIENTS: Children less than 24 months old with a primary diagnosis of bronchiolitis who were admitted to one of 124 PICUs between January 2009 and September 2015 and received invasive mechanical ventilation. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Among 759 patients, median age was 2.4 months (1.3-5.4 mo), 41.2% were female, 39.7% had greater than or equal to 1 comorbid condition, and 43.7% were Caucasian. Median PICU length of stay was 8.7 days (interquartile range, 5.8-13.7 d) and survival to PICU discharge was 100%. Median duration of intubation was 5.5 days (3.4-9.0 d) prior to initial extubation. High-flow nasal cannula was used following extubation in most (656 [86.5%]) analyzed subjects. The overall prevalence of reintubation within 24 hours was 5.9% (45 children). Extubation to noninvasive positive pressure ventilation was associated with greater prevalence of reintubation than extubation to high-flow nasal cannula (11.7% vs 5.0%; p = 0.016) and, in an a posteriori model that included Pediatric Index of Mortality 2 score and comorbidities, was associated with increased odds of reintubation (odds ratio, 2.43; 1.11-5.34; p = 0.027). CONCLUSIONS: In this secondary analysis of a multicenter database of children with bronchiolitis, extubation to high-flow nasal cannula was associated with a lower prevalence of reintubation within 24 hours compared with noninvasive positive pressure ventilation in both unmatched and propensity-matched analysis. Prospective trials are needed to determine if post-extubation support modality can mitigate the risk of extubation failure.

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, glutathione peroxidase, total glutatione and reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate in milk cells of subclinical mastitic cows.

This study aimed to determine the levels of milk cell total protein (TP), reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH), total glutathione (tGSH), activities of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in subclinical mastitic cows. Milk from each udder was collected and grouped by the California Mastitis Test. Then, a somatic cell count (SCC) was performed, and the groups were re-scored as control (5-87 × 103 cells), 1st group (154-381 × 103 cells), 2nd group (418-851 × 103 cells), 3rd group (914-1958 × 103 cells), and 4th group (2275-8528 × 103 cells). Milk cell TP, NADPH, tGSH levels, G6PD, and GPx activities were assessed. Microbiological diagnosis and aerobic mesophyle general organism (AMG, cfu/g) were also conducted. In mastitic milk, TP, NADPH, and tGSH levels, and G6PD and GPx activities were significantly reduced per cell (in samples of 106 cells). In addition, milk SCC was positively correlated with AMG (r=0.561, p⟨0.001), NADPH (r=0.380, p⟨0.01), TP (r=0.347, p⟨0.01) and G6PD (r=0.540, p⟨0.001). There was also positive correlation between NADPH (r=0.428, p⟨0.01), TP (r=0.638, p⟨0.001) and AMG. NADPH was positively correlated with TP (r=0.239, p⟨0.05), GPx (r=0.265, p⟨0.05) and G6PD (r=0.248, p=0.056). Total protein was positively correlated with tGSH (r=0.354, p⟨0.01) and G6PD (r=0.643, p⟨0.001). There was a negative correlation between tGSH and GPx activity (r=-0.306, p⟨0.05). The microbiological analysis showed the following ratio of pathogens: Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci 66.6%, Streptococcus spp 9.5%, Bacillus spp 9.5%, yeast 4.8%, and mixed infections 9.5%. As a conclusion, when evaluating the enzyme and oxidative stress parameters in milk, it is more suitable to assign values based on cell count rather than ml of milk. The linear correlation between the SCC and AMG, milk cell NADPH, TP and G6PD suggests that these parameters could be used as markers of mastitis.

Endometrial echotexture variables in postpartum cows with subclinical endometritis.

The aim of this study was to evaluate endometrial echotexture changes on ultrasonographic digital images during subclinical endometritis using a computer-assisted image analysis program. Endometrial samples were collected from 140 Brown Swiss cows (days in milk = 35 ± 3) using a cytobrush method and classified as having a non-inflamed uterus (n = 66) and uterus with acute (n = 42), subacute (n = 21), and chronic (n = 11) inflammations. The mean cellular infiltration density was 0%, 31 ± 5%, 37 ± 6%, and 16 ± 8% for cows with non-inflamed uterus and cows with acute, subacute, and chronic uterine inflammations (P < 0.0001). As the cell infiltration density increased, both cervical diameter and mean gray level did not change. There were a liner decrease in homogeneity and a linear increase in contrast in response to increased cellular infiltration density. The sensitivity and specificity were 79.73% and 46.97% for the homogeneity value and 59.46% and 69.70% for the contrast value, respectively. In conclusion, monitoring endometrial echotexture alterations, especially homogeneity and contrast, changed depending on the cellular density and inflammation status and may be potential diagnostic markers for subclinical endometritis in cows.

Endometrial echotexture parameters in Turkish Saanen Goats (Akkeci) during oestrus and early pregnancy.

This experiment was conducted to evaluate endometrial echotexture in oestrus and early pregnancy and its association with ovarian hormones and foetal count in goats. Akkeci goats (Saanen×Kilis crossbreed, n=40) were randomly divided into two groups. Ten does (NAT) were mated on natural oestrus and 30 does (SYN) were subjected to synchronisation-prior to mating. The uterus was scanned on the days of sponge insertion (d -14), sponge removal (d -2) and mating (d 0) as well as 17 (d 17) and 30 (d 30) days after mating. Mean gray level (MGL), homogeneity (HOM) and contrast (CON) values were calculated. Blood samples were collected on days ultrasonography was performed. Data were analyzed by Chi-square, ANOVA, regression tests. HOM value reached the highest level on the mating day and then continuously decreased (P<0.0001). Overall, HOM values were greater for SYN does than for NAT does after mating. CON values were virtually stable during the experimental period. MGL value fluctuated during the breeding period (P<0.03) at a similar fashion in NAT and SYN does. Foetal count was not correlated with plasma hormones and echotexture parameters. Plasma progesterone concentration was correlated with echotexture parameters (r=-0.28 for HOM; r=0.29 for CON; r=0.25 for MGL; P<0.05 for all) during post-mating. In conclusion, echotexture parameters changed during the breeding period, in association with plasma progesterone concentration. Future studies should test if the echotextural changes during embryonic fixation days can be used as a marker for early detection of pregnancy in does.

Vaginal cytology after induction of ovulation in the queen: comparison of postoestrus and dioestrus.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the vaginal cytology of ovulating and non-ovulating queens. PROCEDURE: The study group comprised 15 queens showing behavioural oestrus. Ovulation was induced in 7 (dioestrus group) and 8 were left untreated (postoestrus group). Vaginal smears were collected from all animals prior to ovariohysterectomy on day 7. Epithelial cells were classified as basal-parabasal, intermediate, superficial, or anucleated superficial cells and counted using computer-assisted image analysis. From each smear, 50 representative vaginal epithelial cells were chosen. Digital images of cells were taken and cell area, cytoplasm area, nucleus area, cell diameter, cell perimeter, nucleus/cytoplasm ratio and red-green-blue (RGB) values were measured using image analysis software. Measurement data were compared between groups. RESULTS: Ovulation induction was successful in all animals. The swabbing procedure in oestrus did not induce ovulation in any postoestrus queens. Mean duration of oestrus was 6.65 ± 0.44 and 4.71 ± 0.32 days (P > 0.05) in the postoestrus and dioestrus queens, respectively. Intermediate cell count averaged 21.43% in dioestrus cats and 10.76% in postoestrus cats (P < 0.05). Epithelial cells in the postoestrus group had higher cell area, cytoplasm area, cell diameter and cell perimeter measurements (P < 0.01). Red (90.9 ± 1.6), green (76.1 ± 1.3) and blue (83.6 ± 1.4) channel values in postoestrus were higher than the values (81.3 ± 0.8, 65.8 ± 0.9 and 74.0 ± 0.7, respectively) in dioestrus (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Induction of ovulation in oestrus queens results in a significant increase in the number of intermediate cells and a significant decrease in both the dimensions and RGB values of vaginal epithelial cells on day 7.

Peri-infarct blood-brain barrier dysfunction facilitates induction of spreading depolarization associated with epileptiform discharges.

Recent studies showed that spreading depolarizations (SDs) occurs abundantly in patients following ischemic stroke and experimental evidence suggests that SDs recruit tissue at risk into necrosis. We hypothesized that BBB opening with consequent alterations of the extracellular electrolyte composition and extravasation of albumin facilitates generation of SDs since albumin mediates an astrocyte transcriptional response with consequent disturbance of potassium and glutamate homeostasis. Here we show extravasation of Evans blue-albumin complex into the hippocampus following cortical photothrombotic stroke in the neighboring neocortex. Using extracellular field potential recordings and exposure to serum electrolytes we observed spontaneous SDs in 80% of hippocampal slices obtained from rats 24 h after cortical photothrombosis. Hippocampal exposure to albumin for 24 h through intraventricular application together with serum electrolytes lowered the threshold for the induction of SDs in most slices irrespective of the pathway of stimulation. Exposing acute slices from naive animals to albumin led also to a reduced SD threshold. In albumin-exposed slices the onset of SDs was usually associated with larger stimulus-induced accumulation of extracellular potassium, and preceded by epileptiform activity, which was also observed during the recovery phase of SDs. Application of ifenprodil (3 µM), an NMDA-receptor type 2 B antagonist, blocked stimulus dependent epileptiform discharges and generation of SDs in slices from animals treated with albumin in-vivo. We suggest that BBB opening facilitates the induction of peri-infarct SDs through impaired homeostasis of K+.

Vincristine modulates the expression of Ki67 and apoptosis in naturally occurring canine transmissible venereal tumor (TVT).

We investigated eight adult dogs that were brought to veterinary clinics with a history of transmissible venereal tumors (TVT). Our goal was to demonstrate the occurrence of apoptosis and the cessation of cell proliferation at every phase of scheduled chemotherapy for naturally occurring TVT. Tissue samples were collected immediately after weekly treatments with vincristine sulfate and processed for histological purposes. Sections 5 µm thick were stained by the TUNEL reaction for apoptosis and immunostained for Ki67 as a proliferation marker. We observed that after vincristine applications, tumor cell proliferation ceased and apoptosis increased. Ki67 HSCORE values were significantly lowered after the first and second treatments with the chemotherapeutic agent compared to controls, whereas TUNEL HSCORE values were significantly higher after two applications of vincristine compared to controls. Our results suggest that scheduled vincristine sulfate applications stabilize the induction of tumor regression by inducing apoptosis and preventing cell proliferation.