Torn Between the Real Me and the Social Me: Educated Women’s Perspectives of Surviving Marital Abuse

The perspectives of educated women on surviving abusive marital relationships have not been adequately explored, thus implying a gap in the literature regarding the role of education in enhancing or mitigating the prevalence of intimate partner violence (IPV). In this context, the question is how do educated women perceive surviving abusive relationships? Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), using flexible semi-structured face-to-face interviews, was conducted to understand the experiences of eight highly educated women (master’s, Ph.D.) in abusive marriage. Four superordinate interrelated themes were developed: (a) developing an awareness of self-respect generating role confusion, (b) being torn between traditions and ambitions, (c) normalizing abuse as part of marriage, and (d) challenging abuse by self-promotion. Like other survivors of abuse, educated women tried to justify, blame themselves, work harder to please the perpetrator, and promote themselves; finally, they continued to live their lives by embracing abuse to bring peace and save their marriage. The effect of sociocultural context on educated women’s perspectives seems to play a crucial role in women’s decisions to stay in abusive relationships, despite the assumptions of empowerment and independence

Beta-endorphin levels in both painful and painless diabetic peripheral neuropathy and its relations to pain characters and severity

Introduction. In the peripheral nervous system (PNS), beta-endorphins produce analgesia by binding to opioid receptors (particularly of the mu subtype) at both preand post-synaptic nerve terminals, primarily exerting their effect through presynaptic binding. Aim was to study serum beta-endorphin levels in diabetic patients with and without diabetic peripheral neuropathy and its relations to characters and severity of pain in patients with painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Material and methods. The study was a case control study including 88 participants; 73 diabetics and 15 age and sex matched healthy subjects. For all subjects, levels of HbA1c, serum creatinine, total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL and LDL as well as serum levels of beta-endorphin were measured. Pain severity was detected by using visual analogue pain scale. Results. Serum beta-endorphin shows no significant difference between diabetic neuropathic, diabetic non neuropathic and control groups (p = 0.275). Serum beta-endorphin shows negative correlation with age (p = 0.049) and HbA1c (p = 0.048). While it was not correlated with pain severity (p = 0.371), NDS: total score (p = 0.803), BMI (p = 0.801), serum creatinine (p = 0.074) or DM duration (p = 0.607). Serum beta-endorphin shows no significant difference between painful and painless neuropathy subgroups (p = 0.701). Conclusion. In our study serum beta-endorphin levels showed no significant difference between patients with painless diabetic peripheral neuropathy and those with painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy with different characters of pain. Also, serum beta-endorphin levels was not correlated with pain severity

Determinants and predictors of Occupational Burnout syndrome among Residents Physicians

Background: The burnout syndrome has 3 dimensions; first is emotional exhaustion, second one is depersonalization, and third  is  low personal accomplishment. Work related burnout is increased nowadays and it becomes a serious problem affecting people who working in human services, particularly healthcare workers. This study aimed to: Determine the frequency of burnout syndrome and related factors among Salahaddin resident physicians. Subject and Method: A cross-sectional study , done from 11th of November 2021 to 15th of March 2022. A convenient sample of 100 resident and permanent doctors, working in Salahdin Public hospitals. Inclusion criteria were current residents doctor who had at least one year in a residency program. Data collected using interview questionnaire form based on the Maslach Burnout Inventory.  Results: The 100 resident doctor information analyzed and found that 56(56%) , 44(44%)  were male and  female respectively. High frequency of the resident aged 26-30 years 68(68%), 75(75%) of them living in Salahdin, junior residents represent 52(52%) and 48(48%) were permanent resident. The high scores of occupational exhaustion was reported among 41(41%). The high scores of depersonalization / loss of empathy was reported among 42(42%). The low scores of personal accomplishment assessment scores was reported among 64(64%). Females 21(47.7%) had more occupational exhaustion than male doctors 20(35.7%). high score of depersonalization / loss of empathy reported among 22(39.3%) of the male and 20(45.5%) of the females. Conclusion: burnout frequency was high among Iraqi residents with high scores of occupational exhaustion, and depersonalization/ loss of empathy, and high percentage of low scores of personal accomplishment assessment

Dietary supplementation of quercetin nanoparticles enhances the growth performance hematological and immunological responses and resistance to Aeromonas hydrophila infection in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) exposed to silver nanoparticles toxicity

The wide incorporation of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in aquaculture could result in releasing of these particles into the environment with environmental impacts and health hazards. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the impacts of the dietary supplementation of quercetin nanoparticles (QNPs) on Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) growth, antioxidants, and immunity besides its susceptibility to the infection with Aeromonas hydrophila with or without the aqueous exposure to AgNPs. First, the 96-h LC50 value for AgNPs in O. niloticus wa estimated to be 19.81 mg/L (the 1/10th of the 96 h LC50 of AgNPs = 1.98 mg/L). Then a total of 240 Nile tilapias (40.00 ± 0.45 g) were randomly distributed into 4 groups (each group contains 60 fish in 3 replicates of 20 fish). The 1st group (control) was fed on a basal diet without QNPs and AgNPs. The 2nd group (QNPs) received the basal diet supplemented with QNPs (400 mg/kg), the 3rd group (AgNPs) was exposed to 1/10th 96-h LC50 of AgNPs (1.98 mg/L) and fed on QNPs free diet, while the 4th group (AgNPs+ QNPs) was exposed to AgNPs (1.98 mg/L) and cosupplemented with QNPs (400 mg/kg). Besides, AgNPs resulted in marked elevation in the serum myeloperoxidase (MPO) 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) contents, and declines in lysozyme activity and the levels of nitric oxide (NO) and immunoglobulins (IgM and IgG) in the exposed fish (AgNPs group). These effects were accompanied with significant downregulation in the relative mRNA expressions of SOD, CAT, and GSH and upregulation in the expressions of INF-γ, TNF-α, and Il-1β. Feeding QNPs-enriched diet, alone or combined with AgNPs exposure, conversed most of these effects and restored some to the control levels. AgNPs exposure increased mortalities, lowered survival rates and altered Nile tilapia’s resistance to A. hydrophila infection in the AgNPs exposed fish, whereas co-supplementation with QNPs enhanced their resistance with less mortalities. In summary, the reported immunomodulation, and protective properties of QNPs dietary supplementation, strengthen its applicability as an effective and promising feed supplement to alleviate the AgNPs associated toxicity in fish

Immunosuppressive Effects of Thallium Toxicity in Nile Tilapia Fingerlings: Elucidating the Rescue Role of Astragalus membranaceus Polysaccharides

This study evaluated the immunotoxic effects of thallium (Tl) in Nile tilapia fingerlings and the recovery role of dietary Astragalus membranaceus polysaccharides (ASs). An 8-week experiment was designed where 180 fishes were randomly and equally assigned in triplicates into the six groups: the control group (CNT) was reared in unpolluted water and fed a commercial diet, two groups were fed a well-balanced commercial diet plus 1.5 and 3.0 g AS/kg diet (AS0.15 and AS0.30), respectively, the fourth group was exposed to a sublethal dose of Tl (41.9 μg l−1) [equal to 1/10 of 96-h lethal concentration 50 (LC50)], and the last two groups were fed 0.15 and 0.3% AS, respectively, and concurrently exposed to Tl (41.9 μg l−1) (AS0.15+Tl and AS0.30+Tl). Fish hematobiochemical parameters, serum immunity [nitric oxide, total immunoglobulin M (IgM) levels, and lysozyme activity], transcription of hepatic interferon-g (IFN-g), interleukin-1b (IL-1b), and tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a), and resistance to Aeromonas hydrophila (A. hydrophila) were assessed. Hematobiochemical parameters and serum immune indices were significantly decreased in the fish group exposed to sublethal Tl concentration compared to the CNT group. Furthermore, Tl exposure significantly induced overexpression of IL-1b, TNF-a, and IFN-g genes (4.22-, 5.45-, and 4.57-fold higher, respectively) compared to CNT values. Tl exposure also increased the cumulative mortality (%) in Nile tilapia challenged with A. hydrophila. Remarkably, the groups fed AS0.15+Tl and AS0.30+Tl significantly ameliorated all the aforementioned parameters, but did not reach CNT values. Our findings suggest the possible immunomodulating roles of dietary AS in recovering the immunotoxic effects of Tl in Nile tilapia. We can conclude that dietary AS would be useful for maintaining the immunity of Nile tilapia fingerlings

Stężenia beta-endorfin w bólowej i bezbólowej postaci obwodowej neuropatii cukrzycowej oraz ich zależność od nasilenia i charakteru bólu

Wstęp. Działanie przeciwbólowe beta-endorfin w obwodowym układzie nerwowym występuje w następstwie ich wiązania się z receptorami opioidowymi, głównie typu mu, obecnymi w przed- i postsynaptycznych zakończeniach nerwowych. Efekt ten ma miejsce przede wszystkim na poziomie presynaptycznym. Celem badania była analiza stężeń beta-endorfin w surowicy chorych na cukrzycę, w grupie bez neuropatii lub z neuropatią cukrzycową, oraz ich korelacji z rodzajem oraz nasileniem bólu u chorych cierpiących na postać bólową obwodowej neuropatii cukrzycowej. Materiał i metody. Do badania kliniczno-kontrolnego zakwalifikowano 88 osób, w tym 73 chorych na cukrzycę oraz 15 osób zdrowych, dobranych pod względem płci i wieku. U wszystkich oznaczono stężenia HbA1c, kreatyniny w surowicy, cholesterolu całkowitego, triglicerydów, cholesterolu frakcji HDL i LDL oraz beta-endorfin. Nasilenie bólu oceniano przy użyciu skali analogowo-wzrokowej. Wyniki. Nie stwierdzono istotnych różnic pod względem stężeń beta-endorfin w surowicy pomiędzy grupą chorych na cukrzycę z neuropatią, chorych bez neuropatii oraz grupą kontrolną (p = 0,275). Odnotowano natomiast odwrotnie proporcjonalną zależność pomiędzy stężeniem beta-endorfin w surowicy a wiekiem badanych (p = 0,049) oraz stężeniem HbA1c (p = 0,048). Nie wykazano korelacji z nasileniem bólu (p = 0,371), całkowitą wartością wskaźnika NDS (p = 0,803), wartością BMI (p = 0,801), stężeniem kreatyniny w surowicy (p = 0,074) ani czasem trwania cukrzycy (p = 0,607). Stężenia beta-endorfin w surowicy nie korelowały w istotny sposób z występowaniem neuropatii cukrzycowej o charakterze bólowym ani bezbólowym (p = 0,701). Wnioski. Niniejsze badanie nie wykazało istotnej różnicy stężeń beta-endorfin między grupą chorych z obwodową neuropatią cukrzycową o charakterze bezbólowym i grupą chorych mających dolegliwości bólowe o różnym charakterze. Stężenie beta-endorfin w surowicy nie korelowało także z nasileniem bólu

Modulatory effect of thymol on the immune response and susceptibility to Aeromonas hydrophila infection in Nile tilapia fish exposed to zinc oxide nanoparticles

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) have many exciting properties that make their use in a continuous increase in various biomedical, industrial, and agricultural applications. This is associated with accumulation in the aquatic ecosystems and fish exposure with consequent deleterious effects. To determine the potential of thymol to counteract the immunotoxic effects of ZnO-NPs, Oreochromis niloticus was exposed to ZnO-NPs (⅕ LC50 =1.14 mg/L, for 28 days) with or without feeding a thymol-incorporated diet (1 or 2 g/kg diet). Our data demonstrated a reduction of aquaria water quality, leukopenia, and lymphopenia with a decrease in serum total protein, albumin, and globulin levels in exposed fish. At the same time, the stress indices (cortisol and glucose) were elevated in response to ZnO-NPs exposure. The exposed fish also revealed a decline in serum immunoglobulins, nitric oxide, and the activities of lysozyme and myeloperoxidase, in addition to reduced resistance to the Aeromonas hydrophila challenge. The RT-PCR analysis showed downregulation of antioxidant (SOD) superoxide dismutase and (CAT) catalase gene expression in the liver tissue with overexpression of the immune-related genes (TNF-α and IL-1β). Importantly, we found that thymol markedly protected against ZnO-NPs-induced immunotoxicity in fish co-supplemented with thymol (1 or 2 g/kg diet) in a dose-dependent manner. Our data confirm the immunoprotective and antibacterial effects of thymol in ZnO-NPs exposed fish, supporting the potential utility of thymol as a possible immunostimulant agent

Dietary Supplementation of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) With Panax ginseng Essential Oil: Positive Impact on Animal Health and Productive Performance, and Mitigating Effects on Atrazine-Induced Toxicity

The present study assessed the impact of Panax ginseng essential oil (GEO) supplementation on physiological parameters related to productive performance and health status in Nile tilapia reared under standard conditions and exposed to a sub-lethal atrazine (ATZ) concentration. Fish were allocated into 6 groups: the control group was reared in clean water and fed with a commercial basal diet (CNT), two groups were fed with the basal diet supplemented with two different levels of GEO (GEO1 and GEO2, respectively), one group was intoxicated with 1/5 of ATZ 96-h lethal concentration 50 (1.39 mg/L) (ATZ group), and the remaining two groups were fed with the GEO-supplemented diets and concurrently exposed to 1.39 mg ATZ/L (GEO1+ATZ and GEO2+ATZ, respectively). The experiment lasted for 60 days. GEO supplementation exerted a significantly positive influence on fish growth, feed utilization, and hepatic antioxidant defense systems at both levels of supplementation. ATZ exposure significantly reduced fish survival rates and impaired fish growth and feed utilization, with the lowest final weights, weight gain, total feed intake, and the highest feed conversion ratio being recorded in the ATZ-intoxicated group. ATZ exposure caused significant changes in intestinal digestive enzyme activity (decreased lipase activity), hematological indices (decreased hemoglobin, packed cell volume, erythrocytes, and leukocytes), blood biochemical variables (decreased total proteins, albumin, globulins, and immunoglobulin M; increased total cholesterol, triglycerides, and cortisol), and hepatic oxidative/antioxidant indices (decreased glutathione level, superoxide dismutase and catalase enzyme activity and mRNA expression levels, and increased malondialdehyde content). Moreover, in the hepatic tissue of ATZ-intoxicated Nile tilapia, histopathological alterations and upregulated mRNA expression levels of stress- and apoptosis-related genes (Hsp70, caspase 3, and p53) were observed. GEO supplementation in ATZ-treated groups significantly attenuated the aforementioned negative effects, though some parameters did not reach the CNT values. These findings provide further and partly new evidence that sub-lethal ATZ toxicity induces reduced survivability, growth retardation, impaired digestive function, anemia, immunosuppression, hepatic oxidative stress damage, and overall increased stress level in Nile tilapia, and suggest that GEO supplementation may be useful for mitigating this toxicity and provide more general support to the productive performance and health status of this fish species

Effect of Quercetin Nanoparticles on Hepatic and Intestinal Enzymes and Stress-Related Genes in Nile Tilapia Fish Exposed to Silver Nanoparticles

The current study investigated the potential mitigative effect of quercetin nanoparticles (QNPs) against silver nanoparticle-induced toxicity in Nile tilapia. Fish were grouped into the control, fish exposed to 1.98 mg L–1 silver nanoparticle (AgNPs), fish that received 400 mg L–1 24 QNPs, and fish that received both QNPs and AgNPs at the same concentrations for 60 days. The moisture and ash contents of the AgNP group were significantly higher than those of the other groups. In contrast, the crude lipid and protein were decreased in the whole body. AgNPs significantly increased serum levels of ALT, AST, total cholesterol, and triglycerides and decreased glycogen and growth hormone. The activities of antioxidants were significantly inhibited, and the levels of oxidative damage were increased in the liver of the AgNP group. AgNPs upregulated the expression of hepatic HSP70, caspase3, and p53 genes. AgNPs inhibited intestinal enzyme activities, increased intestinal bacterial, and Aeromonas counts, and increased Ag residues in the liver. These findings indicate the oxidative and hepatoxic effects of AgNPs. QNPs enhanced and restored physiological parameters and health status under normal conditions and after exposure to AgNPs

Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) Suppress Fertility by Activating Autophagy, Apoptosis, and Oxidative Stress in the Developing Oocytes of Female Zebrafish

In vertebrates, the core mechanisms that control gametogenesis are largely multiple, complex, successive, and orchestrated by intrinsic and extrinsic factors. However, age, health status, and hormonal activity are important factors for good fertility; other intangible intracellular molecular mechanisms that manage oocyte development are still unclear. The present study was designed to elucidate the ultrastructure changes in the ovary in response to its exposure to zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) and to explore the role of autophagy and apoptosis during egg maturation and ovulation on the fertility of female zebrafish. In our study, ZnO-NPs could induce cytotoxicity in the maturing oocyte by activating autophagy and apoptosis in a caspase-dependent manner and could induce oxidative stress by generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) that elevated the mutated ovarian tP53 protein. Simultaneously, necroptosis developed, mimicking the features of apoptosis and necrosis. Collectively, ZnO-NPs created a suitable necrotic environment that led to follicular developmental retardation that altered oocyte ovulation and reduced fecundity of female zebrafish