The Impact of Different Estrus Synchronization Programs on Postpartum Holstein Dairy Cow Reproductive Performance

Objective: The purpose of this study was to see how the Ovsynch, modified Ovsynch, presynch, and modified presynch protocols affected postpartum reproductive performance in dairy cows. Design: Randomized controlled experimental study Animals: The current research involved 412 dairy cows. Procedures: The cows were split into four groups: GnRH was given on day 0, PGF2∝ on day 7, and GnRH on day 9. Group 1: (Ovsynch protocol, n= 117) received GnRH on day 0 and PGF2∝ on day 7. Group 2 (modified Ovsynch, n=113): PMSG on day 0, PGF2 on day 7, and PMSG on day 9. Group 3 (presynch protocol, n=98) got two doses of PGF2 14 days apart, which allowed for a 12-day delay in the start of Ovsynch. Group 4 (modified presynch protocol, n=84) got two PGF2∝ doses 14 days apart, which was 12 days before the start of modified Ovsynch. All of the animals were artificially inseminated 16 hours following their last GnRH or PMSG dose. The ovarian rebound, number of services per conception, days open, and calving interval were the measures for determining reproductive performance for the dairy cows. Results: The main effect of the synchronisation program showed no significance for ovarian rebound (P >0.05). The S/C, days open and calving intervals were decreased significantly (P＜0.05) in the 3rd and 4th groups when compared with the cows that received either GPG or PMSG treatment only. All four groups had a conception rate of 35.04 (41/117), 40.7 (46/113), 44.8 (44/98), and 57.14 (48/84) %, respectively (P＜0.05). Conclusion and clinical relevance: It was investigated that giving two PGF2 injections before Ovsynch, either utilizing GnRH or PMSG methods, improved the reproductive performance of dairy cows. Furthermore, cows given PMSG had a greater conception rate than cows given GnRH

Burnout among surgeons before and during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: an international survey

Background: SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has had many significant impacts within the surgical realm, and surgeons have been obligated to reconsider almost every aspect of daily clinical practice. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study reported in compliance with the CHERRIES guidelines and conducted through an online platform from June 14th to July 15th, 2020. The primary outcome was the burden of burnout during the pandemic indicated by the validated Shirom-Melamed Burnout Measure. Results: Nine hundred fifty-four surgeons completed the survey. The median length of practice was 10 years; 78.2% included were male with a median age of 37 years old, 39.5% were consultants, 68.9% were general surgeons, and 55.7% were affiliated with an academic institution. Overall, there was a significant increase in the mean burnout score during the pandemic; longer years of practice and older age were significantly associated with less burnout. There were significant reductions in the median number of outpatient visits, operated cases, on-call hours, emergency visits, and research work, so, 48.2% of respondents felt that the training resources were insufficient. The majority (81.3%) of respondents reported that their hospitals were included in the management of COVID-19, 66.5% felt their roles had been minimized; 41% were asked to assist in non-surgical medical practices, and 37.6% of respondents were included in COVID-19 management. Conclusions: There was a significant burnout among trainees. Almost all aspects of clinical and research activities were affected with a significant reduction in the volume of research, outpatient clinic visits, surgical procedures, on-call hours, and emergency cases hindering the training. Trial registration: The study was registered on clicaltrials.gov "NCT04433286" on 16/06/2020

Transrectal Doppler Ultrasound to Study the Uterine Blood Flow Changes During the Puerperium in the Egyptian Buffaloes

The aim of the current study was to determine the changes in uterine blood flow as well as uterine biometry during the first 5 weeks after parturition in Egyptian buffaloes. The transrectal noninvasive color Doppler ultrasound and uterine biometry were measured at different time points -7, 0 (day of parturition), 7, 14, 21, 28, 35 after the postpartum period. The mean diameter of the uterine horn decreased significantly from day 0 to day 35 after parturition (P < 0.0001). The uterine involution was completed on day 28, as demonstrated by transrectal palpation and B-mode sonography. Peak systolic velocity (PSV), timed average maximum velocity (TAMV), blood flow volume (BFV), pulsatility index (PI), resistance index (RI), systolic /diastolic (S/D) as well as the diameter of uterine arteries were the Doppler indices for determination of changes in uterine artery blood flow during different time points after parturition. BFV of uterine arteries decreased linearly during the postpartum period in Egyptian buffaloes. The BFV decreased from 3029.21 ml/min (-7d) to 343.84 ml/min (35 d pp) and moderately (P < 0.01) to 731 ml/min on day 28. The TAMV and PSV showed fluctuation in changes during different time points postpartum (P < 0.05). But PI, RI, and SD showed significant increases during the different time points postpartum (P < 0.01). Altogether, the results show that transrectal color Doppler ultrasound is a successful tool for examining uterine changes during the first 5 weeks after parturition in Egyptian buffaloes. The robust changes in uterine blood flow were demonstrated during the first week of the puerperium, The PI, RI, and S/D were also suitable to investigate alterations in uterine perfusion during the next 8 weeks after parturition

Role of MR spectroscopy and diffusion-weighted imaging in diagnosis of orbital masses

Purpose: To assess the value of (MRI), (DWI) and (MRS) in the diagnosis of different orbital masses and differentiation between benign and malignant masses. Patients and methods: Sixty patients were enrolled in this study (31 females, 29 males, their ages ranged from 3 month to 75 years with mean age of 35.3 years). Clinical examination, (T1WI&T2WI) MRI and postcontrast T1WI, DWI, and MR Spectroscopy were done in all cases. Histopathological examination was done for 55 patients, and follow-up was done for 5 cases after medical treatment: two cases of pseudotumor and three cases of cellulites. Results: The study comprised 60 patients complaining of proptosis, swelling and diminution of vision. Thirty-three (55%) of patients had benign orbital masses and 27 (45%) patients had malignant orbital masses. The mean ADC value of malignant lesions was 0.89 ± 0.20. There was a statistically significant difference (p = ≤.001) between benign and malignant ADC values. The Mean Cho/Cr ratio for benign lesions was 1.19 ± 0.25 which showed statistically high significance (p = ≤.001∗∗) compared to Cho/Cr ratio of malignant lesions which was 2.44 ± 0.30.Diffusion-weighted MRI could differentiate between benign and malignant masses in 75% of cases. However, MRS could overcome this overlap and could differentiate benign from malignant tumors in 96% of scanned patients. Conclusion: Both DWI and MRS imaging are helpful tools in differentiating malignant orbital lesions from benign masses. Keywords: Magnetic resonance spectroscopy, MRI diffusion, Orbital lesions, Proptosis, Benign and malignan

Repetitive peripheral magnetic stimulation for improving upper limb function in post-stroke hemiparesis

Abstract Background Stroke is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide, with hand and arm weakness, affecting the patients’ daily activities and quality of life. Recently, repetitive peripheral magnetic stimulation (rPMS) was found to enhance neuroplasticity and motor recovery post-stroke hemiparesis via its deep proprioceptive stimulation and simulation of lost voluntary movement. Objective To determine the therapeutic effect of rPMS on the functional improvement of upper limb in patients with hemiparesis following cerebrovascular insult and to compare the effect of therapy in subacute and chronic cases. Results Post-rehabilitation program both the Fugl-Meyer-Upper Extremity scale (FM-UE) and Functional Independence Measures (FIM) scale showed highly significant improvement in the active group, compared to controls. Regarding active range of motion (AROM) of the shoulder abductors, triceps, wrist extensors and supinators, significant differences were also found in the active group in comparison to controls. Modified Ashworth scale showed also significant change in the active group. When dividing our patients according to the duration post-stroke, into subacute group (6 weeks to 6 months post-stroke) and chronic group (more than 6-month post-stroke), the subacute group showed significant improvements in the FM-UE scale, and in the AROM of wrist extensors and supinators but not in the chronic group. Ultrasonographic measurements showed a significant decrease in cross sectional area of the control group. Conclusion rPMS is potentially effective in improving motor recovery post-stroke, especially in the subacute stage

Fructose improves titanium dioxide nanoparticles induced alterations in developmental competence of mouse oocytes

Abstract Aims We investigated the effects of intraperitoneal injections of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs, 100 mg/kg) for 5 consecutive days on the developmental competence of murine oocytes. Furthermore, study the effects of TiO2 NPs on antioxidant and oxidative stress biomarkers, as well as their effects on expression of apoptotic and hypoxia inducing factor-1α (HIF1A) protein translation. Moreover, the possible ameliorating effects of intraperitoneal injections of fructose (2.75 mM/ml) was examined. Materials and methods Thirty sexually mature (8–12 weeks old; ~ 25 g body weight) female mice were used for the current study. The female mice were assigned randomly to three treatment groups: Group1 (G1) mice were injected intraperitoneal (ip) with deionized water for 5 consecutive days; Group 2 (G2) mice were injected ip with TiO2 NPs (100 mg/kg BW) for 5 consecutive days; Group 3 (G3) mice were injected ip with TiO2 NPs (100 mg/kg BW + fructose (2.75 mM) for 5 consecutive days. Results Nano-titanium significantly decreased expression of GSH, GPx, and NO, expression of MDA and TAC increased. The rates of MI, MII, GVBD and degenerated oocytes were significantly less for nano-titanium treated mice, but the rate of activated oocytes was significantly greater than those in control oocytes. TiO2 NPs significantly increased expression of apoptotic genes (BAX, Caspase 3 and P53) and HIF1A. Intraperitoneal injection of fructose (2.75 mM/kg) significantly alleviated the detrimental effects of TiO2 NPs. Transmission electron microscopy indicated that fructose mitigated adverse effects of TiO2 NPs to alter the cell surface of murine oocytes. Conclusion Results of this study suggest that the i/p infusion of fructose for consecutive 5 days enhances development of murine oocytes and decreases toxic effects of TiO2 NPs through positive effects on oxidative and antioxidant biomarkers in cumulus-oocyte complexes and effects to inhibit TiO2-induced increases in expression of apoptotic and hypoxia inducing factors

The vaginal and uterine blood flow changes during the ovsynch program and its impact on the pregnancy rates in Holstein dairy cows

Aim OvSynch is a hormonal protocol for synchronization of estrus and use of artificial insemination (AI) at an optimal time without adverse effects on the ovaries or uterus. This study investigated the use of noninvasive color Doppler ultrasound to assess changes in uterine and vaginal blood flow during the Ovsynch program for synchronization of estrus and its relation to the pregnancy rates in Holstein cows. Materials and methods The experimental cows received an intramuscular dose of 10 μg of a GnRH analogue (G1), followed 7 days later with an intramuscular injection of synthetic prostaglandin F2α (P: PGF2α) analogue (500 μg cloprostenol sodium), and given a 10 μg, injection of the GnRH analogue (G2) i.m. 48 h after the PGF2α treatment, and the cows were bred 14-16 h after. Uterine and vaginal perfusion were investigated by performing transrectal Doppler ultrasonography of both the uterine and vaginal arteries in Holstein cows at different time points during the Ovsynch program to determine: peak systolic velocity (PSV), time-averaged maximum velocity (TAMV), the volume of blood flow (BFV), pulsatility index (PI), resistance index (RI), resistance impedance (S/D) and diameters of uterine (UA) and vaginal (VA) arteries. Steroid hormones were also assayed. Transrectal ultrasonography (TUS) was performed at 32 and 60 days to confirm the pregnancy per artificial insemination (P/AI). Results The uterine PSV, TAMV, and PV were greater at the time of the cloprostenol sodium and second GnRH injections (p<0.05) than at the time of the first GnRH injection. The vaginal PSV, PV were greater at the time of the cloprostenol sodium than at the time of the first and second GnRH injections (p<0.05). The receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC curve) indicated a high correlation between the uterine and vaginal blood flow and the rate of the pregnancy (p<0.05). The area under the ROC curve was 0.920 and 0.87 (p<0.05) for vaginal and uterine arteries respectively at time of G2. The serum levels of progesterone, estrogen and cortisol were correlated with the P/AI (p<0.05). The P/AI significantly decreased from 43.9 % at 32 d to 35.37 % at 60 d. Conclusion These results indicate that noninvasive Doppler ultrasonography is a valid method to evaluate changes in the characteristics of uterine and vaginal blood flow in cows during the Ovsynch protocol. Furthermore, vaginal and uterine blood flow are two determinant factors for the higher conception rates in Holstein dairy cows.Incluye referencias bibliográfica