Agreement among bacteriological findings, vaginal discharges, and endometrial cytology for endometritis detection in postpartum beef cows

This study aims to demonstrate the relationship among vaginal discharges, bacteriological contamination, and endometrial cytology during 20–30 days postpartum in beef cows. A total of 82 beef cows, aged 3 years to 7 years and at 20–30 days post-calving, were enrolled in this study. All the cows were checked by transrectal palpation, ultrasound, and vaginal discharge collection. Endometrial cytology and bacteriological samples were then collected using a cytobrush technique. Nine of 82 beef cows (10.97%) had abnormal vaginal discharges and clinical endometritis (CE), and nine of 73 clinically healthy cows (12.32%) had subclinical endometritis (SCE). The agreement among endometrial examination, polymorphonuclear neutrophil percentage (PMN %), and vaginal discharge score (0–3) was moderate (k = 0.48, p < 0.01), whereas that between vaginal discharge score (0–3) and bacteriological finding was poor (k = 0.032, p = 0.51). The agreement between bacterial finding and PMN % was also poor (k = 0.15, p = 0.02). Escherichia coli was the most common bacteria isolated from healthy (14.6 %), CE (38.8 %), and SCE (42.8 %) cows. Moreover, E. coli was the major bacteriological risk factor for SCE occurrence. E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus were the most common risk factors for the occurrence of CE. The reproductive performance of beef cows was insignificantly affected by CE and SCE

Assessment of three different endometrial cytological sampling methods in postpartum beef cows

The aim of this study was to assess three different cytological endometrial sampling methods used to estimate polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) under high power field (HPF) microscopy and to determine subclinical endometritis in postpartum beef cows. Forty beef cows aged 3-7 years were sampled at week three and four after calving by endometrial cytology methods. The cytological sampling methods used included; cotton swab (CS), cytobrush (CB) technique, and low volume flush (LVF), respectively. The mean PMN counts at the third week was higher (p<0.01) (12.2 cells HPF-1 than on the fourth week (4 cells HPF-1). The average PMN counts using CB alone was significantly higher (11.3 cells HPF-1) than CS (7 cells HPF-1) and LVF ( 6 cells HPF-1) methods. Smears from CB had more endometrial cells (58.55 cells HPF-1) at HPF, which was significantly higher (p<0.01) than CS and LVF methods. Both CB and CS methods yielded more intact cells (62.4 % and 61.9 %) (p <0.01) than LVF (52.4 %). The prevalence of subclinical endometritis in the beef cows between 22 and 28 days postpartum using a threshold value of ≥8 % by cytobrush method was 12.5%, which is considered low. In conclusion, CB method was found to be better and effective technique in comparison to other cytological methods used in obtaining endometrial cytology samples

The global burden of cancer attributable to risk factors, 2010-19 : a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Background Understanding the magnitude of cancer burden attributable to potentially modifiable risk factors is crucial for development of effective prevention and mitigation strategies. We analysed results from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019 to inform cancer control planning efforts globally. Methods The GBD 2019 comparative risk assessment framework was used to estimate cancer burden attributable to behavioural, environmental and occupational, and metabolic risk factors. A total of 82 risk-outcome pairs were included on the basis of the World Cancer Research Fund criteria. Estimated cancer deaths and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) in 2019 and change in these measures between 2010 and 2019 are presented. Findings Globally, in 2019, the risk factors included in this analysis accounted for 4.45 million (95% uncertainty interval 4.01-4.94) deaths and 105 million (95.0-116) DALYs for both sexes combined, representing 44.4% (41.3-48.4) of all cancer deaths and 42.0% (39.1-45.6) of all DALYs. There were 2.88 million (2.60-3.18) risk-attributable cancer deaths in males (50.6% [47.8-54.1] of all male cancer deaths) and 1.58 million (1.36-1.84) risk-attributable cancer deaths in females (36.3% [32.5-41.3] of all female cancer deaths). The leading risk factors at the most detailed level globally for risk-attributable cancer deaths and DALYs in 2019 for both sexes combined were smoking, followed by alcohol use and high BMI. Risk-attributable cancer burden varied by world region and Socio-demographic Index (SDI), with smoking, unsafe sex, and alcohol use being the three leading risk factors for risk-attributable cancer DALYs in low SDI locations in 2019, whereas DALYs in high SDI locations mirrored the top three global risk factor rankings. From 2010 to 2019, global risk-attributable cancer deaths increased by 20.4% (12.6-28.4) and DALYs by 16.8% (8.8-25.0), with the greatest percentage increase in metabolic risks (34.7% [27.9-42.8] and 33.3% [25.8-42.0]). Interpretation The leading risk factors contributing to global cancer burden in 2019 were behavioural, whereas metabolic risk factors saw the largest increases between 2010 and 2019. Reducing exposure to these modifiable risk factors would decrease cancer mortality and DALY rates worldwide, and policies should be tailored appropriately to local cancer risk factor burden. Copyright (C) 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an Open Access article under the CC BY 4.0 license.Peer reviewe

Diagnosis of subclinical endometritis and subsequent reproductive status in postpartum cattle

Endometritis is one of the most common diseases that affect reproductive performance in dairy and beef cows (Sheldon et al., 2006). There is lack of studies about occurrence of subclinical endometritis and its diagnosis using cytological methods in Malaysia. Moreover, failure of response to antibiotics by pathogenic bacteria in uterine infections possibly due to drug resistance warranted the need to conduct this study. The aims of this study were: 1) to evaluate three different methods of collection of endometrial cytological samples, 2) to determine the agreement among bacteriological findings, vaginal discharges, and endometrial cytology for endometritis detection in postpartum beef cows, 3) to determine the occurrence of subclinical endometritis (SCE) in postpartum beef cows, to compare the ovarian activity between SCE and healthy cows , 4) to assess the interaction between SCE cows and selected cytokines, acute phase proteins (APPs) and 5) to evaluate the agreement between endometrial cytology and ultrasound examination for diagnosis of SCE in postpartum beef cows. All parametric data after testing by the Shapiro– Wilk test were analyzed using t-test, one-way ANOVA as well as Tukey and Duncan post hoc tests at a probability threshold, P 0.05) than CS and LVF methods. Both CB and CS methods yielded significantly more intact PMN and endometrial cells (62.4 % and 61.9 %) than LVF (52.4 %). In conclusion, CB was found to be better and effective technique compared with the other cytological methods. For objective 2, a total of 82 postpartum beef cows at 20–30 days post-calving, were used in this study. All the cows were examined by transrectal palpation and vaginal secretions collection. Endometrial swab samples for cytology and bacteriology were collected using CB. A four-grade system (0 = clear mucus, 1 = mucus containing flecks of pus, 2 = discharge including 50% pus) was used to categorize vaginal secretions of these cows. Of the total 82 cows studied, 11% (9/82) had grade 1-3 vaginal secretions and indicated to have clinical endometritis (CE), whereas nine of the 73 clinically healthy cows (12.32%) were diagnosed with subclinical endometritis (SCE ≥ 8 % PMN). Escherichia coli was the most common bacteria isolated from SCE (42%), and CE cows (38%), which were significantly higher (P> 0.05) than healthy cows (14.6%). The antimicrobial sensitivity test assessed based on the inhibition effects on in vitro bacterial growth showed that most of the isolated bacteria were sensitive to enrofloxacin and tetracycline. To compare ovarian activity between cows with SCE and healthy cows, and also to determine the interaction between SCE and selected proinflammatory cytokines (IL- 6 and IL-8), and acute phase proteins (APPs) like haptoglobin (Hp). A total of 96 postpartum beef and 52 Friesian Sahiwal dairy cows were used. All postpartum cows were checked by transrectal palpation weekly beginning from week 3 until week 16 to evaluate uterine involution, and resumption of ovarian activity by detecting growing follicles on both ovaries. Endometrial samples were collected using CB technique between day 22 and day 28 after calving to identify cows with SCE. The occurrence of SCE was higher 15.3% (8/52) in a dairy group than the beef group 12.5% (12/96) at week 4 postpartum. Twelve beef and 8 dairy healthy cows were randomly selected as control to compare with cows diagnosed with SCE. Blood samples were collected from SCE and healthy cows from week 3 until week 7 to check the level of serum progesterone, IL-6, IL-8 and Hp. Results showed prolonged postpartum anestrus in postpartum beef cows mainly associated with cessation of ovarian activity, leading to increased days open. Progesterone concentration was less than 1 ng/mL in both SCE and healthy beef cows. In dairy cows, the resumption of ovarian activity was faster in healthy cows (20.5 ± 0.9 days) than SCE (37.1 ± 0.7 days) postpartum and the interval from calving to first ovulation was significantly shorter in healthy cows (29.4 ± 0.7 days) than cows with SCE (47.5 ± 0.9 days). Results revealed elevated levels of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and IL-8) in cows with SCE (P < 0.05) compared with healthy cows during week 4 -7 postpartum in both beef and dairy groups. The level of Hp in beef and dairy group was higher (P < 0.05) in cows with SCE than healthy cows during most of the weeks of 4 -7 postpartum periods. Lastly, using ultrasonography as a diagnostic tool to diagnosis endometritis compared with endometrial cytology method was evaluated in 53 postpartum beef cows. The study was conducted between day 20 and day 35 postpartum (at week 4 and 5) postpartum using ultrasound and CB endometrial examination methods to diagnose endometritis. Results showed that the ultrasound method is a useful and practical tool to diagnose endometritis, especially when it is combined with evaluation of intrauterine fluid accumulation and the cervical diameter (≥ 5 cm). Overall, the study revealed that prevalence of SCE in cows was low and cytobrush method was found to be superior and effective technique to obtain endometrial cytological samples. E. coli was the major risk factor found associated with SCE in beef cows. The antimicrobial sensitivity test showed that most of the bacteria isolated were sensitive to enrofloxacin and tetracycline. The levels of IL-6, IL-8, Hp can use as diagnostic markers for SCE as long as these cows are without clinical diseases and not exposed to stress factors. The ovarian activity was faster significantly in healthy dairy cows than endometritis cows. Prolonged postpartum anestrus was the common cause to increased calving-to-conception interval and impaired beef reproductive performance

Ultrasonic Scanning for Placentome Size in Pregnant Maraz Goat in Sulaimani Province

The aim of the study was determination of the relationship between pregnancy age and placentome measurement by using an ultrasound technique. This study was conducted in some private farms in Sulaimani province. A total of seventy-two Maraz does were checked by using transabdominal and transrectal ultrasonic transducers for pregnancy status, 47.2% (34/72) of these goats were pregnant. Twenty-seven non-pregnant does were synchronized for estrus by using vaginal sponges for 11 days followed by injection of 500 IU of PMSG hormones after withdrawing the sponges and naturally served to obtain pregnancy. 63% (17/27) of the synchronized goats became pregnant, all synchronized goats were scanned every seven to ten days beginning from day 35 to 140 of gestation transabdominally (TA) with sector-probe (4-5MHz) and transrectally (TR) with linear-probe (7.5-9 MHz). The placentomes width and height increased significantly (P≤0.05) with the progress of the gestation period, and the first observation of placentomes were in 32 and 42 days by depended (TR) and (TA) respectively. The width and height were 10.2 mm and 9.8 mm respectively during 40-50 days of gestation and maximum sizes were 45 mm and 38 mm in 130 days of gestation period. There is a little significant difference (P≤0.05) between single and twin pregnancy just in 61-70 and 81-90 days of gestation period. In conclusion, there is a strong relationship between the size of placentome and the progress of pregnancy, there are no serious differences in the size of placentomes in single and multiple pregnancy goats, and using transrectal scanning is useful for early detection of pregnancy

Initial Results of Peripheral-Blood Stem-Cell Mobilization, Collection, Cryopreservation, and Engraftment After Autologous Transplantation Confirm That the Capacity-Building Approach Offers Good Chances of Success in Critical Contexts: A Kurdish-Italian Cooperative Project at the Hiwa Cancer Hospital, Sulaymaniyah

Introduction: At Hiwa Cancer Hospital (Sulaymaniyah, Iraqi Kurdistan) after the center was started by a cooperative project in June 2016, autologous transplantation was developed. Patients and Methods: To develop the project, the capacity-building approach was adopted, with on-site training and coaching of personnel, educational meetings, lectures, on-the-job training, and the implementation of quality management planning. Results: Here, we report initial results of peripheral-blood stem-cell mobilization and collection of the first 27 patients (age 12 to 61 years; 19 males and 8 females; multiple myeloma, n = 10; plasma cell leukemia, n = 1; Hodgkin lymphoma, n = 12; non-Hodgkin lymphoma, n = 3; and acute myeloid leukemia, n = 1). Only three (11.5%) of 26 patients experienced a failure of mobilization. A median of 6.1 × 106/kg CD34-positive cells per patient were collected (range, 2.4 to 20.8), with two apheretic runs. Twenty-four patients underwent autologous transplantation. All but one transplantation engrafted fully and steadily, with 0.5 and 1.0 × 109/L polymorphonucleates on day 10.5 (range, 8 to 12) and day 11 (range, 9 to 15), respectively, and with 20 and 50 × 109/L platelets on day 13 (range, 10 to 17) and day 17 (range, 2 to 44), respectively. More than 95% of patients are projected to survive 1 year after autograft. Conclusion: These data are the result of an Italian effort to establish in Iraqi Kurdistan a leading center for hemopoietic stem-cell transplantation. The capacity building approach was used, with on-site training and coaching as instruments for the development of provider ability and problem solving. With future limitations for immigration, this method will be helpful, especially in the field of high-technology medicine

The global burden of cancer attributable to risk factors, 2010-19: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Background Understanding the magnitude of cancer burden attributable to potentially modifiable risk factors is crucial for development of effective prevention and mitigation strategies. We analysed results from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019 to inform cancer control planning efforts globally. Methods The GBD 2019 comparative risk assessment framework was used to estimate cancer burden attributable to behavioural, environmental and occupational, and metabolic risk factors. A total of 82 risk-outcome pairs were included on the basis of the World Cancer Research Fund criteria. Estimated cancer deaths and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) in 2019 and change in these measures between 2010 and 2019 are presented. Findings Globally, in 2019, the risk factors included in this analysis accounted for 4.45 million (95% uncertainty interval 4.01-4.94) deaths and 105 million (95.0-116) DALYs for both sexes combined, representing 44.4% (41.3-48.4) of all cancer deaths and 42.0% (39.1-45.6) of all DALYs. There were 2.88 million (2.60-3.18) risk-attributable cancer deaths in males (50.6% 47.8-54.1] of all male cancer deaths) and 1.58 million (1.36-1.84) risk-attributable cancer deaths in females (36.3% 32.5-41.3] of all female cancer deaths). The leading risk factors at the most detailed level globally for risk-attributable cancer deaths and DALYs in 2019 for both sexes combined were smoking, followed by alcohol use and high BMI. Risk-attributable cancer burden varied by world region and Socio-demographic Index (SDI), with smoking, unsafe sex, and alcohol use being the three leading risk factors for risk-attributable cancer DALYs in low SDI locations in 2019, whereas DALYs in high SDI locations mirrored the top three global risk factor rankings. From 2010 to 2019, global risk-attributable cancer deaths increased by 20.4% (12.6-28.4) and DALYs by 16.8% (8.8-25.0), with the greatest percentage increase in metabolic risks (34.7% 27.9-42.8] and 33.3% 25.8-42.0]). Interpretation The leading risk factors contributing to global cancer burden in 2019 were behavioural, whereas metabolic risk factors saw the largest increases between 2010 and 2019. Reducing exposure to these modifiable risk factors would decrease cancer mortality and DALY rates worldwide, and policies should be tailored appropriately to local cancer risk factor burden. Copyright (C) 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an Open Access article under the CC BY 4.0 license