Hidden Voices: Disabled Women's Experiences of Violence and Support Over the Life Course

Violence against women is a worldwide social and human rights problem that cuts across cultural, geographic, religious, social, and economic boundaries. It affects women in countries around the world, regardless of class, religion, disability, age, or sexual identity. International evidence shows that approximately three in five women experienced physical and/or sexual violence by an intimate partner. However, across the globe, women and girls with impairments or life-limiting illnesses are more susceptible to different forms of violence across a range of environments and by different perpetrators including professionals and family members as well as partners. However, they are likely to be seriously disadvantaged in gaining information and support to escape the abusive relationships. This article stems from the United Kingdom part of a comparative study with three other countries (Austria, Germany, and Iceland) funded by the European Commission (EC; 2013-2015). It presents preliminary findings, generated from life history interviews, about disabled women's experiences of violence and access to support (both formal and informal) over their life course and their aspirations for the prevention of violence in the future. The article includes examples of impairment-specific violence that non-disabled women do not experience. By bringing the voices of disabled women into the public domain, the article will facilitate a historically marginalized group to contribute to the debate about disability, violence, and support

eNOS Protects from Atherosclerosis Despite Relevant Superoxide Production by the Enzyme in apoE−/− Mice

All three nitric oxide synthase (NOS) isoforms are expressed in atherosclerotic plaques. NOS enzymes in general catalyse NO production. However, under conditions of substrate and cofactor deficiency, the enzyme directly catalyse superoxide formation. Considering this alternative chemistry, the effects of NOS on key events in spontaneous hyperlipidemia driven atherosclerosis have not been investigated yet. Here, we evaluate how endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) modulates leukocyte/endothelial- (L/E) and platelet/endothelial- (P/E) interactions in atherosclerosis and the production of nitric oxide (NO) and superoxide by the enzyme. Intravital microscopy (IVM) of carotid arteries revealed significantly increased L/E-interactions in apolipoproteinE/eNOS double knockout mice (apoE(-/-)/eNOS(-/-)), while P/E-interactions did not differ, compared to apoE(-/-). eNOS deficiency increased macrophage infiltration in carotid arteries and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) expression, both in endothelial and smooth muscle cells. Despite the expression of other NOS isoforms (inducible NOS, iNOS and neuronal NOS, nNOS) in plaques, Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) measurements of NO showed significant contribution of eNOS to total circulating and vascular wall NO production. Pharmacological inhibition and genetic deletion of eNOS reduced vascular superoxide production, indicating uncoupling of the enzyme in apoE(-/-) vessels. Overt plaque formation, increased vascular inflammation and L/E- interactions are associated with significant reduction of superoxide production in apoE(-/-)/eNOS(-/-) vessels. Therefore, lack of eNOS does not cause an automatic increase in oxidative stress. Uncoupling of eNOS occurs in apoE(-/-) atherosclerosis but does not negate the enzyme's strong protective effects

Clinical characteristics and course of plantar vein thrombosis: a series of 22 cases

Objectives To evaluate the clinical presentation and disease course of symptomatic plantar vein thrombosis. Patients and methods Patients with a first diagnosis of symptomatic plantar vein thrombosis at our institution were retrospectively identified from a prospectively maintained database. All patients underwent complete venous compression sonography extended to the plantar veins because of local symptoms at the sole of the foot. Clinical characteristics were obtained from the medical records. Results Between 2005 and 2013, 22 patients were diagnosed with a first episode of plantar vein thrombosis (64% women, mean age at diagnosis 58.2 years, range 32–79 years). All patients reported moderate to heavy pain of the sole of the foot. The lateral plantar veins (96%) were more frequently affected than the medial plantar veins (41%) and extension into the deep calf veins was common (27%). Half of the episodes were idiopathic, with subsequent diagnosis of occult malignancy in two of these patients. In seven patients (32%), plantar vein thrombosis occurred in association to physical strain to the foot. All patients were treated with anticoagulation. Symptomatic pulmonary embolism was not observed and during a mean follow up of 21 months, the post-thrombotic syndrome did not occur. However, recurrences were common (27%) and frequently again affected the plantar veins. Conclusion Plantar vein thrombosis should be considered as an important differential diagnosis of acute foot pain