Female Perpetrators of Sexual Abuse

Women’s potential for sexual abuse was not recognized, until recently. Defining women as “victims” rather than “aggressors” in sexual assaults and also considering women as “primary caregivers” for children may be one of the main reasons for ignoring their potential to be sexually abusive. Recent findings showed that women sexually abuse children they closely know, and care for. Although, the information about prevalence and characteristics of female-perpetrated sexual abuse has started to be obtained with the increase in research on female sexual abusers, detailed information as much as male sexual abusers are still necessary. Although the prevalence of female-perpetrated sexual abuse is not precise, recent research suggest that is much higher than thought. Studies reported problematic relationships with women, depression, substance abuse, suicide attempts, anxiety problems, sexual problems, identity confusion, feelings of betrayal in the victims of female-perpetrated sexual abuse. Treatment programs for male sexual abusers are frequently used in the treatment of female abusers, but these programs do not respond to the needs of female sexual abusers. There is an absence of regular data on female sexual abusers in Turkey, so studies on female sexual abusers and the victims are required

The Role of Gender Stereotypes, Sexual Myths, and Professional Experience on the Attitudes Toward Female-Perpetrated Sexual Abuse Among Turkish Professionals

Studies indicated that people tend to consider female-perpetrated sexual abuse (FPSA) less serious and damaging than male-perpetrated abuse (MPSA) and the possible roles of gender stereotypes on attitudes to minimize FPSA. This study aimed to explore the role of gender stereotypes and sexuality myths on the attitudes toward FPSA among professionals. A secondary aim was to explore the role of training and experience with child sexual abuse (CSA) cases on the attitudes toward FPSA. The sample consisted of Turkish professionals (N = 502), including mental health/social, health, and justice workers. The participants were recruited via a face-to-face online survey. The results of one-way ANOVAs showed that females and mental health/social workers were more likely to consider FPSA as a serious problem and believe the negative impact of abuse. A five-step hierarchical multiple regression analysis demonstrated that the experience with FPSA cases, belief in gender stereotypes, and myths about female sexuality accounted for 21.7% of the variance in the attitudes toward FPSA. Although the level of professional minimization of FPSA is above average, the influential roles of gender stereotypes and sexual myths on the attitudes toward FPSA exist among professionals. Our findings supported the necessity of additional training addressing gender stereotypes and sexual myths. Future studies should also be conducted with different populations and other influential possible factors on the attitudes toward FPSA

Cruelty to Animals in Turkish Children: Connections with Aggression and Empathy

This study explored the relationship between cruelty to animals, aggression, and empathy in primary school children. The relationship between pet ownership, love for animals in the family, and engaging in cruelty to animals was also investigated. The sample consisted of 1,248 students (633 girls, 615 boys) between the ages of 8 and 11 years (M = 9.59, SD = 0.63) and 41 classroom teachers living in Istanbul, Turkey. Students completed the Turkish version of the Children and Animals Inventory (CAI-TR) and the Empathy Index for Children and Adolescents (ES), and their classroom teachers completed the Teacher Assessment of Social Behavior (TASB). Results indicated that cruelty to animals was significantly correlated with aggression (r = 0.41, p < 0.01) and empathy (r = -0.35, p < 0.01). Children whose parents did not like animals were more cruel to animals (p < 0.001), and those who did not own a pet also exhibited higher levels of animal cruelty (p < 0.05). Regression analysis showed that gender, owning a pet, love for animals in the family, aggression, and empathy accounted for 25% of the total variance (R-2 = 0.253) in cruelty to animals. Limitations and directions for further research are discussed

Fertility sparing surgery on placenta invasion anomalies and placenta previa

Background: Abnormal placental invasion has increased parallel with persistent rise in Caesarean delivery. Management relies on accurate diagnosis and delivery should be planned at an institution with appropriate expertise and resources for managing this condition. Case: We present a case of a placenta invasion anomaly which is the major risk factors of peripartum deaths. In this case we try to explain our approach which reduces unnecessary hysterectomy rates. Conclusion: In order to avoid postpartum hemorrhage and hysterectomy protocols, our approach which consists bilateral hypogastric arterial ligation, Bakri balloon tamponade and ıf necessary methotrexate therapy can be applied succesfully

Synergistic Effect of Apigenin and Curcumin on Apoptosis, Paraptosis and Autophagy-related Cell Death in HeLa Cells

Background/Aim: We aimed to investigate the synergistic effects of apigenin and curcumin on the cross-talk between apoptosis and autophagic cell death, as well as on paraptosis in HeLa cells. Materials and Methods: Cell viability was measured using the MTT assay. Synergistic effects were measured using the Bliss independence model. qRT-PCR was used to study the expression of genes related to apoptosis, autophagic cell death, and cross-talk. GRP78/BiP immunostaining was used to identify endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Results: Treatment with a combination of apigenin and curcumin increased the expression levels of genes related to cell death in HeLa cells 1.29-to 27.6-fold. The combination of curcumin and apigenin showed a synergistic anti-tumor effect via cross-talk between processes leading to apoptosis and autophagic cell death, as well as ER stress-associated paraptosis. GRP78 expression was down-regulated, and massive cytoplasmic vacuolization was observed in HeLa cells. Conclusion: The combination of curcumin and apigenin is an effective potential therapeutic for cervical cancers