Background and Aims: Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) affects many women of childbearing age. High levels of voluntary childlessness and high levels of pregnancy-related fears have been reported amongst these patients in several quantitative studies. We investigated the lived experiences of pregnant patients to better understand decision-making processes around family planning. Methods: Nine participants between 7 and 34 weeks pregnant (6 Crohn's Disease/3 Ulcerative Colitis), with an age range of 22–39 were recruited prospectively from three United Kingdom hospitals. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, and audio recorded. Interpretative phenomenological analysis was used to interpret the data. Results: Two main themes emerged: 1) IBD is perceived as a threat to family planning; and 2) healthcare professional advice, support, and reassurance was important. IBD was viewed as a potential threat to fertility and reproductive health. Consequently, women's lived experience of pregnancy is shaped by anxiety and pregnancy-related worries for mother and baby. Mothers actively sought out expert medical assurances to alleviate some of the perceived fears. Conclusion: Previous research has repeatedly found that women with IBD exhibit high levels of pregnancy-related worries and anxieties. Our findings find that high levels of anxiety are due to patients’ perceptions that IBD is a threat to their reproductive health and their offspring. Women relied on a medicalized discourse to understand their IBD experiences during pregnancy and actively sought biomedical resources for assistance before and during pregnancy. Consultants should be aware that when dealing with pregnant patients, some women may experience anxiety and require extra support.

Willingness to communicate (WTC) in a foreign language (FL) has become one of the most important affective variables in the context of learning a foreign language including motivation, anxiety, learner beliefs, and many others. This study looks into the underlying causes of English students' propensity to speak English, particularly in higher education settings after the Covid-19 pandemic. The study also determines the WTC of college students in English classes. One thousand students who are presently enrolled in English programs at Palestinian universities constitute the study's participants. The study employed a descriptive research design: a questionnaire was used to collect the data, which were then analyzed using statistical analysis methods in the SPSS program. The findings of the study indicated that the two primary factors negatively affecting the WTC among English learners in Palestine's colleges and universities were personality traits and a lack of confidence in one's speaking abilities.

Background: Morphological changes of the lumbar spine muscles are not well characterised with ageing. To further the understanding of age-related degeneration of the lumbar spine musculature, normative morphological changes that occur within the paravertebral muscles must first be established. Methods: A systematic review and meta-regressions were conducted adhering to PRISMA guidelines. Searches for published and unpublished data were completed in June 2019. Results: Searches returned 4781 articles. 34 articles were included in the quantitative analysis. Three-level meta-analyses showed age-related atrophy (r = −0.26; 95% CI: −0.33, −0.17) and fat infiltration (r = 0.39; 95% CI: 0.28, 0.50) in the lumbar paravertebral muscles. Degenerative changes were muscle-specific and men (r = −0.32; 95% CI: −0.61, 0.01) exhibited significantly greater muscle atrophy than women (r = −0.24; 95% CI: −0.47, 0.03). Imaging modality, specifically ultrasound, also influenced age-related muscle atrophy. Measurements taken across all lumbar levels revealed the greatest fat infiltration with ageing (r = 0.58, 95% CI: 0.35, 0.74). Moderators explained a large proportion of between-study variance in true effects for muscle atrophy (72.6%) and fat infiltration (79.8%) models. Conclusions: Lumbar paravertebral muscles undergo age-related degeneration in healthy adults with muscle, lumbar level and sex-specific responses. Future studies should use high-resolution imaging modalities to quantify muscle atrophy and fat infiltration.

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate age-related changes in lumbar paravertebral muscle (LPM) morphology in healthy younger and older adult men. Methods: T2-weighted axial MRI of the lumbar spine were obtained for 12 healthy older (67.3 ± 6.0 years) and younger (24.7 ± 3.1 years) men. Normalised muscle volume (NMV) and muscle fat infiltrate (MFI) were determined bilaterally for the psoas (PS), quadratus lumborum (QL), erector spinae (ES) and multifidus (MF). MANOVA was used to compare NMV and MFI between age groups. Follow-up ANOVA compared NMV and MFI for each muscle between age groups, with physical activity (PA) as a covariate. Stepwise regression was used to explore the association between muscle morphology. Results: NMV of the ES and QL were significantly lower in the older group (OG) (p = 0.040 and p < 0.001, respectively). MFI across all muscles was significantly greater in the OG (p < 0.001). PA did not moderate the relationship between aging and muscle degeneration. Non-dominant handgrip strength was associated with NMV (p = 0.003). Conclusions: Age-related atrophy is muscle specific in the lumbar spine; changes in lumbar musculature is independent of PA, handgrip strength may reflect morphological changes in the postural muscles with age. This study supports establishing effective targeted exercise interventions in the lumbar musculature.

Purpose: Ageing is associated with cognitive decline. This study investigated the individual and combined effects of resistance exercise (RE) and whey protein supplementation (PRO) on cognitive function in older men. Methods: In a pooled-groups analysis, 36 older men (age: 67 ± 4 years) were randomised to either RE (2 x/week; n = 18) or no exercise (NE; n = 18), and either PRO (2 × 25 g/d whey protein isolate; n = 18) or control (CON, 2 × 23.75 g maltodextrin/d; n = 18). A sub-analysis was also conducted between RE + CON (n = 9) and RE + PRO (n = 9). At baseline and 12 weeks, participants completed a battery of neuropsychological tests (CANTAB; Cambridge Cognition, UK) and neurobiological, inflammatory, salivary cortisol and insulin sensitivity biomarkers were quantified. Results: PRO improved executive function z-score (+0.31 ± 0.08) greater than CON (+0.06 ± 0.08, P = 0.03) and there was a trend towards improved global cognitive function (P = 0.053). RE and RE + PRO did not improve any cognitive function domains (p ≥ 0.07). RE decreased tumor necrosis factor-alpha (P = 0.02) and interleukin-6 (P = 0.048) concentrations compared to NE, but changes in biomarkers did not correlate with changes in cognitive domains. Muscle strength (r = 0.34, P = 0.045) and physical function (ρ = 0.35–0.51, P < 0.05) outcomes positively correlated with cognitive function domains at baseline, but only Δskeletal muscle index correlated with Δepisodic memory (r = 0.34, P = 0.046) following the intervention. Conclusion: In older men, PRO improved cognitive function, most notably executive functioning. RE did not improve any cognitive function domains but did decrease biomarkers of systemic inflammation. No synergistic effects were observed.

This article reports on the findings of a study that explored educators’ use of social media in formal and informal science education in Palestine, and their perceptions of the integration of the available tools and resources into their formal teaching and learning. The study used semi-structured interviews with 18 educators at three Palestinian educational institutions providing different teaching modes, specifically: formal campus learning, formal blended learning, and informal community learning. The findings of the article indicate that educators place a clear value on the potential of social media to improve many aspects of formal and informal science education. The findings suggest that social media tools, by virtue of their informal and social character, can offer rich venues for effective interactions among different communities, which can be applied as a response to challenges that currently confront the Palestinian educators, students and the community, including a lack of science resources and mobility restrictions. The study provides a foundation for future thinking about the possibilities of investing in informal modes, tools, and structures as viable solutions to address educational challenges in regions experiencing instability.

Introduction: The Biomedical Scientist (BMS) role is established in healthcare, working in laboratory environments to provide diagnostic testing and to monitor treatment effects on a patients’ health. The profession is subject to several professional standards which highlight the importance of working in the best interests of the patient and service user. However, Biomedical Scientists have little or no patient contact. This study aimed to determine how Biomedical Scientists evidence that they meet the professional standards and support the achievement of patient outcomes. Materials and Methods: This study utilised a Delphi method to explore the opinions of professional stakeholders to determine whether there was consensus for how this professional group contributes to patient outcomes and offers evidence that they are working in the best interests of the patient. The qualitative 1st round of the study consisted of focus groups and interviews with staff and students on the BSc Biomedical Science awards, Professional, Statutory and Regulatory body (PSRB) representatives and Biomedical Scientists from the National Health Service (NHS). The first-round responses were analysed using thematic analysis which then generated attitude statements which participants scored using a 5-point Likert scale in the 2nd round. Consensus or divergence of opinion was determined based upon a 70% consensus level within each participant group and overall. Results: Following analysis of the 2nd round data, there was divergence of opinion across all stakeholders, with consensus rates being highest in the Biomedical Scientist group (72.7% of statements reached 70% consensus), followed by the student group (54.5% of statements reached 70% consensus) and lowest in the academic group (40.9% of statements reached 70% consensus). Discussion: This demonstrates a theory-practice gap in both the academic and student groups, suggesting that graduates are insufficiently prepared for their post-graduate role. This gap was particularly evident when discussing topics such as how Biomedical Scientists contribute to patient care, professional registration and working as part of the multi-disciplinary team (MDT). The identification of a theory-practice gap in the education of Biomedical Scientists is a novel finding, indicating that students may graduate with insufficient understanding of the Biomedical Scientist role.

This study aims to explore the association of combined exposure to cooking fuel type and ambient ozone (O3) levels with hepatic fibrosis indices among rural adults. A total of 21,010 participants were derived from the Henan Rural Cohort. Information regarding cooking fuel type was collected through a questionnaire, and the concentration of ground-level O3 for each subject was obtained from the Tracking Air Pollution in China (TAP) dataset. A generalized linear model was used to examine the independent association of cooking fuel type or O3 exposure with hepatic fibrosis indices (FIB-4, APRI, and AST/ALT), and their possible interactions with advanced fibrosis were conducted. Compared to clean fuel users, solid fuel users had increased the risk of advanced fibrosis, the adjusted odds ratio (OR) of its assessment by FIB-4 1.240 (1.151, 1.336), by APRI 1.298 (1.185, 1.422), and by AST/ALT 1.135 (1.049, 1.227), respectively. Compared to low O3 exposure, the adjusted ORs of advanced fibrosis assessed by FIB-4, APRI, and AST/ALT in women with high O3 exposure were correspondingly 1.219 (1.138, 1.305), 1.110 (1.017, 1.212), and 0.883 (0.822, 0.949). The adjusted ORs of advanced fibrosis assessed by FIB-4, APRI, and AST/ALT for solid fuel users with high O3 exposure relative to clean fuel users with low O3 exposure in women were 1.557 (1.381, 1.755), 1.427 (1.237, 1.644), and 0.979 (0.863, 1.108), respectively. Significant additive effect of O3 exposure and solid fuel use on FIB-4-defined advanced fibrosis was observed in women, which was quantified by RERI (0.265, 95%CI: 0.052, 0.477), AP (0.170 95%CI: 0.045, 0.295), and SI (1.906, 95%CI: 1.058, 3.432). Solid fuel users with high O3 exposure were significantly associated with elevated hepatic fibrosis indices among rural women, suggesting that poor air quality may induce hepatocellular injury, and women might be more vulnerable to air pollution. The findings indicate that using cleaner fuels in cooking is an effective measure to maintain sustainable development of the environment and gain beneficial effect on human health. Clinical trial registration: The Henan Rural Cohort Study has been registered at the Chinese Clinical Trial Register (registration number: ChiCTR-OOC-15006699). Date of registration: 06 July 2015. http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=11375.

IMPORTANCE In China, parental labor migration often leaves children behind and is potentially adversely associated with children's health. However, the association between parental migration and aggression among their offspring remains largely underexplored. OBJECTIVE To investigate the associations of parental labor migration with total and subtypes of aggression among their offspring as well as potential sex differences therein. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This cross-sectional study was conducted from February to October 2015 among students aged 11 to 20 years from 45 public middle and high schools across 5 provinces of China. Data analysis was performed from December 1, 2022, to August 1, 2023. EXPOSURES Parental migration, including migration status (yes or no), pattern (father, mother, or both), and the child's age at the initial parent-child separation. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Total and subtypes of aggression (including physical aggression [PA], verbal aggression [VA], indirect aggression [IA], anger, and hostility) were measured using the Chinese version of the Buss-Warren Aggression Questionnaire. Binomial logistic regression analyses were used separately to estimate adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% CIs of parental migration by total and subtypes of aggression. RESULTS A total of 15 301 participants (7900 [51.6%] male and 7401 [48.4%] female) aged 11 to 20 years (mean [SD] age, 15.1 [1.8] years) were included. Of these participants, 5961 (39.0%) experienced parental migration; 2451 (16.0%) met the criteria for total aggression, 2407 (15.7%) for PA, 2283 (14.9%) for VA, 2899 (18.9%) for IA, 2307 (15.1%) for anger, and 2564 (16.8%) for hostility. Parental migration was associated with total aggression (aOR, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.01-1.22); no significant association between parental migration and subtypes of aggression was found except for PA (aOR, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.03-1.25). Compared with children whose parents did not migrate, the aORs for total aggression and PA for participants whose father migrated were 1.12 (95% CI, 1.01-1.28) and 1.15 (95% CI, 1.03-1.29), respectively; for participants with both parents having migrated, the aORs were 1.16 (95% CI, 1.02-1.31) and 1.12 (95% CI, 1.04-1.24), respectively. Compared with children whose parents did not migrate, children who experienced initial separation from 1 or both parents at adolescence had an aOR for total aggression of 1.20 (95% CI, 1.04-1.36), children who experienced initial separation from 1 or both parents at school age or adolescence had an aOR for PA of 1.15 (95% CI, 1.01-1.32) and 1.26 (95% CI, 1.04-1.51), respectively. No sex differences were found in these associations. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE In this cross-sectional study of Chinese children and adolescents, we found that parental migration, mainly of the father or both parents or an initial separation at adolescence or school age from 1 or both parents, was associated with higher odds of total aggression and PA among offspring. These associations were similar between male and female participants.