Pandemic lockdowns: who feels coerced and why? - a study on perceived coercion, perceived pressures and procedural justice during the UK COVID-19 lockdowns.

BACKGROUND: This study examined perceptions of coercion, pressures and procedural injustice and how such perceptions influenced psychological well-being in those who experienced a UK COVID-19 lockdown, with a view to preparing for the possibility of future lockdowns. METHODS: 40 individuals categorised as perceiving the lockdown(s) as either highly or lowly coercive took part in one of six asynchronous virtual focus groups (AVFGs). RESULTS: Using thematic analysis, the following key themes were identified in participants' discussions: (1) Choice, control and freedom; (2) threats; (3) fairness; (4) circumstantial factors; and (5) psychological factors. CONCLUSIONS: As the first qualitative study to investigate the psychological construct of perceived coercion in relation to COVID-19 lockdowns, its findings suggest that the extent to which individuals perceived pandemic-related lockdowns as coercive may have been linked to their acceptance of restrictions. Preparing for future pandemics should include consideration of perceptions of coercion and efforts to combat this, particularly in relation to differences in equity, in addition to clarity of public health messaging and public engagement.

Meta-analysis: Intestinal ultrasound to evaluate colonic contents and constipation.

BACKGROUND: Constipation can be diagnosed clinically using the Rome criteria. Ultrasound (US), which lacks the radiation exposure of conventional X-ray, holds promise as a non-invasive tool to evaluate colonic contents and constipation. AIM: To examine the role of US in the assessment of constipation. METHODS: We performed a systematic search of Embase (OVID, 1984), Medline (Ovid, 1946), Cochrane Central, ClinicalTrials.gov and Australia New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry from database inception to 26 January 2024 according to PRISMA guidelines and prospectively registered with PROSPERO. All studies using US to assess constipation or colonic contents in either adults or children were included. Rectal diameter measurements were pooled in meta-analysis. Risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle Ottawa Scales and Joanna Briggs Institute checklists. RESULTS: Of 12,232 studies screened, 51 articles (6084 patients; 3422 children) describing US to assess symptoms in patients with constipation were included. Most studies used Rome criteria to diagnose constipation. Rectal diameter was associated with clinical constipation in 29 paediatric studies (3331 patients). Meta-analysis showed the mean rectal diameter of constipated patients was significantly higher than controls (mean difference 12 mm, 95% confidence intervals (CI): 6.48, 17.93, p < 0.0001, n = 16 studies). Other features of constipation on US included posterior acoustic shadowing and echogenicity of luminal contents. CONCLUSION: US is an appealing imaging modality to assess luminal contents and constipation. Further well-designed studies are required to validate US metrics that accurately identify constipation.

Generation of two isogenic iPSC lines from a healthy male donor of European ancestry.

We have created two isogenic iPSC lines from fibroblasts of a healthy male donor of European ancestry. The cell lines express common pluripotency markers, are free of chromosomal aberrations and are able to differentiate into cells of all three germ layers. These iPSC are now a resource for genome editing with the aim of creating models of genetic disorders without having to depend on patient cells.

Prevalence of overweight and obesity among children six to ten years of age in the North-East Health region of Jamaica / Prevalencia del sobrepeso y la obesidad entre niños de seis a diez años de edad en la región Noreste de atención a la salud en Jamaica

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence and correlates of overweight and obesity among children six to ten years old in the NorthEast Health Region (NEHR) of Jamaica. METHODS: Weights and heights were measured in a representative sample of 5710 children between the ages of six and ten years in 34 schools between October 2008 and March 2009. Overweight and obesity were defined as body mass index (BMI) Zscore >1SD and >2SD, respectively based on the World Health Organization (WHO)endorsed age and genderspecific growth standards for children. Point prevalence estimates of overweight and obesity were calculated. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used to estimate associations between overweight and obesity and age, gender and school location. RESULTS: Overweight and obesity prevalence among children six to ten years old in NEHR, Jamaica, was 10.6% and 7.1%, respectively. Overweight (OR = 1.11, 95% CI: 1.04, 1.18) and obesity (OR = 1.17, 95% CI: 1.08, 1.26) prevalence increased significantly with age. Overweight (OR = 1.51, 95% CI: 1.27, 1.80) and obesity (OR = 1.36, 95% CI: 1.11, 1.67) prevalence was significantly higher among girls than boys. Children attending ruralpublic schools had less risk of being overweight (OR = 0.57, 95% CI: 0.46, 0.70) and obese (OR = 0.35, 95% CI: 0.28, 0.44) when compared with urbanpublic schools and private schools. Both overweight (OR = 2.11, 95% CI: 1.60, 2.78) and obesity (OR = 1.68, 95% CI: 1.24, 2.28) were significantly more common among children attending private schools. After adjusting for age and gender, the results still remained statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Overweight/obesity prevalence among children six to ten years old in NEHR of Jamaica is 17.7% with older children and girls having higher rates. Children attending urbanpublic and private schools have higher prevalence than those attending rural schools. Appropriately targeted interventions are needed to combat this problem.

OBJETIVO: Estimar la prevalencia y los correlatos de sobrepeso y obesidad entre niños de seis a diez años en la región noreste de atención a la salud (RNAS) de Jamaica. SUJETOS Y MÉTODOS: Se midió el peso y la altura en una muestra representativa de 5710 niños en edades entre seis y diez años, en 34 escuelas, entre octubre de 2008 y marzo de 2009. El sobrepeso y la obesidad se definieron como el índice de masa corporal (IMC) de puntuación Z > 1SD y > 2SD, respectivamente, tomando como base las normas específicas de crecimiento por género y edad para los niños, aprobadas por la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS). Se calcularon los estimados de prevalencia puntual del sobrepeso y la obesidad. Se utilizaron los cocientes de probabilidades relativas (OR) e intervalos de confianza (IC) del 95%, a fin de determinar las asociaciones entre el sobrepeso y la obesidad por un lado, y la edad, el género y lugar de la escuela, por otro lado. RESULTADOS: La prevalencia del sobrepeso y la obesidad entre los niños de seis a diez años en la RNAS, Jamaica, fue de 10.6% y 7.1%, respectivamente. La prevalencia del sobrepeso (OR = 1.11, IC de 95%: 1.04, 1.18) y de la obesidad (OR = 1.17, IC del 95%: 1.08, 1.26) aumentó significativamente con la edad. La prevalencia del sobrepeso (OR = 1.51, IC del 95%: 1.27, 1.80) y la obesidad (OR = 1,36, IC de 95%: 1.11, 1.67) fue significativamente mayor entre las hembras que entre los varones. Los niños que asistían a las escuelas públicas rurales tuvieron menos riesgo de tener sobrepeso (OR = 0.57, IC del 95%: 0.46, 0.70) y ser obesos (OR = 0.35, IC del 95%: 0.28, 0.44) en comparación con los de las escuelas urbanas públicas o privadas. Tanto el sobrepeso (OR = 2.11, IC del 95%: 1.60, 2.78) como la obesidad (OR = 1.68, IC del 95%: 1.24, 2.28) fueron significativamente más frecuentes entre los niños que asisten a escuelas privadas. Después de ajustar por edad y género, los resultados continuaban siendo todavía estadísticamente significativos. CONCLUSIONES: La prevalencia del sobrepeso/obesidad entre niños de seis a diez años en la RNAS en Jamaica es de 17.7%, correspondiendo las tasas más altas a las hembras, y a los niños o niñas de mayor edad. Los niños y niñas que asisten a escuelas urbanas públicas y privadas presentan una mayor prevalencia que los que asisten a escuelas rurales. Se necesitan intervenciones dirigidas adecuadamente a combatir este problema.