Pupils Of Age Research Articles

Factors Associated with School Engagement Changes During the COVID-19 Pandemic Among Finnish Middle School Students

Abstract: Introduction: “School engagement” refers to the feelings and thoughts pupils have for school, which, according to theory, can be divided into behavioral, cognitive, and emotional engagement. Previously identified factors predicting school engagement are teacher-student relationship, individual characteristics, emotional stability, and gender. Aim: The current study addresses changes in behavioral, cognitive, and emotional school engagement during the COVID-19 pandemic. It analyzes the effect of previously identified risk factors on self-reported change in school engagement among middle-school students in Finland. Methods: We collected the data in the spring of 2021. Participants were 1,788 Finnish middle-school pupils (age range 12–17) who responded to an online survey during the school day. Results: After we controlled for multiple tests, the results revealed a few significant factors associated with negative changes in school engagement. However, prior anxiety, depression, or externalizing behavior were related to negative changes. Discussion: Pupils with previous risk factors for low engagement or different kinds of struggles in school were more likely to react negatively to the changes brought forth by the pandemic on several engagement outcomes compared to students with few or no risk factors. In the future, should disruptions of normal school routines be necessary, special attention should be given to planning proper support for at-risk students.

The Role of Using Chunks on Iraqi EFL University Students' Performance in Conversation

The current study aims at investigating the role of using chunks on EFL university students performance in conversation and sentential level in posttest and finding out whether there is any significant difference between the achievement of the experimental group in the pre and post-test. This study is hypothesized that ,there is no statistically significant difference between the mean score of the experimental group which taught according to chunks activity and control group which is taught by the conventional method in the post-test. The second hypothesis is that there is no statistical significant difference among the mean scores of the experimental group in post-test. The third hypothesis is that there is no significant difference between the mean scores of students' experimental group achievement in the pre and posttest. The sample of the current study consists of (120) students of third class. They are derived from Collage for Woman in Tikrit University during academic year (2022-2023). They are divided into two groups. Group A which has been randomly chosen as an experimental group and B have been chosen as a control group, each group consists of 60 students. Both groups have been equalized in many variables which are fathers and mothers' educational level, their age, their scores at the previous year, and pretest for both groups. Both groups have been equalized in many variables which are fathers and mothers' educational level, Pupils age, their scores at the previous year, and pretest for both groups. The experiment has lasted for six weeks and the researcher has taught the two groups in the first course of the year(2022-2023)to analyze data that obtained from students' posttests. To fulfill the aims of this study, an experiment has been designed. The two groups have been taught the same instructional material , for a period of six weeks. The experimental group has been taught according to chunks activity while the control group has been taught according to the traditional way. An achievement test has been constructed , validated, and applied to the two involved groups .The required data has been collected and analyzed statistically . Results indicate that there is a statistical significance difference in mean scores of the experimental group who taught according to chunks activity and the control group who is taught by using traditional method. This indicates that using chunks effective than using traditional method. Finally, the study ends with some conclusions, recommendation and suggestions for further studies..

An online survey capturing the views of stakeholders on primary school food systems across the four UK nations

BackgroundIn 2020, the Generating Excellent Nutrition in UK Schools (GENIUS) Network was established to develop an understanding of the school food system across the four UK nations. This study explores stakeholders’ views (headteachers, teachers, parents and pupils) on what works well, the challenges, and what an ideal primary school food system includes.MethodsAn online ‘School Food Survey’ was created in Qualtrics XM including closed and open-ended questions about the primary school food system. The Qualtrics link was distributed to stakeholders with an interest in school food through key contacts and networks across the four UK nations (21st June to 21st July and September 2021). Responses from the open-ended questions were exported from Qualtrics into Excel and analysed using SPSS. Aspects of qualitative content analysis were applied to summarise, code and quantify responses. Identified codes were entered by stakeholder, for example, parents and their response to the question into a Matrix table to allow identification of categories, themes and interpretation.ResultsA total of 509 participants completed the survey: most participants were from Scotland (n = 281; 55%) and England (n = 213; 42%) and were parents (n = 394). There were some consistent views across stakeholder responses, for example, the range of healthy options, costs, and portion sizes offered to pupils. Parents views varied, with some expressing the range of healthy options worked well and others reporting too many unhealthy choices. The cost of school food and school food funding presented challenges for both parents and schools. For parents, an ideal school food system would include a wide variety of fresh healthy food choices that were made on site, use quality produce, be inclusive for all cultures and diets, and provide food portion sizes appropriate for pupils ages.ConclusionsThe findings iterate the diversity and some inconsistencies between stakeholders, emphasising the complexity and competing tensions school food systems encounter. Parental involvement and consideration of school-level and national factors are important when identifying challenges, what works well and describing an ideal primary school food system.

Gingival Health and Alveolar Bone Loss Among Iraqi Overweight Primary School - Age Pupils (Radiographic Study)

Many studies have found a strong association between obesity and various clinical and radiographical aspects of periodontal disease, most of these studies were directed toward adult age group only, while younger ages were omitted. To provide radiographic data about the effect of overweight on periodontal health status among Iraqi primary school-age pupils.The sample of this research was consist of 90 pupils of both gender (45 girls and 45 boys) with age range (6-12)years. All were examined clinically for bleeding on probing (BOP) and radiographically for alveolar bone loss (ABL). According to their percentile ranking the pupils in each gender group were divided i nto 3 subgroups (healthy weight, at risk of overweight and overweight). each subgroup was consist of (15 child). Greater mean values for BOP index were recorded for pupils in overweight group (0.8 for girls and 0.66 for boys) in comparison to those in healthy (0.26 for girls and 0.46 for boys) and at risk (0.4 for girls and 0.46 for boys), also greater mean values for ABL radiog raphically were recorded for pupils in overweight groups (1.53 mm for girls and 1.66 mm for boys) in comparison to those he althy (1.00 mm for girls and 0.8 mm for boys) and at risk (1.06 mm for girls and 1.46 mm for boys). According to paired t- tes t most of these differences were found to be statistically significa nt. On the other hand, No significant difference were recor ded between different study groups on gender basis. There is a clear relation between obesity and periodontal health on both clinical and radiographical examinations.

Valuation of the effectiveness of physical rehabilitation for postural disorders in the adolescent pupils age

In the article, based on the analysis and generalization of literary sources, reveals the state of development of the problem of prevention and correction of postural disorders in adolescent pupils. Modern approaches to the prevention and correction of postural disorders in schoolchildren in the conditions of educational institutions by means of physical rehabilitation are analyzed in it. The purpose of the scientific article is to study the influence of health-improving means of physical rehabilitation in the correction of postural disorders in schoolchildren of adolescent age. According to the purpose of the research, the types of postural disorders in adolescents were determined and a physical rehabilitation program is developed, which included a set of special exercises for forming and correcting posture during physical culture and strengthening them at home.
 The results of the conducted research testify to the effectiveness of the rehabilitation program in correcting postural disorders in adolescent pupils and the feasibility of its implementation in the educational process of secondary education institutions.

Decreasing Sedentary Time during Lessons Reduces Obesity in Primary School Children: The Active Movement Study

Introduction: School-based exercise interventions targeted at reducing obesity are often successful in the short term, but they are resource-heavy and do not always lead to long-lasting behaviour changes. This study investigated the effect of reducing sedentary time, rather than increasing exercise, on physical activity (PA) behaviours and obesity in primary school children. Methods: Thirty UK state primary schools participated in this cluster-controlled intervention study (IDACI score = 0.15 ± 0.07, free school meals = 26 ± 9%). Twenty-six intervention and 4 control schools (intervention = 3,529, control = 308 children) completed the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Children (PAQ-C) in terms 1 and 3. Three intervention and 3 control schools (intervention = 219, control = 152 children) also measured waist-to-height ratio (WTHR). The Active Movement Intervention is a school-based programme which integrates non-sedentary behaviours such as standing and walking in the classroom. Data were analysed via ANCOVAs and multiple linear regressions. Results: WTHR was reduced by 8% in the intervention group only (F(2, 285) = 11.387, p < 0.001), and sport participation increased by 10% in the intervention group only (F(1, 232) = 6.982, p = 0.008). Other PAQ-C measures increased significantly in the intervention group, but there was no group*time interaction. Changes in PAQ-C did not predict reductions in WTHR. Instead, the amount of change in WTHR was predicted by intervention group and by baseline WTHR of the pupil, where children with higher baseline WTHR showed greater reductions (F(2, 365) = 77.21, p < 0.001, R2 = 0.30). Socio-economic status (SES), age, or gender did not mediate any of the changes in the PAQ-C or WTHR. Conclusion: Reducing sedentary behaviours during school time can be an effective obesity reduction strategy for primary school children who are overweight. The lack of demographic effects suggests that this method can be effective regardless of the school’s SES, pupil age, or gender.

The Effect of Suchman Strategy as a Style in Cognitive Skill (TEOSSAASICS)

The goal current study is to determine how the Suchman strategy effects on EFL Iraqi intermediate pupils achievement. When implemented well, they will have real effect on pupils' performance and provide diversity in the method that pupils process new knowledge. In order to achieve the study aims, the following hypotheses have been formulated. In the post achievement test, there is no statistical significant difference between the mean scores of experimental group, which is taught using Suchman strategy and control group, which is taught using prescribed method. A sample of sixty pupils have been randomly selected from the first intermediate class at AL-Marab Intermediate School for Boys at Kirkuk City for the academic year 2022-2023 in order to carry out the pupils' and validate its assumptions. Both groups are equalized in some important factors including educational levels of the parents, the age of pupils', their test results from their previous schooling year, and their pretest scores for both groups. The researcher himself has taught both groups. The two groups are equally divided into the experimental group, group (A), that made up of (30) pupils which have been taught according to the Suchman strategies. The control group, group (B), made up of (30) pupils which have been taught according to the prescribed method. According to the results, there is a statistically significant difference between the mean scores of the experimental group in the pre-test achievement. Moreover, the pupils in the experimental group were guided by the Suchman strategy to attain better achievement at the post tests. Finally, appropriate conclusions, recommendations and suggestions for further studies are put forward.

Assessing and further developing age-appropriate information for young people about reporting suspected adverse drug reactions.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency Yellow Card scheme (YCS) is the UK's system that collects spontaneous reports about suspected adverse drug reactions (ADRs). Reporting of suspected ADRs by young people (age <19 years) in the UK is extremely uncommon, driving efforts to improve awareness and reporting. Quality improvement project, using an anonymous online survey about updated information for young people, distributed through school pupils (age 13-18 years) across the UK through the Alder Hey Research Ambassador programme. Research Ambassadors were recruited in 21 schools and colleges, generating 2933 responses (15 November 2022-08 April 2023); 6.3% of respondents had heard of the YCS, and 0.8% had previously reported a Yellow Card. There were 307 suspected drug-event combinations reported, 36 of which required attendance at hospital. The updated YCS reporting guide was understood by 92.8% of young people, and 90.8% reported knowing more about ADRs after reading the guide. The percentage of young people 'Not comfortable' reporting a suspected ADR decreased from 13.3% (before reading) to 4.1% after reading (P < .000001), and 84.5% of young people reported willingness to report a side effect in the future. The most common comments regarding further improvement of the information were content, or length of the text could be altered in some way (n= 543, 26.1%) and graphic design could be improved (n= 357, 17.2%). The age-appropriate information provided met many of their needs, increasing willingness to report. Integration into existing education curricula in the UK would facilitate knowledge transfer and improve reporting.

PHYSICAL CONDITION OF MALE STUDENTS AT VIETNAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF HO CHI MINH CITY DORMITORY

The purpose of the study is to provide information about the current physical condition of 19-year-old male students of the Vietnam National University of Ho Chi Minh City (VNUHCMC) dormitory. The research used the methods of synthesizing sport-related documents, interviewing experts, applying pedagogical tests, and statistical analysis to determine appropriate physical fitness assessment tests. Afterward, the figures for the physical condition of male students at the VNUHCMC dormitory were compared with that of the average Vietnamese people, of Hanoi National University (HNU), University of Danang (UD), Can Tho University (CTU), and Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) students at the same age and gender, and with the standard shown in Decision 53/2008/BGDDT of the Ministry of Education and Training. The results show that the “good” group accounts for 28.75%, the “acceptable” group for 23.19% and the “failed” group for 48.06%. It is notable that the agility, leg muscular strength, endurance, and motor skills of 19-year-old male students at the VNUHCMC dormitory are greater than the average physical fitness of Vietnamese people, as well as students of the same age and gender at HNU, UD, and CTU. Their endurance is also higher than that of male HCMC pupils of the same age, but their leg muscular strength and motor abilities are almost comparable.&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt; Article visualizations:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src="/-counters-/soc/0014/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

“I represented Tybalt in straight red lines.” Developing a multimodal approach for teaching Shakespeare to lower secondary age pupils

ABSTRACT This qualitative Action Research study explores a group of lower secondary pupils’ use of social semiotic resources and traditional and digital tools to develop an understanding of Romeo and Juliet at a private trilingual school in Barcelona. Forming part of a wider study undertaken by an English language and literature teacher, it documents how learners engage in visual, linguistic, manual, and digital responses to the play. The results show the increased enjoyment and the agency of learners when a range of modes are introduced to facilitate a Shakespeare study. It demonstrates how integrating multimodality can encourage pupils to draw on their backgrounds and cultural experiences to access classic texts. Furthermore, it reveals how a multimodal approach can be part of a student-centred pedagogy and facilitate assessment methods that are alternative to traditional written assignments. Integrating multimodal composition processes gives learners opportunities to create texts for a specific audience, to think critically about the reading, make personal connections with the classical play, and increase their knowledge of English literature.

Monitoring and evaluation of flat-feet in children of pre-school age and younger school age

Background. The issue of flat-feet in children of pre-school and younger school age has been a frequently discussed issue in recent times. This issue has been addressed in particular with regard to the deteriorating physical fitness and general health of children. The lack of sensory stimuli from the foot causes incorrect development of the arch of the foot, which later becomes apparent in other parts of the support-movement system. Objective. The aim of the study was to monitor the current condition of flat-feet in children. Method. In our study we observed the occurrence of flat-feet in children of pre-school (n:37; age ø: 5,22) and younger school age (n:52; age ø: 7,45). The study enrolled children of pre-school and younger school age between five and nine years of age. We used the examination device Podoscope to examine the condition of the arch of the foot. We used the subjective method Chipaux - Šmířák (CSI) to evaluate the fingerprints. For each child, both feet were always compared. The results were evaluated with descriptive statistics. Results. We found that 70.79% of all children have a normally shaped longitudinal arch on both feet. In the preschool year, the percentage of normal arch on both feet indicates 64.86% of all children. In primary school children, the figure is 73.08%. Among preschool and school age children, there was also a high foot, which was found on both feet in 8 out of 89 children. Flat-foot was found on both feet in 6.74% of the participants. 8.11% of kindergarten children had a flat-foot on both feet. In 5.77% of primary school pupils, a bipedal flat-foot was found. Conclusion. The arch of the foot shapes with age. However, it cannot be said that it always shapes into a physiologically correct shape in every circumstance. In kindergarten children, flat-foot predominates because children attending this facility have not yet had time to fully form the arch. It is necessary to consider which year the children attend. In younger school age pupils, i.e. first to fourth grades, all three types of arch of the foot are present.

Modulation transfer function formula for different age ranges.

The modulation transfer function (MTF) is one of the most complete tools to study the optical performance of the eye. We present the average radial MTF profiles measured in 68 subjects grouped in six age ranges (from 20 to 80years) and a general formula to estimate the radial profile of human MTF as a function of pupil size and age. The mean MTF for each age group was fitted to an analytical expression to compute two parameters related to aging. The proposed formula fitted reasonably well to experimental data available in previous works and predicted the average changes with aging of different optical quality parameters obtained from MTF.

Combining commercial assessment products with administrative data to shape education policy: Tracking pupil outcomes during the Covid-19 pandemic

Objectives To inform the government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic by providing an ongoing analysis of the learning loss and recovery experienced by pupils in England after the cancellation of national statutory assessments. Our aim was to use data from a commercial assessment product linked to large administrative datasets.&#x0D; Methods We constructed a pupil level dataset of assessments in reading and mathematics. The assessments covered multiple time points in the pandemic period and in the years before. We matched this to the National Pupil Database to give a wide range of pupil characteristics information – including eligibility for free school meals, the area they lived in, and information about their school.&#x0D; By constructing a regression model of pupil outcomes in the pre-pandemic period, we produced a counterfactual of what we would have expected each pupil to achieve had the pandemic not occurred and hence estimate the extent of learning loss.&#x0D; Results National lockdowns and restrictions to in-person learning were associated with pupils in England making less progress than normal. By the summer of 2021, learning losses in reading amongst primary-aged pupils amounted to around 0.9 months of learning, and learning losses amongst secondary-aged pupils amounted to around 1.8 months. Learning losses in mathematics were even greater, at 2.8 months. We found that the pandemic’s effects were not felt evenly with larger losses for those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds and larger losses in parts of the north and midlands than in London and the south. Indeed, by the start of the 2021/22 academic year, results in reading for primary aged pupils in London and the south-west were broadly in line with pre-pandemic levels.&#x0D; Conclusion The project demonstrated the power of combining commercial products with administrative datasets to shape policy. The analysis informed the government’s education response to the pandemic including the targeting of additional support to pupils from low-income backgrounds who, as subsequent national tests have confirmed, were disproportionately affected by the pandemic.

Assessment of Pupil Size and Angle Kappa in Refractive Surgery: A Population-Based Epidemiological Study in Predominantly American Caucasians.

Purpose This retrospective study aims to establish normative values for pupil size, angle kappa, higher-order aberration, and astigmatism type in a largely Caucasian population in Utah, United States, utilizing the NIDEK OPD-Scan III system (Gamagori, Japan). Methods This study included 716 patients (1432 eyes) grouped based on spherical equivalence and age. Measurements were conducted under mesopic and photopic conditions. Statistical analysis involved Pearson's correlation and linear regression using the generalized estimating equation.NIDEK OPD-Scan III measured mesopic and photopic pupil size and angle kappa. The subjects were then grouped based on their spherical equivalence in diopters (D) and age in decades. The spherical equivalence groups were defined: >-6 D, -5.99to -3 D, -2.99to -0.25 D, -0.24to 0.24 D, and >0.25 D (range 0.25-5.75 D). The higher-order aberration groups were based on the reason for the visit: laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis, photorefractive keratectomy, and small incision lenticule extraction as one group; cataract evaluation; and keratoconus. Astigmatism measurements were grouped into with-the-rule (WRT), against-the-rule (ATR), and oblique astigmatism, with further subgrouping into a young cohort (20-40 years) and an old cohort (>65 years). Results Among 716 participants, 49.2% were men; the mean age was 42.1±15.5(range 7-88 years). The average spherical equivalence for myopia eyes was -3.28±2.34 D, and 1.51±1.46 D for hyperopia eyes. The mean mesopic pupil size was 5.68 ± 1.09 mm; the photopic pupil size was 4.65±1.09 mm. Pearson's correlation coefficient for mesopic pupil size versus age was -0.551, and -0.42 for photopic pupil (p < 0.001); sphere vs mesopic pupil size was -0.200, and -0.173 for photopic pupil(p < 0.001). The regression analysis for mesopic pupil size versus age revealed a 0.39 mm decrease in average pupil size per decade increase in age, and 0.25 mm decrease per decade for photopic pupil. The regression analysis for mesopic pupil size versus sphere revealed a 0.22 mm decrease in average pupil size per 3D increase in sphere, and a 0.16 mm decrease 3 D increase in sphere for the photopic pupil. The mean mesopic angle kappa was 0.33± 0.15 mm; photopic angle kappa was 0.31±0.15 mm. Pearson's correlation coefficient for mesopic angle kappa vs spherical equivalence was 0.32, and 0.296 for photopic angle kappa (p <0.001 for both). Regression analysis for mesopic angle kappa vs spherical equivalence demonstrated a 0.051 mm increase in angle kappa per 3 D increase in spherical equivalence, and a 0.048 mm increase for photopic angle kappa (p < 0.001 for both). Among the higher-order aberration groups, the keratoconus group exhibited the highest levels. In terms of astigmatism type, WRT astigmatism was the most common in the young cohort, while ATR astigmatism was most prevalent in the older cohort. Conclusions The results of this study reveal significant associations between pupil size and increasing age, as well as between pupil size and increasingly positive refractive errors. These findings hold particular clinical relevance to older patients and individuals with hyperopia, as they undergo photoablative corneal refractive surgery or multifocal intraocular lens implantation. Understanding the established normative values for pupil size, angle kappa, higher-order aberration, and astigmatism type can aid clinicians in making more informed decisions and improving patient outcomes.

Educational strategies leading to labeling the gifted pupil

AbstractLabeling of gifted pupils can negatively affect the life path of gifted individuals. The study explores whether and how a teacher can label gifted pupils when applying educational strategies based on internal differentiation. We focused on formally identified intellectually gifted pupils (age 7–12) educated in (mainstream) elementary schools in the Czech Republic (Central Europe). Qualitative data were collected through classroom observations and teacher interviews. We observed 24 gifted pupils and 15 teachers from 12 schools. We identified five main types of educational strategies leading to inappropriate labeling, such as Tasks for Quick‐witted, Challenges, Boffins Goes to Competition, Teacher's Assistant, and Individual Projects. The “inappropriateness” of these strategies consisted of the significant preference and presentation of gifted pupils, in the useless and overused selection of gifted pupils, and the rigidity of the applied strategies. The paper seeks to highlight the existence of a paradoxical phenomenon whereby, when teachers are maximally interested in promoting giftedness, the stagnation of gifted pupils and other pupils in the class occurs. The study concludes with recommendations for eliminating inappropriate labeling of gifted pupils.

Структура клинической рефракции глаз у детей подросткового возраста

Purpose. To analyze the frequency of myopia in the structure of clinical eye refraction in adolescent children. Material and methods. Analysis of the results of an ophthalmological examination of 690 schoolchildren aged 11, 13, 15 years using the continuous sampling method. Results. In the structure of totality of the examined children, refractive errors were noted in 405 people (58.7 %), in the structure of myopia refractive error amounted to 339 people (83.7 %). 65.5 % of schoolchildren had mild myopia, 37.5 % had moderate myopia, and 1.8 % had high myopia. In 32 schoolchildren habitually excessive tension of accommodation was revealed. The progressive course of myopia was noted in 45 children (13 %), of which in half of the cases it was at the age of 11 years. According to the picture of fundus, the chorioretinal form of myopia predominated. In the structure of refractive errors, corneal astigmatism was detected in 118 children (29 %), of which in 55 % of children it was myopic, in 22 % it was mixed. 201 schoolchildren had incomplete vision correction due to refractive amblyopia, in 90 % of cases it was of a weak degree. Conclusion. In the structure of clinical refraction of the examined children, 285 (41.3 %) schoolchildren had emmetropia, 405 (58.7 %) schoolchildren had refractive errors. Of the entire set of refractive errors, myopia occurred in 339 people (83.7 %). Mild myopia occurred in almost half of the total population of pupils (62.5 %) of age from 11 to 15 years. There is a tendency to increase myopic refraction from 11 to 15 years of age. Keywords: refraction, myopia, childhood, morbidity

Face mask recommendations in schools did not impact COVID-19 incidence among 10–12-year-olds in Finland – joinpoint regression analysis

BackgroundIn autumn 2021 in Finland, a recommendation to use face masks was implemented nationwide in schools for pupils ages 12 years and above. While national guidelines were in form of recommendations, cities implemented mandatory masking in schools. Some cities extended this mandate for younger pupils as well. Our aim was to compare COVID-19 incidence among 10–12-year-olds between cities with different recommendations on the use of face masks in schools.MethodsCOVID-19 case numbers, defined as positive laboratory verified SARS-CoV-2 test results, were obtained from the National Infectious Disease Registry (NIDR) of the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare. Helsinki, Turku and Tampere were selected for comparison since the baseline COVID-19 incidence in the cities had been similar in August and September 2021. Helsinki and Tampere implemented the national recommendation on face mask use at schools, while Turku extended this to include those 10 years old and above, starting from the beginning of semester in early August. Age groups of 7–9-year-olds, 10–12-year-olds and 30–49-year-olds were included in the statistical analysis and moving averages of 14-day incidences per 100 000 inhabitants were used as a dependent variable. Joinpoint regression was used to estimate average percent changes (APC) and average daily percent changes (ADPC) in the 14-day incidences. Differences in the ADPC values between the cities were compared in one-month periods. We also calculated cumulative incidences from the beginning of August to the end of November in the cities by age group.ResultsIn August, the ADPC was highest in Turku (3.9) and lowest in Tampere (2.0), while in September, the ADPC was highest in Turku (-0.3) and lowest in Helsinki (-3.2) among 10–12-year-olds. In October, the ADPC was highest in Helsinki (2.1) and lowest in Turku (-0.2) and in November, the ADPC was highest in Turku (4.1) and lowest in Tampere (-0.5) among 10–12-year-olds. We also calculated cumulative incidences from the beginning of August to the end of November in the cities by age groups of 7–9 years, 10–12 years, and 30–49 years. The cumulative incidence was highest in Turku in all age groups and lowest in Tampere.ConclusionsAccording to our analysis, no additional effect was gained from mandating face masks, based on comparisons between the cities and between the age groups of the unvaccinated children (10–12 years versus 7–9 years).

Brimonidine eye drops reveal diminished sympathetic pupillary tone in comatose patients with brain injury

BackgroundThere is an urgent need for easy-to-perform bedside measures to detect residual consciousness in clinically unresponsive patients with acute brain injury. Interestingly, the sympathetic control of pupil size is thought to be lost in states of unconsciousness. We therefore hypothesized that administration of brimonidine (an alpha-2-adrenergic agonist) eye drops into one eye should produce a pharmacologic Horner’s syndrome if the clinically unresponsive patient is conscious, but not if the patient is unconscious. Here, in a first step to explore this hypothesis, we investigated the potential of brimonidine eye drops to distinguish preserved sympathetic pupillary function in awake volunteers from impairment of sympathetic tone in patients in a coma.MethodsWe enrolled comatose patients admitted for acute brain injury to one of the intensive care units (ICU) of a tertiary referral center, in whom EEG and/or neuroimaging for all practical purposes had ruled out residual consciousness. Exclusion criteria were deep sedation, medications with known drug interactions with brimonidine, and a history of eye disease. Age- and sex-matched healthy and awake volunteers served as controls. We measured pupils of both eyes, under scotopic conditions, at baseline and five times 5–120 min after administering brimonidine into the right eye, using automated pupillometry. Primary outcomes were miosis and anisocoria at the individual and group levels.ResultsWe included 15 comatose ICU patients (seven women, mean age 59 ± 13.8 years) and 15 controls (seven women, mean age 55 ± 16.3 years). At 30 min, miosis and anisocoria were seen in all 15 controls (mean difference between the brimonidine-treated pupil and the control pupil: − 1.31 mm, 95% CI [− 1.51; − 1.11], p < 0.001), but in none (p < 0.001) of the 15 ICU patients (mean difference: 0.09 mm, 95% CI [− 0.12;0.30], p > 0.99). This effect was unchanged after 120 min and remained robust in sensitivity analyses correcting for baseline pupil size, age, and room illuminance.ConclusionIn this proof-of-principle study, brimonidine eye drops produced anisocoria in awake volunteers but not in comatose patients with brain injury. This suggests that automated pupillometry after administration of brimonidine can distinguish between the extremes of the spectrum of consciousness (i.e., fully conscious vs. deeply comatose). A larger study testing the “intermediate zone” of disorders of consciousness in the ICU seems warranted.

ЗАКОНОМІРНОСТІ ПЕРЕБІГУ ПРОЦЕСІВ ПСИХОФІЗІОЛОГІЧНОЇ АДАПТАЦІЇ СЕРЕД УЧНІВ СТАРШОГО ШКІЛЬНОГО ВІКУ З РІЗНИМ РІВНЕМ ЗДОРОВ’Я

In the course of the conducted research, the patterns of psychophysiological adaptation processes among pupils of senior school age with different levels of health were determined. 120 girls and 108 boys (or 10.3% of the total number of examined) were inc

FEATURES OF EXTERNAL RESPIRATION OF ADOLESCENTS OF DIFFERENT MEDICAL GROUPS OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Relevance. One of the human systems, which is particularly acutely affected by external environmental factors is the respiratory system. These disorders in adolescence are especially noticeable when intense and dramatic changes in the child's body on the path to biological maturity occur.&#x0D; Goal. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the functional indexes of the external respiration of adolescents of different medical groups of physical training.&#x0D; Materials and methods. The functionality of the respiratory system was evaluated by the results of pneumothography and respiratory retention. They were evaluated using mathematical statistics using the Medstat program (Yu.E.E., 2006). 76 middle school age pupils (38 boys and 38 girls) were surveyed, which belong to the preparatory group of physical training and 40 peers (20 boys and 20 girls) who attend the main physical education group. For comparison, normal indexes were used according to computer conclusions and scientific literature data&#x0D; Results. The normal performance of the VC according to the results of computer conclusions, registered in 42 % of pupils of the preparatory group of physical education, higher than the norm have 21 % of adolescents, 36 % of adolescents have significant violations of this index. According to the computer's conclusion, 52% of the subjects are characterized by extremely significant changes of FVC. A similar pattern is also noted for the index in the boys of this group. According to the results of computer findings 69% of pupils of the preparatory group have normal indexes of PEF, 21% have a higher then norm, 10% a slight decrease. The results of the functional test of Shtanger (delay in inhalation) showed that in the preparatory group this index is lower than the norm&#x0D; Volumetric indicators of the external respiration of pupils of the preparatory group in more than half of adolescents are significant changes. The volumetric indexes of such adolescents are significantly lower than the norm, by almost 1 liter. The rates of the respiratory system of the MEF 25, 50, 75% are lower than the norm by 1.5 - 2 times, and PEF does not differ from the norm.&#x0D; Conclusions. Indexes of external respiration in more than half of the examined pupils of the preparatory group were changed. The volumetric and flow rates of the respiratory system were significantly lower than the norm. A similar trend was followed by functional respiratory tests.