Sondeando el vínculo entre las habilidades de alfabetización emocional de los docentes de EFL y el desarrollo profesional

he emotional side of second/foreign language (L2) education has been widely explored in the past decade. However, the way English as foreign language (EFL) teachers’ emotional literacy (EL) influences their professionalism has remained unaddressed. Against this shortcoming, this study examined the association between EFL teachers’ EL skills and professional development. To do so, two online questionnaires were disseminated among 350 Iranian EFL teachers. The results of structural equation modeling (SEM) and correlation analysis revealed that all the five components of teacher EL skills were significantly correlated with teacher professional development, with social skills (r = .419) and emotional awareness (r = .417) having the strongest correlations. Moreover, the results of regression analysis indicated that teacher EL predicted 25.0% of the variance in teacher professional development. Of the components, three significant predictors were detected, namely emotional awareness, social skills, and self-regulation. Emotional awareness was the best predictor (β = .268, p = .000 < .01) that uniquely explained 7.18% of the variance in teacher professional development. Social skills and self-regulation were the other significant predictors of teacher professional development. The study ends in some conclusions, implications, and suggestions for further research on teacher emotions in L2 teaching and professional development.El lado emocional de la educación de una segunda lengua/lengua extranjera (L2) ha sido ampliamente explorado en la última década. Sin embargo, la forma en que la alfabetización emocional (EL) de los profesores de inglés como lengua extranjera (EFL) influye en su profesionalismo no se ha abordado. En contra de esta deficiencia, este estudio examinó la asociación entre las habilidades de EL de los profesores de EFL y el desarrollo profesional. Para hacerlo, se distribuyeron dos cuestionarios en línea entre 350 profesores iraníes de EFL. Los resultados del modelo de ecuaciones estructurales (SEM) y el análisis de correlación revelaron que los cinco componentes de las habilidades de EL de los maestros estaban significativamente correlacionados con el desarrollo profesional de los maestros, con habilidades sociales (r = .419) y conciencia emocional (r = .417) teniendo las correlaciones más fuertes. Además, los resultados del análisis de regresión indicaron que los docentes de EL predijeron el 25,0 % de la variación en el desarrollo profesional docente. De los componentes, se detectaron tres predictores significativos, a saber, la conciencia emocional, las habilidades sociales y la autorregulación. La conciencia emocional fue el mejor predictor (β = .268, p = .000 < .01)

Sondeando el vínculo entre las habilidades de alfabetización emocional de los docentes de EFL y el desarrollo profesional

The emotional side of second/foreign language (L2) education has been widely explored in the past decade. However, the way English as foreign language (EFL) teachers’ emotional literacy (EL) influences their professionalism has remained unaddressed. Against this shortcoming, this study examined the association between EFL teachers’ EL skills and professional development. To do so, two online questionnaires were disseminated among 350 Iranian EFL teachers. The results of structural equation modeling (SEM) and correlation analysis revealed that all the five components of teacher EL skills were significantly correlated with teacher professional development, with social skills (r = .419) and emotional awareness (r = .417) having the strongest correlations. Moreover, the results of regression analysis indicated that teacher EL predicted 25.0% of the variance in teacher professional development. Of the components, three significant predictors were detected, namely emotional awareness, social skills, and self-regulation. Emotional awareness was the best predictor (β = .268, p = .000 < .01) that uniquely explained 7.18% of the variance in teacher professional development. Social skills and self-regulation were the other significant predictors of teacher professional development. The study ends in some conclusions, implications, and suggestions for further research on teacher emotions in L2 teaching and professional development.El lado emocional de la educación de una segunda lengua/lengua extranjera (L2) ha sido ampliamente explorado en la última década. Sin embargo, la forma en que la alfabetización emocional (EL) de los profesores de inglés como lengua extranjera (EFL) influye en su profesionalismo no se ha abordado. En contra de esta deficiencia, este estudio examinó la asociación entre las habilidades de EL de los profesores de EFL y el desarrollo profesional. Para hacerlo, se distribuyeron dos cuestionarios en línea entre 350 profesores iraníes de EFL. Los resultados del modelo de ecuaciones estructurales (SEM) y el análisis de correlación revelaron que los cinco componentes de las habilidades de EL de los maestros estaban significativamente correlacionados con el desarrollo profesional de los maestros, con habilidades sociales (r = .419) y conciencia emocional (r = .417) teniendo las correlaciones más fuertes. Además, los resultados del análisis de regresión indicaron que los docentes de EL predijeron el 25,0 % de la variación en el desarrollo profesional docente. De los componentes, se detectaron tres predictores significativos, a saber, la conciencia emocional, las habilidades sociales y la autorregulación. La conciencia emocional fue el mejor predictor (β = .268, p = .000 < .01)

Fighting COVID-19: What Are the Available Options?

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the novel coronavirus, and its infection, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), have quickly become a worldwide threat. It is essential for clinicians to learn about this pandemic to manage patients. Among different aspects of the condition, is the treatment of this disease. Unfortunately, currently there is no effective treatment option that can be supported by evidence-based medicine. This review analyzes information from literature on treatments

Evaluation of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase and s-adenosyl-methionine level in male infertility: A case-control study

Background: Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase enzyme (MTHFR) plays a key role in regulating folate balance, converting homocysteine to methionine, and producing s-adenosylmethionine (SAM) that plays a role in the methylation process. Objective: This study aimed to determine MTHFR activity and SAM level in men with normozoospermia and oligozoospermia. Materials and Methods: 30 oligozoospermic and 30 normozoospermic men as controls were enrolled in this case-control study. Semen analysis was conducted according to the world health organization criteria. All semen samples were collected after 3-5 days of sexual abstinence. The sperms were evaluated by sperm test video software. All subjects SAM level was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit, and MTHFR were measured manually. Results: 2 groups had a significant difference in sperm morphology (p = 0.02), concentration (p = 0.02) and motility (p = 0.03). The MTHFR activity in normozoospermic and oligozoospermic groups had significantly differences (p = 0.01). The level of SAM in the semen of oligozoospermic men was statistically lower than normozoospermic men (p = 0.03). Also, there was a positive association between MTHFR enzyme activity and SAM level in the normozoospermia group (p = 0.02, β = 0.67) and oligozoospermia group (p = 0.03, β = 0.54). Conclusion: MTHFR activity and SAM concentration were statistically lower in oligozoospermia men. It seems they can affect sperm concentration, morphology, and motility. Key words: Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase, s-adenosylmethionine, Normozoospermia, Oligozoospermia, Folic acid

Priority Setting for Improvement of Cervical Cancer Prevention in Iran

Background: Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women worldwide. Organized cervical screening and vaccination against human papilloma virus (HPV) have been successful interventions for prevention of invasive cervical cancer (ICC). Because of cultural and religious considerations, ICC has low incidence in Iran and many other Muslim countries. There is no organized cervical screening in these countries. Therefore, ICC is usually diagnosed in advanced stages with poor prognosis in these countries. We performed a priority setting exercise and suggested priorities for prevention of ICC in this setting. Methods: We invited experts and researchers to a workshop and asked them to list important suggestions for ICC prevention in Iran. After merging similar items and removing the duplicates, we asked the experts to rank the list of suggested items. We used a strategy grid and Go-zone analysis to determine final list of priorities for ICC prevention in Iran. Results: From 26 final items suggested as priorities for prevention of ICC, the most important priorities were developing national guidelines for cervical screening and quality control protocol for patient follow-up and management of precancerous lesions. In addition, we emphasized considering insurance coverage for cervical screening, public awareness, and research priorities, and establishment of a cervical screening registry. Conclusion: A comprehensive approach and implementation of organized cervical screening program is necessary for prevention of ICC in Iran and other low incidence Muslim countries. Because of high cost for vaccination and low incidence of cervical cancer, we do not recommend HPV vaccination for the time being in Iran

Mapping local patterns of childhood overweight and wasting in low- and middle-income countries between 2000 and 2017

A double burden of malnutrition occurs when individuals, household members or communities experience both undernutrition and overweight. Here, we show geospatial estimates of overweight and wasting prevalence among children under 5 years of age in 105 low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) from 2000 to 2017 and aggregate these to policy-relevant administrative units. Wasting decreased overall across LMICs between 2000 and 2017, from 8.4% (62.3 (55.1–70.8) million) to 6.4% (58.3 (47.6–70.7) million), but is predicted to remain above the World Health Organization’s Global Nutrition Target of <5% in over half of LMICs by 2025. Prevalence of overweight increased from 5.2% (30 (22.8–38.5) million) in 2000 to 6.0% (55.5 (44.8–67.9) million) children aged under 5 years in 2017. Areas most affected by double burden of malnutrition were located in Indonesia, Thailand, southeastern China, Botswana, Cameroon and central Nigeria. Our estimates provide a new perspective to researchers, policy makers and public health agencies in their efforts to address this global childhood syndemic

Global age-sex-specific fertility, mortality, healthy life expectancy (HALE), and population estimates in 204 countries and territories, 1950-2019 : a comprehensive demographic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Background: Accurate and up-to-date assessment of demographic metrics is crucial for understanding a wide range of social, economic, and public health issues that affect populations worldwide. The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019 produced updated and comprehensive demographic assessments of the key indicators of fertility, mortality, migration, and population for 204 countries and territories and selected subnational locations from 1950 to 2019. Methods: 8078 country-years of vital registration and sample registration data, 938 surveys, 349 censuses, and 238 other sources were identified and used to estimate age-specific fertility. Spatiotemporal Gaussian process regression (ST-GPR) was used to generate age-specific fertility rates for 5-year age groups between ages 15 and 49 years. With extensions to age groups 10–14 and 50–54 years, the total fertility rate (TFR) was then aggregated using the estimated age-specific fertility between ages 10 and 54 years. 7417 sources were used for under-5 mortality estimation and 7355 for adult mortality. ST-GPR was used to synthesise data sources after correction for known biases. Adult mortality was measured as the probability of death between ages 15 and 60 years based on vital registration, sample registration, and sibling histories, and was also estimated using ST-GPR. HIV-free life tables were then estimated using estimates of under-5 and adult mortality rates using a relational model life table system created for GBD, which closely tracks observed age-specific mortality rates from complete vital registration when available. Independent estimates of HIV-specific mortality generated by an epidemiological analysis of HIV prevalence surveys and antenatal clinic serosurveillance and other sources were incorporated into the estimates in countries with large epidemics. Annual and single-year age estimates of net migration and population for each country and territory were generated using a Bayesian hierarchical cohort component model that analysed estimated age-specific fertility and mortality rates along with 1250 censuses and 747 population registry years. We classified location-years into seven categories on the basis of the natural rate of increase in population (calculated by subtracting the crude death rate from the crude birth rate) and the net migration rate. We computed healthy life expectancy (HALE) using years lived with disability (YLDs) per capita, life tables, and standard demographic methods. Uncertainty was propagated throughout the demographic estimation process, including fertility, mortality, and population, with 1000 draw-level estimates produced for each metric. Findings: The global TFR decreased from 2·72 (95% uncertainty interval [UI] 2·66–2·79) in 2000 to 2·31 (2·17–2·46) in 2019. Global annual livebirths increased from 134·5 million (131·5–137·8) in 2000 to a peak of 139·6 million (133·0–146·9) in 2016. Global livebirths then declined to 135·3 million (127·2–144·1) in 2019. Of the 204 countries and territories included in this study, in 2019, 102 had a TFR lower than 2·1, which is considered a good approximation of replacement-level fertility. All countries in sub-Saharan Africa had TFRs above replacement level in 2019 and accounted for 27·1% (95% UI 26·4–27·8) of global livebirths. Global life expectancy at birth increased from 67·2 years (95% UI 66·8–67·6) in 2000 to 73·5 years (72·8–74·3) in 2019. The total number of deaths increased from 50·7 million (49·5–51·9) in 2000 to 56·5 million (53·7–59·2) in 2019. Under-5 deaths declined from 9·6 million (9·1–10·3) in 2000 to 5·0 million (4·3–6·0) in 2019. Global population increased by 25·7%, from 6·2 billion (6·0–6·3) in 2000 to 7·7 billion (7·5–8·0) in 2019. In 2019, 34 countries had negative natural rates of increase; in 17 of these, the population declined because immigration was not sufficient to counteract the negative rate of decline. Globally, HALE increased from 58·6 years (56·1–60·8) in 2000 to 63·5 years (60·8–66·1) in 2019. HALE increased in 202 of 204 countries and territories between 2000 and 2019

Global burden of 369 diseases and injuries in 204 countries and territories, 1990–2019: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Background: In an era of shifting global agendas and expanded emphasis on non-communicable diseases and injuries along with communicable diseases, sound evidence on trends by cause at the national level is essential. The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) provides a systematic scientific assessment of published, publicly available, and contributed data on incidence, prevalence, and mortality for a mutually exclusive and collectively exhaustive list of diseases and injuries. Methods: GBD estimates incidence, prevalence, mortality, years of life lost (YLLs), years lived with disability (YLDs), and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) due to 369 diseases and injuries, for two sexes, and for 204 countries and territories. Input data were extracted from censuses, household surveys, civil registration and vital statistics, disease registries, health service use, air pollution monitors, satellite imaging, disease notifications, and other sources. Cause-specific death rates and cause fractions were calculated using the Cause of Death Ensemble model and spatiotemporal Gaussian process regression. Cause-specific deaths were adjusted to match the total all-cause deaths calculated as part of the GBD population, fertility, and mortality estimates. Deaths were multiplied by standard life expectancy at each age to calculate YLLs. A Bayesian meta-regression modelling tool, DisMod-MR 2.1, was used to ensure consistency between incidence, prevalence, remission, excess mortality, and cause-specific mortality for most causes. Prevalence estimates were multiplied by disability weights for mutually exclusive sequelae of diseases and injuries to calculate YLDs. We considered results in the context of the Socio-demographic Index (SDI), a composite indicator of income per capita, years of schooling, and fertility rate in females younger than 25 years. Uncertainty intervals (UIs) were generated for every metric using the 25th and 975th ordered 1000 draw values of the posterior distribution. Findings: Global health has steadily improved over the past 30 years as measured by age-standardised DALY rates. After taking into account population growth and ageing, the absolute number of DALYs has remained stable. Since 2010, the pace of decline in global age-standardised DALY rates has accelerated in age groups younger than 50 years compared with the 1990–2010 time period, with the greatest annualised rate of decline occurring in the 0–9-year age group. Six infectious diseases were among the top ten causes of DALYs in children younger than 10 years in 2019: lower respiratory infections (ranked second), diarrhoeal diseases (third), malaria (fifth), meningitis (sixth), whooping cough (ninth), and sexually transmitted infections (which, in this age group, is fully accounted for by congenital syphilis; ranked tenth). In adolescents aged 10–24 years, three injury causes were among the top causes of DALYs: road injuries (ranked first), self-harm (third), and interpersonal violence (fifth). Five of the causes that were in the top ten for ages 10–24 years were also in the top ten in the 25–49-year age group: road injuries (ranked first), HIV/AIDS (second), low back pain (fourth), headache disorders (fifth), and depressive disorders (sixth). In 2019, ischaemic heart disease and stroke were the top-ranked causes of DALYs in both the 50–74-year and 75-years-and-older age groups. Since 1990, there has been a marked shift towards a greater proportion of burden due to YLDs from non-communicable diseases and injuries. In 2019, there were 11 countries where non-communicable disease and injury YLDs constituted more than half of all disease burden. Decreases in age-standardised DALY rates have accelerated over the past decade in countries at the lower end of the SDI range, while improvements have started to stagnate or even reverse in countries with higher SDI. Interpretation: As disability becomes an increasingly large component of disease burden and a larger component of health expenditure, greater research and developm nt investment is needed to identify new, more effective intervention strategies. With a rapidly ageing global population, the demands on health services to deal with disabling outcomes, which increase with age, will require policy makers to anticipate these changes. The mix of universal and more geographically specific influences on health reinforces the need for regular reporting on population health in detail and by underlying cause to help decision makers to identify success stories of disease control to emulate, as well as opportunities to improve. Funding: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. © 2020 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an Open Access article under the CC BY 4.0 licens