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COVID-19 vaccination of U.S. children lags behind adult vaccination, but remains critical in mitigating the pandemic. Using a subset of a nationally representative survey, this study examined factors contributing to parental uptake of COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 12–17 and 5–11, stratified by parental COVID-19 vaccination status. Among vaccinated parents, uptake was higher for 12–17-year-olds (78.6%) than 5–11-year-olds (50.7%); only two unvaccinated parents vaccinated their children. Child influenza vaccination was predictive of uptake for both age groups, while side effect concerns remained significant only for younger children. Although parents were more likely to involve adolescents in vaccine decision-making than younger children, this was not predictive of vaccine uptake. These results highlight the importance of addressing the unique and shared concerns parents have regarding COVID-19 vaccination for children of varying ages. Future work should further explore adolescent/child perspectives of involvement in COVID-19 vaccination decision-making to support developmentally appropriate involvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improving immune status in neonates is crucial to health and production. Gut active carbohydrates (GAC) have been associated with increasing immunoglobin levels and immonucompetence development in mammals. The objective of the following studies was to evaluate whether GAC (mannan-oligosaccharides) applied orally to progeny immediately following parturition, improved blood plasma immunoglobulin (Ig) type G concentrations in piglets and calves. Three trials were conducted comparing control groups with those receiving GAC orally. The first two trials used piglets that were monitored for blood IgG at 2 days of age and for changes in body weight (BW), and the third trial monitored calf IgG from birth to 21 days of age. Piglets in the experimental group received 0.75 g GAC in 10 ml saline at birth and 24 h of age. The calf trial compared the control group against calves that received 22.5 g GAC mixed into 4.5 l of colostrum (to give 5 g/l) in the first 24 h after parturition. Blood serum samples were taken at 2 days post partum in piglets, and at several time points from 6 h to 21 days of age in calves, and were analysed for IgG levels by radial immunodiffusion. In the first piglet trial, significantly higher levels (32%) of IgG were observed for piglets fed GAC ( P<0.001), and in the second, IgG concentration was elevated by 23% ( P<0.01) and BW increased by 9% ( P=0.023) with GAC supplementation. Significant improvements for calves were recorded at all time points in those fed GAC ( P<0.05), with an increase in serum IgG observed after the first day, which was maintained throughout the sampling period, resulting in a difference of 39% at the end of the trial (21 d). These findings form a basis for further studies, which are required to investigate possible modes of action involved in enhancing blood immunoglobulin concentrations in young animals, and the longer-term effects this may have on the development of the immune response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A daily dietary supplement of 25 g protein (as skim milk powder) was fed to a group of 30 growth-retarded prepubertal children attending the boarding school in Bundi, New Guinea. A control group of 24 growth-retarded children received only the normal school diet. At 7 months, all children were immunized with flagellin from Salmonella adelaide; specific antibody responses were measured over the ensuing 6 weeks and total immunoglobulin levels were also measured. Growth was assessed at 8 months. Increments in height and weight and antibody responses to flagellin were significantly greater in children receiving the skim milk supplement than in those receiving the normal school diet whereas levels of total immunoglobulin M were higher in the latter than in the former. Factor analysis showed that natural (preimmunization) antibody to flagellin was correlated with total 1gM levels but was largely independent of postimmunization antibody levels and of total levels lgA and IgG. Active production of antibody to flagellin was independent of total levels of lgG, IgA, and 1gM. These findings are of theoretical interest; first, they suggest that the causes of specific antibody production after immunization are largely independent, not only of those for "natural" (preimmunizat ion) antibody, but also those for total immunoglobulin levels. In view of the fact that the children receiving a dietary supplement had lower immunoglobulin levels in spite of their higher antibody responses, it is suggested that inadequate dietary protein impairs the production of specific antibody molecules, and that by way of compensation, there is a greater production of immunoglobulin molecules of low antibody specificity that are less effective in eliminating infectious agents. From a practical viewpoint, these results suggest that modest increases in protein intake would benefit the health status of people in the developing countries. In contrast, it is possible that, in the developed countries, overnutrition might modify immune function in a way that is harmful to health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extracellular dopamine (DA) levels are constrained by the presynaptic DA transporter (DAT), a major psychostimulant target. Despite its necessity for DA neurotransmission, DAT regulation in situ is poorly understood, and it is unknown whether regulated DAT trafficking impacts dopaminergic signaling and/or behaviors. Leveraging chemogenetics and conditional gene silencing, we found that activating presynaptic Gq-coupled receptors, either hM3Dq or mGlu5, drove rapid biphasic DAT membrane trafficking in ex vivo striatal slices, with region-specific differences between ventral and dorsal striata. DAT insertion required D2 DA autoreceptors and intact retromer, whereas DAT retrieval required PKC activation and Rit2. Ex vivo voltammetric studies revealed that DAT trafficking impacts DA clearance. Furthermore, dopaminergic mGlu5 silencing elevated DAT surface expression and abolished motor learning, which was rescued by inhibiting DAT with a subthreshold CE-158 dose. We discovered that presynaptic DAT trafficking is complex, multimodal, and region specific, and for the first time, we identified cell autonomous mechanisms that govern presynaptic DAT tone. Importantly, the findings are consistent with a role for regulated DAT trafficking in DA clearance and motor function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reports on the effects of different percentages of diet restrictions on the body composition of obese women.

Much research has been devoted to the investigation of both the culture of honor residing in the American South and the individual difference ideologies that stem from this culture. The purpose of our study was to investigate the ability of individual differences in masculine honor beliefs (Saucier et al., 2016) to explain the regional differences that Southern and Northern men showed on the original measures of honor-related outcomes employed by the seminal scholars in culture of honor research (e.g., Cohen & Nisbett, 1994; Nisbett, 1993). Consistent with hypotheses, our results replicate regional differences in honor-related responses, but also show that individual differences in masculine honor beliefs mediate these regional differences. Thus, our research extends the notion of cultures of honor beyond their regional boundaries, and highlights the value in conceptualizing honor as a psychological individual difference factor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Masculine honor, particularly as defined by the Southern culture of honor, centers on the belief that aggression is sometimes justifiable and necessary, such as in response to insult or threat. While masculine honor has been examined in terms of cultural differences, it has been less often examined in terms of individual differences. We developed a measure of masculine honor beliefs (MHBS) inspired by research on the Southern culture of honor. Four studies showed that the MHBS demonstrated internal consistency, test–retest reliability, convergent validity with measures of trait aggression and sexism, discriminant validity from measures of social desirability, conservatism and self-esteem, and predictive and incremental validity in predicting reactions to honor-related provocation above and beyond participants' sex and other measures of honor beliefs. The MHBS allows masculine honor beliefs to be examined as an important factor in understanding men's motivations for aggressive behavior, particularly in response to provocation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hazing is a prevalent issue on many college campuses, and individuals higher in Masculine Honor Beliefs (MHB; i.e., prioritizing a tough social reputation) may think hazing is a test of one's honor. Across two studies (N = 366), we assessed the influence of MHB and various hazing circumstances on third-person perceptions of hazing (Study 1) and (hypothetical) first-person hazing endurance (Study 2). Study 1 used vignettes of a newcomer's hazing experience in an all men's group at three levels of severity. Individuals higher in MHB had more favorable attitudes toward hazing and perceived it as less harmful. Study 2 participants identified when, if at all, they would stop participating in a (hypothetical) hazing progression to gain ingroup membership that manipulated if the hazing was 1) primarily humiliating or physical and 2) posted on Snapchat or not. We found both higher MHB and the Snapchat condition uniquely predicted longer (hypothetical) hazing endurance, suggesting one's social reputation and the increased possibility of others seeing one's hazing progress may motivate longer (hypothetical) hazing endurance, respectively. These studies present MHB as a novel contribution in understanding third-person and first-person perceptions of undergraduate hazing. • We examined third- and first-person perceptions of undergraduate hazing. • Masculine Honor Beliefs predicted more favorable attitudes toward hazing. • Masculine Honor Beliefs predicted longer hypothetical hazing endurance. • Hypothetical hazing was endured longer when the hazing was posted on social media. • Masculine Honor Beliefs mediated most gender differences in hazing perceptions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Using a sample of college-aged men, we evaluated the validity of a staging algorithm for dairy calcium intake that had been previously validated in a sample of college women. College-aged men enrolled at a private university in the United States were randomly selected to participate. The sample consisted of 180 male participants. Self-reported calcium intake was measured using a 26-item food frequency questionnaire. Stages of change classifications were based on a four-question algorithm for dairy calcium intake and a three-item self-efficacy questionnaire. Significant differences were found between dairy/calcium intake levels between precontemplation, contemplation/preparation, and action/maintenance groups. Results also showed that 46% of participants were in the action/maintenance stage. There was a significant difference in self-efficacy between members of the preaction and action stages. The study suggests that this stage of change algorithm for dairy calcium intake is valid for use in a male college student population. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Recovery of strength and endurance post heart transplant (HTx) has remained relatively slow. Factors that limit early rehabilitation include sternotomy precautions and corticosteroid myopathy. We propose that specialized, comprehensive rehabilitation program (COLTT) can be initiated immediately after discharge to (1) improve functional outcomes (2) decrease hospital readmission. This is a retrospective analysis of 14 patients (age 20 - 71 years, mean 48 years, 12 male) post orthotropic HTx (2018 - 2020). Patients were enrolled, on average, 2.9 days after hospital discharge. COLTT is a multidisciplinary (respiratory and physical therapy), daily rehabilitation program (2.5 hours) with focus on return to function through strength, balance, and endurance training. Six-minute walk test (6MWT), 1-minute sit-to-stand (STS), left and right single leg stand (SLS) and walk speed were assessed pre- and post-COLTT: Published normative data for the outcome measures was used to establish patient goals. Enright equation was used to calculate patients' percent predicted 6MWD. Paired t-tests were used to assess pre/post gains using SPSS statistics software. The number of visits required to reach COLTT program goals was 18.85 visits (±7.68). 6MWT improved from 1008m (±369.3) to 1734m (±299.1), P<0.001. STS improved from 6.714 (±7.332) to 25.29 (±5.21) repetitions, P<0.001. Walk speed improved from 1.917 mph (±0.521) to 2.821 mph (±0.669), P <0.05. Right SLS improved from 7.753 seconds (±7.179) to 22.58 (±20.93), P=0.004, and left SLS from 9.545 (±17.23) to 15.36(±17.5) seconds, P=0.065 (borderline significant). 71% of the patients on 6MWT achieved >80% target level, based on Enright equation. In the 6 months following hospital discharge, only 2 had readmission for infection. None had readmission for deconditioning or cardiac decompensation. Outcomes measures such as 6MWT and STS provide objective data of rehabilitation progress. Combining strength, balance, and endurance rehabilitation during COLTT reached functional outcomes near the level of healthy individuals in 19 visits on average. There were no unplanned hospitalizations attributable to COLTT. This implementation study supports that HTx recipients can be trained as healthy individuals and benefit from intensive rehabilitation shortly after surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]