5-year Olds Research Articles

Reduced high-intensity training distance in growing horses had no effect on IGF-1 concentrations, but training onset interrupted time-dependent IGF-1 decline

This study investigated plasma insulin like growth factor (IGF)-1 concentrations in 16 young Standardbred horses introduced to systematic high-intensity training at two different levels of intensity. Growth and locomotion asymmetry and correlations between these and plasma IGF-1 concentrations were also examined. From September as 1-year olds to March as 2-year olds (Period 1), all horses were subjected to the same submaximal training program. In March (start of Period 2), the horses were divided into two groups (n=8) and one group was introduced to regular high-intensity training. The other group was introduced to a program where the high-intensity exercise distances were reduced by 30%. These two training programs were maintained for the remaining 21 months of the study (Periods 2, 3, and 4). There was no effect of training group on plasma IGF-1 concentrations. A continuous decline in IGF-1 levels was observed throughout the study (P<0.0001), with one notable interruption in Period 2 when the IGF-1 concentration remained at the level seen at the start of Period 1. Growth rate of body length was equally high in Periods 1 and 2 (P>0.05). Front and hind limb asymmetry was elevated in Period 2 compared with Period 1. There were positive correlations between IGF-1 concentrations and changes in body condition score, and a negative correlation between IGF-1 concentration and weight. These results indicate that introduction to high-intensity training induces IGF-1 release in horses, but that a 30% difference in the distances used in high-intensity training does not affect IGF-1 levels. The temporary interruption in decline in IGF-1 release with the onset of high-intensity training may influence growth pattern and locomotion asymmetry, but further studies are needed to assess causality.

Drug-handling problems and expectations of the ideal pediatric drug\u2014reported by children and their parents

Experienced drug-handling problems and inadequately considered expectations for drug therapy have an unfavorable influence on therapy. We performed a questionnaire survey in (i) parents of 0–5-year-old children and (ii) 6–17-year olds and their parents. We assessed (A) experienced drug-handling problems and (B) expectations for drug therapy. (i) Forty-six parents and (ii) 103 children and their parents participated in the study. Experienced drug-handling problems were described by (i) 100% of parents and (ii) 62% of children and 70% of parents. Problems concerned with the preparation of the drug, dosing, compliance with the time interval, and acceptance. (i) Sixty-five percent of parents preferred a peroral route of drug administration, while (ii) 74% of children and 86% of parents did so. Preferred characteristics of peroral drug formulations, e.g., liquid versus solid drug formulations or flavor, were highly heterogeneous. Preferences of 6–17-year-old children and their parents matched in 43 to 66%. Conclusion: Most children and their parents had already experienced drug-handling problems. Preferences concerning the ideal pediatric drug were highly heterogeneous and in about half of cases, preferences of children and their parents differed. Thus, the children should be approached directly. If information is solely gained from parents, the children’s needs might remain unmet.What is Known:• Pediatric drug administration is complex and therefore error-prone.•Experiences and expectations of children and their parents should be considered.What is New:•Most pediatric patients and their parents have already experienced drug-handling problems.• Expectations concerning the ideal pediatric drug are highly heterogeneous. Parents are often insufficiently aware of those expectations in their children.

Speech-in-speech recognition in preschoolers

Objective The purpose of this study was to 1) characterise word recognition in a speech masker for preschoolers tested using closed-set, forced-choice procedures and 2) better understand the stimulus and listener factors affecting performance. Design Speech recognition thresholds (SRTs) in a two-talker masker were evaluated using a picture-pointing response with two sets of disyllabic target words. ChEgSS words were previously developed for children ≥5 years of age, and simple words were developed for preschoolers. Familiarisation ensured accurate identification of target words before testing. Study sample Participants were 3- and 4-year olds (n = 21) and young adults (n = 10) with normal hearing. Results Preschoolers and adults had significantly lower SRTs for the simple words than the ChEgSS words, and lower SRTs for early-acquired than later-acquired ChEgSS words. For both word sets, SRTs were approximately 11-dB higher for preschoolers than adults, and child age was associated with SRTs. Preschoolers’ receptive vocabulary size predicted performance for ChEgSS words but not simple words. Conclusions Preschoolers were more susceptible to speech-in-speech masking than adults, with a similar child–adult difference for the ChEgSS and simple words. Effects of receptive vocabulary in preschoolers’ recognition of ChEgSS words indicate that vocabulary size is an important consideration, even when using closed-set methods.

Using their heads - A novel, collaborative approach between industry and scientists to monitor a commercial mullet fishery as a result of COVID-19 restrictions

The COVID-19 global pandemic-related restrictions during 2020 severely impacted the Australian seafood industry, including essential scientific monitoring to support stock assessment and to demonstrate sustainability. Here we detail a novel, collaborative monitoring program between scientists and the seafood industry to generate length and age compositions that were representative of one of the largest, most valuable, and controversial fisheries along eastern Australia, the pre-spawning ocean run fishery for Sea Mullet Mugil cephalus that is predominantly a roe fishery. The standard approach to monitoring this fishery has been to base trained scientific staff at the major processing facility for M. cephalus, where they access whole fish from entire catches to generate representative length and age compositions during the peak season, April to May. Covid-19 restrictions prevented this approach for 2020 in eastern Australia. In recognition that in addition to the high-value roe, all components of the female fish are utilized (heads and guts for bait, bodies for human consumption), a multi-stage, spatially stratified sampling design was investigated. Female heads were retained from randomly selected catches from each of the three major fishing zones and transported to the New South Wales Department of Primary Industries fish laboratory based in Sydney. Head lengths (HLs) were measured and converted to Fork Lengths (FLs) using a HL to FL relationship. The resulting fish length compositions from each catch were subsequently combined based on: (i) relative catch size of females within an ocean zone, and; (ii) the relative reported landings of females in each ocean fishing zone. Otoliths were randomly collected from heads sampled from each ocean zone and used to estimate age. The resulting ocean zone to age matrix was combined with the relative reported landings of female fish in each ocean fishing zone to generate a total female age composition for the fishery. The estimated age composition of females were typical in being mainly between ages 3 and 6, with a strong presence of 4-year olds. This stronger cohort was present as 3-year olds in 2018/19 and 5-year olds in 2020/21, thus providing confidence that our sampling was representative of the fishery. The study reinforces the positive outcomes that can be generated through co-management between scientists and the seafood industry.

Aerodigestive clinic reduces emergency department and primary care utilization and increases access to ancillary and specialty care

ObjectiveThe study aimed to evaluate the effect of the aerodigestive clinic (ADC) on healthcare utilization. Study designRetrospective quality improvement project; before and after. SettingThe ADC at Tripler Army Medical Center (TAMC) in Honolulu, HI. MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the electronic medical records of children ≤17 years old seen in the ADC at TAMC between April 2015 and June 2019. The number of emergency department (ED), primary care (PC), specialty care (SC), ancillary care (AC), and teleconsult (TC) encounters were tallied before and after one year of the initial intake visit. ResultsA total of 261 children were included during the study period. Comparing visits before aerodigestive evaluation to after aerodigestive evaluation, the total number of visits before and after were similar with significant changes in the distribution of encounters. The total number of ED (−38%) and PC (−40%) visits decreased significantly (p < 0.001 for both). The total number of other visits were found to have non-significant increases. PC visits accounted for nearly one-third (31%) of all visits prior to the initial ADC visit, but only 19% of visits after. PC visits decreased for all age groups. ED visits decreased by nearly half (−48.1%) for ages 1–17, but there was no change for <1-year olds. ConclusionThere is a statistically significant reduction in the number of emergency department and primary care visits for patients seen in a multidisciplinary ADC. The distribution of visits differed strongly among age groups. These findings emphasize the positive impact that the multidisciplinary clinic has on healthcare utilization for pediatric aerodigestive patients.

Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor-related New-onset Thyroid Dysfunction: A Retrospective Analysis Using the US FDA Adverse Event Reporting System.

ObjectivesThe study aimed to investigate the prevalence and demographic characteristics of an immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-related thyroid dysfunction (ICI-TD), and to explore risk factors of poor clinical outcome using data from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS).MethodsThis is a retrospective study. All cases, aged over 18-year olds, of new-onset or new-diagnosed thyroid dysfunction related to FDA-approved ICIs from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2020 were identified using FAERS. Data of age, gender, other combined endocrinopathies related to ICIs besides ICI-TDs, and the prognosis was analyzed.ResultsIn total, 2.60% (2971/114 121) cases of ICI-TDs were identified. Among them, 1842 (62.0%) developed hypothyroidism, 675 (22.7%) were hyperthyroidism, and 454 (15.3%) presented in thyroiditis without the mention of thyroid function. Patients on anti- programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) therapy displayed higher risk of hypothyroidism compared with other 3 regimens, respectively (P < .01 for all). The likelihood of other immune-related endocrinopathies in patients on the combination therapy of anti-cytotoxic T-cell-associated protein-4 (CTLA-4) and anti-PD-1 was significantly elevated than anti-PD-1 (odds ratio [OR] 2.362, 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.925-2.898], P < .001) and anti-programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) regimens (OR 4.857, 95%CI [3.228-7.308], P < .001). The risk of severe cases was positively related to hypothyroidism in individuals on anti-PD-1 therapy (OR 1.587, 95%CI [1.146-2.197], P = .005) and those on anti-CTLA-4 therapy (OR 3.616, 95%CI [1.285-10.171], P = .015). The risk of severe cases was positively associated with the comorbidity with other endocrinopathies (anti-PD-1 group, OR 0.285, 95%CI [0.200-0.467], P < .001; anti-PD-1+anti-CTLA-4 group, OR 0.574, 95%CI [0.371-0.890], P = .013).ConclusionsRegular monitor of thyroid function is indispensable, since ICI-TDs manifested as hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, especially those on the combination therapy. Awareness among health care professionals is critical when hypothyroidism occurs, which might indicate poor clinical outcomes.

Норовірусна інфекція: особливості епідеміології та клініко-лабораторних проявів на сучасному етапі

Гострі кишкові інфекції вірусної етіології набувають все більшої актуальності. У даній роботі проведено аналіз клініко-епідеміологічних особливостей норовірусної кишкової інфекції у дітей. Наведені дані власних досліджень, проведених за 2013–2016 роки. Норовірусна інфекція характеризується гострим початком, помірною лихоманкою, водянистою діареєю, циклічністю перебігу. Пацієнтам віком до 1 року властивий розвиток вододефіцитного ексикозу. Групою ризику є діти перших трьох років життя. Клінічний перебіг норовірусної інфекції залежить від віку і преморбідного фону.

Validation of an erosive tooth wear risk factors questionnaire for adolescents.

To validate a questionnaire for the identification of factors associated with erosive tooth wear (ETW) in adolescents. Based on previous questionnaires, a 73-question instrument was designed (four domains: socio-demographics, general/oral health history, diet and oral care habits). Content validity was assessed by five external experts, and the questions' understandability was evaluated in a pilot study (10 adolescents). Three internal experts agreed on modifications. Construct validity was assessed after the resulting questionnaire was applied to 454 12- to 15-year olds from Bogotá (Colombia). Statistical analyses included exploratory factor analysis (EFA), internal consistency, and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). After the content validation, 52% of the questions were excluded and remaining 38 questions were adjusted. Construct validation: The EFA resulted in the regrouping of questions into the three remaining domains (KMO = 0.68; Bartlett's test: p < 0.001). Internal consistency was good (general questionnaire Cronbach's α = 0.67; individual factors' Cronbach's α = 0.30-0.69; ICC = 0.39-0.62; p < 0.001), and the model showed satisfactory fit. CFA showed good convergent and discriminatory validity suggesting the elimination of 14 additional questions (χ2 = 238.518; p > 0.086; CFI = 0.96; TLI = 0.95; RMSEA = 0.017; PRATIO = 0.76). The final validated questionnaire comprised 24 questions (general/oral health history: n = 5; dietary habits: n = 15; oral care habits: n = 4). The validation of the ETW questionnaire for adolescents was satisfactory and resulted in a short applicable questionnaire version. This study achieved a satisfactorily validated, short, and applicable questionnaire for assessing erosive tooth wear risk factors in adolescents, recommended for the clinical practice, research, and epidemiology.

When does credibility matter? The assessment of information sources in teenagers navigation regimes

The aim of this paper is to investigate when and how Brazilian teenagers assess the credibility of information sources. We analyze data collected through focus groups, guided internet searches, and interviews with sixty-one 14- to 19-year olds from the state of Rio de Janeiro. Participants used different criteria to attribute credibility to information sources, with expertise and reputation being two of the most relevant, placing specialists, teachers, and the mainstream media at the top of their list of credible sources. Interestingly, these sources are not necessarily the ones that are most present in their daily lives, and credibility is only a relevant factor in some circumstances. Based on our results and data from other studies on the topic, we propose three navigation regimes (dilletante, motivated, and constrained) as a framework for analyzing teenagers’ information evaluation behavior, in which the role of sources’ credibility varies considerably. We believe this framework can help in the development of more effective strategies for improving young people’s sourcing skills and media literacy.

Seasonal output of gastrointestinal nematode eggs and lungworm larvae in farmed wapiti and red deer of New Zealand

Gastrointestinal nematode parasites and lungworm are significant animal health issues for farmed wapiti and red deer (Cervus elaphus). Chronic infection with gastrointestinal nematodes, coupled with sporadic, often pathogenic, outbreaks of the lungworm Dictyocaulus eckerti in young deer has resulted in many farmers relying heavily on anthelmintic treatments. An improved understanding of the epidemiology of the parasites infecting farmed deer, including the sources and seasonality of pasture contamination on the farm, is essential to the development of more integrated and sustainable control programs.The numbers of strongyle nematode eggs and lungworm larvae shed by different stock classes (red and/ or wapiti mixed-age stags, mixed-age red hinds, rising 2-year-old red stags and mix-sex rising 1-year olds) were monitored monthly, across six farms located in different regions of New Zealand, from January 2018 to early 2020. Every month, 10 fresh on-pasture faecal samples were collected from each stock class and couriered overnight to the laboratory. Baermann apparatus to recover lungworm 1st-stage larvae were set up immediately on sample arrival. Faecal samples for nematode faecal egg count were stored at 4 °C until the number of strongyle eggs were counted by mini-FLOTAC. Additional information, including stocking density, grazing systems, and anthelmintic treatments, were also noted every collection month.Results indicate a relatively consistent proportion of animals within each stock class shedding low numbers of both gastrointestinal nematode eggs (about 75 %) and lungworm larvae (about 50 %) all year round. There was little apparent seasonality and few differences between farms (location). Further, the average number of eggs/larvae shed was also relatively constant across seasons and locations, within each stock class. Interestingly, there was little correlation between lungworm larval counts and egg counts suggesting that the same animals were not consistently shedding both parasites.The data indicate that in the presence of regular anthelmintic treatments to young deer (< 1 year old), the adult stock groups constitute a potentially significant source of pasture contamination, and hence future infection. However, these data do not incorporate the seasonal effects of weather on egg/larval development, nor the number of animals of each stock class on the farms. Incorporation of these variables will be necessary to identify the sources and timing of subsequent infection. This work is currently underway.

What gaze adds to arrows: Changes in attentional response to gaze versus arrows in childhood and adolescence.

From early ages, gaze acts as a cue to infer the interests, behaviours, thoughts and emotions of social partners. Despite sharing attentional properties with other non-social directional stimuli, such as arrows, gaze produces unique effects. A spatial interference task revealed this dissociation. The direction of arrows was identified faster on congruent than on incongruent direction-location trials. Conversely, gaze produced a reversed congruency effect (RCE), with faster identifications on incongruent than congruent trials. To determine the emergence of these gaze-specific attentional mechanisms, 214 Spanish children (4-17years) divided into 6 age groups, performed the aforementioned task across three experiments. Results showed stimulus-specific developmental trajectories. Whereas the standard effect of arrows was unaffected by age, gaze shifted from an arrow-like effect at age 4 to a gaze-specific RCE at age 12. The orienting mechanisms shared by gaze and arrows are already present in 4-year olds and, throughout childhood, gaze becomes a special social cue with additional attentional properties. Besides orienting attention to a direction, as arrows would do, gaze might orient attention towards a specific object that would be attentionally selected. Such additional components may not fully develop until adolescence. Understanding gaze-specific attentional mechanisms may be crucial for children with atypical socio-cognitive development.

Validation of Questionnaires in Screening for Restorative Treatment Need among 15-, 21-, and 40-year olds

Introduction: This cross-sectional study aims to investigate the association between three age-specific questionnaires in three age groups and restorative dental treatment need. Materials and methods: Three separate questionnaires were designed on etiology of dental caries in different age groups. Randomly selected 15- (n = 36), 21- (n = 21), and 40-year-old (n = 45) subjects answered these questionnaires. Responses were compared to restorative treatment need (DT) according to the clinical oral examination, which calibrated examiner performed. Results: Responses to questionnaires were only indicative in prediction of restorative treatment need at individual level. Kappa values for 15-, 21-, and 40-year olds, between responses and restorative treatment need were 0.01, 0.44, and 0.33, respectively. Conclusion: The need for restorative care could plausible be screened with a questionnaire among the 21- and 40-year olds, but not among 15-year olds in a country with low caries prevalence. Further development of questionnaires and studies are needed.

Contextos socioeconómicos territoriais, educação e insucesso escolar na Comunidade Intermunicipal da Região de Coimbra

Abstract Despite the indisputable advances in education over the last decades, school failure and early school-leaving indicators in Portugal remain somewhat high, particularly when compared with those of other European Union countries. Once identified, the need to understand this problem have given rise to a number of research studies ranging from factors mostly related to development: students’ motivations and aspirations, families’ socioeconomic and cultural conditions, school organisational aspects and teaching staff quality, which focus less on variables more related to territory. Assuming, conceptually, school failure as a multidetermined phenomenon, yet directly relating it to the geographical space in which schools are located and students live, this study seeks to identify and explain some territory-related variables, viewed in this study from an innovative and dynamic perspective, in an attempt to characterize its identity by a coordinated and cross-cutting series of indicators. This study was developed within the Coimbra Region Intermunicipal Community, in Portugal, and involved a robust statistical analysis relating primary students’ performance (10-year olds) in national exams with territorial characteristics. Thus, it points to the mutual influence of these dimensions and suggests the need for a grass-roots debate, reinforcing actions to prevent and combat school failure and early school leaving.

Understanding Adolescents' Perceptions and Aspirations Towards Their Relationship With Personal Technology: Survey Study.

BackgroundUnderstanding adolescents' relationship with technology is a pressing topic in this digital era. There seem to be both beneficial and detrimental implications that originate from use of technology by adolescents. Approximately 95% of adolescents have access to a smartphone, and several studies show a positive correlation between screen addiction and trends of anxiety and depression. At the same time, research shows that two-thirds of adolescents believe that technology is a necessity for connecting and making new friends.ObjectiveThe aim of this formative study was to understand adolescents' perception of their own and others’ relationship with personal technology.MethodsA survey was conducted with 619 adolescents ranging in age from 13 to 19 years. Adolescents were asked how they perceived the relationship with their personal technology, how they perceived others' (parents, siblings, or friends) relationship with personal technology, and how they wish to relate to their personal technology in the future.Results"Essential,” “Distractive,” and “Addictive” were the most commonly selected descriptors to describe both adolescents' own relationship with technology (essential: 106/619, 17.1%; distractive: 105/619, 17%; addictive: 88/619, 14.2% ) and others’ relationship as well (essential: 96/619, 15.6%; distractive: 88/619, 14.3%; addictive: 90/619, 14.5%). Adolescents selected “Provides an escape” more to describe their own relationship with technology. Whereas, they selected “It's just a tool” and “Creates Barrier” more to describe others' relationship with technology. These trends are consistent across ages and genders. In addition, adolescents' aspirations for their relationship with their personal technology varied across ages: 13 to 15-year olds' top choice was “best friend”, 16 to 17-year olds’ top choice was “I don't believe in personal connection with mobile technology,” and 18 to 19-year olds’ top choice was “My personal assistant.”ConclusionsOur 3-lens method allows us to examine how adolescents perceive their relationship with personal technology in comparison to others, as well as their future technological aspirations. Our findings suggest that adolescents see both communalities as well as differences in their own and others' relationships with technology. Their future aspirations for personal technology vary across age and gender. These preliminary findings will be examined further in our follow-up research.

The Rise of Social Journalism: An Explorative Case Study of a Youth-oriented Instagram News Account

ABSTRACT Social media have become indispensable tools for (legacy) news companies and brands to increase online traffic for their own platforms. A recent trend is the production and dissemination of native news content specifically for and through platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. This paper uses a mixed methods research design to study the news production and content of @nws.nws.nws, a hugely popular Instagram channel targeting 13–17-year olds in Flanders (Belgium) which is maintained by the newsroom of VRT, the Flemish PSM. The explorative study highlights the differences in journalistic practice when producing news content for online platforms only and the changes it entails for traditional news values, dependency on social media platforms and media regulation.

Association of adolescent lipoprotein subclass profile with carotid intima-media thickness and comparison to adults: Prospective population-based cohort studies

Background and aimsAssessment of comprehensive lipoprotein subclass profiles in adolescents and their relation to vascular disease may enhance our understanding of the development of dyslipidemia in early life and inform early vascular prevention. MethodsNuclear magnetic resonance was used to measure lipoprotein profiles, including lipids (cholesterol, free cholesterol, triglycerides, phospholipids) and apolipoproteins (apoB-100, apoA1, apoA2) of 17 lipoprotein subclasses (from least dense to densest: VLDL-1 to −6, IDL, LDL-1 to −6, HDL-1 to −4) in n = 1776 14- to 19-year olds (56.6% female) and n = 3027 25- to 85-year olds (51.5% female), all community-dwelling. Lipoprotein profiles were related to carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) as ascertained by sonography. ResultsAdolescents compared to adults had lower triglycerides, total, LDL, and non-HDL cholesterol, and apoB, and higher HDL cholesterol. They showed 26.6–59.8% lower triglyceride content of all lipoprotein subclasses and 21.9–51.4% lower VLDL lipid content. Concentrations of dense LDL-4 to LDL-6 were 36.7–40.2% lower, with also markedly lower levels of LDL-1 to LDL-3, but 24.2% higher HDL-1 ApoA1. In adolescents, only LDL-3 to LDL-5 subclasses were associated with cIMT (range of differences in cIMT for a 1-SD higher concentration, 4.8–5.9 μm). The same associations emerged in adults, with on average 97 ± 42% (mean ± SD) larger effect sizes, in addition to LDL-1 and LDL-6 (range, 6.9–11.3 μm) and HDL-2 to HDL-4, ApoA1, and ApoA2 (range, −7.0 to −17.7 μm). ConclusionsAdolescents showed a markedly different and more favorable lipoprotein profile compared to adults. Dense LDL subclasses were the only subclasses associated with cIMT in adolescents, implicating them as the potential preferred therapeutic target for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease at this age. In adults, associations with cIMT were approximately twice as large as in adolescents, and HDL-related measures were additionally associated with cIMT.

Children are suboptimal in adapting motor exploration to task dimensionality during motor learning

Motor learning in novel tasks requires exploration to find the appropriate coordination patterns to perform the task. Prior work has shown that compared to adults, children show limited exploration when learning a task that required using upper body movements to control a 2D cursor on a screen. Here, by changing the task dimensionality to 1D, we examined two competing hypotheses: whether children show limited exploration as a general strategy, or whether children are suboptimal in adapting their exploration to task dimensionality. Two groups of children (9- and 12-year olds), and one group of adults learned a virtual task that involved learning to control a cursor on the screen using movements of the upper body. Participants practiced the task for a single session with a total of 232 reaching movements. Results showed that 9-year olds show worse task performance relative to adults, as indicated by higher movement times and path lengths. Analysis of the coordination strategies indicated that both groups of children showed lower variance along the first principal component, suggesting that they had greater exploration than adults which was suboptimal for the 1D task. These results suggest that motor learning in children is characterized not by limited exploration per se, but by a limited adaptability in matching motor exploration to task dimensionality.

Effects of Management, Dietary Intake, and Genotype on Rumen Morphology, Fermentation, and Microbiota, and on Meat Quality in Yaks and Cattle.

Traditionally, yaks graze only natural grassland, even in harsh winters. Meat from grazing yaks is considered very healthy; however, feedlot fattening, which includes concentrate, has been introduced. We questioned whether this change in management and diet would have an impact on the rumen and meat quality of yaks. This study examined the morphology, fermentation, and microbiota of the rumen and the quality of meat of three groups of bovines: (1) grazing yaks (GYs, 4-year olds), without dietary supplements; (2) yaks (FYs, 2.5-year olds) feedlot-fattened for 5 months after grazing natural pasture; and (3) feedlot-fattened cattle (FC, Simmental, 2-year olds). This design allowed us to determine the role of diet (with and without concentrate) and genotype (yaks vs. cattle) on variables measured. Ruminal papillae surface area was greater in the FYs than in the GYs (P = 0.02), and ruminal microbial diversity was greater but richness was lesser in the GYs than in the FC and FYs. Concentrations of ruminal volatile fatty acids were greater in the yaks than in the cattle. In addition, both yak groups had higher protein and lower fat contents in meat than the FC. Meat of GY had a lower n6:n3 ratio than FY and FC, and was the only group with a ratio below r, which is recommended for healthy food. Essential amino acids (EAA), as a proportion of total AA and of non-essential AA of yak meat, met WHO criteria for healthy food; whereas FC did not.

Widespread attenuating changes in brain connectivity associated with the general factor of psychopathology in 9- and 10-year olds

Convergent research identifies a general factor (“P factor”) that confers transdiagnostic risk for psychopathology. Large-scale networks are key organizational units of the human brain. However, studies of altered network connectivity patterns associated with the P factor are limited, especially in early adolescence when most mental disorders are first emerging. We studied 11,875 9- and 10-year olds from the Adolescent Brain and Cognitive Development (ABCD) study, of whom 6593 had high-quality resting-state scans. Network contingency analysis was used to identify altered interconnections associated with the P factor among 16 large-scale networks. These connectivity changes were then further characterized with quadrant analysis that quantified the directionality of P factor effects in relation to neurotypical patterns of positive versus negative connectivity across connections. The results showed that the P factor was associated with altered connectivity across 28 network cells (i.e., sets of connections linking pairs of networks); pPERMUTATION values < 0.05 FDR-corrected for multiple comparisons. Higher P factor scores were associated with hypoconnectivity within default network and hyperconnectivity between default network and multiple control networks. Among connections within these 28 significant cells, the P factor was predominantly associated with “attenuating” effects (67%; pPERMUTATION < 0.0002), i.e., reduced connectivity at neurotypically positive connections and increased connectivity at neurotypically negative connections. These results demonstrate that the general factor of psychopathology produces attenuating changes across multiple networks including default network, involved in spontaneous responses, and control networks involved in cognitive control. Moreover, they clarify mechanisms of transdiagnostic risk for psychopathology and invite further research into developmental causes of distributed attenuated connectivity.

Language proficiency analysis of Turkish children from high-income and highly educated families aged 5 in Antalya

In this study, we examine the mother tongue proficiency of pre-school children from high-income and highly educated families in Antalya, Turkey. The study used the Turkish version of the Hamburger Instrument for the Analysis of the Language Level of 5-year olds (HAVAS 5) linguistic-level diagnostic tool that is originally employed to form the basis of individually customized language support programs. The study group of this research was made up of 41 pre-school children (n= 41; 29 boys, 12 girls). Furthermore, a semi-structured interview (SSI) form was developed by the authors and finally conducted with 3 mothers and their husbands (n=6). Our study results show that the majority of the children (33/41) from high-income and highly educated families showed an advanced level of language proficiency especially in the realm of vocabulary acquisition. In particular, the children were observed to be self-confident when using their mother tongue and that they did not hesitate to take initiatives during the HAVAS 5 storytellings. Our qualitative results suggest also that a small group of children who are either introverts or having lower level language proficiency may have a specific trait, condition or characteristic. Based on the data from interviews, emotional atmosphere of the family, parenting styles, speech sound disorder (SSD) or excessive screen-based media use might reasonably be suspected of having some influence on mother tongue proficiency.