The role of altruism vs self-interest in COVID-19 vaccination uptake in the United Kingdom.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to explore self-interest, kin altruism and non-kin altruism reasons that influence people to vaccinate against COVID-19. STUDY DESIGN: This was a cross-sectional study using a fully repeated measures design. METHODS: Participants (N = 178) answered questions on perceived threat and likelihood of infection, vaccination status and opinion on mandatory vaccination. Participants also rated a set of statements that asked how likely these would influence them and others to vaccinate against COVID-19. Statements reflected self-interest, kin altruism or non-kin altruism. RESULTS: Just more than half of the sample (50.8%) reported the likelihood of infection as somewhat or extremely likely, and almost three-fourths (74.2%) reported that COVID-19 posed a minor or moderate threat to their physical health. Almost three-fourths (74.3%) of the sample were vaccinated, with just more than half (56.2%) in favour of mandatory vaccination. A 2 (self/other) × 3 (self-interest/kin altruism/non-kin altruism) fully repeated measures analysis of variance showed that kin-altruistic reasons were rated most highly, regardless of whether this was regarding oneself or others. Participants rated others as having greater self-interest reasons for vaccination compared with oneself, whereas non-kin altruism reasons for vaccination were rated higher for oneself, compared with others. CONCLUSION: Highlighting the benefits of vaccination for close relatives and vulnerable others in the population would be a useful strategy for government to use when urging the public to vaccinate against COVID-19.

Depletion of Ca2+ from the sarcoplasmic reticulum of cardiac muscle prompts phosphorylation of phospholamban to stimulate store refilling.

Nonmuscle cells have almost ubiquitously evolved a mechanism to detect and prevent Ca2+ store depletion-store operated calcium entry. No such mechanism has, as yet, been reported in cardiac myocytes. However, it is conceivable that such a mechanism may play an important role in cardiac Ca2+ homeostasis to ensure the availability of sufficient stored Ca2+ to maintain normal excitation contraction coupling. We present data that confirms the presence of a mechanism that is able to monitor the Ca2+ load of the SR and initiate a signaling process to accelerate Ca2+ uptake by the SR when store depletion is detected. Depletion of SR Ca2+ activates a protein kinase, the principal SR substrate of which is phospholamban. Phosphorylation of this SR protein promotes Ca2+ pump activity and therefore store refilling. Furthermore, a protein kinase activity associated with the SR that is inhibited by Ca2+ ions has been identified. We have measured lumenal [Ca2+] by using a fluorescent Ca2+ indicator and found that by initiating Ca2+ uptake and increasing Ca2+ load, we can inhibit the protein kinase activity associated with the SR. This confirms that a protein kinase, that is regulated by lumenal [Ca2+], has been identified and represents part of a previously unidentified signalling cascade. This local feedback mechanism would allow the myocyte to detect and prevent SR Ca2+ load depletion.

Effects of splenectomy on Trypanosoma congolense infection in cattle.

The role of the spleen in cattle infected with Trypanosoma congolense was studied by comparing levels of parasitaemia, blood cell values, and body weights of intact and splenectomized cattle. A total of 28 Zebu x Hereford steers were used in two separate experiments. Seven animals were splenectomized at least four weeks prior to infection and two others were splenectomized 128 days after infection. Splenectomized animals were compared to 12 intact infected animals and seven intact uninfected controls. The splenectomized animals suffered no less severe anemia and no higher parasitaemia than the intact, infected cattle. Splenectomy in two animals during infection had no effect on packed cell volumes, parasitaemia or survival. Splenectomized cattle have lower levels of circulating lymphocytes following treatment than intact animals; also, the splenectomized steers lost more weight during the active infection.

Experimental chemotherapy of Taenia saginata cysticercosis - a field trial.

The resistance to reinfection of calves following chemotherapy of T. saginata cysticercosis with praziquantel was investigated in a field situation in East Africa. Thirty animals from the treated group were compared with thirty animals from the untreated group after 15 months following chemotherapy. Slicing revealed that 100% in the untreated group were infected, compared with 43.5% of the animals in the treated group. 52% of the untreated group had viable cysts in contrast to only one animal (4.3%) in the treated group. Serological investigations were also conducted on sera obtained before and after chemotherapy. Successful chemotherapy resulted in temporarily increased titres in the treated group as compared to the untreated group.