This study examines the relationship between perceived justice, emotions, and satisfaction during service recovery (SR). The current research work proposes a model analyzing the direct effects of ...justice on satisfaction, along with its indirect effects, via emotions. A field study that captures consumer perceptions of actual SR situations in the cellular-telephone sector tests the model. The paper investigates the relative effects of the dimensions of perceived justice on satisfaction and the emotions triggered by SR. Results indicate that all three justice dimensions affect satisfaction, with procedural justice showing the strongest relative influence, as well as being the only dimension affecting the emotions. Results also show that negative emotions mediate the effects of justice on satisfaction with SR (SSR).
A negative energy balance (NEB) is detrimental to reproduction in animals. A suggested link between NEB and reproductive failure is the gastrointestinal hormone ghrelin, because of the association ...between ghrelin and the hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal axis. The D-Lys3-Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide-6 (D-Lys3-GHRP-6) is a ghrelin antagonist that acts on ghrelin receptors (GHS-R1). The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of D-Lys3-GHRP-6 on reproduction variables in feed restricted ewes. Two experiments were conducted. Experiment I was conducted for 30 days; and Experiment II for 13 days. In both experiments the ewes (n = 18) were randomly assigned to: Control (CO): fed to meet maintenance requirements; Feed restriction (FR): 80% of maintenance restriction; or Ghrelin antagonist (GA): feed restricted and daily subcutaneous of 7.5mug/kg of D-Lys3-GHRP-6. Plasma was collected to measure hormones and metabolite concentration. In Experiment II, the hypothalamus and ovaries were collected on day 13. In both Experiments, sheep allocated to the FR and GA treatments decreased their body weight compared with sheep in the CO group (P 0.10). Experiment I: Plasma ghrelin concentration was greater (P 0.01) in FR and GA compared with CO ewes. Plasma non-esterified fatty acids concentration was greater (P 0.01) in GA and FR than CO. Experiment II: Kisspeptin1-Receptor (Kiss1-R) mRNA expression was greater in FR (P 0.01) and tended to be greater in GA (P = 0.10) compared with CO ewes. The neuro peptide-Y (NPY) mRNA expression was greater (P = 0.03) in FR than CO; and tended to be greater (P = 0.06) compared with GA ewes. Growth hormone releasing hormone (GhRH) mRNA expression was greater in GA (P = 0.04) and tended to be greater in FR (P = 0.07) compared with CO ewes. Feed restriction increased GhRH, NPY, and Kiss-R mRNA expression in hypothalamus without affecting reproductive variables.Ghrelin antagonist may prevent an increase inNPY expression in ewes.
The ongoing COVID19 pandemic has put digital health technologies in the spotlight. To gain a deeper understanding of patients’ usage intentions of virtual doctor appointments, the present research ...adapts the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology 2 (UTAUT2) by integrating perceived security and perceived product advantage, two known barriers to successful telemedicine adoption. Applying age-stratified sampling, an online survey was distributed to 800 citizens in Germany and the United States of America. 710 completed and valid questionnaires were subsequently analyzed using SPSS and AMOS (versions 24).
Significant, direct, and positive effects of performance expectancy, hedonic motivation, perceived security, and perceived product advantage on the behavioral intention to use virtual doctor appointments were found. The analysis of the moderating variables, age and gender, showed significant differences in user's performance expectancy and effort expectancy, and perceived product advantage, respectively. With virtual health care models on the rise, these results are important for stakeholders such as policymakers, governments, employers, but also physicians, and insurance companies as they offer clear recommendations to design telemedicine adoption strategies to ensure successful patient engagement.
•This study examines the predictive relevance of UTAUT2 to explain the usage intention of virtual doctor appointments.•The findings provide empirical evidence to support the validity of UTAUT2 in an international context.•Internet is perceived as a secure means to contact a medical professional about health related information.•Both newly incorporated antecedents significantly predicted usage intention of virtual doctor appointments.
Background: Adolescent-to-parent violence (APV) is a social problem that is seldom addressed from a psychosocial level of analysis. This work aims to fill this gap by developing the Escala de ...Explicaciones de la Violencia Filioparental (EEVFP), an instrument to measure APV explanations given spontaneously by ordinary people. Method: The sample was composed of 763 men and women aged 15 to 79, with and without offspring. Results: Using a cross-validation procedure based on factorial analysis, the scale's underlying structure that best fit the data included six factors: Poor Parenting, Inadequate Environment, Emotional Reaction, Adolescence, and Evil/Madness. Evidence on the relationship between EEVFP and the Revised Scale of Causal Dimensions was also provided, as well as on differences in explanations due to gender and having children. Conclusions: The results provide sufficient evidence of reliability and validity to consider EEVFP a useful tool in APV research exploring the relationship between APV explanations and subsequent behavior. This research may be helpful in training practitioners and in designing intervention strategies that avoid blaming parents and increase support from their surroundings. Keywords: Adolescent-to-parent violence; causal explanations; attributions; Revised Scale of Causal Dimensions; gender differences. Validation de la Escala de Explicaciones de la Violencia Filioparental. Antecedentes: la violencia filioparental (VFP) es un problema social que no suele abordarse desde un nivel de analisis psicosocial. Este trabajo pretende paliar esta carencia desarrollando la Escala de Explicaciones de la Violencia Filioparental (EEVFP), un instrumento que mide las explicaciones espontaneas sobre la VFP. Metodo: la muestra estuvo formada por 763 hombres y mujeres de entre 15 y 79 anos, con y sin hijos. Resultados: siguiendo un procedimiento de validacion cruzada para analisis factorial, la estructura de la escala que mejor se ajusto a los datos incluyo seis factores: Parentalidad Inadecuada, Entorno Inadecuado, Reaccion Emocional, Adolescencia y Maldad/Locura. Se aportaron evidencias de la relacion entre la EEVFP y la Revised Scale of Causal Dimensions, asi como de las diferencias en las explicaciones en funcion del genero y de tener hijos. Conclusiones: los resultados proporcionan suficientes evidencias de fiabilidad y validez para considerar la EEVFP un instrumento util en la investigacion que explore la relacion entre las explicaciones de la VFP y la conducta posterior. Este conocimiento podria ser valioso en la formacion de los profesionales y en el diseno de estrategias de intervencion que eviten la culpabilizacion de los padres y aumenten el apoyo que reciben de su entorno. Palabras clave: violencia filioparental; explicaciones causales; atribuciones; Revised Scale of Causal Dimensions; diferencias de genero.
Six complexes with the general formula Cu(acylthioureato)(PPh3)2 were synthesized and characterized using spectroscopic techniques (IR, UV/visible, and 1D and 2D NMR), mass spectrometry, elemental ...analysis, and X-ray diffraction. Interpretation of the in vitro cytotoxicity data of Cu(I) complexes took into account their stability in cell culture medium. DFT calculations showed that NMR properties, such as the shielding of carbon atoms, are affected by relativistic effects, supported by the ZORA Hamiltonian in the theoretical calculations. Additionally, the calculation of the energies of the frontier molecular orbitals predicted that the structural changes of the acylthiourea ligands did not cause marked changes in the reactivity descriptors. All complexes were cytotoxic to the evaluated tumor cell lines MDA-MB-231 (triple-negative breast cancer, TNBC), MCF-7 (breast cancer), and A549 (lung cancer). In the MDA-MB-231 cell line, complex 1 significantly altered the cytoskeleton of the cells, reducing the density and promoting the condensation of F-actin filaments. In addition, the compound caused an increase in the percentage of cells in the fragmented DNA region (sub-G0) and induced cell death via the apoptotic pathway starting at the IC50 concentration. Taken together, the results show that complex 1 has cytotoxic and apoptotic effects on TNBC cells, which is a cell line originating from an aggressive, difficult-to-treat breast cancer.
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and osteolineage cells contribute to the hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) niche in the bone marrow of long bones. However, their developmental relationships remain unclear. ...In this study, we demonstrate that different MSC populations in the developing marrow of long bones have distinct functions. Proliferative mesoderm-derived nestin(-) MSCs participate in fetal skeletogenesis and lose MSC activity soon after birth. In contrast, quiescent neural crest-derived nestin(+) cells preserve MSC activity, but do not generate fetal chondrocytes. Instead, they differentiate into HSC niche-forming MSCs, helping to establish the HSC niche by secreting Cxcl12. Perineural migration of these cells to the bone marrow requires the ErbB3 receptor. The neonatal Nestin-GFP(+) Pdgfrα(-) cell population also contains Schwann cell precursors, but does not comprise mature Schwann cells. Thus, in the developing bone marrow HSC niche-forming MSCs share a common origin with sympathetic peripheral neurons and glial cells, and ontogenically distinct MSCs have non-overlapping functions in endochondrogenesis and HSC niche formation.
The centrosome linker component C‐Nap1 (encoded by CEP250) anchors filaments to centrioles that provide centrosome cohesion by connecting the two centrosomes of an interphase cell into a single ...microtubule organizing unit. The role of the centrosome linker during development of an animal remains enigmatic. Here, we show that male CEP250−/− mice are sterile because sperm production is abolished. Premature centrosome separation means that germ stem cells in CEP250−/− mice fail to establish an E‐cadherin polarity mark and are unable to maintain the older mother centrosome on the basal site of the seminiferous tubules. This failure prompts premature stem cell differentiation in expense of germ stem cell expansion. The concomitant induction of apoptosis triggers the complete depletion of germ stem cells and consequently infertility. Our study reveals a role for centrosome cohesion in asymmetric cell division, stem cell maintenance, and fertility.
Synopsis
Centrosome linker protein C‐Nap1 is important for male germ stem cell maintenance in mice. Loss of C‐NAP1 causes male infertility.
Centrosome linker protein C‐Nap1 is important for the correct establishment of E‐cadherin surface polarity patterns in mitosis and for spindle orientation in male GSCs.
Loss of C‐Nap1 results in disrupted asymmetric centrosome inheritance in male GSCs, leading to premature differentiation.
Loss of C‐Nap1 prompts apoptosis in germ cells during early development, leading to infertility.
Centrosome linker protein C‐Nap1 is important for male germ stem cell maintenance in mice. Loss of C‐NAP1 causes male infertility.
Sarcoptic mange epidemics can devastate wildlife populations. In 2014, mange was first detected in vicuñas (Vicugna vicugna) and guanacos (Lama guanicoe) in San Guillermo National Park (SGNP), ...Argentina. This study describes the temporal dynamics of the outbreak, its effects on the park's wild camelid populations between 2017-2019, and investigates the potential source of the epidemic. From May 2017 to June 2018, transect surveys indicated a sharp decrease in the density of living vicuñas and guanacos by 68% and 77%, respectively. By April 2019 no vicuñas or guanacos were recorded on transect surveys, suggesting their near-extinction in the park. Clinical signs consistent with mange (e.g., intense scratching, hyperkeratosis, alopecia) were observed in 24% of living vicuñas (n = 478) and 33% of living guanacos (n = 12) during surveys, as well as in 94% of vicuña carcasses (n = 124) and 85% of guanaco carcasses (n = 20) examined. Sarcoptes scabiei was identified as the causal agent by skin scrapings, and the cutaneous lesions were characterized by histopathology (n = 15). Genetic characterization revealed that mites recovered from seven vicuñas (n = 13) and three guanacos (n = 11) shared the same genotype, which is consistent with a single source and recent origin of the epidemic. Tracing the potential source, we identified a governmental livestock incentive program which introduced llamas (Lama glama) in areas adjacent to SGNP in 2009, some of which had alopecic scaling consistent with sarcoptic mange. Though at the time of our study no llamas with mange were available for confirmatory sampling, we hypothesize that the introduction of mange-infected llamas may have triggered the outbreak in wild camelids. This unprecedented event in SGNP had devastating effects on dominating herbivores with potentially profound cascading effects at the community and ecosystem levels.
High-grade urothelial carcinoma (UC) of the bladder is a heterogeneous disease with dismal prognosis. Bladder tumors with basal phenotype are intrinsically aggressive, and morphological parameters ...that define disease staging remain main prognosticators. We intend to evaluate the role of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in the prognosis of bladder cancer and its association with basal and luminal phenotypes. Clinical and pathological parameters, including the immunohistochemical expression of fibroblast activation protein (FAP) and markers of basal (CK5/6, CD44) and luminal (CK20, GATA3) phenotypes, have been investigated in a series of 121 patients with UC of the bladder treated by radical cystectomy with lymph node dissection, and their implication in long-term cancer-specific survival has been evaluated. A cytoplasmic immunostaining of FAP in CAFs implies worse disease-specific survival (hazard ratio HR = 1.68; P = .048). FAP expression is associated with tumor staging (P < .0001), with best discrimination at T2a/T2b level, and with negative expression of markers of luminal phenotype, such as CK20 (P < .0001) and GATA3 (P = .005). In the multivariate analysis, simultaneous expression of FAP, CK5/6, and CD44 is a strong prognosticator of disease-specific survival (HR = 2.3; P = .001), together with nodal invasion (HR = 3.47; P < .0001) and bladder infiltration up to deep muscle or beyond (HR = 2.47; P = .02). There is no association between positive FAP expression in primary tumor and nodal disease (P = .22). FAP expression in CAFs favors tumor invasion in high-grade invasive UC of the bladder with basal phenotype. This new immunohistochemical marker could be added to the routine immunohistochemical protocol to predict clinical behavior in these patients.
•FAP expression correlates with tumor staging and aggressive behavior in UC.•FAP expression is associated with negative expression of luminal markers in UC.•FAP favors tumor invasion in high-grade invasive UC with basal phenotype.•The combination of FAP and basal markers predicts poor outcome in UC.
Biotechnological solutions will be a key aspect in our immediate future society, where optimized enzymatic processes through enzyme engineering might be an important solution for waste ...transformation, clean energy production, biodegradable materials, and green chemistry, for example. Here we advocate the importance of structural-based bioinformatics and molecular modeling tools in such developments. We summarize our recent experiences indicating a great prediction/success ratio, and we suggest that an early in silico phase should be performed in enzyme engineering studies. Moreover, we demonstrate the potential of a new technique combining Rosetta and PELE, which could provide a faster and more automated procedure, an essential aspect for a broader use.
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