Consumer Evaluation: Describing Construal-Level Theory and a Role of Emotion on Human’s Thinking Processing Style

Based on emotion and construal level theory, this study examined the influence of emotion on consumer decision-making. Participants were induced into happy or sad moods by describing a past happy or sad life event. Then they were asked to read one of two smartphone advertisements. One advertisement emphasized only central features of smartphone, and the other one emphasized only secondary features. The dependent variables were participants’ attitudes toward the advertisements, purchase intention of the smartphone in the advertisement, and willingness to pay for the smartphone. Based on the connection between emotion and construal level, I predicted that due to their abstract construal happy participants would prefer advertisement emphasizing central features of the smartphone. By contrast, I predicted that due to their more concrete construal sad participants would prefer the advertisement emphasizing secondary features of the smartphone. Results supported the prediction that mood and advertisement emphasis would interactively predict participants’ attitudes toward the smartphones. However, predictions regarding purchase intention, though in the predicted direction, failed to achieve standard levels of statistical significance. Lastly, results of willingness to pay failed to confirm expectations. Implications of this work for consumer decision-making and emotion are discussed

Chlordecone (CD), a mixed steroid X receptor (SXR) and estrogen receptor alpha(ERα) agonist, altered hepatic cholesterol (CH) homeostasis and lipoprotein metabolism

Overtly non-toxic doses of organochlorine (OC) insecticides perturb lipid homeostasis in mice and rats. To increase understanding of how chlordecone (CD), an OC insecticide, modulates cholesterol (CH) homeostasis, we determined the effect of CD pretreatment on the tissue and hepatic subcellular distribution of exogenous [¹⁴C]CH. Corn oil alone or CD (5 or 15 mg/kg) was administered to C57BL/6 mice by intraperitoneal (ip) injection. Three days later, a lipid bolus dose (5 ml corn oil/kg) containing [¹⁴C]CH (10 mg/kg) was administered to corn oil or CD pretreated mice by ip injection. CD pretreatment reduced [¹⁴C]CH equivalents in the plasma non-high density lipoprotein (HDL) fraction but increased total CH concentration in the same fraction 4 hr after lipid bolus dose. Along with reduced disposition of [¹⁴C]CH to liver, CD pretreatment decreased [¹⁴C]CH equivalents in hepatic microsomal and cytosolic fractions 4 and 16 hr after ip bolus lipid, respectively and decreased relative distribution of [¹⁴C]CH to the lipoprotein-rich fraction. However CD treatment did not change total hepatic CH concentration 16 hr after lipid bolus dose. In contrast CD pretreatment stimulated biliary excretion of [¹⁴C]CH and increased total CH concentration in gallbladder 4 hr and 16 hr after ip lipid bolus, respectively. Reduced disposition of [¹⁴C]CH to liver and stimulated biliary CH excretion were not associated with altered hepatic membrane scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI) and ATP-binding cassette transporter G8 (ABCG8) protein contents. We then determined the effect of CD on activation of nuclear receptors, especially those involved in lipid homeostasis to characterize the specificity of CD effect. CD (10 μM) strongly suppressed LXRβ activation and increased activation for SXR (human PXR homolog). The same concentration of CD increased activation of human ERα specifically and suppressed E2-mediated ERβ activation effectively. Increased hepatic CYP3A11 protein content by western blotting supported PXR activation. Finally, we determined the effect of CD on lipoprotein metabolism. CD increased apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) protein content in hepatic lipoprotein-rich and microsomal fractions. A trend for increased apolipoprotein B-100 (apoB-100) protein content in hepatic microsomal fraction in CD treated animals was observed. CD modulated HDL particle size and shape by increasing more non-spherical and heterogeneous particles. At 14 days after CD treatment (15 mg/kg) apoA-I and apoB-100 but not CYP3A11 protein in hepatic microsomes was similar to controls. This work indicated altered CH homeostasis was a mode of OC insecticide action of relevance after a single low dose. These findings at least partially explain altered CH tissue distribution in CD-pretreated mice

Effects of an 8-week Gluteus Medius Strengthening Exercise on Back Pain, Balance, and Back Strength in Female Office Workers with Low Back Pain

PURPOSE This study aimed to examine the effects of an 8-week gluteus medius strengthening exercise on back pain, balance, and strength in female office workers with low back pain. METHODS The participants of this study were female office workers aged 30 to 48 years old who reported low back pain on a visual analogue scale (VAS) ranging from 3 to 7. Twenty-six participants were randomly assigned to the exercise (n=13) and control (n=13) groups. The study applied a gluteus medius strengthening program to the exercise group for 8 weeks, three times a week, and 60 minutes per session. The participants in the control group were asked to maintain their normal life patterns during the period of intervention. Data collected from the test were analyzed through repeated two-way ANOVA, paired t-test, and independent t-test. RESULTS First, there has been a significant decrease in the pain level, as evidenced by VAS and Korean oswestry disability index (KODI) scores. Second, there was a statistically significant improvement in both static and dynamic balance capabilities. Last, back strength also significantly improved. CONCLUSIONS Application of the gluteus medius strengthening exercise appears to be effective for low back pain, static and dynamic balance capabilities, and back strength

Once-weekly online video bodyweight resistance training during COVID-19: dose it affect body fat mass, muscle strength and quality of life in middle-aged men?

The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of a once weekly, online video bodyweight resistance exercise training on body mass, muscle strength, and quality of life in middle-aged men (age 40–50 years) during a 20-week coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic period. The participants were 30 healthy men, and the intervention lasted from June 2021 to September 2021. The participants were randomly assigned in two groups: an exercise group (n = 15) and a congrol group (n = 15). The exercise group participated in a 45-minute program including warm-up, resistance exercise, and recovery once per week for 20 weeks. The participants in the exercise group showed significantly reduced body mass (76.08 ± 8.80 kg), body mass index (BMI, 25.23 ± 2.39 kg·m−2), body fat mass (14.93 ± 4.97 kg), body fat percentage (19.42 ± 5.31%), and waist circumference (91.40 ± 6.13 cm) and increased handgrip strength (right: 48.49 ± 6.98 kg and left: 44.44 ± 6.39 kg) and quality of life (total score: 25.80 ± 2.651). Meanwhile, the control group showed increased body mass (77.06 ± 9.04 kg) and body fat mass (19.10 ± 4.95 kg) and decreased quality of life (total score: 24.60 ± 3.180). The once-weekly online video bodyweight resistance exercise program could be beneficial for body mass, muscular strength, and quality of life among middle-aged men

Diabetes and mortality in patients with prostate cancer: a meta-analysis

Background: There are conflicting results as to the association between pre-existing diabetes and the risk of mortality in patients with prostate cancer. The purpose of this study is to estimate the influence of pre-existing diabetes on prostate cancer-specific mortality and all-cause mortality. Methods: We searched PubMed and Embase to identify studies that investigated the association between pre-existing diabetes and risk of death among men with prostate cancer. Pooled risk estimates and 95 % confidence intervals were calculated using fixed-effects models or random-effects models. Heterogeneity tests were conducted between studies. Publication bias was analyzed by using the Egger’s test, Begg’s test, and the trim and fill method. Results: Of the 733 articles identified, 17 cohort studies that had 274,677 male patients were included in this meta-analysis. Pre-existing diabetes was associated with a 29 % increase in prostate cancer-specific mortality [relative risk (RR) 1.29, 95 % CI 1.22–1.38, I2 = 66.68 %], and with a 37 % increase in all-cause mortality (RR 1.37, 95 % CI 1.29–1.45, p < 0.01, I2 = 90.26 %). Additionally, in a subgroup analysis that was a type specific analysis focusing on type 2 diabetes and was conducted only with three cohort studies, pre-existing type 2 diabetes was associated with all-cause mortality (RR 2.01, 95 % CI 1.37–2.96, I2 = 95.55 %) and no significant association with prostate cancer-specific mortality was detected (RR 1.17, 95 % CI 0.96–1.42, I2 = 75.59 %). There was significant heterogeneity between studies and no publication bias was found. Conclusions: This meta-analysis suggests diabetes may result in a worse prognosis for men with prostate cancer. Considering heterogeneity between studies, additional studies should be conducted to confirm these findings, and to allow generalization regarding the influence that each type of diabetes has on prostate cancer mortality

Association between cardiorespiratory fitness and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome among Korean adults: a cross sectional study

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the current study was to investigate the association between cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), measured by a simple step test, and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome among Korean adults, in a cross sectional design. METHODS: A total of 1,007 Korean adults (488 men and 519 women) who underwent routine health checkups were recruited. CRF was measured by Tecumseh step test. The National Cholesterol Education Program’s Adult Treatment Panel III guideline was used to determine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome. A logistic regression was performed to reveal possible associations. RESULTS: The results of the study showed that a lower level of CRF was significantly associated with a higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome in men, but not in women. On the other hand, higher BMI was associated with a higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome in both men and women. However, BMI was not associated with fasting glucose nor hemoglobinA1c in men. When the combined impact of BMI and CRF on the prevalence of metabolic syndrome was analyzed, a significantly increased prevalence of metabolic syndrome was found in both men (odds ratio [OR]: 18.8, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 5.0 - 70.5) and women (OR: 8.1, 95% CI: 2.8 - 23.9) who had high BMI and low cardiorespiratory fitness. On the other hand, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome was only increased 7.9 times (95% CI: 2.0 - 31.2) in men and 5.4 times (95% CI: 1.9 - 15.9) in women who had high level of CRF and high BMI. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the current study demonstrated the low CRF and obesity was a predictor for metabolic syndrome in Korean adults

Atomic-scale dynamics of triangular hole growth in monolayer hexagonal boron nitride under electron irradiation

The production of holes by electron beam irradiation in hexagonal boron nitride (hBN), which has a lattice similar to that of graphene, is monitored over time using atomic resolution transmission electron microscopy. The holes appear to be initiated by the formation of a vacancy of boron and grow in a manner that retains an overall triangular shape. The hole growth process involves the formation of single chains of B and N atoms and is accompanied by the ejection of atoms and bundles of atoms along the hole edges, as well as atom migration. These observations are compared to density functional theory calculations and molecular dynamics simulations.open1

Effects of Aerobic and Resistance Exercise Interventions on Cognitive and Physiologic Adaptations for Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Control Trials

(1) Background: The purpose of this meta-analysis is to investigate the effects of exercise intervention for older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). (2) Methods: Databases including PubMed, Medline, and Cochrane were used to search for studies that reported effects of exercise for older adults with MCI and randomized controlled trials up to July 2020. Exercise interventions of all selected studies were summarized, and effect sizes of exercise interventions were calculated. (3) Results: A total of 14 studies, including 1178 older adults with MCI were included. Exercise participation in older adults with MCI improved cognitive functions (d = 0.88, 95% confidence interval [CI]; 0.10&ndash;1.65, p = 0.01; k = 5]) and handgrip strength (d = 0.62, 95% CI; 0.23&ndash;1.01, p = 0.00; k = 4) compared with control groups. Aerobic exercise or resistance exercise at moderate to vigorous levels for at least 150 min, 1 time/week, for 6 weeks was the minimum level to obtain beneficial effects from exercise for older adults with MCI. (4) Conclusions: Older adults with MCI who participated in exercise received beneficial effects, including improvement in cognitive functions and handgrip strength, but further studies to confirm the effects are needed

Associations between Physical Activity and Liver Cancer Risks and Mortality: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

(1) Background: The purpose of this meta-analysis was to investigate associations between physical activity (PA) and risks and mortality of liver cancer (LC) to suggest a minimum physical activity threshold to reduce LC risks and morality. (2) Methods: A database search was performed to identify relevant studies on the associations between PA and risks and mortality of LC before August 2020. The PA amounts were divided into three groups (high: &ge;3 h/week, moderate: 2&ndash;3 h/week, and low: &lt;2 h/week). The pooled relative risks of LC were calculated. (3) Results: A total of 10 prospective cohort studies were included. LC risks and mortality were 26% and 25% lower with high amounts of PA and 23% and 19% lower in moderate amounts of PA, respectively, compared to low amounts of PA. At the vigorous intensity PA level, high and moderate amounts of PA reduced the LC risk by 54% and 45%, respectively. (4) Conclusions: PA helps to reduce LC risks and mortality in a dose-dependent manner. At a minimum, two hours/week PA are mandatory to reduce LC mortality