COMMITMENT AND LOYALTY IN BANKING SERVICES: TWO CONSTRUCTS OR TWO DIMENSIONS OF THE SAME CONSTRUCT?

There are a lot of papers in business-to-consumer relationship literature that applies Loyalty and Commitment as independent constructs, and in others they are used as the same construct. Comparing their conceptual definitions, there is no convergence about the discrimination between them. Therefore, this paper discusses and verifies with empirical data the relation between Loyalty and Commitment in a contractual service relationship context. As a result, Commitment could be considered as a dimension of Loyalty (as an attitudinal loyalty).Em diversos artigos que procuram mensurar os resultados de um relacionamento com o consumidor, os construtos da Lealdade e do Comprometimento são utilizados de forma independente e, em outros casos, indiscriminadamente. Mesmo nas suas definições conceituais, não existe concordância sobre a discriminação entre eles. Assim, este artigo visa discutir e verificar com dados empíricos a relação entre os conceitos do Comprometimento e da Lealdade em um processo de relacionamento com prestação de um serviço contínuo. Em seus resultados, mostra-se que o Comprometimento pode ser considerado uma dimensão da Lealdade (Lealdade Atitudinal)

DNA Polymorphisms as Potential Biomarkers of Thrombophilic Prognosis for COVID-19 Patients

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a major issue of our times. Many aspects and features of this new and complex disease are being described on a daily basis. Major endpoints are systemic inflammation, markedly characterized by the cytokine storm, respiratory failure, and coagulation disorders, such as thrombophilia. In its terms, thrombophilia has a major impact on the COVID-19 prognosis. With regard to this, paying attention on molecular variants, such as DNA polymorphisms, epigenetic factors, and other biomarkers, could be an important approach to optimizing and personalizing the treatment of patients according to their inherited thrombotic features. This chapter brings an overview on the three major DNA polymorphisms associated with thrombophilia and proposes that these same biomarkers could be used in pretreatment screenings of patients with COVID-19 to seek the most appropriate therapy for each individual molecular profile

Marketing as controvérsias do marketing moderno

O presente trabalho tem como objetivo apresentar, a partir das origens do conceito de marketing e de sua evolução, as controvérsias observadas em seu desenvolvimento. Comenta-se, além disso, a natureza e o escopo das tendências mais recentes deste conceito

Pylorectomy and Gastroduodenostomy (Billroth I Procedure) for Obstructive Antrum Pyloric Leiomyoma in a Bitch

Background: Gastric neoplasms are uncommon in dogs, especially those affecting smooth muscle layers. Leiomyoma is a smooth muscle benign neoplasm, which requires surgical resection. Pylorectomy and gastroduodenostomy (Billroth I procedure) is the most indicated technique in cases not affecting the biliary and pancreatic tracts. Thus, the purpose of this study was to report a successful case of Billroth I procedure in a bitch presenting antrum pyloric obstructive leiomyoma. Case: A 12-year-old, non-spayed, Cocker Spaniel bitch was admitted presenting depression, hyporexia, postprandial vomiting and sparse episodes of hematemesis, for 30 days. Clinical suspicion on obstructive gastric outflow disease was established. Bloodwork (complete blood count, BUN, albumin, ALP and ALT), abdominal ultrasound and thoracic radiographs were assessed. The patient undergone upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. On endoscopic evaluation, small hemorrhagic mucosa ulcers were visualized on the gastric body, antrum and pylorus. Moreover, a sessile, ulcerated, round-shape and infiltrated antral-pyloric mass was seen. The mass was 1.5-2.0 cm in diameter and apparently involved the smooth muscle layer, causing severe pyloric obstruction. However, endoscopic evaluation of the duodenum was possible. Several biopsy samples were taken from the neoplasm and sent for histopathologic assessment. The result was not conclusive due to low quality samples. The patient had progressive worsening of obstruction episodes and required surgery. A wide-margin pylorectomy and gastroduodenostomy (Billroth I procedure) was carried out. The retrieved specimen was sent to histopathological and immunohistochemistry (IHC) assessment. Positive staining for actin and desmin confirmed smooth muscle origin of the mass and histopathological assessment confirmed leiomyoma. The patient underwent regular periodic postoperative assessments, revealing progressive clinical improvement and normal weight gain. Control upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was performed. Gastric ulcers were completely healed and gastroduodenal anastomosis was functional. The anastomotic scar tissue was sampled and revealed chronic and normal healing process. Complete healing was confirmed and the patient was discharged. Discussion: Gastric neoplasms are not common in dogs. However, severe obstruction of gastric outflow is a potential risk for complications in those cases. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopic assessment is important not only for diagnosis, but also for surgery decision making. In the current study, gastroscopy provided accurate preoperative evaluation of severity of pyloric obstruction and diagnosis of secondary gastric ulcers. Direct visualization of lesions and multiple biopsy sampling were performed. The presence of neoplasms over 2-cm in diameter indicates need for complete laparoscopic or conventional surgical resection. In this case report, open resection was carried out due to prohibitive cost of laparoscopic approach, mass dimensions and probable involvement of deeper tissue layers. In conclusion, pylorectomy and gastroduodenostomy (Billroth I procedure) was curative and provided good prognosis following resection of an antrum pyloric obstructive leiomyoma. Endoscopy was critical for both diagnosis and decision-making towards surgery for gastric outflow obstruction due to an antrum pyloric neoplasm. Histopathological and immunohistochemistry assessment confirmed neoplasm type and assured oncological safety of resection with wide margins. Keywords: gastric neoplasms, smooth muscle tumor, endoscopy, dog

Aspectos Morfológicos e Fisiológicos da Germinação e Morfometria de Frutos e sementes de Swartzia recurva Poeep (Fabaceae)

http://dx.doi.org/10.5902/2179460X17309Aimed to provide morphometric data of fruits and seeds, germination and post-seminal development of Swartzia recurva. Were evaluated: fresh weight, length, width and thickness of fruits / seeds. As for shape, color and texture pericarp and seeds observed shape, color, texture and presence of fleshy projections. The emergency was described, type of morphology of seedlings, hypocotyl and epicotyl, cot yledon and eophylls. The germination test was conducted in the light and continuous darkness, evaluating the percentage and speed of germination index, mean germination time, relative frequency, synchronization index, germination index on the light, shoot length and root mass fresh and dry seedling. The greatest variation occurs in the weight of the seeds. The seed has developed aryl, cream, linear hilum with a median position, surrounded by a rusty brown line distinguishing the seeds of this species, whose measures differ from other species of the genus. The presence of light at 30 ° C temperature promotes greater germination seeds indicating that this species behaves as a preferred positive photoblastic. Germination is hypogeal, the seedling is cryptocotylar. The young plant has woody stem, eophylls green-violet trifoliolate at the apex, slightly winged petioles and rachis and presence of stipules and stipels.Objetivou-se fornecer dados da morfometria de frutos e sementes, germinação e do desenvolvimento pós-seminal de Swartzia recurva. Foram avaliados: massa fresca, comprimento, largura e espessura dos frutos/sementes. Quanto à forma, coloração e textura do pericarpo e nas sementes observou-se forma, coloração, textura e presença de projeções carnosas. Descreveu-se a emergência, tipo de morfologia da plântula, hipocótilo e epicótilo, cotilédone e eofilos. O teste de germinação foi conduzido na luz e escuro contínuo, avaliando-se a porcentagem e índice de velocidade germinação, tempo médio de germinação, freqüência relativa, índice de sincronização, índice de germinação relativa à luz, comprimento de parte aérea e raiz, massa fresca e seca das plântulas. A maior variação nas ocorre na massa das sementes. A semente apresenta arilo desenvolvido, cor creme, hilo linear com posição mediana, circundado por uma linha marrom ferrugínea distinguindo as sementes desta espécie, cujas medidas diferem de outras espécies do gênero. A presença de luz na temperatura de 30ºC promove maior germinação sementes indicando que essa espécie se comporta como fotoblástica positiva preferencial. A germinação é hipógea, a plântula é criptocotiledonar. A planta jovem apresenta caule lenhoso, eófilos trifoliolados verde-violáceos no ápice, pecíolos e ráquis levemente alados e presença de estípulas e estipelas

Evaluation factors for determining the quality of life of physically independent elderly

Introduction: Brazil has experienced an epidemiological transition process, characterized by an aging population, with a rise in chronic diseases and reduction in infectious diseases. In this context, aging brings about the presence of multimorbidities and the use of multiple drugs associated with a worse quality of life of those people. Objectives: To analyze the determinants of quality of life in physically independent elderly. Method: Cross-sectional study of 498 elderly physically independent, divided into three groups according to the presence of comorbidities: I) Control group: no comorbidities; II) Group comorbidities: <3 comorbidities; and III) multimorbidities Group: ≥ 3 comorbidities and were also stratified on the use of medications in: I) Control group: non-medicated; II) medicated Group: <3 drugs; and III) polymedicated Group: ≥ 3 drugs. Structured questionnaires were applied to survey data on socio-demographic characteristics, history of comorbidities and medication use, as well as the SF-36 questionnaire as a quality of life assessment method. Results: Statistically significant differences were found in the quality of life regarding gender, educational level, economic status and multimorbidities. The results show that in elderly populations there is inequality in non-white races and among women in matters regarding access to health services. These groups show bigger probability to have more serious chronic conditions and a bad perception of health and quality of life. It is also very clear that in third world countries, a lot of elderly live in poverty having difficulties in the area of health, a major challenge to the implementation of public policies for the care of those people. Lastly, the results make it evident that the aging process has a direct relationship to the amount of installed diseases and increased use of medications. Conclusion: As much as the results showed that the decline of quality of life in physically independent elderly is related to the presence of multimorbidities and high medication intake, researchers state that people can age with a good quality of life if they opt for a successful aging process where significant activities gain space along with daily actions. Introdução: O Brasil tem passado por um processo de transição epidemiológica, caracterizado por um envelhecimento populacional, com um aumento das doenças crônico-degenerativas e redução das doenças infectocontagiosas. Nesse contexto, o envelhecimento ocasiona a presença de multimorbidades e uso de múltiplos fármacos os quais estão associados a uma pior qualidade de vida dessas pessoas Objetivos: Analisar os fatores determinantes da qualidade de vida de idosos fisicamente independentes. Método: Estudo transversal com 498 idosos fisicamente independentes, alocados em três grupos quanto à presença de comorbidades: I) Grupo controle: sem comorbidades; II) Grupo comorbidades: < 3 comorbidades; e III) Grupo multimorbidades: ≥ 3 comorbidades e também estratificados quanto à utilização de medicamentos em: I) Grupo controle: não medicado; II) Grupo medicado: < 3 medicamentos; e III)Grupo polimedicado: ≥ 3 medicamentos. Foram aplicados questionários estruturados para levantamento de dados sobre características sociodemográficas, história de comorbidades e consumo de medicamentos, além do questionário SF-36 como um método de avaliação de qualidade de vida. Resultados: Foram encontradas diferenças estatisticamente significantes na qualidade de vida em relação ao gênero, escolaridade, classificação econômica e presença de multimorbidades. Os resultados mostram que nas populações idosas existe uma desigualdade nas raças não brancas e no sexo feminino nas questões referentes ao acesso a serviços de saúde, estando estes grupos mais próximos a terem condições crônicas mais graves e mostrando ter uma percepção ruim sobre a saúde e qualidade de vida. Também é muito evidente que em países de terceiro mundo, uma grande quantidade de idosos vive em situação de pobreza apresentando dificuldades no domínio da saúde, sendo um grande desafio a implementação de políticas públicas para o atendimento dessas pessoas. Enfim, os resultados deixam claro que o processo de envelhecimento tem uma relação direta com a quantidade de doenças instaladas e aumento do uso de medicamentos. Conclusão: Por mais que os resultados mostraram que a piora na qualidade de vida em idosos fisicamente independentes está relacionada à presença de multimorbidades e alto consumo de medicamentos, pesquisadores nos esclarecem que as pessoas podem envelhecer com uma boa qualidade de vida se optarem por um envelhecimento bem sucedido onde as atividades significativas ganham espaço junto nas ações da vida diária

Osteoblastic Nasal Osteosarcoma in a Wagyu Bovine

Background: Osteosarcoma is a malignant mesenchymal tumor with a wide variety of histological patterns. It is the primary bone neoplasia diagnosed in most domestic animal clinic, but rare in farm animals. The tumor develops both the appendicular skeleton as the axial skeleton, the latter being less affected. Generally it has a fast, painful and infiltrative grow, being observed metastasis. This study aims to report a case of metastatic osteoblastic osteosarcoma in the nasal bone of a bovine, diagnosed at the Animal Pathology Laboratory at the University of Passo Fundo (UPF), featuring its pathological and immunohistochemical aspects.Case: A 5 year old Wagyu female beef cattle, was treated at the Veterinary Hospital of the University of Passo Fundo. The animal had swelling in the left nasal plan, dyspnoea and anorexia. It was held cytology and biopsy which revealed malignant mesenchymal neoplasm compatible with osteosarcoma. The clinical picture has worsened and the animal died. At necropsy, the left nasal plane, had ulcerated tumor mass measuring 15x12.5x7.5 cm, hard and firm consistency with whitish color that seeped up to the turbinates and sinuses. In the lung, there were numerous nodules of tumor appearance, adhered to the parietal pleura, similar to bone tissue. In the histopathological analysis, proliferation of neoplastic cells located in the deep dermis was observed, cell thick, well-defined and infiltrative, arranged in bundles, loosely grouped with rounded shape, sometimes oval, with distinct boundaries. There were areas with formation of osteoid matrix calcification and tumor necrosis. It was observed lung and regional lymph nodes metastasis. Tissue samples were subjected to immunohistochemistry (IHC), was performed using the polymer method with horseradish peroxidase (HRP), with positive control, using a panel of antibodies. Neoplastic cells were immunoreactive for vimentin and negative for other antibodies. Thus, confirmed the case of mesenchymal origin and bone tumor.Discussion: Osteosarcoma developing in the axial skeleton, more precisely in the nasal bone, in animals of this age group, is not found frequently in the literature. However, when they occur, they have unilateral injury, remarkable facial deformities, dyspnea and infiltration of adjacent tissues. During necropsy there was observed a mass of hard consistency suggesting bone tissue in the nasal plane, there was also observed whitish spots on the lung and lymph nodes. Through microscopic analysis was obtained the classification of osteoblastic osteosarcoma. Being a malignant tumor it has a fast and infiltrative growth, there was visualized metastasis in lung and mediastinal lymph nodes. The samples submitted to immunohistochemistry were positive for vimentin and negative for other antibodies. No treatment with chemotherapy, radiation therapy or surgical intervention to remove the tumor was possible to be performed. Due to the severity of the clinical condition, the mass location, which couldn’t be obtained a safe surgical margin and it was financially unviable. The presumptive diagnosis of osteosarcoma was based on clinical history, anamnesis and cytological examination. However, the histopathological examination was essential to confirm the diagnosis. Through immunohistochemical examination, it was found the histogenesis, allowing to exclude other neoplasias. This technic was essential to characterize osteosarcoma due to the shortage reports of this neoplasia in farm animals, therefore, very important in veterinary medicine diagnosis.Keywords: neoplasia, bone, axial skeleton, ruminant, immunohistochemical and anatomopathological aspects