The gaps in the quality of hotel services in Poland

Purpose: The study's objective is to assess the perceived quality of hospitality services in Poland in the view of domestic and foreign customers by determining the gaps between the perception of service during a guest's stay at a hotel and the quality guaranteed by 3-star hotels. Design/Methodology/Approach: The research was conducted using the Servqual method in three-star hotels located in Poland. In the research process, 800 hotel guests participated. Findings: From the research conducted in Poland, there is a difference in the perception of hotel services between domestic and foreign guests. However, the tendencies are identical. It is proved by the perceived quality of services expressed with the values of the Servqual index calculated depending on the assessment of individual criteria by the two abovementioned groups of respondents who rated as definitely negative the criteria of tangibles, reliability, and assurances, with a positive rating for the criteria of responsiveness and empathy. Practical Implications: Practical implications concern the popularization of this research method, which, in the assessment of the quality of services, takes into account, first of all, consumer's satisfaction, becoming a simple way to obtain clear answers on the issue of adaptation of services to the customers' requirements. Originality/Value: Results of the conducted research indicate that enterprises, while providing substitute services on the intersectoral market are entering increasingly difficult requirements of shaping the market advantage (EU). There is an urgent need to activate demand preferences in this situation, mainly by improving the quality, availability, competence, timeliness, responsibility, and security of service provision.peer-reviewe

Alteration of parafollicular (C) cells activity in the experimental model of hypothyroidism in rats.

Our previous study has shown the alteration of C cells activity in rats with experimental model of hyperthyroidism. The aim of the present study was the evaluation of parafollicular cells activity in rats with hypothyroidism evoked by propylthiouracil (PTU) given in drinking water over 21 days. Histological, ultrastructural and immunocytochemical studies using specific antibodies against calcitonin and CGRP were performed on thyroid glands taken from experimental and control groups of rats. Moreover, in all animals the calcitonin plasma levels were evaluated by radioimmunoassay. After chronic administration of PTU, thyroid image showed predominant microfollicular hyperplasia and attenuated density of parafollicular cells. The intensity of immunocytochemical reactions for CT and CGRP were weaker in the majority of C cells in comparison to the control rats, in which strong immunocytochemical reaction was observed. Examination in the electron microscope reveals the features of hypoactivity both in follicular and parafollicular cells, in which the quantity and electron density of secretory granules were smaller in comparison to the control group. These microscopic changes were accompanied by a significant decrease of calcitonin plasma concentration. Alteration of C cells activity in the experimental model of hypothyroidism, accompanied by microfollicular hypertrophy, may point to the mutual cooperation between parafollicular and follicular cells

Interleukin-6 is not essential for bone turnover in hypothyroid mice.

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) has been shown to be involved in the pathogenesis of several bone diseases characterized by an imbalance between bone resorption and formation. The aim of the study was to estimate serum markers of bone turnover: osteoclast-derived tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase form 5a (TRACP 5b) and osteocalcin in IL-6-deficient mice to assess the role of IL-6 in bone metabolism in hypothyroidism in mice. C57BL/6J (wild-type; WT) and C57BL/6J(IL6-/-Kopf) (IL-6 knock-out; IL6KO) mice randomly divided into 4 groups with 10 in each one: 1/ WT mice in hypothyroidism (WT-ht), 2/ WT controls, 3/ IL6KO mice with hypothyroidism (IL6KO-ht) and 4/ IL6KO controls. Experimental model of hypothyroidism was induced by intraperitoneal injection of propylthiouracyl. The serum levels of TRACP 5b and osteocalcin were determined by ELISA. Serum concentrations of TRACP 5b (median and interquartile ranges) were significantly decreased in both groups of mice with hypothyroidism: WT (3.2 (2.5-4.7) U/l) and IL6KO (2.6 (1.8-3.5) U/l) as compared to the respective controls. Similarly, serum osteocalcin levels were significantly reduced in both groups of mice in experimental hypothyroidism: WT (25.8 (23.0-28.2) ng/ml) and IL6KO (21.5(19.0-24.6) ng/ml) in comparison to the respective controls. There were no significant differences in bone turnover markers between IL6KO and WT mice both in hypothyroid and control animals. The results of the present study suggest that IL-6 does not play an important role in bone turnover in both euthyroid and hypothyroid mice