Funding, Turnover, Sustainability and Digital Technologies: A Multicriteria Research Model for SMEs Facing a Challenging Context

none7sìAbstract: The pandemic crisis has meant a challenge for SMEs and a factor that can change the way of doing business. The current paper analyses the correlations between financial resources, turnover, sustainability, and digital technologies and how these components can be adapted to changes in the economy triggered by the pandemic crisis in the structure of activities carried out by SMEs. Resting on the importance of integrating the innovative, digital component to the activities of SMEs, in close connection with the financial resources component, a multicriteria research model for business has been developed, assessing the correlations between key variables and their influence on European SMEs. In order to fully define the concepts envisaged and to emphasise these correlations, multiple linear regression, clustering techniques, and correlation analysis were used. In the end, the proposed solution provided a common language through which companies can evaluate traditional processes and bring together the research components into business activities.Received: 26 February 2022 Accepted: 24 March 2022 Published: 27 March 2022openDel Baldo, M.; Sitnikov, C.; Vasilescu, L.; Mandache, L.; Ogarc˘a, R.; B˘andoi, A.; Ganea, E.Del Baldo, M.; Sitnikov, C.; Vasilescu, L.; Mandache, L.; Ogarc˘a, R.; B˘andoi, A.; Ganea, E

Stress-Induced Mast Cell Activation in Glabrous and Hairy Skin

Mast cells play a key role in modulation of stress-induced cutaneous inflammation. In this study we investigate the impact of repeated exposure to stress on mast cell degranulation, in both hairy and glabrous skin. Adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: Stress 1 day (n=8), Stress 10 days (n=7), Stress 21 days (n=6), and Control (n=8). Rats in the stress groups were subjected to 2 h/day restraint stress. Subsequently, glabrous and hairy skin samples from animals of all groups were collected to assess mast cell degranulation by histochemistry and transmission electron microscopy. The impact of stress on mast cell degranulation was different depending on the type of skin and duration of stress exposure. Short-term stress exposure induced an amplification of mast cell degranulation in hairy skin that was maintained after prolonged exposure to stress. In glabrous skin, even though acute stress exposure had a profound stimulating effect on mast cell degranulation, it diminished progressively with long-term exposure to stress. The results of our study reinforce the view that mast cells are active players in modulating skin responses to stress and contribute to further understanding of pathophysiological mechanisms involved in stress-induced initiation or exacerbation of cutaneous inflammatory processes