“You Never Get a Second Chance”: First Impressions of Physicians Depend on Their Body Posture and Gender

A first impression matters, in particular when encounters are brief as in most doctor-patient interactions. In this study, we investigate how physicians’ body postures impact patients’ first impressions of them and extend previous research by exploring posture effects on the perception of all roles of a physician – not just single aspects such as scholarly expertise or empathy. In an online survey, 167 participants ranked photographs of 4 physicians (2 female, 2 male) in 4 postures (2 open, 2 closed). The results show that male physicians were rated more positively when assuming open rather than closed postures with respect to all professional physician roles. Female physicians in open postures were rated similarly positive for items related to medical competence, but they tended to be rated less favorably with respect to social skills (such as the ability to communicate with and relate to the patient). These findings extend what is known about the effects of physicians’ body postures on the first impressions patients form to judge physicians’ medical versus social competencies. We discuss practical implications and the need for more research on interaction effects of body postures and physician gender on first impressions

Highly chlorinated PCBs inhibit the human xenobiotic response mediated by the steroid and xenobiotic receptor (SXR).

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are a family of persistent organic contaminants suspected to cause adverse effects in wildlife and humans. In rodents, PCBs bind to the aryl hydrocarbon (AhR) and pregnane X receptors (PXR) inducing the expression of catabolic cytochrome p450 enzymes of the CYP1A and 3A families. We found that certain highly chlorinated PCBs are potent activators of rodent PXR but antagonize its human ortholog, the steroid and xenobiotic receptor (SXR), inhibiting target gene induction. Thus, exposure to PCBs may blunt the human xenobiotic response, inhibiting the detoxification of steroids, bioactive dietary compounds, and xenobiotics normally mediated by SXR. The antagonistic PCBs are among the most stable and abundant in human tissues. These findings have important implications for understanding the biologic effects of PCB exposure and the use of animal models to predict the attendant risk

Activation of Steroid and Xenobiotic Receptor (SXR, NR1I2) and Its Orthologs in Laboratory Toxicologic, and Genome Model Species

Background: Nuclear receptor subfamily 1, group I, member 2 (NR1I2), commonly known as steroid xenobiotic receptor (SXR) in humans, is a key ligand-dependent transcription factor responsible for the regulation of xenobiotic, steroid, and bile acid metabolism. The ligand-binding domain is principally responsible for species-specific activation of NR1I2 in response to xenobiotic exposure. Objectives: Our objective in this study was to create a common framework for screening NR1I2 orthologs from a variety of model species against environmentally relevant xenobiotics and to evaluate the results in light of using the species as predictors of xenobiotic disposition and for assessment of environmental health risk. Methods: Sixteen chimeric fusion plasmid vectors expressing the Gal4 DNA-binding domain and species-specific NR1I2 ligand-binding domain were screened for activation against a spectrum of 27 xenobiotic compounds using a standardized cotransfection receptor activation assay. Results: NR1I2 orthologs were activated by various ligands in a dose-dependent manner. Closely related species show broadly similar patterns of activation; however, considerable variation to individual compounds exists, even among species varying in only a few amino acid residues. Conclusions: Interspecies variation in NR1I2 activation by various ligands can be screened through the use of in vitro NR1I2 activation assays and should be taken into account when choosing appropriate animal models for assessing environmental health risk

Modelling human choices: MADeM and decision‑making

Research supported by FAPESP 2015/50122-0 and DFG-GRTK 1740/2. RP and AR are also part of the Research, Innovation and Dissemination Center for Neuromathematics FAPESP grant (2013/07699-0). RP is supported by a FAPESP scholarship (2013/25667-8). ACR is partially supported by a CNPq fellowship (grant 306251/2014-0)

Data_of_study_You never get a second chance First impressions of physicians depend on their body postures

In this study, we focus on the impact of posture on patients’ first impressions of a physician. In contrast to previous studies, we not only focus on physicians’ leadership skills, but just as much on their interpersonal and communicative skills. In an online survey, we obtained ratings of 167 participants assessing 4 sets of photographs. Each included pictures of 4 physicians (2 females) in two open or closed positions. We measured the physician’s skills, introducing items focussing on leadership, physician’s typical professional roles (derived from the CanMEDS framework), and the Shared Decision Making (SDM) process. The results show that male physicians were rated more positively in open postures. Female physicians received similar ratings, but only for leadership and medical expertise. Communicative and interpersonal skills received less favourable evaluations concerning open than closed postures. Our findings show that body postures shape the first impressions of a physician. In addition, these effects differ based on physician gender, which may be related to gender stereotypes and warrants further research

Messen am eingerichteten Werkstück: 3D-Inline-Messtechnik für die Werkzeugmaschine

Ein digital-holografisches Messsystem erlaubt erstmals eine echte 100-Prozent-Qualitätskontrolle in einer Werkzeugmaschine. Der Sensor erfasst makroskopische Topografien mit Genauigkeiten bis in den Sub-Mikrometerbereich. Durch die exakte Erfassung einer fehlerhaften Bearbeitung kann diese im Nachgang korrigiert werden – und zwar ohne erneutes Einrichten des Werkstücks