Differences in the Effects of Social Context on Emotional Responding

This study compares the effects of social cues on emotional experiences of men and women. Literature suggests that emotional responses are influenced by the presence and expressiveness of other individuals (Hess, Banse, & Kappas, 1995; Jacobs, Manstead, & Fischer, 2001; Fridlund, 1991). We examined whether social cues influence the experience of emotions differently for men and women. Research on gender differences in self-construal (Cross & Madson, 1997) led us to expect that women’s own emotional reactions would be more sensitive to emotional cues from other individuals than men’s.

The influence of emotional contagion on products evaluation

Emotional Contagion is the mechanism that includes mimicking and the automatic synchronization of facial expressions, vocalizations, postures, and movements with another person and, consequently, convergence of emotions between the sender and receiver. Researches of this mechanism conducted usually in the fields of Psychology and Marketing tends to investigate face-to-face interactions. However, the question remains to what extent, if any, emotional contagion may occur with facial expressions in photos, since many purchase situations are brought on by catalogues or websites. This thesis has the goal to verify this gap and, in addition, verify whether emotional contagion is more common in females than in males as stated in previous studies. Emotions have been studied because it is intuitively apparent that emotions affect the dynamics of the interaction between a salesperson and customers (Verbeke, 1997); in other words, emotions may significantly affect consumer behavior. Therefore, this thesis also verified whether the facial expressions that transmit emotions could be associated to product evaluations. To investigate these questions, an experiment was done with 171 participants, which were exposed to either smiling (positive emotion) or neutral advertising. The differences between the individual advertisements were limited to the facial expressions of figures in the advertisements (either smiling or neutral/without smiling). One specialist and two students analyzed videotaped records of the participants’ responses, and found that participants who saw the positive stimulus mimicked the picture (smiling back) confirming the Emotional Contagion in Photos (the first hypothesis). The second hypothesis was to analyze if there is difference based in gender. The results demonstrated that there is not a significant difference between genders; female and male equally suffer Emotional Contagion. The third hypothesis was related to whether the positive emotions vs. neutral emotions acquired from the positive facial expression in the photo are associated to a positive evaluation of the product also displayed in the photo. Evidences show that the ad with a positive expression could change more positively the attitude, the sympathy, the reliability, and the intention of purpose of the participant compared to those who were exposed to the neutral condition. Therefore, the analysis concludes that the facial expressions displayed in photos produce emotional contagion and may interfere on the evaluation product. A discussion of the theoretical and practical implications and limitations for these findings are presented.

Decision making naturalized: the interweaving of the unconscious, the emotional and the rational in decisions taken in a contigent world

Dadas as limitações e inadequações presentes, tanto no arquétipo do tomador de decisão como um agente racional, adotado nas teorias econômicas e gerenciais, quanto no estereótipo de um ser transcendental, tão presente na vida prosaica, se faz necessário substituí-los por uma nova perspectiva: onde o tomador de decisão é um animal emocional, frágil diante do acaso, e fruto de um processo evolutivo.

Renal effects and vascular reactivity induced by Tityus serrulatus venom

Tityus serrulatus, popularly known as yellow scorpion, is one of the most studied scorpion species in South America and its venom has supplied some highly active molecules. The effects of T. serrulatus venom upon the renal physiology in human showed increased renal parameters, urea and creatinine. However, in perfused rat kidney the effects were not tested until now. Isolated kidneys from Wistar rats, weighing 240-280 g, were perfused with Krebs-Henseleit solution containing 6% (g weight) of previously dialysed bovine serum albumin. The effects of T. serrulatus venom were studied on the perfusion pressure (PP), renal vascular resistance (RVR), urinary flow (UF), glomerular filtration rate (GFR), sodium tubular transport (%TNa+), potassium tubular transport (%TK+) and chloride tubular transport (%TCl-). Tityus serrulatus venom (TsV; 10 mu g/mL) was added to the system 30 min after the beginning of each experiment (n = 6). This 30 min period was used as an internal control. The mesenteric bed was perfused with Krebs solution kept warm at 37 T by a constant flow (4 mL/min), while the variable perfusion pressure was measured by means of a pressure transducer. The direct vascular effects of TsV (10 mu g/mL/min; n=6), infused at a constant rate (0.1 mL/min), were examined and compared to the infusion of the vehicle alone at the same rate. TsV increased PP (PP30'= 127.8 +/- 0.69 vs PP60' = 154.2 +/- 14 mmHg*, *p < 0.05) and RVR (RVR30' = 6.29 +/- 0.25 vs RVR60' = 8.03 +/- 0.82 mmHg/mL g(-1) min(-1)*, *p < 0.05), decreased GFR (GFR(30') =0.58 +/- 0.02 vs GFR(60') = 0.46 +/- 0.01 mL g(-1) min(-1)*, *p < 0.05) and UF (UF30' = 0.135 +/- 0.001 vs UF60' = 0.114 +/- 0.003 mL g(-1)min(-1)*, *p < 0.05). Tubular transport was not affected during the whole experimental period (120 min). on the other hand, the infusion of TsV (10 mu g/mL/min) increased the basal perfusion pressure of isolated arteriolar mesenteric bed (basal pressure: 74.17 +/- 3.42 vs TsV 151.8 +/- 17.82 mmHg*, *p < 0.05). TsV affects renal haemodynamics probably by a direct vasoconstrictor action leading to decreased renal flow. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Structural and Biochemical Characterization of Peroxiredoxin Q beta from Xylella fastidiosa CATALYTIC MECHANISM and HIGH REACTIVITY

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Reactivity of p53 protein in canine transmissible venereal tumor

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

The reactivity of oytho-methoxy-substituted catechol radicals with sulfhydryl groups: Contribution for the comprehension of the mechanism of inhibition of NADPH oxidase by apocynin

Redox processes are involved in the mechanism of action of NADPH oxidase inhibitors such as diphenyleneiodonium and apocynin. Here, we studied the structure-activity relationship for apocynin and analogous ortho-methoxy-substituted catechols as inhibitors of the NADPH oxidase in neutrophils and their reactivity with peroxidase. Aiming to alter the reduction potential, the ortho-methoxy-catechol moiety was kept constant and the substituents at para position related to the hydroxyl group were varied. Two series of compounds were employed: methoxy-catechols bearing electron-withdrawing groups (MC-W) such as apocynin, vanillin, 4-nitroguaiacol, 4-cyanoguaiacol, and methoxy-catechol bearing electron-donating groups (MC-D) such as 4-methylguaiacol and 4-ethylguaiacol. We found that MC-D were weaker inhibitors compared to MD-W. Furthermore, the radicals generated by oxidation of MC-W via MPO/H(2)O(2), but not for MC-D, were able to oxidize glutathione (GSH) as verified by the formation of thiyl radicals, depletion of GSH, and recycling of the ortho-methoxy-catechols during their oxidations. The capacity of oxidizing sulfhydryl (SH) groups was also verified when ovalbumin was incubated with MC-W, but not for MC-D. Since the effect of apocynin has been correlated with inactivation of the cytosolic fractions of the NADPH oxidase complex and its oxidation during the inhibitory process develops a special role in this process, we suggest that the close relationship between the reactivity of the radicals of MC-W compounds with thiol groups and their efficacy as NADPH oxidase inhibitor could be the chemical pathway behind the mechanism of action of apocynin and should be taken into account in the design of new and specific NADPH oxidase inhibitors. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Dermatophytosis: association between ABO blood groups and reactivity to the trichophytin

Os autores investigaram a relação entre dermatofitose e grupo sanguíneo ABO através da tipagem sanguínea, identificação do dermatófito isolado e resposta imune celular específica de 40 indivíduos portadores desta micose. Verificaram que o fungo Trichophyton rubrum foi isolado em 54,5% dos pacientes, sendo mais frequente em indivíduos pertencentes ao grupo sanguíneo A. A resposta imune celular, avaliada através do antígeno tricofitina, foi positiva em 25% dos pacientes estudados; a presença de reações imediatas (30 min) foi verificada em 35%. A distribuição dos grupos sanguíneos entre pacientes com dermatofitose e grupo controle foi a seguinte: 47,5% x 36% grupo A, 40% x 50% grupo O, 12,5% x 11% grupo B. Embora os autores tenham encontrado um número maior de pacientes pertencentes ao grupo sanguíneo A e infectados pelo T. rubrum, não obtiveram evidência estatística de que esses indivíduos sejam mais suscetíveis as dermatofitoses.

H1 but not H2 histamine antagonist receptors mediate anxiety-related behaviors and emotional memory deficit in mice subjected to elevated plus-maze testing

This study investigated the role of H1 and H2 receptors in anxiety and the retrieval of emotional memory using a Trial 1/Trial 2 (T1/T2) protocol in an elevated plus-maze (EPM). Tests were performed on 2 consecutive days, designated T1 and T2. Before T1, the mice received intraperitoneal injections of saline (SAL), 20 mg/kg zolantidine (ZOL, an H2 receptor antagonist), or 8.0 or 16 mg/kg chlorpheniramine (CPA, an H1 receptor antagonist). After 40 min, they were subjected to the EPM test. In T2 (24 h later), each group was subdivided into two additional groups, and the animals from each group were re-injected with SAL or one of the drugs. In T1, the Student t-test showed no difference between the SAL and ZOL or 8 mg/kg CPA groups with respect to the percentages of open arm entries (%OAE) and open arm time (%OAT). However, administration of CPA at the highest dose of 16 mg/kg decreased %OAE and %OAT, but not locomotor activity, indicating anxiogenic-like behavior. Emotional memory, as revealed by a reduction in open arm exploration between the two trials, was observed in all experimental groups, indicating that ZOL and 8 mg/kg CPA did not affect emotional memory, whereas CPA at the highest dose affected acquisition and consolidation, but not retrieval of memory. Taken together, these results suggest that H1 receptor, but not H2, is implicated in anxiety-like behavior and in emotional memory acquisition and consolidation deficits in mice subjected to EPM testing.

EMOTIONAL BURDEN IN CAREGIEVERS of PATIENTS WITH OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIEVE DISORDER

The objective of this study was to evaluate the emotional burden, psychological morbidity, and level of family accommodation in caregivers of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) patients, according to sociodemographic and clinical factors. Methods: Fifty Brazilian DSM-IV OCD patients and their caregivers were evaluated using the Family Accommodation Scale, the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI), the Self-Report Questionnaire (caregivers), the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale, and the Beck Depression Inventory (patients). Most caregivers (80%) were aged between 30 and 59 years and lived with the patient (88%). Results: Forty-two percent presented a common mental disorder and their mean ZBI score was 28.9. Family accommodation was moderate in 26% and severe or very severe in 24%. Caregivers' levels of psychological morbidity, accommodation, and emotional burden were associated with each other and with the severity of patient obsessive-compulsive and depressive symptoms. Conclusions: The results suggest that caregivers of OCD patients have important levels of burden and psychological morbidity and should receive orientation and support to minimize this emotional impact. Depression and Anxiety 25:1020-1027, 2008. (C) 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Glial reactivity in dogs with visceral leishmaniasis: correlation with T lymphocyte infiltration and with cerebrospinal fluid anti-Leishmania antibody titres

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Changes in taste reactivity to intra-oral hypertonic NaCl after lateral parabrachial injections of an alpha(2)-adrenergic receptor agonist

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)