A Multi-Method Study Examining the Role of Swiping on Dating Apps: Mate Value Preferences, Sexual Satisfaction, and Need Satisfaction with Matches in Emerging Adults.

Intrinsic (i.e., personality traits) and extrinsic mate value (i.e., resources, physical attractiveness) preferences play a crucial role in (online) relationship formation. The role of mate values in dating applications was unclear and was addressed in a multi-method study. A first content analytical study examined the prevalence of mate values (MVs) on Tinder profiles (Study 1) and two subsequent cross-sectional studies explored the relationships between dating app use, various swiping behaviors, sexual satisfaction (Studies 2-3), need satisfaction with matches (Study 3), having a committed relationship versus casual sex motivation for using dating apps and users' gender. The content analysis of 307 Tinder profiles indicated that resources and physical attractiveness were most salient in biographies and pictures, respectively. The first cross-sectional study (nfullsample = 325, ndating app users = 133) revealed no significant relationships between dating app frequency/swiping frequency, intrinsic and extrinsic MV preferences, and sexual satisfaction. The second cross-sectional study (n = 323) showed no significant relationships between picture-based or biography-based swiping, intrinsic and extrinsic MV preferences, and need satisfaction with matches. Gender differences emerged in the presentation of MVs on Tinder (Study 1) and general MV preferences (Study 2-3), but not in the relationships between different types of dating app use/swiping and MV preferences (Study 2-3). A committed relationship and a casual sex motivation played a role in the relationships between different types of swiping behaviors and MV preferences, and between MV preferences, and sexual satisfaction/need satisfaction with matches.

Are diverse models really non-idealized? Investigating body positivity public feed posts of fashion and beauty brands on instagram.

Research increasingly explores body positive (BoPo) messaging and diverse model representation in advertising. Fashion and beauty brands are incorporating diverse models in traditional media to address criticisms of promoting narrow appearance ideals, yet their social media communications remain understudied. This content analytical study (n = 460 models, 16 brands) analyzes BoPo messages and diverse model representation in fashion and beauty brands' Instagram posts. Variations according to the brands' reputation, posts' framing, and posts' popularity were considered. Results showed that although diverse models appeared to be prominently featured in the brands' Instagram posts (71.50%; n = 329), the majority of these posts displayed only one aspect of diversity. Racial diversity was the most represented diversity trait (76.29%, n = 251), while body (32.80%, n = 151), facial (12.10%, n = 38), and generational diversity (22.50%, n = 73) were limited. The sexualization frame (88.70%, n = 408) prevailed over the empowerment frame (32.40%, n = 149). Positive changes were noted with the empowerment frame significantly relating to the representation of diverse models. Yet, this study also highlighted that such positive messages still co-occur with negative messages as an empowerment frame co-occurred with a highly prevalent sexualization frame.

Behind the Screens: A Systematic Literature Review of Quantitative Research on Mobile Dating.

Mobile dating applications (MDAs) have become commonly used tools to seek out dating and sexual partners online. The current review aimed to systematically synthesize empirical findings in 72 quantitative studies on mobile dating, published in ISI-ranked journals between 2014 and 2020. This review focused on summarizing different approaches toward mobile dating, identity features of quantitative research on mobile dating, and hypothesized antecedents and outcomes of mobile dating. Our findings showed, first, that the literature diverges in how mobile dating is operationalized. Second, quantitative research on mobile dating predominantly consists of cross-sectional studies that draw on theoretical insights from multiple disciplines. Third, a variety of traits and sociodemographics were associated with MDA use. In particular, using MDAs for (1) relational goals related to being male, non-heterosexual, higher levels of sociosexuality, sensation seeking, extraversion, and holding more positive peer norms about using MDAs for relational goals; (2) intrapersonal goals related to being female and having more socially impairing traits; and (3) entertainment goals related to having higher levels of sociosexuality, sensation seeking, and antisocial traits. Outcomes significantly associated with general use of MDAs were scoring higher on sexual permissiveness and on engaging in casual (unprotected) sexual intercourse, as well as having higher risk at nonconsensual sex. MDA use was also connected with increased psychological distress and body dissatisfaction. Shortcomings of the existing research approaches and measures are discussed and six methodological and theoretical recommendations for future research are provided.

Television, news media, social media and adolescents' and young adults' violations of the COVID-19 lockdown measures: A prototype willingness model.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, television and social media informed and entertained people. This cross-sectional study among adolescents and young adults (n = 859, 71.94% female, Mage  = 20.55, SDage  = 4.59) examined the associations between pro- and anti-governmental (social) media and youth's violations of the lockdown measures following the prototype willingness model (PWM). Data were collected during Belgium's first and strictest lockdown. The results largely confirmed the applicability of the PWM in a public health context. Posting of and exposure to anti-governmental social media messages positively related to violations of the regulations via higher descriptive norm perceptions of peers violating the measures and positive attitudes towards violations. Pro-governmental media interactions (i.e., exposure to news media and pro-governmental social media messages) negatively related to violations via negative attitudes towards violations. No support emerged for the role of (televised) series, prototype favorability, or subjective norms in the PWM. Differences in posting versus exposure of social media messages were found. Posting generally related stronger to risk cognitions and behaviors compared to exposure. Gender and age moderated some of the examined relations in the PWM. Implications for media research and health campaigns are discussed.

Gene expression study of monocytes/macrophages during early foreign body reaction and identification of potential precursors of myofibroblasts.

Foreign body reaction (FBR), initiated by adherence of macrophages to biomaterials, is associated with several complications. Searching for mechanisms potentially useful to overcome these complications, we have established the signaling role of monocytes/macrophages in the development of FBR and the presence of CD34(+) cells that potentially differentiate into myofibroblasts. Therefore, CD68(+) cells were in vitro activated with fibrinogen and also purified from the FBR after 3 days of implantation in rats. Gene expression profiles showed a switch from monocytes and macrophages attracted by fibrinogen to activated macrophages and eventually wound-healing macrophages. The immature FBR also contained a subpopulation of CD34(+) cells, which could be differentiated into myofibroblasts. This study showed that macrophages are the clear driving force of FBR, dependent on milieu, and myofibroblast deposition and differentiation.

The remodeling of cardiovascular bioprostheses under influence of stem cell homing signal pathways.

Optimizing current heart valve replacement strategies by creating living prostheses is a necessity to alleviate complications with current bioprosthetic devices such as calcification and degeneration. Regenerative medicine, mostly in vitro tissue engineering, is the forerunner of this optimization search, yet here we show the functionality of an in vivo alternative making use of 2 homing axes for stem cells. In rats we studied the signaling pathways of stem cells on implanted bioprosthetic tissue (photooxidized bovine pericardium (POP)), by gene and protein expression analysis. We found that SDF-1alpha/CXCR4 and FN/VLA4 homing axes play a role. When we implanted vascular grafts impregnated with SDF-1alpha and/or FN as carotid artery interpositions, primitive cells were attracted from the circulation. Next, bioprosthetic heart valves, constructed from POP impregnated with SDF-1alpha and/or FN, were implanted in pulmonary position. As shown by CD90, CD34 and CD117 immunofluorescent staining they became completely recellularized after 5 months, had a normal function and biomechanical properties and specifically the combination of SDF-1alpha and FN had an optimal valve-cell phenotype.

The recruitment of primitive Lin(-) Sca-1(+), CD34(+), c-kit(+) and CD271(+) cells during the early intraperitoneal foreign body reaction.

Implanted materials, such as medical devices, provoke the body to initiate an inflammatory reaction, known as the foreign body reaction (FBR), which causes several complications for example in hip prostheses, silicone implants, peritoneal dialysis catheters and left ventricular assist devices. FBR is initiated by macrophage adherence and results in granulation tissue formation. The early immunobiology and development of this tissue is not completely understood, but there are indications from related myofibroblast-forming diseases such as vascular repair and fibrosis that primitive stem cells also play a role in the formation of FBR-tissue. To investigate this, acellular photo-oxidized bovine pericardium patches were implanted intraperitoneally in rats and retrieved at time-points ranging from 6h to 7 days. A significant fraction of Sca-1(+) (6h-2 days), c-kit(+), CD34(+) and CD271(+) (2-3 days) stem/progenitor cells were detected. Colony-forming and differentiation capacity of the primitive stem cells into adipo-, osteo-, and myofibroblasts were shown. The presence of these primitive cells and their myofibroblastic differentiation potential were also confirmed at RNA level. The identification of specific primitive cells during FBR may have important implications for the inflammatory responses to inert materials and their use in tissue prostheses.

In vivo cellularization of a cross-linked matrix by intraperitoneal implantation: a new tool in heart valve tissue engineering.

AIM: To use in vivo instead of in vitro cell seeding in heart valve tissue engineering. METHODS AND RESULTS: Intraperitoneally preseeded, photo-oxidized bovine pericardial pulmonary valve constructs (group 1) were compared with non-preseeded constructs (group 2) implanted in sheep. All valves functioned normally and were macroscopically intact at explantation [1 week (n = 6) and 1 month (n = 6) in each group], except for one thrombosed leaflet in a group-2 valve at 1 month. Almost 10-fold higher neomatrix deposition and doubling of the leaflet thickness were found in group 1 vs. 2 (P < 0.05). A concomitant significant decrease in leaflet length (15%) was found at 1 month in group 1. The total cross-sectional surface and total amount of collagen of the original matrix remained unchanged in both groups at all times. Immunohistochemistry showed a low immune response, stem/progenitor cell infiltration, appropriated differentiation, and spontaneous endothelialization of the valves. Significantly, increased re-cellularization was found after IP preseeding compared with spontaneous seeding: cell coverage of the leaflet was 71-100 vs. 8-26% (P < 0.05), respectively. CONCLUSION: Complete re-cellularization can be obtained by IP preseeding of an acellularized cross-linked matrix. Well-functioning valve constructs show cellularization and differentiation into myofibroblast phenotype and concomitant neomatrix deposition.