bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
In vitro antioxidant and in vivo antidiabetic, antihyperlipidemic activity of linseed oil against streptozotocin‐induced toxicity in albino rats
Authors: Kaithwas Gaurav , Majumdar Dipak K. 
Published: June 2012

AbstractThe intake of omega‐3 unsaturated fatty acids has a beneficial effect on insulin sensitivity in rats and in subjects with type 2 diabetes. It has been reported that these omega‐3 fatty acids are useful in the treatment of hypertriglyceridemia and in the enhancement of high‐density lipoprotein (HDL)‐cholesterol levels in diabetic patients. The present study was therefore aimed to evaluate the antioxidant, antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic effect of L. usitatissimum fixed oil. The antioxidant activity was evaluated in vitro using 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) assay. The oil exhibited significant in vitro antioxidant activity in the DPPH and H2O2 assay. The oil (1, 2, 3 mL/kg) was further investigated against streptozotocin (STZ)‐induced hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia in albino rats, subjected to 3 weeks of treatment. The oil manifested decrease in blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin levels at higher dose and significant dose dependent negating action on antioxidant enzymes in the heart, liver and kidney tissues. The oil also normalized the various hematological parameters and electrolyte levels in the STZ treated rats. Treatment with oil significantly increased the level of serum HDL and decreased the levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low‐density lipoprotein‐cholesterol in STZ‐diabetic rats in comparison to normal control. The antioxidant, antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic activity of the oil could be attributed to the presence of linolenic acid (ALA, 18:3 n‐3) and its metabolic products, eicosapentanoic acid (EPA, 20:5 n‐3) and docosahexanoic acid (DHA, 22:6 n‐3).
One‐Pot Sequential Synthesis of Ethers from an Aliphatic Carboxylic Acid and an Alcohol by Indium‐Catalyzed Deoxygenation of an Ester
Authors: Sakai Norio , Usui Yuta , Moriya Toshimitsu , Ikeda Reiko , Konakahara Takeo 
Published: June 2012

AbstractWe have developed a widely applicable and direct method of etherification from a carboxylic acid and an alcohol by indium‐catalyzed deoxygenation of the transient ester formed in a one‐pot reaction. This simple catalytic reducing system appears to be remarkably tolerant of several functional groups including alkenes, halogens, nitro and heterocyclic groups.
Cross‐Coupling ofN‐Allylic Sulfonimides with Organozinc Reagents at Room Temperature
Authors: Tang Xiang‐Ling , Wu Zhao , Li Man‐Bo , Gu Yonghong , Tian Shi‐Kai 
Published: June 2012

AbstractAn efficient cross‐coupling reaction ofN‐allylic sulfonimides with organozinc reagents has been developed. In the presence of 1 mol‐% of Pd2(dba)3, a range ofN‐allylic sulfonimides smoothly couple with various organozinc reagents at room temperature to give the corresponding (E)‐alkene products in moderate to excellent yields and with good to exclusive α‐selectivity. It is noteworthy that allyl ether, benzyl ether, and ester are tolerated under the reaction conditions.
I, me, mine: Automatic attentional capture by self‐related stimuli
Authors: Alexopoulos Theodore , Muller Dominique , Ric François , Marendaz Christian 
Published: June 2012

AbstractDrawing on decades of research suggesting an attentional advantage for self‐related information, researchers generally assume that self‐related stimuli automatically capture attention. However, a literature review reveals that this claim has not been systematically examined. We aimed to fill in this dearth of evidence. Following a feature‐based account of automaticity, we set up four experiments in which participants were asked to respond to a target preceded by a cue, which was self‐related or not. In Experiment 1, larger cuing effects (faster reaction times to valid versus invalid trials) were found with a participant's own name compared with someone else's name. In Experiment 2, we replicated these results with unconscious cues. Experiment 3 suggested that these effects are not likely driven by familiarity. In Experiment 4, participants experienced greater difficulties from having their attention being captured by their own compared with someone else's name. We conclude that attentional capture by self‐related stimuli is automatic in the sense that it is unintentional, unconscious, and uncontrolled. Implications for self‐regulation and intergroup relations are discussed. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Risk management: Cost‐effective transaction monitoring
Authors: Henderson Phil 
Published: June 2012

AbstractOver the last few years, the world of trading, and in particular, energy and commodities trading, has undergone a dramatic transformation. Most notable is the shift to over‐the‐counter trading, introducing quick, efficient, and low‐cost trading. However, as a by‐product of this “brave new world,” individuals and organizations have taken advantage of these new arbitrage opportunities to profit through market manipulation. Current events are rife with examples of individuals and organizations who took advantage of these opportunities. A couple of examples include the following:
CONDITIONAL CASH TRANSFERS TO IMPROVE EDUCATION AND HEALTH: AN EX ANTE EVALUATION OF RED DE PROTECCIÓN SOCIAL, NICARAGUA
Authors: Thomas Ranjeeta 
Published: June 2012

ABSTRACTUsing baseline data from a randomized experiment, this article extends and tests in the context of health, the feasibility of a recently proposed reduced form approach to ex ante evaluations of social programs with an application to a conditional cash transfer program in Nicaragua. It uses a behavioural model to estimate the impact on preventive care utilization outcomes for children younger than 3 years. It validates the model with the results of the experiment and then simulates two alternate policy scenarios. The model performs well in predicting the health related outcomes and shows different results for the two sets of policy scenarios. In addition, simulations are also carried out for the school component of the cash transfer program. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
INCREMENTAL EXPENDITURE OF BIOLOGIC DISEASE MODIFYING ANTIRHEUMATIC TREATMENT USING INSTRUMENTAL VARIABLES IN PANEL DATA
Authors: Kawatkar Aniket A. , Hay Joel W. , Stohl William , Nichol Michael B. 
Published: June 2012

SUMMARYIn health care, decision makers are generally interested in simultaneous comparisons among multiple treatments or interventions available as treatment choices in real‐world clinical setting. The lack of random assignment to treatment in real‐world clinical settings leads to selection‐bias issues when evaluating the marginal benefits of treatment. The application of instrumental variables (IV) estimation to mitigate selection bias has traditionally been limited to comparing only two treatments/interventions concurrently. Using the case of biologic treatment in rheumatoid arthritis, we describe a generalized method of moments (GMM)–based panel data IV (IV‐GMM) framework, to simultaneously estimate multiple treatment effects in the presence of time‐varying selection bias and time‐invariant heterogeneity. To satisfy the order and rank conditions for identification with multiple endogeneity, we propose lagged values of each treatment as excluded instruments. We evaluate the validity of the IV estimation assumptions on instrument relevance and exogeneity. Results indicate that the IV‐GMM model offers enhanced control over selection bias and heterogeneity, and more importantly the panel data framework can provide valid excluded instruments that satisfy the order and rank conditions for identification when dealing with multiple endogenous variables. The approach outlined in this article has broad application for comparative effectiveness and health technology assessment involving multiple treatments/interventions using real‐world nonexperimental data. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Does constructive performance feedback improve citizenship intentions and job satisfaction? The roles of perceived opportunities for advancement, respect, and mood
Authors: Sommer Kristin L. , Kulkarni Mukta 
Published: June 2012

AbstractOrganizational experts have long touted the importance of delivering negative performance feedback in a manner that enhances employee receptivity to feedback, yet the broader impacts of constructive feedback have received relatively little attention. The present investigation explored the impact of constructive, critical feedback on organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) intentions and job satisfaction. A demographically diverse sample of 128 employees drawn from a variety of organizations completed a survey online. Employees whose supervisors used constructive feedback felt more respected by their supervisors and perceived greater opportunities for advancement within the organization. These variables, in turn, predicted better mood at work, greater job satisfaction, and stronger OCB intentions. The present findings highlight the importance of delivering performance feedback in a manner that emphasizes problematic behaviors over personal weaknesses and makes clear reference to standards and strategies for improvement. Implications for managerial training and human resource development are discussed.
A preliminary exploration on the measurement of expertise: An initial development of a psychometric scale
Authors: Germain Marie‐Line , Tejeda Manuel J. 
Published: June 2012

AbstractThe development of employee expertise is described as a strategic imperative for ever‐changing organizations in a hyper‐competitive economic environment. However, the lack of an adequate assessment tool for expertise has hindered empirical research. This paper conceptually and empirically develops the generalized expertise measure (GEM) and examines its psychometric properties in two managerial samples. Schwab's (1980) three stages of measure development process are followed. The factor structure of the measure is then examined employing exploratory factor analysis (EFA) procedures and confirmed using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) on independent samples. The results are presented and a preliminary measure of expertise is provided.
Investigating the role of pain‐modulating pathway genes in musculoskeletal pain
Authors: Holliday K.L. , McBeth J. , Macfarlane G. , Huhtaniemi I.T. , Bartfai G. , Casanueva F.F. , Forti G. , Kula K. , Punab M. , Vanderschueren D. , Wu F.C. , Thomson W. 
Published: June 2012

AbstractAimsThe aim of this study was to determine if genetic variation in the pain‐modulating gene DREAM and its pathway genes influence susceptibility to reporting musculoskeletal pain in the population.MethodsPairwise tag single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in DREAM, PDYN and OPRK1 were genotyped in a UK population‐based discovery cohort in whom pain was assessed using blank body manikins at three time points. Depression and anxiety symptoms were assessed at the first time point. Zero‐inflated negative binomial regression was used to test for association between SNPs and the maximum number of pain sites reported (0–29) across the three time points. Significantly associated SNPs (p < 0.05) were subsequently genotyped for validation in a cohort of European men with pain assessed at two time points.ResultsThirty‐five SNPs were genotyped in 1055 subjects, of whom 83% reported pain, in the discovery cohort. SNPs in each gene were associated with the maximum number of pain sites reported, were independent of symptoms of anxiety and depression and had a significant cumulative effect (p = 7.0 × 10−5). Significantly associated SNPs were successfully genotyped in 1733 men, 76% of whom reported pain, in the validation cohort, but did not show significant association with the number of pain sites.ConclusionsGenetic variation in the DREAM pathway genes was associated with the extent of pain reporting in a population‐based cohort. These findings were not replicated in a single independent cohort; however, given the potential of this pathway as a therapeutic target, further investigation in additional cohorts is warranted.
Factors associated with primary care prescription of opioids for joint pain
Authors: Green D.J. , Bedson J. , Blagojevic‐Burwell M. , Jordan K.P. , van der Windt D. 
Published: June 2012

AbstractBackgroundOpioids are commonly prescribed in primary care and can offer pain relief but may also have adverse effects. Little is known about the characteristics of people likely to receive an opioid prescription in primary care. The aim is to identify what factors are associated with primary care prescribing of high‐strength analgesics in a community sample of older people with joint pain.MethodsA prospective two‐stage postal survey completed at baseline and 3‐year follow‐up in a population aged 50 and over registered with eight general practitioner (GP) practices in North Staffordshire (North Staffordshire Osteoarthritis Project cohorts) linked with data from medical records. Participants were selected who reported joint pain in one or more joints at baseline. Outcome measures were the number of prescriptions for high‐strength pain medication (opioids) in the following 3 years. Socio‐demographic and health status factors associated with prescription were assessed using a zero‐inflated Poisson model.Results873 (19%) people were prescribed opioids (out of 4652 providing complete data) ranging from 1 to 76 prescriptions over 3 years. Baseline factors significantly associated with increased rates of prescription were younger age group [65–74 group: incidence rate ratio (IRR) = 1.26 (1.18–1.35)], male gender [IRR = 1.17 (1.12–1.23)], severe joint pain [IRR = 1.19 (1.12–1.26)] poor physical function [IRR = 0.99 (0.99–0.99)] and lower frequency of alcohol consumption [once/twice a year: IRR = 1.13 (1.06–1.21), never: IRR = 1.14 (1.06–1.22)]. Restricting the analysis to those without prior prescriptions for strong opioids showed similar results.ConclusionPoor physical function and participation restrictions were strongly associated with prescriptions of stronger opioids in addition to several socio‐demographic and lifestyle factors. Given the uncertainties over the effectiveness and risks of opioid use, future research could investigate decision making of GPs, exploring reasons for prescribing them.
Motor consequences of experimentally induced limb pain: A systematic review
Authors: Bank P.J.M. , Peper C.E. , Marinus J. , Beek P.J. , van Hilten J.J. 
Published: June 2012

AbstractCompelling evidence exists that pain may affect the motor system, but it is unclear if different sources of peripheral limb pain exert selective effects on motor control. This systematic review evaluates the effects of experimental (sub)cutaneous pain, joint pain, muscle pain and tendon pain on the motor system in healthy humans. The results show that pain affects many components of motor processing at various levels of the nervous system, but that the effects of pain are largely irrespective of its source. Pain is associated with inhibition of muscle activity in the (painful) agonist and its non‐painful antagonists and synergists, especially at higher intensities of muscle contraction. Despite the influence of pain on muscle activation, only subtle alterations were found in movement kinetics and kinematics. The performance of various motor tasks mostly remained unimpaired, presumably as a result of a redistribution of muscle activity, both within the (painful) agonist and among muscles involved in the task. At the most basic level of motor control, cutaneous pain caused amplification of the nociceptive withdrawal reflex, whereas insufficient evidence was found for systematic modulation of other spinal reflexes. At higher levels of motor control, pain was associated with decreased corticospinal excitability. Collectively, the findings show that short‐lasting experimentally induced limb pain may induce immediate changes at all levels of motor control, irrespective of the source of pain. These changes facilitate protective and compensatory motor behaviour, and are discussed with regard to pertinent models on the effects of pain on motor control.
Low back pain patients’ responses to videos of avoided movements
Authors: Pincus T. , Henderson J. 
Published: June 2012

AbstractBackgroundFear avoidance (FA) has been identified as a risk factor for poor prognosis and a target for intervention in patients with low back pain (LBP), but the mechanisms involved need clarification. Experimental studies would benefit from the use of carefully developed and controlled stimuli representing avoided movements in back pain, and matched stimuli of movements to provide a credible control stimuli. Existing stimuli depicting avoided movements in LBP are static, do not include a set of control stimuli and do not control for possible systematic observer biases.MethodsTwo studies were carried out aiming to develop and test LBP patients’ responses to videos of models depicting commonly avoided movements associated with back pain, and those associated with a control condition, wrist pain. Two samples of LBP patients rated how much pain and harm each movement would cause them. They also reported how often they avoided the movement.ResultsThe findings from the first study (n = 99) indicate that using videos of commonly avoided movements in low back pain is viable, and that movements associated with wrist pain provide an acceptable control stimuli. Participants in the second study (n = 85) consistently rated movements depicted by females as causing more harm, and more frequently avoided than the same movements depicted by males.ConclusionsThe use of video stimuli could advance research into the processes associated with FA through experimental paradigms. However, although small, the model gender effects should be carefully considered.
Effects of individual and a mixture of pharmaceuticals and personal‐care products on cytotoxicity, EROD activity and ROS production in a rainbow trout gonadal cell line (RTG‐2)
Authors: Fernández Carlos , Carbonell Gregoria , Babín Mar 
Published: June 2012

ABSTRACTThe presence of pharmaceuticals and personal‐care products (PPCPs) in aquatic environments is of concern. Although measured concentrations of individual substances are low, little consideration has been given to the likely chronic nature of the exposures or to the potential for mixture effects. The purpose of the present study was to use the RTG‐2 rainbow trout cell line to analyse sub‐lethal and cytotoxic effects of PPCPs present in a wastewater‐treatment‐plant (WWTP) effluents and their mixtures. Interactions with cytochrome P450 1A enzyme, oxidative stress, cellular senescence and cell viability were assessed using 7‐ethoxyresorufin‐o‐deethylase (EROD), reactive oxygen species (ROS), ß‐galactosidase (ß‐gal) and neutral red (NR) uptake assays, respectively. Not all of the compounds that were tested exhibited significant effects. The lowest‐observed‐effect concentrations and half maximal effective concentrations (EC50) were within the range 0.15 to 784.47 µg l–1. Clear dose–response curves were found for cells exposed to different mixtures of PPCPs. The lowest‐observed‐effect concentrations and concentrations causing EC50 were within the range 0.05 to 54.61 µg l–1. Four out the seven tested mixtures induced EROD activity. ROS production was detected in two mixtures. The ß‐gal inhibition response was observed in six out the seven tested mixtures and occurred at a higher concentration than was observed for EROD induction activity or ROS generation. The present study clearly shows that the stress response through which cells mount a homeostatic response to toxicants can be potentially used for an initial, rapid and cost‐effective assessment of the complex mixtures of PPCP that present in WWTP effluents are difficult and expensive to analyse chemically. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of DDT and triclosan on tumor‐cell binding capacity and cell‐surface protein expression of human natural killer cells
Authors: Hurd‐Brown Tasia , Udoji Felicia , Martin Tamara , Whalen Margaret M. 
Published: June 2012

ABSTRACT1,1,1‐trichloro‐2,2‐bis(4‐chlorophenyl)ethane (DDT) and triclosan (TCS) are organochlorine (OC) compounds that contaminate the environment, are found in human blood and have been shown to decrease the tumor‐cell killing (lytic) function of human natural killer (NK) cells. NK cells defend against tumor cells and virally infected cells. They bind to these targets, utilizing a variety of cell surface proteins. The present study examined concentrations of DDT and TCS that decrease lytic function for alteration of NK binding to tumor targets. Levels of either compound that caused loss of binding function were then examined for effects on expression of cell‐surface proteins needed for binding. NK cells exposed to 2.5 μM DDT for 24 h (which caused a greater than 55% loss of lytic function) showed a decrease in NK binding function of about 22%, and a decrease in CD16 cell‐surface protein of 20%. NK cells exposed to 5 μM TCS for 24 h showed a decrease in ability to bind tumor cells of 37% and a decrease in expression of CD56 of about 34%. This same treatment caused a decrease in lytic function of greater than 87%. These results indicated that only a portion of the loss of NK lytic function seen with exposures to these compounds could be accounted for by loss of binding function. They also showed that loss of binding function is accompanied by a loss of cell‐surface proteins important in binding function. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Arsenic trioxide induces G2/M arrest in hepatocellular carcinoma cells by increasing the tumor suppressor PTEN expression
Authors: Zhang Xinyu , Jia Shuzhao , Yang Shumeng , Yang Yue , Yang Tuoyun , Yang Yanmei 
Published: June 2012

AbstractArsenic trioxide (As2O3), an effective agent against acute promyelocytic leukemia, has been reported to inhibit the viability of solid tumors cell lines recently. The detailed molecular mechanism underlying the As2O3‐induced inactivation of the cdc2 and possible functional role of PTEN in the observed G2/M arrest has yet to be elucidated. Here, we assessed the role of PTEN in regulation of As2O3‐mediated G2/M cell cycle arrest in Hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines (HepG2 and SMMC7721). After 24 h following treatment, As2O3 induced a concentration‐dependent accumulation of cells in the G2/M phase of the cell cycle. The sustained G2/M arrest by As2O3 is associated with decreased cdc2 protein and increased phospho‐cdc2(Tyr15). As2O3 treatment increased Wee1 levels and decreased phospho‐Wee1(642). Moreover, As2O3 substantially decreased the Ser473 and Thr308 phosphorylation of Akt and upregulated PTEN expression. Downregulation of PTEN by siRNA in As2O3‐treated cells increased phospho‐Wee1(Ser642) while decreased phospho‐cdc2(Tyr15), resulting in decreased the G2/M cell cycle arrest. Therefore, induction of G2/M cell cycle arrest by As2O3 involved upregulation of PTEN. J. Cell. Biochem. 113: 3528–3535, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.