Third-party attitudes and strain reactions to the threat of a labor strike

The authors examined how dispute-related stressors predicted strain experienced by third parties (N = 270) and their perceptions of a potential strike by part-time faculty. Immediately preceding a strike deadline, the authors surveyed students on their support for the union, perceived fairness, perceived effects of the impending strike, and perceived control. The authors also measured perceptions regarding information about the strike and psychological strain. Students facing increased disruptions because of the potential strike had decreased perceived control over their own tasks and over the university policies, and they experienced higher strain. Having more information about the dispute was associated with increased perceived task and policy control but was unassociated with strain. Both task and policy control moderated the relationship between disruptions and strain.     

Anesthesia resident stress: Implications for Canadian postgraduate training programs

Canadian Journal of Anesthesia/Journal canadien d'anesthésie -     

A study of methanol electro-oxidation reactions in carbon membrane electrodes and structural properties of Pt alloy electro-catalysts by EXAFS

The transition metal alloy electro-catalysts were evaluated as low cost alternatives to direct oxidation of methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) and compared with the generally accepted noble metal and alloy catalysts using cyclic voltammetry and X-ray absorption spectroscopy techniques. The effect of methanol concentration in sulfuric acid, temperature, and catalyst surface area were evaluated and matched with the proper electro-oxidation mechanisms. The alloy catalyst PtCo/C was found to be a better catalyst for methanol oxidation in acid solution compared with other transition metal alloys. The observed current oscillations in PtCu/C in low and medium temperature regions were due to the dual role played by the surface reaction between MOH and PtCO. Pt/C/Nafion^® showed the highest resistance (10⁶ Ω cm^?2) compared with PtRu/C (280 mΩ cm^?2). The observed unfavorable electrochemical performance of the bimetallic PtRu catalysts can be correlated with the observed variations in geometric structural information obtained from EXAFS and XANES measurements. The bimetallic catalysts investigated in this study must have formed as a Pt cluster covered with Ru and may not be in the expected alloy composition, which probably leads to the poor electrochemical performance.     

The Acyl-Homoserine Lactone Synthase YenI from Yersinia enterocolitica Modulates Virulence Gene Expression in Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7

The human pathogen enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) O157:H7 colonizes the rectoanal junction (RAJ) in cattle, its natural reservoir. Colonization at the RAJ poses a serious risk for fecal shedding and contamination of the environment. We previously demonstrated that EHEC senses acyl-homoserine lactones (AHLs) produced by the microbiota in the rumen to activate the gad acid resistance genes necessary for survival through the acidic stomachs in cattle and to repress the locus of enterocyte effacement (LEE) genes important for colonization of the RAJ, but unnecessary in the rumen. Devoid of AHLs, the RAJ is the prominent site of colonization of EHEC in cattle. To determine if the presence of AHLs in the RAJ could repress colonization at this site, we engineered EHEC to express the Yersinia enterocolitica AHL synthase gene yenI, which constitutively produces AHLs, to mimic a constant exposure of AHLs in the environment. The yenI⁺ EHEC produces oxo-C6-homoserine lactone (oxo-C6-HSL) and had a significant reduction in LEE expression, effector protein secretion, and attaching and effacing (A/E) lesion formation in vitro compared to the wild type (WT). The yenI⁺ EHEC also activated expression of the gad genes. To assess whether AHL production, which decreases LEE expression, would decrease RAJ colonization by EHEC, cattle were challenged at the RAJ with WT or yenI⁺ EHEC. Although the yenI⁺ EHEC colonized the RAJ with efficiency equal to that of the WT, there was a trend for the cattle to shed the WT strain longer than the yenI⁺ EHEC.     

Collagen biology and non‐invasive biomarkers of liver fibrosis

There is an unmet need for high‐quality liquid biomarkers that can safely and reproducibly predict the stage of fibrosis and the outcomes of chronic liver disease (CLD). The requirement for such markers has intensified because of the high global prevalence of diseases such as non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). In particular, there is a need for diagnostic and prognostic tools, as well as predictive biomarkers that reflect the efficacy of interventions, as described by the BEST criteria (Biomarkers, EndpointS, and other Tools Resource). This review covers the various liver collagens, their functional role in tissue homeostasis and delineates the common nomenclature for biomarkers based on BEST criteria. It addresses the common confounders affecting serological biomarkers, and describes defined collagen epitope biomarkers that originate from the dynamic processes of extracellular matrix (ECM) remodelling during liver injury.     

Effect of multidose cilostazol on pharmacokinetic and lipid profile of atorvastatin in male Wistar rats

Objectives Atorvastatin (ATV) and cilostazol (CLZ) are often co‐prescribed to treat conditions such as peripheral arterial disease. In the present study, the drug–drug interaction potential of multi‐dose CLZ on both pharmacokinetics and the lipid‐lowering ability of single‐dose ATV is demonstrated. Method The pharmacokinetic parameters of ATV were determined in Wistar rats after per‐oral pre‐treatment with CLZ for 7 days in order to assess the interaction potential between ATV and CLZ. In‐vitro metabolic inhibition and everted gut sac studies were conducted to elucidate the mechanism of this interaction. Biochemistry analyser was used to estimate lipid profiles in Wistar rats. A validated LC‐MS/MS method was employed to simultaneously quantify both ATV and CLZ in rat plasma matrix. Key findings A statistically significant increase in systemic exposure to ATV after a single dose was observed in CLZ pre‐treated rats. In‐vitro metabolism studies using rat liver microsome (RLM) demonstrated statistically significant inhibition of ATV metabolism when co‐incubated with CLZ. No change in apparent permeability of ATV was observed in the presence of CLZ. The blood lipid profile study after ATV administration indicated a statistically significant decrease in total cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL‐cholesterol. Conclusions Multi‐dose administration of CLZ influences the pharmacokinetics and lipid‐lowering properties of ATV. Collectively, an apparent interaction between selected drugs was evident.