Lipidomic Analysis of Plasma from Healthy Men and Women Shows Phospholipid Class and Molecular Species Differences between Sexes

The phospholipid composition of lipoproteins is determined by the specificity of hepatic phospholipid biosynthesis. Plasma phospholipid 20:4n-6 and 22:6n-3 concentrations are higher in women than in men. We used this sex difference in a lipidomics analysis of the impact of endocrine factors on the phospholipid class and molecular species composition of fasting plasma from young men and women. Diester species predominated in all lipid classes measured. 20/54 Phosphatidylcholine (PtdCho) species were alkyl ester, 15/48 phosphatidylethanolamine (PtdEtn) species were alkyl ester, and 12/48 PtdEtn species were alkenyl ester. There were no significant differences between sexes in the proportions of alkyl PtdCho species. The proportion of alkyl ester PtdEtn species was greater in women than men, while the proportion of alkenyl ester PtdEtn species was greater in men than women. None of the phosphatidylinositol (PtdIns) or phosphatidylserine (PtdSer) molecular species contained ether-linked fatty acids. The proportion of PtdCho16:0_22:6, and the proportions of PtdEtn O-16:0_20:4 and PtdEtn O-18:2_20:4 were greater in women than men. There were no sex differences in PtdIns and PtdSer molecular species compositions. These findings show that plasma phospholipids can be modified by sex. Such differences in lipoprotein phospholipid composition could contribute to sexual dimorphism in patterns of health and disease.     

Novel sulfated oligosaccharides containing 3-O-sulfated glucuronic acid from king crab cartilage chondroitin sulfate K. Unexpected degradation by chondroitinase ABC

We prepared a series of oligosaccharides from king crab cartilage chondroitin sulfate K after exhaustive digestion with testicular hyaluronidase, and determined the structures of four tetrasaccharides and a pentasaccharide by fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry, high performance liquid chromatography analysis of chondroitinase AC-II digests, and 500-MHz 1H NMR spectroscopy. The tetrasaccharides shared the common core structure GlcAbeta1-3GalNAcbeta1-4GlcAbeta1-3GalNAc with various sulfation profiles. One structure was GlcAbeta1-3GalNAc(4S)beta1-4GlcAbeta1-3GalNAc(4S), whereas three of them have the following hitherto unreported structures including a novel glucuronate 3-O-sulfate: GlcA(3S)beta1-3GalNAc(4S)beta1-4GlcAbeta1-3GalNAc(4S), GlcAbeta1-3GalNAc(4S)beta1-4GlcA(3S)beta1-3GalNAc(4S), and GlcA(3S)beta1-3GalNAc(4S)beta1-4GlcA(3S)beta1-3GalNAc(4S), where 3S or 4S represents 3-O- or 4-O-sulfate, respectively. The structure of the pentasaccharide was determined as GlcA(3S)beta1-3GalNAc(4S)beta1-4GlcA(3S)beta1- 3GalNAc(4S)beta1-4GlcA. Chondroitinase ABC digestion of the tetrasaccharides with GlcA(3S) at the internal position destroyed the disaccharide unit containing GlcA(3S) derived from the reducing side and resulted in only the disaccharide unit from the non-reducing side. In contrast, these tetrasaccharides remained totally resistant to chondroitinase AC-II. The results indicated that it is necessary to reevaluate the disaccharide composition of chondroitin sulfate poly- or oligosaccharides purified from various biological sources, since they were usually determined after chondroitinase ABC digestion. It is probable that the structures containing GlcA(3S) would not have been detected.     

Using non-keyboard input devices: interviews with users in the workplace

A study of 45 non-keyboard input device (NKID) users was undertaken at nine organisations to investigate the extent, pattern and method of NKID usage, workstation configurations, postures adopted and musculoskeletal symptoms. A number of methods were used: work activity diaries, interviews, observations and postural assessments. A range of NKID were seen including the mouse, touchscreen, joystick, trackball, and tablet and pen; however, the mouse was the most commonly used device. Use of an input device varied from 2% to 100% of the working day. Workers undertook common tasks using a variety of methods (e.g. pull down menus, icons, device buttons). Users reported problems associated with the use of some devices, e.g. poor maintenance, lack of device responsiveness. Musculoskeletal pain and discomfort (e.g. stiffness and discomfort in the hands and wrist) was reported by 45% (n=19) of mouse users and 16% (n=5) of other NKID users. Workstation configurations varied and in some cases constrained the position of the input device, resulting in users having to work with the device at some distance away from the body. Despite the existence of regulations and guidance, this paper indicates that there are still many problems related to NKID use at computer workstations.

Relevance to industry

The reliance of many software applications on NKID (e.g. mouse, trackball, touchpad, joystick, touchscreen) necessitates the investigation of their use in the workplace. Whilst the performance aspects of NKID (e.g. speed) have been well researched, the possible implications for user health have received little attention in the UK.     

Theorizing gender in the face of social change: Is there anything essential about essentialism?

The authors examine how beliefs about the stability of the social hierarchy moderate the link between sexism and essentialist beliefs about gender and how the expression of essentialist beliefs might reciprocally affect the social structure. Studies 1 (N = 240) and 2 (N = 143) presented gender-based inequality as stable, changing, or changed. In both studies, sexism was positively associated with essentialism only among men and only when inequality was presented as changing. Study 3 (N = 552) explored the possible consequences of expressing essentialist theories for social change. Exposure to essentialist theories increased both men's and women's acceptance of inequality. Exposure further increased men's support for discriminatory practices and boosted their self-esteem. These patterns demonstrate that although essentialism is linked to prejudice, this link is itself not essential. Rather, essentialism may be invoked strategically to protect higher status when this is threatened by change and may be successful in so doing. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Haemonchus contortus glycoproteins contain N-linked oligosaccharides with novel highly fucosylated core structures

Structural studies on the N-linked oligosaccharides of Haemonchus contortus, an economically important nematode that parasitizes domestic ruminants, have revealed core fucosylation of a type not previously observed in any eukaryotic glycoprotein. Mass spectrometric analyses were performed on detergent extracts of homogenized adult H. contortus and on purified H11, a glycoprotein isolated from intestinal brush borders which has been previously shown to be an effective vaccine antigen. The major N-linked glycans identified in the present study have up to three fucose residues attached to their chitobiose cores. The fucoses are found at the 3- and/or 6-positions of the proximal GlcNAc and at the 3-position of the distal GlcNAc. The latter substitution is unique in N-glycans. Most anti-H11 monoclonal antibodies are known to recognize carbohydrate epitopes, and it is possible that the newly discovered multifucosylated core structures are highly immunogenic in this glycoprotein.     

Processes, barriers, and outcomes described by ergonomics consultants in preventing work-related musculoskeletal disorders

Despite the importance of reducing work-related musculoskeletal disorders, there appears to have been little evaluation of routine ergonomics consultancy interventions aimed at reducing risks leading to these conditions. In many instances, the effectiveness of advice depends on organisations accepting and implementing measures recommended, involving changes of both individual and collective behaviour. Behaviour change theory, developed elsewhere, suggests that if change is to take place, recipients need to hold positive attitudes and beliefs relating to the desirable behaviour. To investigate the extent to which this is accommodated by current ergonomics consultancy practices, 14 ergonomics consultants were interviewed to explore the consultancy process from which recommendations are developed, exploring the factors that are assessed by consultants, perceived barriers to promoting change, and the extent to which evaluation of outcomes takes place. Consultants' recommendations generally focused on physical aspects of the work environment and did not take explicit account of employees' knowledge or attitudes. Little evaluation of outcomes was conducted by the consultants interviewed. Implications of these findings for improving the efficacy of interventions to reduce work-related musculoskeletal disorders within organisations are discussed.     

Finance, Policy and Industrial Dynamics—The Rise of Co-productions in the Film Industry

This paper explores the growing phenomenon of international co-productions in the film industry. We argue that the rise of co-productions is part of a wider narrative of financial and institutional innovation shaping industrial organization in the film industry. This narrative centres on film finance as a central risk distribution mechanism, and discusses how changes in film support policy, increased tax competition, the search for finance and an abundance of inflowing capital are increasingly driving industrial dynamics in the film industry.     

Unity through diversity: Value-in-diversity beliefs, work group diversity, and group identification.

Research on work group diversity has more or less neglected the possibility that reactions to diversity may be informed by individuals' beliefs about the value of diversity (vs. homogeneity) for their work group. We studied the role of such diversity beliefs as a moderator of the relationship between work group diversity and individuals' identification with the work group across 2 studies. Study 1 was a cross-sectional survey that focused on gender diversity and gender diversity beliefs. Study 2 was a laboratory experiment in which work group diversity and diversity beliefs were manipulated. Results of both studies support the prediction that work group diversity and group identification are more positively related the more individuals believe in the value of diversity. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Effects of the Use of Pore Formers on Performance of an Anode Supported Solid Oxide Fuel Cell

The effects of amount of pore former used to produce porosity in the anode of an anode supported planar solid oxide fuel cell were examined. The pore-forming material utilized was rice starch. The reduction rate of the anode material was measured by Thermogravimetric analysis to qualitatively characterize the gas transport within the porous anode materials. Fuel cells with varying amounts of porosity produced by using rice starch as a pore former were tested. The performance of the fuel cell was the greatest with an optimum amount of pore former used to create porosity in the anode. This optimum is believed to be related to a trade off between increasing gas diffusion to the active three-phase boundary region of the anode and the loss of performance because of the replacement of active three-phase boundary regions of the anode with porosity.     

Distinctive disorders are less prevalent

To test the hypothesis that nosologies are biased towards recognizing highly distinctive syndromes and therefore conflate those that are less distinctive, eight subjects judged the distinctiveness of 33 DSM-IV disorders and 20 rheumatic disorders. As predicted, judged distinctiveness was negatively correlated with prevalence for both sets of disorders.