Direct participation and employee learning at work

The creation of a learning environment at work has been seen as an essential concomitant of the growth of an advanced economy. This article explores the implications of direct participation for different types of employee learning, drawing upon the British Skills and Employment Surveys of 2006 and 2012. It confirms that direct participation is strongly associated with enhanced learning opportunities at work but finds important differences in the benefits of specific forms of direct participation. Moreover, direct participation was found to be particularly important for those in less favorable work contexts with respect to technological level and skill

Synthesis of new lipoic acid conjugates and evaluation of their free radical scavenging and neuroprotective activities

A series of new lipoic acid derivatives were designed and synthesized as multitarget ligands against Alzheimer's disease. In particular, analogues combining both lipoic acid and cysteine core structures were synthesized. The antioxidant properties of these compounds were evaluated by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS(\u2022+) ) radical cation scavenging assays and ferrous ion chelation. The antioxidant potential of the synthesized compounds was also evaluated in a cellular context and compared to \u3b1-lipoic acid and its reduced form, dihydrolipoic acid. The antioxidant effects observed for these compounds in vitro confirmed the importance of free thiol functions for effective antioxidant capacities. However, these promising in vitro results were not mirrored by the antioxidant activity in T67 cell line. This suggests that multiple factors are at stake and warrant further investigations

Effet protecteur de Moringa oleifera Lam. (Moringaceae) et de Sclerocarya birrea [(A. Rich.)Hochst.] (Asclepiadaceae) sur les cellules β pancréatiques INS-1

Moringa oleifera Lam.(Moringaceae) et Sclerocarya birrea [(A. Rich.) Hochst.] (Asclepiadaceae) sont deux plantes utilisées en médecine traditionnelle au Burkina Faso dans le traitement du diabète. L’objectif de notre travail a été d’étudier les effets protecteurs des extraits hydro-éthanoliques (80 %) de fruits de Moringa oleifera (MO) et d’écorces de tronc de Sclerocarya birrea (SB), sur la viabilité et la fonctionnalité de la cellule bêta pancréatique, lors d’un stress oxydant induit par H2O2. La viabilité a été évaluée par la technique du [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazoliumbromide] (MTT) et la fonctionnalité par la mesure de la sécrétion d’insuline induite par le glucose (8,3 mM). Nous avons montré que MO et SB à 10 μg/mL et au bout de deux heures prévenaient partiellement l’altération de la viabilité induite par H2O2. L’altération de la fonctionnalité était prévenue totalement par 10 μg/mL de MO au bout d’une heure et 1 μg/mL de SB au bout de deux heures. Ces résultats indiquent le potentiel de ces deux plantes dans la prévention du dysfonctionnement β cellulaire.Mots-clés: Moringa oleifera, Sclerocarya birrea, cellules bêta pancréatiques, stress oxydant, diabèteEnglish Title:  Protective effect of Moringa oleifera Lam. (Moringaceae) and Sclerocarya birrea [(A. Rich.) Hochst.] (Asclepiadaceae) on INS-1 pancreatic β-cellsEnglish AbstractMoringa oleifera (Moringaceae) and Sclerocarya birrea (Asclepiadaceae) are two plants used in traditional medicine in Burkina Faso in the treatment of diabetes. The aim of our study was to investigate the protective effects of ethanol (80 %) extract of Moringa oleifera (MO) fruits and stem barks of Sclerocarya birrea (SB) on the viability and functionality of the pancreatic β-cells, during oxidative stress induced by H2O2. Viability was evaluated by the [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide] (MTT) colorimetric assay and functionality by the measurement of insulin secretion induced by glucose (8.3 mM). We showed that MO and SB(10 μg/mL) after two hours partially prevented the alteration of viability induced by H2O2 (50 μM). The alteration of the functionality is completely prevented by 10 μg/mL of MO after one hour, and 1 μg/mL of SB after two hours. Moringa oleifera and Sclerocarya birrea protected β cell viability and functionality against oxidative stress induced exogenously. These results indicate the potential of these two plants in preventing β-cells dysfunction.Keywords: Moringa oleifera, Sclerocarya birrea, pancreatic b-cells, oxidative stress, diabete

C-terminal heptapeptide of gastrin inhibits astrocytomas motility by interacting with a new gastrin binding site.

International audienceIt is well known that the amidated C-terminal part of gastrin is crucial for its interaction with the classical seven transmembrane domain receptors CCK-1 or CCK-2. Nevertheless, over the past 10 years, several groups have characterized new binding sites using peptides related to gastrin (particularly glycine-extended forms of gastrin) on various tumoral and nontumoral cell lines. In the present study, we focused on the human astrocytic tumoral cell line U373. Although it has been described that gastrin was able to inhibit the motility of these cells, we were unable to detect any classical CCK/gastrin receptor. On the other hand, by using the radiolabeled C-terminal heptapeptide of gastrin ((125)I-G-7), we evidenced a new binding site that possessed a pharmacological profile different from the classical CCK/gastrin receptors. This new gastrin binding site seemed to be coupled to G proteins and be implicated in c-Fos transcription gene. Moreover, we showed that G-7 was able to induce a strong inhibition of U373 cell migration, a crucial biological effect when we know that astrocytoma cells' migration in brain parenchyma constitutes a major feature of malignancy in astrocytic tumors.It is well known that the amidated C-terminal part of gastrin is crucial for its interaction with the classical seven transmembrane domain receptors CCK-1 or CCK-2. Nevertheless, over the past 10 years, several groups have characterized new binding sites using peptides related to gastrin (particularly glycine-extended forms of gastrin) on various tumoral and nontumoral cell lines. In the present study, we focused on the human astrocytic tumoral cell line U373. Although it has been described that gastrin was able to inhibit the motility of these cells, we were unable to detect any classical CCK/gastrin receptor. On the other hand, by using the radiolabeled C-terminal heptapeptide of gastrin ((125)I-G-7), we evidenced a new binding site that possessed a pharmacological profile different from the classical CCK/gastrin receptors. This new gastrin binding site seemed to be coupled to G proteins and be implicated in c-Fos transcription gene. Moreover, we showed that G-7 was able to induce a strong inhibition of U373 cell migration, a crucial biological effect when we know that astrocytoma cells' migration in brain parenchyma constitutes a major feature of malignancy in astrocytic tumors

Chicoric acid is an anti-oxidant molecule stimulating AMP Kinase, PGC-1alpha expression and mitochondrial activity in a model of skeletal muscular cells

Chicoric acid is an anti-oxidant molecule stimulating AMP Kinase, PGC-1alpha expression and mitochondrial activity in a model of skeletal muscular cells. 8. Congrès de Physiologie, de Pharmacologie et de Thérapeutiqu

Chicoric acid is an anti-oxidant molecule stimulating AMP Kinase, PGC-1alpha expression and mitochondrial activity in a model of skeletal muscular cells

Chicoric acid is an anti-oxidant molecule stimulating AMP Kinase, PGC-1alpha expression and mitochondrial activity in a model of skeletal muscular cells. 8. Congrès de Physiologie, de Pharmacologie et de Thérapeutiqu

Studying Human Resource Information Systems Implementation using Adaptive Structuration Theory: The Case of an HRIS Implementation at Dow Chemical Company

Research on Human Resource Information Systems (HRIS) implementation lacks theoretical depth and richness. For that reason this paper applies a theory to HRIS implementation developed by Gerardine DeSanctis and Marshal Scott Poole originally for studying information systems implementation, namely Adaptive Structuration Theory (AST). AST is based on Structuration Theory, a theory from sociology, and assumes that information systems and organizations are fundamentally interrelated. They influence each other mutually. In this paper concepts from AST are applied to a HRIS implementation at Dow Chemicals. The case shows how a HRIS’ philosophy through appropriation by end-users is being realized in HRIS outcome

Quercetin induces insulin secretion by direct activation of L-type calcium channels in pancreatic beta cells

International audienceBackground and Purpose: Quercetin is a natural polyphenolic flavonoid that displays anti‐diabetic properties in vivo. Its mechanism of action on insulin‐secreting beta cells is poorly documented. In this work, we have analysed the effects of quercetin both on insulin secretion and on the intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) in beta cells, in the absence of any co‐stimulating factor.Experimental Approach: Experiments were performed on both INS‐1 cell line and rat isolated pancreatic islets. Insulin release was quantified by the homogeneous time‐resolved fluorescence method. Variations in [Ca2+]i were measured using the ratiometric fluorescent Ca2+ indicator Fura‐2. Ca2+ channel currents were recorded with the whole‐cell patch‐clamp technique.Key Results: Quercetin concentration‐dependently increased insulin secretion and elevated [Ca2+]i. These effects were not modified by the SERCA inhibitor thapsigargin (1 μmol·L−1), but were nearly abolished by the L‐type Ca2+ channel antagonist nifedipine (1 μmol·L−1). Similar to the L‐type Ca2+ channel agonist Bay K 8644, quercetin enhanced the L‐type Ca2+ current by shifting its voltage‐dependent activation towards negative potentials, leading to the increase in [Ca2+]i and insulin secretion. The effects of quercetin were not inhibited in the presence of a maximally active concentration of Bay K 8644 (1 μmol·L−1), with the two drugs having cumulative effects on [Ca2+]i.Conclusions and Implications: Taken together, our results show that quercetin stimulates insulin secretion by increasing Ca2+ influx through an interaction with L‐type Ca2+ channels at a site different from that of Bay K 8644. These data contribute to a better understanding of quercetin's mechanism of action on insulin secretion

Inhibition of murine AIDS by pro-glutathione (GSH) molecules

Antioxidant molecules can be used both to replenish the depletion of reduced glutathione (GSH) occurring during HIV infection, and to inhibit HIV replication. The purpose of this work was to assess the efficacy of two pro-GSH molecules able to cross the cell membrane more easily than GSH. We used an experimental animal model consisting of C57BL/6 mice infected with the LP-BM5 viral complex; the treatments were based on the intramuscular administration of I-152, a pro-drug of N-acetylcysteine and S-acetyl--mercaptoethylamine, and S-acetylglutathione, an acetylated GSH derivative. The results show that I-152, at a concentration of 10.7 times lower than GSH, caused a reduction in lymph node and spleen weights of about 55% when compared to infected animals and an inhibition of about 66% in spleen and lymph node virus content. S-acetylglutathione, at half the concentration of GSH, caused a reduction in lymph node weight of about 17% and in spleen and lymph node virus content of about 70% and 30%, respectively. These results show that the administration of pro-GSH molecules may favorably substitute for the use of GSH as such