Human Resource Flexibility as a Mediating Variable Between High Performance Work Systems and Performance

Much of the human resource management literature has demonstrated the impact of high performance work systems (HPWS) on organizational performance. A new generation of studies is emerging in this literature that recommends the inclusion of mediating variables between HPWS and organizational performance. The increasing rate of dynamism in competitive environments suggests that measures of employee adaptability should be included as a mechanism that may explain the relevance of HPWS to firm competitiveness. On a sample of 226 Spanish firms, the study’s results confirm that HPWS influences performance through its impact on the firm’s human resource (HR) flexibility

Multiethnic meta-analysis identifies ancestry-specific and cross-ancestry loci for pulmonary function

Nearly 100 loci have been identified for pulmonary function, almost exclusively in studies of European ancestry populations. We extend previous research by meta-analyzing genome-wide association studies of 1000 Genomes imputed variants in relation to pulmonary function in a multiethnic population of 90,715 individuals of European (N = 60,552), African (N = 8429), Asian (N = 9959), and Hispanic/Latino (N = 11,775) ethnicities. We identify over 50 additional loci at genome-wide significance in ancestry-specific or multiethnic meta-analyses. Using recent fine-mapping methods incorporating functional annotation, gene expression, and differences in linkage disequilibrium between ethnicities, we further shed light on potential causal variants and genes at known and newly identified loci. Several of the novel genes encode proteins with predicted or established drug targets, including KCNK2 and CDK12. Our study highlights the utility of multiethnic and integrative genomics approaches to extend existing knowledge of the genetics of l

Kinin B1 receptor modulates mitochondrial activity responsivity in fasting and voluntary exercise

The Kallikrein-Kinin System (KKS) plays an important role in energy metabolism. We have previously described the importance of the kinin B1 receptor (B1R) in metabolism regulation. Considering that the liver manages the different energy demands of different body tissues, we combined two stressful conditions - fasting and voluntary exercise - to address how B1R may affect liver metabolism, focusing on mitochondrial function. AIMS: To investigate how the kinin B1 receptor (B1R) modulates mitochondrial activity under stress conditions, focusing on the rate of energy expenditure and shift in metabolism. MAIN METHODS: Wild-type and B1R-knockout (B1KO) male mice remained in a calorimetric cage with a wheel for 7 days; 48 h before euthanasia, half of the animals from both groups were submitted to fasting conditions. Mitochondrial activity, ketone bodies, and gene expression involving mitochondrial activity were evaluated. KEY FINDINGS: B1R modulates the mitochondrial activity under fasting and voluntary exercise, reducing the VO(2) expenditure and HEAT. B1KO animals who exercised and underwent fasting did not have increased glucose levels, suggesting a preference for lipids as an energy source. Moreover, these animals displayed RER around 0.8, which indicates a β-oxidation increment. Interestingly, the lack of B1R did not induce mitochondrial activity and biogenesis, suggesting interference in metabolism responsivity, a condition modulated by sirtuins under PGC-1α control. SIGNIFICANCE: B1R modulates mitochondrial respiratory control ratios, which suggests metabolic suppression, influencing hepatic metabolism and, consequently, energy homeostasis

Sinopse das espécies de Menticirrhus Gill, 1861 (Osteichthyes, Sciaenidae) do Atlântico Ocidental

Discute-se a nomenclatura e a taxonomia das espécies de Menticirrhus Gill, 1861 (Sciaenidae) do Atlântico Ocidental. As formas mencionadas na literatura foram reexaminadas para serem atribuídas às duas espécies achadas nas costas do Brasil, M. americanus (L.) e M. littoralis (Holbrook). Referências a M. littoralis são frequentemente feitas, na literatura de autores sul-americanos, sob o nome de M. martinicensis Cuvier.<br>The taxonomy and nomenclature of the Western Atlantic species of Menticirrhus Gill, 1861 (Sciaenidae) are discussed. Forms mentioned in the past literature have been reexamined to be atributed to one of the two species that occur along the Brazilian coast: M. americanus (L.) and M. littoralis (Holbrook). References to M. littoralis, frequently mentioned in the literature by South American authors, actually refer to M. littoralis

Age at start of using tobacco on the risk of head and neck cancer: Pooled analysis in the International Head and Neck Cancer Epidemiology Consortium (INHANCE)

Tobacco use is a well-established risk factor for head and neck cancer (HNC). However, less is known about the potential impact of exposure to tobacco at an early age on HNC risk. Methods: We analyzed individual-level data on ever tobacco smokers from 27 case-control studies (17,146 HNC cases and 17,449 controls) in the International Head and Neck Cancer Epidemiology (INHANCE) consortium. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using random-effects logistic regression models. Results: Without adjusting for tobacco packyears, we observed that younger age at starting tobacco use was associated with an increased HNC risk for ever smokers (OR&lt;10 years vs. 6530 years: 1.64, 95% CI: 1.35, 1.97). However, the observed association between age at starting tobacco use and HNC risk became null after adjusting for tobacco packyears (OR&lt;10 years vs. 6530 years: 0.97, 95% CI: 0.80, 1.19). In the stratified analyses on HNC subsites by tobacco packyears or years since quitting, no difference in the association between age at start and HNC risk was observed. Conclusions: Results from this pooled analysis suggest that increased HNC risks observed with earlier age at starting tobacco smoking are largely due to longer duration and higher cumulative tobacco exposures

Age at start of using tobacco on the risk of head and neck cancer: Pooled analysis in the International Head and Neck Cancer Epidemiology Consortium (INHANCE)

Background: Tobacco use is a well-established risk factor for head and neck cancer (HNC). However, less is known about the potential impact of exposure to tobacco at an early age on HNC risk. Methods: We analyzed individual-level data on ever tobacco smokers from 27 case-control studies (17,146 HNC cases and 17,449 controls) in the International Head and Neck Cancer Epidemiology (INHANCE) consortium. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using random-effects logistic regression models. Results: Without adjusting for tobacco packyears, we observed that younger age at starting tobacco use was associated with an increased HNC risk for ever smokers (OR&lt;10 years vs. 6530 years: 1.64, 95% CI: 1.35, 1.97). However, the observed association between age at starting tobacco use and HNC risk became null after adjusting for tobacco packyears (OR&lt;10 years vs. 6530 years: 0.97, 95% CI: 0.80, 1.19). In the stratified analyses on HNC subsites by tobacco packyears or years since quitting, no difference in the association between age at start and HNC risk was observed. Conclusions: Results from this pooled analysis suggest that increased HNC risks observed with earlier age at starting tobacco smoking are largely due to longer duration and higher cumulative tobacco exposures