Phenethyl isothiocyanate protects against HO-induced insulin resistance in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

Obesity is associated with systemic oxidative stress and leads to insulin resistance. Phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC), a natural dietary isothiocyanate, has been shown to have beneficial effects in improving cellular defense activities against oxidative stress through activation of nuclear factor erythroid-2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway. However, little evidence exists if the antioxidative activity has beneficial effects on glucose metabolism.

A sandwich-type aluminium complex composed of tri-lacunary Keggin-type polyoxotungstate: synthesis and X-ray crystal structure of [(A-PW9O34)2{W(OH)(OH2)}{Al(OH)(OH2)}{Al(μ-OH)(OH2)2}2]7-.

The synthesis and molecular structure of a dimeric aluminium complex composed of tri-lacunary α-Keggin polyoxometalate is described. The polyoxometalate, K(6)Na[(A-PW(9)O(34))(2){W(OH)(OH(2))}{Al(OH)(OH(2))}{Al(μ-OH)(OH(2))(2)}(2)]·19H(2)O (KNa-1), afforded by the reaction in water of a tri-lacunary Keggin polyoxotungstate with excess aluminium nitrate, followed by crystallization from water, was obtained as analytically pure, homogeneous, colorless crystals. The compound KNa-1 was characterized by elemental analysis, TG/DTA, FT-IR, solution NMR ((31)P, (27)Al, and (183)W), and X-ray crystallography.

Job control and coworker support improve employee job performance.

We examined the prospective association of psychosocial job characteristics with employee job performance among 777 full-time employees at a manufacturing company in Japan, using data from a one-year follow-up survey. Psychosocial job characteristics were measured by the Job Content Questionnaire in 2008; job performance was evaluated using the item from the World Mental Health Survey Instrument in 2008 and 2009. The association between psychosocial job characteristics and job performance was tested using multiple regression analysis, controlling for demographic variables, work status, average working hours per day, job type and job performance in 2008.

Participatory intervention for workplace improvements on mental health and job performance among blue-collar workers: a cluster randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To explore the effect of participatory intervention for workplace improvement on mental health and job performance.

Methods: Eleven assembly lines were randomly allocated to six intervention and five control lines (47 and 50 workers, respectively). The primary outcome was defined as the improvement in the following measures during the intervention period: General Health Questionnaire and WHO Health and Work Performance Questionnaire.

Motivation, overcommitment and psychological health at work: a path analytic approach.

Overcommitment is formulated in the Effort-Reward Imbalance occupational stress model as a critical coping pattern in individuals, and refers to a strong tendency to commit oneself to work activities. Motivation in working life is related to employees' productivity and good mental health. A total of 556 employees completed a questionnaire package relating to overcommitment and motivation in working life, as well as the 28-item version of the General Health Questionnaire.