Total synthesis of the natural (-)-205B alkaloid and its activity toward α7 nAChRs.

A new approach to the synthesis of the (-)-205B alkaloid is described in this paper. This work is characterised by the development of an efficient chirality transfer through a silyl tethered intramolecular alkylation reaction, an unprecedented tandem highly selective iridium catalyzed partial reduction of lactam coupled with an acid promoted aza-Prins reaction, and an almost complete stereochemical control in Shenvi's radical hydrogen atom transfer on an exocyclic methylene. The second part of this work demonstrates the positive allosteric behavior of this natural alkaloid toward α7 nAChRs, in contrast to the reported inhibitory effect of the unnatural enantiomer.

The relationship between health risks and work productivity.

We sought to provide evidence for the relationship between health risks and self-reported productivity, including health-related absence and impaired performance on the job. A cross-sectional analysis was implemented consisting of 2264 employees of a large national employer located in the Northeast. Participants responded to a health risk assessment and work productivity scale. Mean productivity loss was compared for individuals with different levels of risk factors using analysis of variance. Multivariate analyses, including logistic and linear regression, were used to determine the significance of health risks on productivity loss. Participants with more risk factors reported greater productivity loss (P < 0.001). The odds of any productivity loss were most significant for individuals with diabetes (absenteeism) and stress (presenteeism). In conclusion, higher risks are strongly associated with greater productivity loss, and different risks are associated with absenteeism than with presenteeism.

Change in health risks and work productivity over time.

We sought to examine the relationship between changes in health risks and changes in work productivity. Pre- and postanalysis was conducted on 500 subjects who participated in a wellness program at a large national employer. Change in health risks was analyzed using McNemar chi-square tests, and change in mean productivity was analyzed using paired t tests. A repeated measures regression model examined whether a change in productivity was associated with a change in health risks, controlling for age and gender. Individuals who reduced one health risk improved their presenteeism by 9% and reduced absenteeism by 2%, controlling for baseline risk level, age, gender, and interaction of baseline risk and risk change. In conclusion, reductions in health risks are associated with positive changes in work productivity. Self-reported work productivity may have utility in the evaluation of health promotion programs.