DIFFERENCES BETWEEN LEADERS AND NONLEADERS IN THEIR PERCEPTIONS OF THE ORGANIZATIONAL COMMITMENT TO QUALITY

The objective of this study was to determine if there were any significant differences between hospital leaders and non-leaders in their perceptions of the organizational commitment to quality in the governmental accredited hospitals in Jordan. A survey instrument, designed to measure the level of organizational commitment to quality, questionnaire, was administered to the healthcare professionals in the five governmental accredited hospitals in Jordan. Study sample included 1290 employees. The response rate was 83.6 % of the total questionnaires distributed. Of the1079 respondents, 141 were leaders and 938 were non-leaders. Two sample T test was used to compare the responses between these groups. There were significant differences found between leaders and non-leaders in their perceptions of organization’s commitment to qualit

THE IMPACT OF APPLYING TOTAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT PRINCIPLES ON THE OVERALL HOSPITAL EFFECTIVENESS: AN EMPIRICAL STUDY ON THE HCAC ACCREDITED GOVERNMENTAL HOSPITALS IN JORDAN

The present study was conducted to bring the attention to the importance of applying total quality management (TQM) and their effects on organizational effectiveness, and particularly the hospital effectiveness. The main objective of the present study was to investigate the impact of applying TQM on the overall hospital effectiveness in the accredited governmental hospitals in Jordan that accredited from Health Care Accreditation Council (HCAC). The study population represented all health care professionals working in the five HCAC accredited governmental hospitals who were working for more than three years in the same hospitals. Study sample included 1290 employees. The response rate was 83.6 % of the total questionnaires distributed. TQM principles were: Leadership commitment to quality, Customer focus, Continuous improvement, Teamwork, Employee involvement, education and training. Study findings showed a significant impact of all TQM principles on the overall hospital effectiveness (p< 0.05). Using multiple linear regression analysis showed that TQM is a strong predictor of hospital performance (Beta =0.818, t=46.613, R2= 0.669, and p value = 0.000). Taken together, applying the principles of TQM increases the overall hospital effectiveness in the HCAC accredited governmental hospitals in Jordan

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN LEADERS AND NONLEADERS IN THEIR PERCEPTIONS OF THE ORGANIZATIONAL COMMITMENT TO QUALITY

The objective of this study was to determine if there were any significant differences between hospital leaders and non-leaders in their perceptions of the organizational commitment to quality in the governmental accredited hospitals in Jordan. A survey instrument, designed to measure the level of organizational commitment to quality, questionnaire, was administered to the healthcare professionals in the five governmental accredited hospitals in Jordan. Study sample included 1290 employees. The response rate was 83.6 % of the total questionnaires distributed. Of the1079 respondents, 141 were leaders and 938 were non-leaders. Two sample T test was used to compare the responses between these groups. There were significant differences found between leaders and non-leaders in their perceptions of organization’s commitment to qualit

Radioprotective and anti-diabetic effects of Costus speciosus and carnosine

Purpose: To evaluate the possible radioprotective effect of Costus speciosus and carnosine as natural antioxidants in order to control the  hyperglycemia developed in male albino rats exposed to acute oxidative stress induced by gamma radiation. Methods: Twenty-eight adult male albino rats were divided into four groups. The first group was taken as a control group, while the three other groups were exposed to Ɣ irradiation at a single 7.5 Gy dose. Furthermore, the rats in the second and third groups were i.p. injected with Costus speciosus root powder and carnosine, respectively. On the 3rd day, after irradiation, the serum levels of glucose, insulin, C peptide, copper, iron, calcium, total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measureded. Results: The results revealed that exposure to Ɣ irradiation induced significant increases in serum glucose, iron, and malondialdehyde. However, the levels of serum calcium, copper, total antioxidant capacity and insulin significantly decreased (p < 0.05). A significant decrease was observed in Cpeptide in the exposed group, compared to control group. All the test parameters indicate improvement after treatment with Costus speciosus and carnosine (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Costus speciosus and carnosine ameliorate the effect of gamma radiation, indicating their role as antidiabetic agents and  radioprotectors; however, Costus speciosus was critically more efficient than carnosine. Keywords: Costus speciosus, Carnosine, Diabetes, Insulin, Gamma radiation protectio

Effect of Soaking, Cooking, Germination and Fermentation Processing on Proximate Analysis and Mineral Content of Three White Sorghum Varieties (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench)

The changes in chemical composition, amylose and minerals content after soaking, cooking, germination and fermentation of three white sorghum varieties, named ‘Dorado’, ‘Shandaweel-6’, and ‘Giza-15’ were investigated. The chemical composition concluded including crude protein, oils, crude fiber and ash. Crude protein content ranged from 10.62 to 12.46% in raw sorghum. ‘Shandaweel-6’ was the highest variety in crude protein content (12.46%). ‘Dorado’ was the highest variety in oils and ash (3.91 and 1.45%). ‘Shandaweel-6’ was the highest variety in crude fiber (1.85%). Amylose content ranged from 18.30 to 20.18% in raw sorghum. Amylose was higher in ‘Giza-15’ than other varieties. Minerals content i.e., Zn, Fe, Ca, K, Na, Mg, Mn and Cu were investigated. Results indicated that raw ‘Dorado’ was the highest variety in K, Mg, Ca, Fe and Mn (264.53, 137.14, 33.09, 7.65 and 1.98 mg/100 g). While, ‘Shandaweel-6’ was the highest variety in Zn and Cu (5.02 and 0.84 mg/100 g). Finally ‘Giza-15’ was the highest variety in P and Na (381.37 and 119.29 mg/100 g). After treatments chemical composition, amylose and minerals were decreased. Processing techniques reduce the levels of antinutritional organic factors, which including phytates, phenols, tannins and enzyme inhibitors by releasing exogenous and endogenous enzymes such as phytase enzyme formed during processing

Protein Solubility, Digestibility and Fractionation after Germination of Sorghum Varieties

The changes in crude protein, free amino acids, amino acid composition, protein solubility, protein fractionation and protein digestibility after germination of sorghum were investigated. Sorghum varieties (Dorado, Shandaweel-6, Giza-15) were soaked for 20 h followed by germination for 72 h; the results revealed that crude protein and free amino acids in raw sorghum varieties ranged from 10.62 to 12.46% and 0.66 to 1.03 mg/g, respectively. Shandaweel-6 was the highest variety in crude protein and free amino acids content. After germination, crude protein was decreased and free amino acids were increased. There was an increase in content of valine and phenylalanine amino acids after germination. On the other hand, there was a decrease in most of amino acids after germination. After germination protein solubility was significantly increased. Regarding protein fractions, there was an increase in albumin, globulin and kafirin proteins and a decrease in cross linked kafirin and cross linked glutelin after germination

Germplasm Enhancement of Annual Forage Legumes Suitable for Use in Cold Highland Environments

The Central Highlands (CH) of Turkey are characterized by cold winters and dry summers. Under these extreme air temperatures, forage crops are still underexploited as a part of crop rotations. Half of the total vetch hectarage in Turkey is in the CH, and farmers still use the local cultivars that have good adaptability but low yield potential. Therefore, with the aim of identifying and improving the annual forage legume species for the cold and dry environment of the CH, research work was carried out during the 1993/94 and 1994/ 95 crop seasons. Initial results showed that Hungarian vetch (Vicia pannonica) and wooly-pod vetch (Vicia villosa ssp. dasycarpa) were promising vetches for autumn-sowing and utilization for grazing and/ or hay. Narbon vetch (Vicia narbonensis) also performed well in the autumn-sown, and was found suitable to grow for grain and straw yields

THE ROLE OF SOME OBESITY-RELATED BIOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS IN THE INCIDENCE, DIAGNOSIS, AND PROGNOSIS OF POSTMENOPAUSAL BREAST CANCER

Aim: To figure out the association of insulin resistance, serum resistin, insulin, SHBG, and free estradiol with the etiology, diagnosis, and the prognosis of postmenopausal breast cancer. Subjects and Methods: Serum levels of resistin, insulin, SHBG, free E2, glucose, and albumin were assayed in a case-control study of 40 obese postmenopausal breast cancer females and 40 apparently healthy obese postmenopausal controls. Results: Serum levels of resistin, insulin, and free E2 were significantly elevated in breast cancer patients (9.89±0.49, 23.68±2.95 and 9.34±3.02, respectively) compared with controls (8.24±0.63, 13.55±1.31 and 1.01±0.23, respectively). Insulin resistance (IR) was significantly greater in breast cancer patients (7.33±0.95) than controls (3.46±0.37). However, serum SHBG levels were significantly declined in breast cancer patients (42.93± 2.52) compared with controls (64.2±4.89). Serum free E2 had the greatest significant area under the ROC curve, followed by insulin resistance, insulin, SHBG, and resistin. The odds ratio of serum resistin was 4.33 (95% CI=1.69 – 11.06, P=0.002), insulin was 3.66 (95% CI=1.41 – 9.46, P=0.006), insulin resistance was 3.56 (95% CI=1.39 – 9.08, P=0.007), SHBG was 0.25 (95% CI=0.092-0.67, P=0.005), and free E2 was 5.21(95% CI=1.86 –14.52, P=0.002) in breast cancer patients. CONCLUSIONS: From this study, it could be concluded that although insulin resistance, serum resistin, insulin, SHBG, and free E2 may have a role in the incidence and diagnosis of obese postmenopausal breast cancer females, these biochemical parameters cannot be used for the prognosis of these patients. Serum free E2 was the most superior diagnostic marker followed by insulin resistance, insulin, SHBG, and resistin

The antiproliferative effect of mulberry (Morus alba L.) plant on hepatocarcinoma cell line HepG2

AbstractThis study aimed to investigate the antiproliferative effect of aqueous and organic extracts of mulberry leaves (Morus Alba L.) on human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cell line. Mulberry leaf extracts were prepared using the solvents: water, 50% aqueous MeOH, and 100% MeOH for different time intervals, while the cells treated with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) served as control. The effects of aqueous and organic extracts of M. alba L. leaves on HepG2 cell viability, nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) gene expression, alfa-fetoprotein (AFP), albumin (ALB), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (γ-GT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were measured. The results of the cell viability assays showed that water, 50% aqueous MeOH, and 100% MeOH extracts exhibited a highly significant inhibitory effect on HepG2 cell proliferation which was evidenced by a reduction in viable cell count. The results were confirmed by microscopical examination of cell morphology. Furthermore, the mulberry leaf extracts suppressed the activity of NF-κB gene expression of HepG2 cells compared to the control. Also a highly significant depression occurred at the levels of AFP, γ-GT and ALP in HepG2 cells compared with that of controls in a time dependent manner. By contrast, the mulberry leaf extracts increased the secretion of ALB. Therefore, the conclusion was that the organic and aqueous extracts of mulberry leaves inhibit the growth of HepG2 cells through suppressing the activity of NF-κB gene expression and modulate the biochemical markers

Antifungal Activity of Syzygium aromaticum (Dianthus) against toxigenic Rhizopus stolonifera and its immunomodulatory effects in aflatoxin-fed mice

Purpose: To evaluate the antifungal potency of Syzygium aromaticum (Dianthus) seed extract against the growth and aflatoxin production of Rhizopus stolonifer, and its immunomodulatory effect.Methods: Disc diffusion method was used for assay of antifungal effect of aqueous extract of Dianthus. Lymphoid cell counts, total and differential peritoneal exudate cell counts (PEC), phagocytic activity of PEC, and plaque-forming activities were determined. In addition, E-rosette-forming cells (RFC), T-cell mitogenesis cells and liver functions were measured.Results: The aqueous extract of Dianthus (50 %) exhibited high inhibition zone against most isolates of R. stolonifera. It produced significant increases in the number of splenocytes, as well as in the absolute number and relative proportion of macrophages (p < 0.05). The extract also produced a gradual increase in the scavenging activity of PEC, and significant reduction in serum ALT, relative to control.Conclusion: These results suggest that Dianthus modifies biological responses by enhancement of the immune system, activation of phagocytosis, boosting of immune response, and prevention of liver damage.Keywords: Aflatoxin, Syzygium aromaticum, Rhizopus stolonifer, Lymphocytes, T-cells, B-cells, Macrophage