Organizational Cynicism and Counterproductive Work Behaviors: An Empirical Study

The aim of this study was to test the relationship between the organizational cynicism (OC) of the employees and the Counterproductive Work Behaviors (CWB) exhibited by employees at work. This study was conducted on a stratified random sample consisting of (327) employees of Asyut University in the Arab Republic of Egypt. The data collected by the questionnaire prepared based on the organizational cynicism scale of Brandes, et al (1999) and the counterproductive work behaviors (CWB) scale of Fox (2001).The study found that the organizational cynicism (OC) was positively correlated with the Counterproductive Work Behaviors (CWB), where the significant correlation of the Behavioral dimension was followed by Affective dimension. However, the third dimension of organizational cynicism (belief dimension) has no relationship with the counterproductive behaviors at work. Based on these findings, the study reached some concluding remarks concerning organizational cynicism and counterproductive behaviors. Keywords: Organizational Cynicism, Counterproductive Work Behaviors, Assiut University, Egyp

Management peculiarities of costovertebral hydatidosis

Background: Costovertebral hydatidosis is a rarely reported clinical and radiological entity, estimated at less than 1% of thoracic hydatid locations. Its management is still not codified. Objective: The aim of our study was to specify the management peculiarities of costovertebral hydatidosis. Methods: Between January 2000 and December 2018, 14 patients were managed for costovertebral hydatidosis in a thoracic surgery department. Results: The mean age of our patients was 48 years. The history of a prior hydatid disease was found in 7 patients. Imaging features were suggestive in 13 cases. They showed: involvement of the spinal canal (6 cases), of the soft tissues (5 cases) and spinal cord compression (3 cases). Costovertebral resection of the hydatid lesions was complete in 12 cases. Four patients presented postoperative complications. Conclusion: Costovertebral hydatid involvement, may threaten the functional and vital prognosis. Therefore, early diagnosis and management are mandatory, before the occurrence of irreversible neurological impairment. Surgical resection remains the treatment of choice and must be complete whenever possible. Relapse is frequent, hence the importance of a regular follow-up. Keywords: Costovertebral region; spinal cord compression; echinococcosis

NUMERICAL PREDICTION OF SOLITARY WAVE FORMATION OF A PLANING HULL IN SHALLOW WATER CHANNELS

This paper uses a CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) analysis to investigate the shallow water effects on prismatic planing hull. The turbulence flow around the hull was described by Reynolds Navier Stokes equations RANSE using the k-ɛ turbulence model. The free surface was modelled by the volume of fluid (VOF) method. The analysis was steady for all the range of speeds except those close to the critical speed range due to the propagation of the planing hull solitary waves at this range. In this study, the planing hull lift force, total resistance, and wave pattern for the range of subcritical speeds, critical speeds, and supercritical speeds have been calculated using CFD. The numerical results have been compared with experimental results. The pressure distribution on the planing hull and its wave pattern at critical speed in shallow water were compared with those in deep water

Clinical Assessment of the Efficiency of Low Level Laser Therapy in the Treatment of Oral Lichen Planus

BACKGROUND: Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the oral mucosa of uncertain etiology.AIM: To evaluate the effect of using low level laser therapy (LLLT (970 nm Siro laser Advance) for the treatment of symptomatic (OLP).SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The present study was conducted on ten patients suffering from persistent oral lichen planus (OLP).Patients were treated with diode laser (970nm) for the symptomatic relief of pain and burning sensation. The patients were assessed before, during and after the completion of the laser treatment which was done twice weekly for two successive months with maximum of ten sessions. The assessment was performed using visual analogue scale (VAS) and clinical investigation for each patient.RESULTS: Detailed significant reduction in lesion size and showed complete remission of burning sensation and pain. No reported complications or therapy side effects were observed in any of the treated patients.CONCLUSION: Diode laser therapy seems to be an effective adjunctive treatment modality for relieving pain and clinical symptoms of OLP

THE ROLE OF LINGO-1 AND MYELIN BASIC PROTEIN MRNAS IN CENTRAL REMYELINATION IN ETHIDIUM BROMIDE-INDUCED DEMYELINATION IN RATS

Objective: The study aimed to assess the possible role of quercetin, pioglitazone, metformin, and dapagliflozin in the enhancement of remyelination process after ethidium bromide (EB)-induced demyelination. Methods: The study was conducted on 60 male Wister rats (250–300 g), randomly divided into sham-operated group and five demyelination groups (each of 10 rats) which subjected to intrapontine stereotaxic injection of EB (10 μl of 0.1% EB) to induce demyelination. Then, randomly subdivided into: EB control group: Rats were treated with normal saline, quercetin-treated group (50 mg/kg/day), pioglitazone-treated group (10 mg/kg/day), metformin-treated group (500 mg/kg/day), and dapagliflozin-treated group (10 mg/kg/day). Behavioral tests (beam balance, foot fault, rotarod, and inverted screen) were conducted for all groups as well as biochemical analysis of LINGO-1 and myelin basic protein (MBP) mRNAs and histological examination of pontine tissues. Results: The EB control group showed deterioration of motor performance on behavioral tests. Degenerative changes were observed in pontine tissue on histological examination together with upregulation of LINGO-1 protein and downregulation of MBP level. While the treated groups after EB demyelination showed significant improvement in motor performance and decreased degenerated neurons in histological examination with upregulation of MBP level and downregulation of LINGO-1 protein level. Conclusion: Quercetin, metformin, dapagliflozin, and pioglitazone showed neuroprotective effect and enhancement of remyelination process

Serum interferon-alpha level in first degree relatives of systemic lupus erythematosus patients: Correlation with autoantibodies titers

AbstractBackground and objectivesInterferon-α (IFN-α), a cytokine with both antiviral and immune-regulatory functions, was suggested as a useful tool which can evaluate current systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) disease activity and identify patients who are at risk of future disease flares. In the current study, serum IFN-α levels and associated demographic, and serological features in Egyptian SLE patients and their first degree relatives (FDRs) in comparison to unrelated healthy controls (UHCs) were examined, in order to identify individuals at the greatest risk for clinical illness.MethodsIn a cross-sectional study, blood samples were drawn from 54 SLE patients, 93 of their FDRs who consented to enroll into the study and 76 UHCs. Measurement of serum IFN-α by a modified ELISA was carried out. Data were analyzed for associations of serum IFN-α levels with autoantibodies titer.ResultsMean serum IFN-α in FDRs was statistically higher than the UHCs and lower than in SLE patients (P<0.0001) and it was correlated with ANA titer (r=0.6, P<0.0001) and anti ds DNA titer (r=0.62, P<0.0001).ConclusionIFN-α is a crucial player in the complicated autoimmune changes that occur in SLE and serum IFN-α can be a useful marker identifying persons who are at risk of future disease development

Efficacy of different bioagents in suppressing Meloidogyne incognita, and evaluation of some physio-biochemical changes in Phaseolus vulgaris L.

Plant parasitic nematodes cause severe damage, reducing plant production. The ability of four various biocontrol agents was surveyed for effectiveness in inhibiting J2 of Meloidogyne incognita in vitro. The study aims to explore the impact of different bio-agents (Bacillus cereus 54-1, Streptomyces erythrogriesus sub sp. 2, Pleurotus ostreatus, and Spirulina platensis) on the root-knot-nematode, M. incognita reproduction, and their influence on plant growth as well as physiological and biochemical parameters in Phaseolus vulgaris L. plants under greenhouse conditions. Effective inoculation of four bio-control agents on growth and physio-biochemical parameters of bean plants infected with root-knot-nematode was also investigated. After 48 hours of exposure to bioagents, mortality was caused by M. incognita J2s. Mortality ranged between 67.3 and 89%. Under experimental conditions, further validating the relative efficacy of different bioagents in control M. incognita on common bean in two successive seasons. All pageants were efficient in preventing nematode reproduction, but with varying efficacy. Oxamyl (Nematicide) was an extremely effective treatment for suppressing total nematode populations. Nevertheless, the second most effective treatment for reducing M. incognita in roots and soil was B. cereus. All treatments significantly enhanced growth as compared to the control. Treatments with four bioagents significantly reduced H2O2 and malondialdehyde levels. While it significantly raised the activity of peroxidase, polyphenol-oxidase, and superoxide dismutase, in addition to raising the content of phenolics and flavonoids in the infected common bean. The tested bioagents were efficient in preventing nematode reproduction, but at various levels of efficacy. In addition, all treatments significantly enhanced common bean growth parameters and reduced the levels of both H2O2 and MDA. While it raised the activity of POD, PPO, SOD, and contents of phenolics and flavonoids in the infected common bean. These results highlight the value of bioagents as a promising biocontrol technique to manage root-knot-nematodes in common beans

Synthesis, docking and evaluation of novel fused pyrimidine compounds as possible lead compounds with antibacterial and antitumor activities

Reaction of a series of hydrazonoyl chlorides with substituted aminopyrimidines afforded good selectivity in most cases leading either to formation of new imidazo[1,2-a]pyrimidine derivatives, or regioisomeric hydrazonamide adducts. The compounds were evaluated for antibacterial and anticancer activities. Screening against 'E. Coli', 'P. aeruginosa', 'S. aureus', 'S. epidermidis', 'B. subtilis' and 'K. rhizophila' did identify several different compound types with MIC of 0.1-0.4 mg/mL. Anticancer evaluation against a HeLa cell line identified one imidazo[1,2-a]pyrimidine lead. An 'in silico' target fishing analysis suggest three possible high value protein targets, Tankyrase-2 (Tank-2), Cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK2) and Epidermal growth factor tyrosine kinase receptor (EGFR), with modelling fit against co-crystallized known ligands. This provides a new structural family lead for further investigation of molecular targets and potential SAR activity development

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

Surgical site infection after gastrointestinal surgery in high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries: a prospective, international, multicentre cohort study

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common infections associated with health care, but its importance as a global health priority is not fully understood. We quantified the burden of SSI after gastrointestinal surgery in countries in all parts of the world. Methods: This international, prospective, multicentre cohort study included consecutive patients undergoing elective or emergency gastrointestinal resection within 2-week time periods at any health-care facility in any country. Countries with participating centres were stratified into high-income, middle-income, and low-income groups according to the UN's Human Development Index (HDI). Data variables from the GlobalSurg 1 study and other studies that have been found to affect the likelihood of SSI were entered into risk adjustment models. The primary outcome measure was the 30-day SSI incidence (defined by US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for superficial and deep incisional SSI). Relationships with explanatory variables were examined using Bayesian multilevel logistic regression models. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02662231. Findings: Between Jan 4, 2016, and July 31, 2016, 13 265 records were submitted for analysis. 12 539 patients from 343 hospitals in 66 countries were included. 7339 (58·5%) patient were from high-HDI countries (193 hospitals in 30 countries), 3918 (31·2%) patients were from middle-HDI countries (82 hospitals in 18 countries), and 1282 (10·2%) patients were from low-HDI countries (68 hospitals in 18 countries). In total, 1538 (12·3%) patients had SSI within 30 days of surgery. The incidence of SSI varied between countries with high (691 [9·4%] of 7339 patients), middle (549 [14·0%] of 3918 patients), and low (298 [23·2%] of 1282) HDI (p < 0·001). The highest SSI incidence in each HDI group was after dirty surgery (102 [17·8%] of 574 patients in high-HDI countries; 74 [31·4%] of 236 patients in middle-HDI countries; 72 [39·8%] of 181 patients in low-HDI countries). Following risk factor adjustment, patients in low-HDI countries were at greatest risk of SSI (adjusted odds ratio 1·60, 95% credible interval 1·05–2·37; p=0·030). 132 (21·6%) of 610 patients with an SSI and a microbiology culture result had an infection that was resistant to the prophylactic antibiotic used. Resistant infections were detected in 49 (16·6%) of 295 patients in high-HDI countries, in 37 (19·8%) of 187 patients in middle-HDI countries, and in 46 (35·9%) of 128 patients in low-HDI countries (p < 0·001). Interpretation: Countries with a low HDI carry a disproportionately greater burden of SSI than countries with a middle or high HDI and might have higher rates of antibiotic resistance. In view of WHO recommendations on SSI prevention that highlight the absence of high-quality interventional research, urgent, pragmatic, randomised trials based in LMICs are needed to assess measures aiming to reduce this preventable complication