Leader mindfulness and employee performance: a sequential mediation model of LMX quality, interpersonal justice, and employee stress

In the present research, we examine the relation between leader mindfulness and employee performance through the lenses of organizational justice and leader-member relations. We hypothesize that employees of more mindful leaders view their relations as being of higher leader-member exchange (LMX) quality. We further hypothesize two mediating mechanisms of this relation: increased interpersonal justice and reduced employee stress. In other words, we posit that employees of more mindful leaders feel treated with greater respect and experience less stress. Finally, we predict that LMX quality serves as a mediator linking leader mindfulness to employee performance—defined in terms of both in-role and extra-role performance. Across two field studies of triadic leader-employee-peer data (Study 1) and dyadic leader–employee data (Study 2), we find support for this sequential mediation model. We discuss implications for theorizing on leadership, organizational justice, business ethics, LMX, and mindfulness, as well as practical implications

Risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence following the first pandemic wave in UK healthcare workers in a large NHS Foundation Trust [version 1; peer review: awaiting peer review]

Background: We aimed to measure SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in a cohort of healthcare workers (HCWs) during the first UK wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, explore risk factors associated with infection, and investigate the impact of antibody titres on assay sensitivity. Methods: HCWs at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust were prospectively enrolled and sampled at two time points. SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were tested using an in-house assay for IgG and IgA reactivity against Spike and Nucleoprotein (sensitivity 99·47%, specificity 99·56%). Data were analysed using three statistical models: a seroprevalence model, an antibody kinetics model, and a heterogeneous sensitivity model. Results: As of 12th June 2020, 24·4% (n=311/1275) of HCWs were seropositive. Of these, 39·2% (n=122/311) were asymptomatic. The highest adjusted seroprevalence was measured in HCWs on the Acute Medical Unit (41·1%, 95% CrI 30·0–52·9) and in Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists (39·2%, 95% CrI 24·4–56·5). Older age groups showed overall higher median antibody titres. Further modelling suggests that, for a serological assay with an overall sensitivity of 80%, antibody titres may be markedly affected by differences in age, with sensitivity estimates of 89% in those over 60 years but 61% in those ≤30 years. Conclusions: HCWs in acute medical units working closely with COVID-19 patients were at highest risk of infection, though whether these are infections acquired from patients or other staff is unknown. Current serological assays may underestimate seroprevalence in younger age groups if validated using sera from older and/or more symptomatic individuals

Risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence following the first pandemic wave in UK healthcare workers in a large NHS Foundation Trust

Background: We aimed to measure SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in a cohort of healthcare workers (HCWs) during the first UK wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, explore risk factors associated with infection, and investigate the impact of antibody titres on assay sensitivity. Methods: HCWs at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust were prospectively enrolled and sampled at two time points. We developed an in-house ELISA for testing participant serum for SARS-CoV-2 IgG and IgA reactivity against Spike and Nucleoprotein. Data were analysed using three statistical models: a seroprevalence model, an antibody kinetics model, and a heterogeneous sensitivity model. Results: Our in-house assay had a sensitivity of 99·47% and specificity of 99·56%. We found that 24·4% (n=311/1275) of HCWs were seropositive as of 12th June 2020. Of these, 39·2% (n=122/311) were asymptomatic. The highest adjusted seroprevalence was measured in HCWs on the Acute Medical Unit (41·1%, 95% CrI 30·0–52·9) and in Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists (39·2%, 95% CrI 24·4–56·5). Older age groups showed overall higher median antibody titres. Further modelling suggests that, for a serological assay with an overall sensitivity of 80%, antibody titres may be markedly affected by differences in age, with sensitivity estimates of 89% in those over 60 years but 61% in those ≤30 years. Conclusions: HCWs in acute medical units and those working closely with COVID-19 patients were at highest risk of infection, though whether these are infections acquired from patients or other staff is unknown. Current serological assays may underestimate seroprevalence in younger age groups if validated using sera from older and/or more severe COVID-19 cases

A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of the Impact of Mindfulness-Based Interventions on the Well-Being of Healthcare Professionals

Efforts to improve the wellbeing of healthcare professionals include mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs). To understand the value of such initiatives, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of empirical studies pertaining to the use of MBIs with healthcare professionals. Databases were reviewed from the start of records to January 2016 (PROSPERO registration number: CRD42016032899). Eligibility criteria included empirical analyses of wellbeing outcomes acquired in relation to MBIs. Forty-two papers met the eligibility criteria, consisting of a total of 2,101 participants. Studies were examined for two broad classes of wellbeing outcomes: (a) “negative” mental health measures such as anxiety, depression, and stress; (b) “positive” indices of wellbeing, such as life satisfaction, together with outcomes associated with wellbeing, such as emotional intelligence. MBIs were generally associated with positive outcomes in relation to most measures, and mindfulness does appear to improve the wellbeing of healthcare professionals. However, the quality of the studies was inconsistent, so further research is needed, particularly high-quality randomised control trials

Evaluation of Genetic Diversity in Five Different Species of Family Solanaceae using Cytological Characters and Protein Profiling

Abstract Cytological characters and protein profile of 5 species (Solanum melongena, S. xanthocarpum, Datura alba,Lycopersiconesculentum and Capsicum annum) of family Solanaceae were investigated through poly acrylamide gel electrophoresis and using cytological characters viz. mitotic index and pollen viability. The present protein profile revealed that experimental genusLycopersicon is very close to the genus Solanum and species Daturaalba and Solanummelongena are more close at molecular level as compared to other species.Similarity index was more i.e., 22.22% inCapsicum annum and Solanumxanthocarpum which are cultivated and wild respectively, as compared to two wild species i.e., Datura alba and Solanumxanthocarpum where similarity index was only 11.11%. Present investigation has also revealed that mitotic index was highest in Daturaalba i.e., 20.38% meaning that the genus has high power of division.Closed pollen viability was in Solanumxanthocarpumand Solanum melongena i.e., 72.22% and 74.50%. A dendrogram constructed based on the UPGMA clustering method revealed two major clusters, Cluster -I and Cluster-II, comprising of two species each. The speciesCapsicum annum(T1) occupies a distinct place as revealed in the dendrogram

Biochemical and cytological analysis of five cultivars of Cicer (chickpea)

During the present study, protein estimation and protein profiling of five cultivars of Cicer namely Dhawal, ujjwal, Shubhra, DCP-92-3 and IPC-04-20 have been carried out. The protein content on per gram fresh weight basis was found highest in the Dhawal measuring 35.2± 3.83 mg followed by DCP-92- 3 and lowest was found in the IPC-04-20 cultivar. The protein profiling of seed proteins using sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) revealed a high polymorphism between the five cultivars. The total number of polypeptide bands recorded was 36, the 4 bands were monomorphic and the rest32 were polymorphic with an average polymorphism of 88.88%. The Jacards similarity ranged from 0.25000 to 0.56000. The similarity index calculated was highest between Ujjwal and IPC-04-20 (37.5%) where as lowest was calculated between Shubhra and IPC-04-20 (22.22%) variety. The unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA) clustering method revealed two major clusters in the dendrogram that is, cluster 1 and 2, comprising two varieties each. The Shubhra occupies a distinct place as depicted in the dendrogram. Moreover, cytological studies of the five cultivars by calculating the mitotic index were carried out. The mitotic index varied between 4.82 to 10.83% and was found highest in DCP-92-3 while as minimum value was observed in Ujjwal.Keywords: SDS-PAGE, UPGMA dendrogram, mitotic index, chickpeaAfrican Journal of Biotechnology, Vol 13(11), 1281-128

Anxiety and depression in patients with osteoarthritis: impact and management challenges

Anirudh Sharma,1 Prtha Kudesia,2 Qian Shi,2 Rajiv Gandhi2 1Division of Genetics and Development, Krembil Research Institute, 2Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, Toronto Western Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada Background: Anxiety and depression are common psychological comorbidities that impact the quality of life (QoL) of patients. In this systematic review, we 1) determined the impact of anxiety and depression on outcomes in patients with osteoarthritis (OA) and 2) summarized unique challenges these comorbidities present to current OA management.Patients and methods: A systematic literature search was performed using the OVID Medline and EMBASE databases until April 2016. Full-text research articles published in English from the year 2000 onward with a sample size of >100 were included in this review. Eligible research articles were reviewed and the following data were extracted: study author(s), year of publication, study design, and key findings. Results: A total of 38 studies were included in the present review. The present study found that both anxiety and/or depression were highly prevalent among patients with OA. Patients with OA diagnosed with these comorbidities experienced more pain, had frequent hospital visits, took more medication, and reported less optimal outcomes. Management strategies in the form of self-care, telephone support, audio/video education programs, and new pharmacotherapies were reported with favorable results. Conclusion: Anxiety and depression adversely impact the QoL of patients with OA. Physicians/caregivers are highly recommended to consider these comorbidities in patients with OA. Ultimately, a holistic individualized management approach is necessary to improve patient outcomes. Keywords: osteoarthritis, anxiety, depression, impact, managemen