Factors that contribute to the work-family conflict in Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB)

Work–family conflict is a type of inter-role conflict that occurs as a result of incompatible role pressures from the work and family domains. Work role characteristics that are associated with work demands refer to pressure arising from excessive workload and time pressures. The purpose of this research is to identify the factors that contribute to the work-family conflict. There are three factors that researchers focus which are role overload, management support and also gender role orientation. The results of the study implied that work-family conflict as an important concern for individuals and organizations because of its negative consequences leading to reduced job performance as well as family satisfaction and hence reduced life satisfactio

Monkeypox as an emerging infectious disease: the ophthalmic implications

The 2022 outbreak of monkeypox is of worldwide significance. There has been a rapid escalation in case numbers despite efforts to contain it and the WHO has declared it a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. To date, over 51 257 laboratory-confirmed cases have been reported, the majority in non-endemic countries, with 3279 in the UK. It is vital for ophthalmologists to understand this disease and the risk it poses. Human monkeypox is a zoonotic disease caused by the monkeypox virus, a double-stranded DNA virus in the Orthopoxvirus genus of the Poxviridae family. Other orthopoxviruses include variola (smallpox), cowpox and vaccinia; all of which have significant ocular sequelae. Transmission occurs from an animal reservoir (unknown, likely rodents) to a human host, leading to secondary human-to-human spread. During the recent outbreak, a higher incidence has been found in gay, bisexual or other men who have sex with men. Clinical diagnosis may be challenging as presentation can mimic common ophthalmic diseases. A thorough history is key to identifying potential cases. Ophthalmic manifestations may include preseptal cellulitis, conjunctivitis and keratitis. The oral antiviral agent tecovirimat, which was developed to treat smallpox, is the mainstay of treatment. Trifluorothymidine (trifluridine) eye-drops can be used for ophthalmic involvement. In addition, smallpox vaccines have provided some cross-immunity. Ocular monkeypox should be managed by infectious diseases specialists, in consultation with ophthalmologists to provide the expertise needed to treat potentially vision-threatening complications. This outbreak highlights the need for healthcare providers to implement appropriate infection control measures and be familiar with the identification and treatment of both cutaneous and ocular disease

Childhood uveitis not associated with juvenile idiopathic arthritis:a national survey of incidence, management and visual outcomes

AIMS: To estimate the incidence of childhood uveitis not associated with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) in the United Kingdom. METHODS: Children under 16 years who presented with a new diagnosis of uveitis from November 2014 to October 2015 were identified prospectively through the British and Scottish Ophthalmological Surveillance Unit reporting card system. Incident questionnaires were sent to reporting ophthalmologists at presentation and 12 months. RESULTS: From 1st November 2014 to 31st October 2015, 119 cases were reported. Thirty-nine cases were excluded. The estimated minimum annual incidence of non-JIA uveitis in children younger than 16 years is 0.66 per 100,000 (95% CI 0.52–0.82). Median age at presentation was 10 years. 73% had bilateral uveitis. Median (IQR) BCVA in the worse eye was 0.3 (IQR 0.1–0.66) logMAR. The location of uveitis was: anterior 36%, intermediate 24%, posterior 6.8% and panuveitis 30%. 70% of cases were idiopathic. Most children were started on topical corticosteroids at presentation (86%, n = 51). At presentation, 31% (n = 19) were on started on systemic corticosteroids. At 1 year only 13% (n = 7) remained on corticosteroids, with the majority transitioned to steroid-sparing agents: methotrexate (30.8%, n = 16), mycophenolate (5.8%) and anti-TNF agents 5 (9.6%). At 1 year, 46% had ongoing intraocular inflammation despite treatment. The most common ocular adverse event was raised intraocular pressure (13.5%, n = 7). CONCLUSION: Our study provides the first national population-based data of non-JIA childhood uveitis. Most children remain on treatment at 1 year, but visual acuity improves and none were eligible for sight-impairment registration

Articular cartilage tissue engineering: the role of signaling molecules

Effective early disease modifying options for osteoarthritis remain lacking. Tissue engineering approach to generate cartilage in vitro has emerged as a promising option for articular cartilage repair and regeneration. Signaling molecules and matrix modifying agents, derived from knowledge of cartilage development and homeostasis, have been used as biochemical stimuli toward cartilage tissue engineering and have led to improvements in the functionality of engineered cartilage. Clinical translation of neocartilage faces challenges, such as phenotypic instability of the engineered cartilage, poor integration, inflammation, and catabolic factors in the arthritic environment; these can all contribute to failure of implanted neocartilage. A comprehensive understanding of signaling molecules involved in osteoarthritis pathogenesis and their actions on engineered cartilage will be crucial. Thus, while it is important to continue deriving inspiration from cartilage development and homeostasis, it has become increasingly necessary to incorporate knowledge from osteoarthritis pathogenesis into cartilage tissue engineering