Effect of Psychological Empowerment and Transformational Leadership on Organizational Commitment

According to recent literature that relates to organizational leadership, transformational leadership consists of three important elements: idealized influence, individual consideration and intellectual stimulation. Extant studies in this area highlighted that the ability of the leaders in implementing these transformational processes (to execute organizational functions) may have a significant impact on individual outcome especially organizational commitment. Although this relationship has been studied, the mediating role of transformational leadership has taken a less prominent role in organizational leadership model. Recent studies on organizational leadership have emphasized that transformational leadership has three important characteristics: idealized influence, individual consideration and intellectual stimulation. The purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of empowerment in the relationship between transformational leadership and organizational commitment; by using 77 USAble questionnaires gathered from employees who worked at a foreign manufacturing company in Free Trade Zone, Malaysia. Results of SmartPLS path model analysis confirm that empowerment does act as an important mediating variable in the relationship between transformational leadership and organizational commitment in the organizational sample. In the succeeding sections, discussion, implications and conclusion are elaborated

Resistance capability of indigenous and non-indigenous bacteria species on 3,4-dichoroaniline

3,4- dichloroaniline (3,4-DCA) is commonly be used in the chemical industry and it is also a by-product of aniline-derived herbicides such as diuron, linuron and propanil. However, 3,4-DCA exhibits higher toxicity than its parent compound and persistent in soils, water and groundwater. The aim of study was to investigate three TBT-resistant bacteria which are Klebsiella sp., Acinetobacter sp., Citrobacter sp. to evaluate their resistancy towards 3,4-DCA. Pseudomonas sp. isolated from non-TBT-polluted area was used as a positive control. Respiratory inhibitory activity of 3,4-DCA on three bacteria strains were assessed by employing MTT-bioassay. Results showed, Citrobacter sp. is the most tolerable bacteria amongst three strains with the IC50 value of 7.83 mg/L followed by Acinetobacter sp. (7.55 mg/L), Klebsiella sp. (7.09 mg/L) and Pseudomonas sp. (7.02 mg/L). Due to that, potential TBT-degrading bacteria, Klebsiella sp. is not preferable bacteria to degrade or utilize 3,4-DCA mainly because of the structure and resistancy bacteria itself. Thus, future studies are recommended in order to remediate this highly persistant compound in solving environmental problems associated contamination

Seroprevalence of leptospiral antibodies among market workers and food handlers in the central state of Malaysia

Objective:The high prevalence of leptospirosis in humans is of great public health concern, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of leptospiral antibodies and distribution of serovars, and to assess the usefulness of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) as a screening method for leptospiral antibodies in a high-risk healthy community. Methods: Cross-sectional study of 231 market workers and food handlers in wet markets and food premises from two localities in central Malaysia. Respondents' background information was obtained using a questionnaire. Serum samples were tested for leptospiral antibodies using ELISA and microscopic agglutination test (MAT). Results: Seroprevalence of leptospirosis among healthy workers was 46.3%. Detection of seropositivity was higher by MAT (46%) than ELISA (15%). We observed high seropositivity among local workers (49%), food handlers (49.5%), females (60.8%) and those aged 34 years and older (46.3%). Local strain LEP175 was the predominant serovar, followed by WHO strain Patoc. Conclusion: Overall seroprevalence among healthy food handlers and market workers was high in this study. The workplace places susceptible individuals at risk of leptospirosis

Structural Properties of Thermoluminescence Dosimeter Materials, Preparation, Application, and Adaptability: A Systematic Review

Thermoluminescence dosimeters (TLDs) are widely used in radiation dosimetry due to their excellent properties, such as high sensitivity, small size, and ability to measure low doses of radiation. This review focuses on the structural properties of TLD materials, as well as their preparation, application, and adaptability. The review covers the various types of TLD materials, crystal structure, and properties, including energy response and fading characteristics. The different methods used to prepare TLD materials, such as solid-state synthesis, sol-gel synthesis, and solution growth methods, are discussed in detail. The review also includes a detailed discussion of the various applications of TLDs, including medical, environmental, and industrial radiation dosimetry. Extensive information on TLD is reviewed, and the TL characteristics that have a noticeable impact on the TL dosimetry potential for human and other purpose utilisation, such as mineral, oil, and gas resource investigation, can be done using natural and artificial TL signals. Information on TL measurement process requirements and the TL characteristics that have a noticeable impact on a compound TL dosimetry potential are also addressed. Finally, the review concludes by highlighting the adaptability of TLD materials to different dosimetry applications and their potential use in the future

Human properdin modulates macrophage: Mycobacterium bovis BCG interaction via thrombospondin repeats (TSR) 4 and 5

Mycobacterium tuberculosis can proficiently enter macrophages and diminish complement activation on its cell surface. Within macrophages, the mycobacterium can suppress macrophage apoptosis and survive within the intracellular environment. Previously, we have shown that complement regulatory proteins such as factor H may interfere with pathogen–macrophage interactions during tuberculosis infection. In this study, we show that Mycobacterium bovis BCG binds properdin, an upregulator of the complement alternative pathway. TSR4+5, a recombinant form of thrombospondin repeats 4 and 5 of human properdin expressed in tandem, which is an inhibitor of the alternative pathway, was also able to bind to M. bovis BCG. Properdin and TSR4+5 were found to inhibit uptake of M. bovis BCG by THP-1 macrophage cells in a dose-dependent manner. Quantitative real-time PCR revealed elevated pro-inflammatory responses (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6) in the presence of properdin or TSR4+5, which gradually decreased over 6 h. Correspondingly, anti-inflammatory responses (IL-10 and TGF-β) showed suppressed levels of expression in the presence of properdin, which gradually increased over 6 h. Multiplex cytokine array analysis also revealed that properdin and TSR4+5 significantly enhanced the pro-inflammatory response (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-1α) at 24 h, which declined at 48 h, whereas the anti-inflammatory response (IL-10) was suppressed. Our results suggest that properdin may interfere with mycobacterial entry into macrophages via TSR4 and TSR5, particularly during the initial stages of infection, thus affecting the extracellular survival of the pathogen. This study offers novel insights into the non-complement related functions of properdin during host–pathogen interactions in tuberculosis.MA-A has been supported by the Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysia and the Universiti Sains Malaysia

HIV-Care Outcome in Saudi Arabia; a Longitudinal Cohort

Background: Clinical characteristics of HIV-1 infection in people inhabiting Western, Sub-Saharan African, and South-East Asian countries are well recognized. However, very little information is available with regard to HIV-1 infection and treatment outcome in MENA countries including the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states. Methods: Clinical, demographic and epidemiologic characteristics of 602 HIV-1 infected patients followed in the adult Infectious Diseases Clinic of King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia a tertiary referral center were longitudinally collected from 1989 to 2010. Results: Of the 602 HIV-1 infected patients in this observation period, 70% were male. The major mode of HIV-1 transmission was heterosexual contact (55%). At diagnosis, opportunistic infections were found in 49% of patients, most commonly being pneumocysitis. AIDS associated neoplasia was also noted in 6% of patients. A hundred and forty-seven patients (24%) died from the cohort by the end of the observation period. The mortality rate peaked in 1992 at 90 deaths per 1000 person-year, whereas the mortality rate gradually decreased to <1% from 1993-2010. In 2010, 71% of the patients were receiving highly active retroviral therapy. Conclusions: These data describe the clinical characteristic of HIV-1-infected patients at a major tertiary referral hospital in KSA over a 20-year period. Initiation of antiretroviral therapy resulted in a significant reduction in both morbidity and mortality. Future studies are needed in the design and implementation of targeted treatment and prevention strategies for HIV-1 infection in KSA

Intracellular iron uptake is favored in Hfe-KO mouse primary chondrocytes mimicking an osteoarthritis-related phenotype

HFE-hemochromatosis is a disease characterized by a systemic iron overload phenotype mainly associated with mutations in the HFE protein (HFE) gene. Osteoarthritis (OA) has been reported as one of the most prevalent complications in HFE-hemochromatosis patients, but the mechanisms associated with its onset and progression remain incompletely understood. In this study, we have characterized the response to high iron concentrations of a primary culture of articular chondrocytes isolated from newborn Hfe-KO mice and compared the results with that of a similar experiment developed in cells from C57BL/6 wild-type (wt) mice. Our data provide evidence that both wt- and Hfe-KO-derived chondrocytes, when exposed to 50 mu M iron, develop characteristics of an OA-related phenotype, such as an increased expression of metalloproteases, a decreased extracellular matrix production, and a lower expression level of aggrecan. In addition, Hfe-KO cells also showed an increased expression of iron metabolism markers and MMP3, indicating an increased susceptibility to intracellular iron accumulation and higher levels of chondrocyte catabolism. Accordingly, upon treatment with 50 mu M iron, these chondrocytes were found to preferentially differentiate toward hypertrophy with increased expression of collagen I and transferrin and downregulation of SRY (sex-determining region Y)-box containing gene 9 (Sox9). In conclusion, high iron exposure can compromise chondrocyte metabolism, which, when simultaneously affected by an Hfe loss of function, appears to be more susceptible to the establishment of an OA-related phenotype.European Regional Development FundEuropean Union (EU) [EMBRC.PT Alg-01-0145-FEDER-022121, Norte-01-0145-FEDER-000012]Fundacao para a Ciencia e a TecnologiaPortuguese Foundation for Science and Technology [SFRH/BD/77056/2011]Portuguese Foundation for Science and TechnologyPortuguese Foundation for Science and TechnologyPortuguese Science and Technology FoundationPortuguese Foundation for Science and Technologyinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Scaffolds for cartilage regeneration: to use or not to use?

Joint cartilage has been a significant focus on the field of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine (TERM) since its inception in the 1980s. Represented by only one cell type, cartilage has been a simple tissue that is thought to be straightforward to deal with. After three decades, engineering cartilage has proven to be anything but easy. With the demographic shift in the distribution of world population towards ageing, it is expected that there is a growing need for more effective options for joint restoration and repair. Despite the increasing understanding of the factors governing cartilage development, there is still a lot to do to bridge the gap from bench to bedside. Dedicated methods to regenerate reliable articular cartilage that would be equivalent to the original tissue are still lacking. The use of cells, scaffolds and signalling factors has always been central to the TERM. However, without denying the importance of cells and signalling factors, the question posed in this chapter is whether the answer would come from the methods to use or not to use scaffold for cartilage TERM. This paper presents some efforts in TERM area and proposes a solution that will transpire from the ongoing attempts to understand certain aspects of cartilage development, degeneration and regeneration. While an ideal formulation for cartilage regeneration has yet to be resolved, it is felt that scaffold is still needed for cartilage TERM for years to come

Tissue engineering of functional articular cartilage: the current status

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease characterized by pain and disability. It involves all ages and 70% of people aged >65 have some degree of osteoarthritis. Natural cartilage repair is limited because chondrocyte density and metabolism are low and cartilage has no blood supply. The results of joint-preserving treatment protocols such as debridement, mosaicplasty, perichondrium transplantation and autologous chondrocyte implantation vary largely and the average long-term result is unsatisfactory. One reason for limited clinical success is that most treatments require new cartilage to be formed at the site of a defect. However, the mechanical conditions at such sites are unfavorable for repair of the original damaged cartilage. Therefore, it is unlikely that healthy cartilage would form at these locations. The most promising method to circumvent this problem is to engineer mechanically stable cartilage ex vivo and to implant that into the damaged tissue area. This review outlines the issues related to the composition and functionality of tissue-engineered cartilage. In particular, the focus will be on the parameters cell source, signaling molecules, scaffolds and mechanical stimulation. In addition, the current status of tissue engineering of cartilage will be discussed, with the focus on extracellular matrix content, structure and its functionality