Organizational Justice, Trust And Organizational Commitment – A Comparison Between Permanent And Contingent Workers

This study aims to examine the influence of organizational justice and trust towards organizational commitment, with job status as a moderator. This study is important due to the growing number of contingent workers being currently employed in many organizations. Many organizations are faced with the question if there are any difference in the commitment level of the permanent employees in comparison with contingent workers

Early Establishment of Native Vesicular-Arbuscular Mycorrhizas in Three Vegetable Crops of South India - A Comparative Study

The vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) status of three vegetable crops viz., tomato, brinjal and chilli was assessed during the initial establishment period in natural field conditions as well as in pot culture using nonsterile soil. The soil had low nutrient status and no manurial application was made during the 60 d course of the study. VAM fungal colonization in the roots was maximum at 45, 50, and 60 d after the respective germination of brinjals, tomato and chilli seeds under field conditions, and on the 60th d in the pot culture experiment. In no case was 100 per cent root colonization obtained. Ascending and descending trends in colonization were observed. In all cases, the original spore count of3.90 (±0.30) g dry soil increased markedly in the rhizosphere soil after plant growth. Spore number was more pronounced in pot than in field culture

Using the Delphi Technique to Determine the Effectiveness of Internet Advertisements

Over the past few years, there has been tremendous growth in the use of the Internet for promoting goods and services. This new technology is enabling companies to reach new markets all over the world. Locating target markets and advertising on the Internet takes a different approach. This paper examines several popular Internet advertising techniques used by marketers to attract the attention of the target market to particular sites. It uses the Delphi technique to determine that banner ads are still the most effective overall

The cytotoxic effect of baeckea frustescens extracts in eliminating hypoxic breast cancer cells

Background: Adaptive metabolic response towards a low oxygen environment is essential to maintain rapid tumour proliferation and progression. The vascular network that surrounds the tumour develops an intermittent hypoxic condition and stimulates hypoxia-inducing factors. Baeckea frutescens is used in traditional medicine and known to possess antibacterial and cytoprotective properties. In this study, the cytotoxic efect of B. frutescens leaves and branches extracts against hypoxic human breast cancer (MCF-7) was investigated. Method: The extracts were prepared using Soxhlet apparatus for ethanol and hexane extracts while the water extracts were freeze-dried. In vitro cytotoxic activities of B. frutescens extracts of various concentrations (20 to 160μg/mL) at 24, 48, and 72 hours time points were studied using MTT in chemically induced hypoxic condition andin 3-dimensional in vitro cell culture system. An initial characterisation of B. frutescens extracts was carried out using Fourier-transform Infrared- Attenuated Total Refection (FTIR-ATR) to determine the presence of functional groups. Results: All leaf extracts except for water showed IC50 values ranging from 23 -158 μg/mL. Hexane extract showed the lowest IC50 value (23 μg/mL), indicating its potent cytotoxic activity. Among the branch extracts, only the 70% ethanolic extract (B70) showed an IC50 value. The hexane leaf extract tested on 3- dimensional cultured cells showed an IC50 value of 17.2 μg/mL. The FTIR-ATR spectroscopy analysis identifed various characteristic peak values with different functional groups such as alcohol, alkenes, alkynes, carbonyl, aromatic rings, ethers, ester, and carboxylic acids. Interestingly, the FTIR-ATR spectra report a complex and unique profle of the hexane extract, which warrants further investigation. Conclusion: Adaptation of tumour cells to hypoxia signifcantly contributes to the aggressiveness and chemoresistance of diferent tumours. The identifcation of B. frutescens and its possible role in eliminating breast cancer cells in hypoxic conditions defnes a new role of natural product that can be utilised as an efective agent that regulates metabolic reprogramming in breast cancer

Improved Anticancer Effect of Magnetite Nanocomposite Formulation of GALLIC Acid (Fe₃O₄-PEG-GA) Against Lung, Breast and Colon Cancer Cells

Lung cancer, breast cancer and colorectal cancer are the most prevalent fatal types of cancers globally. Gallic acid (3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoic acid) is a bioactive compound found in plants and foods, such as white tea, witch hazel and it has been reported to possess anticancer, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. In this study we have redesigned our previously reported anticancer nanocomposite formulation with improved drug loading based on iron oxide magnetite nanoparticles coated with polyethylene glycol and loaded with anticancer drug gallic acid (Fe₃O₄-PEG-GA). The in vitro release profile and percentage drug loading were found to be better than our previously reported formulation. The anticancer activity of pure gallic acid (GA), empty carrier (Fe₃O₄-PEG) nanocarrier and of anticancer nanocomposite (Fe₃O₄-PEG-GA) were screened against human lung cancer cells (A549), human breast cancer cells (MCF-7), human colon cancer cells (HT-29) and normal fibroblast cells (3T3) after incubation of 24, 48 and 72 h using (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) MTT assay. The designed formulation (Fe₃O₄-PEG-GA) showed better anticancer activity than free gallic acid (GA). The results of the in vitro studies are highly encouraging to conduct the in vivo studies

A Comparative Study of Construction Waste Generation Rate Based on Different Construction Methods on Construction Project in Malaysia

High construction waste (CW) generation in Malaysia has serious impacts although there are very little available data regarding the relevant issue in Malaysia. This lack of data results in improper CW management and CW disposal without proper control measures. To control the implications of CW, it is very important to understand their quantity which is currently unknown. Past researches in Malaysia, found that CW generation was affected by construction methods (CMs) practiced on site. The aim of this study is to compare the CW generation rate between different CMs for on-going construction projects in Malaysia. Common CMs practiced in Malaysia are conventional construction method (CCM), mixed construction method (MCM) and industrialized building system (IBS). To obtain CW generation data, site visit (SV) method, which consists of direct measurement (DM) and indirect measurement (IM) is applied to this study. CCM was recorded to have the highest amount of waste (197.657 tons). IBS method records 77.188 tons and MCM 53.191 tons. Regarding the average waste generation rate (AWGR), IBS recorded a value of 0.018 tons per square meter, while MCM recorded 0.030 tons per square meter and CCM recorded the highest amount of 0.046 tons per square meter

The cytotoxic effect and glucose uptake modulation of Baeckea frutescens on breast cancer cells

Background: Baeckea frutescens (B. frutescens) of the family Myrtaceae is a plant that has been used in traditionalmedicine. It is known to have antibacterial, antipyretic and cytoprotective properties. The objective of this study isto explore the mechanism of B. frutescens leaves extracts in eliminating breast cancer cells. Method: B. frutescens leaves extracts were prepared using Soxhlet apparatus with solvents of different polarity. The selective cytotoxicity of these extracts at various concentrations (20 to 160 μg/ml) were tested using cell viability assay after 24, 48 and 72 h of treatment. The IC50 value in human breast cancer (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231) and mammary breast (MCF10A) cell lines were determined. Apoptotic study using AO/PI double staining was performed using fluorescent microscope. The glucose uptake was measured using 2-NBDG, a fluorescent glucose analogue. The phytochemical screening was performed for alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, triterpenoids, and phenols. Results: B. frutescens leaves extracts showed IC50 value ranging from 10 -127μg/ml in MCF-7 cells after 72 h of treatment. Hexane extract had the lowest IC50 value (10μg/ml), indicating its potent selective cytotoxic activity. Morphology of MCF-7 cells after treatment with B. frutescens extracts exhibited evidence of apoptosis that included membrane blebbing and chromatin condensation. In the glucose uptake assay, B. frutescens extracts suppressed glucose uptake in cancer cells as early as 24 h upon treatment. The inhibition was significantly lower compared to the positive control WZB117 at their respective IC50 value after 72 h incubation. It was also shown that the glucose inhibition is selective towards cancer cells compared to normal cells. The phytochemical analysis of the extract using hexane as the solvent in particular gave similar quantities of tannin, triterpenoids, flavonoid and phenols. Presumably, these metabolites have a synergistic effect in the in vitro testing, producing the potent IC50 value and subsequently cell death. Conclusion: This study reports the potent selective cytotoxic effect of B. frutescens leaves hexane extract against MCF-7 cancer cells. B. frutescens extracts selectively suppressed cancer cells glucose uptake and subsequently induced cancer cell death. These findings suggest a new role of B. frutescens in cancer cell metabolis