HOW ORGANIZATION PERFORMANCE DIFFER FROM KOREAN AND MALAYSIAN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (IT) COMPANIES?

The main purpose of this study is to highlight the interaction effect between 'market orientation' which is recognized as a sustainable competitive advantage factor in the private sector and ‘environmental turbulence’ on the marketing capabilities which is one of the powerful antecedents of organizational performance, contrasting the IT companies in Korea and Malaysia believed to exist a certain difference in the capitalistic market economy system. It was found that there exists sharp contrast between two countries in that Korea showed a significant interaction effect between customer orientation and environmental turbulence, however, Malaysia showed no significant moderation effect. This result may implicate the difference in the process of market mechanism and environmental turbulence between the two countries

Do you believe the transformational leader's role in engaging employees at the workplace? An evidence in Malaysia

Leadership style is one of the factors that cause employees' unhappiness while working. Ineffective leadership among the leaders nowadays may affect the work engagement of employees in an organization. Thus, this research objective is to investigate the relationship between transformational leadership and work engagement among workers in one government linked company located at the southern region of Malaysia. To obtain the empirical data, 108 clerical staff of the studied company were involved as the participant of the study. A survey research design by using a questionnaire adapted from Multiple Leadership Questionnaire acquired by Bass (1985) and the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES) was employed for the data collection method. Then, all findings were analyzed by using the descriptive and structural Equation Modelling (SEM) with SmartPLS 3 software. Hence, the result showed that there is a positive and significant relationship between transformational leadership and work engagement among the studied company. Lastly, the researchers have provided some recommendations for the organization and future research

Additive Effects of Performance- and Commitment-Oriented Human Resource Management Systems on Organizational Outcomes

Exploring the duality and balance research on human resource management (HRM), this study established two different HRM systems or bundles based on distinct guiding principles—the performance-oriented HRM system and the commitment-oriented HRM system. This study investigated whether the performance- and commitment-oriented HRM systems or bundles with different philosophical backgrounds have their own independent and additive effects on organizational outcomes. The relationships between these HRM systems and organizational outcomes were examined with 1735 firm-period samples in the longitudinal setting. The empirical results show that the commitment-oriented HRM systems have independent and additive effects on organizational commitment and human capital. However, the performance-oriented HRM systems have no independent and additive effect on organizational outcomes. Our study also indicates that increasing the performance-oriented HRM practices can be redundant and unnecessary unless firms have sufficiently high levels of the commitment-oriented HRM practices. Given that the definition and measures of commitment-oriented HRM bundles nearly match the characteristics of sustainable HRM, we thus argue that the commitment-oriented HRM systems have more potential to improve not only organizational outcomes and performance, but also human and social sustainability, than the performance-oriented HRM systems

Measurement of Cross-Sectional Dimensions of the Cricoid Cartilage: A Computed Tomographic Study

Objectives: We measured the cross-sectional dimensions of the cricoid cartilage and degrees of ossification of the marrow space for designing a cricoid implant. Methods: We reviewed 100 age- and sex-matched neck computed tomography scans that were performed at Seoul National University Hospital from 2001 to 2005. Under a standardized computed tomography window setting, the height of the cricoid cartilage marrow and the thickness of the marrow space and the ossified inner and outer cortices were measured by one observer. Results: The mean height of the cricoid cartilage marrow was 13.6 mm (range, 5.5 to 20.5 mm) in women and 17.5 mm (range, 13.0 to 24.5 mm) in men. The mean thickness of the cricoid cartilage marrow was 3.17 mm (range, 1.22 to 4.75 mm) in women and 5.13 mm (range, 3.42 to 7.60 mm) in men. We also observed that women in general have a higher density of the cricoid marrow than men; 4 women and 1 man had a markedly denser marrow space. There were individual variations in size and density of the cricoid marrow. Conclusions: Human adult cricoid cartilages have Sufficient marrow space for cricoid implantation. Preoperative evaluation of the size and density of the cricoid marrow is recommended for individual application of the cricoid implant.Kwon TK, 2007, ANN OTO RHINOL LARYN, V116, P770Karpenko AN, 2003, ANN OTO RHINOL LARYN, V112, P927Prevrhal S, 2003, MED PHYS, V30, P1, DOI 10.1118/1.1521940Randestad A, 2000, LARYNGOSCOPE, V110, P1957Yumoto E, 1999, ARCH OTOLARYNGOL, V125, P883Dougherty G, 1999, MED PHYS, V26, P1341Prevrhal S, 1999, PHYS MED BIOL, V44, P751, DOI 10.1088/0031-9155/44/3/017Newman DL, 1998, PHYS MED BIOL, V43, P619, DOI 10.1088/0031-9155/43/3/013ECKEL HE, 1995, AM J OTOLARYNG, V16, P40ECKEL HE, 1994, SURG RADIOL ANAT, V16, P31AJMANI ML, 1990, J ANAT, V171, P187

Compound K induced apoptosis via endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ release through ryanodine receptor in human lung cancer cells

Background: Extended endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress may initiate apoptotic pathways in cancer cells, and ER stress has been reported to possibly increase tumor death in cancer therapy. We previously reported that caspase-8 played an important role in compound K-induced apoptosis via activation of caspase-3 directly or indirectly through Bid cleavage, cytochrome c release, and caspase-9 activation in HL-60 human leukemia cells. The mechanisms leading to apoptosis in A549 and SK-MES-1 human lung cancer cells and the role of ER stress have not yet been understood. Methods: The apoptotic effects of compound K were analyzed using flow cytometry, and the changes in protein levels were determined using Western blot analysis. The intracellular calcium levels were monitored by staining with Fura-2/AM and Fluo-3/AM. Results: Compound K-induced ER stress was confirmed through increased phosphorylation of eIF2α and protein levels of GRP78/BiP, XBP-1S, and IRE1α in human lung cancer cells. Moreover, compound-K led to the accumulation of intracellular calcium and an increase in m-calpain activities that were both significantly inhibited by pretreatment either with BAPTA-AM (an intracellular Ca2+ chelator) or dantrolene (an RyR channel antagonist). These results were correlated with the outcome that compound K induced ER stress-related apoptosis through caspase-12, as z-ATAD-fmk (a specific inhibitor of caspase-12) partially ameliorated this effect. Interestingly, 4-PBA (ER stress inhibitor) dramatically improved the compound K-induced apoptosis. Conclusion: Cell survival and intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis during ER stress in human lung cancer cells are important factors in the induction of the compound K-induced apoptotic pathway. Keywords: apoptosis, calcium, compound K, ER stress, lung cancer cell

Comparison of the GlideRite to the conventional malleable stylet for endotracheal intubation by the Macintosh laryngoscope: a simulation study using manikins

Objective To compare the effectiveness of the GlideRite stylet with the conventional malleable stylet (CMS) in endotracheal intubation (ETI) by the Macintosh laryngoscope. Methods This study is a randomized, crossover, simulation study. Participants performed ETI using both the GlideRite stylet and the CMS in a normal airway model and a tongue edema model (simulated difficult airway resulting in lower percentage of glottic opening [POGO]). Results In both the normal and tongue edema models, all 36 participants successfully performed ETI with the two stylets on the first attempt. In the normal airway model, there was no difference in time required for ETI (TETI) or in ease of handling between the two stylets. In the tongue edema model, the TETI using the CMS increased as the POGO score decreased (POGO score was negatively correlated with TETI for the CMS, Spearman's rho=-0.518, P=0.001); this difference was not seen with the GlideRite (rho=-0.208, P=0.224). The TETI was shorter with the GlideRite than with the CMS, however, this difference was not statistically significant (15.1 vs. 18.8 seconds, P=0.385). Ease of handling was superior with the GlideRite compared with the CMS (P=0.006). Conclusion Performance of the GlideRite and the CMS were not different in the normal airway model. However, in the simulated difficult airway model with a low POGO score, the GlideRite performed better than the CMS for direct laryngoscopic intubation

PRESENCE OF HPV TYPE 6 IN DYSPLASIA AND CARCINOMA ARISING FROM RECURRENT RESPIRATORY PAPILLOMATOSIS

Background. We collected rare cases of recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP) undergoing malignant transformation. We sought to identify human papillomavirus (HPV) subtypes in areas of papilloma, dysplasia, and carcinoma and investigate thve pattern of protein overexpression. Methods. Three patients whose disease underwent malignant transformation from RRP to carcinoma were subjected to this study, Morphologically distinct areas in the pathology specimen of each patient were diagnosed as papilloma, dysplasia. and carcinoma. Each lesion was separately obtained by laser capture microdissection and was PCR amplified for the presence of HPV. A DNA chip was used to determine the type of HPV in each area. Immunohistochemistry for p53, Ki-67, and pRb was performed. Results. HPV type 6 was present in all specimens tested positive, Expression of p53 and Ki-67 increased with increasing severity of dysplastic change. Conclusion. Although HPV type 11 is most frequently associated with malignant change of RRP. HPV type 6 may also contribute to play an equally important role in RRP carcinogenesis. (C) 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 31: 1095-1101, 2009Gerein V, 2005, OTOLARYNG HEAD NECK, V132, P392, DOI 10.1016/j.otohns.2004.09.025FEHRMANN F, 2005, METHOD MOL BIOL, V292, P317Reidy PM, 2004, LARYNGOSCOPE, V114, P1906, DOI 10.1097/01.mlg.0000147918.81733.49Lee SA, 2003, CANCER LETT, V198, P187, DOI 10.1016/S0304-3835(03)00312-4Go C, 2003, ANN OTO RHINOL LARYN, V112, P298Lele SM, 2002, ARCH PATHOL LAB MED, V126, P1184Dedo HH, 2001, LARYNGOSCOPE, V111, P1639Gupta D, 2001, APPL IMMUNOHISTO M M, V9, P86HARTNICK CJ, 2001, CURR OPIN OTOLARYNGO, V9, P374Venuti A, 2000, J MED VIROL, V60, P396Stern Y, 2000, OTOLARYNG HEAD NECK, V122, P378Moore CE, 1999, OTOLARYNG HEAD NECK, V120, P698Rady PL, 1998, LARYNGOSCOPE, V108, P735Lin KY, 1997, LARYNGOSCOPE, V107, P942Klozar J, 1997, ACTA OTO-LARYNGOL, P100Lie ES, 1996, ACTA OTO-LARYNGOL, V116, P900Sakakura A, 1996, J LARYNGOL OTOL, V110, P75HAVRE PA, 1995, CANCER RES, V55, P4420POU AM, 1995, ANN OTO RHINOL LARYN, V104, P758DOYLE DJ, 1994, ARCH OTOLARYNGOL, V120, P1273GUILLOU L, 1991, AM J SURG PATHOL, V15, P891GERDES J, 1991, AM J PATHOL, V138, P867LINDEBERG H, 1989, ACTA OTO-LARYNGOL, V107, P141ZAROD AP, 1988, J CLIN PATHOL, V41, P280BYRNE JC, 1987, NEW ENGL J MED, V317, P873

Roles of Bcl-2 and caspase-9 and -3 in CD30-induced human eosinophil apoptosis

Background/purpose: Activation of cell surface CD30 by immobilized anti-CD30 monoclonal antibodies (mAb) induces strong apoptosis in human eosinophils. This anti-CD30 mAb-induced eosinophil apoptosis is inhibited by the addition of inhibitors of p38, ERK1/2 mitogen-activated protein kinases, and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase. However, there is little data investigating the role of Bcl-2 and caspases in eosinophil apoptosis induced by anti-CD30 mAb. We sought to determine whether anti-CD30 mAb induces human eosinophil apoptosis via Bcl-2 and caspase pathways. Methods: Peripheral blood was drawn from 37 healthy volunteers. The CD30 expression on eosinophils was measured at various time points. Eosinophils were then cultured in plates precoated with anti-CD30 mAb (clone Ber-H8), isotype control immunoglobulin G1, interleukin (IL)-5, or dexamethasone. Western blot analysis was performed to determine the expression of Bcl-2, procaspase-8, -9, and -3, and caspase-8, -9, and -3 after cross-linking of CD30. Human eosinophils were also cultured in plates precoated with anti-CD30 mAb (clone Ber-H8) in the presence or absence of caspase-9 or -3 inhibitors. Eosinophil apoptosis was assessed using flow cytometry. Results: The addition of anti-CD30 mAb significantly increased eosinophil apoptosis compared with controls. In western blot analysis, the addition of anti-CD30 mAb significantly decreased the expression of Bcl-2 and procaspase-9 and -3 and increased the expression of caspase-9 and -3. The addition of caspase-9 or -3 inhibitors decreased anti-CD30 mAb-induced human eosinophil apoptosis. Procaspase-8 or caspase-8 expression was not changed in response to various stimuli. Conclusion: Anti-CD30 mAb-induced human eosinophil apoptosis is likely to be mediated through Bcl-2 and caspase-9 and -3