Role of emotional intelligence in job performance of healthcare providers working in public sector hospitals of Pakistan

Objective. To determine the association between emotional intelligence (EI) and job performance (JP) of health care providers (HCPs). Methods. Healthcare professionals from various hospitals were chosen for a cross-sectional study. The survey was conducted using a three-part questionnaire including the demographic profile, Wong and Law Emotional Intelligence (EI) Scale, and an individual work performance (JP) questionnaire. The relationship of predictor variables on JP was sought by applying Chi-square test and multiple regression analysis. Results. About 43.3% of the 50.8% of participants who scored well on the EI scale also scored high on the JP scales. The remaining 7.5% had an unsatisfactory JP. From the 22.8% of respondents who also scored low on EI scales, about 20% scored low on the JP scale. Significant relationship between EI and JP was found at a p-level of 0.05 (2 tailed). Emotional intelligence (B=0.57, p-\u3c0.05) positively predicted job performance whereas difficulties faced while performing job (B=-0.81, p= \u3c.005), beds under supervision (B=0.09, p=\u3c0.05), dual practice (B=-0.04, p=\u3c0.05) and weekly off days (B=0.04, p\u3c0.05) have no significant effect on job performance. Conclusions. Subjects with high EI on the WLEIS were good at their jobs and scored well on the IWPQ scale, implying that as an individual\u27s EI rises, so will his or her JP

Severity of COVID-19 after Vaccination among Hemodialysis Patients: An Observational Cohort Study

Background and objectives: Patients receiving hemodialysis are at high risk from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and demonstrate impaired immune responses to vaccines. There have been several descriptions of their immunologic responses to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccination, but few studies have described the clinical efficacy of vaccination in patients on hemodialysis. // Design, setting, participants, & measurements: In a multicenter observational study of the London hemodialysis population undergoing surveillance PCR testing during the period of vaccine rollout with BNT162b2 and AZD1222, all of those positive for SARS-CoV-2 were identified. Clinical outcomes were analyzed according to predictor variables, including vaccination status, using a mixed effects logistic regression model. Risk of infection was analyzed in a subgroup of the base population using a Cox proportional hazards model with vaccination status as a time-varying covariate. // Results: SARS-CoV-2 infection was identified in 1323 patients of different ethnicities (Asian/other, 30%; Black, 38%; and White, 32%), including 1047 (79%) unvaccinated, 86 (7%) after first-dose vaccination, and 190 (14%) after second-dose vaccination. The majority of patients had a mild course; however, 515 (39%) were hospitalized, and 172 (13%) died. Older age, diabetes, and immune suppression were associated with greater illness severity. In regression models adjusted for age, comorbidity, and time period, prior two-dose vaccination was associated with a 75% (95% confidence interval, 56 to 86) lower risk of admission and 88% (95% confidence interval, 70 to 95) fewer deaths compared with unvaccinated patients. No loss of protection was seen in patients over 65 years or with increasing time since vaccination, and no difference was seen between vaccine types. // Conclusions: These data demonstrate a substantially lower risk of severe COVID-19 after vaccination in patients on dialysis who become infected with SARS-CoV-2

Job Performance of Healthcare Providers Working in Public Sector Hospitals in Pakistan

Purpose: This study sought to explore the job performance (JP) of health care providers (HCPs) working in public sector hospitals in Pakistan. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in Liaquat University Hospital, Hyderabad, and Jamshoro, Sir Cowasjee Institute of Psychiatry, Hyderabad, and Shah Bhittai Hospital, Hyderabad. A three-sectioned questionnaire containing the socio-demographic characteristics information regarding the job and an individual work performance questionnaire to measure job performance was used. The relationship between different job-related study variables and job performance was sought by applying a one-way ANOVA test at a p-value of 0.05. Results: Results on the job performance scale revealed that 60.6% of doctors had satisfactory performance, and only 39.4% had an unsatisfactory job performance. Job performance differs significantly by age (F2, 357=3.259, p2, 357=3.583, p1, 358=5.217, p1, 358 =1.819, p\u3e0.05), income (F2, 357=1.642, p\u3e0.05), beds under supervision (F4, 313=1.400, p\u3e0.05), current organizational tenure (F3, 356=1.576, p\u3e0.05), healthcare experience (F3, 356=1.363, p2, 357=0.381, p\u3e0.05), weekly off days (F1, 358=0.421, p\u3e0.05) and dual practice (F1, 358=1.700, p\u3e0.05) have no significant effect on levels of job performance of the employee. Conclusion: Job performance was satisfactory and significantly associated with variables such as age, difficulties faced by respondents at work, and the number of patients treated per day.

Synthesis of highly pure single crystalline SnSe nanostructures by thermal evaporation and condensation route

Here we report the synthesis of highly pure single crystalline tin selenide (SnSe) nanospheres by pretreatment of precursors with aqueous ammonia. In this work we have demonstrated that aqueous ammonia not only controls the preferred growth orientation but also controls the morphology of SnSe. Chemical vapor deposition technique was used for the growth of SnSe nanostructures. The optical properties were studied using UV-vis-NIR spectroscopy and Photoluminescence (PL) spectrum

Immunoinformatic and reverse vaccinology-based designing of potent multi-epitope vaccine against Marburgvirus targeting the glycoprotein

Marburg virus (MARV) has been a major concern since its first outbreak in 1967. Although the deadly BSL-4 pathogen has been reported in few individuals with sporadic outbreaks following 1967, its rarity commensurate the degree of disease severity. The virus has been known to cause extreme hemorrhagic fever presenting flu-like symptoms (as implicated in COVID-19) with a 90% case fatality rate (CFR). After a number of plausible evidences, it has been observed that the virus usually originates from African fruit bat, Rousettus aegyptiacus, who themselves do not indicate any signs of illness. Thus, efforts have been made in the recent years for a universal treatment of the infection, but till date, no such vaccine or therapeutics could circumvent the viral pathogenicity. In an attempt to formulate a vaccine design computationally, we have explored the entire proteome of the virus and found a strong correlation of its glycoprotein (GP) in receptor binding and subsequent role in infection progression. The present study, explores the MARV glycoprotein GP1 and GP2 domains for quality epitopes to elicit an extended immune response design potential vaccine construct using appropriate linkers and adjuvants. Finally, the chimeric vaccine wass evaluated for its binding affinity towards the receptors via molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation studies. The rare, yet deadly zoonotic infection with mild outbreaks in recent years has flustered an alarming future with various challenges in terms of viral diseases. Thus, our study has aimed to provide novel insights to design potential vaccines by using the predictive framework

Outcome and effect of vaccination in SARS-CoV-2 Omicron infection in hemodialysis patients: a cohort study

Background: Hemodialysis patients are at high risk of Covid-19, though vaccination has significant efficacy in preventing and reducing the severity of infection. Little information is available on disease severity and vaccine efficacy since the dissemination of the Omicron variant. Methods: In a multi-center study, during a period of the epidemic driven by the Omicron variant, all hemodialysis patients positive for SARS-CoV-2 were identified. Outcomes were analyzed according to predictor variables including vaccination status. Risk of infection was analyzed using a Cox proportional hazards model. Results: SARS-CoV-2 infection was identified in 1126 patients including 200 (18%) unvaccinated, 56 (5%) post first dose, 433 (38%) post second dose, and 437 (39%) at least 7 days beyond their third dose. The majority of patients had a mild course but 160 (14%) were hospitalized and 28 (2%) died. In regression models adjusted for age and comorbidity, two-dose vaccination was associated with a 39% (95%CI: 2%–62%) reduction in admissions, but third doses provided additional protection, with a 51% (95%CI: 25%–69%) further reduction in admissions. Among 1265 patients at risk at the start of the observation period, SARS-CoV-2 infection was observed in 211 (17%). Two-dose vaccination was associated with a 41% (95%CI: 3%–64%) reduction in the incidence of infection, with no clear additional effect provided by third doses. Conclusions These data demonstrate lower incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection after vaccination in dialysis patients during an Omicron dominant period of the epidemic. Among those developing infection, severe illness was less common with prior vaccination, particularly after third vaccine doses