Moderating effect of coworker support on the relationship between HRM practices, organizational climate, leadership styles and organizational commitment

This study was conducted among the academic staff in public higher education sector in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), Pakistan. The main objective of the study was to determine the effect of human resource management practices, organizational climate, and leadership styles on organizational commitment. A total of 354 academic staff from universities located in the KPK, Pakistan participated in the study. The results revealed statistically significant support for the relationship between training and development and organizational commitment; compensation and organizational commitment; organizational climate and organizational commitment; transformational leadership style and organizational commitment; transactional leadership style and organizational commitment. However, no statistically significant support was found for the relationship between performance appraisal and organizational commitment. Moreover, the results reported moderating effect of coworker support over the relationship between compensation and organizational commitment; organizational climate and organizational commitment; transformational leadership style and organizational commitment; and transactional leadership style and organizational commitment. On the contrary, the results could not find support for the moderating effect of coworker support on the relationship between training and development and organizational commitment; and between performance appraisal and organizational commitment. In general, the empirical relationships between HRM practices, organizational climate, leadership style, coworker support, and organizational commitment suggested that it would be beneficial to the management of public sector universities to enhance organizational commitment. Besides that, theoretical and practical implications are also discussed

Can interleukin-6 promote human colorectal cancer progression through changes in microRNA expression?

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer worldwide with over a million new cases each year. Eighty percent of CRC cases have no genetic predisposition and result from a series of epigenetic and genetic alterations, referred to as ‘sporadic’ CRC. Diets rich in red or processed meats (containing dietary carcinogens) as well as bowel inflammation are a major risk factors for disease, however the underlying mechanisms are not yet well understood. Upregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines and cytochrome P450 (CYP450) enzymes that activate dietary carcinogens as well as microRNA (miRNA) dysregulation have been observed in CRC tissue. Interleukin-6 (IL6) is a multifunctional cytokine thought to play numerous roles in tumour progression including activation of tumour-promoting signalling pathways, epigenetic gene regulation and alteration of DNA repair mechanisms; thus presence of IL6 may be key to promoting CRC tumour progression. I hypothesised that elevated levels of IL6 in the tumour microenvironment (TME) could alter miRNA expression and induce local activation of dietary carcinogens, thereby stimulating epigenetic and genetic changes that promote CRC. The current project investigated this hypothesis using a mechanistic approach with in vitro cell culture techniques. Phenotypic changes in response to IL6 treatment were observed and the underlying causes were determined by performing genetic and epigenetic studies. The findings from this project identified three potential mechanisms of IL6-mediated CRC promotion, which involve miRNAs, STAT3 signalling and DNA methylation. First, IL6 promoted dietary carcinogen-mediated DNA damage by inducing CYP450 expression. Second, IL6 stimulated CRC cell proliferation, migration and invasion through gene and miRNA expression changes. Third, IL6- mediated CRC-immune cell crosstalk in the TME resulting in the maintenance of IL6 secretion. Taken together, these data suggest that IL6 plays multiple roles in promoting CRC. Understanding these molecular events could lead to better prevention and therapeutic strategies.Open Acces

Impact of Training and Development and Supervision Support on Organizational Effectiveness

The current study explores the effect of training and development and supervisor support on organizational effectiveness. The main focus of the study is to clarify that how effectively telecom sector of Pakistan can achieve it intended outcomes, through training and development and supervisor support. A survey structure was used to gather data from 2017 employees working at the Telecom Center. Both descriptive and inferential statistical methods were the basis for the results. A positive relationship between training and development and organisational support is determined by the results of the study, although similar positive relationships have also been identified between supervisory support and organisational support

DALK (MASSAGE) AND ITS IMPLICATION IN THERAPY ACCORDING TO UNANI SYSTEM OF MEDICINE: A REVIEW

According to classical literature of Unani Medicine, management of any disease depends upon the diagnosis of disease. In the diagnosis, clinical features, i.e., signs, symptoms, laboratory investigations and Mizaj (temperament) are important. Any cause or factor is countered by Quwwat Mudabbira lil-Badan (medicatrix naturae: the power of body responsible to maintain health), the failing of which may lead to quantitatively or qualitatively derangement of the normal equilibrium of Akhlat (humors) of body which constitute the tissues and organs. After diagnosing the disease, Usul-e-Ilaj (principle of treatment) of disease is determined on the basis of etiology. The principle of management is decided which may be one or more of the four types of treatment lines such as Ilaj bil-Tadbeer (Regimental therapy), Ilaj bil-Ghiza (Diet therapy), Ilaj bil-Dawa (Pharmacotherapy), Ilaj bil-Yad or Jarahat (Surgery). Ilaj bil-Tadbeer is most preferred one. Dalk is one of the most important parts of Ilaj bil-Tadbeer. Details about Dalk have been mentioned in Unani Literature, some of them are described in this paper

Interaction Between Hydrogen Sulphide (H2s) And Nitric Oxide (No) In Left Ventricular Hypertrophy And Their Effect On Responsiveness Of Alpha I-adrenergic Receptors Subtypes In The Rat Kidney

The present study investigated the effect of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) on the responsiveness of (II-adrenergic receptor subtypes to adrenergic stimuli in the rat. The role of hydrogen sulphide (H2S) and nitric oxide (NO) systems and their interaction in the progression of LVH was studied by examining the effect of altered expression of cystathione y lyase (CSE mRNA) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS mRN A) in the heart during LVH. Cardiovascular parameters such as cardiac geometry, oxidative stress, arterial stiffness and vascular responsiveness to vasoactive stimuli were studied. In addition, this study examined renal excretory functions, haemodynamics and histopathological changes after exogenous administration of NaHS, an H2S donor, L-arginine, an NO donor and a combination of NaHS and L-arginine. Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats were divided into two major groups of Control and LVH. These groups were then subdivided into 8 groups based on treatment. NaHS (56JlM/kg I.P. for 5 weeks) or L-arginine (1.25g1L for 5 weeks in drinking water) treated control or LVH groups. LVH was induced using isoprenaline (Smg/kg, S.c. every 72 hours for 2 weeks) and caffeine (62mglL in drinking water for 2 weeks). The uj-adrenergic receptors subtypes was studied by examining the responsiveness to noradrenaline (NA), phenylephrine (PE) and methoxamine (ME) in the presence of a background intrarenal infusion of selective uj-adrenergic receptors blockers (5-methylurapidil (5-MeU), chloroethy1clonidine (CEC) and BMY 7378). Real-time quantitative peR data (normalized t

Asset pricing dynamics in sustainable equity portfolios: Evidence from the Pakistan Stock Exchange

Financial markets are an important segment of the economy that can play a critical role in facilitating the attainment of sustainable development goals (SDGs). The equity aligned to these objectives is designed on the principles of Shariah, which are consistent with SDGs In this study, we explore the dynamics of asset pricing in equity, listed on the newly born Pakistan Stock Exchange–Karachi Meezan Index (PSX–KMI) All Share Index as ‘Shariah-compliant’, using Fama–French asset pricing models. Although our results fail to validate the capital asset pricing model (CAPM), multifactor models perform reasonably well, with exceptions in each model. The value premium seems silent in the five-factor model, whereas the liquidity factor is more attributable in the augmented threefactor model. Despite exceptions, based on the Gibbons, Ross, and Shanken (GRS) test, we confirm the validity of multifactor models to price sustainable equity portfolios (SEPs)

Psychosocial Intervention Needs and Quality of Life among Person with Schizophrenia Attending Psychiatric Out-Patient Clinic

Background: Schizophrenia and related disorders are commonly associated with impairment in socio-occupational functions. Various unmet needs are common in persons with schizophrenia. There is a need to address these unmet needs of the patients through a range of psychosocial interventions besides the medicine for better outcomes. Objective: To identify the psychosocial intervention needs of individuals with schizophrenia and its correlation with the quality of life. Materials & Method: This was a cross-sectional study that assessed the unmet needs and quality of life of 26 persons with schizophrenia (F20.0-20.9 as per the ICD-10) coming to Out Patient Department (OPD) of the Department of Psychiatry, Government Medical College & Hospital, Chandigarh consecutively. Results: The various areas of high-unmet needs identified by patients were - self-care, daytime activities and company of other people followed by information on condition and treatment. There was a significantly lower mean was reported in the environment domain and psychological domain. Conclusion: There are various unmet psychosocial intervention needs of persons with schizophrenia attending the psychiatric outpatient clinic were reported which comprehensive psychosocial intervention service. Keywords: Schizophrenia, quality of life, psychosocial need