Investigating the effect of work stress, general health quality, organizational intelligence and job satisfaction on employee performance

During the past few years, there have been tremendous efforts on measuring the effects of different factors such as work stress, general heath quality, etc. on performance of employees. In this paper, we present an empirical investigation to study the effects of work stress, general health, organizational intelligence and job satisfaction on employee performance. The proposed study of this paper uses two questionnaires where one is associated with general heath quality (GHQ) with 20 questions and the other one consists of 12 questions, which is associated with work stress. The study chooses a sample of 144 employees from 222 people who worked for one of Islamic Azad University in Iran. Cronbach alphas for work stress, general health, organizational intelligence, job satisfaction and organizational performance are 0.911, 0.895, 0.795, 0.863 and, 0.864, respectively. The results indicate that job satisfaction has the highest influence on organizational performance followed by other factors

Zero Flow Global Ischemia-Induced Injuries in Rat Heart Are Attenuated by Natural Honey

Purpose: In the present study, effects of preischemic administration of natural honey on cardiac arrhythmias and myocardial infarction size during zero flow global ischemia were investigated in isolated rat heart. Methods:The isolated hearts were subjected to 30 min zero flow global ischemia followed by 120 min reperfusion then perfused by a modified drug free Krebs-Henseleit solution throughout the experiment (control) or the solution containing 0.25, 0.5, 1 and 2% of natural honey for 15 min before induction of global ischemia (treated groups), respectively. Cardiac arrhythmias were determined based on the Lambeth conventions and the infarct size was measured by computerized planimetry. Results: Myocardial infarction size was 55.8±7.8% in the control group, while preischemic perfusion of honey (0.25, 0.5, 1 and 2%) reduced it to 39.3±11, 30.6±5.5 (P<0.01), 17.9±5.6 (P<0.001) and 8.7±1.1% (P<0.001), respectively. A direct linear correlation between honey concentrations and infarction size reduction was observed (R2=0.9948). In addition, total number of ventricular ectopic beats were significantly decreased by all used concentrations of honey (P<0.05) during reperfusion time. Honey (0.25, 0.5 and 1 %) also lowered incidence of irreversible ventricular fibrillation (P<0.05). Moreover, number and duration of ventricular tachycardia were reduced in all honey treated groups. Conclusion: Preischemic administration of natural honey before zero flow global ischemia can protect isolated rat heart against ischemia/reperfusion injuries as reduction of infarction size and arrhythmias. Maybe, antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities of honey, reduction of necrotized tissue and providing energy sources may involve in these cardioprotective effects of honey

Clinical Symptoms of Minor Head Trauma and Abnormal Computed Tomography Scan

Bakgrunden till studien bygger på nuvarande finansieringssvårigheter svenska tillväxtföretag möter i tidiga skeden, något som påverkar Sverige negativt eftersom dessa företag kan vara en länk till svensk tillväxt och fler arbetstillfällen. Därför studeras i studien det nyligen framvuxna finansieringsalternativet “Crowdfunding” som en eventuell lösning på problemet. Vidare existerar ett akademiskt gap inom förståelsen av vad som motiverar en individ att engagera sig i crowdfunding vilket är intressant att studera givet kontexten.Background: The background of this study is based on current funding difficulties Swedish growth companies face in early stages, something that affects Sweden negatively as these companies is a link to Swedish growth, welfare and more jobs. Therefore, the relatively recently developed funding option "Crowdfunding" is being studied, as a possible solution of the problem. Furthermore, there exists a gap within the academic understanding of what motivates an individual to engage in crowdfunding, which is interesting to study the given the context of this study. The crowdfunding platform Framtidslyftet is used as a case company. Aim: This study aims to clarify motivational factors behind Swedish individuals' willingness to financially assist growth companies through crowdfunding. Method: The study combines both the qualitative and quantitative methods. The qualitative work among other things as a pilot study in which interviews were conducted with the purpose of strengthening the main quantitative survey. The methods are furthermore combined in order to triangulate the phenomenon. Using the theoretical frame of reference motivation is studied based on intrinsic an extrinsic motivational factors. Results: The results show that the respondents of this study's survey are primarily motivated by extrinsic motivational factors such as monetary incentives and that material and nonmaterial incentives depend on the situation. They see crowdfunding of growth companies as an investment where the internal factors are important but of secondary importance, plus they want to be engaged passively in growth companies

Prevalence of Cryptosporidium and risk factors related to cryptosporidiosis in hospitalized children under 5 years of age due to diarrhea (Shahrekord-2005)

& Objective: Cryptosporidium is a cosmopolitan protozoan parasite which is recently known as one of the main causes of diarrhea in children and immunocompromised cases. Majority of studies on this parasite in the last 3 decades focusing on immunocompromised cases has been reported from developed countries and no comprehensive study has evaluated the prevalence and risk factors related to cryptosporidiosis in Iran. This study aimed at investigating the prevalence of Cryptosporidium and risk factors related to ..

Optical Coherence Tomography and Fluid Biomarkers for Assessing the Impact of Comorbidities on Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders

De inflammatoriske demyeliniserende sygdomme (IDDs) i centralnervesystemet (CNS) omfatter bl.a. multipel sklerose (MS), aquaporin-4-antistof-associeret neuromyelitis optica spektrumsygdom (AQP4-NMOSD), myelin oligodendrocyt-glykoprotein (MOG)-antistof-associeret sygdom (MOGAD) samt dobbelt-seronegative neuromyelitis optica spektrumsygdom (DN-NMOSD), hvor patienter hverken har AQP4 eller MOG antistoffer og må diagnosticeres på et rent klinisk grundlag. IDD’er er kendetegnet ved inflammation og destruktion af myelinskeden omkring aksoner i CNS, hvilket fører til udbredt tab af neuronal funktion med varierende grad af aksonal skade, resulterende i funktionsnedsættelse. Patologi kan induceres af CNS-autoreaktive T celler, som det ses i MS, eller af autoantistoffer mod CNS antigener som ved AQP4-IgG og MOG-IgG. Blod-hjerne-barrieren (BBB) bliver svækket ved tilbagefald (attak) ved IDD og medfører klinisk eksacerbation og invaliditet. Påvisning af defekter og utæthed i BBB kan være indikator for sygdomsaktivitet og attak. MS og NMOSD har typisk et attakvist forløb. På nuværende tidspunkt findes der ingen pålidelige biomarkører for attak. Der er et behov for biomarkører, der kan fungere som indikatorer for attak og giver mulighed for tidlig behandling og dermed reducering af invalidering. I et prospektivt populationsbaseret studie af akut opticusneuritis (ON, synsnervebetændelse) har vi præliminært observeret, at cerebrospinalvæske (CSV) niveauer af mikrofibrillar-associeret protein 4 (MFAP4) var signifikant reduceret hos patienter med akut ON sammenlignet med raske kontroller. MFAP4 er et ekstracellulært matrix protein og en bestanddel af BBB, der ikke tidligere er beskrevet i CNS, og dets rolle i sygdomsaktivitet er hidtil udforsket. ON forekommer hyppigt som et debutsymptom eller under forløbet af MS, NMOSD, MOGAD. Optisk kohærenstomografi (OCT) er en ikke-invasiv neuroimaging-teknologi, der leverer højopløselige 3D-billeder af nethindens strukturer. OCT er en lovende billedbaseret biomarkør til vurdering af neuro-aksonal skade ved attak og sygdomsprogression ved IDD. Komorbiditet, særligt hjerte-kar-sygdomme og relaterede risikofaktorer, og autoimmune sygdomme forekommer hos patienter med IDD og kan bidrage til nerveskade og dermed funktionsnedsættelse.Et formål for afhandling var at undersøge, om MFAP4 udtrykkes i n. opticus og CNS og vurdere, om MFAP4-niveauer i CSV og serum er associeret med sygdomsaktivitet og attak. I en anden del af afhandlingen undersøges hyppigheden og mønstrene af komorbiditeter hos patienter med IDD, med særligt fokus på at belyse effekten af hjerte-kar-sygdomme og relaterede risikofaktorer samt autoimmune sygdomme på kliniske og parakliniske resultater.Afhandlingen omfatter fire hovedstudier og en studieprotokol til fremtidig og igangværende prospektiv dataindsamling med fokus på komorbiditeter ved IDD.Det første studie undersøgte den potentielle rolle af MFAP4 som biomarkør for sygdomsaktivitet og attak ved IDD. Vi foretog undersøgelse af CNS vævsprøver fra patienter med MS (akut MS, progressiv MS), NMOSD, MOGAD samt fra raske og fra sygdomskontroller (personer med stroke). I et multicenter, blindet studiedesign blev benyttet parrede CSV og serumprøver fra MS, NMOSD, MOGAD og ON patienter i alt til bestemmelse af MFAP4 i CSV og serum. Vi påviste som en ny observation, at proteinet MFAP4 udtrykkes i CNS bl.a. i hjernehinderne og omkring blodårerne, især i synsnerven. I væv med akut inflammation og vævsskade blev MFAP4-immunreaktivitet reduceret, særligt hos patienter med AQP4-NMOSD eller akut MS. I CSV var MFAP4-niveauet reduceret hos patienter med attak, især ved akut ON og MOGAD sammenlignet med raske kontroller og kroniske tilfælde. Bemærkelsesværdigt blev sværhedsgraden af attak afspejlet i reduktion af MFAP4-niveauer. Samlet kan vores studier tyde på, at MFAP4 fungerer som en markør for sygdomsaktivitet og attak.Et prospektivt multicenter-studie med opfølgning af IDD-patienter med og uden komorbiditet, blev beskrevet som en algoritme. Formålet var at skabe en ensartet diagnostisk og forløbsmæssig metodik for at belyse hyppighed, mønstre og effekt af komorbiditet på kliniske og parakliniske resultater ved IDD.Vi fik adgang til to retrospektive datasæt – det globale CROCTINO-datasæt med data fra 515 patienter, og Oxford-datasættet (bestående af to deldatasæt). Hyppighed og mønstre af komorbiditeter samt deres effekt på kliniske og visuelle udfald hos IDD-patienter blev analyseret. CROCTINO-datasættet viste en højere forekomst af multimorbiditet generelt og af autoimmune sygdomme blandt AQP4-NMOSD-patienter sammenlignet med MOGAD og DN-NMOSD patienter. Hjerte-kar komorbiditet var mest hyppig i alle grupper og var associeret med dårligere kliniske udfald, især ved MOGAD. OCT-analyse viste reduceret tykkelse af det indre nukleære cellelag (INL) i øjne med opticusneurit hos AQP4-NMOSD-patienter med komorbiditet, især hos patienter med hjerte-kar-risikofaktorer.Da gruppen med Hjerte-kar- komorbiditeter har en højere ON-rate, kan det også forårsage ændring i ON-relateret tykkelse. Dette er også angivet i den mere komplekse model, som vi kun finder en signifikant effekt for ON, ikke for komorbiditet. Derfor bør disse resultater ses som undersøgende, og de berettiger yderligere validering i større, prospektivt designede kohorter.Oxford-datasættet blev anvendt til at vurdere effekten af rygning og vaskulære risikofaktorer på kliniske og visuelle udfald hos 798 patienter med AQP4-NMOSD eller MOGAD. Aktuel rygning påvirkede negativt restituering efter det første attak både ved AQP4-NMOSD og MOGAD, herunder visuel restituering ved MOGAD, mens ikke-rygningsrelaterede vaskulære risikofaktorer kun forværrede de kliniske og visuelle udfald ved AQP4-NMOSD. En separat analyse fra Oxford-datasættet viste, at autoimmun komorbiditet ikke signifikant påvirkede hverken restituering, tilbagefald eller mortalitet i de to kohorter.Sammenfattende tyder resultaterne på, at MFAP4 er en potentiel biomarkør for sygdomsaktivitet og attak ved IDD, da reducerede CSV-niveauer af MFAP4 blev observeret i forbindelse med attak. Komorbiditeter, især autoimmune lidelser og hjerte-kar-risikofaktorer, er hyppige ved IDD og påvirker både kliniske og visuelle udfald. Rygning har en negativ effekt på restitutionsforløb hos patienter med MOGAD og AQP4-NMOSD, hvilket understreger behovet for målrettede livsstilsinterventioner. OCT bidrager med værdifuld information om strukturelle forandringer i nethinden relateret til sygdom og komorbiditet, men yderligere forskning er nødvendig for at bekræfte disse fund og udvide anvendeligheden af biomarkører.Inflammatory demyelinating diseases (IDDs) of the central nervous system include multiple sclerosis (MS), aquaporin-4 neuromyelitis antibody-associated optica spectrum disorder (AQP4-NMOSD), myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) antibody-associated disease (MOGAD), and double seronegative neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (DN-NMOSD). DN-NMOSD is a heterogeneous group with NMOSD clinical phenotype, which remains negative for both AQP4 and MOG antibodies. IDDs are characterized by the destruction of the myelin sheath of axons, leading to widespread loss of neuronal function with a variable degree of axonal injury and loss, resulting in disability. Autoreactive T cells play a central role in the pathogenesis of MS, while autoantibodies target CNS antigens in AQP4-NMOSD and MOGAD. Blood brain barrier (BBB) disruption is an early feature of attack in IDDs that correlates with clinical exacerbation as well as later disability and is associated with entry of inflammatory cells into the CNS. Factors indicative of loss of BBB integrity may serve as markers of disease activity. MS and AQP4-NMOSD typically follow a relapsing course. Currently, there are no clinically validated biomarkers that can predict the disease activity and severity and be used to monitor treatment decisions. There is an urgent need for biomarkers that can serve as indicators of acute relapse, enabling timely intervention and improved prognostication. In a pilot study, we presented preliminary data showing that microfibrillar-associated protein 4 (MFAP4) levels decrease in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with acute optic neuritis (ON). MFAP4 functions as an extracellular matrix protein and a ligand for integrins αVβ3/5, which play a crucial role in vascular leakage when activated. However, its potential involvement in blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity and disease activity remains unexplored and unknown. ON is one of the main common symptoms of IDDs with primary inflammation of the optic nerve, accompanied by demyelination, loss of retinal ganglion cells and visual impairment. Optical coherence tomography (OCT), a non-invasive neuroimaging technology providing high-resolution 3D images of retinal structures, has emerged as a promising imaging biomarker for assessing neuro-axonal damage and disease progression in IDDs. In IDDs, comorbidity particularly vascular disorders and their associated risk factors, and autoimmune conditions, occur in IDDs and may contribute to remyelination failure and neuronal injury and adversely affect a broad range of outcomes, including the risk of relapse, and long-term disability.This thesis comprises four main studies and one study protocol for future and ongoing prospective data collection. While the overall focus is on comorbidities in IDDs, one study investigates MFAP4 as a potential biomarker in IDD through both experimental and clinical approaches.In one comprehensive project (paper I) we examined whether MFAP4 is expressed in the CNS and in the optic nerve and measured the levels of MFAP4 in CSF and serum in large group of patients with IDDs. These data were then correlated with clinical disease activity and severity. Additionally, the thesis explores the frequency and patterns of comorbidities in patients with IDDs, with a focus on examining the effects of vascular disorders and related risk factors, and autoimmune conditions on both clinical and visual outcomes.The first study combined clinical and experimental investigations of the potential role of MFAP4 as a biomarker of disease activity. Autopsy samples from patients with acute MS, progressive MS, AQP4-NMOSD, and control individuals were examined. MFAP4 levels were measured in CSF and serum samples from patients with MS, AQP4-NMOSD, MOGAD, and ON. As a novel observation we determined that MFAP4 is expressed in the CNS, localized to meninges and vascular/perivascular spaces, with intense staining in the optic nerve. At sites of active inflammation, MFAP4 reactivity in tissue was reduced in the acute stage in AQP4-NMOSD and in active MS, congruent with the presence of inflammatory infiltrates. Furthermore, MFAP4 levels in CSF were reduced in the acute stage during relapses of IDDs, most pronounced in patients with MOGAD and acute ON relapse. Notably, relapse severity was negatively associated with MFAP4 levels in CSF.The COMMIT protocol (paper II), a prospective multicenter investigation with longitudinal follow-up of IDD patients with and without comorbidities. The aim was to establish a uniform diagnostic and prognostic methodology to elucidate the frequency, patterns, and effect of comorbidity on clinical and paraclinical outcomes in IDDs.At the same time, we utilized data from two retrospective cohorts, the multicentric CROCTINO dataset (paper III), which includes data from 515 patients, and the Oxford dataset, comprising two subset cohorts (paper IV and V) with 798 patients. The frequency and patterns of comorbidities and their impact on clinical and visual outcomes in IDDs were analyzed.The CROCTINO dataset revealed a higher prevalence of multiple comorbidities and autoimmune disorders in AQP4-NMOSD compared to MOGAD and DN-NMOSD. Cardiovascular comorbidities were common across all groups and correlated with worse clinical outcomes, particularly in MOGAD and DN-NMOSD. OCT analyses showed reduced inner nuclear layer (INL) thickness in eyes affected by ON in AQP4-NMOSD with comorbidities, especially in those with cardiovascular comorbidities and related risk factors.These results should be viewed as exploratory, and they warrant further validation in larger, prospectively designed cohorts.The Oxford dataset (paper IV) was used to assess the impact of smoking status and vascular risk factors on clinical and visual outcomes in AQP4-NMOSD (n=206) and MOGAD patients (n=236). Current smoking status adversely impacted onset attack recovery in both AQP4-NMOSD and MOGAD patients, including visual recovery in MOGAD, while non-smoking-related vascular risk factors negatively influenced onset clinical and visual outcomes in AQP4-NMOSD. An analysis of the second subset of the Oxford dataset (paper V), including 175 patients with AQP4-NMOSD and 221 with MOGAD, showed that autoimmune comorbidities did not significantly influence recovery from onset attack, or mortality outcomes in either cohort.In conclusion, MFAP4 is a potential biomarker of disease activity and relapse severity in IDDs. Comorbidities, especially autoimmune disorders and cardiovascular disorders and related risk factors are common in IDDs and influence clinical and visual outcomes. Smoking adversely affects recovery in MOGAD and AQP4-NMOSD, emphasizing the need for targeted lifestyle interventions. OCT provides valuable insights into retinal structural changes associated with disease and comorbidities, though further research is needed to validate these findings

Global, regional, and national burden of spinal cord injury, 1990-2019:a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

BACKGROUND: Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a major cause of health loss due to premature mortality and long-term disability. We aimed to report on the global, regional, and national incidence, prevalence, and years of life lived with disability (YLDs) for SCI from 1990 to 2019, using data from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019.METHODS: Using GBD 2019 data pooled in DisMod-MR 2.1, a Bayesian meta-regression tool, we systematically derived numbers and age-standardised rate changes with 95% uncertainty intervals (95% UIs) for the incidence, prevalence, and YLDs for SCI from 1990 to 2019 for the whole world, 21 GBD regions, and 204 countries and territories. We report trends based on age, sex, year, cause of injury, and level of injury.FINDINGS: Globally, 20·6 million (95% UI 18·9 to 23·6) individuals were living with SCI in 2019. The incidence of SCI was 0·9 million (0·7 to 1·2) cases with an estimated 6·2 million (4·5 to 8·2) YLDs. SCI rates increased substantially from 1990 to 2019 for global prevalence (81·5%, 74·2 to 87·1), incidence (52·7%, 30·3 to 69·8), and YLDs (65·4%, 56·3 to 76·0). However, global age-standardised rates per 100 000 population showed small changes in prevalence (5·8%, 2·6 to 9·5), incidence (-6·1%, -17·2 to 1·5), and YLDs (-1·5%, -5·5 to 3·2). Data for 2019 shows that the incidence of SCI increases sharply until age 15-19 years, where it remains reasonably constant until 85 years of age and older. By contrast, prevalence and YLDs showed similar patterns to each other, with one peak at around age 45-54 years. The incidence, prevalence, and YLDs of SCI have consistently been higher in men than in women globally, with a slight and steady increase for both men and women from 1990 to 2019. Between 1990 and 2019, SCI at neck level was more common than SCI below neck level in terms of incidence (492 thousand [354 to 675] vs 417 thousand [290 to 585]), prevalence (10·8 million [9·5 to 13·9] vs 9·7 million [9·2 to 10·4]), and YLDs (4·2 million [3·0 to 5·8] vs 1·9 million [1·3 to 2·5]). Falls (477 thousand [327 to 683] cases) and road injuries (230 thousand [122 to 389] cases) were the two leading causes of SCI globally in 2019.INTERPRETATION: Although age-standardised rates of incidence, prevalence, and YLDs for SCI changed only slightly, absolute counts increased substantially from 1990 to 2019. Geographical heterogeneity in demographic, spatial, and temporal patterns of SCI, at both the national and regional levels, should be considered by policy makers aiming to reduce the burden of SCI.FUNDING: Bill &amp; Melinda Gates Foundation.</p

Do female and male patients with cervical dystonia respond differently to long-term botulinum neurotoxin therapy?

BackgroundIdiopathic cervical dystonia (CD) affects more female than male patients. This sex-based influence on the clinical manifestation of CD may also affect outcomes after long-term BoNT therapy.MethodsTo analyze the potential differential influence of sex on the efficacy of BoNT therapy, a cross-sectional study was conducted with 135 female and 85 male patients with idiopathic cervical dystonia. Demographic and treatment-related data were extracted from patient charts. The 24-item Cervical Dystonia Questionnaire (CDQ24), patients’ self-assessment of CD severity (PAS), and the TSUI score were used as outcome measures. On the day of recruitment, blood samples were collected to analyze neutralizing antibody (NAB) formation using an ELISA, with confirmation by the mouse hemidiaphragm assay (MHDA) test.ResultsMale patients had significantly (p &lt; 0.02) lower mean age and age at symptom onset and received significantly (p &lt; 0.02) higher BoNT doses per session. Female patients had significantly worse PAS and CDQ24 scores (p &lt; 0.006), though the TSUI score showed no significant difference (p = 0.19). Despite receiving lower BoNT doses, female patients exhibited a significantly (p &lt; 0.006) higher risk of NAB induction.ConclusionThis reanalysis of previously published data reveals that female and male patients in this cohort were treated and responded differently to long-term BoNT therapy, a discrepancy that remained unnoticed by their treating physicians over more than 10 years of treatment

Independent coalition in graphs

An independent coalition in a graph $G=(V,E)$ consists of two disjoint sets of vertices $V_1$ and $V_2$, neither of which is an independent dominating set but whose union $V_1 \cup V_2$ is an independent dominating set. An independent coalition partition in a graph $G$ is a vertex partition $\pi= \lbrace V_1,V_2,\dots ,V_k \rbrace$ such that each set $V_i$ of $\pi$ either is an independent dominating set consisting of a single vertex of degree $n-1$, or is not an independent dominating set but forms an independent coalition with another set $V_j \in \pi$ which is not an independent dominating set. In this paper we study the concept of independent coalition partition (ic-partition). We introduce a family of graphs that have no ic-partition. We also determine the independent coalition number of some custom graphs and investigate graphs $G$ with $IC(G)\in\{1,2,3,4,n\}$ and the trees $T$ with $IC(T)=n-1$, where $n$ denotes the order of the graph.Comment: 17 page