Search

Doaa Abdallah El-Naggar,1 Laila Mohammed Ahmad El-Zalabany,1 Doaa Abdelhalim Shahin,2 Afaf Mahmoud Attia,1 Shaaban Abdelfattah El-Mosallamy1 1Department of Forensic Medicine and Clinical Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Dakahliya, Egypt; 2Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Dakahliya, EgyptCorrespondence: Doaa Abdallah El-Naggar, Department of Forensic Medicine and Clinical Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Tel +20 1063433525, Dakahliya, Egypt, Email dr_doaaelnaggar@yahoo.comBackground: Chloroxylenol (para-chloro-meta-xylenol, PCMX) is claimed to be highly harmful both to humans and the environment. Toxic effects of PCMX on testicular functions are scarcely discussed in the literature.Aim of Study: To study testicular toxic effects of PCMX on male Sprague-Dawley rats.Materials and Methods: Forty animals were randomly distributed into three groups: negative control (G I), vehicle group (G II) and PCMX group (G III). PCMX group was subdivided into three subgroups: GIIIa: received PCMX 100 mg/kg, GIIIb: received PCMX 200 mg/kg and G IIIc: received PCMX 500 mg/kg. Hormonal assay included assessment of serum testosterone and estradiol levels. Histopathological examination of testicular tissue, analysis of cellular viability, necrosis and apoptosis in testicular tissue by flow cytometry, analysis of cellular DNA content and phases of cell cycle analysis by flow cytometry were also performed.Results: Rats in the groups exposed to PCMX (G IIIa, G IIIb and G IIIc) had significantly lower estradiol and testosterone levels in comparison to control groups (G I and GII). Histopathological examination of testicular tissue of PCMX-exposed rats showed irregular crossly sectioned seminiferous tubules with their lumina containing scanty spermatids and spermatozoa. G IIIc animals showed eosinophilic proteinaceous material and vacuolated and necrotic interstitial cells of Leydig. Rats in PCMX-exposed groups (G IIIa, G IIIb and G IIIc) showed significantly lower testicular tissue viability in comparison to control groups (G I and G II). Rats in PCMX-exposed groups (G IIIa, G IIIb and G IIIc) showed significantly lower percentage of cells in the G0/G1 phase in comparison to control groups (G I and G II).Conclusion: Rats exposed to PCMX had significant reduction in testosterone and estradiol levels with marked histopathological alterations affecting testicular tissues. These effects are dose-dependent.Keywords: chloroxylenol toxicity, testicular toxicity, cell cycle, semen analysis

Asmaa M Zahran,1 Amal Rayan,2 Hussein Fakhry,3 Alia M Attia,4 Ahmed M Ashmawy,5 Ahmed Soliman,6 Azza Elkady,7 Helal F Hetta8,9 1Department of Clinical Pathology, South Egypt Cancer Institute, Assiut, Egypt; 2Department of Clinical Oncology, Assiut University Hospital, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt; 3Department of Surgical Oncology, South Egypt Cancer Institute, Assiut, Egypt; 4Department of Radiation Oncology, South Egypt Cancer Institute, Assiut, Egypt; 5Department of Internal Medicine, Assiut University Hospital, Assiut, Egypt; 6Department of General Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt; 7Sohag University Medical Administration, Sohag, Egypt; 8Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt; 9Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA Background and aim: Colorectal cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors worldwide. As CD133 and CD44 are notable markers of cancer stem cells (CSCs) identity, it is thought to be a predictive indicator for colorectal cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the cell cycle state of CD133+ CD44+ and CD133− CD44−cells, isolated from primary human colorectal tumors, and to assess the clinical impact of CD133+ CD44+ CSCs on patients’ outcome regarding disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS).Materials and methods: Tissue samples were collected from 50 primary colorectal cancer patients. Flow cytometric analysis was performed to isolate tissue CD133+ CD44+ CSCs and CD133− CD44− tumor cells from primary colorectal cancer tissue to compare the cell cycle of both types of cells. Also circulating CSCs were assessed by flow cytometry.Results: Higher percentage of tissue CD133+ CD44+ CSCs isolated from colorectal cancer patients was found in G0/G1 phase. However, tissue CD133− CD44− tumor cells were predominantly found in the S phase; there were significant negative correlations between tissue CD133+ CD44+ CSCs and DFS and OS (r=−0.470, P

Abdelhamid M Attia,1 Magdy M Ibrahim,1 Ahmed M Abou-Setta21Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt; 2George and Fay Yee Centre for Healthcare Innovation, University of Manitoba/Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, Winnipeg, MB, CanadaAbstract: Norgestrel, a synthetic progestin chemically derived from 19-nortestosterone, is six times more potent than progesterone, with variable binding affinity to various steroid receptors. The levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG IUS) provides a long-acting, highly effective, and reversible form of contraception, with a pearl index of 0.18 per 100 women-years. The locally released hormone leads to endometrial concentrations that are 200–800 times those found after daily oral use and a plasma level that is lower than that with other forms of levonorgestrel-containing contraception. The contraceptive effect of the LNG IUS is achieved mainly through its local suppressive effect on the endometrium, leading to endometrial thinning, glandular atrophy, and stromal decidualization without affecting ovulation. The LNG IUS is generally well tolerated. The main side effects are related to its androgenic activity, which is usually mild and transient, resolving after the first few months. Menstrual abnormalities are also common but well tolerated, and even become desirable (eg, amenorrhea, hypomenorrhea, and oligomenorrhea) with proper counseling of the patient during the choice of the method of contraception. The satisfaction rates after 3 years of insertion are high, reaching between 77% and 94%. The local effect of the LNG IUS on the endometrium and low rates of systemic adverse effects have led to its use in other conditions rather than contraception, as for the treatment of endometrial hyperplasia, benign menorrhagia, endometriosis, adenomyosis, and uterine fibroids.Keywords: levonorgestrel, intrauterine device, contraception, family planning, Mirena, Skyla

Purpose – This research aimed to study the impact of compensation on employee retention and turnover intentions among healthcare employees. The study also tested the mediation role of job satisfaction in the relationship. Design/methodology/approach – In the present study, self-administrated questionnaires were distributed among 600 doctors working in public hospitals of Pakistan, following stratified sampling. The data analysis was conducted through SPSS and smart-PLS. Findings – Results of the present study supported all the hypotheses (H1–H7), such as the significant relationship of compensation with employee retention and turnover intentions. Results further confirmed the mediation effect of job satisfaction between compensation and employee retention as well as compensation and turnover intentions. Practical implications – This study is useful for policymakers and organizational managers since the study provides guidelines on employee retention and high turnover intentions and how these factors are influenced by improved compensation. Originality/value – This study sheds light on the relationship of compensation together with employee retention and turnover intentions through the mediating role of job satisfaction in healthcare context, which was overlooked in the existing literature.

Purpose: This study investigates the relationship of human resource management practices with employee engagement, in hospitality industry. This study also explores the mediation role of psychological involvement in the relationship. Methodology: The data utilized in this study was obtained from a sample of 380 employees working in the hospitality industry of Pakistan, via purposive sampling techniques. While the data of present study was analysed through structural equation modeling using smart-PLS 4. Findings: Results of the present study confirms that there exists a significantly positive relationship between human resource management practices and employee engagement. Results also confirmed that psychological involvement significantly mediates the relationship of human resource management practices and employee engagement. Implications: With this present study emphasizes the significance of implementing efficient human resource management strategies to promote employee engagement, while also suggesting that psychological participation plays a substantial role in this process. Through an in-depth understanding of the fundamental mechanisms through which human resource management practices exert influence on employee engagement, hospitality companies can formulate strategies aimed at augmenting employee well-being and performance. Additionally, the study clearly addresses shortcomings and provides recommendations as well.

Purpose – This study aims to examine the impact of workplace safety (WPS) on employee retention (ER) in the health-care sector in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJ&K), Pakistan. At the same time, a mediation relationship through job satisfaction (JS) and employee loyalty (EL) was also tested. Design/methodology/approach – Structured questionnaires were used to collect the data from 300 doctors, using purposive sampling technique analysed using partial least squares (Smart-PLS 3). Findings – This study’s findings supported all hypotheses, such as WPS has a significant positive relationship with ER. In addition, a mediation relationship between JS and EL was also confirmed. Furthermore, a serial mediation effect of JS and EL between WPS and ER was also confirmed in this study. Research limitations/implications – This study might not fit organisations from other regions due to regional norms. In the future, this study’s model may be tested on other regions and segments of the health-care sector, such as nurses, management staff and support staff. Practical implications – The present study is unique because it is based on a newly formulated framework, WPS → JS → EL → ER, under the social exchange theory, which has not been tested before. Social implications – In a safe environment, doctors will feel relaxed, stay longer and provide better services; resultantly, patients will get better treatment. Originality/value – This study tested the sequential mediation effect through JS and EL for the first time in ER, which was missing previously, to the best of the authors’ knowledge. This will add more insights to the safety-retention literature in health-care settings. Furthermore, this study is also the first attempt to explore the relationship between WPS and ER in the health-care sector in AJ&K.

The aim of this study is to provide a holistic review of the fight against COVID-19 in developing countries, particularly Malaysia. Specifically, the study aims to determine how facilities management delivery in public hospitals can be improved to ensure readiness in handling COVID-19 cases. We conducted a review of the literature and reliable media updates on COVID-19 and services management. A critical synthesis of COVID-19 information was conducted to scrutinise the technical aspects and highlight how facilities management can be improved to ensure hospital readiness in managing COVID-19 cases. The data and information used in the present study were collected up to the time of writing this paper, which leaves a room for further studies. Nonetheless, this study’s recommendations are useful for understanding the present and future pandemics. This study is a first attempt to summarise the data on facilities management in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic in the Malaysian context. The study’s findings are suitable for the developing countries in managing healthcare management practices in the fight against COVID-19. This study aims to highlight current issues in order to provide a more objective assessment of facilities management to ensure hospital readiness in handling COVID-19 cases.

The present study investigates the impact of human capital capacity, human capital knowledge, and human capital skills on organisational performance in the hospitality industry. This study also investigates the moderating role of innovative leadership in the relationship of human capital capacity, human capital knowledge, and human capital skills with organisational performance. Data was collected through survey questionnaires from 356 managers working in small and middle-level hotels located in the four districts of Saudi Arabia. The present study used convenience sampling, and the data analysis method was partial least square structural equation modelling. Results of this study demonstrate that human capital capacity, human capital knowledge and human capital skills have a significant positive relationship with organizational performance. Results also confirmed a moderation effect of innovative leadership between human capital knowledge and organizational performance. However, the moderation effect of innovative leadership between human capital capacity and human capital skills with organizational performance was not confirmed. Finally, the theoretical contribution, practical implications and future commendations are also discussed.