Do Social Exchange Relationships Influence Total-Quality-Management Involvement? Evidence from Frontline Employees of International Hotels.

This study delves into the assessment of the quality of social exchange relationships in the workplace, specifically focusing on leader-member exchange (LMX) and team-member exchange (TMX), to forecast employee Total Quality Management (TQM) involvement within the hospitality industry. Employing Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), the study evaluates multiple hypotheses, utilizing data collected from 811 frontline employees in international tourist hotels located in Taiwan. The findings demonstrate that both LMX and TMX exhibit direct positive influences on employee TQM involvement. Moreover, through mediated path analyses, it is evident that both LMX and TMX exert indirect positive impacts on employee TQM involvement, by means of self-efficacy and job satisfaction. These results elucidate a clear causal chain mechanism underlying the behavior of employee TQM involvement within such social relationships. The study's revelations carry significant implications for the hospitality industry, shedding light on the nuanced dynamics of these social relationships and their impact on employee behavior concerning TQM involvement. The discussions encompassing the implications of these findings in the realm of hospitality are thoroughly explored and detailed.

The Benefits of Molnupiravir Treatment in Healthcare Facilities Patients with COVID-19.

Background: Molnupiravir (MOL) is an oral antiviral medication that has recently been treated for COVID-19. Objectively: We perform a prospective and observational study to elucidate the efficacy and safety of MOL in healthcare patients with COVID-19. Materials and Methods: A observational, non-randomized study of patients diagnosed with COVID-19 in 46 healthcare facilities and treated with MOL started within 5 days after the onset of signs or symptoms. We recorded data for all patients, including demographic data, clinical features, and symptoms. Treatment response was classified into cure, stable, hospitalization and death. Multivariate analysis was performed with stepwise logistic regression for hospitalization and death risk factors. Results: In total, 856 patients were diagnosed as having COVID-19 and treated with MOL during the study period. Of those, 496 patients (57.9%) were cured, 256 patients (29.9%) in stable condition, 104 patients (12.2%) hospitalized, and 22 patients (2.6%) died, respectively. There was significant effectiveness (87.8%) in COVID-19 patients using MOL. Multivariate analysis was performed to confirm the risk factors for hospitalization and death and included elder age (>80 years old) (odds ratio (OR) 2.2, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.1-6.9), old cerebrovascular accident (CVA) (OR=4.1, 95% CI: 1.3-9.9), the presence of diabetes mellitus (DM) (OR=2.6, 95% CI: 1.2-9.1) and chronic respiratory diseases (OR=2.4, 95% (CI): 1.3-8.1). Limitations: This is an observational study, neither randomized study nor control group study. Conclusion: Initial treatment with MOL has the treatment benefits and is well tolerated for patients with COVID-19 in healthcare facilities. Older age, old CVA, DM, and chronic respiratory diseases were independent risk factors for hospitalization and mortality. The results demonstrate there are important clinical benefits of MOL beyond the reduction in hospitalization or death for these patients with more comorbidities in Taiwan.

Exploring the Mechanisms Linking Transformational Leadership, Perceived Organizational Support, Creativity, and Performance in Hospitality: The Mediating Role of Affective Organizational Commitment.

Integrating leadership and creativity theories, this study proposed and examined a model linking transformational leadership, perceived organizational support, affective organizational commitment, creativity, and performance. Structural equation modeling was thus performed using 362 employee-supervisor dyads from the international tourist hotels in Taiwan. The results indicated that both transformational leadership and perceived organizational support were significantly and positively related to employee affective organizational commitment, creativity, and performance, while affective organizational commitment had significantly positive influences on creativity and performance. Support was also found for the significant and positive mediating relationships between affective organizational commitment and the influences of both transformational leadership and perceived organizational support on creativity and performance. The theoretical and practical implications of these findings for hospitality are also discussed.

The impact of COVID-19 on routine vaccinations in Taiwan and an unexpected surge of pneumococcal vaccination.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had substantial impacts, including disruptions in routine vaccinations. In Taiwan, COVID-19 was relatively controllable, and the reduction in routine vaccinations was not profound. The impact of the pandemic on vaccination remained unclear. We collected vaccination uptake data at our hospital and analyzed the weekly trends of different vaccines. We calculated the monthly number of vaccinations and compared consumption before and during the COVID-19 pandemic (year 2019 vs years 2020 and 2021). Except for self-paid pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV13), a mild (14.6%, p < .001) monthly decrease in government-funded routine vaccination and a moderate (28.2%, p = .018) monthly decrease in self-paid vaccination were observed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Interestingly, an unexpected surge of PCV13 vaccination occurred with a 355.8% increase. The shortage of COVID-19 vaccines and the potential benefits of PCV13 against COVID-19 may have contributed to this surge. In conclusion, our study found an obvious disruption of vaccination rates in Taiwan during the COVID-19 epidemic. However, an increase in PCV13 vaccination was also observed, and the important role of the infodemic was emphasized.

Asthma and COVID-19 Associations: Focus on IgE-Related Immune Pathology.

Management of patients with asthma during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is a concern, especially since asthma predisposes patients to respiratory problems. Interestingly, asthma characterized by type 2 inflammation, also known as T-helper type 2-high endotype, displays a cellular and molecular profile that may confer protective effects against COVID-19. The results of experimental and clinical studies have established the actions of immunoglobulin E (IgE) in inducing airway hyperreactivity and weakening an interferon-mediated antiviral response following respiratory viral infection. Robust evidence supports the beneficial effect of the anti-IgE biologic treatment omalizumab on reducing respiratory virus-induced asthma exacerbations and reducing the frequency, duration, and severity of respiratory viral illness in patients with asthma. Indeed, accumulating reports of patients with severe asthma treated with omalizumab during the pandemic have reassuringly shown that continuing omalizumab treatment during COVID-19 is safe, and in fact may help prevent the severe course of COVID-19. Accordingly, guidance issued by the Global Initiative for Asthma recommends that all patients with asthma continue taking their prescribed asthma medications, including biologic therapy, during the COVID-19 pandemic. The impact of biologic treatments on patients with asthma and COVID-19 will be better understood as more evidence emerges.

Why and How Does Empowering Leadership Promote Proactive Work Behavior? An Examination with a Serial Mediation Model among Hotel Employees.

With the increasing competition in contemporary enterprise, sustainable human resource management is a powerful resource for workplace mental health. On the basis of job demands-recourses theory and conservation of resources theory, this study examined the relationship between empowering leadership and employees' proactive work behavior. It also explored how job design inspires employees to be embedded in their work and to exhibit proactive work behavior. In addition, the research probed the mediating roles of job characteristics and job embeddedness in a serial mediation model within an integrated model. Data were collected from 461 employees of three- to five-star hotels through stratified random sampling. Results indicated that (1) empowering leadership has positive influences on job characteristics and proactive work behavior; (2) job characteristics have a positive influence on job embeddedness; (3) job embeddedness has a positive influence on proactive work behavior; (4) job characteristics mediate the effect of empowering leadership on proactive work behavior; (5) job embeddedness mediates the effect of empowering leadership on proactive work behavior; and (6) job characteristics and job embeddedness jointly mediate the effect of empowering leadership on proactive work behavior by bootstrapping analyses. Accordingly, this study suggests that promoting sustainable human resource management is needed for human health and organizational value at work, both of which enable empowering leadership to improve proactive work behavior via job characteristics and job embeddedness. The theoretical and managerial implications of empirical findings are also discussed.

Using virtual reality-based training to improve cognitive function, instrumental activities of daily living and neural efficiency in older adults with mild cognitive impairment.

BACKGROUND: A combination of physical and cognitive training appears to be the effective intervention to improve cognitive function in older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Computing technology such as virtual reality (VR) may have the potential to assist rehabilitation in shaping brain health. However, little is known about the potential of VR-based physical and cognitive training designed as an intervention for cognition and brain activation in elderly patients with MCI. Moreover, whether a VR program designed around functional tasks can improve their instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) requires further investigation. AIM: This study investigated the effects of 12 weeks of VR-based physical and cognitive training on cognitive function, brain activation and IADL and compared the VR intervention with combined physical and cognitive training. DESIGN: A single-blinded randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Communities and day care centers in Taipei, Taiwan. POPULATION: Older adults with mild cognitive impairment. METHODS: Thirty-four community-dwelling older adults with MCI were randomized into either a VR-based physical and cognitive training (VR) group or a combined physical and cognitive training (CPC) group for 36 sessions over 12 weeks. Participants were assessed for their cognitive function (global cognition, executive function and verbal memory) and IADL at pre- and postintervention. Changes in prefrontal cortex activation during the global cognition test were also captured by functional near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) to identify the potential mediating pathway of the intervention. RESULTS: Both groups showed improved executive function and verbal memory (immediate recall). However, only the VR group showed significant improvements in global cognition (P<0.001), verbal memory (delayed recall, P=0.002), and IADL (P<0.001) after the intervention. The group × time interaction effects further demonstrated that IADL were more significantly improved with VR training than with CPC training (P=0.006). The hemodynamic data revealed decreased activation in prefrontal areas after training (P=0.0015), indicative of increased neural efficiency, in the VR-trained subjects. CONCLUSIONS: VR-based physical and cognitive training improves cognitive function, IADL and neural efficiency in older adults with MCI. CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT: VR training could be implemented for older adults with MCI.

Depressive symptoms and nutritional status in the frail older adults.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to determine the relationship between depressive symptoms and nutritional status in the frail older adults. METHODS: This study uses a cross-sectional, descriptive, and correlational design. A questionnaire was used to collect demographic data, and the Taiwan International Physical Activity Questionnaire Form Geriatric Depression Scale-Short Form Charlson Comorbidity Index, and Mini-Nutritional Assessment Short-Form were used to measure depression and nutritional status, respectively. Data were analyzed by independent-t tests, chi-square tests, spearman correlations, and multiple linear regressions. RESULTS: Of the total of 94 frail older adults, 17 (18.09%) had depressive symptoms (GDS > 5). The average MNA-SF score was 11.38 (SD = 2.45), 31 (32.98%) participants had a risk of malnutrition and 12 (12.77%) were malnourished. Participants' reports of dissatisfaction with their lives (72.1%) and feeling terrible about their lives (58.14%) were associated with a risk of malnutrition. Elderly age, multiple comorbidities, and high level of depressive symptoms were at increased risk of malnutrition. CONCLUSION: When clinicians are faced with a high-risk group, such as elderly patients with multiple comorbidities and depressive symptoms, they should perform an immediate assessment of nutritional status. If a risk of malnutrition is found, adequate nutrition and health care should be provided.

Docetaxel-related interstitial pneumonitis.

Docetaxel (Taxotere(®)) is an agent that is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer. In recent years, docetaxel-related interstitial lung disease (ILD) has been reported in several case series studies. The onset of ILD occurred ~10-20 days (median time: 18 days) after docetaxel administration. Here, we reported the case of a patient who had pulmonary toxicity of ILD within 3 days after using a relatively low-dose docetaxel administration. Although some articles have described patients who progressed to respiratory failure and needed intubation, this patient responded well to steroid treatment and discontinued docetaxel administration.

Factors influencing turning and its relationship with falls in individuals with Parkinson's disease.

BACKGROUND: Falls are a major problem for people with Parkinson's disease (PD). Many studies indicate that more than 50% of people with PD have difficulty in turning that may lead to falls during daily activities. The aims of this study were to identify the relationship between turning performance and falls, and to determine the factors that influence turning performance. METHODS: This study examined 45 patients with idiopathic PD (Hoehn and Yahr stage 1-3) using a battery of tests, including 180° turn time, balance, and muscle strength. The levels of disease severity and freezing of gait were also measured. The number of falls in the past 6 months was recorded. RESULTS: Sixteen out of forty-five participants experienced falls in the past 6 months. A receiver operating characteristic curve showed that turn time was highly related to falls [more affected side: sensitivity = 0.81, specificity = 0.79, area under the curve (AUC) = 0.83; less affected side: sensitivity = 0.88, specificity = 0.76, AUC = 0.83]. The most important factor influencing turn time was balance ability (both sides: p = 0.000) according to the regression model. Correlations between turn time and dynamic balance were further established with reaction time, movement velocity, endpoint excursion, and maximal excursion of the LOS (limits of stability) test. CONCLUSION: The time needed to complete a 180° turn during the SQT (step/quick turn) test is a good index to differentiate fallers from non-fallers in persons with PD. Turn time is most influenced by balance. Furthermore, balance control, especially in an anterior or sideways direction, is important for turning performance.

Cudrania cochinchinensis attenuates amyloid ß protein-mediated microglial activation and promotes glia-related clearance of amyloid ß protein.

BACKGROUND: Microglial inflammation may significantly contribute to the pathology of Alzheimer's disease. To examine the potential of Cudrania cochinchinensis to ameliorate amyloid ß protein (Aß)-induced microglia activation, BV-2 microglial cell line, and the ramified microglia in the primary glial mixed cultured were employed. RESULTS: Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), Interferon-γ (IFN-γ), fibrillary Aß (fAß), or oligomeric Aß (oAß) were used to activate microglia. LPS and IFN-γ, but not Aßs, activated BV-2 cells to produce nitric oxide through an increase in inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression without significant effects on cell viability of microglia. fAß, but not oAß, enhanced the IFN-γ-stimulated nitric oxide production and iNOS expression.The ethanol/water extracts of Cudrania cochinchinensis (CC-EW) and the purified isolated components (i.e. CCA to CCF) effectively reduced the nitric oxide production and iNOS expression stimulated by IFN-γ combined with fAß. On the other hand, oAß effectively activated the ramified microglia in mixed glial culture by observing the morphological alteration of the microglia from ramified to amoeboid. CC-EW and CCB effectively prohibit the Aß-mediated morphological change of microglia. Furthermore, CC-EW and CCB effectively decreased Aß deposition and remained Aß in the conditioned medium suggesting the effect of CC-EW and CCB on promoting Aß clearance. Results are expressed as mean ± S.D. and were analyzed by ANOVA with post-hoc multiple comparisons with a Bonferroni test. CONCLUSIONS: The components of Cudrania cochinchinensis including CC-EW and CCB are potential for novel therapeutic intervention for Alzheimer's disease.

rTMS combined with task-oriented training to improve symmetry of interhemispheric corticomotor excitability and gait performance after stroke: a randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: The model of interhemispheric competition after stroke has been established for the upper but not for the lower extremity. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) of the brain has been shown to modulate cortical excitability. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of rTMS followed by task-oriented training on cortical excitability and walking performance in individuals with chronic stroke. METHODS: A total of 24 patients with average Fugl-Meyer lower limb scores of 17.88 ± 5.27 and average walking speeds of 63.81 ± 18.25 cm/s were randomized into an experimental group and a control group. Participants received rTMS (experimental group) or sham rTMS (control group) followed by task-oriented training (30 minutes) for 10 sessions over 2 weeks. Repetitive TMS was applied at a 1-Hz frequency over the leg area of the motor cortex of the unaffected hemisphere for 10 minutes. Outcomes, including motor-evoked potential (MEP), lower-extremity Fugl-Meyer score, and gait performance, were measured before and after training. RESULTS: Decreased interhemispheric asymmetry of the amplitude of the MEP was noted after rTMS and task-oriented training. Improvement in spatial asymmetry of gait was comparable with increased symmetry in interhemispheric excitability. Motor control and walking ability were also significantly improved after rTMS and task-oriented training. CONCLUSIONS: rTMS enhances the effect of task-oriented training in those with chronic stroke, especially by increasing gait spatial symmetry and corticomotor excitability symmetry.

Crystallization of mitochondrial respiratory complex II from chicken heart: a membrane-protein complex diffracting to 2.0 A.

A procedure is presented for preparation of diffraction-quality crystals of a vertebrate mitochondrial respiratory complex II. The crystals have the potential to diffract to at least 2.0 A with optimization of post-crystal-growth treatment and cryoprotection. This should allow determination of the structure of this important and medically relevant membrane-protein complex at near-atomic resolution and provide great detail of the mode of binding of substrates and inhibitors at the two substrate-binding sites.