Positive Predictive Relationship Research Articles

Exploring the utility of process scores in elucidating the role of cognitive and affective factors that influence verbal fluency performance in Parkinson’s disease

Objectives Cognitive and affective factors have been implicated in verbal fluency (VF) performance in Parkinson’s disease (PD). This exploratory study aimed to investigate the relationships between cognitive and affective variables on traditional (“core”) and "process” (error and interval) scores of VF and elucidate unique information these scores may provide regarding mechanisms underlying VF. Methods Sixty-two PD patients without dementia completed clinical neuropsychological examinations consisting of attention, processing speed, language, executive functioning, visuospatial, memory, and mood measures. Hierarchical regression and negative binomial regression analyses were used to evaluate relationships between outcome and predictor variables. Results Generativity results revealed that processing speed and working memory explained up to 34% of the variance of total letter fluency responses (p = <.001) and processing speed explained 24% of the variance for total semantic fluency (p = .003). For category switching generativity, only age predicted 20% of the variance (p = .01). Two executive functioning measures were negatively associated with error production over the duration (b = −.055, p = .028; b = −.062, p = .004) and final 45-second interval (b = −.072, p = .003; b = −.044, p = .033) of the category switching task. In the initial 15-second task interval, a positive predictive relationship between error production and indifference apathy (b = .616, p = .044) was demonstrated. Conclusions Findings demonstrate the potential utility of "process” scores in detecting subtle cognitive impairment in Parkinson’s disease patients without dementia and tentatively evidence the role of indifference apathy in task initiation.

What relationships exist between nouns and verbs and the use of prepositions, adverbs, and adjectives in children and adolescents who use speech generating devices?

The relationships between the use of nouns and verbs, and other word classes have been well established in the typical language development literature. However, questions remain as to whether the same relationships are seen in the language use of individuals who use graphic symbol-based augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). The aim of the study was to examine relationships between the use of verbs and nouns, and the use of prepositions, adverbs, and adjectives through a secondary analysis of language transcripts taken from 12 children and adolescents who used aided AAC in conversation with an adult. A series of multiple linear mixed-effect regression analyses showed a positive predictive association between the use of verbs and the use of prepositions and adverbs, as well as a positive predictive relationship between the use of nouns and the use of adjectives. The theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed.

The Impact of Green Human Resource Management Practices on Employees, Clients, and Organizational Performance: A Literature Review

This literature review aims to examine the relationship between Green Human Resource Management (G-HRM) practices and various outcomes, including employee green attitudes, employee green satisfaction, client green satisfaction, employee green behavior, and organizational green performance. We reviewed existing literature on G-HRM practices and their impact on the selected outcomes. The review process involved the identification of articles through a systematic search in Scopus and Web of Science databases from January 2013 to December 2023. The search retrieved 2142 citations; of them, a total of 17 articles were deemed eligible for this review. The reviewed literature provides good evidence supporting a positive predictive relationship between G-HRM practices and employee green attitudes, employee green satisfaction, client green satisfaction, employee green behavior, and organizational green performance. However, there is a notable gap in studies exploring the influence of G-HRM practices on employee and client satisfaction. Overall, G-HRM practices emerge as a crucial tool for fostering environmentally conscious attitudes and behaviors among employees, ultimately contributing to enhanced employee satisfaction and improved organizational ecological performance. Future research should pay attention to the mechanisms underlying these relationships and explore potential moderating factors to enrich our understanding of the interrelated dynamics between G-HRM practices and sustainable outcomes.

The relationship between construction workers’ emotional intelligence and safety performance

PurposeConstruction enterprises are achieving the goal of production safety by increasingly focusing on the critical factor of “human” and the impact of individual characteristics on safety performance. Emotional intelligence is categorized into three models: skill-based, trait-based and emotional learning systems. However, the mechanism of action and the internal relationship between emotional intelligence and safety performance must be further studied. This study intends to examine the internal mechanism of emotional intelligence on safety performance in construction projects, which would contribute to the safety management of construction enterprises.Design/methodology/approachA structural equation model exploring the relationship between emotional intelligence and safety performance is developed, with political skill introduced as an independent dimension, situational awareness presented as a mediator, and management safety commitment introduced as a moderator. Data were collected by a random questionnaire and analyzed by SPSS 24.0 and AMOS 26.0. The structural equation model tested the mediation hypothesis, and the PROCESS macro program tested the moderated mediation hypothesis.FindingsThe results showed that construction workers' emotional intelligence directly correlates with safety performance, and situational awareness plays a mediating role in the relationship between emotional intelligence and the safety performance of construction workers. Management safety commitment weakens the positive predictive relationships between emotional intelligence and situational awareness and between emotional intelligence and safety performance.Originality/valueThis research reveals a possible impact of emotional intelligence on safety performance. Adding political skills to the skill-based model of emotional intelligence received a test pass. Political skill measures the sincere and cooperative skills of construction workers. Using people as a critical element plays a role in the benign mechanism of “Emotional Intelligence – Situational Awareness – Safety Performance.” Improving emotional intelligence skills through training, enhancing situational awareness, understanding, anticipation and coordination and activating management environment factors can improve safety performance. Construction enterprises should evaluate and train workers' emotional intelligence to improve workers' situational awareness and safety performance.

Associates of Distress Tolerance among Adolescents: Role of Anger, Worry and Sadness

This study examined the relationship between intolerant behavior; anger, worry, and sadness among adolescents. Participants were to be taken from the different schools of district Faisalabad of the Punjab Province 400 selected adolescents through purposive sampling. The participants' age range was 10 to 18 years old. The following criteria were to be applied to evaluate the results of the investigation. Using a demographic form, personal data about teenagers' worry management was gathered (J. L. Zeman, Cassano, Suveg, &amp; Shipman, 2010) was used to investigate emotional management. The distress tolerance scale (Simons &amp; Gaher, 2005) assesses emotional management. To investigate the findings, descriptive statistics, regression analysis, and t-test analysis were used to analyze the data. Findings showed that there is a significant positive predictive relationship between intolerant behavior and sadness among adolescents [R2=105; F (1,398) =46.6 73, p&lt;.001], Results also showed Intolerant conduct positively predicted worry in adolescents. [R2=066; F (1,398) =28.182, p&lt;.001]. Anger and intolerant conduct are positively correlated in adolescence.. [R2=109; F (1,398) =48.699, p&lt;.001]. The findings of the present study concluded that intolerant behavior is positively associated with sadness, worry, and anger.

Training and development impact on job satisfaction, loyalty and retention among academics

Orientation: Extreme competition among institutions of higher learning was one of the difficulties that universities of technology (UoTs) had to overcome in order to enter the higher education system. This study examined the influence of training and development on job satisfaction, loyalty and retention among academic staff at a selected university of technology.Research purpose: The study investigated how training and development impact job satisfaction, loyalty and retention among academics.Motivation for the study: The competitive nature of the academic sector inspired universities to strive to attract and retain talented faculty members. Training and development programmes are considered potential tools to enhance job satisfaction, loyalty and retention, but empirical evidence is needed to support this relationship.Research approach/design and method: This study used a quantitative research methodology with a non-probability convenience sample (n = 270) of academics within the selected university utilising self-administered structured questionnaires to collect data.Main findings: The regression analysis revealed positive significant predictive relationships between training and development programmes and job satisfaction, loyalty and retention among academic staff.Practical/managerial implications: Findings imply that universities should prioritise the development of tailored training initiatives that address the specific needs and aspirations of their academic staff. Training interventions can foster a positive work environment and enhance staff members’ commitment and long-term engagement, ultimately improving the overall quality and reputation of the institution.Contribution/value-add: The study provided evidence-based insights to inform policies related to training and development programmes for both academics and institutions of higher education administrators.

“They don't want you to know the truth”: Evaluating predictors of beliefs in conspiracy theories

AbstractThis work aims to evaluate the predictive effect of Social Dominance Orientation, Need for Closure, Attitudes toward Math, Paranormal Beliefs, Religiosity, and Education over General Conspiracy Beliefs (GCB) and Conspiracy Mentality (CM). Two studies were conducted with Brazilian samples. In Study 1, a higher Educational Level and being a female were negatively associated with GCB. In Study 2, Paranormal Beliefs had a positive predictive relationship with CM, while greater Religiosity was associated with lower CM. Future studies should explore the effects of mediators in the relationships found in this study and provide a better conceptualization and operationalization of conspiracy beliefs.

The cognitive reflection test and students’ achievements in mathematics and physics

The cognitive reflection test (CRT) assesses an individual’s capacity to restrain impulsive and intuitive responses and to engage in critical reflection on mathematical problems. The literature indicates that several factors influence students’ performance on CRT, including gender, age, and prior knowledge of mathematics. In this study, our objective was to investigate the correlation between CRT scores and students’ achievements in both mathematics and physics. We conducted our research with a sample of 150 Italian high school students, and the findings revealed a positive predictive relationship between CRT scores and students’ performance in both mathematics and physics. Furthermore, we employed an ordinal logistic regression to evaluate the impact of CRT scores, gender, and school level on students’ achievements in mathematics and physics. The results showed that both CRT scores and school level had statistically significant effects on predicting these achievements. In contrast, gender emerged as a statistically significant factor only in predicting students’ mathematics achievements.

The Effect of Appearance Anxiety on Social Anxiety among College Students: Sequential Mediating Effects of Self-Efficacy and Self-Esteem.

Social anxiety is a serious psychological problem prevalent among Chinese college students, and appearance anxiety plays an important role in its development. Although some studies have explored the relationship between the two, the mediating mechanism is unclear. This study constructed a sequential mediation model based on the cognitive-behavioral theory of body image disorder and social phobia to explore the mediating role of self-efficacy and self-esteem. A total of 234 college students were recruited using the convenience sampling method, including 68 males (29.10%) and 166 females (70.90%), with an average age of 21.25 years (SD = 1.75). Data were collected using the Social Appearance Anxiety Scale, the General Self-Efficacy Scale, the Self-Esteem Scale, and the Interaction Anxiety Scale. The study's results demonstrated a significant and positive predictive relationship between appearance anxiety and social anxiety (effect = 0.21, SE = 0.04, 95% CI = [0.13, 0.29], p < 0.001). Appearance anxiety not only directly affects social anxiety but also has three indirect paths affecting social anxiety: the independent mediating effect of self-efficacy (effect = 0.03, SE = 0.01, 95% CI = [0.00, 0.06], p < 0.001), the independent mediating effect of self-esteem (effect = 0.03, SE = 0.02, 95% CI = [0.01, 0.07], p < 0.001), and the serial mediation effect of self-efficacy and self-esteem (effect = 0.01, SE = 0.01, 95% CI = [0.00, 0.03], p < 0.001). Direct and indirect effects accounted for 73.81% and 26.19% of the total effect, respectively. These findings provide new perspectives on the intervention with and treatment of social anxiety in college students.

Acromioclavicular Joint Space Size in a Nigerian Patient cohort

Objective: To establish normative data on the width of the acromioclavicular (AC) joint space using sonography, based on a selected Nigerian cohort without any shoulder injury or pathology. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on the normal AC joints of randomly selected Nigerians. A sonographer performed the examination and obtained all the width measurements of AC joint space, using a GE LOGIQP6 ultrasound system and a multiple-frequency linear transducer. Results: The width of the AC joint space was equal on both sides, measuring 5.6 ± 1.2 mm for the right and 5.6 ± 1.2 mm for the left ( P = .701). The mean width of both joint spaces differed between men and women, with the men having a wider space ( P &lt; .05). Age had a strong negative predictive relationship, with the AC joint space width and both joint spaces decreasing with age ( P &lt; .001). Weight and body mass index had weak negative predictive relationships with both joint space widths ( P &lt; .001). Participant height had a very weak positive predictive relationship with both joint space widths ( P &lt; .05). Conclusion: Normative data on the width of the AC joint space, in a randomly selected Nigerian cohort, are provided and may be clinically useful in the ongoing sonographic assessment of the AC joint.

An Exploration of the Association Between Sensory Processing and Interoceptive Awareness in Neurotypical School-Aged Children

ABSTRACT The relationship between children’s interoceptive awareness and sensory processing has to date received little attention in the empirical literature. This study investigated the association between sensory processing and interoceptive awareness factors in neurotypical school-aged children aged 8–12 years. A sample of 33 typically developing child/parent participant pairs residing in Australia were recruited. Sensory processing data was collected using the parent-reported Sensory Processing Measure-2, while interoceptive awareness data was gathered using the child-reported Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness-Youth, Interoceptive Awareness Questionnaire, and Three-domain Interoceptive Sensations Questionnaire. Spearman rho correlations and regression analysis with bootstrapping were used to investigate the relationship between sensory processing and interoceptive awareness factors. Five significant associations were found between interoceptive awareness and sensory processing factors: (1) Attention Regulation with Vision and Touch; (2) Self-Regulation with Vision, Taste & Smell, and Social Participation; (3) Body Listening with Touch, Taste & Smell, and Social Participation; (4) Awareness of Neutral Bodily Sensations with Vision; and (5) Interoceptive Sensibility with Taste & Smell. Significant positive predictive relationships were found between sensory processing and interoceptive awareness variables. Findings suggest an association between aspects of children’s sensory processing and their interoceptive awareness exists, providing occupational therapists with preliminary insights on this topic.

The Influence of Bullying on Positive Emotions and Their Effect as Mediators between Controllable Attributions of Success and Academic Performance.

Academic performance (AP) is a topic of particular interest in the academic context. Attributions for academic success (AAS) have been shown to have a significant impact on AP, and more specifically internal controllable attributions (ICA) are closely linked to academic success. Similarly, positive emotions (PE) have a significant influence on AP and may in turn be influenced by bullying. This study examines the connections between ICA of academic success and AP mediated through PE in late primary and early secondary school students and analyzes the relationships between PE and bullying categories. Students (N = 562, 49.46% female, Mage = 11.6 SD = 1.2) reported on their perceptions of ICA and PE in relation to exams and their relationship with bullying through validated questionnaires. The AP was obtained as the average mark of all subjects in the immediately preceding assessment. First, a multiple linear regression analysis considering ICA and PE as predictor variables was carried out, which showed a significantly positive link between ICA and PE, between ICA and AP, and between PE and AP. Subsequently, using the SPSS macro PROCESS, a simple mediation model was implemented to quantify the effect of ICA on AP through PE in exams, and finally an ANOVA between the categories of bullying and PE was performed. The results showed a significant indirect relationship with a positive predictive relationship for AP. The model shows that PE proves to be a significant mediator between ICA and AP, and it is shown that students disengaged from bullying score higher in PE.

Online security in e-government as an antecedent of cost-effectiveness and quality in business operations

PurposeThe Colombian Government launched an e-government initiative in 2008 to facilitate communication among the government, citizens and organizations. Considering the high level of mistrust of citizens and businesses toward governmental institutions, the government must ensure the security of the information handled and provided by online users. Results to date have not been adequate in the usage of e-government systems. The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether the level of online security affects usage and impacts the cost-effectiveness and quality of the operations and, consequently, the operational effectiveness of organizations using e-government systems.Design/methodology/approachStructural equation modeling was used to analyze the antecedents and outcomes of operational effectiveness. To this end, 440 usable questionnaires were collected from managers and personnel from Colombian organizations using e-government systems.FindingsAccording to the findings, there is a positive predictive relationship between online security and the dimensions of electronic government effectiveness. Furthermore, neither online security nor any of the dimensions of electronic government effectiveness affect the operational costs of organizations. Nonetheless, the quality of information has a positive effect on the quality of operations. As a result, through the quality of the information, online security has an indirect impact on the quality of operations.Research limitations/implicationsThe authors used a convenience sample, carefully selecting respondents based on their operations and practice knowledge and implementation of online security processes. Besides, compared to previous research conducted in developed nations, the sample size is relatively small. Because the survey is based on responses from official companies, it must also be taken into account that over 50% of Colombian labor is informal. Furthermore, Colombia is a nation with a high level of mistrust. When considering these factors, generalizability to all industrial sectors is questionable. Nevertheless, the findings of this study offer relevant information that indicates the need for more extended and comprehensive quantitative research.Practical implicationsImprovements in organizations that use e-government systems, based on the benefits that high-quality information brings to operational performance – cost and quality – will help them survive and become more sustainable and competitive. Furthermore, this study supports the assertion that aspects like online security are critical in promoting information and communication technology uptake and user acceptance in transition and rising economies like Colombia.Originality/valueThere is still a scarcity of information on assessing the effectiveness of electronic government systems and their impact on the quality and cost of operations in organizations that use them. Additionally, Colombia, as a country with low levels of trust between citizens, organizations and government, still lacks information about the impact of online security on the effectiveness of its operations.

PSYCHOLOGICAL WELLBEING AND JOB SATISFACTION IN MIDDLE-AGED ADULTS

This study was an attempt to investigate the predictive relationship between psychological wellbeing, its 6 dimensions and job satisfaction in a purposive sample of 250 (125 male, 125 female) adults of ages between 35-45 years. The sample belonged to a number of professions (like doctors, teachers, bankers etc.). Psychological wellbeing scale (Ryff et al., 1995) and generic job satisfaction scale (Mcdonald et al., 1997) were administered on the sample. Pearson product moment correlation scores indicate that correlation between job satisfaction and psychological wellbeing was not significant. Also the correlations between various dimensions of psychological wellbeing and job satisfaction were not significant, except for environmental mastery that has a significant positive predictive relationship with psychological wellbeing. Keywords: Job satisfaction; Psychological wellbeing; Environmental Mastery.

JS-ECCR/HBPRCA-2: HOMOCYSTEINE AND LIPOPROTEIN (A) AS A DETERMINANT OF ARTERIAL STIFFNESS AND A PREDICTOR OF HYPERTENSION MEDIATED TARGET ORGAN DAMAGE (HMOD)

Background: Despite advances in modern medicine, cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains a leading cause of global mortality. Among the many CVD determinants, hypertension is a leading modifiable risk factor and blood pressure control and prevention of hypertension mediated target organ damage (HMOD) has become the hallmark of cardiovascular risk management. Homocysteine and lipoprotein (a) are independent CVD risk factors, proposed to contribute to vascular compromise by facilitating thrombogenesis and atherosclerosis. Aims: We sought to determine in a real-world clinical setting whether these risk factors interact to facilitate vascular organ damage in hypertension. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional analysis of prospectively collected data in 131 hypertensive patients referred to our tertiary hypertension clinic at Royal Perth Hospital. The Lipoprotein (a), homocysteine and other biochemical parameters studied were assayed in the central hospital laboratory. We analysed the effect of the interaction between Lipoprotein (a) and homocysteine (Lpa-Hcy) on markers of HMOD including arterial stiffness, as assessed by pulse wave velocity (PWV). Results: The average age of participants was 56 ± 0.9 years, and there was a greater proportion of males than females (62% vs. 38%). The regression analysis demonstrated that Lp(a)-Hcy interaction was significantly associated with PWV [beta = 0.33; 95% CI 0.12, 0.55; p &lt; 0.005], 24 h urinary protein excretion [beta = -10.9; 95% CI -14.5, -7.4; p &lt; 0 .001], and estimated glomerular filtration rate [beta = 103.9; 95% CI 93.9, 113.8; p &lt; 0.001], which persisted after adjusting for potential confounders such as age, sex, 24 h BP, inflammation, smoking, diabetes mellitus and other metabolic risk factors. Interaction analysis showed that increasing homocysteine and lipoprotein (a) concentration was associated with increasing arterial stiffness. Hcy levels does not affect the PWV if Lp(a) levels are normal and the knowledge of both Lp(a) and Hcy are necessary to determine arterial damage. Furthermore, Lp(a)-Hcy product exhibited a positive predictive relationship with every unit increase in Lp(a)-Hcy product associated with a 0.3 m/s increase in PWV which may represent a useful marker for cardiovascular risk stratification and may suggest the need for rigorous treatment to minimise HMOD progression. These clinical findings provide novel insights into the potential interaction between Lp(a) and Hcy in the pathogenesis of hypertension mediated vascular damage

Multi-informant validity evidence for the SSIS SEL Brief Scales across six European countries

The SSIS SEL Brief Scales (SSIS SELb) are multi-informant (teacher, parent, and student) measures that were developed to efficiently assess the SEL competencies of school-age youth in the United States. Recently, the SSIS SELb was translated into multiple languages for use in a multi-site study across six European countries (Croatia, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Portugal, and Romania). The purpose of the current study was to examine concurrent and predictive evidence for the SEL Composite scores from the translated versions of the SSIS SELb Scales. Results indicated that SSIS SELb Composite scores demonstrated expected positive concurrent and predictive relationships with scores from the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) and negative relationships with scores from the problem behavior scales of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Although there were a few exceptions, these patterns generally were consistent across informants (parents, teachers, and students) and samples providing initial validity evidence for the Composite score from the translated versions of the SSIS SELb Scales. Limitations and future research directions are discussed.

Internet addiction among psychology students: the role of resilience and perceived economic hardship

The present study aimed to investigate internet addiction among psychology students, as well as the role of resilience and perceived economic hardship in the manifestation of the phenomenon. The study involved 252 students (233 women, 19 men) of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. They completed a self-report questionnaire, which included a short version of a scale on resilience (The Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale - CD-RISC), a scale on perceived economic hardship (Economic Hardship Questionnaire), and a scale on Internet Addiction (Internet Addiction Test). The results showed that students of Psychology, regardless of their academic year, make above-average/normal and excessive/addictive internet use displaying indicative behaviors (e.g., uncontrollable internet use, neglect of social life). Furthermore, based on the path analysis models, it seemed that students’ resilience is a negative predictor of above-average/normal and excessive/addictive internet use (and their indicative behaviors). An indirect positive predictive relationship was also found between students’ perceived economic hardship and their above-average/normal and excessive/addictive internet use (and their indicative behaviors) through their sense of resilience. The findings emphasize the need to implement preventive counselling actions within university campuses to engender a safe internet culture among students and strengthen their sense of resilience, especially in a period of recovery from economic crisis.

Examining the predictive utility of the self-report Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire with middle school students

This study aimed to investigate the added value of universal mental health screening in school settings. A total of 1735 students were screened using the youth self-report version of Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ-SR). Non-parametric models were fit to data from the SDQ-SR Internalizing and Externalizing subscales to predict total ODRs by the end of the school year. Final models confirmed the positive predictive relationship between SDQ-SR externalizing scores and ODRs and consistently found internalizing scores to be a negative predictor of ODRs. Specifically, for every 1-point increase in the Externalizing score, ODRs increase by .09 standard deviations; for every 1-point increase in Internalizing scores, ODRs decrease by 0.02 standard deviations. Findings suggested that students with internalizing concerns were likely under-identified when examining patterns in ODRs alone. The implementation of school-based universal mental health screening in addition to examining patterns in academic and behavioral outcomes may assist school personnel in identifying students with emerging social-emotional difficulties.

The Influence of Job Motivation, Perceived Organizational Support Indicators, and Demographic Characteristics on Job Satisfaction of Pharmaceutical Sales Executives in Nigeria

Abstract: Objectives: More pharmacy practice research has to be done to investigate the impact of Perceived organizational support (POS), demographics, and Job motivation (JM) on Job satisfaction (JS) of pharmaceutical sales executives (PSE) in the pharmaceutical marketing industry. The objectives of the study were to evaluate the predictive effects of POS, JM, and demographic attributes of PSE on JS. Secondly, explore the relationship between POS indicators and demographic variables of respondents. Methods: A crosssectional online survey of 406 pharmaceutical sales executives, conducted between April to May 2021 in Nigeria using a random sampling method. Results: Correlations existed between Age vs. Training and Career prospects: Marital status vs. Incentive-scheme and Career prospects: Type of pharmaceutical company vs. Work-tools availability, Training, Incentive-scheme, marketing support, and career prospects: Years of experience vs. Training, Incentive, reward system, and career prospects: Annual salary vs. worktools, Incentives, and marketing support. The study model met acceptable fit criteria. Overall satisfaction score was 1.54±0.499, and motivation score was 1.37±0.484 respectively. The mean satisfaction rating score was ambivalent on the 5-point scale with 2.73 (SD=0.90), and the Motivation score was 2.49 (SD=0.95) indicative of low JM. Aggregate POS (1.88±0.734) and respondents’ perception of the pharmaceutical marketing industry was poor (2.10±0.83). The regression model showed that Marital status had a positive predictive relationship (β=0.606) compared to Motivation (β=- 2.614), Reward system (β=-0.866), and Work tools availability (β=-0.365), were predictors of JS at p<0.05. Conclusion: Study outcomes provided valuable human resource information to support policy reforms in the pharmaceutical marketing industry. Key words: Demographics, Job satisfaction, Job motivation, Perceived organizational support, Pharmaceutical sales executives, Pharmaceutical Marketing, Nigeria, Management.

Homocysteine predicts vascular target organ damage in hypertension and may serve as guidance for first-line antihypertensive therapy

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: Foundation. Main funding source(s): the primary author is supported by the Australian National Heart Foundation post docctoral fellowship OnBehalf Dobney Hypertension Centre Background Homocysteine is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease and has been proposed to contribute to vascular dysfunction. We sought to determine in a real-world clinical setting whether homocysteine levels were associated with hypertension mediated organ damage (HMOD) and could guide treatment choices in hypertension. Methods We performed a cross-sectional analysis of prospectively collected data in 145 hypertensive patients referred to our tertiary hypertension clinic at our Hospital and analysed the association of homocysteine with HMOD, renin-angiotensin-aldosterone signaling (RAAS) and blockade. Results The average age of participants was 56 ± 17 years and there was a greater proportion of males than females (89vs56). Regression analysis showed that homocysteine was significantly associated with PWV (β=1.99; 95% CI 0.99-3.0; p &amp;lt; 0.001), albumin creatinine ratio (β=1.14; 95% CI 0.47,1.8; p &amp;lt; 0.001), 24 hr urinary protein excretion (β=0.7; 95% CI 0.48, 0.92; p &amp;lt; 0.001) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (β=-29.4; 95% CI -36.35, -22.4; p &amp;lt; 0.001), which persisted after adjusting for potential confounders such as age, sex, 24 hr BP, inflammation, smoking, diabetes mellitus, renal insufficiency and dyslipidaemia. A positive predictive relationship was observed between plasma homocysteine levels and PWV, with every 1.0 µmol/L increase in homocysteine associated with a 0.1 m/s increase in PWV. Homocysteine was significantly associated with elevated aldosterone concentration (β=0.26; p &amp;lt; 0.001), thereby possible RAAS activation, an effect better resisted by angiotensin receptor blockers than ACE-inhibitors in higher physiological ranges of homocysteine. Conclusions Our results indicate that homocysteine is associated with hypertension mediated vascular damage and could potentially serve to guide first-line antihypertensive therapy.