Antecedents of “Quality of Work” in Islamic Perspective Through Mediating Effect of Perceived Job Performance

In most of service organizations particularly in Pakistan financial sector, employees have reduced their job performance and shortened quality of work due to many factors influencing them at workplace. This research study aims to explore such antecedents in view of Islam that can improve the quality of work in banking sector wherein mediating effect of perceived job performance has been tested. Model variables of this study have also been described in the Islamic perspective. Islam is complete religion in all respect and provides foundation for quality of work. Accuracy & beatification in work, discipline, sequence of tasks, impartiality, and Islamic job satisfaction, knowing ourselves and its link with knowing to our God are parts of quality of work and employees’ performance in the Islamic point of view.  The target population of this study covers 20,514 employees of banking sector working in capital cities of Pakistan. Data were collected via cross sectional approach from 380 desk and frontline officials of Public and private banks. Confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling techniques were used for data analysis. Findings of this research are demonstrated that job satisfaction and emotional intelligence are found the valuable antecedents of job performance and quality of work where employee’s job performance has been proved as a partial mediator between antecedents and quality of work. The two antecedents i.e. Job satisfaction, emotional intelligence of perceived job performance and quality of work have been supposed in this study to take as interpreters for the improvement of employees’ contentment and abilities in the working environment of banking sector. These are positively persuaded to job performance and quality of work. A practical exposure is offered by this research that organizational education about importance to employee’s satisfaction and emotional intelligence would be vital for achieving optimum results in this industry.

Effect of High Protein Diet on Pancreatic B-Cell Regeneration & Funtioning in Diabetic Rats

Diet is a key factor in fulfilling energy requirements, maintaining metabolic homeostasis and promoting health. Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia resulting from defective insulin production or secretion from pancreatic β-cells, insulin function or both. The type, amount as well as balance of main macronutrients (proteins, fats and carbohydrates) present in diet are of particular significance in managing the diabetes. However, relatively little is known about the underlying molecular mechanism that how protein rich diet is responsible for functional changes in pancreatic β-cells. Current study was intended to evaluate the effect of high protein diet on body weight, glycaemic control, regeneration of β-cell, production and release of insulin in diabetic rats. High protein diet (45% and 55% fish protein) was administered in alloxan induced diabetic rat model for a period of 28 days. Blood samples were collected for monitoring blood glucose level, lipid profile and other biochemical parameters. Pancreatic tissue samples were collected for histopathological study. The data was subjected to statistical analysis by applying one way ANOVA and DMR. Results revealed that protein rich diet counteracted the reactive oxygen species (ROS) and normalized the elevated levels of blood glucose (198.1±11.5), cholesterol (64.73±2.24) and triglycerides (65.97±4.62) compared to positive control group having serum glucose (606.8±12.3), cholesterol (95.36±4.6) and triglycerides (109.5±3.51) respectively. Histopathological analysis revealed that high protein diet helps in normal regeneration or replenishing of β-cells. The role of calcium and cellular stress pathways are important in underlying mechanism behind the ROS production and its control as low expression levels of Calm-2, Grk-2, Pias-2, Traf-4, Traf-6 and MAPK-8 genes were observed in high protein diet treated groups in comparison to positive control. High protein diet also improved β-cell function and performance by up regulating the expression of INS-1, INS-2 & Pdx-1 genes. In conclusion, results indicated the regenerative and protective potential of high protein diet in alloxan-induced diabetic rat model.