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PurposeThis study examined the relationships among transformational leadership, organizational climate, employees' knowledge-sharing behavior and organizational learning.Design/methodology/approachData were collected from 282 responses from multiple companies in South Korea. Descriptive statistics and correlations were provided. The structural equation modeling was primarily used to test the proposed hypotheses and model comparisons.FindingsThe results indicated direct effects of transformational leadership on organizational climate, knowledge-sharing and organizational learning. In addition, organizational climate was positively related to knowledge-sharing behavior. Finally, knowledge-sharing behavior was found to affect organizational learning and to be a mediator in linking transformational leadership and organizational learning.Research limitations/implicationsThis study contributes to the literature on the role of leader’s support to enhance employees' outcomes related to knowledge and learning. By investing different antecedents of organizational learning, this study will help scholars and professionals pay more attention to organizational learning, its process and outcomes, which can promote organizational effectiveness and next outcomes from organizational learning.Practical implicationsOrganizations need to pay continuous attention to maintaining and strengthening employees’ knowledge-sharing behavior and learning, which is positively influenced by organizational efforts (i.e. leader’s support and supportive organizational climate).Originality/valueThe significance of this study is that the findings add to the academic work on organizational learning by empirically examining how leadership and organizational climate factors influence knowledge and learning outcomes and through which mechanisms.

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress has been implicated in neurodegenerative diseases, but its role in neuropathic pain remains unclear. In this study, we examined the ER stress and the unfolded protein response (UPR) activation in a L5 spinal nerve ligation (SNL)-induced rat neuropathic pain model. SNL-induced neuropathic pain was assessed behaviorally using the CatWalk system, and histologically with microglial activation in the dorsal spinal horn. L5 SNL induced BIP upregulation in the neuron of superficial laminae of dorsal spinal horn. It also increased the level of ATF6 and intracellular localization into the nuclei in the neurons. Moreover, spliced XBP1 was also markedly elevated in the ipsilateral spinal dorsal horn. The PERK-elF2 pathway was activated in astrocytes of the spinal dorsal horn in the SNL model. In addition, electron microscopy revealed the presence of swollen cisternae in the dorsal spinal cord after SNL. Additionally, inhibition of the ATF6 pathway by intrathecal treatment with ATF6 siRNA reduced pain behaviors and BIP expression in the dorsal horn. The results suggest that ER stress might be involved in the induction and maintenance of neuropathic pain. Furthermore, a disturbance in UPR signaling may render the spinal neurons vulnerable to peripheral nerve injury or neuropathic pain stimuli.

Schistosomiasis is of public health importance to an estimated one billion people in 79 countries. A vaccine is urgently needed. Here, we report the results of four independent, double-blind studies of an Sm-p80-based vaccine in baboons. The vaccine exhibited potent prophylactic efficacy against transmission of Schistosoma mansoni infection and was associated with significantly less egg-induced pathology, compared with unvaccinated control animals. Specifically, the vaccine resulted in a 93.45% reduction of pathology-producing female worms and significantly resolved the major clinical manifestations of hepatic/intestinal schistosomiasis by reducing the tissue egg-load by 89.95%. A 35-fold decrease in fecal egg excretion in vaccinated animals, combined with an 81.51% reduction in hatching of eggs into the snail-infective stage (miracidia), demonstrates the parasite transmission-blocking potential of the vaccine. Substantially higher Sm-p80 expression in female worms and Sm-p80-specific antibodies in vaccinated baboons appear to play an important role in vaccine-mediated protection. Preliminary analyses of RNA sequencing revealed distinct molecular signatures of vaccine-induced effects in baboon immune effector cells. This study provides comprehensive evidence for the effectiveness of an Sm-p80-based vaccine for schistosomiasis.

Sm-p80-based vaccine efficacy for Schistosoma mansoni was evaluated in a baboon model of infection and disease. The study was designed to replicate a human vaccine implementation scenario for endemic regions in which vaccine would be administered following drug treatment of infected individuals. In our study, the Sm-p80-based vaccine reduced principal pathology producing hepatic egg burdens by 38.0% and egg load in small and large intestines by 72.2% and 49.4%, respectively, in baboons. Notably, hatching rates of eggs recovered from liver and small and large intestine of vaccinated animals were significantly reduced, by 60.4%, 48.6%, and 82.3%, respectively. Observed reduction in egg maturation/hatching rates was supported by immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy showing unique differences in Sm-p80 expression in worms of both sexes and matured eggs. Vaccinated baboons had a 64.5% reduction in urine schistosome circulating anodic antigen, a parameter that reflects worm numbers/health status in infected hosts. Preliminary analyses of RNA sequencing revealed unique genes and canonical pathways associated with establishment of chronic disease, praziquantel-mediated parasite killing, and Sm-p80-mediated protection in vaccinated baboons. Overall, our study demonstrated efficacy of the Sm-p80 vaccine and provides insight into some of the epistatic interactions associated with protection.

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Sm-p80, the large subunit of calpain, is a leading candidate for a schistosomiasis vaccine. The prophylactic and antifecundity efficacy of Sm-p80 has been tested in three animal models (mouse, hamster and baboon) using a multitude of vaccine formulations and approaches. In our continual effort to enhance the vaccine efficacy, in this study, we have utilized the adjuvant, synthetic hexa-acylated lipid A derivative, glucopyranosyl lipid A (GLA) formulated in aluminum (GLA-Alum) with recombinant Sm-p80. The rSm-p80+GLA-Alum immunization regimen provided 33.33%-53.13% reduction in worm burden in the mouse model and 38% worm burden reduction in vaccinated baboons. Robust Sm-p80-specific immunoglobulin (Ig)G, IgG1, IgG2a and IgM responses were observed in all immunized animals. The rSm-p80+GLA-Alum coadministration induced a mix of T-helper (Th) cells (Th1, Th2 and Th17) responses as determined via the release of interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-18, IL-21, IL-22 and interferon-γ.