tive expression 12,57 in HT vs. 19.40 in control group (CG), p = 0.0002; 12,10 in GD vs. 19.40 in CG, p = 0.0002) and in CD8 + -T-cells (13.13 in HT vs. 18,12 in CG, p = 0.02; 11.66 in GD vs. 18.12 in CG, p = 0.0002). GD and HT showed signifi cantly decreased miRNA 155_2 and miRNA 155*_1 in HT in CD8 + -T-cells (10.69 in HT vs. 11.30 in CG, p = 0.01; 10.40 in GD vs. 11.30 in CG, p = 0.005). This study confi rms signifi cant variations of miRNA200a and miRNA155 in patients suffering from GD and HT in vivo in CD4 + T-cells and CD8 + T-cells. These data may help to better understand the gene regulations in the causative cells causing these autoimmune processes. They extend our very limited knowledge concerning miRNAs in thyroid diseases. Abstract ▼Graves' disease (GD) and Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) are the most common autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITD). MicroRNAs (miRNAs) critically control gene-expression and play an important role in regulating the immune response. The aim of this study was to prove signifi cant variations of key immunoregulatory miRNAs in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and in CD4 + and CD 8 + T-cells of AITD patients. Selected miRNAs were amplifi ed by a semiquantitative SYBR Green PCR from PBMCs and purifi ed CD4 + and CD 8 + T-cells of 59 patients with GD, HT, and healthy controls. Both GD and HT showed signifi cantly decreased miRNA 200a_1 and miRNA 200a2* in CD4 + -T-cells (mean rela-

Autoimmune Addison's disease (AD) is a rare but potentially life threatening disease. The exact etiology of the immune response to the adrenal gland is still unknown. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) critically control gene-expression and play an important role in regulating the immune response. The aim of this study was to determine key immunoregulatory miRNAs influencing autoimmune adrenal insufficiency. For this purpose selected miRNAs were amplified by a semiquantitative SYBR Green PCR from blood mononuclear cells and after purification from CD4+ and CD 8+ cells of 6 patients with autoimmune adrenal insufficiency and 10 healthy controls. In CD4+ T-cells miRNA 181a*_1 (18.02 in AD vs. 11.99 in CG, p=0.0047) is significantly increased whereas miRNA 200a_1 (12.48 in AD vs. 19.40 in CG, p=0.0003) and miRNA 200a_2* (8.59 in AD vs. 17.94 in CG, p=0.0160) are significantly decreased. miRNA 200a_1 (12.37 in AD group vs. 18.12 in control group, p=0.001) and miRNA 200a_2* (10.72 in AD group vs. 17.84 in control group, p=0.022) are also significantly decreased in CD8+ T-cells. This study could show for the first time a significant change of three defined miRNAs in PBMCs, CD4+, and CD8+ T-cells of autoimmune AD patients in vivo. These data may help to better understand the cause of the autoimmune processes leading to autoimmune AD. They extend our very limited knowledge concerning miRNAs in autoimmune Addison's disease.

Abstract. Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Malaysia have gained a prominent role as the significant contributor to the economic growth. However, the world nowadays is heading towards economic downturn. The stability of macroeconomic variables promotes profitability of SMEs which propels them to a stage where they can access financing for sustaining growth. Therefore, it is apparent that the behaviour of the macroeconomic variables plays a major part in determining the nation's backbone in surviving the economic downturn. The objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of macroeconomic variables on the profitability of SMEs in Malaysia using multiple regression analysis. The findings revealed that the exchange rate has a small positive impact on SME GDP growth rate (10.81%), the interest rate has a strong positive impact (60.74%), while the inflation rate has a strong negative impact (-53.89%). Therefore, it can be concluded that the interest rate and inflation rate have significant impacts on the profitability of SMEs in Malaysia.

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Malaysia has set a target to become the first aerospace nation in South East Asia by 2030. In efforts to ensure industry players are able to achieve the target, the critical success factors (CSFs) that affecting the successful implementation of total quality management (TQM) in aerospace industry, especially in Malaysia, need to be identified and ranked. Ranking CSFs is a sensitive task that requires extra attention. Self-judgment, previous experiences and references by industry experts, including the existence of uncertainty in decision making, results in inaccurate ranking. Therefore, this study aims to prioritise (identify and rank) the CSFs for successful implementation of TQM in Malaysia aerospace industry (manufacturing sector). Through an in-depth review of the literature, 11 CSFs were identified and categorised into four main criteria. These criteria were analysed empirically using Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP) approach to rank the CSFs based on their relative importance weights. FAHP approach was used since the judgments from industry experts have been taken into account as recommended by National Aerospace Industry Coordinating Office (NAICO). The results showed that the main criterion for successful TQM implementation is culture and people with the highest weight of 0.434, followed by organising (0.296), systems and technique (0.151), and measurement and feedback (0.119). Therefore, the top management and decision makers need to give more attention on culture and people factors before implementing TQM which include employee involvement and role of quality department. However, the relationship between CSFs and the performance of TQM implementation need to be analysed further.

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