Enhanced Endothelin-1 Mediated Vasoconstriction of the Ophthalmic Artery May Exacerbate Retinal Damage after Transient Global Cerebral Ischemia in Rat

Cerebral vasculature is often the target of stroke studies. However, the vasculature supplying the eye might also be affected by ischemia. The aim of the present study was to investigate if the transient global cerebral ischemia (GCI) enhances vascular effect of endothelin-1 (ET-1) and 5-hydroxytryptamine/serotonin (5-HT) on the ophthalmic artery in rats, leading to delayed retinal damage. This was preformed using myography on the ophthalmic artery, coupled with immunohistochemistry and electroretinogram (ERG) to assess the ischemic consequences on the retina. Results showed a significant increase of ET-1 mediated vasoconstriction at 48 hours post ischemia. The retina did not exhibit any morphological changes throughout the study. However, we found an increase of GFAP and vimentin expression at 72 hours and 7 days after ischemia, indicating Müller cell mediated gliosis. ERG revealed significantly decreased function at 72 hours, but recovered almost completely after 7 days. In conclusion, we propose that the increased contractile response via ET-1 receptors in the ophthalmic artery after 48 hours may elicit negative retinal consequences due to a second ischemic period. This may exacerbate retinal damage after ischemia as illustrated by the decreased retinal function and Müller cell activation. The ophthalmic artery and ET-1 mediated vasoconstriction may be a valid and novel therapeutic target after longer periods of ischemic insults

Developing a model for managing intellectual capital

Although there has been an explosive interest in an intellectual capital and a thirst for information on how it might be managed, there has been little written to describe or define the concept. This article provides background and definition to the notion of intellectual capital and describes where and how it fits into the 'knowledge company'. The article is written for theoreticians and practitioners alike. It is intended to provide an overview of intellectual capital, where it fits into the 'knowledge firm', what the component elements of it are, and what might be done to manage them. The article defines intellectual capital as well as its relationship to other elements of a knowledge company. The terms and definitions presented in this article are drawn from the experience of eight major international companies all of whom are actively managing their intellectual capital. The component elements of intellectual capital are identified, defined, and discussed. The management activities used in each of the component areas are described as are some of the techniques utilized by practitioners. Finally, there is a review of the actual practice of several major knowledge companies and how they manage their intellectual capital.

World Class Cooking for Solving Global Challenges: Reparadigming Societal Innovation

International audienceWhen faced with new global challenges propelled by social, financial, economic, health and environmental crisis, the leaders of today need alternative answers to those posed by traditional policies. In this book, Mercier-Laurent and Edvinssonconsider a cutting-edge thought methodology for solving global challenges -by looking at societal innovation through the lens of an analogy to cooking. How might we apply the power of cooking to connect imagination, knowledge, know-how and pleasure to real-world problems?Envisioning an ecosystem dynamic which connects various components, and requires multiple resources with the aim of securing sustainable well-being, the authors showcase initiatives for societal innovation which involve the use of diverse talents, evolving behaviours, thinking differently, adapting to the use of technology and close attention to human purpose. Demonstrating that the possibilities of technology are underused for solving critical problems because of the continual perpetuation of the same cognitive approaches, time and time again, this book makes a crucial intervention by serving up a new perspective on obtaining a sustainable and prosperous future that traditional approaches have so far not reached.By presenting a broadrange of promising experiments from around the world, the authors inspire readers to re-imagine their idea of how societal innovation might be achieved. In this book they provide the first of many new recipes for successful global change-making