Time is muscle : a systematic review investigating the role of remote ischaemic preconditioning and glucose-insulin-potassium infusions as adjunctive therapies to revascularisation in coronary artery disease

In the management of coronary artery disease (CAD) most advances have concerned improvements in catheter-based interventional techniques and complex pharmacotherapy, with an emphasis on time, which unfortunately, cannot always achieved. However, simple measures with reassuring benefit that can be performed even by non-cardiologists have been largely overlooked, or understated. These include limiting reperfusion injury by remote ischaemic conditioning (RIPC), a powerful protective mechanism that can be elicited by the transient occlusion of blood flow to a limb with a blood pressure cuff. More controversially, glucose-insulin-potassium (GIK) therapy in early ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) has the potential to improve outcomes especially when timely restoration of vessel patency is difficult to achieve. This systematic review will evaluate the role of these therapies as adjuncts to revascularisation for treating coronary artery disease either electively or during an acute coronary syndrome. Objectives: To determine if RIPC or GIK therapy for CAD leads to reduced mortality (primary objective), infarct size, cardiac enzyme release or major adverse cardiac and cerebral events (MACCE) and to identify adverse effects associated with RIPC or GIK (secondary objectives)

Caveats of green hydrogen for decarbonisation of heating in buildings

Hydrogen (H2) has rapidly become a topic of great attention when discussing routes to net-zero carbon emissions. About 14% of CO2 emissions globally are directly associated with domestic heating in buildings. Replacing natural gas (NG) with H2 for heating has been highlighted as a rapid alternative for mitigating these emissions. To realise this, not only the production challenges but also potential obstacles in the transmission/distribution and combustion of H2 must be technically identified and discussed. This review, in addition to delineating the challenges of H2 in NG grid pipelines and H2 combustion, also collates the results of the state-of-the-art technologies in H2-based heating systems. We conclude that the sustainability of water and renewable electricity resources strongly depends on sizing, siting, service life of electrolysis plants, and post-electrolysis water disposal plans. 100% H2 in pipelines requires major infrastructure upgrades including production, transmission, pressure-reduction stations, distribution, and boiler rooms. H2 leakage instigates more environmental risks than economic ones. With optimised boilers, burning H2 could reduce GHG emissions and obtain an appropriate heating efficiency; more data from boiler manufacturers must be provided. Overall, green H2 is not the only solution to decarbonise heating in buildings, and it should be pursued abreast of other heating technologies

DEVELOPMENT OF RIVASTIGMINE LOADED SELF ASSEMBLED NANOSTRUCTURES OF NONIONIC SURFACTANTS FOR BRAIN DELIVERY

Objective: Aim of the study is to develop rivastigmine-loaded niosomal in situ gel via the intranasal route to the brain by crossing the Blood-Brain Barrier. For the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, it provides a speedy onset of action, a faster therapeutic effect, avoidance of the first-pass metabolism, and enhanced bioavailability. Methods: Rivastigmine niosomal in situ nasal gel was developed, refined and tested with the goal of delivering the medicine to the brain via the intranasal route Rivastigmine niosomes were formulated by thin-film hydration technique, optimized using (32) factorial design and characterized for its physicochemical parameters. Rivastigmine-loaded niosomes were further incorporated into Carbopal-934P and HPMC-K4M liquid gelling system to form in situ nasal gel. The resulting solution was evaluated for several parameters including, viscosity at pH 5 and pH 6, gelling capacity and gelling time. Results: Optimized best formulation containing span 60 (A) and cholesterol (B) with (1:0.5) ratio identified from the model developed from Design-Expert®12 software, exhibited Entrapment efficiency (76.5±0.23%), particle size (933.4±0.14 nm), in vitro drug release maximum (68.94±0.26%) at 8th hour and further studied for its characteristics by SEM and TEM showed stable vesicles. Polynomial equations of Y1, Y2, and Y3 were conducted and ANOVA results showed a significant impact (p<0.05) on three levels. In vivo perfusion studies using rat model showed, the niosomes developed has good perfusion compared to pure drug with 27.2% of drug absorption in the brain at the end of 3 h. In vitro permeation of Rivastigmine through the dialysis membrane showed that 60.74% w/w drug permeated after 8 h. The formation of stable vesicles was proved by Zeta potential measurements and SEM analysis. Conclusion: Optimized formulation had greater perfusion and was expected to have a good bioavailability compared to conventional other drug delivery systems

Religious challenges faced by Indian women in the workplace : a focus on the community of Howick in Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa.

Master of Political Science. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg 2016.Religion was a pervasive influence throughout cultures and societies. Religion has provided ways for people to deal with the hardships associated with war and often promised a better life. It also served as a uniting or dividing force for populations in their resistance of unjust, corrupt or ineffective governments and provided an identity not only for a specific group but also for an individual. This research focused on the aspect of religious identity for Indian women in South Africa and how it plays itself in a working environment. Most women struggle for their rights in the working environment. Some of the other problems faced in the workplace include abuse, health issues and discrimination. Stereotyping is very common in the working environment and has proven how and to whom appointments and promotions are awarded. In South Africa, Indian women remain discriminated in both the formal and informal sectors of the economy. The focus of this research was specifically to investigate religious challenges faced by Indian women in the workplace with focus on the community of Howick in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. The aim was to determine the kinds of religious challenges that are faced by Indian women in the workplace and why such challenges occur. The study adopted a mixed method research approach with a sample of 25 Indian women from three different religious backgrounds namely: Christianity, Hinduism and Islam. An open ended questionnaire was administered to all respondents. Data was analysed and interpreted using inferential statistics and thematic analysis. The statistical results show that 64% of women find religion to be an important aspect of their work whilst 20% have suffered abuse in the workplace as a result of their religion. Consequently about 28% of women experience stress related problems that are directly associated with their workplace challenges. The thematic analysis further reveals that abuse and stress continue to take place against women in the workplace on the grounds of their religion. This shows that religion remains an important determinant of workplace health and wellness. It is recommended that workplaces strengthen health and wellness mechanisms to end abuse that is experienced by Indian women on the grounds of religion in South Africa

The power of leadership influence and communication on quick service restaurants sustainability.

Master’s degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.The fast food industry in South Africa employs thousands of people each year and is a rapidly growing industry. Quickly served customers translate into better service which translates into growth. The current challenge that leaders face in the Quick Service Restaurants (QSR) industry is that they are not adequately equipped to lead and communicate in order to remain sustainable. The aim of this study was to understand the power of the leadership role, its influence and effective communication strategies in order to remain sustainable in the QSR industry in Durban, South Africa. This was a crosssectional qualitative study conducted among eight restaurant managers who were selected purposefully. Data were collected using focus group discussions and analysed thematically using NVIVO software programme. Results showed that shift leaders had little knowledge about their competitor activities, also they lack computer skills. Further, it was also discovered that there is a need for more specific leadership training and indepth customer service training. On the communication part, it was discovered that the current ways of communication are not effective enough since they use platforms like WhatsApp, which was believed to be not effective in transferring messages. More so, it was discovered that the leadership is still stuck in their old way of doing things and they are finding it a challenge to adapt to new technology and new ways of completing tasks. It is recommended that McDonald’s leaders need to identify and prepare for the fourth industrial revolution. There is a demand for McDonald’s to hire according to the new restaurant leader success profile created by succession planning. Focus on capacity building to increase the number of core curriculum courses and change from conventional to digital training platforms. Formalise mentorships programmes. Progress on talent development and management development programmes. Drive an international computer licence programme to allow our future leaders to uplift and grow computer literacy skills. Enhance the skills of restaurant leaders that lead others but more importantly, themselves. Build basic and enduring leadership skills. Deepen knowledge and leadership capabilities by using impactful business simulation systems in the training agenda. Drive leaner led programmes to remain relevant. Create a culture of engagement and support

The role of client insight in maximising the effectiveness of a client centric marketing strategy at Sanlam.

Thesis (MBA)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2005.This study is about how the use of client insight can maximize the effectiveness of a marketing strategy in an organization. During the study an extensive literature review was done to investigate the role of management in creating a client centric culture by applying theories such as the Five-factor model of personality and the Full Range of Leadership Model proposed by Bass and Avolio (1994). Detailed review on the latest client insight theories and global trends such as neuromarketing, advocacy advertising and law of lens was explored. A client insight research survey was administered to investigate specific aspects of the client centric culture and the implementation of insight driven marketing strategies within Sanlam. The survey found that there is high level of awareness of client centricity within the organisation. However, the implementation of client insight driven strategies in most departments surveyed was unfavourable. Areas identified for improvement were the need for greater awareness, usage of client insight related services and a more active role of management in promoting client centric strategies. Best practices, policies and recommendations with regards to management's role in using client insight, data mining and market intelligence was suggested for the enhancement of the marketing strategy. It was recommended that change agents be incorporated within Sanlam to catalyze the process of entrenching day-to-day client insight driven work performances and management transformation. Further investigation is suggested regarding the incompatible data management technology, which should enable the company to obtain a single view of the client as well as instituting the virtuous cycle in the market research and information department

The values, personal traits and characteristics of leaders who get things done

The trait approach to leadership is arguably the most venerable intellectual tradition in leadership research, with decades of great prominence followed by years of scepticism and disinterest. Despite its checkered history, recent approaches to leadership have taken a trait perspective, which is supported by evidence showing consistent associations of specific traits with leader emergence and leadership effectiveness. The purpose of this exploratory research project was to employ qualitative methodology to identify the values, personal traits and characteristics of South African business leaders who get things done. The data for this research has been obtained via in-depth exploratory interviews, with selected business leaders who have had a track record of achieving sustained financial results. The research showed that there is a core list of traits that are associated with successful South African business leaders. Key leader traits that were identified include: drive, conscientiousness, self-confidence, openness, charisma and emotional intelligence. There was less clear evidence for traits such as extroversion and cognitive ability. In addition, the environment emerged as an important modifier of a leader‟s ability to get results. While the research showed that the possession of certain key traits alone does not guarantee leadership success, there was sufficient evidence to show that effective leaders are different from others in certain key respects. CopyrightDissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2010.Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS)unrestricte

Demographic and clinical analysis of post sterilization failure cases in a tertiary care hospital, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

Background: The most common permanent method of family planning accepted in India is female tubal sterilization as it has a very low failure rate of 0.1- 0.8% in the first year and over all pregnancy chances of 1 in 200. It can be done by open method but laparoscopic method has now gained wide popularity.Methods: Ours was a retrospective study of post female sterilization failure cases admitted to the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Government Kilpauk Medical College Hospital within a 10 year time period between April 2007 and March 2017.Results: Over a decade we had 134 post sterilization failures. 71 patients presented with intrauterine pregnancy whereas 63 presented as ectopic pregnancy following sterilization. Majority of patients belonged to 26-30 year age group and the median age was 28 years. 40.3% ectopic presented at 5-6 weeks gestational age. Over 90% of sterilization failures were done by open method and around 35.8% were done during caesarean section. Around 65.0 % sterilization failures were seen within 5 years of sterilization but 2 patients presented as late as 17 years post sterilization. In four cases (3%) failure was due to improper surgical procedure.Conclusions: Female sterilization may result in failure even after years of sterilization. In the present study, pregnancy after sterilization is higher in the youngest age group (15-30) years than for the age group (31-35) years and stabilized in the oldest age group (36-49) years. Open sterilization had a higher failure rate than laparoscopic sterilization. The most common mode of sterilization failure was intrauterine pregnancy than the ectopic pregnancy and it was almost equal to each other. Therefore, patients undergoing sterilization must be counselled about chances of failure; even though it is a permanent method, and to consult immediately if missed period else at a later stage they may go in for rupture ectopic leading to high maternal morbidity and mortality

Integral development of the child : perspectives from Hindi literature.

Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2007.No abstract available