Sustainable Management Practices: Trends, Issues and Challenges

Sustainability is the ability to endure and survive in an environment for a long time. In business parlance, sustainable management is incorporation of social, economic and environmental factors for business decisions. Incorporating these factors in decision making process of a business helps in identifying and avoiding future costs associated with unsustainable business practices, planning for changes in consumer expectations to capitalize on emerging markets and industries and practicing corporate social responsibility and business ethics. Sustainable Management practices in business prove to be more profitable as they tend to adapt and grow with the changing market, providing a competitive advantage over other firms. This also helps in gaining significance as socially responsible business by reducing the negative impact on society and increasing their positive influence. The focus on sustainable management has gained a new momentum since the market pressure from regulators and consumers holds organizations accountable for their actions. Failure on the part of business to adopt such practices can have a catastrophic impact on the viability of a business. In a global environment, it is increasingly difficult to succeed in any business without understanding the repercussions of business realities and developments. This book, "Sustainable Management Practices" provides an insight into recent trends, issues and challenges in business practices by focusing on Corporate Governance, Corporate Social Responsibility, Information Technology, E- tailing, Entrepreneurship, Total Quality Management, Employee Engagement and Organizational Performance is intended to help the readers in understanding the sustainable management practices of business

“Why I tried to kill myself”- an exploration of the factors contributing to suicide in the Waterberg District

Background: One of the authors (PM) did a study of parasuicide patients at Voortrekker Hospital in the Waterberg District of Limpopo Province, South Africa. The aim of the study was to develop a deeper understanding of the parasuicide patients' perceptions regarding their reasons for attempting suicide. Method: A qualitative descriptive study was conducted using free attitude interviews in English with eight purposefully selected participants. Participants were recruited from patients admitted to Voortrekker Hospital during the study period after attempting suicide. The interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Themes were identified through the McMillan method. A combined list of themes was compiled. The results were interpreted, conclusions were drawn and recommendations were made.Results: Reasons identified were multi-factorial and can effectively be summarised by the term bio-psychosocial, which gives an indication of the range of problems. Included were predisposing economic and health-related factors, substance abuse and disturbed interpersonal relationships. Other contributory factors were emotional reactions, unpleasant feelings and thoughts of self-killing with the expectation to die and rest in peace. These factors were interrelated and connected to each other in various ways. The process of parasuicide consisted of a combination of these factors, but was different for each participant. Conclusions and recommendations: A range of psychosocial risk factors contributes to parasuicide. Patients said that they had attempted suicide predominantly because there were faced by too many overwhelming physical or social problems, they felt isolated and that their lives were meaningless and purposeless. In addition to the findings obtained from the research, the process of qualitative free attitude interviewing were helpful in that the process of learning the interview techniques improved the researcher's skills and therefore the quality of care given to patients (participants in the study and others). The participants also felt that ventilating and sharing their problems were beneficial to them. SA Fam Pract 2004;46(7): 21-2

In-vitro study of formulation and evaluation of nanosuspension of tamoxifen

Background: Nanosuspension technology has been developed as a promising candidate for efficient delivery of hydrophobic drugs. It could maintain the required crystalline state of the drug with reduced particle size, leading to an increased reporting on dissolution rate and therefore improved bioavailability.Methods: In this paper, we report on the preparation of Tamoxifen nanosuspension by high-pressure homogenization (HPH). The aim is to obtain a stable nanosuspension with an increased drug saturation solubility and dissolution velocity. The morphology and particle size distribution of the modified nanosuspensions were characterized by the means of several analyses that included: transmission electron microscopy (TEM), polarized light microscopy (PLM), scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and powder X- ray diffractometry (XRD).Results: HPH was employed to produce aqueous drug nanosuspensions with fine solubility and dissolution properties, which render the produced particles stable up to one month. In addition, the prepared nanosuspensions possessed a high drug-loading efficiency (10%). The recoded zeta potential values (≈ -27 mV) indicated that the prepared nanosuspensions possess a higher degree of long-term stability. TEM data showed narrow size distribution with average size 322.7 nm. Morphologically, as indicated from results, the produced nanosuspensions have a homogenous distribution even after redispersion, indicating the stability of the product.Conclusions: It was possible to obtain Tamoxifen nanosuspensions with fine solubility and dissolution properties. Nanosuspensions possessed a high drug- loading (10%), which could reduce the dosage administration and gastrointestinal side effects. HPH can be employed to produce aqueous drug nanosuspensions that are stable up to one month. Aqueous nanosuspension can be converted to dry nanocrystals by lyophilization which offer superior physicochemical properties

Weight Loss Following Bariatric Surgery in People with or without Metabolic Syndrome: A 5-Year Observational Comparative Study

Aim: Whilst bariatric surgery is the most effective treatment for severe obesity, the aim of this study was to evaluate whether postoperative weight loss is similar in patients with or without metabolic syndrome. Methods: We performed a 5-year observational retrospective comparative cohort analysis of bariatric surgery in 333 patients (72% women) without (Group A, n = 133) or with (Group B, n = 200) metabolic syndrome at baseline. Results: Overall mean (SD) baseline body mass index was 51.7 (7.5) with no significant difference between groups. Overall mean percent total weight loss (%TWL) was 31.9% by 24 months after surgery. Although %TWL was greater in Group A (34.9%) than in Group B (30.2%, p = 0.006) at 24 months, there were no significant differences between groups subsequently up to 60 months of follow-up. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures and lipid profiles improved in both groups. In patients with metabolic syndrome at baseline, mean HbA1c reduced by 36.4% at 12 months and was sustained over the study period. Conclusions: We report that bariatric surgery results in comparable long-term weight loss in patients with or without metabolic syndrome alongside expected improvements in metabolic comorbidities

The Effect of Single, Binary and Ternary Anions of Chloride, Carbonate and Phosphate on the Release of 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetate Intercalated into the Zn–Al-layered Double Hydroxide Nanohybrid

Intercalation of beneficial anion into inorganic host has lead to an opportunity to synthesize various combinations of new organic–inorganic nanohybrids with various potential applications; especially, for the controlled release formulation and storage purposes. Investigation on the release behavior of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetate (2,4-D) intercalated into the interlayer of Zn–Al-layered double hydroxide (ZAN) have been carried out using single, binary and ternary aqueous systems of chloride, carbonate and phosphate. The release behavior of the active agent 2,4-D from its double-layered hydroxide nanohybrid ZANDI was found to be of controlled manner governed by pseudo-second order kinetics. It was found that carbonate medium yielded the highest accumulated release of 2,4-D, while phosphate in combination with carbonate and/or nitrate speeds up the release rate of 2,4-D. These results indicate that it is possible to design and develop new delivery system of latex stimulant compound with controlled release property based on 2,4-D that is known as a substance to increase latex production of rubber tree,Hevea brasiliensis

In vivo characterization of glutamine metabolism identifies therapeutic targets in clear cell renal cell carcinoma

Targeting metabolic vulnerabilities has been proposed as a therapeutic strategy in renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Here, we analyzed the metabolism of patient-derived xenografts (tumorgrafts) from diverse subtypes of RCC. Tumorgrafts from VHL-mutant clear cell RCC (ccRCC) retained metabolic features of human ccRCC and engaged in oxidative and reductive glutamine metabolism. Genetic silencing of isocitrate dehydrogenase-1 or isocitrate dehydrogenase-2 impaired reductive labeling of tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle intermediates in vivo and suppressed growth of tumors generated from tumorgraft-derived cells. Glutaminase inhibition reduced the contribution of glutamine to the TCA cycle and resulted in modest suppression of tumorgraft growth. Infusions with [amide-15N]glutamine revealed persistent amidotransferase activity during glutaminase inhibition, and blocking these activities with the amidotransferase inhibitor JHU-083 also reduced tumor growth in both immunocompromised and immunocompetent mice. We conclude that ccRCC tumorgrafts catabolize glutamine via multiple pathways, perhaps explaining why it has been challenging to achieve therapeutic responses in patients by inhibiting glutaminase

A multicentric consortium study demonstrates that dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase 2 is not a dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase

Dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase 1 (DDAH1) protects against cardiovascular disease by metabolising the risk factor asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA). However, the question whether the second DDAH isoform, DDAH2, directly metabolises ADMA has remained unanswered. Consequently, it is still unclear if DDAH2 may be a potential target for ADMA-lowering therapies or if drug development efforts should focus on DDAH2's known physiological functions in mitochondrial fission, angiogenesis, vascular remodelling, insulin secretion, and immune responses. Here, an international consortium of research groups set out to address this question using in silico, in vitro, cell culture, and murine models. The findings uniformly demonstrate that DDAH2 is incapable of metabolising ADMA, thus resolving a 20-year controversy and providing a starting point for the investigation of alternative, ADMA-independent functions of DDAH2

"We live from mother nature":neoliberal globalization, commodification, the 'war on drugs', and biodiversity in Colombia since the 1990s

This article explores how macroeconomic and environmental policies instituted since the 1990s have altered meanings, imaginaries, and the human relationship to nature in Colombia. The Colombian nation-state is pluri-ethnic, multilingual, and megabiodiverse. In this context, indigenous peoples, Afro-Colombians, and some peasant communities survive hybridization of their cultures. They have developed their own ways of seeing, understanding, and empowering the world over centuries of European rule. However, threats to relatively discrete cultural meanings have increased since major changes in the 1990s, when Colombia experienced the emergence of new and modern interpretations of nature, such as “biodiversity,” and a deepening of globalized neoliberal economic and political management. These policies involve a modern logic of being in the world, the establishment of particular regulatory functions for economies, societies, and the environment, and their spread has been facilitated by webs of political and economic power. We trace their local effects with reference to three indigenous groups

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London