Significance of a sustainable business model

In the modern era of industrialization resource depletion and carbon footprint of commercial activities is an important concern. Awareness about the impact of conventional commercial activities is increasing among the consumers as well as organizations. As the demand of goods may well continue to increase with a consistent increase in population, responsible organizations have been looking for ways to conduct their activities in a more sustainable manner and rational customers tend to prefer Sustainable Products (SP). The dilemma, however, is how to evolve conventional businesses into such a state that continues to fulfil the expectations of the customers while minimizing the impact on environment. The focus of this study is to understand why conventional Business Models (BM) should be transformed into Sustainable Business Models (SBM) and how can it help to meet the interests of customers. The aim of this thesis is to understand a link between SBM in producing SP. This research intends to understand the importance of customer in light of Stakeholder Theory (ST) and importance of Circular Economy (CE) to achieve a SBM. Furthermore, the author of this study derived a conceptual framework from theories to answer the research question. To investigate this scenario a qualitative approach based on secondary data, a case study of IKEA was conducted. The study has also considered insights from previous researches on IKEA regarding sustainability issues. Pattern matching technique was applied to analyse theoretical and empirical data. The empirical study supported the theoretical framework and revealed a matching pattern. This pattern match supported the selection of theoretical framework. Based on this analysis, it could be argued that CE principles and strong Corporate Governance (CG) can possibly help businesses to strengthen their business strategy as well as help transform their BM into a SBM. However, considering the complex supply chain and dependencies of large businesses on the legal, economic, social and industrial environment they operate in, there is a lot yet to be done to get to the ideal stage of having a fully SBM

In Vitro Evaluation of Dalbergia sissoo and Acacia modesta gum as Pharmaceutical Binders for Drug Delivery System

The present study aimed to compare the crude, modified and hydrolyzed gums of Dalbergia sissoo and Acacia modesta as a biodegradable binder for drug delivery system using acetaminophen as a model drug. The physiochemical properties such as pH, fluorescence analysis and swelling index were determined. The gums were hydrolyzed and modified. Acetaminophen tablets were prepared using wet granulation technique and the gum solutions were used as a binder. Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose was used as a synthetic binder. Different properties of granules and tablets were evaluated. Results showed that both gums were acidic in nature, while D. sissoo and A. modesta showed light brown and creamy color in fluorescence analysis. The swelling ratio was the highest in water followed by 0.1N HCl and least in phosphate buffer. The prepared tablets showed faster and slower dissolution profiles in the same dissolution system. The crude gums have the highest dissolution rate, and this rate was decreased in the case of modified and hydrolyzed gums samples. The crude gums showing slower release can be useful in sustained-release tablets, while the modified gums having faster release rate are helpful in conventional tablet formulation. Taken together, the selected gums could be a good model for evaluation as a binder or hydrophilic polymer in tablet formulation

Clinical Characteristics and Cross Analysis of HIV and HCV Co-Infection in Faisalabad Region

About 150 and about 35 million human beings are infected with HCV (hepatitis C virus) as well as HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) respectively. The increasing stress of HIV/HCV coinfection is supposed to infect five to seven million individuals globally due to their coinciding approaches of procurement. Co-infection of HCV/HIV in patients caused them to suffer from more liver-associated mortality and anguish. This paper aims to investigate the spread rate of the HIV and HCV coinfection in District Faisalabad. In this paper, blood samples of patients are evaluated and tested for anti-HIV/HCV antibodies employing the ICT (immune chromatography technique) for HIV/HCV confections. The six out 30 confirmed patients (real-time PCR) for HIV infection who also have HCV infection were analyzed for additional provisional clinical examination. In these patients, the hemoglobin (17.38±0.159 per dL), ALT (77 uL-1) and Hematocrit (50.60±0.255%) levels increased significantly than standard reference values. On the body, these facts could be developed due to HIV/HCV co-infection burden. An inverse relation has been demonstrated by these coinfected patients in the levels of hemoglobin as well as in platelets. With the usages of better supplements/nutrients, the above differential values can be improved and ultimately beneficial for the survival of the infected individuals. The Current paper could be convenient for appropriate perpetuation of HIV/HCV co-infected patients under related treatment

In silico mutation analysis of human beta globin gene in sickle cell disease patients

Background: Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder that affects red blood cells. People with sickle cell conditions make a different form of hemoglobin a called hemoglobin S. Sickle cell conditions are inherited from parents in much the same way as blood type, hair color and texture, eye color and other physical traits. Sickle cell disease occurs due to a single mutation on the b-globin gene, namely, a substitution of glutamic acid for valine at position 6 of the b chain. Several mutations in HBB gene can cause sickle cell disease. Abnormal versions of beta-globin can distort red blood cells into a sickle shape. The sickle-shaped red blood cells die prematurely, which can lead to anemia. The study is focused on analysis of HBB gene with its different variants, Evolutionary pathways and protein domains by using various bioinformatics tools.Methods: The study is focused on analysis of HBB gene with its different variants, Evolutionary pathways and protein domains by using various bioinformatics tools.Results: Sickle cell disease occurs due to a single mutation on the b-globin gene, namely, a substitution of glutamic acid for valine at position 6 of the b chain. Several mutations in HBB gene can cause sickle cell disease. Abnormal versions of beta-globin can distort red blood cells into a sickle shape. Comparative study shown 38 different genes with little genetic variation among different species.Conclusion: Studies suggested that there is need to maintain a primary prevention program to detect sickle cell disease at earlier stages despite having a large high risk. Preventive diagnosis and follow-up would reduce infant mortality by preventing the development of severe anemia as well as dangerous complications. In short, sickle cell disease surveillance would avert loss of life, measured as the number of years lost due to ill-health, disability or early death.

A Review - Colorectal Cancer, Prevalence, along with Screening, Diagnosis, and Novel Therapies

Colorectal cancer is considering a communal health problem and in the whole world, its number is third in all cancers that were diagnosed. It causes a significant burden in terms of sickness and death with the estimation of seven lakhs annual deaths. In many countries of the world western way of life is rapidly adopted that is a well-debated factor for colorectal cancer and in term of primary preventive measures, it could be besieged. Comparatively slow advancement of this cancer allows severe reduction of occurrence and death rate with the help of secondary prevention. These facts motivate primary care physicians to play a key role in health plans that improve prevention and rapid diagnosis. In ancient years, the targeted therapies with combinational treatment have proven to be very effective for specific colorectal cancer patients. These therapies are epidermal growth factor, receptor inhibitor, and growth factor. As the advancements in clinic and science have visible that give new treatment options for metastatic colorectal cancer, the five-year existence rate is still fourteen percent low. But in other subtypes of colorectal cancer, the results may not be successful and not highly explored. We can reduce side effects and make the treatment effect by using alternative therapies instead of traditional therapies such as anticancer drugs, probiotics, etc. Herein, some major topics related to CRC in recent literature have been reviewed, to acknowledge its malignancy, risk, and defensive factors, along with the screening methodologies. Moreover, we also debate over preventive as well as screening strategies to fight against CRC

Pattern of unnatural deaths during COVID-19 lockdown in comparison with deaths reported during 2019 in Sahiwal city

Background:  Lockdown, a social isolation restriction measure has a direct impact on covid-19 transmission but its effect on unnatural deaths remains unknown. Objective:  This study has been designed to observe the effects of covid-19 lockdown on unnatural deaths in Sahiwal by comparing with the same period in 2019. Study design: Descriptive retrospective study. Setting: The study was conducted in mortuary of DHQ Teaching Hospital Sahiwal attached with the Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology Sahiwal medical college, Sahiwal. Study Duration: Covid-19 lockdown period from 24th March 2020 to 9th May 2020 and the same period in 2019. Materials and Methods: This study includes 62 cases of unnatural deaths, out of which 23 Cases in 2019 and 39 cases in 2020. We have included age, sex, marital status, area of belonging, manner of death, and cause of death as variables in our study. Results: In total 62 cases, in 2019 there were 15 males and 8 females with a mean age of 37.30±19.55 years and in 2020, there were 27 males and 12 females with a mean age of 32.85±15.16 years. The age group in which most number of deaths occurred was 30-59 years (46.8%). In 2019 majority of victims died due to homicide 15(65.2%) while during the lockdown period 14 (35.9%) victims lost their lives in accidents. Firearm injuries were the cause of death in 11(47.8%) cases in 2019 while in the COVID 19 lockdown period the majority of cases 13 (33.3%) were those who died due to roadside accidents. Conclusions: We could not detect significant difference in the two periods examined with respect to sociodemographic factors, but manner of death was significantly affected

Prevalence of Submandibular Gland Metastasis in Squamous Cell Carcinomas of Oral Cavity

Background: The oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), the most common malignant tumor of the oral cavity, have aggressive biological behavior and is treated with surgical excision, lymph node dissection and submandibular gland excision. However, the submandibular gland is rarely involved by OSCC. The study aimed to identify the prevalence of submandibular gland involvement with metastasis in squamous cell carcinoma of oral cavity patients at a tertiary care center in Pakistan. Methods: The oral cancer patients (139) having wide excisions with neck dissection cases were included from the Dow Diagnostic Research and Reference Laboratory (DDRRL), between May 2017-2019. The cancer cases summary was recorded in a specifically designed protocol. Data was analyzed by SPSS version 21. The Chi-square test was used to find an association between categorical variables and p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The male to female ratio was 2.7: 1. A wide age range (20-84 years) with a mean age of 46±13 years. Most patients 48 (34.5%) belonged to >51 years of age group. The most frequently involved sites were Buccal mucosa 75 (52.9%), followed by tongue 24 (17.45%). A significant association was recorded between tumor size and tumor thickness (p<0.005), as well as tumor size and histological grade (p=0.023). In this study, only 3 (2.1%) submandibular glands were involved by metastatic carcinoma. Conclusion: The involvement of the Submandibular gland with metastatic oral squamous cell carcinoma prevalence was very low to warrant efforts towards the preservation of gland in early-stage patients. Keywords: Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma; Submandibular Gland; Neck Dissection

Rehabilitation of Acute and Chronic Ankle Sprain for Male Cricketers through Mixedbag (Hydrotherapy and Land-Based) Exercises

Ninety-five amateur cricketers of age, 15-35 years with confirmed acute or chronic ankle sprain, selected from four different cities of the Punjab, Pakistan were evaluated through Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT), Single Leg Balance test (SLB) and subject to a set of progressively increasing exercises on ground and in water as well known as MixedBag rehab exercises which consisted of Hydro, Isometric, Isotonic and proprioception protocols. Another group of same level cricketer (n = 40) served as control. Comparisons of pre and post-exercise values showed significant increase (p \u3c 0.001) in Lateral direction reach and Posteromedial direction while the rest of the six directions showed non-significant results. MixedBag Rehab Group showed an overall improvement of 14.3 % and 9.2 % with an increase (cm) of 9.6 and 6.3 for the non-injured and injured leg respectively. However, the range of improvement in percentage for all eight directions lies between 5.5-6.3 and 7.7-11.8 for the non-injured and injured leg, respectively. Similarly, the difference between pre and post-exercise difference of two positions of non-injured leg and injured leg in seconds were 2.9, 12.1 and 4.1, 27.7. The results indicated that MixedBag exercises improved isometric and isotonic muscular strength, proprioception and stability that ultimately helped to recover, regaining strength and reinstall proprioception. After completing the MixedBag Rehab plan, the subjects were followed for four months to check the recurrence and it was found that the recurrence of Control Injured Group and MixedBag Rehab Group was 17.5 % and 7.5 %, respectively