Top Management Characteristics of Foreign MNC Affiliates and Affiliate Performance in Japan : Knowledge-Based and Upper Echelon Perspectives

Drawing from the knowledge-based view of MNCs and the upper echelon perspective, we examine the relationship between top management characteristics of MNC affiliates and affiliate performance. Using a sample of 643 foreign MNC affiliates operating in Japan, we found that when the length of an affiliate operation was shorter, the affiliate performed better under the expatriate managing director rather than the Japanese manager. We also found that when the size of an affiliate was larger and the length of operation was shorter, the affiliate performed better under the larger rather than smaller proportion of expatriates in top management teams. Implications for research and practice of top management staffing of MNC foreign affiliates are discussed.

Effect of sacubitril/valsartan on inflammation and oxidative stress in doxorubicin-induced heart failure model in rabbits

Our study evaluates the effects of sacubitril/valsartan (SAC/VAL) in the rabbit model of doxorubicin-induced heart failure. Twenty rabbits (5 per group) were administered with doxorubicin (DOX, 1.5 mg kg–1, i.v.) to induce heart failure. Specific biomarkers such as BNP, CnT, CRP and ROMs were determined. The cardiac enzymatic antioxidant systems were recorded with their electrographic profiles. HR, SBP, DBP and MAP were restored at 5 or 10 mg kg–1 (p.o.) of SAC/VAL compared to DOX, followed by reduced levels of creatinine and BNP (p < 0.001). Significant improvements (p < 0.05) compared to DOX were also noticed in CAT, SOD and LPO with the same doses of SAC/VAL. Specific biomarkers such as BNP, CnT, CRP and ROMs descended significantly (p < 0.001) with treatment when compared to their baseline values. Our findings implied that SAC/VAL treatment reduced the inflammation and oxidative stress to improve the cardiac function