A Human Dignity Approach to Business Ethics for Executives

This chapter introduces an approach to business ethics for executives that centers on the concept of human dignity.The ideas discussed in this chapter are drawn largely from Catholic social doctrine as applied to the economic sphere.Catholic social doctrine, however, is not primarily the product of theological speculation.It instead finds a foundational source in philosophical ethics and the natural law, subjects that antedate Christianity by many centuries.As a result, people of other faith traditions or of no religion can profitably access both its wisdom and the many practical applications found therein.They are part of “real life” as actually experienced by business executives.Rightly ordered, ethical business leaders’ guiding decisions shape a positive corporate environment, one in which creativity is fostered and workers serve both the community and each other.Affirming each individual’s dignity in the business enterprise does not lead to lack of control or strategic focus.It contributes on the contrary to the success of a viable business model from which long-term profit can flow.(Foley, 2015).It also helps the enterprise play a role as a responsible contributor to the surrounding society

Assessing the effectiveness of prophylactic treatment strategies for sheep scab

Ovine psoroptic mange (sheep scab) is a condition caused by a hypersensitivity response to the ectoparasitic mite, Psoroptes ovis. It is an animal welfare concern and causes extensive economic losses to the sheep industry worldwide. More effective scab management is required to limit increases in infection prevalence, particularly given growing concerns over acaricide resistance. Here, a stochastic metapopulation model is used to explore the effectiveness of a range of prophylactic acaricide treatment strategies in comparison to no intervention. Over a simulated one-year period, movement control, based on the prophylactic treatment of animals being moved in sales, followed by farm biosecurity of bought in animals, was shown to be the most effective at reducing scab risk and more cost-effective than no intervention. Localised targeting of prophylaxis in areas of high scab prevalence was more effective than using prophylaxis at random, however, this localised effect declined post-treatment because of the import of infected animals. The analysis highlights the role of the movement of infected animals in maintaining high levels of scab infection and the importance of reducing this route of transmission to allow localised management to be effective

Sheep scab spatial distribution: the roles of transmission pathways

Abstract Background Ovine psoroptic mange (sheep scab) is a highly pathogenic contagious infection caused by the mite Psoroptes ovis. Following 21 years in which scab was eradicated in the UK, it was inadvertently reintroduced in 1972 and, despite the implementation of a range of control methods, its prevalence increased steadily thereafter. Recent reports of resistance to macrocyclic lactone treatments may further exacerbate control problems. A better understanding of the factors that facilitate its transmission are required to allow improved management of this disease. Transmission of infection occurs within and between contiguous sheep farms via infected sheep-to-sheep or sheep–environment contact and through long-distance movements of infected sheep, such as through markets. Methods A stochastic metapopulation model was used to investigate the impact of different transmission routes on the spatial pattern of outbreaks. A range of model scenarios were considered following the initial infection of a cluster of highly connected contiguous farms. Results Scab spreads between clusters of neighbouring contiguous farms after introduction but when long-distance movements are excluded, infection then self-limits spatially at boundaries where farm connectivity is low. Inclusion of long-distance movements is required to generate the national patterns of disease spread observed. Conclusions Preventing the movement of scab infested sheep through sales and markets is essential for any national management programme. If effective movement control can be implemented, regional control in geographic areas where farm densities are high would allow more focussed cost-effective scab management. Graphical Abstrac

Testing for partial agonism of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor

2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) is the most potent of a group of persistent organic pollutants (POPs). The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) has a high affinity for these dioxin-like compounds with activation increasing transcription of CYP1A1. The aim of this paper was to measure the agonistic and potential antagonistic effects of four of the most prevalent and potent dioxin-like agonists: 3-Methylcholanthrene (3-MC), 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzofuran (TCDF), 2,3,4,7,8-Pentachlorodibenzofuran (PeCDF) and 3,3’,4,4‘,5-Pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB 126), comparing them with TCDD. An example of a suspected partial agonist (DF 203) and an antagonist (CH 233191) were also assayed. A method of measurement that uses real-time PCR was calibrated to quantify the induction of CYP1A1. Potency determination for different incubation times was also investigated using 3-MC and TCDD. An increase in EC50 (~40 fold) between 4 and 24 hours was observed for 3-MC, whereas a lesser difference (~4-fold) was seen with TCDD. This showed that time is a clear variable when measuring CYP1A1 induction. Four individual determinations of the potency of TCDD at inducing P4501A1 gave an average EC50 = 35 pM (± 5.8 pM), demonstrating the reproducibility and reliability of the method. Successful measurement of the agonistic properties of the four compounds was characterised: 3-MC EC50= 2.3 nM (Confidence interval = 1.3 - 3.8 nM); TCDF = 5.8 nM (2.8 - 11 nM); PeCDF = 2.2 nM (1.4 - 3.4 nM); PCB 126 = 765 pM (645 - 907 pM). However, no antagonistic properties were observed demonstrating that within a TCDD containing mixture, they will have no effect on the prediction of TCDDlike toxicity. Nevertheless, the method successfully characterized antagonism in the positive control compounds, DF 203 and CH 223191

Aortic calcification and femoral bone density are independently associated with left ventricular mass in patients with chronic kidney disease

Background Vascular calcification and reduced bone density are prevalent in chronic kidney disease and linked to increased cardiovascular risk. The mechanism is unknown. We assessed the relationship between vascular calcification, femoral bone density and left ventricular mass in patients with stage 3 non-diabetic chronic kidney disease in a cross-sectional observational study. Methodology and Principal Findings A total of 120 patients were recruited (54% male, mean age 55±14 years, mean glomerular filtration rate 50±13 ml/min/1.73 m2). Abdominal aortic calcification was assessed using lateral lumbar spine radiography and was present in 48%. Mean femoral Z-score measured using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry was 0.60±1.06. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging was used to determine left ventricular mass. One patient had left ventricular hypertrophy. Subjects with aortic calcification had higher left ventricular mass compared to those without (56±16 vs. 48±12 g/m2, P = 0.002), as did patients with femoral Z-scores below zero (56±15 vs. 49±13 g/m2, P = 0.01). In univariate analysis presence of aortic calcification correlated with left ventricular mass (r = 0.32, P = 0.001); mean femoral Z-score inversely correlated with left ventricular mass (r = −0.28, P = 0.004). In a multivariate regression model that included presence of aortic calcification, mean femoral Z-score, gender and 24-hour systolic blood pressure, 46% of the variability in left ventricular mass was explained (P<0.001). Conclusions In patients with stage 3 non-diabetic chronic kidney disease, lower mean femoral Z-score and presence of aortic calcification are independently associated with increased left ventricular mass. Further research exploring the pathophysiology that underlies these relationships is warranted

Sheep scab:comparison of spatial and temporal patterns determined by clinical diagnosis or ELISA

BACKGROUND: Ovine psoroptic mange (sheep scab) is an infectious condition caused by an allergen-induced hypersensitivity response to the mite Psoroptes ovis. Infestation results in clinical disease, economic loss and welfare issues in many sheep-producing countries. The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence and spatial pattern of sheep scab on contiguous farms, using both self-reported clinical outbreak history (2012–2020) and serological testing with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (2021/2022). METHODS: Farms included in the study were located in three regions of known high scab prevalence in North, Central and Southwest England. In total, 254 farms completed both a questionnaire, which provided the clinical scab history of the farm, and submitted results of serological testing with the ELISA. RESULTS: A scab outbreak was reported by 17.4% (± confidence interval [CI]: 4.6%; n = 48) of farms in 2020 based on clinical diagnosis; scab was diagnosed by the ELISA on 25.6% (± 5.5%; n = 65) of farms in 2021/2022. Comparison of self-reported clinical scab cases with the ELISA test results identified a group of farms (n = 52) that did not report scab in 2020, or in some cases did not report having scab over the previous 8 years (n = 20), but whose flocks were nevertheless seropositive in 2021/2022. CONCLUSION: A small number of flocks, particularly those using common grazings in North England, where handling is infrequent, often comprising less susceptible sheep breeds, may have persistent scab infestations that are generally undetected by clinical inspection. The data highlight the advantages of serological testing to identify exposure to scab in flocks where clinical signs are less easily detected. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT: [Image: see text

Characterisation of chlorinated, brominated and mixed halogenated dioxins, furans and biphenyls as potent and as partial agonists of the Aryl hydrocarbon receptor

The Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) binds a variety of chlorinated and brominated dioxins, furans and biphenyls. Mixed halogenated variants have been recently identified in food at significant levels but full characterisation requires potency data in order to gauge their impact on risk assessment. Rat H4IIE and human MCF-7 cells were treated with various mixed halogenated ligands. Antagonist properties were measured by treating cells with various concentrations of TCDD in the presence of EC25 of the putative antagonist. Measurement of CYP1A1 RNA was used to quantify the potency of agonism and antagonism. The PXDDs were found to be slightly less potent than the corresponding fully chlorinated congeners with the exception of 2-B,3,7,8-TriCDD which was 2-fold more potent than TCDD. PXDFs and non-ortho-PXBs were found to be more potent than their chlorinated congeners whilst several mono-ortho-substituted PXBs were shown to have partial agonistic properties. REPs were produced for a range of mixed halogenated AhR-activating ligands providing a more accurate estimation of potency for risk assessment. Several environmentally abundant biphenyls were shown to be antagonists and reduce the ability of TCDD to induce CYP1A1. The demonstration of antagonism for AhR ligands represents a challenge for existing REP risk assessment schemes for AhR ligands