Teratogenic potential of traditional Malaysian vegetables (ulam) in the zebrafish model

2020 ◽  
Vol 122 (10) ◽  
pp. 3089-3098
Author(s):  
Alya Hanisah Omar ◽  
Chin Siang Kue ◽  
Roza Dianita ◽  
Ke-Xin Yu
Keyword(s):  
Local Community ◽  
Lethal Effect ◽  
Negative Control ◽  
Teratogenic Effect ◽  
Zebrafish Embryos ◽  
Zebrafish Model ◽  
Fish Embryo ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cancer Pathways ◽  
Teratogenic Potential

PurposeTraditional Malaysian vegetables, also known as ulam, are believed to have healing properties among the local community. Ulam is commonly reported to have high antioxidant content which makes it a popular food. The purpose of this paper is to determine the teratogenic potential of eight ulam, using zebrafish model. The tested ulam were Cosmos caudatus, Gynura procumbens, Labisia pumila var. alata, Phaleria macrocarpa, Polygonum minus, Piper sarmentosum, Premna foetida and Sauropus androgynous.Design/methodology/approachMethanol extract of ulam was prepared using the maceration method. Various concentrations of extracts were tested against fish embryo short-term toxicity test. The lethal concentration (LC50) and teratogenic effect of the ulam were determined.FindingsAmong all tested species, L. pumila, P. foetida and S. androgynous showed 100% lethal effect towards zebrafish embryos at concentrations of 10 µg/mL, 1,000 µg/mL and 100 µg/mL, respectively. The three ulam have exhibited teratogenic effect on zebrafish embryos after 72 h post-fertilization. L. pumila had induced yolk sac edema at 1.0 µg/mL for normalized measurement of 108.3 ± 2.0% (which is higher than negative control, p < 0.05, median = 110.7%), while P. foetida had induced pericardial edema at 100 µg/mL for normalized measurement of 124.0 ± 4.6% (which is higher than negative control, p < 0.05, median = 124.3%). On the other hand, S. androgynus induced curve trunk at 30 µg/mL for the presence of 70.9 ± 4.2%.Originality/valueThe teratogenic effect of L. pumila, P. foetida and S. androgynous suggests the possible disruption in the embryogenesis in zebrafish, namely Notch, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and retinoic acid pathways. The results of ulam gave possible implications and insights on the cancer pathways involved, which could be a useful target for cancer research. This is the first report on teratogenicity evaluation of Malaysian ulam showing relationship to cancer pathways by using zebrafish embryo model.

The marionette: embeddedness in a community of family-controlled firms

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanna Astner
Keyword(s):  
Family Involvement ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Social Role ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Negative Control ◽  
Psychological Ownership ◽  
Dark Side ◽  
Longitudinal Case Study ◽  
Entrepreneurial Process ◽  
Content Type

Purpose Being embedded in family has proven to bring opportunities and facilitate resources for a firm. However, it has its dark side, where too much family involvement may hamper the entrepreneur’s ability to develop psychological ownership of the firm. By focusing on the role that family plays in entrepreneurship, this paper aims to explore how embeddedness and agency interact during the entrepreneurial process. The research questions are as follows: how does family interact in the entrepreneurial process? How does embeddedness inform this process? Design/methodology/approach The paper builds on a longitudinal case study of a small firm that is part of a local community of family-controlled firms. The narrative was created through in-depth interviews with the business owner covering a period of eight years from the opening to the closure of the firm. Departing from theories of family embeddedness, the family is viewed as part of the context. Findings The findings show how agency operates in a community of family-controlled firms and how entrepreneurship is thus partly executed outside the firm’s legal boundaries. The metaphor of a marionette illustrates how family may tie up and restrain an entrepreneur. This hampers the entrepreneur in developing psychological ownership of the firm and thereby restrains the firm’s development. This shows a downside to having too much positive influence from embeddedness. Research limitations/implications The paper stresses the social role of family by emphasising the value that a family can bring to an entrepreneurial process and thereby to society at large. Practitioners need to reflect on the effects of embeddedness. By recognising the downsides of too much help from outsiders, they may instead strive for a balance. By introducing the theory of psychological ownership to the literature on embeddedness, this paper opens the space for future developments of this cross-section. Originality/value The paper contributes to the entrepreneurship literature by unfolding the mechanisms of family embeddedness and illustrating how embeddedness informs the entrepreneurial process in different ways. Even though over-embeddedness has been investigated before, this has primarily focused on the negative control from outside the firm. This paper uses the notion of psychological ownership to shed light on the previously hidden problem of too much positive influence from family.

scholarly journals TERATOGENICITY TESTING OF SIDDHA FORMULATION OF NILAVEMBU KUDINEER ON ZEBRAFISH (DANIO RERIO) EMBRYO

2019 ◽  
pp. 246-250
Author(s):  
SHANMUGAPRIYA P ◽  
ELANSEKARAN S ◽  
RAMAMURTHY M ◽  
JEEVA GLADYS R ◽  
SIVARAMAN D ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Danio Rerio ◽  
Zebrafish Embryo ◽  
Teratogenic Effect ◽  
Zebrafish Embryos ◽  
Developmental Abnormality ◽  
Specific Time ◽  
Time Points ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Dose Concentration ◽  
Teratogenic Potential

Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the teratogenic effect of Nilavembu Kudineer (NVK) by testing in zebrafish embryo (Danio rerio). Methods: The study consisted of 30 embryos/culture plate/dose concentration containing a series of diluted decoction of NVK ranging from 10 μg to 640 μg/ml, and the embryo development was monitored at specific time points. The parameters such as developmental abnormality and adverse events were monitored at 24 hourly intervals for 96 h. Results: The study results showed 100% hatching and survival of embryos with no significant abnormalities in the extension of study from 96 to 120 h post-fertilization examinations. Conclusion: NVK did not have teratogenic potential on testing it in various concentrations on zebrafish embryos validating its safety during pregnancy.

Investigating interdependencies of sustainable supplier selection criteria: an appraisal using ISM

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 195-210 ◽  
Author(s):  
Avanish Singh Chauhan ◽  
Gaurav Kumar Badhotiya ◽  
Gunjan Soni ◽  
Prem Kumari
Keyword(s):  
Supplier Selection ◽  
Selection Criteria ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Pollution Prevention ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Past ◽  
Micmac Analysis ◽  
Sustainable Supplier Selection ◽  
Social Environmental ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose Because of the increased global competition and the need for environment consciousness, organisations have started focusing on incorporating sustainability dimensions into suppler selection criteria. In the past decade, sustainable supplier selection has received much attention from researchers as well as industry practitioners. The purpose of this paper is to identify various sustainable supplier selection criteria (SSSC) and underlying interdependencies among prominent selection criteria to develop a framework for sustainability dimensions. Design/methodology/approach The sustainable criteria for supplier selection were established through comprehensive literature review. An interpretive structural modelling (ISM) approach is used to investigate the interrelationships among these criteria. Findings A total of 21 SSSC under 3 dimensions (social, environmental and economic) are established. Ten criteria related to quality, capability, flexibility, waste management, pollution prevention, local community, employment practice, labour, etc. are exhibiting strong driving as well as dependence power, as demonstrated through ISM and matriced’ impacts croises-multiplication applique’ and classement (MICMAC) analysis. The findings show that delivery/service, eco design and rights of stakeholders are the “key” criteria having a high-driving and low-dependence power. These criteria require high attention from managers, while other criteria having low-driving and high-dependence power require secondary actions. Research limitations/implications The inter-relations for the development of ISM model and MICMAC analysis were obtained through the opinion of industry experts and academicians, which may tend to be subjectively biased. Further exploration is proposed to statistically validate the developed interdependency model. Practical implications This paper might act as a reference for the supplier development managers of organisations by providing an appraisal of various SSSC based on their interdependencies. Originality/value This study contributes to the knowledge base by proposing a framework of the interrelationships of the SSSC and also provides an additional perspective for managing these criteria based on ISM.

scholarly journals The Role of Polymeric Coatings for a Safe-by-Design Development of Biomedical Gold Nanoparticles Assessed in Zebrafish Embryo

Nanomaterials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 1004
Author(s):  
Pamela Floris ◽  
Stefania Garbujo ◽  
Gabriele Rolla ◽  
Marco Giustra ◽  
Lucia Salvioni ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gold Nanoparticles ◽  
Significant Inhibition ◽  
Zebrafish Embryos ◽  
Design Development ◽  
Embryo Viability ◽  
Fish Embryo ◽  
Toxic Response ◽  
Consequent Reduction ◽  
Vertebrate Model ◽  
Safe By Design

In the biomedical field, gold nanoparticles (GNPs) have attracted the attention of the scientific community thanks to their high potential in both diagnostic and therapeutic applications. The extensive use of GNPs led researchers to investigate their toxicity, identifying stability, size, shape, and surface charge as key properties determining their impact on biological systems, with possible strategies defined to reduce it according to a Safe-by-Design (SbD) approach. The purpose of the present work was to analyze the toxicity of GNPs of various sizes and with different coating polymers on the developing vertebrate model, zebrafish. In particular, increasing concentrations (from 0.001 to 1 nM) of 6 or 15 nm poly-(isobutylene-alt-maleic anhydride)-graft-dodecyl polymer (PMA)- or polyethylene glycol (PEG)-coated GNPs were tested on zebrafish embryos using the fish embryo test (FET). While GNP@PMA did not exert significant toxicity on zebrafish embryos, GNP@PEG induced a significant inhibition of embryo viability, a delay of hatching (with the smaller size NPs), and a higher incidence of malformations, in terms of tail morphology and eye development. Transmission electron microscope analysis evidenced that the more negatively charged GNP@PMA was sequestered by the positive charges of chorion proteins, with a consequent reduction in the amount of NPs able to reach the developing embryo and exert toxicological activity. The mild toxic response observed on embryos directly exposed to GNP@PMA suggest that these NPs are promising in terms of SbD development of gold-based biomedical nanodevices. On the other hand, the almost neutral GNP@PEG, which did not interact with the chorion surface and was free to cross chorion pores, significantly impacted the developing zebrafish. The present study raises concerns about the safety of PEGylated gold nanoparticles and contributes to the debated issue of the free use of this nanotool in medicine and nano-biotechnologies.

Designing a Cultural Heritage Articulated Warning System (CHAWS) strategy to improve disaster risk preparedness in Brazil

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-85
Author(s):  
Victor Marchezini ◽  
Allan Yu Iwama ◽  
Danilo Celso Pereira ◽  
Rodrigo Silva da Conceição ◽  
Rachel Trajber ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Cultural Heritage ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Warning System ◽  
Disaster Risk ◽  
Civil Defense ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Key Factor ◽  
Scientific Challenge ◽  
Risk Preparedness

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to study an articulated warning system that provides information about the heritage at risk and encourages a dialogue between the heritage sector, civil defense agencies and local communities. Design/methodology/approach The databases from the National Heritage Institute, National Civil Defense, National Geological Service and National Early Warning System were investigated and the local community provided input which helped form a participatory risk mapping strategy for a warning system in the heritage sector. Findings There is little knowledge of the Brazilian heritage that is at risk and a lack of coordination between the cultural heritage and DRR sectors. This means that there is a need to organize the geo-referenced databases so that information can be shared and the public provided with broader access. As a result, there can be a greater production, dissemination and application of knowledge to help protect the cultural heritage. Practical implications The findings can be included in the debate about the importance of framing disaster risk management (DRM) policies in the Brazilian heritage sector. Social implications The findings and maps of the case study in the town of São Luiz do Paraitinga involve the heritage sector, civil defense agencies and local people and can be used for disaster risk preparedness. Originality/value A DRM program is being formulated in Brazil. However, the kind of strategy needed to incorporate the heritage sector in this program stills needs to be planned, and the knowledge of the cultural heritage at risk is a key factor when faced with this new social and scientific challenge.

scholarly journals Reflections on the L’Aquila trial and the social dimensions of disaster risk

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 434-445 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angelo Jonas Imperiale ◽  
Frank Vanclay
Keyword(s):  
Local Community ◽  
Social Issues ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Earthquake Swarm ◽  
Disaster Risk ◽  
Community Empowerment ◽  
Court Case ◽  
Civil Protection ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Social

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to reflect on what can be learned about disaster risk reduction (DRR) from the L’Aquila trial of scientists. The court case was initiated because of a controversial meeting on 31 March 2009 of the Major Risks Committee (MRC), held under the auspices of the Italian Department of Civil Protection. The purpose of the meeting was to consider (prior to the fatal earthquake of 6 April 2009) disaster risk in the L’Aquila area, which was being affected by an earthquake swarm since October 2008. Design/methodology/approach The authors undertook a document analysis of trial materials, and a review of academic and media commentary about the trial. Findings The legal process revealed that disaster governance was inadequate and not informed by the DRR paradigm or international guidelines. Risk assessment was carried out only in a techno-scientific manner, with little acknowledgement of the social issues influencing risks at the local community level. There was no inclusion of local knowledge or engagement of local people in transformative DRR strategies. Originality/value Most previous commentary is inadequate in terms of not considering the institutional, scientific and social responsibilities for DRR as exposed by the trial. This paper is unique in that it considers the contents of the MRC meeting as well as all trial documents. It provides a comprehensive reflection on the implications of this case for DRR and the resilience of peoples and places at risk. It highlights that a switch from civil protection to community empowerment is needed to achieve sustainable outcomes at the local level.

Risks of financial abuse of older people with dementia: findings from a survey of UK voluntary sector dementia community services staff

2014 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 180-192 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kritika Samsi ◽  
Jill Manthorpe ◽  
Karishma Chandaria
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Community Support ◽  
Voluntary Sector ◽  
Community Services ◽  
Warning Signs ◽  
Money Management ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Financial Abuse ◽  
People With Dementia

Purpose – Financial abuse of people with dementia is of rising concern to family carers, the voluntary sector and professionals. Little is known about preventative and early response practice among community services staff. The purpose of this paper is to investigate voluntary sector staff's views of the risks of managing money when a person has a dementia and explore ways that individuals may be protected from the risks of financial abuse. Design/methodology/approach – An online survey of staff of local Alzheimer's Society groups across England was conducted in 2011 and was completed by 86 respondents. Open-ended responses supplemented survey questions. Statistical analysis and content analysis identified emergent findings. Findings – Most respondents said their people with dementia experienced problems with money management, with almost half the respondents reporting encountering cases of financial abuse over the past year. Most were alert to warning signs and vulnerabilities and offered suggestions relevant to practice and policy about prevention and risk minimization. Research limitations/implications – Adult safeguarding practitioners are likely to encounter money management uncertainties and concerns about exploitation of people with dementia. They may be contacted by community-based support staff from the voluntary sector about individual queries but could ensure that such practitioners are engaged in local training and networking activities to promote their skills and confidence. Practical implications – As with other forms of elder abuse, professionals need to be aware of risks of financial abuse and be able to suggest effective yet acceptable preventive measures and ways to reduce risks of harm and loss. Further publicity about adult safeguarding services may be needed among local community support services. Originality/value – There have been few studies investigating the views of people working with people with dementia in the community about adult safeguarding.

scholarly journals Control of Mucosal Candidiasis in the Zebrafish Swim Bladder Depends on Neutrophils That Block Filament Invasion and Drive Extracellular-Trap Production

2017 ◽  
Vol 85 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
Remi L. Gratacap ◽  
Allison K. Scherer ◽  
Brittany G. Seman ◽  
Robert T. Wheeler
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Disease ◽  
Extracellular Dna ◽  
Epithelial Barrier ◽  
Infection Model ◽  
Swim Bladder ◽  
Spatiotemporal Resolution ◽  
Zebrafish Model ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mucosal Candidiasis ◽  
Disease Pressure

ABSTRACT Candida albicans is a ubiquitous mucosal commensal that is normally prevented from causing acute or chronic invasive disease. Neutrophils contribute to protection in oral infection but exacerbate vulvovaginal candidiasis. To dissect the role of neutrophils during mucosal candidiasis, we took advantage of a new, transparent zebrafish swim bladder infection model. Intravital microscopic tracking of individual animals revealed that the blocking of neutrophil recruitment leads to rapid mortality in this model through faster disease progression. Conversely, artificial recruitment of neutrophils during early infection reduces disease pressure. Noninvasive longitudinal tracking showed that mortality is a consequence of C. albicans breaching the epithelial barrier and invading surrounding tissues. Accordingly, we found that a hyperfilamentous C. albicans strain breaches the epithelial barrier more frequently and causes mortality in immunocompetent zebrafish. A lack of neutrophils at the infection site is associated with less fungus-associated extracellular DNA and less damage to fungal filaments, suggesting that neutrophil extracellular traps help to protect the epithelial barrier from C. albicans breach. We propose a homeostatic model where C. albicans disease pressure is balanced by neutrophil-mediated damage of fungi, maintaining this organism as a commensal while minimizing the risk of damage to host tissue. The unequaled ability to dissect infection dynamics at a high spatiotemporal resolution makes this zebrafish model a unique tool for understanding mucosal host-pathogen interactions.

scholarly journals International retirement migration and Thai stakeholders’ views: a Japanese case study

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ann Suwaree Ashton ◽  
Noel Scott
Keyword(s):  
Development Strategy ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
The Body ◽  
Local Resident ◽  
Role Of Government ◽  
Stakeholder Collaboration ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Retirement Migration ◽  
International Retirement Migration

Purpose This paper aims to investigate Thai stakeholders’ perceptions of developing a destination for international retirement migration (IRM). Increasingly, residents of developed nations such as Japan who retire from work are choosing to live in Thailand or other less-developed countries. Design/methodology/approach Qualitative approach was used, and data were collected through focus groups and in-depth interviews in Chiang Mai and Bangkok. Content analysis technique was used to analyze data after completing the interviews of 35 industry participants. Findings It was found from the participants that considerable new real estate development and services specifically for these retirees has been created in recent years, but that there is a lack of stakeholder collaboration in catering to this market. Moreover, local resident knowledge of the retirees’ culture and language is lacking, along with a need for policy and planning support from government. Research limitations/implications A limitation of this study is that it explored only the perception of business stakeholders involved with Japanese IRM, a group of importance to the Thai Government due to their increasing numbers. Further study could look at local community attitudes toward IRM and how a community adapts to this new phenomenon. Practical implications This study provides guidelines for stakeholders, government and local communities. Especially, the role of government is to provide support with clear information about the visa process and legal documents. Originality/value This study contributes to the body of knowledge of destination development strategy for a specific international retirement tourist group.

Exploring the motivations of tourism social entrepreneurs

2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (6) ◽  
pp. 1137-1154 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ziene Mottiar
Keyword(s):  
Social Entrepreneurship ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
National Strategy ◽  
Social Entrepreneurs ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Key Informant ◽  
Research Questions ◽  
Tourism Destinations

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the motivations of social entrepreneurs. It explores the case of the Gathering in Ireland in 2013, when against a backdrop of recession, the national Government encouraged individuals and communities to organize events and invite the Diaspora to visit Ireland as a way of helping the country to revitalize. Some 5,000 events took place across the country during the year, and this paper examines this in the context of social entrepreneurship. Three research questions are posed: Who were these tourism and social entrepreneurs who organized events as a result of the Gathering? What motivated them to engage in these activities? Will this social entrepreneurship activity be maintained beyond 2013 and how has it been impacted by the Gathering? Design/methodology/approach The empirical research was conducted in two counties in Ireland, Co. Kerry and Co. Westmeath. The research tools used were key informant interviews, a survey of event organizers and focus groups. Findings Key findings show that the Gathering has resulted in the emergence of new social entrepreneurs, but it has also had a positive impact on those who had run their events before, as it made them be more strategic in the way they planned and ran their event and also resulted in them thinking about these events in terms of tourists rather than just the local community. They also developed new skills which will aid their future development. It is clear that social entrepreneurs can play a fundamental role in the development of tourism destinations, and this is an important topic for researchers in tourism to be concerned about. Originality/value The originality of this paper lies in the fact that it addresses the issue of motivation of social entrepreneurs and challenges us to think more about how these types of entrepreneurs identify the problem that they will address. Furthermore, this case shows that the motivation for such action can be prompted by a national strategy, rather than as the literature heretofore represented it as an innate motivation that materialized and developed within particular individuals.

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