Browsing by Issue Date, starting with "2024-08-20"
Now showing 1 - 3 of 3
Results Per Page
Sort Options
- New natural and sustainable cosmetic preservative based on sugarcane straw extractPublication . Carvalho, Maria João; Pedrosa, Sílvia Santos; Pintado, Manuela; Oliveira, Ana L. S.; Madureira, Ana RaquelPreservative ingredients in cosmetic formulations undertake a necessary role in the prevention of microbial contamination. In this field, there is an unmet need for natural, sustainable, and effective preservatives. Thus, the main goal of this work was to evaluate a sugarcane straw extract-based ingredient and investigate its potential as a preservative for cosmetic applications. Different ingredients were developed using several cosmetic solvents to improve the solubility of the extracted compounds. The antimicrobial activity was assessed against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida albicans. The 1,2-hexanediol was the solvent that allowed us to achieve the ingredient (20% dry extract dispersed in 25% 1,2-hexanediol in water) with the best antimicrobial performance, showing a minimum inhibitory concentration of between 5% and 3% (I). The 5% (w/v) concentration of this ingredient complied with the USP51 standards for cosmetic preservatives. Real-time (25 °C, 65% RH) and accelerated stability (40 °C, 75% RH) tests were conducted to determine the ingredient stability, and it was found that one month of storage time at room temperature would be ideal for better ingredient stability and performance in terms of composition, pH, color, and antioxidant activity.
- Visibilizing and managing paradox: redefining the role of non-executive directorsPublication . Cunha, Miguel Pina e; Leite, António Nogueira; Rego, Arménio; Hernández-Linares, RemediosPurpose – This paper aims to discuss the work of non-executive directors (NEDs) as inherently paradoxical. Paradox refers to the presence of persistent contradictions between interdependent forces. Those persistent tensions are explored, and approaches are indicated to stimulate the adaptive use of paradoxes as forces of innovation and renewal. Design/methodology/approach – This conceptual approach can be read as an invitation for corporate governance scholars to embrace the logic of paradox to expand the understanding of this topic. Paradox is not conceptualized as an alternative to dominant structural views, including board composition, but as a complementary conceptual perspective, a meta-theoretical lens to shed light on the tensions inherent to governance. Findings – The authors propose that paradox theory offers a fresh conceptual lens to study the role of NEDs. This approach may help NEDs to turn tensions and paradoxes visible to develop a rich understanding of their work, as well as helping them navigate the complexities of organizing, a process rich in inherent paradoxicality. Originality/value – Organizational paradox theory is a bourgeoning field of study, but the conceptual lens of paradox has still been underexplored in the study of corporate governance.
- Magnitude and temporal variations of socioeconomic inequalities in the quality of life after early breast cancer: results from the multicentric French CANTO CohortPublication . Sandoval, José Luis; Franzoi, Maria Alice; Di Meglio, Antonio; Ferreira, Arlindo R.; Viansone, Alessandro; André, Fabrice; Martin, Anne Laure; Everhard, Sibille; Jouannaud, Christelle; Fournier, Marion; Rouanet, Philippe; Vanlemmens, Laurence; Dhaini-Merimeche, Asma; Sauterey, Baptiste; Cottu, Paul; Levy, Christelle; Stringhini, Silvia; Guessous, Idris; Vaz-Luis, Ines; Menvielle, GwennPURPOSE: Socioeconomic status (SES) influences the survival outcomes of patients with early breast cancer (EBC). However, limited research investigates social inequalities in their quality of life (QoL). This study examines the socioeconomic inequalities in QoL after an EBC diagnosis and their time trends. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We used data from the French prospective multicentric CANTO cohort (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01993498), including women with EBC enrolled between 2012 and 2018. QoL was assessed using the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer QoL Core 30 questionnaire (QLQ-C30). summary score at diagnosis and 1 and 2 years postdiagnosis. We considered three indicators of SES separately: self-reported financial difficulties, household income, and educational level. We first analyzed the trajectories of the QLQ-C30 summary score by SES group. Then, social inequalities in QLQ-C30 summary score and their time trends were quantified using the regression-based slope index of inequality (SII), representing the absolute change in the outcome along socioeconomic gradient extremes. The analyses were adjusted for age at diagnosis, Charlson Comorbidity Index, disease stage, and type of local and systemic treatment. RESULTS: Among the 5,915 included patients with data on QoL at diagnosis and at the 2-year follow-up, social inequalities in QLQ-C30 summary score at baseline were statistically significant for all SES indicators (SIIfinancial difficulties = -7.6 [-8.9; -6.2], SIIincome = -4.0 [-5.2; -2.8]), SIIeducation = -1.9 [-3.1; -0.7]). These inequalities significantly increased (interaction P <.05) in year 1 and year 2 postdiagnosis, irrespective of prediagnosis health, tumor characteristics, and treatment. Similar results were observed in subgroups defined by menopausal status and type of adjuvant systemic treatment. CONCLUSION: The magnitude of preexisting inequalities in QoL increased over time after EBC diagnosis, emphasizing the importance of considering social determinants of health during comprehensive cancer care planning.