Determinants of Organisational Structures: An Empirical Study

This article analyses the main factors that determine the organisational structure of a sample of firms located in Catalonia, an autonomous region in the northeast of Spain. The variables studied were identified from among the factors considered in contingency theory and by incorporating elements of the strategic choice approach. After grouping the variables into two factors (related to internationalisation and customer-oriented aspects, respectively) the results revealed three groups of companies according to how they regarded the impact of these factors on organisational structures. In those groups that consider the variables of internationalisation to be modifiers of structure the organisational structures are of the ‘complex classical’ type, whereas simple forms predominate in the group that believes these variables do not modify their structure.organisational design; contingency; strategic choice.

The Astonishing Large Family of HSP40/DnaJ Proteins Existing in Leishmania

Abrupt environmental changes are faced by Leishmania parasites during transmission from a poikilothermic insect vector to a warm-blooded host. Adaptation to harsh environmental conditions, such as nutrient deprivation, hypoxia, oxidative stress and heat shock needs to be accomplished by rapid reconfiguration of gene expression and remodeling of protein interaction networks. Chaperones play a central role in the maintenance of cellular homeostasis, and they are responsible for crucial tasks such as correct folding of nascent proteins, protein translocation across different subcellular compartments, avoiding protein aggregates and elimination of damaged proteins. Nearly one percent of the gene content in the Leishmania genome corresponds to members of the HSP40 family, a group of proteins that assist HSP70s in a variety of cellular functions. Despite their expected relevance in the parasite biology and infectivity, little is known about their functions or partnership with the different Leishmania HSP70s. Here, we summarize the structural features of the 72 HSP40 proteins encoded in the Leishmania infantum genome and their classification into four categories. A review of proteomic data, together with orthology analyses, allow us to postulate cellular locations and possible functional roles for some of them. A detailed study of the members of this family would provide valuable information and opportunities for drug discovery and improvement of current treatments against leishmaniasis.This research was supported by the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación (MICINN), Agencia Estatal de Investigación (AEI), grant number PID2020-117916RB-I00, and Instituto de Salud Carlos III, grant CB21/13/00018 (CIBERINFEC). An institutional grant from Fundacion Ramon Areces is also acknowledged.S

WASPSS: A Clinical Decision Support System for Antimicrobial Stewardship

The increase of infections caused by resistant bacteria has become one of the major health-care problems worldwide. The creation of multidisciplinary teams dedicated to the implementation of antimicrobial stewardship programmes (ASPs) is encouraged by all clinical institutions to cope with this problem. In this chapter, we describe the Wise Antimicrobial Stewardship Program Support System (WASPSS), a CDSS focused on providing support for ASP teams. WASPSS gathers the required information from other hospital systems in order to provide decision support in antimicrobial stewardship from both patient-centered and global perspectives. To achieve this, it combines business intelligence techniques with a rule-based inference engine to integrate the data and knowledge required in this scenario. The system provides functions such as alerts, recommendations, antimicrobial prescription support and global surveillance. Furthermore, it includes experimental modules for improving the adoption of clinical guidelines and applying prediction models related with antimicrobial resistance. All these functionalities are provided through a multi-user web interface, personalized for each role of the ASP team

Predicting morbidity by local similarities in multi-scale patient trajectories

[EN] Patient Trajectories (PTs) are a method of representing the temporal evolution of patients. They can include information from different sources and be used in socio-medical or clinical domains. PTs have generally been used to generate and study the most common trajectories in, for instance, the development of a disease. On the other hand, healthcare predictive models generally rely on static snapshots of patient information. Only a few works about prediction in healthcare have been found that use PTs, and therefore benefit from their temporal dimension. All of them, however, have used PTs created from single-source information. Therefore, the use of longitudinal multi-scale data to build PTs and use them to obtain predictions about health conditions is yet to be explored. Our hypothesis is that local similarities on small chunks of PTs can identify similar patients concerning their future morbidities. The objectives of this work are (1) to develop a methodology to identify local similarities between PTs before the occurrence of morbidities to predict these on new query individuals; and (2) to validate this methodology on risk prediction of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) occurrence in patients with diabetes. We have proposed a novel formal definition of PTs based on sequences of longitudinal multi-scale data. Moreover, a dynamic programming methodology to identify local alignments on PTs for predicting future morbidities is proposed. Both the proposed methodology for PT definition and the alignment algorithm are generic to be applied on any clinical domain. We validated this solution for predicting CVD in patients with diabetes and we achieved a precision of 0.33, a recall of 0.72 and a specificity of 0.38. Therefore, the proposed solution in the diabetes use case can result of utmost utility to secondary screening.This work was supported by the CrowdHealth project (COLLECTIVE WISDOM DRIVING PUBLIC HEALTH POLICIES (727560)) and the MTS4up project (DPI2016-80054-R).Carrasco-Ribelles, LA.; Pardo-Más, JR.; Tortajada, S.; Sáez Silvestre, C.; Valdivieso, B.; Garcia-Gomez, JM. (2021). Predicting morbidity by local similarities in multi-scale patient trajectories. Journal of Biomedical Informatics. 120:1-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbi.2021.103837S1912

Characterization and control of oocyte large-scale chromatin configuration in different cattle breeds.

Made available in DSpace on 2020-12-11T01:57:24Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2020-01-01 Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) Differences in reproductive physiology between cattle breeds may help to explain distinct responses to assisted reproductive techniques and to define breed-specific protocols with improved efficiency. Germinal vesicle (GV) stage oocytes are characterized by increasing levels of chromatin compaction enclosed within the nucleus (graded from GV0 to GV3), associated with different developmental competence. The first objective of this study was to characterize chromatin configuration of GV stage oocytes recovered by OPU at random days of the estrous cycle from Nelore (Bos indices) and Holstein (Bos taurus) cows. In Nelore 90% of the oocytes presented advanced stages of chromatin compaction associated with higher developmental competence (GV2 and GV3), while in Holstein, only 65% of the oocytes were at these stages. Then, aiming to obtain a more homogeneous population of oocytes in Holstein, we tested two synchronization protocols combining aspiration of all visible follicles at a random day (day 0), two IM injections of FSH 12 h apart on day 2, and OPU on day 4 (OPU/D4) or 5 (OPU/D5). The protocol OPU/D4 provided around 45% of the oocytes with low chromatin compaction (GV1), while the protocol OPU/D5 provided 70% of the oocytes at GV2 and 20% at GV3. Finally, we assessed the effects of a culture system known to prevent meiotic resumption on chromatin configuration of the GV2 enriched oocyte population obtained with the protocol OPU/D5. After 9 h of culture most oocytes transited from GV2 to GV3, with 90% of the oocytes at GV3 stage. This study demonstrates differences between Nelore and Holstein cows regarding patterns of chromatin configuration that may account for their different performance in IVM/IVF. In addition, it provides novel references for the design of protocols aiming to regulate oocyte quality before IVM for the optimization of IVF outcomes. (C) 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Sao Paulo State Univ, Inst Biosci, Dept Physiol, Ovarian Mol Physiol Lab, Sao Paulo, Brazil Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Anim Reprod, Sao Paulo, Brazil Univ Milan, Dept Hlth Anim Sci & Food Safety, Reprod & Dev Biol Lab, Milan, Italy Sao Paulo State Univ, Inst Biosci, Dept Physiol, Ovarian Mol Physiol Lab, Sao Paulo, Brazil CAPES: 001 FAPESP: 2017/07588-4 FAPESP: 2016/21671-

Development and Evaluation of Management Information Systems for Christian Workers Movement Multi-Purpose Cooperative

The Christian Workers Movement Multi-Purpose Cooperative (CWMMC) is a financial institution that caters to more than a thousand members in rendering timely financial assistance by making use of manual transaction processing. The company has encountered a number of problems pertaining to its services, strategic office location, and data / information management. This study was conducted in an attempt to design and develop a software system that would make loaning processes and other company-related business transactions simple, convenient, reliable, and dependable. A management information system was developed for and implemented at CWMMC. The software was found acceptable to the end-users and technical experts. Hence, it was recommended that the software be used continuously

Targeting Innate Immunity with dsRNA-Conjugated Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles Promotes Antitumor Effects on Breast Cancer Cells

The authors describe herein a Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) targeting delivery system based on mesoporous silica nanoparticles capped with the synthetic double stranded RNA polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly(I:C)) for controlled cargo delivery in SK-BR-3 breast carcinoma cells. The authors' results show that poly(I:C)-conjugated nanoparticles efficiently targeted breast cancer cells due to dsRNA-TLR3 interaction. Such interaction also triggered apoptotic pathways in SK-BR-3, significantly decreasing cells viability. Poly(I:C) cytotoxic effect in breast carcinoma cells was enhanced by loading nanoparticles' mesopores with the anthracyclinic antibiotic doxorubicin, a commonly used chemotherapeutic agent.We thank the Spanish Government (projects SAF2010-21195 and MAT2012-38429-C04-01) and the Generalitat Valenciana (project PROMETEOII/2014/047) for support. A.U. and C.G. are grateful to the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport for their doctoral fellowships. We thank J. M. Cosgaya and M. J. Latasa for helpful discussions.Ultimo, A.; Giménez Morales, C.; Bartovsky, P.; Aznar, E.; Sancenón Galarza, F.; Marcos Martínez, MD.; Amoros Del Toro, PJ.... (2016). Targeting Innate Immunity with dsRNA-Conjugated Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles Promotes Antitumor Effects on Breast Cancer Cells. Chemistry - A European Journal. 22(5):1582-1586. https://doi.org/10.1002/chem.201504629S15821586225Torre, L. A., Bray, F., Siegel, R. L., Ferlay, J., Lortet-Tieulent, J., & Jemal, A. (2015). Global cancer statistics, 2012. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, 65(2), 87-108. doi:10.3322/caac.21262McGuire, A., Brown, J., Malone, C., McLaughlin, R., & Kerin, M. (2015). Effects of Age on the Detection and Management of Breast Cancer. Cancers, 7(2), 908-929. doi:10.3390/cancers7020815Stier, S., Maletzki, C., Klier, U., & Linnebacher, M. (2013). Combinations of TLR Ligands: A Promising Approach in Cancer Immunotherapy. 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Nature, 421(6921), 350-353. doi:10.1038/nature01362Casasús, R., Climent, E., Marcos, M. D., Martínez-Máñez, R., Sancenón, F., Soto, J., … Ruiz, E. (2008). Dual Aperture Control on pH- and Anion-Driven Supramolecular Nanoscopic Hybrid Gate-like Ensembles. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 130(6), 1903-1917. doi:10.1021/ja0756772Climent, E., Martínez-Máñez, R., Sancenón, F., Marcos, M. D., Soto, J., Maquieira, A., & Amorós, P. (2010). Controlled Delivery Using Oligonucleotide-Capped Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 49(40), 7281-7283. doi:10.1002/anie.201001847Climent, E., Martínez-Máñez, R., Sancenón, F., Marcos, M. D., Soto, J., Maquieira, A., & Amorós, P. (2010). Controlled Delivery Using Oligonucleotide-Capped Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles. Angewandte Chemie, 122(40), 7439-7441. doi:10.1002/ange.201001847Lai, C.-Y., Trewyn, B. G., Jeftinija, D. M., Jeftinija, K., Xu, S., Jeftinija, S., & Lin, V. S.-Y. (2003). A Mesoporous Silica Nanosphere-Based Carrier System with Chemically Removable CdS Nanoparticle Caps for Stimuli-Responsive Controlled Release of Neurotransmitters and Drug Molecules. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 125(15), 4451-4459. doi:10.1021/ja028650lLiu, R., Liao, P., Liu, J., & Feng, P. (2011). Responsive Polymer-Coated Mesoporous Silica as a pH-Sensitive Nanocarrier for Controlled Release. Langmuir, 27(6), 3095-3099. doi:10.1021/la104973jPark, C., Oh, K., Lee, S. C., & Kim, C. (2007). Controlled Release of Guest Molecules from Mesoporous Silica Particles Based on a pH-Responsive Polypseudorotaxane Motif. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 46(9), 1455-1457. doi:10.1002/anie.200603404Park, C., Oh, K., Lee, S. C., & Kim, C. (2007). Controlled Release of Guest Molecules from Mesoporous Silica Particles Based on a pH-Responsive Polypseudorotaxane Motif. Angewandte Chemie, 119(9), 1477-1479. doi:10.1002/ange.200603404Aznar, E., Mondragón, L., Ros-Lis, J. V., Sancenón, F., Marcos, M. D., Martínez-Máñez, R., … Amorós, P. (2011). Finely Tuned Temperature-Controlled Cargo Release Using Paraffin-Capped Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 50(47), 11172-11175. doi:10.1002/anie.201102756Aznar, E., Mondragón, L., Ros-Lis, J. V., Sancenón, F., Marcos, M. D., Martínez-Máñez, R., … Amorós, P. (2011). Finely Tuned Temperature-Controlled Cargo Release Using Paraffin-Capped Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles. Angewandte Chemie, 123(47), 11368-11371. doi:10.1002/ange.201102756Bringas, E., Köysüren, Ö., Quach, D. V., Mahmoudi, M., Aznar, E., Roehling, J. D., … Stroeve, P. (2012). Triggered release in lipid bilayer-capped mesoporous silica nanoparticles containing SPION using an alternating magnetic field. Chemical Communications, 48(45), 5647. doi:10.1039/c2cc31563gFu, Q., Rao, G. V. R., Ista, L. K., Wu, Y., Andrzejewski, B. P., Sklar, L. A., … López, G. P. (2003). 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Early intervention for obsessive compulsive disorder : An expert consensus statement

© 2019 Elsevier B.V.and ECNP. All rights reserved.Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is common, emerges early in life and tends to run a chronic, impairing course. Despite the availability of effective treatments, the duration of untreated illness (DUI) is high (up to around 10 years in adults) and is associated with considerable suffering for the individual and their families. This consensus statement represents the views of an international group of expert clinicians, including child and adult psychiatrists, psychologists and neuroscientists, working both in high and low and middle income countries, as well as those with the experience of living with OCD. The statement draws together evidence from epidemiological, clinical, health economic and brain imaging studies documenting the negative impact associated with treatment delay on clinical outcomes, and supporting the importance of early clinical intervention. It draws parallels between OCD and other disorders for which early intervention is recognized as beneficial, such as psychotic disorders and impulsive-compulsive disorders associated with problematic usage of the Internet, for which early intervention may prevent the development of later addictive disorders. It also generates new heuristics for exploring the brain-based mechanisms moderating the ‘toxic’ effect of an extended DUI in OCD. The statement concludes that there is a global unmet need for early intervention services for OC related disorders to reduce the unnecessary suffering and costly disability associated with under-treatment. New clinical staging models for OCD that may be used to facilitate primary, secondary and tertiary prevention within this context are proposed.Peer reviewe