R&D Leadership Styles and Behaviors: A Review and Research Agenda

R&D leaders are critical actors in creating and execut- ing organizational R&D strategies and leading R&D departments. R&D leaders spearhead and manage innovation activities and efforts that are essential for organizational survival and growth. Despite the importance of the R&D leader role, there is a scant focus on R&D leadership styles and behaviors within the existing fragmented literature. Accordingly, in this article, the purpose is to address this deficit by examining R&D leadership styles and behav- iors through a systematic literature review. Based on 60 articles, we identified three main themes: the influence of leadership style; R&D leader behaviors; and R&D leader human capital. We analyze and discuss these themes along with positing future research avenues for further understanding of R&D leaders and leadership

Researchers' Seedbeds for the Development of Research Skills in Universities

The objective of this study is to demonstrate the effects of the application of the pedagogical strategy "researcher's seedbed" in the development of research skills in universities. This research is of quasi-experimental, longitudinal and prospective design, where 2 groups were formed: control and experimental, of 18 students each. A validated instrument was used to measure the research competences, as well as a rubric for the evaluation of the research projects. It began with a pre-test, and after 14 weeks of the development of the strategy, through different educational sessions, the post-test was administered. Likewise, the research projects carried out were evaluated. The results obtained showed that the pedagogical strategy had a positive effect on the development of research skills, with the highest evaluation being found in 40% of the students, with statistically significant differences between the control and experimental groups (Mann Whitney U, p=0.007), and between the pre-test and post-test (Wilcoxon, p=0.00). In the development of cognitive and procedural competence, an effect was also found in the strategy, but not in the attitudinal competence (Mann Whitney U, p=0.496). The application of this study is based on the fact that the formation of research groups in universities strengthens formative research in higher level students. This study shows the benefits of the implementation of strategies for the development of research competencies, since the product will be to train professionals with a scientific culture in favor of society

Diagnóstico genético de paciente con enfermedad mitocondrial

Motivación: Dentro de las enfermedades mitocondriales existen síndromes clínicos perfectamente definidos, presentando los pacientes una gran variedad y asociación de signos y síntomas que pueden ir desde hipotonías hasta la muerte. Además, estos signos y síntomas pueden aparecer y modificarse a lo largo de la vida. Por todo ello, el estudio y diagnóstico de la enfermedad mitocondrial puede ser muy complejo. El diagnóstico final ha de realizarse uniendo datos clínicos, bioquímicos, genéticos y anatomopatológicos.Las deficiencias en el complejo de la piruvato deshidrogenasa (PDC) son unas de las patologías mitocondriales más comunes, sobre todo alteraciones en la subunidad PDHE1(a). En este caso trabajamos con un paciente con signos clínicos que apuntaban a un defecto en este complejo.Métodos: El diagnóstico genético ha sido realizado en base a los siguientes métodos:- Secuenciación masiva del exoma del paciente a partir de ADN extraídos de fibroblastos de piel en cultivo.- PCR: gracias a ella se han amplificado las regiones del genoma en las que se cree que se encuentran las mutaciones.- Secuenciación convencional para la detección de las mutaciones encontradas en la secuenciación masiva del exoma del paciente, además de la detección de dichas mutaciones en sus progenitores.- Base de datos de los 1000 genomas para poder comparar con secuencias de personas sanas con el fin de encontrar variantes patogénicas en el paciente.Resultados: Se han encontrado dos mutaciones en heterocigosis en el gen PDHB que codifica la subunidad PDHE1B del PDC. Además, se ha comprobado que dichas mutaciones han sido aportadas por los padres, la madre es heterocigota para la mutación M101V y el padre es heterocigoto para una mutación que afecta a la maduración del primer intrón, afectando así al mensajero resultante.Conclusiones: El diagnóstico genético es muy útil en el diagnóstico de las enfermedades mitocondriales. Además, la base de datos de los 1000 genomas es una herramienta de gran utilidad durante el diagnóstico, te permite comparar tu secuencia con multitud de controles publicados gracias a lo cual se gana fiabilidad en las conclusiones y se evitan problemas económicos y técnicos derivados de enviar a secuenciar controles propios. Sin embargo, los resultados expuestos en la base de datos pertenecen a personas de diferentes etnias y lugares geográficos que tendrán importantes variaciones genéticas

P28 85. Análisis de la supervivencia a corto y medio plazo de la cirugía de aorta ascendente

ObjetivosEvaluar la mortalidad hospitalaria y la supervivencia a medio plazo de los pacientes sometidos a una cirugía de aorta ascendente y determinar cuáles son sus factores de riesgo.Material y métodosSe analizó de forma retrospectiva toda la población de pacientes sometidos a un procedimiento quirúrgico de aorta ascendente (sustitución con o sin cirugía valvular o de raíz asociada) entre enero de 2003 y diciembre de 2008. Se evaluó la mortalidad hospitalaria y la supervivencia absoluta en el seguimiento, y mediante análisis uni y multivariante se determinaron las correspondientes variables predictoras.ResultadosTrescientos sesenta y cinco pacientes fueron sometidos de forma consecutiva a algún procedimiento quirúrgico de la aorta ascendente. Edad media: 63,1 años (desviación estándar [DE] 13); n = 99 (27,1%) fueron mujeres; n = 58 (15,9%) habían sido sometidos a una cirugía previa. En 32 pacientes se sustituyó total o parcialmente el arco aórtico. EuroSCORE mediano de 11,72% (interquartile range [IQR]: 6,78-20,43). La mortalidad hospitalaria fue 7,7% (n = 28). Los predictores de mortalidad en análisis multivariante fueron: cirugía cardíaca previa (odds ratio [OR]: 3,18; p = 0,045), tabaquismo activo (OR: 5,7; p = 0,021), insuficiencia renal (OR: 3,03; p = 0,043), estado crítico preoperatorio (OR: 5,63; p = 0,005), edad (OR: 1,06; p = 0,018) y cirugía coronaria asociada (OR: 3,17; p = 0,35). La supervivencia a 1, 3 y 5 años fue 96, 94 y 92%. Sólo edad (hazard ratio [HR]: 1,08; p = 0,022) e hipertensión pulmonar grave (HR: 3,5; p = 0,026) fueron predictores independientes de mortalidad en el seguimiento.ConclusionesEn nuestra experiencia, la sustitución de la aorta ascendente demuestra una baja mortalidad hospitalaria y una adecuada supervivencia a medio plazo

Airborne Cupressaceae Pollen and Its Major Allergen, Cup a 1, in Urban Green Areas of Southern Iberian Peninsula

Cupressaceae pollen is responsible for winter respiratory allergies in the Mediterranean area. Pollen grains of this diverse family share the same characteristics under light microscopy. Consequently, the partial contribution of each Cupressaceae species to the airborne pollen spectrum cannot be determined with conventional aerobiological methods. Studies on major aeroallergens offer better information on the allergic sensitization and appearance of symptoms in patients sensitized to airborne pollen and spores. Our aim was to determine if airborne Cupressaceae pollen concentrations correspond to aerodynamics of the major allergen of Cupressus (Cup a 1), as well as the aeroallergen correlation with different-sized particles. The air was sampled in two cities of Southern Spain (Granada and Córdoba) using the Hirst-type volumetric sampler for airborne pollen detection during 2006 to 2008 and the Andersen Cascade Impactor for aeroallergen detection during the main pollination period of Cupressaceae in the same period. The samples were analyzed by the methodology proposed by the Spanish Aerobiology Network (REA), the minimum requirements of the European Aeroallergen Society (EAS) for pollen, and by ELISA immunoassay to detect airborne Cup a 1. The distribution patterns of airborne Cupressaceae pollen and Cup a 1 were observed throughout the sampling period, although with some irregular oscillations. Cupressaceae pollen and Cup a 1 showed positive and significant correlation during the period of maximum concentrations (January to March). However, the results of this study showed that the period of exposure of aeroallergens depends on the Cupressus species and their abundance in cities. According to the allergy potential obtained, species like C. arizonica could release more allergens than other species like C. sempervirens.Ministry of Science and Technology I + D + I of Spain CGL2006-1648-CO3-02Andalusian Government RNM 011

Apoptotic microtubules delimit an active caspase free area in the cellular cortex during the execution phase of apoptosis

Apoptotic microtubule network (AMN) is organized during apoptosis, forming a cortical structure beneath plasma membrane, which has an important role in preserving cell morphology and plasma membrane permeability. The aim of this study was to examine the role of AMN in maintaining plasma membrane integrity during the execution phase of apoptosis. We demonstrated in camptothecin-induced apoptosis in H460 cells that AMN delimits an active caspase free area beneath plasma membrane that permits the preservation of cellular cortex and transmembrane proteins. AMN depolymerization in apoptotic cells by a short exposure to colchicine allowed active caspases to reach the cellular cortex and cleave many key proteins involved in plasma membrane structural support, cell adhesion and ionic homeostasis. Cleavage of cellular cortex and plasma membrane proteins, such as a-spectrin, paxilin, focal adhesion kinase (FAK), E-cadherin and integrin subunit b4 was associated with cell collapse and cell detachment. Otherwise, cleavage-mediated inactivation of calcium ATPase pump (PMCA-4) and Naþ/Ca2þ exchanger (NCX) involved in cell calcium extrusion resulted in calcium overload. Furthermore, cleavage of Naþ/Kþ pump subunit b was associated with altered sodium homeostasis. Cleavage of cell cortex and plasma membrane proteins in apoptotic cells after AMN depolymerization increased plasma permeability, ionic imbalance and bioenergetic collapse, leading apoptotic cells to secondary necrosis. The essential role of caspase-mediated cleavage in this process was demonstrated because the concomitant addition of colchicine that induces AMN depolymerization and the pan-caspase inhibitor z-VAD avoided the cleavage of cortical and plasma membrane proteins and prevented apoptotic cells to undergo secondary necrosis. Furthermore, the presence of AMN was also critical for proper phosphatidylserine externalization and apoptotic cell clearance by macrophages. These results indicate that AMN is essential to preserve an active caspase free area in the cellular cortex of apoptotic cells that allows plasma membrane integrity during the execution phase of apoptosis

Pollen Nightmare: Elevated Airborne Pollen Levels at Night

High airborne pollen concentrations are generally associated with daylight hours when it is sunny and warm and plants release pollen into the air (Alcázar et al. 1999; Dahl et al. 2013). In contrast, cooler night-time periods are usually considered to be the time of low-allergy risk. This opinion is often reflected in pollen allergy avoidance strategies presented by the media, where the most commonly repeated recommendation is to stay indoors during the day and plan outdoor activities for the evening. However, there is evidence to suggest that elevated concentrations of airborne pollen might also occur during the evening (e.g. Norris-Hill and Emberlin 1991). So, is the night really a time of low-allergy risk? We present the results of the comparative analysis of pollen concentrations during daytime and night-time hours for five allergenic pollen types (Burbach et al. 2009), i.e. alder (Alnus sp.), birch (Betula sp.), grasses (Poaceae), mugwort (Artemisia sp.) and ragweed (Ambrosia sp.)

Secondary CoQ10 deficiency, bioenergetics unbalance in disease and aging

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) deficiency is a rare disease characterized by a decreased accumulation of CoQ10 in cell membranes. Considering that CoQ10 synthesis and most of its functions are carried out in mitochondria, CoQ10 deficiency cases are usually considered a mitochondrial disease. A relevant feature of CoQ10 deficiency is that it is the only mitochondrial disease with a successful therapy available, the CoQ10 supplementation. Defects in components of the synthesis machinery caused by mutations in COQ genes generate the primary deficiency of CoQ10. Mutations in genes that are not directly related to the synthesis machinery cause secondary deficiency. Cases of CoQ10 deficiency without genetic origin are also considered a secondary deficiency. Both types of deficiency can lead to similar clinical manifestations, but the knowledge about primary deficiency is deeper than secondary. However, secondary deficiency cases may be underestimated since many of their clinical manifestations are shared with other pathologies. This review shows the current state of secondary CoQ10 deficiency, which could be even more relevant than primary deficiency for clinical activity. The analysis covers the fundamental features of CoQ10 deficiency, which are necessary to understand the biological and clinical differences between primary and secondary CoQ10 deficiencies. Further, a more in-depth analysis of CoQ10 secondary deficiency was undertaken to consider its origins, introduce a new way of classification, and include aging as a form of secondary deficiency.Consejería de Economía, Innovación, Ciencia y Empleo, Junta de Andalucía, Grant/Award Numbers: UPO-1259581, UPO-126247, UPO-1265673; Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Grant/Award Number: PI17/01286; Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte, Grant/Award Numbers: FPU14/04873, FPU16/0326

Clinical and ultrasound thyroid nodule characteristics and their association with cytological and histopathological outcomes: A retrospective multicenter study in high-resolution thyroid nodule clinics

Introduction: Thyroid nodules are a common finding. A high-resolution thyroid nodule clinic (HR-TNC) condenses all tests required for the evaluation of thyroid nodules into a single appointment. We aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes at HR-TNCs. Design and Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional multicenter study including data from four HR-TNCs in Spain. We evaluated fine-needle aspiration (FNA) indications and the association between clinical and ultrasound characteristics with cytological and histopathological outcomes. Results: A total of 2809 thyroid nodules were included; FNA was performed in 82.1%. Thyroid nodules that underwent FNA were more likely larger, isoechoic, with microcalcifications, and in younger subjects. The rate of nondiagnostic FNA was 4.3%. A solid component, irregular margins or microcalcifications, significantly increased the odds of Bethesda IV-V-VI (vs. Bethesda II). Irregular margins and a solid component were independently associated with increased odds of malignancy. Thyroid nodules <20 mm and ≥20–<40 mm had a 6.5-fold and 3.3-fold increased risk for malignancy respectively in comparison with those ≥40 mm. Conclusion: In this large multicenter study, we found that the presence of a solid component and irregular margins are factors independently related to malignancy in thyroid nodules. Since nodule size ≥40 mm was associated with the lowest odds of malignancy, this cut-off should not be a factor leading to indicate thyroid surgery. HR-TNCs were associated with a low rate of nondiagnostic FNA

The Effect of a Physical Activity Program on the Total Number of Primary Care Visits in Inactive Patients: A 15-Month Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract Background: Effective promotion of exercise could result in substantial savings in healthcare cost expenses in terms of direct medical costs, such as the number of medical appointments. However, this is hampered by our limited knowledge of how to achieve sustained increases in physical activity. Objectives: To assess the effectiveness of a Primary Health Care (PHC) based physical activity program in reducing the total number of visits to the healthcare center among inactive patients, over a 15-month period. Research Design: Randomized controlled trial. Subjects: Three hundred and sixty-two (n = 362) inactive patients suffering from at least one chronic condition were included. One hundred and eighty-three patients (n = 183; mean (SD); 68.3 (8.8) years; 118 women) were randomly allocated to the physical activity program (IG). One hundred and seventy-nine patients (n = 179; 67.2 (9.1) years; 106 women) were allocated to the control group (CG). The IG went through a three-month standardized physical activity program led by physical activity specialists and linked to community resources. Measures: The total number of medical appointments to the PHC, during twelve months before and after the program, was registered. Self-reported health status (SF-12 version 2) was assessed at baseline (month 0), at the end of the intervention (month 3), and at 12 months follow-up after the end of the intervention (month 15). Results: The IG had a significantly reduced number of visits during the 12 months after the intervention: 14.8 (8.5). The CG remained about the same: 18.2 (11.1) (P = .002). Conclusions: Our findings indicate that a 3-month physical activity program linked to community resources is a shortduration, effective and sustainable intervention in inactive patients to decrease rates of PHC visits. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT0071483