Systemic intervention to manage ccomplexity in Mexican SMEs to last over time

The purpose of this research is to develop a new methodology based upon ideas on managing complexity from the Viable System Model. The context for the research is Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Mexico. Worldwide, SMEs represent the segment of the economy that contributes the largest number of economic units and employees, both in industrialised countries and in those that are less developed. However, the astonishing rate of change today influences most human activities, including business organisations, and, therefore SMEs. Organisational complexity continues to grow as organisations are forced to address more issues and greater diversity in their operating environments. So, the current challenges imposed by modern-day complexity suggest to think about new ways of approaching managementpractice. The research aims to adopt systems thinking approaches applied on daily life as an ongoing process, based on a learning system which aims to increase the ability to manage complexity in SMEs to last over time. The research design is based on an action research approach developing a single case study intervention, based on Yin's work, in a Mexican SME in order to provide the empirical data. To do so, this work presents a novel model (ModK+) and multi-methodology (MetK+) as a way of thinking and acting, respectively, to perform a systemic intervention, linking the philosophical, methodological and practical levels. Finally, and based on the sources of evidence, the researcher realised two main findings. First, the MetK+ facilitated the adoption of systems thinking approaches in the daily practice of organisational management: it helped managers to identify and to overcome their main challenges and it enabled them to better manage their complexity. Second, the researcher identified the positive impact of building a learning system because it helped managers to refine their learning cycle to manage complexity; however, despite having such a learning system it was clear that managers would still require further accompaniment after the systemic intervention to overcome inertia in their busy daily agenda

Assessment of culture and environment in the Adolescent Brain and Cognitive Development Study: Rationale, description of measures, and early data.

Neurodevelopmental maturation takes place in a social environment in addition to a neurobiological one. Characterization of social environmental factors that influence this process is therefore an essential component in developing an accurate model of adolescent brain and neurocognitive development, as well as susceptibility to change with the use of marijuana and other drugs. The creation of the Culture and Environment (CE) measurement component of the ABCD protocol was guided by this understanding. Three areas were identified by the CE Work Group as central to this process: influences relating to CE Group membership, influences created by the proximal social environment, influences stemming from social interactions. Eleven measures assess these influences, and by time of publication, will have been administered to well over 7,000 9-10 year-old children and one of their parents. Our report presents baseline data on psychometric characteristics (mean, standard deviation, range, skewness, coefficient alpha) of all measures within the battery. Effectiveness of the battery in differentiating 9-10 year olds who were classified as at higher and lower risk for marijuana use in adolescence was also evaluated. Psychometric characteristics on all measures were good to excellent; higher vs. lower risk contrasts were significant in areas where risk differentiation would be anticipated

EGF-Coupled Gold Nanoparticles Increase the Expression of CNPase and the Myelin-Associated Proteins MAG, MOG, and MBP in the Septal Nucleus Demyelinated by Cuprizone

ARTICULO DE ACCESO ABIERTOCurrent pharmacological therapies against demyelinating diseases are not quite satisfactory to promote remyelination. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) can expand the population of oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) that may help with the remyelination process, but its delivery into the injured tissue is still a biomedical challenge. Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) may be a useful tool for drug delivery into the brain. To evaluate remyelination in the septal nucleus, we administered intracerebral GNPs coupled with EGF (EGF–GNPs). C57BL6/J mice were demyelinated with 0.4% cuprizone (CPZ) and divided into several groups: Sham, Ctrl, GNPs, EGF, and EGF–GNPs. We evaluated the remyelination process at two time-points: 2 weeks and 3 weeks post-injection (WPI) of each treatment. We used the rotarod for evaluating motor coordination. Then, we did a Western blot analysis myelin-associated proteins: CNPase, MAG, MOG, and MBP. EGF–GNPs increase the expression of CNPase, MAG, and MOG at 2 WPI. At 3 WPI, we found that the EGF–GNPs treatment improves motor coordination and increases MAG, MOG, and MBP. EGF–GNPs enhance the expression of myelin-associated proteins and improve the motor coordination in mice. Thus, EGF-associated GNPs may be a promising pharmacological vehicle for delivering long-lasting drugs into the brain.S/

Plasma Rich in Growth Factors (PRGF) in Transepithelial Photorefractive Keratectomy (TPRK)

To evaluate the usage of plasma rich in growth factor (PRGF) in transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy (TPRK) in low and moderate myopia, patients who underwent myopic and astigmatism TPRK with PRGF were involved in this retrospective, observational study. Subjects underwent a surgical procedure between February 2019 and June 2019. A three-month follow-up was recorded. Pain score was assessed with a visual analogue scale (0–10) and re-epithelialization time recorded. A total of 48 eyes from 24 patients were recruited. Mean uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) was 20/20.31 (0.00 ± 0.02 LogMAR). A total of 98% of eyes did not change corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) lines. Two percent of eyes lost one line of CDVA. Preoperative spherical equivalent was −2.67 ± 1.37 D and after three months changed to −0.21 ± 0.34 D, and 2% of eyes changed 0.50 D or more between one and three months. Pain score was 3.29 ± 0.61 (3 to 6) score points at day one and 0.08 ± 0.27 score points at day seven. Finally, re-epithelialization time was 2.50 ± 1.20 days. PRGF addition to conventional refractive treatment such as TPRK seems to alleviate immediate postoperative pain and positively contribute to corneal re-epithelization time.publishersversionPeer reviewe

Use of "ChemSensor" as an early discrimination tool of Iberian pig semen according to their freezability

Para favorecer el uso de dosis de inseminación de semen de porcino congelado-descongelado a nivel comercial, sería interesante conocer de antemano si el semen de verraco congelará bien o mal. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar el 'ChemSensor' (cromatógrafo de gases-masas unido a un software de análisis quimiométrico) como herramienta precoz de discriminación entre eyaculados según su congelabilidad. Para ello se utilizaron 33 eyaculados de verracos de raza Ibérica de los cuales se cogió una alícuota de 1 ml de semen y se analizó con el 'ChemSensor', el resto del eyaculado fue congelado-descongelado usando un protocolo estandarizado, para determinar su congelabilidad (buenos y malos congeladores) en función del porcentaje de espermatozoides con la membrana plasmática intacta y el porcentaje de espermatozoides móviles totales post-descongelación. Para el análisis con el 'ChemSensor', las muestras se volatilizaron e ionizaron descomponiéndolas en diferentes iones con un tamaño determinado, que se usaron como variables de discriminación, para separar los eyaculados en función de su congelabilidad. El 'ChemSensor' fue capaz de discriminar todos los eyaculados de los buenos congeladores; y dentro del grupo de los malos congeladores solamente una muestra fue clasificada erróneamente. Debido al reducido número de muestras, la distancia obtenida entre grupos (2,62), aunque no muy elevada, podría considerarse como significativa, aunque sería necesario un mayor número de muestras para poder crear un modelo matemático más robusto. En conclusión, el 'ChemSensor' es una posible herramienta adecuada para la discriminación precoz de eyaculados de cerdo Ibérico en función de su congelabilidad

Prevalencia de presentación de algunos agentes zoonóticos transmitidos por caninos y felinos en Medellín, Colombia

Objetivo. Determinar la prevalencia de agentes zoonóticos en caninos y felinos en Medellín, Colombia. Materiales y métodos. Se muestrearon 1501 individuos para el análisis de parásitos gastrointestinales zoonóticos por medio de coprología directa y flotación. Se examinaron 500 sueros caninos por medio de PARP-2ME y MAT para el diagnóstico de Brucella canis y Leptospira sp, respectivamente. Se procesaron 500 sueros felinos por medio de IFI para el diagnóstico de Toxoplasma gondii. Se estableció la frecuencia para cada zoonosis y la significancia estadística para las diferentes variables (p≤0.05; OR≥1; IC 95%). Resultados. El 23.6% de los caninos y 16.3% de los felinos fueron positivos a parásitos gastrointestinales, siendo los Ancylostomideos y D. caninum los más prevalente, respectivamente; la especie, edad, sexo, sector, estrato socioeconómico y el mes de muestreo presentaron asociaciones con el parasitismo gastrointestinal en mascotas. En caninos se evidenció una seroprevalencia del 6.6% para B. canis y 8.4% para Leptospira sp; en felinos del 56.2% para T. gondii. Todas las anteriores asociadas con la zona de muestreo, mes, edad y estrato. Conclusiones. Las mascotas ubicadas en diferentes comunas y estratos socioeconómicos con condiciones de calidad de vida menores representan un riesgo de transmisión zoonótica

Lymphocyte Profile and Immune Checkpoint Expression in Drug-Induced Liver Injury: An Immunophenotyping Study

The identification of specific HLA risk alleles in drug-induced liver injury (DILI) points toward an important role of the adaptive immune system in DILI development. In this study, we aimed to corroborate the role of an adaptive immune response in DILI through immunophenotyping of leukocyte populations and immune checkpoint expressions. Blood samples were collected from adjudicated DILI (n = 12), acute viral hepatitis (VH; n = 13), acute autoimmune hepatitis (AIH; n = 9), and acute liver injury of unknown etiology (n = 15) at day 1 (recognition), day 7, and day >30. Blood samples from patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD; n = 20) and healthy liver controls (HLCs; n = 54) were extracted at one time point. Leukocyte populations and immune checkpoint expressions were determined based on cell surface receptors, except for CTLA-4 that was determined intracellularly, using flow cytometry. At recognition, DILI demonstrated significantly higher levels of activated helper T-cell (P < 0.0001), activated cytotoxic T-cells (P = 0.0003), Th1 (P = 0.0358), intracellular CTLA-4 level in helper T-cells (P = 0.0192), and PD-L1 presenting monocytes (P = 0.0452) than HLC. These levels approached those of HLC over time. No significant differences were found between DILI and VH. However, DILI presented higher level of activated helper T-cells and CTLA-4 than NAFLD and lower PD-L1 level than AIH. Our findings suggest that an adaptive immune response is involved in DILI in which activated CD4+ and CD8+ play an important role. Increased expression of negative immune checkpoints is likely the effect of peripheral tolerance regulation.The present study has been supported by grants of Instituto de Salud Carlos III cofounded by Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional – FEDER (contract numbers: PI19/00883, PI16/01748, P18-RT-3364-2020, and PT20/000127). CIBERehd and Plataforma ISCiii Ensayos Clínicos are funded by Instituto de Salud Carlos III. Funding for open access charge: Universidad de Málaga/CBUA. The funding sources had no involvement in the study design; in the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data; in the writing of the report, or in the decision to submit the manuscript for publication

Local Activation of Uterine Toll-Like Receptor 2 and 2/6 Decreases Embryo Implantation and Affects Uterine Receptivity in Mice

Embryo implantation is a complex interaction between maternal endometrium and embryonic structures. Failure to implant is highly recurrent and impossible to diagnose. Inflammation and infections in the female reproductive tract are common causes of infertility, embryo loss, and preterm labor. The current work describes how the activation of endometrial Toll-like receptor (TLR) 2 and 2/6 reduces embryo implantation chances. We developed a morphometric index to evaluate the effects of the TLR 2/6 activation along the uterine horn (UH). TLR 2/6 ligation reduced the endometrial myometrial and glandular indexes and increased the luminal index. Furthermore, TLR 2/6 activation increased the proinflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-1beta and monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-1 in UH lavages in the preimplantation day and IL-1 receptor antagonist in the implantation day. The engagement of TLR 2/6 with its ligand in the UH during embryo transfer severely affected the rate of embryonic implantation (45.00% ± 6.49% vs. 16.69% ± 5.01%, P < 0.05, control vs. test, respectively). Furthermore, this interference with the embryo implantation process was verified using an in vitro model of human embryo implantation where trophoblast spheroids failed to adhere to a monolayer of TLR 2- and TLR 2/6-activated endometrial cells. The inhibition of TLR receptors 2 and 6 in the presence of their specific ligands restored the ability of the spheroids to bind to the endometrial cells. In conclusion, the activation of the innate immune system in the uterus at the time of implantation interfered with the endometrial receptivity and reduced the chances of implantation success

Ontogeny of Sex-Related Differences in Foetal Developmental Features, Lipid Availability and Fatty Acid Composition

Sex-related differences in lipid availability and fatty acid composition during swine foetal development were investigated. Plasma cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations in the mother were strongly related to the adequacy or inadequacy of foetal development and concomitant activation of protective growth in some organs (brain, heart, liver and spleen). Cholesterol and triglyceride availability was similar in male and female offspring, but female foetuses showed evidence of higher placental transfer of essential fatty acids and synthesis of non-essential fatty acids in muscle and liver. These sex-related differences affected primarily the neutral lipid fraction (triglycerides), which may lead to sex-related postnatal differences in energy partitioning. These results illustrate the strong influence of the maternal lipid profile on foetal development and homeorhesis, and they confirm and extend previous reports that female offspring show better adaptive responses to maternal malnutrition than male offspring. These findings may help guide dietary interventions to ensure adequate fatty acid availability for postnatal development

Nanoinformatics: developing new computing applications for nanomedicine

Nanoinformatics has recently emerged to address the need of computing applications at the nano level. In this regard, the authors have participated in various initiatives to identify its concepts, foundations and challenges. While nanomaterials open up the possibility for developing new devices in many industrial and scientific areas, they also offer breakthrough perspectives for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases. In this paper, we analyze the different aspects of nanoinformatics and suggest five research topics to help catalyze new research and development in the area, particularly focused on nanomedicine. We also encompass the use of informatics to further the biological and clinical applications of basic research in nanoscience and nanotechnology, and the related concept of an extended ?nanotype? to coalesce information related to nanoparticles. We suggest how nanoinformatics could accelerate developments in nanomedicine, similarly to what happened with the Human Genome and other -omics projects, on issues like exchanging modeling and simulation methods and tools, linking toxicity information to clinical and personal databases or developing new approaches for scientific ontologies, among many others