Organizational Network Evolution and Governance Strategies in Megaprojects

The organization is the key factor for megaprojects in which thousands of connections and relations intertwine and influence the project performance. However, organizational evolution in megaprojects has not been fully studied. This study investigates the evolution of the organizational network of a megaproject in China using social network analysis (SNA), and then proposes corresponding governance strategies. The result shows that megaproject organizations evolve towards more connected networks but are differentiated for various investors. For government invested projects, the organizational network is well connected, cooperative, yet unstable and require strategic long-term governance policies; for private invested projects, the network is stable, but collaboration among participants is low, which indicates a need to establish collaborative governance structures. The result complements the organizational evolution theory for megaprojects and offers effective strategies for governing megaproject organizations. This study also helps practitioners better understand the nature and characteristics of megaproject organizations.

Metabolic predispositions and increased risk of colorectal adenocarcinoma by anatomical locations: a large population-based cohort study in Norway

Whether different definitions of metabolic syndrome (MetS) are differently associated with colorectal adenocarcinoma (CA) by anatomical location is unclear. A population-based cohort study, the Cohort of Norway (CONOR) Study, was conducted in Norway from 1995 to 2010. Anthropometric measurements, blood samples, and lifestyle data were collected at recruitment. CAs were identified through linkage to the Norwegian Cancer Register. A composite index of MetS as defined by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) or/and the National Cholesterol Education Program's Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III) and single components of MetS, including anthropometric factors, blood pressure, lipids, triglycerides, and glucose, were analyzed. Cox proportional hazards regression was performed to estimate hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Significant associations between single MetS components and CA, except for reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and nonfasting glucose levels, were observed. MetS defined by 2 criteria separately showed a similar association with CA in general, and MetS defined by both the IDF and ATP III showed consistent results. Stronger associations were observed in the proximal colon among men (IDF: hazard ratio (HR) = 1.51, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.24, 1.84; ATP III: HR = 1.40, 95% CI: 1.15, 1.70) and in the rectum among women (IDF: HR = 1.42, 95% CI: 1.07, 1.89; ATP III: HR = 1.43, 95% CI: 1.08, 1.90).Swedish Society of MedicineKarolinska InstitutetSwedish Research CouncilAccepte

Selection of Peptide Inhibitor to Matrix Metalloproteinase-2 Using Phage Display and Its Effects on Pancreatic Cancer Cell lines PANC-1 and CFPAC-1

Despite tremendous advances in cancer treatment and survival rates, pancreatic cancer remains one of the most deadly afflictions and the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths in the world. Matrix Metalloproteinases (MMPs) are thought to be involved in cancer progression. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 is known to play a pivotal role in tumor invasion, metastasis and angiogenesis, and validated to be the anticancer target. Inhibition of MMP-2 activity is able to reduce the cancer cell invasion and suppress tumor growth in vivo. Two novel peptides, M204C4 and M205C4, which could specially inhibit MMP-2 activity, were identified by a phage display library screening. We showed that M204C4 and M205C4 inhibited the activity of MMP-2 in a dose dependent manner in vitro. Two peptides reduced MMP-2 mediated invasion of the pancreatic cancer cell lines PANC-1 and CFPAC-1, but not affected the expression and release of MMP-2. Furthermore, these two peptides could suppress tumor growth in vivo. Our results indicated that two peptides selected by phase display technology may be used as anticancer drugs in the future

Risk factors for marginal ulcer after gastric bypass surgery for obesity:A population-based cohort study

ObjectiveThis study aimed to assess risk factors for developing marginal ulcer (MU) after gastric bypass (GBP) surgery for obesity.BackgroundMU is a common and potentially serious complication of GBP surgery, little is known about its etiology.MethodsThis population-based cohort study of GBP in 2006-2011 evaluated MU in relation to diabetes, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), ulcer history, use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression models estimated hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), adjusted for confounding.ResultsAmong 20,294 GBP patients, diabetes and peptic ulcer history entailed statistically significantly increased risk of MU (HR = 1.26, 95% CI 1.03-1.55 and HR  =  2.70, 95% CI 1.81-4.03), although hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and COPD did not. PPI users had an increased HR of MU (HR  =  1.37, 95% CI 1.17-1.60). Aspirin and NSAID consumption less than or equal to median entailed decreased HRs of MU (HR  =  0.56, 95% CI 0.37-0.86 and HR  =  0.30, 95% CI 0.24-0.38), although aspirin and NSAID users more than median had an increased risk and no association with MU, respectively (HR  =  1.90, 95% CI 1.41-2.58 and HR  =  0.90, 95% CI 0.76-1.87). The use of SSRI less than or equal to median had a decreased risk of MU (HR  =  0.50, 95% CI 0.37-0.67), although use more than median entailed increased HR (HR  =  1.26, 95% CI 1.01-1.56).ConclusionsDiabetes and peptic ulcer history seem to be risk factors for MU, but not hyperlipidemia, hypertension, or COPD. Limited doses of aspirin, NSAIDs, and SSRIs might not increase the risk, although higher doses of aspirin do. The association with PPI could be due to confounding by indication

The management correlation between metabolic index, cardiovascular health, and diabetes combined with cardiovascular disease

BackgroundCardiovascular disease (CVD) has become a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Although there is also evidence that multifactorial interventions to control blood glucose, blood pressure, and lipid profiles can reduce macrovascular complications and mortality in patients with T2DM, the link between these risk factors has not been established.MethodsOn 10 December 2018, 1,920 people in four cities in Anhui Province were included. Latent category analysis (LCA) was used to explore the clustering mode of HRBs (health risk behaviors). The primary exposure was HRBs and exercise and diet interventions, and the primary outcome was CVD and other variables, including zMS, triglyceride-glucose index (TyG), TyG-WC (waist circumference), TyG-BMI, TG/HDL, and cardiovascular health (CVH). A multivariable logistic regression model was used to establish the relationship between HRBs, exercise, diet interventions, and CVD. Moderate analysis and mediation moderation analysis were employed by the PROCESS method to explore the relationship between these variables. Sensitivity analysis explored the robustness of the model.ResultsThe mean age was 57.10 ± 10.0 years old. Overall, CVD affects approximately 19.9% of all persons with T2DM. Macrovascular complications of T2DM include coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction (MI), cardiac insufficiency, and cerebrovascular disease. Elderly age (χ2 = 22.70), no occupation (χ2 = 20.97), medium and high socioeconomic status (SES) (χ2 = 19.92), higher level of TyG-WC (χ2 = 6.60), and higher zMS (χ2 = 7.59) were correlated with high CVD. Many metabolic indices have shown a connection with T2DM combined with CVD, and there was a dose−response relationship between HRB co-occurrence and clustering of HRBs and zMS; there was a dose−response relationship between multifactorial intervention and CVH. In the mediation moderation analysis, there was an association between HRB, gender, TyG, TyG-BMI, and CVD. From an intervention management perspective, exercise and no diet intervention were more significant with CVD; moreover, there was an association between intervention management, gender, zMS, TyG-WC, TyG-BMI, TG/HDL, and CVD. Finally, there was an association between sex, CVH, and CVD. Sensitivity analysis demonstrated that our results were robust.ConclusionsCVD is one of the common complications in patients with type 2 diabetes, and its long-term outcome will have more or less impact on patients. Our findings suggest the potential benefits of scaling up multifactorial and multifaceted interventions to prevent CVD in patients with T2DM

Anthropometry-based obesity phenotypes and risk of colorectal adenocarcinoma : a large prospective cohort study in Norway

BACKGROUND: It is unclear whether obesity phenotypes measured by different anthropometric indices are associated with a risk of colorectal adenocarcinoma by anatomical location. METHODS: We compiled harmonized population-based cohort studies (Cohort of Norway, CONOR) with 143,477 participants that were conducted between 1994 and 2010. General, abdominal, and gluteofemoral obesity were assessed by body mass index (BMI, kg/m(2)), waist circumference (cm), and hip circumference (cm). Other measures examined were waist to hip ratio, waist to height ratio, and body adiposity index. We performed Cox proportional hazards regression to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of obesity relative to a risk of colorectal adenocarcinoma. RESULTS: In total, 2,044 incident cases of colorectal adenocarcinoma were identified. We observed a positive association between waist circumference (high versus low) and adenocarcinoma in the proximal colon (HR = 1.9, 95% CI = 1.5, 2.5) and distal colon (HR = 1.7, 95% CI = 1.3, 2.3) when adjusted for BMI. The association with waist circumference was especially strong in men. BMI was not associated with adenocarcinoma in the colon or rectum after adjusting for waist circumference. We found no association between hip circumference and colorectal adenocarcinoma. When adjusted for BMI plus waist circumference, body adiposity index was negatively associated with adenocarcinoma in the proximal or distal colon. CONCLUSION: Abdominal obesity, but not general or gluteofemoral obesity, was associated with an increased risk of adenocarcinoma in the proximal and the distal colon, especially in men. Muscularity may be negatively associated with risk of colon adenocarcinoma.Swedish Research CouncilAccepte

Mutation analysis of the WNT4 gene in Han Chinese women with premature ovarian failure

BACKGROUND: The WNT4 gene plays an important role in female sex determination and differentiation. It also contributes to maintaining of the ovaries and the survival of follicles. METHODS: We sequenced the coding region and splice sites of WNT4 in 145 Han Chinese women with premature ovarian failure (POF) and 200 healthy controls. RESULTS: Only one novel variation, in Exon 2 (195C > T), was detected among the women with POF. However, this synonymous variation did not result in a change in amino acid sequence (65 Asp > Asp). No further variants were found in any of the samples. CONCLUSION: Although we cannot provide any evidence that it is a possible disease-causing gene, this study is the first attempt to investigate the possible role of WNT4 in Han Chinese women with POF

Rapid and Precise Molecular Nanofiltration Using Ultra-Thin-Film Membranes Derived from 6,6′-Dihydroxy-2,2′-biphenyldiamine

A key challenge in efficient molecular separation is fabricating large-scale, highly selective polymeric membranes with precise pore control at the molecular scale. Herein, a new contorted monomer 6,6′-dihydroxy-2,2′-biphenyldiamine (DHBIPDA) is introduced as a building block to generate cross-linked, ultra-thin microporous nanofilms (sub-10 nm) via interfacial polymerization, enabling rapid, and precise molecular nanofiltration. Using diacyl chloride (TPC) as the cross-linker instead of trimesoyl chloride (TMC) significantly reduces the pore sizes within the membranes and achieves a narrower pore distribution due to a semi-crystalline structure. The film structures are confirmed using comprehensive characterization techniques including wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS), CO2 adsorption analysis, and molecular-scale simulation. The DHBIPDA/TPC and DHBIPDA/TMC membranes achieve methanol permeance values of up to 16.4 and 15.1 LMH bar−1 coupled with molecular weight cutoffs (MWCOs) as low as 283 and 306 Da, respectively. The DHBIPDA/TPC membrane demonstrates both higher permeance and higher selectivity compared to its relatively disordered counterpart DHBIPDA/TMC, consistent with characterization data. The DHBIPDA-derived membrane efficiently separates dye mixtures with similar molecular weights and enables effective recycling of organometallic homogeneous catalysts, suggesting its potential for industrial applications.</p