Practices,projects and portfolios: Current research trends and new directions

Project portfolio management (PPM) bridges strategy and project management. Traditional research in PPM has primarily investigated the rational, top-down and structural aspects of strategizing. By doing so, it has failed to focus on the underlying practices that are triggered by the strategy and how these practices frame strategy implementation. Practice-based research provides a methodological lens to explore the reality of strategic enactment through the project portfolio. Practice-based perspectives are under-represented in PPM research; therefore the aim of this paper is to provide an agenda for further practice-based research in PPM. Central to this agenda is a concern with various aspects of practice, including its discursivity, representation, dynamic capabilities, leadership and materiality.     

Extended treatment with bupropion SR for cigarette smoking cessation.

The authors present results of a randomized clinical trial of the efficacy of extended treatment with bupropion SR in producing longer term cigarette smoking cessation. Adult smokers (N = 362) received open-label treatment (11 weeks) that combined relapse prevention training, bupropion SR, and nicotine patch followed by extended treatment (14 weeks) with bupropion SR or matching placebo. Abstinence percentages were relatively high (week 11: 52%; week 25: bupropion, 42%; placebo, 38%; week 52: bupropion, 33%; placebo, 34%), but bupropion SR did not surpass placebo. Gender and baseline craving level were identified as significant, independent moderators of treatment response. Men were more likely to abstain than women (week 11: 59% vs. 43%, p = .001; week 25: 48% vs. 31%, p = .001; week 52: 39% vs. 27%, p = .01). Because most smokers suffer relapse with any current cessation treatment, the comparatively high abstinence percentages achieved in this trial are of interest. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A longitudinal investigation of anxiety sensitivity in adolescence.

This investigation sought to expand existing knowledge of anxiety sensitivity in a sample of high school students (N = 2,365) assessed over 4 years. The stability of anxiety sensitivity levels across assessment periods was examined, and cluster analyses were used to identify different developmental pathways in levels of anxiety sensitivity. Groups of adolescents with stable low, stable high, and escalating anxiety sensitivity levels were identified. Adolescents with stable high or escalating anxiety sensitivity were significantly more likely to report experiencing a panic attack than individuals with stable low anxiety sensitivity. Results also indicated that Asian and Hispanic adolescents tended to report higher anxiety sensitivity but that their anxiety sensitivity was less strongly associated with panic than that of Caucasian adolescents. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Glomerular endothelial cells synthesize collagens but little gelatinase A and B

Mesangial sclerosis is a major feature of progressive renal disease. The mesangium contains mesangial cells and is bounded by the peripheral glomerular basement membrane and endothelial cells. Mesangial cells synthesize and degrade extracellular matrix. Whereas both mesangial and endothelial cells synthesize extracellular matrix components, the degradative pathway, well studied in the former, has not been investigated in endothelial cells. This study examines lines of all three glomerular cell types derived from female B6SJLF1/J mice, as well as mRNA levels for collagens alpha1(I), alpha1(IV), alpha3 (IV), alpha5 (IV), and alpha1 (VI), laminin, tenascin, matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), and MMP-9. Type I and IV collagen synthesis was confirmed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. MMP-2 and MMP-9 enzyme activity was measured by zymography. It was found that glomerular endothelial cells are a significant source of collagens, laminin, and tenascin. However, they express only low levels of MMP-2 and no detectable MMP-9. Stimulation with exogenous transforming growth factor-beta1 leads to a significant increase in collagen I, tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase-1, and MMP-9 in conditioned media. These data suggest that glomerular endothelial cells may play an active role in extracellular matrix remodeling in glomerular disease.     

Nicotine gum and self-help behavioral treatment for smoking relapse prevention: Results from a trial using population-based recruitment.

Smokers aged 18–65 yrs (N?=?1,044) who were able to quit for 24 hr were randomized using a 2?×?2 factorial design to compare nicotine gum to no gum use and self-help materials to no use of materials. All participants were offered a $100 incentive to quit and stay quit for 6 months. Six month abstinence was 27% in the gum groups, compared with 19% in the no-gum group (p?=?.002). Compared with the no-gum group, relapse occurred at a significantly lower rate in the gum group for the entire 12 months of follow-up There was no significant main effect for the self-help materials, no interaction between gum and materials, and no evidence that the effectiveness of gum differed between the sexes or between heavy and light smokers. Nicotine gum is an effective adjunct to minimal-contact smoking cessation materials plus monetary incentive in a population-based sample of smokers. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Augmented expression of glomerular basement membrane specific type IV collagen isoforms (alpha3-alpha5) in experimental membranous nephropathy

The swelling, erosion and solvent front penetration properties of mini-matrices containing xanthan (X), locust bean (LB) and karaya (K) gums were examined, analysed and related to the overall in vitro release kinetics of diclofenac sodium, used as a model drug. Mini-matrices were produced with drug:gum ratios of 1:1 as well as formulations of drug and X in combinations of 2:1, 2:3 and 1:2. The rank order of decreasing swelling index (SI) in both axial and radial dimensions was X?K?LB and each gum showed almost Fickian swelling behaviour. The solvent front penetration rates were consistent with the rates of swelling. However, the order of decreasing drug release and erosion rates was LB>X>K and all formulations demonstrated anomalous (non-Fickian) drug release kinetics. Therefore Fickian drug diffusion and polymer erosion were both occurring simultaneously. The dominant mechanism depended on the nature and content of the gum, as well as the stage in the dissolution time period. There was a loss of matrix integrity in formulations containing a high drug:gum ratio.     

A new triple stain for Helicobacter pylori suitable for the autostainer: carbol fuchsin/Alcian blue/hematoxylin-eosin

OBJECTIVE: To develop an inexpensive stain to simultaneously visualize gastric morphology and Helicobacter pylori. METHODS: Gastric biopsies were stained with Genta stain using manual methods, and with carbol fuchsin/Alcian blue/hematoxylin-eosin using an automatic slide stainer (Sakura DRS-601). Slides were then coded and interpreted by 2 pathologists. Helicobacter pylori was scored using a visual scale (0 [none] to 5 [maximum]). RESULTS: One hundred slides were scored; H pylori was present in 64%. Carbol fuchsin/Alcian blue/hematoxylin-eosin stain gave excellent demonstration of gastric morphology. All positive cases (score > or =2) were correctly interpreted. Thirty-six slides had a score of 1 (< or =2 bacteria per entire slide). Of these, 10 were scored negative by Genta stain and 12 were scored negative by the carbol fuchsin/Alcian blue/hematoxylin-eosin stain (P = not significant). Hematoxylin-eosin was significantly less accurate than either of the other 2 stains (P < .02). CONCLUSION: The carbol fuchsin/Alcian blue/hematoxylin-eosin (El-Zimaity) stain is an economical stain suitable for simultaneous visualization of H pylori infection and gastric morphology.     

Nicotine patch and self-help video for cigarette smoking cessation.

A total of 424 smokers were randomized in a 2?×?2 factorial experiment. A pharmacologic factor contained 2 levels: transdermal nicotine patch (TNP; 21 mg) and placebo. A self-help behavioral treatment factor contained 2 levels: video-enhanced self-help treatment manual and self-help treatment manual only. At 2 months, TNP produced a higher level of abstinence (36%) than placebo (20%), p?