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We report a 7-year-old boy who presented with a nodule on the upper lip. A previous clinical history of mechanical trauma in the lesional area had been noted. After surgical excision, microscopy revealed fibrocollagenous fascicles associated with neurovascular bundles and skeletal striated muscle fibers in diffuse subepithelial distribution, suggesting rhabdomyomatous mesenchymal hamartoma. However, strict clinicopathological correlation favored a healing process with trapped striated skeletal muscle tissue. After three years of follow-up, an improvement in the aesthetic appearance of the upper lip was observed. To the best of our knowledge, a case of pseudo-rhabdomyomatous mesenchymal hamartoma has not been reported to date.

RESUMOEste artigo discute o uso de programas de fidelidade e a percepção gerada por eles nos clientes, obtida por meio de uma pesquisa empírica no mercado agrícola. O tema é tratado a partir de uma revisão teórica, considerando os seguintes tópicos: marketing de relacionamento, seus objetivos, dimensões e instrumentos; e os programas de fidelidade. A pesquisa de campo, de natureza qualitativa, utiliza o método estudo de caso único, focando uma das mais importantes empresas desse mercado no Brasil. O caso revela-se representativo, pois a empresa foi pioneira, no setor, em adotar um programa de fidelidade. O caso sugere que programas de fidelidade podem se revelar uma opção positiva de crescimento pela diferenciação fundamentada no relacionamento. O programa contemplado segue um modelo mais estrutural e está baseado na conquista de confiança do agricultor ao longo do tempo, proporcionando-lhe benefícios relacionados ao aumento da produtividade agrícola. O estudo traz algumas recomendações para outras empresas que queiram se guiar pela estratégia adotada para aumentar sua participação nas compras dos clientes.ABSTRACTThis study discusses the use of loyalty programs and customer perception in agricultural market. The theoretical review includes relationship marketing, its objectives, dimensions and instruments, and loyalty programs. The method for the empirical part consisted on qualitative research, through a case study conducted at one of the largest crop protection chemical companies in Brazil. The case is representative once this company was pioneer in its segment in adopting the customer relationship management (CRM) approach to their clients. It has been a consensus that customer relationship is a tool to amplify the customer share. This is so, due the increasing competition generated by the entrance of generic products and the retaliation actions adopted by the multinational groups. The case study includes a market overview, a description of the company, its loyalty program, the image of the program from the customer’s perspective, and the main results acquired with the CRM program. The study also presents some recommendations for companies that are pursuing strategies to increase their customer share through loyalty programs.RESUMENEste artículo analiza el uso de programas de fidelidad y la percepción que producen en los clientes, obtenida por medio de una investigación empírica en el mercado agrícola. El tema se trata a partir de una revisión teórica, considerando los siguientes puntos: marketing de relación; sus objetivos, dimensiones e instrumentos; y los programas de fidelidad. La investigación de campo, de naturaleza cualitativa, utiliza el método de estudio de caso único, enfocando unas de las más importantes empresas de este mercado en Brasil. El caso se manifiesta representativo, pues en este sector, la empresa fue pionera en adoptar un programa de fidelidad. El caso sugiere que programas de fidelidad pueden revelarse como una buena opción de crecimiento por la diferenciación fundamentada en la relación. El programa estudiado sigue un modelo más estructural y se basa en la conquista de la confianza del agricultor a lo largo del tiempo, proporcionándole beneficios relacionados con el aumento de la productividad agrícola. El estudio incluye algunas recomendaciones para otras empresas que deseen guiarse por la estrategia adoptada para aumentar su participación en las compras de los clientes.

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Farming of the freshwater fish is emerging in Brazil and many species from the wild are promising. The teleost matrinxã (Brycon cephalus) holds several characteristics such as fast growth rate, high commercial value and adaptability to artificial raring conditions, which make it a promising species for commerce. The use of pesticides in aquatic environment is frequent in Brazil, and methyl parathion is very common in aquaculture. We have determined the enzymatic activity of acetyl cholinesterase in white muscle and brain of matrinxã exposed to 2ppm of environmental methyl parathion for 24 hours. There was 64% and 69% of acetyl cholinesterase inhibition in muscle and brain respectively. These activities were not recovered after 8 days from exposure to this pesticide. It can be concluded that acetyl cholinesterase from those tissues was inhibited by small amounts of methyl parathion, and the main effect was observed in the brain.

Background: Desipramine is a tricyclic antidepressant with immune-modulatory activity, whose effects on ligature-induced periodontitis are yet to be investigated. Hence, its actions on alveolar bone resorption, gingival collagen content and key inflammatory mediators were herewith analyzed.Methods: A total of 60 male Wistar rats were randomly assigned into three groups: 1) control: rats without ligature treated with vehicle (saline); 2) ligature: rats with ligature-induced periodontitis treated with vehicle; 3) ligature + desipramine: rats with ligature-induced periodontitis treated with desipramine (20 mg/kg/d in vehicle). Mandibles and gingival tissues were collected 3 or 15 days after ligature insertion (or no ligature insertion for controls) and treatments. Alveolar bone resorption and gingival collagen fibers were histologically analyzed using either HE or picrosirius red staining. Gingival mRNA expressions of interleukin (IL)-1β, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 were obtained through reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. MMP-9 activity was analyzed by zymography.Results: Alveolar bone loss was significantly reduced in the ligature + desipramine group (P < 0.05), whereas gingival collagen degradation was like the ligature group (P > 0.05). Desipramine administration downregulated mRNA expressions of IL-1β, iNOS, COX-2, and TIMP-1 when compared to vehicle alone in the ligature group (P < 0.05). MMP-9 expression and MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio were similar among rats with ligature-induced periodontitis (P > 0.05); however, MMP-9 activity was lower in the group treated with desipramine (P < 0.05).Conclusion: Desipramine administration reduced alveolar bone loss as histologically observed, and modulated key bone remodeling and inflammatory mediators in rats with ligature-induced periodontitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Characterized by strong coordination between farmers, food processors or traders, and between processors and retailers, agri-food global value chains (GVCs) need to govern their inter-organizational ties with the aim of strengthening their competitiveness and global presence. In this sense, this paper presents an integrative conceptual framework based on global value chain governance (GVC) models and resource orchestration from the Triple-A approach perspective. A multiple case study based on three Brazilian-born global companies was used as empirical evidence to test the proposed framework. The results indicated that, regardless of the adopted governance model, the companies are embedded in a fragmented beef sector and technological diversity. The five governance models (market, modular, captive, hierarchical and relational) were reflected diversely in the companies' inter-organizational strategies. Additionally, the companies responded to threats and salient challenges in the domestic market from the global perspective with agility, adaptability and alignment in different levels and tactical actions. The study contributes to GVC prior literature proposing an integrative framework that proved insightful in analyzing the companies' strategies and their chosen path to pursue competitiveness and differentiation in the global value chain. • The beef sector aims for optimal resource orchestration to gain competitive advantage. • Company's bargain power is based mostly on its financial and technological resources and performance. • Brazil's domestic production fragmentation and global market specificities requires precise alignment of orchestration and governance for optimal performance. • Firms must adapt Triple-A orchestration for continued competitive advantage amid environmental pressures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Although plasmid DNA encoding an antigen from pathogens or tumor cells has been widely studied as vaccine, the use of plasmid vector (without insert) as therapeutic agent requires further investigation. Results Here, we showed that plasmid DNA (pcDNA3) at low doses inhibits the production of IL-6 and TNF-α by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophage cell line J774. These findings led us to evaluate whether plasmid DNA could act as an anti-inflammatory agent in a Wistar rat endotoxemia model. Rats injected simultaneously with 1.5 mg/kg of LPS and 10 or 20 μg of plasmid DNA had a remarkable attenuation of mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) drop at 2 hours after treatment when compared with rats injected with LPS only. The beneficial effect of the plasmid DNA on MAP was associated with decreased expression of IL-6 in liver and increased concentration of plasma vasopressin (AVP), a known vasoconstrictor that has been investigated in hemorrhagic shock management. No difference was observed in relation to nitric oxide (NO) production. Conclusion Our results demonstrate for the first time that plasmid DNA vector at low doses presents anti-inflammatory property and constitutes a novel approach with therapeutic potential in inflammatory diseases.

Abstract Background Tuberculosis (TB) remains a public health issue worldwide. The lack of specific clinical symptoms to diagnose TB makes the correct decision to admit patients to respiratory isolation a difficult task for the clinician. Isolation of patients without the disease is common and increases health costs. Decision models for the diagnosis of TB in patients attending hospitals can increase the quality of care and decrease costs, without the risk of hospital transmission. We present a predictive model for predicting pulmonary TB in hospitalized patients in a high prevalence area in order to contribute to a more rational use of isolation rooms without increasing the risk of transmission. Methods Cross sectional study of patients admitted to CFFH from March 2003 to December 2004. A classification and regression tree (CART) model was generated and validated. The area under the ROC curve (AUC), sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values were used to evaluate the performance of model. Validation of the model was performed with a different sample of patients admitted to the same hospital from January to December 2005. Results We studied 290 patients admitted with clinical suspicion of TB. Diagnosis was confirmed in 26.5% of them. Pulmonary TB was present in 83.7% of the patients with TB (62.3% with positive sputum smear) and HIV/AIDS was present in 56.9% of patients. The validated CART model showed sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of 60.00%, 76.16%, 33.33%, and 90.55%, respectively. The AUC was 79.70%. Conclusions The CART model developed for these hospitalized patients with clinical suspicion of TB had fair to good predictive performance for pulmonary TB. The most important variable for prediction of TB diagnosis was chest radiograph results. Prospective validation is still necessary, but our model offer an alternative for decision making in whether to isolate patients with clinical suspicion of TB in tertiary health facilities in countries with limited resources.

Abstract Background mRNAs are highly versatile, non-toxic molecules that are easy to produce and store, which can allow transient protein expression in all cell types. The safety aspects of mRNA-based treatments in gene therapy make this molecule one of the most promising active components of therapeutic or prophylactic methods. The use of mRNA as strategy for the stimulation of the immune system has been used mainly in current strategies for the cancer treatment but until now no one tested this molecule as vaccine for infectious disease. Results We produce messenger RNA of Hsp65 protein from Mycobacterium leprae and show that vaccination of mice with a single dose of 10 μg of naked mRNA-Hsp65 through intranasal route was able to induce protection against subsequent challenge with virulent strain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Moreover it was shown that this immunization was associated with specific production of IL-10 and TNF-alpha in spleen. In order to determine if antigen presenting cells (APCs) present in the lung are capable of capture the mRNA, labeled mRNA-Hsp65 was administered by intranasal route and lung APCs were analyzed by flow cytometry. These experiments showed that after 30 minutes until 8 hours the populations of CD11c+, CD11b+ and CD19+ cells were able to capture the mRNA. We also demonstrated in vitro that mRNA-Hsp65 leads nitric oxide (NO) production through Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7). Conclusions Taken together, our results showed a novel and efficient strategy to control experimental tuberculosis, besides opening novel perspectives for the use of mRNA in vaccines against infectious diseases and clarifying the mechanisms involved in the disease protection we noticed as well.

Objective: To assess salivary biomarkers for dental caries susceptibility and mental stress in young adults with perceived facial pain. Methods: Males and females who reported facial pain and pain-free controls participated in this study. Facial pain was investigated using the RDC/TMD. Unstimulated saliva was then collected for the evaluation of salivary flow rate (SFR), pH, Streptococcus mutans counts, morning cortisol, and S-IgA. Results: Women with facial pain had significantly lower SFR values, and the facial pain group showed different correlations among biomarkers for caries susceptibility and cortisol levels when compared to controls. Notably, higher SFR values were associated with a lower likelihood of having facial pain. Conclusion: Differences in SFR values, particularly in women, and markedly distinct interactions among the salivary biomarkers analyzed were observed between individuals with facial pain and pain-free controls. Hence, a connection between the dynamics of saliva, stress response, and facial pain perception might exist. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Caderno de Administração is the property of Universidade Estadual de Maringa and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The aim of this article is to understand how the strategic action of entrepreneurship and the access and use of technology empower women to manage their professional career in the area of executive secretariat. The theory defines entrepreneurship as an individual's ability to seize or create opportunities, involving time and financial investment risks, but can also be considered as a strategic action of the individual in a particular activity, whether it is its own business or as a project leader. The advancement and development of technology contributes to the digital empowerment of the individual, regardless of gender, but access and use is required. To reach the objective of this research, the methodology used includes a survey through in-depth interview and questionnaire with quantitative approach. An interview was conducted with the company founder Click Secretária and the applied questionnaire obtained 128 answers. The results propose a deductive analysis for the understanding of entrepreneurship as a strategic action and the use of technology as digital empowerment in the executive secretariat area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the spread of sustainable thinking, people have come to recognize that profitability is not the only element for the long-term success of businesses. Of equal importance is the issue of the use of natural resources and people's living conditions. Within this realization, consumers' interest in knowing the implications of their consumption is increasing through information on how products and services are produced. This increasingly leads organizations to seek to differentiate their brands through Voluntary Sustainability Standards (VSS). In this context, the aim of this paper is to present a taxonomy of value chain upgrading types through VSS adoption by farmers. Empirical evidence to test the proposed framework is presented focusing on the adoption of the 4C system by coffee farmers in Brazil. Although all five types of upgrading were identified in the field research, most of the improvements can be characterized as environmental. Furthermore, the results indicated that the adoption of the 4C standards was an upgrading form for farmers to enhance the coffee production process, as well as to control management activities within the production unit. The paper is innovative in integrating and proposing a framework for the value chain by adding value through VSS. It also empirically applies the proposed framework in the context of the Brazilian coffee chain. • The adoption of VSS by coffee farmers implicates in environmental upgrading mainly. • The existence of public rural assistance is vital for the adoption of VSS by rural farmers. • Sustainable coffee, which was once sold as a superior product, began to be seen as a mandatory attribute. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess salivary biomarkers for dental caries susceptibility and mental stress in young adults with perceived facial pain.Methods: Males and females who reported facial pain and pain-free controls participated in this study. Facial pain was investigated using the RDC/TMD. Unstimulated saliva was then collected for the evaluation of salivary flow rate (SFR), pH, Streptococcus mutans counts, morning cortisol, and S-IgA.Results: Women with facial pain had significantly lower SFR values, and the facial pain group showed different correlations among biomarkers for caries susceptibility and cortisol levels when compared to controls. Notably, higher SFR values were associated with a lower likelihood of having facial pain.Conclusion: Differences in SFR values, particularly in women, and markedly distinct interactions among the salivary biomarkers analyzed were observed between individuals with facial pain and pain-free controls. Hence, a connection between the dynamics of saliva, stress response, and facial pain perception might exist. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Subantimicrobial dose doxycycline (SDD) has been used as an adjunct in periodontal treatment because of its matrix metalloproteinase inhibition properties. Although the benefits of SDD therapy, such as improvement in the parameters of periodontal probing depth and clinical attachment level, have been proven in multiple clinical studies, the comprehension of other biologic mechanisms of action on periodontitis remains poorly investigated. Therefore, this animal-model study evaluated the effects of SDD monotherapy on the expressions of the following key proinflammatory genes: proteinase-activated receptor-2 (PAR2), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-17, and IL-1β.Methods: Male Wistar rats were assigned randomly to the following: 1) control group: no ligature-induced periodontitis and no treatment; 2) ligature group: ligature-induced periodontitis and placebo treatment; and 3) ligature + doxycycline group: ligature-induced periodontitis and SDD treatment. After the experimental time, animals were sacrificed, and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was performed to analyze the mRNA expression of IL-1β, IL-17, TNF-α, and PAR2 in gingival tissue samples. Histologic analyses were performed on the furcation region and mesial gingiva of mandibular first molars to measure periodontal bone loss and collagen content.Results: SDD administration significantly downregulated PAR2, IL-17, TNF-α, and IL-1β mRNA expressions (P <0.05). In addition, SDD treatment was accompanied by lower rates of alveolar bone loss (P <0.05) and maintenance of the amount of gingival collagen fibers.Conclusion: These findings reveal new perspectives regarding SDD efficacy because it can be partially related to proinflammatory gene expression modulation, even considering PAR2 and IL-17, which has not been investigated thus far. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of RGO: Revista Gaúcha de Odontologia is the property of RGO: Revista Gaucha de Odontologia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)