DiGeorge syndrome is a disorder caused by a microdeletion on the long arm of chromosome 22. Approximately 1% of patients diagnosed with DiGeorge syndrome may have an absence of a functional thymus, which characterizes the complete form of the syndrome. These patients require urgent treatment to reconstitute T cell immunity. Thymus transplantation is a promising investigational procedure for reconstitution of thymic function in infants with congenital athymia. Here, we demonstrate a possible optimization of the preparation of thymus slices for transplantation through prior depletion of thymocytes and leukocyte cell lineages followed by cryopreservation with cryoprotective media (5% dextran FP 40, 5% Me2SO, and 5% FBS) while preserving tissue architecture. Thymus fragments were stored in liquid nitrogen at -196°C for 30 days or one year. The tissue architecture of the fragments was preserved, including the distinction between medullary thymic epithelial cells (TECs), cortical TECs, and Hassall bodies. Moreover, depleted thymus fragments cryopreserved for one year were recolonized by intrathymic injections of 3×106 thymocytes per mL, demonstrating the capability of these fragments to support T cell development. Thus, this technique opens up the possibility of freezing and storing large volumes of thymus tissue for immediate transplantation into patients with DiGeorge syndrome or atypical (Omenn-like) phenotype.

Resumo: A pesquisa existente estabelece que a orientação ao cliente (CO), por si só, é insuficiente para atingir níveis mais elevados de desempenho financeiro (FP). Tal raciocínio sugere a necessidade de habilidades e capacidades adicionais, como a capacidade de inovação (IC). Além disso, as variáveis ambientais (por exemplo, turbulência tecnológica – TT) podem afetar essas relações. Este artigo explora as relações e os efeitos da CO e da CI no FP em diferentes condições de TT, tendo sido desenvolvido um modelo teórico correspondente. Tal modelo envolve as seguintes relações: (i) a influência direta da CO no FP; (II) o papel mediador da IC na relação CO/FP; (III) o papel moderado do TT sobre a mediação da IC na relação CO/FP. O trabalho de campo incluiu uma etapa exploratória, seguida de um levantamento transversal aplicado aos gestores de empresas de médio porte no Brasil. Os achados revelaram que a CI tem mediação parcial na relação entre CO e FP, em particular em ambientes de alta TT. Implicações gerenciais e sugestões para futuras pesquisas são apresentadas.

Abstract: Existing research establishes customer orientation (CO) per se as insufficient to achieve higher levels of financial performance (FP). Such reasoning suggests the need for additional skills and capabilities, such as, innovative capability (IC). In addition, environmental variables (e.g., Technological Turbulence – TT) affect these relationships. This paper explores the relationships and effects of CO and IC on FP under different TT conditions. A research framework and hypotheses were developed. The framework captures the following relationships: (i) the direct influence of CO on FP; (ii) the mediating role of IC on the CO/FP relationship; (iii) the moderating role of TT over the mediation of IC on the CO/FP relationship. The fieldwork included an exploratory stage, followed by a cross-sectional survey applied to managers in medium-sized companies in Brazil. Findings revealed that IC partially mediates the relationship between CO and FP, in particular in high TT environments. Managerial implications and avenues for future research are presented.

ABSTRACTSalmonellosis is an infection caused by specific or non specific serotypes of theSalmonella genus, responsible for losses in the poultry industry. Fowl typhoid, caused by S. Gallinarum (SG) is important because it causes elevated mortality in adult birds, leading to economic losses in the poultry industry. This study aimed at quantifying the number of viable SG cells in the liver, spleen, lung, cecum, and reproductive tract (ovary and testicles) of experimentally inoculated Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix), as well as SG shedding in their feces. One hundred and two Japanese quails, with four months of age at the beginning of the experiment, were used. The birds were inoculated with three bacterial cultures containing different concentrations (6x104CFU/0.1mL, 2x105 CFU/0.4mL, or 5x106CFU/0.2mL) of SG resistant to nalidixic acid. On days 1, 4, 7, and 14 after the inoculation (dpi) individual cloacal swabs were collected from six birds per group, which were subsequently sacrificed for organ sampling. The swab samples were streaked directly on plates containing brilliant green agar and nalidixic acid (VBNal). Samples that were negative after 24h, were streaked again. The collected organs were individually macerated and transferred to buffered peptone water at 0.1%. The solutions were immediately diluted serially for CFU counting in VBNal. SG was successfully recovered from one quail, which was inoculated with 2x105 CFU/0.4mL, and from five quails of the group inoculated with 5x106CFU/0.2mL inoculum. All of the analyzed cloacal swab samples were negative. Therefore, this study demonstrated it was difficult to isolate SG from the analyzed organs and that it was not possible to recover thepathogen in the cloacal swabs collected from inoculated quails. These results may be explained by the absence of flagella in SG, inducing weak intestinal immune response in the beginning of the infection and preventing its isolation in cloacal swab samples. The low positivity rate of the analyzed organs may be due to the immune status of the euthanized birds, since the SG dissemination in the animal organism occurs mostly close to death, which was observed in the birds found dead during the experiment.

A paralisia facial periférica (PFP) é frequente em idade pediátrica. Inerente à sua designação existe um conceito anatómico que pressupõe a localização da lesão distalmente aos núcleos do sétimo nervo craniano. Contudo, define-se melhor pela clínica, consistindo na parésia dos músculos da mímica facial da hemiface ipsilateral à lesão, associada ou não a hiperacúsia, xeroftalmia e perda do paladar nos dois terços anteriores da língua. As principais causas médicas são a PFP idiopática ou de Bell (65%) e o Herpes Zoster Ótico (12%). Em áreas endémicas, também a doença de Lyme pode ter um papel relevante. Sendo um tema de consensos difíceis, os autores apresentam uma revisão da literatura e propõem um protocolo de actuação na perspectiva do diagnóstico, tratamento e orientação.

Facial palsy (FP) is a common disorder in children. It is caused by an aggression to the seventh cranial nerve distally to its emergence from the pons. The best way to define FP is by its clinical manifestations: paralisis of the muscles of the ipsilateral side of the face with or without hyperacusis, decreased production of tears, and loss of taste at the anterior two-thirds of the tongue. The most common medical causes are idiopathic FP, also known as Bell’s palsy (65%) and herpes zoster oticus (12%). In endemic areas, Lyme disease is also an important etiology. As this is a controversial subject, the authors present a review of the most recent literature and propose a protocol to guide diagnosis, treatment and follow up.

The frequency and severity of human infections associated with Corynebacterium ulcerans appear to be increasing in different countries. Here, we describe the first C. ulcerans strain producing a diphtheria-like toxin isolated from an elderly woman with a fatal pulmonary infection and a history of leg skin ulcers in the Rio de Janeiro metropolitan area.