On Behalf of Digital Innovation: A Replication Study on International and National Executive Search Consultancy Firms

Disruptive innovation (DI) provides an explanation for firms\u27 success and failure in the business economy. Building on Karimi and Walter (2015), whose study ascertains dynamic capabilities (DC) in responding to digital platforms and firm performance, this study extends their model by examining the effect of relational capabilities as DC in international and national executive search consultancies (CERS) based in Brazil. CERS have been fundamentally changing their traditional operating business models because of digital platforms. Thus, a survey questionnaire from 141 CERS executives measured the impact of DC on CERS performance and digital platforms. The findings highlight that DC is positively associated with digital platform capacity and CERS performance, as Karimi and Walter (2015) also highlighted. We believe that the findings impact practitioners because this study is original in the context of CERS and valuable for new business model formation, showing that DCs are relevant in any dynamic business scenario. Theoretically, this study enhances DC and DI theories, confirming that digital platform capabilities are a powerful strategic choice to reinvent core business functions and accelerate innovativeness

Progesterone differentially affects the transcriptomic profiles of cow endometrial cell types

Background The endometrium is a heterogeneous tissue composed of luminal epithelial (LE), glandular epithelial (GE), and stromal cells (ST), experiencing progesterone regulated dynamic changes during the estrous cycle. In the cow, this regulation at the transcriptomic level was only evaluated in the whole tissue. This study describes specific gene expression in the three types of cells isolated from endometrial biopsies following laser capture microdissection and the transcriptome changes induced by progesterone in GE and ST cells. Results Endometrial LE, GE, and ST cells show specific transcriptomic profiles. Most of the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in response to progesterone are cell type-specific (96%). Genes involved in cell cycle and nuclear division are under-expressed in the presence of progesterone in GE, highlighting the anti-proliferative action of progesterone in epithelial cells. Elevated progesterone concentrations are also associated with the under-expression of estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1) in GE and oxytocin receptor (OXTR) in GE and ST cells. In ST cells, transcription factors such as SOX17 and FOXA2, known to regulate uterine epithelial-stromal cross-talk conveying to endometrial receptivity, are over-expressed under progesterone influence. Conclusions The results from this study show that progesterone regulates endometrial function in a cell type-specific way, which is independent of the expression of its main receptor PGR. These novel insights into uterine physiology present the cell compartment as the physiological unit rather than the whole tissue

Preliminary results for genetic transformation of shoot tip of Eucalyptus saligna Sm. via Agrobacterium tumefaciens

The regeneration of transgenic plants of Eucalypt is the largest difficulty for the genetic transformation of this genus; in addition a low rate of transformed plants is reached. The aim of this research was to evaluate acetosyringone (3',5'-Dimethoxy-4'-hydroxyacetophenone) on the co-culture medium during genetic transformation of shoot tips of Eucalyptus saligna via Agrobacterium tumefaciens and to promote the explants selection supposedly transformed. Shoot tip from multiple shoots was used as explants. These explants were pre-cultured during two days before the transformation. Strain EHA105 of A. tumefaciens harboring the plasmid pBI121 was used. The treatments were: 0 and 100 μM acetosyringone added to the co-culture, after co-culture the explants were cultured in multiplication medium supplemented with 250 mg.L-1 Cefotaxime® and each sub-culture the kanamycin levels were increased from 50 to 150 mg.L-1. The transient expression of the uidA gene in shoot tips was evaluated after the end of the co-culture (fifth day) and after seven days of culture on medium containing kanamycin. The presence of 100 µM acetosyringone at the co-culture of shoot tips of Eucalyptus saligna promoted higher transient expression of the uidA gene and retards toxic effects caused by kanamycin.A  regeneração  de  plantas  transgênicas  de  eucalipto representa a maior dificuldade para a transformação genética de plantas do gênero Eucalyptus, além de que taxas baixas de plantas transformadas são alcançadas. O objetivo desse trabalho foi avaliar a acetosiringona no meio de co-cultura durante a transformação genética de ápices caulinares  de Eucalyptus saligna via Agrobacterium tumefaciens e promover a seleção dos supostos explantes transformados. Ápices caulinares originados de brotações múltiplas foram usados como explantes. Estes explantes foram pré-cultivados por dois dias antes da transformação. A linhagem EHA105 de A. tumefaciens contendo o plasmídeo pBI120 foi utilizada. Os tratamentos foram: 0 e 100 μM de acetosiringona adicionada ao meio de co-cultura, após a co-cultura os explantes foram cultivados em meio de multiplicação suplementado com 250 mg.L-1 de cefotaxima e a cada subcultivo a concentração de canamicina foi aumentada, de 50 até 150 mg.L-1. A expressão transiente do gene uidA nos ápices caulinares foi avaliada no final da co-cultura e após sete dias em meio com canamicina (agente seletivo). A presença de 100 μM de acetosiringona no meio de co-cultura dos ápices caulinares de Eucalyptus saligna promoveu maior expressão transiente do gene uidA e retardou a ação tóxica causada pela canamicina

Subclinical endometritis differentially affects the transcriptomic profiles of endometrial glandular, luminal, and stromal cells of postpartum dairy cows

In postpartum dairy cows, subclinical endometritis flammation, which has profound detrimental effects on subsequent reproductive performance. To date, transcriptomic studies related to this condition were either based on biopsy-derived whole-endometrium tissue or endometrial swab or cytobrush samples, thus masking effects of disease on cell type-specific gene expression. This study tested the hypothesis that different endometrial health statuses are associated with distinct transcription profiles of endometrial stromal, glandular, and luminal epithelial cells. At 44 d postpartum (DPP), endometrial biopsies were taken from dairy or affected by persistent SCE, according to endometrial cytology taken at 21 and 44 DPP. Stromal, glandular, and luminal epithelial cells were isolated from the whole-tissue biopsy by laser capture microdissection, and the cell-specific transcription profiles were determined by RNA sequencing. Differential gene expression demonstrated that global transcriptomic profiles and corresponding lists of differentially expressed genes beamong cell types. Results also showed that although healthy and recovered cows presented similar endoprior presence of immune cells still affected the transcriptome of endometrial cells at this stage, delaying complete functional recovery. Recovery or persistence of inflammation was associated with gene expression patterns involved not only in immune function but also in tissue remodeling, cell adhesion, and uterine recep-tivity in a cell type-specific manner. Identifying these signatures may contribute to the development of novel diagnostic tools and therapeutic strategies. In addition, these results may help to define preventive measures or ways to stimulate recovery from endometrial inflamma-tion, thus helping to restore the fertility of postpartum dairy cows

Loss of Notch signalling induced by Dll4 causes arterial calibre reduction by increasing endothelial cell response to angiogenic stimuli

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In the vascular system, Notch receptors and ligands are expressed mainly on arteries, with Delta-like 4 (Dll4) being the only ligand known to be expressed early during the development of arterial endothelial cells and capillaries. <it>Dll4 </it>null embryos die very early in development with severely reduced arterial calibre and lumen and loss of arterial cell identity.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The current detailed analysis of these mutants shows that the arterial defect precedes the initiation of blood flow and that the arterial <it>Dll4</it>^-/-endothelial cells proliferate and migrate more actively. <it>Dll4</it>^-/-mutants reveal a defective basement membrane around the forming aorta and increased endothelial cell migration from the dorsal aorta to peripheral regions, which constitute the main causes of arterial lumen reduction in these embryos. The increased proliferation and migration of <it>Dll4</it>^-/-endothelial cells was found to coincide with increased expression of the receptors VEGFR-2 and Robo4 and with downregulation of the TGF-β accessory receptor Endoglin.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Together, these results strongly suggest that Notch signalling can increase arterial stability and calibre by decreasing the response of arterial endothelial cells to local gradients of pro-angiogenic factors like VEGF.</p

CONCORDANCE BETWEEN CLINICAL AND HISTOPATHOLOGICAL DIAGNOSIS OF ORAL AND MAXILLOFACIAL LESIONS

Introduction: The agreement between clinical and histopathological diagnosis of oral and maxillofacial lesions remains a source of controversy. Objective: To evaluate the concordance between clinical and histopathological diagnosis of oral and maxillofacial lesions. Methods: Socio-demographic and clinical data were prospectively obtained from patients evaluated at outpatient clinics of a Brazilian research hospital. Morphological and histopathological findings of biopsied oral and maxillofacial lesions were utilized as the “gold standard” and the concordance status with prior clinical hypotheses was compared using the Pearson's chi-squared test at a 5% significance level. Results: Non-neoplastic proliferative processes were the most frequent type of lesion (29.6%) and posterior mandible was the most common location (20.73%). Clinical and histological correlation was high (78%), whereas most lesions were not found to be associated with age, gender or concordance status (P > 0.05). Conclusion: A high level of agreement between clinical and histopathological diagnosis was shown, but the quality of oral diagnosis should be continuously evaluated.Keywords: Oral pathology. Clinical diagnosis. Biopsy

Aspects of Toxoplasma Infection on the Reproductive System of Experimentally Infected Rams (Ovis Aries)

Eight reproductive rams with no prior reproductive disease were distributed into three groups of infection with T. gondii: GI, 3 rams, 2.0 × 105 P strain oocysts; GII, 3 rams, 1.0 × 106 RH strain tachyzoites; GIII, 2 control rams. Clinical parameters were measured and serological evaluations (IIF) were performed. Presence of the parasite in the semen was investigated by PCR and bioassay techniques. The rams presented clinical alterations (hyperthermia and apathy) related to toxoplasmosis in both groups infected with Toxoplasma gondii. All the inoculated rams responded to antigenic stimulus, producing antibodies against T. gondii from postinoculation day 5 onwards. In ovine groups I and II, the greatest titers observed were 1 : 4096 and 1 : 8192, respectively. In semen samples collected from these two groups, the presence of T. gondii was detected by bioassay and PCR. This coccidian was isolated (bioassay and PCR) in tissue pools (testicles, epididymis, seminal vesicle, and prostrate) from two rams infected presenting oocysts and in one presenting tachyzoites

Pode o etiltrinexapac estimular o crescimento de mudas de eucalipto?

Plant growth regulators and herbicides can act and modify several metabolic processes in plants. The use of sub-lethal doses of those compounds might modulate the development and growth of plants, an effect known as hormesis. Recent studies reported the stimulatory responses of sub-lethal doses of trinexapac-ethyl on the biomass accumulation and leaf area expansion of eucalypt plants. To date, there is no recommendation regarding promoting or inhibitory doses of such compounds for eucalypt production industry. Thus, this work aims to investigate the effect of trinexapac-ethyl on the establishment and initial growth of Eucalyptus urograndis seedlings. Trinexapacethyl was applied at doses varying 15 to 90 g (plus a control treatment) per hectare of active ingredient (g a.i. ha-1) in two application methods: spraying and root immersion. The doses of 15 g a.i. ha-1 through spraying and the 30 g a.i. ha-1 in root immersion resulted in a positive effect on the growth of Eucalyptus urograndis Clone GG100. Total dry biomass increased by 74.6% and 12.8%, respectively, compared to control plants. The spraying of 15 to 90 g a.i. ha-1 of trinexapax-ethyl resulted in a stimulatory effect on the growth of eucalyptus. The doses of 15 and 30 g a.i. ha-1 via root immersion provided a positive effect on the all evaluated characteristics of eucalyptus. The dose of 90 g a.i. ha-1 resulted in an inhibitory effect on eucalyptus growth through root immersion at 35 days after the trinexapac-ethyl applicationReguladores vegetais e herbicidas atuam e modificam diversos processos metabólicos nas plantas. A aplicação de doses sub-letais destes compostos pode ser utilizada de modo a modular o desenvolvimento e o crescimento das plantas, um efeito denominado homesis. Múltiplos estudos tem relatado o efeito promotor de doses sub-letais de etil-trinexapac no acúmulo de biomassa e na expansão da área foliar de plantas de eucalipto. Até o presente momento, não há recomendação acerca de doses promotoras e/ou inibidoras de processos metabólicos para a cultura do eucalipto. Desta forma, este trabalho tem como objetivo investigar o efeito de doses crescentes de etil-trinexapac no estabelecimento e crescimento inicial de mudas de Eucalyptus urograndis. Etil-trinexapac foi aplicado em doses de 15 à 90 g de ingrediente ativo por hectare (g i.a. ha-1) em duas modalidades através da pulverização ou da imersão das raízes em solução. As doses de 15 g i.a. ha-1 via pulverização, e 30 g i.a. ha-1 via imersão de raízes, resultaram em efeito positivo no crescimento no clone GG100 de Eucalptus urograndis, com acréscimos de, respectivamente, 74,6% e 12,8% na massa seca total, em relação à testemunha. As doses de 15 à 90 g i.a. ha-1 via pulverização resultaram em efeito estimulatório no crescimento do eucalipto. As doses de 15 e 30 g i.a. ha-1, na modalidade imersão das raízes, proporcionaram efeito positivo nas características avaliadas do eucalipto. A dose de 90 g i.a. ha-1 apresentou efeito inibitório ao crescimento do eucalipto na modalidade imersão das raízes, aos 35 dias após a aplicação de etil-trinexapac

a cross-sectional population-based study

Funding Information: We thank Prof. Carla Nunes (NOVA National School of Public Health – Universidade NOVA de Lisboa) for the valuable insights and discussions in the conceptualization of this project. We thank the EpiDoc Unit and EpiReumaPt team for conceptualizing, planning, and implementing the main research project. We also acknowledge the support of CHRC (UIDP/04923/2020), granted by national funds through Fundação Ciência e Tecnologia, IP. Funding Information: This study received funding from an independent research grant (ID: 64165707) by Pfizer, and the first author received a grant from Fundação Ciência e Tecnologia, IP under the PhD grant SFRH/BD/148420/2019. The funders were not involved in study design; collection, analysis, or interpretation of data; or writing this article or the decision to submit it for publication. Publisher Copyright: © 2023, The Author(s).Background: Pain due to knee and / or hip osteoarthritis (HKOA) is the most common symptom for seeking healthcare. Pain interferes on daily activities, social and occupational participation in people with HKOA. The goal of this study is to estimate the prevalence of unmanageable pain levels (UPL) among people with HKOA), characterize this population and identify factors associated with UPL, and compare therapeutic strategies used by people with UPL versus manageable pain levels (MPL). Methods: We analysed data from the EpiReumaPt study (n = 10,661), that included a representative sample of the Portuguese population. Among these, 1081 participants had a validated diagnosis of HKOA by a rheumatologist. Sociodemographic, lifestyle and health-related data were collected in a structured interview. Pain intensity (NPRS) data were collected in a medical appointment. Painmedication (last month), physiotherapy and surgery were considered as therapies for pain management. UPL was defined as a mean pain intensity in the previous week of ≥5 points on 11-point numeric pain rating scale. The factors associated with UPL were analyzed with logistic regression (p < 0.05, 95%CI). The effect of unmanageable pain levels was assessed by the HOOS/KOOS activities of daily living and quality of life subscales. Symptoms of anxiety and depression were assessed by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Analysis was completed with linear and logistic regression. All analysis were weighted. Results: The estimated prevalence of UPL among people with HKOA was 68.8%. UPL was associated with being female (odds ratio (OR) = 2.36, p < 0.001), being overweight (OR = 1.84, p = 0.035) or obese (OR = 2.26, p = 0.006), and having multimorbidity (OR = 2.08, p = 0.002). People with UPL reported worse performance in activities of daily living and lower quality of life (β = − 21.28, p < 0.001 and β = − 21.19, p < 0.001, respectively) than people with MPL. People with UPL consumed more NSAIDs (22.0%, p = 0.003), opioids (4.8%, p = 0.008), paracetamol (2.7%, p = 0.033), and overall analgesics (7.3%, p = 0.013) than people with MPL. A higher proportion of people with UPL underwent physiotherapy (17.5%, p = 0.002) than people with MPL. Conclusion: Two-thirds of people with HKOA in Portugal have poor management of their pain levels. Clinical and lifestyle factors, that are highly presented in individuals with HKOA, are associated with unmanageable pain. Our results highlighting the need for further research and implementation of effective interventions to improve pain, function and quality of life in people with HKOA.publishersversionpublishe