bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Douro Valley Tourism Plan
Authors: Fazenda Nuno , Nunes da Silva Fernando , Costa Carlos 
Published: September 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to demonstrate through a case study, how a tourist destination plan can contribute to the management of the destination, via the development of sustainable, coherent, integrated and efficient tourism actions.Design/methodology/approachThe methodology incorporates a literature review on tourism planning and a case study, where the models and tools presented are applied to the Douro Valley region.FindingsThe Douro Valley Tourism Plan (DVTP) is based on an integrated and global perspective (by taking into consideration all the elements of the tourism system) and has been designed with the close and active involvement of the stakeholders. The goal is to ensure that all future actions will be pursued through a high commitment from the community and institutions of the region.Practical implicationsAware of the interest that the Portuguese Government has in the region, as well as the financial resources that can be deployed, attracting private investment and promotion can be facilitated. These tasks, essential to the development of the region, are more easily facilitated as the DVTP gives a positive sign to the markets (investors and travel operators) and consequently to potential tourists.Originality/valueThe paper reports on the Douro Valley as the first destination in the World that has been assessed by the World Centre of Excellence for Destinations. The System for Measuring Excellence on Destinations, helping destinations to achieve sustainable development objectives, constitutes a tool for a better implementation of the “Douro Valley Tourism Plan” and so is an excellent example for other destinations.
Sustainability control and management of Porto Belo Island, Santa Catarina State, Brazil
Authors: van de Meene Ruschmann Doris , Carla Sagi Luciana 
Published: September 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to illustrate the structure and results of a project between university and enterprise aimed at managing and controlling sustainable and competitive tourism in a fragile area: an island. The project started in 1996 and was completed in 2009. It helped the island to preserve its environment and to structure equipment and services adequate to market needs – with quality and responsibility. It also helped young professionals to develop their skills toward market needs, creating not only standards of highly professional behaviour, but also ethical values of respect, comprehension and hospitality.Design/methodology/approachTo understand the market needs, the use of equipment and services of the island by visitors and the visitors' profiles, personal interviews were conducted. The approach to visitors happened when leaving the island as it was agreed that only when visitors have had the experience were they able to comment. In addition to this paper, an observation of visitors was also developed, in order to check if their behaviour was compatible with their answers in formal interviews. The sustainability of the island was analyzed and evaluated through specific reports that defined indicators and qualitative criteria for the evaluation process.FindingsThe results presented are favourable since it is clear that the negative impacts on the environment were minimized, the island became a good business, the local community was involved, the trainees learnt in practice, and the visitors were very satisfied with the results of the project.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper is limited to understand two aspects of sustainability: management and market. To achieve more sustainability for the island very important complementary studies need to be considered: the characterization of local flora and fauna, both terrestrial and marine; landscape studies and research about the business impact on the life of the local community.Originality/valueThe paper is a case study that compiles 14 years of successful experience using methods, techniques and instruments to manage and control sustainability in a place that combines a fragile environment, tourism, recreation and business. This case is a reference for similar environments in Brazil.
How can tourist destinations become more competitive
Authors: Costa Jorge , Salazar Ana , Montenegro Mónica , Gomes João 
Published: September 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to review the question: What have we learned about how tourist destinations may become more competitive and the tools to achieve this aim?Design/methodology/approachThe paper considers the contribution made by each theme issue article to an overall understanding of tourism destinations' competitiveness and how this can be achieved and improved by using a series of strategic and operational tools.FindingsThe paper presents examples of key tools for improving destinations' competitiveness, how they were applied in industry contexts and recommendations for future use.Practical implicationsThe paper summarizes the strategies and actions undertaken by organizations and destinations to improve competitiveness and comments on the practical implications.Originality/valueThe paper takes further the ideas put forward in the editorial and provides a concise analysis of how companies and destinations may improve their competitiveness by taken a sustainable and holistic approach to tourism development.
Achieving food security in China: past three decades and beyond
Authors: Zhou Zhangyue 
Published: September 2010

PurposeThe paper aims to review and assess China's food security practice over the past three decades with a view of drawing implications for further improving its food security in the future.Design/methodology/approachA normative food security framework is used to assess China's food security achievements and examine any remaining and emerging issues in its pursuit for food security.FindingsChina has done well in achieving grain security in the past three decades. However, it cannot be concluded that China has achieved its food security according to the normative food security framework. This is because there are serious problems in the aspects of food safety and quality, environmental sustainability, and social stability. To achieve long‐term food security, China has to tackle the wide spread issues of unsafe foods and foods of dubious quality, environmental pollution and degradation, and the establishment of a social security system.Originality/valueExamining China's food security practice over the past three decades can generate experiences and lessons valuable not only for China, but also for other developing countries in their efforts to achieving national food security. Issues are identified to which the Chinese government needs to pay attention in order to improve China's food security in the future.
The role of the state in making a national market
Authors: Zhou Wubiao 
Published: September 2010

PurposeThe paper aims to examine Karl Polanyi's view of market evolution in the context of the emergence of a national grain market in China's transition economy.Design/methodology/approachThe dataset used includes information about inter‐provincial grain trade on China's grain market from November 1999 to October 2000. A priori blockmodelling method is used for hypothesis testing.FindingsThis paper finds that a partially integrated national grain market had emerged at the beginning of the twenty‐first century in China in spite of local protectionism. Additionally, the emergence of this market is found to be partly a result of the reform‐oriented state's attempt to create national wholesale grain markets.Originality/valueThe findings of the paper might have implications for market development in both China and other transition economies.
Health and growth: causality through education
Authors: Huang Rui , Fulginiti Lilyan E. , Wesley F. Peterson E. 
Published: September 2010

PurposeThe paper aims to theoretically and empirically investigate the impact on human capital investment decisions and income growth of lowered life expectancy as a result of HIV/AIDS and other diseases.Design/methodology/approachThe theoretical model is a three‐period overlapping generations model where individuals go through three stages in their lives, namely, young, adult, and old. The model extends existing theoretical models by allowing the probability of premature death to differ for individuals at different life stages, and by allowing for stochastic technological advances. The empirical investigation focuses on the effect of HIV/AIDS on life expectancy and on the role of health in educational investments and growth. Potential endogeneity is addressed by using various strategies, such as controlling for country‐specific time‐invariant unobservables and by using the male‐circumcision rate as an instrumental variable for HIV/AIDS prevalence.FindingsThe paper shows theoretically that an increased probability of premature death leads to less investment in human capital, and consequently slower growth. Empirically, the paper finds that HIV/AIDS has resulted in a substantial decline in life expectancy in African countries and these falling life expectancies are indeed associated with lower educational attainment and slower economic growth world wide.Originality/valueThe theoretical and empirical findings reveal a causal link flowing from health to growth, which has been largely overlooked by the existing literature. The main implication is that health investments that decrease the incidence of diseases like HIV/AIDS resulting in increases in life expectancy through their complementarity with human capital investments lead to long run growth.
The diminishing influences of agricultural output changes on general price changes in China
Authors: Liu Xiaoyun , Luo Wanchun , Mao Xuefeng , Wang Xiuqing , Xin Xian 
Published: September 2010

PurposeThe paper aims to assess the impact of agricultural output changes on the general price level over time with China as an example.Design/methodology/approachA simple numerical global general equilibrium (GE) model of two regions (China and the rest of the world) and three commodities (agriculture, manufacturing goods, and services) is used to assess the impacts of agricultural output changes on the overall economy price changes. The numerical GE model of this paper consists of production, final consumption, and market clear conditions. The results are generated with the GE model calibrated to aggregated China's input‐output tables of 1987, 1997, and 2005.FindingsThe results suggest that China witnessed a declining influence of agricultural output changes on general price changes. The contribution of given agricultural output change on the general price change in 2005 was merely less than 60 percent of that in 1987, which in turn implies that macro policies targeting to curb general inflation via boosting agricultural output will be less effective as those of 20 years ago.Practical implicationsChina's policy makers should rely less and less on promoting agricultural output policies to fight against general inflation and should resort to non‐agricultural policies.Originality/valueThe paper argues that the influence of agriculture on the China's general price indices has been weakening along with China's economic development with a numerical GE model calibrated to aggregated China's input‐output tables of 1987, 1997, and 2005.
Differentiation of bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells into hepatocyte‐like cells in an alginate scaffold
Authors: Lin N. , Lin J. , Bo L. , Weidong P. , Chen S. , Xu R. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractObjectives:  Alginate scaffolds are the most frequently investigated biomaterials in tissue engineering. Tissue engineering techniques that generate liver tissue have become important for treatment of a number of liver diseases and recent studies indicate that bone marrow‐derived stem cells (BMSCs) can differentiate into hepatocyte‐like cells. The goal of the study described here, was to examine in vitro hepatic differentiation potential of BMSCs cultured in an alginate scaffold.Materials and methods:  To investigate the potential of BMSCs to differentiate into hepatocyte‐like cells, we cultured BMSCs in alginate scaffolds in the presence of specific growth factors including hepatocyte growth factor, epidermal growth factor and fibroblast growth factor‐4.Results:  We can demonstrate that alginate scaffolds are compatible for growth of BMSCs and when cultured in alginate scaffolds for several days they display several liver‐specific markers and functions. Specifically, they expressed genes encoding alpha‐foetoprotein, albumin (ALB), connexin 32 and CYP7A1. In addition, these BMSCs produced both ALB and urea, expressed cytokeratin‐18 (CK‐18) and were capable of glycogen storage. Percentage of CK‐18 positive cells, a marker of hepatocytes, was 56.7%.Conclusions:  Our three‐dimensional alginate scaffolds were highly biocompatible with BMSCs. Furthermore, culturing induced their differentiation into hepatocyte‐like cells. Therefore, BMSCs cultured in alginate scaffolds may be applicable for hepatic tissue engineering.
Culture and in vitro hepatogenic differentiation of placenta‐derived stem cells, using placental extract as an alternative to serum
Authors: Shin K. S. , Lee H. J. , Jung J. , Cha D. H. , Kim G. J. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractObjectives:  Translational research using adult stem cells derived from various tissues has been highlighted in cell‐based therapy. However, there are many limitations to using conventional culture systems of adult stem cells for clinically applicability, including limited combinations of cytokines and use of nutrients derived from animals. Here, we have investigated the effects of placental extract (PE) for culture of placenta‐derived stem cells (PDSCs) as well as their potential for hepatogenic differentiation.Materials and methods:  Placental extract, extracted using water‐soluble methods, was used as a supplement for culture of PDSCs. Cell viability was determined using the MTT assay, and cytokine assay was performed using Luminex assay kit. Gene expression, indocyanine green (ICG) up‐take, PAS (Periodic Acid‐Schiff) staining and urea production were also analysed.Results:  The placental extract contained several types of cytokine and chemokine essential for maintenance and differentiation of stem cells. Expression of stemness markers in PDSCs cultured with PE is no different from that of PDSCs cultured with foetal bovine serum (FBS). After hepatogenic differentiation, expression patterns for hepatocyte‐specific markers in PDSCs cultured with PE were consistent and potential for hepatogenic differentiation of PDSCs cultured with PE was similar to that of PDSCs cultured with FBS, as shown by PAS staining and urea production assays.Conclusions:  Our findings revealed that placental extract could be used as a new component for culture of adult stem cells, as well as for development of human‐based medium, in translational research for regenerative medicine.
The role of inhibitor of DNA‐binding (Id1) in hyperproliferation of keratinocytes: the pathological basis for middle ear cholesteatoma from chronic otitis media
Authors: Hamajima Y. , Komori M. , Preciado D. A. , Choo D. I. , Moribe K. , Murakami S. , Ondrey F. G. , Lin J. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractObjectives:  A hallmark of cholesteatoma is hyperproliferation of keratinocytes with abundant production of keratins in the middle ear under chronic inflammatory conditions. However, little is known about the driving force of cellular proliferation and keratin production of cholesteatomal matrix. The purpose of this study was to investigate the cellular proliferation and keratin production of keratinocytes under the influence of Id1, a candidate transcription factor to cell proliferation.Materials and methods:  Keratinocytes were transfected with Id1 and the responses of keratinocytes to Id1 were studied by using cellular and molecular biologic methods.Results:  Id1 positively contributed to the cell cycle progression and negatively to the p16Ink4a downregulation via the nuclear factor‐kappa B (NF‐κB)/cyclin D1 pathway. Id1 significantly increased the promoter activity of NF‐κB which, in turn, up‐regulated the expression of cyclin D1 and keratin 10 in keratinocytes. Specific NF‐κB inhibitors (pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate, PDTC), or dominant‐negative inhibitor (I kappa B alpha mutant, IκBαM) abrogated the Id1‐induced cell proliferation and keratin 10 production whereas p65, a subunit of the NF‐κB heterodimer and an enhancer of the NF‐κB activity, strengthened the Id1‐induced cell proliferation and keratin 10 production.Conclusions:  Id1 contributed to hyperproliferation of keratinocytes via enhancement of cell cycle progression, removal of cell cycle inhibition, and simultaneously increased keratin production.
Chloroform extract from Moricandia arvensis inhibits growth of B16‐F0 melanoma cells and promotes differentiation in vitro
Authors: Skandrani I. , Pinon A. , Simon A. , Ghedira K. , Chekir‐Ghedira L. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractObjectives:  Poor therapeutic results have been reported for treatment of malignant melanoma; therefore in this study we have investigated inhibitory capacity of ethyl acetate, chloroform (Chl) and methanol extracts from Moricandia arvensis on mouse melanoma (B16‐F0) and human keratinocyte (HaCaT) cell proliferation. Influence of Chl extract on percentage distribution in cell cycle phases and melanogenesis was also studied.Material and methods:  Cell viability was determined at various periods using the MTT assay, and flow cytometry was used to analyse effects of Chl extract on progression through the cell cycle and apoptosis. In addition, amounts of melanin and tyrosinase were measured spectrophotometrically at 475 nm.Results:  Chl extract exhibited significant anti‐proliferative activity after incubation with the two types of tumour skin cells. Morphological changes in B16‐F0 cells, accompanied by increase of tyrosinase activity, and of melanin synthesis were observed, which are markers of differentiation of malignant melanoma cells. Furthermore, cell cycle analysis revealed that B16‐F0 cells treated with Chl extract were arrested predominantly in G1 phase.Conclusion:  Chl extract had the ability to reverse malignant melanoma cells from proliferative to differentiated state, thus providing a new perspective in developing novel strategies for prevention and treatment of malignant melanoma, possibly through consumption of the extract in an appropriate cancer prevention diet. Moreover, there is scope for the extract being introduced into cosmetic products as a natural tanning agent.
Combination of photodynamic therapy with aspirin in human‐derived lung adenocarcinoma cells affects proteasome activity and induces apoptosis
Authors: Chiaviello A. , Paciello I. , Postiglione I. , Crescenzi E. , Palumbo G. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractObjectives:  Photodynamic treatment (PDT) of human lung carcinoma cells A549 (p53+/+) and H1299 (p53−/−) induces fast but transient stalling of proteasome activity. We have explored the possibility of prolonging this effect by combining PDT with drugs capable of sustaining the stall, and promote apoptosis of surviving cells. We show that aspirin can be used to accomplish this.Materials and methods:  Cells were irradiated at doses ranging from 0.54 to 1.10 J cm−2, and subsequently were incubated with aspirin at either high (10 and 5 mm) or low concentration (2.5 and 1.5 mm). Photofrin concentration and incubation time were constant (2.5 μg/ml and 16 h). Under these conditions, we analysed cell viability, colony‐forming efficiency, cycle profile, expression patterns of specific proteins and ubiquitination state, after individual or combined administration.Results:  Treatment with either PDT or aspirin, rapidly induced proteasome malfunction and accumulation of cells in G2M, but did not induce apoptosis. However, when aspirin was added to cells (even at low concentrations) after PDT, the proteasome block was sustained. Moreover, significant cytotoxic effects, including apoptosis, were observed along with cytostatic effects (G2M accumulation/decreased colony formation).Conclusions:  Combination of PDT and low‐toxicity drugs (such as aspirin) resulted in protracted inhibition of proteasome activity and induced apoptosis even in apoptosis‐resistant cancer cells.
17β‐oestradiol acts as a negative modulator of insulin‐induced lactotroph cell proliferation through oestrogen receptor alpha, via nitric oxide/guanylyl cyclase/cGMP
Authors: Gutiérrez S. , Petiti J. P. , Sosa L. d V. , Fozzatti L. , De Paul A. L. , Masini‐Repiso A. M. , Torres A. I. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractObjectives:  17β‐oestradiol interacts with growth factors to modulate lactotroph cell population. However, contribution of isoforms of the oestrogen receptor in these activities is not fully understood. In the present study, we have established participation of α and β oestrogen receptors in effects of 17β‐oestradiol on lactotroph proliferation induced by insulin and shown involvement of the NO/sGC/cGMP pathway.Materials and methods:  Cell cultures were prepared from anterior pituitaries of female rats to evaluate lactotroph cell proliferation using bromodeoxyuridine (BrdUrd) detection, protein expression by western blotting and cGMP by enzyme immunoassay.Results:  In serum‐free conditions, 17β‐oestradiol and α and β oestrogen receptor agonists (PPT and DPN) failed to increase numbers of lactotroph cells undergoing mitosis. Co‐incubation of 17β‐oestradiol/insulin and PPT/insulin significantly decreased lactotroph mitogenic activity promoted by insulin alone. Both ICI 182780 and NOS inhibitors (L‐NMMA and L‐NAME) induced reversal of the anti‐proliferative effect promoted by 17β‐oestradiol/insulin and PPT/insulin. Moreover, 17β‐oestradiol, PPT and insulin increased sGC α1 protein expression and inhibited β1, whereas co‐incubation of 17β‐oestradiol/insulin or PPT/insulin induced increases of the two isoforms α1 and β1. 17β‐oestradiol and insulin reduced cGMP production, while 17β‐oestradiol/insulin co‐incubation increased this cyclic nucleotide.Conclusions:  Our results suggest that 17β‐oestradiol is capable of arresting lactotroph proliferation induced by insulin through ER α with participation of the signalling NO/sGC/cGMP pathway.
Proteomic analysis of 3T3‐L1 preadipocytes having a higher cell proliferation rate after treatment with low‐molecular‐weight silk fibroin peptides
Authors: Huang G. , Li G. , Chen H. , He Y. , Yao Q. , Chen K. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractObjectives:  Previous studies have reported that fibroin peptides can be used in a new strategy for development of anti‐diabetic peptide drugs. In this study, we separated silk fibroin hydrolysates (SFH) containing silk fibroin peptides into four components according to their molecular weight and tested the effects of these together with three synthetic silk fibroin hexapeptides GAGAGS, GAGAGY, GAGAGA on cell proliferation of 3T3‐L1 preadipocytes. The aim of this study was to investigate protein expression profiles of 3T3‐L1 preadipocytes and those treated with SFH component Fraction I and the synthetic silk fibroin hexapeptide GAGAGS to be able to elucidate difference in protein expression between the 3T3‐L1 preadipocytes and those treated with fibroin peptides Fraction I and GAGAGS.Materials and methods:  SFH was separated by dialysis. MTT assays were performed to test effects of SFH components and synthetic silk fibroin hexapeptides on 3T3‐L1 preadipocyte proliferation. We generated proteome maps using two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis and analysed them by peptide mass fingerprinting.Results:  GAGAGS and peptide mixtures, Fraction I and Fraction II, had significant effect in promoting 3T3‐L1 preadipocyte proliferation. In the proteomic analysis, 73 protein spots were successfully identified, including 15 which were differentially expressed.Conclusions:  Our results show that some silk fibroin peptides of low molecular weight SFH and hexapeptide GAGAGS affected 3T3‐L1 preadipocyte proliferation.