Tumor markers in urogynaecological tumors.

Cathepsin D, B and L circulating levels as prognostic markers of malignant progression

Growing evidence indicates that lysosomal Cathepsins D (CD), B (CB) and L (CL) may promote carcinogenesis and tumor progression. Therefore, we evaluated their potential value as biochemical parameters of malignant progression in patients with benign diseases which may undergo malignant transformation, such as liver cirrhosis (LC) and chronic pancreatitis (CHP) as well as in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and pancreatic cancer (DPC). CD, CB and CL serum levels were determined by immunoenzymatic assays in LC, CHP, HCC or DPC patients and correlated with a number of biochemical and clinical parameters of these diseases. CD serum levels were increased in LC, CHP and HCC, but not in the DPC grou…

Competitiveness of Italian wines in the international market

In the last few years the wine market has been affected by a deep structural transformation due to the entry in the world productive scenario of new competitors and for changing of the demand not only at geographical level but also for more and more orientation of consumers towards the quality wines. This transformation has involved even the Italian wine sector, that takes in the international wine scenario a significant importance, both in terms of supply and of the weight on the world wine export. Recently, the Italian sector showed a remarkable ability front to the world economic and financial crisis thanks to its ability to satisfy a diversified demand oriented toward the quality wines …

EXPORT PERFORMANCE AND ORGANISATIONAL MODELS: AN EMPIRICAL ANALYSIS BASED ON THE RBV APPROACH

Resource based view approach is proposed as theoretical framework in order to identify the existence of similar organizational models in a sample of firms operating in the Sicilian wine industry, and the key success factors for superior export success. The findings of this research show that managers’ age and wineries’ export experience in export success are the key organizational capabilities, that explain a firm’s strategic advantage over its competitors. The importance of these capabilities is further uncovered through the main characteristics of the clusters. The result informs strategy design at the firm level; wineries need to incorporate significant capabilities associated with manag…

Effects of zoledronic acid on proteinase plasma levels in patients with bone metastases.

Background: The effects of the bisphosphonate derivative zoledronic acid (ZA) on the > circulating levels of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), matrix metallo-proteinases-9 > (MMP-9), cathepsin B (Cath B) and urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) in > patients with bone metastasis (BMTS) and the possible correlation with the symptomatic > response induced by this drug in these patients were evaluated. Patients and Methods: > Proteinase levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in the > plasma of 30 patients with painful bone metastases from breast or prostate cancer > undergoing multiple treatment with ZA (4 mg i.v., every 4 weeks). Healthy subjects > (HS) of…

Influence of quercetin and luteolin on the activity of the catalase: study ex vivo about erythrocytes in smokers and non-smokers

Flavonoids are a group of polyphenolic compounds with different chemical structure and properties. These compounds may scavenge free radical species and other oxidants. In previous studies, we have observed that some polyphenols are able to cross the erythrocyte’smembrane and this process is influenced by the plasmatic albumin; in fact quercetin intracellular concentrations is albumin dose depending. The influence of flavonoids on catalase activity has been reported in some papers but the results are contradictory. Some authors have found an increase of catalase activity in cell in the presence of flavonoids. Others have observed any effect or even a decrease of catalase activity.The presen…

The Atlantic bluefin tuna: structure and competitiveness of Italian fishing in the international trade

In this paper after showing the productive and international trade background of the Atlantic bluefin tuna, we analyze the competitive position of Italy, important producer and exporter on world scale, compared with the main trade partners, carried out through competitiveness indexes based on trade data. The results highlight Italy's good competitive performance above all with Japan, which represents the main world reference market for the Italian product, but also with the United States, Malta and Turkey The Italian competitive advantage with these countries is stronger for the product taken into account. On the other hand, we can notice a competitive disadvantage with the traditional mark…

Effects of amsacrine (m-AMSA), a new aminoacridine antitumor drug, on the rabbit heart.

There is emerging clinical evidence that amsacrine (m-AMSA) administration may be associated with cardiotoxic effects such as severe, even fatal, ventricular arrhythmias and impairment of the inotropic performance of the heart. Information on the cardiac effects of m-AMSA in animals is scanty. Studies on mice, dogs, and monkeys have not evidenced the cardiotoxicity of the compound. The data presented in this paper show that m-AMSA causes acute ECG alterations in normal rabbits and a dose-related negative inotropic effect on the isolated rabbit heart, suggesting that this species may be a useful model for the study of the cardiac actions of this antiblastic.

Organizational models in the Sicilian ornamental plant industry: An empirical analysis based on transaction cost theory

The process of market globalization has led to a redefinition of business models in order to compete in domestic and international markets. In the current competitive scenario, the survival of companies is linked to their ability to reduce or contain the sum of both production and transaction costs. The aim of this paper is to identify the existence of similar organizational models of a sample of Sicilian firms active in the Ornamental Plants sector based on those transaction costs that they support in relation to the sales channel and the other human and firm characteristics. Using a clustering procedure, we identified four well-distinct organizational models whose formation is influenced …

Managerial suggestions to sustainable market choices: A business profitability assessment on the adoption of voluntary certification in the wine industry of the Italian “Mezzogiorno” regions

Quality and environmental management systems have become prominent business strategic tools to address social and environmental problems. Several voluntary certification schemes have been developed in various economic sectors, as well as in the food one. Nevertheless, it remains unclear if a positive business profitability exists as a consequence of their adoption. Aims of this work was to compare two specific groups of firms operating in the wine industry, certified and non certified ones, in order to verify the existence of a positive impact directly belonging to the adoption of environmental and food safety proactive approaches. To this scope, a sample of 173 cellars located in the South…

Determinants of Italian agri-food exports in non-EU Mediterranean Partner Countries: An empirical investigation through a gravity model approach

The aim of this paper is to lay emphasis on the main factors (economic, historical, structural, etc.) that affect Italian agri-food exports in the non-EU Mediterranean Partner Countries (MPCs). The authors estimate a gravity equation including some of the main variables found in the reference literature useful to highlight the main factors which influence the bilateral exchanges. The results show that the variables traditionally included in the gravity equation present the expected sign. In particular, Italian agri-food exports towards its neighbouring Mediterranean countries are positively affected by income of partner countries, colonial and historical ties, geographical proximity and the…