International New Ventures: Revisiting the Influences Behind the 'Born-Global' Firm

There is a small but theoretically important literature on ‘born-globals’ or international new venture firms that positions itself in contrast to the more established sequential international entry literature. In this paper we examine the pattern of entry into international markets for a set of international new ventures and show that they need not be a distinct breed of firms, as previous research has portrayed. Absent a specific technological advantage, the decision for a new venture to internationalize at inception is influenced by the size of its home market and by its production capacity, as well as by cultural and economic forces that also influence other more traditional firms that stage their entry into international markets. Most importantly, we demonstrate that the decision to internationalize or not should be considered jointly with the capacity allocation decision to specific international markets, as analysing these separately may lead to biased results. Journal of International Business Studies (2007) 38, 1113–1131. doi:10.1057/palgrave.jibs.8400308

Hypothalamic amenorrhea. Different patterns in the pulsatile secretion of LH during 24 hours and different responses to the stimulation test with GnRH

In 12 patients with hypothalamic amenorrhea and in 5 normal women, plasma gonadotropins (LH and FSH) were assayed before and 20, 30, 60, and 120 minutes after stimulation with 10 mcg GnRH i.v. and 24 hours after stimulation with 100 mcg GnRH i.v. In four patients and in controls the pulsatile secretion of LH was evaluated by blood sampling at 15 minute intervals for the 24-hour period. All patients showed different increases in LH after administration of 10 mcg and 100 mcg at 60 and 120 minutes. In two patients, with decreased LH pulse frequency, the gonadotropin increase is dose-dependent in respect to GnRH. In the other two, with normal LH pulse frequency, no difference was shown. In conclusion, this study suggests that the mechanism responsible for amenorrhea is due to reduced frequency of pulsatile GnRH secretion. However, in some patients LH pulse frequency was within the normal range. The double GnRH test (10 or 100 mcg) may be useful in distinguishing these different forms of amenorrhea.Abstract In 12 patients with hypothalamic amenorrhea and in 5 normal women, plasma gonadotropins (LH and FSH) were assayed before and 20, 30, 60, and 120 minutes after stimulation with 10 mcg GnRH i.v. and 24 hours after stimulation with 100 mcg GnRH i.v. In four patients and in controls the pulsatile secretion of LH was evaluated by blood sampling at 15 minute intervals for the 24-hour period. All patients showed different increases in LH after administration of 10 mcg and 100 mcg at 60 and 120 minutes. In two patients, with decreased LH pulse frequency, the gonadotropin increase is dose-dependent in respect to GnRH. In the other two, with normal LH pulse frequency, no difference was shown. In conclusion, this study suggests that the mechanism responsible for amenorrhea is due to reduced frequency of pulsatile GnRH secretion. However, in some patients LH pulse frequency was within the normal range. The double GnRH test (10 or 100 mcg) may be useful in distinguishing these different forms of amenorrhea

Decreased expression of insulin-sensitive glucose transporter mRNA (GLUT-4) in adipose tissue of non-insulin-dependent diabetic and obese patients: evaluation by a simplified quantitative PCR assay.

Impaired cellular uptake and utilization of glucose is the hallmark of non-insulin-dependent-diabetes (NIDDM). We have developed a quantitative assay to probe the expression of glucose-transporter genes in tissues derived from patients with NIDDM. Using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), we assessed levels of expression of the insulin responsive glucose transporter GLUT-4 in adipose tissue of patients with NIDDM and in obese patients. We report that expression of GLUT-4 is reduced in NIDDM and in obesity associated with hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance. These results suggest that reduction of GLUT-4 levels in the adipose cell plays an important role in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance, an early feature of NIDDM

Reconsidering GHB: orphan drug or new model antidepressant?

For six decades, the principal mode of action of antidepressant drugs is the inhibition of monoamine re-uptake from the synaptic cleft. Tricyclic antidepressants, selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and the new generation of dual antidepressants all exert their antidepressant effects by this mechanism. In the early days of the monoaminergic era, other efforts have been made to ameliorate the symptoms of depression by pharmacological means. The gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) system was and possibly still is one of the main alternative drug targets. Gammahydroxybutyrate (GHB) was developed as an orally active GABA analogue. It was tested in animal models of depression and human studies. The effects on sleep, agitation, anhedonia and depression were promising. However, the rise of benzodiazepines and tricyclic antidepressants brought GHB out of the scope of possible treatment alternatives. GHB is a GABA(B) and GHB receptor agonist with a unique spectrum of behavioural, neuroendocrine and sleep effects, and improves daytime sleepiness in various disorders such as narcolepsy, Parkinson's disease and fibromyalgia. Although it was banned from the US market at the end of the 1990s because of its abuse and overdose potential, it later was approved for the treatment of narcolepsy. New research methods and an extended view on other neurotransmitter systems as possible treatment targets of antidepressant treatment brought GHB back to the scene. This article discusses the unique neurobiological effects of GHB, its misuse potential and possible role as a model substance for the development of novel pharmacological treatment strategies in depressive disorders