Nuclear Factor-Kappa B Inhibition Can Enhance Apoptosis of Differentiated Thyroid Cancer Cells Induced by 131I

Objective: To evaluate changes of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kB) during radioiodine 131 ( 131 I) therapy and whether NF-kB inhibition could enhance 131 I-induced apoptosis in differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) cells in a synergistic manner. Methods: Three human DTC cell lines were used. NF-kB inhibition was achieved by using a NF-kB inhibitor (Bay 11-7082) or by p65 siRNA transfection. Methyl-thiazolyl-tetrazolium assay was performed for cell viability assessment. DNA-binding assay, luciferase reporter assay, and Western blot were adopted to determine function and expression changes of NF-kB. Then NF-kB regulated anti-apoptotic factors XIAP, cIAP1, and Bcl-xL were measured. Apoptosis was analyzed by Western blot for caspase 3 and PARP, and by flow cytometry as well. An iodide uptake assay was performed to determine whether NF-kB inhibition could influence radioactive iodide uptake. Results: The methyl-thiazolyl-tetrazolium assay showed significant decrease of viable cells by combination therapy than by mono-therapies. The DNA-binding assay and luciferase reporter assay showed enhanced NF-kB function and reporter gene activities due to 131 I, yet significant suppression was achieved by NF-kB inhibition. Western blot proved 131 I could increase nuclear NF-kB concentration, while NF-kB inhibition reduced NF-kB concentration. Western blot also demonstrated significant up-regulation of XIAP, cIAP1, and Bcl-xL after 131 I therapy. And inhibition of NF-kB could significantly downregulate these factors. Finally, synergism induced by combined therapy was displayed by significant enhancements o

The dynamics of strategic capability

The strategic capability concept and its integration into the strategic planning process in international business have not been sufficiently explored as its conflicting definitions indicate. Moreover international managers may not be aware of the need for strategic capability because, the strategic capability paradigm for international business has not been sufficiently conceptualized and explored. Therefore this paper reviews how the business environment influences strategic capability, explains the elements of strategic capability, how strategic capability is integrated into the strategic planning, and gives some suggestions for future research on the strategic capability paradigm as it pertains to international businesse

Eight growth vectors for strategy formulation in a tough economy

In a global recession, executives face new challenges and opportunities in strategy formulation and the first alternative to come to mind are cost reduction and restructuring but, these will result in poor performance and place the firm at a disadvantage in the coming economic recovery. Executive need to focus on the growth opportunities and many executive may use the Ansoff matrix to analyze their strategies. This paper addresses some of the concerns and ambiguity imbedded in the Ansoff matrix, clarifies them, and proposes an extended Ansoff matrix giving eight growth vector strategy alternatives that are easier to use for executives dealing with the complexities of strategic choice in a global recession. In addition to a conceptual development some examples of the eight strategies used by firms are provided for clarification

UK, Russia, Kazakhstan and Cyprus governance compared

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to compare and contrast the corporate governance standards of Cyprus, Russia, and Kazakhstan to those of the UK to facilitate investment decisions. The paper aims to discover governance gaps creating a potential for alignment to UK standards. Design/methodology/approach – The paper is a qualitative case study of four countries based on the OECD criteria of 118 corporate governance measures. Findings – The findings indicate that the corporate governance standards in Cyprus match 92 per cent of the UK standards, Russian standards match 75 per cent, and Kazakhstan ones 63 per cent. The greatest contrast to the UK standards were for Cyprus in the area of disclosure and transparency category, Russia's was in the area of responsibilities of the board, and Kazakhstan's was highest in the two areas mentioned above and low overall. Research limitations/implications – The paper identifies areas of governance that could be aligned to UK standards. Further research is needed to compare the governance standards of the countries studied to international standards other than those of the UK's. Practical implications – The paper provides insight on governance for investors in the three countries and aids effective investment decisions. Social implications – The paper identifies areas of governance needing regulatory adjustment in the three countries and could influence government and industry policy. Originality/value – The originality of the paper lies in identifying gaps in governance among the four countries. Thus the paper provides information for investors as to the corporate governance they are likely to experience, and facilitates development in governance regulation

Novel magnetite-silica nanocomposite (Fe<SUB>3</SUB>O<SUB>4</SUB>-SBA-15) particles for DNA binding and gene delivery aided by a magnet array

Novel magnetite-silica nanocomposite particles were prepared using SBA-15 nanoporous silica as template. Magnetite nanoparticles were impregnated into the nanopore array of the silica template through thermal decomposition of iron(III) acetylacetonate, Fe(AcAc)(3) at 200 degrees C. These composite particles were characterized using TEM, XRD and SQUID magnetometry. The TEM images showed that the size of composite particles was around 500 nm and the particles retained the nanoporous array of SBA-15. The formation of magnetite nanoparticles was confirmed by the powder XRD study. These composite particles also exhibited ferrimagnetic properties. By coating with short chain polyethyleneimine (PEI), these particles are capable of binding DNA molecules for gene delivery and transfection. With an external magnetic field, the transfection efficiency was shown to have an increase of around 15%. The results indicated that these composite nanoparticles may be further developed as a new tool for nanomagnetic gene transfection