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Melatonin is a naturally occurring molecule biosynthesized by the pineal gland of vertebrates; it also has been identified in many plants. It is considered an important antioxidant and may retard the development of some neurodegenerative diseases and cancer. Previous studies in humans have measured melatonin metabolites in urine and have indicated that melatonin-containing foods may provide dietary melatonin. This study tested whether the consumption of fruits or fruit juice containing melatonin would influence the serum melatonin concentration and antioxidant status. In this crossover study, 12 healthy male volunteers took either juice extracted from one kilogram of orange or pineapple or two whole bananas, with a 1-wk washout period between the fruit or fruit juices. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent (ELISA) assay was used to determine the serum melatonin concentration. Serum antioxidant capacity was determined by ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay and oxygen radical antioxidant capacity (ORAC) assay. The highest serum melatonin concentration was observed at 120 min after fruit consumption, and compared with before consumption levels, their values were significantly increased for pineapple (146 versus 48 pg/mL P = 0.002), orange (151 versus 40 pg/mL, P = 0.005), and banana (140 versus 32 pg/mL, P = 0.008), respectively. Serum antioxidant capacity following fruit consumption also significantly increased in both the FRAP (7-14% increase, P ≤ 0.004) and ORAC (6-9% increase, P = 0.002) assays. Both the serum FRAP and ORAC values strongly correlated with serum melatonin concentration for all three fruits. These findings suggest that tropical fruit consumption increases the serum melatonin concentrations and also raises the antioxidant capacity in the serum of healthy volunteers in proportion to serum melatonin levels.

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Much of tourism development is predicated on the successful working of organisations alignment in the form of partnerships or 'networks'. However, tourism networks have been relatively neglected as an area of academic study. This paper presents findings of research focusing on international tourism networks and draws out learning points from the examination of relatively successful examples. A review of relevant literature considers the definition and description of networks, their benefits, and identifiable success factors, and the research methodology applied is described. Discussion follows as to the main functions and benefits of tourism networks in relation to learning and exchange, business activity, and community. Key issues that emerge include: structure and leadership, resourcing, engagement of participants, inter-organisational learning, and sustainability. The paper concludes by identifying significant success factors and consequential management implications with specific references to tourism destinations as learning communities

These data demonstrate that melatonin enhanced cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity and apoptosis in SK-LU-1 lung cancer cells. SK-LU-1 cell population growth inhibition was mediated by cell cycle arrest in the S phase. These findings suggest that melatonin has the potential to be used for NSCLC treatment in combination with a chemotherapeutic agent such as cisplatin.

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Data from a visitor survey on the Danish Island of Bornholm were analyzed using multivariate techniques. Factor analysis of visitors’ preferences and behavior patterns indicated three main goals: relaxation, nature, and local culture. Two distinct clusters, “active” and “inactive” vacationers, were derived from the data. Actives tended to be Germans, to plan their vacation carefully to exercise autonomy in their booking of transport and accommodation, and to value the provision of amenities on the island. Inactives were mostly Scandinavians, and though they made fewer plans, they were more likely to visit the island’s most popular attractions. On the basis of logistic regression analysis, it is suggested that the most important differentiating factors between clusters were (1) the importance accorded to amenity provision, (2) nationality, (3) age, (4) activity participation, (5) planning behavior, (6) attraction visiting behavior, (7) autonomy, and (8) gender.

If you would like to write for this, or any other Emerald publication, then please use our Emerald for Authors service information about how to choose which publication to write for and submission guidelines are available for all. Please visit www.emeraldinsight.com/authors for more information. About Emerald www.emeraldinsight.comEmerald is a global publisher linking research and practice to the benefit of society. The company manages a portfolio of more than 290 journals and over 2,350 books and book series volumes, as well as providing an extensive range of online products and additional customer resources and services.Emerald is both COUNTER 4 and TRANSFER compliant. The organization is a partner of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and also works with Portico and the LOCKSS initiative for digital archive preservation.Abstract Explores the richness of meaning that has grown up around the service concept in the management literature. Examines the subtleties which arise when``service'' is used to denote industries, outcomes and processes, and explores more specific service concepts, such as the quality of service encounters and service experiences. Concludes that many of the concept's ambiguities relate to the use of the word``service'' and shifts of meaning which result. Indicates that there are clear dichotomies between providers' and customers' views of``service''. Parallel dichotomies can be found between the delivery and consumption of``core services'' and the emotional/hedonic dimensions of service performance. Discusses the importance of these and suggests ideas for the marketing and management of services. In addition, develops a broad structural framework with which these ideas can be linked and identifies a number of new avenues of research.The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available at