An empirical model for continuous and weighted metric aggregation

International audienceIt is now understood that software metrics alone are not enough to characterize software quality. To cope with this problem, most of advanced and/or industrially validated quality models aggregate software metrics: for example, cy- clomatic complexity is combined with test coverage to stress the fact that it is more important to cover complex methods than accessors. Yet, aggregating and weighting metrics to produce quality indexes is a difficult task. Indeed certain weighting approaches may lead to abnormal situations where a developer increasing the quality of a software component sees the overall quality degrade. Finally, mapping combinations of metric values to quality indexes may be a problem when using thresholds. In this paper, we present the problems we faced when designing the Squale quality model, then we present an empirical solution based on weighted aggregations and on continuous functions. The solution has been termed the Squale quality model and validated over 4 years with two large multinational companies: Air France-KLM and PSA Peugeot- Citroen

Conventional Transarterial Chemo embolization Using Streptozocin in Patients with Unresectable Neuroendocrine Liver Metastases

CERVOXY CLINInternational audienceNeuroendocrine tumors are frequently associated with liver metastases at the time of diagnosis. Trans-catheter arterial embolization with conventional chemoembolization is one of the reference palliative treatment in patients with uncontrolled carcinoid syndrome or progressive disease. The aim of our study was to evaluate the tolerability and clinical, biological and radiological tumor response and survival rates in patients with unresectable neuroendocrine liver metastases treated by trans-catheter arterial embolization with conventional chemoembolization, using streptozocin, Lipiodol and embolization microspheres. At the end of 127 procedures, carcinoid syndrome was improved in 69% of patients after treatment; objective response and non-progressive disease were 32% and 70%, respectively. The OS at 1 year, 2 years, 3 years and 5 years was 91% (IC = 84-99%), 84% (CI = 72-95%), 69% (CI = 53-84%) and 63% (C = 46-81%), respectively. This study suggests that this procedure using streptozocin is an effective and well-tolerated palliative option for patients with unresectable neuroendocrine liver metastases, which can be repeated and induces durable response and disease contro

Anti-cetuximab IgE ELISA for identification of patients at a high risk of cetuximab-induced anaphylaxis

Cetuximab, a chimeric mouse-human IgG1 monoclonal antibody against the epidermal growth factor receptor, has proven effective in the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer and squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. However, a high incidence of immediate hypersensitivity reactions (HSR) to cetuximab after the first infusion has been observed. We have developed a test for identification of patients likely to show treatment-related HSR to cetuximab. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for detecting anti-cetuximab IgEs was developed and tested on serum samples collected from cancer patients before start of cetuximab treatment, and from healthy blood donors. Similar levels of anti-cetuximab IgE were detected in pre-treatment patient sera (24/92, 26.1%) and sera from healthy blood donors (33/117, 28.2%). HSR were observed in 14 out of the 92 patients (15.2%), and 8 of these (57.1%) were grade 3–4. Anti-cetuximab IgEs were detected in 7/8 of the patients (87.5%) with severe HSRs as compared with 14/78 patients (17.9%) with no HSR (p = 0.0002). Predictive value of the anti-cetuximab IgE test for HSR events of grades 3–4 was calculated using Receiver Operating Characteristics analysis. With a cut-off value of 29 arbitrary units for the anti-cetuximab IgE, the ELISA test showed a sensitivity of 87.5%, specificity of 82.1%, positive predictive value of 33.3% and negative predictive value of 98.5%. Anti-cetuximab IgE ELISA detection could be a valuable tool to help the physician anticipate an anaphylaxis episode following cetuximab infusion and opt for a suitable alternative treatment

Evaluating lanreotide as maintenance therapy after first-line treatment in patients with non-resectable duodeno-pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours

International audienceIntroductionPatients with metastatic or locally advanced, non-resectable, grade 1 or 2 well-differentiated duodeno-pancreatic (WDDP) NETs are treated following European guidelines. Patients (Pts) with aggressive disease, i.e. progressive and/or symptomatic metastases and/or with significant hepatic invasion (>30–50%), and/or bone metastases, anti-tumour therapy should receive systemic combination of chemotherapy once disease control is obtained.Aim(s)The aim is to stop chemotherapy until progression. REMINET is an academic randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase II/III study designed to evaluate lanreotide (LAN) as maintenance treatment after L1 chemotherapy in G1-G2 WDDP NET.Materials and methodsMain eligibility criteria: adults pts with a metastatic (synchronous or metachronous) or locally advanced, non-resectable, grade 1 or 2 WDDP NETs and documented control disease after L1 therapy at least 4 weeks prior to randomization.Results222 patients will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive 120 mg LAN or placebo, every 28 days, until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. The aim of the phase II part is to demonstrate a 6-months PFS >45% in LAN arm. Secondary endpoints are PFS according to central review, overall survival, safety and quality of life. A bio-bank of frozen blood will be constituted.ConclusionThe study is currently open in France, Germany, Belgium, United Kingdom and Ireland. A total of 25 patients are randomized (NCT02288377)

La draperie en Normandie du XIIIe siècle au XXe siècle

Né des rencontres suscitées par les euroconférences de 2001 et 2002 consacrées à l'histoire de la laine, cet ouvrage réunit une quinzaine de contributions de chercheurs normands mais aussi parisiens et étrangers. De l'époque médiévale à la particularisation actuelle, en passant par l'apogée des xviiie et xixe siècles, les auteurs analysent la production des différents centres normands, les réseaux de commercialisation et d'exportation, les mécanismes des transferts de technologie. Se recoupant et se répondant les unes aux autres, ces études éclairent l'histoire de l'une des principales activités industrielles de la région