An experimental examination of the role of re-engineering in the management of software quality

This paper reports on the design and the results of a randomised, controlled experiment estimating the effect of predetermined changes in module complexity on the maintainability of different program versions seeded with equivalent logic errors. The experiment measures maintainability which is a defining sub-attribute of quality. The hypothesis "low module complexity results in high maintainability" is tested experimentally by monitoring and recording the time taken to identify and correct the seeded errors. Prior to the experiment programs are statically analysed to produce measurements of internal sub-attributes of the fundamental attribute of complexity. A first program version is modularised according to established rules giving a new version with a larger number of modules and with smaller individual module complexity. The results of this work can be used to design tools capable of providing an indicator, or factor, for re-engineering whereby a given program can be restructured in such a way that quality improvement can be quantified or at least estimated. As maintainability is a defining attribute of quality the insights gained can be further applied in understanding the underlying processes involved and ultimately lead to quality improvements

An experimental examination of program maintainability as a function of structuredness

The general ethos of producing structured programs has been, at least in theory, adopted throughout the software engineering community. By studying and measuring the structure of existing software we can estimate the benefits to be gained from changes in the structure in terms of the external attributes (perceived behaviour) of the re- structured software. [13, 2, 3, 10, 6, 7]. In this paper we report the results of two controlled experiments measuring the improvement on the maintainability of differently structured code. These experiments build on the experience and insights gained through an earlier experiment [5]. We discuss a strategy for re-structuring based on an improved re-engineering factor [9] and present the static measures of morphology (depth and width of module calls), coupling and cohesion and module complexity of a range of programs. By plotting these measures and adopting target values (e.g. width of call< 5) we estimate the expected improvement in the maintainability after re-engineering. We subsequently carry out the re-engineering, measure the re-structured code statically and measure the actual maintainability experimentally. The results reveal that unstructured programmes take longer to 'reveal their secrets'. An integral part of this work are the design and execution of controlled experiments as well as the use of automated tools for the static analysis of code and the recording of the experimental data

Detection of Herplex Simplex Virus-1 and -2 in Cardiac Myxomas

The etiology of sporadic cardiac myxomas remains elusive. The tendency for these lesions to recur following resection, their immunopathological characteristics, along with their histological and molecular profile, may implicate the presence of an infective agent in this type of tumor. In this study, we investigated the presence of herpes simplex virus (HSV) DNA in a cohort of cardiac myxomas in a tertiary referral centre. Twenty-nine formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) sporadic cardiac myxomas were obtained, 17 of which were shown to be informative. These were compared to 19 macroscopically and microscopically normal heart tissue specimens. The detection of HSV-1 and -2 genomic sequences was achieved with the use of a combined nested PCR-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism methodology. The presence of HSV-1 and/or -2 DNA was demonstrated in 6 of 17 (35%) informative sporadic cardiac myxomas, whereas no HSV DNA was detected in normal heart tissues (P < 0.01). The existence of HSV-1/2 DNA in sporadic cardiac myxomas, along with its absence from normal heart tissues, reinforces the possibility that HSV infection might be involved in the development of these lesions. Our findings raise the point of anti-HSV medication postsurgically with a potential benefit in reducing the rate of recurrences

Detection of Herplex Simplex Virus-1 and -2 in Cardiac Myxomas

The etiology of sporadic cardiac myxomas remains elusive. The tendency for these lesions to recur following resection, their immunopathological characteristics, along with their histological and molecular profile, may implicate the presence of an infective agent in this type of tumor. In this study, we investigated the presence of herpes simplex virus (HSV) DNA in a cohort of cardiac myxomas in a tertiary referral centre. Twenty-nine formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) sporadic cardiac myxomas were obtained, 17 of which were shown to be informative. These were compared to 19 macroscopically and microscopically normal heart tissue specimens. The detection of HSV-1 and -2 genomic sequences was achieved with the use of a combined nested PCRRestriction Fragment Length Polymorphism methodology. The presence of HSV-1 and/or -2 DNA was demonstrated in 6 of 17 (35%) informative sporadic cardiac myxomas, whereas no HSV DNA was detected in normal heart tissues (P &lt; 0.01). The existence of HSV-1/2 DNA in sporadic cardiac myxomas, along with its absence from normal heart tissues, reinforces the possibility that HSV infection might be involved in the development of these lesions. Our findings raise the point of anti-HSV medication postsurgically with a potential benefit in reducing the rate of recurrences

CD8+ lymphocytes/ tumour-budding index: an independent prognostic factor representing a ‘pro-/anti-tumour' approach to tumour host interaction in colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND: The tumour-host interaction at the invasive front of colorectal cancer, including the epithelial-mesenchymal transition and its hallmark 'tumour budding', is an important area of investigation in terms of prognosis. The aim of this study was to determine the prognostic impact of a 'pro-/anti-tumour' approach defined by an established 'pro-tumour' (tumour budding) and host-related 'anti-tumour' factor of the adaptive immunological microenvironment (CD8+ lymphocytes). METHODS: Double immunostaining for CK22/CD8 on whole tissue sections (n=279; Cohort 1) and immunohistochemistry for CD8+ using tissue microarrays (n=191; Cohort 2) was carried out. Tumour buds, CD8+ and CD8+ T-lymphocytes : tumour buds indices were evaluated per high-power field. RESULTS: In Cohort 1, a low-CD8+/ buds index was associated with lymph node metastasis (P>0.001), vascular invasion (P=0.009), worse survival in univariate (P>0.001) and multivariable (P>0.001) analysis, and furthermore in lymph node-negative patients (P=0.002). In Cohort 2, the CD8+/ buds index was associated with T stage (P>0.001), N stage (P=0.041), vascular invasion (P=0.005) and survival in patients with TNM stage II (P=0.019), stage III (P=0.004), and adjuvantly untreated (P=0.009) and treated patients (P>0.001). CONCLUSION: The CD8+ lymphocyte : tumour-budding index is an independent prognostic factor in colorectal cancer and a promising approach for a future prognostic score for patients with this disease

Oral squamous cell cancer: early detection and the role of alcohol and smoking

Objective: Oral squamous cell carcinoma has a remarkable incidence worldwide and a fairly onerous prognosis, encouraging further research on factors that might modify disease outcome. Data sources: A web-based search for all types of articles published was initiated using Medline/Pub Med, with the key words such as oral cancer, alcohol consumption, genetic polymorphisms, tobacco smoking and prevention. The search was restricted to articles published in English, with no publication date restriction (last update 2010). Review Methods: In this review article, we approach the factors for a cytologic diagnosis during OSCC development and the markers used in modern diagnostic technologies as well. We also reviewed available studies of the combined effects of alcohol drinking and genetic polymorphisms on alcohol-related cancer risk. Results: The interaction of smoking and alcohol significantly increases the risk for aero-digestive cancers. The interaction between smoking and alcohol consumption seems to be responsible for a significant amount of disease. Conclusion: Published scientific data show promising pathways for the future development of more effective prognosis. There is a clear need for new prognostic indicators, which could be used in diagnostics and, therefore a better selection of the most effective treatment can be achieved