Topoisomerase I but not thymidylate synthase is associated with improved outcome in patients with resected colorectal cancer treated with irinotecan containing adjuvant chemotherapy

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Thymidylate synthase (TS) and Topoisomerase I (Topo I) are significant biomarkers in colorectal cancer (CRC). We aimed to study the expression of TS and Topo I in patients with resected CRC who received adjuvant chemotherapy and correlated it with clinical outcome.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>All patients diagnosed with CRC between 1989 and 2007 and treated with adjuvant chemotherapy within Hellenic Cooperative Oncology Group's (HeCOG) protocols, were identified. Archival paraffin-embedded tumor tissues were used for immunohistochemical detection of TS and Topo I. Immunohistochemistry was performed on tissue microarray slides using monoclonal antibodies against TS and Topo I. The results were correlated with survival (OS) and disease free survival (DFS).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A cohort of 498 patients with a median age of 61 years and Dukes' stage B (49%) and C (51%) fulfilled the criteria of the study. All patients received adjuvant 5-FU-based chemotherapy, 38% irinotecan-containing. Positive TS and Topo I expression was found in 43% and 48% of cases, respectively. Five-year OS was 74% and DFS was 68%. In univariate analysis no association of TS and Topo I expression with OS and DFS was identified. In multivariate analysis however, Topo I expression was associated with a reduced risk of death (HR = 0.61, 95% CI 0.42-0.88, p = 0.009). In the irinotecan-treated subgroup, those patients who expressed Topo I had a better OS (HR = 0.47, 95% CI 0.23-0.94, p = 0.033).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Patients with resected CRC expressing Topo I seem to benefit from irinotecan-containing adjuvant chemotherapy. However randomised prospective trials are needed to confirm these results.</p

An Agent-Based Decision Support Platform for Additive Manufacturing Applications

The effective estimation and consideration of process cost, time, and quality for additive manufacturing operations, when a series of suitable technologies and resources are available, is very important for making informed product design and development decisions. The main objective of this paper is to propose the design, deployment, and use of an agent-based decision support platform, which is capable of proposing alternative additive manufacturing resources and process configurations to design engineers while reducing the number of communication steps among engineering teams and organizations. Different computer-aided systems are utilised and interfaced for automating the information exchange as well as for accelerating the overall product development process

A novel paradigm for managing the product development process utilising blockchain technology principles

The product conceptualisation, design and manufacturing phases are becoming increasingly complex, since more available resources, stakeholders and sophisticated technologies are involved during product development. The exchange and management of product-related information is often a challenging task, affecting significantly the intellectual property protection process as well as the distinction of roles among stakeholders. This paper proposes a conceptual framework that utilises blockchain technology principles for managing product development information and processes with the goal of providing new approaches to extending the functionality of product data management systems. A test case focusing on products developed with additive manufacturing technologies is presented.European Commission - European Regional Development FundScience Foundation Irelan

Intellectual Property Protection and Security in Additive Manufacturing

17th International Conference on Manufacturing Research (ICMR 2019), Belfast, United Kingdom, 10-12 September 2019Product data management along a product lifecycle is complicated due to a wide range of resources, stakeholders and technologies being involved. During the product development phase, complex information is exchanged among several engineering teams and legal entities. Product lifecycle management (PLM) systems streamline and control the product data shared with other engineering and manufacturing parties. In additive manufacturing (AM), however, as opposed to the conventional manufacturing (CM) data supply chain, the ease with which intellectual property (IP) can be compromised by theft or malicious attacks, creates a significant challenge. These attacks can lead to loss of revenue due to illegal counterfeiting, or even failure of mission-critical parts where design could be modified to a functionally impaired configuration. This paper outlines and reviews the current strategies and new approaches possible to secure IP in AM systems, comparing the advantages and disadvantages of these technologies.Science Foundation Irelan

Product Lifecycle Management Strategies Focusing on Additive Manufacturing Workflow

The 17th International Conference on Manufacturing Research (ICMR 2019), Belfast, United Kingdom, 10-12 September 2019Product lifecycle management (PLM) is a strategy enabling the efficient exchange of information between relevant stakeholders in a manufacturing network. Various approaches utilising PLM platforms have been developed and used by a range of companies and organisations in a number of manufacturing domains. Additive manufacturing (AM) will force companies to rethink their strategies to account for its implications across the entire product lifecycle. Current PLM approaches were designed for conventional manufacturing (CM) methods, such as machining and forming and are therefore not adapted to cope with AM. Despite its advantages regarding increased design freedom, customisability, lightweighting, consolidation of parts and faster deployment, AM also introduces challenges due to issues regarding repeatability and quality, build rate, cost of materials, process monitoring and control, as well as standardisation. This paper will review the implications of AM on current PLM approaches across the entire product lifecycle, as well as problems and opportunities for further progress.European Commission - European Regional Development FundScience Foundation IrelandI-Form industry partner

Novel Industry 4.0 Technologies and Applications

The Industry 4 [...