25 research outputs found
The relationship between port choice and terminal involvement of alliance members in container shipping
No full textAbstract: This paper examines in which ways the changing organizational routines of shipping (i.e., alliance formation and vertical integration in container terminal operations) are affecting the selection of ports of call in intercontinental liner service networks. It first provides a conceptual analysis of the interplay between changes (a) in the organizational routines of shipping lines as part of alliances, (b) the organizational routines at the level of terminal operations (i.e. direct carrier equity involvement in terminal operations) and (c) in port calling patterns. The empirical part examines the relationship between port choice of alliance members and the direct involvement of shipping lines in container terminals in North-West European ports. It does so using binary and non-binary data on the evolution of calling patterns on the North Europe-Far East trade from 2006 to 2017. In addition, the changes in both alliance formation during that period and in the container terminal involvement of carriers in North West European ports are addressed. By examining the relationship between port calling patterns of alliances and the terminal interests of alliance members, the paper addresses an under-researched theme in the extant literature on port choice/selection by carriers. The paper is also of value to port managers and shipping professionals in view of port strategy and planning decisions, as well as shipping strategy formulation
Maritime interest representation in the EU. European Political Economy Review Vol. 3, No. 2 (Winter 2005-2006), pp. 6-28
Get PDFThe EU constitutes a supranational policy-making jurisdiction that has moved decisively into the maritime transport policy field. A variety of maritime interests has identified a new level of power with the EU decision-making process and has re-targeted its lobbying strategies in order to influence the Common Maritime Transport Policy (CMTP). This article examines the patterns and the capabilities of this mobilisation. The first part focuses on the structures of these Euro-groups. Then, the analysis turns on the lobbying practices of these interests groups in the context of the EU co-decision process of policy-making. The final part weighs the extent that the ‘EU environment’ and the ‘economic environment’ assist, or undermine, the governability of these lobbying activities and their capacity to be coherent policy actors that serve the interests of their members in the long-term
Is there a standard regimen for first-line treatment of advanced/metastatic Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer? What has meta-analyses contributed to today's standard of care
No full textTargeted (and chemotherapeutic) agents as maintenance treatment in patients with metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer: Current status and future challenges
No full textMaintenance treatment has been intensively investigated in the field of advanced/metastatic non-small lung cancer in order to improve outcomes in this devastating disease. Two different approaches have been evaluated; the so-called continuation maintenance when the maintenance agent was part of initial therapy and is continued in the absence of disease progression (”maintained”) or switch maintenance when a third agent is initiated after a defined number of cycles chemotherapy in the absence of disease progression. Several phase III trials with both chemotherapeutic and targeted agents have demonstrated either PFS prolongation (continuation maintenance) or both PFS and OS benefit (switch maintenance). Currently, erlotinib and pemetrexed are registered as maintenance treatment in patients with NSCLC not progressing after four cycles of standard platinum-based doublet chemotherapy. However, the development of maintenance treatment has raised a series of questions such as the role of treatment-free intervals, the timing of second-line treatment, selection of patients for maintenance treatment and selection of the most proper agent, and trial design issues such as optimal end-points. The purpose of this paper is to present and discuss the current trials investigating the main treatment paradigms and argue on the above mentioned questions. (C) 2012 Published by Elsevier Ltd
Targeting tumor neovasculature in non-small-cell lung cancer
No full textRecent insight into the molecular biology of cancer and mechanisms of tumorigenesis, has allowed for the identification of several potential molecular targets and the development of novel “targeted therapies”. One of the most active research fields in NSCLC is the discovery of therapies that target angiogenesis. The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) pathway represents a crucial component of the tumor angiogenesis process. Two different strategies have been developed in clinical practice in order to restrict tumor vasculature development; either the use of monoclonal antibodies against VEGF or small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors to target the tyrosine kinase domain of VEGF receptor. Among these agents that have been tested bevacizumab, a monoclonal antibody against VEGF, has been approved for the treatment of metastatic NSCLC in combination with chemotherapy, while several other agents are under phase III investigation. Moreover, several issues such as predictive biomarkers of response to antiangiogenic therapy and mechanisms of resistance to these agents remain to be elucidated. The purpose of this paper is to present the current status of antiangiogenic therapies in the treatment of NSCLC and to discuss these issues. (c) 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved
DNA repair pathways and their implication in cancer treatment
No full textMany cytotoxic agents used in cancer treatment exert their effects through their ability to directly or indirectly damage DNA and thus resulting in cell death. Major types of DNA damage induced by anticancer treatment include strand breaks (double or single strand), crosslinks (inter-strand, intra-strand, DNA-protein crosslinks), and interference with nucleotide metabolism and DNA synthesis. On the other hand, cancer cells activate various DNA repair pathways and repair DNA damages induced by cytotoxic drugs. The purpose of the current review is to present the major types of DNA damage induced by cytotoxic agents, DNA repair pathways, and their role as predictive agents, as well as evaluate the future perspectives of the novel DNA repair pathways inhibitors in cancer therapeutics
Lung cancer in never smokers: Disease characteristics and risk factors
No full textIt is estimated that approximately 25% of all lung cancer cases are observed in never-smokers and its incidence is expected to increase due to smoking prevention programs. Risk factors for the development of lung cancer described include second-hand smoking, radon exposure, occupational exposure to carcinogens and to cooking oil fumes and indoor coal burning. Other factors reported are infections (HPV and Mycobacterium tuberculosis), hormonal and diatery factors and diabetes mellitus. Having an affected relative also increases the risk for lung cancer while recent studies have identified several single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with increased risk for lung cancer development in never smokers. Distinct clinical, pathology and molecular characteristics are observed in lung cancer in never smokers; more frequently is observed in females and adenocarcinoma is the predominant histology while it has a different pattern of molecular alterations. The purpose of this review is to summarize our current knowledge of this disease. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved
Ποιότητα ζωής και ποιότητα περίθαλψης σε ασθενείς με ιδιοπαθείς φλεγμονώδεις εντεροπάθειες
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