ORCID Profile
0000-0003-1810-867X
Current Organisations
Western Sydney University
,
Paracelsus Medizinische Privatuniversität
Does something not look right? The information on this page has been harvested from data sources that may not be up to date. We continue to work with information providers to improve coverage and quality. To report an issue, use the Feedback Form.
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
Date: 08-11-2019
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2009
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 2015
DOI: 10.3402/JEV.V4.30087
Abstract: Extracellular vesicles (EVs), such as exosomes and microvesicles, are released by different cell types and participate in physiological and pathophysiological processes. EVs mediate intercellular communication as cell-derived extracellular signalling organelles that transmit specific information from their cell of origin to their target cells. As a result of these properties, EVs of defined cell types may serve as novel tools for various therapeutic approaches, including (a) anti-tumour therapy, (b) pathogen vaccination, (c) immune-modulatory and regenerative therapies and (d) drug delivery. The translation of EVs into clinical therapies requires the categorization of EV-based therapeutics in compliance with existing regulatory frameworks. As the classification defines subsequent requirements for manufacturing, quality control and clinical investigation, it is of major importance to define whether EVs are considered the active drug components or primarily serve as drug delivery vehicles. For an effective and particularly safe translation of EV-based therapies into clinical practice, a high level of cooperation between researchers, clinicians and competent authorities is essential. In this position statement, basic and clinical scientists, as members of the International Society for Extracellular Vesicles (ISEV) and of the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) program of the European Union, namely European Network on Microvesicles and Exosomes in Health and Disease (ME-HaD), summarize recent developments and the current knowledge of EV-based therapies. Aspects of safety and regulatory requirements that must be considered for pharmaceutical manufacturing and clinical application are highlighted. Production and quality control processes are discussed. Strategies to promote the therapeutic application of EVs in future clinical studies are addressed.
Publisher: Emerald
Date: 24-08-2021
DOI: 10.1108/IJPPM-12-2020-0654
Abstract: This paper proposes the adoption of Industry 4.0 (I4) technologies and lean techniques for improving operational performance in the healthcare sector. The research adopted a systematic literature review and feedback of healthcare professionals to identify the inefficiencies in the current healthcare system. A questionnaire was used to get feedback from the patients and the hospital staff about the current practices and issues, and the expected impact of technology on existing practices. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis and multiple regression analysis. The results indicate that I4 technologies lead to the improvement of the operational performance, and the perceptions about I4 technologies are made through the pre-medical diagnosis. However, a weak correlation between lean practices and healthcare operational performance compared to that of I4 technologies and operational performance indicate that lean practices are not fully implemented in the Sri Lankan healthcare sector to their full potential. This study is limited to two government hospitals, with insights from only the doctors and nurses in Sri Lanka. Furthermore, the study is limited to only selected aspects of I4 technologies (big data, cloud computing and IoT) and lean concepts (value stream mapping and 5S). Therefore, recommendations on the adoption of I4 technologies in the healthcare sector need to be made within the scope of the study investigation. The implementation of I4 technologies needs careful consideration of process improvement as part of the overall plan for achieving the maximum benefits of technology adoption. The findings of the research can be used as a benchmark/guide for other hospitals to explore the adoption of I4 technologies, and how process improvement from lean concepts could influence the overall operational performance.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2013
DOI: 10.1038/MODPATHOL.2012.134
Abstract: Chemokine receptors have a crucial role in the development and progression of lymphoid neoplasms. To determine the chemokine receptor expression profile in gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma, we performed an expression analysis of 19 chemokine receptors at mRNA levels by using real-time RT-PCR, as well as of five chemokine receptors--CCR8, CCR9, CXCR4, CXCR6 and CXCR7--by immunohistochemistry on human tissue s les of Helicobacter pylori-associated gastritis, gastric MALT lymphoma and gastric extranodal diffuse large B-cell lymphoma originating from MALT lymphoma (transformed MALT lymphoma). Following malignant transformation from H. pylori-associated gastritis to MALT lymphoma, an upregulation of CCR7, CXCR3 and CXCR7, and a loss of CXCR4 were detected. The transformation of gastric MALT lymphomas to gastric extranodal diffuse large B-cell lymphoma was accompanied by upregulation of CCR1, CCR5, CCR7, CCR8, CCR9, CXCR3, CXCR6, CXCR7 and XCR1. Remarkably, CXCR4 expression was exclusively found in nodal marginal B-cell lymphomas and nodal diffuse large B-cell lymphomas but not at extranodal manifestation sites, ie, in gastric MALT lymphomas or gastric extranodal diffuse large B-cell lymphomas. Furthermore, the incidence of bone marrow infiltration (16/51 with bone marrow involvement vs 35/51 with bone marrow involvement Spearman ρ=0467 P<0.001) positively correlated with CXCR4 expression. CXCL12, the ligand of CXCR4 and CXCR7, was expressed by epithelial, endothelial and inflammatory cells, MALT lymphoma cells and was most strongly expressed by extranodal diffuse large B-cell lymphoma cells, suggesting at least in part an autocrine signaling pathway. Our data indicate that CXCR4 expression is associated with nodal manifestation and a more advanced stage of lymphomas and hence, might serve as useful clinical prognostic marker.
Publisher: Emerald
Date: 14-12-2022
DOI: 10.1108/IJOEM-01-2022-0011
Abstract: This research aims to identify, examine and evaluate barriers to the adoption of digital servitization in manufacturing firms in the case of the Sri Lankan manufacturing sector and analyze the inter-relationships among digital servitization barriers. Based on the comprehensive literature review, 13 barriers were identified. The grey decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (grey-DEMATEL) approach was used to uncover and analyze the relationships among barriers in terms of their overall influence and dependencies. A prominent barrier to the success of adopting digital servitization in the Sri Lankan manufacturing sector is the lack of digital strategy in developing activities related to the design of digital service packages, organizational structures and processes. Supply chain integration is the most influential factor, which plays an important role in developing a competitive advantage by encouraging innovation process capabilities in servitized companies. Industry practitioners can develop guidelines for adopting digital servitization practices based on the importance and interdependencies of different barriers and thereby prioritize projects within a program of digital servitization adoption in their organizations. Research studies on barriers to digital servitization are limited to exploratory nature and have adopted mainly the qualitative approach, such as in-depth interviews. No empirical study has investigated the inter-relationships among digital servitization adoption barriers in the manufacturing sector. This study provides a holistic view of different barriers to the adoption of digital servitization in the manufacturing sector as a basis for developing comprehensive digital servitization strategies to manage and leverage complexity in digital transformation.
Publisher: Emerald
Date: 08-08-2023
Abstract: This study investigates the enablers and challenges of digital supply chains (DSCs) adoption and develops a digital supply chain maturity (DSCM) model as a basis for developing guidelines for DSC adoption in the digital transformation journey. The research involves a systematic literature review (SLR) of Industry 4.0 (I4) adoption in supply chain (SC) practices to identify key enablers and associated maturity levels. The literature search of published articles during the 1997–2020 period and subsequent screening resulted in 64 articles. A DSCM model was developed using the categorization of important enablers and associated levels transitioning from the traditional SC to the DSC ecosystem. Four broader categories of DSC enablers and challenges were identified from the content analysis of SLR. Digital strategy alongside I4 technologies and human capital were prominent in DSC adoption as I4 technologies and human capital depend on other enablers such as dynamic capabilities (DCs). Lack of infrastructure and financial constraints to implementing I4 were significant challenges in the DSC adoption. The proposed DSCM model provides a holistic view of enablers and maturity levels from traditional SC to DSC adoption. However, the DSCM model needs to be empirically validated and streamlined further using inputs from practitioners. The proposed DSCM model can be used as a framework to guide practitioners in assessing maturity and developing implementation plans for successful DSC adoption. This research introduces a novel DSC maturity model through a holistic view of enablers and maturity levels from traditional SC to DSC adoption.
Publisher: Emerald
Date: 12-05-2021
DOI: 10.1108/JADEE-01-2021-0004
Abstract: This paper explores the challenges of food security from source to consumption of agri-food value chain by considering urban–rural linkages in city region food systems (CRFSs) and proposes a strategic framework for CRFS identifying strategies to promote urban–rural linkages among multiple stakeholders. A qualitative case study approach to a fruit and vegetable value chain from rural source to consumption in the Colombo City region identifies the challenges of food security. A snowballing s ling method was used to gather information from retailers, wholesalers, commission agent, farmers and consumers. The data were collected through face-to-face interviews, observations and secondary data sources. The data were analysed using thematic analysis. Challenges in food security in the value chain related to five areas: input and production, infrastructure, public institutional support and policy, finance, and food market. Colombo city is heavily dependent on food sourced from other cities due to limited land and lack of locally situated commercially oriented farmers. This research is limited to a selected number of fruits and vegetables in the Colombo city region and leaves out other food items. This study contributes to informing policy and decision-making processes to promote a more balanced rural to city food value chain in Colombo City that could benefit all stakeholders from rural small-scale producers to urban consumers.
Publisher: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Date: 05-02-2020
DOI: 10.1101/2020.02.05.934109
Abstract: Cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas (cSCC) are the primary cause of premature deaths in patients suffering from the rare skin-fragility disorder recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa, which is in marked contrast to the rarely metastasizing nature of these carcinomas in the general population. This remarkable difference is attributed to the frequent development of chronic wounds caused by an impaired skin integrity. However, the specific molecular and cellular changes to malignancy, and whether there are common players in different types of aggressive cSCCs, remain relatively undefined. MiRNA expression profiling was performed across various cell types isolated from skin and cSCCs. Microarray results were confirmed by qPCR and by an optimized in situ hybridization protocol. Functional impact of overexpression of a dysregulated miRNA was assessed in migration and 3D spheroid assays. S le-matched transcriptome data was generated to support the identification of disease relevant miRNA targets. Several miRNAs were identified as dysregulated in cSCCs as compared to controls. These included the metastasis-linked miR-10b, which was significantly upregulated in primary cell cultures and in archival biopsies. At the functional level, overexpression of miR-10b conferred the stem cell-characteristic of 3D-spheroid formation capacity to keratinocytes, and impaired their mobility. Analysis of miR-10b downstream effects identified a novel putative target of miR-10b, the actin- and tubulin cytoskeleton-associated protein DIAPH2. The discovery that miR-10b confers an aspect of cancer stemness – that of enhanced tumor cell adhesion, known to facilitate metastatic colonization - provides an important avenue for future development of novel therapies targeting this metastasis-linked miRNA.
No related grants have been discovered for Dirk Strunk.