Cost-efficient CPU provisioning for scientific workflows on clouds

Abstract. Cloud providers now offer resources as combinations of CPU fre-quencies and prices, with faster resources (which operate at higher frequencies) charged at a higher monetary cost. With the emergence of this new pricing scheme, the problem of choosing cost-efficient configurations is becoming even more challenging for users. The frequencies required to achieve cost-efficient config-urations may vary in different scenarios, depending on both the provider’s pric-ing model and the application characteristics. In this paper, two cost-aware al-gorithms that select low-cost CPU frequencies for each resource to complete a scientific workflow application within a deadline and at a minimum cost are pre-sented. The proposed approaches are evaluated and compared through simulation using different pricing models that charge resource provisioning also based on the CPU frequency.

Cellular responses induced by Cu(II) quinolinonato complexes in human tumor and hepatic cells

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Inspired by the unprecedented historical success of cisplatin, one of the most important research directions in bioinorganic and medicinal chemistry is dedicated to the development of new anticancer compounds with the potential to surpass it in antitumor activity, while having lower unwanted side-effects. Therefore, a series of copper(II) mixed-ligand complexes of the type [Cu(qui)(L)]Y · <it>x</it>H₂O (1–6), where Hqui = 2-phenyl-3-hydroxy-4(1<it>H</it>)-quinolinone, Y = NO₃ (1, 3, 5) or BF₄ (2, 4, 6), and L = 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) (1, 2), 5-methyl-1,10-phenanthroline (mphen) (3, 4) and bathophenanthroline (bphen) (5, 6), was studied for their <it>in vitro</it> cytotoxicity against several human cancer cell lines (A549 lung carcinoma, HeLa cervix epitheloid carcinoma, G361 melanoma cells, A2780 ovarian carcinoma, A2780cis cisplatin-resistant ovarian carcinoma, LNCaP androgen-sensitive prostate adenocarcinoma and THP-1 monocytic leukemia).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The tested complexes displayed a stronger cytotoxic effect against all the cancer cells as compared to cisplatin. The highest cytotoxicity was found for the complexes 4 (IC₅₀ = 0.36 ± 0.05 μM and 0.56 ± 0.15 μM), 5 (IC₅₀ = 0.66 ± 0.07 μM and 0.73 ± 0.08 μM) and 6 (IC₅₀ = 0.57 ± 0.11 μM and 0.70 ± 0.20 μM) against A2780, and A2780cis respectively, as compared with the values of 12.0 ± 0.8 μM and 27.0 ± 4.6 μM determined for cisplatin. Moreover, the tested complexes were much less cytotoxic to primary human hepatocytes than to the cancer cells. The complexes 5 and 6 exhibited significantly high ability to modulate secretion of the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α (2873 ± 238 pg/mL and 3284 ± 139 pg/mL for 5, and 6 respectively) and IL-1β (1177 ± 128 pg/mL and 1087 ± 101 pg/mL for 5, and 6 respectively) tested on the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated THP-1 cells as compared with the values of 1173 ± 85 pg/mL and 118.5 ± 4.8 pg/mL found for the commercially used anti-inflammatory drug prednisone. The ability of the tested complexes to interact with sulfur-containing biomolecules (cysteine and reduced glutathione) at physiological levels was proved by electrospray-ionization mass spectrometry.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Overall positive results of the biological activity studies revealed that the presented complexes may represent good candidates for non-platinum anticancer drugs, however, we are aware of the fact that further and deeper studies mainly in relation to the elucidation of their mechanisms of antiproliferative action will be necessary.</p

Docetaxel combined with irinotecan or 5-fluorouracil in patients with advanced oesophago-gastric cancer: A randomised phase II study

BACKGROUND: Docetaxel and irinotecan chemotherapy have shown good efficacy in the treatment of advanced oesophago-gastric cancer. This randomised phase II study evaluated the efficacy and toxicity profile of two non-platinum docetaxel-based doublet regimens in advanced oesophago-gastric cancer. METHODS: Chemotherapy-naïve patients with advanced oesophago-gastric cancer were randomised to receive either 3-weekly DI (docetaxel 60 mg m(−2) plus irinotecan 250 mg m(−2) (Day 1)) or 3-weekly DF (docetaxel 85 mg m(−2) (Day 1) followed by 5-fluorouracil 750 mg m(−2) per day as a continuous infusion (Days 1–5)). RESULTS: A total of 85 patients received DI (n=42) or DF (n=43). The primary endpoint was overall response rate (ORR). The ORR and time to progression (TTP) in the evaluable population (n=65) were 37.5% (DI) vs 33.3% (DF), and 4.2 months vs 4.4 months, respectively. In the intent-to-treat population, the observed ORR, TTP and median overall survival were similar between the two groups. Grade 3–4 neutropenia, febrile neutropenia and diarrhoea were more frequent in the DI arm as compared with the DF arm (83.3% vs 69.8%, 40.5% vs 18.6%, and 42.9% vs 16.3%, respectively). CONCLUSION: Both docetaxel-based doublet regimens show comparable efficacy; however, the DF regimen was associated with a better toxicity profile and is an alternative treatment option for patients in whom platinum-based regimens are unsuitable