18 research outputs found
dReDBox: A Disaggregated Architectural Perspective for Data Centers
Data centers are currently constructed with fixed blocks (blades); the hard boundaries of this approach lead to suboptimal utilization of resources and increased energy requirements. The dReDBox (disaggregated Recursive Datacenter in a Box) project addresses the problem of fixed resource proportionality in next-generation, low-power data centers by proposing a paradigm shift toward finer resource allocation granularity, where the unit is the function block rather than the mainboard tray. This introduces various challenges at the system design level, requiring elastic hardware architectures, efficient software support and management, and programmable interconnect. Memory and hardware accelerators can be dynamically assigned to processing units to boost application performance, while high-speed, low-latency electrical and optical interconnect is a prerequisite for realizing the concept of data center disaggregation. This chapter presents the dReDBox hardware architecture and discusses design aspects of the software infrastructure for resource allocation and management. Furthermore, initial simulation and evaluation results for accessing remote, disaggregated memory are presented, employing benchmarks from the Splash-3 and the CloudSuite benchmark suites.This work was supported in part by EU H2020 ICT project dRedBox, contract #687632.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft
The role of angiogenesis in solid tumours: An overview
Angiogenesis is the physiological process of the formation of new blood
vessels from pre-existing ones. Multiple molecules regulate
angiogenesis, such as the vascular endothelial growth factor,
angiopoietins, the fibroblast growth factor, the platelet-derived growth
factor and the transforming growth factor-beta. Angiogenesis plays an
important role in the growth, progression and metastasis of a tumour.
Inhibiting the angiogenic process or targeting existing tumour vessels
can be used for treatment of tumours as an alternative or in parallel
with conventional chemotherapy. Many anti-angiogenic factors are under
investigation and some are already being used in clinical practice with
various results. (C) 2009 European Federation of Internal Medicine.
Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved
Administration of cisplatin in three patients with carboplatin hypersensitivity: is skin testing useful?
Carboplatin is a chemotherapeutic agent approved in the first-line
setting of numerous malignancies. Hypersensitivity to carboplatin has
been reported in up to 44% of patients receiving this antineoplastic
agent, usually occurring after several courses of treatment. The aim of
this study was to determine the usefulness of skin tests in ruling out
cross-reaction to cisplatin to continue platinum-based chemotherapy in
patients who are responsive to these agents. Prick tests and intradermal
tests with a series of dilutions of carboplatin and cisplatin were
performed on three patients who had exhibited medium and severe
hypersensitivity reactions to carboplatin. Prick tests were negative in
both the antineoplastic agents. Intradermal tests with carboplatin were
positive in all three patients and negative with cisplatin. In all
patients, the administration of cisplatin instead of carboplatin was
well tolerated without the need of premedication. In conclusion,
intradermal skin tests can be a useful tool for detecting a potential
cross-reaction between platinum salts. It allows safe administration of
a different platinum agent in patients who seem to benefit from
platinum-based therapy. Discontinuation of chemotherapy, desensitization
protocols and steroid premedication can be avoided. Anti-Cancer Drugs
21: 333-338 (C) 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health vertical bar Lippincott
Williams & Wilkins
Phase II Study of Gemcitabine Plus Docetaxel as Second-Line Treatment in Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma A Single Institution Study
Objective: The combinations of cisplatin-pemetrexed and
cisplatin-gemcitabine are considered the standard systemic therapy for
malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM), which is a rapidly progressive
tumor. The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the efficacy,
safety, and clinical benefit of the gemcitabine plus docetaxel regimen
in the second-line treatment of this disease.
Patients and Methods: A total of 37 patients with MPM were treated with
the combination of docetaxel (80 mg/m(2)) and gemcitabine (1000 mg/m(2))
on day 1 and 14 of a 28-day cycle. The regimen was repeated for a
maximum of 6 cycles or until disease progression or unacceptable
toxicity.
Results: There was partial response of the disease in 7 patients
(18.9%), whereas it remained stable in 23 patients (62.2%) and
progressed in 7 patients (18.9%). The median time to disease
progression was 7 months (range: 5.8-8.2 months) with a mean survival of
16.2 months (range: 13-19.3 months).
Conclusion: The biweekly administration of docetaxel and gemcitabine,
along with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor support, constitutes a
safe, tolerable, and convenient regimen for the treatment of MPM,
suggesting that this combination may be a viable option, especially in
previously treated patients
Pain and Anxiety versus Sense of Family Support in Lung Cancer Patients
Lung cancer is a stressful condition for both patient and family. The anxiety and pain accompanying cancer and its treatment have a significant negative influence on the patient’s quality of life. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between anxiety, pain, and perceived family support in a sample of lung cancer patients. The sample consisted of a total of 101 lung cancer outpatients receiving treatment at the oncology department of a general hospital. Anxiety, pain (severity and impact on everyday life), and perceived family support were assessed using Spielberger’s State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, the Brief Pain Inventory, and the Family Support Scale, respectively. Statistical analyses revealed correlations between anxiety, pain, and family support as perceived by the patients. The intensity of pain had a positive correlation with both state and trait anxiety and a negative correlation with family support. Anxiety (state and trait) had a significant negative correlation with family support. In conclusion, high prevalence rates of anxiety disorders were observed in lung cancer patients. Females appeared more susceptible to anxiety symptoms with a less sense of family support. A negative correlation was evidenced between family support and anxiety and a positive one between anxiety and pain