Solving DCOPs with Distributed Large Neighborhood Search

The field of Distributed Constraint Optimization has gained momentum in recent years, thanks to its ability to address various applications related to multi-agent cooperation. Nevertheless, solving Distributed Constraint Optimization Problems (DCOPs) optimally is NP-hard. Therefore, in large-scale, complex applications, incomplete DCOP algorithms are necessary. Current incomplete DCOP algorithms suffer of one or more of the following limitations: they (a) find local minima without providing quality guarantees; (b) provide loose quality assessment; or (c) are unable to benefit from the structure of the problem, such as domain-dependent knowledge and hard constraints. Therefore, capitalizing on strategies from the centralized constraint solving community, we propose a Distributed Large Neighborhood Search (D-LNS) framework to solve DCOPs. The proposed framework (with its novel repair phase) provides guarantees on solution quality, refining upper and lower bounds during the iterative process, and can exploit domain-dependent structures. Our experimental results show that D-LNS outperforms other incomplete DCOP algorithms on both structured and unstructured problem instances

Inflammation and tendon healing

Tendons heal through three different overlapping phases; the inflammatory, proliferative and remodeling phase. Many studies have investigated what factors influence healing of tendons. However, little was known about inflammation and the immune cells present during Achilles tendon healing by the time this thesis started. We developed a flow cytometry method for our rat model of tendon healing, which enabled us to study different leukocyte subpopulations during Achilles tendon healing. The general aim of this thesis was to understand more about inflammation and the immune cell populations present during tendon healing and how the immune cell composition changes during normal tendon healing. Moreover, we investigated how different factors that are known to influence tendon healing affected the composition of the immune cell population. First, we described the immune cells during the time course of tendon healing focusing on different subpopulations of macrophages and T cells. Then, we studied how these cells were influenced by reduced mechanical loading. Mechanical loading prolonged the presence of M1 macrophages and delayed the switch to regulatory T cells and M2 macrophages compared to reduced mechanical loading. Next, the effect of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) on the leukocyte composition revealed that, even though NSAIDs influence the mechanical properties of healing tendon, this effect was not mediated via changes in the leukocyte sub-populations during early and mid-time tendon healing. Further, the effect of corticosteroids during the inflammatory and remodeling phases of tendon healing was an improved healing of tendons and a reduction of CD8a T cells when corticosteroid was administered after the inflammatory phase. Lastly, we investigated if impairment of tendon healing by NSAIDs was related to mechanotransduction or microdamage during mechanical loading and showed that NSAIDs impair tendon healing by reducing the response to microdamage. In conclusion, these studies show that inflammation plays an important role during Achilles tendon healing, and factors that influence healing can also alter the presence or polarization of immune cell populations.

Cox-2 inhibition and the composition of inflammatory cell populations during early and mid-time tendon healing

Background: During early tendon healing, the cells within the regenerating tissue are, to a large part, inflammatory leukocytes (CD45+). In a rat Achilles tendon healing model, the inflammation resolves between 5 and 10 days. In the same model, Cox inhibitors (NSAIDs) impair healing when given during the first 5 days, but have a positive effect if given later. We tested the hypothesis that a Cox inhibitor would exert these effects by influencing inflammation, and thereby the composition of the inflammatory cell subpopulations.Methods: Achilles tendon transection was performed in 44 animals. Animals were randomized to either parecoxib or saline injections. Healing was evaluated by mechanical testing day 7 after surgery and by flow cytometry day 3 and 10.Results: Cross-sectional area, peak force and stiffness were reduced by parecoxib 31, 33, and 25% respectively (p=0.005, p=0.002, and p=0.005). By flow cytometry, there was a strong effect of time (p<0.001) on virtually all inflammatory cell subpopulations (CD45, CD11b, CD68, CCR7, CD163, CD206, CD3, CD4), but no significant effect of parecoxib at any time point.Conclusion: The results suggest that the negative effects of Cox inhibitors on tendon healing might be exerted mainly via mechanisms not directly related to inflammatory cells

A possible link between loading, inflammation and healing: Immune cell populations during tendon healing in the rat

Loading influences tendon healing, and so does inflammation. We hypothesized that the two are connected. 48 rats underwent Achilles tendon transection. Half of the rats received Botox injections into calf muscles to reduce mechanical loading. Cells from the regenerating tissue were analyzed by flow cytometry. In the loaded group, the regenerating tissue contained 83% leukocytes (CD45(+)) day 1, and 23% day 10. The M1/M2 macrophage ratio (CCR7/CD206) peaked at day 3, while T helper (CD3(+)CD4(+)) and T-reg cells (CD25(+) Foxp3(+)) increased over time. With Botox, markers associated with down-regulation of inflammation were more common day 5 (CD163, CD206, CD25, Foxp3), and M1 or M2 macrophages and T-reg cells were virtually absent day 10, while still present with full loading. The primary variable, CCR7/CD206 ratio day 5, was higher with full loading (p = 0.001) and the T-reg cell fraction was lower (p amp;lt; 0.001). Free cage activity loading is known to increase size and strength of the tendon in this model compared to Botox. Loading now appeared to delay the switch to an M2 type of inflammation with more T-reg cells. It seems a prolonged M1 phase due to loading might make the tendon regenerate bigger.Funding Agencies|Swedish Research Council [K2013-52X-02031-47-5]; Swedish National Centre for Research in Sports; King Gustaf V and Queen Victoria Free Mason Foundation</p

Systemic corticosteroids improve tendon healing when given after the early inflammatory phase

Inflammation initiates tendon healing and then normally resolves more or less completely. Unresolved inflammation might disturb the remodeling process. We hypothesized that suppression of inflammation during the early remodeling phase by systemic dexamethasone treatment can improve healing. 36 rats underwent Achilles tendon transection and were randomized to dexamethasone or saline on days 0-4 after surgery (early inflammatory phase), and euthanasia day 7. Another 54 rats received injections days 5-9 (early remodeling phase) and were euthanized day 12 for mechanical, histological and flow cytometric evaluation. Dexamethasone treatment days 0-4 reduced the cross-sectional area, peak force and stiffness by day 7 to less than half (p amp;lt; 0.001 for all), while material properties (peak stress and elastic modulus) were not significantly affected. In contrast, dexamethasone treatment days 5-9 increased peak force by 39% (p = 0.002) and stiffness by 58% (p amp;lt; 0.001). The cross-sectional area was reduced by 42% (p amp;lt; 0.001). Peak stress and elastic modulus were more than doubled (p amp;lt; 0.001 for both). Semi-quantitative histology at day 12 showed that late dexamethasone treatment improved collagen alignment, and flow cytometry revealed reduced numbers of CD8a(+) cytotoxic T cells in the tendon callus. These results suggest that downregulation of lingering inflammation during the early remodeling phase can improve healing.Funding Agencies|Swedish Research Council [K2013-52X-02031-47-5]; Swedish National Centre for Research in Sports; Ostergotland county (ALF)</p

Different gene response to mechanical loading during early and late phases of rat Achilles tendon healing

Mechanical loading stimulates tendon healing both when applied in the inflammatory phase and in the early remodeling phase of the process, although not necessarily via the same mechanisms. We investigated the gene response to mechanical loading in these two phases of tendon healing. The right Achilles tendon in rats was transected, and the hindlimbs were unloaded by tail suspension. The rats were exposed to 5 min of treadmill running 3 or 14 days after tendon transection. Thereafter, they were resuspended for 15 min or 3 h until euthanasia. The controls were suspended continuously. Gene analysis was first performed by microarray analysis followed by quantitative RTPCR on selected genes, focusing on inflammation. Fifteen minutes after loading, the most important genes seemed to be the transcription factors EGR1 and C-FOS, regardless of healing phase. These transcription factors might promote tendon cell proliferation and differentiation, stimulate collagen production, and regulate inflammation. Three hours after loading on day 3, inflammation was strongly affected. Seven inflammation-related genes were upregulated according to PCR: CCL20, CCL7, IL-6, NFIL3, PTX3, SOCS1, and TLR2. These genes can be connected to macrophages, T cells, and recruitment of leukocytes. According to Ingenuity Pathway Analysis, the recruitment of leukocytes was increased by loading on day 3, which also was confirmed by histology. This inflammation-related gene response was not seen on day 14. Our results suggest that the immediate gene response after mechanical loading is similar in the early and late phases of healing but the late gene response is different. NEW amp; NOTEWORTHY This study investigates the direct effect of mechanical loading on gene expression during different healing phases in tendon healing. One isolated episode of mechanical loading was studied in otherwise unloaded healing tendons. This enabled us to study a time sequence, i.e., which genes were the first ones to be regulated after the loading episode.Funding Agencies|Swedish Research Council [K2013-52X-02031-47-5]; Swedish National Centre for Research in Sports</p

Increased mast cell degranulation and co-localization of mast cells with the NMDA receptor-1 during healing after Achilles tendon rupture

The role of inflammation and the mechanism of tendon healing after rupture has historically been a matter of controversy. The purpose of the present study is to investigate the role of mast cells and their relation to the NMDA receptor-1 (a glutamate receptor) during healing after Achilles tendon rupture. Eight female Sprague Dawley rats had their right Achilles tendon transected. Three weeks after rupture, histological quantification of mast cell numbers and their state of degranulation was assessed by histochemistry. Co-localization of mast cell tryptase (a mast cell marker) and NMDA receptor-1 was determined by immunofluorescence. The intact left Achilles tendon was used as control. An increased number of mast cells and a higher proportion of degranulated mast cells were found in the healing Achilles tendon compared to the intact. In addition, increased co-localization of mast cell tryptase and NMDA receptor-1 was seen in the areas of myotendinous junction, mid-tendon proper and bone tendon junction of the healing versus the intact tendon. These findings introduce a possible role for mast cells in the healing phase after Achilles tendon rupture

Different mechanisms activated by mild versus strong loading in rat Achilles tendon healing

<div><p>Background</p><p>Mechanical loading stimulates Achilles tendon healing. However, various degrees of loading appear to have different effects on the mechanical properties of the healing tendon, and strong loading might create microdamage in the tissue. This suggests that different mechanisms might be activated depending on the magnitude of loading. The aim of this study was to investigate these mechanisms further.</p><p>Methods</p><p>Female rats had their right Achilles tendon cut transversely and divided into three groups: 1) unloading (calf muscle paralysis by Botox injections, combined with joint fixation by a steel-orthosis), 2) mild loading (Botox only), 3) strong loading (free cage activity). Gene expression was analyzed by PCR, 5 days post-injury, and mechanical testing 8 days post-injury. The occurrence of microdamage was analyzed 3, 5, or 14 days post-injury, by measuring leakage of injected fluorescence-labelled albumin in the healing tendon tissue.</p><p>Results</p><p>Peak force, peak stress, and elastic modulus of the healing tendons gradually improved with increased loading as well as the expression of extracellular matrix genes. In contrast, only strong loading increased transverse area and affected inflammation genes. Strong loading led to higher fluorescence (as a sign of microdamage) compared to mild loading at 3 and 5 days post-injury, but not at 14 days.</p><p>Discussion</p><p>Our results show that strong loading improves both the quality and quantity of the healing tendon, while mild loading only improves the quality. Strong loading also induces microdamage and alters the inflammatory response. This suggests that mild loading exert its effect via mechanotransduction mechanisms, while strong loading exert its effect both via mechanotransduction and the creation of microdamage.</p><p>Conclusion</p><p>In conclusion, mild loading is enough to increase the quality of the healing tendon without inducing microdamage and alter the inflammation in the tissue. This supports the general conception that early mobilization of a ruptured tendon in patients is advantageous.</p></div

Unloading device.

<p>Steel-orthosis, used in the unloaded group.</p