Decentralized Stochastic Linear-Quadratic Optimal Control with Risk Constraint and Partial Observation

This paper addresses a risk-constrained decentralized stochastic linear-quadratic optimal control problem with one remote controller and one local controller, where the risk constraint is posed on the cumulative state weighted variance in order to reduce the oscillation of system trajectory. In this model, local controller can only partially observe the system state, and sends the estimate of state to remote controller through an unreliable channel, whereas the channel from remote controller to local controllers is perfect. For the considered constrained optimization problem, we first punish the risk constraint into cost function through Lagrange multiplier method, and the resulting augmented cost function will include a quadratic mean-field term of state. In the sequel, for any but fixed multiplier, explicit solutions to finite-horizon and infinite-horizon mean-field decentralized linear-quadratic problems are derived together with necessary and sufficient condition on the mean-square stability of optimal system. Then, approach to find the optimal Lagrange multiplier is presented based on bisection method. Finally, two numerical examples are given to show the efficiency of the obtained results

Clinical study on the optic nerve protection of calcium dobesilate in treating glaucoma

AIM:To observe the protective effect of calcium dobesilate on optic nerve of glaucoma patients whose intraocular pressure has been under control through operation.<p>METHODS: A total of 78 inpatients(89 eyes)with glaucoma in this hospital from January, 2011 to February, 2012 were enrolled. All patients were randomly divided into treatment group and control group with 6 months in a course. The visual acuity, visual field(mean sensibility, MS), and intraocular pressure were measured at the experiment onset and 6 months later to evaluate the clinical effect.<p>RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in the visual acuity, intraocular pressure between the two groups neither at the experiment onset nor after 6 months(<i>P</i>>0.05). The mean sensibility(MS)of the treatment group was obviously improved(14.56±5.03 <i>vs </i>18.9±5.77, <i>P</i><0.05)with statistically significant differences before and after the treatment, while the MS remained unchanged in the control group(14.75±5.17 <i>vs </i>13.48±4.69). There are statistically significant difference between the treatment group and the control group. Compared to the ratio of improvement, stability, and deterioration in the control group(10.3%, 48.7%, 41.0%), the indexes were changed obviously in the treatment group(64.1%, 28.2%, 7.7%,<i>P</i><0.05)with statistically significant difference between the two groups.<p>CONCLUSION:Calcium dobesilate can improve mean retinal sensitivity and protect the optic nerve in glaucoma patients whose intraocular pressure has been controlled

Propofol Inhibits Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha Expression and Myocardial Depression through Decreasing the Generation of Superoxide Anion in Cardiomyocytes

TNF-α has been shown to be a major factor responsible for myocardial depression in sepsis. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of an anesthetic, propofol, on TNF-α expression in cardiomyocytes treated with LPS both in vivo and in vitro. In cultured cardiomyocytes, compared with control group, propofol significantly reduced protein expression of gp91phox and phosphorylation of extracellular regulated protein kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2) and p38 MAPK, which associates with reduced TNF-α production. In in vivo mice studies, propofol significantly improved myocardial depression and increased survival rate of mice after LPS treatment or during endotoxemia, which associates with reduced myocardial TNF-α production, gp91phox, ERK1/2, and p38 MAPK. It is concluded that propofol abrogates LPS-induced TNF-α production and alleviates cardiac depression through gp91phox/ERK1/2 or p38 MAPK signal pathway. These findings have great clinical importance in the application of propofol for patients enduring sepsis

Development of a Doxycycline Hydrochloride-Loaded Electrospun Nanofibrous Membrane for GTR/GBR Applications

A drug-loaded membrane was prepared by electrospinning Poly ε-caprolactone (PCL) with doxycycline hydrochloride (DOX) (15–25% w/w). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images revealed that fibrous average diameter decreased from 247.16±57.61 nm to 194.43±43.33 nm with the drug proportion increasing from 15% to 20% w/w, while there was no significant difference between 20% and 25% groups. The polymer matrix showed good encapsulation value (58–75%) for DOX, and the drug showed an amorphous manner in the polymer matrix. The agar diffusion test revealed that DOX-loaded membranes had an obvious inhibited effect on Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (Aa) and Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg), respectively. In vitro release test showed that DOX could persistently be released for a prolonged time more than 28 days, and the DOX level in the eluent steadied at 3–5 μg/mL which was all above the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of DOX against Aa (0.125 μg/mL) and Pg (0.0625 μg/mL). Cytocompatibility, assessed in human periodontal ligament cells (hPLCs) by MTT-test and the morphology of cells on the surface of DOX-loaded membranes by SEM, indicated that all of the investigated nanofibrous membranes can be used to treat periodontal disease by integrating the GTR/GBR operation and antibiotic therapy. Above all, DOX-loaded nanofibrous membranes could have a persistent inhibited effect on periodontal pathogens to provide a relatively sterile environment for tissue repair and regeneration

Near-infrared chromogenic sensing of organotin species by a cyclopalladated azo dye

A simple cyclopalladated complex of 4-(2-thiazolylazo) resorcinol showed a specific red-to-green colour change upon addition of organotin species in the acetonitrile-water medium.National Natural Science Foundation of China[20705029, 20835005]; Natural Science Foundation of Fujian Province[E0610028

Enhanced fluorescence sensing of hydroxylated organotins by a boronic acid-linked Schiff base

A simple Schiff base, 2-(2',4'-dihydroxybenzylidene)amino-benzeneboronic acid, was found to show a fluorescence enhancement in the presence of hydroxylated organotins in aqueous solution.National Natural Science Foundation of China [20705029, 20835005]; Natural Science Foundation of Fujian Province [A0610028]; Science & Technology Project of Fujian Province of China [2005J001

RB1 aberrations predict outcomes of immune checkpoint inhibitor combination therapy in NSCLC

IntroductionImmune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) have changed the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Furthermore, compared with monotherapy, ICI combination therapy had better efficacy and partly different mechanism. Therefore, we aim to investigate and improve biomarkers specialized for ICI combination therapy.MethodsWe enrolled 53 NSCLC patients treated with ICI combination therapy and collected their tissue and plasma samples to perform next-generation sequencing (NGS) with a 425-gene panel.ResultsThe line of treatment was the only clinical factor significantly affecting objective response rate (ORR) and progression-free survival (PFS). Surprisingly, classical markers PD-L1 and TMB only had limited predictive values in the ICI combination therapy. Instead, we found RB1 mutation was significantly associated with prognosis. Patients with mutated RB1 had shorter PFS than those with wild RB1 (134d vs 219d, p=0.018). Subsequent analysis showed the RB1 related mutated cell cycle and chromosomal instability were also deleterious to prognosis (103d vs 411d, p&lt;0.001; 138d vs 505d, p=0.018). Additionally, patients with more circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) had significantly shorter PFS (41d vs 194d, p=0.0043).ConclusionThis study identified that NSCLC patients with mutated RB1 were less sensitive to ICI combination therapy. RB1 mutations and following cell cycle abnormalities and chromosomal instability can potentially guide clinical management