Optimal tracking control for non-zero-sum games of linear discrete-time systems via off-policy reinforcement learning

In this article, a model-free off-policy reinforcement learning algorithm is applied to address the optimal tracking problem based on multiplayer non-zero-sum games for discrete-time linear systems. In contrast to the traditional method and the policy iteration method for solving the optimal tracking problems, the proposed algorithm operates with the system data rather than the knowledge of the system dynamics. For performing the proposed algorithm, an auxiliary augmented system is constructed via assembling the original system and the reference trajectory while a discount factor is introduced into the performance indexes. It is analyzed that the solutions of the proposed algorithm converge to the Nash equilibrium and the result is not influenced by the probing noise. Two simulations are presented to verify the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.     

健脾消积颗粒对脾胃湿热型功能性消化不良患儿的临床疗效及对脑肠肽水平的影响＊

目的 探讨健脾消积颗粒治疗脾胃湿热型功能性消化不良的临床疗效及其对脑肠肽的影响。方法 按照随机数字表法将2018年2月-2019年2月我院收治的80例功能性消化不良患儿均分为对照组和观察组，对照组给予多潘立酮片治疗，观察组在对照组基础上加用健脾消积颗粒治疗，比较2组治疗效果。结果 治疗后2组主要临床症状积分均显著下降，观察组下降更为明显。观察组总有效率为95%，显著高于对照组的79.5%。观察组治疗后胃电节律异常例数明显低于对照组，治疗后2组胃动素(MTL)显著上升，神经肽Y（NPY）、神经降压素（NT）显著下降，且观察组和对照组相比，差异有统计学意义。2组治疗期间均未发生不良反应及肝肾功能异常。结论 健脾消积颗粒能够明显改善脾胃湿热型功能性消化不良患儿临床症状，改善胃动力水平，调节脑肠肽分泌水平。     

Exosomes from miRNA‐126‐modified endothelial progenitor cells alleviate brain injury and promote functional recovery after stroke

AimsWe previously showed that the protective effects of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs)‐released exosomes (EPC‐EXs) on endothelium in diabetes. However, whether EPC‐EXs are protective in diabetic ischemic stroke is unknown. Here, we investigated the effects of EPC‐EXs on diabetic stroke mice and tested whether miR‐126 enriched EPC‐EXs (EPC‐EXs^miR126) have enhanced efficacy.MethodsThe db/db mice subjected to ischemic stroke were intravenously administrated with EPC‐EXs 2 hours after ischemic stroke. The infarct volume, cerebral microvascular density (MVD), cerebral blood flow (CBF), neurological function, angiogenesis and neurogenesis, and levels of cleaved caspase‐3, miR‐126, and VEGFR2 were measured on day 2 and 14.ResultsWe found that (a) injected EPC‐EXs merged with brain endothelial cells, neurons, astrocytes, and microglia in the peri‐infarct area; (b) EPC‐EXs^miR126 were more effective than EPC‐EXs in decreasing infarct size and increasing CBF and MVD, and in promoting angiogenesis and neurogenesis as well as neurological functional recovery; (c) These effects were accompanied with downregulated cleaved caspase‐3 on day 2 and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) upregulation till day 14.ConclusionOur results indicate that enrichment of miR126 enhanced the therapeutic efficacy of EPC‐EXs on diabetic ischemic stroke by attenuating acute injury and promoting neurological function recovery.     

Association Study of Matrix Metalloproteinases Gene Polymorphisms with Susceptibility to Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Meta-Analysis

Objective: Association of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) gene polymorphisms with rheumatoid arthritis is controversial. We conduct a meta-analysis to clarify this dispute.

Methods: We systematically searched the electronic PUBMED, EMBASE and CNKI databases for research articles about MMPs (MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-9) gene polymorphisms and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) up to January 2015. According to the heterogeneity, fixed-effects or random-effects models were used to calculate crude odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs).

Results: A total of 11 articles involving 2143 cases and 2049 controls were included in this meta-analysis. Overall, no significant associations were observed between MMP-1-1607 1G/2G polymorphism and RA. Stratification by ethnicity, no significant associations were observed in Caucasian populations. Similarly, no significant associations were observed between MMP-3-1171 5A/6A, MMP-9-1562 C/T polymorphisms and RA in overall and Caucasian populations, respectively. However, a weak association was found between MMP-2-1306 C/T polymorphism and RA (C vs. T, OR?=?0.813, 95%CI?=?0.694–0.953, p?=?0.010) in overall populations.

Conclusions: The present meta-analysis suggests that MMP-1-1607 1G/2G, MMP-3-1171 5A/6A, MMP-9-1562 C/T polymorphisms are not associated with the susceptibility of RA, but MMP-2 -1306 C/T is weakly associated with susceptibility to RA. Further studies with more sample size are needed for definitive conclusions.     

ADAM33 polymorphisms and susceptibility to allergic rhinitis: a meta-analysis

European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology - Several polymorphisms in a disintegrin and metalloproteinase 33 (ADAM33) have been implicated in susceptibility to allergic rhinitis (AR), but the...