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This paper investigates the leader-following consensus problem for multi-agent systems with Markovian switching topologies in a sampled-data setting. We study two algorithms corresponding to the case where the leader׳s state is time varying or time invariant. With a time-varying leader׳s state, we present necessary and sufficient conditions for boundedness of the tracking error systems. With a time-invariant leader׳s state, we present necessary and sufficient conditions for mean-square stability of the tracking error systems. An optimization algorithm is given to derive the allowable control gains or the feasible sampling period. Simulation examples are presented to show the usefulness of the results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel 3D porous MOF [Cd3(ABTA)2(DMF) (H2O)2] (1) (ABTA = 3, 4′, 5-azobenzenetricarboxylate) has been successfully synthesized by solvothermal reaction of Cd(NO3)24H2O with ABTA. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction result reveals that complex 1 possesses a complicated 3D open framework with two intercrossed 1D channels along [200] and [11–1]. The photoluminescence experimental results of the complex in different solvents indicate that complex 1 has potential application in recognizing small linear conjugated molecule. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The human rhomboid-5 homolog-1 (RHBDF1) is a multi-transmembrane protein present mainly on the endoplasmic reticulum. RHBDF1 has been implicated in the activation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)–derived cell growth signals and other activities critical to cellular responses to stressful conditions, but details of this activation mechanism are unclear. Here, we report a RHBDF1 mRNA transcript alternative splicing variant X6 (RHBDF1 X6 or RHX6) that antagonizes RHBDF1 activities. We found that while the RHBDF1 gene is marginally expressed in breast tumor-adjacent normal tissues, it is markedly elevated in the tumor tissues. In sharp contrast, the RHX6 mRNA represents the primary RHBDF1 variant in normal breast epithelial cells and tumoradjacent normal tissues but is diminished in breast cancer cells and tumors. We demonstrate that, functionally, RHX6 acts as an inhibitor of RHBDF1 activities. We show that artificially overexpressing RHX6 in breast cancer cells leads to retarded proliferation, migration, and decreased production of epithelial–mesenchymal transition-related adhesion molecules. Mechanically, RHX6 is able to inhibit the maturation of TACE, a protease that processes pro-TGFα, a pro-ligand of EGFR, and to prevent intracellular transportation of pro-TGFα to the cell surface. Additionally, we show that the production of RHX6 is under the control of the alternative splicing regulator RNA binding motif protein-4 (RBM4). Our findings suggest that differential splicing of the RHBDF1 gene transcript may have a regulatory role in the development of epithelial cell cancers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Response patterns to nivolumab differ from those seen with other approved targeted therapies. Objective: To investigate the efficacy of nivolumab in previously treated patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma who were treated beyond (Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors) RECIST progression. Design, setting, and participants: This was a subgroup analysis of patients treated with nivolumab in the phase 3 CheckMate 025 study. Patients continuing to tolerate therapy and exhibiting investigator-assessed clinical benefit were eligible to be treated beyond RECIST progression (TBP) and received therapy for =4 wk after first progression; patients not treated beyond RECIST progression (NTBP) received 0 wk to <4 wk of therapy after progression. Interventions: Nivolumab 3 mg/kg intravenously every 2 wk. Results and limitations: Of 406 nivolumab-treated patients, 316 (78%) progressed by RECIST criteria. Of those who progressed, 48% were TBP, 52% were NTBP. Before being TBP, objective response rate (95% confidence interval) was 20% (14-28) and 14% (9-21) in patients TBP and NTBP, respectively. Differences in clinical characteristics assessed at first progression between patients TBP versus NTBP included better Karnofsky performance status, less deterioration in Karnofsky performance status, shorter time to response, lower incidence of new bone lesions, and improved quality of life. Postprogression, 13% of all patients TBP (20/153) had ≤30% tumor burden reduction including patients with preprogression and postprogression tumor measurements (n = 142) and complete/partial response (28%, 8/29), stable disease (6%, 3/47), and progressive disease (14%, 9/66) as their best response before being TBP. Incidence of treatment-related adverse events in patients TBP was lower after (59%) versus before (71%) progression. Limitations included potential bias from the nonrandomized nature of the analysis. Conclusions: A subset of patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma and RECIST progression experienced tumor reduction postprogression with nivolumab, and had an acceptable safety profile. Clinical judgment remains essential when switching therapy. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01668784. Patient summary: A subset of patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma and disease progression may continue to benefit from nivolumab treatment beyond progression as evidenced by tumor reduction postprogression and an acceptable safety profile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]