Optimal Control for a Mathematical Model of Glioma Treatment with Oncolytic Therapy and TNF-$$\alpha $$ Inhibitors

A mathematical model for combination therapy of glioma with oncolytic therapy and TNF-\(\alpha \) inhibitors is analyzed as an optimal control problem. In the objective, a weighted average between the tumor volume and the total amount of viruses given is minimized. It is shown that optimal controls representing the virus administration are generically of the bang-bang type, i.e., the virus should be applied at maximal allowed dose with possible rest periods. On the other hand, optimal controls representing the dosage of TNF-\(\alpha \) inhibitors follow a continuous regimen of concatenations between pieces that lie on the boundary and in the interior of the control set.     

Exosomes and Other Extracellular Vesicles with High Therapeutic Potential: Their Applications in Oncology,Neurology, and Dermatology

Until thirty years ago, it was believed that extracellular vesicles (EVs) were used to remove unnecessary compounds from the cell. Today, we know about their enormous potential in diagnosing and treating various diseases. EVs are essential mediators of intercellular communication, enabling the functional transfer of bioactive molecules from one cell to another. Compared to laboratory-created drug nanocarriers, they are stable in physiological conditions. Furthermore, they are less immunogenic and cytotoxic compared to polymerized vectors. Finally, EVs can transfer cargo to particular cells due to their membrane proteins and lipids, which can implement them to specific receptors in the target cells. Recently, new strategies to produce ad hoc exosomes have been devised. Cells delivering exosomes have been genetically engineered to overexpress particular macromolecules, or transformed to release exosomes with appropriate targeting molecules. In this way, we can say tailor-made therapeutic EVs are created. Nevertheless, there are significant difficulties to solve during the application of EVs as drug-delivery agents in the clinic. This review explores the diversity of EVs and the potential therapeutic options for exosomes as natural drug-delivery vehicles in oncology, neurology, and dermatology. It also reflects future challenges in clinical translation.     

Identification and Determination of Gliclazide and its Impurities in Various Medicines by Thin-Layer Chromatography and Densitometry

JPC – Journal of Planar Chromatography – Modern TLC - A thin-layer chromatographic and densitometric method has been developed for the identification and quantitation of gliclazide and...     

Time delays in dyadic interactions on the example of relations between optimists and pessimists

In this paper, a delayed model of interactions between two actors in the context of their internal optimism and pessimism is studied. Considered model is based on the model proposed earlier in the context of romantic relationships. With the use of the system of nonlinear delay differential equations, we describe the change of emotions of two actors. Delays in the inertial component and in the influence function are introduced, and their influence on the system dynamics is investigated focusing on most beneficial meetings for actors. Finally, the modified systems are compared with the nondelayed case, and results are illustrated by numerical solutions for particular investigated scenarios.     

Quantum dots investigated with charge detection techniques

The detection of the quantum dot charge state using a quantum point contact charge detector has opened a new exciting route for the investigation of quantum dot devices in recent years. In particular, time-resolved charge detection allowed the precise measurement of quantum dot shot noise at sub-femtoampere current levels, and the full counting statistics of the current. The technique can be applied to different material systems and holds promise for future application in quantum dot based quantum information processing implementations. We review recent experiments employing this charge detection technique, including the self-interference of individual electrons and back-action phenomena.     

Breaking Data Encryption Standard with a Reduced Number of Rounds Using Metaheuristics Differential Cryptanalysis

This article presents the author’s own metaheuristic cryptanalytic attack based on the use of differential cryptanalysis (DC) methods and memetic algorithms (MA) that improve the local search process through simulated annealing (SA). The suggested attack will be verified on a set of ciphertexts generated with the well-known DES (data encryption standard) reduced to six rounds. The aim of the attack is to guess the last encryption subkey, for each of the two characteristics Ω. Knowing the last subkey, it is possible to recreate the complete encryption key and thus decrypt the cryptogram. The suggested approach makes it possible to automatically reject solutions (keys) that represent the worst fitness function, owing to which we are able to significantly reduce the attack search space. The memetic algorithm (MASA) created in such a way will be compared with other metaheuristic techniques suggested in literature, in particular, with the genetic algorithm (NGA) and the classical differential cryptanalysis attack, in terms of consumption of memory and time needed to guess the key. The article also investigated the entropy of MASA and NGA attacks.     

Die Löslichkeit eines Bariumferrits in Salpetersäure

Optimum conditions for a stoichiometric dissolution of a magnetically hard ferrite BaO·6 Fe₂O₃ were determined. The solvent is a 1∶9 aqueous solution of HCl and HNO₃.     

Crystal structures and properties of catena-μ-nitrato (7-amino-5-aza-4-methyl-3-hepten-2-onato) copper(II) and μ3-hydrox-otris(μ-8-amino-5-aza-4-methyl-3-octen-2-onato) tricopper(II) dinitrate

The products of monocondensation of penta-2,4,-dione with 1,2-diaminoethane, HAE, and with 1,3-diaminopropane, HAT, react with copper nitrate hemipentahydrate to give catena--nitrato (7-amino-5-aza-4-methyl-3-hepten-2-onato) copper(II), [Cu(AE)NO₃]_n and a mixture of ₃-hydroxo-tris (-8-amino-5-aza-4-methyl-3-octen-2-onato) tricopper(II) dinitrate [Cu₃(AT)₃OH]-(NO₃)₂ and [Cu(AT)NO₃]_x, respectively. The structure of [Cu(AE)NO₃]_n has been determined from 1601 diffractometer data and refined by least squares methods toR=0.0306. The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic space groupP2₁/a witha=16.856(3)Å,b=8.109(4)Å,c=7.518(3)Å,=90.15(2)°,D _c =1.725 g cm^–3,D _o=1.72 g cm^–3 andZ=4. Copper atoms in [Cu(AE)NO₃]_n are in a 4+1+1^* environment and are linked by the pseudobidentate and bridging nitrato group into infinite chains. The structure of [Cu₃(AT)₃OH](NO₃)₂ has been determined from 3178 diffractometer data and refined toR=0.0544. The compound crystallizes in the triclinic space groupP¯1 witha=11.918(2)Å,b=14.478(2)Å,c=11.501(3)Å,=98.04(2)°,=117.72(2)°, =99.80(1)°,D _c =1.580 g cm^–3,D _o=1.59 g cm^–3 andZ=2. The compound is associated in hexanuclear clusters due to hydrogen bonding interactions. Coordination about Cu is best described as square pyramidal. Magnetic susceptibility data indicate a weak antiferromagnetic exchange within the trinuclear core withJ=–14 cm^–1.