Overexpression of TIGIT in NK and T Cells Contributes to Tumor Immune Escape in Myelodysplastic Syndromes.

OBJECTIVE: Targeting immune checkpoints, such as PD-1, represents a promising approach for cancer immunotherapy, achieving long-term disease remission rates in numerous types of cancer. T cell immunoglobulin and ITIM domain (TIGIT) is a checkpoint receptor associated with the antitumor roles of NK and T cells. Notably, the blockade of TIGIT has been revealed as a potential promising approach in cancer immunotherapy. However, the therapeutic potential of blocking TIGIT in myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) remains unclear and further research is required to reveal their role. METHODS: Fresh peripheral blood (PB) and bone marrow (BM) were obtained from patients with MDS and healthy donors (HDs) at the Tianjin Medical University General Hospital between January 21 2018 and March 22 2019. The present study investigated the expression levels of TIGIT on NK and T cells using flow cytometry (FCM) and PCR. In addition, other checkpoint receptors, such as CD226 and PD-1, were also investigated. To determine the mechanisms of antitumor immunity, the functions of NK and T cells expressing TIGIT were determined. RESULTS: TIGIT was found to be highly expressed on NK and T cells of the PB, where it was involved in disease progression and the immune escape of MDS. The high expression levels of TIGIT were associated with decreased NK and T cell function, and significantly lower secretions of activation factors, such as CD107a, IFN-γ and TNF-α. Notably, blocking TIGIT enhanced the antitumor effects of NK and T cells. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study suggested that targeting TIGIT alone or in combination with PD-1 may be a promising anticancer therapeutic strategy in MDS.

Mechanically Robust, Flame-Retardant Poly(lactic acid) Biocomposites via Combining Cellulose Nanofibers and Ammonium Polyphosphate.

Expanding the application range of flame-retardant polymer biocomposites remains a huge challenge for a sustainable society. Despite largely enhanced flame retardancy, until now the resultant poly(lactic acid) (PLA) composites still suffer reduced tensile strength and impact toughness due to improper material design strategies. We, herein, demonstrate the design of a green flame retardant additive (ammonium polyphosphate (APP)@cellulose nanofiber (CNF)) via using the cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) as the green multifunctional additives hybridized with ammonium polyphosphate (APP). The results show that PLA composite with 5 wt % loading of APP@CNF can pass the UL-94 V-0 rating, besides a high limited oxygen index of 27.5%, indicative of a significantly enhanced flame retardancy. Moreover, the 5 wt % of APP@CNF enables the impact strength (σi) of the PVA matrix to significantly improve from 7.63 to 11.8 kJ/m2 (increase by 54%), in addition to a high tensile strength of 50.3 MPa for the resultant flame-retardant PLA composite. The enhanced flame retardancy and mechanical strength performances are attributed to the improved dispersion of APP@CNF and its smaller phase size within the PLA matrix along with their synergistic effect between APP and CNF. This work opens up a facile innovative methodology for the design of high-performance ecofriendly flame retardants and their advanced polymeric composites.

Self-assembly of colloidal spheres and application as solvent responding polymer film.

It is the first time to fabricate and apply responsive colloidal crystal (CC) films on biocomposite material - bamboo strand board (BSB). The responsive film can be easily prepared directly through the self-assembly of soft colloidal polymer spheres containing hydrophilic monomers at ambient pressure and temperature without complicate equipment. In this approach, soft colloidal polymer spheres are synthesized by emulsion polymerization using polymerizable emulsifier. Then, the polymer latex is loaded onto the surface of BSB. The colloidal polymer spheres can directly self-assemble into a robust and transparent colloidal crystal (CC) film on BSB. Neither soft matrix nor posttreatment is needed. Compared with the traditional responsive CC, the polymer film on BSB not only had sensitive response behaviors but also had good reversibility and mechanical strength, which would provide a new method for fabrication and application of responsive CC.

[Analysis of mortality rate of stomach cancer and its trend in twenty years in China].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze and predict the trend in mortality rate of stomach cancer in twenty years in China. METHODS: Stomach cancer mortality data collected from the China national survey over the period 1970s - 1990s for the cause of death were analyzed. RESULTS: The adjusted mortality rate of stomach cancer in 1990s increased by 11.0% and 6.3% for males and females, respectively. The urban mortality in 1970s was slightly higher than the rural mortality, while in 1990s the rural mortality rate was about 60% higher than the urban mortality. In 1990s, the adjusted urban mortality rate decreased by 22.2% and 26.7% for males and females, respectively. In contrast, the rural mortality rate increased by 26.4% and 22.1% for males and females, respectively. The sex ratio of stomach cancer deaths in 1990s, both in cities and rural areas, was slightly greater than that in 1970s, being more marked in the latter areas. In 1990s, the mortality rate decreased in 12 provinces, accounting for 44% in both sexes (12/27), but the decrease was more marked for females than for males except in Kiangs province. In provinces where the increased rates ranked top six positions, the magnitude of increase in rates was higher in males than in females. CONCLUSION: The overall mortality rates of stomach cancer in the past 20 years in China presented an increasing trend, despite there were upward and downward changes in 27 provinces and decrease in cities while increase in rural areas. Compared with other countries, the world-adjusted mortality rate of stomach cancer for both sexes in China ranks first. The increasing trend in stomach cancer mortality was seen in the older age groups (> 60 years) while a decreasing trend was seen in the younger age groups (30 - 59 years). Aging of the population could be an important factor responsible for the increase in mortality rates of stomach cancer in China.

Regional variations in mortality rates of pancreatic cancer in China: results from 1990-1992 national mortality survey.

AIM: To examine the regional variations in mortality rates of pancreatic cancer in China. METHODS: Aggregated mortality data of pancreatic cancer were extracted from the 1990-1992 national death of all causes and its mortality survey in China. Age specific and standardized mortality rates were calculated at both national and provincial levels with selected characteristics including sex and residence status. RESULTS: Mortality of pancreatic cancer ranked the ninth and accounted for 1.38 percent of the total malignancy deaths. The crude and age standardized mortality rates of pancreatic cancer in China in the period of 1990-1992 were 1.48/100,000 and 1.30/100,000, respectively. Substantial regional variations in mortality rates across China were observed with adjusted mortality rates ranging from 0.43/100,000 to 3.70/100,000 with an extremal value of 8.7. Urban residents had significant higher pancreatic mortality than rural residents. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study show different mortality rates of this disease and highlight the importance of further investigation on factors, which might contribute to the observed epidemiological patterns.

[Changes of mortality rate for cervical cancer during 1970's and 1990's periods in China].

OBJECTIVE: To describe the distribution changes of the mortality rate for cervical cancer in China between the 1970's and 1990's and provide the scientific evidence for the prevention and control strategies for cervical cancer campaign in China between next century. METHODS: Data from two National Surveys for the Causes of Death in 1970's and 1990's in China. The crude and adjusted mortality rates for the cervical cancer and the distributions based on age and area were calculated and described. The comparison of the differences of changes between two mortality rates periods and together with its trends were shown based on the age-standardized. RESULTS: During two decades, the mortality rate for cervical cancer was 10.7 per 100,000 in 1970's which declined to 3.89 per 100,000 in 1990's, and from the 3rd ranking among all female malignant tumors to the 6th in 1990's (decreased about 63.64%). But the declination was not evenly. There have still been some high-risk areas, most located in rural countries in the mid-west of China, with rates remain unchanged and even at the highest level in the world, such as Wudu in Gansu and Yangcheng in Shanxi. A big difference was showed between rural country and city, but in both of them, the mortality rates in 1990's were significantly much lower than in 1970's (P = 0.001) at each five-year age group. And in the city, there was a much sharper increased trend in young women in 1990's. CONCLUSIONS: The mortality rate for cervical cancer campaign in China has been substantially declined during past twenty years, but it's still a major health problem for women, especially in rural China. The focus of the prevention and control for the cervical cancer in the next century should put on rural areas, especially in mid-west of China and young women in the city.

A convenient method for the synthesis of amine-terminated poly(ethylene oxide) and poly(epsilon-caprolactone).

A convenient synthetic route to prepare amine-terminated poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) was described. The strategy involved two-step reactions, the condensation of hydroxyl-terminated PEO and PCL with N-benzyloxycarbonyl amino acid followed by the catalytic hydrogenation under mild conditions. NMR and GPC measurements indicated that the reactions proceeded nearly quantitatively. Amine-terminated PEO thus prepared was used to initiate the polymerization of alpha-(N(epsilon)-benzyloxycarbonyl-L-lysine) N-carboxy anhydride [lys(Z)-NCA], and the results confirmed that the reactivity of the amino group was high.

[1990-1992 mortality of stomach cancer in China].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of stomach cancer on the Chinese population by epidemiological analysis of its mortality distribution. METHODS: 1990-1992 data on stomach cancer mortality collected by sampling survey involved one tenth of the total Chinese population. RESULTS: The crude mortality rate of stomach cancer in China was 25.2 per 10(5) (32.8 per 10(5) for males and 17.0 per 10(5) for females), which comprised 23.2% of the total cancer deaths from 1990 to 1992, making stomach cancer the leading cause of cancer death. The stomach cancer mortality rate of males was 1.9 times of that of females. The Chinese mortality rates of stomach cancer adjusted by the world population were 40.8 per 10(5) and 18.6 per 10(5) of males and females, which were 4.2-7.9 (of males) and 3.8-8.0 (of females) times of those in the developed countries. Age-adjusted mortality rates of stomach cancer in China have distinct geographical difference: form the lowest 2.5 per 10(5) to the highest 153.0 per 10(5) in the 263 surveyed localities, 15.3 per 10(5) in urban areas and 24.4 per 10(5) in rural areas giving a difference of 1.9 times. CONCLUSION: The prevention and treatment of stomach cancer in China, especially in the countryside and the under-developed areas in the northwest, should be a long-term focus in control of cancers of the digestive system. Urgent measures for prevention and early detection of stomach cancer should be taken.