PD1/PDL1 expression is associated with increased TIM3 expression and tumor-infiltrating T lymphocytes in fibroblastic tumors.

PURPOSE: The combined therapy of inhibiting T cell immunoglobulin domain and mucin domain 3 (TIM3) and programmed cell death 1/programmed death-ligand 1 (PD1/PDL1) has shown encouraging therapeutic effects in some solid tumors. However, the expression of PD1/PDL1 and TIM3 in fibroblastic tumors is ill defined, which has limited the application of these immune checkpoint inhibitors in such tumors. METHODS: Immunostaining of 68 tissue microarray cores of fibroblastic tumors, including intermediate dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans and malignant myxofibrosarcoma and adult-type fibrosarcoma, was used to determine the expression of PD1, PDL1 and TIM3, as well as their relationship with the accumulation of tumor-infiltrating T lymphocytes (TILs). RESULTS: Both PD1 and PDL1 expression was only observed in a small proportion of fibroblastic tumors, whereas TIM3 was expressed in almost all tumors. However, only the positive expression of PDL1 was related to tumors with high grade and staging. A considerable number of TILs, including CD4- and CD8A-positive T cells and a small group of FoxP3-positive T cells, was also observed in most tumors. The density of TIM3 was positively correlated with that of TILs. Furthermore, higher densities of TIM3, CD4, CD8A and FoxP3 were observed in PD1 and PDL1 double-positive fibroblastic tumors. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that TILs with high expression of TIM3 may contribute to immunosuppression in the tumor microenvironment of fibroblastic tumors. Patients with fibroblastic tumors with high expression of PD1/PDL1 and TIM3 may therefore benefit from combination therapy with PD1/PDL1 and TIM3 inhibitors.

Cryopreservation of Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill callus and subsequent plant regeneration.

Cryopreservation has been proven significance as a technique for promising the long-term conservation of plant germplasms. This study aimed to establish a cryopreservation protocol for calli of Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill, and to explore the effects of different process parameters on callus viability. Effects of desiccation duration, cryoprotectants and cryopreservation methods, thawing temperature, and post-culture conditions on the viability of cryopreserved calli were assessed. Among different cryoprotectants and freezing procedures, the highest survival was recorded when the water content of callus after 30 min desiccation was 57.3%, were loaded into a cryoprotectant containing 10% ethylene glycol, 8% glucose, and 10% DMSO, and frozen slowly (-1°C/min). Rapid thawing at 40°C for 2 min demonstrated the best recovery of cryopreserved S. chinensis calli. Post-culturing in darkness for one week before transfer to light conditions (under 16 h photoperiod at 36 µmol·m-2·s-1) was beneficial to callus regeneration. Plants regenerated through somatic embryogenesis from cryopreserved calli remained ploidy stable after cryopreservation. The callus cryopreservation procedure established in this study is a promising tool for the conservation of S. chinensis resources.

Treatment of seawater immersion-complicated open-knee joint fracture.

The current study aimed to select suitable remedies for seawater immersion-complicated open-knee joint fracture by exploring the effects of different treatment methods. Forty adult rabbits weighing 2.20 ± 0.25 kg were divided equally into internal fracture fixation group (A), seawater-immersed group with primary internal fixation (B), seawater-immersed group with secondary internal fixation (C), and seawater-immersed group with external fixation (D), using the random-digit table method. Open-femoral internal condylar fracture models were established. Group A was left untreated for 2 h, whereas the other three groups were subjected to seawater immersion for 2 h. Afterwards, groups A and B underwent debridement and steel plate and screw internal fixation. Group C underwent debridement and external fixation, which was followed by secondary steel plate and screw internal fixation after the wound healed. Group D underwent transarticular arthrodesis. Wound infection, joint functional rehabilitation, and radiological and histopathological changes in fracture healing in each group were assessed. The results showed that delayed internal fixation effectively reduces the infection rate of seawater immersion-complicated open fracture and benefits joint function rehabilitation.