Tumor vaccine is a promising strategy for cancer immunotherapy by introducing tumor antigens into the body to activate specific anti-tumor immune responses. Along with the technological breakthroughs in genetic engineering and delivery systems, messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) technology has achieved unprecedented development and application over the last few years, especially the emergency use authorizations of two mRNA vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic, which has saved countless lives and makes the world witness the powerful efficacy of mRNA technology in vaccines. However, unlike infectious disease vaccines, which mainly induce humoral immunity, tumor vaccines also need to activate potent cellular immunity to control tumor growth, which creates a higher demand for mRNA delivery to the lymphatic organs and antigen-presenting cells (APCs). Here we review the existing bottlenecks of mRNA tumor vaccines and advanced nano-based strategies to overcome those challenges, as well as future considerations of mRNA tumor vaccines and their delivery systems.

Objective:To evaluate the hemostatic effects of our self-designed pelvic band with inflatable balloon in a swine model of hemodynamically unstable pelvic fracture.Methods:"Open-book like" fractures were created with the external iliac blood vessels exposed in 24 12-month-old female Bama miniature pigs which were randomly divided into 4 groups ( n=6). Group C (the control group) was subjected to no treatment other than exposure of the external iliac blood vessels, group D to no treatment following destruction of the external iliac blood vessels, group T1 to fixation with simple pelvic band after destruction of the external iliac blood vessels, and group T2 to fixation with our self-designed pelvic band with inflatable balloon after destruction of the external iliac blood vessels. The 4 groups were compared in terms of 40-min survival rate, bladder pressure, peak lactate value, total blood loss, bleeding rate, infusion rate, and angiographic images. Results:There was no significant difference in the baseline indexes among the 4 groups before experiment, showing comparability ( P>0.05). The 40-min survival rate in group T2 was 83.3% (5/6), significantly higher than that in groups D and T1 [0% (0/6) and 0% (0/6)] ( P<0.05). There were no significant differences among groups C, D, T1 and T2 in bladder pressure [(6.67±1.03) mmHg, (5.83±1.94) mmHg, (6.00±1.55) mmHg, and (6.00±1.10) mmHg] or in total blood loss among groups D, T1 and T2[(1,198.0±182.9) mL, (1,252.0±148.4) mL, and (1,150.0±125.7) mL] (all P>0.05). The peak lactate value in group T2 [(2.26±0.24) mmol/L] was significantly lower than that in group D [(5.00±0.60) mmol/L] and group T1 [(3.86±0.57) mmol/L], and the bleeding rate and infusion rate in group T2 [(25.83±5.49) mL/min and (26.00±4.69) mL/min] were also significantly lower than those in group D [(83.50±19.85) mL/min and (71.50±29.11) mL/min] and group T1 [(54.17±15.59) mL/min and (54.17±8.98) mL/min] (all P<0.05). Angiography showed contrast agent extravasation in group T2, especially from the artery, but the extravasation speed in group T2 was significantly slower than that in group D. Conclusion:In a swine model of hemodynamically unstable pelvic fracture, our self-designed pelvic band with inflatable balloon has a definite hemostatic effect on vascular injury which is better than that of a simple pelvic band.

Objective:To determine the effects of preperitoneal balloon (PPB) tamponade with different volumes of fluid on hemodynamically unstable pelvic fracture-associated arterial and venous hemorrhage in a swine model.Methods:A model of open-book pelvic fracture with injuries to external iliac vessels was established in 18 female 12-month old Bama miniature pigs. After the successful establishment of hemodynamically unstable pelvic fracture with vascular injury was confirmed by contrast agent imaging, the animals were randomized into 3 even groups ( n=6): a control group (group C) subjected to PPB tamponade with 0 mL fluid injected, group T1 subjected to PPB tamponade with 500-mL fluid injected, and group T2 subjected to PPB tamponade with 1,000-mL fluid injected. The 3 groups were compared in terms of 60-min survival rate, balloon pressure, peritoneal pressure, bladder pressure, 70-min survival rate, blood loss, and infusion volume. Results:There was no statistically significant difference in the basic hemodynamic or other experimental indicators among the 3 groups before experiment, indicating comparability ( P>0.05). The 60-min survival rate in group T2 was 100.0% (6/6), significantly higher than those in group C and group T1 [0.0% (0/6), 0.0% (0/6)] ( P<0.05). After fluid injection, the balloon pressure and preperitoneal pressure in group T2 were respectively (127.2±4.7) mmHg and (34.5±3.6) mmHg, significantly higher than those in group T1 [(78.7±3.8) mmHg and (13.7±2.8) mmHg] and in group C [0 mmHg and (9.0±1.4) mmHg], and the 2 indicators in group T1 were significantly higher than those in group C (all P<0.05). After fluid injection, there was no statistically significant difference among groups C, T1, and T2 in bladder pressure [(6.7±1.0) mmHg, (5.8±1.9) mmHg, and (6.0±1.1) mmHg] or in bleeding volume [(1,163.0±191.3) mL, (1,212.0±148.4) mL, and (975.0±133.2) mL] (all P≥ 0.05). The infusion volume in group T1 [(1,250.0±225.8) mL] was significantly larger than that in group C [(951.7±177.8) mL] ( P<0.05). No colorectal or bladder injuries were found by the anatomy of the experimental animals in 3 groups. Conclusions:PPB tamponade with 1,000-mL fluid injected in a swine model can efficiently control pelvic fracture-associated arterial and venous hemorrhage, and increase the 60-min survival rate with no colorectal or bladder injuries.

Retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) is primarily impaired in age-related macular degeneration (AMD), leading to progressive loss of photoreceptors and sometimes choroidal neovascularization (CNV). mTOR has been proposed as a promising therapeutic target, while the usage of its specific inhibitor, rapamycin, was greatly limited. To mediate the mTOR pathway in the retina by a noninvasive approach, we developed novel biomimetic nanocomplexes where rapamycin-loaded nanoparticles were coated with cell membrane derived from macrophages (termed as MRaNPs). Taking advantage of the macrophage-inherited property, intravenous injection of MRaNPs exhibited significantly enhanced accumulation in the CNV lesions, thereby increasing the local concentration of rapamycin. Consequently, MRaNPs effectively downregulated the mTOR pathway and attenuate angiogenesis in the eye. Particularly, MRaNPs also efficiently activated autophagy in the RPE, which was acknowledged to rescue RPE in response to deleterious stimuli. Overall, we design and prepare macrophage-disguised rapamycin nanocarriers and demonstrate the therapeutic advantages of employing biomimetic cell membrane materials for treatment of AMD.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most intractable malignancy, with an only 6% 5-year relative survival rate. The dismal therapeutic effect is attributed to the chemotherapy resistance and unique pathophysiology with abundant inflammatory cytokines and abnormal hyperplasia of extracellular matrix (ECM). Based on the theory that bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) can influence the tumorous microenvironment and malignant growth of PDAC, we employed exosomes (Exos) derived from BM-MSCs as PDAC-homing vehicles to surpass the restrictions of pathological ECM and increase the accumulation of therapeutics in tumor site. To overcome chemoresistance of PDAC, paclitaxel (PTX) and gemcitabine monophosphate (GEMP)-an intermediate product of gemcitabine metabolism-were loaded in/on the purified Exos. In this work, the Exo delivery platform showed superiorities in homing and penetrating abilities, which were performed on tumor spheroids and PDAC orthotopic models. Meanwhile, the favorable anti-tumor efficacy and , plus relatively mild systemic toxicity, was found. Loading GEMP and PTX, benefitting from the naturally PDAC selectivity, the Exo platform we constructed performs combined functions on excellent penetrating, anti-matrix and overcoming chemoresistance (Scheme 1). Worth expectantly, the Exo platform may provide a prospective approach for targeted therapies of PDAC.

Objective    To evaluate the efficacy and safety of modified maze Ⅳ (Cox-maze Ⅳ) in hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) patients. Methods    From June 2016 to June 2019, 30 HOCM and persistent atrial fibrillation (pAF) patients received Cox-maze Ⅳ operation with modified extended Morrow operation, including 21 males and 9 females. The average age was 51.36±10.27 years and the average weight was 72.48±11.29 kg. All patients underwent left atrial appendectomy. Recurrence of AF, improvement of symptoms, cardiac function (NYHA) were assessed during follow-up. Results    There was no death during the perioperative period. Postoperative left ventricular outflow tract gradient was significantly decreased compared with that before operation (P<0.01), and all systolic anterior motion (SAM) signs disappeared after operation. Thirty patients were all effectively followed up for 3-40 (16.24±8.26) months. During the follow-up period, there was no death, and the cardiac function (NYHA) of all patients recovered to gradeⅠ-Ⅱ. At the end of follow-up, twenty-four patients (80.00%) maintained sinus rhythm, and twenty-seven patients (90.00%) maintained sinus rhythm after amiodarone conversion. Univariate analysis showed that the smoking history (P=0.04), left atrial diameter≥55 mm before operation (P=0.03), left atrial diameter≥50 mm after operation (P=0.02), postoperative tricuspid regurgitation (P=0.02) were closely related to postoperative AF recurrence. The increase of left atrial diameter after operation was an independent risk factor for AF recurrence (P=0.02). Conclusion    Morrow/Cox-maze Ⅳ procedure is safe and effective in treatment of patients with HOCM complicated with pAF, which helps to maintain postoperative sinus rhythm, and to improve the cardiac function. The increase of left atrial diameter after operation is an independent risk factor for AF recurrence.

Oncogenic microRNAs are essential components in regulating the gene expression of cancer cells. Especially miR21, which is a major player involved of tumor initiation, progression, invasion and metastasis in several cancers. The delivery of anti-miR21 sequences has significant potential for cancer treatment. Nevertheless, since anti-miR21 sequences are extremely unstable and they need to obtain certain concentration to function, it is intensely difficult to build an effective delivery system for them. The purpose of this work is to construct a self-assembled glutathione (GSH)-responsive system with tumor accumulation capacity for effective anti-miR21 delivery and cancer therapy. A novel drug delivery nanosphere carrying millions of anti-miR21 sequences was developed through the rolling circle transcription (RCT) method. GSH-responsive cationic polymer polyethyleneimine (pOEI) was synthesized to protect the nanosphere from degradation by Dicer or other RNase in normal cells and optimize the pompon-like nanoparticle to suitable size. Dehydroascorbic acid (DHA), a targeting molecule, which is a substrate of glucose transporter 1 (GLUT 1) and highly expressed on malignant tumor cells, was connected to pOEI through PEG, and then the polymer was used for contracting a RNA nanospheres into nanopompons. The anti-miR21 nanopompons showed its potential for effective cancer therapy.

Objective To observe the clinical effect of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) characteristic lung rehabilitation in treatment of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and TCM syndrome of lung and kidney qi deficiency at stable period. Methods Sixty patients with stable COPD and lung and kidney qi deficiency syndrome admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine from June to August 2017 were enrolled, and they were divided into routine treatment group and lung rehabilitation treatment group according to the random number table method, each group 30 cases. The routine treatment group was given Seretide (serevent/futicasone) dry powderi nhalation therapy; on the basis of therapy in the routine treatment group, the lung rehabilitation treatment group was treated with TCM characteristic lung rehabilitation technology (acupoint application + Chinese medicine ionic induction + oral administration of Chinese medicine Liuweibuqi granules, delivery at appropriate intervals); both groups were treated for 2 months. The changes of TCM syndrome score, western medicine symptom score, the times of acute exacerbation of COPD, COPD assessment test (CAT) score, lung function indexes: forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), FEV1/forced vital capacity (FVC) were observed before and after treatment in two groups. Results After treatment, TCM syndrome score, western medicine symptom score, CAT score, and after treatment the times of acute exacerbation of COPD in both groups were significantly lower than those before treatment, and the above indexes in the lung rehabilitation treatment group were markedly lower than those in routine treatment group [TCM syndrome score:11.93±1.80 vs. 14.27±2.88, western medicine symptom score: 14.20±2.75 vs. 11.93±4.23, CAT score: 14.87±2.60 vs. 16.23±4.39, the times of acute exacerbation of COPD (times): 0.63±0.49 vs. 0.95±0.83, all P < 0.05]. The improvement of FEV1 in the two groups was not significant; but FEV1/FVC in lung rehabilitation treatment group was obviously higher than that before treatment, FEV1/FVC in lung rehabilitation treatment group was significantly higher than that in the routine treatment group [(57.93±7.27)% vs. (52.49±6.61)%, P < 0.05]. Conclusion The application of TCM characteristic lung rehabilitation in the treatment of COPD patients with stable lung and kidney qi deficiency syndrome based on bronchodilators and glucocorticoids can reduce the number of acute exacerbation, improve the patients' clinical symptoms and living quality, but the improvement of lung function is not significant.

Objective To summarize the perioperative management strategies and early results of modified Morrow expanded operation and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) and coronary atherosclerotic heart disease. Methods Between January 2012 and December 2017, in the Second Inpatient Department of Fuwai Hospital, 32 patients (20 females and 12 males) underwent modified expanded Morrow operation and CABG. The median age was 53.7±8.7 years (interquartile range 37 to 67 years). Preoperative chest distress symptom was found in 24 patients, chest pain symptom was found in 14 patients, history of syncope in 6 patients. Cardiac echocardiography, electrocardiogram, chest X-ray, magnectic resonance imaging (MRI) were performed routinely after operation and follow-up to analyze structure and function of heart and mitral valve. Results All patients underwent modified and expanded Morrow combined with CABG. The preoperative left ventricular outflow tract peak pressure difference (LVOTG) was 40 to 152 (79.6±28.7) mm Hg. Four patients underwent myocardial bridge releasing in the same period, mitral valve replacement in 2 patients, mitral valve angioplasty in 3 patients, Maze operation in 2 patients and tricuspid valveoplasty in 3 patients. There was no hospital mortality. CABG surgery in patients with branches included anterior descending artery in 26 patients, diagonal branch in 16 patients, left circumflex in 8 patients, right coronary artery in 11 patients. There were 15 patients with one coronary artery (CA) bypass graft, 5 patients with two CA bypass grafts, and 12 patients with 3 CA bypass grafts. The average of CA bypass grafts was 1.9±0.6. The postoperative ICU time ranged from 1–13 (4.1±2.8) days and postoperative hospital stay ranged from 7 to 30 (12.6±5.5) days. No severe postoperative complications were found and 1 patient had postoperative incision healing. The postoperative new arrhythmia included left bundle branch block in 6 patients. Compared with the preoperative values, postoperative left ventricular outflow tract peak pressure (79.6±28.7 mm Hg vs. 10.8±5.9 mm Hg, P<0.001), interventricular septum thickness (1.9±0.4 cmvs. 1.3±0.5 cm, P<0.001) were decreased obviously. Mitral valve closure is good or only mild reflux, mitral valve forward movement (SAM sign) disappeared. The patients were followed up for 6-68 months, with an average of 38.8±20.6 months. All patients were followed up with symptoms disappeared or only mild symptoms. NYHA classification decreased Ⅰ to Ⅱ grade after surgery, without long-term mortality, complications or reoperation. Conclusion For patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy with coronary atherosclerotic heart disease, the application of improved expand morrow operation at the same time undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting is safe. It can significantly improve patients' survival and reduce symptoms, play a synergistic effect, and do not increase the patient's surgical complications.