Abstract. Clues to previous ice sheet structure and long-term glaciological processes are preserved in the internal layering configuration of the Greenland ice sheet. Information about these internal layers has been retrieved over many parts of the ice sheet with the University of Kansas ice-penetrating radar. We report on the coherence of these layers over very large distances, describe a method of tracing these layers along thousands of kilometers of flight line, and do so for one flight during the 1999 Program for Arctic Regional Climate Assessment (PARCA) aircraft campaign. We determine the ages of these layers, based on information at the GRIP ice core site, and extend these ages along the flight line to Camp Century, where they are compared to modeled-derived age estimates. These ages agree with each other to between 2 and 15%, differences that can be substantially reduced with minor changes to the model parameters (accumulation rate and shear layer depth). Finally, we are able to derive estimates of accumulation rates along the flight line by fitting the age-depth data from layer tracing to a Dansgaard-Johnsen model with a minimization technique, providing estimates that match recent accumulation patterns within a few centimeters per year.

High-performance anionic waterborne polyurethane/Ag nanocomposites synthesized via in situ reduction.

Radiation resistance is linked to immune escaping and radiation sensitivity. In this study, we found that the PD-L1 expressions of non-killed tumor cells in NSCLC were enhanced after radiotherapy, and dihydroartemisinin (DHA) could synergistically enhance the antitumor effect of radiotherapy in NSCLC. A total of 48 NSCLC patients with sufficient tumor tissues for further analyses were enrolled. The PD-L1 expressions of NSCLC were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Cell apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry, and the relationship between the PD-L1 expression and radiation resistance was investigated in patient specimens, xenograft model, and cell lines. First, the results indicate that the PD-L1 expression of NSCLC was positively related with the radiation resistance. Second, we found that DHA could eliminate the radiation resistance and synergistically enhance the antitumor effect of radiotherapy in the NSCLC cells lines and xenograft model. Finally, mechanistically, DHA could inhibit the PD-L1 expression to avoid immune escaping by inhibiting TGF-b, PI3K/Akt, and STAT3 signaling pathways. In addition, DHA could activate TRIM21 and regulate the EMT-related proteins by inhibiting the PD-L1 so as to enhance the radiation sensitivity and eliminate radiation resistance to NSCLC. Collectively, this study established a basis for the rational design of integrated radiotherapy and DHA for the treatment of NSCLC.

Radiotherapy is an effective local treatment modality of NSCLC. Its capabilities of eliminating tumor cells by inducing double strand DNA (dsDNA) damage and modulating anti-tumor immune response in irradiated and nonirradiated sites have been elucidated. The novel ICIs therapy has brought hope to patients resistant to traditional treatment methods, including radiotherapy. The integration of radiotherapy with immunotherapy has shown improved efficacy to control tumor progression and prolong survival in NSCLC. In this context, biomarkers that help choose the most effective treatment modality for individuals and avoid unnecessary toxicities caused by ineffective treatment are urgently needed. This article summarized the effects of radiation in the tumor immune microenvironment and the mechanisms involved. Outcomes of multiple clinical trials investigating immuno-radiotherapy were also discussed here. Furthermore, we outlined the emerging biomarkers for the efficacy of PD-1/PD-L1 blockades and radiation therapy and discussed their predictive value in NSCLC.