Post-exposure prophylaxis with sotrovimab for Omicron (B.1.1.529) SARS-CoV-2 variant during the aplastic phase of autologous stem cell transplantation

Background To date, there is no information on the safety and efficacy of the novel anti-sarbecoviruses monoclonal antibody sotrovimab administered, as a post-exposure prophylactic measure, during the aplastic phase of autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). Methods We describe the outcomes of a Multiple Myeloma (MM) patient, who was threateningly exposed to the Omicron (B.1.1.529) SARS-CoV-2 variant, two days after having received a myeloablative regimen of high-dose melphalan. The patient fulfilled all CDC criteria for prolonged close contacts with an index patient who tested positive for a molecular nasopharyngeal swab (Omicron; B.1.1.529) soon after admission to the ward. Given the high risks of morbidity and mortality in the case of COVID-19 developing during the aplastic phase of transplantation, we adopted a post-exposure prophylaxis intervention based on intravenous (i.v.) sotrovimab

A soil fungus confers plant resistance against a phytophagous insect by disrupting the symbiotic role of its gut microbiota

Plants generate energy flows through natural food webs, driven by competition for resources among organisms, which are part of a complex network of multitrophic interactions. Here, we demonstrate that the interaction between tomato plants and a phytophagous insect is driven by a hidden interplay between their respective microbiotas. Tomato plants colonized by the soil fungus Trichoderma afroharzianum, a beneficial microorganism widely used in agriculture as a biocontrol agent, negatively affects the development and survival of the lepidopteran pest Spodoptera littoralis by altering the larval gut microbiota and its nutritional support to the host. Indeed, experiments aimed to restore the functional microbial community in the gut allow a complete rescue. Our results shed light on a novel role played by a soil microorganism in the modulation of plant-insect interaction, setting the stage for a more comprehensive analysis of the impact that biocontrol agents may have on ecological sustainability of agricultural systems

Impact of Deformed Wing Virus infection on honey bee gut microbiota

Honey bee health decline represents a problem of global importance for the remarkable impact of these pollinators on the environment and human economy. The reduced bee survival is the final result of a multifactorial syndrome triggered by several stress factors, that may synergistically interact, inducing a reduction of bee immunocompetence. A common element to all collapsing colonies is the high loads of parasites and associated pathogens, such as Deformed Wing Virus (DVW). DWV is an endemic immunosuppressive virus that generates asymptomatic covert infections, kept in check by the bees' immune system when not exposed to stress agents which weaken antiviral barriers. Here we focus on the role that DWV viral infections can have on the modulation of honey bee microbiota. We compared microbiota composition of bees with low and high DWV levels, pointing out the occurrence of a gut dysbiosis in highly infected bees, which are characterized by a reduced level of Lactobacillus species. The comprehension of DWV effect on microbiota will likely allow to define blends of probiotic microorganisms which may help to rescue the decay of honey bee immune competence

Multidimensional evaluation of telepresence robot: Results from a field trial

The European population is getting older; many elderlies would like to live independently in their homes as long as possible. In this context, a robotic telepresence service could support the frail persons in their homes, empowering their social relationships. In this work, 10 frail elderly were asked to live with a telepresence robot (i.e. Double Robot), through which the formal caregiver could remotely visit and chat with them. A total of 169 days of field-test trial was evaluated before (TO) and after (TF) the tests with a multidimensional framework, including acceptance, usability, and expectation domains. The system was used for 2871 mins, and the results underline good usability- and acceptance- related domains (average score equals to 70.83 at TF) and expectation (average score equal to 67.01 at TF). Results remark that expectation could influence the potential and the real use of the robot. Additionally, a positive trend in the answers was identified between T0 and TF. Indeed, the evaluation of a system should envisage a complex, multidisciplinary and holistic approach, that may influence the success or failure of the robot's purpose, if not properly analysed during the evaluation and design phase

T cells from paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria (PNH) patients show an altered CD40-dependent pathway.

Paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria (PNH) is a haematopoiesis disorder characterized by the expansion of a stem cell bearing a somatic mutation in the phosphatidylinositol glycan-A (PIG-A) gene, which is involved in the biosynthesis of the glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor. A number of data suggest the inability of the PIG-A mutation to account alone for the clonal dominance of the GPI-defective clone and for the development of PNH. In this context, additional immune-mediated mechanisms have been hypothesized. We focused on the analysis of T lymphocytes in three PNH patients bearing a mixed GPI(+) and GPI(-) T cell population and showing a marked cytopenia. To analyze the biological mechanisms underlying the control of T cell homeostasis in PNH, we addressed the study of CD40-dependent pathways, suggested to be of crucial relevance for the control of autoreactive T cell clones. Our data revealed significant, functional alterations in GPI(+) and GPI(-) T cell compartments. In the GPI(-) T cells, severe defects in T cell receptor-dependent proliferation, interferon-gamma production, CD25, CD54, and human leukocyte antigen-DR surface expression were observed. By contrast, GPI(+) T lymphocytes showed a significant increase of all these parameters, and the analysis of CD40-dependent pathways revealed a functional persistence of CD154 expression on the CD48(+)CD4(+) lymphocytes. The alterations of the GPI(+) T cell subset could be involved in the biological mechanisms underlying PNH pathogenesis