Efficient and Robust NK-Cell Transduction With Baboon Envelope Pseudotyped Lentivector

NK-cell resistance to transduction is a major technical hurdle for developing NK-cell immunotherapy. By using Baboon envelope pseudotyped lentiviral vectors (BaEV-LVs) encoding eGFP, we obtained a transduction rate of 23.0 ± 6.6% (mean ± SD) in freshly-isolated human NK-cells (FI-NK) and 83.4 ± 10.1% (mean ± SD) in NK-cells obtained from the NK-cell Activation and Expansion System (NKAES), with a sustained transgene expression for at least 21 days. BaEV-LVs outperformed Vesicular Stomatitis Virus type-G (VSV-G)-, RD114- and Measles Virus (MV)- pseudotyped LVs (p < 0.0001). mRNA expression of both BaEV receptors, ASCT1 and ASCT2, was detected in FI-NK and NKAES, with higher expression in NKAES. Transduction with BaEV-LVs encoding for CAR-CD22 resulted in robust CAR-expression on 38.3 ± 23.8% (mean ± SD) of NKAES cells, leading to specific killing of NK-resistant pre-B-ALL-RS4;11 cell line. Using a larger vector encoding a dual CD19/CD22-CAR, we were able to transduce and re-expand dual-CAR-expressing NKAES, even with lower viral titer. These dual-CAR-NK efficiently killed both CD19KO- and CD22KO-RS4;11 cells. Our results suggest that BaEV-LVs may efficiently enable NK-cell biological studies and translation of NK-cell-based immunotherapy to the clinic

A Semi-Empirical Damage Evaluation Criterion for Thin Composite Impact Analysis

The present work aimed to develop a semi-empirical criterion able to describe impact events on GFRP and CFRP (glass and carbon fiber reinforced polymers) composite thin laminates: these events are able to generate large damages involving multiple mechanisms such as matrix cracking, fiber failure and, above all, delamination. Main purpose of this research was to obtain an accurate numerical description of the impact region in terms of damage extension and depth without the modelization of the adhesive layers. Starting from an experimental campaign of drop-weight impact tests on representative specimens and the implementation of related numerical Ansys LS-DYNA models exploiting equivalent shell approach, a damage criterion was developed and calibrated and a numerical tool was written and implemented within the LsPrePost, evaluating its reliability by means of correlation with the drop tests

Hemiptera and Coleoptera on Chenopodium quinoa

Heteroptera and Coleoptera, collected in experimental fields of Chenopodium quinoa, are reported. Twelve species of Heteroptera and five species of Coleoptera were recorded; a large number of the phytophagous species, Lygus rugulipennis, Orthotylus flavosparsus, Aphis craccivora, A. fabae and Chaetocnema tibialis, and of the predator Hippodamia variegata were found

Concepts and tools for exploiting sessile bio-filters as early warning elements: introductory applications for marine ecosystem preservation

Current evidence suggests that integrating diverse warning systems at different biological levels may not only increase the probability of detecting threats but also mitigate their impact. Here, we propose the use of both molecular and morphological descriptors at different biological levels in sessile bivalves (a suitable biological model in monitoring programs) to collect information on the ecosystem health of coastal marine habitats. In this context, studies may be implemented on biomarkers to exploit some population features, with the aim to propose an actual monitoring program that predictively would provide possible scenarios on the species fitness and ecosystem changes. Thus, the use of quality biotic elements may provide an objective environmental monitoring method and facilitate the development of sanitary, economic, and social strategies related to sustainable exploitation