Shedding Light on Dasineura oleae Parasitoids: Local and Landscape Effects

Dasineura oleae was considered a minor pest in olive orchards. However, in the last decade, outbreaks have been reported all over its distribution area. Little is known about D. oleae biological control strategies; therefore, investigations into the biology and ecology of D. oleae parasitoids are urgently needed. In this scenario, the present field study reported the flight period of D. oleae parasitoids, evaluating their relative abundance over other parasitoids living in olive orchards. Furthermore, it estimated the effect of local and landscape features on D. oleae parasitoids within the frame of the overall parasitoid community. Lastly, we aimed to provide useful insights into the effectiveness of parasitoids for D. oleae population management. Hymenopteran parasitoids were sampled using Malaise traps in six sampling sites in central Italy. Results showed that Platygaster demades was the most abundant D. oleae parasitoid. Its presence was associated with high rates of D. oleae parasitism. The abundance of this parasitoid was influenced by the abundance of seminatural habitats

Ecological intensification: multifunctional flower strips support beneficial arthropods in an organic apple orchard

Flower strips are a fundamental part of agri-environment schemes in the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). Although vegetation is central for many arthropod groups, a few studies have evaluated the effects of flower strip structural and functional attributes on arthropod communities. In this study, we explored the relationship between flower strip attributes and the abundance of different arthropod functional groups in annual flower strips located in an organic apple orchard. We surveyed plant and arthropod communities in 30 1 m × 6 m plots. In each plot, we collected data on species composition and vegetation structure (e.g., total cover, density, number of floral displays). For each plant species, we also retrieved data on leaf palatability and nutritional value. Arthropods were collected using sweep netting technique. Structural and functional attributes of the flower strip revealed a crucial role in regulating arthropod abundance, which however depended on the specific arthropod functional group. We identified three main attributes (plant species richness, composition, and vegetation density) of flower strips that should be considered when implementing multifunctional flower strips. Specifically, plant species richness to ensure complementarity of resources and niches, plant species composition to ensure complementary floral resources, and vegetation density to ensure sheltering microhabitats and suitable microclimatic conditions and to increase the density of floral resources. Our results suggest that by considering structural and functional attributes of flower strips, it is possible to design multifunctional flower strips with greater effectiveness as measures for ecological intensification

Ground-dwelling arthropods as biodiversity indicators in maize agroecosystems of Northern Italy

Reliable monitoring of arthropod diversity in a given agroecosystem is essential for the conservation of the related ecosystem services, such as biological control. The often daunting complexity of arthropod collection and identification, however, highlights the need for surrogate taxa that can be easily sampled and be representative of a number of other taxa in term of diversity, general community features and specific composition. In this study, we used pitfall traps to sample three ground-dwelling arthropod taxa important as biocontrol agents (ground beetles, rove beetles and spiders) in 9 conventionally managed maize agroecosystems of Northern Italy over the course of two years, with the goal of characterizing their assemblages and evaluating their reciprocal potential as indicators of activity density, species richness, community turnover and species co-occurrence. Although dominated by few generalist species, sampled arthropod communities were relatively species-rich, and included the first Italian record of the spider Zelotes metellus (Roewer) (Araneae: Gnaphosidae). Ground beetles as a group were confirmed as promising indicators for the species richness and community composition turnover of rove beetles and spiders. Additionally, several abundant arthropod species acted as indicators of the species richness of their respective groups, and the ground beetle Pterostichus macer (Marsham) also worked as an indicator of overall rove beetle activity density. While the co-occurrence of individual arthropod species was limited for the studied taxa, a few species such as the ground beetle Parophonus maculicornis (Duftschmid) did show promise as species-specific bioindicators. Our results could be useful in improving the monitoring and management of these important natural enemies in maize-growing regions

Ground-dwelling arthropods as biodiversity indicators in maize agroecosystems of Northern Italy

Reliable monitoring of arthropod diversity in a given agroecosystem is essential for the conservation of the related ecosystem services, such as biological control. The often daunting complexity of arthropod collection and identification, however, highlights the need for surrogate taxa that can be easily sampled and be representative of a number of other taxa in term of diversity, general community features and specific composition. In this study, we used pitfall traps to sample three ground-dwelling arthropod taxa important as biocontrol agents (ground beetles, rove beetles and spiders) in 9 conventionally managed maize agroecosystems of Northern Italy over the course of two years, with the goal of characterizing their assemblages and evaluating their reciprocal potential as indicators of activity density, species richness, community turnover and species co-occurrence. Although dominated by few generalist species, sampled arthropod communities were relatively species-rich, and included the first Italian record of the spider Zelotes metellus (Roewer) (Araneae: Gnaphosidae). Ground beetles as a group were confirmed as promising indicators for the species richness and community composition turnover of rove beetles and spiders. Additionally, several abundant arthropod species acted as indicators of the species richness of their respective groups, and the ground beetle Pterostichus macer (Marsham) also worked as an indicator of overall rove beetle activity density. While the co-occurrence of individual arthropod species was limited for the studied taxa, a few species such as the ground beetle Parophonus maculicornis (Duftschmid) did show promise as species-specific bioindicators. Our results could be useful in improving the monitoring and management of these important natural enemies in maize-growing regions

Influence of cover crop termination on ground dwelling arthropods in organic vegetable systems

open7noA key aspect in cover crop management is termination before the cash crop is planted. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of termination methods on ground-dwelling arthropods. The conventional mechanical termination method—i.e., green manuring by means of a disc harrow—was compared to flattening using a roller crimper. Two different crop systems were investigated for two growing seasons; cauliflower was grown in autumn after the termination of a mixture of cowpea, pearl millet, and radish, and tomato was cropped in spring and summer after the termination of a mixture of barley and vetch. Ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae), rove beetles (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae), and spiders (Araneae) were sampled by means of standard pitfall traps throughout the growing season of both cash crops. The roller crimper increased the overall abundance of ground beetles in the first growing season of both cash crops, whereas in the second year, no significant effect could be detected. Rove beetles were more abundant in plots where the cover crops were terminated by the roller crimper. Finally, green manuring increased the abundance of spiders, especially on the first sampling date after cover crop termination. Albeit different taxa showed different responses, the termination of cover crops by a roller crimper generally increased the abundance of ground dwelling arthropods. Given that most of the sampled species were generalist predators, their increased abundance could possibly improve biological control.openDepalo L.; Burgio G.; Magagnoli S.; Sommaggio D.; Montemurro F.; Canali S.; Masetti A.Depalo L.; Burgio G.; Magagnoli S.; Sommaggio D.; Montemurro F.; Canali S.; Masetti A

Adoptive cell therapy of triple negative breast cancer with redirected cytokine-induced killer cells

Cytokine-Induced Killer (CIK) cells share several functional and phenotypical properties of both T and natural killer (NK) cells. They represent an attractive approach for cell-based immunotherapy, as they do not require antigen-specific priming for tumor cell recognition, and can be rapidly expanded in vitro. Their relevant expression of Fc\u3b3RIIIa (CD16a) can be exploited in combination with clinical-grade monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to redirect their lytic activity in an antigen-specific manner. Here, we report the efficacy of this combined approach against triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), an aggressive tumor that still requires therapeutic options. Different primitive and metastatic TNBC cancer mouse models were established in NSG mice, either by implanting patient-derived TNBC samples or injecting MDA-MB-231 cells orthotopically or intravenously. The combined treatment consisted in the repeated intratumoral or intravenous injection of CIK cells and cetuximab. Tumor growth and metastasis were monitored by bioluminescence or immunohistochemistry, and survival was recorded. CIK cells plus cetuximab significantly restrained primitive tumor growth in mice, either in patient-derived tumor xenografts or MDA-MB-231 cell line models. Moreover, this approach almost completely abolished metastasis spreading and dramatically improved survival. The antigen-specific mAb favored tumor and metastasis tissue infiltration by CIK cells, and led to an enrichment of the CD16a+ subset. Data highlight the potentiality of this novel immunotherapy strategy where a nonspecific cytotoxic cell population can be converted into tumor-specific effectors with clinical-grade antibodies, thus providing not only a therapeutic option for TNBC but also a valid alternative to more complex approaches based on chimeric antigen receptor-engineered cells. List of abbreviations: ACT, Adoptive Cell Transfer; ADCC, Antibody-Dependent Cell-mediated Cytotoxicity; ADP, Adenosine diphosphate; BLI, Bioluminescence Imaging; CAR, Chimeric Antigen Receptor; CIK, Cytokine Induced Killer cells; CTX, Cetuximab; DMEM, Dulbecco\u2019s Modified Eagle Medium; EGFR, Human Epidermal Growth Factor 1; ER, Estrogen; FBS, Fetal Bovine Serum; FFPE, Formalin-Fixed Paraffin-Embedded; GMP, Good Manufacturing Practices; GVHD, Graft Versus Host Disease; HER2, Human Epidermal Growth Factor 2; HRP, Horseradish Peroxidase; IFN-\u3b3, Interferon-\u3b3; IHC, Immunohistochemistry; IL-2, Interleukin-2; ISO, Irrelevant antibody; i.t., intratumoral; i.v., intravenous, mAbs, Monoclonal Antibodies; mIHC, Multiplex Fluorescence Immunohistochemistry; MHC, Major Histocompatibility Complex; NK, Natural Killer; NKG2D, Natural-Killer group 2 member D; NSG, NOD/SCID common \u3b3 chain knockout; PARP, Poly ADP-ribose polymerase; PBMCs, Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells; PBS, Phosphate-buffered saline; PDX, Patient-derived xenograft; PR, Progesterone; rhIFN-\u3b3, Recombinant Human Interferon-\u3b3; RPMI, Roswell Park Memorial Institute; STR, Short tandem Repeat; TCR, T Cell Receptor; TNBC, Triple Negative Breast Cancer; TSA, Tyramide Signal Amplification

A BARF1-specific mAb as a new immunotherapeutic tool for the management of EBV-related tumors.

The use of monoclonal antibodies (mAb) for the diagnosis and treatment of malignancies is acquiring an increasing clinical importance, thanks to their specificity, efficacy and relative easiness of use. However, in the context of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-related malignancies, only cancers of B-cell origin can benefit from therapeutic mAb targeting specific B-cell lineage antigens. To overcome this limitation, we generated a new mAb specific for BARF1, an EBV-encoded protein with transforming and immune-modulating properties. BARF1 is expressed as a latent protein in nasopharyngeal (NPC) and gastric carcinoma (GC), and also in neoplastic B cells mainly upon lytic cycle induction, thus representing a potential target for all EBV-related malignancies. Considering that BARF1 is largely but not exclusively secreted, the BARF1 mAb was selected on the basis of its ability to bind a domain of the protein retained at the cell surface of tumor cells. In vitro, the newly generated mAb recognized the target molecule in its native conformation, and was highly effective in mediating both ADCC and CDC against BARF1-positive tumor cells. In vivo, biodistribution analysis in mice engrafted with BARF1-positive and -negative tumor cells confirmed its high specificity for the target. More importantly, the mAb disclosed a relevant antitumor potential in preclinical models of NPC and lymphoma, as evaluated in terms of both reduction of tumor masses and long-term survival. Taken together, these data not only confirm BARF1 as a promising target for immunotherapeutic interventions, but also pave the way for a successful translation of this new mAb to the clinical use

Come to the dark side! The role of functional traits in shaping dark diversity patterns of south-eastern European hoverflies

1. Dark diversity represents the set of species that can potentially inhabit a given area under particular ecological conditions, but are currently 'missing' from a site. This concept allows characterisation of the mechanisms determining why species are sometimes absent from an area that seems ecologically suitable for them. 2. The aim of this study was to determine the dark diversity of hoverflies in south-eastern Europe and to discuss the role of different functional traits that might increase the likelihood of species contributing to dark diversity. Based on expert opinion, the Syrph the Net database and known occurrences of species, the study estimated species pools, and observed and dark diversities within each of 11 defined vegetation types for 564 hoverfly species registered in south-eastern Europe. To detect the most important functional traits contributing to species being in dark diversity across different vegetation types, a random forest algorithm and respective statistics for variable importance were used. 3. The highest dark diversity was found for southwest Balkan sub-Mediterranean mixed oak forest type, whereas the lowest was in Mediterranean mixed forest type. Three larval feeding modes (saproxylic, and phytophagous on bulbs or roots) were found to be most important for determining the probability of a species contributing to hoverfly dark diversity, based on univariate correlations and random forest analysis. 4. This study shows that studying dark diversity might provide important insights into what drives community assembly in south-eastern European hoverflies, especially its missing components, and contributes to more precise conservation prioritisation of both hoverfly species and their habitats.Peer reviewe