Experimental investigation on confinement of columns with TRC: a comparison between basalt and carbon textile fabrics

The use of Textile Reinforced Concrete (TRC) is a promising solution in the confinement of RC columns. Based on an experimental campaign on 15 short cylindrical RC columns, this work aims to get a better understanding about the performance of basalt textile in the confinement of short RC columns by comparing basalt and carbon TRC. Furthermore, the impact of mixing short steel fibers in the TRC concrete matrix (F/TRC) is investigated. The test results show that columns confined with basalt textile and carbon textile are, in terms of strength and, to some extent, post-elastic behaviour, comparable. Basalt textile seems to be a valid alternative to carbon, without significant loss of performance, and it provides less environmental impact. Columns reinforced with F/TRC show that adding 2.5 Vol.-% of short steel fibers has a beneficial effect in the confinement

Zoledronic acid renders human M1 and M2 macrophages susceptible to Vδ2(+) γδ T cell cytotoxicity in a perforin-dependent manner.

Vδ2(+) T cells are a subpopulation of γδ T cells in humans that are cytotoxic towards cells which accumulate isopentenyl pyrophosphate. The nitrogen-containing bisphosphonate, zoledronic acid (ZA), can induce tumour cell lines to accumulate isopentenyl pyrophosphate, thus rendering them more susceptible to Vδ2(+) T cell cytotoxicity. However, little is known about whether ZA renders other, non-malignant cell types susceptible. In this study we focussed on macrophages (Mϕs), as these cells have been shown to take up ZA. We differentiated peripheral blood monocytes from healthy donors into Mϕs and then treated them with IFN-γ or IL-4 to generate M1 and M2 Mϕs, respectively. We characterised these Mϕs based on their phenotype and cytokine production and then tested whether ZA rendered them susceptible to Vδ2(+) T cell cytotoxicity. Consistent with the literature, IFN-γ-treated Mϕs expressed higher levels of the M1 markers CD64 and IL-12p70, whereas IL-4-treated Mϕs expressed higher levels of the M2 markers CD206 and chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 18. When treated with ZA, both M1 and M2 Mϕs became susceptible to Vδ2(+) T cell cytotoxicity. Vδ2(+) T cells expressed perforin and degranulated in response to ZA-treated Mϕs as shown by mobilisation of CD107a and CD107b to the cell surface. Furthermore, cytotoxicity towards ZA-treated Mϕs was sensitive-at least in part-to the perforin inhibitor concanamycin A. These findings suggest that ZA can render M1 and M2 Mϕs susceptible to Vδ2(+) T cell cytotoxicity in a perforin-dependent manner, which has important implications regarding the use of ZA in cancer immunotherapy

Mycobacteria activate γδ T-cell anti-tumour responses via cytokines from type 1 myeloid dendritic cells: a mechanism of action for cancer immunotherapy

Attenuated and heat-killed mycobacteria display demonstrable activity against cancer in the clinic; however, the induced immune response is poorly characterised and potential biomarkers of response ill-defined. We investigated whether three mycobacterial preparations currently used in the clinic (BCG and heat-killed Mycobacterium vaccae and Mycobacterium obuense) can stimulate anti-tumour effector responses in human γδ T-cells. γδ T-cell responses were characterised by measuring cytokine production, expression of granzyme B and cytotoxicity against tumour target cells. Results show that γδ T-cells are activated by these mycobacterial preparations, as indicated by upregulation of activation marker expression and proliferation. Activated γδ T-cells display enhanced effector responses, as shown by upregulated granzyme B expression, production of the TH1 cytokines IFN-γ and TNF-α, and enhanced degranulation in response to susceptible and zoledronic acid-treated resistant tumour cells. Moreover, γδ T-cell activation is induced by IL-12, IL-1β and TNF-α from circulating type 1 myeloid dendritic cells (DCs), but not from type 2 myeloid DCs or plasmacytoid DCs. Taken together, we show that BCG, M. vaccae and M. obuense induce γδ T-cell anti-tumour effector responses indirectly via a specific subset of circulating DCs and suggest a mechanism for the potential immunotherapeutic effects of BCG, M. vaccae and M. obuense in cancer

Tumour-draining axillary lymph nodes in patients with large and locally advanced breast cancers undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC): the crucial contribution of immune cells (effector, regulatory) and cytokines (TH1, TH2) to immune-mediated tumour cell death induced by NAC

Background The tumour microenvironment consists of malignant cells, stroma and immune cells. In women with large and locally advanced breast cancers (LLABCs) undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC), tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), various subsets (effector, regulatory) and cytokines in the primary tumour play a key role in the induction of tumour cell death and a pathological complete response (pCR) with NAC. Their contribution to a pCR in nodal metastases, however, is poorly studied and was investigated. Methods Axillary lymph nodes (ALNs) (24 with and 9 without metastases) from women with LLABCs undergoing NAC were immunohistochemically assessed for TILs, T effector and regulatory cell subsets, NK cells and cytokine expression using labelled antibodies, employing established semi-quantitative methods. IBM SPSS statistical package (21v) was used. Non-parametric (paired and unpaired) statistical analyses were performed. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were carried out to establish the prediction of a pCR and Spearman’s Correlation Coefficient was used to determine the correlation of immune cell infiltrates in ALN metastatic and primary breast tumours. Results In ALN metastases high levels of TILs, CD4+ and CD8+ T and CD56+ NK cells were significantly associated with pCRs.. Significantly higher levels of Tregs (FOXP3+, CTLA-4+) and CD56+ NK cells were documented in ALN metastases than in the corresponding primary breast tumours. CD8+ T and CD56+ NK cells showed a positive correlation between metastatic and primary tumours. A high % CD8+ and low % FOXP3+ T cells and high CD8+: FOXP3+ ratio in metastatic ALNs (tumour-free para-cortex) were associated with pCRs. Metastatic ALNs expressed high IL-10, low IL-2 and IFN-ϒ. Conclusions Our study has provided new data characterising the possible contribution of T effector and regulatory cells and NK cells and T helper1 and 2 cytokines to tumour cell death associated with NAC in ALNs

Experimental Investigation of Basalt/Fibre Textile Reinforced Concrete Under Uniaxial Tensile Force

Among the various solutions to retrofit existing structures, local strengthening of structural elements with Textile Reinforced Concrete (TRC) is a relatively recent technology which is considered as a possible alternative to the well-known Fibre Reinforced Polymers (FRP). As a matter of fact, due to the drawbacks of FRP, such as the difficulty to be applied on wet surfaces, the hazardousness for the workers who apply the material, and the poor behaviour at high temperature, TRC is recently gaining more popularity. The current concern about environmental issues is leading to a higher interest about the impact of materials production and their disposal at the end of life. With reference thereto, basalt textile fabrics is a material that is gaining attention due to its mechanical performances and low environmental impact. Admixing short fibres in the cementitious matrix of the TRC leads to a new material called Fibre/Textile Reinforced Concrete (F/TRC), which performs significantly bet-ter on strengthening solutions. The aim of this work is to investigate the different behaviour of a layer of Basalt-TRC (B-TRC) and Basalt-F/TRC (B-F/TRC) under tension via uniaxial tensile test. The experimental test campaign comprehends 3 B-TRC and 3 B-F/TRC specimens. The presence of short steel fibres in the cementitious matrix remarkably improves the performances of TRC in terms of maximum tensile force reached during the test and crack distribution. The significant improvement of performances of B-F/TRC com-pared to the B-TRC is expressed by the average maximum force, which increased of about 84%

CONFINEMENT OF COLUMNS WITH TEXTILE REINFORCED CONCRETE: AN EXPERIMENTAL COMPARISON BETWEEN BASALT AND CARBON TEXTILE REINFORCED CONCRETE

Confinement of existing RC columns by means of Textile Reinforced Concrete (TRC) is a technology developed in recent times. When using TRC as a mean of confinement, basalt textile fabrics are of particular interest due to their mechanical properties combined with low environmental impact. Furthermore, research performed by the Authors shows that the concrete matrix admixed with short dispersed fibres significantly improves the performance of TRC strengthening solutions in general. The addition of short dispersed steel fibres in the concrete matrix leads to a new material called Fibre/Textile Reinforced Concrete (F/TRC). Through an experimental campaign, an investigation about the influence on the confinement of the following two variables was conducted: the material of the textile fabric (basalt and carbon), and the presence of short dispersed steel fibres admixed to the concrete matrix. A total of 15 short cylindrical RC columns were tested under uniaxial compression. The results show that the performances of basalt and carbon textiles used for confinement are comparable, both in terms of strength and, to some extent, of post-elastic behaviour, highlighting the possibility of using basalt as an alternative to carbon without significant performance losses and combined with reduced environmental impact. Furthermore, F/TRC solutions outperformed traditional TRC, showing the beneficial effect of the short dispersed steel fibres to the performance of the strengthened specimens

CONFINEMENT OF COLUMNS WITH TEXTILE REINFORCED CONCRETE: AN EXPERIMENTAL COMPARISON BETWEEN BASALT AND CARBON TEXTILE REINFORCED CONCRETE

Confinement of existing RC columns by means of Textile Reinforced Concrete (TRC) is a technology developed in recent times. When using TRC as a mean of confinement, basalt textile fabrics are of particular interest due to their mechanical properties combined with low environmental impact. Furthermore, research performed by the Authors shows that the concrete matrix admixed with short dispersed fibres significantly improves the performance of TRC strengthening solutions in general. The addition of short dispersed steel fibres in the concrete matrix leads to a new material called Fibre/Textile Reinforced Concrete (F/TRC). Through an experimental campaign, an investigation about the influence on the confinement of the following two variables was conducted: the material of the textile fabric (basalt and carbon), and the presence of short dispersed steel fibres admixed to the concrete matrix. A total of 15 short cylindrical RC columns were tested under uniaxial compression. The results show that the performances of basalt and carbon textiles used for confinement are comparable, both in terms of strength and, to some extent, of post-elastic behaviour, highlighting the possibility of using basalt as an alternative to carbon without significant performance losses and combined with reduced environmental impact. Furthermore, F/TRC solutions outperformed traditional TRC, showing the beneficial effect of the short dispersed steel fibres to the performance of the strengthened specimens

Experimental investigation on confinement of columns with TRC: a comparison between basalt and carbon textile fabrics

The use of Textile Reinforced Concrete (TRC) is a promising solution in the confinement of RC columns. Based on an experimental campaign on 15 short cylindrical RC columns, this work aims to get a better understanding about the performance of basalt textile in the confinement of short RC columns by comparing basalt and carbon TRC. Furthermore, the impact of mixing short steel fibers in the TRC concrete matrix (F/TRC) is investigated. The test results show that columns confined with basalt textile and carbon textile are, in terms of strength and, to some extent, post-elastic behaviour, comparable. Basalt textile seems to be a valid alternative to carbon, without significant loss of performance, and it provides less environmental impact. Columns reinforced with F/TRC show that adding 2.5 Vol.-% of short steel fibers has a beneficial effect in the confinement