NK cells enhance CAR-T cell antitumor efficacy by enhancing immune/tumor cells cluster formation and improving CAR-T cell fitness.

Background: Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell immunotherapy has modified the concept of treatment in hematological malignancies. In comparison with pediatric patients, where responses are maintained over many years, older patients, such as those with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) and multiple myeloma (MM), present lower persistence of CAR-T cells that might be due to decreased fitness of T cells acquired with aging. Moreover, cord blood derived-NK cells (CB-NKs) and CAR-NK cells derived from CB-NK can be used 'off-the-shelf' as immune cells with antitumor properties for the treatment of cancer patients.

Clinical evaluation of a Hepatitis C Virus whole-genome sequencing pipeline for genotyping and resistance testing.

Objectives: We sought to evaluate clinically a hepatitis C virus (HCV) whole-genome, next-generation sequencing (NGS) pipeline that is agnostic to viral genotype.

Methods: Performance of the NGS pipeline was assessed through comparison of results with Sanger sequencing (SS) of partial HCV genomes.

Results: There was 98.

Impact of combined α-galactosidase and xylanase enzymes on growth performance, nutrients digestibility, chyme viscosity, and enzymes activity of broilers fed corn-soybean diets.

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of a combined α-galactosidase and xylanase preparation on nutrients digestibility and growth performance in broiler chickens. Experiment 1 had 240 broilers allocated to 3 treatments with the dietary supplementation of 0, 300, and 500 g/t of the enzyme combination. Diet and amino acid (AA) digestibility were assessed.

Human Herpes-8 virus copy to cell ratio: A diagnostic tool in primary effusion lymphoma.

Primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) is a serious sequel to Human Herpes Virus 8 (HHV8) infection in the immunosuppressed host. Usually requiring a cytological diagnosis, body cavity effusions are often referred for investigation for possible PEL. Although absence of HHV8 effectively refutes this, the presence of HHV8 DNA, though indicative is not diagnostic.

One pathogen two stones: are Australian tree frog antimicrobial peptides synergistic against human pathogens?

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) may act by targeting the lipid membranes and disrupting the bilayer structure. In this study, three AMPs from the skin of Australian tree frogs, aurein 1.2, maculatin 1.

The Effect of Nucleic Acid Extraction Platforms and Sample Storage on the Integrity of Viral RNA for Use in Whole Genome Sequencing.

Extraction of viral RNA and the storage of sample material are extremely important factors in the detection and whole genome sequencing (WGS) of viral pathogens. Although PCR-based detection methods focus on small amplicons, viral WGS applications require RNA of high quality and integrity for adequate sequence coverage and depth. This study examined the fitness of one manual and four automated RNA extraction platforms commonly used in diagnostic laboratories for use in metagenomic sequencing, how the practice of storing sample material in Qiagen buffer AVL before extraction affected the integrity of viral RNA and its suitability for use in amplicon-based WGS methods, and how the addition of Triton X-100 to buffer AVL affected the capability of the extraction platforms and the integrity of viral RNA in stored samples.

Salmosan, a β-galactomannan-rich product, in combination with Lactobacillus plantarum contributes to restore intestinal epithelial barrier function by modulation of cytokine production.

Mannan-oligosaccharides (MOSs) are mannose-rich substrates with several intestinal health-promoting properties. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential capacity of Salmosan (S-βGM), a β-galactomannan-rich MOS product, to restore epithelial barrier function independently from its capacity to reduce bacterial invasion. In addition, the combination of S-βGM with the proven probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum (LP) was also tested.

Evidence of the Key Role of HO in Phospholipid Membrane Morphology.

This study explains the importance of the phosphate moiety and HO in controlling the ionic flux through phospholipid membranes. We show that despite an increase in the HO concentration when the pH is decreased, the level of ionic conduction through phospholipid bilayers is reduced. By modifying the lipid structure, we show the dominant determinant of membrane conduction is the hydrogen bonding between the phosphate oxygens on adjacent phospholipids.

Salmosan, a β-Galactomannan-Rich Product, Protects Epithelial Barrier Function in Caco-2 Cells Infected by Salmonella enterica Serovar Enteritidis.

Background: One promising strategy for reducing human salmonellosis induced by Salmonella Enteritidis is to supplement animal diets with natural feed additives such as mannan oligosaccharides (MOSs).

Objective: We sought to investigate the potential role of Salmosan (S-βGM), an MOS product extremely rich in β-galactomannan, in preventing epithelial barrier function disruption induced by S. Enteritidis colonization in an in vitro model of intestinal Caco-2 cells in culture.

The assembly and use of tethered bilayer lipid membranes (tBLMs).

Because they are firmly held in place, tethered bilayer lipid membranes (tBLMs) are considerably more robust than supported lipid bilayers such as black lipid membranes (BLMs) (Cornell et al. Nature 387(6633): 580-583, 1997). Here we describe the procedures required to assemble and test tethered lipid bilayers that can incorporate various lipid species, peptides, and ion channel proteins.

Implementing electronic identification for performance recording in sheep: I. Manual versus semiautomatic and automatic recording systems in dairy and meat farms.

With the aim of assessing the secondary benefits of using electronic identification (e-ID) in sheep farms, we compared the use of manual (M), semiautomatic (SA), and automatic (AU) data-collection systems for performance recording (i.e., milk, lambing, and weight) in 3 experiments.

Transient potential gradients and impedance measures of tethered bilayer lipid membranes: pore-forming peptide insertion and the effect of electroporation.

In this work, we present experimental data, supported by a quantitative model, on the generation and effect of potential gradients across a tethered bilayer lipid membrane (tBLM) with, to the best of our knowledge, novel architecture. A challenge to generating potential gradients across tBLMs arises from the tethering coordination chemistry requiring an inert metal such as gold, resulting in any externally applied voltage source being capacitively coupled to the tBLM. This in turn causes any potential across the tBLM assembly to decay to zero in milliseconds to seconds, depending on the level of membrane conductance.

Bacterial mechanosensitive channels: models for studying mechanosensory transduction.

Significance: Sensations of touch and hearing are manifestations of mechanical contact and air pressure acting on touch receptors and hair cells of the inner ear, respectively. In bacteria, osmotic pressure exerts a significant mechanical force on their cellular membrane. Bacteria have evolved mechanosensitive (MS) channels to cope with excessive turgor pressure resulting from a hypo-osmotic shock.

Regulation of the membrane insertion and conductance activity of the metamorphic chloride intracellular channel protein CLIC1 by cholesterol.

The Chloride Intracellular ion channel protein CLIC1 has the ability to spontaneously insert into lipid membranes from a soluble, globular state. The precise mechanism of how this occurs and what regulates this insertion is still largely unknown, although factors such as pH and redox environment are known contributors. In the current study, we demonstrate that the presence and concentration of cholesterol in the membrane regulates the spontaneous insertion of CLIC1 into the membrane as well as its ion channel activity.

Non-disclosure of HIV status in UK sexual health clinics--a pilot study to identify non-disclosure within a national unlinked anonymous seroprevalence survey.

Objectives: To identify if HIV-infected individuals attending genitourinary clinics in the UK are not disclosing their HIV status, and to examine the potential utility of drug detection as a method to indicate non-disclosure.

Methods: HIV-positive samples from the unlinked anonymous seroprevalence survey from one London centre in 2009 had viral load (VL) assays performed to identify samples with VL below the level of detection (50 copies/ml, VLBLD) or <1000 copies/ml. After data matching, known HIV positives were excluded and the remaining samples analysed for the presence of a panel of antiretroviral drugs.

Determining the optimal age for recording the retinal vascular pattern image of lambs.

Newborn Ripollesa lambs (n = 143) were used to assess the optimal age at which the vascular pattern of the retina can be used as a reference for identification and traceability. Retinal images from both eyes were recorded from birth to yearling (d 1, 8, 30, 82, 180, and 388 of age) in duplicate (2,534 images) using a digital camera specially designed for livestock (Optibrand, Fort Collins, CO). Intra- and inter-age image comparisons (9,316 pairs of images) were carried out, and matching score (MS) was used as the exclusion criterion of lamb identity (MS <70).

Retinal image recognition for verifying the identity of fattening and replacement lambs.

With the objective of verifying the presumed identity of sheep in a traceability study based on visual ear tags and electronic boluses, retinal image recognition was used as an auditing biomarker on 152 lambs of 2 dairy breeds (Manchega, n=82; Lacaune, n=70). Lambs were identified with temporary ear tags (birth to weaning), and with official ear tags and electronic mini-boluses (weaning to yearling). At 3 mo of age, 58 lambs were recruited for flock replacement, and the rest were transported to a slaughterhouse.

Modeling the retention of rumen boluses for the electronic identification of goats.

We constructed a regression model to estimate the retention of electronic boluses in goats. With this aim, 2,482 boluses were administered to goats from dairy (Murciano-Granadina, n=1,326; French Alpine, n=381) and meat (Blanca de Rasquera, n=532) breeds. A total of 19 bolus types made of materials (ceramic, plastic tubes filled with concrete or silicone, and ballasts) differing in their specific gravity (SG) were used, thereby obtaining a wide variation in bolus features: diameter (9 to 22 mm), length (37 to 84 mm), weight (5 to 111 g), volume (2.

Readability of visual and electronic leg tags versus rumen boluses and electronic ear tags for the permanent identification of dairy goats.

Murciano-Granadina dairy goats (n=220) were used to assess the performance of visual and electronic identification devices: 1) leg tags (LT) on the shank of the right hind leg (metatarsus) consisting of plastic bands (181 × 39mm, 21g; n=220) printed with a 3-digit code and closed with 2 types of electronic button tags (ET1, 3.9 g, 26 mm o.d.

Extended field test on the use of visual ear tags and electronic boluses for the identification of different goat breeds in the United States.

A total of 295 goats from 4 breeds (Alpine, n = 74; Angora, n = 75; Boer-cross, n = 73; Spanish, n = 73) were used to assess the retention of 3 types of electronic ruminal boluses (B1, 20 g, n = 95; B2, 75 g, n = 100; and B3, 82 g, n = 100) according to breed and feeding conditions. Time for bolus administration, reading with a handheld reader, and animal data recording (goat identification, breed, and bolus type) were registered. Each goat was also identified with 1 flag-button plastic ear tag (4.

Long-term performance of visual and electronic identification devices in dairy goats.

Dairy goat kids born during a 3-yr period (n = 97) and their mothers (n = 29) were used for a long-term evaluation of the performance of 9 types of identification (ID) devices. Kids wore multiple ID devices: visual ear tags (V1, tip-tag, n = 47; V2, official, n = 50), electronic ear tags (E1, button-button, n = 46; E2, flag-button, n = 46), electronic rumen boluses (B1, mini-bolus 14 g, n = 92; B2, mini-bolus 20 g, n = 28; B3, standard bolus 75 g, n = 34) and glass-encapsulated transponders injected in the forefeet (T1, 15 mm, n = 75; T2, 12 mm, n = 100). Visual ear tags were applied at birth and removed in yearlings, whereas electronic ear tags were applied after bolusing with B1 (6.

Comparison of manual versus semiautomatic milk recording systems in dairy goats.

A total of 24 Murciano-Granadina dairy goats in early-midlactation were used to compare the labor time and data collection efficiency of using manual (M) vs. semiautomated (SA) systems for milk recording. Goats were milked once daily in a 2 x 12 parallel platform, with 6 milking units on each side.

Mammogenesis and induced lactation with or without reserpine in nulliparous dairy goats.

Nulliparous goats were used to evaluate the effects of a standard protocol for inducing lactation with or without using a prolactin-releasing agent (reserpine). Estrus was synchronized and goats were submitted to daily s.c.

Homogeneous Escherichia coli chaperonin 60 induces IL-1 beta and IL-6 gene expression in human monocytes by a mechanism independent of protein conformation.

Escherichia coli chaperonin (cpn) 60 (groEL) is a protein-folding oligomer lacking tryptophan residues that copurifies with tryptophan-containing proteins and peptides. Cpn 60 is a major immunogen in infectious diseases, and evidence suggests that groEL and mycobacterial cpn 60s can induce cytokine synthesis, stimulate cytokine-dependent bone resorption, and up-regulate expression of vascular endothelial cell adhesion molecules. Whether such activities are due to the cpn 60 or to the copurifying/contaminating proteins/peptides has not been determined.

Characterisation of expression of mDMAHP, a homeodomain-encoding gene at the murine DM locus.

We examined the expression of the murine homologue of myotonic dystrophy associated homeodomain protein (mDMAHP) using two different strategies. The first approach, RT-PCR, detected spliced transcripts in a wide range of embryonic and adult tissues, in a pattern overlapping substantially with the expression of mDMPK. A second approach, the generation of transgenic mice expressing the lacZ reporter gene from a 4.