Protective Efficacy of Passive Immunization with Monoclonal Antibodies in Animal Models of H5N1 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus Infection

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) viruses of the H5N1 subtype often cause severe pneumonia and multiple organ failure in humans, with reported case fatality rates of more than 60%. To develop a clinical antibody therapy, we generated a human-mouse chimeric monoclonal antibody (MAb) ch61 that showed strong neutralizing activity against H5N1 HPAI viruses isolated from humans and evaluated its protective potential in mouse and nonhuman primate models of H5N1 HPAI virus infections. Passive immunization with MAb ch61 one day before or after challenge with a lethal dose of the virus completely protected mice, and partial protection was achieved when mice were treated 3 days after the challenge. In a cynomolgus macaque model, reduced viral loads and partial protection against lethal infection were observed in macaques treated with MAb ch61 intravenously one and three days after challenge. Protective effects were also noted in macaques under immunosuppression. Though mutant viruses escaping from neutralization by MAb ch61 were recovered from macaques treated with this MAb alone, combined treatment with MAb ch61 and peramivir reduced the emergence of escape mutants. Our results indicate that antibody therapy might be beneficial in reducing viral loads and delaying disease progression during H5N1 HPAI virus infection in clinical cases and combined treatment with other antiviral compounds should improve the protective effects of antibody therapy against H5N1 HPAI virus infection.     

Parasitism of the “Fuller’s rose weevil” Naupactus cervinus by Microctonus sp. in Argentina

We report the occurrence of an unidentified species of the wasp Microctonus Wesmael (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) parasitizing adults of the Fuller’s rose weevil Naupactus cervinus (Boheman) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), a widespread pest of economically important crops included in the South American tribe Naupactini. Cytochrome c oxidase subunit I-based phylogenetic analysis indicates that the parasitoid is closely related to Microctonus hyperodae Loan. Their first instar larvae show slight morphological differences with this species. Superparasitism by first instar larvae occurred at low frequency. Some teratocytes were observed. Microctonus sp. and its host were infected with different strains of the reproductive parasite Wolbachia pipientis Hertig (Rickettsiales: Rickettsiaceae), although the bacterial lineage harbored by the wasp coincides with that infecting most parthenogenetic Naupactini. This multipartite association (weevil bearing both Wolbachia and Microctonus, and Microctonus bearing Wolbachia) opens challenging perspectives for future research on biological interactions and biological control.     

Neural regulation of a complex behavior: body patterning in cephalopod molluscs

Unshelled cephalopods have a remarkable ability to alter theirappearance, using textural, postural, and chromatic elementsto generate a myriad of body patterns. Of the unshelled cephalopods,it is generally acknowledged that cuttlefish express the mostdetailed and widest range of body patterns, including staticand dynamic patterns. In this paper we present data on the neuronalmechanisms underlying this amazing behavior, focusing on theneuroregulation of the chromatic elements, the chromatophoreorgans, in the European cuttlefish Sepia officinalis. Cephalopodchromatophore organs, including those in Sepia, are unlike thosein any other animal taxa; each consists of a pigment-containingchromatophore cell that expands in response to the coordinatedactivation of a set of radial muscles which are directly attachedto the chromatophore cell. We show that the chromatophore musclesare regulated by 2 different excitatory transmitters, glutamateand the family of FMRFamide-related peptides (FaRPs). Glutamatemediates rapid and transient chromatophore cell expansion whereasthe FaRPs are responsible for slower, more sustained responses.Using retrograde dye filling, immunocytochemical and in situhybridization techniques, we demonstrate that the cell bodiesof the glutamatergic and FaRPs-containing motoneurons innervatingthe fin chromatophore muscles are primarily localized to theposterior chromatophore and fin lobes in the posterior subesophagealmass of the Sepia brain. Data are also presented showing thatsome fin chromatophore motoneurons have multiple axons in differentnerve branches, which accounts for overlapping chromatophoremotor fields by adjacent peripheral nerves.     

One‐pot synthesis of carbon dots using two different acids and their respective unique photoluminescence property

Carbon dots, a new class of nanomaterial with unique optical property and have great potential in various applications. This work demonstrated the possibility of tuning the emission wavelength of carbon dots by simply changing the acid type used during synthesis. In particular, sulfuric and phosphoric acids and a mixture of the two were used to carbonize the same starting precursor, sucrose. This resulted in the isolation of carbon dots with blue (440 nm) and green (515 nm) emission. Interestingly, the use of an acid mixture at various ratios did not shift the initial emission profile, but did obviously alter the fluorescence efficiency of the peaks. This clearly showed that acid type can be used as an alternative tool to produce carbon dots that have different emissions using the same starting precursor. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Benzylamine‐Treated Wide‐Bandgap Perovskite with High Thermal‐Photostability and Photovoltaic Performance

Mixed iodide‐bromide organolead perovskites with a bandgap of 1.70–1.80 eV have great potential to boost the efficiency of current silicon solar cells by forming a perovskite‐silicon tandem structure. Yet, the stability of the perovskites under various application conditions, and in particular combined light and heat stress, is not well studied. Here, FA_0.15Cs_0.85Pb(I_0.73Br_0.27)₃, with an optical bandgap of ≈1.72 eV, is used as a model system to investigate the thermal‐photostability of wide‐bandgap mixed halide perovskites. It is found that the concerted effect of heat and light can induce both phase segregation and decomposition in a pristine perovskite film. On the other hand, through a postdeposition film treatment with benzylamine (BA) molecules, the highly defective regions (e.g., film surface and grain boundaries) of the film can be well passivated, thus preventing the progression of decomposition or phase segregation in the film. Besides the stability improvement, the BA‐modified perovskite solar cells also exhibit excellent photovoltaic performance, with the champion device reaching a power conversion efficiency of 18.1%, a stabilized power output efficiency of 17.1% and an open‐circuit voltage (V _oc) of 1.24 V.     

Device Performance of Emerging Photovoltaic Materials (Version 3)

Following the 2nd release of the “Emerging PV reports,” the best achievements in the performance of emerging photovoltaic devices in diverse emerging photovoltaic research subjects are summarized, as reported in peer-reviewed articles in academic journals since August 2021. Updated graphs, tables, and analyses are provided with several performance parameters, e.g., power conversion efficiency, open-circuit voltage, short-circuit current density, fill factor, light utilization efficiency, and stability test energy yield. These parameters are presented as a function of the photovoltaic bandgap energy and the average visible transmittance for each technology and application, and are put into perspective using, e.g., the detailed balance efficiency limit. The 3rd installment of the “Emerging PV reports” extends the scope toward triple junction solar cells.     

Transmission Characteristics of the Clover Phyllody Agent by Dodder*

The results obtained in investigations on the biological characteristics of the clover phyllody agent (CPA) in respect to its transmission by the experimental vector Cuscuta campestris Younk, using Catbarantus roseus L. as constant host, are reported. Transmission efficiency of CPA was comparable whether the “stable bridge” or the “cut strand” of dodder method was adopted. The acquisition and inoculation threshold was between 4 and 6 days. The efficiency of transmission became greater by lengthening the test period up to 15 days. In cuttings of dodder maintained in water after recision, the maximum retention of infectivity, in respect to transmission capacity of CPA, was 28 days. It was proved that CPA invades C. campestris in a persistent manner. In comparative tests between CPA and APA (apple proliferation agent) it was demonstrated that the former is more efficiently transmitted than the latter. Moreover there is a much higher pathogenic effect of APA than CPA in dodder; in fact C. campestris as well as C. subinclusa Dur. and Hilg. develops poorly and shows deformations when growing on AP infected periwinkles. The basic distinguishable symptoms of the two diseases in C. roseus are: virescence and phyllody for CP; small but never virescent flowers for AP. MLOs have been detected, by electron microscopy, in sieve elements of C. roseus and C. campestris infected by CPA.     

Plasma beta-2-microglobulin in rheumatoid arthritis

The beta 2 microglobulin (beta 2m) is a low molecular weight protein, recognized on the cellular membranes of numerous nucleated cells and strictly correlated to the antigens of Major Histocompatibility Complex. Many authors have demonstrated an increase of the plasmatic beta 2m in different inflammatory diseases and, particularly in rheumatic ones, as Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), Reiter's syndrome, Ankylosing Spondylitis, Systemic lupus erythematosus. We have also investigated the behaviour of the plasmatic beta 2m in 52 RA patients and in 17 healthy subjects. The beta 2m was measured in serum, by radioimmunoassay. We have demonstrated that the plasmatic beta 2m has moderately increased in the serum of RA patients, even if there is not a significant difference when compared to the normal subjects.     

Mechanistic insights in recov-ER-phagy: micro-ER-phagy to recover from stress

ABSTRACT

Physiological and pathological stresses may cause swelling of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), a biosynthetic organelle in eukaryotic cells. Upon conclusion of the stress, ER size and content return to physiological levels. The translocon component SEC62 decorates the portions of excess ER that must be cleared from cells. Our recent paper highlights the role of endosomal sorting complex required for transport (ESCRT)-III-driven micro-ER-phagy in ER remodeling during cell recovery from ER stress.     

ER‐to‐lysosome‐associated degradation of proteasome‐resistant ATZ polymers occurs via receptor‐mediated vesicular transport

Maintenance of cellular proteostasis relies on efficient clearance of defective gene products. For misfolded secretory proteins, this involves dislocation from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) into the cytosol followed by proteasomal degradation. However, polypeptide aggregation prevents cytosolic dislocation and instead activates ill‐defined lysosomal catabolic pathways. Here, we describe an ER‐to‐lysosome‐associated degradation pathway (ERLAD) for proteasome‐resistant polymers of alpha1‐antitrypsin Z (ATZ). ERLAD involves the ER‐chaperone calnexin (CNX) and the engagement of the LC3 lipidation machinery by the ER‐resident ER‐phagy receptor FAM134B, echoing the initiation of starvation‐induced, receptor‐mediated ER‐phagy. However, in striking contrast to ER‐phagy, ATZ polymer delivery from the ER lumen to LAMP1/RAB7‐positive endolysosomes for clearance does not require ER capture within autophagosomes. Rather, it relies on vesicular transport where single‐membrane, ER‐derived, ATZ‐containing vesicles release their luminal content within endolysosomes upon membrane:membrane fusion events mediated by the ER‐resident SNARE STX17 and the endolysosomal SNARE VAMP8. These results may help explain the lack of benefits of pharmacologic macroautophagy enhancement that has been reported for some luminal aggregopathies.