Modelling the combined effects of photoperiod and temperature on diapause induction in Apolygus lucorum (Meyer-Dür) across different latitudes.

BACKGROUND: The green mirid bug Apolygus lucorum is a dominant pest species on multiple crops over a wide area in northern China. However, the combined effect of photoperiod and temperature on diapause induction in this species across different latitudes is not clear. Thus, the combined effects of temperature (17-29 °C) and photoperiod (11:13 h to 15:9 h light/dark) on diapause induction for seven geographic populations, collected at latitudes between 30.47°N and 38.30°N, were investigated. RESULTS: A model, I = (15 - p)/(30 - p - 1.923(t - 16)1/2 + 0.4499 t - 0.015 L - 19.5389) was established to predict diapause incidence (I) using photophase (p), temperature (t) and latitude (L). In most cases, the diapause incidence predicted by the model was within or close to the 95% confidence interval estimated from independently observed field data. CONCLUSION: Diapause incidence in A. lucorum was influenced nonlinearly by temperature and photoperiod across different latitudes. The model established in this study is valid for predicting diapause incidence in this pest over a wide area in northern China, and thus can be incorporated into an areawide population dynamic model of this pest. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

Detection of cluster adverse drug events in the spontaneous reporting system of China using a disproportionality filter algorithm.

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE: Cluster adverse drug events (CADEs) are multiple ADEs with similar clinical manifestations involving the same drug, manufactured by the same company, that occur within a short time period. The disproportionality filter algorithm (DFA) is a promising tool for the identification of historical clusters related to ADEs. The Chinese spontaneous adverse drug reaction reporting system (SRS) may serve as an important database for the detection of CADEs. The objective of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of DFA as an approach to identify CADEs using SRS. METHODS: Suspected adverse drug reaction (ADR) reports collected by the Chinese SRS in 2014-2015 were examined to identify potential CADEs. The reports were divided into 48 15-day subsets. Disproportionate excess reporting of ADEs for drugs from specific companies may be a signal for CADEs. The clusters were categorized as 'confirmed', 'potential', 'unlikely', 'indecisive' or 'information-loss' ADEs when evaluated by report units. Furthermore, early warning information in 2014-2015 from the Chinese early warning system (EWS) classified as 'concern', 'monitoring', 'ignorance' or 'rest' was compared with DFA to explore the applicability of the novel algorithm in Chinese SRS. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: In total, 2294 CADEs, comprising of 380 confirmed, 1753 potential, 15 unlikely and 59 indecisive clusters, were generated; 87 clusters were missing additional information. There were 263 'significant' clusters with DFA, but only 26 'significant' clusters in EWS. The sensitivity of DFA was 88.5%, but the specificity and positive predictive value were low. WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION: Spontaneous adverse drug reaction reporting system in China may be a potential database for the identification of CADEs engaging the DFA. This could supplement the EWS of CADEs in China. The DFA may be of value in detecting CADEs with high sensitivity, although expert screening is required given the low specificity and positive predictive value.

Establishment of an artificial diet for successive rearing of Apolygus lucorum (Hemiptera: Miridae).

The plant bug Apolygus lucorum (Meyer-Dür) is a major pest on Bt cotton and multiple crops in northern China. A modified NI artificial diet called T7 was developed to rear this pest for 10 successive generations both individually and in groups. This T7 diet was similar in components and preparation process to the NI diet used for Lygus hesperus in North America, but was comprised of more whole chicken eggs, soybean lecithin, and Vanderzant vitamin mixture, and less brewer's yeast, wheat germ, lima bean meal, soy flour, and sugars than NI diet. While being reared individually on T7 diet, A. lucorum nymphs had a developmental duration of approximately 12 d and survival rate of approximately 80%, which was not significantly different from that on green beans. While being reared in groups, nymphal survival rate was above 81% (indeed above 90% for the first four generations), the weight of adults was heavier than on green beans and the average fecundity had a logistic increase through generations. The replacement rate of A. lucorum populations was expected to be approximately 29 times per generation while being reared at a density of 100 nymphs per box (20 x 12 x 7 cm). This is the first successful artificial diet reported for rearing A. lucorum and is superior to green beans. The diet offers an economic means for producing natural enemies for biological control of this pest on Bt cotton. The possibility of further improvement of the present artificial diet is also discussed.

[In vitro and in vivo biodegradation of sustained-release vehicle poloxamer 407 in situ gel].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the biodegradation of poloxamer 407 gel in acoustic capsule in vitro and in vivo, and to explore the applied perspective in the local drug delayed-release treatment for inner ear disorders. METHOD: Weighing the remained amount of poloxamer 407 gel at 37 degrees C at fixation time interval. The right ears of 15 healthy guinea pigs as experimental group were perfused with 20% poloxamer 407 solution 100 microl in round window niche, the left ears as control group with normal saline. The histology of bullae at 7, 14, 28, 49 days after perfusion was examined by means of serial section after paraffin imbedding. RESULT: The degraded amount were 20% and 25% in two groups respectively. The poloxamer 407 gel at 37 degrees C after 7 weeks was (78.89 +/- 13.10) microg and (75.32 +/- 8.94) microg respectively. The poloxamer gel in bullae was almost biodegraded and discharged 49 days after perfusion, only few gel remained in the middle ear cavity under light microscope. The morphology of the mucosa of middle ear cavity and round window membrane were not significantly damaged after poloxamer 407 perfusion. CONCLUSION: Poloxamer 407 biodegraded slowly, but it could be biodegraded in vivo or discharged via eustachian tube, and caused no inflammation and immunologic rejection on the middle ear cavity. Thus, poloxamer 407 gel is suitable for the short-time sustained-release medical treatment in the inner ear diseases.

[Effect of poloxamer 407 on the cochlear morphology and hearing function after perfusion in round window: experiment with guinea pigs].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of sustained-release vehicle-Poloxamer 407 on the function and morphology of the cochlear after perfusion in round window. METHODS: The right ears of 16 guinea pigs as experimental group were perfusion with 20% Poloxamer 407 solusion 100 microl in round window, the left ears as control group with normal saline. Another 4 animals without treatment were in negative control group. Auditory function was investigated before and immediate, 7, 14, 28, 49 days after perfusion, and the cochlear basilar membranes were stained by silver nitrate after ABR examinations. The stained basilar membranes were examined under light microscopy. RESULTS: The ABR threshold to filtered clicks were elevated after perfusion, and were recovered to normal at 49 days after perfusion. The morphology of cochlear hair cells were not significantly damaged after perfusion. CONCLUSION: Poloxamer 407 after topical perfusion in round window can cause temporary changes on auditory function of inner ear, but no inreversible damage on function and morphology of cochlear. Therefore, Polomamer 407 can be used as sustained-release vehicle in middle and inner ear diseases.

[Effect of poloxamer 407 on the middle ear and inner ear after regional perfusion in guinea pigs].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the biodegradation and absorption of poloxamer 407 in vivo, and the effect of poloxamer 407 on the middle ear and inner ear after regional perfusion in guinea pigs. METHODS: The right ears of 10 guinea pigs as experimental group were perfused with 20% poloxamer 407 in situ gel 100 microl in round window niche, with the left ears as control group with normal saline. Another two animals without treatment were in negative control group. Auditory function was investigated before and 3, 7, 14, 28, 49 days after perfusion, and the histology of bulles after auditory brainstem response (ABR) each examination were examined by means of serial section after paraffin imbedding. RESULTS: The poloxamer gel was almost biodegraded and discharged 49 days after perfusion, only few gel remained in the middle ear cavity under light microscope. The ABR threshold to filtered clicks was elevated after perfusion with poloxamer 407, and was recovered to normal at 49 days after perfusion. The morphology of the mucosa of middle ear cavity, round window membrane, Corti's and vestibular organs were not significantly damaged after poloxamer 407 perfusion. CONCLUSIONS: Poloxamer 407 can be biodagraded in vivo or discharged via eustachian tube, and causes no inflammation on the middle ear cavity. There are temporary changes on auditory function of inner ear after topical perfusion with poloxamer 407 in round window can cause, but no irreversible damage on function and morphology of cochlear and vestibular organs.

[Experimental study of the facial nerve paralysis induced by herpes simplex virus type 1 infection in mice].

OBJECTIVE: To establish an animal model of Bell palsy induced by type I herpes simplex virus (HSV-1) infection and to assess the role and site of HSV-1 in the pathogenesis of facial paralysis. METHODS: Fifty-three female Balb/c mice four-week-old weighted 16-18 g were studied. After scratching the surface of bilateral auricles with a 26-gauge needle, 25 microL HSV-1 with a titer of 6. 7 x 10(7) PFU/ml was inoculated into the right auricle, and the same volume of PBS was placed in the left. As a control, PBS was placed on the bilateral auricles of 4 mice. The HSV-1 DNA in bilateral facial nerve, bilateral brainstem, bilateral trigeminal carrier ganglion, bilateral brain, and blood at different stage was examined with polymerase chain reaction analysis. RESULTS: Thirty-seven animals (75.51%) appeared different degree facial paralysis among the 49 inoculated animals. Fourteen facial paralysis (37.84%) were on the right, 3 (8.11%) on the left, and 20 (54.05%) on the bilateral side. Six animals with facial palsy were recovered during 3-13 days, the average recovery time was 7.83 days. CONCLUSIONS: The existence of HSV-1 in the brainstem and the cerebral cortex is significant for facial paralysis.

[Analysis of preoperative findings and ossicular condition in chronic suppurative otitis media].

OBJECTIVE: To discussion the relationship of preoperative findings and ossicular condition in chronic suppurative otitis media. METHOD: The correlation between the ossicular conditions and classification of tympanic membrane perforation, ear discharge, air conduction pure tone average, air-bone gap, pneumatization, complication, and cholesteatoma in 251 patients(288 ears) with chronic suppurative otitis media was analysed. RESULT: The air-conduction threshold and air-bone gap in patients with ossicular discontinuity are higher than that in patients with ossicular continuity. Ossicular discontinuity in patients with perforation of the pars flaccida of tympanic membrane, persistently draining ears, complications, and cholesteatoma occurred significiantly more frequently than those without these conditions. CONCLUSION: The air-conduction threshold and air-bone gap are the more reliable indications to identify the ossicular conditions in patients with chronic suppurative otitis media. There are significiant correlation between the ossicular conditions in patients with chronic otitis media and their classification of tympanic membrane perforation, ear discharge, complication, and cholesteatoma.

[The diagnosis and therapy for cholesterol granuloma of middle ear].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the diagnosis for cholesterol granuloma of middle ear, and discuss the effect of middle ear surgery for this disease. METHOD: The files of 18 patients (19 ears) with cholesterol granuloma of middle ear were reviewed in a retrospective study. All patients received middle ear and mastoid surgery, and all involved tissues were verified as cholesterol granuloma by pathologic examination. RESULT: The patients undergoing ventilation tube insertion were extubated 1-3 months after surgery and the eardrums healed well. The eardrums of the patients without ventilation tube insertion became normal 1-2 months after surgery. The hearing threshold after surgery of all patients improved. Beside one patients with eustachian tube obstructed had ventilation tube inserted with long term, no patient had symptoms recurred. CONCLUSION: The cholesterol granuloma of middle ear results from the bleeding, occlusion of ventilation and disturbance of drainage of the air cavity because of the middle ear inflammation. The diagnosis depends on the pathological examination. The middle ear and mastoid surgery, removing the diseased tissues completely, creating a ventilation system of mastoid-tympani-Eustachian are the key

[Analysis of sensorineural hearing loss in chronic suppurative otitis media].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the association between chronic suppurative otitis media and sensorineural hearing loss. METHOD: The files of 147 patients with unilateral chronic suppurative media were reviewed in a retrospective study. Differences between diseased and control ear bone conduction thresholds were analysed by the paired student's t-test over the four frequencies (0.5 kHz, 1.0 kHz, 2.0 kHz, 4.0 kHz). The effect of the presence of cholesteatoma and ossicular erosion on sensorineural hearing loss over the speech frequencies (0.5 kHz, 1.0 kHz, 2.0 kHz) and 4.0 kHz were analysed by one-way ANOVA. Linear regression models were used to clarify the relationships between sensorineural hearing loss and chronic suppurative otitis media. RESULT: The differences in bone conduction threshold between diseased and control ear were statistically significant. Bone conduction threshold shift at speech frequency was associated with the ages. The presence of cholesteatoma and ossicular erosion was not associated with a significantly increased risk of sensorineural hearing loss. CONCLUSION: Chronic suppurative otitis media can result in sensorineural hearing loss. The higher frequencies are easier affected than the lower frequencies.