Inhibition mechanism of Rhizoctonia solani by pectin-coated iron metal-organic framework nanoparticles and evidence of an induced defense response in rice.

Nanocrop protectants have attracted much attention as sustainable platforms for controlling pests and diseases and improving crop nutrition. Here, we reported the fungicidal activity and disease inhibition potential of pectin-coated metal-iron organic framework nanoparticles (Fe-MOF-PT NPs) against rice stripe blight (RSB). An in vitro bacterial inhibition assay showed that Fe-MOF-PT NPs (80 mg/L) significantly inhibited mycelial growth and nucleus formation. The Fe-MOF-PT NPs adsorbed to the surface of mycelia and induced toxicity by disrupting cell membranes, mitochondria, and DNA. The results of a nontargeted metabolomics analysis showed that the metabolites of amino acids and their metabolites, heterocyclic compounds, fatty acids, and nucleotides and their metabolites were significantly downregulated after treatment with 80 mg/L NPs. The difference in metabolite abundance between the CK and Fe-MOF-PT NPs (80 mg/L) treatment groups was mainly related to nucleotide metabolism, pyrimidine metabolism, purine metabolism, fatty acid metabolism, and amino acid metabolism. The results of the greenhouse experiment showed that Fe-MOF-PT NPs improved rice resistance to R. solani by inhibiting mycelial invasion, enhancing antioxidant enzyme activities, activating the jasmonic acid signaling pathway, and enhancing photosynthesis. These findings indicate the great potential of Fe-MOF-PT NPs as a new RSB disease management strategy and provide new insights into plant fungal disease management.

Effect of Brucea javanica Oil on the Toxicity of ß-Cypermethrin Emulsifiable Concentrate Formulation.

Enhancing the performance of traditional pesticide formulations by improving their leaf surface wetting capabilities is a crucial approach for maximizing the pesticide efficiency. This study develops an emulsifiable concentrate (EC) of 4.5% ß-cypermethrin containing Brucea javanica oil (BJO). The incorporation of BJO aims to improve the leaf-wetting properties of the EC formulation and enhance its insecticidal effectiveness. The droplet size and emulsion characteristics of ß-CYP EC emulsion with varying concentrations of the emulsifier were evaluated, and changes after incorporating BJO were assessed to develop the optimal formulation. A comprehensive comparison was conducted among commercial 4.5% ß-cypermethrin EC (ß-CYP EC-1), 4.5% ß-cypermethrin EC with BJO (ß-CYP EC-2), and 4.5% ß-cypermethrin EC without BJO (ß-CYP EC-3). This comparison encompassed various factors including storage stability, insecticidal activity, cytotoxicity, and wetting performance on cabbage leaves. The results indicated that the ideal emulsifier concentration was 15% emulsifier 0201B. ß-CYP EC-2 demonstrated superior wetting properties on cabbage leaves (the wetting performance of ß-CYP EC-2 emulsion on cabbage leaves is 2.60 times that of the ß-CYP EC-1 emulsion), heightened insecticidal activity against the third larvae of Plutella xylostella [diamondback moth (DBM)] [the insecticidal activity of the ß-CYP EC-2 emulsion against the third larvae of DBM is 1.93 times that of the ß-CYP EC-1 emulsion (12 h)], and more obvious inhibitory effects on the proliferation of DBM embryo cells than the other tested formulations. These findings have significant implications for advancing pest control strategies and promoting sustainable and effective agricultural practices.

Pectin-Coated Iron-Based Metal-Organic Framework Nanoparticles for Enhanced Foliar Adhesion and Targeted Delivery of Fungicides.

Conventional agrochemicals are underutilized due to their large particle sizes, poor foliar retention rates, and difficult translocation in plants, and the development of functional nanodelivery carriers with high adhesion to the plant body surface and efficient uptake and translocation in plants remains challenging. In this study, a nanodelivery system based on a pectin-encapsulated iron-based MOF (TF@Fe-MOF-PT NPs) was constructed to enhance the utilization of thifluzamide (TF) in rice plants by taking advantage of the pectin affinity for plant cell walls. The prepared TF@Fe-MOF-PT NPs exhibited an average particle size of 126.55 nm, a loading capacity of 27.41%, and excellent dual-stimulus responses to reactive oxygen species and pectinase. Foliar washing experiments showed that the TF@Fe-MOF-PT NPs were efficiently adhered to the surfaces of rice leaves and stems. Confocal laser scanning microscopy showed that fluorescently labeled TF@Fe-MOF-PT NPs were bidirectionally delivered through vascular bundles in rice plants. The in vitro bactericidal activity of the TF@Fe-MOF-PT NPs showed better inhibitory activity than that of a TF suspension (TF SC), with an EC50 of 0.021 mg/L. A greenhouse test showed that the TF@Fe-MOF-PT NPs were more effective than TF SC at 7 and 14 d, with control effects of 85.88 and 78.59%, respectively. It also reduced the inhibition of seed stem length and root length by TF SC and promoted seedling growth. These results demonstrated that TF@Fe-MOF-PT NPs can be used as a pesticide nanodelivery system for efficient delivery and intelligent release in plants and applied for sustainable control of pests and diseases.

Caregiving experiences of caregivers of children with rare diseases: A qualitative meta-synthesis.

PROBLEM: Most rare diseases occur in childhood and are difficult to diagnose and treat. The caregivers are faced with the challenge of providing care to the children afflicted with these rare diseases, resulting in a significant burden of care and an altered family dynamic. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: A meta-synthesis review was conducted to explore the caregivers' experience of children with rare diseases using eight electronic databases PubMed, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, EMBASE, VIP database, Wan Fang, Chinese BioMedical Literature Database, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure from each database's inception to October 5, 2023. SAMPLE: 4207 records were identified and 20 eligible studies were included. RESULTS: Three themes emerged: (1) Life is changed by "rare"; (2) many unmet needs; (3) Strive to adapt and grow. CONCLUSIONS: Caregivers of children with rare diseases are full of stress and challenges in the process of caring for them, and their lives have changed greatly due to "rare". Appropriate measures need to be taken to reduce the burden on caregivers. IMPLICATIONS: According to the findings, both the medical and health systems, as well as society, should pay attention to the care load and unmet requirements of carers of children with rare diseases, and offer them with practical supportive services. Finally, it can improve the quality of life for caregivers and families of children with rare diseases, as well as stimulate the development of rare diseases.

Evaluation of bioequivalence and safety analysis of capecitabine tablets and Xeloda® under postprandial dosing conditions in Chinese patients with solid tumor.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the pharmacokinetic and safety of the test group capecitabine tablets (0.5 g) and the reference group capecitabine tablets (0.5 g). METHODS: This study was registered at www.chinadrugtrials.org.cn under the registration number CTR20220138. 48 subjects with solid tumor were recruited and randomized to receive either the test group or the reference group at a dose of 2 g per cycle for three cycles of the entire trial. RESULTS: The point estimate of the geometric mean ratio of Cmax for the subject and reference groups was 1.0670, which was in the range of 80.00%-125.00%. And the upper limit of 95% confidence interval was -0.0450 < 0. The statistics of geometric mean ratio of AUC0-t and AUC0-∞ (test group/reference group) and their 90% confidence intervals were in the range of 80.00%-125.00%, thus the test group was bioequivalent to the reference group under the conditions of this postprandial test. There were no major or serious adverse events. Conclusion: The pharmacokinetic profiles of capecitabine under postprandial conditions were consistent between the two groups. The two groups were bioequivalent and had a similar favorable safety profile in Chinese patients with solid tumor.

Chitosan-based nanopesticides enhanced anti-fungal activity against strawberry anthracnose as "sugar-coated bombs".

A chitosan-based nanoparticle was prepared using chitosan (CS) and O-carboxymethyl chitosan (O-CMCS). Our study revealed that chitosan/O-carboxymethyl chitosan/tebuconazole nanoparticles (CS/O-CMCS/TBA NPs) exhibited superior antifungal activity, foliar adhesion, and microbial target adhesion performance compared to commercial suspension concentrate (SC). The antifungal activity of CS/O-CMCS/TBA NPs against C. gloeosporioides, with a 3.13-fold increase in efficacy over TBA (SC). We also found that low concentrations of CS/O-CMCS NPs promoted the growth of C. gloeosporioides and enhanced the fungal catabolism of chitosan. Overall, the CS/O-CMCS/TBA NPs were found to possess the remarkable capability to selectively aggregate around pathogenic microorganisms and CS/O-CMCS NPs can enhance the fungal catabolism of chitosan. CS/O-CMCS/TBA NPs, as a "sugar-coated bomb", was a promising asset for effective plant disease management and pesticide utilization through the affinity of chitosan-based nanoparticles and C. gloeosporioides, enabling targeted delivery and targeted release of their encapsulated active ingredient, which was important for the development and application of biocompatible chitosan-based nanopesticides.

Green synthesis of a chlorfenapyr chitosan nanopesticide for maize root application: Reducing environmental pollution and risks to nontarget organisms.

Chlorfenapyr (CHL) is a pyrrole insecticide with a novel structure that is used to control resistant pests. However, its weak systemic activity limits its application to crop roots. Herein, a novel CHL formulation with improved effective utilization rates and suitability for root application is developed to avoid or reduce contamination caused by pesticide spraying. Accordingly, we prepared CHL@CS/CMCS nanoparticle (NP) suspensions with a particle size of approximately 100 nm using chitosan (CS) and carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS). These suspensions exhibited better thermal stability, adhesion, permeability and systemic activity than a CHL suspension concentrate (CHL-SC). The nanoformulation deposition rate on maize leaves after spraying was 12.28 mg/kg, significantly higher than that of CHL-SC. The nanosuspension was effectively absorbed and transported by roots after irrigation and was suitable for root application. The efficacy was 89.46-92.36 % against Spodoptera frugiperda at 7 d, 7.5-17.5 times higher than that of CHL-SC. Furthermore, the CHL@CS/CMCS nanosuspension was safer for earthworms. These results suggest that chitosan-based nanoformulations improve the efficacy, utilization efficiency and active period of CHL control, providing a new approach for CHL application, reducing pollutant dispersal and the environmental impacts of pesticide application and facilitating sustainable agricultural production.

Preparation and activity of sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC-Na) and Metarhizium rileyi ZHKUMR1 composite membrane.

Improving the adhesion capability of Metarhizium rileyi ZHKUMR1 on leaves enabled by the combination with Carboxymethyl Cellulose (CMCNa) materials is feasible to improve the utilization rate of Metarhizium rileyi. Herein, the CMC-Na-ZHKUMR1 membrane was prepared by simply mixing Carboxymethyl Cellulose (CMCNa) with Metarhizium rileyi. Through compatibility test, it was found that the inhibition rates of spore germination and mycelial growth of ZHKUMR1 were only 1.51 % and 3.13 % when the concentration of Carboxymethyl Cellulose (CMCNa) was 0.5 %. By adding 2 % of Carboxymethyl Cellulose (CMCNa) under UV irradiation for 30 min, the protective rate of spore germination of ZHKUMR1 was up to ~12.44 %, where the wettability on corn leaves was achieved and the retention of ZHKUMR1 spores on corn leaves was increased. After indoor activity determination, it was found that after 3 min of simulated rain washing, the lethal rate of corn leaves pretreated with CMC-Na-ZHKUMR1 on the 2nd instar larvae of Spodoptera frugiperda was 46.67 %, which was much higher than that of ZHKUMR1 spore suspension alone. This work clearly showed that Carboxymethyl Cellulose (CMCNa) effectively improved the field application effect of Metarhizium rileyi ZHKUMR1, and this strategy provided guidance for improving the field efficacy of Metarhizium rileyi ZHKUMR1.

SOX9 and IL1A as the Potential Gene Biomarkers of the Oral Cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Oral cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors in the head and neck. It is easy to relapse, and the prognosis is poor. However, the molecular mechanism in the development of oral cancer is still unclear. METHODS: A total of 30 normal individuals and 30 patients with head and neck cancer who underwent surgery were recruited in the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University between February 2019 and November 2021. Furthermore, Human Protein Atlas (HPA) analysis, RT-qPCR, and immunofluorescence were used to verify the expression of SOX9 and IL1A. The GSE69002 dataset was downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. GEO2R was used to identify the differentially expressed genes (DEGs). The Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI) network was constructed by using the STRING, and Cytoscape software was performed for visualization. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) for enrichment analysis were made via the DAVID, Metascape, Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA), and Bin Gene Ontology (BINGO) analysis. Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA) analysis was used to analyze the expression level of hub genes and pathological stage. The cBioPortal can be used for mutation analysis and pathway prediction of hub genes. Kaplan Meier Plotter was used for survival analysis of hub genes. RESULTS: The relative expression level of SOX9 (P=0.021, t=4.332) and IL1A (P=0.011, t= -4.213) in oral cancer was significantly higher than that in the standard group (P<0.05). The DEGs are mainly enriched in cell division, inflammation, interleukin-12 beta-subunit binding, and interleukin- 10 receptor binding. All the differentially expressed gene pathways eventually converge in cell growth and apoptosis. No relationship between the pathologic stage and the expression of hub genes. The poor overall survival of patients with the high expression of SOX9 (Hazard Ratio (HR) = 1.46, P = 0.009) and IL1A (HR = 1.49, P = 0.008). There were strong correlations between the hub genes and the head and neck neoplasms via the Comparative Toxicogenomics Database (CTD). The immunofluorescence and PCR results showed that the level of SOX9 (P<0.001, t = -23.368) in the cancer group was significantly higher than that in the normal group; The level of IL1A in the cancer group was significantly higher than that in the normal group (P<0.001, t = -11.960). CONCLUSION: SOX9 and IL1A genes are highly expressed in oral cancer and might be potential therapeutic targets for oral cancer. The poor overall survival of patients with the high expression of SOX9 and IL1A.

Effect of bifenthrin application at different maturity stages on its dissipation and residues in kumquat (Citrus japonica) and dietary intake risk assessment.

Bifenthrin is a pyrethroid pesticide widely used on kumquats, but the residues in the peel and pulp after bifenthrin application at different maturity stages of kumquats have not been evaluated. This study developed a simple and rapid high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method for the quantitative analysis of bifenthrin residues in whole fruit, kumquat peel, kumquat pulp, and soil. The results showed that regardless of whether bifenthrin was applied one or three times during the near-mature period, the half-lives of the fruit peel and fruit pulp were longer than those in the immature period. Kumquat fruit residues decreased with time at both maturity levels. The residues of bifenthrin in near-mature fruit exceeded the MRL in Guangxi and Fujian 14 days after the three applications of bifenthrin, suggesting that this issue should be focused on in kumquat production and supervision. However, for bifenthrin application in either the near-mature or the immature fruit period, the calculated risks for chronic dietary intake of kumquat were well below 100%. The data demonstrate that the chronic dietary intake risk of bifenthrin through kumquat consumption is low and within acceptable limits. These results provide a reference and risk assessment data for the safe and rational use of bifenthrin insecticides.

Patterns of gestational weight gain among women with obesity and its correlation with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy in Chinese women.

Gestational weight management in obese women is critical in clinical work. Adverse pregnancy outcomes are associated with improper gestational weight gain (GWG). However, the pattern of GWG (PGWG) and its correlation with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) in obesity are still unclear in China. This retrospective cohort study evaluates clinical data from 799 women through multivariate analyses and trajectory analyses. All the participants are stratified per first trimester weight gain category into three groups (Inadequate-1st, <0.5 kg; Adequate-1st, 0.5-2.0 kg; Excessive-1st, >2.0 kg) and PGWG refers to the weekly weight gain during each gestational period. GWG is positively associated with first trimester weight gain. 78.4% of the Excessive-1st participants have excessive total GWG, in contrast to Inadequate-1st (32.7%) and Adequate-1st (48.2%). After 20 weeks, the weekly weight gain rapidly accelerates, and 77.3% have a weekly weight gain exceeding the Institute of Medicine recommendations. Trajectory analysis of weekly weight gain based on HDP shows two separate weight gain curves after 20 weeks in women with and without a high risk of HDP. Especially in Excessive-1st participants, weekly weight gain after 20 weeks over 0.32 kg/w is positively related to the risk of HDP (<0.32 kg/w vs. 0.32-0.61 kg/w, adjusted odds ratios [aOR]: 2.999, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.054-8.537; <0.32 kg/w vs. >0.61 kg/w, aOR: 5.362, 95% CI: 1.719-16.729). In summary, the first trimester is critical for gestational weight management in obesity. Excessive weight gain during the first trimester and after 20 weeks predicts a high risk of HDP, which should be noted in clinical practice.

Effects of glycosylation on the accumulation and transport of fipronil in earthworm (Eisenia fetida).

In this study, the differences in the accumulation of fipronil (F) and the glycosylated product glucose-fipronil (GTF) in Eisenia fetida within 48 h were investigated, and the reason for these differences was discussed. The accumulation of F and GTF in E. fetida and soil was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) after simple, rapid pretreatment; the mean recoveries of F and GTF were 84.79 ~ 95.83%, and the relative standard deviations were 3.39 ~ 9.21%, indicating that the methods could accurately detect the accumulation of F and GTF in E. fetida and soil. Results showed that the accumulation concentrations of F and GTF in E. fetida increased with exposure time; the concentrations of F in E. fetida were 3.1 ~ 6.2 times higher than those of GTF. In addition, the half-lives of GTF in soil (16.90 ~ 18.24 days) were significantly lower than those of F (24.75 ~ 26.65 days). After the addition of phlorizin, a hexose transport inhibitor, the accumulation of F in E. fetida did not change significantly, but the accumulation of GTF in E. fetida was significantly inhibited. The concentrations of GTF in E. fetida after adding phlorizin were 32.71 ~ 59.07% of those without phlorizin. Overall, our results indicated that the uptake and transport of F and GTF in E. fetida were significantly different; the uptake and transport of GTF was related to monosaccharide transporters, and glycosylation could reduce the bioaccumulation of fipronil to E. fetida and shorten the half-life of fipronil in soil, providing an important reference for the application of glucose-fipronil.

Azadirachtin inhibits the development and metabolism of the silk glands of Spodoptera frugiperda and affects spinning behavior.

BACKGROUND: Spodoptera frugiperda is a major agricultural pest, and the dispersal of its larvae by spinning silk is one of the causes of crop damage. At present, there are relatively few reports of pest control that affect larvae spinning silk. In this study, the effect of spinning behavior of the S. frugiperda larvae was investigated through a series of experiments. RESULTS: The 3rd instar larvae of S. frugiperda were exposed to azadirachtin, and the pathological changes in the silk glands of S. frugiperda and the differences in their metabolites were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy, histological sectioning, transmission electron microscopy and metabolomics. The results showed that azadirachtin could affect the silk gland of S. frugiperda. After 48 h of treatment with azadirachtin, the silk gland lumen of S. frugiperda appeared vacuolated. KEGG showed that 31 different metabolites were identified, of which 12 were upregulated and 19 were downregulated. These metabolites were enriched in 15 different metabolic pathways, which indicated that the silk gland of S. frugiperda was closely related to the formation of fatty acids and energy metabolism for the silk formation process. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides a preliminary report of the effect of azadirachtin on the spinning behavior of the S. frugiperda larvae. Metabolomic results indicated that histidine, glycine and leucine, which are related to serine protein synthesis, were down-regulated. Azadirachtin can damage the silk glands of S. frugiperda and thus affect spinning behavior. This provides the basis for the control of S. frugiperda by spinning silk. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

pH-responsive release and washout resistance of chitosan-based nano-pesticides for sustainable control of plumeria rust.

Controlled pesticide release in response to environmental stimuli by encapsulating pesticides in a carrier is a feasible approach to improve the effective utilization rate. In this study, pH-responsive release nanoparticles loaded with penconazole (PE) were prepared by ionic cross-linking of chitosan and carboxymethyl chitosan (PE@CS/CMCS-NPs). PE@CS/CMCS-NPs exhibited good washout resistance and wettability properties, increasing the washing resistance of the pesticide by approximately 20 times under continuous washing. The results of the release experiments showed that nanoparticles had adjustable controlled-release characteristics with the change in pH based on the swelling of nanoparticles. The results of spore germination experiments showed that PE@CS/CMCS-NPs enhanced the inhibitory effect under acidic conditions. The field experiment results showed that PE@CS/CMCS-NPs had a better control effect than PE-aqueous solution, extended the duration and slowed down the dissipation of PE. These results indicated that the CS/CMCS-NPs pH-responsive release system has great potential in the development of an effective pesticide formulation.

Novel application of biodegradable chitosan in agriculture: Using green nanopesticides to control Solenopsis invicta.

Botanical pesticides are biological pesticides that are environment friendly. However, their instability and short persistence limit their application. In this study, pH sensitive chitosan based rotenone (Rot) nanoparticles (CS/CMCS/Rot-NPs) were prepared using chitosan and carboxymethyl chitosan to take advantage of the acidic nature of the red fire ant midgut. Chitosan based nanoparticles showed photoprotective and slow sustained release effects on Rot and significantly increased the insecticidal activity of Rot against red fire ants. The 24-96hLC50 of CS/CMCS/Rot-NPs against red fire ants was 3.28-6.84 fold that of Rot. The CS/CMCS/Rot-NPs significantly reduced the venom alkaloid content of red fire ants and their living environment and weakened their survival by increasing their survival cost in the ecological environment. Nanotechnology combined with botanical pesticides can be used as a novel, safe, effective, and ecofriendly method to control red fire ants.

Dissipation and Distribution of Prochloraz in Bananas and a Risk Assessment of Its Dietary Intake.

BACKGROUND: As a systematic fungicide, prochloraz is often used to control banana freckle disease, and it is significant to assess the safety and risk of prochloraz. METHODS: The dissipation kinetics and distribution of prochloraz in bananas were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). RESULTS: The results showed that the fortified recoveries in bananas were 83.01-99.12%, and the relative standard deviations (RSDs) were 2.45-7.84%. The half-life of prochloraz in banana peel (3.93-5.60 d) was significantly lower than it was in whole banana (8.25-10.80 d) and banana pulp (10.35-12.84 d). The terminal residue of prochloraz in banana fruits was below the maximum residue level (MRL, China) at pre-harvest intervals (PHI) of 21 d. Moreover, the residue of prochloraz in banana peel was always 1.06-7.71 times greater than it was in banana pulp. The dietary risk assessment results indicated that the prochloraz residue in bananas at PHI of 21 d was safe for representative populations. (4) Conclusions: We found that a 26.7% prochloraz emulsion oil in water (EW) diluted 1000-fold and sprayed three times under field conditions was safe and reliable, providing a reference for the safe application of prochloraz in bananas.

A pH- and redox-stimulated responsive hollow mesoporous silica for triggered delivery of fungicides to control downy mildew of Luffa cylindrica.

BACKGROUND: Downy mildew, a devastating disease of cucurbitaceous crops caused by Pseudoperonospora cubensis. Although a variety of fungicides are used to control downy mildew, choosing an effective product can be challenging. Environmental stimulus-responsive pesticide delivery systems have great potential to improve the effectiveness of disease and pest control and reduce the impact on environmentally beneficial organisms. RESULTS: In this work, a disulfide bond (SS)-modified and chitosan oligosaccharide (COS)-capped hollow mesoporous silica (HMS) pesticide delivery system was synthesized using a hard template method for the control of downy mildew in cucurbit crops. The synthesized nanoparticles were loaded with dimethomorph (DMM), denoted as DMM@HMS-SS-COS, and the developmental toxicity of these nanoparticles to zebrafish embryos were evaluated. The results showed that the prepared DMM@HMS-SS-COS exhibited excellent dual response properties to pH and glutathione (GSH), with an encapsulation rate of up to 24.36%. DMM@HMS-SS-COS has good ultraviolet (UV) radiation stability and adhesion properties. Compared with dimethomorph suspension concentrate (SC), DMM@HMS-SS-COS was more effective against downy mildew for up to 21 days. Toxicity tests showed that DMM@HMS-SS-COS significantly reduced the effect of DMM on the hatching rate and survival rate of zebrafish embryos. CONCLUSIONS: This work not only demonstrates that DMM@HMS-SS-COS could be used as a nanodelivery system for intelligent control of downy mildew but also emphasizes the necessity of increasing the acute toxicity of nanoformulations to non-target organisms in environmental risk assessment. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

The synergistic effects of rosehip oil and matrine against Icerya aegyptiaca (Douglas) (Hemiptera: Coccoidea) and the underlying mechanisms.

BACKGROUND: Icerya aegyptiaca (Douglas) is an important agricultural pest that has a protective wax shell. Insecticides generally fail to achieve the desired control of I. aegyptiaca because of difficulties penetrating this wax shell. Plant essential oils are rich in terpenoids and have strong penetrability and expansibility, which can enable the rapid penetration and absorption of insecticides, thereby improving the control effect. Matrine is a botanical insecticide with contact and stomach toxicity, low toxicity toward non-target organisms and is environmentally friendly. In this study, we tested the insecticidal activity of rosehip oil (Ro)/matrine combinations and revealed the synergistic mechanism of Ro and its components with matrine in terms of physiology and biochemistry. RESULTS: Ro/matrine combinations have strong penetrating power, enabling matrine to quickly penetrate the wax shell of I. aegyptiaca and enter the insect body. This improves the insecticidal activity and enhances inhibition of acetylcholinesterase activity. Ro and its main chemical constituents, cineole and (+)-camphor, showed synergistic effects on matrine with synergic ratios of 4.79, 3.49 and 4.21, respectively. CONCLUSION: Combinations of Ro, cineole and (+)-camphor with matrine have good insecticidal effects on I. aegyptiaca while remaining safe to the environment. These combinations of biological insecticides have excellent development prospects and provide a new reference for the pest management of scale insects. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Dissipation and residue of fosthiazate in tomato and cherry tomato and a risk assessment of dietary intake.

In this study, the safety and risk of fosthiazate as a nematicide against root-knot nematode in tomato and cherry tomato were evaluated. The dissipation and residue of fosthiazate for 28 days in tomatoes and cherry tomatoes were determined and studied by HPLC after simple, rapid pre-treatment. The mean recovery was 83.79~94.18%, and the relative standard deviations were 3.97~7.40%. Results showed that the half-lives of fosthiazate in tomatoes (4.81~5.37 days) were significantly lower than that in cherry tomatoes (5.25~5.73 days). At the pre-harvest interval (PHI) of 21 days, the residues of tomatoes and cherry tomatoes were 0.032~0.046 mg/kg, which were lower than the maximum residue level (MRL) established in China. The potential risks of fosthiazate exposure through the dietary intake of tomatoes and cherry tomatoes to different populations were also studied. According to the results of dietary risk assessment, the residual levels of fosthiazate were within the acceptable range of long-term dietary risk in different populations in China within the sampling interval of 21 days after the application of fosthiazate. Our results show that fosthiazate at 2250 g.a.i./ha in the field control of root-knot nematode has high safety and low risk, and can provide a reference for the safe and reasonable use of fosthiazate as a nematicide in the field.

MZF1 mediates oncogene-induced senescence by promoting the transcription of p16INK4A.

Oncogene induced senescence is a tumor suppressing defense mechanism, in which the cell cycle-dependent protein kinase (CDK) inhibitor p16INK4A (encoded by the CDKN2A gene) plays a key role. We previously reported that a transcriptional co-activator chromodomain helicase DNA binding protein 7 (CHD7) mediates oncogenic ras-induced senescence by inducing transcription of the p16INK4A gene. In the current study, we identified myeloid zinc finger 1 (MZF1) as the transcriptional factor that recruits CHD7 to the p16INK4A promoter, where it mediates oncogenic ras-induced p16INK4A transcription and senescence through CHD7, in primary human cells from multiple origins. Moreover, the expression of MZF1 is induced by oncogenic ras in senescent cells through the c-Jun and Ets1 transcriptional factors upon their activation by the Ras-Raf-1-MEK-ERK signaling pathway. In non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD) where activating ras mutations occur frequently, reduced MZF1 expression is observed in tumors, as compared to corresponding normal tissues, and correlates with poor patient survival. Analysis of single cell RNA-sequencing data from PAAD patients revealed that among the tumor cells with normal RB expression levels, those with reduced levels of MZF1 are more likely to express lower p16INK4A levels. These findings have identified novel signaling components in the pathway that mediates induction of the p16INK4A tumor suppressor and the senescence response, and suggested that MZF1 is a potential tumor suppressor in at least some cancer types, the loss of which contributes to the inactivation of the p16INK4A/RB pathway and disruption of senescence in tumor cells with intact RB.