Polygenic adaptation of a cosmopolitan pest to a novel thermal environment.

The fluctuation in temperature poses a significant challenge for poikilothermic organisms, notably insects, particularly in the context of changing climatic conditions. In insects, temperature adaptation has been driven by polygenes. In addition to genes that directly affect traits (core genes), other genes (peripheral genes) may also play a role in insect temperature adaptation. This study focuses on two peripheral genes, the GRIP and coiled-coil domain containing 2 (GCC2) and karyopherin subunit beta 1 (KPNB1). These genes are differentially expressed at different temperatures in the cosmopolitan pest, Plutella xylostella. GCC2 and KPNB1 in P. xylostella were cloned, and their relative expression patterns were identified. Reduced capacity for thermal adaptation (development, reproduction and response to temperature extremes) in the GCC2-deficient and KPNB1-deficient P. xylostella strains, which were constructed by CRISPR/Cas9 technique. Deletion of the PxGCC2 or PxKPNB1 genes in P. xylostella also had a differential effect on gene expression for many traits including stress resistance, resistance to pesticides, involved in immunity, trehalose metabolism, fatty acid metabolism and so forth. The ability of the moth to adapt to temperature via different pathways is likely to be key to its ability to remain an important pest species under predicted climate change conditions.

Thermal acclimation uncovers a simple genetic basis of adaptation to high temperature in a cosmopolitan pest.

Understanding a population's fitness heterogeneity and genetic basis of thermal adaptation is essential for predicting the responses to global warming. We examined the thermotolerance and genetic adaptation of Plutella xylostella to exposure to hot temperatures. The population fitness parameters of the hot-acclimated DBM strains varied in the thermal environments. Using genome scanning and transcription profiling, we find a number of genes potentially involved in thermal adaptation of DBM. Editing two ABCG transporter genes, PxWhite and PxABCG, confirmed their role in altering cuticle permeability and influencing thermal responses. Our results demonstrate that SNP mutations in genes and changes in gene expression can allow DBM to rapidly adapt to thermal environment. ABCG transporter genes play an important role in thermal adaptation of DBM. This work improves our understanding of genetic adaptation mechanisms of insects to thermal stress and our capacity to predict the effects of rising global temperatures on ectotherms.

Comparison of ultrasound-guided and traditional localisation in intraspinal anesthesia: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: The optimal puncture technique for neuraxial anaesthesia in different populations is unclear. We sought to obtain data from randomised controlled trials comparing the impact of ultrasound-guided technology and traditional positioning technology on the success rate of neuraxial anaesthesia. DESIGN: Systematic review and network meta-analysis using study populations, interventions, intervention comparisons, outcome measures and study types. DATA SOURCES: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library and Web of science were searched until 31 September 2022. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: We included randomised controlled trials comparing three types of neuraxial anaesthesia: ultrasound-assisted, ultrasound real-time guidance and conventional positioning to describe which neuraxial anaesthesia modality is best for patients and to recommend the appropriate one for different populations. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS: Five independent reviewers retrieved, screened and edited included studies using standardised methods. Assess risk of bias using the Cochrane Collaboration and Evidence Project tools. Network meta-analysis was performed using STATA V.15 statistical software. RESULTS: Twenty-two studies containing three different interventions were included. The SUCRA values of first-pass success rates for the three neuraxial anaesthesia methods were real-time guidance (82.8%), ultrasound-assisted (67.1%) and traditional positioning (0.1%). Both ultrasound techniques improved first-pass success rates compared with traditional localization, but there was no significant difference between the two. Subgroup analysis showed that the use of real-time ultrasound guidance for neuraxial anaesthesia in pregnant and patients with obesity improved first-pass success rates. Ultrasound-assisted technology can improve first-attempt success rates in older patients with abnormal lumbar spine anatomy. CONCLUSION: Compared with conventional positioning, ultrasound guidance technology can improve the first-pass success rate of neuraxial anaesthesia, but there is no significant difference between ultrasound-assisted and real-time guidance technology. The results of subgroup analysis tell us that the most suitable neuraxial anaesthesia method is different for different groups of people. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: PROSPERO number: CRD42022376041.

Perioperative transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (pTEAS) in pain management in major spinal surgery patients.

BACKGROUND: Lumbar disc herniation is seen in 5-15% of patients with lumbar back pain and is the most common spine disorder demanding surgical correction. Spinal surgery is one of the most effective management for these patients. However, current surgical techniques still present complications such as chronic pain in 10-40% of all patients who underwent lumbar surgery, which has a significant impact on patients' quality of life. Research studies have shown that transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) may reduce the cumulative dosage of intraoperative anesthetics as well as postoperative pain medications in these patients. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of pTEAS on pain management and clinical outcome in major spinal surgery patients. METHODS: We conducted a prospective, randomized, double-blind study to verify the effect of pTEAS in improving pain management and clinical outcome after major spinal surgery. Patients (n = 90) who underwent posterior lumbar fusion surgery were randomized into two groups: pTEAS, (n = 45) and Control (n = 45). The pTEAS group received stimulation on acupoints Zusanli (ST.36), Sanyinjiao (SP.6), Taichong (LR.3), and Neiguan (PC.6). The Control group received the same electrode placement but with no electrical output. Postoperative pain scores, intraoperative outcome, perioperative hemodynamics, postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), and dizziness were recorded. RESULTS: Intraoperative outcomes of pTEAS group compared with Control: consumption of remifentanil was significantly lower (P < 0.05); heart rate was significantly lower at the end of the operation and after tracheal extubation (P < 0.05); and there was lesser blood loss (P < 0.05). Postoperative outcomes: lower pain visual analogue scale (VAS) score during the first two days after surgery (P < 0.05); and a significantly lower rate of PONV (on postoperative Day-5) and dizziness (on postoperative Day-1 and Day-5) (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: pTEAS could manage pain effectively and improve clinical outcomes. It could be used as a complementary technique for short-term pain management, especially in patients undergoing major surgeries. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ChiCTR1800014634, retrospectively registered on 25/01/2018. http://medresman.org/uc/projectsh/projectedit.aspx?proj=183.

Changes in the Host Gut Microbiota during Parasitization by Parasitic Wasp Cotesia vestalis.

Parasites attack the host insects and possibly impact the host-gut microbiota, which leads to provision of a suitable host environment for parasites' development. However, little is known about whether and how the parasitic wasp Cotesia vestalis alters the gut microbiota of the host Plutella xylostella. In this study, 16S rDNA microbial profiling, combined with a traditional isolation and culture method, were used to assess changes in the bacterial microbiome of parasitized and non-parasitized hosts at different developmental stages of C. vestalis larvae. Parasitization affected both the diversity and structure of the host-gut microbiota, with a significant reduction in richness on the sixth day post parasitization (6 DPP) and significant differences in bacterial structure between parasitized and non-parasitized hosts on the third day. The bacterial abundance of host-gut microbiota changed significantly as the parasitization progressed, resulting in alteration of potential functional contribution. Notably, the relative abundance of the predominant family Enterobacteriaceae was significantly decreased on the third day post-parasitization. In addition, the results of traditional isolation and culture of bacteria indicated differences in the bacterial composition between the three DPP and CK3 groups, as with 16S microbial profiling. These findings shed light on the interaction between a parasitic wasp and gut bacteria in the host insect during parasitization.

Real-Time Ultrasound-Guided Versus Ultrasound-Assisted Spinal Anesthesia in Elderly Patients With Hip Fractures: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Traditional landmark-guided spinal anesthesia can be challenging in elderly patients with hip fractures. Ultrasound assistance (USAS) and real-time ultrasound guidance (USRTG) techniques can facilitate lumbar neuraxial blocks. However, it remains undetermined which method is optimal for use in elderly patients. This study aimed to evaluate which technique was associated with a higher success rate of spinal anesthesia in elderly patients with hip fractures: USAS or USRTG technique. METHODS: A total of 114 elderly patients (≥70 years of age) with hip fractures were randomly assigned to receive spinal anesthesia using either the USAS or USRTG technique. The primary outcome was the first-attempt success rate, analyzed using the χ2 test. Secondary outcomes included first-pass success rate, the number of needle attempts and passes, locating time, procedure time, total time, adverse reactions and complications, patient satisfaction, and procedural difficulty score. RESULTS: The first-attempt success rate (80.7% vs 52.6%; 95% confidence interval [CI], for the difference, 11.6-44.6) and first-pass success rate (63.2% vs 31.6%; 95% CI for the difference, 14.2-49) were both significantly higher in the USAS compared with the USRTG group (both P = .001). The number of attempts (1 [1-1] vs 1 [1-3]; P = .001) and median passes (1 vs 3; P < .001) were both significantly lower in the USAS group than in the USRTG group. The USRTG group had a shorter locating time (175 seconds [129-234 seconds] vs 315 seconds [250-390 seconds]; P < .001) but a longer procedure time (488 seconds [260-972 seconds] vs 200 seconds [127-328 seconds]; P < .001) and total time (694 seconds [421-1133 seconds] vs 540 seconds [432-641 seconds]; P = .036). There were no significant differences between the 2 groups with regard to the adverse reactions and complications. More patients in the USAS group had a high satisfaction score of 3 to 5 (P = .008). Overall, anesthesiologists rated the USRTG group procedure as "more difficult" (P = .008). CONCLUSIONS: In elderly patients with hip fractures, spinal anesthesia with the USRTG technique is not superior to the USAS technique since it has a lower success rate, longer procedure time, lower satisfaction score, and is more difficult to perform. So USAS technique may be more suitable for elderly patients.

Large-scale genome-wide study reveals climate adaptive variability in a cosmopolitan pest.

Understanding the genetic basis of climatic adaptation is essential for predicting species' responses to climate change. However, intraspecific variation of these responses arising from local adaptation remains ambiguous for most species. Here, we analyze genomic data from diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella) collected from 75 sites spanning six continents to reveal that climate-associated adaptive variation exhibits a roughly latitudinal pattern. By developing an eco-genetic index that combines genetic variation and physiological responses, we predict that most P. xylostella populations have high tolerance to projected future climates. Using genome editing, a key gene, PxCad, emerged from our analysis as functionally temperature responsive. Our results demonstrate that P. xylostella is largely capable of tolerating future climates in most of the world and will remain a global pest beyond 2050. This work improves our understanding of adaptive variation along environmental gradients, and advances pest forecasting by highlighting the genetic basis for local climate adaptation.