Suprachoroidal hemorrhage associated with pars plana vitrectomy.

PURPOSE: To analyze the characteristics, related risk factors, and prognosis of suprachoroidal hemorrhage (SCH) associated with pars plana vitrectomy (PPV). METHODS: Cases of SCH associated with PPV excluding trauma were retrospectively analyzed in Beijing Tongren Hospital between January 2010 and June 2020. The data collected included general data, myopia status, axial length, state of the crystalline lens, SCH onset time, range, treatment method, visual prognosis, and methods of operation and anesthesia. Patients were divided into those with SCH related to the first PPV (Group 1), and SCH related to second intraocular surgery in the vitrectomized eye (Group 2). Patients were also classified by the SCH onset time into either the expulsive suprachoroidal hemorrhage group (ESCH) and the delayed suprachoroidal hemorrhage group (DSCH). The general data, related risk factors, and the visual prognosis of SCH in the different groups were analyzed. RESULTS: SCH associated with PPV was studied in 28 cases with an incidence of 0.06 %; 16 males and 12 females. The mean age of the patients was (53.51 ± 10.21) years old, the mean follow-up time was (24.94 ± 14.60) days, and the mean axial length was (28.21 ± 3.14) mm. Of these cases, 21 were classified as high myopia, 25 as aphakia/ pseudophakic, and 7 as focal hemorrhage. Silicone oil removal occurred in 12 cases (43 %). Patients in Group 2 were younger than Group 1 (P = 0.005). In terms of treatment and prognosis, 5 eyes were simply closely observed, 4 were given single suprachoroidal drainage, 15 were given suprachoroidal drainage combined with silicone tamponade, 2 underwent anterior chamber puncture, and 2 gave up treatment. A follow-up vision: NLP ~ 20/30; among them, 2 eyes with NLP (7.14 %), 6 of ≥ 20/200 (21.43 %). The final outcomes presented a significantly positive correlation with baseline vision but no significant correlation with age or axial length. CONCLUSIONS: SCH has a higher incidence rate after a second intraocular surgery in a vitrectomized eye which is associated with the lack of vitreous support and easier fluctuation of intraocular pressure. SCH associated with PPV is more localized and has a relatively good prognosis; high myopia and aphakic/ pseudophakic eyes are risk factors. Active treatment can effectively improve visual prognosis. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Retrospective case series study, not applicable.

Association of serum uric acid levels with suicide risk in female patients with major depressive disorder: a comparative cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Individuals with major depressive disorder (MDD) have a high suicide risk. Some evidence suggests that uric acid (UA) may be involved in the pathophysiology of MDD. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether serum UA levels were associated with suicide risk in MDD patients. METHODS: One hundred four female patients with MDD (52 patients with suicide risk and 52 patients without suicide risk) and 52 healthy individuals were included in this study. The suicide risk was evaluated by Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (M.I.N.I.). Fasting serum levels of UA, as well as glucose, lipid and renal function indicators were measured. RESULTS: Serum UA levels in MDD patients with suicide risk (245.01 ± 55.44 µmol/L) were significantly lower than those in MDD patients without suicide risk (274.17 ± 72.65 µmol/L) (p = 0.017) and healthy controls (271.42 ± 55.25 µmol/L) (p = 0.030). There was no difference in serum UA levels between the MDD patients without suicide risk and healthy controls (p = 0.821). Binary logistic regression analysis revealed a significant relationship between suicide risk and decreased serum UA levels (OR = 0.989, p = 0.010) in MDD patients. CONCLUSION: Decreased serum UA levels were associated with suicide risk in MDD patients. Purinergic system dysfunction may be involved in the neurobiological basis of suicide risk in these patients.

[Progress on metaplasticity and its role in learning and memory].

Long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD) are two major forms of synaptic plasticity that are widely considered as important cellular models of learning and memory. Metaplasticity is defined as the plasticity of synaptic plasticity and thus is an advanced form of plasticity. The history of synaptic activity can affect the subsequent synaptic plasticity induction. Therefore, it is important to study metaplasticity to explore new mechanisms underlying various brain functions including learning and memory. Since the concept of metaplasticity was proposed, it has aroused widespread concerns and attracted numerous researchers to dig more details on this topic. These new-found experimental phenomena and cellular mechanisms have established the basis of theoretical studies on metaplasticity. In recent years, researchers have found that metaplasticity can not only affect the synaptic plasticity, but also regulate the neural network to encode specific content and enhance the learning and memory. These findings have greatly enriched our knowledge on plasticity and opened a new route to study the mechanism of learning and memory. In this review, we discuss the recent progress on metaplasticity on following three aspects: (1) the molecular mechanisms of metaplasticity; (2) the role of metaplasticity in learning and memory; and (3) the outlook of future study on metaplasticity.

Manipulation of Host Quality and Defense by a Plant Virus Improves Performance of Whitefly Vectors.

Pathogen-mediated interactions between insect vectors and their host plants can affect herbivore fitness and the epidemiology of plant diseases. While the role of plant quality and defense in mediating these tripartite interactions has been recognized, there are many ecologically and economically important cases where the nature of the interaction has yet to be characterized. The Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) cryptic species Mediterranean (MED) is an important vector of tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV), and performs better on virus-infected tomato than on uninfected controls. We assessed the impact of TYLCV infection on plant quality and defense, and the direct impact of TYLCV infection on MED feeding. We found that although TYLCV infection has a minimal direct impact on MED, the virus alters the nutritional content of leaf tissue and phloem sap in a manner beneficial to MED. TYLCV infection also suppresses herbivore-induced production of plant defensive enzymes and callose deposition. The strongly positive net effect on TYLCV on MED is consistent with previously reported patterns of whitefly behavior and performance, and provides a foundation for further exploration of the molecular mechanisms responsible for these effects and the evolutionary processes that shape them.

[Efficacy of Chinese Herbs for Supplementing Qi and Activating Blood Circulation on Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus after Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: a Clinical Observation].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the efficacy of Chinese herbs for supplementing qi and activating blood circulation (CHSQABC) on patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) after successful percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: In this ChiCTR-TRC-00000021, a total of 281 ACS patients complicated with type 2 DM after successful PCI were randomly assigned to the Western medicine treatment group (the control group, treated by routine Western medicine treatment) and the combined treatment group (the treatment group, treated by CHSQABC + routine Western medicine treatment). Patients in the combined treatment group took Xinyue Capsule (2 pills each time, 3 times per day) and Compound Chuanxiong Capsule (2 pills each time, 3 times per day for half a year and 1-year follow-ups). Primary endpoints covered incidence of death, nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI), ischemia-driven revascularization, and secondary endpoints included stroke, heart failure, and rehospitalization for ACS. At the same time scores for blood stasis syndrome (BSS) and the incidence of angina pectoris were evaluated before treatment, at month 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 after treatment. RESULTS: The incidence of ischemia-driven revascularization was obviously less in the treatment group than in the control group (P < 0.05). No patient had nonfatal MI in the treatment group, while 5 patients in the control group had it. The incidence of non-fatal MI showed an obvious lowering tendency in the treatment group, but with no statistical difference when compared with that in the control group (P > 0.05). Four patients readmitted to hospital in the treatment group, while 12 patients readmitted. There existed obvious tendency in the treatment group, but with no statistical difference when compared with that in the control group (P > 0.05). The incidence of angina was significantly lower in the treatment group at month 6, 9, and 12 than that at month 1 , but it was lower in the control group at 9 months (P < 0.05). The incidence of angina was 15. 4% in the treatment group, obviously lower than that in the control group (26.2%, P < 0.05). Compared with before treatment, scores for BSS were obviously lowered in the treatment group at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months of treatment and in the control group at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months of treatment (P < 0.05). It was obviously lower in the treatment group than in the control group at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months of treatment (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Administration of CHSQABC combined routine Western medicine treatment could reduce the event of revascularization and post-PCI recurrent angina, and improve scores for BSS of ACS patients complicated with DM after PCI.

[Effect of jianpi tongluo jiedu recipe on expression levels of COX-2, NF-kappaBp65, and Bcl-2 in gastric mucosa of patients with precancerous lesions of gastric cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of Jianpi Tongluo Jiedu Recipe (JTJR) on protein expression levels of COX-2, NF-kappaBp65, Bcl-2, and Bax, mRNA expression levels of COX-2 and Bcl-2, and the apoptotic index (Al) in gastric mucosa of patients with precancerous lesions of gastric cancer (PL-GC). METHODS: Totally 65 PLGC patients were recruited and treated by JTJR (modified by syndrome typing), one dose per day for six successive months. Protein expression levels of COX-2, NF-KBp65, Bcl-2, and Bax were detected in 65 patients using immunohistochemical (IHC) assay before and after treatment. mRNA expression levels of COX-2 and Bcl-2 were detected in 54 patients using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Meanwhile, changes of Al was detected in 65 patients using TdT-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) fluorescence method. RESULTS: After treatment with JTJR, positive protein expression levels of COX-2, NF-KBp65, and Bcl-2 were obviously decreased in the gastric mucosa of PLGC patients (P <0.01), but Bax positive protein expression was found to be higher (P < 0.05). At the same time mRNA expression levels of COX-2 and Bcl-2 were significantly lower after treatment than before treatment (P < 0.05, P < 0.01); Al also increased after treatment (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: JTJR could promote apoptosis possibly via NF-kappaBp65/COX-2, COX-2/Bcl-2, and NF-kappaBp65/Bcl-2 signaling pathways, thereby affecting PLGC patients.

Intra- and interspecific competition between western flower thrips and sweetpotato whitefly.

The western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande), and the sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius), are both invasive insect pests and are present in most of the same agricultural crops without a clear dominance of either species. Here, intra- and interspecific competition in B. tabaci and F. occidentalis was determined under controlled experiments. The results showed that intraspecific competition was distinct in F. occidentalis and that the co-occurrence of B. tabaci had a strong effect on F. occidentalis, resulting in a decrease in oviposition. Significant intraspecific competition was found in B. tabaci, and the coexistence of F. occidentalis had limited effect on the oviposition of B. tabaci. In a selective host plant preference experiment, both F. occidentalis and B. tabaci preferred eggplants most, followed by cucumbers and tomatoes. On cucumber plants, B. tabaci was predominant, whereas on eggplant and tomato plants, F. occidentalis and B. tabaci exhibited comparative competitive abilities during the initial stage. However, over time, higher numbers of B. tabaci than that of F. occidentalis were found on the two host plants. Our in vitro and potted plant experiments indicate that B. tabaci is competitively superior to F. occidentalis, which might help to explain their differential distribution patterns in China.

[Assessing Chinese herbal medicines for benefiting qi and activating blood circulation in treating unstable angina based on Markov model: a long-term clinical effectiveness exploration].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the long-term clinical effectiveness of Chinese herbal medicines for benefiting qi and activating blood circulation (CHMBQABC) plus routine Western medical intervention in treating unstable angina (UA) patients of qi deficiency blood stasis syndrome (QDBSS) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) based on Markov model. METHODS: A Markov model was established based on prognosis and sequelae of UA patients after PCI treated by CHMBQABC plus routine Western medical intervention or by routine Western medical intervention. According to the transition probabilities of 40 Markov cycles and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) averagely gained, we assessed the therapeutic advantage of CHMBQABC plus routine Western medical intervention. RESULTS: By the prediction of Markov model for 20 years, the transition probabilities of revascularization, non-fatal myocardial infarction, non-fatal stroke, and all-cause death in the CHMBQABC plus routine Western medical intervention group was 56.65%, 6.53%, 5.16%, and 31.66%, respectively, and the QALYs averagely gained was 12.95; while the transition probabilities of revascularization, non-fatal myocardial infarction, non-fatal stroke, and all-cause death in the Western medical intervention group was 55.31%, 6.87%, 5.25%, and 32.57%, respectively, and the QALYs averagely gained was 12.84. Compared with the Western medical intervention group, the QALYs averagely gained was 0.11 in the CHMBQABC plus routine Western medical intervention group. CONCLUSION: Based on predicted results of the Markov model, CHMBQABC plus routine Western medical intervention got better efficacy in treating UA patients after PCI, indicating CHMBQABC plus routine Western medical intervention could improve the long-term clinical effectiveness for UA patients of QDBSS after PCI.

Hotspots and trends of risk factors in gastric cancer: A visualization and bibliometric analysis.

BACKGROUND: The lack of specific symptoms of gastric cancer (GC) causes great challenges in its early diagnosis. Thus it is essential to identify the risk factors for early diagnosis and treatment of GC and to improve the survival rates. AIM: To assist physicians in identifying changes in the output of publications and research hotspots related to risk factors for GC, constructing a list of key risk factors, and providing a reference for early identification of patients at high risk for GC. METHODS: Research articles on risk factors for GC were searched in the Web of Science core collection, and relevant information was extracted after screening. The literature was analyzed using Microsoft Excel 2019, CiteSpace V, and VOSviewer 1.6.18. RESULTS: A total of 2514 papers from 72 countries and 2507 research institutions were retrieved. China (n = 1061), National Cancer Center (n = 138), and Shoichiro Tsugane (n = 36) were the most productive country, institution, or author, respectively. The research hotspots in the study of risk factors for GC are summarized in four areas, namely: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection, single nucleotide polymorphism, bio-diagnostic markers, and GC risk prediction models. CONCLUSION: In this study, we found that H. pylori infection is the most significant risk factor for GC; single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) is the most dominant genetic factor for GC; bio-diagnostic markers are the most promising diagnostic modality for GC. GC risk prediction models are the latest current research hotspot. We conclude that the most important risk factors for the development of GC are H. pylori infection, SNP, smoking, diet, and alcohol.

Two cytochrome P450 genes are involved in imidacloprid resistance in field populations of the whitefly, Bemisia tabaci, in China.

The sweet potato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera:Aleyrodidae), is an invasive and damaging pest of field crops worldwide. The neonicotinoid insecticide imidacloprid has been widely used to control this pest. We assessed the species composition (B vs. Q), imidacloprid resistance, and association between imidacloprid resistance and the expression of five P450 genes for 14-17 B. tabaci populations in 12 provinces in China. Fifteen of 17 populations contained only B. tabaci Q, and two populations contained both B and Q. Seven of 17 populations exhibited moderate to high resistance to imidacloprid, and eight populations exhibited low resistance to imidacloprid, compared with the most susceptible field WHHB population. In a study of 14 of the populations, resistance level was correlated with the expression of the P450 genes CYP6CM1 and CYP4C64 but not with the expression of CYP6CX1, CYP6CX4, or CYP6DZ7. This study indicates that B. tabaci Q has a wider distribution in China than previously reported. Resistance to imidacloprid in field populations of B. tabaci is associated with the increased expression of two cytochrome P450 genes (CYP6CM1 and CYP4C64).

Antennal transcriptome analysis of odorant-binding proteins and characterization of GOBP2 in the variegated cutworm Peridroma saucia.

Odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) are expressed at extremely high concentrations in the chemo-sensilla lymph of insects and have long been thought to be crucial for delivering the semiochemicals to the odorant receptors. They are represented by multiple classes: general odorant-binding proteins (GOBP1 and GOBP2) and pheromone-binding proteins. In the current study, we identified a total of 35 OBPs in the antennal transcriptome of Peridroma saucia, a worldwide pest that causes serious damage to various crops. A gene expression value (TPM, transcripts per million) analysis revealed that seven OBPs (PsauPBP1/2/3, PsauGOBP1/2, PsauOBP6, and PsauOBP8) were highly abundant in the antennae. Next, we focused on the expression and functional characterization of PsauGOBP2. Real-time quantitative-PCR analysis demonstrated that PsauGOBP2 was predominantly expressed in the antennae of both sexes. Fluorescence binding assays showed that the recombinant PsauGOBP2 strongly binds to the female sex pheromone components Z11-16: Ac (Ki = 4.2 µM) and Z9-14: Ac (Ki = 4.9 µM) and binds moderately (6 µM ≤ Ki ≤ 13 µM) to the host plant volatiles phenylethyl acetate, ß-myrcene, and dodecanol. Further 3D structural modeling and molecular docking revealed that several crucial amino acid residues are involved in ligand binding. The results not only increase our understanding of the olfactory system of P. saucia but also provide insights into the function of PsauGOBP2 that has implications for developing sustainable approaches for P. saucia management.

Expression, affinity, and binding mode analysis of antennal-binding protein X in the variegated cutworm Peridroma saucia (Hübner).

The variegated cutworm Peridroma saucia (Hübner) is a worldwide pest that causes serious damage to many crops. Odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) are small soluble proteins involved in the first step of odorant reception. In moths, antennal-binding protein Xs (ABPXs) represent a main subfamily of classic OBPs. However, their functions remain unclear. Here, we cloned the ABPX gene from the antennae of P. saucia. RT-qPCR and western-blot analyses showed that PsauABPX is antenna-predominant and male-biased. Further temporal expression investigation indicated that the expression of PsauABPX started 1 day before eclosion and reached the highest 3 days after eclosion. Next, fluorescence binding assays revealed that recombinant PsauABPX had high binding affinities with P. saucia female sex pheromone components Z11-16: Ac and Z9-14: Ac. Then, molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulation, and site-directed mutagenesis were employed to identify key amino acid residues involved in the binding of PsauABPX to Z11-16: Ac and Z9-14: Ac. The results demonstrated that Val-32, Gln-107 and Tyr-114 are essential for the binding to both sex pheromones. This study not only give us insight into the function and binding mechanism of ABPXs in moths, but could also be used to explore novel strategies to control P. saucia.

Associations of Parity With Change in Global Cognition and Incident Cognitive Impairment in Older Women.

Background: The evidence of the association between parity and risk of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia is mixed, and the relationship between parity and longitudinal cognitive changes is less clear. We investigated these issues in a large population of older women who were carefully monitored for development of MCI and probable dementia. Methods: Using the Women's Health Initiative Memory Study, 7,100 postmenopausal women (mean age 70.1 ± 3.8 years) with information on baseline parity (defined as the number of term pregnancies), measures of global cognition (Modified Mini-Mental State Examination score) from 1996-2007, and cognitive impairment (centrally adjudicated diagnoses of MCI and dementia) from 1996-2016 were included. Multivariable linear mixed-effects models were used to analyze the rate of changes in global cognition. Cox regression models were used to evaluate the risk of MCI/dementia across parity groups. Results: Over an average of 10.5 years, 465 new cases of MCI/dementia were identified. Compared with nulliparous women, those with a parity of 1-3 and ≥4 had a lower MCI/dementia risk. The HRs were 0.75 (0.56-0.99) and 0.71 (0.53-0.96), respectively (P < 0.01). Similarly, a parity of 1-3 and ≥4 was related to slower cognitive decline (ß = 0.164, 0.292, respectively, P < 0.05). Conclusion: Higher parity attenuated the future risk for MCI/dementia and slowed the rates of cognitive decline in elderly women. Future studies are needed to determine how parity affects late-life cognitive function in women.

[Device associated infection in medical surgical intensive care unit inpatients of an A level, tertiary class hospital in Beijing].

OBJECTIVE: To understand the situation of the device-associated infection (DAI) in the medical-surgical intensive care unit(ICU)inpatients in an A-level tertiary class hospital in Beijing. METHODS: DAI date were collected through a surveillance on the medical-surgical ICU inpatients in an A-level tertiary class hospital in Beijing from January 2008 to December 2010. RESULTS: In 2279 patients admitted to the medical-surgical ICU (with a 15,332 days total hospitalization stay), 283 were found infected. The incidence for in-hospital infection was 12.42%, and 2.452% for the incidence per patient-day. The device utilization ratios for ventilator, central venous catheter and urinary catheter were 56.76%, 59.01% and 80.07% respectively while the incidence for ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) and catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) were 1.632%, 0.409% and 0.350% respectively. The predominant bacteria species found in these cases were Gram-negatives and the main stay of pathogenic species were A. baumannii, P. aeruginosa, Staphylococcus, E. coli, K. pneumoniae and C. albicans etc. CONCLUSION: The incidence of DAI in the surveyed hospital is close to other hospitals in China and other developing countries but higher than hospitals in United States. More efforts should be made for its prevention / control by hospital stuff, with the cooperation from the patients.

GOBP1 from the Variegated Cutworm Peridroma saucia (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Displays High Binding Affinities to the Behavioral Attractant (Z)-3-Hexenyl acetate.

The variegated cutworm Peridroma saucia (Hübner) is a worldwide pest that causes serious damage to many crops. To recognize sex pheromones and host plant volatiles, insects depend on olfactory chemoreception involving general odorant-binding proteins (GOBPs). In this study, PsauGOBP1 was cloned from the adult antennae of P. saucia. RT-qPCR and Western-blot analysis showed that PsauGOBP1 was specifically and equally expressed in the adult antennae of both females and males. Fluorescence competitive-binding assays with sex pheromones and host plant volatiles demonstrated that PsauGOBP1 bound to six host plant volatiles: (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate (KD = 4.0 ± 0.1 µM), citral (KD = 5.6 ± 0.4 µM), farnesol (KD = 6.4 ± 0.6 µM), nonanal (KD = 6.8 ± 0.3 µM), (Z)-3-hexen-1-ol (KD = 8.5 ± 0.6 µM), and benzaldehyde (KD = 9.4 ± 0.5 µM). Electroantennogram recordings with the six host plant volatiles indicated that (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate elicited the strongest responses from both male and female antennae. Further bioassays using Y-tube olfactometers showed that (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate was attractive to adult P. saucia of both sexes. These results suggest that PsauGOBP1 might be involved in detecting host plant volatiles and that (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate might serve as a potential attractant for the biological control of P. saucia.

Genome-wide identification and analysis of sulfatase and sulfatase modifying factor genes in Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae).

The invasive pest whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) is a complex species, of which Middle East-Minor Asia 1 (MEAM1) and Mediterranean (MED) are the two most damaging members. Previous research showed that cabbage is frequently infested with MEAM1 but seldomly with MED, and this difference in performance is associated with glucosinolate (GS) content. Some insects can modify GS using glucosinolate sulfatase (SULF), the activity of which is regulated by sulfatase modifying factor 1 (SUMF1); therefore, to increase our understanding of different performances of MEAM1 and MED on cabbage plants, we identified and compared nine putative SULFs and one SUMF in MEAM1 and MED. We found that the lengths of two genes, BtSulf2 and BtSulf4, differed between MEAM1 and MED. The messenger RNA levels of BtSulf4 increased more than 20-fold after MEAM1 and MED adults were exposed to GS, but BtSulf2 expression was only induced by GS in MEAM1. Knockdown of BtSulf2 and BtSulf4 in MEAM1 resulted in a substantial increase in the mortality of GS-treated adults but not in MED. These results indicate that differences in BtSulf2 and BtSulf4 sequences and/or expression may explain why MEAM1 performs better than MED on cabbage. Our results provide a basis for future functional research on SULF and SUMF in B. tabaci.

Identification of Candidate Chemosensory Receptors in the Antennae of the Variegated Cutworm, Peridroma saucia Hübner, Based on a Transcriptome Analysis.

Insect chemoreception, including olfaction and gustation, involves several families of genes, including odorant receptors (ORs), ionotropic receptors (IRs), and gustatory receptors (GRs). The variegated cutworm Peridroma saucia Hübner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is a worldwide agricultural pest that causes serious damage to many crops. To identify such olfactory and gustatory receptors in P. saucia, we performed a systematic analysis of the antennal transcriptome of adult P. saucia through Illumina sequencing. A total of 103 candidate chemosensory receptor genes were identified, including 63 putative ORs, 10 GRs, 24 IRs, and 6 ionotropic glutamate receptors (iGluRs). Phylogenetic relationships of these genes with those from other species were predicted, and specific chemosensory receptor genes were analyzed, including ORco, pheromone receptors (PRs), sugar receptors, CO2 receptors, and IR co-receptors. RT-qPCR analyses of these annotated genes revealed that 6 PRs were predominantly expressed in male antennae; 3 ORs, 1 GR, 2 IRs, and 2 iGluRs had higher expression levels in male than in female antennae; and 14 ORs, 1 GR, and 3 IRs had higher expression levels in female than in male antennae. This research increases the understanding of olfactory and gustatory systems in the antennae of P. saucia and facilitates the discovery of novel strategies for controlling this pest.

The efficacy of Chinese herbal medicines on acute coronary syndrome with renal insufficiency after percutaneous coronary intervention.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Fufang Chuanxiong capsule consists of Angelica sinensis radix and Chuanxiong rhizome, which are used in the traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of coronary artery disease, and Xinyue capsule is composed of panax quinquefolius saponin extracted from leaves and stems of Panax quinquefolium L, which has the functions of anti-myocardial ischemia, improving myocardial energy metabolism and inhibiting apoptosis of cardiomyocytes. OBJECTIVE: To observe the role of Chinese herbal medicines in the cardiovascular outcome among patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and renal insufficiency after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: The subjects came from the 5C trial (chictr.org number: chictr-trc-07000021), post-PCI patients suffered from ACS with mild-to-moderate renal insufficiency (30 mL•min-1•1.73 m-2 < estimated glomerular filtration rate≤89 mL•min-1•1.73 m-2) included. The study population consisted of 215 subjects in the control group who were treated with western medicine standard therapy, and 211 subjects in the treatment group who were treated with Chinese herbal medicines (Fufang Chuanxiong Capsule and Xinyue Capsule) for 6 months on the basis of western medicine standard therapy. All were followed for 1 year. The primary endpoint included the composite of cardiac death, nonfatal recurrent myocardial infarction, and ischemia-driven revascularization. Secondary endpoint included the composite of stroke, congestive heart failure, and readmission for ACS. The serum creatinine and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were evaluated. RESULTS: After 1 year follow-up of two groups, there were 16 cases of primary endpoint in the control group and 6 cases of primary endpoint in the treatment group [absolute risk reduction (ARR): 0.046, 95%CI: 0.004-0.088; relative risk (RR): 0.38, 95%CI: 0.15-0.96, P = 0.040]. There were 15 cases of secondary endpoint in the control group and 5 cases of secondary endpoint in the treatment (ARR: 0.041, 95%CI: 0.006-0.086; RR: 0.34, 95%CI: 0.13-0.92, P = 0.033). The eGFR in the treatment group was significantly higher than that in the control group (75.19 ±â€¯16.74 mL min-1·1.73 m-2 VS 72.03 ±â€¯14.96 mL min-1·1.73 m-2, P < 0.05). The eGFR in the treatment group was significantly higher after the intervention with Chinese herbal medicines than that before intervention (72.27 ±â€¯11.83 mL min-1·1.73 m-2 VS 75.19 ±â€¯16.74 mL min-1·1.73 m-2, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Chinese herbal medicines plus western medicine standard therapy improved clinical outcomes in patients with ACS and mild-to-moderate renal insufficiency. Additionally, this study also demonstrated Chinese herbal medicines were useful in deferring decline of renal function.

[Study on effect of picking bud and cutting old branch on the production of root bark of Fengdan in Anhui].

OBJECTIVE: To increase the production of root bark of Fengdan by means of picking bud and cutting old branch cultivated in Nanling, Anhui province. METHODS: An experimental plot where Fengdan has been culitivated for 4 years was selected, which was divided into 3 sections for the experiment of picking bud, cutting old branch and comparison. The buds were picked in spring of the first year. 20 plants were dug randomly from both of picking bud and comparison section monthly during April and September, and the dry weight of their root bark was recorded, respectively. The old branches were cut in autumn. 20 plants were dug randomly from both sections of cutting branch and comparison monthly during April and September of the second year, and their root bark dry weight was recorded. RESULTS: The statistical and comparative results showed that compared to the comparison section, prcking bud section botains little increase of production of root bark, while cutting old branch section had got notable increase of production. CONCLUSION: Picking bud plays an unimportant role in the production of Fengdan bark, while cutting old branch has significant influence on it.

Genome-wide analysis of odorant-binding proteins and chemosensory proteins in the sweet potato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci.

Odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) and chemosensory proteins (CSPs) of insects are thought to play roles in olfactory recognition affecting host choice, copulation, reproduction and other behaviors. Previous descriptions of OBPs and CSPs in the whitefly Bemisia tabaci often provided no or incomplete genetic information. In this study, we present a genome-wide and transcriptome-wide investigation of the OBPs and CSPs in B. tabaci MEAM1 (Middle East-Asia Minor1 species). Eight OBP and 19 CSP genes were identified that covered all previous sequences. Phylogenetic analyses showed that the CSP genes had a lineage-specific expansion (BtabBCSP1, BtabBCSP3, BtabBCSP13, BtabBCSP17, BtabBCSP18 and BtabBCSP19). Expression profiling of OBPs and CSPs by transcriptome sequencing and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) revealed that expression patterns differed among developmental stages of B. tabaci MEAM1. Five OBP genes and 11 CSP genes significantly differed between males and females; four of the 19 CSP genes were highly expressed in adults, while two were highly expressed in nymphs. The expression profiles of the OBP and CSP genes in different tissues of B. tabaci MEAM1 adults were analyzed by qPCR. Four OBP genes found in B. tabaci MEAM1 were highly expressed in the head. Conversely, only two CSPs were enriched in the head, while the other six CSPs were specifically expressed in other tissues. Our results provide a foundation for future research on OBPs and CSPs in B. tabaci.