Gene arrangement and sequence of mitochondrial genomes yield insights into the phylogeny and evolution of bees and sphecid wasps (Hymenoptera: Apoidea).

The Apoidea represent a large and common superfamily of the Hymenoptera including the bees and sphecid wasps. A robust phylogenetic tree is essential to understanding the diversity, taxonomy and evolution of the Apoidea. In this study, features of apoid mitochondrial genomes were used to reconstruct phylogenetic relationships. Twelve apoid mitochondrial genomes were newly sequenced, representing six families and nine subfamilies. Gene rearrangement events have occurred in all apoid mitochondrial genomes sequenced to date. Sphecid wasps have both tRNA and protein-coding gene rearrangements in 5 of 8 species. In bees, the only rearranged genes are tRNAs; long-tongued bees (Apidae + Megachilidae) are characterized by movement of trnA to the trnI-trnQ-trnM tRNA cluster. Phylogenetic analyses of mitochondrial gene sequences support the known paraphyly of sphecid wasps, with bees nested within this clade. The Ampulicidae is sister to the remaining Apoidea. Crabronidae is paraphyletic, split into Crabronidae s.s. and Philanthidae, with the latter group a sister clade to bees. The monophyletic bees are either classified into two clades, long-tongued bees (Apidae + Megachilidae) and short-tongued bees (Andrenidae + Halictidae + Colletidae + Melitidae), or three groups with the Melitidae sister to the other bees. Our study showed that both gene sequences and arrangements provide information on the phylogeny of apoid families.

MicroRNA-187 Inhibits Growth and Metastasis of Osteosarcoma by Downregulating S100A4.

Abnormal expression and dysfunction of microRNAs are correlated with osteosarcoma (OS). This study demonstrated that the miR-187 level in OS tissues and cell lines was decreased. The proliferation and metastatic abilities of U-2OS cells were inhibited by miR-187 overexpression and promoted by miR-187 knockdown. Moreover, miR-187 also inhibited growth and metastasis of OS cells in vivo. Furthermore, we revealed that miR-187 could interact with S100A4 3'-UTR and inhibit S100A4 expression in OS cells. In summary, miR-187 inhibits growth and metastasis of OS cells by downregulating S100A4, which might be a potential biomarker and therapeutic target of OS.

Discovery and structural optimization of 1-phenyl-3-(1-phenylethyl)urea derivatives as novel inhibitors of CRAC channel.

AIM: Ca(2+)-release-activated Ca(2+) (CRAC) channel, a subfamily of store-operated channels, is formed by calcium release-activated calcium modulator 1 (ORAI1), and gated by stromal interaction molecule 1 (STIM1). CRAC channel may be a novel target for the treatment of immune disorders and allergy. The aim of this study was to identify novel small molecule CRAC channel inhibitors. METHODS: HEK293 cells stably co-expressing both ORAI1 and STIM1 were used for high-throughput screening. A hit, 1-phenyl-3-(1-phenylethyl)urea, was identified that inhibited CRAC channels by targeting ORAI1. Five series of its derivatives were designed and synthesized, and their primary structure-activity relationships (SARs) were analyzed. All derivatives were assessed for their effects on Ca(2+) influx through CRAC channels on HEK293 cells, cytotoxicity in Jurkat cells, and IL-2 production in Jurkat cells expressing ORAI1-SS-eGFP. RESULTS: A total of 19 hits were discovered in libraries containing 32 000 compounds using the high-throughput screening. 1-Phenyl-3-(1-phenylethyl)urea inhibited Ca(2+) influx with IC50 of 3.25±0.17 µmol/L. SAR study on its derivatives showed that the alkyl substituent on the α-position of the left-side benzylic amine (R1) was essential for Ca(2+) influx inhibition and that the S-configuration was better than the R-configuration. The derivatives in which the right-side R3 was substituted by an electron-donating group showed more potent inhibitory activity than those that were substituted by electron-withdrawing groups. Furthermore, the free N-H of urea was not necessary to maintain the high potency of Ca(2+) influx inhibition. The N,N'-disubstituted or N'-substituted derivatives showed relatively low cytotoxicity but maintained the ability to inhibit IL-2 production. Among them, compound 5b showed an improved inhibition of IL-2 production and low cytotoxicity. CONCLUSION: 1-Phenyl-3-(1-phenylethyl)urea is a novel CRAC channel inhibitor that specifically targets ORAI1. This study provides a new chemical scaffold for design and development of CRAC channel inhibitors with improved Ca(2+) influx inhibition, immune inhibition and low cytotoxicity.

Descriptions of Three New Species of the Genus Acerataspis Uchida, 1934 (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae, Metopiinae), with an Illustrated Identification Key to Extant Species.

The Asian genus Acerataspis Uchida, 1934 is reviewed based on both morphology and DNA barcodes. Ten species are recognized in total, of which three species from Yunnan Province of China are described as new: Acerataspis maliae sp. nov., A. seperata sp. nov. and A. similis sp. nov. The male of A. fukienensis Chao, 1957 is described and illustrated for the first time. The genus is recorded from Thailand and Southeast Asia for the first time. An illustrated key to all known extant species is provided. With the supplement of DNA barcodes, a few diagnostic morphological characters are found useful in species identification.

Two new species of Ismarus Haliday (Hymenoptera, Ismaridae) from Yunnan, China.

The genus Ismarus Haliday are rarely collected parasitoids in the small family Ismaridae. In this study, two new species are described from China's Yunnan Province: Ismarusrobustus Chen & Yan, sp. nov. and Ismarusunisulcus Chen & Yan, sp. nov. An updated key to the Chinese species of the genus is provided.

Two new species of the family Megalyridae (Hymenoptera) from China.

Two new species of the small and rarely collected family Megalyridae are described from China: Carminator daliensis Chen & Liuhe, sp. nov. from Yunnan and Ettchellsia hainanensis Chen & Liuhe, sp. nov. from Hainan. A key to megalyrid species of China is provided. The biogeographical implication of the new taxa is discussed.

Ophelimus bipolaris sp. n. (Hymenoptera, Eulophidae), a New Invasive Eucalyptus Pest and Its Host Plants in China.

Eucalyptus species have become one of the most commonly planted trees worldwide, including China, due to their fast growth and various commercial applications. However, the productivity of Eucalyptus plantations has been threatened by exotic invasive insect pests in recent years. Among these pests, gall inducers of the genus Ophelimus of the Eulophidae family are among the most important invasive species in Eucalyptus plantations. We report here for the first time the presence of a new invasive Eucalyptus gall wasp, Ophelimus bipolaris sp. n., in Guangzhou, China, which also represents the first species of the genus reported from China. The identity of the new species was confirmed by an integrative approach combing biological, morphological and molecular evidence. The new species is described and illustrated. This wasp induces galls only on the leaf blade surface of four Eucalyptus species: E. grandis, E. grandis × E. urophylla, E. tereticornis and E. urophylla. Our preliminary observation showed that O. bipolaris could complete a life cycle on E. urophylla in approximately 2 months under local climatic conditions (23.5-30 °C). Considering the severe damage it may cause to Eucalyptus production, further investigations of its biology and control are urgently needed in China.

Investigating the Parasitoid Community Associated with the Invasive Mealybug Phenacoccus solenopsis in Southern China.

The cotton mealybug Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), is an emerging invasive insect pest in China. Hymenopteran parasitoids are the key organisms for suppressing populations of P. solenopsis in the field, and therefore could be used as biological agents. Accurate identification of the associated parasitoids is the critical step to assess their potential role in biological control. In this study, we facilitated the identification of the parasitoid composition of P. solenopsis using an integrated approach of species delimitation, combining morphology with molecular data. Eighteen Hymenoptera parasitoid species belonging to 11 genera of four families are recognized based on morphological examination and molecular species delimitation of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase 1 (COI) gene and the 28S rDNA using the automatic barcode gap discovery (ABGD) and the Bayesian Poisson tree processes model (bPTP). Among these species, eight species are primary parasitoids with Aenasius arizonensis (Girault) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) being the dominant taxon, while the other 10 species are probably hyperparasitoids, with a prevalence of Cheiloneurus nankingensis Li & Xu (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae). These results indicate that parasitoid wasps associated with P. solenopsis from China are diverse and the integrated taxonomic approach applied in this study could enhance the accurate identification of these parasitoids that should be assessed in future biological control programs.

Illustrated keys to Scoliidae (Insecta, Hymenoptera, Scolioidea) from China.

The Scoliidae occur predominantly in tropical and subtropical regions and are ectoparasitoids of Scarabaeoidea larvae (especially of Melolonthinae) which are immobilised, parasitised by the female wasp in their terrestrial larval gallery and buried deeper in a special cell by the female wasp. Herein, we provided, for the first time, illustrated keys to 11 genera and 52 species of Scoliidae from China, based on specimens in the Naturalis Biodiversity Center (RMNH, Leiden) and additional specimens from the Chinese Academy of Insect Science (Beijing), Zhejiang University (ZJUH, Hangzhou) and Sun Yat-sen University (SYSU, Guangzhou) and it is a first attempt to make keys available for all the Scoliidae species in China.

Tackling the Taxonomic Challenges in the Family Scoliidae (Insecta, Hymenoptera) Using an Integrative Approach: A Case Study from Southern China.

Species of the family Scoliidae are larval parasitoids of scarabaeoid beetles and pollinators of various plants. Despite their great importance in pest biological control and plant pollination, the taxonomy and systematics of these parasitoids are far from clear. Some species of the family are extremely morphologically similar and difficult to identify, especially in males. In this study, an integrative taxonomic approach, combining morphology and molecular data, was used to discriminate the species of Scoliidae from southern China. In total, 52 COI sequences belonging to 22 morphospecies of 9 genera in two tribes were obtained. The COI sequences worked well for the identification of all the studied species, with intraspecific genetic distances generally less than 2%, while interspecific distances ranged between 5.3% and 20.8%. The delimitations of the problematic species and subspecies of Scolia and Megacampsomeris are well solved by COI sequences, suggesting that DNA barcoding could be a useful identification tool for Scoliidae. Based on both morphological and molecular evidence, we discovered one undescribed cryptic species of the polytypic species Solia (Discolia) superciliaris Saussure, 1864, five newly recorded species, i.e., Scolia (Discolia) sikkimensis Bingham, 1896, Sericocampsomeris flavomaculata Gupta and Jonathan, 1989, Megacampsomeris asiatica (Saussure, 1858), Megacampsomeris pulchrivestita (Cameron, 1902) and Megacampsomeris shillongensis (Betrem, 1928) and one pending subspecies of Scolia (Discolia) watanabei (Matsumura, 1912) from China. Our study indicates that such an integrative approach, combing both molecular and morphological evidence, is a potent tool to tackle the taxonomic challenges in the family Scoliidae, or even, in other diverse groups of Aculeata, of which sexual dimorphism and cryptic species are common.

Application of DNA barcoding confirms the host of Gonatopus viet Olmi, 1986 (Hymenoptera, Dryinidae).

Gonatopus viet Olmi, 1986 was originally described from Vietnam based on a single female. No further distribution records or hosts have been documented since its original discovery. In the present study, this species is newly recorded from China and its host is confirmed as Stirellus capitatus (Distant, 1918) using DNA barcoding techniques. The utility of DNA barcoding to discover host-Dryinidae associations is discussed.

Notes on Macroteleia Westwood (Hymenoptera, Scelionidae) from China, with description of a new species.

The wasp genus Macroteleia Westwood from China has been previously revised, but some species are only known from males. Here the females of two known species are described: M. carinigena Chen, Johnson, Masner & Xu and M. gracilis Chen, Johnson, Masner & Xu. In addition, one species is redescribed: M. variegata Kozlov & Kononova; and one species is described as new: Macroteleia xui Hong & Chen, sp. nov. Macroteleia ischtvani Kononova, syn. nov. is proposed as new synonym of M. variegata Kozlov & Kononova.

New species and new records of Trigonalyidae (Hymenoptera) from Tibet, China.

Two new species of Trigonalyidae are described from Tibet (SW China): Jezonogonalos nyingchiensis Chen & van Achterberg, sp. nov., and Taeniogonalos eurysoma Chen & van Achterberg, sp. nov. In total, seven species representing four genera are known from Tibet, and two of them are newly recorded from Tibet: Taeniogonalos bucarinata Chen, van Achterberg, He & Xu, 2014, and Teranishia crenulata Chen, van Achterberg, He & Xu, 2014.

Phanuromyia ricaniae Nam, Lee Talamas sp. n. (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) reared from the eggs of Ricania shantungensis Chou Lu (Hemiptera: Ricaniidae) in Asia.

The genus Phanuromyia in the subfamily Telenominae (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) consists of 60 described species, for which host records indicate they are egg parasitoids of lanternflies and planthoppers (Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha). In this study, we describe a new species of the genus, P. ricaniae sp. n., reared from the eggs of a planthopper, Ricania shantungensis Chou Lu (Hemiptera: Ricaniidae). This planthopper has been considered as a serious invasive pest in South Korean agriculture. Ricania shantungensis has a wide host range, including economically important crops such as apple, peach, and pear. Phanuromyia ricaniae therefore has the potential to be a biological control agent against ricaniid planthoppers.

Revision of the genus Oxyscelio Kieffer (Hymenoptera, Scelionidae) from China.

The genus Oxyscelio Kieffer from China is revised. Thirty-four species are recognized, of which two species are described as new: O. nullicarina Mo Chen, sp. n., O. paracuculli Mo Chen, sp. n., and fourteen species are newly recorded from China: O. aclavae Burks, O. arcus Burks, O. brevidentis Burks, O. excavatus (Kieffer), O. flabelli Burks, O. jaune Burks, O. kiefferi Dodd, O. labis Burks, O. mesiodentis Burks, O. mollitia Burks, O. nasolabii Burks, O. nubbin Burks, O. ogive Burks, and O. reflectens Burks. Keys to the Chinese species are provided.

[Surgical treatment of atypical unstable Hangman fracture in elderly osteoporotic patients].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical effect of operative reduction and internal fixation in treating atypical unstable Hangman fracture in elderly osteoporotic patients. METHODS: The clinical data of 9 elderly osteoporotic patients with atypical unstable Hangman fracture treated from December 2012 to December 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 5 males and 4 females with an average age of 72.7 years (range 65 to 79) old. The fracture line was located on bilateral inferior articular surface or lamina with anterior dislocation of axis in 3 cases (similar to Levine-Edwards type II); one side of the fracture line was located on the lower articular surface and opposite side involved on the upper articular surface and the body of axis with atlantoaxial lateral mass dislocation in 4 cases; the fracture line was located at the pedicle of the axis, transverse foramen and posterior inferior wall of the vertebral body, accompanying by anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments and C2-C3 intervertebral disc injury resulted in C2-C3 intervertebral instability in 2 cases. According to ASIA grade of spinal cord injury, 2 cases were grade D and 7 cases were grade E. Preoperative JOA scores were 9 to 11 points with an average of 9.8 points. All patients underwent routinely skull traction for reduction. Three patients with anterior dislocation of axis were treated with stage I anterior-posterior internal fixation and 6 patients with simple posterior pedicle screw fixation. Postoperative JOA score, ASIA system and the imaging data were used to evaluate clinical effects. RESULTS: All patients were followed up from 12 to 20 months with an average of 18 months. The neck pain disappeared after operation and cervical spine movement was well in all patients. The improvement rate of JOA at 3 months after operation was 75% to 87.5%. Two cases of ASIA grade D fully recovered to grade E. All fractures healed at 6 to 12 months after operation. Except one case occurred superior laryngeal nerve injury and had a complete recovery after 3 months, the other patients had no complications like spinal cord and vertebral artery injury, plate screw loosening and wound infection. CONCLUSIONS: According to the type of atypical unstable Hangman fracture in elderly osteoporotic patients, choosing a reasonable and personalized surgical plan can achieve immediate cervical stability and well reduction, which is beneficial for early ambulation and quick rehabilitation.

Dexmedetomidine enhances hypoxia-induced cancer cell progression.

Dexmedetomidine (DEX) is widely used in perioperative settings for analgesia and sedation; however, little is known about its effects on the hypoxia-induced progression of tumor cells. In the present study, the effects of DEX on hypoxia-induced growth and metastasis of lung cancer cells and colorectal cancer cells was examined. A549 cells and HCT116 cells were treated with normoxia, hypoxia, co-treatment of hypoxia and DEX, and atipamezole (an α2 adrenoceptor antagonist) for 4 h. The proliferation rate of cells was determined by MTT assays. Cell metastatic potential was evaluated by Transwell assays. Survivin and hypoxia inducible factor (HIF)-1α were detected by western blotting. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 were measured using reverse transcription-quantitative PCR. It was demonstrated that hypoxia treatment promoted the proliferation and may promote the metastasis of the two cancer cell lines. DEX substantially contributed to the survival and aggressiveness of the two cancer cell lines following hypoxia. Furthermore, DEX upregulated the expression of survivin, MMP-2, MMP-9 and HIF-1α in the two cancer cell lines in response to hypoxia. Finally, the effects of DEX on the hypoxia-induced growth and metastatic potential of cancer cells were reversed by atipamezole. Collectively, DEX enhances the hypoxia-induced progression of lung cancer cells and colorectal cancer cells by regulating HIF-1α signaling, which may be associated with the α2 adrenoceptor pathway.

Revision of the world species of the genus Habroteleia Kieffer (Hymenoptera, Platygastridae, Scelioninae).

The genus Habroteleia Kieffer is revised. Seven species are recognized, three are redescribed: H. flavipes Kieffer, H. persimilis (Kozlov & Kononova), H. ruficoxa (Kieffer); and four species are described as new: H. mutabilis Chen & Talamas, sp. n., H. salebra Chen & Talamas, sp. n., H. soa Chen & Talamas, sp. n., and H. spinosa Chen & Johnson, sp. n. Four species are treated as junior synonyms of Habroteleia flavipes Kieffer: Chrestoteleia bakeri Kieffer, syn. n., Habroteleia bharatensis Saraswat, syn. n., Habroteleia browni Crawford, syn. n., and Habroteleia kotturensis (Sharma), syn. n.Habroteleia dagavia (Kozlov & Lê), syn. n. is treated as junior synonym of Habroteleia persimilis (Kozlov & Kononova). Baryconus vindhiensis (Sharma), comb. n. is transferred out of Habroteleia Kieffer. Habroteleia impressa (Kieffer) and H. scapularis (Kieffer) remain valid species but their identity and status are unclear.

Revision of the World species of the genus Chromoteleia Ashmead (Hymenoptera, Platygastridae, Scelioninae).

The genus Chromoteleia Ashmead is revised. Twenty-seven species are recognized, of which six species are redescribed: C.congoana (Risbec), C.connectens Kieffer, C.fuscicornis Kieffer, C.longitarsis Kieffer, C.semicyanea Ashmead, C.tricarinata Kieffer; and twenty-one species are described as new: C.aequalis Chen & Johnson, sp. n., C.alternata Chen & Johnson, sp. n., C.bidens Chen & Masner, sp. n., C.copiosa Chen & Johnson, sp. n., C.cuneus Chen & Johnson, sp. n., C.curta Chen & Johnson, sp. n., C.depilis Chen & Johnson, sp. n., C.dispar Chen & Masner, sp. n., C.feng Chen & Johnson, sp. n., C.fossa Chen & Johnson, sp. n., C.ingens Chen & Masner, sp. n., C.levitas Chen & Johnson, sp. n., C.longa Chen & Johnson, sp. n., C.maura Chen & Masner, sp. n., C.parvitas Chen & Johnson, sp. n., C.pilus Chen & Johnson, sp. n., C.plana Chen & Johnson, sp. n., C.rara Chen & Johnson, sp. n., C.robusta Chen & Johnson, sp. n., C.semilutea Chen & Johnson, sp. n., C.sparsa Chen & Johnson, sp. n.Chromoteleiarufithorax Kieffer remains a valid species, but its identity and status are unclear. All species are known only from the Neotropical region except for Chromoteleiacongoana (Resbec) which only occurs in Africa.

New World species of the genus Calliscelio Ashmead (Hymenoptera, Platygastridae, Scelioninae).

The genus Calliscelio Ashmead is presumed to be a diverse group of parasitoids of the eggs of crickets (Orthoptera: Gryllidae). A least one species has been found to be an important factor in depressing cricket pest populations. The New World species of Calliscelio are revised. Forty-two species are recognized, 3 are redescribed: Calliscelio bisulcatus (Kieffer), Calliscelio laticinctus Ashmead, Calliscelio rubriclavus (Ashmead), comb. n.; and 38 are described as new: Calliscelio absconditum Chen & Johnson, sp. n., Calliscelio absum Chen & Johnson, sp. n., Calliscelio alcoa Chen & Masner, sp. n., Calliscelio amadoi Chen & Johnson, sp. n., Calliscelio armila Chen & Masner, sp. n., Calliscelio bidens Chen & Masner, sp. n., Calliscelio brachys Chen & Johnson, sp. n., Calliscelio brevinotaulus Chen & Johnson, sp. n., Calliscelio brevitas Chen & Johnson, sp. n., Calliscelio carinigena Chen & Johnson, sp. n., Calliscelio crater Chen & Johnson, sp. n., Calliscelio crena Chen & Johnson, sp. n., Calliscelio eboris Chen & Johnson, sp. n., Calliscelio extenuatus Chen & Johnson, sp. n., Calliscelio flavicauda Chen & Johnson, sp. n., Calliscelio foveolatus Chen & Johnson, sp. n., Calliscelio gatineau Chen & Johnson, sp. n., Calliscelio glaber Chen & Masner, sp. n., Calliscelio granulatus Chen & Masner, sp. n., Calliscelio latifrons Chen & Johnson, sp. n., Calliscelio levis Chen & Johnson, sp. n., Calliscelio longius Chen & Johnson, sp. n., Calliscelio magnificus Chen & Masner, sp. n., Calliscelio migma Chen & Johnson, sp. n., Calliscelio minutia Chen & Johnson, sp. n., Calliscelio paraglaber Chen & Johnson, sp. n., Calliscelio pararemigio Chen & Masner, sp. n., Calliscelio prolixus Chen & Johnson, sp. n., Calliscelio punctatifrons Chen & Johnson, sp. n., Calliscelio remigio Chen & Masner, sp. n., Calliscelio ruga Chen & Johnson, sp. n., Calliscelio rugicoxa Chen & Masner, sp. n., Calliscelio sfina Chen & Johnson, sp. n., Calliscelio storea Chen & Johnson, sp. n., Calliscelio suni Chen & Johnson, sp. n., Calliscelio telum Chen & Johnson, sp. n., Calliscelio torqueo Chen & Johnson, sp. n., Calliscelio virga Chen & Johnson, sp. n. Four species are treated as junior synonyms of Calliscelio rubriclavus (Ashmead): Anteris nigriceps Ashmead, syn. n., Caloteleia marlattii Ashmead, syn. n., Caloteleia grenadensis Ashmead, syn. n., and Macroteleia ruskini Girault, syn. n.