Ultrastructure of antennal sensilla of Copidosomopsis nacoleiae (Eady) (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea: Encyrtidae), a parasitoid of Diaphania angustalis (Snellen) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae).

The antennal sensilla of Copidosomopsis nacoleiae (Eady) (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea: Encyrtidae) were observed under scanning and transmission electron microscopy in this study. The antennae of C. nacoleiae are geniculate, and the flagellum is composed of five subsegments in males and six in females. Six types of sensilla were observed, including sensilla trichodea, sensilla chaetica, sensilla basiconic capitate pegs, sensilla placodea, sensilla basiconica, and Böhm's bristles. Sensilla trichodea were evenly distributed throughout the antennae. Sensilla chaetica, sensilla basiconic capitate pegs and sensilla placodea were found on the flagellomeres. Sensilla basiconica were only found on the club, and Böhm's bristles were found on the radicle and the pedicel. Sensilla trichodea, sensilla placodea, sensilla chaetica, and sensilla basiconic capitate pegs were found to be the most common sensilla of the parasitoids in the superfamily Chalcidoidea. The external and internal characteristics, types, number, distribution, and dimensions of these sensilla are described, and their possible functions are discussed in accordance with host-detection behavior. Future studies on the host location mechanisms of C. nacoleiae will be based upon these observations.

Platelet/Lymphocyte, Lymphocyte/Monocyte, and Neutrophil/Lymphocyte Ratios as Biomarkers in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease.

BACKGROUND The objective of this study was to assess the diagnostic value of platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR), lymphocyte/monocyte ratio (LMR), and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) as biomarkers in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD). MATERIAL AND METHODS Demographic and laboratory data were acquired for 198 RA and 103 RA-ILD patients and 290 healthy controls. The subjects were categorized into female and male groups and further subcategorized based on age into <60 years and ≥60 years subgroups. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), receiver operating characteristics (ROC), Pearson analysis, multiple linear regression analysis, and logistic regression analysis were performed to analyze the association of PLR, NLR, and LMR with RA and RA-ILD. RESULTS Mean PLR and NLR were lowest in the control group, followed by the RA and RA-ILD groups (p<0.05). Mean LMR was lowest in the RA-ILD group, followed by the RA and control groups (p<0.05). The area under the ROC (AUROC) values of the PLR to distinguish between RA and controls, RA-ILD and controls, and RA-ILD and RA were 0.676, 0.776, and 0.650, respectively (p<0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis suggested a significantly positive association between the level of PLR and the level of DAS28 (p<0.001). The odds ratio of PLR was 1.101 for RA (p=0.023) and 1.217 for RA-ILD (p<0.001) when compared to the controls. CONCLUSIONS PLR may be applied as a new biomarker for predicting and diagnosing RA and RA-ILD and for distinguishing RA-ILD patients from RA patients and healthy subjects.

Morphological characterization and distribution of antennal sensilla of Diaphania angustalis Snellen (Lepidoptera: Crambidae).

Diaphania angustalis Snellen (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) is the main defoliator of Alstonia schalaris. In this article, observation of external morphological and ultrastructure structure of adult antennae of D. angustalis was carried out using the scanning and transmission electron microscope. The results showed that both male and female antennae were filiform and could be divided into scape, pedicel, and flagellum. There are eight types and two subtypes of antennal sensilla, namely, sensilla trichodea, sensilla chaetica (I & II), sensilla coeloconica, sensilla auricillica, sensilla styloconica, sensilla squamiformia, capitate peg, and Böhm bristles. Most sensilla are concentrated in venter and the sides of antennae. Analyses on morphological and quantitative differences of antennal sensilla between male and female adults. The size of SCo is significantly different between male and female. In terms of quantity, only SSt and CP have no significant differences between male and female. By comparing the existing antennal sensilla of Crambidae, it is found that STr, SCh, SCo, and SAu are common sensilla. These results can contribute to further research on the function of sensilla of D. angustalis relating to its behavior. A detailed description is provided of the antennal sensilla in Diaphania angustalis. Diaphania angustalis has the rare sensilla of capitate peg in Crambidae. No sexual dimorphism of sensillum types is found in the species. The number and distribution of sensilla trichodea, sensilla chaetica, sensilla coeloconica, and sensilla auricillica sensillum are different.

[Study on the clinical value of cervical spondylosis with articulatio atlantoepistrophica sublaxation].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of articulatio atlantoepistrophica sublaxation on the pathogenesis of cervical spondylosis, and provide a thread for diagnosis and treatment of cervical spondylosis with manipulation. METHODS: There were two groups in the study, which were non cervical spondylosis group and cervical spondylosis group. There were 333 patients in cervical spondylosis group, included 119 males and 214 females with the mean age of(48.11±12.21) years old. The patients were recruited from clinic service of orthopaedics in Shuguang Hospital between March 2006 and December 2008. There were 73 subjects in non cervical spondylosis group, included 18 males and 55 females with the mean of(45.99±11.47) years old. The subjects were recruited from undergraduate students, postgraduate, advanced study persons, and community personnel. The position relation of the atlanto axial joint was observed by cervical X rays with opening position, and the incidence rate of articulatio atlantoepistrophica sublaxation was compared between two groups, and their clinical characteristics were analyzed. RESULTS: The incidence of articulatio atlantoepistrophica sublaxation in cervical spondylosis group was 81.38%(271/333)and was more than non cervical spondylosis group(P<0.01). Furthermore, the pattern of the articulatio atlantoepistrophica sublaxation in cervical spondylosis group was complicated and diversified, which was 50.55% (137/271)with single moving sublaxation, 7.01%(19/271) with revolving sublaxation, 42.44%(115/271) with single moving and revolving sublaxation. CONCLUSIONS: The articulatio atlantoepistrophica sublaxation may be a X ray diagnostic indication to the cervical spondylosis, which should be grouping studied in clinic. It will provide guidance for the diagnosis and treatment of cervical spondylosis.

[Study on distribution features of tender points in patients with knee osteoarthritis by cluster analysis].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the distribution features of tender points in knee of patients with knee osteoarthritis in order to provide evidences for the treatment and diagnosis. METHODS: From November 2011 to December 2012,86 patients with knee osteoarthritis were recruited, including 21 males and 65 females, ranging in age from 45 to 85 years old, with an average of (59.98 +/- 8.23) years old. The course of disease ranged from 3 months to 15 years. The tender points and its distributions were determined by finger press carefully on their knees. Data of studying was analyzed by frequency statistics and Hierachical cluster analysis. RESULTS: The distribution of tender points in the knee osteoarthritis was mainly in the interior region and anterior area such as in apex of patella, adductor tubercle and et al. According to the results of hierachical cluster analysis, the tender points could be divided into two categories the first cluster was in the interior region of knee, the second cluster was in the lateral region. CONCLUSION: The findings demonstrated that cluster analysis statistical method can be used for classification of the distribution of tender points. The distribution features of tender points in knee osteoarthritis are related to the anatomic site in knee.

[Study on the correlation between "Gucuofeng and Jinchucao" and cervical spondylosis].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the relation between "Gucuofeng and Jinchucao" and cervical spondylosis. METHODS: From March 2006 to October 2011,333 patients with cervical spondylosis were collected in the study as cervical spondylosis group; 30 subjects of control group come from student of Shuguang Hospital and other health volunteer. There were 119 males and 214 females with a mean age of (48.11 +/- 12.21) years in cervical spondylosis group and there were 6 males and 24 females with a mean age of (45.27 +/- 10.12) years in control group. In aspect of the symptom and sign, dynamic palpation, X-ray examination wer performed to find the incidence rate of "Gucuofeng and Jinchucao" in two groups. RESULTS: There was significant difference in symptom and sign, dynamic palpation, X-ray examination between two groups (P<0.01). In cervical spondylosis group, "Gucuofeng and Jinchucao" occurred in 293 cases (87.99%),there was significant difference compared with control group (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Cervical "Gucuofeng and Jinchucao" is one of pathological point of cervical spondylosis,and it can provide a guidance for the diagnosis and treatment of cervical spondylosis.

Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitor reduces heart ischaemia/reperfusion injury via inflammation and Akt signalling in rats.

BACKGROUND: Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) has been proposed to play an important role in the pathogenesis of heart ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. 3,4-dihydro-5-[4-(1-piperidinyl)butoxy]-1(2H)-isoquinolinone (DPQ), a potent PARP inhibitor, has cardiac protective effects. Because the underlying mechanisms are not understood, we investigated the effect of DPQ on heart I/R injury and its mechanisms. METHODS: Studies were performed with I/R rats' hearts. DPQ was used to inhibit the activation of PARP. Cardiac function and cellular apoptosis were assessed. The activation of PARP, transcription factor nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) were evaluated. We also evaluated expression of Akt and two of its downstream targets, glycogen synthase kinase-3ß (GSK-3ß) and forkhead transcription factor FOXO3a. RESULTS: Administration of DPQ significantly decreased the activation of PARP and cellular apoptosis from (35 ± 5)% to (20 ± 4)% and simultaneously improved the cardiac function. DPQ reduced the expressions of NF-κB, ICAM-1, COX-2 and MMP-9 in rat heart and facilitated the activations of phosphor-Akt, phosphor-GSK-3ß and phosphor-FOXO3a. CONCLUSION: The protective effects of DPQ were associated with the suppression of inflammation and the activation of the Akt signalling pathways suggesting that the inhibition of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase reduced heart I/R injury in rats.

[Clinical significance of vertebral artery MRA to vertebral artery type of cervical spondylosis' diagnosis and treatment].

OBJECTIVE: To study clinical significance of vertebral artery magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) to vertebral artery type of cervical spondylosis' diagnosis and treatment. METHODS: There were two groups in the study, which were observation group and control group. There were 53 patients in observation group,including 19 males and 34 females,with a mean age of (52.51 +/- 11.29) years. There were 30 subjects in control group,including 10 males and 20 females,with a mean age of (48.11 +/- 12.21) years. Based on the vertebral artery MRA picture,the course and caliber of vertebral artery were compared between two groups. RESULTS: The abnormal incidence of course and caliber of vertebral artery in observation group was higher than that of control group, which had statistic difference (P=0.000). Furthermore, the patterns of abnormal course and caliber of vertebral artery in observation group were complicated and diverse, but the regional circuity and stegnosis was the most common pattern,about 47.18%(25/53). The cause of circuity and stegnosis was vertebra Gu-Cuofeng,about 43.41% (23/53). CONCLUSION: The vertebral artery MRA provides a guidance for the diagnosis of abnormal course and caliber of vertebral artery in vertebral artery cervical spondylosis.

[Kinetics of humic substances oxidation degradation by Fenton's reagent].

Humic substances (HS) oxidation degradation by Fenton's reagent was kinetically investigated in this study. HS was removed by both oxidation and coagulation during Fenton treatment. Moreover, initial pH, the dosage of Fenton's reagent and initial concentration of HS had a significant impact on HS oxidation rate and the oxidation mainly occurred at the first 60 min of reaction time. The empirical kinetic equation for HS oxidation by Fenton's reagent under the conditions of 308 K of temperature, 4.0 of pH, 5-40 mmol x L(-1) of Fe2+, 40-120 mmol x L(-1) of H2O2, 250-1 000 mg x L(-1) of HS, could be described using a kinetic model, which was fitted very well with the experimental data. The overall reaction order is 2.34. The lower activation energy of 14.9 kJ x mol(-1) shows that Fenton reaction can be initiated easily. The reaction order of H2O2 (0.86) is higher than that of Fe2+ (0.47), which indicates that the effect of initial H2O2 concentration is greater than that of Fe2+ on the oxidation degradation of HS by Fenton process.