Changes in life history parameters and transcriptome profile of Serangium japonicum associated with feeding on natural prey (Bemisia tabaci) and alternate host (Corcyra cephalonica eggs).

BACKGROUND: The mass production of natural predators with prolonged shelf life is a prerequisite for their field application as pest control agents. The traditional methods used for the mass production of Serangium japonicum rely heavily on the consistent supply of natural prey. This study explains the effects of B. tabaci (natural prey) and C. cephalonica eggs (alternative food) on life history and transcriptome profile of S. japanicum. METHODS: This study compares the effects of B. tabaci (natural prey) and C. cephalonica eggs (alternative food) on biology, reproduction, and predatory efficacy, and transcriptome profile of S. japanicum. RESULTS: This study revealed that S. japonicum was able to successfully complete its life cycle while feeding on B. tabaci (natural prey) and C. cephalonica eggs (alternative food). The C. cephalonica eggs fed S. japonicum individuals had longer developmental period and lower fecundity as compared to those feeding on whitefly but the survival rates (3rd instar nymphs, 4th instar nymphs and pupae) and predatory efficacy of C. cephalonica eggs fed S. japonicum individuals were significantly similar to to those feeding on whitefly.Transcriptome analysis showed that when faced with dietary changes, S. japanicum could successfully feed on C. cephalonica eggs by regulating genes related to nutrient transport, metabolism, and detoxification. Moreover, S. japanicum degraded excess cellular components through ribosomal autophagy and apoptosis, which provided sufficient materials and energy for survival and basic metabolism. CONCLUSION: Corcyra cephalonica eggs can be used as an alternate host for the predator, Serangium japonicum, as the survival rates and predatory efficacy of the predator are similar to those feeding on the natural host (B.tabaci). When faced with dietary changes, S. japanicum could successfully feed on C. cephalonica eggs as revealed by upregulation of genes related to nutrient transport, metabolism, and detoxification. These findings are of great significance for studying the functional evolution of S. japonicum in response to dietary changes.

Efficient polymer-mediated delivery system for thiocyclam: Nanometerization remarkably improves the bioactivity toward green peach aphids.

The unscientific application of synthetic pesticides has brought various negative effects on the environment, hindering the sustainable development of agriculture. Nanoparticles can be applied as carriers to improve pesticide delivery, showing great potential in the development of pesticide formulation in recent years. Herein, a star polymer (SPc) was constructed as an efficient pesticide nanocarrier/adjuvant that could spontaneously assemble with thiocyclam or monosultap into a complex, through hydrophobic association and hydrogen bonding, respectively, with the pesticide-loading contents of 42.54% and 19.3%. This complexation reduced the particle sizes of thiocyclam from 543.54 to 52.74 nm for pure thiocyclam, and 3 814.16 to 1 185.89 nm for commercial preparation (cp) of thiocyclam. Interestingly, the introduction of SPc decreased the contact angles of both pure and cp thiocyclam on plant leaves, and increased the plant uptake of cp thiocyclam to 2.4-1.9 times of that without SPc. Meanwhile, the SPc could promote the bioactivity of pure/cp thiocyclam against green peach aphids through leaf dipping method and root application. For leaf dipping method, the 50% lethal concentration decreased from 0.532 to 0.221 g/L after the complexation of pure thiocyclam with SPc, and that decreased from 0.390 to 0.251 g/L for cp thiocyclam. SPc seems a promising adjuvant for nanometerization of both pure and cp insecticides, which is beneficial for improving the delivery efficiency and utilization rate of pesticides.

Clinical significance of LAG-3 on microvessel density in primary hepatocellular carcinoma.

Aims: We aimed to determine whether lymphocyte activation gene 3 (LAG-3), also known as CD223, is associated with microvessel density (MVD) in primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), as well as their clinical significance in predicting survival. Materials and methods: One hundred and twenty-seven patients were enrolled in the study. Samples were obtained on resection at the Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery of the Qingdao Municipal Hospital from June 2014 to June 2016. Immunohistochemistry was used to determine vessel density and LAG-3 abundance. Statistical analyses were performed to test for correlation of LAG-3 density and other clinicopathological variables with overall survival (OS). Results: High LAG-3 abundance was significantly correlated with increased MVD in primary HCC (P < 0.05). The χ2 test revealed a significant association of LAG-3 with preoperative AFP level, tumor diameter, N stage, and the presence of HBV infection (P < 0.05). Patients with high LAG-3 expression had shorter OS compared to those with low LAG-3 expression (P < 0.05). The Cox proportional hazards model showed that both higher LAG-3 and MVD density, age, the number of tumors, preoperative AFP level, tissue differentiation, Child-Pugh grade, and lymph node metastasis correlated with survival. Conclusions: High expression of LAG-3 is associated with angiogenesis and poor prognosis in HCC patients. With the deepening of research, LAG-3 is likely to become a novel biomarker for clinical diagnosis and prognosis and can even be a therapeutic target of HCC.

Observation of the fine structure of antennal sensilla of the stink bug, Eocanthecona furcellata (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae).

In order to explore the mechanism underlying chemosensation in Eocanthecona furcellata, the external morphology of its antennae and the type, quantity, distribution and ultrastructure of the sensilla were observed on both sexes of adults and 5th-instar nymphs using scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that the antennae of E. furcellata consisted of three parts: scape, pedicel and flagellum. There were five types of sensilla on the antennae, which included sensilla trichoidea (ST), sensilla chaetica (SCh), sensilla coeloconica (SCo), sensilla basiconica (SB) and squamifornia denticles (SD). Further, there were 4 subtypes of ST and SB and 2 subtypes of SCo and SCh. The number of sensilla on nymphs was significantly lower than that on adults. The antennae of adults showed sexual dimorphism, as the number of sensilla on female adults was higher than that on male adults. SB4 was found only on females and SCo2 was found only on males. These inter-sexual differences may be related to chemoreception of sex pheromone and chemical predation location. The morphology and putative functions of each sensilla were compared and discussed. These results provide a reference for further study of the behavioral biology, chemical ecology and electrophysiology of insects, and also provides a scientific basis for new ways of biological control.

A case of intravascular large B cell lymphoma presenting as nodular goiter.

BACKGROUND: Intravascular large B-cell lymphoma (IVLBCL) is a subtype of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) that is rare and highly aggressive and that may progressively involve many organs. CNS (central nervous system), BM (bone marrow) and skin are the most common systems involved. To date, only 2 cases of IVLBCL involving the thyroid have been reported. CASE PRESENTATION: Here, we report a case of IVLBCL involving the thyroid and accompanied by bilateral nodular goiter. In this case, a thyroid mass was identified in a physical examination of a 68-year-old male who initially presented with dyspnea accompanied by intermittent headache for approximately 1 month. Computed tomography scans revealed that the left lobar thyroid was occupied by a large, slightly lower density mass (5.8 × 4.7 × 8.4 cm). However, the patient had no hyperthyroidism or hoarseness. Levels of thyroid hormones and anti-thyroid autoantibodies in the serum were normal preoperatively. Thyroid mass resection was performed to establish a diagnosis and to relieve symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Pathological results of the surgical specimen revealed that large atypical lymphoma cells filled the capillaries in the lesion area. Immunohistochemical staining revealed that the large-sized tumor cells were positive for CD20, PAX-5, MUM-1 and BCL-2, and were negative for CD3, CD5, CD43, CD10, CD23, CyclinD1, CD138, CD30, ALK, CD56, MPO, S-100, TTF-1, TG (thyroglobulin) and CT (calcitonin). The Ki-67 index was estimated to be approximately 85%. The patient was subsequently diagnosed as "Classical" IVLBCL non-germinal center B-cell type. The patient declined chemotherapy and died in the fifth month after operation.

First description of the male of Yaobinthrips yangtzei (Thysanoptera: Thripidae).

The monobasic Thripinae genus Yaobinthrips has been known only from females, and the objective here is to provide a description of the male. A member of the Frankliniella genus-group, the type species, yangtzei Zhang et al. (2010) was described from specimens taken in Sichuan Province of Southwestern China from the flowers of Dalbergia yunnanensis [Fabaceae]. In April, 2015 a sample of both sexes of this thrips species was taken from the white flowers of the same plant species, but in Yunnan Province. This plant is actually widespread in southwestern China in Yunnan, Sichuan, Guizhou Provinces and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Provinces, growing at an elevation ranging from 1400 to 2200 meters, and flowering from April to May (Li et al. 2007).