Managing depression and anxiety in patients with epilepsy in eastern China: A survey of epilepsy health professionals in Zhejiang Province.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate the assessment and management of epilepsy with anxiety and depression, and their clinical practice based on a survey. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of epilepsy health professionals was undertaken in Zhejiang Province using the modified International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) Psychology Task Force questionnaire. We recorded the characteristics of participants and the practice of screening, referral, and treatment for depression and anxiety disorders. A total of 146 participants joined in the survey, of which 76.0% were neurologists, and 69 participants were the member of the Zhejiang Association Against Epilepsy (ZAAE). RESULTS: This survey revealed that almost all participants (87.7%) agreed that screening for depression and anxiety in patients with epilepsy (PWEs) was very important; however, the frequency of screening was very low (41.1% of participants screened less than 10% of patients, and 34.2% participants screened between 10% and 30% of patients). A higher frequency of screening was reported in the member group and compared with that in the non-member group (P = 0.025). The main barrier to screening was the lack of time during clinic visits: 81.5% participants included screening questions as part of their clinical review. When anxiety/depression was diagnosed, the next step should be to refer patients to a psychiatrist (78.1%). No standardized procedures and lack of mental health specialists trained to assess and/or manage PWEs, were the main barriers to follow-up assessment and management. Lack of appropriately trained mental health specialists was also the main barrier to psychological treatment for depression and anxiety. CONCLUSION: This survey highlighted that epilepsy healthcare professionals in Zhejiang province agreed on the importance of screening for psychiatric comorbidities in PWEs; however, the screening and management were actually insufficient. Certain barriers to screening, referral, and treatment were presented and improvements were recommended.

Chromatin-Remodelling ATPases ISWI and BRM Are Essential for Reproduction in the Destructive Pest Tuta absoluta.

The tomato leaf miner (Tuta absoluta) is one of the top 20 plant pests worldwide. We cloned and identified the chromatin-remodelling ATPase genes ISWI and BRM by RACE and bioinformatic analysis, respectively; used RT-qPCR to examine their expression patterns during different life cycle stages; and elucidated their roles in insect reproduction using double-stranded RNA injections. The full-length cDNA of TaISWI was 3428 bp and it encoded a 1025-aa polypeptide. The partial-length cDNA of TaBRM was 3457 bp and it encoded a 1030-aa polypeptide. TaISWI and TaBRM were upregulated at the egg stage. Injection of TaISWI or TaBRM dsRNA at the late pupa stage significantly inhibited adult ovary development and reduced fecundity, hatchability, and longevity in the adult females. To the best of our knowledge, the present study was the first to perform molecular characterisations of two chromatin-remodelling ATPase genes and clarify their roles in T. absoluta fecundity. Chromatin-remodelling ATPases are potential RNAi targets for the control of T. absoluta and other insect pests. The present study was also the first to demonstrate the feasibility of reproductive inhibitory RNAi as a putative approach for the suppression of T. absoluta and other Lepidopteran insect populations.

Molecular Characterization of TRPA Subfamily Genes and Function in Temperature Preference in Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae).

To reveal the mechanism of temperature preference in Tuta absoluta, one of the top 20 plant pests in the world, we cloned and identified TaTRPA1, TaPain, and TaPyx genes by RACE and bioinformatic analysis, and clarified their expression profiles during different development stages using real-time PCR, and revealed their function in preference temperature by RNAi. The full-length cDNA of TaPain was 3136 bp, with a 2865-bp open reading frame encoding a 259.89-kDa protein; and the partial length cDNA of TaPyx was 2326-bp, with a 2025-bp open reading frame encoding a 193.16-kDa protein. In addition, the expression of TaTRPA1 and TaPyx was significantly lower in larvae than other stages, and it was significantly higher in pupae and newly emerging males for TaPain. After feeding target double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), the preferred temperature decreased 2 °C more than the control group. In conclusion, the results firstly indicated the molecular characterization of TRPA subfamily genes and their key role in temperature perception in T. absoluta, and the study will help us to understand the temperature-sensing mechanism in the pest, and will provide some basis for study of other Lepidoptera insects' temperature preference. Moreover, it is of great significance in enriching the research progress of "thermos TRP".

Development of an on-site diagnostic LAMP assay for rapid differentiation of the invasive pest Phthorimaea absoluta (Meyrick) using insect tissues.

BACKGROUND: The tomato leafminer, Phthorimaea absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), is a destructive invasive pest that originated in South America and has spread within China since 2017. A rapid method for on-site identification of P. absoluta is urgently needed for interception of this pest across China. RESULTS: We developed a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) technique to differentiate P. absoluta from Liriomyza sativae, Chromatomyia horticola, and Phthorimaea operculella using extracted genomic DNA, which was then refined to create an on-site LAMP diagnostic method that can be performed under field conditions without the need for laboratory equipment. CONCLUSION: In the present research, we developed an on-site diagnostic method for rapid differentiation of P. absoluta from other insects with similar morphology or damage characteristics in China. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Opsin mutants alter host plant selection by color vision in the nocturnal invasive pest Tuta absoluta.

In insects, vision is crucial in finding host plants, but its role in nocturnal insects is largely unknown. Vision involves responses to specific spectra of photon wavelengths and opsins plays an important role in this process. Long-wavelength sensitive opsin (LW opsin) and blue-sensitive opsin (BL opsin) are main visual opsin proteins and play important in behavior regulation.We used CRISPR/Cas9 technology to mutate the long-wavelength-sensitive and blue wavelength-sensitive genes and explored the role of vision in the nocturnal invasive pest Tuta absoluta. Light wave experiments revealed that LW2(-/-) and BL(-/-) mutants showed abnormal wavelength tropism. Both LW2 and BL mutations affected the preference of T. absoluta for the green environment. Mutations in LW2 and BL are necessary to inhibit visual attraction. The elimination of LW2 and BL affected the preference of leaf moths for green plants, and mutations in both induced a preference in moths for white plants. Behavioral changes resulting from LW2(-/-) and BL(-/-) mutants were not affected by sense of smell, further supporting the regulatory role of vision in insect behavior. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to reveal that vision, not smell, plays an important role in the host-seeking behavior of nocturnal insects at night, of which LW2 and BL opsins are key regulatory factors. These study findings will drive the development of the "vision-ecology" theory.

The complete mitochondrial genome of invasive insect Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say 1824 (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae).

Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say 1824, an invasive and globally devastating beetle, inflicts great damage to potato crops worldwide. The complete mitogenome of L. decemlineata is described in this study. It is a 16,741 bp long circular DNA molecule with a high A + T content of 76.9%, containing a typical 37 gene pattern. All PCGs (protein-coding genes) initiate with typical ATN codons. Most PCGs use TAN as a stop codon, whereas ND4 and COX3 use the incomplete codon TA as the stop codon. The lengths of rrnL and rrnS genes are 1,337 bp and 811 bp, respectively. All 22 tRNAs ranged from 62 to 77 bp. Phylogenetic analysis of Chrysomelidae indicated that L. decemlineata clusteres with three other Chrysomelinae species, which is consistent with previous analyses.

Alzheimer's disease and epilepsy: The top 100 cited papers.

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the common neurodegenerative diseases, which often coexists with epilepsy. It is very significant to study the treatment options and the relationship between AD and epilepsy. Aims: The purpose of this study was to analyze the top 100 cited papers about AD and epilepsy using bibliometrics, and to describe the current situation and predict research hot spots. Methods: Top 100 papers were obtained from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC). The WoSCC was used to analyze the author, institution, country, title, keywords, abstract, citation, subject category, publication year, impact factor (IF), and other functions. SPSS25 software was used for statistical analysis and CiteSpace V.5.7.R2 was used to visualize the information through collaborative networks. Results: The number of publications gradually increased from 2000 to 2021. The total citation count for the top 100 papers ranged from 15 to 433(mean = 67.43). The largest number of papers were published in 2016 (n = 11). Meanwhile, USA (centrality: 0.93) and Columbia University (centrality: 0.06) were the most influential research country and institutions, respectively. The top contributing journals was Journal of Alzheimer's Disease (8%). The IF for journals ranged from 1.819 to 53.44. A network analysis of the author's keywords showed that "beta" (centrality: 0.39), "amyloid beta" (centrality: 0.29), "hyperexcitability" (centrality: 0.29) and "disease" (centrality: 0.29) had a high degree of centrality. Conclusion: AD and epilepsy have been intensively studied in the past few years. The relationships, mechanisms and treatment of AD and epilepsy will be subjects of active research hotpots in future. These findings provide valuable information for clinicians and scientists to identify new perspectives with potential collaborators and cooperative countries.

First Report on CRISPR/Cas9-Based Genome Editing in the Destructive Invasive Pest Tuta Absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae).

The tomato leaf miner Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) is one of the world's most destructive pests of tomato, and because of its severe economic impacts, as well as the development of pesticide resistance, the species has been intensively studied, especially in regard to the identification of targets for T. absoluta control. However, functional genomic studies of T. absoluta have been constrained by a lack of effective genetic tools. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to develop a CRISPR/Cas9 zygote microinjection protocol for generating heritable mutations in T. absoluta, using the ommochrome synthesis gene cinnabar as an easily evaluated target gene. The injection of fertilised eggs with Cas9 protein and four sgRNAs, which targeted cinnabar exon 3, resulted in a mutagenesis rate of 31.9% for eggs reaching adulthood, and cinnabar mutagenesis resulted in either red or mosaic eye colour phenotypes. As such, this study is the first to report a complete and detailed CRISPR/Cas9 workflow for the efficient genome editing of the globally important invasive pest T. absoluta. The application of this robust genome-editing tool to T. absoluta will greatly facilitate the discovery of suitable RNAi control targets and the subsequent development of novel control strategies.

Complete mitochondrial genome of a predominant parasitoid, Necremnus tutae (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) of the South American tomato leafminer Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae).

The complete mitochondrial genome of a predominant parasitoid, Necremnus tutae (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) (GenBank accession number MT916846) is 15,252 bp in length, and contains 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNA genes (tRNAs), 2 ribosomal RNA genes, and an A + T-rich region. The overall base composition is 38.86% for A, 7.14% for C, 8.57% for G, and 45.43% for T, with a high AT bias of 84.29%. ATA, ATT, ATG were initiation codons and TAA and T were termination codons. All the 22 tRNAs displayed a typical cloverleaf secondary structure, except for trnS1 and trnR which lacked the dihydrouracil (DHU) arm. Phylogenetic analyses were performed using 13 PCGs showed that N. tutae is closely related to Tenthredo tienmushana, which in accordance with the traditional classification.

Screening Potential Reference Genes in Tuta absoluta with Real-Time Quantitative PCR Analysis under Different Experimental Conditions.

Tuta absoluta is one of the most significant invasive pests affecting tomato plants worldwide. RT-qPCR has emerged as one of the most sensitive and accurate methods for detecting gene expression data. The screening of stable internal reference genes is the most critical step for studying the molecular mechanisms of environmental adaptability. The stable reference genes expressed in T. absoluta under specific experimental conditions have not yet been clarified. In this study, seven candidate reference genes (RPL27, RPS13, RPS15, EF1-α, TUB, TBP, and ß-actin) and their optimal numbers were evaluated under biotic (developmental stages and adult tissues) and abiotic (insecticide, temperature, and plant VOC) conditions using four software programs. Our results identified the following reference genes and numbers as optimal: three genes (EF1-α, RPS13, and RPL27) for different developmental stages (egg, larva, pupa, unmated adult), two genes (RPS13 and TBP) for adult tissues (antenna, head, thorax, abdomen, leg), two genes (TBP and RPS13) for insecticides (Bacillus thuringiensis, chlorpyrifos, abamectin-aminomethyl, and chlorantraniliprole), two genes (RPL27 and TUB) for temperature-induced stresses (0, 25, and 40 °C), and two genes (RPS13 and TUB) for VOC-induced stresses (nonanal, α-phellandrene, and tomato leaves). Our results provide a reference for selecting appropriate reference genes for further study of the functional genes of T. absoluta under different experimental conditions.

Outbreak of the South American tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta, in the Chinese mainland: geographic and potential host range expansion.

BACKGROUND: In 2017 Tuta absoluta was identified as an invasive species in China. Due to its rapid geographic expansion and the severe crop damage it causes, T. absoluta poses a serious threat to China's tomato production industry. To determine its geographic distribution and host range, intensive surveys and routine monitoring were conducted across the Chinese mainland between 2018 and 2019. The population colonization coefficient (PCC; ratio of colonized sites and prefectures) and population occurrence index (POI; ratio of infested host species and PCCs) were calculated. RESULTS: In northwestern China, T. absoluta populations established in Xinjiang exhibited a medium PCC value (~0.03). In southwestern China, populations in Yunnan and its five neighboring provinces exhibited high (~0.50 in Yunnan and Guizhou), or low (<0.02 in Guangxi, Sichuan, Hunan, and Chongqing) PCC values. In the Chinese mainland, infestations of four crop plant species (tomato, eggplant, potato, and Chinese lantern) and two wild plant species (black nightshade and Dutch eggplant) were identified; tomatoes were infested in every colonized province. Chinese lantern and Dutch eggplant are potentially novel hosts. Yunnan, Guizhou, and Xinjiang experienced the most serious damage (POI). In southwestern China, observed damage significantly decreased with increased distance from the first discovery site of T. absoluta to the farthest county of an infested province increased. CONCLUSION: T. absoluta populations are well-established and could potentially spread to other regions of China. The present study helps to inform the establishment of better pest management guidelines and strategies in China and tomato-producing regions worldwide. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

Comparative analysis of eight DNA extraction methods for molecular research in mealybugs.

For molecular research, the quality and integrity of DNA obtained will affect the reliability of subsequent results. Extracting quality DNA from scale insects, including mealybugs, can be difficult due to their small body size and waxy coating. In this study, we evaluate eight commonly used DNA extraction methods to determine their efficacy in PCR analysis across life stages and preservation times. We find that fresh samples, immediately upon collection or after 2 wks, resulted in the most effective DNA extraction. Methods using the DNeasy Blood & Tissue kit, NaCl, SDS-RNase A, and SDS isolated DNA of sufficient quality DNA. The SDS method gave high DNA yield, while the NaCl and SDS-RNase A methods gave lower yield. NaCl, SDS-RNase A, SDS, chloroform-isopentyl alcohol, and the salting-out methods all resulted in sufficient DNA for PCR, and performed equal to or better than that of the DNeasy Blood & Tissue kit. When time and cost per extraction were considered, the SDS method was most efficient, especially for later life stages of mealybug, regardless of preservation duration. DNA extracted from a single fresh sample of a female adult mealybug was adequate for more than 10,000 PCR reactions. For earlier stages, including the egg and 1st instar nymph samples, DNA was most effectively extracted by the Rapid method. Our results provide guidelines for the choice of effective DNA extraction method for mealybug or other small insects across different life stages and preservation status.

Variable temperatures across different stages have novel effects on behavioral response and population viability in a host-feeding parasitoid.

Parasitoids are insects (usually wasps or flies) that lay eggs within or on other insects (their hosts). Host-feeding parasitoids lay eggs to parasitize the host and feed directly on the host for nourishment. Temperature is the most critical factor affecting insect behavioral responses. Few studies have focused on the impacts of variable temperatures across different life stages on the behaviors of host-feeding parasitoids. This study investigated the effects of temperature experienced during the preadult and adult stages on the life history traits and life table parameters of females of a host-feeding parasitoid, Eretmocerus hayati. Our results show that the temperatures experienced during the preadult and adult stages significantly change life history traits (immature development, adult longevity, host feeding and fecundity). Increasing the preadult temperature resulted in shorter development times for immature stages of the parasitoid, and decreasing the temperature during the adult stage increased reproduction and longevity. Most importantly, we found that host-feeding events changed with temperature rather than life stage. The daily host-feeding ability of the parasitoid increased with increasing temperature at all temperatures except the stress temperature (34 °C). Furthermore, switching temperatures at the immature stage and adult stage can increase the values of life table parameters, with the highest intrinsic rate of increase (r) occurring in the 30/26 °C treatment. This study provides new insight into the mass rearing of parasitic natural enemies.

Effects of Simulated Heat Waves on Life History Traits of a Host Feeding Parasitoid.

The frequency and amplitude of heat waves are predicted to increase under future climate change conditions. We still lack a detailed understanding of how changes in the frequency and amplitude of heat waves are linked to the life history traits and biocontrol efficiency of host-feeding parasitoids. In the present study, we simulated a series of heat waves as a function of amplitude and frequency to investigate the effects on the life history traits of the host-feeding parasitoid Eretmocerus hayati. We found that both the amplitude and frequency of heat waves significantly affected the adult phenotypes. In the low-amplitude heat wave group, the frequency of heat waves did not change the life history traits of the parasitoid; however, when the heat amplitude reached 42 °C, medium (four times/week) and high frequencies (seven times/week) of heat waves detrimentally affected these parameters. Hence, these findings suggest that to obtain optimal biological control with this parasitoid, we need to carefully monitor heat wave pattern (especially the amplitude and frequency) over the short term (usually 7-10 days) before releasing a host-feeding parasitoid.

Reproductive biology of two nontarget insect species, Aphis gossypii (Homoptera: Aphididae) and Orius sauteri (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae), on Bt and non-Bt cotton cultivars.

Transgenic Bt cotton, engineered to continuously produce activated delta-endotoxins of the soil bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis, holds great promise in controlling Helicoverpa armigera and other lepidopteran pests. However, it also may impact the invertebrate community, which needs to be clarified. The effects of Bt cotton on two nontarget insects, Aphis gossypii and Orius sauteri, were assessed under semifield and laboratory conditions. Mean total duration of nymphal stages of A. gossypii was shorter (5.9 versus 6.3 d), and rm was higher (0.418 versus 0.394) on conventional Simian 3 (the most frequently planted non-Bt cotton in northern China) than on Bt transgenic NuCOTN 33B (the first Bt cotton commercially planted in China). Mean duration of fourth-instar O. sauteri was significantly longer on transgenic GK-12 (3.7 d) than on NuCOTN 33B (3.2 d), but no different from Simian 3. Mean total mortality was significantly lower on Simian 3 (3.7%) than on GK-12 (14.8%). During the fourth instar, the predator consumed a significantly higher number of prey on Simian 3 (202.3 prey) than on NuCOTN 33B (159.0), whereas the mean total number of A. gossypii prey consumed during the nymphal stage was significantly higher on Simian 3 (336.8 prey) and GK-12 (330.3 prey) than on NuCOTN 33B (275.7). No detrimental effects were detected on development (nymphs, adults, and progeny eggs), fecundity, longevity, and egg viability of O. sauteri on Bt cotton aphids compared with non-Bt cotton aphids. These results suggest that Bt cotton cultivars GK-12 and NuCOTN 33B have no direct effect on nontargets A. gossypii and O. sauteri. Germplasm divergence may account for the negative effects observed on A. gossypii and O. sauteri when reared on NuCOTN 33B or NuCOTN 33B-fed aphids. The biological meanings of the small difference observed between GK-12 and Simian 3 on survival of O. sauteri will require close monitoring over longer time periods.

First Record of the Invasive Pest Pseudococcus jackbeardsleyi (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) on the Chinese Mainland and Its Rapid Identification Based on Species-Specific Polymerase Chain Reaction.

The Jack Beardsley mealybug, Pseudococcus jackbeardsleyi Gimpel & Miller (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), a globally devastating, invasive polyphagous insect, causes great damage to many fruits, ornamentals, vegetables, and food crops worldwide. It is of Neotropical origin and has invaded throughout America and in parts of Asia, Africa and Oceania, and is still expanding its invasion ranges. Therefore, a method for quick and correct identification of this invasive species is crucial for quarantine and spreading interruption of it. In present study, we report the first record of P. jackbeardsleyi on the Chinese mainland, which would cause great damage to many crops. The identification of P. jackbeardsleyi was verified via morphological characters and DNA barcoding. One pair of species-specific polymerase chain reaction (SS-PCR) primers was designed based on variations in the sequences of the mitochondrial cytochromecoxidasesubunitI gene among P. jackbeardsleyi and 28 other mealybug species. No cross-reaction was detected among 21 closely related species using this SS-PCR assay, demonstrating the specificity of this marker. Furthermore, this method was successfully applied to detect individuals from different developmental stages and adult debris across four geographic populations of P. jackbeardsleyi, showing the high stability of the assay. Additionally, the detection limit of the marker was 55.94 ± 5.05 pg/µl of P. jackbeardsleyi DNA, illustrating the high sensitivity of the assay. The SS-PCR assay developed in this study provides a rapid, simple and reliable method for the identification of P. jackbeardsleyi, which should be crucial in the plant quarantine, early detection and sustainable management of this globally invasive pest.

Presence of Native Prey Does Not Divert Predation on Exotic Pests by Harmonia axyridis in Its Indigenous Range.

In China, two invasive pests, Bemisia tabaci MEAM1 (Gennadius) and Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande), often co-occur with the native pest, Aphis gossypii (Glover), on plants of Malvaceae and Cucurbitaceae. All three are preyed on by the native ladybird, Harmonia axyridis (Pallas); however, the native predator might be expected to prefer native prey to the exotic ones due to a shared evolutionary past. In order to clarify whether the presence of native prey affected the consumption of these two invasive species by the native predator, field-cage experiments were conducted. A duplex qPCR was used to simultaneously detect both non-native pests within the gut of the predator. H. axyridis readily accepted both invasive prey species, but preferred B. tabaci. With all three prey species available, H. axyridis consumption of B. tabaci was 39.3±2.2% greater than consumption of F. occidentalis. The presence of A. gossypii reduced (by 59.9% on B. tabaci, and by 60.6% on F. occidentalis), but did not stop predation on the two exotic prey when all three were present. The consumption of B. tabaci was similar whether it was alone or together with A. gossypii. However, the presence of aphids reduced predation on the invasive thrips. Thus, some invasive prey may be incorporated into the prey range of a native generalist predator even in the presence of preferred native prey.

Asymmetric consequences of host plant occupation on the competition between the whiteflies Bemisia tabaci cryptic species MEAM1 and Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae).

BACKGROUND: The two common whitefly species, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) MEAM1 and Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Westwood), often co-occur on their host plants. The effect of host plant occupation by one species on later-arriving conspecific individuals or on the other competing species was examined. RESULTS: Resource preoccupied by T. vaporariorum had mostly negative effects on the life history parameters of later-arriving conspecifics. Red-eyed nymph and immature survival of T. vaporariorum decreased when resource was preoccupied by conspecifics, irrespective of the previous occupation scenario. However, resource preoccupied by T. vaporariorum had only minor detrimental effects on the performance of later-arriving B. tabaci MEAM1. In the opposite colonisation sequence, previous occupation by B. tabaci MEAM1 had no significant effects on the life history parameters of later-arriving conspecifics, but severe detrimental effects were observed on the performance of later-arriving T. vaporariorum. Total immature survival of T. vaporariorum decreased in both weak and strong previous occupation situations by B. tabaci MEAM1. CONCLUSION: The interspecific interactions between B. tabaci MEAM1 and T. vaporariorum were asymmetric, with B. tabaci MEAM1 being the superior competitor. This superiority could partially explain the rapid spread of B. tabaci MEAM1 in China.

Suitability changes with host leaf age for Bemisia tabaci B biotype and Trialeurodes vaporariorum.

The suitability of tomato leaves of different ages for Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) B biotype and Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Westwood) was characterized by development time, stage-specific survival, sex ratio, longevity, and fecundity. Three categories of leaf ages were tested (young: expanding leaves <2 wk old; mature: fully expanded, 4-5-wk-old leaves; old: fully expanded, 6-7-wk-old leaves). There was no significant variation in the duration of development of the two species among the three classes of leaf ages, but total survival and ratio of females to males on mature and old leaves were higher than on young leaves. For egg hatch, the reverse tendency was found. Longevity of both species was higher on mature than on young leaves, and fecundity during the first 2 wk of adult life was higher on mature than on young or old leaves. The B. tabaci B biotype developed faster through the quiescent fourth nymphal instar, had higher ratio of females to males, survived longer, and produced more eggs (in the first 2 wk of adult life) than T. vaporariorum on leaves of the same age; although on young leaves, B. tabaci B biotype survivorship was lower than that of T. vaporariorum. The index of host suitability of B. tabaci B biotype was higher on mature and old leaves than on young leaves. In T. vaporariorum, no such differences were found among these three leaf ages. The results could provide some cues why B. tabaci B biotype is spreading so vigorously.

Selective binding of carbamate pesticides by self-assembled monolayers of calix[4]arene lipoic acid: wettability and impedance dual-signal response.

A calix[4]arene lipoic acid (C4LA) was synthesized by click chemistry in 62% yield. It was immobilized on Au surfaces via self-assembly to offer C4LA Self-Assembled Monolayers (SAMs). The SAMs show wettability and electrochemical impedance dual-signal response for methomyl with highly sensitivity and selectivity.