Genome-wide identification of chemosensory receptor genes in the small brown planthopper, Laodelphax striatellus.

The small brown planthopper (SBPH), Laodelphax striatellus is one of the major insect pests of rice, but little is known about the molecular-level means by which it locates its hosts. SBPH host-seeking behavior heavily relies on chemosensory receptors (CRs). In this study, we utilized genome analysis of the SBPH to identify 169 CRs, including: 133 odorant receptors (ORs), 13 gustatory receptors (GRs) and 23 ionotropic receptors (IRs). The phylogenetic relationships of OR genes from three rice planthoppers and other insect species revealed that the odorant co-receptor (Orco) clade is the most conserved group. Among the candidate GRs, two sugar receptors and five fructose receptors have been identified but no carbon dioxide receptors investigated. Furthermore, we identified homologs of the three highly conserved IR co-receptors. The obtained results will provide us with precious information needed to better understand the interaction between insect pests and crop plants required for effective crop protection.

[Radiosensitization effect of black garlic extract on lung cancer cell line Lewis cells].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the radiosensitization effect of black garlic extract (BGE) on lung cancer cell line Lewis cells. METHODS: The inhibition rate of lung cancer cells after BGE action was detected by MTT. Effect of BGE combined radiotherapy on the colony formation rate was observed by cloning formation assay. Changes of the cell morphology were observed by Hoechst staining. Changes of the cell cycle were detected by flow cytometry. Real time PCR was used to detect mRNA expressions of bcl-2 and bax. RESULTS: BGE could have significant inhibitory action on the growth of lung cancer Lewis cells. The combination of BGE and radiotherapy (by 60Co gamma) significantly induced Lewis cells' apoptosis in G2/M stage, obviously decreased the expression of bcl-2, and up-regulated the expression of bax. CONCLUSIONS: BGE could sensitize the lung cancer Lewis cells to ionizing irradiation. This effect might be probably caused by changing the cell cycles and affecting expressions of bax and bcl-2.

Silencing the odorant coreceptor (Orco) disrupts sex pheromonal communication and feeding responses in Blattella germanica: toward an alternative target for controlling insect-transmitted human diseases.

BACKGROUND: The German cockroach, Blattella germanica, is one of the most severe pests of urban and rural areas. High-throughput genetic screening approaches indicate that the olfactory system of this pest is extremely powerful because it has an extensive array of olfactory receptor genes compared with many other insect species. Several of these genes have been identified previously, but their functions have not yet been characterized. RESULTS: This study describes the sequence of five transcriptomes of B. germanica adult male antennae, female antennae, maxillary palps, legs, and fifth-instar nymph antennae to investigate expression patterns of odorant receptors (ORs). Approximately 90% of ORs were found to be the most highly expressed genes in adult or nymph antennae. Additionally, every OR requires an odorant co-receptor (Orco) to become fully functional, and this was selected and successfully inhibited by injection of the corresponding double-stranded (ds)RNA targeting the Orco. A strong RNA interference (RNAi) effect was observed in which > 75% of Orco messenger RNA (mRNA) was clearly suppressed after 72 h of treatment. Olfactory behavioral assays showed that Orco-impaired B. germanica respond more slowly and show less attraction to one volatile sex pheromone and food resources compared with a control group. CONCLUSION: The results show that Orco plays a pivotal role in both sex pheromone and food-seeking olfactory processes, and provide an alternative genetic technique for controlling this urban pest species by olfactory disruption. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

Efficacy study of CyberKnife stereotactic radiosurgery combined with CIK cell immunotherapy for advanced refractory lung cancer.

CyberKnife (CK), hypofractionated stereotactic radiosurgery, is a preferred option for the treatment of advanced refractory lung cancer which is usually inoperable. Cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cell immunotherapy has a marked radiosensitization effect which aids the elimination of residual tumor cells in distant areas. The main purpose of the present study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of CK alone and combined with CIK cell therapy for advanced refractory lung cancer. In one year, 22 patients with advanced lung cancer underwent CK therapy at a CyberKnife Center. Of these patients, 11 received CIK cell therapy before or after the CK therapy course. The median prescribed dose in the combined CK and CIK group was 35 Gy (mean, 33.8±5.0 Gy) with a median number of fractions of 5. The median dose for patients who underwent CK alone was 35 Gy (mean, 35.2±6.0 Gy). CIK cell therapy was administered according to the condition of each patient, generally 2 continuous therapeutic sessions in 2 months. The median follow-up period was 3 months. The preliminary curative efficiency rate was 81.82% for patients who underwent CK/CIK and 72.73% for those who received CK alone, according to radiographic re-examination (P>0.05). The median improvement in the Karnofsky scores of the CK/CIK group was 20 (18±10.51) compared with 10 (8.6±11.85) for those who underwent CK alone (P<0.05). The median expression of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) before and after treatment was 40.81 and 12.21 ng/ml, respectively, for the CK/CIK group compared with 39.04 and 26.36 ng/ml for CK alone. The median percentage of phenotype expression of the CIK cells (CD3(+)/CD8(+) and CD3(+)/CD56(+)) in the patients who underwent CK/CIK was recorded as 64.35% (57.08±16.94%) and 15.27% (18.80±7.00%), respectively, prior to transfusion. The preliminary results of the present study suggest that CK combined with CIK cell immunotherapy improved the short-term outcomes of patients for curative efficacy, Karnofsky scores, tumor marker levels and immune status compared with alternative CK treatments, although further studies are required.

Clinical efficacy of CyberKnife combined with chemotherapy and hyperthermia for advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is responsible for at least 80% of all lung tumors and has a poor prognosis, since 75% of NSCLCs are first diagnosed at an advanced stage. This study was conducted to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of CyberKnife in combination with chemotherapy and hyperthermia for selected patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Clinical charts, imaging and pathology reports of patients with advanced NSCLC who underwent CyberKnife therapy in our Tumor Therapy Center were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical efficacy was evaluated for local control, Karnofsky performance status scale (KPS) and toxicity analysis. A total of 119 patients with 136 target areas were evaluated. A prescribed dose of 24-51 Gy to the gross tumor volume was delivered in 3-6 fractions. The median prescription dose was 35 Gy (mean, 34.73±4.80 Gy), with an average of five fractions. Patients, who voluntarily participated in the study, were assigned to one of three groups, which were as follows: CyberKnife therapy alone, CyberKnife combined with chemotherapy and CyberKnife combined with chemotherapy and hyperthermia. The median follow-up period was 6 months and curative efficiencies were 62.16, 71.79 and 90.70%, respectively, as determined by radiographic and clinical re-examinations. Patients treated by CyberKnife combined with chemotherapy and hyperthermia achieved optimal improvement in the aspect of KPS, which was statistically different compared to the other two groups (P<0.05). In conclusion, our results indicated that CyberKnife combined with chemotherapy and hyperthermia achieved favorable short-term outcomes and may be a more viable option for patients with advanced NSCLC. However, further investigations are required to evaluate long-term outcomes.