Source Area of the Immigrant Population of Beet Webworm (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) in Northern Xinjiang, China.

The beet webworm, Loxostege sticticalis (Linnaeus) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), is a destructive pest inhabiting the northern temperate zone. In Xinjiang, China, this species has only occasionally infested certain areas, but has been causing severe damage since 2005. Early studies showed that most of the outbreak populations in northern Xinjiang are immigrant populations. However, the specific source area is still unknown. In this study, we determined the source area of the immigrant population of L. sticticalis in northern Xinjiang from 2010 to 2013 using daily monitoring data of L. sticticalis adults; we explained the causation of why an overwintering area of L. sticticalis could build up in Central Asia. Results showed that the direct source area of L. sticticalis in northern Xinjiang was eastern Kazakhstan, and the initial source area could be traced further to Altai Krai, Russia. Both regions were located at the foothills of the westernmost portion of Altai Mountains. The thermal conditions in these regions could not support L. sticticalis development for two generations before 1990. Hence, a few cocoons could be formed in the autumn. Influenced by global warming, L. sticticalis in these regions could complete two whole generations most years after 2001. The increased generation number, combined with sufficient precipitation, and mountainous terrain in the westernmost portion of Altai Mountains have created an overwintering area for L. sticticalis.

Multitarget Therapeutic Effect of Fasudil in APP/PS1transgenic Mice.

INTRODUCTION: Therapeutic strategies targeting Alzheimer's disease-related molecule ß- amyloid (Aß), Tau protein and ß-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme (BACE) have been recently explored. However, the treatment effect for single target is not ideal. Based on multiaspect roles of Rho kinase inhibitor Fasudil on neuroprotection, neurorepair and immunomodulation, we observed therapeutic potential of Fasudil and explored possible mechanisms in amyloid precursor protein/ presenilin-1 transgenic (APP/PS1 Tg) mice, an animal model of Alzheimer's disease. METHODS: APP/PS1 Tg mice were treated with Fasudil (25 mg/kg/day) for 2 months by intraperitoneal injection. Mouse behavior tests were recorded every day. The expression of Aß deposition, Tau protein phosphorylation, BACE and postsynaptic density 95 (PSD-95) in hippocampus was assayed. The levels in the brain of Toll-like receptors (TLRs)-nuclear factor kappa B/p65（NF-κB/p65)- myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88 (MyD88) inflammatory cytokine axis were measured. RESULTS: Fasudil treatment ameliorated learning and memory deficits, accompanied by reduced Aß deposition, Tau protein phosphorylation, and BACE expression, as well as increased PSD-95 expression in hippocampus. Fasudil intervention also inhibited TLR-2/4, p-NF-κB/p65, MyD88, interleukin-1beta, interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α for TLRs-NF-κB-MyD88 inflammatory cytokine axis and the induction of interleukin-10. CONCLUSION: Fasudil exhibited multitarget therapeutic effect in APP/PS1 Tg mice. The study provides preclinical evidence that Fasudil treatment ameliorated memory deficits in APP/PS1 Tg mice, accompanied by the reduction of Aß deposition and Tau protein phosphorylation, the decrease of BACE and the increase of PSD-95, as well as inhibition of TLRs-NF-κB-MyD88 inflammatory cytokine axis. However, these results still need to be repeated and confirmed before clinical application.

A new tetrahydrofuran-type lignan with anti-inflammatory activity from Asarum heterotropoides Fr. Schmidt var. mandshuricum.

A new tetrahydrofuran-type lignan, episesaminone (1), was isolated from Asarum heterotropoides Fr. Schmidt var. mandshuricum (Maxim.) Kitag. Its structure was established by spectroscopic techniques (HR-MS, 1D NMR, 2D NMR, and circular dichroism). The anti-inflammatory activity in RAW 264.7 macrophages was carried out on 1 and other eight known compounds, the epimer of 1 (2) and seven known furofurans-type lignan (3-9) obtained from A. heterotropoides Fr. Schmidt var. mandshuricum. Compounds 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, and 9 showed significant anti-inflammatory activity, particularly 50 µM compound 3 inhibited 69.2% NO production compared with the lipopolysaccharide group.