New species of Eupolyphaga Chopard, 1929 and Pseudoeupolyphaga Qiu & Che, 2024 (Blattodea, Corydioidea, Corydiinae), with notes on their female genitalia.

Two new species of Eupolyphaga (E.bicolor Han, Che & Wang, sp. nov. and E.nigra Han, Che & Wang, sp. nov.) and six new species of Pseudoeupolyphaga (P.flava Han, Che & Wang, sp. nov., P.deficiens Han, Che & Wang, sp. nov., P.magna Han, Che & Wang, sp. nov., P.longiseta Han, Che & Wang, sp. nov., P.latizona Han, Che & Wang, sp. nov., and P.baimaensis Han, Che & Wang, sp. nov.) are described and illustrated. The female external genitalia and spermathecae of these two genera are reported and the role of these characters in species delimitation is discussed.

FCER1G as a novel immune-associated blood biomarker in cardiogenic stroke.

Background: Cardioembolic stroke (CE) exhibits the highest recurrence rate and mortality rate among all subtypes of cerebral ischemic stroke (CIS), yet its pathogenesis remains uncertain. The immune system plays a pivotal role in the progression of CE. Growing evidence indicates that several immune-associated blood biomarkers may inform the causes of stroke. The study aimed to identify new immune-associated blood biomarkers in patients with CE and create an online predictive tool in distinguishing CE from noncardioembolic stroke (non-CE) in CIS. Methods: Gene expression profiles that were publicly available were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). The identification of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) was conducted using the Limma package. The hub module and hub genes were identified through the application of weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA). In order to identify potential diagnostic biomarkers for CE, both the random forest (RF) model and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression analysis were employed. Concurrently, the CIBERSORT algorithm was employed to evaluate the infiltration of immune cells in CE samples and examine the correlation between the biomarkers and the infiltrating immune cells. The diagnostic gene expression in blood samples was confirmed using qRT-PCR in a self-constructed dataset. Univariate and multiple logistic regression analyses were used to identify the risk factors for CE. Subsequently, the mathematical model of the nomogram was employed via Java's "Spring Boot" framework to develop the corresponding online tool, which was then deployed on a cloud server utilizing "nginx". Results: Eleven differentially expressed genes (DEGs) that were upregulated and seven DEGs that were downregulated were identified. Through bioinformatics analysis and clinical sample verification, it was discovered that Fc Fragment of IgE Receptor Ig (FCER1G) could serve as a novel potential blood biomarker for CE. FCER1G, along with other risk factors associated with CE, were utilized to develop a nomogram. The training and validation sets, which consisted of 65 CIS patients, yielded areas under the curve (AUCs) of 0.9722 and 0.9689, respectively. These results indicate a high level of precision in risk delineation by the nomogram. Furthermore, the associated online predictive platform has the potential to serve as a more efficacious and appropriate predictive instrument (https://www.origingenetic.com/CardiogenicStroke-FCER1G) for distinguishing between CE and non-CE. Conclusion: Blood biomarker FCER1G has the potential to identify patients who are at a higher risk of cardioembolism and direct the search for occult AF.The utilization of this online tool is anticipated to yield significant implications in terms of distinguishing between CE and non-CE, as well as enhancing the optimization of treatment decision support.

Six new species of Margattea Shelford, 1911 (Blaberoidea, Pseudophyllodromiidae, Neoblattellini) from China.

Six Margattea species are established and described: three are cryptic species, namely, M.parabisignata Li & Che, sp. nov., M.semicircularis Li & Che, sp. nov., and M.forcipata Li & Che, sp. nov. They are distinguished from known species M.bisignata, M.spinifera, and M.paratransversa by their male genitalia with the aid of molecular species delimitation method (ABGD) using COI as the molecular marker. The other three new species are M.pedata Li & Che, sp. nov., M.undulata Li & Che, sp. nov., and M.bisphaerica Li & Che, sp. nov. Morphological and genitalia photographs of these new species of Margattea, as well as a key to the species of Margattea from China, are provided.

Discovery of five new species of Allacta from Yunnan and Hainan, China (Blattodea, Pseudophyllodromiidae).

We examined new Allacta materials from Yunnan and Hainan Province, China, and discovered new species using both morphological and molecular species delimitation (ABGD) methods. Five new species are described: A.bifolium Li & Wang, sp. nov., A.hemiptera Li & Wang, sp. nov., A.lunulara Li & Wang, sp. nov., A.redacta Li & Wang, sp. nov., and A.unicaudata Li & Wang, sp. nov. All five species are placed under the hamifera species group. An updated key and checklist of Allacta species from China are provided.

The role of APOBEC3C in modulating the tumor microenvironment and stemness properties of glioma: evidence from pancancer analysis.

Background: It is now understood that APOBEC3 family proteins (A3s) are essential in tumor progression, yet their involvement in tumor immunity and stemness across diverse cancer types remains poorly understood. Methods: In the present study, comprehensive genome-wide statistical and bioinformatic analyses were conducted to elucidate A3 family expression patterns, establishing clinically relevant correlations with prognosis, the tumor microenvironment(TME), immune infiltration, checkpoint blockade, and stemness across cancers. Different experimental techniques were applied, including RT-qPCR, immunohistochemistry, sphere formation assays, Transwell migration assays, and wound-healing assays, to investigate the impact of A3C on low-grade glioma (LGG) and glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), as well as its function in glioma stem cells(GSCs). Results: Dysregulated expression of A3s was observed in various human cancer tissues. The prognostic value of A3 expression differed across cancer types, with a link to particularly unfavorable outcomes in gliomas. A3s are associated with the the TME and stemness in multiple cancers. Additionally, we developed an independent prognostic model based on A3s expression, which may be an independent prognostic factor for OS in patients with glioma. Subsequent validation underscored a strong association between elevated A3C expression and adverse prognostic outcomes, higher tumor grades, and unfavorable histology in glioma. A potential connection between A3C and glioma progression was established. Notably, gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses implicated A3C in immune system-related diseases, with heightened A3C levels contributing to an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) in glioma. Furthermore, in vitro experiments substantiated the role of A3C in sustaining and renewing glioma stem cells, as A3C deletion led to diminished proliferation, invasion, and migration of glioma cells. Conclusion: The A3 family exhibits heterogeneous expression across various cancer types, with its expression profile serving as a predictive marker for overall survival in glioma patients. A3C emerges as a regulator of glioma progression, exerting its influence through modulation of the tumor microenvironment and regulation of stemness.

Three new species of Scalida (Blattodea: Blattellidae) from Yunnan, China.

Three new Scalida species from Yunnan are reported: Scalida hamata Qiao & Che sp. nov., Scalida spinosa Qiao & Che sp. nov., Scalida ramiformis Qiao & Che sp. nov.. Morphological descriptions of the new species, including the male genitalia, are provided along with detailed photographs. A list and a key to species of Scalida in the world are provided.

An integrative analysis to predict the active compounds and explore polypharmacological mechanisms of Orthosiphon stamineus Benth.

BACKGROUND: Orthosiphon stamineus Benth is a dietary supplement and traditional Chinese herb with widespread clinical applications, but a comprehensive understanding of its active compounds and polypharmacological mechanisms is lacking. This study aimed to systematically investigate the natural compounds and molecular mechanisms of O. stamineus via network pharmacology. METHODS: Information on compounds from O. stamineus was collected via literature retrieval, while physicochemical properties and drug-likeness were evaluated using SwissADME. Protein targets were screened using SwissTargetPrediction, while the compound-target networks were constructed and analyzed via Cytoscape with CytoHubba for seed compounds and core targets. Enrichment analysis and disease ontology analysis were then carried out, generating target-function and compound-target-disease networks to intuitively explore potential pharmacological mechanisms. Lastly, the relationship between active compounds and targets was confirmed via molecular docking and dynamics simulation. RESULTS: A total of 22 key active compounds and 65 targets were identified and the main polypharmacological mechanisms of O. stamineus were addressed. The molecular docking results suggested that nearly all core compounds and their targets possess good binding affinity. In addition, the separation of receptor and ligands was not observed in all dynamics simulation processes, whereas complexes of orthosiphol Z-AR and Y-AR performed best in simulations of molecular dynamics. CONCLUSION: This study successfully identified the polypharmacological mechanisms of the main compounds in O. stamineus, and predicted five seed compounds along with 10 core targets. Moreover, orthosiphol Z, orthosiphol Y, and their derivatives can be utilized as lead compounds for further research and development. The findings here provide improved guidance for subsequent experiments, and we identified potential active compounds for drug discovery or health promotion.

Comparative analysis of adipokinetic hormones and their receptors in Blattodea reveals novel patterns of gene evolution.

Adipokinetic hormone (AKH) is a neuropeptide produced in the insect corpora cardiaca that plays an essential role in mobilising carbohydrates and lipids from the fat body to the haemolymph. AKH acts by binding to a rhodopsin-like G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), the adipokinetic hormone receptor (AKHR). In this study, we tackle AKH ligand and receptor gene evolution as well as the evolutionary origins of AKH gene paralogues from the order Blattodea (termites and cockroaches). Phylogenetic analyses of AKH precursor sequences point to an ancient AKH gene duplication event in the common ancestor of Blaberoidea, yielding a new group of putative decapeptides. In total, 16 different AKH peptides from 90 species were obtained. Two octapeptides and seven putatively novel decapeptides are predicted for the first time. AKH receptor sequences from 18 species, spanning solitary cockroaches and subsocial wood roaches as well as lower and higher termites, were subsequently acquired using classical molecular methods and in silico approaches employing transcriptomic data. Aligned AKHR open reading frames revealed 7 highly conserved transmembrane regions, a typical arrangement for GPCRs. Phylogenetic analyses based on AKHR sequences support accepted relationships among termite, subsocial (Cryptocercus spp.) and solitary cockroach lineages to a large extent, while putative post-translational modification sites do not greatly differ between solitary and subsocial roaches and social termites. Our study provides important information not only for AKH and AKHR functional research but also for further analyses interested in their development as potential candidates for biorational pest control agents against invasive termites and cockroaches.

Redescription of Periplanetaarabica (Bey-Bienko, 1938) (Blattodea, Blattidae), with a comparative analysis of three species of Periplaneta Burmeister, 1838 (sensu stricto).

The blattid cockroach Periplanetaarabica (Bey-Bienko, 1938) has been poorly understood since its original description. In this study, male and female (including nymph) of P.arabica are paired using DNA barcoding, and their morphological characters (including both external characteristics and genitalia) are described. A detailed comparative morphological study of this species and the closely related Periplanetaamericana (Linnaeus, 1758) and Periplanetalateralis Walker, 1868 was carried out to explore phylogenetically relevant characters.

Phylogenetic analysis of Blaberoidea reveals non-monophyly of taxa and supports the creation of multiple new subfamilies.

The superfamily Blaberoidea is a highly species-rich group of cockroaches. High-level blaberoidean phylogenetics are still under debate owing to variable taxon sampling and incongruence between mitochondrial and nuclear evolution, as well as different methods used in various phylogenetic studies. We here present a phylogenetic analysis of Blaberoidea based on a dataset combining the mitochondrial genome with two nuclear markers from representatives of all recognized families within the superfamily. Our results support the monophyly of Blaberiodea, which includes Ectobiidae s.s. (=Ectobiinae), Pseudophyllodromiidae, Nyctiboridae, Blattellidae s.s. (=Blattellinae) and Blaberidae. Ectobiidae s.s. was recovered as sister to the remaining Blaberoidea in all inferences. Pseudophyllodromiidae was paraphyletic with respect to Anaplectoidea + Malaccina. Blattellidae s.s. excluding Anaplectoidea + Malaccina formed a monophyletic group that was sister to Blaberidae. Based on our results, we propose a revised classification for Blaberoidea: Anaplectoidinae subfam.nov. and Episorineuchora gen.nov., and two new combinations at species level within Pseudophyllodromiidae; Rhabdoblattellinae subfam.nov., Calolamprodinae subfam.nov., Acutirhabdoblatta gen.nov., as well as new combinations for three species within Blaberidae. Ancestral state reconstructions based on four morphological characters allow us to infer that the common ancestor of blaberoid cockroaches is likely to be a species with characteristics similar to those found in Ectobiidae, that is, front femur Type B, arolium present, abdomen with a visible gland and male genital hook on the left side.

Advances in the understanding of Blattodea evolution: Insights from phylotranscriptomics and spermathecae.

Cockroaches, an ancient and diverse group of insects on earth that originated in the Carboniferous, displays a wide array of morphology or biology diversity. The spermatheca is an organ of the insect reproductive system; the diversity of spermathecae might be the adaption to different mating and sperm storage strategies. Yet a consensus about the phylogenetic relationships among the main lineages of Blattodea and the evolution of spermatheca has not been reached until now. Here we added the transcriptome data of Anaplectidae for the first time and supplemented other family level groups (such as Blaberidae, Corydiidae) to address the pending issues. Our results showed that Blattoidea was recovered as sister to Corydioidea, which was strongly supported by molecular evidence. In Blattoidea, (Lamproblattidae + Anaplectidae) + (Cryptocercidae + Termitoidae) was strongly supported by our molecular data. In Blaberoidea, Pseudophyllodromiidae and Blaberidae were recovered to be monophyletic, while Blattellidae was found to be paraphyletic with respect to Malaccina. Ectobius sylvestris + Malaccina discoidalis formed the sister group to other Blaberoidea; Blattellidae (except Malaccina discoidalis) + Nyctiboridae was found as the sister of Blaberidae. Corydiidae was recovered to be non-monophyletic due to the embedding of Nocticola sp. Our ASR analysis of spermatheca suggested that primary spermathecae were present in the common ancestor, and it transformed at least six times during the evolutionary history of Blattodea. The evolution of spermatheca could be described as a unidirectional trend: the increased size to accommodate more sperm. Furthermore, major splits within the existing genera of cockroaches occurred in the Upper Paleogene to Neogene. Our study provides strong support for the relationship among three superfamilies and offers some new insights into the phylogeny of cockroaches. Meanwhile, this study also provides basic knowledge on the evolution of spermathecae and reproductive patterns.

Factors driving FIFA world cup 2022 viewership ratings in mainland China: marketing outlooks for FIFA world cup 2026.

Introduction: The FIFA World Cup is not only the most lucrative athletic event globally, but it also functions as a platform for promoting peace owing to FIFA's new vision. Nevertheless, the determinants of TV viewership ratings, especially in the Chinese market, which is a critical revenue stream for FIFA TV broadcasting, are still unsolved. Using a distributional regression, this study aimed to quantify the dynamics of viewership ratings for the FIFA World Cup 2022 in mainland China. Methods: The CCTV viewership ratings were modeled using 12 covariables related to Chinese TV consumer behavior. Given the data structure, a Logit Normal regression model was chosen to fit the location and dispersion parameters of viewership ratings to explanatory variables. Results: In the fitted heteroscedastic model, the viewership ratings dynamics in mainland China were driven by the match kick-off time: µ^=logistic[-4.874+0.043×matchkick-offtime]. In addition, the model captures the factors that influence the variations in viewership ratings: σ^=exp[-14.26-1.346 (if, FIFA World Cup champion = "Yes") + 0.004 × FIFA world ranking]. Thus, it shows that the FIFA World Cup champions tamp down such variations, leading to a more stable viewing behavior among Chinese consumers. Conclusions: Time- and team-sensitive strategies are proposed to aid in crafting uncertainty-suppressing business decisions for the FIFA World Cup 2026. Ultimately, in the more insecure 2020s, a broader live coverage of the FIFA World Cup would be invaluable for promoting peace.

Two new genera (Vittiblatta gen. nov. and Planiblatta gen. nov.) of Blattinae (Blattodea, Blattidae) from Southwest China and the discovery of chirally dimorphic male genitalia in Vittiblattapunctata sp. nov.

This study examines Blattinae samples from Southwest China collected in recent years. Based on morphological characters, we establish two genera, Vittiblattagen. nov. and Planiblattagen. nov., and describe four new species, Vittiblattapunctata Luo & Wang, sp. nov., Vittiblattaferruginea Luo & Wang, sp. nov., Vittiblattaundulata Luo & Wang, sp. nov., and Planiblattacrassispina Luo & Wang, sp. nov. These two new genera resemble Periplaneta s.s., but are easily distinguished from it and other genera of Blattinae by morphological characters (genital sclerite L4C). Our results indicate that sclerites L4C and R1G of male genitalia might be important in species delimitation of Blattinae. In addition, chiral dimorphism is found in male genitalia of Vittiblattapunctata sp. nov.

A new species of Bundoksia Lucañas, 2021 with comments on its subfamilial placement, based on morphological and molecular data.

One new species of Bundoksia Lucañas, 2021 from China is described. We construct a haplotype network from 21 COI sequences to display the relationships amongst populations of Bundoksialongissima sp. nov., mainly from Hainan Island, Yunnan Province and Guangxi Province, China. For the first time, we provide the details of female genitalia in addition to the known external morphology and male genitalia of the genus. Six molecular markers (12S, 16S, 18S, 28S, COI and COII) from a total of 38 samples, including three samples of Bundoksialongissima sp. nov., are used to reconstruct phylogenetic trees using Maximum Likelihood (ML) and Bayesian Inference (BI) to assess the phylogenetic affinities of Bundoksia. Photographs of the morphology and a key to the three Bundoksia species are also provided.

Three cryptic Anaplecta (Blattodea, Blattoidea, Anaplectidae) species revealed by female genitalia, plus seven new species from China.

Morphological characteristics, including male and female genitalia, combined with DNA barcodes were used to identify 470 Anaplecta specimens sampled from China. Ten Anaplecta species are new to science, including three cryptic species: A.paraomei Zhu & Che, sp. nov., A.condensa Zhu & Che, sp. nov., and A.longihamata Zhu & Che, sp. nov., which are distinguished mainly by their female genitalia. The other seven new species are as follows: A.bicruris Zhu & Che, sp. nov., A.spinosa Zhu & Che, sp. nov., A.ungulata Zhu & Che, sp. nov., A.anomala Zhu & Che, sp. nov., A.serrata Zhu & Che, sp. nov., A.bombycina Zhu & Che, sp. nov., and A.truncatula Zhu & Che, sp. nov. This study illustrates that differences in female genitalia can be used to distinguish among species of Anaplecta. The female genitalia of 19 Chinese Anaplecta species are described and illustrated in this paper.

Exploring the diversity of Eupolyphaga Chopard, 1929 (Blattodea, Corydioidea): species delimitation based on morphology and molecular analysis.

Eupolyphaga Chopard, 1929 is a cockroach genus mainly endemic to China. In this study, the species diversity of this genus is further explored through morphology and molecular analysis. Four species are described new to science: Eupolyphagamiracidia Qiu, sp. nov., Eupolyphagaudenostyla Qiu, sp. nov., Eupolyphagareducta Qiu, sp. nov., and Eupolyphagasimila Qiu, sp. nov. New knowledge on some known species is added, including new distribution records and characteristics of females. Forty-five COI sequences were newly sequenced and a molecular species delimitation analysis was performed using ABGD method. Eighteen molecular operational taxonomic units were obtained by ABGD analysis, which are nearly consistent with the results of morphological delimitation.

Establishment of two new Anaplecta species (Blattodea, Blattoidea, Anaplectidae) based on morphological and COI data with an additional description of Anaplectafurcata Deng & Che, 2020.

Based on morphological characteristics, including male and female genitalia, combined with DNA barcodes, two new species, Anaplectacircinalis Deng & Che, sp. nov. and Anaplectabihamata Deng & Che, sp. nov., are described in detail. Additional information on the female genitalia of Anaplectafurcata Deng & Che, 2020 is also provided. Photographs of external morphology and caudal anatomy of these species, as well as a key to the Chinese Anaplecta species, are provided.

Vicariance and dispersal events inferred from mitochondrial genomes and nuclear genes (18S, 28S) shaped global Cryptocercus distributions.

Cryptocercus Scudder, a genus of wingless, subsocial cockroaches, has low vagility but exhibits a disjunct distribution in eastern and western North America, and in China, South Korea and the Russian Far East. This distribution provides an ideal model for testing hypotheses of vicariance through plate tectonics or other natural barriers versus dispersal across oceans or other natural barriers. We sequenced 45 samples of Cryptocercus to resolve phylogenetic relationships among members of the genus worldwide. We identified four types of tRNA rearrangements among samples from the Qin-Daba Mountains. Our maximum-likelihood and Bayesian phylogenetic trees, based on mitochondrial genomes and nuclear genes (18S, 28S), strongly supported six major lineages of Cryptocercus, which displayed a clear geographical distribution pattern. We used Bayesian molecular dating to estimate the evolutionary timescale of the genus, and reconstructed Cryptocercus ancestral ranges using statistical dispersal-vicariance analysis (S-DIVA) in RASP. Two dispersal events and six vicariance events for Cryptocercus were inferred with high support. The initial vicariance event occurred between American and Asian lineages at 80.5 Ma (95% credibility interval: 60.0-104.7 Ma), followed by one vicariance event within the American lineage 43.8 Ma (95% CI: 32.0-57.5 Ma), and two dispersal 31.9 Ma (95% CI: 25.8-39.5 Ma), 21.7 Ma (95% CI: 17.3-27.1 Ma) plus four vicariance events c. 29.3 Ma, 27.2 Ma, 24.8 Ma and 16.7 Ma within the Asian lineage. Our analyses provide evidence that both vicariance and dispersal have played important roles in shaping the distribution and diversity of these woodroaches.

Species delimitation of Margattea cockroaches from China, with seven new species (Blattodea, Ectobiidae, Pseudophyllodromiinae).

Nearly 450 Margattea specimens were collected from 27 locations in China and their morphology was examined. Then 68 Margattea COI sequences were obtained and used to carry out phylogenetic analyses as well as species delimitation analyses using General Mixed Yule Coalescent (GMYC), Automatic Barcode Gap Discovery (ABGD), and Poisson Tree Processes (bPTP). GMYC analysis resulted in 21 molecular operational taxonomic units (MOTUs) (confidence interval: 20-22), which was completely consistent with the result of the bPTP. There were 15 MOTUs using the ABGD method. The number of MOTUs was slightly different from the assigned morphospecies (16). As to the incongruence between molecular and morphological results, we checked the specimens again and made sure that most morphological differences were determined to be intraspecific differences (except the difference between M. angusta and M. mckittrickae), although a large genetic distance existed. Finally, 16 Margattea species from China were defined in this study, of which, seven new species are established, i.e. Margattea deltodonta J-J He & Z-Q Wang, sp. nov., Margattea cuspidata J-J He & Z-Q Wang, sp. nov., Margattea caudata J-J He & Z-Q Wang, sp. nov., Margattea paratransversa J-J He & Z-Q Wang, sp. nov., Margattea disparilis J-J He & Z-Q Wang, sp. nov., Margattea transversa J-J He & Z-Q Wang, sp. nov., and Margattea bicruris J-J He & Z-Q Wang, sp. nov.

New record of Cyrtonotula Uvarov, 1939 (Blaberidae, Epilamprinae) from China, with three new species based on morphological and COI data.

The genus Cyrtonotula Uvarov, 1939 (Blaberidae, Epilamprinae) is recorded for the first time from Hainan Island, China. Three new species, Cyrtonotula epunctata Wang & Wang, sp. nov., C. maculosa Wang & Wang, sp. nov., and C. longialata Wang & Wang, sp. nov., are described based on morphological data and a molecular analysis using Automatic Barcode Gap Discovery (ABGD). Additional barcode data of blaberid species, including these three new species, are provided to facilitate future species identification. Morphological photographs and habitat photos of these new species, as well as a key to the known species, are provided.