Functional and evolutionary insights into chemosensation and specialized herbivory from the genome of the red milkweed beetle, Tetraopes tetrophthalmus (Cerambycidae: Lamiinae).

Tetraopes are aposematic longhorn beetles (Cerambycidae) that feed primarily on toxic plants in the genus Asclepias (milkweeds). Studies of Tetraopes and their host plants have revealed compelling evidence for insect-plant coevolution and cospeciation. We sequenced, assembled and annotated the genome of the common red milkweed beetle, Tetraopes tetrophthalmus, and explored gene content and evolution, focusing on annotated genes putatively involved in chemosensation, allelochemical detoxification, and phytophagy. Comparisons were made to the Asian longhorned beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis) genome. The genome assembly comprised 779 Mb distributed across 1057 contigs, with an N50 of 2.21 Mb and 13,089 putative genes, including 97.3% of expected single-copy orthologs. Manual curation identified 122 putative odorant receptors (OR) and 162 gustatory receptors (GR), the former number similar to A. glabripennis but the latter only 69% of the A. glabripennis suite. We also documented a greater percentage of pseudogenic GRs and ORs compared to A. glabripennis, suggesting an ongoing reduction in chemosensory function, perhaps related to host specialization. We found lower diversity within certain well-studied gene families predicted to encode putative plant cell wall degrading enzymes in the T. tetrophthalmus genome, perhaps also due to host specialization. Exploring genes relevant to stress and allelochemical detoxification revealed evidence of an abundance of ABC-family genes in the T. tetrophthalmus genome, which may be related to sequestering toxic cardiac glycosides. Our studies further illuminate the genomic basis and evolution of chemosensation in longhorn beetles and provide a new vantage point from which to explore the ecology and evolution of specialized plant-feeding in Tetraopes and other phytophagous beetles.

Niclosamide modulates phenotypic switch and inflammatory responses in human pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells.

Excessive proliferation and migration of pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) represent key steps of pulmonary vascular remodeling, leading to the development of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and right ventricular failure. Niclosamide (NCL), an FDA-approved anthelmintic, has been shown to regulate cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis through a variety of signaling pathways. However, its role on modulating the phenotypic switch and inflammatory responses in PASMCs remains unclear. In this study, cell proliferation assay showed that NCL inhibited PDGF-BB induced proliferation of human PASMCs in a dose-dependent manner. Western blot analysis further confirmed a notable reduction in the expression of cyclin D1 and PCNA proteins. Subsequently, flow cytometry analysis demonstrated that NCL induced an increased percentage of cells in the G1 phase while promoting apoptosis in PASMCs. Moreover, both scratch wound assay and transwell assay confirmed that NCL decreased PDGF-BB-induced migration of PASMCs. Mechanistically, western blot revealed that pretreatment of PASMCs with NCL markedly restored the protein levels of SMA, SM22, and calponin, while reducing phosphorylation of P38/STAT3 signaling in the presence of PDGF-BB. Interestingly, macrophages adhesion assay showed that NCL markedly reduced recruitment of Calcein-AM labeled RAW264.7 by TNFα-stimulated PASMCs. Western blot revealed that NCL suppressed TNFα-induced expression of both of VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 proteins. Furthermore, pretreatment of PASMCs with NCL significantly inhibited NLRP3 inflammasome activity through reducing NLRP3, AIM2, mature interleukin-1ß (IL-ß), and cleaved Caspase-1 proteins expression. Together, these results suggested versatile effects of NCL on controlling of proliferation, migration, and inflammatory responses in PASMCs through modulating different pathways, indicating that repurposing of NCL may emerge as a highly effective drug for PAH treatment.

Chromosome-level genome assembly of the snakefly Mongoloraphidia duomilia (Raphidioptera: Raphidiidae).

Raphidioptera (snakeflies) are a holometabolan order with the least species diversity but play a pivotal role in understanding the origin of complete metamorphosis. Here, we provide an annotated, chromosome-level reference genome assembly for an Asian endemic snakefly Mongoloraphidia duomilia (Yang, 1998) of the family Raphidiidae, assembled using PacBio HiFi and Hi-C data from female specimens. The resulting assembly is 653.56 Mb, of which 97.90% is anchored into 13 chromosomes. The scaffold N50 is 53.50 Mb, and BUSCO completeness is 97.80%. Repetitive elements comprise 64.31% of the genome (366.04 Mb). We identified 599 noncoding RNAs and predicted 11,141 protein-coding genes in the genome (97.70% BUSCO completeness). The new snakefly genome will facilitate comparison of genome architecture across Neuropterida and Holometabola and shed light on the ecological and evolutionary transitions between Neuropterida and Coleopterida.

Comparative analyses of the banded alder borer (Rosalia funebris) and Asian longhorned beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis) genomes reveal significant differences in genome architecture and gene content among these and other Cerambycidae.

Rosalia funebris (RFUNE; Cerambycidae), the banded alder borer, is a longhorn beetle whose larvae feed on the wood of various economically and ecologically significant trees in western North America. Adults are short-lived and not known to consume plant material substantially. We sequenced, assembled, and annotated the RFUNE genome using HiFi and RNASeq data. We documented genome architecture and gene content, focusing on genes putatively involved in plant feeding (phytophagy). Comparisons were made to the well-studied genome of the Asian longhorned beetle (AGLAB; Anoplophora glabripennis) and other Cerambycidae. The 814 Mb RFUNE genome assembly was distributed across 42 contigs, with an N50 of 30.18 Mb. Repetitive sequences comprised 60.27% of the genome, and 99.0% of expected single-copy orthologous genes were fully assembled. We identified 12,657 genes, fewer than in the four other species studied, and 46.4% fewer than for Aromia moschata (same subfamily as RFUNE). Of the 7,258 orthogroups shared between RFUNE and AGLAB, 1,461 had more copies in AGLAB and 1,023 had more copies in RFUNE. We identified 240 genes in RFUNE that putatively arose via horizontal transfer events. The RFUNE genome encoded substantially fewer putative plant cell wall degrading enzymes than AGLAB, which may relate to the longer-lived plant-feeding adults of the latter species. The RFUNE genome provides new insights into cerambycid genome architecture and gene content and provides a new vantage point from which to study the evolution and genomic basis of phytophagy in beetles.

REMIMAZOLAM IMPROVES THE MARKERS OF POSTRESUSCITATION CEREBRAL INJURY IN A SWINE MODEL OF CARDIAC ARREST.

ABSTRACT: Introduction: Previous studies have manifested that those sedatives acting on γ-aminobutyric acid A (GABAa) receptor could produce effective brain protection against regional and global ischemic stimulation. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of a novel GABAa receptor agonist, remimazolam postconditioning (RP) on cerebral outcome after global ischemic stimulation induced by cardiac arrest and resuscitation in swine. Methods: A total of 24 swine were used in this study, in which the animals were randomly divided into the following three groups: sham group (n = 6), cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) group (n = 9), and CPR + RP group (n = 9). The experimental model was established by the procedure of 10 min of cardiac arrest and 5 min of CPR. Those resuscitated swine in the CPR + RP group received an intravenous infusion of 2.5 mg/kg of remimazolam within 60 min. Postresuscitation cerebral injury biomarkers and neurological function were evaluated for a total of 24 h. At 24 h after resuscitation, brain cortex was harvested to evaluate the severity of pathologic damage, including tissue inflammation, oxidative stress, apoptosis, and necroptosis. Results: Baseline characteristics and CPR outcomes were not significantly different between the CPR and CPR + RP groups. After resuscitation, significantly greater cerebral injury and neurological dysfunction were observed in the CPR and CPR + RP groups than in the sham group. However, remimazolam postconditioning significantly alleviated cerebral injury and improved neurological dysfunction after resuscitation when compared with the CPR group. At 24 h after resuscitation, tissue inflammation, oxidative stress, and cell apoptosis and necroptosis were significantly increased in the CPR and CPR + RP groups when compared with the sham group. Nevertheless, the severity of pathologic damage mentioned previously were significantly milder in those swine treated with the remimazolam when compared with the CPR group. Conclusions: In a swine model of cardiac arrest and resuscitation, the remimazolam administered after resuscitation significantly improved the markers of postresuscitation cerebral injury and therefore protected the brain against global ischemic stimulation.

The genome of the invasive and broadly polyphagous Diaprepes root weevil, Diaprepes abbreviatus (Coleoptera), reveals an arsenal of putative polysaccharide-degrading enzymes.

The Diaprepes root weevil (DRW), Diaprepes abbreviatus, is a broadly polyphagous invasive pest of agriculture in the southern United States and the Caribbean. Its genome was sequenced, assembled, and annotated to study genomic correlates of specialized plant-feeding and invasiveness and to facilitate the development of new methods for DRW control. The 1.69 Gb D. abbreviatus genome assembly was distributed across 653 contigs, with an N50 of 7.8 Mb and the largest contig of 62 Mb. Most of the genome was comprised of repetitive sequences, with 66.17% in transposable elements, 5.75% in macrosatellites, and 2.06% in microsatellites. Most expected orthologous genes were present and fully assembled, with 99.5% of BUSCO genes present and 1.5% duplicated. One hundred and nine contigs (27.19 Mb) were identified as putative fragments of the X and Y sex chromosomes, and homology assessment with other beetle X chromosomes indicated a possible sex chromosome turnover event. Genome annotation identified 18,412 genes, including 43 putative horizontally transferred (HT) loci. Notably, 258 genes were identified from gene families known to encode plant cell wall degrading enzymes and invertases, including carbohydrate esterases, polysaccharide lyases, and glycoside hydrolases (GH). GH genes were unusually numerous, with 239 putative genes representing 19 GH families. Interestingly, several other beetle species with large numbers of GH genes are (like D. abbreviatus) successful invasive pests of agriculture or forestry.

A novel risk score model of esophageal stricture for patients undergoing endoscopic submucosal dissection.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is a promising technique for superficial esophageal lesions. However, stricture is a frequent adverse complication. This study was performed to develop a precise and convenient score prediction model for esophageal strictures after ESD, and compare its efficacy with a previously published predictive model. METHODS: This study enrolled clinical data of patients who underwent esophageal ESD for superficial esophageal lesions. Possible risk factors for esophageal stricture were identified by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Then we developed a prediction model according to the Framingham system for the first time and presented a convenient table containing the risk probability for each patient. In addition, we validated our score model and the previously published model in our center. RESULTS: A total of 838 patients were enrolled in this study and 6 variables, including age, surgery time, location of the lesion, circumference of the lesion, longitudinal resection length, and depth of infiltration were comprised in the score model. The total score ranged from 0 to 16 points and the risk probability was presented in one concise table for each patient. Areas under receiver-operator characteristic curves for the prediction model were 0.715 in derivation group and 0.804 in validation group. CONCLUSION: We designed and validated a prediction score model for esophageal stricture after ESD, which can be applied conveniently to stratify the stricture risk after esophageal ESD and may facilitate appropriate clinical decision-making for these patients.

Comparative mitochondrial genome analysis of three leafhopper species of the genus Abrus Dai & Zhang (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Deltocephalinae) from China with phylogenetic implication.

BACKGROUND: The phylogenetic position and classification of Athysanini are poorly defined, as it includes a large group of polyphyletic genera that have historically been assigned to it mainly because they still exhibit the most typical deltocephaline genitalic and external body characters but lack the distinctive characteristics that other tribes possess. The bamboo-feeding leafhopper genus Abrus belong to the tribe Athysanini of subfamily Deltocephalinae, which currently comprises 19 valid described species, and are limited to the Oriental and Palaearctic regions in China. Although the taxonomy of Abrus are well updated, the references on comparative mitogenomic analyses of Abrus species are only known for a single species. In this study, we sequenced and analyzed the complete mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) of Abrus daozhenensis Chen, Yang & Li, 2012 (16,391bp) and A. yunshanensis Chen, Yang & Li, 2012 (15,768bp) (Athysanini), and compared with published mitogenome sequence of A. expansivus Xing & Li, 2014 (15,904bp). RESULTS: These Abrus species shared highly conserved mitogenomes with similar gene order to that of the putative ancestral insect with 37 typical genes and a non-coding A + T-rich region. The nucleotide composition of these genomes is highly biased toward A + T nucleotides (76.2%, 76.3%, and 74.7%), AT-skews (0.091 to 0.095, and 0.095), negative GC-skews (- 0.138, - 0.161, and - 0.138), and codon usage. All 22 tRNA genes had typical cloverleaf secondary structures, except for trnS1 (AGN) which lacks the dihydrouridine arm, and distinctively trnG in the mitogenome of A. expansivus lacks the TψC arm. Phylogenetic analyses based on 13 PCGs, 2 rRNA genes, and 22 tRNA genes consistently recovered the monophyletic Opsiini, Penthimiini, Selenocephalini, Scaphoideini, and Athysanini (except Watanabella graminea, previously sequenced species as Chlorotettix nigromaculatus) based on limited available mitogenome sequence data of 37 species. CONCLUSION: At present, Abrus belongs to the tribe Athysanini based on both morphological and molecular datasets, which is strongly supported in present phylogenetic analyses in both BI and ML methods using the six concatenated datasets: amino acid sequences and nucleotides from different combinations of protein-coding genes (PCGs), ribosomal RNA (rRNAs), and transfer RNA (tRNAs). Phylogenetic trees reconstructed herein based on the BI and ML analyses consistently recovered monophylitic Athysanini, except Watanabella graminea (Athysanini) in Opsiini with high support values.

Mitogenomic phylogeny of nymphalid subfamilies confirms the basal clade position of Danainae (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae).

The phylogenetic relationships among the nymphalid subfamilies have largely been resolved using both morphological and molecular datasets, with the exception of a conflicting basal clade position for Libytheinae or Danainae that remains contentious between morphological and molecular studies. Several phylogenomic analyses have found that the danaine clade is sister to other nymphalid subfamilies; however, it largely depends on utilizing different molecular datasets, analysis methods, and taxon sampling. This study aimed to resolve the basal clade position and relationships among subfamilies and tribes of Nymphalinae by combining the most comprehensive available mitogenomic datasets with various analyses methods by incorporating a new Symbrenthia lilaea Hewitson sequence data. Phylogenetic relationships among 11 nymphalid subfamilies and the tribes of Nymphalinae were inferred by combining new and available mitogenomic sequence data from 80 ingroup and six outgroup species. The phylogenetic trees were reconstructed using maximum-likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI) methods based on five concatenated datasets: amino acid sequences and nucleotides from different combinations of protein-coding genes (PCGs), ribosomal RNA (rRNAs), and transfer RNA (tRNAs). Danainae is well-supported as the basal clade and sister to the remaining nymphalid subfamilies, except for the paraphyletic Libytheinae. Libytheinae was either recovered as a sister to the danaine clade followed by the satyrine clade or sister to the nymphaline + heliconiine clades, and is consistent with recent phylogenetic studies on Nymphalidae. The monophyletic Nymphalinae has been recovered in all analyses and resolves tribal-level relationships with high support values in both BI and ML analyses. We supported the monophyletic Nymphalini as a sister clade to Victorini, Melitaeini, and Kallimini + Junoniini with high supporting values in BI and ML analyses, which is consistent with previously published morphological and molecular studies.

Serum visfatin concentrations are positively associated with ventricular arrhythmias: a single-center preliminary study.

BACKGROUND: Visfatin has been reported to be closely related to cardiovascular diseases associated with inflammation, but the correlation between visfatin and ventricular arrhythmia (VA) has not been discussed yet. The study aims to explore the association between serum visfatin concentrations and VA in patients. METHODS: Sixty-seven hospitalized patients diagnosed with VA and 131 control subjects were enrolled in this crosssectional study between May 20, 2017 and November 8, 2019. Classification of VA types was based on the presence of structural heart disease (SHD). The patients' blood samples were collected to examine their serum levels of visfatin. Results were analyzed using analysis of variance and t-test. Furthermore, binary logistic regression analysis was used to validate whether elevated visfatin was independently associated with VA. RESULTS: Compared with the controls (mean age, 64.2 ± 13.2 years; 71% of men), the patients with VA (68.2 ± 11.6 years, 58%) had higher serum levels of visfatin (1.80 ± 0.47 ng/mL versus 1.48 ± 0.41 ng/mL; p <0.001). After further grouping patients according to the presence of SHD, the serum levels of VA patients with SHD were the highest. Moreover, binary logistic regression analysis identified age (OR = 1.043; 95% CI, 1.015-1.072, p = 0.003), history of stroke (OR = 2.065; 95% CI, 1.450-5.696, p = 0.005), hsCRP (>10 mg/L) (OR = 4.123; 95% CI, 1.888-9.001, p < 0.001), and elevated visfatin level (>1.40 ng/L) (OR = 3.126; 95% CI, 1.544-6.328, p = 0.002) as independent risk factors with VA. DISCUSSION: Serum visfatin levels were significantly elevated in the patients with VA, and increased with the risk rating of VA.

Effect of transverse wrist crease perforator flap on repairing soft tissue defect of fingers and its influence on hand function.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of transverse wrist crease perforator flap repair on sensory nerve function, survival of flap, hand function, hand appearance and satisfaction rate in patients with soft tissue defect of fingers. METHODS: This retrospective study was performed in 30 patients admitted to the Hand and Foot Microsurgery Department of our hospital between January 2018 and December 2020. These patients were divided into to the control group and the experimental group (15 patients for each group) according to the operative methods. Patients in the control group underwent abdominal flap repair, while patients in the experimental group received transverse wrist crease perforator flap repair. Intraoperative parameters, sensory nerve function, function of finger reconstruction, survival rate of skin flap, degree of scar contracture and flap bloatedness, DASH score, two-point discrimination and satisfaction rate were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the operative time in the experiment group was obviously decreased (P<0.05). There was no difference in amount of bleeding between the two groups. The proportion of sensory nerve function grade S3+ and S4 in the experimental group was significantly increased in contrast to the control group (P<0.05). The total excellent and good rate in function of finger reconstruction in the experiment group was significantly higher than that in the control group, while no difference was found in the survival rate of skin flap and scar contracture between the two groups. Compared with the control group, DASH score, two-point discrimination distance, and degree of flap bloatedness in the experiment group were significantly reduced and the patients' satisfaction rate in the experiment group was remarkably increased (all P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Transverse wrist crease perforator flap repair plays a critical role in reducing operative time, improving sensory nerve function and recovery of hand function, and alleviating flap bloatedness. It is an optimal treatment for soft tissues defect of fingers.

Prognostic value of plasma adipokine chemerin in patients with coronary artery disease.

Background: Adipokine chemerin was proven to be associated with coronary artery disease (CAD), but its prognostic implications in CAD remain unclear. Methods: This study consists of two parts, one is a basic study and the other is a clinical cohort study. First, we investigated the differential expression of six adipokines in the atherosclerotic mice model compared to mice with milder degrees of atherosclerosis and mice without atherosclerosis using microarray data. We then examined the potential of chemerin as a diagnostic and prognostic indicator in a CAD cohort. A total of 152 patients were enrolled in our study, including 77 patients with angiographically proven CAD and 75 control subjects without cardiovascular disease. Plasma adipokine chemerin levels were measured in all patients, and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) were followed up, including ischemic stroke, non-fatal myocardial infarction, revascularization, and cardiovascular death. Results: In the aortas of atherosclerotic mice, chemerin expression was up-regulated compared to control mice. The plasma chemerin levels of CAD patients were higher than those of non-CAD patients (128.93 ± 37.06 vs. 109.85 ± 27.47 mmol/L, respectively, P < 0.001). High chemerin levels were an independent predictor of CAD (ß = 2.702, 95% CI, 1.344-5.431, P = 0.001). We followed up with patients for a median duration of 5.5 years (3.9-5.6). The Kaplan-Meier curves showed that patients in the high chemerin group had a significantly higher risk of MACEs than the low chemerin group in patients with CAD (log-rank P = 0.003), not with non-CAD (Log-rank P = 0.120). Furthermore, Cox multivariate analysis revealed that high chemerin levels were an independent predictor of MACEs (HR 2.267; 95% CI, 1.139-4.515; P = 0.020). Finally, the cellular study showed that chemerin is predominantly expressed in PBMC-derived macrophages. Conclusion: Plasma chemerin levels were increased in the CAD patients, and a high chemerin level increased the risk of MACEs in CAD patients.

New snakeflies of the genus Mongoloraphidia H. Aspck amp; U. Aspck, 1968 (Raphidioptera: Raphidiidae) from Xinjiang, China.

The raphidiopteran fauna of Xinjiang in northwestern China is poorly known, although it is near Central Asia where the diversity of this group is high. Herein we report a new species and a new Chinese record of the raphidiid genus Mongoloraphidia H. Aspck U. Aspck, 1968 from Xinjiang, namely Mongoloraphidia xinjiangana sp. nov. and Mongoloraphidia (Mongoloraphidia) kaszabi (H. Aspck U. Aspck, 1967), respectively. A key to the identification of the Mongoloraphidia species from China is provided.

K2P1 leak cation channels contribute to ventricular ectopic beats and sudden death under hypokalemia.

Hypokalemia causes ectopic heartbeats, but the mechanisms underlying such cardiac arrhythmias are not understood. In reduced serum K+ concentrations that occur under hypokalemia, K2P1 two-pore domain K+ channels change ion selectivity and switch to conduct inward leak cation currents, which cause aberrant depolarization of resting potential and induce spontaneous action potential of human cardiomyocytes. K2P1 is expressed in the human heart but not in mouse hearts. We test the hypothesis that K2P1 leak cation channels contribute to ectopic heartbeats under hypokalemia, by analysis of transgenic mice, which conditionally express induced K2P1 specifically in hearts, mimicking K2P1 channels in the human heart. Conditional expression of induced K2P1 specifically in the heart of hypokalemic mice results in multiple types of ventricular ectopic beats including single and multiple ventricular premature beats as well as ventricular tachycardia and causes sudden death. In isolated mouse hearts that express induced K2P1, sustained ventricular fibrillation occurs rapidly after perfusion with low K+ concentration solutions that mimic hypokalemic conditions. These observed phenotypes occur rarely in control mice or in the hearts that lack K2P1 expression. K2P1-expressing mouse cardiomyocytes of transgenic mice much more frequently fire abnormal single and/or rhythmic spontaneous action potential in hypokalemic conditions, compared to wild type mouse cardiomyocytes without K2P1 expression. These findings confirm that K2P1 leak cation channels induce ventricular ectopic beats and sudden death of transgenic mice with hypokalemia and imply that K2P1 leak cation channels may play a critical role in human ectopic heartbeats under hypokalemia.

Research on Perceptual Integrity of Distributed Digital Media Based on AWTC-TT Algorithm Optimization.

Digital media can spread data and information. Its wide use not only enriches people's work and life but also brings high efficiency and convenience. However, due to different devices, different data quality, network stability, and other reasons, data quality is usually difficult to guarantee, so it is necessary to evaluate its perceptual integrity. In this paper, the group intelligence sensing technology in the sensor field and AWTC-TT optimization algorithm integrating blockchain technology are proposed to collect users' sensing data and build a model to discuss the complete performance. The experimental results show that (1) for the AWTC-TT algorithm, the processing time of 200 data tasks is less than 60 s; moreover, after optimization, the performance is efficient, which can effectively reduce the running time of data processing, and the performance loss is only 4%. (2) The perceptual quality of data was evaluated, the gain value of the first 0.4 is above 0.3, and the interference of abnormal data on integrity was explored. (3) The test results of the four integrality indexes of the model are good and the quality is stable. (4) The income value of CS2 is 5.8, and the income of distribution with the highest quality is the highest. Finally, the model constructed in this paper is mature, the experimental data and results are good, and the data perception integrity is discussed. The use of various fusion technologies can provide a reference for more subsequent research and application and lay a solid foundation.

Unraveling the evolutionary history of the snakefly family Inocelliidae (Insecta: Raphidioptera) through integrative phylogenetics.

Inocelliidae is one of the two extant families of the holometabolan order Raphidioptera (snakeflies), with the modern fauna represented by seven genera and 44 species. The evolutionary history of the family is little-known. Here we present the first phylogenetic and biogeographical analyses based on a worldwide sampling of taxa and datasets combined with morphological characters and mitochondrial genomes, aiming to investigate the intergeneric phylogeny and historical biogeography of Inocelliidae. The phylogenetic inference from the combined analysis of morphological and molecular data recovered the sister-group relationship between a clade of (Negha + Indianoinocellia) + Sininocellia and a clade of Fibla + the Inocellia clade (interiorly nested by Amurinocellia and Parainocellia). Amurinocellia stat.r. and Parainocellia stat.r. et emend.n. are relegated to subgeneric status within Inocellia, whereas a newly erected subgenus of Inocellia, Epinocellia subgen.n., accommodates the former Parainocellia burmana (U. Aspöck and H. Aspöck, 1968) plus a new species Inocellia (Epinocellia) weii sp.n. Further, the Inocellia crassicornis group constitutes the nominotypical subgenus Inocellia stat.n., but the Inocellia fulvostigmata group is paraphyletic. Diversification within Inocelliidae is distinguished by an Eocene divergence leading to extant genera and a Miocene radiation of species. A biogeographical scenario depicts how the diverse inocelliid fauna from East Asia could have originated from western North America via dispersal across the Beringia during the early Tertiary, and how the Miocene ancestors of Inocellia could have accomplished long-distance dispersals via the Tibet-Himalayan corridor or eastern Palaearctic to western Palaearctic. Our results shed new light specifically on the evolution of Inocelliidae and, in general, the Raphidioptera.

The first complete mitochondrial genomes of three dobsonfly species (Megaloptera: Corydalidae) from Pakistan with phylogenetic implications

ABSTRACT Megaloptera is a small holometabolous insect order that includes two genera and three species of Corydalidae in Pakistan. Here we sequenced the complete mitochondrial genomes of these three Pakistani corydalids: Nevromus intimus (McLachlan, 1869) (16,614 bp), Protohermes motuoensis Liu & Yang, 2006 (16,238 bp), and Protohermes walkeri Navás, 1929 (16,514 bp). It also represents the first set of complete mitogenomes sequenced for Neuropterida in Pakistan. The gene order was found to be similar to other published dobsonfly mitogenomes except the variable length of the non-coding region in each species. The phylogenetic analysis using 13 protein-coding genes by Maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference yielded largely consistent topologies, in which the phylogenetic positions of the three species herein studied are recovered.

The identity of Inocellia sinensis Navs, 1936 (Raphidioptera: Inocelliidae) clarified.

The identity of Inocellia sinensis Navs, 1936, is clarified based on the unexpected finding of the primary type of this species. The male of this species is re-described. Amurinocellia australis Liu, H. Aspck, Yang U. Aspck, 2009 syn. nov. is treated as a junior synonym of I. sinensis, and I. aspoeckorum Yang, 1999 stat. rest. is restored as a valid species.

[Bidirectional regulation of acupuncture: a subgroup analysis of multicenter randomized controlled trial of acupuncture with Tiaoshen Jianpi for irritable bowel syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the bidirectional regulation of acupuncture based on a subgroup analysis of multicenter randomized controlled trial of acupuncture with Tiaoshen Jianpi for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). METHODS: A total of 519 patients were included in the analysis, including 137 patients with constipation type irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-C) (92 cases in the acupuncture group and 45 cases in the polyethylene glycol [PEG] group), and 382 patients with diarrhea type irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) (252 cases in the acupuncture group and 130 cases in the pinaverium group). The patients in the acupuncture group were given acupuncture at Baihui (GV 20), Yintang (GV 29), Tianshu (ST 25), Shangjuxu (ST 37), Zusanli (ST 36), Sanyinjiao (SP 6) and Taichong (LR 3) once every other day, 3 times a week. The patients in the PEG group received polyethylene glycol 4000 powder orally, and the pinaverium group received pinaverium bromide tablets orally. All were treated for 6 weeks. The IBS symptom severity score (IBS-SSS) was assessed at baseline, treatment period (2, 4, 6 weeks of treatment) and 12 weeks of follow-up, and the IBS quality of life (IBS-QOL) score was evaluated at the baseline period, 6 weeks of treatment and 12 weeks of follow-up. RESULTS: The total IBS-SSS scores of the two groups of IBS-C patients at 2, 4, 6 weeks of treatment and follow-up of 12 weeks were lower than those in the baseline period (P<0.01). The total IBS-SSS score in the IBS-C acupuncture group was lower than that in the PEG group at 12 weeks of follow-up (P<0.05). The total IBS-SSS scores of the two groups of IBS-D patients at 2, 4, 6 weeks of treatment and 12 weeks of follow-up were lower than those in the baseline period (P<0.01). The total IBS-SSS scores in the IBS-D acupuncture group were lower than those in the pinaverium group at 2, 4, 6 weeks of treatment and 12 weeks of follow-up (P<0.05). The total IBS-QOL scores at 6 weeks of treatment and 12 weeks of follow-up were higher than those in the baseline period in both groups of patients with IBS-C (P<0.01). The total IBS-QOL scores at 6 weeks of treatment and 12 weeks of follow-up were higher than those in the baseline period in both groups in patients with IBS-D (P<0.01). The total IBS-QOL score in the IBS-D acupuncture group was higher than that in the pinaverium group at 18 weeks of follow-up (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture with Tiaoshen Jianpi can improve the clinical symptoms and quality of life of patients with IBS-C and IBS-D, which can regulate different functional states (constipation and diarrhea) of the same disease (irritable bowel syndrome), reflecting the bidirectional regulation of acupuncture.

[Correlation between curative effect and 5-HTTLPR polymorphism in treatment of diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome with acupuncture for regulating shen and strengthening spleen].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the curative effect on diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) between acupuncture for regulating shen and strengthening spleen and pinaverium bromide, and explore the relevant mechanism of curative effect of acupuncture in view of polymorphism of 5-hydroxytryptamine transporter gene-linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR). METHODS: A total of 231 patients with IBS-D were randomized into an acupuncture group (154 cases) and a western medication group (77 cases) at the ratio of 2 to 1. In the acupuncture group, acupuncture was applied to acupoint regimen for regulating shen and strengthening spleen, i.e. Baihui (GV 20), Yintang (GV 29), Tianshu (ST 25), Shangjuxu (ST 37) and Zusanli (ST 36), etc. The treatment was given once every 2 days, 3 times a week. In the western medication group, pinaverium bromide was prescribed for oral administration, 50 mg each time, 3 times daily. The duration of treatment was 6 weeks in each group. Separately, before treatment, after treatment and in 3-month follow-up, the IBS symptom severity scale (IBS-SSS) and IBS quality of life scale (IBS-QOL) scores were adopted in assessment. After treatment, the curative effect and safety were compared between the two groups. Before treatment, 5-HTTLPR genotypes were determined in the patients. RESULTS: After treatment and in follow-up, the total scores of IBS-SSS in the patients of the two groups were all reduced as compared with those before treatment (P<0.01) and the scores in the acupuncture group were lower than those in the western medication group (P<0.01). After treatment and in follow-up, the total scores of IBS-QOL in the two groups were all increased as compared with those before treatment (P<0.01) and the score in the acupuncture group was higher than the western medication group in follow-up (P<0.01). The total effective rate was 79.2% (122/154) in the acupuncture group, higher than 58.4% (45/77) in the western medication group (P<0.01). There was no severe adverse reaction found in the two groups. The difference in the total score of IBS-SSS before and after treatment in the patients with LS and SS genotypes was greater than that in the patients with LL in the acupuncture group (P<0.01). The difference in the total score of ISB-SSS before and after treatment in the patients with SS genotype was greater than that in the patients with LL in the western medication group (P<0.01). The difference in the total score of IBS-SSS before and after treatment in the patients with LS and SS genotypes in the acupuncture group was greater than that in the patients with the same genotypes in the western medication group (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture for regulating shen and strengthening spleen achieves the more curative effect on IBS-D as compared with pinaverium bromide. The acupuncture regimen effectively relieves the clinical symptoms and improves the quality of life in patients as well as presents a satisfactory long-term effect and safety. The clinical curative effect of acupuncture is correlated with 5-HTTLPR polymorphism, in which, the curative effect of acupuncture may be more effective in the patients with LS and SS genotypes.