Chlorbenzuron downregulated HcLCP-17 expression by depressing two 20E-responsive transcription factors Br-C and ßFTZ-F1 in Hyphantria cunea (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) larvae.

BACKGROUND: Cuticular proteins (CPs) play essential roles in forming cuticular structures in insects. However, the specific functions and regulatory mechanisms of CPs remain largely unexplored. In this study, the Larval cuticular protein 17 (HcLCP-17) gene was identified from Hyphantria cunea, a highly destructive and polyphagous forest pest. To investigate the role of HcLCP-17 in cuticular function and transcriptional regulation mediated by 20E-responsive transcription factors (ERTFs), we employed RNA interference (RNAi) and yeast one-hybrid assay techniques. Additionally, we examined the molecular mechanism by which chlorbenzuron, a type of benzoylphenylurea (BPU) that functions as a chitin synthesis inhibitor (CSI), affects the 20E signaling pathway and ultimately regulates HcLCP-17 expression. RESULTS: HcLCP-17 encodes a polypeptide consisting of 393 amino acids, which includes a chitin-binding domain. Silencing HcLCP-17 resulted in a disturbance in the structural organization of the larval cuticle and a notable reduction in chitin levels. HcLCP-17 expression was controlled by the interaction between Broad-Complex (Br-C) and beta Fushi Tarazu Factor-1 (ßFTZ-F1) with its promoter fragment. Furthermore, the inhibitory effect of chlorbenzuron on HcLCP-17 expression was found to be potentially mediated by Br-C and ßFTZ-F1. CONCLUSION: The study presents a novel mode of action for the 20E signaling pathway in regulating the expression of CPs and reveals the potential mode-of-action of BPUs in insect cuticles. These findings provide a theoretical basis for future utilization of LCP-17 as a pesticide target making a significant contribution to the development of effective pest management strategies. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

New records and revised distribution of tiger beetles in China (Coleoptera, Cicindelidae).

Based on the examination of specimens housed in several scientific collections, we expand the known tiger beetle fauna of China, and eight species are recorded from China for the first time. The occurrence of Cicindela (Cicindela) sachalinensis raddei Morawitz, 1863 in Shanxi Province, and Neocollyris (Neocollyris) saphyrina (Chaudoir, 1850) in China are re-established. We provide distribution maps and habitus photographs of examined specimens for the newly recorded and revised species. We also discuss potential research hotspots for future taxonomic studies of tiger beetles in China.

Sacubitril/valsartan improves the prognosis of acute myocardial infarction: a meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To systematically evaluate the effect of sacubitril/valsartan (SV) on the prognosis of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and to provide evidence for expanding the clinical application of SV. METHODS: PubMed, EMbase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library were searched from inception to October 2023 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of SV in patients with AMI. The article was screened and evaluated by the Cochrane 5.1.0 bias risk assessment tool. RevMan5.3 was used for meta-analysis of the outcome indicators. RESULTS: Ten RCTs involving 7230 patients were included. The results showed that SV increased left ventricular eject fraction ( MD  = 2.86, 95% CI [1.81-3.90], P  < 0.00001) and reduced readmission rate ( RR  = 0.46, 95% CI [0.32-0.68], P  < 0.0001), decreased N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide ( MD = -477.46, 95% CI [-914.96 to -39.96], P  = 0.03), and reduced major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular event (MACCE) ( RR  = 0.48, 95% CI [0.27-0.85], P  = 0.01). There was no significant difference in the rate of adverse reaction (AR) between the trial group and the control group ( RR  = 0.88, 95% CI [0.60-1.30], P  = 0.52). CONCLUSION: SV can effectively improve the prognosis of AMI, prevent complications, and there is no significant difference in safety compared with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin receptor blocker.

Bilobalide attenuates lipopolysaccharide­induced HepG2 cell injury by inhibiting TLR4­NF­κB signaling via the PI3K/Akt pathway.

Inflammation is involved in the pathological process underlying a number of liver diseases. Bilobalide (BB) is a natural compound from Ginkgo biloba leaves that was recently demonstrated to exert hepatoprotective effects by inhibiting oxidative stress in the liver cancer cell line HepG2. The anti-inflammatory activity of BB has been reported in recent studies. The major objective of the present study was to investigate whether BB could attenuate inflammation-associated cell damage. HepG2 cells were cultured with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and BB, and cell damage was evaluated by measuring cell viability using MTT assay. The activity of the NF-κB signaling pathway was assessed by measuring the levels of IκBα, NF-κB p65, phosphorylated (p)-IκBα, p-p65, p65 DNA-binding activity and inflammatory cytokines IL-1ß, IL-6 and TNF-α. A toll-like receptor (TLR)4 inhibitor (CLI-095) was used to detect the involvement of TLR4 in cell injury caused by LPS. In addition, the PI3K/Akt inhibitor LY294002 was applied to explore the involvement of the PI3K/Akt axis in mediating the effects of BB. The results demonstrated that LPS induced HepG2 cell injury. LPS also elevated the levels of p-IκBα, p-p65, p65 DNA-binding activity and inflammatory cytokines. However, CLI-095 significantly attenuated the LPS-induced cell damage and inhibited the activation of NF-κB signaling. BB also dose-dependently attenuated the LPS-induced cell damage, activation of NF-κB signaling and TLR4 overexpression. Furthermore, it was observed that LY294002 diminished the cytoprotective effects of BB on cell injury, TLR4 expression and NF-κB activation. These findings indicated that BB could attenuate LPS-induced inflammatory injury to HepG2 cells by regulating TLR4-NF-κB signaling.

Chlorbenzuron caused growth arrest through interference of glycolysis and energy metabolism in Hyphantria cunea (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) larvae.

Chlorbenzuron is a kind of benzoylphenylureas (BPUs), which plays a broad role in insect growth regulators (IGRs), with an inhibitory effect on chitin biosynthesis. However, BPUs how to regulate glycolysis and insect growth remains largely unclear. Here, we investigated the effects of chlorbenzuron on growth, nutritional indices, glycolysis, and carbohydrate homeostasis in Hyphantria cunea, a destructive and highly polyphagous forest pest, to elucidate the action mechanism of chlorbenzuron from the perspective of energy metabolism. The results showed that chlorbenzuron dramatically restrained the growth and nutritional indices of H. cunea larvae and resulted in lethality. Meanwhile, we confirmed that chlorbenzuron significantly decreased carbohydrate levels, adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and pyruvic acid (PA) in H. cunea larvae. Further studies indicated that chlorbenzuron caused a significant enhancement in the enzyme activities and mRNA expressions of hexokinase (HK), phosphofructokinase (PFK), and pyruvate kinase (PK), resulting in increased glycolytic flux. Expressions of genes involved in the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway were also upregulated. Moreover, chlorbenzuron had remarkable impacts on H. cunea larvae from the perspective of metabolite enrichment, including the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle and glycolysis, indicating an energy metabolism disorder in larvae. The findings provide a novel insight into the molecular mechanism by which chlorbenzuron abnormally promotes glycolysis and eventually interferes with insect growth and nutritional indices.

The Effect of Cu Content on the Microstructure and Properties of the Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing Al-Cu Alloy.

Al-Cu alloy has broad application prospects in the field of aerospace due to its excellent performance. In this paper, deposits with different Cu contents were prepared by the wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) process, and the effects of Cu content on the microstructure and mechanical properties were investigated. The microstructure of Al-Cu alloy was investigated by metallography, scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy-dispersive spectrometer (EDS), and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The results show that both the number and size of the precipitated θ phases (Al2Cu) in the as-deposited material increase with the increase of Cu content. After the T4 treatment, the solid solution amount of Cu in the matrix showed a trend of first increasing and then remaining stable. When the content of Cu was greater than 5.65%, as the Cu content increased, the number and size of the remaining θ phases both increased. In the peak ageing state, the amount of precipitated θ' phase showed a trend of increasing and then remaining stable. After the T6 treatment, the mechanical properties showed a trend of first increasing and then decreasing with the increase of the content of Cu. When the Cu content was 5.65%, the deposit achieved the best mechanical properties, and the anisotropy of the mechanical properties disappeared. The tensile strength, yield strength, and elongation reached 538 MPa, 478 MPa, and 10.5%, respectively. When the content of Cu was greater than 5.65%, the anisotropy of mechanical properties was obvious, and the fracture mode of the vertical specimen changed from ductile fracture to brittle fracture.

A new species of Entedon Dalman (Hymenoptera, Eulophidae) and three newly recorded species from China.

In this paper, a new species of Entedon Dalman, E.flavifemursp. nov. is described from Tibet and three species, E.albifemur Kamijo, E.crassiscapus Erdös, and E.nomizonis Kamijo are reported from China for the first time. A detailed description and illustrations of the new species are provided, as well as diagnoses and illustrations of the three newly recorded species.

Three new species of Quadrastichus Girault (Hymenoptera, Eulophidae) from China with a key to Chinese species.

Six species of Quadrastichus Girault (Eulophidae: Tetrastichinae) from China are reviewed, including three new species: Q.longisetasp. nov., Q.flavomaculatussp. nov., Q.longiscapussp. nov. and one new country record, Q.vacuna (Walker, 1839). New distributional data for Q.anysis (Walker, 1839) and Q.sajoi (Szelényi, 1941), and a key to the Chinese species of Quadrastichus based on females, are included.

Involvement of Porcine ß-Defensin 129 in Sperm Capacitation and Rescue of Poor Sperm in Genital Tract Infection.

In mammals, ß-defensins have been reported to play pivotal roles in sperm protection and fertilization. However, the function and mechanism of porcine ß-defensin 129 (pBD129) in the sperm remain unclear. Here, we demonstrate that pBD129 is a glycosylated protein and broadly exists in accessory sex glands and coats the sperm surface. We inhibited the pBD129 protein on the sperm surface with an anti-pBD129 antibody and found that sperm motility was not significantly affected; however, sperm acrosome integrity and tyrosine phosphorylation levels increased significantly with time (p < 0.05) during capacitation. These changes were accompanied by an increase in sperm Ca2+ influx, resulting in a significantly reduced in vitro fertilization cleavage rate (p < 0.05). Further investigation revealed that treatment with recombinant pBD129 markedly restored the sperm motility in semen contaminated with Escherichia coli. The results suggest that pBD129 is not only associated with poor sperm motility after genital tract infection but can also protect the spermatozoa from premature capacitation, which may be beneficial for semen preservation.

Carboxypeptidase E protein regulates porcine sperm Ca2+ influx to affect capacitation and fertilization.

Mammalian spermatozoa acquire their fertilizing ability in the epididymis, which is important for sperm maturation and capacitation. Carboxypeptidase E (CPE) is a prohormone-processing enzyme and sorting receptor that functions intracellularly. Recently, CPE was identified to exist in the seminal plasma. However, little is known about the effects of CPE on reproductive function. This study focused on the effects of CPE on sperm function and fertilization. Herein, CPE was identified to be localized in the boar sperm, testis, epididymis, accessory gonad and seminal plasma, with high expression found in the bulbourethral glands and cauda epididymis. Furthermore, compared with high motility spermatozoa, a decrease in CPE abundance was observed in low motile spermatozoa by Western blot analysis. The use of specific antibody to inhibit the CPE in spermatozoa led to a decrease in sperm motility, followed by an expected decrease in acrosome exocytosis and tyrosine phosphorylation in the capacitation process. These changes were accompanied by a decrease in intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) influx, which resulted in a significant decrease in the cleavage rate during in vitro fertilization (IVF). Based on these observations, we suggest that CPE might affect porcine sperm Ca2+ influx to participate in the regulation of sperm function during capacitation.

Four new species of Diglyphomorphomyia Girault (Hymenoptera, Eulophidae) from China, with a key to Chinese species.

Four new species of Diglyphomorphomyia Girault, D.depressa sp. nov., D.fossa sp. nov., D.hainana sp. nov., and D.octoseta sp. nov., are described from China. A key to the eight species of the genus Diglyphomorphomyia occurring in China is provided.

On the genus Coccophagus Westwood (Hymenoptera, Aphelinidae) from Xishuangbanna Rainforest. Contribution I: Two new species of the Coccophagusvarius group, with an identification key and phylogenetic analysis.

Two new species belonging to the varius group of Coccophagus, C.breviclavulus sp. nov. and C.perlucidus sp. nov., are described from Xishuangbanna Rainforest (China, Yunnan). Coccophagusanchoroides (Huang) and C.yunnana Wang, Huang & Polaszek are recorded. A tentative key to world species of this group is provided. Partial nuclear ribosomal 28S-D2 of these four species and other six species were sequenced and subjected to a phylogenetic analysis. Phylogeny of C.varius group is discussed.

A new species and three newly recorded species of Tetrastichinae (Hymenoptera, Eulophidae) from China.

Five species of five genera in Tetrastichinae (Hymenoptera, Eulophidae) from China are reviewed, including one new species, Mestocharellaqingdaoensis sp. nov., and three new country record species: Nesolynxthymus (Girault, 1916), Holcotetrastichusrhosaces (Walker, 1839), and Peckelachertusdiprioni Yoshimoto, 1970. New distributional data for Ceratoneuraindi Girault, 1917 are provided.

Two new species and a new record of the Encarsialongifasciata-group (Hymenoptera, Aphelinidae) from Malaysia and China.

Background: The genus Encarsia Förster, 1878, which is the largest genus of the family Aphelinidae, contains 453 valid species worldwide. Most species of Encarsia with known biology are primary endoparasitoids of Aleyrodidae and Diaspididae. New information: Species of the Encarsialongifasciata-group from Malaysia and China are reviewed. This is the first record of this group from Malaysia. Two new species, E.borneensis Geng & Li sp. n. and E.pauroseta Geng & Li sp. n., are described and illustrated. Encarsialongifasciata is newly recorded from Malaysia (Borneo). An updated key to the longifasciata-group species (females) worldwide is provided.

Two new species of Deutereulophus Schulz (Hymenoptera, Eulophidae) from China, with a key to Chinese species.

Two new species of Deutereulophus Schulz, D.felix sp. nov. and D.daguisiensis sp. nov., are described from China. A key to species of Deutereulophus known from China is provided.

Two new species of Hemiptarsenus Westwood (Hymenoptera, Eulophidae) from China, with a key to Chinese species.

Two new species of Hemiptarsenus Westwood, H.tianshuiensis sp. nov. and H.longjiangensis sp. nov., are described from China. New distributional data for H.jilinus Tao, 2021 are provided, and a key to Chinese species of the genus is given based on females.

Microstructure and Properties of Al-6.0Mg-0.3Sc Alloy Deposited by Double-Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing.

Al-6.0Mg-0.3Sc alloy deposits are prepared by means of a double-wire arc additive manufacturing process. The formation, porosity, metallographic structure, type of precipitated phase, and mechanical properties of the deposit are studied. Double-wire arc forming affords precision advantages over single-wire-arc forming, which is evidenced by the increased surface uniformity of the deposit. Compared with the deposit of single-wire-arc formed, the deposit of double-wire arc formed exhibits only fewer and smaller pores, and the lower process heat yields rapid solidification and tiny precipitate sizes. A larger amount of Mg and Mn is observed to be dissolved in the Al matrix of double-wire arc-formed deposit, which increases the alloy strength, and smaller primary Al3Sc phase, which exhibits excellent grain refinement. Furthermore, the presence of a high amount of Sc solid solution in the matrix of double-wire arc-formed deposit strengthens the alloy, and the melting of the rear wire "heat-treats" the substrate formed by the front wire, promotes secondary Al3Sc phase precipitation, and further strengthens the alloy. Compared with the deposit of single-wire-arc formed, the mechanical properties of double-wire arc-formed deposit show an improvement: the tensile strength, yield strength, and elongation of the horizontally oriented specimens are estimated as 363 MPa, 258 MPa, and 26%, respectively. This successful implementation of the cold metal transfer + pulse process to prepare Al-Mg alloy parts can pave the way to their industrial production. The proposed method can find wide utility in the fields of aviation, aerospace, military, and shipbuilding.

Glutathione S-transferase kappa 1 is positively related with sperm quality of porcine sperm.

The glutathione S-transferase (GST) superfamily members play an important role in the male reproductive tract and sperm physiology. However, the expression profiles of some members of this protein family and their effect on sperm quality remain unclear. In this study, we found that GST kappa 1 (GSTK1) encoded protein is abundant in the testes and capacitated sperm acrosome. Western blot analysis revealed that the decreased abundance of GSTK1 was observed in low motile spermatozoa; moreover, GSTK1 expression decreased in sperm stored at 17°C under a long preservation time. In vitro analyses revealed that GSTK1 had no significant effect on sperm motility, capacitation, or acrosome reaction. Notably, after capacitated sperm were incubated with 4 and 8 µg/ml anti-GSTK1 antibodies, the fertilization rate significantly decreased in vitro fertilization assay. The current study demonstrates that GSTK1 is correlated with sperm quality and is a promising marker for the assessment of sperm quality and provides a basis for understanding the potential molecular mechanism for targeting pathogenic factors in male infertility.

Three new species of Stenomesius Westwood (Hymenoptera, Eulophidae) from China, with a key to Chinese species.

Three new species of Stenomesius Westwood, S.guanshanensis sp. nov., S.hani sp. nov., and S.harbinensis sp. nov., are described from China. A key to all species of the genus Stenomesius in China is provided.

Three new species, and new distributional data, of Haltichella (Hymenoptera, Chalcididae) from China.

Five species of Haltichella (Hymenoptera, Chalcididae) from China are reviewed, including three new species, H.bimaculata Wang & Li, sp. nov., H.bomiana Wang & Li, sp. nov., H.strigata Wang & Li, sp. nov. Haltichellaclavicornis (Ashmead) is newly recorded from China and H.nipponensis Habu is newly recorded from Heilongjiang, Shanxi, Shandong, Xizang, Guangdong and Yunnan Provinces in China. A key to the Chinese species of the Haltichella is provided.