Scanning Electron Microscopy Study of the Antennal Sensilla of Monema flavescens Walker (Lepidoptera: Limacodidae).

Monema flavescens Walker (Lepidoptera: Limacodidae) is a serious polyphagous defoliator. Using scanning electron microscopy, the external morphology of the antennal sensilla of this pest was examined for a better understanding of the mechanisms of insect-insect and insect-plant chemical communications. The antennae of M. flavescens were filiform in shape, and 11 morphological types of sensilla were found in both sexes. Six types of likely chemosensory sensilla were identified: uniporous sensilla chaetica, multiporous sensilla trichodea, and four types of multiporous sensilla basiconica. The sensilla identified as likely mechanoreceptors included two subtypes of aporous sensilla chaetica, aporous sensilla coeloconica, aporous sensilla styloconica, and Böhm's bristles, whereas the position of the antennae was monitored by Böhm's bristles.

5-Fluorouracil induces apoptosis of colorectal cancer cells.

5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is widely used in chemotherapy for treatment of colorectal cancer. Leucine-rich repeat-containing G protein-coupled receptor (LGR) is known to participate in the occurrence and development of breast cancer by regulating the rebirth of tumor vessels. This study aimed to explore the proliferation and apoptosis of HCT116 colorectal cancer cells treated with 5-FU and related molecular mechanisms. 5-FU (20 µg/mL) was used to treat cultured HCT116 cells. An MTT test, flow cytometry, and colony formation assays were used to examine the proliferation and apoptosis of HCT116 cells. Western blotting was applied to detect the expression of the LGR4 protein in HCT116 cells. Small interference RNA or over-expression techniques were used to manipulate LGR4 expression in HCT116 cells and describe the proliferation and apoptosis of HCT116 treated with 5-FU. A dosage of 20 µg/mL 5-FU resulted in a significant decrease in the proliferation and apoptosis of HCT116 cells and significantly decreased expression levels of LGR4. The specific gene silence or over-expression of LGR4 in HCT116 cells increased and decreased the levels of apoptosis in HCT116, respectively. 5-FU induces apoptosis of colorectal cancer cells and inhibits proliferation by suppressing LGR4 proteins.