Predictive value of red blood cell distribution width and hematocrit for short-term outcomes and prognosis in colorectal cancer patients undergoing radical surgery.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have reported that low hematocrit levels indicate poor survival in patients with ovarian cancer and cervical cancer, the prognostic value of hematocrit for colorectal cancer (CRC) patients has not been determined. The prognostic value of red blood cell distribution width (RDW) for CRC patients was controversial. AIM: To investigate the impact of RDW and hematocrit on the short-term outcomes and long-term prognosis of CRC patients who underwent radical surgery. METHODS: Patients who were diagnosed with CRC and underwent radical CRC resection between January 2011 and January 2020 at a single clinical center were included. The short-term outcomes, overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were compared among the different groups. Cox analysis was also conducted to identify independent risk factors for OS and DFS. RESULTS: There were 4258 CRC patients who underwent radical surgery included in our study. A total of 1573 patients were in the lower RDW group and 2685 patients were in the higher RDW group. There were 2166 and 2092 patients in the higher hematocrit group and lower hematocrit group, respectively. Patients in the higher RDW group had more intraoperative blood loss (P < 0.01) and more overall complications (P < 0.01) than did those in the lower RDW group. Similarly, patients in the lower hematocrit group had more intraoperative blood loss (P = 0.012), longer hospital stay (P = 0.016) and overall complications (P < 0.01) than did those in the higher hematocrit group. The higher RDW group had a worse OS and DFS than did the lower RDW group for tumor node metastasis (TNM) stage I (OS, P < 0.05; DFS, P = 0.001) and stage II (OS, P = 0.004; DFS, P = 0.01) than the lower RDW group; the lower hematocrit group had worse OS and DFS for TNM stage II (OS, P < 0.05; DFS, P = 0.001) and stage III (OS, P = 0.001; DFS, P = 0.001) than did the higher hematocrit group. Preoperative hematocrit was an independent risk factor for OS [P = 0.017, hazard ratio (HR) = 1.256, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.041-1.515] and DFS (P = 0.035, HR = 1.194, 95%CI: 1.013-1.408). CONCLUSION: A higher preoperative RDW and lower hematocrit were associated with more postoperative complications. However, only hematocrit was an independent risk factor for OS and DFS in CRC patients who underwent radical surgery, while RDW was not.

Single-port laparoscopic appendectomy using new surgical procedure versus conventional three-port laparoscopic appendectomy.

The aim of this study was to compare the clinic outcomes between new single-port laparoscopic appendectomy (NSLA) and conventional three-port laparoscopic appendectomy (CTLA) for patients with acute appendicitis. Patients who were diagnosed with acute appendicitis and underwent appendectomy were retrospectively collected from a single clinical center from September 2021 to June 2023. Baseline characteristics, surgical information, and postoperative information were compared between the NSLA group and the CTLA group. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to find out the predictors of overall complications. A total of 296 patients were enrolled from a single clinical medical center. There were 146 (49.3%) males and 150 (50.7%) females. There were 54 (18.2%) patients in the NSLA group and 242 (81.8%) patients in the CTLA group. After data analysis, we found the patients in the NSLA group had a shorter postoperative hospital stay (P < 0.01) than the CTLA group. The other outcomes including intraoperative blood loss (P = 0.167), operation time (P = 0.282), nature of the appendix (P = 0.971), and overall complications (P = 0.543) were not statistically different. After univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis, we found that age (P = 0.018, OR = 1.039, 95% CI = 1.007-1.072), neutrophil percentage (P = 0.018, OR = 1.070, 95% CI = 1.011-1.132), and fever (P = 0.019, OR = 6.112, 95% CI = 1.340-27.886) were the predictors of overall complications. However, the surgical procedure (NSLA versus CTLA) was not a predictor of overall complications (P = 0.376, OR = 1.964, 95% CI = 0.440-8.768). Compared with CTLA, there was no significant increase in postoperative overall complications with NSLA, making it a safe and feasible new surgical procedure. More studies are needed to evaluate the long-term results.

Improvement of the nutritional support management system for patients in intensive care units.

BACKGROUND: Nutritional support for patients hospitalized in the intensive care unit (ICU) is an important part of clinical treatment and care, but there are significant implementation difficulties. AIM: To introduce a modified nutritional support management system for ICU patients based on closed-loop information management and psychological counseling. METHODS: The division of functions, personnel training, system construction, development of an intelligent decision-making software system, quality control, and improvement of the whole process were carried out to systematically manage nutritional support for ICU patients. RESULTS: Following the implementation of the whole process management system, the scores of ICU medical staff's knowledge, attitudes/beliefs, and practices regarding nutritional support were comprehensively enhanced. The proportion of hospital bed-days of total enteral nutrition (EN) in ICU patients increased from 5.58% to 11.46%, and the proportion of EN plus parenteral nutrition increased from 42.71% to 47.07%. The rate of EN initiation within 48 h of ICU admission increased from 37.50% to 48.28%, and the EN compliance rate within 72 h elevated from 20.59% to 31.72%. After the implementation of the project, the Self-rating Anxiety Scale score decreased from 61.07 ± 9.91 points to 52.03 ± 9.02 points, the Self-rating Depression Scale score reduced from 62.47 ± 10.50 points to 56.34 ± 9.83 points, and the ICU stay decreased from 5.76 ± 2.77 d to 5.10 ± 2.12 d. CONCLUSION: The nutritional support management system based on closed-loop information management and psychological counseling achieved remarkable results in clinical applications in ICU patients.

The effect of carbon nanoparticles staining on lymph node tracking in colorectal cancer: A propensity score matching analysis.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of carbon nanoparticles staining (CNS) on colorectal cancer (CRC) surgery, lymph node tracing and postoperative complications using propensity score matching (PSM). Method: Patients who were diagnosed with CRC and underwent surgery were retrospectively collected from a single clinical center from Jan 2011 to Dec 2021. Baseline characteristics, surgical information and postoperative information were compared between the CNS group and the non-CNS group. PSM was used to eliminate bias. Results: A total of 6,886 patients were enrolled for retrospective analysis. There were 2,078 (30.2%) patients in the CNS group and 4,808 (69.8%) patients in the non-CNS group. After using 1: 1 ratio PSM to eliminate bias, there were 2,045 patients left in each group. Meanwhile, all of their baseline characteristics were well matched and there was no statistical significance between the two groups (P > 0.05). In terms of surgical information and short-term outcomes, the CNS group had less intraoperative blood loss (P < 0.01), shorter operation time (P < 0.01), shorter postoperative hospital stay (P < 0.01), less metastatic lymph nodes (P = 0.013), more total retrieved lymph nodes (P < 0.01), more lymphatic fistula (P = 0.011) and less postoperative overall complications (P < 0.01) than the non-CNS group before PSM. After PSM, the CNS group had less intraoperative blood loss (P = 0.004), shorter postoperative hospital stay (P < 0.01) and more total retrieved lymph nodes (P < 0.01) than the non-CNS group. No statistical difference was found in other outcomes (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Preoperative CNS could help the surgeons detect more lymph nodes, thus better determining the patient's N stage. Furthermore, it could reduce intraoperative blood loss and reduce the hospital stay.

Clinical and Metabolic Characteristics of Hyperuricemia with Risk of Liver Fibrosis: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The role of serum uric acid (SUA) in the role of advanced fibrosis is not fully explored. The study assesses the risk of advanced fibrosis according to SUA in an Asian population with a total of 3612 subjects enrolled in one health management center between 2006 and 2008. The fibrosis-4 score was used for the prediction of the high risk of advanced fibrosis. SUA scores higher than 7.6 mg/dL in men and 6.6 mg/dL in women were defined as hyperuricemia. A proportional odds model was used to assess cumulative risks of advanced fibrosis. The prevalence of high risk of advanced fibrosis was 2.5% in the hyperuricemia group and 0.6% in the normal SUA group (p < 0.001). After adjustment for confounding factors, the odds ratios (OR) for more severe advanced fibrosis were 1.37 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.07−1.78) in the hyperuricemia group. Hyperuricemia only increased the risk of advanced fibrosis in the non-T2DM group (OR, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.04 to 1.74) instead of T2DM group (OR, 1.85; 95% CI, 0.97 to 3.53). SUA is a risk factor for a higher risk of advanced fibrosis, with the disease likely progressing from a steatotic to a fibrotic picture. The focus should be more emphasized in non-T2DM groups.

Explore the Relationship Between Short-Term Ambient Air Pollution Exposure and Daily Outpatient Visits for Metabolic Related Fatty Liver.

Background: Many studies have shown that the pollution of fine particles in the air is related to the incidence of chronic diseases. However, research on air pollution and metabolism-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is limited. Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between short-term ambient air pollution and daily outpatient visits for metabolic-related fatty liver. Methods: We used a quasi-Poisson regression generalized additive model to stratify analyses by season, age, and gender. Results: From January 1, 2017, to August 31, 2019, 10,562 confirmed MAFLD outpatient visits were recorded. A 10 µg/m3 increase of fine particular matter (PM10and PM2.5) and NO2 concentrations corresponding with percent change were 0.82 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.49-1.15), 0.57 (95% CI, 0.18-0.98), and 0.86 (95% CI, 0.59-1.13) elevation in MAFLD outpatient visits. In terms of season, the impact estimates of NO2 and PM2.5% change were 3.55 (95% CI, 1.23-5.87) and 1.12 (95% CI, 0.78-1.46) in the hot season and transition season, respectively. Compared with the warm season, the impact estimates of PM10were more significant in the cool season: 2.88 (95% CI, 0.66-5.10). NO2 has the greatest effect in the transition season, whereas PM10 has the greatest highest effect in the cool and hot seasons. Compared with other pollutants, PM2.5 has the greatest impact in the age stratification, which percent change are 2.69 (95% CI, 0.77-5.61) and 2.88 (95% CI, 0.37-6.40) respectively. The impact values of PM2.5 in male and female percent change were 3.60 (95% CI, 0.63-6.57) and 1.65 (95% CI, 1.05-2.25), respectively. Conclusion: This study shows that the air pollutants are related to the number of outpatient visits for MAFLD. The effects of different air pollutants on MAFLD outpatient visits were different by season, ages, and gender.

Effect of the traditional Chinese herb Helminthostachys zeylanica on postsurgical recovery in patients with ankle fracture: A double-blinded randomized controlled clinical trial.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Helminthostachys zeylanica (HZ), which is also called "Dao-Di-U-Gon" in Taiwan, has anti-inflammatory and antiedema effects and is commonly used to treat edema in patients with fractures. The ugonin K component of HZ can induce osteogenesis and promote bone mineralization, its therapeutic effect, however, its therapeutic effect remains unclear. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of HZ on functional recovery in patients with ankle fractures requiring surgical treatment. METHODS: A double-blinded, randomized, controlled study was conducted. A total of 45 patients with ankle fractures requiring surgical treatment were assigned to either the control group (n = 23 patients), which received the oral administration of HZ placebo 1.0 g t.i.d. for 42 days continuously, or to the treatment group (22 patients), which received HZ for 42 days. RESULTS: The serum amino-terminal propeptide of type 1 procollagen (PINP) levels were similar in the first assessment (V1) between the control (45.90 ± 16.31 ng/mL) and treatment groups (52.61 ± 21.02 ng/mL; p = 0.240); the differences in PINP level between the third assessment (V3) and V1 were greater in the treatment group (35.84 ± 24.56 ng/mL) than in the control group (16.34 ± 11.97 ng/mL; p = 0.002). Radiographic healing time (RHT) was 9.09 ± 1.15 weeks in the treatment group, which was shorter than the 9.91 ± 0.79 weeks (p = 0.012) in the control group. CONCLUSION: Oral administration of HZ for 42 days can increase serum PINP level and reduce the RHT. Therefore, HZ can be used to treat patients with ankle fractures requiring surgical treatment. However, a larger sample size is needed in future studies.

Does Chronic Kidney Disease Really Affect the Complications and Prognosis After Liver Resection for Hepatocellular Carcinoma? A Meta-Analysis.

Purpose: The purpose of this meta-analysis was to analyze whether chronic kidney disease (CKD) affected the complications and prognosis after liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma. Methods: The PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases were searched from inception to 22 February 2022 to find eligible studies. Complications, overall survival (OS), and disease-free survival (DFS) were collected, and this meta-analysis was performed with RevMan 5.3. Results: A total of nine studies including 6,541 patients were included in this meta-analysis. After pooling all baseline information, the CKD group had a higher rate of Child-Pugh grade B than the Non-CKD group (OR = 1.58, 95% CI = 1.3 to 1.93, P < 0.00001). As for surgery-related information, the CKD group had larger blood loss (MD = -404.79, 95% CI = -509.70 to -299.88, P < 0.00001), and higher rate of blood transfusion (OR = 2.47, 95% CI = 1.85 to 3.3, P < 0.00001). In terms of complications, the CKD group had a higher rate of overall complications (OR = 2.1, 95% CI = 1.57 to 2.81, P < 0.00001) and a higher rate of ≥ grade III complications (OR = 2.04, 95% CI = 1.57 to 2.81, P = 0.0002). The CKD group had poor OS compared with the non-CKD group (HR = 1.28, 95% CI = 1.1 to 1.49, P = 0.001). However, in terms of DFS, no significant difference was found (HR = 1.11, 95% CI = 0.96 to 1.28, P = 0.16). Conclusion: Preexisting CKD was associated with higher ratio of complications and poor OS.

Exploring the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic on the medical emergency calls and calls for cardiovascular diseases in Hangzhou, China.

AIMS: We aimed to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic on emergency and cardiovascular disease-related calls in Hangzhou, China. METHODS: We conducted a single-center retrospective study, collecting data on emergency calls to the Hangzhou Emergency Center (HEC) during the COVID-19 epidemic (January 20, 2020, to March 15, 2020). Data were compared with the same period in 2019. RESULTS: Compared to 2019, the number of emergency calls has dropped by 21.63%, ambulance calls by 29.02%, rescue calls by 22.57%, and cardiovascular disease-related emergency calls by 32.86%. The numbers of emergency, ambulance, and rescue calls in 2020 were significantly lower than in 2019. CONCLUSIONS: During the COVID-19 epidemic in Hangzhou, the numbers of emergency and cardiovascular disease-related calls have decreased significantly. These results point to a severe social problem that requires the attention of the medical community and the government.

Exploring the Pattern of Early COVID-19 Transmission Caused by Population Migration Based on 14 Cities in Hubei Province, China.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Relevant studies show that population migration has a great impact on the early spread of infectious diseases. Therefore, it is important to explore whether there is an explicit relationship between population migration and the number of confirmed cases for the control of the COVID-19 epidemic. This paper mainly explores the impact of population migration on early COVID-19 transmission, and establishes a predictive nonlinear mathematical model to predict the number of early cases. METHODS: Data of confirmed cases were sourced from the official website of the Municipal Health Committee, and the proportions of migration from Wuhan to other cities were sourced from the Baidu data platform. The data of confirmed cases and the migration proportions of 14 cities in Hubei Province were collected, the COVID-19 cases study period was determined as 10 days based on the third quartile of the interval of the incubation period, and a non-linear mathematical model was constructed to clarify the relationship between the migration proportion and the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases. Finally, eight typical regions were selected to verify the accuracy of the model. RESULTS: The daily population migration rates and the growth curves of the number of confirmed cases in the 14 cities were basically consistent, and Pearson's correlation coefficient was 0.91. The specific mathematical expression of 14 regions is . In each of the fourteen cities, The nonlinear exponential model structure is as follows:. It was found that the R 2 values of the fitted mathematical model were greater than 0.8 in all studied regions, excluding Suizhou (p < 0.05). The established mathematical model was used to fit eight regions in China, and the correlations between the predicted and actual numbers of confirmed cases were greater than 0.9, excluding that of Hebei Province (0.82). CONCLUSION: The study found that population migration has a positive and significant impact on the spread of COVID-19. Modeling COVID-19 risk may be a useful strategy for directing public health surveillance and interventions. Restricting the migration of the population is of great significance to the joint prevention and control of the pandemic worldwide.

COVID-19 Vaccination Acceptance Among Healthcare Workers and Non-healthcare Workers in China: A Survey.

Background: The coronavirus pneumonia is still spreading around the world. Much progress has been made in vaccine development, and vaccination will become an inevitable trend in the fight against this pandemic. However, the public acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination still remains uncertain. Methods: An anonymous questionnaire was used in Wen Juan Xing survey platform. All the respondents were divided into healthcare workers and non-healthcare workers. Multinomial logistic regression analyses were performed to identify the key sociodemographic, cognitive, and attitude associations among the samples of healthcare workers and non-healthcare workers. Results: A total of 2,580 respondents completed the questionnaire, including 1,329 healthcare workers and 1,251 non-healthcare workers. This study showed that 76.98% of healthcare workers accepted the COVID-19 vaccine, 18.28% workers were hesitant, and 4.74% workers were resistant. Among the non-healthcare workers, 56.19% workers received the COVID-19 vaccine, 37.57% workers were hesitant, and 6.24% workers were resistant. Among the healthcare workers, compared with vaccine recipients, vaccine-hesitant individuals were more likely to be female (AOR = 1.52, 95% CI: 1.12-2.07); vaccine-resistant individuals were more likely to live in the suburbs (AOR = 2.81, 95% CI: 1.44-3.99) with an income of 10,000 RMB or greater (AOR = 2.00, 95% CI: 1.03-3.90). Among the non-healthcare workers, vaccine-hesitant individuals were more likely to be female (AOR = 1.66, 95% CI: 1.31-2.11); vaccine-resistant individuals were also more likely to be female (AOR = 1.87, 95% CI: 1.16-3.02) and older than 65 years (AOR = 4.96, 95% CI: 1.40-7.62). There are great differences between healthcare workers and non-healthcare workers in their cognition and attitude toward vaccines. Conclusions: Our study shows that healthcare workers are more willing to be vaccinated than non-healthcare workers. Current vaccine safety issues continue to be a major factor affecting public acceptance, and to expand vaccine coverage in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, appropriate vaccination strategies and immunization programs are essential, especially for non-healthcare workers.

DDoS Flood and Destination Service Changing Sensor.

In this paper, we aim to detect distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks, and receive a notification of destination service, changing immediately, without the additional efforts of other modules. We designed a kernel-based mechanism to build a new Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) connection smartly by the host while the users or clients not knowing the location of the next host. Moreover, we built a lightweight flooding attack detection mechanism in the user mode of an operating system. Given that reinstalling a modified operating system on each client is not realistic, we managed to replace the entry of the system call table with a customized sys_connect. An effective defense depends on fine detection and defensive procedures. In according with our experiments, this novel mechanism can detect flooding DDoS successfully, including SYN flood and ICMP flood. Furthermore, through cooperating with a specific low cost network architecture, the mechanism can help to defend DDoS attacks effectively.

Frailty is Associated with an Increased Risk of Major Adverse Outcomes in Elderly Patients Following Surgical Treatment of Hip Fracture.

We intended to explore the effect of level of frailty on, and relationship with, 1-, 3-, and 6-month postoperative emergency department visits, readmissions, and mortality. This is a prospective multicenter observational cohort study design. Patients aged 50 years or older treated for hip fracture (n = 245) were taken from Orthopedic wards in one medical center (n = 131) and one district hospital (n = 114) in Changhua County, Taiwan. Frailty was defined as measured by the validated Clinical Frailty Scale and categorized as robust, pre-frail, and frail. We used Kaplan-Meier analysis to estimate survival rates and Cox regression to estimate the risk of frailty associated with adverse outcomes. To examine the longitudinal associations between frailty and adverse outcome, the cross-lagged models were explored. Of the 245 patients, 55 (22.4%) were classified as frail, 113 (46.1%) as pre-frail, and 77 (31.4%) as robust. More cumulative events occurred for frail than for robust patients for each adverse outcome. Frailty has long-term effect on each adverse outcome after discharge, rather than the effect simultaneously. Targeting pre-frailty and frailty is essential for prevent adverse outcomes and improving the overall health of older adults after discharge for hip fracture.

Effect of NaCl-stressed Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) cotton on the feeding behaviors and nutritional parameters of Helicoverpa armigera.

Saline-alkali soil is an arable land resource on which transgenic Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) cotton has been planted on a large scale in accordance with food security strategies. There are, however, concerns about the insecticidal effects of Bt cotton on target insect pests. In this study, a Bt cotton variety, GK19, and its nontransgenic parent variety, Simian-3, were used as experimental models for investigating the effect of the expression of exogenous insecticidal proteins in Bt cotton under NaCl stress on the feeding behavior and nutritional parameters of Helicoverpa armigera. The results showed that the expression of exogenous insecticidal proteins in GK19 was significantly inhibited under NaCl stress. However, the feeding, crawling, resting and spinning down behavior of the 5th instar H. armigera larvae on GK19 Bt cotton, as well as the amount of food consumed and feces produced by these larvae, did not markedly differ under different NaCl concentrations. In contrast, the mean relative growth rate (MRGR), relative growth rate (RGR), approximate digestibility (AD), efficiency of conversion of ingested food (ECI) and efficiency of conversion of digested food (ECD) of the larvae markedly decreased in response to NaCl stress. Under the same concentration of NaCl, the nutritional parameters of the bollworm larvae on GK19 Bt cotton or Simian-3 nontransgenic cotton were different. However, the interaction between salt stress and cotton variety had no significant effect on the feeding behavior or nutritional parameters of H. armigera larvae. These results may provide a scientific basis for determining the effect of exogenous insecticidal protein expression in Bt cotton under NaCl stress on H. armigera and can therefore be useful for the effective application of Bt cotton in saline-alkali soils to prevent and control H. armigera.

[Effect of Huangqi San on AMPK/ACC/CPT1 pathway in hyperlipidemia rats].

To investigate the mechanism of the treatment of hyperlipidemia rats induced by Huangqi San. The 40 male SD rats were randomly divided into normal group, model group, Huangqi San low and high dose group (1, 2 g·kg⁻¹), and positive lipitor group (2 mg·kg⁻¹). The normal group feeds on base feed, and other groups feed on high-fat feed. After 8 weeks, the hyperlipidemia model was successful. After intervention by drugs for 13 weeks, fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL cholesterol content of all rats were measured. The pathological changes of liver and skeletal muscle of rats were observed in rats. Real-time PCR and Western blot were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression levels of AMPK signaling pathway in the liver and skeletal muscles (AMPK, ACC, CPT1A, SREBP2, HMGCR). The degree of FPG, TC, TG and LDL-C were the highest in the model group, and the liver and skeletal muscle pathology were the most obvious. After intervention by Huangqi San and lipitor, a significant reduction in the blood sugar blood fat, liver, and skeletal muscle injury has improved significantly, except SREBF2 and HMGCR mRNA and protein expression of this enzyme is reduced, other AMPK pathway related mRNA and protein expression increased significantly. Huangqi San effect is superior to lipitor. Huangqi San may improve hyperlipidemia by regulating the AMPK signaling pathway, increasing the oxidation of fatty acids and inhibiting cholesterol synthesis.

Identification and validation of reference genes for gene expression analysis in Aphidius gifuensis (Hymenoptera: Aphidiidae).

Reference genes have been utilized in estimating gene expression levels using quantitative reverse transcriptase-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis. Aphidius gifuensis Ashmaed is one of the most widely used biological control agents for aphids. The biological properties of this species have been studied in detail, and current investigations are focused on elucidating the regulatory mechanisms in its host However, the appropriate reference genes for target gene expression studies have not been identified. In this study, the expression profiles of 12 candidate reference genes were evaluated under different experimental conditions(development stage, sex, tissue type, diet) by using dedicated algorithms, including geNorm, Normfinder, BestKeeper, and ΔCt. In addition, RefFinder was used to rank the overall stability of the candidate genes. Finally, we recommend three optimal reference genes for the normalization of qRT-PCR data in the presence of specific variables, which include ACTB, RPL13, and PPI for different developmental stages; RPS18, ACTB, and RPL13 for sexes; RPL13, PRII3, and RPS18 in different tissue types; and RPL13, RPL27, and ACTB in diverse diets. The present study has identified optimal reference genes that could be used in estimating the expression levels of specific genes under these conditions following the Minimum Information for publication of Quantitative real-time PCR Experiments (MIQE) guidelines, which would facilitate in advancements in functional genomics research on A. gifuensis.

Comprehensive evaluation of candidate reference genes for gene expression studies in Lysiphlebia japonica (Hymenoptera: Aphidiidae) using RT-qPCR.

Lysiphlebia japonica (Ashmead) is a predominant parasitoid of cotton-melon aphids in the fields of northern China with a proven ability to effectively control cotton aphid populations in early summer. For accurate normalization of gene expression in L. japonica using quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), reference genes with stable gene expression patterns are essential. However, no appropriate reference genes is L. japonica have been investigated to date. In the present study, 12 selected housekeeping genes from L. japonica were cloned. We evaluated the stability of these genes under various experimental treatments by RT-qPCR using four independent (geNorm, NormFinder, BestKeeper and Delta Ct) and one comparative (RefFinder) algorithm. We identified genes showing the most stable levels of expression: DIMT, 18S rRNA, and RPL13 during different stages; AK, RPL13, and TBP among sexes; EF1A, PPI, and RPL27 in different tissues, and EF1A, RPL13, and PPI in adults fed on different diets. Moreover, the expression profile of a target gene (odorant receptor 1, OR1) studied during the developmental stages confirms the reliability of the chosen selected reference genes. This study provides for the first time a comprehensive list of suitable reference genes for gene expression studies in L. japonica and will benefit subsequent genomics and functional genomics research on this natural enemy.

Phylogeographic patterns of Lygus pratensis (Hemiptera: Miridae): Evidence for weak genetic structure and recent expansion in northwest China.

Lygus pratensis (L.) is an important cotton pest in China, especially in the northwest region. Nymphs and adults cause serious quality and yield losses. However, the genetic structure and geographic distribution of L. pratensis is not well known. We analyzed genetic diversity, geographical structure, gene flow, and population dynamics of L. pratensis in northwest China using mitochondrial and nuclear sequence datasets to study phylogeographical patterns and demographic history. L. pratensis (n = 286) were collected at sites across an area spanning 2,180,000 km2, including the Xinjiang and Gansu-Ningxia regions. Populations in the two regions could be distinguished based on mitochondrial criteria but the overall genetic structure was weak. The nuclear dataset revealed a lack of diagnostic genetic structure across sample areas. Phylogenetic analysis indicated a lack of population level monophyly that may have been caused by incomplete lineage sorting. The Mantel test showed a significant correlation between genetic and geographic distances among the populations based on the mtDNA data. However the nuclear dataset did not show significant correlation. A high level of gene flow among populations was indicated by migration analysis; human activities may have also facilitated insect movement. The availability of irrigation water and ample cotton hosts makes the Xinjiang region well suited for L. pratensis reproduction. Bayesian skyline plot analysis, star-shaped network, and neutrality tests all indicated that L. pratensis has experienced recent population expansion. Climatic changes and extensive areas occupied by host plants have led to population expansion of L. pratensis. In conclusion, the present distribution and phylogeographic pattern of L. pratensis was influenced by climate, human activities, and availability of plant hosts.