Characterization of neutral lipases revealed the tissue-specific triacylglycerol hydrolytic activity in Nilaparvata lugens.

The lipid metabolism plays an essential role in the development and reproduction of insects, and lipases are important enzymes in lipid metabolism. In Nilaparvata lugens, an important insect pest on rice, triacylglycerol hydrolytic activities were different among tissues, with high activity in integument, ovary, and fat body, but low activity in intestine. To figure out the tissue-specific triacylglycerol hydrolytic activity, we identified 43 lipases in N. lugens. Of these 43 lipases, 23 belonged to neutral lipases, so this group was selected to perform further experiments on triacylglycerol hydrolysis. The complete motifs of catalytic triads, ß9 loop, and lid motif, are required for the triacylglycerol hydrolytic activity in neutral lipases, which were found in some neutral lipases with high gene expression levels in integument and ovary, but not in intestine. The recombinant proteins of 3 neutral lipases with or without 3 complete motifs were obtained, and the activity determination confirmed the importance of 3 motifs. Silencing XM_022331066.1, which is highly expressed in ovary and with 3 complete motifs, significantly decreased the egg production and hatchability of N. lugens, partially through decline of the lipid metabolism. In summary, at least one-third of important motifs were incomplete in all neutral lipases with high gene expression in intestine, which could partially explain why the lipase activity in intestine was much lower than that in other tissues. The low activity to hydrolyze triacylglycerol in N. lugens intestine might be associated with its food resource and nutrient components, and the ovary-specific neutral lipases were important for N. lugens reproduction.

Bimetal heterointerfaces towards enhanced electro-activation of O2 under room condition.

Efficient catalysts for oxygen (O2) activation under room condition are required for effective wet air oxidation (WAO) technology. Here, we report a novel manganese-cobalt-based composite (MnO-CoO@Co) fabricated on a graphite felt (GF) support for catalyzing the electro-activation of O2 under room condition. Abundant Co-MnO and CoO-MnO heterointerfaces are formed in the composite. In comparison to the single-metal counterparts, i.e. CoO@Co/GF (16.99 wt% Co) and MnO/GF (26.83 wt% Mn), the bimetal MnO-CoO@Co/GF (5.29 wt% Co and 8.79 wt% Mn) displays an improved oxygen storage capacity and provides more active sites to accommodate surface adsorbed oxygen species. Notably, the strong synergy derived from bimetal heterointerfaces enhances the electron transfer and oxygen mobilization during the electro-activation of O2, thereby significantly reducing the reaction barrier. MnO-CoO@Co/GF exhibits excellent efficiency and stability in electrocatalytic WAO (ECWAO) towards the removal of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) over a wide pH range from 4.0 to 10.0. A model pollutant sulfamethoxazole (SMX) acquires mineralization efficiency of 78.4 ± 2.1% and mineralization current efficiency of 157.89% at +1.0 V of electrode potential. The toxicity of PPCPs can be totally eliminated after the ECWAO treatment. This work highlights the synergy derived from bimetal heterointerfaces in O2 electrocatalysis, and provides a promising approach for advanced WAO catalysts in PPCPs pollution control.

The incidence of placenta related disease after the hysteroscopic adhesiolysis in patients with intrauterine adhesions.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the correlation between placenta related disease of pregnant women with antecedent hysteroscopic adhesiolysis due to intrauterine adhesions (IUA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a single center, non-randomized, open-label, retrospective cohort Study. 74 patients who had adhesiolysis and hormone therapy for IUA and progressed into the third trimester were group A and 296 without IUA were group B. The main outcome measure is the incidence of placenta related disease including placenta accreta spectrum, placenta previa, placental abruption, intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), and pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH). The second outcome is the perinatal, and intrapartum complications. RESULTS: Patients in group A had a higher frequency of prior pregnancy times (2.51 ± 1.56 vs.1.84 ± 1.06, p = 0.001) and lower frequency of prior delivery times (0.20 ± 0.41 vs. 1.30 ± 0.51, p < 0.05) than group B at baseline. At delivery, there is no difference between the incidence of PIH and IUGR between two groups. However, a significantly higher frequency of placenta accreta (17.6% vs. 1.4%, OR = 15.56, 95% CI 4.91-49.34), placenta increta (5.4% vs. 0.7%, OR = 8.4, 95% CI 1.51-46.78), placenta previa (8.1% vs. 2.0%, OR = 4.265, 95%CI1.33-13.63) and postpartum hemorrhage (21.6% vs. 3.4%, OR = 7.890, 95% CI 3.41-18.26) were observed in group A than in group B. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to general population, the rates of placenta accreta, placenta increta, placenta previa, postpartum hemorrhage are higher among the IUA patients after hysteroscopic adhesiolysis, and special attention is needed at the termination of the pregnancy.

Modification and Compounding of CaMgAl-Layered Double Hydroxides and Their Application in the Flame Retardance of Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene Resin.

CaMgAl-layered double hydroxides (CaMgAl-LDHs) were synthesized by a co-precipitation method to prepare sodium oleate-modified, borate-intercalated CaMgAl-LDHs (O-CaMgAl-LDHs) using in-situ intercalation and modification, and the LDHs samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). The FESEM observations showed that the as-prepared CaMgAl-LDHs had a lamellar structure with a particle size of 200~500 nm, while the O-CaMgAl-LDHs had a plate-like structure with a particle size of about 100 nm. TGA showed that O-CaMgAl-LDHs resulted in higher thermal stability at high temperature compared to CaMgAl-LDHs. O-CaMgAl-LDHs/ABS composites were prepared by adding O-CaMgAl-LDHs to acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene resin (ABS) to test the resulting flame retardancy and mechanical properties, and the results showed that the limiting oxygen index (LOI) could increase from 18% to 26%, while the mechanical properties decreased significantly when the added fraction was 40% (relative to ABS). O-CaMgAl-LDHs, ammonium polyphosphate (APP) and expandable graphite (EG) were added into the ABS to prepare ABS composites, and the effects of different compositions on the flame retardancy and mechanical properties of the ABS composites were investigated. The results showed that, when adding 5 g of O-CaMgAl-LDHs, 1 g of APP, and 14 g of EG into 40 g of ABS, the LOI of the ABS composite reached 28.8%, and the composite prepared could meet the V-0 grade requirements of the UL-94 combustion test, while the flexural strength decreased only 21.9% compared to pure ABS, the smallest decrease compared to all of the other composites.

karmoisin and cardinal ortholog genes participate in the ommochrome synthesis of Nilaparvata lugens (Hemiptera: Delphacidae).

Ommochrome is the major source for eye coloration of all insect species so far examined. Phenoxazinone synthetase (PHS) has always been regarded as the terminal step enzyme for ommochrome formation, which is encoded by cardinal or karmoisin genes. Our previous study indicated that the karmoisin ortholog gene (Nl-karmoisin) product in the brown planthopper (BPH) was a monocarboxylate transporter, while not a PHS. Here, based on full-length complementary DNA, the cardinal ortholog gene in BPH (Nl-cardinal) product was predicted to be a haem peroxidase rather than a PHS. We suggest for the first time that neither karmoisin nor cardinal encodes the PHS, but whether PHS participates in BPH eye pigmentation needs further research. Nymphal RNA interference (RNAi) experiments showed that knockdown Nl-cardinal transcript led the BPH ocelli and compound eye to color change from brown to red, while knockdown Nl-karmoisin only made the ocelli present the red phenotype. Notably, not only the Nl-cardinal transcript, dscd injection (Nl-cardinal targeting double-stranded DNA (dsRNA)) also significantly reduced the Nl-karmoisin transcript by 33.7%, while dska (Nl-karmoisin targeting dsRNA) injection did not significantly change the Nl-cardinal transcript. Considering the above RNAi and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction results, we propose that Nl-cardinal plays a more important role in ommochrome synthesis than Nl-karmoisin, and it may be an upstream gene of Nl-karmoisin. The present study suggested that both karmoisin and cardinal ortholog genes play a role in ommochrome synthesis in a hemimetabolous insect.

Effects of temperature on fitness costs in chlorpyrifos-resistant brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens (Hemiptera: Delphacidae).

Insecticide resistance is inevitable if an insecticide is widely used to control insect pests. Fortunately, the resistance-associated fitness costs often give chances to manage resistances. In most cases, the fitness cost in resistant insects is often evaluated under laboratory conditions for insect development, which limits its practical application in pest control in the field. In a laboratory population R9 with 253-fold resistance to chlorpyrifos after nine-generation selection with chlorpyrifos, the relative fitness was only 0.206 under laboratory conditions (25°C, humidity 70%-80% and 16 h light/8 h dark photoperiod), when compared to S9, a susceptible counterpart (resistance ratio = 2.25-fold) from the same origin as R9 but without any selection with insecticides. Temperatures varied the resistance-associated fitness costs, with enhanced costs at high temperatures and reduced costs at low temperatures, such as 0.174 at 32°C and 0.527 at 18°C. The copulation rate and fecundity were two key factors for the reduced costs at low temperatures. Another finding was that R9 individuals needed much more time to recover from heat shock than that of S9, but R9 and S9 individuals were similarly sensitive to cold shock. The low fitness cost at low temperatures would increase the overwintering population, which might further increase risks of rapid development and widespread distribution of chlorpyrifos resistance in Nilaparvata lugens.

Anti-proliferative ambuic acid derivatives from Hawaiian endophytic fungus Pestalotiopsis sp. FT172.

Five previously undescribed ambuic acid derivatives, pestallic acids A-E and three known analogs were isolated from the cultured broth of Pestalotiopsis sp. FT172. The structures of the pestallic acids A-E were determined through the analysis of HRMS and NMR spectroscopic data. The absolute configurations (ACs) of pestallic acids B-E were assigned by comparison of the experimental electric circular dichroism (ECD) spectra or the optical rotations with those in the literature. All compounds were tested against A2780 and cisplatin resistant A2780 (A2780CisR) cell lines. Pestallic acid E and (+)-ambuic acid showed potent activities with IC50 values from 3.3 to 17.0 µM.

Functional characterization of GmBZL2 (AtBZR1 like gene) reveals the conserved BR signaling regulation in Glycine max.

Brassinosteroids (BRs) play key roles in plant growth and development, and regulate various agricultural traits. Enhanced BR signaling leads to increased seed number and yield in Arabidopsis bzr1-1D (AtBZR1(P234L), gain-of-function mutant of the important transcription factor in BR signaling/effects). BR signal transduction pathway is well elucidated in Arabidopsis but less known in other species. Soybean is an important dicot crop producing edible oil and protein. Phylogenetic analysis reveals AtBZR1-like genes are highly conserved in angiosperm and there are 4 orthologues in soybean (GmBZL1-4). We here report the functional characterization of GmBZL2 (relatively highly expresses in flowers). The P234 site in AtBZR1 is conserved in GmBZL2 (P216) and mutation of GmBZL2(P216L) leads to GmBZL2 accumulation. GmBZL2(P216L) (GmBZL2*) in Arabidopsis results in enhanced BR signaling; including increased seed number per silique. GmBZL2* partially rescued the defects of bri1-5, further demonstrating the conserved function of GmBZL2 with AtBZR1. BR treatment promotes the accumulation, nuclear localization and dephosphorylation/phosphorylation ratio of GmBZL2, revealing that GmBZL2 activity is regulated conservatively by BR signaling. Our studies not only indicate the conserved regulatory mechanism of GmBZL2 and BR signaling pathway in soybean, but also suggest the potential application of GmBZL2 in soybean seed yield.

Meroterpenoids with Antiproliferative Activity from a Hawaiian-Plant Associated Fungus Peyronellaea coffeae-arabicae FT238.

Three unusual polyketide-sesquiterpene metabolites peyronellins A-C (1-3), along with the new epoxyphomalin analog 11-dehydroxy epoxyphomalin A (4), have been isolated from the endophytic fungus Peyronellaea coffeae-arabicae FT238, which was isolated from the native Hawaiian plant Pritchardia lowreyana. The structures of compounds 1-4 were characterized based on NMR and MS spectroscopic analysis. The absolute configuration (AC) of the compounds was determined by electronic circular dichroism (ECD). Compound 4 showed antiproliferative activity with an IC50 of 0.5 µM against OVCAR3, and it also strongly inhibited Stat3 at 5 µM.

Arabidopsis PROTEASOME REGULATOR1 is required for auxin-mediated suppression of proteasome activity and regulates auxin signalling.

The plant hormone auxin is perceived by the nuclear F-box protein TIR1 receptor family and regulates gene expression through degradation of Aux/IAA transcriptional repressors. Several studies have revealed the importance of the proteasome in auxin signalling, but details on how the proteolytic machinery is regulated and how this relates to degradation of Aux/IAA proteins remains unclear. Here we show that an Arabidopsis homologue of the proteasome inhibitor PI31, which we name PROTEASOME REGULATOR1 (PTRE1), is a positive regulator of the 26S proteasome. Loss-of-function ptre1 mutants are insensitive to auxin-mediated suppression of proteasome activity, show diminished auxin-induced degradation of Aux/IAA proteins and display auxin-related phenotypes. We found that auxin alters the subcellular localization of PTRE1, suggesting this may be part of the mechanism by which it reduces proteasome activity. Based on these results, we propose that auxin regulates proteasome activity via PTRE1 to fine-tune the homoeostasis of Aux/IAA repressor proteins thus modifying auxin activity.

Eremophilane sesquiterpenes from Hawaiian endophytic fungus Chaetoconis sp. FT087.

Seven sesquiterpene derivatives, including chaetopenoids A-F and dendryphiellin A1, and 6-methyl-(2E, 4E, 6S) octadienoic acid were isolated from the culture broth of Chaetoconis sp. FT087. Their structures were determined through the analysis of HRMS and NMR spectroscopic data. The absolute configurations of chaetopenoids A-D were elucidated by comparison of their CD and optical rotation data with those in the literature. Chaetopenoids A-C and E belong to the eremophilane type of sesquiterpenoids, while chaetopenoids D and F and dendryphiellin A1 have a trinor-eremophilane skeleton. All compounds were tested against A2780 and cisplatin resistant A2780CisR cell lines, and dendryphiellin A1 was moderately active with IC50 values of 6.6 and 9.1 µg/mL, respectively.

A New Metabolite with a Unique 4-Pyranone-γ-Lactam-1,4-Thiazine Moiety from a Hawaiian-Plant Associated Fungus.

An endophytic fungus Paraphaeosphaeria neglecta FT462 isolated from the Hawaiian-plant Lycopodiella cernua (L.) Pic. Serm produced one unusual compound (1, paraphaeosphaeride A) with the 4-pyranone-γ-lactam-1,4-thiazine moiety, along with two new compounds (2 and 3, paraphaeosphaerides B and C, respectively) and the known compound (4). Compounds 1-3 were characterized by NMR and MS spectroscopic analysis. The absolute configuration of the 3-position of compound 1 was determined as S by electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations. Compound 3 also showed STAT3 inhibition at 10 µM.

Bisphenol A and hormone-associated cancers: current progress and perspectives.

Bisphenol A (BPA), a carbon-based synthetic compound, exhibits hormone-like properties and is present ubiquitously in the environment and in human tissues due to its widespread use and biological accumulation. BPA can mimic estrogen to interact with estrogen receptors α and ß, leading to changes in cell proliferation, apoptosis, or migration and thereby, contributing to cancer development and progression. At the genetic level, BPA has been shown to be involved in multiple oncogenic signaling pathways, such as the STAT3, MAPK, and PI3K/AKT pathways. Moreover, BPA may also interact with other steroid receptors (such as androgen receptor) and plays a role in prostate cancer development. This review summarizes the current literature regarding human exposure to BPA, the endocrine-disrupting effects of BPA, and the role of BPA in hormone-associated cancers of the breast, ovary, and prostate.

Biological and biochemical characterization of a red-eye mutant in Nilaparvata lugens (Hemiptera: Delphacidae).

A red-eye colony was established in our laboratory in brown planthopper (BPH), Nilaparvata lugens (Stål), a major rice pest in Asia. Except for the red-eye phenotype, no other differences were observed between the wild-type (brown eye) and the mutant-type (red eye) in external characters. Genetic analysis revealed that the red-eye phenotype was controlled by a single autosomal recessive allele. Biological studies found that egg production and egg viability in the red-eye mutant colony were not significantly different from those in the wild-type BPH. Biochemical analysis and electronic microscopy examination revealed that the red-eye mutants contained decreased levels of both xanthommatin (brown) and pteridine (red) and reduced number of pigment granules. Thus, the changes of amount and ratio of the two pigments is the biochemical basis of this red-eye mutation. Our results indicate that the red-eye mutant gene (red) might be involved in one common gene locus shared by the two pigments in pigment transportation, pigment granule formation or some other processes.

Symptomatic hyponatremia and hyperglycemia complicating hysteroscopic resection of intrauterine adhesion: a case report.

Hysteroscopic surgery is a minimally invasive procedure for the treatment of intrauterine pathologies. However, it can result in fatal complications. We herein report a case of symptomatic hyponatremia and hyperglycemia during hysteroscopic resection of severe intrauterine adhesion with 5% dextrose in water as the distension medium. Because of the difficulty of the incision, the infusion pressure was 100 to 150 mmHg, and surgery was continued for 70 minutes. A total of 19 L of 5% dextrose in water was used as an irrigating fluid. Large-scale absorption of irrigating fluid (3 L) induced dilutional hyponatremia (120 mmol/L) and hyperglycemia (30 mmol/L). Initial signs were abnormal flatulence and postoperative coma. Hypertonic saline, diuretics, insulin, and liquid restriction were the prevailing treatment strategies for hyponatremia and hyperglycemia. Ionized calcium and potassium levels decreased during treatment. We emphasize the importance of prevention, recognition, and a meticulous perioperative treatment standard. Surgical teams must be vigilant in fluid deficit monitoring and serum electrolyte analysis.

Predisposing factors, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of cerebral venous thrombosis during pregnancy and postpartum: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Previous investigations have demonstrated a relatively low incidence of stroke among young women, though both pregnancy and delivery can substantially increase the risk. Cerebral venous thrombosis may manifest different characteristics during pregnancy and postpartum as a result of their specific physiological statuses. This study aimed to identify the clinical manifestations, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of cerebral venous thrombosis during pregnancy and postpartum. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 22 patients with cerebral venous thrombosis who were assigned to either group A (during pregnancy) or group B (during postpartum). The relevant risk factors, initiation and development of the disease, clinical presentations, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis were compared between the two stages. RESULTS: Cerebral venous thrombosis occurred during both pregnancy and postpartum, but was more common postpartum. Patients in group A had a longer hospitalization period than those in group B. Confirmed predisposing factors in 85.7% of patients of group A were dehydration, infection, and underlying cerebrovascular disorders. No obvious predisposing factors were identified in group B. The most frequent symptom was headache, with epileptic seizures, hemiparalysis and aphasia being less frequent symptoms. Focal neurological symptoms (P = 0.022) and cerebral infarction (P = 0.014) occurred more frequently in group A than in group B. Anticoagulation therapy proved to be safe for cerebral venous thrombosis patients during puerperium, regardless of parenchymal hemorrhage. However, more attention should be paid to spontaneous in-site placental hemorrhage in pregnant patients. Both groups had similar prognoses (P = 1.000), with 36.3% patients suffering from consequential dysfunction or recurrent intracranial hypertension. Delayed diagnosis was associated with a poorer prognosis. CONCLUSIONS: Cerebral venous thrombosis manifests different clinical characteristics during pregnancy and postpartum, though both have a good prognosis. Early diagnosis and prompt anticoagulation therapy are essential.

[Combination of methotrexate injection through hysteroscopic tubal catheterization and mifepristone per os in the conservative treatment of tubal pregnancy].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the value of the combination of methotrexate(MTX) injection through hysteroscopic tubal catheterization and mifepristone per os in the conservative treatment of tubal pregnancy. METHODS: Forty patients who met the criteria of conservative treatment were enrolled in this study and received the combined therapy of MTX 50 mg/d injection through hysteroscopic tubal catheterization and oral mifepristone 100mg/d for 5 days. RESULTS: Of these 40 patients, 38 (95.0%) were cured. The human chorionic gonadotropin decreased to normal level within 3-48 days. The masses disappeared within 16-65 days. The menstruation returned normal within 28-42 days. No obvious side effect was observed. Of 30 patients who underwent hydrotubation through hysteroscopy three months later, 12 patients were unobstructed, 2 patients were completely obstructed, and 16 patients were partially obstructed. Five patients had full-term deliveries up to this report. CONCLUSION: The combination of MTX injection through hysteroscopic tubal catheterization and mifepristone per os is safe and effective for early tubal pregnancy.

Fourteen polymorphic microsatellite markers for the fungal banana pathogen Mycosphaerella fijiensis.

Fourteen polymorphic microsatellite markers were developed for Mycosphaerella fijiensis, a fungus causing the black sigatoka disease in banana. The sequenced genome of M. fijiensis was screened for sequences with single sequence repeats (SSRs) using a Perl script. Fourteen SSR loci, evaluated on 48 M. fijiensis isolates from Hawaii, were identified to be highly polymorphic. These markers revealed two to 19 alleles, with an average of 6.43 alleles per locus. The estimated gene diversity ranged from 0.091 to 0.930 across the 14 microsatellite loci. The SSR markers developed would be useful for population genetics studies of M. fijiensis.