[Clinical effect of allogeneic peroneal bone marrow support combined with plate fixation for the treatment of Neer type â £ proximal humeral fractures].

OBJECTIVE: To explore clinical effect of allogeneic peroneal bone marrow support combined with plate internal fixation in treating Neer type Ⅳproximal humeral fractures. METHODS: From December 2017 to December 2020,12 patients with Neer type Ⅳ proximal humeral fractures were treated with allogeneic peroneal bone marrow support combined with plate internal fixation,including 7 males and 5 females,aged from 56 to 78 years old;the time from injury to operation ranged from 1 to7 days. Operative time,fracture healing time and complications during follow-up were observed,and clinical efficacy was evaluated by Constant-Murley score at the latest follow-up. RESULTS: All patients were obtained follow up for 20 to 29 months. All patients got bone healing and incisicons were healed at stageⅠ,operative time ranged from 95 to 138 min,blood loss ranged from 210 to 275 ml,fracture healing time ranged from 14 to 18 weeks. Two patients occurred postoperative shoulder stiffness and recovered after 2 weeks of passive exercise. There were no complications such as infection,poor wound healing,and failure (fracture and loosening) of internal fixators occurred. Constant-Murley shoulder function score ranged from 69 to 89 at the latest follow up,2 patients got excellent results,9 good and 1 fair. CONCLUSION: The application of allogeneic fibular bone marrow placement could provide effective support for medial humerus,which is conducive to assisting reduction of fracture end,reducing occurrence of internal fixation failure caused by collapse of humerus head and screw perforation,and significantly improving function of shoulder joint.

Proteome Analysis of Male Accessory Gland Secretions in the Diamondback Moth, Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae).

In insects, male accessory gland proteins (ACPs) are important reproductive proteins secreted by male accessory glands (MAGs) of the internal male reproductive system. During mating, ACPs are transferred along with sperms inside female bodies and have a significant impact on the post-mating physiology changes of the females. Under sexual selection pressures, the ACPs exhibit remarkably rapid and divergent evolution and vary from species to species. The diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), is a major insect pest of cruciferous vegetables worldwide. Mating has a profound impact on the females' behavior and physiology in this species. It is still unclear what the ACPs are in this species. In this study, two different proteomic methods were used to identify ACPs in P. xylostella. The proteins of MAGs were compared immediately before and after mating by using a tandem mass tags (TMT) quantitative proteomic analysis. The proteomes of copulatory bursas (CB) in mated females shortly after mating were also analyzed by the shotgun LC-MS/MS technique. In total, we identified 123 putative secreted ACPs. Comparing P. xylostella with other four insect ACPs, trypsins were the only ACPs detected in all insect species. We also identified some new insect ACPs, including proteins with chitin binding Peritrophin-A domain, PMP-22/ EMP/ MP20/ Claudin tight junction domain-containing protein, netrin-1, type II inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate 5-phosphatase, two spaetzles, allatostatin-CC, and cuticular protein. This is the first time that ACPs have been identified and analyzed in P. xylostella. Our results have provided an important list of putative secreted ACPs, and have set the stage for further exploration of the functions of these putative proteins in P. xylostella reproduction.

Analysis laboratory results of three cases of COVID-19 complicated with falciparum malaria / 中国热带医学

@#Abstract: Objective　To analyze the laboratory indexes of patients infected with malaria patients and COVID-19, so as to provide reliable evidence for the diagnosis of mixed infection of both. Methods　The routine clinical laboratory items such as routine blood, biochemistry and lymphocyte subsets were tested in three cases of COVID-19 complicated with falciparum malaria who admitted to Guangzhou Eighth People's Hospital Affiliated to Guangzhou Medical University from July to December 2020 were tested. Laboratory data were stage-wise analyzed in conjunction with changes in the course of disease. Results　Three patients confirmed COVID-19 infection recruited all had malaria infection history. Fever, headache, and other symptoms emerged on the 4rd to 11th day after admission. Malaria parasite was detected by malaria parasite antigen testing and blood smear testing, and all three patients had re-ignition of malaria after being confirmed COVID-19 infection. In the early stage of malaria relapse, lymphocytes decreased, CRP and SAA increased, and gradually returned to normal level after antimalarial treatment. Interestingly, we only found one patient at the initial stage of malaria detection showed PLT decreased, no other unnormal changes in other routine blood results (WBC, ESO) and liver function results (ALT, AST, GGT, TBIL, DBIL, CG) were found from the beginning to end course of the disease. Conclusion　COVID-19 infection may promote the resurgence of malaria, so the relapse of malaria should be monitored especially for the patient with malaria infection history who begin to develop fever and other symptoms a few days after the diagnosis of COVID-19. The inflammatory indicators would be worth able as an auxiliary judgment basis for the effective treatment of the two combined infection.

[Treatment of severe medial tibial bone defect in primary total knee arthroplasty with autogenous bone graft and plate fixation].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the technique of autogenous bone graft combined with plate fixation in total knee arthroplasty(TKA) with severe proximal medial tibial bone defect. METHODS: From March 2012 to October 2018, 21 patients (9 males and 12 females) with severe bone defects in the proximal medial tibia during primary total knee arthroplasty were treated with autogenous structural bone grafting and steel plate fixation, with an age of 61 to 77 years old with an average of (69.6±9.1) years and a course of 64 to 257 months with an average of (73.6±170.7) months. According to Rand classification, there were 13 cases of type Ⅲb and 8 cases of type Ⅳb. Postoperative complications were observed, and knee joint function was evaluated by the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) score and SF-36 quality of life score. RESULTS: All 21 patients were followed up for 37 to 64 months with an average of (49.5±13.7) months. The incisions of all patients healed smoothly, and 2 patients developed lower limb intermuscular venous plexus thrombosis after operation. There were no periprosthetic infection, loosening of prosthesis and other complications. The autogenous bone grafts of all patients achieved bony healing during postoperative X-ray follow-up, and the healing time was 8 to 13 months with an average of (10.1±2.3) months. The HSS score of patients increased significantly from 30 to 48 with an average of (53.4±4.2) before operation to 75 to 92 with an average of (81.2±8.4) at the final follow-up (P<0.05). The SF-36 quality of life score of patients after operation was significantly different from that before operation (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The technique of autogenous bone graft combined with steel plate fixation can achieve satisfactory osseointegration effect in the treatment of severe proximal tibial bone defects in primary knee arthroplasty, with less complications and obvious improvement in knee function.

Effects of Crop Resistance on the Tritrophic Interactions between Wheat Lines, Schizaphis graminum (Hemitera: Aphididae), and Propylaea japonica (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae).

Crop resistance and biological control are both considered efficient and environmentally friendly methods of sustainable pest control. In this study, we aimed at investigating the direct influence of four wheat lines with varying resistance level on the life-history traits of the greenbug, Schizaphis graminum, and the mediational effect on the functional response of a predatory ladybird, Propylaea japonica, under laboratory conditions. Results showed that the aphid fitness was the lowest for aphids that had been feeding on wheat line '98-10-19' for one year. These aphids had the longest development time, and least adult mass, minimal mean relative growth rate, and lowest reproductive fitness. In contrast, the aphids that fed on wheat line '98-10-30' were the fittest, with the shortest development time and highest levels of reproductive fitness. The predatory activities of the ladybeetle, especially the adult male significantly decreased following the consumption of aphids belonging to the '98-10-19'-acclimated population. However, there were no significant differences in predatory efficiency (net attack frequency) among the four aphid acclimated populations. Our results showed that the wheat line '98-10-19' has a relative higher resistance to S. graminum than the other three wheat lines, which could further decrease the amount of prey available for consumption. However, the ecological effect of the resistance of '98-10-19' to S. graminum posed no negative influence on the biocontrol potential of P. japonica to these aphids, as their predatory efficiency increases at the fourth instar larvae phase.

[Total hip arthroplasty for unstable intertrochanteric fractures with necrosis of the femoral head:a 7-year follow-up].

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the result and long time follow-up of unstable intertrochanteric fracture combined with avascular necrosis of femoral head treated by total hip arthroplasty. METHODS: From March 2008 to October 2014, 23 cases were enrolled and treated by total hip arthroplasty, including 10 males and 13 females, aged 59 to 82 years old with an average of(68.4±10.4) years old. There were 8 cases of type Ⅱa fractures, 6 cases of type Ⅱb fractures, 9 cases of type Ⅲ fractures according to Evans Classification. There were 3 cases of type Ⅱa, 3 cases of type Ⅱb, 9 cases of type Ⅲ, 8 cases type Ⅳaccording to Ficat Classification. The complications were recorded, the joint function was evaluated by Harris score and prosthesis survival rate was analysed. RESULTS: Postoperative complications occurred in 2 cases, one patient had acute periprosthetic infection 3 months after operation, and one patient had hip dislocation 3 months after operation. All 23 patients were followed up for 61 to 110 months with an agerage of (85.1±22.9) months. The Harris score at the final follow-up was 83 to 92 months with an average of(89.8±5.2) months, which was significantly different from that before operation (P<0.05). Imaging showed that all patients had bone healing of intertrochanteric fractures. The 7-year survival rate of prosthesis in 23 patients was 95.7%. CONCLUSION: The symptoms of unstable intertrochanteric fracture combined with avascular necrosis of femoral head could be solved by total hip arthroplasty, and the long time result was satisfied.

[Case-control study on carpal canal endoscopy and arthroscopy for the treatment of plantar fasciopathy].

OBJECTIVE: To explore clinical effects of carpal canal endoscopy in treating patients with plantar fasciopathy who failed by conservative treatment. METHODS: From August 2018 to August 2019, 50 patients with plantar fascia were divided into two groups and 25 patients in each group. In carpal canal endoscopy group, included 11 males and 14 females, aged from 39 to 67 years old with an average of(57.7±6.4) years old;carpal canal endoscopy was used to plantar fascia release. In arthroscopy group, included 9 males and 16 females, aged from 41 to 73 years old with an average of (58.1±7.2) years old;conventional 4.0 mm arthroscopy Instruments was used to plantar fascia release. Operation time, hospitalization expense and postoperative complications between two groups were observed and compared. Postoperative visual analogue scale(VAS) and American Orthopedic Foot Ankle Society (AOFAS) score were used to evaluate clinical function. RESULTS: All patients were followed up from 12 to 18 months with an average of (14.3±2.1) months. There were significant differentces in operation time and hospitalization expense between two groups (P<0.05). Surgical incision healed well in carpal canal endoscopy group, and 2 patients delayed union in arthroscopy group, and no difference between two groups (P>0.05). There were no statistical differences in VAS, AOFAS and grading between two groups at 12 months after operation(P>0.05). CONCLUSION: The outcome of carpal canal endoscopy and arthroscopy has similar effects in treating plantar fascia. While carpal canal endoscopy has advantages of need not perfusion during opertaion, protect soft tissue well, less operation time, and lower cost.

[Application of extended trochanter osteotomy wire fixation combined with autologous bone graft in revision of total hip arthroplasty].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical effect of using lengthened trochanteric osteotomy wire fixation combined with autologous bone graft in patients undergoing revision total hip arthroplasty. METHODS: From December 2010 to December 2018, 18 patients underwent revision of total hip arthroplasty with extended trochanteric osteotomy wire fixation and autogenous bone graft, including 8 males and 10 females with an average age of (78.89±3.32) years old ranging from 68 to 82 years. The time from the initial replacement to the revision was 9 to 22 (16.33±2.93) years. The patients were followed up regularly after operation. The healing time of osteotomy, the time of full weight-bearing activity, Harris score of hip joint and complications were recorded. RESULTS: All 18 patients were followed up for 16 to 38 months with an average of (25.78±6.65) months. The incision length was 16 to 21 cm with an average of (18.89±1.32) cm; the operation time was 105 to 128 min with an average of (115.44±6.59) min, the bleeding volume was 240 to 285 ml with an average of (267.44±13.77) ml. The healing time of osteotomy was 12 to 18 weeks with an average of (15.61±1.75) weeks. Harris score of hip joint was (47.11±5.04) before operation, (76.39±3.85) during full weight-bearing activities, and (82.22±2.76) at the final follow-up(P<0.05). During the follow-up period, there were no complications such as limb shortening, infection, poor incision healing, prosthesis loosening and sinking, and periprosthetic fracture. CONCLUSION: In revision total hip arthroplasty, the use of extended trochanteric osteotomy wire fixation combined with autologous bone graft can achieve satisfactory clinical results, but the surgeon needs to make a systematic plan for the pre-revision, intraoperative and postoperative recovery.

Downregulation of NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase via RNA interference increases the susceptibility of Acyrthosiphon pisum to desiccation and insecticides.

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH)-cytochrome P450 reductase (CPR) is involved in the metabolism of endogenous and exogenous substances, and detoxification of insecticides. RNA interference (RNAi) of CPR in certain insects causes developmental defects and enhanced susceptibility to insecticides. However, the CPR of Acyrthosiphon pisum has not been characterized, and its function is still not understood. In this study, we investigated the biochemical functions of A. pisum CPR (ApCPR). ApCPR was found to be transcribed in all developmental stages and was abundant in the embryo stage, and in the gut, head, and abdominal cuticle. After optimizing the dose and silencing duration of RNAi for downregulating ApCPR, we found that ApCPR suppression resulted in a significant decrease in the production of cuticular and internal hydrocarbon contents, and of cuticular waxy coatings. Deficiency in cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) decreased the survival rate of A. pisum under desiccation stress and increased its susceptibility to contact insecticides. Moreover, desiccation stress induced a significant increase in ApCPR mRNA levels. We further confirmed that ApCPR participates in CHC production. These results indicate that ApCPR modulates CHC production, desiccation tolerance, and insecticide susceptibility in A. pisum, and presents a novel target for pest control.

Two putative fatty acid synthetic genes of BgFas3 and BgElo1 are responsible for respiratory waterproofing in Blattella germanica.

Water retention is critical for physiological homeostasis and survival in terrestrial insects. While deposition of hydrocarbons on insect cuticles as a key measure for water conservation has been extensively investigated, we know little about other mechanisms for preventing water loss in insects. Here, we report two fatty acid synthetic genes that are independent of hydrocarbon production but crucial for water retention in the German cockroach Blattella germanica (L.). First, an integument enriched fatty acid elongase gene (BgElo1) was identified as a critical gene for desiccation resistance in B. germanica; however, knockdown of BgElo1 surprisingly failed to cause a decline in cuticular lipids. In addition, RNA interference (RNAi)-knockdown of an upstream fatty acid synthase gene (BgFas3) showed a similar phenotype, and transmission electron microscopy analysis revealed that BgFas3- or BgElo1-RNAi did not affect cuticle architecture. Bodyweight loss test showed that repression of BgFas3 and BgElo1 significantly increased the weight loss rate, but the difference disappeared when the respiration was closed by freeze killing the cockroaches. A water immersion test was performed, and we found that BgFas3- and BgElo1-RNAi made it difficult for cockroaches to recover from drowning, which was supported by the upregulation of hypoxia-related genes after a 10-h recovery from drowning. Moreover, a dyeing assay with water-soluble Eosin Y showed that this was caused by the entry of water into the respiratory system. Our research suggests that BgFas3 and BgElo1 are required for both inward and outward waterproofing of the respiratory system. This study benefits the understanding of water retention mechanisms in insects.

[Value of quantitative CT in vertebroplasty for osteoporotic fracture combined with scoliosis].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the value of lumbar quantitative CT (QCT) in vertebroplasty for osteoporotic fracture combined with scoliosis. METHODS: The clinical data of 60 patients with osteoporotic fractures combined with different degrees of scoliosis treated by vertebroplasty from December 2017 to December 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 18 males and 42 females, aged from 65 to 81 (72.63±3.34)years old. All patients were received QCT examination before surgery. According to the QCT value, the patients were divided into osteopenia group(QCT>80 g/L, 10 cases, 12 vertebrae), osteoporosis group(QCT 40-80 g/L, 35 cases, 48 vertebrae) and severe osteoporosis group(QCT<40 g/L, 15 cases, 22 vertebrae). The dispersion and leakage of bone cement in the injured vertebrae of patients with different degrees of QCT value were observed, and the QCT value in the selection of puncture point, correction of Cobb angle and recovery of vertebral height were analyzed in the patients. RESULTS: Among 60 cases of 82 vertebrae, 41 cases of 55 vertebrae were punctured by concave unilateral puncture, according for 67.07%. Among them, there were 2 cases with 2 vertebrae in osteopenia group, 26 cases with 35 vertebrae in osteoporosis group, and 13 cases with 18 vertebrae in severe osteoporosis group. There was significant difference in the number of cases with unilateral or bilateral puncture among the three groups (χ2=13.699, P=0.001); there was no significant difference in the number of cases with bone cement leakage among the three groups (χ2=1.403, P=0.496). The Cobb angle of scoliosis was significantly differentbetween preoperative and postoperative follow-up(P<0.05);the height of injured vertebral body was significantly different between preoperative and postoperative follow-up (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: For patients with osteoporotic fracture combined with scoliosis undergoing vertebroplasty, the severity of osteoporosis should be determined according to lumbar QCT detection, and the concave side of scoliosis should be selected for puncture, which is conducive to improving scoliosis, restoring spinal stability and improving surgical safety.

Multi-generational Effects of Different Resistant Wheat Varieties on Fitness of Sitobion avenae (Hemiptera: Aphididae).

Crop resistance plays a role in preventing aphid damage, benefiting food production industries, but its effects are limited due to aphid adaptation and phenotypic plasticity. Therefore, furthering understanding of aphid-crop interactions will improve our ability to protect crops from aphids. To determine how aphids adapt to resistant varieties of wheat, Triticum aestivum L. over time, we performed a laboratory experiment to assess the multi-generational effects of three wheat varieties, Batis, Ww2730, and Xiaoyan22, with different resistance levels on the fitness of Sitobion avenae (Fab.) (Hemiptera: Aphididae). The results showed that Ww2730 and Xiaoyan22 were more resistant than Batis to S. avenae, regardless of whether the aphids were newly introduced or had been acclimated before being introduced to the three wheat varieties. However, the effect of resistance on aphid life-history traits was time dependent. Aphid weigh gain increased and they development faster of the acclimated generation compared to the newly introduced generation on all three varieties. And the fecundity on the three varieties and net reproduction rates on Batis and Xiaoyan22 significantly decreased. Aphid fitness in terms of individual life-history parameters improved, whereas aphid fitness in terms of reproductive decreased, and a convergence effect, the difference gaps and standard errors of all life-history traits among the three acclimated populations had narrowed and were less than those in the three first-generation populations, was observed during the 3-mo experimental period. We suggested that S. avenae could rapidly respond to wheat resistance through life-history plasticity.

Modulation of fatty acid elongation in cockroaches sustains sexually dimorphic hydrocarbons and female attractiveness.

Insect cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) serve as important intersexual signaling chemicals and generally show variation between the sexes, but little is known about the generation of sexually dimorphic hydrocarbons (SDHCs) in insects. In this study, we report the molecular mechanism and biological significance that underlie the generation of SDHC in the German cockroach Blattella germanica. Sexually mature females possess more C29 CHCs, especially the contact sex pheromone precursor 3,11-DimeC29. RNA interference (RNAi) screen against the fatty acid elongase family members combined with heterologous expression of the genes in yeast revealed that both BgElo12 and BgElo24 were involved in hydrocarbon (HC) production, but BgElo24 is of wide catalytic activities and is able to provide substrates for BgElo12, and only the female-enriched BgElo12 is responsible for sustaining female-specific HC profile. Repressing BgElo12 masculinized the female CHC profile, decreased contact sex pheromone level, and consequently reduced the sexual attractiveness of female cockroaches. Moreover, the asymmetric expression of BgElo12 between the sexes is modulated by sex differentiation cascade. Specifically, male-specific BgDsx represses the transcription of BgElo12 in males, while BgTra is able to remove this effect in females. Our study reveals a novel molecular mechanism responsible for the formation of SDHCs and also provide evidences on shaping of the SDHCs by sexual selection, as females use them to generate high levels of contact sex pheromone.

[Effect of double plate technique combined with autogenous iliac bone graft in the treatment of femoral nonunion after intramedullary nailing].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical effect of double plate combined with iliac bone graft in the treatment of femoral nonunion after intramedullary nailing. METHODS: From December 2008 to December 2017, double plate combined with autogenous iliac bone graft was used to treat femoral nonunion after intramedullary nailing. There were 11 cases, including 10 males and 1 female, aged 35 to 62 years, and the time from fracture to nonunion was 12 to 20 months. According to Judet classification, there were 8 cases of atrophic nonunion and 3 cases of proliferative nonunion. Regular follow-up was conducted after operation to record the fracture healing time, load-bearing activity time and complications, and to observe the repair effect of double plate fixation combined with iliac bone graft on nonunion after femoral shaft fracture operation. RESULTS: All patients were followed up for 12 to 22 months. The operation time was 70 to 130 min and the blood loss was 180 to 350 ml. After operation, 2 cases had knee stiffness, which recovered after passive exercise with CPM machine for 2 weeks;1 case had pain in iliac bone donor area, which was relieved after 3 months. The time of fracture healing was 24 to 40 weeks, and the time of complete weight-bearing activity was 14 to 32 weeks. SF-36 quality of life score at the final follow-up:body pain 70 to 82, activty 70 to 82, social function 72 to 83, the overall health 72 to 82. At the end of the follow-up, there were no complications such as limb shortening, infection, poor wound healing, internal fixation failure (fracture, loosening). CONCLUSION: It is an effective method to treat nonunion of femur after intramedullary nailing by using double plate combined with autogenous iliac bone graft.

Performance and Transcriptional Response of the Green Peach Aphid Myzus persicae to the Restriction of Dietary Amino Acids.

Free amino acids in the phloem sap are the dominant nitrogen source for aphids, but their availability is usually poor. Although some studies have explored the effect of dietary amino acid restriction on aphid performance, little is known about the molecular basis of these effects. Here, we examined the performance and transcriptome of the green peach aphid, Myzus persicae, fed a standard diet (Control diet) or a diet containing 50% of the total amino acids of the Control diet (Half diet). Aphid weight and fecundity were significantly reduced in the Half diet group. Transcriptomic analysis showed that a total of 1460 genes were differentially expressed between the groups were fed on the two diets, which many of them were associated with nutrient and energy metabolism. When feeding on the Half diet, aphids upregulated genes associated with the amino acid biosynthetic pathway (predominantly amino acid biosynthesis genes and some amino acid transporter genes) as well as the cysteine and serine protease genes. Furthermore, these aphids displayed increased expression of genes associated with glycolysis, which could generate intermediates for de novo amino acid biosynthesis. Consistent with this, elevated glucose levels were observed in aphids in the Half diet group. Additionally, the expression levels of several genes associated with hormonal signaling pathway were altered. Several genes related to juvenile hormone and insulin-like peptide (ILP) signaling were downregulated, including Krüppel homolog 1 (Kr-h1) and insulin-like peptide 5 (Ilp5), respectively. In contrast, several genes related to ecdysone signaling were upregulated including broad-complex core protein (Br-c) and shade (Shd). Despite their poor performances, M. persicae adapted to dietary restriction of amino acids, through upregulation of genes involved in amino acid biosynthesis, glycolysis, and protein degradation, as well as by altering the expression level of genes involved in hormone signaling pathways.

Both LmCYP4G genes function in decreasing cuticular penetration of insecticides in Locusta migratoria.

BACKGROUND: Cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) have a critical role in preventing desiccation and penetration of xenobiotics in insects. Previous studies have shown that cytochrome P450 subfamily 4G (CYP4G) enzymes are oxidative decarbonylases, essential for CHC biosynthesis. However, it is unclear whether there are functional differences between the two CYP4G genes in most insects. In Locusta migratoria, we identified two CYP4G genes (LmCYP4G62 and LmCYP4G102). LmCYP4G102 plays a critical role in the synthesis of CHCs, but the function of LmCYP4G62 is unknown. RESULTS: We identified, characterized, and compared two LmCYP4G genes, based on L. migratoria transcriptomic and genomic databases. RT-qPCR showed that both were highly expressed in tissues with which oenocytes are associated, the integument and fat body. Immunostaining indicated that LmCYP4G62 and LmCYP4G102 were highly abundant in oenocytes in these tissues. However, the two enzymes had a different subcellular distribution, with LmCYP4G62 localized on the plasma membrane and LmCYP4G102 dispersed throughout the oenocyte cytoplasm, presumably on the endoplasmic reticulum. RNA interference-mediated gene silencing against each of the two genes resulted in reduced CHC contents, in all classes for LmCYP4G102, but mostly shorter chain CHCs for LmCYP4G62. Silencing of both genes resulted in increased insecticide penetration through the cuticle, and increased locust susceptibility to desiccation and insecticides. CONCLUSION: Our studies suggest that both LmCYP4G62 and LmCYP4G102 contribute to hydrocarbon biosynthesis and play key roles in protecting locusts from water loss and insecticide penetration, but they are not fully redundant. Further, the two LmCYP4G genes might be used as new targets for insect pest management. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

The L-DOPA/Dopamine Pathway Transgenerationally Regulates Cuticular Melanization in the Pea Aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum.

Maternal phenotypic regulations between different generations of aphid species help aphids to adapt to environmental challenges. The pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum has been used as a biological model for studies on phenotypic regulation for adaptation, and its alternative phenotypes are typically and physiologically based on maternal effects. We have observed an artificially induced and host-related maternal effect that may be a new aspect to consider in maternal regulation studies using A. pisum. Marked phenotypic changes in the cuticular melanization of daughter A. pisum were detected via tyrosine hydroxylase knockdown in the mothers during their period of host plants alternations. This phenotypic change was found to be both remarkable and repeatable. We performed several studies to understand its regulation and concluded that it may be controlled via the dopamine pathway. The downregulation and phenotypes observed were verified and described in detail. Additionally, based on histological and immunofluorescence analyses, the phenotypic changes caused by cuticular dysplasia were physiologically detected. Furthermore, we found that this abnormal development could not be reversed after birth. Transcriptome sequencing confirmed that this abnormal development represents a systemic developmental failure with numerous transcriptional changes, and chemical interventions suggested that transgenerational signals were not transferred through the nervous system. Our data show that transgenerational regulation (maternal effect) was responsible for the melanization failure. The developmental signals were received by the embryos from the mother aphids and were retained after birth. APTH RNAi disrupted the phenotypic determination process. We demonstrate that non-neuronal dopamine regulation plays a crucial role in the transgenerational phenotypic regulation of A. pisum. These results enhance our understanding of phenotyping via maternal regulation in aphids.

NPC1b as a novel target in controlling the cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera.

BACKGROUND: Insects cannot synthesize sterols and must acquire them from food. The mechanisms underlying how insects uptake dietary sterols are largely unknown except that NPC1b, an integral membrane protein, has been shown to be responsible for dietary cholesterol uptake in Drosophila melanogaster. However, whether NPC1b orthologs in other insect species, particularly the economically important pests, function similarly remains to be determined. RESULTS: In this study, we characterized the function of NPC1b in Helicoverpa armigera, a global pest that causes severe yield losses to many important crops. Limiting dietary cholesterol uptake to insects significantly inhibited food ingestion and weight gain. Compared to the wild-type H. armigera, the CRISPR/Cas9-edited NPC1b mutant larvae were incapable of getting adequate cholesterol and died in their early life stage. Gene expression profile and in situ hybridization analyses indicated that NPC1b was mainly expressed in the midgut where dietary cholesterol was absorbed. Expression of NPC1b was also correlated with the feeding life stages and was especially upregulated during early larval instars. Protein-ligand docking and sequence similarity analyses further demonstrated that NPC1b proteins of lepidopteran insects shared a relatively conserved cholesterol binding region, NPC1b_NTD, which, however, was highly divergent from bees-derived sequences. CONCLUSION: NPC1b was crucial for dietary cholesterol uptake and growth of H. armigera, and therefore could serve as an insecticide target for the development of a novel pest-management approach to control this economically significant insect pest with little off-target effect on bees and sterol-autotrophic animals. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

A Semi-Synthetic Diet and the Potential Important Chemicals for Mythimna separata (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).

Armyworm feeding in large, destructive groups is hugely difficult to control and the oriental armyworm, Mythimna separata (Walk), is one such pest. In this study, we reported a semisynthetic artificial diet for the oriental armyworm. This diet is based on Ritter's diet, a formula developed for Heliothis zea. The survival of M. separata was extremely low and only around 2% insects can reach the adult stage on Ritter's diet. But, it can reach up to 100% if corn leaf powder (CLP) was mixed, and insects grew faster and gained more mass. After testing a set of mixtures of Ritter's diet and CLP, we found that 14.3% was the optimal proportion of CLP for making the artificial diet. We then used chloroform to extract CLP. Insect performance was still much better on Ch-extracted CLP diets than that on Ritter's diet, but it was poorer than that on the diets containing unprocessed CLP, suggesting that the essential factor(s) was only partially extracted from corn leaf. We then used methanol and dichloromethane, two solvents differing in their polarity, to process the extractions and analyzed the extracted chemicals using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Insects had a better performance on dichloromethane-extracted CLP diet in comparison to methanol-extracted one, indicating that the important factor(s) is more prone to methanol extraction. The reported recipe here is useful for the research on M. separata and possibly other grain-crop eating armyworms. The functions of the chemicals extracted from corn leaf tissue can be investigated in the future studies.

[Double plating through different approaches for periprosthetic femoral fracture following total knee arthroplasty].

OBJECTIVE: To study clinical effects of double plating through different approaches for communicated and obvious osteoporosis periprosthetic femoral fracture following total knee arthroplasty(TKA). METHODS: From July 2010 to June 2017, 21 patients with periprosthetic femoral fracture following TKA were divided into two groups according to operative approach. Fifteen patients in medial and lateral double approaches group, including 5 males and 10 females aged from 63 to 79 years old with an average of (67.2±5.9) years old; 11 patients were type 33-A2 and 4 patients were type 33-A3 according to AO-OTA classification; 12 patients injured by falling down and 3 patients by traffic accident; treated with double plating. Six patients in medial parapatellar approach group, including 3 males and 3 females, aged from 61 to 74 years old with an average of (64.6±6.0) years old; 3 patients were type 33-A2 and 3 patients were type 33-A3 according to AO-OTA classification; 5 patients injured by falling down and 1 patient by traffic accident; treated with double plating. Operative time, blood loss, postoperative drainage, fracture healing time were compared between two groups; HSS score and radiology at 3 and 12 months were compared between two groups. RESULTS: All patients were followed up, and the follow-up time of bilateral approaches group ranged from 12 to 18 months with an average of (14.2±2.6 ) months, while the follow-up time of single approach group ranged from 12 to 16 months with an average of (12.6±2.5) months, and there was no statistical difference between two groups. The operative time and postoperative drainage in bilateral approaches group were (107.2±10.4) min and (213.9±30.4) ml, while in sigle approach group was (95.4±12.8) min and (256.8±34.2) ml, and the differences were significant(P<0.05). There were no significant difference in blood loss and fracture healing time(P>0.05). HHS score at 3 and 12 months after operation in bilateral approach were 82.9±5.7 and 84.8±7.1, while in single approach group were 83.6±6.1 and 86.3±6.8; there was no statistical difference in HSS score between two groups(P>0.05). According to HSS score at 12 months after operation, 2 cases got excellent results and 13 good in bilateral approaches group; 1 case got excellent result and 4 good and 1 moderate in single approach group; but there was no statistical difference between two groups (χ²=2.625, P=0.105). There wase no significant differences in complications between bilateral approaches group(2 cases) and single approach group (1 case)(P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Double plating technique for communicated and obvious osteoporosis periprosthetic femoral fracture following TKA could obtain good function of knee joint. The medial parapatellar approach has shorter operative time, while the bilateral approaches had less drainage.