MicroRNA-263b confers imidacloprid resistance in Sitobion miscanthi (Takahashi) by regulating the expression of the nAChRß1 subunit.

The Chinese wheat aphid Sitobion miscanthi (CWA) is an important harmful pest in wheat fields. Imidacloprid plays a critical role in controlling pests with sucking mouthparts. However, imidacloprid-resistant pests have been observed after insecticide overuse. Point mutations and low expression levels of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor ß1 (nAchRß1) subunit are the main imidacloprid-resistant mechanisms. However, the regulatory mechanism underlying nAChRß1 subunit expression is poorly understood. In this study, a target of miR-263b was isolated from the 5'UTR of the nAchRß1 subunit in the CWA. Low expression levels were found in the imidacloprid-resistant strain CWA. Luciferase reporter assays showed that miR-263b could combine with the 5'UTR of the nAChRß1 subunit and suppress its expression by binding to a site in the CWA. Aphids treated with the miR-263b agomir exhibited a significantly reduced abundance of the nAchRß1 subunit and increased imidacloprid resistance. In contrast, aphids treated with the miR-263b antagomir exhibited significantly increased nAchRß1 subunit abundance and decreased imidacloprid resistance. These results provide a basis for an improved understanding of the posttranscriptional regulatory mechanism of the nAChRß1 subunit and further elucidate the function of miRNAs in regulating susceptibility to imidacloprid in the CWA. These results provide a better understanding of the mechanisms of posttranscriptional regulation of nAChRß1 and will be helpful for further studies on the role of miRNAs in the regulation of nAChRß1 subunit resistance in homopteran pests.

[Design and application of auxiliary isolation device of cupping therapy for cross-infection prevention].

An auxiliary isolation device of cupping therapy for cross-infection prevention is designed to reduce the disinfection steps and be against cross transmission. This device is composed of a disposable isolation unit made of fire proof plastic material and a disposable cup-mouth fixator made of elastic material. The disposable isolation unit includes two parts, the cup neck isolation unit and the inner isolation unit of fire cup. These two parts connect with the disposable cup-mouth fixator. All of those three sections of the device are center-connected ring-like structure. This device can well prevent the direct contact of fire cup with the patient's skin surface, characterized as safety protection, simple operation and saving time and manpower.