Binding properties of chemosensory protein 4 in Riptortus pedestris to aggregation pheromones.

In insects, chemosensory proteins (CSPs) play an important role in the perception of the external environment and have been widely used for protein-binding characterization. Riptortus pedestris has received increased attention as a potential cause of soybean staygreen syndrome in recent years. In this study, we found that RpedCSP4 expression in the antennae of adult R. pedestris increased with age, with no significant difference in expression level observed between males and females, as determined through quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Subsequently, we investigated the ability of RpedCSP4 to bind various ligands (five aggregated pheromone components and 13 soybean volatiles) using a prokaryotic expression system and fluorescence competitive binding assays. We found that RpedCSP4 binds to three aggregated pheromone components of R. pedestris, namely, ((E)-2-hexenyl (Z)-3-hexenoate (E2Z3), (E)-2-hexenyl (E)-2-hexenoate (E2E2), and (E)-2-hexenyl hexenoate (E2HH)), and that its binding capacities are most stable under acidic condition. Finally, the structure and protein-ligand interactions of RpedCSP4 were further analyzed via homology modeling, molecular docking, and targeted mutagenesis experiments. The L29A mutant exhibited a loss of binding ability to these three aggregated pheromone components. Our results show that the olfactory function of RpedCSP4 provides new insights into the binding mechanism of RpedCSPs to aggregation pheromones and contributes to discover new target candidates that will provide a theoretical basis for future population control of R. pedestris.

Genome-Wide Analysis of Odorant-Binding Proteins and Chemosensory Proteins in the Bean bug Riptortus pedestris.

Insects have sensitive olfactory systems to interact with environment and respond to the change in host plant conditions. Key genes in the system can be potential targets for developing new and efficient pest behaviour control methods. Riptortus pedestris is an important soybean pest in East Asia and has caused serious damage to the soybean plants in Huang-Huai-Hai region of China. However, the current treatment of pests is dominated by chemical insecticides and lacks efficient sustainable prevention and control technologies. In this study, we identified 49 putative odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) (43 were new genes) and 25 chemosensory proteins (CSPs) (17 were new genes) in R. pedestris genome. These OBP and CSP genes are clustered in highly conserved groups from other hemipteran species in phylogenetic trees. Most RpedOBPs displayed antennal-biased expression. Among the 49 RpedOBPs, 33 were significantly highly expressed in the antennae, including three male-biased and nine female-biased. While many RpedCSPs were detected both in the antennae and in non-antennal tissues, only 11 RpedCSPs displayed antennal-biased expression, in which four RpedCSPs were male-biased and five RpedCSPs were female-biased. Some OBP and CSP genes showed sex-biased expression profiles. Our results not only provide a foundation for future exploration of the functions of RpedOBPs and RpedCSPs but also aid in developing environmentally friendly insecticides in the future.

A new species of Oomyzus Rondani (Hymenoptera, Eulophidae) reared from the pupae of Coccinella septempunctata (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae) in China.

Oomyzus spiraculus Song, Fei & Cao sp. nov. (Hymenoptera, Eulophidae) is described and illustrated as a gregarious larval-pupal endoparasitoid of Coccinella septempunctata L. (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae). Differentiation between O. spiraculus and its similar species is discussed and a key to differentiate the female and male of these species is provided. DNA barcodes of O. spiraculus and O. scaposus are analyzed and compared.

Two new species and a key to nine species of the genus Mongolotettix Rehn, 1928 from China (Acrididae, Acridoidea, Orthoptera).

Two new species of the genus Mongolotettix Rehn, 1928 from China, i.e. Mongolotettix wulingyuanensis sp. nov. and Mongolotettix. shaanxiensis sp. nov. are described herein. M. wulingyuanensis sp. nov. is similar to M. angustiseptus Wan, Ren & Zhang, 1998, but differs from the latter by body larger, length of body ♂ 25.6 mm, ♀ 39.1mm; tegmina of male without a white stripe on the fore margin at base; subgenital plate of male conical, sides concave, apex acute; both outer sides of epiphallus without acute projection in the middle. M. shaanxiensis sp. nov. is similar to M. anomopterus (Caudell, 1921), but differs from the latter by tegmina of male longer, reaching the end of epiproct, without a white stripe on the fore margin at base, tegmina of female longer, reaching the middle of 2nd abdominal tergum, width of epiphallus larger than height, upper ovipositor valve slender, length 3.8 times its maximum width. A key to all nine known species of the genus from China is given. Type specimens are deposited in the Northwest Plateau Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, 810001, China.

[Investigation of the effect of heparin gelatin sponge stickers for traumatic tympanic membrane perforation].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy of heparin gelatin sponge stickers in the treatment of traumatic perforation of tympanic membrane. METHODS: Total of 79 cases (83 ears) of traumatic perforation of tympanic membrane were randomly divided into two groups: the test group had 54 patients (58 ears), and the control group had 25 cases (25 ears). The test group received the treatment of heparin gelatin sponge stickers, and the control group received conservative traditional drying method. All the subjects were followed up for 4 weeks, observed and recorded the rate and healing period of traumatic tympanic membrane. RESULTS: In 4-week's follow-up, 56 ears were cured in the test group, with a rate of 96.55%. Fourteen ears were cured in the control group with a rate of 56.00%. The healing rate of test group was significantly higher than that of the control group (χ(2) = 18.79, P < 0.01). The average of healing period was 17.6 days in the test group, and 32.0 days in the control group. There were significant differences in healing period between two groups (t = 6.37, P < 0.01). All the cured tympanic membrane in the test group was morphologically complete. In all followed up patients, there were no allergies and signs of infection, as well as other adverse reaction in the process of healing. CONCLUSION: The heparin gelatin sponge can effectively enhance closure of the traumatic perforation of tympanic membrane and can shorten the healing period of traumatic perforation of tympanic membrane, and the smaller of the perforation, the shorter of healing period.

Effects of aposymbiotic and symbiotic aphids on parasitoid progeny development and adult oviposition behavior within aphid instars.

This study aims at exploring the potential relationship between aphidiine parasitoid development and the primary endosymbiont in aphids by focusing on specific aphid instars and the relative effects on parasitoid oviposition behavior and progeny development. Lysiphlebus ambiguus (Aphidiidae, Hymenoptera) is a solitary parasitoid of several species of aphids, including Aphis fabae. In this study, A. fabae was treated with antibiotic rifampicin to obtain aposymbiotic hosts and exposed to parasitism. L. ambiguus launched significantly more attacks on symbiotic L(2) (the second instar), aposymbiotic L(3) (the third instar) and L(4) (the forth instar) hosts than on the corresponding hosts at the same age. L. ambiguus also parasitized more L(1) aphids compared with adults irrespective of whether the aphid was asymbiotic or not. Pupa mortality rate of parasitoid progeny was significantly lower from aposymbiotic hosts than from the corresponding symbiotics at all stages. Female-biased parasitoid progeny was produced from aposymbiotic aphids without respect to host ages, but female progeny increased linearly with host ages at parasitism from symbiotic aphids. Body size of parasitoid progeny increased linearly with host instars at parasitism in symbiotic aphids but did not significantly change across host instars in aposymbiotic aphids. The offspring parasitoids turned out to be generally large in body size from attacking aposymbiotic aphids compared with the symbiotics. Development time of egg-to-adult of parasitoid progeny decreased with host instars in both symbiotic and aposymbiotic aphids but was generally much longer in aposymbiotic aphids than in symbiotic aphids. Our study suggests that age or body size of host aphids may not be the only cue exercised by L. ambiguus to evaluate host quality and that offspring parasitoids may be able to compensate for the nutrition stress associated with disruption of primary endosymbiotc bacteria in aposymbiotic aphids.

Assessment of the hepatic microvascular changes in liver cirrhosis by perfusion computed tomography.

AIM: To assess the hepatic microvascular parameters in patients with liver cirrhosis by perfusion computed tomography (CT). METHODS: Perfusion CT was performed in 29 patients without liver disease (control subjects) and 39 patients with liver cirrhosis, including 22 patients with compensated cirrhosis and 17 patients with decompensated cirrhosis, proved by clinical and laboratory parameters. CT cine-scans were obtained over 50 s beginning with the injection of 50 mL of contrast agent. Hepatic microvascular parameters, mean transit time (MTT) and permeability surface area product (PS) were obtained with the Perfusion 3 software (General Electric, ADW 4.2). RESULTS: The overall differences of MTT and PS between control subjects, patients with compensated cirrhosis and those with decompensated cirrhosis were statistically significant (P = 0.010 and P = 0.002, respectively). MTT values were 15.613 +/- 4.1746 s, 12.592 +/- 4.7518 s, and 11.721 +/- 4.5681 s for the three groups, respectively, while PS were 18.945 +/- 7.2347 mL/min per 100 mL, 22.767 +/- 8.3936 mL/min per 100 mL, and 28.735 +/- 13.0654 mL/min per 100 mL. MTT in decompensated cirrhotic patients were significantly decreased compared to controls (P = 0.017), whereas PS values were remarkably increased (P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: The hepatic microvascular changes in patients with liver cirrhosis can be quantitatively assessed by perfusion CT. Hepatic microvascular parameters (MTT and PS), as measured by perfusion CT, were significantly altered in decompensated cirrhosis.

Effects of Helicoverpa armigera (Noctuidae, Lepidoptera) host stages on some developmental parameters of the uniparental endoparasitoid Meteorus pulchricornis (Braconidae, Hymenoptera).

A single choice test was performed to examine developmental strategies in the uniparental endoparasitoid Meteorus pulchricornis and its host, the cotton bollworm Helicoverpa armigera. The results support the dome-shaped model in which the fitness functions are 'dome-shaped' relative to size (and age) of host at parasitism. Older and, hence, larger host larvae were simply not better hosts for the developing parasitoids. Although parasitoid size (measured as cocoon weight and adult hind tibia length) was positively correlated with host instars at parasitism, parasitoids developing in larger hosts (L5 and L6) suffered much higher mortality than conspecifics developing in smaller hosts (L2-L4). Furthermore, egg-to-adult development time in M. pulchricornis was significantly longer in older host larvae (L4-L6) than in the younger. Performance of M. pulchricornis, as indicated by fitness-related traits, strongly suggests that the L3 host is the most suitable for survival, growth and development of the parasitoid, followed by both L2 and L4 hosts; whereas, L1, L5 and L6 are the least favourable hosts. The oviposition tendency of M. pulchricornis, represented by parasitism level, was not perfectly consistent with the performance of the offspring; L2-L4 hosts, although with the same parasitism level, had offspring parasitoids with differences in fitness-related performance. Larval development in Helicoverpa armigera was usually suspended, but occasionally advanced, in the final instar.

[Restoration of pathological changes of emphysema by angiogenesis factors: experiment of rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether intratracheal administration of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) restore the pulmonary function and pathology in emphysema, and research the mechanism of they restored pulmonary emphysema, and the pathogenesis of pulmonary emphysema. METHODS: Twenty-four Wistar rats were randomized into the 4 equal groups: bFGF group [receiving a single intratracheal instillation of porcine pancreatic elastase (PPE) 250 U/kg, and 4 weeks later receiving intratracheal instillation of bFGF 400 U once a week for 3 weeks), VEGF group (receiving a single intratracheal instillation of PPE 250 U/kg, and 4 weeks later receiving intratracheal instillation of VEGF 2 microg once a week for 3 weeks), control group [receiving a single intratracheal instillation of PPE 250 U/kg, and 4 weeks later receiving intratracheal instillation of normal saline (NS) once a week for 3 weeks], and normal group (receiving intratracheal instillation of NS in above-mentioned pattern). Four weeks after treatment, arterial blood sample was collected from the abdominal aorta to undergo blood gas analysis for assessment pulmonary function, and then the rata were killed with their lungs taken out to undergo pathological examination. Immunohistochemistry was performed to detect the CD34, markers of pulmonary capillary endothelial cells. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the artery blood gas analysis among the four groups (all P > 0.05). The levels of mean alveoli number (MAN) of the bFGF and VEGF groups were (43 +/- 8)/HP and (44 +/- 9)/HP] respectively, both significantly higher than that of the control group [(30 +/- 6)/HP, both P < 0.01]. The levels of mean linear intercept (MLI) of the bFGF and VEGF groups were (196 +/- 38) microm and (194 +/- 38) microm respectively, both significantly lower than that of the control group [(288 +/- 68) microm, both P < 0.01). the mean alveoli area (MAA) level of the bFGF and VEGF groups were (9856 +/- 1864) microm(2) and (9804 +/- 1929) microm(2) respectively, both significantly lower than that of the control group [(14,525 +/- 3408) microm(2), both P < 0.01]. The percentages of CD34(+) cells of the bFGF and VEGF groups were (3.7 +/- 1.3)% and (2.6 +/- 1.2)% respectively, both significantly higher than that of the control group [(0.8 +/- 0.7)%, both P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: bFGF and VEGF can restore the pathological changes of experimental emphysema. The damage of pulmonary capillary may play an important role in the pathogenesis of pulmonary emphysema.

Effect of atropine on denervated rabbit ear blood vessels.

Surgical denervation of rabbit ear blood vessel beds was combined with the isolated perfused rabbit ear technique to investigate the mechanism of atropine's vasodilator action. Intramuscular injection of atropine 0.2 mg/kg dilated the denervated blood vessels in the rabbit ear like innervated ones in vivo. Atropine at the maximal concentration (Cmax) of 3 x 10(-6) to 3 x 10(-4) M did not increase effluent flow of the isolated perfused denervated rabbit ear under constant perfusion pressure, but chlorpromazine at a Cmax of 10(-6) M and acetylcholine (ACh) at 2.5 x 10(-7) M significantly increased it and noradrenaline (NA) at 10(-7) M significantly decreased it. Atropine at Cmax of 3 x 10(-7) M did not affect, but at 3 x 10(-6) M it abolished the increase of the effluent flow induced by ACh 2.5 x 10(-7) M. Atropine at 3 x 10(-7) M did not affect it, but at 10(-6), 3 x 10(-6), and 10(-5) it significantly alleviated the decrease of effluent flow induced by NA 10(-7) M. Because the increase of effluent flow of rabbit ear under constant perfusion pressure reflects vasodilation of the ear to some extent, the study suggests that atropine has no direct vasodilator action; its vasodilator action is not attributed to blockade of M-cholinoreceptors located on the vascular wall; however, the alpha1-adrenoceptor might be a target site mediating atropine's vasodilator action in vivo.