A new species of the genus Wushenia Zettel, 1990 from China (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Cheloninae).

Wushenia Zettel, 1990 is a rare genus (with the type species Wushenia nana Zettel) first collected in Wushe (Taiwan) in 1983. Here we describe a second species, Wushenia yekunzengi Yao & Luo sp. nov., from Gaoligong Mountain Nature Reserve, Yunnan and Emei Mountain, Sichuan, China. A key to species of the genus Wushenia is presented. In addition, Wushenia australiensis Kittel & Austin, 2013 is excluded from the genus Wushenia Zettel.

The genus Eurymeros Bhat (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Alysiinae) newly recorded from China.

Background: Alysiinae Leach is a species-rich subfamily in Braconidae, of which several species play an important role in biological control. The monotypic genus Eurymerostumespiraculum Bhat, 1980 was discovered in Tibet and Yunnan provinces for the first time, representing the first record of the genus Eurymeros Bhat, 1980 (Braconidae, Alysiinae) in China. New information: The rare genus Eurymeros Bhat, 1980 (Braconidae, Alysiinae) and its only known species, E.tumespiraculum Bhat, 1980, are newly recorded from China. The morphological variation of the Chinese specimens is described and illustrated.

A new genus Anamalysia van Achterberg (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Alysiinae), six new species, and two new combinations from India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

A new genus of the tribe Alysiini (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Alysiinae) is described with specimens from India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, and six new species are described: Anamalysiaidiastimorpha sp. nov. (type species), A.knekosoma sp. nov., A.mellipes sp. nov., A.transversator sp. nov., A.vandervechti sp. nov., and A.vanhengstumi sp. nov.. We transfer one species from Coelalysia to Anamalysia: A.urbana (Papp, 1967) comb. nov. from Singapore and one species from Alysiasta to Anamalysia: A.triangulum (Fischer, 2006) comb. nov. from Malaysia, Laos, Indonesia and Vietnam. A key to the genus of Anamalysia is included.

Phaenospila gen. nov. (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Alysiinae) and three new species from Thailand.

A new braconid genus belonging to the tribe Alysiini. Phaenospila van Achterberg & Yao, gen. nov. (type species: Phaenospila signator Yao, sp. nov.), is described. The genus is identified with morphological characters and a phylogenetic analysis of COI sequence data; GenBank accession numbers of fifty generated sequences from the three species are included. Three new species are described and illustrated, Phaenospila brevicarinata van Achterberg & Yao sp. nov., Phaenospila areolator Yao & van Achterberg sp. nov., Phaenospila signator Yao sp. nov. A key to the species of the genus Phaenospila is included.

A new species of the genus Hylcalosia from China (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Alysiinae).

Hylcalosia Fischer, 1967, is a small braconid genus with 18 described species from the Oriental and Palaearctic regions. A new species, Hylcalosia yongjingzengi Yao n. sp. from Wuyi Mountain Nature Reserve, Fujian, China is described and illustrated. A key to all known species of the genus Hylcalosia is presented.

A new species of Wesmaelia Foerster (Hymenoptera: Braconidae:Euphorinae) from China.

A new species of the genus Wesmaelia Foerster, 1863, Wesmaelia longius sp. n. is described and illustrated from the Palaearctic Region of China. A key to the Chinese species of the genus Wesmaelia is provided based on the key of Papp (1995).

Two species and a genus new for Thailand, with description of a new species of Neurolarthra Fischer (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Alysiinae).

Neurolarthra Fischer, 1976, is a small braconid genus with two described species. The genus is revised using morphological characters and a phylogenetic analysis of COI sequence data; GenBank accession numbers of seven COI sequences from two species are included. A new species from Thailand is described and illustrated: N. karensharkeyae Yao n. sp. Neurolarthra Fischer and N. procera are reported for the first time from Thailand. A key to species of the genus Neurolarthra is presented.

Separatatus Chen Wu (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Alysiinae) newly recorded from Thailand, with description of one new species and one new combination.

Separatatus Chen Wu, 1994, is reported for the first time from Thailand and one new species is described and illustrated: Separatatus xuexincheni n. sp. In addition, one species is newly recorded from Thailand (S. parallelus Zhu et al., 2017) and we transfer one species from Phasmidiasta to Separatatus: S. malaysiae (Fischer, 2006) n. comb. A key to species of the genus Separatatus is presented.

Two new species of Anisocyrta Foerster (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Alysiinae) from China.

Two new species of the genus Anisocyrta Foerster, 1863, from China are described and illustrated: Anisocyrta xiaoliyaoae Yao, sp. n. and Anisocyrta cvanachterbergi Yao, sp. n. Anisocyrta is reported from China for the first time. A key to the Palearctic species of the genus Anisocyrta is provided based on the keys of van Achterberg (1986) and Belokobylskij (1998). Type specimens of the two new species are deposited in the Beneficial Insects Institute Collection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China (BIIC).

Sonic hedgehog signaling in spinal cord contributes to morphine-induced hyperalgesia and tolerance through upregulating brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression.

PURPOSE: Preventing opioid-induced hyperalgesia and tolerance continues to be a major clinical challenge, and the underlying mechanisms of hyperalgesia and tolerance remain elusive. Here, we investigated the role of sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling in opioid-induced hyperalgesia and tolerance. METHODS: Shh signaling expression, behavioral changes, and neurochemical alterations induced by morphine were analyzed in male adult CD-1 mice with repeated administration of morphine. To investigate the contribution of Shh to morphine-induced hyperalgesia (MIH) and tolerance, Shh signaling inhibitor cyclopamine and Shh small interfering RNA (siRNA) were used. To explore the mechanisms of Shh signaling in MIH and tolerance, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) inhibitor K252 and anti-BDNF antibody were used. RESULTS: Repeated administration of morphine produced obvious hyperalgesia and tolerance. The behavioral changes were correlated with the upregulation and activation of morphine treatment-induced Shh signaling. Pharmacologic and genetic inhibition of Shh signaling significantly delayed the generation of MIH and tolerance and associated neurochemical changes. Chronic morphine administration also induced upregulation of BDNF. Inhibiting BDNF effectively delayed the generation of MIH and tolerance. The upregulation of BDNF induced by morphine was significantly suppressed by inhibiting Shh signaling. In naïve mice, exogenous activation of Shh signaling caused a rapid increase of BDNF expression, as well as thermal hyperalgesia. Inhibiting BDNF significantly suppressed smoothened agonist-induced hyperalgesia. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that Shh signaling may be a critical mediator for MIH and tolerance by regulating BDNF expression. Inhibiting Shh signaling, especially during the early phase, may effectively delay or suppress MIH and tolerance.

IL-18 Contributes to Bone Cancer Pain by Regulating Glia Cells and Neuron Interaction.

Glial cell hyperactivity has been proposed to be responsible for chronic pain, however, the mechanisms remain unclear. Interleukin (IL)-18, released from glial cells, has been reported to be involved in neuropathic pain. In this study, we investigated the role of IL-18 in bone cancer pain. Bone cancer pain was mimicked by injecting Walker-256 mammary gland carcinoma cells into the intramedullary space of the tibia in rats. Expression and location of IL-18 and the IL-18 receptor were tested. To investigate the contribution of IL-18 signaling to bone cancer pain, IL-18 binding protein and recombinant IL-18 were used. To investigate the mechanisms of glial cells effects, MK801, N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor inhibitor, and Src kinase-specific inhibitor PP1 were used. Tumor cell implantation (TCI) treatment increased expression of IL-18 and IL-18 receptor in spinal cord. The time course of IL-18 upregulation was correlated with TCI-induced pain behaviors. Blocking the IL-18 signaling pathway prevented and reversed bone cancer-related pain behaviors. Meanwhile, blocking IL-18 signaling also suppressed TCI-induced glial cell hyperactivity, as well as activation of GluN2B and subsequent Ca2+-dependent signaling. Spinal administration of recombinant IL-18 in naive rat induced significant mechanical allodynia, as well as GluN2B activation. However, intrathecal injection of MK801 failed to suppress recombinant IL-18-induced GluN2B phosphorylation, whereas Src kinase inhibitor PP1 significantly inhibited IL-18-induced GluN2B activation. IL-18-mediated glial-glia and glial-neuron interaction may facilitate bone cancer pain. Blocking IL-18 signaling may effectively prevent and/or suppress bone cancer pain. PERSPECTIVE: IL-18 signaling may be a new target for cancer pain therapy.

Four new species of Tanycarpa (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Alysiinae) from the Palaearctic Region and new records of species from China.

Four new species of Tanycarpa (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Alysiinae), T. gymnonotum Yao sp. n., T. similis Yao sp. n., T. areolata Yao sp. n., and T. lineata Yao sp. n., are described from the Palaearctic Region of China, and T. chors Belokobylskij is newly recorded from China. Significant range extensions are given for T. bicolor (Nees von Esenbeck), T. gracilicornis (Nees von Esenbeck), and T. mitis Stelfox. A key to the Palaearctic species of Tanycarpa is provided.

A new species in the newly recorded genus Trachyusa (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Alysiinae) from China.

Trachyusa whartoni Yao sp. nov. from Dalian, Liaoning, China is described and illustrated. Trachyusa is a newly recorded genus in China. A key to the species of Trachyusa is provided based on the keys of Belokobylskij (1998), Papp (1967), and van Achterberg and O'Connor (1990). Type specimens of the new species are deposited in the Beneficial Insects Institute, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China.

[Clinical study of acute gastrointestinal injury classification in early enteral nutrition in patients under intensive care].

OBJECTIVE: To study the feasibility of the acute gastrointestinal injury (AGI) classification standard for evaluation of gastrointestinal function in intensive care unit (ICU) patients, and to discuss its value in administration of early enteral nutrition (EN). METHODS: A perspective study was conducted. 85 patients with AGI admitted to ICU of Tianjin First Center Hospital from January 2013 to June 2013 were enrolled. EN was conducted after ICU admission or within 12-24 hours after high catabolic state. The patients were divided into four groups according to the AGI classification, i.e. grade I, II, III, and IV, and they were treated according to the treatment procedure for AGI. The primary end points were 7-day rate of intake of standard EN, the degree of disease and nutrition, and their correlation with AGI classification. Secondary endpoint was rate of giving EN within 48 hours. RESULTS: Gastrointestinal dysfunction patients accounted for 49.42% (85/172) of the ICU patients, and number of patients in grade I, II, III, IV were 29, 28, 19, 9 respectively. On the first day of ICU stay, there were no statistical differences in age, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II (APACHEII) score, serum albumin (ALB) and prealbumin (PA) among four groups, and it was demonstrated that the baseline data were comparable. APACHEII score on the seventh day of ICU stay was significantly lower than that on the first day in grade I, II and III patients (grade I: 20.48±2.45 vs. 22.59±2.06, t=-3.120, P=0.031; grade II: 19.34±1.80 vs. 21.65±2.22, t=-4.316, P=0.012; grade III: 20.63±1.34 vs. 23.31±1.70, t=-5.640, P=0.000), and serum PA was significantly increased (grade I: 24.37±6.54 g/L vs. 10.62±7.24 g/L, t=-4.866, P=0.000; grade II: 19.79±12.48 g/L vs. 11.57±8.94 g/L, t=-2.116, P=0.031; grade III: 19.15±8.43 g/L vs. 13.78±6.59 g/L, t=-3.601, P=0.000). On the seventh day of ICU stay, the APACHEII score was higher in grade IV than that in grade I, II and III patients (22.87±3.31 vs. 20.48±2.45, 19.34±1.80, 20.63±1.34, P<0.05 or P<0.01), and PA was obviously lower in grade IV than that in grade I, II and III patients (14.02±8.70 g/L vs. 24.37±6.54 g/L, 19.79±12.48 g/L, 19.15±8.43 g/L, P<0.05 or P<0.01). There was no statistically significant difference among four groups in respect of serum ALB (F=0.454, P=0.722). The rate of giving EN in 24 hours in grade I, II, III, IV patients was 95.4%, 72.1%, 52.0% and 0, respectively (χ2=8.310, P=0.016), and in 48 hours it was 100.0%, 83.0%, 76.0%, and 0 (χ2=5.470, P=0.025). 7-day standard EN intake rate was 100.0%, 88.7%, 84.0% and 34.0% respectively in grade I, II, III, IV patients (χ2=0.720, P=0.017). Correlation analysis showed that there was a negative correlation between AGI classification and rate of giving EN in 1 day (r=-0.62, P=0.04) and 7-day standard EN intake rate (r=-0.76, P=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: AGI classification can be used to estimate the gastrointestinal function of patients with critical illness, and it has a significant correlation with early EN support. An early goal achieving intervention based on the AGI classification can improve the nutritional status and the general state of the patients.

[Determination of tropane alkaloid components in Przewalskia tangutica Maxim. by capillary electrophoresis with electrochemiluminescence detection].

Based on an Eu-PB modified platinum electrode as the working electrode, a method for the simultaneous determination of the four tropane alkaloids, anisodamine, scopolamine, atropine and anisodine, by capillary electrophoresis with electrochemiluminescence detection (CE-ECL) has been established. The effects of several factors, such as the detection potential, the acidity and concentration of the running buffer, and the content of the methanol additive were investigated for the improvement of separation ability and detection sensitivity. Under the optimized conditions, these four components could be fully separated from each other in a 20 mmol/L phosphate (pH 8.0) containing 7% (v/v) methanol buffer within 6 min. The relative standard deviations of the peak area and migration time were less than 5.0% and 1.1% (n = 12) respectively for all the four compounds. Thus, the method has been successfully applied to the determination of anisodamine, scopolamine in Przewalskia tangutica Maxim. The average amounts of 27.8 g/kg anisodamine and 4.43 g/kg scopolamine were found in the herbal root-stalk sample. The recoveries of the tropane alkaloids were 97.8% - 102%.

Hyperglycemia potentiates H(2)O(2) production in adipocytes and enhances insulin signal transduction: potential role for oxidative inhibition of thiol-sensitive protein-tyrosine phosphatases.

Insulin signal transduction in adipocytes is accompanied by a burst of cellular hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) that facilitates insulin signaling by inhibiting thiol-dependent protein-tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) that are negative regulators of insulin action. As hyperglycemia is associated with increased cellular reactive oxygen species, we postulated that high glucose conditions might potentiate the H(2)O(2) generated by insulin and modulate insulin-stimulated protein phosphorylation. Basal H(2)O(2) generation was increased threefold in differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes by growth in 25 mM glucose versus 5 mM glucose. High glucose increased the sensitivity of the insulin-stimulated H(2)O(2) signal to lower concentrations of insulin. Basal endogenous total PTP activity and the activity of PTP1B, a PTP implicated in the negative regulation of insulin signaling, were reduced in high glucose conditions, and their further reduction by insulin stimulation was more enhanced in high versus low glucose medium. Phosphorylation of the insulin receptor, IRS-1, and Akt in response to insulin was also significantly enhanced in high glucose conditions, especially at submaximal insulin concentrations. In primary rat adipocytes, high glucose increased insulin-stimulated H(2)O(2) production and potentiated the oxidative inhibition of total PTP and PTP1B activity; however, insulin signaling was not enhanced in the primary cells in high glucose apparently due to cross-regulation of insulin-stimulated protein phosphorylation by activation of protein kinase C (PKC). These studies indicate that high glucose can enhance insulin stimulated H(2)O(2) generation and augment oxidative PTP inhibition in cultured and primary adipocytes, but the overall balance of insulin signal transduction is determined by additional signal effects in high glucose, including the activation of PKC.