Functional types of long trichoid sensilla responding to sex pheromone components in Plutella xylostella.

Sex pheromones, which consist of multiple components in specific ratios promote intraspecific sexual communications of insects. Plutella xylostella (L.) is a worldwide pest of cruciferous vegetables, the mating behavior of which is highly dependent on its olfactory system. Long trichoid sensilla on male antennae are the main olfactory sensilla that can sense sex pheromones. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, 3 sex pheromone components from sex pheromone gland secretions of P. xylostella female adults were identified as Z11-16:Ald, Z11-16:Ac, and Z11-16:OH in a ratio of 9.4 : 100 : 17 using gas chromatography - mass spectrometry and gas chromatography with electroantennographic detection. Electrophysiological responses of 581 and 385 long trichoid sensilla of male adults and female adults, respectively, to the 3 components were measured by single sensillum recording. Hierarchical clustering analysis showed that the long trichoid sensilla were of 6 different types. In the male antennae, 52.32%, 5.51%, and 1.89% of the sensilla responded to Z11-16:Ald, Z11-16:Ac, and Z11-16:OH, which are named as A type, B type, and C type sensilla, respectively; 2.93% named as D type sensilla responded to both Z11-16:Ald and Z11-16:Ac, and 0.34% named as E type sensilla were sensitive to both Z11-16:Ald and Z11-16:OH. In the female antennae, only 7.53% of long trichoid sensilla responded to the sex pheromone components, A type sensilla were 3.64%, B type and C type sensilla were both 0.52%, D type sensilla were 1.30%, and 1.56% of the sensilla responded to all 3 components, which were named as F type sensilla. The responding long trichoid sensilla were located from the base to the terminal of the male antennae and from the base to the middle of the female antennae. The pheromone mixture (Z11-16:Ald : Z11-16:Ac : Z11-16:OH = 9.4 : 100 : 17) had a weakly repellent effect on female adults of P. xylostella. Our results lay the foundation for further studies on sex pheromone communications in P. xylostella.

First report on establishment and characterization of the extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma sarcoma cell line CBC2T-2.

BACKGROUND: Extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma sarcoma is extremely rare in clinical practice. These cells consist of both epithelial and mesenchymal cells. Patient-derived cell lines that maintain tumor characteristics are valuable tools for studying the molecular mechanisms associated with carcinosarcoma. However, cholangiocarcinoma sarcoma cell lines are not available in cell banks. AIM: To establish and characterize a new extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma sarcoma cell line, namely CBC2T-2. METHODS: We conducted a short tandem repeat (STR) test to confirm the identity of the CBC2T-2 cell line. Furthermore, we assessed the migratory and invasive properties of the cells and performed clonogenicity assay to evaluate the ability of individual cells to form colonies. The tumorigenic potential of CBC2T-2 cells was tested in vivo using non-obese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficient (NOD/SCID) mice. The cells were injected subcutaneously and tumor formation was observed. In addition, immunohistochemical analysis was carried out to examine the expression of epithelial marker CK19 and mesenchymal marker vimentin in both CBC2T-2 cells and xenografts. The CBC2T-2 cell line was used to screen the potential therapeutic effects of various clinical agents in patients with cholangiocarcinoma sarcoma. Lastly, whole-exome sequencing was performed to identify genetic alterations and screen for somatic mutations in the CBC2T-2 cell line. RESULTS: The STR test showed that there was no cross-contamination and the results were identical to those of the original tissue. The cells showed round or oval-shaped epithelioid cells and mesenchymal cells with spindle-shaped or elongated morphology. The cells exhibited a high proliferation ratio with a doubling time of 47.11 h. This cell line has migratory, invasive, and clonogenic abilities. The chromosomes in the CBC2T-2 cells were polyploidy, with numbers ranging from 69 to 79. The subcutaneous tumorigenic assay confirmed the in vivo tumorigenic ability of CBC2T-2 cells in NOD/SCID mice. CBC2T-2 cells and xenografts were positive for both the epithelial marker, CK19, and the mesenchymal marker, vimentin. These results suggest that CBC2T-2 cells may have both epithelial and mesenchymal characteristics. The cells were also used to screen clinical agents in patients with cholangiocarcinoma sarcoma, and a combination of paclitaxel and gemcitabine was found to be the most effective treatment option. CONCLUSION: We established the first human cholangiocarcinoma sarcoma cell line, CBC2T-2, with stable biogenetic traits. This cell line, as a research model, has a high clinical value and would facilitate the understanding of the pathogenesis of cholangiocarcinoma sarcoma.

Identification and evaluation of cruciferous plant volatiles attractive to Plutella xylostella L. (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae).

BACKGROUND: The diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella, has developed resistance to almost all insecticides used for its control. The 'push-pull' method has been shown as an effective control strategy to address this resistance challenge of P. xylostella. The key focus of the strategy is the identification of attractive or repellent volatile components. The aim of this study was to identify attractive volatile compounds released from host plants. Identified compounds were applied in the biological control of this pest. RESULTS: Nine active compounds released into the headspace of seven cruciferous plant species were identified using gas chromatography-electroantennographic detection and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Electroantennographic detection-active compounds included five green leaf volatiles (hexanal, trans-2-hexen-1-ol, cis-3-hexen-1-ol, cis-3-hexenyl acetate, and 1-penten-3-ol), three isothiocyanates (isopropyl isothiocyanate, allyl isothiocyanate, and butyl isothiocyanate), and nonanal. Except for nonanal, all the identified green leaf volatiles and isothiocyanates elicited strong electrophysiological and behavioral responses in P. xylostella. The strongest attractive compounds, trans-2-hexen-1-ol and isopropyl isothiocyanate, were further evaluated in oviposition and field-trapping assays. Results showed that they both lured female moths to lay eggs, and were highly attractive to P. xylostella adults in field, especially when used in combination with yellow and green sticky boards. However, a blend of the two compounds showed no synergistic effect, but rather an antagonistic effect. CONCLUSIONS: Green leaf volatiles and isothiocyanates were identified as key olfactory cues for host selection of P. xylostella. Trans-2- hexen-1-ol and isopropyl isothiocyanate were identified as candidate attractive compounds to serve in a 'push-pull' strategy for P. xylostella control. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

A low-frequency multiple-band sound insulator without blocking ventilation along a pipe.

It is challenging to insulate sound transmission in low frequency-bands without blocking the air flow in a pipe. In this work, a small and light membrane-based cubic sound insulator is created to block acoustic waves in multiple low frequency-bands from 200 to 800 Hz in pipes. Due to distinct vibration modes of the membrane-type faces of the insulator and co-action of acoustic waves transmitting along different paths, large sound attenuation is achieved in multiple frequency-bands, and the maximum transmission loss reaches 25 dB. Furthermore, because the sound insulator with a deep subwavelength size is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the pipe, it does not block ventilation along the pipe.

Investigation of the Prevalence of Mycoplasma Ovipneumoniae in Southern Xinjiang, China.

INTRODUCTION: It is very important to monitor the infection of Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae as a potential threat to the sheep industry. Southern Xinjiang is a major sheep breeding base in China, however, there is no relevant information concerning the infection of the region's ovine stock with this bacteria at present. This study aimed to address this knowledge gap. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 824 nasal swabs and the lungs of six sheep that died of pneumonia were collected in four regions between 2018 and 2020. Primers specific for M. ovipneumoniae and universal ones for the genus were used for PCR. Sequencing was undertaken of 159 universal primer-positive samples (153 nasal swabs and 6 lungs) and of 84 specific primer-positive samples (80 nasal swabs, 20 per region; and 4 lungs, 1 per region). The lungs were also sampled for the isolation of M. ovipneumoniae. A phylogenetic tree based on partial sequences of the Mycoplasma 16S rRNA gene was built. RESULTS: The overall nasal swab positive rate for M. ovipneumoniae was 40.78%; the rate of animals older than 12 months was significantly different to those of younger sheep (< 3 months, 53.39%; 3 - 12 months, 46.01%; >12 months, 31.76%). Four strains of M. ovipneumoniae were isolated from six lungs. Phylogenetic analysis indicated their origin outside southern Xinjiang. Two other species were also detected: M. arginine and M. conjunctivae. CONCLUSION: Our survey indicated that a high level of M. ovipneumoniae asymptomatic colonisation in sheep, especially in lambs, affects southern Xinjiang and also confirmed the existence of M. conjunctivae and M. arginine. Our results showed that the health of sheep in southern Xinjiang is facing a great threat, and relevant prevention and control measures should be strengthened.

Morphological variability, ultrastructure and molecular characterisation of Hysterothylacium reliquens (Norris & Overstreet, 1975) (Nematoda: Raphidascarididae) from the oriental sole Brachirus orientalis (Bloch & Schneider) (Pleuronectiformes: Soleidae).

Hysterothylacium reliquens (Norris & Overstreet, 1975), a common ascaridoid nematode parasitic in the marine fishes in the Indian and Atlantic Oceans, has been reported to exhibit remarkable morphological variability in the lengths of body, oesophagus and spicules, and the number and arrangement of postcloacal papillae. In order to determine whether H. reliquens with a broad range of morphological variability in the above-mentioned respects, represents a complex of sibling species or a single species, and to evaluate if the specimens of H. reliquens collected from the Indian and Atlantic Oceans are the same species, numbers of H. reliquens collected from the oriental sole Brachirus orientalis (Bloch & Schneider) (Pleuronectiformes: Soleidae) in the Arabian Gulf (off Iraq) were characterised using molecular approaches by sequencing and analysing the ribosomal [large ribosomal DNA (28S) and internal transcribed spacer (ITS)] and mitochondrial [cytochrome c oxidase subunit 2 (cox2)] target regions, respectively. The results of molecular analysis strongly supported that: (i) the broad ranges of morphological variability in the above-mentioned respects in the newly collected specimens of H. reliquens, should be considered as intraspecific variation and the nematode material collected from B. orientalis in the Arabian Gulf represented a single species; (ii) the specimens of H. reliquens collected from the Indian and Atlantic Oceans belong to the same species, but they possibly represent different geographical populations. Moreover, the detailed morphology of the labial papillae, lateral alae, excretory pore, distal end of spicules, midventral precloacal papilla, phasmids and caudal papillae was revealed by SEM for the first time. The molecular and morphological data of H. reliquens obtained herein contribute to a more accurate diagnosis of this little known ascaridoid nematode.

Survey for the presence of ascaridoid larvae in the cinnamon flounder Pseudorhombus cinnamoneus (Temminck & Schlegel) (Pleuronectiformes: Paralichthyidae).

The cinnamon flounder Pseudorhombus cinnamoneus is a frequently consumed marine fish in China. However, the occurrence of ascaridoid larvae in P. cinnamoneus remains unclear. In the present study, a total of 85 P. cinnamoneus caught from the Yellow Sea (off Shidao, 36°52'57″N, 122°26'42″E) in 2011, which is located between mainland China and the Korean Peninsula, was investigated for ascaridoid larval infection. Four ascaridoid larval types, including Anisakis type I of Berland (1961), Hysterothylacium type of Smith (1983), Hysterothylacium type HL of Guo et al. (2014) and Raphidascaris type of Zhao et al. (2016), were detected in this important food fish. These larval types were identified as Anisakis pegreffii, Hysterothylacium aduncum, H. sinense and Raphidascaris lophii, respectively, using PCR-based restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis and sequencing of the ITS region of nuclear ribosomal DNA (rDNA). The third-stage larvae of H. sinense are reported from Chinese waters for the first time. The prevalence of H. sinense was 100% and represents the predominant species of the ascaridoid larvae found in P. cinnamoneus. The prevalences of A. pegreffii and H. aduncum were 44.7% and 81.2%, respectively. Phylogenetic analyses based on ITS sequences were performed to elucidate the genetic relationships of these ascaridoid nematodes. The present study increases the knowledge and distribution of ascaridoid larvae in this area of Yellow Sea. The high prevalence of ascaridoid larvae in P. cinnamoneus shows that an assessment needs to be undertaken to assess the risk these parasites may pose to public health.

Influence of HbCO structure of the bar-headed goose on photolysis thermodynamics as studied by the nanosecond laser-ultrasonic technique.

The bar-headed goose, a specialized high-altitude species, has a capacity for high oxygen uptake from a hypoxic environment. It thus has a higher oxygen affinity than other bird species of lower-altitude environments. Oxygen affinity is determined by molecular structures and genetic mutations of hemoglobin (Hb), which can also influence the coordinating structures and dynamics of oxygen-Hb. To explore the structural differences in Hbs as between high and low altitude species, photolysis dynamic parameters, including quantum yield, enthalpy, and conformational volume changes in carboxy-Hbs (HbCO) for the bar-headed goose and low altitude counterparts (the Chinese goose and chicken) were investigated by the laser pumping-probing technique and photoacoustic calorimetry. Comparing the photolysis results for HbCO of the three species, the enthalpy and conformational volume changes of the bar-headed goose were much smaller than those of the others, although the quantum yields of all three species are similar. To explain the possible mechanisms of these differences, modifications of salt bridges and key residue mutations at the α ß subunit interfaces of the proteins are described and discussed briefly.

Effect of troxerutin and cerebroproptein hydrolysate injection on platelet aggregation and thrombosis / 中国实验血液学杂志

This study was purposed to explore the effect of troxerotin and cerebroproptein hydrolysate injection (TCHI) on platelet aggregation in vitro and thrombosis in vivo. The inhibitory rate of TCHI at different concentrations on platelet aggregation was determined by platelet aggregometer. The relationship between dose and effect was established. The effect of troxerutin and cerebroproptein hydrolysate injection on thrombosis was determined by the carotid thrombosis model of rats. The results showed that the TCHI could inhibit thrombosis and platelet aggregation in a concentration-dependent way. When the concentration of TCHI total nitrogen was 5 µg/ml, the inhibition rate of platelet aggregation reached to the highest value of 28.61 ± 22.07%, which is 2.5 times as much as that with 100 µg/ml aspirin. It is concluded that the TCHI has antiaggregative and antithrombotic activity effects against platelet aggregation and thrombosis.