Enhanced Diagnostic Efficiency of Endometrial Carcinogenesis and Progression in Women with Abnormal Uterine Bleeding through Peripheral Blood Cytokine Testing: A Multicenter Retrospective Cohort Study.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the role of plasma cytokine detection in endometrial cancer screening and tumor progression assessment in patients with abnormal uterine bleeding. Methods: In this multicenter retrospective cohort study of 287 patients with abnormal uterine bleeding, comprehensive clinical information and laboratory assessments, including cytokines, routine blood tests, and tumor markers, were performed. Associations between the clinical indicators and endometrial carcinogenesis/progression were evaluated. The independent risk factors for endometrial cancer and endometrial cancer with deep myometrial invasion were analyzed using multivariate binary logistic regression. Additionally, a diagnostic model was used to evaluate the predictive efficacy of these identified risk factors. Results: In patients with abnormal uterine bleeding, low IL-4 and high IL-8 levels were independent risk factors for endometrial cancer (p < 0.05). Combining IL-4, IL-8, CA125, and menopausal status improved the accuracy of assessing endometrial cancer risk. The area under curve of the model is 0.816. High IL-6 and IL-8 levels were independent risk factors for deep myometrial invasion in patients with endometrial cancer (p < 0.05). Similarly, combining IL-6, IL-8, and Monocyte counts enhanced the accuracy of assessing endometrial cancer risk with deep myometrial invasion. The area under curve of the model is 0.753. Conclusions: Cytokines such as IL-4, IL-8, and IL-6 can serve as markers for monitoring endometrial cancer and its progression in women with abnormal uterine bleeding.

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.

Ultrastructure of Antennal Sensilla in Adults of Dioryctria rubella Hampson (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae).

Antennal sensilla play an essential role in insect life because they receive environmental cues. Dioryctria rubella is an important pine pest in China, but information on the morphology and distribution of its sensilla is limited. To elucidate the mechanism of insect-plant chemical communication, we examined the insect antennae and sensilla by scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that the antennae of D. rubella were filiform and consisted of a basal scape, a pedicel, and a flagellum with tapered flagellomeres. We identified seven types of sensilla, including trichodea, coeloconica, auricillica, basiconica, styloconica (two subtypes), Böhm's bristles, and squamiformia, all of which were distributed on the antennae of both sexes. Nevertheless, some sensilla exhibited various degrees of sexual dimorphism; for instance, sensilla trichodea, squamiformia, and basiconica were more abundant in males than in females. Many pores were observed on the surface of the cuticular wall in sensilla trichodea and auricillica, and their biological function may be related to olfaction. This study presented a thorough inventory of sensilla on the antennae of D. rubella and laid a solid foundation for future functional studies.

Glomerular Organization of the Antennal Lobes of the Diamondback Moth, Plutella xylostella L.

The antennal lobe of the moth brain is the primary olfactory center processing information concerning pheromones and plant odors. Plutella xylostella is a major worldwide pest of cruciferous vegetables and its behavior is highly dependent on their olfactory system. However, detailed knowledge of the anatomy and function of the P. xylostella olfactory system remains limited. In the present study, we present the 3-Dimentional (3-D) map of the antennal lobe of P. xylostella, based on confocal microscopic analysis of glomerular segmentation and Neurobiotin backfills of Olfactory Receptor Neurons (ORNs). We identified 74-76 ordinary glomeruli and a macroglomerular complex (MGC) situated at the entrance of the antennal nerve in males. The MGC contained three glomeruli. The volumes of glomeruli in males ranged from 305.83 ± 129.53 to 25440.00 ± 1377.67 µm3. In females, 74-77 glomeruli were found, with the largest glomerulus ELG being situated at the entrance of the antennal nerve. The volumes of glomeruli in females ranged from 802.17 ± 95.68 to 8142.17 ± 509.46 µm3. Sexual dimorphism was observed in anomalous supernumerary, anomalous missing, shape, size, and array of several of the identified glomeruli in both sexes. All glomeruli, except one in the antennal lobe (AL), received projections of antennal ORNs. The glomeruli PV1 in both sexes received input from the labial palp nerve and was assumed as the labial pit organ glomerulus (LPOG). These results provide a foundation for better understanding of coding mechanisms of odors in this important pest insect.

Distribution patterns and morphology of sensilla on the antennae of Plutella xylostella (L.)-A scanning and transmission electron microscopic study.

The antennal morphology, types of antennal sensilla, fine structures and distributions of the sensilla in Plutella xylostella L. (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) were studied by scanning (SEM) and transmission (TEM) electron microscopy. The antenna, scape, pedicel and flagellum were all longer in males than in females. A total of seventeen types of sensilla were identified on the antennae: trichodea (two subtypes), basiconica, coeloconica (three subtypes), Böhm's bristles (two subtypes), styloconica (two subtypes), squamiformia, auricillica, furcatea (three subtypes), cupuliform organs and terminal sensory pegs. Their numbers and distributions were studied in both male and female, and we found some of the sensilla exhibited various degrees of sexual dimorphisms. Sensilla trichodea were the most abundant of all sensillum types whereas terminal peg was present only once per antenna. Sensilla trichodea in males were bigger (subtype I) and more abundant than in females, however, sensilla basiconica and squamiformia were significantly smaller and less abundant in males than in females. Sensilla styloconica II was only found in females. Seven common sensillum types were studied with TEM to reveal its fine internal structure providing morphological evidences of their sensory functions. Sensilla trichodea I, basiconica and coeloconica III have porous walls suggesting olfactory functions. Combined with the sexual dimorphism, sensilla trichodea male P. xylostella might be involved in detecting sexual pheromones and sensilla basiconica of female might respond to host plant volatiles. Whereas sensilla coeloconica (subtype I and II) and Böhm's bristles have nonporous walls suggesting non-olfactory functions. The study presented a thorough inventory of sensilla on the antennae and laid a solid foundation for future functional studies of these sensilla in this important economical pest.