Dynamic transcriptome analysis provides molecular insights into underground floral differentiation in Adonis Amurensis Regel & Radde.

Understanding flower developmental processes is a prerequisite for improving flowering 'plants' production. Adonis amurensis is a fascinating spring ephemeral plant that develops its flower organs underground. Nevertheless, knowledge of the molecular mechanisms driving this particular process is scarce. Herein, we examined transcriptional changes during underground flower differentiation in A. amurensis and unveiled key differently regulated genes and pathways. High-throughput RNA sequencing of meristems at different flower developmental stages, including flower primordium (FP), sepal stage (SE), perianth primordium (PE), stamen stage (ST), and pistil stage (PI), identified 303,234 unigenes that showed 44.79% similarity with sequences in Aquilegia coerulea. Correlations, principal component, and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) analyses revealed that few molecular changes occurred during the transition from PE to ST. Many DEGs exhibited stage-specific regulations. Transcription factor (TF) and phytohormone family genes are critical regulators of the floral differentiation process in A. amurensis. The most differentially regulated TFs were MADS, FAR1, MYBs, AP2/ERF, B3, C2H2, and LOBs. We filtered out 186 candidate genes for future functional studies, including 18 flowering/circadian-related, 32 phytohormone-related, and TF family genes. Our findings deepen our understanding of the underground flower differentiation process and offer critical resources to dissect its regulatory network in A. amurensis. These findings establish a foundational platform for researchers dedicated to exploring the unique phenotypic characteristics of this specific flowering modality and delving into the intricate molecular mechanisms underpinning its regulation and expression.

Insight into chloroplast genome structural variation of the Mongolian endemic species Adonis mongolica (Ranunculaceae) in the Adonideae tribe.

Adonis mongolica is a threatened species that is endemic to Mongolia. It is a medicinal plant from the Adonis genus and has been used to treat heart diseases. However, the genomics and evolution of this species have not been thoroughly studied. We sequenced the first complete plastome of A. mongolica and compared it with ten Adonideae species to describe the plastome structure and infer phylogenetic relationships. The complete plastome of A. mongolica was 157,521 bp long and had a typical quadripartite structure with numerous divergent regions. The plastomes of Adonideae had relatively constant genome structures and sizes, except for those of Adonis. The plastome structure was consistent across Adonis. We identified a 44.8 kb large-scale inversion within the large single-copy region and rpl32 gene loss in the Adonis plastomes compared to other members of the Adonideae tribe. Additionally, Adonis had a smaller plastome size (156,917-157,603 bp) than the other genera within the tribe (159,666-160,940 bp), which was attributed to deletions of intergenic regions and partial and complete gene losses. These results suggested that an intramolecular mutation occurred in the ancestor of the Adonis genus. Based on the phylogenetic results, Adonis separated earlier than the other genera within the Adonideae tribe. The genome structures and divergences of specific regions in the Adonis genus were unique to the Adonideae tribe. This study provides fundamental knowledge for further genomic research in Mongolia and a better understanding of the evolutionary history of endemic plants.

[5 cases of bradyarrhythmia caused by adonis amurensis poisoning].

Adonis amurensis is a herb with the effect of cardiotonic and diuretic.Overdose can lead to various bradyarrhythmia and gastrointestinal reaction. This article analyzed the treatment process of 5 patients with bradyarrhythmia caused by adonis amurensis to enhance clinical doctors' understanding of the treatment principles for adonis amurensis poisoning.

Phytochemical profiling and antioxidant, enzyme-inhibitory, and toxic activities of extracts from Adonis ramosa Franch.

This study investigated the content and biological activity of three solvent extracts of Adonis ramosa Franch (AR), which contains 12 types of phytochemicals. The overall yield and total protein content of the aqueous extract were the highest, and it exhibited the highest hydroxyl and superoxide radical-scavenging abilities, copper chelating abilities, and cupric reducing antioxidant capacity. Ethanol extract had the highest total phenolic, flavonoid, and carbohydrate contents, and it showed the highest iron chelating activity, and HClO- and nitrite-scavenging abilities. Methanol AR extract contained the highest total steroid and tannin contents; it also demonstrated high radical- and reactive oxygen species-scavenging abilities and had the best ferric reducing antioxidant power, which allowed it to effectively prevent ß-carotene bleaching. Methanol extract also showed good stability and low toxicity. All tested solvent extracts of AR exhibited weak enzyme-inhibitory activities for four enzymes (α-glucosidase, α-amylase, acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase). Overall, AR can serve as a natural antioxidant.

Genotyping-by-sequencing reveals range expansion of Adonis vernalis (Ranunculaceae) from Southeastern Europe into the zonal Euro-Siberian steppe.

The Euro-Siberian steppe flora consists of warm- and cold-adapted species, which may have responded differently to Pleistocene glacials and interglacials. Genotyping-by-sequencing individuals from across the distribution range of the pheasant's eye (Adonis vernalis), we aimed to gain insight into steppe florogenesis based on the species' evolutionary history. Although the primary area of origin of the species group comprising A. vernalis, A. villosa and A. volgensis is in Asia, our results indicate that recent populations of A. vernalis are not of Asian origin but evolved in the southern part of Europe during the Pleistocene, with Spanish populations clearly genetically distinct from the Southeastern European populations. We inferred that A. vernalis migrated eastwards from the sub-Mediterranean forest-steppes of Southeastern Europe into the continental forest-steppe zone. Eastern European populations had the highest private allelic richness, indicating long-term large population sizes in this region. As a thermophilic species, A. vernalis seems unlikely to have survived in the cold deserts of the Last Glacial Maximum in Western Siberia, so this region was likely (re)colonized postglacially. Overall, our results reinforce the importance of identifying the area of origin and the corresponding ecological requirements of steppe plants in order to understand the composition of today's steppe flora.

Phylogeography and colonization pattern of subendemic round-leaved oxeye daisy from the Dinarides to the Carpathians.

The Carpathians are an important biodiversity hotspot and a link between mountain ranges on the European continent. This study investigated the phylogeography of one the Carpathian subendemics, Leucanthemum rotundifolium, which is distributed throughout the range and in one isolated population outside it. Range-wide sampling was used to examine phylogeographic patterns by sequencing uniparentally inherited chloroplast markers that exemplify seed dispersal. Reconstruct Ancestral State in Phylogenies (RASP) software, Bayesian binary Markov Chain Monte Carlo (BBM) analysis, and ecological niche modeling based on concatenated results of five algorithms were used to infer migration routes and examine links with other species through phylogeny. The round-leaved oxeye daisy is an example of organisms that reached the Carpathians through a southern "Dacian" migration route, most probably through long-distance dispersal. Dating placed the events in the Pleistocene and supported migrations during cooler periods and stasis/isolation followed by separation in the interglacials. Haplotype diversification indicated that after L. rotundifolium reached the area around the Fagaras Mountains, several migration events occurred leading to colonization of the Southern Carpathians followed by migration to the Apuseni Mountains, the Eastern Carpathians, and finally the Western Carpathians. The results are consistent with previous phylogeographic studies in this region and indicate several novel patterns.

AaZFP3, a Novel CCCH-Type Zinc Finger Protein from Adonis amurensis, Promotes Early Flowering in Arabidopsis by Regulating the Expression of Flowering-Related Genes.

CCCH-type zinc finger proteins (ZFP) are a large family of proteins that play various important roles in plant growth and development; however, the functions of most proteins in this family are uncharacterized. In this study, a CCCH-type ZFP, AaZFP3, was identified in the floral organ of Adonis amurensis. Quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) analysis revealed that AaZFP3 was widely expressed in the flowers of A.amurensis. Subcellular localization analysis showed that the AaZFP3 protein was mainly localized to the cytoplasm in tobacco and Arabidopsis. Furthermore, the overexpression of AaZFP3 promoted early flowering in Arabidopsis under both normal and relatively low-temperature conditions. RNA-sequencing and qPCR analyses revealed that the expression of multiple key flowering-time genes was altered in transgenic Arabidopsis overexpressing AaZFP3 compared to wild-type. Of these genes, FLOWERING LOCUS T (AtFT) expression was most significantly up-regulated, whereas FLOWERING LOCUS C (AtFLC) was significantly down-regulated. These results suggest that the overexpression of AaZFP3 promotes early flowering in Arabidopsis by affecting the expression of flowering-time genes. Overall, our study indicates that AaZFP3 may be involved in flowering regulation in A.amurensis and may represent an important genetic resource for improving flowering-time control in other ornamental plants or crops.

Phylogenetic relationship among taxa in the genus Adonis L. collected from Türkiye based on nrDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) markers.

BACKGROUND: Genus Adonis L. contain approximately 40 annual and perennial species, which are widely distributed in the temperate zones of Asia and Europe, and less frequently in southwestern Asia, northern Africa and the Mediterranean region. The aim of the study was to evaluate the phylogenetic relationship among Adonis taxa collected from Türkiye based on nrDNA Internal transcribed spacer (ITS) markers. METHODS: Samples of 64 individual genotypes from 21 populations of 10 Adonis taxa were collected from different regions of the country during vegetation period between 2014 and 2018. ITS1, ITS4, P16 and P25 primers within ITS technique was used to genotype the plant materials. Then, genotypic data was used to estimate magnitude and organization of infraspecific variation in different populations of Adonis. RESULTS: About 600 bp DNA sequences were obtained from each 64 Adonis genotypes belonging to 21 different populations. The dendrogram obtained from Adonis taxa and out-group sequences had two large main groups. While the out-group species were placed in the first large main group, the sect. Consiligo (perennial) and sect. Adonis (annuals) were placed in different sub-groups of the second large main group. Genetic similarity among Adonis taxa varied between A. microcarpa and A. dentata (98.46%). Principal component analysis indicated that two important components in Adonis taxa genotypes. The expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.0252 (sub-population A) to 0.3460 (sub-population C), with an average of 0.1154. In addition, population differentiation measurements (Fst) ranged from 0.0025 (sub-population C) to 0.9016 (sub-population A) with a relatively high average 0.6601. CONCLUSIONS: Present analyses revealed that phylogenetic classification (grouping) of Adonis taxa largely depended on morphological structure and present ITS primers were quite efficient in putting forth the genetic diversity of such species. The results of this study suggested that ITS markers could be used in the identification of genetic diversity among the Adonis taxa. The results obtained from molecular data can be used to explore the genetic variation pattern, population structure, and the evolutionary history of genus Adonis in the future.

Impact of dronedarone on patients with atrial fibrillation and diabetes: A sub-analysis of the ATHENA and EURIDIS/ADONIS studies.

AIM: This post hoc analysis evaluated efficacy and safety of dronedarone in atrial fibrillation (AF) and atrial flutter (AFL) patients with/without diabetes. METHODS: Patients were categorized according to baseline diabetes status. Time-to-event analyses were performed using Kaplan-Meier method. Hazard-ratios were assessed using Cox models. RESULTS: 945/4628 (dronedarone = 482; placebo = 463) patients in ATHENA and 215/1237 (dronedarone = 148; placebo = 67) patients in EURIDIS/ADONIS studies had diabetes. In ATHENA, there were higher rates of CV hospitalization/death in patients with diabetes (39.5%) than without diabetes (34.7%). Incidence of first CV hospitalization/death was lower in patients with diabetes treated with dronedarone (35.1%) than placebo (44.1%), and time to this event was longer in those treated with dronedarone than placebo (log-rank p = 0.005). Median AF/AFL recurrence time was longer in patients treated with dronedarone than placebo in patients with diabetes (ATHENA: 722 vs 527 days, log-rank p = 0.004; EURIDIS/ADONIS: 100 vs 23 days, log-rank p = 0.15) or without diabetes (ATHENA: 741 vs 492 days, log-rank p < 0.0001; EURIDIS/ADONIS: 120 vs 59 days, log-rank p = 0.0002). Occurrence of any treatment-related adverse events with dronedarone was similar for patients with/without diabetes and was comparable to placebo. CONCLUSIONS: Dronedarone reduced incidence of CV hospitalization/death, AF/AFL recurrence and increased time to these events in AF/AFL patients with/without diabetes. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Not applicable, as it was a post hoc analysis. This article is based on previously conducted studies (ATHENA: NCT00174785, EURIDIS: NCT00259428, and ADONIS: NCT00259376).

Efficacy and safety of dronedarone versus placebo in patients with atrial fibrillation stratified according to renal function: Post hoc analyses of the EURIDIS-ADONIS trials.

BACKGROUND: The use of antiarrhythmic drugs (AADs) in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is complex because impaired renal clearance can cause increased drug levels, and risk of intolerance or adverse events. Due to the propensity for CKD to occur alongside atrial fibrillation/atrial flutter (AF/AFL), it is essential that AAD safety and efficacy are assessed for patients with CKD. HYPOTHESIS: Dronedarone, an approved AAD, may present a suitable therapeutic option for patients with AF/AFL and concomitant CKD. METHODS: EURIDIS-ADONIS (EURIDIS, NCT00259428; ADONIS, NCT00259376) were identically designed, multicenter, double-blind, parallel-group trials investigating AF/AFL control with dronedarone 400 mg twice daily versus placebo (randomized 2:1). In this post hoc analysis, the primary endpoint was time to first AF/AFL. Patients were stratified according to renal function using the CKD-Epidemiology Collaboration equation and divided into estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) subgroups of 30-44, 45-59, 60-89, and ≥90 ml/min. Time-to-events between treatment groups were compared using log-rank testing and Cox regression. RESULTS: At baseline, most (86%) patients demonstrated a mild or mild-to-moderate eGFR decrease. Median time to first AF/AFL recurrence was significantly longer with dronedarone versus placebo for all eGFR subgroups except the 30 to 44 ml/min group, where the trend was similar but statistical power may have been limited by the small population. eGFR stratification had no significant effect on serious adverse events, deaths, or treatment discontinuations. CONCLUSIONS: This analysis suggests that dronedarone could be an effective therapeutic option for AF with an acceptable safety profile in patients with impaired renal function.

Predictors of dronedarone plasma drug concentrations and effect on atrial fibrillation/atrial flutter recurrence: Analyses from the EURIDIS and ADONIS studies.

BACKGROUND: In this post hoc analysis, we assessed patient characteristics as predictors of dronedarone trough concentrations and characterized the relationship of trough concentrations of dronedarone with its efficacy and safety. HYPOTHESIS: Dronedarone is recommended as a 400 mg twice daily dose taken orally with meals. We hypothesize that drug concentration/bioavailability of dronedarone, measured as above- and below-median trough concentrations, does not impact the efficacy outcomes. METHODS: Average trough concentrations (Ctrough_avg ) across multiple timepoints were calculated for each patient, and patient Ctrough_avg values were categorized as below-median or above-median concentrations. The effect of patient baseline characteristics on dronedarone Ctrough_avg was assessed in the below-median versus above-median groups. The effect of dronedarone in each Ctrough_avg group versus placebo on risk of first atrial fibrillation/atrial flutter (AF/AFL) recurrence and safety was also evaluated. RESULTS: Overall, 1795 plasma samples were available from 507 dronedarone-treated patients. An above-median Ctrough_avg was associated with age ≥75 years, female sex, lower weight, higher pacemaker use, and higher oral anticoagulant use. The risk of adjudicated first AF/AFL recurrence was significantly lower with dronedarone versus placebo in the below-median (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.71; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.56-0.91; p = .0054) and above-median groups (HR: 0.63; 95% CI: 0.50-0.81; p = .0002). No difference in risk of AF/AFL recurrence was observed between the above- and below-median groups. Safety and tolerability of dronedarone were similar between groups. CONCLUSION: Significant reduction in AF/AFL recurrence was observed in patients treated with dronedarone versus placebo, regardless of dronedarone concentrations above or below the median value.

Pregnane glycosides from Adonis amurensis and their bioactivity.

Seven undescribed pregnane glycosides named amurensides A-G and two known aglycones were isolated from the whole herb of Adonis amurensis Regel & Radde. Their structures were established based on 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic analyses, high-resolution mass spectrometry, and acid hydrolysis. The cytotoxicity of all compounds against three tumor cell lines (HepG2, Caco-2, and A549) were evaluated. Among them, amurensides A-C and E showed moderate inhibitory effects on the growth of HepG2 cells, with IC50 values ranging from 15.6 to 48.7 µM (sorafenib, 7.5 ± 1.9 µM). Amurensides A、D and F displayed inhibitory effects on the growth of A549 cells with IC50 values of 18.8 ± 1.2, 12.4 ± 0.6, and 30.4 ± 0.1 µM (cis-platinum, 6.1 ± 0.1 µM), respectively.

The Detection of Toxic Compounds in Extracts of Callilepis laureola (Oxeye Daisy) and Senecio latifolius (Ragwort) by Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS).

Methods used for the detection of toxic components of Callilepis laureola and Senecio latifolius have ranged from the use of thin-layer chromatography, spectrophotometry, and immunoassay to gas chromatography with mass spectrometry. However, each of these techniques has a number of drawbacks. In this chapter, we will describe a solid-phase extraction technique, which allows for the detection and quantitation of the toxins atractyloside and retrorsine in each plant extract using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). This methodology offers high specificity and sensitivity and the ability to identify a broad range of analytes.

Identification and Characterization of MIKCc-Type MADS-Box Genes in the Flower Organs of Adonis amurensis.

Adonis amurensis is a perennial herbaceous flower that blooms in early spring in northeast China, where the night temperature can drop to -15 °C. To understand flowering time regulation and floral organogenesis of A. amurensis, the MIKCc-type MADS (Mcm1/Agamous/ Deficiens/Srf)-box genes were identified and characterized from the transcriptomes of the flower organs. In this study, 43 non-redundant MADS-box genes (38 MIKCc, 3 MIKC*, and 2 Mα) were identified. Phylogenetic and conserved motif analysis divided the 38 MIKCc-type genes into three major classes: ABCDE model (including AP1/FUL, AP3/PI, AG, STK, and SEPs/AGL6), suppressor of overexpression of constans1 (SOC1), and short vegetative phase (SVP). qPCR analysis showed that the ABCDE model genes were highly expressed mainly in flowers and differentially expressed in the different tissues of flower organs, suggesting that they may be involved in the flower organ identity of A. amurensis. Subcellular localization revealed that 17 full-length MADSs were mainly localized in the nucleus: in Arabidopsis, the heterologous expression of three full-length SOC1-type genes caused early flowering and altered the expression of endogenous flowering time genes. Our analyses provide an overall insight into MIKCc genes in A. amurensis and their potential roles in floral organogenesis and flowering time regulation.

Acaricidal activity of strophanthidin derivatives against Psoroptes cuniculi and their inhibitory effect on Na+-K+-ATPase.

In our previous studies, we found that as the active gradients of Adonis coerulea, cardenolides and cardiac glycosides presented toxicity against mites by inhibiting Na+-K+-ATPase. In this paper, after evaluating the acaricidal activity of the commercial cardiac aglycones/glycosides, serials of novel strophanthidin derivatives were designed and synthesized with an efficient and simple route under mild conditions, and their toxicity against mites, the cytotoxicity and inhibitory effect on Na+-K+-ATP enzyme in PC12 cells were investigated. Results showed among of all compounds, including 9 commercial agent and 32 synthesized strophanthidin derivatives, QXG-1 presented the strongest toxicity against mites with the LC50 value of 320.0 µg/mL. C-19 group of strophanthidin substituted with glycinemethylester would increase the toxicity against mites, and the hydroxyl group at C-5 play the vital role in terms of the toxicity. At the given concentration, QXG-1 displayed the safety against PC12 (10.0 µg/mL) in vitro and mice (3.2 mg/kg) in acute toxicity test, and strong inhibitory effect on Na+-K+-ATPase. It could be used as a promising acaricidal agent. This study lays the foundation to develop of QXG-1 as a relatively safe and alternative acaricidal agent.

Maculopatía en ojo de buey por uso de cloroquina. Presentación de un caso / Maculopathy in bull's eye due to the use of chloroquine. Presentation of a case

RESUMEN Se reportó el caso de un paciente con maculopatía en ojo de buey, asociada al uso de cloroquina. El uso de cloroquina en patologías reumatológicas puede provocar daño retinal relacionado con la dosis y el tiempo de evolución del tratamiento. Puede provocar desde afectación visual leve hasta daño irreversible de la visión, lo que depende del tiempo en que se realice el diagnóstico. Se presentó una paciente de 72 años, con diagnóstico de artritis reumatoide desde hace 21 años y tratamiento con cloroquina desde hace 15. Acudió a consulta con disminución de la visión lenta y progresiva bilateral. En el examen oftalmológico de fondo de ojo se diagnosticó maculopatía en ojo de buey. Este diagnóstico se confirmó por estudios de autofluorescencia y por la tomografía de coherencia óptica (AU).

ABSTRACT A case is reported of a patient with maculopathy in bulls' eye associated to the use of chloroquine. The use of chloroquine associated with rheumatologic diseases can cause retinal damage related to the dose and the time of treatment evolution. It can cause from mild visual impairment to irreversible vision damage depending on the time the diagnosis is made. A 72-year-old female patient is presented with a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis for 21 years and treatment with chloroquine for 15 years. She assisted the consultation with a slow and progressive bilateral vision decrease; at the ophthalmological examination of the fundus a maculopathy in bull's eye was diagnosed, later confirmed by auto fluorescence and optical coherence tomography studies (AU).

The active compounds and AChE inhibitor of the methanol extract of Adonis coerulea maxim against Psoroptes cuniculi.

Adonis coerulea Maxim. presents acaricidal activity in vitro and in vivo, and inhibits AChE and other enzymes activities. However, the active compounds against Psoroptes cuniculi were still unclear. AChE, a common acaricidal and insecticidal target, plays a key role in neural conduction of mites. In this study, using surface plasmon resonance (SPR) technology, AChE was used as a target to capture the compounds from A. coerulea methanol extract (MEAC). After calculating the affinity with molecular docking, the inhibitory effect of compounds against AChE was studied. Results showed that 27 compounds were captured by AChE and identified from MEAC by LC-MS/MS. Among of these compounds, eight compounds presented the high affinity with AChE and high scores in molecular docking assay, especially for silibinin (-12.19 kcal/mol) and vitexin (-11.72 kcal/mol). Further studies showed that although these compounds have the weak cytotoxicity against C6/36 cells, silibinin, quercetin and corilagin could inhibit AChE activity with IC50 values of 40.11 µg/mL, 46.15 µg/mL and 50.98 µg/mL, respectively. These results indicated that silibinin, quercetin and corilagin may be responsible for AChE inhibition which contributes to the acaricidal properties of A coerulea. This study lays the foundation for developing sensitive and sustainability methods for active compound detection from plants.

Safety assessment of homeopathic medicines: The Adonis vernalis paradox and the 'analysis trap' of using different pharmacopeias.

Regulatory agencies have to ensure the end-user safety of botanically derived homeopathic medicines prepared with diluted starting materials derived even from toxic plants. In the case of plant-derived homeopathic products, assessment must consider the particular characteristics of an extract and its component molecules, even if diluted. The identification and quantification of these molecules have a crucial role in risk assessment, as it allows complete toxicological evaluation in a regulatory perspective. Different results can be achieved using different approaches and references supported by the same regulatory framework, as different methods of preparation used, assays and test analysis performed in compliance with different referent pharmacopoeias. All these facts can introduce a bias in the safety assessment and the paradoxical outcome for homeopathic Adonis vernalis underlines the need for caution. The case also demonstrates the relevance of considering the analytical method for assessment of all herbal medicinal products or herbal supplements, with the purpose of finding the total amount of toxicants as a good approach.

An instrument for the evaluation of muscle dysmorphia: The Italian validation of the adonis complex questionnaire.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Muscle dysmorphia (MDM), or bigorexia, is a subcategory of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), also known as "Adonis Complex" in nonscientific contexts. One of the most used tools to investigate MDM is the Adonis Complex Questionnaire (ACQ). The ACQ is a 13-item US questionnaire, designed for male subjects only, related to the dissatisfaction and concerns about physical appearance. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the validity of the Italian version of the ACQ. METHODS: The instrument was administered to a sample of 322 male adults, recruited from the general population. We used the maximum-likelihood confirmatory factorial analysis (CFA), analyzing the covariance matrices with AMOS 24.0, to evaluate the different factorial models proposed in the literature. RESULTS: The evaluation of the factorial structure of the Italian version of the ACQ demonstrates the greater stability and internal consistency of the two-factor model, compared to the original three-factor model. The factors have no correlation with the demographic characteristics of the sample. CONCLUSIONS: The present study confirms the validity and the reliability of the Italian two-factor version of the ACQ and highlights the general tendency, among Italian males, to have concerns about their own physical appearance with recurring thoughts and eating behaviors finalized to improve it. Our study represents an advance in the use of adequate and reliable instruments to assess concerns about physical appearance in the Italian male population.

Analysis of defensive secretion of a milkweed bug Lygaeus equestris by 1D GC-MS and GC×GC-MS: sex differences and host-plant effect.

The composition of defensive secretion produced by metathoracic scent glands was analysed in males and females of the milkweed bug Lygaeus equestris (Heteroptera) using gas chromatography with mass spectrometric detection (GC-MS). The bugs were raised either on cardenolide-containing Adonis vernalis or on control sunflower seeds in order to determine whether the possibility to sequester cardenolides from their host plants would affect the composition of defensive scent-gland secretion. Profiles of the composition of defensive secretions of males and females raised on sunflower were closely similar, with predominant presence of (E)-2-octenal, (E)-2-octen-1-ol, decanal and 3-octen-1-ol acetate. The secretion of bugs raised on A. vernalis was more sexually dimorphic, and some chemicals e.g. (E,E)-2,4-hexadienyl acetate and 2-phenylethyl acetate were dominant in males, but absent in females. Compared to bugs from sunflower, the scent-gland secretion of bugs raised on A. vernalis was characterized by lower overall intensity of the peaks obtained for detected chemicals and by absence of some chemicals that have supposedly antipredatory function ((E)-2-hexenal, (E)-4-oxo-hex-2-enal, 2,4-octadienal). The results suggest that there might be a trade-off between the sequestration of defensive chemicals from host plants and their synthesis in metathoracic scent-glands.