Identification and Field Evaluation of the Sex Pheromone of Orthaga achatina (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae).

Orthaga achatina (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) is the most serious pest in south China of camphor trees, Cinnamomum camphora (L.) Presl, an important urban tree species. Gas chromatography-electroantennographic detection (GC-EAD) of the sex pheromone of O. achatina showed three EAD-active components. Coupled gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analyses identified these as (Z)-11-hexadecenol (Z11-16:OH), (Z)-11-hexadecenyl acetate (Z11-16:OAc), and (3Z,6Z,9Z,12Z,15Z)-tricosapentaene (Z3,Z6,Z9,Z12,Z15-23:H). In field tests using different combinations of the three compounds, male moths were attracted to a mixture of Z11-16:OAc and Z3,Z6,Z9,Z12,Z15-23:H, but less attracted to other blends. Further field tests with different ratios of the two compounds determined the optimal ratio of the binary blend as 500:250. The addition of Z11-16:OH to Z11-16:OAc, or to the binary mixture of Z11-16: OAc and the pentaene did not yield higher catches. This shows that O. achatina uses a mixture of Type I and Type II sex pheromone components. Orthaga achatina is the third Pyraloidea species found to utilize Z3,Z6,Z9,Z12,Z15-23:H as a sex pheromone component.

Molecular characterization, expression patterns, and ligand-binding properties of two odorant-binding protein genes from Orthaga achatina (Butler) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae).

It is postulated that insect pheromone-binding proteins (PBPs) are involved in sex pheromone reception, while the general odorant-binding proteins (GOBPs) are involved in reception of the general odorants including plant volatiles. However, this functional specificity is not completely conclusive. In the present study, full-length sequences of two new OBP genes were molecularly identified as OachPBP1 and OachGOBP2 from Orthaga achatina, an important pest of the camphor tree Cinnamomum camphora. Quantification of transcript levels by qRT-PCR showed that the two genes highly expressed in antennae, with OachPBP1 male-biased and OachGOBP2 similar between sexes. These expression patterns are consistent with the generally proposed functions of PBPs and GOBPs. With the recombinant proteins obtained by a bacterial expression system, the binding specificity of these proteins was further investigated and compared using the competitive binding assay. OachPBP1 exhibited high binding affinities with all three putative sex pheromones and 10 pheromone analogs, supporting its role in pheromone reception. On the other hand, in addition to binding with some plant volatiles, OachGOBP2 surprisingly displayed similar or even higher binding affinities with the sex pheromones than OachPBP1. Therefore, we propose that OachGOBP2 might play roles in reception of sex pheromone. Additionally, plant volatiles farnesol and farnesene showed high binding with both OachGOBP2 and OachPBP1, suggesting that these volatile chemicals have regulatory functions in the behavior of O. achatina.

Newborn screening for congenital heart disease using echocardiography and follow-up at high altitude in China.

BACKGROUND: Pulse oximetry screening for critical congenital heart disease (CHD) is inapplicable to high altitude due to the variedly decreased arterial saturations and rare complex CHD. We examined the incidence and spectrum of CHD in newborns using echocardiography at high altitude and followed up their outcomes. METHODS: A total of 1337 babies were studied. Echocardiography was performed in 1002 asymptomatic newborns (3-5 days). In the same period, retrospectively studied 394 newborns (≤2 days) admitted to the NICU where echocardiograph was performed in 335. In both groups, follow-up was made at 1-3, 6 and 12-18 months. RESULTS: The incidence of CHD in asymptomatic newborns was 27.8%, consisting secundum atrial septal defect (ASD) [175 (62.7%)], patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) [61 (21.9%)], ventricular septal defect (VSD) [8 (2.9%)] and multiple defects [35 (12.6%)]. And 19.4% in NICU patients with similar spectrum, except for 2 with complex CHD who died before discharge. By 12-18 months of follow-up, 30% of CHD remained open. Thirteen patients developed mild to severe pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), and 2 of them died of heart failure. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of CHD in newborns at high altitude is about 20 times higher than that at low altitude, consisting mostly of simple forms with left to right shunt, with rare complex CHD. By 12-18 months, the incidence of CHD is still about 10 times higher than that at low altitude. About 8% patients developed PAH or death. Follow-up must be reinforced in order to provide early intervention and prevent from PAH or death.

[Calling and mating behaviors of adult Orthaga achatina (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)].

A laboratory study was made on the calling and mating behaviors of adult Orthaga achatina at (27 +/- 1) degrees C, (60 +/- 10)% RH, and 14 L: 10 D photoperiod. The female O. achatina did not call until the start of scotophase, with the calling percentage increased sharply at the 5th hour and reached the peak at the 6th-7th hour of scotophase. The calling percentage varied with moth age, being the highest (> 70%) at the age of 2-3 d. The mating behavior could be divided into two successive periods, i.e., calling period and mating period. The mating between female and male O. achatina occurred during the 5th-9th hour of scotophase, with the peak at the 6th-7th hour into scotophase, which was in accordance with the peak time of female calling behavior. Females mated only one time during their whole life. Treatment 1 female : 2 male showed a significantly higher mating percentage, but a significantly shorter mating duration time, compared with treatment 1 female : 1 male.