Effect of doping and defects on the electronic properties of MoS2/WSe2 bilayer heterostructure: a first-principles study.

This work studies the effect of Nb, Mo, Re dopant, and Se vacancy in WSe2 on the electronic and optical properties of the MoS2/WSe2 bilayer heterostructure based on first-principles calculations. Our research shows that the MoS2/WSe2 bilayer heterostructure exhibits a type-II band alignment with a valence band offset (VBO) of 1.07 eV and a conduction band offset (CBO) of 1.00 eV. It also shows that different dopants or defects can considerably modulate the energy band alignment and interlayer charge transfer of the heterostructure. Owing to the orbital hybridization of the dopant atoms with other atoms and the consequent enhancement of the coupling between the two structural layers, a transition of the band alignment from type-II to type-I is realized with the Re dopant. The effect of doping and defects on the electronic properties of heterojunctions contributes to applications in high-performance optoelectronic devices.

CRISPR-mediated knockout of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) α6 subunit confers high levels of resistance to spinosyns in Spodoptera frugiperda.

Spinosyn insecticides (spinosad and spinetoram) have been widely used to control a number of agricultural pests including the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda. Mutations of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor α6 subunit (nAChRα6) have been reported to confer high levels of resistance to spinosyns in several insect pests. Here we used CRISPR-mediated gene knockout to determine the involvement of S. frugiperda nAChRα6 (Sfα6) in spinosyns susceptibility. A Sfα6 knockout strain of S. frugiperda (Sfα6-KO) was established using dual single guide RNA (sgRNA) directed large fragment deletion with the CRISPR/Cas9 system. Sfα6-KO showed high levels of resistance to spinosad (307-fold) and spinetoram (517-fold) compared with the progenitor strain YJ-19, while no resistance was observed to emamectin benzoate, indoxacarb, chlorfenapyr, chlorantraniliprole and broflanilide. Genetic analyses confirmed that spinosad resistance in Sfα6-KO was autosomal, incompletely recessive and tightly linked to the edited deletion mutation of Sfα6. Our results provided in vivo functional evidence for Sfα6 as the major target of spinosyns against S. frugiperda, and demonstrated that disruption of Sfα6 causes high level resistance to spinosyns. Although no mutations of Sfα6 have yet been reported in any field populations of S. frugiperda, it is critical to develop F1 screens and/or DNA-based methods to detect and monitor the mutant allele frequencies of Sfα6 across global populations of S. frugiperda.

Dominant point mutation in a tetraspanin gene associated with field-evolved resistance of cotton bollworm to transgenic Bt cotton.

Extensive planting of crops genetically engineered to produce insecticidal proteins from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) has suppressed some major pests, reduced insecticide sprays, enhanced pest control by natural enemies, and increased grower profits. However, rapid evolution of resistance in pests is reducing these benefits. Better understanding of the genetic basis of resistance to Bt crops is urgently needed to monitor, delay, and counter pest resistance. We discovered that a point mutation in a previously unknown tetraspanin gene in the cotton bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera), a devastating global pest, confers dominant resistance to Cry1Ac, the sole Bt protein produced by transgenic cotton planted in China. We found the mutation using a genome-wide association study, followed by fine-scale genetic mapping and DNA sequence comparisons between resistant and susceptible strains. CRISPR/Cas9 knockout of the tetraspanin gene restored susceptibility to a resistant strain, whereas inserting the mutation conferred 125-fold resistance in a susceptible strain. DNA screening of moths captured from 23 field sites in six provinces of northern China revealed a 100-fold increase in the frequency of this mutation, from 0.001 in 2006 to 0.10 in 2016. The correspondence between the observed trajectory of the mutation and the trajectory predicted from simulation modeling shows that the dominance of the mutation accelerated adaptation. Proactive identification and tracking of the tetraspanin mutation demonstrate the potential for genomic analysis, gene editing, and molecular monitoring to improve management of resistance.

First Report of Purple Spot on Dandelion in China Caused by Alternaria tenuissima.

Dandelion (Taraxacum mongolicum) is a perennial herb of the family Asteraceae, with a high edible and medicinal value and widely grown at medium and low altitudes in China. In July 2019, purple spot of dandelion was found in a field near Harbin City, Heilongjiang province, China. The disease incidence regionally reached 95% in fields with yield losses between 10 and 20%, seriously reducing the economic and food value of dandelion. Multiple, irregular brown spots were first observed on the leaves of this plant- that later developed into circular or near-circular purple spots with raised centers, or purple lesions along the veins. When the leaf spots coalesced, the value of the commodity was lost. To isolate the pathogen, 5 × 5 mm pieces of leaf tissue from the margins of lesions were surface disinfected in 75% alcohol, rinsed in distilled water, and incubated on potato dextrose agar (PDA) plates at 28℃ until sporulation. Using single-spore isolation, a pure culture (YY-1) was obtained with abundant grayish white hyphae that later turned olive green. The underside of the colonies were brown. Conidia were typically obclavate, had a short beak with 1 to 6, but usually 3, transverse septa, and up to 3 longitudinal septa. The transverse septum was thicker and the wall of the conidium appeared brick-like. Conidia were pale brown, catenulate, and measured from 25 to 42 µm long by 6 to 10 µm wide. YY-1 was identified as Alternaria sp. based on morphological characteristics (Simmons 2007). Molecular identification was performed to detect the fungal species, and included the Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS), translation elongation factor 1-alpha (EF1), actin gene (ACT), plasma membrane ATPase gene (ATP), and the calmodulin gene (CAL), which were respectively amplified with primers ITS4/ITS5 (Guo et al. 2012), EF1-728F/EF1-986R (Carbone and Kohn 1999), ACT-512F/ACT-783R (Carbone and Kohn 1999), and ATPDF1/ATPDR1 and CALDF1/CALDR1 (Lawrence 2013) (GenBank Accession Nos. MN746334, MT627208, MT627209, MT558864, MT558865). The species of Alternaria could not be confirmed by sequencing the above genes, as described previously (Zheng et al. 2015). Hence, a partial coding sequence of the histone 3 gene (GenBank Accession No. MN744235) was amplified using primers H3-1a/H3-1b (Zheng et al. 2015) and it shared 98.09% sequence identity with A. tenuissima (KP267543). The ITS sequence (MN746334) was 99.81% similar to the reference sequences of A. tenuissima (KT223327) in GenBank. A Maximum-likelihood tree was then reconstructed based on the ITS, CAL, and ATP sequences by MEGA7, which showed that YY-1 was most closely related to A. tenuissima. Therefore, YY-1 was identified as A. tenuissima based on its morphological and molecular characteristics. To perform Koch's postulates, 20 healthy leaves from greenhouse-grown dandelion were inoculated with 5-µL drops of a conidial suspension (1 x 105 conidia/ml) of isolate YY-1. Sterile water was used as a control. The inoculated plants were placed in a growth chamber at 28℃ and 80 to 90% relative humidity. After 10 days, similar symptoms were observed on plants inoculated with YY-1, while control plants did not produce symptoms. The pathogen was reisolated from the inoculated leaves and identified by morphological and molecular methods as A. tenuissima. To our knowledge, this is the first report of A. tenuissima causing purple spot on T. mongolicum in China.

Comparative study of three different combination surgical methods for recurrent patella dislocation.

PURPOSE: The effects of different combination of surgical techniques for recurrent patella dislocation (RPD) remain unclear. Thus, aim of this study was to investigate the surgical outcomes of different combination of surgical techniques for RPD. METHODS: The clinical data of 79 patients with RPD from August 2014 to October 2016 were analysed retrospectively. Knee joint was assessed according to measurements of the congruence angle (CA), patellar tilt angle (PTA) and lateral patellofemoral angle (LPFA). Knee function was evaluated by Kujala patellofemoral score, Lysholm knee score and Tegner score. Patients were followed up by out-patient examination and telephone till October 2018. RESULTS: Preoperative clinical characteristics were similar across groups. It was statistically insignificant among three groups in CA, PTA, LPFA and redislocation rate. In term of knee functions, the MPFL reconstruction and LPR release group had the highest score (Lysholm score: 91.82 ± 4.64, Kujala score: 94.22 ± 4.26, Tegner score: 5.80 ± 1.00, respectively) and the LPR release and MPR plication had the lowest score (Lysholm score: 78.10 ± 6.90, Kujala score: 80.91 ± 4.30, Tegner score: 4.98 ± 1.22, respectively). CONCLUSION: Three combinations of surgical methods were similar in terms of postoperative joint congruence and redislocation rate, but MPFL reconstruction combined with LPR release is worthy to be promoted with the highest knee function scores.

Critical reviews of 1470-nm laser vaporization on benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is recognized as the common chronic disease that affect majority of men in their elder ages. Nevertheless, there are no effective documents for BPH treatment. Even though great progression has been made on BPH by laser surgery, it also faces several challenges. In this study, our aims were to explore the effects of 1470-nm laser vaporization on BPH. For the research, a total of 170 BPH patients were enrolled. A 1470-nm laser vaporization apparatus was purchased for the surgery. The indicators such as serum sodium, international prostate symptom score (IPSS), Quality of life (QOL), maximum flow rate (Qmax), prostate specific antigen (PSA), and average Post-void Residual Volume (PVR) were detected for evaluating the prostate function. The operation was successful in all 170 patients, neither of whom converted to transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) nor to open surgery. The surgery time was 52.3 ± 5.6 min, the laser emission time was 35.6 ± 3.2 min, the energy consumption was 254.1 ± 19.3 kJ. The level of serum sodium showed no significant difference between the pre- and post-operation. Qmax was significantly increased in post-operation, while IPSS, QOL, PVR, and PSA were significantly decreased in the post-operation. The 1470-nm laser vaporization treatment protected patients against BPH, indicating that 1470-nm laser vaporization might be important on treating BPH, which provided solid foundation for further clinical treatment.

A reference gene set for sex pheromone biosynthesis and degradation genes from the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella, based on genome and transcriptome digital gene expression analyses.

BACKGROUND: Female moths synthesize species-specific sex pheromone components and release them to attract male moths, which depend on precise sex pheromone chemosensory system to locate females. Two types of genes involved in the sex pheromone biosynthesis and degradation pathways play essential roles in this important moth behavior. To understand the function of genes in the sex pheromone pathway, this study investigated the genome-wide and digital gene expression of sex pheromone biosynthesis and degradation genes in various adult tissues in the diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella, which is a notorious vegetable pest worldwide. RESULTS: A massive transcriptome data (at least 39.04 Gb) was generated by sequencing 6 adult tissues including male antennae, female antennae, heads, legs, abdomen and female pheromone glands from DBM by using Illumina 4000 next-generation sequencing and mapping to a published DBM genome. Bioinformatics analysis yielded a total of 89,332 unigenes among which 87 transcripts were putatively related to seven gene families in the sex pheromone biosynthesis pathway. Among these, seven [two desaturases (DES), three fatty acyl-CoA reductases (FAR) one acetyltransferase (ACT) and one alcohol dehydrogenase (AD)] were mainly expressed in the pheromone glands with likely function in the three essential sex pheromone biosynthesis steps: desaturation, reduction, and esterification. We also identified 210 odorant-degradation related genes (including sex pheromone-degradation related genes) from seven major enzyme groups. Among these genes, 100 genes are new identified and two aldehyde oxidases (AOXs), one aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), five carboxyl/cholinesterases (CCEs), five UDP-glycosyltransferases (UGTs), eight cytochrome P450 (CYP) and three glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) displayed more robust expression in the antennae, and thus are proposed to participate in the degradation of sex pheromone components and plant volatiles. CONCLUSIONS: To date, this is the most comprehensive gene data set of sex pheromone biosynthesis and degradation enzyme related genes in DBM created by genome- and transcriptome-wide identification, characterization and expression profiling. Our findings provide a basis to better understand the function of genes with tissue enriched expression. The results also provide information on the genes involved in sex pheromone biosynthesis and degradation, and may be useful to identify potential gene targets for pest control strategies by disrupting the insect-insect communication using pheromone-based behavioral antagonists.

Dominant Inheritance of Field-Evolved Resistance to Fipronil in Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae).

A field-collected strain (HF) of Plutella xylostella (L.) showed 420-fold resistance to fipronil compared with a susceptible laboratory strain (Roth). The HF-R strain, derived from the HF strain by 25 generations of successive selection with fipronil in the laboratory, developed 2,200-fold resistance to fipronil relative to the Roth strain. The F(1) progeny of the reciprocal crosses between HF-R and Roth showed 640-fold (R♀ × S♂) and 1,380-fold (R♂ × S♀) resistance to fipronil, indicating resistance is inherited as an incompletely dominant trait. Analysis of progeny from a backcross (F1♂ × S♀) suggests that resistance is controlled by one major locus. The LC(50) of the R♂ × S♀ cross F(1) progeny is slightly but significantly higher than that of the R♀ × S♂ cross F(1) progeny, suggesting a minor resistance gene on the Z chromosome. Sequence analysis of PxGABARα1 (an Rdl-homologous GABA receptor gene of P. xylostella) from the HF-R strain identified two mutations A282S and A282G (corresponding to the A302S mutation of the Drosophila melanogaster Rdl gene), which have been previously implicated in fipronil resistance in several insect species including P. xylostella. PxGABARα1 was previously mapped to the Z chromosome of P. xylostella. In conclusion, fipronil resistance in the HF-R strain of P. xylostella was incompletely dominant, and controlled by a major autosomal locus and a sex-linked minor gene (PxGABARα1) on the Z chromosome.

Cross-resistance and genetics of field-evolved resistance to chlorfenapyr in Plutella xylostella.

Chlorfenapyr is a broad-spectrum halogenated pyrrole insecticide with a unique mode of action. Due to the misuse and overuse of this chemical, resistance has been reported in several arthropods, including Plutella xylostella, which is one of the most destructive insect pests afflicting crucifers worldwide. A better understanding of the cross-resistance and genetics of field-evolved chlorfenapyr resistance could effectively guide resistance management practices. Here, the chlorfenapyr resistance of a field-derived population of P. xylostella was introgressed into the susceptible IPP-S strain using a selection-assisted multigenerational backcrossing approach. The constructed near-isogenic strain, TH-BC5F2, shared 98.4% genetic background with the recurrent parent IPP-S strain. The TH-BC5F2 strain showed 275-fold resistance to chlorfenapyr, but no significant cross-resistance to spinosad, abamectin, chlorpyrifos, ß-cypermethrin, indoxacarb, chlorantraniliprole, or broflanilide (no more than 4.2-fold). Genetic analysis revealed that resistance was autosomal, incompletely dominant, and conferred by 1 major gene or a few tightly linked loci. The synergism of metabolic inhibitors (PBO, DEM, and DEF) to chlorfenapyr was very weak (<1.7-fold), and the metabolic enzyme activities in the TH-BC5F2 strain were not significantly elevated compared with the IPP-S strain. The results enhances our understanding of the genetic traits of chlorfenapyr resistance, and provides essential information for improving resistance management strategies.

Key role of the ryanodine receptor I4790K mutation in mediating diamide resistance in Plutella xylostella.

The diamondback moth Plutella xylostella, a global insect pest of cruciferous vegetables, has evolved resistance to many classes of insecticides including diamides. Three point mutations (I4790M, I4790K, and G4946E) in the ryanodine receptor of P. xylostella (PxRyR) have been identified to associate with varying levels of resistance. In this study, we generated a knockin strain (I4790K-KI) of P. xylostella, using CRISPR/Cas9 to introduce the I4790K mutation into PxRyR of the susceptible IPP-S strain. Compared to IPP-S, the edited I4790K-KI strain exhibited high levels of resistance to both anthranilic diamides (chlorantraniliprole 1857-fold, cyantraniliprole 1433-fold) and the phthalic acid diamide flubendiamide (>2272-fold). Resistance to chlorantraniliprole in the I4790K-KI strain was inherited in an autosomal and recessive mode, and genetically linked with the I4790K knockin mutation. Computational modeling suggests the I4790K mutation reduces the binding of diamides to PxRyR by disrupting key hydrogen bonding interactions within the binding cavity. The approximate frequencies of the 4790M, 4790K, and 4946E alleles were assessed in ten geographical field populations of P. xylostella collected in China in 2021. The levels of chlorantraniliprole resistance (2.3- to 1444-fold) in these populations were significantly correlated with the frequencies (0.017-0.917) of the 4790K allele, but not with either 4790M (0-0.183) or 4946E (0.017-0.450) alleles. This demonstrates that the PxRyR I4790K mutation is currently the major contributing factor to chlorantraniliprole resistance in P. xylostella field populations within China. Our findings provide in vivo functional evidence for the causality of the I4790K mutation in PxRyR with high levels of diamide resistance in P. xylostella, and suggest that tracking the frequency of the I4790K allele is crucial for optimizing the monitoring and management of diamide resistance in this crop pest.

Baseline toxicity of metaflumizone and lack of cross resistance between indoxacarb and metaflumizone in diamondback moth (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae).

Diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.) is a serious insect pest of vegetables worldwide, and has evolved resistance to various kinds of insecticides. Studies were conducted to determine the baseline toxicity of metaflumizone and the possibility of cross-resistance between metaflumizone and indoxacarb, two sodium channel blocking insecticides (SCBIs), in field populations of P. xylostella from China. The variation in susceptibility to metaflumizone among 29 field populations of P. xylostella collected from 14 geographical locations in China was less than five-fold, with 50% lethal concentrations (LC50(s)) varying from 1.34 to 6.55 mg/liter. Limited variations in LC50(s) (less than five-fold, ranging from 1.76 to 8.16 mg/liter) were also observed in the four laboratory-selected strains with high levels of resistance to abamectin, spinosad, fipronil, or Bt toxin Cry1Ac. The toxicity of metaflumizone and indoxacarb was compared among 23 out of the 29 field populations. When compared with the susceptible Roth strain, the JN-09B population showed the highest level of resistance to indoxacarb (110-fold), but two-fold tolerance to metaflumizone. The other 22 populations (with 5- to 58-fold of resistance to indoxacarb) had 1- to three-fold tolerance to metaflumizone. Metaflumizone could provide an effective alternative insecticide for diamondback moth management. Although the field populations of P. xylostella tested with various levels of resistance to indoxacarb did not have cross-resistance to metaflumizone, metaflumizone should be rotated with other chemicals of different modes of action instead of indoxacarb.

Equivalent intensity but differential dominance of sodium channel blocker insecticide resistance conferred by F1845Y and V1848I mutations of the voltage-gated sodium channel in Plutella xylostella.

Two point mutations (F1845Y and V1848I) in the voltage-gated sodium channel gene of Plutella xylostella are involved in the target-site resistance to sodium channel blocker insecticides (SCBIs). The contribution of the individual mutations to the SCBI resistance and the associated inheritance modes is as yet unclear. Through 2 rounds of single-pair crossing and marker-assisted selection, 2 P. xylostella strains (1845Y and 1848I) bearing homozygous F1845Y or V1848I mutant alleles were successfully established from a field-collected population, and the contribution of each mutation to SCBI resistance, as well as associated inheritance patterns, was determined. When compared with the susceptible SZPS strain, each of the mutations individually conferred equally high-level resistance to indoxacarb (378 and 313 fold) and metaflumizone (734 and 674 fold), respectively. However, dominance levels of resistance to SCBIs were significantly different between the 2 resistant strains. Resistance of the 1845Y strain to indoxacarb and metaflumizone was inherited as an autosomal and incompletely dominant trait (D values ranged from 0.43 to 0.76). In contrast, that of the 1848I strain followed an autosomal but incompletely recessive to semidominant mode (D values: -0.24 to 0.09). Our findings enriched the current understanding of inheritance and mechanisms of SCBI resistance in P. xylostella, and will help develop resistance management programs for P. xylostella and other economic pests.

Correlation between clinicopathological characteristics and the clinical prognosis of patients with gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors.

Gastroenteropancreatic (GEP) neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are one of the most common types of NETs, accounting for 65-75% of all NETs. However, epidemiological characteristics of patients with GEP-NETs in China are still lacking. The present retrospective study aimed to investigate the local epidemiology of GEP-NETs and assess the prognostic factors in China. The data of 267 patients with GEP-NETs who were admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College (Bengbu, China) and the Affiliated Hospital of West Anhui Health Vocational College (Lu'an, China) were retrospectively reviewed. The clinical and pathological characteristics of the patients, as well as follow-up information, were collected, and the 5-year survival rate was calculated. Kaplan-Meier curves and log-rank analysis were used to analyze the prognostic factors. The stomach (100/267; 37.5%) was the most common site of GEP-NETs and the liver (25/39; 64.1%) was the most common metastatic site. A total of 166 (62.2%) and 219 (82.0%) patients had positive results for chromogranin A (CgA) and synaptophysin (Syn), respectively. The percentage of patients with tumor grade G1, G2 and G3 was 33.3, 21.0 and 45.7%, respectively. The 5-year overall survival rate was 79.7%, and the age, tumor site, distant metastasis and tumor grading upon diagnosis were all prognostic factors. In conclusion, the present case series investigated the epidemiology and prognostic factors of GEP-NETs in China. CgA and Syn could be used as diagnostic markers for NETs and the stomach was the most common primary tumor site. Lymph node metastasis, tumor site, distant metastasis and tumor grading were important prognostic factors.

Susceptibility and diagnostic concentration for Bacillus thuringiensis toxins and newer chemical insecticides in Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) from China.

The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is a cosmopolitan pest that exploits more than 350 host plants, including economically important crops such as corn, cotton and rice. Control of S. frugiperda largely relies on transgenic crops producing insecticidal proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) and spraying synthetic insecticides. Here, we established the susceptibility and diagnostic concentration for 2 Bt toxins and 5 newer insecticides in invasive populations of S. frugiperda from southeastern China. Concentrations causing 50% mortality (LC50) in ten field populations sampled in 2022 ranged from 2.13 to 19.29 and 22.43 to 71.12 ng/cm2 for Cry1Fa and Vip3Aa, and 0.83 to 5.30, 2.83 to 9.94, 0.04 to 0.23, 4.59 to 8.40, and 1.49 to 6.79 mg/liter for chlorantraniliprole, chlorfenapyr, emamectin benzoate, indoxacarb, and spinosad, respectively. Relative to the susceptible strain YJ-19, the largest resistance ratio in the field populations was 5.1, 1.6, 6.2, 3.9, 4.6, 2.2, and 3.6 for Cry1Fa, Vip3Aa, chlorantraniliprole, chlorfenapyr, emamectin benzoate, indoxacarb, and spinosad, respectively, indicating that the field populations were generally susceptible to these Bt toxins and insecticides. Based on the pooled response of the field populations, the diagnostic concentration for resistance monitoring, estimated as ca. twice the LC99, was 400 and 1,500 ng/cm2 for Cry1Fa and Vip3Aa, and 2, 40, 60, 60, and 100 mg/liter for emamectin benzoate, chlorantraniliprole, chlorfenapyr, spinosad, and indoxacarb, respectively. These results provide useful information for monitoring resistance to key Bt toxins and insecticides for the control of S. frugiperda in China.

Baseline susceptibility of Helicoverpa armigera, Plutella xylostella, and Spodoptera frugiperda to the meta-diamide insecticide broflanilide.

Broflanilide is a novel meta-diamide insecticide that acts as a γ-aminobutyric acid-gated chloride channel allosteric modulator. With its unique mode of action, broflanilide has no known cross-resistance with existing insecticides and is expected to be an effective tool for the management of insecticide resistance. Establishing the baseline susceptibility to this insecticide is an essential step for developing and implementing effective resistance management strategies. Here we evaluated the baseline susceptibility to broflanilide for 3 cosmopolitan lepidopteran pest species, Helicoverpa armigera, Plutella xylostella, and Spodoptera frugiperda. Broflanilide exhibited high activity against populations sampled in the major distribution range of these pests in China, with median lethal concentrations (LC50 ) ranging between 0.209 and 0.684, 0.076 and 0.336, and 0.075 and 0.219 mg/L for H. armigera, P. xylostella, and S. frugiperda, respectively. Among-population variability in susceptibility to broflanilide was moderate for H. armigera (3.3-fold), P. xylostella (4.4-fold), and S. frugiperda (2.9-fold). The recommended diagnostic concentrations for H. armigera, P. xylostella, and S. frugiperda were 8, 4, and 2 mg/L, respectively. Little or no cross-resistance to broflanilide was detected in 3 diamide-resistant strains of P. xylostella and 1 spinosyns-resistant strain of S. frugiperda. Our results provide critical information for the development of effective resistance management programs to sustain efficacy of broflanilide against these key lepidopteran pests.

New insights into the germline genes and CDR3 repertoire of the TCRß chain in Chiroptera.

Introduction: Bats are recognized as natural reservoirs for many viruses, and their unique immune system enables them to coexist with these viruses without frequently exhibiting disease symptoms. However, the current understanding of the bat adaptive immune system is limited due to the lack of a database or tool capable of processing T-cell receptor (TCR) sequences for bats. Methods: We performed germline gene annotation in three bat species using homologous genes and RSSs (Recombinational Signal Sequences) scanning method. Then we used the conserved C gene to construct the TCRß chain receptor library of the Intermediate Horseshoe Bat. Bats' TCRß data will be analyzed using MiXCR and constructed reference library. Results: Regarding the annotation results, we found that the Pale Spear-nosed Bat has 37 members in the TRBV12 family, which is more than the total number of TRBV genes in the Greater Horseshoe Bat. The average number of unique TCRß chain receptor sequences in each Intermediate Horseshoe Bat sample reached 24,904. Discussion: The distinct variations in the distribution of TRBV genes among the three types of bats could have a direct impact on the diversity of the TCR repertoire, as evidenced by the presence of conserved amino acids that indicate the T-cell recognition of antigens in bats is MHC-restricted. The bats' TCRß repertoire is formed through the rearrangement of the V-D-J-C genes, with D-J/V-D deletions and insertions resulting in high diversity.

Variation of the toxicity caused by key contaminants in industrial wastewater along the treatment train of Fenton-activated sludge-advanced oxidation processes.

Industrial wastewater contains a mixture of refractory and hazardous pollutants that have comprehensive toxic effects. We investigated the treatment of a long-chain industrial wastewater treatment train containing Fenton, biological anoxic/oxic (AO), and heterogeneous ozone catalytic oxidation (HOCO) processes, and evaluated their detoxification effect based on the analysis of the genic toxicity of some key contaminants. The results showed that although the effluent met the discharge standard in terms of traditional quality parameters, the long-chain treatment process could not effectively detoxify the industrial wastewater. The analysis results of summer samples showed that the Fenton process increased the total toxicity and genotoxicity of the organics, concerned metals, and non-volatile pollutants, whereas the A/O process increased the toxicity of the organics and non-volatile pollutants, and the HOCO process led to higher toxicity caused by metals and non-volatile pollutants. The outputs of the winter samples indicated that the Fenton process reduced the total toxicity and genotoxicity caused by non-volatile pollutants but increased that of the organics and concerned metals. The effect of the A/O process on the effluent toxicity in winter was the same as that in summer, whereas the HOCO process increased the total toxicity and genotoxicity of the metals in winter samples. Correlation analysis showed that various toxicity stresses were significantly correlated with the variation of these key pollutants in wastewater. Our results could provide a reference for the optimization of industrial wastewater treatment plants (IWTPs) by selecting more suitable treatment procedures to reduce the toxicity of different contaminants.

Four new hypogean species of the genus Triplophysa (Osteichthyes, Cypriniformes, Nemacheilidae) from Guizhou Province, Southwest China, based on molecular and morphological data.

Recently described cave species of the genus Triplophysa have been discovered in southwestern China, suggesting that the diversity of the genus is severely underestimated and that there may be many undescribed species. In this work, four new species of the genus Triplophysa are described from southwestern Guizhou Province, China, namely Triplophysacehengensis Luo, Mao, Zhao, Xiao & Zhou, sp. nov. and Triplophysarongduensis Mao, Zhao, Yu, Xiao & Zhou, sp. nov. from Rongdu Town, Ceheng County, Guizhou, Triplophysapanzhouensis Yu, Luo, Lan, Xiao & Zhou, sp. nov. from Hongguo Town, Panzhou City, Guizhou, and Triplophysaanlongensis Song, Luo, Lan, Zhao, Xiao & Zhou, sp. nov. from Xinglong Town, Anlong County, Guizhou. These four new species can be distinguished from all recognized congeners by a combination of morphological characteristics and significant genetic divergences. The discovery of these species increases the number of known cave species within the genus Triplophysa to 39, making the genus the second most diverse group of cave fishes in China after the golden-line fish genus Sinocyclocheilus. Based on the non-monophyletic relationships of the different watershed systems in the phylogenetic tree, this study also discusses the use of cave species of the genus Triplophysa to determine the possible historical connectivity of river systems.

High levels of resistance to chlorantraniliprole evolved in field populations of Plutella xylostella.

Chlorantraniliprole is the first commercial insecticide from a new class of chemistry, the anthranilic diamides. Chlorantraniliprole provides an effective alternative insecticide for control of Plutella xylostella (L.) populations resistant to other insecticides. Baseline susceptibility to chlorantraniliprole for P. xylostella was surveyed previously from 16 geographical populations sampled from China during 2008-2009, and the median lethal concentrations (LC50s) varied among populations from 1.8- to 8.9-fold higher than the LC50 of a susceptible strain (Roth). In the present work, 20 field populations of P. xylostella sampled in 2010-2011 from China were tested with laboratory bioassays to determine if resistance to chlorantraniliprole had evolved in the field. The LC50s of the 14 populations from northern China ranged from 1.7- to 5.4-fold compared with the LC50 of Roth, which indicates these populations remain reasonably susceptible to chlorantraniliprole. However, the LC50s of the six populations from southern China (Guangdong Province) were 2.6-, 12-, 18-, 81-, 140-, and 2,000-fold higher than the LC50 of Roth. The results showed that high levels of resistance to chlorantraniliprole had evolved in field populations from Guangdong Province of southern China. Intensive use and misuse of chlorantraniliprole may be responsible for the rapid evolution of high-level resistance in P. xylostella in this region. The implementation of resistance monitoring plans and resistance management strategies is urgently needed in China to preserve susceptibility to chlorantraniliprole in P. xylostella.

The complete mitochondrial genome of the Great evening bat Ia io (Chiroptera: Vespertiilionidae) from karst area, Southwestern China.

In this study, the complete mitochondrial genome of Ia io from Guizhou Province, China. The genome was a circular mitochondrial genome of 16689 bp in length, containing 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNA genes (tRNA), 2 ribosomal RNA genes (rRNA), and a control region. The average base composition is 32.76% A, 24.59% C, 14.49% G, and 28.16% T. The first complete mitochondrial genome of I. io provides fundamental data for future systematic taxonomic studies of the genus Ia.