HGT is widespread in insects and contributes to male courtship in lepidopterans.

Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is an important evolutionary force shaping prokaryotic and eukaryotic genomes. HGT-acquired genes have been sporadically reported in insects, a lineage containing >50% of animals. We systematically examined HGT in 218 high-quality genomes of diverse insects and found that they acquired 1,410 genes exhibiting diverse functions, including many not previously reported, via 741 distinct transfers from non-metazoan donors. Lepidopterans had the highest average number of HGT-acquired genes. HGT-acquired genes containing introns exhibited substantially higher expression levels than genes lacking introns, suggesting that intron gains were likely involved in HGT adaptation. Lastly, we used the CRISPR-Cas9 system to edit the prevalent unreported gene LOC105383139, which was transferred into the last common ancestor of moths and butterflies. In diamondback moths, males lacking LOC105383139 courted females significantly less. We conclude that HGT has been a major contributor to insect adaptation.

Knocking down a DNA demethylase gene affects potato plant defense against a specialist insect herbivore.

DNA demethylase (DML) is involved in plant development and responses to biotic and abiotic stresses; however, its role in plant-herbivore interaction remains elusive. Here, we found that herbivory by the potato tuber moth, Phthorimaea operculella, rapidly induced the genome-wide DNA methylation and accumulation of DML gene transcripts in potato plants. Herbivory induction of DML transcripts was suppressed in jasmonate-deficient plants, whereas exogenous application of methyl jasmonate (MeJA) improved DML transcripts, indicating that the induction of DML transcripts by herbivory is associated with jasmonate signaling. Moreover, P. operculella larvae grew heavier on DML gene (StDML2) knockdown plants than on wild-type plants, and the decreased biosynthesis of jasmonates in the former may be responsible for this difference, since the larvae feeding on these two genotypes supplemented with MeJA showed similar growth. In addition, P. operculella adult moths preferred to oviposit on StDML2 knockdown plants than on wild-type plants, which was associated with the reduced emission of ß-caryophyllene in the former. In addition, supplementing ß-caryophyllene to these two genotypes further disrupted moths' oviposit choice preference for them. Interestingly, in StDML2 knockdown plants, hypermethylation was found at the promoter regions for the key genes StAOS and StAOC in the jasmonate biosynthetic pathway, as well as for the key gene StTPS12 in ß-caryophyllene production. Our findings suggest that knocking down StDML2 can affect herbivore defense via jasmonate signaling and defense compound production in potato plants.

The microRNA pathway core genes are indispensable for development and reproduction in the brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small single-stranded non-coding RNAs involved in a variety of cellular events by regulating gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. Several core genes in miRNA biogenesis have been reported to participate in a wide range of physiological events, in some insect species. However, the functional significance of miRNA pathway core genes in Nilaparvata lugens remains unknown. In the present study, we conducted a systematic characterisation of five core genes involved in miRNA biogenesis. We first performed spatiotemporal expression analysis and found that miRNA core genes exhibited similar expression patterns, with high expression levels in eggs and relatively high transcriptional levels in the ovaries and fat bodies of females. RNA interference experiments showed that injecting third-instar nymphs with dsRNAs targeting the miRNA core genes, NlAgo1, NlDicer1, and NlDrosha resulted in high mortality rates and various degrees of body melanism, moulting defects, and wing deformities. Further investigations revealed that the suppression of miRNA core genes severely impaired ovarian development and oocyte maturation, resulting in significantly reduced fecundity and disruption of intercellular spaces between follicle cells. Moreover, the expression profiles of miR-34-5p, miR-275-3p, miR-317-3p, miR-14, Let-7-1, and miR-2a-3p were significantly altered in response to the knockdown of miRNA core genes mixture, suggesting that they play essential roles in regulating miRNA-mediated gene expression. Therefore, our results provide a solid theoretical basis for the miRNA pathway in N. lugens and suggest that the NlAgo1, NlDicer1, and NlDrosha-dependent miRNA core genes are essential for the development and reproduction of this agricultural pest.

Exploration of the molecular mechanism of tea polyphenols against pulmonary hypertension by integrative approach of network pharmacology, molecular docking, and experimental verification.

Pulmonary hypertension, a common complication of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, is a major global health concern. Green tea is a popular beverage that is consumed all over the world. Green tea's active ingredients are epicatechin derivatives, also known as "polyphenols," which have anti-carcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. This study aimed to explore the possible mechanism of green tea polyphenols in the treatment of pulmonary hypertension using network pharmacology, molecular docking, and experimental verification. A total of 316 potential green tea polyphenols-related targets were obtained from the PharmMapper, SwissTargetPrediction, and TargetNet databases. A total of 410 pulmonary hypertension-related targets were predicted by the CTD, DisGeNET, pharmkb, and GeneCards databases. Green tea polyphenols-related targets were hit by the 49 targets associated with pulmonary hypertension. AKT1 and HIF1-α were identified through the FDA drugs-target network and PPI network combined with GO functional annotation and KEGG pathway enrichment. Molecular docking results showed that green tea polyphenols had strong binding abilities to AKT1 and HIF1-α. In vitro experiments showed that green tea polyphenols inhibited the proliferation and migration of hypoxia stimulated pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells by decreasing AKT1 phosphorylation and downregulating HIF1α expression. Collectively, green tea polyphenols are promising phytochemicals against pulmonary hypertension.

Distribution characteristics and potential ecological risk assessment of heavy metals in soils around Shannan landfill site, Tibet.

At present, sanitary landfill is mainly used for domestic waste treatment in Shannan City, Tibet. However, there are few studies on heavy metals in the soil around the landfill in Shannan city. Therefore, the surrounding soil of Luqionggang landfill in Shannan City, Tibet Autonomous Region, is taken as the research object. In the study, the geo-accumulation index method, Nemerow comprehensive pollution index method and potential ecological risk index method are mainly used to evaluate the pollution and risk of heavy metals in the soil around the landfill site. The main results are as follows: The average pH value of the soil around the landfill site is 9.37, belonging to the strong alkaline range. The average values of heavy metals Hg and Ni in soil exceeded the background content, and the average contents of other heavy metals Cu, Pb, Zn, Cr, As and Cd did not exceed the background content. The average content of these eight heavy metals did not exceed the screening value of the national soil environmental quality standard. In the horizontal direction, the average content of heavy metal elements Cu, Cr, Cd, Hg and Ni is relatively high in the west. The average content of heavy metals As, Zn and Pb in the north, east and south is slightly higher than that in the west. And the farther away from the landfill, the less the soil is affected by heavy metals. The evaluation results of geo-accumulation index show that heavy metal Hg is the most affected. The average value of the comprehensive pollution index is 2.969, which is between 2 and 3, belonging to the moderate pollution level. And the west side of the landfill (downstream area) is greatly affected. The evaluation results of potential ecological hazard pollution index show that the potential risk index of single pollutants of heavy metals Cu, Pb, Zn, Cr, Ni, As and Cd belongs to low ecological hazard level, and the potential risk index of single pollutants of heavy metal Hg belongs to relatively heavy ecological hazard level. On the whole, the total potential risk coefficient belongs to medium pollution hazard degree. According to the correlation analysis, there is no significant correlation between heavy metal elements As and Hg and the other six heavy metal elements. In addition, the pollution source of heavy metal As may be mainly soil forming factors and the pollution source of Hg may be mainly human factors.

Heat stress affects potato's volatile emissions that mediate agronomically important trophic interactions.

Potato, a cool-weather crop, emits volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which attract the specialist herbivore, Phthorimaea operculella, but also this herbivore's parasitic wasp, Trichogramma chilonis, an important biocontrol agent. What happens to this trophic system when heat stress challenges this agro-ecosystem? We studied how high temperature (HT) pre-treatments influence potato's VOC emissions and their subsequent effects on the preferences of insects, as evaluated in oviposition assays and Y-tube olfactometers. HT pre-stressed plants were less attractive to P. operculella adult moths, which were repelled by HT VOCs, but increased the recruitment of the parasitoid, T. chilonis, which were attracted. VOC emissions, including the most abundant constituent, ß-caryophyllene, were enhanced by HT treatments; some constituents elicited stronger behavioural responses than others. Transcripts of many genes in the biosynthetic pathways of these VOCs were significantly enhanced by HT treatment, suggesting increases in de novo biosynthesis. HT increased the plant's stomatal apertures, and exogenous applications of the hormone, ABA, known to suppress stomatal apertures, reduced leaf volatile emissions and affected the HT-altered plant attractions to both insects. From these results, we infer that HT stress affects this plant-insect interaction through its influence on VOC emissions, potentially decreasing herbivore ovipositions while increasing ovipositions of the parasitoid.

Individualized right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction using autologous pulmonary tissue in situ for the treatment of pulmonary atresia with ventricular septum defect.

OBJECTIVE: The study aims to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of an individualized procedure for right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) reconstruction in pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect (PA-VSD). METHODS: RVOT was reconstructed using autologous pulmonary artery tissue preserved in situ as the posterior wall and a bovine jugular vein patch (BJVP) as the anterior wall in patients with PA-VSD (observation group). The size of the BJVP made from a bovine jugular vein conduit (BJVC) was individually calculated using a formula based on the child's weight and the size of the autologous pulmonary artery (the diameter of BJVC DB⁢J⁢V⁢C = Dt⁢h⁢e⁢o⁢r⁢e⁢t⁢i⁢c⁢a⁢l-W⁢z^-4π). Its effect was then compared with the conventional modified Rastelli procedure based on the BJVC (control group). RESULTS: A total of 22 patients that underwent the new procedure were simultaneously compared with the 25 patients in the control group. No deaths occurred in both groups. Notably, there were no significant differences in mechanical ventilation, ICU and postoperative residence, cardiopulmonary bypass, and aortic cross-clamp time. In the follow-up, which spanned for 8-12 years (mean 9.2 years), only four cases with moderate regurgitation were noted in the observation group without obstruction. In the control group, two patients had a conduit replacement. Three patients suffered from anastomotic stenosis, which was corrected by balloon dilatation. CONCLUSION: Individualized RVOT reconstruction with autologous pulmonary tissue preserved in situ as the posterior wall is adequate for treating PA-VSD.

MicroRNA-133a-3p inhibits lung adenocarcinoma development and cisplatin resistance through targeting GINS4.

GINS subunit complex 4 (GINS4) is fundamental to DNA replication and G1/S phase transition of the cell cycle in eukaryotes. Further, recent studies implied that GINS4 can mediate the progression of several tumors, but its mechanism in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is not clarified. Therefore, the role of GINS4 in LUAD was explored. MiR-133a-3p and GINS4 mRNA expression were tested through qRT-PCR. Protein levels of the two genes were assayed by western blot. Their targeting relationship was predicted and verified by bioinformatics prediction and dual-luciferase analysis. The functions of miR-133a-3p and GINS4 in LUAD were evaluated by Transwell, wound healing, CCK8 and flow cytometry assays. MTT assay and caspase-3 activity detection were utilized to measure the regulation of miR-133a-3p/GINS4 in the cisplatin sensitivity of LUAD cells. The results showed that GINS4 was highly expressed in LUAD cells (P<0.05). MiR-133a-3p, which was the upstream gene of GINS4 in LUAD, negatively mediated GINS4 expression. Moreover, overexpressing GINS4 enhanced the proliferative, migratory and invasive abilities of LUAD cells and inhibited cell apoptosis and the sensitivity to cisplatin, while overexpressed miR-133a-3p caused the contrary results. However, the promoting effects of GINS4 overexpression on LUAD could be offset by miR-133a-3p overexpression. MiR-133a-3p could regulate malignant behaviors and cisplatin sensitivity of LUAD cells through negatively regulating GINS4. In conclusion, our findings demonstrated that GINS4 was overexpressed in LUAD and promoted the malignant behavior of LUAD cells. Moreover, miR-133a-3p could negatively regulate GINS4, thereby suppressing the malignant progression and increasing the cisplatin sensitivity of LUAD.

High Near-Infrared Reflective Zn1-xAxWO4 Pigments with Various Hues Facilely Fabricated by Tuning Doped Transition Metal Ions (A = Co, Mn, and Fe).

A series of novel transition metal ion-substituted Zn1-xAxWO4 (A = Co, Mn, and Fe, 0 < x ≤ 0.1) inorganic pigments with blue, yellow, brown, and pale green colors have been prepared by a solution combustion method and exhibit extremely high near-infrared reflectance (R > 85%). X-ray energy-dispersive spectroscopy analysis makes it clear that transition metal ions have already been incorporated into the host ZnWO4 lattice and do not change the lattice's initial wolframite structure. The optical absorption spectrum in the UV region of the ZnWO4 pigment calcined at 800 °C for 3 h is a ligand-to-metal charge transfer from O 2p nonbonding orbits to antibonding W 5d orbits. On account of the doping Co2+ (3d7), Mn2+ (3d5), and Fe3+ (3d5) transition metal ions, these chromophore ions have occupied the distorted octahedral site of Zn2+, leading to d-d transition and metal-to-metal charge transfer from the occupied 3d orbits of A2+ to unoccupied W 5d orbits in UV and visible ranges and generating some bright colors. Significantly, these inorganic pigments are also endowed with excellent thermal and chemical stability and are conducive to harsh working conditions. All of the analysis results have offered some design strategies for various colorful inorganic pigments with high near-infrared reflectance.

Characterization of MicroRNAs Associated with Reproduction in the Brown Planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens.

Insects have a robust capacity to produce offspring for propagation, and the reproductive events of female insects have been achieved at the molecular and physiological levels via regulatory gene pathways. However, the roles of MicroRNAs (miRNAs) in the reproductive development of the brown planthopper (BPH), Nilaparvata lugens, remain largely unexplored. To understand the roles of miRNAs in reproductive development, miRNAs were identified by Solexa sequencing in short-winged (SW) female adults of BPH. Small RNA libraries derived from three developmental phases (1 day, 3 days, and 5 days after emergence) were constructed and sequenced. We identified 905 miRNAs, including 263 known and 642 novel miRNAs. Among them, a total of 43 miRNAs were differentially expressed in the three developmental phases, and 14,568 putative targets for 43 differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) were predicted by TargetScan and miRanda. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis of the predicted miRNA targets illustrated the putative roles for these DEMs in reproduction. The progress events were annotated, including oogenesis, lipid biosynthetic process, and related pathways such as apoptosis, ABC transporters, and amino acid metabolism. Four highly abundant DEMs (miR-9a-5p, miR-34-5p, miR-275-3p, and miR-317-3p) were further screened, and miR-34-5p was confirmed to be involved in the regulation of reproduction. Overexpression of miR-34-5p via injecting its mimics reduced fecundity and decreased Vg expression. Moreover, target genes prediction for miR-34-5p showed they might be involved in 20E signaling cascades, apoptosis, and gonadal development, including hormone receptor 4 (HR4), caspase-1 (Cp-1), and spermatogenesis-associated protein 20 (SPATA20). These findings provide a valuable resource for future studies on the role of miRNAs in BPH reproductive development.

Agro-ecology science relates to economic development but not global pesticide pollution.

Synthetic pesticides are core features of input-intensive agriculture and act as major pollutants driving environmental change. Agroecological science has unveiled the benefits of biodiversity for pest control, but research implementation at the farm-level is still difficult. Here we address this implementation gap by using a bibliometric approach, quantifying how countries' scientific progress in agro-ecology relates to pesticide application regimes. Among 153 countries, economic development does spur scientific innovation but irregularly bears reductions in pesticide use. Some emerging economies bend the Environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) - the observed environmental pollution by a country's wealth - for pesticides and few high-income countries exhibit a weak agro-ecology 'technique effect'. Our findings support recent calls for large-scale investments in nature-positive agriculture, underlining how agro-ecology can mend the ecological resilience, carbon footprint, and human health impacts of intensive agriculture. Yet, in order to effectively translate science into practice, scientific progress needs to be paralleled by policy-change, farmer education and broader awareness-raising.

Transcriptional changes revealed genes and pathways involved in the deficient testis caused by the inhibition of alkaline ceramidase (Dacer) in Drosophila melanogaster.

Sphingolipids are ubiquitous structural components of eukaryotic cell membranes which are vital for maintaining the integrity of cells. Alkaline ceramidase is a key enzyme in sphingolipid biosynthesis pathway; however, little is known about the role of the enzyme in the male reproductive system of Drosophila melanogaster. To investigate the impact of alkaline ceramidase (Dacer) on male Drosophila, we got Dacer deficiency mutants (MUs) and found they displayed apparent defects in the testis's phenotype. To profile the molecular changes associated with this abnormal phenotype, we performed de novo transcriptome analyses of the MU and wildtype (WT) testes; and revealed 1239 upregulated genes and 1102 downregulated genes. Then, six upregulated DEGs (papilin [Ppn], croquemort [Crq], terribly reduced optic lobes [Trol], Laminin, Wunen-2, collagen type IV alpha 1 [Cg25C]) and three downregulated DEGs (mucin related 18B [Mur18B], rhomboid-7 [Rho-7], CG3168) were confirmed through quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction in WT and MU samples. The differentially expressed genes were mainly associated with catalytic activity, oxidoreductase activity and transmembrane transporter activity, which significantly contributed to extracellular matrix-receptor interaction, fatty acids biosynthesis as well as glycine, serine, and threonine metabolism. The results highlight the importance of Dacer in the reproductive system of D. melanogaster and provide valuable resources to dig out the specific biological functions of Dacer in insect reproduction.

Midgut microbiota diversity of potato tuber moth associated with potato tissue consumed.

BACKGROUND: The potato tuber moth (PTM), Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller), is a worldwide pest that feeds on both the leaves and tubers of potato plants. PTM larvae can digest leaves, or tubers, resulting in serious damage to potato plants in the field and potato tubers in storage. To understand how midgut bacterial diversity is influenced by the consumption of these two tissue types, the symbiotic bacteria in the potato-feeding PTM midgut and the endophytic bacteria of potato tissues were analyzed. RESULTS: At the genus level, the bacterial community composition in the PTM midgut was influenced by the tissues consumed, owing to their different nutrient contents. Escherichia_Shigella and Enterobacter were the most dominant genera in the midgut of leaf-feeding and tuber-feeding PTMs, respectively. Interestingly, even though only present in low abundance in leaves and tubers, Escherichia_Shigella were dominantly distributed only in the midgut of leaf-feeding PTMs, indicating that specific accumulation of these genera have occurred by feeding on leaves. Moreover, Enterobacter, the most dominant genus in the midgut of tuber-feeding PTMs, was undetectable in all potato tissues, indicating it is gut-specific origin and tuber feeding-specific accumulation. Both Escherichia_Shigella and Enterobacter abundances were positively correlated with the dominant contents of potato leaves and tubers, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Enrichment of specific PTM midgut bacterial communities was related to different nutrient levels in different tissues consumed by the insect, which in turn influenced host utilization. We provide evidence that a portion of the intestinal microbes of PTMs may be derived from potato endophytic bacteria and improve the understanding of the relationship between potato endophytic bacteria and the gut microbiota of PTMs, which may offer support for integrated management of this worldwide pest.

Allelic differences of clustered terpene synthases contribute to correlated intraspecific variation of floral and herbivory-induced volatiles in a wild tobacco.

Plant volatile emissions can recruit predators of herbivores for indirect defense and attract pollinators to aid in pollination. Although volatiles involved in defense and pollinator attraction are primarily emitted from leaves and flowers, respectively, they will co-evolve if their underlying genetic basis is intrinsically linked, due either to pleiotropy or to genetic linkage. However, direct evidence of co-evolving defense and floral traits is scarce. We characterized intraspecific variation of herbivory-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs), the key components of indirect defense against herbivores, and floral volatiles in wild tobacco Nicotiana attenuata. We found that variation of (E)-ß-ocimene and (E)-α-bergamotene contributed to the correlated changes in HIPVs and floral volatiles among N. attenuata natural accessions. Intraspecific variations of (E)-ß-ocimene and (E)-α-bergamotene emissions resulted from allelic variation of two genetically co-localized terpene synthase genes, NaTPS25 and NaTPS38, respectively. Analyzing haplotypes of NaTPS25 and NaTPS38 revealed that allelic variations of NaTPS25 and NaTPS38 resulted in correlated changes of (E)-ß-ocimene and (E)-α-bergamotene emission in HIPVs and floral volatiles in N. attenuata. Together, these results provide evidence that pleiotropy and genetic linkage result in correlated changes in defenses and floral signals in natural populations, and the evolution of plant volatiles is probably under diffuse selection.

Wild tobacco genomes reveal the evolution of nicotine biosynthesis.

Nicotine, the signature alkaloid of Nicotiana species responsible for the addictive properties of human tobacco smoking, functions as a defensive neurotoxin against attacking herbivores. However, the evolution of the genetic features that contributed to the assembly of the nicotine biosynthetic pathway remains unknown. We sequenced and assembled genomes of two wild tobaccos, Nicotiana attenuata (2.5 Gb) and Nicotiana obtusifolia (1.5 Gb), two ecological models for investigating adaptive traits in nature. We show that after the Solanaceae whole-genome triplication event, a repertoire of rapidly expanding transposable elements (TEs) bloated these Nicotiana genomes, promoted expression divergences among duplicated genes, and contributed to the evolution of herbivory-induced signaling and defenses, including nicotine biosynthesis. The biosynthetic machinery that allows for nicotine synthesis in the roots evolved from the stepwise duplications of two ancient primary metabolic pathways: the polyamine and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) pathways. In contrast to the duplication of the polyamine pathway that is shared among several solanaceous genera producing polyamine-derived tropane alkaloids, we found that lineage-specific duplications within the NAD pathway and the evolution of root-specific expression of the duplicated Solanaceae-specific ethylene response factor that activates the expression of all nicotine biosynthetic genes resulted in the innovative and efficient production of nicotine in the genus Nicotiana Transcription factor binding motifs derived from TEs may have contributed to the coexpression of nicotine biosynthetic pathway genes and coordinated the metabolic flux. Together, these results provide evidence that TEs and gene duplications facilitated the emergence of a key metabolic innovation relevant to plant fitness.

Identification of putative fecundity-related gustatory receptor genes in the brown planthopper Nilaparvata lugens.

BACKGROUND: The insect gustatory system plays a central role in the regulation of multiple physiological behaviors and the co-evolution between insects and their hosts. The gustatory receptors (Gr) are important to allow insects to sense their environment. It is critical to the selection of foods, mates and oviposition sites of insects. In this study, the Gr family genes of the brown planthopper (BPH) Nilaparvata lugens Stål (Hemiptera: Delphacidae) were identified and analyzed, and their potential relationship to the fecundity of BPH was explored by RNA interference (RNAi). RESULTS: We identified 32 putative Gr genes by analyzing transcriptome and genome data from BPH. Most of these Gr proteins have the typical structure of seven transmembrane domains. The BPH Gr genes (NlGrs) were expressed in virtually all tissues and stages, whilst higher transcript accumulations were found in adult stages and in the midguts of females. Based on the phylogenic analysis, we classified NlGrs into five potential categories, including 2 sugar receptors, 2 Gr43a-like receptors, 7 CO2 receptors, 5 bitter receptors and 13 NlGrs with unknown functions. Moreover, we found that 10 NlGrs have at least two alternative splicing variants, and obtained alternative splicing isoforms of 5 NlGrs. Finally, RNAi of 29 NlGrs showed that 27 of them are related to the transcript levels of two fecundity related genes vitellogenin and vitellogenin receptor. CONCLUSIONS: We found 32 Gr genes in BPH, among which at least 27 are required for normal expression of fecundity markers of this insect pest. These findings provide the basis for the functional study of Grs and the exploration of potential genes involved in the monophagous character of BPH.

Characterization and Expression Profiling of Neuropeptides and G-Protein-Coupled Receptors (GPCRs) for Neuropeptides in the Asian Citrus Psyllid, Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Psyllidae).

Neuropeptides are endogenous active substances that widely exist in multicellular biological nerve tissue and participate in the function of the nervous system, and most of them act on neuropeptide receptors. In insects, neuropeptides and their receptors play important roles in controlling a multitude of physiological processes. In this project, we sequenced the transcriptome from twelve tissues of the Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama. A total of 40 candidate neuropeptide genes and 42 neuropeptide receptor genes were identified. Among the neuropeptide receptor genes, 35 of them belong to the A-family (or rhodopsin-like), four of them belong to the B-family (or secretin-like), and three of them are leucine-rich repeat-containing G-protein-coupled receptors. The expression profile of the 82 genes across developmental stages was determined by qRT-PCR. Our study provides the first investigation on the genes of neuropeptides and their receptors in D. citri, which may play key roles in regulating the physiology and behaviors of D. citri.

Evidence of an evolutionary hourglass pattern in herbivory-induced transcriptomic responses.

Herbivory-induced defenses are specific and activated in plants when elicitors, frequently found in the herbivores' oral secretions, are introduced into wounds during attack. While complex signaling cascades are known to be involved, it remains largely unclear how natural selection has shaped the evolution of these induced defenses. We analyzed herbivory-induced transcriptomic responses in wild tobacco, Nicotiana attenuata, using a phylotranscriptomic approach that measures the origin and sequence divergence of herbivory-induced genes. Highly conserved and evolutionarily ancient genes of primary metabolism were activated at intermediate time points (2-6 h) after elicitation, while less constrained and young genes associated with defense signaling and biosynthesis of specialized metabolites were activated at early (before 2 h) and late (after 6 h) stages of the induced response, respectively - a pattern resembling the evolutionary hourglass pattern observed during embryogenesis in animals and the developmental process in plants and fungi. The hourglass patterns found in herbivory-induced defense responses and developmental process are both likely to be a result of signaling modularization and differential evolutionary constraints on the modules involved in the signaling cascade.

Gallium Modified HUSY Zeolite as an Effective Co-support for NiMo Hydrodesulfurization Catalyst and the Catalyst's High Isomerization Selectivity.

The effects of metal-modified acidic co-supports on the hydrodesulfurization (HDS) activity and isomerization selectivity of highly refractory organosulfur compounds such as 4,6-dimethyldibenzothiophene have been investigated. Y zeolite crystals with high Si/Al ratios and small crystallite sizes were successfully synthesized by a new hydrothermal synthesis approach. The synthesized Y zeolite crystals were ion-exchanged and stabilized. The prepared samples were then modified with different gallium contents using an impregnation method to adjust their acidity properties, and these modified samples were used as co-supports for NiMo sulfide HDS catalysts. The catalyst containing 10 wt.% zeolite Y modified by 2 wt.% gallium (NiMo/2GaY-ASA-A) exhibited the highest HDS activity, with 4,6-dimethyldibenzothiophene (4,6-DMDBT) conversion nearly double the rate of the catalyst without zeolite at 563 K, 4.0 MPa and liquid hourly space velocity (LHSV) of 40 h-1 . NiMo/2GaY-ASA-A also exhibited superior isomerization ability, with 3,4'-DMBP, 4,4'DMBP, and 3,6-DMDBT as the main products, indicating that the isomerization pathway was the main reaction route over NiMo/2GaY-ASA-A. The superior catalytic performance is related to the synergistic effect of the proper amount of medium and strong Brønsted acid sites. The compounds 3,6-DMDBT and 3,7-DMDBT (isomers of 4,6-DMDBT) and 3,4,6-TMDBT and tetra-methyl-DBT (transmethyl products) were detected simultaneously in the HDS product of 4,6-DMDBT for the first time over NiMo/GaY-ASA-A catalysts. Finally, a new reaction network over NiMo/2GaY-ASA-A was proposed.