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Few empirical studies have analyzed the return to distance higher education in different academic disciplines. This study used quantitative methods, data from a nationwide survey, and Mincerian earnings function to analyze the return to distance higher education among different disciplines in China's labor market. Results were compared with the return to face-to-face higher education and showed that the returns to face-to-face higher education were higher than those to distance higher education. Returns to the disciplines of economics and management were at a high level in both face-to-face and distance education; returns to the disciplines of literature, as well as education and law, were at a low level in both face-to-face and distance education. The returns to the disciplines of science and engineering were higher in face-to-face education than in distance education. This paper proposes several recommendations. Adults who do not have higher education degrees should invest in distance higher education to obtain considerable monetary returns, particularly in the disciplines with higher returns such as management and economics. China's distance education institutions should improve the quality of teaching in science and engineering education and find ways to provide high-quality experimental teaching practices. At the same time, they should scale back on instruction of literature, as well as education and law.

Distance higher education plays a critical role in the promotion of regional equality in China by contributing to the availability of higher education. However, unbalanced regional development of distance higher education can lead to a widening of educational inequity. The study on which this article reports sheds light on the issue of unbalanced regional development of distance higher education in China, using provincial data that spans from 2008 to 2018. A dual-index method with Gini coefficient and Theil index was employed to measure regional inequality of distance higher education in China. The findings show that tertiary correspondence education and tertiary radio and television education represent a comparatively small percentage of the regional inequality in distance higher education. Online tertiary education contributes to a greater extent to regional inequality in distance higher education. Intra-regional inequality constituted a large percentage of the total inequality. Also, intra-regional inequality in tertiary correspondence education has increased in western, and central China from 2008 to 2018. Inequality in tertiary radio and television education has also increased in central China from 2008 to 2016. Intra-regional inequality in online tertiary education was marked in all three regions, while inter-regional inequality in online tertiary education decreased from 2008 to 2018.

The returns of traditional face-to-face education are widely analyzed, but there is a need for empirical studies on the returns of distance education. Further, comparative studies on returns of both traditional and distance education using high-quality data are rare. Since 1999, continuous and rapid expansions have occurred in the whole Higher Education system in China. Given this background, what are the changes in returns of both traditional face-to-face education and distance education? This study analyzes the returns of both of these formats from 2003 to 2006 using the data from the China General Social Survey Open Database (Chinese General Social Survey [CGSS], 2018), adding educational background as a dummy variable to the Mincerian income equation. The empirical results show that Distance Higher Education can significantly increase the income of learners, the returns of distance education are lower than those of traditional face-to-face education and that from 2003 to 2006, the returns of distance education decrease dramatically.

With the rapid development of information technologies, distance education has become "another form of product differentiation in the output mix produced by the multi-product university or college" (Cohn & Cooper, 2004, p. 607). This article aims at analyzing the economies of scope of distance education (as an educational output) in Chinese research universities. The empirical results show that a) product-specific economies of scope do exist in distance education programs offered by Chinese research universities; b) there are economies of scale in distance education; and c) there are weak cost complementarities between distance education and research output, meaning that distance education and academic research can promote each other to reduce the costs in Chinese research universities. (Contains 4 tables, 1 figure and 14 footnotes.)

Based on the theoretical frameworks on dynamic capabilities and business model innovation, we conducted a comprehensive survey and analysis involving 451 Chinese university student enterprises. The primary objective was to investigate the synergistic mechanism between these two factors, assessing their impact on business model innovation and tracing the evolutionary path. The study revealed the following key findings: (1) positive correlations exist between digital capabilities and business model innovation; (2) entrepreneurial passion serves as a mediator in the positive relationship between digital capabilities and the discovery of digital opportunities; (3) digital opportunity discovery acts as a mediator in the relationship between digital capabilities and business model innovation; (4) under the mediation of dynamic capabilities, digital opportunity discovery significantly promotes business model innovation. Our research contributes to the empirical exploration of digitization in enterprises, shedding light on the collaborative influence of digital capabilities and digital opportunity discovery on business model innovation. Importantly, it elucidates the contextual boundaries that influence business model innovation through diverse pathways, enhancing our comprehensive understanding of the dynamic landscape in the evolution of digital business transformations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is well-known that engineering is a key profession for both economic and social development. This is as true for China as it is for other countries which are in the process of development. However, what are the economic incentives for young people to enter the profession today? Currently, there are many studies of the rate of return to educational investment, but recent empirical studies of the rate of return to educational investment for engineers are uncommon. This is true generally, but especially for contemporary China. This is because it is difficult to obtain high-quality and representative sample data about engineers. This paper uses the data of the Chinese Family Panel Studies, 2010, and applies a Mincerian income function to estimate the rate of return to education for engineers who work in the private sector in urban China. The empirical results show that the rate of return for engineers is 12.3%, which is an impressive figure. It is in accordance with the current supply and demand of the Chinese labour market which requires many engineers to carry out construction and maintenance projects given China’s continuing industrialisation, modernisation and urbanisation. However, the empirical results also show that compared with the rate of return to education for professional and technical personnel who are employed in business economics and finance, the rate of return for engineers is significantly lower. This may explain why in China today the attraction of engineering education for talented young people is declining, with more and more students choosing business economics and finance as their first choices of major and career, rather than engineering as in the past.

The gene encoding juvenile hormone response (Krüppel homolog1, Kr-hl) in Coccinella septempunctata was investigated by cloning and analysing expression profiles in different developmental stages and tissues by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). C. septempunctata Kr-hl (CsKr-hl) encoded a 1338 bp open reading frame (ORF) with a predicted protein product of 445 amino acids; the latter showed high similarity to orthologs in other species and contained eight highly-conserved Zn-finger motifs for DNA-binding. CsKr-hl was expressed in different developmental stages of C. septempunctata. The expression levels of CsKr-hl in eggs, 2nd, 3rd, 4th instar larvae, and pupa were 3.31, 2.30, 7.09, 0.58, and 7.48 times the number of 1st instar larvae, respectively. CsKr-hl expression levels in female adults gradually increased at 25–30 days and were significantly higher than expression at 1–20 days. CsKr-hl expression in 20–30 days-old male adults was significantly higher than males aged 1–15 days. CsKr-hl expression levels in heads of male and female adults were significantly higher than expression levels in the thorax, adipose, and reproductive system. Interestingly, CsKr-hl expression levels in the adipose and reproductive system of female adults were significantly higher than in adult male corresponding organs, which suggest that CsKr-hl plays an important role in regulating reproductive development in C. septempunctata. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When Coccinella septempunctata L. was fed on an artificial diet, development was prolonged and survival and reproduction were decreased, thus negatively affecting population growth. Juvenile hormone and moulting hormones are important factors in insect reproduction and development. This study aims to screen out the optimal hormones that can solve the problems such as slow population growth of the C. septempunctata during mass rearing, thus improving their effectiveness as a biological control agent. The effects of juvenile hormone analogues and moulting hormones on C. septempunctata larval growth and adult reproduction were investigated by supplementing an artificial diet with different doses of methoprene, kinoprene, juvenile hormone Ш, fenoxycarb and 20‐hydroxyecdysone. Multiple parameters were measured for C. septempunctata including development, survival, pupation, emergence, pre‐oviposition, fecundity and hatching rates. The addition of juvenile hormone analogues to the diet significantly lengthened larval development times and reduced pupation and emergence. Conversely, juvenile hormone analogues significantly shortened pre‐oviposition period, reduced survival and increased fecundity. The shortest pre‐oviposition period was 9.6 days, and the highest oviposition number was 578 eggs in response to 5 μL kinoprene. The highest hatching rate was 66% in 1.7 mg 20‐hydroxyecdysone treatment. The results of this study provide a theoretical basis for hormone selection and dosage in C. septempunctata artificial diets, thus enhancing the survival, pupation and emergence of larvae and improving the fecundity and hatching rate of ladybird adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since China decided to expand its higher education, we have seen an increasing number of discussions of the relationship between educational expansion and equality. However, few studies have examined whether the expansion of distance higher education will improve educational equality among different regions. In this study, we analyzed the changes in the enrolment of Chinese distance higher education in different areas. We found that in underdeveloped areas, inequality in distance higher education is still increasing. However, according to the Chinese government, distance higher education should be an important device to improve equality, especially in outlying poverty-stricken areas. Since educational finance has greatly increased in recent years in China, the education administrative systems should provide more financial support for distance education learners so that distance education can play the role of improving equality in underdeveloped regions.

This article comments on several features of the rate of return (ROR) to educational investment in China: first, the ROR to educational investment has increased with the expansion of educational provision since the 1980s. Second, the greater the educational provision, the greater the ROR. Third, the ROR in urban areas is more than that in rural areas. Fourth, the ROR in the public sector is greater than that in the private sector. Meanwhile, from an international comparative perspective, it is commented that possible explanations of the above are a history of elite education and of a screening culture; the rapid transition from a planned economy to a market economy; and the segmentation of the labour market in China. (Contains 1 note.)

The article considers the current situation in the labour market for higher education graduates in China, showing what kinds of graduates have an advantage when facing potential employers. Secondly, it discusses the tendency of supply and demand between higher education graduates and the labour market from the perspectives of employment probability and over-education. Finally, the article suggests what should happen in the Chinese higher education system if it is to achieve a more effective relationship with the labour market. (Contains 1 figure and 4 tables.)

In order to improve the rearing of Coccinella septempunctata L. (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), nutrients such as shrimp, pollen, honey, and lard were added to the basic artificial diet, and the effects of the artificial diet on biological parameters and digestive enzymes were evaluated. The results show that beetles feeding on the supplemented diet exhibited pupation, emergence, fecundity, and hatching rates that were 102.69%, 125.02%, 162.33%, and 119.90% of those supplied with the basic diet, respectively. The addition of shrimp and pollen to the basal diet improved protease, trypsin, chymotrypsin, and aminopeptidase activity in larvae and female adults. The addition of lard improved lipase activity in female adults, and the addition of honey improved invertase activity in adults of both sexes. This study provides guidance for improving the nutritional benefits of ladybug artificial diets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the 1990s, higher education at different levels has been expanding along with the high-speed development of the Chinese economy. Based on large-scale survey data of the whole country in 1995, 2002, 2008, and 2013, the paper studies the dynamic rates of return (ROR) to higher education at different levels in China. The empirical results show that (1) The ROR to junior college level and undergraduate level shows an increase following a decreasing trend. (2) The ROR to postgraduate education has been maintaining an increasing trend at a constant speed. (3) At junior college and undergraduate levels, the ROR of females is higher than that of males, which is consistent with the gender difference of other educational levels. (4) At the postgraduate level, the ROR of males is higher than that of females, and such cases can be seen in other countries and regions. These findings can be new evidence for market-oriented postgraduate education and support the cost-sharing policy. Then it is possible to develop postgraduate education with market logic and increase tuition while increasing the scale of postgraduate education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ladybird beetle, Coccinella septempunctata, is an important predator of soft-bodied insects. To further optimise an artificial diet for rearing the ladybird beetle, we investigated the effects of juvenile hormone (JH), honey, shrimp, rape pollen, lard, and other factors on the biological characteristics of C. septempunctata. Survival and pupation rates of larvae were decreased when JH and lard were added to the artificial diet; however, the addition of lard increased egg hatching to 73.70%, which was significantly higher than the control diet (50.56%). Adding honeybee pupae to the artificial diet shortened the preoviposition period to 7.64 d, compared to 10.36 d in the control diet. Adding honey, shrimp, and honeybee pupae to the diet resulted in 465.12, 452.35, and 423.01 eggs laid, respectively, which was significantly higher than the control diet. The pupation and emergence rates of C. septempunctata larvae fed an artificial diet without JH were significantly higher than those fed an artificial diet with JH; thus, JH and lard should not be added to artificial diets during the larval stage. During the adult stage, adding rape pollen, shrimp, honey, lard, and honeybee pupae to the diet could improve the fecundity of C. septempunctata. These results will be helpful for optimising artificial diets for the mass production of C. septempunctata. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article investigates the relationship between the number of informational channels and overeducation in the outcome of job search, using the survey data of postgraduates in China. The empirical results show: (1) the more the informational channels of job search are used, the lower the probability and the less the intensity of over-education will be; (2) graduates from prestigious “985” universities have lower probability and less intensity of over-education than those of their counterparts from “none-985” universities. Based on the findings above, we argue that helping graduates to get more job information and improving the quality of universities will lighten the problem of the over-education under the situation of great higher education expansion.

Background: The insect predator Coccinella septempunctata can effectively control many types of pests, such as aphids, whiteflies, and small lepidopteran larvae. We previously found that C. septempunctata fed an artificial diet showed diminished biological properties(e.g. fecundity, egg hatching rate, survival rate, etc.) compared with those fed natural prey (Aphis craccivora), likely due to different nutritional characteristics of the diet. In this study, we used transcriptome sequencing analysis to identify nutrition- and metabolism-related genes of C. septempunctata that were differentially expressed depending on diet. Methodology/Principal findings: The Illumina HiSeq2000 was used to sequence 691,942,058 total clean reads from artificial diet-fed and A. craccivora-fed C. septempunctata libraries, and the clean reads were assembled using Trinity de novo software (Tabel 2). Comparison of transcriptome sequences revealed that expression of 38,315 genes was affected by the artificial diet, and 1,182 of these genes showed a significant change in expression levels (FDR ≤ 0.05,|log2FC|≥1, "FC" stands for "fold change"). These differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were likely associated with the decreased egg laying capacity, hatching rate, longevity, and increased sex ratio (♀:♂) of adult C. septempunctata observed in the group fed the artificial diet. Furthermore, in the most DEGs metabolic pathways for C. septempunctata feeding on the artificial diet accumulated amino acid metabolic pathways, lipid metabolic pathways, and starch and glucose metabolism were down-regulated. Conclusions/Significance: We found some differentially expressed genes and metabolic pathways are related to nutrition, from which a more informative feedback for diet formulation was obtained and the artificial diet could be more efficiently optimized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Insecticide-related genes of B. brassicae and L. erysimi were identified. • A number of genes encoding COEs, P450s, and GSTs were found. • Several targets were identified, such as AChE, nAChR, GABA, VGSC, RyR, TRPV, Kir. The aphid complex (Brevicoryne brassicae , Lipaphis erysimi and Myzus persicae) in cruciferous crops are extremely similar in appearance but they however showed differences in their levels of susceptibilities to various insecticides. The lacking of genomic and transcriptomic information on B. brassicae and L. erysimi limits our understanding of resistance status among aphid species at the molecular level. Based on the mining of the public transcriptome data, we identified a number of genes encoding three detoxifying enzymes, carboxylesterases (containing acetylcholinesterases), cytochrome P450s, and glutathione S-transferases. Several insecticide targets were also identified, such as acetylcholinesterase, nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, γ-aminobutyric acid gated ion channel, glutamate receptor, the voltage-gated sodium channel, ryanodine receptor, transient receptor potential vanilloid channel, and inward-rectifier potassium channel. Our study provides genetic information for understanding the diversity of insecticide resistance occurring among cruciferous aphids, which could meaningfully contribute towards complementing future related studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pests have been subjected to heavy selection pressure, and the development of resistance to pyrethroid has been recorded. It is extremely valuable to identify the resistance genes that are relevant for pest control. In our previous studies, we reported that UBL40 is the deltamethrin resistance-associated gene. UBL40 is cleaved by specific endopeptidases to release UB and L40. Whether UB or L40 participates in deltamethrin resistance requires further study. In this study, quantitative real-time PCR was applied to reveal that UB and L40 were both overexpressed in Drosophila kc cells after deltamethrin stimulation. To investigate the roles of UB and L40 further, RNA interferences (RNAi) and cell transfections were utilized. UB and L40 knockdown both significantly reduced the level of resistance of RNAi-treated cells after 48 h, and the overexpressions of UB and L40 in Drosophila kc cells conferred a degree of protection against deltamethrin. These results represent the first evidence that UB and L40 both play roles in the regulation of deltamethrin resistance and that this study could help us to elucidate the resistance mechanisms and identify new target genes associated with resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study was designed to explore if hepatitis B virus (HBV) may be transmitted via breast milk through mother-to-child transmission (MTCT), and assay the immunoprophylaxis efficacy after passive-active immunization. Method: From year 2008 to 2012, 67 720 pregnant women were screened and 1186 HBsAg-carrier mothers and their infants aged 8-12 months were followed in multi-centers of China, among whom HBV markers (HBsAg, HBsAb, HBeAg, HBeAb and HBcAb) and HBV-DNA were measured. Results: HBsAg positive rate of pregnant women was 6.7% (4533/67 720) and infants' immunoprophylaxis failure rate was 3.3% (39/1186). Immunoprophylaxis failure infants were all born to mothers of HBeAg positive and HBV-DNA >6 log10 copies/ml. Among infants of HBeAg positive mothers, HBV infection rate was 9.0% and HBsAg positive rate was 8.3% in breast-feeding group versus 9.2% in formula-feeding group, P = 0.761. Occurrence of perinatal HBV infection was indicated in uterus or during delivery. Different feeding patterns had no effects on HBsAb conversion of infants with the implementation of immunization. Conclusions: HBsAg prevelance rate of pregnant women enrolled was 6.7% and immunoprophylaxis failure rate of infants was 3.3%, while the infection rate reached 9.0% in infants of HBeAg positive mothers. Breast feeding did not increase the occurrence of HBV MTCT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Differential expression of ubiquitin was previously reported between Plutella xylostella strains that are resistant or susceptible to the pesticide deltamethrin (DM). This finding hinted at the potential involvement of ubiquitin in deltamethrin resistance, a theory that demanded further testing. Real-time PCR analyses revealed that one of the ubiquitin genes, UBL40, was overexpressed in the deltamethrin-resistant strain during the fourth instar. To investigate the functional relationship between this gene and deltamethrin resistance, RNA interference (RNAi) and cell transfection were utilised. UBL40 knockdown was observed to significantly reduce the level of resistance in RNAi-treated larvae after 48h. Conversely, overexpression of UBL40 in Drosophila Kc cells conferred a degree of protection against deltamethrin. These results represent the first evidence that UBL40 plays a role in the regulation of deltamethrin resistance in P. xylostella. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Sheldon Hsiao-peng Lu went to study in the United States in 1979 and was awarded a Ph.D. in Comparative Literature from Indiana University in 1990. He taught at University of Pittsburgh for many years before taking up a Professorship in Comparative Literature at the University of California, Davis in 2002. He founded the Film Studies programme and was its first Director. His research areas include world cinema, post-socialist film, transnational Chinese cinemas, modern Chinese literary and visual culture, Chinese traditional narratology, cultural theory, globalization studies, and East-West comparative poetics. His publications include Transnational Chinese Cinemas: Identity, Nationhood, Gender (1997); Chinese-Language Film: Historiography, Poetics, Politics (2005); China, Transnational Visuality, Global Postmodernity (2001); Chinese Modernity and Global Biopolitics (2007); Chinese Ecocinema in the Age of Environmental Challenge (2009); and From Historicity to Fictionality: The Chinese Poetics of Narrative (1994). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of private higher education in China is an important area of policy concern and for academic research, especially under the conditions of globalization. This article reviews the current situation and forecasts the likely trend in several key areas, such as governmental regulation, funds and competition for enrolments. The article focuses specifically on how this process affects access to high-quality private higher education and the acquisition of labour market qualifications by low-income students. It warns against social stratification, aggravated by regional diversity, and suggests that the Chinese government and other stakeholders work together to use globalization to build a more socially equitable private higher education system in China. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and inter-governmental organizations (IGOs) in particular should play a more important role in developing Chinese private higher education. Further research should pay attention to the experience of students from specific low-income groups and to the relationship between NGOs, IGOs and the Chinese State. Their interaction will determine the degree of social stratification and influence other issues, such as the development of the graduate labour market. The opportunity for comparative studies, drawing upon experience elsewhere, should also be considered. As a contribution to this, the article is based upon recent Chinese data and analyses not available previously to a non-Chinese-speaking audience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is a major increase in endogenous zinc excretion, specifically via the mammary gland, in early human lactation. Whereas fractional absorption of dietary zinc has been reported to increase in early human lactation, it is not known to what extent adaptive mechanisms may maintain zinc homeostasis, especially when dietary zinc intake is relatively low. Objective: The objective of this study was to quantitate major variables of zinc homeostasis during early lactation in subjects from a population whose habitual dietary zinc intake is low. Design: We studied 18 free-living lactating women from a rural community of northeast China whose infants were exclusively breast-fed. The subjects were studied at ≈2 mo of lactation with use of stable isotopes of zinc and metabolic collection techniques. Milk volume was measured with use of a deuterium enrichment method. Results: The mean (± SD) secretion of zinc in milk was 2.01 ± 0.97 mg/d, the intake of zinc was 7.64 ± 1.61 mg/d, and the fractional absorption of zinc was 0.53 ± 0.09, for a total daily zinc absorption of 4.00 ± 0.71 mg/d. Endogenous zinc excretion in urine and feces was 0.30 ± 0.10 and 1.66 ± 0.97 mg/d, respectively. Conclusions: Zinc balance, including zinc secreted in breast milk, was maintained at ≈2 mo of lactation in women whose habitual diet was low in zinc. Homeostasis was achieved by high fractional absorption of zinc and intestinal conservation of endogenous fecal zinc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Job match has always been the focus of educational research. However, current empirical studies are limited to the analysis of face-to-face education, and there's no empirical study focusing on the job match of distance education. To fill the gap in this research field, this study analyzes the distance learners in China to demonstrate the relationship between distance education and job match by using the data from a nationwide household survey. The empirical results involve two significant findings. Firstly, distance learners and face-to-face learners have no significant difference in job match. This study attempts to explain this with the human capital theory, that is, distance learners and face-to-face learners have no difference in obtaining their specific human capital, so they both prefer to work on a position characterized by job match. Secondly, job mismatch has no significant negative effect on the income of distance learners. This study attempts to explain this with the screening theory, that is, though distance education would improve the learners' specific human capital, it still acts as a diploma signal, to some extent, in China, thus making it impossible for the specific human capital obtained by distance learners to transform into a superiority in income. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deltamethrin (DM) is widely used in a variety of pest control, resulting in serious drug resistance. Keap1-Nrf2-ARE is the antioxidant stress pathway. We identified 268 genes differentially expressed (DEGs) in Drosophila Kc cells treated with DM, including up-regulated 180 genes and down-regulated 88 genes compared with the control group (fold-change≥2, qValue≤0.001) by RNA-seq, they are mainly linked to metabolic process, stimulation response, immune system process. When the cells are treated with DM in the case of overexpression of the Keap1 gene, the cytochrome P450 family genes were significantly down-regulated, and some diseases-related genes and non-coding genes also changed. Our data shown that Keap1-Nrf2-ARE pathway may play an important role in DM stress, which will provide a new direction for studying the mechanism of insect resistance. • Nrf2 and Keap1 gene interference or overexpression had an effect on deltamethrin-induced apoptosis. • Deltamethrin induced changes in the expression of phase I and phase II detoxifying enzymes and immune-related genes. • The effect of Keap1-Nrf2-ARE pathway on deltamethrin stress is mainly through phase I detoxifying enzymes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nrf2-Keap1 pathway defends organisms against the detrimental effects of oxidative stress, and play pivotal roles in preventing xenobiotic-related toxicity. We designed experiments to explore and verify its role and function under deltamethrin (DM) stress. In experiments, DM was selected as the inducer, and Drosophila Kc cells were treated as the objects. The result showed the oxidative stress of cells proliferated in a very short time after DM treatment, reaching the maximum after one hour of treatment. The experimental data showed Nrf2 could be up-regulated and activated by DM which were manifested by the increase of Nrf2 mRNA, Nrf2 protein in the nucleus and the expression of detoxification enzyme genes. We further tested the activity of all groups, and found the survival rate of cells was basically proportional to the expression of Nrf2. Based on the above experimental results, Keap1 overexpression (K+), Nrf2 overexpression (N+) or interference (N-) cells were used to verified the relationship between Nrf2 , cell survival and detoxification enzymes expression. We found the cell survival rate of N+ group was significantly higher than that of other groups and the expression of detoxification enzymes were increased compared to the control group. These results demonstrated that Nrf2 is related to cell detoxification and associated with the tolerance to DM. Our evidence suggested Nrf2 is a potential therapeutic target for oxidative stress and a potential molecular target gene of resistance control. Unlabelled Image • The Nrf2 signaling pathway was associated with deltamethrin stress and tolerance. • Nrf2 pathway can affect the expression of DM detoxification metabolism related genes. • DM promotes Nrf2 expression and nucleation through oxidative stress. • Nrf2 is a potential molecular target gene of resistance control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The translation control tumor protein (TCTP) is a kind of conservative, common and important molecule, several functions (such as regulating cell cycle, apoptosis and calcium binding) have been reported. However, few academic researches for role of TCTP in insecticides stress were made so far. In this research, Drosophila kc cells treated with different doses of deltamethrin at different times, indicated that the expression of TCTP reached the highest level when the cells were treated with 20 ppm of deltamethrin at 24 h. The results showed that TCTP expression is associated with deltamethrin stress. To investigate the functional relationship between this gene and deltamethrin resistance, RNA interference (RNAi) and cell transfection were utilized. TCTP knockdown significantly reduced the level of resistance of RNAi-treated cells, and the overexpressions of TCTP in Drosophila kc cells conferred a degree of protection against deltamethrin. Flow cytometry data showed increased apoptosis rate of RNAi-treated cells and decreased apoptosis following cell transfection. These results represent the first evidence that TCTP plays an important role in the regulation of deltamethrin resistance. Therefore, this study could help us to elucidate the environmental toxicity of deltamethrin and new target genes associated with resistance. • TCTP expression is dose-dependent and time-dependent on deltamethrin. • Cells without TCTP has low cytoactive under deltamethrin stimulation. • Cells overexpression TCTP has high cytoactive under deltamethrin stimulation. • The study elucidates new target genes associated with pesticides resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Pests have been subjected to heavy selection by insecticide pressure, producing greater and more serious resistance. It is extremely valuable to identify the resistance genes that are relevant for pest control. In our previous studies, we reported that UBL40 is the deltamethrin resistance-associated gene. UBL40 is cleaved by specific endopeptidases to release UB and L40. Therefore, further we compared the expression of UB and L40 in different tissues from larvae of the diamondback moth using a deltamethrin-resistant (DR) strain and a deltamethrin-sensitive (DS) strain. The results showed that both UB and L40 knockdown significantly reduced the level of resistance to deltamethrin and clearly decreased the survival rate in P. xylostella after 72 h. These results provide evidence that UB and L40 both play roles in the regulation of deltamethrin resistance, which could help elucidate the resistance mechanisms and identify new target genes associated with deltamethrin resistance in P. xylostella. Highlights • The expression of UB and L40 gene in different tissues of different P. xylostella strains. • Using gene interference, real-time quantitative to explore UB and L40 genes resistance of pesticide. • These results identify new target genes associated with deltamethrin resistance in P. xylostella. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pesticides have been used extensively for pest control, resulting in serious pesticide resistance. It is extremely valuable to identify the resistance genes related to pest control. In our previous studies, we reported that Ran is the deltamethrin (DM) resistance-associated gene. To clarify whether Ran is also related to the resistance of other pesticides, we selected four kinds of pesticides, including parathion, DDT, carbaryl and pleocidin, for further study. The results showed that Ran could be up-regulated by all pesticides. We further verified the relationship between Ran and resistance to the 4 pesticides by Ran RNAi, Ran overexpression and cell apoptosis. We found that the dsRNA of Ran induced more cell apoptosis than the control. Ran overexpression can significantly improve cell tolerance to various pesticides. These results demonstrate that Ran is associated with the resistance to and tolerance of multiple pesticides. Our evidence suggests the Ran is a potential molecular target gene of resistance control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The GTP-binding nuclear protein Ran has mostly been reported to be an essential player in nuclear transport, chromosome alignment, microtubule dynamics, centrosome duplication, kinetochore attachment of microtubules, nuclear-envelope dynamics, and phagocytosis. However, until now, there has been no report showing the involvement of Ran in DM stress. In this paper, two-dimensional electrophoresis analysis showed that the expression level of Ran in Kc cells in response to DM was higher than that in the control group. In addition, quantitative analysis using real-time PCR revealed that the expression of Ran was obviously up-regulated at various concentrations of DM. Western blot analysis showed that Ran was up-regulated 2.27-fold over the control at 48 h. Because we still could not pinpoint whether Ran was actually involved in DM stress reaction, to further verify the role of Ran in stress reaction, RNA interference and cell transfection were utilized. Overexpression of Ran in cells conferred a degree of protection against DM after 72 h. Furthermore, interference with Ran significantly decrease cell viability. All of the above findings strongly imply that Ran may participate in the development of stress reaction to DM. Therefore, investigating the possible role of Ran in DM stress will broaden our limited knowledge regarding DM stress inducible genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Typhoid fever is a common disease in Yunnan province; however, the resistant phenotype and epidemic characteristics of Salmonella in this area are still unclear. In this study, a 15-year surveillance of antimicrobial susceptibility of Salmonella is reported. Methodology: From January 1999 to December 2013, Salmonella isolates were recovered from patients in the First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province. Antimicrobial susceptibility was detected and data were analyzed using WHONET5.6. Results: A total of 845 Salmonella isolates were recovered between 1999 and 2013. The most frequently isolated Salmonella serovar was S. Paratyphi A (93%), and 75.1% (635/845) of the isolates were from the young and middle-aged population. The resistance rates of Salmonella spp. to ciprofloxacin, ampicillin, and ceftriaxone increased dramatically during the 15 years. Carbapenems retained the highest and most stable activity against isolates. The resistance rates of all Salmonella isolates to chloramphenicol and sulfamethoxazole were 0.4% (3/845) and 1.8% (15/845), respectively. Conclusions: As Salmonella isolates have been observed to be resistant to first-line antibiotics, antimicrobial agents should be used rationally and prescriptions should be based on case-by-case susceptibility testing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND Propofol is a common intravenous anesthetic used to induce and maintain anesthesia. Numerous studies have reported that propofol plays an anti-tumor role in diverse human cancers, including glioma. In this research, we explored the roles of propofol and its related molecular mechanisms in glioma. MATERIAL AND METHODS U251 and A172 cells were exposed to different doses of propofol for 24 h. Cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in glioma were evaluated using MTT assay and Transwell assay, respectively. The levels of microRNA-410-3p (miR-410-3p) and transforming growth factor-ß receptor type 2 (TGFBR2) were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) assay and Western blot assay, respectively. The association between miR-410-3p and TGFBR2 was predicted by TargetScan and confirmed by dual-luciferase reporter assay. RESULTS Propofol inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of glioma cells in a concentration-dependent way. miR-410-3p was induced and TGFBR2 was inhibited by different concentrations of propofol treatment. Moreover, TGFBR2 was confirmed to be a target gene of miR-410-3p and TGFBR2 was inversely modulated by miR-410-3p in glioma cells. Depletion of miR-410-3p reversed the inhibition of propofol treatment on U251 and A172 cell growth and metastasis, but the effects were further abolished by knocking down the expression of TGFBR2. CONCLUSIONS Propofol can suppress cell growth and metastasis by regulating the miR-410-3p/TGFBR2 axis in glioma.

Gut bacteria play a significant role in host insect. This study evaluated detail difference of midgut bacteria in deltamethrin-resistant, deltamethrin-susceptible and field-caught populations of diamondback moth, and studied phenomics of the predominant midgut bacterium Enterococcus mundtii. Cultivable bacteria revealed that E. mundtii and Carnobacterium maltaromaticum dominated the bacterial populations from deltamethrin-resistant and deltamethrin-susceptible larval midguts, whereas E. mundtii was predominant in field-caught population. Illumina sequencing analysis indicated that 97% of the midgut bacteria were from the phyla Firmicutes, Proteobacteria and Cyanobacteria. Both resistant and susceptible populations had more Enterococcus and Carnobacterium. Enterococcus, Carnobacterium, Bacillus, and Pseudomonas were predominant in the field-caught population. A phenomics analysis revealed that E. mundtii was able to metabolize 25.26% of the tested carbon sources, 100% of the nitrogen sources, 100% of the phosphorus sources and 97.14% of the sulfur sources, had a wide range of osmolytes and pH conditions, and showed active deaminase activity but no decarboxylase activity. This is the first report regarding different populations of DBM midgut bacteria analyzed using both high-throughput DNA sequencing and cultivation methods, and also first report concerning the phenomics of E. mundtii. The phenomics of E. mundtii provide a basis for the future study of gut bacteria functions.

Unlabelled: Direct-acting fibrin(ogen)olytic agents such as plasmin have been proved to contain effective and safety thrombolytic potential. Unfortunately, plasmin is ineffective when administered by the intravenous route because it was neutralized by plasma antiplasmin. Direct-acting fibrin(ogen)olytic agents with resistance against antiplasmin will brighten the prospect of anti-thrombosis. As reported in 'Compendium of Materia Medica', the insect of Eupolyphaga sinensis Walker has been used as traditional anti-thrombosis medicine without bleeding risk for several hundreds years. Currently, we have identified a fibrin(ogen)olytic protein (Eupolytin1) containing both fibrin(ogen)olytic and plasminogen-activating (PA) activities from the beetle, E. sinensis., Objectives: To investigate the role of native and recombinant eupolytin1 in fibrin(ogen)olytic and plasminogen-activating processes., Methods and Results: Using thrombus animal model, eupolytin1 was proved to contain strong and rapid thrombolytic ability and safety in vivo, which are better than that of urokinase. Most importantly, no bleeding complications were appeared even the intravenous dose up to 0.12 µmol/kg body weight (3 times of tested dose which could completely lyse experimental thrombi) in rabbits. It is the first report of thrombolytic agents containing both direct-acting fibrin(ogen)olytic and plasminogen-activating activities., Conclusions: The study identified novel thrombolytic agent with prospecting clinical potential because of its bi-functional merits containing both plasmin- and PA-like activities and unique pharmacological kinetics in vivo.