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Approximately one-third of colorectal cancers develop from serrated lesions (SLs), including hyperplastic polyp (HP), sessile serrated lesion (SSL), traditional serrated adenoma (TSA), and SSL with dysplasia (SSLD) through the serrated neoplasia pathway, which progresses faster than the conventional adenoma-carcinoma pathway. We sought to depict the currently unclarified molecular and immune alterations by the single-cell landscape in SLs.We performed single-cell RNA sequencing of 16 SLs (including 4 proximal HPs, 5 SSLs, 2 SSLDs, and 5 TSAs) vs 3 normal colonic tissues.A total of 60,568 high-quality cells were obtained. Two distinct epithelial clusters with redox imbalance in SLs were observed, along with upregulation of tumor-promoting SerpinB6 that regulated ROS level. Epithelial clusters of SSL and TSA showed distinct molecular features: SSL-specific epithelium manifested overexpressed proliferative markers with Notch pathway activation, whereas TSA-specific epithelium showed Paneth cell metaplasia with aberrant lysozyme expression. As for immune contexture, enhanced cytotoxic activity of CD8Epithelial, immune, and stromal components in the serrated pathway undergo fundamental alterations. Future molecular subtypes of SLs and potential immune therapy might be developed.

The present study evaluated the effect of fermentation with Lactiplantibacillus plantarum B7 and Bacillus subtilis natto on phenolic compound levels and enzyme activity, as well as antioxidant capacity of the rose residue. Results showed that the polyphenol content of rose residue was significantly increased from 16.37 ± 1.51 mg/100 mL to 41.02 ± 1.68 mg/100 mL by fermentation at 37 °C and 2.0% (v/v) inoculum size for 40 h. The flavone, soluble dietary, and protein contents were also enhanced by almost 1-fold, 3-fold, and 1-fold, respectively. Fifteen phenolic compounds were quantified in the fermented broth, among which the concentration of gallic acid, quercetin, and p-coumaric acid increased by 5-fold, 4-fold, and almost 8-fold, respectively. Chlorogenic acid was a new phenolic compound produced during fermentation. Moreover, the fermented rose residue presented higher superoxide dismutase, α-amylase, and protease activity. ABTS

The performance of ball screws degrades with two-stage features due to the deteriorating inner mechanism and environmental stress, which lowers the positioning accuracy of the ball screws. It thus affects the accuracy of computer numerical control machine tools. However, no research has been carried out on the degradation reliability for ball screws and current studies usually treat the performance degradation of ball screws as a deterministic, single-stage degradation process, ignoring the randomness and two-stage features in the degradation progress. To this end, we firstly formulated a framework of degradation reliability for ball screws, and then established a two-stage performance degradation model with eight unknown parameters. To estimate the unknown parameters, we proposed a two-phase, expectation-maximization estimation method. Finally, we established a degradation reliability model based on the degradation test data and validated the model through experimental data, which shows the model can capture the real-degradation behavior of ball screws.

Secondary-ion batteries, such as lithium-ion (LIBs) and sodium-ion batteries (SIBs), have become a hot research topic owing to their high safety and long cycling life. The electrode materials for LIB/SIBs need to be further developed to achieve high energy and power densities. Anode/cathode active materials based on their alloying/dealloying with lithium, such as the anode materials of silicon, phosphorus, germanium and tin, and the cathode material of sulfur, have a high specific capacity. However, their large volume changes during charging/discharging, the insulating nature of phosphorus and sulfur, as well as the shuttling of polysulfides in a battery with a sulfur cathode decrease their specific capacity and cycling performance. The formation of dendrites in anodes during the deposition/dissolution of Li and Na leads to severe safety issue and hinders their practical use. Carbon materials produced from abundant natural resources have a variety of structures and excellent conductivity making them suitable host frameworks for loading high specific capacity anode/cathode materials. Recent progress in this area is reviewed with a focus on the factors affecting their electrochemical performance as the hosts of active materials. It is found that the mass loading of the active materials and the energy density of the batteries can be enhanced by increasing the specific surface area and pore volume of the carbon frameworks. Large volume changes can be efficiently accommodated using high pore volume carbon frameworks and a moderate loading of the active material. Suppression of the shuttling of polysulfides and therefore a long cycling life can be achieved by increasing the number of binding sites and their binding affinity with polysulfides by surface modification of the carbon frameworks. Dendrite growth can be inhibited by a combination of a high specific surface area and appropriate interface modification. Rate performance can be improved by designing the pore structure to shorten Li+/Na+ diffusion paths and increasing the electrical conductivity of the carbon frameworks. DFT calculations and simulations can be used to design the structures of carbon frameworks and predict their electrochemical performance.

Sclerodermus pupariae Yang et Yao (Hymenoptera: Bethylidae), a newly described ectoparasitoid, has been used as a biocontrol agent against several buprestid and cerambycid pests in China. Both winged and wingless female morphs of S. pupariae can find and parasitize hosts; however, winged parasitoids can disperse faster and further to new habitats and thus are more adapted to spatial and temporal changes in host densities than wingless morphs. In the present study, we determined the effects of photoperiod and associated light intensity on the parasitoid development time from egg to adult, the proportion of winged females, fecundity, and progeny sex ratio. Significantly more winged female parasitoid progeny were produced with long-day photoperiods and high light intensity compared to short day-photoperiods and low light intensity treatments. Photoperiod alone (regardless of light intensity) has significant impact on developmental time of parasitoid progeny. Light intensity, interacted with photoperiod, significantly affected the degree of phenotypic partitioning and development time, but light intensity and photoperiod did not significantly influence the parasitoid fecundity and sex ratio. These results are relevant to laboratory rearing of S. pupariae when the optimal light conditions are needed to produce winged female parasitoids.

Mortality factors affecting eggs, immatures (larvae and pupae combined), and adults of the Asian longhorned beetle, Anoplophora glabripennis, infesting Salix babylonica, Populus sp. (Section Aigeiros Duby), and P. gansuensis (Section Tacamahaca) were investigated in four Chinese provinces between 2015 and 2017. Immature density varied by location and tree species; however, overall density was highest in Jilin province. When immature density was compared between host tree species from the same province, nearly four times the immature numbers were found infesting P. gansuensis than S. babylonica. Although there were variations in mortality factors affecting different A. glabripennis stages between location and year, eggs appeared to be the most susceptible life stages to mortality factors compared to other life stages. On average, 59.3% of eggs were killed by undetermined factors (likely host tree resistance and microbial pathogens) across all survey sites and years. In contrast, immature stages were least susceptible to mortality factors, where on average 8.3%, 15.6%, and 9.1% of these were killed, respectively, by undetermined factors, woodpeckers, and unidentified predators across all survey sites and years. Parasitoids, Dastarcus helophoroides and Sclerodermus guani, were recovered from immatures in Gansu and Shaanxi provinces and Beijing City, together accounting for around 6.0% mortality of these stages in these sites. Across all survey sites and years, most longhorned beetle adults had emerged from their host trees; of the remaining adults (pharate) that did not emerge, 10.1%, were killed by undetermined factors, 8.1% parasitized by D. helophoroides, and >1% removed by unidentified predators or woodpeckers.

The success of classical biological control programs depends in part on understanding climate effects on introduced agents. Tetrastichus planipennisi Yang (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), a larval endoparasitoid of emerald ash borer (EAB), Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), is being introduced to EAB-invaded regions of the United States (USA) and Canada for biological control. To optimize regional release strategies and increase efficiency of the EAB-biocontrol program, we determined the effects of five constant temperatures from 15 °C to 35 °C on T. planipennisi parasitism rate, development, adult longevity, and fecundity in EAB. Results showed a decrease in parasitoid development time from 139.8 days at 15 °C to 26.3 days at 30 °C, while no parasitoid eggs hatched at 35 °C. Parasitism rates, provisioned with an excess of host larvae throughout their life, increased from 1.4% at 15 °C to 28% at 30 °C then declined to 0.5% at 35 °C. Adult parasitoid longevity declined from 24 weeks at 15 °C to

In food processing, it is essential to guarantee the safety of microbial hazards. Microorganisms exist, transit and continuously grow along the food processing with hybrid evolutionary characteristics and uncertainties. Thus, a particular risk assessment is essential to effectively predict and evaluate the risk of microbial hazards in food processing. For such a purpose, we propose a comprehensive dynamic risk assessment approach based on a stochastic hybrid system (SHS). First, we formulate a dynamic evolution of microorganisms in food processing according to the SHS model. Second, we employ a Monte Carlo simulation to obtain the probability density functions of process characteristic information for microorganisms during processing. Additionally, we design a novel risk indicator of “hazard degree” to quantify the potential risks of microorganisms based on this process information. Finally, we present a case study of wheat flour processing to estimate the risk of mixed mildew on the basis of the SHS approach. Experimental results show that the proposed approach is feasible in modeling the hybrid evolution and handling uncertainties in predictions of microbial hazards. This study should prove to be a valuable reference to ensure food safety for risk management and decision-making departments.

Background The mesolimbic reward system plays a critical role in modulating nociception; however, its underlying molecular, cellular, and neural circuitry mechanisms remain unknown. Methods Chronic constrictive injury (CCI) of the sciatic nerve was used to model neuropathic pain. Projection-specific in vitro recordings in mouse brain slices and in vivo recordings from anesthetized animals were used to measure firing of dopaminergic neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA). The role of VTA−nucleus accumbens (NAc) circuitry in nociceptive regulation was assessed using optogenetic and pharmacological manipulations, and the underlying molecular mechanisms were investigated by Western blotting, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, and conditional knockdown techniques. Results c-Fos expression in and firing of contralateral VTA−NAc dopaminergic neurons were elevated in CCI mice, and optogenetic inhibition of these neurons reversed CCI-induced thermal hyperalgesia. CCI increased the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) protein but not messenger RNA in the contralateral NAc. This increase was reversed by pharmacological inhibition of VTA dopaminergic neuron activity, which induced an antinociceptive effect that was neutralized by injecting exogenous BDNF into the NAc. Moreover, inhibition of BDNF synthesis in the VTA with anisomycin or selective knockdown of BDNF in the VTA−NAc pathway was antinociceptive in CCI mice. Conclusions These results reveal a novel mechanism of nociceptive modulation in the mesolimbic reward circuitry and provide new insight into the neural circuits involved in the processing of nociceptive information.

Agrilus fleischeri Obenberger (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) is an emerging pest of poplar trees in northeast China, and is responsible for poplar mortality throughout its range. Its biology and natural enemies were studied at two field locations from 2013 to 2015 as well as via laboratory experiments. Life history of A. fleischeri was univoltine on exotic Populus nigra var. italica and overwintered as mature larvae in pupal chambers; however, was semivoltine on native Populus davidiana and overwintered as 2nd or 3rd instar larvae in Liaoning Province, China. Adults emerged from late May to mid-August with a peak in early June. Eggs were first discovered in early June and continued to late August. Larvae fed from mid-June to late September of univoltine or from mid-June to the next early September of semivoltine. The sex ratio of adult beetles was approximately 1:1 (M:F). Mean longevities of female and male adults were 34.87 ± 18.70 and 34.33 ± 18.10 days, respectively. Mean duration of egg stage was 12.83 ± 1.10 days and pupal duration 26.40 ± 1.32 days. Mortality in the field was mainly caused by parasitoids; however, pathogens, predators, and host tree resistance were also noted. The egg parasitoids, Oobius spp. attacked 48.0% and 6.48% of A. fleischeri eggs in P. nigra var. italica and P. davidiana , respectively. Polystenus rugosus and Paramblynotus sp. parasitized 0.71% and 52.17% of larvae in P. nigra var. italica respectively. Euderus fleischeri , Polystenus rugosus , and Spathius sp. were found in P. davidiana with parasitism rates of 7.63%, 4.83%, and 0.25% respectively.

The Three-North Shelter Forest Program (TNSFP) has played an important role in increasing the forest coverage and decreasing the wind erosion rate. Fallout radionuclides (FRNs), such as caesium-137 (Cs-137) and excess lead 210 ((210)Pbex), have extensively been used as fast and economical tools to estimate erosion rates over a broad range of spatial and temporal scales. However, the Cs-137 and (210)Pbex conversion models used to estimate annual soil erosion rates under steady state conditions have not been used to predict corresponding rates following reforestation due to the land-use changes that have occurred since 1963 in China. This study investigated the influence of shelter forest on soil erosion of cultivated land (CL) by using Cs-137 and (210)Pbex in northern China. Opposing trends in the spatial variation were found between the Cs-137 and (210)Pbex inventories, which were due to their differing sources and mass balances within the soil profile. Exploiting this finding, we propose a conceptual Cs-137 and (210)Pbex variation model to detect depth variations between before and after reforestation. Wind erosion rate was 29.11 +/- 14.42 Mg ha(1) yr(-1) in the CL when estimated with Cs-137. However, estimation by the revised (210)Pbex mass balance model showed that wind erosion rates were 68.55 +/- 22.11 and-8.52 +/- 47.32 Mg ha(1) yr(-1) before and after the surrounding forest matured, respectively. The spatial variation in the Cs-137 inventories mainly reflects the soil erosion patterns before the surrounding shelter forest matured, while the spatial variation in the (210)Pbex inventories mainly reflects the soil erosion patterns after the surrounding shelter forest matured. Furthermore, the soil erosion rates that were deduced from the (210)Pbex conversion model confirmed that the TNSFP played an important role in decreasing the soil erosion rates and intercepting sandstorms in northern China. Thus, the advantages and limitations associated with the use of FRNs for assessing wind erosion in the study area were also proposed. More attention should also be paid to the limitation of estimating soil erosion rates by using FRNs measurements in the TNSFP region of China.

The gregarious idiobiont ectoparasitoid, Sclerodermus pupariae Yang et Yao, is a natural enemy that parasitizes buprestid and cerambycid beetle larvae in China. In a recent laboratory study of mass–reared female parasitoids on larvae of the substitute host, Thyestilla gebleri, the subsequent offspring were widely released to control target pests. To develop cost–effective techniques for rearing parasitoids, and improve the parasitic efficiency of Sclerodermus pupariae, several parasitoid–host ratios have been investigated. However, the mechanism whereby increasing the density of inoculated female wasps on a host affects female parasitoid fitness (adult performance and progeny developmental duration) remains unclear. In the present study, we examined the influence of parasitoid density (one to eight female wasps per host) on the time to first attack, paralyzing time, pre–oviposition period and oviposition period of foundresses and developmental duration of offspring. We showed that the time to first attack, paralyzing time, pre–oviposition period and oviposition period of foundresses were significantly negatively associated with parasitoid density, but that developmental duration of progeny was only affected at the larval stage. An increase in the parasitoid density to more than three female wasps per host had no significant influence on the investigated parameters. Our results suggest that host nutrition was adequate, and intraspecific interaction enhanced the parasitic efficiency of wasps sharing a single host. Furthermore, it is known that a suitable parasitoid–host ratio can play an important role in promoting mutually beneficial behaviors which enhance adult performance.

To investigate the duration criterion of respiratory events in children with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) by analyzing standard nocturnal polysomnograms (PSG). To provide reference values for pediatric PSG.107 OSAS children diagnosed by PSG from January 2004 to May 2006 were randomly selected. The decrease in arterial oxygen saturation (ΔSaO2) and the corresponding event duration of each respiratory event were observed.(1) There was significant positive correlation between oxygen desaturation values (ΔSaO2=0-17%) and the corresponding durations of respiratory events (P0.001). (2) There was no significant difference in durations of respiratory events in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and NREM sleep, the demographics between male and female children. (3) Significant positive correlation between age and duration of respiratory events (apnea/hypopnea) when oxygen desaturation values equal to 4% (ΔSaO2=4%) was observed. (4) The lower limit of 95% confidence intervals of which duration of oxygen desaturation value equals to 4% was 5.4s.(1) PSG studies may allow the establishment of the duration criterion of significant respiratory events; (2) 5.4s can be defined as duration criteria of respiratory events; (3) the present study provides reference values for Pediatric PSG.

Prolonged administration of Levodopa (L-dopa) therapy can generate L-dopa-induced dyskinesia (LID). Accumulating evidence indicates that hyper-activation of the dopamine D1 receptor (D1R) and the cAMP signaling cascade in the medium spiny neurons (MSNs) of the striatum are involved in LID. Previous studies have shown that striatal β-arrestin2 overexpression significantly reduces LID severity and have indicated that β-arrestin2 may play a causal role in the dyskinesia sensitization process. L-dopa-induced changes in the expression of signaling molecules and other proteins in the striatum were examined immunohistochemically and by western blot. A rAAV (recombinant adeno-associated virus) vector was used to overexpress and ablate β-arrestin2. We found that striatal overexpression of AAV-mediated β-arrestin2 produced less severe AIMs (abnormal involuntary movements) in response to L-dopa, whereas selective deletion of β-arrestin2 in the striatal neurons dramatically enhanced the severity of dyskinesia induced by L-dopa. Furthermore, no significant improvements in motor behavior (FFT: forelimb functional test) were seen with the inhibition or overexpression of β-arrestin2. Finally, overexpression of β-arrestin2 diminished L-dopa-induced D1R and phosphor-DARPP32/ERK levels. Viral deletion of β-arrestin2 markedly enhanced the key biochemical markers in the direct pathway. We found that increased availability of β-arrestin2 ameliorated dyskinesia severity with no influence on the anti-Parkinsonian action of L-dopa, suggesting a promising approach for controlling LID in Parkinson's disease. In addition, overexpression of β-Arrestin2 prevented the development of LID by inhibiting G protein-dependent D1R and phosphor-DARPP32/ERK signaling in dyskinetic rats.

Background Neurologic complications may be the first symptoms of atrial myxomas. Understanding the imaging features of neurologic complications of atrial myxomas can be helpful for the prompt diagnosis. Objective To identify neuroimaging features for patients with neurologic complications attributed to atrial myxoma. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 103 patients with pathologically confirmed atrial myxoma at Xiangya Hospital from January 2009 to January 2014. The neuroimaging data for patients with neurologic complications were analyzed. Results Eight patients with atrial myxomas (7.77%) presented with neurologic manifestations, which constituted the initial symptoms for seven patients (87.5%). Neuroimaging showed five cases of cerebral infarctions and three cases of aneurysms. The main patterns of the infarctions were multiplicity (100.0%) and involvement of the middle cerebral artery territory (80.0%). The aneurysms were fusiform in shape, multiple in number (100.0%) and located in the distal middle cerebral artery (100.0%). More specifically, high-density in the vicinity of the aneurysms was observed on CT for two patients (66.7%), and homogenous enhancement surrounding the aneurysms was detected in the enhanced imaging for two patients (66.7%). Conclusion Neurologic complications secondary to atrial myxoma consist of cerebral infarctions and aneurysms, which show certain characteristic features in neuroimaging. Echocardiography should be performed in patients with multiple cerebral infarctions, and multiple aneurysms, especially when aneurysms are distal in location. More importantly, greater attention should be paid to the imaging changes surrounding the aneurysms when myxomatous aneurysms are suspected and these are going to be the relevant features in our article.

Insulin resistance is a characteristic feature of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and is characterized by defects in insulin signaling. Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) is a key negative regulator of the insulin signaling pathways, and its increased activity and expression are implicated in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance. Therefore, the inhibition of PTP1B is anticipated to become a potential therapeutic strategy to treat T2DM. Fumosorinone (FU), a new natural product isolated from insect fungi Isaria fumosorosea, was found to inhibit PTP1B activity in our previous study. Herein, the effects of FU on insulin resistance and mechanism in vitro and in vivo were investigated. FU increased the insulin-provoked glucose uptake in insulin-resistant HepG2 cells, and also reduced blood glucose and lipid levels of type 2 diabetic KKAy mice. FU decreased the expression of PTP1B both in insulin-resistant HepG2 cells and in liver tissues of diabetic KKAy mice. Furthermore, FU increased the phosphorylation of IRβ, IRS-2, Akt, GSK3β and Erk1/2 in insulin-resistant HepG2 cells, as well as the phosphorylation of IRβ, IRS-2, Akt in liver tissues of diabetic KKAy mice. These results showed that FU increased glucose uptake and improved insulin resistance by down-regulating the expression of PTP1B and activating the insulin signaling pathway, suggesting that it may possess antidiabetic properties.

Background Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3) and Machado–Joseph disease (MJD) are similar diseases that are often referred to jointly as SCA3/MJD. As the most common autosomal-dominantly inherited subtype of hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP), HSP4 (or SPG4) has overlapping symptoms with SCA3/MJD, which hinders their diagnoses. Arterial spin labeling (ASL) is a noninvasive, contrast-agent free, magnetic resonance perfusion imaging method used to obtain maps of the cerebral blood flow (CBF). Here, we investigated the diagnostic value of ASL in SCA3/MJD and SPG4 patients. Methods A total of 13 SPG4 cases, 38 SCA3/MJD cases (22 onset patients and 16 genetic abnormality-only patients), and 27 healthy volunteers were examined by ASL. Data were processed to obtain the regional CBF (rCBF) and comparatively studied. Results In the pons, cerebellar dentate nucleus, and cerebellar cortex, rCBF of the onset SCA3/MJD group was significantly lower than that of the normal control group. In the cerebellar dentate nucleus and cerebellar cortex, the rCBF of the non-onset SCA3/MJD group was significantly lower than that of the control group. In the pons and cerebellar cortex, the rCBF of the onset SCA3/MJD group was significantly lower than that of the SPG4 group. Conclusions SCA3/MJD lesions are mainly located in the cerebellum and brainstem. Gray matter and white matter were both involved, although the deep cerebellar nuclei may be the earliest involved region. Cerebellar and brainstem lesions of SCA3/MJD were more severe than those of SPG4. ASL can aid the diagnosis of SCA3/MJD and SPG4.

In recent decades, China has suffered severe attacks by both native and invasive forest pests. We have carried out a series of research projects on biological control of these pests. The fall webworm, Hyphantria cunea (Drury) (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae) has been sustainably controlled by an effective gregarious pupal endoparasitoid, Chouioia cunea Yang (Chalcidoidea: Eulophidae), which is native to China, and spraying HcNPV virus against the pest’s larval stage. Pine wilt disease, caused by the pine wood nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus (Steiner et Buhrer) Nickle) (Aphelenchida: Aphelenchidae), is currently the number one pest in China. The strategy for controlling the disease is to manipulate the nematode’s vector, Monochamus alternatus Hope (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae). We discovered that Dastarcus helophoroides (Fairmaire) (Coleoptera: Bothrideridae) is the most important natural enemy in China pine forests. Mass rearing and release techniques were studied and developed. By releasing the parasitoid, 92.6% of the M. alternatus were parasitized in the first year. Meanwhile, three elaterid beetle species were found to prey on the larva of M. alternatus. The red turpentine beetle, Dendroctonus valens (LeConte) (Coleoptera:Scolytidae) was suppressed by a predator, Rhizophagus grandis Gyllenhal (Coleoptera: Rhizophagidae) introduced from Belgium and a total 3334 ha. of pine forests were protected. The oak longhorned beetle, Massicus raddei (Blessig) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) is the number one pest in the northeast forests of China, where it damages trunk of oaks, mainly Quercus liaotungensis and Q. mongolicus. An integrated management technique was developed for controlling the longhorned beetle: a special black light was invented for trapping the adults; the parasitoid Sclerodermus pupariae Yang et Yao (Hymenoptera: Bethylidae) was released against young larvae; and the parasitoid Dastarcus helophoroides eggs and/or adults were released when the hosts were mature larvae and/or pupae. By applying the technique for five years in northeastern China oak forests, the oak longhorned beetle has been controlled to a large extent. The emerald ash borer, Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), is native to eastern Asia, including China, and feeding by larvae damages ash trees. Natural enemies of the emerald ash borer were investigated and seven species were found in China, of which Spathius agrili Yang (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), Tetrastichus planipennisi Yang (Hymenoptera: Eulophiae), Sclerodermus pupariae Yang et Yao and Oobius agrili Zhang et Huang (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) are predominant and have high potential for biocontrol of the pest. The biology, behavior, ecology and mass rearing techniques of the parasitoids were studied.

CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) is involved in many human malignant tumors and plays an important role in tumor growth and metastasis. To explore the effects of CXCR4 expression on the malignant cells of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), Tca8113 and SCC-9 cell lines, as well as their xenograft models, of nude mice were used to detect cancer cell proliferation alteration. This study also examined the corresponding molecular mechanism after CXCR4 knockdown using a recombinant lentiviral vector expressing small interference RNA (siRNA) for CXCR4. RNA interference-mediated knockdown of CXCR4 in highly aggressive (Tca8113 and SCC-9) tumor cells significantly inhibited the proliferation of the two cell lines in vitro and in vivo. The expression levels of >1,500 genes involved in cell cycle, apoptosis, and multiple signaling pathways were also altered. These results provide new evidence of CXCR4 as a promising tumor gene therapeutic target.

Expression of Id-1 (inhibitors of DNA binding/differentiation protein 1) and TSP-1 (thrombospondin-1) in mucoepidermoid carcinoma and their relationship to pathological features and prognosis was studied. Moderately and poorly differentiated groups had significantly higher Id-1 positive expression rate (p

Spathius agrili Yang (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is a newly described and important idiobiont ectoparasitoid of the emerald ash borer (EAB) that has excellent potential as a biological control agent against EAB populations in the USA. In order to understand the ecological factors involved in the search and discovery of concealed hosts by S. agrili, we investigated the behavioral responses of adult female wasps to potential semiochemicals from host plants, hosts, and host frass as well as to vibration signals from host feeding and movement. Using a bioassay, we showed that S. agrili first finds the host’s habitats by detecting the volatile compounds emitted by ash. In the second phase of host location and acceptance, the parasitoids detect the mechanical vibrations produced by host feeding and movement under the surface of the bark and then probe to find the EAB larvae. Contact chemicals seem to play little or no role in short-range host finding. Female wasps avoided laying eggs on EAB larvae already parasitized and thus paralyzed. We hypothesized that female wasps were not attracted to these larvae due to their lack of feeding or movement. While an induced paralysis in the host is instrumental in avoiding superparasitism, we cannot rule out that S. agrili females also use an oviposition pheromone to deter conspecific females. Together, these results suggest that vibration and olfactory cues play significant roles in distinct phases of S. agrili host habitat and host location behaviors.

Background Hereditary spastic paraplegia with thin corpus callosum (HSP–TCC) is a clinically and genetically heterogeneous neurodegenerative disorder with genetic linkage to multi-loci. Recently pathogenic mutations in the KIAA1840 (now named SPG11) for SPG11, the major HSP–TCC locus, were identified; at least 42 different mutations have been detected. Objective To study the clinical features and identify the SPG11 gene mutations in Chinese patients with HSP–TCC. Methods Three kindreds with an autosomal recessive HSP–TCC and 5 cases with sporadic HSP–TCC in Chinese Hans were recruited. Detailed clinical history, neurological examination, MRI, electromyography, Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), Spastic Paraplegia Rating Scale (SPRS) were presented. DNA samples of the 8 families were collected and mutation analysis of SPG11 gene was carried out by direct DNA sequencing. Results Except for one patient whose age at onset was 3 years old, 10 patients manifested a relatively similar combination of adolescence-onset cognitive decline and spastic paraparesis with TCC on brain MRI. We identified 10 novel and one known mutations in our 8 HSP–TCC families, which were two nonsense mutations (c.5977C>T/p.Q1993X, c.4668T>A/p.Y1556X), three small deletions (c.6898_6899delCT/p.L2300AfsX2338, c.3719_3720delTA/p.I1240VfsX263, c.733_734delAT/p.M245VfsX246), four small insertions (c.7088_7089insATTA/p.Y2363X, c.2163_2164insT/p.I722YfsX731, c.7101_7102insT/p.K2368X, c.6790_6791insC/p.L2264PfsX2339), one deletion/insertion (c.654_655delinsG/p.S218RfsX219), and one splice mutation (c.7151+4_7151+7delAGTA/p.K2384fsX2386). Each family has a different mutation and all the mutations are predicted to cause early protein truncation. Conclusion This study widens the mutation spectrum of the SPG11 gene and the mutations in the SPG11 gene are also the major causative gene for HSP–TCC in the Chinese Hans. Screening of the whole gene is recommended in clinical practice.

To investigate the host range of Spathius agrili Yang (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), a total of 18 wood boring insects either in the genus Agrilus or associated with ash forests were collected, reared, and presented to S. agrili females in no-choice tests. Results showed that S. agrili can parasitize some other insect larvae in genus of Agrilus, but attack rates were significantly lower than its natural host, emerald ash borer, Agrilus planipennisi Faimaire (Coleoptera: Buprestidae). In Y-tube olfactometer tests, female S. agrili were only attracted to twigs and leaves of EAB infested Fraxinus velutina and F. pennsylvanica, and not to 12 other potential host plants. Two other plants, Prunus persica (L.) and Ailanthus altissima (Mill.), significantly repelled the EAB. Field surveys of 17 wood boring insects, including six species of Agrilus, revealed that none of these species were parasitized by S. agrili. It was indicated that the EAB natural parasitoid S. agrili has high host specificity.

The idiobiont ectoparasitoid, Spathius agrili Yang (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), parasitizes the concealed larvae of the emerald ash borer (EAB), Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), which feed on the inner bark of ash trees ( Fraxinus spp.). The objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of host larval size on parasitoid clutch size, offspring sex allocation, and adult body length. Results showed that the number of parasitoid eggs per host was positively correlated with host size as measured by larval weight, pronotum width, body length, and body width. The percentage of emerging parasitoids that were female was greater when eggs were laid on large larvae. More parasitoid progeny successfully developed on large host larvae, and parasitoid progeny survival was slightly higher than on small host larvae. Survival of parasitoid progeny was positively related to the width of the host gallery. There were significant differences among the body lengths of adult parasitoid offspring that developed on different sizes of host larvae, especially for female wasps. Furthermore, females were typically longer than males developing on the same host.

In this study, we investigated the effects of early postnatal sibling deprivation (EPSD) on spatial learning and memory in adult rats. Litters were culled to one pup with its mother on postnatal day (PN) 1 or 7 and their spatial learning and memory ability were examined with Morris water maze in adult. EPSD on PN1 improved, but on PN7 impaired performance of the spatial learning task in adult female rats. However, EPSD did not have any effect on the spatial learning ability in adult male rats.

Six novel spironolactone-analogs steroids ( 3 – 8 ) were isolated from spironolactone by using various chromatographic methods. Their structures were elucidated by spectrometric analysis. Two of the analogs ( 3 and 7 ) were confirmed by X-ray crystallography. The A-ring of compounds 3 – 7 is opened at C-2 C-3 bond, and compound 7 is an organic polysulfide, which has a rare, nine-membered ring with a five sulfur atom bridge.

The aim of this retrospective, multicenter clinical study was to evaluate the aetiology of epilepsy in surgically treated patients in China. The detailed clinical records of all intractable partial epilepsy (IPE) were reviewed in five tertiary referral centres from June 1991 to June 2000. 1650 patients (927 males, 723 females) were recruited. 41.4% had aetiological factors, including the histories of major brain trauma (20.9%), febrile seizure (6.5%), meningitis (5.4%), encephalitis (5.0%), prenatal distress (2.1%), birth trauma (0.8%) and family history of seizure (0.7%). The pathological lesions were divided into eight groups according to the nature of the lesion: scar (19.2%), vascular malformations (VM) (17.7%), hippocampal sclerosis (HS) (16.2%), tumours (15.0%), gliosis (12.1%), neuronal migration disorders (NMDs) (7.4%), intracranial infection (4.5%), and other lesions (7.9%). In conclusion, effective management of these aetiological factors and pathological lesions may be essential to deal with IPE. Scar, HS, VM, NMDs are the most likely consequences of antecedent morbid events.

from the Somte montage but these were not clinically important. The Somte significantly underestimated the number of arousals but the number of respiratory events was the same. The positive predictive value for the Somte to detect RDI > 15 was 100% and for RDI > 30 was 80%. Conclusions: In an unselected sleep laboratory population, in the hands of experienced scorers, the Somte accurately measured sleep and respiratory parameters despite the limited EEG montage. Arousals were harder to detect and were underestimated on the Somte . In a laboratory setting the accuracy of the Somte modified polysomnography device was considered adequate for clinical purposes.