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Ecdysis triggering hormone (ETH) was originally discovered as a key hormone that regulates insect moulting via binding to its receptor, ETH receptor (ETHR). However, the precise role of ETH in moth reproduction remains to be explored in detail. ETH function was verified in vivo using Mythimna separata (Walker), an important cereal crop pest. RT-qPCR analysis revealed that transcriptional expression profiles of MsepETH showed evident sexual dimorphism in the adult stage. MsepETH expression increased in the females on day 3 and persisted thereafter till day 7, consistent with female ovarian maturation, and was merely detectable in males. Meanwhile, MsepETH expression levels were significantly higher in the trachea than in other tissues. MsepETHR-A and MsepETHR-B were expressed in both sexes and were significantly higher in the antennae than in other tissues. MsepETH and MsepETHR knockdown in females by RNA interference significantly reduced the expression of MsepETH, MsepETHR-A, MsepETHR-B, MsepJHAMT, and MsepVG, which delayed egg-laying and significantly reduced egg production. RNAi 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) receptor (EcR) decreased MsepETH expression whereas injecting 20E restored egg production that had been disrupted by MsepETH interference. Meanwhile, RNAi juvenile hormone (JH) methoprene tolerant protein (Met) also decreased MsepETH expression and smearing JH analog methoprene (Meth) restored egg production. In conclusion, the reproduction roles of ETH, JH, and 20E were investigated in M. separata. These findings will lay the foundation for future research to develop an antagonist that reduces female reproduction and control strategies for pest insects.

Background The role of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in the pathogenesis of allergic rhinitis (AR) remains elusive. Methods Real‐time polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR), immunohistochemistry, and western blotting analyses were performed to detect the expression of ER stress and unfolded protein response markers: 78‐kDa glucose‐regulated protein (GRP78), C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP), activating transcription factor 6 (ATF6α), spliced X‐box binding protein 1 (sXBP‐1), and phosphorylated eukaryotic initiation factor 2α (p‐eIF2α), in inferior turbinate tissue samples from patients with AR and non‐AR controls. Nasal tissues from patients with AR were cultured ex vivo and treated with 4‐phenylbutyric acid (4‐PBA), an ER stress inhibitor. Results Compared to those in non‐AR controls, the mRNA and protein levels of GRP78, CHOP, ATF6α, sXBP‐1, and p‐eIF2α were significantly increased in nasal tissues from patients with AR. GRP78 and CHOP were mainly expressed in CD138+ plasma cells in nasal tissues from patients with AR. The frequency of IgE+CD138+ plasma cells was significantly higher in nasal tissues from patients with AR than that in non‐AR controls. IgE levels in nasal secretions and tissues were positively correlated with GRP78 and CHOP mRNA levels in the nasal tissues. After 4‐PBA treatment, the protein expression of GRP78, CHOP, ATF6α, sXBP‐1, and p‐eIF2α was significantly reduced in cultured AR‐derived nasal tissues, and IgE levels were simultaneously decreased in cultured supernatants. Conclusions ER stress may be involved in the regulation of local IgE production in patients with AR. Inhibition of ER stress potentially provides a therapeutic avenue in AR by reducing local IgE production. Level of Evidence NA

Background In this study we aimed to identify inflammatory patterns and predictors associated with clinical outcomes in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) patients with different blood and tissue eosinophilia. Methods A total of 535 CRSwNP patients were enrolled, and the expression of 35 biomarkers, together with eosinophil and neutrophil counts in nasal polyps, were analyzed in a subset of 249 patients. Patients were stratified on the basis of blood (≥0.5 × 109 /L) and tissue (>10%) eosinophilia. Logistic regression models were applied to identify predictors of uncontrolled disease at least 1 year after surgery. Uncontrolled disease was defined according to the European Position Paper on Rhinosinusitis and Nasal Polyps 2020. Results Among 535 patients, 38.5% showed inconsistent blood and tissue eosinophilia. In 249 CRSwNP patients, subjects with concomitant blood and tissue eosinophilia (group 1) showed marked mucosal type 2 inflammation, characterized by high levels of interleukin (IL)-5, IL-13, and eotaxin-1, whereas subjects with normal blood and tissue eosinophil levels (group 4) demonstrated significant local neutrophilic inflammation with high expression of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and subjects with selective tissue eosinophilia (group 2) showed intermediate and mixed eosinophilic and neutrophilic inflammation. Subjects with isolated blood eosinophilia (group 3) showed low expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and IL-10. Asthma, prior sinus surgery, and blood eosinophilia were the top 3 predictors for postsurgical uncontrolled disease. For subgroup analysis, sex in group 1, asthma in group 2, tissue IL-10 and immunoglobulin E in group 3, and prior sinus surgery in group 4 were the strongest predictors of uncontrolled disease, respectively. Conclusion Different blood and tissue eosinophilia revealed distinct tissue inflammatory patterns in CRSwNP patients.

BACKGROUND: The impacts of chronic airway diseases on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are far from understood. OBJECTIVE: To explore the influence of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) comorbidity on disease expression and outcomes, and the potential underlying mechanisms in COVID-19 patients. METHODS: A total of 961 hospitalized COVID-19 patients with a definite clinical outcome (death or discharge) were retrospectively enrolled. Demographic and clinical information were extracted from the medical records. Lung tissue sections from patients suffering from lung cancer were used for immunohistochemistry study of angiotensin-converting enzyme II (ACE2) expression. BEAS-2B cell line was stimulated with various cytokines. RESULTS: In this cohort, 21 subjects (2.2%) had COPD and 22 (2.3%) had asthma. After adjusting for confounding factors, COPD patients had higher risk of developing severe illness (OR: 23.433; 95% CI 1.525-360.135; P

Human melanoma is a highly malignant tumor originating from cutaneous melanocytes. The noncoding RNA microRNA (miR)‐21‐5p has been reported to be expressed at high levels in malignant melanocytic skin tissues, but its potential functional role in melanoma remains poorly understood. Here, we explored the cellular effects of miR‐21‐5p on melanoma in vitro and the underlying mechanisms. Quantitative real‐time PCR was used to show that miR‐21‐5p is significantly up‐regulated in clinical samples from patients with melanoma as compared with adjacent noncancerous tissues. Overexpression of miR‐21‐5p significantly enhanced, whereas knockdown attenuated, cell proliferation and G1/S transition in melanoma cell lines (A375 and M14). Luciferase reporter assays were used to show that the cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitor 2C (CDKN2C) is a downstream target of miR‐21‐5p. Furthermore, miR‐21‐5p mimics resulted in a decrease in CDKN2C expression, and CDKN2C expression was observed to be inversely correlated with miR‐21‐5p expression in melanoma tissues. Rescue experiments were performed to show that overexpression of CDKN2C partially reversed the effects of miR‐21‐5p up‐regulation on A375 cells. Consistently, knockdown of CDKN2C abolished the effects of miR‐21‐5p down‐regulation on A375 cells. Overall, our studies demonstrate that miR‐21‐5p can promote the growth of melanoma cells by targeting CDKN2C, which may induce G0/G1 phase arrest of melanoma cells., miR‐21‐5p down‐regulates CDKN2C expression, thereby promoting G1/S transition and enhancing cell proliferation in melanoma.

Low‐intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS), a noninvasive physical therapy, was recently demonstrated to be an effective treatment for osteoarthritis (OA). Vascular endothelium growth factor A (VEGFA) has been found to be upregulated in the articular cartilage, synovium and subchondral bone of OA patients, leading to cartilage degeneration, synovitis and osteophyte formation. However, the functions and mechanisms of LIPUS in regulating chondrocyte‐derived VEGFA expression are still unclear. In this study, we investigated whether LIPUS attenuated OA progression by (a) decreasing the percentage of VEGFA‐positive cells in mouse articular cartilage destabilised through medial meniscus surgery and (b) relieving interleukin‐1β‐induced VEGFA expression in mouse primary chondrocytes. However, this function was negated by a p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) inhibitor. In addition, we found that LIPUS ameliorated VEGFA‐mediated disorders in cartilage extracellular matrix metabolism and chondrocyte hypertrophy during OA development. In conclusion, our data indicate a novel effect of LIPUS in regulating the expression of osteoarthritic chondrocyte‐derived VEGFA through the suppression of p38 MAPK activity., Low‐intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS), a noninvasive physical therapy, was recently demonstrated as an effective treatment for osteoarthritis (OA). LIPUS protects articular cartilage from degeneration in experimental OA. In addition, LIPUS ameliorated disorders in cartilage extracellular matrix metabolism and chondrocyte hypertrophy by inhibiting vascular endothelium growth factor A, and this effect is mainly exerted through the inhibition of p38 MAPK signalling.

The oriental armyworm, Mythimna separata, is a serious agricultural pest in China. Seasonal and roundtrip migration has recently led to sudden, localized outbreaks and crop losses. To evaluate genetic differentiation between populations in eastern and western China and elucidate gene flow, the genetic structure of 20 natural populations from nine provinces was examined using seven microsatellite markers. The results indicated high genetic diversity. However, little to moderate (0

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) exhibit therapeutic benefits on aortic aneurysm (AA); however, the molecular mechanisms are not fully understood. The current study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects and potential mechanisms of murine bone marrow MSC (BM‐MSCs)–derived conditioned medium (MSCs‐CM) on angiotensin II (AngII)‐induced AA in apolipoprotein E‐deficient (apoE−/−) mice. Murine BM‐MSCs, MSCs‐CM or control medium were intravenously administrated into AngII‐induced AA in apoE−/− mice. Mice were sacrificed at 2 weeks after injection. BM‐MSCs and MSCs‐CM significantly attenuated matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐2 and MMP‐9 expression, aortic elastin degradation and AA growth at the site of AA. These treatments with BM‐MSCs and MSCs‐CM also decreased Ly6chigh monocytes in peripheral blood on day 7 and M1 macrophage infiltration in AA tissues on day 14, whereas they increased M2 macrophages. In addition, BM‐MSCs and MSCs‐CM reduced MCP‐1, IL‐1Ra and IL‐6 expression and increased IL‐10 expression in AA tissues. In vitro, peritoneal macrophages were co‐cultured with BM‐MSCs or fibroblasts as control in a transwell system. The mRNA and protein expression of M2 macrophage markers were evaluated. IL‐6 and IL‐1β were reduced, while IL‐10 was increased in the BM‐MSC systems. The mRNA and protein expression of M2 markers were up‐regulated in the BM‐MSC systems. Furthermore, high concentration of IGF1, VEGF and TGF‐β1 was detected in MSCs‐CM. Our results suggest that MSCs‐CM could prevent AA growth potentially through regulating macrophage polarization. These results may provide a new insight into the mechanisms of BM‐MSCs in the therapy of AA.

In the elderly with atherosclerosis, hypertension and diabetes, vascular calcification and ageing are ubiquitous. Melatonin (MT) has been demonstrated to impact the cardiovascular system. In this study, we have shown that MT alleviates vascular calcification and ageing, and the underlying mechanism involved. We found that both osteogenic differentiation and senescence of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) were attenuated by MT in a MT membrane receptor‐dependent manner. Moreover, exosomes isolated from VSMCs or calcifying vascular smooth muscle cells (CVSMCs) treated with MT could be uptaken by VSMCs and attenuated the osteogenic differentiation and senescence of VSMCs or CVSMCs, respectively. Moreover, we used conditional medium from MT‐treated VSMCs and Transwell assay to confirm exosomes secreted by MT‐treated VSMCs attenuated the osteogenic differentiation and senescence of VSMCs through paracrine mechanism. We also found exosomal miR‐204/miR‐211 mediated the paracrine effect of exosomes secreted by VSMCs. A potential target of these two miRs was revealed to be BMP2. Furthermore, treatment of MT alleviated vascular calcification and ageing in 5/6‐nephrectomy plus high‐phosphate diet‐treated (5/6 NTP) mice, while these effects were partially reversed by GW4869. Exosomes derived from MT‐treated VSMCs were internalised into mouse artery detected by in vivo fluorescence image, and these exosomes reduced vascular calcification and ageing of 5/6 NTP mice, but both effects were largely abolished by inhibition of exosomal miR‐204 or miR‐211. In summary, our present study revealed that exosomes from MT‐treated VSMCs could attenuate vascular calcification and ageing in a paracrine manner through an exosomal miR‐204/miR‐211.

OBJECTIVE Activation of mast cells associates with eosinophilic inflammation in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). The disease-specific mast cell-triggering mechanisms apart from immunoglobulin E are poorly understood in CRSwNP. CD30L/CD30 are members of the tumor necrosis factor/receptor superfamily and display immune modulatory function on mast cells. The aim of this study was to explore the expression and function of CD30 and CD30L in CRSwNP. METHODS The mRNA expression of CD30 and CD30L was analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction. The cellular expression of CD30L was determined by immunofluorescence staining. The soluble CD30 levels in nasal tissues were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. HMC-1 cells, a human mast cell line, were cultured and stimulated with CD30. RESULTS Compared with control tissues, CD30 mRNA expression levels were increased in eosinophilic polyps, and soluble CD30 protein levels were upregulated in both eosinophilic and noneosinophilic polyps with a greater increase in eosinophilic type. CD30 was expressed by T cells and B cells in nasal polyps. The CD30L mRNA expression levels and the number of CD30L+ cells and CD30L+ tryptase+ mast cells were increased in eosinophilic polyps but not in noneosinophilic polyps as compared with control tissues. Mast cells accounted for 60% of CD30L+ cells in eosinophilic polyps. CD30 induced HMC-1 cells to produce interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-13 without degranulation. Mast cells expressed IL-4 and IL-13 in eosinophilic polyps. The number of CD30L+ tryptase+ mast cells was positively correlated with the number of eosinophils and total inflammatory cells in eosinophilic polyps. CONCLUSION CD30/CD30L-mediated mast cell activation may promote the eosinophilic inflammation in CRSwNP. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE NA Laryngoscope, 129:E110-E117, 2019.

Heat shock protein 27 (Hsp27)/protein 53 (P53) plays an important role in testis development and spermatozoa regulation, but the relationship between Hsp27/P53 and infertility in cattle is unclear. Here, we focus on male cattle-yak and yak to investigate the expression and localization of Hsp27/P53 in testis tissues and to explore the influence of Hsp27/P53 on infertility. In our study, a total of 54 cattle (24 cattle-yak and 30 yak) were examined. The Hsp27 and P53 messenger RNA (mRNA) of cattle-yak were cloned, and amino acid variations in Hsp27 and P53 were found; the variations led to differences in the protein spatial structure compared with yak. We used real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot to investigate whether the expression of Hsp27/P53 mRNA and protein was different in cattle-yak and yak. We found that the expression levels of Hsp27/P53 mRNA and protein were different in the testis developmental stages and the highest expression was observed in testicles during adulthood. Moreover, the Hsp27 expression was significantly higher in yak, whereas P53 expression was higher in cattle-yak (p < 0.01). On this basis, we detected the location of Hsp27/P53 in the testis by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence. The results demonstrated that Hsp27 was located in spermatogenic cells at different developmental stages and mesenchymal cells of the yak testicles. However, P53 was located in the primary spermatocyte and interstitial cells of the cattle-yak testicles. In summary, our study proved that the expression of Hsp27/P53 differed across the testis developmental stages and the expression of P53 was higher in the testis of cattle-yak, which suggested that the infertility of cattle-yak may be caused by the upregulation of P53.

Brain sizes vary substantially across vertebrate taxa, yet, the evolution of brain size appears tightly linked to the evolution of life histories. For example, larger brained species generally live longer than smaller brained species. A larger brain requires more time to grow and develop at a cost of exceeded gestation period and delayed weaning age. The cost of slower development may be compensated by better homeostasis control and increased cognitive abilities, both of which should increase survival probabilities and hence life span. To date, this relationship between life span and brain size seems well established in homoeothermic animals, especially in mammals. Whether this pattern occurs also in other clades of vertebrates remains enigmatic. Here, we undertake the first comparative test of the relationship between life span and brain size in an ectothermic vertebrate group, the anuran amphibians. After controlling for the effects of shared ancestry and body size, we find a positive correlation between brain size, age at sexual maturation, and life span across 40 species of frogs. Moreover, we also find that the ventral brain regions, including the olfactory bulbs, are larger in long-lived species. Our results indicate that the relationship between life history and brain evolution follows a general pattern across vertebrate clades.

The evolution of sperm quality and quantity is shaped by various selective processes, with sperm competition generally considered the primary selective agent. Particularly in external fertilizers, however, sperm limitation through gamete dispersal can also influence gamete investments, but empirical data examining this effect are limited. Here, we studied the relative importance of sperm competition and the spawning conditions in explaining the macroevolutionary patterns of sperm size and number within two taxa with external fertilization but differences in their reproductive biology. In frogs, sperm swim slowly but for up to hours as they penetrate the gelatinous egg coating, whereas fish sperm typically swim fast, are very short-lived (seconds to minutes), and often face a relatively higher risk of being moved away from the ova by currents. Our phylogenetic models and path analyses revealed different trajectories of ejaculate evolution in these two taxa. Sperm size and number responded primarily to variation in sperm competition in the anurans, but more strongly to egg number and water turbulence in the fishes. Whereas the results across anurans align with the general expectation that sexual selection is the main driver of ejaculate evolution, our findings across the fishes suggest that sperm limitation has been underappreciated.

BACKGROUND Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) is a multifactorial disorder characterized by exaggerated local immune responses. Tumor necrosis factor-α-induced protein 8-like 2 (TIPE2) is a novel protein with potential immune modulating function. The expression and function of TIPE2 in human airway diseases are unclear. METHODS The expression of TIPE2 in sinonasal mucosal samples was assessed by means of quantitative reverse transcript-polymerse chain reaction, immunohistochemistry, and Western blotting. The human monocytic/macrophage cell line, THP-1 cells, was stimulated with various cytokines. Computed tomography (CT) scan images, endoscopic findings, and symptoms were scored. RESULTS Compared with non-eosinophilic polyps and control mucosa, the mRNA and protein expression of TIPE2 was significantly upregulated in eosinophilic polyps, with a further increase in those with asthma. The number of CD68+ CD163+ alternatively activated (M2) macrophages was increased in eosinophilic polyps. TIPE2 was mainly expressed by M2 macrophages in sinonasal mucosa and its expression was upregulated in M2 macrophages in eosinophilic polyps. Interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-13, but not interferon (IFN)-γ or IL-17A, induced TIPE2 expression in differentiated THP-1 cells. The mRNA levels of IL-4 and IL-13 correlated with the mRNA levels of TIPE2 and M2 macrophage markers in sinonasal mucosa. Importantly, the number of TIPE2+ cells, particularly TIPE2+ CD163+ CD68+ M2 macrophages, correlated positively with the number of eosinophils and total inflammatory cells in sinonasal mucosa, as well as disease duration, CT scores, hyposmia scores, and polyp size in CRSwNP. CONCLUSION The T-helper 2 milieu is able to induce TIPE2 expression in macrophages. TIPE2-positive M2 macrophages potentially contribute to eosinophilic inflammation and disease progression in CRSwNP.

Sexual selection theory predicts a trade-off between premating (ornaments and armaments) and postmating (testes and ejaculates) sexual traits, assuming that growing and maintaining these traits is costly and that total reproductive investments are limited. The number of males in competition, the reproductive gains from investing in premating sexual traits, and the level of sperm competition are all predicted to influence how males allocate their finite resources to these traits. Yet, empirical examination of these predictions is currently scarce. Here, we studied relative expenditure on pre- and postmating sexual traits among frog species varying in their population density, operational sex ratio, and the number of competing males for each clutch of eggs. We found that the intensifying struggle to monopolize fertilizations as more and more males clasp the same female to fertilize her eggs shifts male reproductive investment toward sperm production and away from male weaponry. This shift, which is mediated by population density and the associated level of male–male competition, likely also explains the trade-off between pre- and postmating sexual traits in our much broader sample of anuran species. Our results highlight the power of such a multilevel approach in resolving the evolution of traits and allocation trade-offs.

Objectives Low back pain becomes a common orthopaedic disease today. It is mainly induced by the degeneration of the intervertebral disc. In this study, we tried to reveal the pathogenesis of the degeneration and the relative therapeutic strategy, which are still elusive. Materials and Methods We collected 15 degenerative intervertebral tissues and five healthy donors. Nucleus pulposus and annulus fibrosus cells were subcultured. miR‐640 expression was determined by qPCR. Computer analysis and luciferase reporter assay were used to confirm miR‐640 target genes. Immunohistochemical and immunocytochemical staining was used to trace the proinflammatory cytokines and key transductor of signalling pathways. We also used β‐galactosidase staining, flow cytometry, and cell viability assay to monitor the degenerative index. Results miR‐640 overexpressed in patients derived degenerative nucleus pulposus tissues and cells. The inflammatory environment promoted miR‐640 expression via NF‐κB signalling pathway. In addition, miR‐640 targeted to LRP1 and enhances NF‐κB signal activity, which built a positive feedback loop. miR‐640 inhibited the expression of β‐catenin and EP300, therefore, restrained WNT signal and induced the degeneration in nucleus pulposus cells. miR‐640 inhibitor treatment exhibited the effects of anti‐inflammation, reverse WNT signalling pathway exhaustion, and remission of degenerative characteristics in vitro. Conclusions miR‐640 plays an important role in the degeneration of intervertebral disc and the relative inflammatory microenvironment. It is a promising potential therapeutic target for the low back pain biotherapy.

Variable environmental conditions affect brain size evolution. To explain inter- and intraspecific brain size variation among vertebrates, two adaptive hypotheses – the expensive brain hypothesis (EBH) and the cognitive buffer hypothesis (CBH) – have been proposed. The EBF proposes that relative brain size is reduced in animals that experience longer periods of low food availability in fluctuating environments. Alternatively, the CBH states that a major advantage of a relatively large brain is to enhance cognitive abilities in fluctuating environments. We found considerable variation in brain size and the sizes of brain structures in the Asian grass frog (Fejervarya limnocharis) among populations. Inconsistent with the predictions of the EBH and the CBH, individuals living in habitats with medium variation in temperatures and length of growth seasons at middle latitude and/or altitude had a relatively large brain, suggesting that environmental habitat-induced energetic constraints do not play an important role in shaping brain size evolution. Moreover, we also detected a significant intersexual difference in telencephalon size. Specifically, none of relative size of brain structures was correlated with variation in temperature and growth season related to environmental habitats, although latitude strongly affected the relative sizes of telencephalon and cerebellum. Our findings decline both the EBH and the CBH to explain brain size variation in the Asian grass frog. Furthermore, our results also suggest the sex-specificity of the environmental-induced brain size evolution in adult frogs associated with reproductive behaviors and spawning site selection.

Recent studies of humans, dogs and rodents have started to discover the genetic underpinnings of high altitude adaptations, yet amphibians have received little attention in this respect. To identify possible signatures of adaptation to altitude, we performed a genome scan of 15 557 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) obtained with restriction site-associated DNA sequencing of pooled samples from 11 populations of Andrew's toad (Bufo andrewsi) from the edge of the Tibetan Plateau, spanning an altitudinal gradient from 1690 to 2768 m.a.s.l. We discovered significant geographic differentiation among all sites, with an average FST = 0.023 across all SNPs. Apart from clear patterns of isolation by distance, we discovered numerous outlier SNPs showing strong associations with variation in altitude (1394 SNPs), average annual temperature (1859 SNPs) or both (1051 SNPs). Levels and patterns of genetic differentiation in these SNPs were consistent with the hypothesis that they have been subject to directional selection and reflect adaptation to altitudinal variation among the study sites. Genes with footprints of selection were significantly enriched in binding and metabolic processes. Several genes potentially related to high altitude adaptation were identified, although the identity and functional significance of most genomic targets of selection remain unknown. In general, the results provide genomic support for results of earlier common garden and low coverage genetic studies that have uncovered substantial adaptive differentiation along altitudinal and latitudinal gradients in amphibians.

Phyllotreta striolata (Fabricius) is an important pest of Brassicaceae in Southeast Asia and North America. Using scanning electron microscopy, we observed the external structure, number, and distribution of the antennal sensilla in P. striolata females to discuss the putative function of these sensilla in host location and oviposition behaviors. The antenna of female P. striolata is filiform, composed of a scape, a pedicel, and a flagellum with 9 flagellomeres. Five types of sensilla were identified, including sensilla cheaetica, sensilla trichodea, Bohm bristles, sensilla auricillica, and sensilla basiconica (five subtypes, SB1-SB2). External structure and distribution of antennal sensilla are compared with data from other insect species. In addition, we discuss the possible functions of antennal sensilla based on their characteristics.

Pulmonary hypertensive crisis is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension secondary to congenital heart disease (PAH-CHD) who require cardiac surgery. At present, prevention and management of perioperative pulmonary hypertensive crisis is aimed at optimizing cardiopulmonary interactions by targeting prostacyclin, endothelin, and nitric oxide signaling pathways within the pulmonary circulation with various pharmacological agents. This review is aimed at familiarizing the practitioner with the current pharmacological treatment for dealing with perioperative pulmonary hypertensive crisis in PAH-CHD patients. Given the life-threatening complications associated with pulmonary hypertensive crisis, proper perioperative planning can help anticipate cardiopulmonary complications and optimize surgical outcomes in this patient population.

Objectives/Hypothesis The role of respiratory viral infection in the pathogenesis of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) has been rarely studied and remains controversial. The aim of this study was to explore the prevalence of respiratory viruses in the chronic status of CRS. Study Design A case-control prospective study. Methods Fifty-three control subjects, and 67 CRS with nasal polyp (CRSwNP) and 61 CRS without nasal polyp (CRSsNP) patients without signs of acute viral infection were enrolled. Epithelial cells scraped from the middle nasal meatus were tested for the nucleic acid of nine common respiratory viruses using polymerase chain reaction assay. The clinical disease severity was compared between subjects with and without viral infection. Results The overall detection rate of viral infection was 75.47%, 68.66%, and 73.77% in controls, CRSwNP, and CRSsNP, respectively, and no significant difference among studied groups was observed. There was no significant difference in detection rate of any specific individual virus or multiple viruses among the groups studied either. Visual analog scale scores of symptoms, computed tomography scores, or endoscope scores did not show obvious difference between subjects with and without viral infection. Conclusions Although a high frequency of viral infection could be observed in the middle nasal meatus, no increase of frequency of viral infection could be demonstrated in chronic persistent phase of CRSsNP and CRSwNP. The contribution of the interaction between viral infection and host immunity to the pathogenesis of CRS remains to be determined. Level of Evidence 3b. Laryngoscope, 124:832–837, 2014

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles were pretreated with excessive toluene-2,4-diisocyanate (TDI) to synthesize TDI-functionalized TiO2 (TiO2-NCO), and then polymeric nanocomposites consisting of polyamide 6 (PA6) and functionalized-TiO2 nanoparticles were prepared via a melt compounding method. The interfacial interaction between TiO2 nanoparticles and polymeric matrix has been greatly improved due to the isocyanate (NCO) groups at the surface of the functionalized-TiO2 nanoparticles reacted with amino groups (NH2) or carboxyl (COOH) groups of PA6 during the melt compounding and resulted in higher tensile and impact strength than that of pure PA6. The nonisothermal crystallization kinetics of PA6/functionalized TiO2 nanocomposites was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The nonisothermal crystallization DSC data were analyzed by the modified-Avrami (Jeziorny) methods. The results showed that the functionalized-TiO2 nanoparticles in the PA6 matrix acted as effective nucleation agents. The crystallization rate of the nanocomposites obtained was faster than that of the pure PA6. Thus, the presence of functionalized-TiO2 nanoparticles influenced the mechanism of nucleation and accelerated the growth of PA6 crystallites. POLYM. COMPOS., 35:294–300, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers

We calculated the three-dimensional optical stress distribution and the resulting deformation on a biconcave human red blood cell (RBC) in a pair of parallel optical trap. We assumed a Gaussian intensity distribution with a spherical wavefront for each trapping beam and calculated the optical stress from the momentum transfer associated with the reflection and refraction of the incident photons at each interface. The RBC was modelled as a biconcave thin elastic membrane with uniform elasticity and a uniform thickness of 0.25 μm. The resulting cell deformation was determined from the optical stress distribution by finite element software, Comsol Structure Mechanics Module, with Young's modulus (E) as a fitting parameter in order to fit the theoretical results for cell elongation to our experimental data. (© 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

Crosslinked polymer beads with tunable pore morphology were prepared by suspension polymerization of styrene (St) and divinylbenzene (DVB) with polypropylene in combination with toluene as co-porogens. The effect of DVB content on the pore morphology was investigated by changing DVB amount in monomer mixture. The results indicated that the specific surface area, the total pore area, and the total pore volume increased with increasing DVB content of polymer beads. Moreover, high-DVB concentration was favorable to produce more micropores and mesopores. At a given DVB concentration, the volume ratio of co-porogen/DVB has significant impact on the pore morphology in crosslinked polymer beads. As the co-porogen amount was increased, the specific surface area, the total pore area, and the total pore volume were dramatically increased, furthermore, the pore size distribution derived from Hg intrusion shifted toward macropore. Overall, the present article provided a novel route to prepare crosslinked polymer beads with tunable pore morphology. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011

A novel alkali-soluble photosensitive polysiloxane urethane acrylate (APSUA) was synthesized via reacting bifunctional isocyanate with three kinds of hydroxyl group respectively, from hydroxyl silicone oil, dimethylol propionic acid (DMPA), and a compound which also has acrylate groups. The compound was prepared via reacting acrylic acid with N,N,N′,N′-tetraglycidyl -4,4′-diamino diphenyl methane (AG-80). The optimum temperature for the synthesis reaction of APSUA was found to be 50°C. The structure of the oligomer was characterized by IR, 1HNMR, and GPC. The number-average molecular weight of the APSUA was 7795. The APSUA possesses excellent compatibility with most of acrylate monomers. The effect of concentration of photoinitiator and monomers on the photopolymerization kinetics of the oligomer APSUA was investigated by real-time infrared spectroscopy (RT-IR). The results show that APSUA can well photopolymerize under UV-irradiation. The optimal concentration of photoinitiator (Darocur 1173) was determined as 0.1 wt %. The system of APSUA with DPGDA monomer has higher polymerization rate (0.0521 s−1) and higher double bond conversion (93.2%), respectively. The APSUA system with acrylate monomers can form regular image under UV-irradiation through a patterned mask. The cured coating film of the APSUA system possesses excellent flexibility, toughness and heat resistance. The APSUA system can dissolve in 1% sodium carbonate solution easily and completely. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011

Recently, we proposed a three-dimensional cube representation of RNA secondary structure. An efficient method for mutation analysis has been proposed based on the introduced representation. According to the proposed three-dimensional cube representations, we will introduce an extended binary coding method for RNA secondary structure alignment by converting the structure alignment to sequence alignment. Using our method, the result of structure alignment can be obtained quickly. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2011

Recently, a membrane-based estrogen receptor (ER), ER-α36, was identified and cloned that transduces membrane-initiated estrogen signaling such as activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MAPK/ERK) signaling pathway. Here we show that the postmenopausal level of estradiol (E2) induces mitogenic, antiapoptotic, and antiosteogenic effects and proapoptotic effects in postmenopausal osteoblasts and osteoclasts with high levels of ER-α36 expression, respectively. We also found that ER-α36 mediated the effects of postmenopausal-level E2 on proliferation, apoptosis, and differentiation of osteoblasts through transient activation of the MAPK/ERK pathway, whereas ER-α36-mediated postmenopausal-level E2 induces apoptosis of osteoclasts through prolonged activation of the MAPK/ERK pathway with the involvement of reactive oxygen species. We also show that the levels of ER-α36 expression in bone are positively associated with bone mineral density but negatively associated with bone biochemical markers in postmenopausal women. Thus the higher levels of ER-α36 expression are required for preserving bone mass in postmenopausal and menopausal women who become osteoporotic if ER-α36-mediated activities are dysregulated. © 2011 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.