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Cardiovascular diseases are the major cause of mortality in patients with advanced chronic kidney diseases. The predominant abnormality observed among this population is cardiac dysfunction secondary to myocardial remodelings, such as hypertrophy and fibrosis, emphasizing the need to develop potent therapies that maintain cardiac function in patients with end-stage renal disease.To identify potential compounds and their targets as treatments for cardiorenal syndrome type 4 (CRS) using molecular phenotyping and in vivo/in vitro experiments.Gene expression was assessed using bioinformatics and verified in animal experiments using 5/6 nephrectomized mice (NPM). Based on this information, a molecular phenotyping strategy was pursued to screen potential compounds. Picrosirius red staining, wheat germ agglutinin staining, Echocardiography, immunofluorescence staining, and real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) were utilized to evaluate the effects of compounds on CRS in vivo. Furthermore, qPCR, immunofluorescence staining and flow cytometry were applied to assess the effects of these compounds on macrophages/cardiac fibroblasts/cardiomyocytes. RNA-Seq analysis was performed to locate the targets of the selected compounds. Western blotting was performed to validate the targets and mechanisms. The reversibility of these effects was tested by overexpressing Osteopontin (OPN).OPN expression increased more remarkably in individuals with uremia-induced cardiac dysfunction than in other cardiomyopathies. Lobetyolin (LBT) was identified in the compound screen, and it improved cardiac dysfunction and suppressed remodeling in NPM mice. Additionally, OPN modulated the effect of LBT on cardiac dysfunction in vivo and in vitro. Further experiments revealed that LBT suppressed OPN expression via the phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase (JNK) signaling pathway.LBT improved CRS by inhibiting OPN expression through the JNK pathway. This study is the first to describe a cardioprotective effect of LBT and provides new insights into CRS drug discovery.

Braconid parasitoids reared from Malussieversii and Malusdomestica trees in NW China infested by Agrilusmali Matsumura (Coleoptera, Buprestidae) are illustrated and discussed. Six species were found parasitising Agrilusmali in NW China, namely, Atanycolusivanowi (Kokujev) (Braconinae), Doryctesundulatus (Ratzeburg), Pareucorystesvarinervis Tobias, Polystenusrugosus Foerster, Spathiussinicus Chao, and Spathiusbrevicaudis Ratzeburg (Doryctinae). All listed species are newly recorded parasitoids of Agrilusmali. Pareucorystesvarinervis and Spathiusbrevicaudis are new records for the Chinese fauna, but Spathiusbrevicaudis has been recorded from Taiwan before. Both sexes of Spathiusbrevicaudis are redescribed here to allow inclusion in the recent revision of the Chinese Spathius species. An identification key to the six braconid parasitoids of Agrilusmali in NW China is provided.

Since its outbreak in December 2019, a series of clinical trials on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have been registered or carried out. However, the significant heterogeneity and less critical outcomes of such trials may be leading to a waste of research resources. This study aimed to develop a core outcome set (COS) for clinical trials on COVID-19 in order to tackle the outcome issues. The study was conducted according to the Core Outcome Measures in Effectiveness Trials (COMET) Handbook: Version 1.0, a guideline for COS development. A research group was set up that included experts in respiratory and critical medicine, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), evidence-based medicine, clinical pharmacology, and statistics, in addition to medical journal editors. Clinical trial registry websites (www.chictr.org.cn and clinicaltrials.gov) were searched to retrieve clinical trial protocols and outcomes in order to form an outcome pool. A total of 78 clinical trial protocols on COVID-19 were included and 259 outcomes were collected. After standardization, 132 outcomes were identified within seven different categories, of which 58 were selected to develop a preliminary outcome list for further consensus. After two rounds of Delphi survey and one consensus meeting, the most important outcomes for the different clinical classifications of COVID-19 were identified and determined to constitute the COS for clinical trials on COVID-19 (COS-COVID). The COS-COVID includes one outcome for the mild type (time to 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) negativity), four outcomes for the ordinary type (length of hospital stay, composite events, score of clinical symptoms, and time to 2019-nCoV RT-PCR negativity), five outcomes for the severe type (composite events, length of hospital stay, arterial oxygen partial pressure (PaO2)/fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2), duration of mechanical ventilation, and time to 2019-nCoV RT-PCR negativity), one outcome for critical type (all-cause mortality), and one outcome for rehabilitation period (pulmonary function). The COS-COVID is currently the most valuable and practical clinical outcome set for the evaluation of intervention effect, and is useful for evidence assessment and decision-making. With a deepening understanding of COVID-19 and application feedback, the COS-COVID should be continuously updated.

Asian longhorned beetle, Anoplophora glabripennis (Motschulsky), is a high-risk invasive forest pest worldwide. We surveyed Asian longhorned beetle parasitoid guilds and their seasonal abundance using field-deployed sentinel host logs infested with Asian longhorned beetle eggs or newly hatched (early-instar) larvae in three different sites of China (Beijing City, Shanghai City, and Jilin Province) from 2015 to 2018. Our survey detected 12 species of hymenopteran parasitoids (four Pteromalidae, three Braconidae, two Eupelmidae, one Eurytomidae, one Ichneumonidae, and one Bethylidae) attacking sentinel Asian longhorned beetle larvae or eggs deployed in these sites. Total parasitism by all the parasitoid species varied with different sites and across different years of the survey (averaging 7–16% in Beijing, 4–11% in Shanghai, and 0–0.2% in Jilin Province). In addition, the seasonal pattern of parasitism also differed among different sites, with parasitism peaking in July in the northern site (Beijing, 19%) and June in the southern site (Shanghai, 16%). Among all the parasitoid species recovered, Oxysychus sp. (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) was the most abundant parasitoid species in both Beijing and Shanghai (with 42–66% relative abundance and an average of 6% Asian longhorned beetle parasitism). The second most abundant species was Bracon planitibiae Yang, Cao et Gould (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), which accounted for 35% of the species collected and caused an average of 5% Asian longhorned beetle parasitism. Relevance of our findings to Asian longhorned beetle biocontrol is discussed.

Two parasitoids, Metapelma beijingense Yang (Hymenoptera, Eupelmidae) and Spathius ochus Nixon (Hymenoptera, Braconidae) are redescribed and illustrated. Both were reared from Coraebus cavifrons Descarpentries & Villiers (Coleoptera, Buprestidae) boring in Symplocos stellaris Brand (Symplocaceae). Metapelma beijingense is a solitary parasitoid with a parasitism rate of about 13.5% and S. ochus is a gregarious parasitoid with a parasitism rate of about 21.2%. A revised key to Oriental and Palaearctic species of Metapelma Westwood and a key to the species of the Spathius labdacus-group are provided.

Numerous clinical studies reported the effectiveness of herbal formula WuShen (WS) in treating cardiovascular diseases, yet relevant basic research was rarely conducted.Twelve main bioactive compounds of WS decoction were identified using the ultra-performance liquid chromatography-LTQ-Orbitrap mass spectrometer. A total of 137 active compounds with 613 targets were predicted by network pharmacology; their bioinformatic annotation and human microarray data suggested that wounding healing, inflammatory response, and gap junction were potentially the major therapeutic modules. A rat model of post-myocardial infarction (MI) heart failure (HF) was used to study the effects of WS on cardiac function, adverse cardiac remodeling, and experimental arrhythmias. Rats treated with WS led to a significantly improved pump function and reduced susceptibility to both ventricular tachycardia and atrial fibrillation, and restricted adverse cardiac remodeling partly via inhibiting TGFβ1/SMADs mediated extracellular matrix deposition and Rac1/NOX2/CTGF/Connexin43 -involved gap junction remodeling.The present study highlights that WS can be applied to the treatment of heart failure and the upstream therapy for atrial fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia through its preventive effect on adverse cardiac remodeling.

A new species of Eulophinae,Pnigalio eriocraniaeLi & Yang,sp. n., is described and illustrated. This new species is a larval ectoparasitoid ofEriocrania semipurpurella alpinaXu (Lepidoptera, Eriocraniidae), a leaf miner in birch trees,Betulaspp. (Betulaceae), in Qinghai Province, northwest China. The biology of the new species and a key to the known species from China are provided.

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.

Two parasitoids, Metapelma beijingense Yang (Hymenoptera, Eupelmidae) and Spathius ochus Nixon (Hymenoptera, Braconidae) are redescribed and illustrated. Both were reared from Coraebus cavifrons Descarpentries & Villiers (Coleoptera, Buprestidae) boring in Symplocos stellaris Brand (Symplocaceae). Metapelma beijingense is a solitary parasitoid with a parasitism rate of about 13.5% and S. ochus is a gregarious parasitoid with a parasitism rate of about 21.2%. A revised key to Oriental and Palaearctic species of Metapelma Westwood and a key to the species of the Spathius labdacus-group are provided.

A new species of Eulophinae, Pnigalio eriocraniae Li & Yang, sp. n., is described and illustrated. This new species is a larval ectoparasitoid of Eriocrania semipurpurella alpina Xu (Lepidoptera, Eriocraniidae), a leaf miner in birch trees, Betula spp. (Betulaceae), in Qinghai Province, northwest China. The biology of the new species and a key to the known species from China are provided.

Anastatus orientalis Yang et Gibson(Hymenoptera : Eupelmidae) is the egg parasitoid of lantern-fly Lycorma delicatula. The natural parasitism showed that: (1)the highest parasitism rate of egg masses was 68.96% in Yantai Shandong; (2)the highest parasitism rate of eggs was 32.98% in Haidian Beijing; (3)the eggs of parasitoids hatched and emerged earliest in Yangling Shaanxi; emergence time of different populations in Yantai, Guangang Tianjin, Qinhuangdao Hebei and Haidian was similar; (4) the sex ratios were various among the populations ranging from 1.92 to 1.94; (5) parasitism rates of egg masses on Populus sp., Salix sp. and Toona sinensis were not significantly different, the highest parasitism rate of egg masses was 64.3% on T. sinensis, and the lowest rate was 27.4% on Ailanthus altissima; (6)parasitism rates of eggs on Populus sp., Salix sp., T. sinensis and A. altissima were not significantly different, about 30% averagely.

A new species of CallimomoidesGirault 1926 (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae), Callimomoides monochaphagae Yang, sp. n., is described from China. It is a solitary endoparasitoid of eggs of the pine sawyer, Monochamus alternatus Hope (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), a serious pest that causes damage to pine trees native to China, particularly Pinus massoniana Lambert and Pinus tabulaeformis Carrière. Furthermore, M. alternatus is the main vector of the pine wood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus (Steiner&Buhrer) Nickle in China and other eastern Asian countries. C. monochaphagae has great potential as a biocontrol agent for suppression of the longhorned beetle because parasitism rates of 12.6% have been observed and this species has a relative high female:male sex ratio (1.86:1). Detailed photographs of the key characters of the new species are supplied. In addition, a key to the currently known species of Callimomoides throughout the world is provided. Type specimens are deposited in the Insect Museum, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing, China.

A new parasitoid reared from Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), Sclerodermas pupariae n. sp. (Hymenoptera: Bethylidae), is described from China. S. pupariae was reared from A. planipennis in China attacking velvet ash (Fraxinus velutina Torr. ), a tree native to North America. Life-history studies of S. pupariae in the field and laboratory indicated it is a gregarious idiobiont ectoparasitoid of pupa and larva of A. phnipennis and has up to five generations per year. Parasitism rate in the field was 13%. Adult wasps reared from single host pupa or mature larva ranged from 24 to 56 individuals. Based on laboratory rearing, the emerging adult female to male ratio was 22:1. The new parasitoid species has a high potential as a biocontrol agent for emerald ash borer. Diagnosis of the new species with comparisons to Sclerodermas harmandi (Buysson) and a key to Sclerodermas known in China are provided.

Notanisomorphella dichocrocae n. sp. (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) is described from China and a key to the 10 described world species of Notanisomorphella Girault is provided. The types are deposited to the Insect Collection Museum of Chinese Academy of Forestry.

A new species of Trissolcus Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae), Trissolcus halyomorphae Yang, sp. nov., is described from China. It is a solitary parasitoid in eggs of Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), an economic pest that causes severe damage to pear, apple and other fruit and that also feeds on the leaves and stems of ornamental and forest trees. The new species is the principal natural enemy of the stink bug, with parasitism rates up to 70% and an average annual rate of 50%. Because of its high parasitism rates and other biological features, it has good potential as a biocontrol agent of the pest. Type specimens are deposited in Insect Museum, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing, China.

The first reported parasitoid reared from Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire, Spathius agrili n. sp., is described from China. S. agrili was reared from A. planipennis in China attacking a Fraxinus species native to North America, Fraxinus velutina Torr., and one endemic to the region, Fraxinus mandshurica Rupr. Life history observations of S. agrili in the field and laboratory indicate it is a gregarious idiobiont ectoparasitoid and has up to four generations per year. Parasitism rates in the field ranged from 30 to 90%, with one to 35 S. agrili eggs associated with a single host. From a host larva 1–18 adult wasps (average of 8.4) were reared. Based on laboratory rearings, the emerging adult female to male ratio is 3:1.

The biology, ecology, and life cycle of the emerald ash borer, Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), were studied using regular inspection in the forest and observations in the laboratory. Results indicated that A. planipennis are mostly univoltine in Tianjin, China. They overwintered individually as mature larvae in shallow chambers excavated in the outer sapwood. In late July, some full-grown larvae began to build overwintering chambers, and all larvae entered the sapwood for dormancy by early November. A. planipennis pupated in the overwintering chamber from early April to mid May the following year, and the average pupal duration was about 20 days. In late April, some newly eclosed adults could be found in the pupal cells, but they had not yet emerged from the tree. Adults began to emerge in early May, with peak flight occurring in mid May. The average longevity of adults was about 21 days and the adult stage lasted through early July. The adults fed on ash foliage as a source of nutrition. Mating was usually conducted and completed on the leaf or trunk surfaces of ash trees. Oviposition began in mid May and eggs hatched on average in 15.7 days. The first instar larvae appeared in early June. The larval stage lasted about 300 days to complete an entire generation. The emerald ash borer had four larval instars on velvet ash, Fraxinus velutina (Scrophulariales: Oleaceae). The major natural control factors of A. planipennis were also investigated, and preliminary suggestions for its integrated management are proposed.

Spathius agrili Yang (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is a gregarious larval ectoparasitoid of the emerald ash borer, Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) and is a recently described species. Both pest and parasitoid are native to China. In Tianjin City, China, S. agrili typically exhibited 3-4 generations per year, overwintering as a prepupa in a cocoon inside the host gallery. The multiple generations of S. agrili overlapped with its host, as did the emergence dates of the overwintering generation. From a single host, 1-18 S. agrili successfully developed to the adult stage (average 8.4), but in all cases the host was killed. The sex ratio (female: male) of the parasitoid adults emerging from field-collected cocoons was 2:1, whereas the sex ratio of parasitoids reared from field collected eggs and larvae was greater than 3:1. On average, adult females lived 29.1 d, and males lived 23.6 d when fed with 20% honey solution, significantly longer than without a nutritional supplement. Sexual reproduction is the normal mode of reproduction, but in the laboratory females did reproduce parthenogenetically, producing only males. The average fecundity was 23.3 eggs per female in the laboratory. S. agrili developed through five larval instars, and the larvae fed gregariously on the host hemolymph. The generation time from egg to adult wasp was 27-28 d at 22-26 degrees C. Natural parasitism rates were as high as 60%, and in October they reached over 90% in some stands. This study showed that S. agrili is a promising agent for biocontrol of A. planipennis.

Yao, Y. & Yang, Z. 2004: A new species of Ormyridae (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea)parasitizingagall-makingweevilontwigsofthebungehackberrytreein China. — Entomol. Fennica 15: 142–148. Ormyrus coccotorisp. n. (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea: Ormyridae) is described from China. It is a bivoltine larval ectoparasitoid of Coccotorus chaoi Chen (Coleoptera:Curculionidae)thatisaseriouspestinmostpartsofChinaasagallmakerontwigsofthebungehackberry treeCeltisbungeanaBlume(Ulmaceae). This is the first ever report of a member of Ormyridae being parasitic of weevils. O. coccotori thus has potential for biological control of the weevil. Type specimens are deposited in the Insect Collection Museum of the Chinese Academy of Forestry.