Adipokinetic hormone of the true armyworm, Pseudaletia unipuncta: immunohistochemistry, amino acid analysis, quantification and bioassay

Abstract A cluster of five to seven AKH-like immunoreactive cells lie in each lobe of the paired corpora cardiaca of the true armyworm, Pseudaletia unipuncta. These cells form a mesh work of immunoreactive processes within the corpora cardiaca, and immunoreactive tracts projecting posteriorly over the aorta.
Reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography of extracts of the corpora cardiaca of P.unipuncta revealed a single large U.V. absorbent peak with a retention time identical to synthetic Manduca- AKH. Amino acid analysis of the contents of this peak yielded a composition identical to that of synthetic Manduca-AKH which was analysed in a parallel manner. Furthermore the material within the peak possessed adipokinetic activity when bioassayed in day 2 adult male P. unipuncta. The corpora cardiaca of similar individuals were found to contain approximately 17.6ng (17.6pmol) of Manduca-AKH equivalents per pair.
Injection of Manduca-AKH into 2-day-old adult male P.unipuncta resulted in a dose-dependent elevation in haemolymph lipid levels with a maximum level of 80–90μmg/μl obtained with 5–10 ng of Manduca-AKH. Continuous flight also elevated haemolymph lipid levels in day 4 adult males with a significant elevation evident in the first samples taken after 15 min of flight and lipid levels plateauing at approximately 100 μg/μl by about 60 min of flight.     

Insect tissue culture systems: models for study of hormonal control of development

Summary The regulation of growth and development of insects is under endocrine control and involves both juvenile hormones and ecdysteroids. Neuropeptides are master regulators which control the secretion of these hormones. Most experiments in insect endocrinology have been conducted in vivo, but tissue culture methodology is playing an increasing role due to the great interest in simpler model systems for the study of complex processes that occur in vivo. The availability of appropriate media has allowed the culture of a variety of insect organs and cell lines of defined origin which have kept certain properties of the parent tissues. Tissue culture approaches have been useful for studying hormonal control of morphogenetic processes. Cell lines are particularly suited to the study of hormonally regulated mechanisms of macromolecular biosynthesis and gene expression. Thus, the value of in vitro analysis in studies of regulation of hormone production is now recognized. Results obtained from tissue culture allow more precise definition of the hormonal requirements of insect cells and tissues for growth and differentiation and might make possible the discovery of new growth regulators.     

云南菜食花植物资源与食花文化调查

为了摸清云南省菜食花植物资源种类、自然分布与食用地区、食用方法等土著知识,对云南省16个地州102个县(市)农贸市场、地方菜餐馆、民间食花者进行了访问调查,对菜食花植物进行了植物学实地鉴定。调查到云南省菜食花植物140种,隶属52科108属,其中木本植物82种,草本植物58种;人工栽培76种,人工驯化栽培14种,野生资源50种。首次报道苦绳(Dregea sinensis Hemsl.)、云南山楂(Crataegus scabrifolia(Franch.)Rehder)、滇海水仙花(Primula pseudodenticulata Pax)、长毛黄葵(Abelmoschus crinitus Wall.)、尖叶美容杜鹃(Rhododendron caloplytum var.openshawianum(Rehd.et Wils.)Chamb.)、大纽子花(Vallaris indecora(Baill.)Tsiang et P.T.Li)、大花虫豆(Cajanus grandiflorus(Benth.ex Baker)Maesen Vaniot der Maesen)、须弥葛(Pueraria wallichii DC.)、白花灯笼(Clerodendrum fortunatum L.)等9种植物的花可以做菜食用。菜食花植物自然分布区与食用地区并非完全重叠,食用地区一般分布有该植物,而分布有该植物的地区不一定食用;食用种类具有从南向北逐渐减少的特点,与食花植物丰富度和少数民族有一定的关系;食花习俗具有一定的民族性,主要体现食花的种类和烹饪口味上。不同菜食花食用的部位不同,烹饪方式也呈多样化。本文针对食用花传统文化的消失与野生菜食花资源的开发利用提出了相关建议。     

Immunity of the greater wax moth Galleria mellonella

Investigation of insect immune mechanisms provides important information concerning innate immunity, which in many aspects is conserved in animals. This is one of the reasons why insects serve as model organisms to study virulence mechanisms of human pathogens. From the evolutionary point of view, we also learn a lot about host–pathogen interaction and adaptation of organisms to conditions of life. Additionally, insect‐derived antibacterial and antifungal peptides and proteins are considered for their potential to be applied as alternatives to antibiotics. While Drosophila melanogaster is used to study the genetic aspect of insect immunity, Galleria mellonella serves as a good model for biochemical research. Given the size of the insect, it is possible to obtain easily hemolymph and other tissues as a source of many immune‐relevant polypeptides. This review article summarizes our knowledge concerning G. mellonella immunity. The best‐characterized immune‐related proteins and peptides are recalled and their short characteristic is given. Some other proteins identified at the mRNA level are also mentioned. The infectious routes used by Galleria natural pathogens such as Bacillus thuringiensis and Beauveria bassiana are also described in the context of host–pathogen interaction. Finally, the plasticity of G. mellonella immune response influenced by abiotic and biotic factors is described.     

中国燕麦种质资源国外引种与利用

综述了中国从国外引进燕麦种质资源及其利用情况。经过长期努力,中国从28个国家引进29个物种的燕麦种质资源共计2099份,大大增加了中国燕麦种质资源的数量,丰富了中国保存燕麦种质资源的物种和遗传多样性。与此同时,利用国外燕麦种质资源改良和培育出了一批优良品种,极大地提高了中国燕麦生产水平。利用引进的燕麦野生资源,开展了燕麦种质创新、起源进化和遗传学研究,取得了显著进展。建议继续加强国外燕麦种质资源的引进,对野生燕麦进行深入鉴定评价和利用,同时加强燕麦种质资源国际合作研究。     

Distribution of PERIOD-immunoreactive neurons and temporal change of the immunoreactivity under long-day and short-day conditions in the larval brain of the flesh fly Sarcophaga similis

The flesh fly Sarcophaga similis show a clear photoperiodic response; they develop into adults under long days, whereas they arrest their development at the pupal stage under short days. Although the involvement of a circadian clock in photoperiodic time measurement is suggested in this species, the anatomical location of the clock neurons responsible for the time measurement has been unknown. We detected two PERIOD-immunoreactive cell clusters in the larval brain; one cluster was located at the dorsoanterior region and the other at the medial region. We further investigated their temporal changes in PERIOD-immunoreactivity and compared their patterns under different photoperiods.