A comparison of life history traits of sexual and asexual strains of the parasitoid wasp,Lysiphlebus fabarum (Braconidae: Aphidiinae)

1. This study examined biological characteristics of sexual and asexual strains of the parasitoid wasp, Lysiphlebus fabarum (Marshall) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). 2. Strains were reared in different instar hosts (the black bean aphid, Aphis fabae Scopoli) under identical environmental conditions (21 °C, 65–75% RH, and LD 16:8 h). 3. Results showed that the second instar of the aphid is the most suitable growth stage for both strains, as the wasps that emerged from the second instar hosts were larger, more fecund, and had larger egg size. Trade‐offs between the fitness components of the parasitoid were clearer when the parasitoids were reared in suboptimal instars. 4. According to the results, sexual females emerged around 1 day earlier and lived around 0.5 day less than asexual females. Also, sexual females emerged with a lower initial egg load, although these wasps tend to have larger eggs than asexual females. Asexual females may enjoy greater longevity and higher developmental plasticity which suggests a higher degree of synchronization with pest population dynamism. 5. The results suggest that sexual wasps, in contrast to asexual wasps, invest more in egg size than in egg load. This study suggests strain‐specific adaptations of L. fabarum to different instars of the black bean aphid by which the allocation of nutritional resources to various functions differs between strains. 6. Furthermore, differences in life history traits between strains can greatly influence the population dynamics of each strain, and hence their effectiveness in suppressing pest populations.     

Mapping quantitative trait loci associated with yield and yield components under reproductive stage salinity stress in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Salinity tolerance in rice is critical at reproductive stage because it ultimately determines grain yield. An F₂ mapping population derived from a Sadri/FL478 cross was exposed to saline field conditions (6–8 dS m^???1) after the active tillering stage to identify reproductive stage specific QTLs for salinity tolerance. Genetic linkage map was constructed using 123 microsatellite markers on 232 F₂ progenies. Totally 35 QTLs for 11 traits under salinity stress were detected with LOD > 3, out of which 28 QTLs that explained from 5.9 to 30.0% phenotypic variation were found to be significant based on permutation test. Three major QTL clusters were found on chromosomes 2 (RM423–RM174), 4 (RM551–RM518) and 6 (RM20224–RM528) for multiple traits under salinity stress. Both parental lines contributed additively for QTLs identified for the yield components. A majority of the QTLs detected in our study are reported for the first time for reproductive stage salinity stress. Fine-mapping of selected putative QTLs will be the next step to facilitate marker-assisted backcrossing and to detect useful genes for salinity tolerance at the reproductive stage in rice.     

Improvement of the folliculogenesis by transplantation of bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells in mice with induced polycystic ovary syndrome

Background

Many studies have reported that inflammation and oxidative stress are involved in the pathogenesis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells (BM-MSCs) have anti-oxidant and anti-inflammation properties. In this study, we investigate the beneficial effect of stem cell therapy on folliculogenesis in mice with induced PCOS

蜡状芽胞杆菌nos基因簇基因克隆及生物信息学分析

为了探究革兰氏阳性菌蜡状芽胞杆菌HS-N10 nos基因簇相关基因的特点,PCR扩增获得了HS-N10 nos基因簇相关基因,其中包括nosZ全长1 914bp、nosR部分片段1 749bp、nosD部分片段946bp和nosF部分片段495bp。经BLASTN分析,HS-N10 nosZ序列和nosD序列分别与施氏假单胞菌(Pseudomonas stutzeri)相应序列相似性最高;HS-N10 nosR序列和nosF序列分别与裂环无色杆菌(Achromobacter cycloclastes)相应序列相似性最高。通过在线数据库与分析工具分别对HSN10nos基因簇相关基因进行了生物信息学分析。     

A ROBUST,PARTICULARIST ETHICAL ASSESSMENT OF MEDICAL TOURISM

Recently, in increasing numbers, citizens of wealthy nations are heading to poorer countries for medical care. They are traveling to the global South as medical tourists because in their home nations either they cannot get timely medical care or they cannot afford needed treatments. This essay offers a robust, particularist ethical assessment of the practice of citizens of richer nations traveling to poorer countries for healthcare.     

Chemical constituents and fumigant toxicity of essential oil from Carum copticum against two stored product beetles

Plant secondary metabolites play an important role in plant-insect interactions and therefore such compounds may have insecticidal or antifeedant activity against insects. Carum copticum C. B. Clarke （Apiaceae） is one of these plants that have medicinal effects on humans. The chemical composition of the essential oil from dry seeds of C. copticum was studied by gas chromatography （GC） and gas chromatography mass spectrometry （GC-MS）. Thymol （41.34%）,α-terpinolene （17.46%） and ρ-cymene （11.76%） were found to be the major constituents of the oil. In fumigant toxicity tests with the essential oil against adults of Sitophilus oryzae （L.） and Tribolium castaneum （Herbst） at 27 ±1℃ and 60% ± 5% RH, it was observed that S. oryzae （LC50 = 0.91 μL/L） were significantly susceptible than T. castaneum （LC50 = 33.14 μL/L）. The mortalities of the insect species reached 100% at concentrations higher than 185.2 μL/L and 12-h exposure time. The findings indicate the strong insecticidal activity of C. copticum oil and its potential role as a fumigant for storedproduct insects.     

Biology and life table parameters of the mushroom pest, Pediculaster fletchmanni （Acari： Siteroptidae）, at three constant temperatures

This paper is concerned with the bionomics and demography of Pediculaster fletchmanni Wicht （Acari： Siteroptidae） under controlled conditions （20 ± l, 22 ± 1 and 25 ± 1℃, 70% ± 5% relative humidity and a photoperiod of 16L ： 8D hours）. Glass Petri dishes inoculated with Trichoderma sp. mycelia were used as substrate and food source. The mean developmental time of the egg and the active larva did not differ significantly at the various constant temperatures, but these periods were significantly different for the quiescent larval stage. The preoviposition period ranged from 2.3 to 2.8 days, the ovipositional period increased with temperature increase, and all females died immediately after oviposition. The development of active larvae was the fastest of all life stages. The developmental threshold ranged between 5.25-14.22℃ the highest value being observed for the quiescent larval development. For immature development required 89.29 degree-days. Values of rm （intrinsic rate of increase） were 0.229, 0.398 and 0.386 for 20, 22 and 25℃ respectively. Finite rates of increase （λ） increased along with increasing temperature from 20-25℃ consequently the population doubling time （D） and mean generation time （T） showed significant differences with increasing temperature.