Sunn pest,Eurygaster integriceps Putton (Hemiptera: Scutelleridae), digestive α-amylase, α-glucosidase and β-glucosidase

Morphology, pH and carbohydrate hydrolyzing enzyme activities of the Sunn pest gut were investigated in this study. The Sunn pest midgut is separated into the first ventriculus (V1), the second ventriculus (V2), the third ventriculus (V3) and the fourth ventriculus (V4). The first three regions of the midgut were acidic (pH 5.0–5.2), while the fourth region of the midgut and rectum was moderately acidic (pH 6.2–6.4 and pH 6.5–6.8, respectively). Activity of α-amylase was highest at pH 6 to 7, which correlates with the pH of the midgut. The optimum pH for α-glucosidase and β-glucosidase is 4 to 6 and 5 to 6, respectively. Different gut regions had different carbohydrate hydrolyzing enzyme activities. Carbohydrate hydrolyzing enzyme activities in V2 and V4 were the same, but activities in V1 were slightly higher than in V2 and V4 and lower than in V3. Levels of α- and β-glucosidase activities were similar in various midgut sections. However, the V3 had the highest activity followed by V4, V2, V1, respectively.     

Comparison of α- and β-mannosidase activity in the three cereal pests,Haplothrips tritici Kurdjumov (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae), Rhopalosiphum padi L. (Homoptera: Aphididae) and Eurygaster integriceps Puton (Hemiptera: Scutelleridae)

The Sunn pest, Eurygaster integriceps, the bird cherry-oat aphid, Rhopalosiphum padi, and wheat thrips, Haplothrips tritici are the major pests of wheat and other cereals in a wide area of the world. All these three insect species could produce damage to the wheat to some extent. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to determine α- and β-mannosidase of the three mentioned insect pests. These insects were collected from the wheat farm and their guts (the Sunn pest and the aphid) and salivary glands of Sunn pest were removed. However, regarding tiny body of thrips, the whole body used in order to extract the enzymes. The enzymes, including α- and β-mannosidase activity, were measured by the hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl-α-d-mannopyranoside (pNPαGal) and p-nitrophenyl-β-d-mannopyranoside (pNPβGal), respectively, using phosphate citrate buffer (pH 5.0). Mannosidases were not active in all three tested insect species, and also there were significant differences in activities of the two enzymes in three species. The greatest activity of α-mannosidases was observed in the Sunn pest salivary glands, E. integriceps, and the least activity was found in Sunn pest midgut with no activity. However, the activity of β-mannosidase was established in Sunn pest midgut, but there was no activity in the aphid midgut, R. padi. Activities of these two enzymes were modest in the thrips, H. tritici. The greatest amount of β-mannosidases in the Sunn pest midgut makes sense, since the Sunn pest is the main pest in the wheat farm that can feed on wheat grains. In the wheat grains, the highest amount of glycoproteins and glycolipids are present. Thus, it has been known that these enzymes (α- and β-mannosidases) are active on digestion of carbohydrates.     

A bibliometric analysis of research papers published on photosynthesis: 1992–2009

We present here a bibliometric analysis of publications on photosynthesis research from 1992 to 2009 in the Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-Expanded) Web of Science. This has allowed us to examine the growing trends and the key topics on this subject. We have assessed the document type, language of the publications, publication output, subject category, journal distribution, countries and territories of these publications, institutions involved, hot topics and highly cited papers. The top 30 countries/territories were ranked according to their total number of articles (TA), single country articles (SCA), internationally collaborative articles (ICA), first author articles (FAA) and corresponding author articles (CAA). Research directions on the subject of photosynthesis were also investigated and evaluated by statistically analyzing the distribution of author keywords in the database. Our analysis indicates that “water”, “stress”, “carbon dioxide”, “nitrogen” and “climate change” are hot topics of research on photosynthesis during this period.     

A review of published wetland research, 1991–2008: Ecological engineering and ecosystem restoration

An effective bibliometric analysis based on the Science Citation Index (SCI) published by the Institute of Scientific Information (ISI) was carried out to identify wetland research between 1991 and 2008. The objective was to conduct a quantitative and qualitative analysis for global trends of wetland-related research. The characteristics related to publications were analyzed. The results showed the significant wetland research issues in the SCI database. From 1991 to 2008, the annual number of journal articles published and the number of articles cited to wetland research increased more than sixfold and ninefold respectively. The USA produced the most single-country articles and international collaborative articles, followed by Canada and UK. The results also showed the significant wetland research issues in SCI database. The most frequently used words were: “water” (or “water quality”), which ranked 3rd, 7th, and 3rd according to the word in article title, author keyword, and keyword plus analysis, respectively. Constructed wetland biodiversity became more active in wetland research. The keywords “constructed wetland” and “constructed wetlands” ranked 58th and 12th in 1991–1996, while they ranked 5th and 4th in 2003–2008; the author keyword “biodiversity” ranked 45th in 1991–1996, while it ranked 23rd in 1997–2002, and 14th in 2003–2008; and keyword plus “diversity” ranked 93rd in 1991–1996, while it ranked 20th in 1997–2002, and 17th in 2003–2008. Moreover, it was proved that article title, author keyword, and keyword plus analysis methods were effective approaches for mapping wetland research. Popular wetland research issues and wetland research changes were also identified by statistical analysis.     

Spatiotemporal patterns of research on Southern Hemisphere amphidromous galaxiids: A semi–quantitative review

Amphidromy is a distinctive life-history strategy of some fish species that involves spawning in fresh or brackish water followed by dispersal to sea by newly hatched larvae, where they develop for a short period. Individuals then return to freshwater as juveniles, where they feed and grow, before maturing and spawning. Six amphidromous species from the Southern Hemisphere genus Galaxias (G. truttaceus, G. fasciatus, G. argenteus, G. postvectis, G. brevipinnis, G. maculatus) are recreationally, culturally, and economically important as the juveniles are harvested. Due to ongoing population declines and a lack of critical demographic information, there is growing concern about the management of the species. Here, we used semi-quantitative review, culturomics, and bibliometric tools to analyse peer-reviewed research conducted on the six amphidromous species of Galaxias to: (i) understand how spatiotemporal patterns of research have shifted over the last five decades, and (ii) identify critical research gaps. Forty percent of studies (n = 295) covered a spatial extent of 10 km or less and 87% of studies lasted less than 2 years – studies were largely small and short relative to the species' ranges and their longevity. Additionally, we found important research gaps; for example, studies on the effects of climate change and the associated effects of disturbance, and the marine phase are scarce in the peer-reviewed literature. Finally, we suggest that quantitative models have been underutilized as tools for studying amphidromous galaxiids and should be embraced to answer questions not readily addressed with field and laboratory-based techniques. If these species are to be effectively managed, their population dynamics across spatiotemporal scales must be understood and critical and long-standing gaps in research knowledge addressed.     

A Neontologist’s review of two recently published articles on inclusions of Lestremiinae (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) in Rovno amber

Two articles on fossil Lestremiinae (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) in Rovno amber (Perkovsky and Fedotova, 2004; Fedotova and Perkovsky, 2004) are reviewed and discussed. As a result, the following gall midges species are considered Lestremiinae incertae sedis: + Aprionus admirandus Fed., + Conarete laesus Fed., + Heterogenella sparsa Fed., + Micromyia convoluta Fed., + Peromyia autonoma Fed., + Peromyia miranda Fed., + Peromyia sukachevae Fed., + Peromyia zherikhini Fed. (all in Perkovsky and Fedotova, 2004), + Campylomyza falciformis Fed., + Campylomyza superposita Fed., + Neurolyga declinata Fed., + Strobliella appropinquata Fed., and + Strobliella capitata Fed. (all in Fedotova and Perkovsky, 2004).     

Effect of dendritic cell–based immunotherapy on hepatocellular carcinoma: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background aims

Dendritic cell (DC)-based immunotherapy has recently been reported frequently in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); however, its efficacy remains controversial. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of DC-based immunotherapy on HCC by conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis.

The impact of forest management on litter-dwelling invertebrates: a subtropical–temperate contrast

Land use intensification in forests is a main driver of global biodiversity loss. Although historical state of land use differs between subtropical and temperate zones, gradients of land-use intensities similarly range from unmanaged to very intensively managed forests. Irrespective of similar land use forces in both climate zones, comparative studies on land use effects are still rare. Such studies are, however, promising in discovering more general impacts and geographical specifics of land use intensification. We studied litter-dwelling invertebrates along a gradient of increasing land use intensity in subtropical forests in Southern Brazil and temperate forests in Central Europe using similar sampling designs. Effects of land use intensity on the entire community were analyzed on the level of orders and feeding guilds. In both climate zones a similar number of individuals were caught when standardizes to 100 pitfall trap days, but taxa richness was higher in the subtropics. Moreover, community composition differed between both climate zones. In both regions, land use intensity did not affect taxa richness, but invertebrate abundance was affected in opposite ways; while increasing land use intensity resulted in a decrease of invertebrate abundance in the subtropics, an increase was observed in the temperate zone and this was mostly consistent regarding different feeding guilds. Management practices should take into account that the effect of land use intensity on biodiversity can differ drastically among climatic regions.     

Biodrying for mechanical–biological treatment of wastes: A review of process science and engineering

Biodrying is a variation of aerobic decomposition, used within mechanical–biological treatment (MBT) plants to dry and partially stabilise residual municipal waste. Biodrying MBT plants can produce a high quality solid recovered fuel (SRF), high in biomass content. Here, process objectives, operating principles, reactor designs, parameters for process monitoring and control, and their effect on biodried output quality are critically examined. Within the biodrying reactors, waste is dried by air convection, the necessary heat provided by exothermic decomposition of the readily decomposable waste fraction. Biodrying is distinct from composting in attempting to dry and preserve most of biomass content of the waste matrix, rather than fully stabilise it. Commercial process cycles are completed within 7–15 days, with mostly H₂O_(g) and CO₂ loses of ca. 25–30% w/w, leading to moisture contents of <20% w/w. High airflow rate and dehumidifying of re-circulated process air provides for effective drying. We anticipate this review will be of value to MBT process operators, regulators and end-users of SRF.     

Klaus Apel (1942–2017): a pioneer of photosynthesis research

We present here a Tribute to Klaus Apel (1942–2017), a photosynthesis pioneer—an authority on plant molecular genetics—in five parts. The first section is a prologue. The second section deals with a chronological discussion of Apel’s research life, prepared by the editor Govindjee; it is based on a website article at the Boyce Thompson Institute (BTI) by Patricia Waldron (https://btiscience.org/explore-bti/news/post/bti-says-goodbye-klaus-apel/), as approved for use here by Keith C. Hannon and David Stern of BTI. The third section, which focuses on Apel’s pioneering work on singlet oxygen-mediated EXECUTER-dependent signaling in plants, is written by two of us (J-DR and CK). The fourth section includes three selected reminiscences, one from BTI and two from ETH (Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule). This tribute ends with section five, which is a very brief presentation of Klaus Apel’s personal life, by Wiebke Apel.     

A review of adsorption of amino acids on minerals: Was it important for origin of life?

Minerals more readily adsorb amino acids with charged R groups than uncharged R groups, so that the incorporation of amino acids with charged R groups into peptides would be more frequent than for amino acids with uncharged R groups. However, 74% of the amino acids in the proteins of modern organisms contain uncharged R groups. Thus, what could have been the mechanisms that produced peptides/proteins with more amino acids with uncharged R groups than precursors with charged R groups? Should we expect the composition of amino acids adsorbed on minerals to be similar to those of present proteins? Was the adsorption of amino acids on minerals important for the origin of life? The lipid world offers an alternative view of origin of life. Liposomes contributed to elongation of peptides as well as select hydrophobic amino acids and peptides. These experiments could be showing the mechanism, which hydrophobic amino acids have been selected. However, liposomes have no influence on the stereoselectivity in the oligomerization of amino acids. In the present paper, several other mechanisms are also discussed that could produce peptides with a greater proportion of amino acids with uncharged R groups.     

Effects of Japanese rice field boundary vegetation on Stenotus rubrovittatus (Hemiptera: Miridae) abundance

The influence of the type of field boundary vegetation on sorghum plant bug [Stenotus rubrovittatus (Matsumura)] abundance was studied in 36 rice fields at three study sites in Chiba Prefecture, Japan. To survey the field abundance of the species, we used traps baited with a synthetic attractant pheromone. We also surveyed field boundary vegetation located within a 100-m radius from each trap. A two-way indicator species analysis (TWINSPAN) of the vegetation types in 785 boundaries of study fields as well as surrounding fields resulted in five groups. A generalized linear mixed model (GLMM) was built to investigate the effects of field boundary vegetation types on the abundance of S. rubrovittatus. Intensive mowing in June of immediate and surrounding rice field boundaries containing flowering host plants of S. rubrovittatus, such as Lolium multiflorum Lam. and other poaceous plants, is the key to reducing the total abundance of S. rubrovittatus. The result implies that an area-wide pest management strategy should be developed based on food source preferences and habitat specificity of the agricultural pest species.     

A review on the “in vitro” culture of freshwater mussels (Unionoida)

Many Unionoida are considered to be extinct, endangered, or of special concern. These bivalves have complex life cycle stages that limit successful culture. In nature, the larvae (glochidia) of these bivalves must successfully parasitize a host (mainly fish) in order to metamorphose into juveniles. The two artificial methods used to obtain juvenile freshwater mussels in laboratory are either by induced attachment to host fish or by in vitro culture of glochidia. This article is focused on the in vitro method that represents a novel and alternative process to fish infestation, offering the ability to obtain larger numbers of juveniles without the need for host fishes and reducing the overall costs of propagation. In vitro culture requires a medium which fulfills the nutritional needs of each glochidia species and avoids microbial contamination. Recently, this methodology has presented excellent results with survival and transformation rates up to 94% using host fish plasma. High efficiencies on growth, and survival rates (84%) of juvenile freshwater bivalve Hyriopsis myersiana (Lea, 1856) up to 120 days were obtained when reared in adequate recirculating aquacultural systems using a very specific diet. More research is still needed to demonstrate successful propagation, mainly concerning the media nutritional composition to increase glochidia transformation and juvenile quality.     

Interactive effects of ozone and drought stress on plants: A review北大核心CSCD

Ground-level ozone (O3) and drought are two key factors limiting plant growth. O3 can enter into the plant tissue through the stomata, then causing the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) which inspires programmed cell death. Drought usually induces the accumulation of ROS due to damage to antioxidant systems of plants. The effects of two kinds of stress on plants are similar due to the accumulation of ROS, resulting in reduced photosynthesis rate and physiological metabolism, eventually decreased plant growth and biomass. Nevertheless, O3 and drought interacts synergistically to accumulate detrimental effects or antagonistically to reduce harmful effects. Actually, it is complex interactive process between O3 and drought. On the one hand, O3 triggers stomatal sluggishness or even dysfunction, which exacerbates water transpiration of leaves, water loss from plants and further O3 phytotoxicity. On the other hand, drought induces stomatal closure, and thus protecting plants against the O3 influx and evaporation of water. However, prolonged drought could limit the uptake of CO2 and thus result in reduced plant growth. The response of plants to both O3 and drought not only depends on the occurring sequence and duration of any factor but also rely on the difference in physiological metabolism of the plant itself. The interactive effects of O3 and drought on stomatal characteristics, photosynthetic carbon mechanism, antioxidant response and growth development are reviewed in this paper and the aspects to be further studied are also suggested.