Guyiling jianboni gen. et sp.n., an antlion‐like lacewing,illuminating homologies and transformations in Neuroptera wing venation

A new genus and species of antlion‐like fossil lacewing, Guyiling jianboni gen. et sp.n. (Insecta: Neuroptera) are described based on a single specimen from the Yixian Formation (Liaoning Province, China; Early Cretaceous). The new taxon exhibits derived traits such as distally dilated antennae and well‐developed anterior Banksian line (known in Myrmeleontidae), but also genuine plesiomorphies (at the level of Myrmeleontiformia), such as the divergence of a distinct CuA1 stem from MP2 + CuA1 (forewing), and a basal origin of MA (diverging from RP + MA; both wing pairs). This combination is unique among the ‘Palaeoleontidae’, a group better considered as a paraphyletic assemblage of various stem‐Myrmeleontiformia. The wing morphology of the new species is considered in the light of a survey of wing venation topological homologies (and implied transformations) among several Neuroptera families. The survey includes a revision of the holotype of Leptolingia jurassica Ren (Grammolingiidae; Jiulongshan Formation, Daohugou locality, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China; middle Jurassic). The forewing morphology of Guyiling jianboni gen. et sp.n. demonstrates that the fusion of MP2 with CuA, and the differentiation of CuA into two distinct main stems (namely CuA1 and CuA2) are traits shared with Myrmeleontidae and Ascalaphidae (and possibly Nemopteridae). However, the survey also demonstrates that a fusion of MP2 with CuA occurred repeatedly among Neuropterida, although by means of various modalities (namely translocation vs regular fusion). The ‘pectinate fusion’ of CuA(1) with MP2 [i.e. CuA1 has no distinct stem and emits successive branches from MP2 + CuA(1) partim] is a further step in this fusion, and occurred repeatedly as well (at least in the hind wings of Osmylidae and Nymphidae, and both fore‐ and hindwings of a sub‐group of Myrmeleontiformia including Myrmeleontidae and Ascalaphidae, and possibly Nemopteridae). It is anticipated that the current contribution will constitute useful background information for further studies, focusing on particular transformation cases, ideally including a documentation of intraspecific variation.     

Some structural and functional properties of nerves and muscles in the oviduct of the pink bollworm moth,Pectinophora gossypiella (Saund.)

The oviduct of the pink bollworm is innervated by an intrinsic neural network arising from 4 nerves from the terminal ganglion. The nerve tracts in this network often contained elliptical swellings, each with a central nucleus.

A distinct surface topography was evident in the muscular sheath of the common and lateral oviduct. A very thin muscular envelope consisting of an inner band of circular fibers and an outer layer of longitudinal fibers was also found in the ovarioles. Although conventional A and I bands were recognized, the z-disk was composed of an irregular and loose meshwork, suggesting that the visceral muscles of the reproductive tract possess super-contracting properties. Even when the oviduct and the ovarioles were isolated from the central nervous system, an endogenous rhythmic activity was evident.

Two types of spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic potentials were detected in the oviduct. The type most frequently observed had a complex of multiple spikes with a duration of 18–32 msec. The other type had a saw-tooth shape and a duration of 80–160 msec. Spontaneous action potentials with a plateau-type configuration and a duration of 280–320 msec were also observed. After the removal of the terminal ganglion, endogenous electrical activity distinct from the events just described was found in the midand upper common oviduct. Such discharges seem to originate from the intrinsic neural network and had durations similar to those found for neurosecretory cells.     

Community assembly and inventory efficiency at a regional scale: the case of terrestrial Heteroptera (Insecta) in northern Patagonia,Argentina

The first step to understanding the species present in a particular area is to perform inventory and assemblage studies. To obtain a species inventory, it is important to determine parameters such as species richness and relative abundance. This information can be useful for future studies and decision-making purposes in the conservation area. Despite the fundamental role of the terrestrial Heteroptera in ecosystems, they remain poorly known. We expected that the terrestrial Heteroptera species assemblage would be strongly associated with plant communities. Presently, 840 samples were collected in northern Argentine Patagonia during two years, 2013 and 2014. A total of 1950 adults of terrestrial Heteroptera belonging to 12 families, 32 species, and 8 morphospecies were found. Various statistical techniques were applied to correct the observed data for undersampling bias. These suggested that the lower boundary of the summer Heteroptera species richness in northern Patagonia was about 44–54 species. We concluded that the high regional habitat heterogeneity along the west-to-east and south-to-north gradients was paralleled by the turnover of Heteroptera. However, the Patagonian steppe shared a high number of species with the Monte and Subantarctic provinces. The suction sampling technique is an efficient technique to collect Heteroptera in environments with different plant structure and should thus be used in a complementary way with the sweeping technique.     

Biotechnological potential of plant growth-promoting bacteria from the roots and rhizospheres of endemic plants in ironstone vegetation in southeastern Brazil

Microorganisms associated with plants have a great biotechnological potential, but investigations of these microorganisms associated with native plants in peculiar environments has been incipient. The objective of this study was to analyze the plant growth-promoting bacteria potential of cultivable bacteria associated with rare plants from the ferruginous rocky fields of the Brazilian Iron Quadrangle. The roots and rhizospheres of nine endemic plants species and samples of a root found in a lateritiric duricrust (canga) cave were collected, the culturable bacteria isolated and prospected for distinct biotechnological and ecological potentials. Out of the 148 isolates obtained, 8 (5.4%) showed potential to promote plant growth, whereas 4 (2.7%) isolates acted as biocontrol agents against Xanthomonas citri pathotype A (Xac306), reducing the cancrotic lesions by more than 60% when co-inoculated with this phytopathogen in Citrus sinensis plants. Moreover, other 4 (2.7%) isolates were classified as potential bioremediation agents, being able to withstand high concentrations of arsenite (5 mM As³⁺) and arsenate (800 mM As⁵⁺), by removing up to 35% and 15% of this metalloid in solution, respectively. These same four isolates had a positive influence on the growth of both the roots and the aerial parts when inoculated with tomato seeds in the soil contaminated with arsenic. This is the first time that an investigation highlights the potentialities of bacteria associated with rare plants of ferruginous rocky fields as a reservoir of microbiota of biotechnological and ecological interest, highlighting the importance of conservation of this area that is undergoing intense anthropic activity.

Graphical abstract

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Functional impairment of MSC induced by transient warming events: Correlation with loss of adhesion and altered cell size

Background

We recently showed that transient warming effects decreased the functional and adhesion properties of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) while post-thaw viability remained high. In an attempt to better predict functional impairment of cryopreserved MSC, we further analysed the correlation between viability, immunosuppressive activity and adhesion of cells exposed or not to warming events.

Cord blood–derived cytokine-induced killer cells combined with blinatumomab as a therapeutic strategy for CD19+ tumors

Background

Cytokine-induced killer cells (CIKs) are an advanced therapeutic medicinal product (ATMP) that has shown therapeutic activity in clinical trials but needs optimization. We developed a novel strategy using CIKs from banked cryopreserved cord blood units (CBUs) combined with bispecific antibody (BsAb) blinatumomab to treat CD19⁺ malignancies.