Implication for DNA methylation involved in the host transfer of diamondback moth,Plutella xylostella (L.)

DNA methylation exerts extensive impacts on gene expression of various living organisms exposed to environmental variation. However, little is known whether DNA methylation is involved in the host transfer of diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.), a worldwide destructive pest of crucifers. In this study, we found that P. xylostella genome exhibited a relatively low level of DNA methylation on the basis of the CpG O/E prediction and experimental validation. A significant positive linear correlation was observed between the stage‐specific expressions of PxDNMT1 and DNA methylation levels (5mC content). Particularly, high levels of DNA methylation and gene expression of PxDNMT1 were observed in eggs and mature females of P. xylostella. After host transfer of P. xylostella from Raphanus sativus to Arabidopsis thaliana, we identified some potential genomic loci that might have changed methylation levels. Using the method of fluorescence‐labeled methylation‐sensitive amplified polymorphism (F‐MSAP), we also found the corresponding genes primarily involved in neural system and signaling. The expressions of six candidate genes were verified by qRT‐PCR. One of the genes, Px009600, might be regulated by a DNA methylation‐mediated mechanism in response to host transfer. Our study provides evidence for a functional system of DNA methylation in P. xylostella and its possible role in adaptation during host transfer. Further studies should examine methylation as responsive factors to different host plants and environmental cues in insect pests.     

Bioinspired Binders Actively Controlling Ion Migration and Accommodating Volume Change in High Sulfur Loading Lithium–Sulfur Batteries

High‐loading lithium–sulfur batteries have gained considerable fame for possessing high area capacity, but face a stern challenge from capacity fading because of serious issues, including “polysulfides shuttling,” insulating S/Li₂S, large volume changes, and the shedding of S/C particles during drying or the cell encapsulation process. Herein, a bioinspired water‐soluble binder framework is constructed via intermolecular physical cross‐linking of functional side chains hanging on the terpolymer binder. Experimental results and density‐functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal that this network binder featuring superior volume change accommodation can also capture lithium polysulfides (LiPSs) through strong anchoring of O, N⁺ actives to LiPSs by forming Li···O and N⁺···S_x^2? bonds. In addition, the abundant negative charged sulfonate coordination sites and good electrolyte uptake of the designed binder endow the assembled cells with high lithium ion conductivity and fast lithium ion diffusion. Consequently, a remarkable capacity retention of 98% after 350 cycles at 1 C and a high areal capacity of 12.8 mA h cm^?2 with high sulfur loading of 12.0 mg cm^?2 are achieved by applying the environmentally friendly binder.     

Effects of dodder total flavone on polycystic ovary syndrome rat models induced by DHEA combined HCG

AimsExplore the effects of dodder total flavone on polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) rat models induced by dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) combined human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG).MethodsExcept the blank group, the rest of the rats were injected with DHEA 6 mg/100 g on the back of the neck and 1.5 IU HCG each day, for 21 consecutive days. On the 16th day of modeling, vaginal smear was performed to select the model rats, which were randomly divided into model group, dacin-35 group, large, middle and small dose dodder total flavonoids groups, and given the medicine for three weeks. At the end of the last administration, take samples, so as to calculate the ovaries and uterus indexes, measure serum LH/FSH ratio, P, PRL and INS levels, fixed the uterus and pancreas in 10% formalin solution and stained with HE to observe the morphological changes of the organs. And measure the expression of TNF-α and IGF-l proteins in ovaries by immunohistochemistry.ResultsCompared with the blank group, ovarian and uterine indexes, serum LH/FSH ratio, serum PRL and INS levels, ovary TNF-α and IGF-l protein expression were significantly increased, and significant pathological changes were observed in the uterine and pancreatic tissues in model group (P < 0.01). While the serum P level decreased significantly (P < 0.01), Compared with the model group, the ovarian and uterine indexes, serum LH/FSH ratio, serum P, PRL and INS levels, ovary TNF-α protein expression were significantly decreased in large, middle and small dose dodder total flavonoids groups (P < 0.01); The expression of IGF-1 protein was decreased and uterus pathological changes were improved in different extents (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05), pancreas pathological changes were improved significantly (P < 0.01).ConclusionPCOS rat models was successfully replicated. Dodder total flavone can protect PCOS rats induced by DHEA combined HCG by different action pathways.     

响应面法优化黄绿卷毛菇子实体多糖的提取工艺及其体外抗氧化活性研究

以采自四川石渠的黄绿卷毛菇Floccularia luteovirens为研究对象,采用水提醇沉的经典方法以及单因素试验,并利用Box-Benhnken Design（BBD）中心组合试验设计原理,以提取温度、时间以及料液比3个影响因素作为自变量,多糖提取率为考察指标,设计3因素3水平的响应面试验,优化黄绿卷毛菇子实体多糖（FLPs）的提取工艺,并通过?OH和O₂ ^-?自由基清除能力考察FLPs的抗氧化能力。最终确定最优水提工艺为提取温度89.31℃,提取时间5.08h,料液比1:48.54（g/mL）,且FLPs具有良好的?OH和O₂ ^-?自由基清除能力,具有较强的体外抗氧化活性。同时,验证试验证明了该设计方法和模型的准确性和可行性,且在该工艺条件下,多糖提取率有所提高,可为其多糖功能性食品和药品的开发提供理论依据。     

应用结直肠癌基因检测指导术后化疗

为了探讨结直肠癌基因检测在术后化疗中的应用价值,本研究于2015年2月至2017年2月期间,选取在我院行结直肠癌根治术患者102例,根据患者选取的治疗方案,分为观察组(n=47)和对照组(n=55)。其中观察组根据术后肿瘤组织基因检测结果给予化疗方案,对照组直接选用FOLFOX4方案,随访观察两组无进展生存期和总生存期。研究发现,观察组检测到1例Nras基因突变,3例Braf基因突变,19例Kras基因突变,2例Pik3ca基因突变;Kras基因突变与肿瘤部位和分化程度有关(p<0.05);观察组中位无进展生存期为23个月,明显长于对照组的17个月,差异比较具有统计学意义(p<0.05);观察组中位总生存期为31个月,明显长于对照组的25个月,差异比较具有统计学意义(p<0.05);观察组和对照组Ⅲ～Ⅳ级肝肾损害、骨髓抑制和胃肠道反应比例比较差异无统计学意义(p>0.05)。研究表明结直肠癌基因检测指导术后化疗,可以提高患者无进展生存期和总生存期,具有较好的应用价值。     

An alternative approach to reduce algorithm‐derived biases in monitoring soil organic carbon changes

Quantifying soil organic carbon (SOC) changes is a fundamental issue in ecology and sustainable agriculture. However, the algorithm‐derived biases in comparing SOC status have not been fully addressed. Although the methods based on equivalent soil mass (ESM) and mineral‐matter mass (EMMM) reduced biases of the conventional methods based on equivalent soil volume (ESV), they face challenges in ensuring both data comparability and accuracy of SOC estimation due to unequal basis for comparison and using unconserved reference systems. We introduce the basal mineral‐matter reference systems (soils at time zero with natural porosity but no organic matter) and develop an approach based on equivalent mineral‐matter volume (EMMV). To show the temporal bias, SOC change rates were recalculated with the ESV method and modified methods that referenced to soils at time t1 (ESM, EMMM, and EMMV‐t1) or referenced to soils at time zero (EMMV‐t0) using two datasets with contrasting SOC status. To show the spatial bias, the ESV‐ and EMMV‐t0‐derived SOC stocks were compared using datasets from six sites across biomes. We found that, in the relatively C‐rich forests, SOC accumulation rates derived from the modified methods that referenced to t1 soils and from the EMMV‐t0 method were 5.7%–13.6% and 20.6% higher than that calculated by the ESV method, respectively. Nevertheless, in the C‐poor lands, no significant algorithmic biases of SOC estimation were observed. Finally, both the SOC stock discrepancies (ESV vs. EMMV‐t0) and the proportions of this unaccounted SOC were large and site‐dependent. These results suggest that although the modified methods that referenced to t1 soils could reduce the biases derived from soil volume changes, they may not properly quantify SOC changes due to using unconserved reference systems. The EMMV‐t0 method provides an approach to address the two problems and is potentially useful since it enables SOC comparability and integrating SOC datasets.     

Morphological characterization and phylogenetic relationships of Indochinese box turtles—The Cuora galbinifrons complex

The members of the Indochinese box turtle complex, namely Cuora galbinifrons, Cuora bourreti, and Cuora picturata, rank the most critically endangered turtle species on earth after more than three decades of over‐harvesting for food, traditional Chinese medicine, and pet markets. Despite advances in molecular biology, species boundaries and phylogenetic relationships, the status of the C. galbinifrons complex remains unresolved due to the small number of specimens observed and collected in the field. In this study, we present analyses of morphologic characters as well as mitochondrial and nuclear DNA data to reconstruct the species boundaries and systematic relationships within the C. galbinifrons complex. Based on principal component analysis (PCA) and statistical analysis, we found that phenotypic traits partially overlapped among galbinifrons, bourreti, and picturata, and that galbinifrons and bourreti might be only subspecifically distinct. Moreover, we used the mitochondrial genome, COI, and nuclear gene Rag1 under the maximum likelihood criteria and Bayesian inference criteria to elucidate whether C. galbinifrons could be divided into three separate species or subspecies. We found strong support for a sister relationship between picturata and the other two species, and consequently, we recommend maintaining picturata as a full species, and classifying bourreti and galbinifrons as subspecies of C. galbinifrons. These findings provide evidence for a better understanding of the evolutionary histories of these critically endangered turtles.     

从泰国进口椰色果中截获南方凹头臭蚁

依据形态学特征,对截获自泰国进口椰色果上的凹头臭蚁进行种类鉴定。经鉴定,该批凹头臭蚁为南方凹头臭蚁Philidris notiala ZhouZheng,经中国检验检疫科学研究院动植物检疫信息资源共享服务平台查询,系全国口岸首次截获。南方凹头臭蚁由周善义等人于1998年描述,此前仅知分布于中国广西的北流市,本次从来自泰国的椰色果上检出,是其在泰国分布的首次报道,是泰国新记录种。通过记述南方凹头臭蚁工蚁的形态特征,首次描述了该种雌蚁形态特征,给出了其与近缘种的区别,列出了世界凹头臭蚁属名录及分布信息,拍摄了工蚁和雌蚁成虫整体图,为该种的检疫鉴定、分布调查及防治提供参考。