Sternal gland structures in males of bean flower thrips,Megalurothrips sjostedti,and Poinsettia thrips,Echinothrips americanus,in comparison with those of western flower thrips,Frankliniella occidentalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae)

Sternal pores are important features for identification of male thrips, especially within the subfamily Thripinae. They vary in shape, size and distribution even between species of one genus. Their functional role is speculated to be that of sex- and/or aggregation pheromone production. Yet, sexual aggregations are not reported in Echinothrips americanus, known to have sternal pores, while we observed aggregations in Megalurothrips sjostedti, previously reported to lack them.We examined the sternal glands and pores of the thripine species E. americanus and M. sjostedti males, in comparison with those of Frankliniella occidentalis using light microscopy, as well as scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Pore plates of F. occidentalis were ellipsoid and medial on sternites III–VII, while in E. americanus they were distributed as multiple micro pore plates on sternites III–VIII. In M. sjostedti they appeared as an extremely small pore in front of the posterior margin of each of sternites IV–VII. Pore plate and pore plate area were distributed similarly on sternites III–VII in F. occidentalis. However, in E. americanus the total pore plate area increased significantly from sternites III to VIII. Ultrastructure of cells associated with sternal glands showed typical characteristics of gland cells that differ in size, shape and number. The function of sternal glands is further discussed on the basis of morphological comparisons with other thrips species.     

CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ T cells,Foxp3 gene and protein expression contribute to antiasthmatic effects of San’ao decoction in mice model of asthma

ObjectiveSan’ao decoction (SAD) is a commonly used traditional combinatorial formula composed of Herba Ephedrae, Radix Glycyrrhizae and Amygdalus Communis Vas. Early studies showed that in the OVA sensitization asthmatic mice model its compatibility could lower airway reactivity and airway inflammatory cell infiltration. Based on the above results, this study mainly discussed San’ao decoction's immunomodulatory effects on Tregs.MethodsUPLC–PDA–TOF-MS was applied to analyze chemicals of SAD, and under the optimized chromatographic and MS condition, the major components in SAD were well separated and detected within 22 min. An asthma model was established in BALB/c mice that were sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin. After 2 weeks’ treatment, peripheral blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were assessed for inflammatory cell counts; histological change of lung tissue were detected; flow cytometry detection of splenic CD4⁺CD25⁺Foxp3⁺ Treg cells of the mice were counted; Foxp3 expression in lung tissues were examined as well.Results22 Peaks signal chemical components in SAD were identified by UPLC–QTO-MS method. In terms of the percentage of eosinophile in peripheral blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), SAD groups were significantly lower (p < 0.01) than model group. Compared with model group, lung histological changes of SAD groups were reduced; the proportion of CD4⁺CD25⁺Foxp3⁺ Treg cells in CD4⁺ cells of asthmatic mice also decreased; SAD significantly increased the proportion of CD4⁺CD25⁺Foxp3⁺ Treg cells and promoted Foxp3 expression in a mouse model of asthma.ConclusionThese results suggest that the antiasthmatic effects of SAD are at least partially associated with CD4⁺CD25⁺Foxp3⁺ Treg cells.     

A butterfly with olive green eyes discovered in the United States and the Neotropics (Lepidoptera,Lycaenidae, Eumaeini)

We describe Ministrymon janevicroy Glassberg, sp. n., from the United States (Texas). Its wing pattern closely resembles that of the widespread and well-known lycaenid, Ministrymon azia (Hewitson). The new species is distinguished by the structure of its male and female genitalia, by the patterning of the ground color on the basal half of the ventral hindwing surface, and by the color of its eyes. Adults of Ministrymon janevicroy in nature have olive green eyes in contrast to the dark brown/black eyes of Ministrymon azia. Ministrymon janevicroy occurs in dry deciduous forest and scrub from the United States (Texas) to Costa Rica (Guanacaste) with disjunct populations on Curaçao and Isla Margarita (Venezuela). In contrast, Ministrymon azia occurs from the United States to southern Brazil and Chile in both dry and wet lowland habitats. Nomenclaturally, we remove the name Electrostrymon grumus K. Johnson & Kroenlein, 1993, from the synonymy of Ministrymon azia (where it had been listed as a synonym of Ministrymon hernandezi Schwartz & K. Johnson, 1992). We accord priority to Angulopis hernandezi K. Johnson & Kroenlein, 1993 over Electrostrymon grumus K. Johnson & Kroenlein, 1993, syn. n., which currently is placed in Ziegleria K. Johnson, 1993. The English name Vicroy’s Ministreak is proposed for Ministrymon janevicroy. We update biological records of dispersal and caterpillar food plants, previously attributed to Ministrymon azia, in light of the new taxonomy.     

A new Liopropoma sea bass (Serranidae,Epinephelinae, Liopropomini) from deep reefs off Cura?ao,southern Caribbean,with comments on depth distributions of western Atlantic liopropomins

Collecting reef-fish specimens using a manned submersible diving to 300 m off Curaçao, southern Caribbean, is resulting in the discovery of numerous new fish species. The new Liopropoma sea bass described here differs from other western Atlantic members of the genus in having VIII, 13 dorsal-fin rays; a moderately indented dorsal-fin margin; a yellow-orange stripe along the entire upper lip; a series of approximately 13 white, chevron-shaped markings on the ventral portion of the trunk; and a reddish-black blotch on the tip of the lower caudal-fin lobe. The new species, with predominantly yellow body and fins, closely resembles the other two “golden basses” found together with it at Curaçao: L. aberrans and L. olneyi. It also shares morphological features with the other western Atlantic liopropomin genus, Bathyanthias. Preliminary phylogenetic data suggest that western Atlantic liopropomins, including Bathyanthias, are monophyletic with respect to Indo-Pacific Liopropoma, and that Bathyanthias is nested within Liopropoma, indicating a need for further study of the generic limits of Liopropoma. The phylogenetic data also suggest that western Atlantic liopropomins comprise three monophyletic clades that have overlapping depth distributions but different depth maxima (3–135 m, 30–150 m, 133–411 m). The new species has the deepest depth range (182–241 m) of any known western Atlantic Liopropoma species. Both allopatric and depth-mediated ecological speciation may have contributed to the evolution of western Atlantic Liopropomini.     

汕头南澳养殖区表层沉积物中生源要素的分布及其污染评价

于2010年9月采集南澳海域鱼类养殖区、贝类养殖区、大型藻类栽培区和对照区4个功能区表层沉积物样品,分析沉积物中生物硅(BSi)、总有机碳(TOC)、总氮(TN)和总磷(TP)4种生源要素的含量。结果表明,南澳海域生源要素含量与国内外养殖区相比属于中等水平。鱼类养殖区TOC、TN、TP的含量最高,而BSi的最高含量出现在藻类栽培区(平均含量为0.30%)。鱼类养殖区BSi、TOC、TN和TP的平均含量分别为0.24%、0.89%、0.13%和0.097%。根据沉积物中TOC/TN比值分析,发现鱼类养殖区的TOC主要来源于水生,贝类、藻类和对照区TOC则主要来源于陆源。生源要素污染评价表明,4个功能区的TN均属于Ⅱ类污染,鱼类和贝类养殖区的TP属于Ⅱ类轻度污染。     

珠江口淇澳岛红树林湿地生态系统健康评价

基于湿地生态系统健康理论和压力-状态-响应模型,以珠江口淇澳岛红树林湿地生态系统为研究对象,构建了红树林湿地生态系统健康评价指标体系,并确定了具体的评价指标、评价标准、指标权重、评价等级和评价方法,对珠江口淇澳岛红树林湿地生态系统健康状况进行了评价.结果表明:2008年,淇澳岛红树林湿地生态系统总健康指数为0.6580,评价等级为Ⅱ级(健康);压力、状态和响应指标的健康指数分别为0.3469、0.8718和0.7554,说明该评价系统存在一定的压力,而状态和响应方面较好.作为省级自然保护区,珠江口淇澳岛红树林湿地生态系统健康水平有待进一步提升.红树林湿地生态系统健康评价研究目前尚不成熟,进一步研究需重点关注针对红树林特征的评价因子筛选、相关数据的长期定位监测、生态系统健康与生态系统功能的定量关系研究等.     

三拗片联合布地奈德混悬液雾化吸入对急性支气管炎患儿炎症细胞因子和T淋巴细胞亚群的影响

摘要 目的：观察布地奈德混悬液雾化吸入、三拗片联合治疗对急性支气管炎患儿T淋巴细胞亚群、炎症细胞因子的影响。方法：选取2021年1月到2023年1月期间合肥市第二人民医院收治的急性支气管炎患儿78例,按照双色球法将患儿分为对照组和研究组,各为39例。对照组患儿接受布地奈德混悬液雾化吸入,研究组患儿接受三拗片联合布地奈德混悬液雾化吸入。对比两组疗效、炎症因子水平、临床指标、T淋巴细胞亚群和用药安全性。结果：研究组的临床总有效率高于对照组（P<0.05）。研究组的喘息缓解时间、咳嗽缓解时间、体温正常缓解时间、肺部啰音缓解时间短于对照组（P<0.05）。治疗7 d后,两组降钙素原（PCT）、白细胞介素-8（IL-8）、白细胞介素-6（IL-6）下降,且研究组低于对照组（P<0.05）。治疗7 d后,两组CD8⁺下降,且研究组低于对照组（P<0.05）;两组CD4⁺、CD4⁺/CD8⁺升高,且研究组高于对照组（P<0.05）。两组患儿不良反应对比未见统计学差异（P>0.05）。结论：急性支气管炎患儿采用布地奈德混悬液雾化吸入联合三拗片治疗,有助于缩短临床症状缓解时间,减轻炎症细胞因子水平,调节T淋巴细胞亚群。     

Fish feeding guilds along a gradient of bay biotopes and coral reef depth zones

The study of fish feeding guild structure is a useful method to compare fish communities of complex marine ecosystems. Guild structure was determined in four coral reef depth zones, viz. the fringing reef at depths of 2, 5, 10, and 15 m, as well as in seven shallow-water biotopes within a single bay, viz. notches in fossil reef rock, mangroves, fossil reef boulders, seagrass beds, algal beds at a depth of 2 m, algal beds at a depth of 5 m, and the channel. The study was done in an inland bay on the Caribbean island of Curaçao, using a visual census technique. Total fish densities within the different feeding guilds varied considerably between the biotopes, and were generally higher in the reef biotopes and on the boulders than in the remaining bay biotopes. Cluster analysis revealed that the greatest dissimilarity in guild structures in terms of fish densities was that between the algal beds and all other biotopes, followed by that between the reef depth zones and other bay biotopes (notches, mangroves, seagrass beds, channel). The species composition of the guilds also differed considerably among the various biotopes. Species richness within the various guilds showed much smaller differences between the biotopes, but was generally somewhat higher in the reef biotopes. Cluster analysis of guild structures in terms of species richness revealed little dissimilarity among the various biotopes. The coral reef was dominated by omnivores and zooplanktivores, whereas the bay was dominated by zoobenthivores and herbivores. Differences in guild structure between the bay and the adjacent reef indicate differences in food availability.     

Public health risk analysis for ambient polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon exposure surrounding a petrochemical complex in Curaçao

Abstract

Antiquated petroleum refining methods may exacerbate polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in ambient air. There is currently an aging, yet active refinery on the island of Curaçao that has been the subject of public health concern. The objective of this study was to determine if ambient PAHs surrounding this refinery exceeded public health guidelines and investigate potential public health risks by calculating risk probability estimates. A number of recommended guidelines for the protection of public health from ambient PAHs were exceeded in Curaçao. Cumulative lifetime risk estimates for carcinogenic effects exceeded the upper bound level of acceptable risk at sites located both upwind and downwind of the petrochemical complex in 2011 and decreased to within the range considered acceptable in 2014. Risk probability estimates were highest for children and either exceeded or were approaching the upper bound advisory levels in 2011. Results indicate inhalation risks are higher at sites located downwind from the petrochemical complex compared to those upwind. This emphasizes the potential for higher risk probability estimates for residents that may have higher susceptibility, warranting the need for further health assessments in these populations and underscores the importance for continued monitoring of PAH sources and levels in Curaçao.