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Diamide compounds such as chlorantraniliprole, a famous anthranilic diamide insecticide targeting the insect ryanodine receptor (RyR), have received continuous attention in pesticide research during the past 15 years owing to their excellent insecticidal potentials. With the aim of discovering new heterocyclic pesticides used for crop protection, based on the structural information of compound M from the reported pharmacophore-based virtual screening for RyR insecticides and diamide compound, a series of new heterocyclic mono-, di-, and tri-amide derivatives containing piperazine moiety have been synthesized in this paper. The new compounds were identified and confirmed by melting point, 1H NMR, 13C NMR and HRMS. Compound M was firstly validated for insecticidal activities, and the new synthesized compounds were all made comprehensive insecticidal evaluations against diamondback moth and oriental armyworm. The bioassay results showed that some of the compounds exhibit favorable insecticidal potentials, particularly some novel piperazine-containing heterocyclic mono-/di-/tri-amide derivatives such as 8g, 14a, 15a, 15g, 15i, 15j, 15k, 15l, and 15m could be used as new insecticidal leading structures for further study (e.g., towards diamondback moth, 15i-15m LC50: 0.0022−0.0081 mg/L). The structure-activity relationships of the compounds discussed in detail provide useful guidance for further design and development of new insecticides.

This study investigated the effects of a Lactobacillus paracasei KL1 and Lactobacillus plantarum subsp. plantarum Zhang-LL mixed probiotic on Salmonella-caused pullorosis in chicks. A total of 120 1-day-old Nongda no.3 dwarf chicks were randomly assigned to 4 treatments, with 6 replicates of 5 birds each. The treatments were blank group, Salmonella pullorum–infected group, probiotic treatment group, and probiotic prevention (PP) group. All birds (n = 90) except those in the blank group were infected with S. pullorum on day 4. On day 14, the BW, ADG, mortality, pathology of tissue, cecum colony count, immune organ indices, cecal mucosa secretory IgA, and cytokines were investigated. The results showed that the chicks infected with S. pullorum were depressed and their BW reduced. The PP group had the highest ADG and lowest mortality rate (0%), whereas the S. pullorum–infected group had 37.50% mortality rate and lowest ADG. Pathologic sections showed that the probiotic treatment group had minor lesions but the PP group had no lesions in the ileum, cecum, and liver. Cecal Lactobacillus counts was the highest (P 0.05) in the bursa of Fabricius, whereas in the PP group, all the immune organs were increased (P

A series of novel phenylpyrazole carboxylic acid derivatives containing fluorine moiety, i.e., diamides 11, simple aryl-bearing amides 12 and acylthioureas 14 were successfully synthesized based on the key fluoro-containing phenylpyrazole acid intermediate. The new compounds were identified and confirmed by melting point, 1H NMR, 13C NMR and elemental analysis or HRMS. The bioassay results indicated that some of the compounds possessed excellent insecticidal activities towards oriental armyworm, diamondback moth and corn borer at low concentrations. For examples, compounds 11a, 11e−g and 14b exhibited remarkable larvicidal activities with LC50 values of 0.13 − 0.39 mg/L and 0.0002 − 0.0014 mg/L against oriental armyworm and diamondback moth, respectively, were comparable with those of the control chlorantraniliprole. Particularly, 11e were found superior to chlorantraniliprole in oriental armyworm tests (LC50: 0.23 mg/L vs. 0.26 mg/L); 11a, 11e, 11f and 14c in diamondback moth tests with LC50 values of 0.0002 mg/L, 0.0002 mg/L, 0.0008 mg/L and 0.0005 mg/L, respectively, were more effective than that of chlorantraniliprole. In addition, 12a also showed a promising insecticidal potential and development/optimization advantage. Compounds 11a, 11e–g, 12a, 14b and 14c could be considered as possible new leading structures for further study. The SAR investigation indicated that the compounds with fluorine motif (e.g., -F, -CF2H, -CF3) held apparently favorable insecticidal potentials, which provided useful guidance for further design/development of new phenylpyrazole-containing agrochemicals.

A series of novel anthranilic diamides derivatives (7a–s) containing halogen, trifluoromethyl group and cyano group were designed, synthesized, and characterized by melting point, 1H NMR, 13C NMR and elemental analyses. The bioactivity revealed that most of them showed moderate to excellent activities against oriental armyworm (Mythimna separata) and diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella). Above all, the larvicidal activity of 7o against oriental armyworm was 100% and 40% at 0.25 and 0.1 mg L−1, comparable to that of the standard chlorantraniliprole (100%, 0.25 mg L−1 and 20%, 0.1 mg L−1). What is more, 7o against diamondback moth displayed 90% insecticidal activity at 0.01 mg L−1, superior to chlorantraniliprole (45%, 0.01 mg L−1). The experiments 7o on the American cockroach (Periplaneta Americana) heart beating rates (Dorsal vessel) and contractile force were compared with chlorantraniliprole. In addition, 7o could affect the calcium homeostasis in the central neurons of the third larvae of oriental armyworm, which revealed that the ryanodine receptor is the potential target of 7o. The density functional theory (DFT) calculation results revealed the amide bridge, the benzene ring of anthraniloyl moiety and pyrazole ring might play an important role in the insecticidal activity through hydrophobic interactions and π-π conjugations.

Salmonella pullorum is a highly pathogenic bacteria in poultry industry. However, antibiotics were restricted in many countries because of the increasing risk of antibiotic resistance, Therefore, an environmental friendly and effective alternative strives to be developed. This study investigated the benefit of a probiotic-fermented herbal blend on the growth performance and gut microbiota of newborn broilers infected with S. pullorum. A total of 120 one-day-old dwarf male chicks were randomly allotted to 4 treatment groups, each including 5 replicates of 6 chicks: negative control (NC), positive control (PC), herbal blend (HB), and probiotic-fermented herbal blend (PF). All birds (n = 90), except for those in the NC, were infected with S. pullorum (1.69 × 108 CFU) on day 1. On day 11, body weight (BW), mortality, tissue pathology, cecal colony counts, immune organ indices, cecal mucosa secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) concentrations, and cecal cytokine mRNA expression levels were investigated. No mortality was observed after the PF treatment, and less pathological condition was in the ileum, cecum, and liver of HB and PF. BW, average daily gain and average daily feed intake were significant higher in the HB group compared to the PC and were the highest in the PF (P < 0.05). HB treatment significantly increased cecal populations of Lactobacilli, and decreased cecal populations of Escherichia coli and Salmonella, but results were more pronounced in the PF group (P < 0.05). Both HB and PF treatments increased cecal mucosa sIgA compared with the PC (P < 0.05). Tumor necrosis factor alpha and interferon gamma were lowest (P < 0.05) and interleukin 4 was the highest (P < 0.05) in PF, which exhibited similar levels to the NC group. PF treatment significantly improved the development of the thymus and bursa in S. pullorum-infected chicks. In conclusion, PF treatment prevented death, improved growth performance, regulated intestinal flora and enhanced immune ability of in S. pullorum-infected with chicks.

Spray droplet size is an important factor affecting spray drift, which is directly related to the spray effect and efficiency by unmanned aerial vehicle. Effect of adjuvants on the droplet size of emamectin benzoate dilute emulsion was systematically investigated by measuring droplet size, dynamic surface tension, and rheology. The results showed that droplet size was independent of dynamic surface tension and viscosity, but was related to the viscoelastic property and strain. For the emulsions with N, N-dimethyldodecylamine-N-oxid (OA), polyalkoxylated butyl ether (LQ) and poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA), the viscous modulus (G′′) were higher than elastic modulus (G′) under the crossover frequency, indicating that the emulsions were the viscous liquid. Furthermore, the diluted emulsions with OA and LQ had small drop, while that with PVA had big drop. These leaded to the breakup of the liquid sheet at lower deformation and the small spray droplet formation. While emulsions containing Guar gum 2-hydroxy-3-(trimethylammonio) propyl ether chloride (Gum Cl) and Sil800 (silicone adjuvant) exhibited a weak elastic behavior, and had the large droplet size. In addition, compared to the emulsions with OA, LQ and PVA, the dilute emulsions with Gum Cl and Sil800 had the large drop diameter, and G′ had a rapid decrease at bigger strain. This suggested the dilute emulsions with Gum Cl and Sil800 had a high stability during atomization. The study would provide a useful guide for selecting drift control adjuvants and raising pesticide efficiency.

Due to new mechanism of action and ecofriendly characteristics, dicarboxamide insecticides have attracted more and more attentions in modern pest management. A series of 20 dual chiral N-cyano sulfilimines containing two centers (carbon and sulfur) were designed and synthesized. All title compounds were determined by 1H NMR, high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) and optical polarimeter. The preliminary results indicated that some of them exhibited favourable insecticidal activities against oriental armyworm (Pseudaletia separata Walker). These isomers exhibited different impact on activity following the sequence as (Sc, Ss) ≥ (Sc, Rs), and the rule of title compounds’ activity against oriental armyworm was 3-CF3 ≥ 2 CH3 4 Cl >2, 3, 4-trifluro in the anilide moiety. The results indicated that these groups such as 3-CF3, 2 CH3 4 Cl or 2, 3, 4-trifluro were inefficient to replace heptafluoroisopropyl group for high larvicidal activity, which provided some guidance for the further modifications of sulfiliminyl dicarboxamides.

In order to search for novel potent and environmentally benign insecticides, a series of anthranilic diamides containing various fluorinated groups were designed and synthesized. Their structures were confirmed by 1 H NMR, 13 C NMR, 19 F NMR, elemental analysis, HRMS or mass spectra. Their insecticidal activities against oriental armyworm ( Mythimna separata ) and diamondback moth ( Plutella xylostella ) were evaluated. The preliminary structure-activity relationship (SAR) was discussed in detail. The biological assay indicated that most of the compounds exhibited moderate to excellent insecticidal activities. Especially, Ia showed high larvicidal activity against oriental armyworm. Meanwhile, Iu had better larvicidal effects against diamondback moth than commercial chlorantraniliprole.

Ryanodine receptors (RyRs) activator has become one class of popular insecticide because of its unique mode of action. In order to find more new RyRs activators as insecticidal agents, a series of 18 novel chiral anthranilic diamides were designed by introducing the d -alanine acid and d -serine acid esters as well as trifluoroethoxyl group into the anthranilic diamide skeleton and synthesized successfully based on anthranilic diamide and FKI-1033 structures. The structures of the title compounds Ia–i and IIa–i were confirmed by melting points, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, elemental analysis and specific optical rotation analysis. The preliminary bioassay results indicated that most of the title compounds exhibited considerable larvicidal activities against oriental armyworm at 10 mg/L, especially Ib, Ie and IIh showed remarkable insecticidal activities at 0.5 mg/L. The larvicidal activity against diamondback moth of Ia and IId were 80% and 90% respectively at 0.0001 mg/L, which was similar to that of chlorantraniliprole. The relationship between structure and insecticidal activity was analyzed to reveal a possible co-regulated effect of the chiral amino acid ester, halogen atom or cyano group, and trifluoroethyloxyl group of the skeleton structures of the title compounds, which will provide useful information for guiding the design and discovery of new RyRs activators and insecticidal agrochemicals.

In order to search for the new ryanodine receptor (RyR) regulator, a series of 35 novel fluoro-substituted compounds introduced 1-(2-chloro-4,5-difluorophenyl)-1H-pyrazole moiety containing modified pyrazole heterocycle were designed and synthesized. Then, they were tested for the insecticidal activities against Mythimna separata and Plutella xylostella in our greenhouse. After a systematic biological screening, it was found out that IVc showed 50% larvicidal activities against Mythimna separata at 0.1 mg L−1, equivalent to that of chlorantraniliprole (36%, 0.1 mg L−1). The activity of IVc against Plutella xylostella was 90% at 10−5 mg L−1, whereas the chlorantraniliprole was 70% at the same concentration. Then, insect electrophysiology experiments were conducted to study the pattern of action of IVc and IVe. It was confirmed by the experimental results that both compounds could lead to the release of calcium from the endoplasmic reticulum of neurons as classical anthranilic diamide insecticides.

In order to find novel and environmental friendly insecticides targeting the ryanodine receptor, three series of novel phthalamides containing heptafluoroisopropyl group, low fluorine atoms group and non-fluorine group were designed and synthesized. 35 novel structures of three series were obtained. Insecticidal activities of title compounds against oriental armyworm (Mythimna separata) and diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella) indicated that most of title compounds showed moderate to high activities at the tested concentration. The structure–activity relationship (SAR) was discussed in detail. During synthesizing title compounds B8, C7, D1, D9 and D12, their corresponding positional isomers (B8′, C7′, D1′, D9′ and D12′) were afforded, and their structures were confirmed by 2D NMR. The calcium-imaging technique was also applied to investigate the effects of compounds B2, B10, C4 and C5 on the intracellular calcium ion concentration ([Ca2+]i), which indicated that they released stored calcium ions from endoplasmic reticulum, which denoted that some compounds are potential modulators of the insect ryanodine receptor (RyR).

A series of novel 2,3-dihydro-1,3,4-oxadiazoles containing N-pyridylpyrazole carboxamides moieties were obtained by applying a new synthetic route. Their insecticidal tests against oriental armyworm (Mythimna separata) and diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella) indicated that most of the compounds showed moderate to excellent activities at the testing concentrations. In particular, compound 6a showed 40% larvicidal activities against oriental armyworm at 1 mg/L, while 7a against diamondback was 100% at 0.01 mg/L. Calcium imaging results demonstrated that 6a, 6d and 7a stimulated a transient elevation in [Ca2+]i in the absence of external calcium after the central neurons dye loading with fluo-3 AM, implying that these novel compounds were potential activators of the ligand-gated calcium channel on the endoplasmic reticulum.

To cope with developing pest resistance and ecological problems associated with conventional insecticides and to search for potent insecticides targeting at ryanodine receptor (RyR), a series of novel anthranilic diamides containing N-substitued nitrophenylpyrazole were designed and synthesized. The insecticidal activities of target compounds against oriental armyworm (Mythimna separata) and diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella) were evaluated in our greenhouse by bio-assay tests and the relative structure–activity relationships were briefly discussed. Most compounds exhibited moderate to high activities, in which G7 and K5 showed high activity against oriental armyworm and K2 and K4 against diamondback moth even better than the control-chlorantraniliprole. The calcium imaging technique was used to investigate the effects of several typical title compounds on the [Ca2+]i, especially the effects of G7 on the intracellular calcium ion concentration ([Ca2+]i) in neurons, which indicated that some title compounds were potent activators of the RyR.

A series of compounds containing dihydroquinazolinone moiety was designed and synthesized. Amine bridge part was changed in comparison with known anthranilic diamides insecticides. Their insecticidal activities against oriental armyworm (Mythimna separata) indicated that most of the compounds showed moderate to high activities at the tested concentrations. In particular, compounds 5a and 5k showed 80% larvicidal activities against oriental armyworm at the concentration of 5mg/L. The present study also explored the possible effects of target compounds on the high voltage-gated calcium channel and the calcium channels in the endoplasmic reticulum in the central neurons isolated from the third instar larvae of Spodoptera exigua using whole-cell patch clamp and calcium imaging technique. The results showed that compound 5a activated the high voltage-gated calcium channel in the central neurons of S. exigua weakly. The peak currents only increased by 6% of the initial value at the end of the 10-min recording after treated with 0.22μM 5a, while chlorantraniliprole has an opposite effect. The effects of 5a on the intracellular calcium ion concentration ([Ca(2+)]i) in neurons were well investigated. The experimental results indicated that these novel compounds have different mechanism compared with chlorantraniliprole.

In an attempt to search for potent insecticides targeting the ryanodine receptor (RyR), a series of novel N-pyridylpyrazolecarboxamides containing cyano substituent in the ortho-position were designed and synthesized. Their insecticidal activities of target compounds against oriental armyworm (Mythimna separata) and diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella) indicated that most of the compounds showed moderate to high activities at the tested concentrations. In particular, compound 6l and 6o showed 86% larvicidal activities against Plutella xylostella at the concentration of 0.1mg/L, while the activity of compound 6h against Mythimna separate was 80% at 1mg/L. The calcium imaging technique was applied to investigate the effects of some title compounds on the intracellular calcium ion concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)), experimental results demonstrated that compound 6h stimulates a transient elevation in [Ca(2+)](i) in the absence of external calcium after the central neurons dye loading with fluo-3 AM. However, when the central neurons were dyed with fluo-5N and incubated with 2-APB, [Ca(2+)]i decreased transiently by treated of compound 6h. All of the calcium imaging technique experiments demonstrated that these novel compounds deliver calcium from endoplasmic reticulum to cytoplasm, which proved that the title compounds were the possible activators of insect RyR.