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Phenolic compounds in pigeon pea possess various biological properties beneficial to human health. In this study, pigeon pea hairy root cultures (PPHRCs) were developed as an effective in vitro platform for the production of phenolic compounds. A high-productive hairy root line was screened and characterized, and its culture conditions were optimized in terms of biomass productivity and phenolic yield. The comparative profiling of 10 phenolic compounds in PPHRCs and pigeon pea natural resources (seeds, leaves, and roots) was achieved by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis. The total phenolic yield in PPHRCs (3278.44 μg/g) was much higher than those in seeds (68.86 μg/g) and roots (846.03 μg/g), and comparable to leaves (3379.49 μg/g). Notably, PPHRCs exhibited superiority in the yield of the most important health-promoting compound cajaninstilbene acid (2996.23 μg/g) against natural resources (4.42-2293.31 μg/g). Overall, PPHRCs could serve as promising potential alternative sources for the production of phenolic compounds with nutraceutical/medicinal values.

Four new species of the feather mite genus Mesalgoides (Acariformes: Psoroptoididae: Pandalurinae) are described from passerine birds (Passeriformes) in China: Mesalgoides morrisonia sp. nov. from Alcippe morrisonia Swinhoe (Leiothrichidae), M. vinacea sp. nov. from Carpodacus vinaceus Verreaux (Fringillidae), M. flammicepis sp. nov. from Cephalopyrus flammiceps (Burton) (Paridae), and M. erythaca sp. nov. from Pyrrhula erythaca Blyth (Fringillidae).

Two new species of the feather mite genus Proctophyllodes (Analgoidea: Proctophyllodidae) are described from two passerine birds (Passeriformes) in China: Proctophyllodes scleroticus sp. nov. from the Brandt's Mountain Finch Leucosticte brandti pallidior (Fringillidae) and P. micrurus sp. nov. from the White-rumped Snow Finch Onychostruthus taczanowskii (Passeridae). Proctophyllodes scleroticus sp. nov. belongs to the tricetratus species-group, and differs from the most similar species P. petroniae Atyeo & Braasch, 1966 by the following characters: in male, the genital sheath is heavily sclerotized, peach shaped, and extending to the level of setae g, anal suckers are surrounded with a pair of membranes, and terminal lamella is relatively greater, and in female, lobar shield is divided into two independent shields by the anal opening and anal opening extends beyond the level of setae ps1, terminal appendage is long. Proctophyllodes micrurus sp. nov. belongs to the musicus species-group, and differs from the most similar species P. saltatoris Atyeo & Braasch, 1966 by the following characters: in male, genital arch and the anterior part of opisthogastric shield are about the same width, anal suckers are surrounded with a pair of membranes, genital organ extends to the anterior 1/3 of the level of setae g and setae ps3, terminal lamella are located closely to each other and slightly greater, and in female, lobar shields are medially divided into two halves, terminal appendages are small, about 1/10 of setae h3, edge of the cleft is almost horizontal.

Graphical abstract, Highlights • Chitosan elicitation was conducted for flavonoid enhancement in hairy root cultures. • Chitosan elicitation gave a 7.08-fold increase in flavonoid yield over control. • Chalcone synthase and flavonoid 3′-hydroxylase might be two crucial genes. • Chitosan elicitation can facilitate the commercialization of plant in vitro cultures., Elicitation for phytochemical enhancement via cost-effective elicitors can overcome the limitation of commercial application faced by plant cell and organ culture technology. Chitosan is a natural, low-cost, and nontoxic elicitor that can trigger plant defense responses with the concomitant enhancement in phytochemical biosynthesis. In this work, the elicitation of Isatis tinctoria L. hairy root cultures by chitosan was conducted to enhance the production of pharmacologically active flavonoids. In comparison with control (2.31 ± 0.29 mg/g DW), a 7.08-fold enhancement of total flavonoids (16.35 ± 0.88 mg/g DW) was achieved in 24 day-old I. tinctoria hairy root cultures elicited by 150 mg/L chitosan for 36 h. Interestingly, the multiple hydroxyl-substituted flavonoids (rutin, quercetin, isorhamnetin, and isoliquiritigenin) were noticed to increase significantly in chitosan-elicited I. tinctoria hairy root cultures. Moreover, the transcription of associated genes involved in flavonoid biosynthesis pathway was significantly up-regulated underlying chitosan elicitation, among which chalcone synthase and flavonoid 3′-hydroxylase might play an important role in flavonoid enhancement. Additionally, extracts from chitosan-elicited I. tinctoria hairy root cultures exhibited higher antioxidant activities with lower IC50 values as compared with control. Overall, a cost-effective strategy via the simple chitosan elicitation is provided here to enhance the production of high-added value flavonoids in I. tinctoria hairy root cultures, which paves the way toward the successful commercialization of this in vitro culture system in the future.

Four new species of the feather mite genus Anhemialges (Astigmata: Analgidae) are described from passeriform birds in China: A. lioparus sp. nov. from the Golden–breasted Fulvetta Lioparus chrysotis (Passeriformes, Paradoxornithidae); A. aegithalos sp. nov. from the Black–throated Tit Aegithalos concinnus (Passeriformes, Aegithalidae); A. seicercus sp. nov. from the Golden–spectacled Warbler Seicercus burkii (Passeriformes, Phylloscopidae); and A. zosterops sp. nov. from the Oriental White–eye Zosterops palpebrosus (Passeriformes, Zosteropidae).

Ethnopharmacological relevance Immunomodulation has become a crucial modality for cancer treatment. Chinese Herbal Medicines (CHMs) are expected as adjuvant therapy for immunomodulation against cancer, but face the key challenge of poor scientific evidence. Changes of natural killer (NK) cells on numbers and/or cytotoxicity are a novel respect to evaluate the immunomodulation of CHMs. Aim of the study The purpose of this review is to investigate the immunomodulation of Chinese Herbal Medicines (CHMs) on NK cell populations for cancer therapy. Materials and methods A systematic review was conducted and outside mainstream electronic databases were screened for potential reference articles. This review tried to report and critically analyzed all the correlative studies, especially these clinical trials (3 CHM extracts and 11 CHM formulas). Results Evidence-based functions of CHMs against cancer could be summarized as: (1) enhancement of NK cells activity or relative percentage; (2) prevention of tumor growth and metastasis; (3) relief on side-effects or complications of therapeutic strategies (i.e. chemotherapy, radiotherapy and resection). Briefly, most of cellular studies and two thirds animal studies were based on the extract or components of single herbs, whilst most of clinical trials were keen on formula or prescription of CHMs. The main components of CHMs were demonstrated active on promoting the cytotoxicity of NK cells, including Angelica sinensis, Ganoderma lucidum, Panax ginseng, Radix Astragali, Lentinus edodes, etc. Conclusions This comprehensive review demonstrated NK cells activity was positively associated with quality of life but not survival benefit of cancer patients. Thus exploring the roles of NK cells in adjuvant therapy against cancer is confirmed to be beneficial to explore the underlying relationship between immunomodulation and quality of life.

Phenolic compounds are validated to be the pharmacologically active phytochemicals in Cajanus cajan (Linn.) Millsp. leaves (CCLs) and the medicinal product (Tongluo Shenggu capsules, TSCs) thereof. For the first time, C. cajan cell suspension cultures (CCSCs) were established as an effective in vitro platform for the production of phenolic compounds. Callus was induced from C. cajan leaves by 2.0 mg/L 2,4-D, 5.0 mg/L α-NAA, and 0.1 mg/L Kn, and then subcultured on MS solid medium supplemented with 1.5 mg/L 2,4-D, 3.0 mg/L α-NAA, and 0.25 mg/L Kn. Culture conditions of a selected high-productive callus line (CCCL VII) were systematically optimized in terms of biomass productivity and phenolic yield, and eleven target compounds were identified and quantified by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). Under the optimal culture conditions (MS liquid medium, sucrose concentration 3.5 %, temperature 26 °C, inoculum size 3.0 %, and time 49 day), CCSCs produced the highest level of total phenolics (3462.99 μg/g DW) along with the maximum biomass productivity (10.03 g/L), which was higher than the phenolic yield in field-grown CCLs (3288.81 μg/g DW). Notably, CCSCs exhibited superiority in the content of the most valuable compound cajaninstilbene acid (2858.76 μg/g DW) as compared with CCLs (2114.60 μg/g DW). Also, CCSCs were discovered to be more abundant in genistin and genistein as against both CCLs and TSCs. This work concluded that CCSCs might be attractive alternative sources for the production of phenolic compounds with potential uses in pharmaceutical/nutraceutical industries.

Research history of the taxonomy, morphology, biology and ecology of the Psoroptidia in China until 31 Dec 2009 was summarized. A checklist of 70 species, 1 subspecies and 11 varieties, in 49 genera of 20 families and a checklist of mites unidentified to species of 8 families are provided.

Many regard the Pteronyssidae as a subfamily of Avenzoariidae Oudemans, 1905, but Mironov (2001) recently recognized the group as a family, based on the unique character of a ventral membrane on tarsi I, and other distinguishing features of the Pteronyssinae Oudemans, 1941 (vide: Gaud & Atyeo 1996) and the specificity their host associations. To date, 140 species in 23 genera are described (Mironov 2001, 2005). The genus Timalinyssus was established by Mironov (2001) to accommodate two species collected from babblers (Passeriformes: Timaliidae). It is closely related to Mouchetia Gaud but differs in the following characters: prodorsal shield is fused with the scapular shields, c2 setiform and short in both sexes; tarsi III are cone-like with acute apex in male; opisthosomal lobes are long and separated by narrow terminal cleft in female (Gaud & Atyeo 1996; Mironov 2001).

The development, survival, and reproduction of Liposcelis decolor (Pearman) (Psocoptera: Liposcelididae), an important insect pest of infested stored products, were evaluated at eight constant temperatures (20–37.5°C). Female L. decolor had four nymphal stadia, whereas males only had three nymphal stadia. Between 20 and 37.5°C, the female developmental period from egg to adult varied from 46.2 d at 20°C to 16.1 d at 35°C, and the male developmental period from egg to adult varied from 41.8 d at 20°C to 13.6 d at 35°C. Based on a nonlinear model, the lower temperature developmental thresholds of female from egg, first through fourth stadia, and combined immature stages were estimated at 12.22, 16.08, 10.93, 8.88, 12.64, and 13.02°C, the upper temperature thresholds were 42.11, 39.44, 41.27, 40.92, 39.20, and 40.52°C, respectively, whereas the lower temperature thresholds of males ranged from 11.68 to 15.86°C, and the upper temperature thresholds ranged from 40.19 to 42.04°C. The survival rate from egg to adult was 57.3% at 32.5°C, 38.4 at 20°C, and 19% at 37.5°C, respectively. After emergence, the adult had a preoviposition period that ranged from 6.8 d at 20°C to 2.3 d at 35°C. L. decolor produced the most eggs (130.4) at 32.5°C and the fewest (24.7) at 37.5°C. The population reared at 32.5°C had the highest intrinsic rate of increase (0.0609) compared with the populations reared at seven other constant temperatures. The populations reared at 35 and 37.5°C had type III survivorship pattern, whereas populations reared at other temperatures had type I survivorship curve as determined by a Weibull frequency distribution. The optimal range of temperature for L. decolor population growth was 27.5–35°C.

Liposcelis badia Wang, Wang, and Lienhard was firstly recorded as a novel species of Liposcelididae in 2006 in China. In this study, the development, survival, and reproduction of L. badia were evaluated at eight constant temperatures (between 20 and 37.5 degrees C). The population reared at 37.5 degrees C failed to develop or reproduce. Between 20 and 35 degrees C, the developmental period from egg to adult varied from 46.5 d at 20 degrees C to 17.2 d at 32.5 degrees C. The lower temperature developmental thresholds from egg, first through third stadia, and combined immature stages were estimated at 15.0, 14.5, 9.1, 8.0, and 10.0 degrees C; and the upper temperature thresholds were 39.5, 40.0, 38.9, 39.6, and 40.0 degrees C, respectively. The survival rate from egg to adult was 48.2% at 27.5 degrees C and 19.8 and 18.0% at 20 and 35 degrees C, respectively. After emergence, the adult had a short preoviposition period that ranged from 6.4 d at 20 degrees C to 3.8 d at 30 and 32.5 degrees C. L. badia produced the most eggs at 20 degrees C and the fewest at 35 degrees C. The population reared at 27.5 degrees C had the highest intrinsic rate of increase, net reproductive rate, the shortest populations doubling time, and shorter mean generation time compared with the other temperatures. It is suggested that the optimal range of temperature for L. badia population growth is 27.5-30 degrees C.

Two new species of the feather mite genus Analloptes Trouessart, 1885 (Xolalgidae: Ingrassiinae) are described from birds in China: Analloptes turnicis Mu and Wang sp. nov. ex barred buttonquail, Turnix suscitator (Gmelin, 1789) (Charadriiformes: Turnicidae) from Guizhou; and A. qujingensis Su and Wang sp. nov. ex red-billed chough, Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax (Linnaeus, 1758) (Passeriformes: Corvidae) from Yunnan. Two previously known species are redescribed based on the material from their type hosts collected from China: Analloptes megnini Trouessart, 1885 ex water rail, Rallus aquaticus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Gruiformes: Rallidae) from Yunnan, and Dubininia melopsittaci Atyeo and Gaud, 1987 ex budgerigar, Melopsittacus undulatus (Shaw, 1805) (Psittaciformes: Psittaculidae) from Guizhou.

Five new species of the feather mite genus Passeroptes (Acariformes: Dermationidae) are recorded from birds of the order Passeriformes in China: P. lioparis sp. nov. from Chrysotus chrysotis (Blyth) (Paradoxornithidae); P. motacillae sp. nov. from Motacilla cinerea Tunstall (Motacillidae); P. cyanodermae sp. nov. from Cyanoderma ruficeps Blyth (Timaliidae); P. periparus sp. nov. from Periparus ater (Linnaeus) (Paridae); P. aegithalos sp. nov. from Aegithalos iouschistos bonvaloti (Oustalet) (Aegithalidae).

Two new species of the feather mite genus Neocalcealges Orwig 1968 (Analgoidea: Trouessartiidae) are described from passerine birds (Passeriformes) from the Sichuan province of China: Neocalcealges davidi sp. nov. from Alcippe davidi Styan (Leiothrichidae) and N. chrysotis sp. nov. from Lioparus chrysotis (Blyth) (Paradoxornithidae). We provide a key to all described species of Neocalcealges.

Three new species of the genus Passeroptes (Acariformes: Dermationidae) are described from passerine birds (Passeriformes) in China: Passeroptes formosus sp. nov. from Garrulax formosus formosus (Verreaux) (Guizhou), P. poecilorhynchus sp. nov. from Garrulax poecilorhynchus berthemyi (David and Oustalet) (Guizhou), and P. picae sp. nov. from Pica pica sericea Gould (Henan). Passeroptes garrulax is redescribed from Garrulax poecilorhynchus berthemyi in Guizhou.

The development, survival, and reproduction of Euseius nicholsi (Ehara & Lee) (Acari: Phytoselidae), an important and rapacious predatory mite that feeds on Tetranychus cinnabarinus (Boisduval), were evaluated at six constant temperatures between 19°C and 32°C. The temperature range 22°C to 28°C was found to be optimal for development and reproduction of the mites. Both were significantly impaired at temperatures higher than 28°C. At 30°C and 32°C, survival rates were significantly reduced. At all temperatures, the egg incubation period was the longest developmental stage, accounting for 40% to 45% of total development time. The sex ratios (female:male) of the offspring at the six temperatures (19, 22, 25, 28, 30 and 32°C) were 1.46:1, 1.35:1, 1.32:1, 1.52:1, 1.65:1 and 1.71:1, respectively. The lowest sex ratio occurred at 25°C, suggesting that this was the natural temperature for this species. At 25°C and 28°C, the population doubling times of E. nicholsi were 4.27 d and 3.13 d, respectively, indicating that these were appropriate temperatures for population growth. We conclude that the optimal temperature range for the development of E. nicholsi was 22°C to 28°C and that the most suitable temperature for both development and reproduction of the mites was 25°C.