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As important regulatory molecules, LncRNAs play an important role in regulating the pathological progress of malignant tumor. However, the effect of LncRNA-HOXD-AS2 on the prognosis of colorectal cancer and its regulatory mechanism has not been confirmed. Therefore, this study obtained the transcriptome data and clinicopathological characteristics of colorectal cancer from TCGA database to predict the impact of HOXD-AS2 on the prognosis of patients and its regulatory mechanism. It was found that the high expression of HOXD-AS2 had a positive relationship with the expression of pathological T and tumor stages and can significantly reduce the overall survival of patients and have diagnostic value for prognosis. Subsequent, GSEA prediction found that HOXD-AS2 could promote the activation of TGF-β signaling pathway. MTT assay and Ki67 staining assay confirmed that HOXD-AS2 knockdown could significantly inhibit the proliferation ability of the SW480 and SW620 cells of colorectal cancer. Transwell assay and wound healing assay demonstrated that knockdown of HOXD-AS2 could significantly inhibit the invasion and migration of SW480 and SW620 cells. Finally, Western blotting showed that the knockdown of HOXD-AS2 could significantly reduce the expression level of key proteins of TGF-β signaling pathway. Collectively, this study revealed the regulatory effect of HOXD-AS2 on the pathological mechanism of colorectal cancer for the first time, and broadened the molecular function of HOXD-AS2. The increased expression of HOXD-AS2 in colorectal cancer can be used as a biological target for the biological treatment of colorectal cancer.

No specific effective therapeutic drugs have been identified for COVID-19. Critically ill COVID-19 36 patients in the ICU experience high mortality. This project aims to study the effects of traditional 37 Chinese medicine (TCM) treatment on deadly outcomes caused by COVID-19. A total of 123 critically 38 ill COVID-19 patients who received close monitoring at the ICU of Vulcan Hill Hospital between 39 ICU patients received supportive management. Eighty-one patients were given additional TCM 41 treatment. Clinical characteristics during the treatment period (up to 39 days) and the clinical outcome 42 of each patient were closely monitored and analysed. We observed that patients treated with TCM had 43 lower mortality than the non-TCM treatment group (16 of 81 vs. 31 of 42; 0.3 person/month vs. 2.9 44 person/month). In the adjusted Cox proportional hazards models, TCM treatment was associated with 45 improved survival [multivariate HR, 0.13; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.06–0.24; P < 0.001]. 46 Furthermore, we found that TCM treatment could partially improve the inflammation status by 47 reducing the levels of proinflammatory cytokines and recovering multiple organic functions. TCM 48 treatment may decrease inflammation status by reducing the level of proinflammatory cytokines and 49 allowing the recovery of multiple organic functions, which could improve the survival rate of critically 50 ill COVID-19 patients.

Peristenus spretus (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is one of the most important endoparasitoids used for biological control of the green mirid bug, Apolygus lucorum Meyer-Dür (Heteroptera: Miridae). However, what we know about its reproductive genetics is very limited. Here, the composition of ovarian proteins in P. spretus was analyzed. Mass spectrum data searched against the non-redundant NCBI protein and UniProt protein database identified 1382 proteins and revealed an enrichment of the heat shock protein 83 (HSP83) in P. spretus ovary. The Pshsp83 complete cDNA is 2175 bp in length and encodes a protein of 724 amino acids with a calculated molecular mass of 83.4 kDa and a theoretical isoelectric point of 4.87. Transcription of Pshsp83 appeared from days 1 to 13 post-emergence and peaked at 13th day. Immuno-localization showed that the HSP83 protein was present in cytoplasm of germarium and in egg chambers of the whole ovariole. The transcript abundance of Pshsp83 fluctuated drastically after heat shocks at different temperatures and the maximum emerged at 35°C. The exposure to 35°C caused no dramatic effects on reproductive parameters of adult females such as pupation rate, cocoon weight, emergence rate, sex ratio and developmental duration, but did on longevity. These results suggested that the HSP83 protein is involved in life-span regulation in the P. spretus.

This paper focuses on the production of a high-affinity monoclonal antibody (mAb) that can efficiently detect and block purinergic ligand-gated ion channel 7 receptor (P2X7R). To achieve this goal, the extracellular domain of human P2X7R, P2X7R-ECD, was used as an immunogen for BALB/c mice, inducing them to produce spleen lymphocytes that were subsequently fused with myeloma cells. Screening of the resultant hybridoma clones resulted in the selection of one stable positive clone that produced a qualified mAb, named 4B3A4. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis demonstrated that the purity of the purified 4B3A4 mAb was above 85%, with prominent bands corresponding to molecular weights of 55 kDa (heavy chain) and 25 kDa (light chain), and the BCA assay showed that the concentration of the purified 4B3A4 mAb was 0.3 mg/mL. Western blot analysis revealed that the 4B3A4 mAb could specifically recognize and bind both P2X7R-ECD and the full-length P2X7R protein. Laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM) revealed that the 4B3A4 mAb specifically bound to P2X7R on the membrane of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). P2X7R expression was significantly different between healthy individuals and people with certain cancers as determined by flow cytometry (FCM). In addition, the 4B3A4 mAb significantly reduced ATP-stimulated Ca2+ entry and YO-PRO-1 uptake, which indicated that the 4B3A4 mAb effectively blocked P2X7R activity. These data indicate that the 4B3A4 mAb can be further used as not only an antibody to detect cell surface P2X7R but also as a therapeutic antibody to target P2X7R-related signaling pathways.

Background This study attempted to verify the potential of KCNJ14 as a biomarker in colorectal cancer (CRC). Methods Data on transcriptomics and DNA methylation and the clinical information of CRC patients were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas and Gene Expression Omnibus databases. Biological information analysis methods were conducted to determine the role of KCNJ14 in the prognosis, diagnosis, immune cell infiltration, and regulation mechanism of CRC patients. The effect of KCNJ14 on the proliferation and migration of HCT116 and SW480 CRC cell lines was verified by in vitro experiments (MTT, colony-forming, wound healing, and transwell assays). Western blotting was performed to detect the effect of KCNJ14 on the levels of mTOR signalling pathway-related proteins. Results KCNJ14 expression was remarkably increased in CRC tissues and cell lines, which reduced the overall survival time of patients. KCNJ14 mRNA was negatively regulated by its methylation site cg17660703, which can also endanger the prognosis of patients with CRC. Functional enrichment analysis suggested that KCNJ14 is involved in the mTOR, NOD-like receptor, and VEGF signalling pathways. KCNJ14 expression was positively correlated with the number of CD4 + T cells and negatively correlated with that of CD8 + T cells in the immune microenvironment. KCNJ14 knockdown significantly reduced not only the proliferation and migration of CRC cell lines but also the levels of mTOR signalling pathway-related proteins. Conclusions This study not only increases the molecular understanding of KCNJ14 but also provides a potentially valuable biological target for the treatment of colorectal cancer.

Cropping system diversification, including the in-field establishment of strip crops can improve the effectiveness of natural enemies and enhance biological control of pestiferous herbivores. In China, habitat management such as the in-field establishment of alfalfa strips is used for pest control in cotton. However, their effect on other economically important pests, such as the mirid bug Apolygus lucorum (Meyer-Dur), has not been evaluated. In this study, we first assessed parasitism of A. lucorum within plots of 13 different host plant species. Next, we established strips of one suitable plant species within a commercial cotton field and evaluated its effect on A. lucorum parasitism level. The results showed that two A. lucorum parasitoids, i.e., Peristenus spretus Chen et van Achterberg and Peristenus relictus Ruthe, responded differently to host plant species. In 2014, the parasitism levels of P. spretus were highest on buckwheat Fagopyrum esculentum Moench, while parasitism levels of P. relictus were generally low and did not differ between the various plants. Furthermore, A. lucorum attained low population levels on buckwheat. In 2016, A. lucorum parasitism levels in buckwheat plots were higher than in cotton. When (2 m wide) buckwheat strips were established in cotton fields, P. spretus parasitism of A. lucorum on cotton plants increased 2.4-fold in 2016 and 8.5-fold in 2017 compared to cotton monocrops. In conclusion, the establishment of buckwheat strips in commercial cotton fields enhances A. lucorum parasitism. By deploying these habitat management tactics, parasitoid-mediated biological control may complement existing management schemes for the polyphagous mirid bug in China and abroad.

In China, the braconid wasp Peristenus spretus Chen & van Achterberg (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is a native endoparasitoid of the mirid bug Apolygus lucorum (Meyer-Dur) (Hemiptera: Miridae). Castor bean (Ricinus communis L.) is a preferred host plant of A. lucorum, and P. spretus adults are attracted to its herbivore-damaged flowering plants. Here, we used headspace collection to sample the volatiles emitted by A. lucorum-damaged flowering R. communis plants, and employed gas chromatography-electroantennography (GC-EAD) to identify two electrophysiologically-active compounds. Active compounds were identified as m-cymene and 4′-ethyl-acetophenone. Electrophysiological activities were confirmed by EAG, with a gradient of five doses of each compound eliciting significant antennal responses. Next, in Y-tube olfactometer bioassays, female P. spretus were attracted to two synthetic volatile compounds at two different concentrations (10 mg/ml and 100 mg/ml). Under field conditions, A. lucorum parasitism rates – as recorded in volatile-baited barrel traps – for the two compounds were significantly higher than those for mineral oil (control). Our findings emphasize the important role of herbivore-induced plant volatiles in the P. spretus host selection process, and provide a potential way to enhance in-field parasitoid populations and improve biological control of A. lucorum.

Indole scaffold synthesis relies primarily on oxidative C–H amination of N-protected alkenylanilines for C–N intramolecular cyclization reactions. Herein, for the first time, without N-protection, various readily prepared 2-alkenylanilines were transformed into the desired indole products in good yields by using K2S2O8 as oxidant in the presence of catalytic amounts of FeF2. The K2S2O8/FeF2 system offers a direct and benign synthetic route to 3-arylindoles and it is applicable to a wide range of substituted indoles including drug intermediates.

Peristenus spretus (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is one of the most important endoparasitoids used for biological control of the green mirid bug, Apolygus lucorum Meyer-Dür (Heteroptera: Miridae). However, what we know about its reproductive genetics is very limited. Here, the composition of ovarian proteins in P. spretus was analyzed. Mass spectrum data searched against the non-redundant NCBI protein and UniProt protein database identified 1382 proteins and revealed an enrichment of the heat shock protein 83 (HSP83) in P. spretus ovary. The Pshsp83 complete cDNA is 2175 bp in length and encodes a protein of 724 amino acids with a calculated molecular mass of 83.4 kDa and a theoretical isoelectric point of 4.87. Transcription of Pshsp83 appeared from days 1 to 13 post-emergence and peaked at 13th day. Immuno-localization showed that the HSP83 protein was present in cytoplasm of germarium and in egg chambers of the whole ovariole. The transcript abundance of Pshsp83 fluctuated drastically after heat shocks at different temperatures and the maximum emerged at 35°C. The exposure to 35°C caused no dramatic effects on reproductive parameters of adult females such as pupation rate, cocoon weight, emergence rate, sex ratio and developmental duration, but did on longevity. These results suggested that the HSP83 protein is involved in life-span regulation in the P. spretus.

An excessive immune response contributes to SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis and lethality, but the mechanism remains unclear. In this study, the N proteins of SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 were found to bind to MASP-2, the key serine protease in the lectin pathway of complement activation, resulting in aberrant complement activation and aggravated inflammatory lung injury. Either blocking the N protein:MASP-2 interaction or suppressing complement activation can significantly alleviate N protein-induced complement hyper-activation and lung injury in vitro and in vivo. Complement hyper-activation was also observed in COVID-19 patients, and a promising suppressive effect was observed when the deteriorating patients were treated with anti-C5a monoclonal antibody. Complement suppression may represent a common therapeutic approach for pneumonia induced by these highly pathogenic coronaviruses.One Sentence SummaryThe lectin pathway of complement activation is a promising target for the treatment of highly pathogenic coronavirus induced pneumonia.

Interspecific competition among different species of insect parasitoids may affect the establishment or efficacy of species used for biological control of a target pests. Peristenus spretus Chen & van Achterberg and Peristenus relictus Loan (syn. P. stygicus) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) are two dominant solitary parasitoids of mirid bugs in China. In this study, interspecific competition between larvae of P. spretus and P. relictus for the nutrients inside their common host, the green plant bug (Apolygus lucorum Meyer-Durin), as well as their extrinsic competition for host resources were investigated in the laboratory. We examined the effect of four different time intervals between oviposition by the two species (10 min, 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h) and two parasitoid sequences (i.e., P. spretus before P. relictus [Ps-Pr] and P. relictus before P. spretus (Pr-Ps)] in no-choice tests to measure nutrient competition between the two species. In choice tests, three densities of A. lucorum nymphs (40, 80, and 120) were presented to various combinations of P. spretus and P. relictus (1,1; 2,2; or 3,3 pairs). In addition, the developmental times of the immature stage (from egg to late instar larva) of P. spretus and P. relictus were determined. We found that neither the time interval between oviposition by the two competing species, nor the order the parasitoids attacked (Ps-Pr or Pr-Ps) had any influence on the percentage of parasitoid offspring that belonged a particular parasitoid species. Peristenus spretus dominated, accounting for 89.2–97.9% of parasitoid offspring in the no-choice nutrient competition experiment. Parasitoid sequence did, however, affect sex ratio in the dominant parasitoid’s offspring, with 48.2% of P. spretus offspring being female in the Pr-Ps sequence, while only 29.2% were female in the Ps-Pr sequence. Overall, in the host resource competition experiment, 64.7–82.2% of all emerged adult parasitoids of the offspring generation, for all host density treatments, were P. spretus. The percentage of emerged parasitoids that were a given species was significantly affected by host density, but neither by the number of pairs of P. spretus or P. relictus nor by the parasitoid density × host density interaction. The developmental time of the immature stage of P. spretus was 2.2 days shorter than that of P. relictus, an important factor in making P. spretus a superior competitor over P. relictus in all the competition trials. Based on these results, we conclude P. spretus will have an important advantage when competing with P. relictus, a factor that should be considered in any biological control program using these two parasitoids in China.

Supplementary nutrients such as floral nectar or sugars are important food sources for the fitness and reproduction of parasitic Hymenoptera. Peristenus spretus is the dominant parasitoid of the mirid bug Apolygus lucorum and can exert considerable control of this pest. Previous studies found that the addition of buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) strips in cotton fields improved P. spretus parasitism of A. lucorum nymphs. In this study, we showed that buckwheat flowers prolonged parasitoid lifespan by 1.7- to 3-fold, depending on wasp sex, and increased the daily parasitism rate by 10.3% compared with the control treatment without flowers. Soluble sugars, primarily fructose, glucose, maltose, mannose, raffinose, and sucrose, accounted for 6.3% of nectar weight. Supplementation of the four most common sugars (fructose, glucose, mannose, and sucrose) all had positive effects on P. spretus lifespan and reproduction. Fructose was the most dominant sugar in buckwheat nectar and had the most significant impact on these variables, suggesting it is the most suitable sugar for P. spretus adults. Glucose was the second most abundant sugar in the nectar, and its supplements significantly extended female longevity and the number of progeny produced per female compared to controls. This study identifies the sugars in buckwheat nectar that enhance the survival and parasitic activity of P. spretus, providing insights to potentially enhance biological control of this mirid pest of cotton.

In factor variance analysis, the index values of the reporting period and the base period usually appear in the following five situations: the reporting period and the base period are both positive; the reporting period is positive, and the base period is negative; the reporting period is negative, and the base period is positive; Both the reporting period and the base period are negative, and the negative numerator is less than the negative denominator; the negative numerator is greater than the negative denominator. In the first case, the problem has been solved; the latter four cases have not been paid attention to by scholars. In the last four situations encountered in factor variance analysis, we call it indicator anomalies. Based on the factor analysis "index logarithmic ratio" method, we try to use the variation range (variation difference/base period number) logarithmic ratio method to solve. In order to show the reality of the research, we use the ZXGS financial data indicators as the blueprint, use the case method to study the financial analysis of abnormal indicators, and carry out the event analysis procedure anatomy based on the new method of factor analysis and variance analysis. Through the study of these several situations, we hope that the exponential logarithmic ratio method of factor analysis and difference analysis will be more pertinent, complete, adaptable, and scientific, and can be correctly applied in a wide range of social practices.

An imino bipyridine cobalt(II) complex was developed for the electrocatalytic reduction of CO2 to formate in acetonitrile with a faradaic efficiency of approximately 80 %. For comparison, a symmetric bis-imino pyridine complex showed lower catalytic activity because of less conjugation in the system. Cyclic voltammetry, electron paramagnetic resonance and IR spectroscopy studies provided mechanistic details and the structures of the key intermediates. DFT calculations confirmed the role of large π-conjugated groups for stabilizing key intermediates through electronic conjugation.

Peristenus spretus Chen et van Achterberg (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), a parasitoid of the plant bug Apolygus lucorum (Hemiptera: Miridae), has been studied for use in augmentative biological control in China. Under laboratory conditions, we explored the development, survival, age-specific and potential lifetime fecundity, oviposition period and progeny sex ratio of P. spretus reared at six constant temperatures (15°C, 19°C, 23°C, 27°C, 31°C, 35°C) on the second instar nymphs of A. lucorum. At 15°C, male and female P. spretus took 48.7 ± 0.3 and 52.5 ± 0.3 days to complete their immature development, while developmental time was reduced by more than half at 23°C and 27°C. The parasitoid can only develop to the larval stage at 31°C and neither larva nor pupa survived at 35°C. The estimated lower developmental threshold of the immature stage was 7.3°C. When parasitoid adults were exposed at 15°C, females laid 90% of their eggs at first 19 days of oviposition and had an extended reproductive life. In contrast,...

Cotton is one of the most economically important crops in China, while insect pest damage is the major restriction factor for cotton production. The strategy of integrated pest management (IPM), in which bio- logical control plays an important role, has been widely applied. Nearly 500 species of natural enemies have been reported in cotton systems in China, but few species have been examined closely. Seventy- six species, belonging to 53 genera, of major arthropod predators and parasitoids of lepidoptera pests, and 46 species, belonging to 29 genera, of natural enemies of sucking pests have been described. In addi- tion, microsporidia, fungi, bacteria and viruses are also important natural enemies of cotton pests. Tricho- gramma spp., Microplitis mediator, Amblyseius cucumeris, Bacillus thuringiensis and Helicoverpa armigera nuclear polyhedrosis virus (HaNPV) have been mass reared or commercially produced and used in China. IPM strategies for cotton pests comprising of cultural, biological, physical and chemical controls have been developed and implemented in the Yellow River Region (YRR), Changjiang River Region (CRR) and Northwestern Region (NR) of China over the past several decades. In recent years, Bt cotton has been widely planted for selectively combating cotton bollworm, H. armigera, pink bollworm, Pectinophora gos- sypiella, and other lepidopteran pest species. As a result of reduced insecticide sprays, increased abun- dance of natural enemies in Bt cotton fields efficiently prevents outbreaks of other pests such as cotton aphids. In contrast, populations of mirid plant bugs have increased dramatically due to a reduction in the number of foliar insecticide applications for control of the bollworms in Bt cotton, and now pose a key problem in cotton production. In response to this new pest issue in cotton production, control strat- egies including biological control measures are being developed in China.

Peristenus spretus Chen & van Achterberg (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is a solitary endoparasitoid, which is considered for augmentative biological control of Apolygus lucorum Meyer-Dur (Heteroptera: Miridae) in Chinese cotton fields. Since the association of P. spretus with A. lucorum was only recently discovered, the biology of the parasitoid remains unknown. In order to understand its reproductive biology, the mutual interference and functional response of P. spretus were investigated by altering either the parasitoid or the host density while keeping the other constant. In both experiments, the effects of parasitoid and host densities on parasitism, superparasitism, progeny production and sex ratio were assessed. P. spretus exhibited a Holling type II functional response to changing host densities, indicating that parasitism increases with increasing host density until the parasitoid reaches its maximum reproductive capacity. The model suggested that a single P. spretus female could parasitise a maximum ...

Parasitoids can be conditioned to respond to novel odors through associative learning, and learning can be sensitive to physiological state. This study examined the effects of various types of sugar, and two physiological factors, mating status and oviposition experience, on odor learning in the parasitoid Microplitis mediator Haliday. Female M. mediator exhibited prolonged feeding periods on fructose, glucose and sucrose, whereas periods of feeding on raffinose, mannose and galactose were not different from water. Mating status did not affect feeding time on any sugars, but the conditioned response to eucalyptol was stronger in mated females than in virgins when the unconditioned stimulus was glucose. When females were conditioned to both food- and host-associated odors and then given a choice between them in a Y-tube olfactometer, hungry females prefered the former and satiated females, the latter, regardless of whether they had prior oviposition experience. However, oviposition experience shifted the preference of partially fed females in favor of the host-associated odor, whereas those without such experience preferred the food-associated odor. This finding suggests that parasitoid females in intermediate hunger states might be more responsive in tests of other experience effects than either starved or fully fed ones.

Laboratory experiments were conducted to examine the effects of photoperiod and temperature on the pupation behaviour of the parasitoid, Microplitis mediator (Haliday) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), parasitizing larvae of Mythimna separata Walker (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). A combination of long photoperiod (14 + h L) and warm temperatures (20-24°C) caused parasitized cater- pillars to climb to upper plant parts where the parasitoid produced a green, non-diapausing cocoon on a green leaf, initially retaining the dying caterpillar host as a protective covering. In contrast, short photoperiod (8-10 h L) and low temperature (16-18°C) induced host caterpillars to descend the plant where the parasitoid produced a brown, diapausing cocoon either hanging by silk from a senescing leaf or simply lying on the soil, but without any continued association with the host. These findings illustrate the potential for seasonal environmental cues to simultaneously mediate diapause induction, cocoon polymorphism, and alternate forms of host behaviour modification in a hymenopterous parasitoid.

Parasitoid adults can directly feed on floral nectar and honeydew containing monosaccharides and disaccharides. Oligosaccharides such as maltose, melezitose and raffinose are also found in honeydew but are rare in floral nectar. The effects of six different sugar resources on the longevity, fecundity and nutrient reserves of Microplitis mediator , a larval endoparasitoid in the cotton bollworm Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) were determined in our laboratory. The results showed that both food and sex affected longevity of this wasp. Females and males of M. mediator fed with 1 M sucrose solution survived longer than controls fed with water (5.7- and 3.7-fold longer, respectively). When provided with sucrose, glucose or fructose solutions, the parasitoid generated 3.6- to 3.7-fold more offspring than controls, and 60–75% of these progenies were produced during the first 5 days. When separately given fructose, sucrose or glucose, this wasp accumulated fructose and total sugar at the highest level, which means a high sugar levels might lead to prolonging longevity and more offspring in M. mediator . In addition, compared with organisms fed galactose or raffinose, M. mediator fed sucrose or fructose accumulated high glycogen levels. Furthermore, in M. mediator , the lipid content declined with the advancing age. Females showed the slowest lipid metabolic rates when fed with sucrose, glucose, fructose, mannose and galactose solutions versus when fed with raffinose and control. In addition, only sucrose had a significant effect on lipid levels in males nearing the end of life.

Imidazolium-supported-pyrrolidine-catalyzed asymmetric Michael addition reactions of unmodified ketones and aldehydes to nitroalkenes were performed in [BMIm]PF 6 to give products in up to 98% yield and 99% enantioselectivity. The catalytic system presented a synergistic effect in the improvement of reaction performance and could be recycled.

A novel and eco-friendly method is described for the direct preparation of a series of ionic liquids containing alkylimidazolium-based cations and hexafluorophosphate-based (or tetra­-fluoroborate-based) anions in a one-pot procedure by using ionic liquids themselves as solvents.

Imidazolium-supported-pyrrolidine-catalyzed asymmetric Michael addition reactions of unmodified ketones and aldehydes to nitroalkenes were performed in [BMIm]PF 6 to give products in up to 98% yield and 99% enantioselectivity. The catalytic system presented a synergistic effect in the improvement of reaction performance and could be recycled.