Locust plagues threaten agricultural and environmental safety throughout the world.sup.1,2. Aggregation pheromones have a crucial role in the transition of locusts from a solitary form to the ...devastating gregarious form and the formation of large-scale swarms.sup.3,4. However, none of the candidate compounds reported.sup.5-7 meet all the criteria for a locust aggregation pheromone. Here, using behavioural assays, electrophysiological recording, olfactory receptor characterization and field experiments, we demonstrate that 4-vinylanisole (4VA) (also known as 4-methoxystyrene) is an aggregation pheromone of the migratory locust (Locusta migratoria). Both gregarious and solitary locusts are strongly attracted to 4VA, regardless of age and sex. Although it is emitted specifically by gregarious locusts, 4VA production can be triggered by aggregation of four to five solitary locusts. It elicits responses specifically from basiconic sensilla on locust antennae. We also identified OR35 as a specific olfactory receptor of 4VA. Knockout of OR35 using CRISPR-Cas9 markedly reduced the electrophysiological responses of the antennae and impaired 4VA behavioural attractiveness. Finally, field trapping experiments verified the attractiveness of 4VA to experimental and wild populations. These findings identify a locust aggregation pheromone and provide insights for the development of novel control strategies for locusts.
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FZAB, GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
The objective of this research is to enhance the precision and efficiency of design concept assessments during the initial stages of new product creation. Design concept evaluation, which occurs at ...the end of the conceptual design phase, is a critical step in product development. The outcome of this evaluation significantly impacts the product's eventual success, as flawed design concepts are difficult to remedy in later stages. However, the evaluation of new product concepts is a procedure that encompasses elements of subjectivity and ambiguity. In order to deal with the problem, a novel decision-making method for choosing more logical new product concepts is introduced. Basically, the evaluation process is outlined in three main phases: the construction of evaluation index system for design concept alternatives, the calculation of weights for evaluation criteria and decision-makers, the selection of the best design concept alternatives. These stages are composed of a hybrid method based on kano model, multiplicative analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method, the entropy of IVPFS and improved grey relational projection (GRP) under interval-valued picture fuzzy set (IVPFS). The novel approach integrates the strength of interval-valued picture fuzzy number in handling vagueness, the advantage of multiplicative AHP and the merit of improved GRP method in modelling multi-criteria decision-making. In final, the effectiveness of the proposed model is validated through comparisons with other models. The potential applications of this study include but are not limited to product development, industrial design, and innovation management, providing decision-makers with a more accurate and comprehensive design concept evaluation tool.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
Fluoride is widely distributed in nature, and at high concentrations, it targets the kidney and especially proximal tubule epithelial cells. Selenium is a typical trace element beneficial to humans, ...and the role of selenium in the prevention and treatment of fluoride-induced organ damage is an important research topic. The purpose of this study was to investigate the possible protective effects of selenium against fluoride-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in rat renal tubular epithelial cells. We showed that the activity of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase) and total antioxidant capacity were significantly reduced in NaF-treated normal rat kidney cells (NRK-52E), whereas the levels of nitrogen monoxide (NO) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were significantly increased. Moreover, the number of apoptotic cells, mRNA expression of Bax, Bad, caspase-3, caspase-8, and caspase-9, and protein expression of Bax were elevated, while mitochondrial membrane potential and the protein expression of Bcl-2 were reduced. Compared with the NaF group, pretreatment with selenium enhanced the activity of antioxidant enzymes, mitochondrial membrane potential, and protein expression of Bcl-2, while the levels of NO and MDA, number of apoptotic cells, mRNA expression of Bax, Bad, caspase-3, caspase-8, and caspase-9, and protein expression of Bax were decreased. In conclusion, selenium exerted remarkable protective effect against NaF-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis and altered the expression of Bcl-2/caspase family.
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
Studies have shown that microRNA-191 (miR-191) is involved in the development and progression of a variety of tumors. However, the function and mechanism of miR-191 in oral squamous cell carcinoma ...(OSCC) have not been clarified.
The expression level of miR-191 in tumor tissues of patients with primary OSCC and OSCC cell lines were detected using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and western blot. OSCC cells were treated with miR-191 enhancers and inhibitors to investigate the effects of elevated or decreased miR-191 expression on OSCC cells proliferation, migration, cell cycle, and tumorigenesis. The target gene of miR-191 in OSCC cells were analyzed by dual-Luciferase assay, and the downstream signaling pathway of the target genes was detected using western blot assay.
The expression of miR-191 was significantly upregulated in OSCC tissues and cell lines. Upregulation of miR-191 promoted proliferation, migration, invasion, and cell cycle progression of OSCC cells, as well as tumor growth in nude mice. Meanwhile, reduced expression of miR-191 inhibited these processes. Phospholipase C delta1 (PLCD1) expression was significantly downregulated, and negatively correlated with the expression of miR-191 in OSCC tissues. Dual-Luciferase assays showed that miR-191-5p could bind to PLCD1 mRNA and regulate PLCD1 protein expression. Western blot assay showed that the miR-191 regulated the expression of β-catenin and its downstream gene through targeting PLCD1.
MicroRNA-191 regulates oral squamous cell carcinoma cells growth by targeting PLCD1 via the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Thus, miR-191 may serve as a potential target for the treatment of OSCC.
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DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Reproductive synchrony generally occurs in various group-living animals. However, the underlying mechanisms remain largely unexplored. The migratory locust,
, a worldwide agricultural pest species, ...displays synchronous maturation and oviposition when forms huge swarm. The reproductive synchrony among group members is critical for the maintenance of locust swarms and population density of next generation. Here, we showed that gregarious female locusts displayed more synchronous sexual maturation and oviposition than solitarious females and olfactory deficiency mutants. Only the presence of gregarious male adults can stimulate sexual maturation synchrony of female adults. Of the volatiles emitted abundantly by gregarious male adults, the aggregation pheromone, 4-vinylanisole, was identified to play key role in inducing female sexual maturation synchrony. This maturation-accelerating effect of 4-vinylanisole disappeared in the females of Or35
lines, the mutants of 4-vinylanisole receptor. Interestingly, 4-vinylanisole displayed a time window action by which mainly accelerates oocyte maturation of young females aged at middle developmental stages (3-4 days post adult eclosion). We further revealed that juvenile hormone/vitellogenin pathway mediated female sexual maturation triggered by 4-vinylanisole. Our results highlight a 'catch-up' strategy by which gregarious females synchronize their oocyte maturation and oviposition by time-dependent endocrinal response to 4-vinylanisole, and provide insight into reproductive synchrony induced by olfactory signal released by heterosexual conspecifics in a given group.
IntroductionLower limb motor dysfunction is common in patients with stroke, and usually caused by brain neural connectivity disorder. Previous studies have shown that the whole-body vibration ...training (WBVT) significantly improves the lower limb motor function in patients with stroke and may promote nerve remodelling. The prior purpose of this study is to explore effects of WBVT on lower limb motor function and neuroplasticity in patients with stroke.MethodsA single-blind randomised controlled trial will be conducted. Sixty patients with stroke will be recruited and allocated randomly to WBVT, routine rehabilitation training (RRT) and control group (CG). The WBVT and RRT interventions will be implemented as five 25 min sessions weekly for continuous 12 weeks; the CG will remain daily habitual living styles and routine treatments, in community or hospital, and will also receive telephone follow-up and health-related lectures. Transcranial magnetic stimulation will be used to assess neural plasticity while lower limb motor function is assessed using indicators of strength, walking ability and joint activity. The assessments will be conducted at the period of baseline, week 6, week 12 as well as on 4 and 8 weeks, respectively, after intervention completion.Ethics and disseminationThis study has been approved by the Shanghai University of Sport Research Ethics Committee (102772021RT067) and will provide data on the effects of WBVT relative to RRT in terms of the improvement of stroke patients’ lower limb motor function and neural plasticity. The results of this study will be disseminated via publications in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at international conference.Trial registration numberChiCTR2200055143.
The classification of Mortise and Tenon (MT) joints is vital, as it enables standardized terminology, facilitates comparative analysis, and enhances understanding of construction techniques across a ...variety of applications including the design, manufacturing, and management of wood products. Although the classification of MT joints is crucial, current research in this area lacks a systematic approach. The study adopts a morphological composition paradigm to investigate MT joints. This study introduces a 6-level classification index hierarchy for MT morphology, employing methods from biological classification and arithmetic cross-method coding. By encoding joint features and morphological composition, the study delineates 352 possible joint types and 1056 theoretical compositions across dimensions, elucidating diverse structural logics and aiding comprehension. Next, a feasibility typicality assessment identifies 198 typical and 310 atypical morphological types, presented clearly in graphical form. Validations are conducted through analysis of 2654 research cases, which are encoded according to the index hierarchy, thereby affirming the scientific validity and practical utility of the classification system.
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DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
To restrict pathogen entry, plants close stornata as an integral part of innate immunity. To counteract this defense, Pseudomonas syringae pv tomato produces coronatine (COR), which mimics jasmonic ...acid (JA), to reopen stornata for bacterial entry. It is believed that abscisic acid (ABA) plays a central role in regulating bacteria-triggered stomatal closure and that stomatal reopening requires the JA/COR pathway, but the downstream signaling events remain unclear. We studied the stomatal immunity of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and report here the distinct roles of two homologous NAC (for NAM, ATAF1,2, and CUC2) transcription factors, JA2 (for jasmonic acid2) and JA2L (for JA2-like), in regulating pathogen-triggered stomatal movement. ABA activates JA2 expression, and genetic manipulation of JA2 revealed its positive role in ABA-mediated stomatal closure. We show that JA2 exerts this effect by regulating the expression of an ABA biosynthetic gene. By contrast, JA and COR activate JA2L expression, and genetic manipulation of JA2L revealed its positive role in JA/COR-mediated stomatal reopening. We show that JA2L executes this effect by regulating the expression of genes involved in the metabolism of salicylic acid. Thus, these closely related NAC proteins differentially regulate pathogen-induced stomatal closure and reopening through distinct mechanisms.
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BFBNIB, NMLJ, NUK, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
In response to insect attack and mechanical wounding, plants activate the expression of genes involved in various defense-related processes. A fascinating feature of these inducible defenses is their ...occurrence both locally at the wounding site and systemically in undamaged leaves throughout the plant. Wound-inducible proteinase inhibitors (PIs) in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) provide an attractive model to understand the signal transduction events leading from localized injury to the systemic expression of defense-related genes. Among the identified intercellular molecules in regulating systemic wound response of tomato are the peptide signal systemin and the oxylipin signal jasmonic acid (JA). The systemin/JA signaling pathway provides a unique opportunity to investigate, in a single experimental system, the mechanism by which peptide and oxylipin signals interact to coordinate plant systemic immunity. Here we describe the characterization of the tomato suppressor of prosystemin-mediated responses8 (spr8) mutant, which was isolated as a suppressor of (pro)systemin-mediated signaling. spr8 plants exhibit a series of JA-dependent immune deficiencies, including the inability to express wound-responsive genes, abnormal development of glandular trichomes, and severely compromised resistance to cotton bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera) and Botrytis cinerea. Map-based cloning studies demonstrate that the spr8 mutant phenotype results from a point mutation in the catalytic domain of TomLoxD, a chloroplast-localized lipoxygenase involved in JA biosynthesis. We present evidence that overexpression of TomLoxD leads to elevated wound-induced JA biosynthesis, increased expression of wound-responsive genes and, therefore, enhanced resistance to insect herbivory attack and necrotrophic pathogen infection. These results indicate that TomLoxD is involved in wound-induced JA biosynthesis and highlight the application potential of this gene for crop protection against insects and pathogens.
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DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
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