Effects of the Host Plants of the Maize-Based Intercropping Systems on the Growth, Development and Preference of Fall Armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).

In this paper, the effects of maize and its three intercropping plants, sweet potato, soybean and peanut, on the growth and development of FAW, feeding preference of larvae, olfactory response and oviposition preference of adults were studied in the laboratory. The results showed that maize and peanut were suitable for the survival and development of FAW, while sweet potato and soybean were not suitable for multigenerational reproduction. The larvae significantly preferred to feed on maize compared to the other three plants. The olfactory response test indicated that soybean showed a strong deterrent effect against FAW adults. Furthermore, the intercropping plants reduced the host selection rate of adults compared to maize alone. In two-choice tests of the maize vs. the intercropping plants, the female adult preferred to oviposit and lay more eggs on maize rather than on the intercropping plants. The intercropping plants significantly reduced the oviposition selection of FAW adults when the combination (maize + intercropping plant), especially soybean and sweet potato, was compared to maize alone. These may be the reasons for why the maize-soybean intercropping system reduced FAW damage in the field. We also speculated that the maize-sweet potato system may also reduce the FAW damage. This study provided a theoretical basis for the comprehensive management of FAW by utilizing an intercropping system.

[Glycogen phosphorylase inhibitor ameliorates pentylenetetrazole-induced acute seizure, neuroinflammation and memory impairment in rats].

OBJECTIVE: In the present study, we determined whether the glycogen phosphorylase(GP)inhibitor 1,4-dideoxy-1,4-imino-D-arabinitol (DAB) ameliorates pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced acute seizure, neuroinflammation and memory impairment in rats. METHODS: In experiment 1, rats were randomly divided into the Vehicle (n=5) and PTZ (n=5) groups, and received intraperitoneal injection of saline or PTZ (70 mg/kg), respectively. Hippocampal tissues were collected 30 min after drug injection. Western blot was used to examine the levels of GP expression. Colorimetric assay was used to determine the levels of lactate. In experiment 2, rats were randomly divided into the Vehicle+Vehicle (n=18), DAB+Vehicle (n=18), Vehicle+PTZ (n=19) and DAB+PTZ (n=18) groups. Rats received intracerebroventricular injection of PBS or DAB (50 µg/2 µl) 15 min before receiving intraperitoneal injection of saline or PTZ (70 mg/kg). Behavioural assays and the Racine scale were used to evaluate seizure severity. Western blot was used to examine the levels of targeted protein of hippocampal tissues. Novel object recognition test was used to assess memory performance. RESULTS: ① Compared with the Vehicle group, the levels of GP and lactate in the hippocampal tissues of the PTZ group were increased significantly (both P＜0.01). ② Compared with the Vehicle+PTZ group, in the DAB+PTZ group, the levels of myoclonic body jerk latency, forelimb clonus latency and tonic-clonic seizure latency were increased significantly (all P＜0.01), while the duration of seizure and seizure scores were decreased significantly (both P＜0.01). ③ Compared with the Vehicle+Vehicle group, in the Vehicle +PTZ group, the levels of IL-1ß, IL-6, TNF-α, IBA-1 and GFAP in the hippocampal tissues were increased significantly (all P＜0.01), and the discrimination index in the novel object recognition test was decreased significantly (P＜0.01). Compared with the Vehicle+PTZ group, in the DAB+PTZ group, the levels of IL-1ß, TNF-α, IBA-1 and GFAP in the hippocampal tissues were decreased significantly (all, P＜0.01), while the discrimination index in the novel object recognition test was increased significantly (P＜0.01). CONCLUSION: DAB ameliorates PTZ-induced seizure, neuroinflammation and memory impairment in rats, suggesting that DAB may serve as a novel agent for potential clinical treatment of epilepsy.

[Clinical observation of acupuncture combined with sertraline hydrochloride tablets on tumor-related depression].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical effects of acupuncture combined with sertraline hydrochloride and simple sertraline hydrochloride on tumor-related depression. METHODS: Sixty patients with tumor-related depression who met the inclusion criteria were randomly assigned to an observation group and a control group, 30 patients in each group. The routine treatment in department of oncology were given in both groups, oral sertraline hydrochloride (25 mg daily for the first 5 days, then 50 mg daily) was given in the control group; on the basis of the treatment in the control group, and acupuncture was applied at Hegu (LI 4), Neiguan (PC 6), Taichong (LR 3), Shenmen (HT 7)，etc. in the observation group，twice a week .The two groups were treated continuously for 4 weeks. The Hamilton depression scale (HAMD) score and the quality of life score (QLQ-C30 questionnaire) were compared between the two groups before and after treatment. RESULTS: After treatment, the HAMD scores in the two groups were significantly lower than those before treatment (both P<0.05), and the HAMD scores in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). In the observation group, the symptom scores of fatigue, pain, nausea and vomiting, dyspnea, insomnia, loss of appetite, constipation, and diarrhea were significantly lower than those before treatment (all P<0.05), and the physical, cognitive, emotional function, and the overall quality of life score were significantly higher than those before treatment (all P<0.05); in the control group, the symptom scores of insomnia decreased compared with that before treatment (P<0.05), and the emotional function and overall quality of life score were higher than those before treatment (both P<0.05); in addition to economic difficulties, roles and social functions, the other scores after treatment in the observation group were significantly improved than those in the control group (all P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The combination of acupuncture and sertraline hydrochloride tablets is better than simple sertraline hydrochloride in the treatment of tumor-related depression, and it can improve the accompanying symptoms and improve quality of life.

Non-viral methods for generating integration-free, induced pluripotent stem cells.

Induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells were created from mouse fibroblasts by induced expression of Yamanaka factors, Oct3/4, Sox2, Klf4, and c-Myc. This technique has quickly resulted in an exponential increase in the amount of pluripotency studies, and has provided a valuable tool in regenerative medicine. At the same time, many methodologies to generate iPS cells have been reported, and are comprised mainly of viral methods and non-viral methods. Although viral methods may not be applicable for clinical applications, various nonviral methods have been reported in recent years, including DNA vector-based approaches, transfection of mRNA, transduction of reprogramming proteins, and use of small molecule compounds. This review summarizes and evaluates these non-viral methods.