Alcohol dehydrogenase 5 of Helicoverpa armigera interacts with the CYP6B6 promoter in response to 2-tridecanone.

Alcohol dehydrogenase 5 (ADH5) is a member of medium-chain dehydrogenase/reductase family and takes part in cellular formaldehyde and S-nitrosoglutathione metabolic network. 2-tridecanone (2-TD) is a toxic compound in many Solanaceae crops to defend against a variety of herbivory insects. In the broader context of insect development and pest control strategies, this study investigates how a new ADH5 from Helicoverpa armigera (HaADH5) regulates the expression of CYP6B6, a gene involved in molting and metamorphosis, in response to 2-TD treatment. Cloning of the HaADH5 complementary DNA sequence revealed that its 1002 bp open reading frame encodes 334 amino acids with a predicted molecular weight of 36.5 kD. HaADH5 protein was purified in the Escherichia coli Transetta (pET32a-HaADH5) strain using a prokaryotic expression system. The ability of HaADH5 protein to interact with the 2-TD responsive region within the promoter of CYP6B6 was confirmed by an in vitro electrophoretic mobility shift assay and transcription activity validation in yeast. Finally, the expression levels of both HaADH5 and CYP6B6 were found to be significantly decreased in the midgut of 6th instar larvae after 48 h of treatment with 10 mg/g 2-TD artificial diet. These results indicate that upon 2-TD treatment of cotton bollworm, HaADH5 regulates the expression of CYP6B6 by interacting with its promoter. As HaADH5 regulation of CYP6B6 expression may contribute to the larval xenobiotic detoxification, molting and metamorphosis, HaADH5 is a candidate target for controlling the growth and development of cotton bollworm.

[Determination of eleven elements in water-touched material by ICP-MS].

Water-touched material include water distribution equipment, protecting materials, and water treatment material. The security of the material plays an important role in everyone's daily life. So it' s necessary to determing metal elements in the material. A method for the determination of eleven elements, including Ag, As, Ba, Cd, Cu, Sb, Sn, Mn, Ni, Pb and Hg, in the water-touched material by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrum (ICP-MS) is described. The plasma parameters were optimized as follows: The RF input power was 1350 W; flow rate of cooling gas was 13 L x min(-1); flow rate of assistant gas was 0.70 L x min(-1); flow rate of carrying gas was 0.8 L x min(-1); flow rate of atomization gas was 1.02 L x min(-1); rate of sampling was 1.48 mL x min(-1). The detection limits of these eleven elements were 0. 003-0.170 microg x L(-1). The relative standard deviations (n=6) were 0.6%-6.3%. The correlation coefficients were 0.9990-0.9996. The recoveries of the method were 92.4%-108.2%. This method is sensitive, accurate and simple compared with other methods, and has the advantage of wide linear range. The results were satisfactory.

[Randomized control study on domestic fixed-dose combinations in the initial treatment of smears positive tuberculosis].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the feasibility of domestic fixed-dose combinations as antituberculosis therapy applied in the National Tuberculosis Program. METHODS: A randomized control trial was conducted and 422 smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis patients were randomly distributed into 2 groups. The trial group was treated daily with rifampicin, isoniazid and pyrazinamide tablets (including 120 mg rifampicin, 80 mg isoniazid and 250 mg pyrazinamide) in the first 2 months and rifampicin and isoniazid tables (including 300 mg rifampicin, 150 mg isoniazid) in the subsequent 4 months. The control group was treated by full 6-month standard regimens (2HRZE/4H3R3). RESULTS: The demographic data and the disease status were similar between the 2 groups before treatment. The rate of conversion from positive to negative cases in the trial group after therapy was 91.6% at 2 months, 97.2% at 3 months, and 97.7% at 6 months, while that of the control group was 87.3%, 97.5%, and 98.0% respectively. The difference in the conversion rates between the two groups was not statistically significant (chi2 = 2. 05, chi2 = 0.03, chi2 = 0.04, P > 0.05). The incidence of skin rash as an adverse effect was less common in the trial group as compared to the control group (Fisher's exact P = 0.024 33) . CONCLUSIONS: Domestic fixed-dose combinations as supplementary anti-tuberculous therapy could be used in the National Tuberculosis Program, but further study is needed for widespread application.