Knockdown of the ecdysone receptor disrupts development and causes mortality in the melon fly, Zeugodacus cucurbitae.

Cucurbits are important economic plants that are attacked by numerous pests, among which the melon fly Zeugodacus cucurbitae is extremely problematic. New sustainable pest control strategies are necessary to replace chemical insecticides that are harmful to the environment, human health and nontarget species. The RNA interference (RNAi) technology is one of the most promising tools due to high efficiency and species specificity. We developed an RNAi strategy targeting the ecdysone receptor (ECR) of Z. cucurbitae, which plays an important role in moulting and reproduction. We identified, described and isolated the ECR gene of Z. cucurbitae and measured its expression pattern across developmental stages and tissues. ZcECR knockdown via dsZcECR ingestion caused a significant larval mortality and abnormal phenotypes in pupae and adults. About 68% of larvae fed with a dsZcECR-treated diet failed to enter the pupal stage and died. In addition, ZcECR knockdown dramatically reduced pupal weight (by 3.24 mg on average) and fecundity (by about 23%). RNAi targeting the ECR gene is therefore a promising method to control Z. cucurbitae, paving the way for the development of novel sustainable and highly specific control strategies.

Isolation and identification of the endophytic fungus J2-3 and its disease-preventive and growth-promoting effects on cucumber.

There are many problems that result from the use of a large number of chemical pesticides to control plant diseases, including pathogenic bacteria resistance, environmental contamination, and human health effects. Recently, endophytic fungi have become a significant source of bioactive fungicide products and an invaluable resource for excavating microbial pesticides. In this study, endophytic fungi with biocontrol potential were isolated and screened from Mikania micrantha leaves, stems, and roots. Fifty endophytic fungi were isolated and their antagonistic activity was studied in vitro using the confrontation culture method. The J2-3 strains from stems exhibit broad-spectrum and high activity. The strain's biological characteristics were determined by various culture conditions, and it was identified as Fusarium proliferatum by both morphological and ITS sequence analysis. Biological characteristics of the J2-3 strain were also tested. The optimum temperature for mycelium growth and sporulation was 25 °C and 30 °C, respectively. For mycelium growth, starch was the optimum carbon source, and peptone was the optimum nitrogen source for sucrose, mycelium growth, and sporulation. Mycelium growth was killed by a temperature of 60 °C, and sporulation was killed by a temperature of 55 °C. The light aided mycelium growth, and the light alternated between light and dark cycles for sporulation. Further, pot experiments were conducted to determine the antagonistic and viable effects of highly antagonistic strains on cucumber. The spore suspension's final control efficacy on cucumber wilt disease was up to 62.79% and it also promoted cucumber growth significantly. The results show that the entophytic fungus J2-3 from M. micrantha can protect cucumbers from wilt disease and promote growth.

Preparation, characterization and application of smart packaging films based on locust bean gum/polyvinyl alcohol blend and betacyanins from cockscomb (Celosia cristata L.) flower.

Cockscomb (Celosia cristata L.) is an edible and ornamental plant rich in natural pigments of betacyanins. In this study, smart packaging films were developed based on locust bean gum (LBG), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and betacyanins from cockscomb flower. Effect of cockscomb flower extract content (4 wt%, 8 wt% and 12 wt%) on the structural, physical and functional properties of LBG/PVA blend films was investigated. The addition of cockscomb flower extract elevated the immiscibility between LBG and PVA. Cockscomb flower extract interacted with LBG and PVA through hydrogen bonds, resulting in reduced film crystallinity. The film containing 8 wt% of cockscomb flower extract showed the lowest water vapor permeability (10.34 × 10-11 g m-1 s-1 Pa-1) and the highest tensile strength (23.63 MPa). The film containing 12 wt% cockscomb flower extract exhibited the lowest light transmittance and the highest elongation at break (41.12%) and antioxidant activity. Cockscomb flower extract made the films become reddish-purple and endowed the films with pH-sensitivity and ammonia-sensitivity. The films containing cockscomb flower extract showed obvious color changes from reddish-purple to brown/yellow when shrimp spoiled. Our results suggested LBG/PVA blend films with cockscomb flower extract were suitable smart packaging films for indicating shrimp freshness.

Cardiovascular diseases and related risk factors accelerated cognitive deterioration in patients with late-life depression: a one-year prospective study.

OBJECTIVES: Cognitive impairment in late-life depression is common and associated with a higher risk of all-cause dementia. Late-life depression patients with comorbid cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) or related risk factors may experience higher risks of cognitive deterioration in the short term. We aim to investigate the effect of CVDs and their related risk factors on the cognitive function of patients with late-life depression. METHODS: A total of 148 participants were recruited (67 individuals with late-life depression and 81 normal controls). The presence of hypertension, coronary heart disease, diabetes mellitus, or hyperlipidemia was defined as the presence of comorbid CVDs or related risk factors. Global cognitive functions were assessed at baseline and after a one-year follow-up by the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Global cognitive deterioration was defined by the reliable change index (RCI) of the MMSE. RESULTS: Late-life depression patients with CVDs or related risk factors were associated with 6.8 times higher risk of global cognitive deterioration than those without any of these comorbidities at a one-year follow-up. This result remained robust after adjusting for age, gender, and changes in the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) scores. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that late-life depression patients with comorbid CVDs or their related risk factors showed a higher risk of cognitive deterioration in the short-term (one-year follow up). Given that CVDs and their related risk factors are currently modifiable, active treatment of these comorbidities may delay rapid cognitive deterioration in patients with late-life depression.

A reliable global cognitive decline and cortisol as an associated risk factor for patients with late-life depression in the short term: A 1-year prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Late-life depression is a risk factor of dementia. It may increase the risk of reliable cognitive decline in the short term, and its associated risk factors remain unclear. Cortisol level may be one of the important predictors. OBJECTIVES: To estimate whether patients with late-life depression are at an increased risk for reliable global cognitive declines in 1 year, and explore associated risk factors predicting cognitive declines. METHODS: This prospective 1-year follow-up study involved 148 participants (67 with late-life depression and 81 normal elderly). Global cognitive function was assessed by the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). The reliable global cognitive decline was defined by the reliable change index (RCI) of the MMSE. Factors related to cognitive function (e.g., age, gender, education, duration of depression and severity of depression) were obtained. Serum cortisol levels were measured at baseline. RESULTS: At the 1-year follow-up assessment, 19 patients with late-life depression (28.4%) showed reliable global cognitive declines, a risk that was 6.4 times (95% CIs = 1.3-31.1, p = 0.021) higher than that of normal elderly. Elevated serum cortisol levels and older age were associated with the risk of cognitive decline that was 1.6- and 1.2-times higher (95% CIs = 1.07-2.5, p = 0.02, and 95% CIs = 1.04-1.4, p = 0.01 respectively). LIMITATIONS: Serum cortisol levels were measured only in the morning. CONCLUSIONS: Late-life depression is associated with a greatly increased risk of reliable cognitive decline in short term. Cortisol dysregulation may contribute to the pathology of cognitive decline.