Reduced expression of cathepsin F predicts poor prognosis in patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma.

Abnormalities in the extracellular matrix (ECM) play important roles in the regulation and progression of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). The cysteine cathepsin is one of the major proteases involved in ECM remodeling and has been shown to be aberrantly expressed in multiple cancer types. However, the clinical significance and biological function of distinct cysteine cathepsins in ccRCC remain poorly understood. In this study, several bioinformatics databases, including UALCAN, TIMER, GEPIA and the Human Protein Atlas datasets, were used to analyze the expression and prognostic value of different cysteine cathepsin family members in ccRCC. We found that the expression level of CTSF was downregulated in tumor tissues and closely related to the poor survival of ccRCC patients. Further in vitro experiments suggested that CTSF overexpression suppressed the proliferation and migration of ccRCC cells. Moreover, the expression of CTSF was shown to be associated with several immune-infiltrating cells and immunomodulators in ccRCC. These results indicated that CTSF might be a promising diagnostic and prognostic marker in ccRCC.

Characterization of the Mitogenome of the Genus Dendrocerus Ratzeburg (Hymenoptera: Megaspilidae) with the Specific Designed Primers.

In Hymenoptera, the monophyly of Evaniomorpha has been the focus of debate among different scholars. In this study, we sequenced two mitochondrial genomes of Dendrocerus (Hymenoptera: Megaspilidae) to analyze the mitochondrial genomic features of Dendrocerus and provide new molecular data for phylogenetic studies of Evaniomorpha. The mitogenome sizes of D. bellus and D. anisodontus were 15,445 bp and 15,373 bp, respectively, with the trnG of D. bellus missing. The nucleotide composition was significantly biased toward adenine and thymine, with A + T contents of 81.2% (D. bellus) and 82.4% (D. anisodontus). Using Ceraphron sp. (Ceraphronidae) as reference, the Ka/Ks values of NAD4L and NAD6 in D. anisodontus were both greater than one, indicating that non-synonymous mutations are favored by Darwinian selection, which is rare in other hymenopteran species. Compared with Ceraphon sp. gene order, nine operations were identified in D. anisodontus, including four reversals, four TDRLs (tandem duplication random losses) and one transposition, or four reversals and five TDRLs. Phylogenetic analysis of 40 mitochondrial genomes showed that Evaniomorpha was not a monophyletic group, which was also supported by the PBD values. Ceraphronoidea is a monophyletic group and is a sister to Aulacidae + Gasteruptiidae. Based on the conserved region of the newly sequenced mitochondrial genomes, a pair of specific primers MegaF/MegaR was designed for sequencing the COX1 genes in Megaspilidae and a 60% rate of success was achieved in the genus Dendrocerus.

Two new species of Ismarus Haliday (Hymenoptera, Ismaridae) from Yunnan, China.

The genus Ismarus Haliday are rarely collected parasitoids in the small family Ismaridae. In this study, two new species are described from China's Yunnan Province: Ismarusrobustus Chen & Yan, sp. nov. and Ismarusunisulcus Chen & Yan, sp. nov. An updated key to the Chinese species of the genus is provided.

Descriptions of Three New Species of the Genus Acerataspis Uchida, 1934 (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae, Metopiinae), with an Illustrated Identification Key to Extant Species.

The Asian genus Acerataspis Uchida, 1934 is reviewed based on both morphology and DNA barcodes. Ten species are recognized in total, of which three species from Yunnan Province of China are described as new: Acerataspis maliae sp. nov., A. seperata sp. nov. and A. similis sp. nov. The male of A. fukienensis Chao, 1957 is described and illustrated for the first time. The genus is recorded from Thailand and Southeast Asia for the first time. An illustrated key to all known extant species is provided. With the supplement of DNA barcodes, a few diagnostic morphological characters are found useful in species identification.

DIA-based proteomics analysis of serum-derived exosomal proteins as potential candidate biomarkers for intrahepatic cholestasis in pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: Data-independent acquisition (DIA) is one of the most powerful and reproducible proteomic technologies for large-scale digital qualitative and quantitative research. The aim of this study was to use proteomic methodologies for the identification of biomarkers that are over or underexpressed in women with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) compared with controls and discover a potential biomarker panel for ICP detection. METHODS: The participants included 11 ICP patients and 11 healthy pregnant women as controls. The clinical characteristic data and the laboratory biochemical data were collected at the time of recruitment. Then, a data-independent acquisition (DIA)-based proteomics approach was used to identify differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) in serum exosomes between ICP patients and controls. Finally, bioinformatics analysis was used to identify the relevant processes in which these DEPs were involved. RESULTS: The proteomics results showed that there were 162 DEPs in serum exosomes between pregnant women with ICP and healthy pregnant women, of which 106 were upregulated and 56 were downregulated in ICP. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis showed that the identified proteins were functionally related to specific cell processes including apoptosis, lipid metabolism, immune response and cell proliferation, and metabolic disorders, suggesting that these may be primary causative factors in ICP pathogenesis. Meanwhile, complement and coagulation cascades may be closely related to the development of ICP. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis showed that the area under the curve values of Elongation factor 1-alpha 1, Beta-2-glycoprotein I, Zinc finger protein 238, CP protein and Ficolin-3 were all approximately 0.9, indicating the promising diagnostic value of these proteins. CONCLUSIONS: This preliminary work provides a better understanding of the proteomic alterations in the serum exosomes of pregnant women with ICP.

DNA Barcoding Unveils New Species of the Sexually Dimorphic Genus Anteon Jurine (Hymenoptera, Dryinidae) from China.

Species of Anteon Jurine, 1807 are a large group of parasitoids attacking leafhoppers, which are important insect pests. Despite their great potential in pest biological control, the taxonomy and biology of these parasitoids are far from clear. Sexual dimorphism is extreme in Anteon species and has hampered the taxonomy of these parasitoids, resulting in many species described based on a single sex. In this paper, we employed an integrated taxonomic approach for delimitating species, combining morphological examinations with DNA barcoding, to investigate Anteon species from China. In total, 53 COI sequences representing 29 species of Anteon were obtained and analyzed. On the basis of both morphology and DNA barcoding, five new species of Anteon were discovered and described: A. clariclypeum sp. nov., A. maguanense sp. nov., A. parafidum sp. nov., A. shaanxianum sp. nov., and A. shandonganum sp. nov. The neotype of A. claricolle Kieffer is designated. The sexual association of six species was confirmed by DNA barcoding, which led to the synonymy of Anteon liui Xu, Olmi & He 2010, new syn., under Anteon meifenganum Olmi, 1991. Keys to species of Anteon from the Oriental and Eastern Palaearctic are updated to contain the five new species. Our study demonstrates that DNA barcoding is a potent tool for tackling the taxonomic challenges in parasitoids with extreme sexual dimorphism.

Dendroceruslui (Hymenoptera, Ceraphronoidea, Megaspilidae): a new species of Dendroceruscarpenteri species-group from China.

Background: One new species of the genus Dendrocerus Ratzeburg, 1852, D.lui Li and Wang sp. nov. is described. A key to Chinese species of males is provided. The 28S sequence was generated to supplement the association of both sexes of the new species. New information: One new species of the genus Dendrocerus Ratzeburg, 1852, D.lui Li and Wang sp. nov. is described.

Tackling the Taxonomic Challenges in the Family Scoliidae (Insecta, Hymenoptera) Using an Integrative Approach: A Case Study from Southern China.

Species of the family Scoliidae are larval parasitoids of scarabaeoid beetles and pollinators of various plants. Despite their great importance in pest biological control and plant pollination, the taxonomy and systematics of these parasitoids are far from clear. Some species of the family are extremely morphologically similar and difficult to identify, especially in males. In this study, an integrative taxonomic approach, combining morphology and molecular data, was used to discriminate the species of Scoliidae from southern China. In total, 52 COI sequences belonging to 22 morphospecies of 9 genera in two tribes were obtained. The COI sequences worked well for the identification of all the studied species, with intraspecific genetic distances generally less than 2%, while interspecific distances ranged between 5.3% and 20.8%. The delimitations of the problematic species and subspecies of Scolia and Megacampsomeris are well solved by COI sequences, suggesting that DNA barcoding could be a useful identification tool for Scoliidae. Based on both morphological and molecular evidence, we discovered one undescribed cryptic species of the polytypic species Solia (Discolia) superciliaris Saussure, 1864, five newly recorded species, i.e., Scolia (Discolia) sikkimensis Bingham, 1896, Sericocampsomeris flavomaculata Gupta and Jonathan, 1989, Megacampsomeris asiatica (Saussure, 1858), Megacampsomeris pulchrivestita (Cameron, 1902) and Megacampsomeris shillongensis (Betrem, 1928) and one pending subspecies of Scolia (Discolia) watanabei (Matsumura, 1912) from China. Our study indicates that such an integrative approach, combing both molecular and morphological evidence, is a potent tool to tackle the taxonomic challenges in the family Scoliidae, or even, in other diverse groups of Aculeata, of which sexual dimorphism and cryptic species are common.

Ophelimus bipolaris sp. n. (Hymenoptera, Eulophidae), a New Invasive Eucalyptus Pest and Its Host Plants in China.

Eucalyptus species have become one of the most commonly planted trees worldwide, including China, due to their fast growth and various commercial applications. However, the productivity of Eucalyptus plantations has been threatened by exotic invasive insect pests in recent years. Among these pests, gall inducers of the genus Ophelimus of the Eulophidae family are among the most important invasive species in Eucalyptus plantations. We report here for the first time the presence of a new invasive Eucalyptus gall wasp, Ophelimus bipolaris sp. n., in Guangzhou, China, which also represents the first species of the genus reported from China. The identity of the new species was confirmed by an integrative approach combing biological, morphological and molecular evidence. The new species is described and illustrated. This wasp induces galls only on the leaf blade surface of four Eucalyptus species: E. grandis, E. grandis × E. urophylla, E. tereticornis and E. urophylla. Our preliminary observation showed that O. bipolaris could complete a life cycle on E. urophylla in approximately 2 months under local climatic conditions (23.5-30 °C). Considering the severe damage it may cause to Eucalyptus production, further investigations of its biology and control are urgently needed in China.

Two new species of the family Megalyridae (Hymenoptera) from China.

Two new species of the small and rarely collected family Megalyridae are described from China: Carminator daliensis Chen & Liuhe, sp. nov. from Yunnan and Ettchellsia hainanensis Chen & Liuhe, sp. nov. from Hainan. A key to megalyrid species of China is provided. The biogeographical implication of the new taxa is discussed.

Modelling the Potential Geographic Distribution of Two Trissolcus Species for the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, Halyomorpha halys.

The brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), is native to northeast Asia. It was accidentally introduced to Europe and North America, where it has become a key pest, feeding on many important crops. Previous eco-climatic niche modelling indicates that H. halys could expand its distribution vastly, and numerous border interceptions of this pest in many countries, including Australia and New Zealand, indicate that it would be prudent to prepare for its eventual arrival. Similar niche modelling was used to assess the potential distribution of Trissolcus japonicus (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae), the key parasitoid of H. halys in China. Trissolcus mitsukurii (Ashmead) is one of the main parasitoids of H. halys in Japan. It is known to have existed in Australia since the early 20th century and was also specifically introduced to Australia in the 1960s, and it has now also invaded Italy. We used CLIMEX to model the climatic niche of T. mitsukurii to estimate its global potential distribution. We found that T. mitsukurii should be able to significantly expand its range globally, and that there is a significant degree of overlap in the projected ranges of T. mitsukurii, T. japonicus and H. halys. From a biological control perspective, this implies that the two Trissolcus species may be able to help mitigate the potential impacts of H. halys.

Illustrated keys to Scoliidae (Insecta, Hymenoptera, Scolioidea) from China.

The Scoliidae occur predominantly in tropical and subtropical regions and are ectoparasitoids of Scarabaeoidea larvae (especially of Melolonthinae) which are immobilised, parasitised by the female wasp in their terrestrial larval gallery and buried deeper in a special cell by the female wasp. Herein, we provided, for the first time, illustrated keys to 11 genera and 52 species of Scoliidae from China, based on specimens in the Naturalis Biodiversity Center (RMNH, Leiden) and additional specimens from the Chinese Academy of Insect Science (Beijing), Zhejiang University (ZJUH, Hangzhou) and Sun Yat-sen University (SYSU, Guangzhou) and it is a first attempt to make keys available for all the Scoliidae species in China.

Investigating the Parasitoid Community Associated with the Invasive Mealybug Phenacoccus solenopsis in Southern China.

The cotton mealybug Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), is an emerging invasive insect pest in China. Hymenopteran parasitoids are the key organisms for suppressing populations of P. solenopsis in the field, and therefore could be used as biological agents. Accurate identification of the associated parasitoids is the critical step to assess their potential role in biological control. In this study, we facilitated the identification of the parasitoid composition of P. solenopsis using an integrated approach of species delimitation, combining morphology with molecular data. Eighteen Hymenoptera parasitoid species belonging to 11 genera of four families are recognized based on morphological examination and molecular species delimitation of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase 1 (COI) gene and the 28S rDNA using the automatic barcode gap discovery (ABGD) and the Bayesian Poisson tree processes model (bPTP). Among these species, eight species are primary parasitoids with Aenasius arizonensis (Girault) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) being the dominant taxon, while the other 10 species are probably hyperparasitoids, with a prevalence of Cheiloneurus nankingensis Li & Xu (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae). These results indicate that parasitoid wasps associated with P. solenopsis from China are diverse and the integrated taxonomic approach applied in this study could enhance the accurate identification of these parasitoids that should be assessed in future biological control programs.

Identification and expression of chemosensory receptor genes in the egg parasitoid Trissolcus basalis.

Parasitic wasps largely rely on chemosenses to locate resources. Understanding the evolution of their chemoreceptors can help elucidate the mechanisms underlying host adaptation and speciation. Trissolcus basalis is a biological control agent of the southern green stink bug, a pantropical pest, and is ideal for investigating the evolution of chemoreceptors. We identified 34 gustatory receptors, 170 odorant receptors, one odorant co-receptor, and 23 ionotropic receptors. Comparison with other Hymenoptera revealed species-specific expansions of 21 Grs and 53 Ors. Most of these Or expansions have 9 exons. Gender- and tissue-specific analyses showed that 5 Grs and 54 Ors are expressed only in antennae in both sexes, 66 Ors in female antennae only, and 4 Ors in male antennae alone. The identification and expression profile of chemosensory receptor genes in T. basalis helps in understanding the link between the evolution of chemoreceptors and speciation in parasitic wasps.

Phanuromyia ricaniae Nam, Lee Talamas sp. n. (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) reared from the eggs of Ricania shantungensis Chou Lu (Hemiptera: Ricaniidae) in Asia.

The genus Phanuromyia in the subfamily Telenominae (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) consists of 60 described species, for which host records indicate they are egg parasitoids of lanternflies and planthoppers (Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha). In this study, we describe a new species of the genus, P. ricaniae sp. n., reared from the eggs of a planthopper, Ricania shantungensis Chou Lu (Hemiptera: Ricaniidae). This planthopper has been considered as a serious invasive pest in South Korean agriculture. Ricania shantungensis has a wide host range, including economically important crops such as apple, peach, and pear. Phanuromyia ricaniae therefore has the potential to be a biological control agent against ricaniid planthoppers.

Gryon ancinla Kozlov & Lê (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae): host association, expanded distribution, redescription and a new synonymy.

BACKGROUND: Gryon Haliday (Platygastroidea: Scelionidae) is a cosmopolitan genus of egg-parasitoid wasps primarily associated with Heteroptera. NEW INFORMATION: Gryon ancinla Kozlov & Lê is reported for the first time outside of Vietnam, in China and Cambodia, and as an egg parasitoid of the pestiferous leaf-footed bug, Acanthocoris scaber (L.). Gryon ancinla is redescribed based on recently collected specimens and compared to closely related species of Gryon in the region. Gryon clavaerus Kozlov & Lê is treated as a junior synonym and some characters found in the charon species group are discussed.

Revision of the genus Oxyscelio Kieffer (Hymenoptera, Scelionidae) from China.

The genus Oxyscelio Kieffer from China is revised. Thirty-four species are recognized, of which two species are described as new: O. nullicarina Mo Chen, sp. n., O. paracuculli Mo Chen, sp. n., and fourteen species are newly recorded from China: O. aclavae Burks, O. arcus Burks, O. brevidentis Burks, O. excavatus (Kieffer), O. flabelli Burks, O. jaune Burks, O. kiefferi Dodd, O. labis Burks, O. mesiodentis Burks, O. mollitia Burks, O. nasolabii Burks, O. nubbin Burks, O. ogive Burks, and O. reflectens Burks. Keys to the Chinese species are provided.

Application of DNA barcoding confirms the host of Gonatopus viet Olmi, 1986 (Hymenoptera, Dryinidae).

Gonatopus viet Olmi, 1986 was originally described from Vietnam based on a single female. No further distribution records or hosts have been documented since its original discovery. In the present study, this species is newly recorded from China and its host is confirmed as Stirellus capitatus (Distant, 1918) using DNA barcoding techniques. The utility of DNA barcoding to discover host-Dryinidae associations is discussed.

Notes on Macroteleia Westwood (Hymenoptera, Scelionidae) from China, with description of a new species.

The wasp genus Macroteleia Westwood from China has been previously revised, but some species are only known from males. Here the females of two known species are described: M. carinigena Chen, Johnson, Masner & Xu and M. gracilis Chen, Johnson, Masner & Xu. In addition, one species is redescribed: M. variegata Kozlov & Kononova; and one species is described as new: Macroteleia xui Hong & Chen, sp. nov. Macroteleia ischtvani Kononova, syn. nov. is proposed as new synonym of M. variegata Kozlov & Kononova.

Notes on the hosts of Trissolcus Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) from China.

BACKGROUND: Trissolcus Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) is a cosmopolitan genus of egg-parasitoid wasps associated with stink bugs (Pentatomidae, Scutelleridae, Urostylididae), many of which are important insect pests. Documentation of host associations for these wasps, which we here provide via museum specimens, can support their use as biological control agents of invasive stink bugs. NEW INFORMATION: The hosts of seven Trissolcus species are reported from China: Trissolcus cultratus (Mayr) (hosts: Hippotiscus dorsalis Stål, Pentatomidae; Urochela luteovaria Distant, Urostylididae), Trissolcus elasmuchae (Watanabe) (host: Niphe elongata (Dallas), Pentatomidae), Trissolcus japonicus (Ashmead) (hosts: Erthesina fullo (Thunberg), Pentatomidae; Rhaphigaster nebulosa (Poda), Pentatomidae), Trissolcus latisulcus (Crawford) (host: Poecilocoris latus Dallas, Scutelleridae), Trissolcus mitsukurii (Ashmead) (host: Pentatomidae), Trissolcus semistriatus (Nees von Esenbeck) (host: Eurydema sp., Scutelleridae), Trissolcus yamagishii Ryu (host: Niphe elongata (Dallas), Pentatomidae).