Canola bee pollen is an effective artificial diet additive for improving larval development of predatory coccinellids: a lesson from Harmonia axyridis.

BACKGROUND: Pollen is a common plant-derived food source for predatory ladybird beetles under field conditions, yet the potential for pollen to improve the quality of artificial diets remains largely unexplored. In this study, we developed three pollen diets by incorporating varying proportions of canola bee pollen (7.5%, 15.0% and 22.5% with 2.5%, 5.0%, and 7.5% of water, respectively) into a conventional diet. The feeding efficiency of Harmonia axyridis, an omnivorous predator, was evaluated and compared on three pollen diets, a conventional nonpollen diet and pea aphids. RESULTS: The larvae fed a medium or high pollen diet exhibited significantly higher survival in the 4th instar, pupa and adult stages than those fed a nonpollen diet. These larvae also developed into significantly heavier adults, and their survival rates in adulthood were comparable to those fed pea aphids. Specifically, we revealed the underlying mechanisms through which a high pollen diet enhances pupal development. Consumption of high pollen diet versus nonpollen diet resulted not only in a significant decrease in pupal glycogen content, but also an increase in adult lipid content. Both diet treatments induced similar changes in carbohydrate and glycogen content compared to the aphid diet while exhibiting different alterations in pupal protein content and adult lipid content. Furthermore, the transcriptome analysis revealed that the nutrient metabolism, immune response, and cuticle development pathways were predominantly enriched among the differentially expressed genes (DEGs). CONCLUSION: Canola bee pollen offers diverse advantages in terms of rearing H. axyridis larvae with an artificial diet, which will advance the development of effective diets for predaceous coccinellids. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Volume and function changes of left atrium and left ventricle in patients with ejection fraction preserved heart failure measured by a three dimensional dynamic heart model.

The accurate diagnosis of HFpEF is still challenging and controversial. In this study, we used 3D-DHM technology to compare the differences of cardiac structure and function between HFpEF patients and healthy controls, as well as the differences of two-dimensional and three-dimensional cardiac function in HFpEF patients. Echocardiography with 3D-DHM and conventional two-dimensional (2D) methods were applied to measure the volume and function parameters of left atrium and ventricle of patients with HFpEF and healthy controls. Significant differences of 3D cardiac function indexes including LVESV, 3D-LVEF, ESL, SV, CI, EDmass, LAVmax, LAVmin, LAEF, and LAVI were observed between patients with HFpEF and controls (P < 0.05). However, no significant difference of LVEDV and EDL were observed (P > 0.05). In addition, we found no significant between-group difference in 2D cardiac function indexes such as LVDD and 2D-LVEF (P > 0.05), but the LAD, LVSD, LVPW, IVS, E, E/A, and E/e ' were significantly different between groups (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between 3D-LVEF and 2D-LVEF in the control group (P > 0.05), while 3D-LVEF in the HFpEF group was lower than 2D-LVEF(P < 0.05). Among the two-dimensional and three-dimensional parameters of HFpEF patients, the parameters related to diastolic function changed more significantly than those of the normal group, and the three-dimensional LVEF of HFpEF patients decreased. The three-dimensional cardiac function parameters analyzed by DHM can provide more information regarding myocardial mechanics.

[Subcutaneous implantation of embryonic skin cells to construct a model of hair development in nude mice].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the hair development after subcutaneous implantation of embryonic skin cells in nude mice, and construct a model of hair development. METHODS: Dermal and epidermal cells isolated from embryonic mouse skin were mixed at a given ratio and injected subcutaneously in nude mice, and hair formation after the implantation was observed under a microscope. RESULTS: Formation of the hair follicles and fibers under the skin of the recipient nude mice and emergence of the hair shaft were observed microscopically. CONCLUSION: Embryonic skin cells be used to construct a complete model of hair development after implantation in vivo.

[Effects of different parts of the follicle-unit grafts subjected to controlled injury].

OBJECTIVE: To study the shaft elongation and morphological changes of follicle-unit (FUs) grafts subjected to controlled injury in different parts. METHODS: Human FUs were isolated by microdissection under a dissecting microscope. The single hair of anagen FUs were randomly divided into A, B and C groups, and A and B groups were subjected to controlled injury with microsurgery imposed to the dermal papilla and the bulge of FUs, respectively, with C as the control group without any treatment. HE staining was used to detect the histological changes of the cells, and organ culture for 10 days was conducted to observe the morphological changes and elongation of FUs. RESULTS: There were no histological or morphological changes in A, B and C groups. The average elongation of hair shaft was 1.293-/+0.245, 2.116-/+0.423 and 2.235-/+0.379 mm, respectively. There were significant differences between groups A and B (P<0.05) and between groups A and C (P<0.05). No significant difference was found between groups B and C (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Damage of the dermal papilla should be avoided in hair transplantation surgery.