Rapid identification of the invasive fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae) using species-specific primers in multiplex PCR.

The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (Smith), is a major pest native to the Americas. A recent invasion of FAWs from Africa eastward to South Asia, the Indochina Peninsula, and mainland China has received much attention due to the considerable economic losses in agriculture. FAWs can rapidly colonise a new area, likely due to the wide range of host plants, good flying capability, and high egg production. Therefore, a convenient, quick, and accurate tool for FAW identification is urgently required to establish a FAW invasion management strategy. In this study, FAW-specific primers were designed to recognise FAWs on the basis of internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1). The results revealed the accurate FAW recognition of the three congeneric species and eight common corn lepidopteran pests, especially at their larval stage. Furthermore, species-specific primers have confirmed their efficacy by using 69 FAW specimens from Taiwan, Thailand, and the United States, with a 96% success rate, excluding 3 decayed specimens. By using the simple, reliable, and convenient FAW-specific primers, a pest management programme can be developed not only to reduce sequencing costs and experimental time from 2 days to 4 h, but eradicate the FAW as soon as it enters a new area.

Formation of Samin Diastereomers by Acid-Catalyzed Transformation of Sesamolin with Hydrogen Peroxide.

The conversion of sesame lignans is of interest because the derived products may have potential applications. Here, in investigating the transformation of sesamin and sesamolin, main endogenous sesame lignans in sesame seeds, in both acidic aqueous and anhydrous systems, 7R,7'S-samin was identified as one of the major products of sesamolin in both systems catalyzed with common inorganic acids, but sesaminol was not generated. In investigating the effect of different oxidizing agents on the acid-catalyzed conversion of sesame lignans, 7R,7'S-samin was still the major product of sesamolin, whereas sesamolin as well as 7R,7'S-samin stereoselectively rendered 7R,7'R-samin in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide may play a role in stabilizing the transitional oxonium ions, derived from acid hydrolysis of sesamolin or 7R,7'S-samin by forming a seven-membered ring intermediate through hydrogen bonding, to consequently produce 7R,7'R-samin as the final product.

3-D titanium mesh reconstruction of defective skull after frontal craniectomy in traumatic brain injury.

INTRODUCTION: Decompressive craniectomy (DC) is a treatment strategy used to reduce intracranial pressure in patients with traumatic brain injuries. However, this procedure has a number of shortcomings, such as excessive sinking of the skin flap, which can lead to cerebral compromise and negatively affect the appearance of the patient. The reconstruction of skull defects has been proposed as a means to overcome these disadvantages. Few previous studies have reported the reconstruction of frontal skull defects using titanium mesh. The aim of this study was to provide a comprehensive review of aesthetic and surgical outcomes associated with this procedure and to list the complications encountered during the repair of frontal skull defects using three-dimensional (3-D) titanium mesh. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted using records from seven adult patients (32-60 years of age) who received titanium mesh implants at a university hospital in Taiwan between January 2011 and June 2012. Aesthetic outcomes, the function of cranial nerves V and VII, and complications (hardware extrusions, meningitis, osteomyelitis, brain abscess, and pneumocephalus) were evaluated. RESULTS: An algorithm capable of accounting for bifrontal skull defects and median bone ridges was developed to improve computer-assisted design/manufacturing (CAD/CAM) of one-piece 3-D titanium mesh implants, thereby making it possible to repair bifrontal skull defects in a single operation. Following this procedure, aesthetic and functional outcomes were excellent and the implants in all patients appeared stable. However, extended healing times in two of the patients resulted in subclinical infections, which were resolved by administering antibiotics over a period of 2 weeks. No patients suffered trigeminal or facial dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings support the use of 3-D titanium mesh in frontal skull reconstruction. Few complications were encountered, the contours of the forehead were faithfully rendered, and the cosmetic appearance of patients was excellent. For patients with bifrontal skull defects, the use of one-piece implants in a single operation provides numerous advantages over conventional staged surgeries. This application helps to reduce operating time, which is particularly beneficial for elderly patients and those requiring bifrontal cranioplasties.