"One-Pot" Method Preparation of Dendritic Mesoporous Silica-Loaded Matrine Nanopesticide for Noninvasive Administration Control of Monochamus alternatus: The Vector Insect of Bursapherenchus xylophophilus.

Monochamus alternatus is an important stem-boring pest in forestry. However, the complex living environment of Monochamus alternatus creates a natural barrier to chemical control, resulting in a very limited control effect by traditional insecticidal pesticides. In this study, a stable pesticide dendritic mesoporous silica-loaded matrine nanopesticide (MAT@DMSNs) was designed by encapsulating the plant-derived pesticide matrine (MAT) in dendritic mesoporous silica nanoparticles (DMSNs). The results showed that MAT@DMSNs, sustainable nanobiopesticides with high drug loading capacity (80%) were successfully constructed. The release efficiency of DMSNs at alkaline pH was slightly higher than that at acidic pH, and the cumulative release rate of MAT was about 60% within 25 days. In addition, the study on the toxicity mechanism of MAT@DMSNs showed MAT@DMSNs were more effective than MAT and MAT (0.3% aqueous solutions) in touch and stomach toxicity, which might be closely related to their good dispersibility and permeability. Furthermore, MAT@DMSNs are also involved in water transport in trees, which can further transport the plant-derived insecticides to the target site and improve its insecticidal effect. Meanwhile, in addition, the use of essential oil bark penetrants in combination with MAT@DMSNs effectively avoids the physical damage to pines caused by traditional trunk injections and the development of new pests and diseases induced by the traditional trunk injection method, which provides a new idea for the application of biopesticides in the control of stem-boring pests in forestry.

Effects of Structured Expressive Writing on Quality of Life and Perceived Self-Care Self-Efficacy of Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy in Central China: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Expressive writing is a supportive psychological intervention allowing an individual to disclose and express their deepest thoughts and feelings related to personal traumatic experiences through writing. Previous studies suggested that expressive writing could promote the physical and mental health of cancer patients. The current study was conducted to evaluate the effect of expressive writing based on the theory of cognitive adaptation (TCA) on the quality of life and self-care self-efficacy in patients with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy. A sample of 82 Chinese women receiving chemotherapy for breast cancer was randomly assigned to an experimental group (four 20 min writing activities focusing on emotional disclosure) or a control group (no writing activities). The quality of life (QoL) and self-care self-efficacy were assessed at baseline, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and 6 weeks after the intervention, respectively. The sociodemographic characteristics, QoL, and self-care self-efficacy at baseline were comparable between the two groups. Repeated-measures ANOVA revealed significant effects of the time×group (F = 3.65, p < 0.05) on the QoL and significant effects of time (F = 4.77, p <0.05) on self-care self-efficacy. Compared with the control group, the QoL in the intervention group showed a significant and temporary increase at 2 weeks after the intervention (mean difference = −7.56, p < 0.05). As a low-cost and easily delivered psychological intervention, expressive writing is recommended to reduce stress when there is a lack of available emotional support.