Sublethal and transgenerational effects of lufenuron on the biological traits of Panonychus citri (McGregor) (Acari: Tetranychidae).

The citrus red mite, Panonychus citri (McGregor), is a globally important pest that has developed severe resistance to various pesticides. Lufenuron has been widely used in the control of the related pests in citrus orchard ecosystem. In this study, the susceptibilities of egg, larva, deutonymph and female adult of P. citri to lufenuron was determined, and the LC50 values were 161.354 mg/L, 49.595 mg/L, 81.580 mg/L, and 147.006 mg/L, respectively. Life-table analysis indicated that the fecundities were significantly increased by 11.86% and 26.84% after the mites were treated with LC20 concentrations of lufenuron at the egg or deutonymph stages, respectively. After eggs were treated with lufenuron, the immature stage and longevity were also affected, and resulted in a significant increase in r, R0 and λ. After exposure of female adults to LC20 of lufenuron, the fecundity and longevity of F0 generation significantly decreased by 31.99% and 10.94%, respectively. Furthermore, the expression level of EcR and Vg was significantly inhibited upon mites was treated with lufenuron. However, lufenuron exposure has a positive effect on fecundity and R0 in F1 generation, the expression of all reproduction-related genes was significantly up-regulated. In conclusion, there was a stimulating effect on the offspring population. Our results will contribute to the assessment of the resurgence of P. citri in the field after the application of lufenuron and the development of integrated pest control strategies in citrus orchards.

Genome-wide analysis of Panonychus citri microRNAs with a focus on potential insecticidal activity of 4 microRNAs to eggs and nymphs.

Panonychus citri McGregor (Acari: Tetranychidae), a destructive citrus pest, causes considerable annual economic losses due to its short lifespan and rapid resistance development. MicroRNA (miRNA)-induced RNA interference is a promising approach for pest control because of endogenous regulation of pest growth and development. To search for miRNAs with potential insecticidal activity in P. citri, genome-wide analysis of miRNAs at different developmental stages was conducted, resulting in the identification of 136 miRNAs, including 73 known and 63 novel miRNAs. A total of 17 isomiRNAs and 12 duplicated miRNAs were characterized. MiR-1 and miR-252-5p were identified as reference miRNAs for P. citri and Tetranychus urticae. Based on differential expression analysis, treatments with miR-let-7a and miR-315 mimics and the miR-let-7a antagomir significantly reduced the egg hatch rate and resulted in abnormal egg development. Overexpression or downregulation of miR-34-5p and miR-305-5p through feeding significantly decreased the adult eclosion rate and caused molting defects. The 4 miRNAs, miR-let-7a, miR-315, miR-34-5p, and miR-305-5p, had important regulatory functions and insecticidal properties in egg hatching and adult eclosion. In general, these data advance our understanding of miRNAs in mite biology, which can assist future studies on insect-specific miRNA-based green pest control technology.

Resistance of Panonychus citri (McGregor) (Acari: Tetranychidae) to pyridaben in China: monitoring and fitness costs.

BACKGROUND: Panonychus citri is a major citrus pest worldwide. The short life cycle and high reproductive potential of P. citri, combined with heavy acaricide use, have led to high levels of resistance to acaricides, posing a threat to global resistance management programs. Here, resistance monitoring was established to determine the pyridaben resistance status of ten P. citri populations in China from 2014 to 2021 using a leaf-dipping assay. Four characterized strains-the susceptible strain (Lab_S), the resistant strain (Pyr_R), as well as the segregated resistant strain (Pyr_Rs) and the segregated susceptible strain (Pyr_Control) derived from the crossing of the Lab_S and Pyr_R strains, were used to evaluate the life-history characteristics using age-stage, two-sex life tables. RESULTS: Most P. citri populations developed high resistance to pyridaben. Resistance levels exceeded 1000-fold in Yuxi, Anyue, Nanning, and Ganzhou populations compared with the Lab_S strain. Compared with Pyr_Control, two key fitness cost criteria, developmental period and fecundity, showed significant differences in Pyr_Rs under consistent conditions. The intrinsic rate of increase, net reproductive rate and gross reproductive rate were lower in the resistant strain compared with the Pyr_Control strain. The Pyr_Rs strain had a lower relative fitness of 0.934 compared with the Pyr_Control. Moreover, the life-history traits and population parameters of the Pyr_R strain also showed significant differences compared with the Lab_S strain. CONCLUSION: The resistance levels to pyridaben varied greatly among the different P. citri populations and showed regional differences. Substantial fitness costs are associated with pyridaben resistance. This study provides potential implications for developing strategies for resistance management in P. citri. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Transcription factors CncC and Maf connect the molecular network between pesticide resistance and resurgence of pest mites.

Pesticide resistance and resurgence are serious problems often occurring simultaneously in the field. In our long-term study of a fenpropathrin-resistant strain of Tetranychus cinnabaribus, enhancement of detoxification and modified fecundity mechanisms were both observed. Here we investigate the network across these two mechanisms and find a key node between resistance and resurgence. We show that the ecdysone pathway is involved in regulating the fecundity of T. cinnabaribus. The concentration change of ecdysone is consistent with the fecundity curve; the concentration of ecdysone is higher in the fenpropathrin-resistant strain which has stronger fecundity. The enhancement of ecdysone is due to overexpression of two P450 genes (CYP314A1 and CYP315A1) in the ecdysone synthesis pathway. Silencing expression of these CYP genes resulted in lower concentration of ecdysone, reduced expression of vitellogenin, and reduced fecundity of T. cinnabaribus. The expression of CYP315A1 is regulated by transcription factors Cap-n-collar isoform C (CncC) and Musculoaponeurotic fibrosarcoma protein (Maf), which are involved in regulating other P450 genes functioning in detoxification of fenpropathrin in T. cinnabaribus. A similar regulation is established in citrus pest mite Panonychus citri showing that the CncC pathway regulates expression of PcCYP315A1, which affects mite fecundity. Transcription factors are activated to upregulate detoxification genes facilitating pesticide resistance, while the "one to multiple" regulation mode of transcription factors simultaneously increases expression of metabolic enzyme genes in hormone pathways and alters the physiology of pests. This is an important response of arthropods to pesticides which leads to resistance and population resurgence.

Effect of the Active Cycle of Breathing Technique on Perioperative Outcome in Individuals With Esophagectomy: A Quasi-Experimental Study.

Background: The effect of active cycle of breathing technique (ACBT) on EC patients has not been well elucidated. In this research, we aim to explore the effect of ACBT on the perioperative outcomes in patients with esophageal carcinoma who underwent esophagectomy. Methods: Patients who underwent esophagectomy in an academic institution from December 2017 to July 2019 were included in this study. In a quasi-experimental study, participants were randomly divided into an experimental group (active cycle of breathing technique, n = 107) and an observational group (n = 106) by drawing lots. The chi-squared test, Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel test, Logistic regression analysis, and Kruskal-Wallis test were used to analyze data. A two-sided P value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. The primary observational endpoint was the mean weight of the sputum. Other outcomes included the six-min-walk test (6MWT), Borg scale, anastomotic leakage, and the length of hospital stay. Results: 95 patients underwent minimally invasive surgery, and 118 patients received open surgery. There were 16 patients with anastomotic leakage in the present study, and we found that patients in the observational group had higher odds of anastomotic leakage. The results showed that the mean weight of the sputum in the observation group was lighter than that of the experimental group. After esophagectomy, the experimental group had better outcomes than the observation group (Borg scale: 2.448 vs. 1.547; 6-MWT: 372.811 vs. 425.355m, all P < 0.05). The mean length of hospital stay was longer in the observation group (17.953 days) than that in the experimental group (12.037 days, P = 0.01). We also found that the observational group had a higher discharge ratio over 2 weeks in all cohort (adjusted OR 2.487, 95% confidence intervals 1.147-5.392, P = 0.021). Conclusion: Active cycle of breathing technique may improve the perioperative outcomes and decrease the length of hospital stay after surgery in patients with esophageal cancer. However, we need more researches to validate these findings.

Unmet supportive care needs and associated factors among Chinese discharged patients with esophageal cancer after esophagectomy: A cross-sectional study.

PURPOSE: After esophagectomy, patients experience a series of problems that severely affect their quality of life. Understanding their unmet needs could help medical staff provide better supportive care. The aim of this study was to investigate the supportive care needs of discharged patients with esophageal cancer after esophagectomy and explore the factors associated with these needs. METHOD: A total of 167 discharged patients with esophageal cancer after esophagectomy were recruited from a University Cancer Center in China and investigated using a self-designed demographic and clinical characteristics questionnaire, the 34-item Supportive Care Needs Survey, and the M.D. Anderson Symptom Inventory Gastrointestinal Cancer Module. RESULTS: Approximately 95.2% of the patients had ≥1 unmet need(s). The overall level of supportive care needs of patients after esophagectomy was mild to medium. Most of the top 10 moderate-to-severe unmet needs were identified in the health and information domains. Age (ß = -0.157, p = 0.011), dysphagia (ß = -0.178, p = 0.005), recurrence (ß = 0.175, p = 0.005), time since diagnosis (ß = -0.150, p = 0.018), and symptom interference (ß = 0.488, p < 0.001) were significantly associated with supportive care needs. CONCLUSIONS: Discharged patients with esophageal cancer after esophagectomy had a wide range of unmet supportive care needs. It is essential to combine the associated factors to accurately evaluate patient needs. We should pay more attention to propose comprehensive measures for these patients and provide more individualized supportive care during the lengthy recovery period.

RNAi targeting ecdysone receptor blocks the larva to adult development of Tetranychus cinnabarinus.

RNA interference (RNAi) is a potentially useful pest control method because of its high specificity. Silencing the expression of important RNAi target genes of pests will block important biological processes and reduce pest damage. Ecdysone is a unique arthropod hormone and the ecdysone receptor (EcR) is a key factor in molting pathway. We investigated the possibility that dsRNA targeting of the EcR of Tetranychus cinnabarinus (TcEcR) could effectively block development from larvae to adults. The mRNA level of TcEcR was highest in the larva stage, and 73.1% of the mites failed to survive the larva stage when TcEcR expression was silenced. Only 11.7% of T. cinnabarinus ingesting dsRNA successfully developed into adults, while 86.7% in the control succeeded in molting across each stage. RNAi significantly increased the developmental intervals of T. cinnabarinus. Under the effects of dsRNA, development times for the larva and first nymph doubled. Phenotype of body size change and death were observed during the development of T. cinnabarinus ingesting dsRNA. These findings suggest that RNAi is a potential means for the control of T. cinnabarinus. Genes in hormone pathways such as EcR are possible RNAi targets.

Effect of the self-efficacy-enhancing active cycle of breathing technique on lung cancer patients with lung resection: A quasi-experimental trial.

PURPOSE: Enhancing self-efficacy during the active cycle of breathing technique is essential for realizing the full benefit of pulmonary rehabilitation among lung cancer patients. This study aimed to explore the effect of self-efficacy-enhancing active cycle of breathing technique (SEE-ACBT) among patients with lung resection. METHOD: A quasi-experimental trial with a pre-post test design was performed. The control group (n = 81) received routine perioperative care, and the intervention group (n = 81) received SEE-ACBT in addition to routine perioperative care. The primary outcome measure was 24-h wet sputum weight. Other outcomes included the 6-min walk test (6MWT), Borg scale, postoperative pulmonary complications (PPC), exercise self-efficacy, hospitalization cost, duration of oxygen inhalation, and days of postoperative hospital stay. RESULTS: The sputum weight in the intervention group gradually increased from postoperative day 1, day 2, to day 3 and was significantly higher than that of the control group on day 2 and day 3 (P = 0.000). An average of ¥5047 (US$ 767.6) in hospitalization costs was saved in the intervention group (P = 0.003). Exercise self-efficacy (79. 0 VS 71.7,P = 0.006), 6MWT (471.8 m VS 371.6 m,P = 0.000), and duration of oxygen inhalation (33.9 h VS 53.1 h, P = 0.000) among patients in the intervention group improved significantly compared with the control group. No significant differences in PPC and days of postoperative hospital stay were found. CONCLUSIONS: SEE-ACBT is an effective and economical short-term pulmonary rehabilitation method. Pulmonary rehabilitation should focus on increasing motivational behaviours. Further studies should be implemented to explore the long-term effects of SEE-ACBT.

Prognostic factors of squamous cell carcinoma of the buccal mucosa: a retrospective study of 168 cases in North China.

PURPOSE: Buccal mucosa squamous cell carcinoma (BSCC) is considered a rare and aggressive malignancy that has a high rate of locoregional recurrence. The aim of this study was to analyze the outcome of surgical therapy as a treatment for BSCC in a North Chinese population over a period of 14 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was performed by reviewing the records and pathologies of 168 patients with BSCC who were treated at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Stomatological Hospital, Peking University, from June 1999 to September 2013. RESULTS: The rates of local, regional, and locoregional recurrence were 47.3%, 13.5%, and 6.8%, respectively. The neck metastasis rate in patients classified as having cN0 was 28.4%, and the occult metastasis rate in patients with BSCC stages T2 to T4 was higher than 15%. Neck metastases were most common at levels I and II. The 3-year disease-free survival, overall survival, and disease-specific survival rates were 60.6%, 74.6%, and 78.0%, respectively. Gender, T stage, pathologic node status, and pathologic grade were significant factors in determining disease-specific survival. However, only pathologic node status (P = .002) was an independent predictive factor of 3-year disease-specific survival. CONCLUSIONS: Buccal carcinoma is an aggressive disease with high rates of local and regional recurrence. In seeking to offer better prognoses and quality of life, extensive resection of the primary tumor, supraomohyoid neck dissection, and preferred free flap reconstruction are the therapies that have been recommended and used in the authors' hospital during the past 10 years.

[Effect of primary site for oral and maxillary squamous cell carcinoma on location of neck node metastasis].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the predilection of metastasis at levels I, II, III, IV, V for oral and maxillary squamous cell carcinoma on different primary sites. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted of the records of 1 233 patients (1 340 necks) from January 2000 to December 2011 with squamous cell carcinoma simultaneously underwent primary tumor resection and neck dissection in Department of Oral and Maxillary Surgery, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology. The topography of positive neck node was recorded, and the calculation was performed for the metastasis rate of levels I, II, III, IV, V based on the primary site, respectively. RESULTS: There were 557 necks with positive node (41.57%), and the metastasis rate for level I, II, III, IV, and V were 27.61%, 22.91%, 9.18%, 4.99%, 3.24%, respectively. Those in level III were at high risk for metastasis from carcinoma of tongue and the floor of mouth. The positive rate in level II was more than that in level I for tongue carcinoma, but for inferior gingiva carcinoma, bucca carcinoma, upper gingiva carcinoma, palatine carcinoma, maxillary sinuse carcinoma, intraosseous carcinoma of mandibular, the positive node was more likely to happen at level I compared with level II. CONCLUSION: Most metastases happen in levels I-III for patients with oral and maxillary squamous cell carcinoma, but the predilection of metastasis in level I, II or III is varied with the primary sites.

Elective neck dissection versus observation in the management of early tongue carcinoma with clinically node-negative neck: a retrospective study of 229 cases.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study is to evaluate the results of elective neck dissection (END) versus conservative management (observation) in the treatment of stages I and II squamous cell carcinoma of tongue. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective study including 229 patients with surgical treatment between June 1993 and May 2010. RESULTS: There were 15 (9.6%) patients in the END group and 14 (19.2%) patients in the observation group who developed nodal recurrence alone without associated local recurrence or distant metastasis. Node-related mortality rate was 5.1% (8/156) for END and 12.3% (9/73) for observation. Further analysis for subgroups of stage T1 showed that the patients from END group had a better 5-year disease-specific survival (DSS) than those from the observation group in spite of no statistical difference (87.2% vs. 76.0%, Log-rank p = 0.282). END compared with observation for patients with stage T2 had a better 5-year DSS (74.2% vs. 41.2%, Log-rank p = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: Elective neck dissection significantly reduces mortality due to lymph nodal metastasis and also increases the 5-year DSS, most marked in patients with stage T2 OSCC. This retrospective study suggests that END should be a preferred treatment strategy for tongue carcinoma in stage T2.

Elective neck dissection versus observation for cN0 neck of squamous cell carcinoma primarily located in the maxillary gingiva and alveolar ridge: a retrospective study of 129 cases.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of elective neck dissection (END) versus those of observation in the treatment of squamous cell carcinoma of the maxillary gingiva. STUDY DESIGN: This was a retrospective study of 129 cases. RESULTS: There were 2 (4.0%) patients in the END group and 19 (24.1%) patients in the observation group who developed nodal recurrence alone. The regional recurrence rate of the observation group was 9.1% for T1 disease, 19.0% for T2, 27.3% for T3, and 40.0% for T4. Patients with stages T2 to T4 who underwent END received more survival benefit than did those in the observation group (P = .048). There were no statistical differences for patients with stage T1 disease between the 2 groups (P = .605). CONCLUSIONS: This retrospective study suggests that END should be recommended as a preferred management strategy for stage T2 to T4 disease and that observation may be an acceptable alternative to END for stage T1 tumors if strict compliance with a cancer surveillance protocol is followed.

[A comparison of three methods in establishing transplanted model of VX2 tongue carcinoma in rabbits].

OBJECTIVE: To establish transplanted models of VX2 tongue carcinoma in rabbits by three methods and compare these models. METHODS: After establishment of VX2 tumor-bearing rabbits, 72 New-Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into 3 groups. Intact tumour tissue, modified tumour cell suspension, tumour cell suspension were respectively injected into the middle-third lateral border of the tongues of rabbits in 3 groups to induce transplanted VX2 tongue carcinoma. The histological features, the tumour-take rates and the metastasis rates of the 3 models were observed. RESULTS: The tumour-take rate of 3 models were 83.3%, 91.7% and 33.3% respectively; the lymph node metastasis rates were 71.4%, 100.0% and 37.5% respectively; the lung metastasis rates were 35.7%, 81.3% and 0 respectively. The histological features of the transplanted VX2 tongue carcinoma of 3 models were all consistent with those of moderately differentiated carcinoma. CONCLUSION: The biological properties of the transplanted VX2 tongue carcinoma of 3 models is much alike to tongue carcinoma in humans. The model established with modified tumor cell suspension is considered to be more suitable for tongue cancer study.