Meteorological driven factors of population growth in brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens Stål (Hemiptera: Delphacidae), in rice paddies

Xiao‐Zhen Li,Yi ZOU,Hai-Yan YANG,Hai-Jun XIAO,Jian-Guo WANG 한국곤충학회 2017 Entomological Research Vol.47 No.5

Growth of brown planthopper (BPH) (Nilaparvata lugens Stål) in rice paddies is mainly driven by meteorological factors under similar management practices. By analyzing field investigation and meteorological data collected from 2008 to 2013 in Nanchang, China, we show that BPH population densities and monthly growth rates (BGR) changed greatly from May to October, and these changes were closely associated with meteorological factors. Stepwise regression and path analysis indicated average speed of winds (AW) in June and lowest temperature (LT) in July were the first factors entering analysis, which interpreted 46.20% and 31.90% of their influences on BGR. While highest temperature (HT) in August and average temperature (AT) in September were the most important factors affecting BGR, but their direct path coefficients were all smaller than their corresponding indirect path coefficients. In October, relative humidity (RH), AW and number of raining days (RD) had significant effects on BGR. According to the sum of each meteorological factor entering stepwise regression analysis sequences, we found AW had the utmost effect on BPH growth, followed by AT and RH, but LT and RD least. The work demonstrate dynamic meteorological factors driving BPH growth and outbreak in rice paddies, which would facilitate the development of durable approaches for forecasting and controlling this destructive rice pest.

The effects of codon usage on the formation of secondary structures of nucleocapsid protein of peste des petits ruminants virus

Xiao‑xia Ma,Yi‑ning Wang,Xiao‑an Cao,Xue‑rui Li,Yong‑sheng Liu,Jian‑hua Zhou,Xue‑peng Cai 한국유전학회 2018 Genes & Genomics Vol.40 No.9

The nucleocapsid (N) protein of peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV) with a conserved amino acid usage pattern plays an important role in viral replication. The primary objective of this study was to estimate roles of synonymous codon usages of PPRV N gene and tRNA abundances of host in the formation of secondary structure of N protein. The potential effects of synonymous codon usages of N gene and tRNA abundances of host on shaping different folding units (α-helix, β-strand and the coil) in N protein were estimated, based on the information about the modeling secondary structure of PPRV N protein. The synonymous codon usage bias was found in different folding units in PPRV N protein. To better understand the role of translation speed caused by variant tRNA abundances in shaping the specific folding unit in N protein, we modeled the changing trends of tRNA abundance at the transition boundaries from one folding unit to another folding unit (β-strand → coil, coil → β-strand, α-helix → coil, coil → α-helix). The obvious fluctuations of tRNA abundance were identified at the two transition boundaries (β-strand → coil and coil → β-strand) in PPRV N protein. Our findings suggested that viral synonymous codon usage bias and cellular tRNA abundance variation might have potential effects on the formation of secondary structure of PPRV N protein.

Comparison of volatile organic compounds from uninfested and Monochamus alternatus Hope infested Pinus massoniana Lamb.

Xiao‐Juan Li,Guang-Ping DONG,Jian-Min FANG,Hong-Jian LIU,Wan-Lin GUO 한국곤충학회 2017 Entomological Research Vol.47 No.3

Monochamus alternatus is a destructive stem‐boring herbivore of Pinus massoniana, and the principal vector of pine wood nematode. To investigate the impacts of boring by M. alternatus larvae on the emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from their host trees, the VOCs from uninfested and M. alternatus larvae infested P. massoniana trees were observed using a gas chromatograph–mass spectrometer. We detected 12, 9, 18 and 14 volatile organic compounds from infested xylem, infested phloem, uninfested xylem and uninfested phloem, respectively. In P. massoniana xylem, the boring of M. alternatus larvae induced cyclosativene, and inhibited 4‐carene, humulene, styrene, α‐phellandrene, β‐myrcene, β‐phellandrene and γ‐terpinene. The relative amounts of camphene, copacamphene, longicyclene, longifolene, tricyclene and α‐longipinene were significantly increased, and the relative amounts of α‐pinene and β‐pinene were significantly decreased by the boring behaviors of M. alternatus larvae. In P. massoniana phloem, the boring of M. alternatus larvae induced 2‐bornanone, copacamphene, longicyclene and α‐longipinene, and inhibited 2‐carene, 4‐carene, styrene, α‐phellandrene, β‐myrcene, β‐phellandrene, β‐pinene, γ‐terpinene and ο‐cymene. The relative amounts of camphene, caryophyllene and longifolene were significantly increased by the boring behaviors of M. alternatus larvae. The results indicate that the boring behaviors of M. alternatus larvae changed both the sorts and contents of the VOCs from P. massoniana trees.

Identification of differentially expressed immunity‐related genes in Monochamus alternatus Hope (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) larvae parasitized by Dastarcus helophoroides (Fairmaire) (Coleoptera: Bothrideridae)

Xiao‐Juan Li,Guang-Ping DONG,Jian-Min FANG,Hong-Jian LIU,Wan-Lin GUO 한국곤충학회 2018 Entomological Research Vol.48 No.4

The pine sawyer Monochamus alternatus Hope (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) is a serious pest of several Pinus species, and the ectoparasitoid larvae of Dastarcus helophoroides (Fairmaire) (Coleoptera: Bothrideridae) is an important natural enemy of this pest. The transcriptome of M. alternatus larvae was sequenced using the Illumina platform and immunity‐related genes were specifically analyzed. De novo assembly resulted in the identification of 24 241 unigenes, with a mean length of 1122 bp, in unparasitized M. alternatus larvae and 23 807 unigenes, with a mean length of 1140 bp, for parasitized larvae. Removal of redundant unigenes resulted in 26 095 all‐unigenes, of which 16 959 (64.99%) showed clear homology with some of the known genes in the National Center for Biotechnology Information nr database. Parasitization had notable effects on the transcriptome profile of M. alternatus larvae. In all, 2702 genes were differentially expressed in M. alternatus larvae after parasitization, with 1491 (55.18%) upregulated and 1211 (44.82%) downregulated. Moreover, expression levels of immunity‐related genes in M. alternatus larvae were markedly altered in response to parasitization by D. helophoroides. In conclusion, the transcriptome profiling data, especially the discovered of immunity‐related genes, help illustrate the molecular mechanisms of parasitism between D. helophoroides and M. alternatus and provide new insights into developing immunity regulation‐mediated control methods of M. alternatus.

Transcriptome profiling of rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis) discovers candidate regulators of the cold stress respo

Xiao‑Xiao Gong,Bing‑Yu Yan,Jin Hu,Cui‑Ping Yang,Yi‑Jian Li,Jin‑Ping Liu,Wen‑Bin Liao 한국유전학회 2018 Genes & Genomics Vol.40 No.11

Tropical plant rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis) is the sole source of commercial natural rubber and low-temperature stress is the most important limiting factor for its cultivation. To characterize the gene expression profiles of H. brasiliensis under the cold stress and discover the key cold stress-induced genes. Three cDNA libraries, CT (control), LT2 (cold treatment at 4 °C for 2 h) and LT24 (cold treatment at 4 °C for 24 h) were constructed for RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) and gene expression profiling. Quantitative real time PCR (qRT-PCR) was conducted to validate the RNA-Seq and gene differentially expression results. A total of 1457 and 2328 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in LT2 and LT24 compared with CT were respectively detected. Most significantly enriched KEGG pathways included flavonoid biosynthesis, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, plant hormone signal transduction, cutin, suberine and wax biosynthesis, Pentose and glucuronate interconversions, phenylalanine metabolism and starch and sucrose metabolism. A total of 239 transcription factors (TFs) were differentially expressed following 2 h or/and 24 h of cold treatment. Cold-response transcription factor families included ARR-B, B3, BES1, bHLH, C2H, CO-like, Dof, ERF, FAR1, G2-like, GRAS, GRF, HD-ZIP, HSF, LBD, MIKC-MADS, M-type MADS, MYB, MYB-related, NAC, RAV, SRS, TALE, TCP, Trihelix, WOX, WRKY, YABBY and ZF-HD. The genome-wide transcriptional response of rubber tree to the cold treatments were determined and a large number of DEGs were characterized including 239 transcription factors, providing important clues for further elucidation of the mechanisms of cold stress responses in rubber tree.

New method for rapidly estimating population densities of the concealed wood‐borer Monochamus alternatus (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) in the field

Xiao‐Yi Wang,Zhong-qi Yang,Chun-Nan SITU,Jian WANG,Fu-Yong FU 한국곤충학회 2016 Entomological Research Vol.46 No.2

To rapidly estimate pine sawyer, Monochamus alternatus Hope, population densities in forests, the vertical distributions of M. alternatus oviposition sites and larvae on infested Masson pines (Pinus massoniana Lamb.) were studied. Results showed that the number of oviposition sites on sections of trunks between 0 and 2 m above ground was significantly greater than on sections of trunk above 2 m, and the vertical distribution had a significant logarithmic relationship with trunk height. The larval number of M. alternatus on dead infested trees had a significant difference among heights of trunks. Sections on trunks at 2–4 m usually contained the largest number of M. alternatus larvae, while the number of larvae on trunks above 10 m declined significantly, as well as in the 1 m section of trunk at the base. The vertical distribution of M. alternatus larvae on dead infested pines showed a distinct parabolic relationship with trunk height. The number of oviposition sites of M. alternatus on infested Masson pine trunks revealed a significant exponential relationship with the diameter at breast height (DBH) of trees. A significant positive linear relationship also was observed between M. alternatus larval number and DBH on the host pine trees, as well as between the numbers of larvae and oviposition sites on an individual tree. The total number of larvae in an infested tree could be calculated easily using an established equation, through counting the number of oviposition sites at 3–4 m of trunk aboveground. This study developed a practical method for rapid estimation of M. alternatus populations.

Polyacrylonitrile fiber with strongly acidic electrostatic microenvironment: Highly efficient and recyclable heterogeneous catalyst for the synthesis of heterocyclic compounds

Jian Xiao,Gang Xu,Lu Wang,Pengyu Li,Wenqin Zhang,Ning Ma,Minli Tao 한국공업화학회 2019 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.77 No.-

Four categories of sulfonic acid functionalizedfiber catalysts with different surface microenvironmentswere synthesized by covalent grafting using polyacrylonitrilefiber (PANF) as the support. After the effectof acid structure on catalytic activity has been investigated by Friedlander reaction, PANEOSF was chosenfor the synthesis of quinolines and coumarin derivatives with high yields and extensive substrate scope(51 examples) in ethanol or water. The effect of electrostatic microenvironment and solvent has beendiscussed, and a “release-catch-release-catch” catalytic pattern was proposed accordingly. PANEOSF canbe easily recycled for 20 times without any decrease of catalytic activity.

Single-cell sequencing reveals that endothelial cells, EndMT cells and mural cells contribute to the pathogenesis of cavernous malformations

Jian Ren,Xiao Xiao,Li Ruofei,Lv Cheng,Zhang Yu,Leiming Wang,Tao Hong,Hongqi Zhang,Wang Yibo 생화학분자생물학회 2023 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.55 No.-

Cavernous malformations (CMs) invading the central nervous system occur in ~0.16–0.4% of the general population, often resulting in hemorrhages and focal neurological deficits. Further understanding of disease mechanisms and therapeutic strategies requires a deeper knowledge of CMs in humans. Herein, we performed single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) analysis on unselected viable cells from twelve human CM samples and three control samples. A total of 112,670 high-quality cells were clustered into 11 major cell types, which shared a number of common features in CMs harboring different genetic mutations. A new EC subpopulation marked with PLVAP was uniquely identified in lesions. The cellular ligand‒receptor network revealed that the PLVAP-positive EC subcluster was the strongest contributor to the ANGPT and VEGF signaling pathways in all cell types. The PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway was strongly activated in the PLVAP-positive subcluster even in non-PIK3CA mutation carriers. Moreover, endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) cells were identified for the first time in CMs at the single-cell level, which was accompanied by strong immune activation. The transcription factor SPI1 was predicted to be a novel key driver of EndMT, which was confirmed by in vitro and in vivo studies. A specific fibroblast-like phenotype was more prevalent in lesion smooth muscle cells, hinting at the role of vessel reconstructions and repairs in CMs, and we also confirmed that TWIST1 could induce SMC phenotypic switching in vitro and in vivo. Our results provide novel insights into the pathomechanism decryption and further precise therapy of CMs.

Adsorption of Nucleotides on β-Cyclodextrin Derivative Grafted Chitosan

Jian Bo Xiao,Xiao Qing Chen,Hong Zhu Yu,Ming Xu 한국고분자학회 2006 Macromolecular Research Vol.14 No.4

Adsorption of Nucleotides on ß-Cyclodextrin Derivative Grafted Chitosan

Jian Bo Xiao,Xiao Qing Chen,Hong Zhu Yu,Ming Xu 한국고분자학회 2006 Macromolecular Research Vol.14 No.4

A novel ß-cyclodextrin derivative (CCD-C) was synthesized with chitosan and carboxymethyl-ß-cyclodextrin. Its structure was characterized by elemental analysis, infrared spectra analysis, and X-ray diffraction analysis. The adsorption properties for guanosine 5'-monophosphate, cytidine 5'-monophosphate and uridine 5'-monophosphate were studied. Experimental results demonstrated that CCD-C had higher adsorption capability for guanosine 5'-mono phosphate, and that the adsorption capacity for guanosine 5'-monophosphate was 74.20mg/g. The adsorption capacity was greatly influenced by pH, time and temperature. The introduction of chitosan enhanced the adsorption ability and adsorption selectivity of ß-cyclodextrin for guanosine 5'-monophosphate. This novel derivative of chitosan is expected to have wide applications in the separation, concentration and analysis of nucleotides in biological samples.