Knockdown of glycogen phosphorylase and glycogen synthase influences expression of chitin synthesis genes of rice brown planthopper Nilaparvata lugens

Dao-Wei Zhang,Hui-Juan Wang,Xing Jin,Bi-Ying Pan,Bo-Ping Zeng,Zhong-Jiu Xiao,Cai-Di Xu,Bin Tang 한국응용곤충학회 2019 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.22 No.3

Glycogen synthase (GS) and glycogen phosphorylase (GP) are two key enzymes in the glycogen synthesis pathway, which catalyze trehalose and glucose transformation in insects. GS and GP can be regulated by trehalose metabolism, which plays an important role in insect growth. However, it is not known whether these genes can be targeted for pest control through regulation of chitin metabolism. We studied the function of Nilaparvata lugens GS and GP (NLGS and NLGP, respectively) using RNA interference, and reported that trehalose and the chitin biosynthesis pathways are regulated by GP and GS, especially TPS3, TRE1-1, and G6PI1, which decreased following knockdown of these two genes. The expression levels of TPS1, TPS2, and several chitin synthesis pathway family genes were significantly increased following dsNlGP injection. Additionally, despite there being no apparent change to the chitin content, an abnormal molting phenotype and wing deformity appeared, and close to 25% insects died. These results demonstrate that silencing of NLGP or NLGS can lead to molting deformities and an elevated mortality rate through the regulation of chitin pathway genes and chitinase genes. NLGP may play a key role in chitin synthesis due to the number of genes regulated, and higher deformity and mortality rates resulting from its knockdown.

Safe Range of Retaining Pressure for Three-dimensional Face of Pressurized Tunnels based on Limit Analysis and Reliability Method

Jiahua Zhang,Wei-jun Wang,Dao-bing Zhang,Biao Zhang,Fei Meng 대한토목학회 2018 KSCE JOURNAL OF CIVIL ENGINEERING Vol.22 No.11

Based on the existing research, the 3D active and passive failure mechanisms of a pressurized tunnel face are constructed. The nonlinear failure criterion is introduced into the limit analysis by virtue of the tangent technique. By neglecting the randomness of soil parameters, the collapse pressure of active failure and the blowout pressure of passive failure, namely the lower and upper limit of retaining pressure, are obtained along with the failure ranges. On account of the randomness of soil properties, a three-dimensional stochastic model of a pressurized tunnel face is established, and the optimal range of retaining pressure of the pressurized tunnel face is presented on the basis of the multiple correlated failure modes. Taking Changsha Metro Line 2 as an example, the good agreement of the measured data in situ with the reasonable range of retaining pressure verifies the presented method. The combination of limit analysis and reliability method can provide more scientific and reasonable support parameters for the construction of pressurized tunnels in the future.

Functional Components of Bamboo Shavings and Bamboo Leaf Extracts and Their Antioxidant Activities In Vitro

Jinyan Gong,Dao-Zong Xia,Jun Huang,Qing Ge,Jian-wei Mao,Shiwang Liu,Ying Zhang 한국식품영양과학회 2015 Journal of medicinal food Vol.18 No.4

This study was designed to detect characteristic compounds and evaluate the free radical scavenging capacity of the bamboo leaves extract and bamboo shavings extract (BSE). The antioxidant capacity of bamboo leaf n-butanol fraction (AOB) exhibited the highest total phenolic content (49.93%), total flavonoids content (24.11%), and characteristic flavonoids and phenolic acids, such as chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, ferulic acid, p-coumaric acid, orientin, homoorientin, vitexin, and isovitexin. Available data obtained with in vitro models suggested that AOB had higher free radical scavenging capacity with IC50 values of 1.04, 4.48, 5.37, and 1.12 μg/mL on DPPH•, O2•- , •OH, and H2O2, respectively, than the other two extracts, bamboo leaf water extract and BSE. The results indicated that the extracts from different parts of the bamboo possess excellent antioxidant activity, which can be used potentially as a readily accessible and valuable bioactive source of natural antioxidants.

Optimization study on roof break direction of gob-side entry retaining by roof break and filling in thick-layer soft rock layer

Yang, Dang-Wei,Ma, Zhan-Guo,Qi, Fu-Zhou,Gong, Peng,Liu, Dao-Ping,Zhao, Guo-Zhen,Zhang, Ray Ruichong Techno-Press 2017 Geomechanics & engineering Vol.13 No.2

This paper proposes gob-side entry retaining by roof break and filling in thick-layer soft rock conditions based on the thick-layer soft rock roof strata migration law and the demand for non-pillar gob-side entry retaining projects. The functional expressions of main roof subsidence are derived for three break roof direction conditions: lateral deflection toward the roadway, lateral deflection toward the gob and vertically to the roof. These are derived according to the load-bearing boundary conditions of the main roadway roof stratum. It is concluded that the break roof angle is an important factor influencing the stability of gob-side entry retaining surrounding rock. This paper studies the stress distribution characteristics and plastic damage scope of gob-side entry retaining integrated coal seams, as well as the roof strata migration law and the supporting stability of caving structure filled on the break roof layer at the break roof angles of $-5^{\circ}$, $0^{\circ}$, $5^{\circ}$, $10^{\circ}$ and $15^{\circ}$ are studied. The simulation results of numerical analysis indicate that, the stress concentration and plastic damage scope to the sides of gob-side entry retaining integrated coal at the break roof angle of $5^{\circ}$ are reduced and shearing stress concentration of the caving filling body has been eliminated. The disturbance of coal mining to the roadway roof and loss of carrying capacity are mitigated. Field tests have been carried out on air-return roadway 5203 with the break roof angle of $5^{\circ}$. The monitoring indicates that the break roof filling section and compaction section are located at 0-45 m and 45-75 m behind the working face, respectively. The section from 75-100 m tends to be stable.

Relative Abundance of a Vector of Scrub Typhus, Leptotrombidium sialkotense, in Southern Yunnan Province, China

Yan Lv,Xian-Guo Guo,Dao-chao Jin,Wen-Yu Song,Rong Fan,Cheng-Fu Zhao,Zhi-Wei Zhang,Ke-Yu Mao,Yun-Ji Zou,Zhi-Hua Yang 대한기생충학ㆍ열대의학회 2020 The Korean Journal of Parasitology Vol.58 No.2

The chigger mite Leptotrombidium sialkotense is one of the 6 main vectors of scrub typhus in China. Before present study, L. sialkotense was found in some parts of Hunan province, China with a narrow geographical distribution. During field investigation 2016-2017, we found L. sialkotense in Jingha, southern Yunnan, China. Of 15 small mammal host species, L. sialkotense were collected from 6 species of the hosts. Rattus brunneusculus was a dominant host of L. sialkotense, from which 98.3% of the mites were collected. The chigger mite showed a relatively high infestation prevalence (PM=11.7%) and mean abundance (MA=0.5) in comparison with the rest 5 host species. These results reveal a certain host specificity of L. sialkotense to a rat R. brunneusculus. The mite L. sialkotense showed an aggregated distribution on the host (P<0.05). A positive correlation observed between L. sialkotense and the body length of hosts. There was a positive interspecific association between L. sialkotense and 2 other dominant vectors, L. deliense and L. scutellare.

Effects of tryptophan and phenylalanine on tryptophol production in Saccharomyces cerevisiae revealed by transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses

Gong Xiaowei,Luo Huajun,Hong Liu,Wu Jun,Wu Heng,Song Chunxia,Zhao Wei,Han Yi,Dao Ya,Zhang Xia,Zhu Donglai,Luo Yiyong 한국미생물학회 2022 The journal of microbiology Vol.60 No.8

Tryptophol (TOL) is a metabolic derivative of tryptophan (Trp) and shows pleiotropic effects in humans, plants and microbes. In this study, the effect of Trp and phenylalanine (Phe) on TOL production in Saccharomyces cerevisiae was determined, and a systematic interpretation of TOL accumulation was offered by transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses. Trp significantly promoted TOL production, but the output plateaued (231.02−266.31 mg/L) at Trp concentrations ≥ 0.6 g/L. In contrast, Phe reduced the stimulatory effect of Trp, which was strongly dependent on the Phe concentration. An integrated genomic, transcriptomic, and metabolomic analysis revealed that the effect of Trp and Phe on TOL production was mainly related to the transamination and decarboxylation of the Ehrlich pathway. Additionally, other genes, including thiamine regulon genes (this), the allantoin catabolic genes dal1, dal2, dal4, and the transcriptional activator gene aro80, may play important roles. These findings were partly supported by the fact that the thi4 gene was involved in TOL production, as shown by heterologous expression analysis. To the best of our knowledge, this novel biological function of thi4 in S. cerevisiae is reported here for the first time. Overall, our findings provide insights into the mechanism of TOL production, which will contribute to TOL production using metabolic engineering strategies.

Disease vector occurrence and ecological characteristics of chiggers on the chestnut white-bellied rat Niviventer fulvescens in Southwest China between 2001 and 2019

Yan-Ling Chen,Xian-Guo Guo,Wen-Yu Song,Tian-Guang Ren,Lei Zhang,Rong Fan,Cheng-Fu Zhao,Zhi-Wei Zhang,Wenge Dong,Xiao-Bin Huang,Dao-chao Jin 대한기생충학ㆍ열대의학회 2023 The Korean Journal of Parasitology Vol.61 No.3

Chigger mites are the vector of scrub typhus. This study estimates the infestation status and ecological characteristics of chiggers on the chestnut white-bellied rat Niviventer fulvescens in Southwest China between 2001 and 2019. Chiggers were identified under the microscope, and infestation indices were calculated. The Preston’s log-normal model was used to fit the curve of species abundance distribution. A total of 6,557 chiggers were collected in 136 of 342 N. fulvescens rats, showing high overall infestation indices (prevalence=39.8%, mean abundance=19.2, mean intensity=48.2) and high species diversity (S =100, H’=3.0). Leptotrombidium cangjiangense, Neotrombicula japonica, and Ascoschoengastia sifanga were the three dominant chigger species (constituent ratio=42.9%; 2,736/6,384) and exhibited an aggregated distribution among different rat individuals. We identified 100 chigger species, with 3 of them (Leptotrombidium scutellare, Leptotrombidium wenense, and Leptotrombidium deliense) as the main vectors of scrub typhus in China and nine species as potential vectors of this disease. Disease vector occurrence on N. fulvescens may increase the risk of spreading scrub typhus from rats to humans. Chigger infestation on N. fulvescens varied significantly in different environments. The species abundance distribution showed a log-normal distribution pattern. The estimated number of chigger species on N. fulvescens was 126 species.