Cicada parasitic moths from China (Lepidoptera: Epipyropidae): morphology, identity, biology, and biogeography

<p>Species of the family Epipyropidae are infrequently collected due to their ectoparasitic lifestyle and have therefore received little study. Based on our morphological and molecular analyses, all specimens found parasitizing different species of cicadas in China belong to one species, <i>Epipomponia nawai</i> (Dyar). The species <i>Epipomponia oncotympana</i> Yang (nom. invalid.) was found to be identical with <i>E. nawai</i>. The morphology of the egg, larva, pupa, and adult of <i>E. nawai</i> is described, including the ultrastructure of the egg and larva. Seven types of sensilla and their distribution pattern on the antennae of both females and males of <i>E. nawai</i> are examined using scanning electron microscopy, resulting in a better understanding of sexual dimorphism in this species. Population differentiation and phylogenetic relationships amongst populations of <i>E. nawai</i> occurring in China, the Korean Peninsula, and Japan are analysed. The intraspecific genetic distances suggest a low genetic differentiation which is also consistent with the minor morphological variations. The biogeographic analysis reveals that the Qinling Mountain Range, which is geographically the border of the subtropical and temperate zones, is presumably one of the most important geographic barriers to the gene flow of <i>E. nawai</i>. Our molecular phylogenetic analysis based on the <i>COI</i> gene of <i>E. nawai</i> indicates that frequent gene flow might have occurred in the China mainland, Taiwan and Japan islands, and possibly also the Ryukyu Islands after the Quaternary ice ages. In addition, the biology and behaviour of both larvae and adults of <i>E. nawai</i> were also observed, and results indicate the possibility of bisexual reproduction in this moth. Our results increase the understanding of the morphology, diversity, distribution, and biology of this unusual moth, and should aid future studies on patterns of population differentiation, biogeography, and reproductive behaviour in other epipyropids.</p

Copper Silicate Hollow Microspheres-Incorporated Scaffolds for Chemo-Photothermal Therapy of Melanoma and Tissue Healing

The treatment of melanoma requires complete removal of tumor cells and simultaneous tissue regeneration of tumor-initiated cutaneous defects. Herein, copper silicate hollow microspheres (CSO HMSs)-incorporated bioactive scaffolds were designed for chemo-photothermal therapy of skin cancers and regeneration of skin tissue. CSO HMSs were synthesized with interior hollow and external nanoneedle microstructure, showing excellent drug-loading capacity and photothermal effects. With incorporation of drug-loaded CSO HMSs into the electrospun scaffolds, the composite scaffolds exhibited excellent photothermal effects and controlled NIR-triggered drug release, leading to distinctly synergistic chemo-photothermal therapy of skin cancer both <i>in vitro</i> and <i>in vivo</i>. Furthermore, such CSO HMSs-incorporated scaffolds could promote proliferation and attachment of normal skin cells and accelerate skin tissue healing in tumor-bearing and diabetic mice. Taken together, CSO HMSs-incorporated scaffolds may be used for complete eradication of the remaining tumor cells after surgery and simultaneous tissue healing, which offers an effective strategy for therapy and regeneration of tumor-initiated tissue defects