Downregulation of \u3cem\u3eOrco\u3c/em\u3e and \u3cem\u3e5-HTT\u3c/em\u3e Alters Nestmate Discrimination in the Subterranean Termite \u3cem\u3eOndontotermes formosanus\u3c/em\u3e (Shiraki)

Nestmate discrimination allows social insects to recognize nestmates from non-nestmates using colony-specific chemosensory cues, which typically evoke aggressive behavior toward non-nestmates. Functional analysis of genes associated with nestmate discrimination has been primarily focused on inter-colonial discrimination in Hymenopterans, and parallel studies in termites, however, are grossly lacking. To fill this gap, we investigated the role of two genes, Orco and 5-HTT, associated with chemosensation and neurotransmission respectively, in nestmate discrimination in a highly eusocial subterranean termite, Odontotermes formosanus (Shiraki). We hypothesized that knocking down of these genes will compromise the nestmate recognition and lead to the antagonistic behavior. To test this hypothesis, we carried out (1) an in vivo RNAi to suppress the expression of Orco and 5-HTT, respectively, (2) a validation study to examine the knockdown efficiency, and finally, (3) a behavioral assay to document the phenotypic impacts/behavioral consequences. As expected, the suppression of either of these two genes elevated stress level (e.g., vibrations and retreats), and led to aggressive behaviors (e.g., biting) in O. formosanus workers toward their nestmates, suggesting both Orco and 5-HTT can modulate nestmate discrimination in termites. This research links chemosensation and neurotransmission with nestmate discrimination at the genetic basis, and lays the foundation for functional analyses of nestmate discrimination in termites

Use of response surface methodology to optimize chitosan microparticles for sustained release of curcumin

Chitosan microparticles (Cs-MPs) for the dissolution and oral bioavailability improvement of curcumin (Cur) were prepared with sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP) by ionotropic gelation method. Response surface methodology (RSM) based on a three-factor, three-level Box-Behnken Design (BBD), was used to optimize the preparative conditions of Cs-MPs. The Cs-MPs were characterized for particle size distribution, morphology, X-ray diffractometry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, dissolution profiles, and oral absorption. The optimum conditions were found to be: 1 % of acetic acid concentration, 0.83 of Cs/Cur ratio, 0.15 % of TPP concentration. Loading capacity, encapsulation efficiency and yield of the optimized Cs-MPs were 62.92, 95.41, and 66.20 %, respectively with 83.60 % cumulative release and 18.45 % burst release. Solid-state characterization techniques revealed the decreased crystallinity nature of Cur in Cs-MPs. Cs-MPs provided an improved pharmacokinetic parameter (Cmax = 782.84 ng/mL, tmax = 3.15 h) in rats as compared with pure drug (Cmax = 86.39 ng/mL, tmax = 1.05 h).Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

The acute toxicity of cypermethrin, emamectin benzoate and imidacloprid on red swamp crayfish (<em>Procambarus clarkia</em>)

Pesticide contamination is commonly found as a mixture of different pesticides rather than individual compounds. However, the regulatory risk evaluation is mostly based on the effects of individual pesticides. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the individual and combined toxicities of cypermethrin (CYP) with emamectin benzoate (EMB) and imidacloprid (IMI) to crayfish using acute indices and various sub-lethal endpoints. Semi-static bioassay procedures were followed in the experiment. The 24, 48, and 72 h LC~50~ values (with 95% confidence limits) of CYP for crayfish were calculated as 0.141, 0.137, and 0.135 ug/ml, respectively, which were higher than those of IMI (75.813, 72.345, 70.568 ug/ml) and EMB (34.581, 27.930, 22.298 ug/ml). Pesticide mixtures of CYP and EMB displayed a synergistic response to crayfish; the LC50 was 0.053, 0.050, and 0.048 ug/ml, which was lower than when only CYP was present. Pesticide mixtures of CYP and EMB were found to be highly toxic to crayfish. At the physiological level, both individuals and mixtures of pesticides caused severe injury to the internal organs of crayfish. Taken together, the synergistic effects indicated that it was highly important to include joint toxicity studies when assessing the risk of pesticides

Graves’ disease as a driver of depression: a mechanistic insight

Graves’ disease (GD) is characterized by diffuse enlargement and overactivity of the thyroid gland, which may be accompanied by other physical symptoms. Among them, depression can dramatically damage patients’ quality of life, yet its prevalence in GD has not received adequate attention. Some studies have established a strong correlation between GD and increased risk of depression, though the data from current study remains limited. The summary of mechanistic insights regarding GD and depression has underpinned possible pathways by which GD contributes to depression. In this review, we first summarized the clinical evidence that supported the increased prevalence of depression by GD. We then concentrated on the mechanistic findings related to the acceleration of depression in the context of GD, as mounting evidence has indicated that GD promotes the development of depression through various mechanisms, including triggering autoimmune responses, inducing hormonal disorders, and influencing the thyroid-gut-microbiome-brain axis. Finally, we briefly presented potential therapeutic approaches to decreasing the risk of depression among patients with GD

Observation of Dirac hierarchy in three-dimensional acoustic topological insulators

Dirac cones (DCs) play a pivotal role in various unique phenomena ranging from massless electrons in graphene to robust surface states in topological insulators (TIs). Recent studies have theoretically revealed a full Dirac hierarchy comprising an eightfold bulk DC, a fourfold surface DC, and a twofold hinge DC, associated with a hierarchy of topological phases including first-order to third-order three-dimensional (3D) topological insulators, using the same 3D base lattice. Here, we report the first experimental observation of the Dirac hierarchy in 3D acoustic TIs. Using acoustic measurements, we unambiguously reveal that lifting of multifold DCs in each hierarchy can induce two-dimensional (2D) topological surface states with a fourfold DC in a first-order 3D TI, one-dimensional (1D) topological hinge states with a twofold DC in a second-order 3D TI, and zero-dimensional (0D) topological corner states in a third-order 3D TI. Our work not only expands the fundamental research scope of Dirac physics, but also opens up a new route for multidimensional robust wave manipulation

PSR J1926-0652: A Pulsar with Interesting Emission Properties Discovered at FAST

We describe PSR J1926-0652, a pulsar recently discovered with the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST). Using sensitive single-pulse detections from FAST and long-term timing observations from the Parkes 64-m radio telescope, we probed phenomena on both long and short time scales. The FAST observations covered a wide frequency range from 270 to 800 MHz, enabling individual pulses to be studied in detail. The pulsar exhibits at least four profile components, short-term nulling lasting from 4 to 450 pulses, complex subpulse drifting behaviours and intermittency on scales of tens of minutes. While the average band spacing P3 is relatively constant across different bursts and components, significant variations in the separation of adjacent bands are seen, especially near the beginning and end of a burst. Band shapes and slopes are quite variable, especially for the trailing components and for the shorter bursts. We show that for each burst the last detectable pulse prior to emission ceasing has different properties compared to other pulses. These complexities pose challenges for the classic carousel-type models.Comment: 13pages with 12 figure

Concept for a Future Super Proton-Proton Collider

Following the discovery of the Higgs boson at LHC, new large colliders are being studied by the international high-energy community to explore Higgs physics in detail and new physics beyond the Standard Model. In China, a two-stage circular collider project CEPC-SPPC is proposed, with the first stage CEPC (Circular Electron Positron Collier, a so-called Higgs factory) focused on Higgs physics, and the second stage SPPC (Super Proton-Proton Collider) focused on new physics beyond the Standard Model. This paper discusses this second stage.Comment: 34 pages, 8 figures, 5 table

Differential Regulation of H3K9/H3K14 Acetylation by Small Molecules Drives Neuron-Fate-Induction of Glioma Cell

Differentiation therapy using small molecules is a promising strategy for improving the prognosis of glioblastoma (GBM). Histone acetylation plays an important role in cell fate determination. Nevertheless, whether histone acetylation in specific sites determines GBM cells fate remains to be explored. Through screening from a 349 small molecule-library, we identified that histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi) MS-275 synergized with 8-CPT-cAMP was able to transdifferentiate U87MG GBM cells into neuron-like cells, which were characterized by cell cycle arrest, rich neuron biomarkers, and typical neuron electrophysiology. Intriguingly, acetylation tags of histone 3 at lysine 9 (H3K9ac) were decreased in the promoter of multiple oncogenes and cell cycle genes, while ones of H3K9ac and histone 3 at lysine 14 (H3K14ac) were increased in the promoter of neuron-specific genes. We then compiled a list of genes controlled by H3K9ac and H3K14ac, and proved that it is a good predictive power for pathologic grading and survival prediction. Moreover, cAMP agonist combined with HDACi also induced glioma stem cells (GSCs) to differentiate into neuron-like cells through the regulation of H3K9ac/K14ac, indicating that combined induction has the potential for recurrence-preventive application. Furthermore, the combination of cAMP activator plus HDACi significantly repressed the tumor growth in a subcutaneous GSC-derived tumor model, and temozolomide cooperated with the differentiation-inducing combination to prolong the survival in an orthotopic GSC-derived tumor model. These findings highlight epigenetic reprogramming through H3K9ac and H3K14ac as a novel approach for driving neuron-fate-induction of GBM cells