Aromatic plants in East-Asia to enhance natural enemies towards biological control of insect pests. A review

Introducing flowering plants in fields may attract and benefit predators and parasitoids of insect pests and potentially enhance biological control when associated with crops. Through a vote counting analysis, the present review evaluates whether aromatic plants of East Asia could be used in this purpose. Through a systematic search of the scientific literature, we identified 64 papers published worldwide considering 32 aromatic plant species. We found a significant number of studies reporting that Apiaceae aromatic plants (Anethumgraveolens L., Coriandrumsativum L., Foeniculumvulgare L.) attract and benefit (in terms of longevity and/or fecundity) insect predators. Contrasting results were found for parasitoids, as well as with plant species from other families (mostly Asteraceae and Lamiaceae). Functional traits of plants (corolla shape, colour, volatiles) and of insects (mouthparts mainly) were considered to discuss these results. Additionally, we have not found a significant number of studies reporting an enhancement of biological control in crop or fruit trees cultivated adjacent to aromatic plants. However, the number of studies was limited, suggesting a need for further field-based research. Still, the retrieved studies highlight a recent interest for sowing aromatic plants in fields and orchards towards biological control of insect pests in East Asia and especially in China

CTC-based Non-autoregressive Speech Translation

Combining end-to-end speech translation (ST) and non-autoregressive (NAR) generation is promising in language and speech processing for their advantages of less error propagation and low latency. In this paper, we investigate the potential of connectionist temporal classification (CTC) for non-autoregressive speech translation (NAST). In particular, we develop a model consisting of two encoders that are guided by CTC to predict the source and target texts, respectively. Introducing CTC into NAST on both language sides has obvious challenges: 1) the conditional independent generation somewhat breaks the interdependency among tokens, and 2) the monotonic alignment assumption in standard CTC does not hold in translation tasks. In response, we develop a prediction-aware encoding approach and a cross-layer attention approach to address these issues. We also use curriculum learning to improve convergence of training. Experiments on the MuST-C ST benchmarks show that our NAST model achieves an average BLEU score of 29.5 with a speed-up of 5.67$\times$, which is comparable to the autoregressive counterpart and even outperforms the previous best result of 0.9 BLEU points.Comment: ACL 2023 Main Conferenc

Differential Expression Analysis of Olfactory Genes Based on a Combination of Sequencing Platforms and Behavioral Investigations in Aphidius gifuensis

Aphidius gifuensis Ashmead is a dominant endoparasitoid of aphids, such as Myzus persicae and Sitobion avenae, and plays an important role in controlling aphids in various habitats, including tobacco plants and wheat in China. A. gifuensis has been successfully applied for the biological control of aphids, especially M. persicae, in green houses and fields in China. The corresponding parasites, as well as its mate-searching behaviors, are subjects of considerable interest. Previous A. gifuensis transcriptome studies have relied on short-read next-generation sequencing (NGS), and the vast majority of the resulting isotigs do not represent full-length cDNA. Here, we employed a combination of NGS and single-molecule real-time (SMRT) sequencing of virgin females (VFs), mated females (MFs), virgin males (VMs), and mated males (MMs) to comprehensively study the A. gifuensis transcriptome. Behavioral responses to the aphid alarm pheromone (E-β-farnesene, EBF) as well as to A. gifuensis of the opposite sex were also studied. VMs were found to be attracted by female wasps and MFs were repelled by male wasps, whereas MMs and VFs did not respond to the opposite sex. In addition, VFs, MFs, and MMs were attracted by EBF, while VMs did not respond. According to these results, we performed a personalized differential gene expression analysis of olfactory gene sets (66 odorant receptors, 25 inotropic receptors, 16 odorant-binding proteins, and 12 chemosensory proteins) in virgin and mated A. gifuensis of both sexes, and identified 13 candidate genes whose expression levels were highly consistent with behavioral test results, suggesting potential functions for these genes in pheromone perception

Chinese Herbal Medicine Combined With Antiepileptic Drugs for Intractable Epilepsy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Background: Intractable epilepsy (IE) is still a major concern in neurology, and existing therapies do not adequately control symptoms. Chinese Herbal Medicine (CHM) has been widely used as an adjunct to antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) for IE. However, because of the contradictory findings reported in previous studies, it is uncertain if the present evidence is robust enough to warrant its usage. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to systematically evaluate the efficacy of the combination of CHM and AEDs for IE.Methods: From inception to September 2021, Medline, Ovid, Embase, Cochrane Library, Chinese Biomedical Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, VIP Database, and Wanfang Database were searched. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that assessed the efficacy of the combination of CHM and AEDs for IE were included. We defined monthly seizure frequency as the primary outcome. The secondary outcomes included the abnormal rate of electroencephalogram (EEG), seizure duration, quality of life (QoL), and adverse events (AEs).Results: Twenty studies with 1,830 patients were enrolled. Most trials had poor methodological quality. The meta-analysis showed that the combination of CHM and AEDs was more efficient than AEDs alone in reducing monthly seizure frequency [MD = −1.26%, 95% CI (−1.62, −0.91); p < 0.00001], the abnormal rate of EEG [RR = 0.66%, 95% CI (0.53, 0.82); p = 0.0002], and improving the QoL [MD = 6.96%, 95% CI (3.44, 10.49); p = 0.0001]. There was no significant difference in seizure duration between groups. Moreover, the combination of CHM and AEDs significantly reduced the AEs [RR = 0.45%, 95% CI (0.32, 0.64); p < 0.00001].Conclusion: The combination of CHM and AEDs could improve seizure control by reducing monthly seizure frequency and abnormal rate of EEG with a decreased risk of adverse events in patients with IE. However, these findings must be interpreted carefully due to the high or uncertain risk of bias in the included trials. To provide stronger evidence for the use of CHM combined with AEDs in IE, high-quality RCTs will be urgently warranted in the future

Ocean internal tides suppress tropical cyclones in the South China Sea

Tropical Cyclones (TCs) are devastating natural disasters. Analyzing four decades of global TC data, here we find that among all global TC-active basins, the South China Sea (SCS) stands out as particularly difficult ocean for TCs to intensify, despite favorable atmosphere and ocean conditions. Over the SCS, TC intensification rate and its probability for a rapid intensification (intensification by ≥ 15.4 m s−1 day−1) are only 1/2 and 1/3, respectively, of those for the rest of the world ocean. Originating from complex interplays between astronomic tides and the SCS topography, gigantic ocean internal tides interact with TC-generated oceanic near-inertial waves and induce a strong ocean cooling effect, suppressing the TC intensification. Inclusion of this interaction between internal tides and TC in operational weather prediction systems is expected to improve forecast of TC intensity in the SCS and in other regions where strong internal tides are present

Push-Pull strategy to control aphids in Belgium and China

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is one of the most cultivated crops in temperate climates. As its pests are mainly controlled with insecticides which are harmful to the environment and human health, alternative practices such as intercropping have been studied for their potential to promote biological control. Fifty original research papers were obtained from a systematic search of the peer-reviewed literature. Results from a vote-counting analysis indicated that, in the majority of studies, pest abundance was significantly reduced in intercropping systems compared with pure stands. However, the occurrence of their natural enemies as well as predation and parasitism rates were not significantly increased. Nevertheless, other practices could be combined with intercropping to favour natural enemies and enhance pest control. Dispersal of viruses is intimately tied to their vectors. Aphids are known to invest in costly antipredator behavior when perceiving cues of predators. Before presenting the results and the answers to the previous questions, a brief research was conducted in order to have an overview of the intercropping on the spread of aphids, to assess the potential impact of intercropping systems attracting natural enemies on the virus transmission. We studied aphid antipredator behavior in intercropping with wheat-broad bean (Vicia faba L.) as a model. The bird cherry-oat aphid, Rhopalosiphum padi Linnaeus, is an important vector of the barley yellow dwarf virus. The effects of two natural aphid enemies, adult and larvae of the seven-spot ladybeetle, Coccinella septempunctata Linneaus, on R. padi dispersion was studied under laboratory conditions. Results show that in receptor lines (other lines than the source one), two hours after the experiment started, aphids were more abundant in monoculture than intercropping in the presence of ladybeetle adults and larvae and after 24 hours, it was still the case in the presence of predatory larvae. These results might be explained by the non-host plant chemical cues and the physical barrier that was broad-bean plants confusing R. padi when searching for their host plants after being dropped from wheat by predators. After make sure that the intercropping can reduce the dispersal of aphids in the presence of predators, in fine potentially limiting virus dispersal, especially shortly after aphids colonize plants. Then we try to solve how to increase the number of natural enemies of intercropping in Belgium and China. Semiochemical substances have been tested to enhance biological control, with inconsistent results. Combining semiochemical and intercropping can be an interesting way to maximize pest control. In Belgium, a two-year setup involving wheat–pea strip intercropping combined with the release of E-β-farnesene (EBF) or methyl salicylate (MeSA) was tested as a push–pull strategy to simultaneously repell aphids and attract beneficials. Two types of slow-release formulation (i.e., oil and alginate beads) containing EBF or MeSA were deployed with intercropping. The abundance of aphids was significantly decreased, hoverfly larvae and mummified aphids increased on both pea plants and wheat tillers by the release of oil-formulated EBF and MeSA. The proportion parasitism of aphids-parasitism rate was also increased by treating both crops in both years. Releasing EBF through oil rather than alginate beads proved significantly better for attracting natural enemies and reducing aphids. Aphids were negatively correlated with the density of hoverflies (both adults and larvae) and numbers of mummies. We also tested the combining in China and the experiments were set-up: wheat-pea strip intercropping solely, intercropping combined with the release of EBF, and intercropping combined with the release of MeSA, each treatment repeated three times. The total number of aphids throughout the growing season was significantly decreased in treatments with releases of semiochemicals compared to intercropping solely. The effect was stronger with MeSA than with EBF on the control of R. padi, and hoverflies and lacewings were twice more numerous in MeSA. All the results showed that combining intercropping with the release of EBF or MeSA formulated in oil can significantly reduce aphid density and attract their natural enemies. Therefore, the combination of both strategies could help farmers reduce the use of insecticides Dispersal of viruses is intimately tied to their vectors. Aphids are known to invest in costly antipredator behavior when perceiving cues of predators. Before presenting the results and the answers to the previous questions, a brief research was conducted in order to have an overview of the intercropping on the spread of aphids, to assess the potential impact of intercropping systems attracting natural enemies on the virus transmission. We studied aphid antipredator behavior in intercropping with wheat-broad bean (Vicia faba L.) as a model. The bird cherry-oat aphid, Rhopalosiphum padi Linnaeus, is an important vector of the barley yellow dwarf virus. The effects of two natural aphid enemies, adult and larvae of the seven-spot ladybeetle, Coccinella septempunctata Linneaus, on R. padi dispersion was studied under laboratory conditions. Results show that the total number of aphids was higher in intercropping than monoculture in treatments without ladybeetles, while the contrary was observed in the presence of ladybeetle larvae. These results might be explained by the non-host plant chemical cues and the physical barrier that was broad-bean plants confusing R. padi when searching for their host plants after being dropped from wheat by predators (i.e. associational resistance). After make sure that the intercropping can reduce the dispersal of aphids in the presence of predators, in fine potentially limiting virus dispersal, especially shortly after aphids colonize plants. Next step will be to solve how to increase the number of natural enemies of intercropping in Belgium and China. Semiochemical substances have been tested to enhance biological control, with inconsistent results. Combining semiochemical and intercropping can be an interesting way to maximize pest control. In Belgium, a two-year setup involving wheat–pea strip intercropping combined with the release of E-β-farnesene (EBF) or methyl salicylate (MeSA) was tested as a push–pull strategy to simultaneously repell aphids and attract beneficials. Two types of slow-release formulation (i.e., oil and alginate beads) containing EBF or MeSA were deployed with intercropping. The abundance of aphids was significantly decreased, hoverfly larvae and mummified aphids increased on both pea plants and wheat tillers by the release of oil-formulated EBF and MeSA. The proportion parasitism of aphids-parasitism rate was also increased by treating both crops in both years. Releasing EBF through oil rather than alginate beads proved significantly better for attracting natural enemies and reducing aphids. Aphids were negatively correlated with the density of hoverflies (both adults and larvae) and numbers of mummies. We also tested the combining in China and the experiments were set-up: wheat-pea strip intercropping solely, intercropping combined with the release of EBF, and intercropping combined with the release of MeSA, each treatment repeated three times. The total number of aphids throughout the growing season was significantly decreased in treatments with releases of semiochemicals compared to intercropping solely. The effect was stronger with MeSA than with EBF on the control of R. padi, and hoverflies and lacewings were twice more numerous in MeSA. All these results showed that combining intercropping with the release of EBF or MeSA formulated in oil can significantly reduce aphid density and attract their natural enemies. Therefore, the combination of both strategies could help farmers reduce the use of insecticides

Antipredator response of aphids to ladybeetles: Effect of intercropping on aphid dispersal

Dispersal of viruses is intimately tied to their vectors. Aphids are known to invest in costly antipredator behavior when perceiving cues of predators. It is hypothesized that the absconding behavior of aphids in the presence of predators can increase virus spread in fields. Whereas most of the studies investigating this hypothesis were conducted in monoculture, we studied aphid antipredator behavior in intercropping with wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)-broad bean (Vicia faba L.) as a model. The bird cherry-oat aphid, Rhopalosiphum padi Linnaeus (Hemiptera: Aphididae), is an important vector of the barley yellow dwarf virus. The effects of two natural aphid enemies, adults and larvae of the seven-spot ladybeetle, Coccinella septempunctata Linneaus (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), on R. padi dispersion was studied under laboratory conditions. Trays composed of 7 × 8 lines of plants were considered. In intercropping, one line of broadbean succeeded one line of wheat. Six treatments were compared: in both wheat monoculture and intercropping, aphids were introduced alone, with ladybeetle larvae or with ladybeetle adults. Aphids and predators were introduced on wheat tillers in the middle of the system (source line) and aphids were counted on every plant after two and 24 hours. Results show that the total number of aphids was higher in intercropping than monoculture in treatments without ladybeetles, while the contrary was observed in the presence of ladybeetle larvae. But after 24 hours, such differences were not observed anymore. However, in receptor lines (other lines than the source one), two hours after the experiment started, aphids were more abundant in monoculture than intercropping in the presence of ladybeetle adults and larvae and after 24 hours, it was still the case in the presence of predatory larvae. These results might be explained by the non-host plant chemical cues and the physical barrier that was broad-bean plants confusing R. padi when searching for their host plants after being dropped from wheat by predators (i.e. associational resistance). This study shows that intercropping can reduce the dispersal of aphids in the presence of predators, in fine potentially limiting virus dispersal, especially shortly after aphids colonize plants

Associer du colza avec du blé et diffuser la phéromone sexuelle de Harmonia axyridis en Chine du Nord n’a pas permis d’attirer les ennemis naturels des pucerons

Description of the subject. Increasing plant diversity with flowering plants and releasing semiochemicals did not attract and support natural enemies of insect pests for biological control. Objectives. We tested the effect of intercropping oilseed rape with wheat, and releasing the sex pheromone of the ladybeetle Harmonia axyridis, on the abundance of aphids’ natural enemies. Method. Four treatments repeated three times were compared in an experimental field in Langfang (Hebei, China): (i) oilseed rape–wheat intercropping + sex pheromone release, (ii) oilseed rape–wheat intercropping solely, (iii) pure-stand wheat and (iv) pure-stand oilseed rape. Ladybeetles, hoverflies, lacewings and parasitoids were pan-trapped during nine weeks in spring 2016 in each treatment. Results. A diversity of natural enemy species was trapped. However, intercropping and the release of the sex pheromone did not significantly increase their abundance compared to pure-stands. Conclusions. The results are discussed in regard to technical issues to improve the experimental protocol for future research in China

UPLC-MS/MS Method for the Determination of 14 Compounds in Rat Plasma and Its Application in a Pharmacokinetic Study of Orally Administered Xiaoyao Powder

Xiaoyao Powder (XYP), a common Chinese medicine, comprises eight traditional Chinese herbs and has been widely used clinically to treat liver damage and mental disorders. An ultra-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method was developed to investigate the pharmacokinetics of 14 compounds (albiflorin, paeoniflorin, ferulic acid, senkyunolide I, quercetin, isoliquiritigenin, atractylenolide III, ligustilide, atractylenolide II, liquiritin, liquiritigenin, saikosaponin c, glycyrrhizic acid, and saikosaponin a) in XYP. Naringenin was used as the internal standard. The compounds were separated using an ACQUITY UPLCTM BEH C18 column (1.7 μm, 50 × 2.1 mm) with a mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile and 0.1% formic acid in water at a flow rate of 0.3 mL/min. Detection was performed on a triple-quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer using multiple reaction monitoring and an electrospray ionization source in both positive and negative ionization modes. All calibration curves exhibited good linearity (r2 > 0.9974) over the measured ranges. The intra- and inter-day precisions were within 12%, and the accuracy ranged from 89.93% to 106.64%. Extraction recovery and matrix effect results were satisfactory. The method was successfully applied in a pharmacokinetic study of the 14 compounds in rat plasma after the oral administration of XYP