Biological Agents Research Articles

A Comprehensive Journey of a Vanillic Aldehyde-Chloroaniline Schiff Base from Solvent-Free Synthesis to Electronic Structure, In Silico and In Vitro Biological Analysis

Schiff bases possess a range of unique physical, chemical and medicinal properties, which contribute to their potency as biological agents. A Schiff base was synthesized, which consisted of 4-chloro aniline and vanillin. The successful formation of the compound was confirmed by their comparable FTIR, UV–Vis, 1HNMR and [Formula: see text]CNMR spectra. The compound was analyzed using X-ray crystallography, which revealed that it crystallizes in the monoclinic system with the space group P21/c. The Hirshfeld surface analysis revealed valuable information about the intermolecular interactions present in the crystal lattice. The most common contacts observed were between hydrogen and hydrogen, as well as carbon and hydrogen. The obtained fluorescence values of 375 nm and 412 nm at excitation wavelength 322 nm strongly indicated the luminescent nature of the compound. The thermal stability of the compound was assessed through thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). DFT was used to optimize the geometry using the B3LYP/cc-pVDZ basis set. The compound exhibited an energy gap of 2.35 electron volts (eV). According to the analysis of molecular electrostatic potential, C and O atoms were found to be electrophilic. According to Mulliken charge analysis, C atoms possess both positive and negative charges, hydrogen atoms exclusively carry positive charges, and Cl, O and N atoms exclusively carry negative charges. Upon analysis of the molecule, the electron localization function discovered that the atoms of carbon, nitrogen and chlorine exhibited delocalized electron density. Also, the localized orbital locator identified the localized orbital positions in the hydrogen atoms. The reduced density gradient (RDG) maps exhibit a wide range of noncovalent interactions. In comparison to the standard amoxicillin, the synthesized compound demonstrated moderate antimicrobial efficacy against the gram-positive bacteria Klebsiella pneumoniae and the fungi Candida albicans. The compound’s concentration-dependent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties were demonstrated through in vitro biological evaluation using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and human red blood cell (HRBC) methods. The compound was docked using the proteins 7BYE and 4LEB were chosen from both organisms. The lowest binding attractions obtained were -3.40 kcal/mol for 7BYE and -4.51 kcal/mol for 4LEB. To investigate the stability of the protein–ligand complex, molecular dynamic simulation was employed. The ligands in silico toxicity potentialities were analyzed using seven toxicity models and the results indicated that the ligand is biocompatible.

Simulated synapse loss induces depression-like behaviors in deep reinforcement learning

Deep Reinforcement Learning is a branch of artificial intelligence that uses artificial neural networks to model reward-based learning as it occurs in biological agents. Here we modify a Deep Reinforcement Learning approach by imposing a suppressive effect on the connections between neurons in the artificial network—simulating the effect of dendritic spine loss as observed in major depressive disorder (MDD). Surprisingly, this simulated spine loss is sufficient to induce a variety of MDD-like behaviors in the artificially intelligent agent, including anhedonia, increased temporal discounting, avoidance, and an altered exploration/exploitation balance. Furthermore, simulating alternative and longstanding reward-processing-centric conceptions of MDD (dysfunction of the dopamine system, altered reward discounting, context-dependent learning rates, increased exploration) does not produce the same range of MDD-like behaviors. These results support a conceptual model of MDD as a reduction of brain connectivity (and thus information-processing capacity) rather than an imbalance in monoamines—though the computational model suggests a possible explanation for the dysfunction of dopamine systems in MDD. Reversing the spine-loss effect in our computational MDD model can lead to rescue of rewarding behavior under some conditions. This supports the search for treatments that increase plasticity and synaptogenesis, and the model suggests some implications for their effective administration.

Analysis of clinical characteristics and risk factors for recurrence of combined EB virus infection in patients with inflammatory bowel disease treated with biological agents

To investigate the degrees of EB virus reactivation in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) treated with different biologics and the levels of important cytokines associated with relapse under the influence of this virus, and to assess its diagnostic efficacy as a risk factor for identifying disease relapse. A case-control retrospective study based on patients' hospitalization history data was conducted to select a total of 105 patients who were hospitalized in the Department of Gastroenterology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, with a confirmed diagnosis of IBD from 2021 to 2023. Based on the quantitative copy level of whole blood EBV DNA to determine the status of EB virus infection in patients, integrated cytokine 8 (IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12p70, IL-17, TNF-α, IFN-γ), C-reactive protein, and fecal calreticulin, to find the risk variable associated with treatment relapse. Logistic regression was used to analyze the relative risk between this variable and treatment relapse, and ROC curves were used to predict the diagnostic efficacy of cytokine multifactorial thresholds for treatment relapse. Results showed that the median age of the study was 37(26, 54)years, with a minimum of 18 years and a maximum of 70 years, with a median age of 34(24, 51) years for Crohn's Disease (CD) patients and 46(35, 60) years for Ulcerative colitis (UC) patients, with a statistically difference between the ages of the two groups (t=2.675, P=0.009). The median age at 50 years of patients treated with Vedolizumab (VDZ) in the UC group was higher than in the treatment groups other than VDZ. The highest rate of EB virusreactivation was found in the group treated with immunosuppressants Azathioprine (AZA) combined with anti-tumor necrosis factor-α (anti-TNF-α) and VDZ (62.5% in both groups), and the lowest in the group treated with Ustekinumab (UST) (0%). IL-2 levels were elevated in the AZA+anti-TNF-α and anti-TNF-α groups after EB virus entryreactivation. Three treatment groups, AZA+anti-TNF-α, anti-TNF-α, and VDZ, had elevated levels of IL-6 expression after EB virus entry reactivation.In the anti-TNF-α treatment-related group IL-2was associated with treatment relapse in IBD (OR=1.127, 95%CI: 1.044-1.256, P=0.007). ROC analysis showed that the AUC for IL-2 combined with EB virus in a replicative state was 0.8282 (P=0.006), with a negative predictive value and a positive value of 90% and 75%, respectively. As well as IL-6 was associated with treatment relapse of IBD in the anti-TNF-αtreatment-related group as well as in the VDZ-treated group (OR=1.049, 95%CI: 1.017-1.095, P=0.008). ROC analysis showed that the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity for post-treatment relapse at a critical value of 6.10 pg/ml for IL-6 was 83.33% and 82.93%, respectively. The AUC for IL-6 combined with EB virus in a replicative state was 0.900 (P<0.000 1), with negative and positive predictive value of 84.09% and 73.33%, respectively. In summary, the imbalance of proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines varies between drugs, with EBV in a replication-activated state, combined with elevated levels of IL-2 as well as IL-6 expression being a risk factor for relapse in patients treated with anti-TNF-α-related drugs and VDZ.

Temperature-Dependent Pupation Depth in the Oriental Fruit Fly Bactrocera dorsalis and Its Implications for Biological Control

The oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) (Diptera: Tephritidae), is a notable agricultural pest that undergoes pupation in the soil. Mortality risk from predation and parasitism decreases as the depth of the pupal location increases from the ground surface, with a one-centimetre increase in depth causing a significant change. Soil properties, such as moisture and hardness, influence pupation depth, but the effect of temperature has not been fully tested. This laboratory study examined whether a biologically important variation in pupation depth (e.g., one centimetre) is caused by naturally experienced temperature variations (20 to 35 °C) in B. dorsalis. The temperature–pupation depth relationship revealed a unimodal pattern, with the deepest pupation occurring at intermediate temperature levels and shallower pupation at the two extreme temperature ranges. Strong quantitative effects were observed, with the highest mean pupation depth of 40.8 mm at 27.5 °C and the lowest mean pupation depth of 15 mm at 35 °C. The observed quantitative effect suggests that temperature can strongly affect pupal mortality from predators and parasitoids by influencing pupation depth. Future studies that reveal the ability of biological control agents to forage underground for pupae at different temperatures are awaited, as this is key information for evaluating the effectiveness of these agents.

Endophytic Bacillus velezensis GsB01 controls Gleditsia sinensis wilt by secreting antifungal metabolites and modulates symbiotic microbiota within trees.

Identifying effective biological control agents against fungal pathogens and determining their mechanisms of action are important in the control of plant diseases. In this study, we isolated an endophytic bacterial strain, GsB01, from the branches of asymptomatic Gleditsia sinensis. Multi-locus sequence analysis identified the strain as Bacillus velezensis. GsB01 exhibited significant antifungal activity against Thyronectria austroamericana, the causative agent of G. sinensis wilt. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry identified four consistently present antimicrobial compounds in GsB01 metabolite fractions with high antifungal activity: macrolactin A, bacillaene A, surfactin, and iturin. GsB01's active metabolite fractions altered the metabolic profiles of T. austroamericana, disrupting seven pathways, including arginine biosynthesis, nucleotide metabolism, purine metabolism, and the pentose phosphate pathway. Furthermore, absolute quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis suggested that GsB01 may increase the abundance of endophytic bacteria in G. sinensis. The 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing revealed changes in the endophytic landscape in stems and roots following GsB01 introduction, particularly with significant variation in the dominant bacterial genera within the stems. The study highlights GsB01's potential against plant wilt and suggests that its antifungal activity is achieved by secreting antifungal metabolites. The study also recorded changes in the symbiotic microbiota within trees that had been infected with a pathogenic fungus and subsequently treated with an endophytic antagonistic bacterial strain. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Integrated control of Fusarium wilt in banana by Bacillus velezensis EB1 and potassium sorbate

Fusarium wilt of banana, caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense tropical race 4 (Foc TR4), is a widely distributed soilborne disease that poses a serious threat to banana production. Many control measures have been implemented but have not been effective. Here, we evaluated a combined strategy for Fusarium wilt control that involves a biological agent (Bacillus velezensis strain EB1) and a bioactive compound (potassium sorbate). Our results showed that potassium sorbate inhibited Foc TR4 in a dose-dependent manner. Potassium sorbate did not limit the growth of EB1 in vitro; instead, it promoted the growth and antagonistic ability of EB1 by upregulating the expression of antagonism-related genes. In greenhouse experiments, the combined application of EB1 and potassium sorbate significantly reduced the disease index of Fusarium wilt by suppressing fungal growth in the roots and promoting plant growth. Overall, our results demonstrated that potassium sorbate and B. velezensis EB1 can be used together for the sustainable management of banana Fusarium wilt.

Uji Efektivitas Beberapa Media Tumbuh Alternatif Limbah Organik dengan Penambahan Tepung Kulit Udang terhadap Pertumbuhan Cendawan Entomopatogen Lecanicillium lecanii

Alternative control uses the entomopathogenic fungus Lecanicillium lecanii which is propagated using agro-industrial waste as a substrate for the production of locally available conidia. Propagation of L. lecanii was carried out on media supplemented with shrimp shell flour as additional nutrition. This research aims to provide the best alternative media for the growth of L. lecanii. The research was carried out at the Biological Agents Laboratory (BBPOPT), from March to May 2024. The method used was an experiment with a single factor Completely Randomized Design (CRD). This research consisted of 7 treatments in 4 repetitions: K (Corn Media); A (Sugar Bagasse); B (Tea Dregs); C (Sawdust); D (Sugar Bagasse + Shrimp Shell Flour); E (Tea Dregs + Shrimp Shell Flour); F (Sawdust + Shrimp Shell Flour). The results showed that L. Lecanii has a short incubation period, namely one hsi and alternative organic waste media with the addition of shrimp shell flour is more effectively used in the propagation of the L. lecanii fungus and has a significant effect on colony diameter (8.84 cm) in sawdust + shrimp shell flour. Alternative media with the addition of shrimp shell flour is recommended for the growth of the fungus L. lecanii.

A dynamical systems approach to optimal foraging

Foraging for resources in an environment is a fundamental activity that must be addressed by any biological agent. Modelling this phenomenon in simulations can enhance our understanding of the characteristics of natural intelligence. In this work, we present a novel approach to model foraging in-silico using a continuous coupled dynamical system. The dynamical system is composed of three differential equations, representing the position of the agent, the agent’s control policy, and the environmental resource dynamics. Crucially, the control policy is implemented as a parameterized differential equation which allows the control policy to adapt in order to solve the foraging task. Using this setup, we show that when these dynamics are coupled and the controller parameters are optimized to maximize the rate of reward collected, adaptive foraging emerges in the agent. We further show that the internal dynamics of the controller, as a surrogate brain model, closely resemble the dynamics of the evidence accumulation mechanism, which may be used by certain neurons of the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex region in non-human primates, for deciding when to migrate from one patch to another. We show that by modulating the resource growth rates of the environment, the emergent behaviour of the artificial agent agrees with the predictions of the optimal foraging theory. Finally, we demonstrate how the framework can be extended to stochastic and multi-agent settings.

Nanomotors as Therapeutic Agents: Advancing Treatment Strategies for Inflammation-Related Diseases.

Inflammation is a physiological response of the body to harmful stimuli such as pathogens, damaged cells, or irritants, involving a series of cellular and molecular events. It is associated with various diseases including neurodegenerative disorders, cancer, and atherosclerosis, and is a leading cause of global mortality. Key inflammatory factors, such as Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α), Interleukin-1 (IL-1), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 (MCP-1/CCL2), RANTES (CCL5), and prostaglandins, play central roles in inflammation and disease progression. Traditional treatments such as NSAIDs, steroids, biologic agents, and antioxidants have limitations. Recent advancements in nanomaterials present promising solutions for treating inflammation-related diseases. Unlike nanomaterials that rely on passive targeting and face challenges in precise drug delivery, nanomotors, driven by chemical or optical stimuli, offer a more dynamic approach by actively navigating to inflammation sites, thereby enhancing drug delivery efficiency and therapeutic outcomes. Nanomotors allow for controlled drug release in response to specific environmental changes, such as pH and inflammatory factors, ensuring effective drug concentrations at disease sites. This active targeting capability enables the use of smaller drug doses, which reduces overall drug usage, costs, and potential side effects compared to traditional treatments. By improving precision and efficiency, nanomotors address the limitations of conventional therapies and represent a significant advancement in the treatment of inflammation-related diseases. This review summarizes the latest research on nanomotor-mediated treatment of inflammation-related diseases and discusses the challenges and future directions for optimizing their clinical translation.

Genomic DNA extraction methods and phylogenetic analysis of Beauveria bassiana from Central Java, Indonesia, and its toxicity against the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda J.E. Smith (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

BackgroundControl techniques using biological control agents such as Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin have the advantage of not showing any negative impacts on environmental health and safety issues. This study used isolates from B. bassiana collection from Laboratory of Pest Monitoring belonging to Indonesian Ministry of Agriculture (LPHP) in Central Java which showed potential in controlling target pest. The problems that still occur are the lack of facilities and infrastructure and the lack of quality testing of collection isolates in LPHP, so that the isolate identification process is still carried out in simple method, and bioassay testing on the fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda J.E. Smith (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) as a target pest, is not commonly conducted. The results of bioassay testing can be used to determine the potential of a biological agent to control target pest.ResultThe two DNA extraction methods showed different results regarding DNA concentration and purity values, but both methods were good and could be used to amplify DNA using PCR. The DNA band was amplified at 500–600 bp using primers ITS 1 and ITS 4. The results of molecular analysis showed that the four isolates of B. bassiana from Central Java were found in the same clade as B. bassiana from South Sumatra, Dhaka, and Oromia, where these isolates showed similar similarities descended from a common ancestor. Genetically, B. bassiana isolates from Central Java show more genetic similarities to B. bassiana isolates from South Sumatra, Indonesia. Quality testing was carried out by calculating the density and germination ability values for LPHP isolates from Sukoharjo (Sukoharjo isolate), Temanggung (Purworejo isolate), and Banyumas (Banyumas and Cilacap isolate), which showed varying results. The bioassay test used three isolates, namely B. bassiana from Sukoharjo, Banyumas, and Cilacap, which were selected based on density values, germination ability, and molecular analysis. The ability to cause death of the three isolates against S. frugiperda showed different results where the isolate from Sukoharjo, Banyumas, and Cilacap caused mortality of 60, 40, and 60%, and the LC50 value of each isolate was 3.3 × 106, 1.3 × 107, and 3.5 × 107 conidia ml−1, respectively.ConclusionMorphological identification by macroscopic, microscopic, and molecular analysis showed that the isolate from the LPHP collection in Central Java, Indonesia, was B. bassiana. Genetically, the four isolates showed similar characteristics to isolates from South Sumatra, Indonesia. B. bassiana isolates from collections from Central Java showed potentials as a biological control agent against S. frugiperda.

Pseudomonas rhodesiae HAI-0804 suppresses Pythium damping off and root rot in cucumber by its efficient root colonization promoted by amendment with glutamate

Plant diseases caused by soil-borne fungi and oomycetes significantly reduce yield and quality of many crops in the agricultural systems and are difficult to control. We herein examine Pseudomonas rhodesiae HAI-0804, a bacterial biological control agent that was originally developed for control of bacterial diseases on the surface of vegetables, and assessed its efficacy at controlling soil-borne diseases caused by oomycetes. Strain HAI-0804 did not exhibit detectable antibiotic activity toward Pythium ultimum, a causal agent of damping-off and root rot; however, it effectively protected against Pythium damping-off and root rot in cucumber. Exogenous glutamate enhanced the efficacy of biocontrol, the production of siderophore pyoverdine, root colonization in cucumber plants, and the ratio of biofilm formation to planktonic cells. The epiphytic fitness of strain HAI-0804 appears to contribute to plant protection efficacy against a broad spectrum of pathogens for both above-ground plant parts and the rhizosphere.

Wood microbiome variation and interactions with fungal symbionts of invasive ambrosia beetles

The microbiomes of plants can modulate the impacts of pests, including through interactions with microbiomes of pathogen vectors such as ambrosia beetles. While physical and chemical traits of plant hosts are known to affect beetle-carried microbes, how beetle and host microbiomes interact is seldom explored. We aimed to determine whether wood-inhabiting endophytes mediate host susceptibility to Fusarium dieback, an emergent tree disease complex that includes ambrosia beetle vectors. We studied three competent host tree species (Persea americana, Salix spp., Platanus racemosa) common in disease hot spots in agricultural and wildland habitats. Using culturing methods, we compared wood microbiomes of 319 attacked and 133 non-attacked trees across a network of 47 beetle-infested and 41 non-infested plots in southern California, USA. We conducted 1,148 in vitro assays to evaluate antagonism by wood-inhabiting endophytic fungi (60 species) and bacteria (40 species) to the Fusarium pathogens, finding 15 fungal and 11 bacterial species with clear antagonism to the pathogen. Such wood endophytes may potentially protect tree hosts as biological control agents. Antagonistic microbes were more common in attacked trees than in non-attacked trees, suggesting the abundance of antagonistic fungi and bacteria in the wood is insufficient to determine host susceptibility to attack or they are enriched in attacked trees. Wood-inhabiting microbial communities were consistently different between cultivated P. americana and wildland tree species, as there were some differences based on host attack status. Differences between attacked and non-attacked trees were reflected in different microbial consortia rather than the abundance of individual, antagonistic microbial species.

Biological control of locusts and grasshoppers: A review

Locusts and grasshoppers (Orthoptera: Acrididae) are pests of agricultural importance, devastating crops and pastures. This group includes hundreds of pest species and affects the livelihoods of one in every ten people worldwide. Their outbreaks can be chronic or episodic, with alternating periods of invasion and recession. Here, we review the natural enemies of locusts and grasshoppers in both their native and invaded ranges across the globe to assess the need for their conservation and maintenance as part of the natural suppression of outbreaks and to augment outbreak suppression as potential biological control agents. More than 70 natural enemies have been reported to attack locusts and grasshoppers, including entomopathogenic fungi, bacteria, nematodes, predatory insects, birds, reptiles, and mammals. Particular attention is given to the well-studied species of locusts and grasshoppers for which more information is available and to natural enemies in the locust-affected countries as part of the recent trend of looking for indigenous natural enemies. Such organisms can play a vital role in integrated pest management strategies for locusts and grasshoppers, particularly entomopathogens that can be incorporated with chemical pesticides into the management system. Among the organisms considered, Metarhizium acridum is noteworthy for inclusion in integrated pest management programs.

Biological Control of Aphids in China: Successes and Prospects.

Aphids are small, soft-bodied insects, and many are notorious pests of field crops, vegetables, fruit trees, ornamental plants, and trees. In China, there is an increasing emphasis on utilizing biological control agents, including aphidopathogenics, and selective pesticides for the management of aphids. In particular, preventive integrated pest management strategies with early interventions reduce the financial and environmental costs associated with treatments of outbreaks. Decades of progress have proved that biological control is a cost-effective and environmentally safe control option. Here, we review the history and progress of aphid control, with an emphasis on major natural enemies, mass-rearing, and conservation, and provide two successful cases, constraints, and future perspectives on aphid biological control in China.

Characterization of two Friunavirus phages and their inhibitory effects on biofilms of extremely drug resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in Dakar, Senegal

BackgroundAcinetobacter baumannii is a gram-negative, opportunistic pathogen, that is responsible for a wide variety of infections and is a significant cause of hospital-acquired infections. A. baumannii is listed by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a critical priority pathogen because of its high level of antibiotic resistance and the urgent need for alternative treatment solutions. To address this challenge, bacteriophages have been used to combat bacterial infections for more than a century, and phage research has regained interest in recent years due to antimicrobial resistance (AMR). However, although the vast majority of deaths from the AMR crisis will occur in developing countries in Africa and Asia, few phages’ studies have been conducted in these regions. In this study, we present a comprehensive characterization of the bacteriophages vAbBal23 and vAbAbd25, actives against extremely drug-resistant (XDR) A. baumannii.MethodsPhages were isolated from environmental wastewaters in Dakar, Senegal. The host-range, thermal and pH stabilities, infection kinetics, one step growth assay, antibiofilm activity assay, sequencing, and genomic analysis, were performed to characterize the isolated phages.ResultsComparative genomic and phylogenetic analyses revealed that vAbBal23 and vAbAbd25 belong to the Caudoviricetes class, Autographiviridae family and Friunavirus genus. Both phages demonstrated activity against strains with capsular type KL230. They were stable over a wide pH range (pH 3 to 9) and at temperatures ranging from 25 °C to 40 °C. Additionally, the phages exhibited notable activity against both planktonic and biofilm cells of targeted extremely drug resistant A. baumannii. The results presented here indicate the lytic nature of vAbBal23 and vAbAbd25. This is further supported by the absence of genes encoding toxins, resistance genes and bacterial virulence factors, highlighting their potential for future phage applications.ConclusionPhages vAbBal23 and vAbAbd25 are promising biological agents that can infect A. baumannii, making them suitable candidates for use in phage therapies.

Combined Analysis of Metabolomics and Transcriptome Revealed the Effect of Bacillus thuringiensis on the 5th Instar Larvae of Dendrolimus kikuchii Matsumura.

Dendrolimus kikuchii Matsumura (D. kikuchii) is a serious pest of coniferous trees. Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) has been widely studied and applied as a biological control agent for a variety of pests. Here, we found that the mortality rate of D. kikuchii larvae after being fed Bt reached 95.33% at 24 h; the midgut membrane tissue was ulcerated and liquefied, the MDA content in the midgut tissue decreased and the SOD, CAT and GPx enzyme activities increased, indicating that Bt has toxic effects on D. kikuchii larvae. In addition, transmission electron microscopy showed that Bt infection caused severe deformation of the nucleus of the midgut tissue of D. kikuchii larvae, vacuoles in the nucleolus, swelling and shedding of microvilli, severe degradation of mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum and decreased number. Surprisingly, metabolomics and transcriptome association analysis revealed that four metabolic-related signaling pathways, Nicotinate and nicotinamide metabolism, Longevity regulating pathway-worm, Vitamin digestion and absorption and Lysine degradation, were co-annotated in larvae. More surprisingly, Niacinamide was a common differential metabolite in the first three signaling pathways, and both Niacinamide and L-2-Aminoadipic acid were reduced. The differentially expressed genes involved in the four signaling pathways, including NNT, ALDH, PNLIP, SETMAR, GST and RNASEK, were significantly down-regulated, but only SLC23A1 gene expression was up-regulated. Our results illustrate the effects of Bt on the 5th instar larvae of D. kikuchii at the tissue, cell and molecular levels, and provide theoretical support for the study of Bt as a new biological control agent for D. kikuchii.

Approaches to Cheek Reconstruction following Mohs Surgery

AbstractThe native features of the cheek allow for a variety of approaches when considering reconstruction following Mohs surgery. Selecting the best approach requires consideration of deficit size and location, skin laxity, surrounding anatomy, aesthetic outcomes, and specific patient factors. Reconstruction options vary based on the zone of the cheek affected, but direct closure remains the gold standard. When direct closure is not suitable, the use of the cervicofacial advancement flap, biologic agents, or a combination of the two should adequately address the majority of cheek deficits resulting from Mohs surgery. During cheek reconstruction, great care should be taken to maintain and support the surrounding anatomy, most notably the lower eyelid. Postoperative management is mostly comprised of scar management, as immediate, urgent complications are rare. Options to address postoperative scarring range from silicone sheeting to revisional surgery, but most deficits will settle well if given adequate time and are properly cared for with noninvasive measures.

Impact of the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae (Metchnikoff ) Sorokin on Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E Smith), an invasive maize pest in Chad

The invasion of agricultural plots by Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E Smith) constitutes a serious constraint to the sustainable maize production in Chad. Since then, farmers have unsuccessfully used available chemical insecticides to control this pest at that respect, the present study evaluated the bio-efficacy of two strains (Chinese and Senegalese) of Metarhizium anisopliae on the pest, both under laboratory and field conditions. Laboratory results showed that both strains were virulent against FAW resulting in a mortality of 90 ± 5.77% for the strain from Senegal and 75 ± 5.00% for that from China. In the field, significant differences were observed among the four treatments tested, namely the two M. anisopliae strains (2.5 kg/ha), the control and Emamectin benzoate (20g/ha) for both the infestation of maize plants and FAW densities (P &lt;0.05). Meanwhile, maize grain yields were significantly the highest in plots treated with Emamectin benzoate followed by plots treated with either of the two strains of the fungus whose yields were statistically similar (df = 3; F = 27.13; P &lt;0.0001). This biopesticide was more virulent under laboratory and field conditions and could be a promising biological control agent against S. frugiperda as an alternative to synthetic insecticides. However, additional studies that evaluate the implementation cost of the microbiological control are very necessary for more objective and robust conclusions. Key words: Fall armyworm, microbiological control, Zea mays, Emamectin benzoate, biopesticides.

Bacterial communities in Asecodes hispinarum (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) and its host Brontispa longissima (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), with comparison of Wolbachia dominance.

The endoparasitoid Asecodes hispinarum (Bouček) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) serves as an effective biological control agent against Brontispa longissima (Gestro) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), a notorious palm pest. Endosymbionts found in parasitoids and their hosts have attracted significant attention due to their substantial influence on biocontrol efficacy. In this study, we employed 16S rRNA sequencing, polymerase chain reaction, and fluorescence in situ hybridization to assess the symbiotic bacteria composition, diversity, phylogeny, and localization in A. hispinarum and its host B. longissima. Our findings showed significant differences in the richness, diversity, and composition of symbiotic bacteria among different life stages of B. longissima. Notably, the bacterial richness, diversity, and composition of A. hispinarum was similar to that of B. longissima. Firmicutes and Proteobacteria were the dominant phyla, while Wolbachia was the dominant genera across the parasitoid and host. It was discovered for the first time that Wolbachia was present in A. hispinarum with a high infection rate at ≥ 96.67%. Notably, the Wolbachia strain in A. hispinarum was placed in supergroup A, whereas it was categorized under supergroup B in B. longissima. Furthermore, Wolbachia is concentrated in the abdomen of A. hispinarum, with particularly high levels observed in the ovipositors of female adults. These findings highlight the composition and diversity of symbiotic bacteria in both A. hispinarum and its host B. longissima, providing a foundation for the development of population regulation strategies targeting B. longissima.

Population fluctuation of the whitefly Bemisia tabaci Gennadius, 1889 (Homoptera - Aleyrodidae) on vegetable crops and effect of two entomopathogenic fungi Verticillium sp. and Paecilomyces sp.

The cotton or sweet potato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci, is a major pest in Algeria, affecting various greenhouse-grown crops. This study aimed to monitor B. tabaci population dynamics on tomatoes, peppers, zucchinis, and strawberries to understand its infestation patterns. The methodology involved regular monitoring of pest activity on these crops and a laboratory bioassay to assess the efficacy of two entomopathogenic fungi, Verticillium sp. and Paecilomyces sp., in controlling the whitefly. Results revealed that B. tabaci was most prevalent on tomatoes, with a 43.73% infestation rate, followed by peppers at 24%, zucchinis at 19.14%, and strawberries at 13.11%. In addition, laboratory trials were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of two entomopathogenic fungi, Verticillium sp. and Paecilomyces sp., in controlling the whitefly. Verticillium sp. showed higher efficacy, achieving a 73% mortality rate, while Paecilomyces sp. resulted in a significantly lower mortality of 23%. These findings suggest that Verticillium sp. holds promise as a biological control agent for managing B. tabaci in Algeria, particularly on tomato crops.