Molecular target for sprayable double-stranded RNA-based biopesticide against Amphitetranychus viennensis (Acari, Tetranychidae).

Amphitetranychus viennensis, a destructive pest mite of fruit plants in Europe and Asia, poses a serious challenge due to its adaptability and resistance to multiple acaricides. RNA interference (RNAi)-based technologies offer a promising alternative to address this emerging issue. In this study, we screened for candidate genes that can be targeted for spray-induced gene silencing (SIGS).

Biventricular finite element modeling of the fetal heart in health and during critical aortic stenosis.

Finite Element simulations are a robust way of investigating cardiac biomechanics. To date, it has only been performed with the left ventricle (LV) alone for fetal hearts, even though results are likely different with biventricular (BiV) simulations. In this research, we conduct BiV simulations of the fetal heart based on 4D echocardiography images to show that it can capture the biomechanics of the normal healthy fetal heart, as well as those of fetal aortic stenosis better than the LV alone simulations.

Identification and Functional Characterization of Two Chitin Synthases in the Black Cutworm, Agrotis ipsilon (Hufnagel) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).

The black cutworm, Agrotis ipsilon (Hufnagel), a seasonal migrant and a prolific generalist, can feed on nearly all vegetables and grain crops, causing considerable economic impacts on a global scale. Given its cryptic nature, A. ipsilon management has been extremely challenging.

Contribution of Ventricular Motion and Sampling Location to Discrepancies in Two-Dimensional Versus Three-Dimensional Fetal Ventricular Strain Measures.

Background: Echocardiographic quantification of fetal cardiac strain is important to evaluate function and the need for intervention, with both two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) strain measurements currently feasible. However, discrepancies between 2D and 3D measurements have been reported, the etiologies of which are unclear. This study sought to determine the etiologies of the differences between 2D and 3D strain measurements.

The dependency of fetal left ventricular biomechanics function on myocardium helix angle configuration.

The helix angle configuration of the myocardium is understood to contribute to the heart function, as finite element (FE) modeling of postnatal hearts showed that altered configurations affected cardiac function and biomechanics. However, similar investigations have not been done on the fetal heart. To address this, we performed image-based FE simulations of fetal left ventricles (LV) over a range of helix angle configurations, assuming a linear variation of helix angles from epicardium to endocardium.

Biventricular biaxial mechanical testing and constitutive modelling of fetal porcine myocardium passive stiffness.

The evaluation of fetal heart mechanical function is becoming increasingly important for determining the prognosis and making subsequent decisions on the treatment and management of congenital heart diseases. Finite Element (FE) modelling can potentially provide detailed information on fetal hearts, and help perform virtual interventions to assist in predicting outcomes and supporting clinical decisions. Previous FE studies have enabled an improved understanding of healthy and diseased fetal heart biomechanics.

Identification and RNAi-based functional analysis of chitinase family genes in Agrotis ipsilon.

Background: Chitin is a major component in the extracellular matrix of insects, and its metabolism largely affects insect development and molting. As essential degradative enzymes, chitinases are encoded by multiple genes that differ in size, expression pattern and function in insects. However, our limited knowledge on the functions of different chitinases in Agrotis ipsilon has prevented our application of new technologies to target these genes as new pest management strategies.

Selection of Reference Genes for RT-qPCR Analysis in the Hawthorn Spider Mite, Amphitetranychus viennensis (Acarina: Tetranychidae), Under Acaricide Treatments.

Hawthorn spider mite, Amphitetranychus viennensis Zacher, one of the most damaging arthropod pests for Rosaceaous fruit trees and ornamentals, has developed resistance to most of the commercially available acaricides. To understand the molecular basis of acaricide resistance, a standardized protocol for real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) following the MIQE (minimum information for publication of quantitative real time PCR experiments) guidelines is needed. In this study, we screened for the internal references in A.

Real-Time Hierarchical Classification of Time Series Data for Locomotion Mode Detection.

Objective: Accurate real-time estimation of motion intent is critical for rendering useful assistance using wearable robotic prosthetic and exoskeleton devices during user-initiated motions. We aim to evaluate hierarchical classification as a strategy for real-time locomotion mode recognition for the control of wearable robotic prostheses and exoskeletons during user-initiated motions.

Methods: We collect motion data from 8 subjects using a set of 7 inertial sensors for 16 lower limb locomotion modes of different specificities.

Biomechanics of Human Fetal Hearts with Critical Aortic Stenosis.

Critical aortic stenosis (AS) of the fetal heart causes a drastic change in the cardiac biomechanical environment. Consequently, a substantial proportion of such cases will lead to a single-ventricular birth outcome. However, the biomechanics of the disease is not well understood.

Insecticidal Activity of 11 Bt toxins and 3 Transgenic Maize Events Expressing Vip3Aa19 to Black Cutworm, (Hufnagel).

Black cutworm (BCW), (Hufnagel), is an occasional pest of maize that can cause considerable economic loss and injury to corn seedlings. This research mainly assessed the susceptibility of BCW neonates to 11 Bt toxins (Cry1Ab, Cry1Ac, Cry1Ah, Cry1F, Cry1Ie, Cry1B, Cry2Aa, Vip3_ch1, Vip3_ch4, Vip3Ca2, Vip3Aa19) by exposing neonates to an artificial diet containing Bt toxins and evaluated the efficacy of three transgenic maize events (C008, C009, C010) expressing Vip3Aa19 toxin against BCW. The toxin-diet bioassay data indicated that Vip3Aa19 protein (LC = 0.

Up-regulation of ABCB1/P-glycoprotein by escaping promoter hypermethylation indicates poor prognosis in hematologic malignancy patients with and without bone marrow transplantation.

We investigated the correlation between MDR1 promoter methylation status and MDR1 expression in 228 hematologic malignancies patients and 90 healthy controls. High level of MDR1 mRNA correlated to promoter hypomethylation and strongly associated with poor prognosis indicated by 2-year survival rates, poor CR rate (without BMT) and high relapse rate (with BMT). Furthermore, relative luciferase activity of methylated MDR1 at promoter -50 region was significantly higher than that of the unmethylated.