Effects of Gastrodin against Lead-Induced Brain Injury in Mice Associated with the Wnt/Nrf2 Pathway.

Gastrodin (GAS), the main phenolic glycoside extracted from Blume, exhibited potential neuroprotective properties. Here we examined the protective effects of GAS against lead(Pb)-induced nerve injury in mice, and explores its underlying mechanisms. Our research findings revealed that GAS improved behavioral deficits in Pb-exposed mice.

Effects of gastrodin against carbon tetrachloride induced kidney inflammation and fibrosis in mice associated with the AMPK/Nrf2/HMGB1 pathway.

Gastrodin (GAS), the main phenolic glycoside extracted from Gastrodia elata Blume, exhibits potential renoprotective properties. Here, we examined the protective effects of GAS on carbon tetrachloride (CCl)-induced kidney inflammation and fibrosis in mice, and explored its underlying mechanisms. Our research findings revealed that GAS improved CCl-induced renal damage in mice.

Ampelopsin attenuates carbon tetrachloride-induced mouse liver fibrosis and hepatic stellate cell activation associated with the SIRT1/TGF-β1/Smad3 and autophagy pathway.

Ampelopsin (Amp), a natural flavonoid found in the vine tea of Ampelopsis grossedentata, exhibited anti-cancer, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptosis and hepatoprotective properties. The current study instigates the protective effect of Amp on carbon tetrachloride (CCl)-induced hepatic fibrosis and explores its underlying mechanisms. The results indicated Amp decreased the levels of liver injury markers.

Fisetin improves lead-induced neuroinflammation, apoptosis and synaptic dysfunction in mice associated with the AMPK/SIRT1 and autophagy pathway.

Fisetin, a natural flavonoid found in plants, fruits and vegetables, exerts anti-cancer, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-mitotic effects. The current study instigates the protective effect of fisetin against lead-induced synaptic dysfunction, neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration in mice, and explores its underlying mechanisms. The results indicated fisetin can significantly ameliorated behavioral impairments in Pb-treated mice.

Wolbachia Infection Dynamics in Tribolium confusum (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) and Their Effects on Host Mating Behavior and Reproduction.

Wolbachia interact with their hosts in a broad variety of relationships that range from parasitism to mutualism. To improve the understanding of complex relationships between Wolbachia and host, we performed not only mating and crossing experiments to investigate effects of Wolbachia on mate choice, mating performance, and reproduction in the confused flour beetles Tribolium confusum (Jacquelin du Val), but also quantitative PCR to determine Wolbachia spatiotemporal infection density dynamics within beetles. Wolbachia induced strong cytoplasmic incompatibility, but had no effects on male mate choice and mating performance.

Protective effect of puerarin on lead-induced mouse cognitive impairment via altering activities of acetyl cholinesterase, monoamine oxidase and nitric oxide synthase.

Puerarin (PU), a natural flavonoid, has been reported to have many benefits and medicinal properties. The present study aimed to investigate the protective effects of puerarin on neurotoxicity in mice exposed to lead. ICR mice were exposed to lead acetate in the drinking water (500 ppm) with or without puerarin coadministration (100 and 200 mgPU/kg intragastrically once daily) for three months.

Sesamin protects mouse liver against nickel-induced oxidative DNA damage and apoptosis by the PI3K-Akt pathway.

Sesamin (Ses), one of the major lignans in sesame seeds and oil, has been reported to have many benefits and medicinal properties. However, its protective effects against nickel (Ni)-induced injury in liver have not been clarified. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of sesamin on hepatic oxidative DNA injury and apoptosis in mice exposed to nickel.

Influence of nutrition on male development and reproduction in Tribolium castaneum.

Tribolium beetles have evolved over several thousand years to colonize and exploit various food products that vary widely in their nutritional quality. Here Tribolium castaneum was used as a model organism to explore the effect of nutritional quality on male development and reproduction. The results showed, when tested across different qualities of nutritional diets, Tribolium males developed faster and their body size was larger on a high-quality diet, and there were significant correlations between male developmental traits.

Pheromone production by male Tribolium castaneum (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) is influenced by diet quality.

Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), the red flour beetle, is a common cosmopolitan pest exploiting a variety of stored products. We experimentally manipulated diet nutritional quality by using non-nutritive filler to examine how this influenced pheromone production and olfactory attractiveness of T. castaneum adult males.

Genetic basis of sex pheromone blend difference between Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) and Helicoverpa assulta (Guenée) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).

The two closely related moth species, Helicoverpa armigera and H. assulta, are sympatric in China. Both species use a mixture of (Z)-11-hexadecenal (Z11-16:Ald) and (Z)-9-hexadecenal (Z9-16:Ald) as their sex pheromones but in widely different ratios.

Mechanisms of premating isolation between Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) and Helicoverpa assulta (Guenée) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).

Helicoverpa armigera and Helicoverpa assulta are sympatric sibling species, and in the laboratory they can interbreed and produce viable offspring. To assess the contributions of temporal barriers and sexual barriers to premating isolation, we investigated both the temporal rhythms of calling behavior and pheromone titers of H. armigera and H.