Utilizing cerium as a surrogate for actinide aerosols: Real-time characterization and formation mechanisms in nuclear fire scenarios.

Characterizing radioactive aerosol particles released from actinide metals on fires represents a pivotal process in nuclear emergency response. However, the precise characterization of these particles and the deep understanding of their formation mechanism remain a daunting challenge due to the lack of in-situ measurement techniques. We presented the first real-time investigation of respirable particles with the size ranging from 2 nm to 10 μm, emitted from the combustion of cerium metal (CM) as surrogate for actinide counterparts.

A C-Type Lectin, RfCTL27, Activates the Immune Defense in the Red Palm Weevil (A.G. Olivier, 1791) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Dryophthorinae) by the Recognition of Gram-Negative Bacteria.

Red palm weevil, (Olivier), is a palm tree insect pest that causes significant damage in the many countries from the Indian sub-continent and southeast Asia into date palm-growing countries of Africa, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean Basin. This study is aimed at determining the role of a C-type lectin, RfCTL27, in the immune defense of RPW larvae. RfCTL27 is a secreted protein that possesses a QPD motif, being integral for the discrimination of Gram-negative bacteria.

A peptidoglycan recognition protein regulates the immune response of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Olivier (Coleoptera: Dryophthoridae) during exposure to pathogenic Gram-positive bacteria and fungi.

Red palm weevil (RPW), Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Olivier, is a tremendously destructive insect pest of palm trees worldwide. Although some biological agents have been used to fight against RPW larvae, the control efficiency is still dissatisfactory. This study aimed to determine the role of a peptidoglycan recognition protein (PGRP), RfPGRP-S3, in RPW immunity.

Current understanding and perspectives on the potential mechanisms of immune priming in beetles.

Beetles are the most diverse group of insects in Insecta which can be found in almost every habitat and environment on Earth. The possessing of the rapid and effective immune defenses is one of the important factors for their success. It is generally recognized that beetles only rely on the non-specific innate immune defense, without immunological memory, to fight against pathogens.

The Effect of Gut Bacteria on the Physiology of Red Palm Weevil, Olivier and Their Potential for the Control of This Pest.

Red Palm Weevil (RPW), Olivier, is a notorious pest, which infests palm trees and has caused great economic losses worldwide. At present, insecticide applications are still the main way to control this pest. However, pesticide resistance has been detected in the field populations of RPW.

Spätzle Homolog-Mediated Toll-Like Pathway Regulates Innate Immune Responses to Maintain the Homeostasis of Gut Microbiota in the Red Palm Weevil, Olivier (Coleoptera: Dryophthoridae).

Spätzle (Spz) is a dimeric ligand that responds to the Gram-positive bacterial or fungal infection by binding Toll receptors to induce the secretion of antimicrobial peptides. However, whether the Toll-like signaling pathway mediates the innate immunity of to modulate the homeostasis of gut microbiota has not been determined. In this study, we found that a Spz homolog, RfSpätzle, is a secretory protein comprising a signal peptide and a conservative Spz domain.

Preparation of Red Palm Weevil (Olivier) (Coleoptera: Dryophthoridae) Germ-free Larvae for Host-gut Microbes Interaction Studies.

Red palm weevil (RPW), Olivier, is a devastating pest of palm trees worldwide. RPW gut is colonized by diverse bacterial species which profoundly influence host development and nutritional metabolism. However, the molecular mechanisms behind the interactions between RPW and its gut microbiota remain mostly unknown.

Intestinal Microbiota Confer Protection by Priming the Immune System of Red Palm Weevil Olivier (Coleoptera: Dryophthoridae).

The immune system of animals, including insects, is the vital factor to maintain the symbiotic interactions between animals and their associated microbes. However, the effects of gut microbiota on insect immunity remain mostly elusive. Red palm weevil (RPW), Olivier, is a destructive pest of palm trees worldwide, which has forged alliances with its gut microbiota.

The Promoting Effect of Gut Microbiota on Growth and Development of Red Palm Weevil, (Olivier) (Coleoptera: Dryophthoridae) by Modulating Its Nutritional Metabolism.

Red palm weevil (RPW), Olivier, is a destructive pest for palm trees worldwide. Recent studies have shown that RPW gut is colonized by microbes and alterations in gut microbiota can significantly modify its hemolymph nutrition content. However, the exact effects of gut microbiota on RPW phenotype and the underlying mechanisms remain elusive.

An IMD-like pathway mediates the intestinal immunity to modulate the homeostasis of gut microbiota in Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Olivier (Coleoptera: Dryophthoridae).

Most animals have established the mutualistic interactions with their intestinal microbes which provide multiple benefits to their host physiology. However, the mechanisms behind hosts determine the load and composition of gut microbiota are still poorly understood outside dipteran insects. Here, the gene, encoding the NF-κB-like transcription factor Relish, being designated as RfRelish, was identified and analyzed in red palm weevil (RPW), Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Olivier.

PGRP-LB homolog acts as a negative modulator of immunity in maintaining the gut-microbe symbiosis of red palm weevil, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Olivier.

Many notorious insect pests live in the symbiotic associations with gut microbiota. However, the mechanisms underlying how they host their gut microbiota are unknown. Most gut bacteria can release peptidoglycan (PGN) which is an important antigen to activate the immune response.

The Gut Entomotype of Red Palm Weevil Olivier (Coleoptera: Dryophthoridae) and Their Effect on Host Nutrition Metabolism.

For invasive insects, the potential roles of gut microbiota in exploiting new food resources and spreading remain elusive. Red palm weevil (RPW), Olivier, is an invasive destructive pest which feeds on nutrient-poor tender tissues and has caused extensive mortality of palm trees. The microbes associated with insects can improve their nutrition assimilation.

Pine Defensive Monoterpene α-Pinene Influences the Feeding Behavior of Dendroctonus valens and Its Gut Bacterial Community Structure.

The exposure to plant defense chemicals has negative effects on insect feeding activity and modifies insect gut microbial community composition. is a very destructive forest pest in China, and harbors a large diversity and abundance of gut microorganisms. Host pine defensive chemicals can protect the pines from attack by the holobiont.

Host selection behavior and the fecundity of Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) on multiple host plants.

Insect herbivores often have higher densities on host plants grown in monocultures than those in diverse environments. The underlying mechanisms are thought to be that polyphagous insects have difficulty in selecting food or oviposition sites when multiple host plants exist. However, this hypothesis needs to be extensively investigated.

Low diversity bacterial community and the trapping activity of metabolites from cultivable bacteria species in the female reproductive system of the Oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis Hendel (Diptera: Tephritidae).

Our goal was to identify the bacteria inhabiting the reproductive system of the female oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel), and evaluate the chemotaxis of B. dorsalis to the metabolites produced by the bacteria. Based on 16S rRNA-based polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE), 18 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were assigned to the five bacterial classes Betaproteobacteria, Alphaproteobacteria, Gammaproteobacteria, Bacilli and Actinobacteria.

Immunocompetence of the red turpentine beetle, Dendroctonus valens LeConte (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Scolytinae): variation between developmental stages and sexes in populations in China.

Immune defense imposes fitness costs as well as benefits, so organisms should optimize, not maximize, their immune function through their life cycle. We investigated this issue in the red turpentine beetle, Dendroctonus valens LeConte (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Scolytinae), which is a pine-killing invasive beetle in China, though it is usually considered as a secondary pest in its native range of North America. We hypothesized that pathogen pressure may affect these beetles differently throughout their life history.