重组人β-神经生长因子在昆虫细胞中的表达、纯化及其生物学活性

目的在昆虫细胞中表达重组人β-神经生长因子(Recombinant humanβnerve growth factor,rhβ-NGF),并对表达产物进行纯化和生物学活性鉴定。方法构建rhβ-NGF杆状病毒表达质粒Bacmid+[rhβ-NGF],利用脂质体cellfectionⅡ将质粒转染至昆虫细胞Sf9中,用转染细胞的上清反复感染Sf9细胞,大量收获含目的蛋白的培养上清,利用离子交换层析和分子筛层析纯化rhβ-NGF,纯化产物经SDS-PAGE和Western blot分析,并通过鸡胚背根神经节培养法检测rhβ-NGF的生物学活性。结果重组表达质粒Bacmid+[rhβ-NGF]经测序证实构建正确;重组病毒感染的Sf9细胞可表达rhβ-NGF;纯化的rhβ-NGF蛋白经SDS-PAGE分析,可见相对分子质量约14 200的单一条带,纯度大于98%,能与兔抗人NGF单克隆抗体特异性结合,并能刺激神经节突起生长,其比活性约为600 000 AU/mg。结论成功在昆虫细胞中表达了有生物学活性的rhβ-NGF,为其大量制备奠定了基础。     

Movement and distribution of Sitophilus zeamais adults and relationship between their density and trapping frequency in wheat bulks under different grain temperatures and moisture contents

Movement and distribution of Sitophilus zeamais adults and relationship between their trapping frequency and insect density were determined in one tonne wheat with 11.5 ± 0.2, 12.5 ± 0.1 and 13.5 ± 0.2% moisture contents (wet basis) inside cylindrical bins at 20, 25 and 30 °C. The introduced adult densities were 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 adults/kg wheat (A/kg). Inside each bin, 15 probe traps were vertically installed in three layers. In each layer, five traps were installed at the center and half radii of the bin individually. The trapped adults were counted daily up to 7 d, and then 15 kg wheat was sampled at each trap location. The insect number in each sample was counted.The recovered adults in the top layer were less than that in the middle layer, while no significant difference between at middle and bottom layers. In each layer, adults preferred the center location at 0.5 A/kg, while this trend was unidentified at other densities. There was an autocorrelation of insect densities at adjacent locations at ≥ 1.0 A/kg, while no autocorrelation in the vertical direction. The adults had an aggregation distribution at any temperature, moisture content and adult density. The normal and Poisson model could not be used to describe the distribution of the count frequency of the adults in the samples, while the negative binomial model could describe this distribution in 18 out of 27 sampling sets at ≤ 1.0 A/kg. The trapping frequency was strongly influenced by the trapping period and increased with the increase of insect densities. The relationship between adult densities and trapping frequencies at the sampling locations had a significant difference at different grain temperatures, while no difference at different moisture contents, grain depths, and locations.     

Predicting Prostephanus truncatus (Horn) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) populations and associated grain damage in smallholder farmers’ maize stores: A machine learning approach

Prostephanus truncatus is a notorious pest of stored-maize grain and its spread throughout sub-Saharan Africa has led to increased levels of grain storage losses. The current study developed models to predict the level of P. truncatus infestation and associated damage of maize grain in smallholder farmer stores. Data were gathered from grain storage trials conducted in Hwedza and Mbire districts of Zimbabwe and correlated with weather data for each site. Insect counts of P. truncatus and other common stored grain insect pests had a strong correlation with time of year with highest recorded numbers from January to May. Correlation analysis showed insect-generated grain dust from boring and feeding activity to be the best indicator of P. truncatus presence in stores (r = 0.70), while a moderate correlation (r = 0.48) was found between P. truncatus numbers and storage insect parasitic wasps, and grain damage levels significantly correlated with the presence of Tribolium castaneum (r = 0.60). Models were developed for predicting P. truncatus infestation and grain damage using parameter selection algorithms and decision-tree machine learning algorithms with 10-fold cross-validation. The P. truncatus population size prediction model performance was weak (r = 0.43) due to the complicated sampling and detection of the pest and eight-week long period between sampling events. The grain damage prediction model had a stronger correlation coefficient (r = 0.93) and is a good estimator for in situ stored grain insect damage. The models were developed for use under southern African climatic conditions and can be improved with more input data to create more precise models for building decision-support tools for smallholder maize-based production systems.     

Effect of paddy variety,milling status and aeration on the progeny emergence of Sitophilus oryzae L. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

In Sri Lanka, insects cause enormous losses in stored paddy; the rice weevil Sitophilus oryzae is a devastating insect. The magnitude of losses in stored paddy caused by insects varies with characteristics of paddy but has not yet been fully investigated. Due to the increased concerns on the use of synthetic chemicals, safer alternative pest management strategies for stored paddy are needed. Objectives of this study were to determine the effect of paddy variety, milling status and nature of aeration on the progeny emergence of S. oryzae. The experimental design was a three-factor factorial, completely randomized design (CRD).Freshly emerged S. oryzae adults were introduced to un-milled paddy or milled/polished rice belonging to traditional and improved varieties. The samples were maintained either open or airtight, and the progeny adults emerged was determined at monthly intervals. Progeny emergence was lower in the traditional varieties, un-milled paddy and under air-tight condition compared to improved varieties, milled/polished rice and aerated samples, respectively. Overall, the improved variety Bg 300 exhibited the maximum resistance to infestation by S. oryzae. Furthermore, white-colour and long-grain varieties produced lower progeny of S. oryzae than red-colour and short-grain varieties, respectively. It is concluded that the maximum protection in paddy/rice from insect infestation during storage can be achieved by using traditional varieties, stored as un-milled paddy (without dehusked) under airtight condition.     

An improved preparation of some insect sex attractants: Synthesis and separation of geometrical isomers by formation of urea complexes

Wittig condensations of aldehydes or ketones with phosphonium salts are frequently used methods for the syntheses of straight-chain or branched alkenes. Suitable choice of reaction conditions may provide the desired geometrical isomer as reaction product. However, we have found that mixtures of geometrical isomers can be conveniently separated on a large scale by the relatively inexpensive method of urea inclusion complex formation. The recovery of both isomers from the separation procedure is almost quantitative. Urea inclusion complexes are formed preferentially withE isomers. Formation of the inclusion complex is affected by the skeletal structure and by the nature of the terminal functional group. By applying this method of separation at a convenient stage, several insect pheromones were prepared without the necessity of a stereoselective step. The technique was used for syntheses of (Z)-11-hexadecenal and (Z)-9-tetradecenal (components of theHeliothis virescens pheromone) and for the synthesis of candidate attractants possessing a trisubstituted double bond.This work was conducted under a Cooperative Agreement between the University of Maryland and the Agricultural Research Service.Mention of a commercial product in this paper does not constitute an endorsement of this product by the USDA.     

Propheromones derived from codlemone

Tricarbonyl [(8,9,10,11--8,10-dodecadien-l-ol] iron and the corresponding acetate prepared from 8,10-dodecadien-1-ol or its acetate, comprise the protected double-bond system of the molecule. After coming in contact with ambient oxygen, the iron complexes in question slowly release the corresponding pheromones of, for example, the codling moth,Cydia pomonella, and the pea moth,Cydia nigricana in highE,E purity and amounts that are sufficient for pest monitoring. A simple dispenser for propheromone application is proposed. Results of release rates in laboratory conditions and field trials are given.     

谈园林设计与病虫害的发生

阐述了园林设计对植物病虫害的影响.为减少病虫害的发生,必须适地适树和树种乡土化,种植结构要复层化,品种要多样化,注意植物间的相生、相克和化感作用.     

智慧农业病虫害巡检系统设计与实现

为了应对农作物生长过程中病虫害的影响,本文开发了一个病虫害巡检系统。该系统以STM32F407ZGT6、ARM Cortex-A为采集与控制单元核心,配以自制智能小车,实现农作物环境监测及视频图像采集。针对农作物图像,利用深度学习技术,对其病虫害情况进行快速无损识别。使用MQTT协议实现本地数据上传,并对云端数据转发和存储。设计网页和手机端,方便查看农作物生长环境状态、病虫害识别情况等。该系统运用到农业生产中,能够有效防止病虫害事件扩大,具有准确性高、检测速度快、稳定性强等优点。     

A review of insect responses to variations encountered in the managed storage environment

In combating infestation in the storage environment the choice of control method and appropriate setting of dose or exposure level needs to take into account how long it is likely to take for the applied measure to reach the site of infestation, and then the local environmental conditions of temperature and humidity before deciding how long is needed for insects to be controlled. Other factors such as the physical properties of the stored product, the nature of the packaging, the time of year and the lighting conditions, may also be of critical importance. This review examines some of the defence mechanisms insects employ and environmental niches they utilize when confronted by control measures.The responses of insects to natural or induced environmental stimuli may be divided into behavioural and metabolic responses. Behavioural responses include orientation towards more favourable conditions or attractants, and avoidance measures such as retreating from treated surfaces into a refuge or descending a concentration gradient of a repellent gas or fumigant. Metabolic responses include aspects of increased metabolism such as when a toxicant is actively excluded from entering the body or the activation of enhanced detoxification pathways following uptake, and aspects of reduced metabolism such as the shutting down of activity, an induced delay in development prolonging a tolerant stage, or a switch to less active biochemical pathways such as anaerobiosis. The response of insects to physical and chemical gradients, treated surfaces, their temperature-related activity responses, their survival at temperature extremes and survival thresholds in toxic atmospheres are discussed in the context of pest survival and the development of resistance in the storage environment.     

Hermetic storage with plastic sealing to reduce insect infestation and secure paddy seed quality: A powerful strategy for rice farmers in Mozambique

Rice is the world's most important staple food and the basis of the diet of the majority of the population. In small farm agriculture, the yields obtained in cereal production are usually low and losses, both in the field and during storage, are dramatically high, particularly in developing countries. In Mozambique, these aspects, together with an increased frequency of floods, are hindering advances in rice production. Aimed at contributing to the reduction of losses in stored rice, trials were carried out to compare the effectiveness of traditional raffia bags and of hermetic storage using single and double plastic bags concerning quantitative losses and seed quality, including germination potential, after three and six months of storage. Pest identification, insect populations estimates, percentage of weight loss, germination power and seedling vigor were evaluated. The results showed that, in descending order of density, Angoumois grain moth (Sitotroga cerealella Olivier), lesser grain borer (Rhyzopertha dominica F.), rice/maize weevil (Sitophilus zeamais Mostch. and Sitophilus oryzae L.) and red flour beetle [Tribolium castaneum (Herbst)] were the main insects infesting the rice. When compared to hermetic storage with both single and duplicate airtight bags, traditional storage presented statistically significant higher mean infestation density (30.63–53.94 individuals/kg in traditional and 0.71–3.50 individuals/kg in hermetic storage) and percentage of weight loss (3.03–3.44% in traditional contrasting with 0.27–0.47% in hermetic conditions). In traditional storage a significant 38.25% drop in the germination potential was also observed, attaining values below the established minimum tolerated in Mozambique (80%), while under hermetic storage, that reduction remained within the acceptable values of 13.9–17.5%. The distinct storage methods did not produce significant differences on the moisture content of the grain. These results demonstrate that the use of hermetic storage has resulted in a safe, pesticide-free, and sustainable storage method, suitable for rice seeds, with advantages over traditional bagging. The results presented here lead to propose hermetic storage to be adopted by paddy small farmers, in order to lever food security and income generation in the country.