Silencing transformer and transformer-2 in Zeugodacus cucurbitae causes defective sex determination with inviability of most pseudomales

transformer is a switch gene for sex determination in many insects, which cooperates with transformer-2 that is expressed in both sexes to regulate female differentiation, particularly in dipterans. Zeugodacus cucurbitae(Coquillett) is a very destructive pest worldwide, however, its sex determination pathway remains largely uncharacterized. Here, we show that the female sex ratio is sharply reduced with knockdown of either transformer or transformer-2 by RNA interference in early embryos of Z. cucurbitae. Most of the males grown from the embryos with transient transformer and transformer-2 suppression mated with wild-type females and produced mixed sex progeny, with one exception that produced only female progeny, and all of the few remaining males failed to mate with wild-type females and produced no progeny. The exceptional male and those males with mating failure were XX pseudomales as determined by the detection of Y chromosome-linked Maleness-on-the-Y, indicating that most XX pseudomales are not viable. The phenotypes of transformer and transformer-2 suggest that they play a key role in regulating sex determination and are required for female sexual development of Z. cucurbitae. Our results will be beneficial to the understanding of sex determination in Z. cucurbitae and can facilitate the development of genetic sexing strains for its biological control.

Overexpression of Kdm6b induces testicular differentiation in a temperature-dependent sex determination system

In reptiles,such as the red-eared slider turtle(Trachemys scripta elegans),gonadal sex determination is highly dependent on the environmental temperature during embryonic stages.This complex process,which leads to differentiation into either testes or ovaries,is governed by the finely tuned expression of upstream genes,notably the testis-promoting gene Dmrt1 and the ovary-promoting gene Foxl2.Recent studies have identified epigenetic regulation as a crucial factor in testis development,with the H3K27me3 demethylase KDM6B being essential for Dmrt1 expression in T.s.elegans.However,whether KDM6B alone can induce testicular differentiation remains unclear.In this study,we found that overexpression of Kdm6b in T.s.elegans embryos induced the male development pathway,accompanied by a rapid increase in the gonadal expression of Dmrt1 at 31°C,a temperature typically resulting in female development.Notably,this sex reversal could be entirely rescued by Dmrt1 knockdown.These findings demonstrate that Kdm6b is sufficient for commitment to the male pathway,underscoring its role as a critical epigenetic regulator in the sex determination of the red-eared slider turtle.

Relative orbit determination algorithm of space targets with passive observation

Angles-only relative orbit determination for space non-cooperative targets based on passive sensor is subject to weakly observable problem of the relative state between two spacecraft. Previously, the evidence for angles-only observability was found by using cylindrical dynamics, however, the solution of orbit determination is still not provided. This study develops a relative orbit determination algorithm with the cylindrical dynamics based on differential evolution. Firstly, the relative motion dynamics and line-of-sight measurement model for nearcircular orbit are established in cylindrical coordinate system.Secondly, the observability is qualitatively analyzed by using the dynamics and measurement model where the unobservable geometry is found. Then, the angles-only relative orbit determination problem is modeled into an optimal searching frame and an improved differential evolution algorithm is introduced to solve the problem. Finally, the proposed algorithm is verified and tested by a set of numerical simulations in the context of highEarth and low-Earth cases. The results show that initial relative orbit determination(IROD) solution with an appropriate accuracy in a relative short span is achieved, which can be used to initialize the navigation filter.

The Impact of Sleep Determination on Procrastination before Bedtime:The Role of Anxiety

Objective:The importance of good sleep for energy recovery and overall physical and mental health cannot be overstated.However,the increasing competitiveness of society,diversifying lifestyles,and the rapid spread of the internet and electronic devices have significantly impacted people’s sleep patterns,particularly through bedtime procrastination.Therefore,this study aims to investigate the relationship and underlying mechanisms between sleep determination,anxiety,and bedtime procrastination among the Chinese population.Method:The study utilized data from a national survey—the China Residents’Sleep Condition Survey(November 2021,with 6,037 participants).By constructing mediation and moderation models,it analyzed the relationship and mechanisms between sleep determination and bedtime procrastination,highlighting the dual role of anxiety:as a mediator between sleep determination and bedtime procrastination,and as a moderator of their relationship.Results:There was a negative correlation between sleep determination and bedtime procrastination;anxiety was related to an increase in bedtime procrastination behaviors;In the interplay between sleep determination and pre-bedtime procrastination,the regulatory effect of anxiety is found to be more pronounced than its intermediary role,with anxiety significantly diminishing the inverse relationship between sleep determination and procrastination before bedtime.Conclusion:Bedtime procrastination can lead to sleep issues,thus reducing sleep quality.Enhancing sleep determination or alleviating pre-sleep anxiety can help inhibit bedtime procrastination behaviors.Intervening and reducing bedtime procrastination is one of the effective measures to improve sleep quality.

Determination of Benzoylaconitine Compounds in the Decoctions of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata(Heishun Pieces),Trichosanthis Fructus and Their Combination

[Objectives]This study was conducted to determine the contents of benzoylmesaconine,benzoylaconitine and benzoylhypacoitine in the decoctions of Heishun pieces,Trichosanthis Fructus and their combination.[Methods]Heishun pieces,Trichosanthis Fructus and their combination were extracted for different time periods,and then grouped.HPLC was performed using an Agilent ZORBAX SB-C 18 chromatographic column(4.6 mm×250 mm,5μm)and acetonitrile-0.02 mol/L sodium dihydrogen phosphate as the mobile phase at a flow rate of 1 mL/min and a column temperature of 30℃,and the sample volume was 20μL.The detection wavelength was 230 nm.[Results]The total amounts of benzoylmesaconine,benzoylaconitine and benzoylhypacoitine in the single decoction group of Heishun pieces were all significantly different from those in the combined decoction group at corresponding time.[Conclusions]The total content of the benzoylaconitine type increased significantly after the combined decoction of Heishun pieces and Fructus Trichosanthis,which proves the scientificity of"eighteen incompatible medicaments,19 counteraction"in traditional Chinese medicine to some extent.

Research Progress on Purification Process, Content Determination and Pharmacological Action of Atractylodin

Atractylodis Rhizoma comes from the dry rhizome of Atractylis lancea or Atractylodes chinensis in the Compositae family,and it is suitable for preventing and treating diseases such as cold,edema,night blindness and rheumatic arthralgia.Atractylodin is the main active component extracted and isolated from Atractylodis Rhizoma.A large number of studies have found that atractylodin has excellent drug activity in improving gastrointestinal emptying,anti-inflammation,inhibiting malignant tumor and reducing blood lipid.In this paper,the purification process and pharmacological activity of Atractylodin were summarized to provide a theoretical basis for basic research,clinical application and further development and utilization of atractylodin.

TLC Identification of Yao Medicine Pileostegia tomentellal and Extraction Technology and Content Determination of Umbelliferone

[Objectives]To establish a TLC and content determination method of Pileostegia tomentellal,with umbelliferone as the indicator component.[Methods]TLC identification was performed by silica gel G thin layer plate with n-hexane-ethyl acetate(4:3)as the developing agent,and the plate was examined by UV lamp(365 nm).The umbelliferone content was determined by HPLC:Inertsil ODS-3 C 18 column(4.60 mm×250 mm,5μm);mobile phase acetonitrile-0.2%phosphoric acid gradient elution;detection wavelength 320 nm,flow rate 1.0 mL/min,column temperature 30℃,injection volume 10μL.[Results]The chromatogram of P.tomentellal showed the same color spot in the same position as that of reference medicinal material,and the spot was clear with good specificity.Umbelliferone showed a good linear relationship when the injection volume was 2.63-131.27μg/mL(R^(2)=0.9997).The average recovery of umbelliferone in the low,middle and high adding groups of P.tomentellal was 99.57%and the RSD was 2.15%.[Conclusions]The method can effectively identify Yao medicine P.tomentellal and accurately determine the content of umbelliferone in medicinal materials,which will provide a scientific basis for the development and utilization of medicinal resources of Yao medicine P.tomentellal.

Determination of Chlorogenic Acid,Geniposide,Total Flavonoids and Total Triterpenes in Wulan-13

[Objectives]This study was conducted to establish a method for the determination of chlorogenic acid,geniposide,total flavonoids and total triterpenes in Wulan-13.[Methods]The contents of chlorogenic acid and geniposide were determined by HPLC,and the contents of total flavonoids and total triterpenes were determined by an ultraviolet spectrophotometer.[Results]There was a good linear relation between the mass of chlorogenic acid reference substance and the peak area in the range of 0.05-0.45μg,and the regression equation was Y=2524.1X+3.1943,(r=0.9998).A good linear relationship was found between the mass of gardenoside reference substance and the peak area in the range of 0.776-6.984μg,and the regression equation was Y=1670.5X+64.804,(r=0.9998).There was also a good linear relation between the mass of rutin reference substance and its absorbance in the range of 0.00808-0.04848 mg,and the regression equation was Y=12.916X+0.014,(r=0.999).The mass of oleanolic acid reference substance had a good linear relation with its absorbance in the range of 0.00418-0.0209 mg,and the regression equation was Y=51.89X-0.0839,(r=0.9991).[Conclusions]The content determination method is simple,reliable and reproducible,and suitable for controlling the contents of chlorogenic acid,geniposide,total flavonoids and total triterpenes in Wulan-13.

Determination of Salvianolic Acid B in Yiqi Huayu Prescription by HPLC

[Objectives]To determine the content of salvianolic acid B in Yiqi Huayu Prescription by HPLC.[Methods]The chromatographic column was ZORBAX Eclipse Plus C 18(4.6 nm×250 nm,5μm);the mobile phase was acetonitrile-0.1%phosphoric acid(21:79),the detection wavelength was 286 nm,the column temperature was 30℃,and the flow rate was 1.0 mL/min.A method for determination of salvianolic acid B in Yiqi Huayu Prescription was established.[Results]The linear relationship of salvianolic acid B was good in the range of 0.0214-0.4064 mg/mL.The regression equation was Y=5995.98984 X-0.07332,r=0.9999.The average recovery rate was 98.88%(RSD=1.6%).[Conclusions]The method is reliable,accurate and specific,and can be used for the determination of salvianolic acid B in Yiqi Huayu Prescription.

Sex Determination in Homo sapiens as a Multi-Step Process: Potential for Development of Variants and Sex Differences in Disease Risk

Reproduction via cis-binary mechanisms appears to have evolved fairly early in the evolution of complex organisms, and a system committed to prior to evolution of humans. While the evolution of a chromosomal-specific approach has been a successful strategy for survival of a large variety of species including humans, the fidelity of sex determination leading to 100% cis-binary outcomes is not achieved in many species, with evidence for homosexual or bisexual behaviour evident in more than 1500 species. Thus, such outcomes indicates that sex determination is a multi-step process and not a single event, and as such, could lead to the appearance of variants during the process which developed much earlier than humans. Variants could arise either due to intrinsic variation in the steps of determination, or also be influenced by environmental factors of a biological or psychological nature. In contrast to homosexual variants which do not require interventions such as hormone therapy or surgery, expression of gender dysphoria, is more based in psychology, but also has biological underpinnings and can be influenced by such hormonal interventions and surgery. While the numbers of those with gender dysphoria is small (~0.6% - 1.0% of population), the attention given to this issue raises the possibility of biological and psychological environmental factors impacting the emergence of some of those expressing gender dysphoria. Furthermore, transitioning from male-to-female or female-to-male can have consequences regarding disease risks latter in life, including the appearance of autoimmune diseases. This review will attempt to review some of the evidence regarding sex determination, discuss why the system has potentially not been improved upon during evolution, how a potential role for sex chromosome function on neurodevelopment may be central to variation in humans, and how commitment to the current strategy is likely integrated into other sex-related events such as puberty, pregnancy, and menopause to ensure species survival. It will also discuss how variants in sex determination could contribute to sex differences in disease risk and how epigenetic modifications could play a role in such risk. .

Soxllb regulates the migration and fate determination of Müller glia-derived progenitors during retina regeneration in zebrafish

The transcription factor Sox11 plays important roles in retinal neurogenesis during vertebrate eye development.However,its function in retina regeneration remains elusive.Here we report that Sox11 b,a zebrafish Sox11 homolog,regulates the migration and fate determination of Müller glia-derived progenitors(MGPCs)in an adult zebrafish model of mechanical retinal injury.Following a stab injury,the expression of Sox11 b was induced in proliferating MGPCs in the retina.Sox11 b knockdown did not affect MGPC formation at 4 days post-injury,although the nuclear morphology and subsequent radial migration of MGPCs were alte red.At 7 days post-injury,Sox11 b knockdown res ulted in an increased proportion of MGPCs in the inner retina and a decreased propo rtion of MGPCs in the outer nuclear layer,compared with controls.Furthermore,Sox11 b knockdown led to reduced photoreceptor regeneration,while it increased the numbe rs of newborn amacrines and retinal ganglion cells.Finally,quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that Sox11 b regulated the expression of Notch signaling components in the retina,and Notch inhibition partially recapitulated the Sox11 b knockdown phenotype,indicating that Notch signaling functions downstream of Sox11 b.Our findings imply that Sox11 b plays key roles in MGPC migration and fate determination during retina regeneration in zebrafish,which may have critical im plications for future explorations of retinal repair in mammals.

Maleness-on-the-Y(MoY) orthologue is a key regulator of male sex determination in Zeugodacus cucurbitae(Diptera:Tephritidae)

The initiation of sex differentiation in insects is regulated by primary sex determination signals.In the Medfly Ceratitis capitata and other tephritids,Maleness-on-the-Y(MoY) is the master gene for male sex determination.However,the primary signal in Zeugodacus cucurbitae(Coquillett),a very destructive tephritid pest across the world,remains ambiguous.In this study,we have isolated and characterized the Medfly MoY homolog in Z.cucurbitae,ZcMoY.ZcMOY protein shows high sequence conservation to its homologs in Bactrocera species.ZcMoY transcription begins and peaks at very early embryonic stages and then becomes undetectable except the testes and heads of day 1 male adults.Silencing ZcMoY in early embryos by RNAi causes abnormal external genitalia and interior reproductive organs,giving rise to intersexes and feminization of XY individuals.The expression pattern and knockdown phenotypes of ZcMoY indicate that ZcMoY plays a key role in regulating sex determination of Z.cucurbitae males.Our findings will help the understanding of sex determination in Z.cucurbitae and facilitate the development of genetic sexing strains in its biological control.

Spectrofluorimetric determination of trace amounts of cadmium with 2,4-dihydroxyacetophenone benzoylhydrazone

A new fluorescent reagent 2,4-dihydroxyacetophenone benzoylhydrazone （DHAPBH） was synthesized and its ionization constants were established spectrophotometrically. The fluorescent reaction of this reagent with cadmium was studied. The cadmium ion can form a stable binary chelate with DHAPBH, having a mole ratio of 1 ：2 in the pH range of 3.6-4.4. Based on this chelation reaction, a highly sensitive spectrofiuorimetric method was developed for determination of trace amounts of cadmium in a water-ethanol （7：3 in volume ratio） medium at pH = 4.0. Under these conditions, the Cd-DHAPBH complex has excitation and emission maxima at 306 and 437 nm, respectively. The linear range of the method is from 0.36 to 140μtg·L^-1 and the detection limit is 0.27 μtg·L^-1 of cadmium. Interferences of other ions were studied. The method was successfully applied to the determination of cadmium in mineral water, tap water, fiver water, and wastewater.

Revisiting the determination of Mount Olympus Height(Greece)

The present study deals with the determination of Mount Olympus summit(Mytikas),exploiting modern observations such as Global Navigation Satellite Systems(GNSS)and existing geodetic information.The last official Olympus height determination goes back 102 years by the Swiss surveyor M.Kurz.Since then,only unofficial measurement campaigns have taken place.There is a variety of released heights,which range from 2917 to 2919 meters.In September and October of 2022,we conducted a GNSS campaign,focusing on the area of highest Olympus peaks.Employing precise GNSS measurements(accuracy of 1-3 cm),in conjunction with height information from Greece’s National Triangulation Network(5-10 cm accuracy)and an appropriate,recent geoid model(5-6 cm accuracy),we estimate through the so-called GNSS-levelling,the height of Olympus to 2917.727 m with respect to Greece’s officially accepted mean sea level and 2918.390 m with respect to the global vertical datum.Our estimation of Olympus highest peak shows remarkable consistency at the level of 12.8 cm to that of M.Kurz in 1921.

Reagent optimization for on-line simultaneous polarographic determination of trace amounts of Cu^(2+), Cd^(2+) and Co^(2+) in the presence of anextremely large excess of Zn^(2+)

Reagents are optimized for the simultaneous determination of trace amounts of Cu^(2+), Cd^(2+) and Co^(2+) in zinc sulfate solution, which contains an extremely large excess of Zn^(2+). First, the reagents and their doses for the experiment are selected according to the characteristics of the zinc sulfate solution. Then, the reagent doses are optimized by analyzing the influence of reagent dose on the polarographic parameters(i.e. half-wave potential E_(1/2) and limiting diffusion current I_p). Finally, the optimization results are verified by simultaneously determining trace amounts of Cu^(2+), Cd^(2+) and Co^(2+) in the presence of an extremely large excess of Zn^(2+). The determination results indicate that the optimized reagents exhibit wide linearity, low detection limits, high accuracy and good precision for the simultaneous determination of trace amounts of Cu^(2+), Cd^(2+) and Co^(2+) in the presence of an extremely large excess of Zn^(2+).

The impacts of ambiguity in preparation of 80% sulfuric acid solution and shaking time control of calibration solution on the determination of transparent exopolymer particles

The quantification of transparent exopolymer particles(TEP) by colorimetric method is of large error and low repeatability,one major reason of which is related to the absence of clear definition and evaluation for part steps of the original method.It is obscure that the 80% sulfuric acid solution,acted as the extraction solution in the determination of TEP,is prepared based on a volume ratio or mass ratio.Furthermore,the change of solubility of recently available Gum Xanthan(GX) from the market means that the original protocol is no longer applicable,and the grinding of GX stock solution with a tissue grinder is replaced by shaking with a rotating shaker in the study to prevent the excessive dissolution of GX.We found that different preparation techniques could result in the varied concentrations of 80% H_(2)SO_(4).The duration of shaking during the preparation of standard solution significantly affected the slope of the calibration curve,which caused different correction results of TEP.The impacts of different extraction solution concentrations and shaking time of GX solution on the quantification of TEP were investigated based on the field sampling and laboratory analysis.The extraction capacities of H_(2)SO_(4) with different concentrations for Alcian Blue were distinct,but had limited effect on the final measuring result of TEP.The change of the standard curve slope came along with the variation of shaking time,which markedly altered the detection limit and calibration result,and the extended shaking time was in favor of the determination of low-concentration TEP.It was suggested that the extraction solution concentration,shaking time and filtration volume of standard solution are required to be well controlled and selected to obtain more accurate results for TEP with different concentrations.

Highly Sensitive Spectrofluorimetric Determination of Trace Amounts of Indium(Ⅲ) with Salicylaldehyde Salicyloylhydrazone

The fluorescent reaction of salicylaldehyde salicyloylhydrazone(SASH) with indium(Ⅲ) was studied in detail. Based on this chelation reaction, a sensitive spectrofluorimetric method was developed for the determination of indium in a water ethanol(volume ratio 3∶7) medium at pH 4 0. Under the condition, the In SASH complex displays an excitation and emission maxima at 396 and 461 nm, respectively. The linear range of the method is from 4 7 to 1000 ng/mL and the detection limit is 0 94 ng/mL. The molar ratio of indium to the reagent is 1∶1. The interferences of other ions were studied. The method was successfully applied to the determination of indium in the chemical reagents of lead, tin, zinc, zinc chloride and geological samples by standard addition method.

Spectrophotometric Determination of Trace Amounts of Vanadium(Ⅴ) by Means of Its Catalytic Effect on Oxidation of Azomethine-H by Bromate

A new selective and sensitive kinetic method for determination of trace amounts of vanadium(Ⅴ) (0.5～40ng/ml) based on its catalytic effect on the oxidation of azomethine H by bromate at pH 4.2 and 25 ℃ was reported and its reaction mechanism was studied.The reaction was monitored spectrophotometrically by measuring the increase in absorbance of oxidation product of azomethine H at 436 nm after a fixed time ( 5 min ).The detection limit of the method is down to 2.0×10 -10 g/ml and the relative standard deviation (RSD) for 30 ng/ml of V(Ⅴ) is 0.26 % ( n =6). The effect of foreign ions on V(Ⅴ) determination was also discussed,and the method is mostly free from interferences of other ions.The proposed method was successfully applied to the determination of trace amounts of vanadium in water samples.

Simultaneous Determination of Six Components in Cortex Phellodendri by HPLC

[Objectives]This study was conducted to establish the method for simultaneous determination of six active components.[Methods]Simultaneous determination of chlorogenic acid,phellodendrine,magnoflorine,jatrorrhizine,palmatine and berberine in Cortex Phellodendri was carried out by HPLC with a Diamonsil C18(4.6 mm×250 mm,5μm)column was used.The mobile phase was acetonitrile-water(1‰acetic acid,2 mmol ammonium acetate)solution in gradient elution.The detection wavelength was set at 280 nm,and the column temperature was kept at 25℃and the flow rate was 1 ml/min.[Results]The linear ranges of chlorogenic acid,phellodendrine,magnoflorine,jatrorrhizine,palmatine and berberine were 20.00-320.00,18.75-130.00,25.00-200.00,5.00-100.00,20.00-200.00,and 0.09-1.80 mg/L,respectively.The average recovery was 98.1%,99.4%,97.5%,97.3%,104.0%,and 98.5%,respectively;and the RSDs were 0.5%,0.6%,0.8%,1.0%,1.4%,and 0.9%,respectively.[Conclusions]The method is convenient,stable,reliable and suitable for quality control of Cortex Phellodendri.

Spectrofluorimetric Determination of Trace Amounts of Gallium with Salicylaldehyde Benzoylhydrazone

The fluorescent reagent salicylaldehyde benzoylhydrazone(SABH) was synthesized and its ionization constants were estimated spectrophotometrically. The fluorescent reaction of this reagent with gallium was studied. Based on this chelation reaction, a spectrofluorimetric method was developed for the determination of gallium in a water medium at pH 3.2. Under these conditions, the Ga SABH complex has excitation and emission maxima at 372 and 455 nm, respectively. The linear range of the method was 0～150 μg/L and the detection limit was 0.36 μg/L of gallium when a standard addition method was used in the assay. The molar ratio of gallium to the reagent was 1∶3. The interference of other ions was studied. The extraction with n butyl acetate from a 6 mol/L hydrochloric acid medium was used to separate Ga from the interfering elements in semiconductor silicon and geological samples, and themethod has been successfully applied to the determination of gallium in these samples.