The gall wasp Leptocybe invasa (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) stimulates different chemical and phytohormone responses in two Eucalyptus varieties that vary in susceptibility to galling

Gall-inducing insects produce various types of galls on plants, but little is known about the gall-induction mechanism of these galling insects. The gall wasp Leptocybe invasa Fisher & LaSalle (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) forms galls of different sizes on several Eucalyptus species. To clarify the physiological responses of Eucalyptus to L. invasa infestation, we measured the dynamics of nitrogen (N), carbon (C), total phenolics, total tannins and four types of phytohormones (zeatin [Z] + zeatin riboside [ZR], gibberellins [GA], indole-3-acetic acid [IAA] and abscisic acid [ABA]) in galled and ungalled leaf tissues of two Eucalyptus horticultural varieties (DH201-2 [Eucalyptus grandis × Eucalyptus camaldulensis] and EA [Eucalyptus exserta]) with different susceptibility to galling throughout the larval developmental stages. Nitrogen, total phenolics, tannins and four kinds of phytohormones strongly accumulated in tissues galled by L. invasa (especially during early larval feeding stages). While N, Z + ZR and GA levels were higher, tannins and ABA levels were lower in the galled tissues on the highly susceptible variety. Nitrogen, total phenolics, GA, Z + ZR and IAA levels in the galled tissues gradually decreased during gall development, but ABA and tannins conversely increased in the galled tissues of the less susceptible variety. Our results suggest that the effects of gall-inducing insects on plants depend not only on the susceptibility of the plant infested but also on the developmental stage of galled tissues. Gall formation process is thus synergistically influenced by both gall-inducing insect and plant genotypes.

Morphology variation and optical properties of ZnO nanostructures grown using bio-template

ZnO nanostructures of different morphologies were grown by immersing eggshell membranes into Zn(NO3)2 ethanol solution with different pH values and subsequently sintered at 500 degrees C. Effects of the solution pH value, immersing time and Mg incorporation on the nanostructure morphology and photoluminescence were studied. ZnO nanostructure morphology was very sensitive to pH value of the solution, immersing time and layer of the templates. Different morphologies of nanofibers, nanotubes, hexagonal nanosheets and hexagonal nanosheets with tips were grown. All nanostructures had strong green emission at 520 nm and weak ultraviolet emission at 377 nm. The green emission weakened in the interwoven nanofibers while the ultraviolet emission enhanced in the hexagonal nanosheets. Incorporation of Mg ions in the solution with a pH of 7 would result in combination of the interwoven nanofibers and enhance the green emission greatly. UV emission at 355 nm from ZnMgO alloys was observed in Mg incorporated nanofibers.

Investigation of growth modes of manganese mercury thiocyanate crystal by atomic force microscopy

The growth mechanism and defect formation of the {110} faces of manganese mercury thiocyanate crystals were investigated by atomic force microscopy. A dislocation-controlled mechanism and a two-dimensional nucleation mechanism operate simultaneously during growth. Previous observations showed that two-dimensional nuclei appeared at interstep terraces of spiral hillocks. In this work, it is found for the first time that layers of two-dimensional islands cover up the outcrops of screw dislocations. The spiral hillocks grow fast along the 〈114〉 directions, which is probably due to the small interplanar distances of the {114} faces. Two-dimensional islands often appear as pairs of islands of nearly the same size, at the larger step terraces. Crystallization of the liquid inclusions occurs during the separation of the sample from the mother solution. Small three-dimensional islands, in high density, induce extra stress, which subsequently generates after-growth dislocations.

[Clinical and experimental study of qing wen oral liquid in the treatment of viral infectious fever]

110 cases of viral fever patients receiving Qing Wen oral liquid were observed. The total effective rate was 94.5% in comparing to 86.5% in the control group, P < 0.01. The shortening of time concerning both the beginning on the declining of fever and normalization of body temperature were obvious in comparison with the control. The remedy was also effective in improving symptoms and signs, alleviating renal failure, improving microcirculation and providing bi-directional regulation to the immune system, thus the progression of the disease was controlled. Animal experiments showed that Qing Wen oral liquid could protect the rabbits with hemorrhagic fever, delay the incubation period and the peak of fever, lower the febrile index and PGE content, improve the hemorheology and enhance the cell-mediated immunity in CSF.