Asian corn borer, Ostrinia furnacalis Guenée (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), is a major pest in corn production, and its management remains a significant challenge. Current control methods, which rely heavily on synthetic chemical pesticides, are environmentally detrimental and unsustainable, necessitating the development of eco-friendly alternatives. This study investigates the potential of the entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema carpocapsae as a biological control agent for O. furnacalis pupae, focusing on its infection efficacy and the factors influencing its performance. We conducted a series of laboratory experiments to evaluate the effects of distance, pupal developmental stage, soil depth, and light conditions on nematode attraction, pupal mortality and sublethal impacts on pupal longevity and oviposition. Results demonstrated that S. carpocapsae exhibited the highest attraction to pupae at a 3 cm distance, with infection declining significantly at greater distances. Younger pupae (<12 h old), were more attractive to nematodes than older pupae, and female pupae were preferred over males. Nematode infection was highest on the head and thorax of pupae, with a significant reduction in infection observed after 24 h. Infection caused 100% mortality in pupae within 2 cm soil depth, though efficacy was reduced under light conditions. Sublethal effects included a significant reduction in the longevity of infected adults and a decrease in the number of eggs laid by infected females compared to controls. These findings underscore the potential of S. carpocapsae as an effective biocontrol agent for sustainable pest management in corn production, offering a viable alternative to chemical pesticides.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous, non-coding RNAs, which are functional in a variety of biological processes through post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. However, the role of miRNAs in the interaction between Bacillus thuringiensis and insects remains unclear. In this study, small RNA libraries were constructed for B. thuringiensis-infected (Bt) and uninfected (CK) Spodoptera exigua larvae (treated with double-distilled water) using Illumina sequencing. Utilising the miRDeep2 and Randfold, a total of 233 known and 726 novel miRNAs were identified, among which 16 up-regulated and 34 down-regulated differentially expressed (DE) miRNAs were identified compared to the CK. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis revealed that potential target genes of DE miRNAs were associated with ABC transporters, fatty acid metabolism and MAPK signalling pathway which are related to the development, reproduction and immunity. Moreover, two miRNA core genes, SeDicer1 and SeAgo1 were identified. The phylogenetic tree showed that lepidopteran Dicer1 clustered into one branch, with SeDicer1 in the position closest to Spodoptera litura Dicer1. A similar phylogenetic relationship was observed in the Ago1 protein. Expression of SeDicer1 increased at 72 h post infection (hpi) with B. thuringiensis; however, expression of SeDicer1 and SeAgo1 decreased at 96 hpi. The RNAi results showed that the knockdown of SeDicer1 directly caused the down-regulation of miRNAs and promoted the mortality of S. exigua infected by B. thuringiensis GS57. In conclusion, our study is crucial to understand the relationship between miRNAs and various biological processes caused by B. thuringiensis infection, and develop an integrated pest management strategy for S. exigua via miRNAs.

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: Hypertension is a major risk factor for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) severity. Our goal was to determine if hypertension worsens lung pathology induced by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in hamsters. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: Male hamsters (7-8 weeks old) were infused with angiotensin II (AII; 200 ng/kg/min via osmotic minipump) for 4 weeks to induce hypertension. During the last week of the infusion, the hamsters were inoculated intranasally with vehicle (V) or SARS-CoV-2 (S; 1 x 105 plaque forming units/ml). Half of the hamsters were sacrificed 1 day post-inoculation (dpi-1) and the other half on dpi-6. Two scoring systems were applied to lung tissue sections stained with hematoxylin and eosin to determine the degree and severity of lung pathology: the first system assessed all pertinent alterations in the lungs, while the second system only assessed the pathology related to the pulmonary vasculature. Lung histopathology scores were calculated as the sum of the airway and lung alveolar scores in arbitrary units (AU). RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: Studies revealed that the SARS-CoV-2-infected hamsters exhibited a 76-fold higher total airway score compared to vehicle controls [(AU): V, 0.25 ± 0.1; S, 19.00 ±1.35; p<0.05; n=4]. Total lung alveolar scores (27-fold) [(AU): V, 0.30 ± 0.11; S, 8.0 ± 4.1; p<0.05; n=4] and total vascular scores (17-fold) [(AU): V, 0.35 ± 0.2; S, 6.0 ±1.4; p<0.05; n=4] were also markedly higher compared to controls on dpi-1. AII increased blood pressure, which was sustained through the 4-week infusion period. Under these conditions, body weight slightly dropped by 4.5%. Ongoing studies are assessing the effect of hypertension on the % of airway, alveoli and vessels affected, airway and alveolar severity, and bronchiolar epithelial and type II pneumocyte hyperplasia. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE: Establishing the hypertensive hamster as a small animal model of COVID-19 will facilitate investigations into why preexisting hypertension is a risk factor for disease severity. These studies could lead to the development of novel therapeuticsfor treating COVID-19 patients with hypertension.

Sulfonated carbon is a green, solid acid catalyst but its surface area, separation, and recovery after utilization need to be improved. The objective of the present study was to provide an environmentally friendly and economical method to prepare magnetic sulfonated carbon composite catalyst with a large surface area using palygorskite (Plg) as the support. A magnetic sulfonated carbon/Fe3O4/Plg composite catalyst was prepared via simultaneous calcination and sulfonation of the mixture of source, p-toluenesulfonic acid (TsOH), and Fe3O4/Plg. Fe3O4 nanoparticles and Plg nanorods were encased by a carbon layer derived from sucrose and TsOH. The composite catalyst exhibited good magnetic properties and high catalytic performance for the esterification of oleic acid with methanol. Oleic acid conversion reached 88.69% after the first catalytic cycle. Plg nanorods replaced sucrose and increased the catalyst’s surface area. The introduction of Fe3O4 nanoparticles improved further the acid content and oleic-acid conversion and achieved 70.31% after five cycles. The catalyst was recycled easily using an external magnetic field and its magnetic property remained unchanged due to the protection of the carbon layer.

Chlorite is one of the most common Fe-bearing minerals and is susceptible to weathering in loess and soils. The conventional method for analyzing chlorite, based on XRD with the Rietveld technique, is quantitative, but very time consuming and expensive. In this paper we develop a new methodology based on diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) and selective chemical extractions to identify chlorite qualitatively in the Chinese loess sequence and present evidence suggesting that DRS may be used to quantify chlorite content. The spectral signature of chlorite in loess is obscured by Fe oxides, but becomes obvious when they are removed. Changes in the ferrous absorption band near 1140 nm vary consistently with changing chlorite content. Using this spectral feature, DRS can distinguish chlorite contents as small as 1 wt.% in loess sediments. Future possibilities for this method in other soil and sediment types need to be explored.

The effects of monolaurin (ML) on the health of piglets infected with porcine epidemic diarrhoea virus (PEDV) have not been fully understood. This study aimed to investigate its role in blood biochemical profile, intestinal barrier function, antioxidant function and the expression of antiviral genes in piglets infected with PEDV. Thirty-two piglets were randomly divided into four groups: control group, ML group, PEDV group and ML + PEDV group. Piglets were orally administrated with ML at a dose of 100 mg/kg·BW for 7 d before PEDV infection. Results showed that PEDV infection significantly decreased D-xylose content and increased intestinal fatty acid-binding protein content, indicating that PEDV infection destroyed intestinal barrier and absorption function. While it could be repaired by ML administration. Moreover, ML administration significantly decreased plasma blood urea nitrogen and total protein content upon PEDV infection. These results suggested ML may increase protein utilisation efficiency. ML administration significantly decreased the number of large unstained cells and Hb and increased the number of leucocytes and eosinophils in the blood of PEDV-infected piglets, indicating ML could improve the immune defense function of the body. In the presence of PEDV infection, ML administration significantly increased superoxide dismutase and catalase activities in blood and colon, respectively, indicating ML could improve antioxidant capacity. Besides, ML administration reversed the expression of ISG15, IFIT3 and IL-29 throughout the small intestine and Mx1 in jejunum and ileum, indicating the body was in recovery from PEDV infection. This study suggests that ML could be used as a kind of feed additive to promote swine health upon PEDV infection.

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: Hamsters develop COVID-19 similarly to people because the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein binds with high affinity to hamster ACE2 resulting in host cell entry and replication. Our goal was to establish a hamster model that mirrors the lung and brain pathophysiology observed in COVID-19. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: Hamsters infected with SARS CoV-2 are sacrificed on day 1 and day 6 postinfection. Lung histopathology scoring model was implemented for assessment all pathological relevant changes in the lungs of infected animals on tissue sections stained with hematoxylin and eosin. To quantify the extent and severity of lung pathology, two scoring systems were used: the first evaluated all relevant changes in the lungs of the infected animals and the second evaluated only the pathology associated with the pulmonary vasculature. Percentage of airway affected, airway severity, bronchiolar epithelial hyperplasia, alveoli affected, alveolar severity, type II pneumocyte hyperplasia and vessels affected were analyzed. Total airway score plus total lung alveolar score give lung histopathology score. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: Compared to the control hamster, the hamsters day 1 postinfection, exhibited a higher total airway score [9.00 ± 1.35 vs. 0.25 ± 0.1; p DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE: Establishing this outstanding small animal model of COVID-19 will facilitate studies investigating diagnostics, prognosis and response to treatment in COVID-19 disease. These studies will provide insights that will complement on-going clinical trials on angiotensin type 1 receptor (AT1R) blockers (ARBs) in COVID-19.

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: Rodents are the most widely used experimental animals to study disease mechanisms due to their availability and cost-effectiveness. An international drive to investigate the pathophysiology of COVID-19 is inhibited by the resistance of rats and mice to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Our goal was to establish an appropriate small animal model. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: To recreate the cytokine storm that is associated with COVID-19, we injected angiotensin converting enzyme 2 knockout (ACE2KO) mice (C57BI/6 strain) with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) intraperitoneally and measured the expression of multiple cytokines as a function of time and LPS dose. We then chose a minimum dose (500ug/kg) and time (3h) when multiple cytokines were elevated to measure lung injury scores using a point-counting technique on tissue sections stained with hematoxylin and eosin. The data are expressed as mean percentage of grid points lying within the peribronchial and superficial area in up to 20 fields. Percentage of peribronchial and superficial intrapulmonary hemorrhage, congestion, neutrophil infiltration and area of alveolar space were all assessed. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: Compared to the wildtype group (WT-G), the LPS-injected ACE2KO mice (LPS-G) exhibited a higher percentage of peribronchial intrapulmonary hemorrhage [(%): LPS-G, 10.56 ± 2.06 vs. WT-G, 5.59 ± 0.53; p DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE: Establishing this novel mouse model of COVID-19 will facilitate studies investigating tissue-specific mechanisms of pathogenesis in this disease. This model can also be used to discover novel therapeutic targets and the design of clinical trials focusing on diagnostics, treatments and outcomes in COVID-19.

Computer-aided design (CAD) plays an essential role in creative idea generation on 2D screens during the design process. In most CAD scenarios, virtual object translation is an essential operation, and it is commonly used when designers simulate their innovative solutions. The degrees of freedom (DoF) of virtual object translation modes have been found to directly impact users’ task performance and psychological aspects in simulated environments. Little is known in the existing literature about the sense of agency (SoA), which is a critical psychological aspect emphasizing the feeling of control, in translation modes on 2D screens during the design process. Hence, this study aims to assess users’ SoA in virtual object translation modes on mouse-based, touch-based, and handheld augmented reality (AR) interfaces through subjective and objective measures, such as self-report, task performance, and electroencephalogram (EEG) data. Based on our findings in this study, users perceived a greater feeling of control in 1DoF translation mode, which may help them come up with more creative ideas, than in 3DoF translation mode in the design process; additionally, the handheld AR interface offers less control feel, which may have a negative impact on design quality and creativity, as compared with mouse- and touch-based interfaces. This research contributes to the current literature by analyzing the association between virtual object translation modes and SoA, as well as the relationship between different 2D interfaces and SoA in CAD. As a result of these findings, we propose several design considerations for virtual object translation on 2D screens, which may enable designers to perceive a desirable feeling of control during the design process.

It is crucial to understand the genetic mechanisms and biological pathways underlying the relationship between obesity and serum lipid levels. Structural equation models (SEMs) were constructed to calculate heritability for body mass index (BMI), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and the genetic connections between BMI and the four classes of lipids using 1197 pairs of twins from the Chinese National Twin Registry (CNTR). Bivariate genomewide association studies (GWAS) were performed to identify genetic variants associated with BMI and lipids using the records of 457 individuals, and the results were further validated in 289 individuals. The genetic background affecting BMI may differ by gender, and the heritability of males and females was 71% (95% CI [.66, .75]) and 39% (95% CI [.15, .71]) respectively. BMI was positively correlated with TC, TG and LDL-C in phenotypic and genetic correlation, while negatively correlated with HDL-C. There were gender differences in the correlation between BMI and lipids. Bivariate GWAS analysis and validation stage found 7 genes (LOC105378740, LINC02506, CSMD1, MELK, FAM81A, ERAL1 and MIR144) that were possibly related to BMI and lipid levels. The significant biological pathways were the regulation of cholesterol reverse transport and the regulation of high-density lipoprotein particle clearance (p < .001). BMI and blood lipid levels were affected by genetic factors, and they were genetically correlated. There might be gender differences in their genetic correlation. Bivariate GWAS analysis found MIR144 gene and its related biological pathways may influence obesity and lipid levels.

According to Hamilton's rule, matrilineal-biased investment restrains men in matrilineal societies from maximising their inclusive fitness (the ‘matrilineal puzzle'). A recent hypothesis argues that when women breed communally and share household resources, a man should help his sisters' household, rather than his wife's household, as investment to the later but not the former would be diluted by other unrelated members (Wu et al., 2013). According to this hypothesis, a man is less likely to help on his wife's farm when there are more women reproducing in the wife's household, because on average he would be less related to his wife's household. We used a farm-work observational dataset, that we collected in the matrilineal Mosuo in southwest China, to test this hypothesis. As predicted, high levels of communal breeding by women in his wife's households do predict less effort spent by men on their wife's farm, and communal breeding in men's natal households do not affect whether men help on their natal farms. Thus, communal breeding by women dilutes the inclusive fitness benefits men receive from investment to their wife and children, and may drive the evolution of matrilineal-biased investment by men. These results can help solve the ‘matrilineal puzzle'.

Previously, we provided an evidence that l-Leucine supplementation facilitates growth performance in suckling piglets with normal birth weight. However, it remains hitherto obscure weather breast-fed piglets displaying intra-uterine growth restriction (IUGR) show a similar effect in response to l-Leucine provision. In this study, 7-d-old sow-reared IUGR piglets were orally administrated with l-Leucine (0, 0·7, 1·4 or 2·1 g/kg BW) twice daily for 2 weeks. Increasing leucine levels hampered the growth performance of suckling IUGR piglets. The average daily gain of IUGR piglets was significantly reduced in 1·4 g/kg BW and 2·1 g/kg BW l-Leucine supplementation groups (P < 0·05). Except for ornithine and glutamine, the plasma concentrations of other amino acids were abated as l-Leucine levels increased (P < 0·05). Leucine supplementation led to reduction in the levels of urea, blood ammonia, blood glucose, TAG and total cholesterol, as well as an elevation in the level of LDL-cholesterol in suckling IUGR piglets (P < 0·05). In addition, 1·4 g/kg BW of l-Leucine enhanced the mRNA expression of ATB 0,+, whereas decreased the mRNA abundances of CAT1, y + LAT1, ASCT2 and b 0,+AT in the jejunum (P < 0·05). Concomitantly, the jejunum of IUGR piglets in l-Leucine group contains more ATB0,+ and less SNAT2 protein than in the control (P < 0·05). Collectively, l-Leucine supplementation impairs growth performance in breast-fed IUGR piglets, which may be associated with depressed nutritional conditions and alterations in the uptake of amino acids and the expression of amino acid transporters in the small intestine.

Low molecular weight glutenin subunits (LWM-GSs) play a crucial role in determining wheat flour processing quality. In this work, 35 novel LMW-GS genes (32 active and three pseudogenes) from three Aegilops umbellulata (2n = 2x = 14, UU) accessions were amplified by allelic-specific PCR. We found that all LMW-GS genes had the same primary structure shared by other known LMW-GSs. Thirty-two active genes encode 31 typical LMW-m-type subunits. The MZ424050 possessed nine cysteine residues with an extra cysteine residue located in the last amino acid residue of the conserved C-terminal III, which could benefit the formation of larger glutenin polymers, and therefore may have positive effects on dough properties. We have found extensive variations which were mainly resulted from single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and insertions and deletions (InDels) among the LMW-GS genes in Ae. umbellulata. Our results demonstrated that Ae. umbellulata is an important source of LMW-GS variants and the potential value of the novel LMW-GS alleles for wheat quality improvement.

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: The SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome CoronaVirus-2), which underlies the current COVID-19 pandemic, among other tissues, also targets the central nervous system (CNS). The goal of this study is to investigate mechanisms of neuroinflammation in Lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-treated mouse model and SARS-CoV-2-infected hamsters. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: In this research I will assay vascular reactivity of cerebral vessels to assess vascular dysfunction within the microcirculation. I will determine expression of proinflammatory cytokines, coagulation factors and AT1 receptors (AT1R) in isolated microvessels from the circle of Willis to assess inflammation, thrombosis and RAS activity in the microvasculature. LPS and SARS-CoV-2, are both associated with coagulopathies and because of that I will measure concentration of PAI-1, von Willebrand Factor, thrombin and D-dimer to assess the thrombotic pathway in the circulation. Histology and immunohistochemistry will assess immune cell type infiltration into the brain parenchyma, microglia activation and severity of neuroinflammation and neural injury. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: We hypothesize that under conditions of reduced ACE2 (e.g., SARS-CoV-2 infection), AT1R activity is upregulated in the microvasculature. In the presence of an inflammatory insult, these AT1Rs promote endothelialitis and immunothrombosis through pro-thrombotic pathways and pro-inflammatory cytokine production leading to endothelial dysfunction in the microvasculature, blood brain barrier (BBB) injury, deficits in cognition and increased anxiety. We will test this hypothesis through 2 aims: Aim 1: Determine the role of the pro-injury arm of the RAS in the pathophysiology of the brain in animal models of neuroinflammation and COVID-19. Aim 1: Determine the role of the protective arm of the RAS in the pathophysiology of the brain in animal models of neuroinflammation and COVID-19. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE: This study will provide insights that will complement on-going clinical trials on angiotensin type 1 receptor (AT1R) blockers (ARBs) in COVID-19. This research is a necessary first step in understanding mechanisms of brain pathogenesis that can set the groundwork for future studies of more complex models of disease.

A new enantiornithine, Musivavis amabilis n. gen. n. sp., is reported from the Lower Cretaceous Jehol Biota in western Liaoning, China. The new taxon is similar to the bohaiornithids in the robust subconical teeth, bluntly expanded omal ends of the furcula, caudolaterally oriented lateral trabeculae with triangular distal ends of the sternum, and a robust second pedal digit. Yet it differs from members of Bohaiornithidae in several features recalling other enantiornithine lineages, such as the acuminate rostral ramus of maxilla, the shape of the coracoid lateral margin, the presence of craniolateral processes on the sternum, the proportions of the manual phalanges, and the unspecialized third pedal ungual phalanx. A comprehensive phylogenetic analysis of Mesozoic birds shows that homoplasy significantly affects the reconstruction of enantiornithine relationships. When all phylogenetic characters are considered of equal weight, Musivavis is reconstructed in a lineage related to a radiation of large-bodied enantiornithines including Bohaiornithidae and Pengornithidae. Alternative scenarios based on progressive downweighting of the homoplastic characters support more basal placements of the pengornithids among Enantiornithes, but do not alter the affinity of Musivavis as a member of the “bohaiornithid-grade” group.

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