Knowledge of plant recognition of insects is largely limited to a few resistance (R) genes against sap-sucking insects. Hypersensitive response (HR) characterizes monogenic plant traits relying on R genes in several pathosystems. HR-like cell death can be triggered by eggs of cabbage white butterflies (Pieris spp.), pests of cabbage crops (Brassica spp.), reducing egg survival and representing an effective plant resistance trait before feeding damage occurs. Here, we performed genetic mapping of HR-like cell death induced by Pieris brassicae eggs in the black mustard Brassica nigra (B. nigra). We show that HR-like cell death segregates as a Mendelian trait and identified a single dominant locus on chromosome B3, named PEK (Pieris  egg- killing). Eleven genes are located in an approximately 50 kb region, including a cluster of genes encoding intracellular TIR-NBS-LRR (TNL) receptor proteins. The PEK locus is highly polymorphic between the parental accessions of our mapping populations and among B. nigra reference genomes. Our study is the first one to identify a single locus potentially involved in HR-like cell death induced by insect eggs in B. nigra. Further fine-mapping, comparative genomics and validation of the PEK locus will shed light on the role of these TNL receptors in egg-killing HR.

BACKGROUND: An association between Schistosoma japonicum and colorectal cancer in humans has been known since a long time; however, this association remains understudied and lacks comprehensive experimentation support.
OBJECTIVE: Various epidemiological and pathological studies have established the role of chronic inflammation as a major factor behind the induction of colorectal cancer. The aim of this review is to present the current knowledge on the association of Schistosoma japonicum with colorectal cancer.
RESULTS: Mechanisms which lead to induction and progression of colorectal cancer are highlighted along with diagnosis and treatment for the same. Further, various methodologies, including mass drug administration, use of new drugs and vaccines, role of apoptosis, and histone-modifying enzymes, have been described which can either prevent the schistosomal infection itself or can check it from reaching an advanced stage.
CONCLUSIONS: Epidemiological, clinical, pathological and surgical studies suggest that Schistosoma japonicum is responsible for induction of colorectal cancer. However, thorough clinical studies are required to support and globally accept this notion. Further, methodologies highlighted in this work can be employed in order to take care of schistosomal infection or address the cancer induction and progression.

The egg stage in insect development is vulnerable to fluctuations in environmental conditions and attacks by natural enemies. Protective devices are effective means of avoiding both abiotic and biotic damage to eggs. Although some insects use their faeces as a protective device, few studies have focused on using faeces for egg protection, and studies that examined the mechanism are lacking. Females of a water scavenger beetle, Coelostoma stultum, typically lay eggs and coat them with cocoons and their faeces. The efficacy of a double defensive device, however, remains uncertain. Here, we conducted field observations and laboratory experiments to assess the protective effects of cocoons with faecal coating on eggs against predation and determine the duration and mechanisms of this defence. Our findings reveal that the faeces on the egg cocoon protected eggs from predation by the pill bugs, Armadillidium vulgare, and marsh slugs, Deroceras laeve. Laboratory experiments showed that the defensive effect of faecal coating was maintained for three days and decreased daily. The double protective traits with faecal coating on the egg cocoons protected the eggs from instense predation pressure in C. stultum. The behavioural patterns of the pill bugs and egg predation rates indicate that the faecal coating behaviour in C. stultum protects eggs with chemical compounds and textural camouflage in mud when the antennae of the pill bugs touch faeces. It is important to note that for this defence to be effective, the chemistry and texture of the faeces should be similar to that of the oviposition sites.

The studies of the long-term effects of insect infestations on plant anti-herbivore defences tend to focus on feeding-induced damage. Infestations by an entire insect generation, including egg depositions as well as the feeding insects, are often neglected. Whilst there is increasing evidence that the presence of insect eggs can intensify plants\' anti-herbivore defences against hatching larvae in the short term, little is known about how insect infestations, including insect egg depositions, affect plant defences in the long term. We addressed this knowledge gap by investigating long-term effects of insect infestation on elm\'s (Ulmus minor Mill. cv. \'Dahlem\') defences against subsequent infestation. In greenhouse experiments, elms were exposed to elm leaf beetle (ELB, Xanthogaleruca luteola) infestation (adults, eggs and larvae). Thereafter, the trees cast their leaves under simulated winter conditions and were re-infested with ELB after the regrowth of their leaves under simulated summer conditions. Elm leaf beetles performed moderately worse on previously infested elms with respect to several developmental parameters. The concentrations of the phenylpropanoids kaempferol and quercetin, which are involved in egg-mediated, short-term effects on elm defences, were slightly higher in the ELB-challenged leaves of previously infested trees than in the challenged leaves of naïve trees. The expression of several genes involved in the phenylpropanoid pathway, jasmonic acid signalling, and DNA and histone modifications appeared to be affected by ELB infestation; however, prior infestation did not alter the expression intensities of these genes. The concentrations of several phytohormones were similarly affected in the currently challenged leaves of previously infested trees and naïve trees. Our study shows that prior infestation of elms by a specialised insect leads to moderately improved defences against subsequent infestation in the following growing season. Prior infestation adds a long-term effect to the short-term enhancer effect that plants show in response to egg depositions when defending against hatching larvae.

Flies in the family Calliphoridae are purported to demonstrate a strong attraction to and preferential colonization of wounds when present on human corpses or carrion. This well-circulated concept in Forensic Entomology is based on surprisingly few empirical studies that have examined the oviposition behavior of necrophagous Diptera toward wounds of vertebrate animals. In the present study, the oviposition behavior of Calliphora vicina toward piglets inflicted with postmortem sharp force trauma was examined during a 10-h test period under controlled laboratory conditions and in an outdoor urban environment. Three species of flies (C. vicina, C. livida and Cynomya cadaverina) deposited eggs on wounded and non-wound piglets during the field studies, although more than 80% of all eggs laid were by C. vicina regardless of wound status. For all species, oviposition occurred predominately on the head, including in eyes, ears, nose and mouth, and less frequently in other locations on the body. Eggs were never found in or near wounds. Similar oviposition patterns were displayed by C. vicina under laboratory conditions, with the exception for limited egg deposition in wounds under overcrowded conditions. In this latter scenario, egg deposition represented only 0.14% of the total reproductive output of adult flies. The findings do not support the contention that calliphorids preferentially oviposit in wounds resulting from sharp force penetrating trauma.

Evolutionary arms-races between plants and insect herbivores have long been proposed to generate key innovations such as plant toxins and detoxification mechanisms that can drive diversification of the interacting species. A novel front-line of plant defence is the killing of herbivorous insect eggs. We test whether an egg-killing plant trait has an evolutionary basis in such a plant-insect arms-race. Within the crucifer family (Brassicaceae), some species express a hypersensitive response (HR)-like necrosis underneath butterfly eggs (Pieridae) that leads to eggs desiccating or falling off the plant. We studied the phylogenetic distribution of this trait, its egg-killing effect on and elicitation by butterflies, by screening 31 Brassicales species, and nine Pieridae species. We show a clade-specific induction of strong, egg-killing HR-like necrosis mainly in species of the Brassiceae tribe including Brassica crops and close relatives. The necrosis is strongly elicited by pierid butterflies that are specialists of crucifers. Furthermore, HR-like necrosis is linked to PR1 defence gene expression, accumulation of reactive oxygen species and cell death, eventually leading to egg-killing. Our findings suggest that the plants\' egg-killing trait is a new front on the evolutionary arms-race between Brassicaceae and pierid butterflies beyond the well-studied plant toxins that have evolved against their caterpillars.

The egg is the first life stage directly exposed to the environment in oviparous animals, including many vertebrates and most arthropods. Eggs are vulnerable and prone to mortality risks. In arthropods, one of the most common egg mortality factors is attack from parasitoids. Yet, parasitoids that attack the egg stage are absent in more than half of all insect (sub)orders. In this review, we explore possible causes explaining why eggs of some insect taxa are not parasitized. Many insect (sub)orders that are not attacked by egg parasitoids lack herbivorous species, with some notable exceptions. Factors we consider to have led to escape from egg parasitism are parental egg care, rapid egg development, small egg size, hiding eggs, by e.g. placing them into the soil, applying egg coatings or having thick chorions preventing egg penetration, eusociality, and egg cannibalism. A quantitative network analysis of host-parasitoid associations shows that the five most-speciose genera of egg parasitoids display patterns of specificity with respect to certain insect orders, especially Lepidoptera and Hemiptera, largely including herbivorous species that deposit their eggs on plants. Finally, we discuss the many counteradaptations that particularly herbivorous species have developed to lower the risk of attack by egg parasitoids.

A case with breast schistosomiasis japonica was reported.
［摘要］ 本文报道 1 例乳房血吸虫病病例。.

The identification of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) leading to short-range attraction and oviposition of the European grapevine moth Lobesia botrana and European grape berry moth Eupoecilia ambiguella (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) is crucial in order to establish bait-based decision support systems for control of these pests. Therefore, we developed a method to measure the real-time behavioral response of female moths to VOCs using a four-chamber olfactometer coupled with a video tracking system. Ten synthetic VOCs were selected for this study: (S)-(-)-perillaldehyde, (E)/(Z)-linalool oxide, (±)-limonene, linalool, (E)-β-caryophyllene, α/β-farnesene, (-)-α-cedrene, methyl salicylate and cumene. The effect of VOCs on egg deposition was determined using a dual-choice oviposition test, whereas perception by female antennae was verified using electroantennography (EAG). During video tracking, females responded to volatile compounds emitted by grapevine with higher antennae and ovipositor activity than to air control. (E)/(Z)-linalool oxide, cumene and (S)-(-)-perillaldehyde released ovipositor activity of L. botrana, while the latter provoked oviposition. (R)/(S)-limonene affected ovipositor activity of E. ambiguella, whereas none of the VOCs tested attracted for oviposition. The results suggest that females have the ability to perceive specific VOCs by the antennae but also by the ovipositor, which could attract or repel for egg deposition.

Due to a growing demand of food production worldwide, new strategies are suggested to allow for sustainable production of food with minimal effects on natural resources. A promising alternative to the application of chemical pesticides is the implementation of crops resistant to insect pests. Plants produce compounds that are harmful to a wide range of attackers, including insect pests; thus, exploitation of their natural defense system can be the key for the development of pest-resistant crops. Interestingly, some plants possess a unique first line of defense that eliminates the enemy before it becomes destructive: egg-killing. Insect eggs can trigger (1) direct defenses, mostly including plant cell tissue growth or cell death that lead to eggs desiccating, being crushed or falling off the plant or (2) indirect defenses, plant chemical cues recruiting natural enemies that kill the egg or hatching larvae (parasitoids). The consequences of plant responses to eggs are that insect larvae do not hatch or that they are impeded in development, and damage to the plant is reduced. Here, we provide an overview on the ubiquity and evolutionary history of egg-killing traits within the plant kingdom including crops. Up to now, little is known on the mechanisms and on the genetic basis of egg-killing traits. Making use of egg-killing defense traits in crops is a promising new way to sustainably reduce losses of crop yield. We provide suggestions for new breeding strategies to grow egg-killing crops and improve biological control.