Ecdysteroids play a critical role in coordinating insect growth, development and reproduction. A suite of cytochrome P450 monooxygenases coded by what are collectively termed Halloween genes mediate ecdysteroid biosynthesis. In this study, we describe cloning and RNA interference (RNAi)-mediated knockdown of the CYP307B1 Halloween gene (Spookiest) in the western tarnished plant bug, Lygus hesperus. Transcripts for Ly. hesperus Spookiest (LhSpot) were amplified from all life stages and correlated well with timing of the pre-moult ecdysteroid pulse. In adults, LhSpot was amplified from heads of both genders as well as female reproductive tissues. Heterologous expression of a LhSpot fluorescent chimera in cultured insect cells co-localized with a fluorescent marker of the endoplasmic reticulum/secretory pathway. RNAi-mediated knockdown of LhSpot in fifth instars reduced expression of ecdysone-responsive genes E74 and E75, and prevented adult development. This developmental defect was rescued following application of exogenous 20-hydroxyecdysone but not exogenous 7-dehydrocholesterol. The unequivocal RNAi effects on Ly. hesperus development and the phenotypic rescue by 20-hydroxyecdysone are causal proof of the involvement of LhSpot in ecdysteroid biosynthesis and related developmental processes, and may provide an avenue for development of new control measures against Ly. hesperus.

Introduction: T-cell lymphomas represent rare and heterogeneous group of aggressive non Hodgkin lymphomas. There are currently no standards for the treatment of relapsed/refractory T-cell lymphomas (r/r PTCL). A number of novel therapy approaches are aimed for improvement of outcomes in patients with r/r PTCL. This report summarizes the First Pavlov State Medical University experience in the treatment of patients with T-cell lymphomas. Methods: We analyzed data of 34 patients with r/r PTCL eligible for stem cells transplantation treated in First Saint-Petersburg state medical University from 2005 to 2018. Among them n8 with anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALK+), n3 with anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALK-), n4 with angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, n5 with hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma, n1 with γδ T cell lymphoma and n13 with PTCL not otherwise specified (PTCL-NOS). The median age was 46 years (range 11 -73 years). Median time from initial diagnosis to relapse or progression after primary therapy was 6.7 months (1,8-41). Among all patients n18 (53%) 474 ABSTRACT were all grouped under the minimum score of 0. The proposed scoring system was evaluated by a panel of experts belonging to different academic institutions in three different continents, actively involved in T-cell lymphoma clinical research. The scoring system was modified accordingly based on recommendations made by 2 or more of the panel members. Results: We identified 58 publications between 2004 and 2018. The scoring system spanned from 0 to 9. Only 12 of the 58 studies had a score above 5; 15 of 58 had a score between 1 -5; remaining publications scored 0 -1. Conclusion: Our analysis suggests practice patterns are based on studies with low priority scores, and underweight robust clinical experiences. This analysis aims to produce an evidenced based approach for R/R PTCL. Introduction: Aggressive natural killer cell leukemia (ANKL) is an extraordinary rare aggressive malignancy of NK cells, but is relatively common in Asian. The accurate diagnosis of ANKL remains a great challenge. This study intends to describe the clonality, clinical and genetic features of ANKL and guide the diagnosis of this disease. Methods: A total of 45 consecutive newly diagnosed ANKL patients were recruited from the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, and clinical data were collected. Cytological morphology, flow cytometric analysis including killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR), karyotypic analysis and molecular biology tests were used to diagnose and assess the monotypic clonality of NK cells. Survival analyses were done to verify the prognostic predictors of ANKL.Results: All patients were adults, with a median age of 39 years (range 8-80 years) and a male: female ratio 1.4:1 (Table 1). B symptoms and fever were noted in all patients. Splenomegaly (91.1%) and hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) (80.0%) were also common. Most patients (34/38) were confirmed with EBV infection.Immunophenotyping of the ANKL cells were typically positiv...