Pine wilt disease is a major forestry quarantine disease caused by pinewood nematode and spread by the vector insect Monochamus alternatus (MA), which has brought destructive harm to pine trees. Avermectin (AVM) is a broad-spectrum fungicide, insecticide, and nematicide. However, AVM easily degrades under ultraviolet light and is almost insoluble in water, which seriously affect its control effect on the pine wilt disease. In this study, an original nanopesticide was designed to improve the bioactivity and utilization of AVMactive ingredients, with antiphotolysis and slow release properties especially. Bovine serum albumin (BSA) was dissolved in water, taking advantage of the oleophobic properties of the protein to wrap AVM in an oil phase by self-assembly. The obtained AVM BSA nanoparticles (AVM@BSA• NPs) had preferable sustained-release performance, the cumulative release reached 90.2%, the nanoparticles could be released continuously for about 20 days, the particle size of the AVM@BSA•NPs was about 65 nm, and the loading efficiency reached 78%. The nanodelivery system could effectively protect AVM from photolysis, and the retention of AVM@BSA•NPs was close to 80 and 75% after 48 and 72 h under ultraviolet light, respectively. In addition, the nanopesticides were prepared by labeling AVM@BSA• NPs with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) to research the mechanism of contact and stomach toxicity of AVM using the probe function of FITC. Compared with AVM original, the stomach toxicity and contact toxicity of AVM@BSA•NPs increased by 35.3 and 19.6%, respectively. There are broad application prospects of AVM@BSA•NPs for the prevention and control of forest diseases and other pests.

Background Trunk-boring pests (TBPs) are an important type of forest pest, TBPs not only feed on the branches and trunks of trees, but also spread quarantine diseases in forests. However, because the larvae of TBPs live inside the trunk and are well concealed, prevention and control are difficult. The lack of effective control methods leads to the death of many trees in forests. In this study, a novel nanopesticide featuring high bioactivity and slow-release properties was developed to control TBPs. Thiacloprid (THI), which is commonly used to control Coleoptera species, was used as a model pesticide. Results The oleophobic properties of bovine serum albumin (BSA) were exploited to encapsulate the hydrophobic pesticide THI by self-assembly, and the size of the obtained nanoparticles, THI@BSA·NPs, was approximately 23 nm. The loading efficiency reached 70.4%, and THI@BSA·NPs could be released continuously for over 15 days, with the cumulative release reaching 93.5%. The fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled nanoparticles were evenly distributed in the digestive tract and body surface of a typical TBPs, M. alternatus, and the stomach and contact toxicities increased by 33.7% and 25.9%, respectively, compared with those of free THI. Furthermore, the results showed that the transport efficiency of THI@BSA·NPs was highest at a concentration of 50 μg/mL, and the THI@BSA·NPs content in the trunk, from to lower to higher layers, was 8.8, 8.2, 7.6, and 5.8 μg/g. At the same time, THI@BSA·NPs also exhibited high transport efficiency in dead trees. Conclusion The transport efficiency and toxicity of the active ingredients are the key factors for the control of TBPs. This work provided idea for the application of biological delivery system encapsulated hydrophobic pesticides. The novel self-assembled THI@BSA·NPs have promising potential for sustainable control of TBPs.

Trunk-boring pests (TBPs) are an important type of forest pest, TBPs not only feed on the branches and trunks of trees, but also spread quarantine diseases in forests. However, because the larvae of TBPs live inside the trunk and are well concealed, prevention and control are difficult. The lack of effective control methods leads to the death of many trees in forests. In this study, a novel nanopesticide featuring high bioactivity and slow-release properties was developed to control TBPs. Thiacloprid (THI), which is commonly used to control Coleoptera species, was used as a model pesticide. The oleophobic properties of bovine serum albumin (BSA) were exploited to encapsulate the hydrophobic pesticide THI by self-assembly, and the size of the obtained nanoparticles, THI@BSA·NPs, was approximately 23 nm. The loading efficiency reached 70.4%, and THI@BSA·NPs could be released continuously for over 15 d, with the cumulative release reaching 93.5%. The fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled nanoparticles were evenly distributed in the digestive tract and body surface of a typical TBP, M. alternatus , and the stomach and contact toxicities increased by 33.7% and 25.9%,respectively, compared with those of free THI. Furthermore, the results showed that the transport efficiency of THI@BSA·NPs was highest at a concentration of 50 μg/mL, and the THI@BSA·NPs content in the trunk, from to lower to higher layers, was 8.8, 8.2, 7.6, and 5.8 μg/g. At the same time, THI@BSA·NPs also exhibited high transport efficiency in dead trees. The results suggested that these novel self-assembled THI@BSA·NPs have promising potential for sustainable control of TBPs.

Rationale: Urorectal septum malformation sequence (URSMS) is an extremely uncommon anomaly characterized by imperforate anus accompanied by multiple genitourinary malformations. Here, we report a case of URSMS identified by the autopsy and classified into partial URSMS. Prenatal diagnosis is challenging for clinicians due to the difficulty of early identification of URSMS and the relative lack of specific features in ultrasound. We intend to share our experiences. Patient concerns: One fetus was indicated abdominal cystic structure, abdominal effusion and right renal pelvis separation (7 mm) by ultrasound at 28 + 1 week’s gestation. After the pregnancy was terminated, the fetal tissues were performed to be tested by autopsy, copy number variation sequencing and whole exon sequencing. Diagnoses: Based on the clinical characteristics, ultrasound, autopsy, and genetic test findings, the fetus was diagnosed with URSMS. Interventions: After genetic counseling, the couple opted to terminate her pregnancy. Outcomes: The copy number variation results of the fetus showed a 0.48-MB duplication fragment of uncertain significance on chromosome 8p23.3, while the whole-exome sequencing revealed a SAL-LIKE 1 gene mutation. The autopsy of the fetus showed imperforate anusa, the abdominal cyst was further confirmed with complete septate uterus and the lower urethra and vagina converge formed a lumen. Lessons: Individuals with URSMS during the fetal period might be misdiagnosed due to atypical features of URSMS. Once structural abnormalities especially cystic mass of the futuses in the lower abdomen, URSMS should be considered.