The formation of a hatching line in the serosal cuticle confers multifaceted adaptive functions on the eggshell of a cicada

Insect eggshells must meet various demands of developing embryos. These demands sometimes conflict with each other; therefore, there are tradeoffs between eggshell properties, such as robustness and permeability. To meet these conflicting demands, particular eggshell structures have evolved in diverse insect species. Here, we report a rare eggshell structure found in the eggshell of a cicada, Cryptotympana facialis. This species has a prolonged egg period with embryonic diapause and a trait of humidity-inducible hatching, which would impose severe demands on the eggshell. We found that in eggs of this species, unlike many other insect eggs, a dedicated cleavage site, known as a hatching line, was formed not in the chorion but in the serosal cuticle. The hatching line was composed of a fine furrow accompanied by ridges on both sides. This furrow-ridge structure formed in the terminal phase of embryogenesis through the partial degradation of an initially thick and nearly flat cuticle layer. We showed that the permeability of the eggshell was low in the diapause stage, when the cuticle was thick, and increased with degradation of the serosal cuticle. We also demonstrated that the force required to cleave the eggshell was reduced after the formation of the hatching line. These results suggest that the establishment of the hatching line on the serosal cuticle enables flexible modification of eggshell properties during embryogenesis, and we predict that it is an adaptation to maximize the protective role of the shell during the long egg period while reducing the barrier to emerging nymphs at the time of hatching.

Intake of 3 Eggs/Day or Equivalent Amount of Choline as Supplement for 4 Weeks Increases Plasma Choline Without Changing Plasma TMAO in Participants with Metabolic Syndrome

Objectives Our previous study in a young healthy population indicated that choline from eggs (phosphatidylcholine) was more bioavailable than choline from a supplement (choline bitartrate) as determined by plasma choline concentrations. The purpose of this study was to compare equivalent amounts of two choline sources on plasma choline and its derivatives including trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) and inflammatory markers in men and women aged 32 to 70 years old with metabolic syndrome (MetS). Methods Twenty-three subjects with MetS were included in this randomized, crossover clinical trial. Participants underwent an initial period of 2 weeks without consuming any eggs, which was followed by a random allocation to either 3 eggs/day or a choline-supplement for 4 weeks (both diets had a choline equivalent of 400 mg per day). Following a 3-week washout period, participants were allocated to the alternate diet. We measured plasma choline and plasma TMAO as well as C-reactive protein (CRP), inflammatory markers and liver enzymes. Results Although there was an overall significant increase in plasma choline after egg intake, compared to baseline (P < 0.01), there were no significant differences between egg and supplement at the end of the respective interventions (P > 0.05). Baseline values were 7.9 ± 2.1 nmol/ml compared to 9.9 ± 2.2 and 9.5 ± 2.1 nmol/ml for the egg and supplement, respectively (P < 0.01). In addition, plasma TMAO was not different between baseline, or at the end of the egg and supplement periods (P > 0.1). When we measured inflammatory markers, compared to baseline CRP was lower after the egg period (0.49 ± 0.50 vs. 0.36 ± 0.37 mg/dL, P < 0.01) while no differences in this parameter were observed at the end of the egg or the supplement period. Liver enzymes were not affected by treatment. Conclusions These studies indicate that in contrast to healthy individuals, the plasma choline response appears to be similar in MetS participants, independent of its source or chemical composition. Analyzing the microbiota of these subjects will provide additional information regarding how choline is metabolized in individuals with MetS. Funding Sources The Egg Nutrition Center.

Intake of 3 Eggs Per Day for 4 Weeks Did Not Raise Plasma Cholesterol in Individuals with Metabolic Syndrome

Objectives The purpose of this study was to compare equivalent amounts of two choline sources on plasma cholesterol and the parameters of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in adults aged 32 to 70 years. Methods Twenty-three subjects with MetS participated in this randomized, crossover clinical trial. Subjects underwent an initial period of 2 weeks without consuming any eggs, followed by a random allocation to consume either 3 eggs/day or a choline-bitartrate supplement for 4 weeks (choline equivalent of ∼400 mg/day for both interventions). After a 3 week washout period, participants were allocated to the alternate diet. We measured body weight, waist circumference, blood pressure, plasma lipids and glucose at the beginning and end of each dietary intervention and after the washout period. Three-day dietary and exercise records were collected concurrently with these measurements. Compliance was assessed weekly by self-reported consumed product. Results There was a 90% compliance among subjects. No differences in physical activity were reported between periods. Dietary records indicated that subjects were consuming more fat (P < 0.001), more protein (P < 0.009) and fewer carbohydrates (P < 0.001) and more cholesterol (P < 0.001) during the egg period. When dietary fat was analyzed separately, there were no differences in intake of saturated or polyunsaturated fatty acids. In contrast, consumption of monounsaturated fatty acids, known to lower plasma cholesterol, was higher during the egg compared to the supplement period (31.2 ± 11.2 vs. 24.3 ± 10.9 g/d), reflecting the fatty acid composition of eggs. Surprisingly, although dietary cholesterol was higher during the egg period, plasma total cholesterol, LDL and HDL cholesterol were not different between treatments or when compared to baseline (P > 0.05). LDL cholesterol was 111.4 ± 20.5 mg/dL during the egg and 110.8 ± 21.4 during the supplement period. Percent changes in LDL from baseline were +2.4% for eggs (P = 0.375) and +6.7% for choline (P = 0.111). Similarly, blood pressure, plasma glucose and insulin did not differ between periods (P > 0.05). Body weight and waist circumference did not change. Conclusions This study indicates that in this population with MetS, consumption of 3 eggs/day for 4 weeks did not increase a select group of biomarkers associated with increased risk for heart disease. Funding Sources The Egg Nutrition Center.

The morphology of the preimaginal stages of Rhinusa neta (Germar, 1821) and notes on its biology (Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Mecinini)

A detailed description of the mature larva and pupa ofRhinusaneta(Germar, 1821) and new diagnostic features of this species are presented. The development cycle ofR.netain the standard conditions lasts almost 60 days: an 11-day egg period, a 29-day larval period, and an 18-day pupal period, on average. The larvae are parasitised by hymenopterans of the superfamily Chalcidoidea. Similarities and differences withRhinusabipustulataand other species of this genus are presented.

Research on the Biological Properties of Scatella Tenuicosta Bennison in Seedling Production

This paper systematically described the biological properties of Scatella tenuicosta for the first time. The experiment result indicated that when temperature was set 20 °C from 7 am to 19 pm and 16 °C from 19 pm to 7 am, rhythmically across light day and dark night with 90% relative humidity, the development process of Scatella tenuicosta was as follows, egg period 2.8±0.7 d, larvae period 15.7±1.9 d, pupa period 4.5±1.5 d. The lifetime of adult male generally lasted 4 d or 5 d, the adult female 14-17 d, the longest even up to 22 days, including 14 day-long oviposition period. During the growth period of watermelon grafted seedlings (December to next March), 1 or 2 generations of Scatella tenuicosta would harm the seedlings, and 5 or 6 generations throughout the whole year. Besides, high temperature and drying environment would be conducive to the occurrence and threatening of the Scatella tenuicosta.

Pengaruh Lama Pengasinan Terhadap Kadar Protein Putih Telur Itik

Background : Egg is one of the animal protein source, which has delicious taste, easy to digest and highly nutritious. Besides its affordable price, its supply availability is unquestionable as well. However, due to its short storability, it requires special treatment, such as preserving, to store it for long period. One way to preserve the egg is by pickling egg, which generally requires seven to ten days of marinating. During the process of marinating, there will be a visual change of egg white and yolk. Their structures will be more solid (the occurrence of thickening process) because salinization will lead to protein denaturalization. Consequently, it has an influence as well towards the content of egg white protein of duck egg. This study is aimed to explore the impact of various time of pickling egg towards egg white protein of duck egg. Method : The study where takes place in a laboratories, is a true experimental study for the reason that the researcher must provide intervention, hence all of potentially confounding variables are manageable. Samples that had been used in this study are duck eggs which were bought from North Brebes. This study is expected to generate data from four various time of pickling egg and control (no treatment). Since there are four samples, accordingly the number of data resulted are twenty. The resulted data will be descriptively presented in table, graph, presentation, and narration. Result : Protein level examination within duck white egg shows changes in protein levels that occurs in every variation of pickling egg time, where the average results of the assay of duck egg white protein is 14.94% without treatment (control), in five days of pickling time is 13.68%, in seven days of pickling time is 13.29%, in nine days of pickling time is 12.87% and eleven days of pickling time is 12.78%. Conclusion : There is a significant impact among the period of pickling time to the protein level degradation of duck white egg. Keywords : Duck egg, period of pickling time, level protein of duck white egg.

Low reproductive success of Campo Suiriri (Suiriri affinis) and Chapada Flycatcher (S. islerorum) in the central Brazilian Cerrado

We investigated the reproductive success of Campo Suiriri (Suiriri affinis) and Chapada Flycatcher (S. islerorum) in the Estação Ecológica de Águas Emendadas, Central Brazil. Between June and December 2003, we monitored 25 nests of Campo Suiriri and 20 nests of Chapada Flycatcher. The simple percentage of successful nests was 32% for Campo Suiriri and 10% for Chapada Flycatcher, whereas the reproductive success calculated by the Mayfield method was 19% for Campo Suiriri and 14% for Chapada Flycatcher. The estimated values of daily survivorship rate (DSR) for Campo Suiriri are as follows: egg period 0.971 and nestling period 0.944. For Chapada Flycatcher the figures were 0.964 and 0.930, respectively. No differences in DSRs between species or periods were statistically significant. All nest losses of Campo Suiriri were due to predation, while for Chapada Flycatcher predation accounted for 78% of nest losses and the remaining 22% was due to parasitism by botfly larvae (Philornis sp.). The low reproductive success of Chapada Flycatcher is close to the lowest values recorded for Neotropical birds and might be a threat to this species and an important variable in the determination of its conservation status.