Cloning and characterization of Aedes aegypti juvenile hormone epoxide hydrolases (JHEHs).

Juvenile hormone epoxide hydrolase (JHEH) plays an important role in the metabolism of juvenile hormone III (JH III) in insects. To study the role that JHEH plays in female Aedes aegypti JHEH 1, 2, and 3 complementary DNA (cDNAs) were cloned and sequenced. Northern blot analyses show that the three transcripts are expressed in the head thorax, the gut, the ovaries, and the fat body of females.

Molecular and functional characterization of Bemisia tabaci aquaporins reveals the water channel diversity of hemipteran insects.

The Middle East-Asia Minor 1 (MEAM1) whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) is an economically important pest of food, fiber, and ornamental crops. This pest has evolved a number of adaptations to overcome physiological challenges, including 1) the ability to regulate osmotic stress between gut lumen and hemolymph after imbibing large quantities of a low nitrogen, sugar-rich liquid diet; 2) the ability to avoid or prevent dehydration and desiccation, particularly during egg hatching and molting; and 3) to be adapted for survival at elevated temperatures. One superfamily of proteins involved in the maintenance of fluid homeostasis in many organisms includes the aquaporins, which are integral membrane channel proteins that aid in the rapid flux of water and other small solutes across biological membranes.

RNA interference-mediated knockdown of the Halloween gene Spookiest (CYP307B1) impedes adult eclosion in the western tarnished plant bug, Lygus hesperus.

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.

Cloning and expressing a highly functional and substrate specific farnesoic acid o-methyltransferase from the Asian citrus psyllid (Diaphorina citri Kuwayama).

The Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri, transmits a phloem-limited bacterium, Candidatus 'Liberibacter' asiaticus that causes citrus greening disease. Because juvenile hormone (JH) plays an important role in adult and nymphal development, we studied the final steps in JH biosynthesis in D. citri.

Control of larval and egg development in Aedes aegypti with RNA interference against juvenile hormone acid methyl transferase.

RNA interference (RNAi) is a powerful approach for elucidating gene functions in a variety of organisms, including mosquitoes and many other insects. Little has been done, however, to harness this approach in order to control adult and larval mosquitoes. Juvenile hormone (JH) plays a pivotal role in the control of reproduction in adults and metamorphism in larval mosquitoes.

Aedes aegypti juvenile hormone acid methyl transferase, the ultimate enzyme in the biosynthetic pathway of juvenile hormone III, exhibits substrate control.

We report on the cloning, sequencing, characterization, 3D modeling and docking of Aedes aegypti juvenile hormone acid methyl transferase (AeaJHAMT), the enzyme that converts juvenile hormone acid (JHA) into juvenile hormone (JH). Purified recombinant AeaJHAMT was extensively characterized for enzymatic activity and the Michaelis Menten kinetic parameters Km, Vmax, k(cat) (turn over number) and k(cat)/Km (catalytic efficiency) using JHA and its analogues as substrates. AeaJHAMT methylates JHA III 5-fold faster than farnesoic acid (FA).

Perceived practice change in Australian doctors as a result of medicolegal concerns.

Objectives: To explore the perceived impact of medicolegal concerns on how Australian doctors practise medicine and to compare doctors who have experienced a medicolegal matter with those who have not.

Design And Setting: Cross-sectional survey (posted in September 2007, with reminder 4 weeks later) of Australian doctors from all major specialty groups, trainees and a sample of general practitioners who were insured with a medical insurance company.

Participants: 2999 respondents of 8360 who were sent the survey.

Factors associated with psychiatric morbidity and hazardous alcohol use in Australian doctors.

Objective: To identify factors associated with psychiatric morbidity and hazardous alcohol use in Australian doctors.

Design, Setting And Participants: Cross-sectional postal survey of 2999 doctors (including all major specialty groups, trainees and general practitioners) insured with an Australian medical insurance company. The potential for psychiatric morbidity was measured by the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ), and the potential for hazardous alcohol use by the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT).

Australian doctors' involvement in medicolegal matters: a cross-sectional self-report study.

Objective: To investigate the frequency of, and factors associated with, Australian doctors' involvement in medicolegal matters.

Design, Setting And Participants: Cross-sectional survey of Australian doctors (specialists, trainees and general practitioners) insured with the medical insurance company Avant. A self-report questionnaire was mailed to Avant members in September 2007 to gather data on their involvement in medicolegal matters.

GPs' concerns about medicolegal issues - How it affects their practice.

Background: General practitioners' concerns about medicolegal issues have been shown to influence the practice of medicine. This research looks at GPs' beliefs about medicolegal issues and how medicolegal concerns affect their practice.

Methods: A descriptive comparative design was used.

Personality, gender and medico-legal matters in medical practice.

Objectives: The aim of this paper was to explore the relationship between the personality traits of Australian General Practitioners (GPs) and their gender, work practice arrangements, and history of medico-legal matters.

Methods: A cross-sectional self report survey was mailed to 1239 GPs. There were 566 respondents (45.

Psychological morbidity in Australian doctors who have and have not experienced a medico-legal matter: cross-sectional survey.

Objective: To describe the differences in psychological morbidity between Australian general practitioners (GPs) who have experienced a medico-legal matter and those who have not.

Methods: A total of 1,499 GPs were initially invited to participate in the study. Two hundred and sixty requested not to participate, with 1,239 subsequently being sent a survey.