Direct Infusion Device for Molecule Delivery in Plants.

Testing the function of therapeutic compounds in plants is an important component of agricultural research. Foliar and soil-drench methods are routine but have drawbacks, including variable uptake and the environmental breakdown of tested molecules. Trunk injection of trees is well-established, but most methods for this require expensive, proprietary equipment.

Urinary endogenous peptides as biomarkers for prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most prevalent types of cancer in men worldwide; however, the main diagnostic tests available for PCa have limitations and a biopsy is required for histopathological confirmation of the disease. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is the main biomarker used for the early detection of PCa, but an elevated serum concentration is not cancer-specific. Therefore, there is a need for the discovery of new non-invasive biomarkers that can accurately diagnose PCa.

Influence of Light on Reproductive Rates of Asian Citrus Psyllid (Hemiptera: Liviidae).

The impact of light on reproductive rates of Asian citrus psyllid (Diaphorina citri Kuwayama) was assessed in an air-conditioned, polycarbonate greenhouse. This psyllid is an important pest because it transmits a bacterium presumed responsible for a serious citrus disease known as Asiatic huanglongbing. Numbers of psyllids produced were compared among rearing cages subjected to different amounts of light provided by natural sunlight and light-emitting diode floodlights.

Effects of Temperature, Photoperiod, and Rainfall on Morphometric Variation of Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Liviidae).

Phenotypic plasticity provides a mechanism by which an organism can adapt to new or changing environments. Earlier studies have demonstrated the variability of Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Asian citrus psyllid) population dynamics, but no analysis of morphological changes induced by seasonal or artificial laboratory-induced conditions has yet been documented. Such morphometric variation has been found to correspond in dispersal capabilities in several insect taxa.

Host plant affects morphometric variation of (Hemiptera: Liviidae).

The Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), Kuwayama, is one of the most serious citrus pests worldwide due to its role as vector of huanglongbing or citrus greening disease. While some optimal plant species for ACP oviposition and development have been identified, little is known of the influence of host plants on ACP size and shape. Our goal was to determine how size and shape of ACP wing and body size varies when development occurs on different host plants in a controlled rearing environment.

Morphometric comparisons of Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Liviidae) populations from Iran, USA and Pakistan.

The Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae), vector of citrus greening disease pathogen, Huanglongbing (HLB), is considered the most serious pest of citrus in the world. Prior molecular based studies have hypothesized a link between the D. citri in Iran and the USA (Florida).

Ultrastructure of Wax-Producing Structures on the Integument of the Melaleuca Psyllid Boreioglycaspis melaleucae (Hemiptera: Psyllidae), with Honeydew Excretion Behavior in Males and Females.

The melaleuca psyllid, Boreioglycaspis melaleucae (Hemiptera: Psyllidae), was introduced to Florida as a biological control agent against Melaleuca quinquenervia, an invasive evergreen tree that has invaded large areas of Florida Everglades. Colonies of B. melaleucae nymphs are normally covered by white waxy secretions, and nymphs of various instars produce long bundles of white waxy filaments extending laterally and posteriorly from their abdomen.

Ligand-induced protein mobility in complexes of carbonic anhydrase II and benzenesulfonamides with oligoglycine chains.

This paper describes a biophysical investigation of residual mobility in complexes of bovine carbonic anhydrase II (BCA) and para-substituted benzenesulfonamide ligands with chains of 1-5 glycine subunits, and explains the previously observed increase in entropy of binding with chain length. The reported results represent the first experimental demonstration that BCA is not the rigid, static globulin that has been typically assumed, but experiences structural fluctuations upon binding ligands. NMR studies with (15)N-labeled ligands demonstrated that the first glycine subunit of the chain binds without stabilization or destabilization by the more distal subunits, and suggested that the other glycine subunits of the chain behave similarly.

Abnormal SDS-PAGE migration of cytosolic proteins can identify domains and mechanisms that control surfactant binding.

The amino acid substitution or post-translational modification of a cytosolic protein can cause unpredictable changes to its electrophoretic mobility during SDS-PAGE. This type of "gel shifting" has perplexed biochemists and biologists for decades. We identify a mechanism for "gel shifting" that predominates among a set of ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) mutant hSOD1 (superoxide dismutase) proteins, post-translationally modified hSOD1 proteins, and homologous SOD1 proteins from different organisms.

Temperature studies with the Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri: cold hardiness and temperature thresholds for oviposition.

This study was conducted to obtain information on the cold hardiness of the Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Psyllidae), in Florida and to assess upper and lower temperature thresholds for oviposition. The psyllid is an important pest in citrus because it transmits the bacterial pathogens responsible for citrus greening disease, Huanglongbing, considered the most serious citrus disease worldwide. D.

Sticky trap and stem-tap sampling protocols for the Asian citrus psyllid (Hemiptera: Psyllidae).

Sampling statistics were obtained to develop a sampling protocol for estimating numbers of adult Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) in citrus by using two different sampling methods: yellow sticky traps and stem-tap samples. A 4.0-ha block of mature orange trees was stratified into 100.

Population ecology and phenology of Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) in two Florida citrus groves.

Studies were conducted to assess population densities and phenology of the psyllid Diaphorina citri Kuwayama at two citrus groves in east-central Florida. One grove contained young, irrigated grapefruit trees and the other contained mature, nonirrigated orange trees. The two groves were sampled weekly for eggs, nymphs, and adults on flush shoots; for adults on mature leaves; and for adults captured on yellow sticky card traps.

Biology and biotype determination of greenbug, Schizaphis graminum (Hemiptera: Aphididae), on seashore paspalum turfgrass (Paspalum vaginatum).

Greenbug, Schizaphis graminum (Rondani) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), was first discovered damaging seashore paspalum (Paspalum vaginatum Swartz) turfgrass in November 2003 at Belle Glade, FL. Inquiries to several golf courses with seashore paspalum turf across southern Florida indicated infestation was wide spread by April 2004. Damage symptoms progress from water soaked lesions surrounding feeding sites within 24 h to chlorosis and necrosis of leaf tips within 96 h.

Resistance to Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and Euxesta stigmatias (Diptera: Ulidiidae) in sweet corn derived from exogenous and endogenous genetic systems.

Field trials using Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and Euxesta stigmatias Loew (Diptera: Ulidiidae) were conducted to evaluate resistance and potential damage interactions between these two primary corn, Zea mays L.

Contact and leaf residue activity of insecticides against the sweet Corn pest Euxesta stigmatias (Diptera: Otitidae).

Damage by Euxesta stigmatias Loew larvae to sweet corn renders the ears unmarketable. This report evaluates the efficacy of insecticides labeled for armyworm control in Florida sweet corn against E. stigmatias adults.

PTHrP and Bcl-2: essential regulatory molecules in chondrocyte differentiation and chondrogenic tumors.

Human chondrosarcomas (CS) are a frequent form of malignant bone tumors. The accurate distinction between benign solitary enchondroma and conventional CS of bones is a major diagnostic goal. Although the histological characteristics of chondrogenic tumors and the grading of CS (G1 to G3) have been defined by several authors, immunohistochemical markers for the different entities and grades are still missing and the mechanisms of tumorigenesis remain poorly understood.

Angiogenesis and expression of tenascin after transmural laser revascularization.

Transmyocardial revascularization (TMR) with CO2-laser equipment is an alternative approach in the treatment of patients with severe ischemic cardiac disease. Several studies concerning morphological features after TMR document a strong transmyocardial injury, but little is known about wound healing in laser-induced alterations of the cardiac skeleton and their putative role for angiogenesis and endothelialization. The present study was conducted to establish a useful immunohistochemical marker for detection of these laser-induced injuries and to analyze starting points of angiogenesis in human myocardium after TMR.

P-glycoprotein expression in high grade central osteosarcoma and normal bone cells. An immunohistochemical study.

One important mechanism by which multidrug resistance is mediated is the mdr1 gene product, P-glycoprotein (Pgp). Even though chemotherapy, in the treatment of high grade central osteosarcoma (hgc-OS), has led to dramatic improvements in survival rate, a certain percentage of patients still show only a poor response to chemotherapy. To further characterize a potential connection between Pgp and chemotherapy as well as the role of Pgp in tumorigenesis of osteosarcoma, we analyzed Pgp-expression in hcg-OS.

[Cell proliferation in bone tumors. Immunohistologic study of Ki-67 protein expression].

Bone tumors represent a group of tumors of various dignity. In spite of this single tumor entities may display strong morphological resemblance to each other which can in turn result in profound difficulties in differential diagnosis. The biological behaviour of a tumor is mainly determined by its rate of proliferation.

[P-glycoprotein expression in osteosarcoma].

One of the mechanisms by which multidrug resistance is mediated, is the mdr1 gene product, P-glycooprotein. Immunohistochemistry was performed for 63 osteosarcomas of 54 patients to investigate P-glycoprotein expression using the monoclonal antibody JSB-1. Most of the patients were children or adolescents who had received treatment under the framework of the Cooperative Osteosarcoma Study Group.

Molecular model of the A subunit of protein phosphatase 2A: interaction with other subunits and tumor antigens.

Protein phosphatase 2A consists of three subunits, the catalytic subunit (C) and two regulatory subunits (A and B). The A subunit has a rod-like shape and consists of 15 nonidentical repeats. It binds the catalytic subunit through repeats 11 to 15 at the C terminus and the tumor antigens encoded by small DNA tumor viruses through overlapping but distinct regions at N-terminal repeats 2 to 8.