Induced resistance against the Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri, by ß-aminobutyric acid in citrus.

ß-Aminobutyric acid (BABA) is known to induce resistance to microbial pathogens, nematodes and insects in several host plant/pest systems. The present study was undertaken to determine whether a similar effect of BABA occurred against the Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama, in citrus. A 25 mM drench application of BABA significantly reduced the number of eggs/plant as compared with a water control, whereas 200 and 100 mM applications of BABA reduced the numbers of nymphs/plant and adults/plants, respectively. A 5 mM foliar application of BABA significantly reduced the number of adults but not eggs or nymphs when compared with a water control treatment. In addition, leaf-dip bioassays using various concentrations (25­500 mM) of BABA indicated no direct toxic effect on 2nd and 5th instar nymphs or adult D. citri. BABA-treated plants were characterized by significantly lower levels of iron, magnesium, phosphorus, sodium, sulfur and zinc as compared with control plants. The expression level of the PR-2 gene (ß-1,3-glucanase) in BABA-treated plants that were also damaged by D. citri adult feeding was significantly higher than in plants exposed to BABA, D. citri feeding alone or control plants. Our results indicate the potential for using BABA as a systemic acquired resistance management tool for D. citri.

Langerhans cell histiocytosis: Case report and literature review / Histiocitosis de células de Langerhans: reporte de caso y revisión de la literatura.

Histiocytosis comprises a heterogeneous group of inflammatory diseases whose main cellular components are dendritic cells and macrophages. The inflammatory infiltrate can affect the skin and other organs and the clinical outcome varies from mild to fatal depending on the involved cell subset and multisystemic compromise. Delay in diagnosis may occur due to its non-specific presentation and to a low suspicion on the part of the clinician. We report the case of an infant who despite multiple consultations with nonspecific but characteristic symptoms of the disease was only finally diagnosed thanks to histopathological findings.

La histiocitosis de células de Langerhans comprende un grupo heterogéneo de enfermedades inflamatorias cuyos principales componentes celulares son las células dendríticas y los macrófagos. El infiltrado inflamatorio puede afectar la piel y otros órganos, y el resultado clínico varía de leve a letal, dependiendo del subconjunto de células involucradas y el compromiso multisistémico. La demora en el diagnóstico puede ocurrir debido a su presentación inespecífica y a que los médicos tratantes no suelen sospecharla. Se reporta el caso de una lactante mayor a la cual, a pesar de múltiples consultas con síntomas inespecíficos pero característicos de la enfermedad, solamente se le pudo hacer el diagnóstico gracias a los hallazgos histopatológicos.

Quantifying dispersal of Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) by immunomarking and potential impact of unmanaged groves on commercial citrus management.

Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) is an important pest of citrus. It is an efficient vector of three bacterial pathogens that are the presumptive causal agents of huanglongbing (HLB) or citrus greening disease. The movement patterns and dispersal capabilities of D. citri require study to better understand the spread of HLB and to improve management strategies for D. citri. A recently developed immunomarking technique that uses crude food proteins (chicken egg albumin, bovine casein, and soy protein) was evaluated for marking and tracking movement of D. citri in Florida citrus groves. In general, both egg and milk protein markers exhibited longer residual activity (35 d) than the soy protein marker (20 d) when applied to citrus leaves with a residual activity order of egg > milk > soy protein. However, residues of all three protein markers decreased with a simulated rain; this was more pronounced for soy protein than for egg and milk proteins. Temperature did not significantly affect acquisition of markers by adult D. citri. Egg, milk, and soy protein markers were detected on >90% of adult D. citri for up to 10, 10, and 5 d, respectively, after field application. Addition of tetrasodium ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (water softener) and/or Silwet L-77 (wetting agent) to marker solutions did not affect longevity of detection. Each of the protein markers was detected on > or =80% of exposed D. citri for up to 30 d after direct application to adults. A field study was conducted to measure movement of D. citri between replicated pairs of 0.4 ha managed and unmanaged citrus plots separated by 60-100 m. Approximately 70% of captured D. citri were found marked 3 d after application of proteins in the field. Using two marker proteins, it was determined that D. citri moved bi-directionally between managed and unmanaged (abandoned) groves within 3 d with a greater number of D. citri adults moving from unmanaged into managed plots than from managed into unmanaged plots (net movement). These data indicate frequent movement by adult D. citri between groves and suggest that unmanaged groves may act as refuge sites for D citri, leading to reinfestation of nearby managed groves.

Morphological characterization of the antennal sensilla of the Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Psyllidae), with reference to their probable functions.

The Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Psyllidae), is one of the most significant economic pests of citrus worldwide. This insect vectors three phloem-restricted bacteria in the genus Candidatus Liberibacter that cause huanglongbing (citrus greening), the most severe disease limiting citrus production worldwide. We examined the external morphology of the antennal sensilla of male and female D. citri using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and determined the putative functions of the identified sensilla using transmission electron microscopic (TEM) techniques. The filiform antennae of D. citri were of the conventional type comprised of a basal scape, pedicel and a long, thread-like flagellum, which is composed of eight flagellomeres. Eleven morphologically unique sensillar types were found and described on the antennae of male and female D. citri. Of those identified, the two apical setae, multiporous types I and II sensilla trichoidea, and the antennal rhinaria were porous and may be involved in perception of host- and mate-related volatile chemicals. However, the aporous types I, II and III sensilla trichoidea may have mechanosensory functions and the chaetica sensilla, cavity sensilla and unidentified uniporous sensilla may be involved in proprioception, thermo-hygroreception and cold detection, respectively. The shape, external morphology and array of sensilla on the antennae of male and female D. citri were similar. The only major difference observed was in the morphology of the short apical setae, whose tips were recessed inward in females but not so in males. The results are discussed in relation to plausible roles of the identified sensilla in mate and host location by this species.

Histiocitosis de células de Langerhans: reporte de caso y revisión de la literatura / Langerhans cell histiocytosis: Case report and literature review

Resumen La histiocitosis de células de Langerhans comprende un grupo heterogéneo de enfermedades inflamatorias cuyos principales componentes celulares son las células dendríticas y los macrófagos. El infiltrado inflamatorio puede afectar la piel y otros órganos, y el resultado clínico varía de leve a letal, dependiendo del subconjunto de células involucradas y el compromiso multisistémico. La demora en el diagnóstico puede ocurrir debido a su presentación inespecífica y a que los médicos tratantes no suelen sospecharla. Se reporta el caso de una lactante mayor a la cual, a pesar de múltiples consultas con síntomas inespecíficos pero característicos de la enfermedad, solamente se le pudo hacer el diagnóstico gracias a los hallazgos histopatológicos.

Abstract Histiocytosis comprises a heterogeneous group of inflammatory diseases whose main cellular components are dendritic cells and macrophages. The inflammatory infiltrate can affect the skin and other organs and the clinical outcome varies from mild to fatal depending on the involved cell subset and multisystemic compromise. Delay in diagnosis may occur due to its non-specific presentation and to a low suspicion on the part of the clinician. We report the case of an infant who despite multiple consultations with nonspecific but characteristic symptoms of the disease was only finally diagnosed thanks to histopathological findings.

Alendronate for the treatment of osteopenia in anorexia nervosa: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Osteopenia is a serious medical complication of anorexia nervosa, with no known effective treatment. We conducted a double-blinded, randomized trial comparing alendronate (10 mg daily) with placebo in 32 adolescents with anorexia nervosa (mean age, 16.9 +/- 1.9 yr). All subjects received 1200 mg elemental calcium and 400 IU vitamin D daily and received the same multidisciplinary treatment for their eating disorder. Bone mineral densities (BMDs) of the lumbar spine and femoral neck were measured by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry at baseline and after 1 yr of treatment. Twenty-nine subjects completed the study. Femoral neck and lumbar spine BMDs increased 4.4 +/- 6.4% and 3.5 +/- 4.6% in the alendronate group compared with increases of 2.3 +/- 6.9% and 2.2 + 6.1% in the control group (P = 0.41, femoral neck; P = 0.53, lumbar spine). From baseline to follow-up, BMD increased significantly at the femoral neck (P = 0.02) and lumbar spine (P = 0.02) in those receiving alendronate, but did not increase in those assigned placebo (P = 0.22, femoral neck; P = 0.18, lumbar spine). At follow-up, body weight was the most important determinant of BMD. BMD was significantly higher in subjects who were weight-restored compared with those who remained at low weight (P = 0.002, femoral neck; P = 0.04, lumbar spine). After controlling for body weight, treatment group assignment still had an independent effect at the femoral neck. We conclude that in adolescents with anorexia nervosa, weight restoration is the most important determinant of BMD, but treatment with alendronate did increase the BMD of the lumbar spine and femoral neck within the group receiving alendronate, but not compared with placebo in the primary analysis. Until additional studies have demonstrated efficacy and long-term safety, the use of alendronate in this population should be confined to controlled clinical trials.

Effects of methoprene, a juvenile hormone analog, on survival of various developmental stages, adult emergence, reproduction and behavior of Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama.

BACKGROUND: The Asian citrus citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama, transmits a bacterium that causes huanglongbing in citrus. Frequent and repeated use of neurotoxic insecticides against D. citri has resulted in the development of insecticide resistance. We evaluated the effects of the juvenile hormone analog methoprene on egg hatch, nymphal development, adult emergence, reproduction and behavior of D. citri. RESULTS: Methoprene significantly reduced the viability of eggs that were between 0 and 4 days old. Egg hatch of 0-48-h-old and 49-96-h-old eggs was 8 and 9%, respectively, when treated with 320 µg mL(-1) of methoprene. Methoprene caused significant mortality of first-, third- and fifth-instar D. citri nymphs and reduced adult emergence as compared with controls. Methoprene caused less than 5% adult emergence when first- and third-instar stages were treated, respectively, and less than 40% adult emergence when fifth instars were treated. Reduced fertility of females was observed when they emerged from methoprene-treated fifth instars. CONCLUSION: Methoprene was effective in reducing egg hatch, suppressing nymphal development and decreasing adult emergence of D. citri under laboratory conditions. Treatment of fifth instars reduced the fertility of females. Methoprene might be a possible tool for integrated management of D. citri.

Nutritional rehabilitation of anorexia nervosa. Goals and dangers.

Nutritional rehabilitation of adolescents with anorexia nervosa is both a science and an art. The goals are to promote metabolic recovery; restore a healthy body weight; reverse the medical complications of the disorder and to improve eating behaviors and psychological functioning. Most, but not all of the medical complications are reversible with nutritional rehabilitation. Refeeding patients with anorexia nervosa results in deposition of lean body mass initially, followed by restoration of adipose tissue as treatment goal weight is approached. The major danger of nutritional rehabilitation is the refeeding syndrome, characterized by fluid and electrolyte, cardiac, hematological and neurological complications, the most serious of which is sudden unexpected death. The refeeding syndrome is most likely to occur in those who are severely malnourished. In such patients, this complication can be avoided by slow refeeding with careful monitoring of body weight, heart rate and rhythm and serum electrolytes, especially serum phosphorus. This paper reviews our clinical experience.

Chemical and behavioral analysis of the cuticular hydrocarbons from Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri.

Huanglongbing (HLB) is the most destructive disease of citrus worldwide. The Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Psyllidae), is the vector of the phloem-inhabiting bacterium, Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus, which is presumed to cause HLB in Florida citrus. Laboratory and field studies were conducted to examine the behavioral responses of male and female D. citri to their cuticular extracts. In olfactometer assays, more male D. citri were attracted to one, five, or 10 female cuticular extract equivalent units than blank controls. The results were confirmed in field studies in which clear or yellow traps baited with 10 female cuticular extract equivalent units attracted proportionately more males than clear traps baited with male cuticular extract or unbaited traps. Analyses of cuticular constituents of male and female D. citri revealed differences between the sexes in chemical composition of their cuticular extracts. Laboratory bioassays with synthetic chemicals identified from cuticular extracts indicated that dodecanoic acid attracted more males than clean air. Traps baited with dodecanoic acid did not increase total catch of D. citri as compared with blank traps at the dosages tested; however, the sex ratio of psyllid catch was male biased on traps baited with the highest lure loading dosage tested (10.0 mg).

Recognition of foreign oviposition marking pheromones is context dependent and determined by preimaginal conditioning.

Many insects deposit marking pheromones following egg-laying that signal an occupied and thus sub-optimal resource. Herbivorous insects mark host fruit or other vegetative plant parts after depositing eggs, while insect parasitoids deposit such pheromones directly on the cuticle of a particular life stage of their prey. These oviposition marking pheromones (OMPs) are then recognized by conspecifics, which avoid subsequent egg-laying in the previously utilized and unsuitable host. Since many host resources are capable of supporting a limited number of offspring, these pheromones function to decrease competition among the brood, which increases survival rate of the subsequent generation. In rare instances, distinct species of phytophagous and parasitic insects will inspect the same substrate following egg-laying.1 Recently, Stelinski et al.1 have demonstrated that in such instances, the herbivore is able to learn to recognize its predator's OMP and utilize it to its advantage by avoiding oviposition into unsuitable host fruit. This recognition of a foreign marking pheromone occurs in a multitrophic context since both herbivore and parasitoid inspect, oviposit into, and mark the same substrate (i.e., fruit surface). In this Article Addendum, we further show that this recognition of a foreign pheromone is both context-dependent and mediated by preimaginal conditioning.