Arthropod antigens are main causative agents which induce allergic responses in humans. However, little information is known about the prevalence of specific arthropod allergens in Koreans with allergic diseases. The current study was designed to determine the positive rates of arthropod antibodies by the Korean inhalant panel of MAST-CLA. One hundred sixty patients, who were diagnosed with all...

1. Explanations for the integration of migratory and non-migratory (resident) birds in the Neotropics have been complicated by the paradox that arthropod abundances are low when bird abundances reach their annual peak. The breeding currency hypothesis offers an explanation for this paradox by postulating that resident birds are limited in the breeding season by the availability of large arthrop...

We have examined the specificity of communication between cells in culture by co-culturing cells derived from mammalian, avian, and arthropod organisms. Both mammalian and avian culture cells have similar gap junctional phenotypes, while the insect (arthropod) cell lines have a significantly different gap junctional structure. Electrophysiological and ultrastructural methods were used to examin...

Fire is frequently used as a land management tool for cattle ranching and annual crops in the Amazon. However, these maintenance fires often escape into surrounding forests, with potentially severe impacts for forest biodiversity. We examined the effect of experimental fires on leaf-litter arthropod abundance in a seasonally-dry forest in the Brazilian Amazon. The study plots (50 ha each) inclu...

Soil and litter arthropods are important in many forest ecosystem processes where they help to regulate nutrient dynamics and soil quality, and are useful bioindicators of ecosystem condition and change. This study was initiated in response to concerns about possible decline in site productivity due to intensive forestry practices. We investigated the effects of tree harvesting and site prepara...

We developed new integrated pest management programs for eastern U.S. peaches with minimal use of organophosphates. From 2002-2005, we assessed the ecological impacts of these reduced-risk programs versus grower standard conventional programs that still relied primarily on the use of organophosphorous and carbamate insecticides. Using a split-plot design replicated at four commercial Pennsylvan...

The vector borne diseases cause heavy loss to mankind and livestock industry throughout the world. Global climate changes reported to contribute to the recurrence and new epidemics of vector borne diseases. Unfortunately, the available strategies to control vector borne diseases are insufficient and public health burden of the major vector borne diseases is on increasing trend. Complete eradica...

Recent work has revealed a double segmental periodicity of gene expression in the centipede, a potential molecular explanation for the observation that this arthropod always has an odd number of trunk segments. Is this an oddity of centipedes, or might it mean that double segmental pair-rule patterning dates back to the Ur-arthropod?

Nematodes and arthropods are the most speciose animal groups and possess Class 2 B1 G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs). Existing models of invertebrate Class 2 B1 GPCR evolution are mainly centered on Caenorhabditis elegans and Drosophila melanogaster and a few other nematode and arthropod representatives. The present study reevaluates the evolution of metazoan Class 2 B1 GPCRs and orthologues...

Lignin impedes access to cellulose during biofuel production and pulping but trees can be genetically modified to improve processing efficiency. Modification of lignin may have nontarget effects on mechanical and chemical resistance and subsequent arthropod community responses with respect to pest susceptibility and arthropod biodiversity. We quantified foliar mechanical and chemical resistance...