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At least 199 records · Page 11Linked to original sources
PubMed2003

CvADH1, a member of short-chain alcohol dehydrogenase family, is inducible by gibberellin and sucrose in developing watermelon seeds.

To understand the molecular mechanisms that control seed formation, we selected a seed-preferential gene (CvADH1) from the ESTs of developing watermelon seeds. RNA blot analysis and in situ localization showed that CvADH1 was preferentially expressed in the nucellar tissue. The CvADH1 protein shared about 50% homology with short-chain alcohol dehydrogenase including ABA2 in Arabidopsis thaliana, stem secoisolariciresinol dehydrogenase in Forsythia intermedia, and 3beta-hydroxysterol dehydrogenase in Digitalis lanata. We investigated gene-expression levels in seeds from both normally pollinated fruits and those made parthenocarpic via N-(2-chloro-4-pyridyl)-N'-phenylurea treatment, the latter of which lack zygotic tissues. Whereas the transcripts of CvADH1 rapidly started to accumulate from about the pre-heart stage in normal seeds, they were not detectable in the parthenocarpic seeds. Treating the parthenogenic fruit with GA(3) strongly induced gene expression, up to the level accumulated in pollinated seeds. These results suggest that the CvADH1 gene is induced in maternal tissues by signals made in the zygotic tissues, and that gibberellin might be one of those signals. We also observed that CvADH1 expression was induced by sucrose in the parthenocarpic seeds. Therefore, we propose that the CvADH1 gene is inducible by gibberellin, and that sucrose plays an important role in the maternal tissues of watermelon during early seed development.

Alcohol Dehydrogenase↗
PubMed2004

Comparison of pediatric airway foreign bodies over fifty years.

Prevention and early recognition remain critical factors in the treatment of foreign body inhalation in children. Accidental inhalation of both organic and nonorganic foreign body material continues to be a cause of childhood morbidity and mortality. The University of North Carolina Department of Otolaryngology has collected foreign bodies acquired from the airways of young children since its inception in 1954. The authors reviewed 26 foreign bodies removed bronchoscopically from the airways of children during the years 1955 to 1960, and compared these to 27 foreign bodies collected from 1999 to 2003. Findings showed remarkable similarities in the types of foreign bodies aspirated. Organic foreign bodies were most commonly found. Differences existed in the type of organic foreign body aspirated, with popcorn being retrieved in 15% of cases during the later time period. Also, an increase in bronchoscopically removed small toy parts was found in the later group.

Child↗
PubMed2007

An rhl-like quorum-sensing system negatively regulates pyoluteorin production in Pseudomonas sp. M18.

Pseudomonas sp. M18, isolated from the watermelon rhizosphere, is antagonistic against a number of soil-borne pathogens. This strain produces an uncharacterized red pigment, pyoluteorin (Plt), and two N-acylhomoserine lactones (AHLs). A previously isolated red-pigment-defective mutant, M18-T510, contains an insert within a gene similar to rhlI in P. aeruginosa PAO1. The M18 rhlI gene product is responsible for the production of two AHL signals: N-butyryl-homoserine lactone and N-hexanoylhomoserine lactone. Mutants defective in either rhlI or rhlR showed enhanced Plt biosynthesis due to loss of transcriptional repression, which was mediated, at least in part, by suppressed expression of the activator PltR. A Plt-specific ABC transporter was also upregulated in the rhl mutants in a Plt-dependent manner. In comparison with the wild-type strain, the rhl mutants survived longer during stationary-phase growth.

4-Butyrolactone↗
PubMed2005

Thermal tolerance of acid-adapted and unadapted Salmonella, Escherichia coli O157:H7, and Listeria monocytogenes in cantaloupe juice and watermelon juice.

AIMS: A study was performed to determine D values of acid-adapted and unadapted cells of Salmonella, Escherichia coli O157:H7, and Listeria monocytogenes in cantaloupe juice and watermelon juice. METHODS AND RESULTS: Salmonella enterica serotype Poona, S. enterica serotype Saphra, two strains of E. coli O157:H7, and two strains of L. monocytogenes were grown in tryptic soy broth (TSB) and TSB supplemented with 1% glucose for 24 h at 37 degrees C. Decimal reduction times (D values) of cells suspended in unpasteurized cantaloupe juice and watermelon juice were determined. Acid-adapted cells of Salmonella and E. coli O157:H7, but not L. monocytogenes, had increased thermal tolerance compared with cells that were not acid-adapted. There was no correlation between soluble solids content of the two types of juice and thermal resistance. CONCLUSIONS: Growth of Salmonella and E. coli O157:H7 in cantaloupe juice, watermelon juice, or other acidic milieu, either in preharvest or postharvest environments, may result in cross protection to heat. The pasteurization conditions necessary to achieve elimination of pathogens from these juices would consequently have to be more severe if cells are habituated to acidic environments. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Insights from this study provide guidance to developing pasteurization processes to eliminate Salmonella, E. coli O157:H7, and L. monocytogenes in cantaloupe juice and watermelon juice.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed2005

Purification and characterization of glutamate N-acetyltransferase involved in citrulline accumulation in wild watermelon.

Citrulline is an efficient hydroxyl radical scavenger that can accumulate at concentrations of up to 30 mm in the leaves of wild watermelon during drought in the presence of strong light; however, the mechanism of this accumulation remains unclear. In this study, we characterized wild watermelon glutamate N-acetyltransferase (CLGAT) that catalyses the transacetylation reaction between acetylornithine and glutamate to form acetylglutamate and ornithine, thereby functioning in the first and fifth steps in citrulline biosynthesis. CLGAT enzyme purified 7000-fold from leaves was composed of two subunits with different N-terminal amino acid sequences. Analysis of the corresponding cDNA revealed that these two subunits have molecular masses of 21.3 and 23.5 kDa and are derived from a single precursor polypeptide, suggesting that the CLGAT precursor is cleaved autocatalytically at the conserved ATML motif, as in other glutamate N-acetyltransferases of microorganisms. A green fluorescence protein assay revealed that the first 26-amino acid sequence at the N-terminus of the precursor functions as a chloroplast transit peptide. The CLGAT exhibited thermostability up to 70 degrees C, suggesting an increase in enzyme activity under high leaf temperature conditions during drought/strong-light stresses. Moreover, CLGAT was not inhibited by citrulline or arginine at physiologically relevant high concentrations. These findings suggest that CLGAT can effectively participate in the biosynthesis of citrulline in wild watermelon leaves during drought/strong-light stress.

Acetyltransferases↗
PubMed2002

Watermelon seedling growth and mortality as affected by Anasa tristis (Heteroptera: Coreidae).

Adult squash bugs, Anasa tristis (De Geer), were confined on seedling watermelon plants at densities of zero, one, two, and four per plant. Squash bugs were allowed to feed on the plants until plants died or reached 30 cm in height. Number of leaves and length of plant vine were recorded at 2- or 3-d intervals. Seedling foliage, stems, and roots were harvested and dried after plants reached 30 cm in height. Growth of seedlings was regressed on number of squash bugs and results indicated that an increasing density of squash bugs feeding on seedlings resulted in a significant reduction in plant growth. Additionally, increased density of squash bugs resulted in reduced weight of foliage and root dry biomass. Seedling mortality increased as the density of squash bugs increased.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Inhibition of seed germination by extracts of bitter Hawkesbury watermelon containing cucurbitacin, a feeding stimulant for corn rootworm (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae).

Cucurbitacins are feeding stimulants for corn rootworm used in baits to control the adults of this insect pest. Corn rootworm larvae also feed compulsively on cucurbitacins. Cucurbitacins are reported to be gibberellin antagonists that may preclude their use as seed treatments for these soil-dwelling insects. The crude extract of a bitter Hawkesbury watermelon containing cucurbitacin E-glycoside significantly inhibited germination of watermelon, squash, and tomato seeds. Although the germination of corn seed was not significantly inhibited, root elongation was inhibited by crude extracts, but not by high-performance liquid chromatography-purified cucurbitacin E-glycoside. Therefore, the effects of the major components in the bitter watermelon extract (e.g., sugars) on seed germination and root elongation were determined. Pure sugars (glucose and fructose), at concentrations found in watermelon extract, mimicked the inhibition of seed germination and root elongation seen with the crude bitter Hawkesbury watermelon extract. Removal of these sugars may be necessary to use this extract as a bait for corn rootworm larvae as a seed or root treatment.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Overwintering squash bugs harbor and transmit the causal agent of cucurbit yellow vine disease.

Since 1988, cucurbit crops, particularly watermelon, cantaloupe, and squash, grown in Oklahoma and Texas have experienced devastating losses from cucurbit yellow vine disease (CYVD), caused by the phloem-limited bacterium Serratia marcescens Bizio. Squash bug, Anasa tristis (De Geer), is a putative vector of the pathogen. In 2000-2001, overwintering populations of squash bug collected from DeLeon, TX, were tested for their ability to harbor and transmit the bacterium. Individual squash bugs (n = 73) were caged serially for periods of up to 7 d on at least four squash seedlings. Two studies were conducted, one with insects collected in November 2000 placed on first true leaf-stage seedlings and the second with insects from an April 2001 collection, placed on 3-5 true leaf-stage squash. Controls consisted of squash seedlings caged without insects. Squash bug transmission rates of the pathogen in studies I and II were 20 and 7.5%, respectively. Overall, 11.0% of the squash bugs harbored and successfully transmitted the bacterium to squash seedlings. All control plants tested negative for S. marcescens and did not exhibit CYVD. Female squash bugs killed a significantly greater proportion of young first leaf-stage seedlings than males. Feeding on 3-5 leaf-stage squash resulted in no plant mortality regardless of squash bug gender. This study demonstrated that the squash bug harbors S. marcescens in its overwintering state. The squash bug-S. marcescens overwintering relationship reported herein greatly elevates the pest status of squash bug and places more importance on development of integrated strategies for reducing potential overwintering and emerging squash bug populations.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Comparison of management strategies for squash bugs (Hemiptera: Coreidae) in watermelon.

Two watermelon pest management practices, a squash trap crop and a standard recommendation using soil-applied carbofuran, were compared using large-scale field plots to assess trap crop suitability as a replacement for the standard in 2000, 2001, and 2002. In both systems, foliar insecticide applications were used to control squash bugs when populations exceeded threshold levels. During 2001 and 2002, a treatment of untreated watermelon was used. Early season adult insects, from seedling to fruit set, are most critical for watermelon. Significantly fewer early adult bugs were found on watermelon in the trap crop than in the standard recommended practice in 1 of 3 yr. In both years, significantly fewer adult squash bugs were found in watermelon in the trap crop than in untreated fields. The standard recommended practice significantly reduced adult squash bugs in watermelon compared with the untreated in 1 of 2 yr. There was no significant correlation of watermelon yield and squash bug density, indicating that squash bug densities were too low to impact yield. Although squash bugs were reduced significantly by the trap crop, marketable watermelon yields were lower in the squash trap crop than in untreated watermelon, suggesting that pest management treatments may interfere with crop productivity factors other than squash bug colonization. Results suggest that mid-season production squash bug should be managed by monitoring populations and using insecticides as needed rather than using at-plant treatment. Further research is needed to compare treatments during early-season production.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

[Histological studies on rinds of 18 species of Gualou].

OBJECTIVE: To make clear the histological characteristics of rinds for eighteen species of Gualou. METHOD: Observing the cross sections and separate divide of the rinds with light microscope. RESULT AND CONCLUSION: Of eighteen rinds of Gualou, each trichome on exocarp, wood fiber and thickness of ring of stone cell are different from one another, this distinction can be used to identify the different rinds of Gualou.

Citrullus↗
PubMed2002

Molecular characterization of a GA-inducible gene, Cvsus1, in developing watermelon seeds.

To understand the molecular mechanisms that control seed development, we isolated a seed-preferential gene from ESTs of developing watermelon seeds. The gene Cvsus1 encodes a protein that is 86% identical to the Vicia faba sucrose synthase expressed in developing seeds. RNA blot analysis showed that Cvsus1 was preferentially expressed in watermelon seeds. We also investigated gene expression levels both in pollinated seeds and in parthenocarpic seeds, which lack zygotic tissues. Whereas the transcript level of Cvsus1 was rapidly increased during normal seed development, the expression was not significantly increased in the parthenocarpic seeds. However, treating the parthenocarpic fruits with GA3 strongly induced Cvsus1 expression, up to the level accumulated in pollinated seeds. These results suggest that Cvsus1 is induced in maternal tissues via signals from the zygotic tissues, and that GA may be one of those signals.

Blotting, Southern↗
PubMed2003

[Virus resistance in transgenic watermelon plants containing a WMV-2 coat protein gene].

Virus disease is a major cause that affects the quality and output of watermelon which is an important fruit in summer. So it is really urgent to develop disease resistance plants. But it takes a long time to breed such plants in conventional ways, and it is very difficult to get ideal result. With the development of plant genetic engineering, new ways have been found to breed plants with disease resistance. By using plant transgenic technique, much progress was been made in plant improvement. There are many successful cases of transgenic plants against corresponding virus disease through transferring coat protein gene. This paper reports the results of inheritance, segregation, expression of WMV-2 coat protein gene in inbred transgenic watermelon and its resistance to virus. Through PCR analysis of inbred plants, we found WMV-2 coat protein gene in the genome of progeny R1 separated with 3:1. After successive selection and identification of 4 generations, 8 transgenic pure lines with almost the same agronomic traits were obtained from 3 independent transformants of T7, T11 and T32. The result of Western blotting shows all 3 different transgenic lines of R4T7-1, R4T11-3 and R4T32-7 can produce coat protein. Disease resistance experiment on transgenic plants with WMV-2 shows that, compared with the control groups, transgenic plants can delay the disease infection and reduce the incidence and the symptoms of virus disease. And the transgenic line R4T32-7 expressed high resistance to infection by WMV-2, which lays a foundation for breeding of disease resistant varieties through plant transgenic technique.

Blotting, Western↗
PubMed2003

[Clinical study of watermelon frost runhou tablet treatment for pharynx and larynx oral cavity].

OBJECTIVE: Inquire into the clinical curative effect that Watermelon frost runhou tablet cured the illness in pharynx and larynx oral cavity. METHOD: Clinical research material to 136 medical treatment units (13,435 cases) in the whole nation is added up the analysis. RESULT: Fully recovering from an illness produce effects rate is 80.0%, always there is the efficiency to serve as 96.0%. CONCLUSION: Watermelon frost runhou tablet is effective good medicine of safety curing the pharynx and larynx disease in oral cavity.

Administration, Sublingual↗
PubMed2003

[Transformation of wml1 5' promoter region into tomato plants and studies on its transcriptional regulation role].

According to its restriction sites, fragments of 1573 bp, 1197 bp, 896 bp and 795 bp were obtained from the 5' promoter region of wml1 and fused with the coding sequence of the GUS gene. Constructs containing these fragments were introduced into tomato plants via Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. Histochemical assay of GUS expression in transgenic tomato plants revealed that fragments of 1573 bp, 1197 bp, 896 bp were able to direct GUS expression in fruits of 15, 30, 45 days after anthesis with the expression level of GUS increasing with fruit development, but not in leaves, stems and roots. While no GUS expression was observed in tomato plants transformed by construct containing fragment of 795 bp. It was determined that the region from 857 bp to 957 bp contains the elements necessary for directing fruit-specific expression.

Citrullus↗