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Prairie Ridge State Natural Area, located in southeastern Illinois, is one of the most significant grassland habitat complexes in Illinois and well known for supporting the only population of Greater Prairie Chickens (Tympanuchus cupido) in the state. On the site, we found 544 vascular plant species, of which 438 are native (including the state-endangered Penstemon tubaeflorus), and one new state record (Schoenoplectus americanus). Exotic species accounted for 106 species (19.5%). Grassland communities were of two types: cool-season grasslands, managed by mowing and dominated by Agrostis gigantea, Bromus inermis, Dactylis glomerata, Festuca arundinacea, and Poa pratensis; and warm-season prairie grasslands, managed by fire or mowing, and dominated by Andropogon gerardii, Schizachyrium scoparium, and Sorghastrum nutans. Two small forest tracts were examined; both were immature second-growth mesic upland forests with an overstory dominated by Quercus alba, Carya ovata, and Acer saccharinum. Keywords: Grassland communities, Illinois, prairie chickens, prairie restoration, At the time of European settlement, prairie vegetation covered about 60% of Illinois (Iverson et al. 1991). Most was 'black soil' tall-grass prairie of the prairie peninsula that once stretched [...]

Inhibitors of [[alpha].sub.v][[beta].sub.3] and [[alpha].sub.v][[beta].sub.5] integrin have entered clinical trials as antiangiogenic agents for cancer treatment but generally have been unsuccessful. Here we present in vivo evidence that low (nanomolar) concentrations of RGD-mimetic [[alpha].sub.v][[beta].sub.3] and [[alpha].sub.v][[beta].sub.5] inhibitors can paradoxically stimulate tumor growth and tumor angiogenesis. We show that low concentrations of these inhibitors promote VEGF-mediated angiogenesis by altering [[alpha].sub.v][[beta].sub.3] integrin and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 trafficking, thereby promoting endothelial cell migration to VEGF. The proangiogenic effects of low concentrations of RGD-mimetic integrin inhibitors could compromise their efficacy as anticancer agents and have major implications for the use of RGD-mimetic compounds in humans., Inhibitors of angiogenesis can suppress tumor growth in preclinical models and have entered the clinic as prospective anticancer therapeutics (1,2). Tumor angiogenesis is predominantly driven by vascular endothelial growth factor [...]

Cyperus verloovei is described as a new species of Cyperus section Incurvi from northern South America (Guyana and Venezuela). It is most similar to C. grandisimplex from which it is distinguished by its narrower spikelets, smaller scales, and oblong-ellipsoid achenes. A key is provided for all species of section Incurvi in the Neotropical region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Capparis kbangensis Sy & D.V. Hai, a new species from Kbang District, Gia Lai Province, Vietnam, is described and illustrated. The new species is morphologically similar to Capparis versicolor but differs by several characters such as emarginate leaf apex, hairy margin of sepals, smaller fruits, and fewer seeds per fruit. Its ecology and conservation status are provided along with a taxonomic key to the closely allied species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]