Response to rearing in laboratory of the xylophagous grape pest, Xylotrechus arvicola (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae)

Álvaro Rodríguez‐González,Sara MAYO,Óscar GONZÁLEZ-LÓPEZ,Horacio J. PELÁEZ,Pedro A. CASQUERO 한국곤충학회 2017 Entomological Research Vol.47 No.4

Xylotrechus arvicola (Olivier) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) is an important pest in vineyards (Vitis vinifera) in the main Iberian wine‐producing regions. Larvae were reared with Semi‐Synthetic Iglesias (SSI) diet over 27 months and two generations in the laboratory. Larval mortality was highest during the first (49.49 %) and second (9.38 %) month of rearing, increasing to 50.52 % during the first month if F2 reared larvae were obtained from an F1 adult female obtained in laboratory. The diet had sufficient nutrients to enable the pest to complete its life cycle within nine months, with F1 larval viability ranging from 23.49 % to 27.97 % and F2 larval viability reduced to 2.07 %. However, the diet did not allow for the completion of additional life cycles and generations (F3, F4,…). Larval mortality increased as the months of rearing (66.13 %, 69.51 % and 89.50 %) and generations (59.10 % and 76.93 % in F1 and F2, respectively) progressed in the laboratory. The larva–adult period of females obtained in the laboratory was longer than for males. In the laboratory, the life cycle was shortened in relation to the life cycle in the field because larvae did not require a cold period to break diapause and start pupation. This indicates that X. arvicola has the potential to complete its life cycle inside grape wood in vineyards of wine‐producing regions with warmer winters.

Effects of adults body size and larvae diet on the fecundity and percent fertility of eggs laid by Xylotrechus arvicola (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) females, insect pest in Spanish vineyards

Álvaro Rodríguez‐González,Horacio J. PELÁEZ,Óscar GONZÁLEZ-LÓPEZ,Sara MAYO,Pedro A. CASQUERO 한국곤충학회 2018 Entomological Research Vol.48 No.2

Xylotrechus arvicola is a pest of grape in some vine‐producing regions of the Iberian Peninsula. Biological parameters and relationships (fecundity and percent fertility of eggs in relationship to body size) of females obtained in the laboratory and captured in vineyards were studied. In laboratory conditions, the mean developmental time of larvae ranged from 384 to 392 days and pupal stage varied between 12 to 14 days. Body size (BS) of X. arvicola females was significantly bigger than males. Fecundity was greater in the laboratory (147 eggs) than in the field (50 eggs) females, but the percent fertility of the laboratory eggs was lower (16 eggs). Laboratory females showed a bigger relationship between the production of eggs and BS than females captured in vineyards. Wild females (PDO Ribera del Duero and Tierra de León) had a positive relationship between the percent fertility of eggs and the BS. No correlation between the percent fertility of eggs and the BS was displayed by females captured in PDO Toro, but these females had a higher percent fertility (53 eggs) than the others PDO's. These biological parameters and relationships studied suggest that the artificial diet may lack certain essential nutrients that vine varieties can provide that favor the fertility of eggs. This explains why wild females have the potential to become a problem pest in the Tempranillo grape variety, with bilateral cordon and bush vines training systems that have the highest incidence of this cerambycid.

Sonographic evaluation of fetal scrotum, testes and epididymis

( Álvaro López Soto ),( Jose Luis Meseguer González ),( María Velasco Martínez ),( Rocío López Pérez ),( Inmaculada Martínez Rivero ),( Mónica Lorente Fernández ),( Olivia García Izquierdo ),( Juan Pe 대한산부인과학회 2021 Obstetrics & Gynecology Science Vol.64 No.5

External male genitalia have rarely been evaluated on fetal ultrasound. Apart from visualization of the penis for fetal sex determination, there are no specific instructions or recommendations from scientific societies. This study aimed to review the current knowledge about prenatal diagnosis of the scrotum and internal structures, with discussion regarding technical aspects and clinical management. We conducted an article search in Medline, EMBASE, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Web of Science databases for studies in English or Spanish language that discussed prenatal scrotal pathologies. We identified 72 studies that met the inclusion criteria. Relevant data were grouped into sections of embryology, ultrasound, pathology, and prenatal diagnosis. The scrotum and internal structures show a wide range of pathologies, with varying degrees of prevalence and morbidity. Most of the reported cases have described incidental findings diagnosed via striking ultrasound signs. Studies discussing normative data or management are scarce.

“TO BE OR NOT TO BE" IS NOT THE ONLY QUESTION IN ADVERTISING FLYERS: HOW AND WHERE BEING ALSO MATTERS

Álvaro Garrido Morgado,Óscar González Benito,Mercedes Martos Partal 글로벌지식마케팅경영학회 2018 Global Marketing Conference Vol.2018 No.07

This study focuses on analyzing the variables that moderate the effectiveness of the advertising flyers, one of the most used tools in retailing, to improve product sales. In previous literature, studies analyzed and confirmed the effectiveness of flyers to increase the traffic store, the general store sales or the synergistic effect of them to highlight and improve the effectiveness of promotions. Despite their confirmed effectiveness on these issues and their large use by retailers and manufacturers, it is missed studies that analyze the variables that may moderate their effectiveness on the sales of the products displayed on it. In fact, only Zhang et al. (2009) tried to analyze if the location in which the product is displayed have an influence on its effectiveness. According to them, they obtained inconclusive results due to their sample size. This study, considering the consumer’s cognitive process, analyzes how the presentation and the position of the product in flyers have an effect on their effectiveness to increase the displayed product’s sales. The results show that (i) the special signage on a displayed product in flyers increases their effectiveness to increase displayed product’s sales, and (ii) not only being highlighted increases the effect of the flyer, but that the product positioning affects decisively. For example, some locations -such as the cover, the top of the pages and areas on the left-, increase the visibility of the product and are more effective than other positions to increase displayed product’s sales. These results are in line with previous studies that indicate the importance of the directionality of reading to capture the customer’s attention in other environments. In sum, as happens inside the store or in the shelf, depending on if the product is displayed with a special signage or in an area where the customers pay more attention due to the standard cognitive process, the effectiveness of the flyers increase. Thus, retailers and manufacturers must consider how and where to be in the flyer, not just being.

Sonographic measure techniques of fetal penile length

( Álvaro López Soto ),( Jose Luis Meseguer González ),( Rocío López-perez ),( Mónica Lorente Fernández ),( Juan Martínez-uriarte ),( Olivia García Izquierdo ) 대한산부인과학회 2020 Obstetrics & Gynecology Science Vol.63 No.5

Postnatal penile length is a reliable, standardized, and widely used marker for the diagnosis of genitourinary pathology, as well as genetic and hormonal disorders. In contrast, prenatal diagnosis has not been developed equally and there is a lack of relevant literature. Our objective is to review the studies on fetal penile length, and apply findings to clinical practice. Although the most used technique is the outer penile length, there is no consensus regarding the appropriate technique for prenatal measurement. Several reports have provided reference data with high correlation. However, important issues like poor correlation with post-natal measures or presence of confounding variables are still present. Diagnosis of both a micropenis and macropenis can indicate related pathologies, and this information may benefit parental counseling and facilitate fetal management. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out prospective studies that provide reliable normative data.

Depletion of S100A4+ stromal cells does not prevent HCC development but reduces the stem cell-like phenotype of the tumors

Jingjing Jiao,Álvaro González,Heather L Stevenson,Mihai Gagea,Hikaru Sugimoto,Raghu Kalluri,Laura Beretta 생화학분자생물학회 2018 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.50 No.-

There is a pressing need for the development of novel approaches to treat and prevent hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The S100 calcium-binding protein S100A4 is associated with poor prognosis and metastasis in several human cancers. In addition, a role for S100A4 in modulating cancer-initiating cells stemness properties was recently proposed in head and neck and gastric cancers. Whether S100A4+ stromal cells contribute to tumor onset remains, however, an unanswered question. To address that question, we generated a new mouse model allowing for the depletion of S100A4+ cells in a mouse model of HCC with stemness properties, by crossing mice with hepatic deletion of phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) with mice expressing viral thymidine kinase under the control of S100A4 promoter. Depletion of S100A4+ cells by ganciclovir injection did not prevent the development of HCC but reduced the stemness phenotype of the tumor as measured by the expression of progenitor cell, biliary cell and hepatocyte markers. The results were further confirmed by histology analysis showing reduction of cholangiolar tumor components and degree of oval cell hyperplasia in the adjacent liver. Depletion of S100A4+ cells had also some beneficial effect on the underlying liver disease with a reduction of NAS score, largely due to the reduction of inflammation. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that S100A4+ cells do not contribute to HCC onset but maintain the stemness phenotype of the tumor. This study also suggests for the first time a crosstalk between inflammation and stemness.

Effect of Fiber Orientation on the Fatigue Behavior of Steel Fiber-Reinforced Concrete Specimens by Performing Wedge Splitting Tests and Computed Tomography Scanning

Dorys C. González,Álvaro Mena-Alonso,Jesús Mínguez,José A. Martínez,Miguel A. Vicente 한국콘크리트학회 2024 International Journal of Concrete Structures and M Vol.18 No.2

This paper shows the relationship, in steel fiber-reinforced concrete, between fiber orientation and fatigue response through the combined use of computed tomography (CT), digital image processing (DIP) software and wedge splitting test (WST). The WST cubes were extracted from conventional 150 × 150× 600 concrete prisms and a groove and notch were carved on different faces in such a way that in half of the test specimens the fibers are oriented mostly perpendicular to the breaking surface and, in the other half, the fibers are mostly oriented parallel to the breaking surface. Fiber orientation was obtained using a CT device and DIP software from a miniprism extracted from the previously mentioned concrete prisms. The results show that there is a strong correlation between the crack-sewing fiber orientation on the one hand and fatigue life and crack opening rate per cycle on the other hand. Cubes with a higher percentage of fibers perpendicular to the crack surface (i.e., with a higher efficiency index) show a longer fatigue life and a lower crack opening rate per cycle, while cubes with a lower efficiency index show a shorter fatigue life and a higher crack opening rate per cycle.

Spinal Gunshot Wounds: Pattern and Associated Lesions in Civilians

Jorge Arturo Cabrera Escamilla,Jorge Álvaro González Ross,José Manuel Pérez Atanasio,Gustavo Casas Martínez,Arelhi González Cisneros,Jose Jimenez Avila 대한척추외과학회 2018 Asian Spine Journal Vol.12 No.4

Study Design: Retrospective, descriptive case series study. Purpose: To investigate the frequency, bone pattern, and associated lesions to the spine of gunshot wounds. Overview of Literature: Gunshot wounds are penetrating in nature and are caused by a bullet or projectile. These are becoming more common and are associated with significant sequelae, requiring long and costly multidisciplinary treatment. Associated spinal cord injuries (SCIs) in the civilian population represent 13%–17% of all spinal traumas. Spinal gunshot wounds are commonly thought to be stable; however, there is potential acute and chronic spinal instability if the bullet passes transversely, fracturing either both pedicles or both facet joints. Methods: We obtained data from the clinical files of patients with spinal gunshot wounds treated by spine surgeons. We performed a statistical analysis to obtain the pattern and frequency of the injuries. Results: We included 54 patients (48 men [89%] and six women [11%]). Eight patterns of spinal gunshot wounds were identified; 61% (33 patients) had complete SCI. The thoracic spine was most frequently affected, with 88% of patients having SCI; 75%, hemopneumothorax; 28%, pulmonary lesions; and 16%, hepatic lesions. The presence of pedicle fractures had an odds ratio of 3.64 for SCI. Conclusions: The two main bone patterns are the vertebral body and posterior arch with pedicle fractures as modifiers, given that they are at a high risk for SCI. The spinal pattern and associated lesions were related to the bullet’s path, with the vertebral body having the highest frequency of associated lesions. Vertebral body burst fracture was the main indication for instrumentation.

External Validation of 3 Risk Scores in Adults with Congenital Heart Disease

Bunty K. Ramchandani,Luz Polo,Raúl Sánchez,Juvenal Rey,Álvaro González,Jesús Díez,Ángel Aroca 대한심장학회 2019 Korean Circulation Journal Vol.49 No.9

Background and Objectives: Adults with congenital heart disease (CHD) are an increasing group of patients thanks to the survival of over 85% of children with CHD. 20% of these patients shall warrant a surgical procedure during their life span. However, currently there is no one risk score that assess correctly the mortality of these procedures. Thus, we analyse the risk scores used at our institution. Methods: From May 1991 till June 2017, 608 procedures in adults with CHD were performed. The 3 risk scores (risk adjustment for congenital heart surgery [RACHS-1], Aristotle, and Euroscore I) of each procedure were analysed. We used area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (c-index) to measure model discrimination, and Hosmer-Lemeshow (H-L) statistic along with calibration plots to measure calibration. Results: There was no statistical difference between the area under the curve for the 3 scores (χ2=0.58 with 2 df, p=0.750). There was no evidence of lack of fit for RACHS-1 (H-L, χ2=2.61; p=0.271) and Aristotle score (H-L, χ2=5.69; p=0.459). However, there was evidence in lack of calibration in the Euroscore I scoring system (H-L, χ2=33.69; p<0.001). The calibration slope for RACHS-1 was 0.912, for Aristotle (stratified in risk groups) was −0.14 and for Euroscore 1 (stratified in risk groups) was 0.46. Conclusions: RACHS-1 seems to be best risk scoring system for calculating mortality applied to surgery in adults with CHD.