Changes in the morphological characteristics of potato plants attributed to seasonal variability

The development of a potato crop differs according to the environmental conditions and growing season of an area. Periods of high temperatures and drought have been frequent in recent years, and this has affected crops worldwide. The effect of meteorological factors on the plant morphology of potato cultivars growing in A Limia was analyzed for three consecutive years. The crop cycle with the highest temperatures and least accumulated rainfall (2016) showed plants with a higher number of leaflets, which were shorter in length. The crop cycle (2014) with a lower temperature and more rainfall had the tallest plants, the highest degree of flowering, fewer pairs of leaflets and the highest length of the floral peduncle. Kennebec and Fontane were the varieties that showed the least variability in morphological characteristics during the seasons analyzed. Considering the meteorological and morphological data, a principal component analysis was carried out, which explained 80.1% of the variance of the data. Spearman rank correlations showed higher significant coefficients between the temperature and foliar characteristics. The leaf size of plants was estimated using a multiple linear regression analysis, which included the mean temperature, explaining 64% of the variability of the data.Xunta de Galicia | Ref. 2014/2020-FEADE

Describing the pollen content in the gastrointestinal tract of Vespa velutina larvae

Vespa velutina is an invasive species that exhibits flexible social behavior, which may have contributed to its introduction in several European countries. It is important to understand its behavior in order to combat the effects of its introduction in different areas. This implies knowing the resources that it uses during its biological cycle. Hornets require protein resources taken from insects and organic matter as well as carbohydrates as an energy source to fly and also to forage for food and nest-building materials. The gastrointestinal tract of adults and larvae contains a wide variety of pollen types. The identification of this pollen in larvae collected from nests could offer information about the plant species that V. velutina visits as a foraging place. The main objective of this research was to study the pollen content in the gastrointestinal tract of larvae. Patterns of pollen content and pollen diversity were established according to the nest type, altitude, season, and location in the nest comb. The abundance of pollen types such as Eucalyptus, Castanea, Foeniculum vulgare, Hedera helix, Taraxacum officinale, Echium, or Cytisus pollen type stands out in many of the samples.Simple Summary: The yellow-legged hornet is an invasive species from southeast Asia that has turned the European beekeeping sector upside down. The spread of this species has been advancing in recent years, and today, several European countries are threatened by Vespa velutina. The need to study its behavior is urgent given the increasingly evident economic and environmental impacts. In this regard, there is little information about the feeding habits and the resources it uses during the life cycle. Like other Hymenoptera, hornets require carbohydrates and proteins as their primary nutrients. Sugary secretions such as floral nectar, honeydew, or fruit juices are the main sources of carbohydrates but the protein intake is provided by the consumption of a diverse diet of insects such as the honey bee. There is scarce information on the presence of pollen grains in the gastrointestinal content of larvae other than secondary contamination from hunting. This content could represent the surrounding flora of its habitat that is used as a resource. Therefore, the objective of this study was to describe the main pollen types present in the gastrointestinal system of larvae taken from V. velutina nests.Fundación Centro de Estudos Eurorrexionais Galicia - Norte de Portugal | Ref. EAPA_800/2018-Atlantic-POSitiveXunta de Galicia | Ref. ED481D-2022-02

A subset of low density granulocytes is associated with vascular calcification in chronic kidney disease patients

Inflammation is central to chronic kidney disease (CKD) pathogenesis and vascular outcomes, but the exact players remain unidentified. Since low density granulocytes (LDGs) are emerging mediators in inflammatory conditions, we aimed to evaluate whether LDGs may be altered in CKD and related to clinical outcomes as biomarkers. To his end, LDGs subsets were measured in peripheral blood by flow cytometry and confocal microscopy in 33 CKD patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis and 15 healthy controls (HC). Analyses were replicated in an additional cohort. DEF3 (marker of early granulopoiesis) gene expression on PBMCs was quantified by qPCR. Total CD15+ LDGs and both CD14lowCD16+ and CD14−CD16− subsets were expanded in CKD. The relative frequency of the CD14−CD16− subpopulation was higher among the CD15+ pool in CKD. This alteration was stable over-time. The increased CD14−CD16−CD15+ paralleled Kauppila scores and DEF3 expression, whereas no association was found with CD14lowCD16+ CD15+. Both subsets differed in their CD11b, CD10, CD35, CD31, CD62L, IFNAR1 and CD68 expression, FSC/SSC features and nuclear morphology, pointing to different origins and maturation status. In conclusion, LDGs were expanded in CKD showing a skewed distribution towards a CD14−CD16−CD15+ enrichment, in association with vascular calcification. DEF3 expression in PBMC can be a marker of LDG expansion.Fil: Rodríguez Carrio, Javier. Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias. Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA). Bone and Mineral Research Unit; España. Universidad de Oviedo; EspañaFil: Carrillo López, Natalia. Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias; EspañaFil: Ulloa, Catalina. Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias; EspañaFil: Seijo, Mariana. Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias; España. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Inmunología, Genética y Metabolismo. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Inmunología, Genética y Metabolismo; ArgentinaFil: Rodríguez García, Minerva. Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias; EspañaFil: Rodríguez Suárez, Carmen. Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias; EspañaFil: Díaz-Corte, Carmen. Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias; EspañaFil: Cannata Andía, Jorge B.. Universidad de Oviedo; España. Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias; EspañaFil: Suárez, Ana. Universidad de Oviedo; EspañaFil: Dusso, Adriana. Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias; Españ

Prevalence of dementia and major dementia subtypes in Spanish populations: A reanalysis of dementia prevalence surveys, 1990-2008

Background This study describes the prevalence of dementia and major dementia subtypes in Spanish elderly. Methods We identified screening surveys, both published and unpublished, in Spanish populations, which fulfilled specific quality criteria and targeted prevalence of dementia in populations aged 70 years and above. Surveys covering 13 geographically different populations were selected (prevalence period: 1990-2008). Authors of original surveys provided methodological details of their studies through a systematic questionnaire and also raw age-specific data. Prevalence data were compared using direct adjustment and logistic regression. Results The reanalyzed study population (aged 70 year and above) was composed of Central and North-Eastern Spanish sub-populations obtained from 9 surveys and totaled 12,232 persons and 1,194 cases of dementia (707 of Alzheimer's disease, 238 of vascular dementia). Results showed high variation in age- and sex-specific prevalence across studies. The reanalyzed prevalence of dementia was significantly higher in women; increased with age, particularly for Alzheimer's disease; and displayed a significant geographical variation among men. Prevalence was lowest in surveys reporting participation below 85%, studies referred to urban-mixed populations and populations diagnosed by psychiatrists. Conclusion Prevalence of dementia and Alzheimer's disease in Central and North-Eastern Spain is higher in females, increases with age, and displays considerable geographic variation that may be method-related. People suffering from dementia and Alzheimer's disease in Spain may approach 600,000 and 400,000 respectively. However, existing studies may not be completely appropriate to infer prevalence of dementia and its subtypes in Spain until surveys in Southern Spain are conductedFinancial aid was obtained from the Spanish RECSP C03-09, CIEN C03-06 and CIBERNED networks, and from the Pfizer Foundation in particularS

[Montreal 1976] [Material gráfico]

Contiene fotografías pertenecientes al archivo fotográfico del diario "Región", publicadas entre 1974 y 1976, aunque la mayoría en 1976Todas las fotografías firmadas por Foto E. Gar (Oviedo), Cifra Gráfica, y EF

Characterization of the honey produced in heather communities (NW Spain)

The heathers communities constitute a very interesting habitat for the conservation of the biodiversity and even for honey production. This honey is very appreciated for its sensory qualities and for coming from a natural barely intervened habitat. This article provides information about the characteristics of 40 honey samples obtained in two subtypes of European dry heaths of the NW of the Iberian Peninsula (Mediterranean and Atlantic heaths). Melissopalynological and physicochemical parameters including moisture, pH, hydroxymethylfurfural, diastase activity, color, phenols and flavonoids content, antioxidant activity, mineral (K, Ca, Fe, Mg, Na, P, Zn, and Cu), and sugar (fructose, glucose, sucrose, melezitose, trehalose, and maltose) composition were studied. The samples had a common fingerprint as their Erica pollen content, high electrical conductivity, high mineral content, high phenol content, and the amber to dark amber color, but some significant differences were found between samples produced in Mediterranean dry heaths in relation to those produced in Atlantic heaths

Feromonas de Vespa Velutina. Estudio de sus compuestos volátiles orgánicos

La especie invasora, Vespa velutina, presenta una excelente adaptación a las condiciones climáticas del norte y noroeste de la Península Ibérica. Este factor, junto a la inexistencia de competidores naturales, ha favorecido su rápida expansión en esta región [1]. Los impactos socio-económicos causados son preocupantes, especialmente aquellos relacionados con el medio ambiente, ya que esta especie está perjudicando la diversidad entomológica, al provocar un descenso en las poblaciones de las especies de las que se alimenta, entre estas, destaca Apis mellifera. La acción sobre las abejas puede exterminar colmenas enteras afectando notablemente a la producción apícola. Uno de los métodos de control utilizados es el trampeo de las reinas fundadoras en primavera. Sin embargo, el trampeo es poco selectivo ya que actualmente no existe un atrayente específico que permita la captura exclusiva del avispón. V. velutina es una especie social, por lo que las feromonas, juegan un papel crucial en su comunicación [2]. Así el estudio de sus feromonas puede resultar interesante para la elaboración de un atrayente específico. De este modo, el principal objetivo de este estudio, se basa en la identificación de compuestos volátiles orgánicos (VOCs) presentes en individuos vivos y en feromonas procedentes de las glándulas de alarma. Los avispones se obtuvieron de una población natural con altas densidades de nidos en un colmenar de (A Cañiza, Pontevedra). El análisis GC-MS se realizó con un sistema Perkin Elmer con un módulo Clarus® 580 GC y un Clarus® SQ 8 S (Waltham, Massachusetts, USA). Se inyectaron muestras de feromonas recolectadas in vivo mediante un dispositivo SPME e in vitro mediante la extracción de las glándulas de alarma. Como principales resultados en los especímenes de velutina analizados in vivo, destacó el nonanal como uno de los compuestos con mayores concentraciones. Otros compuestos, destacables fueron el tetradecano, 4,6- dimethyldodecano, decanal, 4,7- dimethylundecano, y 9-hexylheptadecano. En cuanto a los extractos de las glándulas de alarma, los principales compuestos identificados fueron el tetracosano, heneicosano, eicosano, octacosanol, heptacosano, octacosano e sus derivados. La identificación de los compuestos presentes en las muestras junto al estudio de un mayor número de individuos de otras poblaciones puede ser de interés para desarrollar atrayentes específicos que mejoren el control de la especie.Este estudio ha sido financiado por la Consellería de Medio Ambiente (Xunta de Galicia).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Monitoring study in honeybee colonies stressed by the invasive hornet vespa velutina

Vespa velutina is an invasive species that is currently the main concern for beekeeping in some areas of northern Spain. The hornet hunts honeybees to feed its larvae, stressing and weakening the honeybee colonies. To avoid losses of honeybee colonies, it is essential to investigate the pressure that is exerted by the yellow-legged hornet on apiaries and its consequences. In the present study, hives were monitored in an apiary that was situated in a high-pressure area of V. velutina during the years 2020 and 2021. The monitoring of environmental conditions of the apiary, the internal conditions of the colonies, and a hunting camera were used to relate the presence of hornets in front of the hives to the weather conditions in the apiary and the consequences caused on the colonies. The relationships between weather conditions and the hornet’s activity showed two types of hornet behavior. In the months of July and August, the maximum number of hornets appeared in non-central hours of the day. Meanwhile, in the months of September and October, the highest pressure in the apiary occurred in the central hours of the day, coinciding with temperatures between 15 °C and 25 °C and a relative humidity that was higher than 60%. The honeybee colony with the highest thermoregulatory capacity was the strongest and it was the key factor for the colony survival even when the hornet pressure was high too. Therefore, strengthening the hives and improving beehive health status is essential to avoid colonies decline.INTERREG ATLANTIC AREA PROGRAM | Ref. EAPA_800/2018—Atlantic-POSitiveXunta de Galicia | Ref. ED481B-2018/05

Potential of near infrared spectroscopy for predicting the physicochemical properties on potato flesh

The immense diversity in potato varieties makes it interesting as food in the market worldwide. Information regarding the nutritional composition and minor compounds contained within the food are demanded by consumers. The physicochemical characteristics (phenols, flavonoids, IC50, dry matter, total soluble solid content, apex and flesh texture, and a*, b*, L* color coordinates of the CIELab scale of the flesh) of 73 potato samples were analysed using methods of reference. Near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) technology was used to predict the physicochemical properties of potato tubers and its potential was evaluated for replacing traditional analytical methods. Spearman correlations indicated a strong relationship between the color coordinates and the antioxidant components, showing higher content in the violet-fleshed potatoes, such as Entzia, Fleur Bleue and Violetta varieties. Principal component analysis (PCA) and modified partial least squares (MPLS) regression were used to establish and explore the best equations. Calibrated statistical descriptors for phenols, flavonoids, IC50, dry matter, total soluble solid content, and apex texture were excellent (with R2 > 0.80). Thus, NIR technology has significant potential in the potato industry because it allows rapid prediction of quality parameters and antioxidant components of potatoes.Universidade de Vigo | Ref. P. P. 00VI 131H 6410