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Marketing strategy is commonly known as 4ps which consist of Product, Price, Place and Promotion as an effective tool or strategy for increasing the sales Performance. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the level of marketing strategy and sales performance of Talipapa Vendors in kingking, Pantukan, Compostela Valley Province; and how marketing strategy significantly influenced sales performance. This is a quantitative non-experimental research design. The respondents of the study were the workers of the stores in Talipapa. The instrument used in this study was an adopted-modified questionnaire consisted of two parts with questions based on the indicators of the study. Results showed that the level of marketing strategy of Talipapa Vendors is much observed. On the other hand, the level of sales performance of Talipapa is very satisfactory. Moreover it was also revealed that marketing strategy significantly influenced the sales performance in talipapa. Place was the domain of Marketing Strategy significantly influence Sales Performance. Based on the findings of the present study the researchers yielded the following recommendation for the betterment of the store, they have to use more social media, innovate more products and offer price discounts and free samples. For the future researchers they may use the same study since there are still other factors which have not yet been found in the study that can significantly influence sales performance.

There is an extending use of percutaneous closure of patent foramen ovale (PFO) as therapy for PFO-associated cryptogenic strokes. The aim of our study was to investigate the clinical practice of percutaneous closure of PFO and to analyse the variables for decision-making on the selection of patients for this procedure.A prospective observational multicentric survey was conducted using all the cases of cryptogenic stroke/transient ischaemic attack associated with PFO recorded in the NORDICTUS hospital registry during the period 2018-2021. Clinical data, radiological patterns, echocardiogram data and factors related to PFO-associated stroke (thromboembolic disease and paradoxical embolism criteria) were recorded. The indication for closure was analysed according to age (≤/60 years) and the characteristics of the PFO.In the group ≤ 60 years (n = 488), 143 patients (29.3%) underwent PFO closure. The most influential variables for this therapy were detection of a high-risk PFO (OR 4.11; IC 2.6-6.5, P .001), criteria for paradoxical embolism (OR 2.61; IC 1.28-5.28; P = .008) and previous use of antithrombotics (OR 2.67; IC 1.38-5.18; P = .009). In the60 years group (n = 124), 24 patients had PFO closure (19%). The variables related to this option were history of pulmonary thromboembolism, predisposition to thromboembolic disease, paradoxical embolism criteria, and high-risk PFO.The detection of a high-risk PFO (large shunt, shunt with associated aneurysm) is the main criterion for a percutaneous closure-based therapy. Other conditions to consider in the eligibility of patients are the history of thromboembolic disease, paradoxical embolism criteria or the previous use of antithrombotics.

Monitoring for assessment of natural disasters, such as volcanic eruptions, presents a methodological challenge for the scientific community. Here, we present Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) as a feasible, precise, rapid and safe tool for real time monitoring of the impacts of a volcanic event during the Cumbre Vieja eruption on La Palma Island, Spain (2021). UAV surveys with optical RGB (Red-Green-Blue), thermal and multispectral sensors, and a water sampling device, were carried out in different areas affected by the lava flow, including the upper volcanic edifice and the lava delta formed on the coastal fringe of the island. Our results have provided useful information for the monitoring of the advance of the lava flow and its environmental consequences during the volcanic emergency. Our data shows how La Palma island's growth, with the formation of a new lava delta of 28 ha and a total volume of lava injected into the sea of 5,138,852 m3. Moreover, our Digital Elevation Model (DEM) simulated, with a 70 % accuracy, the probabilistic simulation of the possible path followed by the lava flow in the vicinity of the fissure from which the magma emanates. In addition, significant changes of seawater physical-chemical parameters were registered in coastal surface waters by the in situ seawater samples collected with the automatic water sampling device of our UAV. The first meters of the water column, due to the instant evaporation of the seawater in contact with the hot lava, produce an increase of temperature and salinity of up to 4–5 °C and up to 5 units, respectively., This research was funded by grants 20223PAL004 funded by CSIC, and EQC2018-004275-P, EQC2019-005721, RTI2018-098784-J-I00 and IJC2019-039382-I funded by the MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and by “ERDF A way of making Europe”. A. Román is supported by grant FPU19/04557 funded by Ministry of Universities of the Spanish Government. Data at sea were collected in the context of the VULCANA-III (IEO-2021-2023) project funded by the IEO-CSIC and 20223PAL005 project funded by the Ministry of Science and Innovation of the Spanish Government.

Vascular catheterization procedures are performed on millions of patients in the United States annually. Diagnostic and therapeutic, these procedures allow for the detection and treatment of diseased vessels. The use of catheters, however, is no new phenomenon. Ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans constructed tubes from hollow reeds and palm leaves to be tunneled through the vasculature of cadavers to study cardiovascular system function, while eighteenth century English physiologist Stephen Hales used a brass pipe cannula to perform the first central vein catheterization on a horse. In 1963, American surgeon Thomas Fogarty developed a balloon embolectomy catheter, while in 1974, German cardiologist Andreas Grüntzig developed a more refined angioplasty catheter using polyvinyl chloride with improved rigidity. Vascular catheter material has since continued to evolve and is tailored to the specific needs of the procedure but would not have been possible without its rich and diverse history of development.

There are few instruments to evaluate teachers' performance during medical residency in Spanish.To determine the validity and reliability of the MEDUC-PG14 instrument to evaluate teaching performance in the medical residency programs of the Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia (UPCH).An open question about positive aspects that characterize a good teacher was added to the MEDUC-PG14 questionnaire. A pilot test was carried out with 15 residents to assess the correct comprehension of each question and carry out necessary changes. Subsequently, the instrument was sent by email to 366 residents of the UPCH Department of Medical Clinics. The reliability of the instrument was evaluated using Cronbach's Alpha. Construct validity was assessed by factor analysis, and the validity of content by a qualitative analysis of the answers to the open question added.Seventy residents answered the questionnaire evaluating 46 teachers. Each resident evaluated one teacher. The factor analysis showed two dimensions explaining 83% of the variance: the dimension "Teaching and Evaluation" (11 items) and the dimension "Respectful Behavior" (three items). The global Cronbach's Alpha was 0.97 (0.97 for the Teaching Dimension 0.96 and for the Behavioral Dimension). The concept of "professional competence as a medical specialist" was rescued from the responses to the open question.The MEDUC-PG14 is an instrument with valid and highly reliable results. It is useful and easy to apply to evaluate teaching performance in postgraduate studies. Its use is recommended in residency programs of Spanish-speaking countries. However, the inclusion of an item referring to the professional competence of the teacher is suggested.

A través de la datación arqueomagnética de Guachimontones de Teuchitlán, Jalisco, se contribuye a la cronología prehispánica del Occidente de México. A partir de 16 muestras arqueomagnéticas (81 especímenes en total) de hornos, pisos quemados y no quemados recolectados en 2005 y 2010, se hicieron mediciones para determinar la dirección media de cada muestra en el Laboratorio de Paleomagnetismo de la UNAM (Ciudad de México y Campus Morelia). Se obtuvieron dataciones arqueomagnéticas con α95 < 10° para el 88% de las muestras y corresponden a las épocas de ocupación del sitio. Este estudio aporta 2 nuevos datos a la curva de variación de Mesoamérica, registra modificaciones arquitectónicas en una edificación y apoya la teoría de reocupación del sitio hacia el periodo Epiclásico (450-900 d. C.). ENGLISH: This study contributes to the pre-Hispanic chronology of Western Mexico through archaeomagnetic dating of the archaeological site Guachimontones (Teuchitlán, Jalisco). Systematic magnetic measurements were carried out to determine the mean direction of each sample at the UNAM paleomagnetism laboratories (Mexico City and Campus Morelia). Sixteen analyzed samples (81 specimens in total) come from furnaces, burned and unburnt floors, collected between 2005 and 2010. Archaeomagnetic dates with precision parameter α95 < 10° were obtained for 88% of the samples, and corresponds to the site occupation periods. This study thus contributes new and reliable data to the reference variation curve of Mesoamerica in addition to documenting architectural modifications in the building sequence at Guachimontones and supporting the theory of reoccupation of this site during the Epiclassic period (450-900 A.D.).

Introduction Le syndrome d’algoneurodystrophie (ou syndrome douloureux regional complexe) associe de maniere localisee autour d’une ou plusieurs articulations une hyperalgesie, un enraidissement progressif, des troubles vasomoteurs. Quasi exclusivement unilateral, et le plus souvent secondaire a un traumatisme, il reste idiopathique dans 10 a 25 % des cas. Nous rapportons ici le cas d’une algoneurodystrophie paraneoplasique. Observation Une femme de 46 ans, aux antecedents de tumeur benigne du sein gauche, tabagique active a 20 PA, se presentait aux urgences pour apparition recente de cephalees non pulsatiles, parfois accompagnees de nausees et de baisse d’acuite visuelle. Le scanner cerebral sans injection etait sans particularite. Un traitement par ketoprofene, metoclopramide, et une association de codeine et paracetamol etaient introduit, d’efficacite partielle. Dans le meme temps, la patiente presentait des œdemes douloureux des membres inferieurs, bilateraux, prenant le godet, avec impotence fonctionnelle totale, sans facteur declenchant. Les jambes etaient inflammatoires, chaudes, rouges, avec allodynie. L’examen neurologique etait normal. Les antalgiques de palier II, la pregabaline, et la gabapentine etaient inefficaces. Le bilan etiologique eliminait un syndrome nephrotique, une insuffisance cardiaque ou hepatique, une hypoalbuminemie, une dysthyroidie. Le bilan auto-immun etait negatif. L’hypothese iatrogene etait exclue au vu de la chronologie des evenements. Les radiographies des chevilles etaient normales. L’echographie des chevilles mettait en evidence une infiltration sous-cutanee des chevilles, sans epanchement intra-articulaire. L’electroneuromyogramme etait sans anomalie. La scintigraphie osseuse mettait en evidence une hyperhemie des deux chevilles et des articulations metatarso-tarsiennes, compatible avec une algoneurodystrophie bilaterale en phase chaude. Concernant les cephalees, la ponction lombaire retrouvait une discrete hyperproteinorachie a 0,63 g/L, isolee, non significative, sans element blanc. L’examen ophtalmologique etait normal. L’IRM cerebrale mettait en evidence une lesion vasculaire a type d’angiome veineux, avec prise de contraste nodulaire et hypersignal de la substance blanche cerebello-vermienne, en faveur d’un œdeme. Ces anomalies faisaient evoquer une lesion secondaire. Le TEP-scanner revelait une image suspecte de lesion primitive en projection de la bronche souche droite, sans signe d’extension regionale ou a distance. Apres cytoponction par echo endoscopie de la lesion bronchique, on identifiait une lesion tumorale indifferenciee. La biopsie de la lesion cerebrale revelait une metastase d’un carcinome. Malgre des discordances entre les marqueurs anatomopathologiques de la lesion consideree primitive et la metastase, on concluait a une variante rare de carcinome non a petites cellules, de type NUT, stade pT2aN1M1. Une lobectomie superieure droite ainsi qu’une resection de la metastase cerebelleuse ont ete realisees, permettant une regression immediate des douleurs des membres inferieurs. Discussion L’algodystrophie paraneoplasique est une cause rare de syndrome douloureux regional complexe, et doit etre evoquee devant un tableau atypique, notamment lors d’une atteinte bilaterale ou en l’absence de facteur declenchant. Elle peut s’associer a des tumeurs malignes de differents types. Une quarantaine de cas de syndromes paraneoplasiques de presentation rhumatologique, telle que la fasciite palmaire, ou la polyarthrite, ont ete decrits, pouvant s’associer notamment aux cancers epidermoides du poumon, mais aussi de l’ovaire, du colon, du pancreas, ou des leucemies myeloides. L’intervalle entre l’apparition des signes rhumatologiques et le diagnostic de la tumeur associee depasse rarement les 2 ans. La physiopathogenicite de ces syndromes paraneoplasiques demeure incertaine, elle impliquerait un processus inflammatoire par la liberation de mediateurs cytokiniques par les cellules tumorales, ainsi qu’une reaction d’hypersensibilite aux antigenes produits par la cellule tumorale ou par ses debris apoptotiques. A notre connaissance, il s’agit du premier cas decrit presentant une amelioration de l’algodystrophie apres prise en charge de la neoplasie. La chronologie est ici tres en faveur d’un lien de cause a effet entre la neoplasie et le syndrome douloureux regional complexe. Conclusion Les syndromes paraneoplasiques de presentation rhumatologique, tel que l’algodystrophie paraneoplasique, sont rares. Une presentation atypique d’algodystrophie devrait orienter le clinicien vers un depistage neoplasique. Le traitement oncologique semble ameliorer les symptomes en lien avec l’algodystrophie.

STUDY QUESTION\ud Is interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA) involved in the toll-like receptor 3 (TLR 3)-induced inhibition of trophoblast cells' adhesion to endometrial cells in vitro?\ud \ud SUMMARY ANSWER\ud IL-1RA mediates the TLR 3-induced inhibition of trophoblast cells' adhesion to endometrial cells in vitro.\ud \ud WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY\ud It is well documented that endometrial TLR 3 activation leads to impairment of trophoblast binding to endometrial cells in vitro. IL-1RA is known as an anti-implantation factor, as its injection significantly reduced implantation rates in mice by an effect on endometrial receptivity.\ud \ud STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION\ud Poly I:C was used as a TLR3 specific ligand and endometrial cells were either treated or not with Poly I:C (treated versus control) in vitro. IL-1RA was applied to block IL-1 signal transduction. IL-1RA was knocked down by Accell Human IL1RN siRNA. Flagellin was used to stimulate TLR 5. SP600125 (JNK) was applied to inhibit the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) pathway. BAY11 -7082 was used to inhibit the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathway. The experiments were performed in three replicates on three separate days.\ud \ud PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS\ud An in vitro assay was developed using RL95-2 (an endometrial cell line) and JAr (a trophoblast cell line) cells. Initially, the production of IL-1RA in RL95-2 cells in response to TLR 3 activation was measured. To determine whether the TLR 3-induced inhibition of trophoblast binding was mediated through IL-1RA: (i) we evaluated the effect of IL-1RA on the attachment of trophoblast cells to endometrial cells; (ii) we knocked down TLR3-induced IL-1RA gene expression by IL-1RA Small interfering RNA (siRNA) and evaluated trophoblast attachment to endometrial cells. Finally, to clarify through which pathway TLR 3-induced inhibition of trophoblast binding occurs: (i) activation of NF-κB and MAPK was detected by transfecting the cells with secreted placental alkaline phosphatase reporter plasmids bearing promoter sequences for each transcription factor; (ii) the inhibitors for NF-κB and MAPK were used to block signaling; (iii) it was then investigated whether addition of these inhibitors could restore the TLR 3-induced impairment of trophoblast attachment to the endometrial cells.\ud \ud MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE\ud Our results showed that addition of polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (Poly I:C) to RL95-2 cells significantly increased the production of IL-1RA (P < 0.05). Addition of human recombinant IL-1RA to RL95-2 cells remarkably decreased the adhesion rate of trophoblast cells to endometrial cells (P < 0.05). In addition, suppression of TLR3-induced IL-1RA gene expression in RL95-2 cells significantly restored trophoblast cells attachment to endometrial cells in the presence of Poly I:C (P < 0.05). Only TLR3 and not TLR5 induced MAPK activation (P < 0.05). TLR3 ligation did not affect NF-κB activation. Of NF-kB and MAPK inhibitors, only MAPK's inhibitor could achieve restoration of spheroid adhesion to endometrial cells (P < 0.05).\ud \ud LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION\ud This study has been only done in vitro. Future in vivo studies will confirm our data.\ud \ud WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS\ud The findings of this study have a potential clinical application in introducing IL-1RA as one of the diagnostic infertility markers in the endometrium, which can affect the process of embryo adhesion at the time of implantation. Moreover, based on the novel data obtained in the current study, blocking and regulating the MAPK pathway by its inhibitors can be used as a new strategy to prevent and treat virus-induced infertility cases in ART techniques.\ud \ud STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST\ud This study was partially funded by a Marie Curie IIF-253948 grant to I.C. and was partially funded by the author's institutions. The authors have no conflict of interest to declare.

This review summarizes methods related to the study of human breastmilk in etiologic and biomarkers research. Despite the importance of reproductive factors in breast carcinogenesis, factors that act early in life are difficult to study because young women rarely require breast imaging or biopsy, and analysis of critical circulating factors (e.g., hormones) is often complicated by the requirement to accurately account for menstrual cycle date. Accordingly, novel approaches are needed to understand how events such as pregnancy, breastfeeding, weaning, and post-weaning breast remodeling influence breast cancer risk. Analysis of breastmilk offers opportunities to understand mechanisms related to carcinogenesis in the breast, and to identify risk markers that may inform efforts to identify high-risk women early in the carcinogenic process. In addition, analysis of breastmilk could have value in early detection or diagnosis of breast cancer. In this article, we describe the potential for using breastmilk to characterize the microenvironment of the lactating breast with the goal of advancing research on risk assessment, prevention, and detection of breast cancer.

"El volcán Xitle forma parte del campo volcánico Cuaternario Chichinautzin, localizado al sur del Valle de México. Sus lavas se emplazaron sobre el centro arqueológico de Cuicuilco, uno de los primeros asentamientos urbanos de México del periodo Preclásico. La erupción del Xitle tuvo un gran impacto, ya que ocasionó grandes cambios económicos y sociales favoreciendo la consolidación de Teotihuacán como la ciudad principal en el Valle de México. Diversos estudios radiométricos sitúan la edad de la erupción entre los 4000 y los 1500 años AP (Antes del Presente) y son evidencia de que Cuicuilco fue abandonado a causa de una erupción entre los años 200 BC (Before Christ / antes de nuestra era) y 200 AD (Anno Domini / de nuestra era) sin definir con suficiente exactitud hasta ahora la edad de este evento, por lo que contribuir a la precisión de la edad de la erupción continúa siendo tema de gran interés. A continuación se presentan nuevos resultados de una datación arqueomagnética realizada a muestras de roca provenientes de una secuencia de flujos de lava del volcán Xitle, localizada al sur del Valle de México, en las inmediaciones del campus de Ciudad Universitaria (CU) de la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM). Para las determinaciones se usó un vector geomagnético completo y se empleó el modelo de predicción de campo SHA.DIF.14K. Los resultados de la datación permiten identificar dos periodos eruptivos, el primero entre los años 1742 y 1491 BC y el segundo relacionado con el volcán Xitle, comprendido entre 79 BC y 595 AD. La edad del segundo periodo es compatible con la posibilidad de un abandono paulatino de Cuicuilco y coincide con las edades aceptadas para el periodo eruptivo más importante del volcán."

BACKGROUND: Analysis of cytokines and growth factors in human milk offers a noninvasive approach for studying the microenvironment of the postpartum breast, which may better reflect tissue levels than testing blood samples. Given that Black women have a higher incidence of early onset breast cancers than White women, we hypothesized that milk of the former contains higher levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, adipokines, and growth factors. METHODS: Participants included 130 Black and 162 White women without a history of a breast biopsy who completed a health assessment questionnaire and donated milk for research. Concentrations of 15 analytes in milk were examined using two multiplex and 4 single-analyte electrochemiluminescent sandwich assays to measure pro-inflammatory cytokines, angiogenesis factors, and adipokines. Mixed-effects ordinal logistic regression was used to identify determinants of analyte levels and to compare results by race, with adjustment for confounders. Factor analysis was used to examine covariation among analytes. RESULTS: Thirteen of 15 analytes were detected in ≥25% of the human milk specimens. In multivariable models, elevated BMI was significantly associated with increased concentrations of 5 cytokines: IL-1β, bFGF, FASL, EGF, and leptin (all p-trend < 0.05). Black women had significantly higher levels of leptin and IL-1β, controlling for BMI. Factor analysis of analyte levels identified two factors related to inflammation and growth factor pathways CONCLUSION: This exploratory study demonstrated the feasibility of measuring pro-inflammatory cytokines, adipokines and angiogenesis factors in human milk, and revealed higher levels of some pro-inflammatory factors, as well as increased leptin levels, among Black as compared with White women.

Taxanes are antineoplastic drugs that can cause dermatotoxicity which can mimic an intraepidermal carcinoma. A 65-year-old woman presented with a cutaneous eruption suggestive of a paraneoplastic syndrome. Imaging studies showed multiple peritoneal nodules and associated ascites. A sample taken from the greater omentum revealed an adenocarcinoma. Clinical data and family history pointed to a gynecological origin of the tumor and the patient was treated with carboplatin and paclitaxel. A new cutaneous biopsy showed that the epidermis was acanthotic with atypical keratinocytes, abundant mitoses, and apoptotic figures, arising concerns of malignancy. According to the Plummer and Shea criteria, the lesion was ultimately interpreted as reactive cutaneous hyperplasia and expression of the taxane effect. We report, for the first time, paclitaxel-induced histologic changes on a previous cutaneous eruption. Pathologists should be aware of the profound cytopathic effects of taxane therapy in order to interpret skin biopsies of patients undergoing this treatment.

The issue of worldwide over consumption and squandering of electrical energy has resulted in what one might call an energy obesity problem in terms of energy intake and its expenditure. It is indeed something that must change if modern society is to become sustainable someday. This is to be realized in conjunction with adequate government policies and innovative strategies aimed at effectively integrating non-conventional renewable energies (NCRE), with thriftiness and energy efficiency (EE) – the three pillars of energy sustainability (ES) – in today׳s electric power systems generation and distribution infrastructure. This ought to be done in a way that incorporates them jointly, as part of a comprehensive energy strategy to propitiate a wider penetration of distributed generation (DG) solutions. Departing from mainstream literature on the subject, this paper proposes such strategies for integrating hybrid micro-generation power systems to the grid through homeostatic control (HC), as a means to reconcile power supply and energy demand response management (EDRM). These strategies can be designed and implemented in the microgrid׳s supervisory control system for the purpose of eliciting EE and thriftiness in consumers to build ES in the system. The theoretical model behind the HC strategies is presented and a numerical example is provided, using real electricity consumption data of a small rural community in Chile. Upon examining a particular set of criteria designed to control renewable power (RP) supply from a grid-tie microgrid to residential consumers, simulation results show that the model proves effective when testing such criteria for different power supply scenarios. Particularly revealing is the role of the energy storage system (ESS) – the energy buffer – in the HC strategies being proposed and the difference that it makes in eliciting thrifty, efficient energy consumption as a result of individual and collective efforts to ensure energy sustainability of the system as a whole.

This paper presents an innovative approach for the understanding and control of grid-connected hybrid micro-generation systems (HMS) without energy storage, to supply electricity to a group of homes designated as ‘Sustainable block’. The initiative is based on an effort to integrate non-conventional renewable energies (NCRE) through distributed generation (DG) projects intended for remote and rural communities in Chile and South America, where electricity supply is both expensive and often times unreliable. This may be due to equipment malfunction, line faults and/or harsh climatic conditions or other natural phenomena like earthquakes, all of which can undermine the electric power distribution networks. Here a systems thinking (ST) and cybernetics approach is employed which looks at grid-connected microgrids supplying power to local loads as intrinsically dynamic, complex adaptive systems (CAS). Moreover, such systems can be viewed and approached as a complex sociotechnical system, wherein the energy users ought to play a crucial role as ‘active loads’ within the sustainable block to which the grid-tie microgrid is coupled. Building upon this theoretical framework, a set of coordination and supervisory control strategies for renewable microgrids is presented based on homeostatic control (HC) principles introduced by Schweppe et al. Homeostatic control of power systems. In: Fourth energy monitoring and control system conference. Norfolk, VA: November; 1979. The approach is intended to study and eventually develop new forms of sustainable renewable energy technologies (RETs) for DG of electricity and heat, working in parallel with the grid and offering new choices and benefits to energy users everywhere. A concrete theoretical model is proposed and the algorithms depicting the strategies are explained and compared through simulation analysis. Unlike what is available in the literature on sustainability, and looking at what is missing in regards to HMS as sustainable energy systems (SES), this paper offers an entirely new and significant perspective in terms of design and operation of such systems. First the concepts of sustainability and SES applied to HMS are explored, finding that the large majority of the mainstream analysis reviewed on the subject is focused on socio-economic, environmental, and regulatory issues rather than on the systemic, technical and operational aspects of such systems, as this paper does, and how HC, energy efficiency (EE), and a novel approach to energy supply and consumption equilibrium based on homeostasis can help build more sustainable HMS. Results are presented which confirm the hypotheses underlying the strategies employed and the model predictability, showing that SES are indeed possible and feasible. Discussion and recommendations are also offered stressing the fact that sustainability is essentially a systemic property and operational in nature, rather than explained by exogenous factors.

Modulation of L-type Ca 2+ -channel function by dopamine is a major determinant of the rate of action potential firing by striatal medium spiny neurons. However, the role of these channels in modulating GABA release by nerve terminals in the basal ganglia is unknown. We found that depolarization-induced [ 3 H]GABA release in both the substantia nigra reticulata and the external globus pallidus (GPe), was depressed by about 50% by either the selective L-channel dihydropyridine blocker nifedipine or the P/Q channel blocker ω-agatoxin TK. The effects of these blockers were additive and together eliminated about 90% of depolarization-induced [ 3 H]GABA release. In addition, in the substantia nigra reticulata, dihydropyridines prevented both the stimulation of [ 3 H]GABA release produced by dopamine D1 receptor activation and the inhibition caused by D4 receptor activation. In the GP nifedipine blocked the effects of D2 and A2 A receptor coactivation as well as the effects of activating adenylyl cyclase with forskolin. ω-Agatoxin TK did not interfere with the action of these modulatory agents. The L-type Ca 2+ -channel agonist BAYK 8644 stimulated GABA release in both substantia nigra reticulata and GP. Because dihydropyridine sensitivity is a key criterion to identify L-type Ca 2+ -channel activity, our results imply that these channels are determinant of GABA release modulation by dopamine in striatonigral, striatopallidal and pallidonigral terminals.

This paper presents a method for the business optimal design of a small grid-connected HES (Hybrid Energy System) comprised of photovoltaic panels and wind turbines, which seeks to minimize the LCC (Life Cycle Cost) of the system, ensuring at the same time certain level of system reliability. This is measured in terms of LPSP (Loss of Power Supply Probability), which is computed by simulation. The proposed method allows the possibility to supply excess power generated by the HES to the utility grid at a fixed sales price or through a Net Metering scheme. The system and design method proposed represent a viable alternative for grid-only power supply in rural/remote communities. As an example, a concrete case study is presented involving 15 homes (1 block) in Hanga Roa city of Easter Island, Chile. Results indicate that the grid-connected HES is highly beneficial for the block since it reduces long term costs of electricity generation and supply while at the same time supporting their energy consumption with cleaner, renewable energy sources, and contributing to reduce the load size of the utility grid power supply.

Resumen Objetivo Analizar las caracteristicas de las jornadas quirurgicas dermatologicas y comparar distintos indicadores de rendimiento quirurgico. Material y metodo Estudio descriptivo y retrospectivo de la actividad quirurgica programada realizada en el Servicio de Dermatologia del Hospital Universitario de Fuenlabrada desde enero de 2005 a diciembre de 2010. Se analizan datos relativos a los procedimientos realizados y a las jornadas quirurgicas. Se analizan los indices de ocupacion, de rendimiento quirurgico mediante tiempos quirurgicos estandar (TQE) y los valores de adecuacion quirurgica AQ1 y AQ2. La medicion de las variables se realiza mediante frecuencias relativas. Se ha calculado la covarianza y el indice de correlacion lineal de Pearson entre distintas variables. Resultados Durante el periodo de estudio se realizaron 11.481 jornadas quirurgicas. El 71% de las jornadas fueron de cirugia menor y el resto de CMA. La media de pacientes intervenidos/jornada fue de 9,7. El indice global de ocupacion de quirofano fue del 71,91%. Cuatro descriptores TQE: «cirugia menor», «lesiones multiples menores de piel», «cirugia de la una» y «tumor maligno de piel cierre directo» fueron suficientes para clasificar el 86,7% de las cirugias realizadas. El 91,3% de las intervenciones asociaron un tiempo muerto de TQE 0,15 (9 min). La media del indicador AQ1 fue de 1,20. El rendimiento de quirofano global medido mediante el indicador AQ2 fue del 96,46%. El indice de correlacion de Pearson mostro relacion estadisticamente significativa entre el incremento del numero de pacientes/jornada, la disminucion del indice de ocupacion y el aumento del rendimiento de quirofano AQ2. Conclusiones La aplicacion de los descriptores TQE permite cuantificar la complejidad de los procesos incluidos en LEQ y obtener indicadores para evaluar la actividad quirurgica, mejorando la eficiencia en la gestion de los tiempos quirurgicos.

Leptospira reactivity in stray and household dogs in Campeche as well as associated risk factors to the seropositivity in household dogs have been herein determined. The survey included 323 dogs, 142 of which were stray dogs and 181 household dogs. Nine Leptospira interrogans serovars were tested by the microagglutination test. Reactivity was 21.3 % (69/323), 17.2 % corresponded to household dogs and 26.7 % to stray dogs. Leptospira Canicola (29 %), Leptospira Hardjo (22.58 %), and Leptospira Icterohaemorrhagiae (16.12 %) were the most common serovars reacting against the serum of household animals, while Leptospira Canicola (15.78 %), Leptospira Icterohaemorrhagiae (13.15 %), and Leptospira Pomona (7.89 %) were those reacting in stray dogs. Results showed that all dogs have been in contact with different Leptospira serovars and outdoor exposure is the main infection risk factor.

Objectives To analyze the characteristics of the dermatologic surgery lists and to compare different indicators of surgical productivity. Materials and methods This was a retrospective, descriptive study of the routine surgical activity undertaken in the Dermatology Department of Fuenlabrada University Hospital, Madrid, Spain, between January 2005 and December 2010. Data about the procedures performed and about the surgical lists were analyzed and an analysis was made of operating room occupancy. Surgical productivity was analyzed using standard operating times (SOTs) and surgical scheduling adequacy values (SA1 and SA2). Variables were recorded as relative frequencies. Covariance and the Pearson linear correlation index were used for comparisons. Results The study period included a total of 11,481 surgical sessions, of which 71% were minor surgery and the remainder were major outpatient surgery. A mean of 9.7 operations were performed in each session and the overall operating room occupancy was 71.9%. Four SOT descriptors (minor surgery, multiple minor skin lesions, nail surgery, and malignant tumors with primary closure) were sufficient to classify 86.7% of the operations performed. The operating room down-time was 0.15 SOT (9 minutes) in 91.3% of operations. The mean SA1 index was 1.20. Overall surgical productivity measured using the SA2 index was 96.46%. The Pearson correlation showed a statistically significant relationship between the increase in the number of patients per surgical session, the reduction in operating room occupancy, and the increase in SA2 operating room productivity. Conclusions The application of SOT descriptors enables us to quantify the complexity of the operations included in the surgical waiting list and to obtain indicators for the evaluation of surgical activity, improving efficiency in surgical time management.

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are major players of the innate immune system. Once activated, they trigger a signalling cascade that leads to NF-κB translocation from the cytoplasm to the nucleus. Single cell analysis shows that NF-κB signalling dynamics are a critical determinant of transcriptional regulation. Moreover, the outcome of innate immune response is also affected by the cross-talk between TLRs and estrogen signalling. Here, we characterized the dynamics of TLR5 signalling, responsible for the recognition of flagellated bacteria, and those changes induced by estradiol in its signalling at the single cell level. TLR5 activation in MCF7 cells induced a single and sustained NF-κB translocation into the nucleus that resulted in high NF-κB transcription activity. The overall magnitude of NF-κB transcription activity was not influenced by the duration of the stimulus. No significant changes are observed in the dynamics of NF-κB translocation to the nucleus when MCF7 cells are incubated with estradiol. However, estradiol significantly decreased NF-κB transcriptional activity while increasing TLR5-mediated AP-1 transcription. The effect of estradiol on transcriptional activity was dependent on the estrogen receptor activated. This fine tuning seems to occur mainly in the nucleus at the transcription level rather than affecting the translocation of the NF-κB transcription factor.

Objective To analyze data corresponding to patients who underwent dermatological surgery in an operating room. Material and methods This was a descriptive, retrospective study of operating room activities in the dermatology department of Hospital Universitario de Fuenlabrada in Madrid between January 2005 and December 2010. We analyzed the relative frequency of a range of patient and procedure-related variables, as well as substitution and cancellation rates, the proportional risk of complications, and operating room efficiency. Results In the period analyzed, 11 516 patients underwent surgery: 9351 required minor surgery, 1998 major ambulatory surgery, and 167 surgery requiring hospitalization. Simple excision was the most common procedure (64.7%), and in the majority of cases (85%), the condition was benign. The mean number of patients treated per day was 9.7, and mean operating room efficiency was 71.9%. Conclusions Accurate record-keeping is essential for analyzing operating room activities and comparing results with those from other centers. The analysis of patterns over time shows the effect of changes made on different indicators. In our case, a decrease in operating room efficiency was seen with an increase in the number of patients per day undergoing surgery.

Resumen Objetivo Analizar los datos de pacientes sometidos a cirugia dermatologica en quirofano. Material y metodo Estudio descriptivo, retrospectivo, de la actividad quirurgica programada realizada en quirofano en el Servicio de Dermatologia del Hospital Universitario de Fuenlabrada desde enero de 2005 a diciembre de 2010. Se analizan distintas variables relativas al paciente y a la cirugia. La medicion de las variables se realiza mediante frecuencias relativas. Se estudian los indices de sustitucion y de suspension, el riesgo proporcional de complicaciones y el rendimiento quirurgico. Resultados Durante el periodo de estudio fueron intervenidos 11.516 pacientes, 9.351 en la modalidad de cirugia menor, 1.998 mediante CMA y 167 precisaron cirugia con hospitalizacion. La patologia tratada fue en su gran mayoria de naturaleza benigna (85%) y la escision simple el procedimiento mas realizado (64,7%). El numero medio de pacientes/jornada fue de 9,7. El rendimiento quirurgico medio fue del 71,9%. Conclusiones El registro adecuado es fundamental para conocer la actividad realizada y poder comparar con otros centros. El analisis evolutivo de los datos registrados permite observar el efecto que las medidas adoptadas tienen sobre los distintos indicadores. En nuestro caso el rendimiento del quirofano en porcentaje de ocupacion disminuye al aumentar el numero de pacientes intervenidos por jornada.

Seminal plasma (SP) is known to play an important role in mammalian fertilization. However, the variability found in its composition among species, males and even fractions of the same ejaculate has made difficult to completely understand its effect in sperm function. Proteins are one of the major SP components that modulate sperm functionality. During the last years, intensive work has been performed to characterize the role of these proteins. They have been found to influence sperm capacitation, formation of the oviductal sperm reservoir and sperm-oocyte interaction. Sperm biotechnologies, such as sperm cryopreservation and flow cytometric sex-sorting, that involve a substantial dilution of the SP are detrimental to sperm quality. Attempts to improve the outcome of these biotechnologies include the restoration of SP, which has produced contradictory results. To overcome this variability, different research groups have proposed the application of isolated SP proteins. Herein, we will review the current knowledge in the role of the major SP proteins as modulators of sperm functionality. Furthermore, we will discuss the possible applications of the SP proteins in sperm cryopreservation and flow cytometric sex-sorting.

Contents The objective of this study was to optimize protocols for the cryopreservation of sex-sorted boar spermatozoa. In the experiment 1, we evaluated the effects of a standard boar sperm cryopreservation procedure (3% final glycerol concentration) on the in vitro characteristics of sex-sorted sperm frozen at low sperm concentrations (20 × 106 sperm/ml; S20 group). Non-sorted spermatozoa frozen at 1000 × 106 (C1000 group) and 20 × 106 (C20 group) sperm/ml were used as the freezing control groups. In experiment 2, the effects of different final glycerol concentrations (0.16%, 0.5%, 1.0%, 2.0% and 3.0%) on post-thaw quality of the S20 and C20 groups were evaluated. In both experiments, the samples were evaluated prior to freezing (5°C) and at 30, 90 and 150 min after thawing. Experiment 1 indicated that freezing sperm at low concentrations decreased (p

Porcine embryos, which had been vitrified and stored in liquid nitrogen for up to three yr, were retrospectively analyzed to evaluate the influence of duration of storage on their in vitro viability post-warming. All embryos were vitrified (OPS or SOPS) and warmed (three-step or direct warming) using procedures that resulted in the same in vitro survival, hatching rates, and numbers of cells. Therefore, embryo data obtained using the different procedures were pooled according to their developmental stage as morulae (n = 571) or blastocysts (n = 797) and to the length of their storage in liquid nitrogen: a) 1–9 d; b) 10–30 d; c) 31–90 d; d) 1–3 yr. Non-vitrified embryos of corresponding developmental stages were used as a fresh control group (n = 280). Survival and hatching rates were evaluated after in vitro culture to assess embryo viability. The total number of cells was counted in the resulting viable blastocysts as an indicator of quality. A total of 1,648 fresh and vitrified embryos were analyzed. In vitro survival and hatching rates, but not the number of cells, differed significantly between vitrified morulae and their fresh counterparts irrespective of the duration of cryostorage. Length of storage in liquid nitrogen (LN 2 ) did not influence in vitro viability among different groups of vitrified/warmed morulae nor embryos at the blastocyst stage. In conclusion, duration of storage in LN 2 has no effect on the post-warming viability of porcine embryos vitrified at morula or blastocyst stage.

The present study was designed to evaluate three different in vitro fertilization (IVF) systems: a straw-IVF system with 10 min of coincubation, a straw-IVF system with 6-h coincubation and the microdrop-IVF system with 6-h coincubation (the traditional IVF system used routinely in most of IVF laboratories) in an attempt to reduce polyspermic penetration (Experiment 1). When the straw-IVF system was tested in combination with two coincubation times, the use of 10 min of coincubation significantly increased (p < 0.001) the penetration rate and the efficiency of fertilization (67.7 +/- 6.4% vs 31.9 +/- 6.5% and 41.5 +/- 2.5% vs 17.6 +/- 2.5% for 10 min and 6 h, respectively), while there were no significant differences in the incidence of monospermy between both systems (64.3 +/- 5.1% and 67.7 +/- 3.4%, for 10 min and 6 h, respectively). The penetration rate in the 6-h microdrop-IVF system was higher (93.8 +/- 3.6%; p < 0.001) compared with the 10-min straw-IVF system (67.7 +/- 6.4%), however, monospermy was severely reduced (25.0 +/- 4.3% vs 67.7 +/- 3.4%, for the 6-h microdrop-IVF system and 10-min straw-IVF system, respectively). The efficiency of the IVF showed similar values between microdrop and 6-h straw-IVF systems, but efficiency was significantly improved (p < 0.05) when the 10-min straw-IVF system was used. Experiment 2 was designed to compare porcine in vitro embryo production in two IVF systems, the 6-h microdrop-IVF system (1000 sperm per oocyte) and 10-min straw-IVF system (30 000 sperm per oocyte). The blastocyst formation rates tended (p = 0.06) to be higher when the 10-min straw-IVF system was used compared with the 6-h microdrop-IVF system. In addition, the number of total cells per blastocyst increased significantly (p < 0.05) in the 10-min straw-IVF system. These results showed that the 10-min straw-IVF system is an effective way to decrease polyspermic penetration, and improve the efficiency of fertilization and the quality of blastocysts in terms of cell number per embryo.

Boar seminal plasma is a complex mixture of secretions from the testes, epididymides, and the male accessory reproductive organs which bathe the spermatozoa at ejaculation. The seminal plasma contains factors, mostly proteins, which influence the spermatozoa, the female genital tract, and the ovum. In boars, most of the proteins belong to the spermadhesin family and bind to the sperm surface. Spermadhesins are multifunctional proteins with a wide range of ligand-binding abilities to heparin, phospholipids, protease inhibitors and carbohydrates; the family can be roughly divided into heparin-binding (AQN-1, AQN-3, AWN) and non-heparin-binding spermadhesins (PSP-I/PSP-II heterodimer). These proteins have various effects promoting or inhibiting sperm functions including motility, oviduct binding, zona binding/penetration, and ultimately fertilization. The complexity of the environmental signals that influence these actions have implications for the uses of these proteins in vivo and in vitro, and may lead to uses in improving sperm storage.

Contents The sorting of X- and Y-chromosome-bearing spermatozoa by flow cytometry is nowadays one of the most apt assisted-reproduction technologies in livestock production. Potential economic and biological benefits, as well as those related to easier management of herds, have been reported arising out of the application of this technique, especially in cattle. Yet, the sex-sorting procedure induces damage to spermatozoa, affecting their function and fertilizing ability. Different species present varying degrees of susceptibility to damage from the sorting process and each has its own requirements for sex-sorted insemination procedures. Thus, several new protocols and strategies have been designed for the handling of sorted spermatozoa, with the main objective of optimizing their fertilizing ability and the consequent application of flow-cytometric sex-sorting technology. This article reviews current advances in this technology, pointing out the components to be improved before this technology may be widely applied in different domestic species.

Contents Low-dose AI procedures are required by the pig industry to efficiently utilize emerging sperm technologies, such as cryopreservation and sex-sorting. Currently, several different procedures for inseminating with a low or very low number of spermatozoa have been described. Deep intrauterine insemination allows the deposition of the spermatozoa in the depth of the uterine horn, allowing a significant reduction in the number of spermatozoa inseminated with maintenance of optimal reproductive performance. Intra-oviductal laparoscopic insemination has been recently applied in pigs. This technique has proved to be applicable with diluted and sex-sorted spermatozoa. This review discusses several problems encountered during the development of deep intrauterine insemination and intra-oviductal laparoscopic insemination of pigs and provides potential solutions for the practical application of both the technologies.

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effect of a 5-day period of in vitro culture of two-to-four cell porcine embryos up to the blastocyst stage on their ability to survive vitrification and warming. In order to increase the cooling rate, superfine open pulled straws and Vit-Master((R)) technology were used for vitrification. Two-to-four cell embryos were collected from weaned sows (n=11) on day 2 (D0=onset of estrus). Some embryos (N=63) were vitrified within 3h after collection, warmed and cultured for 120h (Group V2). Additionally, 81 two-to-four cell embryos were cultured for 96h in order to obtain blastocysts; these were then vitrified, warmed and cultured for 24h (Group VB; N=65). The remaining two-to-four cell embryos were used as controls and thus not vitrified (control embryos; N=70) but were cultured in vitro for 120h. The V2, VB and control embryos were evaluated for their developmental progression and morphology during culture. All embryos (V2, VB and controls) were fixed on the same day of development in order to assess the total number of blastomeres. The survival and blastocyst formation rates obtained from V2 embryos were very poor (9.6+/-0.7% and 3.2+/-0.5%, respectively). The survival and hatching rates of VB embryos (75.0+/-0.69% and 33.6+/-0.13%) were lower (p0.001) than those obtained with control embryos (89.1+/-0.8% and 47.5+/-0.12%). Hatched VB embryos had a lower (p0.01) total cell number than hatched control embryos (70.3+/-4.5 versus 90.6+/-3.2, respectively). There was no difference between expanded VB and control blastocysts. In conclusion, blastocysts derived from in vitro culture of two-to-four cell pig embryos could be successfully vitrified using SOPS straws and Vit-Master.

Children with learning disabilities (LD) frequently have an EEG characterized by an excess of theta and a deficit of alpha activities. NFB using an auditory stimulus as reinforcer has proven to be a useful tool to treat LD children by positively reinforcing decreases of the theta/alpha ratio. The aim of the present study was to optimize the NFB procedure by comparing the efficacy of visual (with eyes open) versus auditory (with eyes closed) reinforcers. Twenty LD children with an abnormally high theta/alpha ratio were randomly assigned to the Auditory or the Visual group, where a 500 Hz tone or a visual stimulus (a white square), respectively, was used as a positive reinforcer when the value of the theta/alpha ratio was reduced. Both groups had signs consistent with EEG maturation, but only the Auditory Group showed behavioral/cognitive improvements. In conclusion, the auditory reinforcer was more efficacious in reducing the theta/alpha ratio, and it improved the cognitive abilities more than the visual reinforcer.

For artificial insemination (AI) in pigs, preservation of liquid boar semen at 16-20 degrees C is still common practice as sperm cryopreservation remains suboptimal in this species. To meet the different needs of the swine industry, several extenders have been developed to preserve semen in liquid form for short--and long-term storage. In the present study, three different commercial extenders devised for short-term (BTS+) or long-term preservation (MR-A and X-Cell), were used to test whether storage of semen from four mature, fertile boars at 17 degrees C for 96 h would affect sperm characteristics relevant for fertility, such as motility, membrane integrity and chromatin stability. Computer-assisted sperm analysis, and stainings with the acylated membrane dye SYBR-14/propidium iodide, and acridine orange in connection with flow cytometry were used to evaluate these variables. Percentages of total motile spermatozoa decreased slightly, but significantly, after 72-96 h. While membrane integrity values varied during the period of study, no significant changes in either membrane integrity or chromatin stability were, however, registered. This suggests a customary 96-day storage at 17 degrees C in these extenders was too short an interval to cause losses of integrity in nuclear DNA in the boar population studied.

To dissect the protective activity of PSP-I/PSP-II, the effect of the isolated subunits PSP-I and PSP-II and their affinity- purified tryptic peptide and glycan fractions on the viability, mitochondrial activity, and motility of highly diluted boar spermatozoa was investigated. High dilution exerted a negative effect on control spermatozoa. Incubation of spermatozoa with PSP-I/PSP-II or with its PSP-II subunit had a protective effect on sperm functionality, high mitochondrial membrane potential, and sperm motility. These effects were less pronounced when spermatozoa were incubated with the PSP-I subunit. It was noteworthy that motility was abolished by incubation of spermatozoa with isolated PSP-I. Trypsin-degraded PSP-I/PSP-II, PSP-I, and PSP-II reproduced the effects of the native proteins. Incubating spermatozoa with the glycan-depleted tryptic- peptide fraction of PSP-I/PSP-II for 5 hours preserved a higher percentage of viable spermatozoa than when sperm was incubated for the same time with the native heterodimer, trypsin-digested PSP- I/PSP-II, the glycan fraction or without added proteins. However, sperm motility decreased as the concentration of added peptide fraction increased. On the other hand, spermatozoa incubated with the glycan fraction showed lower values than spermatozoa in- cubated with the peptide fraction. We concluded that the subunits of the PSP-I/PSP-II heterodimeric spermadhesin exert different activ- ities on sperm functions. The finding that the beneficial effect of the native PSP-I/PSP-II on the functionality of highly diluted boar spermatozoa is largely preserved in its isolated PSP-II subunit and does not appear to require the glycan moiety points to a peptide moiety as a potential sperm function-preserving additive of highly diluted boar spermatozoa.

Seed banks play a crucial role in arid plant communities because they confer stability and long-term persistence. However, seed banks have high temporal and spatial variability, with dramatic changes in density and composition. The aim of this study was to test whether seasonal change affected seed bank community structure and spatial pattern. Moreover, we wanted to know if the effect driven by environmental factors on the seed bank was constant year round. We sampled the seed bank at 188 points along seven parallel transects through a gypsum system in central Spain. Soil samples were taken twice (September and April) in contiguous plots. In each plot we measured environmental parameters, including micro- and macroslope, vegetation band, shrub cover, lichen crust cover and landform. A nearly threefold decrease in seed bank density occurred between September (16,230 seeds m–2) and April (5960 seeds m–2). Seasonal changes in density varied widely among species; however, a seed bank was present for most species at both sampling dates. For several well-studied species (Lepidium subulatum and Helianthemum squamatum), seed losses were within the range of losses by emergence reported in the literature. In both seasons, seed bank composition was controlled mainly by community band and microslope. Sampling season had a significant, but minor effect on seed bank composition. Moreover, a high spatial correlation existed in terms of seed density and richness through the two studied seasons. These results show that the seed bank keeps a constant structure even under substantial variation in density.

Low concentration (0.15 mg per million of spermatozoa) of seminal plasma-derived PSP-I/PSP-II spermadhesin heterodimer is able to preserve the viability of highly extended boar spermatozoa. Whether spermatozoa also keep their fertilizing capacity is not yet known. The present study evaluated the effect of exposing freshly extended and frozen-thawed boar spermatozoa (10 million/mL) to PSP-I/PSP-II (1.5 mg/mL) for 30 or 120 minutes on sperm character- istics and the outcome of in vitro penetration of immature (IM) and in vitro matured (IVM) homologous oocytes, aiming to identify this sper- madhesin as a suitable modulator for sperm-handling protocols. Al- though exposure to the heterodimer improved sperm viability and mo- tility without increasing the levels of sperm acrosome exocytosis in both freshly extended and frozen-thawed spermatozoa, this pretreat- ment did not affect sperm penetration rates or sperm numbers per oocyte when pretreated fresh spermatozoa were coincubated with IM or IVM oocytes compared with controls. When cryopreserved sper- matozoa were tested, however, on IVM oocytes, already a 30-minute preincubation exposure to PSP-I/PSP-II showed a significant blocking effect on penetration rate (from 90% to 32%, P , .05) and on mean sperm numbers per oocyte (2.9 to 1.6, P , .05). To disclose the nature of this paradox, frozen-thawed spermatozoa were cleansed (by centrifugation in saline bovine serum albumin or through Percoll den- sity gradient separation) and the procedure repeated. Oocyte pene- tration (but not number of spermatozoa per oocyte) increased (P , .05) when spermatozoa were cleansed with Percoll compared with either washed or unwashed controls (53% vs 13% vs 31%, respec- tively). In addition, the percentages of polyspermic oocytes remained lower than control (38.5% vs 68.7%, respectively; P , .05). In con- clusion, the results confirm that exposure of fresh or frozen-thawed boar spermatozoa to a low dose of seminal PSP-I/PSP-II sperma- dhesin preserves sperm viability and motility in vitro. Although there was no obvious influence of the heterodimer on the capability of fresh- ly extended boar spermatozoa to penetrate homologous oocytes (ei- ther IM or IVM), PSP-I/PSP-II exerted a deleterious effect when fro- zen-thawed spermatozoa were used to penetrate IVM oocytes. Such an effect of cryopreservation seems to a certain extent reversible, since cleansing of the sperm surface decreased, at least partially, this blocking effect, increasing both penetration and the monospermic rates.

Tempranillo grape variety (Vitis vinifera) samples obtained from a 0–345-day period of vinification were analysed. Fe, Cu, Zn and Mn were quantified as well as polyphenols and anthocyanins. A good correlation has been found for both Fe and Cu with total polyphenols and anthocyanins. A selected sample was fractionated through an open column, allowing the individual correlation of both Zn and Cu with cyanidin-3-glucoside to be established.