Assessment of ultrasonic data of signals backscattered by mortar using the principal component analysis.

In this paper, we present the assessment of ultrasonic parameters of signals backscattered by mortar using the Principal Component Method. The measurement has been performed by the ultrasonic reflection technique using a transducer with a central frequency 0.5 MHz. The samples examined consist of specimen mortar mixtures prepared with ratio cement/sand (c/s = 0.5) and water/cement (w/c = 0.65) and studied at three temperatures 25 °C, 32 °C and 42 °C. The projection of the data showed that more than 93% of the information is retained and presented in 2D space. The correlation between Acoustic Impedance and Ultrasonic Velocity at 25 °C, 32 °C and 42 °C are 96.95%, 99.98%, and 99.98% respectively. The data are associated with the research article "Ultrasonic Characterization and Hardening of Mortar Using the Reflection Technique" (H.LOTFI and al.).

[Screening for carriage of Staphylococcus aureus prior to mammary reconstruction in the prevention of surgical site infection]. / En reconstruction mammaire: intérêt du dépistage du portage de Staphylococcus aureus dans la prévention de l'infection du site opératoire.

The incidence of prosthesis infections after breast reconstruction is of the order of 4% to 13% according to the literature. In surgical patients, Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is the bacterial species most often responsible for surgical site infections. In cardiac surgery, screening for carriage of S. aureus and preoperative decontamination are carried out routinely before prosthetic surgery. We retrospectively reviewed data from patients at our institution between January 2011 and December 2013. Our series showed that the prosthesis infection rates were in the range of 5.92% in 2008 with an ISO rate of S. aureus 3.61%. Routine screening for prosthetic reconstructions was performed to assess the impact of preoperative decontamination patients in carriers of S. aureus. This screening was done in 381 patients: 17.8% of patients were carriers of S. aureus ; 11 patients have an ISO (or an incidence rate of 2.88%) ; 5 patients have an ISO S. aureus (an incidence of S. aureus ISO 1.3%). The introduction of the screening process, allowed a drop of 5.92% ISO rate at 1.46% with a passage of S. aureus SSI rates of 3, 60% to 0.72%. In the near future, studies are needed to confirm these encouraging results, to demonstrate the efficacy of preoperative decontamination in carriers of S. aureus patients before laying prosthesis.

[Ultrasonographic evaluation of the uterine cervix length remaining after LOOP-excision]. / Évaluation échographique de la longueur de col utérin restant après conisation par électrorésection.

OBJECTIVES: To assess whether there is a correlation between the length of a conization specimen and the length of the cervix measured by vaginal ultrasonography after the operation PATIENTS AND METHODS: Prospective observational study including patients less than 45 years with measurement of cervical length before and the day of the conization, and measuring the histological length of the specimen. RESULTS: Among the 40 patients enrolled, the average ultrasound measurements before conization was 26.9 mm (± 4.9 mm) against 18.1mm (± 4.4mm) after conization with a mean difference of 8.8mm (± 2.4mm) (difference statistically significant P<.0001). The extent of histological specimen was 9 mm (± 2.2mm) on average. A correlation between ultrasound and histological measurements with a correlation coefficient R=0.85 was found statistically significant (P<0.0001). Moreover, the rate of cervix length remove by loop-excision in our series is 33% (± 8.5%). DISCUSSION: A good correlation between the measurements of the specimen and the cervical ultrasound length before and after conization was found, as a significant reduction in cervical length after conization. The precise length of the specimen should be known in case of pregnancy and the prevention of prematurity due to conization rests on selected indications and efficient surgical technique.

TOXIC ACTIVITY AND DELAYED EFFECTS OF FIVE BOTANICAL OILS ON THE FOLLOWING GENERATIONS OF AGROTIS IPSILON (HUFNAGEL) (INSECTA: LEPIDOPTERA: NOCTUIDAE) AFTER PARENTS TREATMENT.

The present study is carried out to evaluate the toxic efficiency and delayed effects of five botanical oils on the greasy cut worm Agrotis ipsilon (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), as a trial for the attainment of a possible use of an alternative safe and effective phytochemicals against the insect-pest. So as to minimize or prevent the repeated usage of conventional insecticides, then reduce the environmental pollution as well as the occurring hazards to man and domestic animal due to the use of the pesticides alone. Four tested concentrations (0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.5% v/v) from each of camphor, red basil, menthol, rose and anise oils, were bioassayed by treating the offered castor oil bean leaves, to the 4th instar larvae along 48h, under the laboratory higrothermic conditions of 25±2 °C and 65±5% R.H. The obtained results showed that the five tested oils were found to have more or less toxic activity and drastic effects on the inspected parameters of fitness components of the treated parent generation of the insect, in particular, pupae, emerged adult moths and laid eggs/female. In this respect camphor and red basil oils were highly effective, followed by menthol oil, anise oil and the least effective one was rose oil. Moreover, the assessed unprofitable delayed effects on the going on of the biological performance within the treated insects showed the adverse effects on the fitness components of the consequent generations (fs) post (p) one treatment with each of the bioassyed oils. The prevalence of adverse effects and disturbance in the going on biological performance through the period of (p) generation; which is followed by the distinct failure of insect development in (f1) generation were recorded for each of the tested menthol oil at 0.5 and 1.5% (v/v); camphor oil at 1.5 and 2.5% and red basil oil at 2.5% (v/v). While anise and rose oils were somewhat less efficient causing the distinct failure of the following generations up to the 3rd and/or the 6th ones. That observed distinct failure of the insect development could be attributed to the rapid or/and slow cumulative effect of the induced recessive lethal genes in both influenced sexes along the interval of the following developed generations (fs) after (p) one treatment, causing apparent adverse disturbance of the normal biological performance, which finally appears at the beginning of the failed generation.

EFFICIENCY OF PREPARED BAITS OF LONE OR/AND ADMIXED FOUR BOTANICAL OILS ON THE VIABILITY OF SUCCESSIVE RAISED GENERATIONS OF AGROTIS IPSILON (HUFNAGEL) (INSECTA: LEPIDOPTERA: NOCTUIDAE) AFTER TREATING THE PARENT ONES.

The present study is initiated to determine the toxic and delayed effects of four botanical oils on the greasy cutworm A. ipsilon, aiming to attain an alternative environmentally safe and effective phytochemicals against the insect-pest. Four botanical oils (camphor, red basil, menthol and rose oil) were added at rates of 0.5 and 1.0% (v/w). The tested oils were added alone, and/or admixed at proportional rate of 1:1 in the prepared baits against the exposed 4th instar till the 6th instar larvae of the insect. The study was run under the laboratory higrothermic conditions of 25±2°C and 65±5% R.H. The results showed that the tested baits of camphor, red basil and menthol oils at concentration rates of 0.5 and 1.0% (v/w) adversely affected the inspected parameters of fitness components of the treated individuals of parent (p) generation. They gave more or less fewer numbers of weak unviable adult-moths, which were either sterile or they laid few numbers of infertile eggs and died before the induction of (F1) progeny. That failure could be elucidated by the rapid occurrence of drastic effects on the biological performance of both the influenced sexes of adult-moths along the period of parent's development. Finally it ended by the inhibited induction of (F1) progeny. A delayed effect of the prepared baits of rose oil at 0.5 and 1.0% (v/w), was assessed on the following raised F1, F2, F3 and F4 generations after parent's treatment. The delayed effect was detected as less efficient latent effect on each of these consequently raised generations; characterized by the gradual decrease of the number of alive immatures and adult-moths. The effect was recorded as gradual increase of dead and malformed individuals and adult-moths. In addition to the gradual decrease of deposited and/or hatched eggs up to the 4th generation, which ended by the complete failure of the development. That failure could be also attributed to the cumulated effects of the induced recessive lethal genes in both the influenced sexes during the periods of raised F1, F2 and F3 generations. The recessive lethal genes caused drastic unprofitable effects that appeared at the beginning of the 4th generation that failed. Also, the tested baits (0.5 and 1.0%, v/w) of each of admixed camphor, red basil and menthol oil with rose oil (1:1), greatly affected the developmental parameters of the treated insects. The highest efficient toxicity and an adverse biological performance of the admixed camphor and/or red basil oils with rose oil at 0.5 and 1.0 (v/w), and menthol/rose oil at 0.5% (v/w) on the treated parent generation were detected. The previous treatment gave unviable sterile adults, which died before the induction of (F1) progeny. That recorded failure of (F1) proves the fastest toxic efficiency and a drastic biological performance which were entirely unable to induce (F1) progeny. The tested bait of mixed menthol/rose oils (1.0%, v/w), showed significant reduction in all studied parameters of F1 and F2 fitness components. The tested bait raised sterile unviable adult-moths of (F2) generation which furtherly ended by the distinct failure of (F2) development. This effect may be caused by the cumulative effects of the induced recessive lethal genes in both of the affected sexes through the developmental period of (F1) generation after (P) one treatment, inducing apparent drastic effects, which were revealed at the beginning of (F2) generation. Remarkably, the inspected faster or slower occurred toxicity and drastic biological performance of these admixed botanical oils, may be referred to the synergistic action for most of the evaluated mixtures or/and the additive one for menthol/rose oil (1.0%), which needs further investigation.

Quality of life and female sexual function after skinning vulvectomy with split-thickness skin graft in women with vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia or vulvar Paget disease.

OBJECTIVE: Vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN) and vulvar Paget disease are managed with either vulvectomy, destructive treatments (laser, antimitotic drugs) or immunostimulants. All these options are associated with functional complications. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the surgical technique consisting of skinning vulvectomy with split-thickness skin graft, and its effect on overall quality of life and sexual function. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on thirteen patients who underwent skinning vulvectomy with split-thickness skin graft between 1999 and 2009. Overall quality of life and sexual function were assessed with the Medical Outcome Study Short Form 36 (MOS SF-36) and Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), respectively. RESULTS: The median age of patients was 54 (range: 33-77) years. Three patients had Paget disease and 10 patients had VIN lesions. The excision margins were clear in 46% of cases. The incidence of occult cancer was 31%. The mean follow-up period was 77 (±35) months. Four patients experienced a relapse of their intraepithelial disease. The mean disease-free survival was 58 (±44) months. There was no significant difference in MOS SF-36 scores between the study population and the general population. The patients assessed with the FSFI regained normal sexual function after the surgical procedure. CONCLUSION: Skinning vulvectomy with split-thickness skin graft is a feasible technique yielding good results in terms of quality of life and sexual function. It enables occult cancer to be diagnosed in patients with VIN or Paget disease.

Boosted selective internal radiation therapy with 90Y-loaded glass microspheres (B-SIRT) for hepatocellular carcinoma patients: a new personalized promising concept.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the impact of dosimetry based on MAA SPECT/CT for the prediction of response, toxicity and survival, and for treatment planning in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated with (90)Y-loaded glass microspheres (TheraSphere®). METHODS: TheraSphere® was administered to 71 patients with inoperable HCC. MAA SPECT/CT quantitative analysis was used for the calculation of the tumour dose (TD), healthy injected liver dose (HILD), and total injected liver dose. Response was evaluated at 3 months using EASL criteria. Time to progression (TTP) and overall survival (OS) were evaluated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Factors potentially associated with liver toxicity were combined to construct a liver toxicity score (LTS). RESULTS: The response rate was 78.8%. Median TD were 342 Gy for responding lesions and 191 Gy for nonresponding lesions (p < 0.001). With a threshold TD of 205 Gy, MAA SPECT/CT predicted response with a sensitivity of 100% and overall accuracy of 90%. Based on TD and HILD, 17 patients underwent treatment intensification resulting in a good response rate (76.4%), without increased grade III liver toxicity. The median TTP and OS were 5.5 months (2-9.5 months) and 11.5 months (2-31 months), respectively, in patients with TD <205 Gy and 13 months (10-16 months) and 23.2 months (17.5-28.5 months), respectively, in those with TD >205 Gy (p = 0.0015 and not significant). Among patients with portal vein thrombosis (PVT) (n = 33), the median TTP and OS were 4.5 months (2-7 months) and 5 months (2-8 months), respectively, in patients with TD <205 Gy and 10 months (6-15.2 months) and 21.5 months (12-28.5 months), respectively, in those with TD >205 Gy (p = 0.039 and 0.005). The median OS was 24.5 months (18-28.5 months) in PVT patients with TD >205 Gy and good PVT targeting on MAA SPECT/CT. The LTS was able to detect severe liver toxicity (n = 6) with a sensitivity of 83% and overall accuracy of 97%. CONCLUSION: Dosimetry based on MAA SPECT/CT was able to accurately predict response and survival in patients treated with glass microspheres. This method can be used to adapt the injected activity without increasing liver toxicity, thus defining a new concept of boosted selective internal radiation therapy (B-SIRT). This new concept and LTS enable fully personalized treatment planning with glass microspheres to be achieved.

Lobar hepatocellular carcinoma with ipsilateral portal vein tumor thrombosis treated with yttrium-90 glass microsphere radioembolization: preliminary results.

Portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT) is a common complication of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and has a negative impact on prognosis. This characteristic feature led to the rationale of the present trial designed to assess the efficacy and the safety of yttrium-90 glass-microsphere treatment for advanced-stage lobar HCC with ipsilateral PVTT. 18 patients with unresectable lobar HCC and ipsilateral PVTT were treated in our institution with (90)Y-microS radioembolization. Patients were evaluated every 3 to 6 months for response, survival, and toxicity. Mean follow-up was 13.0 months (2.2-50.6). Outcomes were: complete response (n = 2), partial response (n = 13), stable disease (n = 1), and progressive disease (n = 2) giving a disease control rate of 88.9%. Four patients were downstaged. Treating lobar hepatocellular carcinoma with ipsilateral portal vein thrombosis with yttrium-90 glass-microsphere radioembolization is safe and efficacious. Further clinical trials are warranted to confirm these results and to compare (90)Y-microS with sorafenib, taking into account not only survival but also the possibility of secondary surgery for putative curative intention after downstaging.

Efficiency of guva and lemon grass fine dusts on the potato tuber moth Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae).

The present study was initiated to elucidate the effect of potato tubers treatment using fine dusts of Psidium guajava, Cymbopogon citratus, talc powder and their progressive dilutions(w/w) on the fitness components of raised generations of the potato tuber moth (PTM), Phthorimaea operculella. Results showed a direct as well as cumulative delayed effect of the tested plants fine dusts, either alone or admixed with talc powder in progressive dilutions from 5% up to 50% w/w on the viability of developing immatures and potentiality of adult moths. The revealed effects of each of the tested crude plant fine dusts or talc powder alone and/or their progressive dilutions (w/w) could be explained briefly as gradual significant shortening of life span of both sexes, prolongation of larval duration, reduction in number of raised pupae, increase of malformed ones, sharp decrease in the rate of emerged moths, deposited eggs, and developing of immatures; According to lower used dilutions of each tested plant fine dust from 5% to 20%, the complete inhibition of reproductive potential of both adult sexes, the going on metamorphic development of deposited eggs and/or raised immatures of the following generation, after the treatment of parent one, had been revealed the following distinct failure of: a) F1 development after former treatment of parent generation with the higher concentrations of 30-50% of both tested plant fine dusts and the lower prepared dilutions (10% and 20% (w/w)) of both the tested Psidium guajava and (20% (w/w)) Cymbopogom citratus plant fine dusts, resulted in fewer number of the emerged moths that were unviable, weak, sterile and died before induction the F1 progeny, b) F2 development due to the former treatment of the parents with talc powder, Psidium guajava fine dusts alone or its prepared dilutions of (5% (w/w)) and Cymbopogom citratus dilution of (10%(w/w)) gave unviable weak and sterile moths unable to induce the F2 progeny, c) F3 development post former treatment of the parent generations with Cymbopogom citratus dilution of 5% (w/w) induced unviable sterile moths and died after emergence and d) F4 development owing to the former parent treatment with Cymbopogon citratus fine dust alone; The complete failure of each of the above mentioned generations could be attributed to the cumulative effect of induced recessive lethal genes in both sexes along the extended period of each of these following generations, post former treatment of parent one, causing apparent undesirable effects, that appeared at the beginning of each of them.

[Place of surgery before and after concurrent chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced cervical carcinoma: A retrospective study of 102 cases]. / Place de la chirurgie avant et après radiochimiothérapie des cancers du col localement évolués : à propos de 102 cas.

INTRODUCTION: The treatment of locally advanced cervical carcinoma of uterine cervix is based on concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCR). The role of laparoscopic lymphadenectomy before CCR and hysterectomy after CCR is not consensual. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective multicentric study on 102 patients treated for locally advanced carcinoma of uterine cervix between 1999 and 2008. Disease-free survival and overall survival (OS) were studied. RESULTS: Stages were: stage IB 42%, II 47% and stage III and IVA 11%. All patients received CCR. Eighty-one patients had associated brachytherapy. Sixty-two patients underwent laparoscopic lymphadenectomy before CCR and 31 patients had also para-aortic lymphadenectomy. Eighty-two patients had hysterectomy after CCR. Forty-seven percent (29/62) of patients had a histologically proven pelvic lymph node involvement and 58% (18/31) had a histologically proven para-aortic lymph node involvement. There is no predictor of the presence of residual tumor on hysterectomy. The lymph node involvement before treatment and the presence of residual tumor on hysterectomy were poor prognostic factors on relapse-free survival (SSR) and OS. It has not been shown to benefit from surgery pre- or post-CCR on survival. CONCLUSION: Surgery can provide major prognosis factor and especially lymphadenectomy before CCR can improve the therapeutic strategy but does not demonstrate significant survival benefit.

[MRI evaluation of residual breast carcinoma after neoadjuvant chemotherapy]. / Cancer du sein traité par chimiothérapie néoadjuvante: évaluation du reliquat tumoral par l'IRM mammaire.

PURPOSE: This study aims to evaluate the sensibility and specificity of MRI in the detection and size measuring of residual breast cancer in patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy before surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective study of 32 women, who underwent breast MRI before and after neoadjuvant treatment. MRI has been confronted to surgical pathology results. RESULTS: The sensibility of MRI to assess pathologic Complete Response (no invasive residual tumor) was excellent (100%) but the specificity was low (55,5%). There was no false negative case and four false positive cases (Two ductal carcinomas in situ and two scars-like fibrosis). When MRI outcomes were compared with the presence or absence of invasive or in situ residual carcinoma, only one false negative case was noticed (one "in situ" residual tumor). The correlation between tumor size measured by MRI and histopathology was low (r=0,32). Underestimations of tumor size were due to non-continuous tumor regression or invasive lobular carcinoma or association of invasive carcinoma and intra ductal breast cancer. Over estimations of tumor size were due to chemotherapy-induced changes. CONCLUSION: MRI is a sensitive but poorly specific method to assess the pathological complete response after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Estimation of tumor size and detection of isolated residual in situ carcinoma are fare. Therefore, surgical intervention remains necessary whatever the MRI outcomes.

Efficacy of some oils and chemical compounds on Insignorthezia insignis (Browne) (Hemiptera: Ortheziidae) infesting Lantana camara in Alexandria, Egypt.

Field and laboratory experiments were conducted in March, 2008 in El-Nouzha garden, Alexandria governorate. Pre-and post treatment inspections of the insects were examined and recorded before and after (2,4,8, and 12 weeks). Spraying was applied to evaluate the efficiency of the tested compounds, [Mineral oils (KZ oil and Star oil); IGRs (Chlorfluazuron, lufenuron and pyriproxyfen); Neem oil; emamectin benzoate and thiamethoxam]. Percentages of reduction were calculated. The ensign scale insects Insignorthezia insignis (Browne) were collected from treated Lantana camara shrubs to investigate the effect of the tested chemicals on Aspartate transferase (AST), Alanine transferase (ALT) and Alkaline-phosphatase (ALPK) of the insect enzymes activities. From the obtained results, it could be concluded that the tested materials gave good results for controlling both adult and immature stages of the ensign scale insect Insignorthezia insignis (Browne) that infested Lantana camara shrubs, through affecting enzymes activities of the assigned insect pest.

Efficacy of five volatile oils and their mixtures against the soft scale insect, Saissetia coffeae (Walker) (Hemiptera: Coccidae) infesting the Sago palm, Cycas revoluta in Alexandria, Egypt.

Five tested plant volatile oils and their mixtures were evaluated for controlling the coccid, Saissetia coffeae (Walker) on growing Sago palms Cycas revoluta in Antoniades public gardens, Alexandria, Egypt. The tested volatile oils at concentration rates of 0.5, 1 and 1.5% (v/v) were: Camphor 20%, Dill 20%, Rose 30%, Peppermint 20% and Clove 30% (v/v). Their mixtures were : Camphor/Peppermint, Camphor/Rose at a rate of 1:1, Camphor/Rose/Peppermint at 1:1:2 rate and Camphor/Rose/Dill at 2:1:1 rate. The results, as a general mean of residual reduction percent for the whole inspection intervals of the test lasted 2 days up to 9 days post treatment, indicated that the superior volatile oils in reducing the insect were both Camphor and Rose, followed by Dill, Peppermint and the least efficient one was the Clove oil. The evaluated mixtures of the volatile oils showed that each of Camphor/Rose/Peppermint, Camphor/Rose and Camphor/Peppermint mixtures attained a higher rank of efficiency against that of the assigned soft scale insect.

Subthalamic nucleus stimulation in Parkinson disease induces apathy: a PET study.

OBJECTIVE: Apathy may be induced by subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation (STN-DBS) in Parkinson disease (PD). We therefore wished to test the hypothesis that apathy induced by STN-DBS correlates with changes in glucose metabolism, using (18)FDG-PET. METHODS: Twelve patients with PD were assessed 3 months before (M-3) and 3 months after (M+3) STN-DBS with (18)FDG-PET and the Apathy Evaluation Scale. RESULTS: Apathy had significantly worsened at M+3 after STN-DBS. Positive correlations were observed between this variation in apathy scores and changes in glucose metabolism, especially in the right frontal middle gyrus (Brodmann area [BA] 10) and right inferior frontal gyrus (BA 46 and BA 47). Negative correlations between the two were observed in the right posterior cingulate gyrus (BA 31) and left medial frontal lobe (BA 9). CONCLUSION: These preliminary results confirm the role of the subthalamic nucleus in associative and limbic circuitry in humans and suggest that it is a key basal ganglia structure in motivation circuitry.

[Cytological study of 191 women with invasive cancer of the uterine cervix in Brittany, France]. / Histoire cytologique de 191 patientes atteintes d'un cancer invasif du col de l'utérus en région Bretagne.

INTRODUCTION: The cancer of the cervix annually occurs in 150 women in Brittany in the absence of organized screening. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective study concerning 191 patients treated for an invasive cancer of the uterine cervix between 2000 and 2005 analyzing their cytological past. The average age of the patients was 52 years (22-87 years). The socioeconomic level of the patients was recorded. The distribution of under histological types was: squamous, 73% (54 years average age) and adenocarcinoma, 22% (average age 47 years). All the stages were represented: stage I 46%, II 32%, III 9% and stage IV 13%. RESULTS: Cancer was symptomatic in 89% of the cases and 72% of the patients had not profited from cytological screening according to French recommendations (50% no follow-up, 22% follow-up between three and 10 years), while 28% of the patients had a smear in the three years. The socioeconomic level of the patients strongly influenced the participation in screening. The proportion of patients having an invasive adenocarcinom was 31% in the patients with a smear going back to less than three years (versus 22% in our total population) and this histological subtype was mainly represented in patients less than 35 years old (35%). Lastly, 2,6% of the patients were lost after realization of a pathological smear. CONCLUSION: The extension of screening and its organization remain a priority in our area. The average sensitivity of the smear is illustrated by the on-representation of the adenocarcinoma, in particular among young women.

Comparative analysis of three scale insect species populations (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Diaspididae) and their parasitoid, Aphytis diaspidis(Howard) on pear trees in Burg el-Arab area, Alexandria, Egypt.

The infestation abundance of each of the inspected scale insect species: San Jose scale, Diaspidiotus perniciosus (Comstock), Greedy scale, Hemiberlisio rapax (Comstock) and Olive scale, Parlatoria oleae (Cloveé) on pear trees, more or less varied as the months of each growing season differed. The comparative abundance percentages in both seasons of 2004-2005 and 2005-2006 were (51.80 and 51.40), (41.20 and 40.90) and (7.10 and 7.70) of the counted individuals of the grand total of H. rapax, D. perniciosus and P. oleae, in respect. In other words, the Greedy scale (GS) was the highly abundant scale followed by the San Jose scale (SJS), but the olive scale represented the lowest one. The more or less increased and/or decreased abundance of each of the investigated scale insect species pointed to the existence of three overlapping generations throughout the season which were characterized by fluctuating peaks of population densities of the studied pests during the months of each annual season: autumn, winter, spring and summer.

Efficacy of five volatile oils and their mixtures against the mealybug, Icerya seychellarum seychellarum (Westw.) infesting Sago palm, Cycas revoluta in Alexandria, Egypt.

Five tested plant volatile oils and their mixtures were evaluated for controlling the Margarodid, Icerya seychellarum seychellarum (Westw.) on growing Sago palms in Antoniades public gardens, Alexandria, Egypt. The tested volatile oils at concentration rates of 0.5, 1 and 1.5 % (v/v) were as follows: Camphor 20%; Dill 20%; Rose 30%; Peppermint 20% and Clove 30% (v/v). Their mixtures were Camphor/Peppermint; Camphor/Rose; at a rate of 1:1 Camphor/Rose/ Peppermint at 1:1:2 and Camphor/Rose/Dill at 2:1:1. The calculated results as general mean of residual reduction percent for the whole inspection periods of the test indicated that the superior volatile oils in reducing mealybugs were both Camphor and Rose, followed by Dill, Peppermint and the least efficient was Clove volatile oil. The evaluated volatile oils mixtures showed that each of Camphor/Rose/Peppermint, Camphor/Rose, and Camphor/Peppermint mixtures occupied a higher rank of efficiency against the treated mealybugs.

Ecological studies on San José scale, Diaspidiotus perniciosus (Comstock) (Homoptera: Diaspididae) as a new insect pest on pear trees in Burg El-Arab area, Alexandria, Egypt.

The San José scale, D. perniciosus (Comstock) (Homoptera: Diaspididae) was noticed on pear trees all the year round in Burg El-Arab area (50 km West of Alexandria). Bio ecology and population fluctuations of this serious scale insect were carried out during the two subsequent seasons of September, 2004 until August, 2006. The calculated infestation rates (%) assured the presence of three peaks in both seasons. The estimated densities of fluctuating individuals of D. perniciosus on the inspected pear trees showed two distinctly prominent peaks, in addition to an overlapping one between them. It means, that the San Josè scale, D. perniciosus had three overlapping annual generations on pear trees in Burg El-Arab area under an irrigation system. The individuals of all stages could be found on trees all over the year. The population of the inspected immature stages; adult females and adult males were recorded and discussed as well as the parasitized individuals by the aphilinid parasitoid, Aphytis diaspidis (Howard) (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae). The population density of the San José scale (SJS) reached its maximum during spring, folLowed by summer, winter, whereas the least percentage was recorded in autumn months. The obtained data showed also variable effects of the prevailing abiotic factors on the dynamical oscillation of (SJS) individuals. The daily mean temperature and the dew point were not the dominant efficient physical factors. On the contrary, it has been proved that there were either significant strong negative or positive relationships between daily relative humidity, wind speed, infestation rate, and population density of this studied insect pest.

Scale insects and mealy bugs (Homoptera: Coccoidea) attacking deciduous fruit trees in the western north coast of Alexandria, Egypt.

This investigation covered a survey of scale insects and mealy bugs infesting ten growing species of deciduous fruit trees in three localities in Alexandria govemorate. These localities were Merghem, Burg El-Arab, and El-Nahda about 50 Km. West of Alexandria under both rain-fed and irrigation system conditions. The common inspected fruit trees were fig, white mulberry, pomegranate, apple, pear, apricot, European plum, peach, almond, and persimmon. It was shown that a group of twenty scale insects and meaty bug species pertaining to fifteen genera belonging to six families of the super family: Coccoidea were collected and identified during the elapsing period from January to December, 2004. Among these species, Diaspidiotus perniciosus (Comstock) was recorded for the first time in Egypt. In the present study, many insect and non-insect parasitoids and predators were also found associated with these scale insects and mealy bugs on deciduous fruit trees in the three concerned localities throughout this investigation. These natural enemies were identified and recorded.

Ecological studies on the greedy scale, Hemiberlisia rapax (Comstock) (Homoptera: Diaspididae) on pear trees in burg El-Arab area, Alexandria, Egypt.

The greedy scale, Hemiberlisia rapax (Comstock) causes economic damage on pear trees under irrigation system in Burg El-Arab area (50 Km. West of Alexandria). The infestation rate of H. rapax reached its first maximum rate during August to October, and the second one occurred from January to March. The 1st highest peak of insect population occurred during September and October; the second was during January and February, and the third one corresponded to April for the 1st and the 2nd successive seasons. The statistical analysis was performed to determine the relationship among the weather factors of mean daily temperature, daily relative humidity, wind speed, and dew point in relation to the population activity of Hemiberlisia rapax. The immature stages had two peaks of fluctuation during October to November and July to August. The adult females reached their maximum rates during winter and spring months. Adult males appeared in late March in few numbers. The insect was parasitized by Aphytis diaspidis (Howard) (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) in maximum numbers in June and July. This parasitoid had three overlapping generations all the year round. The first in September-October; the second extended from March to May; while the third one lasted from July to September.