Loss of cane and sugar yield resulting from Ceratovacuna lanigera Zehntner damage in cane-growing regions in China.

Ceratovacuna lanigera Zehntner is a major leaf pest of sugarcane. Widely distributed, it affects both the yield and quality of sugarcane in China. This study aimed to assess real yield and sugar yield losses, and the effect of C. lanigera damage on emergence of newly planted and ratoon cane under current production levels. Field experiments were carried out from 2014 to 2016 in Yunnan Province China. At maturity, plants were harvested and weighed to determine yield, and the effect on sugarcane quality and sucrose content analyzed. Real yield decreased by average of 46,185 kg hm-2 (range: 37,545-61,845 kg hm-2) in damaged versus undamaged areas, with an average yield loss rate of 35.9% (28.5-45.7%). Juice yield decreased by an average of 3.01% (2.4-4.13%) and sucrose content by 6.38% (5.48-8.16%). Juice brix decreased by an average of 7.66°BX (6.95-9.05°BX) and juice gravity purity by 12.35% (8.43-19.97%). In contrast, the reducing sugar content increased by an average of 1.21% (1.01-1.3%). Emergence rates of newly planted cane decreased by an average of 26.0% (24.7-27.3%). The emergence number of ratoon cane decreased by 66,834 hm2 (57,429-76,238 hm-2) and relative emergence loss rates of ratoon cane decreased by an average of 57.8% (57.6-58.0%). These findings confirm that C. lanigera damage severely affects sugarcane yield and quality in Yunnan Province. The results will help the implementation of effective control measures, thereby supporting sustainable development of the Chinese sugar industry.

[Effectiveness and safety in bronchoscopy under anesthesia with fentanyl combined with midazolam].

Objective: To study the effectiveness and safety in bronchoscopy under anesthesia with fentanyl combined with midazolam. Methods: We randomly allocated 132 patients( male 69, female 63, median age 62.9 years)requiring bronchoscopy in Beijing Xuanwu Hospital into 2 groups during January 2015 to December 2016.The trial group included 66 patients, receiving fentanyl combined with midazolam for anesthesia, while the control group of 66 patients receiving 2% lidocaine for topical anesthesia.In the trial group, there were 37 males and 29 females, with a median age of 63 years (range 26-82). In the control group, there were 36 males and 30 females, with a median age of 62.8 years (range 30-82). The pulse, mean arterial pressure, and the oxygen saturation of the patients were recorded before anesthesia and 5 minutes after deep anesthesia was reached. Changes of vital signs and adverse reactions during the bronchoscopy were also observed. Results: The fluctuation of pulse(12.3±2.3)/min, mean arterial pressure(5.9±2.2)mmHg(1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) and oxygen saturation(4.4±1.3)%was lower in the trial group as compared to that of the control group, pulse(21.9±1.8)/min, mean arterial pressure(7.1±2.3)mmHg, oxygen saturation(13.3±4.2)%, P<0.001.Five minutes after anesthesia, the pulse(80.0±11.9)/min, the mean arterial pressure(95.0±9.7)mmHg and the oxygen saturation(90.0±5.67)%of patients in the trial group were lower than those in the control group [pulse(90.3±17.0)/min, mean arterial pressure(102.7±12.4)mmHg, oxygen saturation(96.5±3.0)%], the differences being statistically significant(P<0.001). The trial group also showed smaller fluctuation, better tolerance, and fewer adverse reaction sthan the control group. Conclusion: Fentanyl combined with midazolam is safe and effective in bronchoscopy with fewer adverse reactions, but its early effect on the vital signs should be monitored and stricter indications may be needed.

Spectrophotometric determination of microamounts of scandium with o-chlorophenylfluorone and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide.

The reaction of scandium(III) with o-chlorophenylfluorone (o-CIPF) in the presence of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTMAB) has been studied. In an acetate buffer at pH 4.4, a red-purple complex is obtained, with maximum absorption at 569 nm and a molar absorptivity of 1.31 x 10(5)1.mole(-1).cm(-1). The composition of the complex is found to be 1:2:2 Sc-o-CIPF-CTMAB. Beer's law is obeyed over the range 0-12 mug/25 ml scandium. The proposed method has been used for determination of trace scandium in tungsten ores after its prior separation by solvent extraction.

A fast numerical algorithm for electron mean energy calculation in radiation therapy.

A numerical algorithm for calculating the mean energy of radiotherapy electron beams has been developed. This algorithm is fast and accurate which makes it suitable for routine clinical use. First, a Gaussian distribution of the electron energy spectrum is derived from the linear Boltzmann equation. Based on this Gaussian spectrum, and after introducing a correction to the CSDA mean energy, a recursive-iterative algorithm for the mean energy calculation is developed. The multiple-scattering correction is taken into account using Yang's pathlength distribution theory. Numerical results of the present algorithm are compared with the results obtained through Monte Carlo simulation as well as Harder's formula. Good agreement with Monte Carlo simulation is achieved. Also the new algorithm is much more accurate than the commonly-used empirical formula of Harder.

[Inhibition of demand pacemakers by myopotentials and its clinical significance].

Unipolar demand pacemaker myopotential inhibition by 5 different provocative maneuvers was studied in 48 patients with stable pacing rhythm out of 82 patients with unipolar pacemakers from 3 manufacturers implanted over the right pectoralis major to evaluate the incidence of inhibiting phenomenon and its clinical significance. Transient pacing inhibition occurred in 19 (39.6%) of the 48 patients. Among them 3 (30.0%) of 10 patients with Model 28 (EDWARDS), 6 (31.6%) of 19 patients with Model 30 (EDWARDS), 10 (71.4%) of 14 patients with Model 7550 (ELAMEDICAL), and none of the 5 patients with Model P101 (QINMING). The effective maneuvers were the right hand-to-left shoulder press (63.2% positivity), the uprising from a supine position (21.0% positivity) and the hand-to-hand press (15.8% positivity). No pacemaker myopotential inhibition had been induced by Valsalva maneuver and the left hand-to-right shoulder press. 19 patients with positive myopotential inhibition had pauses of pacemaker function lasting from 1.2 to 3.9 seconds, 13 of them with pauses more than 2 seconds. Of all 48 patients, 9 (18.7%) experienced symptoms of cerebral ischemia due to pacemaker myopotential inhibition during test, among whom 8 had ventricular standstill more than 2 seconds. This showed a close relation between symptoms and duration of the pacing inhibition. The causes of the phenomenon and its prevention were briefly discussed.

[Plasma CK-MB activity and QRS score in estimating acute myocardial infarct size].

Comparison of the peak value of plasma isoenzyme MB of creatine kinase (CK-MB) and the modified Selvester QRS score system from the standard 12-lead electrocardiogram in estimating acute myocardial infarct size and predicting hospital prognosis was performed in 52 patients with initial acute myocardial infarction (AMI). A correlation coefficient (C.C.) of 0.51 in all these patients was found. The C.C. in the patients with anterior AMI (n = 22, r = 0.64) is larger than that in inferior AMI (n = 30, r = 0.34). The prognostic value of the two methods are different. Peak CK-MB activity could predict hospital mortality and morbidity (serious arrhythmia or/and Killip AMI classification more than class III) for both anterior and inferior AMI; however, the QRS score system was significant only for anterior AMI. The clinical significance of a high ratio of peak CK-MB activity to QRS score was discussed briefly.

[Serum beta 2-microglobulin determination in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients. An analysis of 139 cases].

Serum beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2-M) was determined in normal adults, patients with chronic nasopharyngeal inflammation and nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) by the radioimmunoassay (RIA). The mean value in normal adults was 2023.85 +/- 454.32 micrograms/L, that in patients with chronic nasopharyngeal inflammation was 3294.65 +/- 1320.89 micrograms/L. The mean value in patients with NPC was significantly higher than those in patients with chronic nasopharyngeal inflammation and normal adults (P < 0.01). But there was not significant difference between mean values of patients with chronic nasopharyngeal inflammation and normal adults (P > 0.05). It is suggested that the RIA of beta 2-M is a useful assay in the diagnosis of NPC.

[Chemical synthesis and characterization of R20A-HWTX-I, a mutant of huwentoxin-I with single residue replacement].

Huwentoxin-I (HWTX-I) is a polypeptide neurotoxin purified from the venom of the spider Selenocosmia huwena. R20A-HWTX-I, a mutant of HWTX-I in which the Arg was replaced by Ala, was synthesized on solid support by using Fmoc chemistry. The synthetic mutant was oxidatively renatured in glutathione-containing buffer, and then isolated by reversed phase and specially designed ion-exchange HPLC. The chemical structure of R20A-HWTX-I was confirmed by amino acid analysis, Edman degradation and MALDI-TOF mass analysis. Physiological experiment showed that the replacement of R20 by a decreased the bioactivity of the HWTX-I by 92%, indicating that R20 is a key residue closely related to the bioactivity of the HWTX-I.

[Serum lipids and apolipoproteins AI, B100, CI and CII in patients with apoplexy].

Serum triglycerides, cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and apolipoproteins (apo) AI, B100. CI and CII were determined and analyzed in 72 apoplectic patients and 64 age-matched normal subjects. Significantly increased triglycerides, low HDL-C and slightly decreased cholesterol levels were found in the apoplectics. Apo AI was slightly decreased and apo B100 slightly increased in the apoplectics compared with normal subjects. Apo CI and CII levels were significantly decreased in the apoplectics. The results are discussed.