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.

Clinical application of artificial dura mater to avoid cerebrospinal fluid leaks after microvascular decompression surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Although technological advances combined with many surgical innovations have helped to minimize its occurrence, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak still remains to be one of the most common postoperative complications following microvascular decompression (MVD) surgeries. The objectives of this study are 1) to detail our experience with the clinical application of artificial dura mater for the avoidance of CSF leaks in a group of 103 patients who underwent MVD surgeries and 2) to compare the results of CSF leak and deep wound infection between the group with and one without using artificial dura mater. METHODS: From July, 2002 to June, 2004 217 consecutive patients who underwent MVD surgeries for hemifacial spasm or trigeminal neuralgia in our center were enrolled into this study. Among them, 103 patients underwent the application of artificial dura mater (Neuro-patch) in the surgical closure procedure to prevent postoperative CSF leak. The handling techniques were detailed and the postoperative results were evaluated. The follow-up period was at least 6 months. RESULTS: No postoperative CSF leak occurred in the group of patients receiving artificial dura mater whereas 6 cases of CSF leak (2 otorrhea, 2 rhinorrea and 2 CSF wound leak) were found in the group not receiving artificial dura mater. There was no statistical difference of wound infection rates found between these two groups, 1.9 % vs. 2.6 %. CONCLUSIONS: The use of the artificial dura mater in the closure procedure of MVD surgery seems to be a safe and effective way to prevent CSF leaks. However, further investigations on a larger number of cases still need to be done to substantiate its validity.