Retrospective cohort study on the postoperative survival rate enhancement of patients with colorectal cancer using three traditional Chinese medicine formulations:evidence from 1,361 cases

Background:Prior studies have affirmed the safety and effectiveness of traditional Chinese medicine in treating colorectal cancer patients.However,definitive evidence regarding whether traditional Chinese medicine can significantly enhance the survival of colorectal cancer patients remains elusive.This study seeks to provide conclusive insights by examining the postoperative administration of Xihuang capsules,Pingxiao capsules,and Zilongjin tablets and its impact on the 5-year overall survival(OS)and disease-free survival(DFS)rates among colorectal cancer patients.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted,involving 1,361 patients selected from the medical center.This retrospective study was carried out at a medical center in Tianjin,China.We assessed differences in postoperative OS and DFS between the control group and the medication group using Kaplan–Meier survival analysis and Cox proportional hazards modeling.Additionally,propensity score matching was used to mitigate imbalances in baseline characteristics among patients.Results:Before propensity score matching,Xihuang capsules could prolong the 5-year OS(79.9%vs.81.4%,P=0.0480)and 5-year DFS(74.9%vs.79.5%,P=0.0046)of patients after surgery.Similar conclusions were obtained after propensity score matching:OS(74.8%vs.78.3%,P=0.0084),DFS(72.7%vs.78.9%,P=0.008).Patients taking Pingxiao capsules showed improved 5-year OS(77.2%vs.84.0%,P=0.0383)and 5-year DFS(69.9%vs.80.0%,P=0.0157)after propensity score matching.Patients taking Zilongjin tablets showed improvement in the 2-year OS(84.2%vs.93.1%,P=0.0390)and 1-year DFS(88.2%vs.92.0%,P=0.0320)after propensity score matching.Conclusion:Xihuang capsules and Pingxiao capsules significantly improved the 5-year OS and DFS of patients with colorectal cancer after surgery.Zilongjin tablets showed improvement in the 2-year OS and 1-year DFS after surgery for patients.

Improving treatment plan and mental health in children with abdominal infection for broad-spectrum bacterial infections

BACKGROUND Pediatric abdominal infection is a common but serious disease that requires timely and effective treatment.In surgical treatment,accurate diagnosis and rational application of antibiotics are the keys to improving treatment effects.AIM To investigate the effect of broad-spectrum bacterial detection on postoperative antibiotic therapy.METHODS A total of 100 children with abdominal infection who received surgical treatment in our hospital from September 2020 to July 2021 were grouped.The observation group collected blood samples upon admission and sent them for broad-spectrum bacterial infection nucleic acid testing,and collected pus or exudate during the operation for bacterial culture and drug sensitivity testing;the control group only sent bacterial culture and drug sensitivity testing during the operation.RESULTS White blood cell count,C-reactive protein,procalcitonin,3 days after surgery,showed better postoperative index than the control group(P<0.05).The hospital stay in the observation group was significantly shorter than that in the control group.The hospitalization cost in the observation group was significantly lower than that in the control group,and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant(P<0.05).CONCLUSION Early detection of broad-spectrum bacterial infection nucleic acids in pediatric abdominal infections can help identify pathogens sooner and guide the appropriate use of antibiotics,improving treatment outcomes and reducing medical costs to some extent.

Macrophage-derived SHP-2 inhibits the metastasis of colorectal cancer via Tie2-PI3K signals

This research aimed to explore the influence of Src homology-2 containing protein tyrosine phosphatase(SHP-2)on the functions of tyrosine kinase receptors with immunoglobulin and EGF homology domains 2(Tie2)-expressing monocyte/macrophages(TEMs)and the influence of the angiopoietin(Ang)/Tie2-phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase(PI3K)/protein kinase B(Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR)(Ang/Tie2-PI3K/Akt/mTOR)signaling pathway on the tumor microvascular remodeling in an immunosuppressive microenvironment.In vivo,SHP-2-deficient mice were used to construct colorectal cancer(CRC)liver metastasis models.SHP-2-deficient mice had significantly more metastatic cancer and inhibited nodules on the liver surface than wild-type mice,and the high-level expression of p-Tie2 was found in the liver tissue of the macrophages’specific SHP-2-deficient mice(SHP-2MACKO)+planted tumor mice.Compared with the SHP-2 wild type mice(SHP-2WT)+planted tumor group,the SHP-2MAC-KO+planted tumor group experienced increased expression of p-Tie2,p-PI3K,p-Akt,p-mTOR,vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF),cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2),matrix metalloproteinase 2(MMP2),and MMP9 in the liver tissue.TEMs selected by in vitro experiments were co-cultured with remodeling endothelial cells and tumor cells as carriers.It was found that when Angpt1/2 was used for stimulation,the SHP-2MAC-KO+Angpt1/2 group displayed evident increases in the expression of the Ang/Tie2-PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway.The number of cells passing through the lower chamber and the basement membrane and the number of blood vessels formed by cells compared with the SHP-2WT+Angpt1/2 group,while these indexes were subjected to no changes under the simultaneous stimulation of Angpt1/2+Neamine.To sum up,the conditional knockout of SHP-2 can activate the Ang/Tie2-PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway in TEMs,thereby strengthening tumor micro angiogenesis in the microenvironment and facilitating CRC liver metastasis.

Liver Transplantation Outcomes of HBV-,HCV-,and Alcohol-induced Hepatocellular Carcinoma in the United States:Analysis of National Inpatient Samples

Objective Liver transplantation is a current treatment option for hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).The United States National Inpatient Sample database was utilized to identify risk factors that influence the outcome of liver transplantation,including locoregional recurrence,distant metastasis,and in-hospital mortality,in HCC patients with concurrent hepatitis B infection,hepatitis C infection,or alcoholic cirrhosis.Methods This retrospective cohort study included HCC patients(n=2391)from the National Inpatient Sample database who underwent liver transplantation and were diagnosed with hepatitis B or C virus infection,co-infection with hepatitis B and C,or alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver between 2005 and 2014.Associations between HCC etiology and post-transplant outcomes were examined with multivariate analysis models.Results Liver cirrhosis was due to alcohol in 10.5%of patients,hepatitis B in 6.6%,hepatitis C in 10.8%,and combined hepatitis B and C infection in 24.3%.Distant metastasis was found in 16.7%of patients infected with hepatitis B and 9%of hepatitis C patients.Local recurrence of HCC was significantly more likely to occur in patients with hepatitis B than in those with alcohol-induced disease.Conclusion After liver transplantation,patients with hepatitis B infection have a higher risk of local recurrence and distant metastasis.Postoperative care and patient tracking are essential for liver transplant patients with hepatitis B infection.

结肠癌组织中WWP1、C-myc的表达及临床意义

目的检测WWP1、C-myc在结肠癌组织中的表达,探究其与结肠癌患者病情进展、预后的关系。方法采用免疫组织化学法检测河北北方学院附属第一医院收治的135例结肠癌患者的癌组织、癌旁正常组织中WWP1、C-myc蛋白表达情况,分析癌组织中WWP1、C-myc表达与患者临床病理参数、无进展生存期(PFS)及总生存期(OS)的关系,用Cox回归分析结肠癌预后的危险因素。结果结肠癌组织WWP1、C-myc蛋白阳性表达率高于癌旁正常组织(P<0.05);结肠癌组织WWP1、C-myc蛋白表达受Dukes分期、肿瘤浸润深度及淋巴结转移的影响较大(P<0.05);Kaplan-Meier生存分析表明,结肠癌组织WWP1、C-myc阳性表达患者术后PFS、OS较短(P<0.05);Cox回归分析结果显示,分化程度[RlR=29.203(95%CI:4.759,179.192)]、肿瘤Dukes分期[RlR=16.817(95%CI:2.765,102.271)]、浸润深度[RlR=3.285(95%CI:1.450,7.442)]、淋巴结转移[RlR=18.723(95%CI:4.131,84.861)]、WWP1表达[RlR=11.344(95%CI:3.472,37.060)]及C-myc表达[RlR=12.873(95%CI:3.092,53.592)]为影响结肠癌患者预后的独立危险因素。结论结肠癌组织中WWP1、C-myc异常高表达,且与患者病情恶性进展、预后不良关系密切,WWP1、C-myc可作为预测结肠癌患者预后的参考指标。

Using irrigation intervals to optimize water-use efficiency and maize yield in Xinjiang,northwest China

Worldwide, scarce water resources and substantial food demands require efficient water use and high yield.This study investigated whether irrigation frequency can be used to adjust soil moisture to increase grain yield and water use efficiency(WUE) of high-yield maize under conditions of mulching and drip irrigation.A field experiment was conducted using three irrigation intervals in 2016: 6, 9, and 12 days(labeled D6, D9, and D12) and five irrigation intervals in 2017: 3, 6, 9, 12, and 15 days(D3, D6, D9, D12, and D15).In Xinjiang, an optimal irrigation quota is 540 mm for high-yield maize.The D3, D6, D9, D12, and D15 irrigation intervals gave grain yields of 19.7, 19.1–21.0, 18.8–20.0, 18.2–19.2, and 17.2 Mg ha^-1 and a WUE of 2.48, 2.53–2.80, 2.47–2.63, 2.34–2.45, and 2.08 kg m-3, respectively.Treatment D6 led to the highest soil water storage, but evapotranspiration and soil-water evaporation were lower than other treatments.These results show that irrigation interval D6 can help maintain a favorable soil-moisture environment in the upper-60-cm soil layer, reduce soilwater evaporation and evapotranspiration, and produce the highest yield and WUE.In this arid region and in other regions with similar soil and climate conditions, a similar irrigation interval would thus be beneficial for adjusting soil moisture to increase maize yield and WUE under conditions of mulching and drip irrigation.

Correlation of RUNX3 expression with microvessel density in colorectal adenocarcinoma tissues and clinical significance

Objective: To study the expression of RUNX3 in colorectal adenocarcinoma tissues and its correlation with microvessel density(MVD),and investigate the clinical pathological prognostic significance of RUNX3 and MVD in patients with colorectal cancer,Methods: The expression value of RUNX3 and MVD in 70 specimens' colorectal adenocarcinoma tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry staining technique,The correlation between their expression and the clinicopathologic features was also investigated,Results: The expression value of RUNX3 and the positive rates of RUNX3 in colorectal adenocarcinoma tissues were 3.25±1.14 and 25.71%(18/70),The expression value of MVD in colorectal adenocarcinoma tissues was 13.14±3.23,Expression of RUNX3 and MVD value were correlated with CEA,serosal invasion,liver metastasis,lymph node metastasis,and TNM stage(P<0.01),The expression value of RUNX3 had negative correlations with that of MVD,Conclusions: The high expression of RUNX3 could inhibit tumor microvascular generation in order to have negative control response on invasion and distant metastasis.

参照点理论下的财政支出与城乡义务教育满意度——基于CGSS2015的数据分析

近年来,农村义务教育发展迅速,但其供给质量还远不及城市。然而,农村居民对义务教育供给的满意度评价却高于城市居民。这表明,城乡居民对义务教育供给的关注点可能存在不同。为了实现“精准”供给,本文基于参照点理论,使用省级及县(区)级与微观个体样本的嵌套数据,通过建立定序逻辑回归模型,解释了城乡居民对义务教育供给满意度评价的影响因素。实证结果显示,对义务教育供给进行满意度评价时,城市居民倾向于与相邻县(区)进行比较,而农村居民则更倾向于与自身过去进行比较。基于上述结果,今后城乡义务教育供给应考虑城乡居民对义务教育满意度评价参照点的差异,在注重对农村义务教育供给质量提升的同时,注意平衡各县(区)间义务教育供给水平。

Correlation of caveolin-1 expression with microlymphatic vessel density in colorectal adenocarcinoma tissues and its correlation with prognosis

Objective: To study the expression of caveolin-1 in colorectal adenocarcinoma tissues and its correlation with microlymphatic vessel density(LMVD), and to investigate the clinical pathological prognostic significance of caveolin-1 and LMVD in patients with colorectal cancer. Methods: The expression of caveolin-1 and LMVD in 45 specimens of normal colorectal tissues, and 90 specimens of colorectal adenocarcinoma tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry technique. The correlation between their expression and the clinicopathologic features was analyzed. Muhivariable Cox regression was used to analyze the association between the laboratory indices and overall survival time. Results: The positive rates of caveolin-1 in colorectal adenocarcinoma tissues were significantly higher than those in normal colorectal tissues(P<0.01). LMVD in colorectal adenocarcinoma tissues were significantly higher than those in normal colorectal tissues(P<0.01). Mean LMVD in group with caveolin-1 positive was significantly higher than in that with caveolin-1 negative. The median survival time was 26.7 months. Cox regression analysis showed that the caveolin-1 expression, invation depth, lymph nodemetastasis, TNM stage, liver metastasis and LMVD were independent risk factors of overall survival time of patients with colorectal carcinoma. Conclusions: Caveolin-1 may contribute to the lymphangiogenesis in the tumor. During the occurrence and development of colorectal adenocarcinoma, there is a close relationship between the expression of caveolin-1 and lymphatic microvessel of tumor. Caveolin-1 expression and microlymphatic vessel density are significant prognostic value of colorectal carcinoma.

Effects of lilalutine on blood glucose, lipid, blood pressure and carotid plaque in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus complicated with atherosclerosis

Objective: To evaluate the clinical effect of Lilalutide in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus with atherosclerosis and its effects on blood glucose, blood lipid, blood pressure and carotid plaque. Methods: 82 patients with type 2 diabetes complicated with atherosclerosis who were treated in our hospital from March 2017 to August 2018 were selected. The patients were randomly divided into control group and observation group with 41 cases in each group. All patients were given diet and exercise intervention and oral statins. On this basis, the control group was treated with metformin, the observation group was treated with Liraglutide, and the two groups were treated continuously for 6 months. The fasting blood glucose (FPG), postprandial blood glucose (2hPG), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein (LDL-C), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), Body mass index (BMI), body mass, waist circumference, and carotid plaque (soft plaque, flat plaque, hard plaque, mixed plaque) were observed before and after treatment. The curative effect and the incidence of major adverse reactions between the two groups were compared. Results: The total effective rate of the observation group was higher than that of the control group. After treatment, the 2hPG, HbA1c and FPG in the observation group were lower than those in the control group;the TG, TC and LDL-C were lower than those in the control group, while HDL-C was higher than that in the control group;the SBP and DBP were lower than those in the control group. the body mass, waist circumference and BMI were lower than those of control group;the IMT was lower than that in the control group;plaque detection rate was lower than that in the control group. There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups. Conclusion: Liraglutide is effective in treating type 2 diabetes mellitus with atherosclerosis. It has obvious advantages in improving blood sugar, blood lipid, blood pressure and weight control, and does not increase adverse drug reactions. It is worthy of clinical application.

Effect of Family Nutrition Therapy on Elderly Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Objective:The aim of the study was to explore the influence of family enteral nutrition support on nutritional status,lung function,activity tolerance and quality of life in elderly patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD)in stable stage and malnutrition.Methods:A prospective observational study of COPD and malnutrition in the geriatric department of our hospital,control group(n=82)and intervention group n=82).The control group was treated with conventional diet,and the intervention group was treated with conventional diet and enteral nutrition suspension.One month later,observe the nutrition indicators,lung function,exercise tolerance and quality of life.Results:(1)BMI and ALB were higher than control group(t=10.465,6.189,P<0.05),TP and Hb had no change,(t=1.310,1.302,P>0.05).(2)FVC,FEV1,FEV1/FVC,FEV1%were higher than control group(t=11.999,19.654,13.418,16.924,P<0.05).(3)the quality of life symptom score,activity score,influence score and total score were lower than control group(t=15.303,6.773,23.600,14.766,P<0.05),and 6MWT were higher than control group(t=111.962,P<0.05).Conclusion:Oral enteral nutritioncan improve the nutritional status,lung function,activity tolerance and quality of life of elderly patients with COPD in stable stage and malnutrition.It can be a early,safe and effective nutritional support strategy for COPD patients with malnutrition。

Effects of psychological intervention on glucose metabolism in patients with type 2 diabetes mel?itus accompanying depression in community

Objective: To explore the effect of psychological intervention on glucose metabolism in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) accompanying depression in community. Methods: Four hundred and ten cases of T2DM patients in the Community Health Service Center of Friendship Office (Bao-tou) were chosen as the research objects. The evaluation and analysis were made according to Zung self-rating depression scale (SDS), and 176 cases of T2DM patients with depression were found out in the community. 176 cases of T2DM patients with depression were divided into the experimental group and the control group by use of random number table, with 88 cases in each group. The control group was treated with conventional therapy, while the experimental group was given psychological intervention treatment on the basis of conventional therapy. After 3-month psychological intervention, fasting blood glucose (FPG), two-hour postprandial blood glucose (PG2h), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and Zung self-rating Depression Scale (SDS) were measured in two groups. In two months after psychological intervention stopped, the follow-up was conducted to determine the levels of FPG, PG2h and HbA1c, and to assess the level of depression and quality of life. Statistical analysis was performed by use of SPSS 17.0 statistical software. Results: After 3-month psychological intervention, the levels of FPG, PG2h and HbA1c in the experimental group were sig-nificantly lower than those in the control group, the depression index was significantly lower than that in the control group as well, the difference was statistically significant (p < .01). In two months after psychological intervention stopped, glucose metabolism indicators in the experimental group were significantly lower than those in the control group;the depression index was dramatically lower than that in the control group, the difference was of statistical significance (p < .01). Conclusions: Psychological intervention can effectively improve the depression symptoms and glucose metabolism indicators in T2DM patients with depression in community, but it needs a long-term persistence.

Relationship of plasma homocysteine, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1, high mobility group box 1 protein with carotid intima-media thickness in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Objective:To explore the relationship of plasma homocysteine(Hcy),soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1(sICAM-1)and high mobility group box 1 protein(HMGB1)with carotid intima-media thickness(c-IMT)in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.Methods:A total of 100 elderly patients who were diagnosed as type 2 diabetes mellitus in Baogang Hospital of Inner Mongolia from June 2017 to May 2020 were chosen as research objects.According to c-IMT,they were divided into the normal group(n=35),the mild to moderate group(n=41)and the severe group(n=24).The expression levels of plasma Hcy,sICAM-1 and HMGB1 were compared between groups respectively.Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to analyze the relationship of plasma Hcy,sICAM-1,HMGB1 with c-IMT.Results:The comparison in plasma Hcy,sICAM-1,HMGB1 and c-IMT among the three groups of patients was of statistical significance(p<.05).The results of correlation analysis showed that the expression levels of plasma Hcy,sICAM-1 and HMGB1 were positively correlated with c-IMT in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(r=.627,.598,.614;p<.05).Conclusions:The expression levels of plasma Hcy,sICAM-1 and HMGB1 are abnormally increased in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus,and related to c-IMT,which can provide a strong evidence for clinical diagnosis and treatment by detecting their levels in clinical practice.

Study on the correlation between abdominal infection and psychological stress in children based on nucleic acid detection

BACKGROUND Diagnosing and treating abdominal infection in children remains a challenge.Nucleic acid detection,as a rapid and accurate diagnosis tool,has great significance in this field.AIM To investigate the diagnosis and treatment of abdominal infection by nucleic acid detection and its possible correlation with psychological stress in children.METHODS A total of 50 pediatric patients diagnosed with abdominal infections between September 2020 and July 2021 were included in this study.Intra-abdominal pus samples were collected for pathogen culture,drug susceptibility testing,and broad-spectrum bacterial nucleic acid testing.Psychological stress,anxiety,depression,and coping styles were assessed using the coping with a disease(CODI)scale.RESULTS Based on susceptibility testing,a regimen of cefazoxime,piperacillin/tazobactam,and metronidazole or ornidazole achieved 100%effectiveness in treating appendicitis.Psychological assessments revealed a positive correlation between pressure level and both anxiety(r=0.324,P=0.001)and depressive disorders(r=0.325,P<0.001).Acceptance and distancing as coping strategies were negatively correlated with anxiety and depression,while negative emotional responses were strongly associated with increased anxiety(r=0.574,P<0.001)and depression(r=0.511,P=0.001).Coping strategies such as illusion and escape showed no significant correlation with emotional outcomes.CONCLUSION Nucleic acid testing helps in the diagnosis of abdominal infections in children,and also focuses on children's mental health.

Association between large artery stenosis,cerebral small vessel disease and risk of ischemic stroke

We aimed to assess the associations of large artery stenosis(LAS)and cerebral small vessel disease(CSVD)with the risk of ischemic stroke and to investigate their respective and combined contributions.In the prospective population-based Shunyi Study,1,082 stroke-free participants aged 55.9±9.1 years were included.Participants were followed for incident stroke throughout the study period(2013-2019).Total small vessel disease score was used to measure CSVD burden.Cervico-cerebral large artery stenosis was evaluated via brain magnetic resonance angiography and carotid ultrasound.We estimated the risk of ischemic stroke in relation to LAS and CSVD with Cox regression models.During a mean follow-up of 4.2 years,34 participants(3.1%)experienced at least one ischemic stroke.Severe LAS(≥50% stenosis versus no stenosis:HR=3.27(95%CI:1.31-8.18))and high CSVD burden(total small vessel disease score 2-4 versus 0 point:HR=12.73(4.83-33.53))were associated with increased stroke risk independently.In multivariate models,CSVD burden(7.72%)explained a larger portion of the variation in stroke risk than severity of LAS(3.49%).Our findings identified that both LAS and CSVD were associated with future ischemic stroke in asymptomatic subjects,while those with high CSVD burden deserve more attention in primary prevention of stroke.

Renal Phospholipase A2 Receptor and the Clinical Features of Idiopathic Membranous Nephropathy

Background： According to the renal phospholipase A2 receptor （PLA2R） immunohistochemistry, idiopathic membranous nephropathy （iMN） could be categorized into PLA2R-associated and non-PLA2R-associated iMN. This study aimed to examine whether the non-PLA2R-associated iMN had any difference in clinical features compared with PLA2R-associated iMN. Methods： A total of 231 adult patients diagnosed as iMN were recruited to this retrospective study. Renal PLA2R expression was examined by immunofluorescence. Among these patients, 186 （80.5%） with complete baseline clinical data were used for further study. Urinary protein excretion, serum albumin, and creatinine were analyzed. For those patients with follow-up longer than 1 year, the relationship between PLA2R and response to immunosuppressants were analyzed. The t-test was used for parametric analysis and the Mann-Whitney U-test was used for nonparametric analysis. Categorical variables were described as frequencies or percentages, and the data were analyzed with Pearson＇s Chi-squaxe test or Fisher＇s exact test. Results： Of the 231 iMN patients, 189 showed renal detectable PLA2R expression （81.8%）. The baseline serum creatinine, serum albumin, and urine protein excretion were not significantly different between PLA2R-associated （n = 145） and non-PLA2R-associated iMN patients （n = 41）. However, about 1/3 of the non-PLA2R-associated iMN had abnormal serological tests, significantly more common than PLA2R-associated iMN （31.7% vs. 8.3%, P = 0.000）. The non-PLA2R-associated iMN had lower C4 levels compared with PLA2R-associated iMN （P = 0.004）. The non-PLA2R-associated iMN patients also showed a better response to immunosuppressants （complete remission [CR] 42.9%; partial remission [PR] 14.3%） compared with PLA2R-associated iMN （CR 3.2%; PR 48.4%, P = 0.004） at the 3rd month. Conclusions： There were no significant differences in serum creatinine, albumin, and urine protein excretion between PLA2R-associated and non-PLA2R-associated iMN, while the non-PLA2R-associated iMN patients showed more abnormal serological tests. The non-PLA2R-associated iMN seemed to respond more quickly to the immunosuppressive therapy compared with P LA2R-associated iMN.

Evaluation of grain breakage sensitivity of maize varieties mechanically-harvested by combine harvester

A high grain breakage rate is the main problem that occurs during mechanical maize harvest in China.The breakage sensitivity of different varieties was significantly different,and the breakage resistance is heritable.Therefore,breakage resistant variety screening can help improve the field production efficiency and provide references for breeding work.In this study,42 varieties of maize were harvested with the same mechanical parameters and the same manipulator on a range of harvest dates at experimental stations in Xinxiang,Henan Province,in 2017 and Changji,Xinjiang Province,in 2018 to determine the sensitivity of grain moisture content on grain breakage rate during machine harvest for different varieties.The integral value of the grain breakage rate curve corresponding to the range of 15%to 30%grain moisture content was used as an index that expressed the sensitivity of maize grains to breakage depending on grain moisture content(BSW).Forty-two varieties were categorized as having weak,intermediate,or strong BSW.Among the same four varieties in the two stations,Lianchuang 825 and Lianchuang 808 were classified as sensitive and fragile varieties,Shandan 650 was classified as an intermediate variety,Zeyu 8911 was divided into weak sensitive and breakage-resistance varieties in Xinxiang and intermediate varieties in Changji.The BSW classification results at the two experimental sites were generally consistent,indicating that breakage sensitivity due to moisture content may be a relatively stable genetic characteristic.This study suggested that the integral method for determining BSW can be used to assess the resistance of different maize varieties to grain breakage during mechanical harvesting.The integral method was used to identify twelve breakage-resistant varieties in Xinxiang Station,and six breakage-resistant varieties in Changji Station.This study provides a method for screening maize varieties that are suited to mechanical grain harvesting and for studying the mechanisms of grain breakage resistance.

Analysis of factors affecting the impurity rate of mechanically-harvested maize grain in China

The grain impurity rate is an important index for assessing the quality of mechanical maize harvesting.Therefore,it is of great significance to clarify the current situation of maize impurity rate and study the factors that affect the impurity rate in order to promote the development of mechanical maize harvesting technology.From 2012 to 2019,a total of 2504 maize impurity rate measurements were obtained.The results showed that the average impurity rate at maize harvest was 1.18%in China,in which the Huang-Huai-Hai summer maize area was 1.68%,which was significantly higher than the 0.65%in the Northwest spring maize area and 0.77%in the North China spring maize area.There was a significant positive correlation between the impurity rate and the moisture content of the maize harvest.The average moisture content of maize at harvest in Huang-Huai-Hai summer maize area was the highest at 27.55%,which was the main reason for the high impurity rate in this area.When harvesting different varieties with the same moisture content,there were significant differences in the impurity rate between different varieties.The cob hardness of the variety may also affect the impurity rate of maize.Different harvesters and weather conditions during harvesting are also important factors affecting the impurity rate.Therefore,by breeding fast dehydrated varieties and harvesting maize in time,the impurity rate of maize during mechanical harvesting can be effectively reduced.

Review of combine harvester losses for maize and influencing factors

The high harvest losses associated with the mechanical harvesting of maize in China are currently a major barrier to the adoption of this technology.This paper summarizes works of literature regarding harvest losses from the combine harvesting of maize in China and abroad.The main findings are as follows:(1)In 2012-2019,2987 samples data obtained from the major maize production areas of China showed that the average harvest loss was 345.2 kg/hm2(3.5%of the average yield),with losses ranging from 0 to 9288.5 kg/hm2;(2)The harvest losses from combine harvesting are mainly caused by the dropping of ears.The ear losses include the pre-harvest loss caused by ear abscission,damage caused by maize borer,lodging,and the ear loss during combine harvesting,and the main pre-harvest loss is caused by lodging;(3)Harvest losses are affected by maize variety,planting mode,cultivation management,pests and diseases,weather conditions during harvesting,harvest date,combine harvester type,harvester adjustment,operator proficiency,and the terrain conditions of the maize field;(4)The harvest losses from combine harvesting are also related to the type of header,feeding and threshing methods,the adjustment of header stripping clearance,feeding amount,forward speed,cylinder or rotor speed,and the clearance between the cylinder and the concave of the harvester.However,the combine losses mainly come from header losses.In order to reduce the harvest losses,the following solutions were proposed:(1)Breed and select maize varieties which are resistant to lodging,especially during the field drying of mature grains,as well as those resistant to maize borer and stalk rot;(2)Select varieties suitable for grain harvest-which requires matching the accumulated-temperature demand of the maize hybrids,optimal plant density,row spacing,and irrigation and fertilizer management with the light and heat conditions of the production area while cultivating uniform populations and healthy plants-as well as preventing and controlling damage from maize borer,stalk rot,and ear rot,harvesting at the appropriate time;(3)Develop and select advanced maize combine harvesters,formulate standardized operating procedures for harvesting machinery,and standardize field operation;(4)select appropriate agricultural machinery and agronomic practices,and improve the training of maize producers and harvester operators.