A Preliminary Survey on Pest of Bamboo in Yunnan Province

In order to improve the development step of bamboo industry, the pest investigation was done in Yunnan Province from 2000, and 1 500 specimens were collected. Basing on the investigation and the date of recordation, there had 224 species pests, belonging to 7 orders and 49 families. Among the pest, most done harm to the bamboo slightly, except Omphisa sp., Pantana phyllostachysae and Cyrtotrachelus buqueti. The disease and pest of bamboo should be investigated in whole province systematically.

绑票者的真正面目

在一个黑漆漆的夜晚，某市G董事长的儿子被绑票了．绑匪开口要5万美元赎金!

High-definition colonoscopy with i-Scan:Better diagnosis for small polyps and flat adenomas

AIM： To investigate if high-definition （HD） colonoscope with i-Scan gave a higher detection rate of mucosal le- sions vs standard white-light instruments. METHODS： Data were collected from the computer- ized database of the endoscopy unit of our tertiary referral center. We retrospectively analyzed 1101 con- secutive colonoscopies that were performed over 1 year with standard white-light （n = 849） or HD＋ with i-Scan （n = 252） instruments by four endoscopists, in an outpatient setting. Colonoscopy records included patients＇ main details and family history for colorectal cancer, indication for colonoscopy （screening, diagnos- tic or surveillance）, type of instrument used （standard white-light or HD＋ plus i-Scan）, name of endoscopist and bowel preparation. Records for each procedure included whether the cecum was reached or not and the reason for failure, complications during or imme- diately after the procedure, and number, size, location and characteristics of the lesions. Polyps or protruding lesions were defined as sessile or pedunculated, and nonprotruding lesions were defined according to Paris classification. For each lesion, histological diagnosis was recorded. RESULTS： Eight hundred and forty-nine colonosco- pies were carried with the standard white-light video colonoscope and 252 with the HD＋ plus i-Scan video colonoscope, The four endoscopists did 264, 300, 276 and 261 procedures, respectively; 21.6%, 24.0%, 21.7% and 24.1% of them with the HD＋ plus i-Scan technique. There were no significant differences be- tween the four endoscopists in either the number of procedures done or the proportions of each imaging technique used. Both techniques detected one or more mucosal lesions in 522/1101 procedures （47.4%）. The overall number of lesions recognized was 1266; 645 in the right colon and 621 in the left. A significantly higher number of colonoscopies recognized lesions in the HD＋ plus i-Scan mode （171/252 = 67.9%） than with the standard white-light technique （408/849 = 48.1%） （P 〈 0.0001）. HD＋ with i-Scan colonoscopies identified more lesions than standard white-light imag- ing （459/252 and 807/849, P 〈 0.0001）, in the right or left colon （mean ：1： SD, 1.62±1.36 vs 1.33±0.73, P 〈 0.003 and 1.55±0.98 vs 1.17±0.93, P = 0.033）, more lesions 〈 10 mm （P 〈 0.0001） or nonprotruding （P 〈 0.022）, and flat polyps （P = 0.04）. The cumulative mean number of lesions per procedure detected by the four endoscopists was significantly higher with HD＋ with i-Scan than with standard white-light imaging （1.82 ± 2.89 vs 0.95± 1.35, P 〈 0.0001）. CONCLUSION： HD imaging with i-Scan during the withdrawal phase of colonoscopy significantly increased the detection of colonic mucosal lesions, particularly small and nonprotruding polyps.

Charles Dickens： Eye-Witness to Victorian Britain

Charles Dickens rose to fame as a novelist because he described society in early Victorian Britain both accurately and evocatively. That skill came about through his work as a journalist, and his many first-hand experiences of events. He continued throughout his life to report on major incidents and newsworthy items, and was able to use those reports as the factual basis of his novels. His experiences of the railways were especially important, and he made great use of them in his novels such as Dombey and Son. Later expereiences included his own involvement in a railway disaster, at Staplehurst in 1865, a major trauma which led him to include the accident at the end of Our Mutual Friend, and led him to write a timely ghost story, The Signalman. No doubt he would have used more such reports had he lived to fulfill his ambitions.

A review of the geomechanics aspects of a double fatality coal burst at Austar Colliery in NSW,Australia in April 2014

A coal burst occurred on 15 April, 2014 at the Austar Coal Mine, located west of Newcastle, NSW,Australia. The burst resulted in fatal injuries to two men working as part of the mining crew at the development face. At the time, a continuous miner was being used to mine a longwall development gate road through heavily structured coal, at a depth of approximately 550 m. A number of pre-cursor bumps had occurred on previous shifts, emanating from the coal ribs of the roadway, in proximity to the coal face.This paper reviews the geological, geotechnical and mining conditions and circumstances leading up to the coal burst event; and presents and discusses the available evidence and possible interpretations relating to the geomechanical behaviour mechanisms that may have been critical factors in this incident. The paper also discusses some key technical and operational considerations of ground support systems and mining practices and strategies needed for operating in such conditions in the future.

Quality of life among Syrian patients with war-related lower limb amputation at the Military Hospital in Lattakia

Purpose:To describe the quality of life(QOL)of Syrian people with lower limb amputation after the war.Methods:A cross-sectional study conducted at the Military Hospital in Lattakia,from May to August 2019.A convenience sample of 65 adult males who had previously undergone amputation of a lower limb was included in this study.Participants'data were collected including age,marital status,employment,time since amputation,level of amputation,type of amputation and the use of assistive devices.The QOL was measured using the World Health Organization Quality of Life Brief Version(WHO QOL-BREF).Data analysis was done by using SPSS version 20.Results:Forty(61.5%)of subjects were between age of 40-60.Below knee and unilateral lower-limb amputees formed the highest number 52(80.0%)and 51(78.5%)respectively.The mean scores of environment,physical health,psychological,and social relationships domains of QOL were 15.86,15.18,14.66,and 6.64,respectively.There were statistically significant differences in various domains of QOL between groups with different status of employment,financial support,amputated lower limb,duration since amputation,and cause of amputation(P<0.05).Conclusion:There is a need to pay attention to experiences and the quality of life among Syrian patients with war-related amputation.

Results of National Colorectal Cancer Screening Program in Croatia(2007-2011)

AIM:To study the epidemiologic indicators of uptake and characteristic colonoscopic findings in the Croatian National Colorectal Cancer Screening Program.METHODS:Colorectal cancer(CRC) was the second leading cause of cancer mortality in men(n = 1063,49.77/100 000),as well as women(n = 803,34.89/100 000) in Croatia in 2009.The Croatian National CRC Screening Program was established by the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare,and its implementation started in September,2007.The coordinators were recruited in each county institute of public health with an obligation to provide fecal occult blood testing(FOBT) to the participants,followed by colonoscopy in all positive cases.The FOBT was performed by hypersensitive guaiac-based Hemognost card test(Biognost,Zagreb).The test and short questionnaire were delivered to the home addresses of all citizens aged 50-74 years consecutively during a 3-year period.Each participant was required to complete the questionnaire and send it together with the stool specimen on three test cards back to the institute for further analysis.About 4% FOBT positive cases are expected in normal risk populations.A descriptive analysis was performed.RESULTS:A total of 1 056 694 individuals(born between 1933-1945 and 1952-1957) were invited to screening by the end of September 2011.In total,210 239(19.9%) persons returned the envelope with a completed questionnaire,and 181 102 of them returned it with a correctly placed stool specimen on FOBT cards.Until now,12 477(6.9%),FOBT-positive patients have been found,which is at the upper limit of the expected values in European Guidelines for Quality Assurance in CRC Screening and Diagnosis [European Union(EU) Guidelines].Colonoscopy was performed in 8541 cases(uptake 66%).Screening has identified CRC in 472 patients(5.5% of colonoscopied,3.8% of FOBT-positive,and 0.26% of all screened individuals).This is also in the expected range according to EU Guidelines.Polyps were found and removed in 3329(39% of colonoscopied) patients.The largest number of polyps were found in the left half of the colon:64%(19%,37% and 8% in the rectum,sigma,and descendens,respectively).The other 36% were detected in the proximal part(17% in the transverse colon and 19% in ceco-ascending colon).Small polyps in the rectum(5-10 mm in diameter),sigmoid and descending colon were histologically found to be tubular adenomas in 60% of cases,with a low degree of dysplasia,and 40% were classified as hyperplastic.Polyps of this size in the transverse or ceco-ascending colon in almost 20% had a histologically villous component,but still had a low degree of dysplasia.Polyps sized 10-20 mm in diameter were in 43% cases tubulovillous,and among them,32% had areas with a high degree of dysplasia,especially those polyps in the cecoascending or transverse part.The characteristics of the Croatian CRC Screening National Program in the first 3 years were as follows:relatively low percentage of returned FOBT,higher number of FOBT-positive persons but still in the range for population-based programs,and higher number of pathologic findings(polyps and cancers).CONCLUSION:These results suggest a need for intervention strategies that include organizational changes and educational activities to improve awareness of CRC screening usefulness and increase participation rates.

The Usefulness of the SMEs＇ Accounting Information

This study investigates the perceived usefulness of selected accounting information presented in the financial statements of small- and medium-sized enterprises （SMEs）. Mailed questionnaires were sent to SMEs＇ owner and loan officers in Malaysia. The findings show that the SMEs＇ owners and loan officers have substantially similar views on the usefulness of the accounting information. In addition, this study has found that the academic qualification and time spent in reading the financial statement have significant relationships with the SMEs＇ owners＇ perceptions on the usefulness of the SMEs＇ accounting information, whereas types of business organization, awareness about financial reporting regulation, and level of understanding of the financial statements do not. On the other hand, for the loan officers, accouting expertise, year in position, and awareness about the financial reporting regulation do not have a significant relationship with the loan officers＇ perceptions on the usefulness of the SMEs＇ accounting information. Meanwhile, experience in assessing SMEs＇ financial statements has a significantly negative relationship with the loan officers＇ perceptions on the usefulness of the SMEs＇ accounting information. The results of this study may enable the SMEs＇ managers to realize the informational needs of the users of their financial statements.

Screening Programs for Cervical Cancer： Investigation ＂SWOT＂ in Calabria

（Screening programs for cervical cancer： a ＂SWOT＂ investigation in the Calabria Region）---The low adherence to screening programs for cervical cancer in Calabria, was analyzed by performing a SWOT analysis with concerned health professionals. The survey shows that screening organized in Calabria is active and well regulated, the human and financial resources are scarce and the healthcare management has paid little attention to the prevention of women＇s cancers. In the perspective of a necessary improvement of the regional system of screening, it would be appropriate to enable promotion strategies and more effective communication, overcoming possible cultural factors hindering.

Dietary supplementation of some antioxidants against hypoxia

The present study aims to clarify the protective effect of supplementation with some antioxidants,such as idebenone(200 mg/kg,ip),melatonin(10 mg/kg,ip) and arginine(200 mg/kg,ip) and their combination,on liver function(T.protein,albumin,alanine aminotransferase,aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase),energetic parameters(adenosine triphosphate,adenosine diphosphate,adenosine monophosphate,inorganic phosphate,total adenylate,adenylate energy charge and potential phosphate).The effect on glycolytic and glycogenolytic enzymes(glucose,glycogen,glycogen phosphorylase,pyruvate kinase and phosphofructokinase against hypoxia) was also studied.The drugs were administered 24 and 1 h prior sodium nitrite intoxication.All biochemical parameters were estimated 1 h after sodium nitrite injection.Injection of sodium nitrite(75 mg/kg,sc) produced a significant disturbance in all biochemical parameters of liver function,energetic parameters and glycolytic and glycogenolytic enzymes.Hepatic damage was confirmed by histopathological examination of the liver as compared to controls.The marked changes in hepatic cells induced by sodium nitrite were completely abolished by pretreatment with the drug combination,suggesting potential protection against sodium nitrite-induced hypoxia.It could be concluded that a combination of both idebenone and melatonin or idebenone and arginine provides potential protection against sodium nitrite-induced hypoxia by improving biochemical parameters and preserving liver histology.

Economic Implications of Poor Power Quality

Poor power quality is really becoming an increasing phenomenon. Studies revealed that most companies, particularly multinationals in Nigeria, do not pay enough attention to the effects of poor power quality on their plant and equipment, and let the economic implications alone. The result is high production and maintenance cost. Findings also revealed that these companies loose an average of $50,000 annually owing to equipment damage （such as variable speed drives） caused by poor power quality. This paper focuses on the need for continuous monitoring and management of poor power quality disturbance parameters and the cost for economic implications of no addressing power quality issues.

Seroprevalence of Porcine Cysticercosis and Associated Risk Factors in Pigs Slaughtered in Abattoirs in Thika, Kiambu County, Kenya

Taenia solium is an important food-bome pathogen worldwide and is emerging as a serious public health risk in both rural and urban communities where pigs are raised and consumed. Adult tapeworms are found in the intestines of humans while the developmental larval forms occur in the muscles and organs constituting cysticercosis of pigs and humans. Cysticercosis has a worldwide distribution, mainly related to poor hygiene and sanitation and consumption of infected pork. Pigs get infected through consumption of food and contaminated with human faeces containg eggs. In recent years pork consumption has increased with the opening up of pork eating centres. Porcine cysticercosis has previously been reported in Kenya, however, there are scarce data on the occurrence of the disease, as well as on the risk factors for transmission, in key production and consumption areas including Thika. The purpose of the study was to determine the seroprevalence of porcine cysticercosis in slaughtered pigs and associated risk factors for occurrence of the disease in selected abattoirs in Thika. Systematic random sampling was used to select a total of 276 pigs. The source of the slaughter pigs was derived fi＇om the movement permits, the breed, sex and estimation of age was done at ante mortem examination. The slaughter and meat inspection processes were carried out by the slaughter house personnel and the investigators only observed and received the outcome of the inspection. Blood samples were collected fi＇om each identified pig at slaughter, processed and analyzed using purified Taenia solium antigen ELISA commercial kit. The results meat inspection showed that none of the pigs in this study had any visible cysts whereas 4.35% of the pigs were seropositive which poses public health risk.

Empirical study on factors motivating business students to move to the entrepreneurial sector

This exploratory study is attempting to examine how employable individuals turn their focus to start-ups. Today, majority of employees still practice a more or less self-protective strategy. In this paper the authors have reported the results of an empirical study of factors motivating degreed potential employees to move to self-enterprising. The deciding factors to become an entrepreneur and of sustainable employment-oriented factors are analyzed in order to discover how they differ. Participants consisted of 200 students from Malaysia entered final year of business undergraduate and postgraduate programs. Self-administered questionnaires were used to gather data on factors and types of relationships influencing career choice and entrepreneurial intention. The results will serve as a basis for improvement of employment practices and promising entrepreneurial curriculum in universities to support start-ups in creating sustainable businesses.

Clinical utility,safety and tolerability of capsule endoscopy in urban Southeast Asian population

AIM:Capsule endoscopy has demonstrated its clinical utility in the evaluation of small bowel pathology in several Western studies.In this prospective study,we aimed to determine the clinical utility,safety and tolerability of capsule endoscopy in the evaluation of suspected small bowel disease in an urban Southeast Asian population. METHODS:We used the given (M2A) capsule endoscopy system in 16 consecutive patients with suspected small bowel pathology.In 9 patients the indication was obscure gastrointestinal bleeding,while in 6 patients it was to determine the extent of small bowel involvement in Crohn's disease.One patient underwent capsule endoscopy for evaluation of chronic abdominal pain.Patient's tolerability to the procedure was evaluated by standardized questionnaires and all patients were reviewed at one week to ensure that the capsule had been excreted without any adverse events. RESULTS:Abnormal findings were present in 8 patients (50%).The cause of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding was determined in 5 out of 9 patients.Findings included 2 cases of angiodysplasia,2 cases of jejunal ulcers and 1 case of both angiodysplasia and jejunal ulcer.One patient had small bowel erosions and loci of erythema of doubtful significance. Ileal lesions were diagnosed in 2 out of 6 patients with Crohn's disease.Capsule endoscopy was well tolerated by all patients.One patient with Crohn's disease had a complication of capsule retention due to terminal ileum stricture.The capsule eventually passed out spontaneously after i month. CONCLUSION:Our study,which represented the first Asian series,further confirms the diagnostic utility,safety and tolerability of wireless capsule endoscopy.

Histological Study of the Therapy in the Essential Oil of Laurusnobilis L. from the West Algerian in Rats Wistar Infected

Laurusnobilis L. is an aromatic plant, widespread in Algeria and widely used by local people as a source of spice for its medicinal properties. The essential oil of this plant native to western Algeria is the subject of the study. The extraction of the essential oil was carded by steam distillation, the yield obtained from the leaves （1.5%）, Wister rats male weight between 100 g and 80 g were infected with Salmonella then treated with anessential oil of Laurusnobilis L.. After sacrifice of the rats, histological examination of the intestines and internal organ （liver and spleen） shows the therapy of this magic plant--＂Laurusnobilis L.＂.

Primary duodenal neoplasms:A retrospective clinico-pathological analysis

AIM: To analyze the clinico-pathological spectrum of primary duodenal neoplasms. METHODS: A total of 55 primary duodenal neoplasms reported in the last 10 years after excluding ampullary and periampullary tumors were included in the study. Clinical details were noted and routine hematoxylin and eosin stained paraffin sections were studied for histological subtyping of the tumors. RESULTS: On histopathological examination primary duodenal neoplasms were categorized as: epithelial tumor in 27 cases (49.0%) including 10 cases of adenoma, 15 cases of adenocarcinoma, and 2 cases of Brunner gland adenoma; mesenchymal tumor in 9 cases (16.3%) consisting of 4 cases of gastrointestinal stromal tumor, 4 cases of smooth muscle tumor and I case of neurofibroma; lymphoproliferative tumor in 12 cases (21.8%), and neuroendocrine tumor in 7 cases (12.7%). CONCLUSION: Although non-ampullary/periampullary duodenal adenocarcinomas are rare, they constitute the largest group. Histopathological examination of primary duodenal tumors is important for correct histological subtyping.

Analysis of Application of Mean Glandular Dose and Factors on Which It Depends to Patients Aged 65 to 80

Every year there are new 1,600 cases of breast cancer in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The most effective method for early detection of breast cancer is mammography. To examine risks and benefits of this diagnostic method it is necessary to determine patient doses. Mainly, almost all published data about patient doses refer to two specific age groups： 40-49 and 50-64 years of age. Very little data about patient doses applied during a routine mammography for patients from 65-80 years of age are available. During the conducted research, one calculated doses for the complete mammographic examination of 42 patients from this age group. The calculated patient doses are related to the whole spectrum of technical, physical, clinical and diagnostic parameters which compose a complete mammographic examination.

ELT Professionals＇ Perceptions on Self-Image： A Comparison Between Gender

The study is conducted to examine the differences of gender perception among educators who are teaching in local higher learning institutions in Malaysia, in viewing their roles as the ＇~teacher＂. Several higher learning institutions were randomly targeted. Several researchers were involved in the data collection by means of using questionnaires in the survey over a period of several weeks. The questionnaires were used to fred out about their academic and professional backgrounds, requiring them to list their roles pertinent to their experiences in teaching, ranked them and provided the rationale behind the choices made. Twenty-five samples were collected to scrutinize the data by categorizing the information according to gender and teaching experiences and recording the frequencies of answers. From the study, it is found that regardless of gender and teaching experiences, most participants would consider themselves as ＂Provider of knowledge＂, followed by ＂N^r＂, especially those who are relatively new in teaching. There is also an indication that teacher＇s experiences and gender might affect their perception in mirroring themselves. A larger scale of study is needed in validating the findings of this study for it to be empirical, thus promoting in-depth investigations in viewing whether gender and cultural background may be vital factors that has profound effects towards their professionalism. It is hoped that future studies will shed some light to this rather controversial claims.

Surgery for rare aneurysm associated with colorectal cancer

The occurrence of concomitant aortic aneurysm and colorectal cancer is a rare medical entity,and con-troversy surrounds its optimal treatment.We report a case of rectal cancer and concomitant aneurysm from the ascending aorta to the common iliac artery.As with DeBakey typeⅠaortic dissecting aneurysm,our patient was treated by rectal cancer resection,with preservation of the anus(Dixon operation)under controlled hypo-tension.Blood pressure was maintained at 80-90/50-60 mmHg and the pulse at 70-90 beats/min.The pathological examination of the surgical specimen showed a poorly differentiated T3N0 tumor.The patient had an uneventful recovery without aneurysm rupture,and was discharged from hospital on postoperative day 15 after 3 d adjuvant chemotherapy with oxaliplatin combined with calcium folinate and fluorouracil.The patient was given six courses of adjuvant chemotherapy in 6 mo,without recurrence or metastasis,and the aneurysm was still stable after 2 years follow-up.

Harmful Effects on African Clawed Frog （Xenopus laevis） Reproduction as Expression of High Water Phosphates Levels

Amphibians are considered as reliable indicators of environmental quality. In Europe, a general decline of amphibians population parallels a worldwide decline, and some of the factors which are thought to be responsible to this decline are habitat loss, introduction of exotic species, disease and decreasing water quality. Recent investigations suggest that these eutrophic conditions may be associated with frog reproduction problems. Water quality criteria settled for the different species of amphibians do not currently exist, but in the present paper, the authors report their observation about water phosphate concentrations in association with hipofertility in African clawed frogs （Xenopus laevis）. The study considered two different groups of African clawed frog showing hypofertility （22 patients） hosted in captivity. The animals were visited, and the filtration systems functionality and the water quality were checked, i.e., temperature, pH, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, phosphates, hardness and alkalinity. In the first group, it was decided to perform ultrasound scans, parasitological tests on fecal samples, and microscopical/macroscopical examination, as well as microbiological analysis on collected oocytes. In the second group, only fecal samples were collected in order to perform parasitologiacal exams. No pathological findings were showed by veterinary tests. Water changes were carried out in both facilities and after two months, the fertility in African clawed frogs improved, evidencing the involvement of phosphates values in the onset of the problem and even more in its resolution. More studies are needed to further define this correlation.