Salvia miltiorrhiza is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and is widely used as a clinically medication for its efficiency in treating cardiovascular disease. Due to TCM is a comprehensive system, the mechanism of S. miltiorrhiza treating cardiovascular disease through integrated multiple pathways are still unclear in some aspects. With the rapid progress of bioinformatics and systems biology, network pharmacology is considered as a promising approach toward reveal the underlying complex relationship between an herb and the disease. In order to discover the mechanism of S. miltiorrhiza treating cardiovascular disease systematically, we use the auxiliary mechanism elucidation system for Chinese medicine, built up a molecule interaction network on the active component targets of S. miltiorrhiza and the therapeutic targets of cardiovascular disease to offer an opportunity for deep understanding the mechanism of S. miltiorrhiza treating cardiovascular disease from the perspective of network pharmacology. The results showed that S. miltiorrhiza treating cardiovascular disease through ten pathways as follows: improve lipid metabolism, anti-inflammation, regulate blood pressure, negatively regulates blood coagulation factor and antithrombotic, regulate cell proliferation, anti-stress injury, promoting angiogenesis, inhibited apoptosis, adjust vascular systolic and diastolic, promoting wound repair. The results of this paper provide theoretical guidance for the development of new drugs to treat cardiovascular disease and the discovery of new drugs through component compatibility.
Animals ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; Databases, Factual ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Gene Regulatory Networks ; drug effects ; Humans ; Salvia miltiorrhiza ; chemistry ; Signal Transduction

We developed an assay for the detection and quantitation of porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) with the SYBR Green I-based real-time PCR. The real-time PCR provides a broad dynamic range, detecting from 10(3) to 10(11) copies of DNA per reaction. No cross-reactions were found in specimens containing PCV1. Because of the high sensitivity and specificity of the assay with a relatively rapid and simple procedure, real-time PCR can be used as a routine assay for the clinical diagnosis of PCV2 infection. In this study we applied real-time PCR assay to 80 clinical samples, collected from 40 pigs with postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) and 40 healthy pigs in comparison with conventional PCR assay. In 56 of 80 samples, PCV2 DNA was detected by conventional PCR assay. All samples positive for PCV2 DNA in conventional PCR assay were also positive in real-time assay, and 12 of 24 samples that tested negative for PCV2 DNA in the conventional assay were tested positive in real-time PCR assay. Real-time PCR assay increased the number of samples in which PCV2 was detected by 15%. It is, therefore, considered to be a useful tool for the detection of PCV2.
Animals ; Circovirus ; genetics ; DNA Primers ; DNA, Viral ; analysis ; Organic Chemicals ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Reproducibility of Results ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Swine ; Viral Load

Objective: To investigate the long-term outcomes of posterior long segment instrumentation and fusion in adult degenerative scoliosis (ADS), and to explore the correlative factors of sagittal imbalance after long segment instrumentation and fusion, and to summarize the impacts of different lowest instrumented vertebra (LIV) on sagittal complication rates. Methods: ADS patients who underwent long segment instrumentation and fusion between January 2008 and January 2014 were retrospectively reviewed and divided into two groups depended on LIV (L ₅ group and S₁ group). The follow-up time was at least five years. Radiographic parameters, Visual Analogue Score (VAS), Oswestry Disability Indexscore(ODI), the 12-item Short Form Health Survey-Physical Component Summary (SF-12 PCS)and sagittal complications were analyzed. And the correlation between sagittal imbalance and sagittal complications were calculated. Patients were divided into two groups(sagittal imbalance group and sagittal balance group) to explore the correlative factors of sagittal imbalance. Results: All of 56 patients were included and evaluated in this study, and 35 cases stopped at L ₅, 21 cases at S₁. The mean follow-up time was 6.6±1.6 years. No significant difference were found in age, gender, follow-up time and surgery method (P>0.05) between two groups. No significant differences were found in Cobb angle(11.8°±7.3° vs 12.6°±6.4°), coronal balance distance(CBD) (0.7±0.6 cm vs 1.0±0.5 cm), sagittal vertebral axis(SVA)(3.0±3.1 cm vs 2.6±5.6 cm), thoracic kyphosis(TK) (21.4°±9.6° vs 22.5°±6.9°), lumbar lordosis(LL) (-32.7°±7.3° vs-34.8°±9.1°), pelvic tilt (PT) (23.4°±9.8° vs 23.3°±8.1°), VAS score(2.0±1.2 vs. 2.2±0.9), ODI score(18.5%±6.4% vs 19.3%±5.2%) and SF-12 PCSscore(45.5±5.2 vs 42.4±7.0) between two groups at final follow-up time(P>0.05). Radiographic parameters including Cobb angle, CBD, SVA and health related quality of life scores including VAS score, ODI score and SF-12 PCS scores were improved significantly at two weeks postoperatively, two-year follow-up time andfinal follow-up time in two groupscompared with those preoperatively (P<0.05). And no significant difference were found in radiographic parameters and health related quality of life scores between those at two years follow-up time and those at final follow-up time; Sagittal complication rates at final follow-up were higher than these at two years follow-up (82.1% vs 33.9%, P=0.000). Sagittal imbalance was related to internal fixation failure in L ₅ group (r=0.691, P=0.011), internal fixation failure in S₁ group (r=0.691, P=0.001) and pseudoarticulation formation (r=0.499, P=0.021). 10 patients in the sagittal imbalance group were with preoperative sagittal imbalance, 9 with preoperative coronal imbalance, 6 with internal fixation failure, 5 with proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK), 4 with adjacent segment degeneration during the follow-up periods, the incidence rates of which were higher than those in the sagittal balance group. LL in the sagittal imbalance group was lower than that in the sagittal balance group at two years follow-up time and final follow-up time. Compared with the sagittal imbalance group, the sagittal balance group achieved a higher SF-12 PCS (45.4±5.1 vs 41.6±7.4, P<0.05) and lower ODI scores (17.8%±6.1% vs 21.5±4.6%, P<0.05), and no significant difference was found in VAS scores between two groups (1.9±1.2 vs 2.4±0.8, P>0.05). The incidence of adjacent segment degeneration in L ₅ group was higher than that in S₁ group (P<0.05) at final follow-up time, and the incidence of pseudojoint in S₁ group was higher than that in L ₅ group (P=0.002) at final follow-up time. Conclusion Posterior long segment instrumentation and fusion for adult degenerative spinal deformity can obtain satisfying long-term clinical outcomes, and postoperative sagittal imbalance was related to preoperative sagittal/coronal imbalance, postoperativeinternal fixation failure, PJK, pseudoarticulation formation and adjacent segment degeneration. Distal fusion at L ₅ or S₁ may lead to high risk of adjacent segment degeneration or pseudoarticulation formation respectively.

Infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) was inactivated by two different chemicals--formaldehyde and binary ethylenimine (BEI). Formaldehyde was used at 0.1% and 0.2%, while BEI was used at concentrations of 0.001 and 0.002 mol/L. These four vaccines were tested for their efficiency in generating humoral immune response in different groups of broiler chicks. Both BEI-inactivated vaccines gave relatively higher antibody titers and were almost twice as efficient as formaldehyde-inactivated ones.
Animals ; Antibodies, Viral ; blood ; Aziridines ; pharmacology ; Chickens ; Formaldehyde ; pharmacology ; Infectious bursal disease virus ; immunology ; Vaccination ; Vaccines, Inactivated ; immunology ; Viral Vaccines ; immunology

Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) is closely related to the postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS). In this study, the pig serum and tissue samples collected from different regions of Hangzhou District in Zhejiang Province of China between 2003 and 2005 were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for PCV2 antibody and by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for ORF2 gene. The results show that out of 1250 randomly collected serum samples, 500 sera (40%) were seropositive for PCV2. PCR results demonstrate that Hangzhou PCV2 with more than 50% Chinese PCV2 strains and French PCV2 formed Cluster A. Only one PCV2 from Hangzhou belonged to Cluster B with some other Chinese PCV2 and Netherlands's isolates. Cluster C consisted of PCV2 isolates from China, US, Canada, UK and Germany. The results indicate that the PCV2 infection was widespread in Hangzhou.
Animals ; Antigens ; chemistry ; China ; Circoviridae Infections ; genetics ; veterinary ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; methods ; Humans ; Open Reading Frames ; Phylogeny ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Swine ; Swine Diseases ; genetics

Specific immunoglobulin (IgY) from egg yolk against Aeromonas hydrophila was produced by immunization of White Leghorn hens with formalin-killed whole cells of A. hydrophila. ELISA test using A. hydrophila as the coating antigen revealed that the specific antibody titer started to increase in the egg yolk at the 13th day post-immunization (P/N=2.18), reached the peak at the 56th day (P/N=13.82), and remained at high level until day 133 (P/N=7.03). The antibody was purified by saturated ammonium sulphate with a recovery rate of 63.5%. The specific IgY inhibited the growth of A. hydrophila at a concentration of 1.0 mg/ml during the 18 h incubation. Pre-treatment of polyploid gibel carps Carassius auratus Gibelio with specific IgY had a protection rate of 60% (6/10) against challenge with A. hydrophila, while none of the fishes in the control groups receiving sterile phosphate buffered saline (PBS) or non-specific IgY survived the challenge. Treatment of fishes with the specific IgY 4 h after the challenge also had lower mortality (70%, 7/10), a 30% reduction against the control PBS or non-specific IgY groups (10/10). These results indicate that specific IgY antibodies could be obtained easily from hens immunized with an inactivated A. hydrophila and could provide a novel alternative approach to control of diseases in fishes caused by this organism.
Aeromonas hydrophila ; drug effects ; growth & development ; immunology ; Animals ; Antibody Specificity ; Antigen-Antibody Reactions ; Chickens ; immunology ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Egg Yolk ; chemistry ; Goldfish ; immunology ; microbiology ; Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections ; immunology ; prevention & control ; Immunoglobulins ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Survival Rate ; Time Factors

China implemented the public hospital reform in 2012.This study utilized bootstrapping data envelopment analysis (DEA) to evaluate the technical efficiency (TE) and productivity of county public hospitals in Eastern,Central,and Western China after the 2012 public hospital reform.Data from 127 county public hospitals (39,45,and 43 in Eastern,Central,and Western China,respectively) were collected during 2012-2015.Changes of TE and productivity over time were estimated by bootstrapping DEA and bootstrapping Malmquist.The disparities in TE and productivity among public hospitals in the three regions of China were compared by Kruskal-Wallis H test and Mann-Whitney U test.The average bias-corrected TE values for the four-year period were 0.6442,0.5785,0.6099,and 0.6094 in Eastern,Central,and Western China,and the entire country respectively,with average non-technical efficiency,low pure technical efficiency (PTE),and high scale efficiency found.Productivity increased by 8.12％,0.25％,12.11％,and 11.58％ in China and its three regions during 2012-2015,and such increase in productivity resulted from progressive technological changes by 16.42％,6.32％,21.08％,and 21.42％,respectively.The TE and PTE of the county hospitals significantly differed among the three regions of China.Eastern and Western China showed significantly higher TE and PTE than Central China.More than 60％ of county public hospitals in China and its three areas operated at decreasing return scales.There was a considerable space for TE improvement in county hospitals in China and its three regions.During 2012-2015,the hospitals experienced progressive productivity;however,the PTE changed adversely.Moreover,Central China continuously achieved a significantly lower efficiency score than Eastern and Westem China.Decision makers and administrators in China should identify the causes of the observed inefficiencies and take appropriate measures to increase the efficiency of county public hospitals in the three areas of China,especially in Central China.

OBJECTIVETo develop and evaluate the efficiency of air purification and sterilization instrument based on nano-sized TiO(2) photocatalytic technique.

METHODSThe nano-sized TiO(2) photocatalytic air purification and sterilization instrument was designed and a sample had been prepared. The sterilization efficiencies for E.coli and Klebsiella by the nano-sized TiO(2) photocatalytic instrument and ultraviolet (UV) were measured in closed labs. The on-site efficiency of the instrument was evaluated, too.

RESULTSThe nano-sized TiO(2) photocatalytic air purification and sterilization instrument was composed of five units: rough filter, nano-sized TiO(2) photocatalytic unit, activated carbon fiber filter, negative ion generator, and programmed control unit. The E.coli killing rates by the nano-sized TiO(2) photocatalytic instrument were 76.0%, 81.8%, 77.5%, and 80.7% at 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes, respectively. There was no significant difference between the E.coli killing rates of the instrument and UV (P > 0.05), except the 120 minutes timepoint. The Klebsiella killing rates by the instrument were 78.4%, 79.5%, 67.3%, and 58.5% at 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes, respectively. The Klebsiella killing efficiencies of the instrument at 30 and 60 minutes were better than that of UV (P < 0.01). There was no significant difference between the Klebsiella killing efficiencies of the instrument and UV (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe air sterilization efficiency of the nano-sized TiO(2) photocatalytic instrument should be equivalent or better as compared with the UV. This instrument might be used for the air purification and sterilization of the public locations.

Air Pollution ; prevention & control ; Decontamination ; methods ; Disinfection ; methods ; Nanostructures ; Photochemistry ; Titanium

Objective To evaluate the effect of different gargling liquid on colony number in air during oral ultrasound scaling for patients with periodontitis.Methods Patients with mild (n=54), moderate (n=54), and severe chronic periodontitis (n=54) were selected, then patients with same degree of periodontitis were randomly divided into three groups, with 18 in each group. Before scaling, patients in each group of mild, moderate, and severe periodontitis were given honeysuckle liquid (gargle A), 3％ hydrogen peroxide (gargle B), and normal saline (gargle C) respectively. Bacterial culture and identification of air specimens were conducted at 0 and 30 minutes after the beginning of ultrasonic scaling as well as 10, 20 minutes after the end of ultrasonic scaling.Results Variance analysis of three-factor factorial design data showed that degree of periodontitis, types of gargling liquid, and sampling time had interaction (F=2.666, P=0.002). Comparisons of air colonies: At the beginning of scaling, there was no significant difference in colony number of air around patients using different gargling liquid in mild, moderate and severe groups (all P＞0.05). Among patients using the same gargling liquid at 30 minutes after the beginning of scaling, colony number of air was the lowest around patients with mild periodontitis and the highest around patients with severe periodontitis, colony numbers of air around patients with gargle A and B were lower than that of patients with gargle C. Comparison of each sampling points showed that colony number of air around the right side of patients' head was highest, differences were all statistically significant (all P＜0.05). 20 minutes after the end of scaling, there was no significant difference in colony number among groups compared before scaling (all P＞0.05). The main isolated strains in the air were Streptococcus viridans (32.53％), coagulase negative staphylococcus (24.56％), and filamentous fungi (18.48％).Conclusion There are variety of opportunistic pathogens in the air during oral ultrasound scaling, and the number of colonies is positively correlated with the degree of periodontitis. honeysuckle liquid has a good effect on reducing the number of air colonies during and after scaling.

BACKGROUNDRoad traffic injuries (RTIs) are a worldwide issue associated with increasing development and motorization. However, statistical studies do not include any analyses of Beijing's geriatric population. Using data from the Beijing Emergency Medical Center, we present the main characteristics of traffic injuries involving the elderly in Beijing. We also provide objective information for those concerned with the safety of traffic systems and the prevention of traffic injuries.

METHODSIn a longitudinal, retrospective study, data were collected on 1706 victims aged 65 years and older who sustained traffic injuries in Beijing between 2004 and 2010. Personal information, time of injury event, emergency care response time, road user type, striking vehicle type, injury site, and severity of injury were analyzed using χ(2) tests and Logistic regression analysis.

RESULTSThe annual rate of traffic injuries was 21.80 per 100 000 elderly people in Beijing, and the morbidity rate decreased from 2004 to 2010 (P < 0.001). The mean age was (72.92 ± 5.67) years, and 911 (53.40%) of the victims were male. The majority of victims sustained head and lower limb injuries and were classified as being of medium severity. Traffic collisions occurred most frequently in the daytime excluding rush hours; these collisions included being hit by a car (85.64%) and pedestrian victim injuries (79.19%). Our statistical analysis found three factors for injury severity: abdominal injuries (P < 0.001), number of injury sites (P = 0.027), and head injuries (P = 0.034). The decline in traffic injuries is due to a decrease in victims aged 65-74 years and pedestrians; the severity of RTIs also decreased.

CONCLUSIONSThis study highlights the declining trend in traffic injuries among older adults in Beijing. However, traffic injuries remain a serious public health problem for the elderly and effective measures are required to reduce their incidence.

Accidents, Traffic ; statistics & numerical data ; Aged ; China ; epidemiology ; Emergency Medical Services ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Wounds and Injuries ; epidemiology