In order to develop a rapid detection kit for novel avian influenza virus (AIV) subtype H7N9, two sets of specific primers and probes were designed based on the nucleotide sequences of hemagglutinin antigen (HA) and neuraminidase antigen (NA) of novel H7N9 virus (2013) available in GenBank to establish the method of TaqMan probe-based multiplex real-time RT-PCR for rapid detection of AIV subtype H7N9. The primer and probe of HA were for all H7 subtype AIVs, while the primer and probe of NA were only for novel N9 subtype AIVs. The results showed that this method had high sensitivity and specificity. This method was applicable to the testing of positive standard sample with a minimum concentration of 10 copies/microL; it not only distinguished H7 subtype from H1, H3, H5, H6, and H9 subtypes, but also distinguished novel N9 subtype from traditional N9 subtype. A total of 2700 samples from Zhuhai, China were tested by this method, and the results were as expected. For the advantages of sensitivity and specificity, the method holds promise for wide application.
Animals ; Birds ; virology ; Influenza A Virus, H7N9 Subtype ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; physiology ; Influenza in Birds ; prevention & control ; virology ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Species Specificity ; Taq Polymerase ; metabolism ; Time Factors

Objective　To explore the risk factors and indications for perioperative tracheostomy in patients with myasthenia gravis. Methods　A total of 174 patients with myasthenia gravis undergoing thymectomy were reviewed retrospectively between April 1980 and August 1999. Perioperative tracheostomy was performed on 44(25.3%) cases. Myasthenic or cholinergic crisis happened in 38 cases (21.8%). The relationship of the crisis incidence and Osserman classification, state of illness, present of thymoma, preoperative pulmoary function and the dose of anticholinergic agents given preoperatively were analyzed. At the same time the indications of perioperative tracheostomy were discussed. Results　The highest incidence of myasthenic or cholinergic crisis and perioperative tracheostomy were found in cases with long history of the disease, high dose of anticholinergic agents administration, Osserman classification over stageⅡb, with infiltrated thymoma, and preoperative pulmoary function impairment. Conclusion Perioperative tracheostomy and artificial ventilation are most important approaches when myasthenic or cholinergic crisis after thymectomy appeared. But the indications for postoperative prophylactic tracheostomy and artificial ventilation must be strictly selected.

Objective　To explore the effect of video-assi sted thoracic surgery (VATS) on common diseases of chest. Methods　Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery was performed on 131 patients with ches t diseases from April 1994 to December 2000 in which 109 cases were spontane ous pneumothorax and hemothorax, 10 pulmonary tuberculoma, 5 pulmonary carcinoma , 3 esophageal carcinoma, 2 localized benign mesothelioma, 1 pulmonary hamartoma and 1 myasthenia gravis. Results　There was no operative death in all cases. Four patients with spontaneous pneumothorax complicated persist ent air leak(more than 7 d) and 1 patient with hemopneumothorax formed hemoth orax after the operation, which was stopped by the second VATS. The others recov ered well without any postoperative complications. Conclusion　 VATS is characterized by safety and mild tissue injury in the operation, and les s pain, fewer complications, rapid recovery and short duration of hospitalizatio n after the operation.

Methods: The clinical data of 26 patients diagnosed with irreducible atlantoaxial dislocation complicated by atlantodental bony obstruction were analyzed retrospectively. All patients underwent anterior retropharyngeal atlantodentoplasty, followed by posterior occipitocervical fusion. Details including surgical duration and blood loss volume were recorded. Radiographic data such as the anterior atlantodental interval, O–C2 angle, space available for the cord, clivus–canal angle, and cervical medullary angle, and clinical data including the Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score were assessed. The fusion time of the grafted bone and the development of complications were examined. Results: In patients undergoing anterior retropharyngeal atlantodentoplasty, the surgical duration and blood loss volume were 120.1±16.4 minutes and 100.6±33.5 mL, respectively. The anterior atlantodental interval decreased significantly after the surgery (p <0.001). The O–C2 angle, space available for the cord, clivus–canal angle, and cervical medullary angle increased significantly after the surgery (p <0.001). The JOA score during the latest follow-up significantly increased compared with that before the surgery (p <0.001). The improvement rate of the JOA score was 80.8%±18.1%. The fusion time of the grafted bone was 3–8 months, with an average of 5.7±1.5 months. In total, 11 patients presented with postoperative dysphagia and three with irritating cough. However, none of them exhibited other major complications. Conclusions Anterior retropharyngeal atlantodentoplasty can anatomically reduce the atlantoaxial joint with a satisfactory clinical outcome in patients with irreducible atlantoaxial dislocation with atlantodental bony obstruction.

Methods: The clinical data of 26 patients diagnosed with irreducible atlantoaxial dislocation complicated by atlantodental bony obstruction were analyzed retrospectively. All patients underwent anterior retropharyngeal atlantodentoplasty, followed by posterior occipitocervical fusion. Details including surgical duration and blood loss volume were recorded. Radiographic data such as the anterior atlantodental interval, O–C2 angle, space available for the cord, clivus–canal angle, and cervical medullary angle, and clinical data including the Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score were assessed. The fusion time of the grafted bone and the development of complications were examined. Results: In patients undergoing anterior retropharyngeal atlantodentoplasty, the surgical duration and blood loss volume were 120.1±16.4 minutes and 100.6±33.5 mL, respectively. The anterior atlantodental interval decreased significantly after the surgery (p <0.001). The O–C2 angle, space available for the cord, clivus–canal angle, and cervical medullary angle increased significantly after the surgery (p <0.001). The JOA score during the latest follow-up significantly increased compared with that before the surgery (p <0.001). The improvement rate of the JOA score was 80.8%±18.1%. The fusion time of the grafted bone was 3–8 months, with an average of 5.7±1.5 months. In total, 11 patients presented with postoperative dysphagia and three with irritating cough. However, none of them exhibited other major complications. Conclusions Anterior retropharyngeal atlantodentoplasty can anatomically reduce the atlantoaxial joint with a satisfactory clinical outcome in patients with irreducible atlantoaxial dislocation with atlantodental bony obstruction.

Methods: The clinical data of 26 patients diagnosed with irreducible atlantoaxial dislocation complicated by atlantodental bony obstruction were analyzed retrospectively. All patients underwent anterior retropharyngeal atlantodentoplasty, followed by posterior occipitocervical fusion. Details including surgical duration and blood loss volume were recorded. Radiographic data such as the anterior atlantodental interval, O–C2 angle, space available for the cord, clivus–canal angle, and cervical medullary angle, and clinical data including the Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score were assessed. The fusion time of the grafted bone and the development of complications were examined. Results: In patients undergoing anterior retropharyngeal atlantodentoplasty, the surgical duration and blood loss volume were 120.1±16.4 minutes and 100.6±33.5 mL, respectively. The anterior atlantodental interval decreased significantly after the surgery (p <0.001). The O–C2 angle, space available for the cord, clivus–canal angle, and cervical medullary angle increased significantly after the surgery (p <0.001). The JOA score during the latest follow-up significantly increased compared with that before the surgery (p <0.001). The improvement rate of the JOA score was 80.8%±18.1%. The fusion time of the grafted bone was 3–8 months, with an average of 5.7±1.5 months. In total, 11 patients presented with postoperative dysphagia and three with irritating cough. However, none of them exhibited other major complications. Conclusions Anterior retropharyngeal atlantodentoplasty can anatomically reduce the atlantoaxial joint with a satisfactory clinical outcome in patients with irreducible atlantoaxial dislocation with atlantodental bony obstruction.

In order to study the proliferation inhibition effect of H5N1 subtype avian influenza virus (AIV) with small interfere RNA (siRNA), a total of 4 siRNAs were designed in accordance with the NP and PA genes of H5N1 subtype AIV, the siRNAs were then transfected to chicken embryo fibroblast(CEF), CEF was infected with H5N1 subtype AIV after 6 hrs. Virus titer of cell supernatant was tested at 16-56hrs post infection, and pathological changes of the cells was observed; mRNA levels of NP, PA, HA and p13-actin gene were tested at 36hrs post infection. The results showed that these 4 siRNAs could inhibit the prolif-eration of H5N1 subtype AIV in CEF in varying degrees, and one siRNA targeting PA was best per-formed. The experimental results also showed that the inhibition effect was decreased with the time prolonged. This research provides a basis for further studying RNAi on AIV prevention and control.
Actins ; genetics ; Animals ; Chick Embryo ; DNA Primers ; genetics ; Fibroblasts ; virology ; Hemagglutination ; Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus ; genetics ; Hemagglutinins ; genetics ; Humans ; Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype ; genetics ; growth & development ; physiology ; RNA Interference ; RNA Replicase ; genetics ; RNA, Small Interfering ; chemical synthesis ; genetics ; RNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Specific Pathogen-Free Organisms ; Transfection ; Viral Core Proteins ; genetics ; Viral Proteins ; genetics ; Virus Replication

Objective: “Same treatment for different diseases” is a unique treatment strategy under the guidance of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theory. Codonopsis Radix (Codonopsis pilosula, Dangshen in Chinese) with spleen-fortifying effect was employed to understand the strategy of “Same treatment for different diseases”, based on its common mechanism in the treatment of gastric diseases including gastric ulcer, gastritis and gastric cancer via network pharmacology research. Methods: Network pharmacology research methods were used to analyze the interaction network and potential mechanisms of Dangshen in treating gastric ulcer, gastritis and gastric cancer. The active components and their target proteins of Dangshen were integrated from TCMSP, BATMAN-TCM databases. The targets of gastric ulcer, gastritis and gastric cancer were collected through GeneCards, PubMed, TDD and DisGeNET Database. Through screening, the key components and the key targets of Dangshen in treating gastric ulcer, gastritis and gastric cancer were obtained. After KEGG pathway analysis and GO analysis, the important pathways and biological processes were analyzed. Results: Through data and literature mining, the common and specific pharmaceutical effects and mechanism of Dangshen were summarized in these three gastric lesions. It was shown that Dangshen mainly acted on gastric ulcer, gastritis and gastric cancer through the overall regulation of the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway. With the development of the disease, it will gradually increase the control of inflammation through TNF, NF-κB and other inflammation-related signaling pathways to reduce inflammatory damage. For tumorigenesis, it pays more attention to inhibiting the ErbB signaling pathways to reduce the proliferation and migration of tumor cells. In addition, Dangshen's regulation of HIF-1 signaling pathway may also be beneficial for the treatment of gastric ulcer, gastritis and gastric cancer. Conclusion: Dangshen achieves spleen-fortifying effect on gastric diseases including gastric ulcer, gastritis and gastric cancer through multiple targets in multiple pathways, especially PI3K-AKT pathway and HIF-1 pathway. It could provide a scientific basis for understanding the strategy of “Same treatment for different diseases” in traditional Chinese medicine.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the diagnostic accuracy and clinical value of electron-beam CT (EBCT) single flow mode study (EBCTSF) in combination with EBCT coronary angiography (EBCTCA) and three dimensional reconstruction using medial axis reformation (MAR) for diagnosis of coronary in-stent stenosis.

METHODSElectrocardiogram-gated EBCT single coronary scanning (without and with contrast medium) was performed in 25 consecutive coronary heart disease (CHD) patients during a short breathhold. EBCTSF was then performed at the level nearly distal to stent. Three-dimensional coronary images were reformed using MAR. EBCT findings were compared with that of conventional coronary angiography (CAG).

RESULTSThirty-five intracoronary stents were implanted in thirty-one diseased vessel segments. EBCTSF procedure was unsuccessful in 2 patients (successful rate was 92.0%, 23/25). There was a significant decrease in flow peak value (Dp), increased value (Deltad) and area under curve (A), and a significant increase in prolonged peak time (Td) in stenosed stents compared to normal stents (P < 0.05). EBCTCA was successful for all patients. Seven stenosed stents (5 in left anterior descending branch and 2 in right coronary) were correctly evaluated with EBCT. Compared with CAG, EBCTSF in combination with EBCTCA images and MAR reconstruction images had a diagnostic sensitivity of 85.0% (6/7) and a specificity of 92.9% (26/28) for detecting significant in-stent stenosis (> 50% lumen diameter). Positive and negative predictive value were 75.0% (6/8) and 96.5% (26/27) respectively. Compared with EBCT cross-section images alone, or cross-section images and three-dimensional images, the diagnostic accuracy increased from 80.0% and 88.6% to 91.4% (32/35).

CONCLUSIONSNoninvasive EBCTSF can be used to quantitatively analyze coronary flow characteristics. This technique, used in combination with EBCTCA and three dimensional reconstruction using MAR, seems to be an effective imaging modality in identifying coronary in-stent stenosis. For stent-implanted patients with atypical and nonischemic chest pain after coronary intervention, the above-mentioned technique is of important value for evaluating therapeutic effect and follow-up results.

Coronary Angiography ; methods ; Coronary Artery Disease ; diagnostic imaging ; Coronary Restenosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Stents ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; methods

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; therapy ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; Male ; Manipulation, Spinal ; methods ; Middle Aged