A complex case study: coexistence of multi-drug-resistant pulmonary tuberculosis, HBV-related liver failure, and disseminated cryptococcal infection in an AIDS patient.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection can cause liver failure, while individuals with Acquired Immunodeficiency Virus Disease (AIDS) are highly susceptible to various opportunistic infections, which can occur concurrently. The treatment process is further complicated by the potential occurrence of immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS), which presents significant challenges and contributes to elevated mortality rates. CASE PRESENTATION: The 50-year-old male with a history of chronic hepatitis B and untreated human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection presented to the hospital with a mild cough and expectoration, revealing multi-drug resistant pulmonary tuberculosis (MDR-PTB), which was confirmed by XpertMTB/RIF PCR testing and tuberculosis culture of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). The patient was treated with a regimen consisting of linezolid, moxifloxacin, cycloserine, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol for tuberculosis, as well as a combination of bictegravir/tenofovir alafenamide/emtricitabine (BIC/TAF/FTC) for HBV and HIV viral suppression. After three months of treatment, the patient discontinued all medications, leading to hepatitis B virus reactivation and subsequent liver failure. During the subsequent treatment for AIDS, HBV, and drug-resistant tuberculosis, the patient developed disseminated cryptococcal disease. The patient's condition worsened during treatment with liposomal amphotericin B and fluconazole, which was ultimately attributed to IRIS. Fortunately, the patient achieved successful recovery after appropriate management. CONCLUSION: Enhancing medical compliance is crucial for AIDS patients, particularly those co-infected with HBV, to prevent HBV reactivation and subsequent liver failure. Furthermore, conducting a comprehensive assessment of potential infections in patients before resuming antiviral therapy is essential to prevent the occurrence of IRIS. Early intervention plays a pivotal role in improving survival rates.

Complete genome sequence of a distinct calla lily chlorotic spot virus isolated in mainland China.

The first complete genome sequence of calla lily chlorotic spot virus (CCSV) from Lijiang in northwestern Yunnan Province was obtained using RT-PCR with designed primers. The genome of CCSV isolate LJ-1-Yunnan is tripartite. The small (S) RNA is 3182 nucleotides (nt) in length and encodes a nonstructural protein (NSs, 1383 nt) and a nuclear nucleocapsid (N, 834 nt), separated by an 836-nt intergenic region (IGR). The medium (M) RNA is 4749 nt in length and encodes a nonstructural movement protein (NSm, 930 nt) and a glycoprotein (GnGc, 3,372 nt), also separated by a 349-nt IGR. The large (L) RNA is 8912 nt in length and encodes a predicted RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp, 8652 nt). The nucleotide sequences of the three viral RNA segments are 92-94 % identical to the published CCSV genome sequence, and the amino acid sequences of the encoded proteins are 96-98 % identical. However, the IGRs of the S and M RNAs are less similar, with 86 and 72 % identity, respectively. Genome sequence comparisons and phylogenetic analysis indicate that the Lijiang CCSV isolate is a unique tospovirus isolate that differs from CCSV isolates in other geographic regions.

[Tree-Augmented NaÏve Bayesian network model for predicting prostate cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the integrated performance of age, serum PSA, and transrectal ultrasound images in the prediction of prostate cancer using a Tree-Augmented NaÏve (TAN) Bayesian network model. METHODS: We collected such data as age, serum PSA, transrectal ultrasound findings, and pathological diagnoses from 941 male patients who underwent prostate biopsy from January 2008 to September 2011. Using a TAN Bayesian network model, we analyzed the data for predicting prostate cancer, and compared them with the gold standards of pathological diagnosis. RESULTS: The accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive prediction rate, and negative prediction rate of the TAN Bayesian network model were 85.11%, 88.37%, 83.67%, 70.37%, and 94.25%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Based on age, serum PSA, and transrectal ultrasound images, the TAN Bayesian network model has a high value for the prediction of prostate cancer, and can help improve the clinical screening and diagnosis of the disease.

Molecular characterization of the hippeastrum chlorotic ringspot virus L segment and its protein.

Hippeastrum chlorotic ringspot virus (HCRV) is a novel tospovirus that was identified in Yunnan Province, China, in 2013. We have sequenced the HCRV L gene, which is 8909 nt long and encodes the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (2873 amino acids, 330.8 kDa). The HCRV L protein shared highest similarity (89.4 %) with that of tomato yellow ring virus. The L protein contains a negative-sense RNA virus RNA-directed RNA polymerase motif and an endonuclease domain at the N-terminus. Combined with our previous reports of the S and M RNAs, the genome sequence of HCRV is now completed.

[Assessing splenic vein complications in patients with acute pancreatitis using color Doppler ultrasound and contrast enhanced ultrasound].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the diagnostic value of color Doppler flow imaging (CDFI) and contrast enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) for splenic vein complications (SVCs). METHODS: 144 inpatients (86 male, 58 female) with acute pancreatitis from Jan 2012 to Apr 2013 were recruited for this study. The participants had a mean age of (44.3 +/- 11.9) years. All participants were examined using CDFI, CEUS and contrast enhanced computer tomography (CECT) (less than 72 h interval between examinations). The CECT results were regarded as a golden standard, which were compared with the results of CDFI and CEU. The Medcalc 12.7.1.0 was used for drawing ROC curves and calculating AUC. RESULTS: The CECT confirmed 17 cases of SVCs; whereas, the CEUS identified 12 cases and the CDFI identified 4 cases of SVCs. The difference between the results of CDFI and CEUS was significant (Z = 2.233, P < 0.05). Higher levels of sensitivity (58.82%), specificity (98.43%), accuracy (93.75%), positive likelihood ratio (37.46), and negative likelihood ratio (0. 42) were found using CEUS for diagnosing SVCs, compared with those of using CDFI (sensitivity = 17.65%, specificity = 99.21%, accuracy = 89.58%, positive likelihood ratio = 22.34,negative likelihood ratio = 0.83). The area of AUC were 0.618 and 0.853 for CDFI and CEUS, respectively. CONCLUSION: CEUS is a better imaging method for diagnosing SVCs in patients with acute pancreatitis.

[A clinical trial of ultrasound-guided facet joint block in the lumbar spine to treat facet joint related low back pain].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the feasibility and clinical efficacy of ultrasound-guided facet joint injection and nerve block in lumbar facet joint for the treatment of facet-joint related low back pain. METHODS: 20 patients with facet-joint pain were randomized into two groups received block blindly (B group) or guided by ultrasound (US group) respectively. The location of needle tip was confirmed by CT in both groups, and the accuracy was computed afterwards. VAS score, puncture time and one-time puncture success rate (%) were recorded. VAS scores and pain remission rates in both groups were recorded at 30 min, 1 d, 2 d, 6 weeks after the block. RESULTS: The VAS scores were 3.3 +/- 0.4 in US group and 1.2 +/- 0.3 in B group (P < 0.05). The puncture time was (206 +/- 27) s in US group while (397 +/- 31) s in B group (P < 0.05). There were 37 facet joint blocks guided by ultrasound, in which 32 were correctly targeted with the first puncture. The success rate is 86.5%. There were 35 facet joint blocks blindly, in which 11 were correctly targeted with the first puncture. The success rate is 31.4%. The difference of one-time puncture success rate between the two groups was significant (P < 0.05). Differences of VAS and pain remission rate at half an hour after facet joint injection between B group and US group were significant (P < 0.05). There were 8, 9, 9, and 9 patients in US group obtaining a reduction in VAS scores > or = 3 at 30 min, 1 d, 2 d and 6 weeks after the procedure respectively, while the numbers of such patients were 5, 6, 5, 5 in B group (P > 0.05). After 6 weeks of follow-up, the overall remission rates were (72.3 +/- 14.0)% in US group, and (56.7 +/- 11.0)% in B group, there was no significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The ultrasound-guided lumbar facet joint injection technique had a high feasibility and accuracy, and had better clinical efficacy than block blindly.

Diagnosis of female urethral diverticulum using transvaginal contrast-enhanced sonourethrography.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: This study investigated the value of transvaginal contrast-enhanced sonourethrography for the diagnosis of female urethral diverticulum (UD) by comparing results of contrast-enhanced ultrasound images and surgical findings. METHODS: A total of 14 female UD patients underwent preoperative transvaginal contrast-enhanced sonourethrography between July 2010 and June 2012. History and physical examination were initially assessed by the same urologist. Transvaginal contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging was performed and interpreted by the same ultrasonographer. Definite diagnosis was made by tracking the flow of the microbubbles into the cyst. Additionally, sagittal, cross-sectional, and dynamic images were obtained, and color Doppler ultrasound was applied in all cases. Data on the size, location, configuration, and opening of the UD was documented, and then compared with the surgical findings. RESULTS: The most common symptoms presenting in the UD patients included urinary incontinence (71.5 %), recurrent urinary tract infection (57.1 %), frequency (50 %), urgency (35.7 %), dysuria (35.7 %), and dyspareunia (21.4 %). On physical examination, 8 out of 14 patients (57.1 %) had a palpable anterior vaginal wall mass, while 6 out of 14 patients (42.9 %) had no palpable mass. Transvaginal contrast-enhanced sonourethrography revealed 17 diverticula orifices in total and correlated well with surgical findings regarding the size, location, configuration, and the opening of the UD. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with chronic irritative bladder symptoms, but with no response to conventional treatment a high index of suspicion for UD should be maintained. Our study demonstrates that transvaginal contrast-enhanced sonourethrography is a useful tool for defining the size, location, configuration, and opening of the UD before surgery.

[Ultrasound diagnosis of scrotal wall sarcoma].

OBJECTIVE: To study the ultrasound imaging characteristics of scrotum sarcoma. METHODS: Retrospective analyses of the ultrasound and clinical data of 9 patients with scrotum sarcoma were performed. RESULTS: Of the 9 patients, 5 had scrotum rhabdomyosarcoma, which included 2 cases of alveolus rhabdomyosarcoma and 3 cases of embryonic rhabdomyosarcoma (including 2 embryonic rhabdomyosarcoma of the tunica dartos in the scrotum). Their ultrasound imaging showed single or multiple hypoechoic mass located in the scrotum with distinct boundary and vascularity within the tumor. The other 4 patients had scrotum liposarcoma. The ultrasound imaging of 2 cases of scrotum liposarcoma displayed slightly hyperecho mass, while the other 2 cases displayed hyperecho and hypoechoic heterogeneous echo pattern. All of the mass had identifiable boundary and increased blood vessels. CONCLUSION: Scrotum sarcoma is a rare malignant tumor of male genitalia. Scrotum ultrasound is useful for differentiating it from testicular tumor. The pathological feature of the tumor can be speculated according to the echo pattern and increased blood flow in the tumor.

[Feasibility and accuracy of ultrasound-guided methodology in the examination of lumbar spine facet joints].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the feasibility, accuracy of B ultrasound in the examination of joint space of lumbar spine facet joints compared with CT scan. METHODS: Ten healthy adult volunteers were enrolled. The joint space of lumbar facet joints was measured by ultrasound. To identify the spinal levels, the posterior parasagittal sonograms were obtained at levels L1 to S1. The lumbar facet joints were delineated with the help of transverse sonograms at each level. Meanwhile, the lumbar facet joints were evaluated by spiral CT on the same plane, reformatted to 1-mm axial slices. RESULTS: A total of 88 lumbar facet joints from L1 to S1 were clearly visualized in the 10 volunteers. Both ultrasound and CT measurements showed the same average depth and lateral distance of lumbar facet joint space (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The lumbar facet joint space can be accurately demonstrated by ultrasound.

Diagnosis of a female urethral diverticulum using transvaginal contrast-enhanced sonourethrography.

The diagnosis of female urethral diverticulum is difficult due to its nonspecific symptoms, and invasive diagnostic procedures are often necessary. We report a case in which the diagnosis was made with contrast-enhanced transvaginal sonourethrography. The microbubble contrast agent could be seen filling the diverticular cavity via its opening.

[Predicting prostate cancers using a logistic regression model with transrectal ultrasound characteristics, age and serum PSA].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the value of transrectal ultrasound characteristics in combination with age and prostate specific antigen (PSA) for predicting prostate cancers. METHODS: 579 patients with prostate diseases were examined with color doppler, followed by biopsies of prostates. A logistic regression model was developed to determine the relationship between prostate cancers and transrectal ultrasound characteristics, age and PSA levels. RESULTS: The biopsy confirmed 194 (33. 5%) prostate cancer cases and 385 (66. 5%) noncancerous patients with prostate diseases. The prostate cancer patients showed hypoechoic nodule, uneven echo, abnormal blood flow, abnormal prostate shape, unclear boundary of internal and external glands, unclear dividing line of prostate and seminal vesicle glands, unclear dividing line of prostate and rectal, and lymph node metastasis. Our prediction model had a 83.59% accuracy, 64.95% sensitivity, 92.99% specificity, 82.35% positive predictive value, and 84.04% negative predictive value. CONCLUSION: Transrectal ultrasound characteristics in combination with patients age and serum PSA is a good predictor of prostate cancer.

Use of deep sequencing to profile small RNAs derived from tomato spotted wilt orthotospovirus and hippeastrum chlorotic ringspot orthotospovirus in infected Capsicum annuum.

Virus-derived small RNAs are one of the key factors of RNA silencing in plant defence against viruses. We obtained virus-derived small interfering RNA profiles from Tomato spotted wilt orthotospovirus and Hippeastrum chlorotic ringspot orthotospovirus infected Capsicum annuum XX19 and XY11 by deep sequencing one day after inoculation. The vsiRNAs data were mapped to the TSWV and HCRV genomes, and the results showed that the vsiRNAs measured 19-24 nucleotides in length. Most of the vsiRNAs were mapped to the S segment of the viral genome. For XX19 and XY11 infected with HCRV, the distribution range of vsiRNAs in S RNA was 52.06-55.20%, while for XX19 and XY11 infected with TSWV, the distribution range of vsiRNAs in S RNA was 87.76-89.07%. The first base at the 5' end of the siRNA from TSWV and HCRV was primarily biased towards A, U, or C. Compared with mock-inoculated XX19 and XY11, the expression level of CaRDR1 was upregulated in TSWV- and HCRV-inoculated XX19 and XY11. CaAGO2 and CaAGO5 were upregulated in XY11 against HCRV infection, and CaRDR2 was downregulated in TSWV-infected XY11 and XX19. The profile of HCRV and TSWV vsiRNA verified in this study could be useful for selecting key vsiRNA such as those in disease-resistant varieties by artificially synthesizing amiRNA.

Hepatic perfusion disorder associated with focal liver lesions: contrast-enhanced US patterns--correlation study with contrast-enhanced CT.

PURPOSE: To retrospectively compare the detection and characterization of hepatic perfusion disorder (HPD) associated with focal liver lesions (FLLs) at contrast material-enhanced ultrasonography (US) by using contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) as the reference standard. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was approved by the local institutional ethics committee, and informed consent was waived. Three hundred fifty patients (mean age, 50 years ± 11 [standard deviation]; age range, 19-82 years; 168 women, 182 men) underwent contrast-enhanced US and contrast-enhanced CT between April 2008 and July 2010. Two independent readers reviewed contrast-enhanced US images for the detection and characterization of HPD. The largest lesion or the lesion best identified at contrast-enhanced US per patient was used for statistical analysis. Contrast-enhanced CT was used as the reference standard. Contrast-enhanced US and CT interreader agreement of diagnoses was assessed by using the weighted κ coefficient, and influences of lesion size, enhancement covering rate, and liver cirrhosis were evaluated by using logistic regression analysis and the paired χ(2) test. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and accuracy of contrast-enhanced US for HPD detection were calculated. RESULTS: Contrast-enhanced US results showed HPD features similar to those of CT imaging. CT depicted 50 HPDs in 350 patients, and contrast-enhanced US depicted 55 HPDs in 350 patients. The agreement for HPD diagnosis between US and CT was good (κ = 0.749). Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of contrast-enhanced US were 84.0%, 95.7%, 76.4%, 97.3%, and 0.945, respectively. Rapid enhancement coverage (P < .001) and lesion size (P = .002) were significant predictors of the occurrence of HPD. Liver cirrhosis did not have significant influence for HPD detection (P = .087). Image zooming, limited acoustic window, lesion diameter greater than 5 cm, attenuation, and blurred images were the main reasons for the false-positive diagnosis of HPD at contrast-enhanced US. CONCLUSION: The HPD in FLLs can reliably be detected with contrast-enhanced US, which correlated well with contrast-enhanced CT images.

Sonographic Features of Pure Mucinous Brelast Carcinoma With Micropapillary Pattern.

OBJECTIVE: Previous studies have mostly discussed the clinical manifestations and prognosis of mucinous breast carcinoma with a micropapillary pattern. The purposes of this study were to investigate the sonographic features of pure mucinous breast carcinoma with micropapillary pattern (MUMPC) and to identify the role of ultrasound in the differential diagnosis between MUMPC and conventional pure mucinous breast carcinoma (cPMBC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We obtained written informed consent from all patients, and the Ethics Committee of West China Hospital approved this retrospective study. The study was conducted between May and August 2020. We enrolled 133 patients with 133 breast lesions confirmed as mucinous breast carcinoma (MBC) histopathologically between January 2014 and January 2020.We retrospectively assessed sonographic features (margin, shape, internal echogenicity, calcification, posterior acoustic feature, invasive growth, blood flow grade, and rate of missed diagnosis) and clinical characteristics (age, tumor size, tumor texture, initial symptom, and lymph node metastasis). Bivariable analyses were performed using SPSS version 19.0. RESULTS: The 133 lesions included 11 MUMPCs, 65 cPMBCs, and 57 mixed MBCs (MMBCs). There were significant differences in margin, shape, calcification, posterior acoustic feature, invasive growth, rate of missed diagnosis, average tumor size, and lymph node metastasis among the three groups (p < 0.05). The subsequent pairwise comparisons showed that there were significant differences in lymph node metastasis, margin, and invasive growth between MUMPC and cPMBC (p < 0.05). In patients aged >45 years, there was a significant difference in tumor size among the three groups (p = 0.045), and paired comparison showed that the average tumor size in the cPMBC group was larger than that in the MMBC group (p = 0.014). CONCLUSION: MUMPC showed a non-circumscribed margin and invasive growth more frequently than cPMBC did. Lymphatic metastasis was more likely to occur in MUMPC than cPMBC. Ultrasound is helpful to distinguish MUMPC from cPMBC.

Transvaginal sonographic diagnosis of female urethral diverticula.

PURPOSE: We report our experience with transvaginal sonography (TVUS) in the diagnosis of female urethral diverticulum (UD). METHOD: We reviewed the TVUS examinations of 4 patients with a clinical diagnosis of UD and correlated the sonographic findings with the operative findings, especially regarding the UD's size, content, and location. RESULTS: All UDs were demonstrated on TVUS. The size, content, and location of the UD correlated well with the operative findings. CONCLUSION: TVUS is accurate in diagnosis and determination of the size, content, and location of female UD.

Ultrasonographic findings of small lesion of hepatic alveolar echinococcosis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the features of small lesions of hepatic alveolar echinococcsis paragonimiasis (AE) on conventional ultrasound (US) and contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) imaging. METHODS: This retrospective study was approved by the Institutional Review Board, and the requirement for informed consent was waived. US and CEUS features of seventeen lesions histopathologically proven hepatic AE were retrospectively reviewed. Nine patients with seventeen hepatic AE lesions who were admitted to our hospital between January 2008 and June 2015 were enrolled. All hepatic AE lesions were small (≤3cm). The US and CEUS examinations were performed with a Philips IU22 scanner with a 1-5-MHz convex transducer. After US was completed, the CEUS study was performed. Pulse-inversion harmonic imaging was used for CEUS. A bolus injection of 2.4mL of a sulfur-hexafluoride-filled microbubble contrast agent (SonoVue) was administered. The features of the lesions by US and CEUS were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: In total, all lesions were detected by US and CEUS. The mean size of the lesions was 1.8±0.7cm (range: 1.0-3.0cm). Five patients (55.6%, 5/9) had a lesion in the right hepatic lobe; two (22.2%, 2/9) had two lesions in the left hepatic lobe; and two patients (22.2%, 2/9) had four lesions in the right lobe. Seven lesions (41.2%, 7/17) were hypoechoic nodules and ten (58.8%, 10/17) were hyperechoic nodules. Nine lesions (52.3%, 9/17) were of mixed echogenicity type. Ten lesions (58.8%, 10/17) had a regular shape. Nine lesions (52.3%, 9/27) had a sharp margin and six (35.3%, 6/17) had indistinct margins. Four lesions (57.1%, 4/7) with hypoechoic nodule had small dotted calcifications, none was found in hyperechoic nodule. Seven nodules (41.2%, 7/17) showed short striated blood-flow signals surrounding the margin, on color Doppler flow imaging. By CEUS, All the lesions were hypoechoic with mixed content (). 12 lesions (70.1%, 12/17) were rim enhanced with irregular piece-like nonenhanced internal areas and showed nonhomogeneous hypo-enhancement during the arterial phase, with mixed echogenicity. The main pathological findings included: (1) (1) coagulative or liquefactive necrosis within the lesion with sporadic distribution of wizened alveolar hydatid cysts; and (2) hyperplasia of granulomatous and fibrous tissue around the lesion. CONCLUSION: Hyperechogenicity, mixed echogenicity type, dotted calcification with hypoechogenicity, sharp margin, rim enhancement and piece-like nonenhanced areas could be seen as the main ultrasonographic features of small lesion of hepatic alveolar echinococcosis.

Prostate cancer prediction using the random forest algorithm that takes into account transrectal ultrasound findings, age, and serum levels of prostate-specific antigen.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the ability of the random forest algorithm that combines data on transrectal ultrasound findings, age, and serum levels of prostate-specific antigen to predict prostate carcinoma. Clinico-demographic data were analyzed for 941 patients with prostate diseases treated at our hospital, including age, serum prostate-specific antigen levels, transrectal ultrasound findings, and pathology diagnosis based on ultrasound-guided needle biopsy of the prostate. These data were compared between patients with and without prostate cancer using the Chi-square test, and then entered into the random forest model to predict diagnosis. Patients with and without prostate cancer differed significantly in age and serum prostate-specific antigen levels (P < 0.001), as well as in all transrectal ultrasound characteristics (P < 0.05) except uneven echo (P = 0.609). The random forest model based on age, prostate-specific antigen and ultrasound predicted prostate cancer with an accuracy of 83.10%, sensitivity of 65.64%, and specificity of 93.83%. Positive predictive value was 86.72%, and negative predictive value was 81.64%. By integrating age, prostate-specific antigen levels and transrectal ultrasound findings, the random forest algorithm shows better diagnostic performance for prostate cancer than either diagnostic indicator on its own. This algorithm may help improve diagnosis of the disease by identifying patients at high risk for biopsy.

Primary follicular thyroid carcinoma metastasis to the kidney and widespread dissemination: A case report.

Distant metastases are more common in follicular thyroid carcinoma (FC) than in papillary thyroid carcinoma. However, FC metastasis to the kidney with eggshell calcification, as observed in the present case, is rare. The current report presents a case of a 67-year-old woman exhibiting a solitary tumor in the mid pole of the left kidney. Radical nephrectomy was performed, as the tumor was diagnosed as a primary renal carcinoma using contrast-enhanced computed tomography. Once the tumor was confirmed to be FC, total thyroidectomy was performed. Following administration of an oral therapeutic dose of 100 mCi 131I, functional imaging demonstrated the presence of multifocal metastases in the chest and abdomen. Euthyrox® was prescribed orally to aid normal thyroid function. Follow-up 6 months later using radionuclide imaging demonstrated the disappearance of the multifocal metastases in the chest and abdomen. The distant metastasis of FC may represent the initial symptom of the primary lesion, which was neglected. Ultrasound is an effective method to examine nodules located on the thyroid.

[Analysis of the coding region for signal peptide-containing proteins in Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato genome].

The completed 5 615 ORFs of chromosome sequence of Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato were analyzed by SignalP 3.0. The result revealed that 679 ORFs consisted of putative secretary proteins with signal peptides. 107 ORFs of signal peptides have been named. The length of most signal peptides was different from 19 amino acids to 31 amino acids, and the most dominant one was 23 amino acids in length. The size of most ORFs varied between 101 ~ 400 amino acids. The frequency of particular amino acids in signal peptides by statistical approach was 48.54% for hydrophobic, 18.67% for uncharged, 24.54% for negative and 8.00% for positive amino acids. The most frequent amino acid was alanine, and the least was isoleucine. Three classes of signal peptides were found in the genome of P. syringae pv. tomato: 501 ORFs belong to secretary signal peptides, 36 ORFs belong to twin-arginine signal peptides, and 15 ORFs belong to lipoprotein signal peptides. Type IV pilin signal peptide and bacteriocins and pheronoes signal peptide was not found in the genome.