16 ?g/mL, and ≤0.03 ?g/mL , respectively. The MICs did not show significant differences among the ungerminated conidia and the germinated conidia for all the isolates tested except A.versicolor and Phialophora verrucosa. Conclusions Terbinafine is effective against the isolates of Aspergillus spp., dematiaceous fungi and dermatophytes in vitro except Pseudallescheria boydii and Scedosporium apiospermum. The MIC of terbinafine obtained with ungerminated conidia may reflect the antifungal activity of terbinafine against germinated conidia and hyphae of some filamentous fungi in vitro.

Objective To study the expression and the role of interferon-gamma (IFN-?)in murine systemic infection of Scedosporum apiospermum. Methods The murine models of systemic Scedosporum apiospermum infection was established by inoculation of the pathogenic fungi. ELISA and RT-PCR were applied to detect the expression level of IFN-? protein and mRNA in spleens, respectively. Colony formingunit (cfu) of infected kidneys was determined with the plating dilution method. The mean survival time (MST) of the mice was also recorded. Results IFN-? levels in lethal infection group were lower than those of the normal controls (P 0.05 on day 7). IFN-? levels of sublethal infection group were higher than those of normal controls (P 0.05 on day 7). But the IFN-? levels were significantly lower in the immunosuppressed group than those in the sublethal infection group (P

Objective : To investigate the epidemiological characteristics of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) in Dongyang City, Zhejiang Province from 2017 to 2022, so as to provide insights into SFTS prevention and control. Methods: Data pertaining to patients with SFTS in Dongyang City from 2017 to 2022 were collected from Notifiable Infectious Disease Reporting System of Chinese Disease Prevention and Control Information System. The epidemiological and clinical characteristics of patients with SFTS were descriptively analyzed, and the trends in incidence of SFTS was evaluated using annual percent change (APC). Results: A total of 32 SFTS cases were reported in Dongyang City from 2017 to 2022, with mean annual incidence of 0.63/105, and 8 cases died, with a fatality rate of 25.00%. The incidence of SFTS appeared a tendency towards a rise from 2017 to 2022 (APC=40.697%, P<0.05). The male to female ratio of SFTS cases was 0.78∶1, and farmer was the predominant occupation (31 cases, 96.88%). SFTS predominantly occurred among individuals at ages of 51 to 69 years (20 cases, 62.50%), and the incidence peaked during the period between March and May and between July and August (28 cases, 87.50%). SFTS cases were reported in 11 out of the 18 townships (streets) in Dongyang City, with the highest number found in Zuocun Township (8 cases, 28.13%), and had the lowest platelet count of (41.46±5.19)×109 platelets/L, with the lowest count of (3.00 to 67.00) ×109 platelets/L. All the SFTS cases had a history of mountain forest and farmland activities 2 weeks prior to onset of the disease, and 5 cases (15.63%) had a history of tick bites. Conclusions The incidence of SFTS appeared a tendency towards a rise in Dongyang City from 2017 to 2022, and SFTS was highly prevalent in spring and summer, with high incidence among farmers. Intensified health education of SFTS is recommended among residents in high-incidence areas.

OBJECTIVETo clone and characterize the DNA and cDNA sequences of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase gene (PAL) from Fagopyrum dibotrys, and investigate the biological activity of the obtained PAL.

METHODUsing homology cloning and RT-PCR techniques, the DNA and full-length cDNA sequences of PAL gene were amplified from F. dibotrys. The obtained sequences were analyzed by bioinformatics software. The ORF of PAL gene was cloned into expression vector pET-30b(+) and transformed into Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) for expression the recombined protein. The catalytic activity of the recombined protein was determined by Spectrophotometer and thin layer chromatography (TLC) methods.

RESULTThe DNA sequence of PAL gene (designated as FdPAL, GenBank accession number: HM628904) was 2 583 bp in size, of which consisted two extrons and a single intron, and the full-length cDNA of FdPAL was 2 169 bp in size, which contained an ORF. The deduced protein of FdPAL contained 722 amino acids with calculated molecular weight (MW) of 78.31 kDa and an isoelectric point (pI) of 5.94. The SDS-PAGE results showed that the molecular weight of recombinant FdPAL protein was 75.37 kDa, which is consistent with the predictions. After 4 hours of induction, the enzymatic specific activity of FdPAL reached the summit, up to 4 386 nmol x g(-1) x min(-1). The reaction products were also identified by TLC, using L-Phe and trans-cinnamic acid as the internal standard.

CONCLUSIONThe PAL gene (both DNA sequence and full-length cDNA sequence) was cloned from F. dibotrys, and it has the same classic characters as other PALs in plants. The recombinant FdPAL was efficiently expressed in E. coli and had the activity for catalyzing the conversion from L-phenylalanine to cinnamic acid.

Amino Acid Sequence ; Base Sequence ; Cloning, Molecular ; Escherichia coli ; genetics ; metabolism ; Fagopyrum ; classification ; genetics ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phenylalanine Ammonia-Lyase ; chemistry ; genetics ; metabolism ; Phylogeny ; Protein Conformation ; Recombinant Proteins ; chemistry ; genetics ; metabolism

Objective To analyze fungal isolates from patients with superficial fungal infections during 1960-2006.Methods Fungal strains isolated from patients with superficial (mucocutaneous and cutaneous)fungal infections and identified in the Medical Mycology Clinical Laboratory,Department of Dermatology and Venereology,Union Hospital,from 1960 to 2006 (data from September 1991 to July 1992 were unavailable),were subjected to a classification and statistical analysis.Clinical samples for mycological examination were taken from outpatients or inpatients of different departments in hospitals of Hubei province and surrounding areas.Morphological,physiological and biochemical methods were applied for species identification.Results A total of 11 989 Candida strains were isolated,which belonged to 23 species and 16 genera.They fell into 3 groups,i.e.,dermatophytes,Candida and yeasts (including Malassezia),and non-dermatophyte moulds.Since 287 strains of moulds were suspected to be contaminating fungi,11 702 residual isolates were analyzed.Of the analyzed isolates,Candida species (5642/11 702,48.2％ )and dermatophytes (5279/11 702,45.1％ )predominated,followed by yeasts (449/11 702,3.8％) and Malassezia species (332/11 702,2.8％).The most frequently isolated species was Trichophyton rubrum (3865/11 702,33.0％),Candida albicans (3110/11 702,26.6％ ) and non-albicans Candida species (2532/11 702,21.6％ ).Dermatophyte strains were mostly isolated from lesions of smooth skin with an exception of palmoplantar and interdigit regions (1787/5279,37.7％).The most common dermatophyte species was Trichophyton rubrum,followed by Trichophyton violanceum.Candida was mainly isolated from mucous membrane lesions (4099/5642,72.7％),with Candida albicans being the predominant species.Conclusions Candida species and dermatophytes predominate in patients with superficial fungal infections during 1960-2006,with Trichophyton rubrum being the most common species.

Objective:Based on the perspective of supply and demand balance, to analyze the implementation effects of primary-feature medical services measures in medical alliances.Methods:From July to September 2019, two regions with different levels of economic development were chosen, and from each region one leading hospital and two community health service centers/township hospitals were selected from its medical alliance. A total of 213 medical staff and 703 residents were surveyed, to learn their awareness and performance appraisal of these feature services.Frequency and proportion were calculated in a descriptive statistical analysis. The scores of the performance appraisal of both supply and demand sides were tested by independent sample t. Results:In the performance appraisal of such measures, the average scoring by medical staff was 4.39±0.07, and that by residents was 3.85±0.06; the residents were more concerned with service capabilities and contents, while medical staff were more concerned with service content and delivery mode; supply and demand sides were found with consensus in terms of improving the medical service quality of chronic diseases in primary level and service accessibility.Conclusions:The county-level medical alliances should focus on enhancing their capacity of primary medical services, and improving their primary service mode with the help of medical insurance institutions. Meanwhile, it is imperative to optimize the primary medical service policy in view of supply and demand balance.