bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Failure to Reject an Allografted Tumor after Elimination of Macrophages in Mice
Authors: Ushio Yumiko , Yamamoto Naoki , Sanchez‐Bueno Antonio , Yoshida Ryotaro 
Published: November 2013

AbstractAfter an i.p. transplantation of an allogeneic tumor (Meth A) to C57BL/6 mice, a macrophage (MΦ)‐rich, non‐T, non‐NK cell population is induced as the major infiltrate and cytotoxic cells. We here evaluated the role of the MΦs in the rejection of allografted Meth A cells and characterized the MΦs in comparison with other well‐known MΦs. At all time intervals after transplantation, the highest cytotoxic activities against Meth A tumor were obtained with the MΦ‐rich population. In addition, the lymphocyte‐rich population had a significant but low cytotoxic activity, whereas two other population types, granulocytes and large granular cells, were inactive. When the MΦ‐rich or the T cell‐depleted MΦ‐rich population was i.p. transplanted simultaneously with Meth A cells into untreated C57BL/6 mice, the tumor cells were rejected without growth. After specific elimination of MΦs by in vivo application of dichloromethylene diphosphonate‐containing liposomes, the cytotoxic activity against Meth A cells was hardly induced at the transplantation site of Meth A cells and the allografted Meth A tumor continued to grow, indicating that a type of MΦ is the effector cell essential for the rejection. In contrast to other well‐known MΦs, the cytotoxic activity against Meth A cells was cell‐to‐cell contact dependent and soluble factor (e.g., NO and TNF‐α) independent. Moreover, the cytotoxic activity of the MΦs (H‐2b) against 51Cr‐labeled Meth A (H‐2d) cells was inhibited by the addition of unlabeled H‐2d, but not H‐2a, H‐2k or H‐2b, lymphoblasts as well as Meth A cells, implying the specific interaction of the MΦs with H‐2d cells.
Seroprevalence of Helicobacter pylori Infection in Patients with Connective Tissue Diseases
Authors: Showji Yumiko , Nozawa Ryushi , Sato Koji , Suzuki Harumi 
Published: November 2013

AbstractTo assess the possibility that Helicobacter pylori might be an etiologic agent, titers of anti‐H. pylori IgG in sera of patients with connective tissue diseases [rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), polymyositis or dermatomyositis (PM/DM), progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS), mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) and Sjögren's syndrome (SjS)] were compared with those of non‐patient (healthy) volunteers and of patients with chronic pulmonary diseases (CPD) by ELISA using an extract of sonicated H. pylori as the antigen. Among patients with connective tissue diseases, those with SLE and RA had anti‐H. pylori titers as low as healthy volunteers. Patients with SjS had much higher average titers than patients with CPD (P<0.05). We previously reported that levels of myeloid calcium‐binding protein (MRP8 and MRP14) were elevated in the serum of patients with connective tissue diseases. No correlation was found between serum levels of anti‐H. pylori IgG and of MRP, a novel marker of inflammation. Furthermore, sera with high IgG titers were selected, and their reactivity with the H. pylori antigen were analyzed by Western blotting. H. pylori antigens with a variety of molecular masses were immunostained with sera from patients and from healthy volunteers, but a 16‐kDa antigen was only immunostained by reaction with the sera of patients with MCTD and SjS, although the number of test samples was small.
Cloning and Sequencing of the Klebsiella K‐36 astA Gene, Encoding an Arylsulfate Sulfotransferase
Authors: Baek Moon‐Chang , Kim Sook‐Kyung , Kim Dong‐Hyun , Kim Byong‐Kak , Choi Eung‐Chil 
Published: November 2013

AbstractA gene‐encoding arylsulfate sulfotransferase (ASST) was cloned from a Klebsiella K‐36 genomic library. ASST tranfers a sulfate group from phenolic sulfate esters to a phenolic acceptor substrate. The gene, designated astA, was subcloned into vector pGEM3Zf(–) and sequenced. Recombinant clone‐harbouring astA was directly identified using a fluorescent product. The nucleotide sequencing revealed an open reading frame (ORF) of 2,082 bp encoding a protein of 694 amino acids with a secretory signal sequence. A protein of similar size was visualized after in vitro transcription and translation using a plasmid carrying the cloned 3.1‐kb fragment as a template. The N‐terminal amino acid sequence of the purified processed protein was found to be identical to that predicted from the gene sequence. When searching the database for astA nucleotide or its deduced amino acid sequence, no significant homology to any sequence was found.
High Levels of sTNFR p75 and TNFα in Dengue‐Infected Patients
Authors: Hober Didier , Delannoy Anne‐Sophie , Benyoucef Samira , De Groote Donat , Wattré Pierre 
Published: November 2013

AbstractSoluble forms of the two molecular species of the cell surface TNF receptors (sTNFR p55 and sTNFR p75) can reduce the activity of TNFα but they may also enhance its function by stabilizing the active TNFα oligomer. Considering the pathophysiological importance of sTNFR p75 for the regulation of the bioavailability of TNFα in the body, we determined the serum levels of sTNFR p75 and TNFα in 45 children and 28 adults with laboratory‐confirmed dengue infection by using immunoassays. The serum samples were obtained from day 1 to day 15 after the onset of the disease during the 1989–1990 outbreak of dengue‐3 in Tahiti, French Polynesia. The patients were clinically classified as having dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) and graded according to the criteria of the World Health Organization (WHO) into four grades from less severe (grade I) to severe (grade IV). The sera of both children and adult patients of all severity grades contained higher levels of sTNFR p75 than the sera of control subjects. Although high levels of TNFα were also detected in children and adults among grade I, II, III and IV patients, we found no correlation between sTNFR p75 and TNFα. We observed in adults a moderate elevation of sTNFR p75 and TNFα in sera compared with that observed in children. The raised levels of immunoreactive sTNFR p75 and TNFα in all clinical groups of dengue‐infected patients strongly indicate activation of the TNFα system during dengue infection. The balance between sTNFR p75 and TNFα may be altered in dengue infection. Further investigations are needed to understand the role of sTNFR p75 and TNFα in the pathogenesis of DHF and to improve the management of dengue infection.
Characterization of the Growth Factor Activity of Amniotic Fluid on Cells from Hematopoietic and Lymphoid Organs of Different Life Stages
Authors: Heidari Zohreh , Isobe Ken‐Ichi , Goto Setsuko , Nakashima Izumi , Kiuchi Kazutoshi , Tomoda Yutaka 
Published: November 2013

AbstractWe investigated the proliferation‐promoting effects of murine amniotic fluid (MAF) on in vitro cultured cells originally obtained from murine hematopoietic and lymphoid organs at different life stages. MAF promoted proliferation of the fetal liver cells (FLC), newborn spleen cells and adult bone marrow cells. The proliferation‐promoting activity of MAF was extended to liver cells and spleen cells from mice younger than 2 weeks old. MAF did not, however, promote the proliferation of newborn or adult thymocytes, or of spleen cells, liver cells or peritoneal cells from 2‐week‐old or older mice. Rather, it partially inhibited the proliferation of spleen cells, thymocytes and peritoneal cells from 1‐year‐old mice. These results suggest that MAF contains growth factors for hematopoietic stem cells but not for either mature or immature T lymphocytes. Supporting this view, the MAF activity was partially neutralized by a polyclonal anti‐mouse stem cell factor (SCF) antibody. Moreover, the immunoblotting of MAF against anti‐mouse SCF antibody revealed a band at 30–32 kDa corresponding to the previously reported SCF. Interestingly, MAF was able to maintain FLC and adult bone marrow cells alive in culture for a relatively long time (2 weeks). The MAF activity was further shown to be partially and cell type‐dependently antagonized by TNF‐α and TGF‐β. These results provided evidence that MAF contains potentially multiple growth factors preferentially affecting the early stage of hematopoiesis, one of which is SCF.
Assessment of the Significance of Virulence Factors of Uropathogenic Escherichia coli in Experimental Urinary Tract Infection in Mice
Authors: Yamamoto Shingo , Nakata Katsuhisa , Yuri Kazuyo , Katae Hiromi , Terai Akito , Kurazono Hisao , Takeda Yoshifumi , Yoshida Osamu 
Published: November 2013

AbstractFour Escherichia coli strains, isolated from cystitis patients, belonging to serotype O2:H− and possessing different combinations of urovirulence factors were examined in an experimental pyelonephritis mouse model to assess the relative importance of virulence factors in causation of urinary tract infections (UTI). The results suggest not only that the each virulence factor has a role in causation of UTI but also that the presence of P fimbriae and production of hemolysin significantly reduced the LD50 and ID50 of the strains in the mouse model. The results also demonstrate that the presence of additional virulence factors acts in an additive or synergetic fashion enhancing the cumulative impact of the strain.
A Modified PCR‐Based Method for Rapid Non‐Radioactive Detection of Clinically Important Pathogens
Authors: Gorelov Victor N. , Dumon Kristoffel , Barteneva Natalia S. , Röher Hans‐Dieter , Goretzki Peter E. 
Published: November 2013

AbstractWe have devised a sensitive and rapid method for the detection of several bacterial pathogens in clinical specimens using PCR. This method has been named Direct Labeling and Detection Procedure (DLDP) and is based on the direct incorporation of a nonradioactive digoxigenin label (DIG‐11‐dUTP) into a microbial species‐specific gene fragment during amplification. Following amplification, the resulting PCR products are cleansed of nonincorporated DIG‐11‐dUTP, spotted onto a nylon membrane, fixed by UV‐crosslinking and the labeled DNA is visualized by digoxigenin detection reagents. Using cultivated reference bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa) we were able to demonstrate a rapid and sensitive detection of < 20 CFU of bacteria in human secretions (sputum, urine, mucous). The present study suggests that DLDP can be used as a reliable method for indication of bacteria in clinical or environmental specimens with the proviso that the selected corresponding oligonucleotide primers provide amplification of strong species‐specific genes.
Development of Functional Rat‐Derived T Cells in SCID Mice Engrafted with the Fetal Thymus of LEC Rats Which Are Defective in CD4+ T Cells
Authors: Chai Jian‐Guo , Sakai Tohru , Hisaeda Hajime , Nagasawa Hideyuki , Yasutomo Koji , Furukawa Atuko , Ishikawa Hiroyuki , Maekawa Yoichi , Uehara Hisanori , Izumi Keisuke , Matsumoto Kozo , Himeno Kunisuke 
Published: November 2013

AbstractWe reported that LEC rats are genetically deficient in the development of thymic CD4+8− cells and that this defect is caused by bone marrow (BM)‐derived stem cells. To determine which BM‐derived cells are responsible for the arrest of T‐cell development in LEC rats, fetal thymuses of LEC rats, or LEA rats which bear the same major histocompatibility complex (MHC) as LEC rats but are immunologically normal, were engrafted under the kidney capsule of severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mice (LEC‐TG and LEA‐TG mice, respectively). We then examined the differentiation of T cells and their immunological functions in the SCID mice. A large number of rat‐derived CD4+ T cells appeared in the peripheral blood, lymph nodes (LN) and spleens in LEC‐TG mice. Furthermore, the peripheral LN cells in LEC‐TG mice appeared to be functional. These cells produced IL‐2 upon Con A stimulation, whereas LN cells from LEC rats produced no IL‐2 in the same conditions. Thymopoiesis was observed at 3 weeks in LEC‐TG as well as LEA‐TG mice. The distribution of thymocyte subsets with respect to CD4 and CD8 expression in LEC‐TG mice closely resembled that of LEA rat thymus and that in LEA‐TG mice, suggesting that normal T‐cell differentiation occurred in LEC‐TG mice. The results indicated that BM‐derived progenitor T cells of LEC rats could differentiate to functional CD4+ T cells.
Serological Study of Bartonella henselae in Cat Scratch Disease in Japan
Authors: Yoshida Hiroshi , Kusaba Nobuhide , Omachi Kei , Miyazaki Norihisa , Yamawaki Makoto , Tsuji Yuichiro , Nakahara Keita , Sumino Michihiro , Noudomi Masanori , Shimokawa Yutaka , Tanikawa Kyuichi 
Published: November 2013

AbstractIt has become clear that Bartonella henselae is a common cause of cat scratch disease (CSD). The indirect fluorescence antibody (IFA) test for detection of IgG and IgM antibodies to B. henselae concerning CSD showed that 5 (50%) of 10 patients with CSD had a serum IgG antibody titer of 1:128 or more and that 2 (20%) patients had a serum IgM antibody titer of 1:20 or more. One of 7 asymptomatic members of patients' families (14%) had IgG antibody to B. henselae at a titer of 1:256. IgM antibody to B. henselae was not detected in sera from the patients' families. Both IgG and IgM antibodies to B. henselae were not detected in sera from the healthy control group. These data suggest that B. henselae may be a cause of CSD in Japan.
Further Search for Small Molecular Inactivants Capable of Eliciting Respiratory Mucosal Immunogenicity by Modifying Sendai Virus Core RNA
Authors: Miyamae Takeo 
Published: November 2013

AbstractFive groups of 32 chemicals were examined regarding their immunological functions as modifier inactivants to make inactivated Sendai nasal vaccine using a contact exposure experiment, direct immunofluorescent method, and serum HI titer. (1) Five of the nine reactive groups of reactive dyes (2‐chloropyridine, 2, 4, 6‐trichloropyrimidine, vinylsulfonic acid, epichlorohydrin and beta‐chloroethylamine) induced complete or almost complete defense in the entire respiratory tract, and the four other vaccines brought about slight infection in the respiratory tracts. There was no marked rise in serum HI titers post‐exposure, despite uneven development. (2) Of the four sizable substituted AS naphthol vaccines, naphthol AS‐IRG and AS‐G vaccines elicited nearly complete defense, but the two other vaccines, inactivated with more elongated molecules, invited rare and successive infections. The three immune groups produced invariably high serum HI titers. (3) Of the six naphthalene derivative vaccines, two (3‐hydroxy‐2‐naphthoic acid methylester and 2‐naphthol‐6‐sulfonic acid) induced complete or almost complete protection. But two vaccines brought about less protection, and the remaining two vaccines caused heavy infections. (4) Of the six benzene derivative vaccines, both m‐nitrobenzenesulfonic acid and isatoic anhydride induced complete protection. Three vaccines permitted slight infections but 2, 4, 6‐trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid vaccine caused severe infection. (5) Of the seven food dye vaccines, only orange I induced complete or nearly complete defense, while the other dye vaccines were inferior. In effect, twelve inactivated Sendai nasal vaccines modified the ribose and/or phosphate groups of the virus core RNA through five groups of small‐sized molecules with specially fixed side chains, and elicited complete or almost complete respiratory mucosal defense. The viral stabilization requiring the least alteration of the configuration will be involved in the chemical modification.
Nosocomial Diarrhoea in the Elderly Due to Enterotoxigenic Clostridium perfringens
Authors: Wada Akihito , Masuda Yoshishige , Fukayama Makiko , Hatakeyama Tsutomu , Yanagawa Yoshitoki , Watanabe Haruo , Inamatsu Takashi 
Published: November 2013

AbstractTo diagnose sporadic diarrhoea due to Clostridium perfringens infection, faecal specimens from elderly patients were examined directly for C. perfringens enterotoxin using reverse passive latex agglutination assay, and then cultured for this organism. C. perfringens isolates from those samples were grouped by slide agglutination and by pulsed‐field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Fifty of the 60 isolates agglutinated with newly raised antiserum WX2 and 38 shared the same genomic PFGE pattern. Characteristics of the epidemics and experimental data suggest that the diarrhoea was caused by a nosocomial spread of C. perfringens, and not by a food‐borne outbreak.
Investigation of IFN Type‐I Receptor and IFN Regulatory Factor Expression Relating to Induction of 2′, 5′‐Oligoadenylate Synthetase in Cells Persistently Infected with the Mumps Virus
Authors: Fujii Nobuhiro , Yokosawa Noriko , Ishida Setsuko , Shirakawa Sachiko , Kubota Toru , Indoh Tomokazu , Fujinaga Kei , Yashiki Teruo 
Published: November 2013

AbstractPoor induction of interferon‐induced 2′, 5′‐oligoadenylate synthetase (2–5AS) activity has been demonstrated in cells persistently infected with the mumps virus or human T‐lymphotropic virus type‐I (HTLV‐I). The suppression of 2–5AS induction is the result of the repression of 2–5AS gene expression at the transcription level. In a general way, after the binding of interferon‐α (IFN‐α) to cell surface‐specific receptors, expression of 2–5AS gene is thought to be regulated by some transacting factors, IFN‐regulatory factors (IRF‐1 and IRF‐2) and the IFN‐stimulated gene factor (ISGF‐3, a complex consisting of STAT‐1α, STAT‐2 and p48). To clarify the cause of the suppression mechanism(s), fluctuation in the number of IFN receptors and the levels of mRNAs in both IRF‐1 and IRF‐2 were examined in cells persistently infected with the mumps virus (FLMT and KBMT). There were few defferences in the number of IFN receptors and the level of IRF‐2 mRNA between persistently infected cells and uninfected control cells. After the treatment of cells with IFN, a slight reduction of IRF‐1 mRNA was found in persistently infected cells as compared with that of the uninfected control cells.
Sequence Variation of the Hypervariable Region in HCV Carriers with Normal ALT Levels: A Comparison with Symptomatic Carriers
Authors: Murashima Shiro , Sata Michio , Suzuki Hiroshi , Noguchi Seiji , Tanikawa Kyuichi 
Published: November 2013

AbstractThe clinical significance of the hypervariable region (HVR) in the N‐terminus of the E2/NS1 region, which encodes the putative envelope glycoprotein (gp 70) of HCV, has not yet been elucidated. We studied the relation between HVR changes and elevation of the alanine aminotransaminase (ALT) level due to liver cell injury as well as the persistence of HCV infection. Three patients (carrier group) who were HCV RNA positive and had normal ALT levels for as long as five years and three patients with high ALT levels were studied. None of the six patients had a history of treatment. HCV RNA was extracted from serum obtained from each patient in 1990 and 1995. The E2/NS1 region, including HVR‐1 and HVR‐2, was amplified using the RT‐PCR method. PCR products were cloned and nucleotide sequences were determined using the dideoxynucleotide chain termination method. No clear correlation was found between the ALT levels and the number of nucleotide substitutions in HVR‐1. The number of nucleotide substitutions in HVR‐1 during the five years was greater than in other regions. Furthermore, more nucleotide substitutions occurred in the 1st and 2nd codon positions of HVR‐1 than in the control region, even in the carrier group. In conclusion, HVR‐1 changes are probably a more important factor in persistent viral infection than liver cell injury.
Analysis of the Epitopes Recognized by Mouse Monoclonal Antibodies Directed to Yersinia enterocolitica Heat‐Shock Protein 60
Authors: Yamaguchi Hiroyuki , Miura Hitoshi , Ohsumi Kazuoki , Osaki Takako , Taguchi Haruhiko , Yamamoto Tomoko , Hanawa Tomoko , Ogata Sachio , Kamiya Shigeru 
Published: November 2013

AbstractTo determine amino acid sequences of the epitopes recognized by monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) 3C8 and 5C3 directed against Yersinia enterocolitica heat‐shock protein (HSP60), a dot blot analysis was perfomed using synthesized peptides of Y. enterocolitica HSP60 such as peptides p316‐342, p327‐359, p340‐366, p316‐326, p316‐321, p319‐323, and p321‐326 which represent positions of amino acids in Y. enterocolitica HSP60. The dot blot analysis revealed that 5C3 mAb reacted with p316‐342, p316‐326 and p321‐326, and 3C8 mAb p316‐342 and p316‐326. These results indicate that the epitopes recognized by the mAbs were associated with eleven amino acids, Asp Leu Gly Gln Ala Lys Arg Val Val Ile Asn, of p316‐326. The sequence homology between p316‐326 of Y. enterocolitica HSP60 and the rest of the HSP60 family suggests that the five amino acids of Lys, Arg, Val, Ile and Asn, which are highly conserved in the HSP60 family, might be related with the epitope recognized by 3C8. In contrast, it was also demonstrated that three amino acids of Leu, Gly and Val, which are not well conserved in the HSP60 family, might be related to the epitope recognized by 5C3.
Polymerase Chain Reaction for the Detection of Chlamydia psittaci in the Feces of Budgerigars
Authors: Takashima Ikuo , Imai Yumi , Itoh Norihiko , Kariwa Hiroaki , Hashimoto Nobuo 
Published: November 2013

AbstractThe polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the ompA gene of Chlamydia psittaci was evaluated for its ability to detect chlamydiae in fecal specimens of budgerigars as compared with isolation procedures using cell culture and embryonated egg inoculations. Several procedures for PCR template DNA preparation were compared so as to determine their detection levels for chlamydiae propagated in cell culture in the presence of fecal materials. Tween‐20 and proteinase K treatments followed by centrifugation of the template DNA were found to be an appropriate procedure for DNA preparation for primary PCR. Subsequent nested PCR was shown to detect 4.8 IFU/ml or 84 particles/ml of chlamydiae. Chlamydiae in 50 fecal specimens from apparently healthy budgerigars were examined by nested PCR and several other methods. Nested PCR detected chlamydiae at a higher rate (12/50, 24%) than the isolation procedure in embryonated eggs (6/50, 12%). Primary PCR combined with the isolation procedure in cell culture gave a detection rate (5/50, 10%) similar to that of isolation from embryonated eggs. Detection rates by primary PCR (1/50, 2%) and in cell culture (0%) were inferior to the other procedures.
Colorimetric Assay System for Screening Antiviral Compounds against Hepatitis B Virus
Authors: Sudo Kenji , Konno Kenji , Shigeta Shiro , Yokota Tomoyuki 
Published: November 2013

AbstractA highly sensitive, rapid, and accurate assay system was developed for the in vitro evaluation of anti‐hepatitis B virus (anti‐HBV) agents. Chronic HBV‐producing HB611 cells were used in combination with immunoaffinity purification, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and hybrid capture detection. HB611 cells were incubated with putative anti‐HBV agents for 7 days in 96‐well microtiter plates. HBV was purified from HB611 cell culture media using immunoaffinity purification. The HBV DNA was extracted, amplified with PCR, and assayed using a hybrid capture colorimetric method. This assay provided quantitative detection of extracellular HBV DNA from 25 μl of cell culture media. Using the colorimetric method, we found that 50% effective concentration levels of several known anti‐HBV agents (HPMPA, PMEDAP, PMEA and others) were similar to those reported in studies using Southern blot analysis. These results demonstrate that this new and easily automated colorimetric assay system can be used for the rapid and accurate assessment of anti‐HBV compound selectivity.