bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Seroprevalence to the Circumsporozoite Protein Peptide Antigen of Plasmodium vivax in Korean Children
Authors: Lim Chae Seung , Yoon Jae Kyun , Chang Eun Ah , Suh In Bum , An Seong Soo A. , Lee Kee‐Hyoung , Chung Ji Tae , Tockgo Young Chang 
Published: November 2013

AbstractRecently, malaria re‐emerged in the Republic of Korea (ROK), but there have been only a few reports on malaria seroprevalence. For the epidemiological study in children, a total of 1,176 serum samples were obtained from children and adolescent inhabitants from the three different regions, Pajoo, the Guro district in the western part of Seoul (Guro), and Ansan, from June to September 2002, when the transmission rate was high. Anti‐circumsporozoite protein (CSP) antibody levels were assessed in samples using an indirect enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. Among the three regions, the highest IgG seroreactivity against the CSP antigen of Plasmodium vivax was found in the children from Pajoo (8.0%), followed by the children from Guro (3.2%), and those in Ansan (0.02%) had the lowest seroreactivity. In Pajoo, the profile of antibody response showed the highest in age 9, but decreased with age towards 12 years old. We found significant correlation between the seroprevalence and annual incidence in the investigated areas, suggesting that the area‐related patterns reflected the differences of inoculation rates in children.
Confirmation of the Anomeric Structure of Galacturonic Acid in the Galacturonosyl‐Ceramide of Sphingomonas yanoikuyae
Authors: Kawahara Kazuyoshi , Sato Noriko , Tsuge Koichiro , Seto Yasuo 
Published: November 2013

AbstractThe anomeric structure of glycosphingolipids significantly influences their activity to stimulate natural killer T cells. In this study the chemical structure of the galacturonosyl‐ceramide in Sphingomonas yanoikuyae, designated GSL‐1′sy, was re‐examined to prove the anomeric structure of the D‐galacturonic acid (GalA) in the lipid, which was reported as β‐configuration by Naka et al., but was suggested as α‐configuration in our preliminary study. GSL‐1′sy was purified from the bacterial cells with the same procedure as Naka et al. The 1H‐NMR analysis of GSL‐1′sy revealed that the coupling constant of the anomeric proton of GalA was 3.0 Hz, indicating that GalA in GSL‐1′sy is α‐anomer, the configuration active for the stimulation of natural killer T cells.
Isolation and Identification of Methylobacterium Species from the Tap Water in Hospitals in Japan and Their Antibiotic Susceptibility
Authors: Furuhata Katsunori , Kato Yuko , Goto Keiichi , Hara Motonobu , Yoshida Shin‐ichi , Fukuyama Masafumi 
Published: November 2013

AbstractContamination of tap water by Methylobacterium species has become a serious concern in hospitals. This study was planned to examine the distribution of Methylobacterium species inhabiting tap water used in Japanese hospitals and antibiotic sensitivity of the isolates in 2004. Species identification of 58 isolates was performed based on the homology of a partial sequence of 16S rDNA. The dominant Methylobacterium species in hospital water were M. aquaticum and M. fujisawaense. To examine the biochemical properties of these isolates, a carbon source utilization was tested using an API50CH kit. The phenotypic character varied widely, and was not necessarily consistent with the results of phylogenic analysis based on the partial 16S rDNA sequence, suggesting that the biochemical properties are not suitable for identification of Methylobacterium species. The isolates were also subjected to antibiotic sensitivity tests. They were resistant to 8 antibiotics, but highly sensitive to imipenem (MIC90=1 μg/ml) and tetracycline (MIC90=8 μg/ml). These findings concerning the isolates revealed the presence of Methylobacterium species with resistance to multiple antibiotics in hospital tap water.
Cytokine GM‐CSF Genetic Adjuvant Facilitates Prophylactic DNA Vaccine against Pseudorabies Virus through Enhanced Immune Responses
Authors: Yoon Hyun A. , Aleyas Abi G. , George Junu A. , Park Seong Ok , Han Young Woo , Lee John Hwa , Cho Jeong‐Gon , Eo Seong Kug 
Published: November 2013

AbstractGranulocyte/macrophage colony‐stimulatory factor (GM‐CSF) is an attractive adjuvant for a DNA vaccine on account of its ability to recruit antigen‐presenting cells (APCs) to the site of antigen synthesis as well as its ability to stimulate the maturation of dendritic cells (DCs). This study evaluated the utility of GM‐CSF cDNA as a DNA vaccine adjuvant for glycoprotein B (gB) of pseudorabies virus (PrV) in a murine model. The co‐injection of GM‐CSF DNA enhanced the levels of serum PrV‐specific IgG with a 1.5‐ to 2‐fold increase. Moreover, GM‐CSF co‐injection inhibited the production of IgG2a isotype. However, it enhanced production of an IgG1 isotype resulting in humoral responses biased to the Th2‐type against PrV antigen. In contrast, the co‐administration of GM‐CSF DNA enhanced the T cell‐mediated immunity biased to the Th1‐type, as judged by the significantly higher level of cytokine IL‐2 and IFN‐γ production but not IL‐4. When challenged with a lethal dose of PrV, the GM‐CSF co‐injection enhanced the resistance against a PrV infection. This suggests that co‐inoculation with a vector expressing GM‐CSF enhanced the protective immunity against a PrV infection. This immunity was caused by the induction of increased humoral and cellular immunity in response to PrV antigen.
Phylogenetic Analysis of Envelope Glycoprotein (E1) Gene of Rubella Viruses Prevalent in Japan in 2004
Authors: Saitoh Mika , Shinkawa Naomi , Shimada Shinichi , Segawa Yukari , Sadamasu Kenji , Hasegawa Michiya , Kato Masahiko , Kozawa Kunihisa , Kuramoto Tsuyoshi , Nishio Osamu , Kimura Hirokazu 
Published: November 2013

AbstractWe performed a molecular epidemiological study on the envelope glycoprotein gene (E1 gene) obtained by PCR amplification from specimens of 17 rubella patients in certain areas (Gunma, Saitama, and Kagoshima prefectures, and Tokyo metropolitan area) in Japan in 2004. In these sequences of partially amplified DNAs (283 bases) within the E1 gene, no nucleotide substitution was observed. They were classified into genotype 1D of clade 1 in the constructed phylogenetic tree. One amino acid substitution was found between the amino acid sequence predicted from these DNAs and those of Japanese strains [To‐336 vaccine strain (To‐336 vac) and its wild progenitor (To‐336 wt)]. The results suggest that the rubella viruses (RV) prevalent in certain areas of Japan in 2004 were highly homologous and were closely related with Japanese vaccine strain.
Characterization of Recombinant Rabies Virus Carrying Double Glycoprotein Genes
Authors: Hosokawa‐Muto Junji , Ito Naoto , Yamada Kentaro , Shimizu Kenta , Sugiyama Makoto , Minamoto Nobuyuki 
Published: November 2013

AbstractA recombinant rabies virus carrying double glycoprotein (G) genes, R(NPMGGL) strain, was generated by a reverse genetics system utilizing cloned cDNA of the RC‐HL strain, and the biological properties of the virus were compared to those of the recombinant RC‐HL (rRC‐HL) strain. The extents of virus growth in cultured cells and virulence for adult mice of the R(NPMGGL) strain were almost same as those of the rRC‐HL strain, while G protein content of the purified R(NPMGGL) virion and G protein expression level in R(NPMGGL)‐infected cells were 1.5‐fold higher than those of the rRC‐HL strain. As a result of serial passages of the R(NPMGGL) strain in cultured cells, the expression level of G protein in cultured cells infected with the passaged R(NPMGGL) strain was maintained and virus titers rose with adaptation to the cultured cells. Furthermore, analysis of neutralization titers in mice immunized with UV‐inactivated virus suggested that the R(NPMGGL) strain had higher immunogenicity than that of the rRC‐HL strain. The results suggest that the R(NPMGGL) strain carrying double G genes might be a useful candidate for development of a new inactivated rabies vaccine.
Nucleolar Protein B23 Interacts with Japanese Encephalitis Virus Core Protein and Participates in Viral Replication
Authors: Tsuda Yoshimi , Mori Yoshio , Abe Takayuki , Yamashita Tetsuo , Okamoto Toru , Ichimura Tohru , Moriishi Kohji , Matsuura Yoshiharu 
Published: November 2013

AbstractJapanese encephalitis virus (JEV) core protein is detected not only in the cytoplasm but also in the nucleoli of infected cells. We previously showed that a mutant JEV lacking the nucleolar localization of the core protein impaired viral replication in mammalian cells. In this study, we identified a nucleolar phosphoprotein B23 as a protein binding with the core protein of JEV but not with that of dengue virus. The region binding with JEV core protein was mapped to amino acid residues 38 to 77 of B23. Upon JEV infection, some fraction of B23 was translocated from the nucleoli to the cytoplasm, and cytoplasmic B23 was colocalized with the core protein of wild‐type JEV but not with that of the mutant JEV. Furthermore, overexpression of dominant negatives of B23 reduced JEV replication. These results suggest that B23 plays an important role in the intracellular localization of the core protein and replication of JEV.
Monitoring and Survival of Lactobacillus gasseri SBT2055 in the Human Intestinal Tract
Authors: Takahashi Hidetoshi , Fujita Takashi , Suzuki Yutaka , Benno Yoshimi 
Published: November 2013

AbstractThe monitoring and survival of Lactobacillus gasseri SBT2055 in the human intestinal tract was investigated with seven healthy subjects having a low number of fecal lactobacilli. An increase of fecal lactobacilli (1032–52 CFU/g feces) was recognized after ingestion of yogurt with SBT2055 by the subjects. A high positive rate of L. gasseri in fecal lactobacilli detected from the subjects (over 70% at 2nd weeks of feeding) was also observed during the ingestion period using the species‐specific PCR system. These findings indicate that the SBT2055 strain in yogurt survived in the human intestinal tract and was recovered from human feces.
Identification and Characterization of a Novel Human Collectin CL‐K1
Authors: Keshi Hiroyuki , Sakamoto Takashi , Kawai Takao , Ohtani Katsuki , Katoh Tsuyoshi , Jang Seong‐Jae , Motomura Wataru , Yoshizaki Takayuki , Fukuda Mitsuko , Koyama Satoshi , Fukuzawa Jun , Fukuoh Atsushi , Yoshida Itsuro , Suzuki Yasuhiko , Wakamiya Nobutaka 
Published: November 2013

AbstractCollectins are a family of C‐type lectins with two characteristic structures, collagen like domains and carbohydrate recognition domains. They recognize carbohydrate antigens on microorganisms and act as host‐defense. Here we report the cloning and characterization of a novel collectin CL‐K1. RT‐PCR analyses showed CL‐K1 mRNA is present in all organs. The deduced amino acid sequence and the data from immunostaining of CL‐K1 cDNA expressing CHO cells revealed that CL‐K1 is expressed as a secreted protein. CL‐K1 is found in blood by immunoblotting and partial amino acid analyses. CL‐K1 showed Ca2+‐dependent sugar binding activity of fucose and weakly mannose but not N‐acetyl‐galactosamine, N‐acetyl‐glucosamine, or maltose, though mannose‐binding lectin (MBL) containing similar amino acid motif. CL‐K1 can recognize specially several bacterial saccharides due to specific sugar‐binding character. Elucidation of the role of two ancestor collectins of CL‐K1 and CL‐L1 could lead to see the biological function of collectin family.
Genotypic Analyses of Escherichia coli Isolated from Chickens with Colibacillosis and Apparently Healthy Chickens in Japan
Authors: Kawano Masanori , Yaguchi Kazuhiko , Osawa Ro 
Published: November 2013

AbstractA genotypic comparison using pulsed‐fleld gel electrophoresis (PFGE), amplified ribosomal restriction analysis (ARDRA) as well as PCRs targeting virulence associated genes reported elsewhere in avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) was made between E. coli strains isolated from chickens with colibacillosis and those from the feces of apparently healthy chickens in Japan. The majority (67%) of clinical isolates belonged to a certain phylogenetic ARDRA but not PFGE cluster, with virulence‐related genes carried by ColV plasmid being markedly prevalent. The result suggests that APEC strains originated from the same “ancestor” in the course of E. coli evolution.
Adrenal Participation in Thymocyte Death by Anti‐CD3 Antibodies In Vivo
Authors: Yoshida Mitsuo , Gotoh Ken , Fujii Masato , Shimada Hiroto , Touma Maki , Hosono Masamichi 
Published: November 2013

AbstractThe deletion of CD4‐ and CD8‐double‐positive (DP) cells in the thymus after treatment with anti‐CD3 antibodies has long been considered as a useful model for clonal deletion during T cell development, although it was reported that DP cell death was not observed in neonates where self‐tolerance should be developing. We dealt with the cellular basis of this enigmatic phenomenon in this report Due to the similar susceptibility to the antibody‐treatment in vitro between neonatal and adult thymocytes, critical factors may be outside rather than within the thymus. Indeed, newborn thymus lobes transplanted into recipients of different ages showed an increased susceptibility to the thymo‐toxicity as the age of the recipient increased. The thymo‐toxicity seems to be based on the adrenal function of glucocorticoid (GC) synthesis, because administration of an inhibitor of GC synthesis significantly reduced the DP cell death by the antibody‐treatment Finally, adrenalectomy completely prevented DP cell death by anti‐CD3 antibodies in adult mice. Therefore, the thymocyte death by anti‐CD3 antibodies in vivo may not be due to the T cell‐receptor mediated selection in the thymus.
Shifting Seroepidemiology of Hepatitis A in Japan, 1973–2003
Authors: Kiyohara Tomoko , Sato Tomoko , Totsuka Atsuko , Miyamura Tatsuo , Ito Toshihiro , Yoneyama Tetsuo 
Published: November 2013

AbstractBackground. Hepatitis A infection is caused by hepatitis A virus (HAV) contracted through fecal‐oral transmission. Life‐long immunity is conferred after infection. Improved sanitary conditions have generally resulted in a significant decline in the incidence of hepatitis A. However, a low incidence of infection results in increased HAV susceptibility. The present study investigates the prevalence of anti‐HAV antibody and clarifies the current HAV status and HAV susceptibility in Japan at 2003. Methods. A total of 2,430 serum specimens collected during 2003 from Japanese individuals ranging in age from 0–92 years, were tested for anti‐HAV antibody using an inhibition enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. All specimens were obtained from the WHO and the National Serum Reference Bank/National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan. Results. The overall seroprevalence was 12.2%. Anti‐HAV antibodies were rarely detected in individuals between 0–44 years of age. Starting from the age of 45–49 years, seropositivity gradually increased through age 65 years and above. Seroprevalence was not affected by gender, and geographic distribution did not affect age‐specific seroprevalence until the age of 60 years. Conclusions. HAV susceptibility in Japan is increasing annually. Particularly, the prevalence of anti‐HAV antibody in individuals older than 50 years in 2003 was 50.3%, which is significantly lower than that of corresponding studies in 1994 (74.3%), 1984 (96.9%) and 1973 (96.9%). The growing susceptible population of advanced age results in more frequent HAV infection among them. The surveillance of anti‐HAV antibody prevalence is useful for implementing preventive measures and for controlling the spread of HAV.
Characterization of the Inhabitancy of Mouse Intestinal Bacteria (MIB) in Rodents and Humans by Real‐Time PCR with Group‐Specific Primers
Authors: Kibe Ryoko , Sakamoto Mitsuo , Yokota Hiroshi , Benno Yoshimi 
Published: November 2013

AbstractMouse intestinal bacteria (MIB) is a new operational taxonomic unit (OTU) belonging to the Bacteroides subgroup in the Cytophaga‐Flavobacter‐Bacteroides (CFB) phylum recently found in the intestine of mice, rats and humans. However, their characters are still unknown since they have not yet been isolated by culture. To understand their habitat characteristics in intestinal tracts, the quantification assays of MIB were established using MIB group‐specific primers. The MIB population in the intestine was evaluated as a percentage of the number of 16S rRNA gene copy of MIB. A real‐time PCR assay using group‐specific primers showed the fluctuation of MIB inhabitancy and revealed that the MIB population in the small intestine of mice was significantly lower than the large intestinal contents. Moreover, MIB was found in human feces though the number was lower than in murine. This assay using group‐specific primers revealed new information about host‐preference of MIB.
Molecular Survey ofBabesia microti, EhrlichiaSpecies andCandidatusNeoehrlichia mikurensis in Wild Rodents from Shimane Prefecture, Japan
Authors: Tabara Kenji , Arai Satoru , Kawabuchi Takako , Itagaki Asao , Ishihara Chiaki , Satoh Hiroshi , Okabe Nobuhiko , Tsuji Masayoshi 
Published: November 2013

AbstractA significant number of patients are diagnosed with “fevers of unknown origin” (FUO) in Shimane Prefecture in Japan where tick‐borne diseases are endemic. We conducted molecular surveys forBabesia microti, Ehrlichiaspecies, andCandidatusNeoehrlichia mikurensis in 62 FUO cases and 62 wild rodents from Shimane Prefecture, Japan. PCR using primers specific for theBabesia18S small‐subunit rRNA (rDNA) gene andAnaplasmataceae groESLamplified products from 45% (28/62) and 25.8% (16/62) of captured mice, respectively. Of the 28 18S rDNA PCR positives, 23 and five samples were positive for Hobetsu‐ and Kobe‐typeB. microti, respectively. In contrast, of the 16groESLPCR positives, eight, one and seven samples were positive forEhrlichia muris, Ehrlichiasp. HF565 andCandidatusN. mikurensis, respectively. Inoculation of selected blood samples into Golden Syrian hamsters indicated the presence of Hobetsu‐ and Kobe‐typeB. microtiin four and one sample, respectively. Isolation of the latter strain was considered important as previous studies suggested that the distribution of this type was so far confined to Awaji Island in Hyogo Prefecture, where the first case of transfusion‐associated human babesiosis originated. DNA samples from 62 FUO human cases tested negative forB. microti18S rDNA gene,Anaplasmataceae groESLgene,Rickettsia japonica17K genus‐common antigen gene andOrientia tsutsugamushi56K antigen gene by PCRs. We also conducted seroepidemiological surveys on 62 human sera collected in Shimane Prefecture from the FUO patients who were suspected of carrying tick‐borne diseases. However, indirect immunofluorescent antibody tests usingB. microti‐ andE. muris‐infected cells detected IgG againstE. murisin only a single positive sample. This study demonstrates the presence of several potentially important tick‐borne pathogens in Shimane Prefecture and suggests the need for further study on the causative agents of FUOs.
Detection of Enterotoxin and Toxic Shock Syndrome Toxin 1 Genes in Staphylococcus, with Emphasis on Coagulase‐Negative Staphylococci
Authors: de Lourdes R.S. da Cunha Maria , Calsolari Regina A.O. , Júnior João Pessoa Araújo 
Published: November 2013

AbstractThe detection of staphylococcal enterotoxins is decisive for the confirmation of an outbreak and for the determination of the enterotoxigenicity of strains. Since the recognition of their antigenicity, a large number of serological methods for the detection of enterotoxins in food and culture media have been proposed. Since immunological methods require detectable amounts of toxin, molecular biology techniques represent important tools in the microbiology laboratory. In the present study, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to identify genes responsible for the production of enterotoxins and toxic shock syndrome toxin 1 (TSST‐1) in S. aureus and coagulase‐negative staphylococci (CNS) isolated from patients and the results were compared with those obtained by the reverse passive latex agglutination (RPLA) assay. PCR detection of toxin genes revealed a higher percentage of toxigenic S. aureus strains (46.7%) than the RPLA method (38.3%). Analysis of the toxigenic profile of CNS strains showed that 26.7% of the isolates produced some type of toxin, and one or more toxin‐specific genes were detected in 40% of the isolates. These results suggests the need for further studies in order to better characterize the pathogenic potential of CNS and indicate that attention should be paid to the toxigenic capacity of this group of microorganisms.
Pro‐ and Anti‐Inflammatory Cytokines Produced by Human Monocytes Challenged In Vitro with Paracoccidioides brasiliensis
Authors: Kurokawa Cilmery Suemi , Araujo João P. , Soares Angela M.V.C. , Sugizaki Maria F. , Peraçoli Maria Terezinha S. 
Published: November 2013

AbstractMonocytes and macrophages play a central role in innate and adaptive immune response against systemic fungal infections. Imbalances in suppressor or stimulatory cytokine secretion caused by these cells may influence disease development, microorganism death, and the nature of the adaptive immune response. This study analyzed the monocyte cytokine profiles of healthy individuals challenged with high and low virulent strains of P. brasiliensis and mRNA cytokine expression kinetics by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR). Peripheral blood monocytes from healthy volunteers were cultured in vitro with and without virulent (Pb18) or low virulence (Pb265) strains from P. brasiliensis viable yeast cells. Interleukin‐1 beta (IL‐1β), IL‐6, IL‐8, IL‐10, tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α), and transforming growth factor‐beta (TGF‐β1) were measured in culture supernatants by enzyme immunoassay (ELISA), and mRNA cytokine expression was determined by RT‐PCR at 0, 4, 8, 12, 18 and 48 hr. Both P. brasiliensis strains induced monocyte production of IL‐1β, IL‐6, IL‐10 and TNF‐α. Pb18 induced higher levels of IL‐1β, IL‐6, and IL‐10 than Pb265. IL‐8 and TGF‐β1 levels were not significantly different from those cultured without stimulus. The mRNA cytokine expression was similar to supernatant cytokines measured by ELISA. In vitro monocyte challenge with virulent P. brasiliensis strain induces earlier and higher levels of pro‐ and anti‐inflammatory cytokines than low virulence strain.
Electron Microscopic Examination of the Dormant Spore and the Sporulation of Paenibacillus motobuensis Strain MC10
Authors: Iida Ken‐ichiro , Amako Kazunobu , Takade Akemi , Ueda Yasuichi , Yoshida Shin‐ichi 
Published: November 2013

AbstractWe previously reported a new species Paenibacillus motobuensis. The type strain MC10 was stained Gram‐negative, but had a Gram‐positive cell wall structure and its spore had a characteristic star shape. The spore and sporulation process of P. motobuensis strain MC10 were examined by electron microscopy using the technique of freeze‐substitution in thin sectioning. The structure of the dormant spore was basically the same as that of the other Bacillus spp. The core of the spore was enveloped with two main spore components, the cortex and the spore coat. In thin section, the spore showed a star‐shaped image, which was derived from the structure of the spore coat, which is composed of three layers, namely the inner, middle and outer spore coat. The middle coat was an electron‐dense thick layer and had a characteristic ridge. By scanning electron microscopic observation, the ridges were seen running parallel to the long axis of the oval‐shaped spore. The process of sporulation was essentially the same as that of the other Bacillus spp. The forespore was engulfed by the mother cell membrane, then the spore coat and the cortex were accumulated in the space between the mother cell membrane and forespore membrane. The mother cell membrane seemed to participate in the synthesis of the spore coat. MC10 strain showed almost identical heat resistance to that of B. subtilis.