bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Intrafamilial Distribution of Mutans Streptococci in Japanese Families and Possibility of Father‐to‐Child Transmission
Authors: Kozai Katsuyuki , Nakayama Ryusuke , Tedjosasongko Udijanto , Kuwahara Satsuki , Suzuki Junji , Okada Mitsugi , Nagasaka Nobuo 
Published: November 2013

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to investigate the intrafamilial distribution of mutans streptococci in Japanese families using chromosomal DNA fingerprinting with three endonucleases; EcoRI, HindIII and HaeIII. The analysis of 1,908 isolates cultured from the dental plaque of 76 subjects from 20 families (20 married couples and 36 of their children) resulted in the identification of 144 genotypes containing 114 strains of Streptococcus mutans (serotype c, 66.7%; e, 12.5%) and 30 strains of S. sobrinus (d, 13.2%; g, 7.6%). A mean of 1.89 genotypes (from one to four) was harbored in individual subjects, and a mean of 4.10 genotypes from two to seven was harbored in individual families. Among the 70 genotypes found in the children, 36 (51.4%) were in agreement with their mothers and 22 (31.4%) were in agreement with their fathers. The other genotypes (18.6%) did not correspond with the parents. Homologous strains between parents were found in only two couples. This result showed that fathers or others as well as mothers can be sources of transmission. Further, the serotype d, e and g strains showed significantly higher probabilities of transmission than serotype c.
Diffusely Adhering Escherichia coli (DAEC) Strains of Fecal Origin Rarely Express F1845 Adhesin
Authors: Campos Leila Carvalho , Vieira Mônica Aparecida Midolli , Trabulsi Luiz Rachid , Da Silva Luzinete Alves , Monteiro‐Neto Valério , Gomes Tânia Aparecida Tardelli 
Published: November 2013

AbstractA total of 398 diffusely adhering Escherichia coli (DAEC) strains of fecal origin were analyzed for the presence of sequences homologous to the structural subunit gene (daaE) of the F1845 fimbria. For that purpose, a DNA fragment homologous to daaE, obtained by PCR, was used as a probe in colony hybridization assays. Only two strains carried daaE and expressed F1845, suggesting that this fimbria is rare among DAEC strains.
Antibacterial Activities of New Synthetic Divalent Cation Chelators
Authors: Ashoori Mandana , Ohta Michio , Ohsuka Shinji , Shibayama Keigo , Horii Toshinobu , Ueda Minoru , Kurosaki Hiromasa 
Published: November 2013

AbstractA series of new synthetic ligand compounds which chelate divalent cations was examined for the antibacterial activities of the compounds. Only 2 of 14 synthetic chelators, 9‐trans‐anthryl‐1, 4, 8, 11‐tetraaza‐tetradecane (No. 6) and bis(2‐pyridyl)methylamine (No. 13) showed antibacterial activities, whereas none of the diamines, hydrophilic triamines nor tetramines showed antibacterial activities. Chelators No. 6 and No. 13 inhibited the growth of both Gram‐negative and ‐positive bacteria at doses of 25–200 μg/ml, comparable to those of common antibiotics such as polymixin B, fosfomycin and macrolides. Ethylenedi‐aminetetraacetate (EDTA) potentiated these antibacterial activities, whereas an inhibitory effect of Mg2+ on the MICs of these chelators was observed. Moreover, these chelators enhanced the leakage of periplasmic β‐lactamase. It is therefore suggested that chelators No. 6 and No. 13 disrupt both the membranes and cytoplasmic functions of bacteria, resulting in cell death.
Prophylaxis of Local Vascular Graft Infection with Levofloxacin Incorporated into Albumin‐Sealed Dacron Graft (LVFX‐ALB Graft)
Authors: Osada Takashi , Yamamura Keiko , Fujimoto Katsuhiro , Mizuno Keisuke , Sakurai Tsunehisa , Ohta Michio , Nabeshima Toshitaka 
Published: November 2013

AbstractAn animal model was used to assess the efficacy of levofloxacin (LVFX) incorporated into albumin (ALB)‐sealed Dacron (LVFX‐ALB) graft for the prevention of vascular graft infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus. Under general anesthetic, an interposition graft was placed into dog carotid artery. On completion of the operation, 0.1 ml of normal saline containing 107 colony‐forming units (CFU) of a slime‐producing S. aureus was inoculated directly onto the graft. After 1 day, the samples were sterilely harvested. The antibacterial activity of LVFX into the LVFX‐ALB graft was evaluated by colony counting in bacterial cultures and by the fluorescent antibody method staining bacteria adhesion to the grafts. LVFX‐ALB grafts had a lower infection rate than the control grafts (1/4, 102 CFU vs 4/4, 1.50×105±1.38×105 CFU (mean±SE)). In an immunostaining study, LVFX‐ALB grafts had small fluorescent areas showing S. aureus adhesion, while fluorescence was observed over the entire surface of the control grafts. Therefore, LVFX‐ALB presumably had a bactericidal action and adhesive prevention against inoculated S. aureus. LVFX‐ALB may be useful in preventing graft infections during and immediately after vascular reconstruction.
Detection of Treponema socranskii Associated with Human Periodontitis by PCR
Authors: Sakamoto Mitsuo , Takeuchi Yasuo , Umeda Makoto , Ishikawa Isao , Benno Yoshimi , Nakase Takashi 
Published: November 2013

AbstractA PCR technique was used to detect and identify Treponema socranskii associated with periodontitis. A species‐specific forward primer was designed for a variable region within its 16S rRNA gene and was used in conjunction with a conserved reverse primer. This primer pair was tested for specificity against 44 oral bacterial strains. Sensitivity was determined using a serial dilution of T. socranskii cells. Amplification products were obtained from all T. socranskii strains tested, but not from other oral bacteria associated with periodontal disease. The detection limit of PCR was 5 T. socranskii cells per PCR. T. socranskii was detected by PCR in subgingival plaque and saliva samples from patients with periodontitis.
Insufficient Resistance of Trehalose‐6,6′‐Dimycolate‐Treated T‐Cell Receptor δ Gene Mutant (TCR δ–/–) Mice against Influenza Virus Infection
Authors: Hoq M. Mozammal , Suzutani Tatsuo , Nakaya Kazuhiro , Yoshida Itsuro , Ogasawara Masahiro , Takeda Yoshinori , Shibaki Taiichiro , Itohara Shigeyoshi , Yamamoto Hiroshi , Azuma Masanobu 
Published: November 2013

AbstractNormal mice inoculated intravenously with 50 μg trehalose‐6,6′‐dimycolate, a glycolipid component of the cell wall of Mycobacterium, in an oil‐in‐water emulsion (TDM emulsion) acquired a high resistance to intranasal lethal infection of an influenza virus. In contrast, TDM emulsion‐treated T‐cell receptor δ gene mutant (TCR δ /) mice acquired insufficent resistance against the lethal influenza virus infection. The patterns of insufficient resistance were identical to the results obtained previously with mice which were depleted of T‐lymphocytes bearing γδ T‐cell receptors (γδ T‐cells) by in vivo administration of anti‐γδ T‐cell receptor monoclonal antibody (Hoq et al, J. Gen. Virol. 78: 1597‐1603, 1997). These results strongly suggest that the γδ T‐cells play an important non‐specific role in resistance against influenza virus infection.
Molecular Epidemiology of Rabies in Thailand
Authors: Ito Naoto , Sugiyama Makoto , Oraveerakul Kanisak , Piyaviriyakul Prapruddee , Lumlertdacha Boonlert , Arai Yoko T. , Tamura Yutaka , Mori Yoshio , Minamoto Nobuyuki 
Published: November 2013

AbstractFor the purpose of making clear the dynamics of rabies viruses that are prevalent among dogs in Asia, especially Thailand, nucleoprotein (N) genes of isolates derived from Thailand were partially sequenced, and a phylogenetic analysis was performed on the basis of the sequencing data. Firstly, all 27 isolates from Thailand belonged to one group that was distantly related to an isolate from China and was separated into at least six lineages. On the other hand, the isolate from Japan was related to viruses from the Arctic. Secondly, in order to analyze the diversity of the N gene more conveniently, restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis was performed on the N gene of 27 isolates from Thailand. The RFLP analysis could distinguish the lineages of each isolate, and the lineages of additional 34 isolates were deduced by this method. On examination of the geographical distribution of the six lineages, based on the results of phylogenetic and RFLP analyses, it was clear that infection cycles of the rabies virus in Thailand have tended to be maintained endemically.
The Majority of Lymphocytes in the Bone Marrow, Thymus and Extrathymic T Cells in the Liver Are Generated In Situ from Their Own Preexisting Precursors
Authors: Shimizu Takao , Sugahara Satoshi , Oya Hiroshi , Maruyama Satoshi , Minagawa Masahiro , Bannai Makoto , Hatakeyama Katsuyoshi , Abo Toru 
Published: November 2013

AbstractParabiotic pairs of B6.Ly5.1 and B6.Ly5.2 mice were used to investigate how lymphocytes in various organs and various lymphocyte subsets mixed with partner cells. The origin of partner cells was determined by using anti‐Ly5.1 mAb in conjunction with immunofluorescence tests. Parabiosis was also produced after the irradiation of B6.Ly5.2 mice at various doses to prepare an immunosuppressive partner. Irrespective of irradiation, lymphocytes and other hematopoietic cells in the bone marrow and lymphocytes in the thymus showed a low mixture of partner cells in comparison with those of all other organs tested. On the other hand, lymphocytes in the blood, spleen, and lymph nodes became a half‐and‐half mixture of their own cells and partner cells by 14 days after parabiosis. Among lymphocyte subsets, intermediate CD3 cells (i.e., CD3int cells) and NKT cells (i.e., NK1.1+ subset of CD3int cells) in the liver also showed a low mixture of partner cells. The present results raise the possibility that lymphocytes in the bone marrow and thymus, and extrathymic T cells in the liver might be in situ generated from their own preexisting precursor cells. Another observation was that, after irradiation, partner cells showed accelerated mixture even if they showed a low mixture under non‐irradiated conditions. However, only lymphocyte subsets with the same phenotype as those of preexisting cells entered the corresponding sites.
Role of Interferon Alpha (IFN‐α) and Interferon Gamma (IFN‐γ) in the Control of the Infection of Monocyte‐Like Cells with Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV)
Authors: Delannoy Anne‐Sophie , Hober Didier , Bouzidi Ahmed , Wattre Pierre 
Published: November 2013

AbstractThe role of cytokines in the control of HCMV infection has been studied in THP‐1 cells, a macrophage‐like cell model and in MRC‐5 cells. HCMV replication was studied by immune detection of viral immediate‐early antigens (IEA) and virus yield was evaluated in MRC‐5 cells by immunoperoxidase staining. Pretreatment of MRC‐5 and phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate (PMA)‐treated THP‐1 cells with IFN‐α or IFN‐γ for 24 hr prior to the infection reduced the number of infected cells and virus yield. A synergistic anti‐CMV activity in synthesis of early proteins was obtained with these cytokines in combination with TNF‐α in differentiated THP‐1 cells only. Treatment of HCMV‐infected differentiated THP‐1 cells or MRC‐5 cells with IFN‐α or IFN‐γ alone had no inhibitory effect on virus replication, however the virus yield was reduced with ganciclovir. A synergistic anti‐CMV activity in virus yield was obtained only when infected differentiated THP‐1 cells were treated with ganciclovir in combination with IFN‐γ. The current study shows that IFN‐α and IFN‐γ can play a role in the reduction of HCMV replication in macrophage‐like cells and in the efficiency of therapies with ganciclovir in this cell type and that the anti‐CMV effect of cytokines may be different in fibroblasts and in macrophage‐like cells.
Highly Selective Antibacterial Activity of Novel Alkyl Quinolone Alkaloids from a Chinese Herbal Medicine, Gosyuyu (Wu‐Chu‐Yu), against Helicobacter pylori In Vitro
Authors: Hamasaki Norio , Ishii Eiji , Tominaga Kazunari , Tezuka Yasuhiro , Nagaoka Takema , Kadota Shigetoshi , Kuroki Tetsuo , Yano Ikuya 
Published: November 2013

AbstractTo elucidate the antibacterial activity of Gosyuyu, the crude extract from the fruit of Evodia rutaecarpa, a Chinese herbal medicine, has been fractionated chromatographically, and each fraction was assayed for antibacterial activity against Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) in vitro. As the result, a single spot having marked antibacterial activity against H. pylori was obtained and the chemical structure was analyzed. The isolated compound was revealed to be a novel alkyl quinolone alkaloid based on the solubility, IR spectra, NMR analysis and mass spectrometric data after purification by TLC of silica. We compared the antimicrobial activity of this compound with that of other antimicrobial agents and examined susceptibility of various intestinal pathogens. As the result, the new quinolone compounds obtained from Gosyuyu extracts were found to be a mixture of two quinolone alkaloids, 1‐methyl‐2‐[(Z)‐8‐tridecenyl]‐4‐(1H)‐quinolone and 1‐methyl‐2‐[(Z)‐7‐tridecenyl]‐4‐(1H)‐quinolone (MW: 339), reported previously. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of these compounds against reference strains and clinically isolated H. pylori strains were less than 0.05 μg/ml, which was similar to the MIC of amoxicillin and clarithromycin that are used worldwide for the eradication of H. pylori, clinically. Furthermore, it was noted that the antimicrobial activity of these compounds was highly selective against H. pylori and almost non‐active against other intestinal pathogens. The above results showed that these alkyl methyl quinolone (AM quinolones) alkaloids were useful for the eradication of H. pylori without affecting other intestinal flora.
Coprobacillus catenaformis Gen. Nov., Sp. Nov., a New Genus and Species Isolated from Human Feces
Authors: Kageyama Akiko , Benno Yoshimi 
Published: November 2013

AbstractThree strains of Eubacterium‐like isolates from human feces were characterized by biochemical tests and 16S rDNA analysis. The phenotypic characteristics of the three strains resembled those of the genus Collinsella transferred from the genus Eubacterium recently. However, Eubacterium‐like strains were phylogenetically members of the Clostridium subphylum of Gram‐positive bacteria, and these showed a specific phylogenetic association with Clostridium ramosum and C. spiroforme. C. ramosum and C. spiroforme are Gram‐positive, anaerobic, spore‐forming bacteria that belong to the genus Clostridium, and the G + C contents are 26.0 and 27.4 mol%, respectively. However, the three Eubacterium‐like strains had G + C contents of 32.1 to 33.1 mol% and were non‐spore‐forming rods. Based on phenotypic characteristics, we can differentiate these species, and furthermore, a 16S rDNA sequence divergence of greater than 9% with a new related genus, Coprobacillus, is proposed for the three strains, with one species, Coprobacillus catenaformis. The type strain of C. catenaformis is JCM 10604T.
Therapeutic Oral Vaccination Induces Mucosal Immune Response Sufficient to Eliminate Long‐Term Helicobacter pylori Infection
Authors: Ikewaki Junko , Nishizono Akira , Goto Takayuki , Fujioka Toshio , Mifune Kumato 
Published: November 2013

AbstractWe examined the efficacy of therapeutic oral vaccination using Helicobacter pylori‐whole cell sonicate and cholera toxin (CT) in mice persistently infected with H. pylori. Efficacy was determined by bacterial culture and microscopic examination of gastric tissues for the persistence of bacteria at 6 weeks after the last vaccination. Vaccination of H. pylori‐whole cell sonicate combined with CT eradicated bacteria in 10/16 mice (62.5%). Interestingly, oral vaccination with CT alone also eliminated the bacteria in 8/17 mice (47.1%). However, a therapeutic intraperitoneally administered vaccine failed to eradicate H. pylori from the stomach (1/17 mice, 5.9%). Identification of the type of immunity involved in the eradication process showed that oral vaccination enhanced the antigen‐specific IgA in the feces and saliva. The efficacy of eradication of H. pylori correlated well with increases in IgA secretion in mucosal tissue and a higher labeling index of IgA‐positive lumina of pyloric glands. Moreover, the expression of IL‐4 mRNA in the stomach of mice with eradicated bacteria was higher than in the uneradicated group. Our results suggest that the efficacy of vaccination depends on the mucosal IgA response in the gastrointestinal tract against H. pylori via Th2 cell activation and that therapeutic oral vaccination induces a mucosal immune response sufficient to eradicate long‐term infection with H. pylori.
The DsbA‐DsbB Disulfide Bond Formation System of Burkholderia cepacia Is Involved in the Production of Protease and Alkaline Phosphatase, Motility, Metal Resistance, and Multi‐Drug Resistance
Authors: Hayashi Shoko , Abe Mitsuko , Kimoto Mitsuaki , Furukawa Susumu , Nakazawa Teruko 
Published: November 2013

AbstractIn a previous study, we isolated a dsbB mutant of Burkholderia cepacia KF1 and showed that phenotypes of protease production and motility are dependent on DsbB, a membrane‐bound disulfide bond oxidoreductase. We have now isolated a dsbA mutant by transposon mutagenesis, cloned the dsbA gene encoding a periplasmic disulfide bond oxidoreductase, and characterized the function of the DsbA‐DsbB disulfide bond formation system in B. cepacia. The complementing DNA fragment had an open reading frame for a 212‐amino acid polypeptide with a potential redox‐active site sequence of Cys‐Pro‐His‐Cys that is homologous to Escherichia coli DsbA. The dsbA mutant, as well as the previously isolated dsbB mutant, was defective in the production of extracellular protease and alkaline phosphatase, as well as in motility. In addition, mutation in the DsbA‐DsbB system resulted in an increase in sensitivity to Cd2+ and Zn2+ as well as a variety of antibiotics including β‐lactams, kanamycin, erythromycin, novobiocin, ofloxacin and sodium dodecyl sulfate. These results suggested that the DsbA‐DsbB system might be involved in the formation of a metal efflux system as well as a multi‐drug resistance system.
Characterization and Distribution of a New Enterotoxin‐Related Superantigen Produced by Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Abe Jun , Ito Yasuhiko , Onimaru Michiko , Kohsaka Takao , Takeda Tae 
Published: November 2013

AbstractStaphylococcal enterotoxins (SEs) are a family of structurally related pyrogenic exotoxins consisting of the five prototypic SEs (types A to E) and three newly characterized SEs (types G to I) produced by Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). They also work as superantigens and cause food poisoning and shock symptoms in humans. In this study, we cloned a new variant gene of the seg and characterized its superantigenic properties and distribution among the clinical isolates of S. aureus. The gene encodes a 233 amino acid protein which is highly homologous to SEG (97.7%). The variant SEG (SEGv) expressed by the cloned gene exerted mitogenic activity on human peripheral blood mononuclear cells at the concentration of 100 pg/ml. T cells bearing Vβ3, 12, 13.1, 13.2, 14 and 15 were preferentially expanded after stimulation with the recombinant protein. The mRNA of the variant seg gene was detected in the total RNA of the organisms bearing this gene. By PCR, 27 out of 48 clinical isolates of S. aureus (56%) possessed either the seg or variant seg gene. These findings suggest that SEG, or SEGv, is one of the most frequently produced superantigen exotoxins by S. aureus and may participate in the inflammatory process of the host by activating a distinct set of Vβ families of T cells.
Staphylococcus aureus Produces Autolysin‐Susceptible Cell Walls during Growth in a High‐NaCl and Low‐Ca2+ Concentration Medium
Authors: Ochiai Toshiro 
Published: November 2013

AbstractThe growth of Staphylococcus aureus 209P becomes unusually sensitive to a high‐NaCl concentration by decreasing the Ca2+ concentration in growth media, and cells either autolyze or transform into protoplast‐like forms when grown standing in high‐NaCl and low‐Ca2+ concentration media below 37 C (Ochiai, T., Microbiol. Immunol. 43 (7): 705–709, 1999). To assess the role of Ca2+ in the salt tolerance of this organism, cells grown in the presence of different concentrations of Ca2+ were treated with boiling SDS, and their susceptibilities to crude autolysin (3 M LiCl extract of S. aureus 209P cells) were evaluated by turbidimetric assay and zymographic analysis. Susceptibilities of SDS‐treated cells (SDS‐cells) to crude autolysin were significantly influenced by Ca2+ concentration in the culture, and SDS‐cells prepared from cultures grown in high‐NaCl and high‐Ca2+ concentration media exhibited marked resistance to crude autolysin when the assay system contained a high concentration of NaCl. On the contrary, SDS‐cells prepared from cultures grown in high‐NaCl and low‐Ca2+ concentration media were rather susceptible to crude autolysin under the same assay conditions. A zymographic analysis revealed that the constitution of cell‐associated autolysins was not influenced by the concentration of exogenous Ca2+. These results suggested that at least part of the mechanism of salt‐induced autolysis in S. aureus 209P might be related to the synthesis of an autolysin susceptible cell wall.
The Complete DNA Sequence of the O Antigen Gene Region of Plesiomonas shigelloides Serotype O17 Which Is Identical to Shigella sonnei Form I Antigen
Authors: Chida Toshio , Okamura Noboru , Ohtani Kiyoshi , Yoshida Yoko , Arakawa Eiji , Watanabe Haruo 
Published: November 2013

AbstractWe cloned and determined the sequence of a DNA region of approximately 15‐kb containing the cluster of genes required for O17 antigen expression in the Escherichia coli K‐12 strain from the chromosome of Plesiomonas shigelloides serotype O17:H2 strain. The sequencing analysis revealed that the minimum essential region of the P. shigelloides O17 antigen gene cluster had a size of approximately 11.5‐kb and contained 9 contiguous open reading frames (ORFs), which were almost identical to the corresponding ORFs of Shigella sonnei form I antigen gene region, except for IS630 sequence, at the DNA as well as amino acid levels. The putative function of most of the ORFs could be determined on the basis of amino acid sequence similarities and characteristics. In addition, the G + C content of the P. shigelloides O17 antigen genes was lower than that of the chromosomal DNA of P. shigelloides and S. sonnei, suggesting that both P. shigelloides O17 and S. sonnei form I antigen genes had been derived from the same origin with a low G+C content.
Severity‐Related Molecular Differences among Nineteen Strains of Dengue Type 2 Viruses
Authors: Pandey Basu Dev , Igarashi Akira 
Published: November 2013

AbstractComparative nucleotide sequencing was carried out on dengue type 2 virus (DEN‐2) strains isolated from patients in Northeast Thailand during the epidemic season in 1993. The patients exhibited different clinical manifestations ranging from dengue fever (DF) to dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF)/dengue shock syndrome (DSS). The results classified 19 DEN‐2 strains into 3 subtypes according to nonsynonymous amino acid replacements. The strain isolated from a DSS patient eliciting secondary serological response belonged to subtype I, whereas 13 strains isolated from DHF patients with secondary response and 2 strains from DF patients with primary response belonged to subtype II. On the other hand, 3 strains isolated from DF cases evoking either primary or secondary response belonged to subtype III. These results suggest that subtype III virus infection could result in clinically milder manifestation irrespective of the serological response compared with subtype I or II viruses. The RNA secondary structure predicted for the 3′ noncoding region showed 4 different structures (A, B, C, and D). The result also indicates that different subtypes of DEN‐2 serotypes are circulating in a single epidemic in Thailand.