bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Contractile Action of Heat‐Labile Toxin of Bordetella parapertussis on Aortic Smooth Muscles of Pigs
Authors: Endoh Masahiko , Nagai Masaaki , Nakase Yasukiyo 
Published: November 2013

AbstractUsing both vascular smooth muscle strips (VSMS) and cultured cells (VSMC) from aortas of pigs, the contractile action of Bordetella heat‐labile toxin (HLT) purified from B. parapertussis was studied in an attempt to elucidate the mechanisms of its action. HLT induced contractions in VSMC in parallel with the increase of Ca2+‐influx. The HLT‐induced Ca2+‐influx and contraction were not influenced by verapamil or diltiazem, though a certain extension of the lag period was seen. The contractile action of HLT on VSMS and VSMC was not influenced either by diltiazem or quinacrine; that on VSMC was not influenced by prednisolone, indomethacin, aspirin, CV‐3988, FPL‐55712, ruthenium red, or TEAC. On VSMS, prednisolone caused the extension of lag period following HLT exposure. The action of HLT on VSMS was inhibited by TMB‐8, whereas that on VSMC was not though the extension of lag period was seen. The HLT‐induced contraction in both VSMS and VSMC was completely inhibited by H‐7. The contraction in VSMS, but not in VSMC, was inhibited by H‐8. HLT did not induce specific activation of the protein kinases in VSMC. The addition of cGMP or cAMP brought about relaxation in the HLT‐exposed VSMS contracting in maximum. HLT caused a significant increase in permeability of VSMC membrane to trypan blue, accompanied with contraction. Both HLT‐induced contraction and increase in permeability were inhibited by dextran of M.W. 8,000, but not of M.W. 5,000. These results suggested that HLT acted on vascular smooth muscle cells by damaging the membrane permeability, but not by disturbing the known cascades or systems for physiological contractions, resulting in the increase in Ca2+‐influx and then contractions.
Electron Microscopic Observations of the Embryo Leptotrombidium (Leptotrombidium) pallidum Naturally Infected with Rickettsia tsutsugamushi
Authors: Urakami Hiroshi , Takahashi Mamoru , Tamura Akira , Hori Eitaro 
Published: November 2013

AbstractEmbryos of Leptotrombidium (Leptotrombidium) pallidum mites naturally infected with Rickettsia tsutsugamushi were examined by electron microscopy. Rickettsiae were not found in eggs just after oviposition, but were easily detected in cells at the various parts of the embryos just before hatching, indicating that the rickettsiae are surely vertically transmitted from infected adult mites to the larvae through embryos, and the rickettsiae may multiply in situ during the developing process of the embryo.
Isolation and Characterization of Outermost Layer Deficient Mutant Spores of Bacillus megaterium
Authors: Takubo Yoshihiro , Atarashi Miyuki , Nishihara Tsutomu , Kondo Masaomi 
Published: November 2013

AbstractOutermost layer deficient mutant spores of Bacillus megaterium ATCC 12872 were isolated by Urografin density gradient centrifugation after mutagenesis with ethyl methanesulfonate. Although the composition of the cortex peptidoglycan was the same as that of the parent spores, three major proteins (48, 36, and 22 K daltons) were missing, suggesting that these proteins are components of the outermost layer. All mutant spores were also found to have very hydrophobic surface by ‘salt aggregation test,’ which would facilitate selection of such mutants.
Enhancement of Antigen‐Presenting Function of Dendritic Cells with Culture Supernatants of Mouse Peritoneal Macrophages Stimulated with Certain Particulate Substances
Authors: Miyazaki Hiroshi , Ito Akira , Osawa Toshiaki 
Published: November 2013

AbstractThe production from murine resident peritoneal macrophages (Mφ) of a soluble factor, which was capable of enhancing the antigen‐presenting (AP) function of dendritic cells (DC), was examined. The supernatants of peritoneal Mφ (Mφ sup) were prepared by culturing peritoneal Mφ with particles, i.e., zymosan A, latex, and sheep red blood cells (SRBC), or antigen‐antibody (Ag‐Ab) complexes such as keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH)‐anti‐KLH, ovalbumin (OVA)‐anti‐OVA, and SRBC‐anti‐SRBC complexes. When exposed to Mφ sup during antigen pulsing DC induced a marked antigen‐specific T cell proliferation, relative to DC treated with the supernatants from Mφ cultured without stimuli (control sup). On the other hand, Mφ sup‐treated splenic Mφ stimulated antigen‐specific T cell activation to almost the same extent as did splenic Mφ treated with control sup. These results indicated that peritoneal Mφ elaborated a soluble factor which preferentially enhanced the AP capacity of DC when stimulated with particles or Ag‐Ab complexes. Analytical gel filtration of Mφ sup revealed that the factor had an apparent molecular weight of 27,000 daltons which was distinct from interleukin 1.
Suppression of HBsAg Production in PLC/PRF/5 Human Hepatoma Cell Line by Interferons
Authors: Yamashita Yumi , Koike Kaori , Takaoki Muneo , Matsuda Shinobu 
Published: November 2013

AbstractRecombinant human interferon alpha 2a as well as natural human interferons α and β significantly suppressed the production of hepatitis B surface antigen by PLC/PRF/5 cells (which have been established from a human primary hepatocellular carcinoma and proven to carry the hepatitis B virus DNA) and inhibited proliferation of these cells in vitro. However, the production of α‐fetoprotein by PLC/PRF/5 cells was less significantly affected by any of the interferons. These results suggest that these interferons not only suppress cellular proliferation but also selectively inhibit the action of the HBV gene which is persistently present in these cells.
Study on rRNA Genes in Mycobacterium smegmatis
Authors: Suzuki Yasuhiko , Yamada Takeshi 
Published: November 2013

AbstractThe number of rRNA genes in Mycobacterium smegmatis was examined by hybridization of BamHI and SalI digests of chromosomal DNA with 3′‐end‐labeled 5S, 16S, 23S rRNA and tRNA. Each RNA probe gave two hybridization bands. The PstI fragments of 6.6 kilobases were cloned to pBR322. The cloned DNA was characterized by restriction endonuclease mapping, DNA‐RNA hybridization, and the R‐loop technique.
Reversion of Neurovirulence and in vitro Phenotype of Neural Cell‐Adapted Canine Distemper Virus after Passage in Non‐Neural Cells
Authors: Morikawa Yuko , Yoshikawa Yasuhiro , Yamanouchi Kazuya 
Published: November 2013

AbstractThe stability of neurovirulence and in vitro phenotypes of canine distemper viruses adapted to neural cells was examined. Neurovirulence was estimated by the morbidity, mortality, and histopathological changes in the central nervous system of mice. After a single passage of the adapted viruses in Vero cells in which the unadapted virus had been passed, the neurovirulence of glioblastoma‐adapted and oligodendroglioma‐adapted viruses reverted completely to that of the unadapted virus. However, the neurovirulence of a neuroblastoma‐adapted virus reverted partially. In vitro phenotypes such as the two‐dimensional electrophoretic patterns of viral proteins and the cross‐neutralization patterns also reverted to those of the unadapted virus. However, plaque sizes remained similar to those of the viruses adapted to neural cells.
A Possible Correlation between Histological Changes in Regional Subcutaneous Tissue Induced by Bacterial Lipopolysaccharides and Their Adjuvant Activities
Authors: Yokochi Takashi , Inoue Yoshiko , Miyadai Toshiaki , Kimura Yoshinobu , Ito Hidenobu , Kato Nobuo 
Published: November 2013

AbstractPreviously it was demonstrated that Klebsiella pneumoniae O3 lipopolysaccharide (KO3 LPS) exhibited much stronger adjuvant action on antibody response to subcutaneously (s.c.) injected sheep red blood cells or deaggregated bovine serum albumin than did other kinds of LPS, the R‐form LPS lacking the O‐specific polysaccharide chain of KO3 LPS (R‐LPS), and the lipid A fractionated from KO3 LPS. We compared histological changes in the regional subcutaneous tissues of mice injected subcutaneously (s.c.) with KO3 LPS, the lipid A, and R‐LPS. At the early stage after injection, KO3 LPS induced the infiltration of a large number of inflammatory cells, mainly polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN), at the site of injection. Neither R‐LPS nor the lipid A induced the accumulation of PMN so much as KO3 LPS did. When injected s.c. with LPS from Escherichia coli O111 (EO111 LPS) and O55 (EO55 LPS), and Salmonella enteritidis (Sent LPS), the appearance of PMN at the regional site was much less than KO3 LPS. KO3 LPS could accumulate more 51Cr‐labeled leukocytes at the injection site than EO111 LPS and Sent LPS. Administration of acetylsalicylic acid, which can inhibit leukocyte migration in inflammatory lesions, suppressed its adjuvant action. It was therefore suggested that the strong adjuvant action of KO3 LPS in s.c. injection might be dependent on its potent capability of accumulating PMN at the regional subcutaneous tissue. Furthermore, at the late stage after injection, the formation of several lymphoid follicles at the regional site was seen only in mice injected with KO3 LPS. It might be also related to the strong adjuvant action of KO3 LPS.
Toxicity of Microcystis aeruginosa K‐139 Strain
Authors: Nakano Masayasu , Nakano Yasunobu , Saito‐Taki Tatsuo , Mori Naoyoshi , Kojima Mizu , Ohtake Akio , Shirai Makoto 
Published: November 2013

AbstractToxicity of the cells of a newly established axenic Microcystis aeruginosa K‐139 strain to mice was studied. LD50 of the cells harvested in the mid‐log phase was 7.3 mg/kg. The organs of acute dead mice were examined histopathologically. The blood congestion and necrosis of the parenchymal cells around the central veins in the liver were observed, but other organs seemed to be normal. The liver damage was confirmed by the tests of glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) and glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) activities in the sera of the mice after the injection with the K‐139 cells. Furthermore, the K‐139 cells were capable of inducing interleukin 1 (IL‐1) production by peritoneal macrophages in vitro.
Identification of Species and Capsular Types of Klebsiella Clinical Isolates, with Special Reference to Klebsiella planticola
Authors: Mori Masashi , Ohta Michio , Agata Norio , Kido Nobuo , Arakawa Yoshichika , Ito Hideo , Komatsu Takayuki , Kato Nobuo 
Published: November 2013

AbstractIn the 77 reference strains for Klebsiella K types, there are 17 strains (22.1%) of Klebsiella planticola, 6 strains (7.8%) of Klebsiella oxytoca, 1 strain (1.3%) of Klebsiella terrigena, and 53 strains (68.8%) of Klebsiella pneumoniae. The species K. planticola, which was originally isolated from botanical and aquatic environments and hence thus named, was also identified at high incidence (81 strains, 18.5%) among the 439 recent clinical isolates of Klebsiella species. Among these K. planticola strains of hospital origin, 52 (64%) were isolated from sputum, 17 (21%) from urine, and the remaining 12 (15%) from other sources. The capsular types of these isolates were determined by the gel precipitation reaction. Seventy of 81 K. planticola isolates (86.4%) were typable by antisera to Klebsiella reference strains for K types and the K types of the clinical isolates distributed to 35 kinds of K types. The proportion of typable strains among clinical isolates of K. planticola was very similar to those in K. pneumoniae (87.5%) and K. oxytoca (86.0%).
In Situ Infiltration of Natural Killer‐Like Cells Induced by Intradermal Injection of the Nucleic Acid Fraction from BCG
Authors: Kuramoto Etsuro , Toizumi Shin‐Ichi , Shimada Shizuo , Tokunaga Tohru 
Published: November 2013

AbstractIntradermal injection of MY‐1, a nucleic acid fraction extracted from Mycobacterium bovis strain BCG, induced in situ infiltration of mononuclear cells, most of which were asialo GM1 (GA1)‐positive as determined by immunofluorescence microscopy. The infiltration occurred with as little as 1 μg of MY‐1 and lasted for a week. Double immunofluorescence microscopy revealed that the infiltrating GA1‐positive cells were all positive for Ly‐5, and partially positive for Thy‐1.2, but negative for Mac‐1, Ia, μ‐chain, Lyt‐1, Lyt‐2, L3T4, and Fc receptor II. They contained neither peroxidase nor nonspecific esterase. The infiltrating cells thus markedly resembled natural killer (NK) cells in their cytochemical characteristics and surface markers. DNase and RNase destroyed the GA1‐positive cell‐inducing activity of MY‐1. These results indicate that the nucleic acid components of MY‐1 are responsible for this effect.
Isolation of a Coxiella burnetii Strain That Has Low Virulence for Mice from a Patient with Acute Q Fever
Authors: Oda Hiroshi , Yoshiie Kiyotaka 
Published: November 2013

AbstractCoxiella burnetii was isolated from a patient with Q fever. It could not be determined whether this was an imported case or an indigenous one. Identification of the isolate was made by electron microscopic morphology and the indirect fluorescent antibody test with convalescent‐phase serum from a Q fever patient having a known titer of antibody to C. burnetii. The isolated strain, named TK‐1, caused no symptoms in ddY and BALB/c mice except when the mice were treated with cyclophosphamide.
Pili of Vibrio cholerae O1 Biotype El Tor: A Comparative Study on Adhesive and Non‐Adhesive Strains
Authors: Iwanaga Masaaki , Nakasone Noboru , Ehara Masahiko 
Published: November 2013

AbstractPili were found on the cell surface of non‐adhesive Vibrio cholerae O1 Biotype El Tor as well as the adhesive strain. Purified pili of the adhesive and non‐adhesive strains were morphologically, electrophoretically, and immunologically, indistinguishable from each other. The molecular weights of both pilin (subunit protein of the pilus) were about 16,000 daltons as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. These 16 kDa pili are different from the pilus colonization factor, which is a 20.5 kDa protein, reported by Taylor et al. The 16 kDa pili of Vibrio cholerae O1 Biotype El Tor have hemagglutinating activity, but may have no role in colonization, because non‐adhesive strains also have such pili.
Penicillin Amidohydrolases in Fungal Autolysis
Authors: Alfonso Carlos , Cribeiro Lourdes , Reyes Fuensanta 
Published: November 2013

AbstractThe production of penicillin G and penicillin V amidohydrolases or acylases (E.C.3.5.1.11) was studied during the autolysis of filamentous fungi in a mineral medium, and in the same medium with phenoxyacetic acid as inducer. In all the studied fungi, enzymes showing penicillin G and penicillin V amidohydrolase activities were found. Generally, an increase of these activities during fungal autolysis was observed. The presence of phenoxyacetic acid in the medium did not increase these activities. The activities found in the culture fluids were generally higher than that found in the mycelial extracts. Under these conditions, β‐lactamases (penicillinases) were not found. The fungi Alternaria alternata, Fusarium culmorum, Penicillium oxalicum, and the species Penicillium 222 were chosen to study penicillin G and penicillin V acylases. The enzymes were precipitated with tannic acid from the culture fluid of their autolyzed cultures. Some kinetic constants of these activities were determined.
A Simple Method for Observation of Phagocytosis on Bacterial Thin‐Layer
Authors: Seki Keiko , Murai Miyo , Sakurada Junji , Shirahige Akira , Kobayashi Noriyuki , Hwang Soo‐myung , Masuda Shogo 
Published: November 2013

AbstractA simple method was developed to visually present the phagocytic activity of leukocytes by using adherent Staphylococcus aureus cells and blood applied on a plastic dish. When heparinized blood was applied on thin‐layer of heat‐killed S. aureus cells on the plastic dish, plaques due to the phagocytic activity of leukocytes were observed with a microscope under a low magnification. Fewer and smaller plaques were observed when plasma‐deprived rather than whole blood was used. Some analyses were made in respect to the fundamental conditions required for optimal results. This method was considered to be useful for conveniently evaluating the serum opsonin activities and phagocytic function of leukocytes in various kinds of diseases.
Antigenic Variation among Sendai Virus Strains Detected by Monoclonal Antibodies
Authors: Yamaguchi Ryoji , Iwai Hiroshi , Ueda Katsumoto 
Published: November 2013

AbstractThirteen strains of Sendai virus isolated from various sources in the 1950′s and after 1976 were compared for their reactivities with monoclonal antibodies prepared against the prototype strain MN of Sendai virus. Results revealed that while the 5 strains isolated in the 1950′s reacted with all the monoclonal antibodies as the prototype strain did, the 2 strains isolated in 1976 and 1978 did not react with an F‐specific monoclonal antibody, and the other 6 strains isolated after 1978 lacked reactivity with an HN‐specific monoclonal antibody.
Single‐Serum Diagnosis of Recent Rubella Infection with the Use of Hemagglutination Inhibition Test and Enzyme‐Linked Immunosorbent Assays
Authors: Katow Shigetaka , Sugiura Akira , Janejai Noppavan 
Published: November 2013

AbstractSingle‐serum diagnosis of recent rubella infection was attempted with the use of hemagglutination inhibition (HI) test and two commercially available enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). The period during which IgM antibody was detectable by IgM capture ELISA was 4 to 30 days after the onset of rash. Rubella IgG ELISA values relative to HI titer were lower in the sera from the patients with recent infection than in the sera from the subjects with remote infection. IgM ELISA and the combined use of IgG ELISA and HI test are two useful methods of single‐serum diagnosis of recent rubella infection.
Simple Method for Quantitation of Cell‐Bound Protein A on Staphylococcus aureus Cells by Means of Hemagglutination with Sheep Erythrocytes Differentially Sensitized with Rabbit Antibody and Its Clinical Application
Authors: Hwang Soo Myung , Seki Keiko , Murai Miyo , Sakurada Junji , Nishihara Shoko , Maeda Toshiro , Masuda Shogo 
Published: November 2013

AbstractA simple method for quantitation of cell‐bound protein A (SpA) on organisms of Staphylococcus aureus was successfully devised by using hemagglutination between staphylococcal organisms and a series of sheep erythrocyte suspensions sensitized with different amounts of anti sheep erythrocyte rabbit antiserum. The validity of the principle and the reproducibility of the method presented here were precisely analyzed and the details of the method are presented. The hemagglutination was quantitatively inhibited both by normal rabbit serum and by soluble SpA. Using the method presented here, 376 strains of S. aureus freshly isolated from clinical materials were subjected to SpA quantitation in cell‐bound form. According to the results, there was an unexpected distribution profile in the amounts of cell‐bound SpA among the clinical isolates, which showed a two‐peak pattern. A possible usefulness of the method presented here in clinical investigations is briefly discussed also.
Annual Change in Immunoglobulin G and M Antibody Levels to Toxoplasma gondii in Human Sera
Authors: Konishi Eiji 
Published: November 2013

AbstractSera collected from a Japanese population over 4 years at yearly intervals were examined for antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Distributions of immunoglobulin (Ig) G antibody levels for 6 age groups consistently showed two antibody groups with constant mean ELISA values. Quantitative analysis of annual changes in IgG antibody levels for 1,366 pairs indicated increase of ≥0.1 in 28 samples and decrease of ≥0.1 in 58 samples, with the remaining 1,280 samples showing changes of <0.1. Mean ELISA values of samples with increase and decrease were 0.479 and 0.833, respectively, and the difference of 0.354 was similar to 0.412, that was the sum total of mean annual changes in samples with increase (0.228) and decrease (0.184). Increase of ≥0.1 from the initial IgG antibody level of <0.1, which was considered as a serological evidence for newly acquired infection, was observed in 3 samples, but no increase was demonstrated in IgM antibody level. The changing pattern of IgG and IgM antibody levels in people during the initial and chronic phases of asymptomatic infections is discussed.
Prevalence of Antibody to Human Herpesvirus 6 in Women and Children
Authors: Balachandra Kruavon , Ayuthaya Panasda Isarangkul Na , Auwanit Wattana , Jayavasu Chruindee , Okuno Toshiomi , Yamanishi Koichi , Takahashi Michiaki 
Published: November 2013

AbstractThe antibody prevalence to human herpesvirus 6 (HHV‐6) was compared between pregnant women and control women of similar ages in Thailand. No significant difference was detected in the antibody positive rate and antibody titers between both groups. The antibody titers in sera collected from pregnant women at 1st and 3rd trimester remained unchanged. Next, the antibody prevalence in infants were examined and the positive rate decreased until 3 months and started to increase from 6 months after birth. The present results suggest that the reactivation of HHV‐6 might not occur during pregnancy and this virus infects infants postnatally.
Different Correlations of Drug Susceptibilities to Colonial Morphology in Mycobacterium avium Complex Strains
Authors: Tsukamura Michio , Mizuno Shoji , Miyama Akio 
Published: November 2013

AbstractIn Mycobacterium avium and Mycobacterium intracellulare complex strains isolated from patients who were not treated previously by any antituberculosis drugs or from fowls, the colonial morphology, smooth, domed, opaque (SmD) or smooth, flat, transparent (SmT) colonial forms, significantly correlated with susceptibilities to rifampicin, minocycline, streptomycin, kanamycin, enviomycin, ethambutol, and sulfadimethoxine, whereas it did not correlate with susceptibilities to isoniazid, cycloserine, and ethionamide. Strains with the SmT colonial morphology were more resistant to the former seven drugs than strains with the SmD colonial morphology. Since the susceptibilities to antituberculosis drugs with large molecules correlated with the colonial morphology, it has been suggested that a permeability barrier that allows passage of small molecules but prevents passage of large molecules exists in the strains with the SmT colonial morphology.
Altered Immune Responsiveness in Patients with Chronic Glomerulonephritis
Authors: Nakauchi Hiromitsu , Tango Toshiro , Umezawa Yoshimi , Ohno Iwao , Okumura Ko 
Published: November 2013

AbstractIn order to detect abnormalities in humoral immunity and to determine immunogenetic traits underlying chronic glomerulonephritis, sera from 260 patients who had chronic glomerulonephritis and who were undergoing hemodialysis were tested for naturally occurring antibodies against mycoplasma and 22 different viruses. Among the 23 microorganisms tested, antibody titers were significantly lower against 12, higher against 3, and no different against 8 when compared with titers of 43 normal subjects. The data were analyzed further by plotting each in a 23‐dimensional space according to their standardized antibody titers. Multivariate cluster analysis by the Ward's method revealed 3 large clusters differing from each other in natural antibody titers, and one of the clusters included 74% of the normal controls, while two other distinct clusters comprised the majority of the patients. The level of BUN, creatinine, and duration of hemodialysis treatment did not differ significantly among patients in these three different clusters. Our study suggests that patients with chronic glomerulonephritis being treated by hemodialysis have altered levels of naturally occurring antibodies to microorganisms. This alteration is not caused by just the uremic state or hemodialysis but immunogenetic regulation may also play a part.