bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Function of the Hydrophobic Transmembrane Portion of Thy‐1 Antigen
Authors: Tate Genshu 
Published: November 2013

AbstractThy‐1 antigen is anchored in the cell membrane by glycophosphatidyl inositol linkages instead of hydrophobic protein domains. The hydrophobic portion of Thy‐1 antigen is cleaved by putative “transamidase.” Mutated genes were constructed by using site‐directed mutagenesis. One mutant gene codes Thy‐1 antigen lacking carboxy terminal amino acids from 112Cys to 143Leu including cell membrane binding amino acid 112Cys. The other mutant gene codes Thy‐1 antigen lacking from 124Trp to 143Leu that includes leucine core portion. DNA transfection analysis and Northern blot analysis revealed that hydrophobic portion of Thy‐1 antigen is essential to express Thy‐1 molecule onto the cell surface.
Characterization of Gentamicin‐Resistant Respiratory‐Deficient (Res−) Variant Strains of Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Lewis Leslie A. , Li Koibong , Bharosay Mohanie , Cannella Maria , Jorgenson Vincent , Thomas Robert , Pena Danny , Velez Madeline , Pereira Beryl , Sassine Anne 
Published: November 2013

AbstractExposure of sensitive cells of Staphylococcus aureus to concentrations of gentamicin higher than the minimal inhibitory concentration, results in the recovery of low level resistant strains with a greatly altered phenotype (variants). Because the phenotypic alteration in these strains is so great the expected diagnostic characterization of these variants as S. aureus is obscured. Starting with a genetically‐marked parent strain, a comprehensive cytological, physiological, morphological, genetic and biochemical analysis of the variants isolated from it was carried out. The genetic lineage of the variants to the parent was also established by DNA/DNA hybridization. Variants result from mutations in the hemin biosynthesis locus, the effect of which is to disrupt the synthesis of components of the electron transport system, lipid synthesis and selected nucleotide synthesis. Thus the strains are defective in aerobic and anaerobic respiration, (res−), in active transport of aminoglycosides (which confers low level resistance), export of characteristic exoenzymes, and in cell wall composition and structure.
Comparison of Two Kinds of Cell Packets of Micrococcus luteus by Scanning Electron Microscopy: Outermost Layer Maintaining the Packet Structure
Authors: Monodane Toshihiko , Tokunaga Michiko , Koike Hirotami , Kotani Shozo , Matsuhashi Michio 
Published: November 2013

AbstractTwo kinds of cell packets of Micrococcus luteus, one having teichuronic acids (TUA) in the cell wall and the other lacking TUA. have been independently reported by two groups of workers. A comparison by scanning electron microscopy of these packets provided a possibly consistent interpretation for the seemingly conflicting opinions whether TUA were involved in packet induction. It was strongly suggested that the packets having TUA in the wall were rigidly maintained by a bridging structure of the outermost layer of the peripheral wall, while the packets lacking TUA showed low contribution of the outermost layer to the bridging structure probably due to the absence of TUA.
Enhancement of Natural Resistance of Mice to Rhodococcus equi Infection by Dextran Sulfate 500
Authors: Takai Shinji , Yokoyama Yasushi , Tsubaki Shiro 
Published: November 2013

AbstractThe effect of intraperitoneal injection of Dextran Sulfate 500 (DS‐500, 500,000 Mr) on the intravenous clearance and host resistance to Rhodococcus equi in mice was studied. Contrary to the results seen with Listeria monocytogenes, DS‐500 enhanced murine resistance to R. equi and altered organ distribution and clearance.
Genetic Transformation of Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Vibrio alginolyticus, and Vibrio cholerae Non O‐1 with Plasmid DNA by Electroporation
Authors: Hamashima Hajime , Nakano Toshikazu , Tamura Shinobu , Arai Taketoshi 
Published: November 2013

AbstractAn electroporation procedure for the plasmid‐mediated transformation of the genus Vibrio was performed, as part of an effort to develop recombinant DNA techniques for genetic manipulation of the genus Vibrio. Vibrio parahaemolyticus, V. alginolyticus, and V. cholerae non O‐1 (9 different strains) were transformed with 3 vector plasmids (pACYC184, pHSG398, and pBR325). The efficiency of transformation was highly dependent on three parameters: the concentration of plasmid DNA; the strength of the electric field; and the combination of plasmid DNA and recipient strain. The drug‐resistance genes on the vector plasmid were expressed in the Vibrio strains.
Characterization of Plasmids that Confer Inducible Resistance to 14‐Membered Macrolides and Streptogramin Type B Antibiotics in Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Jánosi László , Nakajima Yosinori , Hashimoto Hajime 
Published: November 2013

AbstractDuring a period from 1978 to 1989, 413 Staphylococcus aureus strains were isolated at 27 different geographical regions in Hungary; they exhibited an inducible resistance to the 14‐membered macrolides and streptogramin type B antibiotics, but not to the 16‐membered macrolides and lincosamides: this resistance is referred to as PMS resistance phenotype. The isolates were mostly associated with patients suffering from staphylococcal diseases and with hygienic screenings in hospitals and closed communities. They were rarely isolated from food‐poisoning cases, food hygienic screenings, or animal sources. Strains with PMS resistance phenotype were resistant to penicillin (99.0%), tetracycline (78.7%), and chloramphenicol (63.0%); however, they were susceptible to oxacillin. Most of them (94.2%) belonged to the phage type 52‐complex. The determinant for PMS phenotype was located on plasmids, which also encoded beta‐lactamase production and cadmium ion resistance, but not arsenate resistance. Three types of plasmid with molecular size of 50 kilobases (kb), 23.8 kb, and 16.8 kb. were found among the strains with PMS resistance phenotype. and the 50 kb and 23.8 kb plasmids also encoded mercury resistance. The 16.8 kb and 23.8 kb plasmids belonged to incompatibility group 1.
Systemic Group B Streptococcal Disease in the Neonate: Characterization of an Oral Colonization Model Using the Suckling Rat
Authors: Weisman Leonard E. , McKinney LuAnne , Villalobos Raphael 
Published: November 2013

AbstractAspiration or ingestion of contaminated amniotic fluid or vaginal secretions has been suggested as a cause of systemic group B streptococcal (GBS) infection in the neonate. Suckling rat studies disagree on whether systemic disease will develop after an oral challenge of GBS. Our goal was to determine if systemic GBS disease would occur following oral colonization in the suckling rat and the effect of bacterial, host and environmental factors. Suckling rat littermates received oral inoculation on one of the first four days of life with varying doses and strains of GBS. Studies confirmed gastric inoculation without aspiration. Mortality and bacteremia decreased with age, increased with dose, varied with strain, and increased with asphyxia. Autopsy confirmed sepsis, intestinal colonization, meningitis, and pneumonia. Bacteremia was associated with an abnormal immature: total neutrophil ratio at 24 hr, thrombocytopenia at 48 hr, and neutropenia at 72 hr after inoculation. GBS can cause systemic infection in the host after oral colonization which appears age‐, dose, strain‐, and environment‐dependent. Evaluation of GBS entry in the susceptible host may facilitate therapies directed toward preventing mucosal invasion.
Surface Properties of Staphylococcus aureus Affecting Chemiluminescence Response of Human Phagocytes
Authors: Yamada Sakuo , Matsumoto Akira 
Published: November 2013

AbstractTo assess the surface properties of Staphylococcus aureus affecting the response of human phagocytes, the effects of the organisms with different surface properties on the chemiluminescence (CL) response of human phagocytes were examined. The magnitude of the phagocytic CL response to hydrophobic strains was significantly greater than that to hydrophilic strains, while no significant difference in the CL response was seen between protein A‐deficient strains and their parent strains. The CL response to the hydrophilic organisms prepared from a hydrophobic strain by trypsin treatment decreased significantly. These results suggest that the phagocytic CL response to staphylococci depends on the hydrophobicity of the surface, but not on the presence of protein A. Two protein A‐deficient strains which were isolated from protein A‐positive strains showed identical hydrophobicity with their parent strains. All of the hydrophilic strains isolated from hydrophobic strains possessed protein A identical to that of their parent strains. Moreover, a hydrophilic strain could be isolated from a protein A‐deficient, hydrophobic strain. These results strongly suggest that protein A is not solely responsible for the surface hydrophobicity of S. aureus.
Enhancement of the Interferon‐Induced Double‐Stranded RNA‐Dependent Protein Kinase Activity by Sindbis Virus Infection and Heat‐Shock Stress
Authors: Saito Sakura 
Published: November 2013

AbstractIn extracts of FL cells that were infected with Sindbis virus or treated with heat‐shock stress, dsRNA‐dependent phosphorylation of 77K protein was markedly increased. The 77K phosphoprotein was indistinguishable from the autophosphorylated and activated form of interferon (IFN)‐induced dsRNA‐dependent protein kinase (PK‐I) by two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis, and was immunologically related to P68 (Galabru, J. and Hovanessian, A., J. Biol. Chem. 262, 15538 (1987)), the HeLa cell counterpart of PK‐I. Immunoblotting experiments using monoclonal antibody against PK‐I revealed that control cell extracts contained a substantial amount of PK‐I protein, although they showed no measurable PK‐I activity even when dsRNA was added. The amount of PK‐I protein did not increase during a transient dsRNA‐dependent enhancement of PK‐I activity caused by Sindbis virus infection and heat‐shock stress. This implies that the conversion of PK‐I protein from a dsRNA‐unresponsive form to a responsive form may be important in the regulation of PK‐I activity. A similar mode of PK‐I regulatory mechanism was operative in the early stages of IFN treatment, although after a prolonged treatment a net synthesis of the PK‐I protein did take place.
Cloning of Genes for a Hemolytic Factor of Leptospira interrogans Serovar Autumnalis Strain Congo 21‐543
Authors: Fukunaga Masahito , Mifuchi Ichiji , Yanagihara Yasutake 
Published: November 2013

AbstractA DNA fragment encoding a hemolytic factor was cloned from the parasitic spirochete Leptospira interrogans serovar autumnalis strain Congo 21–543. Initial clones were isolated by screening a genomic library in pBR322 in Escherichia coli for hemolytic activity. Hemolytic activity was coded by a 4.5 kilobase BamHI‐HindIII fragment. Southern hybridization with DNAs from other strains of Leptospira using this gene as a probe showed that DNAs from non‐parasitic strains failed to hybridize with the probe, whereas those from all parastic strains tested had the sequence which hybridize to the probe.
Microtiter Plate Assay for Selecting “Macrophage Virulent” Strains of Mycobacterium avium intracellulare Mycobacteria in Mouse Pulmonary Alveolar Macrophages
Authors: Straub Leslie , Thomas Dwayne , Gonzalez‐Rothi Ricardo J. 
Published: November 2013

AbstractCurrently used macrophage‐mycobacterial in vitro infection models require substantial numbers of macrophages. We developed a miniaturized version of such a model, using microtiter plates, which is comparable to standardly published methods, is reproducible, and requires fewer macrophages. In addition to its ease of handling and its economy in time, number of animals, and supplies, this method is preferable when limited numbers of macrophages are available. We have used this assay as a means of selecting human derived isolates from patients with M. avium intracellulare pulmonary disease for their ability to infect and multiply in cultured mouse pulmonary alveolar macrophages.
Interaction between Two Distinct Plaque‐Cloned Human Immunodeficiency Viruses (HIVs): The Possible Existence of Heterozygous Virus
Authors: Masuda Takao , Harada Shinji 
Published: November 2013

AbstractTo know the biological significance of the HIV variation, we investigated the interaction between two different HIV clones. Two distinct clones were mixed and propagated by infecting MT‐4 cells. After passaging the mixture viruses 8 times, and cloning by the plaque method, we obtained not only viruses of homogeneous type like each parental clone but also heterogeneous‐type viruses which showed a mixture of two parental viruses with regard to phenotype and genotype. To further segregate a single virus from the mixture, we recloned the heterogeneous viruses using the plaque method. We found that about 40% of recloned viruses from heterogeneous‐type viruses were still heterogeneous.
Evaluation of Live Trivalent Vaccine of Measles AIK‐C Strain, Mumps Hoshino Strain and Rubella Takahashi Strain, by Virus‐Specific Interferon‐γ Production and Antibody Response
Authors: Nakayama Tetsuo , Urano Takashi , Osano Mitsuru , Nakagawa Masaharu , Maehara Nobutoshi , Sasaki Keiko , Yamamura Anna M. , Makino Satoshi 
Published: November 2013

AbstractA trivalent measles‐mumps‐rubella live virus vaccine, containing measles AIK‐C strain, mumps Hoshino strain, and rubella Takahashi strain, was evaluated in 229 children, aged 1 to 5 years. The vaccine induced a high seroconversion rate: 221 (98.7%) out of 224 subjects initially seronegative for measles virus, 167 (93.3%) out of 179 initially seronegative for mumps virus, and 212 (99.1%) out of 214 initially seronegative for rubella virus. It also induced a sufficient cellular immunity against each of the three viruses in over 90% of the subjects, as judged by virus‐specific interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) production. Virus‐specific IFN‐γ production was observed 10 days after vaccination by stimulation with measles virus and rubella virus and 14 days after vaccination by stimulation with mumps virus. Mumps‐virus‐specific IFN‐γ production was observed in 7 out of 12 recipients without seroconversion for mumps virus. And measles‐virus‐specific IFN‐γ production was demonstrated in one out of three recipients without seroconversion for measles virus. A significant correlation was observed between the serum antibody and IFN‐γ production six weeks after vaccination for measles virus (r = 0.201, P<0.01) and for mumps virus (r‐0.174, P<0.05) but not for rubella virus (r= ‐0.045, P>0.05). The incidence of febrile reactions of ≧37.5 C was quite low, 14.4%, and that of ≧39 C occurred in only 1.3% of the recipients. These results suggested that the trivalent vaccine induced sufficient humoral and cellular immunity and yet resulted in no more untoward reaction than observed from the measles vaccine alone.
Overproduction of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type I Reverse Transcriptase in Escherichia coli and Purification of the Enzyme
Authors: Saitoh Atsushi , Iwasaki Hiroshi , Nakata Atsuo , Adachi Akio , Shinagawa Hideo 
Published: November 2013

AbstractOverexpression of the reverse transcriptase was designed in E. coli. For a high level of expression, HIV protein was expressed as a protein fusion with β‐galactosidase. When the proviral DNA fragment covering the 3′ half of the gag gene and the entire pol gene was ligated to the 3′ end of the lacZ gene to fuse the truncated gag to lacZ in frame, a small quantity of reverse transcriptase was produced, indicating that frameshifting and post‐translational processing have occurred. Much more reverse transcriptase was produced when the entire pol region was directly fused to the lacZ gene. From a one liter culture of bacteria, 1 mg of highly purified reverse transcriptase consisting of approximately equimolar amounts of two species (p64 and p51) was obtained. These proteins had identical N‐termini consistent with the deduced amino acid sequence and therefore, might be correctly processed from the fusion protein in E. coli by the protease encoded by the pol region. The purified reverse transcriptase was enzymatically as active as the enzyme purified from the virus particles, and immunoreactive to the sera of HIV carriers with high sensitivity and specificity.
Comparison of Serological and Chemical Characteristics of Capsular Polysaccharides of Cryptococcus neoformans var. neoformans Serotype A and Cryptococcus albidus var. albidus
Authors: Ikeda Reiko , Matsuyama Hirohisa , Nishikawa Akemi , Shinoda Takako , Fukazawa Yoshimura 
Published: November 2013

AbstractThe antigenic formula and chemical structure of capsular polysaccharide (CPS) of Cryptococcus albidus var. albidus (C. albidus) were studied in relation to those of C. neoformans var. neoformans serotype A (C. neoformans A). The results of slide agglutination tests with factor sera and reciprocal adsorption experiments showed that antigenic formula of C. albidus was the same as that of C. neoformans A. The soluble CPSs from the two species were obtained from culture supernatants by precipitation with ethanol followed by purification by chromatography on DEAE‐cellulose column. The structural analyses of such CPSs from the two species showed that the antigenic CPS fractions consisted of a backbone of α(l‐3)‐linked D‐mannopyranosyl residues with a single branch of β(1–2)‐xylose or glucuronic acid, and mostly with O‐acetyl groups, in which side chains and O‐acetyl groups were responsible for antigenic specificity. It was found that there was a minor difference between the CPS of C. neoformans A and that of C. albidus; in the former, unsubstituted mannose residues existed in a low frequency, but in the latter none. Moreover, the 1H‐nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of partially hydrolyzed acidic fragments of the two CPSs indicated that two xylose side chains were present between glucuronic acid side chains. Taken together, it was suggested that these two species of C. neoformans A and C. albidus are closely related to each other in their CPSs.
Inhibition of DNA Synthesis in Varicella‐Zoster Virus‐Infected Cells by BV‐araU
Authors: Machida Haruhiko , Watanabe Yoko 
Published: November 2013

AbstractThe inhibitory effect of BV‐araU on DNA synthesis in human embryonic lung cells infected with varicella‐zoster virus (VZV) or herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV‐1) was compared with that of acyclovir. Cellular uptake of [3H]thymidine and its incorporation into DNA was markedly stimulated by the infection with VZV or HSV‐1, suggesting that the incorporation was mainly due to viral DNA synthesis. DNA synthesis in VZV‐infected cells was dose‐dependently suppressed by BV‐araU and acyclovir, although cellular uptake of [3H]thymidine decreased in cells treated with a high concentration of drugs for an extended time. DNA synthesis in HSV‐1‐infected cells was also markedly inhibited by both drugs in a dose‐dependent manner, without affecting cellular uptake of [3H]thymidine. The concentration of drugs inhibiting DNA synthesis was well correlated to their in vitro anti‐VZV and anti‐HSV‐1 activities. The inhibitory concentration of BV‐araU for DNA synthesis in VZV‐infected cells was one‐thousandth of that of acyclovir. Our results suggest that the antiviral action of BV‐araU against VZV and HSV‐1 is based on the inhibition of DNA synthesis in herpesvirus‐infected cells.
Serovars of Multi‐Antibiotic Resistant Escherichia coli from the Freshwater Environs of Calcutta, India
Authors: Ghosh Asit R. , Nair G. Balakrish , Naik Trailokya N. , Sarkar Swarup K. , Mazumdar Rabin , Pal Sudhir C. , Sen Dipak 
Published: November 2013

AbstractFor a period of one year (March 1987 to February 1988), the incidence of Escherichia coli was determined in water, sediment and plankton collected from two sampling sites in a freshwater lake extensively used by humans and animals. Densities of E. coli associated with plankton was the lowest while sediments, especially at site 2, harbored high densities of the organism. Correlation coefficients revealed that the density of E. coli in water samples was linearly correlated to temperature, pH of water, sediment and humidity. Stepwise multiple regression analysis, however, showed that sediment temperature was the dominant variable which could explain 27% of the observed variation in the numbers of E. coli in the overlying waters (p = <0.001). Of the 150 environmental E. coli strains which were characterized, 31 (20.7%) were found to belong to the classic enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) serogroups. Seven of the serogroups among the environmental EPEC strains were also encountered from EPEC strains isolated from human cases during a concurrent clinical study. None of the 150 environmental strains were enterotoxigenic or enteroinvasive but 4 strains possessed HEp‐2 cell adhesive factor. With the exception of one, all the EPEC strains isolated were multi‐drug resistant. From this study, it was evident that the lake is an important source of infection of EPEC and other related diarrheagenic E. coli.
Localization of IpaB Protein in Escherichia coli K‐12 MC1061 Strain Carrying Shigella sonnei Form I Plasmid pSS120
Authors: Ito Ken‐ichiro , Nakajima Takashi , Sasaki Tsuguo , Watanabe Haruo 
Published: November 2013

AbstractWe partially purified antigens which reacted with shigellosis convalescent‐monkey antisera. Hybridomas, which were constructed from mice immunized by the antigens, produced monoclonal antibodies recognizing IpaB protein. Using the monoclonal antibody against IpaB, evidence indicating that IpaB proteins were localized on the cell surface of invasive bacteria (Escherichia coli K‐12 MC1061 harboring pSS120 plasmid) was obtained by immunoelectron microscopy.
Neutralization of Shwartzman‐Inducing Activity by Antibodies Recognizing the Re Core or Lipid A Structures of Lipopolysaccharide from Salmonella minnesota R595 and Pseudomonas vesicularis JCM1477
Authors: Mashimo Jun‐ichi , Mizutani Tomonori , Mita Akira , Kasai Nobuhiko 
Published: November 2013

AbstractAntibodies recognizing the Re core or lipid A structures of lipopolysaceharide (LPS) derived from Salmonella minnesota R595 and Pseudomonas vesicularis JCM1477 were tested for the ability to neutralize the preparatory activity of endotoxin using the local Shwartzman reaction. Shwartzman‐inducing activity of R595 LPS (Reform) was strongly suppressed when the LPS was incubated with the rabbit anti‐R595 antiserum or the purified IgG antibody which recognizes core region of the LPS. The antiserum also suppressed the preparatory activity of LPS from S. typhimurium SL1102 (Re) and Escherichia coli F515 (Re), but not that of either S. typhimurium LT‐2 (S) LPS or R595 lipid A. Moreover, it was found that the murine monoclonal antibody (MAb), SmRe100G (IgG2a) which recognizes the core region of R595 LPS, significantly suppressed the preparatory activity of R595 LPS. Both conventional antibodies specific to R.595 lipid A, which contains a 1, 4‐bisphosphorylated β‐D‐glucosaminyl‐α‐D‐glucosamine disaccharide structure, and JCM 1477 lipid A, which contains a monophosphorylated 3‐amino‐D‐glucosamine disaccharide structure, neutralized the preparatory activity of homologous and a closely related lipid A, but not that of LPS. In addition, it was observed that MAb Sm5G (IgG2b) specific to enterobacterial lipid A preparations (especially R595 lipid A) neutralized the preparatory activity of R595 lipid A, although the effect was somewhat weak as compared with that of rabbit antiserum. These results suggest that anti‐Re LPS antibody binding to the core of Re LPS is involved in suppressing the endotoxic activity of Re LPS, and that the direct binding of anti‐lipid A antibody to some specific epitopes of lipid A is important in neutralizing the endotoxic activity.