bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Immunological Properties of TtT/M‐87 Cell Line Established from Murine Pituitary Tumor‐Associated Macrophages
Authors: Mitsuishi Toshimi , Akuzawa Yuki , Sato Shinobu , Rui Jin , Kodama Kazue , Inoue Kinji , Kurashige Satonori 
Published: November 2013

AbstractTtT/M‐87 cell is a macrophage cell line established from thyrotropic pituitary tumor tissues in mouse. In this paper, we report the immunological properties of M‐87 cells as a model of tumor‐associated macrophage. Contrasting with resident peritoneal macrophages, M‐87 cells constitutively secreted small but significant amounts of TNF‐α and IL‐1α, which were detectable in both biological assays (cytotoxic activity for L929 and co‐mitogenic activity for Con A‐induced T cell proliferation, respectively) and ELISA, and produced larger amounts of these cytokines upon stimulation with LPS. They expressed MHC class II molecules on their cell surface without stimulation by IFN‐γ. The accessory or antigen‐presenting cell activity in antibody‐producing response of spleen lymphocytes to sheep red blood cells was shown to be much higher in M‐87 cells than normal peritoneal macrophages. In addition, when normal spleen lymphocytes were cultured with allogeneic tumor cells, such as EL‐4 and S‐180, in the presence of M‐87 cells, lymphocytes reactive to stimulator cells were activated to manifest inhibitory effect on the tumor cell growth and also to manifest specific cytotoxic effect on the allogeneic tumor cells. These results show that M‐87 cells derived from tumor‐associated tissue are activated macrophages and that they are inhibitory to tumor cell growth and augmentative in the induction of T‐cell‐mediated immune responses.
Small, Round‐Structured Viruses (SRSVs) Associated with Acute Gastroenteritis Outbreaks in Gifu, Japan
Authors: Kawamoto Hiroyoshi , Hasegawa Sumiyo , Sawatari Seiko , Miwa Chieko , Morita Osayuki , Hosokawa Takehiko , Tanaka Hiroshi 
Published: November 2013

AbstractTwo outbreaks of non‐bacterial gastroenteritis occurred in Gifu prefecture in January 1989 and in January 1991. Both outbreaks were closely related to the consumption of raw oysters, and showed similar clinical features. Small, round‐structured virus particles were found in patient stools in both outbreaks by electron microscopy. The role of these particles as the causative agents of the outbreaks were strongly suggested by immune electron microscopy and/or western‐blotting immunoassay. When compared with SRSV‐9 (Tokyo/SRSV/86–510) reported previously (Hayashi et al, J. Clin. Microbiol., 27: 1728–1733, 1989), it was found that these viral particles were antigenically similar to SRSV‐9, and had a major structural protein of 63 kilodaltons (kDa). Further, the prevalence of this agent in Gifu area was examined by western blot antibody assay using 67 serum samples collected from the inhabitants in 1991. The results indicated the circulation of the same or antigenically similar agent in this area.
Pili of Vibrio cholerae Widely Distributed in Serogroup O1 Strains
Authors: Iwanaga Masaaki , Nakasone Noboru , Yamashiro Tetsu , Higa Naomi 
Published: November 2013

AbstractThe distribution of Vibrio cholerae O1 pili consisting of 16 kDa subunit protein (16K‐pili) was examined by Western blotting, using 211 strains from various origins and specific anti‐16K‐pili sera. The 16 kDa protein was detected in all 211 strains. The pili were purified from 3 El Tor and 3 classical strains, and characterized by hemagglutination and inhibition tests. All purified pili were hemagglutinative. However, the hemagglutinating activity of classical pili disappeared after exposure to 5 M urea and the agglutination induced by the classical pili was inhibited by D‐mannose, alpha‐methylmannoside, D‐glucose and N‐acetylglucosamine. On the contrary, El Tor pili were resistant to these sugars and urea.
Applications of Polymerase Chain Reaction for Identification of Dengue Viruses Isolated from Patient Sera
Authors: Maneekarn Niwat , Morita Kouichi , Tanaka Mariko , Igarashi Akira , Usawattanakul Wipawee , Sirisanthana Virat , Innis Bruce L. , Sittisombut Nopporn , Nisalak Ananda , Nimmanitya Suchitra 
Published: November 2013

AbstractA simple and sensitive procedure of reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) was developed previously such that all 4 serotypes of dengue viruses could be detected and their serotypes identified simultaneously in a single‐step procedure. In this study we compared the RT‐PCR with a conventional immunoperoxidase (PAP) staining method for the identification of dengue viruses currently isolated from patient sera. Sixty‐six sera taken from dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) patients were subjected to virus isolation by inoculating onto C6/36 cell cultures. Screening for the presence of dengue viruses in culture fluids was done after 7 days of incubation by PAP staining using hyperimmune rabbit anti‐dengue virus antibody as the primary reagent. Dengue viruses in positive cultures were further identified for their serotypes by PAP using type‐specific monoclonal antibodies (MAb) and by RT‐PCR. Thirty‐two out of the 66 serum specimens tested (48.5%) were positive for dengue viruses. Of these, 5 were type 1 (DEN‐1), 25 were type 2 (DEN‐2) and 2 contained both DEN‐1 and DEN‐2. All cultures that were positive by PAP method were also positive by RT‐PCR and vice versa. Thus, the results obtained by RT‐PCR were in good agreement with those by PAP. It is important to point out that while all 5 DEN‐1 isolates reacted readily with the MAb 1F1, only 2 of them could be identified by the MAb 15F3. Our data suggest that antigenic variation among DEN‐1 isolates occur frequently and this should be taken into consideration in the selection of appropriate type‐specific MAb for serotyping of dengue viruses. We also demonstrated dual infection of DEN‐1 and DEN‐2 in two patients' sera by RT‐PCR.
Fibronectin‐Binding Proteins of a Human Oral Spirochete Treponema denticola
Authors: Umemoto Toshihiko , Nakatani Yoshihiro , Nakamura Yoshinori , Namikawa Isamu 
Published: November 2013

AbstractMajor polypeptides from a human oral spirochete Treponema denticola ATCC 33520 were examined to demonstrate their ability to bind to human plasma fibronectin by immunoblot analysis. Of three main polypeptides separated on sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gels 53,000‐daltons (53‐kDa) and 72‐kDa surface antigenic proteins and a 38‐kDa axial flagellar protein showed the ability to bind to fibronectin, suggesting that fibronectin on host cells can mediate cytoadherence of T. denticola by its binding to the surface proteins or the exposed 38‐kDa axial flageller protein.
Evidence for Interference by Immune Complexes in the Serodiagnosis of Cryptococcosis
Authors: Sadamoto Shinya , Ikeda Reiko , Nishikawa Akemi , Shinoda Takako 
Published: November 2013

AbstractThe latex agglutination test was used to compare cryptococcal antigen titers before and after protease treatment in 19 patients with pulmonary cryptococcosis. Antigen was detected by the LA test in 13 of 33 serum samples before protease treatment, and in an additional 13 samples following treatment. Of 26 antigen‐positive serum samples, 22 (84.6%) showed an increased antigen titer after protease treatment. Using the cell slide agglutination test, antibody was detected in 3 of 19 cases. In one of these 3, antigen could only be detected after protease treatment. Soluble immune complex was prepared in vitro using anti‐C. neoformans rabbit antiserum and polysaccharide antigen of C. neoformans, and the effects of immune complexes on the LA test were examined. In this experimental model, soluble immune complexes seemed to be observed in antibody excess region, because the antigen titers were increased after the protease treatment. We concluded that C. neoformans capsular polysaccharide antigen and anti‐C. neoformans antibody formed soluble immune complexes in patients' sera, which interfered with antigen detection by the latex agglutination test without protease treatment.
Antigenic Behaviors of Two Axial Flagellar Proteins Detected in Treponema denticola
Authors: Umemoto Toshihiko , Wadood Abdul , Nakamura Yoshinori , Nakatani Yoshihiro , Namikawa Isamu 
Published: November 2013

AbstractTwo polypeptide antigens with molecular sizes of 34,000 daltons (34 kDa) and 38 kDa were separated from heated cells of a human clinical treponeme strain G7201 and Treponema denticola ATCC 35404, respectively. The rabbit polyclonal antisera against these antigens were produced and examined for their immunological reactions with the two heated antigens or intact spirochetal cells. Immunoblot analysis showed that the 34‐kDa protein was also detected in T. denticola ATCC 35404 and ATCC 33520, and the 38‐kDa protein was detected only in the two ATCC strains. Immunoelectron microscopy using the two rabbit antisera and protein A‐gold complexes demonstrated that the 38‐kDa protein antigen was present on the axial flagella of two T. denticola strains, and that the 34‐kDa protein was located in the axial flagella of the G7201 cell, but neither in axial flagella nor on outer envelopes of the two ATCC strains cells, suggesting that the native 34‐kDa axial flagellar protein of the G7201 strain may be different from that of T. denticola in terms of immunological reactivity.
Sub‐Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations of Ceftibuten Reduce Adherence of Escherichia coli to Human Cells and Induces Formation of Long Filaments
Authors: Braga Pier Carlo , Piatti Gioia 
Published: November 2013

AbstractThe minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of an antibiotic are present for only a certain period of time, after which they become sub‐inhibitory concentrations (sub‐MICs). These sub‐MICs are still active because they can interfere with the mechanism of bacterial adhesion, which is the first step in the sequence of events leading to infection. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of sub‐MICs of ceftibuten, a new third‐generation cephalosporin, on the adhesion of Escherichia coli (E. coli) to human buccal cells. The degree of inhibition was maximal at 1/2 MIC and then gradually returned toward to the control values at 1/128 the MIC. The differences were statistically significant from 1/2 to 1/32 MIC. Since the MIC was 0.5 μg/ml, concentrations from 0.25 to 0.015 μg/ml significantly reduce bacterial adhesion. Ceftibuten also caused marked elongation of E. coli. These findings could help to explain the efficacy showed by ceftibuten in the treatment of respiratory and urinary tract infections when administered once daily.
Role of Calcium in Biphasic Germination of Bacillus cereus T Spores Sensitized to Lysozyme
Authors: Shibata Hirofumi , Adachi Sawako , Hirose Yoko , Ike Mika , Tani Isamu , Hashimoto Tadayo 
Published: November 2013

AbstractBiphasic germination induced by inosine in the presence of Ca2+ was examined using Bacillus cereus T spores treated with sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and dithiothreitol (DTT) at pH 10. The first phase of the germination was stimulated by Ca2+ in the concentration‐dependent manner, showing the optimal concentration at 0.5‐1.0 mM. The second phase appeared to be insensitive to the cation. The optimal temperatures for the first and the second phase were 25 C and 40 C, respectively; the optimal pHs for the two phases were 7‐9 and around 7.5, respectively. Heat resistance and dipicolinic acid of the SDS‐DTT‐treated spores were lost mostly during the first phase. A Ca2+‐specific chelator, glycoletherdiamine‐N,N,N',N'‐tetraacetic acid (GEDTA), inhibited the first phase evoked by Ca2+, while it had no inhibitory effect on the second phase. In contrast, the divalent cations examined, except Mg2+ and Sr2+, affected not only the first phase but also the second phase. The order of inhibitory effect on the first phase was Hg2+ > Zn2+ > Ba2+, Co2+, Cu2+ > Mn2+; on the second phase, it was Hg2+ > Cu2+ > Zn2+ > Co2+ > Mn2+ > Ba2+.
Variation in Field Isolates of Measles Virus during an 8‐Year Period in Japan
Authors: Sakata Hiroko , Kobune Fumio , Sato Takeshi A. , Tanabayashi Kiyoshi , Yamada Akio , Sugiura Akira 
Published: November 2013

AbstractField isolates of measles virus (MV) during an 8‐year period in four areas of Japan, i.e., Osaka, Nagoya, Tokyo and Akita, were classified into three types in regard to the electrophoretic mobility of the hemagglutinin (HA) proteins: S type with small (78 K) HA, M type with intermediate (80 K) HA and L type with large (82K) HA. The type of field isolates was closely related with the geographical location and the year of virus isolation. The S type strain was isolated only in an outbreak from 1983 to 1984, whereas the M and L type strains were isolated between 1983 and 1990. The HA genes of the M and L type strains of MV were found to have a nucleotide substitution which introduces a new potential glycosylation site. In addition, the matrix proteins of all field strains isolated after 1977 showed slower electrophoretic mobility of 42 K than 39 K of the Edmonston and Toyoshima strains. These results indicate that MV strains of different HA types existed concomitantly and that major populations of MV currently circulating in Japan are changing from those prevalent in 1983‐1984.
Comparison of the Virulence for Mice of Mycobacterium avium and Mycobacterium intracellulare Identified by DNA Probe Test
Authors: Tomioka Haruaki , Saito Hajime , Sato Katsumasa , Dawson David J. 
Published: November 2013

AbstractThe virulence of various serovars of Mycobacterium avium and M. intracellulare identified by DNA probe test was compared with each other. We found species‐ and serovar‐dependencies of M. avium complex (MAC) virulence to mice in terms of mortality, incidence of lung lesions and bacterial load in the visceral organs, as follows. First, human‐ or environment‐derived M. intracellulare was more virulent for mice, as compared to M. avium isolated from patients or environmental sources. Second, the virulence of MAC isolates belonging to serovars 1, 8, 9 (M. avium), 14 and 16 (M. intracellulare) is in the order of serovars 16 > 14 > 8 > 1 > 9. These aspects were different from those for MAC virulence to human and bird, swine and cattle.
A Sensitive Serodiagnosis of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Infection with Two Non‐Fused Peptides: Comparison of Antibody Responses Detected with a Newly Developed Assay and a Commercial Second‐Generation Test
Authors: Sato Atsushi , Ida Nobuo , Ishikawa Mari , Tanahashi Kazuhiro , Nakamura Haruji , Sho Yukihiko , Arima Terukatsu , Kunitomo Tetsunosuke 
Published: November 2013

AbstractAn enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed for the detection of anti‐HCV antibody. We assayed for antibodies against either oligopeptide (S29‐1) deduced from the nucleocapsid gene or the product of nonstructural region (NS3) synthesized in a recombinant Escherichia coli (S4). To reduce false‐positive results induced by non‐specific binding of antibodies with a carrier protein and to increase the sensitivity of an immunoassay, non‐fused S4 peptide was prepared by the recombinant DNA technique and site‐specific proteolysis (by factor Xa). In 71 non‐A, non‐B hepatitis patients with chronic liver disease, 70 (98.5%) were positive by S29‐1/S4 ELISA as well as by a second‐generation test (Abbott II). On the other hand, of 40 serum samples from blood donors, in which anti‐N14 (core) and C100‐3 antibodies were not detected but hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA was detectable by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), 24 (60%) were positive by S29‐1/S4 ELISA, whereas only 18 (45%) were diagnosed by Abbott II. In addition, based on results in a small group of 92 blood donors, detection of anti‐S29‐1/S4 antibody correlated well with HCV viremia as confirmed by PCR. These results indicated that the preparation of non‐fused protein (S4) by recombinant DNA technique and a combination of S29‐1 and S4 as immobilized antigens in an ELISA provide a sensitive and specific diagnosis for HCV infection with good correlation with the presence of viral RNA as confirmed by PCR.
Ecological Studies on Reovirus Pollution of Rivers in Toyama Prefecture. II. Molecular Epidemiological Study of Reoviruses Isolated from River Water
Authors: Matsuura Kumiko , Ishikura Mitsuhiro , Nakayama Takashi , Hasegawa Sumiyo , Morita Osayuki , Katori Kouji , Uetake Hisao 
Published: November 2013

AbstractIn order to clarify the source of reovirus pollution in river water, comparative surveys have been carried out between reovirus isolates from river water and those from sewage, human or animal, by making use of the analysis of genomic RNA‐migration pattern of reovirus in polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (electropherotype). The strains of reovirus serotype 1 and 2 isolated from river water were classified into 3 and 9 electropherotypes, respectively, and 8 out of these 12 types were also found among strains isolated from sewage or human. When the monthly distribution of the river isolates classified by electropherotypes was compared with that of the sewage isolates, there were cases in which strains of the same electropherotype were simultaneously isolated from both sources. The electropherotypes of 3 isolates from pig and field rodents were different from those of the other isolates. The electropherotype of an oyster isolate coincided with that of some of the isolates from humans and river water. These results indicate that the major sources of reoviruses polluting river water may be the human excretion.
Cholera Toxin Inhibits Lethal Hit Stage of Natural Killer Cell‐Mediated Cytotoxicity
Authors: Watanabe Masami , Kiyohara Tatsuo , Murata Ken‐Ichirou , Yodoi Junji , Itakura Hideyo 
Published: November 2013

AbstractCytolytic process which was affected by cholera toxin (CT) resulting in the loss of natural killer (NK) cell activity was analyzed. Conjugate formation assay, membrane phospholipid methylation assay and serine esterase (granzyme A) release assay were used to determine the stage of the CT‐induced inhibition of NK cell‐mediated cytotoxicity. A human NK cell line YT cell‐mediated cytotoxicity was completely abolished by CT pretreatment or addition of CT to the assay system. The conjugate formation assay revealed that the binding between YT cells and target cells was not affected by CT. The defined triggering stage which is coupled with membrane phospholipid methylation was not affected by CT treatment, either. On the other hand, the lethal hit stage which is represented by serine esterase (SE) release was completely inhibited by CT treatment of YT cells. Therefore, CT inhibits the stage after binding and triggering—i.e., lethal hit stage of NK cell‐mediated cytotoxicity. The results also suggest that there exists a CT‐sensitive negative cytotoxic signal transduction pathway as well as usual positive signal transduction pathway and these pathways might cross talk each other in the NK cell cytotoxic process.
Chemical Analysis of Lipopolysaccharides of Shigella sonnei Form II Strains Expressed by Cloned Form I Antigen Genes
Authors: Okamura Noboru , Chida Toshio , Kinoshita Masao , Yoshida Yoko , Kondo Seiichi , Hisatsune Kazuhito 
Published: November 2013

AbstractA compositional sugar analysis was carried out on lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from Shigella sonnei form II in which a plasmid with cloned form I antigen genes had been introduced. The recipient form II strains contained galactose, glucose, heptose, glucosamine, and 2‐keto‐3‐deoxyoctonic acid (KDO) (2: 3: 1: 2: 2) in its LPS, while the transformant form I LPS contained, besides these sugars, N‐acetyl‐L‐altrosaminouronic acid as an additional sugar constituent, which is known to be one of the antigenic determinants of form I antigen.
Passive Hemagglutination Assays for the Detection of Antibodies to Herpes Viruses
Authors: Kino Yoichiro , Minamishima Yoichi 
Published: November 2013

AbstractA simple and effective method for the detection of antibodies to herpes simplex virus (HSV), human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and varicella‐zoster virus (VZV), has been established using the passive hemagglutination assay (PHA) in combination with viral specific glycoproteins. The results obtained with the PHA were compared with those from neutralization (NT) and complement fixation (CF) tests. The PHA test for each of the herpes viruses appears to compare favorably with the other assays tested. The specificity and sensitivity of HSV PHA to NT were 100%, whereas the specificity and sensitivity of HSV CF test to NT were 98% and 100%, respectively. For HCMV, the specificity and sensitivity of PHA to NT and PHA to CF were 100%. Similarly, the specificity and sensitivity of VZV PHA to NT were 100%. Because of the low sensitivity of the VZV CF, the sensitivity of CF to NT was 83%. Furthermore, the range of antibody titers and their absolute levels obtained in the PHAs were significantly greater than those in the NT and CF tests.
Cloning and Sequencing of Two New Verotoxin 2 Variant Genes of Escherichia coli Isolated from Cases of Human and Bovine Diarrhea
Authors: Lin Zaw , Yamasaki Shinji , Kurazono Hisao , Ohmura Mari , Karasawa Tadahiro , Inoue Takahiro , Sakamoto Seisuke , Suganami Takahiro , Takeoka Tomohiro , Taniguchi Yoshihiro , Takeda Yoshifumi 
Published: November 2013

AbstractWe cloned and sequenced two new Verotoxin 2 (VT2) variant genes: one from an Escherichia coli strain from a case of bovine diarrhea and the other from an E. coli strain from a patient with diarrhea. The nucleotide and amino acid sequences of these two genes were highly homologous with, but distinct from those of the VT2, VT2vha, VT2vhb, SLT‐IIv (VT2vp1) and SLT‐IIva (VT2vp2) genes. Their nucleotide sequences were much more closely homologous to that of VT2vh than to that of VT2vp. Search for these two new genes in other Verocytotoxin‐producing E. coli strains resulted in the isolation of 2 strains carrying one of the new VT2 variant genes, one strain from Tokyo and the other from Canada.
Antigenic Characterization of Chlamydia pneumoniae Isolated in Hiroshima, Japan
Authors: Kanamoto Yasuo , Iijima Yoshio , Miyashita Naoyuki , Matsumoto Akira , Sakano Takashi 
Published: November 2013

AbstractThe morphology and antigenic property of elementary bodies (EBs) of new Chlamydia pneumoniae YK‐41 strain isolated in Hiroshima, Japan, were compared with those of C. pneumoniae strains TW‐183 and AR‐39, C. trachomatis L2/434/Bu strain and C. psittaci Cal 10 and Budgerigar‐1 strains by SDS‐PAGE and immunoblotting techniques. In spite of a clear difference in EB morphology between the YK‐41 and the other C. pneumoniae strains used, protein profile of the YK‐41 strain in SDS‐PAGE was similar to that of the other strains. However, some quantitative difference in 200 and 98 kDa peptides and a faint difference in SDS‐PAGE pattern was also observed in the molecular masses from 42 to 50 kDa. Immunoblot analysis with the patient serum at the convalescent stage revealed the presence of genus‐specific and species‐specific antigens in YK‐41 EBs: i. e., the major outer membrane protein and 73 kDa peptides were genus‐specific and the peptides of 43, 46, 53, 60 and 98 kDa appeared to be C. pneumoniae‐specific.
Characterization of Hemolytic and Antifungal Substance, Cepalycin, from Pseudomonas cepacia
Authors: Abe Mitsuko , Nakazawa Teruko 
Published: November 2013

AbstractHemolytic and antifungal substances, cepalycin I and cepalycin II, have been isolated from Pseudomonas cepacia JN106. A large amount of cepalycins were produced by growing the cells on 1% glycerin‐nutrient agar medium covered with a cellophane membrane. The cell‐washed supernatant was applied to an Amberlite XAD2 column, and cepalycins were eluted with 70% ethanol containing 1mM HCl. Cepalycins were separated by reverse phase HPLC in two fractions which were designated as cepalycin I and cepalycin II. The two cepalycins have indistinguishable UV absorption spectra but have different levels of hemolytic activity relative to the UV absorption. From the inhibition of hemolytic activity of cepalycin by sterols, both cepalycins were suggested to interact with cholesterol in erythrocyte membrane. Such an interaction may contribute to their hemolytic and antifungal activities.