bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effective Inhibition of Candida albicans Growth by the Combination of Murine Peritoneal Neutrophils and Activated Macrophages
Authors: Tansho Shigeru , Abe Shigeru , Tansho Tohru , Yamaguchi Hideyo 
Published: November 2013

AbstractThe effect of leukocytes on the anti‐Candida activity of neutrophils was examined. Murine neutrophils which were purified from casein‐induced peritoneal cells inhibited the mycelial growth of Candida albicans. This anti‐Candida activity of neutrophils was augmented by the addition of spleen cells prepared from mice pretreated with bacterial lipopolysaccharide 3 hr before, but not from non‐treated mice. The population in the spleen cells, which enhanced the anti‐Candida activity of neutrophils, was plastic‐plate adherent, nylon‐fiber columns adherent and anti‐Mac‐1 antigen‐positive. These immunological profiles suggested that the enhancing cells are classified to splenic macrophages. Peritoneal‐exudated macrophages from mice treated with lipopolysaccharide also augmented the anti‐Candida activity of neutrophils. These results suggest that the anti‐Candida activity of neutrophils may be upregulated by activated macrophages.
Recruitment of Apoptotic Cysteine Proteases (Caspases) in Influenza Virus‐Induced Cell Death
Authors: Takizawa Takenori , Tatematsu Chizuru , Ohashi Kayoko , Nakanishi Yoshinobu 
Published: November 2013

AbstractInfluenza virus infection induces apoptosis in cultured cells with an augmented expression of Fas (APO‐1/CD95). Caspases, a family of cysteine proteases structurally related to interleukin‐1‐β‐eonverting enzyme (ICE), play crucial roles in apoptosis induced by various stimuli, including Fas. However, activation of the caspase‐cascade seems to be different in various pathways of apoptotic stimuli. We therefore examined the involvement of caspases in influenza virus‐induced apoptosis using caspase inhibitors. We found that z‐VAD‐fmk and z‐IETD‐fmk effectively inhibited virus‐induced apoptosis, whereas Ac‐DEVD‐CHO and Ac‐YVAD‐CHO showed partial and little effect on virus‐induced cell death, respectively. Consistently, caspase‐3‐like activity, but not caspase‐1‐like activity, was increased in the virus‐infected cells. The transfection of plasmids encoding viral inhibitors of caspase (v‐FLIP or crmA) into HeLa cells inhibited apoptosis by virus infection. The peptide inhibitors of caspases used in this study did not inhibit viral replication. We conclude that influenza virus infection activates some caspases, and that this activation may be downstream of viral replication.
The Distribution of HIV‐1 Subtypes in Fukuoka, Japan
Authors: Chijiwa Katsumi , Ishibashi Tetsuya , Kashiwagi Seizaburo , Mori Ryoichi 
Published: November 2013

AbstractTo determine the incidence of human immunodeficiency virus type‐1 (HIV‐1) subtypes in Fukuoka, Japan, viruses from 41 HIV‐1 infected individuals were subtyped. Subtyping by V3‐loop enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) showed 31 of the 41 subjects as subtype B (MN type), one as subtype A, one as subtype C, and eight untypable. The subject infected with subtype C was identified as a foreigner; the subtype A subject was Japanese. A phylogenetic analysis of nucleic acid sequences from the env C2‐V3 region was also conducted. Genetic subtyping was successful for 25 samples: 23 samples were determined as subtype B, one subtype A and one subtype E. One of the individuals infected with subtype B, as well as the subtype A and subtype E subjects, were not Japanese. This study indicated that subtype B (USA and European type) is still dominant among HIV‐1 infections in Fukuoka. Further, no Japanese were subtype E positive, which is increasing in the Kanto region. It is notable, however, that subtype A and subtype C infections, which are rare in Japan, were found in Fukuoka, located far from the metropolitan area of Tokyo.
Proinflammatory Cytokines Secreted by Monocytes of Filarial Patients
Authors: Raman Uma , Eswaran Devarajan , Narayanan Rangarajan Badri , Jayaraman Kunthala , Kaliraj Perumal 
Published: November 2013

AbstractThe levels of interleukin 1, granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM‐CSF) and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α secreted by the monocytes of filarial patients, such as asymptomatic microfilaremics (MF), chronic pathology (CP), and normal individuals, residing in a Wuchereria bancrofti endemic area (EN) in response to whole Brugia malayi antigen (BmA) and Setaria digitata (Sd‐cuticular) and a recombinant filarial antigen (pRJ51) were studied. Stimulation of peripheral blood adherent cells with whole parasite antigen showed marked increase in IL‐1 levels in MF as compared to CP or EN. The recombinant antigen stimulation, however, resulted in similar levels of IL‐1 in MF and CP. In contrast, stimulation of peripheral blood adherent cells with whole parasite antigen produced high levels of GM‐CSF and TNF‐α in CP as opposed to MF or EN. Recombinant antigen stimulation, however, produced high levels of GM‐CSF in EN as compared to MF or CP, while no significant change in the release of TNF‐α was observed in these patients. These results suggest that monocytes from filarial patients exhibit functional activity similar to that observed by the monocytes of endemic normals (control group).
Molecular Cloning and Characterization of the oprQ Gene Coding for Outer Membrane Protein OprE3 of Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Okamoto Kiyomi , Gotoh Naomasa , Tsujimoto Hideto , Yamada Hiroshi , Yoshihara Eisaku , Nakae Taiji , Nishino Takeshi 
Published: November 2013

AbstractWe cloned and characterized the oprQ gene coding for outer membrane protein OprE3 of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1. The oprQ gene was composed of 1,275 base pairs including a sequence encoding for the signal sequence and a mature protein with a Mr of 44,602. Computer‐aided alignment and hydropathy analyses of the predicted amino acid sequences suggested that OprE3 is a transmembrane protein homologous to outer membrane proteins of P. aeruginosa such as OprD2 (OprD) porin and OprE1 (OprE) porin. Susceptibility to several antibiotics of the strains lacking or overproducing OprE3 was indistinguishable from that of the wild‐type strain, suggesting that OprE3 is unlikely involved in the diffusion of carbapenems and other β‐lactam antibiotics.
Induction of Neutralizing Antibody against Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) with DNA‐Mediated Immunization of HCMV Glycoprotein B in Mice
Authors: Hwang Eung‐soo , Kwon Kyung‐bae , Park Jae‐won , Kim Dae‐joong , Park Chung‐gyu , Cha Chang‐yong 
Published: November 2013

AbstractImmunization was accomplished by inoculating pcGB containing human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) glycoprotein B (gB) gene into BALB/c mice intramuscularly. IgM antibody was detected in all the immunized group. IgG antibody was also found in all the tested mice with a mean peak antibody titer of 1:262 in three‐times immunized groups. IgG antibody appeared at 2 weeks postinoculation, raised peak levels at 7 weeks postinoculation and persisted over 6 months. Neutralizing antibody was developed, and the percent reduction of input infectivity in 1:100 diluted sera was 74.5% in three‐times immunized groups. This study suggested that DNA vaccine using the gene encoding HCMV gB is a candidate method for developing immunity to HCMV.
Role of Superoxide Anion in the Fungicidal Activity of Murine Peritoneal Exudate Macrophages against Penicillium marneffei
Authors: Kudeken Norifumi , Kawakami Kazuyoshi , Saito Atsushi 
Published: November 2013

AbstractPenicillium marneffei is an important opportunistic fungal pathogen. The mechanisms of host defense against P. marneffei are not fully understood. In the present study, we, for the first time, investigated the role of superoxide anion (O2−) in the killing of two forms of P. marneffei, yeast cells and conidia, and the role of this killing mediator in the fungicidal activity of IFN‐γ‐stimulated murine peritoneal macrophages. P. marneffei yeast cells were susceptible to the killing effect of activated macrophages and chemically generated O2−, while conidia were not. These results suggested that O2− played some role in the fungicidal activity of macrophages. However, an oxygen radical scavenger, superoxide dismutase (SOD), did not suppress, but rather enhanced the fungicidal activity of IFN‐γ‐stimulated macrophages against P. marneffei yeast cells. This inconsistency was explained by the release of insufficient concentrations of O2− by activated macrophages as compared with the amount of O2− necessary for the killing of yeast cells, which was predicted in a chemical generating system. On the other hand, SOD enhanced the production of nitric oxide (NO) by IFN‐γ‐activated macrophages, and their increased fungicidal activity was significantly inhibited by NG‐monomethyl‐l‐arginine (l‐NMMA), a competitive inhibitor of NO synthase. Our results suggested that O2− does not function as the killing mediator of macrophages against P. marneffei, but rather plays an important role in the regulation of the NO‐mediated killing system by suppressing NO production.
Genetic Variation in the 5′ End and NS5B Regions of Classical Swine Fever Virus Genome among Japanese Isolates
Authors: Harasawa Ryô , Giangaspero Massimo 
Published: November 2013

AbstractSixteen clinical strains of classical swine fever virus (CSFV) isolated in Japan were subjected to analyses of nucleotide sequence variations in the 5′ end and NS5B regions of the genome. These isolates were divided into three genovars, CSFV‐1, CSFV‐2 and CSFV‐3, based on palindromic nucleotide substitutions at the three variable loci in the 5′ untranslated region (UTR). Phylogenetic trees constructed from nucleotide sequences in the 5′‐UTR and NS5B gene indicated that the CSFV strains were divided into three clusters, I, II and III. CSFV strains included in clusters I, II and III were identical to those in the CSFV‐1, CSFV‐2 and CSFV‐3 genovars, respectively.
A Filamentous Phage of Vibrio parahaemolyticus O3:K6 Isolated in Laos
Authors: Nakasone Noboru , Ikema Masahide , Higa Naomi , Yamashiro Tetsu , Iwanaga Masaaki 
Published: November 2013

AbstractA filamentous phage, ‘lvpf5’, of Vibrio parahaemolyticus O3:K6 strain LVP5 was isolated and characterized. The host range was not restricted to serotype O3:K6, but 7 of 99 V. parahaemolyticus strains with a variety of serotypes were susceptible to the phage. The phage was inactivated by heating at 80 C for 10 min and by treating with chloroform. Sodium dodecyl sulfate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the phage exhibited a 3.8 kDa protein. The amino‐terminal amino acid sequence of the coat protein was determined as AEGGAADPFEAIDLLGVATL. The phage genome consisted of a single‐stranded DNA molecule. The activity of the phages was inhibited by anti‐Na2 pili antibody.
Phylogenic and Phenotypic Evidence for the Transfer of Eubacterium fossor to the Genus Atopobium as Atopobium fossor Comb. Nov.
Authors: Kageyama Akiko , Benno Yoshimi , Nakase Takashi 
Published: November 2013

AbstractThe 16S rRNA primary structure of Eubacterium fossor was determined by sequencing in vitro amplified rDNA. Sequence comparisons indicated that E. fossor has a specific phylogenetic association with the Atopobium species and is far from E. limosum, the type species of the genus Eubacterium. Phenotypic characters of E. fossor resemble those of the genus Atopobium. Therefore, we propose that E. fossor should be transferred to the genus Atopobium as Atopobium fossor comb. nov.
Are Autoantibodies against Lewis Antigens Involved in the Pathogenesis of Helicobacter pylori‐lnduced Peptic Ulcers?
Authors: Kamiya Kenji , Arisawa Tomiyasu , Goto Hidemi , Shibayama Keigo , Horii Toshinobu , Hayakawa Tetsuo , Ohta Michio 
Published: November 2013

AbstractWe examined whether anti‐Lewis x (Lex) and y (Ley) autoantibodies affect the pathogenesis of Helicobacter pylori‐induced peptic ulcers. Of 11 patients with peptic ulcers, 10 patients had both anti‐Lex and ‐Ley immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies, and 1 patient had only anti‐Lex antibody. After successful eradication, we measured the serum titer of anti‐Lex and ‐Ley antibodies. Six patients had a reduction of the titers of anti‐Lex and/or ‐Ley antibodies, whereas no notable changes were detected in 5 patients in the follow‐up. This result suggests that anti‐Lex and ‐Ley autoantibodies had no critical role in the development of H. pylori‐induced peptic ulcer.
Conservation of Putative Promoter Sequences Located Upstream of Chlamydial Major Sigma Factor Gene, sigA among Chlamydia Spp.
Authors: Ochiai Yoshitsugu , Fukushi Hideto , Cai Yan , Yamaguchi Tsuyoshi , Hirai Katsuya 
Published: November 2013

AbstractA highly conserved 40‐nucleotide sequence was identified. Two completely conserved sequences, TAGATT and TAAACT, separated by 17 nucleotides resemble the consensus sequence recognized by the Escherichia coli major sigma factor and sequence found in other chlamydial promoters. In addition, the adenine‐rich sequence present in many chlamydial promoters was also conserved upstream of the putative − 35 element. These findings suggest that the conserved sequence may play a role in the regulatory function at the transcriptional level. Multiple ATG codons were found at the 5′‐terminal region of the chlamydial sigA ORFs except for Chlamydia pneumoniae, although the putative Shine‐Dargarno sequence was absent.
Efficient Propagation of Human Herpesvirus 6B in a T‐Cell Line Derived from a Patient with Adult T‐Cell Leukemia/Lymphoma
Authors: Zhou Chang Fang , Abe Kenji , Wang Ping , Ojima Tomoko , Yamamoto Kohtaro 
Published: November 2013

AbstractThe efficient propagation of the OK strain of the B variant of human herpesvirus 6 (HHV‐6B) was demonstrated in a line of T cells, TaY, established from the peripheral blood lymphocytes of a patient with adult T‐cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL). Growth of TaY cells depends on the presence of IL‐2 and the cells harbor HTLV‐I genomes. A severe cytopathic effect (CPE) was observed in many HHV‐6B(OK)‐infected TaY cells one week after infection. The release of virus from HHV‐6B(OK)‐infected TaY cells [TaY(OK)] was first detected after three days and increased rapidly for up to seven days after infection, as demonstrated by PCR. The titer of HHV‐6B(OK) in the supernatant was comparable to the value of 103.5 TCID50/ml obtained with PHA‐activated cord blood lymphocytes (CBL) that had been infected with HHV‐6B(OK). The replication of the virus was shown to depend to a considerable extent on cell viability. Electron microscopy revealed many herpesvirus‐type capsid‐ and enveloped‐viruses in the nuclei and cytoplasm of degenerated cells in TaY(OK) cultures. The U1102 strain of HHV‐6A and the Z29 strain of HHV‐6B also infected TaY cells productively, as detected by PCR and an immunofluorescence test. These results suggest that the activation of CD4+ T lymphocytes with mitogens such as PHA or IL‐2 and the expression of some cellular gene or the HTLV‐I gene might be essential for efficient propagation of HHV‐6B. TaY cells should play an important role in future investigations of cell‐virus interactions and genetic variations or cell tropism of HHV‐6 isolates since no cell line that shows propagation of both HHV‐6A and HHV‐6B has been reported to date.
The Role of Intrahepatic γδ‐T Cells for Liver Injury Induced by Salmonella Infection in Mouse
Authors: Ishigami Masatoshi , Nishimura Hitoshi , Yoshioka Kentaro , Kakumu Shinichi , Yoshikai Yasunobu 
Published: November 2013

AbstractLiver injury was induced after infection with Salmonella choleraesuis 31N‐1. In T‐cell receptor‐δ knockout mice, serum alanine transferase level was significantly decreased in comparison with normal control mice after Salmonella infection. On the contrary, in vivo administration of anti‐γδ T‐cell receptor monoclonal antibody (UC7‐13D5) to stimulate γδ‐T cells in infected mice significantly increased serum alanine transferase level but decreased bacterial growth compared with infected mice given control antibody (UC8; hamster IgG). These data suggest that γδ‐T cells have effector activities not only for protection but also for liver injury during Salmonella infection.
Role of Toxoplasma gondii HSP70 and Toxoplasma gondii HSP30/bag1 in Antibody Formation and Prophylactic Immunity in Mice Experimentally Infected with Toxoplasma gondii
Authors: Mun Hye‐seong , Aosai Fumie , Yano Akihiko 
Published: November 2013

AbstractProduction of antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii)‐derived stress proteins, T. gondii HSP70 (T.g.HSP70) and T.g.HSP30/bag1, in C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice perorally infected with cysts of the avirulent Fukaya strain of T. gondii was analyzed. Production of anti‐T.g.HSP70 IgG antibodies was transient, whereas production of anti‐T.g.HSP30/bag1 IgG antibodies persisted after infection in both C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice. C57BL/6 mice, a susceptible strain, predominantly produced IgG antibodies specific for T.g.HSP70, whereas BALB/c mice, a resistant strain, predominantly produced IgG antibodies specific for T.g.HSP30/bag1, after T. gondii infection. Immunization with rT.g.HSP30/bag1 enhanced, whereas immunization with rT.g.HSP70 reduced host protective immunity against T. gondii infection with a cyst‐forming avirulent strain, Fukaya, and a virulent strain, RH.
Cloning, Sequencing, and Functional Expression in Escherichia coli of Chaperonin (groESL) Genes from Vibrio cholerae
Authors: Mizunoe Yoshimitsu , Wai Sun Nyunt , Umene Kenichi , Kokubo Takayuki , Kawabata Shun‐ichiro , Yoshida Shin‐ichi 
Published: November 2013

AbstractUsing a series of oligonucleotides synthesized on the basis of conserved nucleotide motifs in heat‐shock genes, the groESL heat‐shock operon from a Vibrio cholerae TSI‐4 strain has been cloned and sequenced, revealing that the presence of two open reading frames (ORFs) of 291 nucleotides and 1,632 nucleotides separated by 54 nucleotides. The first ORF encoded a polypeptide of 97 amino acids, GroES homologue, and the second ORF encoded a polypeptide of 544 amino acids, GroEL homologue. A comparison of the deduced amino acid sequences revealed that the primary structures of the V. cholerae GroES and GroEL proteins showed significant homology with those of the GroES and GroEL proteins of other bacteria. Complementation experiments were performed using Escherichia coli groE mutants which have the temperature‐sensitive growth phenotype. The results showed that the groES and groEL from V. cholerae were expressed in E. coli, and groE mutants harboring V. cholerae groESL genes regained growth ability at high temperature. The evolutionary analysis indicates a closer relationship between V. cholerae chaperonins and those of the Haemophilus and Yersinia species.
Detection of Mycoplasma fermentans in Saliva Sampled from Infants, Preschool and School Children, Adolescents and Adults by a Polymerase Chain Reaction‐Based Assay
Authors: Shibata Ken‐ichiro , Kaga Masayuki , Kudo Masaki , Dong Li , Hasebe Akira , Domon Hikouji , Sato Yoshiaki , Oguchi Haruhisa , Watanabe Tsuguo 
Published: November 2013

AbstractAttempts were made to detect Mycoplasma fermentans in saliva sampled from 201 subjects (108 males and 93 females) aged from 4 months to 59 years by a polymerase chain reaction‐based assay. M. fermentans was detected in saliva from 110 (54.7%) of 201 subjects, and 10 (28.6%) of 35 subjects aged from 4 months to 3 years. Of ten positive subjects, three were aged from 16 to 23 months and five were from 26 to 31 months. The incidence tended to increase with age up to the teens. The incidence was significantly greater in teenagers than in subjects aged from 7 to 12 years, but there was no significant difference in the incidence between the group of teenagers and each of the groups of subjects older than the teenagers. Thus, it was suggested that M. fermentans colonized the mouth at the age of about 16 months up to the age of 19 years.
The Production of Nitric Oxide and Tumor Necrosis Factor by Murine Macrophages Infected with Mycobacterial Strains Differing by Hemolytic Activity
Authors: Rudnicka Wiesława , Brzychcy Marzena , Klink Magdalena , Lopez Arley Gomez , Fonteyne Pierre Alain , Rüsch‐Gerdes Sabine , Rózalska Barbara 
Published: November 2013

AbstractIn this study, we compared the secretion of nitric oxide (NO) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF‐α) by murine macrophages infected in vitro with hemolytic or unhemolytic mycobacteria isolates. We observed that unhemolytic mycobacteria induced more intensive NO production by macrophages and were more susceptible to bactericidal effect of mononuclear phagocytes than hemolytic mycobacterial strains. In contrast, the high‐virulence hemolytic isolates induced significantly stronger TNF‐α production by infected macrophages than the low‐virulence unhemolytic bacilli.
Arginine Carboxypeptidase (CPR) in Human Plasma Determined with Sandwich ELISA
Authors: Guo Xiaoyan , Morioka Akihiro , Kaneko Yoko , Okada Noriko , Obata Kyoko , Nomura Tomoyuki , Campbell William , Okada Hidechika 
Published: November 2013

AbstractThere are two types of carboxypeptidases present in human blood, carboxypeptidase N (CPN) and arginine carboxypeptidase (CPR). CPR is generated during coagulation from a precursor (proCPR) which can be converted to the active form by trypsin in vitro. Since it is difficult to distinguish the two types of carboxypeptidases in human blood by the measurement of enzyme activity, we established a quantitative sandwich ELISA by which CPR can be quantitated. The amount of CPR in plasma, fresh serum and heated serum were essentially the same. Therefore the ELISA assay does not distinguish proCPR, activated CPR and inactivated CPR. With the ELISA method, CPR was quantitated in plasma from fifty patients with rheumatoid arthritis and eleven patients with severe hepatitis as well as healthy individuals. The amount of CPR in plasma obtained from patients with rheumatoid arthritis was not found to be lower than that of normal subjects. Furthermore, the patients who suffered severe hepatitis and had very low levels of CPR‐total were fatal. This suggests that a decrease of CPR level might be a good indication of a patient's prognosis to death by hepatitis.
The Characterization of Shiga Toxin‐Non‐Producing Escherichia coli Serotype O157:H7 Isolated from Carcasses of Cattle at a Slaughter House
Authors: Itoh Yoshihiro , Hayashi Naoko , Katoh Mikio , Yamamoto Atuko , Hayashi Seizou , Maeda Shigeki , Ezaki Takayuki 
Published: November 2013

AbstractA bacteriological investigation of Shiga toxin (Stx)‐producing Escherichia coli (STEC) 0157:H7 was performed on 298 carcasses of cattle at slaughter houses between July 1996 and January 1997 in Gifu Prefecture, Japan. As a result, four Stx‐non‐producing Escherichia coli O157:H7 strains were isolated from two slaughtered carcasses of cattle. The purpose of this study was to examine the characterization of isolates. Isolates possessed the E. coli attaching and effacing gene (eaeA), and hemolysin gene (hlyA), and harbored 3.0‐MDa and 60‐MDa plasmids. The Xba I pulsed‐field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) pattern showed three similar patterns. Consequently, a closely related genotype of Stx‐non‐producing E. coli O157:H7 may widely exist in cattle.