bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Oral Delivery of Antigens in Liposomes with Some Lipid Compositions Modulates Oral Tolerance to the Antigens
Authors: Masuda Kazuyoshi , Horie Kazutoshi , Suzuki Ryuji , Yoshikawa Takayoshi , Hirano Koichiro 
Published: November 2013

AbstractSeveral liposomes containing ovalbumin (OVA), a model antigen, with different lipid compositions were prepared in order to evaluate their ability to induce oral tolerance. Oral administration of these liposomal OVAs induced suppression of the proliferative responses of popliteal lymph node cells from the treated mice to OVA, suggesting that these treated mice were tolerized. The efficiency of the induction of oral tolerance was affected by the liposome composition. OVA entrapment in these liposomes could modulate the tolerizing dose of OVA itself. These results suggest that some liposomes can be suitable antigen‐delivery systems for modulated and/or effective induction of oral tolerance.
Elastase from Activated Human Neutrophils Activates Procarboxypeptidase R
Authors: Kawamura Takeshi , Okada Noriko , Okada Hidechika 
Published: November 2013

AbstractCarboxypeptidase R (EC 3.4.17.20; CPR) is an unstable basic carboxypeptidase found in fresh serum in addition to carboxypeptidase N (CPN) which is a stable enzyme. CPR in fresh serum is generated from its zymogen (proCPR) during coagulation by trypsin‐like enzymes such as thrombin and thrombin/thrombomodulin complexes. Since removal of the C‐terminal arginine abrogates the anaphylatoxin activity of C3a and C5a, CPR and CPN are regarded as anaphylatoxin inactivators. We report here that the culture supernatant of activated human neutrophils converts proCPR to CPR. Addition of an elastase specific inhibitor, N‐methoxysuccinyl‐Ala‐Ala‐Pro‐Val‐chloromethyl ketone (MSAAPVCK) to the supernatant of stimulated neutrophils completely inhibited activation of proCPR. On the other hand, a thrombin specific inhibitor, p‐Nitrophenyl‐p'‐amidinophenyl‐methanesulfonate hydrochloride (pNP‐pAPMS) inhibited only 16% of proCPR activation by the neutrophil supernatant. Furthermore, purified elastase converted proCPR to CPR. Therefore, elastase can activate proCPR directly, or indirectly through activation of some proteases, which have been contaminating in reagents. Release of CPR generating enzymes from neutrophils should play an important role in regulation of excess inflammation.
Characterization of Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiae Detected in Dogs and Ticks in Okinawa, Japan
Authors: Satoh Hiroshi , Motoi Yurie , Camer Gerry A. , Inokuma Hisashi , Izawa Masako , Kiyuuna Tsuyoshi , Kumazawa Norichika , Muramatsu Yasukazu , Ueno Hiroshi , Morita Chiharu 
Published: November 2013

AbstractSpotted fever group (SFG) rickettsial DNAs were detected in 2.4% of 340 canine blood samples and a pool of 84 tick pool samples (229 ticks) collected in Okinawa, Japan by PCR using a citrate synthase and an SFG rickettsial 190‐kDa surface antigen gene primer pair. The sequences of both genes from canine blood and tick samples showed high levels of similarity with those of Rickettsia japonica and several SFG rickettsiae (R. aeschlimannii, R. massiliae, R. rhipicephali and Bar‐29 strain). Phylogenesis of canine blood and tick samples was closely related to that of reference SFG rickettsiae. Serological evidence of SFG rickettsial infection in dogs and humans in Okinawa, where no clinical human cases have been reported, has been obtained. In this study, genetical characterization of SFG rickettsia in Okinawa was investigated phylogenetically.
Adhesion of Lactic Acid Bacteria to Caco‐2 Cells and Their Effect on Cytokine Secretion
Authors: Morita Hirotsugu , He Fang , Fuse Tetsuo , Ouwehand Arthur C. , Hashimoto Hideo , Hosoda Masataka , Mizumachi Koko , Kurisaki Jun‐ichi 
Published: November 2013

AbstractCytokines secreted by human enterocytes play a critical role in mucosal and systemic immunity. Intestinal microorganisms can influence this secretion. In the present study, 30 strains of lactic acid bacteria were characterized for their adhesion to Caco‐2 cells and their potential to stimulate proinflammatory cytokine secretion by this cell line. The bacteria adhered in a strain‐dependent manner to Caco‐2 cells. Contact with lactobacilli did not result in the production of IL‐6 or IL‐8. A slight IL‐6 and IL‐8 production by a Caco‐2 cell was detected after exposure to 8 of the tested Bifidobacterium strains. No correlation was found between adhesion and cytokine induction among the bacteria tested. This indicates that lactic acid bacteria, even those with strong adhesive properties, are not very likely to trigger an inflammatory response in human enterocytes.
Hemagglutinating Factor (HAF) Associated with Adhesiveness in Enteroinvasive Escherichia coli (EIEC)
Authors: Simi Silvia , Pelosi‐Teixeira E. , Yamada Áaureo T. , Joazeiro Paulo P. , Catani Cleide F. , Yano Tomomasa 
Published: November 2013

AbstractA cell‐associated mannose‐resistant hemagglutinating factor (HAF) was extracted from enteroinvasive Escherichia coli (EIEC) serotype O124:H by sonication. Ultrastructural analysis of EIEC and immunocytochemical assays with the cell‐free HAF and EIEC bacterial cells on HeLa cells, suggested that the HAF is a non‐fimbrial putative adhesive factor that mediates in vivo adherence of EIEC to human epithelial cells.
Genetic Analysis of Rabies Virus Isolates in the Philippines
Authors: Nishizono Akira , Mannen Kazuaki , Elio‐Villa Luningning P. , Tanaka Seiichi , Li Kang‐sheng , Mifune Kumato , Arca Benito F. , Cabanban Arturo , Martinez Benjamin , Rodriguez Arlito , Atienza Victor C. , Camba Rolando , Resontoc Nilo 
Published: November 2013

AbstractTo determine the genetic characteristics of the rabies virus in the Philippines, 59 rabies virus isolates were obtained from domestic rabid dogs and their partial nucleotide sequences of nucleoprotein (N) gene were compared. Based on comparison with reported sequences, phylogenetic analysis revealed that all isolates from the Philippines had close genetic relations and formed two subgroups. The Philippines isolates belonged to a different lineage from other Asian isolates but were closer to them than to terrestrial isolates and laboratory strains. Several specific nucleotide and amino acid substitutions were observed among the Philippines isolates. Our results suggest that rabies viruses in the Philippines might have a characteristic evolution.
Studies on the Escape Mutants of Rabies Virus Which Are Resistant to Neutralization by a Highly Conserved Conformational Epitope‐Specific Monoclonal Antibody #1‐46‐12
Authors: Irie Takashi , Matsuda Yukihiro , Honda Yoshikazu , Morimoto Kinjiro , Kawai Akihiko 
Published: November 2013

AbstractWe investigated a virus‐neutralizing conformational epitope of the rabies virus glycoprotein (G) that is recognized by an anti‐G monoclonal antibody (mAb; #1‐46‐12) and shared by most of the laboratory strains of the virus. To investigate the epitope structure, we isolated escape mutants from the HEP‐Flury virus (wild‐type; wt) after repeated passages in culture in the presence of the mAb. Immunofluorescence studies indicated that the mutants could be classified into two groups; the Group I lacked the epitope, while Group II preserved the epitope. The latter was dominant under the passage conditions, since Group I disappeared during the continuous passages. G proteins showed different electrophoretic mobilities; G protein of Group I migrated at the same rate as wt G protein, while that of Group II migrated at a slower rate, which was shown to be due to acquisition of an additional oligosaccharide side chain. Nucleotide sequencing of the G gene strongly suggested that amino acid substitutions at Thr‐36 by Pro and Ser‐39 by Thr of the G protein are responsible for the escape mutations of Groups I and II, respectively. The latter is a unique mutation of the rabies virus that allows the G protein to be glycosylated additionally at Asn‐37, a potential glycosylation site that is not glycosylated in the parent virus, in preserving the epitope‐positive conformation. These results suggest that to keep the 1‐46‐12 epitope structure is of greater survival advantage for the virus to escape the neutralization than to destroy it, which could be achieved by acquiring an additional oligosaccharide chain at Asn‐37.
Isolation and Genetic Characterization of a Novel Filamentous Bacteriophage, a Deleted Form of Phage f237, from a Pandemic Vibrio parahaemolyticus O4:K68 Strain
Authors: Chang Bin , Miyamoto Hiroshi , Taniguchi Hatsumi , Yoshida Shin‐ichi 
Published: November 2013

AbstractWe isolated a filamentous bacteriophage, VfO4K68, from the pandemic Vibrio parahaemolyticus strain belonging to O4:K68 serovar. The VfO4K68 DNA lacked a 1,893‐bp fragment present in that of the distinctive region of f237, a filamentous phage isolated from a pandemic O3:K6 strain (Nasu, H. et al., J. Clin. Microbiol., 38, 2156–2161, 2000). The deletion resulted in the formation of a novel open reading frame (ORF) that possesses homology to the ORF 27 of ETA phage and staphylococcal enterotoxin E (SEE) of Staphylococcus aureus. VfO4K68 was able to infect the recipient O3:K6 serovar strains. These results suggest that VfO4K68 might act as a genetic transmitter and play some roles in the pandemic V. parahaemolyticus infection.
Menadione‐Catalyzed Luminol Chemiluminescent Assay for Viability of Mycobacterium bovis
Authors: Yamashoji Shiro 
Published: November 2013

AbstractStable luminol chemiluminescence was observed 10 min after the addition of menadione to a suspension of Mycobacterium bovis homogenized in Middlebrook 7H9 broth base including OADC enrichment. The chemiluminescence intensity was proportional to the absorbance of the bacterial suspension at 600 nm in a range of 0.005 to 0.15. Luminol chemiluminescence disappeared after 10 min incubation of M. bovis at over 60% of ethanol or 4 days of cultivation of M. bovis in the presence of 40 μg/ml of streptomycin. The bacterium showing the disappearance of chemiluminescence could not grow after being washed, suggesting that the inhibition concentration of the antimicrobials can be estimated on the basis of the disappearance of chemiluminescence. Menadione‐catalyzed luminol chemiluminescent assay was rapid and sensitive in comparison to turbidimetry, tetrazolium (WST‐8) reduction assay, and the assay using the Mycobacteria growth indicator tube (MGIT).
Identification of Staphylococcus xylosus Isolated from C57BL/6J‐Nos2tm1Lau Mice with Dermatitis
Authors: Won Young Suk , Kwon Hyo Jung , Oh Goo Taeg , Kim Bang Hyun , Lee Chul Ho , Park Yong Ho , Hyun Byung Hwa , Choi Yang Kyu 
Published: November 2013

AbstractCoagulase negative staphylococci (CNS) are significant pathogens, particularly in medical device related infections and in immunocompromised patients. Five CNS strains were isolated from 5 NOS2 knockout mice with dermatitis. Histologically, granulomatous dermatitis was found in the skin around the ear with epidermal ulceration. Dermal lesions included pustules, necrosis, and accumulations of neutrophils and macrophages. Isolates of the bacterial strains were identified to be Staphylococcus xylosus by the API STAPH kit and 16S–23S intergenic transcribed spacer‐PCR. These results demonstrate the potential of this organism to be an opportunistic pathogen in immunocompromised mice.
Characterization of Borrelia afzelii Isolated from Ixodes nipponensis and Apodemus agrarius in Chungju, Korea, by PCR‐RFLP Analyses of ospC Gene and rrf (5S)‐rrl(23S) Intergenic Spacer
Authors: Lee Seung‐hyun , Jung Kwang‐don , Lee Jung‐hee , Kim Sang‐choin , Kim Jong‐hyun , Jang Won‐jong , Park Kyung‐hee 
Published: November 2013

AbstractNine Borrelia afzelii strains, which had been isolated from two vectors, Ixodes nipponensis and Apodemus agrarius in Chungju, Korea, were characterized by PCR‐RFLP analyses of ospC genes and rrf (5S)‐rrl (23S) intergenic spacer. DraI restriction patterns of Chungju strains were identical to those of B. afzelii VS461. But MseI restriction patterns of rrf(5S)‐rrl (23S) intergenic spacer genes of KK2, KM4, KK5 differed from those of previously reported B. burgdorferi sensu lato strains. Nine Chungju strains were classified with four distinct ospC RFLP patterns, which differed from the eight ospC RFLP patterns (A‐1 to A‐8) of previously reported B. afzelii. Moreover, five additional restriction patterns were deduced from published ospC sequences of reference strains. These results suggest that Chungju strains are very heterogeneous.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Subtype C Exhibits Higher Transactivation Activity of Tat than Subtypes B and E
Authors: Kurosu Takeshi , Mukai Tetsu , Komoto Satoshi , Ibrahim Madiha S. , Li Yong‐gang , Kobayashi Takeshi , Tsuji Shoutaro , Ikuta Kazuyoshi 
Published: November 2013

AbstractAlthough human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV‐1) subtypes C and E are expanding faster and seem to be of greater global significance than HIV‐1 subtype B, there is only little information about Tat activity of such non‐B subtypes. Here, we showed evidence that subtype C Tat exhibits higher transcriptional activity from the HIV‐1 long‐terminal repeat (LTR) in a human T‐cell line, compared with subtypes B and E. This higher activity of subtype C Tat was not due to the LTR, but to the Tat sequence variability. We examined three candidate regions with sequence for the higher activity of subtype C Tat, such as the cysteine‐rich motif, the basic domain, and the 2nd exon. The results showed that the variation in subtype C Tat at two amino acid residues, Ser57 and Glu63 in stead of Arg57 and Gln63 in subtypes B and E, within and close to the basic domain were involved in the higher activity of subtype C Tat. This variation did not affect its nuclear localization activity. Thus, there may be a significant advantage for the high Tat activity on subtype C replication.
Niche‐Specific Association of Aeromonas Ribotypes from Human and Environmental Origin
Authors: Bauab Tais Maria , Levy Carlos Emílio , Rodrigues Josias , Falcão Deise Pasetto 
Published: November 2013

AbstractA total of 88 Aeromonas isolates from distinct locations and sources (39 from extraintestinal infections, 31 from diarrhoeic, ten from non‐diarrhoeic faeces, all human, and eight from fresh water) were subjected to phenospecies identification, serotyping, ribotyping and detection of some virulence markers. The strains belonged to four different phenospecies marked by 19 O serogroups and 38 ribotypes. No strong correlation between these parameters was found, and no group, as defined by the typing methods, could be characterized with a particular set of virulence markers. There was a clear association of ribotypes with the source of the strains. Cluster analysis allowed the identification of a complex of ribotypes belonging to distinct but related sources, including clinical and environmental isolates. These results suggest that ribotyping may be an epidemiological tool suitable for the study of Aeromonas infections.
The Reduction of Fusobacterium nucleatum in Mice Is Irrelevant to the Nitric Oxide Induced by iNOS
Authors: Kato Chihomi , Mikami Masato , Suzuki Anri , Saito Kazuko 
Published: November 2013

AbstractPreviously we reported that mice infected recurrently with live Fusobacterim nucleatum (Fn) synthesize a significant amount of NO between 12 hr and 24 hr after the Fn injection. We now investigated whether the NO has the capability of killing Fn, a gram‐negative rod periodontal pathogen. The mice were divided into three groups: treated with live bacteria (LB), treated with heat‐killed bacteria (HKB) and untreated: normal (N). The Fn reduction, NO production and cell number after Fn injection were then compared in these mice. In the LB group, no Fn was detected at 6 hr, whereas it was still detected in the HKB and N groups at 24 hr as assessed by both colony counts and PCR assays. A significant amount of NO was synthesized in the LB group at 24 hr after the Fn injection. Fn is not killed by SNAP‐generated NO in vitro. An increase in the total cell number was accompanied by an increase of the neutrophil numbers in the LB group. Intracellular O2– generation (including ONOO–) was visualized using dihydrorhodamine (DHR)‐123. The peak of O2– generation by PEC was shown to be at 3 hr in all 3 groups. The number of O2– positive cells in the LB group at 3 hr was remarkably high, and most of them were likely to be neutrophils. The Fn reduction would be performed cooperatively via oxygen dependent and oxygen independent mechanisms. Thus reactive oxygen species (ROS) included in the oxygen dependent mechanism appear to be important for Fn reduction. However the significant amounts of NO derived from the iNOS synthesized in the LB group between 12 hr and 24 hr after injection of LFn were not involved in the Fn reduction.
Lactoferrin Feeding Augments Peritoneal Macrophage Activities in Mice Intraperitoneally Injected with Inactivated Candida albicans
Authors: Wakabayashi Hiroyuki , Takakura Natsuko , Teraguchi Susumu , Tamura Yoshitaka 
Published: November 2013

AbstractOral administration of lactoferrin (LF), an innate‐defense protein present in exocrine secretions such as milk and in neutrophils, is reported to improve host‐protection against infections with microorganisms including pathogenic fungi, possibly due to an immunomodulatory effect. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of bovine LF feeding on peritoneal macrophage activities in mice intraperitoneally injected with inactivated Candida albicans. Time course analysis during the 14 days following Candida‐priming revealed that LF administration slightly increased the number of peritoneal exudate cells, and significantly enhanced the production of superoxide anion (O2–) and nitric oxide (NO) by peritoneal macrophages at day 7. LF administration facilitated NO production and Candida hyphal‐growth inhibition by macrophages derived from Candida‐primed mice but not non‐primed mice, suggesting that the action of LF is dependent on the immune status of the host. LF administration altered the kinetics of cytokines in the peritoneal lavage fluid of Candida‐primed mice. Enhancement of cytokine levels by LF was observed for IL‐12 at day 5 and IFN‐7 at day 9, but not for TNF‐α or IL‐10. In conclusion, LF feeding augmented the activities of macrophages in a manner dependent on Candida‐priming and these effects may be related to enhanced cytokine levels.
Proliferation of Intracellular Structure Corresponding to Reduced Affinity of Fluconazole for Cytochrome P‐450 in Two Low‐Susceptibility Strains of Candida albicans Isolated from a Japanese AIDS Patient
Authors: Maebashi Kazunori , Kudoh Michinari , Nishiyama Yayoi , Makimura Koichi , Kamai Yasuki , Uchida Katsuhisa , Yamaguchi Hideyo 
Published: November 2013

AbstractThree Candida albicans isolates, TIMM 3164, 3165 and 3166 with reduced fluconazole susceptibility, were isolated from two Japanese AIDS patients. We earlier reported that a reduced intracellular accumulation of fluconazole in these isolates played an important role in the resistance mechanism of fluconazole, but we did not exclude the involvement of other factors. We here examined characteristics related to cytochrome P‐450 (CYP), especially sterol 14α‐demethylase encoded by the ERG11 gene which is the target molecule for fluconazole. In TIMM 3164 and 3165, the ergosterol synthesis by cell‐free extracts was somewhat less susceptible to fluconazole, due to a decrease in fluconazole affinity for CYP. The nucleotide substitutions in the ERG11 gene were identified to result in three amino acid changes of K143R, E266D and V488I in TIMM 3164, and of E266D, V404L and V488I in TIMM 3165. These amino acid substitutions might contribute to the decreased affinity for CYP in both isolates. However, a single amino acid change, E266D, observed in TIMM 3166 was unrelated to the decreased affinity for CYP. The most prominent finding on the ultrastructure of TIMM 3164 and 3165 was the development of mesh membrane structures of the endoplasmic reticula, which is a location related to sterol synthesis. This phenomenon was not observed in the cells of TIMM 3166 or the susceptible control strains of ATCC 90028 and 10231. In addition to the reduced intracellular accumulation, the decreased affinity of fluconazole for CYP in TIMM 3164 and 3165 is assumed to be associated with the fluconazole‐resistance phenotype.
Relationship between Canine Mucosal and Serum Immunoglobulin A (IgA) Concentrations: Serum IgA Does Not Assess Duodenal Secretory IgA
Authors: Rinkinen Minna , Teppo Anna‐maija , Harmoinen Jaana , Westermarck Elias 
Published: November 2013

AbstractA double‐sandwich enzyme immunoassay method was developed for determination of serum immunoglobulin A (S‐IgA) and mucosal secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) in duodenal brush samples obtained via endoscopy and the relationship between enteric mucosal sIgA, salivary sIgA and S‐IgA in dogs was examined. Twenty healthy dogs underwent routine endoscopy. A brush sample from the duodenal mucosa was obtained and washed in PBS, with a serum sample being taken concurrently. A saliva sample was collected from twelve of these dogs. S‐IgA and sIgA with total protein concentrations in the duodenal washings and saliva samples were determined. A significant negative correlation (r = −0.64, P = 0.0059) was found between duodenal sIgA/protein ratios and S‐IgA concentrations. Saliva sIgA/protein ratios did not correlate with sIgA/protein ratios of duodenal samples. The method described here allows for direct assessment of duodenal IgA; therefore indirect measures based on serum IgA or salivary IgA can be avoided. In addition, these indirect measures appear to be poor indicators of duodenal sIgA competence in dogs.
The Effect of Lactobacillus rhamnosus on Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli Infection of Human Intestinal Cells In Vitro
Authors: Hirano Jyunko , Yoshida Tomoaki , Sugiyama Tsuyoshi , Koide Naoki , Mori Isamu , Yokochi Takashi 
Published: November 2013

AbstractThere are many examples of probiotic effects of various lactic bacteria on enteropathogens. In this study, Lactobacillus strains (L. rhamnosus, L. gasseri, L. casei and L. plantarum) were tested in an in vitro model of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) infection of a human colon epithelial cell line, C2BBe1. While the adhesion and colonization of EHEC was not affected by any of the lactobacillus strains tested, the internalization of EHEC into the cell line was markedly suppressed by L. rhamnosus, though not by others. Concerning the possible mechanisms, the viabilities of EHEC and host cell were not affected by the presence of L. rhamnosus. Simple competitions at certain receptors were unlikely because the suppressive effect on EHEC internalization was strictly dependent on viable L. rhamnosus and could not be observed with the conditioned medium or killed L. rhamnosus. The fact that L. rhamnosus showed outstanding potential for adhering to the colon epithelial cell line, compared with other strains, suggested that an avid interaction between L. rhamnosus and the host cell might be modulating intra‐cellular events responsible for the internalization of EHEC.
Cloning and Characterization of the fur Gene from Moraxella bovis
Authors: Kakuda Tsutomu , Oishi Daiki , Tsubaki Shiro , Takai Shinji 
Published: November 2013

AbstractA homologue of the ferric uptake regulator gene (fur) was isolated from Moraxella bovis by degenerate polymerase chain reaction and cloning. Fur protein of M. bovis exhibited 72.1% amino acid identity with Acinetobacter calcoaceticus Fur. Western blot analysis showed a decrease of Fur expression in response to sufficient‐iron conditions compared with deficient‐iron conditions. An electrophoretic mobility‐shift assay indicated that Fur protein binds to DNA fragments containing a putative Fur‐box derived from the upstream region of the M. bovis fur gene. Fur of M. bovis may regulate the expression of iron transport systems in response to iron limitation in the environment.