bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Seroepidemiological Investigation of Feline Chlamydiosis in Cats and Humans in Japan
Authors: Yan Cai , Fukushi Hideto , Matsudate Hiroki , Ishihara Kanako , Yasuda Keiko , Kitagawa Hitoshi , Yamaguchi Tsuyoshi , Hirai Katsuya 
Published: November 2013

AbstractThe prevalence of chlamydia antibodies in Japan was investigated in 215 cat sera, consisting of 88 sera of stray cats and 127 sera of pet cats, and 2,184 human sera, taken from 2,003 general persons and 181 small animal clinic veterinarians, by microimmunofluorescence (MIF) testing withChlamydia psittaciFe/Pn1 of feline origin and Prk/6BC of avian origin as antigens. The prevalence rates of anti‐Fe/Pn1 antibodies were 45.5% in stray cats, 17.3% in pet cats, 1.7% in general persons and 8.8% in small animal clinic veterinarians. The prevalence rates of anti‐Prk/6BC antibodies were 51.1% in stray cats, 15.0% in pet cats, 3.1% in general persons and 5.0% in small animal clinic veterinarians. These results suggested that feline chlamydia infection is widely spread in cats especially in stray cats in Japan, and suggested that feline chlamydiosis could be transmitted to people who are in close contact with infected cats.
An Exfoliative Toxin A‐Converting Phage Isolated from Staphylococcus aureus Strain ZM
Authors: Yoshizawa Yukio , Sakurada Junji , Sakurai Susumu , Machida Katsuhiko , Kondo Isamu , Masuda Shogo 
Published: November 2013

AbstractExfoliative toxin A (ETA) causes staphylococcal scalded‐skin syndrome in children. The gene for ETA was believed to be coded by the chromosomal DNA. We isolated temperate phages from an ETA‐producing strain, ZM, using a restriction minus strain, 1039, as an indicator. One of the prophages, designated φ‐ZM‐1 mediated lysogenic conversion of ETA. The polymerase chain reaction assay of the eta gene revealed that phage φ‐ZM‐1 carries the structural gene for ETA.
A Simple Screening Method for Detecting Bindings between Oligopeptides and HLA‐DR Molecules on Filter Papers: Possible Application for Mapping of Putative Helper T‐Cell Epitopes on MSP1 of Plasmodium falciparum
Authors: Fu Jun , Hato Mariko , Igarashi Karen , Suzuki Takashi , Matsuoka Hiroyuki , Ishii Akira , Leafasia Judson L. , Chinzei Yasuo , Ohta Nobuo 
Published: November 2013

AbstractBinding capacities of synthetic peptides to HLA‐DR molecules were tested on filter papers to identify putative helper T‐cell epitopes on a malarial protein. The antigen tested was the merozoite surface glycoprotein 1 (MSP1) of Plasmodium falciparum, a vaccine candidate targeting the asexual erythrocytic stage. Bindings between synthetic oligopeptides and HLA‐DR molecules were tested. Such bindings were not non‐specific, and a known helper T‐cell epitope peptide showed positive binding to the restricting HLA‐DR molecule. By using this screening system, we observed the unequal distribution of HLA‐DR‐binding peptides in 10 out of 17 MSP1 blocks tested. Block #6 of MSP1 seemed to show the highest frequency in the positive binding; on the other hand, blocks #1 and #17, both of which were thought to be vaccine candidate regions, contained fewer HLA‐DR binding peptides. This was not inconsistent with the results that block #17 was less stimulatory to peripheral T cells than block #6. The peptides with positive binding to HLA‐DR showed actual epitope activities when we tested peptide‐driven proliferation of human bulk T‐cell lines, and association between the two parameters was statistically significant (P < 0.001). For more detailed information for vaccine development, peptides with both IgG‐ and HLA‐DR binding activities were mapped in block #17 of MSP1. Together with these results, we demonstrate that our simple screening system seems to provide essential information for vaccine development through uncovering locations of putative epitopes for human helper T cells.
Preventive Effect of Ninjin‐to (Ren‐Shen‐Tang), a Kampo (Japanese Traditional) Formulation, on Spontaneous Autoimmune Diabetes in Non‐Obese Diabetic (NOD) Mice
Authors: Kobayashi Takao , Song Qing‐hua , Hong Tie , Kitamura Hajime , Cyong Jong‐choi 
Published: November 2013

AbstractWe previously found that ingestion of an extract of Ninjin‐to (NJT; Ren‐Shen‐Tang) suppressed the development of autoimmune diabetes in C57BL/KsJ mice induced by multiple low doses of streptozotocin. To verify this effects on spontaneous autoimmune diabetes, the effects of NJT on NOD mice were investigated in the present study. NJT, provided in drinking water (0.25%, 450 mg/kg/day) from 6 weeks of age, significantly prevented the incidence of spontaneous diabetes in female NOD mice at 30 weeks of age (2/10) compared with that of the controls (7/10), with no effects on body growth or food intake. Even in non‐diabetic mice, the blood glucose levels of the NOD controls gradually increased with age, while such increase in NJT‐treated mice was significantly suppressed by preventing any deficiency of glucose tolerance. NJT also significantly suppressed the progression of insulitis, which causes insulin deficiency and diabetes. It is well known that NOD mice develop insulitis and diabetes because of their Th1‐dominant autoimmune response. IFN‐γ production from splenic T lymphocytes stimulated with anti‐CD3 monoclonal antibodies was increased, whereas IL‐4 production was decreased in NOD controls compared to age‐ and sex‐matched normal ICR mice. NJT‐treatment reduced these deviations of cytokine production in NOD mice. These data all suggest that NJT can prevent spontaneous insulitis and diabetes by the modification of deviated cytokine production in NOD mice.
Cell Surface‐Associated Enolase in Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans
Authors: Hara Hiroaki , Ohta Hiroyuki , Inoue Tetsuyoshi , Ohashi Toshio , Takashiba Shogo , Murayama Yoji , Fukui Kazuhiro 
Published: November 2013

AbstractCell surface‐associated materials of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans were extracted by a short incubation of the cell suspension in a Tris‐buffered saline in the presence and absence of a restriction enzyme, EcoRI. The supernatants (which we termed EcoRI extract and surface extract, respectively) contained a number of extracellularly released proteins. Of these proteins, four major proteins were identified by N‐terminal sequencing to be the 34 and 39 kDa outer membrane proteins, the GroEL‐like protein, and a 47 kDa protein homologous to Haemophilus influenzae enolase. Enolase activity was found in the extracts and its relative amount of activity in the EcoRI extract from a culture of the mid‐exponential growth phase was estimated as 5.7% of total enzyme activity. In contrast, the relative amount of activity of another cytosolic enzyme, lactate dehydrogenase, was extremely low in the extracts and also in the culture supernatant. These results suggest the external localization of enolase in this bacterium.
Hexagonal Assembly of the Magnesium Salt of an R‐Form Lipopolysaccharide from Klebsiella pneumoniae: Its Lowered Stability Compared with Original Non‐Electrodialyzed Preparation
Authors: Ito Hideo , Naito Setsuko , Kato Nobuo 
Published: November 2013

AbstractThe magnesium salt of R‐form lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from Klebsiella pneumoniae strain LEN‐111 (O3— :K1—) that was prepared after the removal of cationic materials by electrodialysis formed essentially the same ordered hexagonal lattice structure with a lattice constant of 14 to 15 nm as the original non‐electrodialyzed preparation of the R‐form LPS. When the magnesium salt was suspended in 50 mm glycine buffer or Tris buffer at pH 1.4 to 9.5 and kept at 4 C for 24 hr, its content of Mg was markedly decreased, and its hexagonal lattice structure was changed to a swollen hexagonal lattice structure with extended lattice constants at pH 1.4 and to a loose mesh‐like structure at pH 3.0 or higher. In the original non‐electrodialyzed preparation of the R‐form LPS, the release of Mg and disintegration of the hexagonal lattice structure did not occur by suspending in buffers at pH 1.4 to 8.5 at 4 C for 24 hr, but occurred only at pH 9.0 or higher. The results suggest that organic cations that can be removed by electrodialysis play some part in tight binding to Mg2+ and in stabilizing the ordered hexagonal assembly of the R‐form LPS.
Evaluation of Nine Sets of PCR Primers in the RNA Dependent RNA Polymerase Region for Detection and Differentiation of Members of the Family Caliciviridae, Norwalk Virus and Sapporo Virus
Authors: Honma Shinjiro , Nakata Shuji , Kinoshita‐Numata Kazuko , Kogawa Keiko , Chiba Shunzo 
Published: November 2013

AbstractNorwalk virus and Sapporo virus were approved as type species of the genus “Norwalk‐like viruses” and the genus “Sapporo‐like viruses,” respectively, in the family Caliciviridae. A total of 116 stool specimens containing Norwalk virus (NV) or Sapporo virus (SV) were tested by RT‐PCR and Southern hybridization to evaluate nine sets of PCR primers and seven internal oligonucleotide probes in the RNA dependent RNA polymerase region of NV and SV for detection and differentiation of viruses in the NV and SV. Fifty‐five stool samples were collected from 11 outbreaks of NV and/or SV gastroenteritis in an infant home, where residents were infants under 2 years of age, in Sapporo, Japan. Sixty specimens were obtained in Sapporo from sporadic cases in children, mainly under 6 years of age, of acute gastroenteritis due to small round structured viruses detected by EM. There is no single primer pair to detect all NV and SV, and at least three primer pairs, G1 set, G2 set and Sapp35/Sapp36, are required to detect viruses in the NV and SV clades. Many NV and SV strains were successfully classified into one of the NV/genogroup I, NV/genogroup II and SV by single‐round RT‐PCR and Southern hybridization. The new detection method for SV reported in this study combined with those for NV previously reported may elucidate the importance of Norwalk virus and Sapporo virus as a cause of viral gastroenteritis in all age groups in the world.
Interleukin‐8 Secretion of Human Epithelial and Monocytic Cell Lines Induced by Middle Ear Pathogens
Authors: Kita Hideaki , Himi Tetsuo , Fujii Nobuhiro , Ylikoski Jukka 
Published: November 2013

AbstractOtitis media with effusion (OME) is one of the most common diseases in children. Alloiococcus otitidis, a new Gram‐positive bacterial species, was isolated from the middle ear fluid of children with OME; however, the pathogenic role of this bacteria is yet unknown. In this study, the ability of cultured epithelial cell lines (Hep‐2 and Hela) and monocytic cell lines (THP‐1 and U 937) to secrete chemokine interleukin‐8 (IL‐8) in response to the A. otitidis organism and three bacterial organisms mainly detected from middle ear fluid in OME, and bacterial cell components was investigated. When stimulated with four viable bacterial cells, epithelial cells and monocytes secreted IL‐8 in a time‐dependent manner. The monocytes produced significantly higher levels of IL‐8 than the epithelial cells. Compared with that by viable bacterial cells, IL‐8 secretion by stimulated epithelial cells and monocytes was reduced when the bacteria were heated and treated with glutaraldehyde. With bacterial stimulations, cell treatment of interferon‐gamma caused monocytes to increase the induction of IL‐8 production, however, the induction of monocyte differentiation caused monocytes to reduce the induction of IL‐8 production. Furthermore, epithelial cells and monocytes stimulated by four viable bacterial organisms physically separated from cultured cells reduced the induction of IL‐8 compared with directly stimulated cells, and monocytes stimulated with soluble extracts prepared from A. otitidis organisms produced IL‐8 in a dose‐dependent manner. These results suggest that part of the IL‐8 stimulation of the A. otitidis organism may exist in a diffusable factor released by the bacteria or soluble components of the bacteria itself.
Genetic Analysis of the ycgJ‐metB‐cysK‐ygaG Operon Negatively Regulated by the VirR/VirS System in Clostridium perfringens
Authors: Ohtani Kaori , Takamura Hisao , Yaguchi Harumi , Hayashi Hideo , Shimizu Tohru 
Published: November 2013

AbstractThe 5′‐flanking region of the metB‐cysK‐ygaG operon, whose expression is negatively regulated by the VirR/VirS system in C. perfringens, was analyzed. The region contained the ycgJ, mscL, and colA genes encoding a hypothetical protein, a large conductance mechanosensitive channel protein, and kappa‐toxin (collagenase), respectively. Northern analysis revealed that the ycgJ gene was transcribed as a 4.9‐kb operon together with the metB‐cysK‐ygaG genes and that this operon was negatively regulated by the VirR/VirS system. It is indicated that the pfoA (theta‐toxin or perfringolysin O), colA, and ycgJ‐metB‐cysK‐ygaG genes that belong to the VirR/VirS regulon are situated very close together in a 26.5‐kb region of the chromosome, but do not form a pathogenic island.
Expression of Fimbriae and Hemagglutination Activity in Shigella boydii
Authors: Utsunomiya Akiyoshi , Nakamura Michio , Hamamoto Akihiro 
Published: November 2013

AbstractThis report describes the presence of type 1 fimbriae on Shigella boydii 5 which agglutinate guinea pig erythrocytes and feature mannose‐sensitive adherence. Morphologically, the fimbriae were thin, rigid cylinders 2–5 μm in length and 3–5 nm in diameter, and the organella retained axial holes. This is the first study to have revealed the existence of type 1 fimbriae on S. boydii.
Combined Effect of Rebamipide and Ecabet Sodium on Helicobacter pylori Adhesion to Gastric Epithelial Cells
Authors: Hayashi Shunji , Sugiyama Toshiro , Yokota Kenji , Isogai Hiroshi , Isogai Emiko , Shimomura Hirofumi , Oguma Keiji , Asaka Masahiro , Hirai Yoshikazu 
Published: November 2013

AbstractHelicobacter pylori is a major etiological agent in gastroduodenal disorders. The adhesion of H. pylori to gastric epithelial cells is the initial step of H. pylori infection. Inhibition of H. pylori adhesion is thus a therapeutic target in the prevention of H. pylori infection. We have reported that rebamipide and ecabet sodium, mucoprotective antiulcer agents, independently inhibit H. pylori adhesion. However, the antiadhesion activity of each antiulcer agent was incomplete. Experiments were performed to evaluate the combined effect of rebamipide and ecabet sodium on H. pylori adhesion to gastric epithelial cells. MKN‐28 and MKN‐45 cells, derived from human gastric carcinomas, were used as target cells. Twelve clinical isolates of H. pylori were used in this study. We evaluated the effects of rebamipide and ecabet sodium, individually and in combination, on H. pylori adhesion to target cells quantitatively using our previously established enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Rebamipide and ecabet sodium each partially inhibited H. pylori adhesion. In contrast, adhesion was almost completely inhibited by pretreating target cells and H. pylori with the combination of rebamipide and ecabet sodium. Our studies suggest that the synergistic antiadhesion activity of rebamipide and ecabet sodium is greater than that of each antiulcer agent alone.
Role of Tryptophan‐1 in Hemolytic and Phospholipase C Activities of Clostridium perfringens Alpha‐Toxin
Authors: Nagahama Masahiro , Mukai Masakazu , Ochi Sadayuki , Sakurai Jun 
Published: November 2013

AbstractReplacement of the Trp‐1 in Clostridium perfringens alpha‐toxin with tyrosine caused no effect on hemolytic and phospholipase C (PLC) activities or on binding to the zinc ion, but that of the residue with alanine, glycine and histidine led to drastic decreases in these activities and a significant reduction in binding to the zinc ion. The hemolytic and PLC activities of W1H and W1A were significantly increased by the preincubation of these variant toxins with zinc ions, but the preincubation of WIG with the metal ion caused little effect on these activities. Gly‐Ile‐alpha‐toxin, which contained an additional Gly‐Ile linked to the N‐terminal amino acid of alpha‐toxin, did not show hemolytic activity, but showed about 6% PLC activity of the wild‐type toxin. A mutant toxin, which contained an additional Gly‐Ile linked to the N‐terminus of a protein lacking 4 N‐terminal residues of alpha‐toxin, showed about 1 and 6% hemolytic and PLC activities of the wild‐type toxin, respectively. Incubation of the mutant toxin with zinc ions caused a significant increase in PLC activity. These observations suggested that Trp‐1 is not essential for toxin activity, but plays a role in binding to zinc ions.
The Mechanism of Actinomycin D‐Mediated Increase of Borna Disease Virus (BDV) RNA in Cells Persistently Infected by BDV
Authors: Mizutani Tetsuya , Inagaki Hisae , Tada Mitsuhiro , Hayasaka Daisuke , Murphy Michael , Fujiwara Toshiyoshi , Hamada Jun‐ichi , Kariwa Hiroaki , Takashima Ikuo 
Published: November 2013

AbstractThe transcriptional mechanism of Borna disease virus (BDV) has been poorly understood. We have analyzed transcription of the virus upon various stimuli in Madin‐Darby canine kidney cells which were persistently infected by BDV (MDCK/BDV). Treatment with actinomycin D (ActD) increased the level of BDV RNA, shifting the size of RNA from 1.9 kb to 2.3 kb beginning 5 hr after the treatment. To understand the mechanism of this unique modulation of BDV RNA, we conducted several experiments. The RNA increase occurred at the stage in which synthesis of cellular intrinsic mRNA was intact, suggesting BDV does not compete with cellular transcriptional machinery for intrinsic RNA polymerase II. The BDV transcription was also enhanced by cycloheximide treatment, indicating that newly synthesized viral or cellular proteins are not necessary for viral transcription. However, a shift in the RNA size was not observed for cycloheximide‐induced BDV RNA. The increase in viral transcription persisted during the cellular apoptotic process consequent to p53 gene accumulation beginning 1 hr after ActD treatment. Caspase inhibitors Z‐VAD and DEVD‐CHO repressed the apoptotic process but failed to block the increase in BDV transcription. In addition, adenovirus‐mediated transduction of wild‐type p53 did not alter the BDV transcription, indicating that the increase in BDV transcription was independent of the p53‐mediated apoptotic process. Other various stimuli that evoke cellular signal transductions failed to alter BDV transcription. Agents inhibitory to topoisomerase except adriamycin failed to enhance BDV transcription, indicating that the increase in BDV transcription is not mediated by an inhibitory action to the topoisomerase II of ActD. Adriamycin showed an increase and size‐shift of BDV RNA similar to ActD. These results suggest that intercalation of the viral genome itself with ActD is related to the stabilization of viral RNA and alteration of RNA size rather than secondary host cell changes.
Antiviral Substance from Silkworm Faeces: Characterization of Its Antiviral Activity
Authors: Hiraki Akihiro , Hirayama Etsuko , Kim Jeman 
Published: November 2013

AbstractThe antiviral activity of a substance (L4–1) purified from silkworm faeces was examined in an HVJ (Sendai virus)—LLC‐MK2 cell system. Its antiviral effect depended on the period of light irradiation and was inhibited by sodium sulfite and anaerobic conditions. These results indicate that the antiviral activity of L4–1 is associated with active oxygen species produced from the substance. SDS‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic analysis showed that viral proteins were damaged by this substance under light irradiation. The results suggest that the antiviral activity is due to damage to viral protein(s) caused by active oxygen species produced from L4–1.
Canine Ehrlichiosis Caused Simultaneously by Ehrlichia canis and Ehrlichia platys
Authors: Hua Pan , Yuhai Ma , Shide Tong , Yang Sun , Bohai Wen , Xiangrui Cheng 
Published: November 2013

AbstractTo identify the causative agent of canine ehrlichiosis that has occurred in the suburbs of Guangzhou, China, since 1998, the 16S rRNA gene was amplified and sequenced. Two sequences of 1,482 and 1,483 base pairs were obtained and named as Gzh981 and Gzh982, respectively. The level of similarity of these two was 91.50%, and Gzh981 closely resembled the 16S rRNA gene of Ehrlichia canis, whereas Gzh982 resembled Ehrlichia platys. We therefore conclude that E. canis and E. platys together caused recent outbreaks of canine ehrlichiosis in China.
Glycyrrhizin Inhibits the Lytic Pathway of Complement — Possible Mechanism of Its Anti‐Inflammatory Effect on Liver Cells in Viral Hepatitis —
Authors: Fujisawa Yumiko , Sakamoto Motoko , Matsushita Misao , Fujita Teizo , Nishioka Kusuya 
Published: November 2013

AbstractGlycyrrhizin, an aqueous extract of licorice root, has anti‐inflammatory activity and has been used for the treatment of chronic viral hepatitis. In the present study we describe the mechanism by which glycyrrhizin inhibits complement. Glycyrrhizin inhibited the cytolytic activity of complement via the activation of both the classical and alternative pathways, while it had no effect on immune adherence, suggesting that it blocks C5 or a later stage of the complement cascade. Further analysis revealed that glycyrrhizin inhibits the lytic pathway in which the membrane attack complex (MAC) is formed. This mechanism suggests that glycyrrhizin may prevent tissue injury caused by MAC not only in chronic hepatitis but in many autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.
Bifidobacterium lactis Meile et al. 1997 Is a Subjective Synonym of Bifidobacterium animalis (Mitsuoka 1969) Scardovi and Trovatelli 1974
Authors: Cai Yimin , Matsumoto Mitsuharu , Benno Yoshimi 
Published: November 2013

AbstractBifidobacterium lactis JCM 10602T (T = type strain) and Bifidobacterium animalis JCM 1190T were found to be phenotypically similar. These strains were subjected to investigation of their genetic relationships. The 16S rRNA sequence of B. animalis JCM 1190T was aligned with that of other Bifidobacterium species. B. animalis and B. lactis were the most closely related species in the phylogenetic tree and showed a high similarity in sequences (98.8%). The levels of DNA‐DNA hybridization between the type strains of B. lactis and B. animalis ranged from 85.5 to 92.3%, showing that they represent a single species. It is proposed that B. lactis should be considered as a junior subjective synonym of B. animalis.
Characteristics of DNA‐Binding Activity of Human Cytomegalovirus ppUL44
Authors: Hwang Eung‐soo , Kim Jinhee , Jong Hyun‐soon , Park Jae‐won , Park Chung‐gyu , Cha Chang‐yong 
Published: November 2013

AbstractHuman cytomegalovirus (HCMV)‐specific monoclonal antibody, SCMVM34, recognizes the early antigen encoded by UL44 of HCMV. This antigen is confined to the nucleus of HCMV‐infected cells. This study was performed to characterize the DNA‐binding activity of the protein encoded by UL44 of HCMV. The nuclear and cytoskeletal fraction of HCMV‐infected cells was subjected to 0.4 m NaCl extraction, DEAE‐Sephacel ion exchange chromatography, DNA‐cellulose chromatography and SDS‐PAGE analysis with monitoring of the reactive protein using SCMVM34 monoclonal antibody. The molecular weights of the resultant proteins were found to be 34, 40 and 52 kDa. The internal peptide fragments were isolated by tryptic digestion and reverse‐phase HPLC. The internal amino acid sequence analysis of the peptides from the HPLC profile revealed that the antigen recognized by SCMVM34 monoclonal antibody was ppUL44. The reactive antigen began to be eluted from 250 mm NaCl (Tris‐HCl pH 7.4) in DNA cellulose. The 34 kDa protein seems to bind to DEAE more tightly than the 52 kDa protein. The surface charge of 34 kDa might be more basic. Conclusively, the antigen recognized by SCMVM34 was the protein encoded by HCMV UL44, which was localized in the nuclei after HCMV infection, and was the DNA‐binding protein with the characteristic that the surface charge of the molecule was more basic, as the molecular weights of the protein were decreased.