bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Detection of Virulence Associated Genes in Clinical Strains of Vibrio mimicus
Authors: Bi Kewei , Miyoshi Shin‐ichi , Tomochika Ken‐ichi , Shinoda Sumio 
Published: November 2013

AbstractA total of 42 clinical strains of Vibrio mimicus were examined for the presence of virulence associated genes toxR, toxS, toxT, tcpP, ctx and tcpA by PCR assay. Almost all strains were shown to have the toxR gene, while the toxS gene was found in 27 strains. On the other hand, five strains possessed both toxT and tcpP genes, but others had neither. Only two strains were positive for amplification of the ctx gene, whereas no PCR product with tcpA primers was detected. The results indicate the incomplete copies of virulence cascade in V. mimicus strains. The pathogenesis and epidemic potential of this species is also discussed.
Molecular Evolution of Human Echovirus 9 Isolated from Patients with Aseptic Meningitis in Northern Kyushu during the Summer of 1997
Authors: Hara Koyu , Kashiwagi Takahito , Ohtsu Yasushi , Masunaga Kenji , Akasu‐Tsuji Yuko , Tsumura Naoki , Kato Hirohisa , Iwahashi Jun , Hamada Nobuyuki , Toyoda Michiko , Toyoda Tetsuya 
Published: November 2013

AbstractAn epidemic of aseptic meningitis caused by human echovirus 9 (E‐9) occurred in the summer of 1997 in northern Kyushu, Japan. Sequences of genome position 2504–3358, which encoded a part of VP1, of the nine isolated viruses were determined. An RGD motif and B‐C loop were found in all. They were almost identical and closely related to the virulent strain Barty.
Characterization of Two Genes Encoding Ferritin‐Like Protein in Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans
Authors: Hirosue Masaru , Kokeguchi Susumu , Maeda Hiroshi , Nishimura Fusanori , Takashiba Shogo , Murayama Yoji 
Published: November 2013

AbstractTwo genes encoding ferritin‐like protein, designated afnA and afnB, were identified in the upstream region of actX on the Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans chromosomal DNA. The actX has been reported to be a regulatory gene homologous to the Escherichia coli fnr, which controls the growth and virulence of A. actinomycetemcomitans under anaerobic conditions. The afnB located 340 bp‐upstream from the actX, and the afnA located just 15 bp‐upstream from afnB. The afnA and afnB encoded 161 and 165 amino acid residues, respectively, which were similar to ferritin‐like proteins of other microorganisms. Western immunoblotting using rabbit antiserum against E. coli ferritin showed these two proteins, which are reactive with the serum with 19‐kDa molecular masses, are produced from A. actinomycetemcomitans. The N‐terminal amino acid sequences of the two proteins were consequent with those deduced from afnA and afnB. Northern hybridization revealed that the afnA and afnB constituted a bicistronic operon and the accumulation of afnA and afnB mRNA was upregulated under aerobic conditions. These findings suggested that the operon was regulated by the presence of oxygen. The two ferritin‐like proteins may have important roles in the adaptation of A. actinomycetemcomitans to oxidative environmental changes.
Diversity among Strains of Cryptococcus neoformans var. gattii as Revealed by a Sequence Analysis of Multiple Genes and a Chemotype Analysis of Capsular Polysaccharide
Authors: Sugita Takashi , Ikeda Reiko , Shinoda Takako 
Published: November 2013

AbstractWe demonstrated the diversity of Cryptococcus neoformans var. gattii strains by a sequence analysis of multiple genes: (i) the intergenic spacer (IGS) 1 and 2 regions of the rRNA gene; (ii) the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, including 5.8S of the rRNA gene; (iii) TOP1 (topoisomerase); and (iv) CAP59. In these studies, we compared C. neoformans var. gattii with varieties grubii, and neoformans of C. neoformans. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that both C. neoformans var. grubii and C. neoformans var. neoformans are monophyletic, but C. neoformans var. gattii showed polyphyletic. C. neoformans var. gattii can be divided into three phylogenetic groups, I, II, and III, with high bootstrap support Phylogenetic group I contains serotype B and C strains, and groups II and in include serotype B strains. Because the serotype B strains of C. neoformans var. gattii exhibited more genetic divergence, the serological characteristics and chemotypes of their capsular polysaccharide were further investigated. No remarkable difference among the serotype B strains was found in the reactivities to factor serum 5, which is specific for serotype B. The NMR spectra of the capsular polysaccharide from serotype B strains could be divided into three characteristic patterns, but the chemical shifts were very similar. These results suggested that the serotype B strain of C. neoformans var. gattii has more genetic diversity than the serotype C strain of C. neoformans var. gattii or the varieties grubii and neoformans of C. neoformans, but there was no correlation between genotype and chemotype.
Common Cell‐Surface Antigens Functioning in Self‐Recognition Reactions by Both Somatic Cells and Gametes in the Solitary Ascidian Halocynthia roretzi
Authors: Arai Makoto , Suzuki‐Koike Miho , Ohtake Shin‐Ichi , Ohba Hiroyoshi , Tanaka Kunio , Chiba Joe 
Published: November 2013

AbstractThe “contact reaction” is an extremely rapid allogeneic cytotoxic reaction (ACR) mediated by hemocytes in the solitary ascidian Halocynthia roretzi. It has been proposed that regulation of the alloreactivity of hemocytes may be involved in preference for fertilization or self‐sterility in this species. To identify the receptors and target ligands involved both in self‐recognition by somatic cells and self‐discrimination by gametes, we produced monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that inhibit the ACR mediated by hemocytes and tested their effects on fertilization. Six different mAbs that inhibit the ACR were prepared and categorized into three groups. Although all three mAbs seemed to have the same ability to inhibit the ACR, almost constant and statistically significant inhibition (CRB1.1) and infrequent but significant inhibition (CRB2.1, and CRB3.1) of the ACR were observed in the same pairs of animals. Pretreatment of the unfertilized eggs with CRB1.1, CRB2.1, and CRB3.1, resulted in the constant and statistically significant inhibition, infrequent but significant inhibition, and no inhibition, respectively, of fertilization. Antigens recognized by CRB1.1 (CRB1.1 antigens) were detected on the cell surface of all types of hemocytes and on the vitelline coat and follicle cells of unfertilized eggs. CRB2.1 and CRB3.1 antigens were detected on the surface of certain types of hemocytes and follicle cells, but not on the vitelline coat. CRB mAbs were directed against different epitopes in the N‐linked glycan on glycoproteins. These common carbohydrate antigens on somatic cells and gametes may function in some recognition processes in ACR and fertilization in H. roretzi.
Mechanism of Inhibitory Effect of NCC164 on Replication of Human Immunodeficiency Virus
Authors: Nakamura Mariko , Terada Masaki , Matsuzaki Katsuhiro , Yoshida Kiyotsugu , Ohno Tsuneya 
Published: November 2013

AbstractThe effect of a novel anti‐HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) compound, designated NCC164, has been studied with HIV infected cultures. The agent exhibited concentration‐dependent inhibition of HIV replication in primary infected cultures of H9 cell line and PBMCs. Substantial inhibition of viral replication was observed at concentration of NCC164 that showed little cytotoxicity. The ratio of IC50 values for the MTT (3–4,5 dimethylthiazol‐2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) to RT (reverse transcriptase) assays means the selectivity index was more than 100. In attempting to define the inhibitory mechanism of NCC164, we investigated its effect on each step of HIV replication. This agent was highly effective against HIV replication regardless of the addition period during early stages of infection (adsorption to integration) but did not inhibit reverse transcriptase activity directly. The agent efficiently blocked virus maturation without side effect and the number of progeny produced by NCC164‐treated cells was markedly reduced.
PCR Detection Method of Clostridium scindens and C. hiranonis in Human Fecal Samples
Authors: Kitahara Maki , Sakamoto Mitsuo , Benno Yoshimi 
Published: November 2013

AbstractClostridium scindens and C. hiranonis have high bile acid 7α‐dehydroxylating activity. Direct PCR and nested PCR with the specific primers for C. scindens and C. hiranonis were developed and tested for the detection of them in human fecal samples. Nested PCR detected C. scindens in all samples, but direct PCR detected it in 27 of 34 samples. Regarding C. hiranonis, nested PCR detected it in only 18 of 34 samples although nested PCR has a high level of sensitivity. Nested PCR was a specific and sensitive method for the detection of C. scindens and C. hiranonis in fecal samples.
Characterization of the Lactobacillus casei Group and the Lactobacillus acidophilus Group by Automated Ribotyping
Authors: Ryu Chun Sun , Czajka John W. , Sakamoto Mitsuo , Benno Yoshimi 
Published: November 2013

AbstractA total of 91 type and reference strains of the Lactobacillus casei group and the L. acidophilus group were characterized by the automated ribotyping device Riboprinter® microbial characterization system. The L. casei group was divided into five (C1–C5) genotypes by ribotyping. Among them, the strain of L. casei ATCC 334 was clustered to the same genotype group as most of L. paracasei strains and L. casei JCM 1134T generated a riboprint pattern that was different from the type strain of L. zeae. These results supported the designation of L. casei ATCC 334 as the neotype strain, but were not consistent with the reclassification of L. casei JCM 1134T as L. zeae. The L. acidophilus group was also divided into 14 (A1–A11, B1–B3) genotypes by ribotyping. L. acidophilus, L. amylovorus, L. crispatus and L. gallinarum generated ribotype patterns that were distinct from the patterns produced by L. gasseri and L. johnsonii. This result confirmed previous data that the L. acidophilus group divided to two major clusters. Five strains of L. acidophilus and two strains of L. gasseri were correctly reidentified by ribotyping. Most strains belonging to the L. casei group and the L. acidophilus group were discriminated at the species level by automated ribotyping. Thus this RiboPrinter® system yields rapid, accurate and reproducible genetic information for the identification of many strains.
Structural Characterization of the O‐Antigenic Polysaccharide Chain of Porphyromonas circumdentaria NCTC 12469
Authors: Matsuo Kouki , Isogai Emiko , Araki Yoshio 
Published: November 2013

AbstractStructural studies were carried out on an O‐antigenic polysaccharide moiety derived from Porphyromonas circumdentaria NCTC 12469, a reference strain of Porphyromonas species. The polysaccharide chain was composed of d‐glucose, d‐galactose, N‐acetyl‐d‐glucosamine, and N‐acetyl‐d‐galactosamine in a molar ratio of 1:2:1:1. On the basis of results from 1H‐ and 13C‐NMR spectroscopic analyses including COSY, TOCSY, and HMQC experiments together with results of Smith degradation, methylation analysis, and partial acid hydrolysis, it is concluded that the polysaccharide chain has a pentasaccharide repeating unit of →6)‐β‐d‐Glcp‐(1→6)‐β‐d‐Galp‐(1→6)‐β‐d‐Galp‐(1→3)‐β‐d‐GlcpNAc‐(1→3)‐β‐d‐GalpNAc‐(1→. The immunoreaction between P. circumdentaria LPS and the corresponding antiserum was strongly inhibited by the pentasaccharide fragment (Glc‐Gal‐Gal‐GlcNAc‐GalNAc) isolated from partial acid hydrolysis of the above polysaccharide, suggestive of O‐antigen specific antibodies in the used antiserum.
Comparative Sequences of Two Type 1 Dengue Virus Strains Possessing Different Growth Characteristics In Vitro
Authors: Ishak Hasanuddin , Takegami Tsutomu , Kamimura Kiyoshi , Funada Hisashi 
Published: November 2013

AbstractThe complete genome sequences of two dengue‐1 virus strains having different growth characteristics (Mochizuki and A88) were compared with other published strains. The sequence analysis indicated several unique amino acid changes throughout the coding region of Mochizuki strain, mostly in envelope (E) protein. A unique amino acid, Ile‐69 for Mochizuki strain at E protein resulted in the loss of an Asn‐67‐linked glycosylation site. A Thr substitution for Ala‐114 at C protein and amino acid changes found in E, non‐structural NS3, NS4a, and NS5 proteins were unique for A88 strain. These substitutions might be correlated to their different growth characteristics in vitro.
Stabilization of Cauliflower Mosaic Virus P3 Tetramer by Covalent Linkage
Authors: Tsuge Seiji , Okuno Tetsuro , Furusawa Iwao , Kubo Yasuyuki , Horino Osamu 
Published: November 2013

AbstractCauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) open reading frame (ORF) III encodes a 15 kDa protein (P3) that is indispensable for viral infectivity. Although P3 has been shown to be a prerequisite for CaMV aphid transmission, its role in viral replication remains unknown. We previously showed that P3 forms a tetramer in planta and that P3 tetramer co‐sediments with viral coat protein on sucrose gradient centrifugation, suggesting that a tetramer may be the functional form of P3. We presumed that disulfide bonds were involved in tetramer formation because 1) the tetramer was detected by Western blotting after electrophoresis under non‐reducing conditions, and 2) the cysteine‐X‐cysteine motif is well conserved in CaMV P3 and P3 homologues among Caulimoviruses. Therefore we mutated either or both of the cysteine residues of CaMV P3. The mutant viruses were infectious and accumulated to a similar extent as the wild‐type. An analysis of mutant proteins confirmed that the wild‐type P3 molecules in the tetramer are covalently bound with one another through disulfide bonds. It was also suggested that mutant proteins are less stable than wild‐type protein in planta. Furthermore, sedimentation study suggested that the disulfide bonds are involved in stable association of P3 with CaMV virions or virion‐like particles, or both. The mutant viruses could be transmitted by aphids. These results suggested that the covalent bonds in P3 tetramer are dispensable for biological activity of P3 under experimental situations and may have some biological significance in natural infection in the field.
Cytokine Kinetics in the Plasma of Monkeys Infected with Pathogenic and Nonpathogenic Simian and Human Immunodeficiency Chimeric Viruses at an Early Stage of Infection
Authors: Kwofie Theophilus B. , Haga Takeshi , Iida Tohko , Hayami Masanori , Miura Tomoyuki 
Published: November 2013

AbstractTo evaluate the pattern of cytokines as a result of pathogenic and nonpathogenic SHIV infections in monkeys, we analyzed the cytokines interleukin (IL)‐2, IL‐4, IL‐10, IL‐12, and interferon (IFN)‐γ in the plasma of 8 monkeys infected with either pathogenic 89.6P or nonpathogenic NM‐3rN chimeric viruses. The cytokine kinetics in the 89.6P‐infected monkeys was characterized by increases of IL‐2, IL‐10, and to some extent IFN‐γ and a decrease of IL‐12. Although that of NM‐3rN‐infected monkeys was characterized by an increase of IFN‐γ, and a transient decrease of IL‐12. IL‐4 was not detected in any of the monkeys. The results, therefore, showed a mixture of Th‐1 and Th‐2 cytokine profiles implying these cytokines are not clear enough to use as an index of the pathogenicity of the viruses at an early stage of infection.
Epidemiological Survey of Orientia tsutsugamushi Distribution in Field Rodents in Saitama Prefecture, Japan, and Discovery of a New Type
Authors: Tamura Akira , Yamamoto Narishige , Koyama Shoichiro , Makisaka Yukie , Takahashi Masakazu , Urabe Ken‐ichi , Takaoka Masatoshi , Nakazawa Kiyoaki , Urakami Hiroshi , Fukuhara Masahiro 
Published: November 2013

AbstractThere are various antigenic variants of Orientia tsutsugamushi which are distinguished by immunological and molecular genetic methods targeted at the antigenic diversity of 56‐kDa type‐specific antigen proteins. The present study was performed to analyze 15 strains successfully isolated from rodents in Saitama Prefecture, Japan, by 56‐kDa gene sequence homologies, reactivities with type‐specific monoclonal antibodies and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using type‐specific primer‐pairs. We demonstrated the presence of a new type of O. tsutsugamushi among the isolates. This new type, designated as the Saitama type, was located in the branch of Karp type in the phylogenetic tree based on 56‐kDa gene sequences, but distant from the known Karp types, such as Karp, JP‐1 and JP‐2, showing less than 90% homology. Strains of this type could not be distinguished by immunological methods from Karp type strains, but a new primer‐pair for PCR which specifically amplifies the DNA of this new type strain was designed. This primer‐pair may serve to find this strain type in future studies.
Growth Inhibition of Cancer Cells by Co‐Transfection of Diphtheria Toxin A‐Chain Gene Plasmid with Bovine Leukemia Virus‐Tax Expression Vector
Authors: Tana  , Watarai Shinobu , Aida Yoko , Tajima Shigeru , Kakidani Hitoshi , Onuma Misao , Kodama Hiroshi 
Published: November 2013

AbstractWe constructed a plasmid containing bovine leukemia virus (BLV)‐tax gene driven by SRα promoter, designated as pME‐BLVtax, to activate the promoter of the long terminal repeat (LTR) of BLV in various tumor cells. Activation of the promoter of BLV‐LTR by pME‐BLVtax was confirmed by luciferase assay. When the cells, such as COS‐1, C8, and KU‐1, were transfected with a plasmid pBLV‐LUC1, which contained the luciferase gene under the control of BLV‐LTR, and pME‐BLVtax, luciferase was expressed in these cells, whereas no luciferase gene expression was observed when only pBLV‐LUC1 was introduced into the cells. Activation of the BLV‐LTR promoter was regulated by pME‐BLVtax and 0.5 μg of pME‐BLVtax was sufficient for the expression of the gene under the control of BLV‐LTR. Furthermore, pME‐BLVtax was used to direct the cell expression of the gene for diphtheria toxin A‐chain under the control of BLV‐LTR (pLTR‐DT) to various tumor cell lines, KU‐1, C8, COS‐1, BL2M3, and HeLa cells. The transfection was carried out with cationic liposomes. In this experiment, co‐transfection of pLTR‐DT with pME‐BLVtax exerted selective growth inhibitory effects on the tumor cell lines. Moreover, three co‐introductions of pLTR‐DT with pME‐BLVtax into the cell lines resulted in significant inhibition of the cell growth. This result suggests that the delivery of the pLTR‐DT and pME‐BLVtax genes into tumor cells by the use of cationic liposomes may be potentially useful as a novel approach for the treatment of tumor cells.
Fate of Legionella pneumophila in Macrophages of C57BL/6 Chronic Granulomatous Disease Mice
Authors: Saito Mitsumasa , Kajiwara Hideko , Miyamoto Hiroshi , Yoshida Shin‐ichi 
Published: November 2013

AbstractWe compared the intracellular survival and growth of Legionella pneumophila Philadelphia‐1 in peritoneal macrophages obtained from A/J, C57BL/6, and X‐linked chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) mice produced from C57BL/6 strain. The initial killing was observed in A/J and C57BL/6 macrophages at 2,4 and 6 hr after in vitro phagocytosis, but not in the CGD macrophages. Thereafter, there was a 10‐fold increase of CFU in A/J macrophages. The bacteria, however, did not proliferate in C57BL/6 and CGD macrophages at 24 or 48 hr after in vitro phagocytosis. These results suggest that effector molecules for the initial killing are a superoxide anion and its metabolites, and Lgn1 gene product inhibits the intracellular growth of L. pneumophila independently of NADPH oxidase.
Identification of a H+/Glucose and Galactose Symporter Gene glt from Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae
Authors: Tsuge Seiji , Furutani Ayako , Kubo Yasuyuki , Horino Osamu 
Published: November 2013

AbstractWe identified a glucose and galactose transporter gene from the plant‐pathogenic bacterium Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae. Sequence analysis indicated that the gene, named glt, encoded a polypeptide of 592 amino acid residues and the product was significantly homologous with members of the Na+/glucose cotransporter (SGLT) family from mammalian and bacterial origin, especially with vSGLT from Vibrio parahaemolyticus (50% identity). GLT functioned as a glucose and galactose transporter in an Escherichia coli mutant deficient in glucose and galactose transport activity. A protonophore inhibited the transport activity, suggesting that GLT is a H+‐coupled glucose/galactose symporter.
Immunomodulatory Effect of Gold Sodium Thiomalate on Murine Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
Authors: Yamaguchi Koushi , Ushijima Hiroshi , Hisano Michi , Inoue Yousuke , Shimamura Tadakatsu , Hirano Takao , Müller Werner E.G. 
Published: November 2013

AbstractInduction of IL‐2 production and increased expression of CD25 were observed in C57BL/10 mice after weekly treatment with gold sodium thiomalate (GST). LP‐BM5 murine leukemia virus (MuLV) infected mice treated with GST survived longer, had less cervical lymph node swelling, lower spleen weight, and fewer abnormalities in the expression of the cell surface markers, CD4, CD8a and CD45R/B220 on spleen cells than those that were not treated with GST. Thus, GST treatment may be beneficial through a decrease in disease progression via IL‐2 induction in MuLV infected mice. This may have application in human immunodeficiency virus‐infected individuals.
Development of a New Medium Useful for the Recovery of Dermatophytes from Clinical Specimens by Minimizing the Carryover Effect of Antifungal Agents
Authors: Nakashima Takuji , Nozawa Akira , Ito Takao , Majima Toshiro , Yamaguchi Hideyo 
Published: November 2013

AbstractTwo surface‐active compounds, egg lecithin and polysorbate 80, usually used as the deactivators of various preservatives were tested whether they also counteract either or all of the three major topical antifungal drugs, bifonazole (BFZ), lanoconazole (LCZ) and terbinafine (TBF). Both egg lecithin and polysorbate 80, when added to culture media up to final concentrations of 1.0 and 0.7%, respectively, antagonized the anti‐dermatophytic activity of the three drugs in a concentration‐dependent manner. A greater extent of antagonistic action was exerted when the two deactivators combined at their maximal levels tested were added; MIC's of BFZ were increased more than 30‐fold and those of LCZ and TBF more than 200‐fold compared with the values obtained in the absence of the deactivators. Using the agar medium supplemented with the combined deactivators, culture studies were carried out with skin tissues specimens taken from guinea pigs whose feet were infected with dermatophytes and subsequently treated with 1% topical preparations of the three antifungal drugs. The experimental data from this animal study demonstrated that the combined deactivators‐supplemented medium yielded increased numbers of fungi compared with the basal medium. It looks, therefore, likely that the fungal recovery on the former medium more correctly reflects to actual fungal burden in the infected lesions than the latter. All these results suggest that the combined deactivators‐supplemented medium is more useful for mycological evaluation of therapeutic efficacy of imidazole and allylamine drugs against dermatophytoses in both preclinical and clinical studies.