bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Immunohistochemical Distribution of Epithelioid Cell, Myofibroblast, and Transforming Growth Factor‐β1 in the Granuloma Caused by Mycobacterium avium intracellulare Complex Pulmonary Infection
Authors: Fujita Jiro , Ohtsuki Yuji , Suemitsu Ichizo , Yamadori Ichiro , Shigeto Eriko , Shiode Masahiko , Nishimura Kazutaka , Hirayama Takeshi , Matsushima Toshiharu , Ishida Toshihiko 
Published: November 2013

AbstractThe present study was designed to evaluate the distribution of epithelioid cells, myofibroblasts, and TGF‐β1 in the formation of granuloma caused by Mycobacterium avium intracellulare complex (MAC) lung infection. A retrospective study was performed for 9 cases of positive MAC culture in which lung resections were performed between January 1989 and August 1999. Resected lung specimens were evaluated histologically and immunohistochemically for CD68 (stain for monocytes and macrophages, and epithelioid cells) and α‐smooth muscle actin as well as vimentin (stain for myofibroblasts), and TGF‐β1 was performed. When granuloma was initially formed, no myofibroblasts were found, but as caseous necrosis appeared, the thin epithelioid cell layer was detected and the outer myofibroblast layer gradually became thick. In the cavitary wall, the layer of epithelioid cells and multinucleated giant cells surrounded necrosis, and was associated with the outer layer of myofibroblasts. In addition, the anti‐TGF‐β1 antibody stained the cytoplasm of epithelioid cells and multinucleated giant cells, preceding the advent of myofibroblasts. In summary, our present study evaluated distributions of epithelioid cells, myofibroblasts, and TGF‐β along with the morphogenesis of granuloma, and clearly demonstrated the immunohistochemical difference between granuloma with caseous necrosis and granulomas without caseous necrosis.
Antibacterial Properties of Antimicrobial‐Finished Textile Products
Authors: Takai Kenichi , Ohtsuka Tokuko , Senda Yoshiko , Nakao Miyuki , Yamamoto Kouichiro , Matsuoka Junji , Hirai Yoshikazu 
Published: November 2013

AbstractThe antibacterial properties of five kinds of antimicrobial‐finished textile products (AFTPs) were examined against Staphylococcus aureus, including methicillin‐resistant (MRSA) strains and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, under wet and dry conditions. Textile products containing Ag. Zn. ammonium Zeolite and chitosan were found to be effective against methicillin‐sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) for up to 6 hr of incubation under wet and dry conditions, and effective against MRSA for up to 24 hr of incubation only under wet conditions. Under dry conditions, however, all AFTPs were ineffective against one MRSA strain. When organic matter was added to the incubation mixture, textile products containing Ag. Zn. ammonium Zeolite and chitosan still showed antibacterial activities, but not as strongly. The results of this study suggested the following: (1) There are differences in antibacterial properties among commercially available AFTPs; (2) Determining effectiveness requires several hours of incubation; (3) Water content as an environmental factor can affect effectiveness; and (4) Some bacterial species and strains are not affected by AFTPs. The antibacterial properties of AFTPs in the clinical setting may be of limited value.
Antifungal Pharmacodynamic Characteristics of Amphotericin B against Trichosporon asahii, Using Time‐Kill Methodology
Authors: Toriumi Yoshimi , Sugita Takashi , Nakajima Masamitsu , Matsushima Toshiharu , Shinoda Takako 
Published: November 2013

AbstractWe determined the MIC of amphotericin B against 45 Trichosporon asahii isolates from various clinical and environmental sources, and used in vitro time‐kill methods to characterize the relationship between amphotericin B concentrations and MIC for four representative T. asahii isolates. Amphotericin B had concentration‐dependent antifungal activity. MICs ranged from 0.5 to 16 μg/ml, and most T. asahii isolates (76%, 34/45) were inhibited at safely achievable amphotericin B serum concentrations (≤ 2 μg/ml). However, 40% (18/45) of isolates were not killed at these concentrations (MFCs from 1.0 to 32 μg/ml). At concentrations ≥ 2 × MIC, amphotericin B exhibited fungicidal activity (< 99.9% reduction in CFU) over a 12‐hr time‐period; the maximal effect was achieved at ≥ 4 × MIC. Susceptibility testing confirmed the resistance of T. asahii to amphotericin B, and in vitro pharmacodynamic results also suggest that amphotericin B is not suitable therapy for T. asahii infection.
FimZ Binds the Salmonella typhimurium fimA Promoter Region and May Regulate Its Own Expression with FimY
Authors: Yeh Kuang‐sheng , Tinker Juliette K. , Clegg Steven 
Published: November 2013

AbstractThe FimZ protein, an activator of FimA production in Salmonella typhimurium, acts in conjunction with FimY to facilitate the expression of type 1 fimbriae. The predicted amino acid sequence of FimZ suggests that this protein may be a DNA‐binding protein related to BvgA, a sensory regulator of virulence gene expression in Bordetella pertussis. Purification of FimZ following overexpression of the protein by a strong inducible promoter and gel mobility shift assays confirm that FimZ is a 25‐kDa polypeptide that binds to the promoter region of fimA. The region of DNA protected from DNase I digestion by FimZ binding is located between 47 and 98 nucleotides upstream from the fimA transcription initiation site. This region possesses a pair of 7‐base pair tandem repeats, of which at least one is necessary for FimZ binding. One copy of the 7‐base pair sequence is also located in the fimZ promoter region. In addition, expression from a fimZ‐lacZ reporter construct confirms that FimZ plays a role in its own expression. Both FimZ and FimY are required for high‐level expression of FimZ, which suggests that these two fimbrial proteins are involved in regulating both FimA and FimZ.
Lactoferrin Stimulates AStaphylococcus aureusKilling Activity of Bovine Phagocytes in the Mammary Gland
Authors: Kai Kenzo , Komine Ken‐ichi , Komine Yumiko , Kuroishi Toshinobu , Kozutsumi Tomoyuki , Kobayashi Jin , Ohta Minoru , Kitamura Hajime , Kumagai Katsuo 
Published: November 2013

AbstractLactoferrin (Lf) may play a key role in the clearance of microorganisms from a host. To studyin vitrothe bactericidal mechanisms of Lf during nonlactating periods, we investigated whether the effects of Lf were influenced by bovine mammary gland secretory cells (MGSC) and fresh normal bovine serum (NBS) as a source of complement. Phagocytic killing tests demonstrated that a phagocytic mixture of unopsonizedStaphylococcus aureus (S. aureus)and MGSC in the presence of Lf reduced bacterial growth, compared with that of unopsonizedS. aureusand MGSC without Lf. The opsonization with Lf and fresh NBS together resulted in more than a 95% reduction in CFU. The activation of complement induced by Lf also resulted in increased deposition of C3 onS. aureus, and the phagocytic activity of MGSC was augmented by opsonization with Lf and fresh NBS. Inhibition of C3 deposition by Lf was not induced in the presence of Mg‐EGTA, but was induced by the addition of bovine Lf antiserum. These results strongly suggest that Lf induces the activation of complement in fresh NBS mainly through an alternative pathway. The results demonstrated a Lf‐dependent, antibody‐independent and complement‐mediated phagocytic killing ofS. aureus, and implied that Lf was synergistically capable of activating both the alternative pathway of the bovine complement cascade and phagocytosis by phagocytes.
Minimal Contribution of Vα14 Natural Killer T Cells to Th1 Response and Host Resistance against Mycobacterial Infection in Mice
Authors: Kawakami Kazuyoshi , Kinjo Yuki , Uezu Kaori , Yara Satomi , Miyagi Kazuya , Koguchi Yoshinobu , Nakayama Toshinori , Taniguchi Masaru , Saito Atsushi 
Published: November 2013

AbstractWe elucidated the contribution of Vα14 NKT cells to Th1 response and host resistance against mycobacterial infection. In Vα14 NKT cell‐deficient mice, host defense and DTH response to Mycobacterium bovis BCG were not different from wild‐type mice after pulmonary infection. There was no significant difference in the lung concentrations of IFN‐γ between the two strains of mice. In addition, host defense to systemic infection with M. tuberculosis was similar to that of M. bovis. Our results indicate that Vα14 NKT cells play only a marginal role, if any, in the Th1 response and host resistance to mycobacterial infection.
A Novel Genetic Algorithm for Designing Mimetic Peptides That Interfere with the Function of a Target Molecule
Authors: Campbell William , Kleiman Laurence , Baranyi Lajos , Li Zhou , Khorchid Ahmad , Fujita Emiko , Okada Noriko , Okada Hidechika 
Published: November 2013

AbstractWe designed a new computer program (MIMETIC), which generates a series of peptides for interaction with a target peptide sequence. The genetic algorithm employed ranks the sequences obtained from one generation to the next by “goodness of fit” to the target. MIMETIC designed recognition peptides to various regions of HIV‐1 reverse transcriptase. Among ten peptide candidates synthesized, three inhibited reverse transcription in vitro. TLMA2993 and PSTW1594 both targeted the connection domain of reverse transcriptase and ESLA2340 targeted the thumb domain.
Advance in Treatment Strategy and Immune Reconstruction against HIV‐1 Infection
Authors: Matsushita Shuzo , Kimura Tetsuya 
Published: November 2013

AbstractHIV‐1 can be considered an infection of the immune system, resulting in progressive and ultimately profound immune suppression. The availability of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has resulted in dramatic changes in the disease course in persons fortunate enough to have access to these medications, but long‐term therapy is limited by the development of resistance as well as toxicities of the potent medication regimens. Emerging data indicate that individuals who have non‐progressive clinical course control HIV‐1 immunologically. This has bolstered hope that the immune response might be effectively augmented in persons with HIV infection. Recent data indicating that immediate treatment of acute infection leads to augmentation of antiviral immune responses have provided evidence that the immune system might be enhanced in certain situations. Therefore, investigation in the reconstitution of anti‐HIV immune response in patients under HAART should provide encouragement for continuing to explore methods to obtain meaningful and durable immune enhancement as an adjunct to HAART in HIV‐1 infection.
Inhibition by Apple Polyphenols of ADP‐Ribosyltransferase Activity of Cholera Toxin and Toxin‐Induced Fluid Accumulation in Mice
Authors: Saito Takao , Miyake Masami , Toba Masamichi , Okamatsu Hiroshi , Shimizu Seiichi , Noda Masatoshi 
Published: November 2013

AbstractThe effects of crude polyphenol extracted from immature apples on the enzymatic and biological activities of a cholera toxin (CT) were investigated. When the apple polyphenol extract (APE) was examined for properties to inhibit CT‐catalyzed ADP‐ribosylation of agmatine, it was found that APE inhibited it in a dose‐dependent manner. The concentration of APE to inhibit 50% of the enzymatic activity of CT (15 μg/ml) was approximately 8.7 μg/ml. The APE also diminished CT‐induced fluid accumulation in two diarrhea models for in vivo mice. In the ligated ileum loops, 25 μg of APE significantly inhibited fluid accumulation induced by 500 ng of CT. In a sealed mouse model, even when APE was administered orally 10 min after a toxin injection, fluid accumulation was significantly inhibited at a comparable dosage. Lineweaver‐Burk analysis demonstrated that APE had negative allosteric effects on CT‐catalyzed NAD: agmatine ADP‐ribosyltransferase. We fractionated the APE into four fractions using LH‐20 Sephadex resin. One of the fractions, FAP (fraction from apple polyphenol) 1, which contains non‐catechin polyphenols, did not significantly inhibit the CT‐catalyzed ADP‐ribosylation of agmatine. FAP2, which contains compounds with monomeric, dimeric, and trimeric catechins, inhibited the ADP‐ribosylation only partially, but significantly. FAP3 and FAP4, which consist of highly polymerized catechin compounds, strongly inhibited the ADP‐ribosylation, indicating that the polymerized structure of catechin is responsible for the inhibitory effect that resides in APE. The results suggest that polymerized catechin compounds in APE inhibit the biological and enzymatic activities of CT and can be used in a precautionary and therapeutic manner in the treatment of cholera patients.
Differential Expression and Polarized Secretion of CXC and CC Chemokines by Human Intestinal Epithelial Cancer Cell Lines in Response to Clostridium difficile Toxin A
Authors: Kim Jung Mogg , Kim Joo Sung , Jung Hyun Chae , Oh Yu‐kyoung , Song In Sung , Kim Chung Yong 
Published: November 2013

AbstractIntestinal epithelial cells are the initial sites of host response to Clostridium difficile infection and can play a role in signaling the influx of inflammatory cells. To further explore this role, the regulated expression and polarized secretion of CXC and CC chemokines by human intestinal epithelial cells were investigated. An expression of the CXC chemokines, including IL‐8 and growth‐related oncogene (GRO)‐α, and the CC chemokine monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)‐1 from HT‐29 cells increased in the 1–6 hr following C. difficile toxin A stimulation, assessed by quantitative RT‐PCR. In contrast, the expression of neutrophil activating protein‐78 (ENA‐78) was delayed for 18 hr. The up‐regulated mRNA expression of chemokines was paralleled by the increase of protein levels. However, the expression of macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)‐1α, RANTES (regulated on activation normal T cells expressed and secreted), and interferon‐γ‐inducible protein‐10 (IP‐10) was not changed in HT‐29 or Caco‐2 cells stimulated with toxin A. Upon stimulation of the polarized Caco‐2 epithelial cells in a transwell chamber with toxin A, CXC and CC chemokines were released predominantly into the basolateral compartment. Moreover, the addition of IFN‐γ and TNF‐α to toxin A stimulated Caco‐2 cells increased the basolateral release of CC chemokine MCP‐1. In contrast, IFN‐γ and TNF‐α had no effect on the expression of the CXC chemokines IL‐8 and GRO‐α. These results suggest that a CXC and CC chemokine expression from epithelial cells infected with C. difficile may be an important factor in the mucosal inflammatory response.
Phylogenetic Analysis of Cecal Microbiota in Chicken by the Use of 16S rDNA Clone Libraries
Authors: Lan Pham Thi Ngoc , Hayashi Hidenori , Sakamoto Mitsuo , Benno Yoshimi 
Published: November 2013

AbstractThe chicken cecum contains a great many bacteria, most of which are strict anaerobes. A strictly anaerobe culture‐based method was used in the present study, in conjunction with the 16S rDNA clone library, to elucidate bacterial diversity and the phylogenetic relationship of cecal microbiota in the chicken. A comparative 16S rDNA sequence analysis of cultivated strains and retrieved clones from cecal contents was performed. Approximately 90% of the bacterial cells detected by microscopy did not form colonies on a medium 10 in plate‐in‐bottle. The 19 isolated strains yielded 11 distinct rDNA sequences, 58% of which were classified as low G + C Gram‐positive bacteria, 26% were related to Bacteroides spp., and 16% were classified as Proteobacteria. Based on the sequence analysis of 164 clones, 24% were identified to belong to 8 known species and 76% were considered to be 65 novel phylotypes. Approximately 94% of cloned sequences were classified into low G + C Gram‐positive bacteria, 4% were related to Bacteroides spp., and 2% were classified into Proteobacteria. Clostridium subcluster XIVa (38%), Clostridium cluster IV (13%), Lactobacillus spp. (24%), and Bacteroides spp. (4%) were the major groups constituting the cecal microbiota in chicken, in which the Clostridium subcluster XIVa was the most phylogenetically diverse group in chicken cecum. The 16S rDNA sequences of Lactobacillus acidophilus, L. crispatus, L. salivarius, and L. reuteri were the most frequently found in the Lactobacillus group in chicken cecum.
High‐Level Fluoroquinolone Resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Due to Interplay of the MexAB‐OprM Efflux Pump and the DNA Gyrase Mutation
Authors: Nakajima Akira , Sugimoto Yohko , Yoneyama Hiroshi , Nakae Taiji 
Published: November 2013

AbstractFluoroquinolone resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa is mainly attributable to the constitutive expression of the xenobiotic efflux pump and mutation in DNA gyrase or topoisomerase IV. We constructed cells with a double‐mutation in gyrA and mexR encoding DNA gyrase and repressor for the mexAB‐oprM operon, respectively. The mutant showed 1,024 times higher fluoroquinolone resistance than cells lacking the MexAB‐OprM. Cells with a single mutation in gyrA and producing a wild‐type level of the MexAB‐OprM efflux pump showed 128 times higher fluoroquinolone resistance than cells lacking the MexAB‐OprM. In contrast, a single mutation in gyrA or mexR caused only 4 and 64 times higher resistance, respectively. These findings manifested the interplay between the MexAB‐OprM efflux pump and the target mutation in fluoroquinolone resistance.
The First Isolation of Nocardia veterana from a Human Mycetoma
Authors: Kano Rui , Hattori Yousuke , Murakami Noboru , Mine Naoko , Kashima Masato , Kroppenstedt Reiner M. , Mizoguchi Masako , Hasegawa Atsuhiko 
Published: November 2013

AbstractThe clinical isolates from biopsy specimen human subcutaneous nodule developed orange‐colored and wrinkled colonies on Sabouraud's dextrose agar at 24 C for 2 weeks. The isolates were aerobic and gram‐positive. The bacteria were rod‐shaped to coccoid and 1 × 5 μm in size. The assimilation tests revealed that the clinical isolate was identical to a reference strain of Nocardia veterana. A nucleotide sequence analysis of the 16S ribosomal DNA from the isolate and a reference strain of N. veterana showed 99.8% similarity. All data are consistent with the conclusion that the isolate in this human case of mycetoma is N. veterana.
Additional Inhibitory Effect of Tea Extract on the Growth of Influenza A and B Viruses in MDCK Cells
Authors: Imanishi Nobuko , Tuji Yumiko , Katada Yuko , Maruhashi Miyuki , Konosu Satoko , Mantani Naoki , Terasawa Katutoshi , Ochiai Hiroshi 
Published: November 2013

AbstractIt has been previously reported that green‐tea extract (GTE) inhibits the growth of influenza virus by preventing its adsorption. In this study, we further investigated whether GTE exerts an additional inhibitory effect on the acidification of intracellular compartments such as endosomes and lysosomes (referred to as ELS) and thereby inhibits the growth of influenza A and B viruses in Madin‐Darby canine kidney cells. The vital fluorescence microscopic study showed that GTE inhibited acidification of ELS in a concentration‐dependent manner. Moreover, the growth of influenza A and B viruses was equally inhibited when the cells were treated with GTE within as early as 5 to 15 min after infection, depending on the virus strains. The fact that (—)epigallocatechin (EGC), one of major catechin molecules in GTE, exerts the inhibitory effects on the acidification of ELS and virus growth in a manner similar to that of GTE strongly suggests that EGC is one of the active components in the extract.
Expanding Distribution of Human Serotype G6 Rotaviruses in Australia
Authors: Diwakarla Shanti , Clark Ruth , Palombo Enzo A. 
Published: November 2013

AbstractSerotype G6 rotaviruses are common pathogens of cattle but are rarely found in humans. In Australia, human G6 isolates have previously been detected in two major southern population centres. A new isolate, ASG6.02, was detected in central Australia (Alice Springs) in 1997. Comparison of the deduced amino acid sequence of the major neutralizing antigen, VP7, indicated that ASG6.02 was related to human G6 viruses isolated from children in Italy and Australia. Phylogenetic analysis supported the close relationship between ASG6.02 and other Australian isolates and indicated that G6 VP7 sequences generally clustered according to the species of origin (human, bovine or porcine). The VP4 type of ASG6.02 was determined as P‐type [14], in common with other isolates from Australia and Italy. The detection of ASG6.02 indicates that the distribution of this serotype is increasing in this country and may have implications for successful vaccine development.
Phylogenetic Analysis of the Human Gut Microbiota Using 16S rDNA Clone Libraries and Strictly Anaerobic Culture‐Based Methods
Authors: Hayashi Hidenori , Sakamoto Mitsuo , Benno Yoshimi 
Published: November 2013

AbstractThe human gut microbiota from three healthy subjects were compared by the use of a sequence analysis of 16S rDNA libraries and a culture‐based method. Direct counts ranged from 1.9 × 1011 to 4.0 × 1011 cells/g (wet weight), and plate counts totaled 6.6 × 1010 to 1.2 × 1011 CFU/g (wet weight). Sixty to seventy percent of the bacteria in the human intestinal tract cannot be cultured with currently available methods. The 16S rDNA libraries from three subjects were generated from total community DNA in the intestinal tract with universal primer sets. Randomly selected clones were partially sequenced. All purified colonies detected from the surface of the agar plate were used for a partial sequencing of 16S rDNA. On the basis of sequence similarities, the clones and colonies were classified into several clusters corresponding to the major phylum of the domain Bacteria. Among a total of 744 clones obtained, approximately 25% of them belonged to 31 known species. About 75% of the remaining clones were novel “phylotypes” (at least 98% similarity of clone sequence). The predominant intestinal microbial community consisted of 130 species or phylotypes according to the sequence data in this study. The 16S rDNA libraries and colonies included the Bacteroides group, Streptococcus group, Bifidobacterium group, and Clostridium rRNA clusters IV, IX, XIVa, and XVIII. Moreover, several previously uncharacterized and uncultured microorganisms were recognized in clone libraries and colonies. Our results also showed marked individual differences in the composition of intestinal microbiota.
Characterization of Parapoxviruses Circulating among Wild Japanese Serows (Capricornis crispus)
Authors: Inoshima Yasuo , Murakami Kenji , Wu Donglai , Sentsui Hiroshi 
Published: November 2013

AbstractWe antigenically and molecularly compared 5 parapoxvirus isolates and 7 viral DNA samples from clinical lesions of Japanese serows with 3 viruses from sheep and goats. All isolates from Japanese serows except one, Ishikawa‐S, reacted with six monoclonal antibodies to orf virus (ORFV). Restriction endonuclease analysis using amplified viral DNA showed the ORFV‐specific pattern in all samples except Ishikawa‐S, which showed a bovine papular stomatitis virus (BPSV)‐specific pattern. Partial nucleotide sequences of the envelope genes were determined and those of all samples from Japanese serows and sheep except Ishikawa‐S were completely identical and also had high identities with the goat virus. These findings suggest that parapoxvirus infection in Japanese serows might be mainly caused by ORFV and accidentally by BPSV. The envelope gene sequenced here seems to be conserved in Japanese ORFVs.