bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Participation of CD14 in the Phagocytosis of Smooth‐Type Salmonella typhimurium by the Macrophage‐Like Cell Line, J774.1
Authors: Onozuka Kazuyasu , Kirikae Teruo , Kirikae Fumiko , Suda Yasuo , Kusumoto Shoichi , Yamamoto Shunsuke , Shimamura Tadakatsu , Nakano Masayasu 
Published: November 2013

AbstractThe role of CD14 in the phagocytosis and killing of microorganisms was investigated using macrophage‐like cell lines, CD14‐positive J774.1 cells and CD14‐negative mutant J7.DEF3 cells derived from J744.1 cells. The cells were infected with Salmonella typhimurium organisms of the smooth (S)‐form LT2, mutant rough (R)‐form TV148 or Staphylococcus aureus 248βH. At 30 or 180 min incubation, the cells were washed and disrupted. Colony‐forming units (CFUs) liberated from the disrupted cells were determined by quantitative cultivation, and the phagocytic index and killing rate were calculated. Both the phagocytic index and killing rate of J774.1 cells against LT2 organisms were greater than those of J7.DEF.3 cells. However, the index and rate of J774.1 cells against TV148 and 248βH organisms were similar to those of the J7.DEF.3 cells. The phagocytosis of LT2 organisms by J774.1 cells was partially inhibited by S‐form LPS (S‐LPS) and anti‐CD14 antibody, but not by R‐chemotype LPS (R‐LPS). These results suggest that CD14 participates in the phagocytosis of S‐form Salmonella.
Epidemiological Study on Infectious Diarrheal Diseases in Children in a Coastal Rural Area of Kenya
Authors: Saidi Suleiman M. , Lijima Yoshio , Sang William K. , Mwangudza Anderson K. , Oundo Joseph O. , Taga Kenichiro , Aihara Masanori , Nagayama Kenichi , Yamamoto Hiroyuki , Waiyaki Peter G. , Honda Takeshi 
Published: November 2013

AbstractDiarrheal diseases are major causes of morbidity and mortality among children in developing countries. We have analyzed the causative agents of diarrhea in children under five years of age who resided in rural environments but attended a hospital in Malindi, a coastal town in Kenya. Bacterial diarrhea was found in 239 (27.7%) of 862 patients with diarrhea. Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli, including enteropathogenic, enterotoxigenic, and enterohaemorrhagic strains, was isolated from 119 (13.8%) patients, followed by Salmonella spp. (63 cases, 7.3%) and Shigella spp. (56 cases, 6.5%). Intestinal parasites were found in 109 (12.6%) of the patients. Entamoeba histolytica and Giardia lamblia were found in 67 (7.8%) and 42 (4.9%) of the cases, respectively. Rotavirus was found in 69 (16.1%) of 428 cases, a part of the 862 cases. Significant differences in age distribution were seen in diarrheal cases due to Campylobacter spp., G. lamblia, and rotavirus. No significant seasonal incidence of specific pathogens was found, but the number of diarrheal patients was significantly correlated to rainfall. Drinking water was contaminated with bacteria at concentrations ranging from 103 to 106 CFU/ml in 98% of the households and by coliform bacteria at concentrations of 102 to 105 CFU/ml in 72% of the households. These results suggest that the main routes of infection may be contaminated drinking water and fecal‐oral transmission of enteric pathogens. Consequently, we propose that the enhancement of hygienic practice through health education is a feasible control measure of diarrhea in the study area.
Characteristics of IgA Anti‐HIV Antibodies in Plasma from Patients with HIV Infection
Authors: Matsuda Shunji , Noda Masahird , Toyota Akie , Tokumoto Shizuyo , Miyata Masahiko 
Published: November 2013

AbstractThe concentration of total IgA and the specificity and molecular size of IgA anti‐human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type‐1 antibodies in plasma obtained from individuals at different stages of HIV infection were analyzed. The concentration of total IgA in the plasma was not decreased even in the late stage of HIV infection, in contrast with those of total IgG and IgM. The IgA anti‐HIV antibodies differed to the IgG anti‐HIV antibodies in their specificity as determined by Western blotting. The IgA antibodies mainly bind to Env glycoproteins. The IgA anti‐HIV antibodies in plasma were detected between IgG and IgM by gel filtration, suggesting the presence of polymeric IgA anti‐HIV antibodies. These results indicate that the production of non‐specific IgA in plasma is enhanced by unknown mechanisms in every stages of HIV infection, and suggest that IgA anti‐HIV antibodies in plasma which are possibly polymeric and have unique specificity may play an important role in HIV infection.
Hyaluronidase Activity in Human Pus from Which Streptococcus intermedius Was Isolated
Authors: Takao Ayuko , Nagashima Hiroyuki , Usui Hiroyuki , Sasaki Fumihiko , Maeda Nobuko , Ishibashi Katsunori , Fujita Hiroshi 
Published: November 2013

AbstractHyaluronidase (HAase) activity was detected in both a human pus sample and the culture supernatant of the only bacterial isolate from the pus, Streptococcus intermedius, using a zymographic technique. The optimum pH range for HAase activity was similar for both samples. Although the bands showing the strongest HAase activity of these samples differed from each other with respect to molecular size, both samples were equally inhibited by an antiserum raised against HAase of S. intermedius. These results suggest that S. intermedius may produce HAase in vivo as well as in vitro, and that this enzyme and/or its fragments may play an important role in host tissue degradation.
Intracytoplasmic Localization of Antigenic Heat‐Stable 120‐ to 130‐Kilodalton Proteins (PS120) Common to Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiae Demonstrated by Immunoelectron Microscopy
Authors: Uchiyama Tsuneo 
Published: November 2013

AbstractImmunoelectron microscopy demonstrated antigenic heat‐stable 120‐ to 130‐kilodalton proteins (PS120) of spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiae with antiserum against recombinant PS120 of Rickettsia japonica. In the case of R. japonica, a major part of the protein was shown to be localized outside the electron‐lucent nucleoid‐like region in the cytoplasm of the organisms. The other SFG rickettsiae represented a similar localization of the PS120 antigens cross‐reactive to that of R. japonica. On the other hand, a typhus group rickettsia demonstrated no antigens cross‐reactive to the PS120 of SFG rickettsiae.
Genotypic Analysis of the 5′‐Untranslated Region of a Pestivirus Strain Isolated from Human Leucocytes
Authors: Giangaspero Massimo , Harasawa Ryô , Verhulst Antoine 
Published: November 2013

AbstractThe 5′‐untranslated genomic region of the pestivirus strain Europa, originated in human leucocytes and previously identified as bovine diarrhea virus (BVDV), was amplified by reverse transcription‐PCR and sequenced. Analyses based on primary nucleotide sequence homology and on secondary palindromic sequence structures characteristic to genotypes revealed that this human isolate should be assigned to a novel genotype of pestivirus, type Ic. This newly emerged genotype was related to, but distinguishable from the three known BVDV genotypes, Ia, Ib and II. Three other bovine field isolates of BVDV originated from Germany were also found to belong to this new genotype Ic. Within pestivirus genotype Ic strains, the overall nucleotide sequence homology was 95–96%, and 88–92%, 88–90% and 77–79% with the other BVDV genotypes Ia, Ib and II, respectively. With the strains from border disease virus (genotype III) and hog cholera virus (genotype IV), homologies were less than 75%.
Differentiation of Coxiella burnetii by Sequence Analysis of the Gene (com1) Encoding a 27‐kDa Outer Membrane Protein
Authors: Zhang Guo Quan , To Ho , Yamaguchi Tsuyoshi , Fukushi Hideto , Hirai Katsuya 
Published: November 2013

AbstractThe gene (com1) encoding a 27‐kDa outer membrane protein in 21 strains of Coxiella burnetii from a variety of clinical and geographical sources was sequenced for strain differentiation. The com1 gene was highly conserved among all the strains tested but there were several differences in nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences. Based on the com1 gene‐specific nucleotides and deduced amino acids, the 21 strains were divided into four groups. Group 1 contained 14 strains originating from ticks, cattle and human cases of acute Q fever. Groups 2 and 3 included 2 and 3 strains, respectively, originating from human cases of chronic Q fever. Group 4 contained 2 strains originating from a human case of acute Q fever and a goat with abortion. The results indicated that the strains originating from ticks, cattle and human cases of acute Q fever differed at the molecular level from those of human chronic Q fever. This study suggests that a sequence analysis of the com1 gene can be used for strain differentiation of C. burnetii.
Antigenic Characteristics of Polypeptides of Coxiella burnetii Isolates
Authors: To Ho , Hotta Akitoyo , Zhang Guo Quan , Van Nguyen Sa , Ogawa Motohiko , Yamaguchi Tsuyoshi , Fukushi Hideto , Amano Ken‐ichi , Hirai Katsuya 
Published: November 2013

AbstractEighteen Coxiella burnetii strains from a variety of clinical and geographical sources were screened for antigenic variation of polypeptides by sodium dodecyl sulfate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS‐PAGE) coupled with Coomassie brilliant blue (CBB) staining or immunoblotting. These polypeptide profiles showed the greatest variability in the region from 33 to 8.1 kDa. Such differences in the antigenicity of the polypeptides were also recognized by immunoblotting with 15 various mouse anti‐C. burnetii antisera. In addition, we detected a polypeptide at about 28 kDa which was immunodominant in strains from human cases of acute Q fever, milk and ticks but not immunogenic in strains from human cases of chronic Q fever. These findings suggest that this polypeptide is a marker to distinguish between acute and chronic strains.
Enhancement of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 (HIV‐1) Infection via Increased Membrane Fluidity by a Cationic Polymer
Authors: Owada Takashi , Miyashita Yuko , Motomura Tadahiro , Onishi Makoto , Yamashita Shuzo , Yamamoto Naoki 
Published: November 2013

AbstractCationic polymers are known to have potent activity against bacteria, but their effects on viral activity have been little studied. We investigated the effect of one such polymer, polyethyleneimine (PEI), on HIV‐1 infection. Although virus‐cell binding was significantly inhibited by PEI, HIV‐1 infection in human T‐cell lines such as MT‐4 and MOLT‐4 was accelerated conversely when the drug treatment was carried out, after the virus had attached to the cells or PEI was simultaneously added to the virus and cell culture system. This paradoxical effect of PEI on HIV‐1 infection was examined using HIV‐1 chronically infected cells (MOLT‐4/HIV‐1). Dissociation of the glycoprotein gp120 (as revealed by exposure of transmembrane protein gp41) from MOLT‐4/HIV‐1 cells and the resultant fusion of these cells was shown to be induced by the addition of PEI. Accordingly, it was suggested that the binding inhibition of HIV‐1 to CD4‐positive cells by PEI was due to the shedding of gp120 from HIV‐1 particles, and this PEI rather promoted membrane fusion between the virus and cells leading to the enhancement of HIV‐1 infection. Similarly, dissociation of gp120 from MOLT‐4/HIV‐1 was also induced by sCD4. The effect of these reagents on changes in membrane fluidity was evaluated by polarization (p) measurements, and it was observed that the acceleration of membrane fluidity occurred only in the PEI system. Therefore, it is likely that PEI accelerates HIV‐1 infection by facilitating virus entry into the host cells through an increase in membrane fluidity.
Evaluation of a Recombinant 27‐kDa Outer Membrane Protein of Coxiella burnetii as an Immunodiagnostic Reagent
Authors: Zhang Guo Quan , Hotta Akitoyo , Ho To , Yamaguchi Tsuyoshi , Fukushi Hideto , Hirai Katsuya 
Published: November 2013

AbstractThe 27‐kDa outer membrane protein from eight strains of Coxiella burnetii was expressed in the pET‐21c protein expression system. Two fusion proteins with molecular masses of 30 and 32 kDa were evident in all eight of the recombinants by SDS‐PAGE and immunoblotting. A protein having an approximate size of 30 kDa was purified from the Escherichia coli lysates by one‐step affinity purification. The utility of the purified recombinant protein in ELISA was also evaluated by testing its reactivity with human sera and comparing this reactivity with that of Nine Mile phase II antigen. All of the 40 IF‐positive serum samples were ELISA‐positive for both the Nine Mile phase II and recombinant antigens, and negative serum controls were negative for both antigens. These results suggest that ELISA with the 27‐kDa recombinant antigen is a sensitive and specific method for detecting anti‐C. burnetii antibodies in human sera.
Combined Use of Bacteriophage Typing and Pulsed‐Field Gel Electrophoresis in the Epidemiological Analysis of Japanese Isolates of Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7
Authors: Izumiya Hidemasa , Masuda Takashi , Ahmed Rafiq , Khakhria Rasik , Wada Akihito , Terajima Jun , Itoh Ken‐ichiro , Johnson Wendy M. , Konuma Hirotaka , Shinagawa Kunihiro , Tamura Kazumichi , Watanabe Haruo 
Published: November 2013

AbstractA total of 236 enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) O157:H7 isolates in Japan were investigated by bacteriophage typing, and the results were compared with those of pulsed‐field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Seven phage types (PTs) were observed in 71 isolates which were derived from 22 outbreaks. All of the isolates from ten outbreaks in the Kinki region (midwestern part of Japan) in July‐August 1996 were grouped into the same PFGE type (IIa) and PT 32, while among total isolates, there were such varieties as PFGE type IIa containing five phage types and PT32 containing two PFGE types. These results suggest that the ten outbreaks should be considered to be a single outbreak, and show that the combined use of bacteriophage typing and PFGE enhances reliability in epidemiological surveys.
Incidence of Prevotella intermedia and Prevotella nigrescens in Periodontal Health and Disease
Authors: Maeda Nobuko , Okamoto Masaaki , Kondo Kenichiro , Ishikawa Hiroyuki , Osada Reiko , Tsurumoto Akihisa , Fujita Hiroshi 
Published: November 2013

AbstractThe incidence of black‐pigmented rods (BPRs), especially Prevotella intermedia and Prevotella nigrescens, in periodontal health and disease were examined. Furthermore, the degradative enzyme activities of P. intermedia were compared among the strains from periodontal health and disease. Microbiological specimens were collected from subgingival crevice or periodontal pocket by paper point. The BPRs were found in 71.1% of periodontally healthy subjects (n = 45), and in 47.1% of healthy sites (n = 34) and 87.8% of active sites (n = 41) among periodontally diseased patients. Porphyromonas gingivalis was detected only in active sites of periodontally diseased patients (17.8% of 180 strains). P. intermedia was the predominant BPR in both healthy and active sites (37.3 and 41.7%, respectively) of the patients. However, P. nigrescens was the predominant BPR (70.5% of 173 strains) in periodontally healthy subjects. The enzyme activities of esterase, esterase‐lipase, acid‐phosphatase and α‐fucosidase of P. intermedia strains isolated from active sites in patients were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than those of healthy subjects. The results suggest that P. intermedia might increase the activity of degradative enzymes under a certain condition and support the progression of periodontitis.
Immune Control of Chlamydial Growth in the Human Epithelial Cell Line RT4 Involves Multiple Mechanisms That Include Nitric Oxide Induction, Tryptophan Catabolism and Iron Deprivation
Authors: Igietseme Joseph U. , Ananaba Godwin A. , Candal Debra H. , Lyn Deborah , Black Carolyn M. 
Published: November 2013

AbstractThe antimicrobial activity of T cell‐derived cytokines, especially interferon (IFN)‐γ, against intracellular pathogens, such as Chlamydia trachomatis, involves the induction of 3 major biochemical processes: tryptophan catabolism, nitric oxide (NO) induction and intracellular iron (Fe) deprivation. Since the epithelial cell is the natural target of chlamydial infection, the presence of these antimicrobial systems in the cell would suggest that they may be involved in T cell control of intracellular multiplication of Chlamydia. However, the controversy over whether these 3 antimicrobial processes are present in both mice and humans has precluded the assessment of the relative contribution of each of the 3 mechanisms to chlamydial inhibition in the same epithelial cell from either mice or humans. In the present study, we identified a Chlamydia‐susceptible human epithelial cell line, RT4, that possesses the 3 antimicrobial systems, and we examined the role of nitric oxide (NO) induction, and deprivation of tryptophan or Fe in cytokine‐induced inhibition of chlamydiae. It was found that the 3 antimicrobial systems contributed to cytokine‐mediated inhibition of the intracellular growth of Chlamydia. NO induction accounted for ~20% of the growth inhibition; tryptophan catabolism contributed approximately 30%; iron deprivation was least effective; but the combination of the 3 systems accounted for greater than 60% of the inhibition observed. These results indicate that immune control of chlamydial growth in human epithelial cells may involve multiple mechanisms that include NO induction, tryptophan catabolism and Fe deprivation.
Prevalence of Human Melioidosis on Hainan Island in China
Authors: Yang Song , Tong Shide , Mo Chengjin , Jiang Zhongjun , Yang Sun , Ma Yuhai , Lu Zhenzi 
Published: November 2013

AbstractEight human cases of melioidosis were diagnosed at Hainan People's Hospital over a period of one year. Four of the cases were of septicemia form, while the rest were of chronic form with abscesses in different organs. All the isolates were intrinsically resistant to cefazolin, cefuroxime, and gentamicin, while being rather sensitive to ampicillin/sulbactam, ticarcillin/clavulanic acid, and imipenem. A serological survey of exotoxin antibodies at different farms showed that Xinglong was a farm seriously devastated by Burkholderia pseudomallei, while the mountainous farm of Licai had the lowest prevalence (P < 0.01). From the results of serological survey and melioidosis case distribution, it could be clearly seen that melioidosis predominantly exists in coastal plain regions around this island, where the altitude above sea‐level is below 100 m, the annual rainfall is up to 2,300 mm and a rather warm climate in coldest months of December and January.
Purification and Characterization of Enterotoxin Produced by Aeromonas sobria
Authors: Fujii Yoshio , Nomura Tomohiko , Kanzawa Hiromi , Kameyama Michio , Yamanaka Hiroyasu , Akita Masahiko , Setsu Kojun , Okamoto Keinosuke 
Published: November 2013

AbstractWe purified the toxin of Aeromonas sobria capable of inducing a positive response in the mouse intestinal loop assay. The purified toxin showed a positive response not only in the loop assay but also in a hemolytic assay. Subsequently, we cloned the toxin gene and demonstrated that the product of this gene possessed both hemolytic and enterotoxic activities. These results showed that the enterotoxin of A. sobria possesses hemolytic activity. Nucleotide sequence determination of the toxin gene and amino acid sequence analysis of the purified toxin revealed that it is synthesized as a precursor composed of 488 amino acid residues, and that the 24 amino‐terminal amino acid residues of the precursor is removed in the mature toxin. As antiserum against the purified toxin neutralized the fluid accumulation induced by living cells not only of A. sobria but also of A. hydrophila, this and antigenically related toxin(s) are thought to play an essential role in the induction of diarrhea by these organisms. The toxin‐injured Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells induced the release of intracellular lactose dehydrogenase (LDH). The release of LDH from CHO cells and the lysis of erythrocytes by the toxin were repressed by the addition of dextran to the reaction solution, indicating that the toxin forms pores in the membranes and that the cells were injured by the osmotic gradient developed due to pore formation. However, the histopathological examination of intestinal cells exposed to the toxin showed that it caused fluid accumulation in the mouse intestinal loop without causing cellular damage.
Heterogeneity of Phenotypic and Genotypic Traits Including Organic‐Acid Resistance in Escherichia coli O157 Isolates
Authors: Horii Toshinobu , Barua Soumitra , Kimura Taku , Kasugai Shin , Sato Kumiko , Shibayama Keigo , Ichiyama Satoshi , Ohta Michio 
Published: November 2013

AbstractWe undertook an epidemiologic study for the sensitivity of both Shiga‐like toxin (Slt)‐producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O157 and non‐STEC O157 strains isolated from different patients with diarrhea to hydrochloric acid (HCl) and organic acids such as acetate, propionate, butyrate and lactate, and other pathogenic factors. The E. coli O157 isolates examined showed a wide variety of organic‐acid susceptibility patterns. E. coli O157 isolates resistant to HCl or acetate were found more frequently than those resistant to other organic acids. These isolates also showed diverse pathogenicity patterns for the presence of the virulence genes, antibiotic susceptibility and plasmid profile.
Identification of a Novel DNA‐Binding Protein from Mycobacterium bovis Bacillus Calmette‐Guérin
Authors: Matsumoto Sohkichi , Yukitake Hideharu , Furugen Makoto , Matsuo Takemitsu , Mineta Takao , Yamada Takeshi 
Published: November 2013

AbstractA novel DNA‐binding protein expressed (8–10% in total protein) in Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette‐Guérin was observed. This protein was designated mycobacterial DNA‐binding protein 1 (MDP1). MDP1 recognized bases, sugar moieties, phosphate‐backbone on DNA and preferentially bound to DNA guanine and cytosine. In the gel retardation assay, MDP1 preferentially bound to closed circular plasmid DNA than open circular and linear form plasmid DNA and also bound to RNA. MDP1 formed a highly polymerized structure and localized not only in the nucleoid but also at the 50S ribosomal subunits and cell surface. MDP1 was conserved in Mycobacterium thus far examined and the expression was enhanced in stationary growth phases. These results will provide a reasonable basis for further study of the function of MDP1 in living mycobacteria.
A 63 kDa Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitor Released from a Human Monocytic Leukemia Cell Line, THP‐1
Authors: Aso Hisashi , Yoshie Osamu , Tomioka Yoshihisa , Rose Michael T. , Mizugaki Michinao 
Published: November 2013

AbstractA human monocytic cell line, THP‐1‐S, was cultured in a serum‐free medium. The effect of the culture supernatant of THP‐1‐S on the cytotoxicity of rTNF‐α to three kinds of cell lines and the binding of rTNF to its receptor were tested. The supernatant inhibited the cytotoxicity of rTNF‐α when tested by the neutral red uptake method. In addition, the supernatant blocked the binding of 125I‐rTNF‐α to its receptor. Furthermore, following precipitation with PEG we detected complexes between rTNF‐α and the inhibitory factor which formed during incubation with the culture supernatant from THP‐1‐S cells. However, the supernatant did not bind to or down‐regulate the receptor for TNF‐α on the cell surface of L‐M‐2d6 cells. This factor eluted with an apparent molecular mass of 63,000 Da by gel filtration and did not react with antibodies against p55 and p75 TNF receptors. These data suggest that human monocytic cells are capable of releasing an inhibitory factor against rTNF‐α in serum‐free culture conditions.