A case of autoimmune hepatitis with Graves' disease treated by propylthiouracil.

A 58-year-old woman was referred to our hospital because of liver dysfunction. Her serum levels of AST (619 IU/l) and ALT (603 IU/l) had increased. Histological findings in the liver biopsy were compatible to autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), and the diagnosis of AIH was confirmed by the diagnostic criteria.

Comparison of human blood concentrations of collectin kidney 1 and mannan-binding lectin.

Mannan-binding lectin (MBL) was first discovered as a collectin in animal blood, and was shown to have such unique characteristics as a collage-like domain and a carbohydrate recognition domain. We recently identified human collectin kidney 1 (CL-K1, COLEC11) from a human kidney cDNA library. To quantitate the CL-K1 concentration in blood, we developed several polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies using recombinant human CL-K1 in CHO cells and the CL-K1 fragment in Escherichia coli.

Genetic diversity of Mycobacterium avium subsp. hominissuis strains isolated from humans, pigs, and human living environment.

Mycobacterium avium subsp. hominissuis (MAH) strains are genetically diverse and cause infections in pigs and humans. To elucidate the geographical and host-dependent variations in the genetic diversity of MAH, we performed variable numbers of tandem repeat (VNTR) analysis targeting 19 loci for MAH samples from humans (n=146), bathroom environments (n=37), and pigs (n=75) in Japan; these data were then compared with previously reported VNTR data from other countries.

The induction of human CL-P1 expression in hypoxia/reoxygenation culture condition and rat CL-P1 after ischemic/reperfusion treatment.

Background: Oxidative stress-induced endothelial dysfunction and oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL) might play a key role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. We recently identified a vascular endothelial scavenger receptor, collectin placenta 1 (CL-P1), which acts as a receptor for oxidized LDL as well as for microbes.

Methods: We demonstrate how hypoxic and oxidative stress induced CL-P1 expression and compared their effects with the expression of lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor 1 (LOX-1), an endothelial scavenger receptor expressed by oxidative stress.

Involvement of TRP channels in the signal transduction of bradykinin in human osteoblasts.

Bradykinin (BK), a mediator of pain and inflammation, is involved in bone metabolism. We have previously reported that BK increased the synthesis of interleukin-6 and prostaglandin E(2) via phosphorylation of ERK1/2 in human osteoblasts, SaM-1. In the present study, we investigated the signal transduction pathway of BK focusing on intracellular Ca(2+) kinetics in SaM-1 cells.

Impact of the E540V amino acid substitution in GyrB of Mycobacterium tuberculosis on quinolone resistance.

Amino acid substitutions conferring resistance to quinolones in Mycobacterium tuberculosis have generally been found within the quinolone resistance-determining regions (QRDRs) in the A subunit of DNA gyrase (GyrA) rather than the B subunit of DNA gyrase (GyrB). To clarify the contribution of an amino acid substitution, E540V, in GyrB to quinolone resistance in M. tuberculosis, we expressed recombinant DNA gyrases in Escherichia coli and characterized them in vitro.

[Molecular mechanism of the acquisition of new-quinolone resistance in Mycobacterium leprae and M. tuberculosis and rapid differentiation methods for resistant bacilli].

Drugs included in new-quinolone are used for the treatment of leprosy with single lesion. These drugs are also known to be effective drugs for the treatment of multi-drug resistant M. tuberculosis.

Genotypes and characteristics of clustering and drug susceptibility of Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates collected in Heilongjiang Province, China.

For the last decade China has occupied second place, after India, among the top five countries with high burdens of tuberculosis (TB). Heilongjiang Province is located in northeastern China. The prevalence of drug-resistant TB in Heilongjiang Province is higher than the average level in China.

Possible mode of emergence for drug-resistant leprosy is revealed by an analysis of samples from Mexico.

Mexico is a country with sporadic leprosy cases, and the reemergence of drug resistance is a concern. In this study, molecular analysis of Mycobacterium leprae was employed to clarify the spread of drug-resistant leprosy. Thus, drug resistance-determining regions in the folP1, rpoB, and gyrA genes, which are associated with resistance to dapsone, rifampicin, and ofloxacin, respectively, were analyzed by direct sequencing of the PCR product.

[Novel method for simple detection of mutations conferring drug resistance in Mycobacterium leprae, based on a DNA microarray, and its applicability in developing countries].

The simple method to detect mutations conferring resistant to dapsone, rifampicin, and quinolone was exploited in Mycobacterium. leprae on the basis of reverse DNA hybridization with capture probe fixed to the glass slide. Mutations were discriminated by a series of oligonucleotide probes corresponding to each mutation in the folP1, rpoB, and gyrA genes of M.

A novel method for the purification of DNA by capturing nucleic acid and magnesium complexes on non-woven fabric filters under alkaline conditions for the gene diagnosis of tuberculosis by loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP).

A novel method for purifying DNA from clinical samples based on the complex formation of DNA and magnesium ion (Mg(2+)) was developed for the detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The formation of a DNA-Mg(2+) complex under alkaline conditions was observed by analyzing electrophoretic mobility reduction of DNA on agarose gel. The DNA-Mg(2+) complex increases the efficacy of DNA recovery from the sample solution on polyethylene terephthalate non-woven fabric (PNWF) filters.

Occurrence and molecular characteristics of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius in an academic veterinary hospital.

Recently, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (MRSP) have been increasingly isolated from veterinarians and companion animals. With a view to preventing the spread of MRSA and MRSP, we evaluated the occurrence and molecular characteristics of each in a veterinary college. MRSA and MRSP were isolated from nasal samples from veterinarians, staff members, and veterinary students affiliated with a veterinary hospital.

Identification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis clinical isolates in Bangladesh by a species distinguishable multiplex PCR.

Background: Species identification of isolates belonging to the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTC) seems to be important for the appropriate treatment of patients, since M. bovis is naturally resistant to a first line anti-tuberculosis (TB) drug, pyrazinamide, while most of the other MTC members are susceptible to this antimicrobial agent. A simple and low-cost differentiation method was needed in higher TB burden countries, such as Bangladesh, where the prevalence of M.

[Zoonotic aspects of tuberculosis caused by Mycobacterium bovis].

Pathogens transmitting between the environment, wildlife, livestock and humans are major health concerns for human and domestic animal and in addition, for the sustainability of agriculture and the conservation of wildlife. Among pathogens causing zoonosis, Genus Mycobacterium including Mycobacterium tuberculosis, M. bovis, M.

Development of novel humanized anti-CD20 antibodies based on affinity constant and epitope.

We describe novel humanized anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) developed for therapeutic use on the basis of their physicochemical properties and cellular cytotoxicity. A distinct correlation between apparent dissociation constants (K(d)) and apoptotic activity for eight murine anti-CD20 mAbs (OUBM1-OUBM8) and previously-developed murine anti-CD20 mAbs enabled us to categorize anti-CD20 mAbs into two groups. Group A mAbs had lower K(d) values and did not induce definite apoptosis, while Group B mAbs had greater K(d) values and did induce definite apoptosis.

Application of a modified loop-mediated isothermal amplification kit for detecting Norovirus genogroups I and II.

Norovirus is a major etiologic agent in worldwide outbreaks of gastroenteritis associated with food as well as person-to-person transmission. The ubiquitous nature of Norovirus necessitates simple and rapid detection methods with high accuracy and sensitivity. To this end, several investigators have evaluated the usefulness of commercial reverse-transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) kits for detecting Norovirus genogroups I (GI) and II (GII).

A rapid, simple, and sensitive loop-mediated isothermal amplification method to detect toxigenic Vibrio cholerae in rectal swab samples.

Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) method was designed for clinical diagnosis of Vibrio cholerae carrying the ctxA gene. The detection limits of the method were 5 fg of purified genomic DNA/reaction and 0.54 CFU/reaction.

Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) for the direct detection of human pulmonary infections with environmental (nontuberculosis) mycobacteria.

Most first-line anti-tuberculosis drugs have less in vitro activity against atypical mycobacteria. Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) was used for the rapid diagnosis of mycobacterial species. The sensitivity of LAMP was 96.

Epithelial inclusion cyst arising in an intramammary lymph node: case report with cytologic findings.

The occurrence of epithelial inclusion cysts (EIC) in axillary lymph nodes is a rare but well recognized entity, arising either from direct implantation or from embryonal rests. Theoretically, EIC can occur in intramammary lymph nodes, but there has been only one prior report of such a lesion. Here, we describe a case of an EIC arising in an intramammary lymph node of a 37-year-old woman.

Scavenger receptor collectin placenta 1 (CL-P1) predominantly mediates zymosan phagocytosis by human vascular endothelial cells.

Collectin placenta 1 (CL-P1), a recently discovered scavenger receptor, mediates the uptake of oxidized low density lipoprotein and microbes. In this study, we investigated CL-P1-mediated binding and ingestion of yeast-derived zymosan bioparticles using Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells stably expressing human CL-P1 (CHO/CL-P1) and human vascular endothelial cells constitutively expressed CL-P1. The uptake of zymosan by CHO/CL-P1 was dependent upon the level of CL-P1 expressed on the membrane and was inhibited by cytochalasin D and wortmannin.

A novel method for simple detection of mutations conferring drug resistance in Mycobacterium leprae, based on a DNA microarray, and its applicability in developing countries.

A simple method to detect mutations in the genome of Mycobacterium leprae that confer resistance to key drugs for leprosy was exploited on the basis of a reverse hybridization system. A series of oligonucleotide probes corresponding to each mutation in the folP1, rpoB and gyrA genes for dapsone, rifampicin and ofloxacin resistance, respectively, were selected and fixed on a glass slide as capture probes, to develop a DNA microarray termed the leprosy drug susceptibility-DNA microarray (LDS-DA). Mutations in clinical isolates of M.

Development of an in-house loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay for detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and evaluation in sputum samples of Nepalese patients.

A number of nucleic acid amplification assays (NAAs) have been employed to detect tubercle bacilli in clinical specimens for tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis. Among these, loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) is an NAA possessing superior isothermal reaction characteristics. In the present study, a set of six specific primers targeting the Mycobacterium tuberculosis 16S rRNA gene with high sensitivity was selected and a LAMP system (MTB-LAMP) was developed.

Immunolocalization of a novel collectin CL-K1 in murine tissues.

We have recently identified a novel collectin, CL-K1, that may play a role in innate immunity as a member of the collectin family. In this study using mice, we investigated the tissue distribution of CL-K1 for better understanding of its pathophysiological relevance. Real-time PCR analyses demonstrated that CL-K1 mRNA was expressed in all tissues tested.