Human Keratinocyte Entry of Noninvasive Streptococcus dysgalactiae Subsp. equisimilis from Humans and Companion Animals: Relatedness with Lancefield Group, Source, Virulence-Associated Genes, and Antimicrobial Resistance Phenotype.

We evaluated the cell invasion ability (CIA) of non-invasive Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis using human keratinocytes and determined the association of CIA populations with their hosts and microbiological traits. Forty-two isolates from humans and companion animals were selected with host information.

Biofilm Production Ability of Streptococcus dysgalactiae Subsp. equisimilis: Associations with Host Species, Lancefield Group, Source, Clonal Complex, and Virulence-Associated Genes.

We assessed the biofilm production ability (BPA) of noninvasive Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis (SDSE) in humans and companion animals and determined the relationship between bacterial populations with BPA and other host and microbiological features. Sixty-four isolates from companion animals and humans were collected along with host information.

Genogrouping of type II-A CRISPR array in Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis from humans and companion animals compared to multilocus sequence and emm typing.

We evaluated the feasibility of type II-A clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) array-based genogrouping using Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. Equisimilis isolates from 32 humans and 8 companion animals and compared Simpson's diversity index of this genogrouping to those of multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and emm genotyping. CRISPRCasFinder detected a type II-A CRISPR array with the same repeat sequences in three whole-genome sequences.

Comparison between Invasive and Non-Invasive Streptococcus agalactiae Isolates from Human Adults, Based on Virulence Gene Profiles, Capsular Genotypes, Sequence Types, and Antimicrobial Resistance Patterns.

This study assessed whether invasive group B Streptococcus (GBS) isolates were similar to non-invasive isolates from adult patients. Invasive and non-invasive GBS isolates were collected from three hospitals and two laboratory centers between January 2015 and October 2019. The isolates were identified by 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing and amplification of the GBS-specific dltS gene.

Prevalence of blaZ Gene and Performance of Phenotypic Tests to Detect Penicillinase in Staphylococcus aureus Isolates from Japan.

Guidelines recommend that clinical laboratories perform phenotypic tests (nitrocefin-based test and penicillin 10-U [P10] or 1-U [P1] zone edge tests) to detect penicillinase in Staphylococcus aureus isolates. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of blaZ encoding penicillinase and perform various phenotypic tests in S. aureus isolates from Japan.

Characterization of azithromycin-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolated in Tokyo in 2005-2011.

A total of 122 Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolated in the Tokyo metropolitan area in 2005-2011 were collected and analyzed by N. gonorrhoeae multiantigen sequence typing (NG-MAST) and for their susceptibility to azithromycin and ceftriaxone. All 122 strains were susceptible to ceftriaxone, but 8 strains were azithromycin-resistant, defined as an azithromycin MIC ≥ 1 μg/ml.

Effects of Y-39983, a selective Rho-associated protein kinase inhibitor, on blood flow in optic nerve head in rabbits and axonal regeneration of retinal ganglion cells in rats.

Purpose: To investigate the effects of Y-39983, a selective Rho-associated coiled coil-forming protein kinase inhibitor, on blood flow in the optic nerve head (ONH) in rabbits and axonal regeneration of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) in rats.

Methods: Blood flow in ONH was measured by the laser speckle method after topical administration of 0.05% Y-39983 solution or its vehicle in rabbit eyes.

PACAP induces neurite outgrowth in cultured trigeminal ganglion cells and recovery of corneal sensitivity after flap surgery in rabbits.

Purpose: To evaluate the ability of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) to induce growth of neuronal processes in cultured trigeminal ganglion cells, and to accelerate neurite outgrowth and recovery of corneal sensitivity after creation of a corneal flap in a rabbit model of laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) surgery.

Design: Animal study.

Methods: The cDNA of rabbit PACAP was sequenced, and the expression of PACAP receptors in the trigeminal ganglia from rabbits was quantified by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction.