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Biomedical subjects

K Mori

Publications and source records attributed to K Mori.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2005

Sex pheromone of the tsetse species, Glossina austeni: isolation and identification of natural hydrocarbons, and bioassay of synthesized compounds.

Copulatory responses of male Glossina austeni (Newstead) (Diptera: Glossinidae), that were elicited after contact with frozen female tsetse, were not observed after solvent washing of cuticular lipids. Chromatographic analysis of extracts from laboratory-reared and field-collected G. austeni females yielded natural hydrocarbons that were highly stimulatory to males. Most of this activity was produced by compounds in the alkene fraction. Gas chromatograms (GC) contained five natural alkenes; these were separated by preparative GC for bioassays conducted in Tanzania. The two major alkenes were identified using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to be 13,17-dimethyltritriacont-1-ene and 13,17-dimethylpentatriacont-1-ene, after the samples had undergone derivatization using dimethyl disulphide and saturation with deuterium. These alkenes and natural alkanes were quantified from G. austeni of both sexes from laboratory and field samples to confirm that their presence was consistent in this species. Trials of synthetic samples resulted in the order of biological activity for the stereoisomers of 13,17-dimethyltritriacont-1-ene as follows: S,R-33:1 > R,S- 33:1 > S,S-33:1 > R,R-33:1. Dose-response data showed an ED(50) at 5 microg per treated, solvent-washed male decoy. Of the four stereoisomers of 13,17-dimethylpentatriacont-1-ene, R,R-35:1 showed the most activity. This is the first report of alkene-induced sexual activity in males of the genus Glossina.

Alkenes↗
PubMed2005

Interferon alfa treatment for Sjogren's syndrome associated neuropathy.

Treatment response to interferon alfa (IFNalpha) is described in three consecutive cases of two forms of Sjogren's syndrome associated neuropathy (SSN)-two with sensory ataxic ganglionopathy and one with sensorimotor neuropathy with demyelinating features. All responded well to IFNalpha in terms of neuropathic symptoms, sicca symptoms, antibody titres, and findings in salivary gland biopsy specimens. IFNalpha thus showed promise in treating both SSN and the underlying Sjogren's syndrome.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

Powdery mildew pathogens can suppress the chitinase gene expression induced in detached inner epidermis of barley coleoptile.

Two-step PCR (RT-PCR and nested PCR) was used to detect gene expression in powdery mildew pathogen-infected cells of detached inner epidermis of barley coleoptiles. Cellular contents of infected cells were microscopically suctioned with a micropipette and subjected to PCR. Triosephosphate isomerase and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase genes involved in the glycolytic pathway and a stimulus-induced endochitinase gene were targeted, and their expression was determined by detecting cDNAs derived from spliced transcripts. The two gycolysis-related genes were constantly expressed in the tissue irrespective of pathogen inoculation. In contrast, chitinase gene expression was induced in non-infected inner epidermis after detachment. After inoculation, this expression was selectively suppressed in pathogen-invaded cells, in spite of continuous expression in non-invaded cells of the same epidermis. Thus, the present method enabled us to directly analyze transcripts in individual cells at the infection site and assess the capability of the pathogen to regulate host gene expression.

Biological Assay↗
PubMed2004

Mass-fractal clustering and power-law decay of cluster size in 1-propanol aqueous solution.

Mesoscale structure of 1-propanol aqueous solutions with propanol mole fraction xp ranging from 0.1 to 0.33 has been studied by means of small angle neutron scattering (SANS) and large-scale reverse Monte Carlo (RMC) technique. Analysis of the SANS intensities in terms of a fractal model shows that the fractal dimension df of mesoscale structure of the solution is about 1.8-1.9 for water-rich solution and about 1.5 for propanol-rich solution. Percolation analysis on the RMC results reveals that the water molecules and the propanol molecules cluster, respectively, as a mass fractal, the dimension dM of which is about 2.3-2.5 for both clusters for water-rich solution. Furthermore, the distribution of the cluster size is expressed by a simple power law with an exponent tau of about 1.35-1.5 for the propanol clusters and 1.05-1.2 for the water clusters. These results imply that the current solution is characterized by polydisperse mass fractals. In fact, a theoretical relation for polydisperse system of mass fractals, df = dM(2-tau), holds well in the current solution. The characteristic change in df from 1.8-1.9 to 1.5 described above is attributed to the crossover between the water-rich regime and the propanol-rich regime. Most of the water molecules and the propanol molecules are located on the interface between clusters, and the water molecules form thin layers of about 10 A thick irrespective of 1-propanol content studied.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2004

Dissecting aneurysm of the posterior communicating artery.

A 36-year-old male presented with an extremely rare dissecting aneurysm of the posterior communicating artery manifesting as severe occipital headache. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging revealed a partially thrombosed aneurysm of the right posterior communicating artery and angiography showed the pearl and string sign. Three months later, repeat angiography showed that the aneurysm was completely thrombosed and the posterior communicating artery was occluded. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging showed an intimal flap. These neuroradiological findings demonstrated that the aneurysm was a dissecting aneurysm of the right posterior communicating artery. He was discharged with no neurological deficit.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

IL-15 is superior to IL-2 in the generation of long-lived antigen specific memory CD4 and CD8 T cells in rhesus macaques.

Using tetanus toxoid (TT) and influenza (Flu) immunization of rhesus macaques as a model, the effect of IL-2 and IL-15 on the generation and maintenance of antigen specific memory T cells was evaluated following primary and secondary immunization. Daily cytokine administration expanded primarily effector but not memory cells, while spacing cytokine administration to q3-7 days markedly enhanced TT and Flu specific memory responses. Following primary immunization, TT specific CD4 and influenza matrix protein (Flu-MP) specific CD8 effector responses were enhanced by IL-2 administration but CD8 specific memory responses were no different from cytokine non-treated monkeys. In contrast, expansion of Flu specific CD8 cells with IL-15 was only modest but resulted in significantly elevated levels of memory cells at 6 months. IL-15 also significantly enhanced early and late TT specific CD4 responses. The highest levels of primary effector and memory T cells were observed following alternate administration of both IL-2 and IL-15. Following booster immunization, however, only IL-15 appeared able to enhance CD8 T cell responses while IL-2 or IL2/IL-15 administration were less effective.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMed2004

Pathology of early- vs late-onset TTR Met30 familial amyloid polyneuropathy.

BACKGROUND: Late-onset type I familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP TTR Met30) cases unrelated to endemic foci in Japan show clinical features setting them apart from early-onset cases in endemic foci. OBJECTIVE: To compare pathologic features between the early- and late-onset types. METHODS: Pathologic findings in FAP TTR Met30 with onset before age 50 in relation to endemic foci (11 cases) were compared with those in 11 later-onset cases unrelated to endemic foci. RESULTS: Sural nerve biopsy specimens showed predominantly small-fiber loss in early-onset cases; variable fiber size distribution, axonal sprouting, and relatively preserved unmyelinated fibers characterized late-onset cases. Autopsy cases representing both groups showed amyloid deposition throughout the length of nerves and in sympathetic and sensory ganglia, but amounts were greater in early-onset cases. Amyloid deposition and neuronal cell loss were greater in sympathetic than dorsal root ganglia in early-onset cases; the opposite was true in late-onset cases. Size assessment of remaining neurons in these ganglia suggested predominant loss of small neurons in early-onset cases but loss of neurons of all sizes in late-onset cases. Transthyretin-positive, Congo red-negative amorphous material was more conspicuous in nerves from late- than early-onset cases. In extraneural sites, amyloid was more conspicuous in thyroid and kidney from early-onset cases and in heart and hypophysis from late-onset cases. In early-onset cases, cardiac amyloid deposition was prominent in the atrium and subendocardium but was conspicuous throughout the myocardium in late-onset cases. CONCLUSION: The pathology of early- and late-onset FAP TTR Met30 correlated well with differences in clinical findings.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Experimental horizontal transmission of viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus (VHSV) in Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus.

Infection by viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus (VHSV) has recently occurred among wild and farmed Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus in Japan. In the present study, horizontal transmission of VHSV among Japanese flounder was experimentally demonstrated by immersion challenge. Exposure to a flounder isolate (Obama25) of VHSV revealed a dose-response, with higher mortality (81 and 70%) at the 2 higher exposure levels (6.0 and 4.0 log10 TCID50 ml(-1)). In a second experiment, high titers of VHSV were expressed from moribund and dead flounder based on virus detection in holding-tank waters 2 to 3 d prior to death of the fish and 1 d after death. The virus could not be detected in tank waters 2 d after death. Finally, a third cohabitation experiment in small tanks demonstrated horizontal transmission of VHSV from experimentally infected to uninfected fish.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Positional cloning of the rice Rf-1 gene, a restorer of BT-type cytoplasmic male sterility that encodes a mitochondria-targeting PPR protein.

The combination of cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) in one parent and a restorer gene ( Rf) to restore fertility in another are indispensable for the development of hybrid varieties. We have found a rice Rf-1 gene that restores BT-type CMS by applying a positional cloning strategy. Using linkage analysis in combination with 6,104 BC(1)F(3) progeny derived from a cross between two near-isogenic lines (NILs) differing only at the Rf-1 locus, we delimited the Rf-1 gene to a 22.4-kb region in the rice genome. Duplicate open reading frames ( Rf-1A and Rf-1B) with a pentatricopeptide (PPR) motif were found in this region. Since several insertions and/or deletions were found in the regions corresponding to both the Rf-1A and Rf-1B genes in the maintainer's allele, they may have lost their function. Rf-1A protein had a mitochondria-targeting signal, whereas Rf-1B did not. The Rf-1B gene encoded a shorter polypeptide that was determined by a premature stop codon. Based on the function of the Rf-1 gene, its product is expected to target mitochondria and may process the transcript from an atp6/orf79 region in the mitochondrial genome. Since the Rf-1A gene encodes a 791-amino acid protein with a signal targeting mitochondria and has 16 repeats of the PPR motif, we concluded that Rf-1A is the Rf-1 gene. Nine duplications of Rf-1A homologs were found around the Rf-1 locus in the Nipponbare genome. However, while some of them encoded proteins with the PPR motif, they do not restore BT-type CMS based on the lack of co-segregation with the restoration phenotype. These duplicates may have played diversified roles in RNA processing and/or recombination in mitochondria during the co-evolution of these genes and the mitochondrial genome.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2004

Identification of a SACS gene missense mutation in ARSACS.

The authors describe two patients in a Japanese family with autosomal recessive spastic ataxia of Charlevoix-Saguenay. They presented early onset spastic ataxia, sensorimotor neuropathy, nystagmus, slurred speech, and hypermyelinated retinal nerve fibers. The authors identified a homozygous missense mutation (T7492C) in the SACS gene, which resulted in the substitution of arginine for tryptophan at amino acid residue 2498 (W2498R).

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Correlation between dietary glycemic index and cardiovascular disease risk factors among Japanese women.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the correlation between dietary glycemic index (GI) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors among subjects who consume white rice as a staple food. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study was conducted to explore the associations between dietary GI, dietary glycemic load (GL) and dietary intakes, and CVD risk factors. Dietary GI and GL were calculated from a 3-day (including two consecutive weekdays and one holiday) dietary records. SETTING: A weight-reduction program at a municipal health center in Tokyo, Japan. SUBJECTS: A total of 32 women aged 52.5+/-7.2 y participated in the weight-reduction program. RESULT: The GI food list made for the current study calculated for 91% of carbohydrate intakes measured. The mean dietary GI was 64+/-6, and the mean dietary GL was 150+/-37. Individuals in the highest tertile of GI consumed more carbohydrate, mostly from white rice (P<0.001), and less fat (P<0.01). Individuals in all three groups by tertile of GL showed similar tendencies. In the lowest GI tertile, the highest concentration of HDL-cholesterol and lowest concentration of triacylglycerol and immunoreactive insulin were observed (P<0.01). In the lowest GL tertile, the highest concentration of HDL-cholesterol and the lowest concentration of triacylglycerol were observed (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Calculated dietary GI and GL were positively associated with CVD risk factors among the Japanese women who consumed white rice as a staple food.

Area Under Curve↗
PubMed2004

Effect of long-term body weight change on the incidence of hypertension in Japanese men and women.

OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the effect of long-term body weight changes on the subsequent incidence of hypertension in a large sample of community-residing Japanese males and females. METHODS: Subjects were 3431 men and 2409 women, between 30 and 69 y old, who underwent annual periodic health examinations from 1987 (baseline year) until 1996. They were free from hypertension during the first 5 y from the baseline year. Body weight change index between 1987 and 1992 was the body mass index (BMI) (weight (kg) over height (m) squared) slope. Multiple logistic analysis was performed to assess the effect of BMI slope on the incidence of hypertension during the subsequent 5 ys (1992-1996), while controlling for baseline age, BMI, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and smoking habit. RESULTS: During the first 5 y, the prevalence of overweight males (25.0< or =BMI<30.0) significantly increased from 18.4 to 23.5% in males and from 10.4 to 14.1% in females. In all, 11.7% of the males and 8.9% of the females developed hypertension between 1992 and 1996. Those who developed hypertension had a significantly higher baseline age, BMI, SBP and DBP both in males and females. The baseline smoking rate among the females who developed hypertension was significantly lower than those who did not develop the hypertension. After adjustment of these covariables by the multiple logistic analysis, the BMI slope was positively correlated with the incidence of hypertension both in females and males significantly. CONCLUSIONS: Weight gain increased the risk of developing hypertension independent of age and blood pressure level among relatively lean Japanese men and women.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Ophthalmic artery blood flow in patients with internal carotid artery occlusion.

AIM: To evaluate the risk factors for rubeosis iridis by colour Doppler imaging (CDI) in patients with complete internal carotid artery occlusion (ICAO). METHODS: 34 eyes of 32 consecutive patients with complete ICAO were enrolled. Using CDI, blood flow direction (forward, reverse, undetectable) in the ophthalmic artery (OA), central retinal artery (CRA), and short posterior ciliary artery (SPCA) were determined. Arterial mean blood velocity (Vmean) and resistive index (RI) were calculated and correlations between the rubeosis iridis incidence and CDI parameters analysed. RESULTS: The eyes were classified into four types according to blood flow direction: forward flow in OA, CRA, and SPCA (type 1; n = 11); reverse OA and forward CRA and SPCA flow (type 2a; n = 12); reverse OA and undetectable CRA and SPCA flow (type 2b; n = 8); undetectable flow in all three arteries (type 3; n = 3). Rubeosis iridis was seen only in type 2b and 3 eyes. Type 2b showed significantly (p<0.01) higher Vmean and lower RI values in the OA, indicating more rapid reverse flow than in type 2a eyes. Although in type 1 and 2a eyes OA flow was in opposite directions, they manifested no rubeosis iridis and no difference in the Vmean and RI values of the CRA and SPCA. CONCLUSIONS: The classification of eyes from patients with ICAO into four types by CDI may facilitate the identification of the eyes at high risk for rubeosis iridis. Markedly diminished flow in both the CRA and SPCA may result in rubeosis iridis, regardless of OA flow direction.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Pulsed wave Doppler tissue echocardiography assessment of the long axis function of the right and left ventricles during the early neonatal period.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the long axis function of both ventricles during the early neonatal period by using pulsed wave Doppler tissue (PWDT) echocardiography. DESIGN: PWDT echocardiography was recorded from the lateral sites of the mitral and tricuspid annuluses and the tip of interventricular septum in 130 neonates within 24 hours after birth (day 0 group), in 135 neonates 1-7 days after birth (day 1-7 group), and in 131 healthy children (children group). RESULTS: Peak systolic motion velocity (Sw) of the three ventricular walls positively correlated with the number of days after birth (p < 0.005). Compared with the children group, in neonates Sw in the right ventricle and peak early diastolic motion velocity (Ew) and peak atrial systolic motion velocity in the interventricular septum were lower than in the remaining two walls (p < 0.0005, p < 0.0001, and p< 0.0001, respectively). Although peak mitral and tricuspid flow velocities during early diastole (E) correlated with the number of hours after birth in the day 0 group, there was no significant change in the Ew of either ventricle. The E:Ew ratio of both ventricles was significantly higher in both neonate groups than in the children group (p < 0.001). The E:Ew ratio of the left ventricle was higher in the day 0 group than in the day 1-7 group (p < 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: The two ventricles differ in their normal PWDT echocardiographic values and in the parameter change after birth during the early neonatal period, which may reflect differences in ventricular adaptation after birth.

Echocardiography, Doppler, Pulsed↗
PubMed2004

[An adult congenital bronchoesophageal fistula with massive hemoptysis; report of a case].

A 67-year-old female was referred to our hospital because of bronchoesophageal fistula detected by upper gastro-intestinal series for cancer screening. The patient has had a history of coughing on liquid ingestion since childhood and she has been hospitalized 4 times for treatment of pneumonia during the past 20 years. While waiting the treatment, she was emergently admitted to the hospital because of massive hemoptysis. Transcatheter embolization of feeding arteries including the right inferior phrenic artery successfully controlled her hemoptysis. After reembolization of the feeding arteries for preventing massive hemorrhage during operation, posterolateral thoracotomy was performed. Surgical findings disclosed the bronchoesophageal fistula without inflammatory changes. She underwent fistulectomy combined resection of the middle and lower lobes which were destroyed by the repeated pneumonia. This case was considered type I congenital bronchoesophageal fistula according to Braimbridge and Keith classification because of the presence of diverticular projection which connected to the bronchus. Early diagnosis and rapid treatment are thought to be important for treating this disease.

Aged↗
PubMed2003

Detection of ion channel activity in Xenopus laevis oocytes expressing Influenza C virus CM2 protein.

To demonstrate the ion channel activity of Influenza C virus CM2, we expressed this protein in oocytes of Xenopus laevis and measured whole cell currents by a two-electrode voltage-clamp method. It was found that the inward currents were induced upon hyperpolarizing the oocyte membranes. The amplitude of the currents increased slowly with time during the hyperpolarizing pulse, and the current-voltage relationship was nonlinear, having a slope that increased with the level of hyperpolarization. These results suggest strongly that CM2 forms a voltage-activated ion channel. The current amplitude was increased to a small extent by lowering the external pH. We also found that the anti-influenza A virus drug amantadine hydrochloride failed to attenuate the inward currents of CM2-expressing oocytes induced by hyperpolarization. The reversal voltage of tail currents was affected by the reduction of [Cl-], but neither by the change of [Na+] nor by that of [K+]. Furthermore, the amplitude of the inward currents was decreased by an anion channel blocker. The data presented here suggest that CM2 protein forms a voltage-activated ion channel permeable to chloride ion.

Animals↗