Biomedical subjects

T Mori

Publications and source records attributed to T Mori.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

PubMed2005

Comparison of erythema and induration as results of tuberculin tests.

SETTING: Schoolchildren, tuberculosis (TB) patients, and hospital employees in Tokyo, Japan. OBJECTIVE: To compare erythema and induration resulting from tuberculin tests among TB patients, normal children, and hospital employees with and without evidence of atopy. DESIGN: The distributions of diameters of erythema and induration were compared among three groups: 951 TB patients, 6139 first-grade and 6185 seventh-grade children, and 97 volunteer employees classified as atopic or non-atopic on the basis of skin tests and serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) concentrations. RESULTS: Erythema and induration were highly correlated. The distribution of erythema diameters was unimodal, and the distribution of induration diameters was bimodal. Erythema was considerably greater than induration among persons classified as being atopic. CONCLUSION: Both erythema and induration appear to be adequate indices of tuberculin sensitivity. However, because most of the world uses induration as the index and virtually all studies of tuberculin sensitivity rely on induration, there are advantages in the use of induration. It would be desirable to initiate a large prospective study to see whether erythema or induration is the better predictor of subsequent tuberculous disease, and to confirm our finding that erythema is more likely to be confounded by atopy than induration.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Trends of delays in tuberculosis case finding in Japan and associated factors.

SETTING: Nationwide tuberculosis (TB) registry in Japan, 1987-2002. OBJECTIVE: To clarify the trends of patient's delay (PD), doctor's delay (DD) and total delay (TD), their relation and factors associated with the delays. DESIGN: Longitudinal study on trends in delays. Among patients with symptomatic smear-positive pulmonary TB, those with long PD (> or =2 months), DD (> or =1 month) and TD (> or =3 months) were analysed. RESULTS: Long PD rates increased until around 1997, whereas long DD rates decreased markedly from 1995 to 1999. Long TD rates increased until 1997, and decreased slightly thereafter. Men aged 30-59 years had higher rates of long PD, and the long PD rates increased through the 16-year observation period. Day labourers receiving or applying for welfare benefit had the highest rate of long TD, 46.5% during 1995-2002. Teachers and medical doctors showed the greatest increase in long TD rates through the period. CONCLUSION: Long TD was influenced more by PD than DD, and showed an upward trend. However, the long TD rate has declined slightly owing to the recent reduction in long DD. The reduction in DD since 1995 occurred immediately after the introduction of new technology in bacteriological examinations.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

Influence of different pneumoperitoneal pressures on tumor cell distribution in rats.

BACKGROUND: The effect of different pneumoperitoneal pressures on tumor cell distribution was investigated. METHODS: Donryu rats were allocated to receive carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum at 5, 10, or 15 mmHg for 60 min or to serve as a control. During the procedure, each rat was inoculated with radiolabeled ascites hepatoma cells via the portal vein (experiment 1) or femoral vein (experiment 2). In both experiments, the rats were killed 30, 60, 90, or 120 min after tumor cell inoculation, and the liver and lungs were extirpated for radioactivity count (n = 5 or 6 for each time point in each group). RESULTS: In experiment 1, the percentage of injected dose (% ID) for the liver was greater than for the other three groups 120 min after tumor cell inoculation. There were no significant differences in the %IDs of the lungs at any time point among the groups. In experiment 2, there were no significant differences in the %IDs of the liver and lungs at any time point among the groups. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that an elevated insufflation pressure facilitates the location of intraportally injected tumor cells in the liver, and that pulmonary location of the tumor cells may not depend on insufflation pressures in this animal model.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Study of time-dependent CP violation in B0-->J/psipi0 decays.

We report a measurement of CP asymmetry parameters in the decay B0(B (0))-->J/psipi(0), which is governed by the b-->cc d transition. The analysis is based on a 140 fb(-1) data sample accumulated at the Upsilon(4S) resonance by the Belle detector at the KEKB asymmetric-energy e(+)e(-) collider. One neutral B meson in the J/psipi(0) final state is fully reconstructed for events used in this analysis. The accompanying B meson flavor is identified by its decay products. From the distribution of proper-time intervals between the two B decays, we obtain the following CP-violating parameters: S(J/psipi(0))=-0.72+/-0.42(stat)+/-0.09(syst) and A(J/psipi(0))=-0.01+/-0.29(stat)+/-0.03(syst).

Journal Article↗

PubMed2004

Observation of B+-->LambdaLambdaK+.

We report the first observation of the charmless hyperonic B decay, B+-->LambdaLambdaK+, using a 140 fb(-1) data sample recorded at the Upsilon(4S) resonance with the Belle detector at the KEKB (e+)(e-) collider. The measured branching fraction is B(B+-->LambdaLambdaK+) = (2.91(+0.90)(-0.70) +/- 0.38) x 10(-6). We also perform a search for the related decay mode B+-->LambdaLambdapi+, but do not find a significant signal. We set a 90% confidence-level upper limit of B(B+-->LambdaLambdapi+) < 2.8 x 10(-6).

Journal Article↗

PubMed2004

New procedure for purse-string suture in thoracoscopic esophagectomy with intrathoracic anastomosis.

BACKGROUND: In endoscopic surgery, one of the greatest problems is the difficulty with the reconstructive procedure. This problem frequently makes operating times longer. The authors have performed thoracoscopic esophagectomy and intrathoracic esophagogastric anastomosis for reconstruction using a circular stapler for the esophageal cancer. Although the circular stapler is a useful device for gastrointestinal anastomosis, it was difficult to place a purse-string suture and to fixate the anvil into the proximal esophagus endoscopically. METHODS: The authors devised a new procedure for the placement of the purse-string suture by using an Endo-Stitch device along with a new method to incise the esophageal wall and thereby facilitate fixation of the anvil. RESULTS: The authors attempted this procedure for five patients. The anastomoses were performed successfully. CONCLUSIONS: The new procedure can make endoscopic intrathoracic anastomosis feasible and safe. In addition, this procedure can be applied widely to other endoscopic reconstructions.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗

PubMed2004

Search for CP violation in the decay B0-->D*+/-D-/+.

We report a search for CP-violating asymmetry in B0-->D(*+/-)D-/+ decays. The analysis employs two methods of B0 reconstruction: full and partial. In the full reconstruction method all daughter particles of the B0 are required to be detected; the partial reconstruction technique requires a fully reconstructed D- and only a slow pion from the D(*+)-->D0pi(+)(slow) decay. From a fit to the distribution of the time interval corresponding to the distance between two B meson decay points we calculate the CP-violating parameters and find the significance of nonzero CP asymmetry to be 2.7 standard deviations.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2004

Evidence for B+-->omegal+nu.

We have searched for the decay B+-->omegal(+)nu (l=e or mu) in 78 fb(-1) of Upsilon(4S) data (85x10(6)BB events) accumulated with the Belle detector. The final state is fully reconstructed using the omega decay into pi(+)pi(-)pi(0), combined with detector hermeticity to estimate the neutrino momentum. A signal of 414+/-125 events is found in the data, corresponding to a branching fraction of (1.3+/-0.4+/-0.2+/-0.3)x10(-4), where the first two errors are statistical and systematic, respectively. The third error reflects the estimated form-factor uncertainty.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2004

Inclusive measurement of the photon energy spectrum in b --> sgamma decays.

We report a fully inclusive measurement of the flavor changing neutral current decay b --> sgamma in the energy range 1.8 GeV < or = E*gamma < or = 2.8 GeV, covering 95% of the total spectrum. Using 140 fb(-1), we obtain B(b --> sgamma) = (3.55+/-0.32(+0.30+0.11)(-0.31-0.07)) x 10(-4), where the errors are statistical, systematic, and from theory corrections. We also measure the first and second moments of the photon energy spectrum above 1.8 GeV and obtain (Egamma) = 2.292+/-0.026+/-0.034 GeV and (E2gamma) - (Egamma)2 = 0.0305+/-0.0074+/-0.0063 GeV2, where the errors are statistical and systematic.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2004

Identification and characterization of novel developmentally regulated neural-specific proteins, BRINP family.

Processes of neuronal differentiation involve activation of a set of neuronal specific genes and cessation of cell proliferation in postmitotic neurons. Previous studies revealed that bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) and retinoic acid (RA) play important roles in the differentiation of peripheral sympathetic neurons such as the synergistic induction of responsiveness to specific neurotrophic factors. In the present study, while trying to clarify the mechanism of the BMP/RA-actions, we identified a novel neural-specific protein, BMP/RA-inducible neural-specific protein-1 (BRINP1) which shows no similarity to other known proteins. Subsequently, two homologous proteins, BRINP2 and BRINP3, making up the BRINP family, are identified. Individual BRINP genes have distinct regulatory mechanisms of expression within the nervous system. In rodent brain, BRINP1 is expressed from earlier developmental stage, i.e. E9.5, and widely expressed in various neuronal layers and nuclei of the adult animal, while BRINP2 and BRINP3 were detectable from E11.5 and expressed in rather limited regions in a complementary manner. During the course of perinatal development of sympathetic neurons, BRINP1 is induced from earlier embryonic stage and further increased toward adult stage, while BRINP3 expressed from earlier stage is replaced by BRINP2 expression which increases postnatally in accordance with the action of BMP2 and RA. Furthermore, when expressed in nonneuronal cells, all three BRINP family proteins suppressed the cell cycle progression. Possible physiological functions of BRINP family members in the development of the nervous system are discussed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2004

Upper bound on the decay tau-->microgamma from the Belle detector.

We have performed a search for the lepton-flavor-violating decay tau-->microgamma using a data sample of 86.3 fb(-1) accumulated by the Belle detector at KEK. No evidence for a signal is seen, and we set an upper limit for the branching fraction of B(tau-->microgamma)<3.1 x 10(-7) at the 90% confidence level.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2004

Double photoionization of C(60) and C(70) in the valence region.

Photoion yields from gaseous fullerenes, C(60) and C(70), for production of singly and doubly charged ions are measured by mass spectrometry combined with tunable synchrotron radiation at hnu=25-150 eV. Since the signal of triply or highly charged ions is very weak, the total photoionization yield curve can be estimated from the sum of the yields of the singly and doubly charged ions. A distinct feature appears in the resultant curve of C(60) which is absent in the calculated total photoabsorption cross section previously reported. This difference is attributed to C(60) (2+) ions chiefly produced by spectator Auger ionization of the shape resonance states followed by tunneling of the trapped electron or by cascade Auger ionization. Ratios between the yields of doubly and singly charged ions for C(60) and C(70) are larger than unity at hnu>50 eV. These ratios are quite different from those reported in the experiments using electron impact ionization.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2004

Measurement of /V(ub)/ using inclusive B-->X(u)lnu decays with a novel X(u)-reconstruction method.

We report the measurement of an inclusive partial branching fraction for charmless semileptonic B decay and the extraction of /V(ub)/. Candidates for B-->X(u)lnu are identified with a novel X(u) reconstruction method based on neutrino reconstruction via missing 4-momentum and a technique called "simulated annealing." Based on 86.9 fb(-1) of data taken with the Belle detector, we obtain DeltaB(B-->X(u)lnu;M(X)<1.7 GeV/c2,q2>8.0 GeV2/c2)=[7.37+/-0.89(stat)+/-1.12(syst)+/-0.55(b-->c)+/-0.24(b-->u)]x10(-4) and determine |V(ub)|=[4.66+/-0.28(stat)+/-0.35(syst)+/-0.17(b-->c)+/-0.08(b-->u)+/-0.58(theory)]x10(-3).

Journal Article↗

PubMed2004

ALL-1/MLL1, a homologue of Drosophila TRITHORAX, modifies chromatin and is directly involved in infant acute leukaemia.

Rearrangements of the ALL-1/MLL1 gene underlie the majority of infant acute leukaemias, as well as of therapy-related leukaemias developing in cancer patients treated with inhibitors of topoisomerase II, such as VP16 and doxorubicin. The rearrangements fuse ALL-1 to any of >50 partner genes or to itself. Here, we describe the unique features of ALL-1-associated leukaemias, and recent progress in understanding molecular mechanisms involved in the activity of the ALL-1 protein and of its Drosophila homologue TRITHORAX.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Observation of radiative B-->phi K gamma decays.

The radiative decay B-->phi K gamma is observed for the first time. The branching fraction for the charged B--->phi K- gamma decay mode is measured to be B(B--->phi K- gamma)=(3.4+/-0.9+/-0.4)x10(-6). The photon energy distribution for the B--->phi K- gamma decay is presented. The signal for the neutral B(0)-->phi K(0)gamma decay mode is not statistically significant and an upper limit, B(B(0)-->phi K(0)gamma)<8.3x10(-6) at 90% C.L., is set. The analysis is based on a data set of 90 fb(-1) collected by the Belle experiment at the e(+)e(-) asymmetric collider KEKB.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2004

Activation and development of porcine oocytes matured in vitro following injection of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate.

Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) is considered to be important for activation of mammalian oocytes at the time of fertilization, and activation induces a rise in intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) by release from the Ca2+ stores in the oocytes. Therefore, IP3 could act as an artificial activator of porcine oocytes. Activation and development, and rise in [Ca2+]i in matured oocytes injected with various concentrations of IP3 were investigated in this study. Porcine oocytes were recovered from the ovaries of prepubertal gilts, matured for 46-48 h and cultured in vitro for 7 days in following treatments as non-injected oocytes (NI), injected with carrier buffer, 2.5, 5 and 500 microM of IP3. The result showed that IP3 activated porcine oocytes matured in vitro (NI 3.8%, buffer 7.1%, 2.5 microM IP3 73.5%, 5 microM IP3 76.2%, 500 microM IP3 85.2%). There was a slight but not significant increase in the proportion of oocytes activated as the level of IP3 increased. The rate of development to the cleavage stage increased remarkably when the concentration of IP3 increased (NI 4.9%, buffer 5.7%, 2.5 microM IP3 30.3%, 5 microM IP3 47.1%, 500 microM IP3 78.1%). Blastocyst development was only observed in oocytes that had been injected with a higher concentration of IP3 (5 microM IP3 6.1% and 500 microM IP3 5.3%). Both the peak value and duration of [Ca2+]i rise also increased as the concentration of IP3 increased. Baseline values (ratio value, R) for [Ca2+]i ranged from 1.51 to 1.57 and was not affected by the buffer treatment. The peak value of [Ca2+]i rose significantly with increasing level of IP3 treatment (2.5 microM IP3, 3.54 +/- 0.32; 5 microM IP3, 7.50 +/- 0.37; 500 microM IP3, 8.54 +/- 0.33). Similarly, the duration of the [Ca2+]i rise increased as the level of IP3 increased (2.5 microM IP3, 43.7+/- 7.00 s; 5 microM IP3, 93.5 +/- 9.17 s; 500 microM IP3, 160.6 +/- 18.9 s). It was concluded that injected IP3 promotes the development of porcine matured oocytes and that their developmental ability is positively correlated with the rise in [Ca2+]i induced by IP3.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Clinical significance of cytomegalovirus (CMV) antigenemia in the prediction and diagnosis of CMV gastrointestinal disease after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

To evaluate the clinical significance of a cytomegalovirus (CMV) antigenemia assay in the prediction and diagnosis of CMV gastrointestinal (CMV-GI) disease after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), 19 allogeneic HSCT recipients developing CMV-GI disease were retrospectively reviewed. All patients were monitored by a CMV antigenemia assay, at least once weekly after engraftment. The median onset of CMV-GI disease occurred 31 days post transplant (range: 19-62). Only four of 19 patients (21%) developed a positive CMV antigenemia test before developing CMV-GI diseases. Although all 19 patients subsequently developed positive CMV antigenemia tests during their clinical courses, the values remained at a low-level in nine (47%) patients. Among the 14 patients in whom results of real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were available, seven (50%) yielded positive results of real-time PCR before developing CMV-GI disease. In contrast to the values of CMV antigenemia, all 14 patients exclusively yielded high viral loads (median: 2.8 x 10(4) copies/ml plasma). We conclude that CMV antigenemia testing has limited value in prediction or early diagnosis of CMV-GI disease, and that real-time PCR could have a more diagnostic significance.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Brain transplantation of genetically modified bone marrow stromal cells corrects CNS pathology and cognitive function in MPS VII mice.

Current therapies for lysosomal storage diseases (LSDs), enzyme replacement therapy and bone marrow transplantation are effective for visceral organ pathology of LSD, but their effectiveness for brain involvement in LSDs is still a subject of controversy. As an alternative approach, we transplanted genetically modified bone marrow stromal (BMS) cells to lateral ventricle of newborn mucopolysaccharidosis VII (MPS VII) mice. MPS VII is one of LSDs and caused by deficiency of beta-glucuronidase (GUSB), resulting in accumulation of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) in brain. At 2 weeks after transplantation, the GUSB enzyme-positive cells were identified in olfactory bulb, striatum and cerebral cortex, and the enzymatic activities in various brain areas increased. The GAGs contents in brain were reduced to near normal level at 4 weeks after transplantation. Although GUSB activity declined to homozygous level after 8 weeks, the reduction of GAGs persisted for 16 weeks. Microscopic examination indicated that the lysosomal distention was not found in treated animal brain. Cognitive function in MPS VII animals as evaluated by Morris Water Maze test in treated mice showed a marked improvement over nontreated animals. Brain transplantation of genetically modified BMS cells appears to be a promising approach to treat diffuse CNS involvement of LSDs.

Animals↗