Study of CP violating effects in time dependent B0(B0)-->D(*)-/+pi+/- decays

We report measurements of time dependent decay rates for B0(B(0))-->D((*)-/+)pi(+/-) decays and extraction of CP violation parameters containing phi(3). Using fully reconstructed D((*))pi events from a 140 fb(-1) data sample collected at the Upsilon(4S) resonance, we obtain the CP violation parameters for D(*)pi and Dpi decays, 2R(D((*))pi)sin((2phi(1)+phi(3)+/-delta(D((*))pi)), where R(D((*))pi) is the ratio of the magnitudes of the doubly Cabibbo-suppressed and Cabibbo-favored amplitudes, and delta(D((*))pi) is the strong phase difference between them. Under the assumption of delta(D((*))pi) being close to either 0 degrees or 180 degrees, we obtain |2R(D(*)pi)sin((2phi(1)+phi(3))|=0.060+/-0.040(stat)+/-0.019(syst) and |2R(Dpi)sin((2phi(1)+phi(3))|=0.061+/-0.037(stat)+/-0.018(syst).

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).

Observation of the radiative decay D0-->phigamma

We report the observation of the decay D0-->phigamma with a statistical significance of 5.4sigma in 78.1 fb(-1) of data collected by the Belle experiment at the KEKB e+e- collider. This is the first observation of a flavor-changing radiative decay of a charmed meson. The Cabibbo- and color-suppressed decays D0-->phipi(0), phieta are also observed for the first time. We measure branching fractions B(D0-->phigamma)=[2.60(+0.70)(-0.61)(stat)+0.15-0.17(syst)] x 10(-5), B(D0-->phipi(0))=[8.01+/-0.26(stat)+/-0.47(syst)] x 10(-4), and B(D0-->phieta)=[1.48+/-0.47(stat)+/-0.09(syst)] x 10(-4).

Combined use of autologous transfusion techniques to avoid allogeneic transfusion in spinal fusion surgery with instrumentation

This study conducted a retrospective review of the medical records of 321 patients to delineate the efficacy of the combined use of autologous transfusion (AT) techniques. Transfusion profiles between an AT and homologous transfusion (HT) group were compared. A much lower proportion of patients were exposed to allogeneic blood in the AT group (13%) than in the HT group (98%, p<0.001). In the AT group, a significantly smaller proportion of patients were exposed to allogeneic blood in patients transfused with three or four AT techniques (8%) than those with one or two techniques (29%, p<0.05). A febrile reaction (11% of patients) after a reinfusion of post-operatively shed blood was the only side effect associated with an AT. In conclusion, an AT is effective for preventing the exposure of allogeneic blood in spinal fusion surgery. The combined use of multiple AT techniques may further improve its efficacy.

Multifactor-dimensionality reduction shows a two-locus interaction associated with Type 2 diabetes mellitus

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a complex genetic disease, which results from interactions between multiple genes and environmental factors without any single factor having strong independent effects. This study was done to identify gene to gene interactions which could be associated with the risk of Type 2 diabetes.

METHODS

We genotyped 23 different loci in the 15 candidate genes of Type 2 diabetes in 504 unrelated Type 2 diabetic patients and 133 non-diabetic control subjects. We analysed gene to gene interactions among 23 polymorphic loci using the multifactor-dimensionality reduction (MDR) method, which has been shown to be effective for detecting and characterising gene to gene interactions in case-control studies with relatively small samples.

RESULTS

The MDR analysis showed a significant gene to gene interaction between the Ala55Val polymorphism in the uncoupling protein 2 gene ( UCP2) and the 161C>T polymorphism in the exon 6 of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma ( PPARgamma) gene. This interaction showed the maximum consistency and minimum prediction error among all gene to gene interaction models evaluated. Moreover, the combination of the UCP2 55 Ala/Val heterozygote and the PPARgamma 161 C/C homozygote was associated with a reduced risk of Type 2 diabetes (odds ratio: 0.51, 95% CI: 0.34 to 0.77, p=0.0016).

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

Using the MDR method, we showed a two-locus interaction between the UCP2 and PPARgamma genes among 23 loci in the candidate genes of Type 2 diabetes. The determination of such genotype combinations contributing to Type 2 diabetes mellitus could provide a new tool for identifying high-risk individuals.

Common genetic polymorphisms in the promoter of resistin gene are major determinants of plasma resistin concentrations in humans

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

Resistin is thought to be an important link between obesity and insulin resistance. It has been suggested that genetic polymorphism in the promoter of resistin gene is a determinant of resistin mRNA expression and possibly associated with obesity and insulin resistance. In this study, we investigated the association between the genotype of resistin promoter and its plasma concentrations.

METHODS

We examined g.-537A>C and g.-420C>G polymorphisms in the resistin promoter and measured plasma resistin concentrations in Korean subjects with or without Type 2 diabetes. We also did haplotype-based promoter activity assays and the gel electrophoretic mobility shift assay.

RESULTS

The -420G and the -537A alleles, which were in linkage disequilibrium, were associated with higher plasma resistin concentrations. Individuals with haplotype A-G (-537A and -420G) had significantly higher plasma resistin concentrations than the others. Haplotype A-G had modestly increased promoter activity compared to the other haplotypes. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay showed that the -420G allele is specific for binding of nuclear proteins from adipocytes and monocytes. However, none of the two polymorphisms were associated with Type 2 diabetes or obesity in our study subjects.

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

Polymorphisms in the promoter of resistin gene are major determinants of plasma resistin concentrations in humans.

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.

Measurements of the D(sJ) resonance properties

We report measurements of the properties of the D(+)(sJ)(2317) and D(+)(sJ)(2457) resonances produced in continuum e(+)e(-) annihilation near sqrt[s]=10.6 GeV. The analysis is based on an 86.9 fb(-1) data sample collected with the Belle detector at KEKB. We determine the masses to be M(D(+)(sJ)(2317))=2317.2+/-0.5(stat)+/-0.9(syst) MeV/c(2) and M(D(+)(sJ)(2457))=2456.5+/-1.3(stat)+/-1.3(syst) MeV/c(2). We observe the radiative decay mode D(+)(sJ)(2457)-->D(+)(s)gamma and the dipion decay mode D(+)(sJ)(2457)-->D(+)(s)pi(+)pi(-) and determine their branching fractions. No corresponding decays are observed for the D(sJ)(2317) state. These results are consistent with the spin-parity assignments of 0(+) for the D(sJ)(2317) and 1(+) for the D(sJ)(2457).

Evidence for B0-->pi0pi0

We report evidence for the decay B0-->pi(0)pi(0). The analysis is based on a data sample of 152x10(6) BBmacr; pairs collected at the Upsilon(4S) resonance with the Belle detector at the KEKB e(+)e(-) storage ring. We detect a signal for B0-->pi(0)pi(0) with a significance of 3.4 standard deviations, and measure the branching fraction to be [1.7+/-0.6(stat)+/-0.2(syst)]x10(-6).

Observation of the D(sJ)(2317) and D(sJ)(2457) in B decays

We report the first observation of the B-->Dmacr;D(sJ)(2317) and B-->Dmacr;D(sJ)(2457) decays based on 123.8x10(6) BBmacr; events collected with the Belle detector at KEKB. We observe the D(sJ)(2317) decay to D(s)pi(0) and the D(sJ)(2457) decay to the D(*)(s)pi(0) and D(s)gamma final states. We also set 90% C.L. upper limits for the decays D(sJ)(2317)-->D(*)(s)gamma, D(sJ)(2457)-->D(*)(s)gamma, D(sJ)(2457)-->D(s)pi(0), and D(sJ)(2457)-->D(s)pi(+)pi(-).

Evidence for B-->phiphiK

We report evidence for the decay mode B-->phiphiK based on an analysis of 78 fb(-1) of data collected with the Belle detector at KEKB. This is the first example of a b-->sssss transition. The branching fraction for this decay is measured to be B(B+/--->phiphiK+/-)=(2.6(+1.1)(-0.9)+/-0.3)x10(-6) for a phiphi invariant mass below 2.85 GeV/c(2). Results for other related charmonium decay modes are also reported.

Observation of B-/+-->rho-/+rho0 decays

We report the first observation of the charmless vector-vector decay process B-/+-->rho(-/+)rho(0). The measurement uses a 78 fb(-1) data sample collected with the Belle detector at the KEKB asymmetric e(+)e(-) collider operating at the Upsilon(4S) resonance. We obtain a branching fraction of B(B-/+-->rho(-/+)rho(0))=[31.7+/-7.1(stat)+3.8-6.7(syst)]x10(-6). An analysis of the rho helicity-angle distributions gives a longitudinal polarization fraction of Gamma(L)/Gamma=0.95+/-0.11(stat)+/-0.02(syst). We also measure the direct-CP-violating asymmetry A(CP)(B-/+-->rho(-/+)rho(0))=0.00+/-0.22(stat)+/-0.03(syst).

Measurement of branching fractions and polarization in B-->phiK(*) decays

We present the first measurement of decay amplitudes in B-->phiK* and measurements of branching fractions in B-->phiK(*) decays based on 78.1 fb(-1) of data recorded at the Upsilon(4S) resonance with the Belle detector at the KEKB e+e- storage ring. The decay amplitudes for the different phiK*0 helicity states are measured from the angular distributions of final state particles in the transversity basis. The longitudinal and transverse complex amplitudes are |A0|2=0.43+/-0.09+/-0.04, |A(perpendicular)|2=0.41+/-0.10+/-0.04, arg((A(parallel))=-2.57+/-0.39+/-0.09, and arg((A(perpendicular))=0.48+/-0.32+/-0.06. The direct CP-violating asymmetries are found to be consistent with zero.

Correlation between ciliary beat frequency and metachronal wave disorder using image analysis method

Ciliary beating and metachronal waves are fundamental to effective mucociliary transport. The ciliary beat frequencies (CBFs) and metachronal wave directions of multiple cilia beating in culture media were measured simultaneously using digital microscopic images. The degree of synchronisation between ciliary beats was determined by the correlation between ciliary signals at two different locations. The wave propagation directions of cilia were determined from a two-dimensional correlation map by a principal axis method. The standard deviation of measured wave directions in a region of interest was defined as a measure of metachronal wave disorder (MWD). Considerable variation was found in the beat frequencies and metachronal wave directions of cilia beating on epithelium. The pooled mean of MWDs was 23.4 +/- 8.8 degrees, and the pooled mean of CBFs was 10.1 +/- 1.9 Hz on 120 cells from five healthy subjects. The means of the MWD and the CBF from subjects were highly correlated (correlation = -0.83). The higher the CBF, the lower the level of the MWD.

Observation of B0-->pLambda(pi)(-)

We report the first observation of the charmless hyperonic B decay, B0-->pLambda(pi)(-), using a 78 fb(-1) data sample recorded on the Upsilon(4S) resonance with the Belle detector at KEKB. The measured branching fraction is B(B0-->pLambda(pi)(-))=(3.97(+1.00)(-0.80)+/-0.56)x10(-6). Searches for B0-->pLambda(K)- and pSigma(0)pi(-) yield no significant signals and we set 90% confidence-level upper limits of B(B0-->pLambda(K)-)<8.2x10(-7) and B(B0-->pSigma(0)pi(-))<3.8x10(-6).

Effects of the neutral endopeptidase inhibitor thiorphan on cardiovascular and renal function in cirrhotic rats

1. Cirrhosis is associated with cardiovascular and renal dysfunction including sodium retention. Many vasoactive peptides such as atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) are degraded by neutral endopeptidase 24.11 (NEP). We investigated the hemodynamic and renal effects of thiorphan, a NEP inhibitor, in a rat cirrhosis model. 2. Cirrhosis was induced by chronic bile duct ligation, and controls had sham operation. Systemic and renal hemodynamics in conscious, restrained animals were determined using radiolabeled microspheres, and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was measured by (3)H-inulin clearance. Plasma ANP and ET-1, and renal cGMP and Na(+) - K(+) ATPase activity were assayed. These variables were measured at baseline and after intravenous infusion of thiorphan (0.5 mg kg(-1) loading dose followed by 0.1 mg kg(-1) min(-1) x 30 min). 3. Thiorphan significantly decreased cardiac output, and increased systemic vascular resistance in controls, whereas in cirrhotic rats these variables were unchanged. 4. Compared to the controls, cirrhotic rats showed a decreased baseline GFR and urine sodium excretion, and the latter was significantly increased by thiorphan. 5. Thiorphan increased plasma ET-1 levels in controls, but not cirrhotic rats. ANP levels were not significantly increased in either group by thiorphan. 6. Thiorphan significantly increased cGMP concentrations and decreased Na(+) - K(+) ATPase activity of renal medulla but not cortex in cirrhotic rats; no effect was observed in the control rats. 7. We conclude that thiorphan induces natriuresis in cirrhotic rats by a direct renal medullary mechanism via cGMP and Na(+) - K(+) ATPase, without affecting systemic hemodynamics. This may potentially be useful in patients with ascites.

Observation of the decay B0-->lambda+cp

We report the measurement of the charmed baryonic decay B(0)-->Lambda(+)(c)p with a branching fraction of (2.19(+0.56)(-0.49)+/-0.32+/-0.57)x10(-5) and a statistical significance of 5.8 sigma. The errors are statistical, systematic, and the error of the Lambda(+)(c)-->pK(-)pi(+) decay branching fraction. This is the first observation of a two-body baryonic B decay. The analysis is based on 78.2 fb(-1) of data accumulated at the Upsilon(4S) resonance with the Belle detector at the KEKB asymmetric e(+)e(-) collider.

Dynamic and quantitative evaluation of eyelid motion using image analysis

Evaluation of facial movement, especially eyelid movement, has depended on the subjective judgment of trained clinicians. Recently, a few objective methods have been reported, but they required uncomfortable markers to be attached to the eyelids and a special-purpose, high-speed video camera. This study had two aims: one was to develop a new device for measuring eyelid motion dynamically and quantitatively, without eyelid markers or a high-speed camera; the other was to devise feasible parameters for eyelid motion. The system consisted of a personal computer with a general-purpose multimedia board and a software program that the authors named blepharokymography. A sequence of blinking eyes was recorded with a video camera. After the capturing process of the video, kymograms were produced from the movie file. Kymograms were converted to binary images by threshold filtering. The lower margin of the upper eyelid was traced, and displacement and velocity curves were obtained. Some parameters were devised and verified in preliminary clinical data. The analysis revealed that the displacement (8 mm in normal compared with 5.2 mm in paralysis), average closing velocity (74 mm s(-1) in normal compared with 30.6 mm s(-1) in paralysis) and peak closing velocity (154 mm s(-1) in normal against 63.4 mm s(-1) in paralysis) were useful parameters for differentiating the normal and facial-paralysis states.

Measurement of branching fractions for B-->eta(c)K(*) decays

We report measurements of branching fractions for charged and neutral B-->eta(c)K decays where the eta(c) meson is reconstructed in the K(0)(S)K+/-pi(-/+), K+K-pi(0), K(*0)K-pi(+), and pp; decay channels. The neutral B0 channel is a CP eigenstate and can be used to measure the CP violation parameter sin(2phi(1). We also report the first observation of the B0-->eta(c)K(*0) mode. The results are based on an analysis of 29.1 fb(-1) of data collected by the Belle detector at KEKB.

Measurement of the electroweak penguin process B-->X(s)l+l-

We report the first measurement of the branching fraction for the inclusive decay B-->X(s)l(+)l(-), where l is either an electron or a muon, and X(s) is a hadronic recoil system that contains an s quark. We analyzed a data sample of 65.4 x 10(6) B meson pairs collected with the Belle detector at the KEKB e(+)e(-) asymmetric-energy collider. We find B(B-->X(s)l(+)l(-))=[6.1 +/-1.4(stat) +1.4-1.1(syst)] x 10(-6) for dilepton masses greater than 0.2 GeV/c(2).

Genetic analysis of the VP1 region of Human enterovirus 71 strains isolated in Korea during 2000

We have isolated Human enterovirus 71 (EV71) from stool and CSF samples taken from patients with acute flaccid paralysis, herpangina, or hand, foot and mouth disease in 2000. Both the cell culture-neutralization test and RT-PCR were used to detect enteroviruses. Rhabdomyosarcoma (RD), HEP2c, and BGM cells were used for the isolation of viruses, and serotypes were determined by the neutralization test using EV71-specific antiserum. For genomic analysis, we amplified a 437-bp fragment of the 5'-noncoding region of the enterovirus genome and a 484-bp fragment of the VP3/VP1 region of EV71 by RT-PCR, with positive results. Products amplified using an EV71-specific primer pair were sequenced and compared with other isolates of EV71. Analysis of the nucleotide sequences of the amplified fragments showed that the EV71 isolates from patients were over 98% homologous and belonged to the genotype C.

Radiative B meson decays into kpigamma and kpipigamma final states

We report observations of radiative B meson decays into the K+pi(-)gamma and K+pi(-)pi(+)gamma final states. In the B0-->K+pi(-)gamma channel, we present evidence for decays via an intermediate tensor meson state with a branching fraction of B(B0-->K(*)(2)(1430)(0)gamma)=[1.3+/-0.5(stat)+/-0.1(syst)]x10(-5). We measure the branching fraction B(B+-->K+pi(-)pi(+)gamma)=[2.4+/-0.5(stat) +0.4-0.2(syst)]x10(-5), in which the B+-->K(*0)pi(+)gamma and B+-->K+rho(0)gamma channels dominate. The analysis is based on a data set of 29.4 fb(-1) recorded by the Belle experiment at the KEKB collider.

Observation of B(0)-->D((*)0)pp

The B meson decay modes B-->Dpp; and B-->D(*)pp; have been studied using 29.4 fb(-1) of data collected with the Belle detector at KEKB. The B;(0)-->D(0)pp; and B;(0)-->D(*0)pp; decays have been observed for the first time with branching fractions B(B;(0)-->D(0)pp;)=(1.18+/-0.15+/-0.16)x10(-4) and B(B;(0)-->D(*0)pp;)=(1.20(+0.33)(-0.29)+/-0.21)x10(-4). No signal has been found for the B+-->D(+)pp; and B+-->D(*+)pp; decay modes, and the corresponding upper limits at 90% C.L. are presented.

Observation of double cć production in e+e- annihilation at squareroot[s] approximately 10.6 GeV

We report the observation of prompt J/psi via double cc; production from the e+e- continuum. In this process one cc; pair fragments into a J/psi meson while the remaining pair either produces a charmonium state or fragments into open charm. Both cases have been experimentally observed. We find cross sections of sigma[e+e- -->J/psieta(c)(gamma)]xB(eta(c)-->>or=4 charged)=(0.033(+0.007)(-0.006)+/-0.009) pb and sigma(e+e- -->J/psiD(*+)X)=(0.53(+0.19)(-0.15)+/-0.14) pb and infer sigma(e+e- -->J/psicc;)/sigma(e+e- -->J/psiX)=0.59(+0.15)(-0.13)+/-0.12. These results are obtained from a 46.2 fb(-1) data sample collected near the Upsilon(4S) resonance, with the Belle detector at the KEKB collider.