Link Between Electroacupuncture Stimulation near the Sympathetic Trunk and Heart Rate Variability

Takahashi Kazufumi,Wang Xiaoming,Shinohara Daiyu,Imai Kenji 사단법인약침학회 2022 Journal of Acupuncture & Meridian Studies Vol.15 No.2

Background: The cardiovascular system and airway smooth muscles are regulated by the autonomic nervous system. Objectives: This study investigated the effect of electrical acupuncture stimulation near the cervical sympathetic ganglia on heart rate variability and respiratory function. Methods: This prospective, single-center study at Teikyo Heisei University recruited 24 healthy adults randomly assigned to no-stimulation and electroacupuncture (EA) groups in a crossover trial with a 2-week washout period. After 5 min of rest, a 5-min rest or acupuncture stimulus was delivered, followed by a further 5 min of rest for both groups. EA, at 2-Hz (level of no pain), was delivered near the left cervical ganglia at the level of the sixth cervical vertebra in the EA group. Results: The high-frequency component of the heart rate variability was significantly higher in the EA group than that in the no-stimulation group. Further, there was a significant increase in the high-frequency component of the heart rate in the EA group during the stimulation compared to before and after stimulation. Heart rate decreased significantly during EA compared to before stimulation in the EA group. Regarding respiratory function, forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in 1 s, and peak flow significantly increased in the EA group compared with the no-stimulation group, and after stimulation compared with before stimulation. Conclusion: Stimulation with 2-Hz EA near the cervical sympathetic trunk increased parasympathetic nerve activity and reduced heart rate. However, the respiratory function was activated via increased sympathetic nerve activity. Therefore, 2-Hz EA may be effective for autonomic nerve regulation in bronchial stenosis.

Effects of preselection of genotyped animals on reliability and bias of genomic prediction in dairy cattle

Kenji Togashi,Kazunori Adachi,Kazuhito Kurogi,Takanori Yasumori,Kouichi Tokunaka,Atsushi Ogino,Yoshiyuki Miyazaki,Toshio Watanabe,Tsutomu Takahashi,Kimihiro Moribe 아세아·태평양축산학회 2019 Animal Bioscience Vol.32 No.2

Objective: Models for genomic selection assume that the reference population is an unselected population. However, in practice, genotyped individuals, such as progeny-tested bulls, are highly selected, and the reference population is created after preselection. In dairy cattle, the intensity of selection is higher in males than in females, suggesting that cows can be added to the reference population with less bias and loss of accuracy. The objective is to develop formulas applied to any genomic prediction studies or practice with preselected animals as reference population. Methods: We developed formulas for calculating the reliability and bias of genomically enhanced breeding values (GEBV) in the reference population where individuals are preselected on estimated breeding values. Based on the formulas presented, deterministic simulation was conducted by varying heritability, preselection percentage, and the reference population size. Results: The number of bulls equal to a cow regarding the reliability of GEBV was expressed through a simple formula for the reference population consisting of preselected animals. The bull population was vastly superior to the cow population regarding the reliability of GEBV for low-heritability traits. However, the superiority of reliability from the bull reference population over the cow population decreased as heritability increased. Bias was greater for bulls than cows. Bias and reduction in reliability of GEBV due to preselection was alleviated by expanding reference population. Conclusion: Cows are easier in expanding reference population size compared with bulls and alleviate bias and reduction in reliability of GEBV of bulls which are highly preselected than cows by expanding the cow reference population.

Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors Induce the Differentiation of Eosinophilic Leukemia EoL-1 Cells into Eosinophils

Kenji Ishihara,Jang Ja Hong,Motoko Kaneko,Aki Takahashi,Hiroki Sugeno,Young Sook Kang,Kazuo Ohuchi 한국응용약물학회 2006 Biomolecules & Therapeutics(구 응용약물학회지) Vol.14 No.2

Selection on milk production and conformation traits during the last two decades in Japan

Kenji Togashi,Takefumi Osawa,Kazunori Adachi,Kazuhito Kurogi,Kota Tokunaka,Takanori Yasumori,Tsutomu Takahashi,Kimihiro Moribe 아세아·태평양축산학회 2019 Animal Bioscience Vol.32 No.2

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare intended and actual yearly genetic gains for milk production and conformation traits and to investigate the simple selection criterion practiced among milk production and conformation traits during the last two decades in Japan. Learning how to utilize the information on intended and actual genetic gains during the last two decades into the genomic era is vital. Methods: Genetic superiority for each trait for four paths of selection (sires to breed bulls [SB], sires to breed cows [SC], dams to breed bulls [DB], and dams to breed cows [DC]) was estimated. Actual practiced simple selection criteria were investigated among milk production and conformation traits and relative emphasis on milk production and conformation traits was compared. Results: Selection differentials in milk production traits were greater than those of conformation traits in all four paths of selection. Realized yearly genetic gain was less than that intended for milk production traits. Actual annual genetic gain for conformation traits was equivalent to or greater than intended. Retrospective selection weights of milk production and conformation traits were 0.73:0.27 and 0.56:0.44 for intended and realized genetic gains, respectively. Conclusion: Selection was aimed more toward increasing genetic gain in milk production than toward conformation traits over the past two decades in Japan. In contrast, actual annual genetic gain for conformation traits was equivalent to or greater than intended. Balanced selection between milk production and conformation traits tended to be favored during actual selection. Each of four paths of selection (SB, SC, DB, and DC) has played an individual and important role. With shortening generation interval in the genomic era, a young sire arises before the completion of sire’s daughters’ milk production records. How to integrate these four paths of selection in the genomic era is vital.

Fine Impedance Matching by Use of Liquid Stub Tuners in ICRF Experiment on LHD

kenji Saito,C. Takahashi,H. Takeuchi,J. G. Kwak,J. S. Yoon,M. Yokota,R. Kumazawa,T. Seki,T. Mutoh,Y. P. Zhao 한국물리학회 2006 THE JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY Vol.49 No.III

An impedance-matching system with liquid stub tuners was developed for high-power, long-pulse ICRF injection in LHD. In order to predict the optimum liquid heights, a loading resistance and an effective length were calculated. We used a complex reflection coefficient measured at a directional coupler attached to the outlet of an oscillator. The effective length changed, as well as the loading resistance, when the plasma condition was changed. Moreover, the effective length changed during long-pulse ICRF injection. By using the loading resistance and the effective length, the liquid heights for impedance matching were calculated and the reflected power was reduced in discharges having similar plasma parameters. Application of this method to real-time feedback control for long-pulse discharges is now being prepared.

Effects of selection index coefficients that ignore reliability on economic weights and selection responses during practical selection

Kenji Togashi,Kazunori Adachi,Takanori Yasumori,Kazuhito Kurogi,Takayoshi Nozaki,Akio Onogi,Yamato Atagi,Tsutomu Takahashi 아세아·태평양축산학회 2018 Animal Bioscience Vol.31 No.1

Objective: In practical breeding, selection is often performed by ignoring the accuracy of evaluations and applying economic weights directly to the selection index coefficients of genetically standardized traits. The denominator of the standardized component trait of estimated genetic evaluations in practical selection varies with its reliability. Whereas theoretical methods for calculating the selection index coefficients of genetically standardized traits account for this variation, practical selection ignores reliability and assumes that it is equal to unity for each trait. The purpose of this study was to clarify the effects of ignoring the accuracy of the standardized component trait in selection criteria on selection responses and economic weights in retrospect. Methods: Theoretical methods were presented accounting for reliability of estimated genetic evaluations for the selection index composed of genetically standardized traits. Results: Selection responses and economic weights in retrospect resulting from practical selection were greater than those resulting from theoretical selection accounting for reliability when the accuracy of the estimated breeding value (EBV) or genomically enhanced breeding value (GEBV) was lower than those of the other traits in the index, but the opposite occurred when the accuracy of the EBV or GEBV was greater than those of the other traits. This trend was more conspicuous for traits with low economic weights than for those with high weights. Conclusion: Failure of the practical index to account for reliability yielded economic weights in retrospect that differed from those obtained with the theoretical index. Our results indicated that practical indices that ignore reliability delay genetic improvement. Therefore, selection practices need to account for reliability, especially when the reliabilities of the traits included in the index vary widely.

Effect of a Mixture of Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) Isomers on T Cell Subpopulation and Responsiveness to Mitogen in Splenocytes of Male Broiler Chicks

Takahashi, Kazuaki,Kawamata, Kenji,Akiba, Yukio Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2007 Animal Bioscience Vol.20 No.6

The experiments were conducted to determine effects of a mixture of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) isomers on T cell subpopulations and responsiveness to mitogen of splenocytes in male broiler chicks. In experiment 1, birds (8-d old) were fed basal, CLA-(CLA) and safflower oil-supplemented (SA) diets which were formulated by supplementary 10 g CLA or safflower oil/kg to the basal diet for 14 d. Broiler starter diet, which mainly consisted of corn and soybean meal, was served as the basal diet. Proliferative response and interleukin (IL)-2-like activity stimulated by concanavalin (Con) A at a concentration of $10{\mu}g/ml$ of splenocytes in chicks fed the CLA diet were greater than in chicks fed the SA diet, but not at $20{\mu}g$ Con A/ml. Percentage of CD3-positive T cells in splenocytes did not differ between chicks fed the SA diet and CLA. Ratio of CD4-positive T cells to CD8- positive T cells was significantly affected by dietary fat source. In experiment 2, broiler chicks (1-d old) were fed the same diets as in experiment 1 for 14 d. Results of splenocyte proliferation to Con A were similar to those in experiment 1, but phytohemaggulutinin (PHA)- or pokeweed mitogen (PWM)- induced splenocyte proliferation did not differ between the CLA and SA fed groups. Supplementation with SA or CLA to the basal diet tended to have a depressive effect on the proliferation, with the greater effect being that of SA. In experiment 3, effect of an addition of CLA to splenocyte culture medium on splenocyte proliferation was determined. An addition of CLA to the culture medium resulted in reduction of the splenocyte proliferation to Con A, but an addition of linoleic acid. When PWM and PHA were used as mitogen, the inhibitory effect of CLA and linoleic acid on the proliferation did not differ. The results suggested that the effect of dietary CLA on splenocyte proliferation was similar to that of SA, although the effect of dietary CLA on sub-populations was slightly different from that of dietary SA. Further studies are needed to clarify whether use of CLA would be beneficial for maintaining or enhancing T cell immunity in chicks.

CLOUD PROFILING RADAR ON EARTHCARE SATELLITE

Nobuhiro Takahashi,Toshiyoshi Kimura,Yuichi Ohno,Hiroaki Horie,Hirotaka Nakatsuka,Kenji Sato,Yasuo Sakaide,Kazuyuki Okada,Hiroshi Kumagai 제어로봇시스템학회 2009 제어로봇시스템학회 국제학술대회 논문집 Vol.2009 No.8

The design and current status of EarthCARE/CPR are described in this report. Basic design of CPR will be confirmed in this year, and engineering model development and testing will be done this year and the next year. In parallel with the development activity of CPR, algorithm development activity is in progress. The data from CPR is expected to contribute to reveal the detailed information of clouds and to the studies on global warming. It is also expected the continuation of cloud observation from CloudSat data that was launched in 2006[4].

Morphological alterations of the tendon and pulley on ultrasound after intrasynovial injection of betamethasone for trigger digit

Mitsuhiko Takahashi,Ryosuke Sato,Kenji Kondo,Koichi Sairyo 대한초음파의학회 2018 ULTRASONOGRAPHY Vol.37 No.2

Purpose: The aim of this study was to elucidate whether intrasynovial corticosteroid injections for trigger digit reduced the volume of the tendon and pulley on high-resolution ultrasonography. Methods: Twenty-three digits of 20 patients with trigger digit were included. Each affected finger was graded clinically according to the following classification: grade I for pre-triggering, grade II for active triggering, grade III for passive triggering, and grade IV for presence of contracture. Axial ultrasound examinations were performed before an intrasynovial corticosteroid injection and at an average of 31 days after the injection. The transverse diameter, thickness, and crosssectional area of the tendon and the thickness of the pulley were measured by two independent, blinded researchers. Results: At least 1 grade of improvement was achieved in this study group by the time of the second examination. The transverse diameter and cross-sectional area of the tendon and the thickness of the pulley significantly decreased (P<0.05). Conclusion: The injection of a single dose of betamethasone improved clinical symptoms by reducing the volume of both the tendon and pulley, which may be related to the fact that tendon and pulley ruptures are delayed by corticosteroid injections.

A novel prediction score for predicting the baseline risk of recurrence of stage I–II endometrial carcinoma

Kenta Takahashi,Mayu Yunokawa,Shinsuke Sasada,Yae Takehara,Naoyuki Miyasaka,Tomoyasu Kato,Kenji Tamura 대한부인종양학회 2019 Journal of Gynecologic Oncology Vol.30 No.1

Objective: To develop and validate a 3-year recurrence prediction score (RPS) system for predicting the baseline risk of recurrence of stage I–II endometrial carcinoma. Methods: We reviewed 427 patients with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics staging I–II endometrial carcinoma underwent surgery without any adjuvant therapy from 2005 to 2013. The patients were divided into 2 groups: the test cohort (n=251) comprising those who underwent surgery in odd-numbered years, and the validation cohort (n=176) comprising those who underwent surgery in even-numbered years. Multivariate analysis was performed using 7 candidate predictors to identify the risk factors for 3-year recurrence-free interval (RFI) in the test cohort. Each risk factor was scored based on logistic regression analyses of the test data set, and the sum of the risk factor scores was defined as the RPS system. We then applied the system in the validation cohort. Results: Multivariate analysis revealed that the significant risk factors were age ≥60 years, pathological type II, positive cervical stromal invasion, and positive peritoneal cytology. In the test cohort, the 3-year RFI rates were 100%, 95.8%, 79.9%, and 33.3% for RPSs of 0, 1, 2, and 3, respectively. In the validation cohort, the 3-year RFI was significantly higher in the low-RPS group (RPS 0 or 1) than in the high-RPS group (RPS 2 or 3) (95.2% vs. 79.9%, p<0.01). Conclusions: The RPS system shows significant reproducibility for predicting the baseline risk of recurrence. The system could potentially impact the choice of adjuvant therapy for stage I–II endometrial carcinoma.