Deep Multi-stream Network for Video-based Calving Sign Detection

We have designed a deep multi-stream network for automatically detecting calving signs from video. Calving sign detection from a camera, which is a non-contact sensor, is expected to enable more efficient livestock management. As large-scale, well-developed data cannot generally be assumed when establishing calving detection systems, the basis for making the prediction needs to be presented to farmers during operation, so black-box modeling (also known as end-to-end modeling) is not appropriate. For practical operation of calving detection systems, the present study aims to incorporate expert knowledge into a deep neural network. To this end, we propose a multi-stream calving sign detection network in which multiple calving-related features are extracted from the corresponding feature extraction networks designed for each attribute with different characteristics, such as a cow's posture, rotation, and movement, known as calving signs, and are then integrated appropriately depending on the cow's situation. Experimental comparisons conducted using videos of 15 cows demonstrated that our multi-stream system yielded a significant improvement over the end-to-end system, and the multi-stream architecture significantly contributed to a reduction in detection errors. In addition, the distinctive mixture weights we observed helped provide interpretability of the system's behavior

肝放射線照射による肝内在性ナチュラルキラー細胞の持続的消失

広島大学(Hiroshima University)博士(医学)Doctor of Philosophy in Medical Sciencedoctora

Review : Research and Development of Titanium-Containing Biomedical High Entropy Alloys (BioHEAs) Utilizing Rapid Solidification via Laser-Powder Bed Fusion

High entropy alloys (HEAs) have been developed as a new class of structural materials that consist of multicomponent elements with an approximately equiatomic ratio for increasing the mixing entropy to stabilize the solid solution phase. HEA for biomedical applications (BioHEA) was first developed in Japan; HEA comprising nonbiotoxic elements was specifically designed, demonstrating excellent mechanical properties and biocompatibility. However, elemental segregation, often observed in BioHEAs, hinders the inherent functions derived from high entropy effects and solid solution hardening. In this review article, elemental homogenization and functionalization of BioHEAs utilized by ultra-rapid cooling via laser-powder bed fusion and the characteristics of these BioHEAs, especially focusing on their excellent properties for biomedical applications, are introduced.Ozasa Ryosuke, Matsugaki Aira, Ishimoto Takuya, et al. Review : Research and Development of Titanium-Containing Biomedical High Entropy Alloys (BioHEAs) Utilizing Rapid Solidification via Laser-Powder Bed Fusion. MATERIALS TRANSACTIONS 64, 31 (2023); https://doi.org/10.2320/matertrans.MT-MLA2022011

Ibandronate Suppresses Changes in Apatite Orientation and Young's Modulus Caused by Estrogen Deficiency in Rat Vertebrae

Bone material quality is important for evaluating the mechanical integrity of diseased and/or medically treated bones. However, compared to the knowledge accumulated regarding changes in bone mass, our understanding of the quality of bone material is lacking. In this study, we clarified the changes in bone material quality mainly characterized by the preferential orientation of the apatite c-axis associated with estrogen deficiency-induced osteoporosis, and their prevention using ibandronate (IBN), a nitrogen-containing bisphosphonate. IBN effectively prevented bone loss and degradation of whole bone strength in a dose-dependent manner. The estrogen-deficient condition abnormally increased the degree of apatite orientation along the craniocaudal axis in which principal stress is applied; IBN at higher doses played a role in maintaining the normal orientation of apatite but not at lower doses. The bone size-independent Young's modulus along the craniocaudal axis of the anterior cortical shell of the vertebra showed a significant and positive correlation with apatite orientation; therefore, the craniocaudal Young’s modulus abnormally increased under estrogen-deficient conditions, despite a significant decrease in volumetric bone mineral density. However, the abnormal increase in craniocaudal Young's modulus did not compensate for the degradation of whole bone mechanical properties due to the bone loss. In conclusion, it was clarified that changes in the material quality, which are hidden in bone mass evaluation, occur with estrogen deficiency-induced osteoporosis and IBN treatment. Here, IBN was shown to be a beneficial drug that suppresses abnormal changes in bone mechanical integrity caused by estrogen deficiency at both the whole bone and material levels.Ishimoto T., Saito M., Ozasa R., et al. Ibandronate Suppresses Changes in Apatite Orientation and Young's Modulus Caused by Estrogen Deficiency in Rat Vertebrae. Calcified Tissue International, 110, 6, 736. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00223-021-00940-2

The Effect of Three Major Insecticides Applied in Nursery Boxes on Terrestrial Arthropods in Paddy Fields of Miyagi Prefedture, Jpapan

Poster Session

Cell competition is driven by Xrp1-mediated phosphorylation of eukaryotic initiation factor 2α

生体から不良細胞を除去する「細胞競合」の仕組みの一端を解明 --不良細胞は小胞体ストレス応答機構を使ってタンパク質合成量を低下させ除去される--. 京都大学プレスリリース. 2021-12-08.Cell competition is a context-dependent cell elimination via cell-cell interaction whereby unfit cells (‘losers’) are eliminated from the tissue when confronted with fitter cells (‘winners’). Despite extensive studies, the mechanism that drives loser’s death and its physiological triggers remained elusive. Here, through a genetic screen in Drosophila, we find that endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress causes cell competition. Mechanistically, ER stress upregulates the bZIP transcription factor Xrp1, which promotes phosphorylation of the eukaryotic translation initiation factor eIF2α via the kinase PERK, leading to cell elimination. Surprisingly, our genetic data show that different cell competition triggers such as ribosomal protein mutations or RNA helicase Hel25E mutations converge on upregulation of Xrp1, which leads to phosphorylation of eIF2α and thus causes reduction in global protein synthesis and apoptosis when confronted with wild-type cells. These findings not only uncover a core pathway of cell competition but also open the way to understanding the physiological triggers of cell competition

Combination treatment with ibandronate and eldecalcitol prevents osteoporotic bone loss and deterioration of bone quality characterized by nano-arrangement of the collagen/apatite in an ovariectomized aged rat model

Combination therapy with bisphosphonates and vitamin D3 analogs has been frequently used for the treatment of osteoporosis. However, its effects on bone anisotropies, such as orientations of collagen and apatite at the nanometer-scale, which is a promising bone quality index, and its trabecular architecture at the micrometer scale, are not well understood despite its important mechanical properties and its role in fracture risk. In the present study, we analyzed the effects of ibandronate (IBN), eldecalcitol (ELD), and their combination on the collagen/apatite orientation and trabecular architectural anisotropy using an estrogen-deficiency-induced osteoporotic rat model. Estrogen deficiency caused by ovariectomy (OVX) excessively increased the degree of collagen/apatite orientation or trabecular architectural anisotropy along the craniocaudal axis in the lumbar vertebra compared to that of the sham-operated group. The craniocaudal axis corresponds to the direction of principal stress in the spine. The excessive material anisotropy in the craniocaudal axis contributed to the enhanced Young's modulus, which may compensate for the reduced mechanical resistance by bone loss to some extent. The solo administration of IBN and ELD prevented the reduction of bone fraction (BV/TV) determined by μ-CT, and combination therapy showed the highest efficacy in BV/TV gain. Furthermore, the solo administration and combination treatment significantly decreased the degree of collagen/apatite orientation to the sham level. Based on the results of bone mass and collagen/apatite orientation, combination treatment is an effective strategy. This is the first report to demonstrate the efficacy of IBN, ELD, and combination treatment with IBN and ELD relative to the bone micro-architectural anisotropy characterized by collagen/apatite orientation.Ozasa R., Saito M., Ishimoto T., et al. Combination treatment with ibandronate and eldecalcitol prevents osteoporotic bone loss and deterioration of bone quality characterized by nano-arrangement of the collagen/apatite in an ovariectomized aged rat model. Bone, 157, 116309. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bone.2021.116309

A Novel Ex Vivo Bone Culture Model for Regulation of Collagen/Apatite Preferential Orientation by Mechanical Loading

The anisotropic microstructure of bone, composed of collagen fibers and biological apatite crystallites, is an important determinant of its mechanical properties. Recent studies have revealed that the preferential orientation of collagen/apatite composites is closely related to the direction and magnitude of in vivo principal stress. However, the mechanism of alteration in the collagen/apatite microstructure to adapt to the mechanical environment remains unclear. In this study, we established a novel ex vivo bone culture system using embryonic mouse femurs, which enabled artificial control of the mechanical environment. The mineralized femur length significantly increased following cultivation; uniaxial mechanical loading promoted chondrocyte hypertrophy in the growth plates of embryonic mouse femurs. Compressive mechanical loading using the ex vivo bone culture system induced a higher anisotropic microstructure than that observed in the unloaded femur. Osteocytes in the anisotropic bone microstructure were elongated and aligned along the long axis of the femur, which corresponded to the principal loading direction. The ex vivo uniaxial mechanical loading successfully induced the formation of an oriented collagen/apatite microstructure via osteocyte mechano-sensation in a manner quite similar to the in vivo environment.Watanabe R., Matsugaki A., Ishimoto T., et al. A Novel Ex Vivo Bone Culture Model for Regulation of Collagen/Apatite Preferential Orientation by Mechanical Loading. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 23, 13, 7423. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23137423

Clinical outcome of tapered wedge stem

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the results and intraoperative or postoperative complications of primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) using a contemporary tapered wedge titanium femoral component. A total of 213 THAs in 187 patients were followed up more than 5 years (mean, 102 months ; range, 60-150). The mean age at surgery was 64.2 years (range, 20–89 years). These patients were clinically evaluated using the JOA scoring system and radiographically host bone reactions around the implants, as well as femoral loosening. The mean JOA score improved from 49 (range, 21–75) to 92 (range, 59–100). All 12 patients with poor results (JOA < 75) coexisted with cerebral, spinal, joint, and musculoskeletal disorders. At the final follow-up, implant survival was 100%. Complications occurred in 23 hips. They consisted of 12 hips with intra-operative fractures, 2 hips with sciatic nerve palsy, one hip with infections, 3 hips with recurrent dislocations, and 8 hips with aseptic cup loosening. In conclusion, we have shown excellent survival rate of the contemporary tapered wedge stem in primary THA ; however, patients with coexisting diseases could not acquire sufficient improvement in hip function and ambulatory ability