Kohji Murata

Noninvasive Biological Sensor System for Detection of Drunk Driving

Systems capable of monitoring the biological condition of a driver and issuing warnings during instances of drowsiness have recently been studied. Moreover, many researchers have reported that biological signals, such as brain waves, pulsation waves, and heart rate, are different between people who have and have not consumed alcohol. Currently, we are developing a noninvasive system to detect individuals driving under the influence of alcohol by measuring biological signals. We used the frequency time series analysis to attempt to distinguish between normal and intoxicated states of a person as the basis of the sensing system.

Noninvasive biological sensor system for detection of drunk driving

Systems capable of monitoring the biological condition of a driver and issuing warnings during instances of drowsiness have recently been studied. Moreover, many researchers have reported that biosignals, such as brain waves, pulsation waves, and heart beat are different between people who have and have not consumed alcohol. Currently, we are developing a noninvasive system to detect individuals driving under the influence of alcohol by measuring biosignals. In this paper, a new algorithm to distinguish between the normal and intoxicated state of a person is proposed as the basic theory of the sensing system.

Utility of Maoto in an Influenza Season Where Reduced Effectiveness of Oseltamivir Was Observed – a Clinical, Non-Randomized Study in Children

Background: In an influenza season where reduced effectiveness of oseltamivir was observed, we investigated the effectiveness of Maoto for influenza infection in children. Methods: Patients diagnosed with influenza by rapid diagnostic kit underwent treatment in one of the following groups: Maoto-treated group (group 1 (M)); oseltamivir-treated group (group 2 (O)); Maoto+oseltamivir-treated group (group 3 (M+O)); zanamivir-treated group (group 4 (Z)); and Maoto+zanamivir-treated group (group 5 (M+Z)). Results: In influenza A patients who completed the study (n = 150), the mean duration of fever after administration (DFA) was significantly shorter in group 3 (M+O) (31.1 h, p < 0.01) and in group 4 (Z) (35.2 h, p < 0.05), as compared to group 2 (O) (56.0 h). Among these, in patients aged ≤5 years (n = 54), DFA was significantly shorter in group 1 (M) (33.2 h, p < 0.05) and in group 3 (M+O) (34.6 h, p < 0.05), as compared to group 2 (O) (61.4 h). In influenza B patients who completed the study (n = 70), no significant differences in DFA were observed among the groups. Conclusion: Maoto may be useful, particularly in cases of influenza with low sensitivity to oseltamivir and in patients aged ≤5 years for whom the use of zanamivir is difficult.

EFFECT OF PROCESSED RICE WITH BROWN RICE EXTRACTS ON SERUM CHOLESTEROL LEVEL

1 Brown rice and rice with rice germ are rich in functional components such as g‐oryzanol. g‐Oryzanol has been reported to decrease the serum cholesterol level. In the present study, we examined the effects of processed rice enriched with brown rice extracts (test diet) on the serum cholesterol level. 2 The study subjects took the test diet three times a day for 30 days, and blood samples were taken before and after the test diet period. 3 Compared with the initial baseline level, the total cholesterol (TC) level decreased significantly after the 30 day test diet period. Triglycerides, high‐density lipoprotein‐cholesterol and low‐density lipoprotein‐cholesterol levels did not change significantly during the 30 days compared with the corresponding baseline levels. 4 Subanalyses showed that subjects with a baseline TC level greater than 200 mg/dL showed significantly lower TC levels on day 30, but subjects with a normal TC level did not show any significant differences. 5 The results suggest that the enriched functional components of the test diet can possibly adjust the serum cholesterol level, but only in people with an already high TC level. A diet rich in brown rice extracts could be beneficial as a functional food to lower cholesterol.

Development of a System for Capturing Sleep Predictor Signals during Wakefulness

The feature of sleep pattern is determined by the rhythm of body temperature. In this study, a method was conceived for capturing changes in the peripheral circulatory system during the process of lowering of core body temperature via finger plethysmogram. Recorded signals were then analyzed by chaos analysis. By analyzing the variations in the time series of the gradients of the largest Lyapunov exponent and the power value (the square of the finger plethysmogram amplitude), and by observing the conditions of the subject, the phenomenon that predicts the subject’s transition to Stage 1 sleep during wakefulness was detected.

Effect of Sho-Seiryu-To (XIAO-QING-LONG-TANG) on skin itching and peripheral eosinophil level in three elderly patients

Sho-Seiryu-To is known to be effective against allergic diseases, but its effect on skin itching has not been reported. We observed the effect of Sho-Seiryu-To on three elderly patients who, desoite using an anti-allergic drug, has severe chronic skin itching with peripheral eosinophilia. All three patients decreased their peripheral eosinophilia and improved their skin condition within eight weeks. We conclude that Sho-Seiryu-To could be capable of treating elderly patients with chronic skin itching and peripheral eosinophilia.