The α₂-adrenoceptor agonist and opioid analgesic are useful adjunctive drugs for surgical anesthesia due to their potent analgesic properties through acting on neurons intrinsic to the spinal cord, as well as on axon terminals arising from dorsal root ganglia or from descending modulatory pathways. Their combination is known to be potentially beneficial in enhancing analgesic utility via synergistic interaction mainly at the spinal cord mediated by either intercellular or intracellular mechanisms. I am focusing on dexmedetomidine, an α₂-adrenoceptor agonist that its perioperative application is increasingly expanding in human and veterinary medicine in recent years. I am currently conducting research on interactions between dexmedetomidine and opioid on analgesic effects, as well as hemodynamics and fluid homeostasis including renal function and endocrine system, in companion animals.

Typical gallbladder diseases in dogs include biliary sludge, gallbladder mucocele, and cholelithiasis, but the pathophysiology remains unclear. I am investigating safer treatment methods by clarifying the detailed pathophysiology of canine gallbladder disease.
In addition, the progress of diagnostic imaging technology in veterinary medicine is remarkable, and I am also working on the application of these data to surgical anatomy (vascular anatomy, etc.), and using these, considering a more safer surgical methods.

Veterinary pathology is the study and elucidation of the causes of animal disease and the study of their mechanisms. There are varies of animal diseases that are recognized dependinng on the animal species, the porpose of keeping animals and anatomical and physiological charaters of animal specises.
The researchs currently focusing on:
1) Pathological study of cardiac dilation in meerkat aims to elucidate the cause of cardiac dilation with suspecting a relationship with nutrients deficiency such as vitamin E and selenium.
2) Patholocical study of dermal fungus disease in Shiro-hebi (albino of Japanese rat snake) aims to elucidate the cause of the disease.

The bone is essential for structural support of the body and protection of internal organs, and also provides mineral storage for metabolic homeostasis. Bone mass is regulated in a fine-tuned balance between bone formation and resorption, and breakdown of this balance leads to bone disorders characterized by alterd bone mass, such as osteoporosis and osteopetrosis. It has been established that osteoblasts and osteoclasts play critical roles in bone formation and resorption, respectively, and indeed dysfunction of these cells is involved in pathogenesis of alterd bone mass. I have been working on osteoclast. Recently, we reported steoclats specific actin-binding protein Profilin1 knockout (Pfn1-cKO) mice have skeletal dysplasia associated with osteopenia and Pfn1-cKO osteoclasts exhibit increased migration, indicating that Pfn1 protects mice from osteopenia and skeletal deformities by negatively regulating osteoclast migration (Kajikawa S. et al., JBMR PLUS (2018)). Now, I am working on regulatory mechanisms of osteoclast migration by Pfn1.

Regenerative medicine is attracting as much attention in the veterinary medicine field as in the human medicine field. Research in the veterinary medicine is also expected to be returned to the human medicine. Severe spinal cord injuries in small animal clinical practice often result in animals that cannot walk or stand on their own even after treatment, and there is a need to develop new treatment for spinal cord injuries. In this laboratory, we are conducting research on the development of spinal cord regeneration therapies using stem cells that can be isolated from living tissue and various cytokines. We are also researching the effectiveness and efficacy of rehabilitation as well as the development of new treatment methods by further elucidating the pathophysiology of spinal cord injury and studying gait analysis of spinal cord injured animals.

Food hygiene is expected to more important due to HACCP and export of meat and marine product.
Pneumonia is a common disease in feedlot, and Mycoplasma bovis may be involved. The bacteria occur such as pneumonia, mastitis, and arthritis. Endocarditis, which causes lesions in the heart, is occasionally observed at slaughterhouses (Fig). The researches of adhesive factors for vaccine development leads to a stable supply of meat product.
Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC, STEC), Salmonella, Campylobacter,which are known to be food poisoning, are tested at the Meat Inspection Center. The study of food microbiology that have attracted attention in recent years, such as Clostridium perfringens and Listeria monocytogenes, makes to improve food safety.

The number of patients with type 2 diabetes is projected to increase from about 400 million to about 600 million by 2040, and hypertension affects about 1.4 billion people worldwide. It has also been reported that about 85% of type 2 diabetes patients develop hypertension by the age of 50, and about 50% of hypertensive patients develop type 2 diabetes, so there are many patients with both hypertension and diabetes. Functional abnormalities and structural changes in large blood vessels such as the aorta, small blood vessels such as capillaries, and lymphatic vessels are associated with the pathogenesis of hypertension and diabetes. Using genetically engineered animals, excised blood vessels and lymphatic vessels, and cultured cells, I am investigating the pathogenesis of hypertension and diabetes using molecular biological techniques, with the aim of developing new therapeutic agents.

Liife expectancy is getting longer in developed countries, which result in progressive increase in the number of elderly individuals. In parallel, the number of patients with neurodegenerative diseases that cannot yet be cured or significantly slowed, such as frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), is increasing. The cytoplasmic aggregation and accumulation of the nuclear protein TAR DNA-binding protein 43 kDa (TDP-43) is a hallmark of FTD and ALS. TDP-43 action in the nucleus is essential for cellular homeostasis, and TDP-43 aggregation in the cytoplasm is toxic to cells. These findings indicate that TDP-43 accumulation in the cytoplasm mediates development of FTD and ALS. Notably, TDP-43 pathology in the affected region spread over brain and spinal cord simlar to prion diseases. However, the mechanism for cell-to-cell spreading of TDP-43 pathology has been unknown. We previously showed that macroautophagy, a cellular degradation system, suppress aggregate-prone TDP-43 accumulation. Thus, we examine whether dysregulation of macroautophagy develops TDP-43 pathology. For cure of neurodegenerative diseases such as FTD and ALS through suppression of TDP-43 pathology, we are working on fundamental reserach.

I am working for research on the causes, diagnosis and treatment of dermatosis and ear diseases in companion animals (dogs, cats and exotic pet animals). Furthermore, I am focusing on research on the treatment of infestation by fleas, ticks and Demodex mites. With regard to preventive veterinary medicine, the survey on the prevalence of infectious diseases in dogs and cats and further pharmacoepidemiological studies on vaccines, prophylactics for dirofilariasis, and ectoparasiticides for dogs and cats.

We not only analyze the health status of humans, animals, the environment, and food, but also develop new testing methods to evaluate them.
In recent years, we have been conducting joint research with local governments and companies to develop processing methods to reduce food loss and add value to food ingredients, to evaluate the pharmacokinetics of functional ingredients in foods, and to develop new testing methods for inflammation markers.

Most female mammals have an estrous cycle in which they ovulate periodically. During the estrous cycle, ovarian follicles develop and blood levels of estrogen secreted by the developing follicles increase. This increased estrogen induces ovulation, promotes the proliferation of the endometrium to prepare for implantation of a fertilized egg, and induces sexual behavior by acting on the central nervous system. In addition, estrogen is known to have a wide range of effects, including effects on bone formation, central effects such as memory, and effects on the cardiovascular systems. This means that a wide range of cells are affected by estrogen, and these effects fluctuate during the estrous cycle. In our laboratory, we are investigating the factors and functions affected by estrogen during the estrous cycle, especially in tissues related to reproductive functions such as the pituitary gland and uterus. Oxytocin is a hormone secreted by the posterior pituitary gland and is involved in milk secretion and uterine contractions. Recently, its central effects, such as the ability to trust others more easily, have been attracting attention. Vitamin D is considered to be a hormone and is known to have many actions, just like estrogen. We are currently investigating the regulatory mechanisms of oxytocin receptor and vitamin D receptor expressions, which are involved in the expression of these hormones’ actions.

In order to conduct animal experiments with due consideration for animal welfare, we are improving to improve experimental techniques and management methods for experimental animals, and the breeding environment. Since we humans and animals can only communicate non-verbally, we are interested in assessing the needs of animals. We are studying pain assessment and temperature management in postoperative mice by setting up an environment that is selective for the animals.
We also view dog walking as a “joint activity between owner and dog,” and research the health promotion of dogs and their owners through dog walking. Dog walking have been reported to have a positive effects on the physical and mental health of dogs and their owners. We are currently researching heat stroke prevention for dog owners and dogs during dog walking from the perspective of safe health promotion.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is one of the major causative diseases for dementia. Characteristic AD pathology, such as amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, are observed in aged animal brains, suggesting that AD pathology would be the sign of brain aging. Zoobiquity is an approach to investigate and treat diseases without any distinction of species. I have been working on the studies to clarify the mechanism of brain aging and the pathogenesis of AD by using nonhuman primates. I am also interested in how neuronal activities affect membrane traffic system in neural cells.

It is important to understand the physiology and behavior of livestock in relation to their environment, and to manage animal husbandry according to their needs. This is intended to maximize the productivity of livestock. From the livestock keeper point of view, it is important to increase labor productivity by saving labor, and it is essential to harmonize the requirements of livestock and their keepers.

I am researching standards for exercising state jurisdiction in Internet. I am also researching ways to protect students from natural disasters. In addition, I am conducting a legal analysis of informed consent in veterinary medicine.

We are engaged in nursing research on the creation and development of new technologies that can visualize the desire to care for animals setting our target on the nursing that emphasizes the happiness of all animals. In recent years, in particular, the aging of animals is accelerating its pace, so nursing in the senior period is required to be more practical and individualized. Above all else, we focus our attention on the prevention and management of pressure ulcers and push for relevant research.

Besides, in collaboration with animal nurses at various veterinary hospitals, we are working on research such as creating observation scales that are usable for clinical practice.

Obesity is the common nutritional disorder in veterinary medicine. I reserched any metabolic factor related genes and capture changes in individual metabolic capacity.
Disc Herniation is highly prevalent in some dog breeds such as miniature dachshunds. It is thought that gene mutations related to some structural factors are specifically conserved. I am studying those causal factors.

When injection substances such as anesthetics to experimental animals, they should be pharmaceutical or veterinary grade or the Japanese Pharmacopoeia products, and scientific justification is required for the use of non-pharmaceutical grade compounds. Pentobarbital sodium has been used as an anesthetic for small laboratory rodents because of its rapid on set of effect, rapid loss of consciousness, and low cost compared to other anesthetics. However, this anesthetic is no longer marketed, and it has become necessary to find an alternative anesthetic to pentobarbital sodium. In this study, we will devise new anesthetic methods by combining anesthetics, sedatives, and analgesics that are currently manufactured and marketed as drugs.

It seems to be common knowledge today that human rights are universal. However, despite the universality of human rights, discrimination based on race and gender, as well as human rights violations arising from religious backgrounds, continue to occur in the international community. One of the reasons behind this problem is the opinion that although the concept of human rights itself is universal, the particular circumstances (cultural) of each region in the international community are different, and therefore it is not really possible to implement human rights with the same standards in all regions. I believe that the universality that human rights possess is not necessarily in conflict with the particularities in a region. In order to pursue and clarify this view, I am researching how human rights (international human rights) should be addressed in the international community (methodology). The study examines this concept from the perspective of whether it is compatible with the universality of human rights. We also study what grounds the universality of human rights. In particular, we are studying whether the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), which was the starting point for the numerous international human rights treaties created mainly by the United Nations, can be recognized as customary international law today.

My research interests are in Faculty Development (FD) and Staff Development (SD) in higher education. Until now I am engaged in development of textbooks for FD such as “Active Learning” and “Course Design”. My activity is not a discovery of new knowledge, but an integration of existing knowledge on teaching practice. Recently, I have been interested in development of practical approaches for academic advising.