Displaying publications 61 - 80 of 501 in total

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  1. Discovery of deep-sea acoels from a chemosynthesis-based ecosystem
    Hookabe N, Jimi N, Furushima Y, Fujiwara Y
    Biol Lett, 2024 Jul;20(7):20230573.
    PMID: 39079676 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2023.0573
    Chemosynthesis-based ecosystems such as hydrothermal vents and hydrocarbon seeps harbour various endemic species, each uniquely adapted to the extreme conditions. While some species rely on obligatory relationships with bacterial symbionts for nutrient uptake, scavengers and predators also play important roles in food web dynamics in these ecosystems. Acoels, members of the phylum Xenacoelomorpha, are simple, worm-like invertebrates found in marine environments worldwide but are scarcely understood taxa. This study presents a novel genus and species of acoel from a deep-sea hydrocarbon seep off Hatsushima, Japan, Hoftherma hatsushimaensis gen. et sp. nov. Our multi-locus phylogenetic analysis revealed that the acoels are nested within Hofsteniidae, a family previously known exclusively from shallow waters. This finding suggests that at least two independent colonization events occurred in the chemosynthesis-based environments from the phylum Xenoacoelomorpha, represented by hofsteniid acoels and Xenoturbella. Previous reports of hofsteniid species from low-oxygen and sulfide-rich environments, including intertidal habitats with decomposing leaves, in addition to H. hatsushimaensis gen. et sp. nov. from a deep-sea hydrocarbon seep, imply a common ancestral adaptation to sulfide-rich ecosystems within Hofsteniidae. Moreover, the sister relationship between solenofilomorphid acoels predominating in sulfide-rich habitats indicates common ancestral adaptation to sulfide-rich ecosystems between these two families.
    Matched MeSH terms: Japan
  2. Fulltext A new genus and species of nudibranch-mimicking Syllidae (Annelida, Polychaeta)
    Jimi N, Britayev TA, Sako M, Woo SP, Martin D
    Sci Rep, 2024 Jul 29;14(1):17123.
    PMID: 39075131 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-66465-4
    Nudibranch mollusks, which are well-known for their vivid warning coloration and effective defenses, are mimicked by diverse invertebrates to deter predation through both Müllerian and Batesian strategies. Despite extensive documentation across different taxa, mimickers have not been detected among annelids, including polychaetes, until now. This study described a new genus and species of polychaete living on Dendronephthya octocorals in Vietnam and Japan. Belonging to Syllidae, it exhibits unique morphological adaptations such as a low number of body segments, simple chaetae concealed within the parapodia and large and fusiform antennae and cirri. Moreover, these appendages are vividly colored, featuring an internal dark red area with numerous terminal white spots and bright yellow tips, effectively contributing to mimicking the appearance of a nudibranch. This discovery not only documents the first known instance of such mimicry among annelids, but also expands our understanding of evolutionary adaptation and ecological strategies in marine invertebrates.
    Matched MeSH terms: Japan
  3. Research to inform health systems' responses to rapid population ageing: a collection of studies funded by the WHO Centre for Health Development in Kobe, Japan
    Rosenberg M, Tomioka S, Barber SL
    Health Res Policy Syst, 2022 Nov 29;20(Suppl 1):128.
    PMID: 36443868 DOI: 10.1186/s12961-022-00917-z
    Population ageing is a global phenomenon that has profound implications for all aspects of health systems development. Research is needed to understand and improve the health system response to this demographic shift, especially in low- and middle-income countries where the change is happening rapidly. This Supplement was organized by the WHO Centre for Health Development in Kobe, Japan (WHO Kobe Centre) whose mission is to promote innovation and research for equitable and sustainable universal health coverage considering the impacts of population ageing. The Supplement features 10 papers all based on studies that were funded by the WHO Kobe Centre in recent years. The studies involve a diverse set of 10 countries in the Asia Pacific (Cambodia, Japan, the Lao People's Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam); address various aspects of the health system including service delivery, workforce development and financing; and utilize a wide range of research methods, including economic modelling, household surveys and intervention evaluations. This introductory article offers a brief description of each study's methods, key findings and implications. Collectively, the studies demonstrate the potential contribution that health systems research can make toward addressing the challenges of ensuring sustainable universal health coverage even while countries undergo rapid population ageing.
    Matched MeSH terms: Japan
  4. Fulltext Evidence of local short-distance spawning migration of tropical freshwater eels, and implications for the evolution of freshwater eel migration
    Arai T
    Ecol Evol, 2014 Oct;4(19):3812-9.
    PMID: 25614795 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.1245
    Freshwater eels have fascinated biologists for centuries due to the spectacular long-distance migrations between the eels' freshwater habitats and their spawning areas far out in the ocean and the mysteries of their ecology. The spawning areas of Atlantic eels and Japanese eel were located far offshore in the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean, respectively, and their reproduction took place thousands of kilometers away from their growth habitats. Phylogenetic studies have revealed that freshwater eels originated in the Indonesian region. However, remarkably little is known about the life histories of tropical freshwater eels despite the fact that tropical eels are key to understanding the nature of primitive forms of catadromous migration. This study found spawning-condition tropical freshwater eels in Lake Poso, central Sulawesi, Indonesia, with considerably high gonadosomatic index values and with histologically fully developed gonads. This study provides the first evidence that under certain conditions, freshwater eels have conditions that are immediately able to spawn even in river downstream. The results suggest that, in contrast to the migrations made by the Atlantic and Japanese eels, freshwater eels originally migrated only short distances of <100 kilometers to local spawning areas adjacent to their freshwater growth habitats. Ancestral eels most likely underwent a catadromous migration from local short-distance movements in tropical coastal waters to the long-distance migrations characteristic of present-day temperate eels, which has been well established as occurring in subtropical gyres in both hemispheres.
    Matched MeSH terms: Japan
  5. Species-richness in the Oriental fungus-feeding thrips of the genus Azaleothrips (Thysanoptera, Phlaeothripidae)
    Okajima S, Masumoto M
    Zootaxa, 2014;3846(3):301-47.
    PMID: 25112255 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3846.3.1
    Azaleothrips, a phlaeothripine genus of fungus-feeding species, is presumably endemic to the Oriental Region between India and Japan. Although only 10 species have been known in this genus until now, a total of 35 species is recorded here, of which 26 are newly described: from Indonesia--A. bali sp.n., A. bulelengi sp.n., A. dentatus sp.n., A. dorsalis sp.n., A. floresi sp.n., A. inflavus sp.n., A. simulans sp.n., A. sulawesicus sp.n., from the Philippines--A. apoensis sp.n., A. bifidius sp.n., A. luzonensis sp.n., A. mindanaoensis sp.n., A. philippinensis sp.n., from Taiwan--A. atayal sp.n., A. formosae sp.n., A. taiwanus sp.n., from Thailand--A. flavicollis sp.n., A. phuketanus sp.n., A. pulcher sp.n., A. toshifumii sp.n., from Vietnam--A. laocai sp.n., A. vietnamensis sp.n., from W. Malaysia--A. malaya sp.n., A. reticulatus sp.n., A. richardi sp.n., A. templeri sp.n. In addition A. magnus Chen, described from Taiwan, is newly synonymized with A. moundi. Azaleothrips laevigatus, described from southern Japan, is newly recorded more widely in Southeast Asia. A key to 33 species is provided, but A. bhattii and A. lineus cannot be recognized because of the poor information in the original descriptions.
    Matched MeSH terms: Japan
  6. Applying the natural disasters vulnerability evaluation model to the March 2011 north-east Japan earthquake and tsunami
    Ruiz Estrada MA, Yap SF, Park D
    Disasters, 2014 Jul;38 Suppl 2:S206-29.
    PMID: 24905816 DOI: 10.1111/disa.12069
    Natural hazards have a potentially large impact on economic growth, but measuring their economic impact is subject to a great deal of uncertainty. The central objective of this paper is to demonstrate a model--the natural disasters vulnerability evaluation (NDVE) model--that can be used to evaluate the impact of natural hazards on gross national product growth. The model is based on five basic indicators-natural hazards growth rates (αi), the national natural hazards vulnerability rate (ΩT), the natural disaster devastation magnitude rate (Π), the economic desgrowth rate (i.e. shrinkage of the economy) (δ), and the NHV surface. In addition, we apply the NDVE model to the north-east Japan earthquake and tsunami of March 2011 to evaluate its impact on the Japanese economy.
    Matched MeSH terms: Japan
  7. The Fukushima nuclear crisis reemphasizes the need for improved risk communication and better use of social media
    Ng KH, Lean ML
    Health Phys, 2012 Sep;103(3):307-10.
    PMID: 22850236 DOI: 10.1097/HP.0b013e318257cfcb
    The potential of social media has expanded far beyond the initial function of social communication among a network of friends. It has become an increasingly important tool in risk communication to allow the dissemination of timely and accurate information to global citizens to make more informed choices regarding a particular crisis. The Fukushima nuclear crisis is an example where the potential of social media was not fully tapped. This caused undue stress and distrust of authorities. While the use of social media in this crisis could have altered significantly the level of trust in authorities and others, two additional points should be considered. One point is the use of plain language versus scientific language in order to reach a wider audience. The other is an urgent need to improve public information especially in the event of a nuclear emergency and to enhance educational efforts and action by improving radiological protection communication from regulatory bodies and international agencies. These are points that also play a large role in the use of social media.
    Matched MeSH terms: Japan
  8. A TAXONOMIC STUDY OF THE GENUS PADINA (DICTYOTALES, PHAEOPHYCEAE) INCLUDING THE DESCRIPTIONS OF FOUR NEW SPECIES FROM JAPAN, HAWAII, AND THE ANDAMAN SEA(1)
    Win NN, Hanyuda T, Arai S, Uchimura M, Prathep A, Draisma SG, et al.
    J Phycol, 2011 Oct;47(5):1193-209.
    PMID: 27028247 DOI: 10.1111/j.1529-8817.2011.01054.x
    A taxonomic study of the genus Padina from Japan, Southeast Asia, and Hawaii based on morphology and gene sequence data (rbcL and cox3) resulted in the recognition of four new species, that is, Padina macrophylla and Padina ishigakiensis from Ryukyu Islands, Japan; Padina maroensis from Hawaii; and Padina usoehtunii from Myanmar and Thailand. All species are bistratose and morphologically different from one another as well as from any known taxa by a combination of characters relating to degree of calcification; the structure, position, and arrangement of hairlines (HLs) and reproductive sori; and the presence or absence of rhizoid-like groups of hairs and an indusium. Molecular phylogenetic analyses demonstrated a close relationship between P. ishigakiensis, P. macrophylla, P. maroensis, and Padina australis Hauck. The position of P. usoehtunii, however, was not fully resolved, being either sister to a clade comprising the other three new species and P. australis in the rbcL tree or more closely related to a clade comprising several other recently described species in the cox3 tree. The finding of the four new species demonstrates high species diversity particularly in southern Japan. The following characters were first recognized here to be useful for species delimitation: the presence or absence of small rhizoid-like groups of hairs on the thallus surface, structure and arrangement of HLs on both surfaces either alternate or irregular, and arrangement of the alternating HLs between both surfaces in equal or unequal distance. The evolutionary trajectory of these and six other morphological characters used in species delineation was traced on the phylogenetic tree.
    Matched MeSH terms: Japan
  9. [Importance of twin research in preventive medicine and future perspective. Gene-environment interaction research in epigenetics era]
    Hayakawa K
    Nihon Eiseigaku Zasshi, 2011 Jan;66(1):29-30.
    PMID: 21358129
    The importance of twin research in the field of preventive medicine is described from the viewpoint of gene-environment interaction. The recent advancements in twin research in Japan and other countries are the major topics in this paper. The historical background of the Japan Society for Twin Studies is described. The Center for Twin Research of Osaka University is also described as the first center of this kind in Japan. The advancement of epigenetic research is described as a new global trend of twin research, particularly in European countries. Other new trends in twin research in Asian countries, such as China, Indonesia, Russia, Iran, and Malaysia, are also described.
    Matched MeSH terms: Japan
  10. Multicentre evaluations of two new rapid IgG4 tests (WB rapid and panLF rapid) for detection of lymphatic filariasis
    Noordin R, Itoh M, Kimura E, Abdul Rahman R, Ravindran B, Mahmud R, et al.
    Filaria journal, 2007;6:9.
    PMID: 17961262
    In the global effort to eliminate lymphatic filariasis (LF), rapid field-applicable tests are useful tools that will allow on-site testing to be performed in remote places and the results to be obtained rapidly. Exclusive reliance on the few existing tests may jeopardize the progress of the LF elimination program, thus the introduction of other rapid tests would be useful to address this issue. Two new rapid immunochromatographic IgG4 cassette tests have been produced, namely WB rapid and panLF rapid, for detection of bancroftian filariasis and all three species of lymphatic filaria respectively. WB rapid was developed using BmSXP recombinant antigen, while PanLF rapid was developed using BmR1 and BmSXP recombinant antigens. A total of 165 WB rapid and 276 panLF rapid tests respectively were evaluated at USM and the rest were couriered to another university in Malaysia (98 WB rapid, 129 panLF rapid) and to universities in Indonesia (56 WB rapid, 62 panLF rapid), Japan (152 of each test) and India (18 of each test) where each of the tests underwent independent evaluations in a blinded manner. The average sensitivities of WB rapid and panLF rapid were found to be 97.6% (94%-100%) and 96.5% (94%-100%) respectively; while their average specificities were both 99.6% (99%-100%). Thus this study demonstrated that both the IgG4 rapid tests were highly sensitive and specific, and would be useful additional tests to facilitate the global drive to eliminate this disease.
    Matched MeSH terms: Japan
  11. Rapid change in Japanese medical education
    Onishi H, Yoshida I
    Med Teach, 2004 Aug;26(5):403-8.
    PMID: 15369878
    Change in Japanese medical education has been accelerating over the last 10 years. Historically, clinical departments in each medical school played a crucial role, but reports in the mass media tried to refute the feudal 'ikyoku-koza' system with a number of malpractice cases, inappropriate patient-doctor communication, etc. At that time policies by the Ministries of Education and Health (rationalized in 2001) independently became more influential in medical education. In particular the network of governmental medical schools has been restructured, merged and privatized since 2001. In the 1990s several private medical schools developed distinctive curricula including problem-based learning (PBL), the objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) and introduction to clinical medicine (ICM). The curriculum for clinical medicine is still a critical issue and will be a major challenge for the management of each medical school. The effectiveness of the National Model Curriculum consisting of more than 1200 objectives might be questionable but the National Common Achievement Test (CAT) will make a strong impact on the preclinical curriculum. In the future each medical school should adopt an outcome-based education system to close the loop of curriculum development. An evaluation system based on the entire medical school or curriculum will be the key to successful education.
    Matched MeSH terms: Japan
  12. New records of the Japanese seahorse Hippocampus mohnikei in Southeast Asia lead to updates in range, habitat and threats
    Aylesworth L, Lawson JM, Laksanawimol P, Ferber P, Loh TL
    J Fish Biol, 2016 Apr;88(4):1620-30.
    PMID: 26840386 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.12908
    New records of the Japanese seahorse Hippocampus mohnikei from Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam, along with recently published studies from India and Singapore, have greatly expanded the known range of H. mohnikei within Southeast Asia. These new records reveal novel habitat preferences and threats to H. mohnikei in the region. Although the global conservation status of H. mohnikei is classified as Data Deficient according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, new sightings indicate that this species is found in similar habitats and faces similar threats as other Hippocampus species that are considered Vulnerable.
    Matched MeSH terms: Japan
  13. Fulltext Maxillary and mandibular anterior crown width/height ratio and its relation to various arch perimeters, arch length, and arch width groups
    Shahid F, Alam MK, Khamis MF
    Eur J Dent, 2016 3 2;9(4):490-499.
    PMID: 26929686 DOI: 10.4103/1305-7456.172620
    OBJECTIVE: To investigate the maxillary and mandibular anterior crown width/height ratio and its relation to various arch perimeters, arch length, and arch width (intercanine, interpremolar, and intermolar) groups.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: The calculated sample size was 128 subjects. The crown width/height, arch length, arch perimeter, and arch width of the maxilla and mandible were obtained via digital calliper (Mitutoyo, Japan). A total of 4325 variables were measured. The sex differences in the crown width and height were evaluated. Analysis of variance was applied to evaluate the differences between arch length, arch perimeter, and arch width groups.

    RESULTS: Males had significantly larger mean values for crown width and height than females (P ≤ 0.05) for maxillary and mandibular arches, both. There were no significant differences observed for the crown width/height ratio in various arch length, arch perimeter, and arch width (intercanine, interpremolar, and intermolar) groups (P ≤ 0.05) in maxilla and mandible, both.

    CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate sexual disparities in the crown width and height. Crown width and height has no significant relation to various arch length, arch perimeter, and arch width groups of maxilla and mandible. Thus, it may be helpful for orthodontic and prosthodontic case investigations and comprehensive management.

    Matched MeSH terms: Japan
  14. A review of Billaea Robineau-Desvoidy of the eastern Palearctic and Oriental regions (Diptera: Tachinidae)
    Zhang CT, Shima H, Wang Q, Tschorsnig HP
    Zootaxa, 2015;3949(1):1-40.
    PMID: 25947790 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3949.1.1
    The species of Billaea Robineau-Desvoidy (Diptera, Tachinidae) from the eastern Palearctic and Oriental regions are        revised. Ten described species are recognized, viz. B. atkinsoni (Baranov) (new records for Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Pakistan and Thailand), B. ficorum (Townsend), B. fortis (Rondani), B. impigra Kolomiets (new record for China), B. kolomyetzi Mesnil, B. malayana Malloch, B. morosa Mesnil, B. robusta Malloch, B. steini (Brauer et Bergenstamm) and B. triangulifera (Zetterstedt) and nine species are described as new to science, B. brevicauda Zhang et Shima sp. nov.       (China), B. carinata Zhang et Shima sp. nov. (China), B. chinensis Zhang et Shima sp. nov. (China and Vietnam), B. flava Zhang et Wang sp. nov. (China), B. kurahashii Zhang et Shima sp. nov. (Laos and Thailand), B. micronychia Zhang et Shima sp. nov. (China and Japan; previously misidentified from China as B. irrorata (Meigen)), B. papei Zhang et Shima sp. nov. (Malaysia), B. setigera Zhang et Shima sp. nov. (China) and B. verticalis Shima et Zhang sp. nov. (China). Billaea fasciata (Townsend, 1928) is treated as a junior synonym of B. ficorum (Townsend, 1916), syn. nov. Billaea irrorata is no longer recorded from the eastern Palearctic. A key to 19 species of Billaea from the eastern Palearctic and Oriental regions and 101 figures of male terminalia, bodies, heads and abdomens are given.
    Matched MeSH terms: Japan
  15. War diary reminiscences: part two
    MacDuff B
    Int Hist Nurs J, 1996;1(3):55-60.
    PMID: 11619078
    In the concluding part of her war diary, Brenda MacDuff, a nurse with the Colonial Nursing Service in Malaya, tells of her final incarceration, eventual freedom and reunion with her husband.
    Matched MeSH terms: Japan
  16. War diary reminiscences
    MacDuff B
    Int Hist Nurs J, 1995;1(2):83-96.
    PMID: 11619073
    In Part 1 of her war diary, Brenda MacDuff, a nurse with the Colonial Nursing Service in Malaya, tells of her early experiences in the country at the outbreak of war in the East and of her subsequent capture by the Japanese Army.
    Matched MeSH terms: Japan
  17. JICWELS' MCH training program in the Aiiku Institute: Asian MCH workshop
    Hirayama M, Oyama O, Asano M
    Acta Paediatr Jpn, 1993 Dec;35(6):579-82.
    PMID: 8109245
    Taking a form of Official Development Aid (ODA), the Japan International Cooperation of Welfare Services (JICWELS) and Imperial Gift Foundation, Boshi-Aiiku-Kai (Aiiku Association for Maternal and Child Health and Welfare) have extended a study program on maternal and child health (MCH) since 1989 on the commission of the Ministry of Health and Welfare. 'Community participation' is the key to the first international study program focused solely on MCH. The purpose of the program is to help to improve the planning and administration in the field of MCH. Through this, the information and experience attained in Japanese MCH activities are introduced especially by participation in community-level activities of 'Aiiku-Han' in which local citizens play a major role. The operation system of the Asian MCH Workshop, contents of the workshop, evaluation and future prospects are discussed.
    Matched MeSH terms: Japan
  18. Cadmium content in rice and its daily intake in various countries
    Rivai IF, Koyama H, Suzuki S
    Bull Environ Contam Toxicol, 1990 Jun;44(6):910-6.
    PMID: 2354269
    Matched MeSH terms: Japan
  19. Pollution problems in the Prefacture of Osaka
    Yamaguchi M
    Med J Malaysia, 1974 Dec;29(2):114-24.
    PMID: 4282396
    Matched MeSH terms: Japan
  20. Placental alkaline phosphatase types in Japanese
    Blake NM, Kirk RL, Matsumoto H
    Jinrui Idengaku Zasshi, 1969 Mar;13(4):243-8.
    PMID: 5815017
    Matched MeSH terms: Japan
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