Publications by authors named "K Akatani"
Article Synopsis
- Understanding size assortative mating in the Ryukyu Scops Owls reveals complex dynamics where males and females select mates based on size, contrary to trends seen in other species.
- A long-term study demonstrated significant assortative mating based on bill and wing lengths, indicating active mate choice rather than chance similarity.
- Findings suggest that smaller females may prefer smaller males for better reproductive performance, possibly due to advantages in flight and hunting skills among smaller individuals.
We investigated the effect of ingesting Lactobacillus pentosus S-PT84 on the interferon-α (IFN-α) production from splenocytes and plasmacytoid dendritic cells by virus stimulation. IFN-α production by the Lactobacillus pentosus S-PT84 ingestion group was significantly greater under the virus-infected condition than that by the control group. Lactobacillus pentosus S-PT84 could enhance the production of IFN-α which is known as an important cytokine for preventing virus infection.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is an endogenous cytokine that induces apoptosis in malignant tumor cells. Here, we show for the first time that lactobacilli induce TRAIL production in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Treatment with lactobacilli induced TRAIL on the cell surface of PBMC and in culture medium.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEcological study of avian malaria vectors on the island of Minami-Daito, Japan.
J Am Mosq Control Assoc
September 2009
The seasonal prevalence and spatial distribution of mosquitoes were examined as part of an avian malaria study on the oceanic island of Minami-Daito Island, Japan. Because dry ice was not available in this study, yeast-generated CO2 was used to attract biting mosquitoes. Adult mosquitoes were collected biweekly using battery-operated traps enhanced with yeast-generated CO2 and a gravid trap from March 2006 to February 2007.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- Researchers found that several bird species on Minami Daito Island in Japan are infected with avian Plasmodium, but the specific mosquito vectors responsible remain unclear.
- They collected 1,264 mosquitoes over a year and tested 399 DNA samples, finding a 1.2% infection rate for avian Plasmodium among them.
- Four mosquito species were identified as potential vectors: Aedes albopictus, Culex quinquefasciatus, Lutzia fuscanus, and Mansonia sp., with some DNA sequences matching known avian Plasmodium lineages from local birds.