Proximity and preening in captive Humboldt penguins.

Group-living animals, including penguins, exhibit affiliative behaviors such as grooming (preening) and proximity. Such behaviors in non-primate animals have been less studied than those in primates. Our research focused on 20 identifiable Humboldt penguins in a zoo, analyzing kin relationships and reciprocity in preening and proximity by employing a 5-minute scan sampling method to observe and record individual behavior.

Diet-related factors strongly shaped the gut microbiota of Japanese macaques.

Although knowledge of the functions of the gut microbiome has increased greatly over the past few decades, our understanding of the mechanisms governing its ecology and evolution remains obscure. While host genetic distance is a strong predictor of the gut microbiome in large-scale studies and captive settings, its influence has not always been evident at finer taxonomic scales, especially when considering among the recently diverged animals in natural settings. Comparing the gut microbiome of 19 populations of Japanese macaques Macaca fuscata across the Japanese archipelago, we assessed the relative roles of host genetic distance, geographic distance and dietary factors in influencing the macaque gut microbiome.

Behavioral responses of solicitors after failure to receive grooming in Macaca fuscata.

Grooming is one of the most common cooperative behaviors among several animal species. However, the tactics used to cope with uncooperative partners in grooming interactions remain unclear. Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata) solicit grooming from partners through postural behaviors, but may not necessarily receive grooming.

Individual recognition of monkey (Macaca fuscata) and human (Homo sapiens) images in primatologists.

How experience affects the flexibility of facial identity recognition in adulthood is not fully understood. Primatologists are an interesting type of participants investigating facial identity recognition ability and flexibility because they can recognize individual primates based on their appearance, including body and facial features, through intense training during adulthood. Consequently, this study investigates the influence of primatological experience on individual recognition ability using eye-tracking techniques and sequential 2-alternative forced-choice matching tasks with images of humans (Homo sapiens) and Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata).

Male care in a free-ranging group of Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata).

Among the Macaca species, adult male Japanese macaques are the least likely to perform male care (i.e., affiliative interactions between adult males and immatures, including holding, carrying, and grooming); however, they perform male care for infants, albeit infrequently.

Triadic grooming among adult females in a free-ranging group of Japanese macaques.

This study aimed to quantitatively describe triadic grooming bouts in a free-ranging group of Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata). Two types of triadic grooming bouts occurred less frequently and for a shorter duration than dyadic grooming bouts: straight-line type (SL), where individual A grooms B, who then grooms C; and two-to-one type (TO), where individuals X1 and X2 groom Y. TO-type grooming was recorded more often than SL-type grooming.

Japanese macaque (Macaca fuscata) mothers huddle with their young offspring instead of adult females for thermoregulation.

It is unclear whom animals select to huddle with for thermoregulation. In this study, we investigated whom Japanese macaque (Macaca fuscata) mothers huddled with-their young offspring or other adult group members-when there is need for thermoregulation. We used a focal-animal sampling method, targeting 17 females at Katsuyama, Okayama Prefecture, Japan.

Emotional states after grooming interactions in Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata).

In animal societies, the effect of grooming interactions on anxiety reduction is unclear. This study examined the effects of giving and receiving grooming on anxiety reduction in free ranging female Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata) by measuring rates of self-scratching as an index of anxiety. In this study, the authors used a focal-animal sampling method, targeting 17 females at Katsuyama, Okayama prefecture, Japan.

The effect of solicitations on grooming exchanges among female Japanese macaques at Katsuyama.

In group-living primates, individuals often exchange grooming with not only kin but also non-kin. We investigated the effect of soliciting behaviors on grooming exchanges in a free-ranging Japanese macaque (Macaca fuscata) group at Katsuyama. In this study, we used a focal animal sampling method, targeting 14 females.

Perampanel: a novel, orally active, noncompetitive AMPA-receptor antagonist that reduces seizure activity in rodent models of epilepsy.

Purpose: To assess the pharmacology of perampanel and its antiseizure activity in preclinical models. Perampanel [2-(2-oxo-1-phenyl-5-pyridin-2-yl-1,2-dihydropyridin-3-yl) benzonitrile] is a novel, orally active, prospective antiepileptic agent currently in development for refractory partial-onset seizures.

Methods: Perampanel pharmacology was assessed by examining changes in intracellular free Ca(2+) ion concentration ([Ca(2+) ](i) ) in primary rat cortical neurones, and [(3) H]perampanel binding to rat forebrain membranes.

Altered expression of glutamate transporters in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.

Amelioration of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) by blockade of the alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionate (AMPA) receptor, 2,3-dihydroxy-6-nitro-7-sulfamoylbenzo(f)quinoxaline (NBQX), has been recently demonstrated [Nat. Med. 6 (2000) 67; Nat.