Okinawa Prefecture (okinawa + prefecture)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Detection of an invasive gall-inducing pest, Quadrastichus erythrinae (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), causing damage to Erythrina variegata L. (Fabaceae) in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan

ENTOMOLOGICAL SCIENCE, Issue 2 2007
Nami UECHI
Abstract In 2005, Quadrastichus erythrinae Kim, 2004 (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), which induces stem, petiole, and leaf galls on Erythrina variegata L. (Fabaceae), was found on the following six islands in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan: Okinawa, Kume, Miyako, Ishigaki, Iriomote, and Hateruma. Galls were also found in Vietnam. In Japan, no further infestation records have been reported from any of Japan's other south-western prefectures where Erythrina species grow. Because no Erythrina galls were observed in Okinawa Prefecture before 2005, Q. erythrinae seems to have invaded quite recently. [source]


Mortality rates of community-residing adults with and without dentures

GERIATRICS & GERONTOLOGY INTERNATIONAL, Issue 3 2008
Kakuhiro Fukai
Aim: To prospectively study how dental status with and without dentures could become a predictor of overall mortality risk. Methods: Five thousand six hundred eighty-eight community residents over 40 years old in the Miyako Islands, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan, were followed up for 15 years from 1987,2002. Results: We found that female subjects with less than 10 functional teeth and without dentures showed a significantly higher mortality rate than those with dentures. There was no significant difference of mortality rates in male subjects. There were no significant differences of mortality rates between subjects with 10 or more functional teeth with and without dentures. Conclusion: The present study suggests that dentures are one of the factors associated with mortality rates especially in female subjects with less than 10 functional teeth. [source]


Coexistence of two mitochondrial DNA haplotypes in Japanese populations of Hypera postica (Col., Curculionidae)

JOURNAL OF APPLIED ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 4 2005
R. Kuwata
Abstract:, In Japan, the alfalfa weevil, Hypera postica, was first recorded in 1982 from Fukuoka and Okinawa Prefectures and has been spreading to many other prefectures. The weevil seriously infests the Chinese milk vetch, Astragalus sinicus, one of the most important honey resources for honeybees in Japan. Direct sequencing of partial mitochondrial DNA and PCR-RFLP data for alfalfa weevil individuals indicated the coexistence of two haplotypes at various localities in Japan. Molecular phylogenetic analysis for H. postica haplotypes and strains indicated that the two Japanese haplotypes had not derived from a single genetic origin. Based on the results, special comments are made on biological control measures using introduced parasitic waSPS. [source]


Trends in the prevalence of low birth weight in Okinawa, Japan: a public health perspective

ACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 2 2009
T Hokama
Abstract Aim: To review the trends in low birth weight (LBW) in Japan and Okinawa and to discuss the public health implications of the trend. Methods: The statistical records of Japan and the Okinawa prefecture were reviewed to observe secular trends of LBW incidence rate and other health indicators. Literature researches were undertaken of English and Japanese language publications to complete the review. Results: The LBW rate in Japan declined until the 1970s, reaching a low point for the whole country in 1978,1979 when it was 5.2% (7.2% in Okinawa). In Okinawa the proportion of LBW declined from 8.1% in 1973 to 7.2 in 1978. Since 1980 the LBW rate has steadily increased to its current level of 9.3% in Japan and 10.9% in Okinawa. During this period, the prematurity rate has not increased and other indicators of child health have continued to improve. Conclusion: Japan is unique among developed countries in that the LBW rate has almost doubled in the past three decades and the rate in Okinawa is 20% greater than the mainland. The health costs of this trend include the neonatal care of LBW infants and the increased risk of chronic disease in later life. [source]


Estimation of dominance genetic variances for reproductive traits and growth traits of calves in Japanese Black cattle

ANIMAL SCIENCE JOURNAL, Issue 4 2004
Takafumi ISHIDA
ABSTRACT The dominance genetic effects for reproductive and calf growth abilities in the practical Japanese Black populations were examined using average information (AI) algorithm restricted maximum likelihood (REML) under animal models. The reproductive traits were observed in Japanese Black cattle maintained at Tottori and Okinawa prefectures, and growth traits of calves were observed in cattle at Okinawa. The average of dominance relationships in Tottori ranged from 0.2 to 0.4%, while the level in Okinawa was lower and sparse compared with Tottori. The proportions of the dominance variances to sum of additive and dominance variances () were all 0.02 for reproductive traits in Tottori. In contrast, the proportion was 0.02,0.64 in Okinawa regardless of the level of dominance relationships. These proportions suggested that the dominance might affect the expression of calving interval, days open and gestation length in Okinawa, where breeding units were spread over many islands. Although the dominance variances could not estimate birthweight, w as 0.34 for calf market weight and 0.27 for average daily gain from birth to calf market in Okinawa. These values also suggested that the dominance might affect the early growth of calves. In the near future, genetic relationships will become more complicated with continuation of the current selection and mating systems. Therefore, genetic evaluation accounting for dominance effects would be necessary for particular traits and populations. [source]