Complete mitochondrial DNA sequence of the endemic Japanese pond turtle Mauremys japonica (Reptilia: Testudines)

The complete mitochondrial genome of the Japanese pond turtle Mauremys japonica from Japan was analyzed using next-generation sequencing. The mitochondrial genome of M. japonica was identified as a 16,443 bp circular molecule containing 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 tRNA genes, and 2 rRNA genes, along with 1 A + T-rich control region; the average AT content was 62.82%. One extra base was present at the 174th position in the ND3 gene. The phylogenetic analyses of the complete mitochondrial DNA genes strongly supported the result obtained from the phylogenetic analysis of partial DNA sequences, grouping the monophyletic species within the genus Mauremys

Complete mitochondrial DNA sequence of the three-keeled pond turtle Mauremys reevesii (Reptilia: Testudines)

The complete mitochondrial genome of the three-keeled pond turtle Mauremys reevesii from Japan was analyzed using next-generation sequencing. The mitochondrial genome of M. reevesii was observed to be a circular molecule of 15,528 bp containing 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, and two rRNA genes, along with one A + T-rich control region. The average AT was found to be 61.11%. One extra base was present at the 174th position in the ND3 gene. Molecular phylogenetic analysis revealed that M. reevesii from Japan was few genetically distant from the geographically isolated M. reevesii from South Korea. This turtle might have been exported to Japan from the Korean Peninsula after the Middle Ages

Distribution and clinical impact of molecular subtypes with dark zone signature of DLBCL in a Japanese real-world study

The distribution and clinical impact of cell-of-origin (COO) subtypes of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) outside Western countries remain unknown. Recent literature also suggests that there is an additional COO subtype associated with the germinal center dark zone (DZ) that warrants wider validation to generalize clinical relevance. Here, we assembled a cohort of Japanese patients with untreated DLBCL and determined the refined COO subtypes, which include the DZ signature (DZsig), using the NanoString DLBCL90 assay. To compare the distribution and clinical characteristics of the molecular subtypes, we used a data set from the cohort of British Columbia Cancer (BCC) (n = 804). Through the 1050 patient samples on which DLBCL90 assay was successfully performed in our cohort, 35%, 45%, and 6% of patients were identified to have germinal center B-cell–like (GCB) DLBCL, activated B-cell–like (ABC) DLBCL, and DZsig-positive (DZsigpos) DLBCL, respectively, with the highest prevalence of ABC-DLBCL, differing significantly from the BCC result (P < .001). GCB-DLBCL, ABC-DLBCL, and DZsigpos-DLBCL were associated with 2-year overall survival rates of 88%, 75%, and 66%, respectively (P < .0001), with patients with DZsigpos-DLBCL having the poorest prognosis. In contrast, GCB-DLBCL without DZsig showed excellent outcomes after rituximab-containing immunochemotherapy. DZsigpos-DLBCL was associated with the significant enrichment of tumors with CD10 expression, concurrent MYC/BCL2 expression, and depletion of microenvironmental components (all, P < .05). These results provide evidence of the distinct distribution of clinically relevant molecular subtypes in Japanese DLBCL and that refined COO, as measured by the DLBCL90 assay, is a robust prognostic biomarker that is consistent across geographical areas

Materials and Life Science Experimental Facility (MLF) at the Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex II: Neutron Scattering Instruments

The neutron instruments suite, installed at the spallation neutron source of the Materials and Life Science Experimental Facility (MLF) at the Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex (J-PARC), is reviewed. MLF has 23 neutron beam ports and 21 instruments are in operation for user programs or are under commissioning. A unique and challenging instrumental suite in MLF has been realized via combination of a high-performance neutron source, optimized for neutron scattering, and unique instruments using cutting-edge technologies. All instruments are/will serve in world-leading investigations in a broad range of fields, from fundamental physics to industrial applications. In this review, overviews, characteristic features, and typical applications of the individual instruments are mentioned