A sequencing protocol of some DNA regions in nuclear, chloroplastic and mitochondrial genomes with an individual colony of Thalassiosira nordenskioeldii Cleve (Bacillariophyceae)

From cultured cells of micro algal species of Thalassiosira nordenskioeldii Cleve, total DNA was extracted with a buffer containing a chelating agent, Chelex 100. Each DNA fragment for 18s rDNA, 16s rDNA and coxI in nuclear, chloroplastic and mitochondrial genomes, respectively, were amplified from the DNA extracts by polymerase chain reactions, and their sequences were determined. This protocol for determining DNA sequences, was scaled down for the DNA extracts from small amounts of cells. Finally, DNA sequences in genomes were determined with 10 cells collected by a micromanipulation technique. The quantity of cells corresponded to an individual colony of this species. With this protocol, DNA sequences in various regions in genomes of each individual micro algal species living in natural environments can be determined directly, without isolation of strains and cultures

Recurrence of Solitary Fibrous Tumor/Hemangiopericytoma Could Be Predicted by Ki-67 Regardless of Its Origin

Since the discovery of the NAB2-STAT6 gene fusion in 2013, solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) and hemangiopericytoma (HPC) have been considered the same disease. STAT6 nuclear stain is approved as a highly sensitive and specific marker to diagnose SFT/HPC from other tumors with similar histology. As the next step, detection of fusion variants that may predict clinical malignancy of SFT/HPC has been attempted. However, no fusion variants with a clear relation to malignancy have been identified. In this study, the clinical and histological backgrounds of 23 Japanese patients diagnosed with SFT/HPC from 2000 to 2019 at Kochi University Hospital were examined to identify factors potentially related to recurrence. A significant relationship to recurrence was detected for mitosis ≥ 1/10 HPF (400×), necrosis, and Ki-67>5%. These findings indicate that a deliberate investigation of histological features such as mitosis and necrosis is crucial for the clinical observation of SFT/ HPC patients. In addition, Ki-67 was revealed to be a useful parameter to predict recurrence in SFT/HPC patients

Formation of a Nanoscale hcp Structure by Crystallization of an Amorphous Co_<91>Zr_7B_2 Alloy

A mostly single hcp phase with grain sizes ranging from 3 to 10 nm was found to form as a metastable phase in the crystallization process of an amorphous Co_Zr_7B_2 alloy. The temperature range, in which the nanoscale hcp structure forms, extends from 800 to 900 K and the further heating above 900 K causes the phase transition to ε-Co+Co_(Zr, B)_6. No distinct grain growth in the hcp structure is seen in the temperature range of 800 to 900 K. The hcp phase has a lattice parameter of a=0.2507 nm and c=0.4066 nm which is slightly different from that of pure ε-Co presumably because of the dissolution of Zr and B. The Co_Zr_9 amorphous alloy crystallizes directly to a mixed phase of ε-Co+cubic Co_Zr_6 with a large grain size of about 0.4μm through a polymorphic-type crystallization mode. It is therefore concluded that the addition of a small amount of boron is essential for the formation of the nanoscale hcp structure

Monetary Diet Cost is Associated with not only Favorable but also Unfavorable Aspects of Diet in Pregnant Japanese Women: The Osaka Maternal and Child Health Study

While several observational studies in European countries have shown that higher monetary diet cost is associated with healthier diets, information on the relationship of cost to diet quality in other countries is sparse, including Japan. This cross-sectional study examined the association between monetary diet cost and dietary intake in a group of pregnant Japanese women. Subjects were 596 pregnant Japanese housewives. Dietary intake was estimated using a validated, self-administered, comprehensive diet history questionnaire. Monetary diet cost was calculated using retail food prices. Values of monetary diet cost and nutrient and food intake were energy-adjusted using the density method. Monetary diet cost was associated positively with the intake of protein, total fat, saturated fatty acids, dietary fiber, cholesterol, sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, vitamins A, D, E, C, and folate, and inversely with that of carbohydrate. For foods, cost was associated positively with the intake of potatoes, pulses and nuts, fish and shellfish, meat, dairy products, vegetables, and fruits, and inversely with that of rice and bread. No association was seen for noodles, confectioneries and sugars, fats and oils, or eggs. Cost was also associated inversely with dietary energy density. In conclusion, monetary diet cost was associated with not only favorable aspects of diet, including a higher intake of dietary fiber, key vitamins and minerals, fruits, and vegetables and lower dietary energy density, but also unfavorable aspects, including a higher intake of fat and sodium and lower intake of carbohydrate and rice, in a group of pregnant Japanese women