The host ranges of conifer-associated Tricholoma matsutake, Fagaceae-associated T. bakamatsutake and T. fulvocastaneum are wider in vitro than in nature.

Tricholoma matsutake is the most commercially important edible mushroom in pine forests in Japan. Tricholoma bakamatsutake and T. fulvocastaneum, species closely related to T. matsutake, occur in Fagaceae forests. We examined ectomycorrhizal (EM) formation by these Tricholoma species by in vitro synthesis among seven strains (two of T. matsutake, four of T. bakamatsutake, one of T. fulvocastaneum) and axenic plants of pine (Pinus densiflora) and oak (Quercus serrata, Q. phillyraeoides). All strains, except for one of T. matsutake, formed EM associations with both pine and oak. Plant growth and mycelial development were differently affected by EM formation depending on the plant-fungus combination.

Novel Lens culinaris agglutinin-reactive fraction of α-fetoprotein: a biomarker of hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence in patients with low α-fetoprotein concentrations.

BACKGROUND: Lens culinaris agglutinin-reactive fraction of α-fetoprotein (AFP-L3) is a specific marker used to detect hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, its clinical utility is not sufficient in patients with low total AFP concentrations because of limitations in instrument sensitivity. Recent advances have led to the introduction of a highly sensitive AFP-L3% assay (sensitive AFP-L3%), provided by a novel on-chip, liquid-phase binding assay. This cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate the clinical significance of the sensitive AFP-L3% in determining HCC recurrence in patients with low total AFP concentrations. METHODS: A total of 370 consecutive patients with HCC were screened within 1-3 months of locoregional treatment, and 215 of the 370 patients showed serum AFP <20 ng/ml. Total AFP, sensitive AFP-L3%, and des-gamma-carboxy prothrombin (DCP) were measured in those 215 patients and HCC recurrence was evaluated by radiological findings. Optimal cutoff values of the markers for detecting HCC recurrence were obtained on the basis of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. RESULTS: The area under the ROC curve of the total AFP, sensitive AFP-L3%, and DCP in HCC patients with serum AFP <20 ng/ml were 0.638, 0.724, and 0.779, respectively. The diagnostic accuracies of the total AFP, sensitive AFP-L3%, and DCP were 60.9% (cutoff value 5 ng/ml), 67.7% (cutoff value 7%), and 64.6% (cutoff value 40 ng/ml), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The new sensitive AFP-L3% assay provides great utility in determining HCC recurrence in patients with low AFP concentrations. Further studies focusing on the combinatorial use of the markers (total AFP, sensitive AFP-L3%, and DCP) are required.

Phylogenetic relationship and species delimitation of matsutake and allied species based on multilocus phylogeny and haplotype analyses.

Tricholoma matsutake (S. Ito & S. Imai) Singer and its allied species are referred to as matsutake worldwide and are the most economically important edible mushrooms in Japan. They are widely distributed in the northern hemisphere and established an ectomycorrhizal relationship with conifer and broadleaf trees. To clarify relationships among T. matsutake and its allies, and to delimit phylogenetic species, we analyzed multilocus datasets (ITS, megB1, tef, gpd) with samples that were correctly identified based on morphological characteristics. Phylogenetic analyses clearly identified four major groups: matsutake, T. bakamatsutake, T. fulvocastaneum and T. caligatum; the latter three species were outside the matsutake group. The haplotype analyses and median-joining haplotype network analyses showed that the matsutake group included four closely related but clearly distinct taxa (T. matsutake, T. anatolicum, Tricholoma sp. from Mexico and T. magnivelare) from different geographical regions; these were considered to be distinct phylogenetic species.

Problems Perceived by Skilled Nurses regarding the Independence of Children with Congenital Heart Disease.

This study was conducted to determine how skilled nurses perceive the independence of children with congenital heart disease. A questionnaire survey was administered to elicit responses to questions such as whether the skilled nurses noticed problems with the independence of children with congenital heart disease, and whether they thought that support from adults close to the children was needed to foster independence. More than 60% of the 84 nurses perceived problems regarding the independence of children with congenital heart disease. Situations in which skilled nurses noticed problems, in addition to difficulties and limitations in understanding of the disease, included instances of family members making decisions and answering questions and of the child being unable to communicate easily. Nearly all of the skilled nurses felt that support from adults close to children with congenital heart disease was needed to foster their independence.

Factor Structure of Behaviors Demonstrating "Ganbatta" in Young Children Undergoing Blood Sampling/Vaccine Injection Perceived by Nurses: Exploratory Factor Analysis by a Cross-Sectional Survey in Japan.

GANBATTA: ("Well done!") is a term used frequently in Japan to praise children in medical settings when they have worked hard or made a courageous attempt. Therefore, the aim of this study was to clarify the factor structure of behaviors associated with ganbatta in young children (age 3-7 years) undergoing blood sampling or vaccine injection. A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was carried out on 150 selected pediatric nursing educators holding a nursing license (age ≥20 years). An exploratory factor analysis was then conducted using the principal factor method with promax rotation to confirm the construct validity. Cronbach's α coefficients were calculated for each identified factor to verify the internal consistency of the item. The mean (standard deviation) lengths of pediatric nursing and pediatric nursing education experience were 7.8 (4.7) and 9.9 (8.1) years, respectively. The cumulative contribution rate was 70.4%. The KMO measure of sampling adequacy was 0.927. The p value of Bartlett's test of sphericity was <0.001%. Finally, among the children's behaviors, 5 factors were identified and 25 items were selected: Factor 1, Proactive participation, containing 7 items; Factor 2, Sense of relief and joy after needle removal, 6 items; Factor 3, Negative emotional expression, 4 items; Factor 4, Information-seeking, 5 items; and Factor 5, Moving on from the needle procedure, 3 items. These findings indicate that ganbatta is a complex concept that encompasses a variety of aspects in young children in relation to needle procedures. Evaluating a young child's ganbatta behaviors during a needle procedure can serve as an indicator to evaluate the quality of care provided by nurses. Sharing the evaluated results with children and their parents may serve as a foundation to open discussions in regard to higher-quality care. In addition, observing ganbatta behaviors during a needle procedure and providing feedback to the child could help them feel like they have done a good job.