Study of color variation in the solitary ascidian Halocynthia roretzi, collected in the Inland Sea of Japan.

In the vicinity of Yashiro Island in the Inland Sea of Japan, the solitary ascidian (tunicate) Halocynthia roretzi with tunics of various colors were collected. Samples of these animals were sorted into three groups on the basis of visual observation of tunic color. The red group includes animals with dark-red, light-red, or orange tunics.

Prediction of boron concentrations in blood from patients on boron neutron capture therapy.

Background: In boron neutron capture therapy, blood boron concentration is the key factor to calculate radiation dose, however, blood sampling is difficult during neutron irradiation.

Materials And Methods: The prediction of blood boron concentrations for BNCT treatment planning has been prospectively investigated using patient data obtained at first craniotomy after the infusion of a low dose of sodium undecahydroclosododecaborate.

Results: The boron biodistribution data showed a biexponential pharmacokinetic profile.

Mutual and directional allogeneic cytotoxic reaction of hemocytes in the solitary ascidian Halocynthia roretzi revealed by one-step quantitative fluorimetric assay.

A novel one-step microplate cytotoxicity assay using the cytoplasmic fluorescent viability dye calcein AM was established for simple, rapid, sensitive, and quantitative measurements of the allogeneic cytotoxic reaction (ACR) mediated by hemocytes in the ascidian Halocynthia roretzi. The mutual and directional ACR was distinguishable by the assay using the hemocytes from pairs of animals with different alloreactivities. The ACR assay may allow more precise genetic analysis of the gene that controls alloreactivity of hemocytes, since the mutual and directional ACR may be related to levels of expression or numbers of the gene product or products on the target cells.