The nucleotide sequences of rbcL genes encoding the large subunit of ribulose‐1,5‐bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) were determined from six species of Prymnesiophyta to clarify their phylogenetic relationships. Molecular phylogenetic trees were constructed using PAUP (Phylogenetic Analysis Using Parsimony). These analyses suggest that the Prymnesiophyta, except for the Pavlovales, area relatively stable monophyletic group. Pleurochrysis carterae, included in the Isochrysidales, is a sister species of a monophyletic group consisting of other members of the Isochrysidales, Gephyrocapsa oceanica and Emiliania huxleyi, members of the Coccosphaerales, Calyptrosphaera sphaeroidea and Umbilicosphaera sibogae var. foliosa, and a member of the Prymnesiales, Chrysochromulina hirta. The nucleotide sequence of rbcL from G. oceanica was identical to that from E. huxleyi within the region examined. Our trees show that G. oceanica and E. huxleyi are more closely related to C. hirta than to U. sibogae, C. sphaeroidea, and P. carterae. These results suggest that orders in the Prymnesiophyceae, including the above‐mentioned genera, should be redefined.

A 42-year-old Japanese woman complained of upper abdominal pain. Endoscopic examination demonstrated an elevated lesion in the body of the stomach, and a biopsy specimen demonstrated proliferation of atypical spindle cells. She underwent partial gastrectomy; the resected tumor measured 3.5 × 2.8 × 1.2 cm in size. Histological examination disclosed the haphazard proliferation of spindle cells in the mucosa mixed with less prominent epithelioglandular component. The spindle cells were positive for cytokeratin, vimentin, EMA and CD99, but not for KIT, DOG1, desmin or S100. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction using paraffin sections amplified a SYT-SSX1 chimera transcript. A diagnosis of synovial sarcoma was made. There has been no sign of recurrence or metastasis for 6 years after the operation. Synovial sarcoma in the stomach is very rare. Since differential diagnosis of synovial sarcoma from carcinosarcoma and mesenchymal tumors is critical for the treatment and prediction of prognosis, accurate diagnosis with molecular analysis is essential.

Safe, secure, and environmentally friendly active substances should be developed. VB (virus block) refers to an antibacterial/antiviral mixture of two kinds of polyoxometalates (PMs), i.e., K11H[(VO)3(SbW9O33)2]·27H2O (VB2) and α-Na2[SbW9O33]9− (VB3), and polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB). VB was demonstrated to exert antiviral effects on cultured cells. The effects were maintained even in hygiene products or solids. The antiviral effects were analyzed by reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR), and the results were correlated with TCID50, potentially eliminating the need for handling infectious viruses. VB was demonstrated to be extremely effective (up to 99.99% inhibition) in cultured cells, with antibacterial/antiviral effects maintained in VB-containing hygiene products. VB was applied to solids, demonstrating their high applicability and versatility. VB withstands high temperatures regardless of materials because its effects are enhanced by more frequent contact with viruses and bacteria due to the increased surface area of the compound.

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