Ascorbic acid enhances the cold preservation period of human adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stromal cells.

Introduction: We previously developed 3% trehalose-added lactated Ringer's solution (LR-3T) and 3% trehalose- and 5% dextran-40-added lactated Ringer's solution (LR-3T-5D), which can be used to preserve adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hADSCs) for 24 h at 5 and 25 °C. However, it is necessary to further extend the storage duration of cells to expand transportation zones and ensure time for quality control testing of final cell products. Therefore, we attempted to prolong the preservation duration of hADSCs by adding supplements to LR-3T-5D.

Preventive effect of aripiprazole once monthly on rehospitalization for bipolar disorder: A multicenter 1-year retrospective mirror image study.

Aim: We conducted a 1-year retrospective mirror-image study to investigate the effect of aripiprazole once monthly (AOM) on rehospitalization for bipolar disorder.

Methods: Participants were recruited from psychiatric emergency and acute care hospitals in western Japan. We included 39 participants with bipolar disorder who had been administered AOM for at least 1 year with no missing medical records during the observational period.

Relationship between oxygen partial pressure and inhibition of cell aggregation of human adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells stored in cell preservation solutions.

Introduction: This study investigated the storage conditions under which cell aggregation occurs and the conditions that inhibit cell aggregation when human adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hADSCs) are stored in lactated Ringer's solution (LR) supplemented with 3% trehalose and 5% dextran 40 (LR-3T-5D).

Methods: We first examined the effects of storage temperature and time on the aggregation and viability of hADSCs stored in LR and LR-3T-5D. The cells were stored at 5 °C or 25 °C for various times up to 24 h.

Dimethyl sulfoxide-free cryopreservation solution containing trehalose, dextran 40, and propylene glycol for therapy with human adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stromal cells.

We evaluated a dimethyl sulfoxide (Me2SO)-free cryopreservation solution to freeze human adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (hADSCs). In the first experiment, we compared the combined effects of 3% trehalose (3 T) and 5% dextran (5D) in lactated Ringer's solution (LR) as a cryopreservation base solution containing 10% propylene glycol (PG). The cell viability of hADSCs immediately after thawing was significantly higher (p < 0.

Protein-free solution containing trehalose and dextran 40 for cryopreservation of human adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stromal cells.

We tested the efficacy of lactated Ringer's solution with 3% trehalose and 5% dextran 40 (LR-3T-5D) as a vehicle solution for cryopreservation using human adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (hADSCs) with dimethyl sulfoxide (Me2SO). We also tested the effect of the Me2SO concentration in the cryopreservation solution, and the effect of washing with lactated Ringer's solution with 3% trehalose (LR-3T) and replacement with LR-3T or LR-3T-5D. LR-3T-5D was more effective for cell viability, viable cell recovery ratio, annexin V-positive ratio, and colony-forming capacity as a vehicle solution for cryopreservation with 10% Me2SO than LR.

The effectiveness of very slow switching to aripiprazole in schizophrenia patients with dopamine supersensitivity psychosis: a case series from an open study.

Dopamine supersensitivity psychosis (DSP) in patients with schizophrenia is induced by treatment with a high dosage of antipsychotics for a long time period, and it is characterized by unstable psychotic symptoms. The upregulation of dopamine D2 receptor (DRD2) provoked by antipsychotics underlies DSP. Aripiprazole does not cause an excessive blockade of DRD2 and is less likely to upregulate DRD2 by aripiprazole's dopamine partial agonistic profile.

A pair of cell preservation solutions for therapy with human adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stromal cells.

Introduction: Stem cells for therapy are often suspended in a preservation solution, such as normal saline or lactated Ringer's solution, for a short time before intravenous infusion. However, these solutions are not necessarily ideal for maintaining cell viability and preventing the sedimentation of cells during storage and infusion. In this study, we attempted to optimize the compositions of preservation solutions, which could affect the efficacy and safety of stem cell therapy.

The pharmacokinetics of porcine C-peptide after intraperitoneal injection.

Background: Previously, we have demonstrated that there were very low C-Peptide concentrations and normal blood glucose levels when we transplanted encapsulated islets in the abdominal cavity of diabetic nude mice. In addition, the C-peptide concentration in the ascites fluid of the peritoneal cavity was 40 times higher than in the peripheral blood. In this study, we investigated the pharmacokinetics of intraperitoneal porcine C-peptide.

Development and characterization of novel clinical grade neonatal porcine bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells.

Due to recent advances in research on mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), MSCs are expected to be used in various clinical applications. However, securing adequate cadaveric donors and safety of living donors are major issues. To solve such issues, we have examined to develop clinical grade neonatal porcine bone marrow-derived MSCs (npBM-MSCs).

Interpreting the deposition and vertical migration characteristics of Cs in forest soil after the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant accident.

We investigated the deposition and depth distributions of radiocesium in the Takizawa Research Forest, Iwate Prefecture, in order to understand the behavior of radionuclides released from the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant. The deposition distribution and vertical depth distribution of radiocesium in the soil were compared between topographically distinct parts of the forest where two different tree species grow. The results for all investigated locations show that almost 85% of the radiocesium has accumulated in the region of soil from the topmost organic layer to a soil depth of 0-4 cm.

Effects of encapsulated porcine islets on glucose and C-peptide concentrations in diabetic nude mice 6 months after intraperitoneal transplantation.

Background: In patients with type 1 diabetes, allogeneic islet transplantation can provide normal HbA1c concentrations, but it requires immunosuppression. Transplanting encapsulated islets into the peritoneal cavity could reduce or eliminate the need for immunosuppression. One of the uncertain features of intraperitoneal islet transplantation is the difficulty of measuring C-peptide concentrations in peripheral blood, which is often used for the marker of islet function.

Factors associated with the risk of relapse in schizophrenic patients after a response to electroconvulsive therapy: a retrospective study.

Purpose: Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is an effective treatment for depression and schizophrenia. However, there is a high rate of relapse after an initial response to ECT, even with antidepressant or antipsychotic maintenance therapy. This study was carried out to examine the factors that influence the risk of relapse in schizophrenic patients after a response to ECT.

Improved pancreatic islet isolation outcome in autologous transplantation for chronic pancreatitis.

Total or partial pancreatectomy followed by autologous islet transplantation is a therapeutic option for the treatment of refractory chronic pancreatitis (CP). Maximization of islet yields from fibrotic and inflamed organs is crucial for prevention of posttransplant diabetes. We adapted technical advancements developed for islet allotransplantation toward islet autotransplantation.

Fresh islets are more effective for islet transplantation than cultured islets.

For clinical islet transplantation, isolated islets deteriorate rapidly in culture, although culturing islets prior to transplantation provides flexibility for evaluation of isolated islets and pretreatment of patients. In the present study, we compared human fresh islets to cultured islets with in vitro and in vivo assays. After culture for 24, 48, and 72 h, islet yield significantly decreased from 2,000 to 1,738 ± 26 (13% loss), 1,525 ± 30 (24% loss), or 1,298 ± 18 IEQ (35% loss), respectively.

Comparison of ulinastatin, gabexate mesilate, and nafamostat mesilate in preservation solution for islet isolation.

For islet transplantation, maintaining organ viability after pancreas procurement is critically important for optimal graft function and survival. We recently reported that islet yield was significantly higher in the modified ET-Kyoto (MK) solution, which includes a trypsin inhibitor (ulinastatin), compared with the UW solution, and that the advantages of MK solution are trypsin inhibition and less collagenase inhibition. In this study, we compared ulinastatin with other trypsin inhibitors, gabexate mesilate, and nafamostat mesilate, in preservation solution for islet isolation.

Islet purification method using large bottles effectively achieves high islet yield from pig pancreas.

Porcine islets are a promising resource for xenotransplantation. However, low efficacy of islet isolation because of their marked fragility remains a problem. Recently we found that the standard purification method using COBE 2991 cell processor (COBE) with Ficoll density gradient solution damaged islets mechanically by high shearing force.

Evaluation of osmolality of density gradient for human islet purification.

For pancreatic islet transplantation, the most common method of islet purification is density gradient centrifugation because of the differences in density between islets and acinar tissue. The density of islets/acinar tissue depends on several conditions, such as osmolality of purification solution. In this study, we evaluated the osmolality of iodixanol-controlled density gradients (400, 450, and 500 mOsm/kg) on the islet purification step.

Improvement of porcine islet isolation by inhibition of trypsin activity during pancreas preservation and digestion using α1-antitrypsin.

Porcine islets are considered to be a promising resource for xenotransplantation. However, it is difficult to isolate porcine islets because of the marked fragility and rapid dissociation. Endogenous trypsin is one of the main factors to damage islets during the isolation procedure.

Asymmetric alternation of the hemodynamic response at the prefrontal cortex in patients with schizophrenia during electroconvulsive therapy: a near-infrared spectroscopy study.

Although electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a well-established treatment for psychiatric disorders, its mechanism of action remains unclear. To investigate the cerebral hemodynamic response during ECT, we measured the changes in the regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) at the bilateral prefrontal cortex (PFC) using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). Method.

Large human islets secrete less insulin per islet equivalent than smaller islets in vitro.

Islet yield is a critical parameter to determine clinical use of isolated islets. Because islet equivalent (IEQ) is used to evaluate islet yield, it is important to know the function per IEQ. In this study, we assessed insulin secretion per IEQ by our newly developed single islet glucose-stimulated insulin release test (SI-GSIRT).

Comparison of modified Celsior solution and M-kyoto solution for pancreas preservation in human islet isolation.

Since the successful demonstration of the Edmonton protocol, islet transplantation has advanced significantly on several fronts, including improved pancreas preservation systems. In this study, we evaluated two different types of organ preservation solutions for human islet isolation. Modified Celsior (Celsior solution with hydroxyethyl starch and nafamostat mesilate; HNC) solution and modified Kyoto (MK) solution were compared for pancreas preservation prior to islet isolation.

Characterization of human pancreatic progenitor cells.

β-Cell replacement therapy via islet transplantation is an effective treatment for diabetes mellitus, but its widespread use is severely limited by the shortage of donor organs. Because pancreatic stem/progenitor cells are abundantly available in the pancreas of these patients and in donor organs, the cells could become a useful target for β-cell replacement therapy. We previously established a mouse pancreatic stem cell line without genetic manipulation.