中川 理恵

BACKGROUND: Packed red blood cells (PRBC) are stored at 2°C-6°C to ensure quality. Improper temperature control during PRBC transport reduces the quality of downstream blood products and wastes PRBC units. This study evaluated the suitability of the BioBox LAB10 for in-hospital PRBC transport. METHODS: Temperatures of the box interior and simulated formulation were measured to assess cooling capabilities. Quality was evaluated by measuring red blood cell count, haemoglobin concentration, haematocrit, pH, potassium concentration, and ATP concentration of PRBC samples. The storage capacity, size, weight, and cost of the BioBox was compared with that of the ATR700. RESULTS: The BioBox cooled to ≤6°C within 14 min. PRBC temperature remained ≤6°C for approximately 19 h. None of the quality parameters, including ATP concentration, differed significantly between samples stored in the BioBox or in a refrigerator. The BioBox is smaller, lighter, and 84% less expensive than the ATR700, with an equivalent storage capacity. CONCLUSIONS: The BioBox effectively maintains temperature and PRBC quality during transport and provides a practical solution for in-hospital transport of blood for transfusion owing to its compact, lightweight design, and affordability.

This study investigated the anti-tumor effects of andrographolide, a diterpene lactone derived from Andrographis paniculata, on T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) cells. Andrographolide induced dose-dependent cytotoxicity and morphological changes in the T-ALL cell line Jurkat cells, including cell shrinkage and chromatin condensation. Mechanistically, andrographolide triggers apoptosis through reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, mitochondrial membrane depolarization, and cytochrome c release. These effects were reversed by the ROS inhibitor N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), indicating that andrographolide induces apoptosis through a ROS-dependent apoptotic pathway. In contrast, NAC treatment did not reverse cytarabine- and vincristine-induced apoptosis or the ROS-dependent apoptotic pathway in Jurkat cells. Intriguingly, andrographolide also induced ferroptosis, as evidenced by increased expression of the ferroptosis marker fatty acid-CoA ligase 4 and ultrastructural changes such as reduced mitochondrial area and disappearance of cristae. These effects were likewise reversed by NAC, further implicating ROS in the ferroptotic process. In MOLT-4 cells, where andrographolide suppressed viability, increased Annexin V positivity and ROS levels, and upregulated FACL4 expression in a NAC-sensitive manner. Unlike cytarabine and vincristine, andrographolide did not significantly alter cell cycle distribution. In conclusion, andrographolide induces both apoptosis and ferroptosis in T-ALL cells via ROS-dependent mechanisms that are distinct from those of conventional chemotherapeutic agents. These dual actions position andrographolide as a candidate for standalone or combination therapy in T-ALL.

BACKGROUND: Ethylenediamine tetraacetate/glycine acid (EGA) and chloroquine diphosphate (CDP) are used in transfusion testing to dissociate IgG antibodies from red blood cells (RBCs). However, the ability of these reagents to dissociate IgM antibodies sensitized to RBCs has not been comprehensively elucidated. We investigated whether EGA and CDP could dissociate cold-reactive antibodies from RBCs and their effect on RBCs after dissociation treatment. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Cold-reactive antibody-sensitized RBC samples were prepared by mixing group A RBCs and group B plasma and treated with EGA, CDP, and dithiothreitol (DTT). Before and after the dissociation treatment, changes in the agglutination of these RBCs were assessed using the test tube method. Flow cytometric analysis was used to confirm the nature of antibodies bound to RBCs. Additionally, RBC morphology was evaluated using scanning electron microscopy. This study utilized off-label use of EGA and CDP. RESULTS: Flow cytometric analysis showed that antibodies sensitized to RBCs were mainly IgM antibodies. After antibody dissociation, agglutination disappeared in the EGA-treated samples to the same degree as in the DTT-treated samples. However, IgM antibodies remained in the CDP-treated samples. Regarding RBC morphology, RBC surface appeared coarser in both EGA- and CDP-treated samples, and RBC area was significantly smaller in the CDP-treated samples than in the EGA-treated samples. DISCUSSION: EGA could dissociate cold-reactive antibodies, whereas CDP had a higher residual antibody content. This difference in dissociation ability appears to correlate with the antibody pH of the dissociation reagent. EGA treatment may be useful in cases of sensitization by high-titer cold-reactive antibodies.