Rie Nakagawa

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Thawed plasma (TP) can be stored for several days to facilitate rapid emergency transfusion. However, in Japan, the 24-h post-thaw shelf life limit raises concerns about plasma wastage. We evaluated fibrinogen recovery in cryoprecipitate prepared from TP that was stored for 5 days after thawing. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cryoprecipitate was prepared using the one-step method (OSM, n = 12), two-step method (TSM, n = 15) and the TP stored for 5 days post-thaw (n = 15). Cryoprecipitate was prepared using three protocols: OSM, in which fresh frozen plasma (FFP) was thawed once at 2-6°C for 24-30 h; TSM, in which FFP was thawed at 2-6°C, refrozen at -30°C and then thawed again at 2-6°C for 24-30 h; and TP, in which FFP was stored at 2-6°C for 5 days after initial thawing, then refrozen and thawed as in the TSM. All samples were centrifuged after the final thawing to collect the cryoprecipitate. Fibrinogen recovery was calculated from fibrinogen concentrations, and bacteriological testing was performed on the cryoprecipitate prepared from TP. RESULTS: Fibrinogen recovery differed significantly among the groups (p < 0.001), with the highest recovery in the TSM group, followed by the TP and OSM groups. Recovery in the TP group was significantly higher than that in the OSM group. No bacterial growth was detected in any of the samples. CONCLUSION: Using stored TP to prepare cryoprecipitate could offer a more efficient way to manage resources while supporting emergency transfusion readiness.

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.