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This article summarizes the recent activity of the International Stem Cell Banking Initiative (ISCBI) held at the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) in California (June 26, 2016) and the Korean National Institutes for Health in Korea (October 19-20, 2016). Through the workshops, ISCBI is endeavoring to support a new paradigm for human medicine using pluripotent stem cells (hPSC) for cell therapies. Priority considerations for ISCBI include ensuring the safety and efficacy of a final cell therapy product and quality assured source materials, such as stem cells and primary donor cells. To these ends, ISCBI aims to promote global harmonization on quality and safety control of stem cells for research and the development of starting materials for cell therapies, with regular workshops involving hPSC banking centers, biologists, and regulatory bodies. Here, we provide a brief overview of two such recent activities, with summaries of key issues raised.

This article summarizes the recent activity of the International Stem Cell Banking Initiative (ISCBI) held at the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) in California (June 26, 2016) and the Korean National Institutes for Health in Korea (October 19-20, 2016). Through the workshops, ISCBI is endeavoring to support a new paradigm for human medicine using pluripotent stem cells (hPSC) for cell therapies. Priority considerations for ISCBI include ensuring the safety and efficacy of a final cell therapy product and quality assured source materials, such as stem cells and primary donor cells. To these ends, ISCBI aims to promote global harmonization on quality and safety control of stem cells for research and the development of starting materials for cell therapies, with regular workshops involving hPSC banking centers, biologists, and regulatory bodies. Here, we provide a brief overview of two such recent activities, with summaries of key issues raised.

This article summarizes the recent activity of the International Stem Cell Banking Initiative (ISCBI) held at the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) in California (June 26, 2016) and the Korean National Institutes for Health in Korea (October 19-20, 2016). Through the workshops, ISCBI is endeavoring to support a new paradigm for human medicine using pluripotent stem cells (hPSC) for cell therapies. Priority considerations for ISCBI include ensuring the safety and efficacy of a final cell therapy product and quality assured source materials, such as stem cells and primary donor cells. To these ends, ISCBI aims to promote global harmonization on quality and safety control of stem cells for research and the development of starting materials for cell therapies, with regular workshops involving hPSC banking centers, biologists, and regulatory bodies. Here, we provide a brief overview of two such recent activities, with summaries of key issues raised.

This article summarizes the recent activity of the International Stem Cell Banking Initiative (ISCBI) held at the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) in California (June 26, 2016) and the Korean National Institutes for Health in Korea (October 19-20, 2016). Through the workshops, ISCBI is endeavoring to support a new paradigm for human medicine using pluripotent stem cells (hPSC) for cell therapies. Priority considerations for ISCBI include ensuring the safety and efficacy of a final cell therapy product and quality assured source materials, such as stem cells and primary donor cells. To these ends, ISCBI aims to promote global harmonization on quality and safety control of stem cells for research and the development of starting materials for cell therapies, with regular workshops involving hPSC banking centers, biologists, and regulatory bodies. Here, we provide a brief overview of two such recent activities, with summaries of key issues raised.

A monotectic alloy generally consists of metallic components which are mutually immiscible and differ in specific gravity. Accordingly, such a alloy is not mixed on the earth just like oil and vinegar. The objective of the present study is to clarify the solidification mechanism of the monotectic alloy and to obtain fundamental information for solidification structure control. Unidirectional solidification tests were performed in Al-In and Cu-Pb alloys of monotectic and hypermonotectic composition, using the GHF (Gradient Heating Furnace) under microgravity. The monotectic Cu-Pb alloy solidified and interrupted quenched was successfully obtained. The microstructure exhibited alignment of irregular shaped Pb rods in the Cu matrix. A Pb condensed layer was observed ahead of the quenched monotectic growth front. General appearance of the monotectic solidification structure was similar to that grown at comparable growth conditions under gravity. The microstructure provide a lot of useful information concerning the effect of gravity on monotectic solidification mechanism. Effects of microgravity can be elucidated by means of further microstructural observation and quantitative measurement of the Pb phase distribution. Unfortunately the cartridge was slightly damaged and the molten Al-In alloys leaked out of the sample container by an unknown reason., 偏晶系合金は、非混合で密度の異なる成分からなるので、地上では重力の影響を受け均一な組織の合金として製造できない。偏晶系合金の凝固機構を解明し、この合金の凝固組織制御に関する基礎的情報を得ることを目的として、微小重力下における温度勾配型電気炉(GHF)を用いて、Al-InとCu-Pbの1方向凝固実験を行った。Cu-36mass%Pb偏晶合金では、最初のGHFの移動により1方向凝固した部分と、その後のGHFの移動停止と加熱電力の急激な低下とにより急冷凝固した部分とに、完全に2分割された状態を得た。1方向凝固部の長さ26mmで、計画より4mm短かった。これは、GHFの加熱温度が計画値よりも高かったことと、偏晶凝固界面の位置とがよく対応している結果である。1方向凝固部のミクロ組織には、Cu母相中に不規則な棒状Pb相が凝固成長方向に整列していた。急冷凝固により阻止された偏晶凝固界面には、濃縮したPb層の存在を観察した。これらの凝固組織は、地上における同一の凝固条件の場合とほぼ同様の傾向であった。Pb相の分布挙動についても微小重力の効果を観察できた。しかし、Al-In合金では、試料カートリッジが破損し融液が漏れて、過偏晶組成の凝固組成に関するデータは得られなかった。

In order to elucidate the solidification mechanism of non-mixed alloys, such as separation from homogeneous liquid phase to two liquid phases, aggregation and growth of separated liquid phase and relation between shape of solidified interface and distribution of high specific gravity liquid phase, and in order to obtain the basic data on control of solidification structures of these alloys, unidirectional solidification test was conducted under microgravity using Al-In and Cu-Pb monotectic alloys. After each sample was melted and unidirectionally solidified with Gradient Heating Furnace (GHF), growth of monotectic solidification interface was stopped by quenching and solidifying the half part of liquid phase following solidification of the rest half of sample. Cu-36 mass percent Pt monotectic alloy sample was split into two parts. One is the unidirectionally solidified port caused due to transport of GHF, and the other is the part quenched and solidified due to some causes such as decrease of heating power. The length of unidirectional solidification part is 26 mm which is 4 mm shorter than expected length. While, in microstructure of the unidirectional solidification, it was observed that rod-like Pb phase with irregular shape aligned along the growth direction of solidification in Cu mother phase. Moreover, the concentrated Pb layer was found on monotectic solidification interface stopped by quenching and solidification. As the above solidification structure has similar properties to the structure state obtained under ground surface gravity field, it is useful for investigating the effect of microgravity on solidification mechanism of monotectic alloys. Further, the effect of microgravity on distribution behavior of Pb phase was also observed., 非混合合金の凝固機構について、均一液相から2液相への分離、分離した液相の凝集･成長、凝固界面形態と比重の大きい液相の分布との関係などの解明、ならびにこの合金の凝固組織制御に関する基礎的情報を得ることを目的として、Al-In、Cu-Pb偏晶系合金を用いて、微小重力下における1方向凝固実験を行った。各試料は温度勾配型電気炉(GHF)により溶解および1方向凝固され、その際試料部の半分が凝固した時点で残りの液相部が急速に冷却･凝固されて、偏晶凝固界面の成長が阻止された。Cu-36mass%Pb偏晶合金試料は、GHFの移動により生じた1方向凝固部分と加熱電力の低下などにより急冷･凝固した部分とに2分割されていた。1方向凝固部の長さは26mmで、予定より4mm短かった。1方向凝固部のミクロ組織には、Cu母相中に不規則な形態の棒状のPb相が凝固成長方向に整列している。また、急冷･凝固により阻止された偏晶凝固界面には、濃縮されたPbの層が認められた。このような凝固組織は、地上の重力場において得られる組織形態とほぼ同様の傾向を示し、偏晶合金の凝固機構における微小重力の効果に関して有益な情報が得られた。また、Pb相の分布挙動についても微小重力の効果の特徴が認められた。

Clinical guidelines for obstetrical practice were first published by the Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology (JSOG) and the Japan Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (JAOG) in 2008, and a revised version was published in 2011. The aims of this publication include the determination of current standard care practices for pregnant women in Japan, the widespread use of standard care practices, the enhancement of safety in obstetrical practice, the reduction in burdens associated with medico-legal and medico-economical problems, and a better understanding between pregnant women and maternity-service providers. These guidelines include a total of 87 Clinical Questions followed by several Answers (CQ&A), a Discussion, a List of References, and some Tables and Figures covering common problems and questions encountered in obstetrical practice. Each answer with a recommendation level of A, B or C has been prepared based principally on "evidence" or a consensus among Japanese obstetricians in situations where "evidence" is weak or lacking. Answers with a recommendation level of A or B represent current standard care practices in Japan. All 87 CQ&As are presented herein to promote a better understanding of the current standard care practices for pregnant women in Japan.

Clinical guidelines for obstetrical practice were first published by the Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology (JSOG) and the Japan Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (JAOG) in 2008, and a revised version was published in 2011. The aims of this publication include the determination of current standard care practices for pregnant women in Japan, the widespread use of standard care practices, the enhancement of safety in obstetrical practice, the reduction in burdens associated with medico-legal and medico-economical problems, and a better understanding between pregnant women and maternity-service providers. These guidelines include a total of 87 Clinical Questions followed by several Answers (CQ&A), a Discussion, a List of References, and some Tables and Figures covering common problems and questions encountered in obstetrical practice. Each answer with a recommendation level of A, B or C has been prepared based principally on "evidence" or a consensus among Japanese obstetricians in situations where "evidence" is weak or lacking. Answers with a recommendation level of A or B represent current standard care practices in Japan. All 87 CQ&As are presented herein to promote a better understanding of the current standard care practices for pregnant women in Japan.

Placental tissue draws great interest as a source of cells for regenerative medicine because of the phenotypic plasticity of many of the cell types isolated from this tissue. Furthermore, placenta, which is involved in maintaining fetal tolerance, contains cells that display immunomodulatory properties. These two features could prove useful for future cell therapy-based clinical applications. Placental tissue is readily available and easily procured without invasive procedures, and its use does not elicit ethical debate. Numerous reports describing stem cells from different parts of the placenta, using nearly as numerous isolation and characterization procedures, have been published. Considering the complexity of the placenta, an urgent need exists to define, as clearly as possible, the region of origin and methods of isolation of cells derived from this tissue. On March 23-24, 2007, the first international Workshop on Placenta Derived Stem Cells was held in Brescia, Italy. Most of the research published in this area focuses on mesenchymal stromal cells isolated from various parts of the placenta or epithelial cells isolated from amniotic membrane. The aim of this review is to summarize and provide the state of the art of research in this field, addressing aspects such as cell isolation protocols and characteristics of these cells, as well as providing preliminary indications of the possibilities for use of these cells in future clinical applications

Objective. Optimizing cord blood donor selection based mainly on cell dose and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) disparities may further improve results of unrelated cord blood transplants (UCBT).Materials and Results. We analyzed 550 UCBTs for hematologic malignancies reported to the Eurocord Registry. Main outcomes and prognostic factors were analyzed in univariable and multivariable analyses incorporating center and period effects and using death and relapse as competitive risks for nonfatal endpoints. Nucleated cell (NC) dose before freezing and number of HLA disparities had a significant influence on outcome. Cumulative incidence (CI) of neutrophil and platelet recovery was associated with the number of HLA mismatches, number of NC before freezing, and use of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor. Coexistence of HLA class I and II disparities and high CD34 cell dose in the graft were associated with graft-vs-host disease grades III-IV. CI of disease relapse was higher in matched transplants showing a graft-vs-leukemia effect increased in HLA-mismatched transplants. Overall 3-year survival was 34.4%. Prognostic factors for survival were recipient age, gender, and disease status.Conclusion. Our results provide indications for a better choice of cord blood units according to cord blood cell content and HLA. C 2004 International Society for Experimental Hematology. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Results of unrelated cord blood transplantation (UCBT) in childhood acute myeloid leukemia (AML) have not been previously reported. We analyzed 95 children receiving UCB transplants for AML (20 in first complete remission [CR1], 47 in CR2, and 28 in more advanced stage). Poor prognosis cytogenetic abnormalities were identified in 29 cases. Most patients received a 1 or 2 HLA antigens-mismatched UCB transplants. The median number of collected nucleated cells (NCs) was 5.2 x 10(7)/ kg. Cumulative incidence (CI) of neutrophil recovery was 78% +/- 4%, acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) was 35% +/- 5%, and 100-day transplantation-related mortality (TRM) was 20% +/- 4%. In multivariable analysis, a collected NC dose higher than 5.2 x 10(7)/kg was associated with a lower 100-day TRM. The 2-year Cl of relapse was 29% +/- 5% and was associated with disease status. The 2-year leukemia-free survival (LFS) was 42% +/- 5% (59% +/- 11% in CR1, 50% +/- 8% in CR2, and 21% +/- 9% for children not in CR). Children with poor prognosis cytogenetic features had similar LFS compared with other patients (44% +/- 11% vs 40% +/- 8%). In CR2, LFS was not influenced by the length of CR1 (53% +/- 11% in CR1 < 9.5 months compared with 50% +/- 12% in later relapses). We conclude that UCBT is a therapeutic option for children with very poor-prognosis AML and who lack an HLA-identical sibling. (C) 2003 by The American Society of Hematology.