Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a means capable of appropriately regulating differentiation of T cells, in order to avoid overactivation of T cells after stimulation of the T cells with superantigens or the like and the subsequent decrease in the immune functions (exhaustion of the immune system). The present invention relates to a T cell differentiation-regulating agent, comprising, as an active ingredient, an algal body of microalgae belonging to the genus Coccomyxa, a dry powder thereof, or an extract thereof.

Abstract: A compound superconducting twisted wire includes compound superconducting strands being twisted to form a twisted structure, in which each of the compound superconducting strands includes a compound superconductor part, a reinforcing part and a stabilizing part. The compound superconductor part includes compound superconducting filaments and a first matrix, the compound superconducting filaments each including a compound superconducting phase. The reinforcing part is disposed on an outer circumferential side of the compound superconductor part and includes reinforcing filaments and a second matrix. The stabilizing part is disposed on at least one side of an inner circumferential side and an outer circumferential side of the reinforcing part. A volume ratio of the reinforcing part relative to the compound superconducting strand is larger than a volume ratio of the compound superconductor part relative to the compound superconducting strand.

Abstract: Provided is a cell sheet suitable for cartilage repair. The present invention provides a cell sheet for cartilage repair, formed from a culture of cells derived from a cartilage tissue, and the cell sheet is negative for immunostaining using an antibody against type II collagen. The present invention also provides a method for producing a cell sheet for cartilage repair, formed from a culture of cells derived from a cartilage tissue, and the method includes culturing cells derived from a cartilage tissue on a surface of a membrane, where a temperature-responsive polymer is immobilized on the surface, to give the cell sheet. The culturing is stopped before the cell sheet becomes positive for immunostaining using an antibody against type II collagen.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel activity regulator capable of regulating T cell and/or B cell activity. The activity regulator is a T cell and/or B cell activity regulator comprising progesterone or a derivative thereof as an active ingredient.

Abstract: Provided is a cell sheet suitable for cartilage repair. The present invention provides a cell sheet for cartilage repair, formed from a culture of cells derived from a cartilage tissue, and the cell sheet is negative for immunostaining using an antibody against type II collagen. The present invention also provides a method for producing a cell sheet for cartilage repair, formed from a culture of cells derived from a cartilage tissue, and the method includes culturing cells derived from a cartilage tissue on a surface of a membrane, where a temperature-responsive polymer is immobilized on the surface, to give the cell sheet. The culturing is stopped before the cell sheet becomes positive for immunostaining using an antibody against type II collagen.

Abstract: A marker for examining a diabetic complication comprising a compound represented by the following Formula (1), or a salt thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and compositions for in situ germline genome engineering. The disclosed methods and compositions may be utilized for germline genome engineering in a subject having a reproductive organ containing a fertilized zygote, via: (i) isolating or obtaining the reproductive organ from the subject after a time period following insemination of the subject; (ii) introducing a reagent composition into the reproductive organ, the reagent composition comprising a nuclease system and/or an exogeneous polynucleotide; and (iii) electroporating the reproductive organ.

Abstract: A method of culturing a cell population containing cartilage-derived cells positive for expression of Tie2 (cartilage-derived Tie2-positive cells), the method including culturing a cell population containing cartilage-derived Tie2-positive cells in a culture medium containing at least one kind of Tie2 expression enhancer other than growth factors (e.g., an extract derived from a plant of the genus Cinnamomum). This culturing method is preferably performed in cultureware having a culture surface coated with a coating agent (e.g., a polylysine-containing agent).

Abstract: A fluorescence guide plate includes first and second surfaces, an edge surface connecting a periphery of the first surface with a periphery of the second surface, and a dichroic mirror laminated on the first surface. Fluorescent material is dispersed at least one of inside a space defined by the first surface, the second surface, and the edge surface, on the first surface, or on the second surface. The fluorescence guide plate has a plate-shaped structure made of a material with a higher refractive index than an outside. The fluorescence guide plate is configured such that, when irradiation light enters from the first surface, the fluorescence emitted from the fluorescent material exits from the edge surface. A reflection wavelength band of a normal incident beam reflected by the dichroic mirror lies in a range of wavelengths longer than a peak wavelength of a fluorescence wavelength band of the fluorescent material.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions, methods, and kits for modifying DNA within cells as well as compositions and methods for modifying gene expression in a cell. In particular, the invention generally relates to compositions, methods, and kits for DNA editing using single-stranded DNA. Compositions and methods for modifying gene expression using artificial microRNAs (amiRNA) are also contemplated.

Abstract: [Problem] To provide a composition or the like that suppresses the physical destruction of red blood cells (hemolysis) due to exercises and behaviors associated with impact such as striking, for example, as when continually hitting the soles of the feet on the ground by continued running, by using astaxanthin which has a long history of use as a food, and to provide a composition or the like for making the number of red blood cells destroyed (hemolysis number) to lower than the number of red blood cells newly created by hematopoiesis (hematopoiesis number), to suppress and/or improve exercise-induced hemolytic anemia caused by the physical destruction of red blood cells (hemolysis). [Solution] Astaxanthin is used as an active ingredient.

Abstract: The present invention aims at establishing a novel therapy for facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy. An oligonucleotide or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein the oligonucleotide comprises an oligonucleotide of 15-30 bases consisting of a nucleotide sequence complementary to the region of nucleotide Nos. 502-556 or 578-612 of DUX4-fl mRNA consisting of the nucleotide sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 1; the 5? and/or 3? end of the oligonucleotide may be chemically modified; and the oligonucleotide is capable of switching the splice form of the DUX4 gene from DUX4-fl to DUX4-s. A pharmaceutical drug comprising the above oligonucleotide or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof (e.g. therapeutic for facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy).

Abstract: Provided is reproducible means that enables production of nucleus pulposus progenitor cells (preferably, an active nucleus pulposus progenitor cell phenotype) from desired cells such as terminally differentiated cells and stem cells having pluripotency or multipotency. A nucleus pulposus progenitor cell inducer according to the present invention comprising an effective amount of a gene of Brachyury (T) or a homolog thereof, at least one selected from the group consisting of SRY-box6 (SOX6) or a homolog thereof and Forkhead Box Q1 (FOXQ1) or a homolog thereof, and MYC Proto-Oncogene, BHLH Transcription Factor (cMyc) or a homolog thereof (nucleus pulposus progenitor cell master regulator transcription factor), or a product thereof.

Abstract: Provided is a cell sheet suitable for cartilage repair. The present invention provides a cell sheet for cartilage repair, formed from a culture of cells derived from a cartilage tissue, and the cell sheet is negative for immunostaining using an antibody against type II collagen. The present invention also provides a method for producing a cell sheet for cartilage repair, formed from a culture of cells derived from a cartilage tissue, and the method includes culturing cells derived from a cartilage tissue on a surface of a membrane, where a temperature-responsive polymer is immobilized on the surface, to give the cell sheet. The culturing is stopped before the cell sheet becomes positive for immunostaining using an antibody against type II collagen.

Abstract: Provided is reproducible means that enables the production of an active nucleus pulposus cell phenotype from desired cells such as terminally differentiated cells or pluripotent or multipotent stem cells. Provided is a differentiation inducer containing an effective amount of a gene of at least two transcription factors selected from the group consisting of Brachyury (T), SRY-box6 (SOX6), C and Forkhead Box Q1 (FOXQ1), or homologs thereof (nucleus pulposus cell master regulator transcription factor), or a product thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides: a compound superconducting twisted wire in which non-adhesiveness between compound superconducting strands or separation easiness after adhesion is improved while a strength against tension is improved to a degree to be equivalent to or stronger than that of a conventional compound superconducting twisted wire; and a rewinding method thereof.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an agent for promoting expression of N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase that contains an extract from inflamed tissues inoculated with vaccinia virus. The present invention demonstrated that the extract from inflamed tissues inoculated with vaccinia virus promotes the expression of N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase in intervertebral disc cells. Thus, the extract from inflamed tissues inoculated with vaccinia virus or a preparation containing the extract is useful as an agent for promoting the expression of N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase in intervertebral disc cells.

Abstract: Cell microsheets are formed from a culture of cells. The cell microsheets has a size that can pass through an injection needle with a certain thickness. The cell microsheets can be produced on a surface of a cell cultureware. A stimulus-responsive polymer is immobilized on the surface having small divisions of the cell cultureware. The cell microsheets are suitable for minimally invasive treatment.

Abstract: Preparing a cell population rich in cells having a given phenotype depending on their use (e.g., type II collagen-positive nucleus pulposus cells) from a cell population containing Tie2-positive stem/progenitor cells (e.g., nucleus pulposus stem/progenitor cells). The present invention provides culture methods wherein a cell population containing Tie2-positive stem/progenitor cells is cultured (1) while present in a non-digested tissue, (2) in a culture medium containing at least one kind of Tie2 expression enhancer other than growth factors, (3) using cultureware with a culture surface having undergone cell attachment-increasing treatment, or (4) while suppressing formation of spheroid colonies in a culture medium containing an extracellular matrix-degrading agent.

Abstract: Provided are a neutrophil activation regulator and a therapeutic agent against diseases caused by neutrophil activation. A thrombin-like enzyme is used as an active ingredient of the neutrophil activation regulator and the therapeutic agent against diseases caused by neutrophil activation.