Abstract: A test circuit for conducting a test on a switching device having a ground electrode, a control electrode, and a power-supply electrode. The test circuit includes: a first terminal configured to be connected to the ground electrode of the switching device; a second terminal configured to be connected to the control electrode of the switching device; a third terminal configured to be connected to the power-supply electrode of the switching device; a fourth terminal configured to receive a power supply voltage; and a first switch connected between the third terminal and the fourth terminal, and being configured to turn off in response to a predetermined time period having elapsed since turning off of the switching device. The predetermined time period is shorter than a time period from when the switching device is turned off to when a drive current flowing through the switching device reaches zero without being interrupted.

Abstract: Method for evaluating cardiomyocytes using Raman scattering: a Raman spectrum of cardiomyocytes artificially induced to differentiate from pluripotent stem cells is acquired, an intensity of Raman-scattered light for a protein containing at least one of heme b and heme c as a prosthetic group is acquired from the Raman spectrum, and a state of progress of maturation of the cardiomyocytes is evaluated on the basis of the intensity of the Raman-scattered light. Method for evaluating differentiation into cardiomyocytes using Raman scattering: cells which are pluripotent stem cells are artificially induced to differentiate into cardiomyocytes, a Raman spectrum of the cells induced to differentiate is acquired, an intensity of Raman-scattered light for at least one of heme b and heme c is acquired from the Raman spectrum, and a state of progress of differentiation of the cells into cardiomyocytes is evaluated on the basis of the intensity of the Raman-scattered light.

Abstract: It has been found that a cell cluster obtained by causing just isolated cells to adhere to each other secretes adiponectin after transplantation to the heart, and thereby has an excellent therapeutic effect on heart disease.

Abstract: A cell cryopreservation method including adding a 1 volume % of a composition comprising 0.01 wt % to 20 wt % of a sophorose lipid to cells in a cell culture medium just before or up to 6 hours before cryopreserving the cells; and cryopreserving the cell culture medium, wherein the composition improves cell viability after cryopreservation compared to cells that are cryopreserved with a similar composition that does not contain the sophorose lipid.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a pericyte-like cell having high angiogenic potential with a higher cell proliferation ability than a primary pericyte available in the past and high VEGF expression, and a method for producing the same. Provided are a method for producing a VEGF-highly expressing pericyte-like cell, the method including selecting a CD56(?) pericyte-like cell from a population including a pericyte-like cell obtained by inducing differentiation of a pluripotent stem cell; and a VEGF-highly expressing pericyte-like cell produced by the production method.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a pericyte-like cell having high angiogenic potential with a higher cell proliferation ability than a primary pericyte available in the past and high VEGF expression, and a method for producing the same. Provided are a method for producing a VEGF-highly expressing pericyte-like cell, the method including selecting a CD56(?) pericyte-like cell from a population including a pericyte-like cell obtained by inducing differentiation of a pluripotent stem cell; and a VEGF-highly expressing pericyte-like cell produced by the production method.

Abstract: A method for producing a cell culture containing desired cells is provided. The desired cells are induced to be differentiated from pluripotent stem cells. The method includes seeding a cell population by dispersing embryoid bodies obtained by inducing differentiation from the pluripotent stem cells to the desired cells. The embryoid bodies are dispersed at a density reaching confluence or higher.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a production method of a myocardial cell layer, and a myocardial cell layer, in which myocardial cells can be matured without using a complicated control device and can be maintained for a long period of time, and to provide a kit for evaluating a pharmaceutical candidate substance, a transplantation material, and an evaluation method of a pharmaceutical candidate substance. According to the present invention, there is provided a production method of a myocardial cell layer including the following steps (1) to (3).

Abstract: An object is to provide a pharmaceutical composition that improves cardiac function when administered during coronary artery bypass surgery for ischemic cardiomyopathy. A pharmaceutical composition for improving cardiac function comprising: (A) a release formulation comprising at least poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and a prostaglandin 12 receptor agonist, the PLGA having an average molecular weight of 10000 to 30000; and (B) a release formulation comprising at least poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and a prostaglandin 12 receptor agonist, the PLGA having an average molecular weight of 40000 to 60000.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a cell therapy that is expected to be useful as an angiogenic therapy for a peripheral vascular disease such as critical lower limb ischemia. Specifically, the object is to provide a pericyte having high angiogenic potential and a method for producing the same. A pericyte introduced a bFGF gene and a method for producing the same are provided.

Abstract: In order to provide a technical means that offers excellent convenience, usability, and safety for stellate ganglion block that can effectively suppress sympathetic overexcitation, this stellate ganglion magnetic stimulation device comprises: a head unit having a magnet for generating magnetism; and a neck unit that is removably worn around a wearer's neck and that presses the head unit against epidermis corresponding to the stellate ganglion so that stimulation by the magnetism acts on the stellate ganglion.

Abstract: The present inventors have found that HMGB1 fragment peptides having a particular amino acid sequence exhibit the effects of improvement of cardiac function, inhibition of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, inhibition of myocardial fibrosis, and promotion of angiogenesis in an animal model of dilated cardiomyopathy, that the particular HMGB1 fragment peptides also exhibit the effects of improvement of cardiac function, inhibition of cardiomegaly, inhibition of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, inhibition of myocardial fibrosis, and promotion of angiogenesis in an animal model of ischemic cardiomyopathy caused by old myocardial infarction, and that the particular HMGB1 fragment peptides exhibit the effects of inhibition of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and inhibition of myocardial fibrosis in an animal model of hypertensive cardiomyopathy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an evaluation device 4 for evaluating the severity of pneumonia in a target patient, comprising: an acquisition unit 42 for acquiring a respiratory waveform of the target patient; a calculation unit 43 for calculating a value of an index indicating instability of a respiratory cycle or a respiratory frequency from the respiratory waveform; and an evaluation unit 44 for evaluating the severity based on the calculated value.

Abstract: The present invention provides clinically applicable, safe and convenient, pharmaceutical compositions and methods for disease site-specific treatment. The pharmaceutical composition for disease site-specific treatment methods comprises a stealth liposome having a prostaglandin I2 receptor agonist encapsulated therein.

Abstract: A heart valve abnormality detection device includes a heart sound data acquisition portion 21 configured to acquire heart sound data corresponding to heart sounds, a first processing portion configured to set, based on the heart sound data, a section between a first heart sound and a second heart sound of the heart sounds as a target range and acquire a peak frequency that is a peak value of a frequency in a frequency component of the heart sounds within the target range, and a second processing portion configured to output a detection signal indicating that there is a high probability of severe aortic stenosis in a case where the peak frequency is a peak reference value or greater.

Abstract: The present inventors have found that HMGB1 fragment peptides having a particular amino acid sequence exhibit the effects of improvement of cardiac function, inhibition of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, inhibition of myocardial fibrosis, and promotion of angiogenesis in an animal model of dilated cardiomyopathy, that the particular HMGB1 fragment peptides also exhibit the effects of improvement of cardiac function, inhibition of cardiomegaly, inhibition of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, inhibition of myocardial fibrosis, and promotion of angiogenesis in an animal model of ischemic cardiomyopathy caused by old myocardial infarction, and that the particular HMGB1 fragment peptides exhibit the effects of inhibition of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and inhibition of myocardial fibrosis in an animal model of hypertensive cardiomyopathy.

Abstract: This invention relates to a prediction support system and associated methods for supporting prediction of the severity of a disease. The systems and methods may perform operations that include continuously detecting whether a patient with the disease is in bed, and acquiring, based on the detection result of the detecting, an in-bed pattern indicating, as a time series, whether the patient is in bed. The systems may include a detection device and an acquisition unit.

Abstract: Methods are described for treating a heart disease, comprising suspending c) mesenchymal stem cells in either a) a fibrinogen solution or b) a thrombin solution, thereby obtaining a cell suspension, and directly spraying the cell suspension on a disease site substantially at the same time with the other of a) the fibrinogen solution or b) the thrombin solution that is not used in the suspending.

Abstract: A method for producing a fibrin sheet containing at least one selected from the group consisting of cells and drugs in a fibrin gel, the method comprising: a step 1 of applying a fibrinogen solution containing at least one selected from the group consisting of cells and drugs and fibrinogen dropwise onto a surface of a substrate made of a gelatin hydrogel; a step 2 of adding thrombin to the fibrinogen solution on the surface of the substrate; a step 3 of placing a support film on and in contact with a top surface of the fibrinogen solution to which the thrombin has been added; a step 4 of forming a fibrin sheet containing the at least one selected from the group consisting of cells and drugs in a fibrin gel between the substrate and the support film by a reaction between the fibrinogen and the thrombin; and a step 5 of melting the substrate at a temperature not lower than a melting temperature of the gelatin hydrogel to separate, from the substrate, the fibrin sheet supported by the support film.

Abstract: To provide a catheter for aortic valvuloplasty in which it is possible to significantly increase the therapeutic effect despite being minimally invasive. The present invention provides a catheter for aortic valvuloplasty characterized by including: first to third balloons that can expand and contract due to supply of a fluid, it being possible to change the relative positional relationships of the first to third balloons; first to third shafts that connect to the first to third balloons at the tip and supply fluid to the first to third balloons to cause the first to third balloons to expand and contract independently of each other; and at least one wire that introduces the first to third balloons from outside the patient's body to the aortic valve.