PD-1 Blockade Reinvigorates Bone Marrow CD8 T Cells from Patients with Multiple Myeloma in the Presence of TGFβ Inhibitors.

Purpose: Immune-checkpoint inhibitors have shown therapeutic efficacy in various malignant diseases. However, anti-programmed death (PD)-1 therapy has not shown clinical efficacy in multiple myeloma.

Experimental Design: Bone marrow (BM) mononuclear cells were obtained from 77 newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients.

Effects of Sarcopenia on Prognosis After Resection of Gallbladder Cancer.

Background: This study aimed to determine the prognostic significance of radiographic sarcopenia (RS) in patients with gallbladder cancer (GBC).

Methods: From March 2001 to December 2013, 158 GBC patients who underwent curative intent surgery were included. The presence of RS was determined by skeletal muscle mass index using abdominal computed tomography.

Arterial blood gas test to decide whether to reconstruct single or both the arteries in living donor liver transplantation.

Background: The graft used in living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) sometimes has two hepatic arteries. This study aimed to introduce arterial-blood gas (ABG) test on the decision on whether to reconstruct a single or both arteries in LDLT.

Methods: Patients with a right lobe graft with two hepatic arteries were enrolled from the prospectively maintained database of our institution.

Safety and Efficacy of Once-Daily Prolonged-Release Tacrolimus in Living Donor Liver Transplantation: An Open-Label, Prospective, Single-Arm, Phase 4 Study.

BACKGROUND After liver transplantation (LT), nonadherence to immunosuppressants due to the complex regimen can lead to graft rejection and loss. This study assessed the efficacy and safety of conversion from twice-daily tacrolimus (Bid-Tac) to once-daily prolonged-release tacrolimus (OD-Tac) in living donor LT (LDLT) recipients. MATERIAL AND METHODS Among patients who underwent LDLT between November 2015 and October 2016, those who agreed to participate in this study were screened, and those with good general condition and stable liver functions were enrolled.

Impact of ABO-incompatibility on hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence after living donor liver transplantation.

Background: ABO-incompatible (ABO-I) living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) has been reported to have acceptable outcomes in the era of rituximab-based prophylaxis. However, the outcomes of ABO-I LDLT for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain to be elucidated. This study aimed to clarify the impact of ABO-Incompatibility on oncologic outcomes of LDLT for HCC.

Outcomes of liver resection in patients with colorectal liver metastases by laparoscopic or open surgery.

Backgrounds/aims: Colorectal cancer is found with liver metastases about 20-25% due to characteristics of cancer itself. Approximately 20% of liver metastases are found to be resectable. The objective of this study was to evaluate short-term outcomes of patients who received liver resection with colorectal cancer operation in our center by laparoscopic surgery or open surgery.

Is Hepatopancreatoduodenectomy an Acceptable Operation for Biliary Cancer?

Hepatopancreatoduodenectomy (HPD) is usually indicated for the resection of locally advanced bile duct (BD) cancer or gallbladder (GB) cancer. Previous studies have demonstrated a favorable survival rate in BD cancer patients after HPD if R0 resection is achieved. By contrast, the benefit of HPD for GB cancer remains controversial.

Two cases of bronchobiliary fistula: Case report.

A bronchobiliary fistula, or a biliobronchial fistula (BBF), is a rare condition. It results from an abnormal connection between the biliary and bronchial trees, and is characterized by pathognomonic bilious sputum with suspicious pneumonia. Traditionally, an infectious disease, such as a hydatid infection, has been known to cause a BBF, but BBFs have recently become associated with tumors.

A comparison of desensitization methods: Rituximab with/without plasmapheresis in ABO-incompatible living donor liver transplantation.

Background: Plasmapheresis is a desensitization method used prior to ABO-incompatible (ABO-I) living donor liver transplantation. However, studies on its usefulness in the rituximab era are lacking.

Methods: Fifty-six adult patients underwent ABO-I living donor liver transplantation between January 2012 and October 2015.

Are you prepared for pancreas bifidum? A case report.

Pancreas divisum-failure of fusion of the dorsal and ventral pancreatic ducts-is relatively well known as the most common congenital anomaly of the pancreatic duct, of with an incidence approximately 10% of all embryos. And there is a rare anomaly similar to pancreas divisum in which doubled ducts are formed. This condition is a rare developmental anomaly called pancreas bifidum or bifid pancreas or fish tail pancreas.

Highly Luminescent and Water-Soluble Two-Dimensional Supramolecular Organic Framework: All-Organic Photosensitizer Template for Visible-Light-Driven Hydrogen Evolution from Water.

A highly fluorescent (Φ =0.60) and water-soluble two-dimensional (2D) honeycomb-shaped supramolecular organic framework (SOF) was successfully synthesized in pure aqueous solution via self-assembly of novel cyanostilbene-functionalized trilateral guest molecules and cucurbit[8]uril hosts. The size of this fluorescent 2D SOF was >500 nm in diameter, 1.

Perioperative transfusion in pancreatoduodenectomy: The double-edged sword of pancreatic surgeons.

We designed the study to clarify the prognostic significance of perioperative (preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative) red blood cell (RBC) transfusion following pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) for periampullary cancers.This study retrospectively analyzed 244 periampullary cancer patients (pancreatic cancer, 124 patients; bile duct cancer, 63 patients; and ampullary cancer, 57 patients) treated by PD from June 2001 to June 2010 at the National Cancer Center, Korea (NCC2017-0106).A total of 112 (46%) of 244 patients had received transfusion (preoperative, 5%; intraoperative, 17%; and postoperative, 37%).

Impact of preserved collateral veins on small-for-size grafts in living donor liver transplantation.

Aim: Graft size is a critical issue in living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). We hypothesized that too much portal flow could possibly be diverted into pre-existing collateral veins, alleviating small-for-size syndrome (SFSS) in LDLT. This study evaluated the impact of the preserved collateral veins in the outcomes of LDLT using a small-for-size graft.

Outcomes after liver transplantation in accordance with ABO compatibility: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Aim: To evaluate the differences in outcomes between ABO-incompatible (ABO-I) liver transplantation (LT) and ABO-compatible (ABO-C) LT.

Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed by searching eligible articles published before No-vember 28, 2016 on MEDLINE (PubMed), EMBASE, and Cochrane databases. The primary endpoints were graft survival, patient survival, and ABO-I-related complications.

A simplified protocol using rituximab and immunoglobulin for ABO-incompatible low-titre living donor liver transplantation.

Background & Aims: No consensus has been reached regarding optimal treatment strategies for ABO-incompatible (ABO-I) living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). We introduce a simplified protocol using rituximab and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG).

Methods: Data were analysed on adult patients who underwent ABO-I LDLT of which protocol added rituximab (300 mg/m ) before surgery and IVIG (0.

Small-for-size grafts increase recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma in liver transplantation beyond milan criteria.

Living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) has been reported to have high rates of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence compared with deceased donor liver transplantation (DDLT). This has been assumed to be due to the frequent use of small-for-size grafts (SFSGs) in LDLT rather than DDLT, but the relationship between graft size and prognosis remains controversial. This study aimed to clarify the effect of SFSGs on the oncologic outcomes of patients with HCC who underwent LDLT.

Risk prediction of post-hepatectomy liver failure in patients with perihilar cholangiocarcinoma.

Background And Aim: In most patients with perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (PHCC), major hepatectomy and extrahepatic bile duct resection are needed for surgical radicality, and a high risk of hepatic insufficiency exists. This study aims to develop a prediction model for post-hepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) in patients with PHCC.

Methods: A total of 143 patients who underwent major liver resection and extrahepatic bile duct resection for PHCC between October 2001 and December 2013 were included.

Right lobe living donors ages 55 years old and older in liver transplantation.

The evidence is insufficient for safe use of elderly donors in adult-to-adult living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of right lobe LDLT by donor age (≥55 versus < 55 years). All living donors who underwent right hepatectomy at the authors' institution between March 2008 and December 2015 were divided into 2 groups: group A with an age ≥ 55 years and group B with an age of <55 years.

Mortality after portal vein embolization: Two case reports.

Portal vein embolization (PVE) is increasingly performed worldwide to reduce the possibility of liver failure after extended hepatectomy, by inducing future liver remnant (FLR) hypertrophy and atrophy of the liver planned for resection. The procedure is known to be very safe and to have few procedure-related complications.In this study, we described 2 elderly patients with Bismuth-Corlette type IV Klatskin tumor who underwent right trisectional PVE involving the embolization of the right portal vein, the left medial sectional portal branch, and caudate portal vein.

Ligation and cut as a method for bile duct division in living donor right hepatectomy.

The importance of bile duct division cannot be overemphasized in living donor surgery. Ligation and cut (LC) as a method for bile duct division in living donor right hepatectomy (LDRH) has never been reported. The purpose of this study was to introduce the LC method of bile duct division in LDRH.

Outcomes for Patients with Recurrent Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma After Surgery.

Background: This study aimed to analyze the postoperative outcomes for patients with recurrent intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) and to determine the prognostic factors. In addition, this study investigated the effects of various treatment methods for patients with recurrent ICC.

Methods: This retrospective study analyzed the postoperative outcomes and prognostic factors of recurrent ICC that occurred for 81 of 128 patients who underwent hepatic resection for ICC between April 2001 and April 2013.

Survival analysis after liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma: A consecutive cohort of 1002 patients.

Background And Aim: The improvements in surgical technique and perioperative management in the recent decades may warrant revisit for survival outcomes and prognostic factors after liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study aimed to analyze the survival outcomes after liver resection for HCC for a consecutive cohort of 1002 patients.

Methods: This study was performed by analyzing the clinicopathological and follow-up data of 1002 consecutive patients who underwent liver resection for HCC from April 2001 to December 2013.

Celiac axis stenosis as a rare but critical condition treated with pancreatoduodenectomy: report of 2 cases.

We describe 2 cases of patients with loss of hepatic arterial flow during surgery for pancreatic head cancer due to celiac stenosis caused by median arcuate ligament compression. The first case underwent pylorus-resecting pancreatoduodenectomy for pancreatic head cancer. After resection of the gastroduodenal artery, flow in the common hepatic artery disappeared, and celiac axis stenosis was identified.