Correlation between forceps grasp count and skill proficiency in single-incision laparoscopic percutaneous extraperitoneal closure: A retrospective single-center study.

Introduction: This study aimed to investigate the correlation between forceps grasp count and procedure time in single-incision laparoscopic percutaneous extraperitoneal closure surgeries and the evolution of these metrics with accumulated experience.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 741 procedures performed by surgeons between 2015 and 2023. Surgical videos were analyzed to calculate the procedure time, defined as the time required for suturing around the hernial orifice, and the forceps grasp count.

Cholecystitis following the initiation of glucagon-like peptide-2 analogue for short bowel syndrome: A case report.

Patients with short bowel syndrome (SBS) have a risk for cholelithiasis and cholecystitis, particularly those who have received long-term parenteral nutrition (PN). Teduglutide (Revestive), a glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) analogue, is the first effective therapy approved for treating patients with SBS via self-subcutaneous injection. It also pharmacologically inhibits gallbladder contraction, which may increase the risks for cholelithiasis and cholecystitis.

Accelerated preprocessing of large numbers of brain images by parallel computing on supercomputers.

"Preprocessing" is the first step required in brain image analysis that improves the overall quality and reliability of the results. However, it is computationally demanding and time-consuming, particularly to handle and parcellate complicatedly folded cortical ribbons of the human brain. In this study, we aimed to shorten the analysis time for data preprocessing of 1410 brain images simultaneously on one of the world's highest-performing supercomputers, "Fugaku.

Transumbilical Reduced-port Laparoscopic Urachal Resection for Pediatric and Adolescent Patients.

Background: Port placement in laparoscopic urachal resection has not yet been standardized. We herein report an approach for transumbilical reduced-port laparoscopic urachal resection for pediatric and adolescent patients.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the outcomes of pediatric and adolescent patients for urachal remnant treated with reduced-port laparoscopic urachal resection from 2016 to 2020 in our department.

Phase 1 study of DS-1205c combined with gefitinib for EGFR mutation-positive non-small cell lung cancer.

Background: Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are effective for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with activating mutations of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), but responses are not durable as tumors develop resistance. DS-1205c is a novel, specific, orally bioavailable, small-molecule AXL receptor TKI. In preclinical studies, DS-1205c restored TKI antitumor activity in a TKI acquired-resistance EGFR-mutant NSCLC tumor xenograft model.

"A salvage technique using a fibrous sheath to avoid the loss of the central veins in cases of pediatric intestinal failure".

Purpose: The number of accessible central veins (CVs) affects the prognosis of patients with intestinal failure (IF). The loss of residual CVs should be avoided. We, therefore, evaluated the efficacy of a new CV catheter-exchange technique using a subcutaneous fibrous sheath (FS) in pediatric IF patients.

Increased nerve growth factor expression in the synovial tissues of patients with rotator cuff tears.

Background: Rotator cuff tears (RCTs) are often associated with severe shoulder pain. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, not recommended for long-term use, do not effectively manage RCT-induced pain, resulting in reduced quality of life. To improve management, a better understanding of the fundamental properties of RCT pain is needed.

New Guinea has the world's richest island flora.

New Guinea is the world's largest tropical island and has fascinated naturalists for centuries. Home to some of the best-preserved ecosystems on the planet and to intact ecological gradients-from mangroves to tropical alpine grasslands-that are unmatched in the Asia-Pacific region, it is a globally recognized centre of biological and cultural diversity. So far, however, there has been no attempt to critically catalogue the entire vascular plant diversity of New Guinea.

DS-1205b, a novel selective inhibitor of AXL kinase, blocks resistance to EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors in a non-small cell lung cancer xenograft model.

The AXL receptor tyrosine kinase is involved in signal transduction in malignant cells. Recent studies have shown that the AXL upregulation underlies epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) resistance in EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In this study, we investigated the effect of DS-1205b, a novel and selective inhibitor of AXL, on tumor growth and resistance to EGFR TKIs.

Continuous Skill Training Using the Disease-Specific Endoscopic Surgical Simulator to Promote Young Pediatric Surgeons: Learning Curve for Trainees.

This study aimed to evaluate the learning effects of continuous training with a disease-specific endoscopic surgical simulator for young pediatric surgeons. Participants trained with a laparoscopic fundoplication simulator for 1 hour every 10 days. At the start of each training session, we assessed the participant's surgical technique using the surgical skill evaluation system, which evaluates the following items: (1) task time, (2) right-left balance of suturing, (3) suture spacing between the three ligatures, (4) total path length traveled by forceps, (5) velocity of the forceps tips, (6) length of the wrap, (7) number of ligature failures, and (8) comparison of improvements according to assessment point.

DNA Length-dependent Division of a Giant Vesicle-based Model Protocell.

DNA is an essential carrier of sequence-based genetic information for all life today. However, the chemical and physical properties of DNA may also affect the structure and dynamics of a vesicle-based model protocell in which it is encapsulated. To test these effects, we constructed a polyethylene glycol-grafted giant vesicle system capable of undergoing growth and division.

Establishment of immunity against Epstein-Barr virus infection in a patient with CHARGE/complete DiGeorge syndrome after peripheral blood lymphocyte transfusion.

CHARGE syndrome is a rare congenital malformation syndrome which may share symptoms with DiGeorge syndrome. Complete DiGeorge syndrome (cDGS) is a severe form of DiGeorge syndrome, characterized by a CD3+ T-cell count of <50/mm due to athymia, and is fatal without immunologic intervention. We performed peripheral blood lymphocyte transfusion (PBLT) from an HLA-identical sibling without pretransplant conditioning in a CHARGE/cDGS patient with a novel CHD7 splice site mutation.

Objective assessment of robotic suturing skills with a new computerized system: A step forward in the training of robotic surgeons.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to assess robot-assisted suturing skills on a laparoscopic intestinal anastomosis model by using a novel computerized objective assessment system.

Methods: This study compared the suturing skills of 13 surgically naïve participants on an artificial intestinal anastomosis model that mimics real tissue. Each examinee sutured using da Vinci robot assistance under 2-D and 3-D visualization and with conventional laparoscopy (CL).

Migration of Deformable Vesicles Induced by Ionic Stimuli.

We have investigated the dynamics of phospholipid vesicles composed of 1,2-dioleoyl- sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine triggered by ionic stimuli using electrolytes such as CaCl, NaCl, and NaOH. The ionic stimuli induce two characteristic vesicle dynamics, deformation due to the ion binding to the lipids in the outer leaflet of the vesicle and migration due to the concentration gradient of ions, that is, diffusiophoresis or the interfacial energy gradient mechanism. We examined the deformation pathway for each electrolyte as a function of time and analyzed it based on the surface dissociation model and the area difference elasticity model, which reveals the change of the cross-sectional area of the phospholipid by the ion binding.

Two Cases of Micro-Arteriovenous Fistula in the Lower Extremity with Misdiagnosis of Refractory Cellulitis.

We report our experience of two cases of refractory cellulitis caused by peripheral micro-arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) in the lower extremity. The micro-AVFs were so small that they could not be located accurately; further, the patients' symptoms differed markedly from those previously reported for AVF. AVF is known to cause ischemic symptoms.

Molecular mechanism of vesicle division induced by coupling between lipid geometry and membrane curvatures.

We investigated the effects of lipid geometry on vesicle division using coarse grained molecular dynamics simulations. When the vesicle is composed of zero and negative spontaneous curvature lipids (ZSLs and NSLs), the difference in their molecular spontaneous curvatures destabilizes the neck of the limiting shape vesicle. In the vesicle division pathway, the neck developed into the stalk intermediates.

Outcome of early discharge protocol after appendectomy for pediatric acute appendicitis.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome of an early discharge protocol for pediatric acute appendicitis.

Methods: The present new early discharge protocol for appendicitis consisted of both postoperative early feeding and reduced-port laparoscopic surgery, to reduce surgical stress. The outcome was studied in patients with acute appendicitis treated at the present institution from 2012 to 2013.

The evaluation of rectal mucosal punch biopsy in the diagnosis of Hirschsprung's disease: a 30-year experience of 954 patients.

Purpose: For 30 years, we have consecutively performed rectal mucosal punch biopsy to diagnose Hirschsprung's disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety of our technique.

Methods: Patients with suspected Hirschsprung's disease who underwent punch biopsy, including our original "K-PUNCH" method using an S-moid forceps and non-specific blood-collecting tube at our department and branch hospital between April 1986 and March 2016 were included in the present study.

A new innovative laparoscopic fundoplication training simulator with a surgical skill validation system.

Purpose: We developed and validated a specific laparoscopic fundoplication simulator for use with the objective endoscopic surgical skills evaluation system. The aim of this study was to verify the quality of skills of surgeons.

Materials And Methods: We developed a 1-year-old infant body model based on computed tomography data and reproduced pneumoperitoneum model based on the clinical situation.

Preoperative simulation regarding the appropriate port location for laparoscopic hepaticojejunostomy: a randomized study using a disease-specific training simulator.

Purpose: We verified the appropriate port location for laparoscopic hepaticojejunostomy using a comprehensive laparoscopic training simulator.

Methods: We developed a hepaticojejunostomy model, consist of common hepatic duct and intestine and participants required to place two sutures precisely using two different port locations (A: standard port location, B: modified port location). The order of tasks was randomly determined using the permuted block method (Group I: Task A → Task B, Group II: Task B → Task A).

Role of Inverse-Cone-Shape Lipids in Temperature-Controlled Self-Reproduction of Binary Vesicles.

We investigate a temperature-driven recursive division of binary giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs). During the heating step of the heating-cooling cycle, the spherical mother vesicle deforms to a budded limiting shape using up the excess area produced by the chain melting of the lipids and then splits off into two daughter vesicles. Upon cooling, the daughter vesicle opens a pore and recovers the spherical shape of the mother vesicle.

Feasibility of Single-Incision Laparoscopic Percutaneous Extraperitoneal Closure for Inguinal Hernia by Inexperienced Pediatric Surgeons: Single-Incision Versus Multi-Incision Randomized Trial for 2 Years.

Purpose: This study evaluated the stability and risk of single-incision laparoscopic percutaneous extraperitoneal closure (SILPEC) for pediatric inguinal hernia performed by inexperienced pediatric surgeons versus conventional LPEC procedure.

Methods: Between 2011 and 2012, a randomized prospective study was performed comparing SILPEC (n = 37, 16 uni- and 21 bilateral patent processus vaginalis [PPV]) to LPEC (n = 72, 39 uni- and 33 bilateral PPV). The procedures were performed in girls with inguinal hernia by inexperienced pediatric surgeons with the assistance of an expert pediatric surgeon.