Strain induced esophageal growth in a novel rodent model.

Purpose: Longitudinal esophageal strain has been shown to increase esophageal length but the contribution of tissue hyperplasia to this growth is unknown. We used a novel model of esophageal stretch to determine the cellular response to the strain stimulus.

Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent transection of the distal esophagus.

Tissue expander stimulated lengthening of arteries (TESLA) induces early endothelial cell proliferation in a novel rodent model.

Background: We examine the mechanism of aortic lengthening in a novel rodent model of tissue expander stimulated lengthening of arteries (TESLA).

Methods: A rat model of TESLA was examined with a single stretch stimulus applied at the time of tissue expander insertion with evaluation of the aorta at 2, 4 and 7day time points. Measurements as well as histology and proliferation assays were performed and compared to sham controls.

The effect of graft type on mortality in liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: Liver transplantation (LT) with living-donor (LD-P) and deceased-donor (DD-P) partial grafts for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) may be associated with worse outcomes. Using the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), we aimed to: (1) examine the risk of mortality in LT for HCC, (2) to establish if this risk is affected by partial graft use, and (3) to determine if this effect is mitigated by improved tumor-associated risk stratification.

Material And Methods: All first-time adult LT recipients were analyzed (3/2002-12/2012), including 2,353 LD-P, 727 DD-P, and 47,833 DD whole (DD-W) grafts.

Pulmonary support on day of life 30 is a strong predictor of increased 1 and 5-year morbidity in survivors of congenital diaphragmatic hernia.

Purpose: Pulmonary support (PS) on day-of-life-30 (DOL-30) has been shown to be the strongest predictor of subsequent morbidity and in-patient mortality in congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). We hypothesized that PS on DOL-30 can also predict long-term outcomes in CDH survivors.

Methods: We analyzed records of 201 CDH survivors followed by a single multidisciplinary clinic (1995-2010).

Immediate extubation after pediatric liver transplantation: a single-center experience.

The care of pediatric liver transplant recipients has traditionally included postoperative mechanical ventilation. In 2005, we started extubating children undergoing liver transplantation in the operating room according to standard criteria for extubation used for general surgery cases. We reviewed our single-center experience to determine our rates of immediate extubation and practice since that time.