Differentiation and proliferation potencies of human bone tissue-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (hBT-MSCs) after long-term cryopreservation －Comparison among cells stored for 1, 5, 10, 15, and 20 years.

Introduction: We investigated bone differentiation and proliferation potencies of human bone tissue-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (hBT-MSCs) after long-term cryopreservation. We determined the presence of any morphological and characteristic changes due to freezing to identify issues that need to be solved for future clinical applications.

Subjects And Methods: A total of 15 samples of hBT-MSCs that had been cryopreserved for different lengths of time, ranging from one year to 20 years (n = 3 each), were thawed and recultivated after being collected from excess iliac cancellous bone specimens of patients who underwent secondary alveolar bone grafting for cleft lip and palate in our department.

Diagnosis of skin and soft tissue infections using near-infrared spectroscopy.

Aim: Skin and soft tissue infections are classified into cellulitis and necrotizing fasciitis, which are difficult to distinguish. Necrotizing fasciitis has a poor prognosis and requires immediate intensive care. The diagnostic gold standard is to incise the lesion to determine whether necrosis has reached the fascia.

Clinical features of primary vein grafts in free tissue transfers.

The outcomes of free tissue transfers combined with vein grafts have been inconsistent, and discussions continue regarding their appropriate use. Of the 142 free tissue transfers that we performed from January 2004 to December 2011, we retrospectively analyzed 15 consecutive patients who underwent free tissue transfers in combination with vein grafts. Etiologies included trauma (8 patients), infection (4), and tumor (3).

Elective use of surgical cricothyroidotomy for maxillofacial fracture fixation with contraindication of nasotracheal intubation: a case report.

We report three cases of airway management with elective surgical cricothyroidotomy (SCT) for anesthetic management during surgical repair of maxillofacial injury involving basal skull fracture or nasal-bone fracture. In all patients, general anesthesia was induced, a supraglottic airway (SGA) device inserted, and SCT performed. Tracheal intubation was performed through SCT site, and the SGA device was removed.

Osteogenic potential of human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stromal cells cultured with umbilical cord blood-derived fibrin: a preliminary study.

This study examined the potential for osteogenesis via regenerative medicine using autologous tissues (umbilical cord (UC) and umbilical cord blood (UCB)) in nude mice. The study was designed to provide the three elements required for regenerative medicine (cell, scaffold, and growth factor) and autoserum for culture by means of autologous tissues. Mesenchymal stromal cells were obtained from UC (UC-MSCs).

Transradial approach for transcatheter arterial chemoembolization in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: comparison with conventional transfemoral approach.

We evaluated the clinical usefulness and safety of transradial approach for transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) compared with that of conventional transfemoral approach. The two groups (radial group, n = 177; femoral group, n = 150) of cases were retrospectively compared with regard to the successful rate of angiography or TACE, time required for catheterizaiton and complications. Hepatic angiography and TACE were completed in 174 (98.

[Usefulness of gemcitabine in the treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer in terms of its clinical benefits].

Since pancreatic cancers are frequently discovered in an advanced stage, the expectations for chemotherapy are high. However, the response rate to chemotherapy of advanced cancer remains low. In Western countries, gemcitabine (GEM), a newly approved drug in Japan, was reported to be useful in improving symptoms and prolonging survival.

Pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy without homologous blood transfusion in a Jehovah's witness with pancreatic cancer: report of a case.

A case of successfully treated pancreatic cancer without homologous blood transfusion in a Jehovah's witness is reported. The patient was a 60-year-old Japanese man and he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Based on the patient's informed consent, human recombinant erythropoietin (12000 IU/day), saccharated ferric oxide (60 mg/day), and 25% human serum albumin (100 mL/day) were administrated for 7 consecutive days prior to the operation.

[Transradial approach for transcatheter arterial chemoembolization in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma].

We devised a catheter designed for a transradial artery approach and carried out selective hepatic arteriography and transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) in 1999. To evaluate the clinical usefulness and safety of our new catheterization, we compared the results of transradial approach with those of the conventional transfemoral approach. In 164 (98.