High-Density Dielectrophoretic Microwell Array for Detection, Capture, and Single-Cell Analysis of Rare Tumor Cells in Peripheral Blood.

Development of a reliable platform and workflow to detect and capture a small number of mutation-bearing circulating tumor cells (CTCs) from a blood sample is necessary for the development of noninvasive cancer diagnosis. In this preclinical study, we aimed to develop a capture system for molecular characterization of single CTCs based on high-density dielectrophoretic microwell array technology. Spike-in experiments using lung cancer cell lines were conducted.

Apicoplast-targeting antibacterials inhibit the growth of Babesia parasites.

The apicoplast housekeeping machinery, specifically apicoplast DNA replication, transcription, and translation, was targeted by ciprofloxacin, thiostrepton, and rifampin, respectively, in the in vitro cultures of four Babesia species. Furthermore, the in vivo effect of thiostrepton on the growth cycle of Babesia microti in BALB/c mice was evaluated. The drugs caused significant inhibition of growth from an initial parasitemia of 1% for Babesia bovis, with 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC(50)s) of 8.

Primary hepatic carcinoid tumor (a case report).

A primary hepatic carcinoid tumor arising in a 77-year-old woman is reported. The patient was admitted with a huge tumor in the right lobe of the liver and treated by an extended right lobectomy of the liver. Light microscopic findings showed that the tumor cells had small oval-shaped nuclei and eosinophilic cytoplasm with small granules forming trabecular, glandular, and rosette patterns.

Indication of hepatectomy for cirrhotic patients with hepatocellular carcinoma classified as Child-Pugh class B.

We clarified the indication of partial hepatectomy in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with liver cirrhosis classified as Child-Pugh class B. Univariate analysis revealed that adverse prognostic factors were (1) the presence of ascites, (2) elevated total bilirubin (1.5 mg/dl or higher), (3) reduced choline esterase (160 IU/ or lower), (4) elevated alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) (400 ng/ml or higher), (5) microscopic vascular invasion, and (6) non-curative hepatectomy.

Enzymatic degradation of p-chlorophenol in a two-phase flow microchannel system.

Enzymatic degradation of p-chlorophenol was carried out in a two-phase flow in a microchannel (100 microm width, 25 microm depth) fabricated on a glass plate (70 mm x 38 mm). This is the first report on the enzymatic reaction in a two-phase flow on a microfluidic device. The surface of the microchannel was partially modified with octadecylsilane groups to be hydrophobic, thus allowing clear phase separation at the end-junction of the microchannel.

Gasless laparoscopic hepatic resection for cirrhotic patients with solid liver tumors.

Gasless laparoscopic hepatic resection with a 5-cm minilaparotomy was performed in 10 cirrhotic patients with small liver tumors. To maintain good visualization and working space during hepatic resections, we developed a simple retraction system. Mean operative time and blood loss were 291 minutes and 249 mL, respectively.

Significance of the molar ratio of branched-chain amino acids to tyrosine before hepatectomy.

Background/aims: To predict the degree of liver fibrosis and select a safe operative procedure, the correlation between liver fibrotic ratio and preoperative liver function variables were analyzed, and the significance of the molar ratio of branched-chain amino acids to tyrosine determined preoperatively was investigated.

Methodology: Forty-four patients with hepatectomy were enrolled in this study. Liver tissue specimens excised from the patients were stained by Azan-Mallory's method.