The First Application of Intraumbilical Longitudinal Incision to Pyloromyotomy for Hypertrophic Pyloric Stenosis.

Objective: There are several approaches to pyloromyotomy for the treatment of hypertrophic pyloric stenosis including open transumbilical pyloromyotomy and laparoscopic pyloromyotomy. Beginning in 2012, we adopted intraumbilical longitudinal incision as a new transumbilical approach for pyloromyotomy. We describe details of the operative technique and results of this new approach.

Superior stemness of a rapidly growing subgroup of isolated human auricular chondrocytes and the potential for use in cartilage regenerative therapy.

Introduction: In cartilage regenerative medicine, transplanted chondrocytes contain a mixture of populations, that complicates the regeneration of uniform cartilage tissue. Our group previously reported that chondrocytes with higher chondrogenic ability could be enriched by selection of rapidly growing cells. In this study, the detailed properties of rapidly growing chondrocytes were examined and compared to slowly growing cells.

A novel method of tracheal anastomosis healing using a single submucosal injection of basic fibroblast growth factor: initial report.

Objectives: For the technical management of tracheal anastomosis, developing new and simple methods is required to relieve anastomotic tension. This study aimed to investigate whether basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) only once injected immediately before anastomosis promotes cartilage regeneration at the tracheal anastomosis and whether the regenerated cartilage has the effect of reinforcing the anastomosis in a rabbit model.

Methods: New Zealand white rabbits were anaesthetized, and the cervical trachea was exposed through a cervical midline incision, followed by resection of the 10th tracheal cartilage.

Mesenchymal stromal cells in the bone marrow niche consist of multi-populations with distinct transcriptional and epigenetic properties.

Although multiple studies have investigated the mesenchymal stem and progenitor cells (MSCs) that give rise to mature bone marrow, high heterogeneity in their morphologies and properties causes difficulties in molecular separation of their distinct populations. In this study, by taking advantage of the resolution of the single cell transcriptome, we analyzed Sca-1 and PDGFR-α fraction in the mouse bone marrow tissue. The single cell transcriptome enabled us to further classify the population into seven populations according to their gene expression profiles.

Impact of a Pharmacist-Led Antimicrobial Stewardship Program on the Number of Days of Antimicrobial Therapy for Uncomplicated Gram-Negative Bacteremia in a Community Hospital.

Introduction The need for pharmacist-led antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASP) is increasing. Objective We performed a retrospective study to assess whether pharmacist-led ASPs can decrease the duration of treatment for uncomplicated gram-negative bacteremia among patients admitted in a community hospital. Methods This research was conducted at a 325-bed regional general hospital in Japan, from January 2013 to June 2015.

A new method of primary engineering of esophagus using orthotopic in-body tissue architecture.

Purpose: Tissue engineering of esophagus is required for management of long-gap esophageal atresia (LGEA). Collagenous connective tissue membranes fabricated by in-body tissue architecture (iBTA), called biosheets, can repair esophageal defects and generate tissues similar to native esophagus. However, iBTA requires second-stage surgery because of heterotopic preparation of biosheets.

Long-term observation of airway reconstruction using decellularized tracheal allografts in micro-miniature pigs at growing stage.

Introduction: Decellularized tissue exhibits cell matrix-like properties, along with reduced antigenicity. We explored the potential of decellularized allogeneic trachea to restore the upper respiratory tract, focusing on pediatric application. This study specifically aimed at long-term observation of tissue regeneration using a micro-miniature pig model.

Prospective monitoring of carbapenem use and pseudomonal resistance across pediatric institutions.

Objective: To determine whether carbapenem consumption and Pseudomonas aeruginosa resistance rates can be used as benchmarks to compare and improve antimicrobial stewardship programs across multiple pediatric hospitals.

Design: A prospective study.

Setting And Participants: Healthcare institutions in Japan with >100 pediatric beds.

The effect of preauthorization and prospective audit and feedback system on oral antimicrobial prescription for outpatients at a children's hospital in Japan.

Antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASP) for oral antibiotics is still uncommon, despite the fact that oral antibiotics prescription accounts for 90% of total antibiotic consumption in developed countries. We introduced preauthorization and prospective audit and feedback (PAF) system on broad-spectrum oral antimicrobials as a part of ASP intervention from October 2015 in a tertiary children's hospital in Japan. Antimicrobial consumption and cost of targeted oral antimicrobials decreased from 11.

Tracheal cartilage growth promotion by intra-tracheal administration of basic FGF.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate whether intra-tracheal administration of basic fibroblast growth factor (b-FGF) promotes the growth of tracheal cartilage.

Methods: Trachea of 4-week old mice were intubated and 2.5 μg b-FGF administered (Group 4) for periods from 1 to 5 days.

Fabrication of an anatomy-mimicking BIO-AIR-TUBE with engineered cartilage.

Introduction: We devised a strategy for the fabrication of an 'anatomy-mimicking' cylinder-type engineered trachea combined with cartilage engineering. The engineered BIOTUBEs are used to support the architecture of the body tissue, for long-segment trachea (>5 cm) with carinal reconstruction. The aim of the present study was to fabricate an anatomy-mimicking cylinder-type regenerative airway, and investigate its applicability in a rabbit model.

Long-term follow-up of tracheal cartilage growth promotion by intratracheal injection of basic fibroblast growth factor.

Background: Intratracheal injection of basic fibroblast growth factor (b-FGF) has been shown to enlarge the tracheal lumen 4 weeks after treatment. The objective of this study was to investigate the long-term effect of tracheal cartilage growth promotion by intratracheal injection of b-FGF.

Materials And Methods: New Zealand white rabbits were classified into four groups to receive either distilled water alone (Group 1; n = 16; control), 40 μg (Group 2; n = 10), 100 μg (Group 3; n = 13), or 200 μg (Group 4; n = 16) of b-FGF dissolved in water.

Age-Appropriate Pediatric Dosage Forms in Japan: Insights into End-User Perceptions From an Observational Cross-Sectional Survey Assessing the Acceptability of Oral Formulation.

Background: The lack of appropriate pediatric formulations is a global issue and information on acceptability is urgently needed to develop standard pediatric formulations. This study aimed to assess perceptions of acceptability of several oral dosage forms among pediatric patients at a community and a pediatric hospital in Japan and collected information about age-appropriate pediatric formulations, aiming to contribute to drug development promotion worldwide.

Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was performed.

Engineering and repair of diaphragm using biosheet (a collagenous connective tissue membrane) in rabbits.

Background: Prosthetic patches can be used to repair large congenital diaphragmatic hernia defects but may be associated with infection, recurrence, and thoracic deformity. Biosheets (collagenous connective tissue membranes) have been used in regenerative medicine. We evaluated the efficacy of Biosheets in a rabbit model.

Airway reconstruction using decellularized tracheal allografts in a porcine model.

Purpose: Tracheal cartilage reconstruction is an essential approach for the treatment of tracheal congenital abnormalities or injury. Here, we evaluated the use of allogeneic decellularized tracheas as novel support scaffolds.

Methods: Six weaned pigs (4-week-old domestic males) were transplanted with allogeneic tracheal graft patches (three decellularized and three fresh tracheal scaffolds) onto artificial defects (approximately 15 × 15 mm).

Tracheal cartilage growth by intratracheal injection of basic fibroblast growth factor.

Background/purpose: We have previously shown that intratracheal injection of slowly released (in gelatin) basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) significantly enlarged the tracheal lumen by a slight margin. This study aimed to investigate differences in tracheal cartilage growth by the intratracheal injection of bFGF doses in a rabbit model.

Methods: Water (group 1; n=7; control) or 100μg (group 2; n=8) or 200μg (group 3; n=8) of bFGF dissolved in water was injected into the posterior wall of the cervical trachea of New Zealand white rabbits using a tracheoscope.

Patch tracheoplasty in body tissue engineering using collagenous connective tissue membranes (biosheets).

Background: Collagenous connective tissue membranes (biosheets) are useful for engineering cardiovascular tissue in tissue engineering. The aim was to evaluate the use of biosheets as a potential tracheal substitute material in vivo in a rabbit model.

Methods: Group 1: Rectangular-shaped Gore-Tex (4×7mm) was implanted into a 3×6mm defect created in the midventral portion of the cervical trachea.

Tracheoplasty with cartilage-engineered esophagus environments.

Purpose: Our objective was to investigate the feasibility of engineering cartilage on the esophagus layer and outside the esophagus. Moreover, we investigated the feasibility of tracheoplasty with cartilage engineered on the esophagus in rabbits.

Methods: Chondrocytes were isolated from auricular cartilages.

Slow release of basic fibroblast growth factor (b-FGF) enhances mechanical properties of rat trachea.

Aim: Severe tracheomalacia is a life-threatening disease, but symptoms usually improve with growth. The aims of this study were to investigate how slow release basic-Fibroblast Growth Factor (b-FGF) acts on tracheal cartilage, and whether growth-promoted trachea is more resistant against an increase in externally-applied pressure.

Methods: Biodegradable gelatin hydrogel sheets soaked in 10 μl of distilled water (sham) or 0.

Optimal amount of basic fibroblast growth factor in gelatin sponges incorporating β-tricalcium phosphate with chondrocytes.

Background: A gelatin sponge with slowly releasing basic fibroblast growth factor (b-FGF) enhances chondrogenesis. This study investigated the optimal amount of b-FGF in gelatin sponges to fabricate engineered cartilage.

Materials And Methods: b-FGF (0, 10, 100, 500, 1000, and 2000 μg/cm(3))-impregnated gelatin sponges incorporating β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) were produced.

Promotion of tracheal cartilage growth by intra-tracheal injection of basic fibroblast growth factor (b-FGF).

Purpose: Basic fibroblast growth factor (b-FGF) is a very effective growth factor that induces the proliferation of chondrocytes. This study aimed to investigate whether intra-tracheally-injected b-FGF solution promotes the growth of tracheal cartilage.

Methods: Group 1: 500 μl of distilled water was injected at the posterior wall of the cervical trachea of New Zealand white rabbits by using a tracheoscope (n=5).

The junction between hyaline cartilage and engineered cartilage in rabbits.

Objectives/hypothesis: Tracheoplasty using costal cartilage grafts to enlarge the tracheal lumen was performed to treat congenital tracheal stenosis. Fibrotic granulomatous tissue was observed at the edge of grafted costal cartilage. We investigated the junction between the native hyaline cartilage and the engineered cartilage plates that were generated by auricular chondrocytes for fabricating the airway.

Slow release of basic fibroblast growth factor (b-FGF) promotes growth of tracheal cartilage.

Purpose: Tracheomalacia is a major cause of morbidity in conditions such as oesophageal atresia. However, symptoms usually improve with age. A more rapid growth of tracheal cartilage can be induced by basic-Fibroblast Growth Factor (b-FGF).