Effect of Portal Vein Ligation Plus Venous Congestion on Liver Regeneration in Rats.

Introduction And Aim: We developed a rat model of portal vein ligation (PVL) with venous congestion (PVL+C) to investigate beneficial effect PVL plus congestion for regeneration of intact liver segments.

Materials And Methods: In the PVL group, portal vein branches were ligated except the caudate lobe (CL). In the PVL + C group, the left lateral hepatic vein was ligated in addition to PVL.

Carbenoxolone enhances peripheral insulin sensitivity and GLUT4 expression in skeletal muscle of obese rats: Potential participation of UBC9 protein.

Aim: This study investigates the insulin sensitizer effect of carbenoxolone (CBX) and potentially involved peripheral mechanisms.

Main Methods: Taking glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) as a marker of glucose disposal, we investigated the CBX effects on whole-body insulin sensitivity and solute carrier 2a4 (Slc2a4)/GLUT4 expression in visceral (VAT) and subcutaneous (SAT) adipose tissues and soleus muscle of monosodium glutamate (MSG)-induced obese rats. Sterol regulatory element binding protein (SREBP1), an enhancer of Slc2a4 expression was analyzed through mRNA content and SREBP1-binding to Slc2a4 promoter.

Guided imagery for treating hypertension in pregnancy.

Background: Hypertension (high blood pressure) in pregnancy carries a high risk of maternal morbidity and mortality. Although antihypertensive drugs are commonly used, they have adverse effects on mothers and fetuses. Guided imagery is a non-pharmacological technique that has the potential to lower blood pressure among pregnant women with hypertension.

Perspectives of value-based policy making in child health care in Japan.

In Japan, epidemiological transition has profoundly influenced the priorities of child healthcare. As pediatric care is shifting from a disease-driven curative approach to an integrated approach, the value of child health care now needs to be redefined with an integrated scope. With the trend to emphasize a rational judgement on the social value in terms of resource allocation and health policy, a value-based approach is necessary for child health care.

A Simple and Easily Reproducible Model of Reversible Obstructive Jaundice in Rats.

Background/aim: Cholangiocarcinoma and pancreatic carcinoma are major malignancies that cause obstructive jaundice (OJ). This study aimed to develop a simple and easily reproducible rat model of reversible OJ (ROJ).

Materials And Methods: OJ was induced by clamping the common bile duct (CBD) using a U-shaped titanium hemoclip and its base was attached by ligation using 2-cm long 4-0 polypropylene suture.

[A Resected Case of Tumorigenic Pancreatic Endocrine Cell Hyperplasia].

A 51-year-old man with a gallstone was found to have a tumor in the tail of the pancreas during preoperative examination. We performed EUS-FNA and a pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor was suspected.Therefore, laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy and cholecystectomy were performed.

[Sustained Complete Response of Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Multiple Intrahepatic Metastases following the Discontinuation of Sorafenib].

Sorafenib is an oral multi-targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor used in cases of unresectable advanced HCC that significantly improves progression-free and overall survival. Complete response(CR)is uncommon; however, if major or complete radiological response are obtained, the issue of the discontinuation of sorafenib remains unresolved. The present study reported a case of a 75-year-old man with non-hepatitis B and C virus-related cirrhosis and multiple recurrent HCCs followingresection.

[A Case of Strangulating Intestinal Obstruction Caused by Coiling of Low-Grade Appendiceal Mucinous Neoplasm to Terminal Ileum].

The patient was a 67-year-old female without a history of surgery. She presented with an abdominal pain and vomiting, and was rushed to our hospital. The abdominal pain was severe, but no peritoneal irritation sign was observed.

An Evidence-based Approach toward a Sustainable Healthcare System.

Japan is the most rapidly aging country in the world, and the sustainability of its health and social care system is a top priority. In order to have a sustainable healthcare system, global protection of healthcare commons through regulations, together with a market mechanism based on societal values, is critical. An evidence-based approach is needed to attain that; however, the current methodologies for this approach have major limitations, such as the lack of common healthcare goals, the retrospective nature of evidence, and the uncertainty and ambiguity of the available data.

Research during Pediatric Residency Training: A Nationwide Study in Japan.

Introduction: Training in scholarship is an essential component of postgraduate education. Previous studies worldwide on the research activities of pediatric residents were questionnaires targeting program directors or surveys conducted in a limited number of institutions; however, no nationwide studies have been conducted. The objective of this study was to describe the research activities of pediatric residents.

Social marketing including financial incentive programs at worksite cafeterias for preventing obesity: a systematic review.

Background: As with food-taxation strategies, such interventions as discounted healthy menus, point-of-purchase advertisements, and sugar-free beverages for employees at worksites could help prevent obesity. This study assessed the effectiveness of food environment interventions incorporating financial incentive or social marketing strategies at workplace cafeterias, vending machines, and kiosks toward preventing obesity and improving dietary habits.

Methods: We conducted searches on CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and PsycINFO databases.

Fundus autofluorescence and retinal sensitivity in fellow eyes of age-related macular degeneration in Japan.

Purpose: Abnormal fundus autofluorescence (FAF) potentially precedes onset of late age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in Caucasian patients. Many differences exist between Asian and Caucasian patients regarding AMD types and severity, gender, and genetic backgrounds. We investigated the characteristics of abnormal FAF and retinal sensitivity in the fellow eyes of Japanese patients with unilateral neovascular AMD.

Elevated plasma D-dimer levels in dermatomyositis patients with cutaneous manifestations.

To explore the influence of dermatomyositis (DM)-specific cutaneous manifestations (scm) on systemic coagulation and fibrinolysis, we retrospectively studied plasma D-dimer levels with/without venous thromboembolism (VTE), malignancy, infection or other connective tissue diseases (CTDs) and scm. One hundred fifty patients with DM were retrospectively investigated using medical records regarding scm, VTE, malignancy, infection, other CTDs, laboratory data and systemic corticosteroid therapy. All DM patients were categorized as follows: group 1, without scm, VTE, infection, malignancy or other accompanying CTDs; group 2, with scm only; and group 3, with VTE, infection, malignancy and other accompanying CTDs but without scm.

[Treatment Outcomes of Gemcitabine and Cisplatin Combination Therapy for Unresectable and Recurrent Biliary Tract Cancer].

Gemcitabine and cisplatin combination therapy(GC therapy)is now considered a highly effective regimen for patients with unresectable and metastatic biliary tract cancer. We performed GC therapy for 18 patients between January 2014 and April 2018. The median age of the patients was 67.

[A Case of Gastric Schwannoma with Regional Lymphadenopathy].

Schwannomas are rarely observed in the gastrointestinal tract. A 63-year-old man was referred to our hospital with gastric submucosal tumor with central ulceration by upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Biopsy was performed, but pathological diagnosis was not obtained.

Cognitive-behavioural treatment for amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS)-use disorders.

Background: Amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) refer to a group of synthetic stimulants including amphetamine, methamphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA) and related substances. ATS are highly addictive and prolonged use may result in a series of mental and physical symptoms including anxiety, confusion, insomnia, mood disturbances, cognitive impairments, paranoia, hallucinations and delusion.Currently there is no widely accepted treatment for ATS-use disorder.

NPY Deficiency Prevents Postmenopausal Adiposity by Augmenting Estradiol-Mediated Browning.

The orexigenic hormone neuropeptide Y (NPY) plays a pivotal role in the peripheral regulation of fat metabolism. However, the mechanisms underlying the effects of sex on NPY function have not been extensively analyzed. In this study, we examined the effects of NPY deficiency on fat metabolism in male and female mice.

Potential therapeutics for antiphospholipid antibody associated thrombocytopenia: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Thrombocytopenia is frequently observed in antiphospholipid antibody (aPL) carriers. Due to the paradoxical risks of thrombosis and hemorrhage, the management of aPL-associated thrombocytopenia (APAT) is often deductive. We aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of therapeutic approaches for APAT through a systematic review.

Identification of Specific miRNAs in Neutrophils of Type 2 Diabetic Mice: Overexpression of Accelerates Diabetic Wound Healing.

Neutrophils are involved in the first stage of acute inflammation. After injury, they are mobilized and recruited to the injured tissue. In diabetes, wound healing is delayed and aberrant, leading to excessive recruitment and retention of neutrophils that fail to promote angiogenesis and prolong inflammation.

Our Rationale of Initiating Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Hilar Cholangiocarcinoma: A Proposal of Criteria for "Borderline Resectable" in the Field of Surgery for Hilar Cholangiocarcinoma.

Background: The concept of "borderline resectable" was recently introduced to the field of surgery for pancreatic cancer, and surgical outcomes for this disease with extremely dismal prognosis have improved since the introduction of this concept. However, no such concept has yet been introduced to the field of surgery for hilar cholangiocarcinoma (HCca).

Aim: To determine a definition and criteria for "borderline resectable" in the field of surgery for HCca.

Semi-solid-state aluminium-air batteries with electrolytes composed of aluminium chloride hydroxide with various hydrophobic additives.

Semi-solid-state Al-air batteries with solid electrolytes prepared by mixing AlCl3·6H2O and various hydrophobic additives were prepared and tested. All of the prepared Al-air batteries exhibited higher current 48 hours after battery preparation. This might be due to a decrease in battery resistance as AlCl3·6H2O melted and penetrated into the air cathode as a result of its hygroscopic property.

Retrospective Comparison of Visual Prognosis After Vitrectomy for Idiopathic Epiretinal Membranes With and Without an Ectopic Inner Foveal Layer.

Background And Objective: To compare the surgical outcomes of epiretinal membrane (ERM) treatment between eyes with and without an ectopic inner foveal layer (EIFL).

Patients And Methods: Seventy-seven ERM eyes of 76 consecutive patients were investigated retrospectively. Optical coherence tomography examinations and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) measurements were performed before and at 6 and 12 months after vitrectomy.

Outcomes of surgery for 2010 WHO classification-based intraductal papillary neoplasm of the bile duct: Case-control study of a single Japanese institution's experience with special attention to mucin expression patterns.

Introduction: The World Health Organization (WHO) proposed an integrated classification for intraductal papillary neoplasm of the bile duct (IPNB) in 2010. However, IPNB reportedly shows considerable geographic variation. This Japanese single-institution study examined outcomes of surgery for IPNB and the prognostic impact of immunohistochemical mucin expression patterns.