Magnetic compression anastomosis for postoperative biliary atresia.

We report a case of successful magnetic compression anastomosis (MCA) for obstructed cyst-jejunostomy in a young woman who had undergone surgery for type 1 biliary atresia (BA) on day 78 of life. A 16-year-old girl was admitted with obstructive jaundice. Jaundice resolved with percutaneous trans-hepatic cholangiodrainage (PTCD) but contrast medium injected from the PTCD tube did not flow through the anastomosis.

Glass Bead-based Genetic Transformation:An Efficient Method for Transformation of Thraustochytrid Microorganisms.

Here, we describe a new method for genetic transformation of thraustochytrids, well-known producers of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) like docosahexaenoic acid, by combining mild glass (zirconia) bead treatment and electroporation. Because the cell wall is a barrier against transfer of exogenous DNA into cells, gentle vortexing of cells with glass beads was performed prior to electroporation for partial cell wall disruption. G418-resistant transformants of thraustochytrid cells (Aurantiochytrium limacinum strain SR21 and thraustochytrid strain 12B) were successfully obtained with good reproducibility.

Human CD200 suppresses macrophage-mediated xenogeneic cytotoxicity and phagocytosis.

Purpose: Various strategies, such as the generation of alpha-1,3-galactosyltransferase knocked-out pigs and CD55 transgenic pigs, have been investigated to inhibit pig to human xenogeneic rejection. Our aim is to develop strategies to overcome the hurdle of not only hyper acute rejection, but also that of cellular xenogeneic rejection (CXR). Although macrophages have been well known to play a critical role in CXR, monocyte/macrophage-mediated xenogeneic rejection has not been well studied.

Fibroadenoma in adolescent females after living donor liver transplantation.

Breast FA is the most common breast tumor diagnosed in young women. Female renal transplant recipients on CsA have an increased risk of developing FA. However, reports of FA after LDLT have not been described.

Complete Resection of Pancreatoblastoma With Portal Vein Obstruction After High-dose Chemotherapy: A Case Report.

Background: As no standard chemotherapy exists for pancreatoblastoma (PB), surgical resection is the most effective way of achieving complete remission.

Case Report: A 3-year-old girl with PB causing portal vein obstruction was referred to our hospital. Because of the portal vein involvement, she initially received 5 cycles of preoperative chemotherapy after biopsy, consisting of cyclophosphamide, vincristine, pirarubicin, and cisplatin.

A case of extensive pharyngeal vascular malformation successfully treated with Kampo medicine.

Objective: To present the efficacy of Japanese-traditional medicine (Kampo) for a case with vascular malformation.

Methods: A case study and literature review.

Patient: A 62-year-old female presented with dysphagia and spitting blood.

Transarterial (Chemo)Embolization for Liver Metastases in Patients with Neuroendocrine Tumors.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of transarterial (chemo)embolization [TA(C)E] for the control of liver metastasis in patients with neuroendocrine tumors (NETs).

Methods: In this retrospective study, we enrolled 43 patients with metastatic NETs who had been treated with TA(C)E between December 1999 and June 2013 at the National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo or the National Cancer Center Hospital East, Kashiwa. We assessed tumor response, time to treatment failure (TTF), overall survival (OS), and frequency of adverse events in these patients, and attempted to identify predictors of TTF.

Complete mitochondrial DNA sequence of the invasive hornet (Insecta, Hymenoptera) found in Japan.

In this study, we analyzed the complete mitochondrial genome of the invasive Asian hornet from Japan. The mitochondrial genome of was identified as a circular molecule of 16,765 bp, similar to that in other hornet species. It was predicted to contain 13 protein-coding, 20 tRNA, and two rRNA genes, along with one A + T-rich control region.

In vivo and ex vivo cetuximab sensitivity assay using three-dimensional primary culture system to stratify KRAS mutant colorectal cancer.

In clinic, cetuximab, an anti-EGFR antibody, improves treatment outcomes in colorectal cancer (CRC). KRAS-mutant CRC is generally resistant to cetuximab, although difference of the sensitivity among KRAS-mutants has not been studied in detail. We previously developed the cancer tissue-originated spheroid (CTOS) method, a primary culture method for cancer cells.

Timing and outcome of stoma closure in very low birth weight infants with surgical intestinal disorders.

Purpose: Very low birth weight infants (VLBWIs) are at risk of surgical intestinal disorders including necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), focal intestinal perforation (FIP), and meconium-related ileus (MRI). We conducted this study to verify whether the timing of stoma closure and that of enteral nutrition establishment after stoma closure in VLBWIs differ among the most common disorders.

Methods: A retrospective multicenter study was conducted at 11 institutes.

Thoracoscopic resection of congenital esophageal stenosis.

Congenital esophageal stenosis (CES) is rare and usually manifests in infants as dysphagia, failure to thrive, and food impaction. Dilatation is considered to be the first-line therapy for CES, but the incidence of complications (perforation and mediastinitis) is relatively high. We report two cases of CES treated by thoracoscopic resection without prior dilatation.

Risk stratification for congenital diaphragmatic hernia by factors within 24 h after birth.

Objective: To establish a simple risk stratification system for patients with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) based on postnatal information within 24 h after birth.

Study Design: A multi-institutional retrospective cohort study was conducted including 348 neonates who had isolated CDH born between 2006 and 2010. Based on the two most powerful variables for 90-day survival selected by multivariate analyses, a risk stratification system was established.

Liver Failure From Ultra-Short Bowel Syndrome on the Intestinal Transplant Waiting List: A Retrospective Study.

Background: Patients with intestinal failure (IF) are candidates for intestinal transplantation (ITx). In Japan, these patients have few opportunities to undergo cadaveric ITx because of low rates of organ donation. The donor criteria and recipient priority for ITx are still unknown.

Myeloprotective effects of C-type natriuretic peptide on cisplatin-induced bone marrow granulocytopenia in mice.

Purpose: Cisplatin is an effective chemotherapeutic agent used to treat a variety of malignant tumors. The major toxicity associated with cisplatin treatment is granulocytopenia. C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP), a member of the natriuretic peptide family, protects against toxicity in many organs, including the heart, blood vessels, lung, and kidney.

The complete mitochondrial genome of the cavity-nesting honeybee, (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Apidae).

In this study, we analyzed the complete mitochondrial genome of the cavity-nesting honeybee, . The mitochondrial genome of was observed to be a circular molecule of 15,278 bp and was similar to that of the other cavity-nesting honeybee species. The average AT content in the mitochondrial genome was 84%.

Spirulina lipopolysaccharides inhibit tumor growth in a Toll-like receptor 4-dependent manner by altering the cytokine milieu from interleukin-17/interleukin-23 to interferon-γ.

Th17 cells and the cytokine they produce, interleukin (IL)-17, play an important role in tumor progression in humans and in mice. IL-6 and IL-23 are critical cytokines for the differentiation and propagation of Th17 cells, respectively. Bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS) are known to stimulate immune cells to produce such inflammatory cytokines.

Complete mitochondrial genome of the Japanese bumblebee, (Insecta: Hymenoptera: Apidae).

In the present report, we describe the complete mitochondrial genome of the common bumblebee, , from the Otome Plateau, in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan. The mitochondrial genome of is a circular molecule of 15,795 bp. It contains 13 protein-coding, 22 tRNA and two rDNA genes.

Long-term morbidity in adolescents and young adults with surgically treated esophageal atresia.

Purpose: To investigate the long-term morbidity of surgically treated esophageal atresia (EA) in adolescents and young adults and establish whether these long-term morbidities are affected by the type of EA.

Patients And Methods: We reviewed the medical records, including backgrounds and associated conditions, of 69 long-term survivors of EA, aged >15 years. The long-term morbidities included neurodevelopmental abnormality, nutritional impairment (short height <-2SD, low BMI <18.

The relationship between three signs of fetal magnetic resonance imaging and severity of congenital diaphragmatic hernia.

Objective: To seek a simple approach for prenatally classifying congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) severity using fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) markers.

Study Design: A retrospective, multicenter study using questionnaires to investigate fetal MRI findings. We included fetuses prenatally diagnosed with isolated left-sided CDH and delivered after 36 weeks of gestation.

Studies of innate immune systems against human cells.

Background: Pigs are frequently used as animal models for experiments in the surgical field, including allo- and xeno-transplantation. Regeneration studies, including studies dealing with human- and monkey-induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC), have gradually progressed, with pigs sometimes being used as the scaffold. However, the immunological response of pigs against humans, especially innate immunities, remain unclear.

Effects of Aerobic Growth on the Fatty Acid and Hydrocarbon Compositions of Geobacter bemidjiensis Bem.

Geobacter spp., regarded as strict anaerobes, have been reported to grow under aerobic conditions. To elucidate the role of fatty acids in aerobiosis of Geobacter spp.

The induction of MIG6 under hypoxic conditions is critical for dormancy in primary cultured lung cancer cells with activating EGFR mutations.

The biologic activity of individual cancer cells is highly heterogeneous. Hypoxia, one of the prominent features of a tumor microenvironment, is thought to be causal in generating this cellular heterogeneity. In this study, we revealed that primary lung cancer cells harboring activating epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations generally entered a dormant state when hypoxic.

Appropriate timing of surgery for neonates with congenital diaphragmatic hernia: early or delayed repair?

Purpose: This study was aimed to evaluate the influence of timing of surgery on patient outcomes, and to clarify appropriate timing of surgery in neonates with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH).

Methods: A total of 477 neonates with isolated CDH were included. Patients were classified into two groups by timing of surgery: early repair (ER) (≤48 h) and delayed repair (DR) (>48 h).

Efficacy of CT-guided localization followed by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery in children with tiny pulmonary nodules.

CT-guided localization followed by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery was performed in three children with pulmonary nodules less than 5 mm in diameter. The patients' respective primary diagnoses were Wilms tumor, hepatoblastoma, and osteosarcoma of the femur. The pulmonary nodules were marked preoperatively by a percutaneously placed hook-wire or dye under CT guidance.