Long-term results of a phase 2 study of neoadjuvant chemotherapy with molecularly targeted agents for locally advanced rectal cancer.

Background: We previously reported the feasibility and efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy without radiotherapy for locally advanced rectal cancer. Here, we report the results of a long-term follow-up study.

Methods: This was a multi-institutional, prospective phase 2 study of patients with locally advanced rectal cancer.

Changes in the sexual function of male patients with rectal cancer over a 2-year period from diagnosis to 24-month follow-up: A prospective, multicenter, cohort study.

Background And Objectives: This prospective study aimed to identify long-term changes in sexual function of men with rectal cancer from point of diagnosis to 24 months postoperatively.

Methods: Male patients undergoing laparoscopic rectal cancer surgery were prospectively enrolled. International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) Questionnaire scores were collected at diagnosis; first follow-up; and 6, 12, and 24 months postoperatively.

Differences in surgical site infection between laparoscopic colon and rectal surgeries: sub-analysis of a multicenter randomized controlled trial (Japan-Multinational Trial Organization PREV 07-01).

Background: The incidence of surgical site infection (SSI) is reportedly lower in laparoscopic colorectal surgery than in open surgery, but data on the difference in SSI incidence between colon and rectal laparoscopic surgeries are limited.

Methods: The incidence and risk factors for SSI, and the effect of oral antibiotics in colon and rectal laparoscopic surgeries, were investigated as a sub-analysis of the JMTO-PREV-07-01 (a multicenter, randomized, controlled trial of oral/parenteral vs. parenteral antibiotic prophylaxis in elective laparoscopic colorectal surgery).

Oral and Parenteral Versus Parenteral Antibiotic Prophylaxis in Elective Laparoscopic Colorectal Surgery (JMTO PREV 07-01): A Phase 3, Multicenter, Open-label, Randomized Trial.

Objective: To confirm the efficacy of oral and parenteral antibiotic prophylaxis (ABX) in the elective laparoscopic colorectal surgery.

Background: There is no evidence for the establishment of an optimal ABX regimen for laparoscopic colorectal surgery, which has become an important choice for the colorectal cancer patients.

Methods: The colorectal cancer patients scheduled to undergo laparoscopic surgery were eligible for this multicenter, open-label, randomized trial.

Asialo GM1 positive CD8+ T cells induce skin allograft rejection in the absence of the secondary lymphoid organs.

Background: Secondary lymphoid organs are considered to be the only organs in which APCs and naïve T cells interact to initiate adaptive immune responses. Aly/aly mice are autosomal recessive mutants of C57BL/6 mice, and lack lymph nodes and Peyer's patches. In this study, we investigated immune responses to skin allografts in splenectomized aly/aly mice, which lack secondary lymphoid organs completely, and examined the effect of anti-asialo GM1 (AsGM1) antibodies on these responses.

Relocation of truncated bid plays an important role in suppression of tumor necrosis factor alpha induced apoptosis in hepatocytes isolated from transgenic mouse.

Background/aims: Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) induces apoptosis in murine hepatocytes pretreated with Actinomycin D (ActD) in vitro. This study sought to clarify the relationship between hepatic energy status and TNFalpha-induced hepatocyte apoptosis, using mice transgenic for creatine kinase (CK) expression.

Materials And Methods: Hepatocytes from CK transgenic mice were cultured with or without creatine (Cr).

Absence of PERV infection in baboons after transgenic porcine liver perfusion.

Background: Xenotransplantation offers great promise to supplement the shortage of human organs available for transplant, but cross-species infection is a substantial concern. Porcine endogenous retrovirus (PERV), in particular, is thought to pose a risk as a potential pathogen to humans. We evaluated whether PERV is capable of infecting nonhuman primates in vivo after extracorporeal porcine liver perfusion (ECLP).

Suppressed complement activation in human decay accelerating factor transgenic porcine liver cross-circulated with nonhuman primates.

Background: We developed an extracorporeal liver perfusion (ECLP) system as a liver-assist device. In this study, we evaluated the safety of the ECLP using human decay accelerating factor (hDAF) transgenic porcine livers in healthy baboons.

Methods: Livers were isolated from five hDAF transgenic pigs and five nontransgenic pigs for the ECLP.

Long-term culture of primary human hepatocytes with preservation of proliferative capacity and differentiated functions.

Background: The aim of this study was to develop a suitable method for the prolonged culture and maintenance of human hepatocytes with preservation of both proliferative capacity and differentiated functions.

Materials And Methods: Primary human hepatocytes were isolated from small pieces of liver tissue obtained from 15 patients who underwent hepatic resection. Hepatocytes were cultured in keratinocyte-stimulating factor medium supplemented with 10% human serum, 10 mM nicotinamide, 10 ng/ml epidermal growth factor, 0.