Synthesis of Ultrahigh-Purity (6,5) Carbon Nanotubes Using a Trimetallic Catalyst.

Chirality-controlled synthesis of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is one of the ultimate goals in the field of nanotube synthesis. At present, direct synthesis achieving a purity of over 90%, which can be called single-chirality synthesis, has been achieved for only two types of chiralities: (14,4) and (12,6) CNTs. Here, we realized an ultrahigh-purity (∼95.

Lineage tracing of T cell differentiation from T-iPSC by 2D feeder-free culture and 3D organoid culture.

Introduction: T cells induced from induced pluripotent stem cells(iPSCs) derived from antigen-specific T cells (T-iPS-T cells) are an attractive tool for T cell immunotherapy. The induction of cytotoxic T-iPS-T cells is well established in feeder-free condition for the aim of off-the-shelf production, however, the induction of helper T-iPS-T cells remains challenging.

Methods: We analyzed T-iPS-T cells matured in 3D organoid culture at different steps in the culture process at the single-cell level.

Report of the 23rd nationwide follow-up survey of primary liver cancer in Japan (2014-2015).

For the 23rd Nationwide Follow-up Survey of Primary Liver Cancer in Japan, data from 20 889 newly registered patients and 42 274 previously registered follow-up patients were compiled from 516 institutions over a 2-year period from January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2015. Basic statistics compiled for patients newly registered in the 23rd survey were cause of death, past medical history, clinical diagnosis, imaging diagnosis, treatment-related factors, pathological diagnosis, recurrence status, and autopsy findings. Compared with the previous 22nd survey, the population of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was older at the time of clinical diagnosis, had more female patients, had more patients with non-B non-C HCC, had smaller tumor diameter, and was more frequently treated with hepatectomy.

The Impact of Partial Splenic Embolization on Portal Hypertensive Gastropathy in Cirrhotic Patients with Portal Hypertension.

This study investigated the impact of partial splenic embolization (PSE) on portal hypertensive gastropathy (PHG). We retrospectively analyzed endoscopic findings and the portal venous system of 31 cirrhotic patients with PHG. The improved group was defined as the amelioration of PHG findings using the McCormack classification.

Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography for the management of portal hypertension in cirrhosis.

Portal hypertension is a major pathophysiological condition in patients with cirrhosis. This accounts for the occurrence and severity of the various manifestations. The degree is determined by the portal pressure or hepatic venous pressure gradients, both of which are obtained by invasive interventional radiological procedures.

Impact of Cabozantinib Exposure on Proteinuria and Muscle Toxicity in Patients with Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

This prospective study investigated the impact of cabozantinib exposure on proteinuria and muscle toxicity, in a cohort of 14 Japanese patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (uHCC). We measured the trough concentration of cabozantinib (Ctrough) weekly for 6 weeks after starting treatment. Although the initial dose was less than 60 mg in most cases, dose interruption occurred in 79%, primarily because of proteinuria and/or malaise.

Optimization of the proliferation and persistency of CAR T cells derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells.

The effectiveness of chimaeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell immunotherapies against solid tumours relies on the accumulation, proliferation and persistency of T cells at the tumour site. Here we show that the proliferation of CD8αβ cytotoxic CAR T cells in solid tumours can be enhanced by deriving and expanding them from a single human induced-pluripotent-stem-cell clone bearing a CAR selected for efficient differentiation. We also show that the proliferation and persistency of the effector cells in the tumours can be further enhanced by genetically knocking out diacylglycerol kinase, which inhibits antigen-receptor signalling, and by transducing the cells with genes encoding for membrane-bound interleukin-15 (IL-15) and its receptor subunit IL-15Rα.

Ablation for Benign Liver Tumors: Current Concepts and Limitations.

Percutaneous ablation under imaging guidance is a curative treatment that can induce complete tumor necrosis with advantages of minimal invasiveness and a low risk of complications. Thermal ablation, which includes radiofrequency ablation and microwave ablation, is a representative technique that has sufficient antitumor effects in cases of hepatocellular carcinoma with ≤3 lesions measuring ≤3 cm and preserved liver function. The short- and long-term outcomes of patients are comparable with those achieved with surgical resection.

Reevaluation of Makuuchi's criteria for resecting hepatocellular carcinoma: A Japanese nationwide survey.

Aim: Although Makuuchi's criteria are widely used to determine the cut-off for safe liver resection, there have been few reports of concrete data supporting their validity. Here, we verified the utility of Makuuchi's criteria by comparing the operative mortality rates associated with liver resection between hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients meeting or exceeding the criteria.

Methods: A database was built using data from 15 597 patients treated between 2000 and 2007 for whom values for all three variables included in Makuuchi's criteria for liver resection (clinical ascites, serum bilirubin, and indocyanine green clearance) were available.

Effect of alcohol on productivity and quality of adeno-associated virus 2 in HEK293 cells.

Investigation of enhancers to improve recombinant adeno-associated virus 2 (rAAV2) productivity by human embryonic kidney 293 cells (HEK293) suspension culture showed that the addition of ethanol improved the productivity and packaged genome integrity of rAAV2. Further optimization showed that adding ethanol in the range of 0.09%-1.

Efficacy of cancer-specific anti-podoplanin CAR-T cells and oncolytic herpes virus G47Δ combination therapy against glioblastoma.

Glioblastoma is a devastating malignant brain tumor with a poor prognosis despite standard therapy. Podoplanin (PDPN), a type I transmembrane mucin-like glycoprotein that is overexpressed in various cancers, is a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of glioblastoma. We previously reported the efficacy of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells using an anti-pan-PDPN monoclonal antibody (mAb; NZ-1)-based third-generation CAR in a xenograft mouse model.

Surgery versus Radiofrequency Ablation for Small Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Randomized Controlled Trial (SURF Trial).

Introduction: It remains unclear which surgery or radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is the more effective treatment for small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We aimed to compare survival between patients undergoing surgery (surgery group) and patients undergoing RFA (RFA group).

Methods: We conducted a randomized controlled trial involving 49 institutions in Japan.

Endobronchial Watanabe Spigot Placement for Hepatic Abscess and Bronchobiliary Fistula Following Radiofrequency Ablation for Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

A bronchobiliary fistula (BBF) is an uncommon but severe complication after radiofrequency ablation (RFA). However, the definitive salvage methods are controversial. We herein report a patient with hepatocellular carcinoma with hepatic abscess and BBF following RFA.

Improved prognosis of hepatitis C-related hepatocellular carcinoma in the era of direct-acting antivirals.

The prognostic impact of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) on patients with hepatitis C-related hepatocellular carcinoma (C-HCC) is still unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the prognosis of C-HCC in the DAA era. We enrolled 1237 consecutive patients with treatment-naive C-HCC who underwent radical radiofrequency ablation between 1999 and 2019.

Endoscopic Ultrasound-guided Hepaticogastrostomy in a Seven-year-old Girl.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided hepaticogastrostomy (EUS-HGS) is an effective biliary drainage procedure in adult cases with difficult biliary access. However, there have been no reports on this procedure being used in pediatric cases. We successfully performed EUS-HGS in a pediatric case with a surgically altered anatomy.

Response Evaluation Criteria in Cancer of the liver version 6 (Response Evaluation Criteria in Cancer of the Liver 2021 revised version).

Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) is inappropriate to assess the direct effects of treatment on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by locoregional therapies, such as radiofrequency ablation or transarterial chemoembolization. Therefore, establishment of response evaluation criteria solely devoted to HCC is needed in clinical practice, as well as in clinical trials of HCC treatment, such as systemic therapies, which cause necrosis of the tumor. Response Evaluation Criteria in Cancer of the Liver (RECICL) was revised in 2021 by the Liver Cancer Study Group of Japan based on the 2019 version of RECICL, which was commonly used in Japan.

Levocarnitine Supplementation Suppresses Lenvatinib-Related Sarcopenia in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients: Results of a Propensity Score Analysis.

This study investigated the inhibitory effect of levocarnitine supplementation on sarcopenia progression in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients treated with lenvatinib. We evaluated the skeletal muscle index (SMI). After propensity score matching for age, sex, modified albumin-bilirubin grade, baseline presence of sarcopenia, and branched-chain amino acid administration, we selected 17 patients who received levocarnitine supplementation after starting lenvatinib therapy and 17 propensity-score-matched patients who did not receive levocarnitine.

Impact of genetic polymorphisms on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of lenvatinib in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

This prospective study examined the impact of genetic polymorphisms on the pharmacokinetics and clinical efficacy and safety of lenvatinib, a substrate of ATP-binding transporters, in a cohort of 48 Japanese patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Pharmacokinetic studies were performed at the start of lenvatinib therapy (day 1) and on day 15. The coefficients of variation in AUC of lenvatinib on days 1 and 15 were 44.