Identifying the Growth Factors for Improving Neointestinal Regeneration in Rats through Transcriptome Analysis Using RNA-Seq Data.

Using our novel surgical model of simultaneous intestinal adaptation "A" and neointestinal regeneration "N" conditions in individual rats to determine feasibility for research and clinical application, we further utilized next generation RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) here in normal control tissue and both conditions ("A" and "N") across time to decipher transcriptome changes in neoregeneration and adaptation of intestinal tissue at weeks 1, 4, and 12. We also performed bioinformatics analyses to identify key growth factors for improving intestinal adaptation and neointestinal regeneration. Our analyses indicate several interesting phenomena.

A procalcitonin-based algorithm to guide antibiotic therapy in secondary peritonitis following emergency surgery: a prospective study with propensity score matching analysis.

Background: Procalcitonin (PCT)-based algorithms have been used to guide antibiotic therapy in several clinical settings. However, evidence supporting PCT-based algorithms for secondary peritonitis after emergency surgery is scanty. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether a PCT-based algorithm could safely reduce antibiotic exposure in this population.

Tubular scaffolds of gelatin and poly(ε-caprolactone)-block-poly(γ-glutamic acid) blending hydrogel for the proliferation of the primary intestinal smooth muscle cells of rats.

The proper regeneration of intestinal muscle for functional peristalsis is the most challenging aspect of current small intestine tissue engineering. This study aimed to fabricate a hydrogel scaffold for the proliferation of intestinal smooth muscle cells (ISMCs). Tubular porous scaffolds of 10-20 wt% gelatin and 0.

Evaluation of the potential therapeutic role of a new generation of vitamin D analog, MART-10, in human pancreatic cancer cells in vitro and in vivo.

Pancreatic cancer is a lethal disease with no known effective chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and most patients are diagnosed in the late stage, making them unsuitable for surgery. Therefore, new therapeutic strategies are urgently needed. 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1α,25(OH)2D3] is known to possess antitumor actions in many cancer cells in vitro and in vivo models.

A novel model for simultaneous study of neointestinal regeneration and intestinal adaptation.

The use of autologous grafts, fabricated from tissue-engineered neointestine, to enhance insufficient compensation of intestinal adaptation for severe short bowel syndrome is a compelling idea. Unfortunately, current approaches and knowledge for neointestinal regeneration, unlike intestinal adaptation, are still unsatisfactory. Thus, we have designed a novel model of intestinal adaptation with simultaneous neointestinal regeneration and evaluated its feasibility for future basic research and clinical application.

Autocrine CCL2 promotes cell migration and invasion via PKC activation and tyrosine phosphorylation of paxillin in bladder cancer cells.

The amount of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1/CCL2) produced by a transitional cell carcinoma is directly correlated with high recurrence and poor prognosis in bladder cancer. However, the mechanisms underlying the effects of CCL2 on tumor progression remain unexplored. To investigate the role played by CCL2, we examined cell migration in various bladder cancer cell lines.

A simple novel model to predict hospital mortality, surgical site infection, and pneumonia in elderly patients undergoing operation.

Background/aims: Predicting models of operative morbidity and mortality in the geriatric population are important in the prevention of adverse surgical outcomes.

Methods: A retrospective review of medical records was performed for patients over 80 years of age who underwent gastrointestinal surgery from 1998 to 2008.

Results: 215 patients were identified with a mean age of 83.

Doxorubicin-Loaded PEG-PCL-PEG Micelle Using Xenograft Model of Nude Mice: Effect of Multiple Administration of Micelle on the Suppression of Human Breast Cancer.

The triblock copolymer is composed of two identical hydrophilic segments: Monomethoxy poly(ethylene glycol) (mPEG) and one hydrophobic segment poly(ε‑caprolactone) (PCL); which is synthesized by coupling of mPEG-PCL-OH and mPEG‑COOH in a mild condition using dicyclohexylcarbodiimide and 4-dimethylamino pyridine. The amphiphilic block copolymer can self-assemble into nanoscopic micelles to accommodate doxorubixin (DOX) in the hydrophobic core. The physicochemical properties and in vitro tests, including cytotoxicity of the micelles, have been characterized in our previous study.

Prospective randomized study for comparison of open surgery with laparoscopic-assisted placement of Tenckhoff peritoneal dialysis catheter--a single center experience and literature review.

Background: The ideal method for catheter placement in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis remains debatable. This prospective study intends to clarify whether laparoscopic assisted percutaneous puncture is superior to open surgery.

Materials And Methods: From 2002 to 2006, 77 patients receiving first catheter placement were enrolled and randomized to either an open group of 40 patients or a laparoscopic group of 37 patients.

Multifocal intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm of the pancreas--a case report.

Cystic neoplasms of the pancreas are relatively rare, comprising 10 percent of pancreatic cysts and only 1 percent of pancreatic cancers. Cystic neoplasms include mucinous cystic neoplasms, serous cystadenomas, papillary cystic tumors, cystic islet cell tumors and intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms of the pancreas (IPMNs). IPMN was first described in 1982.

Clinicopathological features, surgical management, and disease outcome of perforated gastric cancer.

Background And Objectives: Perforated gastric cancer is rare and generally not diagnosed preoperatively or intraoperatively, if a frozen section is unavailable. Therefore, the elucidation of its clinicopathological features and disease outcomes will help surgeons manage perforated gastric cancer.

Patients And Methods: The clinicopathological features, surgical management, and disease outcomes of 13 patients with perforated gastric cancer from March 1989 to May 2003 were retrospectively analyzed.

Primary testicular actinomycosis mimicking metastatic tumor.

We report a rare case of right primary testicular actinomycosis presenting as multiple testicular lesions mimicking a metastatic tumor in a 71-year-old patient with gastric adenocarcinoma. Preoperative diagnosis is difficult. The enlarged and inflamed testis was removed by orchiectomy and testicular actinomycosis was diagnosed after pathological examination.

Ileal angiomyolipoma as an unusual cause of small-intestinal intussusception.

Angiomyolipomas are benign mesenchymal tumors, but those that arise from the small intestine are exceedingly rare. We report on a 48-year-old woman who had an ileal angiomyolipoma, who presented clinically with vague abdominal pain and bloody stool. Small-bowel intussusception was shown on an abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan.

Candida peritonitis due to peptic ulcer perforation: incidence rate, risk factors, prognosis and susceptibility to fluconazole and amphotericin B.

Sixty-two cases of peritonitis due to peptic ulcer perforation were diagnosed between January 2000 and December 2000. Of these 62 cases, 23 isolates of Candida in 23 cases (CP) were cultured from peritoneal fluid. Cultures of peritoneal fluid of 10 (BP) of the remaining 39 cases was positive for bacteria only.

Squamous cell carcinoma arising in an epidermal inclusion cyst.

An epidermal inclusion cyst is a widespread benign intradermal lesion and may occur anywhere in the body. Normally, it appears as a non-tender, soft mass of variable size. Dissection usually reveals grayish-white or whitish gelatinous materials and a smooth inner surface.