A case of esophageal atresia with the bronchial-like lower esophagus which originates from the left lower lobe bronchus.

Background: Esophageal atresia with or without a trachea-esophageal fistula occurs due to the failure of separation or incomplete development of the foregut. Therefore, esophageal atresia is often associated with various forms of tracheobronchial anomalies. We report an extremely rare case of esophageal atresia.

Elimination of MYCN-Amplified Neuroblastoma Cells by Telomerase-Targeted Oncolytic Virus via MYCN Suppression.

Neuroblastoma (NB) is a primary malignant tumor of the peripheral sympathetic nervous system. High-risk NB is characterized by amplification and human telomerase reverse transcriptase () rearrangement, contributing to hTERT activation and a poor outcome. For targeting hTERT-activated tumors, we developed two oncolytic adenoviruses, OBP-301 and tumor suppressor p53-armed OBP-702, in which the hTERT promoter drives expression of the viral gene for tumor-specific virus replication.

Umbilical center insertion method for initial trocar placement in pediatric laparoscopic surgery.

Background: For laparoscopic surgery in pediatric patients, the initial trocar insertion is usually made employing open laparotomy to avoid injury to the viscera. It is safe but somewhat time-consuming for establishing a pneumoperitoneum, and requires additional sutures for anchoring or preventing air leakage. We devised a new initial trocar insertion technique employing an umbilical center incision to shorten the surgical duration and improve the esthetic appearance.

Overgrowth of costal cartilage is not the etiology of pectus excavatum.

Purpose: The etiology of pectus excavatum (PE) has not been clarified. In 1944, Sweet (Sweet RH. Pectus excavatum.

Does overgrowth of costal cartilage cause pectus excavatum? A study on the lengths of ribs and costal cartilages in asymmetric patients.

Purpose: The cause of pectus excavatum has been hypothesized to be overgrowth of the costal cartilage. According to this theory, the length of costal cartilages must be longer in the side of deep depression in asymmetric patients. To challenge this hypothesis, we measured the lengths of ribs and costal cartilages and investigated lateral differences.

Successful reconstruction of communicating bronchopulmonary foregut malformation associated with laryngotracheoesophageal cleft.

A full-term newborn male infant presented with dyspnea and cleft lip and palate. He was thought to have esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula. He underwent bronchoscopy before operation that showed a laryngotracheoesophageal cleft (LTEC) type III.