Immunogenicity and safety of the diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus and inactivated poliovirus vaccine when co-administered with the human rotavirus vaccine (Rotarix) in healthy Japanese infants: a phase IV randomized study.

Rotavirus infections have been reported to account for 40-50% of all hospitalized acute gastroenteritis cases in young children (<5 years) in Japan. Since 2011, Rotarix containing the live attenuated human rotavirus RIX4414 strain (HRV) has been licensed in Japan for infants. Vaccination against rotavirus is optional in Japan whereas administration of diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, and inactivated poliovirus (DPT-IPV) vaccine is part of the national routine immunization program.

Liver transplantation for deterioration in native liver function after portoenterostomy for biliary atresia in Japan: Short- versus long-term survivors.

Purpose: We reviewed our post-Kasai portoenterostomy biliary atresia (BA) patients who required liver transplantation (LTx) for deterioration in native liver (NL) function to investigate mortality in relation to age at LTx.

Methods: BA patients indicated for LTx when less than 18years old (U18; n=17) and when 18 or older (18+; n=13) were compared. All achieved jaundice clearance postoperatively (TBil ≤1.

Prognostic implications of bile lakes after surgery for biliary atresia.

Purpose: The aim of the study was to establish the natural history of bile lakes (BLs) in patients with postportoenterostomy biliary atresia (BA) and assess their prognostic implications, in particular, if they are a risk factor for cholangitis.

Methods: One hundred twenty-one postsurgical BA patients were divided into 2 groups as follows: period 1, or preliver transplantation era group (n = 56), and period 2, or liver transplantation era group (n = 65). Presence of BL and outcome were examined in relation to the incidence of cholangitis.

Long-term outcome of hepatic portoduodenostomy with interposition of the ileocecoappendix for biliary atresia.

Hepatic portoduodenostomy with interposition of the ileocecoappendix (HPI) can be used for the surgical treatment of biliary atresia (BA). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long-term outcome of patients with HPI. The records of nine patients who had HPI performed for BA were reviewed.

Maternal microchimerism in biliary atresia.

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the existence and extent of maternal microchimerism in the livers of biliary atresia (BA) patients.

Methods: Two series of investigations were performed based on the sex of our subjects. Subjects for series I were men, of which 6 had BA.

Inchin-ko-to prevents medium-term liver fibrosis in postoperative biliary atresia patients.

The oriental herbal formulation inchin-ko-to (ICKT) inhibits liver cell apoptosis induced by transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta1). This study evaluated the effect of ICKT on serum markers of liver function and liver fibrosis in postoperative biliary atresia (BA) patients. Twenty-one postoperative BA patients with elevated GOT, GPT and gamma-GTP, but normal serum total bilirubin levels, were divided into two groups arbitrarily; an ICKT group (n = 12), and a no-ICKT group (n = 9).

The role of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 in biliary atresia.

Background: The aim of this study was to explain the role of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) in biliary atresia (BA).

Methods: Concentrations of serum MCP-1 and collagen type IV were measured in 38 patients with BA by using commercially available kits. MCP-1 was also assessed in liver biopsy specimens by using immunohistochemistry.

Management of a prenatally diagnosed huge teratoma arising from the soft palate.

Teratomas arising from the oral cavity are relatively rare and can cause life-threatening airway obstruction immediately after birth. We report a case of a huge teratoma arising from the soft palate detected prenatally. To save the patient, a caesarean section and ex utero intrapartum treatment (EXIT) were planned at 29 weeks of gestation.

Optimum prednisolone usage in patients with biliary atresia postportoenterostomy.

Purpose: Prednisolone is used routinely after portoenterostomy (PE) in patients with biliary atresia (BA). The authors reviewed their patients with BA post-PE to assess prednisolone protocols.

Method: Severity of fibrosis at PE (moderate or severe), age at PE (30-70 days), size of bile ductules in the fibrotic biliary remnant at the porta hepatis (>100 microm), and type of BA (uncorrectable type) were used as criteria for selecting 63 subjects from our patients with BA post-PE.

Primary mucinous cystadenoma arising from behind the posterior peritoneum of the descending colon in a child: a case report.

This is the first report of a primary mucinous cystadenoma (MCA) arising from behind the posterior peritoneum of the descending colon in a paediatric patient. A large intra-abdominal cystic lesion was found incidentally during renal ultrasonography in a 14-year-old girl. Imaging studies showed a 13 x 9 x 15 cm homogeneous cystic lesion with mild contrast enhancement of the wall.