Surgical Strategies for Hepatoblastoma Involving Four Liver Sectors, Look Back to Look Forward: Lessons From a Single-Center Experience.

Background: Liver transplantation (LT) has been recommended for hepatoblastoma (HB) involving all four liver sectors at diagnosis (PRETEXT IV). However, recent studies question the universal indication for primary LT in PRETEXT IV HB.

Methods: We reviewed 32 PRETEXT IV HB patients treated at our center from February 2007 to July 2024.

Impact of weight loss and lifestyle modifications on liver fibrosis in MASLD and MetALD: A cohort study.

The present study aimed to investigate the impact of weight loss and abstinence and exercise on liver fibrosis in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease and alcoholic-related liver disease (MetALD). A total of 67 patients with MASLD and 33 patients with MetALD were retrospectively evaluated after six months of follow-up for weight loss, abstinence and exercise. A decrease in liver fibrosis (decrease in dLSM2B) was defined as a reduction in liver stiffness (LS) by FibroScan and macrophage galactose-specific lectin-2 binding protein glycosylation isomer (M2BPGi) over the observation period.

False positives in focused assessment with sonography for trauma among children.

Background: Although focused assessment with sonography for trauma (FAST) is considered to have high specificity, there are some case reports of false positives. This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of pediatric patients with blunt abdominal trauma and without intra-abdominal injuries (IAI) among FAST-positive patients.

Methods: This retrospective study was conducted on children less than 17 years old who visited the emergency department because of trauma and underwent FAST between April 2010 and March 2014.

Treatment of Intermediate-Risk Hepatoblastoma Using a Combined Cisplatin and Doxorubicin (PLADO) Regimen and Optimized Surgical Resection.

Background: Complete resection of the primary tumor is critical for the survival of children with hepatoblastomas (HBs). This prospective clinical study aimed to clarify the outcome of a chemotherapy regimen comprising cisplatin and doxorubicin (PLADO) followed by definitive surgery conducted at the appropriate time in patients with intermediate-risk HB.

Methods: Intermediate-risk HB was defined as patients without evidence of metastatic disease who met any of the following criteria: age ≥3 years; PRETEXT IV disease; presence of more than one PRETEXT annotation factor.

Grip strength is a strong indicator of osteoporosis in both women and men with chronic liver disease.

Aim: Osteoporosis (Op) and sarcopenia are common complications of chronic liver disease. We sought to identify clinical screening indicators for Op, and evaluated their relationship with bone and muscle.

Method: We retrospectively evaluated 495 patients (264 women) with chronic liver disease who underwent a bone mineral density evaluation at their first outpatient visit.

First-in-human clinical study of an embryonic stem cell product for urea cycle disorders.

Background: This study assesses the safety and efficacy of hepatocyte-like cell (HLC) infusion therapy derived from human embryonic stem cells as bridging therapy for neonatal-onset urea cycle disorders (UCD). The research includes both preclinical and clinical evaluations to determine the feasibility of HLC infusion as a therapeutic option for safer pediatric liver transplantation.

Methods: Preclinical studies were conducted to validate the safety, biodistribution, and ammonia metabolism capabilities of HLCs using SCID mice models of UCD and extensive animal studies.

Infantile BCG osteomyelitis ultimately diagnosed as a result of trauma.

The BCG vaccine is effective in preventing severe tuberculosis infections in infants and young children, and it is commonly administered in Japan to those aged between 5 to 8 months. Although the incidence of adverse reactions is low, disseminated lymphadenitis and osteomyelitis have been reported as potential side effects. We encountered a case of BCG osteomyelitis with typical imaging findings.

Lower mean corpuscular hemoglobin levels as a predictive factor of future exacerbations in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a pulmonary and systemic inflammatory disease, and the management of systemic comorbidities is important. We previously reported that a lower mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) at admission was an independent prognostic factor for death in patients with COPD exacerbation. This study aimed to determine the association between MCHC levels and prognosis in patients with stable COPD.

Impact of the relationship between renal pedicles and tumors on surgical outcomes for non-high-risk abdominal neuroblastoma.

Purpose: To assess the impact of the relationship between renal pedicles and tumors on surgical outcomes in patients with non-high-risk abdominal neuroblastoma.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed cases of neuroblastoma without metastasis treated at our hospital between March 2002 and December 2023. Cases in which surgical resection was performed were divided into three groups according to imaging findings at the time of diagnosis and before surgery: Group E (tumor encasing renal pedicles), Group C (tumor in contact with renal pedicles), and Group S (tumor separated from renal pedicles).

Clinical features of atypical solid-type congenital pulmonary airway malformation (CPAM) type 1.

Introduction: Type 1 congenital pulmonary airway malformation (CPAM) is characterized by large, dilated cysts that rapidly expand due to aeration immediately after birth, often necessitating surgical resection. In atypical cases of CPAM type 1, fetal T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) reveals a low-intensity solid lung mass containing multiple irregular T2 high-intensity areas.

Methods: Data were retrospectively collected for infants with atypical CPAM type 1 born at our hospital between March 2002 and December 2022.

Lysophospholipid Acyltransferase 9 Promotes Emphysema Formation via Platelet-activating Factor.

Cigarette smoking is known to be the leading cause of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, the detailed mechanisms have not been elucidated. PAF (platelet-activating factor), a potent inflammatory mediator, is involved in the pathogenesis of various respiratory diseases such as bronchial asthma and COPD.

Rapidly progressive mucus plugs in allergic bronchopulmonary mycosis.

Introduction: Allergic bronchopulmonary mycosis (ABPM) is a chronic airway disease characterized by the presence of fungi that trigger allergic reactions and airway obstruction. Here, we present a unique case of ABPM in which a patient experienced sudden respiratory failure due to mucus plug-induced airway obstruction. The patient's life was saved by venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO) and bronchoscopic removal of the plug.