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Identification and control of responsible feeding arteries are crucial in treating type II endoleaks after endovascular aortic repair (EVAR). A 78-year-old female patient required management of a type II endoleak 8 years after EVAR. A persistent endoleak from the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) enlarged the size of an aneurysm sac. Sac angiography from the IMA revealed a flow-through endoleak from the IMA to an aberrant renal artery (ARA). After coil embolization of the ARA through the sac together with the IMA, the sac shrank. Control of flow-through vessels may be essential for managing post-EVAR enlargement due to type II endoleaks.

We report the case of a bowel injury, which occurred after the percutaneous cryoablation (PCA) of large renal cell carcinoma (RCC). A 50-year-old man with RCC measuring 47 mm in diameter. First, we performed transarterial embolization for the tumor, followed by PCA with hydrodissection, which displaced the small intestine from the iceball. The procedure was completed without any complication on the procedural day; however, the patient complained of appetite loss and abdominal pain 2 days after PCA. Computed tomography revealed a bowel injury at the small intestine adjacent to the tumor. After 7 days, ileus tube insertion, and fasting, the patient recovered from the bowel injury and was discharged 10 days after PCA. He underwent a second PCA because of a small recurrent renal tumor 5 months after the first PCA without complications. This case indicated that a bowel injury after PCA for RCC could be treated conservatively. Keywords: Cryoablation, Renal cell carcinoma, Bowel injury, CT guided

The autophagy‑lysosome system allows cells to adapt to environmental changes by regulating the degradation and recycling of cellular components, and to maintain homeostasis by removing aggregated proteins and defective organelles. Cyclin G‑associated kinase (GAK) is involved in the regulation of clathrin‑dependent endocytosis and cell cycle progression. In addition, a single nucleotide polymorphism at the GAK locus has been reported as a risk factor for Parkinson's disease. However, the roles of GAK in the autophagy‑lysosome system are not completely understood, thus the present study aimed to clarify this. In the present study, under genetic disruption or chemical inhibition of GAK, analyzing autophagic flux and observing morphological changes of autophagosomes and autolysosomes revealed that GAK controlled lysosomal dynamics via actomyosin regulation, resulting in a steady progression of autophagy. GAK knockout (KO) in A549 cells impaired autophagosome‑lysosome fusion and autophagic lysosome reformation, which resulted in the accumulation of enlarged autophagosomes and autolysosomes during prolonged starvation. The stagnation of autophagic flux accompanied by these phenomena was also observed with the addition of a GAK inhibitor. Furthermore, the addition of Rho‑associated protein kinase (ROCK) inhibitor or ROCK1 knockdown mitigated GAK KO‑mediated effects. The results suggested a vital role of GAK in controlling lysosomal dynamics via maintaining lysosomal homeostasis during autophagy.

Pancreatic cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality and has the lowest 5-year survival rate. Therefore, novel strategies are urgently required to treat pancreatic cancer. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cells rely on enhanced lysosomal function for survival and proliferation to facilitate the degradation of contents accumulated via autophagy and macropinocytosis. Previously, we have reported that the combination of epidermal growth factor receptor/HER2 inhibitor lapatinib and sphingosine analog fingolimod (FTY720) confers a significant cytostatic effect in lung cancer cells. In the present study, the combined effects of these drugs on PDAC cell lines, BxPC-3, KP-4, PANC-1 and MIA PaCa-2, were examined. It was observed that FTY720 enhanced the lapatinib-induced cytotoxic effect and caused non-canonical and lysosome-dependent death in PDAC cells. Lapatinib and FTY720 induced lysosomal swelling and inhibited lysosomal acidification. Combination treatment with lapatinib and FTY720 increased lysosomal membrane permeability, induced mitochondrial depolarization, induced endoplasmic reticulum stress and disturbed intracellular calcium homeostasis. Additionally, the cytotoxic effect of lapatinib was enhanced by hydroxychloroquine or the CDK4/6 inhibitor abemaciclib, both of which induce lysosomal dysfunction. Collectively, these results indicated that the lysosome-targeted drug combination induces multiple organelle dysfunction and exerts a marked cytotoxic effect in PDAC cells.

Background Pleomorphic leiomyosarcomas (PLMSs) are extremely rare tumors. We present the first case of hepatic primary PLMS after surgery for gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST). Case presentation The patient was a 62-year-old man who was referred to our hospital for resection of a hepatic tumor arising after gastric GIST surgery that was resistant to imatinib and sunitinib. A 40-mm tumor in the left lobe of the liver and three small nodules in the right lobe were detected. We performed hepatic left lobectomy and partial resections for three lesions. According to the histopathological and immunohistochemical findings and c-kit gene mutations analysis, the main tumor was diagnosed as a PLMS. Conclusion It is necessary to consider the possibility that imatinib-resistant GIST recurrence lesions are a different kind of soft-tissue sarcoma. Accurate diagnosis is required to not miss the opportunity for radical excision of PLMS.

An 80-year-old woman who was hospitalized due to small subarachnoid hemorrhaging caused by a bruise in the left temporal region of the brain. Nausea/vomiting and malaise appeared after dinner on the fourth day of the illness. Head computed tomography showed that the post-traumatic status was almost normal; however, the sodium ion (Na+) level was 114 mEq/L, indicating severe hyponatremia. Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH) following a head injury was initially suspected, and water restriction and saline fluid replacement were initiated. However, the Na+ level did not improve, and signs of dehydration emerged. On the seventh day of the illness, drinking water restriction was discontinued, and 3% sodium chloride fluid replacement was initiated. The patient subsequently followed a favorable course, and the Na+ level remained normal even after fluid replacement was discontinued. It is important to differentiate between SIADH and cerebral salt wasting syndrome (CSWS), as the treatment of the two are diametrically opposite. However, distinguishing between these two diseases at an early onset can be difficult, as they have very similar laboratory findings. CSWS can occur in patients with minor head injury, as in the present case, so we should bear this disease in mind as a differential diagnosis, even when imperceptible graduations are recognized in patients.

Background Liver cirrhosis occurs in approximately 80–90% of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and hepatic resection may be dangerous because of well-documented liver cirrhosis, which may be accompanied by portal hypertension (PH). Here we report a patient with advanced HCC with gastric varices and PH who experienced a good clinical course after undergoing balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration (BRTO), percutaneous transhepatic portal vein embolization (PTPE), hand-assisted laparoscopic (HALS) splenectomy, and right lobectomy of the liver. Case presentation A 72-year-old man had two HCCs with gastric varices. CT revealed one tumor (4.5 cm) located in segment 7, involving the right hepatic vein, adjacent to the middle hepatic vein. Another tumor (2.7 cm) was located in segment 6. He first underwent BRTO for gastric varices and PTPE for planned right lobectomy of the liver. To reduce PH, HALS splenectomy was performed, and uncomplicated right lobectomy of the liver was performed 10 weeks after the first visit. He has remained free of recurrence for at least 1 year. Conclusions Our patient underwent uncomplicated BRTO, PTPE, HALS splenectomy, and right lobectomy of the liver for advanced HCC with PH. Controlling portal pressure is important when hepatic resection is required to treat HCC with PH.

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) induce autophagy in many types of cancer cells. We previously reported that gefitinib (GEF) and imatinib (IMA) induce autophagy in epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) knock-out A549 and non-BCR-ABL-expressing leukemia cell lines, respectively. This evidence suggests that TKI-induced autophagy is independent of the original target molecules. The present study compared the autophagy-inducing abilities of various TKIs, regardless of their targets, by quantitative autophagy flux assay. We established stable clones expressing the GFP-LC3-mCherry-LC3ΔG plasmid in A549, PC-9, and CAL 27 cell lines and assessed autophagy inducibility by monitoring the fluorescent ratios of GFP-LC3 to mCherry-LC3ΔG using an IncuCyte live cell imaging system during exposure to TKIs viz; GEF, osimertinib (OSI), lapatinib (LAP), lenvatinib (LEN), sorafenib (SOR), IMA, dasatinib (DAS), and tivantinib (TIV). Among these TKIs, DAS, GEF, and SOR exhibited prominent autophagy induction in A549 and PC-9 cells. In CAL 27 cells, IMA, SOR, and LEN, but not GEF, TIV, or OSI, exhibited autophagy induction. In the presence of azithromycin (AZM), which showed an inhibitory effect on autophagy flux, TKIs with prominent autophagy inducibility exhibited enhanced cytotoxicity via non-apoptotic cell death relative to effects of TKI alone. Therefore, autophagy inducibility of TKIs differed in the context of cancer cells. However, once induced, they appeared to have cytoprotective functions. Thus, blocking TKI-induced autophagy with AZM may improve the therapeutic effect of TKIs in cancer cells., Highlights • Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) induce autophagy regardless of their main target. • This autophagy inducibility is partially determined in the context of cancer cells. • Azithromycin (AZM) has an inhibitory effect on autophagy. • Blocking TKI-induced autophagy with AZM enhances their cytotoxicity in cancer cells. • This enhanced cytotoxicity is mediated through non-apoptotic cell death.

A 50-year-old man who presented with a fever and epigastralgia was diagnosed to have esophageal carcinoma which was identified as poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma producing alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) with Barrett's esophagus. Computed tomography revealed multiple liver metastases and lymph node metastases surrounding the stomach. We first performed chemotherapy for the systemic lesions and proton beam therapy for the local control of lesions without complete remission and we were able to successfully control the frequently recurring lesions by proton beam therapy, cryotherapy and chemotherapy. A complete response has been maintained for 16 months and the overall survival time is 4 years and 2 months. Proton beam therapy for primary esophageal cancer and metastatic lesions was thus found to be an effective therapeutic option for such cases.

Hepatic epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (HEHE) is a rare tumor. Preoperative diagnosis of HEHE is difficult because it does not manifest specific symptoms or tumor markers. We report a resected case of small and solitary HEHE. The patient, a 74-year-old man, had undergone surgical resection for left renal cell carcinoma 20 years ago. During follow-up, a tumor approximately 1.3 cm in diameter was detected by computed tomography (CT) at liver segment VIII. It showed isodensity in the arterial phase, low density in the portal venous phase, and homogeneous enhancement in the late phase on CT and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We performed hepatic resection of the right hepatic vein drainage area. A pathological diagnosis of HEHE was made. Although small and solitary HEHE is rare, an enhancement pattern in each phase on CT and MRI, using contrast media, can yield clues for the diagnosis of HEHE.

The principal aim of this study was to evaluate radiation exposure of interventionalists during computed tomography (CT) fluoroscopy-guided percutaneous cryoablation (PCA) using radiophotoluminescent glass dosimeters (RPLDs). The radioprotective effects of safety glasses and lead apron were also evaluated.Radiation exposure of interventionalists during 46 CT fluoroscopy-guided PCA procedures was evaluated. Entrance surface dose (ESD) was measured using RPLDs on multiple sites: five sites, representing eye lens exposure; five sites, representing body exposure; and four sites, representing skin exposure. The ESD values on multiple sites were compared between different PCA procedures (renal, liver, and bone).The mean ESD on the X-ray-side hand exhibited the highest value (358.8 μGy). Regarding evaluation sites representing exposure to the eye lens, the highest ESD inside the radiation protective glasses was detected on the X-ray-side cheek (167.1 μGy). Most ESD values among multiple sites (10/14) were linearly correlated with CT fluoroscopy time. Among them, the ESD values measured during renal and liver PCA were relatively higher than those measured during bone PCA, especially on the chest area outside the lead apron, and on the X-ray tube-side elbow and hand during renal and bone PCA. Radioprotective effects of safety glasses and lead apron ranged from 44.6 to 50.6% and from 30.2 to 79.6%, respectively, on each evaluation site.The site with the highest radiation exposure on interventionalists during CT fluoroscopy-guided PCA was the X-ray tube-side hand. Radiation exposure of interventionalists was at acceptable levels and consistent with the recommended dose limits.

Background We compared clinical outcomes of carbon ion radiotherapy and transarterial chemoembolization in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. Methods Data of 477 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who had undergone carbon ion radiotherapy or transarterial chemoembolization between April 2007 and September 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. Treatment naïve patients with single HCC, who underwent carbon ion radiotherapy or transarterial chemoembolization as a primary treatment were included. Clinical outcomes of the treatments were compared after utilizing propensity score matching. Results Of 124 patients who received carbon ion radiotherapy and 353 patients who received transarterial chemoembolization, 31 and 23 patients met our inclusion criteria, respectively. After utilizing propensity score matching, 17 matched pairs of patients from each treatment group were analyzed. The median follow-up durations after carbon ion radiotherapy and transarterial chemoembolization were 43 and 32 months, respectively. The 3-year overall survival, local control, and progression-free survival rates in the carbon ion radiotherapy versus transarterial chemoembolization groups were 88% versus 58% (p

In this study, the microreactor system was investigated and compared with the batch-wise system as rapid and effective extractive Pb(II) separation over Fe(III), Cu(II) and Zn(II) with tetraacetic acid calix[4]arene. By using a microreactor system, the Pb(II) extraction percentages reached the maximum of 73, 89 and 100% in 8 sec residence time at equilibrium pH of 2.00, 2.25 and 2.50, respectively. The stripping percentage was 92% at 8 sec residence time by using a microreactor system with 2.0 M HNO3 as a stripping reagent. Complete separation of Pb(II) over Fe(III), Cu(II) and Zn(II) ions with the tetraacetic acid calix[4]arene in a competitive metal system was achieved at pH 2.00. However, the batch system required 24 h to reach the equilibrium for both extraction and stripping processes. The results suggested that the microreactor system enhanced the Pb(II) extraction and stripping rate up to 104 times faster than the batch-wise system.

Protein crystallization and subsequent X-ray diffraction analysis of the three-dimensional structure are necessary for elucidation of the biological functions of proteins and effective rational drug design. Therefore, controlling protein crystallization is important to obtain high resolution X-ray diffraction data. Here, a simple microfluidic method using chips with 10 and 50 μm high crystallization chambers to selectively form suitable single protein crystals for X-ray analysis is demonstrated. As proof of concept, three different types of proteins: lysozyme, glucokinase from Pseudoalteromonas sp. AS-131 (PsGK), and NADPH-cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase–heme oxygenase complex were crystallized. We demonstrate that the crystal growth orientation depends on the height of the crystallization chamber regardless of the protein type. Our results suggest that the confined micro space induces the protein molecules to adhere to a specific crystal face and affects the growth kinetics of each crystal face. The present microfluidic-based protein crystallization method can reform a suitable single protein crystal for X-ray analysis from aggregates of needle-shaped protein crystals.

Case A 66 year-old woman who presented with sudden lower abdominal pain was transferred to our emergency room. Vital signs were stable on arrival at the hospital, but immediately became unstable. Systolic/diastolic blood pressure and heart rate were 66/33 mmHg and 70 b.p.m., respectively. Computed tomography scanning showed splenic artery aneurysm rupture and extravasation. The patient was treated non-operatively and definitively by endovascular therapy comprising resuscitative endovascular occlusion of the aorta for hemodynamic control, N-butyl cyanoacrylate, and metallic coils as an embolization material. Outcome On admission day 3, she was enrolled in another department and admission day 54, she was discharged. Conclusion Although resuscitative endovascular occlusion of the aorta and N-butyl cyanoacrylate is known to be effective, the use of resuscitative endovascular occlusion of the aorta with transcatheter arterial embolization and N-butyl cyanoacrylate for non-traumatic bleeding has not previously been reported. By combining and adapting these devices, their applications in endovascular management may be increased.

This review summarizes two microfluidic-based protein crystallization methods, protein crystallization behavior in the microfluidic devices, and their applications for X-ray crystal structure analysis. Microfluidic devices provide many advantages for protein crystallography; they require small sample volumes, provide high-throughput screening, and allow control of the protein crystallization. A droplet-based protein crystallization method is a useful technique for high-throughput screening and the formation of a single crystal without any complicated device fabrication process. Well-based microfluidic platforms also enable effective protein crystallization. This review also summarizes the protein crystal growth behavior in microfluidic devices as, is known from viewpoints of theoretical and experimental approaches. Finally, we introduce applications of microfluidic devices for on-chip crystal structure analysis.

A spherical gel containing amino groups was prepared using monomers of N,N-dimethylacrylamide and N,N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate, with a cross-linker composed of N,N′-methylenebisacrylamide prepared by suspension polymerization for the adsorption of glucuronic acid and chondroitin sulfate. The prepared gel was immersed in glucose, glucuronic acid, and chondroitin sulfate solutions to determine the adsorption performance in batch mode, which demonstrated that 20 % of the chondroitin sulfate was adsorbed to the amino-group-containing gel. The amino-group-containing gel was packed into a column to permeate the chondroitin sulfate-containing solution (0.40 g/L) at pH 2.0, and it adsorbed chondroitin sulfate to the gel at a space velocity of 4.5 h-1. When the space velocity was changed to 1.5 h-1, the amount of chondroitin sulfate increased. When 0.50 M NaCl solution was permeated through the chondroitin-sulfate-adsorbed gel in column mode, 70 % of the chondroitin sulfate was eluted. This spherical gel may be applicable for acidic glycan recovery using batch and permeation modes.

We fabricated a simple microfluidic device for separation of bovine oocytes based on the oocyte quality to improve the conception rate of in vitro fertilization (IVF) by using good quality oocytes. The microfluidic device separates oocytes based on sedimentation rate differences in a sucrose buffer, which is dependent on oocyte quality. The microfluidic device has a 700 µm width, 1 mm height, and 10 mm long separation channel. Oocytes were injected from the upper half of the separation channel, and they flowed while sinking. The outlets of the separation channel were divided into upper and lower chambers. Good quality oocytes settled faster than poor quality oocytes in sucrose buffer; therefore, good quality oocytes were collected from the lower outlet. We performed IVF after the microfluidic separation of oocytes. The developmental rate to blastocysts of oocytes collected from the lower outlet was significantly higher than those collected from the upper outlet (36.0% vs. 14.1%). This result was comparable to that in the BCB staining method performed as a comparison method (BCB+ : 35.7%, BCB−: 15.4%). These findings indicate that our microfluidic device could be applied to oocyte separation and contribute to improvement of in vitro embryo production system.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of uterine artery embolization (UAE) for the management of primary postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) and to determine the factors associated with clinical outcomes especially in relation to the ovarian artery. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 33 patients who underwent UAE for primary PPH was performed. Clinical data were used regarding maternal characteristics, cause of bleeding, mode of delivery, bleeding onset after delivery, risk factors for PPH, presence of coagulopathy, details regarding the UAE procedure, and types of ovarian artery flow. We defined two types of ovarian artery flow by initial aortography before UAE (Type A: ovarian artery flow arose directly from the aorta to the uterine artery; Type B: ovarian artery flow that did not obviously arise from the aorta). Clinical success was defined as cessation of bleeding after UAE without the need for hysterectomy. Univariate analysis was performed to determine factors related to clinical outcomes. RESULTS: The major indication of UAE was uterine atony (82%; 27/33). Extravasation of contrast medium was observed in 15 (45%) patients. The clinical success rate was 85% (28/33). In five patients, embolization failed, and these patients were managed by hysterectomy. Univariate analysis showed that retained placental tissue (p < 0.001), type of ovarian artery (p < 0.001) and the existence of extravasation of contrast medium (p = 0.049) were related to the clinical success rate. CONCLUSION: The clinical success rate was 85% (28/33), and some PPH patients were thought to need ovarian artery embolization in addition to UAE. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: Initial aortography before UAE may be useful to predict the failure of UAE and the need of ovarian artery embolization. Obvious ovarian arterial blood flow to the uterus by aortography could be a warning sign.

Objective Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of sudden unexpected death even in hospitalized patients. Infectious aortitis is a rare disease that has the potential to cause aortic tears and hemorrhage followed by sudden death. The aim of this study was to reveal the clinicopathological features of infectious aortitis that are related to sudden unexpected death. Methods We retrospectively reviewed 1,310 autopsy cases over 15 years and selected the cases involving patients who died suddenly due to aortic tears. We analyzed the clinical information and pathological findings. Results One hundred thirty-three of 1,310 cases (10.2%) were autopsied under the clinical diagnosis of unexpected sudden death. Aortic tears were identified in 33 cases (2.5%) and infectious aortitis was diagnosed in 6 (18.2%) of these cases. All cases involved male patients (middle-aged to elderly) with risk factors for atherosclerosis (i.e., hypertension). The laboratory data showed continuous leukocytosis and C-reactive protein elevation, even during the improvement phase, in patients with pre-existing infectious disease. The autopsy findings revealed three types of aortic tears (aneurysms, dissections and penetrating atherosclerotic ulcers with moderate to severe atherosclerosis), and the infiltration of numerous neutrophils at the site of rupture. Gram-positive bacteria were detected in four cases and Gram-negative bacteria were detected in two cases. Discussion We demonstrated that sudden unexpected death caused by infectious aortitis rarely occurred in hospitalized patients, even in the recovery phase of the preceding infectious disease. We therefore recommend that clinicians pay attention to infectious aortitis in patients with infectious disease, particularly elderly patients with atherosclerotic disease, even those who are in the improvement phase. Conclusion Unexpected sudden death by infectious aortitis in the recovery phase of antecedent infection.

By miniaturizing the reactor dimension, microfluidic devices are attracting world attention and starting the microfluidic era, especially in the chemistry field because they offer great advantages such as rapid processes, small amount of the required reagents, low risk, ease and accurate control, portable and possibility of online monitoring. Because of that, microfluidic devices have been massively investigated and applied for the real application of human life. This review summarizes the up-to-date microfluidic research works including continuous-flow, droplet-based, open-system, paper-based and digital microfluidic devices. The brief fabrication technique of those microfluidic devices, as well as their potential application for particles separation, solvent extraction, nanoparticle fabrication, qualitative and quantitative analysis, environmental monitoring, drug delivery, biochemical assay and so on, are discussed. Recent perspectives of the microfluidics as a lab-on-chip or micro total analysis system device and organ-on-chip are also introduced.

A novel, inexpensive and efficient method for the preparation of laccase-immobilized microreactors has been proposed, based on the formation of an enzyme-polymeric membrane on the inner wall of microtubes (500 μm inner diameter) as a result of the cross-linking polymerization reaction between the laccase and bifunctional cross-linkers agents (paraformaldehyde and glutaraldehyde). Under the optimum conditions, an immobilization yield of 72% and an activity of 45 μM/min, determined using 2,2′-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate) (ABTS) as substrate in a continuous-flow assay, were detected. The biochemical characterization of the laccase-immobilized microreactors demonstrated their enhanced characteristics: they exhibited a broad range of optimum pH and temperature and excellent stability under different conditions of pH, temperature, chemical inactivating agent, storage and long-term operation. The laccase-immobilized microreactors were applied for the biotransformation of model compounds to demonstrate their efficiency and performance. Important reaction yields were obtained, even at lower residence times compared with conventional bioreactors. Furthermore, it was designed a two-stage bioreactor for the application of laccase-mediated reactions, preventing the biocatalyst from inactivation. The great performance of the microreactor system, possibly due to the more rapid mass transfer and the larger area to volume ratio, makes the presented technologies excellent platforms for increasing the laccase uses and improving its catalytic action in several fields such as biotransformations or bioanalyses.

We describe the technical aspects of the in-situ X-ray diffraction of a protein crystal prepared by a nanodroplet-based crystallization method. We were able to obtain diffraction patterns from a crystal grown in a capillary without any manipulation. Especially in our experimental approach, the crystals that moved to the nanodroplet interface were fixed strongly enough to carry out X-ray diffraction measurements that could be attributed to the high surface tension of the nanodroplet. The crystal was damaged by an indirect action of the X-rays because our in-situ X-ray diffraction measurement was carried out in the liquid phase without freezing the crystal; however, the obtained several diffraction patterns were of sufficiently fine quality for the crystal structure factors to be generated. We consider the technical examination presented in this paper to represent a seamless coupling of crystallization to X-ray analysis.

A microfluidic system with a wide surface area per unit volume has the potential for use in highly efficient chemical synthesis, separation, and extraction. In the case of efficient water/oil separation and material extraction, it be- comes important to form a stable two-layer laminar flow interface. Previously, we developed a silicon/glass microfluidic reactor, in which microchannel inner walls were modified to produce hydrophilic/hydrophobic surface. In this work, flow behavior and separation of this microreactor was evaluated. This microfluidic chip made it possible to form a stable two- layer laminar flow interface between a flow of heavier water and lighter hexane, which were introduced into the upper and lower inlets, respectively. The efficiency in separation was examined using water and hexane. Under certain conditions including the pressure difference between the two outlet surfaces, complete phase separation was achieved. This result in- dicates that the highly efficient separation and stable interface formed by this microfluidic chip can be applied to immisci- ble liquid-liquid operations with the complete separation of the liquids at the outlets.