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The following position paper summarizes the recommendations for early clinical trials and ongoing basic research in the field of mesenchymal stem cell-induced solid organ graft acceptance—agreed upon on the first meeting of the Mesenchymal Stem Cells In Solid Organ Transplantation (MISOT) study group in late 2008.

It has recently been recognized that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) isolated from adult bone marrow are able to modify the alloimmune response in vitro and in vivo. MSCs can be expanded into large quantities in culture, thereby facilitating potential future applications in solid organ transplantation. To develop novel MSC-based antirejection treatments, the mechanism behind the immunomodulatory ability of MSCs has to be elucidated further. At present, a variety of possible in vitro effects of MSCs on immune system effector cells have been reported, but little is known about their in vivo properties. Here, we discuss recent findings regarding the influence of MSCs on different effector cell populations in vitro and summarize the available data describing their in vivo properties.

Abstract: Background: Various techniques for laparoscopic proctocolectomy have been reported worldwide. We evaluated the technical aspects and early postoperative results of hand-assisted laparoscopic proctocolectomy (HALP) with construction of an ileal pouch-anal anastomosis through a Pfannenstiel incision. Patients and methods: Between June 2004 and May 2006, 20 patients (median age 28 years) underwent combined HALP at our institution. Preoperative diagnosis included ulcerative colitis (n = 16), indeterminate colitis (n = 1), familial adenomatous polyposis (n = 2), and carcinoma of the rectum associated with ulcerative colitis (n = 1). All patients were under immunosuppressive therapy. Laparoscopic mobilisation of rectum, sigmoid and descending colon was performed first. Subsequently, hand-assisted laparoscopic mobilization of the transverse and ascending colon as well as creation of an ileal J-pouch were performed through a Pfannenstiel incision. Ileal pouch-anal anastomosis was completed by transrectal stapling device and protected by a loop ileostomy. Results: The ileal pouch-anal anastomosis could be achieved in 19 cases (95%). There was one conversion (5%) to open surgery with construction of an end-ileostomy. No intraoperative blood transfusions were necessary. The median operating time was 210 minutes (range 180 min to 330 min). It was longer for the first five procedures but then remained constant. Two patients (10%) developed anastomotic leakage, which could be treated conservatively. Mean length of hospital stay was 11 days (range 7–32 days). Conclusions: Combined HALP with construction of an ileal J-pouch-anal anastomosis can be performed safely and effectively. The Pfannenstiel incision proved to be advantageous for hand-assisted mobilisation of the transverse colon. Additionally, it was useful for the specimen removal and the J-pouch construction. Our new technique not only proved to be safe, but also resulted in a shortened total operation-time after a learning curve of about five procedures.

Stem cells of the bone marrow, including hematopoietic stem cells (HSC), mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) and hepatic progenitors were reported to give rise to hepatocytes by both transdifferentiation and cellular fusion. Transdifferentiation was observed without liver damage although significant numbers of stem cell derived hepatocytes were not described. Cellular fusion was demonstrated in the presence of a proliferation stimulus in conjunction with impaired intrinsic liver regeneration capacity. Here, we review potential therapeutic applications of stem cell derived hepatocytes depending on how they emerge. Stem cells turning into hepatocytes by transdifferentiation introduce new functioning liver cells into a diseased organ, which can support intrinsic liver regeneration or bridge the time gap until a definitive treatment is available. When cellular fusion is the mechanism behind stem cell plasticity, however, no new cells emerge in the first place, whereas new genetic material is introduced. The fusion cell thereby acquires a selective advantage over resident hepatocytes allowing for extensive proliferation and liver repopulation. Therefore genetic deficiencies might be the predominant target for cell fusion therapies. We conclude that transdifferentiation and cellular fusion might be powerful tools for the therapy of liver diseases in the future and we propose the introduction of artificial cell fusion as well as stem cell differentiation as therapeutic options.

Recent reports suggest that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have immunomodulatory properties. Mesenchymal stem cells can suppress the immune response toward alloantigen in vitroby inhibiting T cell proliferation in mixed-lymphocyte reactions (MLRs). However, relatively little has been reported regarding the immunomodulative potential of MSCs in vivo. Herein the authors confirm the immunomodulatory effects of rat MSCs in vitroand tested for tolerogenic features in a model of allogeneic heart transplantation.

Living liver donation is a possible immediate option for decreasing the shortage of liver allografts worldwide. Risks related to the donation make this procedure ethically controversial. Study groups of medical students (N = 330) from three different nations were analyzed with a complex questionnaire, and data were subjected to multiparameter analysis. The readiness for living liver donation was dependent upon the cultural background of the study groups. It was higher in the U.S. than in Germany and Japan, with a higher donation readiness for children as recipients than adults. Major differences among distinct sociodemographic groups need to be carefully addressed when setting up consensus guidelines for the clinical practice of living donation.

The crystal structure of the title compound, [CoCl2(C6H12N2S)2], consists of monomer units of a CoIIatom coordinated to two 1‐propyl­imidazolidine‐2‐thione ligands and to two chloride ions. The heterocyclic thione ligand is monodentate and coordinated to the metal through the thione S atom. The environment around the CoIIatom is a slightly distorted tetrahedron. The Co—S bond lengths are 2.341 (2) and 2.330 (2) Å, and the Co—Cl bond lengths are 2.234 (2) and 2.238 (2) Å. The most important point of distortion is the S—Co—S bond angle of only 97.83 (8)°. Intramolecular classical hydrogen bonds are found between the chloride ions and the N—H groups. Additionally, intra‐ and intermolecular non‐classical hydrogen bonds are found.

We give a method for computing the degrees of the minimal syzygies of a toric variety by means of combinatorial techniques. Indeed, we complete the explicit description of the minimal free resolution of the associated semigroup algebra, using the simplicial representation of Koszul homology which appeared in A. Campillo and C. Marijua´n (1991, Se´m. The´or. Nombres Bordeaux3, 249–260). As an application, we obtain an algorithm for computing the Castelnuovo–Mumford regularity of a projective toric variety. This regularity is explicitly bounded by means of the semigroup generators which parametrize the variety.

One of the significant application of magnetic fluids technology is given by inertial and gravity sensors. Some of the present and coming achievements in the research, development and applications of various inertial sensors are summarized. The paper presents some results, developed mainly by GRL Bucharest, in particular for applications in acceleration and gravity gradient sensors.

Between 1990 and 1993, 65 consecutive primary total hip arthroplasties were performed using the cementless Bicontact femoral component. Of these, 56 hips in 51 patients were clinically and radiologically reviewed at an average follow-up of 35.4 months (24-53 m). The patients’ mean age was 65.9 years. There were three revision procedures (5.4%) with an average time to failure of 18.2 months. Using the Hospital for Special Surgery hip rating system, 67.9% of the hips were rated excellent, 17.9% as good, 10.7% as fair and 1.8% as poor at final evaluation.At follow-up four patients (12.5%) had mid-thigh pain and 38 hips (67.9%) were free from any observable limp. Radiolucent lines greater than 2 mm were identified in seven femora (12.5%) and stress shielding was seen in nine (16.1%). Using the fixation scale assessment of Engh the femoral component was classified as fixed by bone ingrowth or stable fibrous fixation in 87.5% of hips. Retrospective analysis of these results showed the efficacy of the Bicontact cementless stem and confirmed the importance of patient's age and femur morpho-cortical index in clinical and radiographic results with the cementless total hip.

A research project was started to analyse the ergonomic aspects of control rooms in the (chemical) process industries. We want to prepare an ergonomic guide for designers of control rooms. Most recommendations in that guide wil emanate from field studies, i.e. evaluations of existinq control rooms. Two case studies of that kind are presented here. The methods of the evaluations, e.g. interviews and observations, will be explained. Results of both studies, one in a chemical batch plant and one in a chemical continuous-gas-liquid plant, are separately presented.

A multi-methodological stepwise approach for an operator-oriented analysis of the process operator's job was investigated. It consisted of the application of a task-oriented method the results of which constituted the basis for a subsequently applied operator-oriented method. This approach was compared with two other approaches differing from the first one on its main features. Sixteen process operators from two chemical plants described their jobs according to the three approaches to be compared. The results indicated that the first approach can provide more reliable operator-oriented job descriptions than the other ones. However, the reliabilities of the descriptions do not meet the requirements. Possible explanations are discussed and suggestions for future research are dealt with

IMPORTANCE: Studies on the prognostic role of hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) in pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) are currently not available. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate outcomes after cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and HIPEC compared with CRS alone in patients with PMP. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This cohort study analyzed data from the Peritoneal Surface Oncology Group International (PSOGI) registry, including 1924 patients with histologically confirmed PMP due to an appendiceal mucinous neoplasm. Eligible patients were treated with CRS with or without HIPEC from February 1, 1993, to December 31, 2017, and had complete information on the main prognostic factors and intraperitoneal treatments. Inverse probability treatment weights based on the propensity score for HIPEC treatment containing the main prognostic factors were applied to all models to balance comparisons between the CRS-HIPEC vs CRS-alone groups in the entire series and in the following subsets: optimal cytoreduction, suboptimal cytoreduction, high- and low-grade histologic findings, and different HIPEC drug regimens. Data were analyzed from March 1 to June 1, 2018. INTERVENTIONS: HIPEC including oxaliplatin plus combined fluorouracil-leucovorin, cisplatin plus mitomycin, mitomycin, and other oxaliplatin-based regimens. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Overall survival, severe morbidity (determined using the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology for Adverse Events, version 3.0), return to operating room, and 30- and 90-day mortality. Differences in overall survival were compared using weighted Kaplan-Meier curves, log-rank tests, and Cox proportional hazards multivariable models. A sensitivity analysis was based on the E-value from the results of the main Cox proportional hazards model. Differences in surgical outcomes were compared using weighted multivariable logistic models. RESULTS: Of the 1924 patients included in the analysis (997 [51.8%] men; median age, 56 [interquartile range extremes (IQRE), 45-65] years), 376 were in the CRS-alone group and 1548 in the CRS-HIPEC group. Patients with CRS alone were older (median age, 60 [IQRE, 48-70] vs 54 [IQRE, 44-63] years), had less lymph node involvement (14 [3.7%] vs 119 [7.7%]), received more preoperative systemic chemotherapy (198 [52.7%] vs 529 [34.2%]), and had higher proportions of high-grade disease (179 [47.6%] vs 492 [31.8%]) and suboptimal cytoreduction residual disease (grade 3, 175 [46.5%] vs 117 [7.6%]). HIPEC was not associated with a higher risk of worse surgical outcomes except with mitomycin, with higher odds of morbidity (1.99; 95% CI, 1.25-3.19; P = .004). HIPEC was associated with a significantly better overall survival in all subsets (adjusted hazard ratios [HRs], 0.60-0.68, with 95% CIs not crossing 1.00). The weighted 5-year overall survival was 57.8% (95% CI, 50.8%-65.7%) vs 46.2% (95% CI, 40.3%-52.8%) for CRS-HIPEC and CRS alone, respectively (weighted HR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.50-0.83; P < .001; E-value, 2.03). Such prognostic advantage was associated with oxaliplatin plus fluorouracil-leucovorin (HR, 0.42; 95% CI, 0.19-0.93; P = .03) and cisplatin plus mitomycin (HR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.42-0.78; P = .001) schedules. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In this cohort study, HIPEC was associated with better overall survival when performed after CRS in PMP, generally without adverse effects on surgical outcomes.

Microgravity conditions offer the natural environment for the research and applications of magnetic fluids, in particular for magnetic fluid composites. The nonmagnetic solid component of the composite needs no more magnetic stabilization, and the material becomes macroscopically homogeneous. Small external physical fields may produce relevant effects of ordering and act upon the internal organization and the properties of the fluid. Results are given for applications in inertial and gravitational sensors.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACTIllustration 1. Overview of immune response in primary CRC and PC.

Population-wide screening measures during pregnancy might cause more harm than good in terms of health benefits. Therefore, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) formulated 14 do not do recommendations relating to 18 screening measures during pregnancy in the antenatal care guideline published in 2008. We aimed to compare do not do recommendations with evidence-based guidelines from developed countries other than the UK.

Analyser le risque fistule pancréatique (FP) après pancréatectomie gauche (PG), au cours d’une chirurgie de cytoréduction (CCR) avec CHIP pour carcinose péritonéale (CP).

No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Steward: UMDNJ: Patents & Royalties. Schaar:UMDNJ: Patents & Royalties. Sabaawy:UMDNJ: Patents & Royalties.

Liver dysfunction is a major health burden world-wide. Future cell-based therapies for liver regeneration may benefit from the fact that bone marrow cells can fuse with or transdifferentiate into hepatocytes. All models demonstrating bone marrow to hepatocyte plasticity presented so far, however, have used highly artifical conditions of liver regeneration - applying toxins, genetic pressure models or liver resection. We have set up a model of transgenic T cell induced bystander hepatitis in bone marrow chimeras to assess the effect of hepatitis, a common liver pathology in humans, as an enhancer of bone marrow to hepatocyte plasticity events.