LLR appears to be a safe and feasible option for resection of HCC in selected patients based on current evidence. However, further appropriately designed randomized controlled trials should be undertaken to ascertain these findings.

Summary. Background: Blood-derived endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) have been used to treat ischemic disease. However, the number of EPC that can be obtained from adult blood is limited. Objective: To characterize endotheliallike cells obtained from human bone marrow and determine their ability to stimulate new blood vessel formation in vivo. Methods: Mononuclear cells (MNC) were isolated from human bone marrow or umbilical cord blood and cultured in endothelial growth medium (EGM-2). Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) were isolated from bone marrow and induced to differentiate into endothelial-like cells (MSCE), or adipocytes or osteocytes by growth in EGM-2, adipogenic or osteogenic medium. Results: Cells obtained by culturing bone marrow MNC in EGM-2 formed cord-or tube-like structures when grown on Matrigel TM and expressed several endothelial marker proteins. However, cell morphology and the profile of endothelial marker protein expression were different from those of cord blood-derived EPC (cbEPC). Cells with a similar phenotype were obtained by differentiation of MSC into MSCE, which was accompanied by an increase of endothelial marker proteins and a diminished capacity to differentiate into adipocytes. Subcutaneous implantation of MSCE in collagen plugs in non-obese diabetic-severe combined immunodeficient (NOD-SCID) mice resulted in formation of functional blood vessels that had incorporated the MSCE. Conclusions: Our results show that MSCE and cbEPC are different cell types. The formation of functional blood vessels by MSCE, combined with high yields and a reduced capacity to differentiate into other cell types compared with MSC, makes these cells potentially useful for autologous therapy of ischemic disease.

Laparoscopic resection results in improved operative and postoperative outcomes compared with open surgery according to the results of the present meta-analyses. It may be a safe and feasible option for patients with lesions in the body and tail of the pancreas. However, randomized controlled trials should be undertaken to confirm the relevance of these early findings.

The aim of this study was to establish hepatocyte isolation in pigs, and to evaluate function of isolated hepatocytes after encapsulation, cryopreservation, and transplantation (Tx) in a mouse model of fulminant liver failure (FLF). After isolation, porcine hepatocytes were microencapsulated with alginate-poly-L-Lysinealginate membranes and cryopreserved. In vitro, albumin production of free and encapsulated hepatocytes were measured by enzyme linked-immunoadsorbent assay. In vivo, encapsulated hepatocytes were transplanted into different groups of mice with FLF and the following experimental groups were performed: group 1, Tx of empty capsules; group 2, Tx of free primary porcine hepatocytes; group 3, Tx of fresh encapsulated porcine hepatocytes; group 4, Tx of cryopreserved encapsulated porcine hepatocytes. In vitro, fresh or cryopreserved encapsulated porcine hepatocytes showed a continuous decreasing metabolic function over 1 week (albumin and urea synthesis, drug catabolism). In vivo, groups 1 and 2 showed similar survival (18% and 25%, respectively, p > 0.05). In groups 3 and 4, Tx of fresh or cryopreserved encapsulated porcine hepatocytes significantly increased survival rate to 75% and 68%, respectively (p < 0.05). Primary porcine hepatocytes maintained metabolic functions after encapsulation and cryopreservation. In mice with FLF, Tx of encapsulated xenogeneic hepatocytes significantly improved survival. These results indicate that porcine hepatocytes can successfully be isolated, encapsulated, stored using cryopreservation, and transplanted into xenogeneic recipients with liver failure and sustain liver metabolic functions.