We present the most recent research results on the creation of pigs that can accept human cells. Pigs in which grafted human cells can flourish are essential for studies of the production of human organs in the pig and for verification of the efficacy of cells and tissues of human origin for use in regenerative therapy. First, against the background of a worldwide shortage of donor organs, the need for future medical technology to produce human organs for transplantation is discussed. We then describe proof-of-concept studies in small animals used to produce human organs. An overview of the history of studies examining the induction of immune tolerance by techniques involving fertilized animal eggs and the injection of human cells into fetuses or neonatal animals is also presented. Finally, current and future prospects for producing pigs that can accept human cells and tissues for experimental purposes are discussed.

Percutaneous ultrasonic tendon needling has been used to treat persistent lateral epicondylitis, and its efficacy has been demonstrated. However, whether ultrasonography is necessary remains unclear. The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the efficacy of percutaneous tendon needling without ultrasonography for lateral epicondylitis. A total of 36 patients who underwent tendon needling without ultrasonography for lateral epicondylitis were retrospectively included in the study. The tendinotic lesion was needled by fenestration approximately 20–30 times without sonographic assistance. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) pain score, the grip strength, and success rates were assessed at baseline and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after treatment. The Nirschl tennis elbow score was evaluated at baseline and at 6 and 12 months after the needling procedure. The mean VAS pain score and grip strength at 3, 6, and 12 months significantly improved compared to the baseline values. At 6 and 12 months, the success rates had significantly increased compared to the rates at 1 month. The mean Nirschl scores at 6 and 12 months were significantly better than the baseline value. No severe complications were observed during the study period. Percutaneous tendon needling without ultrasonography is a simple and safe technique. The procedure is effective for lateral epicondylitis that is unresponsive to conventional conservative treatments.

The global prevalence of infections caused by extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli has been increasing. In children, ESBL-producing E. coli manifest mostly as febrile urinary tract infections (fUTIs). This study aimed to elucidate the clinical features of fUTI resulting from ESBL-producing E. coli in Japanese patients. The clinical features of children with E. coli-related fUTI were retrospectively examined. These children underwent treatment at the National Hospital Organization Saitama Hospital, Japan, between May 2010 and April 2018. Urine specimens were obtained by either bladder catheterization or the clean-catch method. All children having positive urine cultures (≥10⁴ colony-forming unit/mL for catheter specimens and ≥10⁵ colony forming unit/mL for clean-catch specimens) and a fever of ≥38°C were considered to have fUTI. During the study period, 171 patients were diagnosed with E. coli-related fUTI. Among these, 17 (9.9%) fUTI cases were caused by ESBL-producing E. coli. A significant difference was noted in the median age of the populations having ESBL-producing E. coli and non-ESBL-producing E. coli infections (2 and 5 months, respectively); other characteristics were not significantly different between the two patient groups. ESBL-producing E. coli infections markedly increased in our hospital between 2013 and 2018. In the present study, young age was the only risk factor for fUTI caused by ESBL-producing E. coli identified in Japanese children.