Muh‐Hwa Yang, Chih‐Li Chen, Gar‐Yang Chau, Shih‐Hwa Chiou, Chien‐Wei Su, Teh‐Ying Chou, Wei‐Li Peng, Jaw‐Ching Wu – 29 October 2009 – The epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) is critical for induction of invasiveness and metastasis of human cancers. In this study we investigated the expression profiles of the EMT markers, the relationship between EMT markers and patient/tumor/viral factors, and the interplay between major EMT regulators in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Estella M. Alonso – 29 October 2009 – Key Points

Philippe Halfon, Michele Martinot‐Peignoux, Patrice Cacoub – 29 October 2009

Sheng‐Han Wang, Shiou‐Hwei Yeh, Wei‐Hsiang Lin, Hurng‐Yi Wang, Ding‐Shinn Chen, Pei‐Jer Chen – 29 October 2009 – Hepatitis B virus (HBV)‐related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) occurs more often in men than in women. Male HBV carriers usually have higher viral loads, which is a well‐known risk factor for HCC. Whether and how the male androgen axis regulates HBV transcription and replication is investigated here. We used HBV transgenic mice to evaluate any sex disparity of serum hepatitis B surface antigen and HBV titers as well as the castration effect on this disparity.

Minggang Zhang, Yanmei Han, Chaofeng Han, Sheng Xu, Yan Bao, Zhubo Chen, Yan Gu, Dajing Xia, Xuetao Cao – 29 October 2009 – The β2 integrins play a key role in inflammation and immune responses. The β2 integrin CD11b has been shown recently to be important in the maintenance of tolerance; however, the underlying mechanisms remain to be fully understood. Natural killer (NK) cells are an important effector of innate immunity but are also a regulator of adaptive immune response.

Banishree Saha, Dipankar Nandi – 29 October 2009 – Hepatotoxicity due to overdose of the analgesic and antipyretic acetaminophen (APAP) is a major cause of liver failure in adults. To better understand the contributions of different signaling pathways, the expression and role of Ras activation was evaluated after oral dosing of mice with APAP (400–500 mg/kg). Ras–guanosine triphosphate (GTP) is induced early and in an oxidative stress‐dependent manner.

Neal D. Freedman, Teresa M. Curto, James E. Everhart – 29 October 2009

Leonardo Baiocchi, Ilaria Lenci, Marco Carbone, Mario Angelico – 29 October 2009

James Neuberger – 29 October 2009 – Key Points

Paige M. Porrett, John Hsu, Abraham Shaked – 29 October 2009 – Key Points