Petko M. Petkov, Jiri Zavadil, David Goetz, Tearina Chu, Robert Carver, Charles E. Rogler, Erwin P. Bottinger, David A. Shafritz, Mariana D. Dabeva – 27 February 2004 – To identify new and differentially expressed genes in rat fetal liver epithelial stem/progenitor cells during their proliferation, lineage commitment, and differentiation, we used a high throughput method—mouse complementary DNA (cDNA) microarrays—for analysis of gene expression. The gene expression pattern of rat hepatic cells was studied during their differentiation in vivo: from embryonic day (ED) 13 until adulthood.

Gaetano Serviddio, Javier Pereda, Federico V. Pallardó, Julian Carretero, Consuelo Borras, Juan Cutrin, Gianluigi Vendemiale, Giuseppe Poli, José Viña, Juan Sastre – 27 February 2004 – Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) improves clinical and biochemical indices in primary biliary cirrhosis and prolongs survival free of liver transplantation. Recently, it was suggested that the cytoprotective mechanisms of UDCA may be mediated by protection against oxidative stress, which is involved in the development of cirrhosis induced by chronic cholestasis.

Anna S. Lok, Chun‐Tao Wai – 27 February 2004

Hermann E. Wasmuth, Siegfried Matern, Frank Lammert – 27 February 2004

M. Sawkat Anwer – 27 February 2004

Hashem B. El‐Serag, Jessica A. Davila – 27 February 2004 – There have been no population‐based studies of the epidemiology and prognosis of patients with fibrolamellar carcinoma (FLC). We conducted a retrospective cohort study using information collected by population‐based registries of the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program.

Luis Ruiz Del Árbol, Vicente Arroyo – 27 February 2004

Thomas A. Wynn, Matthias Hesse, Netanya G. Sandler, Mallika Kaviratne, Karl F. Hoffmann, Monica G. Chiaramonte, Rachael Reiman, Allen W. Cheever, Joseph P. Sypek, Margaret M. Mentink‐Kane – 27 February 2004 – The selectin family of cell adhesion molecules is widely thought to promote inflammatory reactions by facilitating leukocyte recruitment.

Jung‐Hwan Yoon, Ali E. Canbay, Nathan W. Werneburg, Sum P. Lee, Gregory J. Gores – 27 February 2004 – Cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2), which is expressed by cholangiocytes in biliary tract disorders, has recently been implicated in biliary tract carcinogenesis. The mechanisms responsible for this COX‐2 expression remain unclear. In human diseases, bile contains oxygenated derivatives of cholesterol (oxysterols) which possess diverse biological properties. Therefore, we determined if oxysterols modulate COX‐2 expression.

Mario Mikula, Eva Fuchs, Heidemarie Huber, Hartmut Beug, Rolf Schulte‐Hermann, Wolfgang Mikulits – 27 February 2004 – Primary hepatocytes are blocked in mitotic activity and well‐defined culture conditions only allow the limited expansion of these cells. Various genetic modifications have therefore been employed to establish immortalized hepatic cell lines, but, unfortunately, proper hepatocyte cultures conducting a faithful hepatic gene expression program and lacking malignancy are hardly available.