The diagnostic capability of the cytopathologist is greatly dependent on the MAPK inhibitor integrity of the cellular material provided for analysis. Aims: To compare concurrently the diagnostic efficacy (% of specimens considered adequate for

diagnosis by the cytopathologist) and diagnostic accuracy (compared to the final clinical diagnosis) of EUS-FNA specimens obtained from pancreatic solid tumors and GIST lesions using a liquid-based preparation, SurePath® (SP), and conventional smears with cell-block preparations (CSCB). Methods: Patients with a suspected solid pancreatic mass or GIST lesion referred for EUS and FNA were randomized to SP or CSCB for the first and third pass of the cytology needle. The alternate method was used for the second and fourth passes. The cytologist was not present during the biopsy and CSCB and SP specimens were sent to different laboratories. Results: Twenty seven patients were included in the pilot study. The cohort had a mean age of 68.6; 12 (44%) were female. Diagnosis of malignancy was made in 23/27 (85%) in the CSCB group, and 23/27 (85%) in the SP group. Malignancy was diagnosed on the 1st & 3rd passes alone in

0/27 (0%) patients, on 2nd & 4th pass alone in 4/27 (15%) patients, on both passes in 21/27 (78%) patients and on none of the passes in 2/27 (7%). Six patients had surgery: 5 had malignancy which AZD5363 solubility dmso were diagnosed by both SP and CSCB. Conclusion: In this pilot study, SP appears medchemexpress comparable to CSCB in the diagnosis of solid pancreatic mass and GIST lesions but SP has several distinct advantages:- 1) ease of use and storage of samples, 2) no requirement for cytology technician, 3) a large pellet of cells to assist diagnosis and 4), the ability to use immunochemistry to diagnose specific tumors (e.g, NET). A larger study is necessary to determine which technique has a higher diagnostic accuracy. E JOHNS,1 P WALSH1,2 1Department of Gastroenterology, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Brisbane,

2Digestive Diseases Queensland, Holy Spirit Northside, Brisbane Introduction: Leaks complicate up to 5% of bariatric surgical operations and are a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Management is problematic with covered stents, clips and newer closure devices producing mixed results. These methods aim to exclude or close the defect to produce healing. 85% of leaks post sleeve gastrectomy occur in the proximal third of the stomach near the gastroesophageal junction. The aetiology is thought to be the elevated intraluminal pressure in this area caused by the reduced distensibility of the distal sleeve. This phenomenon may be a factor in roux-en-y pouch leaks due to narrowing of the gastrojejunostomy in the post-surgical period.

Methods:  We consecutively enrolled 58 distal radical subtotal gastrectomy (RSG) patients (male/female: 44/14, age: ICG-001 manufacturer 33–79 years) to receive an electrogastrographic (EGG) measurement. Their Helicobacter pylori status and dyspeptic score were simultaneously assessed. In addition, EGG data of 58 age- and sex-matched healthy subjects were compared. Based on power spectral analysis,

the following EGG parameters were derived: dominant frequency (DF)/power (DP), percentage of normal rhythm (2–4 cpm), power ratio (PR) referring the postprandial power change, etc. Results:  Visual analysis occasionally found a short period of ∼11 cpm myoelectricity-like rhythm. Distal RSG patients had lower fasting

(1.90 ± 0.69 vs 2.97 ± 0.58 cpm, P < 0.001) and postprandial (2.03 ± 0.72 vs 3.35 ± 0.27 cpm, P < 0.001) DF values, while their fasting (36.2 ± 22.3% vs 67.1 ± 23.4%, P < 0.001) and postprandial (33.4 ± 19.9% vs 82.2 ± 16.7%, P < 0.001) percentages of normal rhythms were diminished. In contrast, fasting DP, its meal response and PR (2.99 ± 2.40 vs 2.45 ± 2.63, NS) were comparable to those of controls. Neither gender, age, type of gastroenterostomy, Helicobacter pylori colonization, dyspeptic score nor elapsed time after surgery had an obvious influence on EGG parameters. Conclusions:  Distal RSG patients may have decreased SW frequency and less meal ingestion changed EGG parameters in terms of SW frequency, MCE normality and stability, whereas their EGG power remained unchanged irrespective of meal ingestion. “
“Although Selleck AT9283 chronic infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and/or hepatitis C virus (HCV) are the most important risk factors for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) worldwide, the proportion of HCC patients negative for the hepatitis B surface antigen and hepatitis C antibody, so-called “non-B non-C HCC”,

is rapidly increasing, especially in Japan. The background liver diseases of non-B non-C HCC patients can be multifactorial, including occult HBV infection and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. It is reasonable to investigate the non-cancerous liver tissues to identify the potential molecular mechanisms responsible for the processes of hepatocarcinogenesis of non-B non-C HCC. However, to date, only a few studies have focused on this research concept based on the idea of “field cancerization”. This review highlights the potential importance of the molecular analysis of non-cancerous liver tissues to clarify the molecular characteristics in patients with non-B non-C HCC. A better understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the individual predisposition to non-B non-C HCC will lead to improvements in the prevention, early diagnosis and treatment of this neoplastic disease.

Methods:  We consecutively enrolled 58 distal radical subtotal gastrectomy (RSG) patients (male/female: 44/14, age: Palbociclib mouse 33–79 years) to receive an electrogastrographic (EGG) measurement. Their Helicobacter pylori status and dyspeptic score were simultaneously assessed. In addition, EGG data of 58 age- and sex-matched healthy subjects were compared. Based on power spectral analysis,

the following EGG parameters were derived: dominant frequency (DF)/power (DP), percentage of normal rhythm (2–4 cpm), power ratio (PR) referring the postprandial power change, etc. Results:  Visual analysis occasionally found a short period of ∼11 cpm myoelectricity-like rhythm. Distal RSG patients had lower fasting

(1.90 ± 0.69 vs 2.97 ± 0.58 cpm, P < 0.001) and postprandial (2.03 ± 0.72 vs 3.35 ± 0.27 cpm, P < 0.001) DF values, while their fasting (36.2 ± 22.3% vs 67.1 ± 23.4%, P < 0.001) and postprandial (33.4 ± 19.9% vs 82.2 ± 16.7%, P < 0.001) percentages of normal rhythms were diminished. In contrast, fasting DP, its meal response and PR (2.99 ± 2.40 vs 2.45 ± 2.63, NS) were comparable to those of controls. Neither gender, age, type of gastroenterostomy, Helicobacter pylori colonization, dyspeptic score nor elapsed time after surgery had an obvious influence on EGG parameters. Conclusions:  Distal RSG patients may have decreased SW frequency and less meal ingestion changed EGG parameters in terms of SW frequency, MCE normality and stability, whereas their EGG power remained unchanged irrespective of meal ingestion. “
“Although Y-27632 molecular weight chronic infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and/or hepatitis C virus (HCV) are the most important risk factors for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) worldwide, the proportion of HCC patients negative for the hepatitis B surface antigen and hepatitis C antibody, so-called “non-B non-C HCC”,

is rapidly increasing, especially in Japan. The background liver diseases of non-B non-C HCC patients can be multifactorial, including occult HBV infection and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. It is reasonable to investigate the non-cancerous liver tissues to identify the potential molecular mechanisms responsible for the processes of hepatocarcinogenesis of non-B non-C HCC. However, to date, only a few studies have focused on this research concept based on the idea of “field cancerization”. This review highlights the potential importance of the molecular analysis of non-cancerous liver tissues to clarify the molecular characteristics in patients with non-B non-C HCC. A better understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the individual predisposition to non-B non-C HCC will lead to improvements in the prevention, early diagnosis and treatment of this neoplastic disease.

Inhibitor titres were defined by the dilution of inhibitor samples until 50% of the initial FVIII:C activity was neutralized. In all instances, incubation of samples with rhFVIII in the presence of VWF resulted in higher residual FVIII:C activity and lower apparent inhibitor titres compared with incubation with rhFVIII in the absence of VWF. The ratio of inhibitor titres with and without VWF was sevenfold lower in the presence of inhibitors from immunized VWFnullFVIIInull mouse plasma, fivefold lower in the presence of purified plasma PKC412 supplier IgG from human inhibitor patients, and sixfold lower

in the presence of cloned human monoclonal antibodies from inhibitor patients (Fig. 4). Thus, VWF has a protective effect on FVIII, reducing inactivation by inhibitors in both

mouse and human samples. This protective effect against inhibitor inactivation of FVIII was dose-dependent and similar irrespective of VWF source (rhVWF, plasma-derived human VWF, plasma-derived VWF from mouse) [31]. The protective effect of preformed complex of VWF and FVIII was then investigated by mixing up the experiments: rhVWF and rhFVIII were mixed together and allowed to form a non-covalent preformed complex. The mixture was then incubated with inhibitors from VWFnullFVIIInull mice. rhVWF was mixed together with inhibitors from VWFnullFVIIInull http://www.selleckchem.com/products/ink128.html mice, then incubated with rhFVIII. Control samples with no added VWF were assayed in parallel. The time dependence of the antigen-antibody reaction was assessed using the standard Bethesda assay method with assays performed immediately after the mixture and after a 2-hour incubation period. In all cases, FVIII levels were higher in the presence of VWF than in the absence of VWF, resulting in lower inhibitor titres (Fig. 5). Specifically, inhibitor titres were fivefold lower with preformed VWF/FVIII complex compared with when FVIII was MCE exposed to VWF and

antibodies at the same time. Simultaneous exposure of rhFVIII to VWF and inhibitory antibodies resulted in competition for binding to the FVIII molecule. The protective effect of VWF against inhibitory antibodies was more evident (50% better protection) when samples were assayed immediately after the mixture compared with after a 2-h incubation, highlighting the time dependency of VWF protection [31]. The effect of the presence of VWF in assay reagents on measured inhibitor titres was also explored. In this experiment, samples of immunized VWFnullFVIIInull mouse plasma with inhibitors ranging from 20 to 2000 BU mL−1 were incubated with rhFVIII in the presence and absence of VWF from plasma-derived and recombinant sources. The remaining FVIII activity was higher when VWF was present in the assay reagents, resulting in lower apparent inhibitor titres.

Inhibitor titres were defined by the dilution of inhibitor samples until 50% of the initial FVIII:C activity was neutralized. In all instances, incubation of samples with rhFVIII in the presence of VWF resulted in higher residual FVIII:C activity and lower apparent inhibitor titres compared with incubation with rhFVIII in the absence of VWF. The ratio of inhibitor titres with and without VWF was sevenfold lower in the presence of inhibitors from immunized VWFnullFVIIInull mouse plasma, fivefold lower in the presence of purified plasma Selleckchem Cilomilast IgG from human inhibitor patients, and sixfold lower

in the presence of cloned human monoclonal antibodies from inhibitor patients (Fig. 4). Thus, VWF has a protective effect on FVIII, reducing inactivation by inhibitors in both

mouse and human samples. This protective effect against inhibitor inactivation of FVIII was dose-dependent and similar irrespective of VWF source (rhVWF, plasma-derived human VWF, plasma-derived VWF from mouse) [31]. The protective effect of preformed complex of VWF and FVIII was then investigated by mixing up the experiments: rhVWF and rhFVIII were mixed together and allowed to form a non-covalent preformed complex. The mixture was then incubated with inhibitors from VWFnullFVIIInull mice. rhVWF was mixed together with inhibitors from VWFnullFVIIInull LDE225 nmr mice, then incubated with rhFVIII. Control samples with no added VWF were assayed in parallel. The time dependence of the antigen-antibody reaction was assessed using the standard Bethesda assay method with assays performed immediately after the mixture and after a 2-hour incubation period. In all cases, FVIII levels were higher in the presence of VWF than in the absence of VWF, resulting in lower inhibitor titres (Fig. 5). Specifically, inhibitor titres were fivefold lower with preformed VWF/FVIII complex compared with when FVIII was 上海皓元医药股份有限公司 exposed to VWF and

antibodies at the same time. Simultaneous exposure of rhFVIII to VWF and inhibitory antibodies resulted in competition for binding to the FVIII molecule. The protective effect of VWF against inhibitory antibodies was more evident (50% better protection) when samples were assayed immediately after the mixture compared with after a 2-h incubation, highlighting the time dependency of VWF protection [31]. The effect of the presence of VWF in assay reagents on measured inhibitor titres was also explored. In this experiment, samples of immunized VWFnullFVIIInull mouse plasma with inhibitors ranging from 20 to 2000 BU mL−1 were incubated with rhFVIII in the presence and absence of VWF from plasma-derived and recombinant sources. The remaining FVIII activity was higher when VWF was present in the assay reagents, resulting in lower apparent inhibitor titres.

Results: Three of the patients had diarrhea, one had rectal bleeding, and one had both. The endoscopic findings revealed that two of the patients had edematous mucosa, red spots, erosions and ulcers in their colon, and that other patients had no mucosal lesions. We treated all the patients with antimicrobial eradication therapy. We used metronidazole for the therapy according to the results of the antimicrobial susceptibility tests. After the eradication therapy, the symptoms disappeared in four of the patients. Follow-up colonoscopy showed that mucosal lesions had disappeared in both of the two patients, and B. pilosicoli turned negative by histopathological and culture examinations. Conclusion: The pathogenesis

of B. pilosicoli and B. aalborgi is uncertain. B. pilosicoli http://www.selleckchem.com/products/SB-203580.html infection causes various intestinal symptoms with relatively high incidence, though most patients

with B. aalborgi infection are asymptomatic. B. aalborgi may be commensal in the human intestine. In this study, we treated five HIS patients with antimicrobial eradication therapy, after which their clinical symptoms disappeared in four of the five patients. These cases suggest that B. pilosicoli-positive HIS patients with intestinal symptoms should be treated with a ntimicrobial eradication therapy. Key Word(s): 1. human intestinal spirochetosis; 2. Bracyspira pilosicoli; 3. Brachyspira aalborgi Presenting Author: WOONG SUN YOO Additional Authors: SOO HYUN YANNG, WONHYEONG PARK, DO YOUNG, SEO YOUNG YAMG, TAEGEYON KIM Corresponding Author: Epacadostat in vivo WOONG SUN YOO Affiliations: Veterans Health Service Medical Center, Veterans Health Service Medical Center, Veterans Health Service Medical Center, Veterans Health Service Medical Center, Veterans Health Service Medical Center Objective: Uncovered

metal stents rather than covered metal stents are commonly used for palliation of biliary obstruction secondary to peripancreatic cancer because of the low risk of stent migration. But de nove two third PTFE-covered nitinol stent have advantage at low reintervention rate and medchemexpress safty because both large and silicone covering prevents leakage and tissue ingrowth. The goal of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of de nove two third PTFE-covered nitinol stent for the palliative treatment of malignant biliary obstruction. Methods: Five patients (mean age 69.2 years) with peripancreatic cancer were retrospectively involved and underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and newly designed two third PTFE partially covered self-expandable metal stents placement. The de nove partially covered SEMS (Niti-S stent; Taewoong Medical) is made with triple layer which is an PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) membrane sandwiched between two uncovered nitinol wires. Silicone covering prevents the risk of tumor ingrowth. Differently then traditional, this stent was longer coverd.

Results: Three of the patients had diarrhea, one had rectal bleeding, and one had both. The endoscopic findings revealed that two of the patients had edematous mucosa, red spots, erosions and ulcers in their colon, and that other patients had no mucosal lesions. We treated all the patients with antimicrobial eradication therapy. We used metronidazole for the therapy according to the results of the antimicrobial susceptibility tests. After the eradication therapy, the symptoms disappeared in four of the patients. Follow-up colonoscopy showed that mucosal lesions had disappeared in both of the two patients, and B. pilosicoli turned negative by histopathological and culture examinations. Conclusion: The pathogenesis

of B. pilosicoli and B. aalborgi is uncertain. B. pilosicoli Akt inhibitor infection causes various intestinal symptoms with relatively high incidence, though most patients

with B. aalborgi infection are asymptomatic. B. aalborgi may be commensal in the human intestine. In this study, we treated five HIS patients with antimicrobial eradication therapy, after which their clinical symptoms disappeared in four of the five patients. These cases suggest that B. pilosicoli-positive HIS patients with intestinal symptoms should be treated with a ntimicrobial eradication therapy. Key Word(s): 1. human intestinal spirochetosis; 2. Bracyspira pilosicoli; 3. Brachyspira aalborgi Presenting Author: WOONG SUN YOO Additional Authors: SOO HYUN YANNG, WONHYEONG PARK, DO YOUNG, SEO YOUNG YAMG, TAEGEYON KIM Corresponding Author: CP-673451 WOONG SUN YOO Affiliations: Veterans Health Service Medical Center, Veterans Health Service Medical Center, Veterans Health Service Medical Center, Veterans Health Service Medical Center, Veterans Health Service Medical Center Objective: Uncovered

metal stents rather than covered metal stents are commonly used for palliation of biliary obstruction secondary to peripancreatic cancer because of the low risk of stent migration. But de nove two third PTFE-covered nitinol stent have advantage at low reintervention rate and 上海皓元 safty because both large and silicone covering prevents leakage and tissue ingrowth. The goal of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of de nove two third PTFE-covered nitinol stent for the palliative treatment of malignant biliary obstruction. Methods: Five patients (mean age 69.2 years) with peripancreatic cancer were retrospectively involved and underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and newly designed two third PTFE partially covered self-expandable metal stents placement. The de nove partially covered SEMS (Niti-S stent; Taewoong Medical) is made with triple layer which is an PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) membrane sandwiched between two uncovered nitinol wires. Silicone covering prevents the risk of tumor ingrowth. Differently then traditional, this stent was longer coverd.

05).However,there was no significant difference in age(>55, 8.6%), systolic pressure, diastolic pressure, complicated with other organ injury(72.8%, 59/81), infuse erythrocyte(33.3%, 27/81) between two groups(P > 0.05). Maraviroc The complications about liver injury undergoing NOM is preffered for the care of penetrating trauma, combine peri-liver vascular injury, shock, injury grade and amount of hemoperitoneum,shock

and combine peri-liver vascular injury was the independently predict-factors,irrespective of age, systolic pressure, diastolic pressure, complicated with other organ injury and infuse erythrocyte Conclusion: NOM is safe and effective in traumatic hepatic injury,it appears when the hemodynamic is stability neither age, penetrating trauma, injury grade,nor degree of hemoperitoneum(amount of

intraperitoneal blood),are contraindications to NOM. Key Word(s): 1. traumatic injury; 2. NOM; 3. effect factor; 4. complication; Presenting Author: YUNHONG WU Additional Authors: LIANG ZHU Corresponding Author: LIANG ZHU Affiliations: School of Public Health, Dalian Medical University, Dalian Medical University; Department of Physiology, Dalian Medical University Objective: LDLT(living donor Fulvestrant solubility dmso liver transplantation, LDLT) is an advanced medical technique for the treatment of patients with terminal stage for irreversible liver failure. However, related ethical issues arise with the development and application of the technique. We further studied the ethical issues of LDLT in china. Methods: Methods of literature review, comparative study, the research of situation, developmental study and case study and Delphi technique were adopted. The domestic and foreign research achievements about relevant techniques, policies, laws and regulations of LDLT 上海皓元 were systematically reviewed, analyzed and summarized. Computer-online search of Internet websites and professional periodical databases was undertaken

to identify the domestic relevant media reports, and research in the fields of Hygienic Law, Medical Science, and Medical Ethics. Ideas were exchanged with experts engaged in LDLT for many years and professors in teaching Hygienic Law and Medical Ethics for years. The research was analyzed based on the actuality of LDLT in china. Results: This paper given a rational thinking from censure of medical humanitarianism due to the principle of doing no harm in medical, question to the principle of family due to the different values of the members of family, guarantee of the equality in LDLT due to the serious shortage of living donors and commercialization the living organs due to the pursuit of profit. Conclusion: We should set up the newly ethical conception, prohibit the organ business, regulate the organ transplantation ethical review process, strengthen LDLT’s medical ethical review ability construction and examination ways and perfect LDLT related laws and regulations system.

27 While ICG-001 expectedly decreased TOPflash reporter activity, it unexpectedly reduced p65 reporter activity, which may be due to an increase in non-CBP-bound pool of β-catenin (Fig. 7D). These findings suggest that β-catenin modulation of NF-κB signaling is regulatable through manipulation of β-catenin expression; however, only agents that suppress total β-catenin levels may be useful to induce p65 activation. We

next examined conditions in which β-catenin was overexpressed both in vitro and in vivo to determine the effect on p65 expression and activity. Hep3B cells were transfected with control plasmid or plasmid expressing constitutively active S33Y/β-catenin or S45Y/β-catenin, simultaneous with p65 or TOPflash AZD2014 price reporters. While expression of mutated β-catenin induced TOPflash activity, it also resulted in significantly repressing JQ1 price p65 activity (Fig. 7E). We next treated Hep3B cells with an escalating dose of lithium chloride (LiCl), a known inhibitor of GSK-3β that in turn induces β-catenin protein stabilization. This led

to a dose-dependent increase in TOPflash reporter activity and a concomitant and significant decrease in p65 reporter activity (Fig. 7F). Finally, we analyzed human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissue array via IHC. Tumor-wide glutamine synthetase (GS) staining is a good indicator of β-catenin mutations.28, 29 Of 93 HCC tumors on Biomax HCC tissue array, 30 were GS-positive, consistent with the numbers of HCC with

β-catenin gene mutations (reviewed by Nejak-Bowen MCE公司 and Monga9). Of this subset, the majority of GS-positive HCC (63% [19/30]) were negative for p65 (Fig. 8A,B). These findings indicate that β-catenin activation in HCC negatively affects p65 expression and NF-κB activity. β-Catenin is a crucial component of the Wnt pathway, which plays multiple roles in liver homeostasis through its regulation of proliferation, differentiation, and regeneration. However, its role in hepatic injury remains unexplored. The analysis was initiated to test two common modes of hepatocyte apoptosis: Fas- and TNF-α-mediated cell death. We have reported that β-catenin and the HGF receptor c-Met associate at the cell surface.15 c-Met sequestration of the Fas receptor that can prevent Fas-mediated apoptosis in hepatocytes has also been reported.13 We also identified the Fas/β-catenin complex in the liver. Because HGF messenger RNA up-regulation (along with a dramatic reduction in Met protein levels) was evident in KO livers, we hypothesized that basal apoptosis may be due to destabilization of c-Met/Fas/β-catenin complexes, which may enhance free-Fas levels available for engagement with Fas ligands like Jo-2. However, the KO mice were as susceptible as WT mice to Fas-activation.

27 While ICG-001 expectedly decreased TOPflash reporter activity, it unexpectedly reduced p65 reporter activity, which may be due to an increase in non-CBP-bound pool of β-catenin (Fig. 7D). These findings suggest that β-catenin modulation of NF-κB signaling is regulatable through manipulation of β-catenin expression; however, only agents that suppress total β-catenin levels may be useful to induce p65 activation. We

next examined conditions in which β-catenin was overexpressed both in vitro and in vivo to determine the effect on p65 expression and activity. Hep3B cells were transfected with control plasmid or plasmid expressing constitutively active S33Y/β-catenin or S45Y/β-catenin, simultaneous with p65 or TOPflash selleckchem reporters. While expression of mutated β-catenin induced TOPflash activity, it also resulted in significantly repressing learn more p65 activity (Fig. 7E). We next treated Hep3B cells with an escalating dose of lithium chloride (LiCl), a known inhibitor of GSK-3β that in turn induces β-catenin protein stabilization. This led

to a dose-dependent increase in TOPflash reporter activity and a concomitant and significant decrease in p65 reporter activity (Fig. 7F). Finally, we analyzed human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissue array via IHC. Tumor-wide glutamine synthetase (GS) staining is a good indicator of β-catenin mutations.28, 29 Of 93 HCC tumors on Biomax HCC tissue array, 30 were GS-positive, consistent with the numbers of HCC with

β-catenin gene mutations (reviewed by Nejak-Bowen MCE公司 and Monga9). Of this subset, the majority of GS-positive HCC (63% [19/30]) were negative for p65 (Fig. 8A,B). These findings indicate that β-catenin activation in HCC negatively affects p65 expression and NF-κB activity. β-Catenin is a crucial component of the Wnt pathway, which plays multiple roles in liver homeostasis through its regulation of proliferation, differentiation, and regeneration. However, its role in hepatic injury remains unexplored. The analysis was initiated to test two common modes of hepatocyte apoptosis: Fas- and TNF-α-mediated cell death. We have reported that β-catenin and the HGF receptor c-Met associate at the cell surface.15 c-Met sequestration of the Fas receptor that can prevent Fas-mediated apoptosis in hepatocytes has also been reported.13 We also identified the Fas/β-catenin complex in the liver. Because HGF messenger RNA up-regulation (along with a dramatic reduction in Met protein levels) was evident in KO livers, we hypothesized that basal apoptosis may be due to destabilization of c-Met/Fas/β-catenin complexes, which may enhance free-Fas levels available for engagement with Fas ligands like Jo-2. However, the KO mice were as susceptible as WT mice to Fas-activation.