Lactate promotes survival and hepatocyte differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cells in a medium without glucose and supplemented with galactose.

Human induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells initiate hepatocyte differentiation in a medium without glucose and supplemented with galactose, oncostatin M and small molecules [hepatocyte differentiation inducer (HDI)]. To clarify the metabolic differences between iPS cells in HDI and ReproFF (undifferentiated state), a metabolome analysis was performed. iPS cells were cultured in a medium without glucose and supplemented with galactose, as well as 1 mM of calcium lactate, sodium lactate or lactic acid.

Serum cytokine profiles and Mac-2 binding protein glycosylation isomer (M2BPGi) level in patients with autoimmune hepatitis.

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is an autoimmune liver disease that is characterized by a progressive destruction of the liver parenchyma and the development of liver fibrosis. We aimed to examine the relationship between circulating cytokines/chemokines and the Mac-2 binding protein glycosylation isomer (M2BPGi) levels in Japanese patients with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH).We investigated the relationship between circulating cytokines/chemokines and M2BPGi levels in Japanese patients with AIH.

Oct3/4 is potentially useful for the suppression of the proliferation and motility of hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells are immature compared with healthy mature hepatocytes. Transcription factors serve a role in hepatocyte differentiation. The expression levels of transcription factors in HCC cell lines have been investigated to determine potential therapeutic targets.

Comparison of DWIBS/T2 image fusion and PET/CT for the diagnosis of cancer in the abdominal cavity.

Fusion images of diffusion-weighted whole-body imaging with background body signal suppression and T2-weighted image (DWIBS/T2) demonstrate a strong signal for malignancies, with a high contrast against the surrounding tissues, and enable anatomical analysis. In the present study, DWIBS/T2 was compared with F-fluorodeoxyglucose (F-FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) for diagnosing cancer in the abdomen. Patient records, including imaging results of examination conducted between November 2012 and May 2014, were analyzed retrospectively.

Hepatocyte selection medium-enriched hepatocellular carcinoma cells are positive for α-fetoprotein and CD44.

Tissues surrounding hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) lack glucose. Hepatocyte selection medium (HSM) is deficient in glucose and is supplemented with galactose. HCC cells were cultured in HSM to investigate the stem cell markers α-fetoprotein (AFP) and cluster of differentiation 44 (CD44).

Diagnosis of complications associated with acute cholecystitis using computed tomography and diffusion-weighted imaging with background body signal suppression/T2 image fusion.

In a clinical setting, it is important to diagnose complications of acute cholecystitis accurately. Diffusion-weighted whole body imaging with background body signal suppression/T2-weighted image fusion (DWIBS/T2) provides high signal intensity with a strong contrast against surrounding tissues in anatomical settings. In the present study, patients who were being treated for acute cholecystitis and underwent DWIBS/T2 in the National Hospital Organization Shimoshizu Hospital between December 2012 and August 2015 were enrolled.

Diffusion-weighted whole-body magnetic resonance imaging with background body signal suppression/T2 image fusion for the diagnosis of acute cholecystitis.

Prompt and accurate diagnosis is critical in the treatment of acute cholecystitis. Diffusion-weighted whole-body magnetic resonance imaging with background body signal suppression/T2 image fusion (DWIBS/T2) identifies areas with high signal intensity, corresponding to inflammation. In the present study, the records and images of patients with acute cholecystitis who underwent DWIBS/T2 between January 2013 and March 2014 were retrospectively analyzed.

CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein α decreases the viability of gastric cancer cells.

CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein (C/EBP) α, C/EBPβ and C/EBPδ are involved in inflammation and cell differentiation. In the present study, their roles in human gastric cancer cells were investigated. The human gastric cancer cell lines MKN45 and MKN74 were subjected to the reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) to analyze the expression levels of C/EBPα, C/EBPβ and C/EBPδ.

Diagnostic accuracy of diffusion-weighted whole-body imaging with background body signal suppression/T2-weighted image fusion for the detection of abdominal solid cancer.

Diffusion-weighted whole-body imaging with background body signal suppression (DWIBS) images show significant contrast for cancer tissues against non-cancerous tissues. Fusion of a DWIBS and a T2-weighted image (DWIBS/T2) can be used to obtain functional, as well as anatomic, information. In the present study, the performance of DWIBS/T2 in the diagnosis of abdominal solid cancer was evaluated.

Comparison of acute cholangitis with or without common bile duct dilatation.

To improve the management of patients with acute cholangitis, the present study compared laboratory test variables between acute cholangitis patients with or without common bile duct (CBD) dilatation [CBDdil(+) and CBDdil(-), respectively]. The medical records of patients diagnosed with acute cholangitis and subjected to endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography between February 2008 and May 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. The present study consisted of 40 men (aged 69.

Abdominal ultrasonography for patients with abdominal pain as a first-line diagnostic imaging modality.

The utility and limitations of abdominal ultrasonography (US) were retrospectively evaluated as a first-line diagnostic imaging modality in patients with abdominal pain. Hospital records from patients subjected to abdominal US as a first-line diagnostic imaging examination at the National Hospital Organization Shimoshizu Hospital (Yotsukaido, Japan) from April 2010 to April 2015 were analyzed. Only those patients who underwent abdominal US to diagnose abdominal symptoms were included in the present study.

Immunosuppressive agents are associated with peptic ulcer bleeding.

Peptic ulcer bleeding can be fatal. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), corticosteroids and immunosuppressive agents are administered for long-term usage. The present study assessed the association between peptic ulcer bleeding and administration of NSAIDs, corticosteroids and immunosuppressive agents.

Introduction of plasmids into gastric cancer cells by endoscopic ultrasound.

Short hairpin RNA of frizzled-2 (shRNA-Fz2) suppresses the cell proliferation of gastric cancer cells. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is considered a suitable method for the introduction of therapeutic plasmids into cells, since the device enables the access and real-time monitoring of gastric cancer tissues. In the present study, plasmids were introduced into cells by sonoporation, as evidenced by the production of HO.

Proliferation and motility of hepatocellular, pancreatic and gastric cancer cells grown in a medium without glucose and arginine, but with galactose and ornithine.

Human primary hepatocytes are able to survive in a medium without glucose and arginine, but supplemented with galactose and ornithine (hepatocyte selection medium; HSM). To address the possibility of the application of HSM in cancer therapy, hepatocellular carcinoma cells, pancreatic cancer cells and gastric cancer cells were cultured in HSM. Cell proliferation was analyzed using an MTS assay.

Proliferation of sphere-forming hepatocellular carcinoma cells is suppressed in a medium without glucose and arginine, but with galactose and ornithine.

Resistance to sorafenib in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells exhibiting stemness was evaluated using a sphere formation assay. A hepatocyte selection medium (HSM) deficient in glucose and arginine was used to suppress the proliferation of cell spheres composed of HLF and PLC/PRF/5 HCC cells, which were subjected to a sphere formation assay. Cell spheres were cultured with sorafenib and subjected to a cell proliferation assay and the expression levels of cytochrome P450 (CYP3A4) were analyzed in RNA extracted from sphere-forming cells using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction.

Differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cells in William's E initiation medium supplemented with 3‑bromopyruvate and 2‑deoxy‑d‑glucose.

Hepatocyte selection medium (HSM) is deprived of glucose and supplemented with galactose, and is based on Leibovitz's‑15 (L15) medium. HSM may promote the differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells towards hepatocyte lineage. These culture conditions result in increased expression of galactokinase (GALK)‑1 and GALK2.

2‑Deoxy‑D‑glucose initiates hepatocyte differentiation in human induced pluripotent stem cells.

To initiate hepatocyte differentiation in human induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, cells are cultured in a medium lacking glucose but supplemented with galactose (hepatocyte selection medium, HSM) or in medium supplemented with oncostatin M and small molecules (hepatocyte differentiation inducer, HDI). In the present study, 2‑Deoxy‑D‑glucose (2DG), an analogue of glucose, was utilized instead of glucose deprivation and the effect of 2DG supplementation on iPS differentiation was examined. First, 201B7 cells, an iPS cell line, were cultured in HSM or HDI media for 2 days and then subjected to reverse transcription‑quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‑qPCR) in order to analyze expression levels of established hepatocyte markers, including cytosolic aspartate aminotransferase (AST), mitochondrial AST, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and glycerol kinase.

Oncostatin M in William's E medium is suitable for initiation of hepatocyte differentiation in human induced pluripotent stem cells.

William's E (WE) is a suitable medium for the differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells to the hepatocyte lineage. The aim of the present study was to investigate various growth factors in their ability to promote hepatocyte differentiation of iPS cells in WE medium. Human iPS 201B7 cells were cultured in WE medium supplemented with growth factors, and mRNA expression levels and promoter activities of α‑fetoprotein (AFP) and albumin were examined by reverse transcription‑quantitative polymerase chain reaction and luciferase assay, respectively.

2-Deoxyglucose and sorafenib synergistically suppress the proliferation and motility of hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

Cancer cells consume more glucose than normal cells, mainly due to their increased rate of glycolysis. 2-Deoxy-d-glucose (2DG) is an analogue of glucose, and sorafenib is a kinase inhibitor and molecular agent used to treat hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The present study aimed to demonstrate whether combining 2DG and sorafenib suppresses tumor cell proliferation and motility more effectively than either drug alone.

Diffusion-weighted whole-body imaging with background body signal suppression/T2 image fusion for the diagnosis of colorectal polyp and cancer.

Diffusion-weighted whole-body imaging with background body signal suppression/T2 image fusion (DWIBS/T2) is useful for the diagnosis of cancer as it presents a clear contrast between cancerous and non-cancerous tissue. The present study investigated the limitations and advantages of DWIBS/T2 with regards to the diagnosis of colorectal polyp (CP) or cancer (CRC). The current study included patients diagnosed with CP or CRC following colonoscopy, who were subjected to DWIBS/T2 between July 2012 and March 2015.

Cell death in a co-culture of hepatocellular carcinoma cells and human umbilical vascular endothelial cells in a medium lacking glucose and arginine.

Human primary hepatocytes are able to survive in a medium without glucose and arginine that is instead supplemented with galactose and ornithine (hepatocyte selection medium; HSM). This is because the cells produce glucose and arginine by the action of galactokinase (GALK) and ornithine carbamoyltransferase (OTC), respectively. It was expected that hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells do not survive in HSM.

Unenhanced areas revealed by contrast-enhanced abdominal ultrasonography with Sonazoid™ potentially correspond to colorectal cancer.

The present study investigated the potential utility of contrast-enhanced abdominal ultrasonography (CEUS), using Sonazoid™, in colorectal cancer (CRC). Three patients were subjected to CEUS with Sonazoid™. Surgical specimens were immunostained for CD31.

Association of a single nucleotide polymorphism upstream of ICOS with Japanese autoimmune hepatitis type 1.

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is an uncommon chronic autoimmune liver disease. Several studies reported the association of polymorphisms between CD28, CTLA4 and ICOS gene cluster in 2q33.2 with autoimmune or inflammatory diseases.

Signal Intensity of Superb Microvascular Imaging Correlates with the Severity of Acute Cholecystitis.

Evaluation of the severity of acute cholecystitis is critical for the management of this condition. Superb microvascular imaging (SMI) enables the assessment of slow blood flow of small vessels without any contrast medium. An 84-year-old man visited our hospital with right upper abdominal pain.