[Effectiveness of drinking plan and drinking diary in intervention program (HAPPY program) for heavy drinkers].

We examined the effectiveness of a drinking plan (goal setting), and a drinking diary (self monitoring), in the intervention program (HAPPY program), for heavy drinkers in the workplace. 115 people participated, and 80 people were evaluated three months later and 31 people were evaluated one year later. We classified the drinking plans in the limitation of the quantity, non-drinking days, and the device of low risk drinking model.

Population-based study of hepatitis C virus infection and hepatocellular carcinoma in western Japan.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major health problem in Japan. This infection is highly prevalent in subjects with chronic liver disease and is strongly associated with hepatocellular carcinoma. Epidemiological studies conducted by the Japanese Ministry of Health and Welfare showed that the mortality rate associated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was high in several prefectures in western Japan.

Hepatocyte growth factor induces collagenase (matrix metalloproteinase-1) via the transcription factor Ets-1 in human hepatic stellate cell line.

Background/aims: Although hepatocyte growth factor recently has been shown to decrease hepatic fibrosis in animal models, the molecular mechanisms of this effects remain to be elucidated. We investigated regulation of collagenase expression by hepatocyte growth factor in hepatic stellate cells.

Methods: A human hepatic stellate cell line, LI90, was treated with hepatocyte growth factor.