6%) 0.5 Gall bladder polyp (HGD) n = 1 (3%) n = 0 0.4 Conclusion: A MRI/MRCP surveillance strategy for hepato-biliary cancer in PSC patients was not associated with improved detection of malignancy. VI NGUYEN,1 PK TAN,1 A GREENUP,1 A GLASS,1 S DAVISON,1 U CHATTERJEE,2 S HOLDAWAY,3 D SAMARASINGHE,3 SA LOCARNINI,4 MT LEVY1,2 1Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Liverpool Hospital, New South Wales, Australia, 2University of New South Wales, New South Wales, Australia., 3Department of Gastroenterology

& Hepatology, Westmead Hospital, New South Wales, Australia, 4Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Background and aims: Information on the nature of post-partum flares in the setting of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is limited. Antepartum antiviral therapy is administered to prevent perinatal transmission from mothers with a high viral load, but there Rucaparib research buy is a concern this might exacerbate post-partum flare. The aim of this study was to examine

whether extending antiviral therapy beyond birth influences the post-partum course. Methods: Pregnant women with HBV and a high baseline viral load (≥log 7 IU/ml) were prospectively recruited Small molecule library molecular weight from multiple tertiary centres in Sydney, Australia from November 2007 till 2013. From 2007 till 2009 lamivudine was given in the last trimester (from 32 weeks gestation) and continued for an average of 2 weeks post-partum. Concerns about the potency and resistance of lamivudine led to a change to tenofovir in 2010. From 2011 post partum duration was extended to 12 weeks in an effort to abrogate flares. Consenting women who declined treatment were included in a natural history arm. Virological, clinical and biochemical parameters were followed. Outcomes by post-partum treatment duration were assessed in three groups: Group1 = treatment ≤4 weeks, Group2 = treatment > 4 weeks, and Group3 = natural history arm. Results: Data from 91 pregnancies in 83 women where at least two ALT measurements post-partum

were available were included for analysis. Median age was 29 years, baseline viral load was log 7.85 IU/ml and ALT 25 U/ml (range 6–521 U/ml). selleck screening library Median follow-up was 48 weeks post-partum. Median treatment duration post-partum was 2 weeks for Group 1 (n = 42), and 12 weeks for Group 2 (n = 35). 14 women had no treatment. Flare rates; Group 1 = 21/42 (50%), Group 2 = 14/35 (40%), and Group 3 = 4/14 (29%) were not significantly different across the treatment groups [p = 0.34]. The median time of flare onset was similar: 8/10/9 weeks for groups 1/2/3 respectively [p = 0.49]. Treatment duration also had no impact on flare severity, however did appear to influence the time to flare resolution [F(2,21) = 5.86, p = 0.01]. Post-hoc comparisons revealed the mean duration of flares in Group 2 (M = 16.5 weeks, SD = 10.07) were significantly longer than those observed in Group 1 (M = 7 weeks, SD = 4.04) and Group 3 (M = 6.5 weeks, SD = 3.00).

15 The SPRINT-2 trial evaluated BOC in two cohorts of treatment-naïve patients:

Caucasian and black patients.12 The number of patients in the black cohort was small in comparison to that of the Caucasian cohort and may have been insufficient to provide an adequate assessment of true response in this population. All patients were first treated with PegIFN alfa-2b and weight-based RBV as lead-in therapy for a period of 4 weeks, followed by one of three regimens: see more (1) BOC, PegIFN, and RBV that was administered for 24 weeks if, at study week 8 (week 4 of triple therapy), the HCV RNA level became undetectable (as defined in the package insert as <10-15 IU/mL), referred to as response-guided therapy (RGT); if, however, HCV RNA remained detectable at any visit from week 8 up to but not

including week 24 (i.e., a slow virological response), BOC was discontinued and the patient received SOC treatment for an additional 20 weeks (2) BOC, PegIFN, and RBV administered for a fixed duration of 44 weeks; and (3) PegIFN alfa-2b and weight-based RBV alone continued for an additional 44 weeks, representing SOC therapy.12 The BOC dose was 800 mg, given by mouth three times per day with food. The overall SVR rates were higher in the BOC arms, (63% and 66% respectively) than in the SOC arm (38%), but differed according to race (Fig. 1). The SVR rates among Caucasian patients were 67% in the RGT, 69% in the fixed duration, 3-deazaneplanocin A chemical structure and 41% in the SOC arms, respectively.12 In black patients, the SVR rates were 42% in the RGT, 53% in the fixed duration, and 23% in the SOC arms, respectively (Fig. 1).12 A total of 54% of Caucasian recipients of BOC experienced a rapid

virological response (RVR; HCV RNA undetectable, <10-15 IU/mL at week 8, this interval selected because find more of the 4 week lead-in). By contrast, only 20% of black recipients of BOC experienced an RVR. Regardless of race, among those patients who became HCV RNA negative at week 8 (∼57% in both BOC arms and 17% in SOC arm), the SVR rates were 88% in the RGT arm, 90% in the fixed duration arm and 85% in the arm treated by SOC, compared to SVR rates of 36%, 40%, and 30%, respectively, if HCV RNA remained detectable at week 8 (Fig. 2).12 In subgroup analysis, SVR rates were higher in BOC-containing regimens across all the pretreatment variables that had been identified in previous studies to influence response to SOC therapy, including advanced fibrosis, race, and high pretreatment HCV viral load. Moreover, the SVR rate in subgroups was similar in both the RGT and fixed duration arms and therefore, the AASLD and the FDA support the use of RGT for treatment-naïve patients without cirrhosis. The FDA recommends that patients with compensated cirrhosis should not receive RGT, however, this is based on limited data and requires further study. Of note, if the virological response did not meet criteria for RGT, i.e.

15 The SPRINT-2 trial evaluated BOC in two cohorts of treatment-naïve patients:

Caucasian and black patients.12 The number of patients in the black cohort was small in comparison to that of the Caucasian cohort and may have been insufficient to provide an adequate assessment of true response in this population. All patients were first treated with PegIFN alfa-2b and weight-based RBV as lead-in therapy for a period of 4 weeks, followed by one of three regimens: EPZ015666 mw (1) BOC, PegIFN, and RBV that was administered for 24 weeks if, at study week 8 (week 4 of triple therapy), the HCV RNA level became undetectable (as defined in the package insert as <10-15 IU/mL), referred to as response-guided therapy (RGT); if, however, HCV RNA remained detectable at any visit from week 8 up to but not

including week 24 (i.e., a slow virological response), BOC was discontinued and the patient received SOC treatment for an additional 20 weeks (2) BOC, PegIFN, and RBV administered for a fixed duration of 44 weeks; and (3) PegIFN alfa-2b and weight-based RBV alone continued for an additional 44 weeks, representing SOC therapy.12 The BOC dose was 800 mg, given by mouth three times per day with food. The overall SVR rates were higher in the BOC arms, (63% and 66% respectively) than in the SOC arm (38%), but differed according to race (Fig. 1). The SVR rates among Caucasian patients were 67% in the RGT, 69% in the fixed duration, BGJ398 and 41% in the SOC arms, respectively.12 In black patients, the SVR rates were 42% in the RGT, 53% in the fixed duration, and 23% in the SOC arms, respectively (Fig. 1).12 A total of 54% of Caucasian recipients of BOC experienced a rapid

virological response (RVR; HCV RNA undetectable, <10-15 IU/mL at week 8, this interval selected because this website of the 4 week lead-in). By contrast, only 20% of black recipients of BOC experienced an RVR. Regardless of race, among those patients who became HCV RNA negative at week 8 (∼57% in both BOC arms and 17% in SOC arm), the SVR rates were 88% in the RGT arm, 90% in the fixed duration arm and 85% in the arm treated by SOC, compared to SVR rates of 36%, 40%, and 30%, respectively, if HCV RNA remained detectable at week 8 (Fig. 2).12 In subgroup analysis, SVR rates were higher in BOC-containing regimens across all the pretreatment variables that had been identified in previous studies to influence response to SOC therapy, including advanced fibrosis, race, and high pretreatment HCV viral load. Moreover, the SVR rate in subgroups was similar in both the RGT and fixed duration arms and therefore, the AASLD and the FDA support the use of RGT for treatment-naïve patients without cirrhosis. The FDA recommends that patients with compensated cirrhosis should not receive RGT, however, this is based on limited data and requires further study. Of note, if the virological response did not meet criteria for RGT, i.e.

The relationship between cellular N and P quotas and growth rates fits well ATM/ATR cancer to both the Droop and Ågren’s functions for all species. We observed excess uptake of both N and P in the three species. N:P biomass ratios showed a significant positive relationship with N:P supply ratios across the entire range of growth rates, and N:P biomass ratios converged to an intermediate value independent of N:P supply ratios at higher growth rates. The

effect of growth rates on N:P biomass ratios was positive at lower N:P supply ratios, but negative at higher N:P supply ratios for both Rhodomonas sp. and I. galbana, while for P. tricornutum this effect was negative at all N:P supply ratios. A significant interactive effect of N:P supply ratios and growth rates on N:P biomass ratios was found in both Rhodomonas sp. and P. tricornutum, but not in I. galbana. Our results suggest that Ågren’s functions may explain the underlying biochemical principle for the Droop model. The parameters in the Droop and Ågren’s functions this website can be useful indications of algal succession in the phytoplankton community in changing oceans. “
“Alexandrium ostenfeldii (Paulsen) Balech and Tangen and A. peruvianum (Balech and B.R. Mendiola) Balech

and Tangen are morphologically closely related dinoflagellates known to produce potent neurotoxins. Together with Gonyaulax dimorpha Biecheler, they constitute the A. ostenfeldii species complex. Due to the subtle differences in the morphological characters used to differentiate these species, unambiguous species identification has proven problematic. To better understand the species boundaries within the A. ostenfeldii complex we compared rDNA data, morphometric characters and toxin profiles of multiple cultured isolates from different geographic regions. Phylogenetic analysis of rDNA sequences from cultures find more characterized as A. ostenfeldii

or A. peruvianum formed a monophyletic clade consisting of six distinct groups. Each group examined contained strains morphologically identified as either A. ostenfeldii or A. peruvianum. Though key morphological characters were generally found to be highly variable and not consistently distributed, selected plate features and toxin profiles differed significantly among phylogenetic clusters. Additional sequence analyses revealed a lack of compensatory base changes in ITS2 rRNA structure, low to intermediate ITS/5.8S uncorrected genetic distances, and evidence of reticulation. Together these data (criteria currently used for species delineation in dinoflagellates) imply that the A. ostenfeldii complex should be regarded a single genetically structured species until more material and alternative criteria for species delimitation are available.

The relationship between cellular N and P quotas and growth rates fits well buy Decitabine to both the Droop and Ågren’s functions for all species. We observed excess uptake of both N and P in the three species. N:P biomass ratios showed a significant positive relationship with N:P supply ratios across the entire range of growth rates, and N:P biomass ratios converged to an intermediate value independent of N:P supply ratios at higher growth rates. The

effect of growth rates on N:P biomass ratios was positive at lower N:P supply ratios, but negative at higher N:P supply ratios for both Rhodomonas sp. and I. galbana, while for P. tricornutum this effect was negative at all N:P supply ratios. A significant interactive effect of N:P supply ratios and growth rates on N:P biomass ratios was found in both Rhodomonas sp. and P. tricornutum, but not in I. galbana. Our results suggest that Ågren’s functions may explain the underlying biochemical principle for the Droop model. The parameters in the Droop and Ågren’s functions this website can be useful indications of algal succession in the phytoplankton community in changing oceans. “
“Alexandrium ostenfeldii (Paulsen) Balech and Tangen and A. peruvianum (Balech and B.R. Mendiola) Balech

and Tangen are morphologically closely related dinoflagellates known to produce potent neurotoxins. Together with Gonyaulax dimorpha Biecheler, they constitute the A. ostenfeldii species complex. Due to the subtle differences in the morphological characters used to differentiate these species, unambiguous species identification has proven problematic. To better understand the species boundaries within the A. ostenfeldii complex we compared rDNA data, morphometric characters and toxin profiles of multiple cultured isolates from different geographic regions. Phylogenetic analysis of rDNA sequences from cultures selleck products characterized as A. ostenfeldii

or A. peruvianum formed a monophyletic clade consisting of six distinct groups. Each group examined contained strains morphologically identified as either A. ostenfeldii or A. peruvianum. Though key morphological characters were generally found to be highly variable and not consistently distributed, selected plate features and toxin profiles differed significantly among phylogenetic clusters. Additional sequence analyses revealed a lack of compensatory base changes in ITS2 rRNA structure, low to intermediate ITS/5.8S uncorrected genetic distances, and evidence of reticulation. Together these data (criteria currently used for species delineation in dinoflagellates) imply that the A. ostenfeldii complex should be regarded a single genetically structured species until more material and alternative criteria for species delimitation are available.

Very little is known on sea turtles, although this is one of the most ancient tetrapod groups Selleck Ceritinib that successfully colonized the marine environments. Here, we investigated for the

first time the relationship between bone density and body size in the loggerhead turtle, Caretta caretta, with the aim to elucidate possible functional connections with the species’ aquatic habits. Humeri were extracted from the carcasses of 72 loggerhead turtles ranging in size from 7 to 89 cm (males = 18, females = 44, unknown = 10). Whole bone density was determined by Archimedes’ principle. Sexes exhibited comparable humerus densities (t-value = 0.49, P > 0.05). Mean humerus density (1.33 g cm−3) was intermediate within the range reported for marine mammals and suggested no extreme specialization towards an either pelagic or benthic lifestyle. Turtle size and humerus density were significantly correlated (Pearson’s correlation = 0.638, P < 0.01). Small juveniles had very light bones compared to adults in accordance with their stage specific pelagic diving and foraging behaviour. "
“The evolution selleckchem of animal social dynamics and the origin of species through such interactions mediated

by sexual selection (i.e. sexual speciation) are major challenges in current evolutionary biology, and have therefore been the subject of intense debate. Given the evolutionary significance of these problems, major efforts to assess the reliability of the evidence have been made, with controversy standing firmly (Coyne & Orr, 2004; Ritchie, 2007; Kraaijeveld, Kraaijeveld-Smit & Maan, 2011). In a recent paper,

Labra (2011) suggested that the remarkable diversity of the lizard genus Liolaemus (220+ species) may be the result of speciation driven by chemical-based sexual selection. The problem of selection-driven speciation is particularly interesting in a model system like Liolaemus, as these lizards have achieved one of the most outstanding species diversities known for a single living vertebrate genus (Pincheira-Donoso, Scolaro & Sura, 2008c), which is mirrored by a remarkable ecological diversity (Schulte et al., 2004; Pincheira-Donoso et al., 2009) importantly caused by radiations across a substantial range of thermal and climatic conditions (Harmon et al., 2003; check details Espinoza, Wiens & Tracy, 2004; Pincheira-Donoso, Hodgson & Tregenza, 2008b). Therefore, understanding the factors underlying such an extraordinary diversity can provide valuable insights into the evolutionary dynamics of active speciation rates taking place within prominent adaptive radiations. In her study, based on experimental observations of three Liolaemus species, Labra (2011) presents evidence suggesting that these lizards respond more actively to conspecific than to heterospecific scents secreted by male precloacal glands.

Very little is known on sea turtles, although this is one of the most ancient tetrapod groups Sorafenib mouse that successfully colonized the marine environments. Here, we investigated for the

first time the relationship between bone density and body size in the loggerhead turtle, Caretta caretta, with the aim to elucidate possible functional connections with the species’ aquatic habits. Humeri were extracted from the carcasses of 72 loggerhead turtles ranging in size from 7 to 89 cm (males = 18, females = 44, unknown = 10). Whole bone density was determined by Archimedes’ principle. Sexes exhibited comparable humerus densities (t-value = 0.49, P > 0.05). Mean humerus density (1.33 g cm−3) was intermediate within the range reported for marine mammals and suggested no extreme specialization towards an either pelagic or benthic lifestyle. Turtle size and humerus density were significantly correlated (Pearson’s correlation = 0.638, P < 0.01). Small juveniles had very light bones compared to adults in accordance with their stage specific pelagic diving and foraging behaviour. "
“The evolution selleck chemicals of animal social dynamics and the origin of species through such interactions mediated

by sexual selection (i.e. sexual speciation) are major challenges in current evolutionary biology, and have therefore been the subject of intense debate. Given the evolutionary significance of these problems, major efforts to assess the reliability of the evidence have been made, with controversy standing firmly (Coyne & Orr, 2004; Ritchie, 2007; Kraaijeveld, Kraaijeveld-Smit & Maan, 2011). In a recent paper,

Labra (2011) suggested that the remarkable diversity of the lizard genus Liolaemus (220+ species) may be the result of speciation driven by chemical-based sexual selection. The problem of selection-driven speciation is particularly interesting in a model system like Liolaemus, as these lizards have achieved one of the most outstanding species diversities known for a single living vertebrate genus (Pincheira-Donoso, Scolaro & Sura, 2008c), which is mirrored by a remarkable ecological diversity (Schulte et al., 2004; Pincheira-Donoso et al., 2009) importantly caused by radiations across a substantial range of thermal and climatic conditions (Harmon et al., 2003; selleck products Espinoza, Wiens & Tracy, 2004; Pincheira-Donoso, Hodgson & Tregenza, 2008b). Therefore, understanding the factors underlying such an extraordinary diversity can provide valuable insights into the evolutionary dynamics of active speciation rates taking place within prominent adaptive radiations. In her study, based on experimental observations of three Liolaemus species, Labra (2011) presents evidence suggesting that these lizards respond more actively to conspecific than to heterospecific scents secreted by male precloacal glands.

However, the number of reported cases is lower than for ulcerative colitis-associated cancer. The aim of this study was to identify the clinical picture of CD-associated intestinal cancer in a consecutive series of patients with CD and to stress the importance of surveillance. Methods:  We enrolled 174 consecutive patients (130 men, 44 women, mean age 25 years) diagnosed with CD and investigated the development of intestinal cancer from October 1998 to July 2010. There were 104 cases of the ileocolitis type, 47 of ileitis, and 23 of colitis. Results:  Intestinal cancer developed in two male patients

Fostamatinib purchase (1.5% of the total), whose respective ages at onset of CD were 41 and 19 years, and 55 and 37 years at onset of cancer. Both cases were of ileocolitis-type CD; one cancer developed in the rectum and the other in the small bowel,

and both were accompanied by severe stricture. Histopathological results revealed well and moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma, respectively. Conclusions:  Intestinal cancer developed in patients with ileocolitis-type CD of more than 10 years’ duration. Our findings suggest that patients with chronic, widespread CD should be under cancer surveillance. Many studies in Western European countries have reported an increased risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) and small intestinal cancer in patients with Crohn’s disease (CD).1–5 In Japan, also, the yearly increase in the number of patients Selleck Compound Library with CD6,7 has been accompanied by an increase in the number of cases of CD-associated intestinal

cancer. Nevertheless, learn more the number of cases is lower than for ulcerative colitis-associated cancer. Additionally, diagnosis of malignant tumors associated with CD is often difficult and a surveillance method has not been established. Preoperative diagnosis is particularly difficult with small, CD-associated intestinal cancer, and previous reports have noted that diagnoses are predominantly postoperative.8,9 The aim of this study was to identify the clinical picture of CD-associated intestinal cancer in a consecutive series of patients with CD. A total of 174 consecutive patients (130 men, 44 women; mean age 25 years) diagnosed with CD were enrolled and investigated for the development of intestinal cancer from October 1998 to July 2010 (Table 1). The mean duration of CD was 180 months. With regard to disease extension, there were 104 cases of the ileocolitis type, 47 of ileitis, and 23 of colitis. Two patients had a family history of cancer. Intestinal cancer developed in two male patients (1.5% of the total; Table 2). Their ages at onset of CD and onset of cancer were 41 and 19 years, and 55 and 37 years, respectively. Both cases were of the ileocolitis type. With regard to site, one cancer developed in the rectum and the other in the ileum, and both were accompanied by severe stricture.

However, the number of reported cases is lower than for ulcerative colitis-associated cancer. The aim of this study was to identify the clinical picture of CD-associated intestinal cancer in a consecutive series of patients with CD and to stress the importance of surveillance. Methods:  We enrolled 174 consecutive patients (130 men, 44 women, mean age 25 years) diagnosed with CD and investigated the development of intestinal cancer from October 1998 to July 2010. There were 104 cases of the ileocolitis type, 47 of ileitis, and 23 of colitis. Results:  Intestinal cancer developed in two male patients

LY294002 purchase (1.5% of the total), whose respective ages at onset of CD were 41 and 19 years, and 55 and 37 years at onset of cancer. Both cases were of ileocolitis-type CD; one cancer developed in the rectum and the other in the small bowel,

and both were accompanied by severe stricture. Histopathological results revealed well and moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma, respectively. Conclusions:  Intestinal cancer developed in patients with ileocolitis-type CD of more than 10 years’ duration. Our findings suggest that patients with chronic, widespread CD should be under cancer surveillance. Many studies in Western European countries have reported an increased risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) and small intestinal cancer in patients with Crohn’s disease (CD).1–5 In Japan, also, the yearly increase in the number of patients PKC inhibitor with CD6,7 has been accompanied by an increase in the number of cases of CD-associated intestinal

cancer. Nevertheless, click here the number of cases is lower than for ulcerative colitis-associated cancer. Additionally, diagnosis of malignant tumors associated with CD is often difficult and a surveillance method has not been established. Preoperative diagnosis is particularly difficult with small, CD-associated intestinal cancer, and previous reports have noted that diagnoses are predominantly postoperative.8,9 The aim of this study was to identify the clinical picture of CD-associated intestinal cancer in a consecutive series of patients with CD. A total of 174 consecutive patients (130 men, 44 women; mean age 25 years) diagnosed with CD were enrolled and investigated for the development of intestinal cancer from October 1998 to July 2010 (Table 1). The mean duration of CD was 180 months. With regard to disease extension, there were 104 cases of the ileocolitis type, 47 of ileitis, and 23 of colitis. Two patients had a family history of cancer. Intestinal cancer developed in two male patients (1.5% of the total; Table 2). Their ages at onset of CD and onset of cancer were 41 and 19 years, and 55 and 37 years, respectively. Both cases were of the ileocolitis type. With regard to site, one cancer developed in the rectum and the other in the ileum, and both were accompanied by severe stricture.

Tumors were harvested and stored at −80°C for subsequent tests. The details of the yeast two-hybrid analysis are in the Supporting Materials. All data were evaluated using SPSS v. 13.5. this website Differences were considered significant at P < 0.05. The significant groups are marked with an asterisk in the figures. Bcl-2 is an important mitochondrial membrane pore component

that functions in a variety of proapoptotic stress responses, such as hypoxia. In the present study the growth response and hypoxia-induced up-regulation of Bcl-2 in the hepatoma cell lines HepG2, PLC, and SMMC7221, as well as in control cells, were examined. To prevent hypoxia-induced cell death and general protein degradation caused by energy depletion, each cell type was returned to normal oxygen conditions (hypoxia-normoxia group, H-N) after 24 hours of hypoxia. Each cell line showed a significant decrease in cell proliferation following hypoxia, which was reversed by normoxia conditions (H-N) to proliferation levels above control values (Fig. 1A). Notably, the proliferation rate at the terminal phase (72 hours) of the H-N group significantly increased compared check details with the normoxia alone control group. Migration and invasion assays showed similar responses (Fig. 1A). Cell migration and invasion

decreased following hypoxia. In contrast, the H-N treatment caused an increase above the control group. HepG2 cultures were also assessed for their abilities to undergo morphological conversion. This conversion leads to VM in a three-dimensional (3D) culture following hypoxia and after returning to normoxia. Cells grown under hypoxic conditions showed a modest level of conversion to “tube” formations, whereas those grown under control conditions did not show any indication of such 3D growth. In contrast, cells that were first treated selleck kinase inhibitor under hypoxic conditions and were then returned to normoxia showed a robust conversion to 3D tube formations (Fig. 1B). The expression levels of Bcl-2 and Twist following hypoxia and after returning to normoxia were assessed using quantitative PCR and western blot (Fig. 1C,D). Messenger

RNA (mRNA) and protein levels showed expression peaks for Bcl-2 and Twist1 about 24 hours after cell hypoxia. The expression levels gradually decreased to undetectable levels at later timepoints. When hypoxia was relieved after 24 hours by returning to normoxia, Bcl-2 and Twist1 still had high expression levels. Taken together, these observations suggested that return to normoxia after hypoxia may trigger an increase in cell proliferation, movement, and molding. All these functional responses lead to VM, and may be mechanistically linked to the expression levels of Bcl-2 as well as Twist1. The cellular response described above included EMT features. Therefore, EMT markers in HepG2 cells engineered to overexpress Bcl-2 and Twist1, separately or together, were assessed.