A significant increase in NOX2 mRNA was observed in the liver of

A significant increase in NOX2 mRNA was observed in the liver of both genotypes by BDL. In mice with NOX2 deficiency, chronic administration of CCl4 elicited increased inflammation and hepatic necrosis, whereas fewer HSCs and less fibrosis were demonstrated compared with those in WT.14 Furthermore, ROS derived from NOX2 were recently reported to induce collagen expression at the transcriptional level.15 In contrast, expression of collagen was unaffected in HSCs isolated from Nox1KO. Instead, NOX1-derived ROS augmented liver fibrosis by promoting the proliferation of activated HSCs. These findings clearly indicated distinct roles for NOX1 and NOX2 in the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis.

Why ROS derived from different NOX isoforms have diverse functions remains to be determined. In the liver, NOX1 was not only expressed in HSCs, but also in hepatocytes. To examine whether the expression of NOX1 was also affected in MLN8237 price parenchymal cells in the liver, we exposed primary Epacadostat concentration cultured hepatocytes to endogenous factors involved in the pathogenesis of BDL-induced liver injury. Although the level of NOX1 mRNA was unchanged in cells treated with bile acid, activation

of caspase-3 induced by bile acid was significantly suppressed by Nox1 deficiency. The data corroborated our in vivo findings, in that serum ALT and AST levels were significantly lower in Nox1KO than those in WT after BDL. Because apoptosis of hepatocytes could directly activate HSCs,15 decreased apoptosis by Nox1 deficiency may possibly contribute to the attenuation of fibrotic responses. In this

context, the crosstalk between HSCs and hepatocytes may be causally related to the development of BDL-induced liver fibrosis. FOXO transcription factors, including FOXO1, FOXO3, and FOXO4, are known to take part in cellular metabolism, proliferation, and survival.33 FOXO4, also known as AFX, directly binds to the promoter region of the p27kip1 gene and stimulates its transcription.27 In this study we demonstrated that the level 上海皓元 of the phosphorylated, inactive form of FOXO4 was significantly reduced in HSCs isolated from Nox1KO. This finding was coupled with the increased expression of p27kip1 in Nox1KO HSCs. Moreover, phosphorylation of Akt, which directly phosphorylates FOXO transcription factors, was suppressed in Nox1KO. These results suggested that Akt-mediated phosphorylation of FOXO4 was instrumental in the regulation of the cell cycle in HSCs. On the other hand, a previous study demonstrated that FOXO1 was essential for the proliferation of HSCs.34 In HSCs used in this study, however, we could not detect the phosphorylated form of FOXO1 (data not shown). This may be due to the difference in culture conditions or in species, because rat HSCs were used in the previous study. PTEN, a tumor suppressor, is an inhibitor of PI3K/Akt signaling by converting PIP3 to PIP2.

Case 1 was a 55-year-old man who underwent a fistulectomy for ves

Case 1 was a 55-year-old man who underwent a fistulectomy for vesicorectal fistula in 1989, at which time CD was diagnosed. He attended our hospital for the first time in August 2002 and was treated on an inpatient basis with an elemental diet

and mesalazine. He attended our hospital in March 2003 complaining of an increase in pain in the anal region. Colonoscopy was not performed because of anal stenosis, and severe lower rectal stenosis was confirmed by barium enema (Fig. 1). We performed blind biopsy by inserting forceps into rectum in April. Adenocarcinoma was diagnosed histologically, and in May he underwent abdominoperineal resection under a diagnosis of rectal cancer (Fig. 2). Adenocarcinoma cells were found to have slightly infiltrated the anal sphincter, but GSK-3 activation the resection stump margin was negative (Fig. 3). Metastasis to the lung was found in August 2004, and chemotherapy with UFT + leucovorin was started. The regimen was changed to FOLFOX in March 2006, but local recurrence in the pelvis was noted in August 2007, and he died in April 2009. Case 2 was a 37-year-old man who was diagnosed with ileocolitis-type PF-6463922 concentration CD in March 1992. He attended our hospital for the first time in 1998 and was treated with an elemental diet, mesalazine, prednisolone, and azathioprine. Double balloon

endoscopy was performed approximately every 2 years, and stenosis of the ileum and an inflammatory polyp in the terminal ileum were noted in August 2008. He was hospitalized for an exacerbation of abdominal pain on 21 December 2009. Ileus developed on 29 December and an ileus tube was inserted (Fig. 4), but without improvement. He therefore underwent jejunum resection and jejunostomy on 5 January 2010. The perioperative finding MCE was a large number of miliary nodes in the abdominal cavity (Figs 5,6). An adenocarcinoma was found in the serosa of resected specimen

(Fig. 7). Positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) was performed after the operation, and the accumulation of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) was not found besides small bowel. He was diagnosed with peritoneal dissemination of small intestinal cancer. As of May 2011, he continues to receive postoperative chemotherapy. Warren and Sommers reported the first case of CRC as a complication of CD in 1948,10 and Ide et al. reported the first case in Japan in 1971.11 Regarding site, the majority of cases of CRC complicating CD in Europe and America are reported on the right side,12 compared with on the left in Japan (right side 15, left side 66). Rectal/anal cancer was the most common, accounting for 51 cases (63%), and many cases showed a long-term course in which cancer occurred more than 10 years after the onset of CD (55%), although many cases were diagnosed at the same time as CD (25%). Regarding the time of diagnosis, 60% of cases were definitively diagnosed by preoperative biopsy, and 25% were diagnosed postoperatively.

2D) In addition, invasion of Huh7 cells through Matrigel was

2D). In addition, invasion of Huh7 cells through Matrigel was selleckchem increased in the presence of PTFs and was blocked when BrP-LPA was added. The invasive capability of Huh7 cells was enhanced in the presence of both PTFs and CAFs and was inhibited in the presence of BrP-LPA (Fig. 2E). Conversely, PLC/PRF/5 showed a poor invasive capacity through Matrigel in the presence of either PTFs or CAFs. Therefore, BrP-LPA did not display any effect on these cells (Fig. 2F). No toxicity effect was observed at used concentration on Huh7 cells, PLC/PRF/5 cells, PTFs, or CAFs as evaluated by MTT assay (Supporting Fig. 3). In conclusion, PTFs and CAFs increased the aggressive

phenotype in Huh7 cells but not in PLC/PRF/5 cells. To gain a better insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying the paracrine cross-talk between stromal and HCC cells, we studied

the paracrine action of LPA. We first measured the concentrations of secreted LPA in conditioned medium from PTFs and CAFs and in two different HCC cell lines (Huh7 and PLC/PRF/5). High levels of LPA were detected in Huh7 cells compared with PLC/PRF/5 cells, CAFs, and PTFs (P < 0.0001) (Fig. 3A). We then analyzed the messenger RNA (mRNA) expression levels of LPA receptors 1-5 in the same cells. We found that among the LPA receptors investigated, LPA www.selleckchem.com/products/Trichostatin-A.html receptor 1 was the most strongly expressed, being mainly expressed by CAFs and PTFs compared with Huh7 cells (Fig. 3B). In agreement with the

LPA levels, ATX expression levels were more abundant in Huh7 compared with PLC/PRF/5 cells, CAFs, and PTFs (P < 0.0001) (Supporting Fig. 4A). In conclusion, Huh7 cells produced LPA and ATX, whereas PLC/PRF/5cells, PTFs, and CAFs did not, and CAFs and PTFs only expressed LPA receptors. To investigate the functional role of PTFs or CAFs in the cross-talk between stromal and HCC cells, we challenged PTFs to migrate in the presence of Huh7- and PLC/PRF/5-conditioned medium (CM). In the presence of Huh7-CM, PTFs migrated efficiently to the same extent as in the presence of LPA. This effect was already evident after 上海皓元 12 hours but was stronger after 72 hours. BrP-LPA blocked this migration (Fig. 3C). On the contrary, no PTF migration was observed in the presence of PLC/PRF/5-CM. Therefore, BrP-LPA did not display any effect on this coculture, whereas the addition of LPA still promoted strong migration (Fig. 3D). Moreover, the number of α-SMA–positive cells was increased in PTFs migrating in the presence of Huh7-CM and LPA, but was strongly reduced by BrP-LPA (P < 0.05). This effect was particularly evident after 72 hours (Fig. 3E). On the contrary, the number of α-SMA–positive cells was not increased in PTFs migrating in the presence of PLC/PRF/5-CM, but was strongly increased when exogenous LPA was added (Fig. 3F). Similar results were obtained with Hep3B and HLE, LPA-producing and nonproducing, respectively, as shown in Supporting Fig. 5.

There is no firm evidence to support the use of PPI infusions out

There is no firm evidence to support the use of PPI infusions outside this indication and published guidelines vary in their advice. Aims: The aims of this study were to assess the prescribing practice of parenteral PPI’s for acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding (AUGB) in a large metropolitan healthcare network, and to identify factors that influence the decision to administer these drugs. Methods: Patients were identified from the Haematemesis & Melaena database maintained by the Eastern Health Gastroenterology Service from August 2013 to January 2014. Exclusion criteria were age <18 and diagnosis other than upper GI bleeding. Data was collated from review

of electronic patient records. Analysis of the data was performed using T-tests and Fisher’s Exact tests with p values <0.05 considered significant. Results: A total of 113 patients were included (mean 71 (95%CI 67.2–74.0) years, 39% female, GS-1101 molecular weight median post-endoscopy Rockall 4 (Table 1)). A PPI infusion Erlotinib cost was prescribed

in 86% (97/113) of patients, with 94% (91/97) receiving this prior to endoscopy. Fourteen patients (14.4%) prescribed a PPI infusion did not go on to endoscopy. Patients were more likely to receive a PPI infusion if their pre-endoscopic Rockall Score was >4 (43/45 vs. 48/68, P < 0.05). There was no relationship between haemoglobin <90 mg/L at presentation and the decision to commence IV PPI (48/64 vs. 43/49, P = 0.1) or between those who presented with coffee-ground vomiting and those 上海皓元 who presented with other features of acute bleeding (20/23 vs. 71/90, P = 0.56). A PPI infusion was started or continued in 56% (52/93) of patients who underwent endoscopy. Of these, only fourteen (27%) underwent EHT for peptic ulceration,

twenty-one (40%) underwent EHT for non-ulcer disease and seventeen (33%) had no EHT. Patients were more likely to have their PPI infusion continued if they had undergone EHT (35/39 v 17/54, P < 0.05) regardless of endoscopic findings. All patients who underwent EHT for peptic ulcer received a PPI infusion (14/14). Table 1: Summary of patient characteristics. Patient characteristics Mean (Range) Age 70.6 years (21–101) Hb at presentation 97.5 mg/L (39–184) Transfusion requirements 2.1 units (0–17) Time to first endoscopy 26.6 hours (0.8–260.5) Length of Stay (LOS) 6.6 day (1–30) Pre-endoscopic Rockall Score 3 (median) Post – endoscopic Rockall Score 4 (median) Conclusion: All patients in whom there was a clear indication received an IV PPI infusion, but a quarter of the prescribed infusions were deemed unnecessary and 1 in 10 infusions were prescribed to patients not requiring endoscopy. Moreover, the vast majority of infusions were commenced prior to endoscopy, a practice which is not supported by published guidelines.

Results— We enrolled 222 patients and 189 completed the post-fas

Results.— We enrolled 222 patients and 189 completed the post-fast questionnaire (87%). Etoricoxib reduced the incidence of “first of Ramadan” headache by 54% (46% in placebo group [n = 92] vs 21% [n = 96] in etoricoxib group) (P < .0001, OR 3.19 [95% CI 1.68-6.06]). For days 1-6, the mean number of headache days for the placebo group was 1.60 (n = 92) and for the treatment group the mean

was 0.86 (n = 99) headache days (P = .003). Median severity of headache in the treatment group was significantly lower. In the second week, there was no significant difference in incidence of headache between groups, and the www.selleckchem.com/products/midostaurin-pkc412.html incidence of headache in the placebo group dropped markedly over time. Conclusion.— Etoricoxib 90 mg taken prior to a 15-hour ritual fast decreases incidence of and attenuates headache during the first 5 days of the month of Ramadan. “
“This review was developed as part of a debate, and takes the “pro” stance that abnormalities of structures in the neck can be a significant source of headache. The argument for this is developed from a review of the medical literature, and

is made in 5 steps. It is clear that the cervical region contains many pain-sensitive structures, CCI-779 supplier and that these are prone to injury. The anatomical and physiological mechanisms are in place to allow referral of pain to the head including frontal head regions and even the orbit in patients with pain originating from many of these neck structures. Clinical studies have shown that pain from cervical spine structures can in fact be referred to the head. Finally, clinical treatment trials involving patients with proven painful disorders of upper cervical zygapophysial joints have shown significant headache relief with treatment directed at cervical pain generators. In conclusion, painful disorders of the neck can give rise to headache, and the challenge is to identify these patients and treat them successfully. “
“Objective.— To determine the yield of computed tomography (CT) scan of the brain

in the evaluation of patients presenting with headache at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH). Background.— Headache is a pain in the head or upper 上海皓元 neck. It is one of the most common locations of pain in the body that leads patients to see a physician. CT scan is invaluable as an imaging tool in assessment of intracranial lesions that may present with headache. Methods.— The records of all the patients referred from a variety of inpatient and outpatient settings to the radiology department of UPTH with the main complaint of headache for brain (CT) scan were identified. Data extracted include referral source, indication for CT, age, sex, presenting complaint, duration of headache, and CT findings. The data were analyzed using SPSS 14.0 statistical package. Results.— A total of 80 patients with chronic or recurrent headache met the selection criteria.

Methods— Male Wistar rats were divided into control and 5-HT-dep

Methods.— Male Wistar rats were divided into control and 5-HT-depleted groups. 5-HT was depleted by i.p. injection of parachlorophenylalanine (100 mg/kg). Three days after injection, a microelectrode

was inserted into the cerebral cortex for electrocorticograph recording and waves of cortical spreading depression (CSD) were triggered with KCl application. N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME; 10 mg/kg by i.v. injection) or saline was given after the second CSD wave. Following the experiment, the cerebral cortex and brain stem were removed for anti-neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) and anti-Fos immunohistochemistry. Results.— Relative to the control group, the 5-HT-depleted Navitoclax in vitro group exhibited a higher frequency of CSD waves, more nNOS-immunoreactive cells in both the cerebral cortex and brainstem

and more Fos-immunoreactive cells in the trigeminal nucleus caudalis (TNC). In the control group, L-NAME application led to Nutlin-3 chemical structure fewer nNOS-immunoreactive cells in the cerebral cortex and TNC, and fewer Fos-immunoreactive cells in the TNC; however, L-NAME was without effect on the CSD pattern. By contrast, in addition to decreased nNOS and Fos expression, L-NAME significantly reduced the frequency of CSD events in the 5-HT-depleted group. Conclusions.— Inhibition of NO production can counter both the cortical hyperexcitability and facilitation of trigeminal nociception that develop in the depleted 5-HT state. Therefore, NO is likely involved in the increase in both CSD events and CSD-evoked trigeminal nociception under decreased 5-HT conditions. “
“Optimizing patient satisfaction with their medical care and maximizing patient adherence with treatment plans requires an understanding of patient preferences regarding education and their role in decision making when treatments are prescribed. To assess the congruence between patient expectations and actual practice regarding

education and decision making at the time a triptan is prescribed. This multicenter cross-sectional survey was performed 上海皓元 by headache fellow members of the American Headache Society Headache Fellows Research Consortium at their respective tertiary care headache clinics. Migraine patients who were new patients to the headache clinic and who were current triptan users (use within prior 3 months and for ≥1 year) or past triptan users (no use within 6 months; prior use within 2 years) completed questionnaires that assessed the education they received and their role in decision making at the time a triptan was first prescribed as well as their desire for education and participation in decision making when a triptan is prescribed. Consistent with patient preference, most participants received the majority of their education about the triptan from the prescriber’s office (70.2%).

Conclusion:  Our results indicate that a special group of miRNAs

Conclusion:  Our results indicate that a special group of miRNAs may play an important role in human fetal liver development, while their

roles in the adult livers are limited. “
“Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a serious liver disease associated with obesity. Characterized by metabolic syndrome, hepatic steatosis, and liver inflammation, NASH is believed to be under the influence of the gut microflora. Here, the composition of gut bacterial communities of NASH, obese, and healthy children was determined by 16S ribosomal RNA pyrosequencing. In addition, check details peripheral blood ethanol was analyzed to monitor endogenous ethanol production of patients and healthy controls. UniFrac-based principle coordinates analysis indicated that most of the microbiome samples clustered by disease status. Each group was associated with a unique pattern of enterotypes. Differences were abundant at phylum, family, and genus levels between healthy subjects and obese patients (with or without NASH), and relatively fewer differences were observed between obese and the NASH microbiomes. Among those taxa with greater than 1% representation

in any of the disease groups, Proteobacteria, Enterobacteriaceae, and Escherichia were the only phylum, family and genus types exhibiting significant difference between obese and NASH microbiomes. Similar blood-ethanol concentrations were observed Ulixertinib manufacturer between healthy subjects and obese non-NASH patients, but NASH patients exhibited significantly elevated blood ethanol levels. Conclusions: The increased abundance of alcohol-producing bacteria in NASH microbiomes, elevated blood-ethanol concentration in NASH patients, and the well-established role of alcohol MCE公司 metabolism in oxidative stress and, consequently, liver inflammation suggest a role for alcohol-producing microbiota in the pathogenesis of NASH. We postulate that the distinct composition of the gut microbiome among NASH, obese, and healthy controls could offer a target for intervention or a marker for disease. (HEPATOLOGY 2013) Nonalcoholic fatty

liver disease (NAFLD), the hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome, is the most common cause of elevated liver enzymes in the United States.1 NAFLD with inflammation and fibrosis is known as nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) because it resembles alcoholic liver disease (ALD) without a history of alcohol ingestion.2 The incidence of NASH has been increasing over the past 20 years.3 In the United States, the current prevalence of NAFLD and NASH could be as high as 46% and 12%, respectively.4 Without an effective available treatment, the prognosis of NASH is not optimistic. NASH is responsible for approximately 10% of liver transplants in the United States and is projected to become the most common indication for liver transplantation in the near future.

SPECT imaging using 99mTc-labeled

cRGD as a radiotracer m

SPECT imaging using 99mTc-labeled

cRGD as a radiotracer may noninvasively distinguish different stages of liver fibrosis, which implicates a potential value in monitoring HSC activity by imaging hepatic integrin αvβ3 expression. Additional Supporting Information may be found in the online check details version of this article. “
“The incidence and prevalence of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), are lower in Asia than in the West. However, across Asia the incidence and prevalence of IBD has increased rapidly over the last two to four decades. These changes may relate to increased contact with the West, westernization of diet, increasing antibiotics use, improved hygiene, vaccinations, or changes in the gut microbiota. Genetic factors also differ between Asians and the Caucasians. In Asia, find more UC is more prevalent than CD, although CD incidence is rapidly increasing in certain areas. There is a male

predominance of CD in Asia, but a trend towards equal sex distribution for UC. IBD is diagnosed at a slightly older age than in the West, and there is rarely a second incidence peak as in the West. A positive family history is much less common than in the West, as are extra-intestinal disease manifestations. There are clear ethnic differences in incidence within countries in Asia, and an increased incidence in IBD in migrants from Asia to the West. Research in Asia, an area of rapidly changing IBD epidemiology, may lead to the discovery of critical etiologic factors that lead to the development of IBD. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), are chronic diseases related to a mucosal immune response to antigenic stimulation from the gut microbiota on a background of genetic susceptibility.1 Until two decades ago IBD was rare in Asia2 but recent population-based and referral centre cohorts have shown a rising incidence and prevalence of IBD in Asia.3,4 Despite increasing physician disease awareness and better access to health care and diagnostic facilities, this rise

likely reflects 上海皓元 a true increase in disease incidence throughout Asia.3 IBD is also increasingly common in Asian migrants to the West,5–7 with an incidence sometimes exceeding the local population, suggesting that environmental factors play a critical role in disease development. In Asia UC is more common than CD, much as it was in the mid 20th century when IBD became more common in developed countries.2,8–12 However, preliminary evidence suggests that over time CD may overtake UC in developing countries.13 Incidence data from Asian populations have been derived mostly from hospital-based cohorts with very few population-based studies, with the exceptions of population-based data from Japan and Korea.

SPECT imaging using 99mTc-labeled

cRGD as a radiotracer m

SPECT imaging using 99mTc-labeled

cRGD as a radiotracer may noninvasively distinguish different stages of liver fibrosis, which implicates a potential value in monitoring HSC activity by imaging hepatic integrin αvβ3 expression. Additional Supporting Information may be found in the online Galunisertib order version of this article. “
“The incidence and prevalence of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), are lower in Asia than in the West. However, across Asia the incidence and prevalence of IBD has increased rapidly over the last two to four decades. These changes may relate to increased contact with the West, westernization of diet, increasing antibiotics use, improved hygiene, vaccinations, or changes in the gut microbiota. Genetic factors also differ between Asians and the Caucasians. In Asia, Talazoparib molecular weight UC is more prevalent than CD, although CD incidence is rapidly increasing in certain areas. There is a male

predominance of CD in Asia, but a trend towards equal sex distribution for UC. IBD is diagnosed at a slightly older age than in the West, and there is rarely a second incidence peak as in the West. A positive family history is much less common than in the West, as are extra-intestinal disease manifestations. There are clear ethnic differences in incidence within countries in Asia, and an increased incidence in IBD in migrants from Asia to the West. Research in Asia, an area of rapidly changing IBD epidemiology, may lead to the discovery of critical etiologic factors that lead to the development of IBD. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), are chronic diseases related to a mucosal immune response to antigenic stimulation from the gut microbiota on a background of genetic susceptibility.1 Until two decades ago IBD was rare in Asia2 but recent population-based and referral centre cohorts have shown a rising incidence and prevalence of IBD in Asia.3,4 Despite increasing physician disease awareness and better access to health care and diagnostic facilities, this rise

likely reflects MCE a true increase in disease incidence throughout Asia.3 IBD is also increasingly common in Asian migrants to the West,5–7 with an incidence sometimes exceeding the local population, suggesting that environmental factors play a critical role in disease development. In Asia UC is more common than CD, much as it was in the mid 20th century when IBD became more common in developed countries.2,8–12 However, preliminary evidence suggests that over time CD may overtake UC in developing countries.13 Incidence data from Asian populations have been derived mostly from hospital-based cohorts with very few population-based studies, with the exceptions of population-based data from Japan and Korea.

Re-treatment is a particularly useful option for patients who ach

Re-treatment is a particularly useful option for patients who achieve early viral clearance during previous therapy. “
“Background and Aims:  Commercial plasma donation was introduced in China in the 1970s. Cases of non-A, non-B hepatitis (hepatitis C) continued to occur, with multiple Y-27632 concentration outbreaks among plasma donors in Guan county, Hebei province between 1972 and 1990. The outcomes of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in these paid plasma donors from six villages of Guan county were followed up for 12–19 years. Methods:  A total of 402 plasma donors with HCV infection were enrolled since anti-HCV-positive in 1991 or 1998. Follow up was maintained until

death or the end of the observation period. No

antiviral treatment was applied during the period of infection. Results:  Follow up was lost in 23 cases. After a 12–19-year follow up, 31 donors died, with the cause of death directly related to liver disease in 15 cases, and an overall mortality of 8.18% (31/379). The incidence of liver cirrhosis was 10.03%, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was 2.90%. The rate of viral spontaneous clearing was 20.32% (77/379), and 13.69% (23/168) in males and 25.59% selleck products (54/211) in females. In May 2010, detections were performed in 348 cases. Abnormality of liver function was related to HCV viremia. Sex and alcohol intake impacted the outcome of HCV 上海皓元 infection. There was no correlation between the viral spontaneous clearance with age of infection and genotype. Conclusions:  This area has a high rate of chronicity in HCV infection due to plasma donation. Twenty-five years after virus infection, liver cirrhosis or HCC developed in one-tenth of patients, with an overall mortality of 8.18%. “
“The presence of microvascular invasion (MVI) is an independent risk factor affecting recurrence-free survival following surgical treatment for small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Our aim in this study was to investigate whether

diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) could be useful in predicting MVI for small HCC. Breath-hold DWI (b-value 0, 500 s/mm2) and gadopentate dimeglumine-enhanced dynamic imaging of preoperative magnetic resonance imaging of 109 surgically proven small HCCs from 92 patients were retrospectively analyzed. The signal intensity ratio on DWI and apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs) for lesions were quantitatively measured. Signal intensity ratio and ADC of DWI, tumor size, tumor shape, tumor capsule, peritumoral enhancement on arterial phase images, and dynamic enhancement pattern were analyzed as radiological parameters reflecting MVI and were compared with histopathological references. The chi-square test, Fisher’s exact test, Mann–Whitney U test, and the independent t-test were used for univariate analysis.