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For high-performance spin injectors in silicon (Si)-based spintronic applications, we have explored the growth technique of quaternary Co-based Heusler-compound Co2FeSi0.5Al0.5 on Si(111) by using low-temperature molecular beam epitaxy (LTMBE). In our previous study, Al co-deposition induced an interfacial reaction between Co2FeSi1 − xAlx and Si. Here, we dramatically improve the Co2FeSi0.5Al0.5/Si heterostructures by introducing a nonstoichiometric LTMBE technique. Atomically smooth Co2FeSi0.5Al0.5/Si heterointerfaces and L21-ordered Co2FeSi0.5Al0.5 films are simultaneously achieved. Even in as-grown conditions, the magnetic properties of the Co2FeSi0.5Al0.5 layers are nearly equivalent to those of the heat-treated ones reported on MgO. This study gives important knowledge to realize the optimized highly spin-polarized ferromagnet/Si heterointerfaces for next-generation Si-based spintronic devices.

The stability of hierarchical triple system is studied in the case of an extrasolar planet or a brown dwarf orbiting a pair of main sequence stars. The evolution of triple system is well modelled by random walk (RW) diffusion, particularly in the cases where the third body is small and tracing an orbit with a large eccentricity. A RW model neglects the fact that there are many periodic orbits accompanied by stability islands, and hence inherently overestimates the instability of the system. The present work is motivated by the hope to clarify how far the RW model is applicable. Escape time and the surface section technique are used to analyse the outcome of numerical integrations. The analysis shows that the RW-like model explains escape of the third body if the initial configuration is directly outside of the KAM tori. A small gap exists in (q 2/a 1, e 2)-plane between locations of the stability limit curves based on our numerical study and on RW-model (the former is shifted by –1.4 in q 2/a 1 direction from the latter).

CO–NO–O 2 reaction over Pd supported on barium fixed alumina (Pd/Ba/Al) and ceria–zirconia mixed oxide (Pd/Ba/CZ) catalysts was investigated by XPS, TPR and in situ DRIFT during light-off under a stoichiometric condition. The activity of Pd supported on barium fixed alumina catalysts for CO oxidation as well as NO reduction was improved by increasing the amount of barium loading. In contrast, Ba addition decreased the activity of Pd on ceria–zirconia mixed oxide for CO oxidation, while it had little effect on NO reduction. Enhancement of CO oxidation on Pd/CZ is caused by the activated oxygen supplied from ceria–zirconia mixed oxide to Pd particles. The decrease of the activity for CO oxidation on Pd/Ba/CZ is derived from the reduced supply of the activated oxygen. On the other hand, NO reduction is independent of barium addition for CZ, indicating that the desorption and/or dissociation of NO is not affected by the activated oxygen supplied from CZ under stoichiometric CO–NO–O 2 reaction conditions.

CO oxidation over Pd supported on barium fixed alumina (Pd/Ba/Al) and ceria–zirconia mixed oxide (Pd/Ba/CZ) catalysts was investigated by XPS, TPR and in situ DRIFT during light-off using a stoichiometric CO–O 2 mixture. The activity of Pd supported on alumina catalyst was improved by increasing barium loading, but the negative effect was observed for Pd on ceria–zirconia mixed oxide. The role of barium in improving the activity of CO oxidation is considered to weaken the adsorption strength of CO on palladium supported on alumina. On the other hand, barium suppresses the interaction of Pd particles with ceria–zirconia mixed oxide support.

To study the correlation between fragment mass distributions and shell structures of fission fragments, fragment mass and energy distributions in proton-induced fission of 232Th and uranium isotopes, 233,235,238U, were precisely measured using a double-TOF method. It was found that the lighter side of the heavier wing of asymmetric mass distributions shifts to larger fragment mass number corresponding to the N/Z value of the fissioning nucleus. The results are explained qualitatively by the change of the most probable mass number of fission fragments of Z = 50 proton-shell.

It has been shown that a sub-class of two-degrees of freedom Hamiltonian systems possesses a reversing symmetry discovered by Birkhoff in the restricted problem of three bodies. This mixed space-time reversing symmetry, which is different from the classical time reversal symmetry, can be shared by time-reversible as well as time-irreversible systems. Examples of time-irreversible systems which possess this reversing symmetry are the restricted problem of three bodies as shown by Birkhoff in 1915, and a special case of the motion of a rigid body with a fixed point discussed in this paper. If a Hamiltonian system possesses this Birkhoff reversing symmetry, then there exists a surface of section for which the corresponding Poincare map is Birkhoff-reversible. The Birkhoff-reversibility of this map may be used to study its global dynamics such as the locations and the distribution of the stable and unstable periodic points, the distribution of stable and chaotic regions, and the identification of the scattering regions. (c) 2002 American Institute of Physics.

Background and study aims A retrospective epidemiological investigation has demonstrated that alcohol abuse is a major risk factor for esophageal cancer. However, prospective endoscopic screening for early detection in heavy drinkers is not available at present. Patients and methods A prospective study was conducted that included 255 alcoholics (aged 52 +/- 9 years). The patients were consecutively screened using esophagoscopy with iodine staining and targeted biopsy. The study also explored whether there was a relationship between the amount of alcohol intake and the detection rate of esophageal cancer. Results Unstained lesions (larger than 5 mm) were observed on the esophageal wall in 55 patients (21.6%). Ten patients (3.9%) with 13 lesions were found to have esophageal cancer of the superficial type, with no symptoms. Cancer invasion was confined to the epithelium in three patients, to the lamina propria in seven, and to the submucosa in three. There was a direct relationship between substantial alcohol intake and the presence of esophageal cancer. Conclusion Screening esophagoscopy with iodine staining is very advantageous in detecting esophageal cancer at an early stage.

Using low-temperature molecular beam epitaxy, we experimentally examine the substitutions of Fe atoms for Co ones in Co${}_{3\ensuremath{-}x}$Fe${}_{x}$Si ($1.0\ensuremath{\le}x\ensuremath{\le}3.0$) Heusler-compound films grown on Si and Ge. The Co-Fe atomic substitution at $A$ and $C$ sites can be confirmed by the conversion electron M\"ossbauer spectroscopy measurements. The magnetic moment and the magnitude of spin signals in nonlocal spin-valve measurements are systematically changed with increasing $x$ in Co${}_{3\ensuremath{-}x}$Fe${}_{x}$Si. By assuming proper spin diffusion length for Co${}_{3\ensuremath{-}x}$Fe${}_{x}$Si on the basis of our previous work [Phys. Rev. B 85, 100404(R) (2012)], we experimentally verify that the Co-Fe substitution in Co${}_{3\ensuremath{-}x}$Fe${}_{x}$Si can directly affect the room-temperature spin polarization.

We study magnetic properties of metallic multilayers with FeRh/ferromagnet interfaces grown by low-temperature molecular beam epitaxy. Room-temperature coercivity of the ferromagnetic layers is significantly enhanced after the growth of FeRh, proving the existence of the exchange coupling between the antiferromagnetic FeRh layer and the ferromagnetic layer. However, exchange bias is not clearly observed probably due to the presence of disordered structures, which result from the lattice strain at the FeRh/ferromagnet interfaces due to the lattice mismatch. We infer that the lattice matched interface between FeRh and ferromagnetic layers is a key parameter for controlling magnetic switching fields in such multilayer systems.

We demonstrate high-quality epitaxial germanium (Ge) films on a metallic silicide, Fe3Si, grown directly on a Ge(111) substrate. Using molecular beam epitaxy techniques, we can obtain an artificially controlled arrangement of silicon (Si) or iron (Fe) atoms at the surface on Fe3Si(111). The Si-terminated Fe3Si(111) surface enables us to grow two-dimensional epitaxial Ge films, whereas the Fe-terminated one causes the three-dimensional epitaxial growth of Ge films. The high-quality Ge grown on the Si-terminated surface has almost no strain, meaning that the Ge films are not grown on the low-temperature-grown Si buffer layer but on the lattice matched metallic Fe3Si. This study will open a new way for vertical-type Ge-channel transistors with metallic source/drain contacts., Comment: 5 figures

The main aims of this study were to analyze the significance of serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma, and the effect of transcatheter arterial embolization treatment on the production of VEGF. Serum VEGF levels in hepatocellular carcinoma were significantly higher than in liver cirrhosis (P

The structure of the totality of orbits starting at the Hill surface is investigated numerically and systematically in the framework of the planar-restricted three-body problem. We have obtained the following results. (1) The qualitative features of the totality of orbits at the Hill surface are clarified. (2) A general formula for the collisional probability as a function of the mass ratio μ, radius R , and Jacobi constant C is obtained for μ ≤ 10 −4 , 2 × 10 −5 ≤ R −4 , and the range of C corresponding to Γ ≤ 2, where Γ is the Jacobi constant for the Hill problem of the restricted three-body problem. The collisional probability is also given as a function of the velocity at the Hill surface. (3) The relative collisional probability as a function of ( a , e ) is obtained for 0.86 ≤ a ≤ 1.14 and 0.0 ≤ e ≤ 0.1.

The effect of sofalcone on the glandular structure and cell proliferation in the gastric mucosa of rats with gastritis induced by the administration of sodium taurocholate (TCA) for 6 months was examined by histoquantitative analysis and [3H]thymidine autoradiography. Morphometric observation revealed that, with TCA treatment, mucosal thickness, parietal cell mass, and the ratios of the length of the glandular portion/total length of the gastric gland were decreased in both the fundic and pyloric glands. Inflammatory cell infiltration and collagenous fiber proliferation were present in the gastric mucosa following TCA and indicated the presence of atrophic gastritis. These atrophic changes and inflammatory cell infiltration were reversed by a 3 week administration of sofalcone. Cellular proliferative activity assessed by the labeling indices of the gastric mucosa increased in TCA-induced gastritis in rats. The administration of sofalcone to rats with TCA-induced gastritis significantly increased labeling indices, particularly in the pyloric glands. From these results, it appears that sofalcone stimulates the compensatory increase in proliferative activity of generative cells, which then may become available to heal the gastritis.

The electronic structure of diluted magnetic semiconductors is studied, especially focusing on the hole character. The Haldane-Anderson model is extend to a magnetic impurity, and is analyzed in the Hartree-Fock approximation. Due to the strong hybridization of an impurity d-states with host p-states, it is shown that holes are created in the valence band, at the same time the localized magnetic moments are formed. These holes are weakly bound around the impurity site with the characteristic length of several lattice constants. For the case of the two impurities, it is found that when the separation of two impurities is of the order of the length of holes, the overlap of these holes favors the ferromagnetic interaction. The spatially extended holes play an essential role for the ferromagnetic exchange interaction., Comment: 3 figures

Solid-state qubits have the potential for the large-scale integration and for the flexibility of layout for quantum computing. However, their short decoherence time due to the coupling to the environment remains an important problem to be overcome. We propose a new superconducting qubit which incorporates a spin-electronic device: the qubit consists of a superconducting ring with a ferromagnetic pi junction which has a metallic contact and a normal Josephson junction with an insulating barrier. Thus, a quantum coherent two-level state is formed without an external magnetic field. This feature and the simple structure of the qubit make it possible to reduce its size leading to a long decoherence time., 4 pages, 3 figures

The obstacle warning avoidance function of the Japanese CELRAP laser radar system is verified based on the return signal measurements using wires as targets under various conditions. The system applicability for the function is successfully confirmed.

The Japanese system fabricated and being tested under the US-Japan Cooperative Eyesafe Laser Radar Project (CELRAP) between the US Army and Japan Defense Agency is summarized. Some technologies obtained and system performance measured are presented.

We study high-quality Co2FeSi1−xAlx Heusler compound/Si (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) heterointerfaces for silicon (Si)-based spintronic applications. In thermal treatment conditions, the magnetic and structural stabilities of the Co2FeSi1−xAlx/Si heterointerfaces are improved with increasing x in Co2FeSi1−xAlx. Compared with L21-ordered Co2FeSi/Si, B2-ordered Co2FeAl/Si can suppress the diffusion of Si atoms into the Heusler-compound structure. This experimental study will provide an important knowledge for applications in Si-based spin transistors with metallic source/drain contacts.

Interferon(IFN) is an essential component of the treatment of chronic HCV infection and at present, it is the most important to improve its efficacy, not only for HCV chronic liver diseases, but also for the prevention of HCV-associated hepatocellular carcinoma. Two long-acting IFN preparations(PEG-IFN alpha 2a and 2b) have been used at present and clinical studies have shown that sustained virologic, biochemical and histological responder rates are significantly higher in PEG-IFN-treated patients with HCV associated chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis comparing with ones treated with conventional IFN. In addition, PEG-IFN treatment in combination with ribavirin seems to be the best for HCV-associated chronic liver diseases.

Pulmonary metastasis is frequently seen in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. However, information is limited concerning life-threatening complications and effective treatment of pulmonary metastasis because of the poor prognosis of patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. Recent remarkable progress in detection and treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma has improved prognosis, making management of pulmonary metastasis an important clinical issue. We describe a 68-year-old man with pulmonary metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma and sudden onset of hemoptysis from bronchial invasion. Transcatheter embolization was performed successfully via the bronchial artery with disappearance of bloody sputum. Peribronchial pulmonary metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma can cause life-threatening hemoptysis. Transcatheter arterial embolization may be one of therapeutics for hemoptysis from invasive pulmonary metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Using room-temperature molecular beam epitaxy on Si(111), we demonstrate Heusler-alloy bilayers consisting of L21-Co2FeSi (CFS) and D03-Fe3Si (FS). By fabricating lateral spin valves with L21-CFS and D03-FS electrodes, we can see ideal spin signals even though we use one L21-CFS as a spin injector and another D03-FS as a spin detector. The difference in the spin absorption between L21-CFS and D03-FS can also be examined, and we find that the spin resistance of D03-FS is larger than that of L21-CFS. This work will be useful for understanding spin transport in lateral spin-valve devices with different Heusler-alloy electrodes.

To identify injured cells in the liver of patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) and to determine the effects of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) on these cells, we examined the cellular expression of heat shock proteins (HSPs) in PBC both before and after treatment with UDCA.Expression of HSP70 and ubiquitin in PBC livers (n=34) was evaluated immunohistochemically as well as by immunoblot analysis, and compared with chronic viral hepatitis type C (n= 9), primary sclerosing cholangitis (n=8), and controls (n=7).Immunoblot analysis demonstrated a marked expression of HSP70 and ubiquitin in PBC. Immunohistochemical staining for both HSP70 and ubiquitin was observed to be strong in biliary epithelial cells (BECs) and moderate in both hepatocytes and arteries in PBC. Cellular labelling rates for HSP70 and ubiquitin of bile ducts in PBC were significantly higher (p0.01) than those in chronic viral hepatitis type C, primary sclerosing cholangitis, or controls. The labelling rates for HSP70 and ubiquitin in bile ducts and in hepatocytes were significantly decreased (p0.01) after treatment with UDCA in PBC.The present data suggest that BECs and hepatocytes significantly express HSPs even in the early stages of PBC, and that UDCA treatment significantly improves their condition. The immunohistochemical evaluation of HSPs is a valid and sensitive means to identify injured cells in PBC.

Hepatocellular carcinoma occurs in patients with Budd-Chiari syndrome. However, the etiology of hepatocellular carcinoma accompanied with Budd-Chiari syndrome has not been elucidated. We report a case of Budd-Chiari syndrome with membranous obstruction of the inferior vena cava complicated by hepatocellular carcinoma in an 80 year-old man. There was no evidence of co-infection with hepatitis A, B, C, D, E, and G virus. Histologically, the non-cancerous liver tissue showed chronic venous congestion with no evidence of hepatitis virus-associated liver cirrhosis. This case suggests that chronic venous congestion of the liver may be one of the pathologic conditions that occurs in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (arterial infusion) has been clinically established as a qualitative diagnosis imaging tool for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) was performed after of Albunex (sonicated serum albumin) or Carbon Dioxide (CO2) microbubble by hand, into the hepatic artery as a diagnostic modality for the early HCC. Here, we discussed the diagnosis of the early HCC by CEUS using Albunex as a contrast medium. Briefly, a diagnosis of the early HCC was made CEUS examination of the hemodynamics of the arteries showed a hypovascular pattern. And tumor size was under 20 mm in diameter, the histopathologic examination was essential to reach a final diagnosis, well-differentiated HCC.

The clinical significance of circulating vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in patients with various liver diseases was investigated. Twenty-one patients with acute hepatitis (AH), 40 with chronic hepatitis (CH), 34 with cirrhosis (LC), 16 with fulminant hepatitis (FH), 10 with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), 12 with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), and 120 healthy individuals were included. Serum VEGF levels were measured by a chemiluminescence enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The mean values of serum VEGF levels in the patients with AH, CH, LC, FH, AIH, PBC, and control were 172.7, 58.0, 44.1, 37.3, 49.7, 74.9, and 65.0 pg/ml, respectively. The patients with AH had a level of serum VEGF significantly higher than that of the control group (P0.001). The serum VEGF levels in survivors of FH were significantly increased, but not in the nonsurvivors in the recovery phase compared with the levels on admission (P0.05). In the LC patients, serum VEGF levels were significantly lower than those of the control group (P0.05). These findings suggest that serum VEGF level may be associated with hepatocyte regeneration grade.

To determine whether the initial response to interferon (IFN) therapy predicts the long-term response, monitoring of HCV RNA level in the early phase of IFN therapy was performed.Sixty-seven patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection were investigated. Patients received 6 MU of human lymphoblastoid IFN daily for 2 weeks and then three times weekly for 22 weeks (total dose; 480 U). These were 34 complete responders (CR) and 33 non-responders (NR). Serum levels of HCV RNA were assayed before therapy and at weeks 1 and 2, using the AMPLICOR HCV Monitor kit.Serum levels of HCV RNA were below the detection limit in 33 (97.1%) of 34 CR compared with 13 (39.4%) of 33 NR at week 1, and in 100% of CR compared with 17 (51.5%) of NR at week 2 (PP0.05). These observations were independent with viral genotypes.A complete response to IFN therapy results primarily from a rapid decrease in the serum levels of HCV RNA and a further decrease to below the detection limit by week 2 of the therapy. In spite of a viral genotype, early monitoring of serum levels of HCV RNA during IFN therapy are predictive of a subsequent long-term response to IFN in patients with chronic HCV infection.

Endoscopic variceal ligation therapy (EVL) seems to be a more effective and safer method than endoscopic injection variceal sclerotherapy (EVS) for treating bleeding esophageal varices. However, EVL may entail a higher recurrence rate than EVS. The aim of this study was to examine whether EVL combined with low-dose EVS reduced the recurrence rate compared to treatment with EVL alone and reduced the complication rate compared to treatment with EVS alone. In this prospective study, 59 patients with cirrhosis and high-risk (F2 or F3, red color sign ++ or ) esophageal varices were enrolled. They were randomly assigned to an EVS group (n = 18), an EVL group (n = 20), and a combination EVL plus low-dose EVS group (n = 21). After the eradication of varices, follow-up endoscopic examinations were carried out for 24 months to determine the recurrence of varices. Complications, e.g., severe dysphagia, fever, renal dysfunction and pleuritis were also evaluated. The recurrence-free rate was significantly lower in the EVL group (60% at 24 months) than in either the EVS group (90%, P0.05) or the combination group (88%, P0.05). However, no significant difference was found between the EVS group and the combination group. The complication rate was significantly higher in the EVS group (50%) than in either the EVL group (5%, P0.01) or the combination group (10%, P0.01). The combination therapy seems to be useful to improve the benefits achieved with EVL alone and to reduce the harmful effects induced by EVS alone. EVL plus low-volume EVS is advisable in the treatment of high-risk esophageal varices.

It remains unclear whether glucagon is a localized splanchnic arterial vasodilator in humans. This study examined this issue by assessing the haemodynamic effect of exogenous glucagon on splanchnic and extrasplanchnic arteries.After an overnight fast, flow velocity of superior mesenteric artery and femoral artery was recorded by means of echo-Doppler in 10 controls and 10 patients with cirrhosis. Mean arterial pressure, heart rate and plasma glucagon level were also determined. These measurements were repeated after intramuscular injection of glucagon (1 mg) at 15 min and 30 min.Patients with cirrhosis had much higher glucagon levels than controls (P0.01). Plasma glucagon level rose following glucagon administration in controls (P0.01) and patients with cirrhosis (P0.01). Glucagon administration had no effect on mean arterial pressure, heart rate and femoral artery velocity in controls and patients with cirrhosis. In contrast, superior mesenteric artery velocity significantly increased after glucagon administration in both groups (P0.01, P0.01), although the effect was less pronounced in patients with cirrhosis than in controls (P0.05).These data suggest that glucagon might be a localized splanchnic arterial vasodilator. Thus, glucagon may be one of the factors contributing to the pathogenesis of the splanchnic hyperdynamic circulation seen in patients with cirrhosis.

A component of fungus Thielavia minor, OPC-15161, has been shown to inhibit the proliferation and extracellular matrix production of extracellular matrix-producing mesangial cells in the kidney in vivo. In this study, we examined the effects of OPC-15161 on the proliferation and extracellular matrix production of rat cultured hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). To determine the effect of OPC-15161 on proliferation of HSCs, the cell number and the uptake of [3H]thymidine were investigated in the presence and absence of interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta). IL-1beta significantly increased the uptake of [3H]thymidine in the HSCs, and the addition of OPC-15161 inhibited the uptake in a dose-dependent manner. The cell number of HSCs was also increased by IL-1beta, which was inhibited by OPC-15161. Production of extracellular matrix by OPC-15161 was studied by the production of [3H]-hydroxyproline in the presence and absence of transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1). TGF-beta1 significantly increased the production of [3H]-hydroxyproline in the cells, whereas the addition of OPC-15161 inhibited this effect dose dependently. We also investigated the effects of OPC-15161 on Ca2+ mobilization and measured D-myo-inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate (IP3) in the HSCs. IL-1beta induced the increase of intracellular Ca2+ and IP3 concentrations in the HSCs, which were decreased by OPC-15161. Based on these results, we conclude that OPC-1 5161 inhibited the proliferation and production of hydroxyproline in cultured rat HSCs, and thus, it may have a role in prevention of liver fibrosis in vivo.

There is as yet no explanation for the increased serum IgM level observed in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis.The serum IgM class anti-lipid A antibody was determined in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis using Elisa and Western blot techniques.Using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, we found the concentration of serum IgM class anti-lipid A antibody was the highest in 21 patients with PBC as compared to 29 patients with other liver diseases and 19 controls. Using western blotting, IgM class anti-lipid A antibody was detected as a clear band in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis. The level of this antibody correlated significantly (p0.005) with that of total IgM. Treatment with ursodeoxycholic acid improved not only the routine biochemical profile but also the level of IgM class anti-lipid A antibody (p0.005).Since the lipid A plays a primary role in the biological activities of lipopolysaccharide (a component of gram-negative bacteria), bacterial antigen may participate in the elevation of serum IgM levels in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis. Ursodeoxycholic acid treatment may improve the cholestasis, and this may have altered the response to stimulation by gut derived bacterial antigens.

A 68-year-old male was admitted to our hospital because of fever and a 2-week history of inguinal adenomegaly. Since he owned a cat, cat scratch disease was suspected. But it was necessary to distinguish cat scratch disease from lymphoma type adult T-cell leukemia because he showed a high level of antibody against HTLV-1. An excisional biopsy of the inguinal node was performed. Histopathologic examination revealed abscess-forming granulomatous lymphadenitis compatible with cat scratch disease. A Warthin-Starry silver stain showed pleomorphic bacilli in the lymph node. So we confirmed a serological response to Bartonella henselae, the causative agent of cat scratch disease, using enzyme immunoassay (EIA). The IgG antibody level to B. henselae was positive at 42 EIA Unit before treatment. After treatment with intravenous cefepime and oral tosufloxacin, his physical symptoms improved and the antibody level decreased to less than 12 EIA Unit. EIA was very useful for diagnosis of this case. Serology to B. henselae may replace traditional diagnostic criteria for cat scratch disease.

This study was designed to characterize the splanchnic hemodynamic pattern and liver function in patients with cirrhosis and esophageal or gastric varices.Forty control subjects and 112 patients with cirrhosis were studied. Portal inflow (the sum of superior mesenteric arterial and splenic arterial flows), portal venous flow, and collateral flow (the difference between portal inflow and portal venous flow) were measured using duplex ultrasonography. Endoscopic examination showed that 45 patients had no varices or small esophageal or gastric varices, 49 had large esophageal varices, and 18 had large gastric varices. Liver function was assessed by Pugh-Child score.Portal inflow was significantly greater in patients with large esophageal varices or large gastric varices than in control subjects and patients with no varices or small esophageal or gastric varices. Portal venous flow was significantly lower in patients with large gastric varices than in the other three groups. Collateral flow was significantly greater in patients with large gastric varices than in patients with large esophageal varices. The Pugh-Child score was significantly higher in patients with large gastric varices than in patients with large esophageal varices. The Pugh-Child score was also inversely correlated with portal venous flow (r = -0.35, p0.01) and directly correlated with collateral flow (r = 0.59, p0.01).Both patients with esophageal varices and those with gastric varices have increased portal inflow. However, patients with gastric varices, in contrast to patients with esophageal varices, have a reduced portal venous flow associated with an increased collateral flow. Such a portal outflow pattern may contribute to the worse liver function seen in patients with gastric varices.

We examined the usefulness of imaging portosystemic collaterals accompanying liver cirrhosis by magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), which facilitates imaging of the vascular system without contrast medium.MRA was performed in 30 patients with liver cirrhosis. Of the 30 patients, percutaneous transhepatic portography (PTP) was performed in 10 patients, and conventional arterial portography (CAP) was performed in 20 patients. The three-dimensional (3D) phase contrast method was used for MRA. Study 1: The ability to image portosystemic collaterals was compared between PTP or CAP and MRA. Study 2: The usefulness of MRA for evaluating the effect of treatment on gastric and esophageal varices was examined.Study 1: In comparing PTP and MRA (n = 10), the left gastric vein (n = 10), splenorenal (gastrorenal) shunt (n = 5), and paraumbilical vein (n = 2) were imaged similarly. However, MRA did not reveal any esophageal varices (n = 10). In comparing CAP and MRA (n = 20), the left gastric vein (n = 17), splenorenal (gastrorenal) shunt (n = 10), and paraumbilical vein (n = 4) were imaged similarly. Whereas CAP revealed esophageal varices (n = 4) in four patients, MRA revealed esophageal varices in only one patient. Study 2: When the effect of treatment for varices was evaluated, MRA 3 wk after embolization therapy for gastric varices (n = 4) confirmed the disappearance of gastrorenal shunt. However, it was impossible to evaluate esophageal varices by MRA.It was possible to image portosystemic collaterals accompanying liver cirrhosis by MRA. MRA was useful as a routine examination. Furthermore, it was useful for evaluating the effect of embolization therapy on gastric varices.