Magnetism and Superconductivity in (RE)Ni2B2C: The Case of TmNi2B2C

The recently reported coexistence of an oscillatory magnetic order with the wave vector Q=0.241 \AA^{-1} and superconductivity in TmNi2B2C is analyzed theoretically. It is shown that the oscillatory magnetic order and superconductivity interact predominantly via the exchange interaction between localized moments (LM's) and conduction electrons, while the electromagnetic interaction between them is negligible. In the coexistence phase of the clean TmNi2B2C the quasiparticle spectrum should have a line of zeros at the Fermi surface, giving rise to the power law behavior of thermodynamic and transport properties. Two scenarios of the origin of the oscillatory magnetic order in TmNi2B2C are analyzed: a) due to superconductivity and b) independently on superconductivity. Experiments in magnetic field are proposed in order to choose between them.Comment: 12 pages with 2 PS figures, RevTe

A nationwide analysis of hormonal contraception, sterilisation surgeries and reversal practices amongst Australian men and women from 2001 to 2021

Family planning falls within the spectrum of care within our medical society. We sought to illustrate changes in contraceptive methods over time and evaluate tubal ligation and vasectomy reversal practices in Australia. Yearly data from 2000 to 2021 was extracted from 3 databases: Pharmaceutical Benefits Schedule, Medicare Benefit schedule and Australian Institute of Health and Welfare databases. Population adjusted rates of procedures and medical therapies were calculated using data from Australian Bureau of statistics. Use of Long acting reversible contraception (LARC) has increased by 34.1% from 2001 to 2021, with Mirena being the preferred contraception. The peak age group for tubal ligation during caesarean section was those >35-year-old (64.7%) whereas vasectomy more commonly performed in men aged 35–44. There was a 21.6% decrease in the number of vasectomies over time from 2000–2020. Female surgical sterilisation:vasectomy ratio shows tubal ligation was twice more common than vasectomy. Both macro/microsurgical anastomosis of the vas deferences were conducted: vasovasostomy (VV) and vasoepididymostomy (VE). There was a preponderance in the use of microsurgical approach for VV. Reversal mostly common occurred in those aged 40–44 at 29%. Overall, the rate of vasectomy is continuously falling over time whilst there is a steady incline in the use of LARC from 2020–2021. Both vasovasostomy and vasoepididymostomy reconstruction are practised. Although definitive conclusion from the literature lags, “real-world” trend indicate that micro-surgically conducted vasovasostomy might be the better surgical technique for desired patient outcomes

Mediastinal Single Nodal Relapse of a Nasal Nk/T cell Lymphoma

A nasal NK/T cell lymphoma is a very aggressive form of lymphoma. Patterns of relapse after treatment have not been systematically evaluated, and mediastinal nodal relapse at a primary site has never been documented. We describe here a 40-year old man who presented with a nasal obstruction caused by a protruding mass that was identified as a nasal NK/T cell lymphoma. The initial work-up, including chest and abdominopelvic computed tomography (CT) and positron emission tomography (PET), showed no regional or distant metastasis. A CT scan performed following three cycles of chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisolone (CHOP) showed that the mass had nearly disappeared. Radiation therapy undertaken following chemotherapy was given to the primary site. However, PET performed following radiotherapy revealed a single mediastinal lymphadenopathy, with no evidence of residual tumor in the nasal cavity. A biopsy using video-assisted thoracoscopy (VATS) showed the presence of a recurrent NK/T cell lymphoma with an immunophenotype identical to that of the primary nasal lymphoma. An additional three cycles of CHOP chemotherapy were administered, and the patient remains alive, with no evidence of disease 30 months after the initial relapse. These findings indicate that early detection with PET and prompt surgical excision with the use of VATS can lead to successful treatment of a relapsed nasal NK/T cell lymphoma

X-ray Astronomy in the Laboratory with a Miniature Compact Object Produced by Laser-Driven Implosion

Laboratory spectroscopy of non-thermal equilibrium plasmas photoionized by intense radiation is a key to understanding compact objects, such as black holes, based on astronomical observations. This paper describes an experiment to study photoionizing plasmas in laboratory under well-defined and genuine conditions. Photoionized plasma is here generated using a 0.5-keV Planckian x-ray source created by means of a laser-driven implosion. The measured x-ray spectrum from the photoionized silicon plasma resembles those observed from the binary stars Cygnus X-3 and Vela X-1 with the Chandra x-ray satellite. This demonstrates that an extreme radiation field was produced in the laboratory, however, the theoretical interpretation of the laboratory spectrum significantly contradicts the generally accepted explanations in x-ray astronomy. This model experiment offers a novel test bed for validation and verification of computational codes used in x-ray astronomy.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures are included. This is the original submitted version of the manuscript to be published in Nature Physic

Forensic pregnancy diagnostics with placental mRNA markers

Current methods for pregnancy diagnostics are based on immunodetection of pregnancy-specific proteins and in a forensic context suffer from sensitivity and specificity issues. Here, we applied reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technology to 11 genes previously reported with placental mRNA circulating in maternal blood. We found two genes, hPL and βhCG, with pregnancy-specific expression in whole blood samples. RT-PCR detection of hPL was positive in all samples tested throughout the pregnancy, whereas βhCG was detectable until half of the second trimester but not at later gestation ages. For hPL, in vitro stability of the transcript was demonstrated until 2 months of age, and the hPL-specific RT-PCR assay applied was highly sensitive with reliable detection from down to 0.25 cm2 dried bloodstain. We therefore suggest hPL-specific RT-PCR as a new molecular tool for forensic pregnancy diagnostics from dried blood stains. Moreover, our results indicate that the time-wise reverse expression of hPL and βhCG during pregnancy may allow an RT-PCR-based estimation of the gestational age from blood stains, adding to the value of forensic pregnancy diagnosis for crime scene investigations

Recruitment of MBD1 to target genes requires sequence-specific interaction of the MBD domain with methylated DNA

MBD1, a member of the methyl-CpG-binding domain family of proteins, has been reported to repress transcription of methylated and unmethylated promoters. As some MBD1 isoforms contain two DNA-binding domains—an MBD, which recognizes methylated DNA; and a CXXC3 zinc finger, which binds unmethylated CpG—it is unclear whether these two domains function independently of each other or if they cooperate in facilitating recruitment of MBD1 to particular genomic loci. In this report we investigate DNA-binding specificity of MBD and CXXC3 domains in vitro and in vivo. We find that the methyl-CpG-binding domain of MBD1 binds more efficiently to methylated DNA within a specific sequence context. We identify genes that are targeted by MBD1 in human cells and demonstrate that a functional MBD domain is necessary and sufficient for recruitment of MBD1 to specific sites at these loci, while DNA binding by the CXXC3 motif is largely dispensable. In summary, the binding preferences of MBD1, although dependent upon the presence of methylated DNA, are clearly distinct from those of other methyl-CpG-binding proteins, MBD2 and MeCP2

Transcriptional Repressive H3K9 and H3K27 Methylations Contribute to DNMT1-Mediated DNA Methylation Recovery

DNA methylation and histone modifications are two major epigenetic events regulating gene expression and chromatin structure, and their alterations are linked to human carcinogenesis. DNA methylation plays an important role in tumor suppressor gene inactivation, and can be revised by DNA methylation inhibitors. The reversible nature of DNA methylation forms the basis of epigenetic cancer therapy. However, it has been reported that DNA re-methylation and gene re-silencing could occur after removal of demethylation treatment and this may significantly hamper the therapeutic value of DNA methylation inhibitors. In this study we have provided detailed evidence demonstrating that mammalian cells possess a bona fide DNA methylation recovery system. We have also shown that DNA methylation recovery was mediated by the major human DNA methyltransferase, DNMT1. In addition, we found that H3K9-tri-methylation and H3K27-tri-methylation were closely associated with this DNA methylation recovery. These persistent transcriptional repressive histone modifications may have a crucial role in regulating DNMT1-mediated DNA methylation recovery. Our findings may have important implications towards a better understanding of epigenetic regulation and future development of epigenetic therapeutic intervention