Observation of a Liquid-Gas-Type Transition in the Pyrochlore Spin Ice Compound Dy2Ti2O7 in a Magnetic Field

Low temperature magnetization measurements on the pyrochlore spin ice compound Dy2Ti2O7 reveal that the ice-rule breaking spin flip, appearing at H∼0.9  T applied parallel to the [111] direction, turns into a novel first-order transition for T<0.36   K which is most probably of a liquid-gas type. T-linear variation of the critical field observed down to 0.03 K suggests the unusual situation that the entropy release across the transition remains finite [∼0.5   (J/K)⋅mol−Dy] as T→0, in accordance with a breaking of the macroscopic degeneracy in the intermediate “kagomé ice” state

Low-Temperature Spin Diffusion in a Highly Ideal S= Heisenberg Antiferromagnetic Chain Studied by Muon Spin Relaxation

The organic radical-ion salt DEOCC-TCNQF4 contains linear chains of stacked molecules with significant Heisenberg antiferromagnet interactions along the chain and extremely weak interactions between the chains. Zero-field µSR has confirmed the absence of long-range magnetic order down to 20 mK and field-dependent µSR is found to be consistent with diffusive motion of the spin excitations. The anisotropic spin dynamics and the upper boundary for magnetic ordering temperature both indicate interchain magnetic coupling |J|<7 mK. As the intrachain coupling J is 110 K, |J/J| is significantly less than 10-4. This system therefore provides one of the most ideal examples of the one-dimensional S=1/2 Heisenberg antiferromagnet yet discovered

High-pressure dc magnetic measurements on a bisdiselenazolyl radical ferromagnet using a vibrating-coil SQUID magnetometer

The high-pressure magnetic properties of the iodo-substituted bisdiselenazolyl radical ferromagnet IBPSSEt have been studied by vibrating-coil SQUID magnetometry. The magnetic state at a pressure (P) of approximately 2 GPa has the highest Curie temperature (TC) of 27.5 K, and displays an ideal three-dimensional (3D) ferromagnetic interaction network. The value of TC observed by ac magnetic susceptibility measurements is consistent with that obtained from dc measurements below approximately 4 GPa. Field-cooled dc measurements at more elevated pressures reveal a slow evolution of magnetic ordering, so that atP >6 GPa the structure may be described in terms of a 1D ferromagnetic chain with predominantly antiferromagnetic lateral (interchain) interactions, in accord with the results of density functional theory calculations

Gain-of-function IKBKB mutation causes human combined immune deficiency

Genetic mutations account for many devastating early onset immune deficiencies. In contrast, less severe and later onset immune diseases, including in patients with no prior family history, remain poorly understood. Whole exome sequencing in two cohorts of such patients identified a novel heterozygous de novo IKBKB missense mutation (c.607G>A) in two separate kindreds in whom probands presented with immune dysregulation, combined T and B cell deficiency, inflammation, and epithelial defects. IKBKB encodes IKK2, which activates NF-κB signaling. IKK2V203I results in enhanced NF-κB signaling, as well as T and B cell functional defects. IKK2V203 is a highly conserved residue, and to prove causation, we generated an accurate mouse model by introducing the precise orthologous codon change in Ikbkb using CRISPR/Cas9. Mice and humans carrying this missense mutation exhibit remarkably similar cellular and biochemical phenotypes. Accurate mouse models engineered by CRISPR/Cas9 can help characterize novel syndromes arising from de novo germline mutations and yield insight into pathogenesis

Percutaneous Cryoablation for the Treatment of Medically Inoperable Stage I Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the midterm results of percutaneous cryoablation for medically inoperable stage I non-small cell lung cancer. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Between January 2004 and June 2010, 160 patients underwent computer tomography guided percutaneous cryoablation for lung tumors at our institution. Of these patients, histologically proven stage I lung cancer patients with more than one year of follow-up, were retrospectively reviewed. All of these patients were considered to be medically inoperable with Charlson comorbidity index of 3 or greater. Follow-up was based primarily on computed tomography. There were 22 patients with 34 tumors who underwent 25 sessions of cryoablation treatment. Complications were pneumothoraces in 7 treatments (28%, chest tube required in one treatment), and pleural effusions in 8 treatments (31%). The observation period ranged from 12-68 months, average 29±19 months, median 23 months. Local tumor progression was observed in one tumor (3%). Mean local tumor progression-free interval was 69±2 months. One patient died of lung cancer progression at 68 months. Two patients died of acute exacerbations of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis which were not considered to be directly associated with cryoablation, at 12 and 18 months, respectively. The overall 2- and 3-year survivals were 88% and 88%, respectively. Mean overall survival was 62±4 months. Median overall survival was 68 months. The disease-free 2- and 3-year survivals were 78% and 67%, respectively. Mean disease-free survival was 46±6 months. Pulmonary function tests were done in 16 patients (18 treatments) before and after cryoablation. Percentage of predicted vital capacity, and percentage of predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 second, did not differ significantly before and after cryoablation (93±23 versus 90±21, and 70±11 versus 70±12, respectively). CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Although further accumulation of data is necessary regarding efficacy, cryoablation may be a feasible option in medically inoperable stage I lung cancer patients

Percutaneous Cryoablation of Pulmonary Metastases from Colorectal Cancer

Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of cryoablation for metastatic lung tumors from colorectal cancer. Methods: The procedures were performed on 24 patients (36–82 years of age, with a median age of 62; 17 male patients, 7 female patients) for 55 metastatic tumors in the lung, during 30 sessions. The procedural safety, local progression free interval, and overall survival were assessed by follow-up computed tomographic scanning performed every 3–4 months. Results: The major complications were pneumothorax, 19 sessions (63%), pleural effusion, 21 sessions (70%), transient and self-limiting hemoptysis, 13 sessions (43%) and tract seeding, 1 session (3%). The 1- and 3-year local progression free intervals were 90.8 % and 59%, respectively. The 3-years local progression free intervals of tumors #15 mm in diameter was 79.8 % and that of tumors.15 mm was 28.6 % (p = 0.001; log-rank test). The 1- and 3-year overall survival rates were 91% and 59.6%, respectively. Conclusion: The results indicated that percutaneous cryoablation is a feasible treatment option. The local progression fre