Ultrasmall Moment Incommensurate Spin Density Wave Order Masking a Ferromagnetic Quantum Critical Point in NbFe_{2}.

In the metallic magnet Nb_{1-y}Fe_{2+y}, the low temperature threshold of ferromagnetism can be investigated by varying the Fe excess y within a narrow homogeneity range. We use elastic neutron scattering to track the evolution of magnetic order from Fe-rich, ferromagnetic Nb_{0.981}Fe_{2.019} to approximately stoichiometric NbFe_{2}, in which we can, for the first time, characterize a long-wavelength spin density wave state burying a ferromagnetic quantum critical point. The associated ordering wave vector q_{SDW}=(0,0,l_{SDW}) is found to depend significantly on y and T, staying finite but decreasing as the ferromagnetic state is approached. The phase diagram follows a two-order-parameter Landau theory, for which all of the coefficients can now be determined. Our findings suggest that the emergence of spin density wave order cannot be attributed to band structure effects alone. They indicate a common microscopic origin of both types of magnetic order and provide strong constraints on related theoretical scenarios based on, e.g., quantum order by disorder.

Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion assessed using MRI for semi-quantification of right ventricular ejection fraction.

OBJECTIVE: Accurate determination of right ventricular volume and ejection fraction (RVEF) is established using MRI. Automatic contour detection of the right ventricular endocardial border is not established in clinical practice, resulting in considerable manual efforts to quantify RVEF. Using transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), the tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) has proved its worth for quantification of RVEF and risk prediction. Therefore, the aim of this study was to clarify whether TAPSE assessed with MRI as a fast and easily obtainable parameter correlated with volumetric quantification of RVEF. METHODS: Right ventricular volumes and RVEF were measured with the standardised slice-summation method at MRI. MRI-TAPSE was defined as maximum apical excursion of lateral tricuspid annular plane and measured in a four-chamber view using steady-state free precession sequences. Additionally, MRI-TAPSE was compared with TAPSE assessed using TTE. RESULTS: 76 consecutive patients (aged 58±17 years) were examined. At MRI, right end-diastolic volumes were 97±36 ml, right end-systolic volumes were 57±27 ml and the mean RVEF was 42±14%. MRI-TAPSE was determined with 19±6 mm and correlated well at linear regression analysis with volumetric RVEF (r=0.72, p<0.001). Furthermore, MRI-TAPSE discriminated sufficiently between patients with impaired and normal RVEF. Multiplying MRI-TAPSE by 2.5 led to values close to the RVEF by volumetry. Additionally, MRI-TAPSE correlated well with TAPSE determined using TTE. The inter- and intra-observer variabilities of MRI-TAPSE determination were low (3.1% and 1.8%). CONCLUSION: TAPSE assessed with MRI is a fast and easily obtainable parameter which correlates well with volumetric quantification of RVEF.

Carpal-tarsal osteolysis.

A mother-daughter kindred with carpal-tarsal osteolysis and evidence of renal involvement is presented. There was a similarity between the early clinical manifestations of this syndrome and those of rheumatoid arthritis. The distinction made in previous reports between the dominantly inherited form and the sporadic form with nephropathy is questioned.

Segmental obstructing acute jejunitis in a child.

Acute localized enteritis is a disease of the terminal ileum in adults and children. We have observed acute enteritis confined to the jejunum in a 3 1/2 year-old girl presenting with partial upper intestinal obstruction. Surgical biopsy of the involved region of jejunum revealed acute inflammatory changes in the mucosa and severe edema of the submucosa. Resection of the edematous segment was followed by prompt and apparently permanent recovery.

Neonatal hepatitis and alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency. The prognosis in five patients.

Five patients with alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency (PiZ) are reported. All these patients presented with the neonatal hepatitis syndrome and two fo them had developed cirrhosis at ages 5 and 8 years, respectively. Three patients, ages 1, 9 and 21 years, are asymptomatic. The oldest patient, 21 years of age, has only mild histologic changes in the liver. The prognosis for patients with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (PiZ) presenting with neonatal hepatitis is not necessarily grave, a finding that differs from previous observations.

Failure to thrive and death in early infancy associated with raised urinary homovanillic and vanillylmandelic acids.

A case of failure to thrive in an infant with persistently raised urinary levels of homovanillic and vanillylmandelic acids is descirbed. No neural crest tumour was discovered at surgical exploration or at necropsy. The relation of this biochemical abnormality and failure to thrive is unclear.