Detection of quantitative trait loci for androstenone, skatole and boar taint in a cross between Large White and Meishan pigs

'Boar taint' is a strong perspiration-like, urine-like unpleasant odour given off upon heating or cooking of meat from some intact (uncastrated) male pigs. Data from the F(2) generation of a Large White (LW) x Meishan (MS) crossbred population were analysed to detect quantitative trait loci (QTL) for traits associated with boar taint. Fat samples from 178 intact male pigs slaughtered at 85 +/- 5 kg were analysed for the major contributors to boar taint (androstenone, indole and skatole). Fat and lean samples from cooked meat were scored for boar, abnormal and pork flavour and odour by a trained sensory panel (SP). A scan with 117 markers covering the whole genome was performed in the F(2) individuals, together with their F(1) parents and purebred grandparents. At the 5% chromosomal significance threshold (approximately equal to the genome-wide suggestive significance threshold), QTL were detected for the laboratory estimate of androstenone on chromosomes 2, 4, 6, 7 and 9. However, only on chromosome 6 were there QTL for boar flavour (BF) traits in the same or adjacent marker intervals as a QTL for the laboratory estimate of androstenone. On chromosome 14, QTL were detected for the laboratory estimates of indole and skatole, the SP score for skatole and the scores for BF in lean and BF in fat. In all five cases, the MS allele generally increased the estimate or score, compared with the LW allele, but it appeared that desirable and undesirable alleles were present in both breeds. This locus on chromosome 14 has considerable potential for use to reduce the incidence of boar taint, especially if further research can identify the causative polymorphism or strongly associated markers.

Entanglement assisted metrology

We propose a new approach to the measurement of a single spin state, based on nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques and inspired by the coherent control over many-body systems envisaged by quantum information processing. A single target spin is coupled via the magnetic dipolar interaction to a large ensemble of spins. Applying radio frequency pulses, we can control the evolution so that the spin ensemble reaches one of two orthogonal states whose collective properties differ depending on the state of the target spin and are easily measured. We first describe this measurement process using quantum gates; then we show how equivalent schemes can be defined in terms of the Hamiltonian and thus implemented under conditions of real control, using well established NMR techniques. We demonstrate this method with a proof of principle experiment in ensemble liquid state NMR and simulations for small spin systems.

The Healthgrid White Paper

Over the last four years, a community of researchers working on Grid and High Performance Computing technologies started discussing the barriers and opportunities that grid technologies must face and exploit for the development of health-related applications. This interest lead to the first Healthgrid conference, held in Lyon, France, on January 16th-17th, 2003, with the focus of creating increased awareness about the possibilities and advantages linked to the deployment of grid technologies in health, ultimately targeting the creation of a European/international grid infrastructure for health. The topics of this conference converged with the position of the eHealth division of the European Commission, whose mandate from the Lisbon Meeting was "To develop an intelligent environment that enables ubiquitous management of citizens' health status, and to assist health professionals in coping with some major challenges, risk management and the integration into clinical practice of advances in health knowledge." In this context "Health" involves not only clinical procedures but covers the whole range of information from molecular level (genetic and proteomic information) over cells and tissues, to the individual and finally the population level (social healthcare). Grid technology offers the opportunity to create a common working backbone for all different members of this large "health family" and will hopefully lead to an increased awareness and interoperability among disciplines. The first HealthGrid conference led to the creation of the Healthgrid association, a non-profit research association legally incorporated in France but formed from the broad community of European researchers and institutions sharing expertise in health grids. After the second Healthgrid conference, held in Clermont-Ferrand on January 29th-30th, 2004, the need for a "white paper" on the current status and prospective of health grids was raised. Over fifty experts from different areas of grid technologies, eHealth applications and the medical world were invited to contribute to the preparation of this document.

Security aspects of Grid-based digital mammography

OBJECTIVES

The principal aim of the eDiaMoND project is to develop a prototype Grid infrastructure to support the needs of the breast care community. The prototype system is but one major deliverable of the project; the other is a blueprint document that describes how a system such as eDiaMoND might be deployed throughout the United Kingdom to support the NHS Breast Screening Programme. A key consideration of both the prototype and the blueprint is security. In this paper we address some of the generic security issues faced by projects such as eDiaMoND. We also indicate how these problems are being overcome within our project.

METHODS

In order to fully understand the security issues faced by the project a review of current initiatives within the NHS was performed. The work of the NHS Information Authority was found to be particularly significant. Also reviewed was BS7799, the British Standard for the deployment of security systems and processes. Finally, modelling of the proposed prototype was performed using methods proposed by the e-Science Security Task Force, in particular the method proposed by Flechais and Sasse.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

It is felt that the issues of security surrounding the eDiaMoND project are sufficiently generic that the eHealth community can consider and criticise the work described. It is hoped that this will enable the eHealth community to move forwards with a common agenda.

Security Aspects of Grid-based Digital Mammography

Objectives: The principal aim of the eDiaMoND project is to develop a prototype Grid infrastructure to support the needs of the breast care community. The prototype system is but one major deliverable of the project; the other is a blueprint document that describes how a system such as eDiaMoND might be deployed throughout the United Kingdom to support the NHS Breast Screening Programme. A key consideration of both the prototype and the blueprint is security. In this paper we address some of the generic security issues faced by projects such as eDiaMoND. We also indicate how these problems are being overcome within our project.

Methods: In order to fully understand the security issues faced by the project a review of current initiatives within the NHS was performed. The work of the NHS Information Authority was found to be particularly significant. Also reviewed was BS7799, the British Standard for the deployment of security systems and processes. Finally, modelling of the proposed prototype was performed using methods proposed by the e-Science Security Task Force, in particular the method proposed by Flechais and Sasse.

Results and Conclusions: It is felt that the issues of security surrounding the eDiaMoND project are sufficiently generic that the eHealth community can consider and criticise the work described. It is hoped that this will enable the eHealth community to move forwards with a common agenda.

Digital mammography: a world without film?

OBJECTIVES

eDiaMoND is a next generation Internet ("Grid") multidisciplinary research project funded by the UK e-Science Programme with the following objectives; the development of a next generation Internet enabled prototype to demonstrate the potential benefits of a national infrastructure to support digital mammography; the exploration of potential benefits for digital mammography systems, with particular emphasis being placed on selected applications, namely, screening, training, computer-aided detection and appropriate support for epidemiological studies.

METHODS

EDiaMoND has worked in conjunction with selected clinical partners to enable the collection of valuable mammography information and the design of applications based upon extensive requirements gathering exercises. The clinical partners validated both the immediate needs and assisted with defining future needs of such an architecture to support the UK Health Service.

RESULTS

The project has succeeded in invoking the interest of clinical partners and representatives of the UK NHS Breast Screening Programme in our vision of a world without film, albeit a long way off. The project has also succeeded in identifying the barriers to adopting this approach with the current limitations within the NHS, and has developed a blueprint for working towards this strategy.

CONCLUSIONS

A UK national digital mammography archive has the potential to provide major benefits for the UK. For example, such an archive could: ensure that previous mammograms are always available, and could link up seamlessly the screening, assessment and symptomatic clinics; it could provide a huge teaching and training resource; it could be a huge resource for epidemiological studies.

First record of quadruplets in the musky ratkangaroo Hypsiprymnodon moschatus

THE musky rat-kangaroo (Hypsiprymnodon moschatus) is endemic to the tropical rainforests of north-east Queensland (Johnson and Strahan 1982). It is the smallest (510 ? 530 g) and most unusual member of the marsupial superfamily Macropodoidea (Dennis and Johnson 1995). Unlike other macropodoids, H. moschatus is frugivorous, diurnal, has an opposable first digit on the pes, a running quadrupedal gait and possesses a relatively unspecialised digestive tract (Johnson and Strahan 1982; Dennis 2002). It also differs from all other macropodoids in typically giving birth to multiple young, usually twins ? although single young and triplets are regularly reported both in the wild and in captivity (Troughton 1967; Johnson and Strahan 1982; Johnson et al. 1983; Dennis and Marsh 1997; Lloyd 2001). However, the birth of more than three young has not previously been observed in H. moschatus or any other macropodoid, even though all species possess four teats.

Computer-assisted total knee replacement

A controlled study, comparing computer- and conventional jig-assisted total knee replacement in six cadavers is presented. In order to provide a quantitative assessment of the alignment of the replacements, a CT-based technique which measures seven parameters of alignment has been devised and used. In this a multi-slice CT machine scanned in 2.5 mm slices from the acetabular roof to the dome of the talus with the subject’s legs held in a standard position. The mechanical and anatomical axes were identified, from three-dimensional landmarks, in both anteroposterior and lateral planes. The coronal and sagittal alignment of the prosthesis was then measured against the axes. The rotation of the femoral component was measured relative to the transepicondylar axis. The rotation of the tibial component was measured with reference to the posterior tibial condyles and the tibial tuberosity. Coupled femorotibial rotational alignment was assessed by superimposition of the femoral and tibial axial images. The radiation dose was 2.7 mSV.

The computer-assisted total knee replacements showed better alignment in rotation and flexion of the femoral component, the posterior slope of the tibial component and in the matching of the femoral and tibial components in rotation. Differences were statistically significant and of a magnitude that support extension of computer assistance to the clinical situation.

Quality of life of patients undergoing surgical treatment of head and neck malignancy

This study prospectively follows changes in quality of life (QoL) of 40 patients undergoing surgical treatment for head and neck malignancy over a 1-year period, using the University of Washington QoL questionnaire version 4.0. The tumour types included oral, oropharyngeal, hypopharyngeal, oesophageal, laryngeal, sinonasal and thyroid carcinomas. Mean overall QoL scores were significantly worse at 3 and 6 months (P < 0.05) and returned to around preoperative scores at 12 months (P = 0.11). Oropharyngeal, laryngeal, sinonasal and thyroid subsites all maintained QoL scores at each time point. QoL scores for hypopharyngeal and oral subsites dropped markedly at 3 and 6 months but returned to around preoperative levels at 12 months. The domains most affected by treatment varied depending on tumour subsite. For the population as a whole, their appearance, activity, speech, shoulder and saliva domains were all significantly less at 12 months. Anxiety scores were significantly better at 12 months.

Classical capacity of the lossy bosonic channel: the exact solution

The classical capacity of the lossy bosonic channel is calculated exactly. It is shown that its Holevo information is not superadditive, and that a coherent-state encoding achieves capacity. The capacity of far-field, free-space optical communications is given as an example.

The Safety of Adding Bupivacaine to the Subcutaneous Infiltration Solution Used for Donor Site Harvest

Pain is a major problem for patients with burns. Donor sites are a significant source of this pain. In this investigation we hypothesized that bupivacaine infiltration of the donor site before skin harvest would prove to be a safe technique as determined by the measurement of blood levels of bupivacaine at various time intervals after infiltration. Fourteen patients were enrolled and studied. Average age was 14.3 +/- 3.1 years, weight was 43.1 +/- 9.1 kg, and donor site size was 6.3 +/- 2.0% TBSA. Mean dose of bupivacaine infused was 1.86 +/- 0.21 mg/kg. Maximum mean bupivacaine blood level was 0.39 +/- 0.09 microg/ml. The highest level measured in any one patient was 1.2 microg/ml; 4.0 microg/ml is considered to be the safe upper limit in children. Time to maximum blood level was 8.9 +/- 1.7 hours after infusion. Twelve of the 14 patients had measurable blood levels of bupivacaine at 24 hours after infusion. The maximum bupivacaine level was found to correlate significantly with both the mg/kg of bupivacaine infused (r =.60, P =.04) and the donor site size (r = 0.81, P = 0.002). Bupivacaine at a dose of slightly less than 1.9 mg/kg added to donor site infiltration solution is safe, as demonstrated by low blood levels and the absence of clinical signs of toxicity.

Contact-mediated inhibition of human haematopoietic progenitor cell proliferation may be conferred by stem cell antigen, CD34

INTRODUCTION

The function of CD34, a transmembrane sialomucin expressed by human haematopoietic progenitor cells, is poorly understood. Its structure suggests it may act as a cell adhesion and signalling molecule.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

KGIa cells and primary CD34-positive marrow cells were tested for their ability to aggregate in the presence of the anti-CD34 antibody QBEND10; CFU-GM colonies were grown using standard methods and tested for their content of colony-forming cells by replating; 'haematons' were isolated from marrow by filtration; the phosphorylation of CD34 was investigated by immunoprecipitation and Western blotting

DISCUSSION

CD34-positive cells in human bone marrow, like KG1a cells, aggregate when incubated with QBEND10. Staining aggregates with anti-CD34-FITC revealed that aggregation involved co-localisation of CD34 at intercellular binding sites. We examined myeloid colonies (CFU-GM) grown from normal human bone marrow cells, and multicellular aggregates ('haematons') separated from freshly aspirated marrow by filtration, and found CD34-positive cells bound together with co-localisation of the CD34 at the binding sites. This finding shows that CD34-positive cell-cell adhesion occurs physiologically in vitro and in vivo. QBEND10-induced aggregation of KG1a and CD34-positive cells was enhanced by staurosporine (a protein kinase C inhibitor) and inhibited by genistein (a protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor). Moreover, aggregated cells had increased phosphorylation of tyrosine on CD34 and translocation of protein kinase C (PKC) to the cytoplasm, compared with non-aggregated cells. We used the ability of primary colonies to produce secondary colonies on replating as a functional parameter and found that the replating ability of the colonies was increased by treatment with genistein (P=0.003). In addition, the ability of individual samples of primary CD34-positive cells to undergo QBEND10-induced aggregation and the ability of CD34-positive cell-derived colonies to produce secondary clones on replating were inversely related (r=0.86).

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that homotypic aggregation of haematopoietic progenitor cells may be an important mechanism for preventing inappropriate proliferation in vivo. Thus, regulation of expression of the CD34 molecule may play an important role in maintaining the normal level of haematopoietic activity by contact-mediated inhibition of progenitor cell proliferation.

Control of Echinococcus granulosus in Uruguay: evaluation of different treatment intervals for dogs

This study attempted control of transmission of Echinococcus granulosus from dogs to sheep in different areas in the Department of Florida, Uruguay, by treating dogs with praziquantel at intervals of 6, 12 and 16 weeks. The 6-week interval was based on the prepatent period of infection with E. granulosus, the 12- and 16-week intervals were based on the rate of reinfection with tapeworms in dogs in the area. Dogs had become reinfected with E. granulosus between 2 and 4 months after treatment, whereas they became reinfected with the Taenia spp. tapeworms within 2 months of treatment. One year after the start of treatments sentinel lambs were born and grazed the farms in the three treatment areas. Approximately, 15 months later when the sentinel lambs were killed and examined for parasites the six weekly treatments had stopped the transmission of E. granulosus to the sentinel lambs. Treatment of dogs at 12- and 16-week intervals failed to stop transmission of E. granulosus but both the numbers of farms and the numbers of sheep infected with E. granulosus were lower where dogs received 12 weekly treatments compared with dogs receiving 16 weekly treatments and a fourth area where dogs had received no treatments (chi(2)P=0.002). Lambs continued to become infected with the Taenia spp. tapeworms in all the areas. Control was complicated by large changes in the dog population. From a starting population of 1164 dogs in the three treated areas, 832 new dogs, most of these adult hunting dogs, entered the population and 793 dogs were lost from the population.

Long distance, unconditional teleportation of atomic states via complete Bell state measurements

We propose a scheme for creating and storing quantum entanglement over long distances. Optical cavities that store this long-distance entanglement in atoms could then function as nodes of a quantum network, in which quantum information is teleported from cavity to cavity. The teleportation is conducted unconditionally via measurements of all four Bell states, using a novel method of sequential elimination.

Clock synchronization with dispersion cancellation

The dispersion cancellation feature of pulses which are entangled in frequency is employed to synchronize clocks of distant parties. The proposed protocol is insensitive to the pulse distortion caused by transit through a dispersive medium. Since there is cancellation to all orders, also the effects of slowly fluctuating dispersive media are compensated. The experimental setup can be realized with currently available technology, at least for a proof of principle.

Chondroid metaplasia in a fibroepithelial polyp of the tongue

This report describes the development of chondroid metaplasia within a fibroepithelial polyp situated on the tongue. Although fibroepithelial polyps in this location are not unusual, chondroid metaplasia in such a lesion in this position has not, as far as the authors are aware, been described previously. The aetiology and the pathogenesis of the lesion are discussed.

Quantum-enhanced positioning and clock synchronization

A wide variety of positioning and ranging procedures are based on repeatedly sending electromagnetic pulses through space and measuring their time of arrival. The accuracy of such procedures is classically limited by the available power and bandwidth. Quantum entanglement and squeezing have been exploited in the context of interferometry, frequency measurements, lithography and algorithms. Here we report that quantum entanglement and squeezing can also be employed to overcome the classical limits in procedures such as positioning systems, clock synchronization and ranging. Our use of frequency-entangled pulses to construct quantum versions of these protocols results in enhanced accuracy compared with their classical analogues. We describe in detail the problem of establishing a position with respect to a fixed array of reference points.

Driving and dementia: a review of the literature

In North American society driving is closely linked with independence. Unfortunately, the freedom to operate a motor vehicle may be lost when an individual develops a specific medical diagnosis. The complex issue of dementia and driving safety is frequently encountered by health care professionals. Physicians are required, by law, to report any medical diagnosis such as dementia, that may affect driving safety. Physicians often refer to occupational therapists to assist them in determining if an individual's impairment significantly impacts driving safety. Unfortunately many health care professionals are not using reliable, valid and sensitive tests to determine the point at which an individual with dementia will become an unsafe driver. Through a review of the literature, the authors explore the effects of normal aging and cognitive impairment on driving safety. Specific assessment tools used to assess driving ability are examined and the role of health professionals in driver assessment is discussed. Some suggestions to improve the overall approach to evaluating driving safety are offered in the conclusion.