Laser spectrosocopy of molecular ion beams

A laser-ion beam spectrometer has been constructed to provide laser excitation of ion beams in both crossed and coaxial arrangements, and ion momentum analysis. This apparatus is used to study laser induced dissociations of molecular' ions and to observe electronic absorption spectra of ions by novel collisional detection methods.Laser photodissociation spectra of seven positive ions are presented. Vibrational structure in the photoproton momentum spectrum of H2 represents the highest momentum resolution possible using the present apparatus. In the coaxial beams geometry, excitation of rotational components of the A21T(--X2 E+ band system of CO + is detected by monitoring changes in thecol l isioncl attenuation of a fast CO + beam. As a result of the 'velocity bunching' effect in fast beams, the ions have a very narrow Doppler width for photon absorption, 160 MHz in this case. The coaxial geometry also allows the use of.the Doppler shift to bring ions into resonance with the laser. The high resolution is used to study the electronic absorption spectrum of 13 CO+' 13C nuclear hyperfine structure is observed. Analysis of this structure yields hyperfine parameters for the molecule inboth X and A states. A cell has been devised providing both Doppler tuning and low energy collision regions, to detect laser excitations in ion beams by low collision energy reactions. Electronic excitations of CO+ and H2O+ ion beams are detected by monitoringreactions of these ions with H2.</p

Neglected impacts of patient decision-making associated with genetic testing

We highlight non-health-related impacts associated with genetic testing (GT) and knowing one’s genetic status so that health technology assessment (HTA) analysts and HTA audiences may more appropriately consider the pros and cons of GT. Whereas health-related impacts of GT (e.g., increased healthy behaviors and avoidance of harms of unnecessary treatment) are frequently assessed in HTA, some non-health-related impacts are less often considered and are more difficult to measure. This presents a challenge for accurately assessing whether a genetic test should be funded. In health systems where HTA understandably places emphasis on measurable clinical outcomes, there is a risk of creating a GT culture that is pro-testing without sufficient recognition of the burdens of GT. There is also a risk of not funding a genetic test that provides little clinical benefit but nonetheless may be seen by some as autonomy enhancing. The recent development of expanded HTA frameworks that include ethics analyses helps to address this gap in the evidence and bring awareness to non-health-related impacts of GT. The HTA analyst should be aware of these impacts, choose appropriate frameworks for assessing genetic tests, and use methods for evaluating impacts. A new reporting tool presented here may assist in such evaluations.Joanne Milverton, and Drew Carte

LIVESTOCK EXTENSION IMPERATIVES OF UTILIZING MATURED BROILER BEAK AS COMPOSITE FEED RESOURCE

ABSTRACT A study evaluated the livestock extension imperatives of utilization of matured broiler beak as composite feed resource. The study adopted both laboratory and qualitative research procedures to generate information based on specific objectives of the study. The proximate analysis of the nutritional composition of matured beak was investigated. Awareness of the feed millers on the utilization potentials of broiler beak by-product for macro elements and the livestock nutritional extension imperatives for the matured broiler as composite feed resources were analysed. Fifty(50) Amogbyn day-old birds reared to eight weeks with average mean weights between 2.75kg and 3.30kg were used for this research under good management practices. These matured broilers were slaughtered and their beaks extracted, processed and digested to obtain digesta which was read with Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS;BUCK 200A Model). Calcium absorption mode was read at a wavelength of 422.7NM while Mg absorption was read at wavelength of 362.4NM. Ca concentration range of 0.656-0.924 also varied from Magnesium concentration range of 0.066-0.269. The study revealed that there is a marked variability in the concentration of macro-minerals in the beaks of the same species. However, 36% of the study population was relatively high in concentration of Calcium and Magnesium. Despite their seeming small concentrations in the beaks, Calcium and Magnesium can still be used at composite level to replace limestone in alternative feed source for minerals. Therefore, the use of beak is promising and further investigation into its composite feed resource status for other macro minerals is recommende

Haematology and Serum Metabolites of Pre-laying Isa Brown Hens fed Varying Dietary Levels of Alligator Pepper (Aframomum melegueta, k. Schum) Seed Meal

One hundred and ninety-eight (198) day old Isa Brown pullets were raised on six (6) Alligator pepper (Aframomum melegueta) seed meal (APSM)-based diets till 16th week when 108 hens at point of lay (POL) were fed layers mash till 18th week. The study assessed the haematological indices and serum metabolites of pre-laying Isa Brown hens fed diets with APSM. In a completely randomized design, 108 hens at POL were allotted to six experimental treatments or diets designated as T1, T2, T3, T4, T5 and T6. T1 served as the control while T2, T3, T4 T5 and T6 contained 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4 and 0.5% APSM respectively. Each treatment was replicated three times with six birds per replicate. 2.0 ml blood samples were collected from wing veins of the hens for haematological and serum metabolite analyses. There were no significant differences (p&lt;0.05) in the mean values of Packed Cell Volume (PCV), white blood cells and platelets. Significant differences (P˂0.05) in mean values were obtained for Haemoglobin, red blood cell counts, Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV), Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin (MCH) and Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin Concentration (MCHC), but the variations were not consistent with the level of inclusion across the dietary treatments. Significant differences (p&lt;0.05) also existed in the values of serum total protein, albumin and globulin, although the levels of significance did not follow the rate of inclusion levels. However, all the mean values obtained in this study were within the normal reference values reported in the literature for healthy birds except for some liver enzymes, ALT, AST and ALP which increased slightly due to stimulatory effect of the APSM on digestive system. The study concluded that 0.2% (T3) of APSM inclusion was the best in terms of normal haematological and serum biochemistry profile and therefore, recommended further research with Alligator pepper on the laying process of other avian species. Keywords: Haematology, Serum metabolites, Alligator pepper, Isa Brown, Pre-Laying hens DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/12-10-03 Publication date:May 31st 202

Methodology to assess a predictive test for breast cancer recurrence

Poster Display #PD77Joanne Milverton, Arlene Vogan, Camille Schubert, Tracy Merli

Microwave tissue ablation for primary and secondary liver cancer

Main issues for Medical Services Advisory Committee consideration -The clinical claims for the superiority of microwave tissue ablation (MTA) over radiofrequency ablation (RFA) made in the application are not supported by the evidence. -There is very little randomised controlled trial evidence for this intervention. -Much of the evidence included for this intervention uses historical controls; that is, institutions went from using RFA to using MTA, and then compared the experience of the MTA patients with the experience of earlier patients. This is likely to have important ramifications for the effectiveness of the intervention, as many other aspects of the treatment may also have changed in that time, such as chemotherapy, imaging, patient selection for ablation and surgery, and the equipment used to deliver the ablation. -Selection bias is also highly likely in most of the populations included in the evidence base, as most studies simply included patients seen in their institutions, and there was little discussion about who was excluded from analyses or how patients were selected for ablation. Moreover, in most studies, there was a lack of information relevant to prognosis, for example time since diagnosis, and these factors are likely to confound the results. -There does seem to be some evidence that MTA works better than RFA in more severe cases of cancer; however, given the problems with historical controls, the superior effectiveness may actually be due to improvements in other treatments, or indeed in patient selection for the treatment. -In patients with liver metastases, most of the identified evidence was excluded because patients underwent concomitant resection (meaning they were not ‘unresectable’ as described in the ‘Population’ component of the PICO criteria). It is likely that patients in this group, who have more complex disease, undergo a range of treatments, and finding evidence for just one of them in isolation will be difficult. -Despite the claims that MTA has quicker ablation time and fewer required sessions, there was little evidence available to support these claims.Joanne Milverton, Ruchi Mittal, Jacqueline Parsons, Camille Schubert and Skye Newto

Systematic review of the human health effects of wind farms

This independent review of the literature was commissioned by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) to determine whether there is an association between exposure to wind farms and human health effects. The review was undertaken by independent reviewers from Adelaide Health Technology Assessment and the development of the review was guided by NHMRC’s Wind Farms and Human Health Reference Group. Direct evidence of any health effects was obtained through a systematic literature review of all the available evidence on exposure to the physical emissions produced by wind turbines. The emissions investigated were: noise, shadow flicker and the electromagnetic radiation (EMR) produced by wind turbines. A background literature review was also undertaken to establish whether there is basic biological evidence, or evidence from research into other circumstances of human exposure to the physical emissions that wind turbines produce, that makes it plausible that wind turbines cause adverse health effects. Before the review was finalised, an international expert organisation (independent from the reviewers) assessed the methodology and quality of the systematic review to ensure it was conducted in a robust and transparent manner.Tracy Merlin, Skye Newton, Benjamin Ellery, Joanne Milverton, Claude Fara

Diagnostic performance of serum cobalamin tests: a systematic review and meta-analysis

AimsSerum cobalamin (cbl, vitamin B(12)) tests are routinely ordered for investigating conditions potentially amenable to cbl supplementation. This study aimed to systematically assess the evidence of diagnostic accuracy for serum cbl tests across patient subgroups.MethodsSeven medical databases were searched (1990 to November 2009). Studies were included that compared serum cbl to a reference standard (all reference standards employed). Study quality was assessed using QUADAS. Summary estimates of test performance were determined using the bivariate model and hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristic curves (HSROC).ResultsOf 2878 identified studies, 54 were included. Studies rated poorly against QUADAS criteria. Positive (PLR) and negative likelihood ratios (NLR) were 2.72 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.95, 3.81] and 0.59 (0.49, 0.72), respectively (studies employing methylmalonic acid as the referent). In studies employing a clinical reference standard, PLR was 3.33 (0.92, 12.10) and NLR 0.34 (0.13, 0.89). Test performance did not vary by clinical indication, test method or age.ConclusionThis review was limited by the quality of the evidence base and lack of a gold standard. From the available evidence, diagnosis of conditions amenable to cbl supplementation on the basis of serum cbl level alone cannot be considered a reliable approach to investigating suspected vitamin deficiency.Cameron D. Willis, Adam G. Elshaug, Joanne L. Milverton, Amber M. Watt, Michael P. Metz and Janet E. Hiller For The ASTUTE Health Study Grou