Hybrid Quantum Computing with Conditional Beam Splitter Gate in Trapped Ion System.

The hybrid approach to quantum computation simultaneously utilizes both discrete and continuous variables, which offers the advantage of higher density encoding and processing powers for the same physical resources. Trapped ions, with discrete internal states and motional modes that can be described by continuous variables in an infinite-dimensional Hilbert space, offer a natural platform for this approach. A nonlinear gate for universal quantum computing can be implemented with the conditional beam splitter Hamiltonian |e⟩⟨e|(a[over ^]^{†}b[over ^]+a[over ^]b[over ^]^{†}) that swaps the quantum states of two motional modes, depending on the ion's internal state. We realize such a gate and demonstrate its applications for quantum state overlap measurements, single-shot parity measurement, and generation of NOON states.

Laparoscopic surgery for endometriosis: How often do we need to re-operate?

This study aimed to examine the rate of re-operation in women with endometriosis over a 10-year period. This was a retrospective study set in a university hospital in the UK. Notes of all women diagnosed with endometriosis were reviewed and data entered on a standard proforma. A total of 486 out of 988 procedures were for treatment of endometriosis. Some 240 (49%) had pelvic pain and 246 (51%) had subfertility. The mean age of those women who had a re-operation was lower than those who did not have any further operations. Using logistic regression, three factors were found to be the most important factors influencing the likelihood of women having re-operation - in decreasing order of importance, these factors were: (1) age, (2) pregnancy achievement and (3) improvement of symptoms. Re-operation occurred in 51% of our study population, the information may be useful for guidance of our patients.

A study on early onset peritonitis in CAPD patients.

OBJECTIVE: To study the incidence of peritonitis in CAPD patients in their first six months on CAPD. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All patients who started on CAPD between 1 January 1999 and 31 December 1999 were included in the study. All of them were followed for six months for development of peritonitis. RESULTS: Four episodes of CAPD related peritonitis occurred in four different patients during this period. Patient One was an elderly man with diabetes mellitus who had Streptococcal peritonitis two months after he started on CAPD. Patient Two was an elderly woman with diabetes who developed Streptococcal peritonitis four months after she was on CAPD. Patient Three was a 51-year-old lady with diabetes who suffered Pseudomonas peritonitis at four months on CAPD. Patient Four was a young man without diabetes. He had peritonitis after he was on CAPD for four months. The culture showed no bacteria growth. For the first six months of CAPD the peritonitis rate was calculated as one episode for every 51 patient months. The average peritonitis rate of all patients on CAPD at the National University Hospital in 1999 was calculated as one episode for every 27 patient months. The CAPD related peritonitis involving new CAPD patients was lower.

Clinical outcomes of patients with biopsy-proven lupus nephritis in NUH.

OBJECTIVE: To review the clinical outcomes of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) patients with biopsy-proven lupus nephritis with regards to the histological features and treatment. METHOD: Patients (1) with SLE, (2) had renal biopsy in NUH for lupus nephritis, and (3) on follow-up from the period of January 1998 to April 2001, were reviewed. RESULT: Fifty patients were reviewed with female to male ratio of 4:1. Mean age was 35.4 years. Sixty-eight percent had renal involvement at diagnosis of SLE. At least 50% had other major organ systems involvement. Forty-two patients had WHO Class IV lupus nephritis. Biopsy showed crescents in 17 patients, microangiopathy in 19, and vasculitis in two patients. All patients received prednisolone. Forty-one had IV cyclophosphamide, two had oral cyclophosphamide and seven had cyclosporin A. Azathioprine was used in 41 patients, pulse methylprednisolone in eight, IVIG in four, plasma exchange in three and mycophenolate in two patients. OUTCOME: Forty-four percent were in complete remission, 26% in partial remission, 34% had relapsed nephritis, 4% had chronic renal failure and 12% progressed to ESRD. There were five deaths. CONCLUSION: Renal involvement in SLE occurs early in the disease and is associated with other organ systems involvement. Only 44% were in complete remission. Thirty-four percent had relapsed. Renal survival was 88% in this cohort.

Primary antiphospholipid antibody syndrome and mesangial IgA glomerulonephritis.

The antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APS) is characterized by recurrent thrombosis, fetal loss, multiorgan involvement, and the presence of lupus anticoagulant and/or anticardiolipin antibody. When not associated with systemic lupus erythematosus, other collagen diseases, or ingestion of medications, the condition is called primary APS. The kidney may be involved in the APS syndrome with acute nephritis and renal failure. The cases with renal biopsy studies have shown variable glomerular morphology, ranging from mild mesangial changes to a diffuse endocapillary proliferative glomerulonephritis. The most frequent lesion is thrombotic microangiopathy or features seen in the hemolytic uremic syndrome. Apart from fibrin thrombus deposition, only a few cases have shown focal and segmental deposits of IgG and/or IgM and/or C3. We describe a patient with primary APS who had thrombosis with lower limb amputation and acute renal failure. The renal biopsy specimen showed a focal proliferative glomerulonephritis with endothelial proliferation and damage, with diffuse heavy mesangial deposits of IgA and fibrinogen. This case with diabetes mellitus, but without diabetic nephropathy, represents the occurrence of primary APS and mesangial IgA nephropathy which potentiated the renal injury, leading to acute renal failure. The relationship to the Henoch-Schönlein syndrome is discussed.