Noisy quantum walks are studied from the perspective of comparing their quantumness as defined by two popular measures, measurement-induced disturbance (MID) and quantum discord (QD). While the former has an operational definition, unlike the latter, it also tends to overestimate nonclassicality because of a lack of optimization over local measurements. Applied to quantum walks, we find that MID, while acting as a loose upper bound on QD, still tends to reflect correctly trends in the behavior of the latter. However, there are regimes where its behavior is not indicative of nonclassicality: in particular, we find an instance where MID increases with the application of noise, where we expect a reduction of quantumness.

Samples of gall bladder bile from patients with and without carcinoma of the gallbladder were examined for lipid peroxidation (free radical oxidation) products. 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE) was found in higher concentration in the bile of patients with carcinoma of the gall bladder. There was also a highly significant difference in the concentration of HNE among carcinoma of the gall bladder, cholelithiasis and control group of patients with miscellaneous abdominal disorders. This is the first study of lipid peroxidation in carcinoma of the gall bladder.

Gallbladder cancer is a common malignancy among women in India. The aetiology of gallbladder carcinoma is still obscure and although numerous factors have been implicated, none has stood the test of time. This study was carried out to evaluate the role of lipid peroxidation product 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE) in gallbladder carcinogenesis. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis was carried out in 30 bile samples obtained during laparotomy from patients with gallbladder cancer (n = 10), cholelithiasis (n = 10) and age- and sex-matched controls (n = 10). A significantly high concentration of HNE and lower concentration of biliary pH and electrolyte was observed in patients with carcinoma of the gallbladder compared with controls and patients with cholelithiasis. A significant correlation was also observed between biliary Na+ and K+ (r = 0.72), biliary Ca2+ and Na+ (r = 0.69) among controls. However, there was no correlation between HNE, electrolytes and pH among cancer patients. An increased concentration of biliary HNE and decreased concentration of electrolytes suggest biliary stasis rather then increased peroxidation in cancer patients.

Abstract