A likelihood ratio test for detecting patterns of disease-marker association

A likelihood ratio test of disease-marker association is proposed, based on the observation of marker alleles transmitted from parents to affected children. The proposed association test has the advantage of identifying the population pattern of disease-marker association, differentiating between marker alleles that are positively and negatively associated with the disease. The power of the test for detecting association is evaluated and compared with three existing multi-allelic tests for some specific disease-marker association patterns. The power of the parametric tests depends crucially on the pattern of disease-marker association. An over-parameterised association model is less detrimental in terms of power than an under parameterised model.     

Pharmacological modulation of cold-induced pain in cutaneous leiomyomata

In two patients with painful cutaneous leiomyomata, induction of pain by the application of an ice cube allowed assessment of a number of topical and systemic treatments aimed at reducing or preventing the pain. In one patient the alpha-adrenoceptor blocker, phenoxybenzamine alleviated cold-induced pain. In the second patient, topical 9% hyoscine hydrobromide (an anticholinergic agent) decreased pain induced by the ice cube, but was not helpful in reducing lesional pain due to cold weather.     

Studies on the temporomandibular joints of an eighteenth-century London population (Spitalfields)

The mandibular condyles and glenoid fossae of 93 adult skulls of known age at death were studied in skeletons exhumed from the crypt of Christ Church, Spitalfields, London. Antero-posterior and mesio-lateral dimensions were recorded, as were the shapes together with form and surface changes. In addition, the teeth present and the extent of occlusal attrition were noted. There was sexual dimorphism in the mesio-lateral size of the condyle, and although ante-mortem tooth loss was higher than in previously studied Romano-British skulls, form and surface changes of the condyle were less marked. It is concluded that tooth loss is not the main factor involved in remodelling of the condyle.     

The surface structure of the human mandibular condyle in health and disease

Surface features of the human mandibular condyle have been studied by scanning and electron microscopy. Normal condyles possessed features similar to those in other diarthrodial joints but with certain differences. Two types of erosion and an exostosis were seen in diseased joints and the surface structure is described.