Competitive portfolio selection using stochastic predictions

We study a portfolio selection problem where a player attempts to maximise a utility function that represents the growth rate of wealth. We show that, given some stochastic predictions of the asset prices in the next time step, a sublinear expected regret is attainable against an optimal greedy algorithm, subject to tradeoff against the \accuracy" of such predictions that learn (or improve) over time. We also study the effects of introducing transaction costs into the model

Differences in osmotolerance in freshwater and brackish water populations of Theodoxus fluviatilis (Gastropoda: Neritidae) are associated with differential protein expression

The euryhaline gastropod Theodoxus fluviatilis is found in northern Germany in freshwater or in brackish water habitats in the Baltic Sea. Previous studies have revealed that individuals from both habitats are not distinguishable by morphological characters or by sequence comparison of DNA encoding 16S RNA or cytochrome C. As reported in this study, animals collected in the two habitats differ substantially in their physiological ability to adapt to different salinities. Comparison of accumulation rates of ninhydrin-positive substances (NPS) in foot muscle upon transfer of animals to higher medium salinities revealed that brackish water animals were perfectly able to mobilize NPS, while freshwater animals had only limited ability to do so. In an attempt to explore whether this difference in physiology may be caused by genetic differentiation, we compared protein expression patterns of soluble foot muscle proteins using 2D gel electrophoresis and silver staining. Of the 40 consistently detected protein spots, 27 showed similar levels in protein expression in animals collected from freshwater or brackish water habitats, respectively. In 12 spots, however, protein concentration was higher in brackish water than in freshwater animals. In four of these spots, expression levels followed increases or decreases in medium salinities. In a different set of 4 of these 12 spots, protein levels were always higher in brackish water as compared to freshwater animals, regardless of their physiological situation (14 days in artificial pond water or in medium with a salinity of 16‰). The remaining 4 of the 12 spots had complex expression patterns. Protein levels of the remaining single spot were generally higher in freshwater animals than in brackish water animals. These expression patterns may indicate that freshwater and brackish water animals of T. fluviatilis belong to different locally adapted populations with subtle genetic differentiation

Safety outcomes during pediatric GH therapy: final results from the prospective GeNeSIS observational program

CONTEXT: Safety concerns regarding premature mortality, diabetes, neoplasia and cerebrovascular disease in association with growth hormone (GH) therapy have been raised. OBJECTIVE: To assess incidence of key safety outcomes. DESIGN: Prospective, multinational, observational study (1999-2015). SETTING: 22,311 GH-treated children from 827 investigative sites in 30 countries. PATIENTS: Children with growth disorders. INTERVENTIONS: GH treatment. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Standardized mortality (SMR) and incidence (SIR) ratios with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for mortality, diabetes, and primary cancer, using general population registries. RESULTS: Predominant short stature diagnoses were GH deficiency (63%), idiopathic short stature (13%), and Turner syndrome (8%), with mean±SD follow-up of 4.2±3.2 years (∼92,000 person-years [PY]). Forty-two deaths occurred in patients with follow-up, with SMR (95% CI) of 0.61 (0.44-0.82); the SMR was elevated for patients with cancer-related organic GH deficiency (5.87 [3.21-9.85]). Based on 18 cases, Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) risk was elevated (SIR 3.77 [2.24-5.96]), but 72% had risk factors. In patients without cancer history, 14 primary cancers were observed (SIR 0.71 [0.39-1.20]). Second neoplasms occurred in 31/622 (5.0%) cancer survivors (10.7 [7.5-15.2] cases/1000 PY), and intracranial tumor recurrences in 67/823 (8.1%) tumor survivors (16.9 [13.3-21.5] cases/1000 PY). All 3 hemorrhagic stroke cases had risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: GeNeSIS data support the favourable safety profile of pediatric GH treatment. Overall risk for death or primary cancer was not elevated in GH-treated children, and no hemorrhagic strokes occurred in patients without risk factors. T2DM incidence was elevated compared to the general population, but most cases had diabetes risk factors

Bone mineral density in partially recovered early onset anorexic patients - a follow-up investigation

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background and aims</p> <p>There still is a lack of prospective studies on bone mineral development in patients with a history of early onset Anorexia nervosa (AN). Therefore we assessed associations between bone mass accrual and clinical outcomes in a former clinical sample. In addition to an expected influence of regular physical activity and hormone replacement therapy, we explored correlations with nutritionally dependent hormones.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>3-9 years (mean 5.2 ± 1.7) after hospital discharge, we re-investigated 52 female subjects with a history of early onset AN. By means of a standardized approach, we evaluated the general outcome of AN. Moreover, bone mineral content (BMC) and bone mineral density (BMD) as well as lean and fat mass were measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA). In a substudy, we measured the serum concentrations of leptin and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The general outcome of anorexia nervosa was good in 50% of the subjects (BMI ≥ 17.5 kg/m², resumption of menses). Clinical improvement was correlated with BMC and BMD accrual (χ²= 5.62/χ²= 6.65, p = 0.06 / p = 0.036). The duration of amenorrhea had a negative correlation with BMD (r = -.362; p < 0.01), but not with BMC. Regular physical activity tended to show a positive effect on bone recovery, but the effect of hormone replacement therapy was not significant. Using age-related standards, the post-discharge sample for the substudy presented IGF-I levels below the 5^thpercentile. IGF-I serum concentrations corresponded to the general outcome of AN. By contrast, leptin serum concentrations showed great variability. They correlated with BMC and current body composition parameters.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our results from the main study indicate a certain adaptability of bone mineral accrual which is dependent on a speedy and ongoing recovery. While leptin levels in the substudy tended to respond immediately to current nutritional status, IGF-I serum concentrations corresponded to the individual's age and general outcome of AN.</p

Biochemical Characterization of a Trypanosomatid Isolated from the Plant Amaranthus retroflexus

A protozoan flagelate has recently been isolated from Amaranthus retroflexus. This plant grows near economically important crops in southeastern Spain, which are known to be parasitized by Phytomonas spp. The present study focuses on the characterization of the energy metabolism of this new isolate. These flagellates utilize glucose efficiently as their primary energy source, although they are unable to completely degrade it. They excrete ethanol, acetate, glycine, and succinate in lower amount, as well as ammonium. The presence of glycosomes was indicated by the early enzymes of the glycolytic pathway, one enzyme of the glycerol pathway (glycerol kinase), and malate dehydrogenase. No evidence of a fully functional citric-acid cycle was found. In the absence of catalase activity, these flagellates showed significant superoxide dismutase activity located in the glycosomal and cytosolic fractions. These trypanosomes, despite being morphologically and metabolically similar to other Phytomonas isolated from the same area, showed significant differences, suggesting that they are phylogenetically different species

The first-year growth response to growth hormone treatment predicts the long-term prepubertal growth response in children

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Pretreatment auxological variables, such as birth size and parental heights, are important predictors of the growth response to GH treatment. For children with missing pretreatment data, published prediction models cannot be used.</p> <p>The objective was to construct and validate a prediction model for children with missing background data based on the observed first-year growth response to GH. The accuracy and reliability of the model should be comparable with our previously published prediction model relying on pretreatment data. The design used was mathematical curve fitting on observed growth response data from children treated with a GH dose of 33 μg/kg/d.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Growth response data from 162 prepubertal children born at term were used to construct the model; the group comprised of 19% girls, 80% GH-deficient and 23% born SGA. For validation, data from 205 other children fulfilling the same inclusion and treatment criteria as the model group were used. The model was also tested on data from children born prematurely, children from other continents and children receiving a GH dose of 67 μg/kg/d.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The GH response curve was similar for all children, but with an individual amplitude. The curve SD score depends on an individual factor combining the effect of dose and growth, the 'Response Score', and time on treatment, making prediction possible when the first-year growth response is known. The prediction interval (± 2 SD_res) was ± 0.34 SDS for the second treatment year growth response, corresponding to ± 1.2 cm for a 3-year-old child and ± 1.8 cm for a 7-year-old child. For the 1–4-year prediction, the SD_reswas 0.13 SDS/year and for the 1–7-year prediction it was 0.57 SDS (i.e. < 0.1 SDS/year).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The model based on the observed first-year growth response on GH is valid worldwide for the prediction of up to 7 years of prepubertal growth in children with GHD/ISS, born AGA/SGA and born preterm/term, and can be used as an aid in medical decision making.</p