Non-parametric Bayesian drift estimation for stochastic differential equations

We consider non-parametric Bayesian estimation of the drift coefficient of a one-dimensional stochastic differential equation from discrete-time observations on the solution of this equation. Under suitable regularity conditions that are weaker than those previosly suggested in the literature, we establish posterior consistency in this context. Furthermore, we show that posterior consistency extends to the multidimensional setting as well, which, to the best of our knowledge, is a new result in this setting.Comment: 27 page

Effects of Digested Onion Extracts on Intestinal Gene Expression: An Interspecies Comparison Using Different Intestine Models.

Human intestinal tissue samples are barely accessible to study potential health benefits of nutritional compounds. Numbers of animals used in animal trials, however, need to be minimalized. Therefore, we explored the applicability of in vitro (human Caco-2 cells) and ex vivo intestine models (rat precision cut intestine slices and the pig in-situ small intestinal segment perfusion (SISP) technique) to study the effect of food compounds. In vitro digested yellow (YOd) and white onion extracts (WOd) were used as model food compounds and transcriptomics was applied to obtain more insight into which extent mode of actions depend on the model. The three intestine models shared 9,140 genes which were used to compare the responses to digested onions between the models. Unsupervised clustering analysis showed that genes up- or down-regulated by WOd in human Caco-2 cells and rat intestine slices were similarly regulated by YOd, indicating comparable modes of action for the two onion species. Highly variable responses to onion were found in the pig SISP model. By focussing only on genes with significant differential expression, in combination with a fold change > 1.5, 15 genes showed similar onion-induced expression in human Caco-2 cells and rat intestine slices and 2 overlapping genes were found between the human Caco-2 and pig SISP model. Pathway analyses revealed that mainly processes related to oxidative stress, and especially the Keap1-Nrf2 pathway, were affected by onions in all three models. Our data fit with previous in vivo studies showing that the beneficial effects of onions are mostly linked to their antioxidant properties. Taken together, our data indicate that each of the in vitro and ex vivo intestine models used in this study, taking into account their limitations, can be used to determine modes of action of nutritional compounds and can thereby reduce the number of animals used in conventional nutritional intervention studies

Operative notes do not reflect reality in laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Background: Operative notes represent an essential element in safe patient care and should therefore be clear and accurate. This comparative study examined whether operative notes accurately represented the laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) as performed. Methods: Nine Dutch teaching and non-teaching hospitals were invited to record 20 successive LCs each and to collect the corresponding operative notes. The main outcome measures were overall differences and correspondence between video recordings and notes based on the Dutch guideline for LC and the occurrence of iatrogenic gallbladder perforation. A comparison was made of the cumulative results of recordings and operative notes, and individual recordings were compared with the corresponding notes. Results: Seven hospitals participated in the study; 125 video recordings and operative notes were fully analysed. Recordings showed more steps of the procedure than did notes. Individual comparisons showed significant differences (P <= 0.001) between the recording and the corresponding note for the steps 'Introducing trocars under vision', 'Condition of the gallbladder', 'Critical view of safety' and 'Removing first and second trocar under vision'. Iatrogenic gallbladder perforation with spilled bile occurred in 31 patients (24.8 per cent), and was both recorded and reported in 29 patients. Iatrogenic gallbladder perforation with spilled bile and spilled stones occurred in 15 patients (12.0 per cent), and was recorded and reported in 11 patients. Conclusion: Operative notes do not adequately represent the actual LCs performed as they describe fewer important procedural steps. It is suggested that operative notes should include video recordings

Шматмоўныя перавыданні твораў Мікалая Гусоўскага ў Літве, Польшчы, Украіне

Рец. на кн.: Гусовський М. Пiсня про зубра. Поема. На латинськiй та украïнськiй мовах. Рiвне: Волинські обереги, 2007. 126 с. Husovianas Mikalojus. Raštai = Nicolaus Hussovianus. Opera. Vilnius: Lietuvių literatūros ir tautosakos institutes, 2007. 302 р. Hussowski Miko łaj. Pieśń o żubrze, jego postaci, dzikości i o polowaniu na niego = Carmen de statura feritate ac venatione bisontis = Песьня пра аблічча, дзікасьць зубра і паляваньне на яго = Giesmė apie stumbro išvaizdą, žiaurumą ir medžioklę = Песнь о зубре = A poem on bison (fragments). Supraśl: Stowarzyszenie Uroczysko; Agencja Reklamowo-Wydawnicza Arkadiusz Grzegorczyk, 2007. 336 s