Normality tests for dependent data: large-sample and bootstrap approaches

The paper considers the problem of testing for normality of the one-dimensional marginal distribution of a strictly stationary and weakly dependent stochastic process. The possibility of using an autoregressive sieve bootstrap procedure to obtain critical values and P-values for normality tests is explored. The small-sample properties of a variety of tests are investigated in an extensive set of Monte Carlo experiments. The bootstrap version of the classical skewness--kurtosis test is shown to have the best overall performance in small samples

Higher prevalence of smoking and lower BMI, waist circumference, cholesterol and triacylglyceride levels in Prague's homeless compared to a majority of the Czech population

BACKGROUND: Homeless people have higher morbidity and mortality rates than the general population. Research has shown that cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in older homeless adults. This study was undertaken to describe the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in the homeless population in Prague. METHODS: Data was obtained from a cross-sectional study carried out in 2003. Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), total cholesterol (TC), triacylglycerides (TAG) and smoking habits were assessed. The homeless participants in the study were recruited from a homeless center run by a Prague charitable organization called Naděje ("Hope") and at Prague's main railway station. Most participants were assessed at the Naděje center (134 persons) while the rest were assessed at Prague's Bulovka University Hospital (67 persons). RESULTS: A total of 201 homeless (174 males and 27 females) aged 19 – 70 years were examined. Mean values of BMI, WC, TC and TAG in homeless men and women were within normal limits. Compared with the majority of the Czech population, the homeless had significantly lower mean levels of TC and TAG and lower BMI and WC values. When compared to the majority of the Czech population, the incidence of smoking among the homeless was significantly higher. Among smokers in both populations, no differences were found in the number of cigarettes smoked per day. CONCLUSION: Classical cardiovascular risk factors such as TC, TAG, BMI and WC, are significantly lower in Prague's homeless minority than in the majority of the Czech population. However, the prevalence of smoking is much higher in the homeless population

Metoda hodnocení environmentálního stresu a její aplikace v podmínkách Severozápadních Sudet

The results of research follow from new method designed at the Department of Geography (UJEP) and they document some analogical development trends and features of social and ecological burden (stress) and their correlation. It shows higher inertia of ecological subsystem conditioned by persistence of partial components of the subsystem. The ecological subsystem does not respect many changes and shift in social subsystem which is due to the existence of several significant macro-regional anthropogenic influences and impacts which exceed the boundary of model areas. Thus, an important role is assigned to geographical location of model areas and cross-border political and social effects influencing both human and natural components of the landscape. Next conclusion to be said is the correlation between population density and character of changes in social subsystem, while lower population intensifies the character of these changes

Hyperlipoproteinemia Impairs Endothelium-Dependent Vasodilation

Summary Atherogenic lipoproteins can cause endothelial dysfunction in the initial stage of atherogenesis. In our study we examined 134 patients with defined hyperlipoproteinemia (non-HDL cholesterol > 4.1 mmol/l or triglycerides > 2.5 mmol/l or taking any of lipid lowering drugs) -94 men and 40 women. The subgroup of controls of comparable age contained 54 normolipidemic individuals -30 men and 24 women. Patients with hyperlipoproteinemia revealed significantly lower ability of endothelium-dependent flow-mediated vasodilation (EDV) measured on brachial artery (4.13±3.07 vs. 5.41±3.82 %; p=0.032) and higher carotid intima media thickness than normolipidemic controls (0.68±0.22 vs. 0.58±0.15 mm; p=0.005). In regression analysis, EDV correlated significantly with plasma concentrations of oxLDL (p<0.05) HDL-cholesterol (p<0.05), Apo A1 (p<0.05), ATI (p<0.01) and non-HDL cholesterol (p<0.05). Patients with hyperlipoproteinemia showed higher plasma levels of oxLDL (65.77±9.54 vs. 56.49±7.80 U/l; p=0.015), malondialdehyde (0.89±0.09 vs. 0.73±0.08 µmol/l; p=0.010) and nitrites/nitrates (20.42±4.88 vs. 16.37±4.44 µmol/l; p=0.018) indicating possible higher long-term oxidative stress in these patients

Supplementary Material for: Should the Negativity for Islet Cell Autoantibodies Be Used in a Prescreening for Genetic Testing in Maturity-Onset Diabetes of the Young? The Case of Autoimmunity-Associated Destruction of Pancreatic β-Cells in a Family of HNF1A-MODY Subjects

It was recently suggested that routine islet cell autoantibody testing should be performed to discriminate maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) from type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). This is the first report ever to describe the familial manifestation of T1DM autoimmunity in nonobese HNF1A-MODY subjects and the presence of islet antigen-2 (IA-2) antibodies in MODY subjects. Three nonobese subjects in an age range of 14-35 years were diagnosed with HNF1A-MODY (p. Arg159Gln mutation). All the tested subjects had detectable (but varying) levels of islet cell autoantibodies (i.e., antibodies against glutamate decarboxylase or IA-2) in the absence of other T1DM characteristics. They displayed long-term expression of intermediate fasting C-peptide levels, ketoacidosis was absent even in periods of spontaneous insulin withdrawal, and full dependence on externally administered insulin was not detected in any of them although better glycemic control was achieved when insulin was supplemented. The course of the disease was similar to that of the autoantibody-negative HNF1A-MODY subjects. The case questions the selectivity of autoantibodies as a marker of T1DM or late-onset autoimmune diabetes of adulthood (LADA) over MODY and challenges the use of autoantibodies as a universal negative marker of MODY in an effort to decrease the cost of health care, as it may eventually lead to the wrong diagnosis and thus to the incorrect treatment. Further research should involve examination of the autoantibody titers and prevalence in large and geographically diverse cohorts of MODY subjects selected for genetic testing (regardless of their autoantibody titers) as well as determination of the islet cell autoantibody kinetics in the course of MODY onset and progression