(In)Consistencies in responses to sodium bicarbonate supplementation: a randomised, repeated measures, counterbalanced and double-blind study

Objectives: Intervention studies do not account for high within-individual variation potentially compromising the magnitude of an effect. Repeat administration of a treatment allows quantification of individual responses and determination of the consistency of responses. We determined the consistency of metabolic and exercise responses following repeated administration of sodium bicarbonate (SB). Design and Methods: 15 physically active males (age 25 ± 4 y; body mass 76.0 ± 7.3 kg; height 1.77 ± 0.05 m) completed six cycling capacity tests at 110% of maximum power output (CCT 110% ) following ingestion of either 0.3 g.kg -1 BM of SB (4 trials) or placebo (PL, 2 trials). Blood pH, bicarbonate, base excess and lactate were determined at baseline, pre-exercise, post-exercise and 5-min post-exercise. Total work done (TWD) was recorded as the exercise outcome. Results: SB supplementation increased blood pH, bicarbonate and base excess prior to every trial (all p ≤0.001); absolute changes in pH, bicarbonate and base excess from baseline to pre-exercise were similar in all SB trials (all p > 0.05). Blood lactate was elevated following exercise in all trials (p ≤ 0.001), and was higher in some, but not all, SB trials compared to PL. TWD was not significantly improved with SB vs. PL in any trial (SB1: +3.6%; SB2 +0.3%; SB3: +2.1%; SB4: +6.7%; all p > 0.05), although magnitude-based inferences suggested a 93% likely improvement in SB4. Individual analysis showed ten participants improved in at least one SB trial above the normal variation of the test although five improved in none. Conclusions: The mechanism for improved exercise with SB was consistently in place prior to exercise, although this only resulted in a likely improvement in one trial. SB does not consistently improve high intensity cycling capacity, with results suggesting that caution should be taken when interpreting the results from single trials as to the efficacy of SB supplementation. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT0247462

Toward High-Precision Measures of Large-Scale Structure

I review some results of estimation of the power spectrum of density fluctuations from galaxy redshift surveys and discuss advances that may be possible with the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. I then examine the realities of power spectrum estimation in the presence of Galactic extinction, photometric errors, galaxy evolution, clustering evolution, and uncertainty about the background cosmology.Comment: 24 pages, including 11 postscript figures. Uses crckapb.sty (included in submission). To appear in ``Ringberg Workshop on Large-Scale Structure,'' ed D. Hamilton (Kluwer, Amsterdam), p. 39

Development and validation of the Cambridge Multimorbidity Score

BACKGROUND: Health services have failed to respond to the pressures of multimorbidity. Improved measures of multimorbidity are needed for conducting research, planning services and allocating resources. METHODS: We modelled the association between 37 morbidities and 3 key outcomes (primary care consultations, unplanned hospital admission, death) at 1 and 5 years. We extracted development (n = 300 000) and validation (n = 150 000) samples from the UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink. We constructed a general-outcome multimorbidity score by averaging the standardized weights of the separate outcome scores. We compared performance with the Charlson Comorbidity Index. RESULTS: Models that included all 37 conditions were acceptable predictors of general practitioner consultations (C-index 0.732, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.731-0.734), unplanned hospital admission (C-index 0.742, 95% CI 0.737-0.747) and death at 1 year (C-index 0.912, 95% CI 0.905-0.918). Models reduced to the 20 conditions with the greatest combined prevalence/weight showed similar predictive ability (C-indices 0.727, 95% CI 0.725-0.728; 0.738, 95% CI 0.732-0.743; and 0.910, 95% CI 0.904-0.917, respectively). They also predicted 5-year outcomes similarly for consultations and death (C-indices 0.735, 95% CI 0.734-0.736, and 0.889, 95% CI 0.885-0.892, respectively) but performed less well for admissions (C-index 0.708, 95% CI 0.705-0.712). The performance of the general-outcome score was similar to that of the outcome-specific models. These models performed significantly better than those based on the Charlson Comorbidity Index for consultations (C-index 0.691, 95% CI 0.690-0.693) and admissions (C-index 0.703, 95% CI 0.697-0.709) and similarly for mortality (C-index 0.907, 95% CI 0.900-0.914). INTERPRETATION: The Cambridge Multimorbidity Score is robust and can be either tailored or not tailored to specific health outcomes. It will be valuable to those planning clinical services, policymakers allocating resources and researchers seeking to account for the effect of multimorbidity

Validade de peso, estatura e IMC referidos por puérperas do estudo Nascer no Brasil

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a acurácia das informações de peso pré-gestacional, estatura, índice de massa corporal pré-gestacional e peso na última consulta de pré-natal, segundo características maternas, variáveis sociodemográficas e de pré-natal. MÉTODOS: O estudo foi desenvolvido com dados do questionário face a face e do cartão da gestante (padrão-ouro) do estudo “Nascer no Brasil, 2011–2012”. Para avaliar as diferenças entre as variáveis antropométricas medidas e referidas, utilizou-se o teste de Kruskal-Wallis para as variáveis dividas em quartis. Para as variáveis contínuas, adotou-se o teste de Wilcoxon, gráficos de Bland e Altman, diferença média entre as informações medidas e referidas pelas mulheres. Estimou-se a sensibilidade e o coeficiente de correlação intraclasse. RESULTADOS: No estudo, 17.093 mulheres possuíam cartão de gestante. Observou-se uma subestimação do peso pré-gestacional em 1,51 kg (DP = 3,44) e do índice de massa corporal em 0,79 kg/m2 (DP = 1,72), e superestimação da estatura em 0,75 cm (DP = 3,03) e do peso na última consulta em 0,22 kg (DP = 2,09). Os coeficientes de correlação intraclasse (CCIC) obtidos para as variáveis antropométricas foram: estatura (CCIC = 0,89), peso pré-gestacional (CCIC = 0,96), índice de massa corporal pré-gestacional (CCIC = 0,92) e peso na última consulta (CCIC = 0,98). CONCLUSÕES: Os resultados sugerem que as variáveis antropométricas referidas foram válidas para a população de estudo, e podem ser utilizadas em estudos com populações que tenham características semelhantes.OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the accuracy of information on pre-gestational weight, height, pre-gestational body mass index, and weight at the last prenatal appointment, according to maternal characteristics and sociodemographic and prenatal variables. METHODS: The study was developed using data from the face-to-face questionnaire and prenatal card (gold standard) of the study “Birth in Brazil, 2011–2012”. To evaluate the differences between the measured and self-reported anthropometric variables, we used the the Kruskal-Wallis test for the variables divided into quartiles. For the continuous variables, we used the Wilcoxon test, Bland-Altman plot, and average difference between the information measured and reported by the women. We estimated sensitivity and the intraclass correlation coefficient. RESULTS: In the study, 17,093 women had the prenatal card. There was an underestimation of pre-gestational weight of 1.51 kg (SD = 3.44) and body mass index of 0.79 kg/m2 (SD = 1.72) andoverestimation of height of 0.75 cm (SD = 3.03) and weight at the last appointment of 0.22 kg (SD = 2.09). The intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) obtained for the anthropometric variables were: height (ICC = 0.89), pre-gestational weight (ICC = 0.96), pre-gestational body mass index (ICC = 0.92), and weight at the last appointment (ICC = 0.98). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that the mentioned anthropometric variables were valid for the study population, and they may be used in studies of populations with similar characteristics

Germline DNA Repair Gene Mutations in Young-onset Prostate Cancer Cases in the UK: Evidence for a More Extensive Genetic Panel

Background Rare germline mutations in DNA repair genes are associated with prostate cancer (PCa) predisposition and prognosis. Objective To quantify the frequency of germline DNA repair gene mutations in UK PCa cases and controls, in order to more comprehensively evaluate the contribution of individual genes to overall PCa risk and likelihood of aggressive disease. Design, setting, and participants We sequenced 167 DNA repair and eight PCa candidate genes in a UK-based cohort of 1281 young-onset PCa cases (diagnosed at ≤60 yr) and 1160 selected controls. Outcome measurements and statistical analysis Gene-level SKAT-O and gene-set adaptive combination of p values (ADA) analyses were performed separately for cases versus controls, and aggressive (Gleason score ≥8, n = 201) versus nonaggressive (Gleason score ≤7, n = 1048) cases. Results and limitations We identified 233 unique protein truncating variants (PTVs) with minor allele frequency <0.5% in controls in 97 genes. The total proportion of PTV carriers was higher in cases than in controls (15% vs 12%, odds ratio [OR] = 1.29, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01–1.64, p = 0.036). Gene-level analyses selected NBN (pSKAT-O = 2.4 × 10−4) for overall risk and XPC (pSKAT-O = 1.6 × 10−4) for aggressive disease, both at candidate-level significance (p < 3.1 × 10−4 and p < 3.4 × 10−4, respectively). Gene-set analysis identified a subset of 20 genes associated with increased PCa risk (OR = 3.2, 95% CI 2.1–4.8, pADA = 4.1 × 10−3) and four genes that increased risk of aggressive disease (OR = 11.2, 95% CI 4.6–27.7, pADA = 5.6 × 10−3), three of which overlap the predisposition gene set. Conclusions The union of the gene-level and gene-set-level analyses identified 23 unique DNA repair genes associated with PCa predisposition or risk of aggressive disease. These findings will help facilitate the development of a PCa-specific sequencing panel with both predictive and prognostic potential. Patient summary This large sequencing study assessed the rate of inherited DNA repair gene mutations between prostate cancer patients and disease-free men. A panel of 23 genes was identified, which may improve risk prediction or treatment pathways in future clinical practice

The relationship between general psychopathology in young people with family functioning and engagement with psychotherapy

Objective to examine whether an underlying general psychopathology factor (p factor) existed in children and adolescents attending psychodynamic psychotherapy and whether this general psychopathology factor was associated with family functioning and engagement with psychotherapy. Method Participants were 1976 children and adolescents, and their families, who sought psychodynamic psychotherapy from a community-based clinic in Southern Brazil. The Child Behavior Checklist and the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scales for assessing symptoms and family functioning were used, with treatment engagement data available through linked records. Confirmatory factor analytic methods examined psychopathology and regression models were constructed to examine associations. Results A general psychopathology factor and specific internalizing and externalizing factors were identified. Higher general psychopathology scores at assessment were associated with an increased likelihood of dropout and poorer attendance compared to completing treatment. Father’s educational level, living with both parents, lack of family adaptability and cohesion, and maltreatment experience were related to increased p factor severity. Conclusion General psychopathology severity seems to contribute to child and adolescent psychotherapy outcomes, increasing the risk of non-adherence and dropout. Family difficulties and traumatic experiences may increase p factor severity. Identifying general psychopathology routinely can be crucial for developing effective treatment plans

Indicadores técnicos e econômicos do maracujazeiro amarelo irrigado com fonte de água subterrânea

The research aimed to quantify technical and economic indicators of yellow passion fruit tree irrigated with fractions of irrigation with underground source of water, to generate information that helps farmers in decision making on the implementation of investment in irrigated fruit growing (yellow passion fruit). For this purpose, we used the passion fruit crop irrigated with Microjet type irrigation system, with conducting system in simple espaliers. The treatments consisted of five hours of application of the depth of water required by the crop with irrigation frequency of two days. The results showed that the highest yield (16660kg ha-1) was obtained with the fractionation of irrigation twice a day (50% to 7h and 50% to 21h30), which provided an increase in productivity of 54%, demonstrating the financial viability and being highly profitable to the interest rate of 2% per year, with low sensitivity of financial risk to real interest rates above the prevailing market.O trabalho teve como objetivo quantificar indicadores técnicos e econômicos do maracujazeiro-amarelo irrigado com fracionamento da irrigação com fonte de água subterrânea, de forma a gerar informações que auxiliem os agricultores na tomada de decisão sobre a aplicação de seus investimentos na fruticultura irrigada (maracujá-amarelo). Para tanto, utilizou-se da cultura do maracujá, irrigado com sistema de irrigação tipo microjet, sob a forma de condução em espaldeiras simples. Os tratamentos constaram da combinação de horários de aplicação da lâmina de água requerida pela cultura, com frequência de irrigação de dois dias. Os resultados permitiram concluir que a maior produtividade (16.660 kg ha-1) foi obtida com o fracionamento da irrigação em duas vezes ao dia (50% às 7h e 50% às 21h30), a qual proporcionou um incremento de produtividade de 54%, demonstrando viabilidade do ponto de vista financeiro e altamente lucrativo à taxa de juros de 2% ao ano, com baixa sensibilidade de risco financeiro a taxas reais de juros acima das praticadas no mercado.94095

Classical field theory on Lie algebroids: Variational aspects

The variational formalism for classical field theories is extended to the setting of Lie algebroids. Given a Lagrangian function we study the problem of finding critical points of the action functional when we restrict the fields to be morphisms of Lie algebroids. In addition to the standard case, our formalism includes as particular examples the case of systems with symmetry (covariant Euler-Poincare and Lagrange Poincare cases), Sigma models or Chern-Simons theories.Comment: Talk deliverd at the 9th International Conference on Differential Geometry and its Applications, Prague, September 2004. References adde

Kinematics of the Local Universe XIII. 21-cm line measurements of 452 galaxies with the Nan\c{c}ay radiotelescope, JHK Tully-Fisher relation and preliminary maps of the peculiar velocity field

This paper presents 452 new 21-cm neutral hydrogen line measurements carried out with the FORT receiver of the meridian transit Nan\c{c}ay radiotelescope (NRT) in the period April 2003 -- March 2005. This observational programme is part of a larger project aiming at collecting an exhaustive and magnitude-complete HI extragalactic catalogue for Tully-Fisher applications (the so-called KLUN project, for Kinematics of the Local Universe studies, end in 2008). The whole on-line HI archive of the NRT contains today reduced HI-profiles for ~4500 spiral galaxies of declination delta > -40&deg; (http://klun.obs-nancay.fr). As an example of application, we use direct Tully-Fisher relation in three (JHK) bands in deriving distances to a large catalog of 3126 spiral galaxies distributed through the whole sky and sampling well the radial velocity range between 0 and 8000 km/s. Thanks to an iterative method accounting for selection bias and smoothing effects, we show as a preliminary output a detailed and original map of the velocity field in the Local Universe

A Cosmological Framework for the Co-Evolution of Quasars, Supermassive Black Holes, and Elliptical Galaxies: I. Galaxy Mergers & Quasar Activity

(Abridged) We develop a model for the cosmological role of mergers in the evolution of starbursts, quasars, and spheroidal galaxies. Combining halo mass functions (MFs) with empirical halo occupation models, we calculate where major galaxy-galaxy mergers occur and what kinds of galaxies merge, at all redshifts. We compare with observed merger MFs, clustering, fractions, and small-scale environments, and show that this yields robust estimates in good agreement with observations. Making the simple ansatz that major, gas-rich mergers cause quasar activity, we demonstrate that this naturally reproduces the observed rise and fall of the quasar luminosity density from z=0-6, as well as quasar LFs, fractions, host galaxy colors, and clustering as a function of redshift and luminosity. The observed excess of quasar clustering on small scales is a natural prediction of the model, as mergers preferentially occur in regions with excess small-scale galaxy overdensities. We show that quasar environments at all observed redshifts correspond closely to the empirically determined small group scale, where mergers of gas-rich galaxies are most efficient. We contrast with a secular model in which quasar activity is driven by bars/disk instabilities, and show that while these modes probably dominate at Seyfert luminosities, the constraints from clustering (large and small-scale), pseudobulge populations, disk MFs, luminosity density evolution, and host galaxy colors argue that they must be a small contributor to the z>1 quasar luminosity density.Comment: 34 pages, 27 figures, submitted to ApJ. Fixed appearance of Figure