Discussion of "Impact of Frequentist and Bayesian Methods on Survey Sampling Practice: A Selective Appraisal" by J. N. K. Rao

Discussion of "Impact of Frequentist and Bayesian Methods on Survey Sampling Practice: A Selective Appraisal" by J. N. K. Rao [arXiv:1108.2356]Comment: Published in at http://dx.doi.org/10.1214/11-STS346C the Statistical Science (http://www.imstat.org/sts/) by the Institute of Mathematical Statistics (http://www.imstat.org

Birds of "La Selva"

p. 53-148, [20] p. of plates (1 folded) : ill., maps ; 27 cm.Includes bibliographical references (p. 146-148)

Ação de antioxidantes naturais em doenças inflamatórias intestinais : uma revisão da literatura

Doenças inflamatórias intestinais são distúrbios que causam inflamação crônica do intestino e que afetam a qualidade de vida de cerca de 10 milhões de pessoas no mundo. Existem dois tipos: a Doença de Crohn e a Colite Ulcerativa. Doença do sistema imunológico, de causa multifatorial, existem indícios de que fatores externos ligados aos nossos hábitos e ao ambiente possam estar envolvidos no surgimento da doença. Estresse constante, má alimentação, sedentarismo, consumo de álcool e tabaco podem favorecer o aparecimento desses quadros. Doença de causa ainda questionável, leva a ativação de uma cascata inflamatória, provocando um desequilíbrio que leva a um processo inflamatório crônico e incurável no trato gastrointestinal. Durante décadas, o tratamento convencional dessas doenças consistiu-se no uso de anti-inflamatórios, como corticosteroides, aminossalicilatos, imunossupressores ou direcionado a melhora de um sintoma específico. No entanto, esses medicamentos apresentam vários efeitos adversos. O presente estudo trata sobre a ação de antioxidantes naturais em doenças inflamatórias intestinais. Para tanto, foi realizado uma revisão de literatura sobre a ação dos antioxidantes endógenos e exógenos através de um levantamento bibliográfico em bases de dados MEDLINE, ScienceDirect e Web of Science incluindo trabalhos entre janeiro de 2000 e julho de 2023. Foram selecionados apenas artigos em inglês, através de Grupos de palavras-chave: [“inflammatory bowel disease” or IBD], [“natural antioxidant” or antioxidant]. Estudos de tratamento de outras doenças inflamatórias e associação de antioxidantes foram excluídos. Foram definidos os principais antioxidantes, reunindo pesquisas científicas na busca de novos agentes e designando o seu papel nas Doenças de Crohn e na Colite Ulcerativa. Foram selecionados curcumina, quercetina, resveratrol, além de bilirrubina e K-Urine. Foram utilizados estudos in vitro e in vivo. Verificou-se quão é importante a utilização desses agentes na prevenção e no tratamento do processo inflamatório, assim como suas baixas solubilidade, hidrofilicidade e biodisponibilidade, sendo esses fatores limitantes no tratamento. Foi possível concluir que a utilização de nanoestruturas, vetorização de fármacos e a associação desses antioxidantes com a terapia farmacológica convencional são alternativas para aumentar a eficácia do tratamento.Inflammatory bowel diseases are disorders that cause chronic inflammation of the in testine and affect the quality of life of approximately ten million people worldwide. There are two types: Crohn's disease and Ulcerative Colitis. These are immune system related diseases with multifactorial causes, and there is evidence that external facto rs related to our habits and environment might be involved in the onset of the disease. Constant stress, poor diet, sedentary lifestyle, alcohol consumption, and tobacco use can contribute to the development of these conditions. While the exact cause of th e diseases is still uncertain, it triggers an inflammatory cascade, leading to an imbalance that results in chronic and incurable gastrointestinal inflammation. For decades, conventional treatment of these diseases has relied on the use of anti inflammato ry drugs such as corticosteroids, aminosalicylates, immunosuppressants, or medications targeting specific symptoms. However, these medications come with various adverse effects. The present study focuses on the role of natural antioxidants in inflammatory bowel diseases. To this end, a literature review was conducted on the action of endogenous and exogenous antioxidants through a bibliographic search on MEDLINE, ScienceDirect, and Web of Science databases, including works published between January 2000 and July 2023. Only articles in English were selected, using keyword groups: ["inflammatory bowel disease" or IBD], ["natural antioxidant" or antioxidant]. Studies related to the treatment of other inflammatory diseases and antioxidant combinations were exclu ded. The primary antioxidants were identified, gathering scientific research to explore new agents and their roles in Crohn's disease and Ulcerative Colitis. Curcumin, quercetin, resveratrol, bilirubin, and K Urine were selected. Both in vitro and in vivo studies were employed. The importance of these agents in preventing and treating the inflammatory process was underscored, as were their limitations due to low solubility, hydrophilicity, and bioavailability in treatment. It was concluded that the use of nanostructures, drug vectorization, and combining these antioxidants with conventional pharmacological therapy are alternatives to enhance treatment efficacy

Sequential Methods for Comparing Years of Life Saved in the Two-Sample Censored Data Problem

This research develops nonparametric strategies for sequentially monitoring clinical trial data where detecting years of life saved is of interest. The recommended test statistic looks at integrated differences in survival estimates during the time frame of interest. In many practical situations, the test statistic presented has an independent increments covariance structure. Hence, with little additional work, we may apply these testing procedures using available methodology. In the case where an independent increments covariance structure is present, we suggest how clinical trial data might be monitored using these statistics in an information-based design. The resulting study design maintains the desired stochastic operating characteristics regardless of the shapes of the survival curves being compared. This offers an advantage over the popular log-rank-based design strategy since more restrictive assumptions relating to the behavior of the hazards are required to guarantee the planned power of the test. Recommendations for how to sequentially monitor clinical trial progress in the non-independent increments case are also provided along with an example.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/65520/1/j.0006-341X.1999.01085.x.pd

The displays of the White-throated Manakin Corapipo gutturalis in Suriname

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/75617/1/j.1474-919X.1986.tb02096.x.pd

Nonparametric Rank-Based Methods for Group Sequential Monitoring of Paired Censored Survival Data

This research gives methods for nonparametric sequential monitoring of paired censored survival data in the two-sample problem using paired weighted log-rank statistics with adjustments for dependence in survival and censoring outcomes. The joint asymptotic closed-form distribution of these sequentially monitored statistics has a dependent increments structure. Simulations validating operating characteristics of the proposed methods highlight power and size consequences of ignoring even mildly correlated data. A motivating example is presented via the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/65768/1/j.0006-341X.2000.0984.x.pd

Flexible selection of a single treatment incorporating short-term endpoint information in a phase II/III clinical trial

Seamless phase II/III clinical trials in which an experimental treatment is selected at an interim analysis have been the focus of much recent research interest. Many of the methods proposed are based on the group sequential approach. This paper considers designs of this type in which the treatment selection can be based on short-term endpoint information for more patients than have primary endpoint data available. We show that in such a case, the familywise type I error rate may be inflated if previously proposed group sequential methods are used and the treatment selection rule is not specified in advance. A method is proposed to avoid this inflation by considering the treatment selection that maximises the conditional error given the data available at the interim analysis. A simulation study is reported that illustrates the type I error rate inflation and compares the power of the new approach with two other methods: a combination testing approach and a group sequential method that does not use the short-term endpoint data, both of which also strongly control the type I error rate. The new method is also illustrated through application to a study in Alzheimer's disease. © 2015 The Authors. Statistics in Medicine Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd

Brazilian minipig as a large-animal model for basic research and stem cell-based tissue engineering. Characterization and in vitro differentiation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells

Stem cell-based regenerative medicine is one of the most intensively researched medical issues. Pre-clinical studies in a large-animal model, especially in swine or miniature pigs, are highly relevant to human applications. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been isolated and expanded from different sources. Objective: This study aimed at isolating and characterizing, for the first time, bone marrow-derived MSCs (BM-MSCs) from a Brazilian minipig (BR1). Also, this aimed to validate a new large-animal model for stem cell-based tissue engineering. Material and Methods: Bone marrow (BM) was aspirated from the posterior iliac crest of twelve adult male BR1 under general anesthesia. MSCs were selected by plastic-adherence as originally described by Friedenstein. Cell morphology, surface marker expression, and cellular differentiation were examined. The immunophenotypic profile was determined by flow cytometry. The differentiation potential was assessed by cytological staining and by RT-PCR. Results: MSCs were present in all minipig BM samples. These cells showed fibroblastic morphology and were positive for the surface markers CD90 (88.6%), CD29 (89.8%), CD44 (86.9%) and negative for CD34 (1.61%), CD45 (1.83%), CD14 (1.77%) and MHC-II (2.69%). MSCs were differentiated into adipocytes, osteoblasts, and chondroblasts as demonstrated by the presence of lipidic-rich vacuoles, the mineralized extracellular matrix, and the great presence of glycosaminoglycans, respectively. The higher gene expression of adipocyte fatty-acid binding protein (AP2), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and collagen type 2 (COLII) also confirmed the trilineage differentiation (