Strategies to fit pattern-mixture models

Whereas most models for incomplete longitudinal data are formulated within the selection model framework, pattern-mixture models have gained considerable interest in recent years (Little, 1993, 1994). In this paper, we outline several strategies to fit pattern-mixture models, including the so-called identifying restrictions strategy. Multiple imputation is used to apply this strategy to realistic settings, such as quality-of-life data from a longitudinal study on metastatic breast cancer patients.     

To fit or not to fit: death decisions from morphogen fields

The transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)-type morphogens are conserved throughout the animal kingdom. TGF-β-type molecules form spatial concentration gradients whose length scales with the size of growing, developing organs. Scaling of these morphogens can also be mediated by death, adjusting the size of the tissue to the range of the gradient. Death-mediated scaling might provide a molecular toolbox exploited by cancer cells.     

Gastrointestinal function during exercise: comparison of water, sports drink, and sports drink with caffeine.

Caffeine is suspected to affect gastrointestinal function. We therefore investigated whether supplementation of a carbohydrate-electrolyte solution (CES) sports drink with 150 mg/l caffeine leads to alterations in gastrointestinal variables compared with a normal CES and water using a standardized rest-exercise-rest protocol. Ten well-trained subjects underwent a rest-cycling-rest protocol three times. Esophageal motility, gastroesophageal reflux, and intragastric pH were measured by use of a transnasal catheter. Orocecal transit time was measured using breath-H(2) measurements. A sugar absorption test was applied to determine intestinal permeability and glucose absorption. Gastric emptying was measured via the (13)C-acetate breath test. In the postexercise episode, midesophageal pressure was significantly lower in the CES + caffeine trial compared with the water trial (P = 0.017). There were no significant differences between the three drinks for gastric pH and reflux during the preexercise, the cycling, and the postexercise episode, respectively. Gastric emptying, orocecal transit time, and intestinal permeability showed no significant differences between the three trials. However, glucose absorption was significantly increased in the CES + caffeine trial compared with the CES trial (P = 0.017). No significant differences in gastroesophageal reflux, gastric pH, or gastrointestinal transit could be observed between the CES, the CES + caffeine, and the water trials. However, intestinal glucose uptake was increased in the CES + caffeine trial.     

A note on goodness of fit of a population to Hardy-Weinberg structure.

The test of goodness of fit of a population to Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium given by Levene [2] and Haldane [1] is valid within a widely accepted recipe for testing goodness of fit of a composite hypothesis. The nature of the result of Cannings and Edwards [3] is described. The result was shown to be quite different than they claimed and, although possible of some interest, not relevant to the testing of goodness of fit to Hardy-Weinberg structure.