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Microbiome composition data collected through amplicon sequencing are count data on taxa in which the total count per sample (the library size) is an artefact of the sequencing platform, and as a result, such data are compositional. To avoid library size dependency, one common way of analysing multivariate compositional data is to perform a principal component analysis (PCA) on data transformed with the centred log-ratio, hereafter called a log-ratio PCA. Two aspects typical of amplicon sequencing data are the large differences in library size and the large number of zeroes. In this study, we show on real data and by simulation that, applied to data that combine these two aspects, log-ratio PCA is nevertheless heavily dependent on the library size. This leads to a reduction in power when testing against any explanatory variable in log-ratio redundancy analysis. If there is additionally a correlation between the library size and the explanatory variable, then the type 1 error becomes inflated. We explore putative solutions to this problem.

During the cardiac cycle, there is a multi-phasic bidirectional longitudinal movement (LMov) of the intima-media complex of large arteries, i.e. along the arteries. On the left side the common carotid artery (CCA) arises directly from the aortic arc, whereas on the right side the CCA originate from the innominate artery.

The aim of this study was to compare LMov of the left and right CCA of healthy subjects to investigate whether the difference in anatomy is of importance for LMov.

The CCA’s of 93 healthy subjects were investigated using in-house developed ultrasound methods.

Although the basic pattern were the same in the majority of subjects, several phases of LMov were significantly larger on the left side (the first retrograde phase, p=0.0006; the second antegrade, “returning” phase, p<0.00001; and the rapid retrograde phase of movement at the end of the cardiac cycle, p<0.000001). In contrast, no significant side-difference in the amplitude of the first antegrade movement was seen. The maximal (peak-to-peak) LMov was significantly larger on the left side (p=0.002).

The side-differences found in LMov may be related to the difference in anatomy, including possible difference in distance to the heart and especially the presence of an extra bifurcation on the right side. Our data provide an important base for the further study of the relation between LMov and cardiovascular risk factors and atherosclerosis.

The side-differences found in LMov may be related to the difference in anatomy, including possible difference in distance to the heart and especially the presence of an extra bifurcation on the right side. Our data provide an important base for the further study of the relation between LMov and cardiovascular risk factors and atherosclerosis.Obesity prevention interventions with behavioral or lifestyle-related components delivered via web-based or telephone technologies have been reported as comparatively low cost as compared with other intervention delivery modes, yet to date, no synthesized evidence of cost-effectiveness has been published. This study aimed to conduct a systematic review of economic evaluations of obesity prevention interventions with a telehealth or eHealth intervention component. A systematic search of six academic databases was conducted through October 2020. Studies were included if they reported full economic evaluations of interventions aimed at preventing overweight or obesity, or interventions aimed at improving obesity-related behaviors, with at least one intervention component delivered by telephone (telehealth) or web-based technology (eHealth). Findings were reported narratively, based on the Consolidated Health Economic Evaluation Reporting Standards. Twenty-seven economic evaluations were included from 20 studies meeting the inclusion criteria. Sixteen of the included interventions had a telehealth component, whereas 11 had an eHealth component. Seventeen interventions were evaluated using cost-utility analysis, five with cost-effectiveness analysis, and five undertook both cost-effectiveness and cost-utility analyses. Only eight cost-utility analyses reported that the intervention was cost-effective. Comparison of results from cost-effectiveness analyses was limited by heterogeneity in methods and outcome units reported. The evidence supporting the cost-effectiveness of interventions with a telehealth or eHealth delivery component is currently inconclusive. Although obesity prevention telehealth and eHealth interventions are gaining popularity, more evidence is required on their effectiveness and cost-effectiveness.

The body adiposity index (BAI), uses anthropometry to estimate percent body fat (%F). However, previous studies have shown that the BAI has limited accuracy for children and adolescents.

We propose to develop and validate an adjusted BAI for use in male children and adolescents from 7 to 17 years of age.

The sample consisted of 141 physically active male children and adolescents (age 12.5 ± 2.14). The %F was determined by X-ray dual energy absorptometry equipment (DXA) as the standard method and by BAI, using an equation that uses height and hip circumference. Arithmetic modeling was used to adjust the structure of the BAI mathematical model.

The BAI arithmetic adjustment was successful, resulting in the mathematical model named in the present study of adjusted body adiposity index (BAI

). BAI and BAI

correlated with DXA (r ≤ .70, p < .001). Regression analyzes indicate that, BAI (CI 95% β [1.35; 1.90], p < .0001) and BAI

(CI 95% β [1.40; 1.90], p < .0001) have the potential to estimate %F. BAI pointed out a difference in relation to DXA (p = .04). While there was no difference between BAI

and DXA (p = .1). There was a proportion bias of 13.2% for BAI (p < .05), but not for BAI

(p > .05).

The adjusted model of the body adiposity index proves to be an effective tool for the analysis of the fat percentage in young males. In addition, it demonstrated significant degrees of agreement and validity in relation to DXA.

The adjusted model of the body adiposity index proves to be an effective tool for the analysis of the fat percentage in young males. In addition, it demonstrated significant degrees of agreement and validity in relation to DXA.

Improved aerosol delivery of bronchodilators to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) subjects is a cornerstone in the treatment approach. Drug delivery and response are improved with the use of accessory devices [spacers and valved holding chambers (VHCs)] with metred-dose inhalers (pMDIs). However, different accessory devices are available in the market with different properties that could affect aerosol delivery. Thus, this study aimed to assess the relative lung deposition and systemic bioavailability and compare bronchodilator response of salbutamol delivered using different accessory devices attached to pMDIs.

Twelve healthy subjects and twelve COPD subjects inhaled 300 μg salbutamol (3 pMDI puffs) using five different accessory devices with either masks or mouthpieces (Able, Aerochamber plus flow Vu, Dolphin chamber, Tipshaler spacer, and modified Drink bottle spacer). Urine samples were collected thirty minutes post-dosing and cumulatively for the next twenty-four hours, to determine and cop and the healthy group there was no significant difference in ΔFEV

% of predicted values between all accessory devices or between with mouthpiece or with a mask.

COPD subjects had lower aerosol delivered compared with healthy subjects. Anti-static accessory devices delivered a higher amount of aerosol compared with non-antistatic accessory devices. Even though the presence of a significant difference in aerosol delivery between non-antistatic and antistatic accessory devices no significant difference was found in the ΔFEV

% between all accessory devices.

COPD subjects had lower aerosol delivered compared with healthy subjects. Anti-static accessory devices delivered a higher amount of aerosol compared with non-antistatic accessory devices. Even though the presence of a significant difference in aerosol delivery between non-antistatic and antistatic accessory devices no significant difference was found in the ΔFEV1 % between all accessory devices.

There is a critical need for the psychometric evaluation of outcome measures to be used in clinical trials targeting cognition in Down syndrome (DS). This study examines a specific cognitive skill that is of particular importance in DS, working memory, and the psychometric properties of a set of standardised measurements to assess working memory in individuals with DS.

Ninety children and adolescents ages 6 to 18years old with DS were assessed on a selection of verbal and visuospatial working memory subtests of standardised clinical assessments at two time points to examine feasibility, distributional qualities, test-retest reliability and convergent validity against a priori criteria. Caregivers also completed an adaptive behaviour questionnaire to address working memory subtests’ associations with broader developmental functioning.

The Stanford Binet-5 Verbal Working Memory, Differential Ability Scales-2 Recognition of Pictures, Stanford Binet-5 Nonverbal Working Memory and Wechsler Intelligence Scaleory subtests with this population are provided.

The widespread variation seen in human growth globally stands at odds with the global health perspective that young child growth should not vary across populations if nutritional, environmental and care needs are met. click here This paper (1) evaluates the idea that a single standard of “healthy” growth characterizes children under age 5, (2) discusses how variation from this standard is viewed in global health, in human biology and by parents, and (3) explores how views of “normal” growth shape biomedical and parental responses.

This paper reviews the anthropological, public health and clinical literature on the nature of child growth and the applicability of World Health Organization Multicenter Growth Reference Study growth standards across contexts.

The considerable variability in child growth across contexts makes it unlikely that any one framework, with issues of sample selection and representativeness, can serve as the model of healthy growth. Global health, human biology and parents differ in the emphasis they place on heredity versus environmental context in understanding this variability, but human biologists and parents tend to view a wider range of growth as “normal.” Since both biomedicine and parents base their care decisions on their perceptions of normal, healthy growth, the comparative framework used has important implications for medical treatment and feeding practices.

A more nuanced approach that incorporates the biology of growth and its association with health outcomes across contexts is critical to identify patterns of healthy growth and to avoid over-reliance on a single standard that may pathologize variability.

A more nuanced approach that incorporates the biology of growth and its association with health outcomes across contexts is critical to identify patterns of healthy growth and to avoid over-reliance on a single standard that may pathologize variability.