We carry out a joint analysis of redshift-space distortions and galaxy-galaxy lensing, with the aim of measuring the growth rate of structure; this is a key quantity for understanding the nature of ...gravity on cosmological scales and late-time cosmic acceleration. We make use of the final VIPERS redshift survey dataset, which maps a portion of the Universe at a redshift of z ≃ 0.8, and the lensing data from the CFHTLenS survey over the same area of the sky. We build a consistent theoretical model that combines non-linear galaxy biasing and redshift-space distortion models, and confront it with observations. The two probes are combined in a Bayesian maximum likelihood analysis to determine the growth rate of structure at two redshifts z = 0.6 and z = 0.86. We obtain measurements of fσ8(0.6) = 0.48 ± 0.12 and fσ8(0.86) = 0.48 ± 0.10. The additional galaxy-galaxy lensing constraint alleviates galaxy bias and σ8 degeneracies, providing direct measurements of f and σ8: f(0.6),σ8(0.6) = 0.93 ± 0.22,0.52 ± 0.06 and f(0.86),σ8(0.86) = 0.99 ± 0.19,0.48 ± 0.04. These measurements are statistically consistent with a Universe where the gravitational interactions can be described by General Relativity, although they are not yet accurate enough to rule out some commonly considered alternatives. Finally, as a complementary test we measure the gravitational slip parameter, EG, for the first time at z > 0.6. We find values of E̅G(0.6) = 0.16±0.09 and E̅G(0.86) = 0.09±0.07, when EG is averaged over scales above 3 h-1 Mpc. We find that our EG measurements exhibit slightly lower values than expected for standard relativistic gravity in a ΛCDM background, although the results are consistent within 1−2σ.
We aim to develop a novel methodology for measuring thegrowth rate of structure around cosmic voids. We identified voids in the completed VIMOS Public Extragalactic Redshift Survey (VIPERS), using an ...algorithm based on searching for empty spheres. We measured the cross-correlation between the centres of voids and the complete galaxy catalogue. The cross-correlation function exhibits a clear anisotropy in both VIPERS fields (W1 and W4), which is characteristic of linear redshift space distortions. By measuring the projected cross-correlation and then de-projecting it we are able to estimate the un-distorted cross-correlation function. We propose that given a sufficiently well-measured cross-correlation function one should be able to measure the linear growth rate of structure by applying a simple linear Gaussian streaming model for the redshift space distortions (RSD). Our study of voids in 306 mock galaxy catalogues mimicking the VIPERS fields suggests that VIPERS is capable of measuring β, the ratio of the linear growth rate to the bias, with an error of around 25%. Applying our method to the VIPERS data, we find a value for the redshift space distortion parameter, β = 0.423-0.108+0.104 which, given the bias of the galaxy population we use, gives a linear growth rate of f σ8 = 0.296-0.078+0.075 at z = 0.727. These results are consistent with values observed in parallel VIPERS analyses that use standard techniques.
We use the full VIPERS redshift survey in combination with SDSS-DR7 to explore the relationships between star-formation history (using d4000), stellar mass and galaxy structure, and how these ...relationships have evolved since z ~ 1. We trace the extents and evolutions of both the blue cloud and red sequence by fitting double Gaussians to the d4000 distribution of galaxies in narrow stellar mass bins, for four redshift intervals over 0 <z< 1. This reveals downsizing in star formation, since the high-mass limit of the blue cloud has retreated steadily with time from ℳ ~ 1011.2 M⊙at z ~ 0.9 to ℳ ~ 1010.7 M⊙by the present day. The number density of massive blue-cloud galaxies (ℳ > 1011M⊙, d4000 < 1.55) drops sharply by a factor five between z ~ 0.8 and z ~ 0.5. These galaxies are becoming quiescent at a rate that largely matches the increase in the numbers of massive passive galaxies seen over this period. We examine the size-mass relation of blue-cloud galaxies, finding that its high-mass boundary runs along lines of constant ℳ /reor equivalently inferred velocity dispersion. Larger galaxies can continue to form stars to higher stellar masses than smaller galaxies. As blue-cloud galaxies approach this high-mass limit, entering a narrow diagonal region within the size-mass plane termed the “quenching zone”, they start to be quenched, their d4000 values increasing to push them towards the green valley. In parallel, their structures change, showing higher Sérsic indices and central stellar mass densities. For these galaxies, bulge growth is required for them to reach the high-mass limit of the blue cloud and be quenched by internal mechanisms. The blue-cloud galaxies that are being quenched at z ~ 0.8 lie along the same size-mass relation as present day quiescent galaxies and seem the likely progenitors of today’s S0s.
We present measurements of the growth rate of cosmological structure from the modelling of the anisotropic galaxy clustering measured in the final data release of the VIPERS survey. The analysis is ...carried out in configuration space and based on measurements of the first two even multipole moments of the anisotropic galaxy auto-correlation function, in two redshift bins spanning the range 0.5 <z< 1.2. We provide robust and cosmology-independent corrections for the VIPERS angular selection function, allowing recovery of the underlying clustering amplitude at the percent level down to the Mpc scale. We discuss several improvements on the non-linear modelling of redshift-space distortions (RSD) and perform detailed tests of a variety of approaches against a set of realistic VIPERS-like mock realisations. This includes using novel fitting functions to describe the velocity divergence and density power spectra Pθθ and Pδθ that appear in RSD models. These tests show that we are able to measure the growth rate with negligible bias down to separations of 5 h-1 Mpc. Interestingly, the application to real data shows a weaker sensitivity to the details of non-linear RSD corrections compared to mock results. We obtain consistent values for the growth rate times the matter power spectrum normalisation parameter of fσ8 = 0.55 ± 0.12 and 0.40 ± 0.11 at effective redshifts of z = 0.6 and z = 0.86 respectively. These results are in agreement with standard cosmology predictions assuming Einstein gravity in a ΛCDM background.
The Icatibant Outcome Survey (IOS) is an observational study monitoring safety and effectiveness of icatibant in the real‐world setting. We analyzed safety data from 3025 icatibant‐treated attacks in ...557 patients (enrolled between July 2009 and February 2015). Icatibant was generally well tolerated. Excluding off‐label use and pregnancy, 438 patients (78.6%) did not report adverse events (AEs). The remaining 119 (21.4%) patients reported 341 AEs, primarily gastrointestinal disorders (19.6%). Of these, 43 AEs in 17 patients (3.1%) were related to icatibant. Serious AEs (SAEs) occurred infrequently. A total of 143 SAEs occurred in 59 (10.6%) patients; only three events (drug inefficacy, gastritis, and reflux esophagitis) in two patients were considered related to icatibant. Notably, no SAEs related to icatibant occurred in patients with cardiovascular disease, nor in those using icatibant at a frequency above label guidelines. Additionally, no major differences were noted in AEs occurring in on‐label vs off‐label icatibant users.
Background
Hereditary angioedema (HAE) due to C1‐inhibitor deficiency (C1‐INH‐HAE) is a rare, potentially fatal, bradykinin‐mediated disease. Icatibant is a bradykinin B2 receptor antagonist ...originally approved in 2008 in the European Union and 2011 in the United States as an acute therapy option for HAE attacks in adults.
Objective
To compare demographics, disease characteristics and treatment outcomes of icatibant‐treated HAE attacks in patients with C1‐INH‐HAE enrolled in the Icatibant Outcome Survey across six European countries: Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK.
Methods
The Icatibant Outcome Survey IOS; Shire, Zug, Switzerland (NCT01034969) is an international observational study monitoring the safety and effectiveness of icatibant. Descriptive, retrospective analyses compared IOS country data derived during July 2009–April 2015.
Results
Overall, 481 patients with C1‐INH‐HAE provided demographic data. A significant difference across countries in age at onset (P = 0.003) and baseline attack frequency (P < 0.001) was found although no significant differences were found with respect to gender (majority female; P = 0.109), age at diagnosis (P = 0.182) or delay in diagnosis (P = 0.059). Icatibant was used to treat 1893 attacks in 325 patients with majority self‐administration in all countries. Overall, significant differences (all P < 0.001) were found across countries in time to treatment median 1.8 h; median range: 0.0 (Germany–Austria) to 4.4 (France) h, time to resolution median 6.5 h; median range: 3 (Germany–Austria) to 12 (France) h and attack duration median 10.5 h; median range: 3.1 (Germany–Austria) to 18.5 (France) h.
Conclusion
These data form the first European cross‐country comparison of disease characteristics and icatibant use in patients with C1‐INH‐HAE who are enrolled in IOS. International variation in icatibant practice and treatment outcomes across the six European countries assessed highlight the need to further investigate the range of country‐specific parameters driving regional variations in icatibant use.
The incidence of Gram-negative bacteremia has increased in hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients. We prospectively collected data from 13 Brazilian HSCT centers to characterize the ...epidemiology of bacteremia occurring early post transplant, and to identify factors associated with infection due to multi-drug-resistant (MDR) Gram-negative isolates. MDR was defined as an isolate with resistance to at least two of the following: third- or fourth-generation cephalosporins, carbapenems or piperacillin-tazobactam. Among 411 HSCT, fever occurred in 333, and 91 developed bacteremia (118 isolates): 47% owing to Gram-positive, 37% owing to Gram-negative, and 16% caused by Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Pseudomonas aeruginosa (22%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (19%) and Escherichia coli (17%) accounted for the majority of Gram-negative isolates, and 37% were MDR. These isolates were recovered from 20 patients, representing 5% of all 411 HSCT and 22% of the episodes with bacteremia. By multivariate analysis, treatment with third-generation cephalosporins (odds ratio (OR) 10.65, 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.75-30.27) and being at one of the hospitals (OR 9.47, 95% CI 2.60-34.40) were associated with infection due to MDR Gram-negative isolates. These findings may have important clinical implications in the decision of giving prophylaxis and selecting the empiric antibiotic regimen.
We use the final data of the VIMOS Public Extragalactic Redshift Survey (VIPERS) to investigate the effect of the environment on the evolution of galaxies between z = 0.5 and z = 0.9. We characterise ...local environment in terms of the density contrast smoothed over a cylindrical kernel, the scale of which is defined by the distance to the fifth nearest neighbour. This is performed by using a volume-limited sub-sample of galaxies complete up to z = 0.9, but allows us to attach a value of local density to all galaxies in the full VIPERS magnitude-limited sample to i < 22.5. We use this information to estimate how the distribution of galaxy stellar masses depends on environment. More massive galaxies tend to reside in higher-density environments over the full redshift range explored. Defining star-forming and passive galaxies through their (NUV−r) vs. (r−K) colours, we then quantify the fraction of star-forming over passive galaxies, fap, as a function of environment at fixed stellar mass. fap is higher in low-density regions for galaxies with masses ranging from log (ℳ/ℳ⊙) = 10.38 (the lowest value explored) to at least log (ℳ/ℳ⊙) ~ 11.3, although with decreasing significance going from lower to higher masses. This is the first time that environmental effects on high-mass galaxies are clearly detected at redshifts as high as z ~ 0.9. We compared these results to VIPERS-like galaxy mock catalogues based on a widely used galaxy formation model. The model correctly reproduces fap in low-density environments, but underpredicts it at high densities. The discrepancy is particularly strong for the lowest-mass bins. We find that this discrepancy is driven by an excess of low-mass passive satellite galaxies in the model. In high-density regions, we obtain a better (although not perfect) agreement of the model fap with observations by studying the accretion history of these model galaxies (that is, the times when they become satellites), by assuming either that a non-negligible fraction of satellites is destroyed, or that their quenching timescale is longer than ~ 2 Gyr.
Background
The For Angioedema Subcutaneous Treatment (FAST)‐2, a phase III, double‐blind, randomized, multicenter, placebo‐controlled study (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00500656), established ...the efficacy and safety of single injections of icatibant, a bradykinin B2 receptor antagonist, in the treatment of hereditary angioedema (HAE) attacks. Here, we evaluate the efficacy and safety of repeated treatment with icatibant in adult patients experiencing HAE attacks during the FAST‐2 open‐label extension (OLE) phase.
Methods
Patients completing the controlled phase were eligible to participate in the OLE phase and receive open‐label icatibant (30 mg subcutaneously) for the treatment of cutaneous, abdominal, and/or laryngeal HAE attack(s) severe enough to warrant treatment. Time to onset of symptom relief was calculated for each attack. Descriptive analyses (median, 95% CIs) were performed for all attacks; post hoc analyses were conducted in patients with at least five icatibant‐treated attacks throughout the FAST‐2 OLE phase. Safety was also monitored.
Results
Fifty‐four patients received icatibant for 374 attacks (176 cutaneous, 168 abdominal, and 30 laryngeal). For cutaneous and/or abdominal attacks (attacks 2–5), the median times to onset of symptom relief ranged between 2.0 and 2.5 h. For all laryngeal attacks, the median times to regression (start of improvement) of symptoms ranged between 0.3 and 4.0 h. Post hoc analyses showed that the overall median time to onset of symptom relief was 2.0 h. Overall, 89.8% of attacks resolved with a single icatibant injection. No drug‐related serious adverse events were reported.
Conclusions
These findings have demonstrated the efficacy and safety of repeated icatibant treatment for HAE attacks.
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