37,439 research outputs found
Haematopoietic stem cell transplantation in Switzerland. Report from the Swiss Transplant Working Group Blood and Marrow Transplantation (STABMT) Registry 1997-2003
No full textIn 1997, the Swiss Transplant Working Group Blood and Marrow Transplantation (STABMT) initiated a mandatory national registry for all haematopoietic stem cell transplants (HSCT) in Switzerland. As of 2003, information was collected of 2010 patients with a first HSCT (577 allogeneic (29%) and 1433 autologous (71%) HSCT) and 616 additional re-transplants. This included 1167 male and 843 female patients with a median age of 42.4 years (range 0.2-76.6 years). Main indications were leukaemias (592; 29%) lymphoproliferative disorders (1,061; 53%), solid tumours (295; 15%) and non-malignant disorders (62; 3%). At the time of analysis 1,263 patients were alive (63%), 747 had died (37%). Probability of survival, transplant related mortality or relapse at 5 years was 52%, 21%, 36% for allogeneic and 54%, 5%, 60% for autologous HSCT. Outcome depended on indication, donor type, stem cell source and age of patient. HSCT is an established therapy in Switzerland. These data describe current practice and outcome
DISS3 TUTORIAL SERIES: GUIDELINES FOR COMPILING RECORDS OF THE DATABASE OF INDIVIDUAL SEISMOGENIC SOURCES, VERSION 3
No full textThis document illustrates in details the raw structure of the Database of Individual Seismogenic Sources, version 3 [Basili et al., 2008; http://diss.rm.ingv.it/diss/] - hereinafter referred to as the Database –
and is dedicated at instructing any potential contributor, outside the DISS Working Group, on how to populate it with new seismogenic sources. It is worth of notice that the primary purpose of the Database is to
provide a seismogenic source model at regional scale. It is hence usually populated by filling in large regions at once, not record by record.INGV, Roma1Published3.2. Tettonica attivaope
The ERA-EDTA database on recurrent glomerulonephritis following renal transplantation.
No full textRecurrence of glomerulonephritis (GN) and newly occurring GN (de novo GN) in the transplanted kidney are a frequent cause of allograft loss at 10 years [1] (Table 1). For example,
studies in large US databases found a recurrence of the underlying
disease in 3–8% of the patients [2, 3]. However, these retrospective
analyses are biased by many confounding factors,
such as the enormous disparity in the number of diseases, the
different periods of transplant, the different treatments, the
different policy for biopsy etc
Using smartphone sensors for ataxia trials: consensus guidance by the Ataxia Global Initiative Working Group on Digital-Motor Biomarkers
No full textSmartphone sensors are used increasingly in the assessment of ataxias. To date, there is no specific consensus guidance regarding a priority set of smartphone sensor measurements, or standard assessment criteria that are appropriate for clinical trials. As part of the Ataxia Global Initiative Digital-Motor Biomarkers Working Group (AGI WG4), aimed at evaluating key ataxia clinical domains (gait/posture, upper limb, speech and oculomotor assessments), we provide consensus guidance for use of internal smartphone sensors to assess key domains. Guidance was developed by means of a literature review and a two stage Delphi study conducted by an Expert panel, which surveyed members of AGI WG4, representing clinical, research, industry and patient-led experts, and consensus meetings by the Expert panel to agree on standard criteria and map current literature to these criteria. Seven publications were identified that investigated ataxias using internal smartphone sensors. The Delphi 1 survey ascertained current practice, and systems in use or under development. Wide variations in smartphones sensor use for assessing ataxia were identified. The Delphi 2 survey identified seven measures that were strongly endorsed as priorities in assessing 3/4 domains, namely gait/posture, upper limb, and speech performance. The Expert panel recommended 15 standard criteria to be fulfilled in studies. Evaluation of current literature revealed that none of the studies met all criteria, with most being early-phase validation studies. Our guidance highlights the importance of consensus, identifies priority measures and standard criteria, and will encourage further research into the use of internal smartphone sensors to measure ataxia digital-motor biomarkers
On laminar groups, Tits alternatives and convergence group actions on 2
No full textFollowing previous work of the second author, we establish more properties of groups of circle homeomorphisms which admit invariant laminations. In this paper, we focus on a certain type of such groups, so-called pseudo-fibered groups, and show that many 3-manifold groups are examples of pseudo-fibered groups. We then prove that torsion-free pseudo-fibered groups satisfy a Tits alternative. We conclude by proving that a purely hyperbolic pseudo-fibered group acts on the 2-sphere as a convergence group. This leads to an interesting question if there are examples of pseudo-fibered groups other than 3-manifold groups
Cortical structure and subcortical volumes in conduct disorder: A coordinated analysis of 15 international cohorts from the ENIGMA-Antisocial Behavior Working Group
No full textSummaryBackgroundConduct disorder is associated with the highest burden of any mental disorder in childhood, yet its neurobiology remains unclear. Inconsistent findings limit our understanding of the role of brain structure alterations in conduct disorder. This study aims to identify the most robust and replicable brain structural correlates of conduct disorder.MethodsThe ENIGMA-Antisocial Behavior Working Group performed a coordinated analysis of structural MRI data from 15 international cohorts. Eligibility criteria were a mean sample age of 18 years or less, with data available on sex, age, and diagnosis of conduct disorder, and at least ten participants with conduct disorder and ten typically developing participants. 3D T1-weighted MRI brain scans of all participants were pre-processed using ENIGMA-standardised protocols. We assessed group differences in cortical thickness, surface area, and subcortical volumes using general linear models, adjusting for age, sex, and total intracranial volume. Group-by-sex and group-by-age interactions, and DSM-subtype comparisons (childhood-onset vs adolescent-onset, and low vs high levels of callous-unemotional traits) were investigated. People with lived experience of conduct disorder were not involved in this study.FindingsWe collated individual participant data from 1185 young people with conduct disorder (339 [28·6%] female and 846 [71·4%] male) and 1253 typically developing young people (446 [35·6%] female and 807 [64·4%] male), with a mean age of 13·5 years (SD 3·0; range 7–21). Information on race and ethnicity was not available. Relative to typically developing young people, the conduct disorder group had lower surface area in 26 cortical regions and lower total surface area (Cohen's d 0·09–0·26). Cortical thickness differed in the caudal anterior cingulate cortex (d 0·16) and the banks of the superior temporal sulcus (d –0·13). The conduct disorder group also had smaller amygdala (d 0·13), nucleus accumbens (d 0·11), thalamus (d 0·14), and hippocampus (d 0·12) volumes. Most differences remained significant after adjusting for ADHD comorbidity or intelligence quotient. No group-by-sex or group-by-age interactions were detected. Few differences were found between DSM-defined conduct disorder subtypes. However, individuals with high callous-unemotional traits showed more widespread differences compared with controls than those with low callous-unemotional traits.InterpretationOur findings provide robust evidence of subtle yet widespread brain structural alterations in conduct disorder across subtypes and sexes, mostly in surface area. These findings provide further evidence that brain alterations might contribute to conduct disorder. Greater consideration of this under-recognised disorder is needed in research and clinical practice.FundingAcademy of Medical Sciences and Economic and Social Research Council
Report of the bluefin tuna working group : Observations on the size composition of bluefin tuna catches from 1979.
No full text35 pages, 4 figures, 25 tablesReference is made to the previous reports of the Bluefin Tuna Working Group (Statistical News Letterss, Nº 20, 36 and 38, to Cooperative Research Reports, Nos. 23, 40 and 71 as well as ICES document C.M.1977/J:3 and C.M.1978/H:34. [...] Thunnus thynnusPeer reviewe
High-Frequency Basal Cell Carcinoma: Demographic, Clinical, and Histopathological Features in a Belgian Cohort
No full textBackground: Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common skin cancer worldwide, with a multifactorial aetiology involving environmental and intrinsic factors. A small subset of patients develops high-frequency BCC (HF-BCC), defined as ≥9 BCCs within 3 years. Objective: To analyse demographic, clinical, and histopathological features of non-syndromic HF-BCC in a Belgian cohort, compared with low-burden BCC patients and healthy controls. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted at Erasme Hospital (Brussels) using data from the EUSCAP platform. Clinical, behavioural, and histopathological data were collected and statistically analysed. Results: Of 783 patients, 16 with HF-BCC were identified. For comparison, 32 patients with 1–2 BCCs and 117 patients without BCC were selected. HF-BCC patients showed distinct characteristics, including a higher proportion of superficial BCCs (68.3% vs. 50%, p = 0.01) and fewer nodular subtypes (43.2% vs. 63.5%, p = 0.01). Their tumours were less frequently located on the nose and ears compared with patients having 1–2 BCCs. HF-BCC was associated with a personal history of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and actinic keratosis (AK). Conclusions: HF-BCC patients display distinct anatomical, histopathological and clinical characteristics, with a predominance of superficial BCC and an association with a personal history of SCC and AK. They show a lower frequency of tumours on the nose and ears, with a stronger tendency for localisation on the trunk and extremities. Identifying risk factors and genetic markers may contribute to improved early detection strategies, preventive measures, and the development of targeted therapies
Statistical analysis of the primary outcome in acute stroke trials
No full textCommon outcome scales in acute stroke trials are ordered categorical or pseudocontinuous in structure but most have been analyzed as binary measures. The use of fixed dichotomous analysis of ordered categorical outcomes after stroke (such as the modified Rankin Scale) is rarely the most statistically efficient approach and usually requires a larger sample size to demonstrate efficacy than other approaches. Preferred statistical approaches include sliding dichotomous, ordinal, or continuous analyses. Because there is no best approach that will work for all acute stroke trials, it is vital that studies are designed with a full understanding of the type of patients to be enrolled (in particular their case mix, which will be critically dependent on their age and severity), the potential mechanism by which the intervention works (ie, will it tend to move all patients somewhat, or some patients a lot, and is a common hazard present), a realistic assessment of the likely effect size, and therefore the necessary sample size, and an understanding of what the intervention will cost if implemented in clinical practice. If these approaches are followed, then the risk of missing useful treatment effects for acute stroke will diminish
Flexibility for Whom? Working time flexibility practices of European companies
No full textWorking time fl exibility comprises a wide variety of arrangements, from part-time, overtime, to longterm
leaves. Theoretical approaches to grouping these arrangements have been developed, but empirical underpinnings
are rare. This paper investigates the bundles that can be found for various fl exible working time
arrangements, using data of the Establishment Survey on Working Time (ESWT), 2004/2005, covering
21 EU member states and 13 industries. Using factor analyses, the results confi rmed that working time arrangements can be grouped into two bundles, one for the employee-centred arrangements, a second for the
employer-centred arrangements, and that these two bundles are separate dimensions. We have also tested
the stability of the factor analysis outcome, showing that although there are some deviations from the pan-
Europe and pan-industry outcome, the naming of the components as fl exibility for employees and fl exibility
for employers can be interpreted as holding rather stable. Lastly, we also fi nd that there are three country
clusters that can be found for the 21 European countries using the bundle. The fi rst group consisting of the
Northern European countries with Poland and Czech Republic, the second group the continental European
countries with UK and Ireland, and lastly, the southern European countries with Hungary and Slovenia
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