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The original version of this article was revised due to a retrospective Open Access order.

Publisher Summary The estimation of a dense displacement field from image sequences is an ill-posed problem because the data supply may have insufficient information; constraints are needed to obtain a unique solution in such cases. In the problems expressed by Markov random fields, the solution lies in computing the configuration of variables which maximizes the probability distribution. The classical algorithm for this kind of problems is the simulated annealing, a stochastic procedure which converges statistically to the optimal solution, but presents a great computational complexity. To overcome this problem other techniques have been developed. One of these is the iterative conditional mode and the other is mean field approximation. The main advantages of Markov random field modeling of the displacement field are its capacity to regularize the motion vector field, smoothing it while preserving motion discontinuities, and its power to easily integrate information derived from gradient based and feature based motion constraints, obtained by the introduction of other fields in the model.

Age is an important prognostic factor in acute childhood lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL): intermediate age children (1-9 years) show a better outcome than infants (0-1 year) and adolescents (10-15 years). However recent literature data do not agree about adolescents worse prognosis. We tried to contribute to this issue with a retrospective analysis about presenting features and survival of 302 pediatric patients (65 adolescents and 237 children) with non B ALL enrolled on AIEOP protocols at the Departments of Pediatric Haematology-Oncology (University of Turin) from 1976 to 1992. The last follow up was 30.11.94. We found in adolescents, in spite of higher frequency of unfavourable prognostic factors (Hb8 g/dl, mediastinal mass, T cell immunophenotype, L2 morphology), an event free survival similar to children (EFS 52% vs 51%). In conclusion in our population we found that age at diagnosis greater than 10 years does not represent an unfavorable prognostic factor.

IntroductionAt this time, no triage method is considered better than another in comparison to the outcome of the casualties. It is important and useful to identify a triage method that can be used for both adults and children at the same time. It should consider the anatomical and physiological differences between adults, children, and infants.ObjectivesTo revise and adapt the current triage system in use in the Piemonte Emergency Medical Services for the first triage in a validated method that is effective for adults, children, and babies in order to unify and simplify the triage system.MethodsIn accordance with pediatricians, the “Triage Sieve” procedure and parameters were revised into a single method.ResultsSetting the height of the casualty was considered to be both quick and easy. In this revised method, all the casualties are classified with the sieve methods, but some changes have been introduced. Casualties with a stature < 59 cm are classified as infants, and are therefore priority T1 (red) in every case. Casualties > 60 cm but < 120 cm in stature are classified as children. Children with a respiratory rate < 15 or > 40 breaths per minute and a heart rate < 80 or > 160 beats per minute are classified as T1.ConclusionsChildren will probably be over-triaged in this method, but the authors do not consider that a substantial problem. This first triage system is simple and effective. But, it has not yet been tested effectively during an actual mass-casualty incident or disaster.

The paper describes four cases of trisomy 18 or Edwards' syndrome observed in the Pediatric Division of SS. Annunziata Hospital, Savigliano (CN) between 1/1/79 and 31/12/88. Following an illustrated description of the cases (3 males and 1 female), the epidemiological and clinical aspects of the syndrome are briefly discussed.