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In this paper, we present new perspectives of the parameters of a Lomax model that measure the relevance of different priors on the posteriors using upper kth records. The importance of this analysis is shown through the establishment of convenient rankings based on objective priors. Among several possible priors, such as Jeffrey's, reference and maximal data information priors, we identify those priors that satisfy specific convergence concepts. For illustration purposes, we measure the relevance of the priors within simulated data and real medical data of cancer patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of loess as a resource for paleoclimatic research is quite well established. In Serbia, a significant number of loess sequences have been preserved in old brickyards. The results of the previously conducted research indicate extremely valuable data that enable a better understanding of the mid- to late Pleistocene climatic evolution in this part of Europe, as well as human dispersal from Africa to Europe via the so-called Danubian migration corridor. The aim of this study is to evaluate the geotourism potentials of the loess profiles in Požarevac (northeastern Serbia). The goal is to determine their geotourism potential for paleoclimate interpretation. The Modified Geoheritage Assessment Model method has identified exceptional geotourism potentials that can be implemented in the tourism market. Paleoclimatic data can serve as indicators for the development of scientific visitor centers for the promotion and popularization of paleoclimate science and museums, which will affirm sustainable socio-economic development through multidisciplinary interpretation. By combining geological, paleoclimatic, archaeological, biological, and other values that reveal natural and anthropogenic events from the distant past, it is possible to create a very competitive geotourism destination, whose sustainability can be passed on to future generations.

The results of haploidentical stem cell transplantation (haploHCT) for patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) transplanted in active disease remain largely unknown. We retrospectively analyzed adult patients with R/R ALL who underwent haploHCT or matched sibling donor (MSD-HCT) as a first transplantation between 2012 and 2020. The analysis comprised 274 patients, 94 had a haploHCT, and 180 had an MSD-HCT. The median follow-up was 32 months. The median age was 33 (range 18–76) and 37 (18–76) years in the haplo- and MSD-HCT groups, respectively. Post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy) was used in 88% of haploHCT and in 4% of the MSD-HCT group. Graft-versus-host disease grade III–IV was higher in haploHCT than in the MSD-HCT group (18% versus 9%; P = 0.042). The 2-year chronic (c) graft-versus-host disease rates were 17% versus 33% (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.56; P = 0.14), respectively. By multivariate analysis, relapse incidence, and leukemia-free survival were not significatively different between the transplant groups, while nonrelapse mortality (NRM) was significantly higher (25% versus 18% at 2 years; HR = 2.03; P = 0.042) and overall survival (OS) lower (22% versus 38% at 2 years; HR = 1.72; P = 0.009) in the haploHCT group compared with the MSD-HCT group. We conclude that the 2-year OS of R/R ALL patients undergoing MSD transplants is significantly better than in haploHCT with a higher NRM in the latter.

In this paper we introduce the term 'loess pyramid' for an unusual form of relief in thick loess deposits. From a distance, the loess pyramid resembles a haystack; this is why it is known as 'the haystack' by the local residents. Its erosional origin is conditional, occurring only where loess deposits are thick and gully erosion changes direction significantly. We describe a loess pyramid on a thick loess section near the Tisa (Tisza) River in Titel province, Serbia. The pyramid has a maximum altitude of 111.6 m, a width of 82 m and a length of 52 m. It is framed by two smaller gullies that belong to one hydrological system, but each has different morphological properties. The gullies output directly to the floodplain of the Tisa River, which cut the escarpment that the pyramid is set within. Given the relatively small number of references from the international and geomorphological literature on such landforms, this study represents an interesting contribution to the geomorphology of loess landscapes.

Sensitivity analysis of the recursive filter in a DPCM system, with arbitrary order predictor, is presented in this paper. Relations for sensitivity, related to predictor coefficients, are derived both in cases of stable and unstable systems. In this way, we presented new information which can improve design of the system in the sense of better performances via parameters (coefficient) adjustment. Given relations were verified for the case of real system in three different configurations: with the second, third and fifth order predictors.

Introduction. Syringomyelia is a cavitary extension inside the spinal cord which can be either symptomatic or congenitally-idiopathic. Syringomyelia during the course of the disease in patients presenting with clinically definite multiple sclerosis was described earlier. Syringomyelia in patients presenting with a clinically isolated syndrome suggestive of multiple sclerosis is unusual. Case Outline. We present two patients presenting with demy-elinating disease of the central nervous system with syringomyelia in the cervical and thoracic spinal cord. We did not find classical clinical signs of syringomyelia in our patients, but we disclosed syringomyelia incidentally during magnetic resonance exploration. Magnetic resonance exploration using the gadolinium contrast revealed the signs of active demyelinating lesions in the spinal cord in one patient but not in the other. Conclusion. Syringomyelia in demyelinating disease of the central nervous system opens the question whether it is a coincidental finding or a part of clinical features of the disease. Differentiation of the significance of syringomyelia finding in these patients plays a role in the choice of treatment concept in such patients.

Introduction: Low-intensity laser therapy (LILT) can be applied in cases when patients with diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN) suffer from chronic severe neuropathic pain. Objective. We wanted to analyze influence of LILT on spatial perception threshold (SPT) and electroneurographic (ENG) parameters in patients with painful DPN. Method. We analyzed 45 patients (25 males), average age 54.3 years (54.3±10.9), with clinical and ENG signs of painful DPN. The patients were divided into two groups: A and B. Group A consisted of 30 patients with DPN who had 30 LILT treatments over the period of 12 weeks and group B consisted of 15 patients with DPN who received only vitamin therapy per os within the same period. Prior to and after 12 weeks of treatment, the following ENG parameters were determined using surface electrodes: motor (MCV) and sensory conduction velocities (SCV) values (in m/s) of nervus (n.) peroneus (NP), n. tibialis (NT) and n. medianus (NM) and their motor distal latency (MDL) values (in ms). SPT value (score as number from 1 to 8) was determined with Tactile Circumferential Discriminator on dorsal part of foot’s big toe skin. For statistical analysis, we used Student’s t-test and Pearson correlation (sig. 2 tailed) study. Results. We registered statistically significant difference between SPT (p0.05). Conclusion. In this study we registered significant decrease of SPT and increase of NMMCV after LILT and that indicated a favorable effect of this treatment in analyzed patients with painful DPN. In our opinion these results need further investigation. .

Background: Nephrotic syndrome (NS) is a rare complication that can occur after haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). In patients with membranous nephropathy (MN) who have undergone allogeneic HSCT, a new antigen called protocadherin FAT1 has been identified. Our objective is to present a case series of MN patients after HSCT with a novel antigen-based stratification., Case Presentations: Patients who developed full-blown NS due to MN after an HSCT were enrolled in the University Hospital Centre Zagreb study. The first two patients were treated with an HSCT for acute myeloid leukaemia, and both developed NS after cessation of graft versus host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis. The first patient had reduced kidney function, while the second had completely preserved function. Kidney biopsy showed MN with only subepithelial deposits. A thorough examination revealed that there was no secondary cause of the disease. The patients achieved complete remission after undergoing immunosuppression treatment. The third patient underwent HSCT for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. He developed both acute and chronic GVHD and also experienced avascular hip necrosis. After sixteen years, the patient developed NS with preserved kidney function. The kidney specimen showed membranous nephropathy (MN) with mesangial and subepithelial deposits. Extensive research was conducted, but no secondary cause for the MN was detected. All three cases tested negative for anti-PLA2R antibodies. Biopsy tissue samples were analysed using laser microdissection and tandem mass spectrometry of glomeruli for the detection of different specific antigens. Patients one and two tested positive for FAT1, whereas patient three tested positive for PCSK6., Conclusions: MN can develop at various time intervals after HSCT. Specific antigen testing can help establish the relationship between MN and HSCT. In the future, serum testing for anti-FAT1 antibodies in HSCT patients could be significant in diagnosing FAT1-associated MN, similar to how anti-PLA2R antibodies are significant in diagnosing PLA2R-associated MN., (© 2024. The Author(s).)