Cause of death for patients with breast cancer: discordance between death certificates and medical files, and impact on survival estimates.

Background: Registration and coding of cause of death is prone to error since determining the exact underlying condition leading directly to death is challenging. In this study, causes of death from the death certificates were compared to patients' medical files interpreted by experts at University Hospitals Leuven (UHL), to assess concordance between sources and its impact on cancer survival assessment.

Methods: Breast cancer patients treated at UHL (2009-2014) (follow-up until December 31st 2016) were included in this study.

Impact of screw length and screw quantity on reverse total shoulder arthroplasty glenoid fixation for 2 different sizes of glenoid baseplates.

Background: Little guidance exists regarding the minimum screw length and screw quantity necessary to achieve fixation in reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (rTSA); to that end, this study quantified the displacement of 2 different sizes of glenoid baseplates using multiple different screw lengths and quantities of screws in a low-density polyurethane bone-substitute model.

Methods: Testing of rTSA glenoid loosening was conducted according to ASTM F 2028-17. To independently evaluate the impact of screw quantity and screw length on rTSA glenoid fixation for 2 different sizes of glenoid baseplates, baseplates were constructed using 2 screws, 4 screws, or 6 screws (with the latter being used for the larger baseplate only) with 3 different poly-axial locking compression screw lengths.

Trends in serotype prevalence in invasive pneumococcal disease before and after infant pneumococcal vaccination in Belgium, 2002-2010.

Objectives: We evaluated the effect of the infant 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) program on the serotype distribution in invasive pneumococcal disease in the Belgian population.

Methods: Serotyping was performed on 13,998 bacteraemic and pleural fluid isolates sent to the National Reference Laboratory between 2002 and 2010. We compared the distribution of serogroups (SGs) between the pre- (2002-2004) and post-PCV7 (2007-2010) era for children (<18 years), adults (18-59 years) and older individuals (≥60 years).

Miniature-dispenser-based bioassay to evaluate the compatibility of powder formulations used in an entomovectoring approach.

Background: Entomovectoring as a plant protection strategy demands the design of an appropriate bioassay to assess the risks of potential side effects of the powder formulations in the dispenser towards the vectoring insect. This study reports on the development of a laboratory miniature-dispenser-based bioassay. This bioassay system was used to investigate the compatibility of five model products, Prestop-Mix, Signum, kaolin, wheat flour and cellulose, with the bumblebee, Bombus terrestris L.

Sequential multiplex PCR assay for determining capsular serotypes of colonizing S. pneumoniae.

Background: Asymptomatic nasopharyngeal carriage represents an important biological marker for monitoring pneumococcal serotype distribution and evaluating vaccine effects. Serotype determination by conventional method (Quellung reaction) is technically and financially challenging. On the contrary, PCR-based serotyping represents a simple, economic and promising alternative method.

Development of a new dispenser for microbiological control agents and evaluation of dissemination by bumblebees in greenhouse strawberries.

Background: To date, in modern agriculture, biological control strategies are increasingly becoming the preferred pest management approach. However, the success of microbiological control agents (MCAs) largely depends on efficient dissemination into the crop. The pollinator-and-vector technology employs pollinating insects like bees for a better dissemination.

Compatibility of traditional and novel acaricides with bumblebees (Bombus terrestris): a first laboratory assessment of toxicity and sublethal effects.

Background: This project assessed the potential hazards of different classical and novel acaricides against an important non-target and beneficial insect for the pollination of wild flowers and cultivated crops, the bumblebee Bombus terrestris (L). Twenty-three acaricides used commercially in the control of phytophagous mites (Acari) were tested in greenhouses and/or the open field. Side effects included acute mortality and also sublethal effects on nest reproduction.

Pneumococcal bacteraemia in Belgium (1994 2004): the pre-conjugate vaccine era.

Objectives: To analyse the evolution of antibiotic resistance and serotype distribution in pneumococcal bacteraemia before the introduction of the 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (7PCV).

Methods: Serotyping and susceptibility testing for penicillin and erythromycin were performed on 11 163 blood isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae collected between 1994 and 2004.

Results: Penicillin resistance rose from 4.

Cost-effectiveness of removing amalgam from dental wastewater.

Mercury in the form of amalgam is commonly introduced into dental wastewater as a result of amalgam placements and removals. Dental wastewater is primarily discharged to municipal sewers that convey industrial and residential wastewater to publicly owned treatment works (POTWs) for treatment prior to discharge to surface waters. In some localities, the sewage sludge generated by POTWs from the treatment of wastewater is incinerated, resulting in the emission of mercury to the atmosphere.

Antibiotic susceptibility and serotype distribution of 240 Streptococcus pneumoniae causing meningitis in Belgium 1997-2000.

Cerebrospinal fluid isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae, collected during the years 1997-2000 at more than 100 Belgian laboratories were studied. The 10 most common serotypes-serogroups representing 76% of the isolates were 14, 6, 9, 19, 23, 18, 4, 10, 8 and 12 (in order of frequency). Thirty-six percent of strains were isolated in children < 5 years old.

Antimicrobial resistance and serotypes of Shigella isolates in Kigali, Rwanda (1983 to 1993): increasing frequency of multiple resistance.

The serotype distribution and susceptibility to nine antibiotics was determined for 2491 Shigella isolates cultured in the medical laboratory of the Centre Hospitalier de Kigali, Rwanda, during 1983 to 1993. Overall, Shigella flexneri was the most frequent species, ranking before Shigella sonnei, Shigella boydii, and Shigella dysenteriae. However, the relative frequency of the different Shigella spp.

Bacteraemia with Leptotrichia buccalis: report of a case and review of the literature.

We report here on a new case of L. buccalis bacteraemia. To our knowledge 16 other cases of L.

Capsular types and antibiotic susceptibility of pneumococci isolated from patients in Belgium with serious infections, 1980-1993.

During the 13-year period from 1 November 1980 to 31 January 1993, we received and serotyped a total of 5,619 clinically significant strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae isolated in more than 75 laboratories in Belgium (4,079 [72.6%] were from blood or pleural fluid, 462 [8.2%] were from cerebrospinal fluid, 691 [12.

Evaluation of Bactec high blood volume resin media.

BACTEC PLUS high-blood-volume resin media (aerobic BP 26 vial and anaerobic BP 27 vial) were compared with standard BACTEC media (aerobic NR 6A and anaerobic NR 7A vial). A total of 2253 blood culture sets, each consisting of the four vials, were collected. Positive cultures were obtained from 403 sets and grew 428 organisms; 271 organisms were considered as significant.

Capsular types and antibiotic sensitivity of pneumococci isolated from patients with serious infections in Belgium 1980 to 1988.

A total of 2,765 strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae isolated in more than 60 Belgian laboratories from blood or normally sterile body fluids between 1 November 1980 and 31 December 1988 were serotyped. From January 1983 onwards susceptibility of the strains to antimicrobial agents was also tested. The 2,765 isolates belonged to 57 of the 84 currently identified serotypes.

Corynebacterium jeikeium (group JK diphtheroids) endocarditis. A report of five cases.

Corynebacterium jeikeium is the name recently given to a group of coryneform rods, formerly known as the JK group, and associated with a wide range of serious infections. We describe five patients with C. jeikeium endocarditis observed in two Belgian hospitals over a period of 5 years.

Yersinia enterocolitica in donor blood: a case report and review.

Routine sterility control of a unit of leukocyte-depleted erythrocyte concentrate yielded growth of Yersinia enterocolitica serotype O:3. Plasma of the donor showed a high titer of agglutinins against the homologous organism. Although the donor was apparently well at the time of donation, he had a history of protracted terminal ileitis treated by surgery.

Actinobacillus (formerly Pasteurella) ureae meningitis and bacteraemia: report of a case and review of the literature.

A 26-year-old man addicted to alcohol was admitted to hospital with headache and rhinorrhoea. Investigation revealed Pasteurella ureae meningitis and bacteraemia. A course of intravenous cefotaxime and penicillin G, followed by surgical correction of a nasocranial fistula, led to full recovery.