Nutrient intake and its possible drivers in free-ranging European brown bears ().

The dietary nutrient profile has metabolic significance and possibly contributes to species' foraging behavior. The brown bear () was used as a model species for which dietary ingredient and nutrient concentrations as well as nutrient ratios were determined annually, seasonally and per reproductive class. Brown bears had a vertebrate- and ant-dominated diet in spring and early summer and a berry-dominated diet in fall, which translated into protein-rich and carbohydrate-rich diets, respectively.

Germline pathogenic variants in PALB2 and other cancer-predisposing genes in families with hereditary diffuse gastric cancer without CDH1 mutation: a whole-exome sequencing study.

Background: Germline pathogenic variants in the E-cadherin gene (CDH1) are strongly associated with the development of hereditary diffuse gastric cancer. There is a paucity of data to guide risk assessment and management of families with hereditary diffuse gastric cancer that do not carry a CDH1 pathogenic variant, making it difficult to make informed decisions about surveillance and risk-reducing surgery. We aimed to identify new candidate genes associated with predisposition to hereditary diffuse gastric cancer in affected families without pathogenic CDH1 variants.

Mutation profile and clinical outcome of mixed endometrioid-serous endometrial carcinomas are different from that of pure endometrioid or serous carcinomas.

Clinical outcome of 23 patients with mixed endometrioid and serous endometrial carcinomas (mixed EEC-SC) was compared to that of pure endometrioid (EEC) and pure serous (SC) carcinomas. Hotspot mutation frequencies in KRAS, PIK3CA, PTEN, and TP53 and microsatellite instability (MSI) status were determined in mixed EEC-SC, as well as in their EEC and SC microdissected components separately, and alterations were compared to frequencies in pure EEC and SC. Relapse-free (RFS) and overall survival (OS) differed significantly between mixed EEC-SC and pure EEC and SC, revealing that outcome of mixed EEC-SCs was intermediate to that of pure EEC and pure SC.

Gestational age-dependent repair kinetics of microsurgical defects in monolayers of human amniocytes.

Objectives: There is paucity of data on the capacity of fetal membranes to repair surgical defects following trauma. We aimed at developing an in vitro model using monolayers of human amnion epithelial cells to study fetal membrane healing.

Methods: Term (n = 6) and preterm (n = 3) fetal membranes were collected at caesarean section.

CD10, estrogen and progesterone receptor expression in ovarian adenosarcoma.

Background: : The low incidence of ovarian adenosarcomas explains the paucity of available data regarding their biologic markers. Our aim was to investigate the presence of CD10, estrogen and progesterone receptors (ER and PR) in these tumors.

Case: : Four cases of primary ovarian adenosarcoma were retrieved in our pathology databases.

ERBB-2 gene overexpression and amplification in uterine sarcomas.

Background: The aim of this study was to determine ERBB-2 (HER-2/neu) gene alterations in different subtypes of uterine sarcomas.

Methods: After central review, representative biopsies were immunohistochemically stained and semiquantitatively scored as negative, weakly (1+), moderately (2+), or strongly (3+) positive. Subsequently, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was performed on cases with 2+ and 3+ expression.

Immunohistochemical expression of CD10 antigen in uterine adenosarcoma.

Uterine adenosarcoma (UAS) is microscopically characterized by a biphasic growth pattern. By definition, the epithelial component is benign, whereas the stromal component typically has the appearance of a low-grade sarcoma, usually an endometrial stromal sarcoma. CD10 acts by reducing cellular response to peptide hormones and is currently regarded as a specific marker for endometrial stromal tumors.

Immunohistochemical determination of estrogen and progesterone receptor positivity in uterine adenosarcoma.

Background: Given the paucity of data regarding hormone dependency, it was the purpose of this study to screen for the presence of estrogen and progesterone receptors in uterine adenosarcoma (UAS).

Methods: One hundred and five centers were asked to screen their files for uterine adenosarcomas. A immunohistochemical estrogen and progesterone receptor determination was performed.

Increased polymorphonuclear infiltration and iatrogenic amniotic band after closure of fetoscopic access sites with a bioactive membrane in the rabbit at midgestation.

Objective: This study was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy and safety of closing the fetoscopy access site in a midgestational rabbit model by using a commercially available bioactive membrane.

Study Design: Fetoscopy was performed in a total of 100 gestational sacs in 20 does at midgestation (23 days, term = 31 days). In 50 cases (group 1), the fetoscopic access port was closed with a 5-mm patch of biocompatible matrix derived from porcine small intestine containing growth factors (transforming growth factor-beta and fibroblast growth factor-beta).

Breakthrough pneumococcal bacteraemia in patients treated with clarithromycin or oral beta-lactams.

The incidence of penicillin- and erythromycin-resistant strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae has increased considerably in Belgium. The medical charts of all patients with pneumococcal bacteraemia who were admitted to hospital over a period of 3 years (n = 136) were reviewed to identify treatment failure of outpatient antibiotic therapy. Twelve patients had received antibiotics for at least 48 h prior to admission.

Matrix metalloproteinases-2 and -9 and their endogenous tissue inhibitors in tissue remodeling after sealing of the fetal membranes in a sheep model of fetoscopic surgery.

Objectives: We studied collagen plugging of the fetoscopic access site in an in vivo fetal lamb model for fetoscopic surgery and possible role for matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and -9 and tissue inhibitors (TIMPs).

Methods: Eight ewes had fetoscopic balloon occlusion of the trachea as an experimental treatment for congenital diaphragmatic hernia between days 88 and 99 of gestation (term 145 days) with sampling of amniotic, allantoic, and tracheal fluid. Nonoperated cotwins were used as controls.

In vitro activity of the new ketolide telithromycin and other antibiotics against Streptococcus pneumoniae in Belgium.

In Belgium more than 17% of the invasive pneumococci are not susceptible to penicillin, and more than 38% not to macrolides. The most prevalent mechanism of macrolide resistance in Europe is modification of the drug target site leading to cross-resistance to lincosamides and group B streptogramines (MLSB resistance). Telithromycin is the first antibiotic of the family of ketolides, which differ from erythromycin by having a 3-keto group instead of the neutral sugar L-cladinose.

Evolution of Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes and antibiotic resistance in Belgium-update (1994-98).

Objective: To follow the evolution of capsular types and resistance of Streptococcus pneumoniae, isolated from deep sites.

Methods: More than 100 Belgian laboratories permanently collect S. pneumoniae strains isolated from puncture specimens (blood, cerebrospinal fluid, middle ear fluid, etc.

A retroperitoneal tumor as a late complication of the use of bone wax.

Ordinary bone wax was used to stop bleeding from the iliac crest after procurement of autogenous bone graft harvesting. This gave rise to a large, symptomatic retroperitoneal tumor, which had to be removed operatively 19 years later. Microscopically, a bone wax granuloma was diagnosed.

An organ-culture for in vitro evaluation of fetal membrane healing capacity.

Objectives: We aimed to set up an organ culture of human amniochorion to evaluate fetal membrane repair capacity following surgical trauma.

Methods: Fetal membranes were collected from four patients, during elective caesarean section at term. Explants were traumatised at the centre and cultured on collagen support material for a total of 12 days.

Macrolide resistance in Belgian Streptococcus pneumoniae.

The genetic basis of macrolide resistance was characterized in 59 Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates. All isolates were collected in 1995 and 1997 and were from invasive infections. The majority of the isolates (54 of 59 isolates) were erythromycin and clindamycin resistant (MLS(B)-phenotype) and carried the ermAM gene.

HLA association of amoxicillin-clavulanate--induced hepatitis.

Background & Aims: Drug-induced immunoallergic hepatitis typically affects a minority of patients exposed to a particular drug. Its rarity is believed to be due to metabolic or immunologic idiosyncrasy. The presence of an immunologic idiosyncrasy might imply an HLA association.

Autopsy-controlled prospective evaluation of serial screening for circulating galactomannan by a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for hematological patients at risk for invasive Aspergillosis.

Efforts to improve the diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis (IA) have been directed towards the detection of fungal antigens, including galactomannan (GM). However, previous evaluations of GM detection have been hampered by a lack of proven cases of IA and by a nonserial study design. This prospective study assessed the diagnostic value of serial screening for circulating GM by using a recently developed sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for prolonged-neutropenic and/or steroid-treated patients with hematological disorders.

In-vitro activities of 16 non-beta-lactam antibiotics against penicillin-susceptible and penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae.

MICs of 16 non-beta-lactams were determined by agar dilution for 283 penicillin-susceptible, 122 intermediate and 23 fully penicillin-resistant isolates of pneumococci. Penicillin-resistant pneumococci were more likely to be resistant to tetracyclines, macrolides and related compounds. In the latter group, quinupristin/dalfopristin was the only compound whose activity was not influenced by penicillin resistance.

Increase in penicillin resistance rates in Belgium due to clonal spread of a penicillin-resistant 23F Streptococcus pneumoniae strain.

In 1994 a sudden increase in penicillin resistance was observed in Belgium among invasive pneumococci. To determine whether this increase was due to clonal spread of a resistant strain or to de novo acquisition of penicillin resistance, pneumococci of capsular types 23F, 19, 14, 9, and 6 isolated in 1993 and 1994, were analyzed by capsular serotyping and DNA macrorestriction analysis, resolved by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. Furthermore, pneumococcal isolates from northern France, a region with a high prevalence of penicillin resistance, and from southern Belgium, a region with a low but increasing prevalence of penicillin resistance, were analyzed.

Renin-like immunoreactivity in uterus and placenta from normotensive and hypertensive pregnancies.

Objectives: (1) To identify the distribution of renin-like immunoreactivity in placental bed, placenta-free uterine wall, placenta, fetal membranes, and intertwin membranes obtained from normal pregnancies and (2) to compare the findings in normal pregnancies with those in pregnancies complicated by various hypertensive disorders.

Study Design: Biopsies were taken from 31 normotensive pregnant women, eight of whom had twin pregnancies, and from 28 women with various hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. The anti-human renal renin monoclonal antibody, F37.

Interaction of interstitial trophoblast with placental bed capillaries and venules of normotensive and pre-eclamptic pregnancies.

While endovascular trophoblast invasion of the human placental bed spiral arteries has been studied extensively, no information is available on the interaction between interstitially invading trophoblast and uterine capillaries and venules. Placental bed biopsies of eight normotensive and 15 pre-eclamptic patients were double-immunostained for cytokeratin and the endothelial marker CD31, providing satisfactory staining results in six and 10 biopsies, respectively. Interstitial trophoblast tissue density did not differ between the two series of biopsies, implying that this pathway of invasion is not impaired in pre-eclampsia.

Disappointing dipstick screening for urinary tract infection in hospital inpatients.

Aim: To compare the performance of leucocyte esterase and nitrite dipstick tests with microscopic examination and culture of first morning urines (n = 420) of hospital inpatients.

Results: The sensitivity, specificity, and negative predictive value of the leucocyte esterase test for the cutoff of > 10 WBC/microliter were 57%, 94%, and 68%, respectively. For > 5 WBC per high power field (HPF) these variables were 84%, 90%, and 93%.