Robot-assisted surgery for women with endometrial cancer: Surgical and oncologic outcomes within a Belgium gynaecological oncology group cohort.

Objective: To evaluate surgical and oncologic outcomes of patients treated by robot-assisted surgery for endometrial cancer within the Belgium Gynaecological Oncology Group (BGOG).

Study Design: We performed a retrospective analysis of women with clinically Stage I endometrial cancer who underwent surgical treatment from 2007 to 2018 in five institutions of the BGOG group.

Results: A total of 598 consecutive women were identified.

Anhedonia in Depressive Disorder: A Narrative Review.

Since the introduction of DSM-III anhedonia has become a core depressive criterion and is defined as the loss of interest or pleasure. Although the origin of the word goes back to the end of the 19th century and numerous anhedonic symptoms are described in classic texts on depression, this centrality in the diagnosis of depression is only recent. Anhedonia is best described as a symptom complex with unclear boundaries cutting across the tripartite model of the mind (affect, volition, and cognition).

Parental stress, anxiety and trait mindfulness: associations with parent-child mealtime interactions in children with type 1 diabetes.

Introduction This study examined how maternal and paternal stress, anxiety, and trait mindfulness, and child glycemic control are related to real-life parent-child interactions in families confronted with type 1 diabetes (T1D). Methods Parents reported on trait mindfulness, illness-related parenting stress, general stress, and state anxiety. Parent-child mealtime interactions were videotaped and scored in 33 families (31 mothers and 20 fathers) of children with T1D (5-12y.

Families with pediatric type 1 diabetes: A comparison with the general population on child well-being, parental distress, and parenting behavior.

Aims: The aim of this study was to compare families with a child (2-12 years) with type 1 diabetes (T1D) to families which are not confronted with chronic illness, with regard to children's well-being, parental distress, and parenting behavior. In addition, differences were explored between families whose child has optimal vs suboptimal glycemic control.

Methods: Mothers, fathers, and children of 105 families with pediatric T1D completed questionnaires assessing child well-being, parental distress, and parenting.

Effectiveness of a mobile preconception lifestyle programme in couples undergoing in vitro fertilisation (IVF): the protocol for the PreLiFe randomised controlled trial (PreLiFe-RCT).

Introduction: Infertility and in vitro fertilisation (IVF; with or without intracytoplasmic sperm injection) result in considerable emotional and financial burden. Increasing evidence suggests that lifestyle factors, including diet, physical activity and personal well-being, are associated with IVF-success rates. Currently, IVF is not routinely combined with a lifestyle programme.

An Integrated Paediatric Population PK/PD Analysis of dDAVP: How do PK Differences Translate to Clinical Outcomes?

Introduction: The bioequivalence of two formulations of desmopressin (dDAVP), a vasopressin analogue prescribed for nocturnal enuresis treatment in children, has been previously confirmed in adults but not in children. In this study, we aimed to study the pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) of these two formulations, in both fasted and fed children, including patients younger than 6 years of age.

Methods: Previously published data from one PK study and one PK/PD study in children aged between 6 and 16 years were combined with a new PK/PD study in children aged between 6 months and 8 years, and analysed using population PK/PD modelling.

Dementia, End of Life, and Euthanasia: A Survey Among Dementia Specialists Organized by the Belgian Dementia Council.

Background: Palliative care and Advance Care Planning (ACP) are increasingly recommended for an optimal management of late-stage dementia. In Belgium, euthanasia has been decriminalized in 2002 for patients who are "mentally competent" (interpreted as non-demented). It has been suggested that advance directives for euthanasia (ADE) should be made possible for dementia patients.

The pharmacological management of agitated and aggressive behaviour: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Non-pharmacological interventions preferably precede pharmacological interventions in acute agitation. Reviews of pharmacological interventions remain descriptive or compare only one compound with several other compounds. The goal of this study is to compute a systematic review and meta-analysis of the effect on restoring calmness after a pharmacological intervention, so a more precise recommendation is possible.

"White Thyroid" on Unenhanced Computed Tomography in Amiodarone-Induced Thyrotoxicosis Type 2.

Amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis is a common complication of long-term amiodarone treatment. In a patient with amiodarone-induced lung toxicity and amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis type 2 (AIT2), a "white thyroid" was incidentally observed on an unenhanced chest computed tomography (CT) scan. This "white thyroid" resembled a thyroid image on a contrast-enhanced CT scan.

Evolution in the management of thyroid cancer: an observational study in two referral centres in Belgium.

Objective Thyroid cancer incidence is increasing. The rise is most pronounced for microcancers (≤10 mm, T1a). In 2006, landmark European and American guidelines for the management of thyroid cancer were published.

A recurrent de novo mutation in TMEM106B causes hypomyelinating leukodystrophy.

Hypomyelinating leukodystrophies are a heterogeneous group of disorders with a clinical presentation that often includes early-onset nystagmus, ataxia and spasticity and a wide range of severity. Using next-generation sequencing techniques and GeneMatcher, we identified four unrelated patients with brain hypomyelination, all with the same recurrent dominant mutation, c.754G>A p.

Standardization of Free Thyroxine Measurements Allows the Adoption of a More Uniform Reference Interval.

Background: The IFCC Committee for Standardization of Thyroid Function Tests intended to standardize free thyroxine (FT) immunoassays. We developed a Système International d'Unités traceable conventional reference measurement procedure (RMP) based on equilibrium dialysis and mass spectrometry. We describe here the latest studies intended to recalibrate against the RMP and supply a proof of concept, which should allow continued standardization efforts.

Harmonization of Serum Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone Measurements Paves the Way for the Adoption of a More Uniform Reference Interval.

Background: The IFCC Committee for Standardization of Thyroid Function Tests developed a global harmonization approach for thyroid-stimulating hormone measurements. It is based on a multiassay method comparison study with clinical serum samples and target setting with a robust factor analysis method. Here we describe the Phase IV method comparison and reference interval (RI) studies conducted with the objective to recalibrate the participating assays and demonstrate the proof-of-concept.

Clinical Evidence of Disease Anticipation in Families Segregating a C9orf72 Repeat Expansion.

Importance: Patients carrying a C9orf72 repeat expansion leading to frontotemporal dementia and/or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis have highly variable ages at onset of disease, suggesting the presence of modifying factors.

Objective: To provide clinical-based evidence for disease anticipation in families carrying a C9orf72 repeat expansion by analyzing age at onset, disease duration, and age at death in successive generations.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This cohort study was performed from June 16, 2000, to June 1, 2016, in 36 extended Belgian families in which a C9orf72 repeat expansion was segregating.

TBK1 Mutation Spectrum in an Extended European Patient Cohort with Frontotemporal Dementia and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.

We investigated the mutation spectrum of the TANK-Binding Kinase 1 (TBK1) gene and its associated phenotypic spectrum by exonic resequencing of TBK1 in a cohort of 2,538 patients with frontotemporal dementia (FTD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or FTD plus ALS, ascertained within the European Early-Onset Dementia Consortium. We assessed pathogenicity of predicted protein-truncating mutations by measuring loss of RNA expression. Functional effect of in-frame amino acid deletions and missense mutations was further explored in vivo on protein level and in vitro by an NFκB-induced luciferase reporter assay and measuring phosphorylated TBK1.

Application of a non-invasive reference headband and a surgical splint for intraoperative paediatric navigation.

The key to the success of surgical navigation based on computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) planning is the registration process. This has to be precise and adapted to the surgical needs. However, the application of a conventional rigid skull-fixed navigation star for accurate registration is limited for use in the paediatric population, because of the risk of unstable fixation, dural perforation, and intracranial bleeding.

The C9orf72 repeat size correlates with onset age of disease, DNA methylation and transcriptional downregulation of the promoter.

Pathological expansion of a G4C2 repeat, located in the 5' regulatory region of C9orf72, is the most common genetic cause of frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). C9orf72 patients have highly variable onset ages suggesting the presence of modifying factors and/or anticipation. We studied 72 Belgian index patients with FTLD, FTLD-ALS or ALS and 61 relatives with a C9orf72 repeat expansion.

Efficacy of Tranylcypromine in Bipolar Depression: A Systematic Review.

Objective: Currently, there is a paucity of treatment options with limited efficacy for bipolar depression. The monoamine oxidase inhibitor tranylcypromine might be an effective form of treatment. The current systematic review reassesses the efficacy and safety of tranylcypromine in bipolar depression.

Improving Practice in Electroconvulsive Therapy: A Nationwide Survey in Belgium.

Objective: The aims of this study were to review the practice of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in Belgium and to compare it with the practice of ECT a decade ago.

Methods: A 30-item questionnaire on the practice of ECT was sent to all institutions providing ECT. Results were compared with the results of a survey performed in 2003.

A Progress Report of the IFCC Committee for Standardization of Thyroid Function Tests.

Background: The IFCC Committee for Standardization of Thyroid Function Tests aims at equivalence of laboratory test results for free thyroxine (FT4) and thyrotropin (TSH).

Objectives: This report describes the phase III method comparison study with clinical samples representing a broad spectrum of thyroid disease. The objective was to expand the feasibility work and explore the impact of standardization/harmonization in the clinically relevant concentration range.

Aptitude-based assignment of nurses to depressed patients.

In psychiatric units, head nurses face the daily challenge of assigning nurses to patients. The 'match' between a patient and a nurse is not always optimal. This can hinder the therapeutic relationship.

Second generation antipsychotics in the treatment of bipolar depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Depressive symptoms and episodes dominate the course of bipolar disorder. However, the therapeutic armamentarium for bipolar depression is limited. Recent evidence points to the efficacy of second generation antipsychotics (SGAs) for the treatment of bipolar depression.

Contribution of two molecular assays as compared to selective culture for MRSA screening in a low MRSA prevalence population.

Background: As the prompt detection of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) carriers upon admission is fundamental in the MRSA prevention strategy of our hospital, the infection control team is eagerly seeking the most sensitive and rapid screening method. The aim of this study was to compare the performance of two molecular techniques with a conventional MRSA-selective culture test (Bio-Rad chromogenic MRSASelect) in order to elucidate the suitability of the assays specifically in an expected low MRSA prevalence population.

Patients And Methods: The anterior nares and throat of 500 patients and visitors attending the emergency department of Sint-Jan General Hospital between May and June 2007 were sampled, and MRSA carriage was determined by selective culture after enrichment and the BD GeneOhm StaphSR and the Cepheid Xpert MRSA assays.