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Within the Bethesda System, the recommendation of describing benign-appearing endometrial cells (BECs) has changed over recent years. Since the 2014 revision, their presence in cervical cytology reports has been deemed essential, beginning with age 45. Recent studies have suggested rising the reporting age to 50 years. Does the presence of these cells necessitate further assessment? This retrospective cohort study included patients aged between 45 and 65 years in whom BECs were present on cervical cytology between January 2001 and December 2010, with a follow-up at 5 and 10 years. Women who had abnormal cervical cells or atypical endometrial cells on cervical cytology were excluded, as well as women with a history of cervical or endometrial cancer, or a history of hysterectomy and incomplete follow-up data. One hundred seventy-six women were included. Of these, 31% were postmenopausal of which 65% used hormonal substitution therapy. Twenty-eight percent presented with abnormal uterine bleeding at inclusion. During the follow-up period of 10 years, 87.5% had a normal gynecological follow-up and 11.4% underwent a hysterectomy for benign pathology. One percent (2 patients) had been diagnosed with endometrial malignancy, both presenting with postmenopausal bleeding and aged over 60 years. Our study confirmed that the presence of BECs is not a reason for concern when no additional clinical indicator is recognized, especially with normal ultrasonographic examination. Further invasive exploration may be controversial. If reporting BECs in cervical cytology continues, we strongly agree on rising the reporting age to 50 years or postmenopausal state. • Within the Bethesda System, the recommendation of describing benign-appearing endometrial cells (BECs) has changed over recent years. • The presence of BECs is not a reason for concern when no additional clinical indicator is recognized, especially with normal ultrasonographic examination. • If reporting BECs in cervical cytology continues, we strongly agree on rising the reporting age to 50 years or postmenopausal state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.sysarc.2006.03.001 Byline: Bjorn De Sutter, Bruno De Bus, Koen De Bosschere Keywords: Liveness analysis; Link-time; Data flow analysis; Registers Abstract: Interprocedural data flow analyses of executable programs suffer from the conservative assumptions that need to be made because no precise control flow graph is available and because registers are spilled onto the stack. This paper discusses the exploitation of calling-conventions in executable code data flow analyses to avoid the propagation of the conservative assumptions throughout a program. Based on this exploitation, the existing backward liveness analyses are improved, and a complementary forward liveness analysis is proposed. For the SPECint2000 programs compiled for the Alpha architecture, the combined forward and improved backward analysis on average finds 62% more free registers than the existing state-of-the-art liveness analysis. With the improved analysis, we are able to show that on an average less than half of the registers of the RISC Alpha architecture are used. This contradicts the common wisdom that compilers can exploit large, uniform register files as found on RISC architectures. Author Affiliation: Electronics and Information Systems Department, Ghent University, Member of the HiPEAC Network, Sint-Pietersnieuwstraat 41, 9000 Gent, Belgium Article History: Received 16 December 2004; Accepted 6 March 2006

To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ahj.2006.02.014 Byline: Nico R. Van de Veire (a), Olivier De Winter (b), Mimi Gir (c), Marc De Buyzere (a), Christophe Van De Wiele (b), Johan De Sutter (a)(d) Abstract: Previous studies have demonstrated reduced exercise capacity in patients with diabetes mellitus. This study evaluated the relationship between fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels and exercise capacity in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Author Affiliation: (a) Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium (b) Division of Nuclear Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium (c) Department of Endocrinology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium (d) Cardiac Rehabilitation Unit, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium Article History: Received 8 September 2005; Accepted 7 February 2006 Article Note: (footnote) Nico R. Van de Veire is a research assistant and Johan De Sutter is a senior clinical investigator of the Fund for Scientific Research-Flanders (Belgium) (FWO-Vlaanderen).

Different sets of quality indicators are used to identify areas for improvement in ovarian cancer care. This study reports transparently on how (surgical) indicators were measured and on the association between hospital volume and indicator results in Belgium, a country setting without any centralisation of ovarian cancer care. From the population-based Belgian Cancer Registry, patients with a borderline malignant or invasive epithelial ovarian tumour diagnosed between 2014 and 2018 were selected and linked to health insurance and vital status data (n = 5119). Thirteen quality indicators on diagnosis and treatment were assessed and the association with hospital volume was analysed using logistic regression adjusted for case-mix. The national results for most quality indicators on diagnosis and systemic therapy were around the predefined target value. Other indicators showed results below the benchmark: genetic testing, completeness of staging surgery, lymphadenectomy with at least 20 pelvic/para-aortic lymph nodes removed, and timely start of chemotherapy after surgery (within 42 days). Ovarian cancer care in Belgium is dispersed over 100 hospitals. Lower volume hospitals showed poorer indicator results compared to higher volume hospitals for lymphadenectomy, staging, timely start of chemotherapy and genetic testing. In addition, surgery for advanced stage tumours was performed less often in lower volume hospitals. The indicators that showed poorer results on a national level were also those with poorer results in lower-volume hospitals compared to higher-volume hospitals, consequently supporting centralisation. International benchmarking is hampered by different (surgical) definitions between countries and studies. • Indicators on quality of surgery for ovarian cancer perform below the benchmark in Belgium. • Quality of care is better in higher volume hospitals, supporting centralisation. • Different (surgical) definitions hamper international comparison. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gender dysphoria, a discrepancy between gender identity and genetically determined sex, is encountered in approximately 0.5% of people uniformly across the world. In the case of transgender men, formerly called female-to-male transsexuals, the available gender-affirming measures, hormone therapy and possible surgical procedures, are multiple and discussed in detail in this series of articles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Is there a difference in blastocyst formation between fresh and vitrified–warmed sibling oocytes and can this difference be attributed to changes in embryo morphokinetics? Between February 2016 and December 2017, 472 metaphase II (MII) oocytes in 67 donor–recipient cycles from 27 different healthy anonymous oocyte donors were allocated for fresh transfer (FSHO) (n = 220) to a synchronous recipient (n = 36) or vitrified (VITO) (n = 252) to be warmed and transferred to another recipient (n = 31). Embryos derived from the FSHO and their sibling VITO were analysed for morphokinetic development using time-lapse imaging, blastocyst formation and clinical outcome. Time-lapse analysis showed an overall delay in cleavage rate from the time of pronuclei disappearance up to the time of blastulation in the VITO compared with their sibling FSHO. Twelve morphokinetic variables were significantly different between the groups. On Day 5 significantly more FSHO embryos developed to blastocyst (expansion 1–6) and reached the full blastocyst stage (expansion 3–6) compared with the VITO embryos [53.2% (84/158) versus 40.0% (64/160); P = 0.0244 and 48.1% (76/158) versus 31.3% (50/160); P = 0.0028, respectively]. The embryo utilization rate was similar in both groups at the time of cryopreservation; 51.3% (FSHO) versus 45.0% (VITO) (P = 0.3124). The pregnancy rate per cycle was 47.2% (17/36) in FSHO patients and 48.4% (15/31) in VITO patients (P = 1). Limitations in this study: non-randomized, small study size and not powered to detect differences in clinical outcomes. Timing of development is altered and blastocyst formation is delayed in embryos derived from vitrified–warmed donor oocytes compared with their fresh sibling counterparts. Although preliminary results suggest that the clinical impact of this delay may be limited, this needs further investigation in larger randomized studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

L'ibuprofène est l'anti-inflammatoire non stéroïdien le plus consommé en France. Une enquête de type client mystère a été réalisée sur l'ensemble des pharmacies de Caen afin d'évaluer l'attitude du pharmacien d'officine face à une demande d'ibuprofène sans ordonnance dans le cadre d'une douleur de gorge fébrile évoluant depuis plus de trois jours. Concernant l'automédication, l'interrogatoire et les informations délivrées sont insuffisants. Afin de limiter la survenue de complications, parfois graves, il est nécessaire de sensibiliser les professionnels de soins primaires et les patients, au moyen de formations et en multipliant les sources d'information. Ibuprofen is the most widely used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug in France. A mystery shopper survey was conducted on all pharmacies in Caen to assess the pharmacist's attitude towards a request for ibuprofen without a prescription in the context of febrile throat pain that has been evolving for over three days. Concerning self-medication, interrogation and information provided are insufficient. In order to limit the occurrence of complications which are sometimes serious, it is necessary to raise awareness among primary care professionals and patients through training and by multiplying sources of information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research will focus on characterising and analysing next generation batteries consisting of silicon-alloy/graphite blend anode combined with a nickel rich lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide (NMC 622) as cathode. The study is performed on prototype pouch cells (1.4 Ah). Furthermore, the effect of applying external pressure on the pouch cell is investigated. The application of external pressure has a significant beneficial impact, more specifically a 19% increase in capacity combined with a significant decrease of 50% of the discharge ohmic resistance. To investigate and quantify the pressure variation over the state of charge (SoC) a dedicated set-up has been developed which allows to apply an external pressure while measuring the pressure variation. Up to 30 N of pressure variation is observed during static tests, while no pressure variation can be observed during short pulses, demonstrating its potential to use pressure as SoC estimator. Finally, a study on the effect of initial applied external pressure on the cells' lifetime has shown that the initial applied pressure, within the range of tested pressures, has little impact on the cells' performance and lifetime. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract An extensive parametric study of an alternative battery model, the fractional differential model (FDM), is presented for the first time over the entire lifetime of 20Ah NMC cells. The evolution of the FDM's model parameters, identified in the time-domain, is compared to electrochemical impedance spectroscopy results to assess their physico-chemical significance. This comprehensive parametric analysis shows that the FDM is able to capture relevant physico-chemical information with regards to the ohmic resistance over the entire SoC range and battery lifetime. Furthermore, the FDM's electrical performance is compared to the conventional first order RC battery model over the entire battery lifetime. Thanks to the FDM's non-integer derivatives for system states, it is able to capture intrinsic fractional derivative properties such as diffusion dynamics, charge transfer and memory hysteresis, which results in an improved simulation accuracy compared to the RC model. The comparative study showed an improved simulation accuracy of the FDM up to 85% in the lowest SoC range and a minimum improvement of 40% over the entire SoC range, considering the entire battery lifetime. Inherently proving that the FDM's ability to capture highly nonlinear battery behavior in the low SoC region persists over battery lifetime. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Acoustic emission of hybrid composite concrete beams is examined. • Prediction of the final mode of fracture can be done before reaching 20% of the ultimate load. • Acoustic emission waveforms from cracking and debonding are very different. • Combination of Acoustic Emission and Digital Image Correlation is very effective for fracture monitoring. Lightweight hybrid concrete beams are advantageous in terms of installation, but their mechanical behaviour is not easy to predict due to their heterogeneity. In the present study composite hollow beams made of Textile Reinforced Cement (TRC) reinforced with Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) strips and a concrete layer are subjected to bending. Their fracture behaviour is complicated as they exhibit multiple failure mechanisms: cracking of the cement matrix, debonding of the CFRP and delamination between successive layers of TRC. Herein, their mechanical performance is evaluated and monitored by Acoustic Emission (AE) and Digital Image Correlation (DIC). AE indices show that beams suffering from one major failure mechanism (matrix cracking) release AE signals with high frequency content while beams suffering from delaminations exhibit longer AE waveforms of lower frequency. These tendencies are obvious even at early loading stage, enabling prediction of the mode of the subsequent failure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives Our objective was to examine whether or not women with symptoms of a urinary tract infection but with a negative culture (20%–30%) do have an infection. Methods We performed quantitative PCR (qPCR) for Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus saprophyticus , on top of a standard culture, in urine samples from 220 women with dysuria and/or frequency and/or urgency and from 86 women without symptoms. For symptomatic women, qPCR was also carried out for four sexually transmitted agents. Results In the symptomatic group, 80.9% (178/220) of the urine cultures were positive for any uropathogen and 95.9% (211/220) were E. coli qPCR-positive. For the control group, cultures for E. coli and E. coli qPCR were positive in, respectively, 10.5% (9/86) and 11.6% (10/86). In the symptomatic group, qPCR yielded 19 positive samples for S. saprophyticus qPCR, one positive sample for Mycoplasma genitalium and one for Trichomonas vaginalis. Conclusions These findings suggest that almost all women with typical urinary complaints and a negative culture still have an infection with E. coli . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lightweight composite-concrete beams are advantageous in terms of installation, but their mechanical and fracture behaviour is not easy to predict due to their inherent heterogeneity. In the present study hybrid beams made of Textile Reinforced Cement (TRC) hollow boxes reinforced with a Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) strip and a concrete layer on top are subjected to bending. Their fracture behaviour is complicated as they can suffer from multiple failure mechanisms: matrix cracking, interface debonding or delamination. Herein, their mechanical performance is evaluated and monitored by Acoustic Emission (AE) and Digital Image Correlation (DIC). AE indices show that beams suffering from one single failure mechanism (cement cracking) exhibit nearly constant AE characteristics throughout loading. Beams additionally suffering from delamination exhibit longer AE waveforms of lower frequency compared to the pure matrix cracking. These tendencies are obvious from the initial part of the test, enabling predictions about the subsequent failure. More importantly and for the first time in related literature, the use of DIC enables to relate AE to the strain fields during loading, the final damage pattern and the ultimate failure mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ratio of the transmitral early peak velocity (E) evaluated by conventional Doppler imaging over early diastolic mitral annulus velocity (E') evaluated by tissue Doppler imaging has been proposed as a noninvasive marker for left ventricular filling pressure. We evaluated 174 normal patients and 86 patients with hypertension and LV hypertrophy to assess the effects of age, gender, and left ventricular hypertrophy on E' and E/E'. Age appeared to be the strongest determinant of E' and E/E', suggesting that in normal patients and in those with left ventricular hypertrophy, age-dependent cut-off values should be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The advantages of high performance composite materials have stimulated their use as reinforcement in concrete structures as well as the research on hybrid composite-concrete elements. For the design of these hybrid structures – with often complex geometries – the standard concrete calculation rules, based on official codes such as Eurocode 2, are often not elaborated enough. Moreover, these standard models are limited or simplified to a linear behaviour and do not even allow the integration of nonlinear reinforcement behaviour. In this paper, the authors propose a general calculation methodology to simulate analytically the structural behaviour of hybrid beams, including their ultimate loadbearing capacity and deflection. This methodology introduces an original search algorithm that reduces the computation time significantly without losing accuracy. The analytical model is validated by ten experiments on 3-m-span hybrid beams with differing geometry. The experiments demonstrate the accurate prediction of the analytical model both for the load–deflection behaviour and for the occurring strains, and confirm the model assumptions made. Moreover, the structural feasibility of the proposed hybrid beams is demonstrated as they exhibit a sufficient loadbearing capacity and stiffness. This structural performance in combination with the ability to predict the behaviour reveals a great potential for future structural applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The combination of high performance composites and concrete results in hybrid composite-concrete elements which no longer resemble the traditional reinforced concrete structures. Consequently, these hybrid elements have a different structural behaviour that requires new evaluation procedures. This paper focusses on hybrid TRC-composite-concrete elements which are used as a substitute for reinforced concrete beams within a floor system. Their shear behaviour is experimentally investigated by the examination of ten short-span hybrid beams with different geometries. Visual inspection shows that shear failure occurs by an inclined flexural shear crack in the concrete. A rosette strain gauge analysis proves that the principal strain and stress orientations are in accordance with theoretical predictions. Finally, the small influence of shear deformation on the total deflection of these beams is illustrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elaborated formulas to calculate the shear resistance for hybrid composite-concrete beams do not exist. This paper returns to the basic principles of shear transfer in steel reinforced concrete beams and modifies these formulas into predictive calculations for the theoretical shear capacity of hybrid composite-concrete beams. These calculations are based on the theoretical shear mechanisms – uncracked concrete zone, aggregate interlock and dowel action. For the investigated hybrid beams, approximately half of the shear force is taken by the uncracked concrete zone and aggregate interlock of the concrete and the remaining half by dowel action. This theoretical approach is validated by the experimental shear failure of eight hybrid beams with four different cross-sections. The calculation method clearly quantifies the differences in shear behaviour of the investigated beam cross-sections and approaches the ultimate shear capacity of all beam types relatively well, which proves this a valuable approach also for other hybrid beam types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The construction industry currently shows an increasing interest towards composites. However, despite their high mechanical capacity to weight ratio their practical use in construction remains rather limited, the relatively high cost often being mentioned as the most restricting factor. This paper demonstrates how this need for minimization of both cost and mass can be tackled by a multi-objective optimization. First, a two-objective size optimization procedure is developed, and subsequently its strength is illustrated on hybrid composite-concrete beams. An original methodology combining Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm (NSGA-II) and a meta-model is used to find all optimal solutions. The optimization algorithm moreover gives insight on the influence of different parameters such as the span and the concrete class on the weight and cost of the beams, and the dominance of certain design constraints in various locations of the design space. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Variation in the level of mtDNA heteroplasmy in adult tissues is commonly seen in patients with a mixture of wild-type and mutant mtDNA. A mixture of different mtDNA variants may influence such variation and cause mtDNA segregation bias. We analyzed cellular heterogeneity in embryonic stem cells (ESCs) derived from a polymorphic mouse model containing NZB and BALB mtDNA genotypes. In ESCs, inter-colony heterogeneity varied up to 61%, whereas intra-colony heterogeneity varied up to 100%. Three out of five cell lines displayed nearly homoplasmic BALB and NZB mtDNA haplotypes in differentiated single cells. The proportion of NZB mtDNA genotype increased with progressive passaging (0.39%; p = 0.002). These results demonstrate the bimodal segregation of mtDNA haplotypes, indicating the occurrence of tissues with variable levels of heteroplasmies in individuals with mtDNA mutations. Furthermore, proliferation of one mtDNA genotype over another may pose the risk of accumulating mutant mtDNAs during subsequent cell divisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In patients treated successfully with primary angioplasty for a first myocardial infarction, the Selvester 32-point score correlates well with infarct size measured with quantitative thallium-201 perfusion imaging. Therefore, it is a useful parameter for infarct sizing, particularly in patients with anterior infarction or reduced ejection fraction at discharge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]