Horizontal Branch Stars: The Interplay between Observations and Theory, and Insights into the Formation of the Galaxy

We review HB stars in a broad astrophysical context, including both variable and non-variable stars. A reassessment of the Oosterhoff dichotomy is presented, which provides unprecedented detail regarding its origin and systematics. We show that the Oosterhoff dichotomy and the distribution of globular clusters (GCs) in the HB morphology-metallicity plane both exclude, with high statistical significance, the possibility that the Galactic halo may have formed from the accretion of dwarf galaxies resembling present-day Milky Way satellites such as Fornax, Sagittarius, and the LMC. A rediscussion of the second-parameter problem is presented. A technique is proposed to estimate the HB types of extragalactic GCs on the basis of integrated far-UV photometry. The relationship between the absolute V magnitude of the HB at the RR Lyrae level and metallicity, as obtained on the basis of trigonometric parallax measurements for the star RR Lyrae, is also revisited, giving a distance modulus to the LMC of (m-M)_0 = 18.44+/-0.11. RR Lyrae period change rates are studied. Finally, the conductive opacities used in evolutionary calculations of low-mass stars are investigated. [ABRIDGED]Comment: 56 pages, 22 figures. Invited review, to appear in Astrophysics and Space Scienc

[A girl who was suddenly unable to urinate]

Contains fulltext : 220359.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Closed access)We saw a 15-year-old girl with a sudden inability to urinate. She was diagnosed with an obliterated vulva, due to an uncommon first presentation of lichen sclerosus

[A girl who was suddenly unable to urinate]

We saw a 15-year-old girl with a sudden inability to urinate. She was diagnosed with an obliterated vulva, due to an uncommon first presentation of lichen sclerosus

Letter commenting on the article "CA 125 expression pattern, prognosis and correlation with serum CA 125 in ovarian tumor patients" (104:508-515) by Hogdall, et al and on the Editorial "CA 125: megadaltons of novel opportunities" (104:505-507).

Contains fulltext : 52358.pdf (publisher's version ) (Closed access

Multidisciplinary management of patients with pubic osteomyelitis, a rare but serious complication after surgery and radiation therapy for advanced gynaecological cancer

Item does not contain fulltextPubic osteomyelitis is a rare and often late-onset complication of radiation therapy and surgery for vulvar and vaginal carcinoma. It typically presents with vulvar pain, fever, vaginal discharge and/or gait disorders. Pubic osteomyelitis is often accompanied by fistulas or wound dehiscence in the pelvic area. Its accurate diagnosis and treatment are challenging and require a multidisciplinary team effort. In our patients, multiple combined surgical procedures, long-term antibiotic treatment and days to weeks of hospital admission were necessary to treat pubic osteomyelitis. We emphasise the importance of timely and adequate diagnosis and multidisciplinary approach resulting in a course of treatment that is as effective as possible, limiting the impact on quality of life, which is generally high in this group of patients

Increased incidence of ovarian cancer in both endometriosis and adenomyosis

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Cancer antigen 125 level after a bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy: what is the contribution of the ovary to the cancer antigen 125 level?

Item does not contain fulltextOBJECTIVE: Serum cancer antigen (CA) 125 is the only biomarker used frequently in women with or at risk for ovarian cancer. However, the same reference level is used before and after (prophylactic) bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (BSO). We evaluated the effect of BSO on CA125 level in BRCA mutation carriers and tested which factors interact with the change in CA125 level. METHODS: All women who participated in the Nijmegen gynecological screening program and underwent prophylactic BSO were included. Information was obtained on age, smoking, menopausal state, previous hysterectomy and breast cancer, histopathological examination of the adnexa, hormone therapy use, and CA125 level before and after surgical operation. Ovarian volume was calculated. The logarithmic-transformed CA125 levels were used in a linear mixed model to study the relative change in CA125 level and possible interaction. RESULTS: In 60 women, a relative decrease of 18% in CA125 level after BSO was found (P < 0.01). The median serum CA125 level was 10.15 U/mL before and 8.36 U/mL after BSO. Menopausal state interacted with CA125 before and after the surgical operation (P < 0.01). In addition, ovarian volume did not explain the difference in CA125 level (P = 0.94). CONCLUSIONS: BRCA mutation carriers show a relative decrease in CA125 level after BSO. Menopausal state interacts with CA125. Ovarian volume was excluded as a confounder. Possibly, the hormonal effect of ovaries plays a role in the CA125 level. Our study suggests that not the reference level of 35 U/mL but a lower level, as already suggested for postmenopausal women, should be applied to women after a salpingo-oophorectomy

Further insights into the role of tumour characteristics in survival of young women with epithelial ovarian cancer

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A patient with bilateral immature ovarian teratoma presenting with paraneoplastic encephalitis.

Contains fulltext : 69154.pdf (publisher's version ) (Closed access)BACKGROUND: Teratomas can be accompanied by a paraneoplastic syndrome with severe neurological and psychiatric manifestations or even death as a result. These symptoms mostly precede the gynecological diagnosis. CASE: We present a case of a 32-year-old woman with paraneoplastic encephalitis. The gynecologic oncologist was consulted because of suspicion on a pelvic mass. Physical examination and transvaginal ultrasound (TVU) showed enlarged ovaries. Bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and complete staging were performed resulting in FIGO stage Ib grade 1 immature teratoma. After surgery her neurological condition improved significantly. CONCLUSION: In case a young woman presents with encephalitis of unknown origin she should also be referred to the gynecologist to rule out ovarian pathology, especially since surgical removal of a teratoma may result in clinical improvement or even complete recovery