The effect of high energy milling on powders of a FeNi (50/50) alloy and a 316L stainless steel has been evaluated by means of X-Ray Diffraction (XRD). The average microstrain as function of the milling time (1/2h, 1h and 8h) was determined from XRD data. The displacement and broadening of the (XRD) peaks were used for estimate the stacking fault energy (SFE), using the method of Reed and Schramm. It was estimated SFE=79 mJ/m2 for the FeNi (50/50) alloy and SFE=14 mJ/m2 for the 316L stainless steel. The better experimental conditions for determining the SFE by XRD are discussed.

We describe a rare case report of unscarred uterus rupture (UR) diagnosed in the puerperium after a vacuum extraction (VE) delivery of a healthy newborn. In this instance, no risk factors were found apart from the use of VE in the setting of prolonged deceleration. The suspicion of the diagnosis was made because of the patient's constant distressing abdominal pain with peritoneal signs as well as a drop in haemoglobin. In the exploratory laparotomy, a 2000 ml haemoperitoneum and a complete transverse tear of the uterine fundus 10 cm long was found in a structurally normal uterus. Peritoneal lavage was effected and the tear was repaired. A very high index of suspicion is needed and the longer the delay in making the diagnosis, and starting treatment, the greater the clinical risk. Since the risk of UR in subsequent pregnancies is very high, caesarean delivery is recommended in any future pregnancy, after fetal pulmonary maturity is confirmed.

The aim of our study was to access office hysteroscopy results in postmenopausal patients with thickened endometrium. A retrospective descriptive study was carried out on 245 postmenopausal patients submitted to office hysteroscopy after sonographic diagnosis of thickened endometrium in 20 consecutive months. Women were evaluated for age, hormonal therapy, hysteroscopic findings, procedure duration, complications and associated pain, and histological diagnosis. Patients with and without uterine bleeding were considered separately. Symptomatic patients were older and had longer procedure duration. The most frequent hysteroscopic finding was endometrial polyp in both groups. Pain was subjectively assessed in a numeric scale from 0 to 10 and median value was 4. There were no complications reported. Global neoplasia rate was 2.9% for asymptomatic patients and 16.4% for symptomatic ones (p<0.05). Thickened endometrium with postmenopausal metrorrhagia gave patients a significantly higher risk for neoplasia and hyperplasia.

The aim of our study was to access office hysteroscopy results in postmenopausal patients with thickened endometrium. A retrospective descriptive study was carried out on 245 postmenopausal patients submitted to office hysteroscopy after sonographic diagnosis of thickened endometrium in 20 consecutive months. Women were evaluated for age, hormonal therapy, hysteroscopic findings, procedure duration, complications and associated pain, and histological diagnosis. Patients with and without uterine bleeding were considered separately. Symptomatic patients were older and had longer procedure duration. The most frequent hysteroscopic finding was endometrial polyp in both groups. Pain was subjectively assessed in a numeric scale from 0 to 10 and median value was 4. There were no complications reported. Global neoplasia rate was 2.9% for asymptomatic patients and 16.4% for symptomatic ones (p<0.05). Thickened endometrium with postmenopausal metrorrhagia gave patients a significantly higher risk for neoplasia and hyperplasia.