[Taste and smell changes resulting from cancer therapies]. / Smaak- en reukverandering na oncologische behandeling.

Cancer therapies often cause changes in taste and smell. In this article, three patients treated with immunotherapy, chemotherapy and targeted therapy who experience changes in taste or smell are presented. These patients report lower quality of life and altered eating habits due to these changes. The prevalence and type of taste and smell changes is diverse among different cancer treatments and individual patients. In clinical practice, diagnosis is supported by questionnaires, taste strips or smell sticks. It is important to acknowledge the changes in taste and smell and inform the patient about these changes. More tools become available to provide patients with personalized advise to adjust their meals to their new sense of taste and smell at home. Furthermore, hospital cooks are implementing new strategies to adjust meals to taste and smell alterations and individual preferences. Smell training is an option for patients with severe smell disorders.

MRGPRX2 and Immediate Drug Hypersensitivity: Insights From Cultured Human Mast Cells.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Mast cell (MC) degranulation via activation of the Mas-related G protein-coupled receptor X2 (MRGPRX2) plays a key role in immediate drug hypersensitivity (IDH). However, data in humans are limited to observations in specific cell lines. Objective: To study the usefulness of silencing MRGPRX2 in human MCs with the aim of further unveiling the MRGPRX2 pathway in IDH. METHODS: MCs were cultured from CD34+ progenitor cells obtained from peripheral blood (PBCMCs) and incubated with substance P (as a positive control), rocuronium, moxifloxacin, morphine, or amoxicillin. Immunophenotyping of the cells included flow cytometry and microscopy analyses of the expression of CD117, CD203c, and MRGPRX2. Intracellular calcium was measured using Fluo-4. Degranulation was analyzed by quantifying CD63 expression. For MRGPRX2 silencing, MCs were electroporated with Dicer small interference RNAs. RESULTS: Incubation of MCs with substance P, morphine, and moxifloxacin increased intracellular calcium levels and triggered MC degranulation, which, for the drugs, is almost completely abolished by selective MRGPRX2 silencing. Despite an increase in intracellular calcium in MRGPRX2+ cells, incubation with nontoxic concentrations of rocuronium does not result in degranulation of PBCMCs. Amoxicillin has no effect on PBCMCs. CONCLUSION: The use of MRGPRX2 silencing in human MCs can provide important insights into the role of MRGPRX2 in the pathogenesis of IDH. As induction of calcium signals does not necessarily translate into a secretory response, measurement of the degranulation reaction seems more meaningful in the context of drug testing.

MRGPRX2 and Immediate Drug Hypersensitivity: Insights From Cultured Human Mast Cells

Background: Mast cell (MC) degranulation via activation of the Mas-related G protein–coupled receptor X2 (MRGPRX2) plays a key role in immediate drug hypersensitivity (IDH). However, data in humans are limited to observations in specific cell lines. Objective: To study the usefulness of silencing MRGPRX2 in human MCs with the aim of further unveiling the MRGPRX2 pathway in IDH. Methods: MCs were cultured from CD34+ progenitor cells obtained from peripheral blood (PBCMCs) and incubated with substance P (as a positive control), rocuronium, moxifloxacin, morphine, or amoxicillin. Immunophenotyping of the cells included flow cytometry and microscopy analyses of the expression of CD117, CD203c, and MRGPRX2. Intracellular calcium was measured using Fluo-4. Degranulation was analyzed by quantifying CD63 expression. For MRGPRX2 silencing, MCs were electroporated with Dicer small interference RNAs. Results: Incubation of MCs with substance P, morphine, and moxifloxacin increased intracellular calcium levels and triggered MC degranulation, which, for the drugs, is almost completely abolished by selective MRGPRX2 silencing. Despite an increase in intracellular calcium in MRGPRX2+ cells, incubation with nontoxic concentrations of rocuronium does not result in degranulation of PBCMCs. Amoxicillin has no effect on PBCMCs. Conclusion: The use of MRGPRX2 silencing in human MCs can provide important insights into the role of MRGPRX2 in the pathogenesis of IDH. As induction of calcium signals does not necessarily translate into a secretory response, measurement of the degranulation reaction seems more meaningful in the context of drug testing (AU)

Antecedentes: La desgranulación de los mastocitos (MC) a través de la activación del receptor X2 acoplado a proteína G relacionada con Mas (MRGPRX2) se considera clave para la hipersensibilidad inmediata a fármacos. Sin embargo, los datos en humanos se limitan a observaciones en líneas celulares específicas. Objetivo: Estudiar la utilidad del silenciamiento de MRGPRX2 en MC humanos para conocer mejor la vía MRGPRX2 en la hipersensibilidad inmediata a fármacos. Métodos Los MC se cultivaron a partir de células progenitoras CD34+ obtenidas de sangre periférica (PBCMC) y se incubaron con la sustancia P como control positivo, rocuronio, moxifloxacina, morfina o amoxicilina. El inmunofenotipaje de las células incluyó análisis por citometría de flujo y microscopia de la expresión de CD117, CD203c y MRGPRX2. El calcio intracelular se midió usando Fluo-4. La desgranulación se analizó por cuantificación de la expresión de CD63. Para el silenciamiento de MRGPRX2, los MC se electroporaron con ARN silente del sustrato Dicer. Resultados: La incubación de MC con sustancia P, morfina y moxifloxacina provocó el aumento de los niveles de calcio intracelular y desencadenó la desgranulación de MC. En el caso de la desgranulación provocada por los fármacos, ésta se eliminó casi por completo mediante el silenciamiento selectivo de MRGPRX2. A pesar del aumento del calcio intracelular en las células MRGPRX2+, la incubación con concentraciones no tóxicas de rocuronio no produce la desgranulación de los PBCMC, mientras que la amoxicilina no tiene efecto sobre los PBCMC. Conclusión: El uso del silenciamiento de MRGPRX2 en MC humanos puede proporcionar información importante sobre el papel de MRGPRX2 en la patogénesis de la hipersensibilidad inmediata a fármacos. Como la inducción de señales de calcio no se traduce necesariamente en una respuesta secretora, parece más significativa la medición de la reacción de desgranulación en el contexto de las pruebas a fármacos (AU)

A simplified checklist for the visual inspection of finished pharmaceutical products: a way to empower frontline health workers in the fight against poor-quality medicines.

BACKGROUND: Substandard and falsified medicines, mainly prevalent in low and middle-income countries (LMICs), cause avoidable morbidity and mortality, and put at stake the performance of health systems. They may be prevented by an adequate implementation of pharmaceutical Quality Assurance (QA) guidelines, but unfortunately, most guidelines address upstream stakeholders and specialized staff in the supply chain. A multi-layered approach is needed, in order to empower the health workers at the point-of-care to proactively contribute to the fight against poor-quality medicines.Visual inspection is a simple technique, suitable for field screening. The findings of a survey conducted in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) suggested that it might be a fairly good (yet partial) predictor of poor-quality, when compared to full laboratory tests. METHODS AND RESULTS: Starting from the 68-questions checklist originally used in the survey in the DRC, we developed a simplified checklist, specifically designed to guide health workers at the point of care to rapidly identify suspect poor-quality medicines. We selected those medicines' attributes the assessment of which does not require technical expertise, or access to regulatory information. Attributes were categorized according to a 3-level risk scale, to guide decision-making on suspect poor-quality medicines, based on an informed risk assessment.The simplified checklist contains 26 binary questions (YES/NO), grouped into four themes: packaging, identification, traceability, and physical appearance. Each non-conformity corresponds to a level of risk for patients. The user is guided towards three possible actions: A) reasonably safe for dispensing; B) dispense with explanation; C) quarantine and make a risk-benefit evaluation before dispensing. CONCLUSION: The simplified checklist should now be implemented in real-life setting in LMICs. If proven useful in guiding health workers at the point-of-care to take rapid, transparent, patient-centred actions when facing a suspect poor-quality medicine, it could be further extended to address specific formulations. Digitalization for linkage with pharmacovigilance programs could also be considered.

Correction to: The disengagement of visual attention in the gap paradigm across adolescence.

In the manuscript, we write that saccadic reaction time was determined as the time between the offset of the last fixation on the central stimulus and the onset of the peripheral stimulus (the target).

The disengagement of visual attention in the gap paradigm across adolescence.

Attentional disengagement is important for successful interaction with our environment. The efficiency of attentional disengagement is commonly assessed using the gap paradigm. There is, however, a sharp contrast between the number of studies applying the gap paradigm to clinical populations and the knowledge about the underlying developmental trajectory of the gap effect. The aim of the present study was, therefore, to investigate attentional disengagement in a group of children aged 9-15. Besides the typically deployed gap and the overlap conditions, we also added a baseline condition in which the fixation point was removed at the moment that the target appeared. This allowed us to reveal the appropriate experimental conditions to unravel possible developmental differences. Correlational analyses showed that the size of the gap effect became smaller with increasing age, but only for the difference between the gap and the overlap conditions. This shows that there is a gradual increase in the capacity to disengage visual attention with increasing age, but that this effect only becomes apparent when the gap and the overlap conditions are compared. The gradual decrease of the gap effect with increasing age provides additional evidence that the attentional system becomes more efficient with increasing age and that this is a gradual process.

Immediate moxifloxacin hypersensitivity: Is there more than currently meets the eye?

Immediate drug hypersensitivity reactions (IDHR) to moxifloxacin constitute a pathomechanistic conundrum and a diagnostic challenge. Our objective was to study whether simultaneous phenotyping and quantification of histamine release might add to our knowledge about the basophil activation properties of moxifloxacin and constitute a reliable diagnostic aid. Fifteen patients with an IDHR to moxifloxacin and nine moxifloxacin challenged controls were selected. All had a basophil activation test (BAT) with moxifloxacin. Flow cytometric analysis of basophil responses implied labeling for CD63, CD203c, and intracellular histamine. Unlike tolerant challenged controls, basophilic upregulation of CD203c in response to moxifloxacin was observed in seven of 15 patients. Only two of these seven patients demonstrated appearance of CD63 and release of histamine. In the remainder eight patients, no basophil responses were demonstrable. In conclusion, immediate hypersensitivity to moxifloxacin might involve mechanisms difficult to capture by traditional CD63-/CD203c-based BAT. Deciphering the complexity of quinolone IDHR seems mandatory.

Seasonal feeding activity of the tree-hole tick, Ixodes arboricola.

Bird-specific ticks do not infest humans and livestock, but these ticks often share their avian hosts with generalist ticks that do. Therefore, their feeding activity may have an impact on the transmission of pathogens outside bird-tick transmission cycles. Here we examined the seasonal feeding activity of the tree-hole tick (Ixodes arboricola) in relation to the activity of its hole-breeding hosts (Parus major and Cyanistes caeruleus). We analysed data on ticks derived from birds, on the abundance of engorged ticks inside nest boxes, and on bird nests that were experimentally exposed to ticks. We observed a non-random pattern of feeding associated with the tick instar and host age. The majority of adult ticks fed on nestlings, while nymphs and larvae fed on both free-flying birds and nestlings. Due to their fast development, some ticks were able to feed twice within the same breeding season. The highest infestation rates in free-flying birds were found during the pre-breeding period and during autumn and winter when birds roost inside cavities. Except during winter, feeding of I. arboricola overlapped in time with the generalist Ixodes ricinus, implying that tick-borne microorganisms that are maintained by I. arboricola and birds could be bridged by I. ricinus to other hosts.

The insulin sensitizing effect of topiramate involves KATP channel activation in the central nervous system.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Topiramate improves insulin sensitivity, in addition to its antiepileptic action. However, the underlying mechanism is unknown. Therefore, the present study was aimed at investigating the mechanism of the insulin-sensitizing effect of topiramate both in vivo and in vitro. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Male C57Bl/6J mice were fed a run-in high-fat diet for 6 weeks, before receiving topiramate or vehicle mixed in high-fat diet for an additional 6 weeks. Insulin sensitivity was assessed by hyperinsulinaemic-euglycaemic clamp. The extent to which the insulin sensitizing effects of topiramate were mediated through the CNS were determined by concomitant i.c.v. infusion of vehicle or tolbutamide, an inhibitor of ATP-sensitive potassium channels in neurons. The direct effects of topiramate on insulin signalling and glucose uptake were assessed in vivo and in cultured muscle cells. KEY RESULTS: In hyperinsulinaemic-euglycaemic clamp conditions, therapeutic plasma concentrations of topiramate (∼4 µg·mL(-1) ) improved insulin sensitivity (glucose infusion rate + 58%). Using 2-deoxy-D-[(3) H]glucose, we established that topiramate improved the insulin-mediated glucose uptake by heart (+92%), muscle (+116%) and adipose tissue (+586%). Upon i.c.v. tolbutamide, the insulin-sensitizing effect of topiramate was completely abrogated. Topiramate did not directly affect glucose uptake or insulin signalling neither in vivo nor in cultured muscle cells. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS: In conclusion, topiramate stimulates insulin-mediated glucose uptake in vivo through the CNS. These observations illustrate the possibility of pharmacological modulation of peripheral insulin resistance through a target in the CNS.

The history of Belgian assisted reproduction technology cycle registration and control: a case study in reducing the incidence of multiple pregnancy.

STUDY QUESTION: What is the effect of a legal limitation of the number of embryos that can be transferred in an assisted reproductive technology (ART) cycle on the multiple delivery rate? SUMMARY ANSWER: The Belgian national register shows that the introduction of reimbursement of ART laboratory costs in July 2003, and the imposition of a legal limitation of the number of embryos transferred in the same year, were associated with a >50% reduction of the multiple pregnancy rate from 27 to 11% between 2003 and the last assessment in 2010, without any reduction of the pregnancy rate per cycle. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: Individual Belgian IVF centres have published their results since the implementation of the law, and these show a decrease in the multiple pregnancy rate on a centre by centre basis. However, the overall national picture remains unpublished. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: Cohort study from 1990 to 2010 of all ART cycles in Belgium (2685 cycles in 1990 evolving to 19 110 cycles in 2010), with a retrospective analysis from 1990 to 2000 and prospective online data collection since 2001. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: Registration evolved from paper written reports per centre to a compulsory online registration of all ART cycles. From 2001 up to mid-2009, data were collected from Excel spread sheets or MS Access files into an MS Access database. Since mid-2009, data collection is done via a remote and secured web-based system (www.belrap.be) where centres can upload their data and get immediate feedback about missing data, errors and inconsistencies. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: National Belgian registration data show that reimbursement of IVF laboratory costs in July 2003, coupled to a legal limitation in the number of embryos transferred in utero, were associated with a 50% reduction of the multiple pregnancy rate from 27 to 11% without reduction of the pregnancy rate per cycle, and with an increase in the number of fresh and frozen ART cycles due to improved access to treatment. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: There is potential underreporting of complications of ART treatment, pregnancy outcome and neonatal health. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: Over the 20 years of registration, the pregnancy rate has remained constant, despite the reduction in the number of embryos transferred, optimization of laboratory procedures and stimulation protocols, introduction of quality systems and implementation of the EU Tissue Directive over the period 2004-2010. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S): No external funding was sought for this study. None of the authors has any conflict of interest to declare.

Nestling development and the timing of tick attachments.

Parasites exposed to fast-developing hosts experience a variety of conditions over a short time period. Only few studies in vertebrate-ectoparasite systems have integrated the timing of ectoparasite infestations in the host's development into the search for factors explaining ectoparasite burden. In this study we examined the temporal pattern of attachment in a nidicolous tick (Ixodes arboricola) throughout the development of a songbird (Parus major). In the first experiment, we exposed bird clutches at hatching to a mix of the 3 tick instars (larvae, nymphs and adults), and monitored the ticks that attached in relation to the average broods' age. In a complementary experiment we focused on the attachment in adult female ticks--the largest and most significant instar for the species' reproduction--after releasing them at different moments in the nestlings' development. Our observations revealed a positive association between the size of the attached instar and the broods' age. Particularly, adult females were less likely to be found attached to recently hatched nestlings, which contrasts with the smaller-sized larvae and nymphs. These differences suggest either an infestation strategy that is adapted to host physiology and development, or a result of selection by the hosts' anti-tick resistance mechanisms. We discuss the implications of our results in terms of tick life-history strategies.

Pharmacological modulation of dopamine receptor D2-mediated transmission alters the metabolic phenotype of diet induced obese and diet resistant C57Bl6 mice.

High fat feeding induces a variety of obese and lean phenotypes in inbred rodents. Compared to Diet Resistant (DR) rodents, Diet Induced Obese (DIO) rodents are insulin resistant and have a reduced dopamine receptor D2 (DRD2) mediated tone. We hypothesized that this differing dopaminergic tone contributes to the distinct metabolic profiles of these animals. C57Bl6 mice were classified as DIO or DR based on their weight gain during 10 weeks of high fat feeding. Subsequently DIO mice were treated with the DRD2 agonist bromocriptine and DR mice with the DRD2 antagonist haloperidol for 2 weeks. Compared to DR mice, the bodyweight of DIO mice was higher and their insulin sensitivity decreased. Haloperidol treatment reduced the voluntary activity and energy expenditure of DR mice and induced insulin resistance in these mice. Conversely, bromocriptine treatment tended to reduce bodyweight and voluntary activity, and reinforce insulin action in DIO mice. These results show that DRD2 activation partly redirects high fat diet induced metabolic anomalies in obesity-prone mice. Conversely, blocking DRD2 induces an adverse metabolic profile in mice that are inherently resistant to the deleterious effects of high fat food. This suggests that dopaminergic neurotransmission is involved in the control of metabolic phenotype.

Blocking dopamine D2 receptors by haloperidol curtails the beneficial impact of calorie restriction on the metabolic phenotype of high-fat diet induced obese mice.

Calorie restriction is the most effective way of expanding life-span and decreasing morbidity. It improves insulin sensitivity and delays the age-related loss of dopamine receptor D(2) (DRD2) expression in the brain. Conversely, high-fat feeding is associated with obesity, insulin resistance and a reduced number of DRD2 binding sites. We hypothesised that the metabolic benefit of calorie restriction involves the preservation of appropriate DRD2 transmission. The food intake of wild-type C57Bl6 male mice was restricted to 60% of ad lib. intake while they were treated with the DRD2 antagonist haloperidol or vehicle using s.c. implanted pellets. Mice with ad lib. access to food receiving vehicle treatment served as controls. All mice received high-fat food throughout the experiment. After 10 weeks, an i.p. glucose tolerance test was performed and, after 12 weeks, a hyperinsulinaemic euglycaemic clamp. Hypothalamic DRD2 binding was also determined after 12 weeks of treatment. Calorie-restricted (CR) vehicle mice were glucose tolerant and insulin sensitive compared to ad lib. (AL) fed vehicle mice. CR mice treated with haloperidol were slightly heavier than vehicle treated CR mice. Haloperidol completely abolished the beneficial impact of calorie restriction on glucose tolerance and partly reduced the insulin sensitivity observed in CR vehicle mice. The metabolic differences between AL and CR vehicle mice were not accompanied by alterations in hypothalamic DRD2 binding. In conclusion, blocking DRD2 curtails the metabolic effects of calorie restriction. Although this suggests that the dopaminergic system could be involved in the metabolic benefits of calorie restriction, restricting access to high-fat food does not increase (hypothalamic) DRD2 binding capacity, which argues against this inference.

Relationship between hyaluronic acid binding assay and outcome in ART: a pilot study.

The sperm-hyaluronan binding assay (HBA) is a diagnostic kit for assessing sperm maturity, function and fertility. The aim of this prospective cohort pilot study was to evaluate the relationship between HBA and WHO sperm parameters (motility, concentration and detailed morphology) and possible influence of sperm processing on hyaluronic acid binding. A cohort of 68 patients undergoing a first combo in vitro fertilisation/intracytoplasmic sperm injection treatment after failure of three or more intrauterine insemination cycles were included in the study. Outcome measures studied were fertilisation rate, embryo quality, ongoing pregnancy rate and cumulative pregnancy rate. HBA outcome improved after sperm preparation and culture, but was not correlated to detailed sperm morphology, concentration or motility. HBA did not provide additional information for identifying patients with poor or absent fertilisation, although the latter had more immature sperm cells and cells with cytoplasmic retention present in their semen. HBA outcome in the neat sample was significantly correlated with embryo quality, with miscarriage rates and ongoing pregnancy rates in the fresh cycles, but not with the cumulative ongoing pregnancy rate. No threshold value for HBA and outcome in combo IVF/ICSI treatment could be established. The clinical value for HBA in addition to routine semen analysis for this patient population seems limited.

Cumulus cell gene expression is associated with oocyte developmental quality and influenced by patient and treatment characteristics.

BACKGROUND: Gene expression of cumulus cells (CC) could predict oocyte developmental quality. Knowledge of the genes involved in determining oocyte quality is scanty. The aim was to correlate clinical and biological characteristics during ovarian stimulation with the expression of 10 selected genes in CC. METHODS: Sixty-three ICSI patients were stimulated with GnRH-agonist plus highly purified hMG (n = 35) or recombinant FSH (n = 28). Thirteen variables were analyzed: Age, BMI, duration of stimulation, serum concentrations of progesterone, 17beta-estradiol, FSH and LH on day of hCG, Ovarian Response, Oocyte Maturity, 2 pronuclei and three embryo morphology related variables: > or =7 cells, Low Fragmentation, Good Quality Embryos score. Expression of HAS2, VCAN, SDC4, ALCAM, GREM1, PTGS1, PTGS2, DUSP16, SPROUTY4 and RPS6KA2 was analyzed in pooled CC using quantitative PCR, and the relationship to the 13 variables was evaluated by multivariable analysis. RESULTS: All 10 genes are expressed at oocyte retrieval, with PTGS1, SPROUTY4, DUSP16 and RPS6KA2 described in human ovary for the first time. The three variables that correlated most often with differential expression were Age, BMI and serum FSH level. Significant correlation was found with Oocyte Maturity (VCAN, P < 0.005), Low Fragmentation (RPS6KA2, P < 0.05), Embryos with > or =7 cells (ALCAM and GREM1, P < 0.05). The expression of the other genes was also correlated to oocyte developmental quality but to a less extent. SDC4, VCAN, GREM1, SPROUTY4 and RPS6KA2 showed gonadotrophin preparation-dependent expression and/or interactions (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The expression of ovulation related genes in CC is associated with patient and treatment characteristics, oocyte developmental potential and differs with the type of gonadotrophin used.

Growth hormone and ghrelin secretion are associated with clinical severity in Huntington's disease.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Huntington's disease (HD) is a fatal hereditary neurodegenerative disorder caused by an increased CAG repeat size in the huntingtin gene. Apart from neurological impairment, the disease is also accompanied by progressive weight loss, abnormalities in glucose homeostasis and a higher prevalence of diabetes mellitus, which may partly be caused by disturbed growth hormone (GH) and ghrelin secretion. Therefore, we aimed to perform a detailed analysis of GH and ghrelin secretion in HD patients in relation to clinical signs and symptoms. METHODS: In nine early-stage, medication-free HD patients and nine age-, gender- and body mass index-matched controls, we measured serum GH levels every 10 min for 24 h and assessed ghrelin response to food intake. Multi-parameter auto-deconvolution and approximate entropy analysis were applied to quantify basal, pulsatile, and total GH secretion rates as well as the regularity of GH secretion. RESULTS: We found no significant differences in GH and ghrelin secretion characteristics between HD patients and controls (total GH secretion: 137 +/- 36 vs. 181 +/- 43 mU/l/24 h, respectively; P = 0.439). However, in HD patients, both GH secretion and its irregularity as well as the degree of postprandial ghrelin suppression significantly increased with worsening motor and functional impairment (all P < 0.05). Moreover, postprandial ghrelin suppression also increased with decreasing body weight and higher CAG repeat number (both P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest changes in the regulation of GH and ghrelin secretion dynamics in early stage HD patients that could become more prominent in the later stages of the disease.

Low-dose HCG may improve pregnancy rates and lower OHSS in antagonist cycles: a meta-analysis.

Human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) may substitute FSH to complete follicular growth in IVF cycles. This may be useful in the prevention of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. Relevant studies were identified on Medline. To evaluate outcomes, a meta-analysis of low-dose HCG-supplemented IVF cycles versus non-supplemented ones was performed with data from 435 patients undergoing IVF who were administered low-dose HCG in various agonist and antagonist protocols and from 597 conservatively treated patients who served, as control subjects. Using these published data, a decision analysis evaluated four different management strategies. Effectiveness and economic outcomes were assessed by FSH consumption, clinical pregnancy and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios. Clinical pregnancy and ovarian hyperstimulation were the main outcome measures. Nine trials published in 2002-2007 were included. From the prospective studies, in the gonadotrophin-releasing hormone antagonist group, a trend for significance in clinical pregnancy rate was evident (odds ratio [OR], 1.54; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.98-2.42). Ovarian hyperstimulation was less significant in the antagonist low-dose HCG protocol compared with the non-supplemented agonist protocol (OR 0.30; 95% CI 0.09-0.96). Less FSH was consumed in the low-dose HCG group but this difference was not statistically significant. Low-dose HCG supplementation may improve pregnancy rates in antagonist protocols. Overall, low-dose HCG-supplemented protocols are a cost-effective strategy.

Fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry in measuring activated caspases in human spermatozoa.

Staining of spermatozoa with the fluorescein-Val-Ala-Asp-fluoromethylketone has already been performed on ejaculated sperm samples, using fluorescence microscopy (FM) or flow cytometry (FCM) in order to score activated caspases. This assay may help in assessing apoptosis and its role in male fertility. The present study compares the above two techniques in order to adopt the most accurate method for detection in human frozen-thawed testicular, epididymal and ejaculated spermatozoa. The analyses were carried out on frozen/thawed testicular (n = 14), epididymal (n = 8) and ejaculated (n = 10) sperm samples. Activated caspases were detected in living spermatozoa using fluorescein-labelled inhibitors of poly-caspases (FLICA). For the measurements by FM, the same-observer and different-observer reliability were assessed in testicular and epididymal sperm samples. The inter-method (FM and FCM) reliability was assessed both in epididymal and ejaculated sperm samples. The reliability was evaluated by intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and the differences between paired measurements from the same sample were tested by Wilcoxon test for matched pairs. For the same-observer and the different-observer data, the ICC were 0.980 and 0.986. In testicular suspensions, the presence of different types of germinal and somatic cells hampers the differentiation of stained spermatozoa by FCM. For the inter-method reliability, the ICC was 0.903. A lower proportion of the viable spermatozoa stained with FLICA was observed by using FM (-6.60 +/- 7.38 %, mean +/- SD; p = 0.003) compared with FCM. To measure the proportion of spermatozoa with activated caspases by this test, FM is a highly accurate and reliable method whatever the sperm origin (ejaculate, epididymis, and testis). FCM cannot be used for testicular samples but seems to be more appropriate for analysis of epididymal and ejaculated sperm samples. The systematic lower proportion by FM in measuring the proportion of stained viable spermatozoa with FLICA involves that only the data measured by the same method (FM or FCM) may be compared.