Development of an in vitro index to characterize fertilizing capacity of boar ejaculates.

The aim of this research was the selection of spermatozoa parameters related to boar fertility performance and their combination into an in vitro index. A first set (data set 1) of 36 Pietrain boars with 138 ejaculates from two seasons with 5083 single-sire inseminations from 34 farms was used to determine correlations between in vitro sperm quality parameters and fertility performance. 2970 ejaculates representing a second set (data set 2) served calculation of seasonal and age effects on semen quality. Morphological spermatozoa parameters were estimated manually with a phase contrast microscope on the day of semen collection, whereas mitochondrial activity and viability were analyzed by double-staining with rhodamine123/propidium iodide on day 2 of semen storage using flow cytometry. Sperm motility was tested on day 7 by thermoresistance (TRT) after 30min (TRT1) and 300min (TRT2) incubation at 38̊C using computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA). Correlations revealed four independent sperm quality parameters qualifying as relevant predictors of boar fertility: (i) percentage of spermatozoa with proximal cytoplasmic droplets, (ii) percentage of spermatozoa with active mitochondria, (iii) beat cross frequency of progressively motile spermatozoa in TRT1, and (iv) oscillation measure of the actual path of progressively motile spermatozoa in TRT2. There were no significant effects of sperm concentration, ejaculate volume, and total number of sperm cells per ejaculate on litter size (LS) and on pregnancy rate (PR). Our findings suggest the usefulness of sperm quality parameters based on adjusted range of methods and enable the construction of an in vitro index as a means to predicting boar fertility.

Successful autologous stem cell transplantation in two patients with juvenile dermatomyositis.

Juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM) is a chronic inflammatory disorder of unknown aetiology that affects muscle and skin. We report on two patients with severe progressive JDM who developed contractures and were wheelchair dependent despite therapy including methotrexate (MTX), steroids, immunoglobulins, cyclosporin A, and rituximab. On account of the refractory disease, autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) was performed using a CD3/CD19-depleted graft after immunoablative conditioning with fludarabine, cyclophosphamide, and anti-thymocyte globulin. This induced a dramatic improvement and sustained remission of the disease in both patients. We demonstrate that ASCT is a therapeutic option with low toxicity for patients with severe, refractory JDM.

Whole-body MRI: a helpful diagnostic tool for juvenile dermatomyositis case report and review of the literature.

Juvenile Dermatomyositis (JDM) is a rare autoimmune disease in childhood. Distinction between muscle inflammation and a residual state can be difficult especially under immunosuppressive therapy and in active disease without correlating muscle enzyme tests or functional muscle scores. Our goal is to demonstrate the benefit of whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a diagnostic modality in the detection and management of JDM. One patient with JDM was monitored using clinical examination, muscle enzyme tests, muscle scores and whole-body MRI. During immunosuppression, the patient presented several times to our department without clear correlation between clinical picture, muscle enzyme tests and muscle scores. Whole-body MRI proved reliable in assessing the true state of the disease, thus providing invaluable information in the management of the inflammatory myopathy. This is of utmost importance for the therapeutic optimization in order to prevent further damage especially in children with active but subclinical disease.