Prevalence of high DNA fragmentation index in male partners of unexplained infertile couples.

The sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA) parameter DNA fragmentation Index (DFI) is a valuable tool for prediction of fertility in vivo. Clinical data show that a DFI above 30% is associated with very low chance for achieving pregnancy by natural conception or by insemination. Already when DFI is above 20% the chance of natural pregnancy is reduced, this despite normal conventional semen parameters.

Stereotactic microdialysis of the basal ganglia in Parkinson's disease.

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) is an efficacious treatment in patients with advanced Parkinson's disease, yet the mechanisms of STN DBS are poorly understood. The aims of this study were to develop a useful method for studying neurotransmitter alterations during DBS and for the pharmacokinetics of L-dopa in brain tissue. Ten patients with Parkinson's disease participated, whereof two had no previous L-dopa medication.

Multicentre European study of thalamic stimulation for parkinsonian tremor: a 6 year follow-up.

Aim: To evaluate the results of ventral intermediate (Vim) thalamic deep brain stimulation (DBS) in patients with tremor predominant Parkinson's disease (PD) at 6 years post surgery.

Methods: This was a prolonged follow-up study of 38 patients from eight centres who participated in a multicentre study, the 1 year results of which have been published previously. Total scores as well as scores for individual items of the motor part and the disability part of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale were used for evaluation.