[Prognostic factors of implantation].

One of the negative aspects of in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is the increased risk of multiple pregnancies. There is an epidemic of twin pregnancies with a higher risk of obstetric, perinatal and neonatal complications than singleton pregnancies and with an important psychosocial, economic and financial impact for the parents to be. A reduction in the number of twins can only be obtained by the transfer of one embryo.

Olanzapine versus placebo in the treatment of psychosis with or without associated behavioral disturbances in patients with Alzheimer's disease.

Objectives: Psychotic symptoms and behavioral disturbances are a concern in the care of elderly patients with Alzheimer's dementia (AD). This study was conducted to compare the efficacy of olanzapine versus placebo in patients with psychotic symptoms associated with AD in long-term or continuing-care settings.

Methods: Patients (n = 652) with AD and delusions or hallucinations were randomly assigned to 10 weeks of double-blind treatment with placebo or fixed-dose olanzapine (1.

Single embryo transfer - state of the art.

Every practitioner active in the field of assisted reproduction treatment is aware of the risks and complications related to twin and higher-order multiple pregnancies. Introduction of single embryo transfer (SET) into IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is one of the possible ways of reducing the rate of twin pregnancy. Careful selection of patients, in combination with elective SET, has been shown to decrease the twin pregnancy rate while maintaining a stable ongoing pregnancy rate.

Cryopreservation as a tool to reduce multiple birth.

The potential role of embryo cryopreservation from the point of view of prevention of multiple pregnancies is analysed. Cryopreservation is an unavoidable option in stimulated IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), but at the same time an underestimated tool in the prevention of twins. There is a need for an evaluation system not only of the cryotechnology process per se, but also of the true augmenting effect of cryopreservation on the total reproductive potential of a single oocyte harvest.

Is FDG-PET a useful tool in clinical practice for diagnosing corticobasal ganglionic degeneration?

Seven consecutive patients were suspected to suffer from corticobasal ganglionic degeneration (CBGD) and were studied with ([18])F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET imaging of the brain. At the time of their FDG-PET scan, 4 of 7 patients fulfilled the clinical criteria of CBGD as proposed by Lang and associates [In Calne DB, 1994; Neurodegenerative disease. Philadelphia: Saunders].

Sarcoidosis and sarcoid-like reaction following Hodgkin's disease. Report of two cases.

The occurrence of a sarcoidosis associated with Hodgkin's disease is an infrequent but well-described event. Moreover it has been described for many decades that some malignancies may present with simultaneous granulomatous manifestations named sarcoid-like reactions. To differentiate sarcoidosis from the sarcoid-like reactions is not an easy step in the final diagnosis.

Human granulosa cells after ovulation induction show caspase-independent cell death.

It has become clear that apoptosis is an essential part of normal folliculogenesis and that granulosa cells in particular demonstrate intense cellular activity as well as programmed cell death. Although the entire mechanism of apoptosis appears to be conserved through many species, it now becomes clear that different cells may use different pathways within this system. We examined human granulosa cells after ovulation induction during an in vitro fertilization procedure to study apoptosis in this particular situation.

Imaging of large vessel vasculitis with (18)FDG PET: illusion or reality? A critical review of the literature data.

Fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography ((18)FDG PET) plays a major role in the management of oncology patients. Owing to the singular properties of the glucose tracer, many patients suffering from non-malignant diseases such as inflammatory or infectious diseases may also derive clinical benefit from the appropriate use of metabolic imaging. Large vessel vasculitides such as giant cell arteritis and Takayasu arteritis are other examples that may potentially extend the field of (18)FDG PET indications.

Multinucleation in cleavage stage embryos.

Background: The aim was to analyse multinucleation in relation to its incidence in time and in the population, and its correlation with clinical variables, with other morphological characteristics and with the implantation rate of cleavage stage embryos.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of 10 388 cleaved embryos from 1395 consecutive IVF/ICSI cycles in 700 patients between January 1, 1999 and June 30, 2002.

Results: Multinucleation was observed in 3491 (33.

Nitric oxide in uremia: effects of several potentially toxic guanidino compounds.

Vascular and neurologic impairment remain an important source of morbidity in patients with chronic renal failure (CRF). A portion of CRF patients still suffers from uremic encephalopathy or other signs of nervous system impairment. Several reports demonstrate increased incidence of cardiac infarction and cerebrovascular accidents in CRF patients, even in those with otherwise adequate dialysis treatment [1].

Reduction in IOP after clear corneal phacoemulsification in normal patients.

A prospective study was performed to evaluate the changes in intraocular pressure (IOP) after clear corneal phacoemulsification in normal patients. The mean preoperative IOP of 30 patients was compared with the IOP at 1, 2, 3, and 5 months postoperatively. Lens extraction was associated with a reduction of IOP of 3.

A health-economic decision-analytic model comparing double with single embryo transfer in IVF/ICSI.

Background: Single embryo transfer (SET) is the sole strategy with which to reduce the incidence of twins following assisted reproductive technology (ART), but SET may increase the number of ART cycles needed per live-born child. Its cost-effectiveness compared with double embryo transfer (DET) is therefore unknown.

Methods: A decision-analytic model comparing SET with DET was developed.

Long-term growth hormone replacement therapy in hypopituitary adults.

Growth hormone deficiency (GHD) in the adult has now been fully recognised as a clinical entity characterised by abnormal body composition, osteopenia, impaired quality of life, cardiac dysfunction and an adverse lipid profile. While short-term studies of GH replacement have demonstrated irrefutably a favourable effect on all if not most features of GHD, data on long-term administration spanning more than 2 years are still scarce. Experience of GH replacement up to 5 to 10 years indicate that the beneficial effects on body composition, predominantly a decrease in body fat and an increase in lean mass, is maintained during treatment.

Imaging of atherosclerosis. Intravascular imaging of the vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque: spotlight on temperature measurement.

The vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque is associated with an increased number of acute coronary syndromes. Current techniques such as coronary angiography are unable to detect and prospectively evaluate these lesions. Recently, other techniques, both invasive and noninvasive, are being developed trying to detect the plaque that is at increased risk for rupture eventually resulting in increased thrombosis.

Macular translocation with 360 degree retinotomy for management of age-related macular degeneration with subfoveal choroidal neovascularization.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to evaluate the functional outcome in a group of patients treated with full macular translocation (FMT) with 360-degree retinotomy for treatment of age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) with subfoveal choroidal neovascularization.

Design: Consecutive interventional case series.

Methods: Fifty consecutive eyes (50 patients) with ARMD and subfoveal neovascularization who underwent a FMT in our department from January 1999 to July 2000 are included in this study.

Elective single day 3 embryo transfer halves the twinning rate without decrease in the ongoing pregnancy rate of an IVF/ICSI programme.

Background: Data on the effect of elective single embryo transfer (eSET) on the total and multiple pregnancy rates of an IVF/ICSI programme are reported.

Methods And Results: A retrospective cohort analysis of eSET was carried out over a 4 year period. A total of 1559 cycles resulted in 1464 transfers; 299 transfers of one top quality embryo (20.

Impact of patients' choice for single embryo transfer of a top quality embryo versus double embryo transfer in the first IVF/ICSI cycle.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of transferring a single top quality embryo in the first IVF/ICSI cycle of patients <38 years old who chose to have one or two embryos transferred.

Methods: A total of 262 patients participated in the study, and 243 transfers were performed: 156 (64%) patients chose the transfer of a single top quality embryo, if available, and two non-top quality embryos if not available; 87 (36%) patients chose to have a double embryo transfer regardless of embryo quality.

Results: In the first group an ongoing pregnancy rate of 40% (63/156) with a twin pregnancy rate of 2% (1/63) was achieved.

Doppler ultrasound of the fetomaternal circulation: a preliminary study on differences between ethnic groups.

Purpose Of Investigation: The aim of this study was to investigate whether the same reference values might be used for the pulsatility index obtained by Doppler examinations of the fetal umbilical and middle cerebral artery and the maternal uterine arteries in autochthonous Belgian, Turkish and Moroccan women in Belgium. Notching of the uterine artery was also studied in the three ethnic groups.

Methods: Doppler measurements were performed in 206 autochthonous Belgian, 36 Moroccan and 36 Turkish pregnant women between 20 and 24 weeks gestational age for the umbilical artery, middle cerebral artery and uterine arteries.

Scales to assess efficacy and safety of pharmacologic agents in the treatment of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia.

Advances in the assessment of the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) have been employed in large-scale clinical trials of new antipsychotic medications such as risperidone. These scales can be used to assess drug efficacy and to compare different treatment regimens. We review 3 valid and reliable scales, the Behavioral Pathology in Alzheimer's Disease Rating Scale (BEHAVE-AD), the Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory (CMAI), and the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI).

Fertility preservation in gynecologic cancer.

Subject: Management of patients with gynecologic cancer can now often be tailored to the extent of the disease and preservation of child-bearing ability and/or sexual function may be possible for certain women with early invasive disease.

Method: A better understanding of the tumor-biology, and the consideration of different clinicopathologic factors, that bear prognostic significance in therapeutic modalities, will allow more and more individualization of treatment.

Discussion: Management of young women with early gynecologic cancer should therefore be individualized with the risk of conservative therapy balanced against the dangers and advantages of more radical therapy.

Surgical management of stage I and II vulvar cancer: the role of the sentinel node biopsy. Review of literature.

Recognition of the psychosexual consequences of radical vulvectomy and better understanding of the lymphatic drainage and histopathologic features of vulvar cancer have led to a more conservative surgical approach, especially in patients with early-stage disease. Every patient with early vulvar cancer should be managed individually and the risk of conservative therapy balanced against the dangers and advantages of more radical therapy. The results of the sentinel node (SN) procedure in early cancer of the vulva are encouraging, and it might be possible in the near future to avoid the morbidity of inguino-femoral lymphadenectomy.

Applications of the Morris water maze in the study of learning and memory.

The Morris water maze (MWM) was described 20 years ago as a device to investigate spatial learning and memory in laboratory rats. In the meanwhile, it has become one of the most frequently used laboratory tools in behavioral neuroscience. Many methodological variations of the MWM task have been and are being used by research groups in many different applications.

Primary graft failure caused by herpes simplex virus type 1.

Purpose: To present a cluster of four patients with primary graft failure (PGF) who consecutively underwent a penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) during a period of 17 days in one institution. PKP was performed for reasons unrelated to herpes simplex infection. Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is presented as the possible cause of these PGFs.

Relapsing ascites and uremia due to urinary bladder leakage.

A 62-year-old female was admitted for a new episode of ascites, complicated by uremia. She had been treated 6 years earlier for bladder cancer with partial cystectomy and postoperative radiotherapy. At the work-up for both previous episodes of ascites, 6 and 24 months earlier, no definite diagnosis was made, and each time the ascites disappeared spontaneously.