Purpose Magnetic activated cell sorting (MACS) eliminates apoptotic spermatozoa based on the presence of externalized phosphatidylserine residues. We evaluated the outcome of male fertility treatment when intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) into human oocytes was performed with non-apoptotic MACS-selected spermatozoa. Methods 196 couples were treated by ICSI following spermatozoa preparation by MACS (study group; 122 couples) or density gradient centrifugation (DGC) (control group; 74 couples). Fertilization, cleavage, pregnancy, and implantation rates were analyzed. Results The percentage of sperm with normal morphology after MACS selection was improved. Cleavage and pregnancy rates were higher, respectively, in the study group than in control. A slightly higher implantation rate was also observed in the study group. Conclusions MACS selection of human spermatozoa increased cleavage and pregnancy rates in oligoasthenozoospermic ART cases. This novel method for selecting nonapoptotic spermatozoa for ICSI is safe and reliable, and may improve the assisted reproduction outcome.

This study has shown an effect of rosuvastatin on vitamin D metabolism, with an increase in both 25-hydroxyvitamin D and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D. This may be an important pleiotropic effect whereby rosuvastatin reduces mortality in patients with coronary artery disease. Further studies are needed to clarify the relationship between statins and vitamin D metabolism.

This study demonstrated a significant impairment in endothelial function and increased insulin resistance in patients with psoriasis. This is a comprehensive study for identifying atherosclerotic risk factors in psoriasis. We suggest that psoriatic patients should be paid attention for atherosclerosis and its risk factors.

Several studies have shown that low 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels are associated with higher risk of cardiovascular disease and an increase in 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels protects against cardiovascular disease. In this study, we aimed to compare the effects of rosuvastatin and fluvastatin on vitamin D metabolism. The study population consisted of 134 hyperlipidemic patients who had not previously been treated with lipid lowering medications. Patients were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to rosuvastatin 10 mg or fluvastatin 80 mg XL during the study. Lipid parameters, 25 hydroxyvitamin-D, and bone alkaline phosphatase (BALP) were obtained at baseline and after 8 weeks of rosuvastatin and fluvastatin treatment. Sixty-nine patients were administered rosuvastatin, and 65 patients fluvastatin. Total Cholesterol and LDL cholesterol decreased after 8 weeks of both rosuvastatin and fluvastatin treatments. Rosuvastatin was significantly more effective than fluvastatin on lowering total (P < 0.001) and LDL cholesterol (P < 0.001). There was a significant increase in 25-hydroxyvitamin D with rosuvastatin treatment (P < 0.001), whereas no significant change in 25-hydroxyvitamin D was observed with fluvastatin treatment. Mean BALP fell from 18.5 to 9.6 u/I (P < 0.001) with rosuvastatin and from 17.0 to 12.8 with fluvastatin (P = 0.004). There was no significant difference in BALP levels between rosuvastatin and fluvastatin treatment (P = 0.368). The present study demonstrated that 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels increased with rosuvastatin treatment; whereas fluvastatin treatment had no effect on 25-hydroxyvitamin D. This disparity could be related to the potency or the bioavailability of these two statins. Further studies are needed to clarify the relationship between statins and the vitamin D physiology.

Results of the present study demonstrated that metabolic syndrome, diabetes and gallstone size were associated with CGD. Further prospective studies are needed to understand the clinical importance of this association.