Effect of chronic spinal cord injury's severity on sperm parameters in rat: correlation with locomotion deficits.

OBJECTIVES: Infertility is one of the major concerns for male patients following spinal cord injury (SCI). Although the severity of the injury has a large impact on extent of infertility, the effect of exact injury extent (with specific affected spinal tracts) on fertility is not studied yet. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the present study, sperm parameters, locomotion scores, and hormonal changes were evaluated following dorsal one third SCI (1/3 SCI), dorsal two third SCI (2/3 SCI), and complete spinal cord transection (TX) at T8 spinal level in male rats. RESULTS: Sperm count decreased significantly following 1/3 SCI and Tx compered to normal (control and sham). In addition, sperm count decreased significantly in Tx compared to 1/3 SCI and 2/3 SCI. Concerning sperm motility, although, percentage of motile sperms decreased significantly in Tx group in comparison to all other groups, the percentage of rapid progressive motile sperms (RPM) decreased significantly in all SCI groups compared to normal. Meanwhile, locomotion score (BBB-score) showed a significant progressive decrease following SCI compared to normal or within SCI groups. However, there was no significant changes in the serum hormonal and seminal fructose concentrations following SCI compared to normal. CONCLUSIONS: These results show that understanding the extent of SCI, the affected spinal tracts, and the resultant locomotion deficits may help to predict the deficits in sperm parameters and hence fertility potentials.

The Prevalence and Impact of Coinfection and Superinfection on the Severity and Outcome of COVID-19 Infection: An Updated Literature Review.

Patients with viral illness are at higher risk of secondary infections-whether bacterial, viral, or parasitic-that usually lead to a worse prognosis. In the setting of Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection may be preceded by a prior microbial infection or has a concurrent or superinfection. Previous reports documented a significantly higher risk of microbial coinfection in SARS-CoV-2-positive patients. Initial results from the United States (U.S.) and Europe found a significantly higher risk of mortality and severe illness among hospitalized patients with SARS-CoV-2 and bacterial coinfection. However, later studies found contradictory results concerning the impact of coinfection on the outcomes of COVID-19. Thus, we conducted the present literature review to provide updated evidence regarding the prevalence of coinfection and superinfection amongst patients with SARS-CoV-2, possible mechanisms underlying the higher risk of coinfection and superinfection in SARS-CoV-2 patients, and the impact of coinfection and superinfection on the outcomes of patients with COVID-19.

Photobiomodulation for Tendinopathy: A Review of Preclinical Studies.

The outcomes of clinical studies utilizing Photobiomodulation on tendon disorders are not homogeneous and since its design depends on preclinical studies utilizing animal models as a prerequisite, this review investigates the literature to help extrapolate preclinical evidence-based outcomes (safety and efficacy) into clinical treatment options. PubMed and Embase databases were searched for tendinopathy, Photobiomodulation and preclinical studies with inclusion criteria were restricted to in vivo animal studies using rat's models subjected to partially injured tendons. Data extracted were methodology quality and design, light parameters, study methods, and outcomes. Twenty two articles were included, half of them were partially transected, while the other half were partially traumatized. The most common wavelengths used were 660, 830, and 904 nm with energy density range between 1 and 17 J/cm2 and applied mostly daily. Fourteen studies (64%) relied merely on a single assessment. Histological measurements were the most common method of evaluation (75%) and 35% of studies used chemical measures. Mechanical outcomes were reported in four, and two studies demonstrate significant effects. Photobiomodulation has the potential to enhance tendon structure and function, however, inevitable embedded heterogeneity related to study design and quality of methods, light parameters delivered, and evaluations methods renders the ability to establish unified treatment parameters difficult. Adjustments for variability within preclinical studies might lead to better designing of clinical studies. It is recommended to embrace a protocol for designing and performing preclinical studies to improve its quality. Moreover, it is recommended to prove efficacy using at least two evaluation methods and apply Photobiomodulation as a combined varying energy/wavelength protocol (several energies with several wavelengths). Clinical relevance: Establishing a proof of concept for Photobiomodulation that may lead to further high-quality clinical studies, in which the applicable parameters can be determined.

Severing the ventral funiculus in chronic spinal cord injury has the most deteriorating effect on spermatogenesis in rats.

Sexual dysfunction, following spinal cord injury (SCI), is highly dependent on the extent of injury. SCI disrupts the supraspinal innervation of the reproductive organs; resulting in structural and functional deficits. Relating the extent of SCI to these changes could eventually improve diagnoses and treatment planning of sexual dysfunction following SCI. In the present study, following chronic SCI of different severities (1/3 dorsal SCI (1/3 SCI), 2/3 dorsal SCI (2/3 SCI), and complete transection (Tx)) at T8 spinal level, histological changes of seminiferous tubules parameters in testis were examined. The diameter of seminiferous tubules (DST) and epithelial height of seminiferous tubules (HST) were significantly decreased in all SCI groups compared to control and sham. In addition, DST in 2/3 SCI and Tx groups and HST in Tx group were significantly decreased in comparison with 1/3 SCI animals. Nonetheless, the diameter of seminiferous tubules' lumen decreased significantly in 2/3 SCI and Tx compared to control, sham, and 1/3 SCI groups. Concerning cellular component, the number of spermatocytes and spermatids layers significantly decreased in both 1/3 and 2/3 SCI in comparison to normal. However, Tx had the most prominent deteriorating effect on these layers; indicating impairment in the process of spermatogenesis. These results show that the spinal tracts are part of the neural circuitries innervating the testis and responsible for their structural support. These tracts are mainly distributed between the lateral and ventral funiculi at T8 spinal level. Consequently, sparing ventral funiculi in the SCI prevents the severe decline in spermatogenesis.