Precision engineering for localization, validation, and modification of allergenic epitopes.

The allergen-IgE interaction is essential for the genesis of allergic responses, yet investigation of the molecular basis of these interactions is in its infancy. Precision engineering has unveiled the molecular features of allergen-antibody interactions at the atomic level. High-resolution technologies, including x-ray crystallography, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and cryo-electron microscopy, determine allergen-antibody structures.

Longitudinal T Cell Responses against Ancestral, Delta, and Omicron SARS-CoV-2 Variants Determined by Rapid Cytokine Release Assay in Whole Blood.

T cell immunity to natural SARS-CoV-2 infection may be more robust and longer lived than Ab responses. Accurate assessment of T cell responses is critical for understanding the magnitude and longevity of immunity across patient cohorts, and against emerging variants. By establishing a simple, accurate, and rapid whole blood test, natural and vaccine-induced SARS-CoV-2 immunity was determined.

New Frontiers: Precise Editing of Allergen Genes Using CRISPR.

Genome engineering with clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) technology offers the unique potential for unequivocally deleting allergen genes at the source. Compared to prior gene editing approaches, CRISPR boasts substantial improvements in editing efficiency, throughput, and precision. CRISPR has demonstrated success in several clinical applications such as sickle cell disease and β-thalassemia, and preliminary knockout studies of allergenic proteins using CRISPR editing show promise.

Evolutionary Biology and Gene Editing of Cat Allergen, Fel d 1.

Allergy to domestic cat affects up to 15% of the population, and sensitization to cat allergen is associated with asthma. Despite the pervasiveness of cat allergic disease, current treatments have limited impact. Here, we present a bioinformatics analysis of the major cat allergen, Fel d 1, and demonstrate proof of principle for CRISPR gene editing of the allergen.

Electroejaculation in men with spinal cord injury: a step-by-step video demonstration.

Objective: To demonstrate the proper technique to perform electroejacuation (EEJ) in men with spinal cord injury (SCI) for the purpose of inducing ejaculation.

Design: A video demonstration of the proper technique to perform EEJ in men with SCI using the Seager model 14 electroejaculation machine.

Setting: Major university medical center.

Seminal inflammasome activity in the adult varicocele.

Varicocele has been hypothesized to lead to seminal inflammation, which in turn interferes with sperm function. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the role of inflammatory cytokines in the pathogenesis of decreased semen quality observed in adult men with varicocele, and to determine if varicocelectomy corrects these potential alterations. A prospective study was carried out including fifteen control men without varicocele and with normal semen quality and 15 men with varicocele with surgical indication.

Evaluation of a re-engineered device for penile vibratory stimulation in men with spinal cord injury.

Study Design: Cohort study OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the performance of a re-engineered device (Ferticare 2.0), which is replacing the previous standard (Ferticare 1.0) for penile vibratory stimulation in men with spinal cord injury.

Laboratory and clinical management of leukocytospermia and hematospermia: a review.

Leukocytospermia and hematospermia are defined as the presence of abnormally high white blood cell and red blood cell concentration in the semen, respectively. Numerous etiologies and various implications on fertility have been identified. In a small proportion of men, the presence of white blood cells or red blood cells can adversely affect sperm quality by the production of reactive oxygen species.

Proteomic insight of seminal plasma in spinal cord injured men submitted to oral probenecid treatment for improved motility.

Objective: To observe the seminal plasma proteomic composition in men with spinal cord injury orally treated with probenecid, in order to observe pathways associated with increased sperm motility.

Study Design: Prospective study.

Setting: Miami Project to Cure Paralysis - University of Miami/Miller School of Medicine.

How long does it take a man to collect his semen specimen in a busy infertility clinic?

Background: The duration of time required for male patients to collect their semen specimen heavily impacts the workflow of a busy infertility clinic. We analyzed this parameter to optimize the scheduling clinic space in the setting of growing male infertility practices.

Methods: Prospective observational study on men collecting semen specimens for fertility evaluation, sperm cryopreservation or vasectomy at a male infertility clinic.

Effect of a formal oncofertility program on fertility preservation rates-first year experience.

Background: A formal fertility preservation program was initiated at our institution in 2016 as part of a multi-disciplinary oncofertility initiative to improve the reproductive needs of oncologic patients. After 1 year of initial experience, we assessed sperm banking rates in men diagnosed with cancer, as well as examined the trends in the use of fertility preservation services.

Methods: We performed a chart review from 2011 to 2017 for men newly diagnosed with cancer, and for all men who underwent fertility preservation during that period of time at our institution.

Reproductive Health of Men with Spinal Cord Injury.

Most men with spinal cord injury (SCI) are infertile due to a combination of erectile dysfunction, ejaculatory dysfunction, and abnormal semen quality. This article addresses issues that should be considered when managing the reproductive health of men with SCI. The authors present recommendations based on their decades of experience in managing the reproductive health of more than 1,000 men with SCI.

Policy on Posthumous Sperm Retrieval: Survey of 75 Major Academic Medical Centers.

Objective: To evaluate the presence and content of policies on posthumous sperm retrieval at 75 major academic medical centers in the U.S.

Materials And Methods: We surveyed the top 75 major academic medical centers ranked for research in 2016 by U.

Comparison of three methods of penile vibratory stimulation for semen retrieval in men with spinal cord injury.

Study Design: Prospective, three-way crossover design.

Objective: Penile vibratory stimulation (PVS) is recommended as the first line of treatment for semen retrieval in anejaculatory men with spinal cord injury (SCI). This study compared ejaculatory success rates and patient preference for three methods of PVS within the same group of men with SCI.

Oral probenecid improves sperm motility in men with spinal cord injury.

Study Design: Prospective cohort study (twenty men with spinal cord injury [SCI]).

Objective: Determine if administration of oral probenecid results in improved sperm motility in men with SCI.

Setting: Major university medical center.

Towards Understanding Male Infertility After Spinal Cord Injury Using Quantitative Proteomics.

The study of male infertility after spinal cord injury (SCI) has enhanced the understanding of seminal plasma (SP) as an important regulator of spermatozoa function. However, the most important factors leading to the diminished sperm motility and viability observed in semen of men with SCI remained unknown. Thus, to explore SP related molecular mechanisms underlying infertility after SCI, we used mass spectrometry-based quantitative proteomics to compare SP retrieved from SCI patients to normal controls.

Male fertility following spinal cord injury: an update.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) occurs most often in young men at the peak of their reproductive health. The majority of men with SCI cannot father children naturally. Three major complications contribute to infertility in men with SCI: erectile dysfunction, ejaculatory dysfunction, and abnormal semen quality.

Inhibin B is lower and anti-Müllerian hormone is similar in serum of men with spinal cord injuries compared to controls.

Men with spinal cord injury have a unique semen profile characterized by normal sperm concentration but abnormally low sperm motility and viability. The purpose of our study was to determine if new diagnostic information could be obtained for this population by measuring serum concentrations of inhibin B and anti-Müllerian hormone. These hormones, as well as follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and testosterone, were measured in 30 men with spinal cord injury and 15 age-matched control subjects.

Neutralization of ASC improves sperm motility in men with spinal cord injury.

Study Question: Does neutralization of apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase activation and recruitment domain (ASC) improve sperm motility in men with spinal cord injury (SCI)?

Summary Answer: Neutralization of ASC improves sperm motility in men with SCI.

What Is Known Already: Semen of men with SCI contains normal sperm concentrations but abnormally low sperm motility. Inflammatory cytokines, activated via the inflammasome complex, are contributory.