Publications by authors named "Sikka S"

Seminal extracellular vesicles (SemEVs) are repositories of biomolecules, including metabolites involved in the regulation of sperm function. The correlation between the metabolite profile of SemEVs and semen parameters, along with their role in regulating sperm function, is an unexplored area. This preliminary study evaluated the metabolomic content of SemEVs.

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Background: Robotic exoskeletons have changed rehabilitation care available to people after spinal cord injury (SCI). Yet, the current evidence base is insufficient to identify the optimal dose and neurophysiological mechanism of robotic exoskeleton gait training (RGT) as an effective rehabilitation approach. This study will (1) examine whether the frequency of RGT after motor incomplete SCI impacts function and health outcomes, (2) analyze the neuroplastic effects of RGT dose, and (3) evaluate the safety, tolerability, and feasibility of delivering RGT.

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Purpose/objective: Individuals with a spinal cord injury (SCI) may experience posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) at a higher rate, which is associated with worse psychiatric comorbidity, decreased quality of life, and greater disability. Yet, effective PTSD interventions remain understudied for individuals with SCI. We conducted the first randomized controlled trial (RCT) of an evidence-based psychotherapy (prolonged exposure [PE]) with survivors of SCI during acute rehabilitation.

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This study investigates the functionality and feasibility of a novel smart seat cushion system designed for wheelchair users with spinal cord injuries. The cushion, equipped with air cells that serve as both sensors and actuators, was tested on 24 participants for its real-time pressure mapping, automated pressure redistribution, and pressure offloading functions. A commercial pressure mat was concurrently used to validate the cushion's pressure modulation functions.

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Background: After spinal cord injury (SCI), inpatient rehabilitation begins and continues through outpatient therapy. Overground exoskeleton gait training (OEGT) has been shown to be feasible in both settings, yet its use as an intervention across the continuum has not yet been reported.

Objectives: This study describes OEGT for patients with SCI across the continuum and its effects on clinical outcomes.

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: Infertility rates and the number of couples undergoing reproductive care have both increased substantially during the last few decades. Semen analysis is a crucial step in both the diagnosis and the treatment of male infertility. The accuracy of semen analysis results remains quite poor despite years of practice and advancements.

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Obesity is a significant risk factor for hypogonadism and infertility that is further associated with reduced semen quality. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of clomiphene citrate (CC), prescribed for treating infertility, on serum testosterone and semen parameters, particularly in oligospermic obese hypogonadal men. : A retrospective analysis of data related to men ( = 53) who underwent CC treatment for infertility and hypogonadism (testosterone < 300 ng/dL) was performed.

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The COVID-19 pandemic due to the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus showed acute and prolonged effects on human health. In addition, over the past four years, there has been a tremendous surge in COVID-19-related scientific publications, as shown by bibliometric and scientometric studies. However, such analysis of the scientific literature is lacking in the area of male reproduction.

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We previously reported evidence that oxidative stress during aging leads to adverse protein profile changes of brain cortical microvessels (MVs: end arterioles, capillaries, and venules) that affect mRNA/protein stability, basement membrane integrity, and ATP synthesis capacity in mice. As an extension of our previous study, we also found that proteins which comprise the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and regulate mitochondrial quality control were also significantly decreased in the mice's cortical MVs with aging. Interestingly, the neuroinflammatory protein fibrinogen (Fgn) was increased in mice brain MVs, which corresponds with clinical reports indicating that the plasma Fgn concentration increased progressively with aging.

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Background: Prostate cancer is the most common solid-organ malignancy in adult men. Early detection and treatment of prostate cancer with radical prostatectomy (RP) has improved cancer-specific survival but is associated with penile shortening and erectile dysfunction. Penile traction therapy (PTT) has been demonstrated to increase stretched penile length (SPL) prior to penile prosthesis placement and may improve erectile function (EF) in patients with Peyronie's disease.

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Background: Overground exoskeleton gait training (OEGT) after neurological injury is safe, feasible, and may yield positive outcomes. However, no recommendations exist for initiation, progression, or termination of OEGT. This retrospective study highlights the clinical use and decision-making of OEGT within the physical therapy plan of care for patients after neurological injury during inpatient rehabilitation.

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Objectives: The phase 2 MANTA and MANTA-RAy studies aimed to determine if the oral Janus kinase 1 preferential inhibitor filgotinib affects semen parameters and sex hormones in men with inflammatory diseases.

Methods: MANTA (NCT03201445) and MANTA-RAy (NCT03926195) included men (21-65 years) with active inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and rheumatic diseases (rheumatoid arthritis, spondyloarthritis or psoriatic arthritis), respectively. Eligible participants had semen parameters in the normal range per the WHO definition.

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Background: Scant research has focused on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in the SCI population, despite high prevalence estimates. Fortunately, prolonged exposure therapy (PE) is a well-researched and highly effective treatment for PTSD. Our recent clinical trial showed that standard 12-session PE was effective for PTSD treatment among inpatients with SCI.

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: Male hypogonadism is a clinical disorder characterized by reduced serum testosterone in men. Although treatment using herbal medicines, including has been investigated, the benefits remain unclear. This study aims to investigate the efficacy of as a sole intervention to increase testosterone levels in males.

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Seminal oxidative stress and sperm DNA damage are potential etiologies of male factor infertility. The present study aims to evaluate the relationship between oxidation-reduction potential (ORP), a measure of oxidative stress, and sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) by conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis of relevant clinical data. A literature search was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.

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Radiotherapy, a popular cancer management procedure, negatively impacts reproductive health particularly by reducing the fertility potential. The purpose of this study was to analyze the research trend in radiotherapy associated with male infertility over the past 20 years (2000-May 2021). SCOPUS database was used to retrieve relevant scientometric data (publication per year, affiliation, journals, countries, type of document and area of research) for different subgenres of radiotherapy and male infertility.

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Male factor issues are responsible for 50% of couples infertility. Seminal oxidative stress is one of the major factors that affect the normal physiological aspects of sperm function such as motility and progression, hyperactivation, capacitation, acrosome reaction and zona-pellucida penetration prior to fertilization. In recent times, high-throughput proteomic platforms are used to identify the proteins associated with these aspects of sperm function as associated with oxidative stress.

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Article Synopsis
  • The phase 2 MANTA and MANTA-RAy studies aim to evaluate the effects of filgotinib, a drug that inhibits Janus kinase 1, on semen quality in men with inflammatory diseases.
  • These studies involve men aged 21-65 with active inflammatory bowel disease and rheumatic diseases, ensuring participants have no prior reproductive health issues and meet specific semen quality benchmarks.
  • The studies include a randomized, double-blind trial over 13 weeks, focusing on changes in sperm concentration and continued monitoring for those experiencing significant decreases, thus contributing to understanding the drug's overall impact.
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Introduction: As technological advances allow the use of robotic exoskeleton devices with gait training, there is a critical need to establish a robotic gait training (RGT) program to meet the needs of people with spinal cord injury (SCI) during inpatient rehabilitation. The purposes of this study are to prospectively examine the efficacy of a stakeholder informed RGT program compared to usual care gait training (UC) during inpatient rehabilitation in people with incomplete SCI and compare the intensity of RGT and UC gait training during inpatient rehabilitation.

Study Design: 128 patients with incomplete SCI admitted to our inpatient rehabilitation facility will be screened for eligibility and randomized to either the RGT or UC group.

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Telomere shortening is considered as a marker of cellular senescence and it is regulated by various signaling pathways. Sperm telomere appears to play important role in its longevity and function. Antioxidant intake has been known to prevent the shortening of telomere.

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  • The study investigates the effectiveness of antibiotic prophylaxis in preventing urinary infections after diagnostic cystoscopy.
  • The results show no significant difference in postcystoscopy urinary infections between patients receiving antibiotics and those who did not.
  • Females and diabetic patients were found to be at a higher risk for infections, regardless of antibiotic use.
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Prostate cancer (PCa) is a common disease among men especially in the old age. The deregulated activation of oncogenic and pro-survival transcription factors has been linked with tumor progression in PCa patients. The consequence of diosgenin treatment on NF-κB/STAT3 activation in PCa cells as well as transgenic mouse model was determined.

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Article Synopsis
  • The National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center reports that around 294,000 people in the US live with spinal cord injuries (SCI), with about 17,810 new cases each year.
  • Although the physical effects of SCI are well-studied, the psychological impacts, particularly PTSD, are not well understood, with estimates suggesting up to 60% of those with SCI may experience PTSD, compared to 7% in the general population.
  • A new study will test the effectiveness of prolonged exposure therapy (PE) for treating PTSD in adults with SCI, comparing it to standard rehabilitation care, with outcomes measured at several time points after the treatment.
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Introduction: Although testosterone replacement therapy is an effective treatment for hypogonadism, there are safety concerns regarding potential cardiovascular risks and fertility preservation.

Objective: To assess the effect of selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM), aromatase inhibitor, and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) on total testosterone (TT) levels and hypogonadism.

Methods: We performed a systematic literature review from 1987 to 2019 via PubMed, Cochrane review, and Web of Science.

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Individuals living with spinal cord injury (SCI) have a high prevalence of obesity and unique barriers to healthy lifestyle. To examine barriers and facilitators to engagement and weight loss among SCI participants enrolled in the Group Lifestyle Balance Adapted for individuals with Impaired Mobility (GLB-AIM), a 12-month intensive lifestyle intervention. SCI participants = 31) enrolled in a wait-list, randomized controlled trial where all participants received intervention between August 2015 and February 2017.

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