Variations in 25-Hydroxyvitamin D in Countries from the Middle East and Europe: the Roles of UVB Exposure and Diet

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Associations between total, free and bioavailable 25-hydroxyvitamin D forms with adiponectin and irisin in maternal-neonatal pairs at birth from Greece

Background: Apart from the well-established skeletal effects, vitamin D has been explored as a secretagogue influencing various adipokines, including adiponectin and irisin. Recent evidence suggests that specific forms of 25-Hydroxyvitamin D (25(OHD), such as free and bioavailable 25(OH)D, may provide more accurate measurements of vitamin D status. The relationship between vitamin D status and serum irisin and adiponectin concentrations remains largely unexplored, particularly during pregnancy. Methods: We analyzed data from 67 healthy maternal-neonatal pairs from Northern Greece at birth. Biochemical and hormonal tests were conducted on each maternal-neonatal pair. The vitamin D forms were estimated using validated mathematical models. Subsequently, regression analyses were conducted to determine the association between the vitamin D forms and adipokine levels. Results: Bioavailable maternal 25(OH)D was inversely associated with neonatal irisin concentrations [β=-73.46 (-140.573 to -6.341), p=0.034]. No other associations were observed between maternal vitamin D status and neonatal adipokine concentrations. Conclusion: In conclusion, maternal bioavailable vitamin D concentrations are inversely associated with neonatal serum irisin concentrations, warranting further studies to evaluate the underlying mechanisms for this finding

Combined effect of age and body mass index on postoperative mortality and morbidity in laparoscopic cholecystectomy patients

BackgroundPrevious studies have assessed the impact of age and body mass index (BMI) on surgery outcomes separately. This retrospective cohort study aimed to investigate the combined effect of age and BMI on postoperative mortality and morbidity in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy.MethodsData from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) database for laparoscopic cholecystectomy patients between 2008 and 2020 were analyzed. Patient demographics, functional status, admission sources, preoperative risk factors, laboratory data, perioperative variables, and 30-day postoperative outcomes were included in the dataset. Logistic regression was used to determine the association of age, BMI, and age/BMI with mortality and morbidity. Patients were stratified into different subcategories based on their age and BMI, and the age/BMI score was calculated. The chi-square test, independent sample t-test, and ANOVA were used as appropriate for each category.ResultsThe study included 435,052 laparoscopic cholecystectomy patients. Logistic regression analysis revealed that a higher age/BMI score was associated with an increased risk of mortality (adj OR 13.13 95% CI, 9.19–18.77, p < 0.0001) and composite morbidity (adj OR 2.57, 95% CI 2.23–2.95, p < 0.0001).ConclusionOlder age, especially accompanied by a low BMI, appears to increase the post-operative mortality and morbidity risks in laparoscopic cholecystectomy patients, while paradoxically, a higher BMI seems to be protective. Our hypothesis is that a lower BMI, perhaps secondary to malnutrition, can carry a greater risk of surgery complications for the elderly. Age/BMI is strongly and positively associated with mortality and morbidity and could be used as a new scoring system for predicting outcomes in patients undergoing surgery. Nevertheless, laparoscopic cholecystectomy remains a very safe procedure with relatively low complication rates

Vitamin D Related Gene Polymorphisms and Cholesterol Levels in a Mediterranean Population

In addition to its role in bone health, vitamin D (VitD) has been implicated in several pathological conditions. Specifically, VitD deficiency has been linked to an increased risk of dyslipidemia. Atherogenic dyslipidemia is characterized by increased low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) and decreased high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C). In this study, we examined the association of six single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in VitD-related genes with VitD and lipid levels, in a cohort of 460 Lebanese participants free from chronic diseases. Our results showed no association of the examined SNPs with VitD concentrations. However, the presence of the minor allele in rs10741657G>A of CYP2R1 was associated with increased levels in LDL-C (β = 4.95, p = 0.04)] and decreased levels in HDL-C (β = −1.76, p = 0.007)]. Interestingly, rs10741657G>A interacted with gender to increase LDL-C levels in females (β = 6.73 and p = 0.03) and decrease HDL-C levels in males HDL-C (β = −1.09, p = 0.009). In conclusion, our results suggest that rs10741657 G>A in CYP2R1 is associated with circulating LDL-C and HDL-C levels in a Lebanese cohort. Although this association was gender-specific, where rs10741657G>A was associated with increased LDL in females and decreased HDL in males, the presence of the minor allele A was associated with increased cardiovascular risk in both genders. These findings need to be validated in a larger population. Further investigations are warranted to elucidate the molecular mechanism of VitD polymorphism and dyslipidemia

Will any future increase in cigarette price reduce smoking in Saudi Arabia?

Context: In Saudi Arabia, no studies have been conducted on the correlation between any possible cigarette′s price increase and its effects on cigarette consumption. Aims: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of cigarette smoking in Saudi Arabia and to predict the effect of price increase on cigarette consumption. Settings and Design: A cross-sectional study was conducted in April and May 2013. Methods: We developed an Arabic questionnaire with information on demographic and socioeconomic factors, smoking history, and personal opinion on the effect of price increase on cigarette consumption. The questionnaire was distributed in public places such as malls and posted on famous Saudi athlete media′s twitter accounts. Results: Among the 2057 included responses, 802 (39%) were current smokers. The smokers′ population constituted of 746 (92%) males, of which 546 (68%) had a monthly income equal or greater to 800 US dollars, and 446 (55%) were aged between 21 and 30 years. Multivariate analyses of the risk factors for smoking showed that male gender and older age were associated with greater risk. Despite the current low prices of 2.67 US dollars, 454 smokers (56%) thought that cigarette prices are expensive. When asked about the price of cigarettes that will lead to smoking cessation, 443 smokers (55%) expected that a price of 8.27 US dollars and more per pack will make them quit. Conclusions: Increasing the price of popular cigarettes pack from 2.67 US dollars to 8.27 US dollars is expected to lead to smoking cessation in a large number of smokers in the Saudi population

The Impact of Social Media on the Physical and Mental Well-Being of Medical Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract COVID-19 pandemic has increased social media engagement globally. This study examined the correlation between social media use and physical/mental health among university students, considering gender and academic year. Out of 146 responses, 119 were analyzed after excluding participants with pre-existing psychological conditions. Results showed a significant correlation between social media use and mental health for all participants (correlation coefficient = 0.30, p < 0.001), indicating a negative impact on mental health with increased use. Gender-specific analysis revealed a non-significant correlation among males (p = 0.21), while females exhibited a significant correlation (correlation coefficient = 0.32, p = 0.01), suggesting an adverse effect on their mental health. Regarding physical health, females displayed an even higher correlation (correlation coefficient = 0.40, p < 0.001), highlighting the negative influence of social media on their physical well-being. Conversely, no significant correlation was observed among males. Analyzing by academic year, both pre-clerkship and clerkship students showed a significant correlation between social media use and mental health (correlation coefficients of 0.26, p = 0.01, and 0.42, p = 0.03, respectively). Similarly, a significant correlation was found between social media use and physical health among pre-clerkship students (correlation coefficient = 0.34, p = 0.001), but not among clerkship students. In conclusion, this study provides evidence of the adverse impact of social media use on physical and mental health among university students, particularly among females and across different academic years. These findings underscore the importance of promoting healthy social media habits and raising awareness about the potential negative effects on well-being

Lung-Centric Inflammation of COVID-19: Potential Modulation by Vitamin D

SARS-CoV-2 infects the respiratory tract and leads to the disease entity, COVID-19. Accordingly, the lungs bear the greatest pathologic burden with the major cause of death being respiratory failure. However, organs remote from the initial site of infection (e.g., kidney, heart) are not spared, particularly in severe and fatal cases. Emerging evidence indicates that an excessive inflammatory response coupled with a diminished antiviral defense is pivotal in the initiation and development of COVID-19. A common finding in autopsy specimens is the presence of thrombi in the lungs as well as remote organs, indicative of immunothrombosis. Herein, the role of SARS-CoV-2 in lung inflammation and associated sequelae are reviewed with an emphasis on immunothrombosis. In as much as vitamin D is touted as a supplement to conventional therapies of COVID-19, the impact of this vitamin at various junctures of COVID-19 pathogenesis is also addressed

Cost-effective in-house COVID-19 reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction testing with yeast-derived Taq polymerase

BACKGROUND: Despite the decline of the COVID-19 pandemic, there continues to be a persistent requirement for reliable testing methods that can be adapted to future outbreaks and areas with limited resources. While the standard approach of using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) with Taq polymerase is effective, it faces challenges such as limited access to high-quality enzymes and the presence of bacterial DNA contamination in commercial kits, which can impact the accuracy of test results. METHODS: This study investigates the production of recombinant Taq polymerase in yeast cells and assesses its crude lysate in a multiplex RT-PCR assay for detecting the SARS-CoV-2 RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP) and N genes, with human Ribonuclease P serving as an internal control. RESULTS: The unpurified yeast Taq polymerase demonstrates sensitivity comparable to commercially purified bacterial Taq polymerase and unpurified bacterial counterparts in detecting the RdRP and N genes. It exhibits the highest specificity, with 100% accuracy, for the N gene. The specificity for the RdRP gene closely aligns with that of commercially purified bacterial Taq polymerase and unpurified bacterial Taq polymerase. CONCLUSIONS: The use of unpurified recombinant yeast Taq polymerase shows promise as a cost-effective approach for conducting in-house COVID-19 RT-PCR testing. By eliminating the need for chromatography purification steps, the production of RT-PCR kits can be streamlined, potentially improving accessibility and scalability, especially in resource-limited settings and future pandemics

Immunomodulatory Properties of Vitamin D in the Intestinal and Respiratory Systems

Vitamin D plays a crucial role in modulating the innate immune response by interacting with its intracellular receptor, VDR. In this review, we address vitamin D/VDR signaling and how it contributes to the regulation of intestinal and respiratory microbiota. We additionally review some components of the innate immune system, such as the barrier function of the pulmonary and intestinal epithelial membranes and secretion of mucus, with their respective modulation by vitamin D. We also explore the mechanisms by which this vitamin D/VDR signaling mounts an antimicrobial response through the transduction of microbial signals and the production of antimicrobial peptides that constitute one of the body’s first lines of defense against pathogens. Additionally, we highlight the role of vitamin D in clinical diseases, namely inflammatory bowel disease and acute respiratory distress syndrome, where excessive inflammatory responses and dysbiosis are hallmarks. Increasing evidence suggests that vitamin D supplementation may have potentially beneficial effects on those diseases