Association between vitamin D hypovitaminosis and severe forms of COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE: Hypovitaminosis D may be associated with an increased susceptibility to infection, more severe COVID-19 forms, and a higher risk of death. The objective of this study was to investigate any possible connections between vitamin D status [as measured by serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels] and COVID-19 severity. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In 2021, a cross-sectional study of consecutive adult COVID-19 patients was conducted. Anthropometric data, comorbidities, hospital setting, length of stay, respiratory support, outcome data, and vitamin D status were all evaluated. RESULTS: The length of hospitalization among participants (n = 74; mean age 57.64 ± 17.83 years, 55.4% male) was 18.58 ± 10 days, the majority of the hospital setting was a medical ward (67.6%), and the respiratory support in the form of mechanical ventilation was represented by 12.2%. Hypertension (54.1%), obesity (64.9%), and overweight (64.9%) were the most common cardiometabolic risk factors. In the study group, 44.6% of participants had severe vitamin D deficiency (< 30 nmol/l), while 8.1% had vitamin D insufficiency (50 - 74.9 nmol/l). Furthermore, patients with severe COVID-19 (semi-intensive care unit, intensive care unit) had significantly lower serum 25(OH)D levels (32.9 vs. 20.5 nmol/l; p = 0.007). Participants with severe vitamin D deficiency were older and had more prevalent hypertension, requiring mechanical ventilation; 24.2% experienced a fatal outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Severe vitamin D deficiency may contribute significantly to the influence of other cardiometabolic risk factors in COVID-19.

[Use of Bernard's diadynamic current in evaluating recovery of pain sensitivity in transplanted microvascular flaps]. / Primena Bernardovih dijadinamickih struja u proceni oporavka sensibilnosti za bol u transplantovanim mikrovaskularnim reznjevima.

The application of microvascular transfer of tissues provides a single act transplantation of free flaps to any part of the body. Following the operation, free flaps are nerveless. By spreading out of nerves from the recipient region surrounding into the flap tissue, transplanted free flaps become reinervated. The sensitivity of the transferred free flaps is very important in feet, palms, breasts, genitals, face etc. The aim of our research was to use Bernard's diadynamic currents in establishing the time needed for recovery of the transferred flap's pain sensitivity in comparison with the recipient region's surrounding. At the Clinic for Plastic Surgery and Burns and Clinic for Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation of the Military Medical Academy, we used Bernard's-diadynamic current to analyze the recovery of the pain sensitivity in 33 patients with transferred free flaps. The first tests were performed six moths after the free flap transfer and were repeated in the intervals of 6 to 36 months. The pain recovery was tested in 5 cutaneous, 18 myocutaneous and 10 osteocutaneous flaps transplanted to foot-10, lower leg-13 and head-10. Pain sensitivity in the transferred flaps was detected 6 months after the free flaps transfer and was definitely ascertained 12 months after the operation. Current of 10.11 mA was required to reach the pain sensitivity threshold after the first six months and 8.52 mA after 36 months. It is obvious that the pain sensitivity threshold is significantly higher in the transferred free flaps (p < 0.001) than in the donor or recipient regions' surroundings.

Comparison of planar imaging and single-photon emission computed tomography for the detection and localization of coronary artery disease.

Although single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) has become widely utilized, the superiority of this technique compared to planar conventional imaging remains controversial. In order to compare these two techniques, we retrospectively analysed the results obtained in 70 patients who performed a thallium-201 exercise scintigraphy with a double acquisition during the same test, and who also underwent coronary and ventricular angiography. Overall, SPECT imaging yielded a higher sensitivity (93% vs 82% for SPECT and planar imaging respectively, p < 0.05), especially in the inferior and anterior regions. SPECT was also more sensitive for the detection of a single-vessel disease (90% vs 74% for SPECT and planar imaging respectively, p < 0.01). The specificity was assessed for both techniques with the help of circumferential computerized analysis, avoiding known causes of false positive scintigrams. We found a high specificity for both SPECT and planar imaging, without any significant difference between the two methods (87% vs 91% for the overall specificity of SPECT and planar imaging respectively, p = NS). Therefore, SPECT imaging analysed with discrimination shows an enhanced reliability over planar imaging for the detection and the localization of coronary artery disease, without increasing the risk of false positive tests.