Vitamin D Deficiency Association with Comorbid Diseases in Palestine: "A Cross-Sectional Observation Study".

Background: Vitamin D deficiency (VDD) is a global health concern. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and its associated comorbidities in Palestine, such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and cardiovascular and autoimmune diseases. Methods: A retrospective, descriptive study retrieved medical data from the Nat Health insurance processor database from 2014 to 2020. Patient information included age, sex, vitamin D laboratory order, symptoms, and comorbidities. This study included patients prescribed vitamin D at a dose of 50000IU for vitamin D deficiency confirmed by a serum vitamin D laboratory test. The collected data were analyzed using IBM SPSS. In addition, a chi-square test was conducted to assess the association between vitamin D deficiency, symptoms, and comorbidities. Results: Data of 3011 patients were collected; 639 patients were diagnosed with osteoporosis, and 39 patients prescribed vitamin D without a laboratory test were excluded. Approximately, 1837 (78%) participants had vitamin D deficiency. A total of 1330 women (81.3%) were significantly more likely to have vitamin D deficiency than males, 507 (72.7%; P < 0.001). Joint pain, back pain, and cervicalgia were significantly associated with vitamin D deficiency (P < 0.001). Asymptomatic participants (2.1%) were significantly less likely to have vitamin D deficiency than symptomatic participants (9.5%, p < 0.001). Hypothyroidism is significantly associated with vitamin D deficiency (p = 0.048). Conclusion: In this retrospective study, the prevalence of vitamin D was high and alarming. There was a significant association between VDD, patients who presented with back pain, arthritis, and cervicalgia symptoms, and patients diagnosed with hypothyroidism. Therefore, health initiative programs are warranted to increase awareness regarding screening, prevention, and treatment. Further studies are needed to confirm the relationship between vitamin D supplementation and the reduced risk of comorbid diseases.

Influencia de la estación del año en los niveles de vitamina D de una población pediátrica / Influence of the season of the year in vitamin D levels in a pediatric population

Introducción: El objetivo de nuestro trabajo es determinar los niveles séricos de 25 (OH) vitamina D en una población pediátrica de la Ciudad de Rosario y sus alrededores y la influencia de las diferentes estaciones del año sobrelos mismos.Material y métodos: Estudio prospectivo observacional en el que se dosó el nivel de vitamina D en niños de ambossexos menores de 15 años de edad. El plazo de medición fue de un año calendario para posteriormente y analizarsus niveles según las cuatro estaciones del año. Todos los análisis de vitamina D fueron realizados por el mismolaboratorio y el mismo equipo de medición.Resultados: Se incluyeron 128 pacientes de ambos sexos. Del total de mediciones se encontraron niveles inferioresa 30 ng/ml en el 61,7% (n=79). Las medias de los niveles de Vitamina D fueron en otoño 32,6 ng/ml (±12,3);invierno 24,4 ng/ml (±8,7); primavera 24,1 ng/ml (±7,2) y en verano 27,8 ng/ml (±10,8). Existieron diferenciassignificativas entre las estaciones de otoño y primavera (p< 0,001) y entre otoño e invierno (p<0,004). Otoño fue laúnica estación que presentó niveles superiores a 30 ng/ml (media: 32,6).Conclusiones: Existe una alta prevalencia de niveles bajos de vitamina D (según lo publicado en la literatura a nivelinternacional). Recomendamos su dosaje especialmente en las estaciones de invierno, primavera y verano (AU)

Introduction: The purpose of our work is to determine the serum levels of 25 (OH) vitamin D in a pediatric populationof the City of Rosario and surrounding areas, and the influence of the different seasons of the year on them.Material and methods: A prospective observational study in which the level of vitamin D was measured in children ofboth sexes under 15 years of age. The measurement period was one calendar year to be subsequently analyzed accordingto the four seasons of the year. All vitamin D tests were performed by the same laboratory and the same measurementequipment. Results: 128 patients of both sexes were included. Of the total measurements, levels lower than 30 ng / ml were found in61.7% (n = 79). The averages of Vitamin D levels were: in autumn 32.6 ng / ml (±12,3); winter 24.4 ng / ml (±8,7);spring 24.1 ng / ml (±7,2) and summer 27.8 ng / ml (±10,8). There were significant differences between the autumn andspring seasons (p <0.001) and between autumn and winter (p <0.004). Autumn was the only station that presented levelshigher than 30 ng / ml (mean: 32.6).Conclusions: There is a high prevalence of low levels of vitamin D (as published in the international literature). We recommend its dosing especially in the winter, spring and summer seasons (AU)

The impact of treatment for iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia on nutritional status, physical performance, and cognitive function in geriatric patients.

OBJECTIVE: Iron deficiency in older people is common and affects physical and cognitive performance. The effects of iron deficiency on nutrition and cognitive status are well established. However, there are few studies demonstrating the impact of iron deficiency treatment on functional and cognitive outcomes in the geriatric population. The aim of this study was to determine whether iron replacement treatment was associated with an improvement in the nutritional, cognitive, and functional status of older patients with iron deficiency (ID) and iron deficiency anemia (IDA). METHODS: Geriatric patients with iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia presenting to the geriatric clinic were included in the study. Comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) and blood samples to investigate iron deficiency were performed at baseline and 6 month later. 81 patients were included in the study and were evaluated at follow-up in the 6th month. The CGA included the following tests: the Katz Index of Independence in Activities of Daily Living Scale (Katz ADL), the Lawton-Brody Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale (IADL), the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and the Mini Nutritional Assessment Short-Form (MNA-SF), as well as the assessments of hand grip strength and walking speed. RESULTS: Of the 81 participating patients, 69.1% were women and 30.9% were men. The mean age was 76.8 ± 7.28 years. Follow-up after iron supplementation treatment was performed with a mean of 6.23 ± 1.58 months. Improvements occurred in the following geriatric and laboratory assessments: Lawton-Brody (IADL), MNA-SF, MMSE, hand grip strength, and walking speed evaluations and the levels of hemoglobin, iron, total iron-binding capacity, transferrin saturation, and ferritin. CONCLUSIONS: It was shown that iron replacement treatment has a positive impact on functional and cognitive status and nutritional parameters in older patients with ID and IDA.

Primary Immune Deficiency Treatment Consortium (PIDTC) report.

The Primary Immune Deficiency Treatment Consortium (PIDTC) is a network of 33 centers in North America that study the treatment of rare and severe primary immunodeficiency diseases. Current protocols address the natural history of patients treated for severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID), Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome, and chronic granulomatous disease through retrospective, prospective, and cross-sectional studies. The PIDTC additionally seeks to encourage training of junior investigators, establish partnerships with European and other International colleagues, work with patient advocacy groups to promote community awareness, and conduct pilot demonstration projects. Future goals include the conduct of prospective treatment studies to determine optimal therapies for primary immunodeficiency diseases. To date, the PIDTC has funded 2 pilot projects: newborn screening for SCID in Navajo Native Americans and B-cell reconstitution in patients with SCID after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Ten junior investigators have received grant awards. The PIDTC Annual Scientific Workshop has brought together consortium members, outside speakers, patient advocacy groups, and young investigators and trainees to report progress of the protocols and discuss common interests and goals, including new scientific developments and future directions of clinical research. Here we report the progress of the PIDTC to date, highlights of the first 2 PIDTC workshops, and consideration of future consortium objectives.

Effect of Decoction for Warming the Kidney and Restoring Yang on Hepatic Ultrastructure of Rabbit Model with Yang Deficiency / 中药新药与临床药理

A rabbit model of Yang deficiency was established by means of total thyrodectomy and the effect of Decoction for warming kidney and restoring Yang (DWKRY) on the hepatic ultrastructure of the model was observed under transmission eletron microscopy. It was shown in the liver cell of the rabbit model that the number of organelles was decreased, the mitochondria were reduced, degenerated and irregularly distributed, a large number of glycogen granules was stored in the cytoplasm, and the intercellular space was widened. After the administtration of DWKRY, the ultrastructure of liver cells approached normal. This study provides a valuable morphological basis for the establishment of Yang-deficiency animal model and the evaluation of the effect of DWKRY on Yang-deficiency syndrome.