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Benameur T. Seasonal Variations in 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Levels among Pediatric Patients Attending the Healthcare Centre. Nutrients 2024; 16:379. [PMID: 38337664 PMCID: PMC10856968 DOI: 10.3390/nu16030379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Vitamin D plays an essential role in maintaining bone density, building the immune system, and regulating cell growth alongside other key biological functions. Limited data are available about the seasonal variation in vitamin D levels in the pediatric population in Saudi Arabia. This study aimed to investigate the seasonal influence on the pediatric circulating levels of 25(OH)D. A total of 1790 pediatric outpatients who visited the University healthcare centre were included in this study. Overall, there was a noticeably high prevalence (69%) of both combined 25(OH)D deficiency and insufficiency. The highest mean serum concentration of 25(OH)D was recorded in summer (29 ng/mL) and autumn (27 ng/mL). The deficient and insufficient categories were predominant, accounting for 33% and 36%, respectively. Comparable patterns were recorded during autumn, winter, and spring. Interestingly, the 25(OH)D level was significantly associated with the four seasons (p = 0.001), with females having a higher prevalence of 25(OH)D deficiency in the spring and summer than males. Furthermore, only in autumn and winter, we found a significant association between gender and 25(OH)D status (p < 0.001 for both). Another association between nationality and the circulating levels 25(OH)D was found during autumn and winter (p < 0.001 and p = 0.01), respectively. In all seasons, age had a negative impact on serum (OH)D levels. However, this relationship was statistically significant (p < 0.05) only in summer, autumn, and winter. Gender was a significant predictor, with 25(OH)D levels in autumn and winter and an odds ratio of 1.67 in autumn and 2 in winter, indicating that being men had a positive influence on circulating 25(OH)D levels. There were highly significant differences in 25(OH)D concentrations among different age categories. The Saudi population experiences low levels of vitamin D, particularly in autumn and winter periods. This study showed that seasonality, age category, nationality, and gender influence vitamin D status, suggesting the need for tailored intervention and monitoring of 25(OH)D status to reach adequate levels of vitamin D. Healthcare practitioners and policymakers may consider the interplay between age, nationality, gender, and seasonal variations when addressing vitamin D status and a targeted supplementation approach for high-risk groups that may develop health issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tarek Benameur
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, King Faisal University, Al Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia
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Shanmugam R, Tabatabai M, Wilus D, Singh KP. The bounds of meta-analytics and an alternative method. Epidemiol Health 2024; 46:e2024016. [PMID: 38228087 PMCID: PMC11040225 DOI: 10.4178/epih.e2024016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Meta-analysis is a statistical appraisal of the data analytic implications of published articles (Y), estimating parameters including the odds ratio and relative risk. This information is helpful for evaluating the significance of the findings. The Higgins I2 index is often used to measure heterogeneity among studies. The objectives of this article are to amend the Higgins I2 index score in a novel and innovative way and to make it more useful in practice. METHODS Heterogeneity among study populations can be affected by many sources, including the sample size and study design. They influence the Cochran Q score and, thus, the Higgins I2 score. In this regard, the I2 score is not an absolute indicator of heterogeneity. Q changes by bound as Y increases unboundedly. An innovative methodology is devised to show the conditional and unconditional probability structures. RESULTS Various properties are derived, including showing that a zero correlation between Q and Y does not necessarily mean that they are independent. A new alternative statistic, S2, is derived and applied to mild cognitive impairment and coronavirus disease 2019 vaccination for meta-analysis. CONCLUSIONS A hidden shortcoming of the Higgins I2 index is overcome in this article by amending the Higgins I2 score. The usefulness of the proposed methodology is illustrated using 2 examples. The findings have potential health policy implications.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Derek Wilus
- Meharry Medical College, School of Graduate Studies, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Karan P. Singh
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Medicine, The University of Texas at Tyler, Tyler, TX, USA
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3
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Johnson CR, Thacher TD. Vitamin D: immune function, inflammation, infections and auto-immunity. Paediatr Int Child Health 2023; 43:29-39. [PMID: 36857810 DOI: 10.1080/20469047.2023.2171759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 03/03/2023]
Abstract
Vitamin D plays an active role beyond mineral metabolism and skeletal health, including regulation of the immune system. Vitamin D deficiency is widely prevalent, and observational studies link low vitamin D status to a risk of infections and auto-immune disorders. Reports indicate an inverse relationship between vitamin D status and such conditions. This review details vitamin D signalling interactions with the immune system and provides experimental and clinical evidence evaluating vitamin D status, vitamin D supplementation and host susceptibility to infections, inflammation and auto-immunity. The published literature including related reviews, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, randomised controlled trials (RCTs), observational studies and basic science reports have been synthesised. Meta-analyses of observational studies have demonstrated a link between low vitamin D status and risk of acute respiratory infections, COVID-19 disorders, multiple sclerosis, type 1 diabetes (T1DM), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), systemic lupus erythematosus and other auto-immune disorders. Observational studies suggest that vitamin D supplementation may protect against several infectious and auto-immune conditions. Meta-analyses of RCTs had mixed results, demonstrating a small protective role for vitamin D supplementation against acute respiratory infections, especially in those with vitamin D deficiency and children, and providing modest benefits for the management of T1DM and IBD. Vitamin D status is inversely associated with the incidence of several infectious and auto-immune conditions. Supplementation is recommended for those with vitamin D deficiency or at high risk of deficiency, and it might provide additional benefit in acute respiratory infections and certain auto-immune conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Casey R Johnson
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Tom D Thacher
- Department of Family Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, New York, USA
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Al Sulaiman K, Korayem GB, Aljuhani O, Altebainawi AF, Shawaqfeh MS, Alarfaj SJ, Alharbi RA, Ageeli MM, Alissa A, Vishwakarma R, Ibrahim A, Alenazi AA, Alghnam S, Alshehri N, Alshammari MM, Alhubaishi A, Aldhaeefi M, Alamri FF, Syed Y, Khan R, Alalawi M, Alanazi KA, Alresayes FS, Albarqi KJ, Al Ghamdi G. Survival implications vs. complications: unraveling the impact of vitamin D adjunctive use in critically ill patients with COVID-19-A multicenter cohort study. Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 10:1237903. [PMID: 37692775 PMCID: PMC10484515 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1237903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Despite insufficient evidence, vitamin D has been used as adjunctive therapy in critically ill patients with COVID-19. This study evaluates the effectiveness and safety of vitamin D as an adjunctive therapy in critically ill COVID-19 patients. Methods A multicenter retrospective cohort study that included all adult COVID-19 patients admitted to the intensive care units (ICUs) between March 2020 and July 2021. Patients were categorized into two groups based on their vitamin D use throughout their ICU stay (control vs. vitamin D). The primary endpoint was in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes were the length of stay (LOS), mechanical ventilation (MV) duration, and ICU-acquired complications. Propensity score (PS) matching (1:1) was used based on the predefined criteria. Multivariable logistic, Cox proportional hazards, and negative binomial regression analyses were employed as appropriate. Results A total of 1,435 patients were included in the study. Vitamin D was initiated in 177 patients (12.3%), whereas 1,258 patients did not receive it. A total of 288 patients were matched (1:1) using PS. The in-hospital mortality showed no difference between patients who received vitamin D and the control group (HR 1.22, 95% CI 0.87-1.71; p = 0.26). However, MV duration and ICU LOS were longer in the vitamin D group (beta coefficient 0.24 (95% CI 0.00-0.47), p = 0.05 and beta coefficient 0.16 (95% CI -0.01 to 0.33), p = 0.07, respectively). As an exploratory outcome, patients who received vitamin D were more likely to develop major bleeding than those who did not [OR 3.48 (95% CI 1.10, 10.94), p = 0.03]. Conclusion The use of vitamin D as adjunctive therapy in COVID-19 critically ill patients was not associated with survival benefits but was linked with longer MV duration, ICU LOS, and higher odds of major bleeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khalid Al Sulaiman
- Department of Pharmaceutical Care, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- College of Pharmacy, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Population Health Section, King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Saudi Critical Care Pharmacy Research (SCAPE) Platform, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ghazwa B. Korayem
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ohoud Aljuhani
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ali F. Altebainawi
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, University of Hail, Hail, Saudi Arabia
- Pharmaceutical Care Services, King Salman Specialist Hospital, Hail Health Cluster, Ministry of Health, Hail, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammad S. Shawaqfeh
- Department of Pharmaceutical Care, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- College of Pharmacy, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sumaiah J. Alarfaj
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Reham A. Alharbi
- Department of Pharmacy, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mawaddah M. Ageeli
- Department of Pharmacy, Prince Faisal Bin Khalid Cardiac Center PFKCC, Ministry of Health, Abha, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulrahman Alissa
- Pharmaceutical Care Services, King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz University Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ramesh Vishwakarma
- Department of Statistics, European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Headquarters, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Alnada Ibrahim
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abeer A. Alenazi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Care, Prince Sultan Military Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Suliman Alghnam
- Population Health Section, King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nadiyah Alshehri
- Department of Pharmaceutical Care, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Maqbulah M. Alshammari
- Pharmaceutical Care Services, King Salman Specialist Hospital, Hail Health Cluster, Ministry of Health, Hail, Saudi Arabia
| | - Alaa Alhubaishi
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed Aldhaeefi
- Department of Clinical and Administrative Pharmacy Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Howard University, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Faisal F. Alamri
- Department of Basic Sciences, College of Science and Health Professions, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Yadullah Syed
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Raymond Khan
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mai Alalawi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Care, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Khalaf A. Alanazi
- Department of Respiratory, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Faisal S. Alresayes
- College of Pharmacy, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Khalid J. Albarqi
- College of Pharmacy, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ghassan Al Ghamdi
- Department of Intensive Care, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- College of Medicine, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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5
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Pludowski P. COVID-19 and Other Pleiotropic Actions of Vitamin D: Proceedings from the Fifth International Conference "Vitamin D-Minimum, Maximum, Optimum" under the Auspices of the European Vitamin D Association (EVIDAS). Nutrients 2023; 15:nu15112530. [PMID: 37299493 DOI: 10.3390/nu15112530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Vitamin D deficiency appeared as a worldwide pandemic markedly earlier than the COVID-19 pandemic was announced in global media [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Pawel Pludowski
- Department of Biochemistry, Radioimmunology and Experimental Medicine, The Children's Memorial Health Institute, 04-730 Warsaw, Poland
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6
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Baxter BA, Ryan MG, LaVergne SM, Stromberg S, Berry K, Tipton M, Natter N, Nudell N, McFann K, Dunn J, Webb TL, Armstrong M, Reisdorph N, Ryan EP. Correlation between 25-hydroxyvitamin D/D3 Deficiency and COVID-19 Disease Severity in Adults from Northern Colorado. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14245204. [PMID: 36558362 PMCID: PMC9782165 DOI: 10.3390/nu14245204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Revised: 11/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Vitamin D deficiency is common in the United States and leads to altered immune function, including T cell and macrophage activity that may impact responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection. This study investigated 131 adults with a history of a positive SARS-CoV-2 nasopharyngeal PCR and 18 adults with no COVID-19 diagnosis that were recruited from the community or hospital into the Northern Colorado Coronavirus Biorepository (NoCo-COBIO). Participants consented to enrollment for a period of 6 months and provided biospecimens at multiple visits for longitudinal analysis. Plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were quantified by LC-MS/MS at the initial visit (n = 149) and after 4 months (n = 89). Adults were classified as deficient (<30 nM or <12 ng/mL), insufficient (<30−50 nM or 12−20 ng/mL), or optimal (50−75 nM or >20 ng/mL) for 25-hydroxyvitamin D status. Fisher’s exact test demonstrated an association between disease severity, gender, and body mass index (BMI) at baseline. Mixed model analyses with Tukey-Kramer were used for longitudinal analysis according to BMI. Sixty-nine percent (n = 103) of the entire cohort had optimal levels of total 25(OH)D, 22% (n = 32) had insufficient levels, and 9% (n = 14) had deficent levels. Participants with severe disease (n = 37) had significantly lower 25-hydroxyvitamin D (total 25(OH)D) when compared to adults with mild disease (p = 0.006) or no COVID-19 diagnosis (p = 0.007). There was 44% of the cohort with post-acute sequalae of COVID-19 (PASC) as defined by experiencing at least one of the following symptoms after 60 days’ post-infection: fatigue, dyspnea, joint pain, chest pain, forgetfulness or absent-mindedness, confusion, or difficulty breathing. While significant differences were detected in 25-hydroxyvitamin D status by sex and BMI, there were no correlations between 25-hydroxyvitamin D for those without and without PASC. This longitudinal study of COVID-19 survivors demonstrates an important association between sex, BMI, and disease severity for 25-hydroxyvitamin D deficiency during acute stages of infection, yet it is not clear whether supplementation efforts would influence long term outcomes such as developing PASC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bridget A. Baxter
- Department of Environmental Radiological Health Science, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - Michaela G. Ryan
- Department of Environmental Radiological Health Science, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - Stephanie M. LaVergne
- Department of Environmental Radiological Health Science, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - Sophia Stromberg
- Department of Environmental Radiological Health Science, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - Kailey Berry
- Department of Environmental Radiological Health Science, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - Madison Tipton
- Department of Environmental Radiological Health Science, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - Nicole Natter
- Department of Environmental Radiological Health Science, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - Nikiah Nudell
- Medical Center of the Rockies, University of Colorado Health, Loveland, CO 80538, USA
| | - Kim McFann
- Medical Center of the Rockies, University of Colorado Health, Loveland, CO 80538, USA
| | - Julie Dunn
- Medical Center of the Rockies, University of Colorado Health, Loveland, CO 80538, USA
| | - Tracy L. Webb
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - Michael Armstrong
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Nichole Reisdorph
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Elizabeth P. Ryan
- Department of Environmental Radiological Health Science, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-970-491-1936
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Boucher BJ. Vitamin D deficiency in British South Asians, a persistent but avoidable problem associated with many health risks (including rickets, T2DM, CVD, COVID-19 and pregnancy complications): the case for correcting this deficiency. Endocr Connect 2022; 11:e220234. [PMID: 36149836 PMCID: PMC9641767 DOI: 10.1530/ec-22-0234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
High vitamin D deficiency rates, with rickets and osteomalacia, have been common in South Asians (SAs) arriving in Britain since the 1950s with preventable infant deaths from hypocalcaemic status-epilepticus and cardiomyopathy. Vitamin D deficiency increases common SA disorders (type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease), recent trials and non-linear Mendelian randomisation studies having shown deficiency to be causal for both disorders. Ethnic minority, obesity, diabetes and social deprivation are recognised COVID-19 risk factors, but vitamin D deficiency is not, despite convincing mechanistic evidence of it. Adjusting analyses for obesity/ethnicity abolishes vitamin D deficiency in COVID-19 risk prediction, but both factors lower serum 25(OH)D specifically. Social deprivation inadequately explains increased ethnic minority COVID-19 risks. SA vitamin D deficiency remains uncorrected after 70 years, official bodies using 'education', 'assimilation' and 'diet' as 'proxies' for ethnic differences and increasing pressures to assimilate. Meanwhile, English rickets was abolished from ~1940 by free 'welfare foods' (meat, milk, eggs, cod liver oil), for all pregnant/nursing mothers and young children (<5 years old). Cod liver oil was withdrawn from antenatal clinics in 1994 (for excessive vitamin A teratogenicity), without alternative provision. The take-up of the 2006 'Healthy-Start' scheme of food-vouchers for low-income families with young children (<3 years old) has been poor, being inaccessible and poorly publicised. COVID-19 pandemic advice for UK adults in 'lockdown' was '400 IU vitamin D/day', inadequate for correcting the deficiency seen winter/summer at 17.5%/5.9% in White, 38.5%/30% in Black and 57.2%/50.8% in SA people in representative UK Biobank subjects when recruited ~14 years ago and remaining similar in 2018. Vitamin D inadequacy worsens many non-skeletal health risks. Not providing vitamin D for preventing SA rickets and osteomalacia continues to be unacceptable, as deficiency-related health risks increase ethnic health disparities, while abolishing vitamin D deficiency would be easier and more cost-effective than correcting any other factor worsening ethnic minority health in Britain.
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Trojian T. COVID-19 and Vitamin D Supplementation. Curr Sports Med Rep 2022; 21:222-223. [PMID: 35801722 DOI: 10.1249/jsr.0000000000000976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Trojian
- Department of Family, Preventive and Community Medicine, Drexel College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
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Iacopetta D, Ceramella J, Catalano A, Saturnino C, Pellegrino M, Mariconda A, Longo P, Sinicropi MS, Aquaro S. COVID-19 at a Glance: An Up-to-Date Overview on Variants, Drug Design and Therapies. Viruses 2022; 14:v14030573. [PMID: 35336980 PMCID: PMC8950852 DOI: 10.3390/v14030573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Revised: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a member of the Coronavirus family which caused the worldwide pandemic of human respiratory illness coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Presumably emerging at the end of 2019, it poses a severe threat to public health and safety, with a high incidence of transmission, predominately through aerosols and/or direct contact with infected surfaces. In 2020, the search for vaccines began, leading to the obtaining of, to date, about twenty COVID-19 vaccines approved for use in at least one country. However, COVID-19 continues to spread and new genetic mutations and variants have been discovered, requiring pharmacological treatments. The most common therapies for COVID-19 are represented by antiviral and antimalarial agents, antibiotics, immunomodulators, angiotensin II receptor blockers, bradykinin B2 receptor antagonists and corticosteroids. In addition, nutraceuticals, vitamins D and C, omega-3 fatty acids and probiotics are under study. Finally, drug repositioning, which concerns the investigation of existing drugs for new therapeutic target indications, has been widely proposed in the literature for COVID-19 therapies. Considering the importance of this ongoing global public health emergency, this review aims to offer a synthetic up-to-date overview regarding diagnoses, variants and vaccines for COVID-19, with particular attention paid to the adopted treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Domenico Iacopetta
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, Italy; (D.I.); (J.C.); (M.P.); (M.S.S.); (S.A.)
| | - Jessica Ceramella
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, Italy; (D.I.); (J.C.); (M.P.); (M.S.S.); (S.A.)
| | - Alessia Catalano
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70126 Bari, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0805442746
| | - Carmela Saturnino
- Department of Science, University of Basilicata, 85100 Potenza, Italy; (C.S.); (A.M.)
| | - Michele Pellegrino
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, Italy; (D.I.); (J.C.); (M.P.); (M.S.S.); (S.A.)
| | - Annaluisa Mariconda
- Department of Science, University of Basilicata, 85100 Potenza, Italy; (C.S.); (A.M.)
| | - Pasquale Longo
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132, 84084 Fisciano, Italy;
| | - Maria Stefania Sinicropi
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, Italy; (D.I.); (J.C.); (M.P.); (M.S.S.); (S.A.)
| | - Stefano Aquaro
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, Italy; (D.I.); (J.C.); (M.P.); (M.S.S.); (S.A.)
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