Levels Of Vitamin Research Articles

Exploring chest wall deformities in childhood and adolescence: insights from a case-control study.

Chest wall deformities, though relatively uncommon in childhood and adolescence, significantly affect aesthetic perception and can impact cardiac and respiratory function. This study aims to compare individuals with pectus deformities to a healthy control group, shedding light on the condition's etiology and prognosis. Conducted as a case-control study between 2020 and 2022, the research included a case group of 71 patients with pectus excavatum or pectus carinatum who were followed up at the Pediatric Cardiology outpatient clinic. The control group consisted of 80 children without chronic diseases. Researchers retrospectively reviewed patient files, recording demographic data, echocardiography findings, and serum levels of calcium, phosphate, vitamin D, and alkaline phosphatase. Patients with chest wall deformities exhibited significantly lower serum levels of vitamin D, calcium, and phosphorus compared to those without deformities. Males constituted 77% of the case group, with 15.5% exhibiting abnormal echocardiogram results, with mitral valve anomalies being most prevalent. While pectus deformities may lead to cardiac or respiratory issues, patient concerns often center around aesthetics. Unlike typical studies focused on surgical techniques and postoperative patients, our study focused on all diagnosed patients. Findings emphasize the importance of monitoring calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D levels in pectus patients to manage surgical risks and facilitate recovery.

Optimization of crop tissue culture technology and its impact on biomolecular characteristics

Modern agriculture relies on crop tissue culture technology for fast propagation, genetic improvement, and protection of plant species. Conventional media like Murashige and Skoog (MS) usually lack optimal conditions for embryogenesis, necessitating the development of improved media tailored to specific crop requirements. In this article, we introduce an Efficient Grid Identified-Deep Feedforward Neurons (EGI-DFFN) to identify the ideal nutrient and vitamin levels of the crop plants for improving crop tissue culture aimed to improve crop plant growth in a lab setting by predicting callogenesis rate (CGR), embryogenesis rate (EGR), and somatic embryo number (SEN), shoot regeneration rate (SRR), rooting rate (RR).Different concentrations of ionic macronutrients, bio-molecular, and vitamins of the crop plant are the input to the predictive model, which is collected through the laboratory Callus Induction Experiment (CIE). Z-score normalization is used to preprocessing the CIE data to ensure consistent scales across different input features and improve model training performance. DFFN used discriminates to predict complex relationships and interactions between CGR, EGR, SEN, SRR, and RR with EGI tuning. The EGI-DFFN model has significantly improved crop tissue culture growth by accurately predicting the CGR, EGR, SEN, SRR, and RR respectively. The EGI-DFFN model enhances understanding of how ionic macronutrients and vitamins impact plant growth. It identifies optimal concentrations of the biomolecular to enhance somatic embryo formation and plantlet development, providing insights for optimizing crop tissue culture conditions for optimal growth outcomes.

Canned complementary porridges for infants and young children (6-23 months) based on African indigenous crops; nutritional content, consistency, sensory, and affordability compared to traditional porridges based on maize and finger millet.

Child malnutrition is a major health problem in Sub-Saharan Africa. Complementary foods made from African indigenous and locally available raw materials are often low in protein and nutrients. It is, therefore, important to supply complementary foods that are nutritious and affordable, and with an acceptable consistency and taste. The objective of this study was to develop, on a pilot scale, food-to-food fortified, convenient, canned complementary porridges based on blends of African indigenous crops, i.e., orange fleshed sweet potato (OFSP) flour, and leguminous (i.e., cowpea, and Bambara groundnut) and cereal flours (i.e., teff, finger millet, maize, and amaranth), and milk powder. Plant-based, African complementary foods are often lacking in vitamin A, zinc, iron, and energy. Porridge with OFSP on a 32% dry weight (dw) basis achieved recommended levels of vitamin A (530 µg per 100 g dw). Satisfactory energy (431 Kcal per 100 g dw) was obtained by supplementation of vegetable oil. A nutritious, low-cost porridge (costing 0.15 € per 100 g can) that fulfills consistency constraints was obtained by including supplements of zinc and iron salts as ingredients. The solids content and thus protein/energy could be significantly increased using protein fractionated or germinated cowpea flours without compromising on viscosity. The sensory profile was characterised by more intense vegetable, leguminous, and malty flavours as compared to traditional reference porridges.

Antioxidant Properties of Freeze Dried Mix Fruits and Vegetables Product ‘Miss Freezy’ Using Lyophilization Method

Background: The proper processing of fruits and vegetable-based food products will improve appearance, taste, bioactivities, and preservation. Freeze-dried (FD) or lyophilization of foods extends shelf life and preserves food's nutritional value and bioactivities. The objective of this study is to compare the antioxidant properties, nutritional value, and vitamins of fresh fruit-vegetables and the combined FD product. Methods: A combination of fruits (mango, papaya, star-fruit, guava, banana, bengkuang), and vegetables (cucumber), called “Miss Freezy” were cleaned with an ozonizer and processed using the lyophilization method. The antioxidant activities measured included 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS), 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2) assay. While the proximate analysis measured was the determination of water content, ash content, fat content, protein and carbohydrate content, and vitamin C. Results: The value of antioxidant activity in fruit-vegetable combination FD products was higher than in fresh fruit. The median inhibition concentration (IC50) of DPPH, ABTS, and H2O2 scavenging activities were guava 48.74 µg/ml, guava 128.39 µg/ml, and banana 155.55 µg/ml, respectively. The results showed that the water content of fresh fruits, and vegetables was greater than FD products and inversely proportional to the level of ash, fat, protein, carbohydrates, and vitamin C lower than FD products. Conclusions: Based on the results of antioxidant activities, proximate analysis and vitamin C of the FD product was higher than fresh fruits and vegetables. The FD fruit-vegetable combination product can be used as an alternative snack product that is practical and healthy.

Study of Correlation between H. pylori, Life Habits, and Risk Factors among Adult Patients in Gharyan, Libya

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a bacterium that can live in the human stomach and is one of the most common pathogens worldwide. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between H. pylori infection and risk factors and life style habits, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, alcohol ingestion, and smoking. The study was conducted in two centers in Gharyan, Libya (private clinics). The case study took place over three months from July to September 2024 and utilized a validated questionnaire. All participants had confirmed H. pylori infections. A total of 50 cases with positive H. pylori infections were included in this study. They completed the questionnaire and data was analyzed using simple statistics. The questionnaire consisted of three parts. The prevalence of H. pylori infection was higher in females than males in this study. The findings suggested that certain habits, such as perceived stress, frequency of physical activity per week, and duration of physical activity, may influence the presence of H. pylori infection. Additionally, adults with below-normal levels of vitamin D had a higher risk of H. pylori infection.

Comparison of In Vitro Hair Growth Promotion and Anti-Hair Loss Potential of Thai Rice By-Product from Oryza sativa L. cv. Buebang 3 CMU and Sanpatong

The bioactive compounds in herbal extracts may provide effective hair loss treatments with fewer side effects compared to synthetic medicines. This study evaluated the effects of Buebang 3 CMU and Sanpatong rice bran extracts, macerated with dichloromethane or 95% ethanol, on hair growth promotion and hair loss prevention. Overall, Buebang 3 CMU extracts contained significantly higher levels of bioactive compounds, including γ-oryzanol, tocopherols, and various polyphenols such as phytic acid, ferulic acid, and chlorogenic acid, compared to Sanpatong extracts. Additionally, ethanolic extracts demonstrated greater bioactive content and antioxidant activities than those extracted with dichloromethane. These compounds enhanced the proliferation of human hair follicle dermal papilla cells (HFDPCs) by 124.28 ± 1.08% (p < 0.05) and modulated anti-inflammatory pathways by reducing nitrite production to 3.20 ± 0.36 µM (p < 0.05). Key hair growth signaling pathways, including Wnt/β-catenin (CTNNB1), Sonic Hedgehog (SHH, SMO, GLI1), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), were activated by approximately 1.5-fold to 2.5-fold compared to minoxidil. Also, in both human prostate cancer (DU-145) and HFDPC cells, the ethanolic Buebang 3 CMU extract (Et-BB3-CMU) suppressed SRD5A1, SRD5A2, and SRD5A3 expression—key pathways in hair loss—by 2-fold and 1.5-fold more than minoxidil and finasteride, respectively. These findings suggest that Et-BB3-CMU holds promise for promoting hair growth and preventing hair loss.

Assessment of proximate composition, mineral element profile and antioxidant properties of the edible oyster mushroom grown in Bangladesh

Mushrooms have been considered as a therapeutic and nutrient-rich foods in numerous countries for years due to their significant levels of nutritional components, vitamins and antioxidants. This study aimed to assess the nutrient content, mineral profile and antioxidant properties of eight different kinds of oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus sp.) cultivated in Bangladesh. The mushrooms were analyzed for their moisture content, carbohydrates, proteins, fats, fibers, ash, vitamin A, and vitamin C. The mineral profile included sodium, potassium, calcium, and iron, as well as heavy metals. Antioxidant activities were evaluated through various methods, including phenolic, flavonoid and tannin content, total antioxidant activity, and DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl) scavenging capacity. The findings revealed that the mushrooms under investigation were high in carbohydrate (ranges between 45.25 and 63.22 g/100 g), protein (23.48–33.16 g/100 g) and dietary fiber (42.87–52.31 g/100 g). The total ash content was ranged from 7.28 to 9.41 g/100 g and vitamin C content was 0.020–0.416 mg/100 g. Interestingly, all of the mushrooms had a lower fat content (0.91–2.6%). The mineral profile indicated the presence of varying concentrations of essential elements. Hazardous heavy metals, such as Cd and Cr were not detected in the mushroom sample, while As and Pb were detected but lower than the tolerance levels. The oyster mushrooms exhibited high levels of phenolic, flavonoid, and tannin contents, as well as significant antioxidant capacity. A methanol extract of the oyster mushrooms exhibited scavenging activity against DPPH in a dose dependent manner with the highest capacity (75.4%) obtained at a concentration of 0.2 mg/ml. Our result suggests that these studied oyster mushrooms could be a good source of nutrition and antioxidants, which could be used as functional foods.

Role of Vitamin D in Gynecological Cancer: State of the Art

: Vitamin D and Vitamin D Receptors have gained more importance beyond their roles in bone metabolism and calcium homeostasis. Several epidemiological studies have confirmed that vitamin D has a specific function in a wide variety of gynecological cancers, such as ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer, cervical cancer, uterine fibroid, and vulvar cancer. The different anti-cancer mechanisms exerted by vitamin D on tumor cells are cell proliferation, cancer progression, angiogenesis, cell cycle arrest, and inflammation. The role of vitamin D is well emphasized in ovarian cancer and uterine fibroids, with limited studies available on cervical cancer and other types of gynecological cancers. Overall, most epidemiological data support that inadequate or low levels of vitamin D in the circulation are associated with risk and poor prognosis in several types of gynecological cancer. It is evident that vitamin D plays a prominent role as an anticancer agent against numerous types of cancer. This review focuses on the etiology and role of vitamin D and the Vitamin D Receptor in various types of gynecological cancer, as well as the mechanism of Vitamin D and its metabolites in the management of gynecological cancer.

Is carotid intima-media thickness associated with lower levels of vitamin D levels in children and adolescents with obesity?

Is carotid intima-media thickness associated with lower levels of vitamin D levels in children and adolescents with obesity?

Vitamin D Status and Oxidative Stress in Children with Sickle Cell Anaemia in Sagamu, Nigeria

Objectives: Sickle cell anaemia (SCA) is characterized by nutritional deficiencies and oxidative stress. Vitamin D possesses antioxidant properties but its role in SCA in sub-Saharan Africa has not been fully understood. The relationship between Vitamin D status, oxidative stress and antioxidants status in children with SCA was investigated for its possible role in reducing complications arising from oxidative stress in SCA. Methods: Case-control study involving 100 HbS genotype and 100 HbA genotype children (control) of comparable age (5-12 years). Baseline characteristics were obtained and serum vitamin D, calcium, CAT, SOD, GPX, GST and XO levels were quantified by standard laboratory methods. Results: Serum levels of vitamin D, calcium, CAT, SOD, GPX and GST were significantly lower in SCA group compared to the control, while the XO level was significantly higher in the HbS group compared with control. There was positive correlation between vitamin D, CAT and SOD (r = 0.821, 0.869), weak positive association between vitamin D and Ca (r = 0.545) and no significant relationship between vitamin D and other measurands in the SCA group. Conclusion: Sufficient vitamin D status might impact positively on the antioxidant status in SCA individuals thereby reducing associated complications.

Effect of Analytical Method on Vitamin C Tablet Levels Stored under Different Temperature Conditions

Vitamin C tablets are commonly consumed by the public as antioxidant supplements. Vitamin C is highly susceptible to oxidation, which is accelerated by factors such as heat, light, alkali, enzymes, oxidizers, and the presence of copper and iron catalysts. Oxidation will be inhibited if vitamin C is left in an acidic state or at low temperatures. However, many vitamin C tablets are not stored according to recommended conditions due to inadequate temperature control during storage or distribution, leading to changes in their vitamin C levels. Vitamin C levels can be analyzed using the Iodimetry method and UV-Vis spectrophotometry. This study aims to determine the effect of the analysis method on the content of vitamin C tablets stored at various temperature variations. This is an experimental research. The independent variable of this study is the analytical method of determining vitamin C content and the dependent variable of this research is the content of vitamin tablets stored at low temperature (2-6°C), room temperature (27-30°C), and high temperature (48°C). Quantitative analysis of vitamin C levels was conducted using both iodimetry and UV-Vis spectrophotometry methods. The highest vitamin C content was found in the analysis of levels using the UV-Vis spectrophotometry method. Statistical analysis shows significant differences, indicating that the method of analyzing the levels of vitamin C tablets stored under varying temperature conditions affects the levels of vitamin C tablets.

VDR gene polymorphisms rs731236 and rsS2228570 affect vitamin D levels in people of the Kaliningrad region

Vitamin D is an essential micronutrient that is involved in numerous biological processes. It not only keeps bones healthy, but also has a protective effect on the cardiovascular system, the pancreas and fatty tissue. Around 50% of the world’s population suffers from vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency. The prevalence of these diseases is significantly higher in obese people, regardless of age and place of residence. The presence of polymorphisms in the VDR gene (vitamin D receptor) can explain individual differences in the concentration of vitamin D 25(OH) in blood serum. Of particular interest are the effects of the polymorphisms rs731236 and rs2228570 on vitamin levels. Thus, the VDR polymorphism rs731236 is a synonymous substitution, whereas the polymorphism rs2228570 is a non-synonymous substitution. The article investigated the polymorphisms of the VDR gene rs2228570 (T/C), rs731236 (T/C) and determined their association with blood vitamin D levels in people from the Kaliningrad region with different body mass index (BMI). The material for the study was venous blood taken in the morning on an empty stomach from 232 people (mean age 50±13.5 years, 103 men and 129 women). The vitamin D content in the blood was determined by ELISA and the polymorphisms of the VDR gene were analyzed by PCR. In individuals with a BMI 30 kg/m2, changes in the lipid profile and liver function tests were recorded. The vitamin D level did not depend on the BMI of the study participants. Significant changes in blood vitamin D levels were found depending on the distribution of the VDR genotype. Vitamin D levels were higher in individuals with the CC genotype than in the TT and CT genotypes of the rs2228570 polymorphism and did not depend on BMI. In contrast, the presence of the rs731236 polymorphism in the VDR gene is associated with BMI. In obesity, vitamin D levels are therefore only reduced in people with the TT genotype of the rs731236 polymorphism, but not in people with the CC and TC genotype.

Impact of nutrition-related laboratory tests on mortality of patients who are critically ill using artificial intelligence: A focus on trace elements, vitamins, and cholesterol.

This study aimed to understand the collective impact of trace elements, vitamins, cholesterol, and prealbumin on patient outcomes in the intensive care unit (ICU) using an advanced artificial intelligence (AI) model for mortality prediction. Data from ICU patients (December 2016 to December 2021), including serum levels of trace elements, vitamins, cholesterol, and prealbumin, were retrospectively analyzed using AI models. Models employed included category boosting (CatBoost), extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost), light gradient boosting machine (LGBM), and multilayer perceptron (MLP). Performance was evaluated using area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC), accuracy, precision, recall, and F1-score. The performance was evaluated using 10-fold crossvalidation. The SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) method provided interpretability. CatBoost emerged as the top-performing individual AI model with an AUROC of 0.756, closely followed by LGBM, MLP, and XGBoost. Furthermore, the ensemble model combining these four models achieved the highest AUROC of 0.776 and more balanced metrics, outperforming all models. SHAP analysis indicated significant influences of prealbumin, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score, and age on predictions. Notably, the ratios of selenium to age and low-density lipoprotein to total cholesterol also had a notable impact on the models' output. The study underscores the critical role of nutrition-related parameters in ICU patient outcomes. Advanced AI models, particularly in an ensemble approach, demonstrated improved predictive accuracy. SHAP analysis offered insights into specific factors influencing patient survival, highlighting the need for broader consideration of these biomarkers in critical care management.

6-Methoxyflavone improves anxiety, depression, and memory by increasing monoamines in mice brain: HPLC analysis and in silico studies

Abstract 6-Methoxyflavone (6-MOF) is a flavonoid that has been reported to be a GABA-A receptor agonist and reverses cisplatin-induced hyperalgesia and allodynia. Considering the varied neuropharmacological profile of 6-MOF, this study was intended to determine the pharmacological effects of 6-MOF on locomotion, anxiety, novel object recognition (NOR), depression, spatial memory, socialization behavior, nest-building behavior, and depression in various groups of mice. Selected groups of mice were injected with 25, 50, and 75 mg/kg 6-MOF. Using HPLC-UV, the frontal cortex, striatum, and hippocampus of the sacrificed mice were analyzed for the levels of vitamin C, dopamine, serotonin, noradrenaline, adenosine, and its metabolites. Statistical analysis showed significant results in socialization behavior and elevated plus maze with 75 mg/kg. In Y-maze, NOR 6-MOF showed significant results at all three doses, while in tail suspension test (TST), 50 and 75 mg/kg showed significant results; however, no statistical significance was observed in nest-building behavior; 50 and 75 mg/kg 6-MOF showed significant results in the Morris water maze. 6-MOF raised vitamin C levels in the frontal cortex and hippocampus. Serotonin, dopamine, and nor-adrenaline levels were raised in the hippocampus and striatum. It has also imparted region-specific neuroprotection by improving adenosine and its metabolite levels. In silico studies performed using PyRx have shown that the minimum binding energy of 6-MOF with antioxidant enzyme is −7.1 k/cal/mol. The binding energy showed that 6-MOF was successfully docked with an anti-oxidant enzyme. In conclusion, in silico and behavioral studies showed that 6-MOF can be a potential candidate for the treatment of cognitive decline, anxiety, and depression.

Seasonal variations of vitamins A, E and carotenoids in eelpout (Zoarces viviparus) from a Danish fjord, in relation to reproductive cycle

Retinoids (vitamin A) and tocopherols (vitamin E) are essential for key biological functions in vertebrates, including cell growth, cell death and differentiation, embryonic development, reproduction and vision. In fish, however, much less is known about the retinoid functions, although retinoic acid has been shown to be involved in embryonic development. In this study, we quantified the levels of different retinoids, carotenoids and vitamin E in various tissues of both adult and embryos of the viviparous fish eelpout (Zoarces viviparus). Our results demonstrate clear seasonal differences in the levels of these vitamins in the liver of the female fish as well as in its ovarian tissues, eggs and/or embryos. Overall, this study is a baseline assessment and describes the annual variations in the vitamin status by comparing the tissue distribution of retinoids, carotenoids and vitamin E. This baseline study investigates the natural background levels of these compounds and relates their seasonal fluctuations to the reproductive cycle in the viviparous eelpout. The results of this study strengthen the current evidence base necessary to understand retinoid pathways during fish development. This understanding is crucial for utilizing retinoid composition in fish as a biological response to exposure to environmental pollution with hazardous substances in the marine environment.

Impact of lifestyle intervention on vitamin D, Adiponectin, Insulin-like growth factor 1 and Proneurotensin in overweight individuals from the Middle East

BackgroundImmigrants from the Middle East (ME) have a higher prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) compared to the native-born Swedish population. In individuals free from T2D, ME immigrants are more insulin resistant and have lower levels of adjusted insulin secretion (Disposition index, DIo) compared to Swedish-born individuals. The ethnic differences are not fully explained by traditional risk factors. This has raised the question as to whether hormonal factors other than insulin are involved, contributing to higher T2D risk in ME immigrants. AimsIn ME immigrants at high risk of developing T2D, we aimed to study the effect of a randomized culturally adapted lifestyle intervention on the levels of Vitamin D (25(OH)D), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), Pro-neurotensin (Pro-NT) and Adiponectin. Furthermore, we aimed to study if the effect of the intervention was associated to these hormones, or if a direct effect of the intervention remained after accounting for these. MethodsIn this culturally adapted randomized controlled trial of four months duration, eligible ME immigrants at high risk of developing T2D identified in the MEDIM cohort were invited to participate. The intervention group (N= 35) received a culturally adapted lifestyle intervention program consisting of seven group sessions and cooking classes. The control group (N= 32) were given treatment as usual with oral and written information to improve their lifestyle habits. Using mixed models’ linear regression analysis, the changes in the levels of 25(OH)D, IGF-1, Adiponectin and Pro-NT were assessed by comparing the groups and we further studied the effects of the changes on insulin action and secretion. ResultsThe adjusted levels of 25(OH)D significantly increased in the intervention group compared to the control group (β for the effect of the intervention on 25(OH)D: 0.061, 95% CI 0.009-0.113, P = 0.023). The increase in insulin sensitivity index (ISI) observed in the intervention compared to the control group was altered after adjusting for 25(OH)D: 0.129, 95% CI -0.016-0.274, P = 0.078). IGF-1, Adiponectin and Pro-NT did not significantly influence the change over time concerning insulin secretion. ConclusionLifestyle intervention increases the adjusted levels of 25(OH)D. Moreover, the effect of the lifestyle intervention on insulin action and secretion was altered when adjusting for 25(OH)D.

Association between Pre-operative Vitamin-D level and Shortterm Clinical Outcomes Regarding Pain & Disability following PLID surgery

Background: Low back pain (LBP) is a common problem affecting 70% of the population in the developed countries and prevalence is also increasing in the developing countries. There were strong associations between vitamin D deficiency and LBP. According to the latest report in Bangladesh 86% (eighty-six percent) people had hypovitaminosis- D. A high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency is seen in patients with degenerative diseases of the spine. Considering the hypovitaminosis D led to musculoskeletal issues we want to examine the level of vitamin D in patients before PLID surgery and observe its impact 01 month postoperatively regarding pain & disability outcomes by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) & Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate an association between preoperative Vitamin-D level and short-term outcome regarding pain & disability following PLID surgery. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional observational study will be conducted in the Department of Neurosurgery, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University. Patient’s data will be collected in questionnaire/data collection sheet. All the patient will be evaluated by serum Vitamin-D level preoperatively. Patient will be clinically assessed by VAS (Visual Analogue Scale) score and ODI (Oswestry Disability Score) preoperatively and 01 month postoperatively. Then our aim is to determine a relationship between pre-operative Vitamin-D level and mean difference between pre and post-operative VAS & ODI Score. Statistical analysis: Data was processed and analyzed by using computer software SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) version 22. Appropriate statistical test for data analysis (Unpaired T-test) was done. Statistical significance was set at pvalue <0.05. Results: In this study population, the mean age was 42.84 ± 10.14 years ranging from 31 to 78 years. Out of 38 patients 17 (45%) patients had hypovitaminosis-D and 19 (55%) patient had normal vitamin-D level. 15 (39.5%), 11 (28.9%), 10 (26.3%) and 2 (5.3%) patients were service holder, housewife, Businessman and other (retired) respectively. T-test & Chi square test showed positive association between preoperative vitamin-D level and post-operative clinical outcome regarding pain and disability, with a significant p-value of p = <0.05. Conclusion: Our study has showed an association between Pre-operative Vitamin-D level and post-operative clinical outcome regarding pain & disability, that is, insufficient Vitamin-D level leads to decrease alleviation of symptoms following PLID surgery. Bang. J Neurosurgery 2024; 13(2): 75-85

Preconception and prenatal vitamin D associations with positive behavioral health in Black children.

Low levels of vitamin D during pregnancy are associated with offspring behavioral problems but little is known about pre-pregnancy influences. Additionally, Black American individuals are underrepresented in studies, limiting translational impact. We tested independent and interactive effects of preconception and prenatal vitamin D in Black women in relation to positive behavioral and emotional outcomes in early childhood. Black-identifying participants (N = 156) enrolled in the longitudinal Pittsburgh Girls Study (PGS) provided venous blood samples before and during pregnancy to measure 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) levels. Participants completed questionnaires assessing sociodemographic factors, depression severity and life stress, and later reported on child behavioral and emotional problems and prosocial behavior between 2 and 4 years. Mean serum 25(OH)D concentrations were 15.5 ng/ml (s.d. = 7.7) before pregnancy and 18.0 ng/ml (s.d. = 9.2) during pregnancy; below the sufficiency threshold according to commonly used dietary guidelines. After adjusting for covariates, prenatal 25(OH)D was negatively related to behavior problems and positively related to prosocial behavior in children, although the association attenuated for behavior problems after accounting for preconception 25(OH)D, which may reflect patterns of stability. Maternal 25(OH)D was unrelated to child emotional problems, and no synergistic effects of 25(OH)D timing were observed for any child outcome. Findings have relevance for Black women living in the northeast U.S. Results suggest specific associations between maternal vitamin D and positive behaviors in early childhood, regardless of sufficiency levels and suggest potential opportunities for early interventions to support healthy child development.

Vitamin D Supplementation in Selected Autoimmune Diseases

Introduction and Objective. In recent years, awareness of the problem of vitamin D deficiency in the human body has been steadily increasing. There is a growing emphasis on investigating the effects of vitamin D supplementation both in the prevention of autoimmune diseases and in the course of existing diseases. The aim of this study is to highlight and discuss the role of vitamin D supplementation in selected autoimmune diseases.Review methods. The publication is a narrative review. The PubMed electronic database was used to review the literature. To ensure the highest substantive value, the focus was mainly on studies from the last 8 years, with only 6 studies published before 2016, concerning autoimmune diseases.Results. There are still lots of unknowns when it comes to physiology and the role that vitamin D plays in our body and deepening the knowledge of its functions would definitely help prevent many diseases concerning various systems such as musculoskeletal, immune and nervous systems. Wide range of studies have already proven that appropriate supplementation of vitamin D prevents complications and exacerbations of disorders like rheumatoid arthritis, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, ulcerative colitis, type 1 diabetes and multiple sclerosis. Unfortunately there is no unambiguous evidence of noticeable improvement in the patients suffering from psoriasis after taking vitamin D. There is a huge need for developing guidelines which would establish specific supplementation protocols considering various factors since it is inexplicably difficult to obtain an optimal level of vitamin D in our body.Summary. The increasing prevalence of autoimmune diseases in the population, their coexistence with vitamin D deficiency, and the scientifically proven impact of this vitamin on the body imply the need for an in-depth analysis of the relationship between its supplementation and the prevention and modification of the course of autoimmune diseases.

Lower Levels of Vitamin D Are Associated with Higher Vasoactive–Inotropic Scores in Major Cardiac Surgery

Background: The vasoactive–inotropic score (VIS) predicts unfavorable outcomes after cardiac surgery in both children and adults. In our adult population, we investigated whether preoperative levels of vitamin D can predict the VIS and whether both vitamin D and the VIS can predict adverse outcomes following major heart surgery. Methods: Between 1 October 2021 and 28 February 2022, 300 patients underwent major cardiac surgery at our institution. Eighty-three of them had their 25-OH vitamin D levels measured before surgery. For this cohort, we calculated the VIS based on doses of vasoactive and inotropic medications administered post-surgery. Utilizing receiver operating curves, the predictive accuracy of vitamin D levels and the VIS in predicting acute kidney injury was assessed. Results: The median age of the cohort was 66 (IQR 61–71) years, with 59% being male and a median BMI of 28.4 (IQR 25.2–31.6). The most common procedures were aortic valve replacement, mitral valve replacement, coronary artery bypass grafting, aortic valve and ascending aorta repair, and ASD correction. There was a significant difference in the postoperative VIS between patients with vitamin D deficiency, i.e., <20 ng/mL, and patients with vitamin D values > 20 ng/mL (3.5 vs. 1.3 p < 0.04). We also found a significant correlation between the VIS and the days of hospitalization (r = 0.335; p = 0.002), the days of stay in the intensive care unit (r = 0.547; p < 0.00001), and the mechanical ventilation time (r = 0.327; p = 0.025). Both vitamin D levels and the VIS predicted postoperative acute kidney injury (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Vitamin D deficiency is correlated with the VIS in adults undergoing major cardiac surgery. Both vitamin D levels and the VIS can predict unfavorable postoperative outcomes.