Search

Objective: To explore the clinical value of Vitamin-D combined with budesonide/formoterol (BF) and theophylline sodium glycinate (TSG) sustained-release tablets in the treatment of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods: Medical records of 114 patients with CODP, treated in Wenzhou Geriatric Hospital from October 2020 to February 2023, were retrospectively analyzed. Of them, 59 received treatment with Vitamin-D combined with BF and TSG sustained-release tablets (Group-A), and 55 patients received treatment with BF combined with TSG sustainedrelease tablets (Group-B). Lung function indicators, blood gas status, inflammatory factors, fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), and 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels before and after the treatment in both groups were collected. Results: After the treatment, lung function indicators, blood gas status, inflammatory factors, FeNO, and 25 (OH) D levels in both groups were significantly improved compared to pretreatment levels, and were significantly better in the Group-A compared to Group-B (P<0.05). Conclusions: The combination of Vitamin-D, BF, and TSG sustained-release tablets can effectively regulate the blood gas status of patients with COPD, improve lung function, regulate FeNO and 25 (OH) D, and effectively downregulate the levels of inflammatory factors, thus reducing the degree of inflammatory response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the role of Vitamin-D and calcium supplementation on preoperative weight reduction in obese women before laparoscopic ventral hernia repair. Methods: This double-blind clinical trial was conducted at the affiliated health centers of King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia from January 2021 to December 2021. It included forty-five obese women aged 24-56 years, with body mass index (BMI) of 34.0-48.0kg/m². They were randomly allocated into two groups; the Group-A (N=22) included obese women who received supplementation of 5000IU cholecalciferol (Vitamin-D3), and 1000mg calcium daily for 12 months, while the Group-B (N=23) received no treatment. Measurement of change in weight and BMI and comparison of their pre-operative weight reduction, laparoscopic operative time, and length of hospital stay was done. Results: There were no differences in patients' biographic data between the two groups. During the study, Vitamin-D level in the patients increased and there was a significant positive association with weight loss. In group-A, the mean weight loss was 11.8±3.5 kg. At the end of first year, their BMI decreased from 36.1±1.6kg/m² at baseline to 29.7±2.6 kg/m², whereas in-group-B, the mean weight loss was 6.8±3.1 kg and their BMI decreased from 36.9±2.69kg/m² at baseline to 32.7±0.93kg/m². The operation time and the length of hospital stay were shorter in group-A (107 vs.128. min) and (3 vs. 5 days) respectively as compared to Group-B. Conclusion: Vitamin-D and calcium supplementation contributes to a remarkable weight reduction of preoperative obese female patients, which in turn is associated with significantly better outcome of laparoscopic repair of ventral hernia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To explore the changes of serum-related indexes at different time points, so as to identify the critical time of converting from simple premature thelarche (PT) to idiopathic central precocious puberty (ICPP). Methods: This is a retrospective study. The subjects of the study were 50 girls with PT who were admitted to the Children's Hospital of Hebei Province from January 2019 to September 2020. The enrolled 50 children were divided into the conversion group(n=12) and the non-conversion group(n=38) according to whether PT was converted into ICPP during follow-up. Furthermore, the levels of serum-related indexes and uterine and ovarian volumes were compared after the diagnosis of PT. Results: The IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 levels of children in the conversion group began to change significantly from six months after the diagnosis, with statistically significant differences when compared with the levels of children at the initial diagnosis, three months and those of the non-conversion group at the same time points (p<0.05). The levels of vitamin-D, DHEA and leptin began to change significantly at nine months after the diagnosis (p<0.05). Besides, uterine and ovarian volumes in the conversion group began to increase significantly six months after the diagnosis, with statistically significant differences when compared with those in the non-conversion group (p<0.05). Conclusion: Findings in our study suggest that regular monitoring of vitamin-D, IGF-1, IGFBP-3, DHEA and leptin levels, and uterine and ovarian volumes can predict the conversion from PT to ICPP at an early stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Genetic polymorphisms in genes involved in growth process and Vitamin-D metabolism form a significant etiology behind growth hormone deficiency and short stature. The aim of this study was to explore for known and unknown genes and variants related to growth hormone and short stature in a family based study using whole exome sequencing (WES). Method: This family-based study included a family with members diagnosed with growth hormone deficiency, short stature and Vitamin-D deficiency (four boys affected and four boys non-affected). The participants were recruited from King Abdulaziz University Hospital (Jeddah, Saudi Arabia) and referred to King Fahad Centre for Medical Research (Jeddah, Saudi Arabia from April 2022 to June 2022. The consanguineous parents and one of the affected boys (aged 16 years old) underwent WES. Results: Several variants in RNPC3, ACAN, GC, VDR and LRP2 were identified in index cases but not in controls. Novel frameshift and splice region variants in RNPC3 (c.358dupA, p.Arg120fs) were detected. Other missense variants were also observed including variants in ACAN (c.2591C>T, c.2789G>T, c.2815T>A, c.4207A>G, c.4523A>C and c.7119C>G), GC (rs4588 and rs7041) and LRP2 (rs2075252 and rs1991517). A start loss variant in VDR (rs2228570) with high impact was also observed. Conclusions: Our findings suggest a potential association of these variants with growth hormone deficiency and short stature. In this study, novel pathogenic variants in RNPC3 were revealed as well as other variants in ACAN and in genes related to Vitamin-D metabolism (GC, VDR and LRP2) that some or all might be associated with growth hormone deficiency. Further large-scale studies are required to address the association of these variants with growth hormone deficiency and its subsequent short stature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To investigate the evaluation of bone mineral density (BMD) in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) by ultrasonic bone mineral density measurement combined with Vitamin-D deficiency and its influencing factors. Methods: A total of 100 patients with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) admitted to our hospital from January 2017 to December 2020 were selected as the GDM group, and another 100 pregnant volunteers who underwent physical examination in our hospital were selected as the healthy control group. The levels of triacylglycerol (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting insulin (FINS), C-peptide, procollagen, parathyroid hormone (PTH), serum calcium, 25-hydroxyvitamin-D3 (25-OH-D) and ultrasonic BMD Z-score were determined and compared between the two groups. Moreover, the effects of different levels of 25-OH-D on the above indexes were compared, and multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed. Results: Compared with the healthy reference group, the levels of TG, TC, LDL-C, PTH, HbA1c, FINS and C-peptide of GDM group were significantly increased (P < 0.05), while BMD Z-score and 25-OH-D levels were significantly decreased. In the GDM group, the lower the 25-OH-D levels, the higher the FPG, HbA1c and FINS levels and the lower the serum calcium level and BMD Z-score, with statistically significant differences (P < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that 25-OH-D was an independent risk factor affecting BMD in patients with GDM (P<0.05). Conclusions: Patients with GDM have lower BMD and 25-hydroxyVitamin-D3 levels. Measurement of BMD and 25-hydroxyVitamin-D3 levels can help assess the progression of GDM. BMD has a close bearing on Vitamin-D deficiency in patients with GDM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To perform a correlation analysis of serum 25-hydroxy Vitamin-D[25-OH-D], bone turnover markers (BTMs), and bone mineral density (BMD) in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) during mid- and late pregnancy and state the significance of these factors for guiding clinical prevention and control of GDM. Methods: This study involved 100 pregnant women with singleton pregnancies who visited our obstetrics and gynecology department, Baoding First Central Hospital, during January 2019 and December 2020. All participants had received more than five prenatal checkups and were assigned to a GDM group and a normal group according to the presence of GDM during the mid-pregnancy period. Serum 25-OH-D, BMD, and bone turnover markers (BTMs) were measured to analyze the differences between the two groups and observe possible correlations among these factors. Results: According to the examination results, GDM occurred in 31 (31%) participants, and the rest 69 (69%) were free of GDM during mid-pregnancy. No significant differences were observed between the two groups in basic clinical data and the serum levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and triglyceride (TG) (p>0.05), whereas the fasting blood glucose (FBG) level in the GDM group was significantly higher than in the normal group (p<0.05). The serum 25-OH-D and BMD levels in the GDM group were lower than in the normal group, whereas the bone alkaline phosphatase (BALP), osteocalcin (OC), procollagen type I propeptide (PINP), and beta-isomerized C-terminal telopeptide (β-CTx) levels in the GDM group were significantly higher than in the normal group, with the differences showing statistical significance (p<0.05, respectively). The results of Pearson’s correlation analysis revealed that serum 25-OH-D was positively correlated with BMD (r =0.183, P <0.05) and negatively correlated with such BTMs as BALP, OC, PINP, and β-CTx (r = -0.255, -0.369, -0.204, -0.610; p<0.05). Conclusion: During mid and late pregnancy, GDM patients are prone to Vitamin-D deficiency, which has an adverse effect on bone turnover, BMD, and even the health of the mother and the development of the fetus. Therefore, routine screening for Vitamin-D deficiency is recommended throughout pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To explore the clinical value of Vitamin-D combined with budesonide/formoterol (BF) and theophylline sodium glycinate (TSG) sustained-release tablets in the treatment of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)., Methods: Medical records of 114 patients with CODP, treated in Wenzhou Geriatric Hospital from October 2020 to February 2023, were retrospectively analyzed. Of them, 59 received treatment with Vitamin-D combined with BF and TSG sustained-release tablets (Group-A), and 55 patients received treatment with BF combined with TSG sustained-release tablets (Group-B). Lung function indicators, blood gas status, inflammatory factors, fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), and 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels before and after the treatment in both groups were collected., Results: After the treatment, lung function indicators, blood gas status, inflammatory factors, FeNO, and 25 (OH) D levels in both groups were significantly improved compared to pretreatment levels, and were significantly better in the Group-A compared to Group-B (P<0.05)., Conclusions: The combination of Vitamin-D, BF, and TSG sustained-release tablets can effectively regulate the blood gas status of patients with COPD, improve lung function, regulate FeNO and 25 (OH) D, and effectively downregulate the levels of inflammatory factors, thus reducing the degree of inflammatory response., (Copyright: © Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences.)

Objective: To explore the changes of serum-related indexes at different time points, so as to identify the critical time of converting from simple premature thelarche (PT) to idiopathic central precocious puberty (ICPP)., Methods: This is a retrospective study. The subjects of the study were 50 girls with PT who were admitted to the Children's Hospital of Hebei Province from January 2019 to September 2020. The enrolled 50 children were divided into the conversion group(n=12) and the non-conversion group(n=38) according to whether PT was converted into ICPP during follow-up. Furthermore, the levels of serum-related indexes and uterine and ovarian volumes were compared after the diagnosis of PT., Results: The IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 levels of children in the conversion group began to change significantly from six months after the diagnosis, with statistically significant differences when compared with the levels of children at the initial diagnosis, three months and those of the non-conversion group at the same time points ( p< 0.05). The levels of vitamin-D, DHEA and leptin began to change significantly at nine months after the diagnosis ( p< 0.05). Besides, uterine and ovarian volumes in the conversion group began to increase significantly six months after the diagnosis, with statistically significant differences when compared with those in the non-conversion group ( p< 0.05)., Conclusion: Findings in our study suggest that regular monitoring of vitamin-D, IGF-1, IGFBP-3, DHEA and leptin levels, and uterine and ovarian volumes can predict the conversion from PT to ICPP at an early stage., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest: None., (Copyright: © Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences.)

Objectives: To investigate the evaluation of bone mineral density (BMD) in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) by ultrasonic bone mineral density measurement combined with Vitamin-D deficiency and its influencing factors., Methods: A total of 100 patients with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) admitted to our hospital from January 2017 to December 2020 were selected as the GDM group, and another 100 pregnant volunteers who underwent physical examination in our hospital were selected as the healthy control group. The levels of triacylglycerol (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting insulin (FINS), C-peptide, procollagen, parathyroid hormone (PTH), serum calcium, 25-hydroxyvitamin-D3 (25-OH-D) and ultrasonic BMD Z-score were determined and compared between the two groups. Moreover, the effects of different levels of 25-OH-D on the above indexes were compared, and multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed., Results: Compared with the healthy reference group, the levels of TG, TC, LDL-C, PTH, HbA1c, FINS and C-peptide of GDM group were significantly increased (P < 0.05), while BMD Z-score and 25-OH-D levels were significantly decreased. In the GDM group, the lower the 25-OH-D levels, the higher the FPG, HbA1c and FINS levels and the lower the serum calcium level and BMD Z-score, with statistically significant differences (P < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that 25-OH-D was an independent risk factor affecting BMD in patients with GDM (P<0.05)., Conclusions: Patients with GDM have lower BMD and 25-hydroxyVitamin-D3 levels. Measurement of BMD and 25-hydroxyVitamin-D3 levels can help assess the progression of GDM. BMD has a close bearing on Vitamin-D deficiency in patients with GDM., Competing Interests: Conflicts of interest: None., (Copyright: © Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences.)

Objectives: To perform a correlation analysis of serum 25-hydroxyVitamin-D[25-OH-D], bone turnover markers (BTMs), and bone mineral density (BMD) in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) during mid- and late pregnancy and state the significance of these factors for guiding clinical prevention and control of GDM., Methods: This study involved 100 pregnant women with singleton pregnancies who visited our obstetrics and gynecology department, Baoding First Central Hospital, during January 2019 and December 2020. All participants had received more than five prenatal checkups and were assigned to a GDM group and a normal group according to the presence of GDM during the mid-pregnancy period. Serum 25-OH-D, BMD, and bone turnover markers (BTMs) were measured to analyze the differences between the two groups and observe possible correlations among these factors., Results: According to the examination results, GDM occurred in 31 (31%) participants, and the rest 69 (69%) were free of GDM during mid-pregnancy. No significant differences were observed between the two groups in basic clinical data and the serum levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and triglyceride (TG) ( p >0.05), whereas the fasting blood glucose (FBG) level in the GDM group was significantly higher than in the normal group ( p <0.05). The serum 25-OH-D and BMD levels in the GDM group were lower than in the normal group, whereas the bone alkaline phosphatase (BALP), osteocalcin (OC), procollagen type I propeptide (PINP), and beta-isomerized C-terminal telopeptide (β-CTx) levels in the GDM group were significantly higher than in the normal group, with the differences showing statistical significance ( p <0.05, respectively). The results of Pearson's correlation analysis revealed that serum 25-OH-D was positively correlated with BMD (r =0.183, P <0.05) and negatively correlated with such BTMs as BALP, OC, PINP, and β-CTx (r =-0.255, -0.369, -0.204, -0.610; p <0.05)., Conclusion: During mid and late pregnancy, GDM patients are prone to Vitamin-D deficiency, which has an adverse effect on bone turnover, BMD, and even the health of the mother and the development of the fetus. Therefore, routine screening for Vitamin-D deficiency is recommended throughout pregnancy., Competing Interests: Conflicts of interest: None., (Copyright: © Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences.)