Is Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Level Associated with Severity of COVID-19? A Retrospective Study

(1) Background: SARS-COV2 infection has a clinical spectrum ranging from asymptomatic infection to COVID-19 with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Although vitamin D deficiency is often found in patients with ARDS, its role in COVID-19 is not clear. The aim of this study was to explore a possible association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and the severity of COVID-19 in hospitalised patients. (2) Methods: In this retrospective observational study, we analysed data from 763 patients hospitalised for COVID-19 in 2020 and 2021. Patients were included in the study if serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D was assessed 30 days before or after hospital admission. Vitamin D deficiency was defined as <50 nmol/L (<20 ng/mL). The primary outcome was COVID-19 severity. (3) Results: The overall median serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level was 54 nmol/L (IQR 35-76); 47% of the patients were vitamin D deficient. Most patients had mild to moderate COVID-19 and no differences were observed between vitamin D deficient and non-deficient patients (81% vs. 84% of patients, respectively p = 0.829). (4) Conclusion: No association was found between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and COVID-19 severity in this large observational study conducted over 2 years of the pandemic.

Effect of Single High Dose Vitamin D Substitution in Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients with Vitamin D Deficiency on Length of Hospital Stay

Vitamin D and its role in the coronavirus-19 disease (COVID-19) pandemic has been controversially discussed, with inconclusive evidence about vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) supplementation in COVID-19 patients. Vitamin D metabolites play an important role in the initiation of the immune response and can be an easily modifiable risk factor in 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃ (25(OH)D₃)-deficient patients. This is a multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled double-blind trial to compare the effect of a single high dose of vitamin D₃ followed by treatment as usual (TAU) of daily vitamin D₃ daily until discharge versus placebo plus TAU in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 and 25(OH)D₃-deficiency on length hospital stay. We included 40 patients per group and did not observe a significant difference in the median length of hospital stay (6 days in both groups, p = 0.920). We adjusted the length of stay for COVID-19 risk factors (β = 0.44; 95% CI: -2.17-2.22), and center (β = 0.74; 95% CI: -1.25-2.73). The subgroup analysis in patients with severe 25(OH)D₃-deficiency (<25 nmol/L) showed a non-significant reduction in the median length of hospital stay in the intervention group (5.5 vs. 9 days, p = 0.299). The competing risk model with death did not reveal significant differences between the group in the length of stay (HR = 0.96, 95% CI 0.62-1.48, p = 0.850). Serum 25(OH)D₃ level increased significantly in the intervention group (mean change in nmol/L; intervention: +26.35 vs. control: -2.73, p < 0.001). The intervention with 140,000 IU vitamin D₃ + TAU did not significantly shorten the length of hospital stay but was effective and safe for the elevation of serum 25(OH)D₃ levels.

High-dose vitamin D substitution in patients with COVID-19: study protocol for a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-center study-VitCov Trial

Background

The coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused millions of deaths, and new treatments are urgently needed. Factors associated with a worse COVID-19 prognosis include old age (> 65 years), ethnicity, male sex, obesity, and people with comorbidities. Furthermore, vitamin D deficiency was reported as a predictor of poor prognosis in patients with acute respiratory failure due to COVID-19. According to a recent clinical case series, vitamin D deficiency is a modifiable risk factor, which has the prospect of reducing hospital stay, intensive care, and fatal outcomes. Vitamin D has potent immunomodulatory properties, and its supplementation might improve important outcomes in critically ill and vitamin D-deficient COVID-19 patients. Despite the evidence that supports an association between vitamin D deficiency and COVID-19 severity, there is uncertainty about the direct link. Therefore, the aim of the trial is to assess if high-dose vitamin D supplementation has a therapeutic effect in vitamin D-deficient patients with COVID-19.

Methods

As the trial design, a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, multi-center approach was chosen to compare a high single dose of vitamin D (140,000 IU) followed by treatment as usual (TAU) (VitD + TAU) with treatment as usual only (placebo + TAU) in patients with COVID-19 and vitamin D deficiency.

Discussion

Vitamin D substitution in patients with COVID-19 and vitamin D deficiency should be investigated for efficacy and safety. The study aim is to test the hypothesis that patients with vitamin D deficiency suffering from COVID-19 treated under standardized conditions in hospital will recover faster when additionally treated with high-dose vitamin D supplementation. Latest studies suggest that vitamin D supplementation in patients with COVID-19 is highly recommended to positively influence the course of the disease. With this randomized controlled trial, a contribution to new treatment guidelines shall be made.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04525820 and SNCTP 2020-01401

[Inter-Professional Communication Between Nursing Therapists and other Therapeutic Professions (Physio-, Occupation and Speech Therapy) in Neurological Early Rehabilitation]

PURPOSE

A comparison of inter-professional communication within the core therapeutic teams including nurses in 5 neurological early rehabilitation hospitals of one non-profit organization was supposed to indicate factors facilitating and impairing cooperation.

METHODS

Data collection was conducted through analysis of architecture plans, passive participating observation in 10 wards and through partly standardized interviews (N=39). Participants were nurses, physio-, occupational and speech therapists. Data analysis used the method of Thick Description [1].

RESULTS

A permanent team, daily team conferences, treatments in cooperation, ward based training and informal talks influence interprofessional communication. Organizational and structural preconditions have effects on the quality of communication.

CONCLUSION

Daily inter-professional briefings and the organization of training sessions within the team improve inter-professional communication, a confrontation nurses vs. therapists impairs it.

Inter-professional communication and interaction in the neurological rehabilitation team: a literature review

Background: Neurological early rehabilitation aims at regaining cooperativity and acquiring rehabilitation capability with brain-injured patients, most of whom are transferred from Intensive Care Units, most of whom still require intensive care and suffer from disorders of consciousness. In neurological early rehabilitation, therapeutic nursing is an integral part of the therapeutic team. Other than the specialized therapists, nurses are present on the ward 24/7, which gives them a closer perspective on the patient. The research question was how do nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and speech therapists communicate and interact as teams in neurological rehabilitation wards. A literature review was conducted aiming at inter-professional communication and interaction with special regard to the role of these four professionals being the core team members in these settings.Methods: A literature search was conducted in the period from August to October 2016 within the following electronic Databases: Medline, CINAHL, PSYNDEX, SpeechBITE, PEDro und OTseeker. Further searches were undertaken in the reference lists of obtained studies to locate other relevant material. The aim was to gather and evaluate the evidence about inter-professional teamwork in neurological early rehabilitation. The main inclusion criterion was the presence of the following professionals as participants in the study: Nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and speech therapists. Twenty-seven studies were found relevant, of which 17 (12 qualitative and five quantitative) bore empirical results that related to the research questions. These 17 studies were qualitatively analysed for the grade of evidence, methods and the relevance for the conditions and processes in rehabilitation units. Out of 17 studies, four were performed in neurological rehabilitation settings, five in stroke units, six in general rehabilitation, one in short-term care rehabilitation and one in geriatric rehabilitation. Due to the scarcity of material, all these studies were analysed under the perspective of relevance for neurological early rehabilitation.Results: The results of this exploratory literature review indicate that the efficiency and quality of cooperation in rehabilitation teams could be improved through a better patient-oriented inter-professional communication. This is achieved through cross-professional team organization, team supervision and by including team communication in vocational and on-the-job-training. Profession-specific terminologies and differences in understanding of roles could be barriers for collaboration in teams.Conclusions: According to this literature review, successful inter-professional patient-orientated care is promoted by being informed about the various functions of team members from different disciplines, about the role each member plays within the team and communication styles. Means of improving communication are being outlined.Implications for RehabilitationInter-professional communication is promoted by cross-professional team organization.Inter-professional communication should be included in vocational and on-the-job-training and supervision.Barriers for communication in teams are different terminologies and differences in role perception.

[Applicability of the Therapeutic Nursing Theory in Neurological (Early-) Rehabilitation into Nursing Practice - A Case Study]

PURPOSE

The objective of the study is to describe how the theory of therapeutic nursing in neurological (early) rehabilitation can be transferred into nursing practice.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The theory was developed using the method of grounded theory by Glaser and Strauss. Open participatory observations (n=92) and episodic interviews (n=10) with nursing professionals and nursing auxiliaries were conducted in 5 inpatient rehabilitation clinics. Data analysis was performed using the constant comparative method by Glaser and Strauss.

RESULTS

By means of a case study, the applicability of the theory into nursing practice with regard to the following care situations is described: (1) training for personal care, (2) therapeutic positioning, (3) oral hygiene, (4) training of sensory-motor perception and (5) counseling relatives. Consequently, the categories of the theory: (1) nursing care, (2) observation/perception, (3) communication, (4) autonomy and individual needs of patients and their relatives, (5) multi-professional team and (6) prerequisites are transferred into the case scenario.

CONCLUSIONS

The case study demonstrates how the therapeutic nursing theory in neurological (early-) rehabilitation can be transferred into nursing practice and reveals the complexity of nursing interventions.

[Therapeutic nursing: a systematic review]

BACKGROUND

For some years therapeutic service catalogues have been established in medical rehabilitation which have broadened our previous understanding of nursing actions. Currently, therapeutic nursing plays a prominent role in neurological early rehabilitation because the operations and procedures coding system (OPS) 8-552 within the DRG-System (Diagnosis Related Groups) states that therapeutic nursing must be carried out by specially trained nursing personnel. This requirement leads to inconsistencies in nursing practice and the medical service of the health insurance (MDK) since a definition of therapeutic nursing is lacking. A previous review of therapeutic nursing in 2003 focused primarily on the development of the therapeutic nursing role, but not on therapeutic nursing itself. The following article contains the first systematic review of the current state of research regarding a definition of therapeutic nursing. For this purpose, a systematic study was conducted to examine if there are, nationally or internationally, any definitions of therapeutic nursing and to identify what the therapeutic aspects of nursing are.

METHODS

The research included following database; Medline, Cinahl and Embase. Additionally, a research by hand of several German journals as well as textbooks and specialized literature was carried out.

RESULTS

5 studies were selected which define the term "therapeutic nursing". Among these are one review, one primary study, one theoretical discussion and one dissertation. Further twenty four studies were identified which do not define the term, but are closely related to the subject, and use or characterize the term in various contexts.

CONCLUSIONS

The publications examined provided indications of duties, interventions and roles nurses should perform, but not how to carry these out, nor what is therapeutic about the nursing. At the same time, the low number of studies reveals that therapeutic nursing has barely been examined and demonstrates the lack of theoretically grounding through nursing science.

Pre-clinical diabetic cardiomyopathy: prevalence, screening, and outcome

AIMS

Diabetic cardiomyopathy, characterized by left ventricular (LV) dysfunction and LV hypertrophy independent of myocardial ischaemia and hypertension, could contribute to the increased life-time risk of congestive heart failure seen in patients with diabetes. We assessed prospectively the prevalence, effectiveness of screening methods [brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and C-reactive protein in combination with clinical parameters], and outcome of pre-clinical diabetic cardiomyopathy.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We studied 100 adults (mean age 57.4 +/- 10.2 years, 44% females) with diabetes and no previous evidence of structural heart disease. By echocardiography, diabetic cardiomyopathy was present in 48% of patients. Screening with combinations of clinical parameters (gender, systolic blood pressure, and body mass index), but not BNP, resulted in high negative predictive values for diabetic cardiomyopathy. During a mean follow-up of 48.5 +/- 9.0 months, in the groups with and without diabetic cardiomyopathy, 12.5 vs. 3.9% (P < 0.2) patients died or experienced cardiovascular events and 37.5 vs. 9.6% (P < 0.002) had a deterioration in NYHA functional class. Overall event-free survival was 54 vs. 87% (P = 0.001) in the groups with and without diabetic cardiomyopathy, respectively. Brain natriuretic peptide was an independent predictor of events [odds ratio 3.5 (1.1-10.9), P = 0.02].

CONCLUSION

Pre-clinical diabetic cardiomyopathy is common. Screening with combinations of simple clinical parameters, but not BNP, can be useful to identify those patients needing further evaluation. Patients with pre-clinical diabetic cardiomyopathy are at increased risk for functional deterioration and possibly cardiovascular events during follow-up. Brain natriuretic peptide was shown to be an independent predictor of future events.

Partial Neutralization of the Acidogenic Western Diet with Potassium Citrate Increases Bone Mass in Postmenopausal Women with Osteopenia

Chronic acid loads are an obligate consequence of the high animal/grain protein content of the Western diet. The effect of this diet-induced metabolic acidosis on bone mass is controversial. In a randomized, prospective, controlled, double-blind trial, 161 postmenopausal women (age 58.6 +/- 4.8 yr) with low bone mass (T score -1 to -4) were randomly assigned to 30 mEq of oral potassium (K) citrate (Kcitrate) or 30 mEq of K chloride (KCl) daily. The primary end point was the intergroup difference in mean percentage change in bone mineral density (BMD) at lumbar spine (L2 through L4) after 12 mo. Compared with the women who received KCl, women who received Kcitrate exhibited an intergroup increase in BMD (+/-SE) of 1.87 +/- 0.50% at L2 through L4 (P < 0.001), of 1.39 +/- 0.48% (P < 0.001) at femoral neck, and of 1.98 +/- 0.51% (P < 0.001) at total hip. Significant secondary end point intragroup changes also were found: Kcitrate increased L2 through L4 BMD significantly from baseline at months 3, 9, and 12 and reached a month 12 increase of 0.89 +/- 0.30% (P < 0.05), whereas the KCl arm showed a decreased L2 through L4 BMD by -0.98 +/- 0.38% (P < 0.05), significant only at month 12. Intergroup differences for distal radius and total body were NS. The Kcitrate-treated group demonstrated a sustained and significant reduction in urinary calcium excretion and a significant increase in urinary citrate excretion, with increased citrate excretion indicative of sustained systemic alkalization. Urinary bone resorption marker excretion rates were significantly reduced by Kcitrate, and for deoxypyridinoline, the intergroup difference was significant. Urinary net acid excretion correlated inversely and significantly with the change in BMD in a subset of patients. Large and significant reductions in BP were observed for both K supplements during the entire 12 mo. Bone mass can be increased significantly in postmenopausal women with osteopenia by increasing their daily alkali intake as citrate, and the effect is independent of reported skeletal effects of K.

Increased Apolipoprotein Deposits in Early Atherosclerotic Lesions Distinguish Symptomatic From Asymptomatic Patients

OBJECTIVE

Apolipoprotein E (apoE) and apolipoprotein B100 (apoB) are both involved in receptor-mediated uptake of atherogenic lipoproteins by the liver. Inefficient hepatic clearance of these lipoproteins leads to symptomatic atherosclerosis. Using arterial tissue microarrays, we tested the hypothesis that apoE and apoB accumulation in the arterial wall discriminates between patients with symptomatic atherosclerosis and patients who never experienced cardiovascular events.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In a postmortem study involving 49 patients (22 patients with symptomatic atherosclerosis), we quantified apolipoprotein deposits in arterial rings obtained from the left main coronary, the common carotid, the common iliac, and the renal artery applying tissue microarray technology and semiquantitative immunohistochemistry. In early atherosclerotic lesions, even before atheroma appeared, symptomatic patients had significantly more arterial apoE and apoB deposits than patients without cardiovascular events (P<0.001). Among the symptomatic patients, those without diabetes had more intense apolipoprotein deposits than diabetics. Large amounts of apoE and apoB were found in advanced atherosclerotic lesions, regardless of the activity of the disease.

CONCLUSIONS

Increased apolipoprotein deposits are an early sign of symptomatic atherosclerosis. They may reflect either enhanced retention of atherogenic lipoproteins or impaired local apolipoprotein degradation. The arterial lipoprotein turnover may be different in diabetic patients.

Low-density lipoprotein size and subclasses are markers of clinically apparent and non-apparent atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetes

The atherogenic lipoprotein phenotype is characterized by an increase in plasma triglycerides, a decrease in high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and the prevalence of small, dense low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particles. The present study investigated the clinical significance of LDL size and subclasses as markers of atherosclerosis in diabetes type 2. Thirty-eight patients with type 2 diabetes, total cholesterol of less than 6.5 mmol/L, and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) of less than 9% were studied. Median age was 61 years, mean (+/-SD) body mass index 29 +/- 4.3 kg/m2 , and mean HbA1c 7.1 +/- 0.9 %. Laboratory parameters included plasma lipids and lipoproteins, lipoprotein (a), apolipoprotein (apo) A-I, apo B-100, apo C-III, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein. Low-density lipoprotein size and subclasses were measured by gradient gel electrophoresis and carotideal intima media thickness (IMT) by duplex ultrasound. By factor analysis, 10 out of 21 risk parameters were selected: age, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, smoking (in pack-years), HbA1c, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, lipoprotein (a), LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and LDL particle size. Multivariate analysis of variance of these 10 risk parameters identified LDL particle size as the best risk predictor for the presence of coronary heart disease (P = .002). Smaller LDL particle size was associated with an increase in IMT (P = .03; cut-off >1 mm). Within the different lipid parameters (total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, apo B, apo A-I, apo C-III, LDL particle size), LDL particle size was most strongly associated with the presence of coronary heart disease (P = .002) and IMT (P = .03). It is concluded that LDL size is the strongest marker for clinically apparent as well as non-apparent atherosclerosis in diabetes type 2.

Inter-laboratory evaluation of the COBAS INTEGRA 400 analytical system

COBAS INTEGRA 400 is a random-access analytical system consolidating assays for clinical chemistry analytes, electrolytes, serum proteins, drugs of abuse and therapeutic drugs. Analytical performance and practicability of the instrument were evaluated in seven laboratories over a 2-year period in parallel with system development. Good within-run and total imprecision for all assays was observed with a few exceptions for specimen pools with low concentration or activity. The coefficients of variation for total imprecision were well below 3.0% for clinical chemistry analytes and electrolytes, and below 5.0% for serum proteins and therapeutic drugs. Method comparisons demonstrated a good agreement with the various systems used for comparison, with slopes varying typically from 0.94 to 1.05, and Spearman correlation coefficient generally > 0.975. Accuracy was verified by recovery of controls and certified reference materials within 90 to 110% of target values. Assay ranges were linear within +/- 5%. No carry-over on reagent or sample pipetting systems was observed. Manufacturer-specified interference limits and onboard stabilities of reagents were confirmed. A time study for calculating direct personnel times and total processing time was carried out in three laboratories under different conditions including consolidated, STAT and dedicated use. On a scenario-independent basis, the total working time was shorter on the COBAS INTEGRA 400 than on routine systems in all three laboratories. Personnel time, in particular, was significantly reduced when compared to routine instruments. In general, system practicability was judged very positively in all laboratories. Owing to its versatility, the instrument is best placed as a consolidated workstation in small- to medium-sized laboratories or as an instrument for special determinations such as serum proteins, drugs, urinalysis or emergency analyses in large laboratories.

Tenascin-C in serum: a questionable tumor marker

In normal adult tissue tenascin-C (TN-C) is usually expressed at low levels. However, it is strongly induced in many tumors as well as in other pathological conditions often associated with inflammation. To evaluate the diagnostic significance of TN-C, we established a sensitive sandwich ELISA to determine TN-C levels in serum. Furthermore, we investigated the distribution of TN-C variants in serum and found the large TN-C isoforms to be predominant. We measured TN-C in sera from 15 healthy persons, 75 tumor patients and 84 patients selected due to their elevated levels of the acute-phase protein C-reactive protein (CRP), which is a very specific marker for infection and inflammation. It was found that sera from cancer patients can have elevated TN-C levels; however, the increase was more pronounced in persons with high levels of CRP. There appeared to be a correlation of TN-C levels with the levels of CRP. In view of these facts, the diagnostic value of TN-C levels in serum as a potential tumor marker seems to be questionable, since our data show that TN-C levels can be elevated as a consequence of infection and inflammation.

[Hypoglycemia and multiple myeloma]

We report the case of a 78-year-old patient with recurrent attacks of severe fasting and late postprandial hypoglycemia, whose plasma showed highly elevated concentrations of immunoreactive insulin evidenced by high titers of spontaneous insulin and proinsulin-binding antibodies. Insulin autoimmune syndrome was diagnosed. Further investigations revealed a multiple myeloma of the kappa-light chain type. The monoclonal insulin-binding antibodies were characterized as IgG2-subclass and were identical with the paraprotein, thereby confirming that the insulin-binding antibodies were in fact produced by the myeloma. Together with initial symptomatic treatment, plasmapheresis was performed repeatedly to reduce the antibody pool. Subsequently octreotide therapy proved successful. The underlying myeloma was treated by chemotherapy.

Stimulation of pp60c-src kinase activity in FDC-P1 cells by polyoma middle-T antigen and hematopoietic growth factors

Either of two hematopoietic growth factors, GM-CSF or IL-3, are required for the growth of the bone marrow-derived FDC-P1 cell line. These factors induce cellular tyrosine-specific protein kinases when added to resting cells. The receptors for these factors have not been unambiguously shown to contain a kinase domain. To determine whether src-related kinases, in particular pp60-c-src, are regulated by GM-CSF or IL-3, FDC-P1 cells were transfected with plasmids carrying polyoma middle-T antigen, a potent activator of pp60c-src. Middle-T-expressing cells showed a reduced requirement for GM-CSF and IL-3 and selected clones grew in the absence of these factors. Middle-T formed a complex with pp60c-src and stimulated its in vitro kinase activity 20-50 fold. pp60c-src kinase activity was further increased if middle-T-expressing, factor-independent cells were treated with GM-CSF or IL-3.