100Identification of a latitude gradient in the prevalence of Primary Biliary Cholangitis in Australia

Abstract Background Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is an autoimmune destructive condition of the gall bladder, with environmental factors like sun exposure implicated in its aetiology, similar to multiple sclerosis. PBC prevalence varies significantly and appears to have a positive latitudinal gradient. To determine whether there was a latitudinal gradient of PBC prevalence in Australia using two methods of prevalence estimation: private pathology anti-mitochondrial antibody (AMA) results, the primary diagnostic test for PBC, and ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) prescriptions, the sole pharmacological treatment for PBC. Methods We investigated the latitudinal variation in PBC prevalence across the states and territories of Australia (latitudinal range 18.0° to 42.7°S) using pathology-based (private pathology AMA results search (three of the major private pathology companies in Australia which cover 77% of all private pathology testing) and PBC-specific prescription databases (prescriptions for UDCA). Results Pathology-based PBC prevalence was significantly increased with latitude, such that the postcodes in the highest quintile of latitude (encompassing the south coastal areas of the Australian mainland and insular Tasmania (latitude range -37.75 to -42.72)) had 1.83-times higher frequencies than those in the lowest quintile (encompassing tropical and southern Queensland (latitude range -18.02 to -27.59). Analogous results were seen for state-based UDCA prescriptions, being 2.31-times higher in Tasmania than Queensland. Conclusions We have found for the first time that the prevalence of PBC significantly varies with latitude in Australia. While the most immediate mediating factors underlying this association would be ultraviolet radiation and vitamin D levels, studies to substantiate this mechanism are needed. Key messages In line with some other autoimmune conditions, PBC shows a significant positive latitudinal gradient, with nearly 2-times higher prevalence in the southernmost state than the northernmost.

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Anti-mitochondrial Antibody-Negative Primary Biliary Cholangitis Is Part of the Same Spectrum of Classical Primary Biliary Cholangitis

Digestive Diseases and Sciences ◽

10.1007/s10620-021-07122-y ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Guilherme Grossi Lopes Cançado ◽

Michelle Harriz Braga ◽

Maria Lucia Gomes Ferraz ◽

Cristiane Alves Villela-Nogueira ◽

Debora Raquel Benedita Terrabuio ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Primary Biliary Cholangitis ◽

Mitochondrial Antibody

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Vitamin D Status and Its Role in First-Time and Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections in Children: A Case-Control Study

Children ◽

10.3390/children8050419 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (5) ◽

pp. 419

Author(s):

Carmen Muntean ◽

Maria Săsăran

Keyword(s):

Vitamin D ◽

Urinary Tract ◽

Case Control Study ◽

Case Control ◽

Study Group ◽

Recurrent Utis ◽

Vitamin D Levels ◽

Tract Infections ◽

First Time ◽

Control Study

Vitamin D has emerged as a key factor in innate immunity. Its involvement in the pathogenesis of urinary tract infections (UTIs) has gained a lot of attention recently. The objective of this study is to investigate the association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels and first-time or recurrent UTIs in children. A prospective, case-control study was conducted on 101 pediatric patients, who were divided into two groups: 59 patients with UTIs and 42 age-matched healthy controls. Serum 25(OH)D was determined in each child and expressed in ng/mL. Vitamin D presented significantly lower values in study group subjects than in healthy controls (p < 0.01). Moreover, a significantly higher prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency was found in children with UTIs (p < 0.01). Patients with recurrent UTIs presented significantly lower levels of vitamin D than those with first-time UTIs (p = 0.04). Urinary tract abnormalities did not seem to exercise an additional effect upon vitamin D levels within the study group. In conclusion, first-time and recurrent UTIs are associated with lower vitamin D levels. Further studies are necessary to validate our findings, as well as future longitudinal research regarding efficacy of vitamin D supplementation in children with UTIs.

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It’s Sunny, Be Healthy? An International Comparison of the Influence of Sun Exposure and Latitude Lines on Self-Rated Health

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18084101 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (8) ◽

pp. 4101

Author(s):

Sandra Jaworeck ◽

Peter Kriwy

Keyword(s):

International Comparison ◽

Positive Impact ◽

Sunshine Duration ◽

Sun Exposure ◽

Social Survey ◽

Self Rated Health ◽

Sunshine Hours ◽

Uvb Exposure ◽

First Time ◽

The Relationship

The positive impact of sunshine on self-rated health is well known. For the first time, the relationship between sunshine and self-rated health is examined in the context of latitude lines in international comparison. The further people live from the equator, the lower sun exposure (UVB exposure) and the more often they experience a vitamin D deficiency. UVB exposure decreases with degrees of latitudinal lines, and in addition to that, sunshine duration is shorter in northern countries. In order to consider the connection, sunshine duration and degree of latitude lines were manually enriched from the German Meteorological Service (Deutscher Wetterdienst) to the International Social Survey Programs (2011): Health and Health Care and analyzed with a logistic multilevel model, as well as the inclusion of sunshine duration as a mediator. If sunshine hours, as well as latitude lines, are considered separately in models, both show a statistically significant effect. Together in one model, the sunshine hours lose their relationship and additionally there is no mediation. This suggests that the location of the region is the decisive component when considering self-rated health. Furthermore, an interaction between age and sunshine hours as well as latitude lines is also shown.

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Vitamin D (25 ( OH) D ) in patients with chronic kidney disease stages 2-5

Colombia Medica ◽

10.25100/cm.v47i3.2148 ◽

2016 ◽

pp. 160-166 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

César Augusto Restrepo Valencia ◽

Jose Vicente Aguirre Arango

Keyword(s):

Chronic Kidney Disease ◽

Vitamin D ◽

Kidney Disease ◽

Statistical Methods ◽

Laboratory Tests ◽

Chronic Kidney Disease Stage ◽

Sun Exposure ◽

Disease Stage ◽

Disease Etiology ◽

Vitamin D Levels

Objective: To determine whether patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) without dialysis their stage impacts the native vitamin D levels. Methods: Patients over 18 years with chronic kidney disease stage 2-5 without dialysis treatment. They demographic, anthropometric variables, degree of sun exposure, disease etiology and laboratory variables related to bone and mineral disorders were evaluated. Study analytical cross-sectional prospective. Descriptive statistical methods for quantitative and qualitative are characterized, and analytical correlation between levels of vitamin D statistical laboratory tests related to bone and mineral disorders, sun exposure and ethnicity variables for each stage were characterized. By descriptive statistical methods, quantitative and qualitative variables were characterized, and analytical statistical correlation between levels of vitamin D with laboratory tests related to bone and mineral disorders, sun exposure and ethnicity for each stage were practiced. Results: 331 patients were evaluated, with a mean age of 71 years, the mestizo majority (71%), 173 women, main etiology of CKD hypertensive nephropathy (33.2%). 21.1% of patients had normal levels of vitamin D, 70.1% insufficient, and 8.8% in deficit. Negative correlation was detected between the levels of vitamin 25(OH)D and serum creatinine, phosphorus, calcium x phosphorus product, PTH, proteins in urine 24 hours and BMI. Positive correlation for calcium and albumin. Positive statistical significance between the levels of vitamin 25(OH)D and sun exposure for 3b and 4 stages was found. Conclusions: In patients with CKD is common to detect low levels of vitamin 25(OH)D, which can contribute to the generation of secondary hyperparathyroidism.

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Comparison of Antioxidant Status and Vitamin D Levels between Multiple Sclerosis Patients and Healthy Matched Subjects

Multiple Sclerosis International ◽

10.1155/2014/539854 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2014 ◽

pp. 1-5 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Ehsan Hejazi ◽

Reza Amani ◽

Naser SharafodinZadeh ◽

Bahman Cheraghian

Keyword(s):

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Vitamin D ◽

Dietary Intake ◽

Antioxidant Status ◽

Sun Exposure ◽

Total Antioxidant Status ◽

Serum Levels ◽

Study Groups ◽

Vitamin D Levels ◽

Multiple Sclerosis Patients

Objective. The aim of the present study was to compare the serum levels of total antioxidant status (TAS) and 25(OH) D3 and dietary intake of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients with those of normal subjects.Method. Thirty-seven MS patients (31 women) and the same number of healthy matched controls were compared for their serum levels and dietary intake of 25(OH) D3 and TAS. Sun exposure and the intake of antioxidants and vitamin D rich foods were estimated through face-to-face interview and food frequency questionnaire.Results. Dietary intake of antioxidants and vitamin D rich foods, vitamin C, vitamin A, and folate was not significantly different between the two groups. There were also no significant differences in the mean levels of 25(OH) D3 and TAS between the study groups. Both groups had low serum levels of 25(OH) D3 and total antioxidants.Conclusion. No significant differences were detected in serum levels and dietary intake of vitamin D and antioxidants between MS patients and healthy controls. All subjects had low antioxidant status and vitamin D levels.

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Role of Vitamin D in the Prevention of Pancreatic Cancer

Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism ◽

10.1155/2010/721365 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 2010 ◽

pp. 1-9 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Pubudu Bulathsinghala ◽

Kostas N. Syrigos ◽

Muhammad W. Saif

Keyword(s):

Pancreatic Cancer ◽

Vitamin D ◽

Dietary Intake ◽

Sun Exposure ◽

Current Treatment ◽

Treatment Modalities ◽

Hydroxyvitamin D ◽

Vitamin D Levels ◽

Advanced Stages

Pancreatic cancer is a malignancy of poor prognosis which is mostly diagnosed at advanced stages. Current treatment modalities are very limited creating great interest for novel preventive and therapeutic options. Vitamin D seems to have a protective effect against pancreatic cancer by participating in numerous proapoptotic, antiangiogenic, anti-inflammatory, prodifferentiating, and immunomodulating mechanisms. 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] serum concentrations are currently the best indicator of vitamin D status. There are three main sources of vitamin D: sun exposure, diet,and dietary supplements. Sun exposure has been associated with lower incidence of pancreatic cancer in ecological studies. Increased vitamin D levels seem to protect against pancreatic cancer, but caution is needed as excessive dietary intake may have opposite results. Future studies will verify the role of vitamin D in the prevention and therapy of pancreatic cancer and will lead to guidelines on adequate sun exposure and vitamin D dietary intake.

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Biodiversity and the biogeographic relationships of the Amphipoda: Gammaridea on the French coastline

Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom ◽

10.1017/s0025315404009658h ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 84 (3) ◽

pp. 621-628 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Jean-Claude Dauvin ◽

Denise Bellan-Santini

Keyword(s):

Latitudinal Gradient ◽

Marine Invertebrate ◽

English Channel ◽

Latitude Range ◽

The North ◽

North Eastern ◽

Cool Temperate ◽

Amphipoda Species ◽

Central Atlantic ◽

Warm Temperate

A recent inventory of the benthic Gammaridea: Amphipoda species on the French continental coastline catalogued 495 species. An analysis of the biodiversity and the biogeographic relationships that exist between the French Amphipoda: Gammaridea, living on the coastline that extends along 10° latitude range in the temperate region between 41° and 51° North and the other gammaridean faunas living in the north-eastern Atlantic has drawn the pattern of diversity in this marine invertebrate group on a large biogeographical scale. Gammaridean amphipods exhibit a latitudinal gradient over the total number of species, including the continental shelf species and the bathyal species. There are four main fauna groups, which correspond to the biogeographical zones of the north-eastern Atlantic: (1) a cold arctic and cool-temperate Svalbard and Norwegian coastal fauna; (2) a cool-temperate boreal and Boreal–Lusitanian United Kingdom, Irish and English Channel shallow fauna; (3) a warm-temperate Lusitanian Bay of Biscay and subtropical central Atlantic fauna; and (4) a subtropical Mediterranean fauna. The French fauna appears particularly rich, presenting 44% of the 1119 species recorded in the north-eastern Atlantic along the 50° latitude range (30°N–80°N). This is obviously due to France's intermediate latitudinal location within the Lusitanian temperate biogeographical zone, which produces a biogeographical cross between the boreal fauna in the north and the warm temperate and sub-tropical fauna in the south.

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Autoimmune Hepatitis–Primary Biliary Cholangitis Overlap Syndrome Triggered by COVID-19

European Journal of Case Reports in Internal Medicine ◽

10.12890/2021_002264 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Balraj Singh ◽

Parminder Kaur ◽

Michael Maroules

Keyword(s):

Autoimmune Hepatitis ◽

Multiple Organ ◽

Overlap Syndrome ◽

Beta Thalassemia ◽

Primary Biliary Cholangitis ◽

Smooth Muscle Antibody ◽

Elevated Liver Enzymes ◽

Thalassemia Minor ◽

Wide Range ◽

Mitochondrial Antibody

COVID-19, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection, has caused the ongoing global pandemic. Initially considered a respiratory disease, it can manifest with a wide range of complications (gastrointestinal, neurological, thromboembolic and cardiovascular) leading to multiple organ dysfunction. A range of immune complications have also been described. We report the case of a 57-year-old man with a medical history of hypertension, prediabetes and beta thalassemia minor, who was diagnosed with COVID-19 and subsequently developed fatigue and arthralgias, and whose blood work showed hyperferritinemia, elevated liver enzymes (AST/ALT/GGT), hypergammaglobulinemia, anti-smooth muscle antibody, anti-mitochondrial antibody, and anti-double-stranded DNA antibodies. The patient was diagnosed with autoimmune hepatitis–primary biliary cholangitis overlap syndrome triggered by COVID-19. To our knowledge, this is the first such case reported.

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