Micronutrients and Infection with COVID-19: A Critical Mini-Review

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zahra Yaghtin ◽  
Richard Webb ◽  
Sayyed Saeid Khayyatzadeh
Keyword(s):  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Vitamin A ◽  
Nutritional Status ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
Micronutrient Intake ◽  
Severity Of The Disease ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Low Serum

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), has been the cause of a global pandemic. Given the impact of nutritional status upon immune function, it is crucial to understand the relationship between micronutrient intake and severity of the disease. This mini-review aimed to summarize the known associations between specific micronutrients (vitamin A, D, E, C and zinc, selenium and magnesium) and the health of coronavirus-infected patients. Low serum levels of these micronutrients are associated with the incidence and severity of SARS-CoV-2. However, further studies are needed to evaluate the outcomes of supplementation with these nutrients.

scholarly journals The Impact of Covid-19 On State-Religion Relations: A Study On Israel And Iran

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 169-188
Author(s):  
Sevinç Alkan Özcan ◽  
Muhammed Hüzeyin Mercan
Keyword(s):  
State Intervention ◽  
Religious Groups ◽  
Religious Traditions ◽  
Mass Gatherings ◽  
Public Events ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
The Social ◽  
Religion And State ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

Regulations, measures and restrictions implemented by state authorities on public events and mass gatherings due to fear, anxiety, and panic caused by COVID-19 pandemic have made religious field more open to state intervention since the global pandemic started and religious practices underwent radical changes. Governments’ public health measures concerning the places of mass worship and religious gatherings to stop the spread of the pandemic and the reactions of religious groups against their orders and imposed restrictions emerged as a new dimension of the debates on state-religion and state-individual relations. In this regard, the main purpose of the study is to discuss the new global religious trends that emerged with the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, which reshapes state-religion relations through the regulations and measure for containing the virus, in light of the experiences in different regions and religious traditions, and to analyze the relationship between the religion and the state in the Middle East, specifically the cases of Israel and Iran as religious character is dominant and orthodox religious groups play a significant role within the social and political structure in both countries.

scholarly journals Vitamin D Serum Levels in the UK Population, including a Mathematical Approach to Evaluate the Impact of Vitamin D Fortified Ready-to-Eat Breakfast Cereals: Application of the NDNS Database

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 1868
Author(s):  
Wim Calame ◽  
Laura Street ◽  
Toine Hulshof
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Daily Intake ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Vitamin D Status ◽  
Nutrition Survey ◽  
Breakfast Cereals ◽  
Vitamin D Intake ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

Vitamin D status is relatively poor in the general population, potentially leading to various conditions. The present study evaluates the relationship between vitamin D status and intake in the UK population and the impact of vitamin D fortified ready-to-eat cereals (RTEC) on this status via data from the National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS: 2008–2012). Four cohorts were addressed: ages 4–10 (n = 803), ages 11–18 (n = 884), ages 19–64 (n = 1655) and ages 65 and higher (n = 428). The impact of fortification by 4.2 μg vitamin D per 100 g of RTEC on vitamin D intake and status was mathematically modelled. Average vitamin D daily intake was age-dependent, ranging from ~2.6 (age range 4–18 years) to ~5.0 μg (older than 64 years). Average 25(OH)D concentration ranged from 43 to 51 nmol/L, the highest in children. The relationship between vitamin D intake and status followed an asymptotic curve with a predicted plateau concentration ranging from 52 in children to 83 nmol/L in elderly. The fortification model showed that serum concentrations increased with ~1.0 in children to ~6.5 nmol/L in the elderly. This study revealed that vitamin D intake in the UK population is low with 25(OH)D concentrations being suboptimal for general health. Fortification of breakfast cereals can contribute to improve overall vitamin D status.

scholarly journals Effect of Infection on Nutritional Status of Infants in a Cohort Study of Vitamin a in Western Kenya (P10-121-19)

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Frederick Grant ◽  
Rose Wanjala ◽  
Jan Low ◽  
Carol Levin ◽  
Donald Coke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cohort Study ◽  
Iron Deficiency ◽  
Vitamin A ◽  
Nutritional Status ◽  
Acute Phase ◽  
Acute Phase Proteins ◽  
Infection Prevalence ◽  
Subclinical Inflammation ◽  
Maternal Recall ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Objectives Infection is associated with impaired nutritional status especially of infants under 5 years old. We assessed the impact of infection indicated by both the acute phase proteins (APP), C-reactive protein (CRP) and α-1-acid glycoprotein (AGP), and as reported by maternal recall on the nutritional status of infants. Methods 505 pregnant women were enrolled into a nested longitudinal cohort study of vitamin A. Data analysis was restricted to infant data at 9-months (n = 385 mother-infant dyads) postpartum. Incidence and severity of respiratory infection and diarrhea over the previous 14 days were assessed by maternal recall; information on infant/child feeding practices were also collected. Infant weight, recumbent length and heel-prick capillary blood collection were taken at 9-months postpartum. Indicators of VA status [(retinol binding protein (RBP)], iron status (Hb, ferritin) and subclinical inflammation APP, CRP and AGP, were determined. Subclinical inflammation was defined as CRP >5 mg/L and/or AGP >1 g/L. Impacts of infection on infant nutritional status were estimated with multivariable logistic regression models adjusted for clustering and differences at enrollment. Results Infection prevalence, based on elevated CRP and AGP levels, was 36.7%. For diarrhea reported symptoms, 42.4% of infants at 9-months had no indication of infection as indicated by CRP and AGP; whilst for acute respiratory reported symptoms, 42.6% had no indication of infection. There was a weak but significant positive association with infection among VA deficient (RBP <0.83 µmol/L) infants based on maternal reported symptoms but not with iron deficiency (ferritin <12 µg/L). The odds of having infection, based on raised CRP and AGP, in underweight infants was 3.7 times higher (OR: 3.7; P = 0.019). Infants with iron deficiency were less likely (OR: 0.40; P = 0.001) to have infection based on CRP and AGP, whilst infants with VA deficiency were 5 times more likely (OR: 5.06; P = 0.0001) to have infection. Conclusions Acute phase proteins are more useful in defining infection in a population compared to reported symptoms of illness. Not controlling for inflammation in a population while assessing nutritional status might result in inaccurate prevalence estimation. Funding Sources Supported by the Bill &Melinda Gates Foundation (OPP53344).

scholarly journals Evaluation of dysphagia risk, nutritional status and caloric intake in elderly patients with Alzheimer's

2014 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 317-324 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vanessa Fernanda Goes ◽  
Pâmela Billig Mello-Carpes ◽  
Lilian Oliveira de Oliveira ◽  
Jaqueline Hack ◽  
Marcela Magro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Nutritional Status ◽  
Elderly Patients ◽  
Elderly People ◽  
Energy Intake ◽  
Caloric Intake ◽  
Micronutrient Intake ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
The Relationship

OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the risk of dysphagia and its relationship with the stage of Alzheimer's Disease, as well as the relationship between the risk of dysphagia and nutritional status and caloric intake in elderly people with Alzheimer's disease.METHODS: the sample consisted of 30 subjects of both genders with probable Alzheimer's disease. The stage of the disease, nutritional status, energy intake, and risk of dysphagia were assessed.RESULTS: it was found that increased risk of dysphagia is associated with the advance in the stages of Alzheimer's disease and that even patients in the early stages of disease have a slight risk of developing dysphagia. No association was found between nutritional status and the risk of dysphagia. High levels of inadequate intake of micronutrients were also verified in the patients.CONCLUSION: an association between dysphagia and the development of Alzheimer's disease was found. The results indicate the need to monitor the presence of dysphagia and the micronutrient intake in patients with Alzheimer's disease.

Numbers of Natural Teeth, Diet, and Nutritional Status in US Adults

2007 ◽  
Vol 86 (12) ◽  
pp. 1171-1175 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.E. Nowjack-Raymer ◽  
A. Sheiham
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin C ◽  
Nutritional Status ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Beta Carotene ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Dental Status ◽  
Multilinear Regression ◽  
Dietary Recall ◽  
Natural Teeth ◽  
The Relationship

Evidence that dental status affects diet is equivocal. The hypothesis of this study was that diet was affected by dental status. The objective was to assess the relationship between numbers of teeth and diet and nutritional status in US adult civilians without prostheses. We examined 6985 NHANES (1988–1994) participants. Data included socio-economics, demographics, dental status, and diet and nutritional status. Dietary data were obtained from food frequency questionnaires and 24-hour dietary recall. Serum levels of beta carotene, folate, and vitamin C were measured with isocratic high-performance liquid chromatography. The population was classified by numbers of teeth. Covariance and Satterthwaite F-adjusted statistical comparisons were made between tooth groupings and the fully dentate population. Multilinear regression models adjusted for covariates. People with fewer than 28 teeth had significantly lower intakes of carrots, tossed salads, and dietary fiber than did fully dentate people, and lower serum levels for beta carotene, folate, and vitamin C. Dental status significantly affects diet and nutrition.

scholarly journals The Effect of the COVID-19 Vaccine on Daily Cases and Deaths Based on Global Vaccine Data

Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 1328
Author(s):  
Zhiwei Li ◽  
Xiangtong Liu ◽  
Mengyang Liu ◽  
Zhiyuan Wu ◽  
Yue Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Random Effects ◽  
Generalized Additive Model ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Additive Model ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
Daily Data ◽  
Fair Distribution ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a global pandemic, has caused over 216 million cases and 4.50 million deaths as of 30 August 2021. Vaccines can be regarded as one of the most powerful weapons to eliminate the pandemic, but the impact of vaccines on daily COVID-19 cases and deaths by country is unclear. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between vaccines and daily newly confirmed cases and deaths of COVID-19 in each country worldwide. Methods: Daily data on firstly vaccinated people, fully vaccinated people, new cases and new deaths of COVID-19 were collected from 187 countries. First, we used a generalized additive model (GAM) to analyze the association between daily vaccinated people and daily new cases and deaths of COVID-19. Second, a random effects meta-analysis was conducted to calculate the global pooled results. Results: In total, 187 countries and regions were included in the study. During the study period, 1,011,918,763 doses of vaccine were administered, 540,623,907 people received at least one dose of vaccine, and 230,501,824 people received two doses. For the relationship between vaccination and daily increasing cases of COVID-19, the results showed that daily increasing cases of COVID-19 would be reduced by 24.43% [95% CI: 18.89, 29.59] and 7.50% [95% CI: 6.18, 8.80] with 10,000 fully vaccinated people per day and at least one dose of vaccine, respectively. Daily increasing deaths of COVID-19 would be reduced by 13.32% [95% CI: 3.81, 21.89] and 2.02% [95% CI: 0.18, 4.16] with 10,000 fully vaccinated people per day and at least one dose of vaccine, respectively. Conclusions: These findings showed that vaccination can effectively reduce the new cases and deaths of COVID-19, but vaccines are not distributed fairly worldwide. There is an urgent need to accelerate the speed of vaccination and promote its fair distribution across countries.

scholarly journals Untangling the cell immune response dynamic for severe and critical cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodolfo Blanco-Rodriguez ◽  
Xin Du ◽  
Esteban A. Hernandez Vargas
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
T Cells ◽  
Clinical Evidence ◽  
Cell Immune Response ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
Response Dynamic ◽  
High Death ◽  
Severity Of The Disease ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Day By Day

COVID-19 is a global pandemic leading high death tolls worldwide day by day. Clinical evidence suggests that COVID-19 patients can be classified as non-severe, severe and critical cases. In particular, studies have highlighted the relationship between the lymphopenia and the severity of the illness, where CD8+ T cells have the lowest levels in critical cases. In this work, we aim to elucidate the key parameters that define the course of the disease deviating from severe to critical case. To this end, several mathematical models are proposed to represent the dynamic of the immune response in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection. The best model had a good fit to reported experimental data, and in accordance with values found in the literature. Our results suggest that a rapid proliferation of CD8+ T cells is decisive in the severity of the disease.

scholarly journals LETTER TO THE EDITOR: COVID-19 AND THE CHALLENGES OF FRAILTY SCREENING IN OLDER ADULTS

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-2 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. O’Caoimh ◽  
S. Kennelly ◽  
E. Ahern ◽  
S. O’Keeffe ◽  
R.R. Ortuño
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Careful Examination ◽  
Geriatric Syndromes ◽  
Clinical Frailty Scale ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Recent Editorial ◽  
The Relationship

We read with interest the recent editorial examining the relationship between geriatric syndromes and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the cause of Covid-19 (1), particularly the authors recognition of the need to identify frailty among older adults presenting with suspected symptoms and the importance of mobilising a range of healthcare professionals to tackle this disease (1). However, the identification of frailty and the utilisation of screening instruments by those without geriatric training and especially in acute care is challenging. Frailty is a complex condition. While age-associated, it is multi-dimensional and remains difficult to define (2). Although the Covid-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected older adults (1), data are lacking and pathophysiological mechanisms and the impact of differential management strategies on the course of the disease among older adults is uncertain (1). Further, the prevalence of frailty among those diagnosed, admitted or dying is not clearly reported at present. Nevertheless, the rationale for using frailty to identify those at risk and to allocate care has been correctly highlighted (1). We suggest however, that the use of instruments such as the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) (3) and particularly by non-specialised staff in this setting warrants more careful examination.

scholarly journals Correlation between Serum Vitamin A and D Levels in Acute Phase Ischemic Stroke and Clinical Outcome

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 6-9
Author(s):  
Alfansuri Kadri ◽  
Hasan Sjahrir ◽  
Rosita J. Sembiring ◽  
Muhammad Ichwan
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Clinical Outcome ◽  
Vitamin A ◽  
Nuclear Receptors ◽  
Acute Phase ◽  
Serum Vitamin ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Stroke Patients ◽  
The Relationship

Background: In the last decade, a number of studies have examined the relationship between serum vitamin D concentration and the risk of cerebrovascular events. Besides vitamin D, the latest evidence shows that vitamin A is also a risk factor for cerebrovascular disease. Vitamin A and its derivatives act biologically via specific nuclear receptors that regulate gene transcription. Vitamin A receptors can also interact with other nuclear receptors that have neuroprotective effects such as vitamin D, against stroke. Although many studies suggested the synergism of vitamin A and D, there is still no study that evaluates their levels simultaneously in acute phase ischemic stroke, and the relationship to outcome. Objective: The objective of this study was to analyze the correlation between serum vitamin A and D levels on admission in Acute Ischemic Stroke patients and clinical outcome by using the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS). Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted, and samples were followed since the diagnosis of acute-phase Ischemic Stroke was established until the clinical outcome of day 14 after stroke onset. A total of 50 subjects enrolled for this study would be examined for serum levels of vitamins A and D on admission, and on the 14th day were assessed for NIHSS as a clinical outcome. Results: From 50 research subjects, the mean of vitamin A and D level in the acute phase of Ischemic Stroke was 463.35 ± 116.97 µg/L and 21.65 ± 6.51 ng/mL, respectively. By using the Spearman’s correlation test, it was found that the acute phase vitamin A level and NIHSS on day 14 had a significant and strong correlation with p = 0.045 (r = -0.672). Along with it, vitamin D serum levels and NIHSS also had a significant and strong correlation with p = 0.026 (r = -0.754). Both of these results showed that vitamin A and D had an inverse association with NIHSS, meaning that the higher vitamin A and D serum levels, the better the clinical outcome would be. Conclusion: Both serum vitamin A and D levels in the acute phase of Ischemic Stroke was correlated strongly with short time clinical outcome. The higher vitamin A and D serum levels in the acute phase, the better the clinical outcome would be for Ischemic Stroke patients.

scholarly journals ‘We’re all in this together’: Commodified notions of connection, care and community in brand responses to COVID-19

2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (6) ◽  
pp. 1033-1037 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesca Sobande
Keyword(s):  
Consumer Culture ◽  
Economic Disparities ◽  
The Core ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
The World ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Marketing Messages ◽  
Structural Inequalities

The current COVID-19 (coronavirus) global pandemic has resulted in a wave of advertising and marketing approaches that are based on commodified concepts of human connection, care and community in a time of crisis. At the core of many brands’ marketing messages – whether these be supermarket advertising campaigns or celebrity self-branding – is the notion that ‘we’re all in this together’. While it is true that the impact of COVID-19 has affected the lives of many people around the world, not everyone is experiencing this crisis the same way, due to structural inequalities and intersecting oppressions. What is the relationship between COVID-19, capitalism and consumer culture? Who is the ‘we’ in the messages of ‘we’re all in this together’, and how might such messages mask distinct socio-economic disparities and enable institutions to evade accountability? This article examines sub-textual meanings connected to brand responses to COVID-19 in the UK context which rely on an amorphous imagined ‘we’ – and which ultimately may aid brands’ pursuit of productivity and profit, rather than symbolising support of and concern for people.

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