Johannesen Christoffersen (boatquartz38)

Phototherapy-induced hypocalcemia has been postulated to result from a decline in serum melatonin levels. The present observational study evaluated the effects of phototherapy on serum calcium and melatonin levels, and assessed their correlation, if any. Eighty-nine neonates with a total serum bilirubin levels of 14.1 ± 2.8 mg/dL were recruited at the mean age of 51.9 ± 21.7 h. After a median interquartile range (IQR) duration of phototherapy for 24.0 (24-25.5) h, serum calcium levels decreased significantly, from 9.6 ± 0.8 to 9.4 ± 0.6 mg/dL; p = 0.02, leading to asymptomatic hypocalcemia in 2.2% of the neonates. Median (IQR) serum melatonin levels also decreased from 187.8 (133.5-227.6) to 176.3 (145.6-202.5) pg/mL after phototherapy, the difference being statistically insignificant. No significant correlation was documented between the duration of phototherapy with calcium and melatonin levels. The authors conclude that phototherapy resulted in a small but significant reduction of serum calcium levels without any significant correlation with serum melatonin. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of salivary Toll-like receptors (TRL) 2 and 4 in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and chronic periodontitis (CP). A case-control study was conducted with 77 participants (42 SLE and 35 non-SLE) stratified according to CP diagnosis criteria. Periodontal parameters consisted of clinical attachment level (CAL), probing depth (PD), the visible plaque index (VPI), and the gingival bleeding index (GBI). Salivary TRL 2 and 4 expressions were determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Statistical analysis included Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis test, Spearman's correlation rank, and multiple linear regression. Patients with isolated SLE or CP had higher TLR 2 and TLR 4 expression in their saliva samples (P < 0.05). The group with both SLE and CP had lower TLR 2 and 4 expressions (P < 0.05). TLR 2 and TLR 4 showed significant negative correlations with PD, CAL, and GBI in SLE patients, and a significant positive correlation with periodontal parameters in non-SLE patients. CP was independently associated with reduction of TLR2 and TLR4 expression, even after adjusting for clinical data and current drug use. Reduced TRL 2 and 4 expression in saliva was associated with the presence of CP in SLE patients. Key Points • Patients affected by isolated CP or SLE had higher TLR2 and TLR4 expression. • TLR under-expression may be associated with a worse periodontal status in SLE. • Abnormalities in TLRs expression may increase the susceptibility to periodontitis. Reduced TRL 2 and 4 expression in saliva was associated with the presence of CP in SLE patients. Key Points • Patients affected by isolated CP or SLE had higher TLR2 and TLR4 expression. • TLR under-expression may be associated with a worse periodontal status in SLE. • Abnormalities in TLRs expression may increase the susceptibility to periodontitis. FM is a chronic musculoskeletal disorder characterized by the presence of generalized pain. There are contradictory results regarding the prevalence and supplementation effect of vitamin D deficiency on FM patients. We aim to determine the safety and efficacy of a 12-week vitamin D supplementation on FM patients. We conducted a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial. We included female participants of 18 years old or older, who met 1990 or 2010 ACR criteria for fibromyalgia. The Spanish validated FIQ and the VAS of pain were applied at baseline. The participants were then randomized to receive placebo or 50,000 IU of Vitamin D PO, weekly for 12 weeks. We included 80 patients. There was no statistical difference in the initial and final FIQ between both groups. The FIQ delta also did not prove to be different at the end of the study. The increase in vitamin D levels in t