echocardiographic-assessment-cardiac-anatomy-function-adult

Echocardiographic Assessment of Cardiac Anatomy and Function in Adult Rats

The use of experimental animal models has become crucial in cardiovascular science. Most studies using rodent models are focused on two-dimensional ...

urethral-stricture-induction-followed-buccal-mucosa-graft

Urethral Stricture Induction Followed by Buccal Mucosa Graft Urethroplasty in a Rat Model

Urethral reconstruction is an important area of expertise for urologists. The buccal mucosa is considered the best option when urethral grafting is ...

Universidade de Lisboa

Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa

Vitamin D is a fundamental regulator of host defences by activating genes related to innate and adaptive immunity. Previous research shows a correlation between the levels of vitamin D in patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 and the degree of disease severity. This work investigates the impact of the genetic background related to vitamin D pathways on COVID-19 severity. For the first time, the Portuguese population was characterized regarding the prevalence of high impact variants in genes associated with the vitamin D pathways. This study enrolled 517 patients admitted to two tertiary Portuguese hospitals. The serum concentration of 25 (OH)D, was measured in the hospital at the time of patient admission. Genetic variants, 18 variants, in the genes AMDHD1, CYP2R1, CYP24A1, DHCR7, GC, SEC23A, and VDR were analysed. The results show that polymorphisms in the vitamin D binding protein encoded by the GC gene are related to the infection severity (p = 0.005). There is an association between vitamin D polygenic risk score and the serum concentration of 25 (OH)D (p = 0.04). There is an association between 25 (OH)D levels and the survival and fatal outcomes (p = 1.5e-4). The Portuguese population has a higher prevalence of the DHCR7 RS12785878 variant when compared with its prevalence in the European population (19% versus 10%). This study shows a genetic susceptibility for vitamin D deficiency that might explain higher severity degrees in COVID-19 patients. These results reinforce the relevance of personalized strategies in the context of viral diseases.Trial registration: NCT04370808.

Filipe Rocha

Centro Cardiovascular da Universidade de Lisboa,
Faculdade de Medicina,
Centro Cardiovascular da Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Medicina

Universidade de Lisboa

Echocardiographic Assessment of Cardiac Anatomy and Function in Adult Rats

Urethral Stricture Induction Followed by Buccal Mucosa Graft Urethroplasty in a Rat Model

Filipe Rocha

Centro Cardiovascular da Universidade de Lisboa,Faculdade de Medicina,Centro Cardiovascular da Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Medicina

Universidade de Lisboa

Echocardiographic Assessment of Cardiac Anatomy and Function in Adult Rats

Urethral Stricture Induction Followed by Buccal Mucosa Graft Urethroplasty in a Rat Model

Centro Cardiovascular da Universidade de Lisboa,
Faculdade de Medicina,
Centro Cardiovascular da Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Medicina