Plasma 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Level and VDR Gene Single Nucleotide Polymorphism rs2228570 Influence on COVID-19 Susceptibility among the Kazakh Ethnic Group-A Pilot Study.

Low plasma levels of the vitamin D metabolite 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] and the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been associated with the body's susceptibility to infectious diseases, including COVID-19. In this pilot retrospective study, representatives of the Kazakh population (central Kazakhstan) were divided into groups based on the test for IgM and IgG for coronavirus infection. We compared the 25(OH)D plasma levels and concluded that the COVID-19-positive group values (25.17 ng/mL ± 16.65) were statistically lower (p = 0.0114) compared to the COVID-19-negative ones (35.58 ng/mL ± 20.67). There was no association between age, gender and 25(OH)D concentration within the groups (p > 0.05). The genotyping of rs2228570 was performed using a TaqMan Real-Time PCR assay. Allele C predominated among the COVID-19-negative participants and significantly reduced the likelihood of coronavirus infection (p < 0.0001; OR = 0.0804; 95% CI 0.02357-0.2798). There were no statistically significant differences in the frequencies of the A, G and T alleles in the studied groups (p > 0.05). The GG genotype of rs2228570 was associated with a 4.131-fold increased likelihood of COVID-19 infection (p = 0.0288; χ2 = 5.364; OR = 4.131; 95% CI 1.223-13.71). Comprehensive studies are required to determine whether low 25(OH)D plasma concentrations and genetic background represent a risk factor for COVID-19 infection.

Long-term outcomes of surgery for Peyronie's disease: focus on patient satisfaction.

Immediate outcomes of surgery for Peyronie's disease (PD) are fairly easy to analyze. However, it is the patient-reported long-term outcomes which eventually determine the success of PD treatment. The goal of this observational study was to evaluate patients' satisfaction with results of surgical treatment for PD at long-term follow-up. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients who were completely satisfied with their erectile function and penile appearance. We retrospectively identified 374 patients who underwent surgery for PD (median follow-up: 9.5 years) and attempted to invite them for follow-up visit; 342 patients were available for follow-up. Only 285 (83.3%) were sexually active. Among all patients, 197 (57.6%) were completely satisfied with penile appearance; among sexually active patients, 139 (40.6%) were completely satisfied with their erections. Only 101 patients (29.5%) were completely satisfied with penile appearance and erectile function. Logistic regression analysis revealed preoperative IIEF-EF score (OR = 1.668 per 1 point; 95% CI 1.469-1.894), tunica albuginea plication (OR = 5.599; 95% CI = 1.014-30.92), use of saphenous vein (OR = 8.517; 95% CI = 2.491-29.115), and cadaveric pericardium (OR = 61.388; 95% CI = 7.674-491.11) as significant predictors of satisfaction with erectile function. Severity of curvature (OR = 0.926 per 5°; 95% CI = 0.907-0.946) and tunica plication (OR = 0.117; 95% CI = 0.019-0.738) were negative predictors of satisfaction with penile appearance. Preoperative IIEF-EF (OR = 1.497 per 1 point; 95% CI = 1.322-1.694), severity of penile curvature (OR = 0.967 per 5°; 95% CI = 0.95-0.983), and use of pericardium allograft (OR = 10.728; 95% CI = 1.363-84.46) were predictors of both endpoints (satisfaction with erectile function and cosmesis). Despite excellent surgical outcomes in PD, patients' satisfaction with penile appearance and erectile function is far from absolute and depends on many patient-related and treatment-related factors.

Plasma 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Levels and VDR Gene Expression in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells of Leukemia Patients and Healthy Subjects in Central Kazakhstan.

Low blood levels of the vitamin D metabolite 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] have been associated with an increased risk and poorer outcomes of various cancers, including hematological malignancies. The Central Kazakhstan area has a relatively high incidence rate of leukemia. However, the relationship between vitamin D status and leukemia or other types of cancer in Kazakhstan has not yet been addressed. Therefore, in this first pilot single-center study conducted in Central Kazakhstan, we compared plasma levels of 25(OH)D and the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene expression levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with leukemia and demographically matching healthy volunteers. The levels of 25(OH)D in patients were found to be significantly lower (10.8 ± 7.0 ng/mL; n = 31) than in healthy subjects (21.6 ± 7.8 ng/mL; n = 34; p < 0.0001). A similar difference was observed in both younger (<60 years old) and older (>60 years old) participants, though there was no association between 25(OH)D concentration and age within the patient group. In female patients, 25(OH)D levels were significantly lower than in male patients (p = 0.04). No significant seasonal variations of 25(OH)D were observed in either the patient or the control group. VDR gene expression levels appeared to be similar in leukemia patients and healthy subjects, and no correlation between the cellular VDR expression and plasma 25(OH)D concentrations was observed in either group of participants. We did not observe a significant association of 25(OH)D or VDR levels and overall survival of leukemia patients. This observational study conducted for the first time in Kazakhstan supports previous findings demonstrating reduced blood 25(OH)D levels in cancer (leukemia) patients. Larger studies are required to determine whether low 25(OH)D plasma concentrations represent a risk factor for leukemia development and/or progression.