Dynamic and features of SARS-CoV-2 infection in Gabon.

In a context where SARS-CoV-2 population-wide testing is implemented, clinical features and antibody response in those infected have never been documented in Africa. Yet, the information provided by analyzing data from population-wide testing is critical to understand the infection dynamics and devise control strategies. We described clinical features and assessed antibody response in people screened for SARS-CoV-2 infection.

[Classical actions of vitamin D: insights from human genetics and from mouse models on calcium and phosphate homeostasis].

At the beginning of the 20th century, the discovery of vitamin D by Sir EV McCollum allowed a better comprehension of its origin and its role, and made it possible to cure rickets, a largely prevalent disease at that time. The main role of vitamin D3 is to maintain calcium and phosphate homeostasis through the action of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, its active form. This underlies physiological functions related to calcium and phosphate, such as bone mineralization or muscle function.

Growth, calcium status and vitamin D receptor (VDR) promoter genotype in European children with normal or low calcium intake.

Calcium homeostasis and bone metabolism require the vitamin D receptor (VDR) to function properly, as evidenced in patients and transgenic mice with VDR mutations. We have shown that (A/G) polymorphism at the -1012 locus of the VDR promoter (rs4516035) is frequent in European populations, may influence VDR expression, is associated with height in French adolescent girls, and is associated with their lumbar spine mineral density in case of insufficient milk intake. Here, an association study was performed in a cohort of Moldovan children and adolescents, living at latitude similar to the first cohort but receiving a cereal-based diet with very low milk/dairy product intakes.