Sixteen-Week Vitamin D Supplementation Increases Peripheral T Cells in Overweight Black Individuals: Post hoc Analysis of a Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Background: Vitamin D is considered to modulate T-cell function, which has been implicated in the treatment of inflammatory conditions. However, there is limited knowledge on the effects of vitamin D and its influences on circulating T-cell profiles in humans, particularly in overweight Black individuals who are more likely to be vitamin D insufficient (serum 25(OH)D concentrations of ≤20 ng/mL). Thus, this study tested the hypothesis that vitamin D supplementation modulates T-cell composition, which is in a dose-dependent manner.

Handgrip and sex-specific cardiometabolic risk factors in Hispanic/Latino migrant farmworkers.

Studies have suggested that handgrip strength might be a marker for cardiometabolic risk (CMR), but it has not been studied in Hispanic/Latino farmworker population. This study aimed to characterize absolute and relative handgrip strength in Hispanic/Latino farmworkers, and investigate the sex-specific association between handgrip strength and CMR factors. CMR factors and seated isometric absolute (the sum of both hands) and relative (absolute handgrip strength divided by body mass index) handgrip strengths were collected in 173 Hispanic/Latino farmworkers (mean age 35.

-Heterocyclic Carbene Triazolium Salts Containing Brominated Aromatic Motifs: Features and Synthetic Protocol.

In this work, we provide a brief overview of the role of -aryl substituents on triazolium -heterocyclic carbene (NHC) catalysis. This synopsis provides context for the disclosed synthetic protocol for new chiral -heterocyclic carbene (NHC) triazolium salts with brominated aromatic motifs. Incorporating brominated aryl rings into NHC structures is challenging, probably due to the substantial steric and electronic influence these substituents exert throughout the synthetic protocol.

The Association of Intraocular Pressure With Obesity and Cardiometabolic Risk in a Young Farmworker Population.

Prcis: Intraocular pressure (IOP) was found to be significantly correlated with body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) in a farmworker population located in the southeast Georgia, USA. BMI was correlated with IOP, independent of systemic blood pressures.

Purpose: Elevated IOP is a known risk factor for glaucomatous optic neuropathy and is believed to be associated with obesity and cardiometabolic diseases.

Vitamin D Supplementation Increases Long-Chain Ceramide Levels in Overweight/Obese African Americans: A Post-Hoc Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Sphingolipid metabolism plays a critical role in cell growth regulation, lipid regulation, neurodevelopment, type 2 diabetes, and cancer. Animal experiments suggest that vitamin D may be involved in sphingolipid metabolism regulation. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that vitamin D supplementation would alter circulating long-chain ceramides and related metabolites involved in sphingolipid metabolism in humans.

The influence of vitamin D supplementation on local and systemic inflammatory markers in periodontitis patients: A pilot study.

Objectives: Vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency is a worldwide public health issue that has been linked to numerous inflammatory disorders, including periodontitis. There is increasing support for a role for adequate vitamin D levels in overall health. Populations with darker skin color have a higher prevalence of vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency and periodontitis.

Effects of Vitamin D3 Supplementation on Epigenetic Aging in Overweight and Obese African Americans With Suboptimal Vitamin D Status: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background: We have previously shown that vitamin D supplementation increases telomerase activity, suggesting an anti-aging effect. In this study, we aim to test the hypothesis that vitamin D supplementation would slow down epigenetic aging, a new marker of biological aging.

Methods: A randomized clinical trial was previously conducted among 70 overweight/obese African Americans with serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] < 50 nmol/L, who were randomly assigned into four groups of 600 IU/d, 2,000 IU/d, 4,000 IU/d of vitamin D3 supplements or placebo followed by 16-week interventions.

Inactive Matrix Gla Protein, Arterial Stiffness, and Endothelial Function in African American Hemodialysis Patients.

Background: Matrix Gla protein (MGP) is a vascular calcification inhibitor dependent upon vitamin K for activation. Evidence suggests that elevated plasma inactive MGP levels (desphospho-uncarboxylated MGP, dp-ucMGP; indicating poorer vascular vitamin K status) are associated with greater cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Despite African Americans experiencing highest rates of kidney failure and CVD events, relationships between dp-ucMGP and CVD risk markers have not been examined in this population.

Dose responses of vitamin D3 supplementation on arterial stiffness in overweight African Americans with vitamin D deficiency: A placebo controlled randomized trial.

Background: Clinical trials are scant and equivocal on whether vitamin D can ameliorate arterial stiffness, particularly in populations at high risk for vitamin D deficiency and cardiovascular disease (CVD). This study determined the dose-response effects of vitamin D3 supplementation on arterial stiffness in overweight African Americans with vitamin D deficiency.

Methods: Seventy overweight African Americans (aged 13-45 years) with serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels ≤ 20 ng/mL were randomized to monthly oral supplementation of 18,000 IU (~600 IU/day, n = 17), 60,000 IU (~2000 IU/day, n = 18), or 120,000 IU (~4000 IU/day, n = 18) of vitamin D3 or placebo (n = 17) for 16-weeks.

Associations between Global DNA Methylation and Telomere Length in Healthy Adolescents.

Emerging evidence suggests that epigenetics regulates telomere dynamics in adults. However, the relationship between these pathways in children and youth remains unknown. Thus, we examined this association in 542 healthy adolescents aged 14 to 18 years old (44.

Correction: Race/Ethnicity-Specific Association of Vitamin D and Global DNA Methylation: Cross-Sectional and Interventional Findings.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

Race/Ethnicity-Specific Association of Vitamin D and Global DNA Methylation: Cross-Sectional and Interventional Findings.

Objectives: Understanding of the influence of vitamin D deficiency on epigenome will provide novel insights into the chronic disease risk. We tested our hypotheses that 1) vitamin D deficiency is associated with global hypomethylation and this association may be race/ethnicity dependent; and 2) vitamin D supplementation will increase global DNA methylation level.

Methods: A two-stage design, cross-sectional observation followed by a 16 week randomized, double- blinded, placebo-controlled trial (RCT) of vitamin D3 supplementation, was undertaken.

Dose and time responses of vitamin D biomarkers to monthly vitamin D3 supplementation in overweight/obese African Americans with suboptimal vitamin d status: a placebo controlled randomized clinical trial.

Background: A critical need exists to better understand the physiological sequel of vitamin D supplementation in obese individuals and African Americans. The aim was to comprehensively evaluate dose- and time-responses of a panel of vitamin D biomarkers to vitamin D supplements in this population.

Methods: We conducted a 16-week randomized, double-blinded, and placebo-controlled clinical trial.

Cathelicidin antimicrobial protein, vitamin D, and risk of death in critically ill patients.

Introduction: Decreased production of cathelicidin antimicrobial protein-18 (hCAP18) has been proposed to be a key mechanism linking decreased 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25D) levels with adverse outcomes among critically ill patients. However, few studies in humans have directly assessed plasma hCAP18 levels, and no study has evaluated the association between hCAP18 levels and adverse outcomes among critically ill patients.

Methods: We performed a single-center, prospective cohort study among 121 critically ill patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) between 2008 and 2012.

Randomized controlled trial of calcitriol in severe sepsis.

Rationale: Vitamin D and its metabolites have potent immunomodulatory effects in vitro, including up-regulation of cathelicidin, a critical antimicrobial protein.

Objectives: We investigated whether administration of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (calcitriol) to critically ill patients with sepsis would have beneficial effects on markers of innate immunity, inflammation, and kidney injury.

Methods: We performed a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, physiologic study among 67 critically ill patients with severe sepsis or septic shock.

Bardet-Biedl syndrome proteins 1 and 3 regulate the ciliary trafficking of polycystic kidney disease 1 protein.

Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS) and autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) are two genetically distinct ciliopathies but share common phenotypes such as renal cysts. Seven BBS proteins form a complex called the BBSome which is localized at the basal body or ciliary axoneme and regulates the ciliary entry or flagellar exit of several signaling molecules. Here, we demonstrate that, unlike the seven-span somatostatin receptor 3 or the leptin receptor that interacts with all subunits of the BBSome, the ADPKD protein polycystin-1 (PC1) interacts with BBS1, BBS4, BBS5 and BBS8, four of the seven components of the BBSome.