Supplementing diets with the GOS/FOS(®) mixture increased bone mineralization, density and structure due to an increase in Ca, P and Mg absorptions. Thus, this prebiotic mixture may help to improve bone development in a period of high calcium requirements.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) is associated with high incidence of venous and arterial thromboembolic events. Currently, there are no markers to guide antithrombotic therapy in Covid-19. Immature platelets represent a population of hyper-reactive platelets associated with arterial events. This prospective study compared consecutive Covid-19 patients (n = 47, median age = 56 years) to patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI, n = 100, median age = 59 years) and a group of stable patients with cardiovascular risk factors (n = 64, median age = 68 years). Immature platelet fraction (IPF) and immature platelet count (IPC) were determined by the Sysmex XN-3000 auto-analyzer on admission and at subsequent time-points. IPF% on admission was higher in Covid-19 than the stable group and similar to the AMI group (4.8% [IQR 3.4-6.9], 3.5% [2.7-5.1], 4.55% [3.0-6.75], respectively, p = 0.0053). IPC on admission was also higher in Covid-19 than the stable group and similar to the

Background Humoral responses to COVID-19 vaccines in hemodialysis patients can direct vaccination policy. Methods We compared 409 COVID-19 naïve hemodialysis patients from 13 hemodialysis units in Israel to 148 non-dialysis dependent COVID-19 naïve controls. Twenty-four previously infected (anti-nucleocapsid positive) hemodialysis patients were analyzed separately. Blood samples were obtained ≥ 14 days post vaccination (BNT162b2) to assess seroconversion-rates and titers of anti-S and neutralizing antibodies. Results Median time from vaccination to blood sample collection was 82 (IQR 64–87) and 89 (IQR 68–96) days, for hemodialysis patients and controls, respectively. Seroconversion rates were lower in hemodialysis patients compared to controls for both anti-S and neutralizing antibodies (89% and 77% vs. 99.3%, respectively, P < 0.0001). Antibody titers were also significantly lower in hemodialysis patients compared to controls: median 69.6 (IQR 33.2–120) vs. 196.5 (IQR 118.5–246), P < 0.0001; geometric mean titer 23.3 (95% CI 18.7–29.1) vs. 222.7 (95% CI 174–284), P < 0.0001, for anti-S and neutralizing antibodies, respectively. Multivariate analysis demonstrated dialysis dependence to be strongly associated with lower antibody responses and antibody titers waning with time. Age, low serum albumin and low lymphocyte count were also associated with lower seroconversion rates and antibody titers. Hemodialysis patients previously infected with SARS-COV-2 had no difference in their seroconversion rates or antibody titers compared to COVID-19 naïve patients. Conclusion This study demonstrates diminished and waning humoral responses following COVID-19 vaccination in a large and diverse cohort of hemodialysis patients, including those previously infected with SARS-CoV-2. Considering these results and reduced vaccine effectiveness against variants of concern, in addition to continued social-distancing precautions, a third booster dose should be considered in this population.

The negative effect of a low Ca diet on fat mass accumulation and lipid profile may be more evident in rats predisposed to obesity. Nevertheless, low CaI interferes with the normal glucose homeostasis leading to an increase in insulin resistance. Low CaI during early growth may be an obesogenic factor that may persist into adult life and may account for the development of obesity and some of its co-morbidities.

Although caries progression is a complex process involving multiple factors, an adequate nutritional status of Ca and vitamin D could be an additional factor that may help preserve a good oral health.

Under the present experimental conditions, GOS/FOS mixture induced colonic positive effects, which increased Ca, P and Mg absorption. Thus, consuming the prebiotic-containing diet resulted in an extra amount of minerals that improved bone development in growing rats recovering from protein malnutrition.

Background Immature platelets in the circulation can be measured as immature platelet fraction (IPF). Limited data exist regarding IPF during the course of an acute myocardial infarction (AMI), the association between IPF and extent of cardiac damage, and the long‐term prognostic implications of IPF in patients with AMI. Aims To examine the temporal course of IPF during the first month after AMI, the association between IPF and extent of cardiac damage, and the long‐term prognostic effect of IPF in AMI patients. Methods Patients with AMI treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were examined. IPF was evaluated by a Sysmex XN‐3000 autoanalyzer, at 4 time points: baseline; one day post‐PCI; 3 days post‐PCI, and 30 days post‐PCI. The association between peak troponin‐T levels and IPF was evaluated. One‐year clinical outcomes (cardiac hospitalization, urgent revascularization, or death) were assessed. Results One hundred patients were included, mean age was 59.5 ± 11.3 years, 82 were men, 27 had diabetes, and 54 were hospitalized with ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and 46 with non‐ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). The levels of IPF modestly decreased a day after PCI but did not change in subsequent measurements. Peak troponin‐T level was significantly associated with the levels of IPF at all 4 time points. IPF levels three days post‐PCI were associated with the composite clinical outcome at 1 year. Conclusions The levels of IPF following AMI remain relatively stable over a one‐month period. Higher levels of IPF during the acute phase of AMI appear to be associated with worse cardiac outcomes at 1 year.

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