Background Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with worse coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outcomes but circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) is largely bound to vitamin D binding protein (DBP) or albumin both of which tend to fall in illness making 25(OH)D status hard to interpret. Because of this, measurement of unbound “free” and albumin-bound “bioavailable” 25(OH) D has been proposed. Objective We aimed to examine the relationship between vitamin D status and mortality from COVID-19. Methods In this observational study conducted in Liverpool, UK, hospitalized COVID-19 patients with surplus sera available for 25(OH)D analysis were studied. Clinical data including age, ethnicity and co-morbidities were extracted from case notes. Serum 25(OH)D, DBP and albumin concentrations were measured. Free and bioavailable 25(OH) D were calculated. Relationships between total, free and bioavailable 25(OH)D and 28-day mortality were analyzed by logistic regression. Findings Four hundred and seventy-two patients with COVID-19 were included, of whom 112 (23.7%) died within 28 days. Non-survivors were older (mean age 73, [range 34-98]) than survivors (65, [19-95]; P = 0.003) and more likely male (67%; P = 0.02). The frequency of vitamin D deficiency (25(OH)D <50nmol/L) was similar between non-survivors (71/112 [63.4%]) and survivors (204/360 [56.7%]; P = 0.15) but, after adjustment for age, sex and co-morbidities, increased odds for mortality were present in those with severe deficiency (25(OH)D <25nmol/L), OR 2.37 (95% CI 1.17, 4.78), or high 25(OH)D (≥100nmol/L), OR 4.65 (95% CI 1.51, 14.34) compared with 25(OH)D 50-74 nmol/L (reference). Serum DBP levels were not associated with mortality after adjustment for 25(OH)D, age, sex and co-morbidities. Neither free nor bioavailable 25(OH)D were associated with mortality. Conclusion : Vitamin D deficiency as commonly defined by serum 25 (OH)D levels (<50nmol/L) is not associated with increased mortality from COVID-19 but extreme low (<25nmol/L) and high (>100nmol/L) levels may be associated with risk. Neither free nor bioavailable 25(OH) D associate with risk.

Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) deficiency is an autosomal recessive metabolic disorder with varying presentation in infancy and childhood, whereas clinical manifestations are rare in neonatal period. The estimated prevalence is one in a million births. A 23-day-old baby was admitted with complaints of fever, vomiting, and lethargy. Blood sample drawn appeared lipemic. Lipemia retinalis was noted on funduscopic examination. Biochemical analysis revealed abnormal lipid profile with severe hypertriglyceridemia (10,300 mg/dL) and elevated serum lipase level (517 IU/L) indicative of LPL deficiency with acute pancreatitis. LPL deficiency was suspected and was confirmed by molecular genetic testing, which revealed a novel mutation in LPL gene. Dietary management and gemfibrozil were started following which serum triglyceride level decreased and serum lipase level normalized. The patient is following up regularly for growth and development monitoring.

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Background While colorectal cancer (CRC) usually metastasizes to liver, lungs and central nervous system, spread to more unusual sites is rarely reported in literature. We aimed to investigate unusual colorectal metastases (UCRM), their clinical course and disease progression. Methods MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane Library were searched by independent reviewers to identify clinical studies to date that reported UCRM and relevant demographic/clinical data were extracted. Results We identified 349 patients, involving 28 sites (bone, musculo-skeletal, skin, brain/spinal cord, head, eye, oral mucosa, thyroid, mediastinum, heart, bronchus, breast, biliary/GI tract, stomach, pancreas, spleen, adrenal, urinary tract, inguinal canal, ovaries, vagina, vulva, testes, spermatic cord, prostate, penis) with male preponderance and median age of 59 years (IQR=54.5-65). These were diagnosed at a median interval of 18 months (IQR=6-36)) after a median follow-up of 12 months (IQR=6-22.5). More were metachronous (n = 210) with recurrence rate of 15.75%. Primary CRC staging revealed T3 in 61% (28%-T4), equal distribution of N0/N1 (38%/37%) and M0 in 85%. 74% of primaries were surgically resected (96%=adenocarcinomas) and 54% underwent adjuvant therapy. UCRM were resected in 45% of cases and showed same histology as primary. 30% had chemotherapy. Only 8% were palliated. Overall morality was 35.24%. Conclusion This is the first comprehensive review looking at clinical course and outcomes of patients with UCRM. Most of these developed in patients with primary T3/N0 staging. Outlook of these patients is comparable to those with usual metastatic disease. Judicious and rigorous surveillance is the key to early detection and timely management.