This study investigated in vivo the influence of age and vitamin D status on innate immune function in HC. Serum 25OHD was measured in 71 HC. TLR expression on various subpopulations of PBMCs, as well as TLR function by stimulating PBMCs with specific ligands, was assessed by flow cytometry. Circulating cathelicidin levels were determined by ELISA. Serum 25OHD levels decreased with age, and there was a significant inverse correlation between 25OHD levels and age. There was a negative correlation between serum 25OHD levels and MFI expression of TLR7 on B cells, T cells, and monocytes. TLR7 function, addressed by in vitro stimulation with a specific agonist, was significantly correlated with serum 25OHD levels, and this was especially a result of the results in HC older than 60 years. MFI expression of TLR5 on T cells and TLR2 on monocytes was also negatively correlated with serum 25OHD levels. TLR1 (monocytes) and TLR2 (monocytes) expression was positively correlated with age. Furthermore, TLR4 and TLR8 function was negatively correlated with age. Circulating cathelicidin levels decreased with age and were positively correlated with 25OHD levels. Aging is accompanied by changes in expression and function of several TLRs. Serum 25OHD levels decrease with age and are also associated with a change in expression and defective function of certain TLRs, especially those involved in viral response.

Background Environmental factors play a central role in seasonal epidemics. SARS-CoV-2 infection in Spain has shown a heterogeneous geographical pattern This study aimed to assess the influence of several climatic factors on the infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 and the severity of COVID-19 among the Spanish Autonomous Communities (AA.CC.). Methods Data on coronavirus infectivity and severity of COVID-19 disease, as well as the climatic variables were obtained from official sources (Ministry of Health and Spanish Meteorological Agency, respectively). To assess the possible influence of climate on the development of the disease, data on ultraviolet radiation (UVR) were collected during the months before the start of the pandemic. To analyze its influence on the infectivity of SARS-CoV-2, data on UVR, temperature, and humidity were obtained from the months of highest contagiousness to the peak of the pandemic. Results From October 2019 to January 2020, mean UVR was significantly related not only to SARS-CoV-2 infection (cumulative incidence -previous 14 days- × 105 habitants, rho = − 0.0,666; p = 0.009), but also with COVID-19 severity, assessed as hospital admissions (rho = − 0.626; p = 0.017) and ICU admissions (rho = − 0.565; p = 0.035). Besides, temperature (February: rho = − 0.832; p < 0.001 and March: rho = − 0.904; p < 0.001), was the main climatic factor responsible for the infectivity of the coronavirus and directly contributed to a different spread of SARS-CoV-2 across the Spanish regions. Conclusions Climatic factors may partially explain the differences in COVID-19 incidence and severity across the different Spanish regions. The knowledge of these factors could help to develop preventive and public health actions against upcoming outbreaks of the disease.

CAD with FFDM showed a high sensitivity in identifying cancers manifesting as calcifications or masses. CAD sensitivity was maintained in small lesions (1-20 mm) and invasive lobular carcinomas, which have lower mammographic sensitivity.

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The natural history of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) carriers is not well-established. The objectives of the present study were (a) to study the probability of developing clinical criteria of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), (b) to identify potential risk factors for developing thrombosis and/or obstetric complications, (c) to study the association between the antibody profile and development of APS, and (d) to determine the efficacy of primary prophylaxis. We retrospectively analyzed 138 subjects with positive aPL who did not fulfill clinical criteria for APS. The mean follow-up time was 138 ± 63.0 months. Thirteen patients (9.4%) developed thrombosis after an average period of 73.0 ± 48.0 months. Independent risk factors for thrombosis were smoking, hypertension, thrombocytopenia, and triple aPL positivity. Low-dose acetyl salicylic acid did not prevent thrombotic events. A total of 28 obstetric complications were detected in 92 pregnancies. During the follow-up, only two women developed obstetric APS. Prophylactic treatment in pregnant women was associated with a better outcome in the prevention of early abortions. The thrombosis rate in patients with positive aPL who do not meet diagnostic criteria for APS is 0.82/100 patients-year. Smoking, hypertension, thrombocytopenia, and the aPL profile are independent risk factors for the development of thrombosis in aPL carriers. Although the incidence of obstetric complications in this population is high (31.6%), only a few of them meet APS criteria. In these women, prophylactic treatment might be effective in preventing early abortions.