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Previous studies have shown a relationship between low levels of 25-hydroxy-vitamin D (25-OH-VitD) and glucose intolerance, but the effect that calcium intake has on this relation is less clear. Therefore we evaluated the association of daily calcium intake and hypovitaminosis D with fasting hyperglycemia (serum blood glucose ≥126 mg/dl) in 168 participants (63.1% female and 72% Hispanics) aged 56.1 ± 11.8 years and with a body mass index (BMI) of 30.5 ± 6.4 kg/m², recruited from an internal medicine clinic at a local hospital in South Florida. Calcium and vitamin D intakes were estimated based on the assessment of supplement use together with a validated food frequency questionnaire. A sun exposure questionnaire was used to determine the amount of surdight received in the week before the study visit. Sufficient total calcium intake (≥ 1g/day) was observed in 41.9% and 58.4% of those with and without fasting hyperglycemia, respectively (p=0.06). Hypovitaminosis D (25-OH-VitD<70 nmol/L) was more frequent in those with (86%) compared to those without (69.6%) fasting hyperglycemia (p=0.03). After adjusting for demo graphic variables, sun exposure, vitamin D intake, BMI, and hypertriglyceridemia, hypovitaminosis D was associated with higher risk (OR= 2.7; 95%C.I.: 1.02-7.2) of fasting hyperglycemia while sufficient total calcium intake was associated with lower risk (OR= 0.46; 95% C.I.:0.22-0.97). These results suggest that 25-OH-VitD levels and daily calcium intake are factors associated with hyperglycemia in subjects living in an area with year-round sunny weather. Further studies are warranted to assess the potential benefits of providing sufficient calcium intake and keeping normal vitamin D levels in those with or at higher risk for diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The marine dinoflagellate Vulcanodinium rugosum produces powerful paralyzing and cytotoxic compounds named pinnatoxins (PnTX) and portimines. Even though, no related human intoxication episodes following direct exposure in seawater or the ingestion of contaminated seafood have been documented so far. This study aimed at investigating a dinoflagellate bloom linked to acute dermatitis cases in two recreational beaches in Cienfuegos Bay, Cuba. We used epidemiological and clinical data from 60 dermatitis cases consisting of individuals in close contact with the bloom. Seawater physical-chemical properties were described, and the microorganism causing the bloom was identified by means of light and scanning electron microscopy. Morphological identification was confirmed genetically by sequencing the internal transcribed spacers ITS1 and ITS2, and the 5.8S rDNA region. Toxic compounds were identified from a bloom extract using liquid chromatography (LC) coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS), and their concentrations were estimated based on low-resolution tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Sixty people who had prolonged contact with the dinoflagellate bloom suffered acute dermal irritation. Most patients (79.2%) were children and had to be treated with antibiotics; some required >5-day hospitalization. Combined morphological and genetic characters indicated V. rugosum as the causative agent of the bloom. rDNA sequences of the V. rugosum genotype found in the bloom aligned with others from Asia, including material found in the ballast tank of a ship in Florida. The predominant toxins in the bloom were portimine, PnTX-F and PnTX-E, similar to strains originating from the Pacific Ocean. This bloom was associated with unusual weather conditions such as frequent and prolonged droughts. Our findings indicate a close link between the V. rugosum bloom and a dermatitis outbreak among swimmers in Cienfuegos Bay. Phylogenetic evidence suggests a recent introduction of V. rugosum from the Pacific Ocean into Caribbean waters, possibly via ballast water., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)