Background/Objectives: Vitamin D is involved in immune regulation, and deficiency may increase susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection. This study assessed vitamin D status and examined associations between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations and demographic, anthropometric, and clinical factors, including SARS-CoV-2 infection, in a diverse urban UK patient population. Methods: We analysed 25(OH)D concentrations in 17,619 pre-COVID-19 vaccine patients (62% female) whose samples were routinely processed between January and June 2020 at St Thomas’ Hospital, London, UK. SARS-CoV-2 RNA/IgG test results (March 2020–January 2021) were linked to these records. Associations were examined with age, BMI, sex, ethnicity, and laboratory data. Vitamin D deficiency was defined as 25(OH)D <25 nmol/L, and insufficiency as 25–50 nmol/L. Results: Vitamin D deficiency was observed in 25% of Black, 21% of Asian, and 17% of White patients; insufficiency was found in 36%, 34%, and 33%, respectively. Serum 25(OH)D concentrations differed by sex in Black and White patients but not in Asian patients. A total of 485 patients (2.8%) were SARS-CoV-2 positive, with a median 25(OH)D concentration of 42 nmol/L (IQR 25–66); 24.1% were deficient and 36.7% insufficient (60.8% total). Among deficient individuals, 38% were White (median age 67.5 years) and 35% Black (median age 52.0 years). Age and BMI were the most significant contributors to infection in White and Black patients, respectively. Conclusions: Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency were common across all ethnic groups and associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Deficiency was most prevalent among Black patients. Vitamin D status should be monitored in patient populations, and deficiencies addressed to ensure adequacy of this nutrient for immune system regulation and possibly the reduction in respiratory infection risk, including COVID-19.

Purpose: The Latarjet procedure is thought to reduce recurrence by creating a dynamic restraint against instability, known as the “sling effect”. Conversely, free bone block (FBB) techniques provide stability through bony augmentation alone, without relying on the sling effect. This study compares the clinical outcomes of the Latarjet procedure and FBB techniques in adult patients to determine whether the sling effect offers a significant advantage in reducing recurrence rates. Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, Embase, and MEDLINE databases was conducted on 03/03/2025. Only comparative studies that included data on recurrence rate, patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), range of motion, or reoperation rates were selected for analysis. We assessed the risk of bias using RoB 2 and ROBINS-I tools and performed a meta-analysis. PROSPERO ID: CRD42024517955. Results: Ten studies met the inclusion criteria (665 patients, mean age 29, mean follow-up 37 months) and underwent meta-analysis: three retrospective, four prospective cohort studies, and three randomised controlled trials. The meta-analysis demonstrated no significant differences between the Latarjet procedure and FBB techniques in recurrence rates of shoulder instability (RR 1.05; 95% CI 0.53–2.10; P = 0.87), PROMs (ASES, Rowe, SSV, WOSI, and VAS), or reoperation rate. No publication bias was detected (Egger’s P = 0.15). Regarding range of motion, no significant differences were observed in any of the parameters (abduction, external or internal rotation, and forward flexion). The limitations of our meta-analysis include high heterogeneity and serious risk of bias of studies. Conclusion: Our results suggest that FBB procedures are viable and safe alternative treatment options to the Latarjet technique. Level of evidence: III.

Vertebrate genomes contain lower than expected frequencies of the CpG dinucleotide. Consequently, many vertebrate viruses have evolved to mimic this composition, possibly in order to evade host antiviral defences (Greenbaum et al., 2008). For example, the antiviral protein ZAP binds CpGs in viral single stranded RNA with specific spacing requirements (Gonçalves-Carneiro et al., 2022), though CpGs are also likely depleted in viral genomes due to other selective pressures (Forni et al., 2023). Increasing CpG abundance by synonymous recoding could facilitate attenuation of viruses without compromising their epitope antigenicity by changing non-CpG codons to alternatives containing CpG without changing the overall amino acid sequence (Gonçalves-Carneiro et al., 2022; Le Nouën et al., 2019; Sharp et al., 2023). There are three ways CpGs can be synonymously introduced in codons: at positions 1-2 for arginine (e.g. AGA → CGA), 2-3 for several amino acids (e.g. ACA → ACG), or in a 3-1 split configuration, if a subsequent codon begins with a G (e.g. ATA-GCA → ATC-GCA).

Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency have been associated with increased risk and severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection.(1) These conditions are pre | POSTER