A study of marination of deepwater pink shrimp (Parapenaeus longirostris, Lucas, 1846) and its shelf life

Marination of deep water pink shrimp (Parapenaeus longirostris, Lucas, 1846) was achieved using two different formulations (with and without antimicrobial agent) and quality changes of marinated shrimps during storage period at 1°C were investigated. No significant differences were found between chemical and sensory analysis of two different marinated groups (p>0.05) during the storage period. TEA (mg malonaldehyde/kg) values of two groups reached the value of consumption limit and rancidity progressed intensely at the end of the 40th day at 1°C. This was confirmed by sensory evaluation. There were significant differences in psychotropic bacteria and aerobic bacteria counts of two marinated groups by which lower bacterial counts were determined in marinated shrimp with antimicrobial agent at day 40. Although bacterial load of marinated shrimp without antimicrobial agent was lower than the consumption limits at the end of the 40th day of storage at 1°C, TBA value determined the shelf life of marinated shrimps with or without antimicrobial agent. © 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Quality and Shelf-Life Assessment of Pasteurized Trout Soup During Refrigerated Storage

WOS: 000308131800005The aim of this study was to investigate the quality changes of pasteurized soup prepared from smoked trout trimmings during 8 months of refrigerated storage at 3 degrees C. Thiobarbituric acid (TBA, mg malonaldehyde/kg), total volatile content (TVB-N, mg N/100 g), total aerobic mesophilic plate count, pH value, color measurement, and sensory evaluation were used to determine quality changes. After 8 months of storage, TBA values reached 0.83 +/- 0.09 mg malonaldehyde/kg. Despite a marked increase in the TBA value at Month 8, the soup was still of acceptable quality. The TVB-N value was close to the European Commission limit on fresh fish at Month 4, and further increase was not significant (p > 0.05). Total aerobic mesophilic count reached a maximum value of 4.15 +/- 0.23 log cfu/g at Month 2 with 3.20 +/- 0.02 log cfu/g at Month 8. The soup had an overall acceptability score of 7.16 +/- 0.68 ("like moderately" on a 1-to 9-point hedonic scale). Results suggest that smoked trout trimmings can be used to maximize the value of co-products by producing a ready-to-eat soup

Canakinumab in Children with Familial Mediterranean Fever: A Single-Center, Retrospective Analysis

PubMedID: 31463794Introduction: Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an autoinflammatory disease characterized by interleukin (IL)-1 overproduction. Colchicine is the mainstay drug in the treatment of FMF; however, a minority of patients do not respond despite the highest tolerated doses. We aimed to share our experience with canakinumab, a human monoclonal antibody against IL-1ß, in pediatric FMF patients. Methods: This historical, single-cohort study retrospectively evaluated the disease characteristics, indications, and treatment responses of 14 pediatric FMF patients treated with canakinumab in our pediatric rheumatology department. Results: The median age at onset and diagnosis of 14 FMF patients (9 females, 5 males), were 3.5 (range 0.5–10) years and 6 (range 3–16) years, respectively. Indications for canakinumab treatment were renal amyloidosis (n = 1), colchicine resistance (n = 11), and persistent arthritis (n = 2). Only two (14.3%) patients had colchicine intolerance. Complete response was obtained in 10/14 (71.5%) among all patients and 10/12 (86%) in patients with typical phenotype. The patient with chronic oligoarthritis had a complete response, whereas the patient with rheumatoid factor (RF)-positive polyarthritis demonstrated an initial partial response to canakinumab treatment. We found that attack frequency, proteinuria, and acute phase reactants, including erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein, were significantly decreased after canakinumab treatment in children with FMF. Conclusion: Canakinumab may be an effective treatment option for pediatric FMF patients with colchicine resistance, renal amyloidosis, and chronic oligoarthritis. Further studies are needed to clarify the efficacy of canakinumab in patients with a second disease, RF-positive polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis. © 2019, Springer Nature Switzerland AG

Hyperimmunoglobulinemia D syndrome with recurrent perianal abscess successfully treated with canakinumab

PubMedID: 30862258Hyperimmunoglobulinaemia D syndrome is an autoinflammatory disease usually representing recurrent episodes of fever, arthralgia/arthritis, cervical lymphadenopathy, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain and skin rashes lasting 3–7 days every 4–8 weeks since their infancy. Recent reports suggested a link between perianal fistulae/abscess and severe colitis with hyperimmunoglobulinaemia D syndrome resembling an inflammatory bowel disease phenotype. Herein, we report an 18-month-old patient with recurrent attacks of fever and pharyngitis lasting 2–3 days every 10–15 days since the first two weeks of life. Inflammatory attacks were accompanied by diarrhoea, oral aphthous ulcers, cervical lymphadenopathy, maculopapular rash, severe leukocytosis and perianal fistulae/abscess. After the initiation of canakinumab, the patient was clinically improved with complete healing of perianal fistulas/abscesses. In conclusion, hyperimmunoglobulinaemia D syndrome should be considered in differential diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease and recurrent perianal abscess/fistula in a patient with inflammatory attacks. © The Author(s) 2019

Is Henoch–Schönlein purpura a susceptibility factor for functional gastrointestinal disorders in children?

PubMedID: 30101368Henoch–Schönlein purpura (HSP), the most common childhood vasculitis is characterized by non-thrombocytopenic palpable purpura, arthritis/arthralgia, abdominal pain and renal involvement. Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) are heterogeneous disease spectrum with unclear etiology and include the most common subtypes: functional dyspepsia, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), functional abdominal pain and functional constipation. Formerly, FGIDs were known as non-organic disorders; however, recent advances revealed that low-grade inflammation may also play a role. We aimed to clarify whether HSP predisposes to FGIDs in pediatric population. Seventy-four children with HSP, diagnosed at least 6 months before the study and 78 healthy controls were enrolled to the study. Patients with red flag signs for organic GI disorders were excluded. Rome IV criteria were utilized for FGIDs diagnosis. We compared the frequencies of FGIDs between HSP patients and healthy subjects. We also examined the parameters including age, abdominal pain, arthralgia, bloody stool, renal involvement and treatment with corticosteroids and laboratory results at HSP diagnosis such as erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, hemoglobin, leukocytes and platelet counts among patients with and without FGIDs. Overall FGIDs and IBS frequency were 35.1% (n = 26) and 10.8% (n = 8) in HSP patients, 19.2% (n = 15) and 2.6% (n = 2) in healthy controls, respectively. Disease characteristics and laboratory parameters at disease onset were similar between HSP patients with and without FGIDs. Overall FGIDs rate, particularly IBS were statistically higher in HSP patients. We speculate that children with preceding HSP may be predisposed to FGIDs. Since the FGIDs pathogenesis is still remains unclear, further studies are needed to confirm this hypothesis and clarify the etiology. Physicians also should pay attention to FGIDs in HSP patients with ongoing abdominal pain and thus prevent this comorbidity with dietary and psychologic measures. © 2018, Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature

Recurrent Henoch Schönlein purpura without renal involvement successfully treated with methotrexate

PubMedID: 30453828Introduction: Henoch Schönlein purpura is characterised by palpable purpura, abdominal pain, arthritis/arthralgia, often with a self-limiting course. Herein, we report a patient with recurrent Henoch Schönlein purpura and severe gastrointestinal involvement, successfully treated with methotrexate. Case presentation: A 12-year-old boy was admitted to our department with palpable purpura, abdominal pain and arthralgia. Since gastrointestinal complaints were severe, systemic steroids were administered, with tapering of dosage. Henoch Schönlein purpura recurred several times with severe abdominal pain, maelena and purpura during next two months. Colchicine and hydroxychloroquine were initiated. After four months, we also introduced methotrexate, which enabled discontinuation of previous medications including corticosteroids. Methotrexate was ceased four months later, and remission was sustained without any medications for 24 months. Conclusion: Besides the conflicting data regarding the use of methotrexate in recurrent Henoch Schönlein purpura, our case introduces successful methotrexate experience in a child with Henoch Schönlein purpura and recurrent severe gastrointestinal involvement. © The Author(s) 2018