Determination of aflatoxin M1 on follow-on milk by ELISA method

Önemli bir besin kaynağı olan süt, bebek beslenmesinde kullanılmakta ve tüm dünyada tüketilmektedir. Devam sütlerine geçtiği bilinen kimyasal kontaminantlardan biri mikotoksinlerdir. Küfler tarafından üretilen ve devam sütlerine geçebilen mikotoksinler bebekte sağlık riski oluşturabilir. Mikotoksinlerin toksik etkilerinin önlenmesi için bebeğin normal büyüme ve gelişimi için en önemli besinlerden biri olan devam sütündeki aflatoksin M1 düzeylerinin belirlenmesi önemlidir. Süt kontaminantı olarak aflatoksinlerin kontrolü ile ilgili sosyal koruma projelerinin ve devam sütleri ile ilgili farkındalığın arttırılması halk sağlığı korunması açısından önem arz eder. Çalışmamızda, yeni doğanların diyetlerinde aldığı ürün olan devam sütlerinde, aflatoksin M1’in varlığı ve halk sağlığı bakımından önemi araştırılmıştır. Bu amaçla, 7 farklı firmadan, farklı seri numaralarına sahip süt örneklerini içeren 60 adet devam sütü toplanmıştır. Çalışmamızda Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) yöntemi kullanılarak devam sütlerinde aflatoksin M1miktarları araştırılmıştır. Avrupa Birliğine uyum çerçevesinde hazırlanmış olan 2008/26 sayılı gıda maddelerindeki kontaminasyonların maksimum limitleri hakkındaki Türk Gıda Kodeksi (TGK) Tebliğinde; çiğ süt, UHT süt ve süt içeren ürünlerin yapımında kullanılan sütlerde maksimum AFM1 miktarının 0.05µg/kg (parts per billion) olması gerektiği belirtilmiştir. Aflatoksin M1 konsantrasyonları hesaplandığında; 0.05 ppb konsantrasyon aralığında Aflatoksin M1 içeren 23 örnek tespit edilmiştir. Sonuç olarak Türk Gıda Kodeksi limit değerini aşan 23 örnek halk sağlığı açısından önem arz etmektedir. Beslenmede devam sütünün sıklıkta tüketildiği ve önemli bir rol oynadığı bebek yaş grubunda, bu ürünler piyasaya çıkmadan önce Aflatoksin M1 varlığının saptandığı daha kapsamlı araştırmaların yapılmasının uygun olduğu düşünülmektedir.Milk, which is an important source of nutrition is used for infant feeding and consumed widely all over the world. Mycotoxins are one of the chemical contaminants that are known to pass through milk. They are produced by molds and pass through milk, and may cause health problems in infants. Determination of aflatoxin M1 levels in follow-on milks which is one of the most important nutrients for healthy grown babies is important in prevention of toxic effects of mycotoxins. Promoting social protection studies concerning aflatoxins as milk contaminants and raising awareness on follow-on milks is important in protection of public health. In our study, investigation of aflatoxin M1 in follow-on milks; a product that newborns take in their diet, and to evaluate the results in terms of public health. For this purpose, 60 follow-on milk samples with different serial numbers were collected from 7 companies. In Turkish Food Codex Communique related to the contaminations in food products with in accordance with the law no 2008/6 for preparation compliance as part of European Onion, indicated that the raw milk, UHT milk and other milks used for production of some products containing milk, maximum aflatoxin M1 should be 0.05 µg/kg (parts per billion). Aflatoxin M1 concentrations were determined by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Our results showed that 37 samples contained aflatoxin M1 with 0.05 parts per billion concentrations. In conclusion, the latter 23 samples including aflatoxin M1 values above Turkish Food Codex limits are important in terms of public health

Effect of camera monitoring and feedback along with training on hospital infection rate in a neonatal intensive care unit

Background In terms of pediatric healthcare-associated infections (HAI), neonatal intensive care units (NICU) constitute the greatest risk. Contacting a health care personnel, either directly or indirectly, elevates NICU occurrence rate and risks other infants in the same unit. In this study, it is aimed to retrospectively analyze the effect of the training along with camera monitoring and feedback (CMAF) to control the infection following a small outbreak. Methods ESBL producing Klebsiella pneumoniae was detected on three infants in May 2014 at the isolation room of Sakarya University Hospital NICU. Precautions were taken to prevent further spread of the infection. The infected infants were isolated and the decolonization process was initiated. For this aspect, health care workers (HCWs) in NICU were trained for infection control measures. An infection control committee has monitored the HCWs. Before monitoring, an approval was obtained from the hospital management and HCWs were informed about the CMAF, who were then periodically updated. On a weekly basis, NICU workers were provided with the feedbacks. Epidemic period and post-epidemic control period (June-July-August 2014) were evaluated and p value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results Healthcare-associated infection (HAI) density was 9.59% before the onset of the CMAF, whereas it was detected as 2.24% during the CMAF period (p < 0.05). Following the precautions, HAI and HAI density rates have reduced to 76.6% and 74.85%, respectively. Moreover, hand hygiene compliance of health care workers was found 49.0% before the outbreak, whereas this rate has elevated to 62.7% after CMAF. Conclusions Healthcare workers should be monitored in order to increase their compliance for infection control measures. Here, we emphasized that that CMAF of health workers may contribute reducing the HAI rate in the NICU

Evaluation of In Vivo Biological Activity Profiles of Isoindole-1,3-dione Derivatives: Cytotoxicity, Toxicology, and Histopathology Studies

The anticancer activity of N-benzylisoindole-1,3-dione derivatives was evaluated against adenocarcinoma (A549-Luc). First, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide activity assay studies of two isoindole-1,3-dione derivatives were performed against A549 cell lines. Both compounds showed inhibitory effects on the viability of A549 cells. Then, we explored the potential of these compounds as active ingredients by in vivo studies. Nude mice were given A549-luc lung cancer cells, and tumor growth was induced with a xenograft model. Then, nude mice were divided into three groups: the control group, compound 3 group, and compound 4 group. After application of each compound to the mice, tumor sizes, their survival, and weight were determined for 60 days. Furthermore, toxicological studies were performed to examine the effects of the drugs in mice. In addition to toxicological studies, histopathological analyses of organs taken from mice were performed, and the results were evaluated. The obtained results showed that both N-benzylisoindole derivatives are potential anticancer agents

Amyloid Goiter Associated with Amyloidosis Secondary to Rheumatoid Arthritis

Amyloidosis refers to a variety of conditions in which amyloid proteins are abnormally deposited in organs and/or tissues. The most common forms of systemic amyloidosis are primary amyloidosis (PA) of light chains and secondary amyloidosis (SA) caused by chronic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Although involvement of the thyroid gland by amyloid is a relatively common phenomenon, clinically significant enlargement of the thyroid owing to amyloid deposition is a rare occurrence. In SA, the deposition of amyloid associated (AA) protein is associated with atrophy of thyroid follicles. The clinical picture of these patients is characterized by rapid, painless thyroid gland enlargement which may be associated with dysphagia, dyspnea, or hoarseness. Thyroid function is not impaired in most cases. Although amyloid goitre secondary to systemic amyloidosis due to chronic inflammatory diseases is relatively common, specifically related to RA is much more uncommon one and it is reported less in the literature. In this report, A 52-old-year female patient with amyloid goiter associated with amyloidosis secondary to rheumatoid arthritis is presented

Plasma osmolality predicts mortality in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction

Background: Heart failure (HF) is a fatal disease. Plasma osmolality with individual impacts of sodium, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and glucose has not been studied prognostically in patients with HF. Aim: This study aims to investigate the impact of serum osmolality on clinical endpoints in HF patients. Methods: A total of 509 patients (383 males, 126 females) with HF with reduced ejection fraction in three HF centres were retrospectively analysed between January 2007 and December 2013. Follow-up data were completed for 496 patients. Plasma osmolality was calculated as (2 × Na) + (BUN/2.8) + (Glucose/18). Quartiles of plasma osmolality were produced, and the possible relationship between plasma osmolality and cardiovascular mortality was investigated. Results: The mean follow-up was 25 ± 22 months. The mean age was 56.5 ± 17.3 years with a mean EF of 26 ± 8%. The mean levels of plasma osmolality were as follows in the quartiles: 1st % = 280 ± 6, 2nd % = 288 ± 1, 3rd % = 293 ± 2 (95% confidence interval [CI] 292.72–293.3), and 4th % = 301 ± 5 mOsm/kg. The EF and B-type natriuretic peptide levels were similar in the four quartiles. Univariate and multivariate analyses in the Cox proportional hazard model revealed a significantly higher rate of mortality in the patients with hypo-osmolality. The Kaplan-Meier plot showed graded mortality curves with the 1st quartile having the worst prognosis, followed by the 4th quartile and the 2nd quartile, while the 3rd quartile was shown to have the best prognosis. Conclusions: Our study results suggest that normal plasma osmolality is between 275 and 295 mOsm/kg. However, being close to the upper limit of normal range (292–293 mOsm/kg) seems to be the optimal plasma osmolality level in terms of cardiovascular prognosis in patients with HF.Background: Heart failure (HF) is a fatal disease. Plasma osmolality with individual impacts of sodium, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and glucose has not been studied prognostically in patients with HF. This study aims to investigate the impact of serum osmolality on clinical endpoints in HF patients. Methods: A total of 509 patients (383 males, 126 females) with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) in three HF centers were retrospectively analyzed between January 2007 and December 2013. Follow up data were completed for 496 patients. Plasma osmolality was calculated as (2*Na)+(BUN/2.8)+(Glucose/18). Quartiles of plasma osmolality were produced and the possible relationship between plasma osmolality and cardiovascular mortality (CV) was investigated.  Results: The mean follow-up was 25±22 months The mean age was 56.5±17.3 years with a mean ejection fraction (EF) of 26±8%. The mean levels of plasma osmolality were as follows in the quartiles: 1st % = 280±6, 2nd % = 288±1, 3rd % = 293±2 (95% confidence interval [CI] 292.72-293.3), 4th % = 301±5 mOsm/kg. The EF and BNP levels were similar in four quartiles. Univariate and multivariate analyses in the Cox proportional hazard model revealed a significantly higher rate of mortality in the patients with hypoosmolality. The Kaplan-Meier plot showed graded mortality curves with the 1st quartile having the worst prognosis, followed by the 4th quartile and the 2nd quartile, while the 3rd quartile was shown to have the best prognosis. Conclusions: Our study results suggest that normal plasma osmolality is between 275 and 295 mOsm/kg. However, being close to the upper limit of normal range (292 to 293 mOsm/kg) seems as the optimal plasma osmolality level in terms of CV prognosis in patients with HF

Treatment of acne with intermittent and conventional isotretinoin: a randomized, controlled multicenter study

Oral isotretinoin is the most effective choice in the treatment of severe acne. Application of isotretionin to acne has been expanded to treat those patients with less severe but scarring acne who are responding unsatisfactorily to conventional therapies. However, its use is associated with many side effects, some of which can result in very disastrous consequences. Data related with intermittent isotretinoin therapy is still limited. Our aim was to asses the efficacy and tolerability of two different intermittent isotretinoin courses and compare them with conventional isotretinoin treatment. In this multicenter and controlled study, 66 patients with moderate to severe cases were randomized to receive either isotretionin for the first 10 days of each month for 6 months (group 1), or each day in the first month, afterwards the first 10 days of each month for 5 months (group 2) or daily for 6 months (group 3). The drug dosage was 0.5 mg/kg/day in all groups. Patients were followed-up for 12 months. Efficacy values were evaluable for 22 patients in group 1, 19 patients in group 2, and 19 patients in group 3. Acne scores in each group were significantly lower at the end of treatment and follow-up periods (P < 0.001). When patients were evaluated separately as moderate (n = 31) and severe (n = 29), no statistically significant differences were obtained among the treatment protocols in patients with moderate acne. However, there was a significant difference between groups 1 and 3 to the response of the treatments in severe acne patients at the end of follow-up period (P = 0.013). The frequency and severity of isotretionin-related side effects were found to be lower in groups 1 and 2 compared with group 3. Intermittent isotretinoin may represent an effective alternative treatment, especially in moderate acne with a low incidence and severity of side effects. The intermittent isotretinoin can be recommended in those patients not tolerating the classical dosage

Length-weight relationships of 28 fish species caught from demersal trawl survey in the Middle Black Sea, Turkey

This study provides updated the length-weight relationships and Fulton's condition factor of 28 fish species belonging to 23 families from the Black Sea. Samples were collected along the depths between 0-100 meters by demersal trawl surveys conducted seasonally from May 2017 to September 2019. A total of 83,885 specimens were collected. The length-weight relationships and Fulton's condition factor, minimum, maximum and mean lengths, total weights, descriptive statistics, and growth type were provided for all the species. The results indicate that LWR parameters of b varied from 2.2039 to 3.737 and Fulton's condition factor varied between 0.004 and 1.18. These findings could be useful for monitoring and management of sustainable fisheries and habitat health

Design, Performance, and Calibration of the CMS Hadron-Outer Calorimeter

The CMS hadron calorimeter is a sampling calorimeter with brass absorber and plastic scintillator tiles with wavelength shifting fibres for carrying the light to the readout device. The barrel hadron calorimeter is complemented with an outer calorimeter to ensure high energy shower containment in the calorimeter. Fabrication, testing and calibration of the outer hadron calorimeter are carried out keeping in mind its importance in the energy measurement of jets in view of linearity and resolution. It will provide a net improvement in missing \et measurements at LHC energies. The outer hadron calorimeter will also be used for the muon trigger in coincidence with other muon chambers in CMS