Determination of the Physicochemical Properties and Fatty Acid Composition of Some Cheese Types with Geographical Indication in Thrace Region

The purpose of the present investigation was to assess the differences in the quality characteristics of the famous cheese types produced in Thrace region and labeled with a geographical indication or not. The different physicochemical properties, mineral content, and fatty acid composition of Ezine Cheese and Edirne Feta Cheese, and Malkara Aged Kaşar Cheese with geographical indication were determined. The obtained data were compared with some of the physicochemical specifications stated in the geographical indication registration documents and also with the cheese types of the same category but without the geographical indication. For this purpose, 90 cheese samples from 23 different local producers in Edirne, Tekirdağ, Çanakkale, and Kırklareli were supplied in sealed packages. Dry matter (%), ash (%), salt (%), protein (%), titratable acidity (% lactic acid), acid count (mg KOH/g fat), color (L, a, b) values were determined. Additionally, fatty acid compositions and some mineral contents of the cheese were analyzed by using gas-chromatography and inductively coupled plasma-optic emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). This study aims to contribute to registration documents of geographical indication, which cover the characteristic specifications, including fatty acid composition, protein amount, acid count (free fat acidity), and color (L*, a*, b*) values. It is advised to revise the registration documents of the mentioned cheese types by including aroma-active components to the aroma characterization and texture specifications to the characteristic features through a broader study. © 2022, Centenary University. All rights reserved.NKUBAP.03; Tekirdağ Namık Kemal Üniversitesi, TNKUThe financial support from Scientific and Technological Research Council of by Namik Kemal University,NKU-BAP(Grantnumber:NKUBAP.03.YL.21.292.) is gratefullycaknowledged.The financial support from Scientific and Technological Research Council of by Namik Kemal University, NKU-BAP (Grant number: NKUBAP.03.YL.21.292.) is gratefully acknowledged

Support for smoke-free policies in the Cyprus hospitality industry

Objectives The present study used attitudinal and behavioural indicators to measure support for smoke-free policies among employers and employees in the hospitality industry in Cyprus. Methods A representative sample of 600 participants (95 % response rate) completed anonymous structured questionnaires on demographic variables, smoking status, exposure to second-hand smoke at work and related health beliefs, social norms, and smoke-free policy support. Results Participants were predominantly males (68.3 %), with a mean age of 40 years (SD = 12.69), and 39.7 % were employers/owners of the hospitality venue. Analysis of variance showed that employers and smokers were less supportive of smoke-free policies, as compared to employees and non-smokers. Linear regression models showed that attitudes towards smoke-free policy were predicted by smoking status, SHS exposure and related health beliefs, and social norm variables. Logistic regression analysis showed that willingness to confront a policy violator was predicted by SHS exposure, perceived prevalence of smoker clients, and smoke-free policy attitudes. Conclusions SHS exposure and related health beliefs, and normative factors should be targeted by interventions aiming to promote policy support in the hospitality industry in Cyprus

Consensus guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) deficiencies

Background: Tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) deficiencies comprise a group of six rare neurometabolic disorders characterized by insufficient synthesis of the monoamine neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin due to a disturbance of BH4 biosynthesis or recycling. Hyperphenylalaninemia (HPA) is the first diagnostic hallmark for most BH4 deficiencies, apart from autosomal dominant guanosine triphosphate cyclohydrolase I deficiency and sepiapterin reductase deficiency. Early supplementation of neurotransmitter precursors and where appropriate, treatment of HPA results in significant improvement of motor and cognitive function. Management approaches differ across the world and therefore these guidelines have been developed aiming to harmonize and optimize patient care. Representatives of the International Working Group on Neurotransmitter related Disorders (iNTD) developed the guidelines according to the SIGN (Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network) methodology by evaluating all available evidence for the diagnosis and treatment of BH4 deficiencies. Conclusion: Although the total body of evidence in the literature was mainly rated as low or very low, these consensus guidelines will help to harmonize clinical practice and to standardize and improve care for BH4 deficient patients

Insights into the expanding phenotypic spectrum of inherited disorders of biogenic amines

Inherited disorders of neurotransmitter metabolism are rare neurodevelopmental diseases presenting with movement disorders and global developmental delay. This study presents the results of the first standardized deep phenotyping approach and describes the clinical and biochemical presentation at disease onset as well as diagnostic approaches of 275 patients from the registry of the International Working Group on Neurotransmitter related Disorders. The results reveal an increased rate of prematurity, a high risk for being small for gestational age and for congenital microcephaly in some disorders. Age at diagnosis and the diagnostic delay are influenced by the diagnostic methods applied and by disease-specific symptoms. The timepoint of investigation was also a significant factor: delay to diagnosis has decreased in recent years, possibly due to novel diagnostic approaches or raised awareness. Although each disorder has a specific biochemical pattern, we observed confounding exceptions to the rule. The data provide comprehensive insights into the phenotypic spectrum of neurotransmitter disorders

Assessment of intellectual impairment, health-related quality of life, and behavioral phenotype in patients with neurotransmitter related disorders: data from the iNTD registry

Inherited disorders of neurotransmitter metabolism are a group of rare diseases, which are caused by impaired synthesis, transport or degradation of neurotransmitters or co-factors and result in various degrees of delayed or impaired psychomotor development. To assess the effect of neurotransmitter deficiencies on intelligence, quality of life, and behavior, the data of 148 patients in the registry of the International Working Group on Neurotransmitter Related Disorders (iNTD) was evaluated using results from standardized age-adjusted tests and questionnaires. Patients with a primary disorder of monoamine metabolism had lower IQ scores (mean IQ 58, range 40-100) within the range of cognitive impairment (<70) compared to patients with a BH4 deficiency (mean IQ 84, range 40-129). Short attention span and distractibility were most frequently mentioned by parents, while patients reported most frequently anxiety and distractibility when asked for behavioral traits. In individuals with succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase deficiency, self-stimulatory behaviors were commonly reported by parents, whereas in patients with dopamine transporter (DAT) deficiency, DNAJC12 deficiency, and monoamine oxidase A deficiency, self-injurious or mutilating behaviors have commonly been observed. Phobic fears were increased in patients with 6-pyruvoyltetrahydropterin synthase deficiency while individuals with sepiapterin reductase deficiency frequently experienced communication and sleep difficulties. Patients with BH4 deficiencies achieved significantly higher quality of life as compared to other groups. This analysis of the iNTD registry data highlights: a) difference in IQ and subdomains of quality of life between BH4 deficiencies and primary neurotransmitter-related disorders, and b) previously underreported behavioral traits

Smoke-free policies and non-smokers’ reactions to SHS exposure in small and medium enterprises

Introduction: Non-smoker employees can significantly improve the existing smoke-free policies in the workplace by asserting their right for smoke-free air and confronting smoker colleagues. The aim of the study was to assess the psychological and social drivers of non-smokers' readiness to assert their right for smoke-free air in the workplace. Materials and Methods: Twenty-six small-and-medium enterprises (SME) with diverse background were randomly selected, and 284 employees agreed to participate in the study. Our study focused on the responses of 85 non-smokers (M age = 34 years, SD = 7.98, 84.2% worked in indoor offices). A cross-sectional design was used and participants completed a structured anonymous questionnaire assessing background and demographic characteristics, and psychosocial predictors of assertiveness intentions. Results: Although more than half of non-smokers reported they were often/almost always bothered by exposure to SHS, roughly one third of them reported having asked their colleagues not to smoke at work. Regression analysis showed that the effects of distal predictors (i.e. annoyance due to SHS exposure) were mediated by past behaviour, attitudes (protection motivation beliefs), social norms, and self-efficacy. Conclusions: Health beliefs related to SHS exposure, and concerns about workplace health and job performance, social norms and self-efficacy can increase the assertiveness of non-smokers in workplace settings. Related campaigns should focus on communicating normative messages and self-efficacy training to empower non-smoker employees to act assertively towards protecting their smoke-free rights

Erratum to: 36th International Symposium on Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1186/s13054-016-1208-6.]

Dolgu Duvarlarının Çerçeve Yapının Deprem Davranışına ve Göçme Mekanizmasına Etkisi

Bu çalışmada, betonarme binaların tasarım ve projelendirilmesinde, taşıyıcı eleman olarak hesaba katılmayan dolgu duvarların, yapının deprem davranışına etkileri konu edilmiştir. Dolgu duvarların ve planda duvar yerleşiminin yapı davranışına etkisini incelemek amacıyla değişik dolgu duvar yerleşimlerine sahip betonarme yapı ele alınmıştır. Dolgu duvarların modellenmesi için eşdeğer diagonel eleman kullanılmıştır. Dolgu duvarlar yapının rijitliğini değiştirmektedir. Ririjtliğe bağlı olarak yapı periyodu ve yapıya gelen deprem kuvvetlerinin de değiştiği görülmektedi