A Review on the Role of Lactic Acid Bacteria in the Formation and Reduction of Volatile Nitrosamines in Fermented Sausages

Nitrosamines are N-nitroso compounds with carcinogenic, mutagenic and teratogenic properties. These compounds could be found at certain levels in fermented sausages. Fermented sausages are considered to be a suitable environment for nitrosamine formation due to acid formation and reactions such as proteolysis and lipolysis during ripening. However, lactic acid bacteria (spontaneous or starter culture), which constitute the dominant microbiota, contribute significantly to nitrosamine reduction by reducing the amount of residual nitrite through nitrite degradation, and pH decrease has an important effect on the residual nitrite amount as well. These bacteria also play an indirect role in nitrosamine reduction by suppressing the growth of bacteria that form precursors such as biogenic amines. In recent years, research interest has focused on the degradation or metabolization of nitrosamines by lactic acid bacteria. The mechanism by which these effects are seen has not been fully understood yet. In this study, the roles of lactic acid bacteria on nitrosamine formation and their indirect or direct effects on reduction of volatile nitrosamines are discussed

Clinical importance of toxin concentration in Amanita verna mushroom

Kaya, Ertugrul/0000-0003-0081-682XWOS: 000339145900009PubMed: 24911374Poisoning from Amanita group of mushrooms comprises approximately 3% of all poisonings in our country and their being responsible for nearly the entire fatal mushroom poisonings makes them important. These mushrooms contain primarily two types of toxins, amatoxins and phallotoxins. Phallotoxins have a more limited toxicity potential and they primarily consist of phalloidin (PHN) and phallacidin (PCN). Amatoxins, on the other hand, are very toxic and they primarily consist of alpha-amanitin (AA), beta-amanitin (BA) and gamma-amanitin (GM. Toxin levels can vary among various species, even among varieties of the same species, of Amanita mushroom family. Revealing the differences between the toxin compositions of the Amanita species that grow in our region may contribute to the clinics of poisonings. Our study aims at showing in detail the toxin levels in various parts of Amanita verna mushroom. A. verna mushrooms needed for toxin analysis were collected from Kozak Plateau near Ayvalik county of Balikesir, Turkey in April 2013. The mushrooms were divided into their parts as pileus, gills, stripe and volva. Following the procedures required before the analysis, the AA, BA, GA, PHN and PCN levels were measured using the RP-HPLC method. While the lowest level of amatoxin was in the volva of the mushroom, the highest was measured in the gills. This was followed by pileus and stripe where the levels were close to each other. Similarly, the highest level of phallotoxin was measured in the gills. Gamma toxin and phalloidin were at lower amounts than the other toxins. A. verna is frequently confused with edible mushrooms with white caps due to its macroscopic similarity. If just one of them is eaten by mistake by an adult person with no mushroom experience, it can easily poison them. The amount of amatoxin is more as compared to Amanita phalloides and A. phalloides var. alba. Particularly, the AA and BA levels are approximately three times higher, whereas GA levels are lower. Similarly, the level of PCN is approximately four times higher as compared to A. phalloides and A. phalloides var. alba; by contrast, the level of PNH is about a half of theirs. In summary, it can be said that A. verna is a more toxic mushroom than A. phalloides and has a higher rate of mortality. With our study, the amatoxin and phallotoxin concentrations and distribution in A. verna mushrooms were shown in detail for the first time and it would be useful to carry out more similar studies with other members of Amanita family growing in various parts of the world. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Amanitin and phallotoxin concentration in Amanita phalloides var. alba mushroom

Yaykasli, Kursat/0000-0001-7550-6370; Saritas, Ayhan/0000-0002-4302-1093; Saritas, Ayhan/0000-0002-4302-1093; Kaya, Ertugrul/0000-0003-0081-682XWOS: 000328658600028PubMed: 24139877Although rarely seen, Amanita phalloides var. alba, a variety of A. phalloides type mushrooms, causes mushroom poisoning resulting in death. Since it is frequently confused with some edible mushrooms due to its white colored cap and macroscopic appearance, it becomes important in toxicological terms. Knowledge of the toxin amount contained in this mushroom type is invaluable in the treatment of cases involving poisoning. In this study, we examined the toxin levels of various parts of the A. phalloides var. alba mushroom growing Duzce region of Turkey. Toxin analyses were carried out for A. phalloides var. alba, which were collected from the forests Duzce region of Turkey in 2011, as a whole and also separately in its spore, pileus, gills, stipe and volva parts. The alpha amanitin, beta amanitin, gamma amanitin, phalloidin and phallacidine analyses of the mushrooms were carried out using the RP-HPLC method. A genetic analysis of the mushroom showed that it had similar genetic characteristics as A. phalloides and was a variety of it. The lowest toxins quantity was detected in spores, volva and stipe among all parts of the mushroom. The maximum amount of amatoxins was measured in the gills. The pileus also contained a high amount of amatoxins. Generally, amatoxins and phallotoxin concentrations were lower as compared to A. phalloides, but interestingly all toxins other than gamma toxin were higher in the spores of A. phalloides var. alba. The amount of toxin in all of its parts had sufficient concentrations to cause death. With this study, the amatoxin and phallotoxin concentrations in A. phalloides var. alba mushroom and in its parts have been revealed in detail for the first time. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Evaluation of Cognitive Functions in Children with Chronic Kidney Disease

Objectives: The aim of our study is to evaluate the cognitive functions of the children with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and to identify the factors influencing on these cognitive functions. Fifty-seven children with various stages of CKD following up in three pediatric nephrology centers were enrolled in this multicentric study. Mean age was 12±2.57 years.Methods: Initial information about the patients was obtained from hospital records and their parents. WISC-R and CNS Vital Signs tests were performed by a certified psychologist to evaluate cognitive functions of the patients. Mental retardation (MR) was defined as Intelligence quotient (IQ) level lower than 70 according to WISC-R test. The patients who have IQ level between 71-84 were classified as “borderline mental capacity”. Statistical analyses were performed with SPSS 21 software. Results: IQ level was normal only in 14 (24.6%) children in our study group. Fourteen (24.6%) patients had a “borderline mental capacity”, 29 (50.8%) patients had mild and moderate MR. IQ level was not found to be related to the stage of CKD (p=0.085). MR was more frequent in the patients with anemia and also history of small for gestational age (p=0.029 and p=0.033; respectively). IQ level of the patients were positively correlated with education level of their mothers (r=0.330 p=0.012).All of special cognitive functions were affected negatively except verbal memory. The percentage of the affected patients was 76.8% in cognitive flexibility, 69.6% in composite memory, 69.6% in neurocognition index, 66% in executive function and 60.7% in psychomotor speed. The duration of CKD, history of small for gestational age and especially maternal education level were found to be related to poor cognitive functions (p<0.05). Conclusion: IQ level and other cognitive functions were affected in the children with CKD. Maternal education level is one of the most important factors influencing IQ level and cognitive functions of these children

Covid-19 related anxiety levels of emergency service personnel: A cross-sectional studyfrom Turkey

COVID-19 pandemic significantly affects the mental health of the personnel working in the frontline of the healthcare system. The present study aimed to determine theprevalence of anxiety and risk factors in people who served in the emergency health system during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study was designed as a cross-sectionalonline survey conducted on healthcare staff working in emergency services throughout the country between May 15 and June 15, 2020. The questionnaire form consistedof two parts. The first part included sociodemographic questions (13 questions), while the second part consisted of 20 questions found in STAI (State-Trait AnxietyInventory) anxiety. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the potential risk factors for anxiety symptoms in the participants. Relationshipsbetween risk factors and their consequences were stated as rates (ORs) and 95% CI. A total 1014 completed the survey. Among the respondents, 54.3% male, 41.3%18–29 age group, 60.4% married, 44.9% doctors, and 63.4% working in the city center. Analysis showed that anxiety triggering factors included being a female (OR, 1.50;95% CI, 1.13–1.99; p = 0.004), working as an emergency medical technician (OR, 7.42; 95% CI, 1.09–50.53; p = 0.041), large family (OR, 1.69; 95% CI, 1.06–2.70; p= 0.041), few children (OR, 1.28; 95% CI, 0.84–2.15; p = 0.068), and working in the town center (OR, 1.43; 95% CI, 1.06–1.93; p = 0.017). Our results showed that theanxiety level is high for a significant portion of the emergency staff during the pandemic and that risk-enhancing factors exist in their home and work lives during thisperiod. It is important to carry out supportive administrative studies aimed at reducing stress and anxiety levels, especially for the health staff working in the frontlineduring the pandemic

Homozygous c.130-131 ins A (pW44X) mutation in the HAX1 gene as the most common cause of congenital neutropenia in Turkey: Report from the Turkish Severe Congenital Neutropenia Registry

Background Severe congenital neutropenia is a rare disease, and autosomal dominantly inherited ELANE mutation is the most frequently observed genetic defect in the registries from North America and Western Europe. However, in eastern countries where consanguineous marriages are common, autosomal recessive forms might be more frequent. Method Two hundred and sixteen patients with severe congenital neutropenia from 28 different pediatric centers in Turkey were registered. Results The most frequently observed mutation was HAX1 mutation (n = 78, 36.1%). A heterozygous ELANE mutation was detected in 29 patients (13.4%) in our cohort. Biallelic mutations of G6PC3 (n = 9, 4.3%), CSF3R (n = 6, 2.9%), and JAGN1 (n = 2, 1%) were also observed. Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor treatment was given to 174 patients (80.6%). Two patients died with infectious complications, and five patients developed myelodysplastic syndrome/acute myeloblastic leukemia. The mean (+/- mean standard error) follow-up period was 129.7 +/- 76.3 months, and overall survival was 96.8% (CI, 94.4-99.1%) at the age of 15 years. In Turkey, severe congenital neutropenia mostly resulted from the p W44X mutation in the HAX1 gene. Conclusion In Turkey, mutation analysis should be started with HAX1, and if this is negative, ELANE and G6PC3 should be checked. Because of the very high percentage of consanguineous marriage, rare mutations should be tested in patients with a negative mutation screen

Cystic echinococcosis in Turkey from 2001-2005

Echinococcus granulosus’un metasestod formunun ara konaklarda sebep olduğu kistik ekinokokkozis (KE) dünyada özellikle de hayvancılığın yaygın olduğu bölgelerde büyük bir halk sağlığı problemidir. Çalışmamızda, Türkiye’de 2001-2005 yıllarında değişik hastanelerden, İl Sağlık Müdürlüklerinden ve Sağlık Bakanlığı’ndan elde edilen kayıtların retrospektif olarak gözden geçirilmesiyle saptanan KE olguları incelenmiştir. Elde edilen sonuçlara göre Marmara Bölgesi’nde 2534 (%13,13), Ege Bölgesi’nde 2114 (%16,94), Akdeniz Bölgesi’nde 2578 (%16,09), İç Anadolu Bölgesi’nde 5404 (%38,57), Karadeniz Bölgesi’nde 428 (%5.70), Doğu Anadolu Bölgesi’nde 844 (%6,80), Güneydoğu Anadolu Bölgesi’nde 887 (%2,75) olmak üzere toplam 14789 KE olgusu saptanmıştır. Saptanan olguların toplam 149464 gün hastanede yattığı belirlenmiştirCystic echinococcosis (CE) caused by the metacestode form of Echinococcus granulosus is a major public health problem especially in animal-raising regions of the world. In the present study, CE cases were determined during 2001-2005 by investigating different hospital and health directorship documents and Health Ministry documents, retrospectively. Our results show that there were 2534 (13.13%) cases in the Marmara region; 2114 (16.94%), in the Aegean region; 2578 (16.09%), Mediterranean region; 5404 (38.57%), in the Middle Anatolian region; 428 (5.70%), in the Black Sea region; 844 (6.80%), in the eastern Anatolian region; and 887 (2.75%), in the southeastern Anatolian region making a total of 14,789 CE cases. Finally, it has been determined that the patients were hospitalized for a total of 149,464 days