Factors effecting natural course of egg allergy.

Summary: Background. There is limited data about the natural course of egg allergy in the literature. We aimed to analyze the factors that can affect the tolerance or persistence of egg allergy. Methods. A total number of 126 IgE- mediated egg allergic patient who had data about tolerance gaining were included in the study. Demographic and laboratory data were recorded retrospectively. Kaplan-Meier curves was used for estimation of resolution and the factors related to resolution by Cox regression model. Results. Among 126 patients 81 (64.2%) had gained tolerance with a median survival time of 48 months (min 12- max 121). Tolerance was gained in 22.2% (28) of these patients in the first 2 years, in 46.8% (49) 2-6 years, 3.1% (4) between 7-12 years. In univariate analysis, no history of anaphylaxis (at initiation or during OFC) (Hazard ratio 2.193; 95%CI 1.309-3.674, p = 0.003), baseline sIgE level less than 8.2 (Hazard ratio 11.292; 95%CI 2.766-46.090, p = 0.001) and baseline egg SPT less than 11 mm (Hazard ratio 2.906; 95%CI 1.424-5.930, p = 0.003) were found to be related to earlier resolution of egg allergy. In multivariate analysis only anaphylaxis was significantly related to later resolution (Hazard ratio: 6.547; 95%CI 15.80-27.434, p = 0.01). Conclusions. Higher levels of egg sIgE, skin prick test induration and anaphylaxis at onset or during oral food challenge, can give hint about persistence of egg allergy.

Effects of primary Sjögren's syndrome on hearing and vestibular systems.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate primary Sjögren's syndrome patients in terms of hearing and vestibular functions. METHODS: The patient group consisted of 35 individuals diagnosed with primary Sjögren's syndrome and a control group of 35 healthy individuals similar in terms of age and gender. RESULTS: The rate of hearing loss in the patient group was significantly higher than in the control group (p = 0.021). The N1 latency value for the ocular vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials test was significantly longer in the patient group than in the control group (p = 0.037). Additionally, the posterior semicircular canal and lateral semicircular canal vestibulo-ocular reflex gain values were significantly lower than in the control group (p = 0.022 and p < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION: These results indicate subclinical vestibular involvement and hearing loss in primary Sjögren's syndrome patients. Vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials and video head impulse tests can be used to detect vestibular involvement in primary Sjögren's syndrome patients.

The novel coronavirus 2019-nCoV: Its evolution and transmission into humans causing global COVID-19 pandemic.

A novel coronavirus strain 2019-nCoV has caused a rapid global pandemic-COVID-19. Scientists have taken onto the task of characterizing this new virus and understanding how this virus has transmitted to humans. All preliminary studies have found some striking similarities between this new virus and the SARS-CoV that caused a similar kind of epidemic in 2002-2003. Through bioinformatics tools, a great deal of information has been gathered about the origin, evolution and zoonosis of this virus. We, in this review, report the symptoms, mode of transmission and available and putative treatments to tackle 2019-nCoV infections. We also comprehensively summarize all the information so far made available regarding the genome, evolution and zoonosis of this virus.

Cerebral Oximetry as an Auxiliary Diagnostic Tool in the Diagnosis of Brain Death.

AIM: To investigate the efficacy of cerebral oximetry (CO) as an auxiliary diagnostic tool in brain death (BD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This observational case-control study was performed on patients with suspected BD. Patients with diagnosis of BD confirmed by the brain death committee were enrolled as the BD group and other patients as the non-BD group. CO monitoring was performed at least 6 h, and cerebral tissue oxygen saturation (ScO2) parameters were compared. RESULTS: Mean ScO2 level in the BD group was lower than non-brain-dead patients: mean difference for right lobe = 6.48 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.08-12.88) and for left lobe = 6.09 (95% CI -0.22-12.41). Maximum ScO2 values in the BD group were significantly lower than the non-BD group: mean difference for right lobe = 8.20 (95% CI 1.64-14.77) and for left lobe = 9.54 (95% CI 3.06-16.03). The area under the curve for right lobe maximum ScO2 was 0.69 (95% CI 0.55-0.81) and for left lobe was 0.72 (95% CI 0.58-0.84). CONCLUSION: Maximum ScO2 in brain-dead patients at CO monitoring is significantly low. However, this cannot be used to differentiate brain-dead and non-brain-dead patients. CO monitoring is therefore not an appropriate auxiliary diagnostic tool for confirming BD.

Comparison of growth curve models in partridge.

This study was conducted in order to determine the goodness of fit of Brody, Gompertz, Logistic, and von Bertalanffy growth curve models in partridge (Alectoris chukar). The growth curve parameters A (upper asymptote or mature weight parameter), B (scale parameter related to initial weight), and K (instantaneous growth rate parameter) were determined as 623.4, 1.05, and 0.075 for females and 723.8, 1.06, and 0.073 for males in the Brody model, respectively, 472.9, 3.47, and 0.207 for females and 565.3, 3.59, and 0.192 for males in the Gompertz model, respectively, 440.2, 12.89, and 0.332 for females and 517.0, 14.13, and 0.319 for males in the Logistic model, respectively, and 498.9, 0.77, and 0.164 for females and 608.8, 0.79, and 0.150 for males in the von Bertalanffy model, respectively. While determining which growth curve model presented the better fit, the coefficient of determination (R2), adjusted the coefficient of determination (adj.R2), mean square predicted error (MSPE), Durbin-Watson value, correlation between estimated live weight and residual values (RESC), Akaike's information criteria (AIC), and Bayesian information criterion (BIC) were used. As a consequence of the study, it was determined that the Gompertz model yields a better fit to the data for the partridge, as its coefficient of determination and adjusted coefficient of determination are high, its values of MSPE, RESC, AIC, BIC are low and there is not an autocorrelation between the residual values. As a result, the Gompertz model presented a better fit with the partridge data.

Egg shell quality in Japanese quail: characteristics, heritabilities and genetic and phenotypic relationships.

The objective of the present study was to estimate heritabilities as well as genetic and phenotypic correlations for egg weight, specific gravity, shape index, shell ratio, egg shell strength, egg length, egg width and shell weight in Japanese quail eggs. External egg quality traits were measured on 5864 eggs of 934 female quails from a dam line selected for two generations. Within the Bayesian framework, using Gibbs Sampling algorithm, a multivariate animal model was applied to estimate heritabilities and genetic correlations for external egg quality traits. The heritability estimates for external egg quality traits were moderate to high and ranged from 0.29 to 0.81. The heritability estimates for egg and shell weight of 0.81 and 0.76 were fairly high. The genetic and phenotypic correlations between egg shell strength with specific gravity, shell ratio and shell weight ranging from 0.55 to 0.79 were relatively high. It can be concluded that it is possible to determine egg shell quality using the egg specific gravity values utilizing its high heritability and fairly high positive correlation with most of the egg shell quality traits. As a result, egg specific gravity may be the choice of selection criterion rather than other external egg traits for genetic improvement of egg shell quality in Japanese quails.

Improving the sludge disintegration efficiency of sonication by combining with alkalization and thermal pre-treatment methods.

One of the most serious problems encountered in biological wastewater treatment processes is the production of waste activated sludge (WAS). Sonication, which is an energy-intensive process, is the most powerful sludge pre-treatment method. Due to lack of information about the combined pre-treatment methods of sonication, the combined pre-treatment methods were investigated and it was aimed to improve the disintegration efficiency of sonication by combining sonication with alkalization and thermal pre-treatment methods in this study. The process performances were evaluated based on the quantities of increases in soluble chemical oxygen demand (COD), protein and carbohydrate. The releases of soluble COD, carbohydrate and protein by the combined methods were higher than those by sonication, alkalization and thermal pre-treatment alone. Degrees of sludge disintegration in various options of sonication were in the following descending order: sono-alkalization > sono-thermal pre-treatment > sonication. Therefore, it was determined that combining sonication with alkalization significantly improved the sludge disintegration and decreased the required energy to reach the same yield by sonication. In addition, effects on sludge settleability and dewaterability and kinetic mathematical modelling of pre-treatment performances of these methods were investigated. It was proven that the proposed model accurately predicted the efficiencies of ultrasonic pre-treatment methods.

Effects of propolis on eggshell microbial activity, hatchability, and chick performance in Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) eggs.

Propolis is a sticky resin produced by worker honeybees from substances collected from plants, and it has strong antibacterial and antifungal properties. The purpose of this study was to establish the effects of propolis on egg weight loss, hatchability, chick performance, and to control microbial activity naturally occurring on eggshells. A total of 750 fresh eggs was randomly divided into 5 groups. Eggs from the first group were sprayed with ethyl alcohol (70%, A), the second group was sprayed with benzalkonium chloride (B), and the third, fourth, and fifth groups were sprayed with propolis at 3 doses: 5, 10, and 15%. Eggs sprayed with propolis had lower egg weight loss than eggs from groups A and B (P < 0.001). Bacterial activity was reduced significantly in all propolis groups. There were no significant differences between treatments for hatchability, embryonic mortality, BW gain, and relative growth. Results of the present study indicated that propolis could be an alternative hatching egg disinfectant versus a chemical disinfectant, without adverse effects on hatchability and performance of quail chicks.

Effects of ultrasonic treatment on eggshell microbial activity, hatchability, tibia mineral content, and chick performance in Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) eggs.

The purpose of this study was to establish the effects of ultrasonic treatment of eggs on egg weight loss, hatchability, tibia mineral content, chick performance, and eggshell microbial activity. A total of 600 fresh eggs was randomly divided into 5 groups. Treatments were no ultrasound, 35 kHz for 5 min, 35 kHz for 10 min, 35 kHz for 15 min, and eggs sprayed with benzalkonium chloride solution at 0.02% (negative control). The eggshell microbial activity was reduced significantly at all ultrasonic treatments (P < 0.01). There were no significant differences among treatments for egg weight loss, hatchability, embryonic mortality, chick weight, or tibia Ca, P, K, Na, and Mg content.

Procalcitonin is a predictor for high-grade vesicoureteral reflux in children: meta-analysis of individual patient data.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the predictive value of procalcitonin, a serum inflammatory marker, in the identification of children with first urinary tract infection (UTI) who might have high-grade (≥3) vesicoureteral reflux (VUR). STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a meta-analysis of individual data, including all series of children aged 1 month to 4 years with a first UTI, a procalcitonin (PCT) level measurement, cystograms, and an early dimercaptosuccinic acid scan. RESULTS: Of the 152 relevant identified articles, 12 studies representing 526 patients (10% with VUR ≥3) were included. PCT level was associated with VUR ≥3 as a continuous (P = .001), and as a binary variable, with a 0.5 ng/mL preferred threshold (adjusted OR, 2.5; 95% CI, 1.1 to 5.4). The sensitivity of PCT ≥0.5 ng/mL was 83% (95% CI, 71 to 91) with 43% specificity rate (95% CI, 38 to 47). In the subgroup of children with a positive results on dimercaptosuccinic acid scan, PCT ≥0.5 ng/mL was also associated with high-grade VUR (adjusted OR, 4.8; 95% CI, 1.3 to 17.6). CONCLUSIONS: We confirmed that PCT is a sensitive and validated predictor strongly associated with VUR ≥3, regardless of the presence of early renal parenchymal involvement in children with a first UTI.

Effects of ultrasonic treatment and storage temperature on egg quality.

In this study, the effects of ultrasonic treatment and storage temperature on egg weight, specific gravity, shell strength, albumen height, Haugh unit, color, pH, water activity, total mesophilic aerobic bacteria, mineral content, and sensory properties were investigated. Ultrasonic treatment was used to improve egg properties. The lowest weight loss values were obtained with eggs treated with 15 min of ultrasonic treatment and stored at 5°C for 10 d. The higher specific gravity, shell strength, albumen height, and Haugh unit were observed in ultrasonic-treated eggs. The egg quality was significantly improved with ultrasonic treatment (P < 0.01). The total mesophilic aerobic bacteria values of yolk and albumen decreased with increase in ultrasonic treatment time from 5 to 30 min. Ultrasonic treatment improved the sensory properties of egg shells.

Serum thyroid hormones levels are significantly decreased in septic neonates with poor outcome.

The aim of this prospective study was to investigate the effects of thyroid hormone levels on the sepsis criteria and mortality in septic newborns. This study was performed at the Firat University Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. A group of septic newborns and a control group of healthy non-infected newborns were evaluated. Blood samples were obtained at onset from septic and healthy newborns and at 10th day of the antibiotic therapy from only septic newborns, and thereafter serum total T(3) (TT(3)), total T(4) (TT(4)), and TSH levels were determined. A total of 292 newborns were included in the study. Serum TT(3) levels at onset and at 10th day of the antibiotic therapy were 163.8±63.4 and 178.3±33.1 ng/dl, TT(4) levels were 6.9±2.2 and 11.0±2.6 mg/ml, and TSH levels were 3.8±2.1 and 4.0±2.5 µU/ml, respectively in septic newborns. Serum TT3 levels were 180.3±47.6 ng/dl, TT(4) levels were 10.9±2.3 mg/ml, and TSH levels were 4.1±2.2 µU/ml in healthy newborns. Serum TT(3), TT(4) levels of septic newborns were significantly decreased with respect to those of healthy newborns at onset and serum TT(4) levels was increased significantly after antibiotic therapy. To the best of our knowledge, this report is the first study to compare thyroid hormone levels in a large number of septic newborns and a healthy group. Our findings suggest that before and after treatment of neonatal sepsis a significant change is realized in thyroid hormone levels.

Prediction of high-grade vesicoureteral reflux after pediatric urinary tract infection: external validation study of procalcitonin-based decision rule.

BACKGROUND: Predicting vesico-ureteral reflux (VUR) ≥3 at the time of the first urinary tract infection (UTI) would make it possible to restrict cystography to high-risk children. We previously derived the following clinical decision rule for that purpose: cystography should be performed in cases with ureteral dilation and a serum procalcitonin level ≥0.17 ng/mL, or without ureteral dilatation when the serum procalcitonin level ≥0.63 ng/mL. The rule yielded a 86% sensitivity with a 46% specificity. We aimed to test its reproducibility. STUDY DESIGN: A secondary analysis of prospective series of children with a first UTI. The rule was applied, and predictive ability was calculated. RESULTS: The study included 413 patients (157 boys, VUR ≥3 in 11%) from eight centers in five countries. The rule offered a 46% specificity (95% CI, 41-52), not different from the one in the derivation study. However, the sensitivity significantly decreased to 64% (95%CI, 50-76), leading to a difference of 20% (95%CI, 17-36). In all, 16 (34%) patients among the 47 with VUR ≥3 were misdiagnosed by the rule. This lack of reproducibility might result primarily from a difference between derivation and validation populations regarding inflammatory parameters (CRP, PCT); the validation set samples may have been collected earlier than for the derivation one. CONCLUSIONS: The rule built to predict VUR ≥3 had a stable specificity (ie. 46%), but a decreased sensitivity (ie. 64%) because of the time variability of PCT measurement. Some refinement may be warranted.

Use of phototherapy for neonatal hyperbilirubinemia affects cytokine production and lymphocyte subsets.

BACKGROUND: Most studies regarding the influence of ultraviolet radiation on levels of inflammatory cytokines were conducted mainly in cultures of human keratinocytes or in laboratory animals. Few studies were also performed in human subjects. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the influence of the use of phototherapy on the levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6, IL-8 such as cytokines expressed from keratinocytes and on the expression of some lymphocyte subsets in the prevention or treatment of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. METHODS: The study group included 21 term newborns with hyperbilirubinemia and the control group included 16 healthy term newborns. Blood samples were obtained from hyperbilirubinemic newborns before and at 72 h of exposure to phototherapy and from controls at the examination time. The levels of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-8 and lymphocyte subsets were measured in the samples using appropriate methods. RESULTS: Serum TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, and IL-8 levels are similar in study and control groups. At 72 h of exposure to phototherapy serum TNF-alpha, IL-1beta and IL-8 levels are significantly increased, while the serum IL-6 level at the same time is not significantly changed. Lymphocytes, lymphocyte subsets and white blood cell levels are similar in the study and control groups. Only, the percentage of CD3+ lymphocyte subset is significantly lower in newborns at 72 h of exposure to phototherapy. All other lymphocyte subsets are decreased by the exposure to phototherapy, and this change was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrate that in addition to the well-known positive effect of phototherapy on the neonatal serum bilirubin level, this treatment can affect the function of the immune system in newborns via alterations in cytokine production.

Neonates with culture proven sepsis have lower amounts and percentage of CD45RA+ T cells.

To evaluate the expression of lymphocyte subsets in newborns diagnosed as culture proven or culture negative sepsis and to investigate the differentiation. The aim of this study is to explore neonatal immunology in newborns diagnosed as culture proven or culture negative neonatal sepsis and to identify their place in the diagnosis. This prospective study was performed in newborns who were diagnosed as neonatal sepsis and hospitalized in a tertiary care hospital and who were classified as culture proven sepsis (n=12), as culture negative sepsis (n=21) and healthy (n=17). Lymphocyte subsets were obtained at time of diagnosis. Culture proven sepsis had statistically significant increase of WBC compared to culture negative sepsis and control groups (p<0.05). Significant decreases were observed of percentage of lymphocyte, when compared to culture negative sepsis and control group (p<0.05). Percentage of CD4(+) was lower in culture proven sepsis and absolute count of CD4(+) was lower in culture negative sepsis (p<0.05). Percentage and absolute count of CD45RA(+) were lower in culture negative sepsis than control and percentage of CD45RA(+) was lower in culture proven sepsis than control (p<0.05). Percentage of CD45RO(+) was higher in culture proven sepsis than control group (p<0.05). It is clear that during neonatal sepsis lymphocyte subsets are different from healthy controls. Whether the described abnormalities represent the absence of a normal maturation process, rather, pathological events is still not clear.

Cord blood prolidase activity correlates with gestational age and birth weight.

BACKGROUND: Prolidase, a specific iminopeptidase involved in collagen turnover, is especially active in growing tissues. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the relationship between cord blood prolidase activity and both birth weight and gestational age. METHODS: Cord blood was collected consecutively from 50 healthy newborns (35 term, 15 preterm). Prolidase activity was measured in the samples using standard methods. RESULTS: Themean +/- SD cord blood prolidase activity was 41.4 +/- 6.9 U/l in term infants and 35.2 +/- 8.0 U/l in preterm infants and these were significantly different (p < 0.01). There were positive correlations between cord blood prolidase and both birth weight (r = 0.533, p < 0.01) and gestational age (r = 0.806, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Cord blood prolidase activity may be a good indicator of fetal maturation and gestational age.

Oxidative status and serum leptin levels in obese prepubertal children.

The prevalence of obesity in children has increased dramatically over the last 20-30 years in developed countries. The aim of this study was to evaluate the oxidative and antioxidant status and any correlation with leptin in obese prepubertal children. A cross-sectional study was made of healthy children from ten elementary schools in the province of Elazig, Eastern Turkey. Blood samples were drawn from children comprising obese and control groups, on a visit to their school in the morning after an overnight fast. The mean body mass index (BMI) was 24.03 +/- 4.09 kg/m(2) in the obese group and was 17.51 +/- 2.33 kg/m(2) in the control group. Mean plasma leptin concentration was significantly higher in the obese children. Homocysteine and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were also significantly higher in the obese group. In contrast superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase activities were significantly decreased in the obese group (p < 0.001). In conclusion, in prepubertal obese children oxidative stress was increased and MDA and homocysteine levels were well correlated with serum leptin level and BMI. In contrast with the increase in oxidative stress, antioxidant activities of SOD and glutathione peroxidase were decreased in obese prepubertal children.

Rickets with Dorfman-Chanarin syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Dorfman-Chanarin syndrome is a rare, autosomal recessive, inherited, lipid storage disease. It is characterized by nonbullous congenital ichthyosiform erythroderma, leukocyte vacuoles and variable involvement of the liver, muscles and central nervous system, due to errors of triacylglycerol metabolism. To date only 32 cases of this syndrome have been described worldwide. AIMS: To report the case of a boy with Dorfman-Chanarin syndrome with rickets. CASE REPORT: A boy of Turkish origin was born of a nonconsanguineous marriage after an uncomplicated perinatal period. On examination the patient had failure to thrive, diffuse erythroderma and ichthyosis and clinical features suggesting rickets. A light-microscopic examination of peripheral smear revealed vacuolated leukocytes typical of Jordans' anomaly. Lipid analysis showed an increase in triacylglycerol and very low density lipoprotein. A radiographic study of the wrist revealed rickets. CONCLUSION: The clinical progression in these patients ranges from mild to fatal. We believe that patients with ichthyosis should be evaluated bearing in mind the possibility of Dorfman-Chanarin syndrome. This may increase the number of reported Dorfman-Chanarin syndrome cases, and the pathogenesis and progression of the disease will become clearer.

Serum IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-alpha levels in early diagnosis and management of neonatal sepsis.

AIM: To determine serum IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-alpha levels in neonatal sepsis at the time of diagnosis and after therapy, and to show the meaningful on the follow up. METHODS: This prospective study was performed on newborns who were hospitalized for neonatal sepsis and who were classified as culture-proven sepsis (n=12), as culture-negative sepsis (n=21), and as healthy newborns (n=17). RESULTS: At the time of diagnosis, serum IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-alpha levels of culture-proven sepsis were significantly higher than those of the control groups (P<.05). At the time of diagnosis, IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-alpha levels of culture-proven sepsis and culture-negative sepsis were significantly higher than levels at the seventh day after antibiotic treatment. CONCLUSION: Serum IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-alpha are mediators of inflammation and can be used at the diagnosis and at the evaluation of the therapeutic efficiency in neonatal sepsis.

Seroprevalence of mumps, varicella and rubella antibodies in children 1-16 years of age in eastern Turkey.

In this study, seroprevalence of mumps, varicella and rubella was investigated in 803 unvaccinated children in eastern Turkey whose ages ranged between 1 and 16 years. Mumps IgG, varicella IgG and rubella IgG antibody levels in all children were studied by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. Information regarding socioeconomic characteristics, number of siblings and disease history was gathered for each participant. No significant difference in seropositivity was detected between girls and boys. Seroprevalence of mumps increased with age, with a seropositivity rate of 29.9% in children aged 1-4 years and of 88.8% in those aged 13-16 years. Seroprevalence of varicella increased with age, with a seropositivity rate of 26.8% in children aged 1-4 years and of 90.3% in those aged 13-16 years. Seroprevalence of rubella also increased with age, with a seropositivity rate of 47.3% in the children aged 1-4 years and of 89.2% in those aged 13-16 years. There was a statistically significant increase in the rate of seropositivity with advancing age through the group of 13-16 years old (p < 0.05). In conclusion, in order to avoid mumps, varicella and rubella diseases and their possible complications, children should be vaccinated against these three diseases before the age of two, since seroprevalence increases with age.