Reduction of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in common carp meat smoked in traditional conditions.

Common carp meat was smoked in traditional conditions without filter and with zeolite, granular activated carbon, and gravel filters. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of using different filters in traditional smoking conditions on 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from the Environmental Protection Agency list (16 US-EPA PAHs). Determination and quantification of PAHs were performed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). According to the obtained results, all examined samples of common carp meat smoked in traditional conditions were safe for consumers regarding to the European Commission Regulation on PAH content. After statistical analysis, the zeolite filter appeared to be the best one based on food safety of traditional production of smoked common carp meat. Application of any of these filters to produce smoked common carp meat in traditional conditions resulted in a safer product, as lower levels of PAHs were obtained.

Organochlorine pesticides in canned tuna and sardines on the Serbian market.

The aim of this study was to determine the level of organochlorine (OC) pesticides in 57 samples of canned tuna and 31 samples of canned sardines in vegetable oil, collected from supermarkets in Serbia. OC pesticides α-HCH, ß-HCH, δ-HCH, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), DDE, DDD, dielderin, endosulfane I, endosulfane II, endosulan sulfate, endrin, endrin ketone, heptachlor, heptachlor epoxide, lindane, aldrin, metoxichlor, cis-chlordane and trans-chlordane were determined using a GS-MS method. The highest concentrations (µg kg-1, arithmetic means) in canned tuna were for δ-HCH (60.6 ± 97.0) and p, p´-DDT (55.0 ± 25.1), while the corresponding values in canned sardines were for δ-HCH (90.7 ± 102.7) and endosulfane II (78.0 ± 145.9). Mean level for the sum of endosulfans was above the maximum limit in canned sardines (85.0 µg kg-1). Also, dieldrin (39.7 µg kg-1) was measured above the ML.

Fish Product-Borne Histamine Intoxication Outbreak and Survey of Imported Fish and Fish Products in Serbia.

Histamine levels in fish and fish products are regarded as a primary criterion for food safety, considering the effects of histamine on human health. The aim of this research was to describe a case of massive histamine intoxication in Serbian children and to provide relevant information regarding the presence of histamine in imported marine fish and fish products available in the Serbian market. In January 2014, an incident of foodborne illness occurred in 28 children (aged 2 to 5 years) who consumed canned sardines in a kindergarten in Vojvodina province, northern Serbia. The diagnosis was established based on anamnestic data, epidemiological data, and clinical symptoms and confirmed by positive histamine finding in the incriminated sardines. Substantially high histamine levels (>300 mg/kg) were detected in seven of the nine examined units of these canned sardines. In addition, during an official veterinary border control from January 2013 to January 2015, 273 lots in total, including 2,457 fish and fishery product units, were analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Even though only nine (3.29%) of all examined lots were declared as unsafe for human consumption, the presented case of histamine intoxication strongly suggests the importance of border inspection and comprehensive control of each imported lot.

Perinatal care improves the outcome of triplets.

OBJECTIVE: To compare pregnancy complications and neonatal outcome of 85 triplet gestations cared for during the 15 years in a single perinatal unit. METHODS: Pregnancies were divided in two groups according to the differences in the management plan and their outcomes were compared. Group I (N = 44) consisted of pregnancies cared from 1986 to 1995, using standard model of care: preventive hospitalization from the early second trimester or home bed rest with routine hospitalization after 28-32 weeks of pregnancy, routine clinical and ultrasound examinations, biophysical profile and non-stress tests starting at 28 weeks, expert neonatal care without free access to surfactant or to parenteral nutrition. Group II (N = 41) consisted of pregnancies cared for from 1986 to 2000 using modified care: preventive hospitalization from early second trimester or home bed rest with routine hospitalization after 32 weeks of pregnancy, biophysical profile, non-stress tests and pulsed doppler analysis of fetal umbilical artery, fetal aorta and middle cerebral artery blood flow from as early as 26 weeks, and neonatal care improved by free access to surfactant and parenteral nutrition. RESULTS: The mean gestational age, mean birth weight, the proportion of growth-retarded infants, the incidence of various maternal complications and immediate neonatal conditions as judged by APGAR scores did not differ between the groups. The incidence of deliveries up to 28 weeks was lower in the group II in comparison to group I, but the proportion of term and near term deliveries was lower. The incidence of cesarean sections was high (91.8%), but significantly increased cesarean delivery rate because of fetal distress was observed in the group II (P = 0.014). Infants in the group II had less frequently uneventful early neonatal period, mainly due to significantly increased conatal infection (P = 0.007) and neonatal encephalopathy rate (P = 0.001). However, perinatal mortality was decreased from 235% in the group I to 142% in the group II for newborns that reached 24 weeks of gestation or more. The decrease of perinatal mortality was observed also in the newborns born after 28 weeks of gestation (123% in the group I and 99% in the group II). None of the children weighing <1000 g died in utero in the group II. Early neonatal death of infants weighing >1500 g was significantly reduced in the group II (P = 0.048). CONCLUSION: Advances in neonatal care, but also the delivery of infants in better overall condition must be the explanation for improved outcome of triplet gestations managed by modified care. A higher cesarean section rate because of imminent fetal jeopardy as judged by not only fetal heart rate tracings, but also umbilical, aortic and middle cerebral artery flow analysis, could be the explanation for lowered perinatal mortality and significantly improved outcome in very preterm infants from triplet gestations.