Evaluation of Exposure to Bisphenol Analogs through Canned and Ready-to-Eat Meal Consumption and Their Possible Effects on Blood Pressure and Heart Rate.

Bisphenols are endocrine-disrupting chemicals used in plastics and resins for food packaging. This study aimed to evaluate the exposure to bisphenol A (BPA), bisphenol S (BPS), and bisphenol F (BPF) associated with the consumption of fresh, canned, and ready-to-eat meals and determine the effects of bisphenols on blood pressure and heart rate. Forty-eight healthy young adults were recruited for this study, and they were divided into the following three groups: fresh, canned, and ready-to-eat meal groups. Urine samples were collected 2, 4, and 6 h after meal consumption, and blood pressure and heart rate were measured. The consumption of ready-to-eat meals significantly increased urine BPA concentrations compared with canned and fresh meal consumption. No significant difference in BPS and BPF concentrations was observed between the groups. The consumption of ready-to-eat meals was associated with a significant increase in systolic blood pressure and pulse pressure and a marked decrease in diastolic blood pressure and heart rate. No significant differences were noted in blood pressure and heart rate with canned and fresh meal consumption. It can be concluded that total BPA concentration in consumed ready-to-eat meals is high. High BPA intake causes increase in urinary BPA concentrations, which may, in turn, lead to changes in some cardiovascular parameters.

Development of a vortex-assisted switchable-hydrophilicity solvent-based liquid phase microextraction for fast and reliable extraction of Zn (II), Fe (II), Pb (II), and Cd (II) from various baby food products.

This manuscript describes the development of a novel liquid phase microextraction (LPME) method for the extraction and determination of Zn (II), Fe (II), Pb (II), and Cd (II) in various infant/baby food and supplements products. The method is based on vortex-assisted extraction combined with a switchable-hydrophilicity solvent (SHS) sample preparation. The SHS, which undergoes reversible phase changes triggered by pH change, enables selective extraction and easy phase separation. A flame atomic absorption spectroscopy was used in the final determination step. Optimization studies revealed, that the optimal pH of the sample solution (after digestion) during analytes extraction is 5.5. A l-proline is added to the sample (375 mM) to ensure the complexation of the target metal cations. After the complexation step, 750 µL of SHS - a N, N-Dimethylcyclohexylamine along with 0.9 mL of 2 M of acetic acid solution is added (hydrophilicity switch-on stage) and mixed manually to obtain a homogeneous solution. In the last stage, 0.45 mL of 10 M NaOH solution (hydrophilicity switch-off stage) is added to the sample solution and a vortex for 100 s is applied to ensure the effective extraction and separation of the complex containing the analytes. At this stage, a cloudy solution is immediately obtained. Finally, the effective phase separation is obtained at the centrifugation step (4000 rpm for 2 mins). The method limit of detection was as 0.03, 0.009, 0.6, and 0.2 ng/L for Zn (II), Fe (II), Cd (II), and Pb (II) respectively with RSD% below 2.0 %. The analysis of certified reference materials and real samples proved the full applicability of the method for routine analysis, contributing to the field of heavy metal analysis and ensuring the safety of baby products. According to the AGREE methodology, this method can be named as green analytical chemistry method with a score of 0.77.

Assessing heavy metal levels in pediatric enteral nutrition formulas available in the Turkish market: Implications for consumer health.

In this study, we assessed the levels of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), and inorganic arsenic (iAs) in 27 pediatric enteral nutrition (EN) formulas from five international brands available in the Turkish market. Analysis was conducted using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risk assessment was performed using hazard quotient (HQ), hazard index (HI), carcinogenic risk (CR), Toxicological contribution % of Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake (PTWI) models. Our objective was to evaluate heavy metal exposure in EN formulas, specifically focusing on Cd, Pb, iAs, and Hg levels according to recommended amounts for different age groups based on their energy requirements. Average concentrations of iAs in polymeric (PC), oligomeric (OC), and monomeric (MC) EN formulas were as follows: PC: 2.13 ± 0.16 (

The effects of circulating MIR22-3p and MIR16-1-3p levels in different stages of subacute thyroiditis.

Subacute thyroiditis (SAT) is an inflammatory thyroid disease with a frequency is 5% among all thyroid diseases. miRNAs are endogenous, non-coding RNAs ranging in length from 19 to 25 nucleotides. They play an important role in the posttranscriptional regulation of gene expression. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether the expression levels of two circulating miRNAs, MIR22 and MIR16-1, can be used as a parameter in the diagnosis and follow-up of SAT disease. Fifty patients diagnosed with SAT and 41 healthy controls were included in this study. Expression levels of miRNAs were determined by real time-PCR method. Expression data of miRNAs were calculated by fold change (2-ΔΔCt) method. The statistical significance of miRNA expression was evaluated by t-test. The expression levels of MIR22-3p and MIR16-1-3p were not found to be statistically different between SAT patients and controls and also between the patients in different stages (hyperthyroid, euthyroid, and hypothyroid) of the disease. According to correlation analyses, we observed a positive strong correlation between erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and the expression levels of MIR22-3p and MIR16-1-3p (r = 0.960, p = 0.000 and r = 0.865, p = 0.006, respectively), and a positive strong correlation between fT4 and the expression levels of MIR22-3p in SAT patients in euthyroid stage (r = 0.712, p = 0.047). In this study, we showed that the expression levels of MIR22-3p and MIR16-1-3p have correlation with clinical characteristics of SAT disease. Our results suggest that MIR22 and MIR16-1 may be effective in the pathogenesis of SAT.

Comparison of the Otolaryngological Symptoms of Laboratory-Confirmed and Clinically Diagnosed COVID-19 Patients.

Objectives: Our aim is to determine prevalence, severity, duration of otorhinolaryngologic symptoms related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and correlation between the test results obtained by oronasopharyngeal swab and the symptoms of these regions by evaluating differences in ear, nose, and throat (ENT) symptoms between laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 patients and clinically and computed tomography (CT)-diagnosed COVID-19 patients. Methods: The study enrolled patients with a positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test diagnosed with COVID-19 that grouped as PCR (+), and those with repeated negative PCR tests but COVID-19 Reporting and Data System (CO-RADS) chest CT findings with high (CO-RADS 5) or very high (CO-RADS 6) similarity to COVID-19 that grouped as PCR(-)/CT(+). Demographic features, general symptoms, and otorhinolaryngological symptoms and severity of disease were evaluated and compared. Results: The most common ENT symptoms in the PCR(+) group were loss of taste (n=77), loss of smell, and sore throat with respective frequencies of 34.5%, 31.8%, 26.0%, and in PCR(-) CT (+) group loss of taste, loss of smell, and sore throat with respective frequencies 24.6%, 21.1%, and 18.4%. ENT symptom rates were found higher in PCR (+) group (65.0%) according to PCR(-)/CT(+) group (49.1%) with statistically significant difference (p=0.008). Loss of smell rates were found higher in PCR (+) group according to PCR(-)/CT(+) group with statistically significant difference (p=0.037). Conclusion: Loss of smell and taste were most common ENT symptoms in laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases. The presence of COVID-19 should definitely be considered in patients presenting with sudden loss of smell or taste. In addition, loss of smell and otolaryngologic symptoms were more common in laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 according to clinically and computed tomograpy diagnosed COVID-19 cases. There can be a correlation between positive sample region and symptom region. Location of symptoms must be considered for decision of sampling location.

Measuring optic nerve sheath diameter using ultrasonography in patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension / Medição do diâmetro da bainha do nervo óptico por ultrassonografia em pacientes com hipertensão intracraniana idiopática

Abstract Background: Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is primarily a disorder of obese young women characterized by symptoms associated with raised intracranial pressure in the absence of a space-occupying lesion. Objective: To compare the mean optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) measured using ultrasonography (USG) in patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) and normal healthy individuals. Methods: A prospective study. Ninety-seven participants aged 18-80 years were divided into two groups as patients with IIH (n=47) and the control group (n=50). The ONSD was measured using ultrasound with a 10-MHz probe. ONSD was measured 3 mm behind the optic disc. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to determine patients with IIH using ONSD. Results: Body mass index was higher in the IIH group compared with the control group (p=0.001). The mean ONSD was statistically significantly thicker in the IIH group (6.4 mm) than in the control group (4.90 mm). The cut-off value of ONSD in patients with IIH was measured as 5.70 mm. There was a significant negative correlation between ONSD and age (r:-0.416 and p<0.001). There was a positive correlation between BMI and ONSD (r: 0.437 and p<0.001). Conclusions: Ultrasound can be a reliable, non-invasive and rapid tool to measure ONSD in monitoring patients with IIH. After the first diagnosis of IIH, based on neuroimaging and measuring intracranial pressure using invasive methods, ONSD can be used in treatment and follow-up.

Resumo Antecedentes: A hipertensão intracraniana idiopática (HII) é primariamente um distúrbio de mulheres jovens obesas caracterizado por sintomas e sinais associados à pressão intracraniana elevada na ausência de uma lesão ocupante de espaço. Objetivo: Comparar o diâmetro médio da bainha do nervo óptico (ONSD) medido por ultrassonografia (USG) em pacientes com hipertensão intracraniana idiopática (HII) e indivíduos normais e saudáveis. Métodos: Estudo prospectivo. Noventa e sete participantes com idade entre 18-80 anos foram divididos em dois grupos: pacientes com HII (n=47) e o grupo controle (n=50). O ONSD foi medido por ultrassonografia com uma sonda de 10 MHz. O ONSD foi medido 3 mm atrás do disco óptico. A análise da curva ROC foi realizada para determinar pacientes com HII usando-se o ONSD. Resultados: O índice de massa corporal foi maior no grupo HII comparado ao grupo controle (p=0,001). O ONSD médio foi estatística e significativamente mais espesso no grupo HII (6,4 mm) do que no grupo controle (4,90 mm). O valor de corte do ONSD em pacientes com HII foi medido em 5,70 mm. Houve correlação negativa significativa entre ONSD e idade (r:-0,416 ep<0,001). Houve correlação positiva entre IMC e ONSD (r: 0,437 ep<0,001). Conclusões: A ultrassonografia pode ser uma ferramenta confiável, não invasiva e rápida para medir o ONSD no monitoramento de pacientes com HII. Após o primeiro diagnóstico de HII, com base em neuroimagem e na medida da pressão intracraniana por métodos invasivos, o ONSD pode ser utilizado no tratamento e acompanhamento.

Measuring optic nerve sheath diameter using ultrasonography in patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension.

BACKGROUND: Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is primarily a disorder of obese young women characterized by symptoms associated with raised intracranial pressure in the absence of a space-occupying lesion. OBJECTIVE: To compare the mean optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) measured using ultrasonography (USG) in patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) and normal healthy individuals. METHODS: A prospective study. Ninety-seven participants aged 18-80 years were divided into two groups as patients with IIH (n=47) and the control group (n=50). The ONSD was measured using ultrasound with a 10-MHz probe. ONSD was measured 3 mm behind the optic disc. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to determine patients with IIH using ONSD. RESULTS: Body mass index was higher in the IIH group compared with the control group (p=0.001). The mean ONSD was statistically significantly thicker in the IIH group (6.4 mm) than in the control group (4.90 mm). The cut-off value of ONSD in patients with IIH was measured as 5.70 mm. There was a significant negative correlation between ONSD and age (r:-0.416 and p<0.001). There was a positive correlation between BMI and ONSD (r: 0.437 and p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound can be a reliable, non-invasive and rapid tool to measure ONSD in monitoring patients with IIH. After the first diagnosis of IIH, based on neuroimaging and measuring intracranial pressure using invasive methods, ONSD can be used in treatment and follow-up.

Nasal Sprays Containing Mometasone Furoate for Relief of Post-Adenotonsillectomy Pain in Children: A Prospective Controlled Study.

OBJECTIVES: Adenotonsillectomy is one of most common surgeries performed in childhood. Post-operative pain associated particularly with tonsillectomy is still a problem for many physicians. Despite advances in surgical techniques, analgesics, or anti-inflammatory drugs, no unique strategy for post-tonsillectomy pain management has been suggested. The aim of this study is to investigate the analgesic effect of steroid containing nasal spray applied to tonsillar region after tonsillectomy. METHODS: Eighty-two patients were assigned into two groups as study and control. In study group, nasal spray containing steroid was applied to each tonsillar region after surgery for 5 days. Post-operative pain of all patients was assessed using a visual analog scale and results were compared. RESULTS: Pain decreased gradually over time in both the study and control groups. Although the pain scores from 4 h post-surgery to post-operative day 5 were not found to significantly decrease in children that used nasal spray containing steroid, these patients developed less pain on post-operative day 5,with statistical significance (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Post-tonsillectomy pain was reported to increase around post-operative day 5, which coincides with the time of intense wound inflammation. Therefore, significant pain reduction on post-operative day 5 observed in children that used nasal spray with steroid may have clinical importance for overcoming this problem.

Fatty acid transport receptor soluble CD36 and dietary fatty acid pattern in type 2 diabetic patients: a comparative study.

Recently, it has been remarked that dietary fatty acids and fatty acid receptors might be involved in the aetiology of diabetes. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the relationship between dietary fatty acid pattern, fatty food preferences and soluble CD36 (sCD36) and insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). The study was carried out with thirty-eight newly diagnosed type 2 DM patients and thirty-seven healthy volunteers, aged 30-65 years. In the study, socio-demographic characteristics, dietary fat type and fatty acid pattern of individuals were recorded. After anthropometric measurements were taken, blood CD36, glucose, TAG and insulin levels were analysed. The results showed that although the type of fatty acid intake did not differ between the groups (P>0·05), the consumption of olive oil in the type 2 DM group was lower than the control group (P0·05). Crucially, elevated sCD36 levels increased the type 2 DM risk (OR 1·21, P<0·05). In conclusion, sCD36 level may be a possible biomarker, independent from the dietary fatty acid pattern, for type 2 DM owing to its higher levels in these patients. Therefore, the new insights make CD36 attractive as a therapeutic target for diabetes.

The Evaluation of Upper Airway Complications Secondary to Intubation: Cuff Pressure Manometer Versus Conventional Palpation Method.

OBJECTIVES: General anesthesia is preferred in most otorhinolaryngologic surgeries. The aim of the present study was to evaluate upper airway complications secondary to intubation including sore throat, cough, dysphonia, and dysphagia considering endotracheal tube (ET) cuff pressure, tube diameter, and duration of intubation. METHODS: After the assignment of 67 patients to the study and control groups, ET cuff pressure was adjusted to be between 20 and 30 cm H2O using a cuff pressure manometer in the study group. In the control group, the cuff pressure was decided by the anesthesiologist using the conventional palpation method. Sore throat, cough, dysphonia, and dysphagia were compared between the groups at 4, 8, and 24 h postoperatively. RESULTS: Cuff pressure was significantly higher in the control group than in the study group. In the control group, sore throat was more frequently observed at 4, 8, and 24 h, whereas in the study group, cough and dysphonia were more often observed at 4 and 8 h. At 4 and 8 h, cough was found to be related to the duration of intubation. CONCLUSION: Arrangement of cuff pressure using a cuff manometer is suggested to decrease complications of the upper airway secondary to intubation because of the higher rate of these complaints in patients whose cuff pressure is arranged by the conventional palpation method.

Epidemiology and Clinical Features of Peritonsillar Abscess: Is It Related to Seasonal Variations?

OBJECTIVE: Peritonsillar abscess (PTA) is defined as pus accumulation between the tonsillar capsule and constrictor pharyngeal muscle. It can be seen as a complication of acute tonsillitis, but other mechanisms have also been proposed. In this study we aimed to reveal the seasonal variations and epidemiologic features of PTA. METHODS: This is a retrospective, observational study. We reviewed 221 patients, and together with 24 recurrent cases, 245 admissions were reviewed in total. Age, gender, the duration of admission, seasonal and monthly distribution of cases, diabetes and smoking status, white blood cell count, and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were recorded. Monthly and seasonal incidences of PTA were reviewed to see if there is any association of climate variations and PTA incidence rate. Features associated with the length of hospitalization and recurrence were also analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 245 PTA cases were admitted to our clinic between June 2014 and June 2017. The highest amount of cases was observed in spring and winter. The C-reactive protein and white blood cell count (WBC) levels were found to be positively correlated with the length of hospitalization. There was no statistically significant correlation with recurrence and smoking, the WBC levels, CRP levels, and length of prior hospitalization. Diabetes status was not found to be associated with length of hospitalization and CRP levels. CONCLUSION: The present study reflects the epidemiologic and clinical features of PTA in Istanbul. Our findings showed that seasonal variation was not significant, consistent with previous studies. The highest incidence rate was observed in spring and winter. Length of hospitalization was found to be positively correlated with C-reactive protein and white blood cell count (WBC) levels. Recurrence was not statistically correlated with and smoking, the WBC levels, CRP levels, and length of hospitalization. More studies are recommended to reveal the different epidemiologic factors affecting the incidence of PTA.