Comparison of wet and dried chickpea yeast in breadmaking.

BACKGROUND: Chickpea yeast (CY), initiated by spontaneous fermentation of coarsely-ground chickpea in water, is considered a variant of conventional sourdough and contributes somewhat similarly to bakery products. As the preparation of wet CY prior to each baking process poses certain difficulties, its usage in dry form has been gaining interest. In this study, CY was used either directly in freshly prepared wet form or in freeze-dried and spray-dried forms at 50, 100 and 150 g kg-1 levels (all on 14% moisture basis) in substitution with wheat flour to compare their effects on bread properties. RESULTS: Utilization of all forms of CY did not noticeably change the contents of protein, fat, ash, total carbohydrate and damaged starch in the wheat flour-CY mixtures. However, falling numbers and sedimentation volumes of CY-containing mixtures decreased significantly, due probably to the increase in the amylolytic and proteolytic activities during chickpea fermentation. These changes somewhat corresponded to improved dough processability. Both wet and dried CY samples reduced pH levels of doughs and breads, and increased probiotic lactic acid bacteria (LAB) count. Total phenolic contents, antioxidant capacities and flavor scores of CY-containing breads were significantly enhanced. However, CY usage slightly influenced yield, moisture content, volume, color and hardness values of breads. CONCLUSION: Effects of wet and dried forms of CY on bread properties were quite comparable, indicating that CY can be used upon properly drying similarly to the conventional wet form. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

The Effect of Pre- and Postharvest Calcium Gluconate Treatments on Physicochemical Characteristics and Bioactive Compounds of Sweet Cherry during Cold Storage.

The effects of pre- and postharvest calcium gluconate (Ca-Glu) treatments on some physicochemical characteristics and bioactive compounds of sweet cherry cv. Sweetheart during cold storage were investigated. For preharvest treatments, the Ca-Glu (1%) solution was applied to the cherry trees two times at 21 and 35 days after full bloom stage. Control trees were sprayed with distilled water at the same days. Sweet cherries, sprayed with and without Ca-Glu, were dipped into cold water (4 °C) containing calcium gluconate (1%) for 30 s and only in cold water (4 °C) as control, after harvest Following each treatment, cherries were placed in plastic boxes and stored at 1 ± 0.5 °C and 90 ± 5% relative humidity for 3 weeks. The weight losses of cherries increased over time but calcium (Ca) treatments, especially pre-and postharvest combination, limited these increases compared to control groups. The best result for suppressing the respiration rate of cherries was also obtained from combined treatment. Moreover, combined treatment delayed the losses of titratable acidity, fruit firmness, decay rate and sensory quality in sweet cherries during storage comparison with the pre or postharvest application of Ca-Glu alone. The effect of Ca-Clu treatments on stem chlorophyll content and antioxidant activity was not significant. Preharvest and combined treatments retarded the loss of ascorbic acid content of cherries compared to postharvest and control treatments. The total phenolic and anthocyanin content increased regularly throughout storage, regardless of treatment; however, Ca treatments delayed the accumulation of these compounds. As a result, the combined Ca-Glu treatment could be a promising method for maintaining some physicochemical characteristics and bioactive compounds in sweet cherries during cold storage.

Ozone: a promising alternative to prochloraz for cold storage of pomegranate.

There is no detailed study on the effects of different ozone doses, in comparison with fungicide, on the quality losses of pomegranates during cold storage. In the present study, the use of ozone as an alternative to fungicide during cold storage of pomegranate was investigated. Pomegranates were exposed to 1, 2 and 3 ppm gaseous ozone for 3 h and dipped into Prochloraz solution (0.9%) for 10 s. Control samples were only treated with air at the same condition. The fruit were packaged in modified atmosphere bags and stored at 6 ºC and 90 ± 5% relative humidity for 4 months. All ozone doses and fungicide treatment suppressed respiration rate and retarded acidity loss in pomegranates. Fungicide and 1 ppm ozone treatments maintained vivid red color of pomegranates during storage. The 1 ppm ozone was the best treatment for decreasing decay rate of fruit, while high doses had a negative effect. Ozone exposure (1 ppm for 3 h) in air can be an alternative to fungicide during cold storage of pomegranate.

Antifungal and Anti-Virulent Activity of Origanum majorana L. Essential Oil on Candida albicans and In Vivo Toxicity in the Galleria mellonella Larval Model.

The aim of this study was to investigate and compare in detail both the antifungal activity in vitro (with planktonic and biofilm-forming cells) and the essential oil composition (EOs) of naturally growing (OMN) and cultivated (OMC) samples of Origanum majorana L. (marjoram). The essential oil composition was analyzed using GC-MS. The major constituent of both EOs was carvacrol: 75.3% and 84%, respectively. Both essential oils showed high antifungal activity against clinically relevant Candida spp. with IC50 and IC90 less than or equal to 0.5 µg mL-1 and inhibition of biofilm with a concentration of 3.5 µg mL-1 or less. Cultivated marjoram oil showed higher anti-biofilm activity against C. albicans. In addition, OMC showed greater inhibition of germ-tube formation (inhibition by 83% in Spider media), the major virulence factor of C. albicans at a concentration of 0.125 µg mL-1. Both EOs modulated cell surface hydrophobicity (CSH), but OMN proved to be more active with a CSH% up to 58.41%. The efficacy of O. majorana EOs was also investigated using Galleria mellonella larvae as a model. It was observed that while the larvae of the control group infected with C. albicans (6.0 × 108 cells) and not receiving treatment died in the controls carried out after 24 h, all larvae in the infected treatment group survived at the end of the 96th hour. When the treatment group and the infected group were evaluated in terms of vital activities, it was found that the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.001). The infection of larvae with C. albicans and the effects of O. majorana EOs on the hemocytes of the model organism and the blastospores of C. albicans were evaluated by light microscopy on slides stained with Giemsa. Cytological examination in the treatment group revealed that C. albicans blastospores were phagocytosed and morphological changes occurred in hemocytes. Our results indicated that the essential oil of both samples showed strong antifungal activities against planktonic and biofilm-forming C. albicans cells and also had an influence on putative virulence factors (germ-tube formation and its length and on CSH).

Effect of ozone treatments on the removal of pesticide residues and postharvest quality in green pepper.

The use of ozone as a tool in the storage of some horticultural produces is recommended for all steps from harvest to consumption. However, little is known about its effects on the removal of pesticides and postharvest physiology of fresh peppers. In the present study, the effects of ozone treatment on the removal of pesticides, storage life and quality of green peppers were investigated. Malathion, emamectin benzoate and acetamiprid were applied to pepper plants before harvest. Residue contents of peppers were measured at harvest time and after all treatments to determine the effect of ozone on the removal of pesticide residues. Peppers were subjected to four treatments: immersion in ozonated water (2 ppm) and only tap water (control) for 10 min, exposure to 2 ppm ozone gas in air and only air (control) for 45 min. Treated peppers were stored at 20 °C and 60 ± 5% relative humidity for 8 days, and some quality analyses were performed during storage. Ozonated water decreased, remarkable, pesticide residues in peppers compared to harvest time, but there was no meaningful changes in the samples treated with ozone in air. Ozone treatments suppressed clearly respiration rates and decreased weight losses of peppers compared to control groups. Ozonated water also maintained green color of peppers, with minimum change in h° values. Additionally, sensory quality of peppers was retarded by ozone application during storage. These findings revealed that ozone could be an alternative treatment to extend storage life of green peppers and remove pesticide residues.

A rare cause of acute severe upper airway obstruction that required endotracheal intubation: adenoid hypertrophy.

Adenoid hypertrophy is one of the common causes of upper airway obstruction in children. It usually presents with sleep-related breathing disorders and associated findings generally occur around the age of 4 years. However, the development of acute upper airway obstruction due to adenoid hypertrophy is extremely rare. Acute upper airway obstruction due to adenoid hypertrophy in a patient aged under 1 year is an extremely unexpected condition. The aim of this case report was to contribute to the literature by reporting the presence of adenoid hypertrophy causing severe acute airway obstruction leading to endotracheal intubation in a 7-month-old male patient.

Garlic and onions: An eastern tale.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Garlic and its wild relatives have a long tradition of use world-wide dating back to the early ages as food and medicine. This exceptional group deserves to be taken into consideration to rethink its potential health effects in light of its cultural and historical background, as well as ethnobotanical practices. AIM OF THE STUDY: Garlic, onion, and other related vegetables have been indispensable for Turkish daily life. This review focuses on the wild, as well as cultivated, Allium species from the broad historical perspective of Turkish culture. Its goal is also analyze how food and medicine have been perceived as closely connected entities in a specific cultural sphere. METHODS: A comprehensive literature survey was conducted on these species by referencing scientific databases such as Google Scholar, Science Direct, PubMed, Elsevier E-Book, Scopus, ISI-Web of Science, and E book Central (Ebrary). RESULTS: The integration of historical and ethnobotanical data have enabled us to understand the unique position of Alliums in a specific human geography. Garlic and onions have been used in this region as food and for medicinal purposes for thousands of years. The perceived health benefits of consuming garlic and onions are well documented in the literature. There are more than 200 Allium species naturally distributed in Turkey, and around 30 of those have been widely used for various purposes by local people as a vegetable, spice, condiment, and medicine. CONCLUSIONS: The desire for good health and wellness has been traced across many cultures throughout history. Healthy foods like garlic were and will be a critical component of maintaining good health.

Postharvest treatments of salicylic acid, oxalic acid and putrescine influences bioactive compounds and quality of pomegranate during controlled atmosphere storage.

Combined effects of controlled atmosphere and different postharvest treatment (salicylic acid, oxalic acid and putrescine) on bioactive compounds and quality of pomegranate cv. Hicaznar were investigated. Pomegranates were harvested at commercial harvest stage and transported immediately to postharvest physiology laboratory. Fruit were divided into four groups. 1 Control: Dipped into distilled water + 0.01% Tween-20 solution for 10 min. 2 Oxalic acid (OA): Dipped into 6 mM OA + Tween-20 solution for 10 min. 3 Salicylic acid (SA): Dipped into 2 mM SA + Tween-20 solution for 10 min. 4 Putrescine (PUT): Dipped into 2 mM PUT + Tween-20 solution for 10 min. After treatments, pomegranates were stored at 6 °C and 90 ± 5% relative humidity for 6 months in controlled atmosphere (5% O2 + 15% CO2). Weight loss, color, total soluble solids content, titretable acidity (TA), total phenolic content, vitamin C, antioxidant activity and sugar content (glucose and fructose) were determined at 0th, 2th, 4th and 6th month of cold storage. Generally, weight losses were minimized by treatments, especially PUT, compared to control. The level of ascorbic acid significantly tended to decrease throughout the storage in all treatments. Treated pomegranate exhibited higher titratable acidity, total phenolic contents and antioxidant activity compared to control samples. However, PUT was the best among all treatments. The results suggest that SA, OA and PUT have the potential to extend the storage life of pomegranate by delaying quality loss and maintaining some bioactive compound and antioxidant activity.

Right-Sided Complete Third Branchial Cleft Fistula.

Branchial cleft anomalies occur due to insufficient closure of cavities during embryogenesis. These anomalies consist of cysts, sinuses, and fistulas, with the rarest type being fistulas. A 29-year-old male presented at the authors' clinic with a right-sided complete third branchial cleft fistula. Fistula track excision surgery was successfully performed and no recurrence was observed in the 12-month follow-up after the surgery. While second branchial cleft fistula is the most common, third and fourth brancial cleft fistulas are extremely rare. In addition, they are usually incomplete and almost always on the left side.

Allium ekimianum: a new species (Amaryllidaceae) from Turkey.

Allium ekimianum is described here as a new species. This taxon belongs to the genus Allium section Allium and grows in Elazig Province (East Anatolia, Turkey). It is a narrowly distributed species and morphologically most similar to Allium asperiflorum and Allium sintenisii, and Allium erzincanicum but it is clearly differentiated due to the curved stem, smooth pedicel surfaces, bracteole arrangements at pedicel bases, tepal lengths and surfaces. In this study, a comprehensive description, distribution map of Allium ekimianum, identification key, and detailed illustrations are provided for Allium ekimianum and related taxa.

Comparison of milk yield and animal health in Turkish farms with differing stall types and resting surfaces.

The current study was carried out to determine the influence of different resting surfaces and stall types on milk yield and animal health. Study was carried out in Bursa that is one of the most important cities of Turkey in terms of dairy production. Effects of resting surfaces and stall types on milk yield were found to be important. Also influence of different resting surfaces and stall types on lactation length was examined and found that rubber mats were different from the two other options. Relationships between different resting surfaces or stall types and health problems were examined and connection between stall type and repeat breeding (RB), dystocia, retained placenta and a connection between resting surface types and RB and clinical mastitis were found to be important. Considering their economic reflections, it can be said that results are quite important to the Turkish dairy industry.

Validity of acoustic rhinometry in the evaluation of patients with adenoid hypertrophy.

Reliability of acoustic rhinometry (AR) for preoperative diagnosis and decision of surgery in children with adenoid hypertrophy were investigated in this study. Fifty-five children who cannot tolerate nasal endoscopic examination were included. The AR was performed preoperatively and postoperatively 1 month later. The volume of distance between the 6th and 10th centimeters in rhinogram curve was calculated for evaluating the adenoid notch (AN) region. The volume of AN region was compared with each patient's volume of the adenoid tissue removed with adenoidectomy. Whereas the median adenoid specimen volume was 2.0 (1.0-2.0) cm3 in 23 patients with complaint of nasal obstruction, median AN volumes in the rhinogram curve was 2.3 (0.8-5.2) cm3. All children whose preoperative nasopharyngeal volume was 4.2 cm3 or less had increased volume in the area representing the nasopharynx on rhinogram. We found a statistically significant relationship between the AN and the adenoid specimen volume (P = 0.000, r = 0.797). The sensitivity and specificity were found as 61.2% and 95.8%, respectively. We concluded that the children whose preoperative nasopharyngeal volumes were measured as 4.2 cm3 or less by AR could benefit more from adenoidectomy.

How accurately do drivers evaluate their own driving behavior? An on-road observational study.

Self-assessment of driving skills became a noteworthy research subject in traffic psychology, since by knowing one's strenghts and weaknesses, drivers can take an efficient compensatory action to moderate risk and to ensure safety in hazardous environments. The current study aims to investigate drivers' self-conception of their own driving skills and behavior in relation to expert evaluations of their actual driving, by using naturalistic and systematic observation method during actual on-road driving session and to assess the different aspects of driving via comprehensive scales sensitive to different specific aspects of driving. 19-63 years old male participants (N=158) attended an on-road driving session lasting approximately 80min (45km). During the driving session, drivers' errors and violations were recorded by an expert observer. At the end of the driving session, observers completed the driver evaluation questionnaire, while drivers completed the driving self-evaluation questionnaire and Driver Behavior Questionnaire (DBQ). Low to moderate correlations between driver and observer evaluations of driving skills and behavior, mainly on errors and violations of speed and traffic lights was found. Furthermore, the robust finding that drivers evaluate their driving performance as better than the expert was replicated. Over-positive appraisal was higher among drivers with higher error/violation score and with the ones that were evaluated by the expert as "unsafe". We suggest that the traffic environment might be regulated by increasing feedback indicators of errors and violations, which in turn might increase the insight into driving performance. Improving self-awareness by training and feedback sessions might play a key role for reducing the probability of risk in their driving activity.

Are computed tomography and densitometric measurements useful in otosclerosis with mixed hearing loss? A retrospective clinical study.

The objective of the study was to investigate the relationship between extent of otosclerotic foci and audiological findings in otosclerotic patients with mixed hearing loss using high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) and also to measure the density of bony labyrinth in otosclerotic patients and compared with control group. This was a retrospective study. Twenty-five patients with clinical otosclerosis and mixed hearing loss were included in the study. The average threshold of air-bone conductions (AC, BC) within the 0.5-4 kHz frequency range, and average air bone gap (ABG) were calculated. Eleven patients with normal HRCT who received cochlear implant were included in the study as the control group. The lesions in HRCT were staged according to their extension. Eight different points of the otic capsule in each patient were measured using HRCT. Fifty ears total, from 25 patients, had bilateral otosclerosis. The mean AC of all the ears was 63 dB, mean BC was 35.2 dB, and mean ABG was 27.8 dB. HRCT staging indicated 22 ears had Grade 1, 21 ears had Grade 2, and 7 ears had Grade 3 lesions. There was a statistically significant difference between the mean AC, BC of ears with Grade 1 and Grade 2 when compared with the mean AC, BC of ears with Grade 3. When comparing the densitometric measurements of fissula ante fenestram localizations, a statistically significant difference was observed. HRCT examination and densitometric measurements in otosclerotic patients with mixed hearing loss presented significant results. We were unable to show a significant relationship between early stage and hearing thresholds, but there was a significant relationship in advanced stage. Densitometric measurements may provide significant results for otosclerosis, particularly for the FAF region when comparing with control group.

Intraosseous carcinoma arising from an odontogenic cyst: a case report.

Carcinomas from an odontogenic cyst are not common, yet when they occur, squamous cell carcinomas are the most often seen. Among these cysts, the malignancy of keratocysts or dentigerous cysts are most likely. In contrast, a malignant transformation of a radicular cyst to an intraosseous carcinoma is extremely rare. In this case report, an intraosseous carcinoma arising from an odontogenic cyst in a 26-year-old male patient is presented. This case report clearly demonstrates the importance of the clinician's awareness of the malignant potential of apparently innocuous cystic lesions.

Tympanic membrane cholesteatoma: a rare finding.

We report a rare finding of tympanic membrane cholesteatoma in a two-year-old girl. Tympanic membrane cholesteatoma without trauma or surgery to the ear is a rare entity, with few cases documented in the literature. The exact etiology of this lesion is still unclear. The presentation, clinical course and management are discussed. A whitish spot on the tympanic membrane should raise suspicion for cholesteatoma. Early diagnosis and treatment are imperative to allow an easy removal and avoid middle ear involvement.

Preliminary screening of acetylcholinesterase inhibitory and antioxidant activities of Anatolian Heptaptera species.

The ethyl acetate and methanol extracts prepared from the fruits, aerial parts, and roots of Heptaptera anatolica (Boiss.) Tutin, (Umbelliferae), H. anisoptera (DC.) Tutin, H. cilicica (Boiss. & Balansa) Tutin (endemic), and H. triquetra (Vent.) Tutin were tested for their acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory and antioxidant activities. AChE inhibition was evaluated using ELISA microplate reader at 500, 1000, and 2000 microg mL(-1). Antioxidant activity was determined by 2,2-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging test and Fe(+2)-ferrozine test system for metal chelating power at the same concentrations. Total phenol contents of the extracts were determined using Folin-Ciocalteu reagent. At 2000 microg mL(-1), only the aerial parts and fruits of H. anatolica showed moderate anti-AChE effect (61.97% and 49.80%, respectively), while the aerial parts and fruits of H. triquetra had the highest DPPH scavenging effect (80.48% and 86.19%, respectively). All of the methanol extracts exhibited significant ferrous ion-chelating effect varying between 72.97% and 92.36%, whereas only four of the ethyl acetate extracts exerted chelating effect over 70%. These results indicate that Heptaptera species could be a good source for antioxidant compounds.

Tularemia is becoming increasingly important as a differential diagnosis in suspicious neck masses: experience in Turkey.

Neck mass can be an initial finding of many diseases at any age. The differential diagnosis is broad and includes inflammatory, congenital and neoplastic lesions. We retrospectively analyzed charts of the 145 patients with neck mass and without known primary malignancy whose diagnoses were confirmed with histopathologic and serologic examination between July 2003 and July 2008. Twenty-six patients (17.9%) were diagnosed with tularemia. Before 2004, serologic testing for tularemia was not a part of our workup for patients with an inflammatory neck mass. Otolaryngologists should be familiar with head and neck manifestations of tularemia and consider the disease in the differential diagnosis of neck masses. The tularemia outbreak in central Black Sea region, Turkey in 2004 changed our approach to a patient presenting with neck mass.