PrevAleNce and Associated factors of inappropriaTe dosing of direct Oral anticoaguLants In pAtients with Atrial Fibrillation: the ANATOLIA-AF Study.

PURPOSE: Inappropriate dosing of direct oral anticoagulants is associated with an increased risk of stroke, systemic embolism, major bleeding, cardiovascular hospitalization, and death in patients with atrial fibrillation. The main goal of the study was to determine the prevalence and associated factors of inappropriate dosing of direct oral anticoagulants in real-life settings. METHODS: This study was a multicenter, cross-sectional, observational study that included 2004 patients with atrial fibrillation. The study population was recruited from 41 cardiology outpatient clinics between January and May 2021. The main criteria for inappropriate direct oral anticoagulant dosing were defined according to the recommendations of the European Heart Rhythm Association. RESULTS: The median age of the study population was 72 years and 58% were women. Nine-hundred and eighty-seven patients were prescribed rivaroxaban, 658 apixaban, 239 edoxaban, and 120 dabigatran. A total of 498 patients (24.9%) did not receive the appropriate dose of direct oral anticoagulants. In a logistic regression model, advanced age, presence of chronic kidney disease and permanent atrial fibrillation, prescription of reduced doses of direct oral anticoagulants or edoxaban treatment, concomitant use of amiodarone treatment, and non-use of statin treatment were significantly associated with potentially inappropriate dosing of direct oral anticoagulants. CONCLUSION: The study demonstrated that the prevalence of inappropriate direct oral anticoagulant dosing according to the European Heart Rhythm Association recommendations was 24.9% in patients with atrial fibrillation. Several demographic and clinical factors were associated with the inappropriate prescription of direct oral anticoagulants.

Systemic immune-inflammation index could be associated with pseudophakic cystoid macular edema after an uneventful phacoemulsification surgery in patients without risk factors.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the association between serum biomarkers and pseudophakic cystoid macular edema (PCME) in eyes without risk factors after uneventful phacoemulsification cataract surgery. METHODS: This is a case-control study. Patients without risk factors and who developed clinically significant PCME after uncomplicated phacoemulsification surgery were enrolled in the study. The age- and sex-matched control group that had normal fundus examination findings and 10/10 visual acuity in the first week, first month and following postoperative control visits was randomly recruited from the same study cohort. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) were obtained from the preoperative complete blood count (CBC) test and compared between the two groups. Linear regression analysis was used to assess the relationship between central macular thickness (CMT) and biomarkers. A binary logistic regression model was generated to evaluate the significance of the biomarkers in predicting PCME. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves of the significant parameters in the logistic regression model were presented to detect the area under the curve (AUC), the cut-off point, the sensitivity and the specificity. RESULTS: The study cohort included 5352 patients. Of these patients, 52 (0.97%) met the inclusion criteria, and 60 age- and sex-matched patients were recruited as the control group. PLR, NLR, and SII were significantly different between the two groups (p = 0.006, p = 0.002, p < 0.001, respectively). According to the linear regression analysis, SII was found to have a significant relationship with CMT (p < 0.001). Only SII was assessed as significant in the logistic regression model (p = 0.046). In the ROC curve, the AUC of SII was 0.709. The sensitivity and specificity of SII for PCME prediction were 65.38% and 75%, respectively, and the cut-off point was 433.70. CONCLUSION: SII is associated with the occurrence of PCME in eyes without risk factors after uneventful phacoemulsification surgery. SII could be a useful tool to predict PCME in eyes without risk factors.

Frontal QRS/T angle can predict mortality in COVID-19 patients.

AIMS: The frontal QRS-T (fQRS) angle has been investigated in the general population, including healthy people and patients with heart failure. The fQRS angle can predict mortality due to myocarditis, ischaemic and non-ischaemic cardiomyopathies, idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy, and chronic heart failure in the general population. Moreover, no studies to date have investigated fQRS angle in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. Thus, the purpose of this retrospective multicentre study was to evaluate the fQRS angle of COVID-19 patients to predict in-hospital mortality and the need for mechanical ventilation. METHODS AND RESULTS: An electrocardiogram was performed for 327 COVID-19 patients during admission, and the fQRS angle was calculated. Mechanical ventilation was needed in 119 patients; of them, 110 died in the hospital. The patients were divided into two groups according to an fQRs angle >90° versus an fQRS angle ≤90°. The percentages of mortality and the need for mechanical ventilation according to fQRS angle were 67.8% and 66.1%, respectively, in the fQRs >90° group and 26.1% and 29.9% in the fQRS ≤90°group. Heart rate, oxygen saturation, fQRS angle, estimated glomerular filtration rate, and C-reactive protein level were predictors of mortality on the multivariable analysis. The mortality risk increased 2.9-fold on the univariate analysis and 1.6-fold on the multivariate analysis for the fQRS >90° patient group versus the fQRS ≤90° group. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, a wide fQRS angle >90° was a predictor of in-hospital mortality and associated with the need for mechanical ventilation among COVID-19 patients.

Management of LDL-cholesterol levels in patients with Diabetes Mellitus in Cardiology Practice: Real-life evidence of Under-treatment from the EPHESUS registry.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Effective treatment of high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels has been shown to improve cardiovascular outcomes of patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). Herein, we aimed to provide insight to the real-life management of patients with DM in terms of LDL-C goal attainment and adherence to lipid management recommendations. Our objective was also to reveal the reasons of poor LDL-C goal attainment by assessing the perceptions of both physicians and patients. METHODS: We compared the diabetic and non-diabetic patients from the database of a nationwide registry conducted in cardiology outpatient clinics with regard to the demographic characteristics, educational status, comorbidities, medications, laboratory parameters and LDL-C goal attainment. Also, both the patients and attending physicians were surveyed to analyse perceptions and awareness of hypercholesterolemia. RESULTS: Of the 1868 consecutively enrolled patients, 873 (47%) had DM. Proportion of patients on statins was significantly lower in patients with DM (67.8% vs 55.3%; P < .001). The proportion of patients who attained LDL-C targets were lower among the diabetic patients (17.8% vs 15%; P = .06). The most common causes of the discontinuation of statin therapy were negative media coverage about statins (32.1%), and recommendations of physicians to stop the lipid lowering therapy (29.6%). Analysis of the physician survey revealed that the physicians could determine the off-target patients accurately (negative predictive value 98.4%) while the positive predictive value (48.8%) was low. The reasons for not attaining the LDL-C goals in diabetic patients were not prescription of statins (38%) and inadequate (eg low-dose, non-adherent) statin (28.3%) dosages. CONCLUSIONS: In real-life clinical cardiology practice, diabetic patients are far below the recommended LDL-C treatment goals. High-intensity statin treatment in diabetic population is still avoided because of the concerns about polypharmacy and drug interactions. Also, the inertia of physicians and even cardiologists is probably a major cause of refraining of prescription of optimal statin dosages.

CHA2DS2-VASc score and modified CHA2DS2-VASc score can predict mortality and intensive care unit hospitalization in COVID-19 patients.

In this study, we investigated whether the CHA2DS2-VASc score could be used to estimate the need for hospitalization in the intensive care unit (ICU), the length of stay in the ICU, and mortality in patients with COVID-19. Patients admitted to Merkezefendi State Hospital because of COVID-19 diagnosis confirmed by RNA detection of virus by using polymerase chain reaction between March 24, 2020 and July 6, 2020, were screened retrospectively. The CHA2DS2-VASc and modified CHA2DS2-VASc score of all patients was calculated. Also, we received all patients' complete biochemical markers including D-dimer, Troponin I, and c-reactive protein on admission. We enrolled 1000 patients; 791 were admitted to the general medical service and 209 to the ICU; 82 of these 209 patients died. The ROC curves of the CHA2DS2-VASc and M-CHA2DS2-VASc scores were analyzed. The cut-off values of these scores for predicting mortality were ≥ 3 (2 or under and 3). The CHA2DS2-VASc and M-CHA2DS2-VASc scores had an area under the curve value of 0.89 on the ROC. The sensitivity and specificity of the CHA2DS2-VASc scores were 81.7% and 83.8%, respectively; the sensitivity and specificity of the M-CHA2DS2-VASc scores were 85.3% and 84.1%, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that CHA2DS2-VASc, Troponin I, D-Dimer, and CRP were independent predictors of mortality in COVID-19 patients. Using a simple and easily available scoring system, CHA2DS2-VASc and M-CHA2DS2-VASc scores can be assessed in patients diagnosed with COVID-19. These scores can predict mortality and the need for ICU hospitalization in these patients.

Hydroxychloroquine/azithromycin treatment, QT interval and ventricular arrhythmias in hospitalised patients with COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and azithromycin (AZM) are widely used in off-label treatment of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). However, cardiac safety of these drugs is still controversial in COVID-19. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate association of HCQ or HCQ + AZM treatment regimens, corrected QT (QTc) interval and malignant ventricular arrhythmias in hospitalized patients. METHODS: This is a single-center, retrospective and observational study. All data were extracted from the electronic medical records. The initial and post-treatment mean QTc intervals were calculated and compared in patients with HCQ alone or HCQ + AZM therapy. Associated factors with QTc prolongation, the incidence of ventricular arrhythmia during treatment and in-hospital mortality because of ventricular arrhythmias were evaluated. RESULTS: Our cohort comprised 101 hospitalized COVID-19 patients (mean age of 49.60 ± 18 years, 54.4% men). HCQ + AZM combination therapy group (n = 56) was more likely to have comorbidities. After 5-days treatment, 19 (18.8%) patients had QTc prolongation, and significant increase in the QTc interval was observed in both two groups (P < .001). However, HCQ + AZM combination group had significantly higher ΔQTc compared to HCQ group (22.5 ± 18.4 vs 7.5 ± 15.3 ms, P < .001). All of 101 patients completed the 5-days treatment without interruption. Also, no malignant ventricular arrhythmia or death secondary to ventricular arrhythmia occurred during the treatment in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: The present study revealed that although HCQ + AZM treatment was independently associated with QTc prolongation, none of patients experienced malignant ventricular arrhythmia or death during treatment. Further prospective studies are needed to determine the exact implications of these drugs on arrhythmias in patients with COVID-19.

Gender-related clinical and management differences in patients with chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction.

AIM: Gender-related differences have been described in the clinical characteristics and management of patients with chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). However, published data are conflictive in this regard. METHODS: We investigated differences in clinical and management variables between male and female patients from the ATA study, a prospective, multicentre, observational study that included 1462 outpatients with chronic HFrEF between January and June 2019. RESULTS: Study population was predominantly male (70.1%). In comparison to men, women with chronic HFrEF were older (66 ± 11 years vs 69 ± 12 years, P < .001), suffered more hospitalisations and presented more frequently with NYHA class III or IV symptoms. Ischaemic heart disease was more frequent in men, whereas anaemia, thyroid disease and depression were more frequent in women. No difference was seen between genders in the use rate of renin-angiotensin system inhibitors, beta-blockers, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, or ivabradine, or in the proportion of patients achieving target doses of these drugs. Regarding device therapies, men were more often treated with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) and women received more cardiac resynchronisation therapy. CONCLUSION: In summary, although management seemed to be equivalent between genders, women tended to present with more symptoms, require hospitalisation more frequently and have different comorbidities than men. These results highlight the importance of gender-related differences in HFrEF and call for further research to clarify the causes of these disparities. Gender-specific recommendations should be included in future guidelines in HFrEF.

Prognostic value of C-reactive protein/albumin ratio in hypertensive COVID-19 patients.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the C-reactive protein/albumin ratio and the prognosis of hypertensive COVID-19 patients. METHODS: It was designed as a single center retrospective study. PCR positive COVID-19 patients who were followed up in the intensive care unit (ICU) and received antihypertensive treatment were included in the study. The patients were divided into two groups as survivor and non-survivor. C-reactive protein/albumin (CAR) ratios of the patients were compared. The cut-off value was determined as a mortality predictor. The effect of CAR on mortality was evaluated using Logistic Regression analysis. RESULTS: 281 patients were included in the study. Groups consisted of 135 (non-survivor) and 146 (survivor) patients. CAR was significantly higher in the non-survivor group (p<0.001). The area under the ROC curve for CAR for mortality was 0.807, with sensitivity of 0.71 and specificity of 0.71. The cut-off value for CAR was calculated as 56.62. In logistic regression analysis, CAR increases mortality 4.9 times compared to the cut-off value. CONCLUSION: CAR is a powerful and independent prognostic marker for predicting mortality and disease progression in hypertensive COVID-19 patients.

Permanent atrial fibrillation portends poor outcomes in hospitalized patients with COVID-19: A retrospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: Data specifically addressed to whether atrial fibrillation (AF) would contribute to increasing the risk for severe forms of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) or worse prognosis remain unclear. Hence, we sought to assess the association of permanent AF with in-hospital outcomes in patients with COVID-19. METHODS: This was a single-centered, retrospective, observational study including consecutive hospitalized patients with COVID-19. The primary outcome for the study was defined as all cause in-hospital mortality. Clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with AF were compared to patients without AF. RESULTS: Three hundred and fifty hospitalized COVID-19 patients (median age of 55 years, 55.4% men) were enrolled. Of them 40 (11.4%) had AF. Patients with AF were older; were more likely to have co-morbidities, abnormal chest radiography findings and deteriorated laboratory parameters such as D-dimer, troponin, albumin, urea. In-hospital mortality was higher in patients with AF compared to patients without AF (32.5% vs. 13.5%, log-rank p = 0.002, RR 2.40). The number of patients who needed intensive care unit (55% vs. 31%, p = 0.002) and invasive mechanical ventilation (35% vs 15.2%, p = 0.002) were also higher in the AF group. In addition, length of in-hospital stay was longer in patients with AF (median 8 vs. 7 days, p = 0.008). After adjustment for age and co-morbidities, multivariable analyses revealed that AF (HR: 2.426, 95% CI: 1.089-5.405, p = 0.032) was independently associated with in-hospital death. CONCLUSIONS: AF was seen with together markers of severe COVID-19, and the presence of AF was an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality in patients with COVID-19.

Changes in Compositional Properties during Fruit Development and On-Tree Ripening of Two Common Apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) Cultivars.

The objective of the present study was to investigate the variations in some major primary (sugars and organic acids) and secondary (phenolics, ß-carotene) metabolite contents during fruit development and ripening in two important apricot cultivars (Hacihaliloglu and Kabaasi). The changes in the compositional properties of two apricot cultivars were monitored during fruit development with one-week intervals from 56 to 119 days after blossom. During fruit development, the contents of organic acids and phenolics decreased whereas that of sucrose and sorbitol increased. p-Coumaric acid was the only phenolic compound which increased in concentration during fruit development regardless of the cultivar. The content of the other phenolic compounds decreased in a cultivar-dependent manner. The ß-carotene content of the cultivars showed distinct patterns of change such that 3 fold increase in ß-carotene content of Kabaasi cultivar was observed whereas the ß-carotene content of the Hacihaliloglu cultivar did not show any significant change during fruit development.

Two-paired Mini-incisional Entropion Surgery for Involutional Entropion.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to describe "2-paired mini-incisional entropion surgery" for involutional entropion. METHODS: This study was a retrospective single-surgeon case series. Patients who underwent different entropion surgeries were reviewed. Patients with involutional entropion were divided into 3 groups according to the type of surgery performed by a single surgeon: 2-paired mini-incisional entropion surgery; transconjunctival retractor reinsertion; or transcutaneous retractor reinsertion. Patients were followed up to 35 months after the surgery. Operation time, complications, and success were compared between groups. RESULTS: Sixty-six lower eyelids of 60 patients were evaluated. The recurrence was 7.7% in the transcutaneous group, was 5.9% in the 2-paired mini-incisional entropion surgery group, and was 5.3% in the transconjunctival group. The total chance of success in 24-month period was 94.7% in the transconjunctival approach group, was 94.1% in the 2-paired mini-incisional entropion surgery group, and was 92.3% in the transcutaneous group. CONCLUSION: The 2-paired mini-incisional entropion surgery can be used for entropion repair alone or in combination with horizontal tightening surgeries.

Type 1 Kounis Syndrome Induced by Inactivated SARS-COV-2 Vaccine.

Background Vaccination is the most important way out of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Vaccination practices have started in different countries for community immunity. In this process, health authorities in different countries have preferred different type of COVID-19 vaccines. Inactivated COVID-19 vaccine is one of these options and has been administered to more than 7 million people in Turkey. Inactivated vaccines are generally considered safe. Kounis syndrome (KS) is a rare clinical condition defined as the co-existence of acute coronary syndromes and allergic reactions. Case Report We present the case of a 41-year-old woman with no cardiovascular risk factors who was admitted at our emergency department with flushing, palpitation, dyspnea, and chest pain 15 min after the first dose of inactivated CoronaVac (Sinovac Life Sciences, Beijing, China). Electrocardiogram (ECG) showed V4-6 T wave inversion, and echocardiography revealed left ventricular wall motion abnormalities. Troponin-I level on arrival was elevated. Coronary angiography showed no sign of coronary atherosclerosis. She was diagnosed with type 1 KS. The patient's symptoms resolved and she was discharged from hospital in a good condition. Why Should an Emergency Physician Be Aware of This? To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of allergic myocardial infarction secondary to inactivated coronavirus vaccine. This case demonstrates that KS can occur after inactivated virus vaccine against COVID-19. Although the risk of severe allergic reaction after administration of CoronaVac seems to be very low, people who developed chest pain after vaccine administration should be followed by ECG and troponin measurements.

Comparison of effects of tamsulosin and silodosin on subfoveal choroidal thickness and pupil size diameters in patients with prostatic hyperplasia.

PURPOSE: To compare the effects of selective α-1 adrenoceptor antagonists on subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) and pupil diameter size (PDS). METHODS: This prospective study included 87 patients diagnosed with benign prostatic hyperplasia who were treated with tamsulosin hydrochloride (n = 41) or silodosin (n = 46). SFCT measurements were obtained using spectral domain optic coherence tomography (SD-OCT), and PDS measurements were obtained under mesopic, photopic and scotopic conditions using a photography-based topography system. SFCT and PDS were evaluated at baseline and 3-, 6- and 12-mo follow-ups. RESULTS: The initial mean SFCT was 270.53 ± 21.48 µm in tamsulosin group and 271.95 ± 24. 73 in silodosin group (P = 0.078). There was no statistically significant change in SFCT at the 3-mo visit. At the 6-mo follow-up, the mean SFCT was 281.34 ± 22.09 µm in tamsulosin group and 272.5 ± 22.4 µm in silodosin group. At the 12th month, the mean SFCT in tamsulosin group was 290.80 ± 17.27 µm, and it was 270.80 ± 13.14 µm in silodosin group. There was statistically significant difference in at 6th and 12-mo visits (P = 0.014 and P = 0.00). During the follow-up, both drugs induced a similar significant decrease in PDS under all conditions. CONCLUSIONS: Tamsulosin hydrochloride caused a significant increase in SFCT. In contrast, SFCT did not increase in silodosin group. The decreases in PDS achieved using both drugs were similar. This should be kept in mind when choroidal disease and its response to treatment are followed by CT imaging.

Acute Lagophthalmos due to Bell's Palsy could be a Sign of COVID-19.

We sought to investigate whether lagophthalmos was associated with coronavirus infection (COVID-19). Patients diagnosed with lagophthalmos in 2019 were included in group one (n = 9), while those diagnosed with lagophthalmos in 2020 were included in group two (n = 33). With the onset of COVID-19, we observed that the number of patients seen with lagophthalmia increased compared with the same period from the previous year. To confirm this, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 test results were followed in patients with suspicious findings, after which blood test results were compared. The reported lagophthalmos cases increased by 367% in 2020 compared with 2019. Additionally, the mean white blood cell, lymphocyte and platelet counts of patients in group two were all significantly decreased compared with group one. Lagophthalmos due to Bell's palsy could be a sign of COVID-19.

The reasons of poor lipid target attainment for secondary prevention in real life practice: Results from EPHESUS.

OBJECTIVE: There are lack of studies considering the suboptimal management of dyslipidemia especially in cardiology outpatient clinics. This study was conducted to assess the patient adherence to cholesterol treatment recommendations and attainment of low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) goals. METHODS: EPHESUS (NCT02608645) is a national, observational and multicenter registry which has been designed as a cross-sectional study to allow inclusion of all consecutive patients with hypercholesterolemia in cardiology outpatient clinics. The present subgroup analyses of the EPHESUS trial included patients with known peripheral artery disease or atherosclerotic cerebrovascular disease, and coronary heart disease namely secondary prevention. RESULTS: The present analysis of the EPHESUS study included 1482 patients (62.79 ± 10.4 years, 38.2% female) with secondary prevention from 40 sites in Turkey. Regarding recommended lipid targets for LDL-C, only 267 patients (18%) were below the target of 70 mg/dL. Females were significantly more off-target when compared with male patients (396, 85.5% vs 67, 14.5%; P = 0.017). Moreover, the achievement of LDL-C goal was significantly decreased with illiteracy (233, 19.2% vs 35, 13.1%; P = 0.02). Patients who think that the cholesterol treatment should be terminated when the cholesterol level of a patient has normalised were higher in the off-target group (34.0% vs 24.7%, P < 0.001). Besides, physician perceptions about LDL-C goal for secondary prevention were significantly related with LDL-C target attainment. CONCLUSIONS: EPHESUS is an important study with large population in terms of representing real-life practice of the adherence to dyslipidemia guidelines in secondary prevention patients in Turkey. Perceptions, knowledge, and compliance with the guidelines for secondary prevention have increased, but it is far below from the desired levels even in cardiology outpatient clinics. There is a need for patients' and physicians' education regarding the treatment of hyperlipidemia.

Outer nuclear layer thickness at the central fovea relation with symptom duration in central serous chorioretinopathy.

PURPOSE: To evaluate a relation between the outer nuclear layer (ONL) thickness and symptom duration in patients with central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) using spectraldomain optical coherence tomography (SDOCT) and to compare with healthy subjects. METHODS: This retrospective study included 67 CSC patients and 20 healthy subjects. The ONL thickness was measured between internal limiting membrane and external limiting membrane at central fovea using SD-OCT (Topcon 3D OCT-2000, Japan). The patients were divided into six groups based on symptom duration: group (1) contained 14 patients (symptom duration between 1 and 30 days) , group (2) contained 11 patients (symptom duration between 31 and 60 days), group (3) contained 12 patients (symptom duration between 61 and 90 days) , group (4) contained 11 (symptom duration between 91 and 120 days), group (5) contained 7 patients (symptom duration between 121 and 150 days) and group (6) contained 12 (symptom duration between 151 days and more). RESULTS: The average ONL thickness was 76.1 ± 16.8 µm in CSC in all patients and 122.4 ± 2.8 µm in healthy subjects. The major differences were between group (3) and (4) (p < 0.001). The ONL thickness was negatively correlated with symptom duration (rs = - 0.918; p< 0.001). In addition, the ONL thickness was positively correlated with BCVA (rs = 0.619; p< 0.001). CONCLUSION: Photoreceptor loss could begin within the first 3 months in CSC.

Effect of cultivar and season on the robustness of PLS models for soluble solid content prediction in apricots using FT-NIRS.

FT-NIR models were developed for the non-destructive prediction of soluble solid content (SSC), titratable acidity (TA), firmness and weight of two commercially important apricot cultivars, "Hacihaliloglu" and "Kabaasi" from Turkey. The models constructed for SSC prediction gave good results. We could also establish a model which can be used for rough estimation of the apricot weight. However, it could not be possible to predict accurately TA and firmness of the apricots with FT-NIR spectroscopy. The study was further extended over 3 years for the SSC prediction. Validation of the both mono and multi-cultivar models showed that model performances may exhibit important variations across different harvest seasons. The robustness of the models was improved when the data of two or three seasons were used. It was concluded that in order to developed reliable SSC prediction models for apricots the spectral data should be collected over several harvest seasons.

Effect of fruit maturity level on quality, sensory properties and volatile composition of two common apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) varieties.

The effect of maturity level on fruit quality properties, volatile composition and sensory attributes was investigated in two important apricot varieties (Hacihaliloglu and Kabaasi). The soluble solid content was used as the maturity index for the classification of apricots according to their maturity levels as immature (14-20 °Brix), mature (20-24 °Brix) and over-mature (> 24°Brix). Changes in the volatile composition of samples at different maturity levels were characterized using headspace solid phase micro-extraction gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The results showed that the quality attributes of the Kabaasi were affected to a lesser extent by the maturity level than Hacihaliloglu. From the immature to over-mature, fruit weight, dry matter and pH increased while firmness and titratable acidity decreased (p < 0.05) in both varieties. Volatile composition was affected by both apricot variety and maturation levels. The main volatiles were aldehydes, alcohols, ketones, esters, terpenes and hydrocarbons. Compared to Kabaasi, the concentrations of the volatile compounds were higher in Hacihaliloglu regardless of the maturity levels. Among the samples, Hacihaliloglu at over-mature level received the highest "overall liking" score. The principal component analysis made on the measured quality attributes allowed the discrimination of apricot varieties and their maturity levels.

Effects of different brewing conditions on catechin content and sensory acceptance in Turkish green tea infusions.

The optimal brewing conditions for Turkish green tea were determined on the basis of extracted catechins and sensory attributes. Green tea infusions were prepared at 75, 85 and 95 °C with brewing times of 1, 2, 3, 5, 10, 20, 30 and 45 min. The amounts of epistructured catechins (EGCG, EGC, ECG, EC), non-epistructured catechins (C, GC, GCG) and caffeine in brewed tea samples were analysed. Sensory analyses were performed by nine trained panelists for infusion colour, taste, aroma and overall acceptability. Brewing at 85 °C for 3 min was found to be the optimal condition, where the EGCG content was at a maximum of 50.69 mg/100 ml with the highest sensory scores. It was observed that the yield of epistructured catechins increased rapidly for the first 3-5 min of brewing at 85 °C, and increased brewing time resulted in a decrease in the yield of epistructured catechins. The amount of nonepistructured catechins continued to increase with longer extraction times. Sensory scores for infusion colour, taste, aroma and overall acceptability were highest at 3 and 5 min brewing times at all temperatures. Sensory scores were very low for 30 and 45 min brewing at 85 and 95 °C due to the bitter taste and dark colour.