Is Cladophora fracta an efficient tool of accumulating critical raw materials from wastewater and there a potential health risk of use of algae as organic fertilizer?

In this study investigation of accumulations of critical raw materials (cobalt (Co), antimony (Sb), vanadium (V), lanthanum (La) and tungsten (W)) from wastewater by using C. fracta were aimed. Besides, assessment of the potential health risks in terms of the use of organic fertilizer obtained from the macroalga to be harvested from the treatment were also aimed. Highest Co, Sb, V, La and W accumulations by algae in reactor were 125±6.2%, 201.25±10%, 318.18±15%, 357.97±18%, and 500±25%, respectively. When compared with control, Co, Sb, V, La and W in algae increased 2.25, 3.01, 4.18, 4.58, and 6 times, respectively. The algae was very high bioaccumulative for Co and La. Highest MPI was calculated as 3.94. Non-carcinogenic risk of CRMs according to different exposure types (ingestion, inhalation, and dermal) were calculated for man, woman and child. There is not any non-carcinogenic risk from the investigated exposure ways of algae as organic fertilizer.

Experiences and attitudes of parents of children with cow’s milk and other food-allergy

Introduction and objective: The attitude and behaviors of parents are important in the man-agement of children with food allergy (FA). The aim of this study is to evaluate th e experi-ences and attitudes of parents of children with allergy to cow’s milk and other FA.Materials and methods: The parents of children with FA were asked to complete an 18-item questionnaire to evaluate the FA history and experiences during diagnosis, treatment, and follow up.Results:Th e dat a fro m 55 8 (91.2%) surve y questionnaire tha t wer e fille d completely wer e ana-lyzed. The mean age of the parents was 33.4+4.9. It was found that most common food aller-gen was cow’s milk (85.3%). The mean time to diagnosis from the onset of symptoms was 10.9±18.4 months. Around 22 9 parents (41.6%) admitted to at leas t fou r different physicians and 68 (12.3%) parents admitted to at leas t fiv e different physicians before diagnosis. Th e median time to d iagnosis from the o nset of s ymptoms was five ( 1-108) months in t he p atients admitted to four or more physicians, but it was one (1-48) month in the patients that admitted to less physicians (p<0.001). The most common symptoms were dermatitis and mucus-bloody stool, the least common ones were cardiovascular symptoms. Only 21.1% of the patients were able to use hypoallergenic formulas (HAF) in accordance with the recommendation of the physician.Conclusions: Delayed diagnosis of FA is a major concern, and during this period the patients admi t man y physicians. A majority of th e patients wit h CMP A experience difficulties while using HAFs, and only one-fifth of them is able to use formula regularly (AU)

Preliminary assessment of health risks associated with consumption of grapevines contaminated with mining effluents in Turkey: Persistent trace elements and critical raw materials.

In this study, some persistent trace elements and critical raw materials were investigated in grapevines contaminated with Pb-Zn mining effluents. The persistent trace elements under certain conditions remain without any change in form in the environment over long periods. The critical raw materials are the ones that have economic importance and have the risks associated with their supply. The health risks of persistent trace elements and critical raw materials in the leaves of grapevine that are consumed by humans were determined. The highest persistent trace elements concentrations followed the order of root > stem > leaf for Mn, Cu, Cd, Ni, and Cr while root > leaf > stem for Zn and leaf > root > stem for Pb. The maximum critical raw material concentrations for Co and V followed the order of root > stem > leaf. For Sb and La, these were leaf > root > stem and root > stem > leaf, respectively. The maximum critical raw materials concentrations for W was leaf > stem = root. The total maximum carcinogenic value was 0.146 for Cd while the total minimum carcinogenic value was 0.0054 for Pb. In this study, potential carcinogenic risk values in terms of ingestion of contaminated soil (Cr, Cd, and Ni) and dietary take of grapevine leaves (Ni, Cr, Cd, and Pb) are higher than acceptable levels (1 × 10-4 - 1 × 10-6 ). Maximum cancer risk on human health was determined as dietary intake of grapevine leaves. When hazard quotient for dietary (HQdie ), hazard quotient for ingestion (HQing ), and hazard quotient for inhalation (HQinh ) values ​​of critical raw materials were examined, the maximum values ​​were observed for children. Also, the highest hazard quotient for dermal (HQder ) value was determined for men. The hazard index and total hazard index values were >1 for critical raw materials. As a result, values >1 indicated potential non-carcinogenic human health risk associated with the consumption of grapevines contaminated with mining effluents. Actual region-specific exposure estimates for consumption of grapevines, however, were not evaluated. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2022;18:517-527. © 2021 SETAC.

Assessment of heavy metal accumulations and health risk potentials in tomatoes grown in the discharge area of a municipal wastewater treatment plant.

Some heavy metals were detected in organs of the tomatoes grown in the discharge area of effluents of a municipal wastewater treatment plant. Also, the health risk potentials of heavy metals in the tomatoes consumed by human were investigated. The highest concentrations for Cu, Ni, Cr, Mn and Pb were followed the order of root>leaf>stem>fruit. When the bioconcentration factors values calculated for bioconcentration of metals from effluent to stem and root were examined, the highest values were determined for Cu. When translocation factors values are examined, the highest translocation from root to leaf was determined for Cd. The highest translocation from stem to leaf was determined for Pb. The estimated total exposure dose for male, female and children was listed as Zn>Mn>Cu>Cr>Ni>Pb>Cd. In terms of dietary, we can list the non-carcinogenic risks of heavy metals as children> female> male. The highest carcinogenic risk was calculated for Cr via dietary intake.

Potential human health risks of toxic/harmful elements by consumption of Pseudevernia furfuracea.

The potential human health risks of some toxic/harmful elements related to the consumption of Pseudevernia furfuracea (L.) Zopf. were investigated. The toxic/harmful elements (cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), and zinc (Zn)) were determined in P. furfuracea. According to the analysis result, the maximum (max.) toxic/harmful element value was 62 ± 3.1 mg/kg for Mn and minimum (min.) value was 0.19 ± 0.01 mg/kg for Cd. The estimated daily exposure doses (EDEXDs) for men, women and children were dietary (bread) > dietary (tea) > dermal. For dietary (bread) and dietary (tea) non-carcinogenic (HQ) risk was children > women > men. For dermal, HQ risk was women > children > men. Hazard index (HI) value for men was >1 for Cr. HI value for men was 1.36 for Cr. HI value for women was >1 for Cr and Mn. HI values for women were 1.54 for Cr and 1.01 for Mn. Also, the HI value for children was >1 for Cr, Mn, and Pb. HI values for children were 3.44 for Cr, 2.24 for Mn, and 1.66 for Pb. This situation showed that there was a non-carcinogenic risk. Carcinogenic risk values were dietary (bread) > dietary (tea) > dermal. The total max. carcinogenic value was 1.97E-03 for Cr while the total min. carcinogenic value was 1.31E-05 for Pb. As a result, it has been determined that there may be a risk of cancer due to the consumption of lichen as bread and this situation may adversely affect human health.

Effects of fully or partially slatted flooring designs on the performance, welfare and carcass characteristics of broiler chickens.

1. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of fully (FSF) or partially (PSF) flooring designs on animal-based welfare indicators in a fast-growing broiler genotype. Growth performance and carcass characteristics were assessed.2. One-d-old male chicks were randomly assigned to three groups: fully slatted flooring (100% slatted floor), partially slatted flooring (50% litter floor and 50% slatted floor) and conventional floor pens with litter (control, 100% deep litter) with 5 replicates of 14 male chicks. The litter was rice hull, as is usual in practice.3. Measurements of live body weight, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, mortality and performance index were collected before depopulation at 42 d old. Welfare assessments were done by individual ante- and post-mortem carcass inspection during depopulation and after slaughter.4. Broiler live body weight (P < 0.03) and feed intake (P < 0.003) and ante-mortem welfare indicators (P < 0.001) were positively affected by FSF and PSF compared to the conventional deep litter system. Post-mortem lesion scores on wings and shoulder were similar in all floor types but there were significant differences for the lesions on breast (P < 0.003) and pygostyle (P < 0.05).5. In conclusion, FSF and PSF resulted in higher body weights, while reducing incidence of foot pad and hock joint deformations in live animals.

Assessment of potential health risk associated with the use of Cladophora fracta as mulch.

In this study, cadmium, copper, nickel, zinc, chromium, manganese and lead were determined in Cladophora fracta present in Lake Hazar (Turkey). The health risks (non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic) of heavy metals associated with the use of Cladophora fracta as mulch were also determined. Bioconcentration factor (BCF) and metal pollution index (MPI) were calculated. When compared with reference value (1.5 mg/kg for Cr and 200 mg/kg for Mn), the highest accumulation by Cladophora fracta was seen in the month of June as 1442 ± 7.2% (23.13 mg/kg) for Cr and the lowest accumulation calculated in the month of July as 5 ± 0.2% (210 mg/kg) for Mn. In our study, the highest MPI value was 13.69 in September. The magnitude of MPI values of heavy metals determined during April to September appeared in the following order September > August > July > June > May > April. The HQing (hazard quotient due to ingestion) and HQinh (hazard quotient due to inhalation) in all months were chidren > female > male while the order of HQder (hazard quotient due to dermal) was determined as male > female > children. Non-carcinogenic risk (HQ) and Hazard Index (HI) values in terms of ingestion, inhalation and dermal ways were lower than 1. Also, total HI values were < 1. As a result, there was not non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks associated with usage of Cladophora fracta as mulch.

Phycoremediation of Precious Metals by Cladophora fracta From Mine Gallery Waters Causing Environmental Contamination.

We have presented a study to determine the possibility for the usage of Cladophora fracta as bioaccumulator of the metals (Au) and silver (Ag) both have characteristics of pollutant and precious in mine water. The highest concentrations accumulated by C. fracta were determined as 5.8 ± 0.3 and 5323 ± 75 µg/kg for Au and Ag, respectively. The results showed that the accumulation of the metals measured followed the order of Ag > Au. The Metal Pollution Index (MPI) values calculated between 39.37 × 10-3 and 175.7 × 10-3 were used to determine the pollution degree of C. fracta. As a result, it was determined that C. fracta highly accumulated the precious metals from the gallery water. Therefore, C. fracta was a good bioaccumulator for the remediation of Au and Ag in mine gallery waters. In this way, it is possible to minimize or eliminate the environmental risks of the precious metals in the gallery waters.

Phytoremediaton of priority substances (Pb and Ni) by Phragmites australis exposed to poultry slaughterhouse wastewater.

The aim of the work was to evaluate the ability of Phragmites australis to uptake lead and nickel from the stream taking the treated poultry slaughterhouse wastewater (PSW). Pb and Ni concentrations, which are the priority substances of the water frame directive, were detected separately at the root, stem and leaf of P. australis at 50 m and 100 m from the downstream of discharge point. The uptake of Pb and Ni by P. australis followed the order of root > leaf > stem. The Ni uptake was higher than Pb uptake in P. australis exposed to poultry wastewater. As a result, P. australis exposed to PSW were found to have the ability to uptake Pb and Ni. It has been determined that P. australis can be used for removal and phytoremediation of Pb and Ni metals from PSWs.

Psychiatric disorders and symptoms severity in pre-school children with cow's milk allergy

BACKGROUND: Psychiatric disorders are seen frequently in atopic diseases. The present study aims to evaluate the frequency of psychiatric disorders and the severity of psychiatric symptoms in pre-school children with cow's milk allergy. METHODS: The parents of the pre-school children with cow's milk allergy were interviewed in person and asked to fill out the Early Childhood Inventory-4 form. RESULTS: The cow's milk allergy group included 40 children (27 male, 13 female) with mean age, 44.5±14.7 months, and the control group included 41 children (25 male, 16 female) with mean age, 47.6±15.2 months. It was established that 65% of the group with cow's milk allergy received at least one psychiatric diagnosis, while 36.6% of the control group received at least one psychiatric diagnosis, with a statistically significant difference (p = 0.02). Within the psychiatric disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorders (odds ratio: 4.9, 95% CI: 1.472-16.856, p = 0.006), oppositional defiant disorder (odds ratio: 5.6, 95% CI: 1.139-28.128, p = 0.026), and attachment disorder (odds ratio: 4.8, 95% CI: 1.747-13.506, p = 0.004) were found significantly higher compared with the healthy CONTROL GROUP: When the groups were compared in terms of psychiatric symptom severity scores, calculated by using the Early Childhood Inventory-4 form, attention deficit hyperactivity disorders severity (p = 0.006) and oppositional defiant disorder severity (p = 0.037) were found to be higher in the cow's milk allergy group. CONCLUSIONS: Psychiatric disorders are frequent and severe in pre-school children with cow's milk allergy

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Psychiatric disorders and symptoms severity in pre-school children with cow's milk allergy.

BACKGROUND: Psychiatric disorders are seen frequently in atopic diseases. The present study aims to evaluate the frequency of psychiatric disorders and the severity of psychiatric symptoms in pre-school children with cow's milk allergy. METHODS: The parents of the pre-school children with cow's milk allergy were interviewed in person and asked to fill out the Early Childhood Inventory-4 form. RESULTS: The cow's milk allergy group included 40 children (27 male, 13 female) with mean age, 44.5±14.7 months, and the control group included 41 children (25 male, 16 female) with mean age, 47.6±15.2 months. It was established that 65% of the group with cow's milk allergy received at least one psychiatric diagnosis, while 36.6% of the control group received at least one psychiatric diagnosis, with a statistically significant difference (p=0.02). Within the psychiatric disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorders (odds ratio: 4.9, 95% CI: 1.472-16.856, p=0.006), oppositional defiant disorder (odds ratio: 5.6, 95% CI: 1.139-28.128, p=0.026), and attachment disorder (odds ratio: 4.8, 95% CI: 1.747-13.506, p=0.004) were found significantly higher compared with the healthy control group. When the groups were compared in terms of psychiatric symptom severity scores, calculated by using the Early Childhood Inventory-4 form, attention deficit hyperactivity disorders severity (p=0.006) and oppositional defiant disorder severity (p=0.037) were found to be higher in the cow's milk allergy group. CONCLUSION: Psychiatric disorders are frequent and severe in pre-school children with cow's milk allergy.

Psychiatric disorders and symptoms severity in preschool children with atopic eczema

BACKGROUND: To compare with a control group the frequency of psychiatric disorders and severity of psychiatric symptoms in preschool children with atopic eczema. METHODS: The study included children between the ages of 3-5 who were diagnosed to have atopic eczema. The parents of the children with atopic eczema were interviewed in person and were asked to fill in 'The Early Childhood Inventory-4' form. This form assesses the psychiatric disorders and symptoms severity in children between the ages of 3-5. RESULTS: The atopic eczema group included 80 patients (38 male, 42 female) with a mean age of 48.4 ± 15.7 months and the control group included 74 patients (41 male, 33 female) with a mean age of 49.9 ± 15.19 months. It was established that 68.8% of the group with atopic eczema received at least one psychiatric diagnosis. Between the psychiatric disorders, ADHD (Odds ratio: 2.57, 95% CI: 1.049-6.298, p = 0.035), enuresis and encopresis (Odds ratio: 2.39, 95% CI: 1.121-5.097,p = 0.022) and attachment disorder (Odds ratio: 2.03, 95% CI: 1.046-3.953, p = 0.035) were found to be significantly higher when compared with the healthy control group. When the groups were compared in terms of psychiatric symptom severity scores calculated by using ECI-4, ADHD severity (p = 0.043), conduct disorder severity (p = 0.001), anxiety disorders severity (p < 0.001), eating disorders severity (p = 0.011) and tic disorder severity (p = 0.01) were found to be higher in the atopic eczema group. CONCLUSION: Psychiatric illnesses are frequent in preschool children with atopic eczema

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Investigation of relationships between removals of tetracycline and degradation products and physicochemical parameters in municipal wastewater treatment plant.

Determination of the effect of physicochemical parameters on the removal of tetracycline (TC) and degradation products is important because of the importance of the removal of antibiotics in Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP). Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships between removals of TC and degradation products and physicochemical parameters in Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plant (MWWTP). For this aim, (i) the removals of physicochemical parameters in a MWWTP located in Elazig city (Turkey) were determined (ii) the removals of TC and degradation products in MWWTP were determined (iii) the relationships between removals of TC and degradation products and physicochemical parameters were investigated. TC, 4-epitetracycline (ETC), 4-epianhydrotetracycline (EATC), anhydrotetracycline (ATC), and physicochemical parameters (pH, temperature, electrical conductivity (EC), suspended solids (SS), BOD5, COD, total organic carbon (TOC), NH4(+)-N, NO2(-)-N, NO3(-)-N and O-PO4(-3)) were determined. The calculation of the correlation coefficients of relationships between the physicochemical parameters and TC, EATC, ATC showed that, among the investigated parameters, EATC and SS most correlated. The removals of other physicochemical parameters were not correlated with TC, EATC and ATC.

Psychiatric disorders and symptoms severity in preschool children with atopic eczema.

BACKGROUND: To compare with a control group the frequency of psychiatric disorders and severity of psychiatric symptoms in preschool children with atopic eczema. METHODS: The study included children between the ages of 3-5 who were diagnosed to have atopic eczema. The parents of the children with atopic eczema were interviewed in person and were asked to fill in "The Early Childhood Inventory-4" form. This form assesses the psychiatric disorders and symptoms severity in children between the ages of 3-5. RESULTS: The atopic eczema group included 80 patients (38 male, 42 female) with a mean age of 48.4 ± 15.7 months and the control group included 74 patients (41 male, 33 female) with a mean age of 49.9 ± 15.19 months. It was established that 68.8% of the group with atopic eczema received at least one psychiatric diagnosis. Between the psychiatric disorders, ADHD (Odds ratio: 2.57, 95% CI: 1.049-6.298, p=0.035), enuresis and encopresis (Odds ratio: 2.39, 95% CI: 1.121-5.097, p=0.022) and attachment disorder (Odds ratio: 2.03, 95% CI: 1.046-3.953, p=0.035) were found to be significantly higher when compared with the healthy control group. When the groups were compared in terms of psychiatric symptom severity scores calculated by using ECI-4, ADHD severity (p=0.043), conduct disorder severity (p=0.001), anxiety disorders severity (p<0.001), eating disorders severity (p=0.011) and tic disorder severity (p=0.01) were found to be higher in the atopic eczema group. CONCLUSION: Psychiatric illnesses are frequent in preschool children with atopic eczema.

Occurrence and fate of tetracycline and degradation products in municipal biological wastewater treatment plant and transport of them in surface water.

The aims of this study are to investigate the fate of tetracycline (TC) and degradation products (DPs) in municipal biological wastewater treatment plant (MBWWTP) located in Elazig City (Turkey) and to determine the occurrence and transport of TC and DPs in surface water (SW) (Kehli Stream) which the effluents of the plant discharged. The aqueous phase removal of TC, 4-epitetracycline (ETC), 4-epianhydrotetracycline (EATC), and anhydrotetracycline (ATC) in the studied treatment plant was 39.4 ± 1.9, 31.8 ± 1.5, 15.1 ± 0.7, and 16.9 ± 0.8%, respectively. According to the analyses' results of SW samples taken from downstream at every 500-m distance, TC and DPs decreased by the increase in the distance. In downstream, at 2000 m, TC, ETC, EATC, and ATC were 4.12 ± 0.20, 6.70 ± 0.33, 8.31 ± 0.41, and 3.57 ± 0.17 µg/L, respectively. As a result, antibiotic pollution in the SW that takes the effluent of MBWWTP exists.

Comparison of major lymphocyte subpopulations and recent thymic emigrants in patients with ataxia telangiectasia and age-matched healthy groups

BACKGROUND: Ataxia telangiectasia (A-T) is a genetic disorder caused by the homozygous mutation of the A-T mutated gene. It is frequently associated with variable degrees of cellular and humoral immunodeficiency. However, the immune defects in A-T patients are not well characterized. To the best of our knowledge, no studies have focused on the major lymphocyte subpopulations and recent thymic emigrants of A-T patients in comparison with age-matched healthy controls. METHODS: Following the European Society for Immunodeficiencies criteria, 17 patients diagnosed with A-The, and 12 age-matched healthy children were assigned to the study. Both patients and healthy controls were grouped as 1-5, 6-10, 11-15, and 15+ years. By using a flow cytometer, major lymphocyte subpopulations and CD4+CD45RA+CD31+ recent thymic emigrants were determined as percentage and absolute cell numbers and compared. RESULTS: No significant differences in all lymphocyte subpopulations were observed between the age groups of A-T patients. Compared to the healthy controls, there was a decrease in T cells, effector memory T4 cells, B cells, naïve B cells, naïve T4 cells, switched B cells, and recent thymic emigrants and an increase in active T8 cells and non-switched B cells in the percentage and absolute number of some cell populations in the A-T group. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that effector functions in some cell lymphocyte populations were decreased in A-T patients

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Acquired IgE-mediated food allergy after liver transplantation in children

BACKGROUND: In recent years, the number of studies regarding newly-diagnosed food allergies after liver transplantation has been increasing. In this study, we aimed to investigate the frequency, aetiology, risk factors, and severity of IgE-mediated food allergies after liver transplantation in children. METHODS: Paediatric patients who underwent liver transplantation at Inonu University Faculty of Medicine, Organ Transplantation Institute were included in the study. RESULTS: Forty-nine paediatric patients were enrolled in the study; 26 (53.1%) were female, the median age at transplantation was five years, and median follow-up time after transplantation was 16 months. Six patients (12.2%) developed IgE-mediated food allergies after transplantation; four had urticaria and/or angio-oedema and two developed anaphylaxis after food intake. Patients with and without IgE-mediated food allergies were similar in terms of sex, age at transplantation, comorbid atopic disease, immunosuppressant therapy with tacrolimus, and blood tacrolimus level (p > 0.05 for each). Serum total IgE levels ≥100 IU/mL (p = 0.02) and peripheral eosinophilia (p = 0.026) were more common in the patients who developed IgE-mediated food allergies. In five of the six patients who developed IgE-mediated food allergies, reaction occurred within the first year after transplantation; the risk of developing a reaction was 2.7 times higher within the first year after transplantation than in subsequent years (95% CI, 1.546-4.914; p = 0.026). No Epstein-Barr virus or cytomegalovirus infections were detected in any of the patients who developed IgE-mediated food allergies after liver transplantation. CONCLUSION: The risk of developing IgE-mediated food allergies is approximately three times higher within the first year after transplantation than in subsequent years

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A human monoclonal anti-TNF alpha antibody (adalimumab) reduces airway inflammation and ameliorates lung histology in a murine model of acute asthma

BACKGROUND: A few experimental studies related to asthma have unveiled the beneficial effects of TNF alpha blocking agents on the airway histology, cytokine levels in bronchoalveolar lavage and bronchial hyper-responsiveness. In the current study, we aimed to assess the effect of adalimumab on the inflammation and histology of asthma in a murine model. METHOD: Twelve-week-old BALB/c (H-2d/d) female rats (n = 18) were allocated into three groups, including (group I) control (phosphate-buffered saline was implemented), (group II) asthma induced with OVA (n = 6), and (group III) asthma induced with OVA + treated with adalimumab (n = 6). Rats were executed on the 28th day of the study. The lung samples were fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin. Lung parenchyma, alveolus, peribronchial and perivascular inflammation were assessed. Lung pathological scoring was performed. RESULT: Severity of lung damage was found to be reduced significantly in the asthma induced with OVA + treated with adalimumab group. When compared with the untreated group, adalimumab significantly reduced the inflammatory cells around the bronchi and bronchioles, and reduced inflammation of the alveolar wall and alveolar wall thickness as well (median score = 1, p = 0.52). Peribronchial smooth muscle hypertrophy and oedema were significantly reduced after adalimumab administration. CONCLUSION: Adalimumab (a human monoclonal anti-TNF alpha antibody) therapy significantly reduced the severity of lung damage by decreasing cellular infiltration and improvement on the lung histology in a murine model of acute asthma

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Comparison of major lymphocyte subpopulations and recent thymic emigrants in patients with ataxia telangiectasia and age-matched healthy groups.

BACKGROUND: Ataxia telangiectasia (A-T) is a genetic disorder caused by the homozygous mutation of the A-T mutated gene. It is frequently associated with variable degrees of cellular and humoral immunodeficiency. However, the immune defects in A-T patients are not well characterized. To the best of our knowledge, no studies have focused on the major lymphocyte subpopulations and recent thymic emigrants of A-T patients in comparison with age-matched healthy controls. METHODS: Following the European Society for Immunodeficiencies criteria, 17 patients diagnosed with A-The, and 12 age-matched healthy children were assigned to the study. Both patients and healthy controls were grouped as 1-5, 6-10, 11-15, and 15+ years. By using a flow cytometer, major lymphocyte subpopulations and CD4+CD45RA+CD31+ recent thymic emigrants were determined as percentage and absolute cell numbers and compared. RESULTS: No significant differences in all lymphocyte subpopulations were observed between the age groups of A-T patients. Compared to the healthy controls, there was a decrease in T cells, effector memory T4 cells, B cells, naïve B cells, naïve T4 cells, switched B cells, and recent thymic emigrants and an increase in active T8 cells and non-switched B cells in the percentage and absolute number of some cell populations in the A-T group. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that effector functions in some cell lymphocyte populations were decreased in A-T patients.

Acquired IgE-mediated food allergy after liver transplantation in children.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, the number of studies regarding newly-diagnosed food allergies after liver transplantation has been increasing. In this study, we aimed to investigate the frequency, aetiology, risk factors, and severity of IgE-mediated food allergies after liver transplantation in children. METHODS: Paediatric patients who underwent liver transplantation at Inonu University Faculty of Medicine, Organ Transplantation Institute were included in the study. RESULTS: Forty-nine paediatric patients were enrolled in the study; 26 (53.1%) were female, the median age at transplantation was five years, and median follow-up time after transplantation was 16 months. Six patients (12.2%) developed IgE-mediated food allergies after transplantation; four had urticaria and/or angio-oedema and two developed anaphylaxis after food intake. Patients with and without IgE-mediated food allergies were similar in terms of sex, age at transplantation, comorbid atopic disease, immunosuppressant therapy with tacrolimus, and blood tacrolimus level (p>0.05 for each). Serum total IgE levels ≥100 IU/mL (p=0.02) and peripheral eosinophilia (p=0.026) were more common in the patients who developed IgE-mediated food allergies. In five of the six patients who developed IgE-mediated food allergies, reaction occurred within the first year after transplantation; the risk of developing a reaction was 2.7 times higher within the first year after transplantation than in subsequent years (95% CI, 1.546-4.914; p=0.026). No Epstein-Barr virus or cytomegalovirus infections were detected in any of the patients who developed IgE-mediated food allergies after liver transplantation. CONCLUSION: The risk of developing IgE-mediated food allergies is approximately three times higher within the first year after transplantation than in subsequent years.