Effects of alkaline pH and gallic acid enrichment on the physicochemical properties of sesame protein and common vetch starch-based composite films.

In this study, sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) meal protein and common vetch (Vicia sativa L.) starch were extracted and used to obtain biodegradable composite films at different pH values (7, 9, and 11). Films were plasticized with glycerol (2.5 %) and enriched with gallic acid (0.25 %). Increasing pH promoted mechanical properties of the films with the developed barrier and thermal characteristics. Gallic acid addition at pH 7 resulted in lower tensile strength and higher elongation by reducing intermolecular forces, and a shift of diffraction peaks through lower angles due to crystal lattice expansion, as compared to neutral films without gallic acid. On the other hand, gallic acid-enriched films at neutral pH exhibited superior antioxidant properties. The mild alkalinity with gallic acid provided the lowest water vapor permeability, high thermal stability, improved mechanical properties and light barrier property due to deprotonation and subsequent interactions with biopolymers. The FTIR spectrum confirmed intense interactions, such as crosslinking and covalent bonding, promoted by mild alkalinity. Therefore, sesame protein and common vetch starch-based composite film with gallic acid incorporation at pH 9 can be recommended to be used in biodegradable active food packaging applications.

Familial clustering of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in the family of an adolescent with nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is one of the rare malignant diseases of childhood, of which only 1% occurs in children. In recent years, genetic factors have attracted attention in NPC. A very limited data have been reported about clustering within families. CASE: Herein, the familial clustering of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in the family of an adolescent with nasopharyngeal carcinoma is presented. CONCLUSIONS: There is familial clustering in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), but our knowledge on this subject is limited, especially in children or adolescent populations. Therefore, we should be more careful in NPC in childhood, especially in first-degree relatives.

A pediatric bithalamic high grade glioma with concomitant H3K27M and EGFR mutations.

BACKGROUND: Despite many treatment approaches, survival rates in high grade glial tumors are still not at the desired level. One of the cause of this failure might be that although having similar histologic features, they may display different biological behaviors depending on molecular heterogeneity. CASE: A 10-year-old girl presented with sudden onset left sided hemiparesis, headache, and ataxia. Physical examination was normal except for left sided hemiparesis and ataxia. A hyperintense mass lesion involving the bilateral thalamus was detected in the axial T2-weighted and coronal FLAIR sequences on brain MRI. There was no enhancement in axial T1-weighted contrast-enhanced sequences. Due to the size and location of the tumor, the patient was considered inoperable. Intensity modulated radiotherapy was intended for curative treatment to the patient because the radiological findings suggested a low-grade glial tumor. Tumor was unresponsive to radiotherapy but biopsy could be performed. The histopathological examination revealed a diffuse glial tumor with increased cellularity, mild nuclear atypia and rare mitosis. Due to the infiltrative pattern of the tumor, it was accepted as a high grade diffuse glial tumor. A chemotherapy protocol including cisplatin and etoposide in the first cycle, vincristine and cyclophosphamide in the second cycle, and carboplatin and vincristine in the third cycle were instituted to the patient. After the third cycle of chemotherapy, the tumor progressed radiologically. H3.1 K27M c.83A > T (HIST1H3C p.Lys28Met), ATRX c.2169_2170del (p.Glu723AspfsTer9), TP53 c.338T > C (p.Phe113Ser), and EGFR c.2300_2308dup (p.Ala767_va1769dup) were detected in the genetic assessment of tumor tissue. The patient`s treatment was changed to vincristine, temozolomide, and irinotecan. Unfortunately, MRI showed progression after three cycles of second-line chemotherapy. The patient`s family refused any further treatment, and the patient died with progressive disease in a short time. CONCLUSIONS: EGFR mutation along with H3.1 K27M mutation is extremely rare in children to our knowledge. It should be kept in mind that if there is a possibility of targeted therapy, there may be a treatment option in this malignant disease with a poor prognosis.

Impact on the survival of neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio, platelet-lymphocyte ratio, and monocyte-lymphocyte ratio on prognosis in children with Hodgkin lymphoma.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the clinical utility of the recently described absolute neutrophil counts to absolute lymphocyte counts ratio (NLR), absolute platelet counts to absolute lymphocyte counts ratio (PLR), and absolute monocyte counts to absolute lymphocyte counts ratio (MLR) on prognosis in children with Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated the clinical characteristics, laboratory features (lymphocyte counts, NLR, PLR, and MLR), treatment, and results of 52 children with HL in the Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Selcuk University, konya, Turkey, from January 2006 until December 2021. RESULTS: The patients included 27 (51.9%) females and 25 (48.1%) males. The age of the patients ranged between 3-17.5 years old (median: 9 years). There were 22 patients in stage II, 24 in stage III, and 6 in stage IV. The most prevalent histopathological subgroup was the nodular sclerosing type (53.8%). The 5-year overall survival rate was 93.7%. The overall survival rate differed based on lymphocyte counts (p<0.0001), NLR (p=0.018), and PLR (p=0.009). However, none of the prognostic factors in the univariate analysis were not prognostic risk factors (p>0.05) in the multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: Lymphocyte counts, NLR, and PLR may be useful markers for determining the outcomes in children with HL.

Clinical Utility of Total Oxidative Stress and Total Antioxidant Capacity in Childhood Febrile Neutropenia.

The aim is to determine the oxidative status of children with febrile neutropenia (FEN). Blood samples were collected to determine the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and total oxidative status (TOS) of healthy children (once) and children with FEN after 0, 48, and 96 hours. Eighteen patients with FEN were evaluated. The baseline TAC level of patients was significantly higher than that of the controls (P<0.0001). The TAC levels of patients with FEN with and without antibiotic modification were higher than those of the controls (P=0.002 and 0.02, respectively). The TAC levels of the patients with FEN with antibiotic modification were lower than those of the patients without antibiotic modification (P=0.0224). The oxidative stress index (OSI), calculated TOS/TAS, value of the children with FEN was lower than that of the controls (P<0.0001). The OSI values of the patients with FEN with and without antibiotic modification were lower than those of the control group (P=0.001 and <0.0001, respectively). The TAC values of the patients with antibiotic modification were higher than those of the patients without antibiotic modification (P=0.02). In conclusion, the oxidative status of the children with FEN was affected, and it can give information about the follow-up of FEN.

Clinical Features, Treatment and Outcome of Childhood Glial Tumors.

AIM: To evaluate the clinical features, treatment approaches, and outcomes of glial tumors in children. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Files (2006 to 2020) of children diagnosed with glial tumors and followed-up were reviewed retrospectively. Information regarding demographic and clinical characteristics, treatment approaches, and outcomes were retrieved from the patients? files. RESULTS: Of the total of 180 pediatric patients diagnosed with brain tumors, 73 (40.6%) had glial tumors. The children with astrocytoma were in the age range of 2?18 years (median age: 8.7 years), while the ages of children with ependymoma ranged from three months to 10 years (median age: 3 years). This difference was statistically significant (p < 0.0001). The male to female ratio was 1.6. The most common symptoms or signs were headaches (n=34, 46.6%), abnormal gait or coordination (n=22, 30.2%), vomiting (n=21, 28.8%), and cranial nerve palsies (n=20, 27.4%). The pathological diagnoses were astrocytomas (n=53, 72.6%), oligodendroglial tumors (n=2, 2.7%), ependymoma (n=15, 20.7%), and other glial tumors (n=3, 4.1%). The most common tumor location was supratentorial (n=42, 57.5%), while midline glioma was detected in seven patients. The 5-year overall survival (OS) rate of all glial tumors, astrocytoma, and ependymoma was 42%, 40%, and 55%, respectively. The 5-year OS rate of the tumor Grade I, II, III, and IV was 77.2%, 45%, 32%, and 0%, respectively (p < 0.0001). The 5-year OS rate of supratentorial, infratentorial, and spinal tumors was 25.6%, 63.6%, and 50%, respectively (p=0.021). In Cox regression analysis, it was found that the tumor resection and grade had an effect on the tumor prognosis. CONCLUSION: Treatment results are not satisfactory in high-grade astrocytomas. There is a need for new treatment approaches that would take cognizance of molecular features and adopt multidisciplinary approaches.

Color and stability of anthocyanins in strawberry nectars containing various co-pigment sources and sweeteners.

Effects of various co-pigment sources [gallic acid (GA) and the extracts of rose leaf (RLE), cherry stem (CSE), pomegranate rind (PRE) and sour cherry stem (SCSE)] on anthocyanins and colour in strawberry nectars (SNs), sweetened with sucrose (SNS), maltose syrup (SNM) and honey (SNH), were investigated during storage at 20 °C. Honey elicited the highest stabilities of anthocyanins, hyperchromic and bathochromic effects in SNs containing all co-pigment sources, except for PRE. PRE co-pigments were composed of mainly tannins which could interact with SNs proteins and honey proline. As a result of these interactions, PRE co-pigments could not show significant contribution to protection of SN anthocyanins and colour. Among co-pigment sources, SCSE caused the highest stabilities of anthocyanins, hyperchromic effect and colour density, regardless of sweetener used. Interactions between SCSE phenolic acids, and pelargonidin-3-glucoside and pelargonidin-3-rutinoside resulted in the most stable co-pigmentation effect. Thus, SCSE should be preferred in beverages containing pelargonidin-based anthocyanins.

Effects of natural copigment sources in combination with sweeteners on the stability of anthocyanins in sour cherry nectars.

Effects of various co-pigment sources [gallic acid (GA), rose leaf extract (RLE), cherry stem extract (CSE), pomegranate rind extract (PRE) and green tea extract (GTE)] on anthocyanin content, colour, and turbidity in sour cherry nectar (SCN), sweetened with sucrose (SCNS), maltose syrup (SCNM) or honey (SCNH), were investigated during storage at 20 °C. Co-pigment sources were associated with increases in λmax (up to 4.1 nm), colour density (up to 22%), and polymeric colour (up to 1.7 times). Among the co-pigment sources, GA and PRE were associated with the greater anthocyanin stabilities in SCNS and SCNH. Moreover, the lowest turbidity, at the beginning of storage, and turbidity formation rate, throughout storage, were observed in SCNS, SCNM and SCNH containing PRE. When the changes in Amax, λmax, polymeric colour, colour density, and turbidity were considered together, PRE was the best co-pigment source, regardless of the sweetener used.

Effect of sweeteners on anthocyanin stability and colour properties of sour cherry and strawberry nectars during storage.

Effects of various sweeteners (sucrose, maltose syrup and honey) on individual anthocyanins, colour and turbidity in sour cherry (SCN) and strawberry nectars (SN) were investigated during 168 and 42 days of storage at 20 °C, respectively. In SCN, major anthocyanin was cyanidin-3-glucosylrutinoside (cyd-3-glu-rut), followed by cyanidin-3-rutinoside (cyd-3-rut), cyanidin-3-glucoside (cyd-3-glu) and cyanidin-3-sophoroside (cyd-3-soph). Maltose syrup increased stabilities of cyd-3-glu-rut (8%) and cyd-3-rut (4%), while honey reduced stabilities of all anthocyanins in SCN. Due to higher anthocyanin stability, maltose syrup for SCN was recommended. In SN, the major anthocyanin was pelargonidin-3-glucoside (pg-3-glu), followed by pelargonidin-3-rutinoside (pg-3-rut) and cyd-3-glu. Stabilities of anthocyanins (46-51%) and colour density (6-7%) in SN sweetened with honey were higher than that sweetened with sucrose and maltose syrup. Considering maximum wavelength (λmax), absorbance value at λmax (Amax), polymeric colour and colour density values together, copigmentation of anthocyanins occurred in SN sweetened with honey. This study is the first study showing copigmentation of anthocyanins with honey.