A clean and green technology for oleuropein rich extract from Olea europaea by-product

Considering the intense trend towards nutraceuticals and functional foods enriched with natural additives, and the great development in the cosmetic industry, it is obvious that it is necessary to study on the extraction of natural products. The current challenge is to develop the most effective alternative method by employing less energy, chemicals and unit operations. In the present study, automatic solvent extraction (AMSE) has been operated as a Green Extraction technology. Olive tree (Olea europaea) by-product (leaf) has been extracted by AMSE. Its yield has been evaluated according to its total phenolic (TPC), flavonoid (TFC) and oleuropein contents. Free radical scavenging activity of the product was also quantified by two different in vitro tests (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS)). 3-factor and 3-level Central Composite Design (CCD) was employed to design the experimental study as well as modelling the experimental data and optimizing the AMSE process. The concentration of ethanol (solvent solution) was statistically the most significant (p < 0.0001) parameter affecting the AMSE of bioactive ingredients from olive leaves. The optimal conditions (~0.7 mm olive leaf particle with 80 % (v/v) ethanol solution for 30 min) have been determined to achieve the highest yields (216.39 mg gallic acid equivalent of TPC, 338.21 mg catechin equivalent of TFC and 67.25 mg of oleuropein per gram dried leaf), which are in convincing agreement with the actual values (<2 % error).     

Bloodstream infections due to Trichosporon species in paediatric patients: Results from the first national study from Turkey

BackgroundInvasive Trichosporon infections are rarely seen opportunistic fungal infections in children and mainly affect immunocompromised patients. This multicenter retrospective study has rewieved the characteristics, risk factors, treatment modalities and outcomes of bloodstream infections caused by Trichosporon species in children diagnosed over the past ten years in Turkey.MethodsThe study was performed with the participation of 12 of 55 hospitals invited from Turkey. In each center, the patients with bloodstream infections caused by Trichosporon spp. between January 2010 and December 2020 were retrospectively ascertained and the results were reported to the study coordinator by means of a simple case report. Data were collected on patient demographics, underlying condition(s), treatment of.infections caused by Trichosporon spp, and 7 and 30- day mortality rates.ResultsA total of 28 cases with fungemia caused by Trichosporon spp. were included in the study. The most common underlying disease was paediatric cancers (39.3%). T. asahii infections were detected in 78.5 % (n=22) of patients. A various spectrum of antifungal treatment regimens were used including intravenous amphotericin B monotherapy in 35.7%, intravenous amphotericin B and voriconazole combination in 32.1% and intravenous voriconazole monotherapy in 28.6% of the patients. The overall mortality rate was 28.5 %. The mortality rates were 12.5% in the voricanozole, 30% in the amphotericin B and 33.3% in combined voriconazole -amphotericin B armsConclusionsInvasive Trichosporon infections with an important impact of patients quality of life are almost related to underlying diseases with an overall mortality rate of 28.5%. Voriconazole was found to be associated with lower mortality rates when compared with other treatment regimens.     

Association of Suicide Attempts and Non-Suicidal Self-Injury Behaviors With Substance Use and Family Characteristics Among Children and Adolescents Seeking Treatment for Substance Use Disorder

Background: Numerous studies in youth and adults suggest strong association between substance use disorders and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) and suicidal behaviors. There is paucity of studies exploring the association of substance use with history of suicide attempts (HSA) and NSSI in children and adolescents in Turkey. Objective: We aimed to examine the prevalence of NSSI and HSA and their relationship with substance use and family characteristics among youth seeking treatment for substance use in Turkey. Method: Participants were children and adolescents who were admitted to the Bakirkoy Trainee and Research Hospital for Psychiatric and Neurologic Disorders in Istanbul between January 2011 and December 2013. Two thousand five hundred eighteen participants were included. Questionnaires were applied to all patients. The association of NSSI and HSA with substance use, family characteristics, and subject characteristics were analyzed. Results: The prevalence of NSSI and HSA behaviors among substance using youth in our sample were 52% and 21% respectively. Cannabis and cocaine use was found to be a significant risk factor for HSA, and polysubstance use was associated with both NSSI and HSA. Parental separation/divorce, parental mental disorders, alcohol and drug use, and crime were the risk factors for HSA. A positive history of physical and sexual abuse increased the risk of HAS, and a history of neglect increased the risk of NSSI. Conclusions/importance: We suggest that results showing relationship between substance use and associated social features with NSSI and HSA may contribute to elaborating effective and targeted preventive and intervention programs for these high-risk youth groups in Turkey.     

The neurobiology of sirtuins and their role in neurodegeneration

Sirtuins are highly conserved NAD(+)-dependent enzymes that have beneficial effects against age-related diseases. Aging is the major unifying risk factor for all neurodegenerative disorders. Sirtuins modulate major biological pathways, such as stress response, protein aggregation, and inflammatory processes, that are involved in age-related neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, sirtuins have been widely studied in the context of the nervous system and neurodegeneration. They are especially interesting because it is possible to alter the activities of sirtuins using small molecules that could be developed into drugs. Indeed, it has been shown that manipulation of SIRT1 activity genetically or pharmacologically impacts neurodegenerative disease models. This review summarizes recent research in sirtuin neurobiology and neurodegenerative diseases and analyzes the potential of therapeutic applications based on sirtuin research.     

Foot biomechanics and initial effects of infrapatellar strap on gait parameters in patients with unilateral patellofemoral pain syndrome

Background

There is limited information on the relationship between plantar foot pressure and patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS). In addition, there is not enough research on the effects of an infrapatellar strap on PFPS.

Objective

The aim of this study was to evaluate the immediate effects of an infrapatellar strap on dynamic pedabarography in patients with unilateral PFPS.

Methods

Clinical case control study design. 18 females subjects with unilateral PFPS were included in the study. Gait parameters were tested using pedabarography during barefoot walking with and without an infrapatellar strap.

Results

There were no statistically significant differences in gait trials comparing infrapatellar strap to no strap (P > 0.05). In addition, a significant difference (P = 0.043) in the % forefoot surface on the involved side demonstrated that body weight is transferred to medial aspect of the foot.

Discussion

Although our results show a difference between the forefoot surface % of the affected and unaffected sides of subjects with PFPS there was no indication that an infrapatellar strap had any immediate effect on this parameter.

Conclusion

It is not clear whether PFPS is a cause or effect of abnormal gait. Further research is warranted to investigate the long-term effects of wearing an infrapatellar strap and associated altered foot biomechanics due to PFPS.     

A 6‐year prospective surveillance of healthcare‐associated infections in a neonatal intensive care unit from southern part of Turkey

Aim: To report the incidence of healthcare‐associated infections (HAIs), site of infection and bacterial epidemiology in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in a university hospital in Adana, Turkey, between 2001 and 2006. Methods: During these years, HAIs were collected by an active surveillance system. Results: Five hundred one of 2832 infants hospitalised more than 72 h had 1124 HAI. The HAI incidence and incidence density ranged between 14.1 and 29.7 infections/100 patients, and 10.9–17.3 infections/1000 patient days within the study period; 61.5% of HAIs were ventilator‐associated infections; 26.2% were bloodstream infections; 3.5% were urinary tract infections; 3.5% were necrotising enterocolitis (Stages II and III) and 1.4% was meningitis. The most frequent pathogens were gram‐negative pathogens (75.6% of all infections) followed by gram‐positive micro‐organisms (21.4%) and Candida species (3.0%). Birthweight, gestational age and Apgar scores were lower and overall mortality rate (32.9% vs. 19.7%) and number of inpatient days were higher in patients with HAIs (for all P < 0.001) when compared with those who did not have HAIs. Furthermore, HAI rate was inversely related to birthweight (P < 0.001). Conclusion: In this study, the overall infection rate is high compared with developed countries and predominant micro‐organisms are gram‐negative enteric rods. These results strongly suggest the need for improving measures for prevention and control of HAIs in this hospital.