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Background Asthma is a common respiratory disorder; some data were present on the correlation between increased levels of some elements and the risk of asthma development. It was aimed to evaluate the levels of 13 selected blood and tooth elements (magnesium, phosphorus, calcium, chromium, manganese, iron, copper, zinc, strontium, molybdenum, cadmium, lead, mercury) in a well-controlled asthma group and the control group. Methods During the study period, 17 asthma patients and 26 age and gender-matched healthy children donated shed deciduous teeth having neither decay nor filling and enrolled for the study. The element levels in blood and teeth matrixes were analyzed with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Differences in blood and tooth elements in groups were evaluated with generalized linear models after adjusting confounding factors. Results After adjusting the child’s “z scores of body mass index for age”, history of iron deficiency anemia, and status of parental smoking, the generalized linear model revealed significantly lower tooth magnesium levels, lower blood zinc levels, and lower blood zinc/copper ratio in the asthma group than the control group (p = 0.042, p = 0.034, p = 0.002, respectively). Other studied elements for tooth and blood matrixes were similar in groups. Conclusion Our study revealed some differences in tooth and blood element levels in the asthma group. Further studies on zinc and magnesium levels of severe asthma cases are necessary for the interpretation of the results.

The aim was to evaluate the levels of aflatoxin M1 (AFM1), ochratoxin A (OTA), zearalenone (ZEN), deoxynivalenol (DON) in human milk, and to investigate the relation between selected mycotoxin levels in breast milk and infantile growth in exclusively-breastfed infants under four months. Mycotoxin analysis was performed with commercial ELISA kits. Infants were weighed, and z scores of weight-for-age (WAZ) were calculated with WHO standards. The first quartile of the mycotoxin levels was classified in subgroups as low-level, the last quartile as high-level, and between them as middle-level. The subgroups of AFM1, OTA, and DON had similar infants' WAZ. When cases without maternal smoke exposure were selected and WAZ at birth, infant age, and gender were adjusted, higher infant WAZ on admission was detected in high-ZEN subgroup (p = 0.033). Further cohort studies in exclusively-breastfed infants and absence of maternal smoke exposure could clarify the effect of ZEN on infant growth.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the usage of thyme leaves and its effects on performance, some egg quality traits and humoral immunity in laying hens. A total of 108 laying hens aged 36 weeks were randomly assigned to three dietary groups for 16 weeks. Dried and ground (Thymus vulgaris L.) thyme leaves were used at the level of 0, 1 and 2% in the diets of groups. Feed intake, body weight, egg production, egg weight and egg quality characteristics were not affected by dietary thyme supplementation. Thyme supplementation at 2% resulted in beneficial effects in laying hens due to the lowering of yolk cholesterol and total saturated fatty acids concentration while increasing omega-3 fatty acids. Furthermore, the yolk malondialdehyde, blood serum cholesterol and triglycerides levels were reduced and antibody titers against SRBC were increased with 2% thyme supplementation. In conclusion, the results showed the antioxidative and hypolipidemic effects of thyme supplementation in laying hens along with improved humoral immune response without any negative effects on performance and egg quality characteristics.

Melamine contamination is a recent public health problem emerging globally. Present study aimed to detect the rate of melamine presence in human milk in a cohort study and to evaluate any possible differences in maternal–infant pair characteristics such as breastfeeding status, crying and sleep problems of infants, maternal postpartum depression, maternal–infant bonding, infant and maternal anthropometry, and maternal complete blood count caused by the melamine exposure. Mothers of infants born in Şanlıurfa were invited to participate in ‘Urfa Child Cohort Survey’. Overall, two breast milk samples were taken between 5 days and 15 days postpartum and between 4 weeks and 10 weeks. Randox Food’s InfiniPlex array was used to analyse the presence of melamine. Melamine was detected in 32.2% and 24.4% of the first and the second milk samples; 16.7% of mothers had two positive samples. z Scores for birth weight and z scores for height for age were detected to be significantly lower in cases with two positive samples compared to cases with negative samples. Mean maternal white blood cells counts were found to be lower in cases with repeated melamine contact. Melamine might have a detrimental effect on birth weight, infant height and maternal blood count. Further studies should be done to detect environmental contamination in different regions and countries.

Background Some elements were claimed to play a role in the pathogenesis of congenital heart defects (CHD) and influence the general well-being and health of these children. Objectives We aimed to assess the levels of some elements simultaneously in the blood and teeth samples of children with cyanotic and acyanotic CHD compared with healthy children. Methods A total of 39 children with CHD (11 with cyanotic and 28 with acyanotic CHD) and 42 age- and sex-adjusted controls were enrolled. Levels of 13 elements, including magnesium, phosphorus, calcium, chromium, manganese, iron, copper, zinc, strontium, cadmium, lead, mercury, and molybdenum, were assessed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Results Children with cyanotic and acyanotic CHD had significantly lower teeth calcium and calcium/phosphorus ratio as compared to the controls after adjusting for confounders. The mean blood iron level was found to be significantly higher in the cyanotic CHD group compared to the other groups. In addition, children with acyanotic CHD had significantly higher teeth copper levels, higher blood molybdenum and lower blood magnesium levels compared to the healthy control group. Blood cadmium and mercury levels were found to be significantly elevated in both the cyanotic and acyanotic CHD groups compared to the healthy control group. There were no differences in toxic metal levels of teeth in cases with CHD. Conclusion Monitoring adequate and balanced gestational micronutrient intake might support not only maternal health but also fetal cardiac development and infant well-being. Supplementation of magnesium should be evaluated in patients having CHD.

The aim was to evaluate the changes in aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) and ochratoxin A (OTA) levels in human breast milk (HBM) during the first five postpartum months according to the sampling season in a cohort study from Şanlıurfa. From 78 healthy lactating mothers, HBM was taken at the 5-14 days postpartum (D5-14) and the 6

Background Environmental factors, including elemental homeostasis, have not been studied sufficiently in neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD). This study aims to compare the status of 13 elements in blood and deciduous teeth dentine of children having an autism spectrum disorder or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder with typically developing controls. Methods Elements including calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, zinc, copper, chromium, manganese, mercury, lead, cadmium, molybdenum, and strontium in both deciduous teeth and blood were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Results Strontium levels in both blood and teeth samples were found to be significantly lower in the NDD group. Additionally, blood cadmium and mercury levels, and copper/zinc ratio were higher in the NDD group. Conclusions Our results warrant further investigation in a large series of NDD examining symptom levels and genetic variations associated with elemental homeostasis.

We aimed to determine the levels of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in the breast milk; to assess the effect of detectable OCPs on maternal-infant characteristics and; to evaluate the relation between OCPs and the maternal psychopathologies [Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI), Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire (PBQ), Mother-to-Infant Bonding Scale (MIBS) and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS)] and infant growth. DDT, beta-hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH), aldrin and heptachlor were detected in 89.3, 70.7, 58.7 and 34.7 % of the samples, respectively. Mothers with low monthly family income had detectable DDTs less frequently. The frequencies of detectable heptachlor epoxide were significantly higher in mothers with gestational nausea. Anaemic mothers had more frequently detectable alpha-HCH. Z scores of head circumference were inversely correlated with beta-HCH and DDT levels. The heptachlor epoxide levels were positively correlated with PBQ, MIBS and indexes of BSI. No relation was detected between EPDS and OCPs. Further studies are needed for changes in maternal psychopathologies.

This study was designed to investigate the effects of the usage of glycerol from biodiesel production from soybean oil in laying hen diets on laying performance, egg traits, heterophils to lymphocytes ratio (H/L), some blood parameters and antibody production to SRBC. A total of 180 Lohmann Brown laying hens 39 weeks of age were allocated to four dietary treatments with one control group and three treatment groups and fed for 16 weeks. Each group was divided into five replicates as subgroups, comprising of 9 hens each. Glycerol was used at the level of 2.5, 5 and 7.5% in the diets of the first, second and third treatment groups, respectively. The diets were formulated to be isocaloric and isonitrogenous. Dietary treatments did not significantly affect body weight, egg production, egg weight, feed efficiency, mortality, egg albumen index, egg yolk index and egg Haugh unit, yolk weight percentage, exterior egg quality characteristics, excreta moisture, H/L ratio, blood parameters and antibody production to SRBC. Hens fed diets with 7.5% glycerol consumed significantly less feed than those of the other groups. Egg yolk cholesterol concentration was significantly higher for hens fed diets with 5 and 7.5% glycerol as compared to those of the other groups (P

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to determine the effects of dietary black cumin seed on performance, egg traits, egg cholesterol content and egg yolk fatty acid composition in laying hens during a 12 week period. For this purpose a total of 160 Lohmann Brown laying hens 36 weeks of age were allocated to four dietary treatments with one control group and three treatment groups. Black cumin seed (Nigella sativa L.) was used at the level of 5, 10 and 15 g kg−1 in the diets of the first, second and third treatment groups, respectively. RESULTS: Dietary treatments did not significantly affect body weight, feed intake, egg production, egg quality characteristics and blood parameters. Diets containing 10 and 15 g kg−1 black cumin seed increased egg weight (P < 0.01), improved feed efficiency (P < 0.01) and decreased egg yolk cholesterol, saturated fatty acids (% of total fatty acid methyl esters) and the ratio of saturated to unsaturated fatty acids (P < 0.05) compared to the diet of control group. CONCLUSION: Dietary black cumin seed at the level of 10 and 15 g kg−1 had beneficial effects on egg weight, feed efficiency, egg cholesterol content and egg yolk fatty acid composition. Therefore it can be used at the level of 10 and 15 g kg−1 in the diets of laying hens. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of early feed restriction on performance, carcass characteristics, meat and liver composition, some blood parameters, H-L ratio, antibody titers against SRBC and tonic immobility duration in broilers. One hundred ninety male chicks (Ross 308) were randomly allocated into two treatment groups each of 95 chicks. Broilers in one treatment fed ad libitum until 42 day of age, however in other treatment, broilers were deprived of feed for 4 h per day from 7 to 21 day. Body weight, feed consumption, feed to gain ratio, carcass characteristics and the percentage of examined organs except heart were not statistically significant in groups. Percentage of heart was higher (p < 0.05) in broilers fed ad libitum. At 41 d of age, H-L ratio (p < 0.05) and TI duration (p = 0.001) were higher, serum glucose (p < 0.05) and triglyceride (p < 0.001) levels were lower in broilers fed ad libitum. Chemical composition of breast and thigh and also fat and ash of liver were not affected by early feed restriction. Moisture of liver (p = 0.001) was lower and protein of liver (p < 0.01) was higher in broilers fed ad libitum

Bu çalışmada, Şanlıurfa ilinde bir alabalık üretim tesisinden temin edilen gökkuşağı alabalıklarının (Oncorhyncus mykiss), farklı muhafaza ve pişirme işleminin yağ asidi bileşimine etkisi araştırılmıştır. Temin edilen 27 adet alabalık 3 gruba ayrılmıştır. İlk grup 0. gün işleme alınmış olup kontrol grubu olarak değerlendirmelerde kullanılmıştır. Diğer iki grup ise, -18°C’de 15 ve 30 gün muhafaza edilmiştir. Alabalıklar 180°C’de 25dk fırında pişirilmiştir. Çiğ ve pişirilmiş olan alabalıkların kas dokusundan derili ve derisiz örnekler alınarak her bir örnekte kuru madde, toplam yağ ve yağ asitleri analizleri yapılmıştır. Çiğ gökkuşağı alabalığında toplam yağ oranı %4,33 iken, fırında pişirdikten sonra %6,54’e yükselmiştir. Balığın derili ve derisiz olması, toplam yağ oranında istatistiksel olarak bir değişim yapmamıştır. Fırında pişirme yönteminin uygulanması sonucunda ΣSFA, ΣUFA, ΣMUFA, ΣPUFA ve Σomega-3 ile Σomega-6 yağ asitleri düzeylerindeki farklılık istatistiksel olarak önemli bulunmamıştır. Balıklarda ΣSFA düzeyleri -18°C’de 30 gün muhafaza edilmesiyle azaldığı görülmüştür. Sonuç olarak dondurularak muhafaza edilen alabalıkların fırında, derili veya derisiz olmadan kuru pişirme işleminden geçirilmesi sonucunda, toplam yağ oranında artış görülse de, insan sağlığı ve özellikle kalp damar hastalıklarında koruyucu olan PUFA’larda önemli bir değişime sebep olmadığı görülmüştür., In this study, the effects of different storage and cooking processes on the fatty acid profile of rainbow trouts (Oncorhyncus mykiss) obtained from the fish culture manufacturing plant in Şanlıurfa were investigated. 27 rainbow trouts were divided into 3 groups. The first group as control group was processed on 0th day. Other two groups have been stored at-18°C for 15 and 30 days. Fish samples were cooked in the oven at180°C for 25 minutes. Muscle tissue specimens with and without skin have been taken for the analysis of dry matter, total fat and fatty acid profile in the raw and cooked trouts. The total fat of the raw rainbow trout was found to be 4.33%, but after cooking in the oven increased to 6.54%. There are no statistically differences in total fat content among fish samples with and without skin. Oven cooking didn’t affect the levels of ΣSFA, ΣUFA, ΣMUFA, ΣPUFA, Σw-3 fatty acids and Σw-6 fatty acids. The levels of ΣSFA were reduced after the storage at-18°C for 30 days. As a result, total fat content increased after oven cooking fish samples with and without skin under frozen storage but the levels of PUFA which is important for human health and especially for protective effect on cardiovascular diseases were not affected.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of garlic powder on the performance, egg traits and blood parameters of laying hens. One hundred and sixty-two SHSY-type brown layers aged 21 weeks were chosen at random from a large flock. They were allocated to three dietary treatments. Each treatment comprised six replicates of nine layers in groups of three. The diets were supplemented with 0, 5 and 10 g kg−1 garlic powder. The experimental period lasted 22 weeks. Garlic powder addition did not significantly affect body weight, egg production, feed consumption, feed efficiency, egg shell index, egg breaking strength, egg shell thickness, egg albumen index, egg yolk index, egg Haugh unit, egg yolk weight and serum protein concentration. Egg weight increased (P < 0.01) with garlic powder supplementation. There was a significant (P < 0.01) reduction in egg cholesterol concentration as mg g−1 yolk when the dietary level of garlic powder was increased from 0 to 10 g kg−1. Hen serum triglyceride (P < 0.05) and total cholesterol (P < 0.01) concentrations decreased with garlic powder supplementation. This study demonstrated that garlic powder addition increased egg weight and decreased egg yolk cholesterol concentration (mg g−1 yolk) and serum triglyceride and cholesterol concentrations without adverse effects on performance and egg traits. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry

6th Annual Conference on Excellence in Pediatrics -- DEC 04-06, 2014 -- Dubai, U ARAB EMIRATES, WOS: 000358996400021, …, Excellence Pediat Inst

WOS: 000296263900031, PubMed: 22010253, This study was conducted to determine the effect of hen production cycle (HPC) and the effect of egg weight (EW) at the same egg production level on egg quality, egg composition, hatchability, duckling quality, and first-week BW in Pekin ducks. For HPC, hatching eggs were obtained from different Pekin-duck breeder flocks, aged 31 wk for the first production cycle (HPC1) and 78 wk for the second production cycle (HPC2). For EW, there were 3 categories: heavy (H), medium (M), and light (L). Ten eggs from each HPC and EW group were analyzed for the determination of egg quality, and albumen and yolk compositions. Ninety eggs from each HPC and EW group were incubated for the determination of hatchability, and duckling weight and quality. After quality scoring, 20 ducklings (10 male and 10 female) from each group were weighed, and reared to 1 wk of age in a brooder machine to determine relative growth (RG). The results showed that the albumen index; Haugh unit; shell percentage; yolk moisture, ash, protein, lipids, and triglycerides; albumen moisture, ash, and protein; yolk fatty acid contents; hatching weight; duckling weights at 1 wk of age; and RG were significantly affected by HPC. Egg weight affected shell thickness, yolk and albumen indices, Haugh unit, yolk and albumen percentages, yolk to albumen ratio, shell percentage, yolk fatty acid content, hatching weight, duckling weight at 1 wk of age, and RG.

WOS: 000294879500008, This study was conducted to determine the nutritive value of live yeast culture (RumiSacc, Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and to investigate its effects on milk yield, milk composition and some blood parameters in lactating cows. Six multiparous Holstein cows were allocated to two groups of three cows and assigned randomly to one of two diets in a cross-over experiment. Daily 50 g RumiSacc was top dressed at the p.m. feeding for the treatment group. RumiSacc supplied a high protein and energy with high organic matter digestibility values (83.35%) determined by in vitro enzymatic analysis. Yeast culture supplementation significantly increased milk yield, tended to increase fat yield, protein yield and lactose yield of milk. Methylated fatty acid level of 18:3 (n-3) in milk fat was increased by yeast culture supplementation. The concentrations of methionine, phenyalanine, tyrosine, tryptophan and taurine were significantly increased with dietary inclusion of yeast culture. Live yeast culture supplementation did not affect other performance characteristics, milk quality characteristics and blood parameters. As a conclusion live yeast culture (RumiSacc, Saccharomyces cerevisiae) had high nutritive value and positive effects on milk production and some milk quality characteristics in lactating cows under field conditions.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to determine the effects of dietary yeast autolysate on performance, egg traits, egg cholesterol content, egg yolk fatty acid composition, lipid oxidation of egg yolk, some blood parameters and humoral immune response of laying hens during a 16 week period. A total of 225 Hyline Brown laying hens, 22 weeks of age, were allocated equally to one control group and four treatment groups. Yeast autolysate (Saccharomyces cerevisiae, InteWall) was used at levels of 1, 2, 3 and 4 g kg−1 in the diets of the first, second, third and fourth treatment groups respectively. RESULTS: Dietary treatments did not significantly affect body weight, feed intake and egg traits. Yeast autolysate supplementation increased egg production (P < 0.001) and egg weight (P < 0.001) and improved feed efficiency (P < 0.05). Yeast autolysate at levels of 2, 3 and 4 g kg−1 decreased egg yolk cholesterol level as mg g−1 yolk (P < 0.01) and blood serum levels of cholesterol and triglyceride (P < 0.05) and increased antibody titres to sheep red blood cells (P < 0.01). Total saturated fatty acids and the ratio of saturated/unsaturated fatty acids increased (P < 0.01) and total monounsaturated fatty acids (P < 0.001) decreased with yeast autolysate supplementation. CONCLUSION: Dietary yeast autolysate at levels of 2, 3 and 4 g kg−1 had beneficial effects on performance, egg cholesterol content and humoral immune response. It is concluded that 2 g kg−1 yeast autolysate will be enough to have beneficial effects in laying hens. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry

This study was carried out to determine the effects of dietary sepiolite on performance, carcass traits and some blood parameters of broilers. A total of 204 daily Ross 308 female broiler chicks were allocated into one control group and two treatment groups each containing 68 chicks. Sepiolite was used at the level of 0%, 0.5% and 1% for the diets of control group and the first and second treatment groups, respectively. The experimental period lasted 6 weeks. Supplemental sepiolite improved body weight (P

This study was conducted to study the effects of dietary garlic powder on laying performance, egg traits and blood serum cholesterol level of quails. A total of three hundred quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) aged nine weeks were used. They were allocated to 3 dietary treatments. Each treatment comprised 5 replicates of 20 quails. The diets were supplemented with 0, 5 and 10 g/kg garlic powder. The experimental period lasted 21 weeks. The addition of garlic powder did not significantly affect body weight, egg production, feed consumption, feed efficiency, egg shell thickness, egg albumen index, egg yolk index and egg Haugh unit. Adding 5 and 10 g/kg garlic powder to the laying quail diets increased egg weight (p

Background and aim Lead, mercury and cadmium are widely exposed environmental pollutants throughout the world. In this study, we aimed to investigate the level of exposure to lead(Pb), mercury(Hg) and cadmium(Cd) during intrauterine life. Methods We included 123 mother-infant pairs between December 2006 and January 2007. Umbilical cord blood collected immediately after delivery while breast milk and newborn hair samples collected between 3–10th postpartum days. All the specimens analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry. Results Cord blood samples Pb was present in 99.2%(the mean 1.66±1.6µg/dl) while Hg in only 1.7% and Cd in 19.8%(ranged 0–6.71µg/L). Cord blood Pb was higher than ≥2µg/dl in 29% of the samples. Pb, Hg and Cd were detectable in all the newborn hair samples. Among breast milk samples 83.2% had detectable lead levels(mean 14.5±12.1µg/L). Presence of Hg and Cd in breast milk samples were 53.3% and 9% respectively. Cord blood lead levels were significantly higher when maternal age >35 years. Breast milk Cd levels were significantly higher in women who were residing close to the major city waste site. Cord blood Cd levels were significantly higher in women consuming more than two fish weekly. Maternal exposure to environmental tobacco smoking(ETS) resulted increased newborn hair Pb and Cd levels. Conclusion Intrauterine heavy metal exposure is an important concern for pediatricians. Most samples had detectable levels for Pb, Hg, Cd indicating long term maternal exposure and considerable number exceeds the present accepted safety levels at cord and breast milk samples. Preventing ETS, limiting fish consumption and improved living conditions for pregnant women may decrease exposure levels.

Aim Lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd) are found widely in environment and stay in nature for a long time. These toxic chemicals have some hazardous effects on child health. The purpose of this study are to determine the levels of heavy metals (Pb, Hg, Cd) in breast milk and infant hair, related environmental factors and the effect on infant growth and development at the postpartum 8th month. Method As a part of the cohort study at Hacettepe University Department of Social Paediatrics, 74 breast milk samples and 46 infant hair samples were taken at the postpartum 8th month. Mothers’ environmental exposure were evaluated by a semistructured questionnaire. Results Pb, Hg, Cd were detected in breast milk samples of 91%, 87%, 99%, respectively. Breast milk Hg levels were associated with maternal vitamin use within the first 2 months after delivery, breast milk Cd levels were higher in cases with expanded family, living in older house and in urban with air pollution during childhood. Higher infantile hair Cd levels were higher in cases with expanded family, living older house, maternal history of anaemia and postpartum anaemia. In girls z scores of birth weight, height for age at the 8 th month were inversely correlated with infant hair Pb levels. In boys, z scores of body mass index at the 8th month were inversely correlated with infant hair Cd levels. The levels of breast milk Hg levels were higher in infants with Denver II suspicious/abnormal. Conclusion It is suggested that presence of Pb, Hg, Cd in breast milk and infant hair have been affected infants of developmental and growth parameters. Preventive measures must be taken to reduce environmental toxic metals pollution and efforts should be made for the management of anaemia in females in all age groups.

Editor,—Having read the case report by Kennedy and colleagues,1 we would like to point out some aspects of the production of dry fermented sausage, salami, and sausage. We agree with Kennedy et al that food manufacturers should order ingredients specifically, in writing, and preferably by their approved chemical name. Nitrate and nitrite are widely used as …