Human milk mycobiota composition: relationship with gestational age, delivery mode, and birth weight

Intestinal and human milk microbiota studies during infancy have shown variations according to geographical location, delivery mode, gestational age, and mother-related factors during pregnancy. In this study, we performed metagenomic mycobiota analyses of 44 transient and mature human milk among five different groups: mothers of normal spontaneous delivery-term (NS-T), caesarean delivery-term (CS-T), premature (PT), small for gestational age (SGA), and large for gestational age (LGA) infants. Fungi were detected in 80 out of the 88 samples. Regarding the number of observed fungal species, the NS-T group was more homogeneous (less variable) comparing the other groups (P<0.05). In the transient human milk samples, the most abundant species were Saccharomyces cerevisiae (33.3%) and Aspergillus glaucus (27.4%). While A. glaucus (33.7%) was second most abundant species in mature milk, S. cerevisiae disappeared (P<0.01) and Penicillium rubens became the most abundant species (35.5%) (P<0.05). Among the NS-T group, the most abundant species was Malassezia globosa in both transient and mature milk. In contrast, S. cerevisiae was the most abundant species in transient human milk (45.0%) in the CS-T group, but it disappeared in mature milk (P<0.01). In transient milk, M. globosa was only represented 6.0-9.0% of taxa in the PT, SGA, and LGA groups (P<0.05). In transient and mature milk in the PT, SGA and LGA groups, the most abundant species were A. glaucus and P. rubens. In mature milk samples, P. rubens is more abundant in CS-T group, PT group and LGA group, than the NS-T groups (P<0.05 for all). Although fungi constitute only a very small part of the human milk microbiome, we observed some changes that the human milk mycobiota composition varies in caesarean delivery, premature, SGA and LGA groups, comparing the normal spontaneous delivery, as well as differences between transient and mature human milk.

Effect of retinyl acetate on transglutaminase 2 activity in carcinogen treated rat liver

Transglutaminase 2 (TG2) has been implicated in wound healing, cellular differentiation, apoptosis and cell survival. TG2 activity increases following acute and chronic liver injury; however, the role of TG2 in tumors, is controversial. TG2 is a retinoid-inducible enzyme. We investigated the effects of retinyl acetate (RA) on the activity and levels of TG2 during the initiation and promotion stages of liver cancer. p-Dimethylaminoazobenzene (p-DAB) was used as initiator and 2, 3, 7, 8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) was used as promoter in our model of carcinogenesis. Rats were divided into four groups of 24: control, corn oil control, p-DAB + TCDD, and p-DAB + TCDD + RA. Six rats from each group were sacrificed at days 30, 60, 90 and 120. TG2 activity decreased in the p-DAB + TCDD treated group, but TG2 immunostaining scores did not change by days 90 and 120. Neither TG2 enzyme activity nor the immunostaining score of TG2 protein changed in the tissues of the p-DAB + TCDD + RA group by days 90 and 120. TG2 activity was not be ameliorated by RA during the initiation or promotion stages of carcinogen induced liver cancer.

Partial trisomies of 8q and 15q due to maternal balanced translocations

Unbalanced translocation involving both chromosomes 8q and 15q trisomies are extremely rare events. We present two different cases with unbalanced chromosomal rearrangements both derived from maternal balanced translocations. The first case is a 4 year-old boy with speech delay, dysmorphic facial features (inc. cleft lip/palate), behavioural disturbances and growth retardation, who had partial 8q trisomy and partial 21p monosomy resulting from a maternal t(8;21) reciprocal translocation. The other case is a 2 day-old boy with ventriculomegaly, dysmorphic facial features and heart defects (patent ductus arteriosus and atrial septal defect) who had partial 15q trisomy and partial 9p monosomy resulting from a maternal t(9;15) reciprocal translocation.

Prolactin receptor (<i>PRLR</i>) gene polymorphism in Chios, White Karaman and Awassi sheep breeds

Abstract. The objective of the present study was to determine the polymorphism in the prolactine receptor (PRLR) gene in Chios, White Karaman and Awassi, which are native sheep breeds in Turkey. By means of PRLR gene sequence homology between sheep and humans, two primer pairs were designed for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification within intron 1 and exon 10 of the PRLR gene in sheep. A total of 160 amplicons (99 for intron 1 and 61 for exon 10) were subjected to DNA sequence analysis. For intron 1, 6 different haplotypes were determined. For exon 10, 7 different haplotypes were obtained. Some variations determined for exon 10 (g.14A>T p.Q14L; g.160G>A p.D160N; g.166G>A p.E166K; g.167A>T p.E167V; g.176A>T p.H176L; g.206G>A p.S206N; g.208G>A p.G208R) led to changes in the amino acids, but no amino acid changes were determined in g.2A>T, g.81A>G, g.138A>G, g.186C>T, g.207T>C. It was noted in particular that White Karaman and Awassi were similar to each other in both PRLR exon 10 and intron 1 haplotypes, whereas the Chios breed had a different variation.

Obesity in Turkish children and adolescents: prevalence and non-nutritional correlates in an urban sample

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the present study was to identify the prevalence and non-nutritional correlates of childhood obesity in primary school children and adolescents living in a representative sample of an urban area in western Anatolia.

METHODS

The study was designed as a cross-sectional, population-based study. A representative sample of primary school children in Aydin was randomly selected according to age, gender and socio-economic status. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated after weight and height measurement. Centres for Disease Control 2000 growth charts for children and adolescents were used to identify BMI percentiles. Weight and height percentiles were obtained from charts of growth curves for Turkish children.

RESULTS

The age range of children was 6-16 years. A total of 924 children and 424 adolescents were screened for obesity. Overweight and obesity prevalence in primary school children living in Aydin was 12.2% and 3.7%, respectively. High socio-economic status was found to be associated with childhood obesity. There was no association between obesity and gender, adolescence, educational status of parents and occupation of father.

CONCLUSION

In the present study, we focused on some of the non-nutritional correlates of obesity in a representative population of an urban area in a developing country. Obesity prevalence rate in Turkish children living in Aydin was higher in children from a higher socio-economic group in contrast to reports from many developed countries.

Preterm premature rupture of membranes and neonatal outcome prior to 34 weeks of gestation

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the impact of preterm premature rupture of membranes on neonatal outcome.

METHODS

A retrospective study was conducted among singleton pregnancies with or without intact amniochorional membranes. The impact of maternal age, gestational age at birth, 1- and 5-min Apgar scores, birthweight, presence of meconium, use of tocolytics, corticosteroids and antibiotics, mode of delivery, umbilical artery pH, histologic presence of chorioamnionitis, and state of the membranes were analyzed in relation to neonatal outcome. Neonatal outcomes were categorized into: none, presence of respiratory distress syndrome, early neonatal sepsis, neonatal death, and days at neonatal intensive care unit.

RESULTS

A total of 180 preterm deliveries with ruptured (n=80) and intact membranes (n=100) constituted the study group (group 1) and the control group (group 2), respectively. Compared with group 2, there were more cases in group 1 of maternal antibiotic use (P<0.001), short-term tocolysis (P=0.03), and histologic chorioamnionitis (P<0.001). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that gestational age at delivery (P=0.009), 1-min Apgar score (P=0.013), and umbilical artery pH (P=0.05) were the independent factors affecting neonatal outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

Neonatal outcome was mainly affected by prematurity rather than by preterm premature rupture of membranes.

Screening of Hemoglobinopathies in Kahramanmaraş, TURKEY

Thalassemia and sickle cell anemia are prevalent in southern Turkey. Being in close proximity to Çukurova we screened Kahramanmaraş to assess the prevalence and foci of the diseases. The sample sizes were calculated by EpiInfo 6.0 computer program at 95% confidence level. 1491 subjects aged 2-69 were studied. Hematological parameters were analyzed by an electronic cell counter. Electrophoresis were performed and Hemoglobin A2 and hemoglobin F levels were determined on samples with MCV< 80 fL. The results of Canatan et al. on Elbistan were included in the final results. Thus, the prevalence of ß-thalassemia, hemoglobin D, Hemoglobin O Arab carriers were 0.68%, 0.28% and 0.013%, respectively. No hemoglobin S was detected. In conclusion, Kahramanmaraş seems not to be a high risk area but the public must be informed about these diseases. Every community in close proximity to high prevalence areas must be enlightened.

Breast milk leptin concentrations in initial and terminal milk samples: relationships to maternal and infant plasma leptin concentrations, adiposity, serum glucose, insulin, lipid and lipoprotein levels

Leptin has recently been shown to be present in human milk and is produced by mammary epithelial cells. We studied leptin concentrations in human milk and its relationships with maternal and infant plasma leptin concentrations, adiposity, serum glucose, insulin, lipid and lipoprotein levels. We also compared the initial and terminal milk leptin concentrations to investigate whether leptin acts as a satiety factor. Venous blood samples were obtained from 18 healthy lactating women aged from 17-42 years and their 3-120 day-old infants. Breast milk samples were collected just before and immediately after suckling, when the infant had self-terminated sucking. Leptin mean values in breast milk were lower than in maternal plasma (p<0.001). Breast milk log leptin concentrations positively correlated with both maternal and infant plasma log leptin concentrations (p<0.001 and p=0.001, respectively) and negatively correlated with maternal serum total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (p<0.001 and p<0.01, respectively), but did not correlate with maternal and infant adiposity, serum glucose and insulin levels, maternal serum HDL-C, triglyceride levels and infants' lipid and lipoprotein concentrations (p>0.05). Using stepwise multiple regression analysis, maternal plasma log leptin and serum HDL-C concentrations were related to breast milk log leptin concentration (R2=0.82; p<0.0001 and p<0.001, respectively). There was no significant difference between initial and terminal milk leptin levels (p>0.05). We concluded that maternal leptin may be transferred to the infant via milk and may exert biological effects; there may be factors other than adiposity affecting breast milk leptin levels, and that leptin might not contribute to the development of satiation at the end of suckling.

Cord blood leptin levels: relationship to body weight, body mass index, sex and insulin and cortisol levels of maternal-newborn pairs at delivery

To investigate leptin and to which factors it is related during the perinatal period, we measured serum leptin levels of 46 mothers at delivery, umbilical cord blood and infants on the third day of life. Maternal leptin was higher than in cord (p < 0.001), and did not correlate with maternal age, body weight, body mass index, weight gain during pregnancy, serum glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, CPE, cortisol or HbA1c levels, nor any biochemical values or anthropometric data of the newborns (p > 0.05). In cord blood, leptin was significantly higher than in 3 day-old infants (p < 0.05), and correlated only with maternal insulin and glucose (r = 0.5, p < 0.01 and r = 0.4, p < 0.05, respectively). In 3 day-old infants, leptin did not correlate with any clinical data (p > 0.05). Leptin was not different in the two sexes (p > 0.05). Serum leptin levels were not related to adiposity of the mother-infant pairs or neonatal growth, and were not different in the two sexes during the perinatal period.

Serum leptin levels during childhood and adolescence: relationship with age, sex, adiposity and puberty

We studied serum leptin levels in 189 healthy children to evaluate related factors during childhood and adolescence. Leptin correlated with body mass index (BMI), triceps skinfold thickness (p<0.001) and body weight (p<0.01). Obese children and girls had higher leptin levels than non-obese children and boys, respectively (p<0.001). In girls, leptin correlated positively with age, skinfold thickness and BMI (p<0.001). In boys, leptin correlated negatively with age (p<0.001) and positively with skinfold thickness (p<0.05). Prepubertal boys had higher leptin levels than prepubertal girls and pubertal boys (p<0.05). Pubertal girls had higher leptin levels than prepubertal girls and pubertal boys (p<0.001). Leptin levels in girls were higher at Tanner stages 4 and 5 than at stage 1 (p<0.001). In conclusion, serum leptin levels are related with adiposity, have obviously age-related gender differences during childhood and adolescence, and may be involved in the maturation of reproductive capacity.

Renal function in children with hypercalciuria

Hypercalciuria is a common problem causing symptoms such as abdominal pain, hematuria and enuresis, and leading to stone formation. It results from a renal tubular calcium "leak" or intestinal hyper-reabsorption of calcium. This study was performed to determine whether renal functional impairment was present in children with hypercalciuria. The study group comprised 298 children who were screened for hypercalciuria by means of urinary calcium/creatinine (UCa/UCr) ratio. The renal functions of 18 children (6.4%) detected as having hypercalciuria with Ca/Cr ratios of greater than 0.18 in their spot urines were evaluated. Results were compared with those of the healthy control group. The rate of hypercalciuria did not very significantly between the boys and girls (p > 0.05). The mean value of daily calcium excretion was 6.42 + 3.93 mg/kg/day in the children with hypercalciuria, which was significantly different from that of the control group (p < 0.01). When the values of creatinine, osmolar and free water clearances, fractional excretion of sodium and tubular reabsorption of phosphorus were compared between the patient and control groups, the difference was not significant (p > 0.05). Urinary N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) excretion, which was described as the creatinine ratio, was significantly higher in the children with hypercalciuria. These findings suggest that in the presence of normal renal functional studies in children with hypercalciuria, tubular injury can be detected by NAG, which is a more sensitive marker of renal tubular injury.

Monoscleral fixated lens implantation in eyes with partial loss of capsular or zonular support

A technique is described in which a posterior chamber intraocular lens (IOL) is implanted in eyes with partial loss of posterior capsule or zonular support. The IOL's inferior haptic is placed over the residual capsule and the superior haptic is fixated to the ciliary sulcus with a polypropylene suture. In 17 eyes that had surgery using this technique, mean postoperative visual acuity was 20/25; complications included irregular pupil, iris capture, pupil block, hyphema, localized peripheral anterior synechia, IOL tilt, suture exposure, and cystoid macular edema.

Diabetes insipidus in a pediatric patient with systemic lupus erythematosus. A case report

In systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), the central nervous system (CNS) produces numerous and varying clinical disorders. A 14-year-old girl with the features of cerebral involvement in SLE is presented. The development of diabetes insipidus (DI), which responded to desmopressin, was an interesting finding in this case. Therapy consisting of high-dose methylprednisolone combined with cyclophosphamide was effective in improving the symptoms as well as the DI.

N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase excretion in patients with unilateral renal agenesis or nephrectomy in childhood

Renal functional impairment due to the damaging effect of hyperfiltration of the remnant kidney was evaluated in patients who had been uninephrectomized in childhood or had unilateral agenesis. Sixteen patients (8 male, 8 female) a mean of 7.1 years (1-26 years) postnephrectomy were evaluated. Blood pressure values, clearances of creatinine (Ccr) and phosphorus (Cp), urine osmolality, total protein excretion and NAG (N-acetyl-beta-d-glucosaminidase) excretion were determined. Ccr values were slightly but not significantly lower (90.390 +/- 11.223 ml/min) than those of control subjects (110.818 +/- 7.755 ml/min). Daily urinary protein excretion adjusted for body surface was significantly higher in the study group (p < 0.05). Urinary NAG excretion measured with a spectrophotometric method and described as the Cr ratio was significantly higher in the patients than the control subjects (p < 0.05). It was concluded that the damaging effects of hyperperfusion not only involve the glomerulus but also the proximal and distal tubulus.

Diagnostic value of renal arteriography in polyarteritis nodosa

Polyarteritis Nodosa (PAN) is a rare disease in childhood. No single pattern of clinical presentation characterizes this disease, but abdominal pain, central or peripheral nervous system disease, arthritis, myalgia and skin lesions occur at some time during the course of the illness. In this case a 16-year-old boy who presented with abdominal pain, elevated sedimentation rate associated with hypertension, and a high level of renin, all of which were detected during his hospitalization, suggested the diagnosis of PAN, and renal angiography was performed. Characteristic renal aneurysms were visualized and the diagnosis was confirmed.

[Cryopreservation trial with semen of purebred Arabian and Haflinger stallions in the Turkish national stud in Karacabey]

Within a German-Turkish university partnership deep freezing preservation of stallion semen was performed as a part project of the cooperation contract. In this study a modification of the introduced Makrotüb method was used for semen freezing. The investigated characteristics of fresh semen of the Arab stallions were in the normal range cited in the international literature. However, the semen data obtained from the Haflinger stallions were markedly and partially significantly in lower range than measured for the Arab stallions. This may reflect an incomplete adaptation process of the imported Haflinger horse population. Local circumstances did not allow Al trials.

[Estrus synchronization and insemination results in Arabian mares in the Eskisehir stud]

An Arab broodmare herd of 30 mares age ranging from 4 to 12 years was grouped into 3 groups (group A, B, C) with 10 mares each and exposed to three different methods of cycle synchronisation. Group A mares received two PGF2 alpha injections 14 days apart. Group B mares got additionally 2,500 IU of hCG 5 days after second prostaglandin application. Group C consisted of mares which had foaled in a synchrony of one week and got a PGF2 alpha injection 3 weeks after parturition. All the mares responding to synchronisation were inseminated closely to ovulation detected by serial rectal palpations with an insemination doses of 0.5 billion of progressively motile spermatozoa. Conception control was performed on the 18th day after ovulation to be continued up to pregnancy confirmation on day 60. Synchronisation response in the different groups A, B, C was 60, 80, 80% starting first oestrus signs between 24 to 36 hours and ovulation time between 5 to 6.5 days post last PGF2 alpha application. Pregnancy rate (first cycle) was 66.7% (A), 75% (B) and 87% (C) basing on the number of mares who responded to synchronisation exposure.

[Survey of the reproductive features and insemination/mating results in full blood Arabian and Haflinger mare herds on stud farms in west and middle Anatolia]

Within a German-Turkish university partnership documentation of reproductive data of brood-mares was performed as a part project of the cooperation contract. In the study Arab, Haflinger and cross-breed mares were included. The mares mainly were housed in big studfarms and a smaller part was kept under small private farms. Almost three quarters of both the Arab and Haflinger mares exhibited an estrous length of 1-4 days, whereas the others showed a heat duration of a period of 5-10 days. In the same group of probands a mean length of sexual cycle of 18-24 days could be observed in 38.2% of the Haflinger. The majority of the other mares in both races documented a cycle duration of more than 25 days. The remarkable short duration of heat is discussed as caused by the sharp change from winter to spring environment conditions in that area. An explanation of the marked long mean cycle interval is difficult and might be caused by inadequate documentation of the data. Conception results and foaling data as 83.4% resp. 78.8% in the Arabs and 76.6% resp. 74.8% in the Haflinger mares are within the international standard. Conception rate and foaling data in the cross-breed (72.3% resp. 55.3%) are low compared with data (96.9% 70.8%) of Arab brood-mares kept under stud condition in that area. These data point out the necessity of improving pre- and postconceptional care of the mares under stud conditions as well as in private keeping.

[Preservation capability of horse semen by the use of two diluents and preservation temperatures]

The effect of a skim milk extender and a glycine-containing extender on sperm motility and acrosome morphology of stallion semen was examined. There was no difference concerning acrosome morphology. After 24 hours of preservation motility of the ejaculates diluted with glycine extender was significantly superior to those handled with skim milk extender. Storage at 5 degrees C in all cases gave better results than storage at room temperature. Skim milk extender is an appropriate diluent when the semen is used for al on the day of its collection, whereas the glycine-containing extender offers the possibility to maintain sperm viability beyond 24 hours up to 72 hours.

Meckel syndrome in twins

Meckel syndrome in twins is presented. Although several families have been reported as having this syndrome in more than one member, this is the first instance that twins having this disorder have been reported. We wish to emphasize the importance of genetic counselling in such a case in which prenatal diagnosis is possible.