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The aim of this study is to assess the accuracy of microalbuminuria (MA) to predict the mortality in pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Between December 2014 and November 2015, 250 patients who were 1 month to 18 years old monitored at least 24 hours in PICU and met study criteria were included. Spot urine samples were measured for microalbuminuria. Pediatric Risk of Mortality III-24 and Pediatric Multiple Organ Dysfunction scores were calculated by using the worst parameters in first 24 hours. The collected data were analyzed with statistical methods and compared with mortality scoring systems and observed mortality. MA values were significantly higher in nonsurvivors than the average of the survivors (18 vs. 48 mg/g, p < 0.05). The receiver operating characteristics curve analysis showed that the areas under the curves for MA was 0.81 at a cut-off value of 32 mg/g, MA measured in 24 hours of admission to PICU may be able to discriminate between patients a with sensitivity of 85.2, specificity of 70.8%, positive predictive value of 31.5%, and negative predictive value of 96.8%. MA is a useful tool to predict mortality in PICU.

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Aflatoxins are one of the pollutants that can be isolated from the dried food products, especially spices. Since red pepper is one of the most consumed spices all over the world, this research aimed to estimate the prevalence and concen-tration of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in different red pepper spices with the help of a systematic review and meta-analysis. Therefore, the articles published between January 2000 and December 6, 2020, were systematically collected from four well-known databases. In this context, 10 articles containing 455 samples in total among 981 articles were included in the meta-analysis according to the determined inclusion and exclusion criteria. According to the analysis results, the AFB1 prevalence of all studies was determined as 50.8%. The lowest and highest AFB1 concentrations were observed in seasoning paprika Korea (0.14 mg/kg) and Turkey (31.13 mg/kg), respectively. The result of this metaanalysis can be used in the evaluation and organization of solution actions to be devel-oped to reduce AFB1 exposure and prevent financial losses through the con-sumption of red pepper spice products.

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