Assessment of heavy metals contamination and human health risk in shrimp collected from different farms and rivers at Khulna-Satkhira region, Bangladesh

This study is aimed to assess the heavy metals contamination and health risk in Shrimp (Macrobrachium rosenbergii and Penaeus monodon) collected from Khulna-Satkhira region in Bangladesh. The results showed that the Pb concentrations (0.52–1.16 mg/kg) in all shrimp samples of farms were higher than the recommended limit. The Cd levels (0.05–0.13 mg/kg) in all samples and Cr levels in all farms except tissue content at Satkhira farm were higher than the permissible limits. The individual concentration of Pb, Cd, and Cr between shrimp tissue and shell in all rivers and farms were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Target hazard quotient (THQ) and hazard index (HI) were estimated to assess the non-carcinogenic health risks. Shrimp samples from all locations under the current study were found to be safe for consumption, the possibility of health risk associated with non-carcinogenic effect is very low for continuous consumption for 30 years.

Lithium-induced acute intermittent dystonia in a patient with schizoaffective disorder

While lithium is well known for its neurotoxicity, there are very few publications about lithium-induced acute dystonic reaction. We are presenting a clinical case of lithium-induced acute intermittent dystonic reaction in a patient with schizoaffective disorder (SAD). The patient is a 69-year-old African-American male with a long history of SAD, who was treated for many years with ziprasidone and divalproex and was admitted with SAD exacerbation. Due to increased QTC interval, we switched patient to lurasidone. After 2 weeks, due to increased ammonia level, divalproex was switched to lithium (600 mg loading dose and then 450 mg twice/day). Three days later, patient developed a series of intermittent episodes of acute dystonia, manifested as mutism, dysarthria, upper and lower extremity muscle rigidity, dysphagia, and tremor (Table 1). Dystonic reactions responded to benztropine. Eventually, lithium was discontinued and patient did well on a combination of carbamazepine and olanzapine. In this case, we would like to emphasize not only the intermittent but also the atypical presentation of acute dystonic reactions with involvement of large muscle groups, the resemblance to NMS, and a “spectrum” of dystonic reactions rather than one clear-cut presentation. We can only speculate the role lurasidone played in this presentation but reoccurrence of dysarthria on day 54 after lithium was restarted points to its major role.

Table not available.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Abstract P5-03-03: Designing a novel platinum chemotherapeutic (IO-125) for treatment of breast cancer

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive form of cancer occurring in 15-20% of breast cancer patients, with most patients relapsing on currently approved therapy. Recent studies have shown activity of platinum chemotherapy in this class of patients. IO-125 is a novel platinum (II) chemotherapeutic agent with an unique coordination environment. In this study, we investigated the anti-tumor activity of IO-125 in pre-clinical models of TNBC.

The coordination environment in IO-125 facilitates supramolecular assembly and releases diaminocyclohexane (DACH)-platinum in a sustained pH-dependent manner. In vitro cell viability studies using an array of breast cancer cell lines shows IO-125 exerts increased potency compared to carboplatin or oxaliplatin. The maximum tolerated (platinum-equivalent) dose (MTD) of IO-125 in mice was 8-fold higher than the MTD (platinum-equivalent) dose of oxaliplatin. The biodistribution and pharmacokinetic profile of IO-125 in plasma and tumor revealed preferential tumor accumulation, significantly increased area-under-the-curve (AUC), a reduction in clearance (CL) and a longer terminal half-life (42 hours) in comparison to oxaliplatin (18 hours). In addition, DNA-Pt adduct formation in tumors was significantly higher for IO-125. When administered at their respective MTDs, IO-125 led to sustained regression of the tumor in a 4T1 syngeneic breast cancer model. Based on these observations, we conclude that IO-125 may emerge as a novel therapeutic against triple negative breast cancer.

Citation Format: Sengupta A, Roy M, Sarkar A, Mylavarapu S, Modi S, Gupta N, B H, Hossain S, Ansari A, Pandey M, Yadav Y, Sengupta S. Designing a novel platinum chemotherapeutic (IO-125) for treatment of breast cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Eighth Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2015 Dec 8-12; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-03-03.

Anti-tuberculosis drug resistance in Bangladesh: reflections from the first nationwide survey

OBJECTIVE

To determine the prevalence of tuberculosis (TB) drug resistance in Bangladesh.

DESIGN

Weighted cluster sampling among smear-positive cases, and standard culture and drug susceptibility testing on solid medium were used.

RESULTS

Of 1480 patients enrolled during 2011, 12 falsified multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) patients were excluded. Analysis included 1340 cases (90.5% of those enrolled) with valid results and known treatment antecedents. Of 1049 new cases, 12.3% (95%CI 9.3-16.1) had strains resistant to any of the first-line drugs tested, and 1.4% (95%CI 0.7-2.5) were MDR-TB. Among the 291 previously treated cases, this was respectively 43.2% (95%CI 37.1-49.5) and 28.5% (95%CI 23.5-34.1). History of previous anti-tuberculosis treatment was the only predictive factor for first-line drug resistance (OR 34.9). Among the MDR-TB patients, 19.2% (95%CI 11.3-30.5; exclusively previously treated) also showed resistance to ofloxacin. Resistance to kanamycin was not detected.

CONCLUSION

Although MDR-TB prevalence was relatively low, transmission of MDR-TB may be increasing in Bangladesh. MDR-TB with fluoroquinolone resistance is rapidly rising. Integrating the private sector should be made high priority given the excessive proportion of MDR-TB retreatment cases in large cities. TB control programmes and donors should avoid applying undue pressure towards meeting global targets, which can lead to corruption of data even in national surveys.

Selective inhibition of the T cell p38 alternative activation pathway and pancreatic cancer (TUM3P.1046)

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly aggressive neoplasm with a five year survival rate of ~5%, that is characterized by a marked fibro-inflammatory microenvironment, the presence of which can promote cancer induction and growth. Therefore, selective manipulation of local cytokines is an attractive if unrealized therapeutic approach. T cells possess a unique mechanism for activation of p38 MAPK downstream of T cell receptor (TCR) engagement in which it is phosphorylated on Tyr-323 (pY323), which is required for pro-inflammatory cytokine production. Analysis of 192 human pancreatic carcinomas revealed that having a high percentage of infiltrating pY323+ T cells was accompanied by large numbers of TNFa and IL-17-producing CD4+ TIL and very aggressive disease. Cancer progression was inhibited in two different murine pancreatic tumors models by genetic ablation of the alternative p38 activation pathway. Strikingly, a plasma membrane-permeable peptide derived from Gadd45α, the naturally-occurring inhibitor of p38 pY323+, reduced infiltrating CD4+ T cell production of TNFa, IL-17A, IL-10, and induction of secondary cytokines, slowed the growth of implanted tumor cells and inhibited progression of spontaneous K-ras-driven adenocarcinoma. Thus, TCR-mediated alternative p38 activation in tumor-infiltrating CD4+ T cells, which promotes the production of pro-tumorigenic inflammatory factors, can be targeted for therapeutic benefit.

Comparative evaluation of the blends of gas-to-liquid (GTL) fuels and biodiesels with diesel at high idling conditions: an in-depth analysis on engine performance and environment pollutants

The effect of high-idling conditions at different engine performance-emission parameters were investigated using blends of GTL–diesel and biodiesel–diesel.

Challenges of hepatitis C treatment in Native Americans in two North Dakota medical facilities

INTRODUCTION

The prevalence of chronic liver disease (CLD) in the Aboriginal North American population is disproportionately higher than that of the non-indigenous population. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the second leading cause of CLD in American Indians or Alaska Natives (AIANs). This study described the experience of two teaching community medical centers in North Dakota in treating HCV infection among AIANs and compared treatment outcomes to a cohort of Caucasian patients.

METHODS

The retrospective study described the characteristics and proportion of AIAN patients with HCV who received treatment. Documented reasons for not receiving treatment were analyzed. For those AIAN patients treated for HCV infection, responses to treatment, including rapid, early and sustained virological responses (SVRs), were compared with those of Caucasians.

RESULTS

Only 22 (18%) of 124 AIANs with HCV infection received treatment. Common reasons for not receiving treatment include lack of access to specialists, concomitant or decompensated liver disease, alcohol and drug abuse and cost. There were no significant differences in the baseline characteristics and key predictors of SVR in AIANs compared to Caucasian controls.

CONCLUSIONS

Most AIAN patients with HCV infection do not receive treatment despite comparable treatment response rates to Caucasians. Further population-based studies, addressing access to specialized hepatitis C treatment and public health concerns are warranted, as it is crucial to treat chronic HCV infection to decrease the burden of disease in the AIAN community.