High prevalence of typhoidal Salmonella enterica serovars excreting food handlers in Karachi-Pakistan: a probable factor for regional typhoid endemicity

Background: Typhoid fever is the persistent cause of morbidity worldwide. Salmonella enterica serovar\u2019s carriers among food handlers have the potential to disseminate this infection on large scale in the community. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of typhoidal S. enterica serovars among food handlers of Karachi. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Karachi metropolis. A total of 220 food handlers were recruited on the basis of inclusion criteria from famous food streets of randomly selected five towns of Karachi. Three consecutive stool samples were collected from each food handler in Carry Blair transport media. Culture, biochemical identification, serotyping, and antimicrobial susceptibility tests for S. enterica serovars were done. Results: Out of 220 food handlers, 209 consented to participate, and among them, 19 (9.1 %) were positive for S. enterica serovars. Serotyping of these isolates showed that 9 (4.3 %) were typhoidal S. serovars while 10 (4.7 %) were non-typhoidal S. serovars. Of the typhoidal S. serovars, 7 were S. enterica serovar Typhi and 1 each of S. enterica serovar Paratyphi A and B. The resistance pattern of these isolates showed that 77.7 % were resistant to ampicillin and 11.1 % to cotrimoxazole. All typhoidal S. enterica serovars isolates were sensitive to chloramphenicol, ceftriaxone, cefixime, nalidixic acid, and ofloxacin. Conclusions: Carrier rate of typhoidal S. enterica serovars in food handlers working in different food streets of Karachi is very high. These food handlers might be contributing to the high endemicity of typhoid fever in Karachi, Pakistan

Exposure to aflatoxin B1 and associated risk factors in hepatitis C patients in cosmopolitan city of Pakistan: facility-based study

Introduction: population-based follow-up study has been designed to investigate the contributing factors to high exposure to Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and the subsequent associated risk factors among hepatitis C-infected patients at a referral centre, Karachi. Pakistan. Hepatitis C infection affects millions of individuals worldwide and confers high morbidity and mortality, especially in lower middle-income countries (LMICs) including Pakistan. A literature review of recent studies has revealed that a number of hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) cases are markedly increased in Pakistan, where one of the potential causes of HCC is hepatitis C virus. The objectives of this study were to determine frequency of Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) exposure and other associated characteristics among hepatitis C patients at a referral centre, Karachi, Pakistan. Methods: a semi-structured pre-coded pro forma designed to collect socio-demographic, Pharmacological, biochemical and clinical information from patients and hospital records. Patient´s pre and post polymerase chain reaction (PCR), serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels and other blood parameters were analysed. AFB1 exposure was determined using an ELISA kit and validated through HPLC. Results: AFB1 exposure was found in 30 (34%) patients. Post treatment responders were 49 (55.6%). More than 37% of study participants had a family history of hepatitis C. About 74% had a history of surgical procedure, and around 36% of study participants had a blood transfusion history. Up to 36% participants were fond of spicy food and around 25% study participants were eating roadside food on daily basis. Conclusion: high frequency of AFB1 exposure due to risky dietary habits, low level of formal education and awareness are contributing factors may be responsible for high exposure of AFB1. Effective and multidimensional strategies are needed to prevent advance stage progression of disease and associated complications

Malnutrition and poor oral health status are major risks among primary school children at Lasbela, Balochistan, Pakistan

Background: This survey was focusing on health and oral hygiene status of primary school children at Lasbela district considering the comparatively less developed and socio demographically deprived part of the Country. Methods: A cross sectional survey was conducted to determine the health status of primary school children in seven tehseels of district Lasbela, Balochistan after applying proportionate sampling technique from March 2015 to July 2015. Field teams visited assigned schools to screen children and collect health related data on predesigned and pre coded proforma. Results: Out of 200 schools, 196 schools found opened, while 2% of schools (04) remained closed. A total of 6363 students were clinically screened. About 45% of the school children had normal body mass index (BMI) and rest were falling in different categories of malnutrition. More than 19% had ear, nose and throat (ENT) problems and around 19% presented with clinical anemia. Less than 50% of children had scar of BCG vaccination and 4% informed about use of gutka/supari chewing (smokeless tobacco use). Conclusion: In conclusion, we estimated high prevalence of malnutrition, poor oral health including smokeless tobacco use, and low BCG coverage among primary school children at Lasbela. Current scenario suggests immediate and contextually focused interventions to confine existing public health risks and avoid future burden of disease

Synthesis and bio-molecular study of (+)-N-Acetyl-α-amino acid dehydroabietylamine derivative for the selective therapy of hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND: The purpose of present work is to synthesize novel (+)-Dehydroabietylamine derivatives (DAAD) using N-acetyl-α-amino acid conjugates and determine its cytotoxic effects on hepatocellular carcinoma cells. METHODS: An analytical study was conducted to explore cytotoxic activity of DAAD on hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines. The cytotoxicity effect was recorded using sulforhodamine B technique. Cell cycle analysis was performed using Propidium Iodide (PI) staining. Based on cell morphology, anti growth activity and microarray findings of DAAD2 treatment, Comet assay, Annexin V/PI staining, Immunoperoxidase assay and western blots were performed accoringly. RESULTS: Hep3B cells were found to be the most sensitive with IC(50) of 2.00 ± 0.4 μM against (+)-N-(N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine)-dehydroabietylamine as DAAD2. In compliance to time dependent morphological changes of low cellular confluence, detachment and rounding of DAAD2 treated cells; noticeable changes in G(2)/M phase were recorded may be leading to cell cycle cessation. Up-regulation (5folds) of TUBA1A gene in Hep3B cells was determined in microarray experiments. Apoptotic mode of cell death was evaluated using standardized staining procedures including comet assay and annexin V/PI staining, Immuno-peroxidase assay. Using western blotting technique, caspase dependant apoptotic mode of cell death was recorded against Hep3B cell line. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that a novel DAAD2 with IC(50) values less than 8 μM can induce massive cell attenuation following caspase dependent apoptotic cell death in Hep3B cells. Moreover, the corelation study indicated that DAAD2 may have vital influence on cell prolifration properties. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12885-016-2942-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users

Malnutrition and poor oral health status are major risks among primary school children at Lasbela, Balochistan, Pakistan

Abstract Background This survey was focusing on health and oral hygiene status of primary school children at Lasbela district considering the comparatively less developed and socio demographically deprived part of the Country. Methods A cross sectional survey was conducted to determine the health status of primary school children in seven tehseels of district Lasbela, Balochistan after applying proportionate sampling technique from March 2015 to July 2015. Field teams visited assigned schools to screen children and collect health related data on predesigned and pre coded proforma. Results Out of 200 schools, 196 schools found opened, while 2% of schools (04) remained closed. A total of 6363 students were clinically screened. About 45% of the school children had normal body mass index (BMI) and rest were falling in different categories of malnutrition. More than 19% had ear, nose and throat (ENT) problems and around 19% presented with clinical anemia. Less than 50% of children had scar of BCG vaccination and 4% informed about use of gutka/supari chewing (smokeless tobacco use). Conclusion In conclusion, we estimated high prevalence of malnutrition, poor oral health including smokeless tobacco use, and low BCG coverage among primary school children at Lasbela. Current scenario suggests immediate and contextually focused interventions to confine existing public health risks and avoid future burden of disease

Phenacyl group containing amide derivative of dehydroabietylamine exhibiting enhanced cytotoxic activity against PLC and MCF7 cancer cell lines

New amide derivatives of (+)-dehydroabietylamine, tricyclic abietane diterpene amine, were prepared using Zhongping's protocol. (+)-N-(2-phenyl-acetyl)-dehydroabietylamine derivative (11) demonstrated noticeable growth attenuation of hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines including PLC/PRF/5, SNU475, Hep3B-TR, and Huh7 with IC50 of 7.4 A mu M, 9.8 A mu M, 11.7 A mu M, and 11.8 A mu M, respectively. A breast cancer cell line MCF7 was the most sensitive against amide 11 with lowest IC50 value (4.8 A mu M). Low cell confluence and increase in G2/M phase was recorded after 48 and 72 h of treatment of amide 11 on PLC/PRF/5 cell line. Finally, amide 11 has comparatively sufficient therapeutic role due to addition of N-phenacyl group at C-18. Amide 11 demonstrated as potential candidate for future cancer interference and research

Synthesis and bio-molecular study of (+)-N-Acetyl-a-amino acid dehydroabietylamine derivative for the selective therapy of hepatocellular carcinoma

Background: The purpose of present work is to synthesize novel (+)-Dehydroabietylamine derivatives (DAAD) using N-acetyl-a-amino acid conjugates and determine its cytotoxic effects on hepatocellular carcinoma cells