Drug Addiction and Substance Use Among the Dalit Married Adolescent Girls in Bangladesh: a Cross-Sectional Survey

Dalits are referred to “shattered,” “outcasts,” and socially marginalized community in Bangladesh. In particular, Dalit adolescent girls are the most vulnerable owing to their caste and gender. Prior studies have looked at the prevalence and effects of drug addiction among the youths in mainstream population, but the Dalit adolescents were excluded from the samples. The study aimed to investigate the prevalence of drug addiction and substance use among the Dalit married adolescent girls (MAGs), and to identify the significant predictors associated with this addiction. A cross-sectional survey was carried out among 300 MAGs in the Dalit community. Involving systematic random sampling, participants were selected from both urban and rural settings located in Dhaka and Gaibandha districts. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions were performed to explore the significant factors associated with drug addiction. The prevalence of drug addiction was 11.3% among married Dalit adolescent girls. Multivariate analysis identified that participants’ habit of smoking (AOR=5.210, 95% CI=2.413–11.250), participant’s husband’s habit of smoking (AOR=10.415, 95% CI=3.911–27.739), and habit of using alcohol/highly risky substances (AOR=19.030, 95% CI=6.481–55.875) were significant associated with drug addiction. An alarming proportion of Dalit adolescent girls were recorded to be habituated in various forms of drugs use. Therefore, immediate policy measures focusing intensive campaigns, targeted counseling, and health education programs need to design to get over the risky health behaviors.

     

Betel quid use and mortality in Bangladesh: a cohort study

Objective

To evaluate the potential effects of betel quid chewing on mortality. (A quid consists of betel nut, wrapped in betel leaves; tobacco is added to the quid by some users).

Methods

Prospective data were available on 20 033 individuals aged 18–75 years, living in Araihazar, Bangladesh. Demographic and exposure data were collected at baseline using a standardized questionnaire. Cause of death was defined by verbal autopsy questionnaires administered to next of kin. We estimated hazard ratios (HR) and their 95% confidence intervals (CI) for associations between betel use and mortality from all causes and from specific causes, using Cox proportional hazards models. We adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, educational attainment and tobacco smoking history.

Findings

There were 1072 deaths during an average of 10 years of follow-up. Participants who had ever used betel were significantly more likely to die from all causes (HR: 1.26; 95% CI: 1.09–1.44) and cancer (HR: 1.55; 95% CI: 1.09–2.22); but not cardiovascular disease (HR: 1.16; 95% CI: 0.93–1.43). These findings were robust to adjustment for potential confounders. There was a dose–response relationship between mortality from all causes and both the duration and the intensity of betel use. The population attributable fraction for betel use was 14.1% for deaths from all causes and 24.2% for cancer.

Conclusion

Betel quid use was associated with mortality from all causes and from cancer in this cohort.     

A family study of HbS in a Malay family by molecular analysis

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited red cell disorder, characterized by the tendency of haemoglobin S or sickle haemoglobin to polymerize and assume a characteristic sickle shape. Molecular analysis has been the mainstay of detection method when confirmation is required. Previously a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based restriction enzyme analysis was used for this purpose. A simple bidirectional allele-specific amplification, recently described by Waterfall in 2001 was used to detect the GAG --> GTG mutation on codon 6 of the beta globin gene. Two sets of primers for the mutant and the wild type alleles were used in a single PCR reaction to amplify the regions of interest. The resultant PCR products will produce two fragments at 517 and 267 base pair (bp) respectively. This report highlights the investigations for SCD in the family of a 16-year old girl with recurrent painful crisis affecting the lower limbs whereby the family members are asymptomatic for the disease. Her haemoglobin electrophoresis at an alkaline pH showed dense bands at the HbS and HbF regions, while her father and two sisters had bands at HbS, HbF and HbA. The PCR analysis showed that she was homozygous for the mutation by the presence of only one band at 267 bp fragment, while the father and her sisters were heterozygotes, with the presence of two bands at 267 as well as 517 bp fragments. DNA sequencing of the sample confirmed the mutation. In conclusion, this case report highlighted the simple and cheap yet practical method for molecular confirmation of the presence of HbS gene in subjects with homozygous or heterozygous state of the condition.     

Metabolic syndrome of prediabetic and diabetic subjects in a Bangladeshi population

BackgroundThe metabolic syndrome is a cluster of medical disorder that increases the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and diabetes.Aims and objectiveObjective of the study was to determine the metabolic syndrome in prediabetic subjects to know whether this syndrome, which is common in diabetic subjects, appears in earlier stage of the disease.Materials and methodsA group of 17 IFG, 60 IGT, 29 combined IFG–IGT and 68 type 2 DM subjects were studied along with a group of 56 healthy controls. Anthropometric and clinical characteristics were measured using appropriate methods. Serum glucose was measured using glucose-oxidase method; lipid profile by enzymatic–colorimetric method.ResultsWaist hip ratio (WHR) was significantly higher in IFG–IGT and type 2 DM subjects. Systolic blood pressure was significantly higher in IFG–IGT and diastolic blood pressure is significantly higher in IGT, IFG–IGT and type 2 DM compared to controls. Fasting serum TG (p = 0.008) and cholesterol (p = 0.001) level was significantly higher in type 2 DM subjects but the values were not significantly different in prediabetic subjects compared to controls. HOMA B% and HOMA S% were significantly lower in DM and IFG–IGT subjects, IFG subjects have also shown significantly lower HOMA B% compared to controls.ConclusionThese results indicate that hypertension, central obesity (WHR) and insulin resistance, three major factors for metabolic syndrome are present in prediabetic condition in a Bangladeshi population.     

Biodistribution and PET imaging of [(18)F]-fluoroadenosine derivatives

INTRODUCTION: Many fluorinated analogues of adenosine nucleoside have been synthesized and studied as potential antitumor and antiviral agents. Earlier, we reported radiosynthesis of 2'-deoxy-2'-[(18)F]fluoro-1-beta-D-arabinofuranosyl-adenine ([(18)F]-FAA) and 3'-deoxy-3'-[(18)F]fluoro-1-beta-d-xylofuranosyl-adenine ([(18)F]FXA). Now, we report their in vivo studies including blood clearance, biodistribution and micro-PET imaging in tumor-bearing nude mice. METHODS: Tumors were grown in 6-week-old athymic nude mice (Harlan, Indianapolis, IN, USA) by inoculation of HT-29 cells, wild-type cells in the left flank and transduced cells with HSV-tk on the right flank. When the tumor was about 1 cm in size, animals were injected with these radiotracers for in vivo studies, including blood clearance, micro-PET imaging and biodistribution. RESULTS: Uptake of [(18)F]FAA in tumor was 3.3-fold higher than blood, with highest uptake in the spleen. Maximum uptake of [(18)F]FXA was observed in the heart compared to other organs. There was no tumor uptake of [(18)F]FXA. Biodistribution results were supported by micro-PET images, which also showed very high uptake of [(18)F]FAA in spleen and visualization of tumors, and high uptake of [(18)F]FXA in the heart. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that [(18)F]FAA may be useful for tumor imaging, while [(18)F]FXA may have potential as a heart imaging agent with PET.     

In vivo evaluation of 2′-deoxy-2′-[18F]fluoro-5-iodo-1-β-D-arabinofuranosyluracil ([18F]FIAU) and 2′-deoxy-2′-[18F]fluoro-5-ethyl-1-β-D-arabinofuranosyluracil ([18F]FEAU) as markers for suicide gene expression

PURPOSE: FIAU and FEAU were evaluated in vitro and in vivo as markers for HSV1-tk gene expression. METHODS: In vitro and biodistribution studies were performed in wild type and transduced HT-29 cells using [14C]FIAU and [3H]FEAU. PET imaging was performed using [18F]FIAU and [18F]FEAU. RESULTS: In vitro uptake of [14C]FIAU in tk-positive cells was 39-fold, 49-fold, and 43-fold higher (p<0.001) than in wild type cells at 30, 60, and 120 min, respectively. Uptake of [3H]FEAU in transduced cells was 46-fold, 62-fold, and 121-fold higher (p<0.001) than in wild type cells at the same time points. In vivo uptake of [14C]FIAU at 2 h in HSV1-tk positive tumors was 15.48+/-3.94, 6.7-fold higher (p<0.001) than in wild type tumors. Uptake of [3H]FEAU in transduced tumors was 9.98+/-1.99, 5.0-fold higher (p<0.001) than in wild type tumors. Micro-PET images using [18F]FIAU and [18F]FEAU also showed very high uptake in HSV-tk tumors. CONCLUSION: [18F]FIAU and [18F]FEAU appear to be potential PET imaging agents for gene expression.     

Synthesis of 2'-deoxy-2'-[18F]fluoro-5-bromo-1-beta-D-arabinofuranosyluracil ([18F]-FBAU) and 2'-deoxy-2'-[18F]fluoro-5-chloro-1-beta-D-arabinofuranosyl-uracil ([18F]-FCAU), and their biological evaluation as markers for gene expression

[(18)F]-FBAU and [(18)F]-FCAU have been synthesized and evaluated in vivo as markers for HSV1-tk gene expression. At 2 hours, uptake of [(18)F]-FBAU and [(18)F]-FCAU in HSV1-tk-positive tumors was 7.9-fold and 6.0-fold higher than the control tumors, respectively. Micro-PET images also showed very high uptake in HSV-tk tumors. Compared to [(14)C]-FMAU, total uptake of [(18)F]-FBAU and [(18)F]-FCAU was similar in tk-positive cells, but the uptake ratio (tk+/wild) was higher. [(18)F]-FBAU and [(18)F]-FCAU appear to be potential PET imaging agents for gene expression.     

N3‐Substituted thymidine analogues III: radiosynthesis of N3‐[(4‐[18F]fluoromethyl‐phenyl)butyl]thymidine ([18F]‐FMPBT) and N3‐[(4‐[18F]fluoromethyl‐phenyl)pentyl] thymidine ([18F]‐FMPPT) for PET

Radiosyntheses of two N³‐substituted thymidine analogues, N³‐[(4[¹⁸F]fluoromethyl‐phenyl)butyl]thymidine ([¹⁸F]‐FMPBT) and N³‐[(4[¹⁸F]fluoromethyl‐phenyl)pentyl]thymidine ([¹⁸F]‐FMPPT), are reported. The precursor compounds 9 and 10 were synthesized in six steps and the standard compounds 13 and 14 were synthesized from these precursors. For radiosynthesis, compounds 9 and 10 were fluorinated with n‐Bu₄N[¹⁸F] to produce [¹⁸F]‐ 11 and [¹⁸F]‐ 12 , which by acid hydrolysis yielded [¹⁸F]‐ 13 and [¹⁸F]‐ 14 , respectively. The crude products were purified by high‐performance liquid chromatography to obtain [¹⁸F]‐FMPBT and [¹⁸F]‐FMPPT. The average decay‐corrected radiochemical yield for [¹⁸F]‐ 13 was 15% in five runs, and that for [¹⁸F]‐ 14 was 10% in four runs. The radiochemical purity was >99% and the specific activity was >74 GBq/µmol at the end of synthesis. The synthesis time was 80–90 min from the end of bombardment. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Brain trace element concentrations in aging

Trace element concentrations were determined in various human brain regions over the complete life span using instrumental neutron activation analysis. Several different patterns of trace element alteration were observed with age. Brain Al, Cl and Na concentrations increase with advancing age, while K, P and Rb decline. Ag, Co, Fe, Sb and Sc concentrations increase up to the 40 to 79 age range then decline. Br, Se and Zn remain relatively constant throughout adult life. Hg, Mn and Cs show no consistent trend with age. In infant brains Br and Cl increase and Al, Cr, Cs, Fe, Mn, P, Rb, Sc, Se and Zn decrease compared to adults. The essential elements that remain within narrow concentration limits throughout adult life suggest the presence of an efficient homeostatic mechanism for their regulation in the brain, while those that are altered with age suggest modifications in control mechanisms or altered relationships with other elements. Increased concentrations of non-essential elements may reflect accumulation from our environment, impaired removal or altered balance with other elements.