Quantitative Analysis of Colistin-Resistant Escherichia coli in Retail Meat from Local Vietnamese Markets.

The spread of drug-resistant bacteria via food has contributed to the dissemination of resistant bacteria among humans. However, the status of food contamination with resistant bacteria, particularly the quantitative level of resistant bacteria in food, has not yet been well elucidated. In this study, the abundance of colistin-resistant Escherichia coli in meat samples was quantified to understand the origin of the contamination of meat available in local Vietnamese markets. Fifteen samples each of chicken and pork meat purchased from local Vietnamese markets were assessed for the presence of colistin-resistant E. coli with the mobile colistin resistance gene, mcr. The results showed that 40% (6/15) and 66% (10/15) of the pork and chicken meat samples, respectively, were contaminated with colistin-resistant E. coli. The median quantitative levels of colistin-resistant E. coli in the contaminated pork and chicken samples were 1.8 × 104 and 4.2 × 103 CFU/g, respectively. The results of phylogenetic analysis of isolates from a chicken meat sample showed that the contaminated colistin-resistant E. coli was a mix of multiple phylogenetical clones of bacteria that may have multiplied during sale. This is the first study to quantify the abundance of colistin-resistant E. coli in meat samples.

Synthesis, antitumor activity and structure-activity studies of novel pyridoxine-based bioisosteric analogs of estradiol.

A new efficient approach to the synthesis of 6-alkenyl substituted pyridoxine derivatives has been developed. A series of 31 novel alkenyl pyridoxine derivatives, stilbene-based bioisosteric analogs of estradiol, were synthesized. In vitro cytotoxicity of the obtained compounds against MCF-7 (ER+) breast cancer tumor cells was studied using the MTT assay. The most active compounds with IC50,MCF-7 < 10 µM were also tested for cytotoxicity in vitro against MDA-MB-231 (ER-) breast adenocarcinoma cells and conditionally normal human skin fibroblasts (HSF). The patterns of structure-antitumor activity relationships of the obtained compounds were analyzed. The most active compounds were found to contain a six-membered ketal ring, a methyl group in position 5, a 3,4-dimethoxystyryl fragment in positions 2 or 6 of the pyridoxine ring, and a trans-configuration of the double bond. Using the most active compound 5a as a representative cytotoxic agent, we have demonstrated that it has high specificity and antiproliferative activity against MCF-7 (ER+) tumor cells (IC50 < 5 µM), and a higher therapeutic index compared to the reference compound raloxifene (48 versus 5.8). Compound 5a decreased the mitochondrial membrane potential and increased the level of reactive oxygen species in MCF-7 cells, but not MDA-MB-231 cells. Compound 5a did not affect the distribution of cell cycle phases and induced apoptosis in MCF-7 cells, but not MDA-MB-231. Unlike compound 5a, raloxifene decreased mitochondrial potential, increased the ROS level, and induced apoptosis in both MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells, which indicated a lack of selectivity for cells with estrogen receptor expression. It was also shown that compound 5a reduced the level of ERα expression in cells to a lesser extent than raloxifene and, unlike the latter, did not activate the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

Temporal trends and referral factors for cardiac rehabilitation post-acute coronary syndrome in ontario: insights from the Canadian Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events.

BACKGROUND: Despite the beneficial effects of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) on morbidity and mortality after an acute coronary syndrome (ACS), CR referral rates have been lower than recommended. Using the Canadian Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) database, we examined the temporal trends of CR referral rates in Ontario and its associated factors. METHODS: From the main Canadian GRACE, we retrospectively analyzed data from 11 Ontario hospitals. CR referral rates were analyzed over time. Using multivariate logistic regression, we examined patient characteristics, in-hospital diagnosis, clinical events, and investigations associated with CR referral. RESULTS: From 2000 to 2007, 3338 ACS patients (median age, 64 years; 32% women) were assessed. CR referral rate increased from 2.7% in 2000 to 51.2% in 2007 (P < 0.0001 for trend). Multivariate analysis identified increasing age per decade (odds ratio [OR], 1.21; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.14-1.29), presentation Killip class ≥ 2 (OR, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.09-1.84), non-ST-elevation ACS (OR, 1.60; 95% CI, 1.35-1.89), no left ventricular function assessment (OR, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.11-1.59), heart failure during hospital admission (OR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.10-2.00), and in-patient cardiac revascularization (OR, 1.70; 95% CI, 1.38-2.09) as independently associated with lack of CR referral. CONCLUSIONS: CR referral rate after ACS in Ontario continues to be lower than recommended, although there has been a steady increase over time. Factors independently associated with lack of CR referral include advanced age, higher Killip class, non-ST-elevation ACS, lack of left ventricular function assessment, in-hospital heart failure, and revascularization. Targeting nonreferred populations might improve quality of care and close care gaps in secondary prevention.