Biotransformation of Doxorubicin Promotes Resilience in Simplified Intestinal Microbial Communities

While chemotherapy is an essential intervention for treating many forms of cancer, gastrointestinal side effects may precede infections and risks for additional health complications. We developed an in vitro model to characterize key changes in bacterial community dynamics under chemotherapeutic stress and the role of bacterial interactions in drug detoxification to promote microbiota resilience.

Frequency of drug detoxification treatment completers and non-completers.

Objective: To determine the frequency of drug detoxification treatment completers and non-completers admitted at a tertiary care public hospital at Karachi. Study Design: Descriptive Cross Sectional study. Setting: Department of Psychiatry, Civil Hospital, Karachi. Period: 15thJanuary 2018 to 15thJune 2018. Material & Methods: Totals 124cases of substance users of any type who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were included in the study. History and thorough examinations carried out at ward. Results: Predominant age group was 26-35 years with majority of unemployed and brought for admission by family. Majority were using cannabinoids followed by opioids through smoking and snuffing form. Majority of them were admitted for first time and were taking substance for 1-5 years and every day. Out of 124 males 58.9% completed treatment while 41.1% did not complete treatment and left ward. Statistically age group, employment status, no of admissions, duration of use and frequency of use were significant. Conclusion: The study showed that there is a quite high and alarming ratio of patients who do not succeed to quite substance use.

Visible Light-Induced Oxidative N-dealkylation of Alkylamines by a Luminescent Osmium(VI) Nitrido Complex

N-Dealkylation of amines by metal oxo intermediates (M=O) is related with drug detoxification and DNA repair in biological systems. In this study, we report the first example of N-dealkylation of...

Rapid Versus Laboratory-Based Testing for HIV and Hepatitis C at a Drug Detoxification Treatment Center: A Randomized Trial

Background A health department survey revealed nearly half employ laboratory-based HIV and HCV testing (LBT) over rapid testing (RT) in nonhospital settings such as drug detoxification centers. LBT has higher sensitivity for acute HIV infection compared to RT but LBT is not point of care and may result in fewer diagnoses due to loss to follow-up before result delivery. Methods We conducted a randomized trial comparing real-world case notification of RT (Orasure) vs LBT (HIV Combo Ag/Ab EIA, HCV EIA) for HIV and HCV at a drug detoxification center. Primary outcome was receipt of test results within 2 weeks. Results Among 341 individuals screened (11/2016–7/2017), 200 met inclusion criteria; 58% injected drugs and 31% shared needles in the previous 6 months. Of the 200 randomized, 98 received RT and 102 LBT. Among all participants, 0.5% were positive for HIV and 48% for HCV; 96% received test results in the RT arm and 42% in the LBT arm (odds ratio, 28.72; 95% confidence interval, 10.27–80.31). Real-world case notification was 95% and 93% for HIV and HCV RT, respectively, compared to 42% for HIV and HCV LBT. Conclusions RT has higher real-world case notification than LBT at drug detoxification centers. Clinical trials registration: NCT02869776.

Examining the Link between Drug Use Disorders and Crime among Chinese Drug Users Receiving Mandatory Detoxification and Treatment

Prior research has generated inconsistent results about the relationship between drug use and crime. To improve on previous research, this study focuses on drug use disorders as a predictor of crime and offending behavior specifically related to drug use to measure the potential impact of drug abuse and dependence. Through the analysis of data collected from 930 male and female drug users receiving mandatory treatment in two drug detoxification centers in China, the current study finds that drug use disorders significantly predict drug-related crime. The results provide an empirical validation of the findings from the West that drug use disorders and crime are positively related.