Background: Understanding potential risks of multi-drug resistant (MDR) pathogens from the booming poultry sector is a crucial public health concern. Campylobacter spp. are among the most important zoonotic pathogens associated with MDR infections in poultry and human. This study systematically examined potential risks and associated socio-environmental factors of MDR Campylobacter spp. in poultry farms and live bird markets (LBMs) of Bangladesh. Methods: Microbial culture and PCR-based methods were applied to examine the occurrence and MDR patterns of Campylobacter spp. in potential sources (n = 224) at 7 hatcheries, 9 broiler farms and 4 LBMs in three sub-districts. Antimicrobial residues in broiler meat and liver samples (n = 50) were detected by advanced chromatographic techniques. A questionnaire based cross-sectional survey was conducted on socio-environmental factors. Results: Overall, 32% (71/ 224) samples were found contaminated with Campylobacter spp. In poultry farms, Campylobacter spp. was primarily found in cloacal swab (21/49, 43%), followed by drinking water (8/24, 33%), and meat (8/28, 29%) samples of broilers. Remarkably, at LBMs, Campylobacter spp. was detected in higher prevalence (p <0.05) in broiler meat (14/26, 54%), which could be related (p <0.01) to bacterial contamination of drinking water (11/21, 52%) and floor (9/21, 43%). Campylobacter isolates, one from each of 71 positive samples, were differentiated into Campylobacter jejuni (66%) and Campylobacter coli (34%). Alarmingly, 49% and 42% strains of C. jejuni and C. coli, respectively, were observed as MDR, i.e., resistant to three or more antimicrobials, including, tetracycline, amoxicillin, streptomycin, fluoroquinolones, and macrolides. Residual antimicrobials (oxytetracycline, ciprofloxacin and enrofloxacin) were detected in majority of broiler liver (79%) and meat (62%) samples, among which 33% and 19%, respectively, had concentration above acceptable limit. Inadequate personal and environmental hygiene, unscrupulously use of antimicrobials, improper waste disposal, and lack of health surveillance were distinguishable risk factors, with local diversity and compound influences on MDR pathogens. Conclusion: Potential contamination sources and anthropogenic factors associated with the alarming occurrence of MDR Campylobacter, noted in this study, would aid in developing interventions to minimize the increasing risks of poultry-associated MDR pathogens under ‘One Health’ banner that includes poultry, human and environment perspectives.

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: Glycation refers to the covalent binding of sugar molecules to macromolecules, such as DNA, proteins, and lipids in a non-enzymatic reaction, resulting in the formation of irreversibly bound products known as advanced glycation end products (AGEs). AGEs are synthesized in high amounts both in pathological conditions, such as diabetes and under physiological conditions resulting in aging. The body’s anti-glycation defense mechanisms play a critical role in removing glycated products. However, if this defense system fails, AGEs start accumulating, which results in pathological conditions. Studies have shown that increased accumulation of AGEs acts as key mediators in multiple diseases, such as diabetes, obesity, arthritis, cancer, atherosclerosis, decreased skin elasticity, male erectile dysfunction, pulmonary fibrosis, aging, and Alzheimer’s disease. Further, glycation of nucleotides, proteins, and phospholipids by α-oxoaldehyde metabolites, such as glyoxal (GO) and methylglyoxal (MGO), cause potential damage to the genome, proteome, and lipidome. Glyoxalase-1 (GLO-1) acts as a part of the anti-glycation defense system by carrying out detoxification of GO and MGO. It has been demonstrated that GLO-1 protects dicarbonyl modifications of the proteome and lipidome, thereby impeding the cell signaling and affecting age-related diseases. Its relationship with detoxification and antiglycation defense is well established. Glycation of proteins by MGO and GO results in protein misfolding, thereby affecting their structure and function. These findings provide the evidence for the rationale that the functional modulation of GLO pathway could be used as a potential therapeutic target. In the present review, we summarize the newly emerged literature on GLO pathway including enzymes regulating the process. In addition, we describe small bioactive molecules with the potential to modulate the GLO pathway, thereby providing a basis for the development of new treatment strategies against age-related complications.

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Background: This study systematically examined potential risks and associated socio-environmental factors of MDR Campylobacter spp. in poultry farms and live bird markets (LBMs) of Bangladesh. Methods: Microbial culture and PCR-based methods were applied to examine the occurrence and MDR patterns of Campylobacter spp. at hatcheries (n = 33), broiler farms (n = 122) and LBMs (n = 69). Antimicrobial residues in broiler meat and liver samples (n = 50) were detected by advanced chromatographic techniques. A questionnaire based cross-sectional survey was conducted on socio-environmental factors. Results: In poultry farms, Campylobacter spp. was primarily found in cloacal swab (21/49, 43%), followed by drinking water (8/24, 33%), and meat (8/28, 29%) samples of broilers. Remarkably, in live bird markets, Campylobacter spp. was detected in higher prevalence in broiler meat (14/26, 54%), which could have an association with bacterial contamination in drinking water sources (11/21, 52%) and floor (9/21, 43%). Representative isolates (n = 71) were differentiated into two species: Campylobacter jejuni (66%) and Campylobacter coli (34%). Majority of C. jejuni (33/47, 70%) and C. coli (14/24, 58%) strains were observed to be MDR, predominantly showing resistance to amoxycilin, tetracycline and erythromycin, and additionally to ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin, streptomycin, and azithromycin. Residual antimicrobials, including oxytetracycline, ciprofloxacin and enrofloxacin, were detected in majority of broiler liver (79%) and meat (62%) samples. Alarmingly, 33% and 19% of the liver and meat samples, respectively, contained residual antimicrobial concentration above acceptable limit. Inadequate personal and environmental hygiene, unscrupulously use of antimicrobials, improper waste disposal, and lack of health surveillance and quarantine facilities of diseased birds were distinguishable anthropogenic risk factors, with local diversity and compound influences on MDR pathogens. Conclusion: The observed large-scale occurrence of MDR C. jejuni and C. coli and residual antimicrobials in poultry value chain reflects an alarming situation for public health in Bangladesh. Potential contamination sources of MDR Campylobacter and the combined influences of diverse socio-environmental risk factors, noted in this study, would aid in developing interventions to minimize the increasing risks of poultry-associated MDR pathogens under ‘One Health’ banner that includes poultry, human and environment perspectives.

The loom industry is the traditional industry in Bangladesh. It is situated especially in rural areas. Many weavers are working in the handloom industry. The study aims to determine the prevalence rate of musculoskeletal pain and its associated factors. This study is a cross-sectional study, including openended and close-ended questionnaires. Two hundred fifty (250) handloom weavers have participated in this study. Frequency analysis and Chi-square test were done by R software. A total of 82.4% of weavers have musculoskeletal pain. Among them, 50% have lower back pain, 48.4% have shoulder pain, and 46.4% have knee pain. Some factors are associated with those pain. Age of respondents and number of working days are associated with lower back pain and shoulder pain. Only age is associated with thigh, ankle and elbow pain. Types of treatment that weavers have taken are associated with arm pain. The weavers with musculoskeletal pain are mostly illiterate and have not taken physical exercise. Notably, 67.2% of weavers have taken treatment, and 21.6% of the participants reported that they have improved upon the treatment. Among those who have taken treatment, only 21.6% of weavers have got improved. As the highest portion of weavers has musculoskeletal, proper knowledge should be implemented for them and need to improve their quality of life. Bangladesh government and any Non- Governmental Organizations (NGOs) or institutions should implement consciousness about musculoskeletal pain. Bangladesh Pharmaceutical Journal 25(2): 188-198, 2022 (July)

The present study was conducted to evaluate the status of chromium concentration in broiler feeds with the risk assessment of chromium in broiler meat. Seven broiler farms were selected to collect the feed and meat samples of broiler. Atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS) was used to determine the chromium concentration in broiler feed and meat samples. The highest concentration of chromium in broiler meat samples was 1.31±0.20 µg/g and in feed samples was 1.71±0.24µg/g. In this study, the mean (± SE) concentration of chromium in feed samples from Gazipur Sadar, Gazipur; Sreepur, Gazipur and Tangail Sadar, Tangail were 1.71(± 0.24) µg/g,1.64(±0.61) µg/g and 1.64(±0.61) µg/g respectively. The mean (± SE) concentration of chromium in meat samples from Gazipur Sadar, Gazipur; Sreepur, Gazipur and Tangail Sadar, Tangail were 1.139 (±0.26) µg/g, 1.31 (±0.20) µg/g and 0.61 (±0.23) µg/g respectively. The concentrations of chromium in broiler edible tissues were much higher than permissible levels determined by FAO and WHO. Precocious steps must be taken to avoid use of such health hazardous concentrations of heavy metals in poultry feeds. Considering these findings, there is a critical need to set legal limits and surveillance system for detection of heavy metals in poultry industry of Bangladesh.

The antibiotic resistance profiles of Escherichia coli isolated from three different sampling sites of the Gomti River at Lucknow city was evaluated. Water samples were collected and then analyzed for the presence of E. coli, using standard methods. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed by the disc diffusion method. Of the 77 E. coli isolates tested, marked antibiotic resistances (over 70%) were observed for amoxicillin, nitrofurozone, chloramphenicol, polymixin B, methicilin, ampicillin, nalidixic acid, cefpodoxime, erythromycin, penicillin, rifampicin and ofloxacin depending upon the sampling sites. All E. coli isolates also showed multiple resistance patterns in different combination of antibiotics. The MAR index ranges were found very high indicating the high risk of environmental contamination. The findings indicated that pollution of aquatic environments from different sources of the city may have a potential impact on the dissemination and survival of E. coli, as well as other pathogenic bacteria in the Gomti River water for public and animal health. This may result to a negative effect on antibiotic therapy for infectious diseases.