Prevalence of ESBL Encoding Genes in Acinetobacter baumannii Strains Isolated from Various Samples of a Tertiary Care Hospital in Mymensingh

The aim of this study was to find the prevalence of ESBL genes among A. baumannii isolates. In this cross sectional study, 49 Acinetobacter spp. were isolated from various clinical samples from March 2019 to February 2020 conducted in the department of Microbiology, Mymensingh Medical College, Mymensingh, Bangladesh. Clinical samples including endotracheal aspirates, wound swab/pus, urine and blood. A total of 380 samples were analyzed. Growth was obtained in 34.21% of the samples yielding 130 organisms. Out of 130 organisms, 49(37.69%) were Acinetobacter spp. Among 49 Acinetobacter spp, 39(79.59%) were Acinetobacter baumannii which was identified by PCR targeting OXA-51 like gene. Amplification of the ESBL encoding genes, namely CTX-M, TEM, SHV done by molecular technique PCR. The most antibacterial resistance was against ceftriaxone (79.48%) and lower resistance only showed in colistin (12.82%). All the isolates were sensitive to tigecycline. The distribution of ESBLs genes such as TEM 20(51.28%), CTX-M 16(41.02%) and SHV 0(0%). The high resistance to most of the antibiotics among the studied strains and also a high prevalence of TEM gene in A. baumannii strains found in our study gives alarming sign towards the treatment complexity of these strains.

Clinical Features of Covid-19 Infection: a Study of SARS-CoV-2 Positive Patients from Mymensingh Region, in Bangladesh

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has spread to almost every country on the globe and it is considered by World Health Organization as a pandemic. SARS-CoV-2 causes the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Many of country are reporting the symptomatic characteristics of their cases to give better observations into the various clinical presentations of SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, the symptomatic literature is limited in Bangladesh. The aim of the study is to analyze the symptomatic characteristics of patients having the SARS-CoV-2 positive by real time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (rRT -PCR) test. Here, the data of 146 patients who were positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus and were residents of different districts of Mymensingh region were analyzed. Patients' demographics, symptoms, history of co-morbidities condition like DM, HTN, Hypothyroid etc, travel and contact were collected from MMC Daily Reported data from April 1, 2020 to April 30, 2020. Among the total 3184 patients' nasopharyngeal samples, we have got 146 (4.58%) positive for SARS-CoV-2. Of the 146 positive patients most of the patients were male 95(65%), the majority 80(54.8%) were the 21 to 40year age group. Most of the patients 61(41.78%) were residents of Mymensingh include Mymensingh Sadar, Valuka, Trishal and Ishhorganj. Among the patients 94(64.4%) were symptomatic and 52(35.6%) were asymptomatic. The symptomatic patients presented mostly were with fever 45(30.82%), cough 33(22.6%) and breathlessness 9(6.16%). The majority of patients 54(36.9%) had a history of contact with SARS-CoV-2 patients and 16(11%) had a travel history within 14 days of their rRT-PCR test positive. The only 3(2%) patients had history of comorbidities condition like DM, HTN, Hypothyroid etc. The number of SARS-CoV-2 cases is rapidly increasing in our country. The education of the population about the most common symptoms of the virus infection is needed mostly; therefore, individuals may able to recognize these symptoms. So, that people might get themselves tested.

Abstract 2868: A cell based phenotypic assay platform for cancer metastasis drug discovery and diagnostics

Metastatic cancers are difficult to treat and are the cause of about 90% of cancer related deaths. Furthermore, predictive diagnostics are not readily available, and lack of good translational assays has impaired drug discovery. Mestastop has developed a platform of cell based functional assays that aims to address these drug discovery and diagnostic gaps. The platform is comprised of a set of 14 cell based phenotypic assays that capture multiple aspects of the complex process of metastasis, including characterization of the plasticity ratios (EMT, MET) and stemness of cells, invasion, intravasation, circulation, extravasation, and survival in secondary tissues (e.g metabolic shift, exosome secretion). Wild type tumor cells (initially a set of colon tumor cell lines) are utilized in the platform. Non-metastatic wild type cells (e.g. HT-29) that have been engineered into metastatic cells are also utilized to further elucidate metastatic processes, thereby creating two baseline data sets for each assay; one for the normal growing tumor and the other for the select metastatic population. Patient derived tumors are now being analyzed in the platform to help build a translational model. Preclinical animal models are being jointly developed with Immunobiome Inc. (South Korea). As the data from all these assays present a multivariate problem, we are developing a machine learning algorithm, METSCANTM, to analyze the results. The platform will be applied to the screening of novel compounds for drug discovery and of approved drugs for repurposing. Analysis of patient derived tumors may allow for the early detection of patients with high metastatic potential. Four colon cancer cell lines and several standard chemotherapy drugs have been used to validate the platform. A group of triple negative breast cancer cell lines is now being tested. Preliminary data for a set of approved, marketed drugs has further validated the potential of the platform for drug discovery and repurposing. The Mestastop proprietary assay platform will empower biopharma in the discovery of novel drug candidates and repurposing of approved drugs for the treatment of metastasis, and the early diagnosis of cancers with high metastatic potential, thereby addressing the unmet need in the area of cancer metastasis.

Citation Format: Arnab Roy Chowdhury, Debabani Roy Chowdhury, Manoj Pandre, Samrat Roy, Sundarajan Kannan, John W. Ellingboe. A cell based phenotypic assay platform for cancer metastasis drug discovery and diagnostics [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2021; 2021 Apr 10-15 and May 17-21. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2021;81(13_Suppl):Abstract nr 2868.

A Combined sEMG and Accelerometer System for Monitoring Functional Activity in Stroke

Remote monitoring of physical activity using bodyworn sensors provides an alternative to assessment of functional independence by subjective, paper-based questionnaires. This study investigated the classification accuracy of a combined surface electromyographic (sEMG) and accelerometer (ACC) sensor system for monitoring activities of daily living in patients with stroke. sEMG and ACC data were recorded from 10 hemi paretic patients while they carried out a sequence of 11 activities of daily living (Identification tasks), and 10 activities used to evaluate misclassification errors (non-Identification tasks). The sEMG and ACC sensor data were analyzed using a multilayered neural network and an adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system to identify the minimal sensor configuration needed to accurately classify the identification tasks, with a minimal number of misclassifications from the non-Identification tasks. The results demonstrated that the highest sensitivity and specificity for the identification tasks was achieved using a subset of 4 ACC sensors and adjacent sEMG sensors located on both upper arms, one forearm, and one thigh, respectively. This configuration resulted in a mean sensitivity of 95.0 %, and a mean specificity of 99.7 % for the identification tasks, and a mean misclassification error of < 10% for the non-Identification tasks. The findings support the feasibility of a hybrid sEMG and ACC wearable sensor system for automatic recognition of motor tasks used to assess functional independence in patients with stroke.

589 Early Results of Single Anaesthetic Bilateral Fixed Bearing Cemented Medial Unicompartmental Knee Replacement

Introduction

Unicompartmental knee replacement (UKR) results in less morbidity, early mobilisation, and better PROMs in appropriately selected patients. There has been a steady increase in the number of fixed bearing UKRs in the NJR. We present the early results of single anaesthetic bilateral fixed bearing cemented medial UKR.

Method

All patients undergoing bilateral UKR using the ZUK prosthesis (LIMA, UK) under a single anaesthetic between March 2013 and March 2019 were included in this study. Demographic data, surgical data, change in haemoglobin after surgery and occurrence of complications were prospectively recorded in the hospital database. Pre-op and follow-up Oxford knee scores were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 25.0 (IBM, USA) and paired t-test was used to analyse improvement in functional score.

Results

Nine patients were included in this study. The mean age was 53.2years (range 43-71 years). There were 2 females and 7 males. A significant improvement in Oxford knee score from a mean of 37.2 to 53.6(p &lt; 0.01) was seen. The mean drop in Hb was 4.1mg/dl. The mean follow up was 28 months (range 12-76 months).

Conclusions

There was good improvement in functional scores without any significant drop in Hb. Therefore, it is a safe and beneficial procedure.

Cosmic ray flux and lockdown due to COVID-19 in Kolkata - Any correlation?

Cosmic ray muon flux is measured by the coincidence technique using plastic scintillation detectors in the High Energy Physics Detector Laboratory at Bose Institute, Kolkata. Due to the COVID-19 outbreak and nationwide complete lockdown, the laboratory was closed from the end of March 2020 till the end of May 2020. After lockdown, although the city is not in its normal state, we still were able to take data on some days. The lockdown imposed a strict restriction on the transport service other than the emergency ones and also most of the industries were shut down in and around the city. This lockdown has significant effect on the atmospheric conditions in terms of change in the concentration of air pollutants. We have measured the cosmic ray flux before and after the lockdown to observe the apparent change if any, due to change in the atmospheric conditions. In this article, we report the measured cosmic ray flux at Kolkata (22.58∘ N 88.42∘ E and 11 m above the Sea Level) along with the major air pollutants present in the atmosphere before and after the lockdown.

Prospects for beyond the Standard Model physics searches at the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment: DUNE Collaboration

The Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) will be a powerful tool for a variety of physics topics. The high-intensity proton beams provide a large neutrino flux, sampled by a near detector system consisting of a combination of capable precision detectors, and by the massive far detector system located deep underground. This configuration sets up DUNE as a machine for discovery, as it enables opportunities not only to perform precision neutrino measurements that may uncover deviations from the present three-flavor mixing paradigm, but also to discover new particles and unveil new interactions and symmetries beyond those predicted in the Standard Model (SM). Of the many potential beyond the Standard Model (BSM) topics DUNE will probe, this paper presents a selection of studies quantifying DUNE's sensitivities to sterile neutrino mixing, heavy neutral leptons, non-standard interactions, CPT symmetry violation, Lorentz invariance violation, neutrino trident production, dark matter from both beam induced and cosmogenic sources, baryon number violation, and other new physics topics that complement those at high-energy colliders and significantly extend the present reach.

E-cadherin Gene (CDH1) Expression in Low Grade Astrocytoma

Astrocytoma is the commonest primary brain tumor. These are feared due to their invasiveness in brain parenchyma so are less amenable to surgical removal and current chemotherapy regimens with a high mortality rate. Cell adhesion molecule (CAM) E-cadherin (CDH1) downregulation has been associated with tumors of different system and organs featuring invasion and metastasis. Therefore, the aim of the study was to find out the level of E-cadherin gene expression in low grade astrocytoma. In this cross-sectional study, 22 formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissue were taken as cases. Three non tumorous brain tissue and 1fresh post-mortem brain tissue were taken as control. Histological features were studied under light microscope with Haematoxylin and Eosin (H&E stain). Expression of CDH1 gene was analyzed by real time - polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) by comparative cyclic threshold (Ct) value method. The change in E-cadherin expression was measured by fold change in comparison with the control brain tissue. The data was tabulated and statistical analysis was performed. Among the 22 study cases 8(36.36%) were World Health Organization (WHO) Grade I and 14(63.63%) were WHO Grade II. All tumors showed downregulation of CDH1 gene in comparison with non-tumorous control tissue. The result is statistically significant (p=0.019). So, the study data revealed that downregulation of E-cadherin gene occurs in low grade astrocytoma and tumors of WHO Grade II showed more downregulation than Grade I tumors.

Detection of Antimicrobial Resistance Pattern and ESBL Production among Clinical Isolates of Salmonella Species in Mymensingh, Bangladesh

The occurrence of antimicrobial resistance in Salmonella enterica serovars (both typhoidal and non-typhoidal Salmonellae) is a major public health problem especially in developing countries, which have been associated with treatment failures. Therefore, the study was undertaken to determine the current antimicrobial resistance pattern and extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) production among clinical isolates of Salmonella spp. during 2019-2020 in Mymensingh, Bangladesh. In this cross sectional study, 36 Salmonella enterica isolates were obtained from blood and stool culture of suspected 200 enteric fever and 100 gastroenteritis patients attending at Mymensingh Medical College Hospital, Mymensingh, Bangladesh. Isolated Salmonella species were identified by biochemical tests and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Disk diffusion test was performed by modified Kirby Bauer method. Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of ceftriaxone was detected by agar dilution method. Double disk synergy test was used as a screening test for ESBL production. PCR was done for detection of blaTEM, blaSHV and blaCTX-MU genes. The isolates showed 25% resistance to Ceftriaxone and 58.3% to Azithromycin. The highest sensitivity rates were 88.9% to Meropenem and 83.3% to Amikacin. Whereas 6(16.7%) isolates were Multi Drug Resistant (MDR). Eight (8) isolates were confirmed as ESBL producer by DDST. The marked increase in MIC was observed between 8->512μg/ml to ceftriaxone. blaTEM, blaSHV and blaCTX-MU genes were detected in 3, 5 and 8 isolates respectively. In conclusion, the current study observed, higher level of resistance to ceftriaxone and azithromycin. At the same times 22.2% isolates showed ESBL production, which is a cause for concern as it may lead to treatment failure. On the other hand the study also showed the re-emergence of chloramphenicol and Sulfamethoxazole-Trimethoprim sensitivity.

Ground-State Proton-Transfer (GSPT)-Assisted Enhanced Two-Photon Uncaging from a Binol-based AIE-Fluorogenic Phototrigger

We demonstrated for the first time without any chemical modification the two-photon absorption (TPA) cross-section can be enhanced and red-shifted to the near-infrared (NIR) region by the ground-state proton-transfer (GSPT) process. Using GSPT, we developed a simple binol-based aggregation-induced emission (AIE)-fluorogenic phototrigger having a large two-photon uncaging cross-section in the "phototherapeutic window". As a proof of concept, we showed our phototrigger for the release of two different anticancer drugs in the NIR region.

Density of CD3+ and CD8+ cells in gingivo-buccal oral squamous cell carcinoma is associated with lymph node metastases and survival

The tumor immune microenvironment is emerging as a critical player in predicting cancer prognosis and response to therapies. However, the prognostic value of tumor-infiltrating immune cells in Gingivo-Buccal Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (GBOSCC) and their association with tumor size or lymph node metastases status require further elucidation. To study the relationship of tumor-infiltrating immune cells with tumor size (T stage) and lymph node metastases (N stages), we analyzed the density of tumor-infiltrating immune cells in archived, whole tumor resections from 94 patients. We characterized these sections by immune-histochemistry using 12 markers and enumerated tumor-infiltrating immune cells at the invasive margins (IM) and centers of tumors (CT). We observed that a higher density of CD3+ cells in the IM and CT was associated with smaller tumor size (T1-T2 stage). Fewer CD3+ cells was associated with larger tumor size (T3-T4 stage). High infiltration of CD3+and CD8+ cells in IM and CT as well as high CD4+ cell infiltrates in the IM was significantly associated with the absence of lymph node metastases. High infiltrates of CD3+ and CD8+ cells in CT was associated with significantly improved survival. Our results illustrate that the densities and spatial distribution of CD3+ and CD8+ cell infiltrates in primary GBOSCC tumors is predictive of disease progression and survival. Based on our findings, we recommend incorporating immune cell quantification in the TNM classification and routine histopathology reporting of GBOSCC. Immune cell quantification in CT and IM may help predict the efficacy of future therapies.

Predominance of Leptospira wolffii in north-central Bangladesh, 2019

Leptospira was detected in 48.9% of blood samples from 182 febrile patients in north-central Bangladesh in 2019. Most Leptospira were classified as L. wolffii (93%) on the basis of phylogenetic analysis of 16S ribosomal RNA genes, while others were assigned to L. borgpetersenii and L. meyeri.