Cooking Fuels in Lagos, Nigeria: Factors Associated with Household Choice of Kerosene or Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG).

Cooking with dirty-burning fuels is associated with health risk from household air pollution. We assessed the prevalence of and factors associated with the use of cooking fuels, and attitudes and barriers towards use of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). This was a cross-sectional, population-based survey conducted in 519 households in Lagos, Nigeria. We used a structured questionnaire to obtain information regarding choice of household cooking fuel and the attitudes towards the use of LPG. Kerosene was the most frequently used cooking fuel ( = 475, 91.5%; primary use = 364, 70.1%) followed by charcoal ( = 159, 30.6%; primary use = 88, 17%) and LPG ( = 86, 16.6%; primary use = 63, 12.1%). Higher level of education, higher income and younger age were associated with LPG vs. kerosene use. Fuel expenditure on LPG was significantly lower than for kerosene ( N (Naira) 2169.0 ± 1507.0 vs. N 2581.6 ± 1407.5). Over 90% of non-LPG users were willing to switch to LPG but cited safety issues and high cost as potential barriers to switching. Our findings suggest that misinformation and beliefs regarding benefits, safety and cost of LPG are important barriers to LPG use. An educational intervention program could be a cost-effective approach to improve LPG adoption and should be formally addressed through a well-designed community-based intervention study

Determination of sarafloxacin and its analogues in milk using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay based on a monoclonal antibody

A heterologous immunoassay has been developed for the determination of sarafloxacin (SRFX) and its analogue residues in milk.</p

Abstract 11697: Associations of Soluble Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator Receptor and Doxorubicin-Related Cardiotoxicity at Standard Treatment Doses for Breast Cancer

Introduction: Elevated soluble urokinase type plasminogen activator (suPAR) is a risk factor for renal and cardiovascular (CV) diseases in the general population. Hypothesis: We evaluated associations between suPAR and markers of subclinical cardiotoxicity in breast cancer (BCa) patients receiving standard (std) dose doxorubicin (DOX) therapy. Methods: We conducted a prospective study of patients at Rush University Medical Center who received std (≤240 mg/m2, 4 cycles) DOX-based chemotherapy for BCa between January 2017 and May 2019. We used mixed effects linear regression models to evaluate associations between suPAR and global longitudinal strain (GLS), NT-proBNP, troponin-I, and hsCRP at baseline, cycle 2 and 4 of DOX, and 3, 6, and 12 months post-DOX treatment with adjustment for baseline demographics, CV risk factors, and CV medications. Results: Of the 37 women in our study (age 47±9.3 years, 60% White, 60% left-sided BCa, and 86% adjuvant radiation therapy), the median baseline suPAR was normal at 1.83 (1.31, 3.68) ng/dL. No woman experienced clinically significant cardiotoxicity during treatment (&gt;10% decrease in LVEF to &lt;50%). Baseline GLS was normal (-20.2±2.3%) and the mean change in GLS following DOX therapy was +1.1%. Neither baseline suPAR nor suPAR levels during treatment were associated with GLS, NT-proBNP, hsCRP, and troponin-I (all p&lt;0.05). Surrogate biomarkers of cardiotoxicity such as troponin-I and hsCRP were not associated with GLS (p&lt;0.05) while NT-proBNP was negatively associated with GLS with marginal significance (p=0.04). Conclusions: In patients receiving std DOX treatment for BCa ± radiation therapy, there was minimal subclinical cardiotoxicity as evidenced by minimal changes in GLS and lack of associations between cardiac biomarkers and GLS. Furthermore, suPAR was not associated with any of these markers at this std DOX dose for BCa. A normal baseline suPAR level may be associated with low risk for DOX-associated cardiotoxicity. </jats:p

Impact of Hormonal Therapies for Treatment of Hormone-Dependent Cancers (Breast and Prostate) on the Cardiovascular System: Effects and Modifications: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association

Cardiovascular disease and cancer are the leading causes of death in the United States, and hormone-dependent cancers (breast and prostate cancer) are the most common noncutaneous malignancies in women and men, respectively. The hormonal (endocrine-related) therapies that serve as a backbone for treatment of both cancers improve survival but also increase cardiovascular morbidity and mortality among survivors. This consensus statement describes the risks associated with specific hormonal therapies used to treat breast and prostate cancer and provides an evidence-based approach to prevent and detect adverse cardiovascular outcomes. Areas of uncertainty are highlighted, including the cardiovascular effects of different durations of hormonal therapy, the cardiovascular risks associated with combinations of newer generations of more intensive hormonal treatments, and the specific cardiovascular risks that affect individuals of various races/ethnicities. Finally, there is an emphasis on the use of a multidisciplinary approach to the implementation of lifestyle and pharmacological strategies for management and risk reduction both during and after active treatment.</jats:p