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South Texas currently has the highest incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the United States, a disease that disproportionately affects Latino populations in the region. Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a potent liver carcinogen that has been shown to be present in a variety of foods in the United States, including corn and corn products. Importantly, it is a dietary risk factor contributing to a higher incidence of HCC in populations frequently consuming AFB1-contaminated diets. In a randomised double-blind placebo controlled trial, we evaluated the effects of a 3-month administration of ACCS100 (refined calcium montmorillonite clay) on serum AFB1-lysine adduct (AFB-Lys) level and serum biochemistry in 234 healthy men and women residing in Bexar and Medina counties, Texas. Participants recruited from 2012 to 2014 received either a placebo, 1.5 g or 3 g ACCS100 each day for 3 months, and no treatment during the fourth month. Adverse event rates were similar across treatment groups and no significant differences were observed for serum biochemistry and haematology parameters. Differences in levels of AFB-Lys at 1, 3 and 4 months were compared between placebo and active treatment groups. Although serum AFB-Lys levels were decreased by month 3 for both treatment groups, the low dose was the only treatment that was significant (p = 0.0005). In conclusion, the observed effect in the low-dose treatment group suggests that the use of ACCS100 may be a viable strategy to reduce dietary AFB1 bioavailability during aflatoxin outbreaks and potentially in populations chronically exposed to this carcinogen.

South Texas currently has the highest incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the United States, a disease that disproportionately affects Latino populations in the region. Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a potent liver carcinogen that has been shown to be present in a variety of foods in the United States, including corn and corn products. Importantly, it is a dietary risk factor contributing to a higher incidence of HCC in populations frequently consuming AFB1-contaminated diets. In a randomised double-blind placebo controlled trial, we evaluated the effects of a 3-month administration of ACCS100 (refined calcium montmorillonite clay) on serum AFB1-lysine adduct (AFB-Lys) level and serum biochemistry in 234 healthy men and women residing in Bexar and Medina counties, Texas. Participants recruited from 2012 to 2014 received either a placebo, 1.5 g or 3 g ACCS100 each day for 3 months, and no treatment during the fourth month. Adverse event rates were similar across treatment groups and no significant differences were observed for serum biochemistry and haematology parameters. Differences in levels of AFB-Lys at 1, 3 and 4 months were compared between placebo and active treatment groups. Although serum AFB-Lys levels were decreased by month 3 for both treatment groups, the low dose was the only treatment that was significant (p = 0.0005). In conclusion, the observed effect in the low-dose treatment group suggests that the use of ACCS100 may be a viable strategy to reduce dietary AFB1 bioavailability during aflatoxin outbreaks and potentially in populations chronically exposed to this carcinogen.

Despite converging evidence that major depressive illness is associated with both memory impairment and hippocampal pathology, findings vary widely across studies and it is not known whether these changes are regionally specific. In the present study we acquired brain MRIs (magnetic resonance images) from 31 unmedicated patients with MDD (major depressive disorder; mean age 39.2+/-11.9 years; 77% female) and 31 demographically comparable controls. Three-dimensional parametric mesh models were created to examine localized alterations of hippocampal morphology. Although global volumes did not differ between groups, statistical mapping results revealed that in MDD patients, more severe depressive symptoms were associated with greater left hippocampal atrophy, particularly in CA1 (cornu ammonis 1) subfields and the subiculum. However, previous treatment with atypical antipsychotics was associated with a trend towards larger left hippocampal volume. Our findings suggest effects of illness severity on hippocampal size, as well as a possible effect of past history of atypical antipsychotic treatment, which may reflect prolonged neuroprotective effects. This possibility awaits confirmation in longitudinal studies.

Despite converging evidence that major depressive illness is associated with both memory impairment and hippocampal pathology, findings vary widely across studies and it is not known whether these changes are regionally specific. In the present study we acquired brain MRIs (magnetic resonance images) from 31 unmedicated patients with MDD (major depressive disorder; mean age 39.2+/-11.9 years; 77% female) and 31 demographically comparable controls. Three-dimensional parametric mesh models were created to examine localized alterations of hippocampal morphology. Although global volumes did not differ between groups, statistical mapping results revealed that in MDD patients, more severe depressive symptoms were associated with greater left hippocampal atrophy, particularly in CA1 (cornu ammonis 1) subfields and the subiculum. However, previous treatment with atypical antipsychotics was associated with a trend towards larger left hippocampal volume. Our findings suggest effects of illness severity on hippocampal size, as well as a possible effect of past history of atypical antipsychotic treatment, which may reflect prolonged neuroprotective effects. This possibility awaits confirmation in longitudinal studies.