Caregivers' socio-cultural influences on health-seeking behavior for their wasted children among forcibly displaced Myanmar Nationals and their nearest host communities.

Introduction: A total of 19% of forcibly displaced Myanmar Nationals (FDMNs) Bangladesh fall within the age range of under five years old, while an average of 1% exhibit severe malnutrition. Cox's Bazar is the closest host community for FDMNs, with similar traditional culture and religion and shared linguistic, ethnic, and cultural ties. Methods: A qualitative study was conducted to investigate the impact of socio-cultural factors on the healthcare-seeking behavior of caregivers of critically malnourished children in FDMN camps and neighboring host communities. Results: The utilization of informal healthcare by caregivers in both populations can be attributed to cultural attitudes, taboos, and peer pressure. The healthcare by practices in the FDMN camps and host towns were primarily affected by household responsibilities, familial assistance in accessing medical services, decisions made by husbands or mothers-in-law, and the availability and accessibility of healthcare facilities. Certain features were identified that prompt caregivers to seek formal treatment in both groups. The efficacy of the treatment was a primary consideration. In instances where conventional remedies and informal treatments proved ineffective in restoring the health of children, others who were invested in their well-being, such as family members and neighbors, advised caretakers to pursue professional medical care. Discussion: Enhanced caregiver awareness of severe wasting, enhanced healthcare accessibility, and increased community volunteer engagement have the potential to facilitate early identification of severely wasted children and mitigate delays in treatment.

Ten simple rules for creating and sustaining antiracist graduate programs.

In 2020, the combination of police killings of unarmed Black people, including George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery, and the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic brought about public outrage over long-standing inequalities in society. The events of 2020 ignited global attention to systemic racism and racial inequalities, including the lack of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the academy and especially in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine (STEMM) fields. Racial and ethnic diversity in graduate programs in particular warrants special attention as graduate students of color report experiencing alarming rates of racism, discrimination, microaggressions, and other exclusionary behaviors. As part of the Graduate Dean's Advisory Council on Diversity (GDACD) at the University of California Merced, the authors of this manuscript held a year-long discussion on these issues and ways to take meaningful action to address these persistent issues of injustices. We have outlined 10 rules to help graduate programs develop antiracist practices to promote racial and ethnic justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) in the academy. We focus on efforts to address systemic causes of the underrepresentation and attrition of students from minoritized communities. The 10 rules are developed to allow graduate groups to formulate and implement rules and policies to address root causes of underrepresentation of minoritized students in graduate education.

Cholesterol-binding ability of saponin from Japanese starfish.

Steroidal gylcosides are the predominant metabolites of starfish and are responsible for various biological activities. Some of these activities are recognized as a part of self-defense mechanism of starfish. Cholesterol-binding ability was evaluated with seven starfish crude extracts, where significantly (p < 0.05) highest ability (34%) was observed in Asterias amurensis and the lowest (16%) was attributed in Distolasterias nippon. To characterize the active compound exists in crude saponin from A. amurensis, the extract was subjected to thin layer chromatography following silica gel column chromatography. As the results, seven fractions (fr. A-G) were separated and frs. D and F demonstrated the highest cholesterol-binding ability (32% and 33%, respectively), equivalent to that of the A. amurensis extract. The isolated component (fr. F) was further separated (fr. F1-F3) for structural analysis. Based on cholesterol-binding ability result (29%), fr. F2 was analysed by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time-of-flight mass spectroscopy (MALDI-TOF MS) and then nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR). The compound was identified as thornasteroside A, one of the major bioactive compounds already found in A. amurensis. The discovery of a saponin with cholesterol-binding ability has important implications not only for the utilization of starfish but also for food and pharmaceutical research.

Para-crystalline membrane structures resembling prolamellar bodies in the invasion zones of indeterminate root nodules of Vicia faba L.

Novel para-crystalline structures resembling prolamellar bodies in etioplasts were found in the invasion zones of indeterminate root nodules of Vicia faba, which possess persistent meristems and exhibit sequential developmental stages. The para-crystalline structures existed in most cells in the area of the invasion zone and a hexagonal arrangement of tubular membranes was recognized. Extensive membranes, apparently procured from the structures, were often in contact with the bacteria in young infected cells. We propose that the para-crystalline structures serve as a reservoir of membranes for the formation of the numerous symbiosomes that propagate and fill the infected cells, and suggest naming them pro-symbiosome membrane bodies.

Backscattered electron imaging of high pressure frozen soybean root nodules visualizes formation of symbiosome membranes.

High-pressure frozen soybean root nodules were fractured and backscattered electron images were obtained from uncoated samples in a low vacuum scanning electron microscope equipped with a cryo-transfer system. Structures of infected cells were well preserved: numerous symbiosomes, as well as nuclei, plastids and mitochondria were observed without ice crystal damage. After appropriate sublimation of water, bacteria included in symbiosomes were visualized. Membrane accumulation near nuclei, and vesicles and tubular membranes, which possibly contribute to symbiosome membrane formation, could be observed in a near native state. The method promises to be widely applicable to visualize interaction between membranes in various biological systems.

Cholesterol analysis of Korean eat-out foods for national food composition database.

Information on cholesterol intake through restaurant meal is of high concern because of increasing eat-out population. Since nutrient labeling is not mandatory for restaurant food in Korea, cholesterol database on restaurant menu is unavailable. This study was performed to construct regional and national cholesterol database on primary Korean restaurant foods including 30 soup/stew, 24 rice dishes, and 27 noodles. From 2009 to 2012, Korea Ministry of Food and Drug Safety collected total 5832 foods (81 food types ×6 regions ×12 restaurants) nationwide and then 486 composites representing food types and regions were prepared for cholesterol analysis. Cholesterol contents of 486 composite samples were highly affected by recipe, food type, seasonality of ingredients, and geographical location, showing the range of 1.1-143.0, 1.5-85.1, and 0.4-62.2 mg/100 g for soup/stew, rice dishes, and noodles, respectively. The highest cholesterol value was observed in Al-tang (spicy fish roe soup) while Maemil-guksu (buckwheat noodle in beef stock) showed the lowest among all samples. Most foods contain relatively low cholesterol content, but the serving size and consumption frequency of dishes should be considered in order not to exceed the recommended daily intake limit (300 mg cholesterol). Saponification coupled with gas chromatography applied for cholesterol analysis was reliable based on accuracy (95% > recovery) and precision (repeatability <4% and reproducibility <8%). Quality control chart monitored for 4 years showed that all analyses were under the control. This study provides reliable and representative cholesterol contents of Korean restaurant key foods, which can be utilized for assessments of cholesterol intake in the current Korean diet.

Firmicutes dominate the bacterial taxa within sugar-cane processing plants.

Sugar cane processing sites are characterised by high sugar/hemicellulose levels, available moisture and warm conditions, and are relatively unexplored unique microbial environments. The PhyloChip microarray was used to investigate bacterial diversity and community composition in three Australian sugar cane processing plants. These ecosystems were highly complex and dominated by four main Phyla, Firmicutes (the most dominant), followed by Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Chloroflexi. Significant variation (p < 0.05) in community structure occurred between samples collected from 'floor dump sediment', 'cooling tower water', and 'bagasse leachate'. Many bacterial Classes contributed to these differences, however most were of low numerical abundance. Separation in community composition was also linked to Classes of Firmicutes, particularly Bacillales, Lactobacillales and Clostridiales, whose dominance is likely to be linked to their physiology as 'lactic acid bacteria', capable of fermenting the sugars present. This process may help displace other bacterial taxa, providing a competitive advantage for Firmicutes bacteria.