Characterization of organelle DNA degradation mediated by DPD1 exonuclease in the rice genome-edited line.

Mitochondria and plastids, originated as ancestral endosymbiotic bacteria, contain their own DNA sequences. These organelle DNAs (orgDNAs) are, despite the limited genetic information they contain, an indispensable part of the genetic systems but exist as multiple copies, making up a substantial amount of total cellular DNA. Given this abundance, orgDNA is known to undergo tissue-specific degradation in plants. Previous studies have shown that the exonuclease DPD1, conserved among seed plants, degrades orgDNAs during pollen maturation and leaf senescence in Arabidopsis. However, tissue-specific orgDNA degradation was shown to differ among species. To extend our knowledge, we characterized DPD1 in rice in this study. We created a genome-edited (GE) mutant in which OsDPD1 and OsDPD1-like were inactivated. Characterization of this GE plant demonstrated that DPD1 was involved in pollen orgDNA degradation, whereas it had no significant effect on orgDNA degradation during leaf senescence. Comparison of transcriptomes from wild-type and GE plants with different phosphate supply levels indicated that orgDNA had little impact on the phosphate starvation response, but instead had a global impact in plant growth. In fact, the GE plant showed lower fitness with reduced grain filling rate and grain weight in natural light conditions. Taken together, the presented data reinforce the important physiological roles of orgDNA degradation mediated by DPD1.

Vascular Surgery Practice Guidelines during COVID-19 Pandemic in a Setting of High Work Volume Against Limited Resources: Perspective of a Developing Country.

BACKGROUND: The situation of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in the Indian subcontinent is worsening. In Bangladesh, rate of new infection has been on the rise despite limited testing facility. Constraint of resources in the health care sector makes the fight against COVID-19 more challenging for a developing country like Bangladesh. Vascular surgeons find themselves in a precarious situation while delivering professional services during this crisis. With the limited number of dedicated vascular surgeons in Bangladesh, it is important to safeguard these professionals without compromising emergency vascular care services in the long term. To this end, we at the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases and Hospital, Dhaka, have developed a working guideline for our vascular surgeons to follow during the COVID-19 pandemic. The guideline takes into account high vascular work volume against limited resources in the country. METHODS: A total of 307 emergency vascular patients were dealt with in the first 4 COVID-19 months (March through June 2020) according to the working guideline, and the results were compared with the 4 pre-COVID-19 months. Vascular trauma, dialysis access complications, and chronic limb-threatening ischemia formed the main bulk of the patient population. Vascular health care workers were regularly screened for COVID-19 infection. RESULTS: There was a 38% decrease in the number of patients in the COVID-19 period. Treatment outcome in COVID-19 months were comparable with that in the pre-COVID-19 months except that limb loss in the chronic limb-threatening ischemia patients was higher. COVID-19 infection among the vascular health care professionals was low. CONCLUSIONS: Vascular surgery practice guidelines customized for the high work volume and limited resources of the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases and Hospital, Dhaka were effective in delivering emergency care during COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring safety of the caregivers. Despite the fact that similar guidelines exist in different parts of the world, we believe that the present one is still relevant on the premises of a deepening COVID-19 crisis in a developing country like Bangladesh.

Association of hyperlipidemia with breast cancer in Bangladeshi women.

BACKGROUND: The association of circulating lipids with breast cancer is being debated. The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between abnormal plasma lipids and breast cancer risk in Bangladeshi women. METHODS: This was a case-control study designed using a population of 150 women (50 women in each group). The lipid levels of women with breast cancer were compared to the lipid levels of women with benign breast disease (control group 1) and healthy women (control group 2). Study samples were collected from the Department of Surgery, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, for a period of 1 year. Ethical measures were in compliance with the current Declaration of Helsinki. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS version 26. RESULTS: All of the comparison groups shared similar sociodemographic, anthropometric and obstetric characteristics. The incidence of dyslipidemia was significantly higher in breast cancer patients (96%) than in healthy women (84%) and patients with benign breast disease (82%) (P < 0.05 for both). The levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol among the breast cancer patient group were significantly higher than those among both benign breast disease patients and healthy women (P < 0.05), except for high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. Adjusting for other factors, body mass index (BMI) (kg/m2) (> 23) [OR 53.65; 95% CI: 5.70-504.73; P < 0.001] and total cholesterol (mg/dl) (≥ 200) [OR 16.05; 95% CI: 3.13-82.29; P < 0.001] were independently associated with breast cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Total cholesterol and BMI are independent predictors of breast cancer risk among Bangladeshi women.

Draft genome sequence of multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae Hakim-RU strain isolated from a patient with urinary tract infections in Bangladesh.

We unveil the genomic sequence of the Klebsiella pneumoniae Hakim-RU strain isolated from a patient with urinary tract infections. Our assembled genome spans 4.3 Mb with 73.0× coverage, an average GC content of 57.41%, 4 plasmids, 2 CRISPR arrays, 10 prophages, 41 antibiotic resistance genes, and 6 virulence factor genes.

Green synthesis of zinc oxide nano particles using Allium cepa L. waste peel extracts and its antioxidant and antibacterial activities.

Synthesis of nanoparticles through the green approach using plant and vegetable extracts has gained popularity since they are thought to be efficient and cost-effective materials. This study is designed to synthesize zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) from onion waste peel extract (Allium cepa L.) via the green synthesis approach. The synthesized ZnO-NPs were characterized by utilizing the UV-Vis spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM) and X-ray Powder Diffraction (XRD)techniques. The nanoparticles formation was confirmed by the UV-Vis sharp absorption spectra at 318 and 322 nm. The synthesized ZnO-NPs size and shape was revealed by the XRD and SEM respectively. Smallest nanoparticle average crystallite size was found 57.38 nm with hexagonal shape. The bioactive functional groups that are in charge of capping and stabilizing the ZnO-NPs was assured by the FTIR data. Further, prepared ZnO-NPs were used to assess their possible antioxidant and antibacterial properties. DPPH test for free radical scavenging showed potential antioxidant properties of the synthesized ZnO-NPs. The antibacterial activity were studied against three clinical strains: P. aeruginosa, E. coli, and S. aureus with the maximum zone of inhibition 13.17 mm, 22.00 mm and 12.35 mm respectively at 100 µg/mL subsequently minimum inhibitory concentration was found 50 µg/mL for P. aeruginosa, and S. aureus whereas 100 µg/mL for E. coli. Antioxidant and antibacterial activity tests appear bio-resource based ZnO-NPs from Allium cepa L. extract have effects on free radical and growth of microorganisms.Therefore, it could be a promising candidates for agricultural and food safety applications as an effective antimicrobial agent against pathogenic microorganisms and also can address future biomedical applications after complete in vivo study.

Improvement of mahogany leaf extract dye fixation on cotton-modal blend.

The manufacture of regenerated cellulose-based fibers for better mechanical and comfort qualities was stimulated by the rising demand for cotton and the low production rate needed to meet global demands. Modal-cotton blend provides better tensile and moisture management properties. The present work has been designed to sketch out the scope of increased dye fixation or dye uptake opportunity onto the blends. Cotton-modal blend was dyed with mahogany leaf extract dyes avoiding mordant. The higher wash fastness rating 4/5, 5 along with the FTIR characteristic bands around 1190-1210 cm-1 created attention for the confirmation of dye-fibre bonding. But as modal is a regenerated cellulosic fibre, there was a suspect of uneven fixation because of dual way dye penetration options inside the fibre: direct bonding with cotton cellulose and dye penetration into swollen modal fibre through segmental mobility theory. Fortunately the uniformity of shade was affirmed by the determination of evenness through random CMC DE and K/S values at distinguished parts of the same sample. Mordantless mahogany dye fixation on cotton-modal blend was found even at the elevated dyeing temperature of 130 °C. The detailed CIE Lab data explored the close symmetry and uniformity of the dyeing outcomes of the blend.

Molecular Epidemiology and Characterization of Theileria in Goats.

The study was carried out to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of theileriosis in goats of Chattogram district, Bangladesh. Molecular characterization of circulating Theileria in this area was also undertaken. A total of 400 samples were collected from goats of different breeds, ages and sex with relevant information of rearing and management. The prevalence of theileriosis was 8.50% (34/400) by polymerase chain reaction though all of those samples were test-negative by microscopic examination. Among different risk factors season, breed and tick infestation were found to be significantly (p ≤ 0.05) associated with the prevalence of theileriosis in goats. Serous nasal discharge and swollen lymph nodes were determined to be significant clinical signs. The Theileria spp. detected in the present study closely resemble isolates which were previously detected in Myanmar and China. Further large scale epidemiological studies are required to identify the circulating species and responsible vectors, which would facilitate control measures for this disease in Bangladesh.