Rapid neurodevelopmental assessment of newborn: a promise to ensure proper growth and development of all newborns in Bangladesh

Background: Neonates are susceptible to neurodevelopmental impairments due to various factors. The aim of the study was to use the n-RNDA tool to identify such impairments in neonates, enabling early interventions for improved outcomes.Methods: This facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Square Hospital Child Development Center from April 2019 to Nov 2021 with all neonates between ages of 15-28 days. A total 2928 neonates were enrolled and underwent n-RNDA assessment for detection of any types of neurodevelopmental impairments.Results: Among 2928 enrolled neonates, 8.1% exhibited neurodevelopmental impairments. Majority (60.6%) were from the NICU. Impairments varied across domains, with gross motor skills (99.2%) being most prevalent. Causes included respiratory distress syndrome (74%), sepsis (60%), and others. The study population was primarily urban (99.1%), with 100% parental literacy.Conclusions: The n-RNDA screening program for neonates facilitates early assessment, interventions, and long-term follow-up, potentially enhancing outcomes and quality of life. These findings advocate for policy development to institutionalize n-RNDA for early diagnoses and better outcomes in all neonates.

Antimicrobial activity of kojic acid from endophytic fungus Colletotrichum gloeosporioides isolated from Sonneratia apetala, a mangrove plant of the Sundarbans

Objective:To isolate and evaluate the antimicrobial activity of the active principle(s) from the ethyl acetate (EtOAc) extract of endophytic fungus Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (C. gloeosporioides) isolated from Sonneratia apetala.Methods:Water agar technique was used to isolate the fungus, and both microscopic and molecular techniques were used for identification of the strain. Potato dextrose broth was used to grow the fungus in large-scale. Reversed-phase preparative HPLC analysis was performed to isolate the major active compound, kojic acid. The EtOAc extract and kojic acid were screened for their antimicrobial activity against two Gram-positive and two Gram-negative bacteria as well as a fungal strain using the resazurin 96-well microtitre plate antimicrobial assay.Results:The fungus C. gloeosporioides was isolated from the leaves of Sonneratia apetala. Initial identification of the fugal isolate was carried out using spore characteristics observed under the microscope. Subsequently, the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 sequencing was employed for species-level identification of the fungus C. gloeosporioides. Five litres of liquid culture of the fungus produced approximately 610 mg of a mixture of secondary metabolites. Kojic acid (1) was isolated as the main secondary metabolite present in the fungal extract, and the structure was confirmed by 1D, 2D NMR and mass spectrometry. The EtOAc extract and compound 1 exhibited considerable antimicrobial activity against all tested microorganisms. Whilst the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values from the EtOAc extract ranged between 2.4× 10Conclusions:The results revealed that the endophytic fungus C. gloeosporioides could be a good source of commercially important kojic acid, which exhibited antimicrobial properties.

Antimicrobial activity of kojic acid from endophytic fungus Colletotrichum gloeosporioides isolated from Sonneratia apetala, a mangrove plant of the Sundarbans

Objective: To isolate and evaluate the antimicrobial activity of the active principle(s) from the ethyl acetate (EtOAc) extract of endophytic fungus Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (C. gloeosporioides) isolated from Sonneratia apetala. Methods: Water agar technique was used to isolate the fungus, and both microscopic and molecular techniques were used for identification of the strain. Potato dextrose broth was used to grow the fungus in large-scale. Reversed-phase preparative HPLC analysis was performed to isolate the major active compound, kojic acid. The EtOAc extract and kojic acid were screened for their antimicrobial activity against two Gram-positive and two Gram-negative bacteria as well as a fungal strain using the resazurin 96-well microtitre plate antimicrobial assay. Results: The fungus C. gloeosporioides was isolated from the leaves of Sonneratia apetala. Initial identification of the fugal isolate was carried out using spore characteristics observed under the microscope. Subsequently, the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 sequencing was employed for species-level identification of the fungus C. gloeosporioides. Five litres of liquid culture of the fungus produced approximately 610 mg of a mixture of secondary metabolites. Kojic acid (1) was isolated as the main secondary metabolite present in the fungal extract, and the structure was confirmed by 1D, 2D NMR and mass spectrometry. The EtOAc extract and compound 1 exhibited considerable antimicrobial activity against all tested microorganisms. Whilst the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values from the EtOAc extract ranged between 2.4× 10

Antioxidant, antibacterial activities and general toxicity of Alnus glutinosa, fraxinus excelsior and papaver rhoeas

Alnus glutinosa, Fraxinus excelsior and Papaver rhoeas have long been used in folkloric medicine for the treatment of various ailments. As part of our continuing screening of plant extracts for activities, the extracts of A. glutinosa, F. excelsior and P. rhoeas have been screened for their antioxidant and antibacterial activities, as well as their general toxicity towards brine shrimps. Among the extracts, the methanol [MeOH] extract of F. excelsior displayed the highest level of antioxidant activity [RC[50]=1.35x10[-2] mg/mL] and the dichloromethane [DCM] extract of P. rhoeas was the most toxic extract towards brine shrimps [LD[50]=2.4x10[-2] mg/mL]. The n-hexane and DCM extracts of F. excelsior and the MeOH extract of A. glutinosa were active [MIC values were within 1.25x10[-1] and 1.00 mg/mL] against all 8 bacterial species tested, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus [MRSA]

Two bioactive ferulic acid derivatives from eremostachys glabra

Two ferulic acid derivatives, hexacosyl-[E]-ferulate [1] and leucosceptoside A [2], have been isolated from the rhizomes of Eremostachys glabra. The chemical structures of these compounds have been elucidated by UV, ESIMS, 1H NMR and 13C NMR spectroscopic analyses, and also by comparing experimental data with respective literature data. The free radical scavenging activity and general toxicity of these compounds have been assessed. While none of these compounds has shown any significant general toxicity in the brine shrimp lethality assay [LD50>1 mg/mL], compounds 1 and 2 displayed significant antioxidant activity in the DPPH assay [RC50 = 0.0976 mg/mL and 0.0148 mg/mL, respectively]

Bioactive lignans from the seeds of centaurea macrocephala

The essential oil from flowering aerial parts of Nepeta depauperata Benth., an endemic Iranian plant, obtained by steam distillation was analyzed by GC/MS. The constituents were identified by their mass spectra and Kovats' indices. Thirty-three compounds consisting 82.52% of the total components were identified from the oil obtained with a yield of 0.3%v/w. Among them, spathulenol [31.84%], beta caryophyllene [12.93%] and caryophyllene oxide [10.27%] were the major components of the oil