Elevated Uptake and Translocation Patterns of Heavy Metals in Different Food Plants Parts and Their Impacts on Human Health.

Irrigation with contaminated wastewater is a common practice in cultivation of crops and vegetables in many developing countries due to the scarcity of available fresh water. The present study has investigated the transfer and mobilization trends of heavy metals in different crops and vegetables plants grown in contaminated soil and waterbody. The translocation patterns of metals from polluted sources into different organs of plants bodies such as roots and edible parts and associated health risks have been evaluated simultaneously. Total of 180 different environmental samples including food plants, agricultural soil, and irrigation water were collected and analyzed. Heavy metal concentrations (Fe, Ni, Mn, Pb, Cu, Cd, As) in water, soil, and different parts of crops and vegetable plants were compared with the permissible levels reported by FAO/WHO, EU, and USEPA. Different metals contents within the food plants were found to be in the order of Fe > Mn > Ni > Cu > Pb > Cd > As. Pollution load index (PLI) data indicate that soil is highly polluted with Cd as well as moderately contaminated by As and Cu. Bioconcentration factor (BCF) analysis showed excessive accumulation of some heavy metals in crops and vegetables. Target hazard quotient (THQ) and target carcinogenic risk (TCR) analysis data showed higher carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks for both adult and children from the consumption of metal-contaminated food items. The results of metal pollution index (MPI), estimated daily intake (EDI), and hazard index (HI) analyses demonstrated the patterns of metals pollution in different food plants.

Interaction between gastric enzyme pepsin and tetradecyltrimethylammonium bromide in presence of sodium electrolytes: Exploration of micellization behavior.

Pepsin is a proteolytic enzyme used in the treatment of digestive disorders. In this study, we investigated the physicochemical properties of the tetradecyltrimethylammonium bromide (TTAB) and pepsin protein mixture in various sodium salt media within a temperature range of 300.55-320.55 K with 5 K intervals. The conductometric study of the TTAB+pepsin mixture revealed a reduction in the critical micelle concentration (CMC) in electrolyte media. The micellization of TTAB was delayed in the presence of pepsin. The CMC of the TTAB + pepsin mixture was found to depend on the concentrations of electrolytes and protein, as well as the temperature variations. The aggregation of the TTAB+pepsin mixture was hindered as a function of [pepsin] and increasing temperatures, while micellization was promoted in aqueous electrolyte solutions. The negative free energy changes (∆Gm0) indicated the spontaneous aggregation of the TTAB+pepsin mixture. Changes in enthalpy, entropy, molar heat capacities, transfer properties, and enthalpy-entropy compensation variables were calculated and illustrated rationally. The interaction forces between TTAB and pepsin protein in the experimental solvents were primarily hydrophobic and electrostatic (ion-dipole) in nature. An analysis of molecular docking revealed hydrophobic interactions as the main stabilizing forces in the TTAB-pepsin complex.

Aggregation phenomena and physico-chemical properties of tetradecyltrimethylammonium bromide and protein (bovine serum albumin) mixture: Influence of electrolytes and temperature.

It is important for biological, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries to understand how proteins and surfactants interact. Herein, the interaction of bovine serum albumin (BSA) with tetradecyltrimethylammonium bromide (TTAB) in different inorganic salts (KCl, K2SO4, K3PO4.H2O) has been explored through the conductivity measurement method at different temperatures (300.55 to 325.55 K) with a specific salt concentration and at a fixed temperature (310.55 K) using different salts concentrations. The extent of micelle ionization (α) and different thermodynamic parameters associated with BSA and TTAB mixtures in salt solutions were calculated. Evaluation of the magnitudes of ∆Hm0 and ∆Sm0 showed that the association was exothermic and primarily an enthalpy-operated process in all cases at lower contents of BSA, but the system became endothermic, and entropy driven in the presence of K3PO4.H2O at a relatively higher concentration of BSA. The enthalpy-entropy compensation variables were determined, which explained the types and nature of interactions between TTAB and BSA in salt media. Molecular docking analysis revealed that the main stabilizing factors in the BSA-TTAB complex are electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions. These findings aligned with the significant results obtained from the conductometry method regarding the nature and characteristics of binding forces observed between BSA and TTAB.

Association of bovine serum albumin and cetyltrimethylammonium chloride: An investigation of the effects of temperature and hydrotropes.

Interactions between bovine serum albumin (BSA) and cetyltrimethylammonium chloride (CTAC) were studied utilizing conductivity approach. The critical micelle concentration (CMC), micelle ionization (α) along with counter ion binding (ß) of CTAC micellization in aqueous solutions of BSA/BSA + hydrotropes (HYTs) have been computed at 298.15-323.15 K. Increase in temperatures of CTAC + BSA/BSA mixtures in HYTs resulted in elevation of CMC due to the association of chemical species in the respective systems which reduced the degree of micelle formation. CTAC + BSA consumed greater extents of surfactant species to generate micelle formation in the corresponding systems at higher temperatures. Standard free energy change associated with the assembling processes of CTAC in BSA was found negative suggesting the spontaneous nature of micellization processes. Magnitudes of ∆Hm0 and ∆Sm0 obtained from CTAC + BSA aggregation revealed the existence of H-bonding, electrostatic interactions along with hydrophobic forces among the constituents employed in the respective systems. ∆Gm0 The estimated thermodynamic parameters of transfer (free energy (∆Gm,tr0), enthalpy (∆Hm,tr0) and entropy (∆Sm,tr0)) and compensation variables (∆Hm0,∗ and Tc) provided significant insights on the association behaviors of the CTAC + BSA system in the selected HYTs solutions.

Infection and Death Patterns of COVID-19 Disease in Bangladesh / Padrões de infecção e morte da doença COVID-19 em Bangladesh

Objectives: This study aimed to reveal the prevalence of COVID-19 and investigate the patterns of deaths due to novel coronavirus in Bangladesh. Methods: The data about daily incidences, sex and deaths by the geography of COVID-19 for Bangladesh as of August 29, 2020 have been collected from the daily press releases of the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) and Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). Case fatality rates (CFR), doubling time, correlation coefficient and graphical presentation were used to investigate the prevalence and patterns of infection and deaths. Results: Infection to tests, recovery to infections and death to infection rates due to novel coronavirus in Bangladesh until August 29, 2020 was 20.25%, 64.37% and 1.36% respectively. The correlation coefficient between daily tests and infections has found 0.978 with a 95% confidence interval 0.971 to 0.984. About 78.46% male and only 21.54% of females have died. Most deaths were found in the Dhaka division (48.26%) and the least deaths in the Mymensingh division (2.12%). The sex ratio of males to females in deaths was 364.23%. The age below 10 has found the least prevalent (0.45%) to deaths and above 60 has found most vulnerable (49.26%) to death. Conclusions: This study showed a strong positive relationship between daily tests and infections. The doubling time of infections and deaths in Bangladesh increased over time maintaining very low differences. Male people are more vulnerable to death compare to females. Aged people are extremely vulnerable to death. The most deaths geographical division is Dhaka and the least deaths in Mymensingh.

Objetivos: o objetivo deste estudo foi revelar a prevalência de COVID-19 e investigar os padrões de mortes por novos coronavírus em Bangladesh. Métodos: os dados sobre incidências diárias, sexo e mortes por geografia de COVID-19 para Bangladesh em 29 de agosto de 2020 foram coletados dos comunicados de imprensa diários do Instituto de Epidemiologia, Controle e Pesquisa de Doenças (IEDCR) e da Diretoria Geral de Serviços de Saúde (DGHS). As taxas de letalidade (CFR), o tempo de duplicação, o coeficiente de correlação e a apresentação gráfica foram usados para investigar a prevalência e os padrões de infecção e mortes. Resultados: as taxas de infecção para testes, recuperação de infecções e morte por infecção devido a novo coronavírus em Bangladesh até 29 de agosto de 2020 foram de 20,25%, 64,37% e 1,36%, respectivamente. O coeficiente de correlação entre os testes diários e infecções encontrou 0,978 com intervalo de confiança de 95% 0,971 a 0,984. Cerca de 78,46% homens e apenas 21,54% mulheres morreram. A maioria das mortes foi encontrada na divisão de Dhaka (48,26%) e menos mortes na divisão Mymensingh (2,12%). A proporção do sexo entre homens e mulheres nas mortes foi de 364,23%. A faixa etária abaixo de 10 apresentou menor prevalência (0,45%) aos óbitos e acima de 60 foi considerada mais vulnerável (49,26%) ao óbito. Conclusões: este estudo mostrou uma forte relação positiva entre testes diários e infecções. O tempo de duplicação de infecções e mortes em Bangladesh aumentou com o tempo, mantendo diferenças muito baixas. Os homens são mais vulneráveis à morte do que as mulheres. Pessoas idosas são extremamente vulneráveis à morte. A divisão geográfica com mais mortes é Dhaka e menos mortes é Mymensingh.

Impact of Maternal Household Decision-Making Autonomy on Child Nutritional Status in Bangladesh.

This study examines the relationship between maternal household decision-making autonomy and children's nutritional status using data from 2011 Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey. The analyses are restricted to 2056 currently married, nonpregnant women aged 15 to 49 years who had at least 1 birth 5 years preceding the survey. Theoretically relevant predictors of children's nutritional status including maternal autonomy are analyzed to identify factors significantly associated with children's nutritional status using stepwise logistic regression. Results indicate that 34.8% children are stunted, 16.1% are wasted, and 45.9% children are underweight. Children whose mothers participated in making all household decisions are 15%, 16%, and 32% significantly less likely to be stunted (odds ratio = 0.85; 95% CI = 0.67-0.98), underweight (odds ratio = 0.84; 95% CI = 0.70-0.98), and wasted (odds ratio = 0.68; 95% CI = 0.52-0.90), respectively, than mothers who did not participate in making any decision. Increasing maternal decision-making autonomy may reduce the prevalence of malnourished children as well as contribute to have a healthier future generation.

Heavy metal contamination in water, soil, and vegetables of the industrial areas in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Concentrations of Cu, Zn, Pb, Cr, Cd, Fe, and Ni have been estimated in soils and vegetables grown in and around an industrial area of Bangladesh. The order of metal contents was found to be Fe > Cu > Zn > Cr > Pb > Ni > Cd in contaminated irrigation water, and a similar pattern Fe > Zn > Ni > Cr > Pb > Cu > Cd was also observed in arable soils. Metal levels observed in different sources were compared with WHO, SEPA, and established permissible levels reported by different authors. Mean concentration of Cu, Fe, and Cd in irrigation water and Cd content in soil were much above the recommended level. Accumulation of the heavy metals in vegetables studied was lower than the recommended maximum tolerable levels proposed by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (1999), with the exception of Cd which exhibited elevated content. Uptake and translocation pattern of metal from soil to edible parts of vegetables were quite distinguished for almost all the elements examined.