Biodegradation of hydroxylated boron nitride nanoplatelets, their toxic effect and drug delivery application.

Boron nitride is extensively used in various biomedical applications and often interacting with the blood circulatory system. However, the effect of its biotransformation in blood plasma, drug delivery applications, and antitumor effects remains unclear. Herein, we synthesized hydroxylated BN nanoplatelets (-OH/BNNPs) that are used to load doxorubicin (DOX) for cancer therapy. The stability of the -OH/BNNPs was tested in a lab-made, artificially developed, in vivo system for up to sixty days at two different pH values (pH 5.5 & 7.4). The results were compared thoroughly with pristine BN, and it is observed that -OH/BNNPs was very stable for up to two months compared to pristine BN that degraded during the next day. The -OH functionalization on the BNNP surface improves the DOX loading compared to the bulk BN since the -OH functional group facilitates drug absorption through hydrogen bonding. This causes the sustained release of the drug, which is an ideal requirement in drug delivery systems. The DOX-loaded -OH/BNNPs showed excellent therapeutic abilities on different cancer cell lines and organoids derived from colorectal cancer patients.

Current insights and therapeutic strategies for targeting TRPV1 in neuropathic pain management.

Neuropathic pain, a common symptom of several disorders, exerts a substantial socioeconomic burden worldwide. Transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1), a non-selective cation channel predominantly ex-pressed in nociceptive neurons, plays a pivotal role in nociception, by detecting various endogenous and exogenous stimuli, including heat, pro-inflammatory mediators, and physical stressors. Dysregulation of TRPV1 signaling further contributes to the pathophysiology of neuropathic pain. Therefore, targeting TRPV1 is a promising strategy for developing novel analgesics with improved efficacy and safety profiles. Several pharmacological approaches to modulate TRPV1 activity, including agonists, antagonists, and biological TRPV1 RNA interference (RNAi, small interfering RNA [siRNA]) have been explored. Despite preclinical success, the clinical translation of TRPV1-targeted therapies has encountered challenges, including hyperthermia, hypothermia, pungency, and desensitization. Nevertheless, ongoing research efforts aim to refine TRPV1-targeted interventions through structural modifications, development of selective modulators, and discovery of natural, peptide-based drug candidates. Herein, we provide guidance for researchers and clinicians involved in the development of new interventions specifically targeting TRPV1 by reviewing the existing literature and highlighting current research activities. This study further discusses potential future research endeavors for enhancing the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of TRPV1 candidates, and thereby facilitates the translation of these discoveries into effective clinical interventions to alleviate neuropathic pain disorders.

Dual role of transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 in respiratory and gastrointestinal physiology: From molecular mechanisms to therapeutic targets.

The transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) channel plays a pivotal role in the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts. Within the respiratory system, TRPA1 exhibits diverse distribution patterns across key cell types, including epithelial cells, sensory nerves, and immune cells. Its activation serves as a frontline sensor for inhaled irritants, triggering immediate protective responses, and influencing airway integrity. Furthermore, TRPA1 has been implicated in airway tissue injury, inflammation, and the transition of fibroblasts, thereby posing challenges in conditions, such as severe asthma and fibrosis. In sensory nerves, TRPA1 contributes to nociception, the cough reflex, and bronchoconstriction, highlighting its role in both immediate defense mechanisms and long-term respiratory reflex arcs. In immune cells, TRPA1 may modulate the release of pro-inflammatory mediators, shaping the overall inflammatory landscape. In the gastrointestinal tract, the dynamic expression of TRPA1 in enteric neurons, epithelial cells, and immune cells underscores its multifaceted involvement. It plays a crucial role in gut motility, visceral pain perception, and mucosal defense mechanisms. Dysregulation of TRPA1 in both tracts is associated with various disorders such as asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and Inflammatory Bowel Disease. This review emphasizes the potential of TRPA1 as a therapeutic target and discusses the efficacy of TRPA1 antagonists in preclinical studies and their promise for addressing respiratory and gastrointestinal conditions. Understanding the intricate interactions and cross-talk of TRPA1 across different cell types provides insight into its versatile role in maintaining homeostasis in vital physiological systems, offering a foundation for targeted therapeutic interventions.

Irisin alleviates CFA-induced inflammatory pain by modulating macrophage polarization and spinal glial cell activation.

Although the potent anti-inflammatory effects of irisin have been documented in various inflammatory disorders, its efficacy against inflammatory pain remains unexplored. Herein, we examined the therapeutic effects of irisin in a mouse model of inflammatory pain induced by complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA). Mice were divided into three groups: normal control, CFA-injected (CFA), and CFA plus irisin-treated (CFA+Irisin). The irisin-treated group exhibited a gradual reduction in mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia when compared with the CFA group. Moreover, treatment with irisin significantly upregulated the expression of M2 macrophage markers (interleukin [IL]-4 and IL-10) and downregulated M1 macrophage markers (IL-1ß, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α) in the local paw tissue, dorsal root ganglion, and spinal cord tissue. However, there was no significant difference in the total number of F4/80+ macrophages in the paw tissue and dorsal root ganglion, indicating phenotypic exchange. Treatment with irisin also downregulated the expression of the glial cell activation-related markers Iba-1 and GFAP in the spinal cord tissue. To elucidate the underlying mechanisms, we detected the expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), MyD88, and interferon regulatory factor 5 (IRF5) in paw tissues, dorsal root ganglion, and spinal tissues, revealing that irisin could downregulate the expression of these proteins. Irisin alleviated inflammatory pain by modulating local tissue inflammation and peripheral and central neuroinflammation and reducing glial cell activation and M2 macrophage polarization by modulating the TLR4-MyD88-IRF5 signaling pathway. Accordingly, irisin is a promising candidate for treating inflammatory pain in various diseases.

Rice farmers' preferences for seed quality, packaging, and source: A study from northern Bangladesh.

The use of quality seeds is crucial to improve rice yield, food security, and farmers' livelihoods. The large informal seed system, limited access to quality seeds, and low seed replacement rate challenge increasing rice yield. Despite robust government initiatives to support the seed system, progress has been slow. Besides, the need for farmers' behavioural change, enhanced coordination, and communication at the local level has not received adequate attention. We investigate rice farmers' preferences for quality seed, packet sizes, types, and sources, and assess the impact of utilizing good quality seed. We collected quantitative data from 1196 rice farmers in northern Bangladesh in 2019. To identify major factors influencing farmers' preferences regarding quality seed, packet sizes, packet types, and seed sources, we employed ordered logit and multinomial logit models. Additionally, we used the propensity score matching procedure to assess the impact of good quality and formal seed sources on the rice yield. The findings revealed that farmers strongly prefer using seeds from formal sources despite limited accessibility. Of the total farmers, 34% use public source seeds, 33% use private source seeds, and the rest rely on their own saved seeds. The use of good quality seeds increased rice yields from the base yield by 0.07-0.28 t/ha. We found about a 48% gap in accessing good-quality seeds, indicating significant potential for scaling up the seed systems. Farmers using formal seed sources yielded 0.03-0.15 t/ha more than informal seed users. Farmers strongly prefer 5 kg packets due to their cost-effectiveness, easy storage, and handling convenience. Additionally, farmers prefer polycoated jute sacks for their versatility, multi-purpose applications, and resistance to pests. The econometric model results showed that farmers' preferences were significantly influenced by gender, farm type, crop yield, seed price, market distance, various stakeholders' advice, and seed supply systems' constraints. The government should implement policies and programs to strengthen a well-connected seed network in rural areas, promoting inclusivity, and enhancing rice productivity. Besides, farmers' needs and preferences should be considered in designing and implementing seed-related initiatives to foster sustainable agricultural development.

Effects of diabetes mellitus on retreatment of Tuberculosis: A multi-centered case-control study from Bangladesh.

Objectives: Several studies suggested that diabetes mellitus (DM) worsens the tuberculosis (TB) treatment outcome. But information regarding the association of DM with retreatment of TB is very scarce in Bangladesh. Present study aimed to assess the effects of DM on retreatment of TB. Methods: This case-control study was conducted among 254 patients (127 cases and 127 controls) from January 2022 - December 2022. Patients were recruited by purposive sampling from 92 centers of the Diabetic Association of Bangladesh (BADAS). Data were collected by face-to-face interview and record reviewing with the help of semi-structured questionnaire and checklist respectively. Quality of data was maintained in all stages of the study. Data were analyzed by using IBM SPSS software. Informed written consent was taken from each patient prior to the study. Ethical issues were maintained strictly. Results: Present study matched the age and sex of cases and controls. The study revealed that majority of case (89.0) and controls (97.6) were married. Among cases 78.0 % had DM and among controls 64.6 % had DM. Among diabetic patients, 78.8 % cases' and 64.6 % controls' HbA1C level was not within normal range. The study found that, the number of episodes of previous TB (AOR = 3.088, ρ = 0.019), presence of DM (AOR = 2.817, ρ = 0.012) and uncontrolled HbA1C level (AOR = 2.500, ρ = 0.028) were independently associated with retreatment of TB. Conclusion: The study found that presence of DM, uncontrolled HbA1C level and multiple episodes of previous TB were the risk factors for retreatment of TB. So, a separate guideline for treatment of TB-DM patients should be established to prevent retreatment cases.

Prevalence of opportunistic pathogens and anti-microbial resistance in urban aquaculture ponds.

Bacterial antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has emerged as a significant concern worldwide. The microbial community profile and potential AMR level in aquaculture ponds are often undervalued and attract less attention than other aquatic environments. We used amplicon and metagenomic shotgun sequencing to study microbial communities and AMR in six freshwater polyculture ponds in rural and urban areas of Bangladesh. Amplicon sequencing revealed different community structures between rural and urban ponds, with urban ponds having a higher bacterial diversity and opportunistic pathogens including Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, and Corynebacterium. Despite proteobacterial dominance, Firmicutes was the most interactive in the community network, especially in the urban ponds. Metagenomes showed that drug resistance was the most common type of AMR found, while metal resistance was only observed in urban ponds. AMR and metal resistance genes were found mainly in beta and gamma-proteobacteria in urban ponds, while AMR was found primarily in alpha-proteobacteria in rural ponds. We identified potential pathogens with a high profile of AMR and metal resistance in urban aquaculture ponds. As these ponds provide a significant source of protein for humans, our results raise significant concerns for the environmental sustainability of this food source and the dissemination of AMR into the food chain.

GLP-1 and Its Derived Peptides Mediate Pain Relief Through Direct TRPV1 Inhibition Without Affecting Thermoregulation.

Hormonal regulation during food ingestion and its association with pain prompted the investigation of the impact of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) on the transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1). Both endogenous and synthetic GLP-1 and an antagonist of GLP-1, exendin 9-39, reduced heat sensitivity in naïve mice. GLP-1-derived peptides (liraglutide, exendin-4, and exendin 9-39) effectively inhibited capsaicin (CAP)-induced currents and calcium responses in cultured sensory neurons and TRPV1-expressing cell lines. Notably, the exendin 9-39 alleviated CAP-induced acute pain, as well as chronic pain induced by complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) and spared nerve injury (SNI) in mice, without causing hyperthermia associated with other TRPV1 inhibitors. Electrophysiological analyses revealed that exendin 9-39 binds to the extracellular side of TRPV1, functioning as a noncompetitive inhibitor of CAP. Exendin 9-39 did not affect proton-induced TRPV1 activation, suggesting its selective antagonism. Among exendin 9-39 fragments, exendin 20-29 specifically binds to TRPV1, alleviating pain in both acute and chronic pain models without interfering with GLP-1R function. Our study revealed a novel role for GLP-1 and its derivatives in pain relief, proposing exendin 20-29 as a promising therapeutic candidate.

An Application of Throughput Request Satisfaction Method for Maximizing Concurrent Throughput in WLAN for IoT Application System.

With the wide applications of the Internet of Things (IoT) in smart home systems, IEEE 802.11n Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs) have become a frequently chosen communication technology due to their adaptability and affordability. In a high-density network of devices such as the smart home scenerio, a host often meets interferences from other devices and unequal Received Signal Strength (RSS) from Access Points (APs). This results in throughput unfairness/insufficiency problems between hosts communicating concurrently in WLAN. Previously, we have studied the throughput request satisfaction method to address this problem. It calculates the target throughput from measured single and concurrent throughputs of hosts and controls the actual throughput at this target one by applying traffic shaping at the AP. However, the insufficiency problem of maximizing the throughput is not solved due to interferences from other hosts. In this paper, we present an extension of the throughput request satisfaction method to maximize the throughput of a high-priority host under concurrent communications. It recalculates the target throughput to increase the actual throughput as much as possible while the other hosts satisfy the least throughput. For evaluations, we conduct experiments using the test-bed system with Raspberry Pi as the AP devices in several topologies in indoor environments. The results confirm the effectiveness of our proposal.

Assessment of the salt tolerance of diverse bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes during the early growth stage under hydroponic culture conditions.

Objectives: Soil salinity affects the growth of crop plants, leading to reduced productivity, and is a major challenge for wheat production worldwide. Various adaptations and mitigation approaches in combination with tolerant wheat genotypes can be useful for the sustainability of crop production in saline environments. However, the development of salt-tolerant wheat genotypes is one of the best and most efficient solutions for obtaining desirable yields. Considering these issues, an investigation was carried out under hydroponic nutrient culture conditions to assess the genetic variability and selection of salt-tolerant wheat genotypes by categorizing inequitable morphophysiological and genetic variability as well as multivariate analysis. Methods: To meet the objectives of this study, 100 wheat genotypes were tested hydroponically in 0 (control) and 15 dS m-1 salt solutions. Conclusion: For all the wheat genotypes grown under saline conditions, the shoot length (SL), root length (RL), shoot fresh weight (SFW), root fresh weight (RFW), total fresh weight (TFW), shoot dry weight (SDW), root dry weight (RDW), and total dry weight (TDW) decreased significantly. Furthermore, significant variation was observed among the genotypes in terms of their characteristics only under saline conditions. In the case of genetic diversity analysis, a high genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV), phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV), genetic advance in the percentage of the mean (GAM) and high heritability (h2b) were recorded for all tested wheat genotypes based on the SDW, RDW and TDW. Correlation analysis for both genotypic and phenotypic relationships revealed strong positive correlations for TDW, SDW, TFW and SFW. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that TDW, TFW, SDW, and SFW were the most discriminative variables for the wheat genotypes, which was confirmed by discriminant function analysis (DFA). PCA-biplot analysis also revealed significant positive correlations between SDW and SFW and between TDW and TFW. Hierarchical cluster analysis was performed for ten clusters based on the relative performance of the genotypes, where the genotypes were characterized into salt-tolerant, medium-salt-tolerant, medium-salt-susceptible and salt-susceptible groups. Among the genotypes, G11, G25 and G29 under cluster VII were categorized as salt tolerant based on their outstanding performance in terms of characteristics only under saline conditions. D2 analysis proved that the wheat genotypes of this cluster were highly divergent from the other cluster genotypes; as a result, these genotypes might be utilized as parents in the development of salt-tolerant wheat genotypes. The current study concluded that SDW and TDW could be employed as criteria for selecting and defining salt-tolerant genotypes during the early growth stage of wheat.

Specific transcription factors Ascl1 and Lhx6 attenuate diabetic neuropathic pain by modulating spinal neuroinflammation and microglial activation in mice.

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neuronal system-related transcription factors (TFs) play a critical role in GABA production, and GABA modulates diabetic neuropathic pain (DNP). The present study investigated the therapeutic effects of intrathecal delivery of two TFs achaete-scute homolog 1 (Ascl1) and LIM homeobox protein 6 (Lhx6) in a mouse model of DNP and elucidated their underlying mechanisms. GABA-related specific TFs, including Ascl1, Lhx6, distal-less homeobox 1, distal-less homeobox 5, the Nkx2.1 homeobox gene, and the Nkx2.2 homeobox gene, were investigated under normal and diabetic conditions. Among these, the expression of Ascl1 and Lhx6 was significantly downregulated in mice with diabetes. Therefore, a single intrathecal injection of combined lenti-Ascl1/Lhx6 was performed. Intrathecal delivery of lenti-Ascl1/Lhx6 significantly relieved mechanical allodynia and heat hyperalgesia in mice with DNP. Ascl1/Lhx6 delivery also reduced microglial activation, decreased the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines including tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin (IL)-1ß, increased the levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines including IL-4, IL-10, and IL-13, and reduced the activation of p38, c-Jun N-terminal kinase, and NF-κB in the spinal cord of mice with DNP, thereby reducing DNP. The results of this study suggest that intrathecal Ascl1/Lhx6 delivery attenuates DNP via upregulating spinal GABA neuronal function and inducing anti-inflammatory effects.

Whole genome sequence of denitrifying bacterium Stutzerimonas stutzeri strain NGHE31, collected from an eutrophic wetland in Sunamganj, Bangladesh, following the 2017 flash floods.

Here, we report the whole genome sequence of Stutzerimonas stutzeri strain NGHE31, isolated from Dekhar Haor, following the 2017 flash flood that resulted in mass die-offs of local wildlife. The predicted genome size is 4,434,670 bp, with 63.97% GC content, 4,035 coding sequences, 3 rRNAs, and 50 tRNAs.

Prevalence and factors associated with depression and anxiety among COVID-19 survivors in Dhaka city.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a global public health concern. Evidence shows that depression and anxiety are common among patients with COVID-19 after recovery. About one-third of the total COVID-19 cases in Bangladesh have been reported in Dhaka city. Therefore, the study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of depression and anxiety among COVID-19 survivors in Dhaka city as well as to identify the factors associated with these mental health conditions. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among a total of 384 COVID-19 survivors aged 18 years or older. Data collection was done through face-to-face and telephone interviews using a semi-structured questionnaire. Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) scales were used to assess depression and anxiety, respectively. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the predictors of depression and anxiety among patients recovered from COVID-19. Results: The overall prevalence of depression and anxiety was 26.0% and 23.2%, respectively among COVID-19 survivors. The respondents who were ≥60 years were 2.62 and 3.02 times more likely to report depressive and anxiety symptoms, respectively than those aged 18 to 39 years. Hospitalised patients recovered from COVID-19 had a 2.18 times higher chance of developing anxiety than their non-hospitalised counterparts. COVID-19 recovered patients with comorbidities were at 3.35 and 2.97 times higher risk of depression and anxiety, respectively compared to those without comorbidities. Similarly, the respondents who had already passed a period of 15 days to 3 months after recovery showed 3.06 and 1.85 times higher odds of depression and anxiety, respectively than those who had already passed a period of above 3 to 6 months after recovery. Conclusion: The study reported a high prevalence of depression and anxiety among COVID-19 survivors living in Dhaka city. The findings suggest the need for appropriate interventions to reduce mental health complications in COVID-19 survivors.

Surface Reconstruction with Aprotic Trimethylsulfonium Iodide for Efficient and Stable Perovskite Solar Cells.

Organic ammonium salts are widely used for surface passivation to enhance the photovoltaic (PV) performance and stability of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). However, the protic nature of ammonium units results in the quick degradation of perovskites due to the hydrogen bonding interaction with water molecules. Recently, organo-sulfur compounds have attracted growing interest as passivation layers on three-dimensional perovskites due to their moisture-resistive behavior. Herein, trimethylsulfonium iodide (TMSI), an aprotic S-based organic compound, is employed for surface modification of methylammonium lead iodide-based PSCs to impede moisture penetration, improve charge transfer, and passivate surface defects. The TMSI effectively passivates uncoordinated Pb through Pb···S interactions, and the optimized PSC exhibits a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 21.03% with an open-circuit voltage of ca. 1.13 V under one-sun illumination, while it reached up to 37.58 and 37.69% under low-intensity indoor illuminations, 1000 and 2000 lx with LED 5000 K, respectively. TMSI-treated cells display enhanced device stability by retaining 92.7% of their initial PCE after 50 days of storage in ambient conditions. This study provides a novel and effective surface reconstruction strategy with aprotic materials to improve PV performance and device stability in PSCs.

Whole-genome sequence of Proteus faecis CR112, isolated from the gut of a healthy Labeo rohita.

Bacteria of the genus Proteus are gram-negative bacilli. Proteus faecis CR112 was isolated from fish gut based on its antibacterial activity against fish pathogens. The genome sequence of CR112 provided valuable information about its secondary metabolite gene clusters.