Snapshot study of canine distemper virus in Bangladesh with on-site PCR detection and nanopore sequencing.

Canine distemper virus (CDV) is a highly contagious virus that affects domestic and wild animals, causing severe illness with high mortality rates. Rapid monitoring and sequencing can provide valuable information about circulating CDV strains, which may foster effective vaccination strategies and the successful integration of these into conservation programs. During two site visits in Bangladesh in 2023, we tested a mobile, deployable genomic surveillance setup to explore the genetic diversity and phylogenetic patterns of locally circulating CDV strains. We collected and analysed 355 oral swab samples from stray dogs in Rajshahi and Chattogram cities, Bangladesh. CDV-specific real-time RT-PCR was performed to screen the samples. Out of the 355 samples, 7.4% (10/135) from Rajshahi city and 0.9% (2/220) from Chattogram city tested positive for CDV. We applied a real-time RT-PCR assay and a pan-genotype CDV-specific amplicon-based Nanopore sequencing technology to obtain the near-completes. Five near-complete genome sequences were generated, with phylogenetic relation to the India-1/Asia-5 lineage previously identified in India. This is the first study to provide genomic data on CDV in Bangladesh and the first demonstration of a mobile laboratory setup as a powerful tool in rapid genomic surveillance and risk assessment for CDV in low resource regions.

Genetic variability of Haemonchus contortus isolates in small ruminants from slaughterhouses in Bangladesh.

Haemonchus contortus is a blood-sucking gastrointestinal nematode that infects all ruminants and causes significant economic losses in production. Characterizing the genetic variability of H. contortus populations is crucial for understanding patterns of disease transmission and developing effective control strategies against haemonchosis. This study aimed to identify the genetic variability of H. contortus isolates in small ruminants from slaughterhouses in Bangladesh. During January to December 2015, 400 abomasa samples were collected and 186 were found to be positive for Haemonchus. A 321-bp fragment of the second internal transcribed spacer (ITS-2) of nuclear ribosomal DNA and an 800-bp fragment of the mitochondrial nicotinamide dehydrogenase subunit-4 gene (nad4) were amplified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and directly sequenced. The results showed 10 genotypes (ITS-2) and 45 haplotypes (nad4) among the 186 worms. The sequences were 98.5 to 100% identical to reference sequences from the GenBank database. ITS-2 sequence analysis revealed four nucleotide substitutions at positions 30, 41, 42, and 216. There was one transition (C/T) at position 42 and three transversions (C/A at position 30, G/C at position 41, and T/A at position 216). The nad4 gene sequences showed 15 substitutions, all of which were transitions. The pairwise distance of ITS-2 between H. contortus populations ranged from 0.005 to 1.477. The nucleotide diversity (µ) among the populations was 0.009524 using ITS-2 and 0.00394 using nad4. This study indicated low genetic deviation among H. contortus populations in Bangladesh.

Efficacy and Safety of Analog Insulin in Comparison With Human Insulin for Hyperglycemia in Hospitalized Patients With Acute Stroke: A Randomized, Open-Label, Single-Center Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy and safety of analog insulins in comparison with human insulins for hyperglycemia in hospitalized patients with acute stroke. METHODS: In this single-center, open-label, randomized trial, 102 patients (age 59.4 ± 11.7 years, 54 women) admitted with acute stroke (52 ischemic, 50 hemorrhagic) and hyperglycemia were assigned to analog insulin (n = 52) or human insulin (n = 50) group during February to June 2021. Insulin was initiated and titrated according to the predefined standard protocol. The capillary blood glucose (BG) level was monitored by standardized glucometers. The primary outcomes were mean daily BG and the number of hypoglycemic events. RESULTS: Between the 2 treatment groups, there was no significant difference in the mean daily BG (P >.05 for all days) or in the frequency of hypoglycemic episodes (P =.727). Four participants experienced severe hypoglycemia; all were receiving human insulin (P =.054). In the analog insulin group, there was a tendency toward lower daily total requirement for insulin (P =.053). The difference in bolus insulin dose was significantly lower in the analog insulin group (P =.029), but the difference in basal insulin dose was similar (P =.167). Between the 2 groups, there were no significant differences in the hospital mortality rate, modified Rankin Scale score on outcome, or length of hospital stay (P =.729,.658, and.918, respectively). CONCLUSION: Hospitalized patients acute stroke and hyperglycemia exhibited similar mean BG but a trend of lower incidence of severe hypoglycemia when treated with analog insulins in comparison with human insulin.

Antimicrobial Resistance Profile of Common Foodborne Pathogens Recovered from Livestock and Poultry in Bangladesh.

Multidrug-resistant (MDR) foodborne pathogens have created a great challenge to the supply and consumption of safe & healthy animal-source foods. The study was conducted to identify the common foodborne pathogens from animal-source foods & by-products with their antimicrobial drug susceptibility and resistance gene profile. The common foodborne pathogens Escherichia coli (E. coli), Salmonella, Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, and Campylobacter species were identified in livestock and poultry food products. The prevalence of foodborne pathogens was found higher in poultry food & by-product compared with livestock (p < 0.05). The antimicrobial drug susceptibility results revealed decreased susceptibility to penicillin, ampicillin, amoxicillin, levofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, tetracycline, neomycin, streptomycin, and sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim whilst gentamicin was found comparatively more sensitive. Regardless of sources, the overall MDR pattern of E. coli, Salmonella, Staphylococcus, and Streptococcus were found to be 88.33%, 75%, 95%, and 100%, respectively. The genotypic resistance showed a prevalence of blaTEM, blaSHV, blaCMY, tetA, tetB, sul1, aadA1, aac(3)-IV, and ereA resistance genes. The phenotype and genotype resistance patterns of isolated pathogens from livestock and poultry had harmony and good concordance, and sul1 & tetA resistance genes had a higher prevalence. Good agricultural practices along with proper biosecurity may reduce the rampant use of antimicrobial drugs. In addition, proper handling, processing, storage, and transportation of foods may decline the spread of MDR foodborne pathogens in the food chain.

Seroprevalence of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies in Chattogram Metropolitan Area, Bangladesh.

Seroprevalence studies of COVID-19 are used to assess the degree of undetected transmission in the community and different groups such as health care workers (HCWs) are deemed vulnerable due to their workplace hazards. The present study estimated the seroprevalence and quantified the titer of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody (IgG) and its association with different factors. This cross-sectional study observed HCWs, in indoor and outdoor patients (non-COVID-19) and garment workers in the Chattogram metropolitan area (CMA, N = 748) from six hospitals and two garment factories. Qualitative and quantitative ELISA were used to identify and quantify antibodies (IgG) in the serum samples. Descriptive, univariable, and multivariable statistical analysis were performed. Overall seroprevalence and among HCWs, in indoor and outdoor patients, and garment workers were 66.99% (95% CI: 63.40-70.40%), 68.99% (95% CI: 63.8-73.7%), 81.37% (95% CI: 74.7-86.7%), and 50.56% (95% CI: 43.5-57.5%), respectively. Seroprevalence and mean titer was 44.47% (95% CI: 38.6-50.4%) and 53.71 DU/mL in the non-vaccinated population, respectively, while it was higher in the population who received a first dose (61.66%, 95% CI: 54.8-68.0%, 159.08 DU/mL) and both doses (100%, 95% CI: 98.4-100%, 255.46 DU/mL). This study emphasizes the role of vaccine in antibody production; the second dose of vaccine significantly increased the seroprevalence and titer and both were low in natural infection.

Molecular detection and risk factors associated with multidrug-resistant Campylobacter jejuni from broiler cloacal and meat samples in Bangladesh.

The gastrointestinal tract of poultry is a potential source of Campylobacter jejuni. Here, the prevalence, risk factors, antimicrobial susceptibility profile and genetic relationship of C. jejuni were studied in broilers from farms and meat from live bird markets (LBMs) and super shops (SS). Pooled cloacal samples were obtained from farms in six districts of Bangladesh between June 2019 and March 2020. Pooled meat samples were obtained from LBMs and SS in the Chattogram district. Microbial culture, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), antimicrobial susceptibility tests were used to detect multidrug-resistant C. jejuni. A positive PCR amplicon was validated by mapA partial gene sequencing and subsequent phylogenetic analysis. In total, 12.5% (95% CI: 8.5-17.7%) of farms (N = 216) and 27.1% (95% CI: 15.28-41.85%) of LBMs and SS (N = 48) tested positive for C. jejuni. Moreover, 98% of the isolates were multidrug-resistant, with 86% resistant to five or more antimicrobial groups. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed a downtime of <14 days, no separate footwear for shed access, and more than one person entering the sheds were significantly associated with C. jejuni colonization. Phylogenetic analysis revealed a strong relationship between C. jejuni strains obtained in Bangladesh and strains isolated in India, South Africa and Grenada from humans, pigs and bats. This study revealed significant contamination of broiler meat with Campylobacter spp. and C. jejuni. Potential sources of contamination and anthropogenic factors associated with the alarming prevalence of C. jejuni identified in this study would aid in reducing the growing risks of broiler-associated pathogens.

A Survey on Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices of Large-Animal Farmers towards Antimicrobial Use, Resistance, and Residues in Mymensingh Division of Bangladesh.

The widespread and indiscriminate use of antimicrobials in food animals is a key contributor to antimicrobial resistance and antimicrobial residue, which have become a growing public and animal health concern in developing countries such as Bangladesh. This study was aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) of large-animal farmers towards antimicrobial use (AMU), antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and antimicrobial residue (AR) with their correlation. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with a structured and pretested questionnaire in the Mymensingh division of Bangladesh. A total of 212 large-animal farmers (dairy, beef fattening, buffalo, sheep, and goat farmers) were surveyed. Results showed that most of the farmers are male (85.8%) and belong to the 18-30 age group (37.3%). About 20.3% had no formal education, and nearly half of the participants (48.1%) received training regarding antibiotic use and resistance. Penicillin is the most common class of antibiotic used (61.8%) in the study area, followed by other antimicrobials. Only 37.7% of the farmers used antimicrobials on the recommendation of their veterinarian. Overall, 41.5%, 42.5%, and 21.7% of farmers possess adequate knowledge and a satisfactory attitude and perform desirable practices, respectively. Farmers in the 31-40 age group have adequate knowledge, attitude, and ability to implement desired practices compared to farmers in the 18-30 age group. Farmers having a graduate or post-graduate degree scored better in relation to knowledge, attitude, and practice than other farmers. Analysis revealed that farmers who received training on AMU and AMR had 10.014 times (OR = 10.014, 95% CIs: 5.252-19.094), 9.409 times (OR = 9.409, 95% CIs: 4.972-17.806), and 25.994 times (OR = 25.994, 95% CIs: 7.73-87.414) better knowledge, attitude, and performance, respectively, compared to their counterparts. A significant proportion of farmers (97.2%) dispose of leftover antibiotics inappropriately. The findings of the present study will be used to intervene in the education and training of the farmers, which will help to limit the indiscriminate and irrational use of antimicrobials, leading to reducing the chances of developing AMR.

Endometrial cytokine expression from clinically suspected genital tuberculosis patients at tertiary care hospitals in Dhaka.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to measure gamma interferon (IFN-γ) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) expression in endometrial tissue and/or aspirate from suspected genital tuberculosis patients with ectopic pregnancy and infertility in Bangladesh. METHODOLOGY: A total 78 women of clinically suspected genital tuberculosis patients were enrolled as study population. These patients underwent manual vaccum aspiration (MVA) procedure, and endometrial tissues and/or aspirates were collected. Ziehl -Neelsen staining (Z-N staining) and Lowen-Stein Jensen (L-J) culture were done to detect Mycobacterium. The study participants were categorized as genital tuberculosis positive cases, genital tuberculosis negative cases and presumptive for tuberculosis cases based on the case definition used in this study. TNF-α and IFN-γ were measured by ELISA. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS (version-22). RESULTS: Out of 78 participants, pro-inflammatory cytokines IFN-γ and TNF-α were significantly increased in TB positive patients than TB negative patients (p < 0.05). IFN-γ value of TB positive patients (41.26 ± 41.05) was higher than TB negative (22.94 ± 44.51) patients. TNF-α value (44.31 ± 64.22) of TB positive patients was higher than TB negative (15.86 ± 41.45) patients. IFN-γ and TNF-α value of presumptive for tuberculosis cases were not statistically significant. According to ROC analysis, cut off value for IFN-γ was 23.5 and for TNF-α was 10 with highest sensitivity and specificity of 66.7%, 89.3%, and 66.7% and 73.1% respectively. CONCLUSION: IFN-γ and TNF-α were significantly higher in TB positive patients and it may act as a potential biomarker for diagnosis of genital tuberculosis.

Determination of antibiotic residues in milk and assessment of human health risk in Bangladesh.

Consumption of milk contaminated with antibiotic residues above the maximum residue limit (MRL) causes toxicity to humans and the development of superbugs that leads to the failure of antibiotic therapy and threatens human life. Moreover, long-duration exposure might alter the nature of gut microflora, resulting in the enhancement of many diseases. Therefore, our study aims to find out the residues level of selected antibiotics in milk and assessments of humans health risks. We examined 300 raw and processed milk samples using thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) methods against five veterinary antibiotics and assessed the health risk for consumers in Chattogram, Bangladesh. Risk analysis was done by using a hazard quotient based on 165 ml per capita milk consumption. We found a total of 7 % prevalence of antibiotic residues in raw milk, which were higher (8 %) in individual milk samples than the pooled samples (4 %). However, we did not find any antibiotic residues in processed milk. The mean concentration of oxytetracycline residue was detected at 61.29 µg/l, and amoxicillin was 124 µg/l in individual milk samples. Risk analysis showed that, the hazard quotient values are 0.0056 for oxytetracycline and 0.0017 for amoxicillin residues. This result implied no significant health risks associated with the consumption of milk produced and marketed in the study area. Our study might fill up the gaps of knowledge in measuring the safety status of milk regarding public health issues.

First report of canine parvovirus molecular detection in Bangladesh.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Canine parvovirus (CPV) is the most important cause of mortality in dogs in many parts of the world. Clinical cases exhibit characteristic signs, including foul-smelling bloody diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and dehydration. This study assessed field and vaccine variants of parvovirus in the Chattogram metropolitan area, Bangladesh. The investigation also aimed to identify risk factors for this disease. This research is the first to identify the presence of CPV in Bangladesh through molecular examination. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From October to December 2019, a total of 100 dogs were included in the study. Rectal swabs were taken from all dogs. Twenty dogs showed clinical signs of parvovirus. All clinically affected animals along with 20 randomly selected healthy dogs were tested using amplification refractory mutation system (ARMS)-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to identify variants from the samples. Logistic regression model analysis was performed to determine the possible risk factors for CPV. RESULTS: ARMS-PCR showed the presence of all three variants, CPV2a, CPV2b, and CPV2c, in clinically ill dogs, and vaccines available in the study area showed either CPV2a or CPV2b strain. The CPV2c variants showed a higher incidence than the other variants. All apparently healthy animals tested were molecularly negative. Multivariable logistic regression model (generalized linear mixed model) indicated that exotic breeds were 3.83 times more likely to be infected by CPV than local breeds. Furthermore, dogs reared in semi-intensive and extensive management systems were 3.64 and 3.79 times more likely to be infected, respectively, than those reared in an intensive management system. CONCLUSION: These findings provide practitioners and pet owners information on the occurrence of different variants and help design effective prevention strategies for CPV infection.

Synthesis, biological evaluation and molecular modeling of benzofuran piperidine derivatives as Aß antiaggregant.

A series of benzofuran piperidine derivatives were designed, synthesized and evaluated as multifunctional Aß antiaggregant to treat Alzheimer's disease (AD). In vitro results revealed that all of them are very good Aß antiaggregants and some of the compounds are potent acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors with moderate antioxidant property. Selected compounds were also tested for neuroprotection activity, LDH release, ATP production and inhibitory activity to prevent Aß peptides binding to the cell membrane. The different modifications introduced in the structure of our lead compound 3 (hAChE IC50 = 61 µM and self induced Aß 25-35 aggregation 45.45%), to increase its activity toward AD related targets. The most interesting multifunctional Aß antiaggregants were compounds 3a, 3h and 3i, highlighting 3h as potent Aß antiaggregant and good antiacetylholinesterase inhibitor (self induced Aß 25-35 aggregation 57.71% and hAChE IC50 = 21 µM), with good neuroprotective and antioxidant activity. In addition, these three most promising compounds prevent intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation and cell apoptosis induced by Aß25-35 peptides in SH-SY5Y cells. Molecular docking studies were also accomplished to understand the binding interaction of these compounds on Aß monomer, Aß fibril and AChE. Based on all data, compounds 3a, 3h and 3i were concluded as potent multifunctional Aß antiaggregant, useful candidate for the treatment of AD.

Hemichorea-Hemiballism in A 50-Year-Old Man With Newly Diagnosed Diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: Hyperglycemia may cause acute central nervous system dysfunction manifesting as agonizing involuntary movements due to insult to the basal ganglia. We report a case of hemichorea-hemiballism (HCHB) in a patient with diabetes. METHOD: Clinical assessment of the patient was performed, along with laboratory tests and brain imaging. RESULTS: The patient was a 50-year-old man with newly detected diabetes with persistent involuntary movement of the right upper and lower limbs for few weeks. The involuntary movement was nonrhythmic, nonpatterned, purposeless, and often jerky with variable amplitude and frequency, sometimes wild and flailing in the form of hemichorea with a ballistic component (HCHB). He had a history of poor compliance to prescribed oral antidiabetic drugs. At presentation, although he was hemodynamically stable, random capillary blood glucose level was 18 mmol/L and glycated hemoglobin A1 level was 15.1% (141.5 mmol/mol). Clinical examination did not reveal any focal deficit or positive Babinski sign. There was a hyperintensity in the left basal ganglia region in T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain, which was iso-to-hyperintense in T2-weighted image and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery sequence. There was no restriction of diffusion on the diffusion-weighted image or blooming on gradient echo sequences, indicating absence of infarction or hemorrhage. Control of hyperglycemia resulted in disappearance of the involuntary movement within 1 month. CONCLUSION: While there are many differential diagnoses for HCHB, the clinical scenario suggests hyperglycemia as the underlying cause in this patient. This case reiterates that multiple central nervous system manifestations may be attributable to diabetes.

Seroprevalence and risk factors for bovine brucellosis in the Chittagong Metropolitan Area of Bangladesh.

Brucellosis is a neglected endemic zoonosis in Bangladesh and has a significant impact on public health and animal welfare of dairy farming as well as dairy farm economics. A cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate the seroprevalence of and risk factors for brucellosis in dairy cattle in the Chittagong metropolitan area (CMA) of Chittagong, Bangladesh. We collected serum samples (n = 158) from six randomly selected dairy farms in the CMA between February and November, 2015. The Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT) and a competitive ELISA (cELISA) were used as the screening and confirmatory tests respectively. Farm level and animal level demographic and risk factor data were collected using a questionnaire. The risk factors were analysed using a multivariable logistic regression with random effects. The overall seroprevalences of antibodies against brucellosis in cattle were 21.5% (34/158) and 7.6% (12/158) based on parallel and serial interpretation of the two tests respectively. Our results revealed that 20.3% (32/158) samples were positive using the RBPT and 8.9% (14/158) were positive using the cELISA. The within-herd seroprevalence ranged from 10% to 26.3% and 5 to 20.7% using the RBPT and cELISA tests respectively. The odds of seropositivity were significantly higher in lactating cows (OR: 2.59; 95% CI: 1.02-6.55), cows producing less than 2 litres of milk (OR: 29.6; 95% CI: 4.3-353.8), cow producing 2-12 litres of milk (OR: 4.8; 95% CI: 1.1-33.4) and cows with reproductive disorders (OR: 3.2; 95% CI: 1.2-10.1). About 7.6% (12/158) and 1.3% (2/158) of cattle were found to be infected with acute and chronic brucellosis respectively. Based on these results, we suggest that cows that have reproductive disorders and are producing little milk should be prioritized for brucellosis screening in CMA. The screening tests should be used to control brucellosis in cattle in order to protect animal welfare, human health and to minimize the economic losses.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of geniposide derivatives as potent and selective PTPlB inhibitors.

Herein a series of Geniposide derivatives were designed, synthesized and evaluated as protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTPlB) inhibitors. Most of these compounds exhibited potent in vitro PTP1B inhibitory activities, the representative 7a and 17f were found to be the most potent inhibitors against the enzyme with IC50 values of 0.35 and 0.41 µM, respectively. More importantly, they showcased 4 to10-fold selectivity over SHP2 and 3-fold over TCPTP. Further biological activity studies revealed that compounds 7a, 17b and 17f could effectively enhance insulin-stimulated glucose uptake with no significant cytotoxicity. Subsequent molecular docking and structural activity relationship analyses demonstrated that the glucose scaffold, benzylated glycosyl groups, and arylethenesulfonic acid ester significantly impact on the activity and selectivity.

Frequency and prevalence of clinical conditions and therapeutic drugs used in dog and cat at Teaching Veterinary Hospital, Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University.

OBJECTIVE: This study was carried out to determine the frequency and prevalence of clinical conditions and their treatment, especially antibiotics in dogs and cats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A period of 12-month retrospective study was conducted at the Teaching Veterinary Hospital, Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chittagong, Bangladesh from July 2018 to June 2019. A total of 849 cases, including 488(57.5%) and 361 (42.5%) dogs and cats respectively, were in account to espy the clinical conditions. Season, age, sex, and breed were the parameters to analyze the prevalence of those clinical conditions. RESULTS: From the study, it was found that the endoparasitic infestation was highly frequent in both dog and cat (55% in dogs and 59% in cats). The endoparasitic infestation was highly prevalent in cats (91.53%) significantly (p = 0.003), which were ≤1 year of age. On the other hand, the ectoparasitic infestation was found prevalent significantly (p = 0.06) in the winter than any season and dewormed dogs (p = 0.03). Prevalence of canine parvovirus infection in dogs and wound in cats were substantially higher (p < 0.001 and p=0.05 respectively) in the winter whereas the prevalence of myiasis in dogs was prominent in the rainy season significantly (p = 0.01). The mostly used antibiotic was ceftriaxone (9.5% in dogs and 4% in cats). CONCLUSION: Different endoparasitic, ectoparasitic, and infectious diseases found prone to infect pet animals, mainly dogs, and cats. By maintaining proper anthelmintics and vaccine shots may act as a prevention procedure to those infections.

A Hospital-Based Study of Iodine Nutrition Status of Breastfeeding Mothers in Bangladesh.

Adequacy of iodine nutrition status in breastfeeding mothers is vital in preventing iodine deficiency disorder (IDD) in neonates and children. The aim of the study was to assess urinary iodine status in breastfeeding mothers attending Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) hospital in Bangladesh. In this cross-sectional study carried out from January 2014 to January 2015, urinary iodine (UI; µgm/L) level of 266 mothers (age 26.6 ± 4.7 years (mean ± SD), exclusively breastfeeding: 132 and nonexclusively breastfeeding: 134), recruited on consecutive basis from BSMMU outdoor and indoor, were measured in spot urine following the wet digestion method. Median UI in the participants was 298.6 (interquartile range, IQR 206.6-454.9) µgm/L and only 6.4% lactating mother had low UI (i.e. <100 µgm/L). There was no difference of median UI in relation to exclusive or nonexclusive breast feeding, presence of goiter, parity, and age of breastfed baby (p=ns for all). But median UI was higher in older subjects (≥30 years vs. <30 years: 364.4 (228.4-529.9) vs. 283.7 (205.4-434.0); median (IQR) p=0.040)), with good socioeconomic condition (good vs. average or less: 328.2 (243.8-510.0) vs. 274.4 (200.0-433.3); median (IQR); p=0.020), and in those who are aware regarding the importance of iodine (aware vs. unaware: 316.6 (225.2-506.3) vs. 270.1 (196.0-407.2); median (IQR); p=0.018). The proportion of participants with UI < 100 µgm/L was similar in all the groups. Logistic regressions to predict deficient UI status revealed none of the variables to be an independent predictor. This study indicates that deficient iodine nutrition status in Bangladeshi breastfeeding mothers is not frequent at present.

Investigation of stereoisomeric bisarylethenesulfonic acid esters for discovering potent and selective PTP1B inhibitors.

Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) has been considered as a promising therapeutic target for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and obesity due to its key regulating effects in insulin signaling and leptin receptor pathways. In this work, a series of cis- and trans-pyrrolidine bisarylethenesulfonic acid esters were prepared and their PTP1B inhibitory potency, selectivity and membrane permeability were evaluated. These novel stereoisomeric molecules especially trans-isomers exhibited remarkable inhibitory activity, significant selectivity as well as good membrane permeability (e.g. compound 28a, IC50 = 120, 1940 and 2670 nM against PTP1B, TCPTP and SHP2 respectively, and Papp = 1.74 × 10-6 cm/s). Molecular simulations indicated that trans-pyrrolidine bisarylethenesulfonic acid esters yielded the stronger binding affinity than their cis-isomers by constructing more interactions with non-catalytic sites of PTP1B. Further biological activity studies revealed that compound 28a could enhance insulin-stimulated glucose uptake and insulin-mediated insulin receptor ß (IRß) phosphorylation with no significant cytotoxicity.

Identification of non-cerebral cyst: Zoonotic Taenia multiceps in domestic goat in Bangladesh.

AIM: This study was performed to identify the non-cerebral Taenia multiceps cyst through molecular phylogeny of the 12S rRNA gene. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eight cyst samples were collected from 385 examined slaughtered goats during October 2015-September 2016 from three slaughterhouses in Chittagong City Corporation. Cysts were removed from the thigh muscle, and scolices were collected for light microscopic examination and molecular identification. The DNA was extracted and analyzed by polymerase chain reaction using 12S rRNA gene primers. Cyst samples were also preserved in 10% buffered formalin for histopathological study. RESULTS: T. multiceps non-cerebral cyst is 2.1% prevalent in goat in this area. Under light microscopic examination, scolex was found with four suckers and a rostellum with the double crown of 32 hooks and hooklets. Molecularly, all the samples were amplified with 12S rRNA gene fragments yielded 270 base pair amplicon. Zenker's necrosis with focal to diffuse infiltration of lymphocytes and eosinophil was also found around the cyst wall in histopathological examination. CONCLUSION: Although the non-cerebral form of the cysts produced by T. multiceps is genetically identical with the cerebral cyst, previously published data indicated that cerebral T. multiceps cyst is predominant in other parts of the world as well as in Bangladesh. This study showed that non-cerebral cyst is also prevalent in this country which is very important for public health concern. This study depicts an idea of non-cerebral form of zoonotic T. multiceps cyst which will be helpful in taenia cyst control and prevention.