Finite element-based optimization procedure for an irregular domain with unstructured mesh.

At present, structural optimization is a highly demanding area of research in engineering. Engineers aim to minimize material in a body while maintaining its usability and safety at the same time. Developing a user-friendly program to optimize a structure using the finite element method (FEM) is the goal of the current study. With the advent of additive manufacturing, the production of complex-shaped designs is showing promise. A detailed optimization algorithm based on solid isotropic material with penalization (SIMP) is presented in this paper. UnTop2D: An object-oriented Python program with a graphical user interface (GUI) has been developed, which can be applied to structures with both structured and unstructured meshes. The mesh is not required to be topologically ball and can be imported from professional meshing software. Any selected element can be frozen to prevent its removal during optimization, and wall elements can also be frozen for real-world scenarios. The optimized structure can be exported as an Abaqus input file for structural analysis and STL file for 3D printing. This paper presents several examples to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed procedure.

Perinatal colonization with extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing and carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacteria: a hospital-based cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global health threat that contributes to substantial neonatal mortality. Bangladesh has reported some of the highest rates of AMR among bacteria causing neonatal sepsis. As AMR colonization among newborns can predispose to infection with these bacteria, we aimed to characterize the frequency of and risk factors for colonization of mothers and newborns during hospitalization for delivery. METHODS: We enrolled pregnant women presenting for delivery to a tertiary care hospital in Faridpur, Bangladesh. We collected vaginal and rectal swabs from mothers pre- and post-delivery, rectal swabs from newborns, and swabs from the hospital environment. Swabs were plated on agars selective for extended-spectrum-beta-lactamase producing bacteria (ESBL-PB) and carbapenem-resistant bacteria (CRB). We performed logistic regression to determine factors associated with ESBL-PB/CRB colonization. RESULTS: We enrolled 177 women and their newborns during February-October 2020. Prior to delivery, 77% of mothers were colonized with ESBL-PB and 15% with CRB. 79% of women underwent cesarean deliveries (C-section). 98% of women received antibiotics. Following delivery, 98% of mothers and 89% of newborns were colonized with ESBL-PB and 89% of mothers and 72% of newborns with CRB. Of 290 environmental samples, 77% were positive for ESBL-PB and 69% for CRB. Maternal pre-delivery colonization was associated with hospitalization during pregnancy (RR for ESBL-PB 1.24, 95% CI 1.10-1.40; CRB 2.46, 95% CI 1.39-4.37). Maternal post-delivery and newborn colonization were associated with C-section (RR for maternal CRB 1.31, 95% CI 1.08-1.59; newborn ESBL-PB 1.34, 95% CI 1.09-1.64; newborn CRB 1.73, 95% CI 1.20-2.47). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we observed high rates of colonization with ESBL-PB/CRB among mothers and newborns, with pre-delivery colonization linked to prior healthcare exposure. Our results demonstrate this trend may be driven by intense use of antibiotics, frequent C-sections, and a contaminated hospital environment. These findings highlight that greater attention should be given to the use of perinatal antibiotics, improved surgical stewardship for C-sections, and infection prevention practices in healthcare settings to reduce the high prevalence of colonization with AMR organisms.

Relationship between Principals' Leadership Styles and Teachers' Behavior.

An effective leader follows a style that helps maintain good relations with his staff. A school leader should use a style best suited to his teachers' behavior. This research investigates the association between four leadership styles (instructional, democratic, transformational, and laissez-faire) and teachers' behavior in Malaysia. This study applied a quantitative research method using a survey technique by administering questionnaires. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data. Multiple regression and ANOVA were used to study the strength of the relationship between variables. The research found average care of the principals towards teachers' emotional behavior. Democratic leadership style showed significant relationships that explain 28.5% of the variation in the emotional behavior of the teachers. Leaders with a democratic leadership style were more aware of and responded positively to teachers' psychometric behavior. School principals with transformational leadership styles responded positively to teachers' pro-social behavior, although the relationship was weak. These results indicate that a democratic leadership style addresses the issues of teachers' emotional behavior, while instructional leadership, which is the most perceived leadership style, does not. The result of this study can guide Malaysian school principals in choosing the appropriate leadership style best suited to teachers' behavior.

Evaluation of the properties of Bungarus caeruleus venom and checking the efficacy of antivenom used in Bangladesh for its bite treatment.

As a disaster-prone country with unique geographical features, snake biting is a major public health concern in Bangladesh. The primary reasons of mortality from snakebite include late presentation to the hospital, low efficacy of antivenom, and a lack of adequate management facilities. Because snake venom characteristics vary depending on geographical location, antivenom should be manufactured from snakes native to the region in which it would be administered. Bungarus caeruleus is a highly venomous snake contributing to the major snakebite issue in Bangladesh. Therefore, the neutralization efficacy of the antivenom against B. caeruleus venom was evaluated in the current study along with the characterization of venom. For biological characterization of venom, RP-HPLC and SDS-PAGE profiling, hemolytic activity, hemorrhagic activity, phospholipases A2 (PLA2) activity, edema inducing activity and histopathological observations were carried out following standard protocol. LD50 of the venom was calculated along with neutralization potency of Incepta antivenom through probit analysis. Results showed that venom possesses phospholipase A2 activity, hemolytic activity and edema inducing activity while hemorrhagic activity was absent in the skin of envenomed mice. Histopathological alterations including necrosis, congestion and infiltrations were observed in envenomed mice organs after hematoxylin and eosin staining. Neutralization study showed that Incepta polyvalent antivenom could neutralize (potency 0.53 mg/ml) the lethal effect in in vitro study on mice. Further investigation on snakebite epidemiology and clinical observations of the envenomed patients will help in combating the snakebite problem more efficiently.

OptiFit: Computer-Vision-Based Smartphone Application to Measure the Foot from Images and 3D Scans.

The foot is a vital organ, as it stabilizes the impact forces between the human skeletal system and the ground. Hence, precise foot dimensions are essential not only for custom footwear design, but also for the clinical treatment of foot health. Most existing research on measuring foot dimensions depends on a heavy setup environment, which is costly and ineffective for daily use. In addition, there are several smartphone applications online, but they are not suitable for measuring the exact foot shape for custom footwear, both in clinical practice and public use. In this study, we designed and implemented computer-vision-based smartphone application OptiFit that provides the functionality to automatically measure the four essential dimensions (length, width, arch height, and instep girth) of a human foot from images and 3D scans. We present an instep girth measurement algorithm, and we used a pixel per metric algorithm for measurement; these algorithms were accordingly integrated with the application. Afterwards, we evaluated our application using 19 medical-grade silicon foot models (12 males and 7 females) from different age groups. Our experimental evaluation shows that OptiFit could measure the length, width, arch height, and instep girth with an accuracy of 95.23%, 96.54%, 89.14%, and 99.52%, respectively. A two-tailed paired t-test was conducted, and only the instep girth dimension showed a significant discrepancy between the manual measurement (MM) and the application-based measurement (AM). We developed a linear regression model to adjust the error. Further, we performed comparative analysis demonstrating that there were no significant errors between MM and AM, and the application offers satisfactory performance as a foot-measuring application. Unlike other applications, the iOS application we developed, OptiFit, fulfils the requirements to automatically measure the exact foot dimensions for individually fitted footwear. Therefore, the application can facilitate proper foot measurement and enhance awareness to prevent foot-related problems caused by inappropriate footwear.

Mental Health Status of Teachers During the Second Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Web-Based Study in Bangladesh.

Background: Following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the government of Bangladesh implemented strict non-therapeutic measures, i.e., "social distancing," "lockdown," "work from home," in the first quarter of 2020. Like other professionals, teachers at schools, colleges and universities were confined within households. However, the introduction of online education imposed an additional burden on teachers along with growing household responsibilities, thus, affecting their psychological state. Aims: This study was aimed to explore the prevalence of mental health problems among teachers in Bangladesh and to identify the associated risk factors. Methods: This web-based cross-sectional study was conducted during the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh. Data were collected from 381 teachers working at schools, colleges, and universities between 01 August and 29 August 2021 by administering a self-reported e-questionnaire using Google Form, where the mental health of teachers was assessed by depression, anxiety, and stress scale. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics (Version 26) and STATA Version 16, and multiple linear regression was executed to predict mental health problems among teachers. Results: The findings indicate that the overall prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress among teachers was 35.4%, 43.7%, and 6.6%, respectively. The prevalence was higher among male and older teachers than among their female and younger colleagues. The findings further showed that place of residence, institution, self-reported health, usage of social and electronic media, and fear of COVID-19 significantly influenced the mental health status of teachers. Conclusion: It is strongly recommended that the government and policymakers provide proper mental health services to teachers in order to reduce mental health problems and thus sustain the quality of education during and after the pandemic.

Scarf Injury: a qualitative examination of the emergency response and acute care pathway from a unique mechanism of road traffic injury in Bangladesh.

BACKGROUND: Road traffic injuries (RTI) are the leading cause of death worldwide in children over 5 and adults aged 18-29. Nonfatal RTIs result in 20-50 million annual injuries. In Bangladesh, a new mechanism of RTI has emerged over the past decade known as a 'scarf injury.' Scarf injuries occur when scarves, part of traditional female dress, are caught in the driveshaft of an autorickshaw. The mechanism of injury results in novel, strangulation-like cervical spine trauma. This study aimed to understand the immediate emergency response, acute care pathway, and subsequent functional and health outcomes for survivors of scarf injuries. METHODS: Key informant interviews were conducted with female scarf injury survivors (n = 12), caregivers (n = 6), and health care workers (n = 15). Themes and subthemes were identified via inductive content analysis, then applied to the three-delay model to examine specific breakdowns in pre-hospital care and provide a basis for future interventions. FINDINGS: Over half of the scarf injury patients were between the ages of 10 and 15. All but two were tetraplegic. Participants emphasized less than optimal patient outcomes were due to unawareness of scarf injuries and spinal cord injuries among the general public and health professionals; unsafe and inefficient bystander first aid and transportation; and high cost of acute health care. CONCLUSIONS: Females in Bangladesh are at significant risk of sustaining serious and life-threatening trauma through scarf injuries in autorickshaws, further worsened through inadequate care along the trauma care pathway. Interventions designed to increase awareness and knowledge of basic SCI care at the community and provider level would likely improve health and functional outcomes.

Exploring the intersection of critical disability studies, humanities and global health through a case study of scarf injuries in Bangladesh.

This article puts critical disability studies and global health into conversation around the phenomenon of scarf injury in Bangladesh. Scarf injury occurs when a woman wearing a long, traditional scarf called an orna rides in a recently introduced autorickshaw with a design flaw that allows the orna to become entangled in the vehicle's driveshaft. Caught in the engine, the orna pulls the woman's neck into hyperextension, causing a debilitating high cervical spinal cord injury and quadriplegia. The circumstances of the scarf injury reveal the need for more critical cultural analysis than the fields of global health and rehabilitation typically offer. First, the fatal design flaw of the vehicle reflects different norms of gender and dress in China, where the vehicle is manufactured, versus Bangladesh, where the vehicle is purchased at a low price and assembled on-site-a situation that calls transnational capitalist modes of production and exchange into question. Second, the experiences of women with scarf injuries entail many challenges beyond the injury itself: the transition to life with disability following the rehabilitation period is made more difficult by negative perceptions of disability, lack of resources and accessible infrastructure, and cultural norms of gender and class in Bangladesh. Our cross-disciplinary conversation about women with scarf injuries, involving critical disability studies, global health and rehabilitation experts, exposes the shortcomings of each of these fields but also illustrates the urgent need for deeper and more purposeful collaborations. We, therefore, argue that the developing subfield of global health humanities should include purposeful integration of a humanities-based critical disability studies methodology.

Identifying the Sources of Intestinal Colonization With Extended-Spectrum ß-Lactamase-Producing Escherichia coli in Healthy Infants in the Community.

The prevalence of fecal colonization with extended-spectrum ß-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli (ESBL-Ec) among children in low- and middle-income countries is alarmingly high. This study aimed to identify the sources of ESBL-Ec colonization in children < 1 year old through comparative analysis of E. coli isolates from child stool, child's mother stool, and point-of-use drinking water from 46 rural households in Bangladesh. The pairwise similarity in antibiotic susceptibility of E. coli from all three sources was evaluated, followed by phylogenetic clustering using enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus polymerase chain reaction and whole-genome sequence analysis of the isolates. Matching antibiotic susceptibility and enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus polymerase chain reaction patterns were found among ESBL-Ec isolates from child-mother dyads of 24 and 11 households, respectively, from child-water dyads of 5 and 4 households, respectively, and from child-mother-water triads of 3 and 4 households, respectively. Whole-genome sequence analysis of 30 isolates from 10 households revealed that ESBL-Ec from children in five households (50%) was clonally related to ESBL-Ec either from their mothers (2 households), drinking water sources (2 households), or both mother and drinking-water sources (1 household) based on serotype, phylogroup, sequence type, antibiotic resistance genes, mobile genetic elements, core single-nucleotide polymorphisms, and whole-genome multilocus sequence typing. Overall, this study provides empirical evidence that ESBL-Ec colonization in children is linked to the colonization status of mothers and exposure to the household environments contaminated with ESBL-Ec. Interventions such as improved hygiene practices and a safe drinking water supply may help reduce the transmission of ESBL-Ec at the household level.

Isolation and characterisation of carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa from hospital environments in tertiary care hospitals in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

OBJECTIVES: Increasing evidence of carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CRPA) infection in healthcare facilities poses an alarming threat to public health. There is little evidence on the occurrence of this organism in Bangladeshi hospitals. METHODS: We collected 117 environmental swab samples from two tertiary care hospitals in Dhaka, Bangladesh and tested for Pseudomonas species by nonselective enrichment of swabs followed by plating on Cetrimide agar. We confirmed the isolates as P. aeruginosa by API 20NE test and polymerase chain reaction Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) for 16S rRNA gene. We analysed P. aeruginosa isolates for susceptibility against 15 clinically important antibiotics and tested the carbapenem-resistant isolates for metallo ß-lactamase (MBL). All CRPA isolates were characterised for carbapenem-resistant genes, virulence genes and biofilm formation genes. RESULTS: Of 117 swab samples, 82 (70%) were tested positive for P. aeruginosa. All P. aeruginosa isolates were multidrug-resistant, and 39% (n = 32) of isolates were CRPA. Around 56% (n = 18) of CRPA were MBL-producing; 22% (n = 7) of isolates were positive for carbapenemase gene blaNDM followed by 16% (n = 5) for blaVIM and 13% (n = 4) for blaIMP. Sequencing identified these genes as blaNDM-1, blaIMP-13, blaVIM-2 variants. Based on optical density values, 94% (n = 30) of CRPA isolates were capable of producing biofilms. All CRPA isolates (n = 32) were positive for at least 1 of 6 biofilm-associated genes and 4 of 12 virulence genes tested in the study. CONCLUSION: Hospital environments in Bangladesh are contaminated with highly virulent CRPA, which might be a potential source of hospital-acquired infections, accentuating the need for strengthening hospital infection control programs.

Assessing impact of ventilation on airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2: a cross-sectional analysis of naturally ventilated healthcare settings in Bangladesh.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the risk of exposure to SARS-CoV-2 in naturally ventilated hospital settings by measuring parameters of ventilation and comparing these findings with results of bioaerosol sampling. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. STUDY SETTING AND STUDY SAMPLE: The study sample included nine hospitals in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Ventilation characteristics and air samples were collected from 86 healthcare spaces during October 2020 to February 2021. PRIMARY OUTCOME: Risk of cumulative SARS-CoV-2 infection by type of healthcare area. SECONDARY OUTCOMES: Ventilation rates by healthcare space; risk of airborne detection of SARS-CoV-2 across healthcare spaces; impact of room characteristics on absolute ventilation; SARS-CoV-2 detection by naturally ventilated versus mechanically ventilated spaces. RESULTS: The majority (78.7%) of naturally ventilated patient care rooms had ventilation rates that fell short of the recommended ventilation rate of 60 L/s/p. Using a modified Wells-Riley equation and local COVID-19 case numbers, we found that over a 40-hour exposure period, outpatient departments posed the highest median risk for infection (7.7%). SARS-CoV-2 RNA was most frequently detected in air samples from non-COVID wards (50.0%) followed by outpatient departments (42.9%). Naturally ventilated spaces (22.6%) had higher rates of SARS-CoV-2 detection compared with mechanically ventilated spaces (8.3%), though the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.128). In multivariable linear regression with calculated elasticity, open door area and cross-ventilation were found to have a significant impact on ventilation. CONCLUSION: Our findings provide evidence that naturally ventilated healthcare settings may pose a high risk for exposure to SARS-CoV-2, particularly among non-COVID-designated spaces, but improving parameters of ventilation can mitigate this risk.

Bioremediation potential of hydrocarbon degrading bacteria: isolation, characterization, and assessment.

Oil contamination is a worldwide concern now. However, oil contaminated environment is enriched with microorganisms that can utilize petroleum oil and use hydrocarbon for their growth, nutrition and metabolic activities. In the present study, bacteria present in the oil contaminated soil were isolated by enrichment culture technique using Minimal Salt (MS) media supplemented with diesel oil and burned engine oil as a sole carbon source. The isolated bacteria were characterized by morphological and biochemical tests and identified by molecular tool through cycle sequencing method. Three isolates were morphologically characterized as gram-negative, cocci shaped and 16S rRNA sequence analysis revealed that the isolates are closely related to Pseudomonas sp., Acinetobacter sp., and Enterobacter sp. respectively. Growth condition was optimized at pH 7.0 and temperature 37 °C. All the isolates were susceptible to several antibiotics and they have no antagonistic effect with soil beneficial bacteria. Three isolates were grown in two different concentrations of diesel oil and burned engine oil (4% v/v and 8%, v/v) respectively. Study revealed that with increasing the concentration of diesel oil in the media the growth rate of all the isolates were decreased. In contrast, the growth rates of all the three isolates were increased, with increasing concentration of burned engine oil. In our study, all the isolates showed their degradation efficacy in 4% v/v diesel oil and in 8% v/v burned engine oil. So, our research clearly shows that the isolates could be potentially used for bioremediation purposes for cleaning up petroleum polluted area.

Cucumis sativus extract elicits chloride secretion by stimulation of the intestinal TMEM16A ion channel.

CONTEXT: Cucumber (Cucumis sativus Linn. [Cucurbitaceae]) is widely known for its purgative, antidiabetic, antioxidant, and anticancer therapeutic potential. However, its effect on gastrointestinal (GI) disease is unrecognised. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the effect of C. sativus fruit extract (CCE) on intestinal chloride secretion, motility, and motor function, and the role of TMEM16A chloride channels. MATERIALS AND METHODS: CCE extracts were obtained from commercially available cucumber. Active fractions were then purified by HPLC and analysed by high resolution mass spectrometry. The effect of CCE on intestinal chloride secretion was investigated in human colonic T84 cells, ex vivo mouse intestinal tissue using an Ussing chamber, and the two-electrode voltage-clamp technique to record calcium sensitive TMEM16A chloride currents in Xenopus laevis oocytes. In vivo, intestinal motility was investigated using the loperamide-induced C57BL/6 constipation mouse model. Ex vivo contractility of mouse colonic smooth muscles was assessed by isometric force measurements. RESULTS: CCE increased the short-circuit current (ΔIsc 34.47 ± µA/cm2) and apical membrane chloride conductance (ΔICl 95 ± 8.1 µA/cm2) in intestinal epithelial cells. The effect was dose-dependent, with an EC50 value of 0.06 µg/mL. CCE stimulated the endogenous TMEM16A-induced Cl- current in Xenopus laevis oocytes. Moreover, CCE increased the contractility of smooth muscle in mouse colonic tissue and enhanced small bowel transit in CCE treated mice compared to loperamide controls. Mass spectrometry suggested a cucurbitacin-like analogue with a mass of 512.07 g/mol underlying the bioactivity of CCE. CONCLUSION: A cucurbitacin-like analog present in CCE activates TMEM16A channels, which may have therapeutic potential in cystic fibrosis and intestinal hypodynamic disorders.

Diesel degradation efficiency of Enterobacter sp., Acinetobacter sp., and Cedecea sp. isolated from petroleum waste dumping site: a bioremediation view point.

Bioremediation through biodegradation is applied for cleaning up several environmental pollutions including petroleum oil spill containing petrol, diesel, mobil, kerosene, lubricating, etc. which have devastated several endangered terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Therefore, the current research was aimed to isolate and identify diesel degrading bacteria from the petroleum waste dumping site and determined their degrading efficiency. The bacterial strains were isolated through a minimum salt medium supplemented with 2% diesel as the sole carbon source. The bacteria were identified by morphological, biochemical characterization, and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The optimized growth pattern was evaluated by utilization of a wide range of temperatures (25, 30, 35, and 40 °C) and pH (5,6,7 and 8) as well as different concentrations of diesel (2, 3, 5and 7%). Finally, the degradation rate was determined by measuring the residual diesel after 7, 14, and 21 days of incubation. The study isolated Enterobacter ludwigii, Enterobacter mori, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Cedecea davisae where all are gram-negative rod-shaped bacilli. All the bacterial strains utilized the diesel at their best at 30 °C and pH 7, among them, A. baumannii and C. davisae exhibited the best degrading efficiency at all applied concentrations. Finally, the determination of degradation rate (%) through gravimetrical analysis has confirmed the potency of A. Baumannii and C. davisae where the degradation rate was around 61 and 52% respectively after 21 days of incubation period with 10% diesel. The study concludes that all of those isolated bacterial consortiums, especially A. baumannii and C. davisae could be allocated as active agents used for bioremediation to detoxify the diesel-containing contaminated sites in a cost-effective and eco-friendly way.

The gold nanoparticle reduces Vibrio cholerae pathogenesis by inhibition of biofilm formation and disruption of the production and structure of cholera toxin.

Formation of biofilm by Vibrio cholerae plays a crucial role in pathogenesis and transmission of cholera. Lower infective dose of the biofilm form of V. cholerae compared to the planktonic counterpart, and its antibiotic resistance, make it challenging to combat cholera. Nanoparticles may serve as an effective alternative to conventional antibiotics for targeting biofilms and virulence factors. We explored the effectiveness of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) of different size and shape (spherical: AuNS10 and AuNS100, and rod: AuNR10, the number indicating the diameter in nm) on both the inhibition of formation and eradication of biofilm of the two biotypes of V. cholerae, classical (VcO395) and El Tor (VcN16961). Inhibition of biofilm formation by spherical AuNPs was observed for both the biotypes. Considering eradication, the biofilms for both, particularly El Tor, was destroyed using both the AuNSs, AuNS100 showing higher efficacy. AuNR10 did not affect the biofilm of either biotype. Micrographs of small intestinal sections of VcO395-infected mice indicated the inhibition of biofilm formation by both AuNSs. We also studied the effect of these AuNPs on the structure of cholera toxin (CT), the major toxin produced by V. cholerae. Far-UV CD showed both AuNR10 and AuNS100 compromised the structure of CT, which was also validated from the reduction of fluid accumulation in mice ileal loop. Western blot analysis revealed the reduction of CT production upon treatment with AuNPs. AuNS100 seems to be the best suited to inhibit the formation or destruction of biofilm, as well as to disrupt CT production and function.

A comparative study of biological potentiality and EAC cell growth inhibition activity of Phyllanthus acidus (L.) fruit pulp and seed in Bangladesh.

Medicinal plant-derived bioactive compounds have recently gained more interest in biological research as an important source of novel drug candidates. Phyllanthus acidus (L.) is a widely distributed herbal medicinal plant naturally used in Ayurvedic medicine in Bangladesh. The present study focused on exploring the biological potential as well as the inhibitory effect of EAC cell growth with a comparative analysis between Phyllanthus acidus fruit pulp and seed. Crude methanol extract of P. acidus (MEPA) fruit pulp and seed was assessed as DPPH and NO free radical scavengers. While Brine Shrimp lethality bioassay, the standard protocol of phytochemical screening and hemagglutination assay were performed successively to determine the toxic effect on normal cells, the identification of some crucial phytochemicals, and the existence of lectin protein. EAC (Ehrlich's Ascites Carcinoma) cell growth inhibition was determined by hemocytometer and morphological changes of EAC cells were observed by a fluorescence microscope using Swiss albino mice. The IC50 value of MEPA fruit pulp and seed was obtained as 57.159 µg/ml and 288.743 µg/ml respectively where minimal toxic effects on Brine Shrimp nauplii demonstrates that it is a good source of natural antioxidant compounds. Again, MEPA fruit pulp and seed-mediated effective agglutination of mouse blood erythrocyte strongly support the presence of lectin protein. Furthermore, MEPA fruit pulp and seed extract-treated EAC cells showed 65.71% and 28.57% growth inhibition respectively. The fluorescent microscopic examination of EAC cells treated with MEPA fruit pulp has shown more remarkable structural changes in the nucleus than that of seed. Based on the above findings, the present study reveals that MEPA fruit pulp can be considered as a novel biological candidate for the treatment of fatal diseases shortly.

Impact of LFGD (Ar+O2) plasma on seed surface, germination, plant growth, productivity and nutritional composition of maize (Zea mays L.).

In this present study conducted with the LFGD (Low-Frequency Glow Discharge) (Ar + O2) plasma treated maize seeds, to inspect the effect on seed surface modifications, seed germination, growth, development, productivity and nutritional compositions of maize plants. This study reported that LFGD (Ar + O2) plasma treated maize seeds have a potential effect to change its smooth seed surfaces and, it becomes rougher. It also enhances the seed germination rate up to (15.88%), which might help to increase the shoot length (33.42%), root length (10.67%), stem diameter (13.37%), total chlorophyll content (46.93%), total soluble protein (52.48%), total soluble phenol (21.68%) and sugar (1.62%) concentrations in respect controls of our experimental plants. For this reason, the acceptable treatment duration for maize seeds were 30sec, 60sec, 90sec and 120sec. After treatment, the plants exhibited a significant increase in CAT, SOD, APX and GR activities in the leaves and roots, and also significantly changes in H2O2 (208.33 ± 5.87µ molg-1 FW) in the leaves and (61.13 ± 1.72µ molg-1 FW) in the roots, NO was (369.24 ± 213.19µ molg-1FW) and (1094.23 ± 135.44µ molg-1FW) in the leaves and roots. LFGD plasma treatment also contributed to enhancement of productivity (1.27%), nutritional (moisture, ash, fat, and crude fiber) compositions, and iron and zinc micro-nutrition concentrations of maize. From this research, LFGD (Ar + O2) plasma treatment showed a potential impact on the maize cultivation system, which is very effective tools and both in nationally and internationally alter the conventional cultivation system of maize. Because it promotes seed surface modification, improved germination rate, shoot length, root length, chlorophyll content, some of the growths related enzymatic activity, nutrient composition, iron, and zinc micro-nutrients and the productivity of maize.

Intestinal TMEM16A control luminal chloride secretion in a NHERF1 dependent manner.

TMEM16A (Transmembrane protein 16A or Anoctamin1) is a calcium-activated chloride channel. (CaCC),that exerts critical roles in epithelial secretion. However, its localization, function, and regulation in intestinal chloride (Cl-) secretion remain obscure. Here, we show that TMEM16A protein abundance correlates with Cl- secretion in different regions of native intestine activated by the Ca2+-elevating muscarinic agonist carbachol (CCH). Basal, as well as both cAMP- and CCH-stimulated Isc, was largely reduced in Ano1 ± mouse intestine. We found CCH was not able to increase Isc in the presence of apical to serosal Cl- gradient, strongly supporting TMEM16A as primarily a luminal Cl- channel. Immunostaining demonstrated apical localization of TMEM16A where it colocalized with NHERF1 in mouse colonic tissue. Cellular depletion of NHERF1 in human colonic T84 cells caused a significant reduction of both cAMP- and CCH-stimulated Isc. Immunoprecipitation experiments revealed that NHERF1 forms a complex with TMEM16A through a PDZ-based interaction. We conclude that TMEM16A is a luminal Cl- channel in the intestine that functionally interacts with CFTR via PDZ-based interaction of NHERF1 for efficient and specific cholinergic stimulation of intestinal Cl- secretion.

Deciphering the molecular pathways of apoptosis using purified fractions from leaf extract of Basella alba through studying the regulation of apoptosis related genes.

Apoptosis plays a pivotal role in the exclusion of abnormal cells without any ruin of surrounding healthy cells. Generally, it occurs through an orderly and autonomously process which is controlled by proper function of various genes. Therefore, the current experiments detect the expression level/pattern of those genes to confirm the involvement of extrinsic and intrinsic pathway using Basella alba leaf (BAL). Several fractions after gel filtration chromatography of BAL extract have been pooled to evaluates its apoptosis induction potentiality on Ehrlich's Ascites Carcinoma (EAC) cells through conducting a number of bio-assays such as cell growth inhibition assay, fluorescence and optical microscopy, DNA fragmentation assay and gene expression analysis etc. The pooled fractions of BAL showed 12-56% inhibitory effect on EAC cell line at the concentration range of 25-400 µg/ml that was determined by MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) assay. They also exhibited excellent cell growth inhibition at in vivo and in vitro condition when treated with 10, 20 and 40 mg/kg day. After administration of six consequent days, significant morphological features of apoptosis were observed in EAC cells under both fluorescence and optical microscope which was further supported by DNA fragmentation assay. The polymerase chain reaction amplification of bax, bcl-2 (B-cell lymphoma 2), p53, tumor necrosis factor-α, Fas, NF-kß (Nuclear factor-Kappa-B), PARP-1 (Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase), Cyt-c cas-8, cas-9 and cas-3 revealed that the experimental sample able to induce apoptosis in both extrinsic and intrinsic pathways through altering the gene expression. The current findings suggest that sample from BAL occupy wonderful competence to induce cell apoptosis and become an ideal resource for cancer treatment.

A computational approach to design potential siRNA molecules as a prospective tool for silencing nucleocapsid phosphoprotein and surface glycoprotein gene of SARS-CoV-2.

An outbreak, caused by an RNA virus, SARS-CoV-2 named COVID-19 has become pandemic with a magnitude which is daunting to all public health institutions in the absence of specific antiviral treatment. Surface glycoprotein and nucleocapsid phosphoprotein are two important proteins of this virus facilitating its entry into host cell and genome replication. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) is a prospective tool of the RNA interference (RNAi) pathway for the control of human viral infections by suppressing viral gene expression through hybridization and neutralization of target complementary mRNA. So, in this study, the power of RNA interference technology was harnessed to develop siRNA molecules against specific target genes namely, nucleocapsid phosphoprotein gene and surface glycoprotein gene. Conserved sequence from 139 SARS-CoV-2 strains from around the globe was collected to construct 78 siRNA that can inactivate nucleocapsid phosphoprotein and surface glycoprotein genes. Finally, based on GC content, free energy of folding, free energy of binding, melting temperature, efficacy prediction and molecular docking analysis, 8 siRNA molecules were selected which are proposed to exert the best action. These predicted siRNAs should effectively silence the genes of SARS-CoV-2 during siRNA mediated treatment assisting in the response against SARS-CoV-2.