In vitro antimicrobial, anticancer evaluation, and in silico studies of mannopyranoside analogs against bacterial and fungal proteins: Acylation leads to improved antimicrobial activity.

Carbohydrate analogs are an important, well-established class of clinically useful medicinal agents that exhibit potent antimicrobial activity. Thus, we explored the various therapeutic potential of methyl α-D-mannopyranoside (MαDM) analogs, including their ability to synthesize and assess their antibacterial, antifungal, and anticancer properties; additionally, molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulation, and ADMET analysis were performed. The structure of the synthesized MαDM analogs was ascertained by spectroscopic techniques and physicochemical and elemental analysis. In vitro antimicrobial activity was assessed and revealed significant inhibitory effects, particularly against gram-negative bacteria along with the prediction of activity spectra for substances (PASS). Concurrently, MαDM analogs showed good results against antifungal pathogens and exhibited promising anticancer effects in vitro, demonstrating dose-dependent cytotoxicity against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) cancer cells while sparing normal cells from compound 5, with an IC50 of 4511.65 µg/mL according to the MTT colorimetric assay. A structure-activity relationship (SAR) study revealed that hexose combined with the acyl chains of decanoyl (C-10) and benzenesulfonyl (C6H5SO2-) had synergistic effects on the bacteria and fungi that were examined. Molecular docking was performed against the Escherichia coli (6KZV) and Candida albicans (1EAG) proteins to acquire insights into the molecular interactions underlying the observed biological activities. The docking results were further supported by 100 ns molecular dynamics simulations, which provided a dynamic view of the stability and flexibility of complexes involving MαDM and its targets. In addition, ADMET analysis was used to evaluate the toxicological and pharmacokinetic profiles. Owing to their promising drug-like properties, these MαDM analogs exhibit potential as prospective therapeutic candidates for future development.

Utilization of factory tea (Camellia sinensis) wastes in eco-friendly dyeing of jute packaging fabrics.

Eco-friendly dyeing of jute packaging fabrics was evaluated using aqueous extraction of factory tea (Camellia sinensis) wastes. Jute and factory tea wastes are available in Bangladesh and jute bags are used for packaging of various exportable agricultural commodities. The extract of factory tea waste (FTW) is dark coffee colored and it was characterized by attenuated total reflection-fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) and microbial analysis. Nontoxic, non-allergic and eco-friendly natural dyeing process of jute packaging fabrics using extract of FTW were developed and optimized. Metal mordants 10 % on the weight of fabric was used to get the fastness properties of dyed jute fabric. The methods of application of mordants were pre-mordanting, simultaneous or meta-mordanting and post-mordanting. The color fastness and tensile properties were measured for all jute packaging fabrics and it is found that the dyed jute packaging fabrics showed a slight decrease in tensile breaking force (N) than undyed jute packaging fabric. The highest color fastness obtained with the meta mordanting method with ferrous sulfate mordant in a shade of dark coffee. The results of the color fastness for light and washing showed an excellent value of grade 4-5.

Antioxidant activity study and GC-MS profiling of Camellia sinensis Linn.

The antioxidant activity of tea leaves extract is a widely researched topic. Tea leaves, particularly those from the Camellia sinensis Linn plant, have garnered attention due to their potential health benefits attributed to their antioxidant properties. Antioxidants are compounds that can neutralize harmful free radicals in the body, which can damage cells and contribute to various health issues, including cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and aging. In this research, the matured tea leaves which has been considered as agricultural waste in Moulovibazar area of Bangladesh have been investigated as a potential source of antioxidant. Methanol was used as solvent for the extraction of antioxidant. DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl) scavenging free radical assay method was used to assess the antioxidant activity of the extracts and ascorbic acid was used as positive control. Gas chromatography with mass spectrometric (GC-MS) analysis method was conducted on this extract to investigate the principal components. The half inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of methanol extract and ascorbic acid were found to be 69.51 µg/mL and 10.70 µg/mL, respectively. Caffeine is the main compound (74.47%) among the eight bioactive compounds was identify and quantified by GC-MS.

Preparation and characterization of short date palm mat (DPM) fiber reinforced polystyrene composites: Effect of gamma radiation.

The utilization of natural fiber reinforced polymer composites is growing fast in numerous sectors. In this study, the effect of the addition of short date palm mat (DPM) fibers in polystyrene matrix on the physico-mechanical and thermal properties were studied. Short DPM fiber reinforced polystyrene composites were produced by compression moulding process and the fiber content was 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 wt%. Physico-mechanical and thermal properties were examined. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) analysis of the composites were also done. The findings from the investigates exposed that the composites with 10 % fiber content showed improved mechanical and thermal characteristics as compared to other composites. The morphological analysis also supported the results where good interfacial bonding among fiber and polystyrene matrix was found for the composites with 10 % fiber content. The optimized (10 % fiber content) composites were exposed to gamma radiation (2.5-7.5 kGy) and the best result was found at 5.0 kGy radiation dose. Degradation of gamma irradiated composites was conducted in four different media such as water, acid, base, and brine.

Assessment of heavy metals migrated from food contact plastic packaging: Bangladesh perspective.

Plastic-based food-contact materials are potentially threatening the environment and public health by releasing toxic heavy metals. This study aimed to identify the types of plastic commonly used in Bangladesh as food-contact materials (FCMs) and assess the migration of heavy metals from these FCMs. Plastic types were identified using attenuated total reflectance fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), and 25 samples were selected based on the category, including Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), Polyethylene (PE), Polypropylene (PP), Polystyrene (PS), and Polycarbonate (PC). Distilled water, 3% acetic acid, and 15% ethanol were used as food simulants to assess the overall migration of chemicals at 70 °C for 2 h. The concentrations of heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Hg, Cr, and Sb) were analyzed using an Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). Results revealed that the highest overall migration occurred in coffee cups measuring 3.50 ± 0.17 mg/kg (using water simulant) and in yogurt containers with a measurement of 9.17 ± 0.1 mg/kg (using 3% acetic acid). The highest concentrations of Pb, Cd, Hg, Cr, and Sb were found in PP-2 (0.45 ± 0.01 mg/kg), PP-2 (0.36 ± 0.01 mg/kg), PC-5 (0.27 ± 0.01 mg/kg), PET-2 (0.12 ± 0.01 mg/kg), and PET-1 (0.09 ± 0.01 mg/kg), respectively. The concentration of heavy metals migrated from the containers is likely to induce a health risk due to bioaccumulation from long-term ingestion of food packaged in them. The findings of this study added knowledge about harmful heavy metals leached from the FCMs in Bangladesh.

Newborn signal functions in Bangladesh: identification through expert consultation and assessment of readiness among public health facilities-study protocol using Delphi technique.

INTRODUCTION: There is a set of globally accepted and nationally adapted signal functions for categorising health facilities for maternal services. Newborn resuscitation is the only newborn intervention which is included in the WHO recommended list of emergency obstetric care signal functions. This is not enough to comprehensively assess the readiness of a health facility for providing newborn services. In order to address the major causes of newborn death, the Government of Bangladesh has prioritised a set of newborn interventions for national scale-up, the majority of which are facility-based. Effective delivery of these interventions depends on a core set of functions (skills and services). However, there is no standardised and approved set of newborn signal functions (NSFs) based on which the service availability and readiness of a health facility can be assessed for providing newborn services. Thus, this study will be the first of its kind to identify such NSFs. These NSFs can categorise health facilities and assist policymakers and health managers to appropriately plan and adequately monitor the progress and performance of health facilities delivering newborn healthcare. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: We will adopt the Delphi technique of consensus building for identification of NSFs and 1-2 indicator for each function while employing expert consultation from relevant experts in Bangladesh. Based on the identified NSFs and signal function indicators, the existing health facility assessment (HFA) tools will be updated, and an HFA survey will be conducted to assess service availability and readiness of public health facilities in relation to the new NSFs. Descriptive statistics (proportion) with a 95% CI will be used to report the level of service availability and readiness of public facilities regarding NSFs. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical approval was obtained from Research Review and Ethical Review Committee of icddr, b (PR-17089). Results will be disseminated through meetings, seminars, conference presentations and international peer-review journal articles.