Smad4 is essential for epiblast scaling and morphogenesis after implantation, but nonessential before implantation.

Bone morphogenic protein (BMP) signaling plays an essential and highly conserved role in embryo axial patterning in animal species. However, in mammalian embryos, which develop inside the mother, early development includes a preimplantation stage, which does not occur in externally developing embryos. During preimplantation, the epiblast is segregated from extra-embryonic lineages that enable implantation and development in utero. Yet, the requirement for BMP signaling is imprecisely defined in mouse early embryos. Here, we show that, in contrast to previous reports, BMP signaling (SMAD1/5/9 phosphorylation) is not detectable until implantation when it is detected in the primitive endoderm - an extra-embryonic lineage. Moreover, preimplantation development appears to be normal following deletion of maternal and zygotic Smad4, an essential effector of canonical BMP signaling. In fact, mice lacking maternal Smad4 are viable. Finally, we uncover a new requirement for zygotic Smad4 in epiblast scaling and cavitation immediately after implantation, via a mechanism involving FGFR/ERK attenuation. Altogether, our results demonstrate no role for BMP4/SMAD4 in the first lineage decisions during mouse development. Rather, multi-pathway signaling among embryonic and extra-embryonic cell types drives epiblast morphogenesis postimplantation.

Smad4 is essential for epiblast scaling and morphogenesis after implantation, but nonessential prior to implantation in the mouse.

Bone Morphogenic Protein (BMP) signaling plays an essential and highly conserved role in axial patterning in embryos of many externally developing animal species. However, in mammalian embryos, which develop inside the mother, early development includes an additional stage known as preimplantation. During preimplantation, the epiblast lineage is segregated from the extraembryonic lineages that enable implantation and development in utero. Yet, the requirement for BMP signaling in mouse preimplantation is imprecisely defined. We show that, in contrast to prior reports, BMP signaling (as reported by SMAD1/5/9 phosphorylation) is not detectable until implantation, when it is detected in the primitive endoderm - an extraembryonic lineage. Moreover, preimplantation development appears normal following deletion of maternal and zygotic Smad4, an essential effector of BMP signaling. In fact, mice lacking maternal Smad4 are viable. Finally, we uncover a new requirement for zygotic Smad4 in epiblast scaling and cavitation immediately after implantation, via a mechanism involving FGFR/ERK attenuation. Altogether, our results demonstrate no role for BMP4/SMAD4 in the first lineage decisions during mouse development. Rather, multi-pathway signaling among embryonic and extraembryonic cell types drives epiblast morphogenesis post-implantation.

Knowledge, Perception, and Willingness towards Immunization among Bangladeshi Population during COVID-19 Vaccine Rolling Period.

Vaccine willingness among the mass populace, as well as their proper knowledge and perception regarding vaccines and the vaccination process, may contribute extensively towards attaining their anticipated vaccination rates. The current study endeavored to ascertain the Bangladeshi population's knowledge, perception, and willingness towards COVID-19 vaccination. Relevant information was collected from 1201 adults aged 18 years or older by employing an online-based survey from 1 to 30 July 2021. Descriptive statistics, the chi-square (χ2) test, and a binary logistic regression analysis were applied in order to compare the extent of knowledge and perception prevalent among different demographic groups and correlate such prevalence with respective vaccine willingness. The participants expressed mean (± standard deviation) knowledge and perception scores of 6.48 ± 1.13 out of 8 and 5.37 ± 1.22 out of 7, respectively. A multivariate analysis confirmed the significant association (p < 0.05) of gender, age, and family income with the knowledge score, whereas age and knowledge level significantly influenced perception. Current living area, family income, and age were considerable contributors to COVID-19 vaccine willingness. Overall vaccine willingness was found to be significantly curtailed by inadequate knowledge (AOR 0.514, CI 95% 0.401-0.658, p < 0.001) and perception (AOR 0.710, CI 95% 0.548-0.920, p = 0.010) among the participants. All of the concerned authorities' efforts are warranted in order to improve public understanding, perception, and inclination towards vaccination.

Effect of immunonutritional status, healthcare factors, and lifestyle on acute respiratory infections among under-5 children in Bangladesh.

INTRODUCTION: Acute respiratory infection is a major cause of death for under-5 children in Bangladesh. We aimed to analyze the effect of immunonutritional status, healthcare factors, and lifestyle on the incidence of acute respiratory infection among under-5 children taking individual-level and contextual-level risk factors into consideration. METHODS: This study recruited 200 children suffering from acute respiratory infection and 100 healthy controls matched by age, sex, and sociodemographic profile. Serum antioxidant vitamin A (retinol), vitamin C (ascorbic acid), and vitamin E (α-tocopherol) were assessed along with the impact of vaccination, socioeconomic factors, and Z-score on the incidence of acute respiratory infection. RESULTS: Serum antioxidant vitamins were significantly lower in the acute respiratory infection children compared to the non-acute respiratory infection group. Vitamin A was found to be significantly high in acute respiratory infection children who were breastfed for more than 1 year. Vitamin E levels were found to be significantly higher in the acute respiratory infection children who were immunized. Compared to the children living in tin-shed house or huts, serum vitamin E level increased in those acute respiratory infection children who resided in apartments. Vitamin A level was significantly high in those acute respiratory infection children whose height-for-age was -2 SD and above (Z-score), and vitamin C levels were also significantly high in those acute respiratory infection children whose weight-for-height was -2 SD and below (Z-score). CONCLUSION: Deficiencies of antioxidant vitamins along with healthcare and lifestyle factors have a significant influence on the incidence of acute respiratory infection among under-5 children in Bangladesh.

Medication understanding and health literacy among patients with multiple chronic conditions: A study conducted in Bangladesh.

Objectives: Medication understanding is critical for patients who suffer from multiple chronic conditions in order to reduce medication error and is often associated with poor health outcomes and low adherence. This study aims to identify the gap of medication knowledge among multiple chronic condition patients in Bangladesh, in order to aid physicians and other healthcare providers in improving health literacy. Methods: Individual interviews of a convenience sample of multiple chronic condition patients in Bangladesh were held where they were asked a number of questions for assessing medication related literacy. Results: More than 26% patients failed to cite the brand name of all their prescribed medications while the rate of patients not knowing the generic names was far worse (88.1%). Nearly 1 out of every 4 patients did not know the purpose of all their medications and more than half of the participants (55%) did not know the strengths of their drugs. While knowledge about medication routes and regimen was satisfactory, awareness regarding risk factors of medicine was lowest of all. Only 1 out of every 4 patients had a habit of reading drug information leaflet. Patient's ability to correctly state the purpose of their medication seemed to be positively associated with age (p=0.004) and negatively associated with number of medicines taken (p=0.03). Conclusions: Many patients demonstrated poor health literacy regarding medication. Routine review of medications from physician or health provider can significantly improve their health literacy, leading to better treatment outcome and medication adherence.

Immunoglobulins content in colostrum, transitional and mature milk of Bangladeshi mothers: Influence of parity and sociodemographic characteristics.

BACKGROUND: The study investigated the concentration of IgA, IgM and IgG in colostrum, transitional and mature milk and the effect of parity, age, BMI and family income on secreted immunoglobulin contents of human milk. METHODS: Sequential samples of colostrum, transitional and mature milk were collected from 38 women. Enzymelinked immunosorbent assay was used to analyse the immunoglobulin concentrations. RESULTS: The study revealed that IgA was the dominant immunoglobulin and mean concentration in colostrum, transitional and mature milk was 5.92 ± 1.50 g/L, 3.85 ± 0.64 g/L and 3.72 ± 0.68 g/L, respectively. Both IgA and IgM levels of colostrum decreased significantly in both transitional (P = 0.000) and mature milk (P = 0.000), while the concentration of IgG rises significantly in them (colostrum vs. transitional milk, P = 0.000; and colostrum vs. mature milk P = 0.011). While maternal age, BMI and family income had no significant influence on the immunoglobulin levels at different stages of lactation, parity showed significant influence on IgG (P = 0.03) and IgM (P = 0.05) levels of transitional milk and IgA level of colostrum (P = 0.05). CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that immunoglobulin composition in breast milk is strongly associated with stage of lactation and is likely to be more susceptible to parity than BMI and socioeconomic characteristics.