Trends in Twin Births and Survival in Bangladesh: An Analysis of Half a Century of Evidence.

This study assessed the trends in twin births and their survival in Bangladesh by analyzing over a quarter million live births during 1970-2018, pooled from all eight rounds of the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey. In these five decades, the twinning rate increased by 1.5 times, from 5.8 to 8.6 twins per 1000 maternities. The decadal twinning rates varied across maternal age, parity, body mass index, household wealth index, and geographic region. The gap in decadal neonatal, infant, and under-five cumulative survival probability between singleton and multiple births was found to be closing, using Kaplan-Meier curves. Child mortality decreased by 80% and 60% in singleton and multiple births respectively. However, the absolute size of child mortality in multiple births remained six times higher than in singletons and was concentrated in the neonatal period. The share of multiple births surged in all types of child mortality. We predict a further and faster rise in multiple births in the coming decades in the face of upward trends in maternal age overlapping with higher parities, education, career prospects, contraceptive use, and the future demand-supply of assisted reproductive technology. A particular focus on the improvement of perinatal and neonatal care with wider availability is warranted. Otherwise, increased multiple births might raise child mortality and create public health challenges.

Social and structural determinants associated with the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections among female commercial sex workers in Dhaka City, Bangladesh.

Female commercial sex workers (FCSWs) bear higher rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among key populations. The association of structural determinants and STIs among FCSWs was not at the forefront of research earlier in Bangladesh. This study examined how structural factors correlate with the prevalence of STIs at physical/social/economic/policy levels among FCSWs in Dhaka city. 495 FCSWs were screened for HIV, hepatitis B, and syphilis. Structural variables (Individual risks, high-risk sexual behaviors, work environments) were extracted from the previous multi-level study on FCSWs and analyzed in 2020 to determine whether macro/micro-structural factors were associated with STIs. The prevalence of STIs was 43.6% (95% CI: 39.1%-48). Most (n = 207/495) FCSWs were infected with Syphilis or Hepatitis B, only 1.8% had co-infection, and none was positive for HIV. Multiple logistic regression revealed that 'Individual risk' factors like age (≤18 years, adjusted odds ratio = AOR = .28; 18.1-29.9 years, AOR = .57), years in the sex industry (<1 year AOR = .15; 1-5 years, AOR = .39), and condoms as contraceptives (AOR = 2.7) were significantly associated with STIs. Considering 'High-risk behaviors' like monthly coitus with regular clients (AOR = .33), performing no anal sex ever (AOR = .03), and consistent condom use (AOR = .13) were less likely to be associated with STIs (P<0.05), while the association of ever group sex with STIs reported to double (AOR = 2.1). 'Work environment' like sex on roads/parks/shrines/markets (AOR = 2.6) and ever HIV-testing (AOR = 2.5) were significantly linked with STIs. However, micro-level factors like experiencing forced sex in the past year (AOR = 1.79) and condoms collected from hotel boys (AOR = .34) were significantly associated with STIs in the 'Hierarchical- model' with increasing model-power. 'Micro-structural' determinants predominated over 'Macro/policy-level factors' and profoundly influenced STIs. FCSWs need comprehensive and integrated interventions to promote accurate condom use perception, eliminate risky sexual behaviors, and provide quality reproductive health care. Necessary steps at the policy level are urgently needed to decriminalize commercial sex work.

Novel lactoferrin-conjugated gallium complex to treat Pseudomonas aeruginosa wound infection.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the leading causes of opportunistic infections such as chronic wound infection that could lead to multiple organ failure and death. Gallium (Ga3+) ions are known to inhibit P. aeruginosa growth and biofilm formation but require carrier for localized controlled delivery. Lactoferrin (LTf), a two-lobed protein, can deliver Ga3+ at sites of infection. This study aimed to develop a Ga-LTf complex for the treatment of wound infection. The characterisation of the Ga-LTf complex was conducted using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Infra-Red (FTIR) and Inductive Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES). The antibacterial activity was assessed by agar disc diffusion, liquid broth and biofilm inhibition assays using the colony forming units (CFUs). The healing capacity and biocompatibility were evaluated using a P.aeruginosa infected wound in a rat model. DSC analyses showed thermal transition consistent with apo-lactoferrin; FTIR confirmed the complexation of gallium to lactoferrin. ICP-OES confirmed the controlled local delivery of Ga3+. Ga-LTf showed a 0.57 log10 CFUs reduction at 24 h compared with untreated control in planktonic liquid broth assay. Ga-LTf showed the highest antibiofilm activity with a 2.24 log10 CFUs reduction at 24 h. Furthermore, Ga-LTf complex is biocompatible without any adverse effect on brain, kidney, liver and spleen of rats tested in this study. Ga-LTf can be potentially promising novel therapeutic agent to treat pathogenic bacterial infections.

Suppression of dengue virus replication by the French maritime pine extract Pycnogenol®.

Dengue virus (DENV) is mainly found in the tropics and infects approximately 400 million people annually. However, no clinically available therapeutic agents specific to dengue have been developed. Here, we examined the potential antiviral effects of the French maritime pine extract Pycnogenol® (PYC) against DENV because we previously found that the extract exerts antiviral effects on hepatitis C virus, which belongs to the Flavivirus family. First, we examined the efficacy of PYC against DENV1, 2, 3, and 4 serotypes and determined that it had a dose-dependent suppressive effect on the viral load, especially in the supernatant. This inhibitory effect of PYC may target the late stages of infection such as maturation and secretion, but not replication. Next, we examined the efficacy of PYC against DENV infection in type I interferon (IFN) receptor knockout mice (A129). As the propagation of DENV2 was the highest among the four serotypes, we used this serotype in our murine model experiments. We found that PYC significantly inhibited DENV2 replication in mice on day 4 without significantly decreasing body weight or survival ratio. We further examined the mechanism of action of PYC in DENV2 infection by characterizing the main PYC targets among the host (viral) factors and silencing them using siRNA. Silencing long noncoding-interferon-induced protein (lnc-IFI)-44, polycystic kidney disease 1-like 3 (Pkd1l3), and ubiquitin-specific peptidase 31 (Usp31) inhibited the replication of DENV2. Thus, the results of this study shed light on the inhibitory effects of PYC on DENV replication and its underlying mechanisms.

Spatiotemporal distribution of microplastic debris in the surface beach sediment of the southeastern coast of Bangladesh.

This study undertakes a spatiotemporal analysis of microplastic pollution in surface beach sediments, covering 7 coastal beaches in Bangladesh and two seasons-monsoon and winter. The concentration of microplastics extracted from the surface beach sediment is 242.86 particles/kg dw. The results showed both significant seasonal (p value = 0.001) and spatial (p value = 0.004) variation. The abundance and polymer types were significantly higher (57 %) in winter than in the monsoon season (43 %). Touristic and commercial beaches showed higher levels of microplastic pollution than the non-touristic beaches. Polyethylene (28.8 %) and Polypropylene (27.6 %) were the most abundant polymer. The most dominant coloration of microplastics was white (42.6 %). The majority of the microplastics were fibers (33.5 %). Smallest particles measuring <1 mm constituted nearly half of the total microplastics load (48.5 %). This baseline data can be useful in terms of coastal zone management for the southeastern coastal beaches of Bangladesh.

In Vitro Antioxidant and In Vivo Hepatoprotective Properties of Wissadula periplocifolia Extract.

Wissadula periplocifolia (L.) Thwaites is a traditional medicinal plant belonging to the family Malvaceae, used in folk medicine for inflamed snake bites and bee stings. The current study was designed to investigate the in vitro antioxidant and in vivo anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective activities of 80% ethanol extract of W. periplocifolia and its different fractions. The crude ethanolic extract (CEE) was then serially fractionated with petroleum ether fraction (PEF), chloroform fraction (CHF), and aqueous fraction (AQF). The antioxidant activity was assessed using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical assay, anti-inflammatory activity was determined in the xylene-induced ear edema model, and hepatoprotective activity was measured in the paracetamol-induced hepatic injury model. PEF showed a significant scavenging effect with an IC50 value of 33.5 µg/mL, followed by CEE (IC50 = 42.2 µg/mL), CHF (IC50 = 77 µg/mL), and AQF (IC50 = 80 µg/mL), compared to standard butylated hydroxytoluene (IC50 = 14.8 µg/mL). Both doses of CEE (250 and 500 mg/kg) could reduce ear edema by 41.3 and 50%, respectively, compared to standard diclofenac sodium (76.09%). Moreover, CEE significantly reduces the elevated liver enzymes (ALT, AST, and ALP), compared to control. Nevertheless, it elevated blood protein and reduced the blood bilirubin level (p < 0.01), compared to control. Histopathological studies also indicated significant protection of the liver from paracetamol-induced liver damage. In conclusion, W. periplocifolia could be a good source of antioxidant and hepatoprotective phytochemicals; meanwhile, toxicological and pharmacokinetic studies are recommended.

A Critical Review of the Neuropharmacological Effects of Kratom: An Insight from the Functional Array of Identified Natural Compounds.

Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa Korth. Havil) has been considered a narcotic drug for years, barred by the law in many parts of the world, while extensive research over the past few decades proves its several beneficial effects, some of which are still in ambiguity. In many countries, including Thailand, the indiscriminate use and abuse of kratom have led to the loss of life. Nonetheless, researchers have isolated almost fifty pure compounds from kratom, most of which are alkaloids. The most prevalent compounds, mitragynine and 7-hydroxy mitragynine, are reported to display agonist morphine-like effects on human µ-opioid receptors and antagonists at κ- and δ-opioid receptors with multimodal effects at other central receptors. Mitragynine is also credited to be one of the modulatory molecules for the Keap1-Nrf2 pathway and SOD, CAT, GST, and associated genes' upregulatory cascades, leading it to play a pivotal role in neuroprotective actions while evidently causing neuronal disorders at high doses. Additionally, its anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, antibacterial, and gastroprotective effects are well-cited. In this context, this review focuses on the research gap to resolve ambiguities about the neuronal effects of kratom and demonstrate its prospects as a therapeutic target for neurological disorders associated with other pharmacological effects.

Investigation of koala retrovirus in captive koalas with pneumonia and comparative analysis of subtype distribution.

This study focused on the involvement of koala retrovirus (KoRV) in pneumonia in koalas. Three deceased pneumonic koalas from a Japanese zoo were examined in this study. Hematological and histopathological findings were assessed, and KoRV proviral DNA loads in the blood and tissues were compared with those of eight other KoRV-infected koalas from different zoos. Demographic data and routine blood profiles were collected, and blood and tissue samples were analyzed to rule out concurrent infections in pneumonic koalas. KoRV subtyping and measurement of the KoRV proviral DNA load were performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using specific primers targeting the pol and env genes. The results showed that the koalas had histopathologically suppurative and fibrinous pneumonia. Chlamydiosis was not detected in any of the animals. PCR analysis revealed KoRV-A, -B, and -C infections in all koalas, except for animals K10-11, which lacked KoRV-B. Significant variations in the proviral DNA loads of these KoRV subtypes were observed in all tissues and disease groups. Most tissues showed reduced KoRV loads in koalas with pneumonia, except in the spleen, which had significantly higher loads of total KoRV (2.54 × 107/µg DNA) and KoRV-A (4.74 × 107/µg DNA), suggesting potential immunosuppression. This study revealed the intricate dynamics of KoRV in various tissues, indicating its potential role in koala pneumonia via immunosuppression and opportunistic infections. Analysis of the levels of KoRV proviral DNA in different tissues will shed light on viral replication and the resulting pathogenesis in future studies.

Machine learning (ML)-assisted surface tension and oscillation-induced elastic modulus studies of oxide-coated liquid metal (LM) alloys.

Pendant drops of oxide-coated high-surface tension fluids frequently produce perturbed shapes that impede interfacial studies. Eutectic gallium indium or Galinstan are high-surface tension fluids coated with a ∼5 nm gallium oxide (Ga2O3) film and falls under this fluid classification, also known as liquid metals (LMs). The recent emergence of LM-based applications often cannot proceed without analyzing interfacial energetics in different environments. While numerous techniques are available in the literature for interfacial studies- pendant droplet-based analyses are the simplest. However, the perturbed shape of the pendant drops due to the presence of surface oxide has been ignored frequently as a source of error. Also, exploratory investigations of surface oxide leveraging oscillatory pendant droplets have remained untapped. We address both challenges and present two contributing novelties- (a) by utilizing the machine learning (ML) technique, we predict the approximate surface tension value of perturbed pendant droplets, (ii) by leveraging the oscillation-induced bubble tensiometry method, we study the dynamic elastic modulus of the oxide-coated LM droplets. We have created our dataset from LM's pendant drop shape parameters and trained different models for comparison. We have achieved >99% accuracy with all models and added versatility to work with other fluids. The best-performing model was leveraged further to predict the approximate values of the nonaxisymmetric LM droplets. Then, we analyzed LM's elastic and viscous moduli in air, harnessing oscillation-induced pendant droplets, which provides complementary opportunities for interfacial studies alternative to expensive rheometers. We believe it will enable more fundamental studies of the oxide layer on LM, leveraging both symmetric and perturbed droplets. Our study broadens the materials science horizon, where researchers from ML and artificial intelligence domains can work synergistically to solve more complex problems related to surface science, interfacial studies, and other studies relevant to LM-based systems.

Upwelling impact and lateral transport of dissolved PAHs in the Taiwan Strait and adjacent South China Sea.

The spatial distribution and depth profile of dissolved polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were investigated in the western Taiwan Strait (TWS) and northeastern South China Sea (SCS) during the southwest monsoon for a comprehensive study of spatial distribution, potential sources, upwelling, and lateral PAHs transport flux to assess the impacts of oceanic processes. The concentrations of ∑14PAHs were 33 ± 14 ng L-1 and 23 ± 11 ng L-1 in western TWS and northeastern SCS, respectively. A minor difference in potential sources in different areas was shown in principle component analysis results, which illustrated mixed sources (petrogenic and pyrogenic) in western TWS and petrogenic sources in northeastern SCS. An "enrichment in surface or deep but depletion in medium water" distribution pattern of PAHs depth profile during summertime was observed in Taiwan Bank, which was potentially influenced by the upwelling. The greatest lateral ∑14PAHs transport flux was found along the Taiwan Strait Current area (43.51 g s-1), followed by those along South China Sea Warm Current and Guangdong Coastal Current areas. Though the oceanic response to PAHs varied relatively slowly, the ocean current was a less-dominant pathway for PAHs exchange between the SCS and the East China Sea (ECS).

Emergence of a novel sublineage, MYMBD21 under SA-2018 lineage of Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus serotype O in Bangladesh.

Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) hinders the growth of the livestock industry in endemic countries like Bangladesh. The management and prevention of FMD are severely impacted by the high mutation rate and subsequent frequent generation of newer genotypes of the causative agent, Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus (FMDV). The current study was conducted in nine districts of Bangladesh during 2019-21 to characterize the circulating FMDV strains based on the VP1 sequence analysis, the major antigenic recognition site providing serotype specificity and high variability of FMDV. This study detected the first emergence of the SA-2018 lineage in Bangladesh along with the predominance of Ind-2001e (or Ind-2001BD1) sublineage of ME-SA topotype under serotype O during 2019-21. The mutational spectrum, evolutionary divergence analysis and multidimensional plotting confirmed the isolates collected from Mymensingh districts, designated as MYMBD21 as a novel sublineage under the SA-2018 lineage. Analysis of the amino acid sequence revealed several changes in the G-H loop, B-C loop and C-terminal region of VP1, revealing a 12-13% divergence from the existing vaccine strains and a 95% VP1 protein homology, with most of the mutations potentially considerable as vaccine escape mutations, evidenced by three-dimensional structural analysis. This is the first report on the emergence of the SA-2018 lineage of ME-SA topotype of FMDV serotype O in Bangladesh, as well as a possible mutational trend towards the emergence of a distinct sublineage under SA-2018 lineage, which calls for in-depth genome-wide analysis and monitoring of the FMD situation in the country to implement a strategic vaccination and effective FMD control program.

Surface structures changes and biofilm communities development of degradable plastics during aging in coastal seawater.

Biodegradable plastics (BPs) are a suitable alternative to conventional plastics. Still, their excessive or unplanned use may disrupt the abundance and community structure of the microbial population. To this end, a 58-day experiment in which biodegradable plastic objects, such as bags and boxes, were exposed to near-coastal seawater was conducted. They also assessed how they affected the diversity and organization of bacterial populations in seawater and on the surface of BPs products. It is evident that after the exposure time, both BP's bag and box products deteriorate in the ocean to varying degrees. The results of high-throughput sequencing of bacterial communities in seawater and those colonized on BPs products reveal significant differences in microbial community structures between seawater and BPs plastic samples. These suggest that the degradation of biodegradable plastics is shadowed by microorganisms and exposure time, while BP products influence the structural characteristics of microbial communities.

Therapeutic potentials of Adenostemma lavenia (L.) O.Kuntze evidenced into an array of pharmacological effects and ligand-receptor interactions.

This study constructed the phytochemical profiles of Adenostemma lavenia (L) methanol extract (MEAL) and investigated its anti-nociceptive, anti-diarrheal, antipyretic, thrombolytic and anthelmintic effects. The GC-MS characterized MEAL had undergone an in vivo antipyretic effect assayed on Swiss albino mice adopting the yeast-induced pyrexia model, antinociceptive activity tested following acetic acid-induced writhing and formalin-induced licking paw models, anti-diarrheal effect in castor oil-induced diarrhea, castor oil-induced enteropooling, and charcoal-induced intestinal transit tests, in vitro thrombolytic effect using clot-lysis model and anthelmintic effects assayed on Tubifex tubifex nematode. The MEAL biometabolites and associated proteins of target diseases were interacted with computational analysis. The MEAL showed a significant dose-dependent percentage of inhibition in acetic acid-induced writhing and formalin-induced paw licking displaying inhibition of 80.40% in acetic acid-induced writhing and 36.23% and 58.21% in the second phase of the formalin-induced model. The MEAL inhibition of 34.37%, 35.29%, and 42.95% in castor oil-induced diarrhea, castor oil-induced enteropooling, and charcoal-induced gastrointestinal motility, respectively. The MEAL significantly reduced yeast-induced pyrexia. Its biometabolites showed remarkable (-4.1 kcal/mol to 7.4 kcal/mol) binding affinity with the protein receptors. Caryophyllene and Cyclobarbital yielded the best binding scores in this research. Results suggest that pure compounds-based pharmacological investigations are necessary to affirm the therapeutic effects.

In silico annotation of a hypothetical protein from Listeria monocytogenes EGD-e unfolds a toxin protein of the type II secretion system.

The gram-positive bacterium Listeria monocytogenes is an important foodborne intracellular pathogen that is widespread in the environment. The functions of hypothetical proteins (HP) from various pathogenic bacteria have been successfully annotated using a variety of bioinformatics strategies. In this study, a HP Imo0888 (NP_464414.1) from the Listeria monocytogenes EGD-e strain was annotated using several bioinformatics tools. Various techniques, including CELLO, PSORTb, and SOSUIGramN, identified the candidate protein as cytoplasmic. Domain and motif analysis revealed that the target protein is a PemK/MazFlike toxin protein of the type II toxin-antitoxin system (TAS) which was consistent with BLASTp analysis. Through secondary structure analysis, we found the random coil to be the most frequent. The Alpha Fold 2 Protein Structure Prediction Database was used to determine the three-dimensional (3D) structure of the HP using the template structure of a type II TAS PemK/MazF family toxin protein (DB ID_AFDB: A0A4B9HQB9) with 99.1% sequence identity. Various quality evaluation tools, such as PROCHECK, ERRAT, Verify 3D, and QMEAN were used to validate the 3D structure. Following the YASARA energy minimization method, the target protein's 3D structure became more stable. The active site of the developed 3D structure was determined by the CASTp server. Most pathogens that harbor TAS create a crucial risk to human health. Our aim to annotate the HP Imo088 found in Listeria could offer a chance to understand bacterial pathogenicity and identify a number of potential targets for drug development.

Reactive etching of gallium oxide on eutectic gallium indium (eGaIn) with chlorosilane vapor to induce differential wetting.

Differentially wettable surfaces are well sought after in energy, water, health care, separation science, self-cleaning, biology, and other lab-on-chip applications-however, most demonstrations of realizing differential wettability demand complex processes. Herein, we chemically etch gallium oxide (Ga2O3) from in-plane patterns (2D) of eutectic gallium indium (eGaIn) to demonstrate a differentially wettable interface using chlorosilane vapor. We produce 2D patterns of eGaIn on bare glass slides in native air using cotton swabs as paint brushes. Exposing the entire system to chlorosilane vapor induces chemical etching of the oxide layer, which recovers the high-surface energy of eGaIn, to produce nano-to-mm droplets on the pre-patterned area. We rinse the entire system with deionized (DI) water to achieve differentially wettable surfaces. Measurements of contact angles using a goniometer confirmed hydrophobic and hydrophilic interfaces. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images confirmed the distribution and energy dispersive spectra (EDS) exhibited the elemental compositions of the micro-to-nano droplets after silanization (silane treatment). Also, we demonstrated two proofs of concept, i.e., open-ended microfluidics and differential wettability on curved interfaces, to demonstrate the advanced applications of the current work. This straightforward approach using two soft materials (silane and eGaIn) to achieve differential wettability on laboratory-grade glass slides and other surfaces has future implications for nature-inspired self-cleaning surfaces in nanotechnologies, bioinspired and biomimetic open-channel microfluidics, coatings, and fluid-structure interactions.

A Ventromedial Prefrontal-to-Lateral Entorhinal Cortex Pathway Modulates the Gain of Behavioral Responding During Threat.

BACKGROUND: The ability to correctly associate cues and contexts with threat is critical for survival, and the inability to do so can result in threat-related disorders such as posttraumatic stress disorder. The prefrontal cortex (PFC) and hippocampus are well known to play critical roles in cued and contextual threat memory processing. However, the circuits that mediate prefrontal-hippocampal modulation of context discrimination during cued threat processing are less understood. Here, we demonstrate the role of a previously unexplored projection from the ventromedial region of PFC (vmPFC) to the lateral entorhinal cortex (LEC) in modulating the gain of behavior in response to contextual information during threat retrieval and encoding. METHODS: We used optogenetics followed by in vivo calcium imaging in male C57/B6J mice to manipulate and monitor vmPFC-LEC activity in response to threat-associated cues in different contexts. We then investigated the inputs to, and outputs from, vmPFC-LEC cells using Rabies tracing and channelrhodopsin-assisted electrophysiology. RESULTS: vmPFC-LEC cells flexibly and bidirectionally shaped behavior during threat expression, shaping sensitivity to contextual information to increase or decrease the gain of behavioral output in response to a threatening or neutral context, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Glutamatergic vmPFC-LEC cells are key players in behavioral gain control in response to contextual information during threat processing and may provide a future target for intervention in threat-based disorders.

Neurobiological effects of gallic acid: current perspectives.

Gallic acid (GA) is a phenolic molecule found naturally in a wide range of fruits as well as in medicinal plants. It has many health benefits due to its antioxidant properties. This study focused on finding out the neurobiological effects and mechanisms of GA using published data from reputed databases. For this, data were collected from various sources, such as PubMed/Medline, Science Direct, Scopus, Google Scholar, SpringerLink, and Web of Science. The findings suggest that GA can be used to manage several neurological diseases and disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, strokes, sedation, depression, psychosis, neuropathic pain, anxiety, and memory loss, as well as neuroinflammation. According to database reports and this current literature-based study, GA may be considered one of the potential lead compounds to treat neurological diseases and disorders. More preclinical and clinical studies are required to establish GA as a neuroprotective drug.

Distribution and sources of microplastics in the Beibu Gulf using in-situ filtration technique.

The Beibu Gulf is a vital link between China and the ASEAN nations, and microplastic contamination is rising due to fast growth, coastal life, fisheries, and mariculture. The abundance, distribution, and source analyses were conducted at 25 sample points for this study. According to this study, the average MPs was 0.25 ± 0.05 items/m3, ranging from 0.01 items/m3 to 0.89 items/m3. Fibers, white, cellulose, and 0.33-1 mm were abundant in shape, color, composition, and size, respectively. Multi-statistics-based source analysis indicated land-based inputs (packing materials, textile materials, fisheries, and mariculture) were dominant in the Beibu Gulf. In this study, we also acknowledged a comprehensive comparison and convenience between plankton pumps and other conventional designs to collect microplastic samples from water. We suggested that using a uniform design could elevate the data quality of microplastics.

Quercetin: A Functional Food-Flavonoid Incredibly Attenuates Emerging and Re-Emerging Viral Infections through Immunomodulatory Actions.

Many of the medicinally active molecules in the flavonoid class of phytochemicals are being researched for their potential antiviral activity against various DNA and RNA viruses. Quercetin is a flavonoid that can be found in a variety of foods, including fruits and vegetables. It has been reported to be effective against a variety of viruses. This review, therefore, deciphered the mechanistic of how Quercetin works against some of the deadliest viruses, such as influenza A, Hepatitis C, Dengue type 2 and Ebola virus, which cause frequent outbreaks worldwide and result in significant morbidity and mortality in humans through epidemics or pandemics. All those have an alarming impact on both human health and the global and national economies. The review extended computing the Quercetin-contained natural recourse and its modes of action in different experimental approaches leading to antiviral actions. The gap in effective treatment emphasizes the necessity of a search for new effective antiviral compounds. Quercetin shows potential antiviral activity and inhibits it by targeting viral infections at multiple stages. The suppression of viral neuraminidase, proteases and DNA/RNA polymerases and the alteration of many viral proteins as well as their immunomodulation are the main molecular mechanisms of Quercetin's antiviral activities. Nonetheless, the huge potential of Quercetin and its extensive use is inadequately approached as a therapeutic for emerging and re-emerging viral infections. Therefore, this review enumerated the food-functioned Quercetin source, the modes of action of Quercetin for antiviral effects and made insights on the mechanism-based antiviral action of Quercetin.

How acidic amino acid residues facilitate DNA target site selection.

Despite the negative charge of the DNA backbone, acidic residues (Asp/Glu) commonly participate in the base readout, with a strong preference for cytosine. In fact, in the solved DNA/protein structures, cytosine is recognized almost exclusively by Asp/Glu through a direct hydrogen bond, while at the same time, adenine, regardless of its amino group, shows no propensity for Asp/Glu. Here, we analyzed the contribution of Asp/Glu to sequence-specific DNA binding using classical and ab initio simulations of selected transcription factors and found that it is governed by a fine balance between the repulsion from backbone phosphates and attractive interactions with cytosine. Specifically, Asp/Glu lower the affinity for noncytosine sites and thus act as negative selectors preventing off-target binding. At cytosine-containing sites, the favorable contribution does not merely rely on the formation of a single H-bond but usually requires the presence of positive potential generated by multiple cytosines, consistently with the observed excess of cytosine in the target sites. Finally, we show that the preference of Asp/Glu for cytosine over adenine is a result of the repulsion from the adenine imidazole ring and a tendency of purine-purine dinucleotides to adopt the BII conformation.