4G mobile phone radiation alters some immunogenic and vascular gene expressions, and gross and microscopic and biochemical parameters in the chick embryo model.

BACKGROUND: The risks to human health have grown over the past 10 years due to the excessive use of mobile phones. OBJECTIVES: The study was designed to determine the harmful effects of 4G mobile phone radiation on the expression of immunogenic and vascular genes and gross, microscopic and biochemical alterations in the development of chicken embryos. METHODS: Sixty individuals in the exposure group were subjected to mobile phones with a specific absorption rate of 1.4 W/kg and a frequency of 2100 MHz positioned at a distance of 12 cm in the incubator for 60 min/night for 14 days. The histopathological examination involved hematoxylin and eosin staining, whereas cresyl violet staining was used to evaluate the condition and number of neurons in the brain. The biochemical parameters of amniotic fluid were analysed using the photometry method, and the expression of VEGF-A and immunity genes (AvBD9, IL6) was measured using the real-time PCR (qPCR) technique. RESULTS: Compared to the control, the exposure group's body weight and length significantly decreased (p < 0.05). Subcutaneous bleeding was seen in the exposure group. Urea, creatinine, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels were all significantly higher than in the control group (p < 0.05). The exposed group showed pathological lesions in the liver and degenerated neurons with lightly stained nuclei in the cerebral cortex. Hyperchromatic neurons were significantly higher in the exposure group (58.8 ± 2.28) compared to the control (6.6 ± 0.44) (p < 0.05). 4G exposure reduced lymphocyte count in the caecal tonsil (86.8 ± 5.38) compared to the control (147.2 ± 9.06) (p < 0.05). Vascular gene mRNA expression was higher, but immune gene expression was lower in the exposed group. CONCLUSION: Exposure to mobile phone radiation may result in gross, microscopic and biochemical changes, as well as alterations in gene expression that could hinder embryonic development.

Extract of neem (Azadirachta indica) leaf exhibits bactericidal effect against multidrug resistant pathogenic bacteria of poultry.

The aim of the study was to determine the efficacy of neem leaf extract against multidrug resistant (MDR) pathogenic bacteria. Laboratory stock culture of Pasteurella multocida, Salmonella pullorum, Salmonella gallinarum and Escherichia coli was revived. Antibiogram profiles of these bacteria were determined by disc diffusion method. Ethanolic extract of neem leaf was prepared. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of neem leaf extract (112.5, 100, 50, 25, 12.5, 6.25 and 3.12 mg/ml) against MDR pathogenic bacteria of poultry were determined by double dilution method. The MIC and MBC of the neem leaf extract were 12.5 and 25 mg/ml, respectively for P. multocida, 50 and 100 mg/ml for S. pullorum and S. gallinarum, 100 and 112.5 mg/ml for E. coli. Neem leaf extracts exhibited bactericidal effect against MDR pathogenic bacteria of poultry.

Duck virus enteritis (duck plague) outbreak in an Australian black swan (Cygnus atratus) flock at safari park in Bangladesh: A case report.

OBJECTIVE: Duck virus enteritis is a severe viral disease that kills ducks and swans worldwide. The clinical manifestations, gross pathology, molecular detection, and characterization of the duck virus enteritis virus (DVEV) in Australian black swans at a safari park in Bangladesh were described in this case report. MATERIALS AND METHODS: On a safari park in Bangladesh, an Australian black swan flock exhibited clinical signs of anorexia, greenish watery diarrhea, increased thirst, partial paralysis, and death. Postmortem examinations of deceased swans revealed extensive pathological abnormalities in the trachea, liver, and spleen. To isolate DVEV, a viral inoculum produced from the liver and spleen of dead swans was implanted into 9-13-day-old embryonated duck eggs via the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) route. DVEV was confirmed using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. Phylogenetic analysis was used to determine the genetic relationship between the DVEV isolates from Australian black swans, and 16 DVEV isolates previously described in the GenBank. RESULTS: Hemorrhage was noted in the annular ring of the trachea, as well as an enlarged and hemorrhagic liver and spleen. The PCR assay amplified a 446-bp fragment of the DVEV DNA polymerase gene in the liver, spleen, and CAM homogenates. The phylogenetic analysis found that the DVEV isolates from swans were comparable to those from Bangladesh, India, Vietnam, China, Germany, the USA, and Egypt. CONCLUSION: According to the findings of this study, the DVEV was the cause of illness and mortality in an Australian black swan flock.

First isolation, identification and genetic characterization of Brucella abortus biovar 3 from dairy cattle in Bangladesh.

BACKGROUND: Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease caused by bacteria Brucella spp. belonging to the genus Brucella. It is endemic in domesticated animals in Bangladesh. Isolation, identification and genetic characterization of Brucella spp. in dairy cattle are essential to undertake appropriate control and preventive measures. The study was conducted to isolate and characterize the Brucella spp. circulating in dairy cattle. METHODS: Uterine discharge (n = 45), milk (n = 115), vaginal swab (n = 71), placenta (n = 7) and aborted fetus (n = 2) were collected. Brucella selective agar plates were inoculated with samples and incubated at 37 ◦ C for 14 days under 5% CO2 for isolation of Brucella spp. Brucella suspected colonies were recovered from samples were confirmed by genus and species specific PCR assays. Genetic characterization was performed by Multi Locus Variable number tandem-repeat Analysis-16 (MLVA-16). RESULTS: The isolates of Brucella recovered from samples were confirmed as B. abortus by AMOS-ERY PCR assay. The classical biotyping method confirmed all 10 B. abortus isolates belonged to the biovar 3. The MLVA-16 assay indicated all B. abortus isolates identical and the same genotype 40, based on panel 1 MLVA-8. CONCLUSION: Dendrogram analysis revealed all B. abortus isolates of the study were identical to three isolates from Brazil, one isolate of France and closely related to Chinese isolates. This is the first report of isolation and genetic characterization of B. abortus from the dairy cattle in Bangladesh.

Molecular Detection of Brucella spp. from Milk of Seronegative Cows from Some Selected Area in Bangladesh.

Brucellosis is endemic in Bangladesh both in humans and in animals. A number of reasons complicate the diagnosis, as bovine brucellosis can be diagnosed by various serological tests. But the tests have a limitation; when the organism remains intracellular, the disease goes into chronic stage and the antibody titres may decline. The present study was conducted for isolation and detection of Brucella spp. by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) from seronegative cows. A total of 360 dairy cows from three geographical regions were screened serologically by Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT) where 24 samples were serologically positive and the rest of the samples were serologically negative. Among the 24 seropositive individuals, 11 were culture positive and 6 were culture positive from serologically negative dairy cows. The overall seroprevalence of brucellosis in cattle was 6.6% and in disease condition a higher prevalence was recorded in abortion (28.07%) followed by infertility (13.33%). To confirm the Brucella spp. in seronegative dairy cattle, the isolates were extracted and PCR was conducted, which produced 905 bp amplicon size of 6 Brucella spp. from milk sample. So, for the detection or eradication of brucellosis, a bacteriological test and a PCR technique should be performed with the serological test of milk.

Synthesis and reactivity of N-alkyl carbamoylimidazoles: development of N-methyl carbamoylimidazole as a methyl isocyanate equivalent.

A high-yielding synthesis of N-methyl carbamoylimidazole from 1,1-carbonyldiimidazole (CDI) and MeNH(3)Cl is described. The product is a crystalline, readily storable, water-stable compound that reacts as a methyl isocyanate (MIC) substitute. Reaction of N-methyl carbamoylimidazole in the presence of a base such as triethylamine occurs with nucleophiles such as amines, protected and unprotected amino acids, thiols and alcohols. The product N-methylureas, carbamates and thiocarbamates are obtained in good to excellent yields, with reactions occurring in either organic solvents or water. The protocol for the synthesis of N-methyl carbamoylimidazole is both scalable and general, occurring in quantitative yield at scales ranging from 300 mg to 20 g. The success of this method relies upon the reaction of CDI with the ammonium salt rather than the free amine, resulting in a significant improvement in the yield of N-methyl carbamoylimidazole. The reaction presumably involves a proton transfer from MeNH(3)Cl to the CDI, which results in the release of MeNH(2) with simultaneous activation of the CDI as its protonated form. Other primary ammonium hydrochloride salts, including protected α-amino acid salts, give excellent yields of the corresponding N-alkyl carbamoylimidazoles and serve as alkyl isocyanate surrogates. The resultant N-alkyl carbamoylimidazoles can be converted to ureas in high yields without the formation of intermediary isocyanates.

Prevalence of ischemic heart disease in a rural population of Bangladesh.

Bangladeshi people, as other South Asians, have high susceptibility to ischemic heart disease (IHD) but population-based data are lacking in Bangladesh. We investigated for IHD burden in a rural population of Bangladesh in 2001. Information was sought on use of medications for IHD and electrocardiogram was done in 447 adults (157 men and 290 women) aged 20 years or older (mean 40 years). Prevalence of IHD defined by presence of pathological Q wave on electrocardiogram or current medication for IHD is 3.4% (95% confidence interval, 1.7% to 5.1%). Prevalence in men (4.6%, 1.3% to 7.9%) was almost twice than in women (2.7%, 0.8% to 4.6%). However, this sex-difference should be cautiously interpreted because of small sample size for men. It appears that IHD is an important problem even in this traditional rural population of Bangladesh.

Synthesis of gerfelin and related analogous compounds.

Gerfelin, an inhibitor of human geranylgeranyl diphosphate (GGPP) synthase that has been isolated from a culture broth of Beauveria felina QN22047, was synthesized in 4 and 3 steps starting from 2,4-dihydroxy-6-methylbenzoic acid and 3,4,5-trihydroxytoluene, respectively. An effective ligand, 2-(di-tert-butylphosphino)biphenyl, was used in the palladium-catalyzed diaryl ether-forming reaction. Five analogous compounds of gerfelin were also synthesized for a study of the structure-activity relationship.

Non-biochemical risk factors for cardiovascular disease in general clinic-based rural population of Bangladesh.

BACKGROUND: Strategies for preventing premature cardiovascular disease include measures to control its risk factors. To plan such activities, prevalence of these factors must be known. Data regarding risk factor prevalence is limited in Bangladesh and measurement of biochemical factors is not always feasible. The aim of our study is to describe the non-biochemical risk factors in a clinic-based rural population of Bangladesh that would reflect at least a part of the problem in the rural area. METHODS: A cross sectional study was done in a clinic based patient population aged 20 years and older (471 males and 800 females) in a rural community of Bangladesh. A questionnaire on lifestyle including dietary and smoking habit was administered and physical examinations including height, weight, waist circumference, and blood pressure were measured in standardized way. RESULTS: Mean body mass index was 18.5 kg/m2 (standard deviation [SD]: 2.9 kg/m2) in males and 18.7 kg/m2 (SD: 3.3 kg/m2) in females. Mean systolic blood pressure was 120.0 mmHg (SD: 18.5 mmHg) and mean diastolic blood pressure 77.2 mmHg (SD: 9.9 mmHg) in all subjects. The prevalence of hypertension (140+/90+ mmHg and/or on treatment) was 17.8%. Prevalence of tobacco consumption (smoking and chewing) was 43.8% in males and 27.1 in females. Prevalence of abdominal obesity (waist circumference >94 cm in males, >80 cm in females) was 1.6 % and 11.4 % for males and females respectively. Proportion of overweight (BMI 25.0+) was 3.6%. CONCLUSION: Prevention programs and measures should be emphasized for the control of tobacco and hypertension in general, and central obesity in females, as far as rural population of Bangladesh is concerned.