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Mask usage remains low across many parts of the world during the COVID- 19 pandemic, and strategies to increase mask-wearing remain untested. Our objectives were to identify strategies that can persistently increase mask-wearing and assess the impact of increasing mask-wearing on symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infections. We conducted a cluster-randomized trial of community-level mask promotion in rural Bangladesh from November 2020 to April 2021 (N=600 villages, N=342,126 adults). We cross-randomized mask promotion strategies at the village and household level, including cloth vs. surgical masks. All intervention arms received free masks, information on the importance of masking, role modeling by community leaders, and in-person reminders for 8 weeks. The control group did not receive any interventions. Neither participants nor field staff were blinded to intervention assignment. Outcomes included symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence (primary) and prevalence of proper mask-wearing, physical distancing, and symptoms consistent with COVID-19 (secondary). Mask-wearing and physical distancing were assessed through direct observation at least weekly at mosques, markets, the main entrance roads to villages, and tea stalls. At 5 and 9 weeks follow-up, we surveyed all reachable participants about COVID-related symptoms. Blood samples collected at 10-12 weeks of follow-up for symptomatic individuals were analyzed for SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies. There were 178,288 individuals in the intervention group and 163,838 individuals in the control group. The intervention increased proper mask-wearing from 13.3% in control villages (N=806,547 observations) to 42.3% in treatment villages (N=797,715 observations) (adjusted percentage point difference = 0.29 [0.27, 0.31]). This tripling of mask usage was sustained during the intervention period and two weeks after. Physical distancing increased from 24.1% in control villages to 29.2% in treatment villages (adjusted percentage point difference = 0.05 [0.04, 0.06]). After 5 months, the impact of the intervention faded, but mask-wearing remained 10 percentage points higher in the intervention group. The proportion of individuals with COVID-like symptoms was 7.62% (N=13,273) in the intervention arm and 8.62% (N=13,893) in the control arm. Blood samples were collected from N=10,952 consenting, symptomatic individuals. Adjusting for baseline covariates, the intervention reduced symptomatic seroprevalence by 9.3% (adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR) = 0.91 [0.82, 1.00]; control prevalence 0.76%; treatment prevalence 0.68%). In villages randomized to surgical masks (n = 200), the relative reduction was 11.2% overall (aPR = 0.89 [0.78, 1.00]) and 34.7% among individuals 60+ (aPR = 0.65 [0.46, 0.85]). No adverse events were reported.

The human liver exhibits variable characteristics and anatomical information, which is often ambiguous in radiological images. Machine learning can be of great assistance in automatically segmenting the liver in radiological images, which can be further processed for computer-aided diagnosis. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is preferred by clinicians for liver pathology diagnosis over volumetric abdominal computerized tomography (CT) scans, due to their superior representation of soft tissues. The convenience of Hounsfield unit (HoU) based preprocessing in CT scans is not available in MRI, making automatic segmentation challenging for MR images. This study investigates multiple state-of-the-art segmentation networks for liver segmentation from volumetric MRI images. Here, T1-weighted (in-phase) scans are investigated using expert-labeled liver masks from a public dataset of 20 patients (647 MR slices) from the Combined Healthy Abdominal Organ Segmentation grant challenge (CHAOS). The reason for using T1-weighted images is that it demonstrates brighter fat content, thus providing enhanced images for the segmentation task. Twenty-four different state-of-the-art segmentation networks with varying depths of dense, residual, and inception encoder and decoder backbones were investigated for the task. A novel cascaded network is proposed to segment axial liver slices. The proposed framework outperforms existing approaches reported in the literature for the liver segmentation task (on the same test set) with a dice similarity coefficient (DSC) score and intersect over union (IoU) of 95.15 % and 92.10 % , respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ever since the discovery of jute endophytes, testing their potential for commercial uses has been a matter of interest. Considering the same, jute endophyte Micrococcus luteus MBL-Bac7, capable of producing extracellular proteases, was selected for in vitro and in silico analysis to assess its role as a bating agent required in rawhide processing. The presence of extracellular protease was confirmed from the plate assay. As the enzyme is tested for commercial use, the effect of various metal ions and reaction conditions (pH, temperature) have been optimized. The protease activity appears to be retained even at 85°C. It also showed significant activity in a wide range of pH (pH 3.0-8.5). Metal ion Mn2+ increased the protease activity significantly, but Fe2+, Zn2+, and Co2+ ions showed the opposite effect. Molecular identification of the protease was done from the whole genome sequence data. Using PSORTb v.3.0.2, SecretomeP-1.0, TMHMM-2.0, and protein molecular weight software, the physicochemical properties of the protease were predicted. The isolated protease shared a strong evolutionary link with Micrococcus species' S8 family serine peptidase. Finally, in the bating of cowhide, effects similar to that of commercial agents were obtained during finger prick, lastometer, and tensile tests. The findings of this study corroborate the possibility of using this protease as a potential bating agent. However, further studies are necessary to reduce the production cost for higher yield and commercialization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obesity is an enduring medical issue that has raised concerns around the world. Natural plant extracts have shown therapeutic potential in preventing oxidative stress and inflammation related to obesity complications. In this study, Senna alexandrina Mill. leaves were utilized to treat high-fat diet-related metabolic disorders and non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases. Plasma biochemical assays were conducted to determine the lipid profiles and oxidative stress parameters, and the gene expression of antioxidant enzymes and inflammatory mediators was measured. Histological stained livers of high-fat diet-fed rats were observed. S. alexandrina leaf powder supplementation prevented the increase in cholesterol and triglyceride levels in high-fat diet-fed rats. Moreover, S. alexandrina leaves also reduced lipid peroxidation and nitric oxide production in these rats. Prevention of oxidative stress by S. alexandrina leaf supplementation in high-fat diet-fed rats is regulated by enhancing the antioxidant enzyme activity, followed by the restoration of corresponding gene expressions, such as NRF-2, HO-1, SOD, and CAT. Histological staining provides further evidence that S. alexandrina leaf supplementation prevents inflammatory cell infiltration, lipid droplet deposition, and fibrosis in the liver of high-fat diet-fed rats. Furthermore, this investigation revealed that S. alexandrina leaf supplementation controlled non-alcoholic fatty liver disease by modulating the expression of fat metabolizing enzymes in high-fat diet-fed rats. Therefore, S. alexandrina leaf supplementation inhibits fatty liver inflammation and fibrosis, suggesting its usefulness in treating non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. Thus, this natural leaf extract has potential in treatment of obesity related liver dysfunction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) has emerged as a valuable approach for forecasting disease outbreaks in developed countries with a centralized sewage infrastructure. On the other hand, due to the absence of well-defined and systematic sewage networks, WBE is challenging to implement in developing countries like Bangladesh where most people live in rural areas. Identification of appropriate locations for rural Hotspot Based Sampling (HBS) and urban Drain Based Sampling (DBS) are critical to enable WBE based monitoring system. We investigated the best sampling locations from both urban and rural areas in Bangladesh after evaluating the sanitation infrastructure for forecasting COVID-19 prevalence. A total of 168 wastewater samples were collected from 14 districts of Bangladesh during each of the two peak pandemic seasons. RT-qPCR commercial kits were used to target ORF1ab and N genes. The presence of SARS-CoV-2 genetic materials was found in 98% (165/168) and 95% (160/168) wastewater samples in the first and second round sampling, respectively. Although wastewater effluents from both the marketplace and isolation center drains were found with the highest amount of genetic materials according to the mixed model, quantifiable SARS-CoV-2 RNAs were also identified in the other four sampling sites. Hence, wastewater samples of the marketplace in rural areas and isolation centers in urban areas can be considered the appropriate sampling sites to detect contagion hotspots. This is the first complete study to detect SARS-CoV-2 genetic components in wastewater samples collected from rural and urban areas for monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic. The results based on the study revealed a correlation between viral copy numbers in wastewater samples and SARS-CoV-2 positive cases reported by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) as part of the national surveillance program for COVID-19 prevention. The findings of this study will help in setting strategies and guidelines for the selection of appropriate sampling sites, which will facilitate in development of comprehensive wastewater-based epidemiological systems for surveillance of rural and urban areas of low-income countries with inadequate sewage infrastructure. [Display omitted] • Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) is a vital monitoring tool to track COVID-19 outbreaks. • Informal sewage networks present major challenges for WBE in the developing world. • The study demonstrates a novel WBE monitoring from rural hotspot and urban drain systems. • Genetic signals optimized from regional sampling sites. • WBE data correlated with clinically diagnosed cases of COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Streptococcus uberis, a Gram-positive, catalase-negative member of the family Streptococcaceae is an important environmental pathogen responsible for a significant proportion of subclinical and clinical bovine intramammary infections. Currently, the genome of only a single reference strain (0140J) has been described. Here we present a comparative analysis of complete draft genome sequences of an additional twelve S. uberis strains. Results: Pan and core genome analysis revealed the core genome common to all strains to be 1,550 genes in 1,509 orthologous clusters, complemented by 115-246 accessory genes present in one or more S. uberis strains but absent in the reference strain 0140J. Most of the previously predicted virulent genes were present in the core genome of all 13 strains but gene gain/loss was observed between the isolates in CDS associated with clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPRs), prophage and bacteriocin production. Experimental challenge experiments confirmed strain EF20 as non-virulent; only able to infect in a transient manner that did not result in clinical mastitis. Comparison of the genome sequence of EF20 with the validated virulent strain 0140J identified genes associated with virulence, however these did not relate clearly with clinical/non-clinical status of infection. Conclusion: The gain/loss of mobile genetic elements such as CRISPRs and prophage are a potential driving force for evolutionary change. This first "whole-genome" comparison of strains isolated from clinical vs non-clinical intramammary infections including the type virulent vs non-virulent strains did not identify simple gene gain/loss rules that readily explain, or be confidently associated with, differences in virulence. This suggests that a more complex dynamic determines infection potential and clinical outcome not simply gene content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Morganella morganii , a gram negative, facultative anaerobic bacterium belonging to the Proteeae tribe of the Morganellaceae family, is an unusual opportunistic pathogen mainly responsible for nosocomial and urinary tract infections. While cattle have long been established as a source of a few zoonotic pathogens, no such data has been recorded for M. morganii despite its ubiquitous presence in nature and a number of animal hosts. In this study, draft genomes were produced of three M. morganii isolates from Bangladeshi cattle. The three isolates, named B2, B3 and B5, possessed an average genome size of 3.9 Mp, a GC% of ∼51% and pan and core genomes of 4637 and 3812 genes, respectively. All strains were bearers of the qnrD1 carrying plasmid Col3M and possessed roughly similar virulence profiles and prophage regions. The strains also carried genes that were unique when compared with other publicly available M. morganii genomes. Many of these genes belonged to metabolic pathways associated with adaptation to environmental stresses and were predicted in silico to be borne in genomic islands. The findings of this study expand on the current understanding of M. morganii ''s genomic nature and its adaptation in cattle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here, we report the whole genome sequence of Stutzerimonas stutzeri strain NGHE31, isolated from Dekhar Haor, following the 2017 flash flood that resulted in mass die-offs of local wildlife. The predicted genome size is 4,434,670 bp, with 63.97% GC content, 4,035 coding sequences, 3 rRNAs, and 50 tRNAs., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Background: Surgical site infections (SSIs) pose a global challenge, impacting patients and healthcare expenditures. This second-order meta-analysis endeavors to assess the efficacy of antibiotic sutures in averting SSIs by amalgamating data from various meta-studies., Materials and Methods: This research adhered to the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. The quality and comprehensiveness of the encompassed meta-analyses were assessed through the QUOROM checklist and AMSTAR techniques. The primary study overlap was evaluated via measures such as pairwise intersection heat maps, corrected covered area, and the citation matrix of evidence. The statistical power at the study-level was determined utilizing the meta-meta package. Data synthesis employed random and fixed effects models at a 95% CI. A meta-regression analysis was conducted to explore potential correlations between the CDC classification of SSIs, trial types, and the observed effect sizes in the studies., Results: This investigation revealed a significant reduction in SSI rates due to antimicrobial-coated sutures, evidenced by a relative risk (RR) of 0.68 (95% CI: 0.59-0.76), with a prediction interval of 0.38-1.19. The analysis encompassed 18 studies with 22 meta-analyses, demonstrating a median QUOROM score of 13.6 out of 18 and an AMSTAR score of 9.1 out of 11. The presence of moderate heterogeneity was noted ( Q =106.611, I2 =54.038%), with nonrandomized controlled trials exhibiting an RR of 0.56 (95% CI: 0.39-0.80), and RCTs displaying an RR of 0.71 (95% CI: 0.63-0.81). Subgroup analysis unveiled variable RR reductions for specific surgical procedures., Conclusion: Antimicrobial-coated sutures offer a promising approach to mitigating SSIs risk. However, their efficacy is optimally realized when employed in conjunction with other robust practices., (Copyright © 2023 The Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

We report the sequencing of three severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) genomes from Bangladesh. We have identified a unique mutation (NSP2_V480I) in one of the sequenced genomes (isolate hCoV-19/Bangladesh/BCSIR-NILMRC-006/2020) compared to the sequences available in the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data (GISAID) database. The data from this analysis will contribute to advancing our understanding of the epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 in Bangladesh as well as worldwide at the molecular level and will identify potential new targets for interventions., (Copyright © 2020 Akter et al.)

Here, we present the draft genome sequence of Bacillus cereus strain TN10, which exhibited chromium resistance and chromium-reducing ability. The whole-genome sequence analysis of strain TN10 will help us to understand its genetic factors involved in the bioremediation of Cr 6 ., (Copyright © 2020 Hossain et al.)

We report here the first draft genome sequence of the non-O1/non-O139 Vibrio cholerae strain VcN1, isolated from Dhaka, Bangladesh. The data submitted to GenBank for this strain will contribute to advancing our understanding of this environmentally disseminated bacterium, including its virulence and its evolution as an important pathogen., (Copyright © 2018 Hossain et al.)

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of amoebic infection in non-human primates (NHPs) from six Zoological gardens in the United Kingdom. Initially, 126 faecal samples were collected from 37 individually identified NHPs at Twycross Zoo, UK, and were subjected to microscopic examination. A subsequent, nationwide experiment included 350 faecal samples from 89 individually identified NHPs and 73 unidentified NHPs from a number of UK captive wildlife facilities: Twycross Zoo (n = 60), Colchester Zoo (n = 3), Edinburgh Zoo (n = 6), Port Lympne Wild Animal Park (n = 58), Howletts Wild Animal Park (n = 31), and Cotswold Wildlife Park (n = 4). Samples were examined by PCR and sequencing using four specific primer sets designed to differentiate between the pathogenic E. histolytica, the non-pathogenic E. dispar, and non-pathogenic uninucleate cyst-producing Entamoeba species. In the first experiment, Entamoeba was detected in 30 primates (81.1%). Six (16.2%) primates were infected with E. histolytica species complex. The highest carriage of Entamoeba species was found in Old World Colobinae primates. In the nationwide experiment, molecular analysis of faecal samples revealed notable rates of Entamoeba infection (101 samples, 28.9%), including one sample infected with E. histolytica, 14 samples with E. dispar, and 86 samples with uninucleated-cyst producing Entamoeba species. Sequences of positive uninucleated-cyst producing Entamoeba samples from Twycross Zoo clustered with the E. polecki reference sequences ST4 reported in Homo sapiens, and are widely separated from other Entamoeba species. These findings suggest a low prevalence of the pathogenic Entamoeba infection, but notable prevalence of non-pathogenic E. polecki infection in NHPs in the UK.

Highly ciprofloxacin-resistant (MIC, 512 microg/ml) strains of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi were isolated from the blood of typhoid patients in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The strains were indistinguishable by their antibiograms, biotypes, and variable-number tandem repeat types and had matching point mutations at positions 83 and 87 of the gyrA gene. The isolation of these strains in an area of high endemicity indicates the need for continuous surveillance of antibiotic resistance of S. enterica serovar Typhi and for the rationalized use of ciprofloxacin.

The prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and reproductive tract infections (RTIs) among hotel-based sex workers (HBSWs) in Dhaka, Bangladesh, was studied. A total of 400 HBSWs were enrolled in the study during April to July 2002. Endocervical swabs, high vaginal swabs, and blood samples from 400 HBSWs were examined for Neisseria gonorrhoeae (by culture), Chlamydia trachomatis (by PCR), Trichomonas vaginalis (by microscopy), antibody to Treponema pallidum (by both rapid plasma reagin and Treponema pallidum hemagglutination tests), and antibody to herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) (by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). Sociodemographic information as well as gynecological and obstetric information was collected. Among the HBSWs, 228 women (57%) were symptomatic and 172 (43%) were asymptomatic, 35.8% were positive for N. gonorrhoeae, 43.5% were positive for C. trachomatis, and 4.3% were positive for T. vaginalis. A total of 8.5% had syphilis, 34.5% were positive for HSV-2, and 86.8% were positive for at least one RTI or STI. There was no significant difference between the prevalences of STIs among the symptomatic and asymptomatic HBSWs. These data suggested a high prevalence of STIs, particularly gonorrhea and chlamydia, among HBSWs in Dhaka.