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Chronic infection of Helicobacter pylori represents a key factor in the etiology of gastrointestinal diseases, with high endemicity in South Asia. The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of H. pylori among dyspeptic patients in north–central Bangladesh (Mymensingh) and analyze risk factors of infection and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) determinants in the pathogen. Endoscopic gastrointestinal biopsy samples were collected from dyspeptic patients for a one-year period from March 2022 and were checked for the presence of H. pylori via the rapid urease test and PCR and further analyzed for the status of virulence factors vacA/cagA and genetic determinants related to AMR via PCR with direct sequencing or RFLP. Among a total of 221 samples collected, 80 (36%) were positive for H. pylori, with the vacA+/cagA+ genotype being detected in almost half of them. H. pylori was most prevalent in the age group of 41–50-year-olds, with it being more common in males and rural residents with a lower economic status and using nonfiltered water, though the rates of these factors were not significantly different from those of the H. pylori-negative group. Relatively higher frequency was noted for the A2147G mutation in 23S rRNA, related to clarithromycin resistance (18%, 7/39). Amino acid substitutions in PBP-1A (T556S) and GyrA (N87K and D91N) and a 200 bp deletion in rdxA were detected in samples from some patients with recurrence after treatment with amoxicillin, levofloxacin, and metronidazole, respectively. The present study describes the epidemiological features of H. pylori infection in the area outside the capital in Bangladesh, revealing the spread of AMR-associated mutations.

This review was performed to determine the potential of drugs that can remove or decrease the requirements for blood transfusion among beta (β)-thalassemia patients. A comprehensive literature search was conducted to identify clinical trials and studies using PubMed Central, Google Scholar, PubMed, and ScienceDirect archived articles published from 1996 to November 2023. According to this review, clinical trials for a number of drugs, including luspatercept, sotatercept, mitapivat, etavopivat, hydroxyurea, rapamycin, decitabine, thalidomide, and quercetin, have been performed as part of efforts to improve the cure strategy for β-thalassemia. Of these drugs, luspatercept and sotatercept have exhibited particularly promising results and have been granted US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for use in β-thalassemia patients. The mode of action for the drugs luspatercept and sotatercept involves the stimulation of hemoglobin (Hb) production or enhancement of its functionality, thereby decreasing reliance on blood transfusions and enhancing the overall quality of life. In this way, drugs like luspatercept and sotatercept present an opportunity to notably decrease the necessity for blood transfusions in β-thalassemia patients, improving their standard of living and overall prognosis. However, more research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of these drugs in the long run.

Salinity stress affects plant growth, development, nutrient uptake, and yield. Applications of micronutrients, specifically zinc (Zn), can mitigate the harmful consequences of salt stress. During the winter season of 2022, an experiment was conducted in the net house of BINA substation Satkhira, Bangladesh, to examine the impact of different Zn concentrations (5 and 10 kg ha-1) on tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) growth, yield, fruit quality, and nutrient acquisition abilities under different salt stress (SS) conditions (SS0.5%, SS1.0%, and SS1.5% NaCl). The result of the study showed that different stress conditions lowered the plant height, the number of branches per plant, flower clusters, and fruits per plant, plant yield, vitamin C, protein and lycopene contents, and the acquisition of different nutrients, i.e., nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe). The application of 10 kg Zn ha-1 (Zn10) increased all previously mentioned parameters in both saline and usual conditions. On the other hand, a decrease in the amount of Na in fruit was observed when Zn application was increased from 5 to 10 kg ha-1. Plant Na/K ratios were consequently lowest at the highest Zn concentration. Therefore, the findings indicate that Zn application improves tomato growth, yield, fruit quality, and nutrient acquisition traits by mitigating the negative impacts of saline environments.

Objective: Six Sigma-SS and the DMAIC-Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control cycle are employed to enhance the success of the launch of a new built-in oven with a digital panel. Method: Following the define and measure phases, to identify and eliminate potential failures, Failure Mode and Effect Analysis-FMEA is conducted and control plans were composed during the analyse phase. In the improvement phase, the Risk Priority Numbers-RPNs obtained through FMEA and recommendations were listed. Using Design of Experiments-DOE, the lifespan of bulbs in ovens was maintained at the target value while reducing procurement costs. In the control phase, the results of validation experiments and the gains were reported. Findings: After reporting the RPNs related to high-risk failure modes and providing improvement recommendations, DOE and Analysis of Variance were employed to determine which type of oven and brand of bulb could be used. If implemented, the expected annual savings are approximately 20,000 Euros. Originality: This article focuses on an integrated approach for a product that is set for a new launch. It aims to improve design and production processes using the SS while also targeting cost reduction in procurement processes. To the best of our knowledge, no similar study has been encountered in the literature.

Bone is constantly formed and resorbed throughout life by coordinated actions of osteoblasts and osteoclasts. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in osteoblast function remain incompletely understood. Here we show, for the first time, that the peptidyl-prolyl isomerase PIN1 controls the osteogenic activity of osteoblasts. Pin1 null mice exhibited an age-dependent decrease in bone mineral density and trabecular bone formation without alteration in cortical bone. Further analysis identified a defect in BMP signaling in Pin1 null osteoblasts but normal osteoclast function. PIN1 interacted with SMAD5 and was required for the expression by primary osteoblasts of osteoblast specific transcription factors (CBFA1 and OSX), ECM (collagen I and OCN) and the formation of bone nodules. Our results thus uncover a novel aspect of the molecular underpinning of osteoblast function and identify a new therapeutic target for bone diseases.

This study investigated the groundwater quality and its associated human health risks in the urban and peri-urban areas of Jashore, Bangladesh, where groundwater samples were collected from 67 randomly selected tube wells. The concentration of arsenic, iron, and manganese was analyzed by atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). The water quality index indicates that about 89 and 43% of groundwater samples are not consumable for the urban and peri-urban areas, respectively. All of the source water is significantly contaminated with Escherichia coli for urban (31 ± 17.77 CFU/100 mL) and peri-urban areas (76.12 ± 35.17 CFU/100 mL), where about 67 and 57% of water source has intermediate and high microbial risk of E. coli for urban and peri-urban areas, respectively. Children and adults face unacceptable non-carcinogenic health risks for the urban area (4.13–10.67 for adults; 9.65–24.91 for children) and peri-urban area (1.05–5.58 for adults; 2.46–13.03 for children) via oral ingestion. Both groups (e.g. children = 4.25E-03 to 1.10E-02 and adult = 1.82E-03 to 4.71E-03 for urban regions; children = 1E-03 to 5E-03 and adult = 4.29E0-04 to 2.14E-03 for peri-urban regions) face undesirable carcinogenic risks from arsenic. In addition, children are suspected to have 2.33 times higher non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks than adults. HIGHLIGHTS About 89 and 43% of groundwater samples are not drinkable for the urban and peri-urban areas, respectively.; About 67 and 57% of water source has intermediate and high microbial risk by Escherichia coli for urban and peri-urban areas, respectively.; Children are suspected to have 2.33 times higher non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks than adults.;

This study investigated the impact of whey protein isolate (WPI) addition on the dry heat modification of corn (CS) and wheat starch (WS). Starches were treated under dry heating conditions at 130 °C for 2 and 4 h. The physicochemical and structural properties of the modified starches, such as color, particle size, thermal behavior (DSC), crystalline structure (XRD), and surface morphology (SEM), were analyzed. The results show that adding WPI significantly altered the gelatinization properties, surface morphology, and crystalline structure of both starches. DSC indicated that the gelatinization properties of starch/WPI mixtures varied, with corn starch showing a decreased gelatinization temperature and increased enthalpy, whereas wheat starch exhibited a more complex response, likely due to different structural changes. The XRD and FTIR results revealed WPI-enhanced crystallinity and structural changes, highlighting WPI-induced aggregation. Wheat starch, in particular, exhibited stronger interactions with WPI than corn starch, as evidenced by the accumulation patterns in the SEM images. The oil-binding capacity of native starches increased with dry heating and WPI addition, suggesting an improved hydrophobicity of starch granules. Dry heating and WPI addition significantly altered starch properties, highlighting the potential of thermal modulation to enhance starch–protein systems for targeted food applications.

Background: Active compounds from plants and herbs are increasingly incorporated into modern medical systems to address cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Foeniculum vulgare Mill., commonly known as fennel, is an aromatic medicinal plant and culinary herb that is popular worldwide. Methods: Protective effects against cellular damage were assessed in the H9C2 cardiomyocyte hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) experimental model. The identities of phytochemicals in FVSE were determined by GC-MS analysis. The phytochemical’s potential for nutrients and pharmacokinetic properties was assessed by ADMET analysis. Results: GC-MS analysis of the ethanol extracts of F. vulgare identified 41 bioactive compounds, with four prominent ones: anethole, 1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-propanone, ethoxydimethylphenylsilane, and para-anisaldehyde diethyl acetal. Among these, anethole stands out due to its potential for nutrients and pharmacokinetic properties assessed by ADMET analysis, such as bioavailability, lipophilicity, flexibility, and compliance with Lipinski’s Rule of Five. In the H/R injury model of H9C2 heart myoblast cells, FVSE and anethole suppressed H/R-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, DNA double-strand break damage, nuclear condensation, and the dissipation of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm). Conclusions: These findings highlight the therapeutic potential of FVSE and its prominent component, anethole, in the treatment of CVDs, particularly those associated with hypoxia-induced damage.

Abstract The luminal environment is rich in macronutrients coming from our diet and resident microbial populations including their metabolites. Together, they have the capacity to modulate unique cell surface receptors, known as G‐protein coupled receptors (GPCRs). Along the entire length of the gut epithelium, enteroendocrine cells express GPCRs to interact with luminal contents, such as GPR93 and the calcium sensing receptor to sense proteins, FFA2 and GPR84 to sense fatty acids, and SGLT1 and T1R to sense carbohydrates. Nutrient–receptor interaction causes the release of hormonal stores such as glucagon‐like peptide 1, peptide YY, and cholecystokinin, which further regulate gut function. Existing data show the role of luminal components and microbial fermentation products on gut function. However, there is a lack of understanding in the mechanistic interactions between diet‐derived luminal components and microbial products and nutrient‐sensing receptors and downstream gastrointestinal modulation. This review summarizes current knowledge on various luminal components and describes in detail the range of nutrients and metabolites and their interaction with nutrient receptors in the gut epithelium and the emerging impact on immune cells.

This study explores the representation of women in the media in Bangladesh and the social perception regarding their media engagement. Both Dhaka and Khulna cities were purposively selected as the study area for fulfilling the research objective. A qualitative research method has been used to conduct the study and primary data were collected by using an in-depth interviews (IDIs) and two focus group discussions (FGDs). Using a convenient sampling technique, a total of fifteen informants, including IDIs with five (5) informants who were media professionals, two FGDs of ten (10) informants (five in each group), were communicated for data collection. The findings revealed that women are represented as a commodity for marketing the product, and their charm or glamour became the main requirement for recruitment. The informants perceived that the lack of professionalism in the media industry ignores women's intellectual value. Moreover, female models are mostly judged by their physical beauty, not by their merit. The findings also revealed the presence of sexual harassment in the media industry. From the consumers perspective, the study revealed that elderly people have a negative perception of women's engagement in the media; however, the younger people adjusted their thoughts to new media portrayal of females as sexual objects but lack respect for the profession. The study significantly recommends measures such as eliminating sexually objectifying roles for female artists, introducing pay protection and social support campaigns to ensure a non-discriminatory media industry and consumer culture.

This study aimed to compare the effects of a single dose of GnRH or hCG administered at the beginning of the short-term oestrus synchronization protocol on ≥4 mm diameter follicles in Saanen goats during the breeding season. The goats es-trus cycles were synchronized with intravaginal sponges containing 60 mg of medroxy-progesterone acetate for five days. Additionally, 1 ml of physiological saline solution (control-group; n=30), 0.004 mg of buserelin acetate (GnRH-group; n=31) or 150 IU of hCG (hCG-group; n=31) were injected intramuscularly to the goats during the sponges insertion. Transrectal ultrasonographic examination was performed immediately be-fore and 24 h after intravaginal sponge application into all goats and follicles with a diameter of ≥4 mm in the ovaries were counted. Blood samples were collected on the same days to determine serum progesterone (P4) and estradiol (E2) concentrations. At the first ultrasonographic examination, the percentages of ≥4 mm diameter follicles were 56.66% (17/30), 54.83% (17/31) and 70.96% (22/31) in the control, GnRH and hCG groups, respectively. The percentage of goats with reduced follicle diameters 24 h later was 29.41% (5/17), 52.94 (9/17) and 59.09% (13/22) in the same groups, respectively. The mean regression rates of follicle diameters between days 0 and 1 in each group were significantly different (P

ABSTRACTVaccination is important to prevent cholera. There are limited data comparing anti-O-specific polysaccharide (OSP) and anti-cholera toxin-specific immune responses following oral whole-cell with cholera toxin B-subunit (WC-rBS) vaccine (Dukoral, Valneva) administration in different age groups. An understanding of the differences is relevant because young children are less well protected by oral cholera vaccines than older children and adults. We compared responses in 50 adults and 49 children (ages 2 to

Gas flaring, a common practice in many countries, has been associated with environmental and health concerns. A recent study in Bangladesh's largest gas field, Kailashtilla, assessed the influence of gas flaring on soil quality in the surrounding areas. Physical, chemical, and microbiological characteristics were assessed on soil samples collected from three union zones. Considerable influences have been found on soil quality, with several physical and chemical characteristics failing to meet the standards for healthy plant growth. Heavy metal contamination in the earth's soil was identified, specifically cadmium and lead, having a risk index indicating a moderate risk to the ecosystem in the future. Gas flaring also impacted the amount of bacteria in the soil, with the highest number being found farthest from the flaring zone. The soil was only marginally contaminated and potential health risks found. AAS and digestion methods were used to estimate the content of heavy metal contamination in the soil. To depict the geographically distributed abundance of heavy metals in the study area, the Kriging spatial interpolation procedure was utilized, and PCA and CA were used to assess the condition of soil. Findings indicate that particular gas flaring may have a deleterious influence on soil bacteria, which could have further consequences for the ecosystem. The study is likely to contribute to our understanding of the current state of soil's surrounding gas fields and serve as a platform for future research in this area emphasizing the necessity for sustainable energy methods and the importance of limiting environmental repercussions.

Bangladesh is susceptible to climate change, thus a detailed study, including the analyses of trends, sub-trends, extreme events and indices was conducted to obtain a complete picture of the climate change pattern in Bangladesh utilizing daily rainfall, maximum, minimum and average temperature data of 26 stations from 1975 to 2019 using R 4.0.2 software. For the trend analysis Mann Kendal (MK), modified Mann Kendall (mMK), Innovative Trend Analysis (ITA) and Sen’s slope methods were used. Sub-trend analysis was conducted using ITA. Standard Anomaly Index (SAI) has been used to identify the frequency and severity of extreme events. ClimPACT2 software was used to check the homogeneity and calculate the extremes of temperature and rainfall data. Our analysis showed that during the last four decades, climate variables changed their patterns and trend heterogeneously over Bangladesh. Most stations showed decremental rainfall trend when central part of the country showed a substantial decrease. The northern and central parts of the country showed significant growth of trend for annual average temperature. The temperature in the monsoon season increased, whereas those in dry season decreased. The rainfall and maximum temperature were inversely related during monsoon whereas during dry season both of them decrease. The pre-monsoon and post-monsoonal rainfall also showed decreasing trends, indicating prevailing drought conditions especially in northern and central parts of the country. The SAI analysis showed alternating drought and wet years in almost all the stations. In the past 20 years, the country’s western region experienced more drought years than before whereas the coastal region experienced more wet years. The analysis of climate extreme indices suggests that, Consecutive Dry Days (CDD), Hot Days (TX90P) and Hot Nights (TN90P) show significant increasing trend throughout the country. The agricultural productivity, water resource management and food security are anticipated to benefit from this study.

Abstract Background Following the mass influx of Rohingya refugees into Cox’s Bazaar, Bangladesh in 2017, makeshift settlement camps in Ukhiya and Teknaf have been overburdened, leading to livelihood challenges for both Rohingya and host communities. The humanitarian crisis has had adverse effects on vulnerable populations, which include older people, persons with disabilities, adolescents, and single female household heads. Using a subset of a larger dataset on households with most vulnerable groups in both communities, we analysed the effect of the pandemic and lockdown on the livelihood of single female household (HH) heads. Methods A cross-sectional household roster survey was designed to collect data from households with most vulnerable groups (MVGs) of host and Rohingya communities from December 2020 to March 2021; 11 host community villages and 10 Rohingya camps purposively selected as per the affiliated intervention of the project. The paper analysed quantitative and qualitative data from the sub-group of single female household heads without any income/low income. Participants were surveyed for their socio-demographic characteristics, COVID-19 experiences and knowledge, food security situation, social experiences and mental health using PHQ-2 test for depression. Results We surveyed 432 single female HH heads. Support during the pandemic was reported to be low, with less than 50% of HHs reporting relief meeting their needs; only 36% and 15% of these HHs received rations in camps and host communities respectively. Loan facilities were mostly unavailable and there were reported insufficiencies in food consumption. Over 50% of respondents tested positive on the PHQ-2, a scale used to screen for depression. Further analyses indicates that having a chronic health issue (OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.33–3.66) was positively associated with the PHQ-2 score for Rohingya single females. For host single females, having an ill member in the HH (OR 1.46, 95% CI 1.02–2.08) and the inability to save before the pandemic (OR 1.57 95% CI 1.11–2.23) increased the odds of screening positive for depression. Conclusion Our study findings revealed insufficiencies with economic opportunities and food security for single female-headed households, as well as a high rate of positive screening for depression amongst this population. These findings call for a more in-depth understanding of the needs of this group.