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Abstract A regulated stress response is essential for healthy child growth and development trajectories. We conducted a cluster-randomized trial in rural Bangladesh (funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01590095) to assess the effects of an integrated nutritional, water, sanitation, and handwashing intervention on child health. We previously reported on the primary outcomes of the trial, linear growth and caregiver-reported diarrhea. Here, we assessed additional prespecified outcomes: physiological stress response, oxidative stress, and DNA methylation (N = 759, ages 1–2 years). Eight neighboring pregnant women were grouped into a study cluster. Eight geographically adjacent clusters were block-randomized into the control or the combined nutrition, water, sanitation, and handwashing (N + WSH) intervention group (receiving nutritional counseling and lipid-based nutrient supplements, chlorinated drinking water, upgraded sanitation, and handwashing with soap). Participants and data collectors were not masked, but analyses were masked. There were 358 children (68 clusters) in the control group and 401 children (63 clusters) in the intervention group. We measured four F2-isoprostanes isomers (iPF(2α)-III; 2,3-dinor-iPF(2α)-III; iPF(2α)-VI; 8,12-iso-iPF(2α)-VI), salivary alpha-amylase and cortisol, and methylation of the glucocorticoid receptor (NR3C1) exon 1F promoter including the NGFI-A binding site. Compared with control, the N + WSH group had lower concentrations of F2-isoprostanes isomers (differences ranging from −0.16 to −0.19 log ng/mg of creatinine, P

BackgroundA number of studies have detected relationships between weather and diarrhea. Few have investigated associations with specific enteric pathogens. Understanding pathogen-specific relationships with weather is crucial to inform public health in low-resource settings that are especially vulnerable to climate change.ObjectivesOur objectives were to identify weather and environmental risk factors associated with diarrhea and enteropathogen prevalence in young children in rural Bangladesh, a population with high diarrheal disease burden and vulnerability to weather shifts under climate change.MethodsWe matched temperature, precipitation, surface water, and humidity data to observational longitudinal data from a cluster-randomized trial that measured diarrhea and enteropathogen prevalence in children 6 months-5.5 years from 2012-2016. We fit generalized additive mixed models with cubic regression splines and restricted maximum likelihood estimation for smoothing parameters.ResultsComparing weeks with 30°C versus 15°C average temperature, prevalence was 3.5% higher for diarrhea, 7.3% higher for Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC), 17.3% higher for enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC), and 8.0% higher for Cryptosporidium. Above-median weekly precipitation (median: 13mm; range: 0-396mm) was associated with 29% higher diarrhea (adjusted prevalence ratio 1.29, 95% CI 1.07, 1.55); higher Cryptosporidium, ETEC, STEC, Shigella, Campylobacter, Aeromonas, and adenovirus 40/41; and lower Giardia, sapovirus, and norovirus prevalence. Other associations were weak or null.DiscussionHigher temperatures and precipitation were associated with higher prevalence of diarrhea and multiple enteropathogens; higher precipitation was associated with lower prevalence of some enteric viruses. Our findings emphasize the heterogeneity of the relationships between hydrometeorological variables and specific enteropathogens, which can be masked when looking at composite measures like all-cause diarrhea. Our results suggest that preventive interventions targeted to reduce enteropathogens just before and during the rainy season may more effectively reduce child diarrhea and enteric pathogen carriage in rural Bangladesh and in settings with similar meteorological characteristics, infrastructure, and enteropathogen transmission.

Abstract Inoviruses are filamentous phages infecting numerous prokaryotic phyla. Inoviruses can self-assemble into mesoscale structures with liquid-crystalline order, termed tactoids, which protect bacterial cells in Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms from antibiotics. Here, we investigate the structural, biophysical, and protective properties of tactoids formed by the P. aeruginosa phage Pf4 and Escherichia coli phage fd. A cryo-EM structure of the capsid from fd revealed distinct biochemical properties compared to Pf4. Fd and Pf4 formed tactoids with different morphologies that arise from differing phage geometries and packing densities, which in turn gave rise to different tactoid emergent properties. Finally, we showed that tactoids formed by either phage protect rod-shaped bacteria from antibiotic treatment, and that direct association with a tactoid is required for protection, demonstrating the formation of a diffusion barrier by the tactoid. This study provides insights into how filamentous molecules protect bacteria from extraneous substances in biofilms and in host-associated infections.

Abstract Background Reliable and valid measurement of early child development are necessary for the design of effective interventions, programs, and policies to improve early child outcomes. One widely used measure in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) is the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development III (Bayley-III). Alternatively, the Bangladeshi-adapted Ages and Stages Questionnaire Inventory (ASQ:I) can be administered more quickly, inexpensively, and with less training than the Bayley-III. We aimed to assess the concurrent validity of the Bangladeshi-adapted ASQ:I with the Bayley-III in children 4–27 months old in rural Bangladesh. Methods The sample was a sub-sample (n = 244) of endline participants from an evaluation of an early child development intervention (July–August 2018). We assessed concurrent validity between internally age-standardized domain-specific and total scores using Pearson correlations both overall and stratified by age and intervention status. We also assessed correlations between scores and variables theoretically related to child development including maternal education and stimulation in the home. Results The overall correlation between ASQ:I and Bayley-III total scores was moderate (r = 0.42 95% CI: 0.30–0.53), with no systematic differences by intervention status. Overall, concurrent validity was highest for the gross motor domain (r = 0.51, 0.40–0.60), and lowest for the fine motor domain (r = 0.20, 0.04–0.33). Total ASQ:I and Bayley-III scores were positively correlated with child stimulation and maternal education. Conclusion The Bangladeshi-adapted ASQ:I is a low-cost tool that can be feasibly administered in rural Bangladesh, is moderately correlated with the Bayley-III, and can be used to measure child development when human, time, or financial resources are constrained.

The automobile industry is shifting from internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs) to hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) or electric vehicles (EVs) extremely fast. Our calculation regarding the most popular private car brand in Bangladesh, Toyota, shows that the life cycle cost (LCC) of a Toyota BZ3 (EV), USD 43,409, is more expensive than a Toyota Aqua (HEV) and Toyota Prius (HEV), but cheaper than a Toyota Axio (ICEV) and Toyota Allion (ICEV). It has been found that about a 25% reduction in the acquisition cost of a Toyota BZ3 would lower its LCC to below others. EVs can be a good choice for those who travel a lot. Changes in electricity prices have little effect upon the LCC of EVs. With the expected decline in the annual price for batteries, which is between 6 and 9%, and the improvement of their capacities, EVs will be more competitive with other vehicles by 2030 or even earlier. EVs will dominate the market since demand for alternative fuel-powered vehicles is growing due to their environmental and economic advantages.

The depletion of fossil fuels in the current world has been a major concern due to their role as a primary source of energy for many countries. As non-renewable sources continue to deplete, there is a need for more research and initiatives to reduce reliance on these sources and explore better alternatives, such as renewable energy. Hydrogen is one of the most intriguing energy sources for producing power from fuel cells and heat engines without releasing carbon dioxide or other pollutants. The production of hydrogen via the electrolysis of water using renewable energy sources, such as solar energy, is one of the possible uses for solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOECs). SOECs can be classified as either oxygen-ion conducting or proton-conducting, depending on the electrolyte materials used. This article aims to highlight broad and important aspects of the hybrid SOEC-based solar hydrogen-generating technology, which utilizes a mixed-ion conductor capable of transporting both oxygen ions and protons simultaneously. In addition to providing useful information on the technological efficiency of hydrogen production in SOEC, this review aims to make hydrogen production more efficient than any other water electrolysis system.

Chaperone-Usher Pathway (CUP) pili are major adhesins in Gram-negative bacteria, mediating bacterial adherence to biotic and abiotic surfaces. While classical CUP pili have been extensively characterized, little is known about so-called archaic CUP pili, which are phylogenetically widespread and promote biofilm formation by several human pathogens. In this study, we present the electron cryomicroscopy structure of the archaic CupE pilus from the opportunistic human pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. We show that CupE1 subunits within the pilus are arranged in a zigzag architecture, containing an N-terminal donor β-strand extending from each subunit into the next, where it is anchored by hydrophobic interactions, with comparatively weaker interactions at the rest of the inter-subunit interface. Imaging CupE pili on the surface of P. aeruginosa cells using electron cryotomography shows that CupE pili adopt variable curvatures in response to their environment, which might facilitate their role in promoting cellular attachment. Finally, bioinformatic analysis shows the widespread abundance of cupE genes in isolates of P. aeruginosa and the co-occurrence of cupE with other cup clusters, suggesting interdependence of cup pili in regulating bacterial adherence within biofilms. Taken together, our study provides insights into the architecture of archaic CUP pili, providing a structural basis for understanding their role in promoting cellular adhesion and biofilm formation in P. aeruginosa.

Aim: Many studies identified numerous health problems among industrial workers, in general, and garment workers. But a health problem with a specific focus on non-communicable disease (NCD) risk factors for Bangladeshi garment workers is lacking. Objective: The aim of this article is to investigate the NCD risk factors among garment workers in Bangladesh. Materials and Methods: A total of 4736 randomly selected garment workers aged ≥15 years in the Gazipur district of Bangladesh were investigated in a cross-sectional study from April 2014 to November 2014. Sociodemographic, anthropometric, and clinical details, including type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and hypertension (HTN), and albuminuria were collected by using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. Results: Among the study participants, the mean age was 27.6 ± 8.0 years. About 16.1% of the participants were underweight (body mass index

Abstract Protonic ceramic fuel cells (PCFCs) have become the most efficient, clean and cost-effective electrochemical energy conversion devices in recent years. While significant progress has been made in developing proton conducting electrolyte materials, mechanical strength and durability still need to be improved for efficient applications. We report that adding 5 mol% Zn to the Y-doped barium cerate-zirconate perovskite electrolyte material can significantly improve the sintering properties, mechanical strength, durability and performance. Using same proton conducting material in anodes, electrolytes and cathodes to make a strong structural backbone shows clear advantages in mechanical strength over other arrangements with different materials. Rietveld analysis of the X-ray and neutron diffraction data of BaCe0.7Zr0.1Y0.15Zn0.05O3−δ (BCZYZn05) revealed a pure orthorhombic structure belonging to the Pbnm space group. Structural and electrochemical analyses indicate highly dense and high proton conductivity at intermediate temperature (400–700 °C). The anode-supported single cell, NiO-BCZYZn05|BCZYZn05|BSCF-BCZYZn05, demonstrates a peak power density of 872 mW cm−2 at 700 °C which is one of the highest power density in an all-protonic solid oxide fuel cell. This observation represents an important step towards commercially viable SOFC technology.

In the modern world, as the population rises and fossil fuel supplies decline, energy demands continue to rise. Moreover, the use of fossil fuels harms the ecology, contributing to pollution and global warming. In order to overcome these difficulties, several approaches are revealed, such as the utilization of biomass as a renewable source of energy. Studies revealed that biomass can be converted into bioenergy via several thermal conversion processes, like pyrolysis, gasification, and torrefaction. Pyrolysis is the most convenient process to obtain three different types of biofuels (biochar as a solid, bio-oil as a liquid, and syngas as a gas). The biofuels produced in this process are normally lower in quality and cannot be used directly as fuel because they contain many undesirable components. Catalytic pyrolysis is one of the best processes to upgrade the quality of biofuels. Several varieties of catalysts are used in the catalytic pyrolysis process (ex situ and in situ). Due to stable operating conditions, both catalytic and non-catalytic pyrolysis procedures produce biochar that has a consistent output. Meanwhile, the effects of catalysts in the catalytic pyrolysis process considerably enhance the quality and quantity of bio-oils and syngas. By removing the unwanted oxygenated and nitrogenous components, the bio-oils produced through the catalytic pyrolysis method have a higher calorific value, reduced viscosity, and improved stability. Many researchers have looked at ways to increase the rate of pyrolysis, whereas a few have focused on maximizing the effects of the factors in order to improve the efficiency of catalytic pyrolysis. This review addresses the impact of catalysts on the catalytic pyrolysis of biomass to enhance the quality of the bio-oils in great detail. Machine learning and techno-economic analysis were investigated, as well as the future potential of the catalytic pyrolysis method for the generation of bio-oil.

CSZM compounds were synthesized by dry chemistry route with 5, 10, and 15% dopant of Mg dopants in the Ce 0.8−2x Sm 0.2 Zrx Mgx O2−d, {x = 0.05, 0.1 & 0.15}. The newly investigated materials were physically, chemically, and electrochemically studied and have shown promising results. The CSZM was crystalized in a fluorite structure with a pure cubic phase in a space group Fm3m and cell parameter a = 5.401742 °A and theoretical density from 7.6 to 8.9 after firing in the air with a final temperature of 1400 °C. Characterization of the structure and indexing of electrolyte materials were made after X-ray diffraction (XRD) testing. A Scanning electron microscope (SEM) morphological analysis was used to examine the microstructure details. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements were performed from 400 °C to 700 °C which show the highest conductivity value of 1.0461 × 10+1 S/cm at 700 °C. In comparison, the minimum value was 2.7329 × 10−2 S/cm at 400 °C, and the total activation energy (Ea°A) was found to be 0.6865 eV under 5% H2/Ar.

The global population has increased over time, therefore the need for sufficient energy has risen. However, many countries depend on nonrenewable resources for daily usage. Nonrenewable resources take years to produce and sources are limited for generations to come. Apart from that, storing and energy distribution from nonrenewable energy production has caused environmental degradation over the years. Hence, many researchers have been actively participating in the development of energy storage devices for renewable resources using batteries. For this purpose, the lithium-ion battery is one of the best known storage devices due to its properties such as high power and high energy density in comparison with other conventional batteries. In addition, for the fabrication of Li-ion batteries, there are different types of cell designs including cylindrical, prismatic, and pouch cells. The development of Li-ion battery technology, the different widely used cathode and anode materials, and the benefits and drawbacks of each in relation to the most appropriate application were all thoroughly studied in this work. The electrochemical processes that underlie battery technologies were presented in detail and substantiated by current safety concerns regarding batteries. Furthermore, this review collected the most recent and current LIB recycling technologies and covered the three main LIB recycling technologies. The three recycling techniques—pyrometallurgical, hydrometallurgical, and direct recycling—have been the subject of intense research and development. The recovery of valuable metals is the primary goal of most recycling processes. The growth in the number of used LIBs creates a business opportunity to recover and recycle different battery parts as daily LIB consumption rises dramatically.

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) extracted from jute fibers are moderately high in length (up to 1200 nm) and diameter (up to 90 nm). Poly(N,N-dimethylacrylamide-co-3-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane) (pSiDm) is a custom made copolymer with trimethoxy silane groups at one end which facilitates to react with cellulose in an aqueous solution. A very simple, efficient, rapid, and eco-friendly method was developed to prepare j-CNC reinforced pSiDm hydrogel to remove methylene blue (MB) dye from an aqueous solution. The reaction between j-CNCs and pSiDm in the hydrogel was revealed by the increased intensity ratio of –OH band to C–H band and shifting of a peak for C=O from 1604 cm−1 to 1608 cm−1 in the FT-IR spectrum of the hydrogel compared to those of the copolymer. Glass transition temperature of the copolymer increases from 99 to 111 °C after being applied into the hydrogel. The prepared hydrogel showed a significant swelling at a ratio of 16 g/g in deionized water. In good accordance with the Langmuir adsorption isotherm, a maximum adsorption value of MB onto the hydrogel was achieved 131.58 mg/g. Kinetic studies of the adsorption process fit well with a pseudo-second-order reaction model. The j-CNCs/pSiDm hydrogel is a moderately resilient and completely biodegradable material to be utilized for the adsorption of cationic toxic materials from waste effluent.

Sustainable energy derived from waste resources helps to mitigate the greenhouse gas emissions generated from fossil fuels. In this study, a solid heterogeneous catalyst was synthesized by using eggshell and copper oxide [CaCu(OCH3)2]. Using this catalyst, biodiesel fuels were produced from waste sardine fish oil using either methanol, ethanol, or iso-propanol. To reduce the acid value of fish oil, esterification of the fish oil was performed before the transesterification process. Three biodiesel samples were produced, namely, fish oil methyl ester (FOME), fish oil ethyl ester (FOEE), and fish oil propyl ester (FOPE). Experimental analysis studies were carried out under various operating conditions such as alcohol-to-oil ratio (v/v), catalyst concentration, reaction time and reaction temperature. The results indicate that the optimal operating condition were a 16:1 alcohol: oil ratio, using 3% catalyst (w/w%), a 90 min reaction time; and reaction temperatures of 65 °C, 80 °C, 85 °C for methanol, ethanol, and isopropanol, respectively. The quality of prepared biodiesel samples revealed that both FOEE and FOPE have better physio-chemical properties than FOME. Ethanol and iso-propanol improved the low-temperature flow properties such as cloud point and pour points. In addition, stability studies performed over 10 months revealed that FOME is less stable than to FOEE and FOPE. These results will aid in strategies aimed at improving the use of polyunsaturated fish oils for biodiesel production.

Epigenetic information is transmitted from mother to daughter cells through mitosis. Here, the authors isolate native chromosomes from metaphase-arrested cells and perform LC-MS/MS to identify chromosome-bound proteins in pluripotent stem cells during mitosis and reveal that PRC2, DNA methylation and Mecp2 are required to maintain chromosome compaction.

Kupffer cells are more resistant to M. tuberculosis when compared with alveolar macrophages. Here the authors show that this distinction is caused by the presence of ornithine and imidazole in Kupffer cells and that these metabolites can drive autophagy and M. tuberculosis killing in alveolar macrophages when given intranasally to infected mice.

Overcoming reciprocity is important for novel functionalities. Here, the authors demonstrate a spatio-temporally modulated metasurface capable of complete violation of Lorentz reciprocity by reflecting an incident beam into far-field radiation in forward scattering, but into near-field surface waves in reverse scattering.

Without pure water, it is impossible to survive for any living beings. The ratio of freshwater on our planet is very poor and the demand is increasing with time for the growing population. Furthermore, water is being contaminated by industrial and agricultural activities, pharmaceuticals, technocratic civilization, pesticides, garments, global changes etc. In addition to this, environmental pollution and global warming are swelling due to the greenhouse and harmful gases generated from the dumping and burning of fossil fuel. Addressing these problems, it is necessary to find out the cost-effective and environmental friendly processes to purify the contaminated water and air. Activated carbons (ACs) are one of the best solutions for removing the pollutants from aqueous and atmosphere as it is the carbonaceous materials with a high degree of porosity, well-developed surface area, and distinguished functional groups which are required for elimination of contaminants. The preparations of activated carbon are easy and safe processes, mainly from the pyrolysis or gasification of biomass with heat and/or chemicals. The recycling and regeneration of activated carbon after use are also essential for resource maintenance and environmental safety. Thus, AC can protect the ecosystem in a double direction by purifying the water and air from the pollutants.

In the last few decades, photocatalysis has been found to be a practical, environmentally friendly approach for degrading various pollutants into non-toxic products (e.g., H2O and CO2) and generating fuels from water using solar light. Mainly, traditional photocatalysts (such as metal oxides, sulfides, and nitrides) have shown a promising role in various photocatalysis reactions. However, it faces many bottlenecks, such as a wider band gap, low light absorption nature, photo-corrosion issues, and quick recombination rates. Due to these, a big question arises of whether these traditional photocatalysts can meet increasing energy demand and degrade emerging pollutants in the future. Currently, researchers view heteroanionic materials as a feasible alternative to conventional photocatalysts for future energy generation and water purification techniques due to their superior light absorption capacity, narrower band gap, and improved photo-corrosion resistance. Therefore, this article summarizes the recent developments in heteroanionic materials, their classifications based on anionic presence, their synthesis techniques, and their role in photocatalysis. In the end, we present a few recommendations for improving the photocatalytic performance of future heteroanionic materials.

Single phase La0.75Sr0.25Mn0.5Cr0.5-xTixO3-δ (LSCMT, 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.3) perovskites were investigated as possible anode material for solid oxide fuel cells with yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) electrolyte. LSCMT samples were synthesized by solid state reaction method and sintered at 1500 °C in air. Rietveld refinement of X-ray powder diffraction data show that the LSCMT materials crystallize in the rhombohedral symmetry with R3C space group. The cell parameters of the sample with 10 at.% of Ti (x = 0.1) were: a = b = 5.5125(4) Å; c = 13.3397(6) Å; α = 90°; β = 90°; γ = 120°. The scanning electron microscopy analyses confirmed the presence of sufficient porosity (about 35%). Symmetrical LSCMT|YSZ|LSCMT cell configurations with different Ti-doping (x = 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3) and good interface without delamination between the two materials, even after reduction process, were also prepared. Ti doping was very effective in reducing the interfacial polarization resistance with the lowest value of 0.22Ω·cm2 and conductivity of 0.23 S/cm in 5% H2/Ar at 800 °C. The obtained results suggest that Ti doping can substantially improve electrochemical performance of (La0.75Sr0.25)(Mn0.5Cr0.5)O3-δ ceramics.

Now-a-days water pollution is one of the most concerned problem as it is increasing due to industrialization and human activities. The applications of electrospun nanofibers are increasing day by day due to their special properties such as huge surface-to-volume ratio, possibilities of surface modification and conversion to small mesh mat or membrane etc. Chitosan-based electrospun nanofibers have more avenues due to their additional benefits of non-toxicity, biocompatibility, biodegradability and cost-effectiveness. Although chitosan-based nanofibers have been using in various biomedical fields and reviewed, applications as adsorbents for the removal of heavy metals, dyes and other pollutants are relatively new and not reviewed yet. In this regard, the present review explores various types of chitosan-based nanofibers prepared with pure chitosan, mixed with other materials, surface-modified chitosan, magnetic chitosan etc., their adsorption performance and applications for the removal of heavy metals, dyes, and miscellaneous pollutants.

Protonic ceramic fuel cells (PCFCs) are one of the promising and emerging technologies for future energy generation. PCFCs are operated at intermediate temperatures (450–750 °C) and exhibit many advantages over traditional high-temperature oxygen-ion conducting solid oxide fuel cells (O-SOFCs) because they are simplified, have a longer life, and have faster startup times. A clear understanding/analysis of their specific working parameters/processes is required to enhance the performance of PCFCs further. Many physical processes, such as heat transfer, species transport, fluid flow, and electrochemical reactions, are involved in the operation of the PCFCs. These parameters are linked with each other along with internal velocity, temperature, and electric field. In real life, a complex non-linear relationship between these process parameters and their respective output cannot be validated only using an experimental setup. Hence, the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method is an easier and more effective mathematical-based approach, which can easily change various geometric/process parameters of PCFCs and analyze their influence on its efficiency. This short review details the recent studies related to the application of CFD modeling in the PCFC system done by researchers to improve the electrochemical characteristics of the PCFC system. One of the crucial observations from this review is that the application of CFD modeling in PCFC design optimization is still much less than the traditional O-SOFC.

The application of polymer-based composite materials is on the rise due to their enhanced thermal and mechanical properties compared to polymers themselves. For the first time in this study, the combination of graphene oxide (GO) and mesoporous micro-silica particles (with varying pore sizes) was used as fillers into PMMA matrices via in-situ bulk polymerization with ultrasonication. Two types of mesoporous silica were used at a fixed amount of 3 wt% with varying GO composition from 0.1 wt% to 1.2% to investigate the synergistic effect of GO and silica and increment of pore size of silica filler on the thermomechanical properties of the composites. The glass transition temperature Tg, thermal stability (the temperature at 10% and 60% weight loss) Td10 and Td60 of the same composite were increased by 21.5 °C, 46.5 °C, and 32.3 °C, respectively, compared to that of neat PMMA. Its tensile strength was increased remarkably by 329% compared with the PMMA. This work offers the possibility of further enhancement of thermal and mechanical properties of polymer-based composites by incorporating more than one filler with diverse properties.

Background: Previously, we demonstrated that a water, sanitation, handwashing, and nutritional intervention improved linear growth and was unexpectedly associated with shortened childhood telomere length (TL) (Lin et al., 2017). Here, we assessed the association between TL and growth. Methods: We measured relative TL in whole blood from 713 children. We reported differences between the 10th percentile and 90th percentile of TL or change in TL distribution using generalized additive models, adjusted for potential confounders. Results: In cross-sectional analyses, long TL was associated with a higher length-for-age Z score at age 1 year (0.23 SD adjusted difference in length-for-age Z score [95% CI 0.05, 0.42; FDR-corrected p-value = 0.01]). TL was not associated with other outcomes. Conclusions: Consistent with the metabolic telomere attrition hypothesis, our previous trial findings support an adaptive role for telomere attrition, whereby active TL regulation is employed as a strategy to address ‘emergency states’ with increased energy requirements such as rapid growth during the first year of life. Although short periods of active telomere attrition may be essential to promote growth, this study suggests that a longer overall initial TL setting in the first 2 years of life could signal increased resilience against future telomere erosion events and healthy growth trajectories. Funding: Funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Clinical trial number: NCT01590095

Tuberculosis (TB), caused by infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb), is responsible for >1.5 million deaths worldwide annually. Innate immune cells, especially macrophages, are the first to encounter M.tb, and their response dictates the course of infection. During infection, macrophages exert a variety of immune factors involved in either controlling or promoting the growth of M.tb. Research on this topic has been performed in both in vitro and in vivo animal models with discrepant results in some cases based on the model of study. Herein, we review macrophage resistance and susceptibility immune factors, focusing primarily on recent advances in the field. We include macrophage cellular pathways, bioeffector proteins and molecules, cytokines and chemokines, associated microbiological factors and bacterial strains, and host genetic factors in innate immune genes. Recent advances in mechanisms underlying macrophage resistance and susceptibility factors will aid in the successful development of host-directed therapeutics, a topic emphasized throughout this review.

This invited review outlines a selection of recent technical and communication advances, in certain areas of climate and weather science that could improve the capability and utility of drought early warning systems in Australia. First, a selection of current operational outputs and their significance for drought early warning is reviewed, then a selection of advancements in the Research and Development (R&D) pipeline are considered, which have potential to help enable better decision-making by stakeholders subject to drought risk. The next generation of drought early warning systems should have a focus on index- and impact-based prediction models that go beyond basic weather and climate parameters, at seasonal through to multi-year timescales. Convergence and integration of emerging research, science and technology is called for across the fields of climate, agronomy, environment, economics and social science, to improve early warning information. The enablement of more predictively based drought policy, should facilitate more proactive responses by stakeholders throughout the agricultural value chain, and should make stakeholders more drought resilient.

For the first time, we incorporated mesoporous micro-silica (5 μm, pore size = 50 nm) as a filler in epoxy resin aiming to enter polymer into the pore of the silica. As expected, the thermal stability of the composite increased remarkably, followed by noteworthy thermal degradation kinetics when compared to the controlled cured epoxy resin. Composites were prepared by the direct dispersion of modified nano-silica, modified mesoporous micro-silica, unmodified mesoporous micro-silica, non-porous micro-silica, and irregular micro-silica of various pore sizes as fillers in diglycidyl ether of bisphenol-A epoxy resin via ultra-sonication and shear mixing, followed by oven-curing with 4,4-diaminodiphenyl sulfone. DSC and TGA analyses demonstrated a higher glass transition temperature (increased by 3.65–5.75 °C) and very high activation energy for thermal degradation (average increase = 46.2%) was obtained for the same unmodified silica composite compared to pure epoxy, respectively.

COVID-19 was identified all over the world as a pandemic in December 2019. This novel coronavirus affects the lower respiratory area, which causes pneumonia in the human body and transfers from human to human. Every day, the number of new patients and the number of deaths are increasing immensely, while specific drugs for this virus are still being developed. Hospitals are struggling to accommodate patients, resulting in a large number of temporary hospitals. These makeshift hospitals need an uninterrupted power supply to continuously maintain all the electrical facilities. Fuel cells, especially solid oxide fuel cells, play an essential role in meeting the additional energy needs of humankind during this critical moment. SOFCs are able to supply power to those makeshift hospitals from the main hospital building, as well as supplying electricity to locked-down residential areas to ease the strain on the electrical grid during this pandemic situation. As a result of their extensive applicability and numerous uses, SOFCs can be used to address electrical needs challenges in various sectors.

The aim of this research is to characterize the invasive grass, Pennisetum purpureum, to evaluate the potentiality of the bioenergy production. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra are measured in order to understand the functional groups and their structure in the biomass. The thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and the derivative thermogravimetric analysis (DTG) data are provided under Pyrolysis (N2) and combustion (O2) conditions to reveal the degradation pattern of the biomass. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) is the thermochemical process to measure the enthalpy changes pattern of the biomass. The original data presented in this work can be found in a research paper titled “Evaluation of the bioenergy potential of invasive Pennisetum purpureum through pyrolysis and thermogravimetric analysis”, by Md Sumon Reza, Shafi Noor Islam, Shammya Afroze, Muhammad S. Abu Bakar, Rahayu S. Sukri, Saidur Rahman, and Abul K. Azad [1].

Universal approaches to the prevention and treatment of human diseases fail to take into account profound immune diversity resulting from genetic variations across populations. Personalized or precision medicine takes into account individual lifestyle, environment, and biology (genetics and immune status) and is being adopted in several disease intervention strategies such as cancer and heart disease. However, its application in infectious diseases, particularly global diseases such as tuberculosis (TB), is far more complex and in a state of infancy. Here, we discuss the impact of human genetic variations on immune responses and how they relate to failures seen in current TB diagnostic, therapy, and vaccine approaches across populations. We offer our perspective on the challenges and potential for more refined approaches going forward.

The data presented in this article are related to the formation of a novel layered perovskite oxide material, PrSrMn2O5+δ, through a solid-state synthesis route. Here, we present the high-resolution neutron powder diffraction and the X-ray powder diffraction data at room temperature. The new perovskite material crystallizes in the orthorhombic symmetry. Interpretation of this data can be found in a research article titled “Insight of novel layered perovskite PrSrMn2O5+δ: A neutron powder diffraction study” (Shammya et al., 2019) [1]. Keywords: Perovskite oxide, PrSrMn2O5+δ, Neutron powder diffraction, X-ray diffraction

Neutron diffraction is one of the best methods for structural analysis of a complex, layered perovskite material with low symmetry by accurately detecting the oxygen positions through octahedral tilting. In this research, the crystal structure of NdSrMn2O5+δ was identified through X-ray diffraction (XRD) and neutron powder diffraction (NPD) at room temperature (RT), which indicated the formation of a layered structure in orthorhombic symmetry in the Pmmm (no. 47) space group. Rietveld refinement of the neutron diffraction data has confirmed the orthorhombic symmetry with unit cell parameters (a = 3.8367 (1) Å, b = 3.8643 (2) Å, and c = 7.7126 (1) Å), atomic positions, and oxygen occupancy. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed the total weight loss of about 0.10% for 20–950°C temperature, which occurred mainly to create oxygen vacancies at high temperatures. Rietveld analyses concurred with the XRD and neutron data allowing correlation of occupancy factors of the oxygen sites.

Biodiesel produced from single feedstocks has many challenges due to variations in the oil properties. The flex-mix approach is a long-term solution for turning mixed feedstock into high-quality biodiesels. In this investigation, a pre-mixed used cooking oil and animal fat (pig fat) mixture (from 20% to 80%) was transesterified to produce flex-mix methyl ester (FMME). The FMME fuel characteristics were tested and compared to biodiesel standards. Generally, biodiesel emits higher oxides of nitrogen (NO _x ) gas due to the presence of highly unsaturated compounds and oxygen. The present study aims to address this issue by adopting the flex-mix approach in combination with fuel injection strategies (400, 500 and 600 bar), exhaust gas recirculation (EGR 10%, 20% and 30%) and variable compression ratio (CR 17.5:1, 20:1 and 22:1). At a CR of 22 and an injection pressure ( P _inj ) of 600 bar, the FMME fuel without EGR shows a minimum reduction in brake thermal efficiency of 0.15% when compared to diesel. Nitric oxide gas emissions decreased by nearly 50% for all P _inj and EGR values, but they rose when the compression ratio was increased to 20 and 22. Smoke and hydrocarbon emissions also increased with the exhaust gas proportion. The engine performance with FMME fuel was found to be equivalent to that with fossil diesel fuel. According to the findings, the flex-mix approach could be a long-term alternative to producing renewable fuel for off-road diesel engine application.

Series of Sm1-xFe1-3xZr3xO3 (SFZO, where x = 0.0, 0.01, 0.02, 0.033, 0.05, 0.1 and 0.15), was synthesised by the solid state reaction method and sintered at 1500 °C in air. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to investigate the structure of the materials. The XRD results indicated that the pure SmFeO3 and Sm0.99Fe0.97Zr0.03O3 samples are single phase materials with an orthorhombic symmetry and Pbnm space group. The increase of Zr content (x ≥ 0.02) causes a phase change from single to two-phase system with orthorhombic (Pbnm) and fluorite symmetry (Fm3m). The microstructural analyses showed that the Zr4+ doping resulted in an increase of porosity in the sintered SFZO compared to SmFeO3 sample. The direct current (DC) electrical conductivity at 850 °C in air was found to be 0.045 S/cm and 0.007 S/cm for Sm0.99Fe0.97Zr0.03O3 and SmFeO3, respectively, showing a significant enhancement compared to the pure SmFeO3.

The fuel qualities of several biodiesels containing highly saturated, mono, and poly unsaturated fatty acids, as well as their combustion and exhaust emission characteristics, were studied. Six biodiesel samples were divided into two groups based on their fatty acid composition, including group 1 (coconut, castor, and jatropha) and group II (palm, karanja, and waste cooking oil biodiesel). All fuels (in both groups) were tested in a single-cylinder off-road diesel engine. Castor and karanja biodiesel, both rich in mono-unsaturation level, have a high viscosity of about 14.5 and 5.04 mm2/s, respectively. The coconut and palm biodiesels are rich in saturation level with cetane numbers of 62 and 60, respectively. In both groups, highly saturated and poly-unsaturated methyl esters presented better combustion efficiency and less formation of polluted emissions than mono-unsaturation. At full load, coconut and palm biodiesel displayed 38% and 10% advanced start of combustion, respectively, which reduced ignition delay by approximately 10% and 3%, respectively. Mono-unsaturated methyl esters exhibited a higher cylinder pressure and heat release rate, which results in higher NOx gas emissions. The group II biodiesels showed about 10–15% lower exhaust emissions owing to an optimum level of fatty acid composition. Our study concluded that highly saturated and poly-unsaturated fatty acid performed better than mono-unsaturated biodiesels for off-road engine application.

Despite its prominent role as a C-type lectin (CTL) pattern recognition receptor, mannose receptor (MR, CD206)-specific signaling molecules and pathways are unknown. The MR is highly expressed on human macrophages, regulating endocytosis, phagocytosis, and immune responses and mediating Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb) phagocytosis by human macrophages, thereby limiting phagosome-lysosome (P-L) fusion. We identified human MR-associated proteins using phosphorylated and non-phosphorylated MR cytoplasmic tail peptides. We found that MR binds FcRγ-chain, which is required for MR plasma membrane localization and M.tb cell association. Additionally, we discovered that MR-mediated M.tb association triggers immediate MR tyrosine residue phosphorylation and Grb2 recruitment, activating the Rac/Pak/Cdc-42 signaling cascade important for M.tb uptake. MR activation subsequently recruits SHP-1 to the M.tb-containing phagosome, where its activity limits PI(3)P generation at the phagosome and M.tb P-L fusion and promotes M.tb growth. In sum, we identify human MR signaling pathways that temporally regulate phagocytosis and P-L fusion during M.tb infection.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)γ is a global transcriptional regulator associated with anti-inflammatory actions. It is highly expressed in alveolar macrophages (AMs), which are unable to clear the intracellular pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb). Although M.tb infection induces PPARγ in human macrophages, which contributes to M.tb growth, the mechanisms underlying this are largely unknown. We undertook NanoString gene expression analysis to identify novel PPARγ effectors that condition macrophages to be more susceptible to M.tb infection. This revealed several genes that are differentially regulated in response to PPARγ silencing during M.tb infection, including the Bcl-2 family members Bax (pro-apoptotic) and Mcl-1 (pro-survival). Apoptosis is an important defense mechanism that prevents the growth of intracellular microbes, including M.tb, but is limited by virulent M.tb. This suggested that M.tb differentially regulates Mcl-1 and Bax expression through PPARγ to limit apoptosis. In support of this, gene and protein expression analysis revealed that Mcl-1 expression is driven by PPARγ during M.tb infection in human macrophages. Further, 15-lipoxygenase (15-LOX) is critical for PPARγ activity and Mcl-1 expression. We also determined that PPARγ and 15-LOX regulate macrophage apoptosis during M.tb infection, and that pre-clinical therapeutics that inhibit Mcl-1 activity significantly limit M.tb intracellular growth in both human macrophages and an in vitro TB granuloma model. In conclusion, identification of the novel PPARγ effector Mcl-1 has determined PPARγ and 15-LOX are critical regulators of apoptosis during M.tb infection and new potential targets for host-directed therapy for M.tb.

ABSTRACT Vibrio cholerae, an estuarine bacterium, is the causative agent of cholera, a severe diarrheal disease that demonstrates seasonal incidence in Bangladesh. In an extensive study of V. cholerae occurrence in a natural aquatic environment, water and plankton samples were collected biweekly between December 2005 and November 2006 from Mathbaria, an estuarine village of Bangladesh near the mangrove forests of the Sundarbans. Toxigenic V. cholerae exhibited two seasonal growth peaks, one in spring (March to May) and another in autumn (September to November), corresponding to the two annual seasonal outbreaks of cholera in this region. The total numbers of bacteria determined by heterotrophic plate count (HPC), representing culturable bacteria, accounted for 1% to 2.7% of the total numbers obtained using acridine orange direct counting (AODC). The highest bacterial culture counts, including toxigenic V. cholerae, were recorded in the spring. The direct fluorescent antibody (DFA) assay was used to detect V. cholerae O1 cells throughout the year, as free-living cells, within clusters, or in association with plankton. V. cholerae O1 varied significantly in morphology, appearing as distinctly rod-shaped cells in the spring months, while small coccoid cells within thick clusters of biofilm were observed during interepidemic periods of the year, notably during the winter months. Toxigenic V. cholerae O1 was culturable in natural water during the spring when the temperature rose sharply. The results of this study confirmed biofilms to be a means of persistence for bacteria and an integral component of the annual life cycle of toxigenic V. cholerae in the estuarine environment of Bangladesh. IMPORTANCE Vibrio cholerae, the causative agent of cholera, is autochthonous in the estuarine aquatic environment. This study describes morphological changes in naturally occurring V. cholerae O1 in the estuarine environment of Mathbaria, where the bacterium is culturable when the water temperature rises and is observable predominantly as distinct rods and dividing cells. In the spring and fall, these morphological changes coincide with the two seasonal peaks of endemic cholera in Bangladesh. V. cholerae O1 cells are predominantly coccoid within biofilms but are rod shaped as free-living cells and when attached to plankton or to particulate matter in interepidemic periods of the year. It is concluded that biofilms represent a stage of the annual life cycle of V. cholerae O1, the causative agent of cholera in Bangladesh.

Young children frequently defecate in the living environment in low-income countries. Unsafe child feces disposal has been associated with risk of diarrhea. Additionally, reported practices can underestimate socially undesirable unhygienic behaviors. This analysis aimed to assess (1) the sensitivity of reported child feces disposal practices as an indicator for observed presence of human feces in the domestic environment, (2) household characteristics associated with reported unsafe feces disposal and (3) whether unsafe feces disposal is associated with fly presence and diarrhea among children

Human alveolar macrophages (HAM) are primary bacterial niche and immune response cells during Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb) infection, and human blood monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM) are a model for investigating M.tb-macrophage interactions. Here, we use a targeted RNA-Seq method to measure transcriptome-wide changes in RNA expression patterns of freshly obtained HAM (used within 6 h) and 6 day cultured MDM upon M.tb infection over time (2, 24 and 72 h), in both uninfected and infected cells from three donors each. The Ion AmpliSeq™ Transcriptome Human Gene Expression Kit (AmpliSeq) uses primers targeting 18,574 mRNAs and 2,228 non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) for a total of 20,802 transcripts. AmpliSeqTM yields highly precise and reproducible gene expression profiles (R2 >0.99). Taking advantage of AmpliSeq's reproducibility, we establish well-defined quantitative RNA expression patterns of HAM versus MDM, including significant M.tb-inducible genes, in networks and pathways that differ in part between MDM and HAM. A similar number of expressed genes are detected at all time-points between uninfected MDM and HAM, in common pathways including inflammatory and immune functions, but canonical pathway differences also exist. In particular, at 2 h, multiple genes relevant to the immune response are preferentially expressed in either uninfected HAM or MDM, while the HAM RNA profiles approximate MDM profiles over time in culture, highlighting the unique RNA expression profile of freshly obtained HAM. MDM demonstrate a greater transcriptional response than HAM upon M.tb infection, with 2 to >10 times more genes up- or down-regulated. The results identify key genes involved in cellular responses to M.tb in two different human macrophage types. Follow-up bioinformatics analysis indicates that approximately 30% of response genes have expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs in GTEx), common DNA variants that can influence host gene expression susceptibility or resistance to M.tb, illustrated with the TREM1 gene cluster and IL-10.

Modern diets containing high quantities of salt and cholesterol have exhibited to cause a considerable effect on our health. Such diets, when consumed in the long term, have also shown to be a precursor to several disorders such as the metabolic disorder and consequently, various other diseases, including cognitive deficits. In the present study, we used a high salt and cholesterol diet (HSCD) to induce cognitive impairment in rats and also investigated the pharmacological action of tannins enriched fractions of Emblica officinalis (EOT) – a fruit that has been traditionally used for the treatment of numerous disorders for centuries. Significant alterations in MDA, GSH, TBARS, GPx, mitochondrial ATP, and mitochondrial membrane potential levels were observed in rats fed HSCD, which indicated presence of oxidative stress. Moreover, classic signs of cognitive impairment and deficits in spatial learning and memory were observed in the neurobehavioral tests. E. officinalis tannins exhibited good affinity to Nrf2 receptors in in silico studies, significantly reversed the changes in the aforementioned biomarkers of oxidative stress which were altered in the model group, as well as improved the performance of rats in Morris water maze task. Our results also reflected that EOT supplementation significantly increased the expression of Nrf2 in the CA1 region of hippocampus and cortex. Additionally, TUNEL assay indicated that EOT supplementation led to reversal of DNA fragmentation and apoptosis caused by HSCD. Immunohistochemical analysis and western blot further revealed a surge in the nuclear location of Nrf2. Through our study, we have demonstrated that cognitive impairment can be caused in rats via HSCD as a result of the oxidative stress induced by the same. Additionally, we have investigated a novel mechanism of action for EOT (which strongly suggests to be via the Nrf2–ARE pathway) and demonstrated that it has the potential to be used in the treatment of cognitive impairment.

Cellular therapies with CD4+ T regulatory cells (Tregs) hold promise of efficacious treatment for the variety of autoimmune and allergic diseases as well as posttransplant complications. Nevertheless, current manufacturing of Tregs as a cellular medicinal product varies between different laboratories, which in turn hampers precise comparisons of the results between the studies performed. While the number of clinical trials testing Tregs is already substantial, it seems to be crucial to provide some standardized characteristics of Treg products in order to minimize the problem. We have previously developed reporting guidelines called minimum information about tolerogenic antigen-presenting cells, which allows the comparison between different preparations of tolerance-inducing antigen-presenting cells. Having this experience, here we describe another minimum information about Tregs (MITREG). It is important to note that MITREG does not dictate how investigators should generate or characterize Tregs, but it does require investigators to report their Treg data in a consistent and transparent manner. We hope this will, therefore, be a useful tool facilitating standardized reporting on the manufacturing of Tregs, either for research purposes or for clinical application. This way MITREG might also be an important step toward more standardized and reproducible testing of the Tregs preparations in clinical applications.

The scaffold protein p62/SQSTM1 is involved in protein turnover and signaling and is commonly found in dense protein bodies in eukaryotic cells. In autophagy, p62 acts as a selective autophagy receptor that recognizes and shuttles ubiquitinated proteins to the autophagosome for degradation. The structural organization of p62 in cellular bodies and the interplay of these assemblies with ubiquitin and the autophagic marker LC3 remain to be elucidated. Here, we present a cryo-EM structural analysis of p62. Together with structures of assemblies from the PB1 domain, we show that p62 is organized in flexible polymers with the PB1 domain constituting a helical scaffold. Filamentous p62 is capable of binding LC3 and addition of long ubiquitin chains induces disassembly and shortening of filaments. These studies explain how p62 assemblies provide a large molecular scaffold for the nascent autophagosome and reveal how they can bind ubiquitinated cargo.

Background: Shorter childhood telomere length (TL) and more rapid TL attrition are widely regarded as manifestations of stress. However, the potential effects of health interventions on child TL are unknown. We hypothesized that a water, sanitation, handwashing (WSH), and nutritional intervention would slow TL attrition during the first two years of life. Methods: In a trial in rural Bangladesh, we randomized geographical clusters of pregnant women into individual water treatment, sanitation, handwashing, nutrition, combined WSH, combined nutrition plus WSH (N + WSH), or control arms. We conducted a substudy enrolling children from the control arm and the N + WSH intervention arm. Participants and outcome assessors were not masked; analyses were masked. Relative TL was measured at 1 and 2 years after intervention, and the change in relative TL was reported. Analysis was intention-to-treat. Results: Between May 2012 and July 2013, in the overall trial, we randomized 720 geographical clusters of 5551 pregnant women to a control or an intervention arm. In this substudy, after 1 year of intervention, we assessed a total of 662 children (341 intervention and 321 control) and 713 children after 2 years of intervention (383 intervention and 330 control). Children in the intervention arm had significantly shorter relative TL compared with controls after 1 year of intervention (difference −163 base pairs (bp), p=0.001). Between years 1 and 2, TL increased in the intervention arm (+76 bp) and decreased in the controls (−23 bp) (p=0.050). After 2 years, there was no difference between the arms (p=0.305). Conclusions: Our unexpected finding of increased telomere attrition during the first year of life in the intervention group suggests that rapid telomere attrition during this critical period could reflect the improved growth in the intervention group, rather than accumulated stress. Funding: Funded by The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Clinical trial number: NCT01590095.