Background: The high saturated fatty acid content of beef has been linked to obesity and cardiovascular diseases. The study investigated the impact of black seed oil (BSO) on beef fat-altered hemato-biochemical and pathophysiological alterations in albino mice. Methods: Twenty four Swiss Albino mice (Mus musculus) of 25-28 days old were equally divided into three groups (n=8) namely A, B and C. Mice of group A was designated as the untreated control group. Groups B and C were fed pellets containing 10% beef fat and 10% BSO, respectively for 9 weeks. Result: The results revealed that beef fat-fed mice gained weight and BSO normalized the weight gain. The hematological values of beef fat supplemented mice improved after being supplemented with 10% BSO. LDL-c, Triglycerides and total cholesterol levels were all significantly lower in mice fed BSO plus beef fat. HDL-c levels were significantly higher in BSO plus beef fat-fed mice. Spleens in BSO plus beef fat-fed mice were slightly enlarged without gross abnormalities. 10% beef fat caused minor changes in the histostructures of the kidney, heart and liver. There were significant changes in cardiac muscle and massive fatty changes in kidney tissue. This study concluded that BSO has beneficial effects on the body and can prevent beef fat-induced abnormalities.
Since August 2017, Myanmar nationals from Rakhine state have crossed the border into Bangladesh and settled in Cox's Bazar, the World's largest refugee camp. Due to overcrowding, poor sanitation, and hygienic practices they have been under significant health risks including diarrheal diseases. The objective of this study is to determine the viral etiology of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) among forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals (FDMN) and adjacent Bangladeshi local host population (AHP).From April 2018 to April 2019, we collected stool specimens from 764 FDMN and 1159 AHP of all ages. We tested 100 randomly selected specimens from each group for the most common AGE viruses.Among 200 diarrhea patients, 55% and 64% of FDMN and AHP patients, respectively, had viral infections; the most common viruses were rotavirus (29% vs 44%), adenovirus (24% vs 31%), and norovirus (14% vs 10%). In both populations, viral infections were significantly higher in children less than 5 years of age, compared with bacterial infections that were higher in patients older than 5 years of age (P ≤ .05).Disparities in viral and bacterial prevalence among various age groups warrant careful antibiotic usage, especially in children less than 5 years of age.
Wastewater-based epidemiological surveillance has been considered a powerful tool for early detection and monitoring of the dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 and its lineages circulating in a community. This study is aimed to investigate the complexity of SARS-CoV-2 infection dynamics in Dhaka city by examining its genetic variants in wastewater. Also, the study seeks to determine a connection between the SARS-CoV-2 variations detected in clinical testing and those found in wastewater samples.Out of 504 samples tested in RT-qPCR, 185 (36.7%) tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA. The median log10 concentration of SARS-CoV-2 N gene copies/Liter of wastewater (gc/L) was 5.2, and the median log10 concentration of ORF1ab was 4.9. To further reveal the genetic diversity of SARS-CoV-2, ten samples with ORF1ab real-time RT-PCR cycle threshold (Ct) values ranging from 28.78 to 32.13 were subjected to whole genome sequencing using nanopore technology. According to clade classification, sequences from wastewater samples were grouped into 4 clades: 20A, 20B, 21A, 21J, and the Pango lineage, B.1, B.1.1, B.1.1.25, and B.1.617.2, with coverage ranging from 94.2 to 99.8%. Of them, 70% belonged to clade 20B, followed by 10% to clade 20A, 21A, and 21J. Lineage B.1.1.25 was predominant in Bangladesh and phylogenetically related to the sequences from India, the USA, Canada, the UK, and Italy. The Delta variant (B.1.617.2) was first identified in clinical samples at the beginning of May 2021. In contrast, we found that it was circulating in the community and was detected in wastewater in September 2020.Environmental surveillance is useful for monitoring temporal and spatial trends of existing and emerging infectious diseases and supports evidence-based public health measures. The findings of this study supported the use of wastewater-based epidemiology and provided the baseline data for the dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 variants in the wastewater environment in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Background: Rotavirus-A (RVA) is the primary cause of acute dehydrating diarrhea in humans and numerous animal species. Due to the segmented nature of the RVA genome, animal RVA strains have the potential to adapt in human hosts through reassortment with other co-infecting human viruses. The study aimed to apply a non-invasive approach using fecal samples to detect and characterize RVA circulating in bats and rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) at human-wildlife interfaces in Bangladesh. Methods & Materials: We collected fresh fecal samples non-invasively from 416 bats (201 Pteropus medius, 165 Rousettus leschenaultii and 50 Taphozous melanopogon) and 454 rhesus macaques during 2011–2014. The samples were tested by a one-step real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR). Positive samples were further characterized by nucleotide sequence analysis of two structural protein gene fragments VP4 (P genotype), and VP7 (G genotype). Results: Overall, RVA prevalence was 3.8% (n = 16; 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.2–6.2) in bat and 4.0% (n = 20; 95% CI: 2.7–6.7) in macaque. Species-specific prevalence of RVA was 6.5% (13/416; 95% CI: 3.5–10.8) in P. medius and 1.8% (3/416; 95% CI: 0.4–5.2) in R. leschenaultii bat. No RVA was detected in the insectivorous bat (T. melanopogon). G1 and G8 genotypes were detected in bat, both of which are similar to that of human strains. On the other hand, G3, G10, P[3] and P[15] genotypes were identified in macaques and were associated as G3P[3], G3P[15] and G10P[15]. The phylogenetic relationship between macaque RVA strains from this study and previously reported human strains indicates possible transmission between humans and macaques in Bangladesh. Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first report of the detection and characterization of rotaviruses in bats and rhesus macaques in Bangladesh. The detection of RVAs highly related to human strains suggested human to animal transmission, which underscores the importance of including wildlife species in surveillance for zoonotic pathogens to better understand pathogen transmission and evolution. These data will not only aid in identifying viral sharing between humans and animals but will also improve the development of mitigation measures for the prevention of future rotavirus outbreaks.
Abstract The protection against emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants by pre-existing antibodies elicited due to the current vaccination or natural infection is a global concern. We aimed to investigate the rate of SARS-CoV-2 infection and its clinical features among infection-naïve, infected, vaccinated, and post-infection-vaccinated individuals. A cohort was designed among icddr,b staff registered for COVID-19 testing by real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR). Reinfection cases were confirmed by whole-genome sequencing. From 19 March 2020 to 31 March 2021, 1644 (mean age, 38.4 years and 57% male) participants were enrolled; where 1080 (65.7%) were tested negative and added to the negative cohort. The positive cohort included 750 positive patients (564 from baseline and 186 from negative cohort follow-up), of whom 27.6% were hospitalized and 2.5% died. Among hospitalized patients, 45.9% had severe to critical disease and 42.5% required oxygen support. Hypertension and diabetes mellitus were found significantly higher among the hospitalised patients compared to out-patients; risk ratio 1.3 and 1.6 respectively. The risk of infection among positive cohort was 80.2% lower than negative cohort (95% CI 72.6–85.7%; p < 0.001). Genome sequences showed that genetically distinct SARS-CoV-2 strains were responsible for reinfections. Naturally infected populations were less likely to be reinfected by SARS-CoV-2 than the infection-naïve and vaccinated individuals. Although, reinfected individuals did not suffer severe disease, a remarkable proportion of naturally infected or vaccinated individuals were (re)-infected by the emerging variants.
We announce the complete genome sequences of 12 severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) sublineage B.1.617.2 strains (Delta variant) obtained from nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swab samples from 12 pediatric patients in Chittagong, Bangladesh, displaying COVID-19 symptoms. Oxford Nanopore MinION sequencing technology was used to generate the genomic sequences.
As the COVID-19 pandemic erupted, the WHO recommended the use of nasopharyngeal or throat swabs for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 etiology of COVID-19. The collection of NPS causes discomfort because of its invasive collection procedure.
FAM60A, traditionally linked to chromatin remodeling within the Sin3/HDAC complex, has emerged as a critical regulator in RNA splicing. Employing an integrative approach that combines immunological assays, CRISPR/Cas9 technology, comprehensive genomics, proteomics, and advanced cross-linking mass spectrometry, complemented by sophisticated 3D molecular modeling, our study challenges and extends the existing understanding of FAM60A functional dynamics. Contravening previous perceptions, our findings elucidate that FAM60A does not interact directly with SIN3A, rather establishes direct interactions with SAP30 and HDAC1, redefining its relationship with the Sin3/HDAC complex. These interactions, deciphered through detailed 3D structural analysis supported by cross-linking constraints, signify a complex architectural role of FAM60A within chromatin remodeling processes. Moreover, our research unveils FAM60A pivotal role in RNA processing, particularly in splicing regulation. Through extensive molecular interactions with a diverse array of mRNA-binding proteins and principal spliceosome components, FAM60A emerges as a key regulator of RNA splicing. This expanded role delineates its influence on gene expression regulation, spotlighting its capacity to modulate critical cellular processes. In sum, this study unveils FAM60A key role in gene regulation and RNA splicing, and suggests new paths for cellular and therapeutic research.
