DEMOGRAPHIC AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC DETERMINANTS OF WOMEN EMPLOYMENT IN BANGLADESH

The purpose of the present study is to examine the major factors related to the participation of women in the economic activities of Bangladesh, using the data of the nationally representative provided by the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS) 2017/18. The survey interviewed a total of 20127 women aged 15-49 on social, economic, and demographic factors. The study used women's occupations as the dependent variable to understand the patterns and dynamics of women's participation in economic activities in Bangladesh. The result shows that 49.6% of women didn’t associate with any work, 7.9% of women worked as a professional, technical or managerial specialist, and 42.5% of women worked as non-professional, such as: in agriculture, and domestic-related work. Two policy implications emerged from the study: 1) The economic activity of women in Bangladesh is still low, most of them earn their livelihood utilizing non-professional works; 2) Women who are relatively from poorer families, not very well educated, located in the rural area are largely seen in economic activities in Bangladesh. Finally, the study indicates an idea about important determinants of women's employment, as poor women with little formal education remain economically active. The study recommends that women must be provided with new skills and knowledge to expand their ability and the education of women must be given the highest priority, which is the fundamental problem.The purpose of the present study is to examine the major factors related to the participation of women in the economic activities of Bangladesh, using the data of the nationally representative provided by the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS) 2017/18. The survey interviewed a total of 20127 women aged 15-49 on social, economic, and demographic factors. The study used women's occupations as the dependent variable to understand the patterns and dynamics of women's participation in economic activities in Bangladesh. The result shows that 49.6% of women didn’t associate with any work, 7.9% of women worked as a professional, technical or managerial specialist, and 42.5% of women worked as non-professional, such as: in agriculture, and domestic-related work. Two policy implications emerged from the study: 1) The economic activity of women in Bangladesh is still low, most of them earn their livelihood utilizing non-professional works; 2) Women who are relatively from poorer families, not very well educated, located in the rural area are largely seen in economic activities in Bangladesh. Finally, the study indicates an idea about important determinants of women's employment, as poor women with little formal education remain economically active. The study recommends that women must be provided with new skills and knowledge to expand their ability and the education of women must be given the highest priority, which is the fundamental problem

Single-stranded DNA binding protein from human malarial parasite Plasmodium falciparum is encoded in the nucleus and targeted to the apicoplast

Apicoplast, an essential organelle of human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum contains a ∼35 kb circular genome and is a possible target for therapy. Proteins required for the replication and maintenance of the apicoplast DNA are not clearly known. Here we report the presence of single–stranded DNA binding protein (SSB) in P falciparum. PfSSB is targeted to the apicoplast and it binds to apicoplast DNA. A strong ssDNA binding activity specific to SSB was also detected in P. falciparum lysate. Both the recombinant and endogenous proteins form tetramers and the homology modelling shows the presence of an oligosaccharide/oligonucleotide-binding fold responsible for ssDNA binding. Additionally, we used SSB as a tool to track the mechanism of delayed death phenomena shown by apicoplast targeted drugs ciprofloxacin and tetracycline. We find that the transport of PfSSB is severely affected during the second life cycle following drug treatment. Moreover, the translation of PfSSB protein and not the transcription of PfSSB seem to be down-regulated specifically during second life cycle although there is no considerable change in protein expression profile between drug-treated and untreated parasites. These results suggest dual control of translocation and translation of apicoplast targeted proteins behind the delayed death phenomena

Valsartan (Profiles of Drugs Substances, Excipients and Related Methodology)

Valsartan is an antihypertensive drug which selectively inhibits angiotensin receptor type II. This tetrazole derivative was first developed by Novartis and marketed under brand name Diovan® . This compound is orally active and is rapidly absorbed after oral doses, having a bioavailability of approximately 23% . Valsartan appears as a white or almost white hygroscopic powder. This compound must be kept in an air-tight container and should be protected from light and heat. It is available in film-coated tablets containing valsartan 40, 80, 160, or 320 mg, and capsules with dosage of 80 or 160 mg. Tablet combinations of valsartan with hydrochlorothiazide or amlodipine are also availabl

Synthesis, characterization and biological applications of cobalt oxide (Co3O4) nanoparticles

Cobalt oxide (Co3O4) nanoparticles have been synthesized by thermal decomposition method. The synthesized Co3O4 nano-scale particles were characterized using UV–Visible spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffractometry, Transmission electron microscopy and Scanning electron microscopy. The study of antioxidant activity and cytotoxicity behavior of Co3O4 nanoparticles with various concentrations was performed. The results from antimicrobial test and hemolysis assay depicts that the synthesized Co3O4 nanoparticles show efficient antioxidant as well as the antibacterial behavior. From the experiment it is also revealed that the antioxidant activity of Co3O4 nanoparticles increases with the increase of nanoparticle concentration

A Unique 45-Amino-Acid Region in the Toprim Domain of Plasmodium falciparum Gyrase B Is Essential for Its Activity▿ †

DNA gyrase is the only topoisomerase that can introduce negative supercoils into the DNA at the cost of ATP hydrolysis. Some but not all the steps of the topoisomerization reaction are understood clearly for both eukaryotic topoII and DNA gyrase. This study is an attempt to understand whether the B subunit of DNA gyrase binds to DNA directly, which may be central to the stimulation of its ATPase activity essential for gyrase function. We have dissected the Plasmodium falciparum gyrase B (PfGyrB) subunit to identify a 45-amino-acid region in the toprim domain that is responsible for its intrinsic DNA binding activity, DNA-stimulated ATPase activity, and DNA cleavage. We find that DNA has to enter through the ATP-operated clamp of PfGyrB to gain access to the DNA binding region. Furthermore, the rate of ATP hydrolysis of PfGyrB increases significantly with increasing DNA length, suggesting a possible communication between the ATPase domain and the DNA binding region that can account for its optimal ATPase activity. These results not only highlight the mechanism of GyrB action in the deadly human parasite P. falciparum but also provide meaningful insights into the current mechanistic model of DNA transport by gyrase during the topoisomerization reaction

Nicotinamide inhibits Plasmodium falciparum Sir2 activity in vitro and parasite growth

Plasmodium falciparum sirtuin, PfSir2, contains Histone Deacetylase (HDAC) activity that may be central to the regulation of virulence gene expression in the parasites. Although a few reports have been published recently regarding in vitro and in vivo function of PfSir2, expression of the endogenous protein (c. 30 kDa) has not been shown yet. Here we report the presence of PfSir2 in the parasite at the protein level by specific antibodies. HDAC activity of PfSir2 can be inhibited by nicotinamide, a product of sirtuin reaction. Surprisingly, we find that nicotinamide also delays parasite growth significantly in culture. These findings further our knowledge on PfSir2 and raise the possibility of using an inexpensive agent like nicotinamide as an antimalarial in combination with other antiparasitic drugs

Potent antimalarial activity of Acriflavine in vitro and in vivo

Malaria continues to be a major health problem globally. There is an urgent need to find new antimalarials. Acriflavine (ACF) is known as an antibacterial agent and more recently as an anticancer agent. Here, we report that ACF inhibits the growth of asexual stages of both Chloroquine (CQ) sensitive and resistant strains of human malarial parasite, Plasmodium falciparum in vitro at nanomolar concentration. ACF clears the malaria infection in vivo from the bloodstreams of mice infected with Plasmodium berghei. Interestingly, ACF is accumulated only in the parasitized Red Blood Cells (RBCs) and parasite specific transporters may have role in this specific drug accumulation. We further show that ACF impairs DNA replication foci formation in the parasites and affects the enzymatic activities of apicoplast specific Gyrase protein. We thus establish ACF as a potential antimalarial amidst the widespread incidences of drug resistant Plasmodium strains