Genetic variations of CYP2R1 (rs10741657) in Bangladeshi adults with low serum 25(OH)D level—A pilot study

BACKGROUND: Some studies revealed that despite having sufficient sun exposure and dietary supply, the level of serum 25(OH)D in Bangladeshi adults is lower than its normal range. Genetic pattern of an individual is also an essential factor that regulates the level of serum 25(OH)D. However, the genetic variations of CYP2R1 (rs10741657) and their association with low serum 25(OH)D level in Bangladeshi adults are yet to be explored. OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to determine the frequency of variants of rs10741657 of CYP2R1 gene and its association with low serum 25(OH)D level among Bangladeshi adults. METHOD: This pilot study was conducted among thirty individuals with low serum 25(OH)D level as the study population and ten subjects with sufficient serum 25(OH)D level as controls based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Genetic analysis of rs10741657 of CYP2R1 including primer designing, DNA extraction, PCR of target region with purification and Sanger sequencing of the PCR products were done accordingly. For statistical analysis, One-way ANOVA followed by LSD test, Freeman-Halton extension of Fisher’s exact test, Chi-square test (χ(2)) test and unpaired student t-test were performed. RESULTS: In this study, genetic variants of CYP2R1 (rs10741657) among the study population were genotype GG (63.30%), GA (30%) and AA (6.7%). Minor allele frequency of the study population was 0.217. The association between GG and GA genotypes of CYP2R1 (rs10741657) with low serum 25(OH)D level among the study population was found and it was statistically significant. Statistically significant differences were also observed between the genotypes and alleles of the study population and controls. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of ‘GG’ and ‘GA’ genotypes of rs1041657 in CYP2R1 gene is associated with low serum 25(OH)D level among Bangladeshi adults in this pilot study

The evaluation of urinary vanillylmandelic acid level in patients with generalized anxiety disorder

Background and objectives: The prevalence of anxiety disorders is increasing in the world. Studies revealed that generalized anxiety disorder may lead to change in circulating catecholamine levels. Thus, the changes of catecholamine metabolite like urinary vanillylmandelic acid may increase the future risk of thrombotic diseases in patients with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). The aim of this present study is to evaluate urinary vanillylmandelic acid (VMA) levels in patients with generalized anxiety disorder.Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was performed in the Department of Physiology, Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka from July 2019 to June 2020.After obtaining ethical clearance, a total 144 individuals were selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria with age ranging from 18-50 years. Group A was study group selected from Out Patient Department of Psychiatry of Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Dhaka diagnosed by the experienced psychiatrist. Group B was control group who were apparently healthy adults selected from different area of Dhaka city. The subjects were interviewed and detailed history regarding personal, family, medical and drug history were taken. Prior to sample collection, informed written consent was taken from the participants. Urinary vanillylmandelic acid levels were measured in the Department of Endocrinology, BIRDEM General Hospital, Dhaka.Statistical analysis: For statistical analysis, Unpaired Student’s ‘t’ test was considered using SPSS 25.0 version.Results: Urinary vanillylmandelic acid of generalized anxiety disorder patients was significantly higher (p< 0.001) than control group.Conclusion: It can be concluded that generalized anxiety disorder patients may have more chance of thrombotic diseases due to significantly higher urinary vanillylmandelic acid (VMA) levels than healthy adults

The evaluation of urinary vanillylmandelic acid level in patients with generalized anxiety disorder

Background and objectives: The prevalence of anxiety disorders is increasing in the world. Studies revealed that generalized anxiety disorder may lead to change in circulating catecholamine levels. Thus, the changes of catecholamine metabolite like urinary vanillylmandelic acid may increase the future risk of thrombotic diseases in patients with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). The aim of this present study is to evaluate urinary vanillylmandelic acid (VMA) levels in patients with generalized anxiety disorder.Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was performed in the Department of Physiology, Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka from July 2019 to June 2020.After obtaining ethical clearance, a total 144 individuals were selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria with age ranging from 18-50 years. Group A was study group selected from Out Patient Department of Psychiatry of Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Dhaka diagnosed by the experienced psychiatrist. Group B was control group who were apparently healthy adults selected from different area of Dhaka city. The subjects were interviewed and detailed history regarding personal, family, medical and drug history were taken. Prior to sample collection, informed written consent was taken from the participants. Urinary vanillylmandelic acid levels were measured in the Department of Endocrinology, BIRDEM General Hospital, Dhaka.Statistical analysis: For statistical analysis, Unpaired Student’s ‘t’ test was considered using SPSS 25.0 version.Results: Urinary vanillylmandelic acid of generalized anxiety disorder patients was significantly higher (p< 0.001) than control group.Conclusion: It can be concluded that generalized anxiety disorder patients may have more chance of thrombotic diseases due to significantly higher urinary vanillylmandelic acid (VMA) levels than healthy adults

Water sanitation and hygiene status in the neighbourhood of Bangladeshi Islamic schools and mosques

Faith based interventions have been underutilized to improve water, sanitation and hygiene status and offers promise to promote behaviour in the community. Prior to delivering a faith based WASH intervention, we conducted a survey among the neighbouring households of eight Bangladeshi Islamic schools and associated mosques. We randomly selected 192 families from where any male attend mosque and interviewed adult women from that family. At baseline, almost all households used improved water sources and improved toilets. However, toilet cleanliness was poor. Faecal matter was disposed into the environment after emptying the pit/septic tank. Defecation and disposal among children <3years mostly occurred directly in the open which should be improved using behaviour change recommendations. Presence of hand washing agent in the hand washing place was low. Islamic faith based intervention should be designed and delivered in way that can promote hand washing, safe sanitation practices and safe disposal of child faeces

Spike protein mutations and structural insights of pangolin lineage B.1.1.25 with implications for viral pathogenicity and ACE2 binding affinity

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of COVID -19, is constantly evolving, requiring continuous genomic surveillance. In this study, we used whole-genome sequencing to investigate the genetic epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 in Bangladesh, with particular emphasis on identifying dominant variants and associated mutations. We used high-throughput next-generation sequencing (NGS) to obtain DNA sequences from COVID-19 patient samples and compared these sequences to the Wuhan SARS-CoV-2 reference genome using the Global Initiative for Sharing All Influenza Data (GISAID). Our phylogenetic and mutational analyzes revealed that the majority (88%) of the samples belonged to the pangolin lineage B.1.1.25, whereas the remaining 11% were assigned to the parental lineage B.1.1. Two main mutations, D614G and P681R, were identified in the spike protein sequences of the samples. The D614G mutation, which is the most common, decreases S1 domain flexibility, whereas the P681R mutation may increase the severity of viral infections by increasing the binding affinity between the spike protein and the ACE2 receptor. We employed molecular modeling techniques, including protein modeling, molecular docking, and quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) geometry optimization, to build and validate three-dimensional models of the S_D614G-ACE2 and S_P681R-ACE2 complexes from the predominant strains. The description of the binding mode and intermolecular contacts of the referenced systems suggests that the P681R mutation may be associated with increased viral pathogenicity in Bangladeshi patients due to enhanced electrostatic interactions between the mutant spike protein and the human ACE2 receptor, underscoring the importance of continuous genomic surveillance in the fight against COVID -19. Finally, the binding profile of the S_D614G-ACE2 and S_P681R-ACE2 complexes offer valuable insights to deeply understand the binding site characteristics that could help to develop antiviral therapeutics that inhibit protein–protein interactions between SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and human ACE2 receptor

Effect of Gamma Irradiated Sodium Alginate on Malabar Spinach (Basella alba) and Spinach (Spinacia oleracea) as Plant Growth Promoter

Aqueous solution of sodium alginate (3% w/v) was irradiated by gamma radiation at various doses (5-50 kGy). These solutions were diluted to 1500 ppm and applied on malabar spinach (Basella alba) and spinach (Spinacia oleracea) to study the growth promotion behavior of sodium alginate. Viscosity and molecular weight of the irradiated sodium alginate was found to decrease with increasing radiation dose. Changes in morphological characteristics of those plants in different unit plots were found which is correlated with the use of sodium alginate. The dry matter (32.5%), plant height (33.55%), root length (27.36%), number of leaf (27.27%) were increased compared to the control vegetative plant production, when malabar spinach was nourished by sodium alginate irradiated at 12 kGy. In case of spinach; dry matter (320%), plant height (53.62%), root length (39.92%) and number of leaf (95.45%) were increased when nourished by sodium alginate irradiated at 20kGy

Landlords’ and Compound Managers’ Role in Improving and Sustaining Shared Latrines in Three Dhaka City Slums

(1) Background: Residents of Dhaka slums frequently lack clean and functional shared latrines. We explored the role of landlords and compound managers in promoting latrine cleanliness in the intervention arm of a randomized trial; (2) Methods: We conducted focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and in-depth interviews with community health promoters, landlords, and compound managers to better understand the decision-making process, barriers to contributing to sanitation, and cleanliness of shared latrines. (3) Results: Landlords&rsquo; and compound managers&rsquo; engagement in promoting clean and functional latrines depended, in part, on their own proximity to the properties they own and manage. The compound managers played a leadership role through engagement with health promoters, oversight of implementation of a cleaning schedule, and support for installation and maintenance of sanitation hardware, resulting in improved sanitation practices; (4) Conclusions: Interventions in slums in Bangladesh should consider engaging landlords and compound managers in efforts to bring about structural and organizational changes to support the adoption of improved water, sanitation, and hygiene practices

Landlords/compound managers: change makers to improve and sustain communal latrine use and maintenance

Shared latrines are the most common primary means of sanitation in the high-density slums in Dhaka city where maintaining cleanliness and functionality is difficult. We developed a cleanliness and maintenance intervention package that included behaviour change materials and interpersonal communication sessions with slum residents, landlords/compound managers, waste bin emptiers regarding flushing, latrine waste disposal in waste bins and safe child feces disposal. We evaluated the role of landlord/ compound managers and explored the mechanism by which they contributed to this intervention. We conducted focus group discussions with landlords/compound managers, community health promoters (CHPs) and tenants, group discussions with CHP supervisors and key informant interviews with the staff member of implementing agency. CHPs and their supervisors said landlords/compound managers supported their efforts to implement this intervention. We found landlords/compound managers play a reinforcing role in the intervention