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Major intrinsic proteins (MIPs), commonly known as aquaporins, transport not only water in plants but also other substrates of physiological significance and heavy metals. In most of the higher plants, MIPs are divided into five subfamilies (PIPs, TIPs, NIPs, SIPs and XIPs). Herein, we identified 68, 42, 38 and 28 full-length MIPs, respectively in the genomes of four monocot grass plants, specifically Panicum virgatum, Setaria italica, Sorghum bicolor and Brachypodium distachyon. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the grass plants had only four MIP subfamilies including PIPs, TIPs, NIPs and SIPs without XIPs. Based on structural analysis of the homology models and comparing the primary selectivity-related motifs [two NPA regions, aromatic/arginine (ar/R) selectivity filter and Froger's positions (FPs)] of all plant MIPs that have been experimentally proven to transport non-aqua substrates, we predicted the transport profiles of all MIPs in the four grass plants and also in eight other plants. Groups of MIP subfamilies based on ar/R selectivity filter and FPs were linked to the non-aqua transport profiles. We further deciphered the substrate selectivity profiles of the MIPs in the four grass plants and compared them with their counterparts in rice, maize, soybean, poplar, cotton, Arabidopsis thaliana, Physcomitrella patens and Selaginella moellendorffii. In addition to two NPA regions, ar/R filter and FPs, certain residues, especially in loops B and C, contribute to the functional distinctiveness of MIP groups. Expression analysis of transcripts in different organs indicated that non-aqua transport was related to expression of MIPs since most of the unexpressed MIPs were not predicted to facilitate the transport of non-aqua molecules. Among all MIPs in every plant, TIP (BdTIP1;1, SiTIP1;2, SbTIP2;1 and PvTIP1;2) had the overall highest mean expression. Our study generates significant information for understanding the diversity, evolution, non-aqua transport profiles and insight into comparative transport selectivity of plant MIPs, and provides tools for the development of transgenic plants.

The egg parasitoids of the genus Trichogramma are important potential biological control agents for a wide range of lepidopteran pests. Cold storage of host eggs has been proposed as a valuable technique for ensuring the release of sufficient parasitoid numbers whenever it is needed. In this context, the impact of low temperatures to induce quiescence in T. evanescens Westwood and T. chilonis Ishii was studied using eggs of Indian meal moth Plodia interpunctella (Hübner). Prepupae of the parasitoids were stored for 15, 30, 45, 60 and 75 d at 4 °C, following a 7 d period of acclimation at 10 °C. Both parasitoid species seem to survive unfavorable temperature conditions by entering a state of quiescence. Parasitism, adult emergence, sex ratio and progeny quality were not affected by cold storage in either parasitoid species for up to 30 d of storage. Parasitized host eggs of P. interpunctella can be stored for up to 60 d at 4 °C for both parasitoids, but there was no emergence at 75 d. General productivity values gradually decreased as the duration of storage lengthened for both species. Our results clearly reveal that the eggs parasitized by these species can be stored for up to 30 d at 4 °C in a state of quiescence without much loss of their performance compared to the control eggs.

This study was performed to investigate the prevalence of multidrug resistance and molecular characterization of Klebsiella pneumoniae (KPN) from clinical isolates in the southern region of Bangladesh. Additional analysis of the prevalence of blaNDM-1, blaSHV-11, uge genes of KPN was also carried out among these clinical isolates. The study was carried out using 1000 clinical isolates collected from two different hospitals of Chattogram. A drug susceptibility test was performed by the disk diffusion method to detect KPN's response to 16 antibiotics. The presence of antibiotic-resistant and (or) virulent genes blaNDM-1, blaSHV-11, uge were investigated using the PCR technique. Isolates having blaNDM-1, blaSHV-11, uge gene were further validated by sequencing followed by phylogenetic analysis. Phylogenetic relationships among these isolates were determined by Clustal omega and MEGA7. A total of 79%, 77%, 74.9%, 71%, 66% and 65% isolates exhibited resistance against cefuroxime, cefixime, cefotaxime, ceftazidime, cefepime and ceftriaxone respectively. The frequency of resistance to other antibiotics varied from 26.5% to 61.8%. PCR analysis showed that 64% of strains harbored blaNDM-1 gene, and 38% strains harbored blaSHV-11 gene. Moreover, 47% of samples were carrying uge gene, and 19% of samples carried blaNDM-1, blaSHV-11, uge genes together. In this study, we've analysed the pattern of expression as well as prevalence of blaNDM-1, blaSHV-11, and uge genes in Klebsiella isolates. Upon molecular and statistical analysis, we found a high prevalence of multi-drug resistance KPN strains in the isolates. The Klebsiella isolates were confirmed to harbor multiple ESBL genes and 64% of the isolates were found to be producing NDM-1. As multidrug resistance is an alarming issue, continuous surveillance and routine clinical detection of resistant bacteria and plasmids are necessary to prevent catastrophic public health incidents.

Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is a critical determinant to assess the severity of chronic diseases like diabetes mellitus. It has a close association with complications, comorbidities, and medical aid. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of medical comorbidities and determine the relationship between comorbidities and HRQoL among type 2 diabetic patients of southern Bangladesh. This study was a cross-sectional study conducted through face to face interviews using a pre-tested structured questionnaire and by reviewing patient's health records with prior written consent. The study was conducted on 2,136 patients with type 2 diabetes attending five hospitals of Chattogram, Bangladesh, during the tenure of November 2018 to July 2019. Quality of life was measured using the widely-used index of EQ-5D that considers 243 different health states and uses a scale in which 0 indicates a health state equivalent to death and 1 indicates perfect health status. The five dimensions of the quality index included mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain or discomfort, and anxiety or depression. Patients with three comorbidities and with four or more comorbidities had a higher probability of reporting \"extreme problem\" or \"some problem\" in all five dimensions of the EQ-5D index compared with those without comorbidity (Odds ratio: mobility, 3.99 [2.72-5.87], 6.22 [3.80-10.19]; usual activity, 2.67 [1.76-4.06], 5.43 [3.28-8.98]; self-care, 2.60 [1.65-4.10], 3.95 [2.33-6.69]; pain or discomfort, 2.22 [1.48-3.33], 3.44 [1.83-6.45]; anxiety or depression, 1.75 [1.07-2.88], 2.45 [1.19-5.04]). The number of comorbidities had a negative impact on quality of life. Prevalent comorbidities were found to be the significant underlying cause of declined HRQoL. To raise diabetes awareness and for better disease management, the exposition of comorbidities in regards to HRQoL of people with diabetes should be considered for type 2 diabetes management schemas.

The Indian meal moth, Plodia interpunctella (Hübner), feeds on a wide range of commodities in most regions of the world. The present study presents six years of monitoring data for P. interpunctella in pheromone-baited traps by analyzing the trends of spatial variability, in five food facilities located in the Rajshahi municipality area of Bangladesh. We also tracked insect incidence at different spatial scales and evaluated the impact of food facility types and storage structures on insect populations. Our model showed an aggregated distribution pattern for P. interpunctella. Population patterns of P. interpunctella varied significantly among facilities. The highest number of moths captured was recorded in a grain retailer located at Municipal market, followed by a grain warehouse at Harian, pulse mill at Kazla, flour mill at Sapura and grocery shop at Katakhali. The population fluctuation of P. interpunctella moths was similar among the different locations tested, while there were no captures during the winter period. Our results indicate that long-term monitoring in a wide range of areas can be used to indicate population outbursts, under an area-wide management strategy.

Diapause concerns the fascinating phenomenon in the biology of insect development which allows better understanding the local adaptation and phenotypic plasticity to seasonal variations in environment. There is lot of reasons to carry out the research on diapause both for fundamental and applied sciences. Photoperiod is one of the main environmental cues followed by insects to predict the forthcoming seasonal changes and to adapt these changes in their life-history traits. Thus, the effect of different photoperiod regimes on development and diapause induction of larvae of the Indian meal moth Plodia interpunctella (Hübner) was evaluated at a constant temperature of 17 °C. Development was significantly faster at a photoperiod of 12:12 light:darkness (L:D) than at 8:16, 10:14, 14:10 and 16:8 L:D. A photoperiod of 12:12 (L:D) induced most larvae (≥ 71%) to enter diapause, while this percentage was slightly lower (60%) at both shorter(8 h) and longer (16 h) day lengths (50%). The different photoperiod regimes did not affect the percentage of adult emergence. Fat and protein composition of the diapausing larvae differed significantly among treatments as well as between diapausing and non-diapausing larvae. Larvae developing from 8:16 (L:D) contained the maximum amount of protein (36.8%) compared to other regimes, while the minimum amount (21.0%) was noted in larvae that developed at 16:8 (L:D). Six types of fatty acids were detected in the larvae: myristic acid (methyl tetradecenoate), palmitoleic acid (9-hexadecenoic acid, methyl ester), palmitic acid (hexadecenoic acid, methyl ester), linoleic acid (9, 12-Octadecadienoic acid (Z, Z), methyl ester), oleic acid [9-octadecenoic acid, methyl ester (E)] and stearic acid (octadecanoic acid, methyl ester). The results also reveal that the percent of fatty acids detected in the diapausing larvae varies significantly and the same trends imply in the interaction of fatty acid and photoperiod regimes. Moreover, three quarters of the total variance was accounted for by the Principal Component Analysis (PCA) of the fatty acids. Different proportions of fatty acids were noted among treatments, suggesting that photoperiod influences a number of key biological traits in P. interpunctella , much more than the percentage of the diapausing larvae per se.

Background Thalassaemia, a hereditary haemoglobin disorder, is a major public health concern in some parts of the world. Although Bangladesh is in the world’s thalassaemia belt, the information on this disease is scarce. Additionally, the awareness of this life threatening, but potentially preventable disease is surprisingly poor. However, mass awareness is pivotal for the development of an effective preventive strategy. In this context, the understanding of parental perspectives is essential to grasp the magnitude of the problem. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the parental knowledge gaps and perceptions regarding thalassemia, the barriers confronted by the parents for caring for their thalassaemic children and their attitude to prenatal screening and prenatal diagnosis. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted between January 2018 and December 2018 at a dedicated thalassemia hospital located in Dhaka. A structured questionnaire was used for face-to-face interviews with parents of thalassaemic children. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse data. Results Of 365 respondents, nearly all respondents (97%) had not heard about the term, ‘thalassemia’ before the disease was diagnosed in their children; all (100%) were unscreened for carrier status prior to marriage. Mean knowledge scores were significantly higher in respondents with higher income and education. Most respondents (~ 91%) had a guilty feeling for not undergoing premarital screening. Only around 36% of them had heard about prenatal diagnosis. Approximately 25% participants would consider prenatal diagnosis in a future pregnancy, while 70% of them were unsure and only ~ 5% would decline prenatal diagnosis. Only 9.3% mothers had prenatal diagnosis in a previous pregnancy. Nearly 80% of the parents faced difficulty for obtaining blood donors regularly and a similar proportion (~ 81%) of them did not receive support from any organized blood clubs. More than 40% of the parents reported they felt socially stigmatized. Conclusion This study suggests poor parental knowledge regarding thalassaemia including prenatal diagnosis and the challenges faced while caring for their children. These findings would be of paramount importance in planning and devising effective prevention and intervention strategies in Bangladesh as well as other countries with similar sociocultural setting.

Thalassaemia is an inherited life-threatening but preventable haemoglobin disorder. South Asian countries, including Bangladesh, are the hotspots of the world's thalassaemia belt. Indigenous communities are underprivileged and vulnerable to genetic disorders, including thalassaemia. Understanding the perspectives of thalassaemia of future community leaders (indigenous university students) is critical for developing a tailor-made preventive strategy relevant to their communities. In this study, we aimed to assess the level of knowledge and attitudes towards thalassaemia among indigenous university students and determine their thalassaemia carrier status. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 251 tribal university students using a published questionnaire between May and October 2018. The main survey instrument consisted of 22 anonymous questions. Descriptive and inferential statistical procedures were used for data analysis. More than half (55%) of the indigenous students had never heard the term 'thalassaemia'. Around half (49%) of the marriages in their communities were consanguineous. The mean knowledge score was abysmal (4.91±2.65 out of a 12-point scale), which was not associated with the consanguinity of their parent but home districts. Multiple linear regression of demographic variables on the total knowledge score revealed that the overall knowledge is significantly associated with their home district (p< 0.05). Participants from science disciplines scored more than 1 point than their counterparts from Arts and Humanities (p = 0.08615). For the first time, this study has identified knowledge gaps and misperceptions about thalassaemia among university students from indigenous communities in the southeastern region of Bangladesh. This study serves as a baseline for future interventions (premarital and prenatal screening) targeting future community leaders.

Spinosad, Saccharopolyspora spinosa, is widely used as a stored product protectant. However, its efficacy against the hide beetle Dermestes maculatus DeGeer (Coleoptera: Dermestidae), a major pest of dried animal-based materials, remains underexplored. In this study, we evaluated the contact and oral toxicities of spinosad across a range of concentrations applied directly to animal-derived substrates. Larval and adult mortality, along with probit parameters, were determined to assess susceptibility. Spinosad produced significant mortality in both life stages, with larvae exhibiting higher susceptibility under contact exposure, whereas adults showed increased susceptibility under feeding exposure. These patterns are consistent with prior reports of spinosad’s dual-action toxicity against stored-product pests. The larval contact and adult feeding exposures to spinosad were positively associated with higher doses, while adult contact and larval food exposures aligned with lower doses. The larval contact and adult ingestion routes drive the strongest toxic responses, whereas adult contact and larval feeding elicit weaker effects under the same doses. Overall, our results highlight spinosad as a promising tool for integrated pest management of hide beetles in animal-based storage systems.

Background Thalassaemia is a potentially life-threatening yet preventable inherited hemoglobin disorder. Understanding local socio-cultural context and level of public awareness about thalassaemia is pivotal for selecting effective prevention strategies. This study attempted to assess knowledge and perceptions about thalassaemia among college students in Bangladesh. Methods A supervised cross-sectional survey was conducted on 1578 college students using a self-administered structured questionnaire. The survey took place from 15 February 2018 to 17 March 2018 in the Jamalpur district in Bangladesh. Besides the attitude-related questions, the study asked a total of 12 knowledge-related questions, which were scored on a scale of 0–12 points. Results Over two-thirds (67%) of the college students had never heard of thalassaemia. The urban-rural dichotomy was observed among those familiar with the term; (46.4% from urban vs. 25.8% from rural colleges). A similar pattern was observed for knowledge score; 5.07 ± 1.87 for students from the urban colleges compared to 3.69 ± 2.23 for rural colleges. Students from the science background had the highest knowledge score (5.03 ± 1.85), while those from arts and humanities background scored lowest (3.66 ± 2.3). Nearly 40% of the students were not sure or did not want to be a friend of a thalassaemia patient. Whereas 39% either declined or remained hesitant about helping thalassaemia patients by donating blood. However, most of the respondents (88%) showed a positive attitude towards ‘premarital’ screening to prevent thalassaemia. Conclusions This study has identified critical knowledge gaps and societal misperceptions about thalassaemia. A better understanding of these aspects will be pivotal for disseminating thalassaemia related information. As the first study of this kind in Bangladesh, findings from this study has generated baseline data that would contribute to developing effective intervention strategies in Bangladesh and other countries with a comparable socio-cultural setting.