Flexibility in PAM Recognition Expands DNA Targeting in xCas9.

xCas9 is an evolved variant of the CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing system, engineered to improve specificity and reduce undesired off-target effects. How xCas9 expands the DNA targeting capability of Cas9 by recognizing a series of alternative Protospacer Adjacent Motif (PAM) sequences while ignoring others is unknown. Here, we elucidate the molecular mechanism underlying xCas9's expanded PAM recognition and provide critical insights for expanding DNA targeting.

Complete genome characterization of foot-and-mouth disease virus My-466 belonging to the novel lineage O/ME-SA/SA-2018.

Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV), the causative agent of the foot-and-mouth disease of cattle population possesses a rapid evolutionary rate. In Bangladesh, the first circulation of the O/ME-SA/SA-2018 lineage as a novel sublineage, MYMBD21 was reported from our laboratory. The first whole genome sequence of an isolate, BAN/MY/My-466/2021 (shortly named My-466) of the SA-2018 lineage is characterized and represented in this study.

The Epilepsy-Aphasia Syndrome gene, Cnksr2, Plays a Critical Role in the Anterior Cingulate Cortex Mediating Vocal Communication.

Epilepsy Aphasia Syndrome (EAS) is a spectrum of childhood disorders that exhibit complex co-morbidities that include epilepsy and the emergence of cognitive and language disorders. CNKSR2 is an X-linked gene in which mutations are linked to EAS. We previously demonstrated Cnksr2 knockout (KO) mice model key phenotypes of EAS analogous to those present in clinical patients with mutations in the gene.

Microplastic pollution along the coastal island shorelines of Bangladesh: Distribution, patterns, and abundance.

Microplastics (MPs), less than 5 mm in length, have become a major environmental issue due to their hazardous physical and chemical properties. The research investigated 54 sediment samples collected from three different zones of the beaches, namely the wrack line, beach face, and swash zone. This study aims to enumerate the number and polymeric variety of microplastics found in beach sediments from coastal islands of Bangladesh, including Sandwip, Kutubdia, and Saint Martin's Island in the northeastern Bay of Bengal.

The Impact of Socioeconomic Inequalities on the Risk of Hypertension in Bangladesh: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Hypertension is a prevalent health issue in Bangladesh, impacting a significant portion of the population. This meta-analysis explored how social status inequalities impact hypertension risk in Bangladesh. We systematically searched various electronic databases and rigorously selected 12 studies for inclusion in the analyses.