Structure and Function of Hoc-A Novel Environment Sensing Device Encoded by T4 and Other Bacteriophages.

Bacteriophage T4 is decorated with 155 180 Å-long fibers of the highly antigenic outer capsid protein (Hoc). In this study, we describe a near-atomic structural model of Hoc by combining cryo-electron microscopy and AlphaFold structure predictions. It consists of a conserved C-terminal capsid-binding domain attached to a string of three variable immunoglobulin (Ig)-like domains, an architecture well-preserved in hundreds of Hoc molecules found in phage genomes.

Effects of short birth interval on different forms of child mortality in Bangladesh: Application of propensity score matching technique with inverse probability of treatment weighting.

Background: The prevalence of Short Birth Interval (SBI) is higher in Low- and Middle-Income countries (LMICs), including Bangladesh. Previous studies in LMICs have estimated the effects of SBI on child mortality by comparing two unequal groups of mothers based on their socio-economic status. This approach may lead to overestimation or underestimation of the true effect of birth interval on child mortality, particularly when sample sizes are relatively small.

Prevalence and risk factors of short birth interval in Bangladesh: Evidence from the linked data of population and health facility survey.

The Sustainable Development Goals 3 targets significant reductions in maternal and under-five deaths by 2030. The prevalence of these deaths is significantly associated with short birth intervals (SBI). Identification of factors associated with SBI is pivotal for intervening with appropriate programmes to reduce occurrence of SBI and associated adverse consequences.

Negative effects of short birth interval on child mortality in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Methods: Eight databases, PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, Embase, PsycINFO, Cochrane Library, Popline, and Maternity and Infant Care, were searched, covering the period of January 2000 to January 2022. Studies that had examined the association between SBI and any form of child mortality were included. The findings of the included studies were summarized through fixed-effects or random-effects meta-analysis and the model was selected based on the heterogeneity index.

Exploring hot spots of short birth intervals and associated factors using a nationally representative survey in Bangladesh.

Short Birth Interval (SBI, defined as < 33 months interval between the two most recent births or < 24 months between one live birth to the next pregnancy) is a public health problem in most low- and lower-middle-income countries. Understanding geographic variations in SBI, particularly SBI hot spots and associated factors, may help intervene with tailored programs. This study identified the geographical hot spots of SBI in Bangladesh and the factors associated with them.

Novel targetable FGFR2 and FGFR3 alterations in glioblastoma associate with aggressive phenotype and distinct gene expression programs.

Prognostic molecular subgrouping of glioblastoma is an ongoing effort and the current classification includes IDH-wild-type and IDH-mutant entities, the latter showing significantly better prognosis. We performed a comparative integrated analysis of the FGFR glioblastoma subgroup consisting of 5 cases from a prospective 101-patient-cohort. FGFR alterations included FGFR2-TACC2 and FGFR2 amplifications arising in a multifocal IDH-mutant glioblastoma with unexpected 2.

Mutations of the MAPK/TSC/mTOR pathway characterize periventricular glioblastoma with epithelioid SEGA-like morphology-morphological and therapeutic implications.

Epithelioid glioblastoma is a recognized glioblastoma variant, recently added to the World Health Organization brain tumor classification, with similar prognosis as the classic variant and B-Raf V600E mutations in 50% of the cases. We identified a new subset of epithelioid glioblastoma with periventricular location and subependymal giant cell astrocytoma (SEGA)-like morphology. Genomic profiling of these tumors revealed driver mutations in , subclonal mutations in , and a novel driver mutation in , suggesting upregulation of the MAPK/TSC1/mTOR pathway.

Genome-wide identification and expression profile analysis of citrus sucrose synthase genes: investigation of possible roles in the regulation of sugar accumulation.

Sucrose synthase (Sus) (EC 2.4.1.

ELISA with recombinant rKRP42 antigen using urine samples: a tool for predicting clinical visceral leishmaniasis cases and its outbreak.

We reported a highly sensitive and specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) that detects immunoglobulin G (IgG) in urine using rKRP42 antigen for the diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis (VL). The ELISA was applied to study chronological change in antibody titers in five study areas in Rajshahi district, Bangladesh. A total of 585 subjects without a past VL history were examined at least three times in the 30-month follow-up period; of these subjects, 137 (23.

Antibacterial activities of actinomycete isolates collected from soils of rajshahi, bangladesh.

This study was performed to isolate actinomycete colonies having antibacterial activity from soil samples collected from different places around Rajshahi, Bangladesh. Thirty actinomycete colonies were isolated in pure culture from five soil samples using Starch-casein-nitrate-agar medium. The isolates were grouped in five color series based on their aerial mycelia color and screened for their antibacterial activity against a range of test bacteria.

Sensitive, specific, and rapid detection of Leishmania donovani DNA by loop-mediated isothermal amplification.

We have applied a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) technique to detect Leishmania donovani DNA. The LAMP technique detected 1 fg of L. donovani DNA, which was 10-fold more sensitive than a conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to detect urinary antibody against recombinant rKRP42 antigen made from Leishmania donovani for the diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis.

We recently reported the production of the recombinant kinesin-related protein of Leishmania donovani with a molecular weight of 42 kd (rKRP42) and the value of the antigen in serum-based ELISA for the diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis (VL). In this study, the rKRP42 antigen was validated with ELISA using urine samples (rKRP42 urine ELISA). The urine-based ELISA showed 94% sensitivity (108 positives among 115 VL samples) and 99.

Confirmation of elimination of lymphatic filariasis by an IgG4 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with urine samples in Yongjia, Zhejiang Province and Gaoan, Jiangxi Province, People's Republic of China.

A sensitive and specific IgG4 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with urine samples has been reported. To confirm elimination of bancroftian filariasis, the ELISA was used in a study conducted in Yongjia County and Gaoan City, People's Republic of China, where filariasis elimination was declared, with 10,409 students 5-16 years of age. The antibody positive rates were 0.

Short report: production of recombinant kinesin-related protein of Leishmania donovani and its application in the serodiagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis.

To detect IgG antibody in the serodiagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis (VL), a recombinant antigen rK39, which is part of a Leishmania chagasi kinesin-related protein, has been used successfully and showed high sensitivity and specificity. We report production of a recombinant protein rKRP42, which is part of an L. donovani kinesin-related protein and a homolog of rK39, and its application in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the diagnosis of VL.

Strongyloides ratti infection in the large intestine of wild rats, Rattus norvegicus.

The large intestine of a rat has been neglected almost completely as a site of Strongyloides sp. infection. We reported that adult Strongyloides ratti remained in the large intestine for more than 80 days, producing more number of infective larvae than small intestine adults, and therefore hypothesized that parasitism in this site could be a survival strategy.

Direct agglutination test with urine samples for the diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis.

A new direct agglutination test (DAT) for use with urine samples for the diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) has been developed and compared with the conventional DAT with serum samples and our previously reported enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with urine samples (urine ELISA). The new DAT, in which anti-human IgG was used as enhancing antibody, was tested with urine samples from 75 VL patients and 225 non-VL patients and healthy people. The sensitivity of the new DAT (90.

Diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using urine samples.

A diagnostic method has been developed to detect anti-Leishmania donovani immunoglobulin G (IgG) in urine by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In measuring anti-L. donovani IgG, IgA, and IgM in urine, the method performed best in the detection of IgG.