Spatial analysis of factors influencing bacterial leaf blight in rice production

Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) causes bacterial leaf blight that is a major threat to rice production. Crop losses in extreme situations can reach up to75%, and millions of hectares of rice are affected each year. Management of the disease required information about the spatial distribution of BLB incidence, severity, and prevalence. In this study, major rice-growing areas of Pakistan were surveyed during 2018-2019 for disease occurrence, and thematic maps were developed using geographic information system (GIS). Results showed that Narowal district had highest percentage of disease incidence (54-69%), severity (42-44%), and prevalence (72-90%) meanwhile Jhung district had the lowest incidence (21-23%), severity (18-22%), and prevalence (45-54%). To understand the environmental factors contributing to this major rice disease, the research analyze, the spatial relationships between BLB prevalence and environmental variables. Those variables include relative humidity (RH), atmospheric pressure (A.P), minimum temperature, soil organic carbon, soil pH, and elevation, which were evaluated by using GIS-based Ordinary Least Square (OLS) spatial model. The fitted model had a coefficient of determination (R2) of 65 percent explanatory power of disease development. All environmental variables showed a general trend of positive correlation between BLB prevalence and environmental variables. The results show the potential for disease management and prediction using environmental variable and assessment.

Optimized biotransformation of acid-treated water melon peel hydrolyzate into ethanol

Today, global focus of research is to explore the solution of energy crisis and environmental pollution. Like other agricultural countries, bulk quantities of watermelon peels (WMP) are disposed-off in environment as waste in Pakistan and appropriate management of this waste is the need of hour to save environment from pollution. The work emphasizes the role of ethanologenic yeasts to utilize significant sugars present in WMP for low-cost bioethanol fermentation. Dilute hydrochloric acid hydrolysis of WMP was carried out on optimized conditions employing RSM (response surface methodology) following central composite design (CCD). This experimental design is based on optimization of ethanologenesis involving some key independent parameters such as WMP hydrolysate and synthetic media ratio (X1), incubation temperature (X2) and incubation temperature (X3) for maximal ethanol yield exploiting standard (Saccharomyces cerevisiae K7) as well as experimental (Metchnikowia cibodasensisY34) yeasts. The results revealed that maximal ethanol yields obtained from S. cerevisiae K7 was 0.36±0.02 g/g of reducing sugars whereas M. cibodasensisY34, yielded 0.40±0.01 g ethanol/g of reducing sugars. The yeast isolate M. cibodasensisY34 appeared as promising ethanologen and embodies prospective potential for fermentative valorization of WMP-to-bioethanol.

Nutritional assessment of servicemen in relation to area of duty and feeding habits: a Pakistani prospective

The present study was carried out to determine incidence of overweight and obesity in Pakistani servicemen with reference to their area of duty, feeding habits and also to identify risk factors. Accordingly, 2,501 servicemen selected from all over Pakistan using multiple stage stratified sampling protocol. Nutrition assessment performed using body mass index (BMI), waist to hip ratio (WHR) and dietary assessment using food frequency questionnaire. Collected data was analyzed using the SPSS version 25. Regression was used to find risk factors of obesity and WHR. Results indicated that about 1/4th of servicemen were smokers. Approximately, 1/5th of them were overweight and about one quarter were eating fruits and vegetables for <3 days/ week and <4 days/week, respectively. Only 1/3rd of them were physically active for at least <40 minutes per day. Age and fruits intake were significantly predicting BMI with a direct relation and vegetable intake was negatively correlated to BMI of the servicemen. Age and rank were significant predictors of WHR while, physical activity was negatively correlated to WHR. It is concluded and suggested from our study that there is a need to modify eating patterns and habits as well as improving physical activity on daily basis for healthy and long life of the servicemen.

Era-like GTP protein gene expression in rice

The mutations are genetic changes in the genome sequences and have a significant role in biotechnology, genetics, and molecular biology even to find out the genome sequences of a cell DNA along with the viral RNA sequencing. The mutations are the alterations in DNA that may be natural or spontaneous and induced due to biochemical reactions or radiations which damage cell DNA. There is another cause of mutations which is known as transposons or jumping genes which can change their position in the genome during meiosis or DNA replication. The transposable elements can induce by self in the genome due to cellular and molecular mechanisms including hypermutation which caused the localization of transposable elements to move within the genome. The use of induced mutations for studying the mutagenesis in crop plants is very common as well as a promising method for screening crop plants with new and enhanced traits for the improvement of yield and production. The utilization of insertional mutations through transposons or jumping genes usually generates stable mutant alleles which are mostly tagged for the presence or absence of jumping genes or transposable elements. The transposable elements may be used for the identification of mutated genes in crop plants and even for the stable insertion of transposable elements in mutated crop plants. The guanine nucleotide-binding (GTP) proteins have an important role in inducing tolerance in rice plants to combat abiotic stress conditions.

Mild Respiratory Illness Among Young Children Caused by Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A (H5N1) Virus Infection in Dhaka, Bangladesh, 2011

Background

In March 2011, a multidisciplinary team investigated 2 human cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) virus infection, detected through population-based active surveillance for influenza in Bangladesh, to assess transmission and contain further spread.

Methods

We collected clinical and exposure history of the case patients and monitored persons coming within 1 m of a case patient during their infectious period. Nasopharyngeal wash specimens from case patients and contacts were tested with real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction, and virus culture and isolates were characterized. Serum samples were tested with microneutralization and hemagglutination inhibition assays. We tested poultry, wild bird, and environmental samples from case patient households and surrounding areas for influenza viruses.

Results

Two previously healthy case patients, aged 13 and 31 months, had influenzalike illness and fully recovered. They had contact with poultry 7 and 10 days before illness onset, respectively. None of their 57 contacts were subsequently ill. Clade 2.2.2.1 highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 viruses were isolated from the case patients and from chicken fecal samples collected at the live bird markets near the patients' dwellings.

Conclusion

Identification of H5N1 cases through population-based surveillance suggests possible additional undetected cases throughout Bangladesh and highlights the importance of surveillance for mild respiratory illness among populations frequently exposed to infected poultry.

First Report of Okra enation leaf curl virus and Associated Cotton leaf curl Multan betasatellite and Cotton leaf curl Multan alphasatellite Infecting Cotton in Pakistan: A New Member of the Cotton Leaf Curl Disease Complex

Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) is an important and widely cultivated crop in Pakistan, upon which many rely for economic security. Cotton leaf curl disease (CLCuD) is caused by a complex comprising of more than eight species in the genus Begomovirus (family Geminiviridae) with associated betasatellite and alphasatellites. During 2011, characteristic symptoms of leaf curl disease were widespread (>40%), and the whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Genn.) vector of the leaf curl complex was abundant in commercial cotton fields in Burewala, Pakistan. Symptoms included vein thickening, upward or downward leaf curling, and foliar enations. To test for the presence of a begomovirus(es), total DNA was extracted from 100 mg of symptomatic leaf tissues from five different plants (isolates CLCuDBur1 to 5) using the CTAB method (1). Total DNA extracts were used for rolling circle amplification (RCA) using TempliPhi DNA Amplification Kit (GE Healthcare). Of the five field isolates, the RCA product for only one, CLCuDBur3, digested with HindIII, produced an apparently full-length ~2.7 kb fragment, suggesting that CLCuD-Bur3 represented a distinct isolate. The 2.7-kb fragment was cloned into the plasmid vector pGEM-3Zf+ (Promega, Madison, WI). To test for the presence of associated alphasatellites and betasatellites, the PCR primers, AlphaF/R and BetaF/R (2), were used to amplify the putative 1.4-kbp molecules. The resultant 1.4-kb PCR products were ligated into the pGEMT-Easy vector and cloned. Cloned inserts for each were subjected to DNA sequencing, bidirectionally. The cloned monopartite, helper begomovirus genome (HF567945), one betasatellite (HF567946), and one alphasatellite (HF567947) sequences were determined and found to be 2,742, 1,358, and 1,376 bases long, respectively. Pairwise sequence comparisons were carried out for each using the 10 most closely related species or strains (identified in GenBank using BLASTn) using MEGA5 software. The CLCuDBur3 genome sequence shared its highest identity (99.6%) with Okra enation leaf curl virus (OELCuV) (KC019308), so CLCuDBur3 is a variant of OELCuV, a begomovirus reported previously from Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) (okra) plants in India. The betasatellite and alphasatellite shared their highest nt identity at 96 and 98.7% with Cotton leaf curl Multan betasatellite (CLCuMB) (AM774311) and Cotton leaf curl Multan alphasatellite (CLCuMA), respectively (misnamed as CLCuBuA in GenBank) (FN658728). Additionally, the HindIII-digested RCA products were analyzed by Southern blot hybridization using a DIG-labeled DNA probe specific for the intergenic region of either Cotton leaf curl Burewala virus (CLCuBuV) or OELCuV. The OELCuV, but not the CLCuBuV, probe hybridized with HindIII digested RCA products (CLCuDBur3 genome), confirming the presence of OELCuV and the absence of CLCuBuV, the latter being the most prevalent begomovirus species infecting cotton in Pakistan. This is the first report of OELCuV infecting cotton plants in Pakistan, underscoring the discovery of yet another begomovirus member of the CLCuD complex. Further, the possible co-infection of cotton by OELCuV and other recognized species of the CLCuD complex could facilitate further diversification (potentially, through recombination) and lead to the emergence of new variants with the potential to cause damage to the cotton crop in Pakistan. References: (1) J. J. Doyle and J. L. Doyle. Focus. 12:13, 1990. (2) M. Zia-Ur-Rehman et al. Plant Dis. 97:1122, 2013.

Genetic diversity of functional food species Spinacia oleracea L. by protein markers

Exploration of genetic diversity contributes primarily towards crop improvement. Spinaciaoleracea L. is a functional food species but unfortunately the genetic diversity of this vegetable is still unexplored. Therefore, this research was planned to explore the genetic diversity of S. oleracea by using morphological and protein markers. Protein profile of 25 accessions was generated on sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel. Total allelic variation of 27 bands was found. Out of these, 20 were polymorphic and the rest of the bands were monomorphic. Molecular weights of the bands ranged from 12.6 to 91.2 kDa. Major genetic differences were observed in accession 20541 (Peshawar) followed by 20180 (Lahore) and 19902 (AVRDC). Significant differences exist in the protein banding pattern. This variation can further be studied by advanced molecular techniques, including two-dimensional electrophoresis and DNA markers.

Echocardiographic assessment of cardiac involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus patients

This study was designed to assess cardiac abnormalities in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) by echocardiography. It was an analytic type of cross sectional study, conducted in lupus clinic, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka, Bangladesh from July 2008 to June 2009. Fifty lupus patients, diagnosed on the basis of ACR criteria, without cardiovascular symptoms, were enrolled in the study and were evaluated by standard echocardiography with color Doppler. SLEDAI was applied for assessment of disease activity. Out of 50 patients 80% had abnormal echocardiographic findings. Pericardial thickening was found in 38% patients, pericardial effusion 20%, diastolic dysfunction 72%, hypokinesia of ventricular wall 8%, overall valvular abnormalities 20%, commonest being aortic regurgitation (12%), followed by mitral regurgitation (8%), and 6% had pulmonary hypertension. Males (100%) were more vulnerable to cardiac involvement than females (68.2%) and later age of disease onset (31-40 years) was associated with higher (87.5%) chance of echo abnormalities. The differences, however, were not statistically significant (p>0.05). There was significant relationship between disease duration and cardiac abnormalities (p<0.01). Active disease (80.08%) was associated with higher frequency of cardiac involvement than disease in remission (62.50%) but the result was not statistically significant (p=0.151). Cardiac abnormalities are very common in lupus patients even when clinically asymptomatic from cardiac aspect. Echocardiography is an excellent non-invasive tool for cardiac evaluation. These observations emphasize a need for further assessment of early intervention to reduce subsequent cardiac morbidity and mortality among the lupus patients.

First Detection of Cotton leaf curl Burewala virus and Cognate Cotton leaf curl Multan betasatellite and Gossypium darwinii symptomless alphasatellite in Symptomatic Luffa cylindrica in Pakistan

Cotton leaf curl disease (CLCuD) is the major plant viral constraint to cotton production on the Indian subcontinent (2). CLCuD is primarily caused by begomovirus, Cotton leaf curl Burewala virus (CLCuBuV), and Cotton leaf curl Multan betasatellite (CLCuMB). During 2011 in Burewala, Pakistan, plants in a production field of Luffa cylindrica (Ghia tori) were infested with the whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Genn.), and ~60% of the plants exhibited leaf curling and stunting symptoms, reminiscent of those caused by begomoviruses (Geminiviridae). Total DNA was extracted from five different symptomatic leaf samples using the CTAB method (1), and extracts were analyzed by Southern blot hybridization. As a probe, we used a 1.1-kbp fragment of CLCuBuV and a positive signal was obtained from all five samples. Total DNA was used as template for rolling circle amplification (RCA) using the TempliPhi DNA Amplification Kit (GE Healthcare, Little Chalfont, United Kingdom). The amplified RCA products were digested with EcoRI, and the resulting ~2.7-kbp fragments from each isolate were directionally cloned into the EcoRI digested, pGEM-3Zf+ (Promega, Madison, WI) plasmid vector. PCR was used to amplify the prospective, associated betasatellite and alphasatellite molecules using the primers BetaF5'-GGTACCGCCGGAGCTTAGCWCKCC-3' and BetaR5'-GGTACCGTAGCTAAGGCTGCTGCG-3', and AlphaF5'-AAGCTTAGAGGAAACTAGGGTTTC-3' and AlphaR5'-AAGCTTTTCATACARTARTCNCRDG-3', respectively. The putative satellite amplicons, at ~1.4 kbp each were cloned in the plasmid vector pGEMT-Easy (Promega, Madison, WI) and sequenced. BLASTn comparisons of the apparently full-length begomoviral genomes, at 2,753 nt, against the NCBI database revealed that all five isolates were most closely related to CLCuBuV (FR750321). In addition, one each of beta- and alpha-satellite were amplified from all five samples at 1,393 and 1,378 bases, respectively. The beta- and alpha-satellites were most closely related to CLCuMB (HE985228) and the Gossypium darwinii symptomless alphasatellite (GDaSA) (FR877533), respectively. Pairwise sequence comparisons of the top 10 BLASTn hits using MEGA5 indicated that the helper begomovirus shared 99.9% identity with CLCuBuV (FR750321), the most prevalent helper virus currently associated with the leaf curl complex in Pakistan. Based on the ICTV demarcation for begomoviral species at <89%, it is considered a variant of CLCuBuV. The resultant beta- and alpha-satellite sequences were 98.1% and 97.8% identical to CLCuMB (HE985228) and GDaSA (FR877533), respectively, and are the most prevalent satellites associated with the CLCuD complex in Pakistan and India (2). To our knowledge, this is first report of the CLCuBuV-CLCuMB-GDaSA complex infecting a cucurbitaceous species, and the first report of L. cylindrica as a host of the CLCuD complex. This discovery of CLCuBuV and associated satellites in a cucurbitaceous host that is widely grown in Pakistan and India where this complex infects cotton indicates that the host range of CLCuBuV is broader than expected. This new information will aid in better understanding of cotton leaf curl disease epidemiology in the current epidemic areas. References: (1) J. J. Doyle and J. L. Doyle. Focus 12:13, 1990. (2) S. Mansoor et al. Trends Plant Sci. 11:209, 2006.

Cardiovascular complications of chronic renal failure - an updated review

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a worldwide public health problem. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is frequently associated with CKD, which is important because individuals with CKD are more likely to die from CVD than to develop kidney failure. CVD in CKD is treatable and potentially preventable and CKD appears to be a risk factor for CVD. In order of incidence and frequency systemic hypertension, left ventricular failure, congestive cardiac failure, ischemic heart disease, anaemic heart failure, rhythm disturbances, pericarditis with or without effusion, cardiac tamponade, uraemic cardiomyopathy are various cardiovascular complications encountered in patients with chronic renal failure. A patient may present with one or more complications of cardiovascular system. The survival rate and prognosis to a great extent depends on proper management of these complications. Use of regular dialysis and renal transplant has changed the death pattern in developed countries but it is still a major problem in developing country. The aim of this article is early detection of CKD and proper management of it thereby preventing the major cardiovascular complications.

Aortic valve sclerosis is an indicator of coronary artery diseases

Aim of this study is to establish the relationship between echocardiographically detected Aortic Valve Sclerosis (AVS) and angiographically detected Coronary Artery Diseases (CAD). This observational and cross-sectional study was carried out in the department of cardiology BSMMU, Dhaka from January 2010 to November 2010. A total 140 patients of established or suspected coronary artery disease admitted for coronary angiogram was included in this study. Echocardiography and coronary angiography was done. AVS was found in 88(63%) patients. With AVS 81(92.05%) had significant coronary artery disease. Fifty two patients without AVS, 42(80%) had significant coronary artery disease. No significant difference of SVD in both groups but patients with AVS had a higher rate of DVD, TVD and LM disease. Patients without AVS had a higher rate of normal coronary angiogram. Multivariate analysis identified AVS (p=0.018) is an independent predictor of CAD.

Fatal outbreak from consuming Xanthium strumarium seedlings during time of food scarcity in northeastern Bangladesh

BACKGROUND

An outbreak characterized by vomiting and rapid progression to unconsciousness and death was reported in Sylhet Distrct in northeastern Bangladesh following destructive monsoon floods in November 2007.

METHODS AND FINDINGS

We identified cases presenting to local hospitals and described their clinical signs and symptoms. We interviewed patients and their families to collect illness histories and generate hypotheses about exposures associated with disease. An epidemiological study was conducted in two outbreak villages to investigate risk factors for developing illness. 76 patients were identified from 9 villages; 25% (19/76) died. Common presenting symptoms included vomiting, elevated liver enzymes, and altered mental status. In-depth interviews with 33 cases revealed that 31 (94%) had consumed ghagra shak, an uncultivated plant, in the hours before illness onset. Ghagra shak was consumed as a main meal by villagers due to inaccessibility of other foods following destructive monsoon flooding and rises in global food prices. Persons who ate this plant were 34.2 times more likely (95% CI 10.2 to 115.8, p-value<0.000) than others to develop vomiting and unconsciousness during the outbreak in our multivariate model. Ghagra shak is the local name for Xanthium strumarium, or common cocklebur.

CONCLUSIONS

The consumption of Xanthium strumarium seedlings in large quantities, due to inaccessibility of other foods, caused this outbreak. The toxic chemical in the plant, carboxyatratyloside, has been previously described and eating X. strumarium seeds and seedlings has been associated with fatalities in humans and livestock. Unless people are able to meet their nutritional requirements with safe foods, they will continue to be at risk for poor health outcomes beyond undernutrition.

Avian influenza virus A (H5N1), detected through routine surveillance, in child, Bangladesh

We identified avian influenza virus A (H5N1) infection in a child in Bangladesh in 2008 by routine influenza surveillance. The virus was of the same clade and phylogenetic subgroup as that circulating among poultry during the period. This case illustrates the value of routine surveillance for detection of novel influenza virus.

Cytotoxicity and antibacterial activity of extractives from Wedelia calendulacea

The cytotoxicity and antibacterial activity of petroleum ether, chloroform and methanol extracts of Wedelia calendulacea were assayed by brine shrimp lethality bioassay and standardized disk diffusion method against 19 bacterial strains. Three diterpenes isolated from the plant were also evaluated for in vitro antibacterial activities. The LC50 for the crude extracts against the brine shrimp nauplii were found to be 4.59 microg/ml, 7.99 microg/ml and 14.88 microg/ml, respectively, whereas the positive control, vincristine sulfate showed an LC50 of 0.58 microg/ml. Among the crude extracts and pure compounds tested, (-)-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid isolated from the chloroform extract showed the highest inhibitory activity against most of the bacterial strains with mean zone of inhibition of 10-21 mm at 200 microg/disc.