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ObjectivesThis current study aims to assess the prevalence and factors associated with body mass index (BMI), dietary patterns, and the extent of physical activities among university students following the prolonged coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) lockdown in Bangladesh.MethodsA cross-sectional web-based survey was conducted between July 10 to August 10, 2021, through a pre-designed Google Form to collect the data from Bangladeshi university students (age: ≥18 years). Informed consent was electronically obtained from each participant, and a simple snowball technique was employed during the sampling. Frequency and percentage distribution, paired t-test, chi-square [χ2] test, and multinomial and binary logistic regression analyses were consecutively applied to analyze the collected data.ResultsAmong the total participants (n = 1,602), 45.1% were female and 55.6% were 22–25 years' age group students. The BMI (mean ± standard deviation, SD) during the COVID-19 lockdown was 23.52 ± 7.68 kg/m2, which was 22.77 ± 4.11 kg/m2 during the pre-lockdown period (mean difference = 0.753; p < 0.001). The multinomial logistic regression analysis found a significant impact of gender [male vs. female: adjusted relative risk ratio (RRR) = 1.448; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.022, 2.053; p = 0.037], age (years) (<22 vs. >25: RRR =0.389, 95% CI = 0.213,0.710; p = 0.002, and 22–25 vs. >25: RRR = 0.473, 95% CI = 0.290, 0.772; p = 0.003), monthly family income (BDT) (<25,000 vs. >50,000: RRR = 0.525, 95% CI = 0.334,0.826; p = 0.005), university type (public vs. private: RRR = 0.540, 95% CI = 0.369, 0.791; p = 0.002), eating larger meals/snacks (increased vs. unchanged: RRR = 2.401, 95% CI = 1.597, 3.610; p < 0.001 and decreased vs. unchanged: RRR = 1.893, 95% CI = 1.218, 2.942; p = 0.005), and verbally or physically abuse (yes vs. no: RRR = 1.438, 95% CI = 0.977, 2.116; p = 0.066) on obesity during COVID-19 pandemic. Besides, the female students and those who have constant eating habits, were more likely to be underweight. Additionally, the binary logistic regression analysis found that the students from private universities [others vs. private: adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 0.461, 95% CI = 0.313, 0.680; p < 0.001], urban areas (urban vs. rural: AOR = 1.451, 95% CI = 1.165, 1.806; p = 0.001), wealthier families (<25,000 BDT vs. >50,000 BDT: AOR = 0.727, 95% CI = 0.540, 0.979; p = 0.036), and who were taking larger meals/snacks (increased vs. unchanged: AOR = 2.806, 95% CI = 2.190, 3.596; p < 0.001) and had conflicts/arguments with others (no vs. yes: AOR = 0.524, 95% CI = 0.418, 0.657; p < 0.001), were significantly more physically inactive. Finally, the level of education and smoking habits significantly influenced the eating habits of university students during the extended strict lockdown in Bangladesh.ConclusionThe current findings would be helpful tools and evidence for local and international public health experts and policymakers to reverse these worsening effects on students mediated by the prolonged lockdown. Several effective plans, programs, and combined attempts must be earnestly implemented to promote a smooth academic and daily life.

Lactobacillus (LAB) genera are considered important functional food but are found to have a short shelf life. In this study, two LAB, Lactobacillus plantarum (Lp) and Lactobacillus rhamnosus (Lr), were isolated from sheep’s milk, and whole-genome sequencing was carried out by using 16s rRNA Illumina Nextseq, the Netherlands. The LAB were encapsulated by the lyophilisation technique using different lyoprotective pharmaceutical excipients. This process was carried out using a freeze dryer (U-TECH, Star Scientific Instruments, India). Shelf-life determination was carried out by a 12-month study using the viability survival factor (Vsf). The in vitro cell adhesion technique was carried out by using the red snapper fish along with autoaggregation and cell surface hydrophobicity as vital probiotic properties. It was observed that Lp has a significantly higher (P < 0.001) Vsf of 7.2, while Lr has a Vsf of 7 (P < 0.05) when both are encapsulated with 10% maltodextrin + 5% sucrose kept at 4°C for 12 months. The result demonstrated that Lp had significantly high (P < 0.05) cell adhesion, 96% ± 1.2 autoaggregation, and 6% cell surface hydrophobicity as compared to Lr. Moreover, this study demonstrated that lyophilised LAB with lyoprotective excipients enhances shelf life without any changes in probiotic properties when kept at 4°C exhibiting all its probiotic properties.

In the present investigation, Ichnocarpus frutescens, Ficus dalhousiae, Crateva magna, Alpinia galanga, and Swertia chirata plants were selected to formulate polyherbal tea bag. The infusion obtained from these polyherbal tea bags was used to formulate 5% and 10% ointment formulation to perform its wound healing activity. The excision wound model was used to assess the wound healing activity in diabetic as well nondiabetic rats. The mean percentage closure of wound area was calculated on the 3rd, 6th, 9th, 12th, 15th, 18th, and finally 21st day. The wound healing activity of formulation was found to be significantly compared with that of the reference standard and untreated groups. The percentages of closure of excision wound area on the 21st day in diabetic animals treated with ointment formulations (F1 and F2) were found to be 93.91 ± 1.65% and 99.12 ± 5.21% respectively, whereas the chloramphenicol sodium drug solution was found to be 99.81 ± 3.16%. The percentages of closure of excision wound area in nondiabetic animals treated with ointment formulations (F1 and F2) were found to be 96.81 ± 2.04% and 98.13 ± 1.14%, respectively, whereas the chloramphenicol sodium drug solution was found to be 99.15 ± 1.41% at 21st day. Therefore, from the above results, we have concluded that this polyherbal ointment can be used clinically for the treatment of diabetic and nondiabetic wounds.

For the treatment and maintenance of postprandial blood glucose increases (i.e., diabetes mellitus), alpha (α)-amylase is a well-known therapeutic target. In this paper, we report an initial exploration of the work, i.e., in vitro alpha-amylase activity of the hydroalcoholic polyherbal extract of the selected plants. After drying, the plant material is ground individually, and at least 100 gm of the crude powder is prepared from each plant. 100 gm of each plant was combined, and a total of 500 gm of the crude powder (Ichnocarpus frutescens (100 gm) + Ficus dalhousie (100 gm) + Crateva magna (100 gm) + Alpinia galangal (100 gm) + Swertia chirata (100 gm)) was prepared to carry out the extraction. This obtained extract was subjected to preliminary phytochemical screening and in vitro alpha-amylase activity. At 16 mg/mL, acarbose displayed 78.40 ± 0.36% inhibition, whereas the extract exhibited 72.96 ± 0.70% inhibition, which is significantly comparable. The IC50 value of acarbose was 12.9 ± 1.12, whereas the extract exhibited 13.31 ± 1.12 mg/mL. The extract possesses numerous classes of chemicals such as alkaloids, glycosides, tannins, polyphenols, and terpenoids, which can contribute to the antidiabetic activity through alpha-amylase inhibition. This was an initial exploration of the work as a proof of concept for the development of polyherbal tea bag formulation for the treatment of diabetes. In the future, we are aiming to investigate the effectiveness of polyherbal tea bags in the treatment of diabetes using more in vitro and in vivo models. From the present investigation, we have concluded that this extract can be used for the treatment of diabetes.

For the treatment of various infections, a variety of antimicrobial drugs are formulated. Nevertheless, many bacterial infections now exhibit antibiotic resistance due to the widespread utilization antibiotics. Methicillin-resistant among the most dangerous multidrug-resistant bacteria is Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Vancomycin became a viable therapy option due to MRSA resistance to methicillin medicines. One of the well-informed antibacterial compounds with wideband antibacterial activity is silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). AgNPs are thus suitable candidates for usage in conjunction alongside vancomycin to increase its antibacterial effect. The goal of the present research work is to boost the antibacterial potency of the glycopeptide antibiotic vancomycin towards Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) but also Gram-negative (Escherichia coli) bacteria. The chemical reduction approach is used to create a colloidal solution of silver nanoparticles utilizing silver nitrate as a precursor in the environment of the ionic surfactant trisodium citrate that serves as covering including reducing reagent. Vancomycin was used to functionalize the synthesized nanoparticles and create the nanodrug complex (Van@AgNPs). The synergistic antibacterial potential of silver nanoparticles coated with vancomycin on both test pathogens was investigated using the agar well diffusion technique. The antibacterial potency for both classes of bacteria has significantly increased, according to the well diffusion test. It has been noted that this improvement is synergistic instead of additive.

Metals serve important roles in the human body, including the maintenance of cell structure and the regulation of gene expression, the antioxidant response, and neurotransmission. High metal uptake in the nervous system is harmful because it can cause oxidative stress, disrupt mitochondrial function, and impair the activity of various enzymes. Metal accumulation can cause lifelong deterioration, including severe neurological problems. There is a strong association between accidental metal exposure and various neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the most common form of dementia that causes degeneration in the aged. Chronic exposure to various metals is a well-known environmental risk factor that has become more widespread due to the rapid pace at which human activities are releasing large amounts of metals into the environment. Consequently, humans are exposed to both biometals and heavy metals, affecting metal homeostasis at molecular and biological levels. This review highlights how these metals affect brain physiology and immunity and their roles in creating harmful proteins such as β-amyloid and tau in AD. In addition, we address findings that confirm the disruption of immune-related pathways as a significant toxicity mechanism through which metals may contribute to AD.

The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Sechium edule (S.E.) fruits on lipid profile and electrocardiogram (ECG) parameters in high fat-diet (HFD) induced hyperlipidemic mice. In this study, grouping of animals was done as described below (n = 6), where group 1 is normal control, group 2 is HFD control, group 3 is HFD + atorvastatin (10 mg/kg), group 4 is HFD + S.E. extract (200 mg/kg), and group 5 is HFD + S.E. extract (400 mg/kg). The first 3 weeks animals were supplemented with HFD, and the last 3 weeks animals were supplemented with HFD along with atorvastatin (10 mg/kg) or S.E. extract (200 and 400 mg/kg). It was observed that mice of the HFD control group showed a significant rise in the total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-C, and VLDL-C levels and a notable decrease in HDL-C levels. In addition, a consequential increment in ECG parameters such as QT or QTc and RR interval and a noteworthy decline in the heart rate were observed in HFD control mice. Treatment with S.E. extract (200 and 400 mg/kg) showed a significant improvement in the lipid profile. Moreover, the extract also significantly normalized the prolonged QT or QTc and RR interval and the heart rate in HFD-challenged mice. Hence, we can conclude that S.E. extract encumbers the prolongation of QT or QTc and RR interval and increased the heart rate in HFD-challenged mice.