Purkinje cell degeneration (pcd) was first identified in a spontaneous mouse mutant showing cerebellar ataxia. In addition to cerebellar Purkinje cells (PCs), retinal photoreceptors, mitral cells in the olfactory bulb, and a discrete subpopulation of thalamic neurons also degenerate in the mutant brains. The gene responsible for the pcd mutant is Nna1, also known as ATP/GTP binding protein 1 or cytosolic carboxypeptidase-like 1, which encodes a zinc carboxypeptidase protein. To investigate pathogenesis of the pcd mutation in detail, we generated a conditional Nna1 allele targeting the carboxypeptidase domain at C-terminus. After Cre recombination and heterozygous crossing, we generated Nna1 knockout (KO) mice and found that the Nna1 KO mice began to show cerebellar ataxia at postnatal day 20 (P20). Most PCs degenerated until 4-week-old, except lobule X. Activated microglia and astrocytes were also observed in the Nna1 KO cerebellum. In the mutant brain, the Nna1 mRNA level was dramatically reduced, suggesting that nonsense-mediated mRNA decay occurs in it. Since the Nna1 protein acts as a de-glutamatase on the C-terminus of α-tubulin and β-tubulin, increased polyglutamylated tubulin was detected in the Nna1 KO cerebellum. In addition, the endoplasmic reticulum stress marker, C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP), was up-regulated in the mutant PCs. We report the generation of a functional Nna1 conditional allele and possible mechanisms of PC death in the Nna1 KO in the cerebellum. OPEN PRACTICES: This article has received a badge for *Open Materials* because it provided all relevant information to reproduce the study in the manuscript. The complete Open Science Disclosure form for this article can be found at the end of the article. More information about the Open Practices badges can be found at https://cos.io/our-services/open-science-badges/.

No abstract

BAU Kul (Ziziphus mauritiana) is a new and improved variety of plum fruit from Bangladesh. This study aims to investigate the antioxidant potency and antibacterial activity of methanolic extracts of BAU Kul using Soxhlet extraction followed by complete evaporation of residual methanol. BAU Kul is a very good source of phenolics, flavonoids, ascorbic acid and tannins. The reducing sugar and protein content of BAU Kul were 1.68 and 0.81% by weight, respectively. BAU Kul was very active in 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) scavenging and ferric reducing antioxidant power assay (527.28 ± 9.2 [μM Fe (II)]/100 g), thus confirming its high antioxidant potential. Antibacterial activities were measured using the agar well-diffusion method. BAU Kul was most toxic to Pseudomonas aeruginosa, followed (in order) by Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella paratyphi, Escherichia coli and Chromobacterium violaceum. In conclusion, BAU Kul is a nutritious fruit that provides good antioxidant and antibacterial activities (in particular toward P. aeruginosa) and a cheap source of vitamins. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSBAU Kul is a new and sweet seasonal fruit which is very popular to the consumers of Bangladesh. This fruit can be a good source of nutrients as well as the antioxidants applicable in different types of diseases caused by oxidative stresses. BAU Kul can also be used as traditional medicine for different types for infectious diseases.bs_bs_banner Journal of Food Biochemistry

The COVID-19 pandemic is now a global crisis and the Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh are in the most vulnerable situation. Lack of access to services that are considered critical and life-saving such as food, drinkable water, and shelter, together with limited access to health services are turning an already serious crisis into a major human disaster. Meanwhile, there are concerns that Rohingya refugees are already in too poor health to ward off the COVID-19. Access to the abovementioned facilities and trustworthy information about COVID-19 are amongst their dire needs to combat this pandemic. The humanitarian organisations in collaboration with the Government of Bangladesh should urgently scale up their efforts to provide proper isolation centres, protective equipment, and trained health care representatives to avoid a potential catastrophe. Finally, immediate education intervention is desperately needed to protect the Rohingya refugees from this deadly COVID-19 pandemic.

No abstract