Jashore University of Science and Technology

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a prevalent metabolic disorder frequently leading to serious renal complications, particularly diabetic nephropathy. This retrospective case–control study investigated the levels and associations of commonly used enzymatic (serum creatinine and urea) and physiological (glomerular filtration rate [GFR]) markers of kidney function in diabetic patients compared to non-diabetic controls. Methodology: A total of 237 participants were enrolled, comprising 81 diabetic cases and 156 non-diabetic controls. Creatinine and urea levels were determined using enzymatic methods, measuring optical density, whereas GFR was calculated using the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) equation, based on creatinine, age, and sex. Statistical comparisons include p-value, Pearson correlation, etc. Results: The diabetic group exhibited significantly higher mean levels of serum creatinine (2.08 ± 2.26 mg/dL) and urea (57.71 ± 38.75 mg/dL) and a significantly lower mean GFR (59.59 ± 34.16 mL/min/1.73 m2) compared to the non-diabetic control group (0.95 ± 0.69 mg/dL, 31.79 ± 20.49 mg/dL, and 96.72 ± 23.77 mL/min/1.73 m2, respectively; all comparisons with p < 0.005). Correlation analysis revealed a more scattered positive association between creatinine and urea, and a pronounced inverse correlation between GFR and both creatinine and urea in the diabetic cases, suggesting a compromised renal function profile. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate a significant association between diabetes and impaired renal function, as evidenced by elevated creatinine and urea levels and reduced GFR. These readily available biomarkers are crucial prognostic indicators for the early detection and effective management of diabetic nephropathy, emphasizing the importance of rigorous metabolic and blood pressure control to mitigate disease progression.

The genome-wide analysis identified 55 PeSTs (Passiflora edulis sugar transporters), having significant variations in exon–intron structure, protein motifs, cis-regulatory elements, and syntenic relationships, which might reveal their functional diversity. Phylogenetic analysis classified these genes into eight subfamilies, where the STP subfamily showed significant expansion during the process of evolution. In molecular docking, the strongest binding affinities in Glu–PePLT4, Fru–PeSTP10, Gal–PePLT4, and Suc–PeTMT2 complexes might reveal their substrate specificity and transport kinetics. Following that, the molecular dynamics simulation supported the stability of the docked complexes. The presence of significant light, hormone, and stress regulatory cis-elements among the PeST promoters might reveal their hormone and stress regulatory functions. The highest homologous pairs (62) of PeSTs with M. domestica during synteny analysis among five plant genomes might guide their duplication pattern across the genomes. RNA-seq-based expression analysis, following real-time qRT-PCR mediated validation of upregulated expression of PeERD6L-1, PeSTP6, PeSTP8, PePLT1, and PeTMT5 genes under drought, salt, cold, and heat stresses, might guide their potential regulatory roles in tolerance to the respective stresses. Significant protein–protein and protein-TFs interactions in PeSTs might reveal their inter-regulatory roles in transporting sugars. These critical findings might guide the plant biologists in developing a synthetic biology-guided circuit enabled multiple abiotic stress-tolerant high-sugar passion fruit.

Background: The rising feed costs and the need for sustainable alternatives have prompted the exploration of unconventional feed resources in poultry nutrition. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of incorporating cassava root meal (CRM) + leaf meal (LM) on the growth performance, carcass characteristics, hemo-biochemical parameters, and meat quality of broiler chickens. Methods: A total of 400 one-day-old Arbor Acres broiler chicks were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments: control (T-1, 0% CRM + LM), T-2 (5% CRM + 5% LM), T-3 (10% CRM + 10% LM), and T-4 (15% CRM + 15% LM). Each treatment group consisted of five replicates with 20 birds each, and the experiment lasted 35 days. Results: Broilers fed the T-2 diet demonstrated significantly (p < 0.001) improved body weight, feed intake, and feed efficiency ratio while exhibiting a better feed conversion ratio compared to other groups. Additionally, T-4 resulted in superior carcass characteristics. Although the proximate composition of thigh meat showed significant (p < 0.001) variations, but parameters such as crude protein, ash, and ether extract remained unaffected in breast meat. Diet T-2 also had the highest levels of total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, and antioxidant activity (DPPH scavenging), alongside excellent sensory acceptability. Conclusion: Overall, these findings indicate that incorporating 5% CRM + 5% LM (T-2) in broiler diets optimizes growth performance, meat quality, and health without adverse effects. This study highlights the potential of CRM and LM as a sustainable and cost-effective feed ingredient for broiler production, particularly in Asia, where feed costs pose significant challenges.

Rice is a dietary staple for over half the world's population, but it tends to accumulate harmful elements, posing health risks to consumers. The primary aim of the study was to assess the presence of heavy metals (As, Fe, Cu, Mn, Ni, Zn, Cd, Cr, Pb) and potential health risks associated with their consumption in four BRRI rice varieties under arsenic-polluted and salinity conditions in two districts of Bangladesh (Jashore and Satkhira). Findings indicated that chromium was identified as a hyperaccumulator (Transfer Factor>1), with pollution indices indicating severe arsenic contamination in rice, particularly in Jashore. The Estimated Daily Intake (EDI) values for As, Cr, and Ni exceeded the Maximum Tolerated Daily Intake (MTDI), and Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) values for As, Fe, and Ni were above 1.00, indicating non-carcinogenic risks. Arsenic accounted for 39% of the hazard index for both children and adults. The Monte Carlo Simulation (MCS) findings indicated arsenic and nickel pose a high probability of non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks to adults and children across multiple locations. Heavy metal accumulation in rice poses a serious health threat, underscoring the need for stringent regulations to ensure food crop safety in the studied regions.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a progressive, irreversible disorder associated with renal dysfunction, inflammation, and oxidative stress. Given the limitations of current therapies, this study assessed the renal curative effects of Nypa fruticans ethyl acetate leaf extract (EaNFL) in a gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity rat model. GC‒MS and HPLC analyses identified 23 bioactive compounds in EaNFL, including rosmarinic acid, quercetin, and (-)-epicatechin, which were selected based on ADMET profiling, Lipinski's rule, and DFT analysis. These compounds were further investigated through computational studies against two renal targets: the AT1 receptor (PDB ID: 4YAY) and SGLT2 (PDB ID: 7VSI). Treatment with EaNFL, particularly at 400 mg/kg body weight and in combination therapy, significantly improved renal function and normalized biochemical and hematological parameters, likely due to its potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Histopathological data supported these findings, showing reduced tubular necrosis, glomerular damage, and inflammation, especially in the high-dose groups. DFT analysis revealed that rosmarinic acid had the highest HOMO-LUMO energy gap (ΔE = 0.1314 eV), suggesting high chemical reactivity and potential biological compatibility. Molecular docking identified quercetin, rosmarinic acid, and (-)-epicatechin as the top binders, with rosmarinic acid showing the strongest affinity and forming a stable complex, as confirmed by 100 ns MDS. Taken together, the in vivo and in silico results indicate that EaNFL offers renoprotective benefits by targeting the RAAS and glucose transport pathways while also mitigating oxidative stress and inflammation. These findings demonstrate its therapeutic potential and warrant further investigation into its bioactive constituents and potential clinical use in renal treatment.