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Non-coding repeat expansion causes several neurodegenerative diseases, such as fragile X syndrome, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/frontotemporal dementia, and spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA31). Such repetitive sequences must be investigated to understand disease mechanisms and prevent them, using novel approaches. However, synthesizing repeat sequences from synthetic oligonucleotides is challenging as they are unstable, lack unique sequences, and exhibit propensity to make secondary structures. Synthesizing long repeat sequence using polymerase chain reaction is often difficult due to lack of unique sequence. Here, we employed a rolling circle amplification technique to obtain seamless long repeat sequences using tiny synthetic single-stranded circular DNA as template. We obtained 2.5-3 kbp uninterrupted TGGAA repeats, which is observed in SCA31, and confirmed it using restriction digestion, Sanger and Nanopore sequencing. This cell-free, in vitro cloning method may be applicable for other repeat expansion diseases and be used to produce animal and cell culture models to study repeat expansion diseases in vivo and in vitro.

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Acromegaly is a growth hormone (GH) excess pathological condition in humans. Acromegaly is associated with somatic disfigurement and a wide range of systemic manifestations such as arthritis, neuropathy, carpal tunnel syndrome, reproductive disorders, metabolic disorders, and gastrointestinal complications. The influence of excess GH on the cellular level could aid in understanding the root causes of acromegaly-related health complications. Previously, we found that GH excess induces DNA damage to somatic cells and reduces the stem cells number and causes premature aging. In this study, an in-depth analysis of the acromegaly RNAseq data revealed the disruption of important biological cellular processes. Gene set enrichment analysis, heatmap, and enrichment analysis of acromegaly RNAseq data revealed induction of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress markers in various organs. Interestingly, the induction of ER stress was even more apparent than in aged zebrafish. Splicing of box-binding protein-1 (XBP1) mRNA is a hallmark of ER stress. Therefore, we quantified spliced XBP1 mRNA in different organs of our acromegaly model. Thus, our study emphasizes the importance of ER stress in GH oversecretion, which is important for understanding the health complications of acromegaly.

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Violence against women has been treated as a global epidemic and not uncommon in Bangladesh like in many other low-income countries. The occurrence of domestic violence against women (DVAW) in the urban slums of Bangladesh is not well documented. There is also scarce evidence regarding the factors contributing to DVAW. Hence, the aim of this study was to investigate DVAW in the urban slums and its associated factors in Chittagong, Bangladesh. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 87 women of reproductive age having at least one child below 5 years of age and staying with their husband for at least last 1 year in selected slums under Chittagong City Corporation area. Structured questionnaire was used to interview the study participants. The data underwent descriptive and regression analysis. Of 87 respondents, 50 (57.5%) reported to suffer from domestic violence by their husband during the last 1 year. Physical violence was found to be significantly associated with age at marriage (p = .043), number of family members (p = .027), and wealth index (p = .000). DVAW is highly prevalent in Bangladesh. More extensive research should be performed to identify the factors contributing to the high prevalence of domestic violence in urban slums of Bangladesh. Household-based intervention incorporating effective community participation, education, and counseling is needed to limit this burning problem.

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Prophylactic human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination is the most effective preventive method against invasive cervical cancer, the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women in Bangladesh. Evidence on women's knowledge and perception about cervical cancer and HPV vaccination are needed for effective implementation of national cervical cancer prevention programs. The objective of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitude, and acceptance of cervical cancer, HPV, and HPV vaccination among urban professional women in Bangladesh. We recruited 160 female professionals employed at selected private banks in Bangladesh. Participants were selected using nonprobability-based convenience sampling for interviews through a self-administered questionnaire. Later, in-depth interviews were conducted with nine of these women. Quantitative data were analyzed utilizing descriptive statistics, whereas qualitative data were analyzed using a thematic approach. Ninety-eight percent of participants reported that they had previously heard of cervical cancer, however, only half (51%) reported to have heard of HPV as a cause of the disease. Less than 1% of the 160 participants had previously undergone a pap smear, and only 2% were vaccinated with at least one dose of HPV vaccination. Although knowledge was low, intention for acceptance of vaccination was moderate for women and high for their children. Although the majority of women had heard of cervical cancer, few women had in-depth knowledge of HPV and the etiology of invasive disease. This study draws attention to the urgent need of educational interventions on cervical cancer and its prevention to improve uptake of available HPV vaccination in Bangladesh.

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BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to assess the level of knowledge of cervical cancer among Bangladeshi women and to assess their willingness to receive the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. METHODS: A population-based, cross-sectional survey was conducted from July to December 2011 in one urban and one rural area of Bangladesh. A total of 2037 ever-married women, aged 14 to 64 years, were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Data on socio-demographic characteristics and knowledge of cervical cancer were collected. Willingness to receive the HPV vaccine was assessed. Univariate analyses were completed using quantitative data collected. Multivariable logistic regression models were developed to identify factors associated with having heard of cervical cancer and the HPV vaccine. RESULTS: The majority of study participants reported to have heard of cervical cancer (urban: 89.7%, rural 93.4%; P = 0.003). The odds of having heard of cervical cancer were significantly higher in urban women aged 35-44 years (aOR: 2.92 (1.34-6.33) and rural women aged 25-34 years (aOR: 2.90 (1.24-6.73) compared to those aged less than 24 years. Very few women reported to have detailed knowledge on risk factors (urban:9.1%, rural: 8.8%) and prevention (urban: 6.4%, rural: 4.4%) of cervical cancer. In our sample, one in five urban women and one in twenty rural women heard about a vaccine that can prevent cervical cancer. Among urban women, secondary education or higher (aOR: 3.48, 95% CI: 1.67-7.25), age of 20 years and above at marriage (aOR: 2.83, 95% CI: 1.61-5.00), and high socioeconomic status (aOR: 2.25, 95% CI: 1.28-3.95) were factors associated with having heard of the HPV vaccine. Willingness to receive the HPV vaccine among study participants either for themselves (urban: 93.9%, rural: 99.4%) or for their daughters (urban: 91.8%, rural: 99.2%) was high. CONCLUSIONS: Detailed knowledge of cervical cancer among Bangladeshi women was found to be poor. Education on cervical cancer must include information on symptoms, risk factors, and preventive methods. Despite poor knowledge, the study population was willing to receive the HPV vaccine.

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The majority of the population in Bangladesh is employed in manual handling tasks, but adequate protections for these workers do not exist. Conditions at a boulder handling site, saw mill, rice packaging plant and construction site show the need for comprehensive reforms in occupational safety and health legislation and practice in Bangladesh. New policies on training, industrial hygiene, safety equipment, and risk assessment are necessary to protect workers in a rapidly developing economy.

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