Background and Aim Outbreak of COVID-19 seems to have exacerbated across the globe, including Bangladesh. Scientific literature on the clinical data record of COVID-19 patients in Bangladesh is inadequate. Our study analyzes the clinical data of COVID-19 positive patients based on molecular identification and risk factor correlated with three variables (age, sex, residence) and COVID-19 prevalence in the four districts of Chattogram Division (Noakhali, Feni, Lakshmipur and Chandpur) with an aim to understand the trajectory of this pandemic in Chattogram, Southern Bangladesh. Methods A cross-sectional study is conducted in the context of RT-PCR-based COVID-19 positive 5,589 individuals diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection from the COVID-19 testing laboratory, Abdul Malek Ukil Medical College, Noakhali-3800, Bangladesh. For molecular confirmation of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), standard diagnostic protocols through real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) were conducted. Different patient demographics were analyzed using SPSS version 22 for exploring the relationship of three factors – age, sex, and residence with a cumulative number of COVID-19 positive cases and prevalence of COVID-19 in four districts in Chattogram division. The data was recorded between May to July, 2020. Results Among the three parameters, the present study revealed that 20-40 cohort had the highest incidence of infection rate (51.80%, n=2895) among the different age groups. Among the infected individuals, 56.8% (n=3177) were male and 43.2% (n=2412) were female, denoting males being the most susceptible to this disease. Urban residents (52.7%, n=2948) were more vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2 infection than those residing in rural areas (47.3%, n=2641). The prevalence of COVID-19 positive cases among the four districts was recorded highest in the Noakhali district with 36.8% (n=2057), followed by the Feni, Lakshmipur and Chandpur districts with 25.9% (n=1448), 20.8% (n=1163) and 16.5% (n=921), respectively. Conclusions This study presents a statistical correlation of certain factors linked to Bangladesh with confirmed COVID-19 patients, which will enable health practitioners and policy makers to take proactive steps to control and mitigate disease transmission.

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Stomata are turgor-driven microscopic epidermal valves of land plants. The controlled opening and closing of the valves are essential for regulating the gas exchange and minimizing the water loss and eventually regulating the internal temperatures. Stomata are also a major site of pathogen/microbe entry and plant defense system. Maintaining proper stomatal density, distribution, and development are pivotal for plant survival. Arabidopsis is a model plant to study molecular basis including signaling pathways, transcription factors, and key components for the growth and development of specific organs as well as the whole plant. It has intensively been studied and found out the driver for the development and patterning of stomata. In this review, we have explained how the MAPK signaling cascade is controlled by TOO MANY MOUTHS (TMM) receptor-like protein and the Erecta (ER) receptor-like kinase family. We have also summarized how this MAPK cascade affects primary transcriptional regulators to finally activate the main three basic Helix-Loop-Helix (bHLH) principal transcription factors, which are required for the development and patterning of stomata. Moreover, regulatory activity and cellular connections of polar proteins and environmentally mediated ligand-receptor interactions in the stomatal developmental pathways have extensively been discussed in this review.

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Human hair dandruff (HHD) is a common unwanted scalp disorder that is prevalent to most human populations all over the world. This study was designed to isolate and characterize pathogens that are responsible for HHD as well as the evaluation of their biological control technique. Isolated bacteria were characterized by different biochemical tests and molecular identification methods. Here, disc diffusion methods were used to determine antibiotic and antibacterial activity against isolated bacteria. The isolated bacterial colonies were found to be Gram-positive, small, round-shaped, and purple. PCR amplification was done using 27F and 1492R primer pairs. A BlastN search of a sequenced 1465 bp region of 16S rRNA in NCBI GenBank revealed approximately 99% genome similarity with Staphylococcus aureus. The sequence was deposited in GenBank (Accession No. MH603394). In the antibiotic sensitivity test, Kanamycin showed the highest 31.0±0.5 mm diameter zone of inhibition (DZI) against the isolated bacteria. Moreover, as a plant-derived compound, the Methanol extract of Allium sativum revealed the highest, 15.0±0.5 mm DZI. The present study would give a promising direction of identification and control of this pathogen biologically.