The newly identified SARS-CoV-2 has now been reported from around 183 countries with more than a million confirmed human cases including more than 68000 deaths. The genomes of SARS-COV-2 strains isolated from different parts of the world are now available and the unique features of constituent genes and proteins have gotten substantial attention recently.Spike glycoprotein is widely considered as a possible target to be explored because of its role during the entry of coronaviruses into host cells. We analyzed 320 whole-genome sequences and 320 spike protein sequences of SARS-CoV-2 using multiple sequence alignment tools. In this study, 483 unique variations have been identified among the genomes including 25 nonsynonymous mutations and one deletion in the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2. Among the 26 variations detected, 12 variations were located at the N-terminal domain and 6 variations at the receptor-binding domain (RBD) which might alter the interaction with receptor molecules. In addition, 22 amino acid insertions were identified in the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 in comparison with that of SARS-CoV. Phylogenetic analyses of spike protein revealed that Bat coronavirus have a close evolutionary relationship with circulating SARS-CoV-2. The genetic variation analysis data presented in this study can help a better understanding of SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis. Based on our findings, potential inhibitors can be designed and tested targeting these proposed sites of variation.

Salinity intrusion is a global concern in relation to sustainable agricultural practices. About three-fourths of the coastal area in Bangladesh is affected by different levels of salinity. This study was conducted to observe the effects of NaCl-salinity on tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) plants in a pot experiment. Morphological properties and yield of five varieties of Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute tomato (BARI-T 1, BARI-T 2, BARI-T 3, BARI-T 4, and BARI-T 5) plants were exposed to NaCl-salinity (2, 4, 6 and 8 dS/m) through irrigation. Morphological properties such as number of leaves, leaf length, leaf width, number of days of flowering, number of flowers and number of branches were observed. Results showed that morphological properties of all studied tomato plants were affected by increasing NaCl-salinity, except number of days of flowering, and yield was reduced compared to the control group (tap water; 0.043 dS/m). The post-harvest pot soil was also affected by NaCl-salinity irrigation. This study can be useful in selecting salt-tolerant varieties in saline-affected areas.

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The study was conducted to know the existing turkey production system, supply chain mapping, and identifying the prospects and problems of turkey rearing in some selected areas of Bangladesh during October 2019 to December 2019. A total of 100 turkey raisers were surveyed following convenience method of sampling technique. The primary data were collected, analyzed accordingly and tabular presentation method was applied with the help of simple descriptive statistical measures e.g. frequency distributions, percentage, sum and means to illustrating the results. Profitability analysis was done on the basis of variable cost, fixed cost, return by using arithmetic means and percentages. The study revealed that 87 male and 13 female respondents were surveyed, of them cent percent found educated. About 56% turkey keeper’s main occupation was business, 27% service and 12% in farming while 88.57% involved with farming as secondary sources of income. Average landholding for homestead, cultivable and non-cultivable was 24.40, 129.71 and 29.47 decimal, respectively. About 59% farms started for commercial purpose, 32% for non-commercial purpose and 9% for both. About 60% respondents kept less than 50 turkeys and only 2% kept 501-1000 turkeys. Among the surveyed farms55% stopped their operation and 45% farms found running their business. Among the running farms cent percent were small-scale group. The average feed intake was 192.13 grams per day per bird at 20 weeks of age. Turkey laid on an average 139 eggs a year irrespective of variety and for hatching poults, the fertility and hatchability rate found between 65 to 100% and 50 to 90%, respectively. About 28% farmers experienced the deaths of turkey because of Cold, Pox, Ranikhet, Bird flu and unknown cases and 69.47% farmers took veterinary advice from Upazila Livestock Hospital and rest from other sources. Farmers to consumers were the most common and widely used marketing channel for egg, chick and adult turkey. The market intermediaries of turkey farm carried out different marketing functions e.g. buying and selling, pricing, transportation, sorting, distribution and market information. The average net return and benefit-cost ratio was BDT 127838.04 and 1.38, respectively for 50 turkeys per year. In the study, turkey rearing found some comparative benefit over chicken and ducks e.g. higher weight gain, forage eater, lower diseases rate and suitability for the country. The main problem of turkey rearing identified as market instability, lack of quality turkey feed, higher feed price, lack of proper marketing facility and training on turkey farming. In conclusion, the small-scale turkey farming could be a viable source of income for the rural people of Bangladesh after taking some remedial steps by the Government of Bangladesh for the aforesaid hindrances faced by the turkey farmers.

Corona Virus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) warrants comprehensive investigations of publicly available Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-CoronaVirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) genomes to gain new insight about their epidemiology, mutations and pathogenesis. Nearly 0.4 million mutations were identified so far in ∼60,000 SARS-CoV-2 genomic sequences. In this study, we compared 207 of SARS-CoV-2 genomes reported from different parts of Bangladesh and their comparison with 467 globally reported sequences to understand the origin of viruses, possible patterns of mutations, availability of unique mutations, and their apparent impact on pathogenicity of the virus in victims of Bangladeshi population. Phylogenetic analyses indicates that in Bangladesh, SARS-CoV-2 viruses might arrived through infected travelers from European countries, and the GR clade was found as predominant in this region. We found 2602 mutations including 1602 missense mutations, 612 synonymous mutations, 36 insertions and deletions with 352 other mutations types. In line with the global trend, D614G mutation in spike glycoprotein was predominantly high (95.6%) in Bangladeshi isolates. Interestingly, we found the average number of mutations in ORF1ab, S, ORF3a, M and N of genomes, having nucleotide shift at G614 (n=459), were significantly higher (p≤0.001) than those having mutation at D614 (n=215). Previously reported frequent mutations such as P4715L, D614G, R203K, G204R and I300F were also prevalent in Bangladeshi isolates. Additionally, 87 unique amino acid changes were revealed and were categorized as originating from different cities of Bangladesh. The analyses would increase our understanding of variations in virus genomes circulating in Bangladesh and elsewhere and help develop novel therapeutic targets against SARS-CoV-2.