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Biology subjects

Das, S. C.

Publications and source records attributed to Das, S. C..

6 recordsLinked to original sources

Multiscale Spatial Transcriptomic Atlas of Human Basal Ganglia Cell-Type and Cellular Community Organization

We generated a multi-region, subcellular-resolution spatial transcriptomic atlas of the human basal ganglia by integrating MERFISH+ and Stereo-seq across four neurotypical donors. These datasets profiled [~]7 million cells spanning the caudate, putamen, nucleus accumbens, and globus pallidus, resolving 60 transcriptionally distinct cell types. We show region-selective, molecular and spatial diversification of medium-spiny-neuron cell types and multiple non-neuronal populations with distinct molecular identities and spatial localizations. Subcellular RNA localization captures somatic size and projection-inferred signatures that reflect direct and indirect pathway topology. Cellular community analyses reveal the enrichment of sub-clusters of astrocytes and oligodendrocytes at striosome-matrix borders, while primate-expanded interneurons are confined to matrix territories. Cross-species mapping uncovers orthologous striosome-matrix organization and conserved dorsolateral-ventromedial gene expression gradients. This atlas provides a foundational molecular and spatial framework for studying human basal ganglia architecture, offering a multi-centimeter scale resource that links cell types, spatial architecture, and subcellular transcript topography across multiple nuclei. HighlightsO_LIOur multi-centimeter scale spatial taxonomy identifies the precise locations of 60 neuronal and glial cell types of human basal ganglia. C_LIO_LIMERFISH+ and Stereo-seq platforms map consistent spatial modules that align with classical neuroanatomical nuclei. C_LIO_LID1D2 hybrid MSNs and primate-expanded interneurons show regional and domain specific organization C_LIO_LISubcellular RNA localization reports soma morphology and projection-inferred signatures. C_LI

neuroscience↗

Effects of fasting on heat-stressed broiler chickens: part I- growth performance, meat quality, gut histomorphological and microbial responses

The current study aimed to optimize the fasting duration in order to mitigate the detrimental effects of heat stress on broilers raised in hot and humid climatic environments. A total of 500 broiler DOCs were assigned to five distinct treatment groups: T= Non-fasted controlled temperature (24-26) (NF-CT), T1= Non-fasted heat stressed (30-38) (NF-HS), T2= 6 hours fasted heat stressed (6-h FHS), T3= 8 hours fasted heat stressed (8-h FHS), and T4= 10 hours fasted heat stressed (10-h FHS). Each treatment was replicated five times, with 20 birds in each replicate group. As expected, the birds in NF-CT group showed significantly better performances for all the growth parameters, although birds who fasted for 8-h under heat stress exerted better growth and FCR in comparison to the other HS groups. Fasting of birds under heat stress significantly showed the lowest mortality. Like the NF-CT group, birds in 8-h FHS achieved significantly higher dressing percentage, breast meat, liver yields, and the lowest abdominal fat. Fasting for 8- and 10-h significantly increased breast meat pH and water holding capacity and thus reduced cooking loss. Fasting also improved the breast meat color quality by increasing redness (a*) and reducing the hue angle values comparable with the NF-CT group. A significantly upward trend in villi height (VH), width (VW) and crypt depth (CD) of gut segments was also observed in the birds of the 8-h FHS group. Total bacterial and coliform counts in cecum contents were reduced significantly with the increase in the fasting period. Benefit-cost analysis showed better profitability in the 8-h FHS group than other HS groups. Taken altogether, it can be concluded that broiler chicken exposed to 8-h fasting period is an effective approach to mitigate heat stress under hot and humid climatic conditions.

zoology↗

Unveiling multi-drug resistant (MDR) gram negative pathogenic bacteria from poultry chickens in the Noakhali region of Bangladesh

Rapidly increasing antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains in Bangladeshs food and farm animals stem from the excessive and inappropriate use of antibiotics. To assess the prevalence of multi drug resistant (MDR) gram-negative bacteria in poultry chicks, we sought to isolate and identify strains carrying antimicrobial resistance genes. Isolation and identification involved biochemical tests, 16S rRNA sequencing, and PCR screening of species-specific genes. MDR patterns were evaluated using CLSI guidelines with seventeen antibiotics across twelve classes. Targeted gene sequences were amplified for detection of ESBL, carbapenem, tetracycline, sulfonamide, and colistin resistance genes. Common isolates, such as Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus penneri, and Enterobacter hormaechei, exhibited average Multiple Antimicrobial Resistance (MAR) indices of 0.66, 0.76, 0.8, 0.84, and 0.81, 0.76, 0.84, 0.41 for broiler and layer chicken, respectively. Providencia stuartii and Salmonella enterica, exclusive to broiler samples, had MAR indices of 0.82 and 0.84, respectively. Additional isolates Morganella morganii, Aeromonas spp., and Wohlfahrtiimonas chitiniclastica were found in layers (Average MAR indices: 0.73, 0.71, and 0.91). Notably, M. morganii, E. hormaechei and W. chitiniclastica were identified for the first time in Bangladeshi poultry chicken, although their evolution is yet to understand. In this study, Pan-drug resistance was observed in one P. stuartii (broiler) and one Aeromonas spp. (layer) with a MAR index 1, while all isolates exhibited MAR indices >0.2, indicating MDR. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) gene screening identified blaTEM, blaSHV, tetA, and sul1 in a majority of the MDR strains. Interestingly, E. coli (lactose positive and negative) and E. hormaechei were exclusively found to possess the tetB gene. In addition, E. coli (lactose negative), Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter hormaechei, M. morganii, and P. stuartii were observed to carry the colistin-resistant mcr1 gene, whereas sul2 was detected in E. coli (lactose positive and negative), E. hormaechei, P. stuartii, and P. penneri. These findings emphasize the health risk of our consumers of both broiler and layer chickens as they have turned to a potent reservoir of various AMR gene carrying MDR and Pan-drug resistant bacteria.

microbiology↗

Impact of COVID-19 on Hospital Admission of Acute Stroke patients in Bangladesh

BackgroundWith the proposed pathophysiologic mechanism of neurologic injury by SARS COV-2 the frequency of stroke and henceforth the related hospital admissions were expected to rise. In this paper we investigate this presumption by comparing the frequency of admissions of stroke cases in Bangladesh before and during the pandemic. MethodsWe conducted a retrospective analysis of stroke admissions in a 100-bed stroke unit at the National Institute of Neurosciences and Hospital (NINS&H) which is considerably a large stroke unit. We considered all the admitted cases from the 1st January to the 30th June, 2020. We used Poisson regressions to determine whether statistically significant changes in admission counts can be found before and after 25 March since when there is a surge in COVID-19 infections. ResultsA total of 1394 stroke patients got admitted during the study period. Half of the patients were older than 60 years, whereas only 2.6% were 30 years old or younger with a male-female ratio of 1.06:1. From January to March, 2020 the mean rate of admission was 302.3 cases per month which dropped to 162.3 cases per month from April to June with an overall reduction of 46.3% in acute stroke admission per month. In those two periods, reductions in average admission per month for ischemic stroke (IST), intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and venous stroke (VS) were 45.5%, 37.2%, 71.4% and 39.0%, respectively. Based on weekly data, results of Poisson regressions confirm that the average number of admissions per week dropped significantly during the last three months of the sample period. Further, in the first three months, a total of 22 cases of hyperacute stroke management were done whereas in the last three months there was an 86.4% reduction in the number of hyperacute stroke patients getting reperfusion treatment. Only 38 patients (2.7%) were later found to be RT- PCR for SARS Cov-2 positive based on nasal swab testing. ConclusionOur study revealed more than fifty percent reduction in acute stroke admission during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is still elusive whether the reduction is related to the fear of getting infected by COVID-19 from hospitalization or the overall restriction on public movement and stay-home measures.

neuroscience↗

Analysis of synapse-level neuronal morphology in human post-mortem brain tissue

Many cognitive and psychiatric disorders are thought to be disorders of the synapse, yet the precise synapse defects underlying these disorders remain unknown. Because synapses are highly specialized anatomical structures, defects in synapse formation and function can often be observed as changes in micro-scale neuroanatomy. Unfortunately, few methods are available for accurate analysis of synapses in human post-mortem tissues. Here, we present a new methodological pipeline for assessing synapse-level neuron morphology in human post-mortem tissue that is accurate, rapid, and relatively inexpensive. Our method uses small tissue blocks from postmortem human brains, immersion fixation, single cell resolution by dye labeling, and confocal microscopy. As proof of principle, we analyzed pre-and postsynaptic structures from hippocampi of 13 individuals aged 4 months to 71 years. Our results suggest that postsynaptic CA1 dendritic spine shape and density are stable across ages, while presynaptic DG mossy fiber boutons undergo significant structural rearrangements with normal aging. This suggests that mossy fiber synapses, which play a major role in learning and memory, remain dynamic throughout life. Importantly, we find no effect of postmortem intervals up to 28 hours on neuron morphology. Thus, the ease of our new protocol should facilitate higher powered studies of human synapse structure in healthy and diseased states.

neuroscience↗

Identification of genome-wide significant shared genomic segments in large extended Utah families at high risk for completed suicide

Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the US. While environment has undeniable impact, evidence suggests genetic factors play a significant role in completed suicide. We linked a resource of >4,500 DNA samples from completed suicides obtained from the Utah Medical Examiner to genealogical records and medical records data available on over 8 million individuals. This linking has resulted in the identification of high-risk extended families (7-9 generations) with significant familial risk of completed suicide. Familial aggregation across distant relatives minimizes effects of shared environment, provides more genetically homogeneous risk groups, and magnifies genetic risks through familial repetition. We analyzed Illumina PsychArray genotypes from suicide cases in 43 high-risk families, identifying 30 distinct shared genomic segments with genome-wide evidence (p=2.02E-07 to 1.30E-18) of segregation with completed suicide. The 207 genes implicated by the shared regions provide a focused set of genes for further study; 18 have been previously associated with suicide risk. While PsychArray variants do not represent exhaustive variation within the 207 genes, we investigated these for specific segregation within the high-risk families, and for association of variants with predicted functional impact in ~1300 additional Utah suicides unrelated to the discovery families. None of the limited PsychArray variants explained the high-risk family segregation; sequencing of these regions will be needed to discover segregating risk variants, which may be rarer or regulatory. However, additional association tests yielded four significant PsychArray variants (SP110, rs181058279; AGBL2, rs76215382; SUCLA2, rs121908538; APH1B, rs745918508), raising the likelihood that these genes confer risk of completed suicide.

genetics↗