The use of antibiotics in animals for both therapeutic and non-therapeutic purposes is a major driver of the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). While several studies have investigated prescription and consumption patterns in humans, little attention has been paid to the veterinary sector. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 3002 veterinary students (VS) and non-medical students (NMS) from 12 universities in Bangladesh to explore their knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) about antibiotics and AMR using a self-administered questionnaire, and assess the influence of the veterinary curriculum. KAP regarding antibiotic use and AMR was significantly higher in veterinary than non-medical students, and in first-year than final-year students. However, gaps in knowledge and practices were highlighted, suggesting deficiencies in training. Moreover, final-year veterinary students were found to be more likely than first-year students to use antibiotics without instructions, which could indicate deficiencies in their curriculum. Although the study suggested a positive impact of the veterinary curriculum on KAP about antibiotics and AMR in Bangladesh, critical gaps remain that are likely to contribute to inadequate use in their future practice. Therefore, there is scope for improving educational programs on AMR in professional curricula.

Plant roots show distinct gene-expression profiles from those of shoots under abiotic stress conditions. In this study, we performed mRNA sequencing (mRNA-Seq) to analyze the transcriptional profiling of Arabidopsis roots under osmotic stress conditions—high salinity (NaCl) and drought (mannitol). The roots demonstrated significantly distinct gene-expression changes from those of the aerial parts under both the NaCl and the mannitol treatment. We identified 68 closely connected transcription-factor genes involved in osmotic stress-signal transduction in roots. Well-known abscisic acid (ABA)-dependent and/or ABA-independent osmotic stress-responsive genes were not considerably upregulated in the roots compared to those in the aerial parts, indicating that the osmotic stress response in the roots may be regulated by other uncharacterized stress pathways. Moreover, we identified 26 osmotic-stress-responsive genes with distinct expressions of alternative splice variants in the roots. The quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction further confirmed that alternative splice variants, such as those for ANNAT4, MAGL6, TRM19, and CAD9, were differentially expressed in the roots, suggesting that alternative splicing is an important regulatory mechanism in the osmotic stress response in roots. Altogether, our results suggest that tightly connected transcription-factor families, as well as alternative splicing and the resulting splice variants, are involved in the osmotic stress response in roots.

Background and Aim: The emergence and rapid dissemination of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria in different ecosystems is a growing concern to human health, animal health, and the environment in recent years. The study aimed to determine the antibiotic resistance in Escherichia coli from deer and nearby water sources at two different Safari parks in Bangladesh. Materials and Methods: A number of 55 fresh fecal samples of deer and six water samples from nearby lakes were collected from two Safari parks. Samples were processed, cultured, and carried out biochemical tests for E. coli. The antibiotic susceptibility was determined by disk diffusion method. To identify the resistance genes, polymerase chain reaction was performed. Results: A total of 32 E. coli isolates from 55 fecal samples and 6 of 6 E. coli isolates from lake water were isolated. From fecal E. coli isolates, ampicillin and sulfamethoxazole were 90.63% (n=29/32) resistant and 87.5% (n=28/32) were resistant to tetracycline and nalidixic acid. High resistance was also observed to other antibiotics. On the contrary, all E. coli isolates from water sources were 100% (n=6/6) resistant to ampicillin, tetracycline, sulfamethoxazole, and nalidixic acid. MDR was revealed in all water samples, whereas 96.88% (n=31/32) was found in fecal isolates. A number of blaTEM, tetA, and Sul2 genes were detected from both isolates. Conclusion: This study for the 1st time highlights, a significant proportion of E. coli isolates in wildlife deer and nearby water sources were MDR in Bangladesh.

Salinity causes widespread crop loss and prompts plants to adapt through changes in gene expression. In this study, we aimed to investigate the function of the non-tandem CCCH zinc-finger (non-TZF) protein gene AtC3H3 in response to salt stress in Arabidopsis. AtC3H3, a gene from the non-TZF gene family known for its RNA-binding and RNase activities, was up-regulated under osmotic stress, such as high salt and drought. When overexpressed in Arabidopsis, AtC3H3 improved tolerance to salt stress, but not drought stress. The expression of well-known abscisic acid (ABA)-dependent salt stress-responsive genes, namely Responsive to Desiccation 29B (RD29B), RD22, and Responsive to ABA 18 (RAB18), and representative ABA-independent salt stress-responsive genes, namely Dehydration-Responsive Element Binding protein 2A (DREB2A) and DREB2B, was significantly higher in AtC3H3-overexpressing transgenic plants (AtC3H3 OXs) than in wild-type plants (WT) under NaCl treatment, indicating its significance in both ABA-dependent and -independent signal transduction pathways. mRNA-sequencing (mRNA-Seq) analysis using NaCl-treated WT and AtC3H3 OXs revealed no potential target mRNAs for the RNase function of AtC3H3, suggesting that the potential targets of AtC3H3 might be noncoding RNAs and not mRNAs. Through this study, we conclusively demonstrated that AtC3H3 plays a crucial role in salt stress tolerance by influencing the expression of salt stress-responsive genes. These findings offer new insights into plant stress response mechanisms and suggest potential strategies for improving crop resilience to salinity stress.