This study aims to explore the impact of COVID-19 pandemic lockdown on household food security and the nutritional status of the children and identify the risk factors associated with it. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 220 households having at least one under 5 children of Narayanganj district in Bangladesh. Household food insecurity, coping strategies and nutritional status of children were the main outcome variables. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate the significant determinants. A total of 93.2 % of households were food insecure, with 32.3% experiencing mild, 18.6% facing moderate, and 42.3% undergoing severe food insecurity. Forty seven percent households used high coping strategies and 93.2% of households consumed less expensive/preferable food as the common coping technique. Logistic regression analysis showed the variables significantly associated with moderate to severe food insecurity were low household income before COVID-19 (AOR = 46.07, CI: 13.68–155.10), more reduction of family income (AOR = 32.47, 95% CI: 9.29–113.41), maternal occupation as housewife (AOR = 7.73, CI: 2.59–23.07), losses of job (AOR = 4.28, CI: 1.31–13.98) and higher family members (AOR = 3.39, CI: 1.07–10.71). The prevalence of stunting, underweight and wasting in children under 5 years of age were 29.0%, 23.4% and 15.6%, respectively. Significantly the independent predictors of stunting were maternal occupation, education, age, household head occupation, child age, and the coping strategy score. Household dietary diversity score was an important independent predictor of underweight and wasting. In conclusion, social safety net initiatives for vulnerable households along with maternal education and employment should be strengthened to reduce hunger and malnutrition.

A novel thermostable glucoamylase cDNA without starch binding domain (SBD) ofAspergillus flavusNSH9 was successfully identified, isolated, and overexpressed inPichia pastorisGS115. The complete open reading frame of glucoamylase fromAspergillus flavusNSH9 was identified by employing PCR that encodes 493 amino acids lacking in the SBD. The first 17 amino acids were presumed to be a signal peptide. The cDNA was cloned intoPichia pastorisand the highest expression of recombinant glucoamylase (rGA) was observed after 8 days of incubation period with 1% methanol. The molecular weight of the purified rGA was about 78 kDa and exhibited optimum catalytic activity at pH 5.0 and temperature of 70°C. The enzyme was stable at higher temperature with 50% of residual activity observed after 20 min at 90°C and 100°C. Low concentration of metal (Mg⁺⁺, Fe⁺⁺, Zn⁺⁺, Cu⁺⁺, and Pb⁺⁺) had positive effect on rGA activity. This rGA has the potential for use and application in the saccharification steps, due to its thermostability, in the starch processing industries.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has a significant impact on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of affected individuals due to its progressive and disabling nature. The aim of this study was to evaluate the HRQoL and its predictors among CKD patients. A cross-sectional study was carried out at kidney foundation Hospital and research Institute at Dhaka, Bangladesh. Kidney Disease Quality of Life (KDQoL^™ -36) questionnaire were used to measure the HRQoL of CKD patients. The study also used kidney-targeted KDQoL-36 Summary Score (KSS). Socio-demographic and medical records were also collected. Descriptive statistics, and multiple linear regression were performed. Out of 430 patients, 77.9% were in moderate to advanced stage of CKD. Patients aged, occupation, income, co-morbidities such as diabetes or hypertension, medication used, and serum hemoglobin were found significantly (p <0.05) associated at different stages of CKD. The mean domain scores of physical component summary (PCS), mental component summary (MCS), burden of kidney disease (BKD), effect of kidney disease (EKD), symptoms and problems of kidney disease (SPKD) subscales were 37.19, 45.94, 31.49, 63.95, and 73.35, respectively. The KSS was 63.24. The stage of CKD has been documented as an important predictor of HRQoL of all subscales of KDQoL-36 as well as KSS. The older age group also showed a clear link with a lower HRQoL in all subscales of KDQoL-36, except SPKD. In multiple linear regression analysis, stage of CKD, patients age, employment status and use of medication were found significant predictors of KSS. Further, higher levels of education, being married, absence of diabetes and heart disease were all independent predictors of a higher MCS. Whereas retirement, low duration of CKD and the use of three or more drugs strongly linked to worse scores of PCS. By addressing the determinants of poor HRQoL, healthcare providers can tailor treatment plans to better meet the needs of these individuals and ultimately enhance their overall well-being.

Malnutrition is associated with higher rates of morbidity and death in the older population. Depression or mental health is a major component of older adult malnutrition. The aim of the study was to measure the level of malnutrition and depression in older adults, as well as their correlated factors, such as dietary energy and nutrient consumption. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 108 older individuals living in two areas of Faridpur, Bangladesh. The Mini Nutritional Assessment-Short Form (MNA-SF), Geriatric Depression (GD) Scale, and 24-h dietary recall were used to measure the nutritional status, depression level, and dietary nutrients, respectively. A total of 20.4% and 55.6% were malnourished or at risk of malnutrition, respectively. Around 81.5% of the study subjects exhibited a different degree of depression and 9.3% were identified as having severe depression. There was a significant inverse association between the MNA-SF score and the GD score (r = −0.684, p=<0.001). The average energy and protein consumption was 1387 kcal and 45.52 g, respectively; and energy and protein intake were significantly lower in the depressed group (1353 Kcal, 43.8 g) than in the non-depressed group (1530 Kcal, 52.4 g). An extremely low energy consumption (<20 kcal/kg body weight/day) was noted in 27.1% of the older adults. None of the participants in this study were able to meet the requirements for dietary fiber, calcium, vitamin B6, folate, vitamin D, and vitamin E. Specific nutrition-related intervention programs as well as social and familial support are recommended to improve the nutritional status of older adults.