Alkaloids are the most diversified nitrogen-containing secondary metabolites, having antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, and are extensively used in pharmaceuticals to treat different types of cancer. Nicotiana serves as a reservoir of anti-cancer alkaloids and is also used as a model plant for the de novo synthesis of various anti-cancer molecules through genetic engineering. Up to 4% of the total dry weight of Nicotiana was found to be composed of alkaloids, where nicotine, nornicotine, anatabine, and anabasine are reported as the dominant alkaloids. Additionally, among the alkaloids present in Nicotiana, β-carboline (Harmane and Norharmane) and Kynurenines are found to show anti-tumor effects, especially in the cases of colon and breast cancers. Creating new or shunting of existing biosynthesis pathways in different species of Nicotiana resulted in de novo or increased synthesis of different anti-tumor molecules or their derivatives or precursors including Taxadiane (~22.5 µg/g), Artemisinin (~120 μg/g), Parthenolide (~2.05 ng/g), Costunolide (~60 ng/g), Etoposide (~1 mg/g), Crocin (~400 µg/g), Catharanthine (~60 ng/g), Tabersonine (~10 ng/g), Strictosidine (~0.23 mg/g), etc. Enriching the precursor pool, especially Dimethylallyl Diphosphate (DMAPP), down-regulating other bi-product pathways, compartmentalization or metabolic shunting, or organelle-specific reconstitution of the precursor pool, might trigger the enhanced accumulation of the targeted anti-cancer alkaloid in Nicotiana.

Non-motor symptoms (NMS) are common in Parkinson’s disease (PD), affecting almost all patients during their illness. They may appear in early pre-symptomatic stage as well as throughout the disease course. This observational cross sectional study was carried out in the Movement Disorder Clinic, Department of Neurology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka to see the presence of non-motor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease. Seventy-six Parkinson’s Disease patients were recruited during October 2019 to September 2020. Presence of non–motor symptoms (NMSs) was sought by the 30-item Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire (PDQ-30). All patients (100%) of this study were suffering from one or more non-motor symptoms. Most common non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease were anxiety (78%), fatigue (78%), difficulty in falling or staying sleep (75%), depression (72%), forgetfulness 72%, dizziness (68%), loss of interest in doing activities (66%), flat mood (62%), lack of pleasure (60%), restless leg (59%) & problem in sustaining concentration (50%). Other non-motor symptoms were present in less than 50% patients. Non-motor symptoms are common and often unrecognized in Parkinson`s Disease. Address- ing this issue will help to manage these symptoms and thereby improve quality of life of patients with Parkinson`s Disease. BSMMU J 2021; 14(4): 121-124

Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) is a peroxisomal disorder characterized by the accumulation of saturated very long chain fatty acids (VLCFA) in plasma, various tissues of body and central nervous system. It causes demyelination and adrenocortical insuciency. High levels of very long chain fatty acids are found in tissues and body fluids, resulting from their impaired β-oxidation in the peroxisomes. The most common form of ALD is an X-linked disorder with various presentations which is caused by mutations in the ABCD1 gene located on Xq28. The gene encodes a transmembrane transporter involved in the importation of very long chain fatty acids into peroxisomes. The phenotypic presentations are highly variable, which may lead to delayed recognition and misdiagnosis, as attention deficit and/or hyperactivity disorder in boys or multiple sclerosis in adults. The most common clinical picture is of a degenerative neurologic disorder appearing in childhood or adolescence and progressing to severe dementia and deterioration of vision, hearing, speech, and gait and death occur within a few years. Many patients have evidence of adrenal insufficiency at the time of neurologic presentation. Hydrocortisone and mineralocorticoid are necessary to treat adrenal insufficiency. High doses of hydrocortisone preoperatively and during recovery are needed for surgery and other stressful illnesses in affected individuals. Here, we described two patients with childhood onset ALD with clinical and laboratory features to illustrate the wide clinical variability of this condition. Bangladesh Med J. 2015 Sep; 44 (3): 168-171