Oral contraceptives and family health in rural Bangladesh

A case-control survey of mothers was undertaken in rural Bangladesh to assess the health problems of oral contraceptive users compared with two groups of nonusers. The complaint most often reported was weakness--more than 80% of all women surveyed. Significantly more pill users than nonusers reported experiencing dizziness and eye problems. However, only one fifth of dizziness complaints among pill users could be attributed to the pill. Although more pill users reported a decrease in lactation, a greater problem among the control group was total cessation of lactation related to a subsequent pregnancy. Therefore, in this context the pill may postpone weaning more often than it reduces lactation. That few women choose to use oral contraceptives in the early postpartum period, when a reduction in breast milk would be most hazardous to the child, contributes to this favorable balance. The attitude toward early termination of pregnancy was positive for 61% of pill users and 34% of nonusers. It is likely that abortion services would be favorably received in this traditional society.

Epidemiology and causes of death among children in a rural area of Bangladesh

From a longitudinal surveillance programme among a rural Bangladesh population of 260,000, the epidemiology and causes of child death (under age 5) over 3 years (1975-1977) were analyzed. The most significant causes of death were diarrhoea (watery and dysentery), tetanus, measles, fever, respiratory disease, drowning, skin disease, and other causes. Of an infant mortality rate of 142.6/1000 live births, neonatal tetanus (37.4/1000), diarrhoea (19.6/1000), and respiratory disease (10.4/1000) were the most significant identifiable causes. Many infant deaths (62.2/1000) were unidentified, taking place during the neonatal (1-28 days) period. The 1-4 year mortality averaged 34.3/1 000. Diarrhoea (15.1/1 000), measles (4.5/1 000), fever (2.9/1 000) and respiratory disease (1.6/1 000) accounted for most 1-4 year deaths. Mortality trends over the past 10 years showed sharp temporary fluctuations in response to 2 disasters but no definitive long-term trend. Most causes of death displayed seasonal fluctuation, and sex differentials were marked with female deaths exceeding male deaths for all ages after the neonatal period. Malnourished children from low socioeconomic status families had higher mortality rates than their better nourished and wealthier counterparts. Overall, the data suggest that the delivery of a few basic health measures (oral hydration and immunization) could result in substantial reduction of under 5 mortality.

The catabolism of arginine by Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Mutants isolated from Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain PAO1632 (Hut-Ami) were unable to utilize L-arginine or L-ornithine as the carbon source for growth. Arginine deiminase (AD), catabolic ornithine carbamoyltransferase (cOTC) and N2-acetylornithine 5-aminotransferase (ACOAT) were present in the mutants but these enzymes were not induced to higher levels by exogenous L-arginine. One group of mutants could utilize L-ornithine but not L-arginine and in these strains L-arginine induced the synthesis of ACOAT but not AD or cOTC. The mutations of the arginine utilization-negative mutants were all in genes of the same transductional linkage group and mapped in the 45 to 50 min region of the chromosome. Revertants isolated on L-arginine or L-ornithine plates were derepressed for the synthesis of ACOAT. It is suggested that L-arginine is normally catabolized by the wild-type strain via the arginine deiminase pathway and requires a threshold level of ACOAT. The regulatory factors controlling the functioning of the divergent arginine deiminase and arginine carboxylase pathways are discussed.

Genes and enzymes of lysine catabolism in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain PAO1 cannot utilize L-lysine effectively as a carbon source for growth but grows on cadaverine and glutarate. Strains PAO1 and PAO1632 (Hut-Ami-) have low activities for L-lysine uptake and for L-lysine decarboxylase but both strains gave rise to mutants that grew well on L-lysine. Strain PAO2087, isolated from PAO1, had an active L-lysine uptake system and an inducible L-lysine decarboxylase. Strain PAO2070, isolated from strain PAO1632, had an active L-lysine uptake system and a constitutive L-lysine decarboxylase. We suggest that the genetic defect of strain PAO1 (and PAO1632) that prevents growth of L-lysine is in a regulatory gene controlling the expression of linked genes for L-lysine permease and L-lysine decarboxylase. Mutants unable to utilize L-lysine as a carbon source, isolated from strain PAO2070, exhibited four distinct growth phenotypes. Transductional analysis showed that the genetic defects of these mutants could be distinguished from each other and from that of strain PAO1. Group I mutants, unable to utilize glutarate, formed a single transduction linkage group and were mapped at about 20 min on the chromosome. The mutations of groups II, III and IV appeared to be in separate but linked genes. The group II mutants had no detectable L-lysine decarboxylase activity and the gene locus was mapped by interrupted mating in the 50 to 60 min region of the chromosome. The group III mutants possessed all the early enzymes of the L-lysine decarboxylase pathway and lacked only an active L-lysine uptake system.

Sensitivities of clinically significant organisms to four cephalosporins, ampicillin and mecillinam

Specimens received at a district laboratory over a period of 4 months were investigated for determination of the sensitivities of common pathogens to 4 cephalosporins, ampicillin and mecillinam. A total of 1035 freshly isolated clinically significant organisms was studied. When sensitivities of all pathogens were considered, the majority were found to be resistant to ampicillin and mecillinam and sensitive to the cephalosporins. Sensitivity figures changed considerably when individual groups of organisms were considered. The great majority of urinary pathogens were sensitive to mecillinam, but not to ampicillin. This pattern was reversed when respiratory pathogens were considered. Only a few pathogens from wound swabs were sensitive to either ampicillin or mecillinam. All the cephalosporins tested showed much wider spectrum of activities. Of all antibiotics tested, only cefoxitin was active against the vast majority of Bacteroides spp. These findings are discussed in relation to the clinical uses of these antibiotics.

Pseudo-leptospires in blood culture

Spiral filaments seen in the blood cultures of two patients with fever and jaundice were initially thought to be leptospires; these were later proved to be artefacts. An investigation was carried out to exclude the possibility of laboratory contamination of the culture media and to find out how these objects were produced. The significance of the findings is discussed in relation to the possibility of a mistaken diagnosis in routine laboratories which have a limited experience of leptospires.

Quality of specimens and sputum culture results: a retrospective study

A retrospective study of laboratory reports of sputums examined in the first 3 months of 1977 and of 1978 showed some interesting findings, which were similar in these 2 years. Analysis of the findings demonstrated that information from a proportion of sputum cultures were not helpful to the clinicians. Probable causes of such unhelpful results and some ways to overcome these problems were discussed, along with reviews of relevant literature. A conclusion drawn at the end of the discussion was that, under present circumstances, it was not expected that sputum cultures would produce totally reliable aetiological agents, unless attempts were made to obtain a better quality of specimen, e.g. those obtained by transtracheal or bronchoscopic aspirations.

Free-sporing Cl. welchii in ordinary laboratory media and conditions

A strain of Clostridium welchii produced spores in ordinary blood agar plates. Investigations confirmed that it was the character of this particular strain and that the laboratory media were not inducing sporulation. During a period of 12 months a total of 100 strains of Cl. welchii were studied. None of them produced spores in ordinary laboratory media and conditions when examined microscopically.

Nephrotic syndrome

The nephrotic syndrome is clinical entity having multiple etiology. In the present study, 70 cases of nephrotic syndrome both in children and adults have been studied. The condition appears to be more common than thought of. The histological classification is helpful both in management and forecasting the prognosis. Steorid and cytotoxic drugs have been used in light negative glomerulonephritis and lupus nephritis producing nephrotic syndrome with good results. The other forms of of glomerulonephritis needs further study to be able to offer any specific therapy.

Pivmecillinam and amoxycillin as combined treatment in purulent exacerbations of chronic bronchitis

One hundred and thirty-two patients with purulent exacerbations of chronic bronchitis were randomly allotted to treatment in three groups. They received (a) amoxycillin 250 mg and pivmecillinam 200 mg; or (b) amoxycillin 500 mg; or (c) amoxycillin 500 mg and pivmecillinam 400 mg: three times daily for 10 days. By the 7th day of treatment there was significant improvement over amoxycillin alone for both groups given combined chemotherapy in conversion of sputum to mucoid and in general improvement; at the end of treatment results in patients given the higher doses of both antibiotics were still superior to amoxycillin alone. Patients were observed 2 to 4 weeks later, when those given amoxycillin alone relapsed much more frequently. The three treatments were well tolerated and succeeded equally in clearing potential pathogens from the sputum. Combined treatment may be superior due to synergy against Haemophilus influenzae or to the elimination of beta-lactamase producing organisms and should be investigated further.

Preparation of anti-human globulin serum in Bangladeshi rabbits and goats

Anti-human globulin was produced in local rabbits and goats by using human O serum mixed with Freund's adjuvants (complete or incomplete) for immunising the animals. A titre of 1/1024 was obtained in rabbit and a titre of 1/8192 was obtained in goat. Quality-and quantity-wise, goat's serum appeared to be better than rabbit's serum.

Amoxycillin and co-trimoxazole in acute purulent exacerbations of chronic bronchitis

100 hospital patients suffered from acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis. 50 were treated with amoxycillin in a dose of 500 mg, three times a day for 10 days and the results compared with 50 patients treated with co-trimoxazole in a dose up to 480 mg trimethoprim and 2,400 mg of sulphamethoxazole daily in males, and two thirds of this dose in females. The trial was single-blind. During the acute phase of infection, both treatments were equally effective in clinical improvement, conversion of the sputum from purulent to mucoid, diminution of quantity and elimination of pathogenic bacteria. Amoxycillin was quicker in sputum conversion and gave less side effects, but the differences were not significant. During the 2-4 weeks following treatment, only a third of the patients who had received co-trimoxazole remained well and free from purulent relapse, as opposed to 72% who had received amoxycillin, a difference significant at the 2% level.

The causal role of hypoalbuminemia in human nephrotic hyperlipidemia

Serum lipids and their lipoprotein fractions were measured in 16 nephrotic syndrome patients. All component of lipids and beta-lipoprotein fractions (LDL) showed an increase in all uncomplicated patients. The increase in serum lipids were inversely proportional to the albumen level in these patients. In 3 patients, lipids and beta-lipoprotein fractions returned to near normal after treatment, the proteinuria diminished and serum albumen became normal. Most of these patients did not need any treatment for hyperlipidemia.

A clinical trial of temazepam, a sleep inducer, in hospital patients

Temazepam, a common metabolite of diazepam and oxazepam, was evaluated as a sleep inducer. A dose of 20 mg, in a Scherer capsule formulation, was compared with 200 mg of amylobarbitone sodium in a between-patients, randomized study. Patient and staff assessments were used. No statistically significant difference as to onset of sleep, duration or quality of sleep or morning drowsiness was found using the patients' assessments. The staff recorded significantly less daytime dozing and morning hangover in patients receiving temazepam. Side-effects were mild and confined mainly to drowsiness on awakening. Two patients, both on amylobarbitone sodium, withdrew from the study because of increasing confusion.

Incidental discovery of an unusual secretor status of patient group A2B with anti-A1 antibody in the serum

A variant of AB blood group (A2B) in a patient is described. Anti-A1 agglutinin was demonstrated in the serum and the saliva of secretor contained BH but no A substance. This is the first report of abnormality regarding secretor status of group A2B, individual from Bangladesh.

Incidence of important blood groups in Bangladesh

Different blood groups were determined in the Bengalee population. The prominent blood group was B in the ABO system, Rh. D negative was only 2.56% whereas Kell was 0.8%. These results have been compared with the Caucasians, Chinese and the Negroes.

Renal function in chronic intravascular haemolysis associated with prosthetic cardiac valves

1. Glomerular nitration, wate rconcentration and acid load tests, measurement of urinary protein and cell excretion rates, bacteriological examination of the urine, and analysis of the urinary amino acid content were carried out in eight patients with chronic intravascular haemolysis due to aortic valve replacement.

2. All results were normal except for a slight reduction in creatinine clearance rate in two patients and a slight elevation of urinary protein in a third; these abnormalities were considered of doubtful significance.

3. It is concluded that chronic intravascular haemolysis with its consequent renal haemosiderosis appears not to interfere with renal function.

Effect of glycine and glucose on sodium and water adsorption in patients with cholera

Electrolyte solutions containing glucose, glycine, or a combination of the two were absorbed sufficiently well from the intestine to supply maintenance fluid and the electrolytes required by cholera patients. Data on net absorption and duration and volume of diarrhoea show that a solution containing both glucose and glycine provides more effective therapy than solutions containing either glucose or glycine alone.

Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: A New Era in the Field of Surgery in Bangladesh

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjms.v1i1.7846 Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.1(1) 1994 pp.5-11

Analysis of Sociodemographic and Clinical Factors Associated with Hospitalized Stroke Patients of Bangladesh

A hospital based cross sectional study was carried out to analyze prevalence of risk factors for stroke in hospitalized patient in a medical college hospital. 100 patients were chosen using purposive sampling technique. Highest incidence of stroke was between the 6th and 7th decade. Patients came from both urban (54%) and rural (46%) areas and most of them belong to the low-income group (47%). In occupational category; service holder (28%) and retired person (21%) were the highest groups. Most of the study subjects were literate (63%). CT scan study revealed that the incidence of ischaemic stroke was 61% and haemorrhagic stroke 39%. Analysis indicated hypertension as major risk factor for stroke (63%) and major portion of the patients (42.85%) were on irregular or no treatment. Twenty four percent of the patients had heart diseases and out of 24 patients 45.83% were suffering from ischaemic heart disease. The present study detected diabetes in 21% patients. Fifty three percent of the study subjects were smoker, 39% patients had habit of betelnut chewing. Out of 26 female patients, only 23% had history of using oral contraceptives. Majority of the patients were sedentary workers (46%). Thirty seven percent of the stroke patients were obese. Among the stroke patients 9% had previous history of stroke and 3% had TIA respectively. Most of the patients (21%) were awake while they suffered from stroke and the time of occurrence was mostly in the afternoon (46%). This study found that hypertension, cigarette smoking, ischaemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus are the major risk factors prevalent in our community while other risk factors demand further study. Key words: stroke; risk factors; hospitalized patients; Bangladesh. DOI: 10.3329/fmcj.v6i1.7405 Faridpur Med. Coll. J. 2011;6(1): 19-23

Seasonal Influence on The Occurrence of Haemonchus contortus Infection in Slaughtered Black Bengal Goats in Bangladesh

Seasonal influence on the occurrence of Haemonchus contortus parasite was studied on 672 slaughtered Black Bengal goats during one year period from July 2002 to June 2003. An overall 65.63% goats had H. contortus infection and significantly (p < 0.01) higher infection rate was recorded in female (70.43%) than male (58.61%) goats. A positive correlation between the occurrence of H. contortus infection and climatic factors was recorded. Significantly (p < 0.01) highest infection rate of H. contortus was recorded during rainy (72.57 %) season in comparison to summer (66.46%) and winter (51.54%) seasons. The infection was recorded at the peak in July (84.42%) and lowest in January (46.15%). The load of H. contortus per abomasum varied significantly (p < 0.05) in different months of the year and an average maximum number of parasites per abomasum was recorded in July (41.25) and the minimum in March (5.52). In case of sex ratio of the parasites always the female (60.73%) were found to be dominated over the males (39.27%) parasites.     Key words: Seasonal influence; Haemonchus contortus; Black Bengal goat; Bangladesh DOI = 10.3329/bjvm.v1i1.1917 Bangl. J. Vet. Med. (2003). 1(1) : 45 - 48

Morphological study of weight of the ovary at different age group in Bangladeshi people

Aims: The morphological study was aimed to finedout the ovarian weight in dif ferent age group in Bangladeshi people to increase the knowledge regarding weight variation in our population. Subject & Methods: This cross - sectional study was carried out on Sixty two postmortem tissue contain ovary and fallopian tube along with surrounding structures were collected from 62- female cadaver of different age group by block dissection and fixed in 10% formal saline solution. Gross and fine dissections were carried out to see the morphological parameter of weight of the ovary in different age groups. In the present study, findings were compared with findings of the other researchers. Results: Maximum mean weight of the right ovary is found in this study in group C (46-80) years is 5.78gm and minimum weight is found in group A (2-13 years ) is 3.36gm .But incase left ovary Maximum in group B(14-45)years is 5.01 and minimum group a (2-13)is 2.72gm. statistatical analysis significant different between two groups was calculated by using students "T"Test. In the present study it is observed that the weight of the ovary is not equal on both side of same individual. Key words: ovary,morphology; weight DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjms.v10i4.9498 BJMS 2011; 10 (4): 266-268

Asexual Propagation of Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) through Encapsulated Axillary Buds

 Key words: Auxillary buds, Eggplant, Encapsulation, Synthetic seed D.O.I. 10.3329/ptcb.v19i2.5445 Plant Tissue Cult. & Biotech. 19(2): 263-288, 2009 (December)       - Short communication

Efficient Plant Regeneration from Cotyledon and Midrib Derived Callus in Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.)

Somatic embryos were obtained from cotyledon and midrib explants of Solanum melongena L., cultivar Loda. For callus induction, medium was supplemented with different concentrations of auxin singly or in combination with BAP. The best callusing 83-85% was obtained from both of the explants cultured on MS medium containing 2.0 mgl-1NAA + 0.05 mgl-1BAP. Somatic embryogenesis and shoot regeneration was achieved after transferring the calli to MS medium supplemented with BAP, GA3, NAA and Zeatin. Cotyledon derived calli showed better performance (87%) for regeneration than that of midrib (82%) when sub cultured on MS medium having 2.0 mgl-1 Zeatin + 1.0 mgl-1 BAP. For root induction, MS + 3.0 mgl-1 IBA was proved to be better treatment for average number (14-15) and mean length (12 cm) of roots than those of other treatments. Key words: Eggplant; cotyledon; midrib; callus induction; somatic embryo J. bio-sci. 14: 1-9, 2006

Synthesis and in vitro antibacterial activity of Cephradine Benzoate

Aims & Methods: The present study was undertaken to compare the antibacterial activity of a cephradine derivative with that of the parent antibiotic cephradine. Cephradine was converted to its benzoyl derivative by Schotten-Baumann method for the first time. Disc diffusion method was employed to find out the antibacterial activity against EPEC, ETEC, E. Agg, Salmonella typhi, Salmonella group B, Shigella boydii, Shigella dysenteriae 1, Shigella dysenteriae 2, Shigella flexinariae and Shigella sonnei. Melting point, TLC, HPLC, UV, FTIR and ¹H NMR studies were carried out to check the purity and confirm that the derivative was cephradine benzoate. Results: The benzoyl derivative showed promising activity against tested bacteria. The results obtained from the study demonstrate that the benzoyl derivative could be a potential antibacterial agent. Key words: Cephradine benzoate, antibacterial activity, disc diffusion method.   DOI: http://dx.doi.org/ 10.3329/bjms.v10i3.8356 BJMS 2011; 10(3): 148-151

Effect of vitamins, minerals and probiotics on production of antibody and live weight gain following vaccination with BCRDV in broiler birds

The effect of vitamins, minerals and probiotics supplementation to the balanced ration of the broiler chicks on the immune response and growth performance after vaccination with BCRDV was evaluated. For this 50 broiler birds were divided into five equal groups such as A, B, C, D and E, and five types of separate treatments with normal poultry feed were provided to the indivisual experimental groups. All the birds were vaccinated with BCRDV primarily at 3 days of age and boostered at 17 days of age. The birds of group A, B, C and D were supplemented with only probiotics, mixture of probiotics and minerals, mixture of probiotics, minerals and vitamins, respectively. The birds of group E were kept as vaccinated control. Blood samples were collected at the age of 9, 12, 16, 23, 26 and 30 days sequencially. The serum antibody titres were measured by HI test and ELISA. The highest value of HI antibody titre was 384±242.65 (Mean ±SD) in group B at 23 days of age. The lowest value of HI at 23 days was 56±32.86 (Mean ±SD) obtained in group C. The ELISA antibody titre was also highest (4675.12±485.72) at 23 days in group B and obviously the lowest (2169.38±724.45) in control group E. In case of group C, the ELISA antibody titre was 3105.73±877.57 at 23 days but then the titre decreased gradually compared to control group. The highest body weight (1420±90.82) was recorded at 30 days of age in group D and the lowest value (1188±44.38) was in group B. Key words: Probiotics, BCRDV, broiler birds DOI = 10.3329/bjvm.v6i1.1336 Bangl. J. Vet. Med. (2008). 6 (1): 31-36