Mycoplasma infection in Malaysian children: laboratory investigation and antimicrobial therapy

Background: Mycoplasma pneumonia (M. pneumoniae) is an important causative agent of childhood infection with variable clinical presentations. The objective of the study was to evaluate the laboratory investigation and antimicrobial therapy of M. pneumoniae infection in children admitted to paediatric ward. Materials & Methods: A total of 111 children, of which 59 (53.2%) boys and 52 (46.8%) girls, with median age of 2 years (inter quartile range 1-6 years) with suspected M. pneumoniae infection were tested for IgM by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The children were classified as seropositive and seronegative. Results: Of the 111 children, 45 (40.5%) had serological evidence of M. pneumoniae infection and the remaining 66 (59.5%) were seronegative. There was significant association (p < 0.001) between age and serology response. Seropositive children were more likely to be older (median age 5.0 [interquartile range 2- 7] years, p < 0.001). Children with M. pneumoniae infection were less likely to have cough (p = 0.023) in which 55 (65.5%) patients having cough were seronegative. There was no significant association between laboratory findings of full blood count and serology. Conclusion: In addition to clinical and laboratory features, other factors like age group and absence of cough might be helpful in predicting M. pneumoniae infection.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjms.v14i1.21564 Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.14(1) 2015 p.75-78

Development of Hg2+ sensor based on N′-[1-(pyridin-2-yl)ethylidene]benzenesulfono-hydrazide (PEBSH) fabricated silver electrode for environmental remediation

N′-[1-(Pyridin-2-yl)ethylidene]benzenesulfonohydrazide (PEBSH) was synthesized via a simple condensation of 2-acetyl pyridine and benzene sulfonyl hydrazide in very good yield and crystallized, and then used in the formation of a Hg²⁺ sensor.

Aggregated Pt–Pd nanoparticles on Nafion membrane for impulsive decomposition of hydrogen peroxide

A Pd site initiates hydrogen peroxide decomposition by adsorbing one ‘O’ followed by splitting of O–H bond. Meanwhile, a Pt site finally completes the decomposition process by enabling desorption of the incipient O₂ species.

Preparation of polyaniline grafted graphene oxide–WO3 nanocomposite and its application as a chromium(iii) chemi-sensor

Polyaniline-grafted-GO@WO₃ was prepared and deposited on a Ag electrode with conducting binders to give a sensor with a fast selective response for Cr³⁺ in the liquid phase. The sensitivity and detection limit are ∼4.4251 mA mM⁻¹ cm⁻² and 0.031 ± 0.010 nM.

Chemical sensor development based on poly(o-anisidine)silverized–MWCNT nanocomposites deposited on glassy carbon electrodes for environmental remediation

POAS–Ag/MWCNT nanocomposites were prepared by an adsorption process. A selective 3-methoxyphenolic sensor was developed by an I–V technique for the first time. It displays the highest sensitivity (∼3.829 μA cm⁻² mM⁻¹) ever published in the literature.

Fabrication of highly sensitive ethanol sensor based on doped nanostructure materials using tiny chips

Doped CuO–Fe₂O₃ nanocubes (NCs) are prepared via a facile wet-chemical process using active reactant precursors with reducing agents in high pH medium (pH > 10).

Public Health Safety in Relation to Microbiological Quality of Freshly Drawn Cow’s Milk in Bangladesh

The aim of the present study was to determine the microbial quality of freshly drawn cow’s milk belonging to the arsenic affected and non-affected areas. In the present work 25 milk sample were collected from five different arsenic affected and non-affected areas. The analysis comprised enumeration of total viable count (TVC), total coliform count (TCC) and total staphylococcal count (TSC) for the determination of sanitary quality. The highest total viable count, total coliform count and total staphylococcus count were log 5.894 ± 0.221, log 2.832± 0.129 and log 2.898 ± 0.162 respectively. Staphylococcus spp, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas spp and Bacillus spp were isolated from the milk samples. Among them Escherichia coli were isolated from the maximum milk samples. It is found that the level of microbial quality in terms of TVC, TCC and TSC were high in arsenic affected areas than arsenic non-affected area. It also found that TVC and TCC were positively correlated with each other. This survey indicates that most of the raw milk samples were not satisfactory in course of public health standard as some pathogenic bacteria were detected from these samples and it is necessary to improve the hygienic practices required for the handling and processing of milk.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjvm.v12i2.21297 Bangl. J. Vet. Med. (2014). 12 (2): 231-236 

Dual use of tobacco among Bangladeshi men

INTRODUCTION

Dual use of tobacco (using smoking and smokeless forms) in Bangladesh is uncommon in women but common in men. Dual users are at additional risk of cancers and heart diseases compared with a single form of tobacco use. Knowledge about their socioeconomic background is necessary for planning appropriate interventions. We report here socioeconomic background of the dual users of tobacco from a nationally representative survey.

METHODS

The study adopted a probability proportionate to size sampling technic of divisional population stratified into urban and rural areas to recruit men aged 25 years or older from their households. A total of 4312 men were recruited. Variables included questions on 20 household assets, tobacco use and other behavioral risk factors, and measurement of body weight and height.

RESULTS

The average age of dual users was 46.7 years old compared to 43.4 and 52.3 years for smokers and smokeless tobacco users. Prevalence of "smoking only," "smokeless only" and "dual use" of tobacco was 40.6%, 15.2%, and 14.2%, respectively. Among all tobacco users, dual users constituted 20%. These dual users had lower educational achievement, rural residence, lower intake of fruit, and higher intake of alcohol. They were more undernourished as indicated by a thin body mass index compared to nonusers and smokers. Dual users were of socioeconomically deprived as measured by wealth quartiles constructed out of household assets.

CONCLUSION

Dual use of tobacco is common in Bangladesh, and it is intimately linked with socioeconomic deprivation. Poverty reduction strategy and campaigns should address tobacco control not only tobacco in general, but its dual use in particular.

Influence of fuel molecular structure on the volatility and oxidative potential of biodiesel particulate matter

We have studied the effect of chemical composition of biodiesel fuel on the physical (volatility) and chemical (reactive oxygenated species concentration) properties of nano particles emitted from a modern common-rail diesel engine. Particle emissions from the combustion of four biodiesels with controlled chemical compositions and different varying unsaturation degrees and carbon-chain lengths, together with a commercial diesel, were tested and compared in terms of volatility of particles and the amount of reactive oxygenated species carried by particles. Different blends of biodiesel and petro diesel were tested at several engine loads and speeds. We have observed that more saturated fuels with shorter carbon chain lengths result in lower particle mass but produce particles that are more volatile and also have higher levels of Reactive Oxygen Species. This highlights the importance of taking into account metrics that are relevant from the health effects point of view when assessing emissions from new fuel types.

Detection and monitoring of toxic chemical at ultra trace level by utilizing doped nanomaterial

Composite nanoparticles were synthesized by eco-friendly hydrothermal process and characterized by different spectroscopic techniques. All the spectroscopic techniques suggested the synthesis of well crystalline optically active composite nanoparticles with average diameter of ∼ 30 nm. The synthesized nanoparticles were applied for the development of chemical sensor which was fabricated by coating the nanoparticles on silver electrode for the recognition of phthalimide using simple I-V technique. The developed sensor exhibited high sensitivity (1.7361 µA.mM(-1).cm(-2)), lower detection limit (8.0 µM) and long range of detection (77.0 µM to 0.38 M). Further the resistances of composite nanoparticles based sensor was found to be 2.7 MΩ which change from 2.7 to 1.7 with change in phthalimide concentration. The major advantages of the designed sensor over existing sensors are its simple technique, low cost, lower detection limit, high sensitivity and long range of detection. It can detect phthalimide even at trace level and sense over wide range of concentrations. Therefore the composite nanoparticals would be a better choice for the fabrication of phthalimide chemical sensor and would be time and cost substituted implement for environmental safety.

Rigorous analysis of the transverse acoustic modes in optical waveguides by exploiting their structural symmetry

A full-vectorial finite-element-based approach has been developed to find accurate modal solutions of acoustic modes in Ge-doped planar silica waveguides. The structural symmetry is exploited, and Aitken's extrapolation is also used to improve the accuracy of the solution. The spatial dependences of the dominant and nondominant displacement vectors are shown for the fundamental and higher-order transverse modes. The modal hybridness and modal birefringence between the two fundamental transverse modes are also presented.

Correlation of platelet count and acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction

The study was conducted in the Department of cardiology, NICVD Dhaka during the period January 2006 to December 2007 to assess the impact of platelet on ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). To perform this prospective study 200 patients with STEMI within 72 hours of chest pain of both sexes were randomly selected and were evaluated by clinical history, physical examination and with the help of ECG, Echocardiography and others cardiac risk factors analysis. Heparin therapy before admission, previously documented thrombocytopenia (<140,000/cmm), history of previous or current haemostatic disorder, renal impairment (Creatinine >1.6mg/dl) and history of PCI & CABG were excluded in this study. Patient of Platelet count (PC) ≤200000/cubic millimeter (cmm) in Group I and patient of Group II, platelet counts were PC >200000/cmm. Follow up period was 3 days to 7 days after hospital admission. Primary outcome heart failure (any Killip class) was significantly more in Group II than Group I (40.0% vs. 23.0%; p=0.009). Though the incidence of Killip class I and cardiogenic shock were not significant between these two groups but Killip class II (18.0% vs. 8.0%; p=0.036) and Killip class III (15.0% vs. 6.0%; p=0.037) heart failure were significantly more among the patient with higher platelet counts. In-hospital mortality, one of the primary outcomes of this study, was significantly higher in Group II (13.0%) than Group I (5.0 %) and p value was 0.048. Re-infarction was more in patient with higher platelet counts group (Group II) than patients with lower platelet count (Group I) but statistically was not significant (16.0% vs.11.0%; p=0.300).

The site of attachment of umbilical cord and branching pattern of umbilical arteries within the placenta

Placenta is the mirror of maternal and fetal status; it reflects the changes due to complication in pregnancy of mother. Numerous common and uncommon findings of the placenta, umbilical cord and membranes are associated with abnormal fetal development and perinatal morbidity. So, the examination of the placenta can yield information that may be important in the immediate and later management of mother and newborn. This information may also be essential for protecting the attending physician in the event of an adverse maternal or fetal outcome. This cross sectional descriptive study was carried out to determine the incidence of different types of placenta depending on attachment site and branching pattern of arteries of umbilical cord in Bangladeshi Women. To achieve this aim sixty placenta with umbilical cord were collected. Placenta was from 28 weeks to 42 weeks gestational age of normal pregnancy during normal labour at gynaecology and obstetric department of Mymensingh Medical College Hospital. After preservation in 10% formol saline, study was done in the Department of Anatomy of Mymensingh Medical College. In the present study, incidence of different types of placenta depending on attachment site of umbilical cord was 50% Central, 46% Paracentral and 18% Marginal in type. In this study it was also observed that 58% placenta were Disperse in type and 42% were Magistral in type depending on the distribution of umbilical arteries. Observed findings of this study were compared with those of Western and Bangladeshi researchers.

The Ameliorating Effects of Garlic (Allium sativum) against Lead (Pb) Intoxication on Body Weight, Dressing Percentages, Feed Consumption and Feed Conversion Ratio in Lead Induced Broiler Chickens

Lead (Pb) has extensive commercial and industrial use despite of its recognized as health hazard. The therapeutic application of garlic (Allium sativum) was investigated for preventing the toxic effect of lead (Pd) in lead exposed chickens. 350 commercial broiler chickens were grouped into five such as T0, T1, T2, T3 and T4consisting of 70 birds each where T0 served as control. T1 was provided with lead acetate at 100mg/kg body weight, T2 had 100mg/kg lead acetate + 1% garlic supplement, T3 was fed with 100mg/kg lead acetate + 2% garlic supplement and T4 had 100mg/kg lead acetate + 4% garlic supplement for 42 days. Garlic was found to be capable of elimination of lead (Pb). Analysis of variance statistically revealed that significant (P<0.01) lower level of live weight (g), carcass weight (g) and eviscerated fresh carcass weight (%) were 2015.26±49.73, 1124.45±11.67 and 60.63±3.18, respectively in the chickens in group T1 at 42nd day of treatment in comparison to other groups. All garlic treatment groups satisfactorily increased live weight and carcass weight. Following the application of dietary garlic, mean values of live weight (g), carcass weight (g) and eviscerated fresh carcass weight (%) were significantly (P<0.01) increased at 2156.63±74.52, 1455.85±9.21 and 63.96±2.18 in group T3. Feed conversion ratio showed non-significant differences between different groups, but the most significant (P<0.01) FCR values were recorded in T3 among the treatment groups. It can be recommended from the present study that garlic might be played an active role to antagonize lead (Pb) toxicity.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjvm.v12i1.20453 Bangl. J. Vet. Med. (2014). 12 (1): 1-7 

Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) Dosage Based on Body Weight Enhances Ovulatory Responses and Subsequent Embryo Production in Goats

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of porcine follicle stimulating hormone (pFSH) dosage based on body weight (BW) on ovarian responses of crossbred does. Thirty donor does were divided into 3 groups getting pFSH dosages of 3, 5, and 8 mg pFSH per kg BW, respectively, and were named as pFSH-3, pFSH-5 and pFSH-8, respectively. Estrus was synchronized by inserting a controlled internal drug release (CIDR) device and a single injection of prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α). The pFSH treatments were administered twice a day through 6 decreasing dosages (25, 25, 15, 15, 10, and 10% of total pFSH amount; decreasing daily). Ovarian responses were evaluated on Day 7 after CIDR removal. After CIDR removal, estrus was observed 3 times in a day and pFSH treatments were initiated at 2 days before the CIDR removal. All does in pFSH-5 and pFSH-8 showed estrus signs while half of the does in pFSH-3 showed estrus signs. No differences (p>0.05) were observed on the corpus luteum and total ovarian stimulation among the treatment groups, while total and transferable embryos were higher (p<0.05) in pFSH-5 (7.00 and 6.71) than pFSH-3 (3.00 and 2.80) and pFSH-8 (2.00 and 1.50), respectively. In conclusion, 5 mg pFSH per kg BW dosage gave a higher number of embryos than 3 and 8 mg pFSH per kg BW dosages. The results indicated that the dosage of pFSH based on BW is an important consideration for superovulation in goats.

Percutaneous Electrocauterization (Electrosclerotherapy) to Treat Cutaneous Hemangioma- our experience in Apollo Hospitals Dhaka

Introduction Percutaneous Electrosclerotherapy technique for the treatment of cutaneous hemangioma is introduced as an alternative and minimally invasive treatment mode. The aim of the study was to evaluate the response of percutaneous electrosclerotherapy on cutaneous hemangioma, as monotherapy or in adjunct to surgery. Materials and Methods Fourteen patients with 10 females and 04 males underwent percutaneous electrosclerotherapy for the treatment of cutaneous hemangioma mostly on head and neck in Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery department of Apollo Hospitals Dhaka from January 2009 to June 2010. Percutaneous Electrosclerotherapy was applied through a Colorado needle with an intention to cauterize the bulk of the lesion at the tip of the needle but not burning the skin. Pre and post operatively the size of the lesions were measured to see the percentage of regression. Results Percutaneous Electrosclerotherapy was done in all 14 cases. Most of the lesions (78%) were smaller in size (<5cm) and the site was mostly in head and neck (57%), more than half of the patients (57%) got significant benefit from this procedure. The regression of size is mostly in children <10 years which is noted in about 65%. The only complication found was overlying skin necrosis due to burn in 35% of patients which was managed usually by simple dressing and antibiotics with complete healing. Conclusion Percutaneous Electrosclerotherapy is effective monotherapy for smaller hemangioma and prior to surgery to reduce the volume, operation time, bleeding, as well as post operative scar. It can be done easily with minimal hospital stay, less cost and complication DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/pulse.v5i2.20262 Pulse Vol.5 July 2011 p.26-30

Correlation of ultrasonographically determined renal cortical thickness and renal length with estimated glomerular filtration rate in chronic kidney disease patients

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bmrcb.v39i2.19649Bangladesh Med Res Counc Bull 2013; 39: 91-92

Detection of Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidium parvum by direct immunofluorescence assay in stool specimen

Giardia and Cryptosporidium are the pathogens which transmitted through contaminated soil and contaminated water are significant causes of diarrhea and nutritional disorders in institutional and community peoples. Children and immune compromise persons are more vulnerable for these infections. Both Giardiasis and Cryptosporidiosis were included in 2004 as WHO Neglected Disease. So this is a major public health problem in developing countries. The present study was carried out to detect the Giardia and Cryptosporidium from diarrheic or patient having loose stool by Direct Immunofluorescence assay. The study was conducted during July 20012 to February 2013 and the work was done in Mymensingh Medical College in the department of Microbiology and in Bangladesh Agricultural University in the department of Veterinary Medicine. A total of 100 loose stools were collected from school children of different area and hospital under sadar upazilla, Mymensingh. The detection of Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidium parvum showed the individual prevalence 8% and 4% respectively. The highest cyst/oocyst count was 85,000 and 1,000/gm of stool and the lowest being 100 and 50/gm of stool for Giardiasis and Cryptosporidiosis respectively. The detection rate of Giardia and Cryptosporidium by Immunofluorescence assay was relatively higher than the previous study done in Bangladesh and this was the first report from Bangladesh over human stool specimen using Immunofluorescence assay. So, Immunofluorescence assay could be adapted for rapid and accurate detection of Giardia and Cryptosporidium.

Present status of rearing backyard poultry in selected areas of Mymensingh district

This study was conducted in Boyra and Sutiakhali villages under Sadar upazila of Mymensingh district to know the present status of backyard poultry production system. The survey data were collected from 40 randomly selected farmers having 20 from each village by interviewing them. The data were then analyzed statistically. All the selected farmers reared deshi chicken and about 54% of them reared deshi duck only. It was also found that highest proportion (75%) of farmers reared both chicken and duck together, followed by 17.5% reared only chicken and 7.5% reared chicken, duck and pigeon at a time. The average population per household of chicken, duck and pigeon were 10.4, 9.95 and 4.0, respectively, in both villages. All farmers reared poultry in semi-scavenging system. About 55% farmers kept poultry in their dwelling house. Farmers were used boiled rice, rice polish, paddy and broken rice to fed the birds. About 62% farmers were used rice and rice polish to make diet for chicken and ducks. Farmers provided around 49g and 108g supplemental diet to each chicken and duck per day, respectively and about 65% farmers provided this diet twice a day. Majority of farmers did not use feeder and waterer (about 75% and 87.5% respectively). Age at sexual maturity of Chicken and duck were around 189 days and 195 days, respectively. Adult weight of chicken and duck were 1192.5g and 1690g, respectively. The weights of chicken and duck eggs were 39.02 and 62.5g, respectively. The hatchability of chicken and duck eggs ranged between 69-80% and 76-90% with an average of 75.97 and 83%, respectively. Majority of the farmers mentioned that the most prevalent diseases of chicken and duck were New castle and cholera (about 51% and 49%, respectively). A large number of farmers (86%) did not vaccinate their poultry. Mortality of chicken and duck were calculated about 28% and 20%, respectively. Farmers collected chicks and ducklings from market and neighbor but most of the farmers (50% for chicks and 43% for ducks) incubate eggs under the broody hen. It was concluded that backyard poultry farmers are low producers and chicken and duck were found to be the most common poultry species reared by the farmers.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjas.v43i1.19382 Bang. J. Anim. Sci. 2014. 43 (1): 30-37