Prevalence of clinical and subclinical caprine mastitis of northern region in Bangladesh

Mastitis is a multifactorial and infectious disease of the udder of dairy animals. Infected animals suffer from pain and fever and causing damage in udder and changes in milk. The aim of this work was to determine the prevalence of clinical and sub-clinical caprine mastitis associated with bacterial pathogens during the period from January to June, 2017. A total of 120 lactating goats were randomly selected from different villages of Dinajpur district and 240 milk samples from each udder half were aseptically collected. The udders were examined and screened for the evidence of clinical and subclinical mastitis by clinical examination of udders and examining milk samples. Subclinical mastitis was detected by California Mastitis Test (CMT). Milk samples of all clinical and subclinical mastitis goats were cultured in/on bacteriological media for isolation and characterization of responsible bacterial pathogens. The overall prevalence of clinical and subclinical mastitis in goats was found to be 11.67% and 38.75%, respectively. Bacteriological examination of mastitic milk samples of caprine revealed Staphylococcus spp. (32.5%) as the major pathogen followed by Escherichia coli (22.5%), Pseudomonas spp. (12.5%), Klebsiella spp. (12.5%) and Bacillus spp. (5%). Results of this study indicated that about 50% of caprine udder were infected with mastitis (38.75%), which may render lowering milk production and mortality of goats and kids. It needs to screen milk sample of lactating goats by CMT, identify mastitic goats with infected bacteria, evaluate antibiotic sensitivity and design control strategy accordingly.Progressive Agriculture 29 (2): 127-138, 2018

Clinicopathological Study of Enterocutaneous Fistula in Mymensingh Medical College Hospital

Enterocutaneous fistulae are a major catastrophe to the patients and surgeons and it still has high incidence of morbidity and mortality and their management remains a big challenge. Enterocutaneous fistula presents the surgeon with challenges of metabolic disorders and extensive sepsis. Total management of an intestinal fistula requires skill in nutritional support, stoma therapy, elimination of sepsis, well timed and well carried out surgery. Postoperative enterocutaneous fistulae account for approximately 80% of enterocutaneous fistulae. The majority of the intestinal fistula (75-85%) is iatrogenic occurring in the postoperative period following anastomotic dehiscence. They arise following emergency abdominal surgery for intestinal obstruction, inflammatory bowel disease or cancers. Protein calorie malnutrition alters the patients immune response, inflammatory reactions and tissue regenerations, all of which are essential for wound repair. The present study is an effort to highlight the incidence of enterocutaneous fistula after emergency and elective resection and anastomosis of gut with discussion over recent trends and developments in its management and compare with other studies. Objectives of the study are to determine the various clinicopathological features and management protocol of enterocutaneous fistula. There are recent advances in nutritional support. This descriptive type of cross-sectional study was carried out in the Department of Surgery, Mymensingh Medical College and Hospital, Mymensingh, Bangladesh from October 2010 to September 2011. Total 42 cases of enterocutaneous fistulae were selected purposively. Enterocutaneous fistulae are more common in patients of low economic condition. Enterocutaneous fistulae are more common after emergency abdominal surgery. Spontaneous closure occurred in 17(40.48%) cases and surgery needed in 25(59.52%) cases. Of them 20(80.00%) were healed and 5(20.00%) were expired. In spite of improvement in the management protocol of enterocutaneous fistula, there is still high unacceptable morbidity and mortality rate. Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) is not available and very costly, and health care facilities are also limited in our country. Patients with enterocutaneous fistula require fluid, electrolytes and nutritional support. Anaemia, dehydration, electrolytes imbalance should be corrected prior to abdominal surgery if possible. Surgical treatment for enterocutaneous fistula should be performed only after failure of conservative treatment of more than 12 weeks.

Comparison of Outcome of Eclamptic Patient Following Vaginal Delivery versus Caeserian Delivery by Spinal Anaesthesia

Eclampsia is a common problem in pregnancy in Bangladesh. It is a severe form of preeclampsia which affects 5 to 7% of pregnancies is a significant cause of maternal & neonatal morbidity & mortality. Pre-eclampsia when complicated with generalized tonic-clonic convulsions and/or coma is called eclampsia. The term eclampsia is derived from a Greek word, meaning "like a flash of lightening". It may occur quite abruptly, without any warning manifestations. Eclampsia is a major cause of maternal mortality & morbidity as well as foetal loss worldwide, particularly in the third world. Appropriate measures & effective treatment of eclamptic patient in proper time reduce maternal mortality & morbidity. The mainstay of treatment of eclampsia is delivery of the foetus. Two methods are usually applied for delivery of foetus in eclampsia i.e. vaginal delivery & caesarean delivery. This study was done in the department of Gynae & Obs and department of Anaesthesiology, Mymensingh Medical College Hospital from 1st January 2016 to 30th June 2016 to observe the incidence, complications (morbidity) & mortality of eclamptic patients & which method (vaginal delivery versus caesarean delivery by spinal anaesthesia) is safe, better for the eclamptic patients as well as foetal mortality. Successful vaginal delivery is dependant on complex interactions of three variables (3 P) that is power (uterine contraction), passenger (foetus) & passage (birth canal) but power is less effective in eclamptic patient than normal partuents. Vaginal delivery requires prolong times compared with cesarean delivery. Anaesthetic technique is also an important factor for maternal mortality & morbidity of caesarean delivery. Spinal anaesthesia is widely regarded as a reasonable anaesthetic option for caesarean delivery in eclamptic patients. Currently the safety of spinal anaesthesia is well established and it can provide better obstetrical outcome when chosen properly. In this observation caesarean delivery by spinal anesthesia is safer, less complications, less maternal & neonatal mortality than vaginal delivery in eclamptic patients.

Immune Response against Hepatitis B virus after Pentavalent Vaccination in Children

This study was done to know the real status of immune response to Hepatitis B vaccine among the pentavalent vaccinated children as per EPI schedule of Bangladesh. It was prospective observational study done in the EPI corner of Paediatric OPD of Dhaka National Medical College & Hospital (DNMCH), Dhaka from July 2015 to July 2016. Sixty (60) children ranging from 9 months to 2 years of age, who received pentavalent vaccination (Hepatitis B + DPT + Hib) according to EPI schedule, were included. The testing for anti-HBs titres were conducted in the Department of Virology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka, Bangladesh. Out of 60 children, 9(15%) had anti-HBs titres <10 IU/L (non-protected) while 51(85%) had anti-HBs titres >10 IU/L (protected). Twenty seven (27) were male and of them 21(77.8%) protective and 6(22.2%) non-protective. Thirty three (33) were female, out of them 30(90.9%) protective while 3(9.1%) non-protective. The difference was not significant between male and female (p=0.156). Fifty (50) children received vaccination by EPI (Government) (pentavalent) out of which 9(18%) non-protective and 41(82%) protective level. However, 10 children received privately Hepatitis B vaccination of which all developed protective level. The difference was not significant between Government (EPI) and privately vaccine (p=0.145). Most of the children showed positive immune response after pentavalent vaccination.

Rupture of the Pregnant Uterus in Eastern Libya

One hundred and forty-six cases of rupture of the uterus during labour are reported and obstetric practice is described in Eastern Libya, where these disasters took place. The incidence and the causes of uterine rupture in Libya differ greatly from those in developed countries; high multiparity is a frequent cause. Hysterectomy is very often the best treatment. More than three-quarters of the children were lost, but 92% of the mothers were saved.

Management of Infected Sebaceous Cyst by Suture Closure: A New Approach

Incision and drainage is the management plan of any infected sebaceous cyst from old age. But in infected sebaceous cyst, we can treat it in a simple way.Under local or general anesthesia the infected tissue is excised along with a rim of healthy tissue and then closed by Prolene in the same sitting. Usually stitches are removed on 21st day in the back and 14th day in the limb. This cross sectional observational study was carried out in the Department of Surgery of 250 Bed District Hospital, Kishoreganj and local clinics of Kishoreganj, Bangladesh from January 2012 to March 2015. One hundred (100) cases were selected with clinical diagnosis of infected sebaceous cyst and the procedure was carefully explained to every patients. The overall results were analyzed and it was revealed that with this method patients got quick recovery and no need for frequent dressing which prevents cross infection. It is cost effective and saves time also.

Modified Blatchford Score for Risk Stratification in Adult Patient with Nonvariceal Upper Gastrointestinal Haemorrhage and Their Short Term Hospital Outcome

Upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage (UGIH) is one of the most common and life-threatening gastrointestinal emergency. There are several risk scores for risk stratification in UGIB patients. The Modified Blatchford score, which relies only on clinical and laboratory parameters, is practical in the emergency setting The Modified Blatchford scoring system also known as Glasgow Blatchford Scoring (GBS) have been developed to stratify risk of non variceal upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage or need of medical or surgical intervention, endoscopic therapy. Objective of this study is to see risk stratification by The Modified Blatchford score and short term hospital outcome in non variceal upper GI hemorrhage patients. The observational study was carried out over a period of 6 months from October, 2014 to March, 2015 in Department of Department of Medicine, Gastroenterology and Surgery Mymensingh Medical College Hospital, Mymensingh. A total of 120 patients with non variceal UGIH were taken for the study during study period. Categorical variables were reported as percentage and Means and proportions were carried out using the Chi-square test (X2-test) of different variables by SPSS software version-18.0. Patients related variables age, sex; and main outcome variables the Modified Blatchford scoring system, Risk stratification, and short term hospital outcome were observed. Age frequency among total cases were 66(55%) <60 years, 50(41.67%) from 60-79 years and 4(3.3%) 80 years or above and sex distribution were 84(70%) were male and 36(30%) were female patients. Blatchford score of patients 1(0.83%) had score 0, 1(0.83%) had score 1, 2(1.67%) had score 2, 2(1.67%) had score 3, 2(1.67%) had score 4, 3(2.5%) had score 5, 12(10%) had score 6; 15(12.5%) had score 7, 16(13.33%) had score 8, 17(14.17%) had score 9, 16(13.33%) had score 10, 15(12.5%) had score 11, 10(8.33%) had score 12, 4(3.33% ) had score 13, 1(0.83%) had score 14, 2(1.67%) had score 15 and 1(0.83%) had score 16. Risk stratification showed 54(45%) had low risk (Mean GBS score 6.19±1.79), 66(55%) had high risk (Mean GBS score 11.03±1.83) Outcome of the patients were observed that 1(0.83%) died, 54(45%) was discharged without any medical or surgical intervention, and 65(54.17%) patients' needs medical or surgical intervention such as blood transfusion and endoscopy. Among total 120 patients with upper GI hemorrhage I have found that GBS score of three or less than three is predictive of low risk of adverse outcomes and can be discharged without any intervention.

Comparative Efficacy of Local Steroid and Therapeutic Ultrasound for Quicker Functional Improvement in Tennis Elbow

Lateral epicondylitis or Tennis elbow is very common repetitive stress injury or cumulative trauma disorder among active professionals and tennis players. Local steroid injection can provide quick functional improvement as sought by most of the patients. Therapeutic ultrasound and eccentric exercises can also improve the function. This study was carried out to see the comparative efficacy of these two modalities of treatments in terms of quicker functional improvement and this randomized interventional clinical trial was carried out in a private rehabilitation hospital in Dhaka. Patients attended the authors private chamber from January 2013 to December 2013 with clinical diagnosis of tennis elbow were included. Eighty adult patients diagnosed as lateral epicondylitis or tennis elbow were randomly divided into two groups. Group A received local steroid injection (triamcinolone acetate) and group B received therapeutic ultrasound for two weeks. Both the groups received eccentric exercises and advised to avoid provocative activities like twisting and lifting activities. Pain, tenderness and functional improvements were measured in traditional methods like visual analogue scale (VAS) and tenderness grade 0 to 4. Data were analyzed by SPSS. Most of the patients were female. None of them were tennis player. Younger housewives were common sufferer. Almost all patients in group A had very little or no pain or tenderness and no difficulty in lifting object at one week and two weeks. VAS was 13.62±6.503 and 4.15±5.517 respectively. Group B patients had mild improvement of pain and function at one week and moderate improvement at two weeks. VAS was 52.57±7.80 and 25.57±5.392 respectively. Similarly tenderness' were markedly improved in Group A at one and two weeks. They were 0.68±0.616 and 0.02±0.405 respectively for Group A and 1.60±0.553 and 1.14±0.335 respectively for Group B. Results were statistically significant in both groups at the end of two weeks. Local corticosteroid injections at extensor origin in tennis elbow patients are found to have better relief of pain and tenderness and quicker functional improvement than therapeutic ultrasound treatment. None of the patients were followed up for long term efficacy in either group.

Arsenic bio-accessibility and bioaccumulation in aged pesticide contaminated soils: A multiline investigation to understand environmental risk

Bio-accessibility and bioavailability of arsenic (As) in historically As-contaminated soils (cattle tick pesticide), and pristine soils were assessed using 3 different approaches. These approaches included human bio-accessibility using an extraction test replicating gastric conditions (in vitro physiologically-based extraction test); an operationally defined bioaccessibility extraction test - 1.0M HCl extraction; and a live organism bioaccumulation test using earthworms. A sequential extraction procedure revealed the soil As-pool that controls bio-accessibility and bioaccumulation of As. Findings show that As is strongly bound to historically contaminated soil with a lower degree of As bio-accessibility (<15%) and bioaccumulation (<9%) compared with freshly contaminated soil. Key to these lower degrees of bio-accessibility and bioaccumulation is the greater fraction of As associated with crystalline Fe/Al oxy-hydroxide and residual phases. The high bio-accessibility and bioaccumulation of freshly sorbed As in pristine soils were from the exchangeable and specifically sorbed As fractions. Arsenic bioaccumulation in earthworms correlates strongly with both the human bio-accessible, and the operationally defined bioavailable fractions. Hence, results suggest that indirect As bioavailability measures, such as accumulation by earthworm, can be used as complementary lines of evidence to reinforce site-wide trends in the bio-accessibility using in vitro physiologically-based extractions and/or operationally defined extraction test. Such detailed knowledge is useful for successful reclamation and management of the As contaminated soils.

Large adrenal leiomyoma presented as adrenal incidentaloma in an AIDS patient: A rare entity

The literature on adrenal gland tumour in HIV-infected patients is scarce. We report a 46-year-old Malay man with HIV and Hepatitis C infection presenting with a large nonfunctioning adrenal tumour. Computed tomography showed a large right adrenal tumour with heterogeneous enhancement and central necrosis. A high index of suspicion of a malignant tumour or pheochromocytoma led us to surgical removal of the adrenal gland. In this case report, we highlight important features to look for during pre-op evaluation of a large adrenal mass. Appropriate action should be taken when there is a suspicion of a pheochromocytoma or malignancy.

Arsenic solid-phase speciation and reversible binding in long-term contaminated soils

Historic arsenic contamination of soils occurs throughout the world from mining, industrial and agricultural activities. In Australia, the control of cattle ticks using arsenicals from the late 19th to mid 20th century has led to some 1600 contaminated sites in northern New South Wales. The effect of aging in As-mobility in two dip-site soil types, ferralitic and sandy soils, are investigated utilizing isotopic exchange techniques, and synchrotron X-ray adsorption spectroscopy (XAS). Findings show that historic soil arsenic is highly bound to the soils with >90% irreversibly bound. However, freshly added As (either added to historically loaded soils or pristine soils) has a significantly higher degree of As-accessibility. XAS data indicates that historic soil arsenic is dominated as Ca- (svenekite, & weilite), Al-(mansfieldite), and Fe- (scorodite) like mineral precipitates, whereas freshly added As is dominated by mineral adsorption surfaces, particularly the iron oxy-hydroxides (goethite and hematite), but also gibbsite and kaolin surfaces. SEM data further confirmed the presence of scorodite and mansfieldite formation in the historic contaminated soils. These data suggest that aging of historic soil-As has allowed neoformational mineral recrystallisation from surface sorption processes, which greatly reduces As-mobility and accessibility.

Processable dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid (DBSA) doped poly(N-vinyl carbazole)-poly(pyrrole) for optoelectronic applications

A soluble poly (n-vinyl carbazole)–polypyrrole (PNVC–Ppy) copolymer was prepared through oxidative chemical polymerization wherein dodecyl benzene sulfonic acid (DBSA) was used as a dopant to facilitate polymer-organic solvent interaction and ammonium persulfate (APS) was used as an oxidant. Compared with undoped PNVC–Ppy, the DBSA-doped PNVC–Ppy copolymer showed higher solubility in some selected organic solvents. The composition and structural characteristics of the DBSA-doped PNVC–Ppy were determined by Fourier transform infrared, ultraviolet–visible, and X-ray diffraction spectroscopic methods. Field emission scanning electron microscopic method was employed to observe the morphology of the DBSA-doped PNVC–Ppy copolymer. The electrical conductivity of the DBSA-doped PNVC–Ppy copolymer was measured at room temperature. The conductivity increased with increasing concentration of APS oxidant, and the highest conductivity was recorded at 0.004 mol/dm³ APS at a polymerization temperature of −5 °C. The increased conductivity can be explained by the extended half-life of pyrrole free radical at a lower temperature and a gradual increase in chain length over a prolonged time due to the slow addition of APS. Furthermore, the obtained soluble copolymer exhibits unique optical and thermal properties different from those of PNVC and Ppy.

Klippel Trenaunay Syndrome: A Case Report

Klippel Trenaunay syndrome refers to a rare congenital anomaly which is characterized by capillary malformation, venous malformation and sometimes lymphatic malformation associated with overgrowth of a limb, with soft tissue hypertrophy and/or bony hypertrophy. The anomaly, if present, is present at birth and usually involves the lower limbs as well as portion of trunk, face, uppper limb or head. Our reporting case is a preterm male neonate having port wine stain, varicose veins and excessive growth of soft tissue of left lower limb clinically consistent with Klippel Trenaunay Syndrome.

Assessing the Rehabilitation of Achilles Tendon Ruptures using Modified Teuffer and Lindholm Technique

The aim of this study is to assess the optimum rehabilitation and the functional outcome of open repaired Achilles tendon ruptures. This study was conducted for the 18 consecutive patients of complete ruptures at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka, Bangladesh from 2012 to 2013. Two groups were considered during 6 to 18 months post-operative observation and each group consist 9 patients. In the Group I, modified Teuffer's and in Group II, Lindholm operative methods were employed for the open repair of Achille tendon. The post operative outcomes were assessed for both of the groups through the modified Thermann's scores. In this study the patients median age was seen 39 years with 72.2% male and 27.8% female. The Thompson test was found positive in pre-operative and negative in post-operative outcome. The results shown that Achilles tendon ruptures occurred in 4 to 6cm rupture site, where the rupture side was 61.1% left and 38.9% right. The subjective overall assessment of total Thermann's scores were found very good (91 to 96) in 4 cases and (90 to 98) in 3 cases for Group I and Group II, respectively. Both of the operative techniques were found accountable results for rehabilitation. Therefore, based on the further statistical evidence of higher correlations and errors it may be concluded that Achilles tendon ruptures can be treated by modified Teuffer's or Lindholm technique.

Rice Vision for Bangladesh: 2050 and Beyond

CORRECTION: Due to a number of formatting and layout issues, the PDF of this paper was replaced on 10th October 2016.Combined efforts of farmers, rice scientists, extension personnel and Government of Bangladesh have yielded clean rice growth rate of 0.34 million ton (MT) year-1 during 2009-10 to 2013-14 in the country. In 2014-15, the country acquired a rice surplus of about 2 MT. However, maintaining the current surplus of rice in the coming decades is a great challenge. Authentic estimation of future rice requirement and future resource availability would guide to way forward. This paper presents rice vision for Bangladesh leading to 2050 and beyond. In this study, secondary data from different government-owned statistics and research institutes were collected, analyzed and synthesized to develop models and/or model parameters to generate outputs such as future population, rice production and rice requirement. Population of Bangladesh will reach 215.4 million in 2050, when 44.6 MT of clean rice will be required. With the pace of rice-production-increase in the last five years, production can reach 47.2 MT, having a surplus of 2.6 MT in 2050. The study sets 2.6 MT as the target for clean rice surplus every year leading to 2050 and beyond. Several hurdles, such as increasing population, decreasing resources and increasing climate vulnerability, can hinder achieving the target. Three major interventions?accelerating genetic gain, minimizing yield gap and curtailing adoption lag?are proposed to break the barriers to achieve the target. Major challenges to implement the interventions include shrinking net cropped area, decreasing availability of irrigation water and increasing pressure on soil fertility. Smart technology such as, location specific variety, profitable cropping sequences, innovative cultural management, and mechanization coupled with smart dissemination using multiple means would ease production barriers. We recommend a number of measures, such as, guaranteeing a minimum cropped area, accelerating the rate of genetic gain in varietal development and intensifying collaboration among the stakeholders to reduce adoption lag of newly released promising rice varieties, to achieve the rice vision of Bangladesh leading to 2050 and beyond.Bangladesh Rice j. 2015, 19(2): 1-18

Analgesic and antidepressant activities of Brassica rapa subspecies chinensis (L.) Hanelt on Swiss-albino mice model

Bangladesh being a subtropical country provides varieties of herbs and vegetables. Brassica is a broad genus available in Bangladesh and it encompasses a lot of nutritive herbs. Among these, Brassica rapa subspecies chinensis (L.) Hanelt (Family-Brassicaceae) is popular in many parts of the world. In the quest of medicinal property, this plant was investigated here for observing analgesic and antidepressant activities in Swiss-albino mice model. The herb was extracted well with methanol and then assayed by acetic acid-induced writhing and tail immersion methods for analgesic action. Besides, thiopental sodium induced sleeping time test, tail suspension test and forced swim test were conducted for the evaluation of its antidepressant activity. The plant extract was orally administered to the mice at 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight and it exhibited significant analgesic and antidepressant activities in compare to the controlled groups. This is the first time comprehensive report for analgesic and antidepressant activities of this plant.

Mesoblastic Nephroma in a 22 Years Old Woman

Mesoblastic nephroma is an uncommon renal tumor of infancy and rarely occurs in adults. We report a case of mesoblastic nephroma in adult. A 22-year-old woman, who presented with left flank pain, was found to have a left renal mass by abdominal ultrasonography. Computed tomography revealed a heterogeneous tumor. Left radical nephrectomy was performed. The tumor was a creamy white solid mass. Microscopically, the tumor was composed of spindle cell proliferation. Atypia and mitoses were not identified. Among the tumor cells, there were tubular arranged epithelial elements. The patient was free of recurrence 18 months postoperatively. Mesoblastic nephroma is classified as a benign tumor but recurrence and malignant transformation of this tumor have been reported, so regular postoperative follow up is required.

Maternal body mass index and risk of birth and maternal health outcomes in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of population-based cohort studies of maternal body mass index (BMI) and risk of adverse birth and health outcomes in low- and middle-income countries. PubMed, Embase, CINAHL and the British Nursing Index were searched from inception to February 2014. Forty-two studies were included. Our study found that maternal underweight was significantly associated with higher risk of preterm birth (odds ratio [OR], 1.13; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01-1.27), low birthweight (OR, 1.66; 95% CI, 1.50-1.84) and small for gestational age (OR, 1.85; 95% CI, 1.69-2.02). Compared with mothers with normal BMI, overweight or obese mothers were at increased odds of gestational diabetes, pregnancy-induced hypertension, pre-eclampsia, caesarean delivery and post-partum haemorrhage. The population-attributable risk (PAR) indicated that if women were entirely unexposed to overweight or obesity during the pre-pregnancy or early pregnancy period, 14% to 35% fewer women would develop gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia or pregnancy-induced hypertension in Brazil, China, India, Iran or Thailand. The highest PAR of low birthweight attributable to maternal underweight was found in Iran (20%), followed by India (18%), Thailand (10%) and China (8%). Treatment and prevention of maternal underweight, overweight or obesity may help reduce the burden on maternal and child health in developing countries.

Improving litter size by boar spermatozoa: application of combined H33258/CTC staining in field trial with artificial insemination

Conventional semen analysis offers basic information on infertility; however, its clinical value in predicting fertility status is unclear. To establish an accurate diagnosis of male fertility, semen analysis under capacitation condition is necessary because only capacitated spermatozoa are capable of fertilizing oocytes. The objective of this study was to verify male fertility based on conventional semen analysis before and after capacitation, including the assessment of motility (%), motion kinematics, and capacitation status of spermatozoa. A computer-assisted sperm analysis system and chlortetracycline staining were applied to evaluate the motility parameters and capacitation status, respectively. To enable efficacy of the two methods for predicting fertility, correlation analysis was performed with the historic litter size. Our results showed that sperm motility (%), motion kinematics, and their variations before and after capacitation represented a statistical non-significant correlation with litter size. Litter size showed significant correlation with acrosome reaction (AR) after capacitation (r = 0.375), as well as differences (Δ) in AR (r = 0.333) and capacitated (B) pattern (r = -0.447) before and after capacitation. The overall accuracy of the assay for predicting litter sizes using the AR and differences (Δ) in the AR and B pattern was 70%. On the basis of these results, we propose that capacitation status of spermatozoa is a more reliable indicator for evaluating male fertility status compared to motility parameters. Therefore, we suggest that analysis of capacitation status in company with conventional semen analysis may accept to evaluate more accurate diagnosis or prognosis of male fertility.

Genetic testing for spinocerebellar ataxias in patients diagnosed as Parkinson's disease in Bangladesh

This study was conducted to find out Spinocerebellar Ataxias (SCA) by genetic analysis from those patients presenting with Parkinsonism in the Neurology department of Mymensingh Medical College Hospital, Bangladesh. A sample of about 5ml blood was collected by venipuncture in EDTA tube after having informed consent from each patients and healthy individual, with due Institutional Ethical committee approval for genetic study of 7 healthy people and 9 patients. The neurological disorder along with a complete physical and/or psychological, as well as family history and demographic data was recorded with a prescribed questionnaire by the neurologists of Mymensingh Medical College Hospital. Extraction of genomic DNA from the venous blood using Flexi Gene DNA kit (Qiagen, Japan) was performed in Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh. The extracted DNA was stored, accumulated and then were sent to Division of Clinical Genetics, Department of Medical Genetics, Osaka University Medical School, Suita, Osaka 565 0871, Japan for PCR and further analysis. PCR amplification of the CAG repeat was performed for the SCA1, SCA2, SCA3, SCA6 loci using primers SCA1N-F1 and SCA1N-R1, SCA2-F1 and SCA2-R1, MJDF1 and MJDR1, SCA6-F1 and SCA6-R1, respectively. SCA1 PCR of both healthy individual and suspected Parkinsons Disease (PD) patients DNA was found 250 bp (no. of CAG repeats=36). SCA2 PCR products reveal the DNA products of about 150 bp (no. of CAG repeats=23) except one patient that was suspected and it was sequenced and revealed 175bp (no. of CAG repeats=30). SCA3 PCR product size of both healthy individual and patient DNA was within 250 (no. of CAG repeats=11) to 300 bp (no. of CAG repeats=28) except one patient which was about 320 bp and its CAG repeats was about 34. SCA6 PCR product size of both healthy individual and patient DNA was about 150 bp (no. of CAG repeats=16).

Sodium nitroprusside suppresses male fertility in vitro

Sodium nitroprusside is a nitric oxide donor involved in the regulation of the motility, hyperactivation, capacitation, and acrosome reaction (AR) of spermatozoa. However, the molecular mechanism underlying this regulation has not yet been elucidated. Therefore, this study was designed to evaluate the molecular basis for the effects of sodium nitroprusside on different processes in spermatozoa and its consequences on subsequent oocyte fertilization and embryo development. In this in vitro study, mouse spermatozoa were incubated with various concentrations of sodium nitroprusside (1, 10, and 100 μM) for 90 min. Our results showed that sodium nitroprusside inhibited sperm motility and motion kinematics in a dose-dependent manner by significantly enhancing intracellular iron and reactive oxygen species (ROS), and decreasing Ca(2+), and adenosine triphosphate levels in spermatozoa. Moreover, short-term exposure of spermatozoa to sodium nitroprusside increased the tyrosine phosphorylation of sperm proteins involved in PKA-dependent regulation of intracellular calcium levels, which induced a robust AR. Finally, sodium nitroprusside significantly decreased the rates of fertilization and blastocyst formation during embryo development. Based on these results, we propose that sodium nitroprusside increases ROS production and precocious AR may alter overall sperm physiology, leading to poor fertilization and compromised embryonic development.

Cor-triatriatum –A Rare Congenital Heart Disease Presented in Adulthoodsurgical treatment in Apollo Hospitals Dhaka

Abstract not available DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/pulse.v5i2.20268 Pulse Vol.5 July 2011 p.58-60

Defending the fort: a role for defensin-2 in limiting Rickettsia montanensis infection of Dermacentor variabilis

The importance of tick defensins is evidenced by their expression in a wide variety of tick tissues and prevalence across many tick genera. To date, the functional and biological significance of defensin-2 as a rickettsiastatic or rickettsiacidal antimicrobial peptide has not been addressed. In a previous study, defensin-2 transcription was shown to increase in Dermacentor variabilis ticks challenged with Rickettsia montanensis. In the present study, the hypothesis that defensin-2 is functional as a rickettsiastatic and/or rickettsiacidal antimicrobial peptide is tested. We show that defensin-2 plays a role in reducing burden after acquisition of Rickettsia montanensis through capillary feeding. Moreover, defensin-2 is shown to associate with R. montanensis in vitro and in vivo, causing cytoplasmic leakiness.

Comparative efficacy of pregabalin and therapeutic ultrasound versus therapeutic ultrasound alone on patients with post stroke shoulder pain

The study was designed to compare the efficacy of pregabalin, an anticonvulsant on pain behavior of stroke patients with shoulder pain in a comparative study with ultrasound therapy and ultimately to recommend a better treatment option to improve pain and function in post stroke shoulder pain. This study was carried out in a private neurology Hospital in Dhaka during January to December 2010. Data were collected from 70 post stroke patients with shoulder pain and were divided into two groups. The patients in Group A were treated with pregabalin 100mg twice daily along with therapeutic ultrasound 10 minutes daily and group B were treated with therapeutic ultrasound alone for the same dose and duration. Pain free range of motion exercise was given to both groups as the therapeutic exercise. Pain parameters in the form of VAS were measured at one and two weeks and were compared. Seventy one percent of the patients were male with 80% were above 60 years old. Pain scoring in VAS of 100 was 21.32±6.01 in group A and 41±4.58 in groups B at the end of two weeks assuming the pretreatment VAS of all patients as 100. Marked improvement in shoulder pain were observed in both groups and Group A had better improvement in pain than group B. Therapeutic ultrasound when given with pregabalin found to have added benefit over therapeutic ultrasound alone in post stroke shoulder pain. Differences were statistically significant.

A Cyclic Voltammetric Study of the Redox Reaction of Cu(II) in Presence of Ascorbic Acid in Different pH Media

The electrochemical redox behavior of Cu(II), and Cu(II) in presence of ascorbic acid has been investigated at glassy carbon electrode (GCE) in aqueous phosphate buffer solution (PBS) at various pH. In the studied pH range the voltammogram consists of a cathodic and an anodic peak. Cu(II) follows one step two-electron transfer electrochemical redox reaction. The intensities of both cathodic and anodic peak current increase with increasing scan rate that are consistent with Randles-Sevcik equation. The linear behavior of peak current with the square root of scan rate indicates that the electrochemical processes are diffusion controlled. In presence of ascorbic acid both of the cathodic and anodic peak current of Cu(II) is reduced and peak positions are shifted compared to those of Cu(II) alone. These observation suggest that Cu(II) undergoes a strong interaction with ascorbic acid in the studied medium. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/dujs.v61i2.17064 Dhaka Univ. J. Sci. 61(2): 161-166, 2013 (July)