Doppler Assessment of Hepatic Venous Waves for Evaluation of Large Varices in Cirrhotic Patient

This cross sectional study was conducted to evaluate the role of doppler ultrasonography of hepatic venous waves for evaluation of large varices in cirrhotic patients from July 2013 to June 2015 in Mymensingh Medical College Hospital, Mymensingh, Bangladesh. Patients getting admitted in the ward with a diagnosis of cirrhosis were enrolled in the study and purposive sampling technique was adopted. The sample size was 43. Data were collected by face to face interview and some data were gathered by records review and analyzed with the help of SPSS windows version - 12 software programs. Statistical significance was set at P<0.05 and confidence interval set at 95%. The research protocol was approved by the local ethical committee. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy is the gold standard for the diagnosis of esophageal varices. If the gold standard is not available, other possible diagnostic steps would be Doppler ultrasonography of the blood circulation (not endoscopic ultrasonography). Although and it can certainly demonstrate the presence of varices. In 60.47% of patient's monophasic wave pattern was seen and in 39.53% of cases biphasic & triphasic wave pattern were detected. Endoscopic examination was performed in all selected patients. In this study, 67.44% is large varices, 32.66% is small varices. Chi Square test was done for hypothesis testing and it was found significant (<0.05) and it indicates monophasic wave in Doppler USG signifies large varices. This test was also done to find out whether any significant difference of hepatic venous waveform in between male and female but it was not significant (>0.05). Diagnostic performance of USG for evaluation of varices showed, Sensitivity: 86.2%, Specificity: 92.85%, PPV: 96%, NPV: 76.47%, Accuracy 88%. Correlation co-efficient was 0.0064 which indicates moderately positive correlation in between monophasic hepatic venous waveform pattern by Doppler USG and large varices in oesophagogastroduodenoscopic findings Normal hepatic wave form shows triphasic pattern. Loss of this pattern in cirrhosis is mainly due to loss of compliance of liver. In conclusion, the loss of triphasic pattern of hepatic wave form is highly sensitive in predicting the presence of large varices in cirrhotic patients and this doppler parameter may be used as a non-invasive test for cirrhotic patients, who wish to avoid upper GI endoscopy. Further studies using a combination of various doppler parameters are needed to create indices with a better predictive value.

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

Trends and advances in food analysis by real-time polymerase chain reaction

Analyses to ensure food safety and quality are more relevant now because of rapid changes in the quantity, diversity and mobility of food. Food-contamination must be determined to maintain health and up-hold laws, as well as for ethical and cultural concerns. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), a rapid and inexpensive quantitative method to detect the presence of targeted DNA-segments in samples, helps in determining both accidental and intentional adulterations of foods by biological contaminants. This review presents recent developments in theory, techniques, and applications of RT-PCR in food analyses, RT-PCR addresses the limitations of traditional food analyses in terms of sensitivity, range of analytes, multiplexing ability, cost, time, and point-of-care applications. A range of targets, including species of plants or animals which are used as food ingredients, food-borne bacteria or viruses, genetically modified organisms, and allergens, even in highly processed foods can be identified by RT-PCR, even at very low concentrations. Microfluidic RT-PCR eliminates the separate sample-processing step to create opportunities for point-of-care analyses. We also cover the challenges related to using RT-PCR for food analyses, such as the need to further improve sample handling.

Correlation between Umbilical Cord Diameter and Cross Sectional Area with Gestational Age and Foetal Anthropometric Parameters

The objective of the study was to find out correlation between umbilical cord diameter, cross sectional area with gestational age and foetal anthropometric parameters. This cross sectional study was conducted among healthy women between the 24(th) and 40(th) completed weeks of a normal pregnancy in the Department of Radiology & Imaging, Mymensingh Medical College Hospital, Mymensingh during the study period, from July 2009 to June 2011. A total of 230 consecutive normal pregnancy patients were included in the study. The diameter & cross-sectional area of the umbilical cord were measured on a plane adjacent to the junction of the umbilical cord and the fetal abdomen, in cross-section, with maximum magnification of the image. The cord was manually circled, and it's cross sectional areas was automatically calculated by the ultrasonograph. The mean±SD age was 24.3±4.7 years with range from 19 to 36 years. The mean gestational age was 32.1±4.5 weeks and more than a half (56.4%) of the pregnant women were nulliparas. A positive significant (p<0.001) correlation were found between umbilical cord diameter with bi-parietal diameter (r=0.548); head circumference (r=0.411); abdominal circumference (r=0.444); femur length (r=0.366) and gestational age gestation age (r=0.643). Similarly, a significant (p<0.001) positive week correlation were found between umbilical cross sectional area with bi-parietal diameter (r=0.3303); head circumference (r=0.3202); abdominal circumference (r=0.2651); femur length (r=0.3307) and gestation age (r=0.4051). A positive significant better correlation was found with umbilical cord diameter than cross sectional area with foetal anthropometric parameters.

Serum Glucose Level in First and Third Trimester of Pregnancy

In the present study serum glucose were estimated in pregnant women during the first trimester of pregnancy and third trimester of pregnancy to observe the frequency of hyperglycemia during pregnancy and to assess the incidence of gestational diabetes mellitus. This study was a cross sectional study, carried out in the Department of Physiology of Mymensingh Medical College, Mymensingh from July 2014 to June 2015. For this purpose, total 300 women with age ranged from 18 to 35 years were selected and divided into 100 healthy non pregnant women as control group and 200 normal pregnant women as study group. Study group was further divided into 100 pregnant women in first trimester of pregnancy and 100 pregnant women in third trimester of pregnancy. Diagnosed case of type I and type II diabetes, hypothyroidism, cushing's syndrome, polycystic ovary, antipsychotic drug users, regular steroid users were excluded from this study. Serum glucose was evaluated by the glucose-oxidase principle by GOD-PAP method in women with 1st trimester of pregnancy, 3rd trimester of pregnancy and in non pregnant women. Statistical analysis of data was done by unpaired student's t test. The results showed that the serum glucose levels increased significantly in third trimester and the value is not significant in first trimester. The increasing frequency of serum glucose level in third trimester may predispose the women to hyperglycemia of pregnancy or gestational diabetes mellitus.

Effects of fenugreek seed extract supplementation on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, diarrhoea scores, blood profiles, faecal microflora and faecal noxious gas emission in weanling piglets

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary fenugreek seed extract (FSE) on growth performance, apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD), diarrhoea scores, blood profiles, faecal microflora and faecal gas emission in weanling pigs. A total of 135 weanling pigs [(Yorkshire × Landrace)  × Duroc] with an average BW of (7.96 ± 1.03 kg; 28 days of age) were used in a 42-day study. Piglets were randomly allotted to three experimental diets with nine replicate pens and five pigs per pen. Dietary treatments were as follows: CON, basal diet; FSE1, basal diet + 0.1% FSE; FSE2, basal diet + 0.2% FSE. Pigs were fed with phase 1 (0-14 days) and phase 2 (14-42 days) diets in the form of mash. Average daily gain (ADG) was linearly increased (p = 0.031) by FSE supplementation compared with CON diet during days 0-14. From days 14-42, FSE2 diet had increased ADG and growth efficiency (G/F) compared with the CON diet (p = 0.014 and 0.026 respectively). Moreover, ADG and G/F were increased by FSE supplementation during days 0-42 (linear, p = 0.037 and 0.014 respectively). Energy digestibility was higher (linear, p = 0.030) by FSE supplementation at 6 weeks. On day 42, dietary supplementation of FSE linearly increased red blood cells (RBC) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentration (p = 0.042 and 0.038 respectively). Piglets fed FSE2 diet had higher (linear, p = 0.025) serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) concentration compared with those fed CON diet. However, piglets fed FSE2 diet had linearly reduced faecal ammonia (NH₃ ) and hydrogen sulphide (H₂ S) gas emission compared with those fed the CON diet (p = 0.018 and 0.010 respectively). In conclusion, FSE supplementation increased the performance and reduced faecal gas emission in weanling pigs.

Evaluation of Physicochemical Deterioration and Lipid Oxidation of Beef Muscle Affected by Freeze-thaw Cycles

This study was performed to explore the deterioration of physicochemical quality of beef hind limb during frozen storage at -20℃, affected by repeated freeze-thaw cycles. The effects of three successive freeze-thaw cycles on beef hind limb were investigated comparing with unfrozen beef muscle for 80 d by keeping at -20±1℃. The freeze-thaw cycles were subjected to three thawing methods and carried out to select the best one on the basis of deterioration of physicochemical properties of beef. As the number of repeated freeze-thaw cycles increased, drip loss decreased and water holding capacity (WHC) increased (p<0.05) till two cycles and then decreased. Cooking loss increased in cycle one and three but decreased in cycle two. Moreover, drip loss, WHC and cooking loss affected (p<0.05) by thawing methods within the cycles. However, pH value decreased (p<0.05), but peroxide value (p<0.05), free fatty acids value (p<0.05) and TBARS value increased (p<0.05) significantly as the number of repeated freeze-thaw cycles increased. Moreover, significant (p<0.05) interactive effects were found among the thawing methods and repeated cycles. As a result, freeze-thaw cycles affected the physicochemical quality of beef muscle, causing the degradation of its quality.

Lesser-known bunyavirus infections

This paper reviews less well-known or less widely distributed viruses of the Bunyaviridae family that are nonetheless of significant veterinary and public health concern. These include: Cache Valley fever, Main Drain, Ingwavuma, Bhanja and Heartland viruses. A description of the agents, clinical signs of infection, epidemiology, and insect transmission is provided for each, and the authors discuss current diagnostic strategies plus the lack of control measures.

Facile, room-temperature pre-treatment of rice husks with tetrabutylphosphonium hydroxide: Enhanced enzymatic and acid hydrolysis yields

Aqueous solutions of tetrabutylphosphonium hydroxide have been evaluated as pretreatment media for rice husks, prior to sulphuric acid hydrolysis or cellulase enzymatic hydrolysis. Varying the water:tetrabutylphosphonium hydroxide ratio varied the rate of delignification, as well as silica, lignin and cellulose solubility. Pre-treatment with 60wt% hydroxide dissolved the rice husk and the regenerated material was thus heavily disrupted. Sulphuric acid hydrolysis of 60wt%-treated samples yielded the highest amount of glucose per gram of rice husk. Solutions with good lignin and silica solubility but only moderate to negligible cellulose solubility (10-40wt% hydroxide) were equally effective as pre-treatment media for both acid and enzymatic hydrolysis. However, pre-treatment with 60wt% hydroxide solutions was incompatible with downstream enzymatic hydrolysis. This was due to significant incorporation of phosphonium species in the regenerated biomass, which significantly inhibited the activity of the cellulase enzymes.

Serum Calcium Status among Pregnancies Complicated By Pre-Eclampsia in Bangladesh

This case control cross sectional study was carried out in the department of biochemistry, Mymensingh medical college in collaboration with the outpatient department, family planning model clinic and antenatal obstetric ward of Mymensingh medical college hospital, Mymensingh during the period of July 2003 to June 2004. The aim of the study was to explore the status of serum calcium among pregnancies complicated by pre-eclampsia in Bangladesh as a means to monitor the possibility of management of these patients. A total of 82 subjects were selected and were grouped as Group I (32 healthy women with uncomplicated pregnancy as control subjects) and Group II (50 pregnant women with pre-eclampsia as cases). Serum calcium was estimated by colorimetric method from each sample. Statistical analysis was done by using SPSS windows package. Among the groups, mean±SD (Standard Deviation) of Group I and Group II serum calcium were 8.71±1.00 and 10.78±1.44 mg/dl respectively. By comparing Group I with Group II highly significant difference were found in case of serum calcium (P<0.001). It is evident from the study that serum calcium level significantly increases among pregnancies complicated by pre-eclampsia in Bangladesh.

Association of Blood and Semen Lead and Zinc Level with Semen Parameter in the Male Partner of Infertile Couple

This cross sectional study was carried out in Center for Assisted Reproduction, Dhaka, and in the Department of Biochemistry, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka, Bangladesh from July 2012 to December 2012. The study population was 71 consecutive male partners of infertile couple suffering from at least one year of infertility. Lead and Zinc level was measured in blood and semen in the male partner of infertile couple and compared with semen parameters. Serum zinc at different values did not show any statistically significant change in semen volume, total count of sperm and total motility of sperm. At serum zinc level 80-< 90 μg/dl blood lead and semen lead level was lowest 20.6 ± 8.60 μg/dl and 48.17 ± 51.33 μg/dl respectively and showed highest total count of sperm (54.00 ± 46.67 million/ml) but was not statistically significant. Rapid linear motility and normal sperm morphology was also highest at values 80-< 90 μg/dl and was 45.33 ± 26.62% and 36.67 ± 11.60% respectively and was statistically significant. At serum zinc level > 90 μg/dl semen lead level was significantly higher (120.73 ± 58.02 μg/dl) and showed statistically significant decrease in rapid linear motility and normal sperm morphology. Total count of sperm was lowest at blood zinc level of 70-< 80 μg/dl. Sperm morphology also showed statistically significant improvement at Serum zinc values of 80-< 90 μg/dl. The results suggest that Serum zinc level of values 80-< 90 μg/dl is the optimum level to have the best impact on semen parameter as well it is the critical level at which the semen lead level is lowest. Serum zinc levels higher as well as lower than values 80-< 90 μg/dl was associated with increased semen lead values and with negative impact on semen parameters.

Effect of Unpuddled Transplanting on the Growth and Yield of Dry Season Rice (Oryza sativa L.) in High Barind Tract

Conservation tillage technology not only protects natural resources but also provides some economic leverage. The present investigation evaluated two puddle tillages (i) conventional tillage (CT) and (ii) single pass wet tillage (SPWT) and two unpuddled tillages(iii) strip tillage(ST) and (iv) bed planting (BP) to establish rice in the High Barind Tract, Godagari, Rajshahi during aus 2010 and boro 2011 season. The CT option incurred higher cost compared to other tillage treatments due to more fuel and labour used in land preparation. Minimum tillage (SPWT, ST and BP) saved about 30-54% fuel consumption and 40-49% labour requirement compared to CT in land preparation. Labour did not face much difficulty to transplant seedling in unpuddled fields. However, unpuddled establishment required more labor for weeding compared to puddle one. Bed planting in aus gave significantly lower grain yield than other establishment methods. However, in boro season, all the tested tillage methods produced similar yield. In both seasons, CT showed the highest input costs due to more number of tillage passes and fuel requirement in land preparation. As a consequence, SPWT, ST and BP appeared to be more profitable than CT both in aus and boro rice.The Agriculturists 2014; 12(2) 91-97

Toward the development of smart and low cost point-of-care biosensors based on screen printed electrodes

Screen printing technology provides a cheap and easy means to fabricate disposable electrochemical devices in bulk quantities which are used for rapid, low-cost, on-site, real-time and recurrent industrial, pharmaceutical or environmental analyses. Recent developments in micro-fabrication and nano-characterization made it possible to screen print reproducible feature on materials including plastics, ceramics and metals. The processed features forms screen-printed disposable biochip (SPDB) upon the application of suitable bio-chemical recognition receptors following appropriate methods. Adequacy of biological and non-biological materials is the key to successful biochip development. We can further improve recognition ability of SPDBs by adopting new screen printed electrode (SPE) configurations. This review covers screen-printing theory with special emphasis on the technical impacts of SPE architectures, surface treatments, operational stability and signal sensitivity. The application of SPE in different areas has also been summarized. The article aims to highlight the state-of-the-art of SPDB at the laboratory scale to enable us in envisaging the deployment of emerging SPDB technology on the commercial scale.

Increased expression of the dopamine transporter leads to loss of dopamine neurons, oxidative stress and l-DOPA reversible motor deficits

The dopamine transporter is a key protein responsible for regulating dopamine homeostasis. Its function is to transport dopamine from the extracellular space into the presynaptic neuron. Studies have suggested that accumulation of dopamine in the cytosol can trigger oxidative stress and neurotoxicity. Previously, ectopic expression of the dopamine transporter was shown to cause damage in non-dopaminergic neurons due to their inability to handle cytosolic dopamine. However, it is unknown whether increasing dopamine transporter activity will be detrimental to dopamine neurons that are inherently capable of storing and degrading dopamine. To address this issue, we characterized transgenic mice that over-express the dopamine transporter selectively in dopamine neurons. We report that dopamine transporter over-expressing (DAT-tg) mice display spontaneous loss of midbrain dopamine neurons that is accompanied by increases in oxidative stress markers, 5-S-cysteinyl-dopamine and 5-S-cysteinyl-DOPAC. In addition, metabolite-to-dopamine ratios are increased and VMAT2 protein expression is decreased in the striatum of these animals. Furthermore, DAT-tg mice also show fine motor deficits on challenging beam traversal that are reversed with l-DOPA treatment. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that even in neurons that routinely handle dopamine, increased uptake of this neurotransmitter through the dopamine transporter results in oxidative damage, neuronal loss and l-DOPA reversible motor deficits. In addition, DAT over-expressing animals are highly sensitive to MPTP-induced neurotoxicity. The effects of increased dopamine uptake in these transgenic mice could shed light on the unique vulnerability of dopamine neurons in Parkinson's disease.

Clinico-pathological profile of dengue syndrome: an experience in a tertiary care hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Dengue is the fastest emerging arboviral infection and became a major public health concern in tropical and subtropical countries. Dengue infections can result in a wide spectrum of disease severities ranging between dengue fever (DF) to the life-threatening dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) and dengue shock syndrome (DSS). This study was performed to find out the varied presentations and laboratory findings to put forward an overview about dengue syndrome in Bangladesh, in order to create better awareness and diagnostic skills among the health care providers. This hospital based observational study was conducted in the department of Medicine, Square Hospitals Ltd. during January, 2008 to December, 2010. A total of 262 adult subjects of both sexes having dengue syndrome were included in this study. Dengue syndrome was common in younger age group and the majority (72%) was below 45 years of age. All the patients had fever and the majority had malaise (96%), severe headache (72%) and musculoskeletal pain (65%). Skin rash (47%) was the commonest hemorrhagic manifestation while tourniquet test (49%) and low pulse pressure (37%) were the commonest clinical signs. All had thrombocytopenia (100%) and the majority had leukopenia (84%) and elevated liver transaminase (ALT-74%, AST-88%). Most of the subjects developed anti dengue antibody (IgM-92%, IgG -72%). All subjects survived.

An open randomized controlled trial to compare the efficacy of two fixed dose combinations of artemesinin based combinations for uncomplicated falciparum malaria in Bangladesh

National Malaria Control Program (NMCP) of Bangladesh has introduced Artemisinin Based Combination (ACT), Coartem(R) (Artemether-Lumefantrine (AL), fixed dose combination, in the confirmed cases of uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria since 2004. Despite the reduction of mortality due to malaria, the development and spread of anti-malarial drug resistance wordwide posing a threat to the health services and will make it difficult to control malaria in Bangladesh in future. We need to have an alternative to Coartem which could be Artesunate-amodiaquine (AA) in a fixed dose combination (FDC), a cheaper altenative not yet evidenced to be effective and safe to our population. In this study we compared the efficacy and safety of Artemether + Lumefantrene (FDC, Coartem®) with Artesunate +Amodiaquine tablets (100/270 mg FDC) for the treatment of uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria in three high risk multi-drug resistant malaria prevalent areas of Bangladesh. It was an open label randomized controlled trial conducted between December 2008 and November 2009 in 4 upazillas in patients over the age 12 to 60 years diagnosed as a case of uncomplicated P.falciparum malaria. The outcome of the cases were measured as clinical response, parasitological response, defervescence time and parasite clearance time. Drug safety was assessed by comparing the adverse events. A total of 252 cases were randomized to receive Artesunate + Amodiaquine (AA group, 147 cases) and Artemether + Lumefantrene (AL group, 106 cases), one lost to follow up at day 28 in AA group. The distribution of the cases was comparable by age, sex and study sites. Treatment success’ response was observed 100% in the AL group and AA group had 99%, two failures with AA were late treatment failures and the difference was not statistically significant (p>.1). The parasitological sensitive (S) response was observed in 97% of cases in AL group and 95% in the AA group, and was not a statistically significant difference. There was no significant difference in deffervescence time and parasite clearance time between two groups of cases. No serious adverse events were observed. The frequencies of minor adverse events were insignificantly different between the two treatment groups. The two ACT regimen, AA and AL had no significant difference in efficacy and safety for treatment of Uncomplicated Malaria in Bangladesh. However, there were few more failures with AA regimen compared to AL regimen, which was not statistically significant. Both these regimens can be used alternatively by the NMCP of Bangladesh as first-line treatment option. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bmrcb.v39i3.20310 Bangladesh Med Res Counc Bull 2013; 39: 109-115

Outcome of triplet pregnancy with hydatidiform mole and coexisting twin live fetus following ICSI

The hydatidiform mole with coexisting fetus is a rare condition. There have been few reports on this condition following ovulation induction and ART. We describe here the clinical features, management and outcome of a case of complete hydatidiform mole with coexisting viable twin fetus following Intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection. A 29 year old lady was pregnant following Intra-cytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) and Embryo Transfer. Three good quality embryo with two pronuclei on pronuclear check was transferred. A triplet pregnancy with two live fetus and a complete mole was delivered at 37 completed weeks of pregnancy. The antenatal period was uneventful and the human chorionic gonodotrophin returned to baseline by 4 weeks after delivery. There was no further complication at one year follow-up. Continuation of pregnancy as long as maternal complications are absent or controllable can be a safe and rewarding effort in managing the patient.

Long versus standard initial prednisolone therapy in children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome

The efficacy of longer initial course of prednisolone with standard regimen was compared in children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS). It was a randomized controlled trial in which patients with INS who responded to initial course of prednisolone, either long or standard regimen were included and followed for one year after completion of treatment of first attack. The long regimen consisted of prednisolone 60mg/m²/day for six weeks followed by 40mg/m² every alternate day single morning dose for further six weeks. The standard regimen consisted of prednisolone 60mg/m²/day for four weeks followed by 40mg/m² every alternate day single morning dose for further four weeks. There were 93 children who fulfilled the criteria of the study, 47 from long group and 46 from standard group though ultimately 72 completed the study (41 from long and 31 from standard group). The primary outcome measure was relapse within next one year. Relapse within one year was noted in 73.2% of long and 64.5% of standard group. The odds ratio for relapse within one year was 0.80 (95% confidence interval 0.22, 2.05). This did not reach statistical significance (p=0.696). Adverse effects of prednisolone between two groups were also not statistically significant (p>0.05). Prolongation of prednisolone therapy for initial episode of steroid-sensitive INS does not have a beneficial effect on the outcome in next one year.

Maternal smokeless tobacco use and adverse pregnancy outcome

This study was conducted to determine the association between prolonged smokeless tobacco (ST) use for more than 5 years by mothers and pregnancy outcome. It was a retrospective cohort study done on department of paediatrics and department of gynecology & obstetrics, Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Dhaka from January 2009 to December 2010. A total of 340 mother-neonate pairs were included in the study. A total of 170 mothers using smokeless tobacco for more than 5 years and their recently delivered newborn infants (mother-neonate pair) were enrolled as cases and 170 mother-neonate pairs without history of taking ST as controls. Frequency of spontaneous abortion, stillbirth, preterm delivery and LBW baby in case & control groups was assessed. Smokeless tobacco used by mothers for >5 years had significant association with spontaneous abortion (p<0.01), stillbirth (p<0.01), preterm delivery (p<0.001) & LBW baby (p<0.001) and carries a risk of having spontaneous abortion, stillbirth, preterm delivery & LBW 2.2 times, 2.1 times, 2.9 times & 3.3 times respectively more than non users of smokeless tobacco. It can be concluded that prolonged use of smokeless tobacco for more than 5 years is significantly associated with spontaneous abortion, stillbirth, preterm delivery and LBW baby.

Long term cyclic heat stress influences physiological responses and blood characteristics in indigenous sheep

The present study was designed to elucidate changes in physiological and blood parameters of indigenous sheep during cyclic heat exposure. Twelve 2-4 year-old sheep with an average body weight of 10.5±0.5 kg were randomly allocated to one of three experimental heat treatments: control (21°C, stall feeding), short term (21°C to 32°C; 32°C for 4 h/d, grazing), and long term (21°C to 32°; 32°C for 8 h/d, grazing).The results have shown that sheep exposed to cyclic heat treatments exhibited higher (P=0.05) rectal temperature, body temperature, and respiratory rate compared to the control group. Cyclic heat treatments significantly decreased heart rate of sheep. There was a sharp reduction in rumination and an increase in time spent by sheep in eating during cyclic heat treatments. Long term heat treatment significantly increased RBC and WBC counts, PCV values, and hemoglobin level than that of the control and short term heat treatments. Similar responses were also observed in plasma glucose, uric acid, aspartate aminotransferase, and blood urea nitrogen levels. These results suggest that short term heat stress is tolerable but long term is physiologically detrimental to them to indigenous sheep.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjas.v42i2.18486 Bang. J. Anim. Sci. 2013. 42 (2): 96-100

Production and Export of Shrimp of Bangladesh : Problems and Prospects

A study on problems and prospects of shrimp production and marketing from Bangladesh on the basis of secondary information was carried out from July to October 08. Shrimp farming has emerged one of the important economic activities in Bangladesh and become the second largest export industry after garments. Shrimp aquaculture in coastal areas plays a major role providing employment, income and food security to remote coastal people where alternative livelihood options are limited. Shrimp culture system is extensive to improved extensive type with total production of 55000 mt of brackish water shrimp and 12000 mt of freshwater shrimp. In coastal Bangladesh, shrimp culture has led to many social and environmental problems. In export markets, shrimps are great but many challenges remain ahead because of increasing requirements of quality, food hygiene and development of technological and trade barriers in large shrimp markets in USA and EU countries. However, challenges lies with good aquaculture practice and competitive export, which are the effective tools for poverty alleviation and national development program for Bangladesh.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/pa.v20i1-2.16868 Progress. Agric. 20(1 & 2): 163 – 171, 2009

Short-term outcome of magnesium sulfate infusion in perinatal asphyxia

This randomized, single blind, controlled, clinical trial was done to see the effect of magnesium sulfate infusion in perinatal asphyxia. This study was conducted in the Department of Neonatology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University and Dhaka Medical College Hospital from January, 2010 to October, 2010. Total 50 term neonates having postnatal age less than 12 hours with history of perinatal asphyxia and had history of hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (moderate or severe) were included in this study. Patients were assigned randomly to receive either 3 doses of magnesium sulfate infusion at 250mg/kg per dose (0.5ml/kg per dose) 24 hours apart (experimental group) or 3 doses of normal saline infusion 24 hours apart (placebo-controlled group). Both groups also received supportive care according to the unit protocol for perinatal asphyxia. Baseline characteristics of 50 neonates had no differences in gestational age, birth weight, gender, mode and place of delivery, parity, ANC, liquor colour and hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) staging and mean age of intervention between the experimental and controlled groups. The mean serum magnesium at admission was 1.6±0.3mg/dl and 1.8±0.4mg/dl and after 48 hours was 3.9±0.6mg/dl and 1.9±0.2mg/dl in experimental group and in controlled group respectively. There was no significant difference or alteration in colour, heart rate, respiration, capillary filling time/blood pressure and oxygen saturation between the experimental and control groups. At discharge, 26% (5 of 19) of infants in the experimental group had neurological abnormalities, compared with 61% (11 of 18) of infants in the control group. At discharge experimental group were received more (78% vs. 44%) oral feedings by sucking compared with the controlled group. There is no significant difference in Electroencephalographic (EEG) abnormalities between groups. Good short-term outcomes at discharge were seen more (60% vs. 32%) in the experimental group, compared with the placebo-controlled group. The overall mortality rate in our study was 26%. Postnatal magnesium sulfate infusion is effective in improving short-term outcomes in neonate with perinatal asphyxia.