Deterministic modeling of the diffusive memristor

Recently developed diffusive memristors have gathered a large amount of research attention due to their unique property to exhibit a variety of spiking regimes reminiscent to that found in biological cells, which creates a great potential for their application in neuromorphic systems of artificial intelligence and unconventional computing. These devices are known to produce a huge range of interesting phenomena through the interplay of regular, chaotic, and stochastic behavior. However, the character of these interplays as well as the instabilities responsible for different dynamical regimes are still poorly studied because of the difficulties in analyzing the complex stochastic dynamics of the memristive devices. In this paper, we introduce a new deterministic model justified from the Fokker-Planck description to capture the noise-driven dynamics that noise has been known to produce in the diffusive memristor. This allows us to apply bifurcation theory to reveal the instabilities and the description of the transition between the dynamical regimes.

Melphalan plus prednisolone in the treatment of multiple myeloma

Various chemotherapies are used for better remission of symptoms of multiple myeloma as it is not a curable disease. This study was carried out to evaluate the response of melphalan plus prednisolone therapy for the treatment of Multiple myeloma. The study was conducted in the outpatient department of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka from January to December 2009. A total of 21 patients were included in this study. Combinations of melphalan plus prednisolone were given. Data were analyzed by paired 't' test to evaluate the response after treatment. Most of the patients were within 40-60 years with a male predominance. Haemoglobin level significantly raised after therapy (p<0.001) and ESR was found significantly reduced of these patients after treatment (p<0.001). On the other hand no significant change seen in calcium level before & after therapy (p=0.713). Significantly raised albumin and B2 microglubulin level were also found after treatment (p<0.001). After therapy with malphalan plus prednisolone, 11(52.38%) patient's M Protein reduction was >75%, 7(33.33%) patients M Protein reduction was 50-75%, 1(9.5%) patient's M Protein reduction was >25-50% and 1(12.50%) patient's M Protein reduction was <25%. Mean±SD M protein values before & after therapy were 50.23±19.49 gm/l and 21.01±16.11 gm/1 respectively. M protein level significantly reduced after treatment (p<0.001).

Fluctuation of pain by weather change in musculoskeletal disorders

In order to find out the fluctuation of pain by weather change, a descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 138 individuals having musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) attending the out patient department (OPD) of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) Hospital, Dhaka, during March 2004 to June 2004. Data were collected by face to face interview employing a pre-tested interview schedule containing structured questions. Among 138 respondents, male were predominant (52.2%). Mean age of the respondents was 39.42±10.79 years, while the most common age group was found as '31 to 40 years'. By occupation, majority were housewives (40.58%), followed by businessmen (29.71%), service holder (15.22%), laborer (7.97%), and students (6.52%). The primary sites of pain were back and low back (38.4%), knee (24.6%), leg (8.7%), ankle and heel (8.0%), hand and wrist (6.5%), neck (5.8%), shoulder (5.8%), and elbow (2.2%). Highest number (47.8%) patients reported aching pain, while one fifth (20.3%) of them experienced burning pain. About 36.2 percent respondents mentioned 'prolonged standing' as the main cause of pain aggravation, while almost half (48.6%) of the patients perceived that 'application of heat' was the key relieving factor of their pain. About two third (63%) of the respondents were sensitive to weather change; among them 56.3 percent reported that their pain increased during cold weather. Moreover, more than two third (67.4%) study-patients experienced deterioration of pain due to seasonal variation; of them 59.1 percent reported that their pain was exacerbated in winter season. Of all respondents, less than one third (30.4%) experienced aggravation of pain due to lunar change; of them majority (85.7%) experienced increased pain during dark fortnights. Our study concluded that weather change might have an important role in fluctuation of pain among individuals having musculoskeletal disorders.

Gestational anemia

Gestational anemia is a common public health problem in our country. Most anemia during pregnancy results from an increased need for iron as her body is making more blood. Often dietary supplementation does not provide enough iron to meet the extra needs. Also the growing baby takes all the iron it needs from mother, regardless of how much iron is stored in mother's blood. Gestational Anemia contributed significantly to maternal morbidity and mortality, IUGR, preterm delivery and perinatal morbidity and mortality. A high proportion of women in both industrialized and developing countries become anemic during pregnancy. The most important cause of gestational anemia due to iron deficiency, because high iron requirements during pregnancy are not easily fulfilled by dietary intake. Adequate iron stores can help a pregnant women replace lost red blood cells. So, iron supplementation is strongly recommended for all pregnant women in developing countries. Oral iron intake is the treatment of choice and almost all pregnant women can be treated effectively with oral iron preparation during their pregnancy period.

Is affluent society aware of their health status?

Our study was done on 111 participants of different government institutions who were involved in the highest most responsibilities in their respective jobs. Their higher educational level, job stress, type1 personality affect a lot on their health status. Therefore, it was our concern to investigate the various health risk factors and their impacts on the health status of this study group. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence and distribution of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, obesity, physical activity level and smoking status among the subjects. This cross-sectional study was done from July 2006 to June 2007. 2.7% of the subjects were newly diagnosed as hypertensive as well as urinary sugar was present in 3.6% of the subjects. The overall prevalence of hypertension was 24.32% and diabetes was 11.71%. Subjects who adopted regular physical exercise were less likely to develop hypertension. No significant association was found between BMI and hypertension as well as diabetes mellitus. In spite of their higher educational level, 30% of the subjects were smokers. So, regular check up of health status even in a year is necessary.

Iodized salt induced thyrotoxicosis: Bangladesh perspective

The effects of iodized and non-iodized salt on the thyroid gland and its hormones T3, T4 and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) were studied in 200 individuals who were the residents of plain areas of greater Mymensingh district. The subjects were collected from the Center for Nuclear Medicine and Ultrasound, Mymensingh. Out of 200 individuals 150 were using iodized salt and 50 were using non-iodized salt. The iodized and non-iodized salt users were marked as study and control groups respectively. Blood samples were taken from both the groups and T3 and T4 in blood serum were determined by radioimmunoassay (RIA) while TSH was determined by immunoradiometricassay (IRMA). The mean concentration of T3 were 2.633 nmol/L and 2.223 nmol/L and T4 concentration were 122.444 nmol/L and 110.355 nmol/L in study and control group respectively. The mean TSH concentration was 5.044 mIU/L and 9.622 mIU/L in study and control group respectively. The data indicated that continuous and long term use of iodized salt increased both T3 and T4 and decreased TSH in study group. The results were significant (p<0.05) when compared to that of the control. The results suggested that mandatory mass consumption of iodized table salt without T3, T4 and TSH screening of blood may produce iodinated salt induced thyrotoxicosis (ISIT) in peoples living in plain areas of Bangladesh. We suggest close regular monitoring of T3, T4 and TSH and urinary excretion of iodine of individuals who are using iodized salt for better management of iodinated salt program in our setting.

Angiogenesis-a novel therapeutic approach for ischemic heart disease

Angiogenesis is the biologic process of forming new blood vessels. Undoubtedly, blood vessels growth regulation is a vital aspect in health and disease. Under physiological conditions, angiogenesis is regulated by local balance between endogenous stimulators and inhibitors of this process. In many diseases state body loses control over angiogenesis. Angiogenesis-dependent diseases result when new blood vessels either grow excessively or insufficiently. Insufficient angiogenesis occurs in diseases such as coronary artery disease, stroke and chronic wounds. Myocardial ischemia both acute and chronic has been clearly shown to stimulate angiogenesis in many experimental models. Therapeutic angiogenesis is the biological agents or bioactive material to stimulate the growth of new blood vessels. Traditional coronary revascularization therapies such as coronary angioplasty or bypass graft surgery, act by restoring blood flow through the preexisting coronary vessels. One limitation of these approaches, however, may be the failure to normalize myocardial perfusion, due to the concomitant presence or small of resistance vessel disease. In contrast, therapeutic angiogenesis is based on the concept that coronary collateral development may be stimulated by pharmacological or molecular means and can limit myocardial ischemia. Studies, both in human and animal models support the notion that, various angiogenic growth factors and progenitor cells can enhance new blood vessels. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), fibroblast growth factor (FGF), recombinant proteins and bone marrow stem cells are currently used therapeutic stimulators for angiogenesis. As coronary artery disease is the major cause of death in the developed societies and also an emerging health problem in developing countries like Bangladesh therapeutic angiogenesis may provide hope as a new treatment modality for ischemic heart disease with or in place of current therapies.