Assessment of meteorological parameters in predicting seasonal temperature of Dhaka city using ANN.

In this study, an attempt has been made to investigate the possibility of a machine learning model, Artificial Neural Network (ANN) for seasonal prediction of the temperature of Dhaka city. Prior knowledge of temperature is essential, especially in tropical regions like Dhaka, as it aids in forecasting heatwaves and implementing effective preparedness schemes. While various machine learning models have been employed for the prediction of hot weather across the world, research specially focused on Bangladesh is limited. Additionally, the application of machine learning models needs to be curated to suit the particular weather features of any region. Therefore, this study approaches ANN method for prediction of the temperature of Dhaka exploring the underlying role of related weather variables. Using the daily data for the months of February to July collected from the National Center for Environmental Prediction/National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCEP/NCAR) reanalysis data (0.25° × 0.25° global grid) for the years 2011-2020, this study focuses on finding the combination of weather variables in predicting temperatures. The densely populated city, Dhaka, has faced severe consequences due to extreme climate conditions in recent years, and this study will pave a new dimension for further research regarding the topic.

Prevalence and determinants of fetal macrosomia in Bangladesh.

Background: Fetal macrosomia, marked by excessive birth weight, is a significant public health issue in developing countries, yet it has received less attention compared to low birth weight. This study aims to determine the prevalence of fetal macrosomia in Bangladesh and its associated factors. Methods: The study utilized data from 4,754 women with complete birth weight information of their children from the Bangladesh Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) -2019, defining fetal macrosomia as newborns with a birth weight ≥4,000 g regardless of gestational age. Bivariate logistic regression assessed associations between independent variables and fetal macrosomia, presenting adjusted odds ratios (AOR) and a 95% confidence interval (CI), while controlling for potential confounders such as women's age, wealth index, education, healthcare utilization, comorbidities, newborn sex, and place of residence. Results: The prevalence of fetal macrosomia was 11.6%. Significant associations with fetal macrosomia included higher maternal age group (30-34 years) (AOR = 1.36, 95% CI = 1.07-1.74), secondary level of mother's education (AOR = 1.95, 95% CI = 1.43-2.66), experienced physical attacks (AOR = 1.41, 95% CI = 1.06-1.88), hypertension during pregnancy (AOR = 1.54, 95% CI = 1.15-2.07), and rural residence (AOR = 1.25, 95% CI = 1.15-1.49). Female infants had 18% lower odds of being macrosomic compared to male infants (AOR = 0.82, 95% CI = 0.72-0.93). Conclusion: One in ten infants in Bangladesh are born with macrosomia, necessitating a multi-faceted approach involving improving maternal nutrition, promoting healthy lifestyles, enhancing access to quality prenatal care, and addressing socioeconomic, residential, and healthcare system challenges, underlining the importance of further community-based research to expand the study's scope.

Policy implementation and recommended actions to create healthy food environments using the Healthy Food Environment Policy Index (Food-EPI): a comparative analysis in South Asia.

Background: The increasing prevalence of diet-related non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in South Asia is concerning, with type 2 diabetes projected to rise to 68%, compared to the global increase of 44%. Encouraging healthy diets requires stronger policies for healthier food environments. Methods: This study reviewed and assessed food environment policies in Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka from 2020 to 2022 using the Healthy Food Environment Policy Index (Food-EPI) and compared them with global best practices. Seven policy domains and six infrastructure support domains were considered, employing 47 good practice indicators to prevent NCDs. Stakeholders from government and non-governmental sectors in South Asia (n = 148) were invited to assess policy and infrastructure support implementation using the Delphi method. Findings: Implementation of food environment policies and infrastructure support in these countries was predominantly weak. Labelling, monitoring, and leadership policies received a moderate rating, with a focus on food safety, hygiene, and quality rather than obesity prevention. Key policy gaps prioritized for attention included front-of-pack labelling, healthy food subsidies, unhealthy food taxation, restrictions on unhealthy food promotion, and improvements in school nutrition standards to combat NCDs. Interpretation: Urgent action is required to expand food policies beyond hygiene and food security measures. Comprehensive strategies targeting NCD prevention are crucial to combat the escalating burden of NCDs in the region. Funding: This research was funded by the NIHR (16/136/68 and 132960) with aid from the UK Government for global health research. Petya Atanasova also acknowledges funding from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) (ES/P000703/1). The views expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily of the NIHR, the UK government or the ESRC.

Unhealthy Food and Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Consumption Among Bangladeshi Elderly People and Their Sociodemographic Determinants: Findings From a Nationally Representative Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Savory crispy or fried snack (SCFS), sugary snack (SS), and sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption are associated with a higher prevalence of obesity and non-communicable diseases. So, we estimated the consumption of SCFS, SS, and SSB among elderly males and females in Bangladesh. We also reported the factors associated with their consumption using data from a nationwide cross-sectional study. METHODS: We interviewed 2,482 (51.52%) elderly males and 2,335 (48.47%) elderly females for the recall for the past seven days on the intake of SCFS, SS, and SSB from 82 randomly selected clusters from rural, non-slum urban, and slum areas in Bangladesh. Sociodemographic and anthropometry data were also collected. RESULTS: Consumption of SCFS, SS, and SSB for ≥1 time per week was reported by 884 (31.5%), 1,696 (66.1%), and 1,911 (69.3%) of the elderly males and 516 (20.1%), 1,367 (53.9%), and 1,171 (34.1%) of the elderly females, respectively. Both elderly males and females from slum and non-slum urban areas consumed more SSB than their rural counterparts. Higher level of television viewing was associated with increased frequency of intake of SCFS, SS, and SSB among elderly males and SSB intake among elderly females. Nutritional status was not associated with the consumption of these foods and drinks among the elderly; however, overweight males consumed SSB less frequently. CONCLUSION: In Bangladesh, elderly males and females frequently consume unhealthy snacks and drinks. Considering their detrimental effect on health, it is necessary to reduce their consumption through policy and program measures and promote healthier foods and beverages.

Autonomic Dysfunction in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis - A Case-Control Study.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to explore autonomic nervous system involvement in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients by evaluating sympathetic skin response (SSR). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 35 sporadic (ALS) patients (cases), and 35 healthy age and sex-matched participants (controls) aged <60 years. SSR was recorded in the electrophysiology lab of the Neurology Department of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka, Bangladesh. Patients with diseases associated with peripheral or autonomic neuropathy were excluded. Prolonged latency (delayed SSR) or an absent response was considered abnormal SSR. RESULTS: SSR was found to be abnormal in 17 (48.6 %) ALS cases, with an absent response in the upper limbs of six cases (17.1%). Abnormal SSR was more prevalent in the lower limbs, with 33 (94.3%) and 20 (57.1%) cases having a delayed or absent response, respectively. In comparison, SSR was normal in all control participants (P-value <0.05). Abnormal SSR was significantly more common in the lower limbs of ALS cases with bulbar palsy than those without bulbar palsy (P-value=0.04). There was no association of SSR with disease severity and duration. CONCLUSION: ALS is significantly associated with abnormal SSR, indicating autonomic nervous system involvement. There could also be an association between bulbar palsy and abnormal SSR among ALS patients. Further studies should be carried out to determine the association of abnormal SSR with disease severity, duration, and type.

Cervical cancer risk in association with TNF-alpha gene polymorphisms in Bangladeshi women.

BACKGROUND: Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) is among the vital pro-inflammatory cytokines that potentially exerts a significant influence on the immune response, hence potentially regulating the advancement of cervical lesions. OBJECTIVE: Our study objective was to examine the relationship between two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (rs1799724 and rs1800629) of TNF-α and the risk of cervical cancer in women from Bangladesh. METHODS: We recruited 133 patients with cervical cancer and 126 healthy individuals for this study. Genotyping was performed using real-time PCR SNP genotyping assay. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the odds ratio (OR) along with 95% confidence intervals (CI) and p-values. RESULTS: For rs1799724 (C > T) polymorphism, TT mutant homozygous genotype carried 3.26 times increased risk of developing cervical cancer (OR = 3.26, 95% CI = 1.15-9.28, p = 0.027). Polymorphism of rs1800629 (G > A) was also related to an elevated risk of cervical cancer. Individuals with the AG heterozygous genotype (OR = 2.85, 95% CI = 1.20-6.74, p = 0.017) and AA mutant homozygous genotype (OR = 4.55, 95% CI = 1.24-16.60, p = 0.022) also had a higher likelihood of having cervical cancer. Moreover, we found that injectable contraceptives increase the risk of cervical cancer. Individuals who smoked and/or had first-degree relatives with cancer were more likely to carry the risk allele, which increases the likelihood of developing cervical cancer. CONCLUSION: TNF-α polymorphisms in rs1799724 and rs1800629 increase the susceptibility of developing cervical cancer in women from Bangladesh.

Draft genome sequencing of Pediococcus acidilactici strains isolated from cow's milk: unlocking insights into functional traits and applications.

Pediococcus acidilactici is a potential probiotic bacteria isolated from diverse sources. However, strains isolated from milk, especially from raw milk of healthy cows, have not been thoroughly studied. Here, we report the draft genome sequence of P. acidilactici strains MBBL5 and MBBL7, isolated from milk samples of healthy cows.

Identification of Differentially Expressed Genes and Protein-Protein Interaction in Patients With COVID-19 and Diabetes Peripheral Neuropathy: A Bioinformatics and System Biology Approach.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had a significant impact globally, resulting in a higher death toll and persistent health issues for survivors, particularly those with pre-existing medical conditions. Numerous studies have demonstrated a strong correlation between catastrophic COVID-19 results and diabetes. To gain deeper insights, we analysed the transcriptome dataset from COVID-19 and diabetic peripheral neuropathic patients. Using the R programming language, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified and classified based on up and down regulations. The overlaps of DEGs were then explored between these groups. Functional annotation of those common DEGs was performed using Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), Bio-Planet, Reactome, and Wiki pathways. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was created with bioinformatics tools to understand molecular interactions. Through topological analysis of the PPI network, we determined hub gene modules and explored gene regulatory networks (GRN). Furthermore, the study extended to suggesting potential drug molecules for the identified mutual DEG based on the comprehensive analysis. These approaches may contribute to understanding the molecular intricacies of COVID-19 in diabetic peripheral neuropathy patients through insights into potential therapeutic interventions.

Salicylic Acid Priming Improves Cotton Seedling Heat Tolerance through Photosynthetic Pigment Preservation, Enhanced Antioxidant Activity, and Osmoprotectant Levels.

The escalating global temperatures associated with climate change are detrimental to plant growth and development, leading to significant reductions in crop yields worldwide. Our research demonstrates that salicylic acid (SA), a phytohormone known for its growth-promoting properties, is crucial in enhancing heat tolerance in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum). This enhancement is achieved through modifications in various biochemical, physiological, and growth parameters. Under heat stress, cotton plants typically show significant growth disturbances, including leaf wilting, stunted growth, and reduced biomass. However, priming cotton plants with 1 mM SA significantly mitigated these adverse effects, evidenced by increases in shoot dry mass, leaf-water content, and chlorophyll concentrations in the heat-stressed plants. Heat stress also prompted an increase in hydrogen peroxide levels-a key reactive oxygen species-resulting in heightened electrolyte leakage and elevated malondialdehyde concentrations, which indicate severe impacts on cellular membrane integrity and oxidative stress. Remarkably, SA treatment significantly reduced these oxidative stresses by enhancing the activities of critical antioxidant enzymes, such as catalase, glutathione S-transferase, and ascorbate peroxidase. Additionally, the elevated levels of total soluble sugars in SA-treated plants enhanced osmotic regulation under heat stress. Overall, our findings reveal that SA-triggered protective mechanisms not only preserve photosynthetic pigments but also ameliorate oxidative stress and boost plant resilience in the face of elevated temperatures. In conclusion, the application of 1 mM SA is highly effective in enhancing heat tolerance in cotton and is recommended for field trials before being commercially used to improve crop resilience under increasing global temperatures.

Nanowires: Exponential speedup in quantum computing.

This review paper examines the crucial role of nanowires in the field of quantum computing, highlighting their importance as versatile platforms for qubits and vital building blocks for creating fault-tolerant and scalable quantum information processing systems. Researchers are studying many categories of nanowires, including semiconductor, superconducting, and topological nanowires, to explore their distinct quantum features that play a role in creating various qubit designs. The paper explores the interdisciplinary character of quantum computing, combining the fields of quantum physics and materials science. This text highlights the significance of quantum gate operations in manipulating qubits for computation, thus creating the toolbox of quantum algorithms. The paper emphasizes the key research areas in quantum technology, such as entanglement engineering, quantum error correction, and a wide range of applications spanning from encryption to climate change modeling. The research highlights the importance of tackling difficulties related to decoding mitigation, error correction, and hardware scalability to fully utilize the transformative potential of quantum computing in scientific, technical, and computational fields.

Draft genome sequencing of Enterococcus avium strains isolated from bovine mastitis.

We performed whole-genome sequencing of four multidrug-resistant Enterococcus avium strains isolated from milk (4M1), feces (4F1 and 4F2), and farm soil (4S1) of mastitic dairy cows. The draft genomes of E. avium strains 4M1, 4F1, 4F2, and 4S1 were approximately 4.2 Mbp, with 39.1% GC content and 66.5× coverage.

Rotavirus trends and distribution of genotypes before and during COVID-19 pandemic era: Bangladesh, 2017-2021.

Rotavirus gastroenteritis is accountable for an estimated 128 500 deaths among children younger than 5 years worldwide, and the majority occur in low-income countries. Although the clinical trials of rotavirus vaccines in Bangladesh revealed a significant reduction of severe rotavirus disease by around 50%, the vaccines are not yet included in the routine immunization program. The present study was designed to provide data on rotavirus diarrhea with clinical profiles and genotypes before (2017-2019) and during the COVID-19 pandemic period (2020-2021). Fecal samples were collected from 2% of the diarrheal patients at icddr,b Dhaka hospital of all ages between January 2017 and December 2021 and were tested for VP6 rotavirus antigen using ELISA. The clinical manifestations such as fever, duration of diarrhea and hospitalization, number of stools, and dehydration and so on were collected from the surveillance database (n = 3127). Of the positive samples, 10% were randomly selected for genotyping using Sanger sequencing method. A total of 12 705 fecal samples were screened for rotavirus A antigen by enzyme immunoassay. Overall, 3369 (27%) were rotavirus antigen-positive, of whom children <2 years had the highest prevalence (88.6%). The risk of rotavirus A infection was 4.2 times higher in winter than in summer. Overall, G3P[8] was the most prominent genotype (45.3%), followed by G1P[8] (32.1%), G9P[8] (6.8%), and G2P[4] (6.1%). The other unusual combinations, such as G1P[4], G1P[6], G2P[6], G3P[4], G3P[6], and G9P[6], were also present. Genetic analysis on Bangladeshi strains revealed that the selection pressure (dN/dS) was estimated as <1. The number of hospital visits showed a 37% drop during the COVID-19 pandemic relative to the years before the pandemic. Conversely, there was a notable increase in the rate of rotavirus positivity during the pandemic (34%, p < 0.00) compared to the period before COVID-19 (23%). Among the various clinical symptoms, only the occurrence of watery stool significantly increased during the pandemic. The G2P[4] strain showed a sudden rise (19%) in 2020, which then declined in 2021. In the same year, G1P[8] was more prevalent than G3P[8] (40% vs. 38%, respectively). The remaining genotypes were negligible and did not exhibit much fluctuation. This study reveals that the rotavirus burden remained high during the COVID-19 prepandemic and pandemic in Bangladesh. Considering the lack of antigenic variations between the circulating and vaccine-targeted strains, integrating the vaccine into the national immunization program could reduce the prevalence of the disease, the number of hospitalizations, and the severity of cases.

Dengue fever mapping in Bangladesh: A spatial modeling approach.

Background: Epidemics of the dengue virus can trigger widespread morbidity and mortality along with no specific treatment. Examining the spatial autocorrelation and variability of dengue prevalence throughout Bangladesh's 64 districts was the focus of this study. Methods: The spatial autocorrelation is evaluated with the help of Moran I and Geary C. Local Moran I was used to detect hotspots and cold spots, whereas local Getis Ord G was used to identify only spatial hotspots. The spatial heterogeneity has been detected using various conventional and spatial models, including the Poisson-Gamma model, the Poisson-Lognormal Model, the Conditional Autoregressive (CAR) model, the Convolution model, and the BYM2 model, respectively. These models are implemented using Gibbs sampling and other Bayesian hierarchical approaches to analyze the posterior distribution effectively, enabling inference within a Bayesian context. Results: The study's findings show that Moran Iand Geary Canalysis provides a substantial clustering pattern of positive spatial autocorrelation of dengue fever (DF) rates between surrounding districts at a 90% confidence interval. The Local Indicators of Spatial Autocorrelation cluster mapped spatial clusters and outliers based on prevalence rates, while the local Getis-Ord G displayed a thorough breakdown of high or low rates, omitting outliers. Although Chattogram had the most dengue cases (15,752), Khulna district had a higher prevalence rate (133.636) than Chattogram (104.796). The BYM2 model, determined to be well-fitted based on the lowest Deviance Information Criterion value (527.340), explains a significant association between spatial heterogeneity and prevalence rates. Conclusion: This research pinpoints the district with the highest prevalence rate for dengue and the neighboring districts that also have high risk, allowing government agencies and communities to take the necessary precautions to mollify the risk effect of DF.

A context-driven approach through stakeholder engagement to introduce a digital emergency obstetric and newborn care register into routine obstetric health care services in Bangladesh.

Background: Emergency obstetric and newborn care (EmONC) in Bangladesh focusses on maternal health, whereby it addresses childbirth and postpartum complications to ensure women's health and well-being. It was transitioned to a digital platform to overcome challenges with the paper-based EmONC register and we conducted implementation research to assess the outcome. Here we outline the stakeholder engagement process integral to the implementation research process. Methods: We adopted a four-step stakeholder engagement model based on the identification, sensitisation, involvement, and engagement of stakeholders. The approach was informed by previous experience, desk reviews, and expert consultations to ensure comprehensive engagement with stakeholders at multiple levels. Led by the Maternal Health Programme of the Government of Bangladesh, we involved high-power and high-interest stakeholders in developing a joint action plan for digitisation of the paper-based EmONC register. Finally, we demonstrated this digital EmONC register in real-life settings to stakeholders at different levels. Results: The successful demonstration process fostered government ownership and collaboration with multiple stakeholders, while laying the foundation for scalability and sustainability. Nevertheless, our experience highlighted that the stakeholder engagement process is context-driven, time-consuming, resource-intensive, iterative, and dynamic, and it requires involving stakeholders with varied expertise. Effective strategic planning, facilitation, and the allocation of sufficient time and resources are essential components for successful stakeholder engagement. Conclusions: Our experience demonstrates the potential of adopting the 'identification, sensitisation, involvement, and engagement' stakeholder engagement model. Success in implementing this model in diverse settings depends on leveraging knowledge gained during implementation, maintaining robust communication with stakeholders, and harnessing the patience and determination of the facilitating organisation.

Introducing a digital emergency obstetric and newborn care register for indoor obstetric patient management: An implementation research in selected public health care facilities of Bangladesh.

Background: Digital health records have emerged as vital tools for improving health care delivery and patient data management. Acknowledging the gaps in data recording by a paper-based register, the emergency obstetric and newborn care (EmONC) register used in the labour ward was digitised. In this study, we aimed to assess the implementation outcome of the digital register in selected public health care facilities in Bangladesh. Methods: Extensive collaboration with stakeholders facilitated the development of an android-based electronic register from the paper-based register in the labour rooms of the selected district and sub-district level public health facilities of Bangladesh. We conducted a study to assess the implementation outcome of introducing the digital EmONC register in the labour ward. Results: The digital register demonstrated high usability with a score of 83.7 according to the system usability scale, and health care providers found it highly acceptable, with an average score exceeding 95% using the technology acceptance model. The adoption rate reached an impressive 98% (95% confidence interval (CI) = 98-99), and fidelity stood at 90% (95% CI = 88-91) in the digital register, encompassing more than 80% of data elements. Notably, fidelity increased significantly over the implementation period of six months. The digital system proved a high utility rate of 89% (95% CI = 88-91), and all outcome variables exceeded the predefined benchmark. Conclusions: The implementation outcome assessment underscores the potential of the digital register to enhance maternal and newborn health care in Bangladesh. Its user-friendliness, improved data completeness, and high adoption rates indicate its capacity to streamline health care data management and improve the quality of care.

High-resolution Si3N4 spectrometer: architecture & virtual channel synthesis and experimental demonstration.

Up-to-date network telemetry is the key enabler for resource optimization by capacity scaling, fault recovery, and network reconfiguration among other means. Reliable optical performance monitoring in general and, specifically, the monitoring of the spectral profile of WDM signals in fixed- and flex- grid architectures across the entire C-band, remains challenging. This article describes a two-stage spectrometer architecture amenable to integration on a single chip that can measure quantitatively the spectrum across the entire C-band with a resolution of ∼ 1.4 GHz. The first stage consists of a ring resonator with intra-ring phase shifter to provide a tuneable fine filter. The second stage makes use of an AWG subsystem and a novel processing algorithm to synthesize a tuneable coarse filter with a flat passband which isolates individual resonances of a multiplicity of ring resonances. The spectrometer is capable of scanning the entire C-band with high resolution using only one dynamic control. Due to its maturity and low loss, CMOS compatible Si3N4 is chosen for fabrication of the ring resonator and two cyclic AWGs. Complete spectrometer operation is demonstrated experimentally over a selected portion of the C-band. A novel virtual channel synthesis algorithm based on the weighted summation of the AWG output port powers relaxes the conventional AWG design requirement of a flat passband and sharp transition to stopband. The operation of the circuit is invariant to the optical path length between individual components and the algorithm corrects to some extent fabrication process variation impairments of the AWG channel spectra substantially improving robustness.

Average collision velocity of single yeast cells during electrochemically induced impacts.

We recorded current-time (i-t) profiles for oxidizing ferrocyanide (FCN) while spherical yeast cells of radius (rc ≈ 2 µm) collided with disk ultramicroelectrodes (UMEs) of increasing radius (re ≈ 12-45 µm). Collision signals appear as minority steps and majority blips of decreased current overlayed on the i-t baseline when cells block ferrocyanide flux (JFCN). We assigned steps to adsorption events and blips to bouncing collisions or contactless passages. Yeast cells exhibit impact signals of long duration (Δt ≈ 15-40 s) likely due to sedimentation. We assume cells travel a threshold distance (T) to generate collision signals of duration Δt. Thus, T represents a distance from the UME surface, at which cell perturbations on JFCN blend in with the UME noise level. To determine T, we simulated the UME current, while placing the cell at increasing distal points from the UME surface until matching the bare UME current. T-Values at 90°, 45°, and 0° from the UME edge and normal to the center were determined to map out T-regions in different experimental conditions. We estimated average collision velocities using the formula T/Δt, and mimicked cells entering and leaving T-regions at the same angle. Despite such oversimplification, our analysis yields average velocities compatible with rigorous transport models and matches experimental current steps and blips. We propose that single-cells encode collision dynamics into i-t signals only when cells move inside the sensitive T-region, because outside, perturbations of JFCN fall within the noise level set by JFCN and rc/re (experimentally established). If true, this notion will enable selecting conditions to maximize sensitivity in stochastic blocking electrochemistry. We also exploited the long Δt recorded here for yeast cells, which was undetectable for the fast microbeads used in early pioneering work. Because Δt depends on transport, it provides another analytical parameter besides current for characterizing slow-moving cells like yeast.

Bioenergy-producing two-stage septic tank and floating wetland for onsite wastewater treatment: Circuit connection and external aeration.

This study designed a two-stage, electrode-integrated septic tank-floating wetland system and assessed their pollutant removal performances under variable operational conditions. The two-stage system achieved mean organic, nitrogen, phosphorus, and coliform removal percentages of 99, 78, 99, and 97%, respectively, throughout the experimental run. The mean metals (chromium, cadmium, nickel, copper, zinc, lead, iron, and manganese) removal percentages ranged between 81 and 98%. Accumulated sludge, filler media, and the hanging root mass contributed to pollutant removals by supporting physicochemical and biological pathways. The mean effluent organic concentration and coliform number across the two-stage system were 20 mg/L and 1682 CFU/100 mL, respectively, during the closed-circuit protocol, which was beneath the open-circuit-based performance profiles, i.e., 32 mg/L and 2860 CFU/100 mL, respectively. Effluent organic, nitrogen, phosphorus, metals, and coliform number ranges across the two-stage system were 9-17 mg/L, 13-24 mg/L, 1-1.5 mg/L, 0.001-0.2 mg/L, and 1410-2270 CFU/100 mL, respectively during intermittent and continuous aeration periods. The air supply rate differences influenced pollutant removal depending on the associated removal mechanisms. The non-aeration phase produced higher effluent pollutant concentrations than the aeration periods-based profiles. The overall mean power density production of the septic tank ranged between 107 and 596 mW/m3; 110 and 355 mW/m3 with the floating wetland. The bioenergy production capacity of the septic tank was positively correlated to external air supply rates. This study demonstrates the potential application of the novel bioenergy-producing septic tank-floating wetland system for wastewater treatment in decentralized areas.

Antimicrobial Resistance Profiles of Campylobacter spp. Recovered from Chicken Farms in Two Districts of Bangladesh.

The rapid emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Campylobacter has reinforced its status as a foodborne pathogen of significant public health concern. Resistant Campylobacter is typically transferred to humans via the consumption of contaminated animal products, particularly poultry. The genes associated with antimicrobial resistance in Campylobacter spp. are poorly understood. To address this knowledge gap, we conducted a prevalence survey of AMR Campylobacter across 84 chicken farms in two districts of Bangladesh. Pooled cloacal swabs were collected from chickens and underwent bacteriological testing for Campylobacter spp. with PCR confirmation. Antimicrobial susceptibility was tested against 14 antibiotics by disk diffusion method, and 12 resistance genes were screened in Campylobacter-positive isolates using multiplex PCR. A total of 34 (40.5%) farms were Campylobacter-positive of which 73.5% of isolates were resistant to at least 10 antibiotics. The antimicrobial susceptibility results indicate a high level of resistance against streptomycin (97.1%), clindamycin (97.1%), ampicillin (94.1%), tetracycline (94.1%), erythromycin (91.2%), ciprofloxacin (88.2%), nalidixic acid (85.3%), and imipenem (82.4%), and comparatively a low frequency of resistance to chloramphenicol (47.1%), ceftazidime (44.1%), and colistin (35.3%). Multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant Campylobacter were identified in 97.1%, and 50% of isolates, respectively. Ten resistance genes were identified including blaTEM (in 97.1% of isolates), strA-strB (85.9%), tetA (70.6%), tetB (32.4%), qnrS (23.5%), blaCTX-M-1 (20.6%), qnrB (20.6%), blaSHV (8.8%), aadB (5.9%), and qnrA (2.9%). Our findings demonstrate that resistance to ampicillin, tetracycline, and ceftazidime in Campylobacter isolates was significantly (p ≤ 0.05) associated with the presence of blaTEM, tetA, and blaSHV genes, respectively. The high rates of AMR in Campylobacter isolates from our study are not surprising given the liberal use of antimicrobials and incomplete biosecurity provisions on farms. Of particular concern are resistance rates to those classes of antibiotics that should be reserved for human use (azithromycin, ciprofloxacin, and colistin). AMR was more prevalent in chicken farms that used multiple antibiotics, engaged in prophylactic treatment of the birds, and improperly disposed of antibiotic packages. The high prevalence of MDR in chicken-derived Campylobacter isolates from the different regions of our study reinforces the need for more prudent use of antimicrobial compounds in Bangladeshi chicken farms.

Age and sex-specific disability-free life expectancy in urban and rural settings of Bangladesh.

BACKGROUND: Disability-free life expectancy (DFLE) has been used to gain a better understanding of the population's quality of life. OBJECTIVES: The authors aimed to estimate age and sex-specific disability-free life expectancy (DFLE) for urban and rural areas of Bangladesh, as well as to investigate the differences in DFLE between males and females of urban and rural areas. METHODS: Data from the Bangladesh Sample Vital Statistics-2016 and the Bangladesh Household Income and Expenditure Survey (HIES)-2016 were used to calculate the disability-free life expectancy (DFLE) of urban and rural males and females in Bangladesh in 2016. The DFLE was calculated using the Sullivan method. RESULTS: With only a few exceptions, rural areas have higher mortality and disability rates than urban areas. For both males and females, statistically significant differences in DFLE were reported between urban and rural areas between the ages of birth and 39 years. In comparison to rural males and females, urban males and females had a longer life expectancy (LE), a longer disability-free life expectancy, and a higher share of life without disability. CONCLUSION: This study illuminates stark urban-rural disparities in LE and DFLE, especially among individuals aged < 1-39 years. Gender dynamics reveal longer life expectancy but shorter disability-free life expectancy for Bangladeshi women compared to men, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions to address these pronounced health inequalities.