Bi0.9Ho0.1FeO3/TiO2 Composite Thin Films: Synthesis and Study of Optical, Electrical and Magnetic Properties.

A visible light active Bi0.9Ho0.1FeO3 nanoparticles/TiO2 composite thin films with different mol.% of Bi0.9Ho0.1FeO3 were successfully prepared via non-aqueous sol-gel method. The incorporation of 5, 10 and 20 mol.% Bi0.9Ho0.1FeO3 nanoparticles in the precursor solution of TiO2 brings modifications in the functional properties of the composite thin films. XPS analysis indicates that interdiffusion of Fe3+, Ho3+, Bi3+/Ti4+ ions through the interfaces between Bi0.9Ho0.1FeO3 nanoparticles and TiO2 matrix reduces the concentration of Ti3+ ions. X-ray diffraction analysis affirms that TiO2 and Bi0.9Ho0.1FeO3 retain anatase and orthorhombic phase respectively in composite films. The composite thin film containing 20 mol.% Bi0.9Ho0.1FeO3 nanoparticles exhibits the most prominent absorption phenomenon in visible region and has significantly reduced indirect band gap of 2.46 eV compared to that of pure TiO2 (3.4 eV). Hall effect measurements confirm that the resistivity of composite film increases by ∼2.33 orders of magnitude and its carrier concentration decreases by 1.8 orders of magnitude at 5 mol.% Bi0.9Ho0.1FeO3 nanoparticles addition compared to those of pure TiO2 film. Moreover, the pure film exhibits diamagnetism, whereas the composite films have both large ferromagnetic and small diamagnetic components. The findings in this research justify that the composite film can be a potential candidate for making improved photocatalyst, resistors and spintronic devices.

Lipid Profile of Children Suffering from Pediatric Rheumatic Diseases (pRDS).

BACKGROUND: Aim of this study was to assess the lipid status of the patients of pediatric rheumatologic diseases (pRDS). METHODS: This observational study was carried out in the department of pediatrics, Khulna medical college hospital, Bangladesh for a period of one year. Total 23 patients were included in this study. These new cases were diagnosed according to the ILAR, ACR, and EULAR criteria. Early morning blood samples were sent to the laboratory for the assessment of lipid status (TC, TG, HDL, and LDL). These values were collected and statistically recorded. RESULTS: Total new cases of pRDS were 23. Among them JIA was 15, SLE 4, and Vasculitis 4 in number. HSP was in 3 and KD in 1 cases of vasculitis group. Male/ Female ratio is 1.6:1. Mean age of the diseases were 8.54 years. TC, and TG was found in significant level in 4(17.4%), and 12(52.8%) pRDS cases respectively. HDL was observed of risk level in 4(17.3%) patients. LDL was observed normal in all the patients. TG was found of significant level in 7(46.7%) JIA, 3(75%) SLE and 2 (50%) vasculitis patients. CONCLUSION: TG was the lipid observed in significant level in majority of the new pRDS cases. Elevated TG might be considered as an index of disease activity in all cases of pRDS. Measures could be adopted in all pRDS to control the lipid status from the beginning of illness to reduce the complications from dyslipidemia like atherosclerosis and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in future.

Kawasaki disease and its treatment - an update.

AIM: The aim of this review is to update the knowledge about the Kawasaki disease (KD) which includes the way of early detection and latest treatment plan for the disease. METHOD: A number of literatures were reviewed and latest information about the etiology, diagnosis, laboratory investigation, treatment and outcome of the disease was collected and depicted in the review article. RESULT: Kawasaki disease is a multisystem vasculitis mainly affecting medium sized blood vessels. It is the second most common cause of vasculitis after Henoch Scholein Purpura (HSP) in children. Etiology of the disease is still unknown. Auto-immunity with genetic influence is thought to associate with the disease. Many physicians are ignorant of the disease. The pediatrician must be aware of the disease and suspect this condition in less than 5 year old children presenting with more than 5 days fever. the number of methods on the basis of criteria is set for the diagnosis of the disease. Latest treatment plan is set up for the disease which reduces the morbidity and mortality to a great extent. CONCLUSION: Physicians must have consciousness and comprehensive knowledge for the early suspicion of this disease. Any child presenting with fever for more than 5 days should not be ignored and other criteria of KD have to be evaluated by the physician. Early diagnosis and updated treatment are imperative for the prevention of morbidity and mortality for the disease.

Cognitive impairment among the elderly Malays living in rural Malaysia.

Cognitive impairment is a common psychiatric problem among the elderly. The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of cognitive impairment among the elderly Malays living in a rural community in north Malaysia. A cross sectional study was conducted among the elderly population of 22 villages in north Malaysia. Elderly cognitive assessment questionnaire was used to determine the cognition status. Analysis was done using SPSS version 13. The prevalence of cognitive impairment among the older adults in these villages was 11% (n=46). There was an increasing prevalence of cognitive impairment with increasing age (p < 0.05). Being unmarried (OR 2.31), unemployed (OR 2.74) and living alone (OR 2.32) were significantly associated with the risk of being cognitively impairment. Being unemployed (OR 2.29) was a significant predictor variable for cognitive impairment. Similar to other studies conducted in Malaysia the prevalence of cognitive impairment was high.

Anthrax: an update.

Anthrax is a zoonotic disease caused by Bacillus anthracis. It is potentially fatal and highly contagious disease. Herbivores are the natural host. Human acquire the disease incidentally by contact with infected animal or animal products. In the 18th century an epidemic destroyed approximately half of the sheep in Europe. In 1900 human inhalational anthrax occured sporadically in the United States. In 1979 an outbreak of human anthrax occured in Sverdlovsk of Soviet Union. Anthrax continued to represent a world wide presence. The incidence of the disease has decreased in developed countries as a result of vaccination and improved industrial hygiene. Human anthrax clinically presents in three forms, i.e. cutaneous, gastrointestinal and inhalational. About 95% of human anthrax is cutaneous and 5% is inhalational. Gastrointestinal anthrax is very rare (less than 1%). Inhalational form is used as a biological warefare agent. Penicillin, ciprofloxacin (and other quinolones), doxicyclin, ampicillin, imipenem, clindamycin, clarithromycin, vancomycin, chloramphenicol, rifampicin are effective antimicrobials. Antimicrobial therapy for 60 days is recommended. Human anthrax vaccine is available. Administration of anti-protective antigen (PA) antibody in combination with ciprofloxacin produced 90%-100% survival. The combination of CPG-adjuvanted anthrax vaccine adsorbed (AVA) plus dalbavancin significantly improved survival.

Neonatal mortality: a scenario in a tertiary level hospital of a developing country.

This study was designed to observe the overall neonatal mortality and pattern of neonatal death in a developing country. The factors related to neonatal mortality are also analyzed. This retrospective study was carried out in all pediatric patients in a tertiary level hospital of a developing country in the year 2008. Total neonatal (0-28 days) and non-neonatal (after 28 days-12 years) admissions and death records were analyzed. There were a total of 3,194 admissions in the year 2008. Neonatal and non-neonatal admissions numbered 942 and 2,252, respectively. There were a total of 146 (15.5%) neonatal deaths among neonatal admissions and 114 (5.06%) non-neonatal deaths among non-neonatal admissions. There were 87 (59.59%) preterm related deaths and 98 (67.12%) deaths due to Low Birth Weight (LBW). There were 102 (70%) deaths among neonates who had no antenatal follow-up. Mother's age was under 20 years in 80 (55%) cases of neonatal death. The number of neonatal deaths is high in developing countries. Preterm with Low Birth Weight (LBW) is the major cause of mortality. Regular antenatal care and social discouragement of early marriage can greatly reduce neonatal death. Skilled and trained nursing care is necessary for the survival of the preterm and Low Birth Weight (LBW) baby in the hospitals of developing countries.

Causes of poor outcome after cataract surgery in Satkhira district, Bangladesh.

AIMS: Recent data have raised concerns about visual outcome following cataract surgery. The aim of this study was to assess the frequency and causes of poor and borderline outcome after cataract surgery in a population-based case series in Satkhira district, Bangladesh. METHODS: A population-based case series was conducted within a population-based cluster survey of people aged over 50 years in Satkhira district where 4868 people underwent visual acuity (VA) screening. Eyes operated for cataract with VA<6/18 were examined in detail by an ophthalmologist, including a full history and dilated fundoscopy, to determine the cause of the visual outcome. RESULTS: Cataract surgery was performed on 213 eyes. Outcome was good (VA>6/18) for 128 eyes (60.1%), borderline (VA<6/18 to 6/60) for 35 eyes (16.4%), and poor (VA<6/60) for 50 eyes (23.5%) with available correction. Borderline and poor outcomes were most commonly due to lack of spectacles (25.8%), poor selection (33.8%), or surgical complications (30.6%). Surgical sequelae, namely posterior capsule opacification, was a less common cause of poor or borderline outcome (9.7%). CONCLUSIONS: Quality of surgical outcomes is of concern in Satkhira district. Increased emphasis on selection of subjects for surgery, provision of spectacles, and monitoring of surgery may improve outcomes.

Puffer fish (Tetrodotoxin) poisoning: an analysis and outcome of six cases.

On 24 July 2005, six members of a single family were admitted to the Medicine and Pediatrics Department of Khulna Medical College Hospital, Khulna, Bangladesh, with a history of ingestion of puffer fish. All patients developed toxic manifestations. The cases were clinically analysed with successful outcomes.

Tetrodotoxin poisoning: a clinical analysis, role of neostigmine and short-term outcome of 53 cases.

INTRODUCTION: Puffer fish (tetrodotoxin) poisoning is now a common form of poisoning throughout coastal countries, but its diagnosis and management are still unclear. In this paper, we aim to share our experience and to find out the toxic manifestations, lag period between ingestion of fish and development of symptoms, the short-term clinical outcome, and value of neostigmine in its management. METHODS: The study was carried out in the Department of Medicine and Paediatrics, Khulna Medical College Hospital, Khulna, Bangladesh, from May 1, 2001 to May 1, 2006. A total of 53 patients were admitted with the history of puffer fish ingestion. All the cases were clinically analysed from admission to discharge, for the following variables: Onset of symptoms in minutes after the ingestion of fish, toxic manifestations that developed after ingestion, relation of clinical outcome with approximate amount of fish ingested, and the role of neostigmine. RESULTS: All patients developed toxic manifestation. Important symptoms were perioral paraesthesia (38), weakness of all limbs (33), paraesthesia all over the body (34), headache (25), and difficulty in respiration. Eight patients died, probably due to respiratory muscle paralysis, of which five patients died immediately after admission. We used neostigmine in those patients who developed respiratory failure. 13 patients improved significantly (p-value is less than 0.5), while only three patients died. CONCLUSION: Because of the availability and affordability of puffer fish, the occurrence of tetrodotoxin poisoning throughout coastal countries is very likely. Therefore, health personnel should have enough knowledge regarding its toxic manifestations and management.

Primary hyperparathyroidism in Saudi Arabia: a review of 46 cases.

Records of 46 patients who were treated for primary hyperparathyroidism at King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh Saudi Arabia from 1st July 2000 to 30th June 2006 were reviewed. Mean age at diagnosis was 44 years (range 13 - 70 years) and average duration of symptoms was 39 months (1 month to 11 years). There were 35 females and 11 males with a ratio of 3.2:1. Bone pains were the major symptoms at presentation in 45.7% followed by no symptom in 23.9%, renal stones in 15.2%, polyuria in 6.5%, while 4.3% each presented with depression, and constipation. Males had significantly more severe disease with higher serum calcium, higher urinary calcium excretion, and higher serum creatinine. Ninety six percent of patients had successful surgery and 4% (two patients) each had recurrence and hungry bone syndrome. It is concluded that PHPT in Saudi Arabia continues to be a symptomatic disorder with skeletal and renal manifestations occurring at a younger age and males having more severe disease. Further prospective studies are needed to verify our findings.

Prevalence of undetected cognitive impairment and depression in residents of an elderly care home.

The elderly population in Malaysia is growing rapidly. Some of the most vulnerable are in residential care. Research is needed into the characteristics of this population to aid clinicians and policy makers in addressing the needs of this group. This observational, cross-sectional study aims to determine prevalence of undetected cognitive impairment and depression in elderly care home residents in Malaysia. One hundred and sixty-seven people over 60 years of age living in a state run residential home were interviewed. Validated assessment tools were used to measure dependency, cognitive impairment and depression. The prevalence of probable dementia is 36.5%, with increasing prevalence with age and level of dependence. Prevalence of depression is 67.0% (major depression 13.2%), with more depression in males and in the Indian population. None of the identified cases had been previously investigated or treated for dementia or depression.

Modulation of the oxygen affinity of cobalt-porphyrin by globin.

We have combined two extreme effects which influence the oxygen affinity to obtain a cobalt-based oxygen carrier with an affinity similar to that of human adult hemoglobin (HbA). The goal was to obtain an oxygen transporter with a lower oxidation rate. Exchange of the heme group (Fe-protoporphyrin IX) in Hb with a cobalt-porphyrin leads to a reduction in oxygen affinity by over a factor of 10, an oxygen affinity too low for use as a blood substitute. At the other extreme, certain globin sequences are known to provide a very high oxygen affinity; for example, Hb Ascaris displays an oxygen affinity 1000 times higher than HbA. We demonstrate here that these opposing effects can be additive, yielding an oxygen affinity similar to that of HbA, but with oxygen binding to a cobalt atom. We have tested the effect of substitution of cobalt-porphyrin for heme in normal HbA, sperm whale (SW) Mb (Mb), and high affinity globins for leghemoglobin, two trematode Hbs: Paramphistomum epiclitum (Pe) and Gastrothylax crumenifer (Gc). As for HbA or SW Mb, the transition from heme to cobalt-porphyrin in the trematode Hbs leads to a large decrease in the oxygen affinity, with oxygen partial pressures for half saturation (P(50)) of 5 and 25 mm Hg at 37 degrees C for cobalt-Pe and cobalt-Gc, respectively. A critical parameter for Hb-based blood substitutes is the autoxidation rate; while both metals oxidize to an inactive state, we observed a decrease in the oxidation rate of over an order of magnitude for cobalt versus iron, for similar oxygen affinities. The time constants for autoxidation at 37 degrees C were 250 and 100 h for Pe and Gc, respectively.

Functional differentiation in trematode hemoglobin isoforms.

The Hbs and the major electrophoretic Hb components (isoHbs) were isolated from three species of the trematodes, Explanatum explanatum (Ee), Gastrothylax crumenifer (Gc) and Paramphistomum epiclitum (Pe), that parasitise the common Indian water buffalo Bubalus bubalis. The Hbs are monomeric and resemble the so-called nonfunctional mutant hemoglobins that have Tyr at B10 or E7 positions (replacing Leu and the His residues, respectively). However, they are capable of binding with O2 and CO. O2 equilibrium studies of trematode Hb isoforms reveal extremely high O2 affinities, with half-saturation O2 tension (P50) values up to 800 times lower than those of human hemoglobins. This correlates with Tyr residues at B10 and at the distal position (E7) that decrease the O2 dissociation rate by contributing hydrogen bonds (H-bonds) to the bound O2. These substitutions also increase the O2 association rates either due to orientation of E7-Tyr towards the solvent and/or by sterically hindering the entry of water molecules into the heme pocket. The latter may account for the low rate of autoxidation of trematode Hbs. The Hbs and their isoforms from different species exhibited pronounced variation in O2 affinity, which may relate to subtle differences in the structure of the heme pocket. The O2 affinities of the composite (unfractionated) Hbs were intermediate to those of the individual Hb isoform. The P50 values of Hbs here obtained by direct O2 equilibrium measurements differed from those calculated from kinetic data already published [Kiger, L., Rashid, A. K., Griffon, N., Haque, M., Moens, L.,Gibson, Q. H., Poyart, C., & Marden, M. C. (1998). Biophys. J. 75, 990-998.] Intermediate state(s) due to slow reorientation of E7-Tyr may account for this difference. Some Hb isoforms showed slight (either normal or reverse) Bohr effects. The hyperbolic O2 equilibrium curve, Hill coefficient (n) values near unity accord with a monomeric nature of trematode Hbs. In marked contrast to vertebrate Hbs, CO does not seem to compete effectively with O2 in trematode Hbs, as evident from partition coefficient values (M) below 1.

Trematode hemoglobins show exceptionally high oxygen affinity.

Ligand binding studies were made with hemoglobin (Hb) isolated from trematode species Gastrothylax crumenifer (Gc), Paramphistomum epiclitum (Pe), Explanatum explanatum (Ee), parasitic worms of water buffalo Bubalus bubalis, and Isoparorchis hypselobagri (Ih) parasitic in the catfish Wallago attu. The kinetics of oxygen and carbon monoxide binding show very fast association rates. Whereas oxygen can be displaced on a millisecond time scale from human Hb at 25 degrees C, the dissociation of oxygen from trematode Hb may require a few seconds to over 20 s (for Hb Pe). Carbon monoxide dissociation is faster, however, than for other monomeric hemoglobins or myoglobins. Trematode hemoglobins also show a reduced rate of autoxidation; the oxy form is not readily oxidized by potassium ferricyanide, indicating that only the deoxy form reacts rapidly with this oxidizing agent. Unlike most vertebrate Hbs, the trematodes have a tyrosine residue at position E7 instead of the usual distal histidine. As for Hb Ascaris, which also displays a high oxygen affinity, the trematodes have a tyrosine in position B10; two H-bonds to the oxygen molecule are thought to be responsible for the very high oxygen affinity. The trematode hemoglobins display a combination of high association rates and very low dissociation rates, resulting in some of the highest oxygen affinities ever observed.

Trematode myoglobins, functional molecules with a distal tyrosine.

The myoglobins of two trematodes, Paramphistomum epiclitum and Isoparorchis hypselobagri, were isolated to homogeneity. The native molecules are monomeric with Mr 16,000-17,000 and pI 6.5-7.5. In each species, at least four different globin isoforms occur. Primary structure was determined at the protein level. The globin chains contain 147 amino acid residues. Although major determinants of the globin fold are conserved, characteristic substitutions are present. A Tyr residue occurs at the helical positions B10 and E7 (distal position). This is confirmed by NMR measurements (Zhang, W., Rashid, K. A., Haque, M., Siddiqi, A. H., Vinogradov, S. N., Moens, L. & La Mar, G. N. (1997) J. Biol. Chem. 272, 3000-3006). A distal Tyr normally provokes oxidation of the iron atom and the inability to bind oxygen, whereas a Tyr-B10 is indicative for a high oxygen affinity. In contrast, trematode myoglobins are functional molecules with a high oxygen affinity. Molecular modeling predicts two possible positions for the aromatic ring of Tyr-E7: one being outside the heme pocket making it freely accessible to the ligand and one within the heme pocket potentially able to form a second hydrogen bond with the iron-bound oxygen. A hydrogen bond between Tyr-B10 and the bound oxygen as in the Ascaris hemoglobin is predicted as well. The predicted structure may explain the high oxygen affinity of the trematode myoglobins.

Prevalence of streptococcal sorethroat in the school children of Dhaka.

Beta Haemolytic Streptococcal (BHS) infections and their sequelae Rheumatic Fever (RF) and Glomerulonephritis (GN) have a world wide distribution and so pose an important health problem. Reports show that there is considerable variation in the number of isolations from different groups. Present study intended to find out the health status of the school children in relation to streptococcal throat infection, in Dhaka Cantonment. It was a cross sectional, observational study. During one year period total six hundred and one (601) children were examined from one school of Dhaka Cantonment. Prevalence of streptococcus was found to be 22% among the study population with highest rate (67%) for group-G among BHS positive cases. True streptococcal infection was found in 8.7% cases & 2.2% cases were true GABHS positive cases. GABHS was significantly higher in large size families. Females and children from lower socioeconomic group were at higher risk. Females and children of large families may require special attention regarding prevention of streptococcal infection and RF/RHD prevention programme.

Childhood immunization status related to social and educational status of parents in a peripheral Northern town of Saudi Arabia.

A study of 1,436 Saudi children and 1,174 parents was carried out in September - October 1987 at the Children's outpatient clinic of King Faisal Hospital, Gurayat. This is the only hospital in the Gurayat town having a pediatric outpatient clinic for a population of 50,000. Of 1,436 Saudi children, 51% were male, 49% female, and 82% below five years of age. Eighty-six percent of five to 12 year old Saudi children had complete or partial immunization compared to 93% below one year of age. Only 60% of 1,174 Saudi parents knew the purpose of vaccination. Seventy percent of the fathers are educated, 34% belong to class I, II, and III and 66% to class IV and V. The main reason for delayed or no vaccination was due to sickness of the child, medical deferral, parental ignorance, and transport problem. Strict implementation of World Health Organization's (WHO) Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) will further increase the immunization coverage as well as consolidate the success already achieved.