Difference in presentation, outcomes, and hospital epidemiologic trend of COVID-19 among first, second, and third waves: a review of hospital records and prospective cohort study.

This study aimed to examine the differences in epidemiologic and disease aspects among patients with coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19). Methods: The authors reviewed the hospital records between April 2020 and September 2021 and followed up on the patients for post-COVID complications. Findings: Older adult patients were predominantly affected during the third wave, and middle-aged patients were predominantly affected during the first and second waves. Men were predominantly admitted, considering the three waves, although more women were admitted in the second wave. Cough was more common in the second and third waves than in the first wave 522 (59.7%). Respiratory distress was the most common in the third wave, 251(67.1%), and least common in the first wave, 403 (46.1%). Anosmia was more common in the third wave 116 (31.2%). In the third wave, patients presenting in a critical state 23 (6.2%) and with severe disease 152 (40.8%) were more common. The hospital admission median (IQR) was longer in the first wave, 12 (8-20), than in other waves. More patients were admitted in the first wave (52%) than in the other waves, and patients received more oxygen in the third wave (75%) than in the other waves. Death occurred more commonly in the first wave (51%) than in the other waves. The positivity rate was higher in the third wave (22.8%) than in the other waves. In the third wave, the positivity rate was higher in women (24.3%) than in men. Post-COVID cough increased in the second wave, and fatigue was higher in the third wave than in the other waves. Tiredness and memory loss were greater during the second wave than in other waves. Conclusion: The authors found differences in the presentation, outcomes, and hospital epidemiologic trend of COVID-19 among the three waves.

Clinicopathological Patterns of Malignant Solid Tumors in Adult Patients: A Hospital-Based Study From Bangladesh.

BACKGROUND: Solid malignant tumors are abnormal masses of tissue that usually do not contain any cysts or liquid areas. The causation of these tumors is multifactorial, and the disease process differs at different sites. AIM: This study aims to determine the clinicopathological patterns of malignant solid tumors in adult patients admitted into the department of internal medicine of a tertiary care hospital in Bangladesh. METHOD: This cross-sectional study was conducted between January 2018 and June 2018 at the Department of Medicine, Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Bangladesh. We recorded the complete socio-demographic characteristics, clinical patterns, and pathological characteristics of malignant solid tumors in adult patients. RESULTS: A total of 100 patients with confirmed malignant solid tumors were included in our study. The mean age of the patients was 47.5 years (SD: ±4.20); most of them (27%) were between 58 and 67 years of age. Male patients constitute 59% of the total study sample. Most of the patients were of the middle socio-economic class (59%) and most of them (61%) were nonsmokers. Among the patient diagnoses, 19% had lung cancer, 29.27% had breast cancer, and in 14%, lymphoma (tumor arising from the lymphatic system) was the common solid tumor. Lung cancer was found to be the most common form of cancer in males. Additionally, the majority of those diagnosed with lung cancer smoked. Breast cancer was found to be the most common type of cancer in females. CONCLUSION: This study reflects that solid malignant tumors can affect any socio-economic class of people. Based on findings in our study as well as others, prevention efforts should focus on the reduction in tobacco use and the incorporation of other lifestyle changes, such as diet modification and exercise. Additionally, the incorporation of economic factors and how they affect cancer presentation in different contexts is crucial.

Nanoparticles: Weighing the Pros and Cons from an Eco-genotoxicological Perspective.

The exponential growth of nanotechnology and the industrial production have raised concerns over its impact on human and environmental health and safety (EHS). Although there has been substantial progress in the assessment of pristine nanoparticle toxicities, their EHS impacts require greater clarification. In this review, we discuss studies that have assessed nanoparticle eco-genotoxicity in different test systems and their fate in the environment as well as the considerable confounding factors that may complicate the results. We highlight key mechanisms of nanoparticle-mediated genotoxicity. Then we discuss the reliability of endpoint assays, such as the comet assay, the most favored assessment technique because of its versatility to measure low levels of DNA strand breakage, and the micronucleus assay, which is complementary to the former because of its greater ability to detect chromosomal DNA fragmentation. We also address the current recommendations on experimental design, including environmentally relevant concentrations and suitable exposure duration to avoid false-positive or -negative results. The genotoxicity of nanoparticles depends on their physicochemical features and the presence of co-pollutants. Thus, the effect of environmental processes (e.g., aggregation and agglomeration, adsorption, and transformation of nanoparticles) would account for when determining the actual genotoxicity relevant to environmental systems, and assay procedures must be standardized. Indeed, the engineered nanoparticles offer potential applications in different fields including biomedicine, environment, agriculture, and industry. Toxicological pathways and the potential risk factors related to genotoxic responses in biological organisms and environments need to be clarified before appropriate and sustainable applications of nanoparticles can be established.

Risk factors for non-communicable diseases in Bangladesh: findings of the population-based cross-sectional national survey 2018.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the national prevalence of risk factors of non-communicable diseases (NCD) in the adult population of Bangladesh. DESIGN: The study was a population-based national cross-sectional study. SETTING: This study used 496 primary sampling units (PSUs) developed by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics. The PSUs were equally allocated to each division and urban and rural stratum within each division. PARTICIPANTS: The participants were adults aged 18 to 69 years, who were usual residents of the households for at least 6 months and stayed the night before the survey. Out of 9900 participants, 8185 (82.7%) completed STEP-1 and STEP-2, and 7208 took part in STEP-3. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME: The prevalence of behavioural, physical and biochemical risk factors of NCD. Data were weighted to generate national estimates. RESULTS: Tobacco use was significantly (p<0.05) higher in the rural (45.2%) than the urban (38.8%) population. Inadequate fruit/vegetable intake was significantly (p<0.05) higher in the urban (92.1%) than in the rural (88.9%) population. The mean salt intake per day was higher in the rural (9.0 g) than urban (8.9 g) population. Among all, 3.0% had no, 70.9% had 1 to 2 and 26.2% had ≥3 NCD risk factors. The urban population was more likely to have insufficient physical activity (adjusted OR (AOR): 1.2, 95% CI: 1.2 to 1.2), obesity (AOR: 1.5, 95% CI: 1.5 to 1.5), hypertension (AOR: 1.3, 95% CI: 1.3 to 1.3), diabetes (AOR: 1.6, 95% CI: 1.6 to 1.6) and hyperglycaemia (AOR: 1.1, 95% CI: 1.1 to 1.1). CONCLUSIONS: Considering the high prevalence of the behavioural, physical and biochemical risk factors, diverse population and high-risk group targeted interventions are essential to combat the rising burden of NCDs.

Assessment of in vivo genotoxicity of citrated-coated silver nanoparticles via transcriptomic analysis of rabbit liver tissue.

BACKGROUND: Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are widely used in industrial and household applications, arousing concern regarding their safety in humans. The risks posed by stabilizer-coated AgNPs continue to be unclear, and assessing their toxicity is for an understanding of the safety issues involved in their use in various applications. PURPOSE: We aimed to investigated the long-term toxicity of citrate-coated silver nanoparticles (cAgNPs) in liver tissue using several toxicity tests and transcriptomic analysis at 7 and 28 days after a single intravenous injection into rabbit ear veins (n=4). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The cAgNPs used in this study were in the form of a 20% (w/v) aqueous solution, and their size was 7.9±0.95 nm, measured using transmission electron microscopy. The animal experiments were performed based on the principles of good laboratory practice. RESULTS: Our results showed that the structure and function of liver tissue were disrupted due to a single exposure to cAgNPs. In addition, in vivo comet assay showed unrepaired genotoxicity in liver tissue until 4 weeks after a single injection, suggesting a potential carcinogenic effect of cAgNPs. In our transcriptomic analysis, a total of 244 genes were found to have differential expression at 28 days after a single cAgNP injection. Carefully curated pathway analysis of these genes using Pathway Studio and Ingenuity Pathway Analysis tools revealed major molecular networks responding to cAgNP exposure and indicated a high correlation of the genes with inflammation, hepatotoxicity, and cancer. Molecular validation suggested potential biomarkers for assessing the toxicity of accumulated cAgNPs. CONCLUSION: Our investigation highlights the risk associated with a single cAgNP exposure with unrepaired damage persisting for at least a month.

Sociodemographic Determinants of Low Fruit and Vegetable Consumption Among Bangladeshi Adults: Results From WHO-STEPS Survey 2010.

This study aimed to investigate factors affecting fruit and vegetables (FAVs) intake among Bangladeshi adults. Dietary data of 9275 adults from the Bangladesh Noncommunicable Disease Risk Factor Survey 2010 were analyzed. The mean age of the respondents was 42.4 (±13.5) years. Multistage cluster sampling was applied to identify samples. Demographics, personal habits, physical activity, diet, and anthropometric data were collected using the WHO-STEPs questionnaire. Average daily intake of <5 servings of FAVs combined was considered to be low FAV consumption, and its prevalence was 82.8%. A mixed-effect logistic regression model was fitted to assess association of factors with low FAV intake. Higher educational attainment, greater wealth, female sex, low physical activity, body mass index >25 kg/m2, and smokeless tobacco consumption were significantly associated with higher FAV consumption. Frequency of low FAV intake increased with increasing age and decreased with increasing educational attainment. Programs targeting people at risk of low FAV consumption are needed to promote consumption.

Prevalence of risk factors for non-communicable diseases in Bangladesh: Results from STEPS survey 2010.

BACKGROUND: Nationally representative data on noncommunicable disease (NCD) risk factors are lacking in Bangladesh. This study was done to determine the prevalence of common risk factors for major NCDs among men and women of rural and urban areas of Bangladesh. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This survey was done with 9,275 individuals aged 25 years or older randomly drawn from all over the country. Information on diet, physical activity, tobacco and alcohol, and treatment history for hypertension and diabetes were collected. Height, weight, waist circumference, and blood pressure (BP) were measured. RESULTS: There were 4,312 men and 4,963 women with the mean age of 42 years (standard deviation 13 years). Half of them (54%) used tobacco in some form, <1% consumed alcohol within the past 30 days, 92% did not consume adequate fruit and vegetables (five servings or more), and 35% had low physical activity level [<600 metabolic equivalent (MET) min per week]. Documented diabetes was found in 4% of the participants. Seventeen percent were overweight [body mass index (BMI) ≥25 kg/m 2 and 21% had abdominal obesity (men ≥94, women ≥80 cm). Overall, 21% people had hypertension (blood pressure ≥140/90 mmHg or medication). Physical inactivity, alcohol intake, hypertension, obesity, and diabetes were more prevalent in urban areas, as opposed to tobacco. Tobacco intake showed a decreasing gradient, but hypertension, obesity, diabetes, and low physical activity showed an increasing gradient across the wealth quartiles. CONCLUSION: Risk factors are widely prevalent in Bangladeshi people across sexes and across both rural and urban areas of residences. NCD prevention through risk factor control, and early detection and treatment of hypertension and diabetes are warranted.

Discovery of potential targets of selenomethionine-mediated chemoprevention in colorectal carcinoma mouse model using proteomics analysis.

Despite some controversy, selenomethionine (SeMet)-mediated protection against colorectal cancer (CRC) might be a very promising non-cytotoxic option. However, responsive molecular targets and underlying mechanisms of SeMet-mediated chemoprevention are still unclear. Our aim was to discover new targets of SeMet-mediated chemoprevention in CRC using proteomics analysis. We found dietary SeMet supplementation before carcinoma initiation effectively suppressed polyp incidence and dysplastic lesions without any adverse effects. To determine chemopreventive targets of SeMet, we employed two-dimensional gel electrophoresis-based proteomics analysis in CRC mouse model. Pretreatment with SeMet apparently modulated the expression of 30 proteins with functions in major processes like chronic inflammation, oxidative stress and apoptosis as discovered through pathway analysis with Pathway Studio software. We validated four proteins selected from pathway analysis including prohibitin, purine nucleoside phosphorylase, annexin 2 and c-reactive protein by immunohistochemistry. 8-Hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), a known oxidative stress marker, was decreased by SeMet treatment in CRC mice as seen by immunohistochemistry. Further network analysis was done among these new four validated proteins, 8-OHdG and colorectal cancer. These four proteins found by proteomics analysis might be considered as potential chemopreventive biomarkers of SeMet against colon cancer and can help develop and improve approaches in preventive, therapeutic and prognostic aspects.

Severe haemolytic anaemia due to ingestion of naphthalene (mothball) containing coconut oil.

Naphthalene, a widely used industrial and household chemical, has rarely been an agent of poisoning worldwide. Severe haemolysis from naphthalene poisoning is rare and can be a challenge to clinicians. We report a 22-year-old female, who accidentally ingested naphthalene mixed coconut oil and got admitted with recurrent vomiting, headache and passage of dark urine. Severe intravascular haemolysis with hypotension and neutrophilic leukocytosis was detected. She was treated with red blood cell transfusions, intravenous saline infusion and ascorbic acid.

Protective effects of selenomethionine against ionizing radiation under the modulation of p53 tumor suppressor.

Ionizing radiation (IR) therapy has been widely employed in the treatment of cancer. However, certain issues, including toxicity, have been raised in conjunction with IR therapy for cancer. Recently, selenomethionine (SeMet) as an antioxidant has been the subject of a great deal of attention for its chemopreventive effects. In this study, we found that DNA repair activity has been enhanced in response to SeMet against IR. In addition, our data showed that p53 functional activity was significantly reduced against IR in the cells expressing a mutant form of redox factor 1 (Ref-1) contrast with Ref-1 wild-type cells treated with SeMet, suggesting that p53 activation under the modulation of Ref-1 might play an important role in IR-treated cells in the presence of SeMet. Furthermore, IR-induced micronuclei numbers were also reduced after treatment with SeMet, strongly implicating protection by SeMet in genomic stability against IR-induced genotoxicity. From this study, we suggest that the p53-mediated protective mechanism of SeMet might provide clues for reducing side effects of IR therapy.