Initial Six Month's Study of Neonatal Covid-19 in a Tertiary Care Hospital of Bangladesh.

The pandemic Covid-19 affects mainly adult causing fatal illness specially who have co-morbidities. But as days pass by with increasing surveillances it's gradually obvious that this devastating disease also affects the children as well as neonates with greater number. The aim of study was to determine the Covid-19 in neonates. So, we can give proper emphasis on neonatal Covid-19. This cross-sectional study was conducted from April 2020 to September 2020 at Dhaka Shishu (Children) Hospital in Bangladesh. Neonates with suspected Covid-19 were tested for SARS-CoV-2 by RT- PCR. Newborn who had suspected or confirmed COVID-19 mother, exposed to relatives infected with Covid-19, related with cluster outbreak or with abnormal clinical courses such as respiratory distress, not responded to conventional treatment and also abnormal chest x-ray was selected for Covid-19 test. Data regarding gestational age, birth weight, gender, positive cases and other findings were collected and analyzed. Statistics analysis was done by SPSS version 26.0. Forty three cases were Covid-19 positive. Among them 28(65.1%) cases were male and 15(34.9%) female. Term was 39(90.6%) cases and preterm 4(9.4%). Twenty nine (67.5%) cases were belonged to medicine and 14(32.6%) surgical cases. Fourteen (32.5%) cases with Covid-19 lived in Dhaka and 29(67.5%) cases in outside of Dhaka. Eleven (25.5%) cases were positive for SARS -CoV-2 by RT- PCR within 3 days, among them 5 (11.6%) cases were within 24 hours of age. Nine (20.9%) and 23(53.5%) cases were test positive at day 4-7 and 8-28 days respectively. The main symptoms at admission were respiratory difficulty (12/43, 27.9%), fever (8/43, 18.6%), convulsion (8/43, 18.6%) and reluctance to feed (7/43, 16.6%). In neonate two or more diseases coexist in same cases. Sepsis was present in 20 (46.5%) cases with COVID-19. Perinatal asphyxia was present in 10(23.3%) and pneumonia in 8 (18.6%) cases. In laboratory findings low Hb% was present in 2/43(4.7%) cases, leukopenia in 4/43(9.3%), leukocytosis in 2/43(4.7%) and thrombocytopenia in 5/43(11.6%). Elevated CRP was present in 14/29 (32.6%) cases, hypernatremia in 10/33 (30.3%), hyponatremia in 1/33(3%), increased serum creatinine in 10/18(55.6%), and prolonged PT, aPTT in 2/2(100%). Hyperglycaemia was found in 1/15(6.7%) cases and hypoglycaemia in 2/15(13.3%). No organism was found in blood C/S. In chest X-ray, one showed patchy opacities in right lower lobe, another showed bilateral ground-glass opacity and third one revealed few patchy opacities in the right perihilar region. Among 43 cases 21(48.9%) were discharged with advice, 12(27.9%) cases referred to Covid-19 designated hospital, 2(4.7%) cases LAMA (Leave against medical advice) and 8(18.6%) cases died including one surgical case. A good number (43) of Covid-19 cases were found in this study. In neonates the clinical features could not be differentiated properly between Covid-19 or associated diseases unlike children and adult. The neonate may be a source of transmission of this disease. So, we should give proper emphasis on test, tracing and management of neonatal Covid-19.

Orbital compartment syndrome following primary scleral buckle surgery.

PURPOSE: To illustrate a patient with orbital compartment syndrome following scleral buckle placement that was successfully treated with canthotomy and cantholysis. METHODS: Observational case report. RESULTS: A 26-year-old male underwent a primary scleral buckle repair for a chronic rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. On post-operative day four, the patient presented to the emergency room with pain and increased intraocular pressure (IOP). Initial treatment with conservative IOP lowering agents was unsuccessful. The patient was diagnosed with delayed orbital compartment syndrome and was successfully managed with lateral canthotomy and inferior cantholysis in addition to aggressive steroid and antibiotic medical management. CONCLUSION: Following scleral buckle placement with sub-tenon's anesthesia block, there may be a delayed presentation of orbital compartment syndrome. Recognition and management of this rare complication is important for preventing irreversible blindness.

DFT insights into Nb-based 211 MAX phase carbides: Nb2AC (A = Ga, Ge, Tl, Zn, P, In, and Cd).

In this study, we performed the first-principles calculations to study the 211 MAX phase carbides: Nb2AC (A = Ga, Ge, Tl, Zn, P, In, Cd, and Al). The structural characteristics are in good agreement with those of the prior studies. The mechanical behavior has been explored by calculating the stiffness constants, elastic moduli, and Vickers hardness. The stiffness constants and phonon dispersion curves were used to check the structural stability of the selected compounds. 2D and 3D plotting of elastic moduli and calculated anisotropy indices disclosed the anisotropy of the elastic properties. We utilized the Mulliken atomic and bond overlap population to explain the mixture of ionic and covalent bonding among these carbides. The metallic behavior has been confirmed by calculating the band structure and density of states (DOS). Partial DOS was also used to discuss the bonding nature and strength among the different states. The optical properties of these phases have also been computed and analyzed to reveal possible relevance in diverse fields. The Debye temperature (Θ D), Grüneisen parameter (γ), melting temperature (T m), and minimum thermal conductivity (K min) were studied to bring out their possible relevance in high-temperature technology. The outcomes of this research indicate that the titled carbides are suitable for use as solar radiation-protecting coating and thermal barrier coating (TBC) materials.

Significant production of vanillin and in vitro amplification of ech gene in local bacterial isolates

Abstract Vanillin is the major component which is responsible for flavor and aroma of vanilla extract and is produced by 3 ways: natural extraction from vanilla plant, chemical synthesis and from microbial transformation. Current research was aimed to study bacterial production of vanillin from native natural sources including sewage and soil from industrial areas. The main objective was vanillin bio-production by isolating bacteria from these native sources. Also to adapt methodologies to improve vanillin production by optimized fermentation media and growth conditions. 47 soil and 13 sewage samples were collected from different industrial regions of Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisalabad and Kasur. 67.7% bacterial isolates produced vanillin and 32.3% were non-producers. From these 279 producers, 4 bacterial isolates selected as significant producers were; A3, A4, A7 and A10. These isolates were identified by ribotyping as A3 Pseudomonas fluorescence (KF408302), A4 Enterococcus faecium (KT356807), A7 Alcaligenes faecalis (MW422815) and A10 Bacillus subtilis (KT962919). Vanillin producers were further tested for improved production of vanillin and were grown in different fermentation media under optimized growth conditions for enhanced production of vanillin. The fermentation media (FM) were; clove oil based, rice bran waste (residues oil) based, wheat bran based and modified isoeugenol based. In FM5, FM21, FM22, FM23, FM24, FM30, FM31, FM32, FM34, FM35, FM36, and FM37, the selected 4 bacterial strains produced significant amounts of vanillin. A10 B. subtilis produced maximum amount of vanillin. This strain produced 17.3 g/L vanillin in FM36. Cost of this fermentation medium 36 was 131.5 rupees/L. This fermentation medium was modified isoeugenol based medium with 1% of isoeugenol and 2.5 g/L soybean meal. ech gene was amplified in A3 P. fluorescence using ech specific primers. As vanillin use as flavor has increased tremendously, the bioproduction of vanillin must be focused.

Resumo A vanilina é o principal componente responsável pelo sabor e aroma do extrato de baunilha e é produzida de três formas: extração natural da planta da baunilha, síntese química e transformação microbiana. A pesquisa atual teve como objetivo estudar a produção bacteriana de vanilina a partir de fontes naturais nativas, incluindo esgoto e solo de áreas industriais. O objetivo principal era a bioprodução de vanilina por meio do isolamento de bactérias dessas fontes nativas. Também para adaptar metodologias para melhorar a produção de vanilina por meio de fermentação otimizada e condições de crescimento. Foram coletadas 47 amostras de solo e 13 de esgoto de diferentes regiões industriais de Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisalabad e Kasur; 67,7% dos isolados bacterianos produziram vanilina e 32,3% eram não produtores. Desses 279 produtores, 4 isolados bacterianos selecionados como produtores significativos foram: A3, A4, A7 e A10. Esses isolados foram identificados por ribotipagem como fluorescência A3 Pseudomonas (KF408302), A4 Enterococcus faecium (KT356807), A7 Alcaligenes faecalis (MW422815) e A10 Bacillus subtilis (KT962919). Os produtores de vanilina foram posteriormente testados para produção aprimorada de vanilina e foram cultivados em diferentes meios de fermentação sob condições de crescimento otimizadas para produção aprimorada de vanilina. Os meios de fermentação (FM) foram: à base de óleo de cravo, à base de resíduos de farelo de arroz (resíduos de óleo), à base de farelo de trigo e à base de isoeugenol modificado. Em FM5, FM21, FM22, FM23, FM24, FM30, FM31, FM32, FM34, FM35, FM36 e FM37, as 4 cepas bacterianas selecionadas produziram quantidades significativas de vanilina. A10 B. subtilis produziu quantidade máxima de vanilina. Essa cepa produziu 17,3 g / L de vanilina em FM36. O custo desse meio de fermentação 36 foi de 131,5 rúpias / L. Esse meio de fermentação foi um meio à base de isoeugenol modificado com 1% de isoeugenol e 2,5 g / L de farelo de soja. O gene ech foi amplificado em A3 P. fluorescence usando primers específicos para ech. Como o uso da vanilina como sabor aumentou tremendamente, a bioprodução da vanilina deve ser focada.

Significant production of vanillin and in vitro amplification of ech gene in local bacterial isolates / Produção significativa de vanilina e amplificação in vitro do gene ech em isolados bacterianos locais

Abstract Vanillin is the major component which is responsible for flavor and aroma of vanilla extract and is produced by 3 ways: natural extraction from vanilla plant, chemical synthesis and from microbial transformation. Current research was aimed to study bacterial production of vanillin from native natural sources including sewage and soil from industrial areas. The main objective was vanillin bio-production by isolating bacteria from these native sources. Also to adapt methodologies to improve vanillin production by optimized fermentation media and growth conditions. 47 soil and 13 sewage samples were collected from different industrial regions of Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisalabad and Kasur. 67.7% bacterial isolates produced vanillin and 32.3% were non-producers. From these 279 producers, 4 bacterial isolates selected as significant producers were; A3, A4, A7 and A10. These isolates were identified by ribotyping as A3 Pseudomonas fluorescence (KF408302), A4 Enterococcus faecium (KT356807), A7 Alcaligenes faecalis (MW422815) and A10 Bacillus subtilis (KT962919). Vanillin producers were further tested for improved production of vanillin and were grown in different fermentation media under optimized growth conditions for enhanced production of vanillin. The fermentation media (FM) were; clove oil based, rice bran waste (residues oil) based, wheat bran based and modified isoeugenol based. In FM5, FM21, FM22, FM23, FM24, FM30, FM31, FM32, FM34, FM35, FM36, and FM37, the selected 4 bacterial strains produced significant amounts of vanillin. A10 B. subtilis produced maximum amount of vanillin. This strain produced 17.3 g/L vanillin in FM36. Cost of this fermentation medium 36 was 131.5 rupees/L. This fermentation medium was modified isoeugenol based medium with 1% of isoeugenol and 2.5 g/L soybean meal. ech gene was amplified in A3 P. fluorescence using ech specific primers. As vanillin use as flavor has increased tremendously, the bioproduction of vanillin must be focused.

Resumo A vanilina é o principal componente responsável pelo sabor e aroma do extrato de baunilha e é produzida de três formas: extração natural da planta da baunilha, síntese química e transformação microbiana. A pesquisa atual teve como objetivo estudar a produção bacteriana de vanilina a partir de fontes naturais nativas, incluindo esgoto e solo de áreas industriais. O objetivo principal era a bioprodução de vanilina por meio do isolamento de bactérias dessas fontes nativas. Também para adaptar metodologias para melhorar a produção de vanilina por meio de fermentação otimizada e condições de crescimento. Foram coletadas 47 amostras de solo e 13 de esgoto de diferentes regiões industriais de Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisalabad e Kasur; 67,7% dos isolados bacterianos produziram vanilina e 32,3% eram não produtores. Desses 279 produtores, 4 isolados bacterianos selecionados como produtores significativos foram: A3, A4, A7 e A10. Esses isolados foram identificados por ribotipagem como fluorescência A3 Pseudomonas (KF408302), A4 Enterococcus faecium (KT356807), A7 Alcaligenes faecalis (MW422815) e A10 Bacillus subtilis (KT962919). Os produtores de vanilina foram posteriormente testados para produção aprimorada de vanilina e foram cultivados em diferentes meios de fermentação sob condições de crescimento otimizadas para produção aprimorada de vanilina. Os meios de fermentação (FM) foram: à base de óleo de cravo, à base de resíduos de farelo de arroz (resíduos de óleo), à base de farelo de trigo e à base de isoeugenol modificado. Em FM5, FM21, FM22, FM23, FM24, FM30, FM31, FM32, FM34, FM35, FM36 e FM37, as 4 cepas bacterianas selecionadas produziram quantidades significativas de vanilina. A10 B. subtilis produziu quantidade máxima de vanilina. Essa cepa produziu 17,3 g / L de vanilina em FM36. O custo desse meio de fermentação 36 foi de 131,5 rúpias / L. Esse meio de fermentação foi um meio à base de isoeugenol modificado com 1% de isoeugenol e 2,5 g / L de farelo de soja. O gene ech foi amplificado em A3 P. fluorescence usando primers específicos para ech. Como o uso da vanilina como sabor aumentou tremendamente, a bioprodução da vanilina deve ser focada.

Exploration of the physical properties of the newly synthesized kagome superconductor LaIr3Ga2 using different exchange-correlation functionals.

LaIr3Ga2 is a kagome superconductor with a superconducting temperature (Tc) of 5.16 K. Here, we present the physical properties of the LaIr3Ga2 kagome superconductor computed via the DFT method wherein six different exchange-correlation functionals were used. The lattice parameters obtained using different functionals are reasonable, with a slight variation compared to experimental values. The bonding nature was explored. The elastic constants (Cij), moduli (B, G, Y), and Vickers hardness (Hv) were computed to disclose the mechanical behavior. The Hv values were estimated to be 2.56-3.16 GPa using various exchange-correlation functionals, indicating the softness of the kagome material. The Pugh ratio, Poisson's ratio, and Cauchy pressure revealed the ductile nature. In addition, mechanical stability was ensured based on the estimated elastic constants. The anisotropic mechanical behavior was confirmed via different anisotropic indices. The Debye temperature (ΘD), melting temperature (Tm), and minimum thermal conductivity (kmin) were calculated to characterize the thermal properties and predict the potential of LaIr3Ga2 as a thermal barrier coating material. The electronic density of states was investigated in detail. The McMillan equation was used to estimate Tc, and the electron-phonon coupling constant (λ) was calculated to explore the superconducting nature. The important optical constants were also calculated to explore its possible optoelectronic applications. The values of reflectivity in the IR-visible region are about 62% to 80%, indicating that the compound under study is suitable as a coating to reduce solar heating. The obtained parameters were compared with previously reported parameters, where available.

Glycemic Status among Pregnant Women during 24th to 28th Gestational Age.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a heterogeneous group of metabolic disorder, which result in varying degrees of maternal hyperglycemia and pregnancy associated risk. Glucose intolerance usually returns to normal range within 6 weeks after delivery. This study was undertaken to determine the glycemic status who attended for antenatal care. This study enrolled pregnant women, with their gestational age between 24th - 28th weeks. This analytical cross sectional study was carried out in the department of Biochemistry, BIRDEM General Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh from July 2014 to June 2015. Total 135 subjects were selected to evaluate the glycemic status among Bangladeshi pregnant women attending BIRDEM General Hospital. Among them 41 were GDM subjects and 94 were non GDM subjects. The mean fasting plasma glucose values (mmol/L) and 2 hours after 75gm glucose values of GDM were 6.06±1.26 and 9.78±2.74 respectively compared to non GDM patients were 4.82±0.38 and 7.26±0.41 respectively and the mean of HbA1C (%) of GDM and non GDM were 5.87±0.73 and 5.43±0.31 respectively.

Enhancing Wheat Disease Diagnosis in a Greenhouse Using Image Deep Features and Parallel Feature Fusion.

Since the assessment of wheat diseases (e.g., leaf rust and tan spot) via visual observation is subjective and inefficient, this study focused on developing an automatic, objective, and efficient diagnosis approach. For each plant, color, and color-infrared (CIR) images were collected in a paired mode. An automatic approach based on the image processing technique was developed to crop the paired images to have the same region, after which a developed semiautomatic webtool was used to expedite the dataset creation. The webtool generated the dataset from either image and automatically built the corresponding dataset from the other image. Each image was manually categorized into one of the three groups: control (disease-free), disease light, and disease severity. After the image segmentation, handcrafted features (HFs) were extracted from each format of images, and disease diagnosis results demonstrated that the parallel feature fusion had higher accuracy over features from either type of image. Performance of deep features (DFs) extracted through different deep learning (DL) models (e.g., AlexNet, VGG16, ResNet101, GoogLeNet, and Xception) on wheat disease detection was compared, and those extracted by ResNet101 resulted in the highest accuracy, perhaps because deep layers extracted finer features. In addition, parallel deep feature fusion generated a higher accuracy over DFs from a single-source image. DFs outperformed HFs in wheat disease detection, and the DFs coupled with parallel feature fusion resulted in diagnosis accuracies of 75, 84, and 71% for leaf rust, tan spot, and leaf rust + tan spot, respectively. The methodology developed directly for greenhouse applications, to be used by plant pathologists, breeders, and other users, can be extended to field applications with future tests on field data and model fine-tuning.

Significant production of vanillin and in vitro amplification of ech gene in local bacterial isolates.

Vanillin is the major component which is responsible for flavor and aroma of vanilla extract and is produced by 3 ways: natural extraction from vanilla plant, chemical synthesis and from microbial transformation. Current research was aimed to study bacterial production of vanillin from native natural sources including sewage and soil from industrial areas. The main objective was vanillin bio-production by isolating bacteria from these native sources. Also to adapt methodologies to improve vanillin production by optimized fermentation media and growth conditions. 47 soil and 13 sewage samples were collected from different industrial regions of Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisalabad and Kasur. 67.7% bacterial isolates produced vanillin and 32.3% were non-producers. From these 279 producers, 4 bacterial isolates selected as significant producers were; A3, A4, A7 and A10. These isolates were identified by ribotyping as A3 Pseudomonas fluorescence (KF408302), A4 Enterococcus faecium (KT356807), A7 Alcaligenes faecalis (MW422815) and A10 Bacillus subtilis (KT962919). Vanillin producers were further tested for improved production of vanillin and were grown in different fermentation media under optimized growth conditions for enhanced production of vanillin. The fermentation media (FM) were; clove oil based, rice bran waste (residues oil) based, wheat bran based and modified isoeugenol based. In FM5, FM21, FM22, FM23, FM24, FM30, FM31, FM32, FM34, FM35, FM36, and FM37, the selected 4 bacterial strains produced significant amounts of vanillin. A10 B. subtilis produced maximum amount of vanillin. This strain produced 17.3 g/L vanillin in FM36. Cost of this fermentation medium 36 was 131.5 rupees/L. This fermentation medium was modified isoeugenol based medium with 1% of isoeugenol and 2.5 g/L soybean meal. ech gene was amplified in A3 P. fluorescence using ech specific primers. As vanillin use as flavor has increased tremendously, the bioproduction of vanillin must be focused.

Evaluation of Pre-peritoneal (Sublay) Mesh Repair for Treatment of Ventral Hernia.

Ventral hernia after abdominal surgery is a common complication. Several techniques for the repair of ventral hernia have been described from time to time and it is a great challenge for a surgeon. The mesh placement by sublay technique authorized by Rives and Stoppa in Europe has been reported to be effective with low recurrence rate. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of sublay technique of mesh placement in ventral hernia. This prospective study was carried out in the Department of Surgery, Dhaka Dental College, Bangladesh from January 2017 to December 2018. A total of 21 patients with ventral hernia were included in this study. Data collected in data collection sheet regarding demographic data, severity of symptoms and post operative complains of patients which were then analyzed. Age ranged from 21-60 years. Male were 5(23.80%) and female were 16(76.20%). Dragging pain were 7(33.33%), irreducibility were 4(19.05%) but swelling were 100%. Incisional hernia was 18(85.71%) and para-umbilical hernia was 3(14.29%). Post-operative complication were seroma1 (4.76%), major wound infection 1(4.76%), minor infection 1(4.76%) but no recurrence. Sublay mesh repair in ventral hernia was found to be a better and effective technique with minimal complication rate.

Outcome of Stapled Hemorrhoidopexy: Experience of 90 Cases.

Hemorrhoidal disease is one of the commonest anorectal problems in worldwide. Stapled hemorrhoidopexy is the treatment choice due to less post-operative pain and early recovery. The aim of this study was to assess outcomes after Stapled hemorrhoidopexy (SH). This cross-sectional prospective study was performed in Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital, Dhaka from January 2016 to December 2017. Ninety patients with symptomatic hemorrhoidal diseases were included in this study. Data collected in data collection sheet regarding demographic data, severity of symptoms, post-operative complains of patient and outcome of patients which were then analyzed. Total 90 patients were included in this study. Age ranged from 18-50 years. Male were 59(65.56%) and female were 31(34.44%). 2° hemorrhoids were 11(12.22%), 3° hemorrhoids were 63(70%), 4° hemorrhoids were 16(17.78%). Post-operative complications were mild pain 73(81.11%), moderate pain 13(14.45%), severe pain 4(4.44%), early bleeding 23(25.56%), retention of urine 16(17.78%), early urgency 15(16.67%), infection 4(4.44%), constipation 9(10%), late recurrence 4(4.44%). Outcomes of stapled hemorrhoidopexy were satisfactory in most patients. Early recovery, low complication rate, minimal post-operative pain was encountered in treatment of symptomatic hemorrhoids by stapled hemorrhoidopexy.

Effect of parenteral endotoxin administration on the immuno-haematological responses of catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis.

Endotoxin, the outer cell wall membrane lipopolysaccharide component of the Gram-negative bacteria is a factor responsible for a number of complications/disorders and plays important role in the associated with pathophysiological complications and pathogenesis of many diseases in animals. Unlike higher animals which are extremely sensitive to endotoxin, fish are found to be resistant to endotoxic shock and earlier studies though limited have demonstrated the patho-physiological, immuno-endocrinological and immuno-neurological effects of LPS/endotoxin in aquatic animals including fish. Herein in the present investigation, the effect of pure endotoxin on immuno-haematological parameters of stinging catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis ranging from 50-60 g was studied by intraperitoneally injecting 0.1, 0.05 and 0.01 mg endotoxin per fish. H. fossilis yearlings were found to resist the endotoxin concentration up to 0.1 mg without any mortality. While, no change in immune parameters was recorded in stinging catfish injected with low dose of endotoxin (0.01 mg), most of the immune parameters were found to be significantly elevated in catfish injected with 0.05 mg endotoxin. Different serum and immune parameters like protein, globulin, lysozyme, respiratory burst activity, myeloperoxidase activity, natural agglutination titre were found to be significantly high (p < 0.01) at a dose of 0.05 mg endotoxin per fish. On the contrary, most of these parameters were decreased at high dose i.e., 0.1 mg endotoxin per fish, thereby indicating the immuno-suppressive effect of the endotoxin. The findings of the modulation of innate immunity also corroborated with the results of Aeromonas hydrophila pathogen challenge study with highest percent of mortality in group injected with 0.1 mg endotoxin per fish and least percentage in group injected with 0.05 mg endotoxin per fish.

Risk factors associated with morbidity and mortality outcomes of COVID-19 patients on the 28th day of the disease course: a retrospective cohort study in Bangladesh.

Diverse risk factors intercede the outcomes of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We conducted this retrospective cohort study with a cohort of 1016 COVID-19 patients diagnosed in May 2020 to identify the risk factors associated with morbidity and mortality outcomes. Data were collected by telephone-interview and reviewing records using a questionnaire and checklist. The study identified morbidity and mortality risk factors on the 28th day of the disease course. The majority of the patients were male (64.1%) and belonged to the age group 25-39 years (39.4%). Urban patients were higher in proportion than rural (69.3% vs. 30.7%). Major comorbidities included 35.0% diabetes mellitus (DM), 28.4% hypertension (HTN), 16.6% chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and 7.8% coronary heart disease (CHD). The morbidity rate (not-cured) was 6.0%, and the mortality rate (non-survivor) was 2.5%. Morbidity risk factors included elderly (AOR = 2.56, 95% CI = 1.31-4.99), having comorbidity (AOR = 1.43, 95% CI = 0.83-2.47), and smokeless tobacco use (AOR = 2.17, 95% CI = 0.84-5.61). The morbidity risk was higher with COPD (RR = 2.68), chronic kidney disease (CKD) (RR = 3.33) and chronic liver disease (CLD) (RR = 3.99). Mortality risk factors included elderly (AOR = 7.56, 95% CI = 3.19-17.92), having comorbidity (AOR = 5.27, 95% CI = 1.88-14.79) and SLT use (AOR = 1.93, 95% CI = 0.50-7.46). The mortality risk was higher with COPD (RR = 7.30), DM (RR = 2.63), CHD (RR = 4.65), HTN (RR = 3.38), CKD (RR = 9.03), CLD (RR = 10.52) and malignant diseases (RR = 9.73). We must espouse programme interventions considering the morbidity and mortality risk factors to condense the aggressive outcomes of COVID-19.

Serum sonic hedgehog (SHH) and interleukin-(IL-6) as dual prognostic biomarkers in progressive metastatic breast cancer.

Serum from one hundred and ten breast cancer patients and thirty healthy female volunteers, were prospectively collected and evaluated for serum levels of Shh and IL-6 using human Shh and IL-6 specific enzyme-linked immunoassays. All patients were regularly monitored for event free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS). Overall outcome analysis was based on serum Shh and IL-6 levels. In patients with progressive metastatic BC, both serum Shh and IL-6 concentrations were elevated in 44% (29 of 65) and 63% (41 of 65) of patients, respectively, at a statistically significant level [Shh (p = 0.0001) and IL-6 (p = 0.0001)] compared to the low levels in healthy volunteers. Serum levels tended to increase with metastatic progression and lymph node positivity. High serum Shh and IL-6 levels were associated with poor EFS and OS opposite to the negative or lower levels in serum Shh and IL-6. The elevated levels of both serum Shh and IL-6 were mainly observed in BC patients who had a significantly higher risk of early recurrence and bone metastasis, and associated with a worse survival for patients with progressive metastatic BC. Further studies are warranted for validating these biomarkers as prognostic tools in a larger patient cohort and in a longer follow-up study.

Prognostic Role of Multiple Cardiac Biomarkers in Newly Diagnosed Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients.

Acute coronary syndrome includes unstable angina and myocardial infarction with or without ST-segment elevation, is life-threatening disorders that remain a source of high morbidity and mortality despite advances in treatment. The aim of the study was to evaluate the prognostic role of serum cTnI, CK-MB, hsCRP, MPO and BNP in newly diagnosed acute coronary syndrome patients. This cohort study was carried out in the Department of Biochemistry, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University in cooperation with the Department of Cardiology, BSMMU and NICVD during the period of March 2013 to February 2014. A total 100 newly diagnosed acute coronary syndrome patients were purposively enrolled in this study within 24 hours of attacked, among them 30 were NSTEMI, 65 were STEMI and 5 were unstable angina. Serum cTnI, CK-MB, hsCRP, MPO and BNP concentrations were measured at enrollment and grouping of the study subjects were done on the basis of their empirical cut off values into two groups. In cTnI: Group I (n=20) having cTnI <4ng/ml and Group II (n=80) having cTnI ≥4ng/ml. In CK-MB: Group I (n=18) having CK-MB <10ng/ml and Group II (n= 82) having CK-MB ≥10ng/ml. In hsCRP: Group I (n=36) having hsCRP <5mg/L and Group II (n=64) having hsCRP ≥5mg/L. In MPO: Group I (n=30) having MPO <285.5pmol/L and Group II (n=70) having MPO ≥285.5pmol/L. In BNP: Group I (n=26) having BNP <135pg/ml and Group II (n=74) having BNP ≥135pg/ml. All the study subjects were treated and managed identically by standard management protocol and were followed up periodically up to three months from the onset of events during hospital stay and after discharge. Clinical outcomes of the study subjects such as good recovery, morbidity (recurrent ACS, heart failure, arrhythmia and revascularization) and mortality were evaluated with respect to their base line cTnI, CK-MB, hsCRP, MPO and BNP concentrations. Increased levels of base line cardiac biomarkers in Group II patients showed significantly high morbidity and mortality cTnI (p=0.044), CK-MB (p=0.045), hsCRP (p=0.009), MPO (p=0.003), and BNP (p=0.001) in compared to Group I. In relative risk ratio analysis showed significantly worse outcome in Group II acute coronary syndrome patients in comparison to Group I. In case of cTnI RR - 1.85 at 95% CI 1.19-2.88, in case of CK-MB RR- 1.88 at 95% CI 1.21-2.92, in case of hsCRP RR- 2.05 at 95% CI 1.30-3.25, in case of MPO RR- 2.59, at 95% CI 1.49-4.49, and in case of BNP RR- 3.47 at 95% CI 2.5-5.36. It was concluded from this study that base line serum cTnI, CK-MB, hsCRP, MPO, and BNP can be used clinically as prognostic biomarkers of acute coronary syndrome.

Risk and Protective Factors for Cigarette Use in Young Adolescents in a School Setting: What Could Be Done Better?

Smoking among Malaysian adolescents remains a public health concern despite concerted efforts in tobacco control. The aims of this study were to examine the prevalence and determinants of current-smoking status in young adolescents. This cross sectional study used the first round of the Malaysian Health and Adolescents Research Team's prospective cohort study. It was conducted in three States of the Central and Northern regions of Peninsular Malaysia between March and May 2012. The study used the multistage stratified sampling design. A total of 1,342 adolescents of both sexes, aged 12-13 years, were sampled from randomly selected urban and rural national schools. Information on current smoking status and associated factors were collected by a self-administered, pre-tested, validated, structured questionnaire. Seven percent of the samples were current-smokers; the majority (62%) of them started smoking at the age of 11 years or below. The prevalence of current smoking was significantly higher in males (odds ratio [OR] = 2.37; 95% CI: 1.46, 3.84), those who were influenced by smoker friends (OR = 8.35; 95% CI: 4.90, 14.25), who were unaware of the health risks of smoking (OR =1.85; 95% CI: 1.02, 3.36) and who reported a lack of satisfaction about their overall life (OR =3.26; 95% CI: 1.73, 6.12). The study findings provide valuable information to strengthen the existing school-based smoking prevention program through integration of social competence and social influence curricula. The program should empower the young adolescents to refuse tobacco offers, to overcome social influences and to resist peer pressure to avoid starting smoking. Particular focuses to include mental health service to prevent both emotional and behavioural problems are needed.

Assessment of immune response in periparturient dairy cows using ex vivo whole blood stimulation assay with lipopolysaccharides and carrageenan skin test.

The transition period is known to be the most critical phase in the life of high yielding dairy cow. Changes in the immune functions have been observed during the transition period which may account for the onset of clinical and subclinical (e.g. inflammatory response) problems at calving or at the beginning of lactation however this relationship has not yet been adequately investigated. Thus, to establish the potential of the periparturient dairy cow's immune system to respond to stimuli, two challenges [an ex vivo whole blood stimulation assay (WBA) with lipopolysaccharides and a carrageenan skin test (CST)] were performed in addition to characterizing the metabolic and inflammatory profile. The WBA was performed using 0, 0.01 and 5 µg LPS/mL on whole blood and CST was administered by subcutaneous injection of 0.7 mL solution containing 4.2mg of carrageenan to the shoulder region of the cows. These tests were performed on 10 Holstein-Friesian cows at -45 ± 2, -20 ± 2, -3, 3, 7, 28 ± 2 days from parturition (DFP). Cows were also monitored for health status, body condition score, milk yield. The results demonstrate a higher production of IL-1ß and IL-6 from leukocytes after LPS stimulation around calving (from -3 to 3 DFP) compared to -45 DFP (P < 0.05). Moreover, IL-6 (but not IL-1ß) was able to reach close to the maximum response at the lower stimulus intensity (0.01 µg LPS/mL), maintaining a higher response over a longer time in early lactation. The release of higher levels of IL-6 in the transition period, with low LPS dose, suggests its crucial role in the regulation of inflammatory response around calving. The response of cows to CST decreased a few days before calving (-3 DFP) compared with response at -45 and 28 DFP (P<0.05), and remained low in the first week of lactation. This result suggests the reduction of the functionality of some vascular factors, which decreases diapedesis. Overall, the WBA and CST tests confirm changes in immunocompetence around calving. These tests are able to better describe the changes of the innate immune response at a local and systemic level, mainly when combined with conventional metabolic and inflammatory indices.

Analgesic and antidepressant activities of Brassica rapa subspecies chinensis (L.) Hanelt on Swiss-albino mice model.

Bangladesh being a subtropical country provides varieties of herbs and vegetables. Brassica is a broad genus available in Bangladesh and it encompasses a lot of nutritive herbs. Among these, Brassica rapa subspecies chinensis (L.) Hanelt (Family-Brassicaceae) is popular in many parts of the world. In the quest of medicinal property, this plant was investigated here for observing analgesic and antidepressant activities in Swiss-albino mice model. The herb was extracted well with methanol and then assayed by acetic acid-induced writhing and tail immersion methods for analgesic action. Besides, thiopental sodium induced sleeping time test, tail suspension test and forced swim test were conducted for the evaluation of its antidepressant activity. The plant extract was orally administered to the mice at 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight and it exhibited significant analgesic and antidepressant activities in compare to the controlled groups. This is the first time comprehensive report for analgesic and antidepressant activities of this plant.