Landscape structure influences natural pest suppression in a rice agroecosystem.

Agricultural landscapes are constantly changing as farmers adopt new production practices and respond to changing environmental conditions. Some of these changes alter landscape structure with impacts on natural pest control, pesticide use, and conservation of biodiversity. In rice agroecosystems the effect of landscape structure on natural enemies and pest suppression is often poorly understood. Here we investigate the effect of landscape composition and configuration on a key pest of rice, the brown planthopper (Nilaparvata lugens). Using N. lugens as sentinel prey coupled with predator exclusions, we investigated landscape effects on herbivore suppression and rice grain yield at multiple spatial scales in two regions of Bangladesh. Ladybird beetles and spiders were the most abundant natural enemies of N. lugens with landscape effects observed at all scales on ladybird beetles. Specifically, ladybird beetles were positively influenced by road edges, and fallow land, while spiders were strongly influenced only by rice phenology. Predator exclusion cages showed that N. lugens abundance significantly increased in caged plots, reducing rice gain yield. We also used an estimated biocontrol service index that showed a significant positive relationship with landscape diversity and a significant negative impact on pest density and yield loss. These results suggest that promoting fallow lands and fragmented patches between rice fields could lead to more sustainable insect pest management in rice agroecosystems, potentially reducing the practice of prophylactic insecticide use.

Clinical and angiographic profile of congenital anomalous origin of coronary arteries.

Coronary artery anomalies were found in 24(0.6%) patients undergoing coronary arteriography at University Cardiac Center, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka from 2004 to 2007. Of the 24 patient, 21(87.5%) had anomalies of origin and distribution and 3(12.5%) had coronary artery fistulae. Most coronary anomalies did not result in signs, symptoms or complications and usually were discovered as an incidental finding at the time of catheterization. Most of them were benign anomalies: i) separate origin of left anterior descending and circumflex from sinus of valsalva; ii) ectopic origin of circumflex from right sinus of valsalva; iii) Anomalous origin of left main coronary artery from right coronary artery; iv) anomalous coronary origin from ascending aorta; v) absent left circumflex; vi) double right coronary artery; vii) small coronary artery fistula. These anomalies may be associated with potentially serious sequelae such as angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, syncope, cardiac arrhythmias, congestive heart failure, or sudden death. In this study large coronary artery fistula was found as potentially serious anomaly. So coronary artery anomalies require accurate recognition for the appropriate management of the patients.

Hepatic hydatid cyst presenting as cutaneous abscess.

Hydatidosis is a parasitic zoonotic echinococcal infection that affects both humans and other mammals. These diseases are common worldwide but particularly common in sheep and cattle farming regions. Anaphylaxis mediated by IgE is a serious complication of surgery or trauma which necessitates more aware of its clinical features, diagnosis and management. It is important to make a preoperative diagnosis based on the typical image findings, so that particular precaution can be taken not to rupture the lesion. A woman presented with a right upper quadrant cutaneous abscess. USG reveals multiple cystic lesions in the liver arranged in cartwheel appearance, CT disclosed a cystic lesions having daughter cysts, marginal calcifications, marginal enhancement and contiguous abdominal wall abscess, which led to a diagnosis of complicated hepatic hydatid cysts with abdominal wall abscess formation. FNAC showed scolices surrounded by chronic inflammatory cells. Abdominal wall abscess may be a presentation of hydatid liver disease.

Coronary angiographic profile in bangladeshi patients with metabolic syndrome and ischemic heart disease.

The metabolic syndrome, which is characterized by a constellation of fasting hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia, low HDL cholesterol, hypertension, and/or abdominal obesity, is a risk factor for the development of coronary artery disease (CAD) and cardiovascular events. We evaluated interrelationships between angiographic CAD and the metabolic syndrome, in 478 patients who were referred for coronary angiography to evaluate suspected myocardial ischemia in the department of cardiology of BSMMU between June 2007 and May 2008. We applied the criteria for the metabolic syndrome proposed by ATP III guideline. Study populations were divided into two groups on the basis of presence or absence of metabolic syndrome. Age was similar in both groups. Body mass index (BMI) was higher (26.22 ± 1.94 vs. 22.07 ± 1.55) in metabolic syndrome group (p ≤ 0.0001). All parameters, waist circumference (103.16 ± 10.21 vs. 91.45 ± 7.61) cm, blood pressure both systolic (141.34 ± 21.49 vs. 127.94 ± 13.01) and diastolic (86.8 5 ± 8.42 vs. 79.28 ± 7.77) mm of Hg, serum triglyceride (248.32 ± 77.88 vs. 128.35 ± 19.00)mg/dl, fasting blood glucose (125.40 ± 22.86 vs. 95.65 ± 10.63)mg/dl were significantly higher in metabolic syndrome group (p value=0.0001), whereas HDL (33.10 ± 6.55 vs. 39.30 ± 6.17)mg/dl was lower (p value = 0.0001). More subjects in metabolic syndrome were having type B (55.60% vs. 31.00%) and type C (9.50% vs. 2.70%) lesion as compared to non-metabolic syndrome group. Involvement of left main artery was more (4.80% vs. 0.90%) in metabolic syndrome group. Metabolic syndrome has primary predictive ability for CAD. A metabolic profile should form part of the risk assessment in all patients with coronary disease, not just those who are obese.

Trimetazidine in the prevention of contrast induced nephropathy after coronary angiogram.

This prospective randomized, controlled trial was done to evaluate the efficacy of trimetazidine in the prevention of contrast induced nephropathy in patients with raised serum creatinine levels undergoing coronary angiogram. This study was performed in the Department of Cardiology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka, Bangladesh from April 2009 to March 2010. Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is a serious complication of coronary angiography that is associated with considerably increased mortality and morbidity, including the need for short-term haemodialysis, extended hospitalisation and permanent impairment of renal function. Trimetazidine (TMZ) has been described as a cellular anti-ischaemic agent. This study was trial with 400 patients. Among them 200 patients treated with trimetazidine plus hydration with normal saline and 200 patients (control) given hydration by normal saline only. It was found that the incidence of CIN was significantly (p<0.05) reduced by trimetazidine administration with saline in comparison with saline alone in patients undergoing coronary angiogram (4% vs. 14%).

Pattern of congenital heart diseases.

This prospective observational study was done to find out the frequency of various forms of congenital heart disease (CHD) diagnosed by echocardiography. During the study period (January 2002 to December 2005) 2050 patients were screened by echocardiography. All patients were evaluated by cardiologists and had chest radiograph, electrocardiogram and echocardiography. Total 2050 patients were studied and among them 1071 had congenital heart disease. Male was 561(52.38%) and female was 510(47.62%). Atrial septal defect (ASD) was 374(34.92%), ventricular septal defect (VSD) was 318(29.69%), patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) 83(7.75%), pulmonary stenosis (PS) 58(5.42%), tetralogy of Fallot 162(15.13%), transposition of great vessels (TGA) 16(1.49%), Ebstein anomaly 5(0.4%), coarctation of aorta 1(0.09%) and single ventricle 2(0.19%). This distribution is more or less similar to that reported in studies at home and abroad. In this study atrial septal defect (ASD) was the commonest in acyanotic CHD and tetralogy of Fallot was the commonest cyanotic CHD.

Impact of nitric oxide precursor L-arginine on oxidative stress against typhoid.

OBJECTIVES: Typhoid fever is a global health problem caused by Salmonella. Salmonellae are gram-negative, flagellate, nonsporulating, facultative anaerobic bacilli that ferment glucose, reduce nitrate to nitrite, and synthesize peritrichous flagella when motile. Nowadays, most of the drugs are resistant, the fact of which compels the search for formulated drugs. Nitric oxide (NO) and its congeners react with different compounds or radicals probably mediating the broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity of reactive nitrogen species (RNS) as well as reactive oxygen species (ROS) against diverse microorganisms. Exogenous administration of L-arginine results in increased NO production. The formulation of NO precursors, (i.e. of L -arginine and ciprofloxacin) is used against experimentally induced salmonellosis. Lipid hydroperoxide can be decomposed to produce alkoxy and peroxy radicals which eventually yield numerous carbonyl products such as malondialdehyde (MDA). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Estimation of lipid peroxidation (LPO) was done by modified method of Utley et al (1967). RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Infection with S. typhimurium significantly induced lipid peroxidation on days 8 and 11 as indicated by enhancement of MDA levels compared to the control mice (20 % and 9.52 %) (Tab. 1, Fig. 2, Ref. 20).

ADC Histogram Analysis of Pediatric Low-Grade Glioma Treated with Selumetinib: A Report from the Pediatric Brain Tumor Consortium.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Selumetinib is a promising MAP (mitogen-activated protein) kinase (MEK) 1/2 inhibitor treatment for pediatric low-grade gliomas. We hypothesized that MR imaging-derived ADC histogram metrics would be associated with survival and response to treatment with selumetinib. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Children with recurrent, refractory, or progressive pediatric low-grade gliomas who had World Health Organization grade I pilocytic astrocytoma with KIAA1549-BRAF fusion or the BRAF V600E mutation (stratum 1), neurofibromatosis type 1-associated pediatric low-grade gliomas (stratum 3), or sporadic non-neurofibromatosis type 1 optic pathway and hypothalamic glioma (OPHG) (stratum 4) were treated with selumetinib for up to 2 years. Quantitative ADC histogram metrics were analyzed for total and enhancing tumor volumes at baseline and during treatment. RESULTS: Each stratum comprised 25 patients. Stratum 1 responders showed lower values of SD of baseline ADC_total as well as a larger decrease with time on treatment in ADC_total mean, mode, and median compared with nonresponders. Stratum 3 responders showed a greater longitudinal decrease in ADC_total. In stratum 4, higher baseline ADC_total skewness and kurtosis were associated with shorter progression-free survival. When all 3 strata were combined, responders showed a greater decrease with time in ADC_total mode and median. Compared with sporadic OPHG, neurofibromatosis type 1-associated OPHG had lower values of ADC_total mean, mode, and median as well as ADC_enhancement mean and median and higher values of ADC_total skewness and kurtosis at baseline. The longitudinal decrease in ADC_total median during treatment was significantly greater in sporadic OPHG compared with neurofibromatosis type 1-associated OPHG. CONCLUSIONS: ADC histogram metrics are associated with progression-free survival and response to treatment with selumetinib in pediatric low-grade gliomas.

Role of ETT to diagnose coronary artery disease.

The purpose of the study to predict the coronary arterial disease by exercise treadmill scoring system and to see the correlation of angiographic extent of coronary artery disease by high treadmill score in our country. The present prospective study carried out in the department of cardiology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, University Cardiac Centre during the period of January 2006 to July 2006. Based on inclusion and exclusion criteria a total of 80 patient of chronic stable angina or chest pain evaluation having positive ETT who were admitted in university cardiac centre in Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University and underwent coronary angiogram within one month were the study population. Among 80 subjects 60(75%) were male and 20(25%) were female and male: female ratio 3:1 Mean age of male subject 51.37±9.08 years and mean age of female subjects were 43.75±7.67 years. Three quarter of the subject had the history of typical anginal pain followed by 21.3% atypical and 3.8% pain of non-anginal origin. All the risk factors like, dyslipidemia (90%), HTN (68.8%) past smoker (45%), current smoker (32.5%), diabetes (36.3%), family history of coronary artery disease (25%) and sudden death of first degree relatives (8.8%); dyslipidemia was the highest percentage. Among 80 subjects more than one third 35% (28) of the subjects were observed to be normal by angiogram, 28.8% (23) had SVD, 16.3% (13) DVD and 20% (16) TVD. Approximately 70% of the significant stenosis was predicted as having high probability of 30.8% as intermediate probability and none as low probability with exercise test scores. Multi-vessel coronary artery disease were predicted by high probability exercise test score 82.8%. Thus high probability score needs urgent coronary angiogram.

Salinity Influences Plant-Pest-Predator Tritrophic Interactions.

Climate change-induced salinity intrusion into agricultural soils is known to negatively impact crop production and food security. However, the effects of salinity increase on plant-herbivore-natural enemy systems and repercussions for pest suppression services are largely unknown. Here, we examine the effects of increased salinity on communities of rice (Oryza sativa), brown planthopper (BPH), Nilaparvata lugens, and green mirid bug (GMB), Cyrtorhinus lividipennis, under greenhouse conditions. We found that elevated salinity significantly suppressed the growth of two rice cultivars. Meanwhile, BPH population size also generally decreased due to poor host plant quality induced by elevated salinity. The highest BPH density occurred at 2.0 dS/m salinity and declined thereafter with increasing salinity, irrespective of rice cultivar. The highest population density of GMB also occurred under control conditions and decreased significantly with increasing salinity. Higher salinity directly affected the rice crop by reducing plant quality measured with reference to biomass production and plant height, whereas inducing population developmental asynchrony between BPH and GMB observed at 2 dS/m salinity and potentially uncoupling prey-predator dynamics. Our results suggest that increased salinity has harmful effects on plants, herbivores, natural enemies, as well as plant-pest-predator interactions. The effects measured here suggest that the bottom-up effects of predatory insects on rice pests will likely decline in rice produced in coastal areas where salinity intrusion is common. Our findings indicate that elevated salinity influences tritrophic interactions in rice production landscapes, and further research should address resilient rice insect pest management combining multipests and predators in a changing environment.

Correlation between severity of coronary artery stenosis and perfusion defect assessed by SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging.

Numerous non-invasive techniques are developed to assess the severity of coronary artery disease (CAD). Coronary angiography (CAG) is an established method for the diagnosis and to quantify the severity of coronary artery stenosis. Single photon emission computed tomography-myocardial perfusion imaging (SPECT-MPI) using Technetium-99m (Tc-99m) tetrofosmin is also a useful established technique for the assessment of severity of CAD. This prospective observational study was carried out in Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) to assess the severity of coronary artery stenosis using Tc-99m Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography myocardial perfusion imaging (SPECT-MPI) in comparison with CAG. Eighty two (82) consecutive patients with mean age 53.51(SD+/-7.08) years and Candian Cardiovascular Society (CCS) class I and II severity of chest pain, male: female ratio (4.8:1) was studied. Tc-99m SPECT-MPI was performed by one-day exercise stress and rest protocol. A total of two hundred and forty six coronary artery territories examined in this study. By CAG normal coronary arteries were found in seventy six, moderate stenosis in twenty four and severe stenosis in one hundred and forty-six coronary artery territories whereas SPECT-MPI found normal perfusion in twenty seven, mild perfusion abnormality in seventeen, moderate perfusion abnormality in thirty two and severe perfusion abnormality in one hundred and sixty five coronary artery territories. Sensitivity and specificity of SPECT-MPI using Tc-99m tetrofosmin in detecting coronary artery stenosis were 87.09% and 80.95% respectively. The positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy of the test were 91.01%, 73.91% and 85.18% respectively. From this study it can be concluded that Tc-99m SPECT-MPI was a safe, effective and excellent non-invasive tool for the detection of severity of coronary artery lesion and can be used to predict severity of CAD.

Establishing next-generation pest control services in rice fields: eco-agriculture.

Pesticides are commonly used in food crop production systems to control crop pests and diseases and ensure maximum yield with high market value. However, the accumulation of these chemical inputs in crop fields increases risks to biodiversity and human health. In addition, people are increasingly seeking foods in which pesticide residues are low or absent and that have been produced in a sustainable fashion. More than half of the world's human population is dependent on rice as a staple food and chemical pesticides to control pests is the dominant paradigm in rice production. In contrast, the use of natural enemies to suppress crop pests has the potential to reduce chemical pesticide inputs in rice production systems. Currently, predators and parasitoids often do not persist in rice production landscapes due to the absence of shelter or nutritional sources. In this study, we modified the existing rice landscape through an eco-engineering technique that aims to increase natural biocontrol agents for crop protection. In this system, planting nectar-rich flowering plants on rice bunds provides food and shelter to enhance biocontrol agent activity and reduce pest numbers, while maintaining grain yield. The abundance of predators and parasitoids and parasitism rates increased significantly in the eco-engineering plots compared to the insecticide-treated and control plots. Moreover, a significantly lower number of principal insect pests and damage symptoms were found in treatments where flowering plants were grown on bunds than in plots where such plants were not grown. This study indicates that manipulating habitat for natural enemies in rice landscapes enhances pest suppression and maintains equal yields while reducing the need for insecticide use in crop fields.

Hypertension in School Children of Dhaka City and Associated Risk Factors.

Hypertension has its origin in childhood but goes undetected unless specially looked for detection of hypertension in children will increase the awareness and lead to preventive strategies. The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of hypertension in school children. This cross sectional study was conducted among children aged 10 to 17 years in three secondary level schools of Dhaka city, Bangladesh. This study included 1146 participants (both boys and girls) by systematic random sampling. Blood pressure was measured and plotted in Blood pressure (BP) chart to define hypertension and structured questionnaire were used to collect socio demographic information. The prevalence of hypertension in school children was 1.8% (male was 1.68% and female was 1.99%). It was noted that there was a strong correlation between body weight and BMI of the children with hypertension. A significant portion of the respondents had family history of hypertension, diabetes and obesity. There was also a positive relation between hypertension and food habit that include low vegetables and more fast food. It was concluded that hypertension exists among secondary level school children in Dhaka, Bangladesh and it is related with obesity, increased BMI, family history and dietary habit.

Doppler evaluation of left to right shunt (Qp/Qs) in patients with isolated ventricular septal defect (Vsd).

A prospective observational study was carried out in the department of cardiology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) in collaboration with the department of cardiology, Combined Military Hospital (CMH), Dhaka from January 2000 to October 2001. All the patients were clinically evaluated. ECG & Doppler echocardiography were done.All the patients underwent cardiac catheterization. Complex congenital heart disease & cyanotic heart disease patients were excluded from the study. Doppler estimated pulmonary to systemic blood flow ratio (Qp/Qs) was done by conventional (velocity time integral method) method. In cardiac catheterization Qp/Qs ratio derived from oximetric data which has become a well established part of clinical practice. Doppler derived Qp/Qs were compared with catheter derived Qp/Qs. 30 patients with VSD were included. In those patients Doppler derived Qp/Qs ranged from maximum 4.5 to minimum 1.10. Mean (+/-SD) was 1.88+/-0.86 In patients with VSD mean (+/-SD) Qp/Qs at catheterization was 1.80+/-0.80. Qp/Qs ranged from maximum 4.10 to minimum 1.1 In those patients the correlation coefficient for invasively determined Qp/Qs versus Doppler estimated Qp/Qs was .92 (standard error of estimate [SEE] = 0.19) & the line of regression passed close to the origin. The results of this study demonstrate that The Doppler technique allows the noninvasive evaluation of Qp/Qs with a high degree of accuracy & allows determination of the stage of VSD by the consecutive assessment of shunt magnititude.

Evaluation of stentangioplasty in university cardiac center.

In this ongoing prospective study conducted in University Cardiac Center, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka, from July 2004 to January 2006. Fifty (50) patients (mean age 56+/-7.2 years) underwent stentangioplasty were evaluated. The study group of 50 patients consisted of 42 (84%) men and 08 (16%) women. The aim of this study was to evaluate in-hospital success, failure and complications during the procedures. About risk factors 19(38%) had hypertension, 13(26%) were smoker, 11(22%) suffered from diabetes mellitus, 05(10%) had family history of ischaemic heart disease. Average left ventricular ejection fraction was 54+/-7. Target vessel percutaneous coronary angioplasty (PTCA) were done in 61 vessel, intracoronary stent implanted in 58 vessels, direct stenting were done in 35 cases, failed PTCA were in 03(6%) cases and two had dissection. The native vessels had a mean reference diameter of 2.91 mm and their luminal diameter increased significantly after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). All the patients were discharged by one to three days of the procedure with improvement of their clinical condition. In conclusion, intracoronary stent deployment in coronary artery stenosis following balloon angioplasty is a valid and beneficial strategy with good in-hospital results.

Information technology education for health professionals: opportunities and challenges.

Computer applications are on the increase in virtually every aspect of health care, from the routine management of information to clinical diagnoses or clinical decision making. Indeed, the use of computers extends from patient monitoring and point-of-care testing to basic and applied research. Given the ubiquity of computers in health care, it is crucial that health professions education programs provide students with the computer proficiencies they need to apply to their roles as health professionals. This article highlights the importance of such training. It also provides results of two separate needs assessment surveys, and presents curriculum design strategies and competencies to meet health care's present and emerging information technology needs.

Double-blind, randomized, controlled trial of zinc or vitamin A supplementation in young children with acute diarrhoea.

In a double-blind, controlled trial with a factorial design, 684 patients (aged 6 months to 2 y; excludes 6 early dropouts) with acute watery diarrhoea of 3 d or less and some dehydration, who were attending a hospital, were randomly assigned to 4 groups to receive: (a) vitamin A 4500 microg retinol equivalent daily for 15 d; (b) 14.2 mg elemental zinc as acetate for the first 417 patients and 40 mg of the remaining 273 patients randomized to this group for 15 d; (c) both vitamin A 4500 microg retinol equivalent and zinc at the above doses daily for 15 d; or (d) placebo mixtures for 15 d. Patients were observed in the hospital for 24 h and followed up at home for 15 d. All received ascorbic acid 30 mg with each dose of medicine or placebo. Zinc supplementation was associated with a reduced duration of diarrhoea (13%, p = 0.03) and markedly reduced rate (43%, p = 0.017) of prolonged diarrhoea (>7 d). Vitamin A supplementation was associated with a nonsignificant trend for reduced rate of prolonged diarrhoea (p = 0.089). In conclusion, zinc supplementation as adjunct therapy had a substantial impact on the rate of prolonged diarrhoea and some impact on duration and may be beneficial in children with diarrhoea in developing countries.

Intracranial aneurysms in infants and children.

BACKGROUND: The diagnosis and imaging of pediatric aneurysms has changed since the advent of MR and MRA. OBJECTIVE: To update the literature on pediatric aneurysms and better define the appropriate work-up of childhood aneurysms in 1997. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective review of 21 children (12 boys, 9 girls) with 25 aneurysms from three institutions over a 20-year period was performed. Imaging studies were mixed and included CT (19 patients), MR (11 patients), MRA (6 patients) and angiography (18 patients). RESULTS: Eighteen of 25 aneurysms were congenital saccular, 6 were mycotic, and 1 was post-traumatic. Of these, 44 % were in the posterior circulation. Nine aneurysms arose from distal arterial branches. Forty percent were large (between 1-2.5 cm) and 16 % were giant (> 2.5 cm). CT and MR showed hemorrhage, and frequently revealed the aneurysms as a focal mass with or without enhancement and flow void. Six children had MRA which revealed aneurysms in four patients. All patients with MRA had corresponding conventional angiography. CONCLUSION: Characteristics of pediatric aneurysms include diversity of type, increased incidence in the posterior fossa, peripheral location, and large size. CT, MR and MRA are useful in the diagnosis with conventional angiography essential for preoperative planning.