Knowledge and Practice of Hepatitis B among Biological and Biomedical Sciences Students in a Public University of Bangladesh.

A large numbers of biological and biomedical sciences students intricate themselves in health care professions, which makes them vulnerable to occupational exposure of Hepatitis B. This study aimed to determine the level of knowledge and practice of hepatitis B among biological and biomedical sciences students in a public university of Bangladesh. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Noakhali Science and Technology University (NSTU), Noakhali, Bangladesh from March 2017 to July 2017. Data was collected from students through purposive sampling technique using self-administered structured questionnaire and analyzed by using IBM SPSS 23.0. Out of the 303 participants, 213(70.3%) were within adequate knowledge range and 30(9.9%) of the students were in good practice range. Only 71(23.14%) of the students were fully vaccinated against Hepatitis B. Knowledge level of Participant's were significantly associated with their age and father's education. The practice level was significantly associated with age and all educational variables. Moreover, significant positive but weak linear correlations between knowledge and practice score were identified. The study indicates adequate knowledge, but poor practice of students towards HB. Thus, we recommend all students to implement their knowledge in real life and should be vaccinated prior to entry into health profession.

In vitro dissolution and bioavailability study of furosemide nanosuspension prepared using design of experiment (DoE).

BACKGROUND: Nanotechnology can offer the advantages of increasing solubility and bioavailability of delivering drugs like Furosemide. The aim of the current study is to investigate the in vitro and in vivo performance of furosemide nanosuspensions. METHODS: Furosemide nanosuspensions were prepared by antisolvent precipitation method using full factorial experimental design. Four factors were employed namely; Stirring time, Injection rate, antisolvent: solvent ratio & stabilizer: drug ratio (at two levels = high & low). The in vitro dissolution experiments were conducted to compare the representative formulation with raw drug powder. The bioavailability of nanosuspension was, also, evaluated in mice as an animal model. RESULTS: Solid state characterization (PXRD, DSC and FESEM) did show physical changes during preparation and optimization of the furosemide nanosuspensions. Individual material attributes showed more significant impact on the average particle size of the nanocrystals compared to process parameters. Two-way interactions between material attributes and process parameters significantly affected nanosuspension particle size distribution. Dissolution rate of furosemide nanosuspemsion was significantly higher than that observed for raw furosemide powder. The in vivo pharmacokinetics parameters of nanosuspension in comparison to pure drug showed significant increase in Cmax and AUC(0-t), about 233% and 266%, respectively. The oral bioavailability of furosemide from nanosuspension was about 2.3 fold higher as compared with the bioavailability from pure drug. CONCLUSIONS: Furosemide nanosuspensions prepared using antisolvent precipitation method enhanced the dissolution rate and oral bioavailability compared to raw furosemide powder.

Attitude towards diabetes and social and family support among type 2 diabetes patients attending a tertiary-care hospital in Bangladesh: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Bangladesh has been suffering from an epidemiological transition from infectious and maternal diseases to non-communicable lifestyle-related diseases like diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, cancers etc. The burden of diabetes has been increasing rapidly due to high incidence as well as poor glycemic control leading to various macro and micro-vascular complications. In this study, we aim to assess the attitude towards diabetes and social and family support among the Bangladeshi type 2 diabetic mellitus (T2DM) patients. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study among 144 patients with T2DM at the medicine outpatient department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) in Dhaka, Bangladesh between 1 July and 31 July 2014. Data collection was done by interviewing patients using structured questionnaire. Understanding diabetes, education/advice received, attitude towards diabetes, family and friend support were measured by validated scales adapted from diabetes care profile. RESULTS: This study includes a total of 144 patients (101 males and 43 females) with type 2 diabetes aged between 20 and 84 years. 87 % of the patients had inadequate blood glucose control (fasting blood sugar >7.2 mmol/L or >130 mg/dl). Statistically significant differences were observed in the mean scores of various attitude scales (i.e. positive, negative, care ability and self-care adherence scale) among patients with adequate and inadequate blood glucose control (p < 0.05). Statistically significant positive correlations were found between these three categories of social and family support. Self-satisfaction with diabetic care was significantly associated with adequate blood glucose control (p = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Positive attitude towards diabetes management and support from friends and family were associated with adequate diabetes management. Appropriate public health interventions should be designed to educate and motivate the family members to offer greater support to the diabetes patients.