Perceived academic stress during a pandemic: Mediating role of coping strategies.

COVID-19 rampant has impacted almost all sections of society, and the repercussions were mostly negative experiences for people and have resulted by way of disruption in their daily routines. Academics is one such vital section that has suffered directly because of the inaccessibility of a comfortable educational procedure. Due to a shift in the form of education, most of the student community failed to obtain routine and regular education as the government entirely shuttered educational facilities to limit the spread of disease. In this light, this research attempted to examine the amount of academic stress experienced by students during the COVID-19 Pandemic and the strategies they have adopted to cope with this unheard type of uncertain situation. The findings of the study indicated substantial variations in Academic Stress, Exam Anxiety, and Coping Strategies across various demographic characteristics of the respondents. Another significant finding is that students from poor socio-economic backgrounds and those seeking post-graduate courses are more stressed. As an inference, it is also opined that to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on student performance and psychological well-being, special focus, or techniques for accommodating exam environments by the student should be implemented. To minimize stress, the study also proposed efficient coping techniques to lower the amount of stress in various academic tasks.

Change of Hemoglobin Level among Exclusively Breastfed Term and Preterm Babies up to Six Months of Age.

There is progressive increase of Hb levels is observed during course of intrauterine development of fetus but high concentrations found at birth. In preterm neonate normal Hb is characteristically deviated from term neonate. Breast milk is the only natural ideal food for both term and preterm babies from birth up to 6 months. Preterm milk was found to contain significantly higher concentrations nutrients particularly iron than term milk. Preterm human milk is more suitable for the premature infant than term human milk. As Hb concentration varies in term and preterm babies in different counties in different feeding practices. The purpose of this longitudinal descriptive study is to find out the pattern of changes in the Hb level among exclusively breastfed preterm and term infants during the first six months of life. This study was carried in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Mymensingh Medical College Hospital (MMCH), Mymensingh from September 2016 to February 2018. One hundred fifty (150) neonates both term and preterm were included in this study and followed up to 6 months of age. After admission informed written consent was taken from parents, thorough history taking and clinical examination were done. Data were collected in a pre-designed case record form. All the babies of Group A provided 2mg/kg iron supplementation from 6 weeks for 2 months for universal recommendation. Hb level was measured of all exclusively breast feed babies at admission after birth then next follow-up at 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months. All information regarding history, anthropometrics measurement, Hb level was recorded in structural questionnaire. Data analysis was done by SPSS version 20.0. Male were predominant in both groups. Most of the preterm (72.0%) and term babies (65.3%) were delivered by vaginal route. Mean Hb level was found significantly higher among preterm babies than term babies after birth were 16.55g/dl and 15.98g/dl respectively. Sharp fall of Hb concentration was observed after birth up to 6 weeks in both preterm and term babies but Hb level was found significantly lower in preterm in comparison to term babies (9.27gm/dl vs. 9.58gm/dl). In term babies, even after 6 weeks fall of Hb level continued to 3 months of age followed by gradual increase up to 6 months without iron supplementation. Hb level of in preterm babies gradually increased from 6 weeks up to 6 months with universal iron supplementation. Hb level fall sharply up to 6 weeks in both exclusively breastfed term and preterm babies but even after 6 weeks term babies experienced gradual fall of Hb levels up to 3 months. Hb level increases in exclusively breast-fed term babies without iron supplementation from 3 months of age. Hb level in exclusively breastfed preterm babies increase from 6 weeks onward might be effect of universal iron supplementation.

Overweight and Obesity among Children of Primary Schools of Mymensingh Municipal Area.

Obesity is now recognized as a major cause of morbidity and mortality throughout the world. The relative percentage of change is higher in developing countries. Childhood obesity has become a serious public health emerging problem because of its strong association with adulthood obesity and related adverse health consequences. The main objective of the study was to find out the status of overweight and obesity among primary school children of Mymensingh municipal area. This cross sectional descriptive study was carried out among primary school children of Mymensingh municipal area from September 2016 to February 2018. Total 1450 students were enrolled from 6 schools. Schools were selected by random lottery method. Data was collected in predesigned case record forms by investigator with the help of students, teachers and parents. Anthropometry was measured by principal investigator. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated and plotted by using Center for disease control (CDC) BMI growth charts for age and sex. Children were categorized as obese, overweight, normal and underweight. Data analysis was done by computer software SPSS version 20.0. Mean age of children was 9.0±1.124 years. There was 47.4% male and 52.6% female. Among the 1450 children 18.6% obese, 17.5% overweight, 53.5% normal and 10.4% underweight. So, total 36.1% children had BMI above normal limit. Obesity was found more common among male children (p<0.001). Obesity and overweight was significantly associated with fast food consumption (p<0.001), playing computer and mobile games (p<0.001), watching TV (p<0.001), higher parent's education (p<0.001), higher parent's income (p<0.001), service holder father (p<0.001), family history of overweight or obesity (p<0.001), single child in family (p<0.001) and increased birth weight (p<0.001). A large number of primary school children in Mymensingh municipal area were overweight and obese. Childhood obesity and overweight varies from school to school. Childhood obesity and overweight is an emerging and growing health issue in municipal area.

Vaccination against COVID-19 in Bangladesh: Perception and Attitude of Healthcare Workers in COVID-dedicated Hospitals.

Healthcare professionals are the crucial and influencing source of information for vaccines and their communication among patients and communities that can accelerate successful vaccination in a country. This cross-sectional study was one of the first and foremost ones in Bangladesh to observe the basic perception and attitudes towards vaccination against COVID-19 among the healthcare workers (HCWs) - doctors, interns, nurses, ward boys, cleaners, and medical technologists of major COVID-dedicated hospitals. The cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted in February 2021 among 550 HCWs to assess the perception and attitude towards vaccination against COVID-19. The study participants were targeted as the priority group for COVID-19 vaccination, working in two major COVID-dedicated hospitals, Holy Family Red Crescent Medical College Hospital (HF-center), and Sheikh Russel National Gastro-liver Institute and Hospital (SR-center) in Dhaka, Bangladesh during the pandemic. The questionnaire was structured with a three-point scale of responses from 'true', 'false', and 'do not know'. The responses were calculated on point-score as +1 for the correct response, -1 for the wrong response, and 0 for 'do not know' with an overall highest and the lowest possible score of +5 to -5. Absolute (n) and relative frequencies (%) were presented for qualitative variables, while quantitative variables were presented as mean (± standard deviation). Chi-square test was done for univariate analysis of qualitative variables and Student's t-test for quantitative variables. With the 95.27% response rate, including 204 males and 320 were female and the male: female ratio was 1: 1.56. The majority of the participants were doctors (45.8%) followed by nurses (27.9%), and MLSS (26.3%) respectively. The respondents were between 18 to 64 years of age with a mean of 36.17±10.94 years. Most of the respondents (95.99%) responded correctly about the cost-free availability of a vaccine against COVID-19 in the country, 87.40% preferred vaccination as safe and effective. Again 29.77% HCWs think the vaccine might not be safe or effective due to emergency authorization. Only 38.93% of respondents could respond correctly about the necessity of vaccines for children, 31.10% think the vaccination was not required instead of natural immunity. The positive perception and attitude of the frontline HCWs in COVID-dedicated hospitals in Bangladesh are crucial which will positively influence motivation and wide acceptance among the general population for the attainment of the nationwide vaccination program, and adopt effective strategic modification to minimize the gaps for a low-middle income country like Bangladesh with its resource constrain.

Serum Iron Profile and Red Cell Indices in Children with Severe Acute Malnutrition in A Tertiary Level Hospital.

This cross-sectional analytical study was conducted in the department of Paediatrics, Mymensingh Medical College Hospital (MMCH), Mymensingh, Bangladesh from March 2017 to August 2018 to assess the pattern of serum iron profile and red cell indices in children with severe acute malnutrition. Seventy children having severe acute malnutrition were compared with 70 age matched children those had normal growth. Age range of the studied children was 6 months to 59 completed months. Male was found predominant (54.3%) in both study group and comparison group. Mean serum iron, serum ferritin, serum total iron binding capacity and transferrin saturation in severely malnourished children were 45.3±19.3µg/dl, 26.5±20.0ng/ml, 246.3±47.5µg/dl and 16.4±2.0% respectively which were significantly lower than that of healthy children (p<0.05). Mean Hb level in children with severe acute malnutrition was found 8.3±1.6gm/dl which was also found significantly lower than that of normal children (p<0.05). Anaemia was found in all (100%) severely malnourished children compared to 25.7% of children in comparison group. Mean MCV, MCH and MCHC in children with severe acute malnutrition was found 71.7±13.5fl, 24.0±5.8pg and 31.4±4.0gm/dl respectively which were significantly lower than that of comparison group (p<0.05). Serum iron profile and red cell indices should be routinely done in severely malnourished children for early intervention and management of iron deficiency anaemia.

Neuro-developmental Outcome of High Risk Neonates in a Tertiary Level Hospital.

An observational longitudinal study was conducted in the Department of Neonatology and Child Developmental Center, Mymensingh Medical College Hospital (MMCH), Bangladesh during the period of September 2016 to February 2018 to find out the neuro-developmental outcome of high risk neonates at the age of 6 months. Five hundred seventy six (576) high risk neonate who were admitted in the neonatology department in Mymensingh Medical College Hospital were selected as study population by Purposive sampling technique. After admission written informed consent from parents or guardians obtained and Data was collected in a pre-designed case record form. At 6th months of age total 400 baby were came to Child Development Centre and their motor, cognition and behavior development were assessed by Bayley Scale of Infant Development and severity of cognitive, motor and behavior impairment were graded. All data were compiled, tabulated and then analyzed by computer software SPSS version 20.00. Mean age was 7.2±3.3 days. Among studied newborns 18.1% were preterm and 81.9% were term. Most of the newborn were male (63.0%). Developmental delay was found in 81.5% and neuro-developmental outcome was found normal in only 18.5% newborns. Significant delayed motor performance was found in 52% newborns where 17% had mild delay. Significantly delayed mental performance was found in 57.0% and 28.52% had mildly delayed mental performance. Non-optimal behavior was found in 57.0% newborns and14% had questionable behavior. Very low birth weight, preterm very low birth weight, home delivery, perinatal asphyxia and neonatal seizure were found to have significant relation with developmental delay. Most of the high risk neonates develop developmental delay.

Effect of heat wave on N2 fixation and N remobilisation of lentil (Lens culinaris MEDIK) grown under free air CO2 enrichment in a mediterranean-type environment.

The stimulatory effect of elevated [CO2 ] (e[CO2 ]) on crop production in future climates is likely to be cancelled out by predicted increases in average temperatures. This effect may become stronger through more frequent and severe heat waves, which are predicted to increase in most climate change scenarios. Whilst the growth and yield response of some legumes grown under the interactive effect of e[CO2 ] and heat waves has been studied, little is known about how N2 fixation and overall N metabolism is affected by this combination. To address these knowledge gaps, two lentil genotypes were grown under ambient [CO2 ] (a[CO2 ], ~400 µmol·mol-1 ) and e[CO2 ] (~550 µmol·mol-1 ) in the Australian Grains Free Air CO2 Enrichment facility and exposed to a simulated heat wave (3-day periods of high temperatures ~40 °C) at flat pod stage. Nodulation and concentrations of water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC), total free amino acids, N and N2 fixation were assessed following the imposition of the heat wave until crop maturity. Elevated [CO2 ] stimulated N2 fixation so that total N2 fixation in e[CO2 ]-grown plants was always higher than in a[CO2 ], non-stressed control plants. Heat wave triggered a significant decrease in active nodules and WSC concentrations, but e[CO2 ] had the opposite effect. Leaf N remobilization and grain N improved under interaction of e[CO2 ] and heat wave. These results suggested that larger WSC pools and nodulation under e[CO2 ] can support post-heat wave recovery of N2 fixation. Elevated [CO2 ]-induced accelerated leaf N remobilisation might contribute to restore grain N concentration following a heat wave.

Relationship between HbA1c and Lipid Profile Seen in Bangladeshi Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients Attending BIRDEM Hospital: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Diabetes mellitus is one of the leading non-communicable diseases all over the world including Bangladesh. Diabetes is characterized by chronic hyperglycemia and disturbances of carbohydrate, lipid and protein metabolism. Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level of ≥6.5% has been included as a criterion for diagnosis of diabetes. Impaired lipid profile is commonly present in type 2 diabetes. Aim of the study was to investigate the association between serum lipid profile and blood glucose. And hypothesizing that early detection of lipid abnormalities and treatment can minimize the risk for atherogenic cardiovascular disorder and cerebrovascular calamity in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This observational cross sectional study was carried out in the department of Biochemistry, Bangladesh Institute of Research & Rehabilitation in Diabetes, Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders (BIRDEM) hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh from January 2016 to June 2016. A total 105 patients with T2DM of age within the range of 30-45 years were selected for the purpose. Fasting blood glucose (FBG), total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglyceride (TG) and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels were evaluated. Test of significance was calculated by unpaired Student's 't' test. Correlation studies (Pearson's correlation) were performed between glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and serum lipid profile. Significance was set at p<0.05. Significantly higher mean serum levels of TC, TG and LDL-C and significantly lower mean serum levels of HDL-C were noted in patients with diabetes. Significant correlations were observed between HbA1c value and serum levels of TC, TG and HDL-C (p<0.05) but no significant correlation of HbA1c value with LDL-C in-diabetes patient. The study concluded that HbA1c value correlate well with lipid profile in-diabetes patients. So, HbA1c can be used as a predictor of dyslipidemia in type 2 diabetes.

Nocturnal serum melatonin levels in sulfur mustard exposed patients with sleep disorders.

BACKGROUND: Sulfur mustard (SM) exposure causes respiratory disorders, progressive deterioration in lung function and mortality in injured victims and poor sleep quality is one of the most common problems among SM-exposed patients. Since melatonin has a critical role in regulation of sleep and awareness, this study aimed to evaluate the serum melatonin levels in SM-injured subjects. METHODS: A total of 30 SM-exposed male patients and 10 controls was evaluated. Sleep quality was evaluated by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI); daytime sleepiness was measured by the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), and the risk of obstructive sleep apnoea was determined by the STOP-Bang questionnaire. Polysomnography (PSG) and pulmonary function tests (PFTs) were also available. Nocturnal serum melatonin levels were measured using an ELISA kit. RESULTS: The mean of PSQI, ESS and STOP-Bang scores in patients (11.76±3.56, 12.6±3.03 and 5.03±1.09, respectively) were significantly (p<0.01) higher than those in the controls (2.78±0.83, 4.69±1.15 and 1.18±0.82, respectively). PFTs also showed declined respiratory quality in SM-patients. There was a significant difference regarding the PSG results between patients and controls (p<0.01). The mean of nocturnal serum melatonin levels in patients (29.78±19.31 pg/mL) was significantly (p=0.005) lower than that in the controls (78.53±34.41 pg/mL). CONCLUSIONS: Reduced nocturnal serum melatonin and respiratory disorders can be the reasons for poor sleep quality among these patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: IRCT2015092924267N1, Pre-results.

Radiologic evaluation of hyperacute brain infarction: a review.

Imaging cerebral infarction in first few hours after the onset of clinical symptoms is a challenge. The role of stroke imaging underwent a paradigm shift from confirmation of infarction from and exclusion of hemorrhage to the detection of the tissue at risk that may be rescued with restoration of circulation. Computed tomography (CT) is generally performed before starting the therapy in order to exclude the presence of bleeding and tumors. Although CT may show findings of infarction as early as 3-6 hours after ictus 30% of CT scans are normal in the first few hours after ischemic insult. Conventional spin-echo MR imaging is more sensitive and specific than CT in the detection of cerebral ischemia during the 1st few hours symptom onset. Lesion conspicuity can be further optimized by using an FLAIR sequence. Diffusion-weighted MR imaging is a technique that is more sensitive than conventional MR imaging for detection of hyperacute cerebral ischemia, within minutes after the onset of ischemia, a profound restriction in water diffusion occurs in affected brain tissue and DWI is sensitive to diffusion restriction. But DWI only shows areas that are already irreversibly damaged. Around this core, there is believed to be a region of ischemic penumbra where reversible cell death occurred. An imaging technique that accurately identifies this tissue at risk could have a tremendous impact on patient management by thrombolysis. Perfusion imaging allows depiction of both areas of irreversible ischemia and areas of reversible ischemia. Both MR and CT Perfusion imaging help define the tissue at risk. The introduction of intravenous thrombolysis with tPA has radically changed the role of neuroimaging for stroke evaluation. The ECASS trial prescribed for treatment with intravenous tPA with stroke symptoms of less than 6 hours in duration and who did not have identifiable infarction of greater than one- third of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) territory on CT images. The NINDS trial established that intravenous tPA treatment is efficacious if administered less than 3 hours after symptom onset. The experience of interventional cardiologists in treating acute myocardial infarction may predict the future of intervention neuro in treating ischemic stroke.

Familial, Social and Environmental Risk Factors in Autism: A Case-Control Study.

This case-control study was done to identify the correlation between the familial, social and environmental risk factors and autism. This hospital and specialized centre based study done from January 2002 to November, 2004. Thirty two children from the autism group and 14 children from the control group were enrolled. Mean age were 3.75 yrs. and 2.83 yrs. respectively. Significant proportion of children were in the highest birth orders, 68.8% in autism and 78.6% in the control group. Full-term children were 96.9% and 92.9% respectively. 53.1% children in the autism and 57.1% in the normal speech delay group were born by cesarean sections. Higher education of parents in autism group was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Too much watching TV, inadequate opportunity to mix with peers and inadequate interactive relationship with the family members in the early childhood were significantly (p = 0.001) related to the development of autism.

A peptide antagonist disrupts NK cell inhibitory synapse formation.

Productive engagement of MHC class I by inhibitory NK cell receptors depends on the peptide bound by the MHC class I molecule. Peptide:MHC complexes that bind weakly to killer cell Ig-like receptors (KIRs) can antagonize the inhibition mediated by high-affinity peptide:MHC complexes and cause NK cell activation. We show that low-affinity peptide:MHC complexes stall inhibitory signaling at the step of Src homology protein tyrosine phosphatase 1 recruitment and do not go on to form the KIR microclusters induced by high-affinity peptide:MHC, which are associated with Vav dephosphorylation and downstream signaling. Furthermore, the low-affinity peptide:MHC complexes prevented the formation of KIR microclusters by high-affinity peptide:MHC. Thus, peptide antagonism of NK cells is an active phenomenon of inhibitory synapse disruption.

A multicentre observational study of the outcomes of screening detected sub-aneurysmal aortic dilatation.

OBJECTIVES: Currently most abdominal aortic aneurysm screening programmes discharge patients with aortic diameter of less than 30 mm. However, sub-aneurysmal aortic dilatation (25 mm-29 mm) does not represent a normal aortic diameter. This observational study aimed to determine the outcomes of patients with screening detected sub aneurysmal aortic dilatation. DESIGN AND METHODS: Individual patient data was obtained from 8 screening programmes that had performed long term follow up of patients with sub aneurysmal aortic dilatation. Outcome measures recorded were the progression to true aneurysmal dilatation (aortic diameter 30 mm or greater), progression to size threshold for surgical intervention (55 mm) and aneurysm rupture. RESULTS: Aortic measurements for 1696 men and women (median age 66 years at initial scan) with sub-aneurysmal aortae were obtained, median period of follow up was 4.0 years (range 0.1-19.0 years). Following Kaplan Meier and life table analysis 67.7% of patients with 5 complete years of surveillance reached an aortic diameter of 30 mm or greater however 0.9% had an aortic diameter of 54 mm. A total of 26.2% of patients with 10 complete years of follow up had an AAA of greater that 54 mm. CONCLUSION: Patients with sub-aneurysmal aortic dilatation are likely to progress and develop an AAA, although few will rupture or require surgical intervention.

Effects of wilting and molasses addition on fermentation and bacterial community in guinea grass silage.

AIMS: Acetic acid is considered an important preservative in tropical grass ensiling. The objective of the current experiments was to follow the ensiling fermentation of low dry matter (DM) tropical grass as a model to study changes in bacterial communities during acetic acid fermentation. METHODS AND RESULTS: Direct-cut and wilted guinea grass silage was prepared with and without molasses. A high acetic acid level was observed during the fermentation of direct-cut silage, and long storage increased the butyric acid and ethanol content if molasses was not added. The lactic acid production in wilted silage was greater than the acetic acid production, but prolonged ensiling decreased the lactic to acetic acid ratio regardless of molasses addition. Adding molasses enhanced the lactic acid content in both direct-cut and wilted silage. The bacterial community, identified by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis, was affected by wilting and molasses addition. Bands for Pantoea sp. and Morganella sp. became faint when acetic acid fermentation was suppressed, and those for Pediococcus pentosaceus and Lactococcus garvieae were detected when lactic acid fermentation was enhanced by wilting and molasses addition. Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactococcus lactis were found throughout the ensiling process in all silage types. CONCLUSION: Distinct changes occurred in the bacterial community in guinea grass silage because of wilting and molasses addition. These changes could explain how lactic acid fermentation was enhanced but could not help determine which bacteria were associated with enhanced acetic acid fermentation. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The study reveals the effects of wilting and molasses during ensiling of low DM tropical grasses and the associated bacteria.

Bacterial community associated with ensilage process of wilted guinea grass.

AIMS: To determine the effects of wilting, storage period and bacterial inoculant on the bacterial community and ensiling fermentation of guinea grass silage. METHODS AND RESULTS: Fermentation products, colony counts and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) profiles were determined. There was more lactic acid than acetic acid in all silages, but the lactic acid to acetic acid ratio decreased with storage time. This shift from lactic to acetic acid was not prevented even with a combination of wilting and bacterial inoculant. The DGGE analyses suggest that facultatively heterofermentative lactic acid bacteria (Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus brevis and Lactobacillus pentosus) were involved in the shift to acetic acid fermentation. CONCLUSIONS: Lactic acid can dominate the fermentation in tropical grass silage with sufficient wilting prior to ensiling. Prolonged storage may lead to high levels of acetic acid without distinctive changes in the bacterial community. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The bacterial community looks stable compared to fermentation products over the course of long storage periods in tropical grass silage. Acetic acid fermentation in tropical grass silage can be a result of the changes in bacterial metabolism rather than community structure.

In vitro antimicrobial activities of different fractions of Swertia chirata ethanolic extract.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the in vitro antimicrobial activity of pet-ether, dichloromethane and methanol fractions of Swertia chirata (Family: Gentianaceae) ethanolic extract. Disc diffusion technique and food poison method were used for antibacterial and antifungal activity, respectively. Dichloromethane fraction from both leaf and stem showed significant antimicrobial activities against some Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and mild to moderate activity against some fungi. A large zone of inhibition was observed (19 mm) against Staphylococcus aureus. Test materials at a concentration of 400 microg disc(-1) were used to evaluate the antimicrobial activity while Kanamycin at a concentration of 30 microg disc(-1) was used as positive control in this study. Among different fractions, dichloromethane fraction showed significant antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive, Gram-negative and fungi. The most significant antimicrobial activity was seen against Staphylococcus aureus which reflects it potentiality to be used in skin infections.

Arsenic contamination in food-chain: transfer of arsenic into food materials through groundwater irrigation.

Arsenic contamination in groundwater in Bangladesh has become an additional concern vis-à-vis its use for irrigation purposes. Even if arsenic-safe drinking-water is assured, the question of irrigating soils with arsenic-laden groundwater will continue for years to come. Immediate attention should be given to assess the possibility of accumulating arsenic in soils through irrigation-water and its subsequent entry into the food-chain through various food crops and fodders. With this possibility in mind, arsenic content of 2,500 water, soil and vegetable samples from arsenic-affected and arsenic-unaffected areas were analyzed during 1999-2004. Other sources of foods and fodders were also analyzed. Irrigating a rice field with groundwater containing 0.55 mg/L of arsenic with a water requirement of 1,000 mm results in an estimated addition of 5.5 kg of arsenic per ha per annum. Concentration of arsenic as high as 80 mg per kg of soil was found in an area receiving arsenic-contaminated irrigation. A comparison of results from affected and unaffected areas revealed that some commonly-grown vegetables, which would usually be suitable as good sources of nourishment, accumulate substantially-elevated amounts of arsenic. For example, more than 150 mg/kg of arsenic has been found to be accumulated in arum (kochu) vegetable. Implications of arsenic ingested in vegetables and other food materials are discussed in the paper.

Suppression of HIV-1 infection by a small molecule inhibitor of the ATM kinase.

Chemotherapy that is used to treat human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) infection focuses primarily on targeting virally encoded proteins. However, the combination of a short retroviral life cycle and high mutation rate leads to the selection of drug-resistant HIV-1 variants. One way to address this problem is to inhibit non-essential host cell proteins that are required for viral replication. Here we show that the activity of HIV-1 integrase stimulates an ataxia-telangiectasia-mutated (ATM)-dependent DNA damage response, and that a deficiency of this ATM kinase sensitizes cells to retrovirus-induced cell death. Consistent with these observations, we demonstrate that a novel and specific small molecule inhibitor of ATM kinase activity, KU-55933, is capable of suppressing the replication of both wild-type and drug-resistant HIV-1.

Diabetes mellitus in Tropical Chronic Pancreatitis Is Not Just a Secondary Type of Diabetes.

AIMS: In chronic calcific pancreatitis of the tropics, etiology and relationship to developing diabetes mellitus are unknown. Some consider these cases a straightforward secondary type of diabetes, while others suggest selective beta-cell impairment. Testing pancreatic function, we investigated whether selective beta-cell impairment triggers diabetes associated with tropical pancreatitis. METHODS: At a Bangladeshi research institute, 8 chronic tropical pancreatitis and no diabetes mellitus subjects, 14 fibrocalculous pancreatic diabetics and 27 matched healthy controls underwent arginine (endocrine pancreatic function) and secretin (exocrine pancreatic function assessment) stimulation tests. RESULTS: All patients with clinically-diagnosed, chronic pancreatitis demonstrated pronounced exocrine pancreatic dysfunction with beta-cell functioning differing significantly between the two groups. Compared to controls, patients having tropical pancreatitis and no diabetes showed normal plasma C-peptide values at baseline and after arginine stimulation, while fibrocalculous pancreatic diabetics demonstrated a typical diabetic pattern for plasma C-peptide levels. In contrast, pancreatic alpha-cell functioning (glucagon response to arginine) was preserved in both pancreatitis groups. CONCLUSION: A preserved pancreatic alpha-cell function in diabetics with advanced chronic pancreatitis of the tropics supports the concept of two different pathogenic mechanisms, one eliciting chronic pancreatitis and the other selective pancreatic beta-cell impairment and subsequent diabetes mellitus.