Multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli isolated from patients and surrounding hospital environments in Bangladesh: A molecular approach for the determination of pathogenicity and resistance

Extended spectrum β-lactamase producing Escherichia coli (ESBL E. coli) is a primary concern for hospital and community healthcare settings, often linked to an increased incidence of nosocomial infections. This study investigated the characteristics of ESBL E. coli isolated from hospital environments and clinical samples. In total, 117 ESBL E. coli isolates were obtained. The isolates were subjected to molecular analysis for the presence of resistance and virulence genes, antibiotic susceptibility testing, quantitative adherence assay, ERIC-PCR for phylogenetic analysis and whole genome sequencing of four highly drug resistant isolates. Out of the 117 isolates, 68.4% were positive for blaCTX-M, 39.3% for blaTEM, 30.8% for blaNDM-1, 13.7% for blaOXA and 1.7% for blaSHV gene. Upon screening for diarrheagenic genes, no isolates were found to harbour any of the tested genes. In the case of extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC) virulence factors, 7.6%, 11%, 5.9%, 4.3% and 21.2% of isolates harbored the focG, kpsMII, sfaS, afa and iutA genes, respectively. At a temperature of 25°C, 14.5% of isolates exhibited strong biofilm formation with 21.4% and 28.2% exhibiting moderate and weak biofilm formation respectively, whereas 35.9% were non-biofilm formers. On the other hand at 37°C, 2.6% of isolates showed strong biofilm formation with 3.4% and 31.6% showing moderate and weak biofilm formation respectively, whereas, 62.4% were non-biofilm formers. Regarding antibiotic susceptibility testing, all isolates were found to be multidrug-resistant (MDR), with 30 isolates being highly drug resistant. ERIC-PCR resulted in 12 clusters, with cluster E-10 containing the maximum number of isolates. Hierarchical clustering and correlation analysis revealed associations between environmental and clinical isolates, indicating likely transmission and dissemination from the hospital environment to the patients. The whole genome sequencing of four highly drug resistant ExPEC isolates showed the presence of various antimicrobial resistance genes, virulence factors and mobile genetic elements, with isolates harbouring the plasmid incompatibility group IncF (FII, FIB, FIA). The sequenced isolates were identified as human pathogens with a 93.3% average score. This study suggests that ESBL producing E. coli are prevalent in the healthcare settings of Bangladesh, acting as a potential reservoir for AMR bacteria. This information may have a profound effect on treatment, and improvements in public healthcare policies are a necessity to combat the increased incidences of hospital-acquired infections in the country.

Serum Electrolyte Status of Patients with Acute Stroke Admitted in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Stroke, usually a focal rather than global neurological deficit resulting from vascular origin with sudden onset, may be with cerebral infarction or intracerebral haemorrhage. It results in brain oedema following vascular injury and electrolyte imbalance. A descriptive cross sectional study was carried out in the Department of Medicine, Mymensingh Medical College Hospital, Mymensingh, Bangladesh during March 2016 to May 2018 to assess the electrolyte levels among 220 purposively selected patients with stroke confirmed by CT scan. Data were collected by the principal investigator himself by using interview schedule and case record form after attaining consent. Blood samples were collected from the patients to carry out biochemical and haematological tests and to assess serum electrolyte levels. Data were cross-checked for completeness, consistency and relevancy, and were analyzed by computer software SPSS 20.0. Age was significantly higher in haemorrhagic stroke (64.88±13.00 years) than ischaemic stroke (60.92±13.96 years). Male (55.91%) were predominant than female (44.09%). One hundred nineteen (54.09%) patients had ischaemic stroke and 101(45.91%) patients had haemorrhagic stroke. The serum concentration of Na+, K+, Cl- and HCO₃- were measured during acute period of stroke. Imbalance in serum Sodium, Chloride, Potassium and Bicarbonate level were observed in 37.27%, 29.55%, 23.18% and 6.36% patients respectively. Hyponatremia, hypokalemia, hypochloremia and acidosis were most common electrolyte imbalance in both ischaemic and haemorrhagic strokes. In ischaemic stroke hyponatremia was 35.29%, hypernatremia was 3.36%, hypokalemia 19.33%, hyperkalemia 0.84%, hypochloraemia 30.25%, hyperchloraemia 3.36%, acidosis was in 6.72% and alkalosdis in 1.68% patients while in haemorrhagic stroke hyponatremia 33.66%, hypernatremia 1.98%, hypokalaemia 22.77% hyperkalemia 3.96%, hypochloremia 19.80%, hyperchloraemia 4.95%, acidosis 2.97% and alkalosis was in 0.99% of patients. Mortality was more in hyponatremic, hypokalemic and in hypochloremic patients.

Association between body mass index (BMI) and severity of coronary artery disease in young onset acute coronary syndrome (ACS)

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Background

A high body mass index (BMI) is seems to be associated with an increased incidence of coronary artery disease. If the affected person is young, the consequences are more tragic. There are variable information on the relation of incidence and severity of coronary artery disease in high BMI populations. We have examined the association between BMI and severity of coronary artery disease in young onset Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS).

Methods

In this prospective observational study a total number of 150 patients, aged ≤45 years presented with acute coronary syndrome were enrolled to analyze association between Body Mass Index (BMI) and severity of coronary artery disease.

Results

The mean BMI in male was 24.6±3.6 and the mean BMI in female was 25.4±3.3. Among the 150 patients, 2(1.3%) was underweight, 78(52%) was normal, 60(40%) was overweight & 10(6.7%) was obese. All underweighted patients were diagnosed as STEMI. Among the normal BMI patients, 18(23.1%) had UA, 12(15.4%) had NSTEMI & 48 (61.5%) had STEMI. Among the overweight patients, 23(38.3%) had UA, 9(15%) had NSTEMI & 28(46.7%) had STEMI. And among the obese patients, 4(40%) had UA, 1 (10%) had NSTEMI & 5(50%) had STEMI. Considering involving coronary artery, left main coronary artery involvement was 0(0%), 6 (7.7%), 5 (8.3%) & 0(0%) in underweight, normal, overweight & obese patients respectively. Left anterior descending coronary artery involvement was 2(100%), 54 (69%), 45 (75%) & 7 (70%) in underweight, normal, overweight & obese patients respectively. Left circumflex coronary artery involvement was 1(50%), 33 (42%), 25 (41.7%) & 1 (9%) in underweight, normal, overweight & obese patients respectively. And right coronary artery involvement was 1(50%), 35 (44.9%), 31 (51.7%) & 5 (50%) in underweight, normal, overweight & obese patients respectively. In underweight patients 1(50%) had SVD and 1 (50%) had TVD. In normal BMI patients 40 (51.3%) had SVD, 11(14.1%) had DVD and 19 (24.4%) had TVD. In overweight patients 27 (45%) had SVD, 15 (25%) had DVD and 13 (21.7%) had TVD. And in obese patients 5 (50%) had SVD, 3(30%) had DVD and 0 (0%) had TVD. In all BMI group SVD was more common.

Conclusion

There is no statistically significant differences in severity of coronary artery in respect to body mass index (BMI), in patients presented with acute coronary syndrome.

Having a Same Type IIS Enzyme's Restriction Site on Guide RNA Sequence Does Not Affect Golden Gate (GG) Cloning and Subsequent CRISPR/Cas Mutagenesis

Golden gate/modular cloning facilitates faster and more efficient cloning by utilizing the unique features of the type IIS restriction enzymes. However, it is known that targeted insertion of DNA fragment(s) must not include internal type IIS restriction recognition sites. In the case of cloning CRISPR constructs by using golden gate (GG) cloning, this narrows down the scope of guide RNA (gRNA) picks because the selection of a good gRNA for successful genome editing requires some obligation of fulfillment, and it is unwanted if a good gRNA candidate cannot be picked only because it has an internal type IIS restriction recognition site. In this article, we have shown that the presence of a type IIS restriction recognition site in a gRNA does not affect cloning and subsequent genome editing. After each step of GG reactions, correct insertions of gRNAs were verified by colony color and restriction digestion and were further confirmed by sequencing. Finally, the final vector containing a Cas12a nuclease and four gRNAs was used for Agrobacterium-mediated citrus cell transformation. Sequencing of PCR amplicons flanking gRNA-2 showed a substitution (C to T) mutation in transgenic plants. The knowledge derived from this study could widen the scope of GG cloning, particularly of gRNAs selection for GG-mediated cloning into CRISPR vectors.

ESBL Producing Escherichia coli in Faecal Sludge Treatment Plants: An Invisible Threat to Public Health in Rohingya Camps, Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh

Introduction: Human faecal sludge contains diverse harmful microorganisms, making it hazardous to the environment and public health if it is discharged untreated. Faecal sludge is one of the major sources of E. coli that can produce extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs).

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and molecular characterization of ESBL-producing E. coli in faecal sludge samples collected from faecal sludge treatment plants (FSTPs) in Rohingya camps, Bangladesh.

Methods: ESBL producing E. coli were screened by cultural as well as molecular methods and further characterized for their major ESBL genes, plasmid profiles, pathotypes, antibiotic resistance patterns, conjugation ability, and genetic similarity.

Results: Of 296 isolates, 180 were phenotypically positive for ESBL. All the isolates, except one, contained at least one ESBL gene that was tested (bla_CTX−M−1, bla_CTX−M−2, bla_CTX−M−8, bla_CTX−M−9, bla_CTX−M−15, bla_CTX−M−25, bla_TEM, and bla_SHV). From plasmid profiling, it was observed that plasmids of 1–211 MDa were found in 84% (151/180) of the isolates. Besides, 13% (24/180) of the isolates possessed diarrhoeagenic virulence genes. From the remaining isolates, around 51% (79/156) harbored at least one virulence gene that is associated with the extraintestinal pathogenicity of E. coli. Moreover, 4% (3/156) of the isolates were detected to be potential extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC) strains. Additionally, all the diarrhoeagenic and ExPEC strains showed resistance to three or more antibiotic groups which indicate their multidrug-resistant potential. ERIC-PCR differentiated these pathogenic isolates into seven clusters. In addition to this, 16 out of 35 tested isolates transferred plasmids of 32–112 MDa to E. coli J53 recipient strain.

Conclusion: The present study implies that the faecal sludge samples examined here could be a potential origin for spreading MDR pathogenic ESBL-producing E. coli. The exposure of Rohingya individuals, living in overcrowded camps, to these organisms poses a severe threat to their health.

Psychiatric Morbidity in Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Psychiatric morbidity is frequent among outpatients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) attending gastroenterology clinics. The lifetime prevalence of major depressive and anxiety disorders in IBS patients are up to 76% and 54% respectively. The point prevalence of Major depressive disorder and Anxiety disorders in IBS patients are ranged 9.6 to 54% and from 11.1 to 52.4% respectively. IBS is not usually life-threatening but it has a significant impact on quality of life. So, screening for psychiatric disorders in IBS patients attending Gastroenterology clinics is worthwhile. The objective of this study was to evaluate psychiatric morbidity among the patients with IBS. This cross sectional comparative study was conducted in the Department of Psychiatry, Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital, Sylhet, Bangladesh during the period from January 2012 to June 2012. Inclusion criteria were patients of irritable bowel syndrome fulfilling the Rome-III criteria, age between 18 to 60 years irrespective of sex. Patients with any red flag sign, serious cognitive impairment such as dementia, schizophrenia, mania, delusional disorder, prior history of abdominal surgery and other chronic diseases were excluded. One hundred and ten patients with IBS were selected according to inclusion and exclusion criteria and categorized as IBS group. Another 110 age and sex matched subjects were selected as control group. The mean±SD age of the patients was 34.3±12.2 years which was almost identical to control group (p=0.820). Most of the patients (66.4%) were below the age of 40 years. There were 64 (58.2%) male and 46 (41.8%) female which was similar to control group (p=0.643). Psychiatric co-morbidity was most frequent in IBS patients (56.4%) as compared to control group (16.4%) p value <0.001. The most common psychiatric disorders were Anxiety disorders (22.7%), followed by major depressive disorder (19.1%) and somatization disorder (14.5%). The results of this study suggest that a significant number of patients with IBS suffer from psychiatric disorders than control, which are similar to the IBS group in age and gender.

Pattern of Tubercular Uveitis in Active Pulmonary Tuberculosis

Ocular tuberculosis is an extra-pulmonary form of systemic Tuberculosis (TB). It is rarely found concomitant with active pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). The aim of this prospective observational study was to evaluate the pattern of tubercular uveitis (TBU) in the patients with active PTB who attended in our Uvea clinic at NIO&H from July 2018 to December 2020. Active PTB patients who had uveitis consistent with TBU and TBU patients who were confirmed as active lung lesion were included in the study. Chest X-ray, TST, IGRA (QuantiFERON-TB Gold Test), RT PCR of aqueous fluid for tubercular bacillus, Gene Xpert TB test of sputum were done to confirm the diagnosis of ocular and primary TB. If the induration is 15 mm of TST was considered patient in this study. Among 33 patients of active PTB, 4 had TBU (12.12%). Among 48 patients of TBU, 5 had active PTB (10.41%). 13 eyes of 9 patients were affected. Mean age at presentation was 41.8 years. There were anterior uveitis in 23.00% eyes, posterior uveitis in 69% eyes and panuveitis in 7.00% eyes. Choroidal granuloma was the most common presentation of posterior uveitis (46.00%). There were more than 4 times chance to develop choroidal granuloma in patients with active PTB than extrapulmonary TB (Χ²=4.53, <0.05), TBU patients with choroidal granuloma should be evaluated meticulously for active PTB and active PTB patients should be evaluated routinely by ophthalmologist for the search of TBU.

Automated feeding of sheep. 2. Feeding behaviour influences the methane emissions of sheep offered restricted diets

Context During the non-growing season of pastures and during droughts, the dry-matter intake (DMI) of sheep is often constrained due to low pasture availability and the need to feed for weight loss or maintenance. Below-maintenance feeding may have consequences for methane (CH4) production and yield in farm systems. Aims The effect of six restricted feeding levels on CH4 emissions measured using portable accumulation chambers (PACs) was examined in relation to DMI, oxygen consumption (O2) and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and observed changes in feeding behaviour in sheep fed with automated feeders. Methods An automated feeding system was used to apply daily feeding levels to Maternal Composite ewes (n=126). Sheep were adapted to the automated feeding system over 19days, with unlimited access to feed. Following adaptation, sheep were allocated to restricted daily feed levels at 40%, 80%, 100%, 140% and 180% of estimated maintenance requirements (MR) for 41days. Methane, CO2 and O2 emissions from ewes were measured using PACs on Days 30 and 31 of the restricted feeding period. Key results Methane production (g/day) increased (P&lt;0.001) with the level of feeding. However, time since the last meal decreased with the level of feeding and was associated with CH4 production. Sheep on lower levels of feeding tended to consume meals earlier in the day and had longer times since their last meal at PAC measurement and lower CH4 production. These two factors explained 58.7% of the variance in CH4 production in an additive linear model. Methane yield (gCH4/kg DMI) decreased as the level of feeding was increased. Conclusions Methane emissions were affected not only by daily DMI, but also time since the last meal. An understanding of the effect of feeding behaviour and time since the last meal should be incorporated into feeding protocols prior to CH4 measurements when PACs are being used to measure CH4 emissions from sheep fed restricted diets. Implications Utilising automated feeders may improve the accuracy of PAC measurements of sheep CH4 emissions fed both ad libitum and restricted feed amounts, by increasing understanding of DMI and feeding behaviour.

Study on Alanine Aminotransferase in Patients of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Type 2 Diabetes mellitus (DM) is associated with various types of liver disorders including elevated liver enzymes. This study was carried out to observe hepatocellular injury in type 2 Diabetes mellitus as evidenced by raised Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) among the type 2 Diabetes mellitus patients and to find out association between elevated ALT and glycaemic control. This was a descriptive cross-sectional comparative study carried out in Department of Medicine, Rajshahi Medical College Hospital and Rajshahi Diabetic Association Hospital, Rajshahi, Bangladesh from July 2009 to June 2010. One hundred (100) diagnosed type 2 diabetic patients according to WHO criteria and 30 apparently healthy people of both sexes were included. Age of the study people were >40 years. All of those study population were free from taking any hepatotoxic drugs, inj. Insulin, alcohol and preexisting liver disease. Detailed History, thorough clinical examination and relevant investigations were done for exclusion. The frequency of abnormal ALT, Serum bilirubin, Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Alkaline phosphatase, Prothrombin time and Serum albumin were 30%, 6%, 7%, 6%, 54% and 12% respectively in type 2 diabetic patients and 3.3%, 00%, 00%, 6.7%, 10% and 3.3% respectively in normal people. Serum ALT (U/L) level (mean±SD) of the type 2 diabetic patients and normal people were (39.00±24.21) and (28.26±6.67) respectively. This difference is highly significant (p<0.001). Elevated serum ALT level of type 2 diabetic patients showed positive association with increased Body mass index (BMI) (p<0.05) and poor glycaemic control (p<0.05) and fatty liver (p=0.055). So, a high proportion of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus have raised serum Alanine aminotransferase level. Elevated serum ALT level was also associated with high BMI, poor glycaemic control and fatty liver which may be a marker of NAFLD and insulin resistance.

Diversity of Vibrio parahaemolyticus in marine fishes of Bangladesh

AIMS

To determine the occurrence, diversity, antibiotic resistance and biofilm formation of Vibrio parahaemolyticus isolated from marine fishes in Bangladesh.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A total of 80 marine fishes were obtained from the local markets and examined for the presence of V. parahaemolyticus. All the isolated V. parahaemolyticus were characterized for the presence of virulence markers, thermostable direct hemolysin (TDH) or thermostable direct hemolysin related hemolysin (TRH). Isolates were serotyped and further characterized by enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus sequence PCR (ERIC-PCR) typing to analyse the genetic diversity. Moreover, biofilm formation and antibiotic resistance patterns were also determined. About 63·75% (51/80) of the tested marine fishes were contaminated with V. parahaemolyticus. From the contaminated fishes, 71 representatives V. parahaemolyticus were isolated and none of them harboured tdh and trh virulence genes. Nine different O-groups and seven different K-types were found by serological analysis and the dominant serotype was O5:KUT. In ERIC-PCR analysis, eight clusters (A-H) were found and the most common pattern was A (46·5%). All of the isolates were resistant to ampicillin and 78·9% of isolates were resistant to streptomycin. The highest biofilm formation was found at 37°C compared to 25°C and 4°C.

CONCLUSION

Diverse V. parahaemolyticus are present in marine fishes in the local market of Bangladesh with antibiotic-resistant properties and biofilm formation capacity.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

The widespread prevalence of diverse V. parahaemolyticus in marine fishes is an issue of serious concern, and it entails careful monitoring to ascertain the safety of seafood consumers.

Characterization of Pathogenic Vibrio parahaemolyticus Isolated From Fish Aquaculture of the Southwest Coastal Area of Bangladesh

Vibrio parahaemolyticus is a major foodborne pathogen responsible for significant economic losses in aquaculture and a threat to human health. Here, we explored the incidence, virulence potential, and diversity of V. parahaemolyticus isolates from aquaculture farms in Bangladesh. We examined a total of 216 water, sediment, Oreochromis niloticus (tilapia), Labeo rohita (rui), and Penaeus monodon (shrimp) samples from the aquaculture system where 60.2% (130/216) samples were positive for V. parahaemolyticus. Furthermore, we identified 323 V. parahaemolyticus strains from contaminated samples, 17 of which were found positive for trh, a virulence gene. Four isolates out of the 17 obtained were able to accumulate fluid in the rabbit ileal loop assay. The correlation between the contamination of V. parahaemolyticus and environmental factors was determined by Pearson correlation. The temperature and salinity were significantly correlated (positive) with the incidence of V. parahaemolyticus. Most of the pathogenic isolates (94.1%) were found resistant to ampicillin and amoxicillin. O8: KUT was the predominant serotype of the potentially pathogenic isolates. ERIC-PCR reveals genetic variation and relatedness among the pathogenic isolates. Therefore, this region-specific study establishes the incidence of potential infection with V. parahaemolyticus from the consumption of tilapia, rui, and shrimp raised in farms in Satkhira, Bangladesh, and the basis for developing strategies to reduce the risk for diseases and economic burden.

Somatotropin increases plasma ceramide in relation to enhanced milk yield in cows

Recombinant bovine somatotropin (rBST) changes metabolism to spare glucose for milk synthesis in cows. Ceramides inhibit insulin responsiveness in bovine adipocytes and are associated with insulin resistance and milk production in cows. The mechanisms by which rBST supports lactation may involve ceramide. Eight multiparous lactating Holstein cows were enrolled in a 2 × 2 replicated Latin square design with 14-d periods. Cows received a single rBST injection (Posilac; Elanco Animal Health, Indianapolis, IN; 0.062 mg/kg BW) or no injection (CON). An epinephrine challenge, insulin tolerance test, and liver biopsy were performed. Somatotropin enhanced the conversion of feed nutrients into milk components and increased plasma free fatty acid (FFA) concentrations (P < 0.01). Area-under-the-curves for FFA in response to epinephrine and insulin were greater in rBST-treated cows. In response to insulin, glucose concentrations (20- and 30-min post-challenge) and insulin area-under-the-curve were higher with rBST treatment (P < 0.05, <0.10, and <0.01), suggesting insulin resistance. Somatotropin modified the plasma lipidome. For example, rBST decreased plasma di- and triacylglycerol levels (eg, DG-50:1 and TG-18:0/16:0/16:1), phosphatidylcholines and sphingomyelins (P < 0.05). Somatotropin increased plasma total and very-long-chain (C22:0-, C24:0-, C26:0-) ceramide concentrations (P < 0.01). Liver ceramide concentrations were not modified. Plasma ceramides were positively correlated with circulating FFA (r ~ 0.57; P < 0.05) and milk yield (r ~ 0.63; P < 0.05). We conclude that rBST administration modifies the bovine lipidome and increases plasma ceramide concentrations in association with increased milk production in cows.

Automated feeding of sheep. 1. Changes in feeding behaviour in response to restricted and ad libitum feeding

Context Automated feeding units allow the recording of individual feeding behaviour of group-housed sheep and provide data for research into feed efficiency. Aim It was hypothesised that measures of feeding behaviour such as the number of non-feeding events, meal size, eating rate and meal duration would change under different levels of feeding. Method Maternal Composite ewes (n = 126, 18 per pen) were fed a hay-based pellet using automated feeding units (2 per pen) for four periods differing in total daily feed allowance (kg/day) and meal allowance (g/meal). Sheep were initially fed ad libitum (meal allowance ~1000 g) for 19 days during an adaptation period, before restricted feeding for 41 days at daily allowances of 40%, 60%, 80%, 100%, 140% and 180% of estimated maintenance requirements, with a meal allowance of ~100 g. These restricted daily allowances were the experimental treatments that were randomly applied to sheep and replicated three times per pen. The daily allowance was then adjusted to 1.4 kg/day (with a ~200 g meal allowance) for all sheep over 5 days, before ad libitum feeding of all sheep for a period of 16 days. All feeding and non-feeding events were recorded. Key results Under restricted feeding, sheep altered the timing of their meals to consume more meals during the early morning after daily allowances were reset at 0000 hours. This change was more pronounced for sheep fed a smaller proportion of maintenance. The number of non-feeding events (~8/day) was not affected by the level of restricted feeding, but meal size was smaller, meal duration was longer and eating rate was lower for sheep fed 40% of their maintenance requirement. Under ad libitum feeding, sheep reverted to a preferred meal size and number of meals, with fewer than two non-feeding events per day, but differences in eating rate remained. Conclusions Sheep feeding behaviours adapt and respond quickly to changes in daily allowance and offered meal size, but the similar number of non-feeding events at different proportions of maintenance feeding suggest that non-feeding events may not reflect levels of hunger. Implications Our observations suggest that sheep are capable of learning and adapting to different levels of feeding and that this may allow for automated feeding systems to supplementary feed larger numbers of sheep under extensive situations.

The Pattern of Lipid Profile in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease

Dyslipidemia is a common problem in chronic kidney disease patients. Dyslipidemia in chronic kidney disease patients has been known to be a major risk factor of their cardiovascular disease and may contribute to progressive renal dysfunction. The result of the study might be of interest in improving preventive strategies and in management of dyslipidemia in chronic kidney disease patients. This cross sectional study was conducted to evaluate changes in lipid profile in patients with chronic kidney disease stage-3 to stage-5 patients and to correlate the biochemical abnormalities with progression of the disease in Mymensingh Medical College Hospital, Bangladesh from October, 2016 to April, 2017. In this study 200 patients were including and subjected to do complete blood count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, random blood sugar, routine examination of urine, serum creatinine and fasting lipid profile. Two hundred (200) patients (134 males, 66 females) with the mean age were 50.5±12.43 years. 44.5% patients were in CKD stage-5, 37.5% patients were in CKD stage-4, 18% patients were in CKD stage-3. Mean value of Triglyceride (TG) was 194±47.20. Eighty nine percent (89%) patient had hyper-triglyceridemia and 11% had normal triglyceride level. It was statistically significant increased in triglyceride level (p<0.05). Mean value of High density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) was 34±6.10. Low HDL-C had in 87.5% patients, normal in 12.5% patients and was statistically significant reduction in HDL-C level (p<0.05). Low Density Lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) mean was 113±35.6. High level of LDL-C had optimal/or near optimal in 47% patients, 39% patients had borderline high and 14% patients had that was not statistically significant (p>0.10). Total cholesterol (TC) mean was 212±45.3. In 38% patients had within desirable level, 62% patients had high level of Total cholesterol (TC). It was not statistically significant change (p>0.01).

Influence of nanoparticle-based nano-nutrients on the growth performance and physiological parameters in tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary nano-nutrients on the growth, physiological and amino acid responses in tilapia fish. Vitamins were incorporated with chemically synthesized nanoparticles (Fe, Zn, Cu and Se) to form a nano-nutrient complex (NNC). Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses were performed to confirm the structure and morphology of the as-prepared nutrients. A commercial basal diet without the addition of any NNC was used as a control and compared with the other two diets formulated with different levels of NNC. In a 60 day feeding trial, the fish fed with a diet of NNC60 showed significant differences in final weight and length compared with the basal diet. Furthermore, a high value of nutrient content was observed in the muscles of fish fed with nano diets. In addition, protein, total fat, vitamin C, and essential amino acid levels were significantly higher in the NNC60-treated fish compared with the other groups. The present study suggests that the addition of NNC to a commercial diet has the potential to enhance the growth performance and biochemical parameters in tilapia fish.

Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase-Producing Escherichia coli in Drinking Water Samples From a Forcibly Displaced, Densely Populated Community Setting in Bangladesh

Introduction: Community-acquired infections due to extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing Escherichia coli are rising worldwide, resulting in increased morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs, especially where poor sanitation and inadequate hygienic practices are very common.

Objective: This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence and characterization of multidrug-resistant (MDR) and ESBL-producing E. coli in drinking water samples collected from Rohingya camps, Bangladesh.

Methods: A total of 384 E. coli isolates were analyzed in this study, of which 203 were from household or point-of-use (POU) water samples, and 181 were from source water samples. The isolates were tested for virulence genes, ESBL-producing genes, antimicrobial susceptibility by VITEK 2 assay, plasmid profiling, and conjugal transfer of AMR genes.

Results: Of the 384 E. coli isolates tested, 17% (66/384) were found to be ESBL producers. The abundance of ESBL-producers in source water contaminated with E. coli was observed to be 14% (27/181), whereas, 19% (39/203) ESBL producers was found in household POU water samples contaminated with E. coli. We detected 71% (47/66) ESBL-E. coli to be MDR. Among these 47 MDR isolates, 20 were resistant to three classes, and 27 were resistant to four different classes of antibiotics. Sixty-four percent (42/66) of the ESBL producing E. coli carried 1 to 7 plasmids ranging from 1 to 103 MDa. Only large plasmids with antibiotic resistance properties were found transferrable via conjugation. Moreover, around 7% (29/384) of E. coli isolates harbored at least one of 10 virulence factors belonging to different E. coli pathotypes.

Conclusions: The findings of this study suggest that the drinking water samples analyzed herein could serve as an important source for exposure and dissemination of MDR, ESBL-producing and pathogenic E. coli lineages, which therewith pose a health risk to the displaced Rohingya people residing in the densely populated camps of Bangladesh.

Platelet Count as a Severity of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary disease (COPD) is a heterogenous respiratory disease characterized by a progressive, not fully reversible airflow limitation associated with an abnormal inflammatory response of the lung to noxious stimuli. It is a disease presenting with pulmonary inflammation as well as a systemic one. Measurement of inflammatory marker is difficult but platelet count estimation is easy and less costly. This descriptive, cross-sectional study was carried out at Department of Medicine, Mymensingh Medical college Hospital, Mymensingh, Bangladesh for a period of twelve months among fifty-nine COPD patients. Data were collected through interview, physical examination and laboratory investigations. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 22.0 for consistency and completeness. Age range of the patients was 40 to 49 years with a mean of 56.3±10.9 years. Age group 40-49 years contained the highest number (19; 32.3%) of patients. Majority 57(96.6%) of the respondents were male. Thirty seven (62.7%) of patients were illiterate. Majority 56(94.9%) of patients resided in rural area, of them most 38(64.4%) were farmers. According to Spirometric measurement among 59 respondents of COPD patient, 3(5.1%) were in GOLD stage-I, 9(15.3%) in GOLD stage-II, 27(45.8%) in GOLD stage-III and 20(33.9%) in GOLD stage IV group. Mean platelet count (10³/μl), 241.6±86.5 was found in mild, whereas 315.0±47.7 in moderate, 337.2±76.3 in severe, and 412.4±67.5 in very severe group of COPD patients. So increase in platelet count is statistically significant in severity of COPD. In conclusion, platelet count measurement is less costly to categorize COPD and may be a diagnostic marker.

Effects of stem cell factor on in vitro growth of buffalo oocytes

Stem cell factor (SCF) plays important roles in primordial follicle activation, oocyte growth and survival, granulosa cell proliferation, theca cell recruitment, and ovarian steroidogenesis. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of SCF on in vitro growth of buffalo oocytes. Oocyte-granulosa cell complexes (OGCs) were dissected from early antral follicles of slaughtered buffalo ovaries and cultured for 6 days in media supplemented with 0, 50 or 100 ng/mL SCF. In vitro grown oocytes were further cultured for in vitro maturation for 24 h. The results showed that SCF significantly (P < 0.05) increased oocyte diameter in vitro. The percentages of surviving oocytes were 60, 81 and 92 in 0, 50 and 100 ng/mL SCF supplemented group, respectively. SCF promoted formation of antrum-like structures in culture. The results also showed that SCF enhanced the maturation of in vitro grown buffalo oocytes. Here, 14% in vitro grown oocytes reached metaphase II (MII) stage in 50 ng/mL SCF supplemented group, whereas the percentage was increased to 26% in 100 ng/mL SCF treated group. These results show that SCF supports the growth, viability and nuclear maturation of buffalo oocytes in vitro.

Comparison of Ultrasonogram of Brain Findings of Asphyxiated and Non-Asphyxiated Baby Admitted in Neonatal Ward in a Tertiary Level Hospital

Perinatal asphyxia is a major cause of neonatal mortality and morbidity in developing countries. A significant portion of patient with perinatal asphyxia is admitted with complications. Cerebral complications are the most devastating and the child may be left with lifelong neurological impairment. Therefore, the high index of suspicion, prompt recognition and thorough understanding of common sonographic abnormalities are necessary to ensure timely intervention, management and counseling. A hospital based case control study was conducted in the neonatal unit of Mymensingh Medical College Hospital, Mymensingh, Bangladesh. Study period was six months (June 2012 to December 2012). This study was done to compare the ultra sonogram of brain findings of admitted asphyxiated babies with admitted non-asphyxiated babies. A total of 30 asphyxiated (case) and another 30 non-asphyxiated (control) neonate of this department were enrolled in the study. Necessary information was collected by taking detailed history, clinical examination and also close follow up of the neonates according to pre-designed questionnaire. The main outcome variable was abnormality in cranial ultrasound. Among case group (30 neonates), ultrasonogram of brain findings were abnormal in 9(30.0%) cases. Among them most common was ventricular dilatation 5(16.6%), followed by Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) 1(3.0%), intracranial hemorrhage 1(3.0%), HIE 1(3.0%) and cerebral edema in 1(3.0%) cases. On the contrarary, among asphyxiated control group all 30 cases had normal ultra sonogram of brain. In case group 22 babies had normal birth weight and 08 had low birth weight. Among the 22 normal birth weight neonates in case group total 6(27.2%) cases had abnormal ultra sonogram findings. Among normal birth weight cases 3(13.6%) had ventricular dilatation, 1(4.5%) Intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), 1(4.5%) HIE, 1(4.5%) cerebral edema. Among 08 low birth weight neonates in case group total 3(37.5%) cases had abnormal ultrasonogram of brain finding. Among low birth weight cases 2(25%) had ventricular dilatation, 1(12.5%) IVH. Ultrasonogram brain findings difference between two groups was statistically significant. Abnormal findings were also common in low birth weight babies than normal birth weight babies. So, early detection of abnormal brain changes can help us for proper management and counseling.

117 Kit ligand enhances growth and nuclear maturation of buffalo oocytes in vitro

This study aimed to investigate the effect of Kit ligand (KL), a growth factor that regulates folliculogenesis in mammalian ovaries, on growth of buffalo oocytes in early antral follicles in vitro. Cumulus-oocyte complexes were dissected from early antral follicles (1mm) of slaughtered buffaloes and cultured in Dulbecco’s minimum essential medium supplemented with fetal bovine serum, sodium pyruvate, gentamycin, hypoxanthine, dexamethasone, cysteine, polyvinylpyrolidione, l-ascorbic acid, oestradiol-17β, and androstenedione in a 96-well culture plate at 38.5°C under an atmosphere of 5% CO2 in air for 6 days. The culture medium was supplemented with 0, 50, and 100 ng/mL KL (recombinant human SCF, Cat. No. H8416, R&amp;D Systems, Minneapolis, MN, USA). Sixty oocytes were cultured in each group with 6 replications. In vitro-grown oocytes were cultured for maturation in tissue culture medium-199 supplemented with 5% fetal bovine serum, sodium pyruvate, gentamycin, and 100 ng/mL FSH at 38.5°C for 24h under an atmosphere of 5% CO2 in air. The oocytes were then stained with aceto-orcein and examined under a differential interference contrast microscope. Data were analysed using SAS/STAT version 9.1.3 for Windows (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA) by one-way ANOVA and means compared with Tukey’s HSD test. The mean diameter of oocytes measured at the time of seeding on the culture substrate was 100.6±0.4μm (n=180). After 6 days of culture, the diameters of oocytes increased to 110.8±0.5, 114.0±0.5, and 115.0±0.6µm in 0, 50, and 100 ng/mL KL-treated groups, respectively. The survival rates were 60.0±6, 81.2±1.2, and 92.0±4.9% in 0, 50, and 100 ng/mL KL-supplemented oocytes at Day 6. Moreover, KL pretreatment enhanced maturation of buffalo oocytes dose dependently. A small proportion of oocytes (8.4%) treated with 50 ng/mL KL reached the MII stage. This number increased to 25% when oocytes were treated with 100 ng/mL KL. These results show that KL enhances growth, viability, and meiotic progression of buffalo oocytes in vitro.

Effects of profenofos induced histopathology and recovery patterns in silver barb (Barbonymus gonionotus)

Histopathology is promising field for research in aquatic toxicology as it provides the real picture of the toxic effects of xenobiotics in vital functions of a living organism. The present study aims to evaluate the toxic effect of pesticide namely profenofos on silver barb. Liver and kidney of silver barb were examined histologically after exposure to sublethal concentrations (0.01 ppm, 10% of LC50 and 0.05 ppm, 50% of LC50) of profenofos for 0, 7, 15 and 30 days. Histological recovery was also studied by maintaining the pesticide‐exposed fish in a freshwater system for an additional 7, 15 and 30 day. Kidney and liver of exposed individuals exhibited some remarkable changes in their histology in comparison to control and recovery group. Hepatic lesions in the liver tissues of fish were characterized by cloudy swelling of hepatocytes, lipoid vacuoles, pycnotic nuclei and focal necrosis. Epithelial hypertrophy, narrowing of the tubular lumen, atrophy of the glomerulus, broader Bowman's capsule, necrosis in the epithelial cells and pycnosis in the hematopoietic tissue were observed in kidney tissues of experimental fish. These lesions grew with increasing concentration. Although some of the changes were reversible, the rest were less pronounced after a recovery period.Progressive Agriculture 28 (3): 240-248, 2017

Ionic Liquid Based Nanocarriers for Topical and Transdermal Drug Delivery

In the pharmaceutical industry, there are challenges in topical and transdermal administration of drugs, which are sparingly soluble in water and most organic solvents. Ionic liquids (ILs) have been found to be very effective for dissolution of sparingly soluble drugs. However, hydrophilic IL-borne drugs cannot penetrate into or across the skin because of the highly hydrophobic barrier function of the outer skin. In this chapter we report a novel IL-in-oil (IL/o) microemulsion (ME) that is able to dissolve a significant amount of sparingly soluble drug, acyclovir, in the IL core while the continuous oil phase can provide the desired features for topical/transdermal transport through the skin. The ME is composed of a blend of the nonionic surfactants polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate (Tween 80) and sorbitan laurate (Span 20), isopropyl myristate (IPM) as an oil phase, and the IL [C1mim][(MeO)2PO2] (dimethylimidazolium dimethylphosphate) as a dispersed phase. The size and size distribution of the aggregates in the MEs were characterized by dynamic light scattering, showing formation of the nanocarrier in the size range 8–34 nm. In vitro drug permeation studies into and across the skin showed that the IL/o ME increased drug administration compared with other formulations. The safety profile of the new carrier was evaluated using a cytotoxicity assay on the human epidermal model LabCyte. We believe that these IL-assisted nonaqueous MEs can serve as a versatile and efficient nanodelivery system for sparingly soluble drug molecules.

Effects of Intensive versus Non-Intensive Physical Therapy on Children with Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral Palsy (CP) is one of the most common causes of all childhood disorders. There are tone, posture and movements difficulty due to non-progressive damage to the immature brain in CP. The hallmark of CP is a disability in the development of gross motor function (GMF). The influence of gross motor development on fine motor development is more important in early developmental period, specially under three years old and in children with CP. Various therapeutic interventions have been used in the management of GMF development. Among them physical therapy is the most common intervention in CP and is usually a component of mandated programs. Physical therapy means physical stimulations in the form of various therapeutic exercises, touch, massage, limbs and trunk movement, balancing and coordination training, gait and ambulation training, cognitive stimulation as well as speech, language and occupational therapy. Our study focused to see the effect by short term intensive versus non-intensive physical therapy on children GMF development by using gross motor function measure (GMFM) Score sheet, GMFM-88, version 1.0. Study provides the information that physical therapy intervention is effective in GMF development and intensive interventions are more effective in children with spastic CP than non-intensive one. Study also inform that the more early treatment the more effective result.

Physical activity levels in Bangladeshi adults: results from STEPS survey 2010

Objectives

Physical inactivity is an established risk factor for non-communicable diseases (NCD) and identified as the major public health concern worldwide. However, nationally representative and internationally comparable data on physical activity (PA) are lacking in Bangladesh. The objective of this paper was to determine nationally representative prevalence of PA levels among Bangladeshi adults.

Study design

Cross-sectional survey.

Methods

Data, on PA for this paper, were analysed from the NCD risk factors survey 2010 in Bangladesh. A standardized approach known as STEPS (STEPSwise approach to Surveillance for NCD risk factors) was followed for this survey. A total of 9275 adults (aged ≥ 25 years) were interviewed. Data on PA were processed and analysed according to Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ) version 2 analysis framework.

Results

Of total 9275 respondents 4312 were men and 4963 women with a mean age of 42.4 (±13.5) years. Median MET-minutes of total PA in a typical week was double in rural areas (3360) than urban (1680) areas. The overall country wide prevalence of low PA was 34.5% (95% confidence interval, 33.5–35.5), urban 37.7% (36.3–39.1) and rural 31.6% (30.3–32.9). Women in general were more inactive (women, 53.6% [52.2–55.0], men 15.4% [14.9–17.1]). The main contributions to total PA were from work (urban 47.0%, rural 61.0%), and active commuting (38.0%, 30.0%) domains. Leisure-time PA represented only a small proportion (15.0%, 9.0%).

Conclusions

Insufficient physical activity is highly prevalent among the Bangladeshi adult population. Promoting overall PA at leisure-time and commuting considering country context can be feasible options with special attention to the women.

Effect of different levels of dietary energy on growth and carcass traits of Black Bengal goat

The present study was aimed to know the effect of dietary energy levels on growth and carcass characteristics in Black Bengal goats. Nine female Black Bengal goats were divided into three groups having three goats in each group. Three iso-nitrogenous diets containing three levels of metabolizable energy (9.17, 10.40 and 11.63 MJ/kg DM) were randomly assigned to three groups. Goats were stall fed and slaughtered after 150 days of trial. Results showed that live weight gain was higher (28.3 ± 1.7 g/day) in high energy fed goats than others. There were no significant differences on total and daily average dry matter intake in different groups of goats. Body length was significantly higher in high energy fed group than others. Carcass weight and dressing percentage were also higher (p<0.05) in high energy fed goats. Caul fat and gut fill weight differed significantly (p<0.05) among the treatment groups, and higher caul fat and lower gut fill were obtained in high energy fed goats than others. In conclusion, high energy diet enhanced the growth, dressing percentage and carcass gain of female goats.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjas.v43i2.20719 Bang. J. Anim. Sci. 2014. 43 (2): 159-165 

Effects of Feeding Rate and Water Temperature on Growth and Body Composition of Juvenile Korean Rockfish, Sebastes schlegeli (Hilgendorf 1880)

Three feeding trials were conducted to evaluate the effects of feeding rate and water temperature on growth and body composition of juvenile Korean rockfish, Sebastes schlegeli rearing at 3 different water temperatures. A total of 270 fish (each experiment) individual body weight (BW) averaging 16±0.3 g (mean±SD) were fed a commercial diet for 4 wk at 16°C, 20°C, and 24°C. At each temperature, triplicate tanks were assigned to one of 6 feeding rates: 1.5%, 2.5%, 2.8%, 3.1%, 3.4%, and satiation (3.7% BW/d) at 16°C, 1.9%, 2.9%, 3.2%, 3.5%, 3.8% and satiation (4.1% BW/d) at 20°C and 1.7%, 2.7%, 3.0%, 3.3%, 3.6%, and satiation (3.9% BW/d) at 24°C water temperature. Weight gains of fish in satiation and 3.4% groups at 16°C, in satiation and 3.8% groups at 20°C and in satiation and 3.6% groups at 24°C were significantly higher than those of fish in the other treatments (p<0.05). A broken line regression analysis of weight gain indicated that optimum feeding rates of juvenile Korean rockfish were 3.41% at 16°C, 3.75% at 20°C and 3.34% at 24°C water temperature. Results of the present study indicate that the optimum feeding rate could be >3.1% but <3.41% at 16°C, >3.5% but <3.75% at 20°C and >3.0% but <3.34% at 24°C. As we expected results suggest that fish performed better at 20°C than 16°C or 24°C water temperature and the optimum feeding rate could be 3.1% BW/d to 3.7% BW/d in 16 g of juvenile Korean rockfish.

Effect of BARI Wheat Varieties on Seed Germination, Growth and Yield under Patuakhali District

A pot experiment was carried at Patuakhali Science and Technology University to study the performance of some BARI wheat varieties under the coastal area of Patuakhali. Four wheat varieties viz. BARI ghom-23, BARI ghom-24, BARI ghom-25 and BARI ghom-26 were planted in the field to evaluate their comparative performance in respect of germination percentage, growth, yield and yield attributing characters. Among the four varieties, BARI ghom-26 showed superior performance irrespective of all parameters studied except total dry matter content (TDM) and yield reduction percentage. Among the BARI varieties, BARI ghom-26 produced greater germination (61.00%) at 13 days judge against to other varieties. The taller plant (47.91 cm), higher LAI (1.84), maximum TDM (17.37 g plant-1) and effective tillers hill-1 (18.08) were also obtained with the similar variety. BARI ghom-26 was also most effective to produce the maximum grains spike-1 (38.52), higher weight of 1000-grains (49.38 g), higher grain (3.35 t ha-1) and straw (8.50 g plant-1) yield and greater HI (4.03%). So, the variety BARI ghom-26 produced the outstanding superiority among the varieties.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jesnr.v5i2.14816 J. Environ. Sci. & Natural Resources, 5(2): 209-212 2012

Phenolic acid composition and antioxidant properties of Malaysian honeys

The phenolic acid and flavonoid contents of Malaysian Tualang, Gelam, and Borneo tropical honeys were compared to those of Manuka honey. Ferric reducing/antioxidant power assay (FRAP) and the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging activities were also quantified. All honey extracts exhibited high phenolic contents (15.21 ± 0.51- 42.23 ± 0.64 mg/kg), flavonoid contents (11.52 ± 0.27- 25.31 ± 0.37 mg/kg), FRAP values (892.15 ± 4.97- 363.38 ± 10.57 μM Fe[II]/kg), and high IC₅₀ of DPPH radical-scavenging activities (5.24 ± 0.40- 17.51 ± 0.51 mg/mL). Total of 6 phenolic acids (gallic, syringic, benzoic, trans-cinnamic, p-coumaric, and caffeic acids) and 5 flavonoids (catechin, kaempferol, naringenin, luteolin, and apigenin) were identified. Among the Malaysian honey samples, Tualang honey had the highest contents of phenolics, and flavonoids, and DPPH radical-scavenging activities. We conclude that among Malaysian honey samples, Tualang honey is the richest in phenolic acids, and flavonoid compounds, which have strong free radical-scavenging activities.

Trauma in surgery and its incidence, circumstances as well as clinical consequences

This study was conducted from 10.02.08 to 23.05.09 in general surgery wards of Chittagong Medical College Hospital, Bangladesh with multi-factorial views of clinical aspects and an alarming model image in such relation was depicted. 188 (72.9 %) patients in this study out of 258 were male it was and found that different types of trauma had been relatively higher in 51-70 yrs (35.1 %) age group followed by 31-50 yrs (28.7 %) age group in case of male subjects. On the contrary, in female, those were quite higher in 11-30 yrs (31.4 %) age group followed by 51-70 yrs (24.8 %) age group. As for the mortality, this study suggest that it was significantly higher in case of female subjects (31.4 %) (22) in relation to male subjects (18.1 %) (34). But to our knowledge probably it has no clinical significance at all. Rather, it may have socio-economic associations, as for instance- traditional negligence to female in developing countries like Bangladesh. Another remarkable observation that was clear in this study was variation in different levels of morbidity. In male, 30.9 % patients had morbidity from 1 week to 1 month; followed by 28.7 % patients with morbidity less than 1 week, whereas, in case of female, it was 25.7 % and 20 %, respectively. With regard to morbidity over 1 month 23.4 % male and 22.9 % female were found in this group and in case of both male and female, the so called p-values were quite significant. This study also reflects that majority of trauma occurred due to road traffic accidents (RTAs) (24.5 %) followed by natural disasters (21.3 %) and assault (17 %) in case of male, whereas, in female 34.3 % trauma occurred by assault and homicidal attempts followed by 20 % due to natural disaster. One of the most remarkable associations of traumatic patients was that 82.3 % (28) of all deaths occurred in the first 24 hours of injury in male and on the other hand, it was 72.7 % (16) in case of female patients (Tab. 3, Fig. 7, Ref. 31).

Advances in the analytical methods for determining the antioxidant properties of honey: a review

Free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been implicated in contributing to the processes of aging and disease. In an effort to combat free radical activity, scientists are studying the effects of increasing individuals' antioxidant levels through diet and dietary supplements. Honey appears to act as an antioxidant in more ways than one. In the body, honey can mop up free radicals and contribute to better health. Various antioxidant activity methods have been used to measure and compare the antioxidant activity of honey. In recent years, DPPH (Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), FRAP (Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power), ORAC (The Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity), ABTS [2, 2-azinobis (3ehtylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diamonium salt], TEAC [6-hydroxy-2, 5, 7, 8-tetramethylchroman-2-carboxylic acid (Trolox)-equivalent antioxidant capacity] assays have been used to evaluate antioxidant activity of honey. The antioxidant activity of honey is also measured by ascorbic acid content and different enzyme assays like Catalase (CAT), Glutathione Peroxidase (GPO), Superoxide Dismutase (SOD). Among the different methods available, methods that have been validated, standardized and widely reported are recommended.

Microbiological quality of drinking water from dispensers in roadside restaurants of Bangladesh

The microbiological status of water from dispensers in different roadside restaurants of Dhaka city and Savar area was analyzed in this study. Seven samples from Dhaka and 8 samples of Savar were checked. The heterotrophic plate count was in a range of 1.0 x 10(3) CFU mL(-1) to 2.0 x 10(4) CFU mL(-1) (from new bottles), 1.0 x 10(3) to 1.5 x 10(4) CFU mL(-1) (after dispensation), and 1.5 x 10(3) CFU mL(-1) to 1.0 x l0(5) CFU mL(-1) (from serving glass). In several of the samples, the heterotrophic plate count was higher than the count in water from new bottle or after dispensation, suggesting added contamination from the serving glass. 80% of the samples were contaminated with total and fecal coliform bacteria, which render these waters unacceptable for human consumption. The samples were found to contain gram negative bacteria like E coli, Shigella sp., Klebsiella sp., Enterobacter sp., Pseudomonas sp., and Salmonella sp., which are potential pathogens and thus pose a serious threat to public health. This study elucidates the importance of monitoring the bottling companies and the restaurants and put them under strict regulations to prevent future outbreak of any water borne diseases caused by consumption of dispensed water.

Consequences of abdominal adenocarcinoma in post-menopausal woman in relation to surgical and non-surgical management

The umbilical tumor as a presenting symptom must be investigated for the possibility of metastasis. In this case, it was unlikely, as there was no primary carcinoma found elsewhere. Primary peritoneal carcinoma (also termed serous surface papillary carcinoma) is a malignancy that arises primarily from peritoneal cells. The mesothelium of the peritoneum and the germinal epithelium of the ovary arise from the same embryological origin. Although primary peritoneal carcinoma has a very poor prognosis, our patient had a disease-free interval of two years post surgery. Clinically, primary peritoneal carcinoma may be difficult to distinguish from ovarian carcinoma. Compared to ovarian carcinoma, primary peritoneal carcinoma has a higher rate of abdominal distension, volume of ascites, malignant cells in the ascitic fluid, lower rate of pelvic palpable mass, and personal breast cancer history. However, primary ovarian cancer can be excluded in this case, based on both ovaries being of normal size with no tumor involvement and a histology that favors serous carcinoma. The disease is normally disseminated throughout the peritoneum. Our patient's disease was confined to the umbilicus with no evidence of dissemination. We report a rare case of adenocarcinoma confined to the umbilicus of a 64-year-old menopausal woman presented with an umbilical lump of nine years. After five years, she presented with a 6-cm irregular periumbilical mass. She agreed to undergo an excision biopsy of the mass with total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oopherectomy with omentectomy. The excision biopsy showed adenocarcinoma with an appearance suggestive of metastasis from an ovarian cystadenocarcinoma. The frozen section of the tumor showed a papillary adenocarcinoma. Histology showed adenocarcinoma favoring serous cancer. It was found that tumor markers of ovarian malignancy were normal. There was no tumor seen in the ovaries, uterus and omentum. On follow-up, there was no disease recurrence. The patient has been disease-free for two years post surgery (Fig. 5, Ref. 10).

Urethral stricture in adult as a consequence of childhood hypospadias repair

We report our experience in treating such patients. A retrospective chart review was performed from 2004 through 2007 in Urology Department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital by using the convenient type of purposive sampling. In cases undergoing perineal urethrostomy, we suggested the "side-to-side" technique, which comprised longitudinal urethrotomy and everting the mucosal and submucosal layers of the urethra to the incised skin. Graft-based urethroplasty using buccal mucosal graft, in one-stage or two-stage repairs, was the preferred choice of formal reconstruction. Patients undergoing hypospadias surgery should receive lifelong follow-up protocol to detect latent urethral strictures (Fig. 8, Ref. 12).

Effects of therapeutic modalities on patients with post stroke shoulder pain

A randomized clinical trial was conducted to find out the effects of physical modalities transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and ultrasonic therapy (UST) on the patients with post stroke shoulder pain in the Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation & Department of Neurology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) from 1st July 2006 to 31st December 2006. In that period a total of 750 stroke patients attended the stroke clinic of the Department of Neurology, BSMMU, of which 150(20%) patients presented with post stroke shoulder pain. Among the patients with post stroke shoulder pain, 45(6%) patients were included in the study. The aim of the study was to find out the improvement with proper and timely physical therapy and to study the comparative efficacy of TENS or UST therapy on shoulder pain in stroke patients. Results of this study showed that most of the patients were elderly and maximum number of patients (86.66%) was diagnosed as adhesive capsulitis. In each group, pain reduction and increase of muscle strength was same, TENS showed better improvement of muscle strength. There was complete recovery of tenderness by both TENS and UST. Significant improvement was observed after treatment in each group except in active internal rotation in UST group. But in comparison between two groups, Group A (TENS) showed statistically significant better improvement in all planes of pain free range of motion than Group B except active abduction which was better improved in group B (UST) and in case of passive abduction, passive external rotation and passive extension, TENS had better effect than UST. It may be concluded that TENS and UST both are effective but TENS may be safer and superior to ultrasonic therapy (UST) in the treatment of the patients with post stroke shoulder pain.

Significant associations of acute gastrointestinal haemorrhage and the estimation of effectiveness of the newly proposed acute abdominal bleeding score (AABS) in emergency patients

This study was carried out in different units of surgical wards of Khulna Medical College Hospital, Bangladesh. Among the total number of 284 patients about 88.7% (252) was admitted for the upper GIT pathology and in relation to this, lower GIT bleeding was less common 11.2% (32). In the question of emergency surgical management, 156 (61.9%) patients out of 252 upper GIT bleeding patients needed an emergency surgery, whereas it was only 12 (37.5%) out of the rest of lower GIT bleeding patients. Fortunately, in this study, it was clearly found that, in case of bleeding control, 234 (82.3%) patients had it without intervention. This study also suggests that only 29.6% (84) patients had specific clinical manifestation out of 284 patients, followed by 43% (122) who had vague signs-symptoms and the rest 27.5% (78) had latent symptoms of acute haemorrhage. In case of diagnosis of acute hemorrhagic patients, only 34.5% (98) was diagnosed clinically. A 36% (102) patient out of 284 patients was diagnosed by ultrasound of abdomen and 14.8% (42) was diagnosed by endoscopy. It was a very remarkable finding of this study that 33.8% (96) patients were remained undiagnosed till admission to first 24 hours and among 284 hemorrhagic patients, only 7.7% (22) required the emergency surgery on admission. In the type of acute episodic bleeding as well as in associated family history, some significant positive associations were found. The most important contribution of this clinical study was a very new but effective score (Acute Abdominal Bleeding Score=AABS) for the diagnosis. Also the clinical status of patients had been proposed which could be a very good tool for measuring the severity of acute abdominal hemorrhage in patients on admission (Fig. 6, Tab. 7, Ref. 46).

Biocatalysis in water-in-ionic liquid microemulsions: a case study with horseradish peroxidase

In this article we report the first results on the enzymatic activity of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) microencapsulated in water-in-ionic liquid (w/IL) microemulsions using pyrogallol as the substrate. Toward this goal, the system used in this study was composed of anionic surfactant AOT (sodium bis(2-ethyl-1-hexyl)sulfosuccinate)/hydrophobic IL [C(8)mim][Tf(2)N] (1-octyl-3-methyl imidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)amide)/water/1-hexanol. In this system, the catalytic activity of HRP was measured as a function of substrate concentrations, W(0) (molar ratio of water to surfactant), pH, and 1-hexanol content. The curve of the activity-W(0) profile was found to be hyperbolic for the new microemulsion. The apparent Michaelis-Menten kinetic parameters (k(cat) and K(m)) were estimated and compared to those obtained from a conventional microemulsion. Apparently, it was found that HRP-catalyzed oxidation of pyrogallol by hydrogen peroxide in IL microemulsuions is much more effective than in a conventional AOT/water/isooctane microemulsion. The stability of HRP solubilized in the newly developed w/IL microemulsions was examined, and it was found that HRP retained almost 70% of its initial activity after incubation at 28 degrees C for 30 h.

107 DEVELOPMENT OF VITRIFIED BOVINE SECONDARY AND PRIMORDIAL FOLLICLES IN SCID MICE

The bovine ovary contains a large number of follicles at the different developmental stages. The objectives of this study were to establish the optimal vitrification condition for bovine secondary and primordial follicles, and to examine the developmental ability of vitrified follicles by xenotransplantation to SCID (severe combined immune deficiency) mice. In the first experiment, secondary follicles 150–200 �m in diameter were dissected individually from the ovarian cortex. The follicles were exposed to equilibration solution containing 7.5% ethylene glycol (EG), 7.5% DMSO, and 20% fetal calf serum (FCS) in modified (HEPES-buffered) TCM-199 medium (m199) at room temperature (RT) for 15 min. They were randomly allocated to 6 experimental groups, treated with the vitrification solution containing 15% EG, 15% DMSO, 20% FCS, and 0 or 0.5 M sucrose (Suc) in m199 at RT for 1 or 30 min or at 4�C for 30 min, and then put on the Cryotop (Kitazato Supply, Tokyo, Japan) and directly plunged into liquid nitrogen (LN2). For warming, vitrified follicles with 0.5 M Suc were put in m199 supplemented with 1 M Suc and 20% FCS at 38.5�C, and then transferred to m199 supplemented with 0.5 M Suc and 20% FCS at RT for 5 min. Vitrified follicles without Suc were warmed in Suc-free medium in the same manner. After washing, they were fixed and examined histologically. In the secondary follicles vitrified in 0 M and 0.5 M Suc-containing solutions after treatment at RT for 1 min, 59% (10/17) and 91% (10/11) of oocytes showed normal morphology, respectively. In the follicles vitrified after 30 min treatment, 63–100% of the oocytes showed abnormal cytoplasm and/or pyknotic nuclei, regardless of temperature and Suc contents. In the second experiment, tissues containing 40 to 50 primordial follicles (1 mm � 1 mm � 0.5 mm) were dissected from the ovarian cortex. Sixteen tissues were allocated to 4 groups, equilibrated at RT for 5 or 15 min in the equilibration solution, treated with the vitrification solution containing 0 or 0.5 M Suc at RT for 1 min, and then put on the Cryotop and plunged into LN2. After warming and washing in a similar manner, they were examined histologically. After treatment with the equilibration solution for 5 min followed by Suc-free vitrification solution, 82 � 5% (mean � SEM of 4 tissues) of primordial follicles showed normal morphology, and the rate was significantly higher than for other groups (P &lt; 0.05, Student&apos;s t-test). In the third experiment, secondary follicles and primordial follicles vitrified by each best method were transplanted under the kidney capsule of SCID mice for 1 and 6 months, respectively, and examined histologically. After transplantation of 40 secondary follicles into 4 mice, about 40% of the follicles developed to the antral stage. After transplantation of 8 tissues containing primordial follicles into 3 mice, 2 or more follicles developed to the antral stage in each mouse. These results indicate that bovine secondary and primordial follicles can be vitrified without losing their developmental capacity to the antral stage.