Search

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic and resultant lockdown has increased the burden of unpaid care work. Hence it is essential to evaluate the crisis response in change of women’s work burden and gender norms of their unpaid care work and social status. OBJECTIVE: To investigate change in women’s job roles after second the wave of the COVID-19 pandemic and its effect on physical and psychological burden of work along with identification of common contributors of gendering of care work. METHOD: Using a structured questionnaire and simple random sampling technique, the study was conducted on married women (n = 691) in West Bengal, India after the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. RESULTS: Significant job loss (p = 0.014) occurred during COVID-19. Unpaid care work increased (p = 0.04) with reduction in rest hours (p = 0.002). 62.3% women felt increased burden of work. Work burden score increased with age (p = 0.003), reduction of rest (p

In this work, we presented a novel simulation tool called the Biomolecule-Oxide Simulator (BOxSim) and its application in simulating the behavior of BioFETs. The capabilities of BOxSim are shown by investigating the impact of various high-k dielectric materials on important Figures of Merits such as current in the channel of the device, surface potential, sensitivity, and intrinsic buffer capacitance. The capabilities of our BOxSim framework allow us to discover new features in the variation of differential capacitance with respect to the second gradient of drain current and surface potential. The profile of the surface potential is used to uniquely identify the signatures (fingerprints) of amphoteric molecules like acids or peptides. The proposed model prospects the possibility to develop an efficient method for protein sequencing. The reliability of the designed model is confirmed by calibrating the simulated results with experimental data for different physical conditions. The results presented in this paper demonstrate the potential of this framework for advancing the field of biosensors and bioelectronics for the biorecognition of different molecules.

Heterogeneity within the tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) population limits immunotherapeutic efficacy against cancer. Between two subpopulations of exhausted CD8+ TILs (progenitor-exhausted; TPEX, terminally exhausted; TTEX), TTEX cells remain unresponsive to anti–programmed cell death protein 1(PD-1) therapy. Deciphering whether and how PD-1–resistant TTEX cells engage in tumor promotion could improve the response to immunotherapy. Here, we report that TTEX cells actively participate in tumor progression by modulating cancer stem cells (CSC). TTEX cells strongly correlated with elevated CSC frequency in poorly immune-infiltrated (CD8+ TIL low) advanced human breast and ovarian carcinomas. TTEX directly upregulated CSC frequency in vitro, which was not affected by anti–PD-1 treatment. The TTEX-influenced CSCs were highly clonogenic and exhibited a multidrug-resistant phenotype, overexpressing drug efflux pumps like ABCC1 and ABCB1. These CSCs were highly invasive, displaying increased invadopodia development and elevated cofilin, CXCR4, and matrix metalloproteinase 7 (MMP7) expression. The invasive properties along with epithelial–mesenchymal plasticity of TTEX-educated CSCs increased metastasis in vivo. TTEX increased cell surface levels and activation of VEGFR2 in CSCs, and silencing or inhibition of VEGFR2 reversed the CSC-stimulatory effects of TTEX. LAMP3 and NRP1 on the surface of TTEX stimulated VEGFR2 in CSCs to promote aggressiveness. Cumulatively, these findings suggest that screening patients with carcinoma for both CD8+ TILs and TTEX frequency prior to anti–PD-1 therapy could improve patient outcomes. In addition, targeting the LAMP3/NRP1–VEGFR2 axis could be a therapeutic strategy in advanced patients with carcinoma with limited CD8+ T-cell infiltration and high TTEX frequency. Significance: Cross-talk with TTEX CD8+ T cells mediated by the VEGFR2 axis induces aggressive properties in cancer stem cells to promote tumor progression.

Background: Severe acute malnutrition (SAM) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in children around the world. It is critical to identify the factors that contribute to mortality to reduce SAM related mortality. This study aimed to analyze the risk factors of mortality in hospitalized children with SAM. Methods: This case-control study was conducted in the SAM unit, department of pediatrics, institute of child and mother health, Matuail-1362, Dhaka, from January 2021 to December 2021. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 22. Univariate analysis was done to determine factors affecting mortality, and multivariate logistic regression was used to determine significant independent risk factors. Results: Mean age of the study subject was 6.38±3.45 months and 10.90±10.00 months in the case and control groups respectively. So, death was more common in younger children. The percentage of death was more (61.5% vs 54.6%) in males. Mortality was more common in family income

Indigenous flora and fauna of a particular habitat greatly impacts the environment in maintaining an ecological balance and equilibrium for the normal functioning of the ecosystem as a whole. Native fishes play a major role and holds a major niche in the ecosystem which needs attention at the moment for their conservation and protection, failure of which may prove to be detrimental to the environment. The rapid developmental activities and industrialization taking place currently are leaving a negative impact upon the natural ecosystem. These activities are a major reason for loss of habitat, deterioration, pollution, and degradation. The ornamental fish industry is a budding industry in India and the indigenous fish fauna of the country offers a good market but unfortunately, so far, the requirements and demand are fulfilled from the natural stock through manual collection. Rigorous exploitation of these species may result into loss of species diversity or reduction of stock, provided, anthropogenic causes necessitated by development and industrialization are already acting upon the ecosystem. Therefore, in this review we will discuss the implementation of captive breeding techniques through nutritional manipulation for fish species so that the wild stock is not made vulnerable and instead, the same shall be enhanced through ranching. Though this technique offers certain limitations such as genetical quality compromise, inferior breeding performance etc., nevertheless it still is a major tool in conservational biology. The review will provide insights to researchers on how to achieve captive breeding success by manipulating nutritional component in fishes and eventually with the information made available in this document certain practical implementations may be necessitated which will help us move closer to the broader aspect of biodiversity conservation and sustainability.

Buried polyethylene pipes used in gas distribution systems can experience excessive wall strain when exposed to ground movement that can affect the performance of the pipes in service. This paper presents full-scale laboratory tests performed to investigate the responses of medium-density polyethylene (MDPE) gas-distribution pipes in dense sand when subjected to axial ground movement. Pipes buried in sand in a large test box were pulled at the rates of 0.5 mm/min, 1 mm/min, and 2 mm/min to simulate relative ground movement in the longitudinal direction. The test facility was instrumented to measure pulling force, pipe wall strain, and soil stress. The measured pullout force was significantly higher than predicted using the equations recommended in current design guidelines, which is attributed to the increase of normal stress on the pipe wall by shear-induced dilation of interface soil. The cavity expansion theory was successfully applied to calculate the normal stress increase. The distribution of measured strains was nonlinear along the pipe length. Assuming a parabolic distribution of the strains, simplified equations were developed to calculate pullout resistance and pipe wall strain from the relative ground displacement. The developed method reasonably predicted the pipe strain measured during the tests.

Background: Although the global thalassemia zone covers Bangladesh, there are very limited studies conducted in this region. Therefore, the focus of our study is to understand the prevalence and burden of thalassemia and hemoglobinopathy in Bangladesh. Methods: The analysis was based on a retrospective evaluation of laboratory diagnoses between 2007 January and 2021 October. A total of 8503 specimens were sampled and analyzed which were either referred by corresponding physicians or self-referred. This was neither any epidemiological nationwide survey nor was the study population chosen randomly. Hematological data were obtained through capillary zone electrophoresis and corresponding complete blood count. Results: 1971 samples (~23.18% of the total) were found with at least one inherited hemoglobin disorder. The most common hemoglobin disorder observed was the hemoglobin E (Hb E) trait (10.67%), followed by the β-thalassemia trait (8.4%), homozygotic Hb E (1.59%), and Hb E/β-thalassemia (1.58%). Other variants found in this study with minimal percentages were Hb N-Seattle, Hb S, Hb D-Punjab, Hb Lepore, Hb C, Hb Hope, Hb H, and hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin. Discussion: The pattern of thalassemia and hemoglobinopathy in our study is diverse and heterogeneous. A broad and detailed spectrum of such inherited hemoglobin disorders will ultimately be helpful in implementing nationwide thalassemia management and strategy policy in Bangladesh.

Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage is a devastating condition causing significant morbidity and mortality. While outcomes from subarachnoid hemorrhage have improved in recent years, there continues to be significant interest in identifying therapeutic targets for this disease. In particular, there has been a shift in emphasis toward secondary brain injury that develops in the first 72 hours after subarachnoid hemorrhage. This time period of interest is referred to as the early brain injury period and comprises processes including microcirculatory dysfunction, blood-brain-barrier breakdown, neuroinflammation, cerebral edema, oxidative cascades, and neuronal death. Advances in our understanding of the mechanisms defining the early brain injury period have been accompanied by improved imaging and nonimaging biomarkers for identifying early brain injury, leading to the recognition of an elevated clinical incidence of early brain injury compared with prior estimates. With the frequency, impact, and mechanisms of early brain injury better defined, there is a need to review the literature in this area to guide preclinical and clinical study.

Micronutrient deficiencies are a significant global health issue. More than 2 billion individuals worldwide are estimated to still be lacking in important vitamins and minerals today. The majority of these folks reside in developing countries and typically lack many micronutrients. Microgreens are immature edible vegetables has lots of potential health benefits, can grown easily. Mustard (Brassica nigra) and coriander (Corindrum sativum) greens are very common in India and can grow in Indian climate. People of both urban and rural population can afford and grow these. The aim of the present study is to analyse nutritional and functional quality of mustard and coriander greens at different phases of development. For this mustard and coriander greens were grown and collected at different phases of development (microgreen, babygreen and maturegreen) and their nutritional (macronutrients & micronutrients) and phyto-chemicals analysis were performed. Functional properties (anti-oxidant & anti-microbial) of mustard and coriander green were also evaluated. Result showed that micronutrients like beta carotene (66%), ascorbic acid(>100%), iron( 100%), calcium (28%), phosphorus(47%) level were higher in mustard microgreen compared to the mature green. In case of coriander green also micronutrients like beta carotene (86%), ascorbic acid (>100%), iron (90%), calcium (15% ), phosphorus(34%) level were also higher in microgreen compared to mature green. Mustard and coriander microgreens also showed potential anti-microbial activity against Escarechia coli and Bacillus subtilis. Being a dense source of nutrients and phyto-chemicals mustard and coriander microgreens may be considered as super food and can be used to combat malnutrition and major disorders that occur in the human body.

Sustainability of maize production systems is threatened by poor economic returns and resource intensiveness. Therefore, an experiment was conducted at the ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi during 2016–17 to 2017–18 to assess the effect of tillage and microbial inoculantsintegrated phosphorus (P) management on productivity, quality, economic outcome and energy dynamics of maize. Three tillage practices viz., CT–R (conventional tillage with no residue), ZT–R (zero tillage with no residue) and ZT + R (zero tillage with wheat crop residue at 2.5 Mg/ha) were assigned in main plots and five P management practices viz., P1 (control–NK as per recommendation, but no P), P2 (17.2 kg P/ha), P3 (17.2 kg P/ha + PSB), P4 (17.2 kg P/ha + compost inoculants) and P5 (34.4 kg P/ha) were allocated in subplots in three times replicated split-plot design. The maximum grain yield (5.96 Mg/ha), protein content (9.13%), protein yield (546 kg/ha) and gross energy returns (209 × 103 MJ/ha) were recorded under ZT + R while higher benefit: cost ratio (B: C ratio – the amount of economic gain per unit investment) (1.53) and energy efficiency (12.5) was noticed under ZT–R. Among the P management practices, the application of 34.4 kg P/ha recorded the highest grain yield (6.45 Mg/ha), protein content (9.34%), protein yield (603 kg/ha), B: C ratio (1.65) and energy efficiency (10.1). The results suggested that the application of P at the rate of 34.4 kg/ha under ZT + R is an economically robust approach for the quality maize production in semi-arid region.

E-Bicycle sharing stations are suffering huge losses due to improper positioning of the stations and hence the potential of these stations could not be fully unlocked to its fullest due to lack of proper knowledge and insights about the user needs. This leads to a factor of loss among the businesses and thus creates negative environment for this sector. This project represents how the proper use of data about any particular aspect would lead to a great insight into that particular area which would not have been possible normally. This shows how the use of Various Machine Learning Algorithms would benefit a particular industry like E-Bike rental stations and help them to properly locate their stations for maximum profitability. By using the data we can optimize Business needs which helps the Owners of that Business tremendously.

Background: Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the commonest cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Despite the rising proportions of CAD, only limited data are available on the relationship between Vitamin D. This study was aimed to assess the serum levels of 25(OH) Vitamin D and its causal association of Vitamin D deficiency as an independent risk factor in patients with Acute ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction in National Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Jaipur, Rajasthan. Material and Methods: Patients admitted with acute ST- Elevation and NON-ST- Elevation Myocardial Infarction in the CCU unit of the National Institute of Medical Science & Research, Jaipur were chosen as cases. Rest healthy same age and sex-match ambulatory subjects were kept as controls. The data entered in the MS EXCEL spreadsheet and analysis will be done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23.0. Continuous variables were presented as mean ± SD. Categorical variables were expressed as frequencies and percentages. The Chi-square test of association or Fischer exact test has been used to determine if there is an association between two categorical variables. Results: Among 50 study cases, the prevalent age group where 50-60 years was 16(32%) followed by 40-50 years (28%) while in control the majority of the participants were in between 40-50 years, 16(32%) followed by 15 cases (30%) in 30-40 years. It was observed that the mean BMI of the study cases was 29.11 ± 3.1 and for controls was 24.41 ± 1.92. Fifty-four percent of cases were found overweight with a BMI range between 25-29.9 and 21(42%) were found obese. In considering the control group, 21(42%) subjects were found overweight with a BMI range between 25-29.9 while no subject was obese with above 30. Most of the cases with vitamin deficiency and vitamin insufficiency were either overweight or obese and had BMI above 25 and a statistically significant difference with p=0.02828. ......

Background Filaggrin (FLG) gene encoding the protein filaggrin plays an important role in barrier function of the skin and its alteration is a predisposing factor for atopic dermatitis. FLG gene variants result in absent or decreased filaggrin protein. Worldwide, the prevalence of FLG variants ranges from 14 to 56%. FLG null variants are distinct in each population. Objectives To study the FLG gene polymorphisms in Indian children and attempt a genotype-phenotype correlation in atopic dermatitis. Methods This was a cross-sectional, multicentre study conducted on 75 Indian children. Demographic details, clinical features and identified FLG null variants were recorded. We performed a whole gene sequencing of the entire FLG coding region using next-generation sequencing technology. Results The prevalence of FLG null variants was 34.7%. A total of 20 different FLG loss of function variants in 26 children were documented. Sixteen (80%) variants were novel and four (20%) were previously reported in Asian and European populations. We found a statistically significant association between FLG variants with early age of onset of atopic dermatitis (P = 0.016) and elevated serum IgE levels (P = 0.051). There was no significant difference between atopic dermatitis phenotypes in children having one variant as compared to children harbouring two or more null variants. Limitation Small sample size. Conclusion Our study reports a unique set of FLG variants different from Asian and European populations, with these variants being significantly associated with an early age of onset of atopic dermatitis and elevated serum IgE levels.

Migration, whether forced or voluntary, has been an intrinsic part of the broader processes of social change across the world. However, there is a marked difference in the way different forms of migration are conceptualised and the resultant implication that it has. For instance, the difference between refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) and the expected role of the state in dealing with them. Officially termed 'migrants', the Kashmiri Pandit community – originally belonging to the now Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, India, is a quintessential example of a community that was forcibly displaced and forced into a life of exile in their own country over three decades ago. The exilic conditions that characterised their lives have left an indelible print on their minds and have shaped their life discourses polemically, in the forms of ruptured social fabric, disoriented identity, barriers to education, healthcare and restricted labour market opportunities. Although displacement affected the entire community at large, the impact of displacement was experienced differentially. This difference stemmed from gender, the social capital they possessed, educational qualifications that they had, their place of residence (rural or urban) and the quality of social networks they had access to. The most explicit difference can be seen between those who were set up in tents that were sunk in filth and were a breeding ground for disease and ill-health versus those who were displaced but never had to live in 'migrant camps'. But even within these two groups, there are apparent differences in the lives of men and women. The challenges of everyday life are felt more acutely by women who have had to navigate the murky waters of patriarchy in addition to physical displacement. And yet, available literature on the subject is androcentric and homogenising in nature. The paper attempts to shed light on the manner and the source for the differential impact of displacement as seen through the impact of displacement on health, education and employment, which are more pronounced for women than men.

Fungal endophytes are valued for biosynthesizing chemically diverse metabolic cascade with interesting biological activities. In the current investigation, two compounds were isolated from Penicillium polonicum, an endophyte of Zingiber officinale. The active moieties, glaucanic acid (1) and dihydrocompactin acid (2) were isolated from the ethyl acetate extract of P. polonicum and characterized by NMR and mass spectroscopy. Further, bioactive potential of the isolated compounds was evaluated by antimicrobial, antioxidant and cytotoxicity assays. Compounds 1 and 2 displayed antifungal activity against phytopathogen Colletotrichum gloeosporioides with more than 50% reduction in its growth. Both the compounds exhibited antioxidant activity against free radicals (DPPH and ABTS) and cytotoxicity activity against cancer cell lines respectively. The compounds, glaucanic acid and dihydrocompactin acid are being reported for the first time from an endophytic fungus. This is the first report on the biological activities of Dihydrocompactin acid produced by endophytic fungal strain.

Background: Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is a distinct subtype of Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with arrest in maturation of cells of myeloid series in bone marrow. PML-RARA fusion resulting from t(15;17) translocation forms the genetic basis of this haematological malignancy. Introduction of specific differentiating targeted therapy i.e. All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) have remarkably improved the outcome of this previously dreaded AML. Aims and Objective: The current study presents five cases of Acute promyelocytic leukemia with unusual presentations followed by effective treatment to revert their adverse outcome. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective evaluation of Acute Myeloid leukemia cases, five cases were included from duration of November 2019 to November 2021. The diagnosis of AMLs was made according to EGIL 1998/WHO 2016 guidelines. Peripheral blood (PB) and bone marrow aspirate (BMA) were stained with Giemsa and cytochemistry included myeloperoxidase (MPO) and periodic acid-schiff (PAS). Results: Five color flowcytometric analyses were performed on BMA and PB samples. Chemotherapy was administered in the patients and follow-up was done. 03/05 patients faced mortality due to rapid disease progression. Conclusion: The fast track clinical course from presentation to the outcome of APL is dreadful for the treating clinician and the heamatopathologist. Cytomorphology and Cytochemistry are as important in rapid recognition of APL as Immunophenotyping and Cytogenetics for establishing accurate diagnosis.

BACKGROUND Influenza is viral fever with the main symptoms of the respiratory tract like cough, fever, breathlessness, nasal discharge, sore throat & myalgia. Pandemic 2009 H1N1 influenza A was the virus that presented a significant public health threat on a global scale. This prospective study was undertaken to analyse the prevalence of the influenza virus in patients with a severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) and also to determine the demographic characteristics and seasonal variations. METHODS This was a hospital-based prospective study done in the Department of Microbiology, Silchar Medical College & Hospital, Silchar for 1 year from June 2021 to May 2022. Respiratory specimens were tested for Influenza virus by one step real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS In real-time PCR, the influenza virus was detected in 6 out of 85 SARI patients (7%). Of 6 total positives, 4(67%) were influenza A and 2(33%) were influenza B. Among 4 influenza A positive cases, 3(75%) were influenza A (H1N1) pdm09 and 1(25%) was seasonal influenza A (H3N2). The highest percentage of positivity (50%) was detected in the age group of 15-29 years. The most common symptoms among the positive influenza cases were fever (100%), cough (88%), and breathlessness (56%). Other associated symptoms were sore throat (63%), nasal discharge (75%), and myalgia (75%). CONCLUSIONS This study clearly shows that influenza is an important cause of severe acute respiratory infection. It also suggests the need for continuous effective surveillance of influenza viruses to detect cases and control outbreaks. Early intervention and proper management of influenza virus cases are required to curb the disease burden.

Objectives: The objectives of the study were to compare the clinico-radiological profile, optical coherence tomography (OCT) parameters and outcome in Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein-IgG-associated disorders (MOGAD) and Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum disorder subtypes. Materials and Methods: This prospective study involved collection of data regarding neurological assessment, neuroimaging, cerebrospinal fluid analysis, OCT parameters, treatment and outcome. Disease severity and disability were assessed using Expanded Disability Status Scale and modified Rankin scale. Patients were categorized into aquaporin-4 (AQP4+), MOGAD, and double negative (DN; both AQP4 and MOG negative). Results: Among 31 patients included, 42% were AQP4+, 32.2% were MOGAD, and 25.7% were DN. The median age at onset was comparable (AQP4+ vs. MOGAD vs. DN = 28 years vs. 24.4 years vs. 31.5years; P = 0.31). Females predominated in AQP4+ compared to MOGAD group (76.9% vs. 30%; P = 0.02). Majority of patients (73.5%) had a relapsing course with a median of two (range = 1–9) relapses. Ninety-nine demyelinating events occurred: Transverse myelitis (TM) in 60/99 (60.6%), optic neuritis (ON) in 43/99 (43.4%), area postrema (AP) syndrome in 20/99 (20.1%), and optico-spinal syndrome in 10/99 (10.1%). ON was common in MOGAD than AQP4+ patients (58.6% vs. 32.1%; P = 0.03). Spinal cord and brain lesions on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were seen in 90.3% and 54.8% patients, respectively. A significantly higher proportion of AQP4+ patients showed longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis as compared to MOGAD group (69.2 % vs. 20 %; P = 0.04), specifically involving dorsal cord (92.3% vs. 50%; P = 0.02). MRI brain lesions, especially involving AP, was frequent in DN than MOGAD (47.1% vs. 6.9%; P = 0.003) and AQP4+ (47.1% vs. 18.9%; P = 0.03) patients. AQP4+ group showed significant nasal RNFL thinning on OCT (P = 0.04). Although 6-month good functional outcome was better in MOGAD than DN and AQP4+ (80% vs. 71.4% vs. 41.7%) groups, they were comparable (P = 0.13). Conclusion: Nearly three-fourth of our patients showed a relapsing course, with TM being the most common clinical presentation. AQP4+ group showed female preponderance, frequent dorsal cord longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis, less frequent ON, and greater nasal RNFL thinning compared to MOGAD group. MRI brain lesions were more common in DN patients. All three groups exhibited good response to pulse corticosteroids and showed a comparable functional outcome at 6-month follow-up.

This cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the serum lipid profiles in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients and its correlation with the severity of COPD in the Department of Respiratory Medicine at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University. A total of 100 spirometric-confirmed cases of COPD were included. Fasting blood samples for lipid profiles were collected. To identify the association between severity of COPD with lipid profiles Pearson’s correlation was used. Further multiple linear regression was done to identify the relation. The mean (standard deviation) age of the patients was 59.0 (10.7)years. The ratio of males and females was 19:1. The mean forced expiratory volume (liters) in 1 second (FEV1) was 55.1 (18.1). Most of the patients had stage II (48%) and stage III (36%) airflow obstruction. Plasma level of total cholesterol and triglyceride tend to increase, statistically non-significant, with stages of COPD. However, the association of plasma lipids becomes statistically significant with FEV1 when the effects of age, BMI, pack-year smoking, duration of illness are accounted in multiple linear regression analysis. Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University Journal 2022;15(4):37-41