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Introduction: Mathematics anxiety (MA) is a distinct negative emotional state or trait that individuals experience when confronted with mathematical problems in everyday life and academic contexts. This study aims to identify the key predictors of MA among secondary-level students in Bangladesh. Methods: Utilizing a quantitative cross-sectional research design, data were collected from 486 students across 89 institutions. Later, the data were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). Results: The findings revealed that math related negative past experiences (β = 0.241, t = 4.914, p < 0.001) and a perceived lack of teacher support (β = 0.234, t = 5.440, p < 0.001) significantly contribute to students' low self-efficacy in mathematics. This low self-efficacy is further influenced by negative attitudes and test anxiety, ultimately leading to increased MA (β = 0.694, t = 22.695, p < 0.001). Additionally, cognitive challenges, particularly working memory difficulties, directly affect MA (β = 0.110, t = 2.659, p = 0.008). The study also found that negative attitudes (β = 0.347, t = 9.063, p < 0.001) and test anxiety (β = 0.251, t = 5.913, p < 0.001) independently exacerbate MA. Moreover, a lack of motivation in learning mathematics is directly influenced by this elevated level of MA (β = 0.384, t = 9.939, p < 0.001). Discussion: Taken together, the study proposes several key recommendations and policy implications to inform the development of synchronized policies by educational authorities aimed at combatting, reducing MA among secondary-level students in Bangladesh and similar contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Atlantic tripletail (Lobotes surinamensis) is a high revenue-generating fish species predominantly caught by mechanized artisanal fishers community and the most available member of its family in Bangladesh. This is a ground work of fish stock assessment study in the Bay of Bengal region to explore the life history parameters and associated biomass of this species, using three length-based approaches of TropFishR, the length-based Bayesian biomass estimation (LBB), and Froese's length-based indicators (LBIs). An almost homogenous body growth pattern (b=3.07; R2=0.98) was observed in the length-weight relationship of tripletail. The life history parameters for tripletail, as determined by the von Bertalanffy Growth Function (VBGF) model, were L∞=113.36 cm and k=0.51/a. The length converted catch curve (LCCC) yielded an estimation of the total mortality (Z=1.77/a), with the natural mortality estimated at (M=0.53/a) and the fishing mortality estimated at (F=1.24/a). But, the ratio of mortality (F/M=0.15) by LBB captured the non-fully exploited status of biomass (B/BMSY=2.1). LBI analysis indicated that the tripletail fishery's spawning stock biomass is greater than the target and limit reference points, indicating a healthy state of biomass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Salmonella enterica serotype Typhi (Salmonella Typhi) causes severe and occasionally life-threatening disease, transmitted through contaminated food and water. Humans are the only reservoir, inadequate water, sanitation, and hygiene infrastructure increases risk of typhoid. High-quality data to assess spatial and temporal relationships in disease dynamics are scarce. Methods: We analyzed data from a prospective cohort conducted in an urban slum area of Dhaka City, Bangladesh. Passive surveillance at study centers identified typhoid cases by microbiological culture. Each incident case (index case) was matched to two randomly selected index controls, and we measured typhoid incidence in the population residing in a geographically defined region surrounding each case and control. Spatial clustering was evaluated by comparing the typhoid incidence in residents of geometric rings of increasing radii surrounding the index cases and controls over 28 days. Temporal clustering was evaluated by separately measuring incidence in the first and second 14-day periods following selection. Incidence rate ratios (IRRs) were calculated using Poisson regression models. Results: We evaluated 141 typhoid index cases. The overall typhoid incidence was 0.44 per 100,000 person-days (PDs) (95% CI: 0.40, 0.49). In the 28 days following selection, the highest typhoid incidence (1.2 per 100,000 PDs [95% CI: 0.8, 1.6]) was in the innermost cluster surrounding index cases. The IRR in this innermost cluster was 4.9 (95% CI: 2.4, 10.3) relative to the innermost control clusters. Neither typhoid incidence rates nor relative IRR between index case and control populations showed substantive differences in the first and second 14-day periods after selection. Conclusion: In the absence of routine immunization programs, geographic clustering of typhoid cases suggests a higher intensity of typhoid risk in the population immediately surrounding identified cases. Further studies are needed to understand spatial and temporal trends and to evaluate the effectiveness of targeted vaccination in disrupting typhoid transmission. Author summary: New generation typhoid conjugate vaccines have been introduced in mass national campaigns and routine immunization programs in several typhoid-endemic countries. We evaluated evidence for spatial and temporal clustering of typhoid fever in an urban slum area of Dhaka, Bangladesh, where typhoid is highly endemic. We assessed 141 typhoid index cases and observed the highest incidence of typhoid in the 14-day period following case selection in the population residing closest (cluster of radii 0-50m) to the index case. Clustering of incident cases suggests a higher intensity of transmission, and the populations at highest risk of contracting typhoid are those living in close proximity to an index case. The risk exists for a period of at least 28 days. Where strong surveillance exists, vaccination of localized geographic areas surrounding cases might be effective in controlling disease outbreaks in low- or no-coverage settings. This approach could offer a practical and efficient strategy for countries with limited data and resources to support mass typhoid vaccination. Additional evaluations of spatial and temporal trends of typhoid transmission are required in endemic and non-endemic settings, and studies designed to evaluate the effectiveness and impact of targeted vaccination are needed to refine prevention and control strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In Southeast Asia, treatment is recommended for all patients with post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL). Adherence to the first-line regimen, twelve weeks of miltefosine (MF), is low and ocular toxicity has been observed with this exposure period. We assessed the safety and efficacy of two shorter-course treatments: liposomal amphotericin B (LAmB) alone and combined with MF. Methodology/Principal findings: An open-label, phase II, randomized, parallel-arm, non-comparative trial was conducted in patients with parasitologically confirmed PKDL, 6 to ≤60 years. Patients were assigned to 20 mg/kg LAmB (total dose, in five injections over 15 days) alone or combined with allometric MF (3 weeks). The primary endpoint was definitive cure at 12 months, defined as complete resolution of papular and nodular lesions and >80% re-pigmentation of macular lesions. Definitive cure at 24 months was a secondary efficacy endpoint. 118/126 patients completed the trial. Definitive cure at 12 months was observed in 29% (18/63) patients receiving LAmB and 30% (19/63) receiving LAmB/MF (mITT), increasing to 58% and 66%, respectively, at 24 months. Most lesions had resolved/improved at 12 and 24 months for patients receiving LAmB (90%, 83%) and LAmB/MF (85%, 88%) by qualitative assessment. One death, unrelated to study drugs, was reported; no study drug-related serious adverse events were observed. The most frequent adverse drug reactions were MF-related vomiting and nausea, and LAmB-related hypokalaemia and infusion reactions. Most adverse events were mild; no ocular adverse events occurred. Conclusions/Significance: Both regimens are suitably safe and efficacious alternatives to long-course MF for PKDL in South Asia. Trial registration: CTRI/2017/04/008421. Author summary: Post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) is a skin rash which can appear after successful treatment of visceral leishmaniasis caused by the parasite Leishmania donovani. Although not life-threatening for the patient, this condition can be associated with social stigma, and the sandfly that transmits the disease can become infected after feeding on patients with PKDL lesions. Therefore, all patients are treated to control visceral leishmaniasis within the Southeast Asia kala-azar elimination initiative. It is difficult to justify the use of existing treatments in patients who are otherwise generally well, since they are prolonged, potentially toxic, and expensive. We designed a trial at two sites in India and one in Bangladesh to assess the efficacy and safety of two treatment options for patients with PKDL: 20 mg/kg liposomal amphotericin B in monotherapy and 20 mg/kg liposomal amphotericin B in combination with three weeks of miltefosine. These two regimens were found to have a similar efficacy to the current first line treatment, but with a much shorter treatment duration, which also reduces the risk of side-effects and makes them particularly useful in the current context of elimination in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Essential oil (EO) from the sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) grown in the Jhum cultivations located in Bangladesh was screened for chemical composition, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities. EO yield from the Jhumcultivar O. basilicum was 1.55% (v/w). Analysis of EO indicated the presence of several bioactive compounds, among which Geranial (35.5%) and cis-citral (26.2%) are of significant content. The EO showed antioxidant activities inhibiting DPPH radical with a mean value of 45.7% at 2.4 mg mL-1 of EO. The EO has susceptibility against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Salmonella Typhi, Vibrio cholerae, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, and Micrococcus spp.), with a notable activity against the Gram-positive bacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pampus argenteus and Pampus chinensis form the high-value demersal Pomfret fishery of Bangladesh. But, due to a monotonic decline in catches over the last five years, it is essential to explore the current stock status concerning the removal rate to ensure the sustainability of this fishery. Therefore, given the reliability and minimal data requirements, this study employed an extended Bayesian State-Space Surplus Production Model, JABBA (Just Another Bayesian Biomass Assessment), to assess the stock rigorously. The results revealed that the stock biomass of the Pomfret fishery in the final year of the time series is significantly lower than BMSY, the biomass required to produce MSY. Consequently, this study recommends a yearly catch limit (TAC) of 10,000 metric tons to prevent further depletion of the stock biomass. Furthermore, to avoid growth overfishing by allowing all immature fishes to reproduce at least once before being caught, this study also calculated the optimum length (Lopt) for catch for both species at which biologically maximum yield and revenue can be obtained. The estimated Lopt is 25 cm for P. argenteus and 30 cm for P. chinensis, and not to capture fishes with lengths lower than these limits, this study further calculated the minimum mesh size limits for gill and set bag nets is 7.5 cm. Though the mesh size regulation was estimated using length-based reference points derived from an empirical equation, this regulation can be used as an associate reference point when TAC is applied to assure the sustainability of this fishery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid intensification of poultry production raises important concerns about the associated risks of zoonotic infections. Here, we introduce EPINEST (EPIdemic NEtwork Simulation in poultry Transportation systems): an agent-based modelling framework designed to simulate pathogen transmission within realistic poultry production and distribution networks. We provide example applications to broiler production in Bangladesh, but the modular structure of the model allows for easy parameterization to suit specific countries and system configurations. Moreover, the framework enables the replication of a wide range of eco-epidemiological scenarios by incorporating diverse pathogen life-history traits, modes of transmission and interactions between multiple strains and/or pathogens. EPINEST was developed in the context of an interdisciplinary multi-centre study conducted in Bangladesh, India, Vietnam and Sri Lanka, and will facilitate the investigation of the spreading patterns of various health hazards such as avian influenza, Campylobacter, Salmonella and antimicrobial resistance in these countries. Furthermore, this modelling framework holds potential for broader application in veterinary epidemiology and One Health research, extending its relevance beyond poultry to encompass other livestock species and disease systems. Author summary: Poultry meat is important for improving nutrition in developing countries. However, the rapid growth of poultry production raises concerns about the risks of diseases that can be passed from animals to humans and cause outbreaks. To understand and manage these risks, we developed EPINEST, an agent-based modelling framework that allows investigating how diseases can spread within the networks of poultry farms, markets and their associated transportation systems. EPINEST can be adjusted to match the way in which poultry are raised and traded in specific countries. It considers different traits of pathogens, how they are transmitted, and how different strains or pathogen types can interact. While EPINEST was primarily developed to simulate the transmission of zoonotic pathogens (namely avian influenza, Campylobacter, Salmonella and other bacteria carrying resistance genes) in poultry populations in South and Southeast Asia, this modelling framework can also be useful for studying the transmission of other pathogens in other livestock species. EPINEST will help understand how poultry farming and trading shape pathogen spread, maintenance and evolution, and support decision-making to make poultry production safer and more sustainable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study assessed Nipah virus (NiV) encephalitis epidemiology, clinical outcomes, and risk variables to inform treatment and prevention. Methodology: In a PubMed systematic search, 929 citations were found. After screening and eligibility, 22 studies were included. This study obtained age, gender, geographic regions, diagnostic methods, data collection methods, and bias risk. The case fatality rate (CFR) and NiV infection risk variables were evaluated by meta-analysis. Results: Southeast Asia, especially Bangladesh and Malaysia, had the most NiV cases. The major diagnostic method was blood and cerebrospinal fluid IgM and IgG antibody tests, and males predominated. Proxy respondents and matched controls were utilized for risk factor analyses when patients could not answer. The pooled CFR for NiV encephalitis was 61.0%, indicating severity. Risk factors included pigs, nighttime bats near homes, tree climbing, and male gender. Conclusion: Southeast Asian public health is plagued by NiV encephalitis. The high CFR calls for better diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. NiV's multiple risk factors must be understood for targeted therapy. Future research should fill knowledge gaps and improve NiV infection prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mathematics anxiety (MA) is considered a potential barrier to success in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers. A good number of students around the globe are terrified of mathematics. They do whatever they can to avoid math or math-related subjects. Therefore, the early identification of MA and its underlying factors is crucial in initiating timely interventions that can enhance positive attitudes in math, boost math performance, minimize math avoidance, and motivate students to pursue math-related careers. In this paper, we have presented a unique, multifaceted, and complete web-based MA screening tool called identifying mathematics anxiety through an automated process (IMATAP) to assess MA, its severity, and its deficiency. This assessment provides a detailed explanation of developing MA and helps teachers, parents, educators, and researchers design need-based intervention techniques (personalized or cluster-based) to reduce MA, which will ultimately help math-anxious students overcome math fear. Over the past two years (2021-2022), IMATAP has been successfully implemented in nine different primary and secondary level institutions in Bangladesh. Findings revealed that the effectiveness of the IMATAP system has been appreciated and highly accepted by both students and teachers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the total world production of 13.7 MMT (2018-19), India is the second-largest fish producer in the world, contributing 1.07 per cent of the global GDP and providing 14 million people with significant employment opportunities throughout the value chain in harvesting, processing, packaging and distribution. The statistics for the last 10 years regarding the trade in fisheries and related products, namely the trading of seven products with HS codes, were gathered from the ITC and OECD as the secondary source of information. With 1.37 MT in volume and a value of Rs.45,106.89 crore, or roughly 10 per cent of all exports and 5.23 per cent of the country's agricultural GVA, fish and fish products have recently emerged as the largest group of agricultural exports from India. China has a higher CAGR of 28.87 per cent in the top exporting nations and India is the top exporting nation with UAS (36.15%), China (17.37%) and Japan (7.38%) in terms of percentage of total exports. As the top three exporters to India, Bangladesh (25.01%), Uzbekistan (23.27%) and Myanmar (13.14%), respectively. Oman and China, with CAGR shares of 69.76 and 60.15 per cent, respectively, have the highest percentages with India. Between these nations that are close to India, Bangladesh and Myanmar have a higher import percentage share destination. The nation has more than unit is relatively more advantageous in products of mollusks, crustaceans and frozen fish with 9.15, 2.92 and 1.14, respectively. Live fish has 7.7 USD million with less than IUV 9.18 USD million. Compared to importing, exporting of live fish will rise, followed by that of crustaceans, fish fit for human consumption, dried, salted or brine, etc. Products with lower EUV than IUV of fish, crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates can be reduced here. These products have HS Codes of '0303, '0304', '0307' and '0308', respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research examined the biological reference points (BRPs) and stock status of the sardine fishery in the Bay of Bengal (BoB), Bangladesh, to determine the sustainability of this resource. The Monte Carlo method (CMSY), the Bayesian state-space Schaefer surplus production model (BSM), and the ASPIC (a Stock Production Model Incorporating Covariates) software suite, were used to analyze catch–effort data obtained from the Yearbook of Fisheries Statistics of Bangladesh. All models derived maximum sustainable yields (MSY) ranging from 37,900 to 41,280 t, which is quite near to the catch from the latest year (38,051 t in 2020), indicating the fully exploited status of sardines. The estimated B < BMSY and F > FMSY values from the BSM and Schaefer models indicate a poor biomass and an unsafe fishing status. For Schaefer and BSM, the calculated F/FMSY values were 1.07 and 1.06, and the B/BMSY values were 0.92 and 0.75, which also indicate the overexploited status of the sardine fishery in the BoB, Bangladesh. This information will aid in developing management strategies and conservation policies for the sustainability and rebuilding of this commercially important resource in the BoB on the Bangladesh coast. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Neonatal mortality remains unacceptably high in many countries. WHO recommends that all newborns be assessed during the postnatal period and should seek prompt medical care if there is any danger sign. However, in many developing countries, only a small proportion of women receive postnatal care. Also, the quality of care in public health facilities is sub-optimal. Methods: We designed an intervention package that included community health worker-assisted pregnancy and birth surveillance, post-natal visits to assess newborns on the first, third, seventh and twenty-eighth days of birth, referral for facility-based care, and establishing a newborn stabilization unit at the first level referral health facility. We did a quasi-experimental, propensity-score matched, controlled study in the Sylhet region of Bangladesh. We used a cross-sectional survey method at baseline and endline to measure the effect of our intervention. We considered two indicators for the primary outcome–(a) all-cause neonatal mortality rate and (b) case fatality of severe illness. Secondary outcomes were the proportion of neonates with signs and symptoms of severe illness who sought care in a hospital or a medically qualified provider. Results: Our sample size was 9,940 live births (4,257 at baseline, 5,683 at end line). Our intervention was significantly associated with a 39% reduction (aRR = 0.61, 95% CI: 0.40–0.93; p = 0.046) in the risk of neonatal mortality and 45% reduction (aRR = 0.55, 95% CI: 0.35–0.86; p = 0.001) in the risk of case fatality of severe illness among newborns in rural Bangladesh. The intervention significantly increased the care-seeking for severe illness at the first-level referral facility (DID 36.6%; 95% CI % 27.98 to 45.22; p<0.001). Interpretation: Our integrated community-facility interventions model resulted in early identification of severely sick neonates, early care seeking and improved treatment. The interventions led to a significant reduction in all-cause neonatal mortality and case fatality from severe illness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work intends to assess the nature of floods, trigger factors, impacts, and management in the Bhagirathi River Basin (BRB) using mainly secondary data (Survey of India toposheets, Landsat 5 TM, Landsat 7 ETM+, and Sentinel 2 images, Google Earth Imageries, district gazetteers, and annual floods reports) and techniques of normalized difference water index (NDWI), river network change index (RNCI), sinuosity index (SI), and analysis of the previous documents and reports. The results portray that flood frequency in the BRB was found to be increasing during the last century (1901–2020). However, the nature of the floods spatially varies from the rarh (western part of the Bhagirathi River) to the bagri (eastern part). The floods in the rarh region are mainly controlled by dams and barrages constructed on the western tributaries of the Bhagirathi River, while the Farakka barrage and ill-drained decaying distributaries are responsible for the floods in the bagri region. Moreover, two types of the flood were observed in the study area: (1) monsoon flood induced by heavy monsoon rainfall during June–September and (2) lean period inundation caused by the controlled discharge from the Farakka Barrage Project during January–May as per the Indo-Bangladesh water-sharing treaty (1977). Though the monsoon floods wreak havoc on the agricultural and household resources almost every year, the lean period inundation only affects the agricultural lands along the banks of the Bhagirathi River, especially in the community development (CD) blocks Raghunathganj II, Lalgola, and its adjacent areas. During the last century (1900–2020), the year 2000 recorded a colossal flood when 11 CD blocks in Murshidabad and 16 CD blocks in Nadia districts became inundated. To manage the floods, a few structural measures like embankments along the banks of the Bhagirathi River and storage of water in dam reservoirs have been implemented. However, due to the loss of the live capacity of reservoirs caused by the entrapping of suspended sediments, flood management faced challenges. Thus, 'controlling flood' becomes difficult in this region, and 'living with flood' may be an alternative approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adapting the Social Cognitive Theory framework, we conducted a cross-sectional study on 137 commercial chicken farms in Bangladesh to investigate factors influencing the behaviour of farmers towards the application of antimicrobials to their birds. Almost all farmers used antimicrobials to treat poultry diseases, while 38.6% also were using them to promote healthy growth of chickens and 10.2% to increase egg production or improve meat quality. Using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), we identified that inappropriate usage of antimicrobials (behaviour) was strongly driven by farmers' short-term goals to maintain the health of their chickens in a production cycle (β = 0.813, p = 0.029), rather than long-term concerns. Farmers' perception about their ability to control antimicrobial administration based on their skills and opportunities (self-efficacy) marginally influenced the short-term goals of antimicrobial usage (β = 0.301, p = 0.073). The results of this study can be used to develop targeted education programs for farmers, to reduce the application of antimicrobials in their poultry flocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The black pomfret (Parastromateus niger) is one of the high-income-generating carangid fish species and the only known member of its genus. This study aims to identify existing gaps in stock status and population demography of this species and provide viable management recommendations to enhance the sustainability of this fishery. Therefore, three methodological approaches have been used in this study; TropFishR to present the current exploitation status, the length-based spawning potential ratio (LB-SPR) to quantify stock spawning biomass, and Froese's sustainability indicators (LBI) to establish a basic standard for sustainable management of the fishery. In the length-weight relationship of black pomfret, an allometric growth pattern (b = 2.19) was found. The VBGF life history parameters for black pomfret were L∞ = 55.25 cm, K = 0.54 year−1, and based on LCCC analysis, the total mortality (Z = 1.61 year−1), natural mortality (M = 0.69 year−1) and fishing mortality (F = 0.91 year−1) are calculated. The result reveals that this fishery is currently suffering from overexploitation and the stock's spawning biomass (SPR = 13%) is below the limit reference point because most of the catch (82%) was found to be under the maturity level. Based on the results, this study recommended strictly maintaining the mesh size of the net to ensure not to catch immature fish with a length smaller than 30.63 cm, recommended the length to catch be between 29 and 35 cm, and reducing fishing pressure by one-third to ensure the sustainability of the black pomfret fishery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A cross-sectional study was conducted with 144 small-scale poultry farmers across 42 Bangladeshi villages to explore risk factors associated with avian influenza H5 and H9 seropositivity on backyard chicken farms. Using mixed-effects logistic regression with village as random effect, we identified crow abundance in garbage dumping places and presence of migratory wild birds within villages to be associated with higher odds of H5 and H9 seropositivity. At farm-level, garbage around poultry houses was also associated with higher odds of H5 and H9 seropositivity. In addition, specific trading practices (such as, purchase of chickens from live bird markets (LBM) and neighboring farms to raise them on their own farms, frequency of visits to LBM, purchase of poultry at LBM for consumption) and contact of backyard chickens with other animals (such as, feeding of different poultry species together, using pond water as drinking source for poultry, access of feral and wild animals to poultry houses) were associated with higher odds of H5 or H9 seropositivity. Resource-constrained small-scale poultry farmers should be able to address risk factors identified in this study without requiring large investments into poultry management, thereby reducing the likelihood of avian influenza virus transmission and ultimately occurrence of avian influenza outbreaks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extreme temperature is the key indicator of extreme climatic events. The goal of this research was to better understand the long-term trends and shifting behaviors associated with Bangladesh's record-breaking high temperatures in the country's atmosphere. Data from 26 Bangladeshi meteorological stations collected between 1981 and 2018 was analyzed with RClimDex. The annual count of warm (cold) spell duration increased, according to the findings (decrease). In the coastal regions, this rising temperature trend is more pronounced. There were longer (shorter) periods of warm (cold) weather in the twentieth century than there were in the previous decade. As a result, the length of warm (cold) spells has become longer since the beginning of the twenty-first century, as compared to the last quarter of the twentieth century. There is little fluctuation in diurnal temperatures, but they are getting smaller and smaller. There is a 13% decrease in the Cold Spell Duration Indicator (CSDI), which indicates that we are in for a long, cold winter. At a rate of 14% per year, the Warm Spell Duration Indicator (WSDI) annual count suggests an extremely hot summer is imminent. Diurnal temperature range (DTR) values decreased by 1.1% year-round, raising the specter of climate extremes like the CSDI and WSD. An increasing (decreasing) trend in indicators of how long hot (cold) weather lasts indicates an increase (decrease) in Bangladesh's warm atmosphere. As a result, an increase in the number of extreme weather events, particularly along the coasts, should be expected across the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: We aimed at the identification of the association of comorbidities with the COVID-19 severity and hospitalization. Methods: It is a retrospective cross-sectional study to investigate the variation in age, sex, dwelling, comorbidities, and medication with the COVID-19 severity and hospitalization by enrolling 1025 recovered individuals while comparing their time of recovery with or without comorbidities. Results: COVID-19 patients mostly suffered from fever. The predominant underlying medical conditions in them were hypertension (HTN) followed by diabetes mellitus (DM). Patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) (54.3%) and hepatic disorders (HD) (43.6%) experienced higher severity. The risk of symptomatic cases was higher in aged (odds ratio, OR = 1.04, 95% CI = 1.02–1.06) and comorbid (OR = 1.87, 95% CI = 1.34–2.60) patients. T-test confirmed the differences between the comorbid and non-comorbid patients’ recovery duration. The presence of multiple comorbidities increased the time of recovery (15–27 days) and hospitalization (20–40%). Increased symptomatic cases were found for patients having DM+HTN whereas CVD+Asthma patients were found with higher percentage of severity. Besides, DM+CKD (chronic kidney disease) was associated with higher hospitalization rate. Higher odds of severity were found for DM+CVD (OR = 4.42, 95% CI = 1.81–10.78) patients. Hospitalization risk was also increased for them (OR = 5.14, 95% CI = 2.02–13.07). Moreover, if they had HTN along with DM+CVD, they were found with even higher odds (OR = 6.82, 95% CI = 2.37–19.58) for hospitalization. Conclusion: Our study indicates that people who are aged, females, living in urban area and have comorbid conditions are at a higher risk for developing COVID-19 severity. Clinicians and health management authorities should prioritize these high-risk groups to reduce mortality attributed to the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present empirical evidence regarding the association between audit quality and real earnings management in case of the capital market of Bangladesh. Our analysis visualizes a panel of 2195 firm data with year-level observations which are listed on the Dhaka Stock Exchange throughout the period of 2000–2017. We report inverse association between 'big 4' audit firms' service and levels of real earnings management practices. This result suggests that the client pool of big audit firms are less likely to engage in earnings management. This particular result is also consistent with the 'big 4' audit firms' commitment to their reputation and long track-records of noted exhibition of due diligence. Also, we find no association between industry-specialized auditor (in terms of audited assets) and real earnings management. This result provides important insights to the nature of competition in the audit market of Bangladesh. Finally, we also observe no correlation between audit specialization (in terms of audited revenue) and real earnings management. This pattern invokes significant findings regarding the industrial depth of specialization of Bangladeshi firms. It also uncovers whether 'specialized' provision of audit service can meaningfully serve the more 'generalized' nature of industrial composition of the firms active in the capital market of the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Bovine eimeriosis is thought to be very important for the productivity and health of cattle all over the world. Despite the importance of cattle farming in Sylhet, little is known about the prevalence of bovine Eimeria spp. and the risk factors connected with it. Objectives: We conducted a study to evaluate the prevalence, species diversity and associated risk factors of Eimeria spp. in a population of 50 cattle farms from 12 upazilas (sub‐district) in Sylhet district. Methods: Faecal samples were collected randomly from a total of 554 calves ranging in age from 1 month to 2 years old during a period of 7 months. We used Flotation and McMaster techniques for parasitological examination. Species identification was done by using their morphological and morphometric characteristics. Results: Out of 554 calves, 308 were found to be positive for Eimeria species (55.60%). Seven species of Eimeria were identified. Among the identified species, E. bovis (38.98%), E. zuernii (26.17%) and E. alabamensis (22.38%) were found to be the most prevalent species. Mixed and species‐specific Eimeria infection were (24.73%; 95% CI 21.32–28.49) and (30.87%; 95% CI 27.17–34.84), respectively. In addition, the highest prevalence was observed at Zakigonj (68%; 95% CI 58.34–76.33) and the lowest at Companygonj (40%; 95% CI 30.94–49.80). Eimeria species intensity ranged between 50 and 76,550 oocyst per gram of faeces. Analysis of associated risk factors by using multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that age, gender and body condition were significantly (p < 0.05) associated with Eimeria infection. Conclusions: Based on these present findings, it can be assumed that 'coccidia belong to the most prevalent pathogens in the population of calves in the study area'. Thus, the findings of this study could be used as tools for adoptive surveillance and effective control and prevention of the disease in cattle populations in this region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, the nuclear power plant has received huge attention as it generates vast amounts of power at a lower cost. However, its creation of radioactive wastes is a major environmental concern. Therefore, the nuclear power plant requires a reliable and uninterrupted monitoring system as an essential part of it. Monitoring a nuclear power plant using wireless sensor networks is a convenient and popular practice now. This paper proposes a hybrid approach for monitoring wireless sensor networks in the context of a nuclear power plant in Bangladesh. Our hybrid approach enhances the lifespan of wireless sensor networks reducing power consumption and offering better connectivity of sensors. To do so, it uses both the topology maintenance and topology construction algorithms. We found that the HGETRecRot topology maintenance algorithm enhances the network lifetime compared to other algorithms. This algorithm increases the communication and sensing coverage area but decreases the network performance. We also propose a prediction model, based on linear regression algorithm, that predicts the best combination of topology maintenance and topology construction algorithms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The challenges associated with poverty measurement using a cardinal variable have received much attention over the past four decades, but there is a dearth of literature on how to meaningfully assess poverty with an ordinal variable. This article proposes a class of simple, intuitive, and policy-relevant poverty measures for ordinal variables. The measures are sensitive to the depth of deprivations, unlike the headcount ratio. Moreover, under appropriate restrictions, the measures ensure that priority is given to the poorest among the poor when targeting, monitoring, and evaluating poverty alleviation programs. To assess the robustness of poverty comparisons to alternative choices of parameters, the article develops various stochastic dominance tests (some of which are novel contributions to the stochastic dominance literature). The empirical illustration documenting changes in sanitation deprivation in Bangladesh showcases the measures' ability to identify instances in which overall sanitation deprivation improved while leaving the poorest behind. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: In this open-label, randomized controlled trial in seven tertiary neonatal intensive care units in India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh, infants born at or after 36 weeks of gestation with moderate or severe neonatal encephalo-pathy and a need for continued resuscitation at 5 min of age or an Apgar score of less than 6 at 5 min of age (for babies born in a hospital), or both, or an absence of crying by 5 min of age (for babies born at home), were recruited. In a web-based randomization system, infants were allocated into a group receiving whole body hypothermia (33·5°C) for 72 h using a servo-controlled cooling device, or to usual care (control group), within 6 h of birth. All recruiting sites had facilities for invasive ventilation, cardiovascular support, and access to 3 Tesla MRI scanners and spectroscopy. The primary outcome was a combined endpoint of death or moderate or severe disability at 18–22 months, assessed by the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development (third edition) and a detailed neurological examination. Analysis was by intention to treat. After exclusions, 202 eligible infants were assigned to the hypothermia group and 206 to the control group. Primary outcome data were available for 195 (97%) of the 202 infants in the hypothermia group and 199 (97%) of the 206 control group infants. 98 (50%) infants in the hypothermia group and 94 (47%) infants in the control group died or had a moderate or severe disability (risk ratio 1·06; 95% CI 0·87–1·30; P=0·55). 84 infants (42%) in the hypothermia group and 63 (31%; P=0·022) infants in the control group died, of whom 72 (36%) and 49 (24%; P=0·0087) died during neonatal hospitalisation. Five serious adverse events were reported: three in the hypothermia group (one hospital readmission relating to pneumonia, one septic arthritis, and one suspected venous thrombosis), and two in the control group (one related to desaturations during MRI and other because of endotracheal tube displacement during transport for MRI). Therapeutic hypothermia did not reduce the combined outcome of death or disability at 18 months after neonatal encephalopathy in low-income and middle-income countries, but significantly increased death alone. The authors conclude that therapeutic hypothermia should not be offered as treatment for neonatal encephalopathy in low-income and middle-income countries, even when tertiary neonatal intensive care facilities are available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The furniture industry is growing to a great extent in Bangladesh. Many market researchers believe that the industry has enormous potentiality. However, the expansion of this industry may face complexities within a few years. Due to the wrong selection of facilities, many organizations failed to earn profit as expected. It also needs a large investment. Selecting a suitable place for a new facility is going to be the biggest question of upcoming years. This study aimed to analyze Bangladesh's furniture industry, address the facility location problem, and provide a constructive solution to the decision-makers. In this study, seven criteria were considered: availability of raw materials, transportations, skilled labor, proximity to customers, energy availability, economic zone facility, and environmental impact, and five ideal locations or alternatives: Khulna, Chattogram, Bogura, Gazipur, and Manikganj. Thirty-four experts took part in the survey to analyze the significant criteria for selecting a furniture industry's facility location and alternatives or potential locations for the facility. The Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Fuzzy AHP methods (FAHP), two MCDM techniques, were used to analyze the data set. A sensitivity analysis was done to determine the model's robustness for any critical changes in the real world. The result showed that 'energy availability is the most significant criterion to select a facility location for the furniture industry, where it got 35.1% criteria weight in AHP and 33.9% in FAHP. 'Chattogram' was selected as the most suitable place containing 33.74% normalized weight in AHP and 33.81% normalized weight in FAHP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Availability of water flow for assessing in transboundary river basin is a crucial issue and is necessary for water sharing and management. As a Transboundary river, Ganga has created water conflict between India and Bangladesh, related to water sharing at Farakka. Under these circumstance, applying hydrological model SWAT, measurement and understanding of water availability is important. This paper examines the spatio-temporal distribution of surface water in the entire Ganga basin to understand the actual causes of water shortage during lean season. Based on DEM, slope, soil, LULC and weather data, the SWAT model has been run at the catchment scale with a good performance under R2 and NSE evaluation methods. The study shows that annually Ganga basin of India is rich in water (average 1216165.5 cumec) and majority of the catchments delivers enough water to the main stream but during lean season only above Ramganga, Ghaghara, Gandak and Yamuna lower are active, which together contributes 60.6% of the lean season water discharge to the main channel of Ganga. Likewise, India, annual discharge in Bangladesh (average 65764 cumec) is satisfactory, but lean season water flow has only 3% of the annual, is very meagre which affects actual water availability of northwestern part of the country. The study also established that actual evapotranspiration of the entire basin is much higher than precipitation during the lean season and indicated a great deviation between supply and demand which concluded water stress condition in the Ganga basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kaptai Lake (KL), the largest artificial lake in Bangladesh, supports an important inland open water fishery. Nevertheless, detailed studies on its fish diversity and environmental threats are still limited. Hence, a study was conducted to evaluate the current fish management scenarios, fish production, relative abundance to improve the production and biodiversity of KL. Data were collected from stakeholders through personal observation, focus group discussions, and cross-check interviews from September 2018 to July 2019. The fish production of KL increased from 1,200 metric tons (MT) in 1965-1966 to 10,577 MT in 2018-2019. The output of the lake was dominated by small fish remarkably, Gudusia chapra (Hamilton, 1822), Gonialosa manmina (Hamilton, 1822), and Corica soborna Hamilton, 1822, accounting for 64 % of the total production in 2018--2019. A total of seventy-six fish species were observed under ten orders, including seven exotic fish species. According to the IUCN Bangladesh, 14 % of total species were identified as vulnerable, 11 % as endangered, 3 % as critically endangered, 11 % as near threatened and 51 % as least concern. The study also identified that climate change and various human-driven causes threaten the fish production and biodiversity of this lake. These findings suggest that community-based fisheries management, protection of natural breeding grounds of carps, control of pollution, amendment of existing fishing laws, and collaborative research would be a necessary approach for mitigating the negative environmental impact of this lake. The overall practical knowledge of this investigation could assist in policymaking and further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ongoing circulation of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 poses a threat to both poultry and public health. Adapting the constructs of the Health Belief Model (HBM) framework, we investigated perceptions of backyard, commercial broiler and layer chicken farmers to implement HPAI prevention and control measures in Bangladesh. Two cross‐sectional studies were conducted in 2016 and 2017 on 144 backyard, 106 broiler and 113 layer chicken farms. Using Structural Equation Modelling, we modelled the direct and indirect effects on farmers' perceptions on taking HPAI prevention and control actions. Our results indicate that farmers of different chicken production systems have different decision‐making processes. While perceived barriers to the implementation of prevention and control measures (e.g. wearing protective equipment when handling chickens) prevented both broiler and backyard farmers to adopt interventions, perceived benefits of measures (e.g. maintaining high biosecurity will reduce the risk of birds becoming sick) strongly influenced commercial farmers' decisions, but not backyard farmers' decisions. Information provided on HPAI through media, meetings or via information campaigns played an important role in farmers' decision‐making in all production systems. Outcomes of this research can be used to tailor advice on HPAI control and prevention to different poultry farming groups by accounting for specific factors influencing their decision‐making, instead of using one‐size‐fit‐all communication approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to control Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 and Low Pathogenic Avian Influenza (LPAI) H9N2 virus spread in endemically infected countries, a detailed understanding of infection patterns is required. We conducted cross‐sectional studies in Bangladesh in 2016 and 2017, on 144 backyard, 106 broiler and 113 layer chicken farms. Although all sampled birds were negative for H5 virus by RT‐PCR, H5 antibodies were detected in unvaccinated birds on all three farming systems. Higher H5 antibody prevalence was observed in ducks raised on backyard farms, 14.2% (95% CI: 10.0%–19.8%), compared to in‐contact backyard chickens, 4.2% (95% CI: 2.8%–6.1%). The H5 antibody prevalence was lower in broiler chickens, 1.5% (95% CI: 0.9%–2.5%), compared to layer chickens, 7.8% (95% CI: 6.1%–9.8%). H9 viruses were detected by RT‐PCR in 0.5% (95% CI: 0.2%–1.3%) and 0.6% (95% CI: 0.3%–1.5%) of broilers and layers, respectively, and in 0.2% (95% CI: 0.0%–1.2%) of backyard chickens. Backyard chickens and ducks showed similar H9 antibody prevalence, 16.0% (95% CI: 13.2%–19.2%) and 15.7% (95% CI: 11.3%–21.4%), which was higher compared to layers, 5.8% (95% CI: 4.3%–7.6%), and broilers, 1.5% (95% CI: 0.9%–2.5%). Over the course of a production cycle, H5 and H9 antibody prevalence increased with the age of backyard and layer chickens. Usually, multiple ducks within a flock were H5 antibody positive, in contrast to backyard chickens, broilers and layers where only individual birds within flocks developed H5 antibodies. Our findings highlight low virus circulation in healthy chickens of all production systems in Bangladesh, which is in contrast to high virus circulation reported from live bird markets. Data generated in this project can be used to adopt risk‐based surveillance approaches in different chicken production systems in Bangladesh and to inform mathematical models exploring HPAI infection dynamics in poultry from the source of production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carambola is an excellent source of vitamin C (vit‐C) and possesses many nutritious properties. This research was directed to moisture sorption isotherm, air drying kinetics, and vit‐C degradation throughout blanching, storage, and drying of carambola. Fresh carambola contained 91.44% moisture and 24.2 mg/100 g vit‐C. The monolayer moisture content was 7.3 g/100 g solid according to Brunauer, Emmett, and Teller (BET) equation. The drying process (cabinet dryer) at different temperatures and sample thickness exposed that more the temperature, higher the drying rate at a constant thickness. Furthermore, drying rate was declined at a constant temperature with the rise of sample thickness. The samples pretreated with citric acid showed the lowest drying time and vit‐C degradation in blanching. The influence of drying temperature and duration on the retention of vit‐C was also analyzed. The activation energy (Ea) of the vit‐C loss was 9.24 kcal/g‐mole. Higher the exposure at a constant temperature, more the reduction of vit‐C content as per first‐order reaction kinetics. During room temperature storage of whole carambola in 3 and 12 days showed 13.7% and 41.2% loss of vit‐C, respectively. Vit‐C degradation was lower for blanched than non‐blanched samples in refrigeration storage, while this change was relatively lower for both in frozen storage. Scanning electronic microscopic (SEM) studies were conducted to evaluate the effects of temperature and pretreatment on the surface morphology of dried carambola. Practical applications: Carambola grows abundantly in Bangladesh. Nevertheless its availability and nutritive significance, it is not so utilized and popular in the fruit market. This yields postharvest difficulties for chemical and microbial spoilage due to its perishability. Therefore, drying of this fruit is an utmost operative and cost‐effective process. Thus, it will be accessible in off‐season and can be used for the development of new products with these dried fruits. The present investigation explores the physical and chemical properties of carambola to reveal its prospective in fruit processing. Presented information and results of this research can assist the food technologist in implementing the drying method and storage condition of carambola. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study introduces a complete ICT based Mathematics Skill Development Program (MSDP) web service that aims to enhance the positive attitudes of students towards Maths. The entire system is designed and implemented in such ways that students can learn Maths with fun and practical experiences in the classroom rather than only theoretical exercises. For the last 2 years (2018-2019), we have applied MSDP in 4 distinct primary and secondary schools in Bangladesh and followed up the students' (N = 200) attitudes towards Maths. Findings revealed that through the MSDP program, students have developed a significant positive attitude towards Maths that helps them overcome mathematics anxiety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic arsenic poisoning is one of the serious health hazards in West Bengal, India, and Bangladesh. It occurs due to contaminated subsoil water. The aim of this study is conducted to find out the ameliorative effect of turmeric and P. foetida powder on experimentally induced arsenic toxicity in sheep. Twelve sheep were divided into four groups; groups I, II and III were orally administered with sodium arsenite at 6.6 mg/kg body weight for 133 days; groups I and II animals were treated by turmeric and P. foetida powders respectively at 500 mg/kg dose for the last 49 days; the fourth group was control. Arsenic content was estimated in faeces, urine and wool in every 15 days. Biochemical, haematological, antioxidant parameters and DNA fragmentation were also assessed. Turmeric and P. foetida powder treatment significantly (P < 0.05) increased arsenic elimination through faeces, urine and wool. Haemoglobin content and TEC were decreased in groups I, II and III; however, these were improved significantly (P < 0.05) by turmeric and P. foetida powder treatment. Increased activity of AST, ALT, blood urea nitrogen and plasma creatinine were significantly (P < 0.05) decreased in groups I and II. The reduced SOD and catalase activity were significantly (P < 0.05) restored at the end of the experiment in turmeric and P. foetida-treated groups. The test drugs are found significantly effective not only to eliminate arsenic from the body but also give protection from possible damage caused by arsenic exposure in sheep. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electric vehicle (EV) has made a revolution in the automobile industry. The largest automobile industries are moving toward this. Within the next 5–10 years, the world will shift to EVs. Bangladesh is one of the emerging countries in Asia, so it will have great market potentiality. Bangladesh will have a big opportunity for EV business. However, there are some challenges too to introduce a new business model like EV business. In this study, we have tried to analyze the market potentiality and the business strategy in Bangladesh through strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats analysis and analytical hierarchy process to analyze different strategies. These strategies had a feasible solution proved by sensitivity analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Congenital anomalies make an important contribution to infant mortality and they remain a leading cause of death in many countries of the world. Many babies also died in our country due to congenital anomalies. Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted at the Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology of CMCH between October 2016 to March 2017. Objective of the study was to find out the risk factors of non-cardiac congenital anomaly of fetus. The study population of those women who delivered a baby with different non-cardiac congenital anomalies admitted in Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology of CMCH. Results: The mean maternal age was found 26.6±5.6 years and the mean paternal age was found 35.8±7.9 years. 28 (28.0%) patients had hydrocephalus, 25 (25.0%) had Anencephaly, 7 (7.0%) had Omphalocele, 7 (7.0%) had Hydrops fetalis, 6 (6.0%) had cleft lip, 6 (6.0%) had cleft palate, 4 (4.0%) had cleft lip and cleft palate. 20 (20.0%) patients had consanguinity, history of high-grade fever with rash in first trimester was 12 (12.0%). 16(16.0%) was diabetes mellitus. Majority (63.0%) patients belonged to gestational age 16-28 weeks. The mean gestational age was found 29.5±7.1 weeks with ranged from 16 to 42 weeks. Majority (89.0%) were singleton pregnancy. 60% reveal congenital anomaly in USG. Conclusion: Risk factors of non-cardiac congenital anomalies were consanguinity, maternal obesity, high grade fever with rash in first trimester due to viral infection, diabetes mellitus (uncontrolled), uncontrolled gestational diabetes mellitus, previous birth defect, inadequate intake of folic acid in first trimester, blood group Rh negative, male baby. Hydrocephalus and anencephaly were the most common congenital anomalies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Early onset of menarche is one of the most important factors for breast cancer and other associated health hazards. The aim of this study was to investigate the early age at menarche and its associated factors in school girls (age, 10–12 years) in Rajshahi District, Bangladesh. Methods: Data was collected from Rajshahi District, Bangladesh, using multistage random sampling. Independent sample t test and binary logistic regression model were used in this study. A total number of 386 school girls aged 10–12 years were considered as a sample for this study. Results: This study revealed that more than 48% girls already attained menarche within the age of 12 years, among them 25.6%, 41.0%, and 58.3% girls experienced menarche at the age of 10, 11, and 12 years, respectively. It was observed that the menarcheal girls were significantly taller (p < 0.01) and heavier (p < 0.01) than non-menarcheal girls. The menarcheal girls' mothers were heavier (p < 0.01), shorter (p < 0.01), had more BMI (p < 0.01), reached menarche (p < 0.05) earlier than non-menarcheal girls' mothers. Menarcheal girls had less number of siblings (p < 0.01) and lower order of birth (p < 0.05) than non-menarcheal girls. After controlling the effect of other factors, multiple logistic regression model demonstrated that obese girls were more likely to attain menarche than under- [AOR = 0.279, CI 95% 0.075–0.986; p < 0.05] and normal [AOR = 0.248, CI 95% 0.082–0.755; p < 0.05] weight girls. Urban school girls had more chance to get menarche than rural school girls at same age (AOR = 0.012, 95% CI 0.003–0.047; p < 0.01). Conclusions: Therefore, modern lifestyle changes may have the important factors for early age at menarche of the studied girls in Bangladesh. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A simple, rapid, and sensitive HPLC-PDA method was established and validated to determine three preservatives in various foodstuffs and therapeutics. Chromatography was performed with a Shim-pack GIST C18 column (4.6 × 250 mm × 5 µm) at a wavelength of 235 nm. Ammonium acetate (50 mM), acetonitrile, and methanol with a ratio of 45:15:40 were used as mobile phase, and the flow rate was 1.00 mL/min. The proposed method was validated as per ICH guidelines. The calibration curves were linear (r2 ≥ 0.999) for benzoate, sorbate, and methylparaben within the working range of 5–80 mg/L. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) were between 0.198–0.553 mg/L and 0.653–1.82 mg/L, respectively. Only one sample (S-21) exceeded the maximum permissible limit even though benzoate was found in 76.9% of beverages. The amount of sorbate in cakes exceeded the maximum limit (1000 mg/L) in 77.8% of samples. Benzoate was detected in all herbal and ketchup products, but sixteen (16) herbal and three (3) ketchup products exceeded the maximum permissible limit. All the tested food products were free from methylparaben, and none of the drugs contained sorbate. Recoveries of preservatives from spiked samples ranged from 94.7% to 109%. Chronic exposure to benzoate in tested herbal formulations may lead to severe health problems for body weight groups < 30 kg. • The new validated HPLC method was applied for determination of three preservatives in 98 different food and therapeutic samples • Sorbate content in 14 muffin/tiffin cakes outstrip according to FDA • The benzoate content crosses the maximum permissible limit in 16 herbal samples • 75.51% analysed samples were free from methylparaben content • Sorbate was not detected in all the analysed therapeutic samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Bangladesh, India, and Nepal aim for the elimination of Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL), a systemic parasitic infectious disease, as a public health problem by 2020. For decades, male patients have comprised the majority of reported VL cases in this region. By comparing this reported VL sex ratio to the one observed in population-based studies conducted in the Indian subcontinent, we tested the working hypothesis that mainly socio-cultural gender differences in healthcare-seeking behavior explain this gender imbalance. Methodology/Principal findings: We compared the observed sex ratio of male versus female among all VL cases reported by the health system in Nepal and in the two most endemic states in India with that observed in population-based cohort studies in India and Nepal. Also, we assessed male sex as a potential risk factor for seroprevalence at baseline, seroconversion, and VL incidence in the same population-based data. The male/female ratio among VL cases reported by the health systems was 1.40 (95% CI 1.37–1.43). In the population cohort data, the age- and study site-adjusted male to female risk ratio was 1.27 (95% CI 1.08–1.51). Also, males had a 19% higher chance of being seropositive at baseline in the population surveys (RR 1.19; 95% CI 1.11–1.27), while we observed no significant difference in seroconversion rate between both sexes at the DAT cut-off titer defined as the primary endpoint. Conclusions/Significance: Our population-based data show that male sex is a risk factor for VL, and not only as a socio-cultural determinant. Biological sex-related differences likely play an important role in the pathogenesis of this disease. Author summary: Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL) is a parasitic disease that is lethal if not treated timely and mainly affects impoverished populations. Bangladesh, India, and Nepal have targeted the elimination of this disease as a public health problem by 2020. The majority of VL patients attending the health services are male, and this is usually attributed to unequal access to health care for men and women in this sociocultural context. We analyzed two large datasets obtained in population surveillance projects, including regular door-to-door screening for VL, in India and Nepal. Thereby we minimized any potential differences in access to health care between both sexes, as every suspect VL case occurring in the community received a full diagnostic work-up, and the research project facilitated transport to treatment centers if needed. By comparing the observed sex ratio in the health services records with those of the population surveillance records, we aimed to reach meaningful conclusions about the pathway through which male gender exerts its leverage for increasing VL risk: socio-cultural determinants blocking women from accessing care (nurture) or biological factors (nature) making men more vulnerable to VL. Because in the population-based age adjusted-data, male VL cases were significantly more frequent than female, our findings strongly suggest that in the Indian subcontinent, biological differences between men and women play a more critical role in the pathogenesis of VL than previously assumed, and the observed male predominance in VL cases in health services cannot be explained by socio-cultural factors only. Moreover, data show that above the age of 14 years, males are seropositive more often than females and are at higher risk to develop VL disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Incidence of noncommunicable disease, specially cardiovascular diseases, is increasing in Bangladesh. Prevalence of risk factors in ischaemic heart disease (IHD) has been studied in different tertiary hospitals and institutes. This study was done in a secondary hospital with a patient population mainly of low socioeconomic condition and was compared with other patient groups of the country and Indian subcontinent. Methods: this cross sectional study was conducted in Manikganj Sadar Hospital from July 2019 to December 2019. All the patients admitted with the diagnosis of myocardial infarction (MI) were included. Cardiovascular risk factors, like smoking, diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension (HTN), family history of premature cardiovascular diseases, dyslipidaemia and obesity, were evaluated among the patients. Results: This cross-sectional study showed most of the patients were in the age group of 50-59 years. 66% of the male patients and 2% of the female patients were smoker. 66% of the patients were hypertensive, 44% patients were diabetic, 28.5% patients were overweight, 60.4% patients had total cholesterol > 200mg/dl, 73.6% patients had LDL>130 mg/dl, 110 76.3% patients had HDL < 40 mg/ dl, 72.2% had triglyceride >150 mg/dl and 39% patients had family history of premature cardiovascular disease. Ninety (62.5%) patients had anterior MI, 50 (34.7%) patients had inferior MI and 4 (2.7%) patients had NSTEMI. 65 patients had no major risk factor and 57 % had three or more risk factors. Conclusion: The study population was more aged in comparison to other studies conducted in different parts of Bangladesh. Prevalence of smoking habit was lower but the prevalence of HTN, DM and dyslipidaemia were higher than the general population and other cohorts of MI patients. The prevalence of major risk factors was much higher than the general population of Bangladesh. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Halda River, the lone natural carp breeding ground in Bangladesh as well as in Southeast Asia is an economically important river and its water quality is deteriorating due to unplanned industrialization and various anthropogenic activities. The present research work has been conducted to assess the characteristics of HR water. Eighteen water quality parameters were studied including pH, temperature, Dissolved Oxygen (DO), Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Total Dissolved Solids, Electrical Conductivity, Hardness, Turbidity, Total Alkalinity, SO4 2-, PO4 3-, NO3 -, Cl-, NH4 +, Cr (VI), Mn (II) and Arsenic. This study shows that water in HR is regularly alkaline and its pH lies between 7.08-7.65. The DO value varies from 5.9-8.4 mgL-1, BOD ranged from 0.3-2.8 mgL-1 and COD from 24-96 mgL-1. According to the Water Quality Index study, the river is being intensely polluted due to the unscrupulous industrial wastes discharge into the HR through various canals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ship breaking and recycling industry (SBRI) loops back scarce ferrous and non-ferrous materials from dismantled ships and also renews the global shipping fleet by treating the end-of-life (EoL) ships. Currently, SBRIs in Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan are dismantling the majority of the EoL ships by open beaching method. Accordingly, ship dismantling carries the blame of releasing potentially toxic elements (PTEs) to the coastal and marine environment risking the food chain through potential bioaccumulation and biomagnification. Health risk assessment associated with PTEs from open beach ship dismantling is scarce. This study aimed at assessing concentrations and seasonal variations of PTEs in soils exposed to the activities of SBRIs for their source apportionment by using contamination factor (CF) and multivariate statistical analysis, while carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health risks due to the PTEs have also been determined. Soil samples were collected twice—during pre-monsoon and post-monsoon seasons—from three working zones of each of the 15 different ship breaking yards spanning the entire SBRI zone in Bangladesh. Soil contamination was assessed by using the CF, and inverse distance weighting interpolation mapping showed the spatial distribution of metals at SBRI zone in Bangladesh. Multivariate statistical analysis, principal component analysis, and correlation matrix yielded the source apportionment of PTEs. Subsequently, carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health risks were assessed following the approach recommended by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) with uncertainty estimation through Monte Carlo simulation. Contamination levels of PTEs followed Cd > Zn > Cr > Cu > Pb > Ni > Mn > As. Concentrations of Cd, Cr, Mn, and Zn were higher than the maximum allowable regulatory limits at storage zone and also higher as compared with the beaching and cutting zones in general. The contamination index indicated extreme Cd contamination in the area with elevated levels in pre-monsoon. Two principal components (PC) were identified—PC1 (Cd, Cu, Mn, Pb, Zn) and PC2 (As, Cr, Ni) inferring their source segmentation. Indirect soil ingestion is the major possible exposure path to PTEs. The health index indicated the absence of any obvious health effects on the people active at SBRI yards in Bangladesh. The carcinogenic risk was for 6 to 7 persons per 100,000 people which was within the USEPA acceptable range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Thoracic trauma is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in developing countries. In this study, we present our 10-year experience in the management and clinical outcome of 437 chest trauma cases as a result of blunt and penetrating injuries in two medical college hospitals of Bangladesh. Methods: We reviewed 437 cases of chest trauma between January 2006 and December 2015.The mean age of our patients was 33 ± 15 years mostly males with blunt injuries. Patients were evaluated and compared according to age, sex, etiology of trauma, thoracic and extra-thoracic injuries, complications, and mortality. Results: The leading cause of the trauma was road traffic accident (61%) followed by violence (23%). Hemothorax (62%), Pneumothorax (51%), rib fractures (38%), and lung contusion (35%) were the most common types of injury. Associated injuries were documented in 35% of patients (extremities 18%, abdomen 12%, head 5%). Minority of the patients required thoracotomy (6%), and tube thoracostomy (56%) was sufficient to manage the majority of cases. Mean hospital stay was 5.5 ± 4.8 days. The overall mortality rate was 3.6%. Conclusion: Road traffic accident was the most common cause of chest trauma rather than violence in this series, this necessitates epidemiologic or multi-institutional studies to know what are the causes of RTA contributes to chest trauma in Bangladesh. The number of fractured ribs can be used as simple indicator of the severity of trauma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article highlights the luxurious resort, "The Palace Luxury Resort" built in 2014 in Bahubal, Bangladesh. Topics include it offers spaces and entertainment facilities; their relationship business strategies which includes customers' feedback, and customer-buyer relationship which further contains financial, social and customization bonds.

Background: One fifth Bangladeshi adults are hypertensive. Forty percent of them know that they are hypertensive. 53% to 75% hypertensive people have got uncontrolled hypertension. One of the most important causes of uncontrolled hypertension is nonadherence to drugs. We tried to find the causes of non adherence of drugs among the patients with HTN in a secondary care hospital of Bangladesh. Methods: The study was conducted from March 2018 to June 2018. Total 144 patients with HTN were included in the study. Taking drugs in less than 80% of the days of previous six months was defined as nonadherence. We used Hill Bone compliance scale to find out the causes of nonadherence to drugs. Results: Out of 144 patients 79 patients (55%) were non adherent to drugs. 36.8% patients forget to take their drugs, 34.02% patients run out of drugs, 29.86% patients miss taking drugs when they feel better, 15.27% patients skip their drugs before going to the doctor and 14.58% patients decide not to take drugs anymore without any specific reason. In most of the patients there are more than one causes of nonadherence. 85.9% patients with nonadherence had uncontrolled hypertension and 66.6 % of the nonadherent patients had target organ damage. Nonadherence is more in elderly patients and with increased duration of hypertension. Conclusion: Fifty five percent of the diagnosed hypertensive population is nonadherent to their drugs. We must take measures to diagnose HTN among our population and find the ways to make them adherent to their treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Neonatal deaths account for 45% of all under-five deaths globally and 60% in Bangladesh. This study aimed to investigate the most common symptoms and complications in neonates, care-seeking practices of the mothers for their sick neonates, and factors associated with the care-seeking practices. Methods: This cross-sectional study analysed data from an Endline Household Survey (as part of an evaluation of a paired cluster-randomised controlled trial study in 14 rural sub-districts in Bangladesh) of 2,931 women who gave birth recently. Descriptive analysis and logistic regressions were conducted to identify the care-seeking practices of mothers of sick neonates and the factors associated with the care-seeking from trained providers. Results: Of the 2868 neonates, 886 (30.9%) were reported ill during first 28 days after birth. For those with reported symptoms, 748 (84.4%) of their mothers sought care. Of those who sought care, 65.2% sought care from untrained providers. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed significantly higher odds of care-seeking from trained providers when neonates had 3 or more concurrent symptoms (OR: 1.82; 95% CI: 1.07–3.08); when mothers perceived their neonates’ symptoms as severe (OR: 4.08; 95% CI: 2.92–5.70); when mothers received skilled care during pregnancy (OR: 1.95; 95% CI: 1.34–2.84); and when mothers had their delivery in a facility (OR: 3.50; 95% CI: 2.18–5.62). Mothers who delivered their babies at a facility, 43.1% of them sought care for their sick neonates at the same type of public hospital and 34.9% from same type of private hospitals where their deliveries took place. Conclusion: Skilled care for mothers during pregnancy and delivery, and mothers’ perceptions of the severity of symptoms are the key associated factors of care-seeking for sick neonates from trained providers. Interventions should be tailored to increase care from trained providers during pregnancy and delivery at facilities to improve care-seeking for neonates from trained providers and for the survival of neonates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article highlights the Bangladeshi Online Food Ordering and Delivery app, HungryNaki launched in 2013. Topics include its tie up with local restaurants which provides profit to both the parties to deliver food to customers at their doorsteps; and its operational strategy with the use of technology, automation and brand marketing.

The lipid composition of breast milk may have a significant impact on early infant growth and cognitive development. Comprehensive breast milk data is lacking from low-income populations in the Indian subcontinent impeding assessment of deficiencies and limiting development of maternal nutritional interventions. A single breast milk specimen was collected within 6 weeks postpartum from two low-income maternal cohorts of exclusively breastfed infants, from Dhaka, Bangladesh ( n = 683) and Kolkata, India ( n = 372) and assayed for percentage composition of 26 fatty acids. Mature milk (>15 days) in Dhaka ( n = 99) compared to Kolkata ( n = 372) was higher in total saturated fatty acid (SFA; mean 48% vs. 44%) and disproportionately lower in ω3-polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), hence the ω6- and ω3-PUFA ratio in Dhaka were almost double the value in Kolkata. In both sites, after adjusting for days of lactation, increased maternal education was associated with decreased SFA and PUFA, and increasing birth order or total pregnancies was associated with decreasing ω6-PUFA or ω3-PUFA by a factor of 0.95 for each birth and pregnancy. In Dhaka, household prosperity was associated with decreased SFA and PUFA and increased ω6- and ω3-PUFA. Maternal height was associated with increased SFA and PUFA in Kolkata (1% increase per 1 cm), but body mass index showed no independent association with either ratio in either cohort. In summary, the socioeconomic factors of maternal education and household prosperity were associated with breast milk composition, although prosperity may only be important in higher cost of living communities. Associated maternal biological factors were height and infant birth order, but not adiposity. Further study is needed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of these effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: AmBisome therapy for VL has an excellent efficacy and safety profile and has been adopted as a first-line regimen in Bangladesh. Second-line treatment options are limited and should preferably be given in short course combinations in order to prevent the development of resistant strains. Combination regimens including AmBisome, paromomycin and miltefosine have proved to be safe and effective in the treatment of VL in India. In the present study, the safety and efficacy of these same combinations were assessed in field conditions in Bangladesh. Methods: The safety and efficacy of three combination regimens: a 5 mg/kg single dose of AmBisome + 7 subsequent days of miltefosine (2.5 mg/kg/day), a 5 mg/kg single dose of AmBisome + 10 subsequent days of paromomycin (15 mg/kg/day) and 10 days of paromomycin (15 mg/kg/day) + miltefosine (2.5 mg/kg/day), were compared with a standard regimen of AmBisome 15 mg/kg given in 5 mg/kg doses on days 1, 3 and 5. This was a phase III open label, individually randomized clinical trial. Patients from 5 to 60 years with uncomplicated primary VL were recruited from the Community Based Medical College Bangladesh (CBMC,B) and the Upazila Health Complexes of Trishal, Bhaluka and Fulbaria (all located in Mymensingh district), and randomly assigned to one of the treatments. The objective was to assess safety and definitive cure at 6 months after treatment. Results: 601 patients recruited between July 2010 and September 2013 received either AmBisome monotherapy (n = 158), AmBisome + paromomycin (n = 159), AmBisome + miltefosine (n = 142) or paromomycin + miltefosine (n = 142). At 6 months post- treatment, final cure rates for the intention-to-treat population were 98.1% (95%CI 96.0–100) for AmBisome monotherapy, 99.4% (95%CI 98.2–100) for the AmBisome + paromomycin arm, 94.4% (95%CI 90.6–98.2) for the AmBisome + miltefosine arm, and 97.9% (95%CI 95.5–100) for paromomycin + miltefosine arm. There were 12 serious adverse events in the study in 11 patients that included 3 non-study drug related deaths. There were no relapses or PKDL up to 6 months follow-up. All treatments were well tolerated with no unexpected side effects. Adverse events were most frequent during treatment with miltefosine + paromomycin, three serious adverse events related to the treatment occurred in this arm, all of which resolved. Conclusion: None of the combinations were inferior to AmBisome in both the intention-to-treat and per-protocol populations. All the combinations demonstrated excellent overall efficacy, were well tolerated and safe, and could be deployed under field conditions in Bangladesh. The trial was conducted by the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research (ICDDR,B) and the Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College (ShSMC), Dhaka, in collaboration with the trial sites and sponsored by the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi). Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The perception of choosing bottled water over tap water for drinking is based on the expectation that it will be of superior quality, more palatable and free from health hazards. The quality of bottled drinking water of 14 different brands as sold in Bangladesh market are evaluated in the current work in terms of the physical and aggregate properties, non-metal inorganic constituents, metal concentrations and microbial contents. The experimental values are compared with the information printed on the labels and regulatory recommendations from the national and international authorities. The experimental values for physical and aggregate properties and non-metal inorganic constituents are either lower or within the range of regulatory limits ( p < 0.05). The heterotrophic plate count and total coliform count confirms that the bottled waters are microbiologically safe. A total of 24 elements are checked and the content of Al, which is an aesthetic hazard, is found higher than the permissible range, while the concentration of Pb, which is a potentially toxic element, is not significantly different ( p < 0.05) from the guideline values. The data printed on the bottle labels are inconsistent and not informative enough and does not correspond to the real scenario of constituents in the packaged water. A comparison to the tap water quality confirms that the bottled waters possess better quality regarding aesthetic considerations, microbial hazards, and Pb contaminations. The experimental data of the bottled waters are further compared with the mineral water classification system. The characteristics are matched with the very low or low mineral content category with a hint of saline character and very soft water-hardness in most, followed by a suitability for low-sodium diets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethnopharmacological relevance Chronic arsenic poisoning due to contaminated subsoil water is a threat to society in West Bengal, India and in Bangladesh. The human being may also be affected by the exposed cattle from the affected area by consuming milk, egg, meat and others. In Ayurveda, several herbs like Haridra (turmeric), Shunthi (dried ginger root) and others are used for the management of arsenic poisoning. Aim of the study The study was conducted to find out the ameliorative effect of turmeric and ginger powder against experimentally induced arsenic toxicity in calves. Materials and methods Twenty four calves were divided into four groups (group I, II, III and IV) having six animals in each group. Animals of group I, II and III were orally administered with sodium arsenite at 1 mg/kg body weight for 90 days and in addition group II and group III animals were treated orally with turmeric and ginger powder respectively at 10 mg/kg body weight from 46th day onwards. Group IV animals were given food and water without drug and served as control. Arsenic content was estimated in faeces, hair, urine and plasma in every 15 days. Bio-chemical, haematological and anti-oxidant parameters were also assessed. Results Turmeric and ginger powder significantly (P<0.05) reduced the plasma and hair arsenic levels through increased excretion via faeces and urine. Haemoglobin level, TEC and TLC were decreased in groups I, II and III, however these were improved significantly (P<0.05) from 75th day onwards in turmeric and ginger treated groups. Increased activity of AST and ALT were significantly decreased (P<0.05) from 75th day onwards in group II and III. Blood urea nitrogen and plasma creatinine were also significantly decreased (P<0.05) in group II and III than group I from 60th day onwards. The SOD and catalase activity were significantly (P<0.05) reduced in groups I, II and III, but these were restored at the end of the experiment in turmeric and ginger treated groups. Conclusion The test drugs are found significantly effective not only to eliminate arsenic from the body but also give protection from possible damage caused by arsenic exposure, it may be concluded from the present study that turmeric and ginger can be helpful in the therapy of chronic arsenic toxicity in calves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Ischemic heart disease (IHD) is a common cardiac disorder and significant cause of mortality and morbidity Worldwide. Dyslipidemia plays an important role in the pathogenesis of young MI as evidenced from different studies. This present descriptive study is designed to evaluate the pattern of dyslipidemia in young patients of Chittagong region, suffering from MI. Methods: 100 patients of young myocardial infarction diagnosed by clinical, biochemical and ECG criteria were included in the study. Fasting lipid profile was measured in the patients with age less than 40 years. Results: Among the patients 44% patient had hypertension, 15% were diabetic, 40% patients had history of smoking and 12% patient were obese. Change of socioeconomic status found to have an influence in lipid profile like low density lipoprotein (LDL), total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) (p<0.05) but high density lipoprotein (HDL) had no change (p>0.05). LDL was changed in relation with nature of works. TG was significantly found higher in rural community and advanced age group (p<0.05). HDL level was found varied with gender and others were found insignificant. Conclusion: Varied lipid profile was found among the young victims of MI in Chittagong region. It might be concluded that control of blood lipid might lower the coronary events among young patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Little appears to be known about the capitalization of transportation accessibility in South Asian housing markets, which typically differ from those of industrialized countries. This study starts addressing this gap by providing empirical evidence about the nature and the magnitude of the value of accessibility as reflected by residential rents in Rajshahi City, Bangladesh. Results of our SARAR spatial hedonic model estimated on 526 observations from a random sample collected via in-person interviews indicate that the rent of a multi-unit dwelling decreases by 0.0239% for every 1% increase in network access distance to the nearest major road. Moreover, proximity (within 400 m) to a primary school and to a healthcare facility commands rent premiums of respectively 93.55 BDT ($1.40) and 109.45 BDT ($1.64). Surprisingly, whether access roads are paved or not does not statistically impact rents, probably because of the dominance of walking, rickshaws use, and biking, combined with the rarity of personal cars. Likewise, proximity to bus stops and to train stations is not reflected in rents of multi-family dwellings, likely because buses and trains in Rajshahi City only provide regional and national service. Differences in estimates of our spatial models between maximum likelihood (ML) and generalized spatial two-stage-least-squares illustrate the danger of relying on ML in the presence of heteroskedasticity. These results should be useful for planning transportation infrastructure funding measures in least developed country cities like Rajshahi City. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]