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Abstract Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a common and persistent mental illness accompanied by uncontrollable worries for daily staff. Physiological, environmental, genetic, and daily stress from surroundings is involved in developing GAD. Here, we aimed to assess the association of stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) in the pathophysiology of GAD and their role as diagnostic tools. This case-control study recruited 50 GAD patients from the psychiatry department of a tertiary care teaching hospital in Dhaka city and 38 age-sex-matched healthy controls (HCs) from the surrounding areas. A qualified psychiatrist conducted standardized psychiatric interview to diagnose GAD patients and evaluate HCs by applying the diagnostic and statistical manual for mental disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5) and used the GAD-7 scale to assess the severity of the GAD symptoms. After confirming the inclusion and exclusion criteria, we collected 5 ml blood samples from each participant. We measured serum SDF-1 and EGF levels using ELISA techniques. We observed increased serum levels of EGF in GAD patients compared to HCs (5.91 ± 3.90 ng/ml vs. 1.59 ± 1.08 ng/ml; p

Abstract Background Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a devastating mental health condition characterized by constant, uncontrolled worrying. Recent hypotheses indicate that pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines are potential contributors to the pathogenesis of GAD. Here, we aimed to assess the role of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) in the pathophysiology and development of GAD. Methods This study recruited 50 GAD patients diagnosed according to the DSM-5 criteria and 38 age-sex-matched healthy controls (HCs). A qualified psychiatrist evaluated all study subjects. The socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of the study population were determined using pre-structured questionnaires or interviews, and cytokine serum levels were estimated using commercially available ELISA kits. Results We observed reduced serum IL-10 levels in GAD patients compared to HCs (33.69 ± 1.37 pg/ml vs. 44.12 ± 3.16 pg/ml). Also, we observed a significant negative correlation between altered IL-10 levels and GAD-7 scores (r=-0.315, p = 0.039). Moreover, IL-10 serum measurement exhibited good predictive value in receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis with an area under the curve (AUC) value of 0.793 (p 0.05) exhibited by IL-2 serum measurement in ROC analysis further supported that IL-2 might not be associated with GAD. Conclusion This study provides new insights into the complex interplay between anti-inflammatory cytokines and GAD pathogenesis. Based on the present findings, we can assume that IL-10 but not IL-2 may be associated with the pathophysiology and development of GAD. However, further research with a larger population size and longitudinal design is required to confirm the potential diagnostic efficacy of IL-10.

Introdução: Pacientes aloimunizados contra antígenos de alta frequência são um problema para os Serviços de Transfusão quanto à presteza do atendimento e disponibilidade em quantidade de hemocomponentes que viabilize procedimentos cirúrgicos. Relato de caso: Paciente MGPS, feminino, 66 anos, G5P4A1, história de 1 transfusão em 2018, grupo “A”Rh(D) positivo, com diagnóstico de estenose de valva mitral com indicação cirúrgica. Na ocasião, solicitaram reserva de 05 concentrados de hemácias. Os testes pré-transfusionais revelaram a presença de anticorpos irregulares no soro, reativo com todas as hemácias dos painéis em LISS-tubo, LISS e Papaína-Gel. Pesquisa de auto-anticorpos e teste direto da antiglobulina negativos. Fenotipagens: C-, c+, E-, e+, K-, Kp (a-b+), JK(a+b+), M-, N+, S-, s+, Le(a-b+). Provas cruzadas com amostras de sangue de doadores de fenótipos semelhantes, todas incompatíveis. Foi enviada uma amostra de sangue para estudo no Laboratório de Referência BioRad-MG, o soro foi testado contra hemácias D–(RH17) e HrB, hrB, Hr, hrS negativas, mostrando ausência de reatividade com D–(1), Hr, hrS(2). As fenotipagens da paciente com soros anti-Hr, -hrS (2) foram negativas. Aloadsorções foram realizadas com hemácias rr e R2R2, confirmando somente presença no soro de anti-Hr, -hrs. Foi consultado o Cadastro Nacional de Sangue Raro, que informou a disponibilidade de um único doador. Solicitamos os familiares (irmãos), tentativa que fracassou porque dois tinham comorbidades e um encontrava-se ausente. Encaminhamos amostra de sangue da paciente para realização de genotipagem RhD, RhCE e teste Monocyte Monolayer Assay (MMA) no Hemocentro São Paulo cujo resultado do fenótipo deduzido do genótipo foi: D+ parcial(DAR), C-, E-, c+ parcial, e+ parcial, V+, hrS-, VS-, hrB+. O teste MMA mostrou presença de 80% de monócitos contendo hemácias fagocitadas aderidas à superfície celular (MI ≥ 5%), confirmando a significância clínica do anticorpo, indicando que transfusão segura seria apenas com sangue antígeno negativo para os anticorpos identificados. Discussão: Os antígenos Hr (RH18) e hrS (RH19) estão presentes em 99,9% da população em geral. Anticorpos anti-Hr, produzidos por aloimunização eritrocitária, são clinicamente significantes, implicados em reação transfusional hemolítica e doença hemolítica perinatal. Não se sabe, com precisão, a importância clínica de anticorpos anti-hrS. Segundo a ISBT o sangue é raro quando a frequência do fenótipo na população é inferior a 1/1000 indivíduos. Conclusão: Faz-se necessário estabelecer uma política para ampliar o Cadastro Nacional de Sangue Raro/CNSR, com a contribuição de todos os Hemocentros e assim viabilizar o atendimento hemoterápico para pacientes aloimunizados contra antígenos de alta frequência.

Introduction: Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is an effective treatment for malignant hematopoietic diseases and the only curative option for Myelofibrosis (MF). Although most patients achieve rapid and stable hematopoietic recovery after allo-HSCT, graft failure remains a life-threatening complication and etiology is complex and usually multifactorial. Graft failure, including graft rejection and poor graft function, is defined as the failure to surpass a threshold Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC) of 0.5×109/L after allo-HSCT. Case report: We report a 69-year-old male recipient of HLA-matched female sibling donor HSCT due to a high-risk primary MF, with reduced-intensity conditioning and GVHD prophylaxis consisting of post-transplantation cyclophosphamide and cyclosporine. Engraftment occurred on D+17, full donor chimerism was achieved and immunosuppression was tapered and suspended on D+78. One week later, the patient presented at the emergency room with fever, retro-orbital and lower limb pain and was diagnosed with severe dengue fever and pancytopenia required blood transfusion and other supportive treatment such as epoetin alfa, granulocyte colony-stimulating factorand thrombopoietin receptor agonist, leading to full cytopenia recovery. At that time, chimerism analysis was 94% and bone marrow revaluation revealed a grade 2 fibrosis with multilineage dysplasia. On D+162, a sudden worsening of all hematological parameters, appearance of schistocytes in peripheral blood, increase in lactic dehydrogenase, reduction in haptoglobin and normal reticulocyte count, in the absence of infections and negative antiglobulin testing, raised the fear of thrombotic microangiopathy but low level of measured vitamin B12 level and partial improvement after supplementation raised the hypothesis of pseudomicroangiopathy. Unfortunately chimerism confirmed graft failure only showing host autologous hematopoiesis. Conclusion: Graft failure and poor graft function can result in significant morbidity and mortality after allo HSCT. These two entities are discriminated in terms of donor chimerism. Use of toxic drugs, presence of GVHD, vitamin deficiency and viral infections must be assessed before the diagnosis. Erythropoietin, growth factor support or thrombopoietin receptor agonists may be useful. Also CD34+ stem cell infusion without conditioning regimen may be useful for poor graft function and a second allogeneic stem cell transplantation may be feasible after GF in first allo HSCT.

Abstract Background Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a common mental ailment and is the primary reason for disability. It manifests a severe impact on moods, thoughts, and physical health. At present, this disorder has become a concern in the field of public health. Alteration of neurochemicals is thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of many psychiatric disorders. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate serum IL-3 and lipocalin-2 in MDD patients and healthy controls (HCs). Method We included a total of 376 participants in this study. Among them, 196 were MDD patients, and 180 were age-sex-matched HCs. MDD patients were recruited from the Psychiatry Department of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), but the controls were from different parts of Dhaka. All study participants were evaluated by a psychiatrist using the DSM-5 criteria. To assess the severity of the depression, we used the Hamilton depression (Ham-D) rating scale. Serum IL-3 and lipocalin-2 levels were measured using commercially available enzyme-linked immune-sorbent assay kits (ELISA kits). Results According to this study, we observed elevated serum levels of IL-3 (1,024.73 ± 29.84 pg/mL) and reduced levels of serum lipocalin-2 (29.019 ± 2.073 ng/mL) in MDD patients compared to HCs (911.11 ± 20.55 pg/mL and 48.065 ± 3.583 ng/mL, respectively). No associations between serum levels of IL-3 and lipocalin-2 and depression severity were observed in patients. Conclusions According to the present findings, alterations of serum IL-3 and lipocalin might be associated with the pathogenesis of MDD. These results support that altered serum neurochemicals can serve as early risk assessment markers for depression. Further interventional studies are recommended for a better understanding of the role of IL-3 and lipocalin-2 in the pathophysiology of depression.

Background: Previous studies have suggested the involvement of an activated inflammatory process in major depressive disorder (MDD), as altered expression of inflammatory cytokines is observed in depression. This alteration can be the cause or a consequence of MDD. However, acknowledging inflammatory cytokines as prospective biomarkers would aid in diagnosing or guiding better therapeutic options. Therefore, we designed this study to assess the macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) in depression. Method: We collected blood samples from 115 MDD patients and 113 healthy controls (HCs) matched by age and sex. MDD patients were diagnosed by a qualified psychiatrist based on the symptoms mentioned in the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM-5). We applied the Hamilton depression (Ham-D) rating scale to assess the severity of depression. We assessed serum levels of MIF using ELISA kit (Boster Bio, USA). Result: We detected increased serum MIF levels in MDD patients compared to HCs (6.15 ± 0.23 ng/mL vs 3.95 ± 0.21 ng/mL, P

A trombocitemia essencial é uma neoplasia mieloproliferativa onde ocorre a proliferação exacerbada de megacariócitos e trombocitose no sangue periférico. A hidroxiureia é um citorredutor indicado como tratamento de primeira linha para essa patologia. As microvesículas (MVs) são liberadas por diversos tipos de células e atuam no transporte de cargas capazes de alterar o fenótipo e comportamento das células, na sinalização intercelular, na evasão imune e na modulação do microambiente, favorecendo processos inflamatórios e trombóticos. Objetivo: Neste estudo investigamos caracterizar o perfil das microvesículas circulantes provenientes de linfócitos em pacientes com diagnóstico de trombocitemia essencial que estão fazendo uso de hidroxiureia. Materiais e métodos: Foram incluídos 76 indivíduos no grupo de estudo, sendo 38 pacientes com diagnostico confirmado de trombocitemia essencial e 38 indivíduos para o grupo controle. As análises das amostras foram realizadas por citometria de fluxo. Resultados: O grupo com TE apresentou o maior número de MVs totais e dos marcadores: CD3, CD19 e CD56 quando comparados com os indivíduos controles. Os pacientes com a variante genética JAK2V617F+ possuíam uma população menor de MVs CD3 do que os pacientes sem essa variante. Também foi possível observar uma diminuição de MVs CD19 com o aumento do tempo de tratamento. Discussão: A presença de populações de MVs derivadas de células do sistema imune, podem ser explicadas pela atuação dessas células na fisiopatologia da TE ao liberar citocinas que promovem o estado inflamatório dos pacientes. A diminuição das MVs CD3 em pacientes JAK2V617F+ pode estar associada a modulação da resposta imunológica. Estudos anteriores observaram que pacientes diagnosticados com TE tratados com Hidroxiureia demostram uma melhora continua com o tratamento, tanto clinicamente com a diminuição da incidência de eventos trombóticos, como também a diminuição significativa da carga alélica da variante JAK2V617F, dessa forma o tratamento a longo prazo com a hidroxiureia leva a diminuição de diversos processos patológicos da doença. Conclusão: Nosso estudo comprovou que diversas populações de MVs podem estar envolvidas na patogênese da TE e que mesmo após o tratamento o nível de MVs circulantes provenientes de linfócitos continua elevado. Essas populações de MVs contribuem de forma direta ou indireta para a progressão dessa neoplasia, como por exemplo, favorecendo a coagulação e/ou inflamação e modulando a resposta imunológica. Também foi possível encontrar uma associação entre a diminuição do número total de MVs com o aumento do tempo de tratamento.

Abstract Background Circulating thrombospondin-2 (TSP2) levels were associated with the development of heart failure (HF) in recent studies. However, these studies included only a minority of patients with type 2 diabetes, which is associated with an increased HF risk. As hyperglycemia induces TSP2 expression and its tissue expression increases in type 2 diabetes, we investigated the prospective association of circulating TSP2 with incident HF hospitalization (HHF), and its associations with longitudinal changes of echocardiographic parameters in type 2 diabetes. Methods Baseline serum TSP2 levels were measured in 4949 patients with type 2 diabetes to determine its association with incident HHF using multivariable Cox regression analysis. In the echocardiographic study, baseline serum TSP2 levels were measured in another 146 patients with type 2 diabetes but without cardiovascular diseases who underwent detailed transthoracic echocardiography at baseline and after 1 year. Results Over a median follow-up of 7.8 years, 330 of 4949 patients (6.7%) developed incident HHF. Baseline serum TSP2 levels were independently associated with the development of HHF (HR 1.31, 95%CI 1.06–1.62, p = 0.014) after adjustments for baseline conventional cardiovascular risk factors, atrial fibrillation, estimated glomerular filtration rate, albuminuria and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein level, use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, loop-diuretics, aspirin, insulin, metformin and sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors. Moreover, baseline serum TSP2 levels were independently associated with increase in average E/e’ and left atrial volume index (p = 0.04 and

Abstract Background and Aims Major depressive disorder (MDD) is characterized by the occurrence of one or more depressive episodes lasting a minimum of 2 weeks and is marked by a persistently low mood and a lack of enjoyment in daily activities. The diagnosis of MDD is not possible by a well‐established laboratory test or biomarker. A wide range of potential biomarkers for depression have been proposed by many studies, but none of them has adequately described the correlation between the biomarkers and depression. The purpose of this study was to evaluate serum interleukin‐1 receptor antagonist (IL‐1RA) levels as an early depression risk factor. Methods The present case‐control study included 88 participants. Among them, 44 MDD patients enrolled from the psychiatry department of a public hospital in Dhaka, Bangladesh, and 44 age‐ and sex‐matched healthy controls (HCs) from various sites in Dhaka city. A qualified psychiatrist evaluated the cases and HCs based on the fifth edition of the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM‐5). The Hamilton depression (Ham‐D) rating scale was employed to evaluate the intensity of depression. An enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay kit (Boster Bio, USA) was used to determine serum IL‐1RA concentrations. Results We observed no marked alteration in the serum concentration of IL‐1RA in MDD patients in comparison to HCs (292.81 ± 24.81 and 288 ± 24.87 pg/mL; p > 0.05). Among MDD patients, we found no noteworthy association between the severity of depression and serum IL‐1RA levels. Conclusion The findings of the present study imply that IL‐1RA may not be identified as a promising biomarker for risk assessment of depression. However, its neuroprotective role may be taken into consideration for the understanding of pathophysiology of MDD.

Objective There is a lack of established biological, psychological, social, and digital markers for the prediction, identification, and stratification of patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). We therefore aimed to evaluate serum nerve growth factor (NGF) in MDD patients. Methods In this case–control study, we recruited MDD patients and age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HCs). A qualified psychiatrist evaluated study participants according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition. Serum NGF levels were analyzed using a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. Results We analyzed data from 106 MDD patients and 88 HCs. Mean serum NGF concentrations were significantly higher in MDD patients (104.70 ± 6.43 pg/mL) than in HCs (72.09 ± 7.69 pg/mL). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed the good diagnostic performance of serum NGF in MDD. Conclusions Higher serum NGF levels might be involved in MDD pathophysiology, and altered NGF levels may be an early warning sign of depression. The present findings will aid in the development of new and improved therapies for depressive patients. Further interventional studies are recommended to explore the underlying mechanisms, risk factors, disease course, and treatment responses of NGF in MDD.

Objective: To test efficacy, safety and tolerability of Umifenovir in non-severe COVID-19 adult patients. Methods: We carried out randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter, phase III trials involving adult (18-75 years), non-severe COVID19 patients, randomized 1:1 on placebo or Umifenovir (800 mg BID, maximum 14 days) respectively along with standard-of-care. The primary endpoint for Asymptotic-mild patients was time to nasopharyngeal swab RT-PCR test negativity. For Moderate patients, the average change in the ordinal scale from the baseline scores on the eight-point WHO ordinal scale was assessed. Results: 132 patients were recruited between 3rd October to 28th April 2021, of which 9 discontinued due to various reasons. In Mild-asymptomatic patients (n=82), we found that 73% patients in the Umifenovir arm were RT-PCR negative, while 40% patients in the placebo arm were negative (P=0.004) on day 5. However, in the moderate group (n=41), the WHO scores for the Umifenovir arm was not statistically significant (P=0.125 on day 3), while it was statistically significant in the Mild-asymptomatic group (P=0.019 on day 5). Conclusion: Umifenovir meets the primary and secondary endpoint criteria and exhibits statistically significant efficacy for Mild-asymptomatic patients. It is efficacious, safe and well-tolerated at the tested dosage of 800mg BID, maximum 14 days.

Abstract Background and Aims Major depressive disorder (MDD) is the fourth biggest health‐related concern that dramatically impacts individuals' mental and physical health. Alteration of serum proinflammatory cytokine levels may take part in the development and progression of MDD. We aimed to explore and compare the role of interleukin‐12 (IL‐12) in MDD patients and healthy controls (HCs) and its involvement with the disease severity. Methods The present study included 85 patients and 87 age‐sex matched HCs. A qualified psychiatrist utilized the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, fifth edition (DSM‐5) criteria to diagnose patients and evaluate HCs. We applied the Ham‐D rating scale to measure the severity of depression. Serum IL‐12 levels were measured using ELISA kits. Results We observed a notable increase in the serum levels of IL‐12 in MDD patients compared to HCs (164.27 ± 10.18 pg/ml and 82.55 ± 4.40 pg/ml; p

In coastal areas of China, high-density aquaculture has caused environmental problems and fish health concerns. Bacillus subtilis D9 is a new strain isolated from coastal soils which could be used in aquaculture to improve the water environment. We investigated the effect of B. subtilis D9 on the purification of coastal aquaculture wastewater and the resistance of grass carp Ctenopharyngodon idellus to pathogenic Vibrio infection. Three inoculation levels of B. subtilis D9 were used (5.5 × 107, 5.5 × 108 and 5.5×109 cfu ml-1 as BD7, BD8 and BD9, respectively), together with sterilized saline water without B. subtilis D9 as the Control. B. subtilis D9 at the inoculation level of BD8 showed the best performance with 81, 87, 91, 52 and 86% removal of NH4+-N, NO3--N, total nitrogen (TN), NO2--N and turbidity, respectively, after 25 d of treatment. These values were significantly higher than at the BD7, BD9 and Control levels. Under aeration (AIR) conditions, B. subtilis D9 at the inoculation level of BD8 showed removal efficiency of 93, 91, 95, 76 and 89%, respectively. In contrast it was only 26, 29, 16, 10 and 57% in an inactivated bacteria liquid (IBL) treatment. After 22 d of infection by Vibrio parahaemolyticus, significant differences were found in weight gain, specific growth rate and relative percentage of survival among grass carp grown on AIR, BD8 or IBL wastewater. In summary, B. subtilis D9 with aeration has beneficial effects on the purification of coastal aquaculture wastewater and on the resistance of grass carp to disease caused by V. parahaemolyticus.

Premature Ejaculation is one of the most common causes of male sexual dysfunction with prevalence rate of 20 % to 30% in different studies across the world. Premature ejaculation causes severe anxiety, embarrassment, and depression and relational conflicts. Diagnosing Premature Ejaculation can be problematic due to multidimensional nature of the disease. Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool (PEDT) is a psychometrically valid tool for this purpose. This was a cross-sectional, analytical study and was conducted at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka. The English version of the PEDT was forward and back translated. An expert committee reviewed the translations and shared their feedbacks and opinions regarding the proposed Bangla questionnaire. Bangla version of Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool was applied to 51 patients after obtaining informed consent. The test was undertaken again after seven days. Validity (Content validity, Face validity, Factor analysis) and reliability (Internal consistency, and test–retest reliability) were assessed. The expert committee expressed their satisfaction regarding Face and Content valid- ity of the questionnaire. Factor Analysis by Principal Component Analysis revealed that the questionnaire had high level of commonalities among the items and yielded a single compo- nent model like the original version. Cronbach's Alpha () value of 0.827 indicated good level of internal consistency. Intra-class Correlation Coefficient and Spearman's rho (0.94 and 0.87 respectively) indicated significant correlation between test and retest scores. Results were congruent with findings of similar studies. The Bangla version of PEDT is a valid and reliable scale. It will help to identify patient suffering from premature ejaculation and improve quality of life of the patient and his partner. BSMMU J 2021; 14(4): 132-137

Hepatitis A represents one of the major public health problems worldwide including India. Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent hepatitis A infection. Two types of hepatitis A vaccines-live attenuated (H2 strain) and inactivated (killed) are available for use in clinical practice in India with former having advantage of a single-dose compared to two-dose killed vaccine. One of the important characteristic of an ideal vaccine includes its ability to provide life-long protection. In this article we reviewed the available long-term (≥10 years follow-up) published data on live attenuated hepatitis A (H2 strain) vaccine. The data from country of origin of the vaccine (China) and India establish the long-term immunogenicity, protection, and tolerability. Based on the results of several clinical trials showing long-term protection, single dose of live attenuated hepatitis vaccine can be widely used to protect high-risk population against hepatitis A virus infection and related complications.

BackgroundMany studies have predicted major depressive disorder (MDD) as the leading cause of global health by 2030 due to its high prevalence, disability, and illness. However, the actual pathophysiological mechanism behind depression is unknown. Scientists consider alterations in cytokines might be tools for understanding the pathogenesis and treatment of MDD. Several past studies on several inflammatory cytokine expressions in MDD reveal that an inflammatory process is activated, although the precise causes of that changes in cytokine levels are unclear. Therefore, we aimed to investigate resistin and G-CSF in MDD patients and controls to explore their role in the pathogenesis and development of depression.MethodsWe included 220 participants in this study. Among them, 108 MDD patients and 112 age-sex matched healthy control (HCs). We used DSM-5 to evaluate study participants. Also, we applied the Ham-D rating scale to assess the severity of patients. Serum resistin and G-CSF levels were measured using ELISA kits (BosterBio, USA).ResultsThe present study observed increased serum resistin levels in MDD patients compared to HCs (13.82 ± 1.24ng/mL and 6.35 ± 0.51ng/mL, p ConclusionThe present study findings suggest higher serum resistin levels are associated with the pathophysiology of MDD. This elevated serum resistin level may serve as an early risk assessment indicator for MDD. However, the role of serum G-CSF in the development of MDD is still unclear despite its neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects.

The legacy of NASA’s K2 mission has provided hundreds of transiting exoplanets that can be revisited by new and future facilities for further characterization, with a particular focus on studying the atmospheres of these systems. However, the majority of K2-discovered exoplanets have typical uncertainties on future times of transit within the next decade of greater than 4 hr, making observations less practical for many upcoming facilities. Fortunately, NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) mission is reobserving most of the sky, providing the opportunity to update the ephemerides for ∼300 K2 systems. In the second paper of this series, we reanalyze 26 single-planet, K2-discovered systems that were observed in the TESS primary mission by globally fitting their K2 and TESS light curves (including extended mission data where available), along with any archival radial velocity measurements. As a result of the faintness of the K2 sample, 13 systems studied here do not have transits detectable by TESS. In those cases, we refit the K2 light curve and provide updated system parameters. For the 23 systems with M _* ≳ 0.6 M _⊙ , we determine the host star parameters using a combination of Gaia parallaxes, spectral energy distribution fits, and MESA Isochrones and Stellar Tracks stellar evolution models. Given the expectation of future TESS extended missions, efforts like the K2 and TESS Synergy project will ensure the accessibility of transiting planets for future characterization while leading to a self-consistent catalog of stellar and planetary parameters for future population efforts.

Necrophilia is a perverted sexual behavior where the perpetrator gets pleasure having sex with the corpses. It is a rare sexual perversion reported in the journal or forensic literature. Here, we presented a necrophiliac case of an adult male working in the morgue of Bangladesh. The police arrested a 20-year-old man from Dhaka, Bangladesh on a charge of necrophilia. He has been working as a morgue assistant for the last couple of years and lived in the morgue premises. Suddenly, a forensic lab report of DNA profile indicated the sperm found in several dead bodies of women were from a single man. Initially, police suspected a rapist serial killer behind the crime though the post-mortem reports failed to identify any clue of rape or injuries on the dead bodies. Then, they collected the DNA samples from the teacups and cigarette butts of the accused person. After analysis, the report confirmed the presence of his sperm in the six dead bodies of women. Also, these six dead bodies were kept in the same morgue at night before the autopsies where the same morgue attendant was present every time. Based on these findings, further necrophiliac behaviors might be predicted among the morgue worker in Bangladesh. We hope this report will help the investigators for a better understanding of necrophilia cases. Based on the motivations of necrophiliac acts, the clinicians might adapt the better treatment and management plan of the perpetrator.

Social networking sites have changed the concept of social interaction and communication. There is increasing evidence of using Facebook to express suicidal ideas and feelings, predominantly among young people. Here, we report a series of cases where victims committed suicide after sharing their thoughts and feelings on Facebook posts or live-streaming. In the present case series, we observed most of the victims were teenagers and young adults. Usually, this group is unwilling to share their suicidal thoughts with physicians or other family members. At the same time, they like to share those factors on Facebook or other social networking sites. So, Facebook can be a potential tool to predict and prevent such suicide cases. A better understanding and quick response to suicidal notes on Facebook can prevent many lives. The present study suggests ensuring the active participation of Facebook users in suicide prevention programs. We can work together with suicide prevention tools and strategies of social networking sites to save many unwanted departures.

Abstract We investigate oscillatory behavior of solutions to a class of second-order nonlinear neutral delay dynamic equations with nonpositive neutral coefficients. In particular, we study the corresponding noncanonical neutral differential equations. New oscillation criteria are established that complement and improve related contributions to the subject. An example is given to illustrate the main results.

This work presents a comparison between the biosorption of Hg (II) by raw almond shell and activated almond shell. Almond shell based activated carbon has been obtained by physicochemical activation. Batch biosorption results confirmed that, activating condition has a strong influence on the final biosorption process. The biosorbent was characterized using scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. To optimize the biosorption conditions pH, adsorbent dose, initial concentration, contact time, stirring speed, and temperature on Hg (II) removal were studied. The optimum conditions for maximum Hg (II) was achieved at 20 and 10 min for raw almond shell and activated almond shell, respectively. The equilibrium data were described well by Langmuir, Freundlich, Dubinin–Radushkevich isotherm models and appling a test of model fitness. Best fit of Langmuir and Freundlich models were found for experimental data, which reveal the homogenous surface of raw almond shell and the heterogeneity of activated almond shell surface. The kinetic data had been divided into either pseudo first order or second order on the basis of the best fit obtained from calculations, confirmed by a test of kinetic validity. An industrial application was examined to improve high biosorption capacity of raw and activated almond shells toward Hg (II).

Background: Septicaemia is the single most important cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality in the world, accounting for over half of the cases. Aim: This study was conducted to establish the clinical and bacteriological profile in newborns with risk factors of septicaemia. Subjects and Methods: One hundred and fifty consecutive neonates delivered with risk factors of septicaemia were recruited after obtaining informed consent. Blood culture was done using BACTEC PEDS PLUS/F CULTURE vials as a part of sepsis screen used to diagnose septicaemia. In addition acute phase reactants like total leucocyte count and C-reactive protein measurements were also documented. Statistical analysis: Correlation of all risk factors with laboratory findings was obtained by using Pearson chi-square test and Fisher’s exact test. p-value of less than 0.05 was considered as significant. Results: Blood culture positivity was found in 28% neonates born with risk factors of septicaemia out of which 57.1% were gram-positive and 42.9% were gram-negative isolates respectively. Staphylococcus aureus being the most common among the grampositive bacteria, was isolated in 19 (45.2%) of cases. Among the gram-negative bacteria, Acinetobacter baumannii was the most common being present in 13 (30.9%) of cases. Among all the risk factors studied, fever in the mother was significantly correlating with positive sepsis screen. Conclusion: Blood culture positivity increases with increase in number of risk factors in neonatal septicaemia. Hence screening tests for septicaemia must be done routinely in such cases.

Fatal-disseminated Bacillus Calmette Guerin (BCG) disease is well known in infants with severe combined immunodeficiency after BCG vaccination. We report a 7 month male infant delivered as a product of in vitro fertilization and twin gestation that presented with fever, cough and multiple nodular skin lesions. A biopsy of skin lesions revealed the presence of acid fast bacilli. Mycobacterium bovis infection was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and molecular studies. Immunological profile confirmed the diagnosis of severe combined immunodeficiency. Only few reports of similar case exist in the literature.

Background: Drug taking behavior and drug dependence is a multi-factorial disorder. Personality is a very important determining factor of drug dependence. Objectives: To find out the possible relationship between personality traits and substance use disorders. Methods: This was a descriptive, cross-sectional and case-control study conducted in the department of Psychiatry of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University and Central Drug Addiction Treatment Center, Dhaka for a period of one year (January 2005 to December 2005). From five hundred respondents, 250 had the history of substance use disorders selected as case, and equal number were age, sex, habitat and economic background matched controls were taken. Personality traits of both cases and control were measured by applying Eysenck Personality Questionnaire. Results: Mean ± SD psychoticism (8.42±3 vs 4.33±1.8), Neuroticism (11.89±2.3 vs 9.83±2) were significantly higher (P

Background: Parental rejection plays an important role in individual's life at different stages of their development. Some types of personality are the major predictors of mental illness and individuals' maladjustment. Objective: The purpose of the present study was to explore the possible relationship between parental rejection and personality of adults in the context of Bangladesh. Methods: A total 100 adults (39 male and 61 female) participated in this study. Their age range was 18 to 60 years. They were selected from Department of Psychiatry, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, University of Dhaka and some residential areas of Dhaka city by purposive sampling. The instruments used in this study were a Demographic questionnaire, validated Bangla version of Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ), validated Bangla version of Adult version of Parental Acceptance-Rejection Questionnaire for Father (Adult PARQ: Father) and Adult version of Parental Acceptance-Rejection Questionnaire for Mother (Adult PARQ: Mother). Results: From this study, we found that paternal rejection is positively correlated with psychoticism but negatively correlated with extraversion at the 0.05 levels of significance. The result showed that there was no significant correlation between paternal rejection and neuroticism. Results also showed that maternal rejection is positively correlated with psychoticism and neuroticism at the 0.01 level of significance but negatively correlated with extraversion (at the 0.05 levels). Conclusion: These results suggest that there is an association between parental rejections and individual's personality. Key word: Parental rejection; Personality; Psychoticism; Neuroticism; Extraversion. DOI: 10.3329/bsmmuj.v2i2.4759 BSMMU J 2009; 2(2):61-65

Background: Suicide is a tragic and serious but preventable public health problem all over the world including Bangladesh. Committing suicide has become a burning issue and mortality rate increases especially in young females. Psychiatric evaluation is needed in suicide attempted patients for better management plan to reduce such unnatural mortality, as well as the impairment related to suicidal thought and psychiatric disorders. Objectives: To assess the psychiatric disorders and conditions that needed sufficient clinical attention among the suicide attempters who needed ICU intervention. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of a private hospital of Dhaka City from July 2008 to December 2008. Total forty four subjects of attempted suicide were included in the study and psychiatric diagnosis was made by using Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)-IV by psychiatrists after initial physical problems subsided. Results: The most common psychiatric diagnosis was Major Depressive Disorder. Female suffered more and among them attention-seeking behaviors were frequent. Thirty-four patients (77.3%) had previous history of psychiatric disorder. Chemicals (like; organophosphorous, kerosene, harpic and other medicine overdose) ingestion was the most frequently used method by the suicide attempters. Conclusion: This study may be helpful for further research regarding suicide attempters and its' association with mental problems. In primary health care setting, the physicians may get a clue to design a system for preventing, early recognition and managing suicidal ideas, thoughts and attempts. Psychiatric consultation should be made mandatory for all patients admitted following attempted suicide. DOI: 10.3329/bsmmuj.v2i2.4761 BSMMU J 2009; 2(2): 73-77

Background : Actinic keratosis (AK) is a cutaneous neoplasm caused by prolonged sun exposure, and may progress into squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The p53 gene plays a central role in the development of SCC, and mutations in this gene are found in 90% of SCC and up to 100% of AK cases. Objective: To identify AK cases that are highly susceptible to developing SCC. Materials and Methods: Fifty-six AK cases were classified into two groups: AK adjacent to "normal" skin and AK adjacent to SCC. The groups were compared based on epithelial atypia, inflammation, solar elastosis, histopathological AK classification and p53 protein expression. Results: Of the 56 AK cases analyzed, 23% were associated with SCC. The types of AK observed were classified as follows: common, hypertrophic , atrophic , acantholytic , pigmented and bowenoid . SCC was associated with common and hypertrophic AK, and p53 staining was observed in 78% of AK cases. The mean difference in p53 immunopositivity between common AK cases associated with SCC (17%) and not associated with SCC (45.4%) was significant (p=0.011). Conclusions: Hypertrophic and common AK are associated with SCC, and the low percentage of p53 immunopositivity in the common type indicates a greater probability of developing into SCC.

ObjectiveTo summarize available evidence on the association between hip shape as quantified by statistical shape modeling (SSM) and the incidence or progression of hip osteoarthritis.DesignWe conducted a systematic search of five electronic databases, based on a registered protocol (available: PROSPERO CRD42020145411). Articles presenting original data on the longitudinal relationship between radiographic hip shape (quantified by SSM) and hip OA were eligible. Quantitative meta-analysis was precluded because of the use of different SSM models across studies. We used the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) for risk of bias assessment.ResultsNine studies (6,483 hips analyzed with SSM) were included in this review. The SSM models used to describe hip shape ranged from 16 points on the femoral head to 85 points on the proximal femur and hemipelvis. Multiple hip shape features and combinations thereof were associated with incident or progressive hip OA. Shape variants that seemed to be consistently associated with hip OA across studies were acetabular dysplasia, cam morphology, and deviations in acetabular version (either excessive anteversion or retroversion).ConclusionsVarious radiographic, SSM-defined hip shape features are associated with hip OA. Some hip shape features only seem to increase the risk for hip OA when combined together. The heterogeneity of the used SSM models across studies precludes the estimation of pooled effect sizes. Further studies using the same SSM model and definition of hip OA are needed to allow for the comparison of outcomes across studies, and to validate the found associations.

A complex association of millimeter-sized, aerodynamically-shaped debris, including glass spherules, glass filaments, and composite-fused melt particles was recovered from beach sands on the shores of the Motoujina Peninsula in Hiroshima Bay, Japan. Based on optical microscopy, this debris comprises six morphological groups ranging from clear glasses to rubber-like constituents. Scanning electron microscopy and synchrotron X-ray microdiffraction revealed dominant aluminum, silicon and calcium (Al-Si-Ca) elemental composition with some iron, mainly in glass, associated with precipitates of mullite and anorthite microcrystals, hematite dendrites and iron-chromium globules, indicative of original temperature conditions >1800 °C. Aerodynamically-shaped fallout debris, including glass spherules described in this study, are generally produced by single high-energy catastrophic events, such as an extraterrestrial body impacting Earth or a nuclear explosion. This study interprets the large volumes of fallout debris generated under extreme temperature conditions as products of the Hiroshima August 6th, 1945 atomic bomb aerial detonation. The chemical composition of the melt debris provides clues to their origin, particularly with regard to city building materials. This study is the first published record and description of fallout resulting from the destruction of an urban environment by atomic bombing.