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Background: Sodium and potassium intake is known to be a modifiable determinant of hypertension. Also, daily intake of these electrolytes is subject to much geographical and ethnic variation. The impact of sodium and potassium intake on blood pressure in Bangladeshi subjects in incompletely known. Our objective was to determine the relationship between urinary sodium and potassium excretion, and blood pressure in Bangladeshi subjects. Methods: Patients attending the Outpatient Department of the Department of Cardiology, SSMC & MH, who fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria, were taken as study sample. Hypertensive individuals were considered as group 1 and apparently healthy individuals who did not have hypertension were considered as group 2 for the study. Estimates of 24-hour sodium and potassium excretion were made from a single spot urine specimen and were used as surrogates for intake. We assessed the relationship between sodium and potassium excretion and blood pressure. Results: The spot urinary sodium excretion was significantly higher in hypertensive group than in normotensive group (98.03 ± 71.13 mmol/L vs. 77.11 ± 41.71 mmol/L) (p=0.011). On the other hand, the spot urinary potassium excretion was lower in hypertensive group than normotensive group (33.95 ± 41.03 mmol/L vs. 39.43 ± 31.47 mmol/L), but the differences did not reach statistical significance (p=0.679). The estimated 24-hour urinary sodium excretion was higher in hypertensive group than in normotensive group (8.84 ± 3.57 gm vs. 7.67 ± 3.16 gm) and the difference was statistically significant (p = 0.015). Estimated 24-hour urinary potassium excretion was lower in hypertensive group (4.15 ± 1.37 gm) than in normotensive group (4.48 ± 1.56 gm), but the difference between 2 values did not reach statistical significance (p=0.114). Conclusion: Compared to the normotensive counterparts, sodium intake is significantly higher and potassium intake is lower in hypertensive Bangladeshi subjects. Cardiovasc j 2023; 15(2): 118-123

Fabrication of hybrid hydrogels to improve biological properties or to decrease the disadvantages of biomaterials has been a popular approach. With the background of snowballing threat of skin wound to public health and economy, this study was undertaken utilizing xanthan gum (Xnt), citric acid (C), gelatin (Gel), glutaraldehyde (G) and HPLC-grade water to fabricate a series of composite hydrogels i.e. Xnt, Xnt:C, Xnt:Gel(3):G, Xnt:C:Gel(3):G, Xnt:Gel(5):G, Xnt:C:Gel(5):G for investigating their wound healing efficacy in experimental rat skin wound model. Physicochemical characterization revealed that all the composite hydrogels contained more than 90% water. The hydrogels displayed swelling ability, biodegradability, good polymeric networks and porosity. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) studies confirmed the presence of bound water and free, intra and inter molecular bound hydrogen bonded OH and NH in the hydrogels. All the hydrogels showed significant wound healing potency in experimental deep second degree skin burns in rats compared to controls. 20 days post-application of hydrogels, Xnt:Gel(3):G, Xnt:Gel(5):G and Xnt:C:Gel(5):G-treated wounds showed better recovery compared to other composite hydrogels. The highest wound contraction of these hydrogel composites might be due to presence of Gel in the formulations. We conclude that, Xnt:Gel(3):G, Xnt:Gel(5):G and Xnt:C:Gel(5):G might be effective wound dressing material.

The main purpose of the study was to reveal the hypoglycemic effect of a combination of some selected spices along with the evaluation of nutritional values. A sum of fourteen different types of spices at different percentages were taken into consideration to propel the research activities forward, viz; ginger, garlic, onion, red chili, turmeric, cumin, cinnamon, clove, coriander, fenugreek, black pepper, nigella, carom seed and cardamom. The healthy experimental wistar albino rats were made diabetic by injecting alloxan monohydrate intraperitoneally a dose of 150 mg/kg body weight. The rats of Group-D and Group-E were treated with the sample, mixed spices at a dose of 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg body weight respectively with the lab diet while in case of Group-C, glibenclamide at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg body weight was introduced with the lab diet for a total period of 21 days where as for the same days span, Group-A and Group-B were continued feeding with only lab diet. Data suggest that the mixed spices of both doses applied in Group-D and Group-E had exerted effects significantly (p < 0.05) in lowering the blood glucose level. On 22nd day, in Group-D and Group-E, the FBG level was found to be reduced by around 40.66% and 41.18% respectively compared to their respective initial days where in Group-C, the reduction was around 51.90% in comparison to its initial day. Again, in case of 2hPG level measurement, on 22nd day, both the groups, Group-D and Group-E were found with the decreased level of around 19.38% and 39.11% respectively compared to their respective initial days while the Group-C was shown with the reduced of 44.26% in comparison adopting same manner. Furthermore, various analyses confirm the presence of several micro and macro nutrients and high amount of dietary fiber in the spices mix. Thus the result affirms that this combined spice possesses strong hypoglycemic properties.

Rapeseed oil is commonly used as cooking oil in Bangladesh especially in the rural areas and traditionally used with other food items in urban societies. This study evaluated the biochemical properties and chromatographic picturesque of various rapeseed oils namely mustard (wild and hybrid), rai (wild and hybrid) and canola oil in both raw and fried state. The qualitative tests such as acid value, iodine value, peroxide value, saponification value, unsaponifiable matter and Rechert-Meissl value were determined to differentiate the better quality of these consumable oils. Among five types of rapeseed oils, canola oil could be the best choice for consumption due to its lower erucic acid (6%) and high polyunsaturated fatty acids content, while the erucic acid content of mustard (wild), mustard (hybrid), rai (wild) and rai (hybrid) were 51.56, 64.82, 56.31 and 67.98% respectively. Canola oil also had the lowest level of acid value, peroxide value, saponification value and Reichert Meissl value but higher level of iodine value. On the other hand, rai (hybrid) fried oil was the lowest quality of consumable oil in comparison with other forms of rapeseed oils. Raw seed oils were also better than fried oils. Key words: Rapeseed oils, qualitative test, gas-liquid chromatography (GLC).

In Bangladesh, goat farming is substantially hampered due to outbreaks of respiratory infectious diseases like pneumonia causing morbidity, mortality and economic losses in Black Bengal goats. Among the infectious agents, Pasteurella maltocida is more frequently associated with the outbreak of acute pneumonia and death of goats. Hence, the occurrence of P. multocida in the goat population should be regularly investigated to effectively control the disease. Furthermore, antibiotic resistance/sensitivity profiling of P. maltocida also needs to be regularly updated for designing or updating of efficient treatment strategy. In this investigation, 150 nasal swab samples from goats were collected from Savar region of Bangladesh and on the basis of colony, staining and biochemical characteristics P. multocida were isolated in 25 samples. Disc diffusion assay was used to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility of 20 isolates against 9 different antimicrobial agents. This study revealed that the rate of P. multocida isolated from goats in Savar area was about 16.67%. The incidence of P. multocida was higher in goats affected with acute pneumonia than apparently healthy goats. P. multocida was fully resistant to penicillin and amoxicillin whereas showed high sensitivity towards ciprofloxacin followed by streptomycin and neomycin. This study suggests that ciprofloxacin, streptomycin and neomycin are potent anti-Pasteurella multocida drugs.

Fried dietary oils often cause adverse health effects due to altered chemical and nutritional properties. In the present study with mustard oil, the effect of repeated frying (180°C for 10 min, three times) on chemical characteristics and oral intake of raw and fried mustard oil (5 g/kg for 5 weeks) in Wistar rats were investigated. Repeated frying caused oxidation reactions and free fatty acid content in mustard oil. This fried oil feeding to rats increased serum LDL cholesterol and triglycerides and decreased HDL leading to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease accounted by significant increment of liver enzymes (ALT, AST, ALP) compared with raw oil-fed group. Higher level of serum CK-MB and creatinine in fried oil-fed rats indicate disrupted kidney function. Histological findings of the respective organs ascertained metabolic abnormalities due to fried oil intake. Thus, the study suggests avoidance of using repeatedly fried oils in food products for better consumer health. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Vegetable oil is a common ingredient of food products. Mustard oil is used in many countries both as raw and fried forms for various food preparations. When it is being fried at elevated temperatures in the presence of air, both thermal and oxidative decomposition take place which alter the nutritional and functional bioactive properties of the oil. The findings of the current study revealed the repeatedly fried mustard oil-induced detrimental effects on various organs of Wistar rats. Human beings consuming repeatedly fried mustard oil regularly might also face these acute problems. Thus in context to the public health issue, it is a message to avoid in taking repeated fried oils at household cooking or food industry to maintain better health.

The study was carried out to evaluate the hypolipidemic and hypoglycemic effect of Nelumbo nucifera leaf powder. In rats, hyperlipidemia was induced by feeding High Fat Diet (Lab diet: Dalda: Coconut oil = 4:3:1) and type 2 diabetes was built inside by injecting Alloxan. The sample N. nucifera leaf powder was added in different percentages with the regular Lab Diet for 21 days feeding. In case of hyperlipidemia developed groups, feeding of Nelumbo nucifera leaf powder at, 30% (70% Lab diet + 30% Sample), 20% (80% Lab diet + 20% Sample) and 10% (90% Lab diet + 10% Sample) showed varied but in a nutshell significant (p Nelumbo nucifera leaf powder for 21 days resulted significant decrease in the blood glucose levels of alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Both the percentages of Nelumbo nucifera leaf powder having 20% with 80% Lab Diet and 10% with 90% Lab Diet significantly (p Nelumbo nucifera powder was found to be exerted to the more prominent effects in lowering the blood glucose level. Nelumbo nucifera leaf powder had 75% efficacy rate in lowering the blood glucose level in comparison to the drug control group treated with glibenclamide which was found with the decreasing capability up to 66%. Although not significant, it, based on the data, can be stated that the sample is endowed with the quality of decreasing capability of body weight. Thus, results of the experimental study reveal that the leaf of Nelumbo nucifera has potent hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic properties.

Background: Metabolic syndrome is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Objectives: The purpose of the present study was to see the association of metabolic syndrome with essential hypertension. Methodology: This cross sectional study was carried out in the OPD of the Department of Cardiology at Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical college Hospital, Dhaka from January 2008 to December 2010. All the All the Metabolic syndrome was defined as abnormal fasting serum level of glucose (≥ 110 mg/dl or 6.1 mmol/L) with abdominal obesity (waist circumference > 102 cm in men and > 88cm in women), triglycerides (≥ 150mg/dl), High density lipoprotein cholesterol (< 40 mg/dl in men and < 50 mg/dl in women) and hypertension. Results: . A total of 322 patients were enrolled Among hypertensive patients 31.8% had hyperglycemia, 37.9% had high waist circumference, 69.8% had low HDL cholesterol and 54.3% high triglycerides. As per definition of NCEP-ATP-III, metabolic syndrome had been detected in 17% of male, 37% of female and 27% of total population. Conclusion: Metabolic factors are a common association in hypertensive cases. These patients are at increased risk of coronary and cerebro-vascular disease and require more vigorous prevention. Furthermore in all hypertensive patients metabolic screening is recommended. Journal of Science Foundation 2014;12(2): 34-38 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jsf.v12i2.27736

The present study investigates the effect of consumption of coconut oil (CO) mixed with erucic acid rich rapeseeds which induced a significant change of blood serum lipids in rats. After 6 weeks of feeding to Wistar rats, body weight gain, food efficiency ratio (FER) and serum lipid profile such as Total cholesterol (TC), Triglyceride (TG), High density lipoprotein (HDL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) were determined. Rapeseed reduced the body weight and FER whereas TC, TG, and LDL were increased. But coconut oil causes significant increase in body weight gain, FER and decreased serum TC, TG and LDL activities. In addition, the mixture of both oil supplements decreased body weight gain, FER and serum TC, TG and LDL activities, the results demonstrated the effects of coconut oil in lowering lipids levels in serum and it also protects the toxic effect of rapeseed.

Zika virus (ZIKV) is an aedes mosquito borne pathogen belonging to the member of flaviviridae subgroup is the causative agent of an emerging disease called Zika fever, known as a benign infection usually presenting as influenza like illness with cutaneous rash. Due to recent epidemic outbreaks it is realized as a major health risk which need enhanced surveillance, but no attempt has been made to design an epitope based peptide vaccine against Zika virus. Viral envelope proteins are derived from host cell membrane proteins with some viral glycoproteins and are used to cover their protective protein capsid, help the viruses to enter host cells and help them to avoid the host immune response. In this study, amino acid sequence of ZIKV envelope glycoprotein was obtained from a protein database and examined with in silico approaches to determine the most immunogenic epitopes for B cell and T cell which could induce humoral as well as cell mediated immune response. Both the linear and conformational epitopes for B cell were predicted by immunoinformatics tools housed in IEDB resources. The peptide sequence DAHAKRQTVVVLGSQEGAV from position 121 and peptide sequence from 117-137 amino acids were predicted as most potential B cell linear and conformational epitopes respectively. Epitopes for CD4+ and CD8+ T cell were also predicted by using tools within IEDB resource and peptide sequence MMLELDPPF from position 250-258 amino acids was predicted as most immunogenic CD8+ T cell epitope with immune response evoking ability prediction score (I pMHC) of 0.09139 and conservancy of 52.17%. The innate immune response for ZIKV envelope glycoprotein was determined by interferon (IFN)-gamma effectuation and mimicking capacity by immunoinformatics and molecular docking study respectively. However, this is an introductory approach to design an epitope based peptide vaccine against Zika virus; we hope this model will be very much helpful in designing and predicting novel vaccine candidate.

The modern trend of consuming mustard oil in raw, fried and cooked forms is increasing day by day in the general people irrespective of economic status in Bangladesh. But unfortunately they are not aware of the adverse effects of this oil. Because, mustard oils have been evidenced to have high level of erucic acid and erucic acid has been evidenced to be a causative agent for cardiovascular diseases. It is therefore very important to know the erucic acid level both in traditional and commercially available mustard oils in Bangladesh. The aim of the study was to investigate the fatty acid profile of the commercial mustard oil (Industrially manufactured) and ghani (traditional method of oil processing) mustard oil. After preparation of the purified fatty acid methyl esters of the above oils, Gas-Liquid Chromatographic (GLC) analysis was carried out. Results showed that the percentage of erucic acid (22:1) in the commercial and ghani mustard oils were 41.80% and 51.98% respectively. In context to percentage of erucic acid, the commercial mustard oil seemed better compared to ghani. The reasons behind this discrepancy still remains unclear but the possibility of mixed oil effects in the commercial mustard oil could be investigated in the near future. The author also established a method to partially eliminate erucic acid from mustard oil. After partially eliminate erucic acid from commercial mustard oil erucic acid reduces from 41.80% to 20.14%.