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Background and Aims: The pervasive nature of online gaming, notably accentuated during the COVID‐19 pandemic, has spurred concerns regarding gaming addiction among children. This study explores the intricate ramifications of online gaming addiction on the academic performance and social dynamics of children in Bangladesh. Our primary objective is to gauge the extent of online gaming addiction and unravel its profound effects on academic performance. Methods: Conducting a nationwide survey from January 1, 2023, to June 30, 2023, we analyzed 502 responses from participants aged 6–17 years. The survey encompassed sociodemographic details, gaming addiction assessment, and academic performance following a simple random sampling method. We analyzed participant demographics utilizing descriptive statistics, chi‐square tests, and logistic regression. Results: Key findings revealed a majority within the 13–17 age bracket (75.50%), predominantly male (58.57%), and enrolled in secondary education (83.27%). A robust inverse relationship showed that nonaddicted students towards online gaming had higher academic performance. Therefore, it is important to implement targeted strategies to address online gaming addiction among Bangladeshi children. Conclusion: Recommending early intervention, academic initiatives, and holistic therapy, we advocate for collaboration among educational institutions, mental health professionals, parents, and policymakers. All of these initiatives are essential to navigate the evolving challenges presented by gaming addiction. Furthermore, our call for ongoing research seeks to deepen our understanding of enduring consequences on academic and social dimensions, fostering a digitally supportive environment conducive to the holistic well‐being of children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a highly prevalent neuropsychiatric disorder. Recently, there has been a growing interest in investigating the association between pro-inflammatory cytokines and the pathogenesis of OCD. However, studies targeting interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in OCD are limited. Therefore, the present study aimed to explore the potential role of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-6 in the pathophysiology and development of OCD. Methods: This study recruited 58 OCD patients and 30 age-sex-matched healthy controls (HCs). A qualified psychiatrist diagnosed OCD patients and assessed HCs based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Health Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5) criteria. We measured the severity of OCD using the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS). Serum IL-1β and IL-6 levels were measured using ELISA kits following the appropriate methods. Results: The results showed that serum IL-1β levels were significantly elevated in OCD patients compared to HCs (23.68±1.65 pg/ml vs. 15.75±1.02 pg/ml; p = 0.002). Similarly, OCD patients exhibited significantly higher serum IL-6 levels than HCs (44.97±0.73 pg/ml vs. 37.04±0.35 pg/ml; p<0.001). We observed both cytokines were positively correlated with the Y-BOCS scores in OCD patients (IL-1β: r = 0.380, p = 0.015; IL-6: r = 0.324, p = 0.026) which indicates their role in disease pathophysiology. Conclusion: These results suggest that serum IL-1β and IL-6 levels may be associated with the pathophysiology of OCD. Also, these cytokines levels in blood samples can serve as early risk assessment tools for the development of OCD. We recommend further studies in a large and homogeneous population to support these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent outbreaks of highly virulent and pathogenic viruses such as COVID-19, monkeypox, and Nipah virus have prompted global concerns. Another threat has emerged in West Bengal, India, in the form of Human Adenovirus (HAdV), particularly affecting children and immunocompromised individuals. The DNA virus HAdV can cause respiratory, liver, renal, and neurological issues. Politically unstable areas with military and medical camps and refugee communities are at risk because they spread in densely populated areas. Due to its rapid mutation and dissemination, the virus represents a global threat. Although scientists have developed vaccines for specific serotypes of HAdV, their primary application is limited to military contexts. Antiviral and immunotherapy research is continuing, but treatment choices are limited. Public awareness programs and hygiene measures are essential to preventing a global pandemic. Governments should invest in healthcare infrastructure and diagnostics, and researchers should focus on developing vaccines and therapies. The West Bengal outbreak is a clear reminder that governments, healthcare professionals, and researchers must work together to control and prevent HAdV. To effectively comprehend and address this rising viral threat, it is imperative to engage in further research and documentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic has resulted in significant global mortality and morbidity affecting millions of lives. As healthcare authorities worldwide are still paying substantial attention to COVID‐19, other diseases continue to cause more deaths than COVID‐19. The decreasing number of COVID‐19 cases and deaths indicates that the pandemic is close to the end. For effective pandemic management, healthcare facilities worldwide have established COVID‐19 units and testing facilities, instituting infection prevention and control measures, and employing telehealth services. Healthcare professionals have identified some promising treatments for COVID‐19; also, mass vaccinations have improved patient outcomes. Instead of COVID‐19 as a pandemic, it is time to pay more attention to other diseases to lessen their impact on public health. Therefore, the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the end of the pandemic phase of COVID‐19 considering the current COVID‐19 situation and our preparedness, past pandemic experience, and long pandemic impact on social and economic life on May 5, 2023. In this article, we briefly discussed the present challenges due to COVID‐19, necessary precautions, and future directions to return to life as before COVID‐19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bangladesh is located in Southeast Asia that has a high population density. It is a lower‐middle‐income country. The COVID‐19 pandemic severely impacted the nation that slowed its economic growth. It halted major industries, crippling the nation's economy. The students were uncertain after the declaration of school closures. Hospitals could not treat other patients properly due to the vast health burden of COVID‐19. Bangladesh put up a solid fight during COVID‐19 as a lower‐middle‐income country. Prompt action, early vaccination drives, effective awareness campaigns, and widespread public involvement have enabled Bangladesh to bring more than 90% of its population into COVID‐19 vaccination coverage. It was possible by the effective diplomatic and local health strategy implemented by the Bangladeshi government, the country's extensive prior experience, and its long history of achieving a high success rate in other vaccination campaigns. Bangladesh was able to flatten the curve sooner than other developed countries. Therefore, the cogs of everyday social life and the economy begin to turn once more. The strategy Bangladesh used to combat the COVID‐19 pandemic through vaccination and diplomatic policy by calling on its prior experience has the potential to serve as a model for other low‐ and middle‐income countries and an example for developed nations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Competing Interests: The author(s) of this work have nothing to disclose.

Competing Interests: The authors do not have any conflict of interest to declare.