Working with Vocabulary at Tertiary level in Bangladesh

Providing vocabulary instructions is one of the most effective ways through which EFL teachers in Bangladesh can facilitate the tertiary learners' development of communicative competence in English. Because weak knowledge of vocabulary causes learners' comprehension ability to suffer and this troubled comprehension creates barriers in achieving the target competence level in all major skills. Therefore, our present study aims to find out the difficulties that teachers and students face in teaching and learning vocabulary in English at tertiary level in Bangladesh. The study has been done through questionnaire survey both from teachers' and students' point of view. And with the help of some statistical tools, the present study concludes that the problem primarily lies within the vicinity of teaching techniques. Keywords: Audio-lingualism, lexical set, synonym, antonym, word formation, flash card, EFL

Moyamoya disease in a child

A 6 year old boy presented with sign symptoms of cerebral stroke. After clinical and radiological evaluation, a diagnosis of bilateral moyamoya disease was made. An indirect bypass surgery encephaloduroateriosynangiosis was done on the right side at first then on the left side.  Patient was partially improved. At one year follow-up, there was the evidence of occlusion of collateral circulation on the right side and the patient became symptomatic again. It is noted that, although the early indirect bypass surgery is indicated in the pediatric patients for preventing the stroke but the outcome is difficult to judge

Nanohybrid and microfilled composite resin in Class II restoration of permanent molar teeth

The aim of this study was to compare the clinical performance of nanohybrid composite resin in Class II restorations placed with a one-step self-etch adhesive with that of microfilled composite resin of permanent posterior molar teeth. A total of 100 participants who received Class II restorations either with nanohybrid composite resin bonded with a single step self-etch adhesive or conventional microfilled composite bonded with a single step self-etch adhesive. All restorations were evaluated by using slightly modified USPHS criteria at baseline and after 3, 6 and 12 months. The results revealed that nanohybrid composite resin showed better clinical outcome than that of the conventional microfilled composite resin restorations in respect to retention and marginal adaptation at 12 months observation period. It can be concluded that nanohybrid is superior to conventional microfilled composite resin in respect to retention, and marginal adaptation of Class II restorations of permanent molar teeth

The outcome of third stage of labor using carbetocin following vaginal delivery

Background: Primary postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is a major cause of morbidity and the leading cause of direct maternal death worldwide. Carbetocin, a synthetic analog of oxytocin, has an elimination half-life of 40 minutes compared with 10 minutes for oxytocin, Methods: This cross-section observational study was conducted at the department of obstetrics and gynaecology, Shaheed Suhrawardy medical college hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh. The study period was from May 2016 to October 2016. 100 women undergoing normal vaginal delivery were the study subject. A convenient sampling technique was used in this study. Necessary data was collected in the data collection sheet. A standardized deliver mat (Quaiyum's mat) was used before placental removal for measuring blood loss. Carbetocin was an intervention in this study. Statistical analysis was carried out by using the statistical package for social sciences version 19.0 for Windows (SPSS Inc., Chicago, Illinois, USA). The mean values were calculated by frequencies and percentages. Result: In this study, the majority 54 (54.0%) of patients belonged to age 20-25 years, followed by 30, (30.0%) >25 years. Regarding the occupational status of the patients, it was observed that the majority of 92 (92.0%) patients were housewives. It was observed that the majority of 93 (93.0%) patients had regular menstrual history. Concerning the clinical indices, anaemia was found 69 (69.0%), jaundice 08 (8.0%) and edema 24 (24.0%). Primi para was found 59 (59.0%) and multipara was 41 (41.0%). Primigravida was found 08 (8.0%) and multigravida was 92 (92.0%). In this study, 76 (76.0%) patients had spontaneous delivery, 05 (5.0%) patients had massive blood loss, and 10 (10.0%) patients required further massage. Conclusions: Carbetocin appears to be an effective new drug in the active management of third-stage labor (AMTSL). A single dose (100 mg) of IV carbetocin is more effective for maintaining adequate uterine tone

Nanohybrid and microfilled composite resin in Class II restoration of permanent molar teeth

The aim of this study was to compare the clinical performance of nanohybrid composite resin in Class II restorations placed with a one-step self-etch adhesive with that of microfilled composite resin of permanent posterior molar teeth. A total of 100 participants who received Class II restorations either with nanohybrid composite resin bonded with a single step self-etch adhesive or conventional microfilled composite bonded with a single step self-etch adhesive. All restorations were evaluated by using slightly modified USPHS criteria at baseline and after 3, 6 and 12 months. The results revealed that nanohybrid composite resin showed better clinical outcome than that of the conventional microfilled composite resin restorations in respect to retention and marginal adaptation at 12 months observation period. It can be concluded that nanohybrid is superior to conventional microfilled composite resin in respect to retention, and marginal adaptation of Class II restorations of permanent molar teeth

Growth performance of Thai Pangus (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) using different synthetic amino acids in plant protein based formulated diets

An experiment was carried out for a period of 120 days to evaluate three formulated diets among of which T1  was formulated based on animal protein, T2  was partially replaced animal protein with plant protein and adding amino acid whereas the T3  was formulated with fully plant protein with adding amino acid to assess the growth performance of Thai Pangus, Pangasionodon hypophthalmus. Each treatment had three replicates using 9 (nine) mini experimental ponds. The stocking density was 120 fish/decimal. Initially, the fish were fed twice daily at a rate of 5% of their body weight, which was progressively reduced to 2% by the end of the experiment. During the experimental period, the water quality parameters observed (temperature 26.0°C-31.5°C, pH 7.50-8.44, DO 4.30-5.94 mgL-1, ammonia-nitrogen 0.01 to 0.03 mgL-1, and total alkalinity 155-185 mgL-1) were found to be optimal and stable. The mean weight gains (WG) of Thai Pangus were 421.6±4.71 g, 407.34±1.97 g and 345.89±4.44 g for T1, T2 and T3, respectively and significantly (p<0.05) highest WG was obtained in T1 and T2 followed by T3. The specific growth rate (SGR) was found highest in T2 (2.70±0.03) followed by T1 (2.53±0.06) and T3 (2.16±0.04), respectively. The highest feed conversion ratio (FCR) was found in T1 (1.62) whereas lowest FCR obtained from T2 (1.52±0.01) followed by T3 (1.55). The protein efficiency ratio (PER) values were ranged between 2.03 and 2.13 and highest was found in T2 (2.13±0.05). The highest production was attained from T1 (13557.50±51.60 kg ha-1) followed by T2 (13227.71±50.72 kg ha-1) and T3 (11450.60±49.87 kg ha-1), respectively. The findings of this study revealed that, the partial replacement of animal protein with plant protein adding limited amino acid (lysine and methionine) exhibited the best performance on the basis of nutritive value and growth performance

Factors associated with relapse amongst substance abusers

Background: Relapse amongst substance abusers is common throughout the world, and Bangladesh is no exception to this. In Bangladesh, drug related problems are gradually becoming a burning issue in context of social, economical and medical perspective. The present study aimed to find out factors indicating relapse amongst substance abuser. Methods: This descriptive type of observational study was conducted in the combined military hospital and other government/private hospital/institute, especially the central drug addict treatment center, Dhaka. Informed consent was obtained prior to data collection. Collected data was classified, edited, coded, and entered into the computer for statistical analysis by using SPSS-23. The chi-Square test was used to analyze the categorical variables, and a p<0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: The study involved 100 patients who had a history of substance abuse. The most common substance abused was Yaba (27%), followed by cannabis (21%). The average duration of abuse for Yaba was 5.8 years, while the longest mean duration was for Alcohol (14.2 years). In the 2nd admission, the largest percentage of patients was aged 21-30 years and were male. The majority of patients were Muslim and were either unemployed or had a lower socioeconomic status. Patients age, occupation, socioeconomic status, peer pressure, and family problems all had a significant association (p<0.05) with relapse at different admissions. Peer pressure and family problems were also identified as factors affecting relapse, with 67.57% and 56.76% of patients experiencing them during their 2nd admission, respectively. Conclusions: The study found Yaba to be the most commonly used drug, followed by cannabis, phensedyl, heroin, etc. Alcohol was found to have the longest duration of abuse. Most patients were aged 21-30 and unemployed in multiple admissions. Peer pressure and unemployment were major factors in substance abuse, and psychiatric illness was a common factor in relapse. The results align with global findings and highlight the need for a comprehensive approach to addressing substance abuse, considering all relevant factors.

University Students’ and Teachers’ Wellbeing During COVID-19 in Bangladesh: A Qualitative Enquiry

The wellbeing of teachers and students has emerged as a common concern in research studies in recent times, specifically during the critical period of COVID-19. Based on the findings drawn from the qualitative data through focus group discussions of five groups of teachers (16 females and 8 males) and students (10 males and nine females) at the tertiary level of education in Bangladesh, this paper shows that online teaching during COVID-19 is affected by personal and social challenges, and consequently, both teachers and students experience anxieties and stresses. Teachers are anxious because of the university authorities\u27 surveillance, frequent pay cuts, and fear of losing jobs due to students\u27 low enrollment in universities. They also suffer from physical discomforts, such as back pain, blur vision, and headache because of the prolonged engagement with online activities. Students, especially those from a non-privileged background located in peripheral rural contexts, seem to suffer more from contextual realities that are non-conducive for technology-based learning. Increased numbers and various forms of online assessments also seem to become a burden for them. In general, educational experiences of online teaching seemed to have a peripheral role in their conceptualization of wellbeing. The paper concludes that the insurmountable attention given to online pedagogic practices across the world needs to be balanced out by an equal effort in improving the wellbeing of both teachers and students

Acceptability and short-term complications of PPIUCD

Background: Intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD) is an effective form of long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC). Postpartum IUCD insertion is labelled when IUCD is inserted within 10 minutes to 48 hours of expulsion of placenta. assess the acceptability and short-term complications of postpartum intrauterine contraception device insertion in tertiary care hospital of Bangladesh. The aim of the study was to assess the evaluation of factors associated with acceptability of post-partum intrauterine contraceptive device (PPIUCD). Methods: This was a prospective observational study was conducted at department of obstetrics and gynecology, Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH). Results: Out of 360 eligible counselled postpartum patients, 48 (13.3%) women underwent PPIUCD insertion. Acceptance of PPIUCD was higher in the age group of 25-30 years (43.75%), having former health counselling about PPIUCD (70.8%), multipara (68.75%). The commonest complications were missing thread (8.3%) followed by lower abdominal pain (6.25%), irregular per vaginal bleeding (4.2%). Conclusions: PPIUCD is not very acceptable in our set up but it is a safe, highly effective method of contraception with very few side effects and no major complications and contraindications. The acceptability of PPIUCD can be increased with antenatal counselling and institutional delivery