Dowry in Bangladesh: A Search from an International Perspective for an Effective Legal Approach to Mitigate Women\u27s Experiences

For some 40 years, Bangladesh has fought a losing battle against the existence of dowries and their associated abuse with no indication of even a minimal impact as dowry demands inflate and violence increases. In one year alone, dowry related violence claimed the lives of 325 women and contributed to 66.7 per cent of the violent incidents against women. This article aims to investigate the appropriateness and effectiveness of legal approaches to dowry and propose a different standard for redressing women’s disadvantaged situation in the traditional culture of Bangladesh

THE ROLE OF LRR RECEPTOR-LIKE KINASES IN ABA DEPENDENT TPK1 CHANNEL REGULATION

The increasing world population demands increased food production, but several abiotic factors, for example, drought is hampering increased food production. The problem of drought is increasing and further limiting the productivity of many crops. There could be a range of potential strategies that may help plants to tolerate and avoid drought conditions, for example, to produce stress tolerant plants, to understand and utilize signalling mechanisms in plants to adapt them to drought, to minimize yield loss in dryland areas and to reduce the water needs. ABA (abscisic acid) is produced during drought stress causing the closure of the stomatal pore to prevent water loss. K+ (potassium) release from the vacuole through K+ transporters localised to the tonoplast, during these conditions this is one of the important steps. However, the mechanism of coupling of ABA to the tonoplast is not known yet. The AtTPK1 channel (Arabidopsis thaliana two pore potassium channel) is localised to the tonoplast and has been shown to have a role in the vacuolar K+ release and stomatal closure. AtTPK1 is activated by phosphorylation and binding of 14-3-3 proteins. The surface of the plasma membrane of plants contains receptor-like kinases (RLKs) that are known to be involved in the early steps of osmotic-stress signalling. Binding of a ligand to the extracellular domain of the RLK activates the intracellular kinase domain, resulting in bringing extracellular environment signals into the intracellular targets. LRRs (Leucine-rich repeat) are a possible mechanism to link external ABA with TPK1 and because LRRs had been found to impact in TPK1 current, for example, two LRR receptor kinase candidates, KINASE1 and KINASE2 (At3g02880 and At4g21410) were shown by patch clamp studies to affect TPK1 current stimulation. The BiFC (Bimolecular fluorescence complementation) studies also showed interaction of these kinases with TPK1 when they were treated with ABA. Therefore, it was hypothesized that they are involved in the activation of TPK1 (Isner et al., unpublished data). The kinase mutant lines were selected for further characterization in comparison to tpk1 and WT (wild type) in different media conditions. All the knockout lines showed shorter root lengths and lower fresh weights as compared to the wild type in K+-deficient, higher K+ and osmotic stress conditions. Lower fresh weights for the KO (knock out) lines as compared to the wild type were also observed in soil in control and moderate stress conditions. The lower growth of the tpk1 and kinase KO lines as compared to the wild type may be because of the lack of TPK1 activity. The lack of kinase proteins may lead to the inactivation of TPK1 channels and thus it leads to the comparable results between the kinase KO lines and tpk1 KO line. These results suggest a link between these kinases and TPK1 channel activity. These lines were also tested for the stomatal conductance under various ABA treatments applied to the excised leaves. The kinase KO lines and tpk1 KO led to a delayed response in stomatal closure after exposure to different concentration of ABA (1 µM, 10 µM and 100 µM). The similarities in phenotype between the kinases KO and channel KO mutants suggest there may be a relation between these kinases and the TPK1 channel. Combined with other, as yet unpublished data, the data from this report support the idea of the involvement of these kinases in ABA dependent regulation of TPK1

Impunity of frequent corporate homicides by recurrent fires at garment factories in Bangladesh: Bangladeshi culpable homicide compared with its equivalents in the United Kingdom and Australia

How corporations can be best prevented from causing deaths of others has been a critical concern of judges, legislators, prosecutors and academics alike around the world since the 19th century. Concerns for workplace safety have mounted globally in recent decades, propelling the demand for industrial manslaughter prosecution as a more effective use of criminal suits. Like the regulation of human conduct, criminal Jaw is considered to be an instrument for changing corporate behaviour in a way that fosters future conformity with the expectations of society

Use of Recombinant Human Erythropoietin in Renal Anemia in Children

Erythropoietin is a hormone highly effective as like as natural erythropoietin to maintain target hemoglobin and hematocrit level in renal anemia. Its advantage over blood transfusion has been proved by improving the quality of life and decreasing morbidity and mortality in ESRD patients. Effectiveness of r-erythropoietin depends on absences of infection, inflammation and vitamin deficiency and iron status. Iron supplementation is needed before r-erythropoietin administration and sub-cutaneous rout is better in renal anemia because of slow and sustained releases of r-erythropoietin from the site of administration. Target hemoglobin level is 11-12.5 gm/dl and hematocrit is 33% which can be achieved by this hormone therapy. Key words- Recombinant erythropoietin, renal anemia, end stage renal disease.DOI: 10.3329/bsmmuj.v2i1.3713 BSMMU J 2009; 2(1): 50-53 &nbsp

Macrophage Activation Syndrome as the Initial Manifestation of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in a 7-Year-Old Girl – A Case Report.

 Macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) is a potentially fatal complication of several chronic rheumatic diseases. Although it occurs most commonly with systemic onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis (SoJIA), it may also occur in association with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), Kawasaki disease, and adult onset Still’s disease. It is usually triggered by infections or due to medication modification. Here we report a 7-year-old girl who presented simultaneously with features of MAS and SLE and responded with pulse methylprednisolone followed by oral prednisolone and pulse cyclophosphamide. Keywords: Macrophage Activation Syndrome (MAS); Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE); Child

Management of Invasive Carcinoma of Cervix after Simple Hysterectomy at NICRH

Invasive cervical cancer are sometimes inappropriately managed by simple Hysterectomy and referred afterwards at NICR&H for further management. It has been proven as an inadequate treatment resulting in a reduced survival rate. Objective: The aim of this study was to find out the reason for such inappropriate surgery, further management options, prognosis and survival. Methods: Sixty one cases of invasive cervical cancer referred after simple hysterectomy were studied regarding indications for hysterectomy and histopathology. Disease status at the time of referral was noted and accordingly categorized into two group depending  on the presence of residual growth at the vault .All of them got adjuvant concurrent chemo-radiation.. Result : Sixty one cases of cancer cervix patients were followed up for 6 month to 60 month after completion of radiotherapy. Median period of follow-up was 14 months. 65% had abnormal per-vaginal bleeding preoperatively. At the time of referral 23% (14) had residual growth at the vault. After completion of concurrent chemoradiation 75% (47) patients became disease free. Metastasis occur in two cases. Overall survival rate was 90.2% Median survival was 56 month. Among the prognostic factors type of histopathology (p≤.01) and presence of gross cancer tissue at the vault after surgery (p≤.001)was found to influence the treatment outcome.Conclusion: Inadvertant simple hysterectomy in cervical carcinoma increases morbidity and decreases survival and should be condemned

Predictors of Relapse in Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome in Children Presenting to a Tertiary Center

Background and Aim: Idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS) is a disease of relapse and remission in children in which about 20-30% of the patients may experience a single episode in their lives while the rest suffer from relapse. Some factors contribute to relapse. The objective of this study was to explore the predictors of relapse in INS.Methods: A prospective longitudinal study was conducted in the Department of Pediatric Nephrology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) from September 2015 to August 2016. One hundred and ten patients with the first episode of INS were uninterruptedly enrolled in this study. After screening and subsequent confirmatory diagnosis, the patients were treated with a single morning dose of oral prednisolone 60 mg/m2/day for 6 weeks followed by oral prednisolone 40 mg/m2 every alternate day for the subsequent 6 weeks. The total number of relapses within six months after the initial episode was collected in a data collection sheet. Every relapse was correlated with age of onset, sex, initial serum albumin level, fasting serum cholesterol level, and time to response in the initial attack. The association between relapse and its potential risk factors was investigated using logistic regression analysis. Results: The study found that INS was significantly associated with sex and age (p< 0.05). Male children were 3.04 times (95% CI= 1.09- 8.45, P=0.03) more likely to experience relapse. Furthermore, children with respiratory tract infection  had a higher chance of relapse (OR= 4.43, 95% CI= 1.26-15.53, P=0.02). Lower cholesterol levels (≤500 mg/dl) were found to be a protective factor (OR= 0.13, 95% CI= 0.04-0.54, P=0.005) in this study. The chance of relapse was higher in children who responded after 2-4 weeks of starting treatment compared to those who responded in less than one week (p<0.005).Conclusion: The study found that the first episode INS had a higher risk of relapse in boys with respiratory tract infection and in patients who needed more than two weeks of prednisolone treatment to achieve remission.Keywords: Children; Frequently Relapsing; Predictors; Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome

Nephrotic Syndrome after Treatment with D-Penicillamine in a Patient with Wilson’s Disease- A Case Report

We report a case with Wilson’s disease who developed nephrotic syndrome one year after starting D-pencillamine. After stopping D-penicillamine, only zinc was given for maintenance. His proteinuria resolved after four weeks of full dose prednisolone administration and three intravenous methylprednosolone injections for nephrotic syndrome. Membranous glomerulopathy is most commonly associated with nephrotic syndrome secondary to D penicillamine but isolated cases of minimal change lesions are also reported like our case.The most likely cause of nephrotic syndrome in this child was the late complications of D-penicillamine. It also reemphasizes the importance of early monitoring for proteinuria and the need to shift to an alternative agent if side effects develop.Keywords: Nephrotic syndrome; D-pencillamine; Wilson’s disease

Are Boys at Risk of Low Immune Response to Recombinant Hepatitis B Virus Vaccine in Steroid Sensitive Nephrotic Syndrome?

Introduction: This study was conducted to evaluate the immune response following vaccination with different doses and to compare the antigen specific antibody response to Hepatitis B Vaccine (HBVac) in Steroid Sensitive Nephrotic Syndrome (SSNS) patients between boys and girls.Materials and Methods: This prospective study was conducted in 30 SSNS children at Bangladesh Institute of Child Health, Dhaka, Bangladesh from July 2012 to June 2013.Thirty patients who had all features of Minimal Change Nephrotic Syndrome (MCNS) according to International Study for Kidney Diseases for Children (ISKDC) and received oral prednisolone every alternate day and were HBsAg negative were enrolled in the study. The patients were randomly assigned to one of the two treatment group to receive either 0.5 ml (10μg) or double dose 1ml (20μg) of HB vaccine in a 0-1-2month schedule. After excluding hepatitis B virus infection, the vaccine was administered at a standard dose in group-A (0.5 ml or 10 microgram) and at a double dose (1 ml or 20 microgram) in group-B. After one month of the last dose, the seroprotection rate was measured and compared among sexes.Results: The mean age of the participants in group-A was 5.81 ± 1.73 years with a boy to girl ratio of 9:6 and the mean age of the subjects in group-B was 5.65 ± 1.68 years with a boy to girl ratio of 8:7. The mean vaccine titer was 25.60 ±19.97 mIU/ml in group-A and 617.47 ±292.11 mIU/mlin group-B, with a significant difference (p<0.05) between the two groups. Irrespective of the dose, the mean vaccine titer was higher in girls (37.33 ± 19.45 mIU/ml) compared to boys (16.22 ± 14.81mIU/ml) and the difference was statistically significant in group-A. It was also observed that the mean vaccine titer was significantly higher in girls (743.00±252.34mIU/ml) compared to boys (394.88±246.63 mIU/ml) in group-B (p<0.05,t-test).Conclusions: The results of our study showed a reduced response to HB Vaccine boys with SSNS in comparison to girls. As the study size was small, single center study and time limited follow-up, we cannot draw any valid conclusions.Keywords: Immune deficiency; Sex differences; Steroid Sensitive Nephrotic Syndrome; Seroconversion

The effect of hydrogen peroxide produced during ultraviolet disinfection of CHO cell culture media

The final publication is available at Elsevier via http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.procbio.2017.06.025 © 2017. This manuscript version is made available under the CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 license http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/Ultraviolet (UV) irradiation is being considered for protection against viral contamination in cell culture media. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) produced by UV irradiation has been suggested as the cause for poor cell growth in irradiated media, but this hypothesis has not been carefully evaluated. The impact of H2O2 on Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cell culture medium was compared with the impact of UV irradiation. Media composition was analyzed via nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LCMS), and cell growth in treated media was also evaluated. Although addition of H2O2 to medium caused significant changes in pyruvate, formate, acetate, and sarcosine concentrations, there was less effect on CHO cell growth compared with irradiation. UV irradiation caused other changes in composition that did not occur as a result of H2O2 addition. Catalase inhibited the effects of adding H2O2 to the media, but catalase added before irradiation did not affect most irradiation-induced changes, even though catalase retained activity. In conclusion we found that while H2O2, which can be generated as a result of UV-irradiation, may be the cause of some changes in medium composition, it does not directly account for impaired CHO cell growth after high UV doses.MITACS Accelerate grantNatural Sciences and Engineering Council Collaborative Research and Development grant (NSERC-CRDPJ-48483-2015)Strategic Network Grant (NETGP 380070-08