Gut microbiome and psychiatric disorders

Several pieces of evidence show that gut microbiota can impact psychiatric disorders. However, no mechanism behind the relationship has been identified. Host genetics and their diets have a significant impact on the gut microbiota. More advanced studies are needed to find the mechanism and develop new therapeutic strategies

RETROFITTING OF SIMPLE MECHANICAL COMPACTING DEVICE (ROCOS) ON CONVENTIONAL RING SPINNING MACHINE FOR IMPROVING YARN QUALITY

Ring spinning is the most popular and universal spinning system due to its significant advantages in comparison with the new spinning systems. But the yarn properties are hampered in ring spinning system with the increase of spindle speed and spinning triangle. Overall yarn properties can be improved by retrofitting of simple mechanical device (rocos) on conventional ring spinning machine. In this study we try to show, how rocos overcome the negative influences of spinning triangle on yarn quality. It also ensures outstanding yarn properties such as hairiness, strength, imperfections, elongation etc. Inspite of higher spindle speed as compared to the yarns which are produced in conventional ring spinning machine by using same raw materials

RETROFITTING OF SIMPLE MECHANICAL COMPACTING DEVICE (ROCOS) ON CONVENTIONAL RING SPINNING MACHINE FOR IMPROVING YARN QUALITY

Ring spinning is the most popular and universal spinning system due to its significant advantages in comparison with the new spinning systems. But the yarn properties are hampered in ring spinning system with the increase of spindle speed and spinning triangle. Overall yarn properties can be improved by retrofitting of simple mechanical device (rocos) on conventional ring spinning machine. In this study we try to show, how rocos overcome the negative influences of spinning triangle on yarn quality. It also ensures outstanding yarn properties such as hairiness, strength, imperfections, elongation etc. Inspite of higher spindle speed as compared to the yarns which are produced in conventional ring spinning machine by using same raw materials

Analyzing the intention of the households to drop off mobile phones to the collection boxes: empirical study in Malaysia

Purpose – To achieve proper waste management, the disposal of electronic waste (e-waste) is one suitable method. Most developing countries, including Malaysia, are facing lack of e-waste recycling facilities and low household participation. Using a survey method using a questionnaire, this study aims to examine the intention of Malaysian households to drop-off their mobile phones to the nearest collection boxes (n = 600). Design/methodology/approach – This study expanded the theory of planned behavior by adding environmental awareness and knowledge. In addition, the cost of disposal and the convenience of the available disposal infrastructure weremeasured as two parts of the perceived behavioral control. Findings – The results of this study show that environmental knowledge and awareness have a significant impact on attitudes toward recycling intention of the households. In addition, it was also found that the attitude and cost of disposal infrastructure is positively related to household intention. Originality/value – These results show that if e-waste collection boxes are provided to the nearest community and e-waste management information is distributed, this will increase household participation in e-waste management

Willingness to Pay for Crop Insurance to Adapt Flood Risk by Malaysian Farmers: An Empirical Investigation of Kedah

This study examines the factors that may affect the willingness to pay crop insurance by Malaysian rice farmers in Kedah, Malaysia, for the adaptation of flood risk. 350 farm households are selected and a structured questionnaire is used to elicit data from the respondents. The data are analyzed with descriptive statistics and logit regression model. The average willingness-to-pay (WTP) for monthly crop insurance premium by the respondents is MYR 48.15 for every RM 1000 coverage per hectare per season. The significant variables influencing willingness to pay crop insurance by the farmers are the age of household head, attending the training course, farm income, and experience and farm size. From the findings of this work, it is urged that to promote crop insurance in Malaysia, the government may require a strategic policy to convince the farmers of the credibility and reliability of insurance scheme by improving farmers' awareness and understanding of crop insurance through advertisement and training. Keywords: Willingness to pay, contingent valuation method, crop insurance, logit model, flood risk. JEL Classifications: G2

Investigation of biological activities of Xeromphis uliginosa (Retz.) root extracts in Swiss-albino mice model, an extinctive medicinal plant of Bangladesh

Xeromphis. uliginosa (Retz.) is an extinctive Bangladeshi medicinal plant that is locally used for the treatments of pain, diabetes, diarrhea, depressant, and other diseases. The present study was conducted to evaluate the peripheral analgesic activity (PAA), central analgesic activity (CAA), central nervous system antidepressant activity (CNS-AD), antidiarrheal activity (ADA), and hypoglycaemic activity (HGA) of methanolic root extract of X. uliginosa (MREXU) in a mice model. The acetic acid-induced writhing inhibition and tail flick method were applied to determine the PAA and CAA of MREXU. The CNS-AD was measured using the phenobarbitone sodium-mediated sleeping method whereas, the castor oil-induced antidiarrheal method was used to determine the ADA of the crude extracts. To determine the HGA of MREXU crude extract, the tail tipping technique was conducted in a mice model. The MREXU displayed potential PAA and CAA in mice models. The MREXU 200 and 400 mg/kg significantly inhibit the number of writings along with diclofenac sodium. On the other hand, MREXU both doses significantly inhibit thermal stimulus after 60 and 90 minutes respectively. In the CNS-AD study, crude extract of 200 and 400 mg/kg significantly increase the onset of sleep by decreasing the duration of sleep. Similarly, the dose of 200 mg/kg significantly reduced diarrheal faeces for the whole 4 hours of experiments. The heartiest outcome of MREXU was displayed in the HGA assay. Both doses of MREXU significantly reduced the blood sugar level for the entire 3 hours of the experiments. In this study, it is revealed that the root of MREXU has extremely significant blood sugar-reducing activity, potential CNS-AD and mild to moderate nociceptive activity in the mice mode

Combined allelopathic effect of buckwheat and marsh pepper residues on weed management and crop performance of transplant aman rice

The experiment was conducted at the Agronomy Field Laboratory, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh during the period from June to December 2016 to evaluate the suppression of weed growth through combined application of buckwheat and marsh pepper residues in transplant aman rice. The experiment consisted of three cultivars i.e. BRRI dhan56, Binadhan-12 and Nizershail, and five different crop residues with their combination such as no residues, 2.0 t ha-1 buckwheat residues, 2.0 t ha-1 marsh pepper residues, combined 0.5 t ha-1 buckwheat and 1.0 t ha-1 marsh pepper residues, combined 1.0 t ha-1 buckwheat and 0.5 t ha-1 marsh pepper residues. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Weed population and weed dry weight were significantly affected by cultivars and crop residues treatment. The maximum weed growth was noticed with no residues treatment and the minimum was found in combined 0.5 t ha-1 buckwheat and 1.0 t ha-1 marsh pepper residues. The grain yield as well as the yield contributing characters produced at BRRI dhan 56 was the highest among the studied varieties. The highest reduction of grain yield was obtained in no residues) treatment and the lowest was obtained when combined 0.5 t ha-1 buckwheat and 1.0 t ha-1 marsh pepper residues were applied. The highest numbers of effective tillers hill-1, number of grains panicle-1, 1000-grain weight, and grain and straw yields were observed in W3 treatment. BRRI dhan56 under 0.5 t ha-1 buckwheat and 1.0 t ha-1 marsh pepper residues treatment produced the highest grain yield. Results of this study indicates that combination of 0.5 t ha-1 buckwheat and 1.0 t ha-1 marsh pepper residues showed potentiality to suppress weed growth. Therefore, crop residues could be used as an alternative tool for sustainable weed management

Acute kidney injury due to star fruit ingestion: A case report

Star fruit (Avarrhoa carambola) is a fruit from oxalidace family. lt is found in many countries of the world including Bangladesh. But its ingestion or drinking star fruit juice may lead to intoxication especially in patients with chronic kidney disease and manifestations might be neurological or nephrological. lt may also cause acute kidney injury in patients with previously normal renal function. Here we are presenting a case who presented with acute kidney injury after star fruit ingestion with previously unknown renal function impairment. The etiology was confirmed by histopathological exami­nation after doing renal biopsy. This renal function impairment is mainly due to oxalate crystal induce nephropathy which is richly abundant in star fruit. His renal function was improved ·with conservative management. Physicians should be alert to consider the ingestion of star fruit as a cause of acute kidney injury in a patient even in the absence of previous renal function impairment

The epidemiology of melioidosis and its association with diabetes mellitus : a systematic review and meta-analysis

Melioidosis is an under-recognized fatal disease in humans, caused by the Gram-negative bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei. Globally, more than 35,000 human melioidosis cases have been reported since 1911. Soil acts as the natural reservoir of B. pseudomallei. Humans may become infected by this pathogen through direct contact with contaminated soil and/or water. Melioidosis commonly occurs in patients with diabetes mellitus, who increase the occurrence of melioidosis in a population. We carried out a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate to what extent diabetes mellitus affects the patient in getting melioidosis. We selected 39 articles for meta-analysis. This extensive review also provided the latest updates on the global distribution, clinical manifestation, preexisting underlying diseases, and risk factors of melioidosis. Diabetes mellitus was identified as the predominant predisposing factor for melioidosis in humans. The overall proportion of melioidosis cases having diabetes was 45.68% (95% CI: 44.8–46.57, p < 0.001). Patients with diabetes mellitus were three times more likely to develop melioidosis than patients with no diabetes (RR 3.40, 95% CI: 2.92–3.87, p < 0.001). The other potential risk factors included old age, exposure to soil and water, preexisting underlying diseases (chronic kidney disease, lung disease, heart disease, and thalassemia), and agricultural activities. Evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for melioidosis in patients with diabetes mellitus may be developed and shared with healthcare professionals of melioidosis endemic countries to reduce morbidity. © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland

Use of Banana Peel in the Development of a Less Flammable Polyester Composite

This study attempted to produce a cheap polyester composite material using an agricultural waste banana peel in the structure. Banana fibre has been used in composites as reinforcements, but banana peel has never been used with polyester before. The possibility of improved thermal and flammability properties of a composite due to increased moisture in the structure, and the char-forming ability of the cellulosic part of banana peel or the production of highly flammable material due to the presence of carbohydrates in the structure were the assumptions. To tackle the second assumption, aluminium trihydrate (ATH) was added. The handmade composites showed a drastic drop in tensile strength from 38.02 MPa to 16.72 MPa due to a lack of chemical bonding between the constituents. The impact and flexural strength showed some improvement with the addition of banana peel, along with ATH, to record results of 10.92 kg/cm and 49 MPa, respectively, after the initial drop that occurred when only ATH was added. However, these results were still inferior to the properties of pure polyester. The results of flammability and thermal resistance matched the second assumption, as flame retardancy was kept under control by the presence of ATH. The absorbency properties remained almost unaffected