Comparison of Oral Versus Vaginal Misoprostol for Induction of Labour at Term

Background: To compare the efficacy and safety of oral versus vaginal administration of Misoprostol for induction of labour at term. Methods: In this interventional study primigravida were assigned in two groups; A and B, using non-probability convenient sampling technique. Group-A (n=50) had Misoprostol orally, while group-B (n=50) received the drug by vaginal route. Dosage was 100 μg four hours apart in group-A and six hours apart in group-B. Maximum of four doses were given. Main outcome measures of study were labour-induction interval, labour-delivery interval, mode of delivery, neonatal outcome and feto-maternal complications. Results: The mean dosage requirement for induction of labour in groups A and B was 2.1±1.1 and 2.4±1.8 (p-0.23) respectively. Mean labour-induction interval in group A and B were 7.5±4.2 and 7.3±4.1 (p-0.87) hours respectively, which is not significant statistically. Mean labour delivery interval was shorter in vaginal group (4.9±2.7 hours) versus oral group(6.0±2.2) hours (p-0.04). Need for Oxytocin augmentation was less in vaginal group (21%) versus oral group (68%) (p-0.009). There was no statistical difference between the groups with respect to mode of delivery and neonatal outcome. The incidence of hyper-stimulation was similar in both groups. Conclusion:Misoprostol is a cost effective alternate for induction of labour. Misoprostol through vaginal route results in successful cervical ripening, less need for oxytocin and shorter time to delivery with acceptable safety profile

Ambiguity tolerance and confusion avoidance in the intent to purchase farmed fish

Aquaculture products are presently becoming a crucial part of consumers’ diets. However, asymmetric information regarding farmed fish exposes consumers to ambiguity and often makes them confused. Therefore, this study aims to ascertain the levels of ambiguity tolerance (AT) and confusion avoidance (CA) related to farmed fish and to test if consumers’ AT and CA influence their purchase intent (PI) of such fish. The impact of demographics on consumers’ CA and AT is also explored. The data were obtained through a survey conducted on a randomly selected sample of 1053 households who either purchase and have purchased fish. The collected data were analyzed employing explorative factor analysis, structural equation modeling, and a simple regression model. The study demonstrates that AT had a positive and significant impact on the PI of farmed fish, and also reduced CA. However, the current high level of CA does not influence the PI of farmed fish

An Exertion to Alleviate Stitch Defects During Garments Production

In garments industry sewing is the most critical phase during an apparel production. Different types of sewing and stitching defects are occured in this phase due to various problems. As today’s world each customer is expecting a very high quality garments with product variety, it has become a very challenging task for garments quality management. Here all the data were collected from Gardenia Wears Limited situated at Barmi- Sreepur, Gazipur, Dhaka and data were analyzed for reducing Defects per Hundred Unit (DHU%) and also top 10 stitch defects were identified and analyzed later. Finally the work shows reduction of DHU% from 5.23% to 3.48% and also reduce the top ten stitch defects with comparison to before trial and after trial data of ten days and it is proved that an industry can achieve higher production capability & profitability with improved quality product and also saving cost due to reducing DHU%

A Rapid Ethnographic Assessment of Cultural and Social Perceptions and Practices About COVID-19 in Bangladesh: What the Policy Makers and Program Planners Should Know

Anthropological literature on health beliefs and practices related to COVID-19 is scarce, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. We conducted a qualitative research on perceptions of COVID-19 among slum residents of Dhaka, Bangladesh from November 2020 through January, 2021. Methods included in-depth interviews and photo elicitation with community residents. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed thematically. Results show scientific explanations of COVID-19 conflicted with interviewees' cultural and spiritual beliefs such as: coronavirus is a disease of rich, sinful people; the virus is a curse from Allah to punish sinners. Interviewees rejected going to hospitals in favor of home remedies, and eschewed measures such as mask-wearing or social distancing instead preferring to follow local beliefs. We have highlighted a gap between community beliefs about the pandemic and science-led interventions proposed by health professionals. For public health policy to be more effective it requires a deeper understanding of and response to community perceptions

Study of Frozen Section Biopsy as Intraoperative Procedure for Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma in BSMMU

Background: Frozen section biopsy technique often helps a rapid diagnosis of a mass during surgery which in turn may helps a surgeon to know the status of the margins of his resection before closing. Objective: The study was done to achieve tumour free surgical margin after resection of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The study also examined to determine positive margins and its relation to tumour size, grade and stage of oral squamous cell carcinoma. Method: This cross sectional study was done in 29 patients of oral sqamous cell carcinoma. Result: One hundred eleven margins of frozen section (FS) biopsy were taken from 29 patients (mean 3.8) for comparing with the permanent sections of the same tissue sample. Among them, one false positive and three false negative were found and an accuracy rate was 96.4%. Out of one hundred eleven margins, 32 (28.8%) were positive and 79 (71.2%) were negative. In case of T3 and T4 tumour, the number of the positive margins was greater (respectively 27.8% and 50%). In stage III and stage IV cases, the number of positive margins was greater (29.1 and 30% respectively). Regarding histopathology grading, grade III was the highest (33.3%). Conclusion: The intra-operative frozen section biopsy plays an important role to achieve tumour free surgical margin in the resection of oral squamous cell carcinoma. In this study, it was also observed that the number of positive margins increased in relation to increased tumour size and tumour stage (cTNM). Key Words: Oral squamous cell carcinoma; Frozen section biopsy; Radiotherapy; Chemotherapy.DOI: 10.3329/bsmmuj.v2i1.3704 BSMMU J 2009; 2(1): 8-1

Genetic variations of CYP2R1 (rs10741657) in Bangladeshi adults with low serum 25(OH)D level—A pilot study

BACKGROUND: Some studies revealed that despite having sufficient sun exposure and dietary supply, the level of serum 25(OH)D in Bangladeshi adults is lower than its normal range. Genetic pattern of an individual is also an essential factor that regulates the level of serum 25(OH)D. However, the genetic variations of CYP2R1 (rs10741657) and their association with low serum 25(OH)D level in Bangladeshi adults are yet to be explored. OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to determine the frequency of variants of rs10741657 of CYP2R1 gene and its association with low serum 25(OH)D level among Bangladeshi adults. METHOD: This pilot study was conducted among thirty individuals with low serum 25(OH)D level as the study population and ten subjects with sufficient serum 25(OH)D level as controls based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Genetic analysis of rs10741657 of CYP2R1 including primer designing, DNA extraction, PCR of target region with purification and Sanger sequencing of the PCR products were done accordingly. For statistical analysis, One-way ANOVA followed by LSD test, Freeman-Halton extension of Fisher’s exact test, Chi-square test (χ(2)) test and unpaired student t-test were performed. RESULTS: In this study, genetic variants of CYP2R1 (rs10741657) among the study population were genotype GG (63.30%), GA (30%) and AA (6.7%). Minor allele frequency of the study population was 0.217. The association between GG and GA genotypes of CYP2R1 (rs10741657) with low serum 25(OH)D level among the study population was found and it was statistically significant. Statistically significant differences were also observed between the genotypes and alleles of the study population and controls. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of ‘GG’ and ‘GA’ genotypes of rs1041657 in CYP2R1 gene is associated with low serum 25(OH)D level among Bangladeshi adults in this pilot study

Mental health condition of physicians working frontline with COVID-19 patients in Bangladesh

BACKGROUND: The impact of the unpredictable COVID-19 pandemic had triggered new challenges for mental health. This quick survey aimed to identify the mental health status of physicians who served the people during COVID-19 in Bangladesh. METHODOLOGY: The cross sectional survey was conducted adopting a quantitative approach and using an online questionnaire through Facebook Platform Group. Data was collected from August-October, 2020, on socio-demographic status, information on COVID-19 and questionnaires about Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21). A total of 395 participants were enrolled from all eight administrative divisions of Bangladesh. RESULT: Our study reported a higher prevalence of depression (55.3%), anxiety (35.2%), and stress (48.4%) among 347 participants. Female physicians were found to have more stress (OR = 2.16, 95% CI: 1.09 – 4.30) compared to the male. Physicians who were previously diagnosed as mentally ill were found to be significantly more depressed (OR = 3.45, 95% CI: 1.07 – 11.10) and stressed (OR = 4.22, 95% CI: 1.48 – 12.02) compared to them who did not. Along with that, having a chronic disease, working in non-government and COVID hospitals significantly contributed to poor mental health outcomes. CONCLUSION: The study findings denoted that, the mental health of physicians was deeply affected by the pandemic situation. The availability of appropriate mental health support will help foster resilience by giving them the ability and confidence to manage crisis moments like the COVID-19 pandemic

The evaluation of urinary vanillylmandelic acid level in patients with generalized anxiety disorder

Background and objectives: The prevalence of anxiety disorders is increasing in the world. Studies revealed that generalized anxiety disorder may lead to change in circulating catecholamine levels. Thus, the changes of catecholamine metabolite like urinary vanillylmandelic acid may increase the future risk of thrombotic diseases in patients with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). The aim of this present study is to evaluate urinary vanillylmandelic acid (VMA) levels in patients with generalized anxiety disorder.Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was performed in the Department of Physiology, Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka from July 2019 to June 2020.After obtaining ethical clearance, a total 144 individuals were selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria with age ranging from 18-50 years. Group A was study group selected from Out Patient Department of Psychiatry of Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Dhaka diagnosed by the experienced psychiatrist. Group B was control group who were apparently healthy adults selected from different area of Dhaka city. The subjects were interviewed and detailed history regarding personal, family, medical and drug history were taken. Prior to sample collection, informed written consent was taken from the participants. Urinary vanillylmandelic acid levels were measured in the Department of Endocrinology, BIRDEM General Hospital, Dhaka.Statistical analysis: For statistical analysis, Unpaired Student’s ‘t’ test was considered using SPSS 25.0 version.Results: Urinary vanillylmandelic acid of generalized anxiety disorder patients was significantly higher (p< 0.001) than control group.Conclusion: It can be concluded that generalized anxiety disorder patients may have more chance of thrombotic diseases due to significantly higher urinary vanillylmandelic acid (VMA) levels than healthy adults

The evaluation of urinary vanillylmandelic acid level in patients with generalized anxiety disorder

Background and objectives: The prevalence of anxiety disorders is increasing in the world. Studies revealed that generalized anxiety disorder may lead to change in circulating catecholamine levels. Thus, the changes of catecholamine metabolite like urinary vanillylmandelic acid may increase the future risk of thrombotic diseases in patients with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). The aim of this present study is to evaluate urinary vanillylmandelic acid (VMA) levels in patients with generalized anxiety disorder.Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was performed in the Department of Physiology, Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka from July 2019 to June 2020.After obtaining ethical clearance, a total 144 individuals were selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria with age ranging from 18-50 years. Group A was study group selected from Out Patient Department of Psychiatry of Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Dhaka diagnosed by the experienced psychiatrist. Group B was control group who were apparently healthy adults selected from different area of Dhaka city. The subjects were interviewed and detailed history regarding personal, family, medical and drug history were taken. Prior to sample collection, informed written consent was taken from the participants. Urinary vanillylmandelic acid levels were measured in the Department of Endocrinology, BIRDEM General Hospital, Dhaka.Statistical analysis: For statistical analysis, Unpaired Student’s ‘t’ test was considered using SPSS 25.0 version.Results: Urinary vanillylmandelic acid of generalized anxiety disorder patients was significantly higher (p< 0.001) than control group.Conclusion: It can be concluded that generalized anxiety disorder patients may have more chance of thrombotic diseases due to significantly higher urinary vanillylmandelic acid (VMA) levels than healthy adults