Analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of Crinum asiaticum leaf alcoholic extract in animal models

This study investigated the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of Crinum asiaticum (Amaryllidaceae) leaf ethanolic extract. Analgesic effect was investigated in acetic acid induced writhing model and formalin induced licking model in swiss albino mice. Anti-inflammatory effect was conducted in carrageenan-induced paw edema model of albino rat. Data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by post hoc multiple comparison test. In analgesic study, C. asiaticum extract inhibited 42.34±3.20% of acetic acid induced pain at higher dose of 2.0 g/kg body weight. The effect was statistically significant (p<0.001) compared to the positive control, diclofenac sodium (10 mg/kg). The extract reduced the formalin induced pain 22.60±1.39% in early phase and 27.11±0.87% in late phase at the same dose of 2.0 g/kg and the reductions were significant (p<0.01) compared to the positive control morphine (0.5 mg/kg). In a time-dependent inhibition of carrageenan-induced paw edema model, the extract promoted the inhibitions of paw edema 51.60±2.50% at the 1st h and 40.80±0.52% at the 4th h of administration. These inhibitions were also significant (p<0.01) in comparison to those promoted by diclofenac sodium. No mortality was observed in acute toxicity test. The study concludes that C. asiaticum leaf extract has potential analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects to be recorded as plant-derived complementary medicine.Keywords: Crinum asiaticum, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, Carrageenan, formalinAfrican Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(2

Post-Operative Outcome of Desarda Repair of Inguinal Hernia in Emergency Case in Bangladesh

Background: Desarda hernia repair has emerged as a recognized operative method for inguinal hernia repair. Objective: The purpose of the present study was to see the outcome of emergency inguinal hernia repair by Desarda technique. Methodology: This was an observational study was carried out in the Department of Surgery at Sher-E-Bangla Medical College Hospital, Barisal, Bangladesh and Private Hospital, Narayanganj, Bangladesh from August 2015 to January 2017. Twenty patient was operated by Desarda technique. Variables includes age, operating time, post-operative complications, post-operative hospital stay, cost of the procedure, chronic groin pain and any early recurrence. Result: Mean age of patient 50.25±18.9, Mean operating time was 78.4±9.64 mins. Majority 16 patient experienced mild post-operative pain measured in VAS score. Mean with SD of hospital stay was 5.05±2.16 days. Patient had developed different post-operative complications like wound infection in 2(10.0%) cases, scrotal edema in 5(25.0%) cases, seroma formation in 1(5.0%) case and no early recurrence and. Conclusion: In this study, it revealed that Desarda repair was associated with less post-operative complications, less post-operative pain, zero recurrence rate, no chronic groin pain and performed in emergency cases. So it is safe and most reliable technique for complicated (Incarcerated, Obstructed, Strangulated) inguinal hernia. Journal of Current and Advance Medical Research 2020;7(1): 44-4

Willingness to work during initial lockdown due to COVID-19 pandemic: Study based on an online survey among physicians of Bangladesh

Published: February 9, 2021Background: During the catastrophic situation of the COVID-19 pandemic, the role of the health care workers (HCWs) is the most crucial, and their absenteeism, whether due to inability or unwillingness, becomes a major concern for the national health system. Hence, the present study aimed to determine the willingness and its associated factors to work during the COVID-19 pandemic among the physicians of Bangladesh. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted from April 21 to May 10, 2020, using an online survey among the Bangladeshi physicians living in the country. Both univariate and multivariable binary logistic regression models were used to determine the predictors of the willingness of the physicians to work during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: More than 69% physicians reported that they were willing to work during the COVID-19 pandemic, 8.9% reported that they were not willing, while 21.4% of participants were not sure about their willingness. Younger age, having experience of treating patients during previous pandemics, working in the emergency departments and high self-reported compliance to the recommended PPE were important predictors of being willing to work during COVID-19 pandemic. Concern for family and risk of transmitting the infection to family members were most commonly reported as major barriers of working during the pandemic (30%) followed by having comorbidities (25%), lack of adequate safety measures (25%), fear of being infected (12.2%), not involved in clinical practice (12.5%) etc. Conclusions: Though the majority of the physicians were willing to work during the COVID-19 pandemic, sufficient supply of PPE, support to maintain recommended quarantine and isolation policy after risky hospital duty along with adequate and effective training can increase their willingness to continue their sacred duty during this crucial pandemic.Md. Abdur Rafi, M. Tasdik Hasan, Dewan Tasnia Azad, Syeda Fatema Alam, Vivek Podder, Sahadat Hossain, S. M. Quamrul Akther, Fatema Ashraf, Md. Golam Hossai

Aquaculture and Fisheries in the Sundarbans and Adjacent Areas in Bangladesh: Resources, Productivity, Challenges and Opportunities

Estuarine aquatic systems and braided rivers in and adjacent to the Sundarbans and the vast area of the Ganges tidal floodplain next to the core forest area in Bangladesh holds rice aquatic faunal diversity and provides plenty of opportunities to grow fish, shrimps and crabs. Currently these systems provide direct employment opportunity for 1.2 million people and indirect or seasonal livelihood for more than 10 million people across the southwest coast. Hilsa is the largest fishery in this region and shrimp brings the highest cash and export earnings. Proper implementation of fisheries regulation is critical to ensure conservation of the rich fish diversity of this region as well as to continue to support livelihood of millions of people living on fisheries. While aquaculture is the major contributor to national fish production, agricultural GDP and export earning, it requires planned advancement from the current state to continue to grow in harmony with environment. Integration with rice and other crops, and with mangrove wherever possible can bring long-term sustainability of these systems. Change in the river flow due to siltation and reduced upstream flow, climate change, sea level rise, outbreak of disease in fish and crustaceans are major challenges for future growth and sustainability of both aquaculture and fisheries in this region. Collaborative and multi-disciplinary research should be undertaken to address these challenges. In addition, there should be mechanism to bring research outputs into use and make impact on sustainability

Anxiety and depressive symptoms among physicians during the COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh: a cross-sectional study

Objectives In addition to risking their physical well-being, frontline physicians are enduring significant emotional burden both at work and home during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This study aims to investigate the levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms and to identify associated factors among Bangladeshi physicians during the COVID-19 outbreak. Methods and design A cross-sectional study using an online survey following a convenience sampling technique was conducted between April 21 and May 10, 2020. Outcomes assessed included demographic questions, COVID-19 related questions, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Results The survey was completed by 412 Bangladeshi physicians. The findings revealed that, in terms of standardized HADS cut-off points, the prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms among physicians was 67.72% and 48.5% respectively. Risk factors for higher rates of anxiety or depressive symptoms were: being female, physicians who had experienced COVID-19 like symptoms during the pandemic, those who had not received incentives, those who used self-funded personal protective equipment (PPE), not received adequate training, lacking perceived self-efficacy to manage COVID-19 positive patients, greater perceived stress of being infected, fear of getting assaulted/humiliated, being more connected with social media, having lower income levels to support the family, feeling more agitated, less than 2 h of leisure activity per day and short sleep duration. All these factors were found to be positively associated with anxiety and depression in unadjusted and adjusted statistical models. Conclusions This study identifies a real concern about the prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms among Bangladeshi physicians and identifies several associated factors during the COVID-19 pandemic. Given the vulnerability of the physicians in this extraordinary period whilst they are putting their own lives at risk to help people infected by COVID-19, health authorities should address the psychological needs of medical staff and formulate effective strategies to support vital frontline health workers

The Prevalence and Associated Factors of Depressive Symptoms Among Medical Students in Bangladesh During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Pilot Study

BACKGROUND: Whilst very limited studies have demonstrated a correlation between the COVID-19 pandemic and depressive symptoms amongst Bangladeshi medical students, the prevalence and associated factors of depressive symptoms as measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) remains widely unknown. OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to investigate the prevalence and factors associated with depression symptoms among Bangladeshi medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown period. METHOD: In this web-based cross-sectional pilot study, medical students' data was collected using the Google Forms web survey platform after obtaining electronic informed consent. A total of 425 medical students were selected using a systematic sampling technique to accumulate depression symptoms and demographic and pandemic-related information. Depression was measured by a self-administered, validated English version of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) tool. The descriptive analysis utilized frequency and percentages, while the stepwise binary logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate the factors associated with depressive symptoms. RESULT: Among 425 medical students, 62.3% were female, 97.4% unmarried. Almost 80.2% of medical students had mild to severe levels of depressive symptoms as characterized by PHQ-9. A significantly higher probability of depression was found amongst female students (adjusted OR = 1.8), those who struggled to stay away from social media (adjusted OR = 1.8), those who tried to be optimistic for maintaining better psychology (adjusted OR = 11.1), and those who always had a sleeping difficulty in the last 4 weeks (adjusted OR = 8.9). CONCLUSION: A very high prevalence of depression symptoms among Bangladeshi medical students was found across the majority of socio-demographic variables. The alarming prevalence and associated factors of depression suggests the need for follow-intensity psychosocial interventions designed for medical students during the COVID-19 pandemi