Molecular and psychosocial risk factors for cardiovascular disease

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of mortality globally, and a major contributor to disability. There exist several well-established CVD risk factors, many of which are used in clinical practice. Nonetheless, these risk factors do not fully explain why certain individuals develop CVD. Several additional risk factors for CVD have been proposed which deserve to be examined further in prospective studies. Therefore, the overall aim of this thesis was to gain a comprehensive understanding of the epidemiology of well established and promising risk factors for CVD. In study I, we estimated the additive and non-additive genetic components contributing to variation in established CVD biomarkers. We could show that all of the traits were to some extent influenced by genetics, and that many of them were under the influence of nonadditive genetic effects. In study II, we examined how variation in anti-PC levels and Lp-PLA2 activityis explained by genetic and environmental effects and how these effects are shared with other established CVD biomarkers. Both of these traits were found to be affected by genetic and environmental effects, Lp-PLA2 activity was moderately correlated with several of the other biomarkers while anti-PC appeared to be regulated independently of more established CVD biomarkers. In study III, we investigated whether clinical depression and use of antidepressants are associated with CVD outcome. Further, we examined if the associations were more specific for CHD or ischemic stroke. Depression was found to be a possible risk factor for the development of CVD, more specifically stroke. In study IV, we investigated if individuals with any record of clinical depression or self- reported depressive symptoms had an increased risk for incident stroke after adjusting for a range of stroke risk factors. The association between depression and stroke could not be accounted for by traditional stroke risk factors. In conclusion, CVD is a highly complex disorder affected by a multitude of risk factors, which in themselves are influenced by both our genetic make-up and environmental exposure. Although there exist well-established CVD risk factors useful in CVD risk assessment, novel CVD risk factors should be more thoroughly investigated in future studies. Such studies might not only add information that would be useful in CVD risk stratification, they could also enhance our biological understanding of this complex disorder

Agronomic manipulation for adaptation of black rice cultivars in plain land environment to eliminate hidden hunger

Two field experiemtns were conducted at the Agronomy Field Laboratory, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh during the period from July 2016 to December 2016 to study the effect of cultivars, date of transplanting and fertilizer dose on the yield and quality of few hilly black rice cultivars. The experiment one consisted of two factors. Factor A: Varieties, viz., i) Galong se and ii) Gelong ni and Factor B: Planting date, viz., i) July 20, ii) August 5, iii) August 20, iv) September 5, v) September 20 and vi) October 5. The experiment two also consisted with two factors. Factor A: varieties, viz., i) Kongnam ene ii) Gelong se and iii) Nazirshail rice and Factor B: Fertilizer management viz., i) No fertilizer ii) 50% of recommended dose (RD) of fertilizers of a local aman rice variety, iii) 75% of RD of fertilizers of a local aman rice variety, iv) 100% of RD of fertilizers of a local aman rice variety, v) 125% of RD of fertilizers of a local aman rice variety and vi) 150% of RD of fertilizers of a local aman rice variety. Results revealed that among varieties, the black rice cultivar Gelong se was best grain yielding potential variety than three other rice varieties, of which two are black rice cultivars (Kongnam ene and Gelong ne) and another one is plain land white rice cultivar (Nizershail). Regarding time of transplanting it has been found that all the varieties gave higher yield when they were transplanted either on July 20 or August 05. The worst transplanting time was October 5 when lowest grain yield was obtained. From the nutritional view point, it has been found that all the three black rice cultivars got higher crude protein (%), crude fibre (%), ash (%), crude fat (%), Fe (ppm) and Zn (ppm) content over white rice cultivar. Therefore, it can be concluded that black rice could be incorporated in human diet and it would be a way of eliminating hidden hunger

Assessment of soil and water quality as affected by herbicide application in the rice field of Bangladesh

Weed is a vital constraint for crop especially rice cultivation. Among several techniques herbicidal weed control is thought to be efficient and cost effective method. But herbicide may change soil or water quality in rice field. Taking this into consideration a study was conducted to assess soil and water quality in herbicide applied rice field. The study was conducted in two phases. In first phase a list of herbicide was made according to the uses by the local farmers of Mymensingh district. It was found that among the herbicides wide used two herbicides were i. Laser (Pyrazosulphuron ethyl-10 WP) and ii. Changer (Acetachlor-14% + Bensulfuron methyl-4%). In the second phase, an experiment was conducted at Agronomy Field Laboratory, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh considering these two herbicides. It was found that the application of herbicide in the rice field did not change the nutrient content in the soil or water of rice field. But herbicide significantly reduced the microbial activity and increased the chlorine content (In case of herbicide 2 i.e. Acetachlor-14% + Bensulfuron methyl-4%) in both soil and water of rice field. Therefore, it can be concluded that though the nutrient content of the soil of rice field is not significantly affected by herbicide application but the presence of high amount of Cl content in the rice field may cause burning injury of rice leaf at the early stages of its growth which could affect the yield of rice

Environmental Changes in the Hindu Raj Mountains, Pakistan

Global Environmental Change among the world’s mountains has become a field of interest for researchers and this issue has been widely studied in many parts of the world. This exploratory research aims to study the changes that have occurred and are still occurring in the Hindu Raj Mountains of northern Pakistan, which is an unexplored region with a wide potential for research. To study the changes in various aspects of physical and social setup, five villages/sub-valleys were selected at varying altitudes above mean sea level. Changes in the bio-physical environment were explored using remote sensing technology. It was found that drastic changes have taken place and are still going on in the natural environment as well as the socio-economic setup of the study area since 1970. The population of the study area has increased by manifold resulting in changes in the household and family structure. Moreover, the land use land cover of the study area has changed considerably. Forest cover has decreased drastically with an increase in both the built up and barren land areas

Anti-oxidant effect of Flemingia stricta Roxb. leaves methanolic extract

Aim of the study was to evaluate the possible anti-oxidant activity of Flemingia stricta leaf extract. In antioxidant study, plant crude methanol extract was evaluated for 1,1-diphenyl,2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and reducing power capacity. Moreover, total phenolic and total flavonoid content of plant extracts were determined and expressed in mg of gallic acid equivalent per gram of dry sample (mg GAE/g dry weight). In the DPPH free radical scavenging assay, methanol extract showed concentration dependent inhibition of the free radicals. IC50 of ascorbic acid and F. stricta leaves were 4.25 µg/ml and 320.47 µg/ml respectively. In case of reducing capacity, the methanol extract at concentrations of 25, 50, 100, 200, 400 µg/ml, the absorbances were 0.56, 0.92, 1.41, 1.76, 2.23, respectively. Total phenolic content was estimated by gallic acid and expressed as milligrams of gallic acid equivalent (GAE). The methanol extracts contained a considerable amount of phenolic contents of 482±8.72 of GAE/g of extract and the total flavonoid content of the F. stricta leaf was estimated by using aluminium chloride colorimetric technique and found that the extract contained flavonoid content 340.625±4.50 of GAE/g of extract. These results suggested that the methanol extract of F. stricta Roxb. possess anti-oxidant activity. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.146976

Determination of Carbamate and Organophosphorus Pesticides in Vegetable Samples and the Efficiency of Gamma-Radiation in Their Removal

In the present study, the residual pesticide levels were determined in eggplants (Solanummelongena)

Musculoskeletal Manifestations of COVID-19:A Systematic Search and Review

Introduction: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) started its journey from Wuhan, China and gradually became a pandemic. COVID-19 often affects the respiratory system, but symptoms may include fatigue, myalgia, arthralgia, arthritis, spine-, and bone pain as presenting complaints. In the present systematic search and review, we aim to highlight the musculoskeletal manifestations during COVID-19.Methods: Using PubMed Central and Google Scholar search engines, we used as key words “muscle pain”, “joint pain”, “body ache”, “fatigue”, in Covid-19 patients. Results: After screening, a total of 76 articles were included following inclusion criteria dated between January 1 and July 1, 2020. All articles were published in English comprising 36558 COVID-19 cases. In cross sectional studies, fatigue was found in 55%, myalgia in 26%, and arthralgia in 20%, respectively. In cohort studies, fatigue was found in 35%, myalgia in 15%, and arthralgia in 5%, respectively. Sporadic case reports also mention back pain, bone pain, myositis and arthritis as presenting symptoms of COVID-19.Discussion: Fatigue was the most frequent musculoskeletal (MSK) manifestion of COVID-19 followed by myalgia and joint pain. The frequency of the different MSK manifestations in COVID-19 may vary widely among different geographic regions.Conclusions: MSK like fatigue, myalgia and arthralgia are frequent symptoms in COVID-19 patients and may vary in different countries

Availability and price changes of potential medicines and equipment for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 among pharmacy and drug stores in Bangladesh; findings and implications

Objective: There are concerns with increased prices and drug shortages for pertinent medicines and personal protective equipment (PPE) to prevent and treat COVID-19 enhanced by misinformation. Community pharmacists and drug stores play a significant role in disease management in Bangladesh due to high co-payments. Consequently, a need to review prices and availability in the pandemic. Materials and Methods: Multiple approach involving a review and questionnaire among pharmacies and stores early March to end May 2020. Results and Discussion: 170 pharmacies and drug stores took part, giving a response rate of 63.9%. Encouragingly, no change in utilization of antimalarial medicines in 51.2% of stores despite global endorsements. However, increased utilisation of antibiotics (70.6%), analgesics (97.6%), vitamins (90.6%) and PPE (over 95%). Encouragingly, increases in purchasing of PPE. No increase in prices among 50% of the stores for antimalarials, with a similar situation for antibiotics (65.3%), analgesics (54.7%), and vitamins (51.8%). However, price increases typically for PPE (over 90% of stores). Shortages also seen for medicines and PPE, again greater for PPE. Conclusions: The pandemic has impacted on the supply and prices of medicines and PPE in Bangladesh. Key stakeholder groups can play a role addressing misinformation, with enhanced local production helping address future shortages and prices

Tocilizumab in COVID-19: a study of adverse drug events reported in the WHO database

leading to pneumonitis with a poor prognosis. Tocilizumab, a type of humanized monoclonal antibody antagonizing interleukin-6 receptors, is currently utilized to treat COVID-19. The present study reviews tocilizumab adverse drug events (ADEs) reported in the World Health Organization (WHO) pharmacovigilance database. Research design and methods: All suspected ADEs associated with tocilizumab between April to August 2020 were analyzed based on COVID-19 patients’ demographic and clinical variables, and severity of involvement of organ system. Results: A total of 1005 ADEs were reported among 513 recipients. The majority of the ADEs (46.26%) were reported from 18–64 years, were males and reported spontaneously. Around 80%, 20%, and 64% were serious, fatal, and administered intravenously, respectively. ‘Injury, Poisoning, and Procedural Complications’ remain as highest (35%) among categorized ADEs. Neutropenia, hypofibrinogenemia were common hematological ADEs. The above 64 years was found to have significantly lower odds than of below 45 years. In comparison, those in the European Region have substantially higher odds compared to the Region of Americas. Conclusion: Neutropenia, superinfections, reactivation of latent infections, hepatitis, and cardiac abnormalities were common ADEs observed that necessitate proper monitoring and reporting

Tocilizumab in COVID-19: a study of adverse drug events reported in the WHO database

leading to pneumonitis with a poor prognosis. Tocilizumab, a type of humanized monoclonal antibody antagonizing interleukin-6 receptors, is currently utilized to treat COVID-19. The present study reviews tocilizumab adverse drug events (ADEs) reported in the World Health Organization (WHO) pharmacovigilance database. Research design and methods: All suspected ADEs associated with tocilizumab between April to August 2020 were analyzed based on COVID-19 patients’ demographic and clinical variables, and severity of involvement of organ system. Results: A total of 1005 ADEs were reported among 513 recipients. The majority of the ADEs (46.26%) were reported from 18–64 years, were males and reported spontaneously. Around 80%, 20%, and 64% were serious, fatal, and administered intravenously, respectively. ‘Injury, Poisoning, and Procedural Complications’ remain as highest (35%) among categorized ADEs. Neutropenia, hypofibrinogenemia were common hematological ADEs. The above 64 years was found to have significantly lower odds than of below 45 years. In comparison, those in the European Region have substantially higher odds compared to the Region of Americas. Conclusion: Neutropenia, superinfections, reactivation of latent infections, hepatitis, and cardiac abnormalities were common ADEs observed that necessitate proper monitoring and reporting