Haemoglobin E/Beta Thalassaemia- A Study in BSMMU

Background: Thalassaemias and haemoglobinopathies have been found sporadically in every ethnic group and geographic region, they occur with particularly high frequency from the shores of the Mediterranean and Africa through the Middle East, the Indian subcontinent, Burma and Southeast Asia. Objective: The study was designed to find out the incidence of HbE/beta thalassaemia in BSMMU. Method: A total of 700 patients suspected to have been suffering from haemolytic anaemia were included in the study. Patients having evidence of haemolysis in peripheral blood film were selected for reticulocyte count and haemoglobin electrophoresis in cellulose acetate membrane at pH 8.6. Result: The study group of 700 patients underwent Hb-electrophoresis of which only 52 (7.4%) cases were diagnosed as HbE/beta thalassaemia. Out of 52 cases, 34 (65.4%) patients were found symptomatic and the remaining 18 (34.6%) patients were asymptomatic. Out of 34 symptomatic cases of HbE/beta thalassaemia, only 14 cases needed blood transfusion. Among the 14 patients, only 8 patients needed more than 10 units of transfusion and 6 patients needed frequent transfusion that is two units of blood in every month. Conclusion: It is clearly evident from the present and other studied so far carried out in this Indian subcontinent and South-East Asia that hereditary haemolytic anaemia due to globin chain defects are quite common in this region, especially in Bangladesh and are responsible for considerable morbidity and mortality. Key words: Thalassaemia; Haemoglobinopathies; HbE/beta thalassemia. DOI: 10.3329/bsmmuj.v2i2.4762 BSMMU J 2009; 2(2): 78-8

Effects of salinity and temperature on the larval development of a sesarmid crab Neosarmatium trispinosum Davie (Crustacea: Brachyura: Sesarmidae) from mangrove swamp in Okinawa Island, Japan

The larval development of the semiterrestrial sesarmid mangrove crab Neosarmarium trispinosum was studied under laboratory conditions at salinities 0-35%o and constant temperatures of 20-30°C. The larval development consists of five zoeal stages and a megalopa. Larvae survived to the first crab stage at salinities between 15 and 35%o with different percentages. At 0, 5 and 10%o, the larvae died within 12-18 hours without moulting to subsequent stages. The highest survival rate was recorded at 20-25%o and 25-30°C with shortest development duration to the first crab stage ranging from 24-28 days. At the highest salinity (35%o), survival rate was gradually decreased with increasing development duration. There were significant differences (P<O.Ol) found in the development period among the tested salinities. Results of this study suggest that the larvae of N. trispinosum develop in estuarine water and recruit to the mangrove swamp at the megalopa stage, where they spend the rest of their lives

School Nutrition Programme, Bangladesh: WFP-BRAC Initiative

High rates of malnutrition in children, adolescents and women are a major concern in Bangladesh. World Food Programme (WFP) and BRAC initiated a school feeding programme in 2012 targeting children from poor households. This case study was conducted in Islampur upazila in Jamalpur district where micronutrient deficiencies are widespread. The objectives of the study were to understand the value chain of the school feeding programme, the role of the different actors, and its potential for impact. A qualitative approach was undertaken using focus group discussions. It was observed that there is a relatively unstructured value chain in the school nutrition programme from food supplier to consumer, with BRAC playing an important role as implementer. The initiative has scope to improve the nutritional status of children, as well as provide a much-needed source of income for ultra-poor women in the community.UKAIDDFI

Characteristics, importance and objectives of research: an overview of the indispensable of ethical research

This study focuses on Characteristics, Importance and Objectives (CIO) of research. The main aim of this article is to emphasize on research ethics. Knowledge in characteristics, importance and objectives of research motivate to be ethical in research. It is the utmost importance knowing these three basic subjects of research for researchers specially for novice researchers. These improve research mentality, academic attitude and way of thinking that enable researcher to choose research area, generate constructive potential research title. In addition, motivate to know what the problem is and cause of problem and how to solve the recognized valid problem. In fact, an outstanding unique contribution of a research depends on applying research ethics. A profound understanding the (CIO) of research reinforce research motive and enable to follow research ethics that is core requirement in each research activities

Review of Agri-Food Chain Interventions Aimed at Enhancing Consumption of Nutritious Food by the Poor: Bangladesh

Bangladesh is primarily an agrarian nation. Most of the people of the country directly or indirectly depend on agriculture. Rural people are more involved in this sector compared to urban people. Agriculture is the single largest producing sector of the economy. The performance of this sector has an overwhelming impact on major macroeconomic objectives like employment generation, poverty alleviation, human resources development and food security. The acceleration in economic and agricultural growth has made a positive impact on the diversity of food intake, away from the rice- and vegetable-based diet in favour of quality food. However, nearly 20 per cent of the population is still calorie deficient and the gender disparity in calorie intake still persists. Bangladesh has made significant progress in reducing under nutrition of children. However, progress in reducing stunting, the indicator of chronic malnutrition, shows a less encouraging picture. A review on existing agriculture value chain-based interventions that focus on enhancing the availability, affordability, acceptability and/or consumption of nutritious foods in households beyond the farm gate in Bangladesh has been undertaken. This review covers: interventions focused on foods that are naturally nutrient-dense interventions focused on enhancing the nutritional value of foods, including staples and prepared foods, whether directed at particular nutritional uses or for consumption by the general population food distribution programmes that might incorporate foods in either of the preceding categorie

Integrated nitrogen management in increasing yield and economic profitability of broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica L.)

The experiment was conducted at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University during the period of November 2014 to April 2015 with a view to assess the combined effect of inorganic and organic sources of nitrogen on yield of broccoli and to develop a combined dose under integrated plant nutrition system (IPNS) for broccoli production. Four levels of Nitrogen (N) as 140, 160 and 180 kg N ha-1 as urea super granules (USG) and 180 kg N ha-1 as prilled urea (PU) as well as three different organic nitrogen sources (IPNS based) were considered to comprise 24 treatments combinations. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. USG along with organic manures showed better yield performance regarding yield attributes and yield compared to PU. The highest head yield (14.7 t ha-1) was found in USG-N160 kg/ha+ Oil Cake (OC)2t/ha followed by USG-N180kg/ha+ OC2t/ha (14.5 t ha-1). The maximum lateral head yield (6.612 t ha-1), marginal rate of return (132), and benefit cost ratio (4.00) were recorded in USG-N160kg/ha+ Poultry manure (PM)3t/ha. The treatment PU-N180+PM3 also showed better performance regarding yield (13.7 t ha-1), harvest index (27.1%) and benefit cost ratio (BCR) (3.84). Therefore, USG @160 kg N ha-1 + 3 t ha-1 poultry manure as adjusted N126P22K62S14Zn2B1Mo0.8 kg/ ha+3 t/ha PM or PU @180 kg N/ ha + 3 t/ ha poultry manure as adjusted N146P22K62S14Zn2B1Mo0.8 ha+3 t/ ha PM can be recommended for broccoli production in Grey Terrace Soil

Mathematical Model Applied to Green Building Concept for Sustainable Cities Under Climate Change

Recently the effect of greenhouse gases (GHGs) is worldwide terrified anxiety to the public and scholars. Even this global problem is one of the great issues that continuously makes worrying the governments and environmentalists, but its solution findings are not out of the image at all. In this study, we have proposed and analysed a mathematical model for the solvable management of GHGs by sowing the seeds of green building dynamic systems. Moreover, in the model, the human community is used to enhance the production power of individuals of green buildings by absorbing the GHGs. The model is analysed by stability analysis at the equilibrium points: trivial and global equilibrium, and also by convincing the stability and instability of the system of equations. The behaviour of the propound model has been developed by numerical simulations which shows the rate of the fruitfulness of GHG components

Bacterial Community Profiling of Tropical Freshwaters in Bangladesh

Seasonal and spatial variations in the bacterial communities of two tropical freshwater sources in Bangladesh, Lake Dhanmondi in central Dhaka, and a pond in the outskirts of Dhaka, were assessed and compared using PCR-DGGE and deep sequencing of 16S rRNA genes, as well as heterotrophic enrichments using water samples collected at nine different time points during 1 year. Temporal and spatial variations of common aquatic bacterial genera were observed, but no clear seasonal variations could be depicted. The major bacterial genera identified from these two sites were members of the Proteobacteria, Cyanobacteria, Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Chlorobi, Chloroflexi, Verrucomicrobia, and Firmicutes. Among the proteobacterial groups, members of the α-, β-, and γ- Proteobacteria predominated. γ- Proteobacteria belonging to the Escherichia coli/Shigella group even the diarrheagenic pathotypes of E. coli e.g., EPEC and ETEC were detected in most samples throughout the year, with no apparent correlations with other microbial groups. The other pathotypes, EHEC, EAEC, and EIEC/Shigella spp. were also detected occasionally. This study represents the first thorough analysis of the microbial diversity of tropical freshwater systems in Bangladesh.publishedVersio