Critical Role of Artificially Intelligent Conversational Chatbot

Artificially intelligent chatbot, such as ChatGPT, represents a recent and powerful advancement in the AI domain. Users prefer them for obtaining quick and precise answers, avoiding the usual hassle of clicking through multiple links in traditional searches. ChatGPT's conversational approach makes it comfortable and accessible for finding answers quickly and in an organized manner. However, it is important to note that these chatbots have limitations, especially in terms of providing accurate answers as well as ethical concerns. In this study, we explore various scenarios involving ChatGPT's ethical implications within academic contexts, its limitations, and the potential misuse by specific user groups. To address these challenges, we propose architectural solutions aimed at preventing inappropriate use and promoting responsible AI interactions.Comment: Extended version of Conversation 2023 position pape

On-Campus, Virtual, Blended, and Triple Systems of Teaching-Learning: Fitness and Relevance for Private Universities in Bangladesh

In the transition to the post-pandemic phase, the blended teaching-learning modality seems to be a good solution for universities. But the post-pandemic paradigm seemingly calls for a triple-system of classes, i.e., on-campus classes, blended teaching-learning, and virtual classes separately under separate plans and schedules. The paper explored a clear-cut conceptual understanding of the concepts of “virtual classes,” “blended teaching-learning,” and “triple-system of classes.” The study contributed a comprehensive framework with teaching-learning modalities, especially for private universities in Bangladesh, in the pandemic period, the transition to the post-pandemic period, and the post-pandemic paradigm. It also developed a robust model for blended learning

Iron, Iodine and Selenium Effects on Quality, Shelf Life and Microbial Activity of Cherry Tomatoes

Tomatoes have high nutritional and economical value and its deterioration start after harvest. They need proper treatments to increase and maintain quality as well as shelf life. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of iron, iodine and selenium on quality, shelf life and microbial activity of cherry tomatoes. Iron (1 mg/L), iodine (1 mg/L) and selenium (1 mg/L) were supplied with nutrient solution for five weeks prior to harvest. Then, cherry tomatoes were stored at  5 °C to assess quality, shelf life and microbial activity. The highest Ca content (p < 0.05) revealed in selenium-treated cherry tomatoes. Lower respiration and ethylene production were showed in selenium-treated cherry tomatoes both harvest time and after storage compared with iron and iodine treatments. At harvest time and after storage, the respiration were 1.29 (p < 0.05) and 0.62 mL/kg/hr (p < 0.01), respectively in selenium-treated cherry tomatoes. Moreover at harvest time and after storage in selenium-treated cherry tomatoes, the ethylene production was 2.11 and 0.87 μL/kg/hr (p < 0.01), respectively. The lowest fresh weight loss, the longest shelf life (p < 0.01), the least fungal incidence rate and microbial activities were found in selenium-treated cherry tomatoes. The longest shelf life of selenium-treated cherry tomatoeswas 22 days. Selenium-treated cherry tomatoes’ firmness increased (16.82N) at harvest time (p < 0.05) and it was significantly retained (12.70N) after storage (p < 0.01). Color development and lycopene content were more suppressed by selenium treatment after storage than iron and iodine treatments. Titratable acidity, vitamin C and soluble solids increased in selenium-treated cherry tomatoes after storage. Based on results, selenium-treated cherry tomatoes have significant potential to increase and maintain quality and shelf life

Guillain-Barré syndrome following varicella-zoster virus infection

We describe the frequency, clinical features, and electrophysiological and immunological phenotypes of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) patients treated at a single institution in Bangladesh who had preceding chicken pox (primary Varicella-zoster virus [VZV] infection) within 4 weeks of GBS onset. A literature review of GBS cases preceding VZV infection is also provided. Diagnosis of GBS was based on the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke criteria for GBS. Serum anti-VZV IgM and IgG antibodies were quantified by indirect chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA); anti-Campylobacter jejuni IgG, IgM, and IgA antibodies and anti-ganglioside GM1 IgM and IgG antibodies, by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Neurophysiologic subtypes were categorized following the Hadden criteria. Of 536 patients with GBS, 7 (1.3%) had chicken pox within 4 weeks before GBS onset. Four of the seven cases were male (age range, 23 to 40 years old). All seven patients were bed-bound, six had sensory symptoms, and three required mechanical ventilation for respiratory failure. All seven patients had CSF albuminocytologic dissociation and evidence of demyelination in nerve conduction studies. Anti-VZV IgM antibodies were present and anti-GM1 and anti-Campylobacter jejuni lipo-oligosaccharides (LOS) were negative in all cases. All patients had excellent outcome at 1 year (able to run). A systematic literature review of GBS cases related to VZV revealed 39 previously reported patients with comparable clinical presentations and outcomes, of which 36 had neurophysiologic evidence of demyelination. VZV infection is associated with the demyelinating subtype of GBS, clearly distinct from the axonal form of GBS that predominate in countries like Bangladesh

Microarray screening of Guillain-Barré syndrome sera for antibodies to glycolipid complexes

__Objective:__ To characterize the patterns of autoantibodies to glycolipid complexes in a large cohort of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) and control samples collected in Bangladesh using a newly developed microarray technique. __Methods:__ Twelve commonly studied glycolipids and lipids, plus their 66 possible heteromeric complexes, totaling 78 antigens, were applied to polyvinylidene fluoride-coated slides using a microarray printer. Arrays were probed with 266 GBS and 579 control sera (2 mL per serum, diluted 1/50) and bound immunoglobulin G detected with secondary antibody. Scanned arrays were subjected to statistical analyses. __Results:__ Measuring antibodies to single targets was 9% less sensitive than to heteromeric complex targets (49.2% vs 58.3%) without significantly affecting specificity (83.9% 85.0%). The optimal screening protocol for GBS sera comprised a panel of 10 glycolipids (4 single glycolipids GM1, GA1, GD1a, GQ1b, and their 6 heteromeric complexes), resulting in an overall assay sensitivity of 64.3% and specificity of 77.1%. Notable heteromeric targets were GM1:GD1a, GM1:GQ1b, and GA1:GD1a, in which exclusive binding to the complex was observed. __Conclusions:__ Rationalizing the screening protocol to capture the enormous diversity of glycolipid complexes can be achieved by miniaturizing the screening platform to a microarray platform, and applying simple bioinformatics to determine optimal sensitivity and specificity of the targets. Glycolipid complexes are an important category of glycolipid antigens in autoimmune neuropathy cases that require specific analytical and bioinformatics methods for optimal detection

Irritable bowel syndrome: is it associated with genotypes of Blastocystis hominis.

Blastocystis hominis is the most common intestinal parasite in humans. An extensive genetic variability has been described recently in B. hominis isolates. The aim of this study was to analyze genotypes of B. hominis isolates obtained from the healthy individuals and patients with irritable bowel syndrome-diarrhea (IBS-D). The patients with IBS-D were enrolled from gastroenterology outpatient department at the Aga Khan University Hospital. History and physical examination was done. Stool microscopy, culture, and polymerase chain reaction for B. hominis genotyping were carried out. The study included 158 patients with IBS-D, mean age 41 +/- 15, age range 16-83 years, and male/female ratio of 109:49. One hundred fifty-seven (49.8%) were taken as healthy control. The dominant B. hominis genotypes were genotype 1 in 87 (65%) and type 3 in 49 (37%). In IBS-D, genotype 1 was present in 75 (86%; P \u3c 0.001) compared to 12 (14%) in controls while type 3 was present in 23 (47%) compared to 26 (53%) in controls (P \u3c 0.001), respectively. Infection with single genotype of B. hominis was present in 70 (73%) with IBS-D and in 26 (27%) in control group while with multiple genotypes in 25 (64%) in IBS-D and 14 (36%) in control group (P = 0.30), respectively. Majority of our patients had typeable B. hominis infection. The genotype of B. hominis in IBS-D was type 1 while in control genotype 3 was predominant

Guillain-Barré Syndrome-related campylobacter jejuni in Bangladesh: ganglioside mimicry and cross-reactive antibodies

BACKGROUND: <br/> Campylobacter jejuni is the predominant antecedent infection in Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). Molecular mimicry and cross-reactive immune responses to C. jejuni lipo-oligosaccharides (LOS) precipitate the development of GBS, although this mechanism has not been established in patients from developing countries. We determined the carbohydrate mimicry between C. jejuni LOS and gangliosides, and the cross-reactive antibody response in patients with GBS in Bangladesh.<br/> METHODOLOGY:<br/> Sera from 97 GBS patients, and 120 neurological and family controls were tested for antibody reactivity against LOS from C. jejuni isolates from GBS patients in Bangladesh (BD-07, BD-39, BD-10, BD-67 and BD-94) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Cross-reactivity to LOS was determined by ELISA. The LOS outer core structures of C. jejuni strains associated with GBS/MFS were determined by mass spectrometry.<br/> PRINCIPLE FINDINGS:<br/> IgG antibodies to LOS from C. jejuni BD-07, BD-39, BD-10, and BD-67 IgG antibodies were found in serum from 56%, 58%, 14% and 15% of GBS patients respectively, as compared to very low frequency (<3%) in controls (p<0.001). Monoclonal antibodies specific for GM1 and GD1a reacted strongly with LOS from the C. jejuni strains (BD-07 and BD-39). Mass spectrometry analysis confirmed the presence of GM1 and GD1a carbohydrate mimics in the LOS from C. jejuni BD-07 and BD-39. Both BD-10 and BD-67 express the same LOS outer core, which appears to be a novel structure displaying GA2 and GD3 mimicry. Up to 90-100% of serum reactivity to gangliosides in two patients (DK-07 and DK-39) was inhibited by 50 µg/ml of LOS from the autologous C. jejuni isolates. However, patient DK-07 developed an anti-GD1a immune response while patient DK-39 developed an anti-GM1 immune response.<br/> CONCLUSION:<br/> Carbohydrate mimicry between C. jejuni LOS and gangliosides, and cross-reactive serum antibody precipitate the majority of GBS cases in Bangladesh

Yields gap evaluation of wheat grown in Piedmont plain and Floodplain soils of Bangladesh through compositional nutrient diagnosis (CND) norm

Mineralnutrient stress is one of the major yield gap factors, especially in floodplain and piedmont plain soil. The compositional nutrient diagnosis (CND) provides a plant nutrient imbalance index in statistical distribution patterns, which is important for adjusting the soil-plant systems specific fertilization for maintaining sustainable soil fertility. This study calculated the CND norms of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and identified optimum wheat yield target of high-yielding subpopulation in farmers' fields. It also categorized the most yield limiting nutrient(s) for wheat grown. Popular high-yielding wheat was grown in 62 farmers' fields, maintaining farmers' nutrient management plan (FP) and improved nutrient management plan (INM). Nutrient composition analysis was done from 62 young foliar composite samples, collected at 7th leaves stage (vegetative stage).The CND generic model gave 3.47 Mg ha–1 as minimum cutoff yield of the high-yield subpopulation. Nitrogen was identified as the core yield limiting nutrient for wheat in piedmont and floodplain soils. However, the yield limiting nutrients for wheat grown in the studied are were established the following series: N > S > K, Mg >P, Ca and Mn >Fe >B >Zn respectively. The CND generic model, allowed us to suggest thatN, P, K, Mn, B were the factors discriminating high- from low–yielding subpopulation in piedmont plain and floodplain soils of Bangladesh