Factors Affecting Capital Structure: A Study on DSE Listed Textile Sector of Bangladesh

Debt financing in a company's capital structure is a significant source of funding in the textile sector of Bangladesh. Almost all businesses use debt financing in their capital structure to get tax blessings and increase profitability. Given the widespread use of debt as a financing source, the study's objective is to identify the aspects influencing capital structure in the Bangladeshi textile sector. The study is based on secondary data. Regression analysis is applied to identify the factors affecting capital structuring. The study found that profitability affects the proportion of debt financing in capital structure, whereas the firm's size, capital intensity ratio, asset turnover, and return on capital employed do not affect capital structure. The study's findings suggested that managers should make prudent decisions regarding changes in the capital structure, considering the impact of the firm's profitability, which would help suggest financial reforms for the textile sector. Managers of large, profitable companies can use the tax benefits of debt, as well as its disciplinary role, to increase corporate value

Arguments in favour of reconceptualising the fair and equitable treatment (FET) standard in international investment arbitration : developing countries in context

The Fair and Equitable Treatment (FET) standard is the most important and, because of its flexible nature and its status as a ‘catch-all’ provision, most controversial investment protection standard in international investment treaties. The standard imposes the most far-reaching obligation of any aspect of such treaties. This thesis’ core contention is that the current investment tribunals’ interpretation of the FET standard prioritises the interests of foreign investors and neglects the perspectives of host developing countries. Therefore there is a pressing need to reconceptualise the interpretation of the FET standard. In service to depicting the perspectives of host developing countries, this thesis advances an understanding of classifications such as ‘developing’ and ‘developed’ that reflects the issues and challenges that these countries face in the investment dispute context, such as their lack of resources, administrative capacity, technology, and infrastructure, as much as the economic and social level of development international organisations generally emphasise in their classifications. It addresses socio-political circumstances such as political instability, social unrest, conflict and its aftermath, social and political transition, and economic crises and their impact on host developing countries in the investment dispute context. Through a detailed study of the approaches they have taken to such issues in their interpretation of the breach of FET standard in disputes involving host developing countries, it shows that current investment tribunals have taken inconsistent and inadequate approaches to the issues host developing countries face. It argues that a reconceptualised interpretation of the FET standard which acknowledges the developmental issues and challenges this thesis has identified would accommodate the needs of the host developing countries while continuing to give reasonable protections to foreign investors and therefore serve the needs of the system as a whole

Urothelial carcinoma of urinary bladder with histologic grading: a study in a tertiary care hospital, Bangladesh

Background: Urinary bladder cancer is one of the most common forms of all cancers in the world.  It is the ninth leading cause of death from cancer among men. The incidence of urinary bladder cancer in Bangladesh is increasing day by day. The aim of the study was to evaluate different clinic-pathological parameters of urothelial carcinoma of urinary bladder with the grade of the tumor. Methods: This study was a cross sectional study done over a period of two years, from March 2018 to February 2020 at the department of pathology, Dhaka medical college, Dhaka. Total 73 samples were collected, fixed overnight in 10% buffered formalin and stained with hematoxylin and eosin staining. Pathological grading was confirmed and different clinic-pathological parameters were evaluated. Results: Most of the cases (22 cases, 30.1%) were found in the fifth decade (51-60). Mean age of the patients was found to be 60.85 (±12.72) years, 58 (79.5%) cases were male and 15 (20.5%) cases were female with male to female ratio of 3.9:1. Most of the cases (49 cases, 67.1%) were smokers. Most common clinical presentation was hematuria (91.8% cases), most frequent tumor location was the lateral wall of the urinary bladder and 75.3% cases were reported as high-grade urothelial carcinoma. Conclusions: Different clinic-pathological parameters with histologic grading were evaluated in this study which may have a significant impact in epidemiology, diagnosis and assessment of biological behavior of urothelial carcinoma

Factors influencing poor academic performance among urban university students in Bangladesh

Poor academic performance is challenging for students, parents, and teachers. This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the factors associated with the poor academic performance of 661 undergraduate students who scored CGPA ≤2.5 from a selected private university of Dhaka City, Bangladesh, using a simple random sampling technique. Data were collected using a pretested and self-administered questionnaire. Of the study participants, male preponderance (88.4%) was found, and 77.9% of them selected the study programs by themselves. Poor academic performance was found significantly correlated with irregular class attendance (p=0.003), father’s low education level (

Successful Transplantation of Primary Hepatocytes from DsRed Mice into Fah-/-;Scid/Scid Mice; A Future In Vivo Model System for Receiving Human Hepatocytes

We have developed a system for studying hepatocellular growth potential in which liver cells are introduced into the diseased livers of Fah-/-; Scid/Scid double knockout mice. To use this system to study cell transplantation, DsRed  liver cells were introduced into severe immunodeficient Fah-/-; Scid/Scid double knockout  mice. In regenerated recipient livers, up to 20% of the mouse liver is repopulated by DsRed mouse hepatocytes demonstrating the creation of a functional mouse liver in which parenchyma is derived from DsRed mouse hepatocytes. The severe immunodeficient Fah-/-;Scid/Scid double knockout mice provide a tool for studying hepatocellular biology. Keywords: Human Hepatocytes, Transplantation, DsRed and Fah-/-;Scid/Scid Mice

Evaluation of mucin histochemistry in relation to p63 expression in nodular hyperplasia and adenocarcinoma of prostate

Background: Prostate cancer is a leading cause of death in men. Nodular hyperplasia and adenocarcinoma are common causes of prostatic enlargement. Diagnosis of these lesions on routine biopsies can be difficult for pathologists. Immunohistochemical stain p63 can help, but it is costly and not widely available. The present study aimed to evaluate the usefulness of mucin histochemistry in relation to p63 expression in differentiating nodular hyperplasia and adenocarcinoma of prostate. Methods: This study was conducted in the department of pathology at Dhaka medical college from July 2018 to June 2020. 50 cases of prostatic lesions (25 NHP and 25 adenocarcinoma) were examined using histomorphology. The sections were stained with periodic acid Schiff (PAS) to identify neutral mucins and Alcian blue (2.5 pH) to identify acidic mucins. Additionally, p63 antibody was used in immunohistochemistry. Results: NHP showed positivity for neutral mucin (96% with PAS stain) but not for acidic mucin (Alcian blue stain), while prostatic carcinoma showed positivity for both neutral mucin (28%) and acidic mucin (44%). The grade group 1 tumors of prostatic carcinoma showed 100% positivity for acid mucin, with a decrease in Alcian blue staining as the grade increased. P63 was positive in 100% of NHP cases and negative in 100% of prostatic carcinoma cases. Conclusions: Positivity for acidic mucins with Alcian blue stain can be a helpful diagnostic tool to differentiate well differentiated adenocarcinomas from benign lesions where facility for p63 immuno-stain is not available and poor people who cannot afford the cost of immunohistochemistry

Phenolics and carotenoids contents and radical scavenging capacity of some selected solanaceous medicinal plants

Plants being an important source of medicine play significant role in human health. The aim of the present study was to evaluate thetotal phenolics and carotenoids contents, and free radical scavenging capacity of leaves and fruits of selected five solanaceous medicinal plants, namely Solanum melongena (brinjal), Solanum torvum (tit begun), Solanum virginianum (kantikari), Solanum sisymbrifolium (sada kantikari) and Solanum nigrum (futi begun). Carotenoids content in the leaves and fruits of solanaceous plants varied significantly among the species. Leaf phenolics content ranged between 147.40 (S. melongena) and 585.15 (S. virginianum) mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/100 g fresh weight, while fruit phenolics content varied from 50.52 (S. nigrum) to 105.02 (S. virginianum) mg GAE/100 g fresh weight. IC50 values for scavenging 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) radical ranged between 31.52 (S. nigrum) and 33.55 (S. melongena) mg mL−1 in leaf, while in fruit it ranged between 27.90 (S. virginianum) and 33.11 (S. melongena) mg mL−1. The highest carotenoids content (0.370 mg g−1 fresh weight) was measured from Solanum nigrum leaf. S. virginianum leaf contained about 4−fold high phenolics content than that in S. melongena. S. nigrum leaf had about 15−fold high carotenoids content (0.370 mg g−1 fresh weight). compared to S. torvum and S. virginianum fruits (0.024 mg g−1FW in each). Because of the highest fruit phenolics and carotenoids content along with the lowest IC50 values for scavenging DPPH, S. virginianum fruit can be considered as superior for its health beneficial biochemical constituent

Spinal Cord Injury: Causes, types of manifestation and related complications of the patients in northern division of Bangladesh

Background: This study explores Spinal Cord Injuries (SCI) in the Northern Division of Bangladesh, including its etiology, symptoms, and complications. The research focuses on this region to understand the etiology, varieties of SCI presentations, and the issues affected persons encounter. Purpose: to study the causes, symptoms, and complications of Spinal Cord Injuries (SCI) in Northern Bangladesh. Methods: In order to better understand Spinal Cord Injuries (SCI) among patients at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital and Rajshahi-CRP, Northern Division of Bangladesh, a quantitative cross-sectional descriptive design was used in this study. This convenience sample (n=300) includes patients who are undergoing treatment as well as those who have been discharged. Patients with SCI who have not had a head injury meet the inclusion criteria; patients who are unconscious or lack a diagnosis are not. Validated by a clinical physiotherapist, the data collection process uses semi-structured questionnaires and in-person interviews in accordance with ethical criteria that have been authorized by the ethical review board of Rajshahi Medical College. This ensures that patient care is not compromised. Results: The study had 300 participants, 80% male and 20% female, aged 20–50. About 42% were employed, mostly secondary school graduates, and rural residents. Trauma caused 64% of spinal cord injuries and paraplegia. 34% had pressure sores, while 92% had moderate discomfort. Urological and muscle problems affected 70% of patients. 68% of participants had psychological issues, including depression. Autonomic dysreflexia was 14%. Conclusion:  This study illuminates the origins, symptoms, and complications of Spinal Cord Injuries (SCI) in Northern Bangladesh, providing useful insights for better management and care

Ischemic Strokes: Observations from a Hospital Based Stroke Registry in Bangladesh.

Background. Stroke is an important morbidity for low and middle income countries like Bangladesh. We established the first stroke registry in Bangladesh. Methods. Data was collected from stroke patients who were admitted in Department of Neurology of BIRDEM with first ever stroke, aged between 30 and 90 years. Patients with intracerebral hemorrhage, subarachnoid and subdural hemorrhage, and posttrauma features were excluded. Results. Data was gathered from 679 stroke patients. Mean age was 60.6 years. Almost 68% of patients were male. Small vessel strokes were the most common accounting for 45.4% of all the patients followed by large vessel getting affected in 32.5% of the cases. Only 16 (2.4%) died during treatment, and 436 (64.2%) patients had their mRS score of 3 to 5. Age greater than 70 years was associated with poor outcome on discharge [OR 1.79 (95% CI: 1.05 to 3.06)] adjusting for gender, duration of hospital stay, HDL, and pneumonia. Age, mRS, systolic blood pressure, urinary tract infection, pneumonia, and stroke severity explained the Barthel score. Conclusion. Mortality was low but most of patient had moderate to severe disability at discharge. Age, mRS, systolic blood pressure, urinary tract infection, pneumonia, and stroke severity influenced the Barthel score

Mushroom Polysaccharides: Chemistry and Anticancer Potentials

Mushrooms have been used as a common folk medicine due to their effective bioactive compounds including polysaccharides. It is known that the glucans are the main bioactive mushroom polysaccharides. This review study explains the method of isolation, structural characterization, and antitumor activities of mushroom polysaccharides. In many laboratories, these trials are still underway, and the function of polysaccharides as an antitumor agent is particularly under intense discussion. This review aims to summarize the accessible data and reflect this study area’s current status with a perspective to future direction