Application of moringa leaf extract improves growth and yield of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and Indian Spinach (Basella alba)

Moringa (Moringa oleifera L.) leaf extract is a natural plant growth stimulant that is well-known for its ability to improve plant growth and development. A field study was conducted to evaluate the influence of MLE (Moringa Leaf Extract) on the growth, yield and nutritional improvement in two vegetable crops [Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and Indian Spinach (Basella alba)]. The extract was applied at two weeks interval with different frequencies. The crops were fertilized with chemical fertilizers and MLE application was done as per treatment @ 25 ml/plant. For each of the crops, this bio-stimulant had a significant boosting effect on growth, yield and nutrient uptake whereas the maximum frequency in the application i.e. T4 (foliar application of MLE at 2 weeks after transplanting and application at every 2 weeks thereafter) showed the highest influence. Indian Spinach responded proportionally more to foliar-applied MLE in terms of plant growth and nutrient uptake compared to tomato. The effect of MLE on the yield parameters was more pronounced in tomato that showed a 25% (averaged across all the growth parameters) increase over control, but Indian Spinach showed ~20% increase in yield parameters compared to control. Therefore, applying MLE to the foliage may assist in increasing the yield by improving plant growth across the different vegetable species (e.g., Tomato and Indian Spinach)

Efficacy of rifaximin among non-constipated irritable bowel syndrome patients with or without small intestinal bacterial overgrowth: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Background: IBS is a functional gastrointestinal disorder marked by abdominal pain and changes in stool frequency or form. Recent studies indicate a link between IBS, especially the diarrhea-predominant subtype, and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. This study aimed to evaluate symptom resolution among IBS patients with or without SIBO on rifaximin treatment as compared with placebo. Methods: A double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial took place at the Department of Gastroenterology, Dhaka Medical College and Hospital, from January to December 2019. In the study 104 non-constipated IBS patients were assessed for SIBO using gut aspirate culture. Those with SIBO (≥105 CFU/ml) and those without were randomly assigned (computer-generated) to receive either 1500 mg/day of rifaximin for 14 days or a placebo. Results: Among 104 non-constipated IBS patients, 39% had SIBO, with IBS-D patients more associated (83% vs. 60%). Rifaximin significantly improved symptoms in the SIBO group at 4 and 16 weeks (90% vs. 20%, p<0.001; 66% vs. 15%, p<0.001). In the non-SIBO group, significant improvement was observed at 4 weeks (38.7% vs. 18.8%, p<0.001) but not at 16 weeks (25.8% vs. 18.8%, p=0.501). Rifaximin significantly improved abdominal pain, stool form, and frequency in the SIBO group compared to placebo. However, there was no significant improvement in the non-SIBO group. Conclusions: Rifaximin is superior to placebo in relieving symptoms of non-constipated IBS patients with SIBO

Sustainable Management of Phosphorus in Agriculture for Environmental Conservation

Phosphorus (P) is an essential macronutrient for plant growth and development. Although the P-concentration in soil is 1000 folds higher than in plants, it is rarely available for plant uptake due to low diffusion and high fixation rate in soil. Hence, plants experience P-deficiency in the absence of P-fertilization, which may cause approximately a 30–40% decrease in crop yield. This highlights the importance of using a large amount of phosphate fertilizers to meet crop demands. As P-fertilizer is derived from a nonrenewable and finite source of rock phosphate, this resource is decreasing over time. In addition, farmers are applying P-fertilizers randomly without considering the soil stock, which leads to the loss of P-resources. The low P-use-efficiency (PUE) of plants in the field condition (15–20%) highlights that most of the soil-applied P remains unavailable to plants, and excess P causes ground and surface water contamination (i.e., eutrophication) through leaching and runoff, which ultimately results in environmental pollution. Therefore, it is crucial to apply P-fertilizers considering the soil test value and PUE to protect the environment from contamination and sustainable management of P-resources. This chapter mainly focuses on the sustainable management of P in agricultural fields for environmental conservation

Evaluation of out-patient care educational environment of National Defence University, Malaysia utilizing the ACLEEM Inventory

Purpose: A friendly educational environment is required for optimal learning, and students should be asked to provide feedback on their experiences to improve curriculum. Moreover, students’ academic progress, mental growth, and physical well-being are influenced by the educational and clinical environment of the institute. Essential constituents of the educational climate include atmosphere, number of proper teaching-learning sessions and available amenities. Primary health care and ambulatory settings allow students ample opportunities to interact with patients and observe health promotional activities more often practiced at the community levels. The study aims to evaluate the outpatient care educational environment of National Defense University of Malaysia by seeking feedback from medical students using Ambulatory Care Educational Environment Measure (ACLEEM) instrument. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. The study participants were medical students of the earlier mentioned university. The universal sampling method was adopted. The ACLEEM validated instrument was utilized for the data collection. The instrument was developed on the basis of 5-point Likert Scale (Minimum: 0, and Maximum: 4). Results: The response rate 100%. Most respondents were male, Malay and Muslim. The total mean score was 1.0±0.4. The domain mean scores for clinical teaching, clinical training, and support were 0.8±0.4, 1.1±0.4, and 1.1±0.5, respectively. Conclusions: The ACLEEM questionnaire was found to be valid and reliable for local UPNM, Malaysian context. However, the overall ACLEEM scores reported for the present study is low, and some areas that could be improved. The UPNM authority should take appropriate measures to improve the educational environment to enhance the academic experiences of the medical students

Estimating the effects of COVID-19 on essential health services utilization in Uganda and Bangladesh using data from routine health information systems

Background Since March 2020, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has been a major shock to health systems across the world. We examined national usage patterns for selected basic, essential health services, before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Uganda and Bangladesh, to determine whether COVID-19 affected reporting of service utilization and the use of health services in each country. Methods We used routine health information system data since January 2017 to analyze reporting and service utilization patterns for a variety of health services. Using time series models to replicate pre-COVID-19 trajectories over time we estimated what levels would have been observed if COVID-19 had not occurred during the pandemic months, starting in March 2020. The difference between the observed and predicted levels is the COVID-19 effect on health services. Results The time trend models for Uganda and Bangladesh closely replicated the levels and trajectories of service utilization during the 38 months prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our results indicate that COVID-19 had severe effects across all services, particularly during the first months of the pandemic, but COVID-19 impacts on health services and subsequent recovery varied by service type. In general, recovery to expected levels was slow and incomplete across the most affected services. Conclusion Our analytical approach based on national information system data could be very useful as a form of surveillance for health services disruptions from any cause leading to rapid responses from health service managers and policymakers

Estimating the effects of COVID-19 on essential health services utilization in Uganda and Bangladesh using data from routine health information systems

BackgroundSince March 2020, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has been a major shock to health systems across the world. We examined national usage patterns for selected basic, essential health services, before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Uganda and Bangladesh, to determine whether COVID-19 affected reporting of service utilization and the use of health services in each country.MethodsWe used routine health information system data since January 2017 to analyze reporting and service utilization patterns for a variety of health services. Using time series models to replicate pre-COVID-19 trajectories over time we estimated what levels would have been observed if COVID-19 had not occurred during the pandemic months, starting in March 2020. The difference between the observed and predicted levels is the COVID-19 effect on health services.ResultsThe time trend models for Uganda and Bangladesh closely replicated the levels and trajectories of service utilization during the 38 months prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our results indicate that COVID-19 had severe effects across all services, particularly during the first months of the pandemic, but COVID-19 impacts on health services and subsequent recovery varied by service type. In general, recovery to expected levels was slow and incomplete across the most affected services.ConclusionOur analytical approach based on national information system data could be very useful as a form of surveillance for health services disruptions from any cause leading to rapid responses from health service managers and policymakers

Self-medication of antibiotics: investigating practice among university students at the Malaysian National Defence University

Background: Self-medication of drugs to alleviate symptoms is a common global behavior, helping relieve burdens on health services, but many drugs eg, antibiotics are prescription-only. Self-medication of antibiotics (SMA) is an irrational use of drugs, contributing to microbial resistance increasing health care costs and higher mortality and morbidity. This study aimed to assess SMA among university students. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted among medical and non-medical students of the National Defence University of Malaysia. A validated instrument was used to gather data. Ethics approval was obtained. Random and universal sampling was adopted, and SPSS 21 was used for data analysis. Results: A total of 649 students participated in the study: 48.5% male and 51.5% female, 39.3% reported self-medicating with antibiotics. Penicillin, doxycycline, clarithromycin were the antibiotics most used with the majority reporting no adverse drug reactions. Cost savings and convenience were the principal reasons for SMA which were mainly obtained from local retail pharmacies. Despite medical students (particularly the more senior) having better knowledge of antibiotic use than non-medical students, 89% of all research participants responded that practicing SMA was a good/acceptable practice. Conclusion: SMA is common amongst Malaysian students and, despite understanding why SMA is unwise, even medical students self-medicate

The use of medicinal plants in health care practices by Rohingya refugees in a degraded forest and conservation area of Bangladesh

People in developing countries traditionally rely on plants for their primary healthcare. This dependence is relatively higher in forests in remote areas due to the lack of access to modern health facilities and easy availability of the plant products.We carried out an ethno-medicinal survey in Teknaf Game Reserve (TGR), a heavily degraded forest and conservation area in southern Bangladesh, to explore the diversity of plants used by Rohingya refugees for treating various ailments. The study also documented the traditional utilization, collection and perceptions of medicinal plants by the Rohingyas residing on the edges of this conservation area. We collected primary information through direct observation and by interviewing older respondents using a semi-structured questionnaire. A total of 34 plant species in 28 families were frequently used by the Rohingyas to treat 45 ailments, ranging from simple headaches to highly complex eye and heart diseases. For medicinal preparations and treating various ailments, aboveground plant parts were used more than belowground parts. The collection of medicinal plants was mostly from the TGR. © 2009 Taylor & Francis

Drinking Water Salinity, Urinary Macro-Mineral Excretions, and Blood Pressure in the Southwest Coastal Population of Bangladesh.

Background Sodium (Na+) in saline water may increase blood pressure ( BP ), but potassium (K+), calcium (Ca2+), and magnesium (Mg2+) may lower BP . We assessed the association between drinking water salinity and population BP . Methods and Results We pooled 6487 BP measurements from 2 cohorts in coastal Bangladesh. We used multilevel linear models to estimate BP differences across water salinity categories: fresh water (electrical conductivity, <0.7 mS/cm), mild salinity (electrical conductivity ≥0.7 and <2 mS/cm), and moderate salinity (electrical conductivity ≥2 and <10 mS/cm). We assessed whether salinity categories were associated with hypertension using multilevel multinomial logistic models. Models included participant-, household-, and community-level random intercepts. Models were adjusted for age, sex, body mass index ( BMI ), physical activity, smoking, household wealth, alcohol consumption, sleep hours, religion, and salt consumption. We evaluated the 24-hour urinary minerals across salinity categories, and the associations between urinary minerals and BP using multilevel linear models. Compared with fresh water drinkers, mild-salinity water drinkers had lower mean systolic BP (-1.55 [95% CI : -3.22-0.12] mm Hg) and lower mean diastolic BP (-1.26 [95% CI : -2.21--0.32] mm Hg) adjusted models. The adjusted odds ratio among mild-salinity water drinkers for stage 1 hypertension was 0.60 (95% CI : 0.43-0.84) and for stage 2 hypertension was 0.56 (95% CI : 0.46-0.89). Mild-salinity water drinkers had high urinary Ca2+, and Mg2+, and both urinary Ca2+ and Mg2+ were associated with lower BP. Conclusions Drinking mild-salinity water was associated with lower BP , which can be explained by higher intake of Ca2+ and Mg2+ through saline water