Analytical Study of the Existing Law and Reported Case Decision Regarding Deceptive Similarity of Trademark Infringement

The write up basically deals with the existing law and reported case decision regarding infringement of a trademark for deceptive similarity and confusion among the consumers. The Trademark Act 2009 provides that a mark should be distinctive and it will not be deceptively similar with other trademark and it does not provide any test to measure deceptive similarity. At the time of deciding the dispute between two parties in respect of infringement for deceptive similarity how the court take their decision by considering what circumstances. Through this write up I have tried to find out whether there is any ambiguity or not in the decision of the court, whether the decision of the court varies in same situation or not. If varies on what circumstances it is varied. At the time of taking decision whether the court consider all the possible facts to measure deceptiveness or not. After analyzing the cases, which are in respect of deceptive similarity filed before the high Court Division and Appellate division of Supreme Court of Bangladesh and also the cases of others countries, I found that there is no scale to test the deceptiveness. The deceptiveness is measured by considering the factual circumstances and it varies case to case even if same situation arises. Finally I recommend that there must have a guideline to test the deceptiveness. All the possible factors should be included in this list so that the court can consider all the facts at the time of taking their decision

The effects of protecting and acyl groups on the conformation of benzyl α-Lrhamnopyranosides: An in silico study

Carbohydrate fatty acid (CFA) esters especially rhamnopyranoside esters having both the hydrophilic and lipophilic nature showed broader applications including anticancer activities. It was reported that appropriate conformation is needed for better activities and conformational distortion reduced antimicrobial functionality. In this context, two different esters series of benzyl α-L-rhamnopyranosides, one with 2,3-O-acetonide group and the other one without acetonide group, were subjected for the density functional theory (DFT) optimization. The optimized structures with 2,3-O-acetonide rhamnopyranoside clearly showed distortion from the regular 1C4 chair conformation while rhamnopyranoside esters without 2,3-O-acetonide functionality exhibited almost regular 1C4 chair conformation. Also, the number and position of acyl group(s) present in the benzyl rhamnopyranoside imposes a small effect on their pyranose chair conformation. Thermodynamic properties including frontier molecular orbitals (FMO) and molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) of both the series of rhamnopyranosides are also discussed which indicated that 4-O-acyl rhamnopyranosides are more reactive than the 3-O-acyl analogues

Histomorphological Effect of Centella Asiatica on Swiss Albino Mice Brain upon Ketamine Anesthetic Induced Memory Impairment

Introduction: Ketamine is a medication mainly used for starting and maintaining anesthesia. It induces a trance-like state while providing pain relief, sedation and memory loss. Ketamine causes morphological changes in the neuronal cells of growing rodent. Centella asiatica is used for memory enhancement in the ayurvadic system of medicine. It has been shown to be useful in improving learning and memory. Centella asiatica leaf extract treatment enhances neuronal dendritic  arborization in hippocampus of growing rodent.Materials and Methods: Swiss albino mice were used for our experiment. Ketamine was administered subcutaneously and Centella-asiatica leaf extract was administered orally. Mice brain collected, grossed, processed and finally stained by Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) staining process for viewing cellular and tissue structure detail by pathologists. Results: Focal cellular damage was seen in CA2 and CA4 area of cornu ammonis (CA), expanded cytoplasmic eosinophilia saw in the pyramidal cell layers (PY) of CA2, expanded cytoplasmic eosinophilia found with obliteration of neurifibrilary components (NFE), typical pyramidal cell (NPY) in the CA4, ordinary engineering of dentate granule layers (DG) and hardly any cells were found with diminished size in regards to granule layer cells (GC) in the brain hippocampus of the high ketamine prompted mice. In the mouse brain hippocampus for high ketamine-Centella asiatica summed up cell destruction found in the CA1 to CA4 of CA. Expanded cytoplasmic eosinophilia found in the pyramidal cell layers of CA2 than high dose ketamine group. The vast majority of the pyramidal cells were necrotic (PYN) with annihilation of neurofibrilary components (NFE) in the pyramidal cell layers of CA4. Keywords: Centella asiatica, Ketamine and memory impairment. DOI: 10.7176/ALST/82-02 Publication date:October 31st 202

Impact of Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) on Hemoglobin Content and Anemia: A Cross-Sectional Based Study

Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is a vector-borne chronically disabling parasitic infection causing elephantiasis, lymphedema, and hydrocele. The infection is endemic in 83 countries worldwide, with more than 1.2 billion people at risk and 120 million already infected. LF is caused by thread-like adult parasitic worms, which live in the human lymphatic system and causes swelling of the scrotum, male genitalia, breast and limbs. It is caused by tissue-dwelling nematode worms belonging to the order “Filariidea” which is transmitted to man by the infective bites of blood sucking mosquitoes. About 90% of these infections are caused by Wuchereria bancrofti.  There are limited number of reports available describing the presence of microfilaria in bone marrow. There is a report a young patient who developed aplastic anemia following varicella infection, and peripheral blood and bone marrow showed many microfilariae of Wuchereria bancrofti. This experiment was designed to assess hemoglobin content by sex; and anemic condition by age and sex among 119 case respondents and 102 controls.  Hemoglobin level was found to be a bit better among case respondents than controls. By sex, hemoglobin level was better among males than females in both case respondents and control groups. Among case respondents 6-59 months age male group and 5-9 years age female group was found anemic. But in control group all the male respondents in all age groups and only one female in 5-9 years age group were found anemic. Keywords: Hemoglobin, Anemia and Lymphatic Filariasis

The evolving role of social media in enhancing quality of life: a global perspective across 10 countries

Background: Excessive or inappropriate use of social media has been linked to disruptions in regular work, well-being, mental health, and overall reduction of quality of life. However, a limited number of studies documenting the impact of social media on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) are available globally. Aim: This study aimed to explore the perceived social media needs and their impact on the quality of life among the adult population of various selected countries. Methodology: A cross-sectional, quantitative design and analytical study utilized an online survey disseminated from November to December 2021. Results: A total of 6689 respondents from ten countries participated in the study. The largest number of respondents was from Malaysia (23.9%), followed by Bangladesh (15.5%), Georgia (14.8%), and Turkey (12.2%). The prevalence of social media users was over 90% in Austria, Georgia, Myanmar, Nigeria, and the Philippines. The majority of social media users were from the 18–24 age group. Multiple regression analysis showed that higher education level was positively correlated with all four domains of WHOQoL. In addition, the psychological health domain of quality of life was positively associated in all countries. Predictors among Social Media Needs, Affective Needs (β = -0.07), and Social Integrative Needs (β = 0.09) were significantly associated with psychological health. Conclusion: The study illuminates the positive correlation between higher education levels and improved life quality among social media users, highlighting an opportunity for policymakers to craft education-focused initiatives that enhance well-being. The findings call for strategic interventions to safeguard the mental health of the global social media populace, particularly those at educational and health disadvantages

Effects of antibiotic resistance, drug target attainment, bacterial pathogenicity and virulence, and antibiotic access and affordability on outcomes in neonatal sepsis: an international microbiology and drug evaluation prospective substudy (BARNARDS)

Background Sepsis is a major contributor to neonatal mortality, particularly in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). WHO advocates ampicillin–gentamicin as first-line therapy for the management of neonatal sepsis. In the BARNARDS observational cohort study of neonatal sepsis and antimicrobial resistance in LMICs, common sepsis pathogens were characterised via whole genome sequencing (WGS) and antimicrobial resistance profiles. In this substudy of BARNARDS, we aimed to assess the use and efficacy of empirical antibiotic therapies commonly used in LMICs for neonatal sepsis. Methods In BARNARDS, consenting mother–neonates aged 0–60 days dyads were enrolled on delivery or neonatal presentation with suspected sepsis at 12 BARNARDS clinical sites in Bangladesh, Ethiopia, India, Pakistan, Nigeria, Rwanda, and South Africa. Stillborn babies were excluded from the study. Blood samples were collected from neonates presenting with clinical signs of sepsis, and WGS and minimum inhibitory concentrations for antibiotic treatment were determined for bacterial isolates from culture-confirmed sepsis. Neonatal outcome data were collected following enrolment until 60 days of life. Antibiotic usage and neonatal outcome data were assessed. Survival analyses were adjusted to take into account potential clinical confounding variables related to the birth and pathogen. Additionally, resistance profiles, pharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamic probability of target attainment, and frequency of resistance (ie, resistance defined by in-vitro growth of isolates when challenged by antibiotics) were assessed. Questionnaires on health structures and antibiotic costs evaluated accessibility and affordability. Findings Between Nov 12, 2015, and Feb 1, 2018, 36 285 neonates were enrolled into the main BARNARDS study, of whom 9874 had clinically diagnosed sepsis and 5749 had available antibiotic data. The four most commonly prescribed antibiotic combinations given to 4451 neonates (77·42%) of 5749 were ampicillin–gentamicin, ceftazidime–amikacin, piperacillin–tazobactam–amikacin, and amoxicillin clavulanate–amikacin. This dataset assessed 476 prescriptions for 442 neonates treated with one of these antibiotic combinations with WGS data (all BARNARDS countries were represented in this subset except India). Multiple pathogens were isolated, totalling 457 isolates. Reported mortality was lower for neonates treated with ceftazidime–amikacin than for neonates treated with ampicillin–gentamicin (hazard ratio [adjusted for clinical variables considered potential confounders to outcomes] 0·32, 95% CI 0·14–0·72; p=0·0060). Of 390 Gram-negative isolates, 379 (97·2%) were resistant to ampicillin and 274 (70·3%) were resistant to gentamicin. Susceptibility of Gram-negative isolates to at least one antibiotic in a treatment combination was noted in 111 (28·5%) to ampicillin–gentamicin; 286 (73·3%) to amoxicillin clavulanate–amikacin; 301 (77·2%) to ceftazidime–amikacin; and 312 (80·0%) to piperacillin–tazobactam–amikacin. A probability of target attainment of 80% or more was noted in 26 neonates (33·7% [SD 0·59]) of 78 with ampicillin–gentamicin; 15 (68·0% [3·84]) of 27 with amoxicillin clavulanate–amikacin; 93 (92·7% [0·24]) of 109 with ceftazidime–amikacin; and 70 (85·3% [0·47]) of 76 with piperacillin–tazobactam–amikacin. However, antibiotic and country effects could not be distinguished. Frequency of resistance was recorded most frequently with fosfomycin (in 78 isolates [68·4%] of 114), followed by colistin (55 isolates [57·3%] of 96), and gentamicin (62 isolates [53·0%] of 117). Sites in six of the seven countries (excluding South Africa) stated that the cost of antibiotics would influence treatment of neonatal sepsis

Diagnosis of Visceral Leishmaniasis by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay Using Urine Samples

A diagnostic method has been developed to detect anti-Leishmania donovani immunoglobulin G (IgG) in urine by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In measuring anti-L. donovani IgG, IgA, and IgM in urine, the method performed best in the detection of IgG. The sensitivity and specificity of the assay were determined with panels of urine samples from 62 visceral leishmaniasis (VL) patients, 59 healthy controls from areas of endemicity, 53 healthy controls from areas of nonendemicity, 59 malaria patients, 13 tuberculosis patients, 23 cutaneous leishmaniasis patients, and 7 patients with other diseases. Using L. donovani promastigote crude antigen, the test had 93.5% sensitivity (58 positives of 62 VL patient samples) and 89.3% specificity (191 negatives of 214 non-VL patient samples). The ELISA with acetone-treated L. donovani promastigote antigen raised the sensitivity and specificity to 95.0 and 95.3%, respectively. Western blot analysis revealed that most of the samples that cross-reacted with crude antigen in ELISA did not recognize any antigenic component of L. donovani crude antigen. We also checked 40 serum samples from the same group of VL patients for anti-L. donovani IgG and got 90.0% sensitivity with both crude and acetone-treated antigens. As collection of urine is much easier than collection of serum, the detection of anti-L. donovani IgG in urine with acetone-treated antigen will be useful in epidemiological studies. It could be an adjunct of laboratory diagnosis

Preterm birth and neonatal mortality in selected slums in and around Dhaka City of Bangladesh: A cohort study.

BackgroundAlthough under-five mortality has declined appreciably in Bangladesh over the last few decades, neonatal mortality still remains high. The objective of the study is to assess the level and determinants of preterm birth and the contribution of preterm birth to neonatal mortality.MethodsData for this study came from selected slums in and around Dhaka city, where; since 2015, icddr,b has been maintaining the Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS). The HDSS data were collected by female Field Workers by visiting each household every three months; however, during the visit, data on the Last Menstrual Period (LMP) were also collected by asking each eligible woman to ascertain the date of conception. Gestational age was estimated in complete weeks by subtracting LMP from the date of the pregnancy outcome. In this study, 6,989 livebirths were recorded by HDSS during 2016-2018, and these births were followed for neonatal survival; both bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed.ResultsOut of total births, 21.7% were born preterm (before 37 weeks of gestation), and sub-categories were: 2.19% for very preterm (28 to 31 weeks), 3.81% for moderate preterm (32 to 33 weeks), and 15.71% for late preterm (34 to 36 weeks). The study revealed that preterm babies contributed to 39.6% of neonatal deaths; however, the probability of death was very high on the 1st day of birth (0.124 for very preterm, 0.048 for moderate preterm, 0.024 for late preterm, and 0.013 for term birth), and continued until the 3rd day. In the regression analysis, compared to the term neonates, the odds of neonatal mortality were 8.66 (CI: 5.63, 13.32, pConclusionsAlthough urban slums are in proximity to many health facilities, a substantial proportion of preterm births contribute to neonatal deaths. So, pregnant women should be targeted, to ensure timely care during pregnancy, delivery, and post-partum periods to improve the survival of new-borns in general and preterm birth in particular

Performance of chest X-ray scoring in predicting disease severity and outcomes of patients hospitalised with COVID-19 in Bangladesh

Introduction: Evaluation of potential outcomes of COVID-19-affected pneumonia patients using computed tomography scans may not be conceivable in low-resource settings. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the performance of chest X-ray scoring in predicting the disease severity and outcomes of adults hospitalised with COVID-19. Methods: This was a retrospective chart analysis consuming data from COVID-19-positive adults who had chest X-ray availability and were admitted to a temporary COVID unit, in Bangladesh from 23rd April 2020 to 15th November 2021. At least one clinical intensivist and one radiologist combinedly reviewed each admission chest X-ray for the different lung findings. Chest X-ray scoring varied from 0 to 8, depending on the area of lung involvement with 0 indicating no involvement and 8 indicating ⩾75% involvement of both lungs. The receiver operating characteristic curve was used to determine the optimum chest X-ray cut-off score for predicting the fatal outcomes. Result: A total of 218 (82.9%) out of 263 COVID-19-affected adults were included in the study. The receiver operating characteristic curve demonstrated the optimum cut-off as ⩾3 and ⩾5 for disease severity and death, respectively. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, a chest X-ray score of ⩾3 was found to be independently associated with disease severity (aOR: 8.70; 95% CI: 3.82, 19.58, p  < 0.001) and a score of ⩾5 with death (aOR: 16.53; 95% CI: 4.74, 57.60, p  < 0.001) after adjusting age, sex, antibiotic usage before admission, history of fever, cough, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, total leukocytes count and C-reactive protein. Conclusion: Using chest X-ray scoring derived cut-off at admission might help to identify the COVID-19-affected adults who are at risk of severe disease and mortality. This may help to initiate early and aggressive management of such patients, thereby reducing their fatal outcomes

Distribution of births, deaths, neonatal mortality rate and relative risk by gestational age.

Distribution of births, deaths, neonatal mortality rate and relative risk by gestational age.</p