Association of vitamin D and insulin resistance among the adults with newly detected prediabetes attending in a tertiary care hospital of Bangladesh

Several studies have found an inverse association between vitamin D level and insulin resistance (IR) causing prediabetes and diabetes. So the current study was done to find out the association between serum vitamin D level and IR among adults with prediabetes. This cross-sectional study was carried out in 140 newly detected adults with prediabetes according to ADA 2018 criteria. The 25(OH) D cutoffs to define deficiency and insufficiency were used according to Endocrine Society (USA) criteria, measurement of vitamin D & insulin (fasting) was done by chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay (CMIA). Data were analyzed using SPSS (version 22.0) and presented as table and figure. P-value ≤0.05 was considered significant. In this study, most of the population was 30 years and above (73%). The Male-female ratio was 1:7, the majority of participants came from urban areas (81%) and it was observed that there was an increasing trend of insulin resistance across increasing severity of vitamin D deficiency though it was not statistically significant (p= 0.74). In conclusion, vitamin-D deficiency/insuffi- ciency is common among individuals with prediabetes in our country, but there were no associ- ation had been found between vitamin D and insulin resistance in individuals with prediabetes BSMMU J 2021; 14(4): 157-16

Courier delivery services visualisor (CDSV) with an integration of genetic algorithm and A* engine

Online shopping has become one of the popular mediums for people to use online transactions due to its economical and easiness.It is more convenient to those who simply do not have time to shop physically and prefer delivery service. However, the courier services nowadays are unable to keep up with the increasing consumer demand. The problem is caused by the delivery process that is not synchronized due to the problem of finding the best route of distribution. Distributors are unable to plan their distribution path with the minimal distance.Furthermore distributors are only able to reach each district distribution centre once a day and revisit the distribution centre will increase the time spent and operation cost. This study developed Courier Delivery Services Visualisor (CDSV) that is able to visualize the best route to be taken by distributor, so that the courier service can arrive on time.CDSV employed Genetic Algorithm (GA) and Astar Algorithm (A*) that integrates with Geographical Information System (GIS) data.A graphical user interface in the form of simulation map that suggests the best route and the optimal distance are displayed for easier courier service distribution references

Body mass index correlates positively with insulin resistance and secretion but inversely with insulin sensitivity in gestational diabetes

Background. To assess fasting C-peptide and insulinindices using homeostatic model assessment (HOMA)in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).Methods. Gestational diabetes mellitus (n = 64, age:27.02 ± 0.53 years, BMI: 26.3 ± 0.5 kg/m2; mean ±SEM) and normal glucose tolerance NGT (n = 56, age:26.11 ± 0.55 years, BMI: 24.4 ± 0.4 kg/m2; mean ±SEM) screened according to WHO 2013 criteria. Glucosewas measured by oxidase method whereas fastinginsulin and C-peptide by ELISA. HOMA-IR, HOMA-B andHOMA-%S were calculated. Results. C-peptide was found higher in GDM comparedto NGT without any significant difference (P = 0.465).Fasting insulin (P = 0.063) and HOMA-IR (P < 0.001)were significantly higher while HOMA-B (P = 0.015)and HOMA-%S (P = 0.012) were significantly lower inGDM than those of NGT. BMI, bad obstetric history,multiparity and blood glucose were higher (P ≤ 0.05)in GDM while age, duration of gestation, family historyof DM did not differ (P = NS). C-peptide (0.185 ± 0.06vs 0.331 ± 0.44; P < 0.05), fasting insulin (4.88 ± 0.74vs 10.37 ± 0.74; P < 0.01) and HOMA-IR (1.04 ± 0.14 vs2.48 ± 0.18; P < 0.011) as well as HOMA-B were foundlower in GDM having BMI < 23 kg/m2 than those ofGDM with BMI ≥ 23. Conversely, HOMA-%S (115.52 ±14.63 vs 50.62 ± 3.39; P < 0.011) was higher in thesubgroup with BMI < 23 than the rest. Fasting bloodglucose (FBG) (P < 0.01) and fasting insulin (P < 0.05)were independent predictors for GDM. Conclusions. Fasting C-peptide did not differ betweenGDM and NGT. BMI was positively related with resistanceand secretion of insulin but inversely with sensitivity.HOMA model analyses revealed decreased insulinsensitivity and secretory capacity in GDM than NGT

Psychiatric Morbidity Among Suicide Attempters Who Needed ICU Intervention

Background: Suicide is a tragic and serious but preventable public health problem all over the world including Bangladesh. Committing suicide has become a burning issue and mortality rate increases especially in young females. Psychiatric evaluation is needed in suicide attempted patients for better management plan to reduce such unnatural mortality, as well as the impairment related to suicidal thought and psychiatric disorders. Objectives: To assess the psychiatric disorders and conditions that needed sufficient clinical attention among the suicide attempters who needed ICU intervention. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of a private hospital of Dhaka City from July 2008 to December 2008. Total forty four subjects of attempted suicide were included in the study and psychiatric diagnosis was made by using Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)-IV by psychiatrists after initial physical problems subsided. Results: The most common psychiatric diagnosis was Major Depressive Disorder. Female suffered more and among them attention-seeking behaviors were frequent. Thirty-four patients (77.3%) had previous history of psychiatric disorder. Chemicals (like; organophosphorous, kerosene, harpic and other medicine overdose) ingestion was the most frequently used method by the suicide attempters. Conclusion: This study may be helpful for further research regarding suicide attempters and its' association with mental problems. In primary health care setting, the physicians may get a clue to design a system for preventing, early recognition and managing suicidal ideas, thoughts and attempts. Psychiatric consultation should be made mandatory for all patients admitted following attempted suicide. DOI: 10.3329/bsmmuj.v2i2.4761 BSMMU J 2009; 2(2): 73-7

Regional significance and biostratigraphy of Cretaceous radiolaria from Pakistan

Includes bibliographical references (pages 109-123)In spite of the reported occurrences, this is the first detailed documentation on Cretaceous radiolarian assemblages from Pakistan. Samples from the Murree Brewery section, near Quetta, and Gwal section, southwest of the Muslim Bagh Ophiolite, are analyzed for their taxonomy, geological distribution and biostratigraphic implications for regional correlation. Radiolaria from the Murree Brewery section are mostly recovered from the Goru Formation and partly from the Parh Limestone, while the Sembar Formation was found to be barren of radiolarian assemblages. On the basis of their initial appearance of radiolarian species, four zones are established, in ascending order: the Holocryptocanium barbui and the Pseudodictyomitra pseudomacrocephala Zones in the Goru Formation, the Thanarla veneta Zone in the lower most part of the Parh Limestone, and a new zone, the Patulibracchium californensis Zone, in the upper part of the Parh Limestone. In the Gwal section, most of the samples from the interlaminated radiolarian chert bands of the Sembar Formation yielded abundant and diversified radiolarian assemblages. However, only two samples from the Goru Formation yielded radiolarians of any significant abundance. Four radiolarian zones are recognized from the section, in ascending order: the Sethocapsa trachyostraca and the Thanarla conica Zones are recognized in the lower part of the Sembar Formation, the Holocryptocanium barbui and the Pseudodictyomitra pseudomacrocephala Zones in the upper part of the Sembar Formation and lower Goru Formation. Based on the correlation of radiolarian zonation with those reported from submarine sediments and the land based sections of the world, a Cenomanian - Campanian age is assigned for the Parh Limestone and late Albian age to the Goru Formation of the Murree Brewery section. Although Sembar Formation of the Murree Brewery section was found barren of radiolarians, an Albian age can be assigned on the basis of planktonic foraminiferal assemblage. In the Gwal section, Valanginian to Aptian age is considered to the lower part of the Sembar Formation, and early to late Albian age to the middle and upper part of the Sembar Formation.M.S. (Master of Science

Paleoproductivity reconstruction for the eastern equatorial Pacific

Productivity at six core locations in the eastern equatorial Pacific (EEP) was reconstructed with a benthic foraminiferal transfer function. The core records show strong regionality, especially where affected by Peru margin upwelling of deeper Equatorial Undercurrent Water (EUC) (originally coming from the subantarctic). This "Peru margin" record differs from that seen along the equator where divergence leads to shallow upwelling, and it is generally inverse to that seen in cores outside the areas of equatorial upwelling. Principal components analysis shows that the main productivity pattern correlates well to the global oxygen isotope record and has lowest values during isotope stages 2 and 4. In addition to this, equatorial cores show a higher frequency pattern of variation which becomes much more pronounced during MIS 3 and 2. The reconstructions based on benthic foraminifera were tested against those from nonaccumulation rate based inorganic chemical proxies of export production. These were found to correlate well in the region influenced by Peru upwelling, and also to share common features for sites along the equator. All the nonaccumulation rate based paleotracers are consistent with one another and differ from accumulation rate derived proxies. The differences between the two classes of paleotracers may result from uncertainties in calculating actual biogenic fluxes since 230Th-normalized results conform more to those we obtained. Analysis of planktonic carbon isotope values for the EEP, and their comparison to the record of the Pacific subantarctic, indicates that the subantarctic contribution to the EUC was reduced during MIS 3 and 2

28-homobrassinolide Protects Photosynthetic Machinery in Indian mustard Under High Temperature Stress

High temperature is a serious threat to crop production. Brassinosteroids (BRs), a group of plant steroidal hormones, can reduce effects of abiotic stresses. The present study was aimed to study the potency of brassinosteroids on high temperature induced changes in Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.) for effects on growth, chlorophyll, photosynthesis, photosystem II, antioxidant system and proline. Surface sterilized seeds of Indian mustard were sown in pots, grown for 21 days and treated with double distilled water or 0.01 µM of 28-homobrassinolide. Treated plants, after 24 h, were exposed to 30°C or 40°C for 48 h. One set of plants were kept at ambient temperature, 25°C, as the control. Plants were harvested at 30 days stage of growth to assess the various parameters. Plants exposed to 40°C had a decline in growth, leaf water potential, chlorophyll, photosynthetic rate, and activities of carbonic anhydrase (E.C.4.2.1.1) and nitrate reductase (E.C.1.6.1.1). The 28-homobrassinolide alone improved growth and photosynthesis responses along with various enzymes activities. Treatment of plants with HBL prior to exposure to 40°C, partially reduced damage and completely controlled damage when exposure was to 30°C. Levels of the antioxidative enzymes catalase (E.C.1.11.1.6), peroxidase (E.C.1.11.1.7), and superoxide dismutase (E.C.1.15.1.1), and the level of proline increased in response to 30 or 40°C and were further enhanced in the presence of 28-homobrassinolide. Plants grown under high temperature had increased levels of H2O2; application of HBL before temperature treatment decreased H2O2 content compared to the control. Elevated levels of antioxidative enzymes and proline might be responsible for conferring tolerance to high temperature stress in Indian mustard and overcome the loss of productivity of the crop