Prediction of preterm premature membrane rupture by the platelet-lymphocyte ratio

Background: Premature rupture of membranes is a significant obstetric problem. Evaluating platelet -lymphocyte ratio is expected to illuminate the potential scope of early prediction of PPROM. This study showed that PLR could be a new inflammatory marker for diagnosing preterm PROM. Methods: The study place was the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Sir Salimullah Medical College & Mitford Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh, from May 2019 to October 2019.  Results: It was a case-control study. All mothers were selected by purposive sampling who were PPROM as cases. Age-matched non-PPROM pregnant women at term were also enrolled as control. Afterward, they were scrutinized according to eligibility criteria, and 200 mothers were enrolled. Among them, 100 were cases, and the other 100 were in control. A pre-tested, observation-based, peer-reviewed data collection sheet was prepared before the study. Data regarding clinical, biochemical, and surgical profiles were recorded. Data were compiled, edited, and analyzed. The P-value was determined by the chi-square test (categorical variables) and the student’s t-test (continuous variables). The p-value was significant at <0.05. Conclusions: The mean age of 100 patients from the case was 24.39±2.81 (age range: 18-36) years, and that of the control, like 100 normal pregnant women, was 24.31±2.34 (age range: 19-35) (p=0.49). The mean parity of case and control were 2.1±0.9 (range: 0-5) and 1.98±0.2 (range: 0-3). The mean gravida of case and control were (3.1±1.2 vs. 3.4±1.4). Platelet count was found to be significantly higher in preterm PROM group (case) than control (241.6±58.7×1000/mm³ vs. 201.7±65.9 ×1000/mm³), p value is <0.001 which is statistically significant. So, PLR might be an excellent inflammatory biomarker to predict preterm PROM

Solution Blow Spinning (SBS): A Promising Spinning System for Submicron/Nanofibre Production

Submicron/nanofibres possess great potential for application in different areas because of their amazingly high surface area-to-weight ratio. The demand for fabrication of such fibres on a huge scale is increasing with the fast improvement of nanotechnology. Traditionally, nanofibre fabrication methods have intrinsic faults, limiting their application in industry. Solution blow spinning (SBS) is a viable option for producing adaptable and conformable submicron/nanofibre mats on a variety of surfaces. The technique can be employed to produce submicron/ nanofibres with only a simple commercial airbrush, a concentrated polymer solution, and a compressed gas source. It depends on the high velocity of decompressed air that allows the rapid stretching and evaporation of the solvent from a polymeric solution jet at the outlet of the concentric nozzles system. Along with recent advancements, the importance and drawbacks of the solution blow spinning system in comparison to other methods, such as electrospinning and melt blowing, are briefly discussed. Furthermore, the mechanisms of co-axial SBS spinning and micro SBS spinning system for submicron/nanofibre fabrication are also described. Drawbacks and research challenges of SBS are also addressed in this paper

Gender Specific Association of Serum Leptin and Insulinemic Indices with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Prediabetic Subjects.

Adipose tissue-derived hormone leptin plays a functional role in glucose tolerance through its effects on insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity which also represent the risk factors for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The present study explored the gender specific association of serum leptin and insulinemic indices with NAFLD in Bangladeshi prediabetic subjects. Under a cross-sectional analytical design a total of 110 ultrasound examined prediabetic subjects, aged 25-68 years consisting of 57.3% male (55.6% non NAFLD and 44.4% NAFLD) and 42.7% female (57.4% non NAFLD and 42.6% NAFLD), were investigated. Insulin secretory function (HOMA%B) and insulin sensitivity (HOMA%S) were calculated from homeostasis model assessment (HOMA). Serum leptin showed significant positive correlation with fasting insulin (r = 0.530, P = 0.004), postprandial insulin (r = 0.384, P = 0.042) and HOMA-IR (r = 0.541, P = 0.003) as well as significant negative correlation with HOMA%S (r = -0.388, P = 0.046) and HOMA%B (r = -0.356, P = 0.039) in male prediabetic subjects with NAFLD. In multiple linear regression analysis, log transformed leptin showed significant positive association with HOMA-IR (β = 0.706, P <0.001) after adjusting the effects of body mass index (BMI), triglyceride (TG) and HOMA%B in male subjects with NAFLD. In binary logistic regression analysis, only log leptin [OR 1.29 95% (C.I) (1.11-1.51), P = 0.001] in male subjects as well as HOMA%B [OR 0.94 95% (C.I) (0.89-0.98), P = 0.012], HOMA-IR [OR 3.30 95% (C.I) (0.99-10.95), P = 0.049] and log leptin [OR 1.10 95% (C.I) (1.01-1.20), P = 0.026] in female subjects were found to be independent determinants of NAFLD after adjusting the BMI and TG. Serum leptin seems to have an association with NAFLD both in male and female prediabetic subjects and this association in turn, is mediated by insulin secretory dysfunction and insulin resistance among these subjects

What Factors Influence Customer Attitudes and Mindsets towards the Use of Services and Products of Islamic Banks in Bangladesh?

This empirical paper aims at measuring customer attitudes concerning Islamic banking services and how they influence their behavioural intentions to utilise them. Islamic banking has been a fast-growing sector, offering products and services according to Sharia law. Despite being the preferred choice of banking, there is a high percentage of Muslim customers who have shifted from conventional to Islamic banking. Hence, this study aims to examine factors that influence them towards the use of Islamic banking. This is cross-sectional research, where data were collected using questionnaires. A total of 490 questionnaires were received back from adult individuals who were clients of Islamic banks. The data were analyzed using the partial least squares (PLS) method. The findings indicate that ethical organisation, Islamic values, and reputation significantly impact attitudes, whereas financial literacy has no significant impact on them. Attitude is strongly related to the behavioural intention to engage in Islamic banking services. The results also reveal that attitudes mediate the effect of Islamic values, ethical organisation, and reputation on the behavioural intention to engage in Islamic banking services, but Islamic financial literacy is not associated with customers’ behavioural mindset to enjoy such services. This study provides an example of initial empirical evidence from a Muslim majority country like Bangladesh on the relationship between Islamic values, ethical organization, Islamic financial literacy, and reputation and attitudes, which in turn lead to customers’ behavioural intentions to engage in services and products of Islamic banks

Modelling the significance of organizational conditions on quiet quitting intention among Gen Z workforce in an emerging economy

Abstract The phenomenon of “quiet quitting” has gained significant attention globally through various platforms, raising concerns about the impact of workplace stress on individuals’ personal lives and sparking social movements and investigations. As the number of Generation Z individuals is projected to surpass millennials by 2050, understanding and addressing the quiet quitting behaviour of this generation becomes crucial, considering their negative experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic and their preference for a work-life balance, which has led to a rejection of intense competition and a desire for a more relaxed lifestyle. Thus, this study investigated the factors (work conditions, job security, perceived career development opportunities, affective organizational commitment, and perceived organizational support on job burnout and employee well-being) determining the quiet quitting intention among Chinese Gen Z employees. It used an online survey to obtain cross-sectional data from 683 respondents, which were then tested using partial least squares structural equation modelling. The results showed that work conditions, job security, perceived career progression opportunities, affective organizational commitment, and perceived organizational support had a significant positive effect on employee well-being and that job burnout had a major negative effect. Furthermore, employee well-being had a significant negative impact on China’s Gen Z employees’ quit quiting decision and job burnout had a significant positive influence on China’s Gen Z employees’ quit quiting decision. The findings provide valuable insights for organizations and practitioners, enabling them to address these factors and effectively reduce quiet quitting intentions. Moreover, this study aligns with the Social Exchange Theory (SET), which explains how the interactions between employees and their organizations influence expectations and outcomes. By considering the SET framework, organizations can understand the motivations behind employees’ behaviours and make informed decisions to foster a positive work environment and enhance employee well-being

Fasciolopsis buski Infection in a 50-Year-Old Female

Fasciolopsiasis is a disease caused by the largest food-borne intestinal trematode known as Fasciolopsis buski. Here we report a case of a 50-year-old female who presented with upper abdominal pain and vomiting for one month. She was previously diagnosed as a case of choledocholithiasis. Endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography (ERCP) revealed stones along with two leaf-shaped worms which were removed from the duodenum of the patient. The worms were identified as F. buski by its unique morphology. Awareness regarding this parasitic infestation, especially in the rural area, should gain attention while formulating strategies to prevent and manage such infestation

General characteristic of the study subjects by gender.

<p>Results are expressed as number (percentage), mean ± SD; n = number of subjects; HOMA%B, β cell function assessed by homeostasis model assessment; HOMA%S, insulin sensitivity assessed by homeostasis model assessment; HOMA-IR, insulin resistance assessed by homeostasis model assessment; NAFLD, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.</p><p>General characteristic of the study subjects by gender.</p

Anthropometric, clinical and biochemical characteristics in non NAFLD and NAFLD groups of both genders.

<p>Results are expressed as number (percentage), mean ± SD; n = number of subjects; SGPT, serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase; GGT, gama glutamate transaminase; SGOT, serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase; HOMA%B, β cell function assessed by homeostasis model assessment; HOMA%S: insulin sensitivity assessed by homeostasis model assessment; HOMA-IR, insulin resistance assessed by homeostasis model assessment; NAFLD, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.</p><p>Anthropometric, clinical and biochemical characteristics in non NAFLD and NAFLD groups of both genders.</p

Circulating leptin levels in the study subjects.

<p>Log transformed serum leptin was significantly higher in female subjects compared to their male counterparts (<i>P</i> = 0.001).</p