ROLE OF WOMEN FOR FOOD SECURITY AND ENVIRONMENT IN BANGLADESH

Empowering women has multiple benefits for women themselves and for their families and communities. In Bangladesh, rural women are involved in different income generating activities. As a result, their empowerments are increasing beside the food security, environment and nutrition. The main focus of the study was to determine the women empowerment status through the participation for organic agriculture, food security, environment and nutrition, and to examine the selected characteristics of the rural women. Data were collected January to March, 2013 through pre-tested interview schedule from randomly selected 105 respondent from three villages of Pabna Sadar Upazilla. The selected ten characteristics of the rural women were considered as the independent variable while their empowerment status through participation in IGAs was the dependent variable. Majority (67.62 percent) of the women were medium empowered while 12.38 and 20.00 percent were highly and lowly empowered respectively. Among the six indicators or aspects of empowerment the mean participation in decision making of the respondents was the highest (19.46) and access to service providers was the lowest (10.11). The findings also revealed that the mean of contribution to household agriculture activity was 18.25, access to resources was 15.48 and access to information was 14.32. In the study area, majority of the respondent women were middle aged category, illiterate, medium family size, small farm size, medium family income, medium agricultural knowledge, short training experience, medium socio-economic status, medium attitude and very slight fatalistic category

New and contemporary markers of prognosis in nonmuscle invasive urothelial cancer

Abstract Nonmuscle invasive (NMI) urothelial cancer (UC) is associated with varied biological potential. It is characterized by frequent recurrence and progression, which thus worsens the oncological outcome. Nearly three-quarters of NMI UCs recur within 5 years, whereas half can progress during follow-up. Progression is particularly seen in T1 and carcinoma in situ (CIS). Undoubtedly, NMI UC is one of the most expensive cancers to manage. The European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) risk calculator is a commonly used tool for assessing the recurrence and progression potential of a newly diagnosed cancer. The parameters used in the assessment are tumor size and number, pathological stage and grade of the cancer, presence of CIS, and prior recurrence rate. The main advantages of the EORTC tool are its ease of use and the lack of need to run expensive molecular tests. However, reproducibility of pathologic stage and grade is modest, which is a concern to clinicians. Molecular markers have potential for predicting the clinical outcome of NMI UC, given that clinico-pathologic variables are not sufficient for prediction of prognosis in an individual. Significant work has been done in the past 2 decades in understanding the molecular biology of bladder cancer; however, the translational value of this knowledge remains poor. The role for molecular markers in predicting recurrence seems limited because multifocal disease and incomplete treatment are probably more important for recurrence than the molecular features of a resected tumor. Urinary markers have very limited value in prognostication of bladder cancer and are used (mainly as an adjunct to cytology) for detection and surveillance of urothelial cell cancer recurrence. Prediction of progression with molecular markers holds considerable promise. Nevertheless, the contemporary value of molecular markers over clinico-pathologic indexes is limited

Explosive Remnants of War and the Reality of Azerbaijan

This article explains the danger of explosive remnants of war when located within communities and the precautions that need to be taken in order to get rid of this problem. It also describes how the Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action is trying to address the problem of abandoned ammunition storage in one of the most highly contaminated areas among existing abandoned ammunition storages in the world

Functional and clinical outcome of ileal (Studer) neo-bladder reconstruction: Single centre experience from Pakistan

Objective: To determine the medium and long-term outcome of orthotopic continent urinary diversion with ileal (Studer) neo-bladder following radical cystectomy. Study Design: Case series. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Surgery, The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, from January 1998 to September 2010. Methodology: Thirty eight patients underwent radical cystectomy for invasive bladder tumor with ileal neo-bladder (Studer type) reconstruction. Peri-operative and late complications, functional outcome of neo-bladder, urinary continence, metabolic and upper urinary tract status and overall survival were evaluated in all patients. Results: A total of 29 patients (23 males and 6 females) with mean age of 59 ± 12 years were included for the final analysis. The mean duration of surgery (both radical cystectomy and urinary diversion) was 520 ± 70 minutes. Perioperative complication rate was 24% (n=7) with surgical site infection in 4 patients, sepsis in 1 patient and 2 had ureteroileal leak. At 6 months follow-up, 22 patients were fully continent while 7 patients had minimal stress / nocturnal incontinence. The continence rate was 93% (n=27) at one year follow-up. The mean capacity of neo-bladder at 6 months was 384 ± 66 mLs. The late complication rate was 17% (n=5). Three patients developed anastomotic stricture requiring transurethral incision of neo bladder neck, one formed stone in neo-bladder and one developed incision hernia. All patients had preserved renal functions on follow-up. The survival rate was 80% (n=23) at a median follow-up of 66.4 ± 36 months. Two patients developed local recurrence and four developed distant metastasis. Conclusion: Studer ileal neo-bladder is a safe and effective option for urinary diversion in select patients with good oncological and functional outcomes comparable to contemporary literature, even in a low volume center

Importance of Ayer Hitam Forest Reserve in the Klang Valley and the Multimedia Super Corridor

The location of the Air Hitam Forest Reserve within the Klang Valley and the Multimedia Super Corridor is highlighted and compared to the state and extent of other forested areas in the Klang Valley and the Multimedia Super Corridor. As insufficient detailed information was available the estimates for the all forested area were based on the forest resources map (FS6 from 1991). Population of the areas were also estimated from the 1990 census. Some projections to the respective conditions in 2000 was also made and discussed

Prospective evaluation of outcome of percutaneous nephrolithotomy using the ‘STONE’ nephrolithometry score: a single-centre experience

Abstract OBJECTIVE: To assess the prediction of stone clearance and complications of percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) using the \u27STONE\u27 nephrolithometry score, assessing stone size, tract length (skin-to-stone distance), degree of obstruction, number of calyces involved and stone essence (density). PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a prospective study of patients undergoing single-tract PCNL while prone, conducted at a university hospital. All patients had non-contrast-enhanced computed tomography within 3 weeks of the procedure. Only patients with a unilateral procedure and radio-opaque stones were included. The five variables of the STONE nephrolithometry score were calculated before the procedure. The stone-free rates were assessed with a plain abdominal film at 4 weeks and complications were graded using the modified Clavien system. RESULTS: In all, 107 patients were included in the final analysis. Overall, 80% of patients were rendered stone-free. Among the individual variables, a larger stone (P = 0.002) and the involvement of multiple calyces (P = 0.04) were associated with residual stones, while tract length (skin-to-stone distance), stone density and presence of hydronephrosis were not. Patients who were rendered stone-free had a statistically significant lower overall STONE score than those with residual stones, at 7.24 vs. 8.14 (P = 0.02). The score also correlated with operative duration, which was significantly longer with a higher STONE score (P = 0.03). The complication rate was 18% and most complications were Clavien grade 2, with bleeding requiring a blood transfusion (11 patients) being the commonest. There were no deaths within 30 days of surgery, but there was no correlation between the STONE score and complications. CONCLUSION: The STONE nephrolithometry score is a simple and easy to apply system for predicting complexity in stone clearance with PCNL

OrthoDB: the hierarchical catalog of eukaryotic orthologs

The concept of orthology is widely used to relate genes across different species using comparative genomics, and it provides the basis for inferring gene function. Here we present the web accessible OrthoDB database that catalogs groups of orthologous genes in a hierarchical manner, at each radiation of the species phylogeny, from more general groups to more fine-grained delineations between closely related species. We used a COG-like and Inparanoid-like ortholog delineation procedure on the basis of all-against-all Smith-Waterman sequence comparisons to analyze 58 eukaryotic genomes, focusing on vertebrates, insects and fungi to facilitate further comparative studies. The database is freely available at http://cegg.unige.ch/orthod

Multi-disciplinary and shared decision-making approach in the management of organ-confined prostate cancer

Decision-making in the management of organ-confined prostate cancer is complex as it is based on multi-factorial considerations. It is complicated by a multitude of issues, which are related to the patient, treatment, disease, availability of equipment(s), expertise, and physicians. Combination of all these factors play a major role in the decision-making process and provide for an interactive decisionmaking preferably in the multi-disciplinary team (MDT) meeting. MDT decisions are comprehensive and are often based on all factors including patients’ biological status, disease and its aggressiveness, and physician and centres’ expertise. However, one important and often under rated factor is patient-related factors. There is considerable evidence that patients and physicians have different goals for treatment and physicians’ understanding of their own patients’ preferences is not accurate. Several patient-related key factors have been identified such as age, religious beliefs, sexual health, educational background, and cognitive impairment. We have focused on these areas and highlight some key factors that need to be taken considered whils

Adoption and Usage of Web-based Library Resources and Services: an Investigation of icddr,b Library in Bangladesh

Purpose – The core purpose of this study is to explore the web-based library services available in icddr,b Library. In addition, this research aims to investigate the adoption and utilisation of subscribed, registered and open access e-resources by the scientists and researchers at icddr,b Library. The existing facilities that influenced smooth usage of web-based information services of icddr,b library have been assessed. The study involved scientists and researchers of icddr,b. Design/methodology/approach – The study used a mixed-method research design using case study approach. Both qualitative and quantitative approaches were used. An online survey was conducted in June 2017 to ascertain the present status of web-based library facilities and services of icddr,b library. The online survey questionnaire link was distributed through “Google Forms” directed to the most potential researchers (557) of icddr,b. Findings – The findings revealed that participants were moderately aware of the library subscribed and registered e-resources. The study also explored key challenges hindering effective usage of the databases in the library. It discovered that lack of awareness of the databases, low speed internet connectivity, inadequate online databases and lack of skills in searching the databases. Suggestions were also made on the way forward in combating these challenges. The study also indicated that e-resources are very useful to researchers, PubMed and Hinari are the most used databases. Furthermore, it was strongly recommended that the library should market and explore more online resources to attract more users and to do more effective research at icddr,b. Study Limitations: The present study is confined to the current status and trend of using e-resources used by the researchers of icddr,b. The study highlights on the types of web-based resources and services available in icddr,b Library and a small number of samples (213) are covered in this study. Practical implications: Many years later, the icddr,b library will receive a greater impact than present in terms of facilities and services. Other libraries in Bangladesh will also be motivated to develop Intranet site and provide library services through Intranet in respective organization. Ultimately, new system of libraries will be developed and users will be benefited using this new system. Social implications: Library community and others society of Bangladesh will be benefited in reading and using this article. Originality/value – Many papers have been written on electronic resources, but this study specifically focused on subscribed, open access and registered online resources, and it is the first time that an investigation has been made on the use of electronic resources by library users in icddr,b library. The results of the study could be useful for icddr,b Library and other medical libraries in Bangladesh in ensuring that there is a high use of web-based library facilities and services. So that other libraries in Bangladesh will be inspired and encouraged to introduce digital tool facilities and services in libraries of Bangladesh