Agarwood manufacturing: a multidisciplinary opportunity for economy of Bangladesh - a review

A variety of methods, ranging from natural to artificial, which have been practiced for producing agarwood and the economic opportunity related with this field in Bangladesh were reviewed. The anatomy of agar tree was also described. Agarwood is the fragrant resin-infused wood derived from the wounded trees of Aquilaria species. It is a valuable non-timber forest product used in fragrances and medicine. Artificial agarwood inducing methods serve as a way to supply agarwood and conserve the wild Aquilaria stock. The existing artificial methods are Nailing, Drilling, Aeration, Agar-wit, Partly-Trunk-Pruning, Burning-Chisel-Drilling, Fungi-Inoculation, etc. The quality of agar mostly depends on the plant species and the fungal species, as well as certain other unknown factors. Agar is a new commercial tree in Bangladesh, necessary steps should be taken immediately to make it popular among farmers and small entrepreneurs. Substantial amount of foreign currency would be saved through manufacture and export of agarwood

Evaluation of current physical symptoms and psychological sufferings of patients during attending department of palliative medicine in a tertiary care hospital

Background: Empirical evidence indicates that anxiety and depression in cancer patients are often overlooked, leading to insufficient assistance for their psychosocial needs. Distinguishing between clinical anxiety and depression and the typical emotional distress post-cancer diagnosis can be challenging but holds significant implications for coping strategies and outcomes. The aim of this study was to assess current physical symptoms and psychological sufferings of patients’ during attending in a Palliative care department of a tertiary care hospital. Methods: This cross‐sectional study was conducted among 191 patients with cancer attending the department of palliative medicine, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka, Bangladesh from November 2021 and March 2022. Data was collected by face‐to‐face interview using a structured questionnaire. Depression and anxiety were evaluated using a modified version of the primary care evaluation of mental disorders guide. Results: 47 participants (20.7% prevalence of depressive disorders and 13.9% prevalence of anxiety disorders) met the diagnostic criteria for at least one anxiety or depressive disorder, according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition. The 95% confidence interval for these results was between 20.2 and 29.0. Conclusions: In summary, depression and anxiety disorders are prevalent among patients in palliative care, significantly reducing the quality of life for those facing cancer-related mortality

A global experiment on motivating social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic

Finding communication strategies that effectively motivate social distancing continues to be a global public health priority during the COVID-19 pandemic. This cross-country, preregistered experiment (n = 25,718 from 89 countries) tested hypotheses concerning generalizable positive and negative outcomes of social distancing messages that promoted personal agency and reflective choices (i.e., an autonomy-supportive message) or were restrictive and shaming (i.e., a controlling message) compared with no message at all. Results partially supported experimental hypotheses in that the controlling message increased controlled motivation (a poorly internalized form of motivation relying on shame, guilt, and fear of social consequences) relative to no message. On the other hand, the autonomy-supportive message lowered feelings of defiance compared with the controlling message, but the controlling message did not differ from receiving no message at all. Unexpectedly, messages did not influence autonomous motivation (a highly internalized form of motivation relying on one’s core values) or behavioral intentions. Results supported hypothesized associations between people’s existing autonomous and controlled motivations and self-reported behavioral intentions to engage in social distancing. Controlled motivation was associated with more defiance and less long-term behavioral intention to engage in social distancing, whereas autonomous motivation was associated with less defiance and more short- and long-term intentions to social distance. Overall, this work highlights the potential harm of using shaming and pressuring language in public health communication, with implications for the current and future global health challenges

Insecticidal Efficacy of Microbial-Mediated Synthesized Copper Nano-Pesticide against Insect Pests and Non-Target Organisms

Currently, medical and stored grain pests are major concerns of public health and economies worldwide. The synthetic pesticides cause several side effects to human and non-target organisms. Copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) were synthesized from an aqueous extract of Metarhizium robertsii and screened for insecticidal activity against Anopheles stephensi, Aedes aegypti, Culex quinquefasciatus, Tenebrio molitor and other non-target organisms such as Artemia salina, Artemia nauplii, Eudrilus eugeniae and Eudrilus andrei. The synthesized copper nano-particles were characterized using, UV-vis spectrophotometer, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Energy Dispersive X-Ray analysis (EDaX), High Resolution Scanning Electron Microscope (HR-SEM) and Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) analysis. Insects were exposed to 25 μg/mL concentration produced significant mortality against larvae of A. stephensi, A. aegypti, C. quinquefasciatus and T. molitor. The lower toxicity was observed on non-target organisms. Results showed that, M. robertsii mediated synthesized CuNPs is highly toxic to targeted pests while they had lower toxicity were observed on non-target organisms

Larvicidal and Antifeedant Effects of Copper Nano-Pesticides against <i>Spodoptera frugiperda</i> (J.E. Smith) and Its Immunological Response

This study aimed to synthesize and evaluate the efficacy of CuO NPs (copper oxide nanoparticles) with varying test concentrations (10–500 ppm) against larvicidal, antifeedant, immunological, and enzymatic activities against larvae of S. frugiperda at 24 h of treatment. Copper nanoparticles were characterized by using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDaX) analysis. The EDaX analysis results clearly show that the synthesized copper nanoparticles contain copper as the main element, and the SEM analysis results show nanoparticle sizes ranging from 29 to 45 nm. The CuO NPs showed remarkable larvicidal activity (97%, 94%, and 81% were observed on the 3rd, 4th, and 5th instar larvae, respectively). The CuO NPs produced high antifeedant activity (98.25%, 98.01%, and 98.42%), which was observed on the 3rd, 4th, and 5th instar larvae, respectively. CuO NPs treatment significantly reduced larval hemocyte levels 24 h after treatment; hemocyte counts and sizes changed in the CuO NPs treatment compared to the control. After 24 h of treatment with CuO NPs, the larval acetylcholinesterase enzyme levels decreased with dose-dependent activity. The present findings conclude that CuO NPs cause remarkable larvicidal antifeedant activity and that CuO NPs are effective, pollution-free green nano-insecticides against S. frugiperda

Carbon and Nutrient Inputs by Litterfall in Evergreen and Deciduous Forests in Korea

Knowledge about carbon and nutrient fluxes by litterfall is important for understanding nutrient cycling in geologically unique ecosystems. However, the determination of forest litterfall production patterns is difficult due to many biophysical factors influencing the process. In this study, we (1) quantified the litterfall production and carbon and nutrient fluxes in warm-temperate evergreen forest stands in Jeju Gotjawal and (2) compared these values to those of a typical cool-temperate deciduous forest stand by forest types and climate differences. Litterfall from evergreen broadleaved forests at Cheongsu (CS) and Seonheul (SHb), a mixed forest at Seonheul (SHm) in Jeju Gotjawal, and a deciduous broadleaved forest at Chungnam National University Forest (CNU) was collected for a full two years using litter traps. Samples were sorted into leaves, twigs, barks, seeds, and unidentified materials, and then weighed and measured for C, N, P, K, Ca, and Mg fluxes by litterfall. Results showed that the mean annual litterfall (846.3 g m&minus;2, average of CS, SHb, and SHm) at Jeju Gotjawal was similar to that of CNU (885.5 g m&minus;2), but varied by site in Jeju Gotjawal: CS (933.1 g m&minus;2) was significantly higher than the average of SHb and SHm (802.9 g m&minus;2). Seasonal patterns of litterfall production differed by forest types; evergreen broadleaved forests showed a bimodal peak in fall and spring while deciduous broadleaved forests showed a unimodal peak in fall. Jeju Gotjawal had significantly higher total macronutrient concentrations and contents (except for K) than CNU and they also varied by site in Jeju Gotjawal: CS had higher N, P, Ca, and Mg contents than SHb and SHm. We conclude that litterfall production and nutrient fluxes differed by forest stand as influenced by forest types and climate. Further, our findings are important for understanding carbon and nutrient dynamics in the geologically unique ecosystem of Jeju Gotjawal and other areas with similar characteristics

Coping strategy among the women with metastatic breast cancer attending a palliative care unit of a tertiary care hospital of Bangladesh.

BackgroundBreast cancer is one of the leading cancers among the Bangladeshi women. Coping helps these patients to adjust with this life-changing disease. Each individual has unique and different coping mechanism. But we know a little regarding their coping strategies. This study aims to explore the different coping strategies adopted by the women with metastatic (stage IV) breast cancer attending the palliative care unit and their relationship with the common mental health issues like anxiety and depression.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted among 95 patients with metastatic (stage IV) breast cancer attending the Department of Palliative Medicine, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Bangladesh from April 2021 to September 2021. Data was collected by face-to-face interview using a structured questionnaire adapted from Hospital Depression and Anxiety Scale (HADS), Brief COPE inventory and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance scale. Pearson correlation test was used to find the relationships between various domains of coping strategies and psychological variables. Correlation matrix was done to observe the internal correlation among different coping strategies. Kruskal-Wallis H test was done to find the relationship between different coping strategies and ECOG performance status.ResultThe mean age of the respondents was 48.9 ± 9.9 years. Most of them were married (94.7%), Muslim (92.6%) and homemakers (82.1%). Commonly used coping strategies by the patients were: acceptance (median 10; IQR 10), religion (median 9; IQR 8-10) and instrumental support (median 9; IQR 6-10). Significantly strong positive correlation was found between emotional and instrumental support (R = 0.7; p = 0.01), planning, acceptance and active coping (R = 0.7; p = 0.01); behavioral disengagement, self distraction and denial (R = 0.5; p = 0.01). Significantly fair negative correlation was observed between active coping and depression (R = -0.4, p ConclusionDifferent coping strategies, especially positive coping helps the patients to adapt with their disease over time. All women suffering from breast cancer should be routinely screened and assessed for psychological distress and ensure early intervention and management to promote a better quality of life

A Global Experiment on Motivating Social Distancing during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Finding communication strategies that effectively motivate social distancing continues to be a global public health priority during the COVID-19 pandemic. This cross-country, preregistered experiment (n = 25,718 from 89 countries) tested hypotheses concerning generalizable positive and negative outcomes of social distancing messages that promoted personal agency and reflective choices (i.e., an autonomy-supportive message) or were restrictive and shaming (i.e. a controlling message) compared to no message at all. Results partially supported experimental hypotheses in that the controlling message increased controlled motivation (a poorly-internalized form of motivation relying on shame, guilt, and fear of social consequences) relative to no message. On the other hand, the autonomy-supportive message lowered feelings of defiance compared to the controlling message, but the controlling message did not differ from receiving no message at all. Unexpectedly, messages did not influence autonomous motivation (a highly-internalized form of motivation relying on one’s core values) or behavioral intentions. Results supported hypothesized associations between people’s existing autonomous and controlled motivations and self-reported behavioral intentions to engage in social distancing: Controlled motivation was associated with more defiance and less long-term behavioral intentions to engage in social distancing, whereas autonomous motivation was associated with less defiance and more short- and long-term intentions to social distance. Overall, this work highlights the potential harm of using shaming and pressuring language in public health communication, with implications for the current and future global health challenges

A global experiment on motivating social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic

Finding communication strategies that effectively motivate social distancing continues to be a global public health priority during the COVID-19 pandemic. This cross-country, preregistered experiment (n = 25,718 from 89 countries) tested hypotheses concerning generalizable positive and negative outcomes of social distancing messages that promoted personal agency and reflective choices (i.e., an autonomy-supportive message) or were restrictive and shaming (i.e., a controlling message) compared with no message at all. Results partially supported experimental hypotheses in that the controlling message increased controlled motivation (a poorly internalized form of motivation relying on shame, guilt, and fear of social consequences) relative to no message. On the other hand, the autonomy-supportive message lowered feelings of defiance compared with the controlling message, but the controlling message did not differ from receiving no message at all. Unexpectedly, messages did not influence autonomous motivation (a highly internalized form of motivation relying on one’s core values) or behavioral intentions. Results supported hypothesized associations between people’s existing autonomous and controlled motivations and self-reported behavioral intentions to engage in social distancing. Controlled motivation was associated with more defiance and less long-term behavioral intention to engage in social distancing, whereas autonomous motivation was associated with less defiance and more short- and long-term intentions to social distance. Overall, this work highlights the potential harm of using shaming and pressuring language in public health communication, with implications for the current and future global health challenges