Castlemans Disease- A Case Report

Castlemans disease(CD) is a heterogeneous group of lymphoproliferative disorders of uncertain cause presenting with lymphadenopathy. It is histologically and prognostically distinct from malignant lymph-node hyperplasia. It was first described in a group of patientswith benign localised hyperplastic lymph-nodes in 1956 by Castleman et al. We report a case of a 70 year old gentleman who was clinically suspected to have lymphoma , but later histologically confirmed to have Castlemans disease.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bsmmuj.v5i1.11031 BSMMU J 2012; 5(1):79-80

EVALUATION OF POLYUNSATURATED FATTY ACIDS AND β-GLUCAN CONTAINING DIET ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND CONDITION FACTOR OF PABDAH CATFISH, OMPOK PABDA (HAMILTON, 1822)

Nutritionally balanced diet and selection of appropriate species for culturing environment are important criteria in aquaculture. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and β-glucan containing diet (PBG) on growth performance, feed utilization, length-weight relationship, and condition factor of Pabdah catfish, Ompok pabda. In this study, squid extracted phospholipid and mushroom powder were used as the source of PUFAs and β-glucan, respectively, and formulated two isonitrogenous diets such as basal or control (CON) diet and PBG diet with maintaining 30% protein levels. During the study period, similar physicochemical conditions of water such as temperature, pH, and dissolved oxygen (DO) were 26.5 ± 2 °C, 7.4 ± 0.2, and 6.7 ± 0.5 ppm, respectively were maintained in each cistern. The results showed that final mean body weight, final mean length gain, food conversion ratio (FCR), specific growth rate (SGR), food conversion efficiency (%), hepato somatic index (HSI), kidney index (KI), and viscerosomatic index (VSI) were significantly (P<0.01 and P<0.05) higher in fish fed the PBG diet than that of fish fed the CON diet. The coefficient of determination showed a significant relationship (R2 = 0.956) between the length and weight of the treatment group. The length-weight relationship and relative condition factor (K) of Ompok pabda were significantly (P<0.05) affected by the PBG diet. The present study shows that the experimental diet more effective and achieves better growth performance, feed utilization, length-weight relationship, and condition factor of Ompok pabda.

Crisis of Morals and Values: A Bangladesh Perspective

The morals and values which are held in high esteem are now eroding with the progressing trend of modern civilization. This decline has taken a dangerous turn and in consequence it is very difficult for the peace loving people to bear the miserable aspects of life. Relevant examples have been cited from different scenarios of national and international level to evaluate the gravity of the situation resulting from moral degradation owing to the loss of ethics and values among people of all walks of life. The causes of this vicious state of life have been examined in the study through questionnaire and interview with different sections of people. As it is a topic of great interest, teachers, learners and social elites showed keen sense of interest to reflect their opinions as far as the cause and effect of this crisis are interrelated to make the discussion thought provoking and fruitful. The objective of the study is to raise awareness among the people and the practical utility of morals and values. The result of this survey has been thoroughly analyzed and effective suggestions are given for making concerted efforts for solution so that the problem may not destroy our glorious achievement for the country we have so far done right from our independence. Just like all authors valuable research papers we, the writers have spared no pains to mention some objectives in a crystal clear manner keeping abreast of our sincerest attempts to state what our principal goals are and what we really aspire to achieve, par excellence providing relevant data to the best of our ability with vigorous studies that opened a new horizon to us in this field. Change of mind set and above all a holistic stance toward it may invigorate us to eliminate the evil and inculcate proper values and morals for national standard and eminence both at home and abroad

The role of HbA1c as a diagnostic test for type 2 diabetes mellitus in Bangladesh

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a serious chronic disease with microvascular complications such as retinopathy, nephropathy and neuropathy and macrovascular complications such as cardiac, peripheral arterial and cerebrovascular disease. Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate the value of HbAlc as a diagnostic test for type 2 diabetes mellitus in Bangladeshi inclividuals. Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted in the Department of Biochemis­try, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka, Bangladesh. A total 657 patients, who were attended in the one point sample collection centre of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University for oral glucose tolerance test (OGIT) from 1st April 2014 to 30th June 2014, were purposively enrolled in this study. According to WHO criteria and based on OGIT findings study subjects were categorized into Normoglycemic (257), IFG (82), IGT (174), and DM (347). Fasting plasma glucose. HbA1c and plasma glucose at 2 hour after glucose load on OGIT was done from all the study subjects. Results: With a cut-off value of 6.J %, HbAlc had a maximal sensitivity and specificity of 97.0% and 49.0% respectively with a positive predictive value 65.5% and a negative predictive value 94.0%. HbA1c had a sensitivity of 93.0% and a specificity of 63.0% was calculated with a cut-off value of 6.5% with positive predictive value 77.5% and negative predictive value 90.0%. Both fasting plasma glucose levels and 2 hour plasma glucose levels were showed significant positive correlation with HbAlc (r = 0.788, P = 0.000 and r = 0.800, P = 0.000 respectively). Conclusion: The study suggests that measurement of HbAlc could be used to make diagnosis of T2DM in the Bangladeshi population

Association of serum vitamin D and parathormone levels in patients of type 2 diabetes mellitus with diabetic retinopathy

The present study was aimed to evaluate the association of serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D and parathormone in 46 patients of type 2 diabetes mellitus with diabetic retinopathy [non-proliferative, (n=27); proliferative (n=19)]. Twenty one diabetic patients without retinopathy were taken as control. Serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D and intact parathyroid hormone were measured by chemiluminescence microparticle immunoassay. Concentration of 25-hydroxy vitamin D differed significantly among groups (p=0.018) and it was significantly lower in proliferative diabetic retinopathy than no diabetic retinopathy (p=0.003). Logistic regression analysis revealed that vitamin D deficiency [25-hydroxy vitamin D <20 ng/mL] was indepen-dently associated with development of diabetic retinopathy (p=0.007, OR 20.90, 95%CI 2.33-187.23). In conclusion, vitamin D deficiency is associated with diabetic retinopathy complicating type 2 diabetes mellitus

POVERTY REDUCTION AND LIVELIHOOD IMPROVEMENT OF WOMEN THROUGH GOAT REARING

This study aimed to examine household in goat keeping farms having more than two goats with respect to its viability, socioeconomic characteristics of the women goat keepers, contribution of small scale goat farming to food security and livelihood, identify major problems associated with small scale goat famers. The study had been conducted in 6 villages namely Kandhapara, Hossainpur, Merigai, Horinadi Shimulia and Nagua of Phulpur upazila in Mymensingh district. In total 60 farmers comprising 07 medium, 43 poor and 10 most vulnerable or extreme poor farmers were randomly for the study. Primary data were collected from the selected farmers by interview method. Both tabular and financial analyses were done to achieve the objectives. The study revealed that most of the women were poor with small family size. However they were young and literate. The study clearly indicated that investment in goat farming were viable. The annual total cost of production per Black Bengal goat was BDT. 3,374, while gross return and net return per household were BDT.21,276 and BDT.17,902 respectively. It was observed that livelihood increased dramatically through goat rearing in the study area. Annual food purchasing capacity increased from 20 to 28 percent. The social status of the farmer?s family increases. Educational status, festival, health facilities acceptance were increased at 19%, 26% and 28% through goat. The position in the family, participation in social activities, water facilities and sanitation also increased remarkably. The study also identified that the goat farmers had been facing some crucial problems with goat keeping. If these problems could be overcome, all the goat farms would be able to earn a higher level of that of the existing level. It was clearly found that the women who reared goat had the most rapid improvement in livelihood

Respiratory, Neurological and Other Health Outcomes among Plastic Factory Workers in Gazipur, Bangladesh

Background: Approximately three thousand plastic goods manufacturing factories (PGMF) are currently operating in Bangladesh involving numerous workers. Associated health problems of these workers are largely unknown. The key objectives of the current study were identifying plastic chemical exposures related health outcomes in these workers and comparing these outcomes before and after their joining in PGMFs. In addition, we aimed to investigate the relationships between work duration and the prevalence of health ailments among workers. Method: A cross-sectional study was carried out among factory workers (n=405) at six PGMFs in Gazipur district in Bangladesh. A simple random sampling method had been applied to select participants and data on their self-reported exposures to chemicals and associated respiratory, neurological, and other multiple health outcomes were collected through a validated questionnaire survey. Data were analyzed using different descriptive and inferential statistical tools. The categorical variables and continuous variables were interpreted using frequency distribution and standard deviation (SD) respectively. A Pearson chi-square (χ2) test was applied to evaluate the correlation between work duration and health outcomes. A p-value Results: The average age and work duration of the workers were 25.63±6.85 and 3.49±3.53 years, respectively, implying that most workers were young, and spent over 10% of their lifetime in PGMFs work. Most common health outcomes reported by the workers were nasal discharges: 60 (14.9%), headaches: 76 (18.9%), fatigues: 112 (27.8%), losses of appetites: 108 (26.8%), urination problems: 61 (13.1%), losses of body weights: 102 (25.3%), and nervousness: 70 (17.4%). Among the common health outcomes only headache (p=0.005); fatigue (p=0.04); urination problem (p=p=0.004) were significantly associated with the work duration. Furthermore, except for hypertension and tarry stool, all health outcomes among workers differ significantly before and after joining in PGMFs. Conclusion: This study first time identified important health outcomes of the PGMFs workers and generated baseline information on common health outcomes of the PGMFs workers in developing countries like Bangladesh. However, it might be important to identify potential causes of such health outcomes in PGMFs workers considering both biomarkers of exposures and real-time environmental samples to understand the disease pathology and to recommend mitigation measures to be taken by occupational health policymakers and practitioners in developing countries

Use of Wireless Sensor and Microcontroller to Develop Water-level Monitoring System

This paper presents the design and development process of Wireless Data Acquisition System (WiDAS) which is a multi-sensor system for water level monitoring. It also consists of a microcontroller (ATMega8L), a data display device and an ultrasonic distance sensor (Parallax Ping). This wireless based acquisition system can communicate through RF module (Tx-Rx) from the measurement sources, such as sensors and devices as digital or analog values over a period of time. The developed system has the option to store the data in the computer memory. It was tested in real time and showed continuous and correct data. The developed system is consisting of a number of features, such as low energy consumption, easy to operate and well-built invulnerability, which cangive successful results to measure the water level. Finally, its flexibility facilitates an extensive application span for self-directed data collection with trustworthy transmission in few sparse points over huge areas

Fuzzy Logic Controller Design for Intelligent Drilling System

An intelligent drilling system can be commercially very profitable in terms of reduction in crude material and labor involvement. The use of fuzzy logic based controller in the intelligent cutting and drilling operations has become a popular practice in the ever growing manufacturing industry. In this paper, a fuzzy logic controller has been designed to select the cutting parameter more precisely for the drilling operation. Specifically, different input criterion of machining parameters are considered such as the tool and material hardness, the diameter of drilling hole and the flow rate of cutting fluid. Unlikethe existing fuzzy logic based methods, which use only two input parameters, the proposed system utilizes more input parameters to provide spindle speed and feed rate information more precisely for the intelligent drilling operation