Control of Some Human Pathogenic Bacteria by Seed Extracts of Cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.)

Antibacterial activity of seed extracts of cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) was investigated against 10 gram positive and gram negative bacteria. Disc diffusion method was used to test antibacterial activity. Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) were determined by using standard procedures. The highest (effective) inhibition zone of 16.67±0.47 mm was found at 250 mg/ml for Escherichia coli. On the other hand, the inhibition zones 15.00±0.82 mm for ethanol, 15.33±0.47 for methanol, and 15.67±0.82 for acetone were found against Bacillus subtilis, Sarcina lutea and Klebsiella pneumonia, respectively. MIC value (20 to 50 mg/ml) and MBC value (40 to 60 mg/ml) were measured against studied bacteria. On the basis of investigation, we can say, cumin seeds could be used as a source of new antibacterial agent for developing drugs to inhibit some human pathogenic bacteria

A Comparative Study of Liver Cell Regenerative Activity between Primary Biliary Cirrhosis, Alcoholic Cirrhosis, Hepatitic Cirrhosis, and Hepatocellular Carcinoma using Figure Analysis

Liver cell regeneration which is a prominent pathological feature in cirrhosis of the liver was examined histopathologically and by figure analysis using immage analyser. Liver cell regenerative changes in liver biopsies of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), alcoholic cirrhosis, hepatitic cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were compared. In PBC, regenerative features of liver cells were mild in degree. In alcoholic cirrhosis, regenerative liver cells were less prominent than in hepatitic cirrhosis. In hepatitic cirrhosis, regenerative liver cell nodules were well developed, showing remarkable pleomorphism of liver cell nuclei and expansive arrangement of liver cell cords. Cellular and structural atypia were observed in some parts of regenerative nodules. These results suggest that a possibility of occurring HCC is much more prominent in hepatitic cirrhosis than in PBC or alcoholic cirrhosis, because developement of liver cell regeneration is most remarkable in hepatitic cirrhosis

Socializing One Health: an innovative strategy to investigate social and behavioral risks of emerging viral threats

In an effort to strengthen global capacity to prevent, detect, and control infectious diseases in animals and people, the United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Emerging Pandemic Threats (EPT) PREDICT project funded development of regional, national, and local One Health capacities for early disease detection, rapid response, disease control, and risk reduction. From the outset, the EPT approach was inclusive of social science research methods designed to understand the contexts and behaviors of communities living and working at human-animal-environment interfaces considered high-risk for virus emergence. Using qualitative and quantitative approaches, PREDICT behavioral research aimed to identify and assess a range of socio-cultural behaviors that could be influential in zoonotic disease emergence, amplification, and transmission. This broad approach to behavioral risk characterization enabled us to identify and characterize human activities that could be linked to the transmission dynamics of new and emerging viruses. This paper provides a discussion of implementation of a social science approach within a zoonotic surveillance framework. We conducted in-depth ethnographic interviews and focus groups to better understand the individual- and community-level knowledge, attitudes, and practices that potentially put participants at risk for zoonotic disease transmission from the animals they live and work with, across 6 interface domains. When we asked highly-exposed individuals (ie. bushmeat hunters, wildlife or guano farmers) about the risk they perceived in their occupational activities, most did not perceive it to be risky, whether because it was normalized by years (or generations) of doing such an activity, or due to lack of information about potential risks. Integrating the social sciences allows investigations of the specific human activities that are hypothesized to drive disease emergence, amplification, and transmission, in order to better substantiate behavioral disease drivers, along with the social dimensions of infection and transmission dynamics. Understanding these dynamics is critical to achieving health security--the protection from threats to health-- which requires investments in both collective and individual health security. Involving behavioral sciences into zoonotic disease surveillance allowed us to push toward fuller community integration and engagement and toward dialogue and implementation of recommendations for disease prevention and improved health security

Psycho-social factors associated with relapse to drug addiction in Bangladesh

Background: Relapse to drug use after successful treatment and rehabilitation is a common problem globally. This study aimed to identify the psychological and social factors associated with relapse of drug addiction in Bangladesh. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study among 60 individuals (30 relapsed and 30 non-relapsed cases) with a history of drug addiction in four drug treatment and detoxification center in Bangladesh from May to December 2010. Data were collected from all the participants using a pre-tested, semi-structured questionnaire. A 4-point Likert format was used for scoring the questionnaire. Logistic regression models were performed to identify factors associated with relapse to drug addiction. Results: All participants were male, aged between 18 and 41 years with mean (SD) age of 27.63 (4.23) years. The “negative emotion” factor had strong contribution on relapse, while “peer pressure,” “self-efficacy,” and “lack of assertiveness” contributed to relapse moderately. The “parental discord” and “relation with parents” factors showed no relationship with relapse. The thought/belief, feeling/emotion, and behavior/action patterns related to relapse were identified, and the covert or very internal affairs of relapse components were revealed. Conclusion: Psychological factors were associated with an increased likelihood of relapse than social factors. These findings may help clinicians identify substance abuse patients likely to relapse and develop treatment and policy guidelines for prevention of relapse to drug addiction in Bangladesh

Injecting Drug Users and Their Health Seeking Behavior: A Cross-Sectional Study in Dhaka, Bangladesh

Introduction and Aim. Injecting drug users (IDUs) are amongst the most vulnerable people to acquisition of HIV/AIDS. This study aims to collect information on IDUs and their health seeking behavior in Bangladesh. Design and Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 120 IDUs attending a drug rehabilitation center in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Data were collected on sociodemographics, drug use, health seeking behavior, knowledge of injecting drugs, and sexual behavior. Results. The mean ± SD and median (IQR) age of the participants were 32.5±21.3 and 33 (27–38) years, respectively, with only 9.2% females. Injection buprenorphine was the drug of choice for 40% of participants, and 58% of the participants first started drug use with smoking cannabis. 73.3% of participants shared needles sometimes and 57.5% were willing to use the needle exchange programs. 60% of the participants had no knowledge about the diseases spread by injection. Condom use during the last intercourse with regular partners was 11.7% and with any partners 15.8%. Conclusion. IDUs in Bangladesh are a high-risk group for HIV/AIDS due to lack of knowledge and risky behaviors. Education and interventions specifically aimed at IDUs are needed, because traditional education may not reach IDUs or influence their behavior

Fig 1 -

Comparison of observed and simulated outputs of model validation data for grain yield (A) and biomass yield (B) at varying sowing dates of BARI Mung-6.</p

Effect of elevated temperature on mungbean grain yield under variable sowing dates.

Effect of elevated temperature on mungbean grain yield under variable sowing dates.</p

Simulated grain yield of BARI Mung-6 over 41 years (1981–2021).

The lower whiskers indicate the lowest grain yields and the upper whiskers indicate the highest grain yields. The outliers are shown as dot points. The center black lines indicate the median values.</p