Structural Development & Growth of Non-Bank Financial Institutions with the Contributory Role in the Economy: Evidence from Bangladesh

Non-Bank Financial Institutions (NBFIs) in Bangladesh are contributing to the economy by diversifying its investment from lease financing to housing financing, merchant banking, venture capital financing and equity financing. The aim of this paper is to show the structural development of NBFIs, performance appraisal of NBFIs and their contribution to the economy in line with GDP. This paper reveals that more participation of private firms in non-banking financial sectors makes this sector less concentrated and more competitive. This paper also finds out that cost of fund of NBFIs is decreasing over the period that indicates rising capacity of borrowing low-cost fund of NBFIs. But the reduction in the cost of the fund could not improve the much to increase the ROA & ROE due to increasing in operating expense, lack of investment opportunity and blocked money in the capital market. Further, NBFIs have high non-performing loan rate that is gradually increasing in nature. The whole industry is doing well in terms of collection of total deposits and lending credit although NPL rate is high. A highly positive correlation is found between total assets of NBFIs and GDP of Bangladesh that contents a positive contribution of NBFIs in the economy

Milk quality, manufacturing properties and blood biochemical profile from dairy cows fed peas ( Pisum sativum L.) as dietary protein supplement

Abstract. Pea (Pisum sativum L.), a protein-rich legume seed well adapted to many climatic areas and widely used for feed and food, was fed to Italian Friesian breed cows for 16 weeks to assess its effects on milk yield and production, renneting properties and metabolic responses. Cows within each group were assigned to two isonitrogenous and isoenergetic concentrates based on corn plus soybean meal or peas. Individual milk samples were collected from two consecutive milkings, composited, and then analysed for fat, protein, casein and lactose contents and somatic cells count as well as blood and milk urea and milk technological characteristics. Cow blood samples were taken and plasma were analysed for metabolites, biological enzymes, β-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA). Peas supplementation had no effects on metabolic blood profile as well as on milk composition traits and clotting aptitude. Milk and blood from cows fed peas indicated a reduction (P<0.05) of their urea concentrations compared to those fed soybean meal. Our findings indicate that peas can replace soybean meal as protein source in diet of dairy cows without unfavourable effects on milk quality and cheesemaking properties

Sex-Specific Impacts of Exercise on Cardiovascular Remodeling

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) remain the leading cause of death in men and women. Biological sex plays a major role in cardiovascular physiology and pathological cardiovascular remodeling. Traditionally, pathological remodeling of cardiovascular system refers to the molecular, cellular, and morphological changes that result from insults, such as myocardial infarction or hypertension. Regular exercise training is known to induce physiological cardiovascular remodeling and beneficial functional adaptation of the cardiovascular apparatus. However, impact of exercise-induced cardiovascular remodeling and functional adaptation varies between males and females. This review aims to compare and contrast sex-specific manifestations of exercise-induced cardiovascular remodeling and functional adaptation. Specifically, we review (1) sex disparities in cardiovascular function, (2) influence of biological sex on exercise-induced cardiovascular remodeling and functional adaptation, and (3) sex-specific impacts of various types, intensities, and durations of exercise training on cardiovascular apparatus. The review highlights both animal and human studies in order to give an all-encompassing view of the exercise-induced sex differences in cardiovascular system and addresses the gaps in knowledge in the field

An Assessment to Human Perception to the Origin of Coronavirus by the Impact of Climate Change and Preventative Management of Pandemic Coronavirus COVID-19

On 12 January 2020, the WHO confirmed that a novel coronavirus was the cause of a respiratory illness in a cluster of people in Wuhan City, China. The aims of the study to assess the human perception to the origin of Coronavirus with relation to nature and find out preventative management about coronavirus. Primary data was collected for analyzing some factors regarding the Coronavirus microorganism formed by the impact of climate change. Primary data was collected through an online questionnaire survey. An online questionnaire survey is used for human perception for taking public opinion about the origin of Coronavirus and preventative management which are conducted in Bangladesh. SPSS software is used for Linear Regression analysis and correlation with some variables. A total of three variables were considered in the model estimation of which are dependent variables Coronavirus microorganism formed by the impact of climate change and independent variables such as Coronavirus microorganism formed by the impact of environmental pollution, Coronavirus microorganism formed by the impact of global heat and Coronavirus microorganism originated by the sources of the impact of ice melting polar region. From the analysis, it is found that the Coronavirus microorganism formed by the impact of climate change that makes a unique and statistically significant contribution to the prediction. Among 200 respondents, about 70% of peoples said “Maybe” Coronavirus microorganism formed by the impact of climate change, and it’s some factor. It is also found from the correlation analysis that the epidemic effects of COVID-19 will high on Bangladesh, if immigrant persons come, if Curfew doesn’t issue, if peoples are not conscious, if peoples are not properly using mask and hand gloves, if they are not maintaining social distance and lock down rules. In the finding that, in the polar region, there are many ice stacks where thousands of years ago, the animals are dead but the virus and bacteria are in a state of sleep. As the heat increases, all glaciers and permafrost start to melt in the Polar region. As a result, many types of viruses, bacteria are starting to live. These viruses including Coronavirus will be mixed with different environmental elements such as water, biodiversity. This will easily affect biodiversity and other animals including humans. Above all Climate change may play a significant role in the transmission of many infectious diseases including Coronavirus. Community responses are important for outbreak management during the early phase of major preventive options

Salivary microRNA 155, 146a/b and 203: A pilot study for potentially non-invasive diagnostic biomarkers of periodontitis and diabetes mellitus

Dysregulated expression of MicroRNAs (miRNAs) plays substantial role in the initiation and progression of both diabetes and periodontitis. The aim of the present study was to validate four miRNAs in saliva as potential predictive biomarkers of periodontal disease among patients with and without diabetes mellitus (DM). MiRNAs were extracted from the saliva of 24 adult subjects with DM and 29 healthy controls. Each group was subdivided into periodontally healthy or having periodontitis. In silico analysis identified 4 miRNAs (miRNA 155, 146 a/b and 203) as immune modulators. The expression of miRNAs-146a/b, 155, and 203 was tested using quantitative PCR. The expression levels in the study groups were compared to explore the effect of diabetes on periodontal status and vice versa. In our cohort, the four miRNAs expression were higher in patients with periodontitis and/or diabetes. miRNA-155 was the most reliable predictors of periodontitis among non-diabetics with an optimum cut-off value of < 8.97 with accuracy = 82.6%. MiRNA 146a, on the other hand, was the only reliable predictor of periodontitis among subjects with diabetes with optimum cut-off value of ≥11.04 with accuracy = 86.1%. The results of the present study concluded that MiRNA-146a and miRNA155 in saliva provide reliable, non-invasive, diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers that can be used to monitor periodontal health status among diabetic and non-diabetic patients

Recurrent EZH1 mutations are a second hit in autonomous thyroid adenomas

Autonomous thyroid adenomas (ATAs) are a frequent cause of hyperthyroidism. Mutations in the genes encoding the TSH receptor (TSHR) or the Gs protein alpha subunit (GNAS) are found in approximately 70% of ATAs. The involvement of other genes and the pathogenesis of the remaining cases are presently unknown. Here, we performed whole-exome sequencing in 19 ATAs that were paired with normal DNA samples and identified a recurrent hot-spot mutation (c.1712A>G; p.Gln571Arg) in the enhancer of zeste homolog 1 (EZH1) gene, which codes for a catalytic subunit of the polycomb complex. Targeted screening in an independent cohort confirmed that this mutation occurs with high frequency (27%) in ATAs. EZH1 mutations were strongly associated with known (TSHR, GNAS) or presumed (adenylate cyclase 9 [ADCY9]) alterations in cAMP pathway genes. Furthermore, functional studies revealed that the p.Gln571Arg EZH1 mutation caused increased histone H3 trimethylation and increased proliferation of thyroid cells. In summary, this study revealed that a hot-spot mutation in EZH1 is the second most frequent genetic alteration in ATAs. The association between EZH1 and TSHR mutations suggests a 2-hit model for the pathogenesis of these tumors, whereby constitutive activation of the cAMP pathway and EZH1 mutations cooperate to induce the hyperproliferation of thyroid cells.IZKF Wurzburg [B-281]; ERA-NET E-Rare [01GM1407B]; Deutsche KrebshilfeDeutsche Krebshilfe [109994]; Wilhelm Sander Stiftung [2013.010.1]We wish to thank Eileen Bosenberg, Bianca Klupfel, and Ines Elsner for technical support and Ulrike Zabel for DNA cloning. This study was partially supported by grants from the IZKF Wurzburg (B-281, to DC and MF); the ERA-NET E-Rare (01GM1407B, to MF and DC); the Deutsche Krebshilfe (109994, to ME); and the Wilhelm Sander Stiftung (project 2013.010.1, to RP)

Early-life Risk Factors for Adult Chronic Disease: Follow-up of a Cohort Born During 1964–1978 in an Urban Slum of Lahore, Pakistan

Evidence suggests that risk of chronic diseases may be programmed during the foetal and early life of the infant. With high rates of low birthweight coupled with a rapid nutritional transition, low-income countries are facing an epidemic of chronic diseases. Follow-up of a cohort of adults born during 1964–1978 in an urban slum in Lahore, Pakistan, is presented in this paper. In 695 of these adults (mean age=29.0 years, males=56%), blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, and body mass index (BMI) were measured to assess early-life predictors of risk of chronic diseases. Sixteen percent of the study population was born with a low birthweight (<2,500 g). A significant positive association (p=0.007) was observed between birthweight and BMI; additionally, adjusting for age and gender, the association with BMI was highly significant (p=0.000). Conversely, a significant negative association (p=0.016) was observed between birthweight and adult levels of fasting plasma glucose; after adjustment for age and gender, the association was more significant (p=0.005) No association was observed between birthweight and adult blood pressure. The results suggest that low birthweight may increase later risk of impaired glucose tolerance in urban Pakistani adults. Further research in this area is warranted