Motor Neuropathy in Hypothyroidism: Clinical and Electrophysiological Findings

Background: Hypothyroidism is a clinical condition associated with low levels of thyroid hormones with raised TSH. Peripheral neuropathy may be associated with hypothyroidism which usually develops insidiously over a long period of time due to irregular taking of drugs or lack of thyroid hormone replacement. Objectives: The present study was done to evaluate the clinical and electro-physiological findings in hypothyroid patients in order to evaluate the neuromuscular dysfunction as well as motor neuropathy. Method: In this study, 70 subjects with the age range from 20 to 50 years of both sexes were included of whom 40 hypothyroids were taken in study group (B) with the duration of 6 months to 5 years and 30 healthy euthyroid subjects were taken as control (Group A). On the basis of their TSH level, group B was further divided into group B1 with TSH level <60 MIU /L (less severe) and group B2 with TSH >60 MIU /L (severe group). The d latency and NCV for motor nerve function were measured by NCV machine in median and ulnar nerve for upper limb and in common peroneal nerve for lower limb. TT3, TT4 were measured by RIA and TSH by IRMA method. All these parameters were measured on the day 1 (one) of their first visit. Data were analysed statistically by ANOVA and Z test. Result: Both TT3, TT4 levels were significantly (P<0.01) lower in hypothyroids in comparison to those of control. Diminished or absence of most of the deep tendon reflexes were found in all the hypothyroids. Most of the patients (67.5%) showed significantly higher (P <0.01) motor distal latencies (MDL) with lower (P> 0.001) conduction velocities (MNCV) and all these changes were more marked in group B2. Conclusion: So, the study revealed that motor neuropathy may be a consequence of hypothyroidism.DOI: 10.3329/bsmmuj.v1i1.3692 Key Words: Hypothyroidism; neuropathy; electrophysiology BSMMU J 2008; 1(1): 15-1

Warm Inflation in f(R,T)f(R,T) gravity

In this work, we explored warm inflation in the background of $f(R,T)$ gravity in the strong dissipation regime. Considering scalar field for FLRW universe, we derived modified field equations. We then deduced slow-roll parameters under slow-roll approximations followed by power spectrum for scalar and tensor perturbations and their corresponding spectral indices. We have considered Chaotic and Natural potentials and estimated scalar spectral index and tensor-to-scalar ratio for constant as well as variable dissipation factor $\Gamma$. We found that both the rejected potentials can be revived under the context of $f(R,T)$ gravity with suitable choice of the model parameters. Further, it is seen that within the warm inflationary scenario both the potentials are consistent with Planck 2018 bounds at the Planckian and sub Planckian energy scales.Comment: 19 pages, 5 figure

Effect of integrated nitrogen application on the yield of two Boro rice varieties: BRRI dhan29 and BRRI dhan74

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of integrated nitrogen (N) application on the yield of Boro rice. The experiment was composed of two rice varieties: BRRI dhan29 and BRRI dhan74, and eleven N management approaches: control (without N), 100% varietal recommended dose (RD) of N from urea, 75% of RD from urea + 25% of RD from poultry manure (PM), 50% of RD from urea + 50% of RD from PM, 25% of RD from urea + 75% of RD from PM, 75% of RD from urea + 25% of RD from vermicompost (VC), 50% of RD from urea + 50% of RD from VC, 25% of RD from urea + 75% of RD from VC, 75% of RD from urea + 25% of RD from cowdung (CD), 50% of RD from urea + 50% of RD from CD and 25% of RD from urea + 75% of RD from CD. Performance of BRRI dhan74 was better compared to BRRI dhan29 in terms of yield. For both verities, application of 75% of RD from urea + 25% of RD from PM produced the highest grain yield (BRRI dhan74: 3.30 t ha-1 and BRRI dhan29: 3.08 t ha-1) and the lowest with control among the N management approaches. Thus, it can be suggested that integrated N application with 75% of varietal RD from urea and 25% from PM in Boro rice cultivation will produce appreciable grain yield and also expected to have positive effect on soil health

Fabrication of Highly Aligned Poly(Vinyl Alcohol) Nanofibers and its Yarn by Electrospinning

In the conventional electrospinning method, fibers are randomly deposited and form nonwoven structures; however, highly aligned micro- or nanofiber and its yarn may only be applicable for the fields, including composites, clothing, textiles, and microelectronics. The elementary principle to obtain uniaxially arranged nanofiber array is to regulate the electric field distribution by using assistant electrode or modified collecting device. The potential applications of conventional electrospun poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) fiber in the preparation of ultrafine separation filters, biodegradable mats, etc., have been described by many researchers. Highly aligned PVA nanofibers were prepared using a modified electrospinning process at the optimum conditions, and a twister added modified electrospinning apparatus was used to prepare twisted nanofiber yarn. The diameter and arrangement of the electrospun PVA nanofibers were characterized using FE-SEM. To study the effect of applied voltage and rotational velocity on the alignment rate of the nanofibers, different voltages and rotational velocity were applied during modified electrospinning, keeping other parameters unchanged. To measure the melting temperature and crystallinity of aligned nanofibers, differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction measurement were performed, respectively. The fabricated highly aligned nanofiber and its yarn might have a practical use of devices for microelectronics

Yersinia enterocolitica: Mode of Transmission, Molecular Insights of Virulence, and Pathogenesis of Infection

Although Yersinia enterocolitica is usually transmitted through contaminated food and untreated water, occasional transmission such as human-to-human, animal-to-human and blood transfusion associated transmission have also identified in human disease. Of the six Y. enterocolitica biotypes, the virulence of the pathogenic biotypes, namely, 1B and 2–5 is attributed to the presence of a highly conserved 70-kb virulence plasmid, termed pYV/pCD and certain chromosomal genes. Some biotype 1A strains, despite lacking virulence plasmid (pYV) and traditional chromosomal virulence genes, are isolated frequently from humans with gastrointestinal diseases similar to that produced by isolates belonging known pathogenic biotypes. Y. enterocolitica pathogenic biotypes have evolved two major properties: the ability to penetrate the intestinal wall, which is thought to be controlled by plasmid genes, and the production of heat-stable enterotoxin, which is controlled by chromosomal genes

PRIKAZ DOMAĆIH I STRANIH KULTIVARA LUKA (Allium cepa L.) ZA POTENCIJAL PROIZVODNJE SJEMENA

An experiment was conducted aiming to find out the seed production potentiality of 19 local and exotic onion cultivars. The analysis of variance showed significant differences among the genotypes for all characters except sprouting percentage, number of flowers per umbel and number of umbel per bulb. Maximum number of days to 50% bolting (52.67) was exhibited by the genotype G2 and minimum by G6 (27.00 days). The larger bulb size after harvest was obtained from G14 and G19 (18.11 g). Genotypes G4 and G11 required the maximum (16.66) and the minimum (9.00) days for 100% sprouting, respectively. The highest stalk length was found in the genotype G1 (67.23 cm) and the lowest in G8 (38.47 cm). Maximum number (5.75) of stalk was produced by the genotype G7 and minimum number (2.09) of stalk by the genotype G11. The genotype G1 produced the highest number of seeds per umbel (1395.92) and seed yield per plant (4.29 g). The lowest (0.45 g) seed yield per plant and maximum bulb weight was obtained by the genotype G8.Istraživanje je provedeno s ciljem utvrđivanja potencijala sjemenske proizvodnje 19 domaćih i stranih kultivara luka. Analiza varijance pokazala je signifikantne razlike između genotipova za sva svojstva, osim postotka naklijavanja, broja cvjetova po štitastom cvatu i broja štitastog cvata po lukovici. Maksimalan broj dana do 50% naklijavanja (52,67) je svojstvo genotipa G2, a minimalan (27,00 dana) je svojstvo genotipa G6. Nakon vađenja utvrđena je veća lukovica kod genotipova 14 i 19 (18,11 g). Genotipovi G4 i G11 trebali su maksimalno 16,66 dana, odnosno minimalno 9,00 dana za 100% naklijavanja, redosljedom. Genotip G1 imao je najdulju (67,23 cm), a G8 najkraću (38,47 cm) stabljiku. Maksimalan broj stabljika (5,75) ustanovljen je kod genotipa G7, a minimalan (2,09) kod genotipa G11. Ustanovljeno je da G1 ima najveći broj sjemena po štitastom cvatu (1395,92) i prinosa sjemena po biljci (4,29 g). Najniži prinos sjemena (0,45 g), kao i najteža lukovica po biljci dobiveni su od genotipa G8

Weed suppressive ability of BRRI released popular monsoon rice varieties

Develoment of weed competitive crop cultivars is an attractive low-cost strategy of integrated weed management program that can reduce the heavy dependence of crop cultivation to chemical herbicides. Hence, to evaluate the weed competitiveness Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) released selected monsoon rice varieties, a field experiment was conducted during July to December 2018 at the Agronomy Field Laboratory of Bangladesh Agricultural University. Thirty-three rice varieties were grown under season long weedy and weed-free conditions. Plots without rice plants were also maintained to investigate the natural growth of weed in absence of rice. The experiment was conducted following randomized complete block design with three replicates. The results showed that rice varieties varied widely in yielding ability and weed competitiveness. Among rice varieties, BRRI dhan31 allowed the minimum weed growth (32.5 g m-2) while BRRI dhan51 allowed the maximum weed growth (155.3 g m-2). Grain yield ranged between 3.6 t ha-1 (BRRI dhan49) and 7.5 t ha-1 (BR10) under weed-free condition and between 2.2 t ha-1 (BRRI dhan70) and 3.9 t ha-1 (BRRI dhan34) under weedy condition. Weed imposed relative yield loss ranged from 10.2 to 66.9% among the rice varieties. BRRI dhan34 allowed the least yield penalty (10.2%) while BRRI dhan70 had the maximum yield penalty (66.9%) due to competition with weeds. Although BR10 appear as the most productive variety (7.5 t ha-1) its weed imposed relative yield loss was higher (51.3%) than many other varieties with low yield potential. On the other hand, BRRI dhan34 appeared as the most weed competitive variety (only 10.2% relative yield loss) with productivity of 3.9 t ha-1. Considering the yield, BR10 was the best but for weed suppressive ability BRRI dhan34 performed well

Allelopathic Potential of Three Oil Enriched Plants against Seedling Growth of Common Field Crops

Current study aims to investigate into the allelopathic potential of the different parts (leaf, bark, stem, twig and root) of three oil-enrich plant species of Bangladesh viz., Jatropha curcus, Ricinus communis and Aphanamixis polystachya. The aqueous extract of those plant parts were diluted into four different concentrations viz., 1:5, 1:10, 1:15, 1:20 (w/v) and tested against the seedling growth of jute, rice, wheat, radish, tomato, mungbean and mustard under control laboratory condition. A control (distilled water without extract) was also maintained in every cases and the bioassay experiment was replicated thrice. The results of this research showed that the shoot and root growth inhibition of rice, wheat, jute, tomato, radish, mungbean and mustard by leaf, bark, stem, twig and root extracts of J. curcus, R. communis and A. polystachya varied significantly. Compare to the shoot growth, the root growth of the test species inhibited more except J. curcus. The leaf and root have higher allelopathic potential than any other parts of the studied plants. Finally, it can be concluded here that J. curcus plant extracts has higher allelopathic potential than other two plants R. communis and A. polystachya. Therefore, J. curcus can be used as a candidate plant for isolation and identification of allelopathic substances for the development of new natural herbicides

Enhancing women's empowerment as an effective strategy to improve food security in rural Bangladesh: a pathway to achieving SDG-2

IntroductionWomen play an important role in maintaining household food security; unfortunately, their food security is frequently neglected. This type of phenomenon has become common in developing nations such as Bangladesh, particularly in its rural areas. The objective of this study is to investigate the variables that lead to the empowerment of rural women and its impact on their food security. In acknowledging women's significant contribution to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 2 (SDG-2)- Zero Hunger, this study investigates how access to resources, social support, and policy perceptions impact women's empowerment and food security.MethodsA total of 480 rural women from the southern part of Bangladesh were questioned, and their responses were analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling.ResultsWe found that access to resources, social support, and policy perceptions explain 74% of women's empowerment variance and women's empowerment explains 70% variance of women's food security. Access to resources and social support has significant positive impacts on women's empowerment. However, policy perceptions have a positive but not significant impact on women's empowerment. We also observed that women's empowerment significantly improved their food security.Practical implicationsTo empower women and improve their food security, the accessibility of resources and support from social networks must be improved. The study emphasizes the importance of strengthening the government's policies, which aim to improve the livelihood conditions of vulnerable people through regular monitoring to overcome underlying obstacles. Our study offers empirical data that policymakers can use to address complex food affordability and security challenges during global crises, enabling the achievement of SDG-2 in rural areas of Bangladesh and similar societies

Novel Natural Polymer/Medicinal Plant Extract Electrospun Nanofiber for Cosmeceutical Application

Zein produced from maize is a hydrophobic protein, which holds great potential for a number of industrial applications, for example, food packaging, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and biomedical industry. Sorghum, known as important cereal crop worldwide, is a good source of various phytochemicals such as tannins, phenolic acids, anthocyanins, phytosterols, and policosanols, and these phytochemicals have great impact on human health. Poria cocos, a well‐known traditional East‐Asian medicinal plant, is found around the roots of pine trees in Korea and China. As a rapid and efficient process, electrospinning has drawn huge interest among scientists to produce nanostructured polymer materials with excellent properties. In this work, we studied the influence of co‐solvent ratio and concentration of zein/medicinal plant extract on the morphologies of nanostructured zein/medicinal plant extract nanomaterials prepared by electrospinning technique from ethanol/water solution. The zein/medicinal extract nanofibers were characterized by field‐emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and differential scanning calorimetric technique. And we were to incorporate medicinal plant resources into the electro‐spun zein nanofibers by electrospinning technique to investigate the effect of medicinal extract on the morphologies, antibacterial, antioxidant, and other properties. Zein/medicinal plant extract might have a practical use as a new preservative for cosmeceutical applications