New Psychoactive Substances: A Potential Threat to Developing Countries

Background: New psychoactive substances (NPS) have become a global phenomenon, with over 134 countries and territories from all world regions reporting them. Since December 2021, governments, laboratories, and partner agencies have confirmed to the UNODC Early Warning Advisory (EWA) on NPS over 1124 substances. It is agreed that NPS control is one of the most challenging tasks for developing countries. Identifying the present and future threads of NPS is the most challenging task for law enforcement officials. The NPS research has a great impact on substance abuse policy-making and harm reduction strategies. Methods: The data in this study were collected from the official websites of online journals, Google Scholar, UNODC, International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), and the Department of Narcotics Control (DNC).  Findings: Among the eleven groups of NPS, synthetic cannabinoids and cathinones are the most prevalent and alarming in developing countries. In Bangladesh, NPS abuse has been first identified in 2016. Almost 60 countries adopted legislative solutions to manage NPS by 2021, with many using or amending existing legislation and others employing novel legal mechanisms. It is widely agreed by researchers that reducing the menace of NPS requires increased awareness among all stakeholders. Conclusion: In the fight against the spread of NPS and its severe effects, law enforcement authorities and healthcare professional training must be seen as crucial aspects as well. Financing is also crucial for international organizations dealing with the NPS impact to continue fighting this war. The only way for policymakers to reduce NPS spread globally is through national and international cooperation

Prospects and Evaluation of an Integrated Extension Model designed for Anthrax-free Area Development

The main purpose of this study wasto assess and evaluate anIntegrated Extension Modelto improve the overall knowledge, attitude and practice habits of community people over a sustained period.The survey questionnaire results have indicated that the various sources of anthrax message dissemination had played a significant role in the study. Among those responsible for disseminating the information, it was realized that studentsserving in the role of message disseminators played the most significant role (15%) indelivering the anthrax-related key information to the community. Majority community members (97.5%) were made aware of the nature, occurrence, public health importance, and management of the disease. Theirdangerous habits and attitudes toward slaughtering of sick animals were reduced (\u3c30%). The attention of local administration and the law enforcement agency focused distinctively on the issue of animal slaughter. Vaccination and clinical records reveal that the percentage of vaccination coverage was increased from 40% to 85% andthe percentage of farmers who can diagnose anthrax has been increased from 30% to 40%.On the other hand, their poor economic background together with the dispersed settlement nature of the farmers was the main gaps identified that continued to force them to slaughter infected animals, sell their products and to consequently concealthat information, all issues that are required to be addressed in the future. Based on the research findings, it can be concluded that this modelis an efficient, effective and suitable method to raise awareness levels in a large communitywith regards to a zoonotic disease like anthrax

Bacterial Microflora on Freshwater Prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) and Culture Water Associated with Public Health Concern

Quantitative and qualitative analyses of important bacterial content for public health concern (total bacterial count, total coliforms, faecal coliforms, Salmonella and Vibrio cholerae) of  cultured fresh water prawn and  farm water which has significant role in order to manage sustainable aquaculture were carried out. Microbiological parameters of prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) and farm water were determined by following the ISO standard methods. Total bacterial Count (standard plate count) found in prawn samples ranged from 5.55 to 5.71 log CFU/g while 4.13 to 4.18 log CFU/mL in water sample. On the other hand, total coliforms found in prawn sample ranged between 1.96 to 2.46 log CFU/g whereas in water sample 2.07 to 2.46 log CFU/mL total coliforms were detected.  In case of faecal coliforms, the number ranged between 0.96 to 1.42 log CFU/g in prawn sample and 1.59 to 1.81 in water sample. While Vibrio cholerae was absent in both prawns and water sample and Salmonella was detected in two tested ponds for both prawn and water sample.

The The Rich Mapping: Be a Supplementary Approach for Anthrax Control at Community Level

Anthrax is one of the most important diseases that can be transmitted from cattle to humans, especially in countries with a high density of cattle. Cattle are usually infected by the ingestion of Bacillus anthracis spores with food ingredients. For that reason, the adequacy of anthrax spores in the soil is considered as one of the causes of anthrax in cattle. The present study is based on the identification of anthrax spores in the soil and the development of a map based on the presence of spores, so that the people of the community can take a practical step in this regard in selecting the place for their cattle to graze. For this purpose, soil samples were collected from the studied areas. After extraction of soil DNA with DNA extraction kits, all samples were tested using a qualitative detection method. For a rapid and reliable qualitative detection system for Pathogenic B. anthracis spores isolated from soil samples, the specific primer of two plasmids, pXO1 (gene Pag), pXO2 (genes Cap), and S-layer locus (gene Sap) were used. The presence of spores was found in 7 out of 50 samples. The results of a qualitative detection method of Bacillus anthracis spores in the pastureland inserted as per their GPS coordinates. Based on the presence of pathogenic anthrax spore in a specific location, a map was then prepared and displayed in the community. So that the cattle owners can decide where their cattle will graze and be careful to prevent spore contact of their animal. Among the various effective anthrax prevention measures, rich mapping according to the presence of spores can be helpful in community level that will protect people from anthrax disease in the future

Effects of Water, Sanitation, Handwashing, and Nutritional Interventions on Environmental Enteric Dysfunction in Young Children: A Cluster-randomized, Controlled Trial in Rural Bangladesh.

BackgroundWe hypothesized that drinking water, sanitation, handwashing (WSH), and nutritional interventions would improve environmental enteric dysfunction (EED), a potential contributor to stunting.MethodsWithin a subsample of a cluster-randomized, controlled trial in rural Bangladesh, we enrolled pregnant women in 4 arms: control, WSH, child nutrition counseling plus lipid-based nutrient supplements (N), and nutrition plus WSH (N+WSH). Among the birth cohort, we measured biomarkers of gut inflammation (myeloperoxidase, neopterin), permeability (alpha-1-antitrypsin, lactulose, mannitol), and repair (regenerating gene 1β) at median ages 3, 14, and 28 months. Analysis was intention-to-treat.ResultsWe assessed 1512 children. At age 3 months, compared to controls, neopterin was reduced by nutrition (-0.21 log nmol/L; 95% confidence interval [CI], -.37, -.05) and N+WSH (-0.20 log nmol/L; 95% CI, -.34, -.06) interventions; similar reductions were observed at 14 months. At 3 months, all interventions reduced lactulose and mannitol (-0.60 to -0.69 log mmol/L). At 28 months, myeloperoxidase was elevated in the WSH and nutrition arms (0.23-0.27 log ng/mL) and lactulose was higher in the WSH arm (0.30 log mmol/L; 95% CI, .07, .53).ConclusionsReductions in permeability and inflammation at ages 3 and 14 months suggest that the interventions promoted healthy intestinal maturation; however, by 28 months, the WSH and nutrition arms showed elevated EED biomarkers. These results underscore the importance of developing a better understanding of EED pathophysiology and targeting interventions early in childhood, when they are likely to have the largest benefit to intestinal health.Clinical trials registrationNCT01590095

Effects of Water, Sanitation, Handwashing, and Nutritional Interventions on Environmental Enteric Dysfunction in Young Children: A Cluster-randomized, Controlled Trial in Rural Bangladesh.

BackgroundWe hypothesized that drinking water, sanitation, handwashing (WSH), and nutritional interventions would improve environmental enteric dysfunction (EED), a potential contributor to stunting.MethodsWithin a subsample of a cluster-randomized, controlled trial in rural Bangladesh, we enrolled pregnant women in 4 arms: control, WSH, child nutrition counseling plus lipid-based nutrient supplements (N), and nutrition plus WSH (N+WSH). Among the birth cohort, we measured biomarkers of gut inflammation (myeloperoxidase, neopterin), permeability (alpha-1-antitrypsin, lactulose, mannitol), and repair (regenerating gene 1β) at median ages 3, 14, and 28 months. Analysis was intention-to-treat.ResultsWe assessed 1512 children. At age 3 months, compared to controls, neopterin was reduced by nutrition (-0.21 log nmol/L; 95% confidence interval [CI], -.37, -.05) and N+WSH (-0.20 log nmol/L; 95% CI, -.34, -.06) interventions; similar reductions were observed at 14 months. At 3 months, all interventions reduced lactulose and mannitol (-0.60 to -0.69 log mmol/L). At 28 months, myeloperoxidase was elevated in the WSH and nutrition arms (0.23-0.27 log ng/mL) and lactulose was higher in the WSH arm (0.30 log mmol/L; 95% CI, .07, .53).ConclusionsReductions in permeability and inflammation at ages 3 and 14 months suggest that the interventions promoted healthy intestinal maturation; however, by 28 months, the WSH and nutrition arms showed elevated EED biomarkers. These results underscore the importance of developing a better understanding of EED pathophysiology and targeting interventions early in childhood, when they are likely to have the largest benefit to intestinal health.Clinical trials registrationNCT01590095